The discovery suggests that strong selection for running fueled the growth of the human brain by relaxing constraints on protein and fat acquisition. Running has substantially shaped human evolution, with features like detached shoulders, springy tendons, and well-defined buttocks emerging to enable efficient long-distance running.
The LSU FACES Lab is building a comprehensive database of Louisiana's missing and unidentified persons. The project will utilize DNA information, dental structure, and other characteristics to identify individuals. The database will be searchable and will initially be accessible only to law enforcement agencies.
A University of Utah study shows that a now-extinct species of early human came into direct contact with our species about 25,000 years ago and spread parasites to our ancestors. The analysis of lice genes confirmed key developments in human evolution, including the 'out of Africa' theory.
Researchers find evidence of early human stone tools and bone marrow extraction at Majuangou site, suggesting strong connections to African hominins and rapid spread across Asia. The discovery pushes the known timeline of human presence in Northeast Asia by approximately 340,000 years.
Researchers at Harvard University have found evidence of ancient grain milling and baking 23,000 years ago in present-day Israel. The discovery provides insight into the transition from foraging to food production, revealing that humans first developed technologies to process wild grains around 20,000 years ago.
A study by Dr. Guy Stecklov and Dr. Joshua Goldstein found a significant increase in road fatalities in Israel following terrorist attacks. The research suggests that people may become more considerate after an attack, only to experience a temporary surge in aggressive behavior that leads to increased accidents
Acheson's work uses rational choice theory to understand how groups develop rules to conserve resources, with applications to managing other threatened natural resources. He is recognized for his contributions to applied anthropology and public policy.
A study by Penn State researchers found a cluster of four genes that appear to be heavily selected in the European-American population, suggesting adaptation to new environmental pressures. In contrast, the African-American population shows signs of natural selection for milk tolerance due to changes in TRPV6 and TRPV5 genes.
Researchers found that Neanderthals experienced periods of starvation and nutritional stress, but to a lesser extent than modern Inuit who used more advanced technology. Tiny grooves in tooth enamel served as markers of these episodes.
Researchers used MDCT to create 3D images and reconstruct Harwa's face, revealing he was 45 years old at death. The technique allows for high-resolution reconstructions without damaging the mummy.
Research suggests that individuals with asymmetrical body parts are more likely to show signs of aggression. The study found that men and women responded differently to provocation, with men using more force when ending a low-provocation call but women becoming more aggressive in high-provocation situations.
The INEEL's Ecological and Cultural Resources Department developed a computer program to integrate historical, archaeological, and anthropological research data. The Data Management Tool (DMT) helps archaeologists navigate detailed information, draw interactive maps, and predict where new artifacts might be found.
Rice University's 'Nanotechnology: Content and Context' course combines technical content with social context to prepare students for a future where nanotech is integral. The course, led by CBEN faculty, explores four theme areas: scale, life, risk, and environment.
Researchers identified a shared gene family responsible for calcium binding in bones, enamel, dentine, milk, and saliva. The genes, including SPARC and SPARCL1, evolved from a common ancestral gene and reside on the same chromosome in most vertebrates.
Researchers found that wild chimpanzees have a slower rate of tooth development compared to captive animals, challenging assumptions about hominid growth patterns. The study suggests that modern humans are not as different from Homo erectus as previously thought, and that a larger body size does not require a longer time to grow.
Researchers analyzed over 750 fossils to discover that modern humans experienced a quadrupling of survival rates among older adults. This trend is believed to have contributed to population expansions and cultural innovations, as well as strengthened social relationships and kinship bonds.
The project aims to discover how the integrated community worked, how families interacted with each other and their involvement in the Underground Railroad. The team has found artifacts consistent with the time period of New Philadelphia, including broken dinnerware, iron nails and hardware.
Researchers at the Hebrew University have identified the earliest evidence of a hereditary genetic disorder, amelogenesis imperfecta, in a 1.5 million-year-old Homo erectus child from Ethiopia. The disease affects tooth enamel structure and mineral content, leading to rapid wear and chipping.
Callimico monkeys eat fungi during the dry season, a trait shared by no other tropical primate species. They also exhibit a different reproductive strategy than other small New World monkeys, giving birth to single offspring twice annually.
A German Border collie named Rico demonstrated a vocabulary size comparable to that of language-trained apes, dolphins, sea lions, and parrots. The dog learned the names of unfamiliar toys after just one exposure, using fast mapping abilities similar to those seen in human language acquisition.
A University of Michigan researcher suggests that obesity in developing nations is a result of the body's attempts to cope with childhood malnourishment. The phenomenon is similar to yo-yo dieting, where dieters who have deprived themselves gain weight at faster rates than non-dieters when they begin eating normally again.
Researchers found that long-term consumption of high amounts of isoflavones can alter patterns of agonistic and social behavior in primates, including increased aggressive and submissive behavior. The study suggests careful attention must be taken to balance beneficial and potentially adverse effects of soy consumption.
Research suggests that non-physical traits, such as personality and behavior, have a substantial impact on how people perceive physical attractiveness. Studies involving familiar and stranger participants found that non-physical traits known only to familiars had a large effect on perception of physical attractiveness.
Researchers found FoxP2 gene expressed in brain regions critical for song learning, similar to human brain. The study suggests that variations in the FoxP2 gene may have contributed to the development of language in humans.
Researchers have uncovered three new rock art depictions of armored horses on the Purgatoire River in southeast Colorado, shedding light on the Comanche's use of horse armor. The finds are significant as they provide a unique window into Comanche history and culture, dating back to the 17th century.
Archaeologists discovered ochre pencils, bone artifacts, and ostrich egg shell beads at a site in the Serengeti National Park, indicating early development of modern cultural behavior. The findings suggest that symbolic thinking may have emerged earlier than previously thought, around 280,000 years ago.
A novel method of three-dimensional mathematical analysis has been developed to quantify bone characteristics of humans and great apes. The results agree with genetic analyses, providing a clear family tree that defines ancestral relationships down to the subspecies level.
Researchers analyzed DNA from western gorilla fecal and hair samples to find that neighboring social groups are often led by genetically related males. This suggests connections between genetic relationships and group interactions, parallels with human social structures, and clues to the early human social world.
A USC study found that human ancestors developed meat-tolerant genes to resist diseases associated with a meat-rich diet, leading to slower aging and longer lifespan. However, the researchers argue that modern-day humans' sedentary lifestyle and lack of moderation may be contributing factors to high cholesterol and vascular disease.
A team of scientists has analyzed the largest sample of Neandertal and early human remains, concluding that Neandertals could not have made a significant genetic contribution to early modern humans. The study's findings challenge the theory of interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Homo Neanderthalensis.
Chiu presented her research on correlating gene changes with limb structure, a topic of interest to paleoanthropologists. By studying the mouse, she found that significant developmental differences are due to changes in gene regulation.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honors forensic anthropologist Fredy Peccerelli for his work with the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, investigating mass human rights abuses and exhuming thousands of victims' remains. Despite facing death threats and impunity, Peccerelli's work has promoted hu...
A study in Egypt found cultural differences between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims on IVF, with strict rules on third-party donation. Middle Eastern societies prioritize biological children due to prohibition of adoption and gamete donation.
Recent discoveries, including a photo and skin samples, have reignited hopes of finding the Miss Waldron's red colobus monkey in its remote southeastern corner of Ivory Coast. The discovery has sparked concerns about potential extinctions of other high-canopy forest-dwelling animals.
A study found that cities with predominantly black tar heroin use had lower HIV infection rates among injection drug users compared to those using powder heroin. This is due to the properties of black tar heroin, which makes it difficult to transmit HIV through needle sharing.
The American Anthropological Association (AAA) has received funding to launch AnthroSource, an electronic initiative providing access to anthropological media, journals, and gray literature. This project aims to make high-value material permanently available and expand visibility for anthropology content worldwide.
A study published in Science reveals that the overwhelming source of human genetic variation is between individuals, not ethnic groups. The research also highlights the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in advancing medical knowledge.
A new study reveals that Western perceptions of the Muslim world vary greatly depending on gender. Women tend to perceive Islamic culture as sensual and attractive, while men often view it as uncivilized and barbaric. This disparity highlights a complex interplay between cultural stereotypes and media representation.
Researchers found that more socially involved female baboons had higher reproductive success rates and lower infant mortality. This contradicts the long-held assumption that social relationships are only beneficial for mothers.
The discovery sheds light on early modern human biology and their archaic origins. The fossils, dating back 34,000-36,000 years, reveal a mix of modern and archaic characteristics.
A recent archaeological discovery at a site in Colchester, Vermont, has shed new light on the presence of Native Americans in the region 9,000 years ago. The find includes fragments of Agate Basin points, which were used during the Late Paleoindian period and suggest that people from different regions shared cultural traits.
Researchers found that male baboons give priority care to their own genetically related offspring, despite multiple males mating with the same female. This discovery raises questions about how male baboons recognize and distinguish between their genetic and behavioral offspring.
Faculty members Krishnamurthy and Keogh receive funding to improve wireless network efficiency and develop efficient algorithms for analyzing sequential data. Their research has potential applications in disaster recovery, finance, industry, and more.
A 1,500-year-old underground tomb was discovered by Field Museum archaeologists beneath a palace-like residence in El Palmillo, Oaxaca. The tomb, remarkably well-preserved due to its subfloor location, contained three human remains with high-status signs, ceramic vessels, and red paint-covered bones.
Research suggests that early hominids lived in a more cooperative society than previously thought, with minimal sexual dimorphism and cooperating male behaviors. This challenges the idea of fierce competition among primates and instead reveals a social structure similar to modern humans and chimpanzees.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests that ancestry mix may be a key factor in obesity prevalence among African-American women. The analysis found an association between body mass index and West African ancestry, with implications for understanding the genetic basis of health disparities.
Researchers analyzed interviews with WW2 Polish Resistance veterans to identify key motivations behind recruitment, including patriotism, xenophobia, and moral constraint. The study found that these emotions were rooted in a migrants' moral system and family life, rather than solely driven by ideology.
Researchers found Neandertals did not have long faces, but rather average or slightly reduced facial projection compared to earlier human ancestors. Modern humans' faces are significantly shorter due to evolutionary changes.
A long-term study of 952 households will investigate how farming strategies change with each generation and the impact of human characteristics on deforestation rates. The research aims to determine whether subsequent generations have a reduced learning curve for forest conservation.
A recent study by Ohio State University anthropologist Jeffrey McKee predicts that the United States will face a significant threat to global biodiversity within 50 years, with at least 10 additional species added to the threatened list. The prediction is based on a model that separates human population growth from environmental impact...
Archaeologists have found a 4,000-year-old gourd fragment bearing an archaic image of the Staff God, the principal deity in South America. The discovery pushes back the origin of organized religion in the Americas by over 1,000 years, indicating that the Andean civilization began practicing religion more than previously thought.
Ancient societies successfully transformed their environments through slow, incremental changes to living, labor, agricultural, and water collection/distribution practices. In Bali, Indonesia, centuries-old environmental/cultural/religious practices remain functional, highlighting the complexity of human ecology in ancient landscapes.
Despite historical perception that men made stone tools, a UF study found that women in the Konso ethnic group of Ethiopia dominate this activity, creating scrapers for animal hides. The discovery highlights the importance of stone tools in the archaeological record and sheds light on the role of women in prehistory.
Fossil teeth from Egypt's Fayum desert have provided evidence of the earliest known ancestors of bushbabies and lorises, dating back to the Eocene epoch. The finds confirm earlier genetic studies suggesting that these primates diverged much earlier than previously thought.
A team of researchers found a unique population of chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle that have had minimal or no contact with humans. The primates displayed curious behavior when encountered, but showed no signs of fear or aggression, suggesting they had not formed negative associations with human presence.
A newly discovered fossil from Tanzania provides a key anatomical link between two other known specimens, H. rudolfensis and the original H. habilis type specimen. The discovery reshuffles our understanding of early human ancestry, suggesting that all three specimens are likely members of the same species - Homo habilis.
Research analyzed DNA differences among 50 squirrel genera to deduce their interrelationships and evolutionary history. The study found that climate change and geological events played a significant role in shaping the squirrel family tree, with major branches diverging around 5 million years ago.
A new theory proposes Chaco Canyon's powerful political system kept other Pueblo peoples under its thumb from 1000 to 1125. The city's elite ruled a region containing tens of thousands of people, with influence stretching hundreds of miles.
Researchers explore the concept of tribal warfare, revealing that revenge is a primary motive, often linked to deterrence, while social units strive for balance in losses and gains. The study of Waorani tribe in Ecuador suggests that a cultural understanding of revenge can be complex and nuanced.
Roscoe's research on New Guinea tribes suggests that revenge-driven wars are fueled by humans' unique ability to model actions and manipulate emotional states. This allows for the de-humanization of enemies, making it easier to justify violence.