Different genes behind same adaptation to thin air

Public release date: 6-Dec-2012
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Contact: Kevin Mayhood
kevin.mayhood@case.edu
216-368-4442
Case Western Reserve University

Apparent example of convergent human evolution on 2 continents

Highlanders in Tibet and Ethiopia share a biological adaptation that enables them to thrive in the low oxygen of high altitudes, but the ability to pass on the trait appears to be linked to different genes in the two groups, research from a Case Western Reserve University scientist and colleagues shows.

The adaptation is the ability to maintain a relatively low (for high altitudes) level of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Members of ethnic populations - such as most Americans - who historically live at low altitudes naturally respond to the thin air by increasing hemoglobin levels. The response can help draw oxygen into the body, but increases blood viscosity and the risks for thrombosis, stroke and difficulties with pregnancies.

By revealing how populations can live in severe environments, the research may provide insight for managing high-altitude sickness and for treating low blood-oxygen conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, and heart problems among all people.

How long such physiological and genetic changes take remains a question. The researchers found the adaptation in an ethnic group that has lived high in mountains of Ethiopia for at least 5,000 years, but not among a related group that has lived high in the mountains for 500 years.

The findings are reported today in the open-access online journal PLoS Genetics.

In their first comparison, the researchers found that the genes responsible for hemoglobin levels in Tibetans don't influence an ethnic group called the Amhara

The Amhara have lived more than a mile high in the Semien Mountains of northern Ethiopia for 5,000 to 70,000 years. A different variant on the Amhara genome, far away from the location of the Tibetan variant, is significantly associated with their low hemoglobin levels.

"All indications are we're seeing convergent evolution," said Cynthia Beall, professor of anthropology at Case Western Reserve University and one of the leaders of the study. Convergent evolution is when two separate populations change biologically in a similar way to adapt to a similar environment yet use different mechanisms.

"These were two different evolutionary experiments," Beall said of the mountain dwellers in Tibet and Ethiopia. "On one levelthe biological responsethey are the same. On another levelthe changes in the gene poolthey are different."

Beall investigated the adaptations and genetic links with Gorka Alkorta-Aranburu, David Witonsky, Jonathan K. Pritchard and Anna Di Rienzo, of the University of Chicago department of human genetics, and Amha Gebremedhin of Adis Ababa University's department of internal medicine in Ethiopia.

In addition to studying the Amhara, the researchers looked for changes in physiology and genetics among a related ethnic group, the Oromo, who have lived more than a mile above sea level in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia for 500 years.

They found no long-term adaptation and no genetic changes related to a low-oxygen environment.

They found the Omoro had high levels of hemoglobin, as would be expected for a lowland population.

Using the same samples collected from the Amhara and Oromo, the researchers are now studying biological traits among the groups, including ventilation, and the influence of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators on blood flow, and searching for associations with genes.

They also plan to continue research and study blood flow, especially through the heart and lungs of the highlanders, and to test the metabolic rate of mitochondria that use oxygen to create the energy on which our cells and we operate.

"We also want to find whether people with the variants for low hemoglobin levels have more children and a higher survival rate," Beall said. "That's the evolutionary payoff."

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This research was funded by the National Science Foundation.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 6-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kevin Mayhood
kevin.mayhood@case.edu
216-368-4442
Case Western Reserve University

Apparent example of convergent human evolution on 2 continents

Highlanders in Tibet and Ethiopia share a biological adaptation that enables them to thrive in the low oxygen of high altitudes, but the ability to pass on the trait appears to be linked to different genes in the two groups, research from a Case Western Reserve University scientist and colleagues shows.

The adaptation is the ability to maintain a relatively low (for high altitudes) level of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Members of ethnic populations - such as most Americans - who historically live at low altitudes naturally respond to the thin air by increasing hemoglobin levels. The response can help draw oxygen into the body, but increases blood viscosity and the risks for thrombosis, stroke and difficulties with pregnancies.

By revealing how populations can live in severe environments, the research may provide insight for managing high-altitude sickness and for treating low blood-oxygen conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, and heart problems among all people.

How long such physiological and genetic changes take remains a question. The researchers found the adaptation in an ethnic group that has lived high in mountains of Ethiopia for at least 5,000 years, but not among a related group that has lived high in the mountains for 500 years.

The findings are reported today in the open-access online journal PLoS Genetics.

In their first comparison, the researchers found that the genes responsible for hemoglobin levels in Tibetans don't influence an ethnic group called the Amhara

The Amhara have lived more than a mile high in the Semien Mountains of northern Ethiopia for 5,000 to 70,000 years. A different variant on the Amhara genome, far away from the location of the Tibetan variant, is significantly associated with their low hemoglobin levels.

"All indications are we're seeing convergent evolution," said Cynthia Beall, professor of anthropology at Case Western Reserve University and one of the leaders of the study. Convergent evolution is when two separate populations change biologically in a similar way to adapt to a similar environment yet use different mechanisms.

"These were two different evolutionary experiments," Beall said of the mountain dwellers in Tibet and Ethiopia. "On one levelthe biological responsethey are the same. On another levelthe changes in the gene poolthey are different."

Beall investigated the adaptations and genetic links with Gorka Alkorta-Aranburu, David Witonsky, Jonathan K. Pritchard and Anna Di Rienzo, of the University of Chicago department of human genetics, and Amha Gebremedhin of Adis Ababa University's department of internal medicine in Ethiopia.

In addition to studying the Amhara, the researchers looked for changes in physiology and genetics among a related ethnic group, the Oromo, who have lived more than a mile above sea level in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia for 500 years.

They found no long-term adaptation and no genetic changes related to a low-oxygen environment.

They found the Omoro had high levels of hemoglobin, as would be expected for a lowland population.

Using the same samples collected from the Amhara and Oromo, the researchers are now studying biological traits among the groups, including ventilation, and the influence of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators on blood flow, and searching for associations with genes.

They also plan to continue research and study blood flow, especially through the heart and lungs of the highlanders, and to test the metabolic rate of mitochondria that use oxygen to create the energy on which our cells and we operate.

"We also want to find whether people with the variants for low hemoglobin levels have more children and a higher survival rate," Beall said. "That's the evolutionary payoff."

###

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/cwru-dgb120612.php

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The Santa Lie

Illustration by Alex Eben Meyer.

We raise our kids to be truthful. We teach them about the laws of physics. And then we tell them that nine flying reindeer pull an immortal fat man and his sleigh through the sky so that he can deliver gifts to millions of kids around the world one night a year.

Is it bad that we lie to our kids about Santa?

Though lying can be an awfully convenient parenting crutch?Sorry, sweetheart, but the police might arrest you if I let you have more candy so we better not?it?s generally best to keep it to a minimum, both to develop trust between yourself and your child and to lead by example. Except in December. Because guess what? Not only is the Santa myth harmless, but it might actually be good for kids? cognitive development. Fantastical stories foster a type of imaginative play that sparks creativity, social understanding and even?strange as it may sound?scientific reasoning.

First: Let go of any guilt you have about duping your kids. Santa belongs in the ?good lie? pile because parents invoke him for their kids? sake; bad lies are the ones parents use to deflect blame or avoid responsibility?we can?t go to the playground today because it?s closed, when really, you?re just too lazy to get off the couch. By the time children learn the truth about Santa Claus (which is usually by age 8, according to Jacqueline Woolley, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin), they typically understand the difference between these types of lies, so they don?t resent their folks or suddenly think that across-the-board lying is OK. (For that matter, kids also do not reject religion, develop post-traumatic stress disorder or become drug addicts after learning that Santa is not real, as one fiercely anti-Santa website claims.)

What Kris Kringle does do is feed the imagination. Kids picture him managing his elves at the North Pole, soaring through the sky or squeezing through chimneys. Sometimes children participate in the fantasy themselves, adopting the role of Rudolph or Mrs. Claus in games with their friends. These forms of play may cultivate a set of skills known as ?theory of mind,? which helps kids predict and understand other people?s behavior. (Children with emotional disorders such as autism typically have theory of mind problems.)

For example, a 1997 study by University of Oregon psychologist Marjorie Taylor, author of Imaginary Companions and the Children Who Create Them, found that, regardless of their intelligence, 4-year-olds who frequently engage in fantasy play are also better able than other kids to distinguish appearances from reality (they know that a pink rabbit held behind a color filter is still pink), understand other people?s expectations (they know people will assume that a crayon box contains crayons, even if the box actually contains a small toy) and know that perceptions depend on context (they know people will identify images differently depending on how much of them they see). Taylor?s more recent work suggests that preschool and school-aged kids who lead rich fantasy lives?for instance those who have imaginary friends?have a better understanding of emotions, too. (That said, it?s impossible to say at this point that play improves theory of mind skills, because it?s possible that children who frequently engage in imaginary play also happen to be those with a more developed theory of mind.)

Santa belongs in the ?good lie? pile because parents invoke him for their kids? sake

Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Selfridges.

Fantasy play also forces kids to think through hypothetical or counterfactual scenarios, which bolsters their reasoning skills. What will happen if the elves don?t finish by Christmas Eve? What would Christmas be like if Santa didn?t exist? Research by Alison Gopnik, a psychologist at UC-Berkeley and author of The Philosophical Baby: What Children?s Minds Tell Us About Love, Truth and the Meaning of Life, suggests that this kind of thinking helps children develop models of how the world works and forces them to reason in a causal, rational fashion. This thinking can also help kids envision creative solutions to problems or come up with new ideas. After all, before someone can effect change or design something new, he or she has to be able to see the world differently.

Pretend play and fantasy can also be therapeutic for kids going through tough times. In a 2006 study, researchers asked 35 children living in sheltered camps during the end of the second Israel-Lebanon war to ?look after? a stuffed animal for three weeks. Thirty-nine other children in the camp did not get stuffed animals. After the war, the researchers interviewed all the parents and found that the kids who had adopted the animals?and especially those who cared for the animals most intensely?experienced fewer stress-related problems such as nightmares and separation anxiety than did the other children.

Obviously, kids can and do engage in pretend play even if they don?t believe in Santa?he?s by no means a necessity for healthy development. And sometimes, parents use Santa inappropriately, such as when they force their terrified kids to sit on Santa?s lap or when they use him primarily as a disciplinary threat?If you keep throwing pens at your sister, Santa will leave coal in your stocking. But none of the experts I spoke with worry that Old St. Nick, however mismanaged, will cause kids lasting psychological damage.

It?s even possible to teach kids the truth about Santa in a positive way: just give them the tools to figure it out for themselves, Woolley says. If they ask you point blank, does Santa really exist? answer with questions of your own?What do you think? Are you starting to think he doesn?t? Why? Then?because if they?re inquiring, they?re probably ready to learn the truth?start outing the lie. Write a letter from Santa in your own handwriting or hide the stocking stuffers in a slightly too-obvious place. That way, any pain your child feels over losing Santa will be softened by a sense of pride: You can?t pull one over on me anymore! Except maybe with the tooth fairy.

In addition to the sources mentioned, The Kids thanks Alan Kazdin from Yale University, Michael Brody from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Lawrence Balter from New York University and Robert Feldman from the University of Massachusetts.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=15c09310dbd4ad40f6d19c906880820b

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The Mother of All Government Shutdowns (talking-points-memo)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/269020715?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Michael vs. LeBron? It's a match made for video

CHICAGO (AP) ? Michael and Magic versus Kobe and LeBron?

Sounds like a dream matchup, and it could be coming to a video game console near you.

With USA Basketball and 2K Sports forming a partnership, fans can see what happens when the amazing 1992 Dream Team goes up against this year's Olympic gold medal winner once NBA 2K13 hits the shelves this fall.

Never mind that it's not quite the real thing, more fuel is about to be added to the debate. Not that there really is a debate in Michael Jordan's mind.

"We'll never know, but let's talk about it," Jordan said on a conference call. "I know Kobe (Bryant) said some things early on and I responded to those. The '92 Dream Team, I felt, was a more well-rounded basketball team."

It's hard to argue, considering the 1992 Dream Team had Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird leading a group that is widely considered the greatest collection of talent ever assembled. That team included 11 future Hall of Famers, won its six Olympic games by an average of more than 43 points en route to the gold medal and never was challenged the way this year's team was by Spain in the gold medal game, with the Americans squeezing out a 107-100 victory.

Then again, that's a testament to the global growth of the sport that the 1992 team spurred, leading to an influx of foreign talent in the NBA.

The '92 team boasted arguably the greatest player of all time in Jordan and greatest point guard in Magic Johnson, not to mention Larry Bird and dominant centers in Patrick Ewing and David Robinson. If the most recent group had a weakness, it was in the middle, with Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Blake Griffin sitting out with injuries. Throw in the fact that Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose missed the games, too, and the Americans weren't quite fully loaded.

Still, they brought plenty of ammunition to London, with LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Bryant leading the way. And even with some stars missing, there still was talk that this year's team could be as good as the one that stormed through Barcelona two decades earlier. Bryant fueled the debate when he told reporters during training in Las Vegas they could take a game from the 1992 team if they met in their primes.

Even though Bryant didn't say the current stars would win a series, the comment drew sharp replies from members of the 1992 team. Jordan told The Associated Press back then that he "absolutely laughed" and said there's "no comparison" which team is better.

This time, he wasn't quite as blunt.

"I just felt like we had enough size that we could contend with the 2012 team," Jordan said. "I think one of the things the 2012 team lacked was size. We probably would have attacked them from inside and outside, and our defense would have been pretty much solidified with the shot-blockers as well as perimeter defensive players.

"I think those guys were much more athletic than maybe we were at that particular point, but I would like to think we were a little bit smarter and well-groomed about playing at that level of basketball. Honestly, I don't think we would have had problems with them as much as they probably would have had (with us). I think our team would have been a lot better in terms of all-around basketball."

There's no way to know for sure, of course. There's no time machine that can transport the 1992 team to today or the 2012 team back 20 years, so the video game might be the next best thing. If nothing else, it'll give the debate another platform once the game is released on Oct. 2.

The idea of seeing Jordan going against Kobe or James should intrigue fans, even if they're the ones at the controls and the players are in graphic form. Right?

The numbers indicate they would. Jason Argent, 2K Sports' vice president of marketing, said he didn't have the online statistics but the company sold about 5.5 million units of the 2K11 game, and another 4 million units for the 2K12 game, which was impacted by last season's NBA lockout lockout.

Even so, the company wasn't planning to include the 1992 and 2012 U.S. teams.

He said Jay-Z provided the push.

The rapper and part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets is serving as the game's executive producer, and he insisted in a meeting that those Olympic teams be included. He also helped get Charles Barkley to sign on and be included.

"He put in a call to Charles, himself, and helped us work an agreement to use him in the game," Argent said.

One player who won't be represented in the game is Scottie Pippen. Argent said they simply couldn't reach an agreement.

As for which team was better ? 1992 or 2012? Jordan thinks it's just beginning.

"The only way it can end is to lace them back up and play against them in 2012, but I don't think that's going to happen," Jordan said, laughing. "Just let the debate begin."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michael-vs-lebron-match-made-video-180849485.html

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Goodies Available for Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Note owners can now avail of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean goodies for their phablet. Thanks to, MamaSaidWhat? Senior Member at xda-developers who has provided a complete Jelly Bean Collection for the Galaxy Note device. Users can benefit from the animations, wallpapers, fonts and boot animation that have been uploaded by the developer to his dropbox. ?

Yes, users can grab all the zip files right away which include jellybeananimations.zip, jellybeanbootanimation.zip, jellybeanfont.zip and jellybeanwallpapers.zip. The developer suggests unzipping the wallpapers by using 7zip/Winrar on your PC or AndroZip on your Galaxy Note. The jellybeanbootanimation.zip has to be renamed to "bootanimation.zip" and then placed in 'System > Media' and the fonts/animations can be flashed directly via CWM Recovery.

"I have tested all of the above on my Note with the CM9 based PARANOIDANDROID 0.4 and they all work flawlessly!" claims MamaSaidWhat? on xda-developers. Users are recommended to make a nandroid backup.

Click here to download the zip files. Please note users are advised to proceed at their own risk. IBTimes UK will not be held responsible for any consequence.

Recently released Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) has become the most desired Android OS to be added to tech enthusiasts' wishlist. Probably, users will have to wait to get the official Jelly Bean update on their devices, since its source code is expected to be released in mid-July. Initially, it is expected to be pushed out to Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and Motorola Xoom devices.

Follow us

There is no official word from Samsung about the Jelly Bean update for Galaxy Note. However, the Korean giant has notified users that it will be offering Jelly Bean update for "eligible" devices. It has released a statement to folks at PocketNow. "Samsung will soon announce which additional devices are eligible for the Jelly Bean update. As the world's largest smartphone manufacturer, Samsung leads the Android community with best-in-class devices like Galaxy S III, and is creating new device categories with products like the Galaxy Note. Samsung has delivered the most Nexus-branded lead OS devices and we are pleased that Google will be bringing Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S customers the first experiences of Jelly Bean on a handheld device."?

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Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/360906/20120709/android-jelly-bean-collection-samsung-galaxy-note.htm

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Amb. Marc Ginsberg: Libya's Big Step Forward...Then What?

Under a cloud of sporadic militia-inspired violence and divisive regional rivalries which has rocked the nation since its liberation, Libyans triumphantly flocked to the polls on Saturday in their first election in 40 years to elect 200 representatives to a new national congress -- which was supposed to be empowered to draft a new constitution for the nation within 18 months. Recall, it was merely 9 months ago that rebel Libyan forces, supported by NATO and its Arab allies liberated Tripoli, ending the dictatorship of Muammar Qadaffi.

For all of the good cheer on election day there were sad reminders that the Transitional National Council (TNC) -- which has struggled to rule Libya since Qaddafi's demise -- remains locked in a bitter contest with unruly, violent-prone militias and tribal gunmen who continue to roam vast swaths of Libya refusing to lay down their arms. Adding to the central government's headaches is a rebellious Islamist-oriented eastern province centered around Libya's second largest city, Benghazi, which has threatened to tear Libya apart by seceding from the country.

Just how difficult it has been for the TNC was revealed when, on the eve of the vote, it capitulated to demands of the Benghazi-based Islamist-oriented separatists and stripped the new congress of its constitution-drafting duties. The Benghazi-based faction feared the new congress was stacked in favor of the more populous western Libya (indeed the west was allocated 100 seats to the east's 60).

The TNC mandated a separate election for a smaller constitution-drafting assembly composed of an equal number of delegates from each part of the country. The unexpected decree is sure to set the stage for a major struggle between the outgoing TNC and the newly elected congress over the future authority of the congress in the constitution drafting process (shades of Egypt's contest of wills over its future constitution between secular liberals and Islamists).

However, over 90% of the nation's polls were open and, by most accounts, Libyans flocking to the polls transformed the day into a national celebration. The fact that the election was held at all is a victory of sorts for the interim government, which was compelled to postpone it several times.

Having visited Libya several times, it is hard for outsiders to fathom how much Libyans have to invent from scratch every step toward democracy without a script. Qadaffi stripped Libya of any body of laws or viable political or government institutions (other than what amounted to his edicts contained in that reviled Green Book of his). Aside from the long-forgotten legacy of the King Idris monarchy which Qadaffi overthrew in 1969 here is simply no non-Qadaffi legacy on which to rely for guidance and direction. Indeed, many of the candidates for the congress had little to contribute to the cause of Libyan national solidarity, campaigning instead more like local Chicago aldermen than prospective national leaders.

In the coming weeks, the TNC is supposed to dissolve when the congress appoints a new prime minister, who in turn, will appoint a new government. But the TNC's dissolution will, in my judgment, depend on whether the new congress surrenders to the will of the TNC and abides by its edict to hold a separate election for a new constitutional assembly.

All this begs the question: who will emerge as the leader of Libya by having won enough votes to form a majority alliance or coalition in the new congress?

What to watch for in the days ahead insofar as parties and leaders likely to grab headlines as each the new "congressmen and congresswomen" maneuver for control over the future government:

? The Libyan faction of the Muslim Brotherhood (yes, Libya has the Brothers largely centered in Benghazi) headed by Mohammed Sawan, who was imprisoned by Qadaffi for almost a decade. Sawan is the major instigator behind the TNC's decision to rescind the constitution drafting authority from the newly elected congress.

? The Alliance of National Forces (ANF)(which is secular and liberal), led by Mahmoud Jibril, who served as the rebels interim prime minister leading up to Qadaffi's downfall. Jibril hails from Libya's largest tribe - the Warfala. Jibril was precluded from holding an elected position in the new congress because of the restriction barring TNC members from running, but given the popularity of the ANF and Jibril himself as a major tribal leader, he is bound to have major influence in the future government.

? Libya has its own brand of Salafists, who represent the more virulent Islamists in the country. The Salafists formed their own political party (Al Watan or the Nation Party and includes remnants of the Libyan Fighting Group terrorist organization that had been affiliated with Al Qaeda).

? The National Front Party (NFP), which is the more "mildly: Islamists opposition leadership of Libya. The NFP is composed of former Libyan exile groups and militants who launched a series of attacks against Qadaffi and his regime during his rule. The NFP is headed by a highly respected Libyan nationalist - Mohammed al Magarif

? The most secular party likely to also gain significant representation is the centrist National Party led by former American-educated and respected TNC oil and finance minister, Ali Tarhouni.

All this is to suggest that Saturday's election has set the stage for a struggle for power between secularists and Islamists on the one hand, and between westerners and Benghazi Islamists on the other - playing out against the continuing violence and lawlessness that the new government will have to subdue quickly if it is to gain the respect of the millions of Libyans who voted on Saturday.

?

Follow Amb. Marc Ginsberg on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@ambmcg

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amb-marc-ginsberg/libyas-big-step-forwardth_b_1658038.html

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Federer beats Murray for 7th Wimbledon, 17th major

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) ? A Grand Slam title drought did indeed end in Sunday's historic and riveting Wimbledon final, only it was Roger Federer's lengthy-for-him gap between trophies that came to a close, rather than Britain's 76-year wait for a homegrown men's champion.

Making sure everyone knows he is still as capable as ever of brilliance on a tennis court ? particularly one made of grass, and with a roof overhead ? Federer came back to beat Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 indoors on Centre Court for a record-tying seventh championship at the All England Club.

"It feels nice," Federer said, clutching the gold trophy only Pete Sampras has held as many times in the modern era. "It's like it never left me."

The victory also increased Federer's record total to 17 major titles after being stuck on No. 16 for 2? years, and clinched a return to the top of the ATP rankings, overtaking Novak Djokovic, after an absence of a little more than two years. Federer's 286th week at No. 1 ties Sampras for the most in history.

"He doesn't want to stop now. He knows he's going to continue to play well and try to break seven, and he could very well end up with eight or nine Wimbledons," Sampras said in a telephone interview. "I just think he's that much better than the other guys on grass, and he loves the court the way I loved that court. He's a great champion, a classy champion, and I'm really happy for him."

After a record seven consecutive Wimbledon finals from 2003-09, winning the first six, Federer lost in the quarterfinals in 2010 and 2011, then wasted two match points and a two-set lead against Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals last year, raising questions about whether he might be slipping.

"A couple tough moments for me the last couple years, I guess," Federer said. "So I really almost didn't try to picture myself with the trophy or try to think too far ahead, really."

After losing in the semifinals each of the previous three years, Murray was the first British man to reach the final at Wimbledon since Bunny Austin in 1938, and was trying to become the hosts' first male title winner since Fred Perry in 1936.

Alas, Murray dropped to 0-4 in Grand Slam finals, three against Federer. Only one other man lost the first four major title matches of his career: Ivan Lendl, who is coaching Murray now and sat in his guest box with chin planted on left palm, as expressionless as he was during his playing career. While Lendl never did win Wimbledon, perhaps Murray can take solace from knowing his coach did end up with eight Grand Slam titles.

"I'm getting closer," Murray told the crowd afterward, his voice cracking and tears flowing.

"Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, how tough it is," he said. "It's not the people watching; they make it so much easier to play. The support has been incredible, so thank you."

The Scotland native was urged on by 15,000 or so of his closest friends in person, along with thousands more watching on a large video screen a short walk away across the ground ? not to mention the millions watching the broadcast on the BBC.

The afternoon's first roar from those in attendance came when Murray jogged to the baseline for the prematch warmup; there even were cheers when his first practice stroke clipped the top of the net and went over.

Any omen would do.

The British, tennis enthusiasts and otherwise, searched for signs everywhere. Murray turned 25 in May, just as Perry had turned 25 in May 1934, shortly before he won his first of three consecutive Wimbledon titles; 2012 is Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating her 60-year reign, just as 1977, when Virginia Wade won the Wimbledon women's championship, was the Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years on the throne; on Saturday night, Jonathan Marray (paired with Frederik Nielsen of Denmark) became the first Brit to win a men's doubles title at Wimbledon since ? yes, that's right ? 1936.

Royalty ? real and of a celebrity nature ? began arriving more than a half-hour beforehand: Prince William's wife, Kate, and her sister, Pippa Middleton; British Prime Minister David Cameron; soccer star David Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria. Also present in the Royal Box: Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who wants Scotland to break away from Britain.

Early on, every point Murray won earned cheers as though the ultimate outcome had been decided. Every miss, even a first-serve fault, drew moans of "Awwwwwww," as though their lad had lost any chance.

Murray got off to a glorious start. Federer, appearing in his 24th Grand Slam final, appeared the tenser of the two, amazingly enough, and when he sailed a swinging forehand volley long to get broken in the opening game, spectators rose to their feet and waved their Scottish and Union Jack flags.

That said, they do appreciate greatness here, and so Federer's best offerings drew applause, too. There was plenty of clapping and yelling to go around for both men, who produced extremely high-quality play, filled with lengthy exchanges, superb shotmaking and deft volleying ? all befitting the setting and the stakes.

Murray's second break helped him take the opening set, and things were even as could be for much of the second, until deuce at 5-5. From there, Federer stepped up, in large part by winning 43 of the 57 points on his serve the rest of the way. He saved all five break points he faced after the first set.

After holding for 6-5 in the second, Federer broke. At 30-all, he won a 17-stroke point with a drop volley that Murray got to but sailed a lob attempt long. And then Federer carved ? caressed, really ? another drop volley, this one bouncing to the side after it landed for a winner, impossible to reach, closing a 20-stroke exchange.

"Roger did a good job in the second set, turning the momentum around, and really changing things a lot," said his coach, Paul Annacone, who also worked with Sampras.

A real key switch happened at 1-all in the third, when a drizzle transformed into heavy showers, causing a 40-minute delay while the retractable cover was moved over the court. The roof was installed before the 2009 tournament; this was its first use for a singles final.

Until then, Federer had won 86 points, Murray 85. Under the roof ? with no wind to alter trajectories, allowing the third-seeded Swiss star to make pure, explosive contact with the ball ? Federer won 65 points, Murray 52.

"The way the court plays is a bit different," the fourth-seeded Murray said. "I think he served very well when the roof closed. He served better."

The most monumental game, though, came with Murray serving and trailing 3-2 in the third. It was chock-full: 10 deuces, six break points for Federer, three falls to the turf by Murray, all spread over roughly 20 gloriously intense minutes.

Murray went up 40-love, then began to crack as Federer walloped two backhand returns to 40-30. On the next point, Federer conjured up another beautiful drop shot and Murray tumbled head-over-heels while giving chase; both Federer and the chair umpire went over to check on him. A few points later, Murray did a somersault at the baseline when he slipped going after a lob. And on it went. At the 10th deuce, Federer sent another lob over Murray, who hit the deck yet again, but got up in time to see the ball plop on the baseline. This set up Federer's sixth break point, the last he would need ? in the game and the set, certainly, but also in the match and the tournament, it seemed.

He converted it with an inside-out forehand that landed in a corner, and Murray could only push his reply into the net.

There would be no more shifts of control, no reasons for Federer to doubt ? or for Murray and his legion of backers to believe.

The final break for Federer made it 3-2 in the fourth, when he flicked a cross-court backhand passing winner that was powerful and perfect. Federer made a rare show of strong emotion, shaking his right fist and bellowing. That, essentially, was that, no matter how many times the fans were going to sing their choruses of "An-dy! An-dy!" and "Mur-ray! Mur-ray!"

Federer only needed to hold serve three more times, and he did, then crumbled to the court when Murray sailed one last forehand wide.

"This is, I guess, how you want to win Wimbledon ? by going after your shots, believing you can do it," Federer said, "and that's what I was able to do today."

He most definitely is back to being the best at what he does.

Federer turns 31 on Aug. 8, and is the first thirtysomething man to win Wimbledon since Arthur Ashe in 1975.

No matter. He and Sampras ? and, by now, plenty of others ? see no reason why Federer can't keep adding to all of his records.

"I'm so happy I'm at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there's still more possible. To enjoy it right now, it's very different than when I was 20 or 25," said Federer, whose twin daughters, wearing matching black-and-white dresses and frilly socks, applauded from his guest box during the trophy ceremony.

"I'm at a much more stable place in my life. I wouldn't want anything to change," he added. "So this is very, very special right now."

___

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/federer-beats-murray-7th-wimbledon-17th-major-203809091--spt.html

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