---
title: "Neanderthal viruses found in modern humans, and other stories &#8211; our morning round-up"
date: "2013-11-20T08:40:34+00:00"
modified: "2013-11-20T08:40:34+00:00"
url: "https://rationalists.org.uk/2013/11/20/neanderthal-viruses-found-in-modern-humans-and-other-stories-our-morning-round-up/"
post_id: 6027
categories: ["Uncategorised"]
---

# Neanderthal viruses found in modern humans, and other stories – our morning round-up

[Neanderthal viruses found in modern humans](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131119230442.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29)

Ancient viruses from Neanderthals have been found in modern human DNA by researchers at Oxford University and Plymouth University. The researchers compared genetic data from fossils of Neanderthals and another group of ancient human ancestors called Denisovans to data from modern-day cancer patients. They found evidence of Neanderthal and Denisovan viruses in the modern human DNA, suggesting that the viruses originated in our common ancestors more than half a million years ago. (Science Daily)

[Rival groups mark anniversary of clashes in Egypt](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25001073)

Opponents and supporters of Egypt’s military-backed administration have clashed on the second anniversary of bloody anti-government protests. Police fired tear gas at anti-army demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Earlier a memorial there was vandalised just hours after it was unveiled. More than 40 died in November 2011 as protesters and security forces fought. (BBC)

[U.S. Supreme Court declines to block Texas abortion law](http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/20/us-usa-court-abortion-idUKBRE9AI1BT20131120)

A split U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to block implementation of a new abortion law in Texas that already has prompted a dozen clinics in the state to stop performing the procedure. The law gained national headlines when Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis spoke against it in the Legislature for several hours, gaining her a nationwide following and encouraging her to announce her campaign for Texas governor. (Reuters)

[Scottish same-sex marriage bill expected to clear its first parliamentary hurdle](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25003083)

The Scottish government’s Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill is likely to be backed in principle, when MSPs vote on it today for the first time. Ministers said the move was the right thing to do but the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church are opposed. (BBC)

[Muslim Women more likely to suffer Islamophobic attacks than men, study says](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/20/muslim-women-islamaphonic-attacks)

Muslim women are more likely to be subjected to Islamophobic attacks than men, especially if they are wearing the niqab or other clothing associated with their religion, a study has found. The study, conducted by a social policy lecturer at the University of Birmingham, will be launched in the House of Commons on Wednesday. It is intended to look beyond the statistics and give a voice to the female victims of Islamophobia. (Guardian)