Neanderthal DNA may explain why some of us are morning people

Being a morning person doesn’t require Neanderthal genes. Hundreds of different genes affect when people sleep and wake up,

People who are early to bed and early to rise may have their ancient ancestors to thank for the habit — or at least the Neanderthals with whom their forebears procreated, scientists say.

DNA inherited from our thick-browed cousins may contribute to the tendency of some people to be larks, researchers found, making them more comfortable at getting up and going to bed earlier than others.