July 2014 PMID 24880339

A molecular basis for classic blond hair color in Europeans.

Catherine A Guenther, Bosiljka Tasic, Liqun Luo, Mary A Bedell, David M Kingsley

Mentions

81
Peak: 4 in May 2024
across 7 sources since Jun 2014

Extended reach

120,985
potential audience

Total likes

2,537

Video views

91,872

Mentions per month

Jun 2014 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News38 articles
  • X / Twitter15 posts
  • Blogs12 articles
  • Facebook10 posts
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal a keen interest in how the research explains the origins and genetics of blond hair, with posts mentioning its emergence 11,000 years ago and its prevalence in Northern Europe. The tone varies from curiosity to praise for the molecular findings, exemplified by phrases like 'based on the Theory of Molecular Evolution' and references to specific genetic mutations, indicating an engaged audience that values scientific explanations.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions reference the study positively or with curiosity, indicating general support or interest in its findings.

InterestHigh interest

The topic of blond hair origins and genetics appears to engage users, especially with mentions of evolutionary history and geographic origins.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many posts include direct quotes from the publication or relate personal observations, showing an active level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions demonstrate curiosity and support, they seem more informational than transformational, but some recognize the significance of genetic insights into human traits.

Abstract in brief

  • The study identifies a specific regulatory region near the KITLG gene that is associated with blond hair in Europeans and contains a common genetic variation (SNP rs12821256) that affects how the gene is expressed in hair follicles.
  • Functional tests showed that this SNP changes the binding ability for the LEF1 transcription factor, leading to decreased enhancer activity and, consequently, influencing hair pigmentation.
  • Experiments with mice demonstrated that changes in this enhancer region can alter hair color, confirming that regulation of the KITLG gene plays a key role in producing the classic blond hair trait in northern Europeans.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Caio Joe
@caio__joe · X

@1997WILFIRE Quando é que os cabelos loiros surgiram no norte da Europa mesmo? De acordo com este estudo baseado na Teoria da Evolução Molecular, publicado na revista @Nature, os cabelos loiros surgiram há cerca de 11 mil anos. https://t.co/lVJmFhwqTI

Aug 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,276 followers View post →
Anneli Seppänen
@Suvikunnas · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/onmcs0mDgx käyttäen @YouTube

Oct 21, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,678 followers View post →
FREE/GRATIS/KOSTENLOSEN LOVER/MINNAAR/LIEFHABER
@ROBERTBEEKMAN · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/hVqoxke7OF via @YouTube

Sep 9, 2025 · 1 like · 136 followers View post →
Carl Pogroski
@CPogroski · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/GafkFq1YCZ via @YouTube

Aug 18, 2024 · 5,870 followers View post →
Carl Pogroski
@CPogroski · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/tuhdSVCr3w via @YouTube

Aug 7, 2024 · 5,870 followers View post →
Anneli Seppänen
@Suvikunnas · X

RT @Suvikunnas: What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/onmcs0mDgx käyttäen @YouTube

Oct 21, 2024 · 1 share · 4,678 followers View post →

All mentions

FREE/GRATIS/KOSTENLOSEN LOVER/MINNAAR/LIEFHABER
@ROBERTBEEKMAN · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/hVqoxke7OF via @YouTube

Sep 9, 2025 · 1 like · 136 followers View post →
Shimeka Clinton
@ShimekaC49503 · X

https://t.co/S14Cob9oa6

May 12, 2025 · 183 followers View post →
FREE/GRATIS/KOSTENLOSEN LOVER/MINNAAR/LIEFHABER
@ROBERTBEEKMAN · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/iWDFRrKkik via @YouTube X

Apr 30, 2025 · 136 followers View post →
FREE/GRATIS/KOSTENLOSEN LOVER/MINNAAR/LIEFHABER
@ROBERTBEEKMAN · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/iWDFRrKS7S via @YouTube

Apr 30, 2025 · 136 followers View post →
Anneli Seppänen
@Suvikunnas · X

RT @Suvikunnas: What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/onmcs0mDgx käyttäen @YouTube

Oct 21, 2024 · 1 share · 4,678 followers View post →
Anneli Seppänen
@Suvikunnas · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/onmcs0mDgx käyttäen @YouTube

Oct 21, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,678 followers View post →
Carl Pogroski
@CPogroski · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/GafkFq1YCZ via @YouTube

Aug 18, 2024 · 5,870 followers View post →
Carl Pogroski
@CPogroski · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/tuhdSVCr3w via @YouTube

Aug 7, 2024 · 5,870 followers View post →
joedelta
@joedelta142277 · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/9K4vuD5tle via @YouTube #nortic #europeans #europe

Jun 19, 2024 · 301 followers View post →
Peter Dunphy
@PeterDunphy16 · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/piOlj4tpuj via @YouTube

Jun 19, 2024 · 23 followers View post →
Jack Ford
@Corsiar9 · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/QRRPKKwMez via @YouTube

Jun 15, 2024 · 2,864 followers View post →
CHOMPer_II
@Return_of_CHOMP · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/kD80cYVam0 via @YouTube

May 28, 2024 · 130 followers View post →
Ken Suzuki
@kensuzuk · X

What is the Origin and Reason for Blond Hair? https://t.co/qpbTOUzzPn via @YouTube

May 22, 2024 · 1,070 followers View post →
Caio Joe
@caio__joe · X

@1997WILFIRE Quando é que os cabelos loiros surgiram no norte da Europa mesmo? De acordo com este estudo baseado na Teoria da Evolução Molecular, publicado na revista @Nature, os cabelos loiros surgiram há cerca de 11 mil anos. https://t.co/lVJmFhwqTI

Aug 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,276 followers View post →
Reason
@NY2029Win · X

@iamarebel17 @rougeveloursi @taehyungmuslim And blond hair is predominately in Northern Europe but there are cases derived from single genetic mutation in ancestors in Solomon Islands and in Asia. https://t.co/xCIgAnSRQe

Aug 9, 2020 · 1,759 followers View post →
Paleogenomics - María Ávila Arcos
@paleogenomics.bsky.social · Bluesky

A molecular basis for classic blond hair color in Europeans http://go.nature.com/HlUptk

Jun 26, 2014 View post →
Paleogenomics - María Ávila Arcos
@paleogenomics.bsky.social · Bluesky

A molecular basis for classic blond hair color in Europeans http://go.nature.com/HlUptk

Jun 2, 2014 View post →