#  How gene that causes arthritis aided the spread of mankind by making early humans smaller so they could cope with colder temperatures 

 





July 03, 2017

 

 

- [ Coverage on Nature Genetics GDF5 and Height Paper ](/news-categories/coverage-nature-genetics-gdf5-and-height-paper)
 
 

 

A single gene that made it easier for early humans to colonise Europe and [**Asia**](https://www.dailymail.com/news/asia/index.html) also causes arthritis, researchers claim. The gene, which causes people to be more compact, became more common when early humans moved out of Africa. Being smaller helped humans cope with colder temperatures because it meant less body area to keep warm.

**Source:** Daily Mail

**Author:** Colin Fernandez

**Link:** [Full Text](https://www.dailymail.com/health/article-4662760/How-gene-causes-arthritis-aided-spread-mankind.html)



 

 

 



 

 

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