Human evolution and natural selection still occurring, says new research

Evolution and natural selection continue to shape human life, says a new study.

The study says that the hunter-gatherer traits in us have disappeared with our contemporary lifestyles but it has not stopped the process of evolution in our species.

According to Live Science, researchers looked at the church records containing marriages, births, and deaths of people born in farming and fishing villages of Finland between 1760 and 1849.

The extensive records showed that those who were able to live past the age 15 were able to procreate and eliminate certain genetic problems.

The study found that men were 25 percent more likely to pass their genes along as they were more likely to remarry after the death of their partners, said US News and World Report.

"We have shown significant selection has been taking place in very recent populations, and likely still occurs, so humans continue to be affected by both natural and sexual selection," said co-author Virpi Lummaa of the University of Sheffield's department of Animal and Plant Sciences, reported Science Codex.

"Although the specific pressures, the factors making some individuals able to survive better, or have better success at finding partners and produce more kids, have changed across time and differ in different populations."

The Scientist reported that the study found that traits beneficial for survival, like a resistance to the flu, would be selected for and increase in the population.

The researchers did not, however, look for specific traits but simply demonstrated that natural selection occurred.

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.