# Media Coverage on Nature Genetics GDF5 and Height Paper November 30, 2017 Our paper, Capellini et al., 2017 in Nature Genetics was covered extensively in the news: [### Arthritis: the price our ancestors paid for surviving the Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/arthritis-price-our-ancestors-paid-surviving-ice-age) July 15, 2017 Arthritis may affect billions of people worldwide. It may come as little consolation to them, but scientists say that painful joints may be the price humanity has paid for survival. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.49.58%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=IHRA8AYs) [### Shorter, But Survivors ](/news/2017/07/shorter-survivors) July 07, 2017 Genetic mutations that made ancient people shorter and more prone to osteoarthritis may have also helped them endure an ice age, the *New York Times* reports. description [### Arthritis could have been the savior of Early Europeans during Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/arthritis-could-have-been-savior-early-europeans-during-ice-age) July 07, 2017 Arthritis is a medical condition that many people world-wide suffer from. A science magazine has recently published an article in which arthritis might have been the medical condition, which helped the early Europeans survive the harsh conditions of the... ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%202.22.33%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=XaXBsYJZ) [### Natural selection favoured shorter bones to COMBAT THE COLD, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis ](/news/2017/07/natural-selection-favoured-shorter-bones-combat-cold-increasing-risk-osteoarthritis) July 06, 2017 Researchers at Stanford University and Harvard University have found that mutations in the GDF5 gene associated with shorter stature allowed our ancestors to migrate from Africa to frigid parts of the North 50,000-100,000 years ago. However, these same... ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%203.02.55%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=p19ee6V7) [### Gene causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age) July 06, 2017 A genetic change associated with shorter stature and increased risk of arthritis might have helped our ancestors survive the Ice Age, a study has showed. The findings showed that mutations in the gene called GDF5 resulted in shorter bones that led to a... description [### They Were Shorter and at Risk for Arthritis, but They Survived an Ice Age ](/news/new-york-times-article-gdf5-height-nature-genetics-paper) July 06, 2017 Shortness, reduced mobility and sore joints may not come to mind when you think of survival of the fittest. But human evolution could suggest otherwise. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%208.37.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=4f9ax6sq) [### The mutation that helped our ancestors withstand periods of extreme cold likely contributed to the development of arthritis ](/news/2017/07/mutation-helped-our-ancestors-withstand-periods-extreme-cold-likely-contributed) July 06, 2017 When humans began migrating out of Africa more than 100,000 years ago, they brought with them the genetic material necessary to survive the cold of Europe and Asia. But this same mutation that helped our ancestors likely also contributed to the... ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%202.55.33%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=wBdkt80A) [### Research Sheds Light on How Humans First Developed Osteoarthritis ](/news/2017/07/research-sheds-light-how-humans-first-developed-osteoarthritis) July 06, 2017 “Arthritis is the price for our ancestors surviving the Ice Age, say scientists,” reads a Telegraph headline. Newsweek adds, “Human evolution: Africa exodus made homo sapiens shorter and gave them arthritis.” Both articles respond to research published... description [### A genetic variant that increases the risk of osteoarthritis has been discovered ](/news/2017/07/genetic-variant-increases-risk-osteoarthritis-has-been-discovered) July 05, 2017 A single genetic change linked to both reduced human height and an increased risk of osteoarthritis might seem like something quickly dismissed from evolution. After all, how could being shorter and less mobile be an advantage in the fierce competition... description [### Osteoarthritis and the expansion of humanity ](/news/2017/07/osteoarthritis-and-expansion-humanity) July 05, 2017 The shortening of bones experienced by early humans to withstand cold climates doubled our risk of developing osteoarthritis, according to a study from Stanford University School of Medicine. description [### Genetic switch for height discovered and how it may influence osteoarthritis ](/news/2017/07/genetic-switch-height-discovered-and-how-it-may-influence-osteoarthritis) July 05, 2017 Switches have been discovered in certain genes that, when turned on at the growth plate of long bones, can determine an individual's height. The "short stature" variant is particularly prevalent among European and Asian populations and may have... description [### Flipping the switch on height variation ](/news/2017/07/flipping-switch-height-variation) July 05, 2017 If you're taller than average and worried about what that means for your risk of arthritis later in life, Terence Capellini and David Kingsley may have some good news for you. description [### Gene linked to arthritis may have helped humans survive Ice Age: Study ](/news/2017/07/gene-linked-arthritis-may-have-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-study) July 05, 2017 A gene linked to increased risk of osteoarthritis and reduced height may have helped early humans survive Ice Age, a study has found. Researchers at the Stanford University and Harvard University in the US have shown that, despite its association with the... ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%202.26.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=x91LjhO1) [### Gene causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-0) July 05, 2017 New York: A genetic change associated with shorter stature and increased risk of arthritis might have helped our ancestors survive the Ice Age, a study has showed. description [### The spread of arthritis was explained by the human exodus from Africa ](/news/2017/07/spread-arthritis-was-explained-human-exodus-africa) July 05, 2017 Researchers from the US and Canada have concluded that the establishment of a mutation that increases the risk of arthritis may be linked to human migration out of Africa. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2010.12.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=SQ8xFkJr) [### The gene that causes arthritis possibly helped humans survive the Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-causes-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age) July 05, 2017 "Interestingly, the region that harbours this variant is closely linked to other mutations that affect GDF5 activity in the joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis in the knee and hip," said Terence Capellini. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.16.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=65JNuAo6) [### The Mutation That Helped Ancient Humans Survive Frostbite Probably Gave Us Arthritis ](/news/2017/07/mutation-helped-ancient-humans-survive-frostbite-probably-gave-us-arthritis) July 04, 2017 When humans began their slow migration out of Africa some 100,000 years ago, they carried with them the genetic seeds necessary to help survive the bitter chill of Europe and Asia. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.13.42%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=koLYYr3d) [### Human evolution: The benefits of the osteoarthritis gene ](/news/2017/07/human-evolution-benefits-osteoarthritis-gene) July 04, 2017 A gene variant widespread in Europe and Asia not only damages the joints but also shortens the leg bones and could therefore reduce the risk of fractures. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.31.28%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=L5sS99EE) [### Gene causing arthritis may have helped humans survive Ice Age: Study ](/news/2017/07/gene-causing-arthritis-may-have-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-study) July 04, 2017 The study showed that mutations in the gene called GDF5 resulted in shorter bones that led to a compact body structure while reducing the risk of bone fracture from falling. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.46.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=sqKquJnT) [### Arthritis may have helped our ancestors survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/arthritis-may-have-helped-our-ancestors-survive-ice-age) July 04, 2017 The study also uncovered a surprising link -- between the sequence that favours shortness and an increased risk of osteoarthritis. description [### Study: Humans evolved to survive in extreme cold - but the price is painful joint problems ](/news/2017/07/study-humans-evolved-survive-extreme-cold-price-painful-joint-problems) July 04, 2017 According to researchers from Stanford and Harvard universities, a variant of the GDF5 gene, which is involved in bone growth and joint formation, has two effects on carriers of its mutations. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2010.16.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=XtqNg37-) [### Arthri­tis gene aided spread of mankind ](/news/2017/07/arthri-tis-gene-aided-spread-mankind) July 04, 2017 A SIN­GLE gene that made it eas­ier for early hu­mans to colonise Europe and Asia also causes arthri­tis, re­searchers claim. The gene, which causes peo­ple to be more com­pact, be­came more com­mon when early hu­mans moved out of Africa. description [### Genetics causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/genetics-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-0) July 04, 2017 Many people think of osteoarthritis as a kind of wear-and-tear disease, but there's clearly a genetic component at work here as well. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2012.01.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=mRk9qSMG) [### Osteoarthritis is a side effect of the human struggle for survival ](/news/2017/07/osteoarthritis-side-effect-human-struggle-survival) July 04, 2017 The shortening of bones experienced by primitive man in order to withstand cold climates doubled our risk of suffering from osteoarthritis. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.18.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=owiJNwjS) [### Gene causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-1) July 04, 2017 A genetic change associated with shorter stature and increased risk of arthritis might have helped our ancestors survive the Ice Age, a study has showed. description [### Gene causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age-2) July 04, 2017 A genetic change associated with shorter stature and increased risk of arthritis might have helped our ancestors survive the Ice Age, a study has showed. description [### Could Early Europeans have Survived Ice Age because of Arthritis? ](/news/2017/07/could-early-europeans-have-survived-ice-age-because-arthritis) July 04, 2017 Arthritis is a very common joint inflammation. Early Europeans may have survived the ice age because of arthritis. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%202.05.05%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=iNF7AHp-) [### Genetics causing arthritis possibly helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/genetics-causing-arthritis-possibly-helped-humans-survive-ice-age) July 04, 2017 Mutations in the gene called GDF5 resulted in shorter bones that led to a compact body structure while reducing the risk of bone fracture from falling. Thus, it also favoured early humans to better withstand frostbite. description [### Humans Developed Arthritis as They Moved Out of Africa ](/news/2017/07/humans-developed-arthritis-they-moved-out-africa) July 04, 2017 Joint pain is the price we paid for evolution ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.52.21%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=CGuCiqHk) [### Genetic variant linked to osteoarthritis favored in cold climates ](/news/2017/07/genetic-variant-linked-osteoarthritis-favored-cold-climates) July 04, 2017 Like many others, Ive been rewatching the Game of Thronestelevision series in preparation for the start of the seventh season later this month. So I dont think its all that odd that an image of Jon Snows first trip to the jaw-dropping Wall of ice (which... description [### Gene That Helped Humans Survive Migration Out Of Africa Increases Arthritis Risk ](/news/2017/07/gene-helped-humans-survive-migration-out-africa-increases-arthritis-risk) July 04, 2017 A single gene mutation that helped early humans survive in Europe and Asia during the Ice Age may also increase the risk of arthritis in modern-day humans. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.25.54%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=41gf0_pM) [### Flipping the switch on height variation ](/news/2017/07/flipping-switch-height-variation-0) July 04, 2017 A genetic 'switch' that changes the activity of a key skeletal gene related to height has been discovered by a team of researchers, who have also pinpointed a genetic variant in the switch that favors shortness and is far more prevalent among Eurasian... description [### Gene linked to arthritis helped humans survive Ice Age ](/news/2017/07/gene-linked-arthritis-helped-humans-survive-ice-age) July 04, 2017 A gene linked to increased risk of osteoarthritis and reduced height may have helped early humans survive Ice Age, a study has found. description [### Arthritis causes: Gene helping ancestors survive THIS injury left us with joint condition ](/news/2017/07/arthritis-causes-gene-helping-ancestors-survive-injury-left-us-joint-condition) July 04, 2017 ARTHRITIS is often thought to be due to wear and tear, or triggered by the body's immune system, but there could be another reason - frostbite in our ancestors. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2011.57.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=t_7jNP_e) [### Decreasing height, increasing arthritis risk evolutionarily advantageous for humans ](/news/2017/07/decreasing-height-increasing-arthritis-risk-evolutionarily-advantageous-humans) July 03, 2017 A single genetic change linked both to a reduction in human height and an increase in osteoarthritis risk might seem like it would quickly be kicked to the evolutionary curb. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.33.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=DygqkLw1) [### Early Europeans may have survived the Ice Age because of arthritis ](/news/2017/07/early-europeans-may-have-survived-ice-age-because-arthritis) July 03, 2017 For those days when arthritis, here’s something to keep in mind: at one point in human history, it may have been the thing that kept early Europeans alive. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.05.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=-yRqOiwH) [### In northern humans, evolution favored shorter bones - but with a painful trade-off ](/news/2017/07/northern-humans-evolution-favored-shorter-bones-painful-trade) July 03, 2017 Humans in Europe and Asia evolved to have shorter bones and an increased risk of osteoarthritis, a trade-off that may have helped them in colder climates, Stanford researchers say. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.08.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=KiJF70aH) [### Genetic variant linked to arthritis may have helped humans survive ](/news/2017/07/genetic-variant-linked-arthritis-may-have-helped-humans-survive) July 03, 2017 If you’re short or suffer from arthritis, you may have evolution to blame – at least, according to a new study of a genetic variant found in Asian and European populations. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.06.23%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=kEBU6WX4) [### How gene that causes arthritis aided the spread of mankind by making early humans smaller so they could cope with colder temperatures ](/news/2017/07/how-gene-causes-arthritis-aided-spread-mankind-making-early-humans-smaller-so-they) July 03, 2017 A single gene that made it easier for early humans to colonise Europe and Asia 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... ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2012.07.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=We9OPQfx) [### The Extreme History Project ](/news/2017/07/extreme-history-project) July 03, 2017 Link: Full Post description [### Arthritis is the price for our ancestors surviving the Ice Age, say scientists ](/news/2017/07/arthritis-price-our-ancestors-surviving-ice-age-say-scientists) July 03, 2017 For the 10 million Britons suffering from arthritis, it may be cold comfort to know that they might not be alive today at all, were it not for their aching limbs. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-30%20at%2010.07.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=sgHzChki) [### The Gene That Causes Arthritis Was Originally Used To Help Humans Survive The Ice Age ](/news/2017/04/gene-causes-arthritis-was-originally-used-help-humans-survive-ice-age) April 07, 2017 The gene that increases your likelihood to suffer from arthritis could also be the gene that helped humans survive through the Ice Age, scientists have discovered. ![article picture](/sites/g/files/omnuum10531/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2012.10.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=O4G7KPJV) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)