Recent feminism has brought deeper changes to specific sciences like medicine, anthropology, archaeology, biology, physics, and mathematics. Medicine has seen increased funding for women's health, such as osteoporosis and heart disease research.
A new species of hominid, Australopithecus garhi, has been discovered in Ethiopia, providing significant evidence about the evolutionary connection between early humans and their ancestors. The fossil finds help fill a void in the East African record of human origins, spanning 2-3 million years ago.
USGS scientists will present research on rare plants, including soft-leaved Indian paintbrush and island jepsonia, and the effects of invasive species like feral pigs. The symposium aims to inform conservation strategies for California Channel Islands National Park.
A study on non-Western folk beliefs found that partible paternity is a common concept among indigenous groups in South America and New Guinea. This ancient tradition suggests that every man who contributes sperm during pregnancy biologically contributes to the child, challenging the long-held assumption of a single biological father.
A Cornell University study finds that working couples with long work hours report the lowest quality of life due to increased conflict between work and personal life, stress, and feelings of overload. Couples with demanding jobs are at the highest risk for low life quality.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 21 women with cancer, revealing their experiences with alternative and complementary therapies. The study highlights the importance of patients having better information about treatment options, including a mix of conventional and holistic approaches.
Researchers will examine pharmacological value of plant species used in Highland Maya ethnomedical system to develop sustainable economic growth and conservation programs. The project aims to document active pharmacological properties and promote the use of beneficial plant species.
Pat Shipman's book Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight has received the 1998 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science. The book explores the enigmatic fossil Archaeopteryx, whose anatomy combines birdlike and reptilian features, and its role in understanding how birds evolved flight.
A recent excavation at the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan has uncovered a skeleton and 150 surrounding artifacts dating back to approximately 100 A.D. The burial is suspected to have belonged to one of the city's rulers, providing critical information that could revolutionize modern understanding of Teotihuacan's culture and history.
The University of Colorado at Boulder's archaeological team, led by Professor Payson Sheets, is developing a five-year conservation plan for the ancient village of Ceren. The plan aims to preserve the site's structures, artifacts and agricultural features using ground-penetrating radar and climate-controlled environments.
African masks have traditionally been associated with male initiation rituals, but a new study reveals that women also made and wore masks as part of an important life stage. The research challenges the long-held assumption of male dominance in African cultures.
A new study on the fossilized skull of Mr. Ples, a relative of early humans, throws doubt on previous interpretations of brain evolution. The research suggests that some estimates of brain size in early hominids may be too high and that 3-D digital models can provide accurate measurements.
The Bluff site, a Pueblo great house in the Four Corners region, shows signs of occupation well after the Chaco culture collapsed. The discovery suggests possible religious revival and potential movement of people from Chaco Canyon to the Aztec site.
Researchers have uncovered 38 additional fossils that provide a more complete picture of Australopithecus anamensis, confirming its status as the most ancient known upright-walking human ancestor. The new discoveries reveal primitive features such as large canine teeth and sexual dimorphism.
A team of researchers from Duke University found that the hypoglossal canal, which controls tongue movement, is larger in humans and Neanderthals than in apes and proto-humans. This discovery challenges the theory that human speech may not have arisen until around 40,000 years ago.
Scientists have discovered the oldest known astronomical alignment of megaliths in Egypt's Sahara Desert, dated to around 6,500-6,000 years ago. The Nabta site features a stone circle, tomb-like structures, and five lines of standing and toppled megaliths, which were likely used for ceremonial purposes.
A recent study by Patricia Kramer suggests that early human ancestors like Lucy walked at a slow speed, similar to a leisurely stroll, allowing them to conserve energy. This efficient walking style enabled them to gather food and reproduce without excessive energy expenditure, particularly important for primate females.
Researchers discovered a vast collection of ancient stone tools and fragments in the Sahara Desert, revealing clues about the seasonal inhabitants. The stone artifacts suggest that the nomads moved in specific patterns through the desert, possibly using cattle to transport heavy sandstone boulders.
Among the Bari of Venezuela, promiscuous mothers who have secondary fathers benefit their children's survival rates. The study found that children with secondary fathers had an 80% survival rate compared to 64% for those without. Small food gifts during times of scarcity are believed to be the primary reason for this increase.
Gordon Kane highlights the importance of models in physics, citing Aristotle's flawed theory as an example. He emphasizes that scientists test multiple models against reality to determine which one is correct. The Standard Model of particle physics is a prime example, developed after decades of research and testing.
Penn State researchers are collecting and analyzing urine samples from women aged 35-60 to understand patterns of change during perimenopause. The study aims to identify changes leading up to menopause, which could benefit women and their physicians in making choices about hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers found a brain region thought to control language is proportionately the same size in humans and chimpanzees, challenging a long-standing theory. The planum temporale, located beneath the parietal cortex, demonstrates similar asymmetry in both species, raising questions about chimp communication.
African and Asian macaques' complicated lineages have been unraveled by genetic detective work at Columbia University. The study confirms that the genus is one of the oldest among Asian monkeys, dating to at least 7 million years ago.
Morbidly obese pregnant women can reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by engaging in moderate physical activity, a new study has shown. The study found that the presence or absence of exercise, not its frequency or duration, was the key factor in reducing diabetes risk.
A long-term study of women's reproductive cycles aims to understand the patterns of change leading up to menopause. The researchers plan to collect urine samples from 150 women aged 35-60 for six months each year, analyzing hormones linked to the female reproductive cycle.
A team of researchers found that Neandertal mitochondrial DNA falls outside normal human variation, indicating they did not contribute to the genetic makeup of modern humans. The study also confirms the origins of modern humans in Africa and suggests a divergence of 500,000 to 600,000 years ago.
The Bluff Great House in Utah has yielded new insights into the Chaco culture, with CU-Boulder students playing a key role in excavations. The site, linked to the mighty Chaco culture, features a great kiva and prehistoric roads.
Researchers analyzed obsidian blades from workshops in Mexico, finding that the number and type of mistakes made can indicate a craftsman's level of skill. By ranking workshops according to their aggregate skill, archaeologists can better understand the economic complexity of ancient societies.
Research suggests that children from less wealthy families have better survival rates among the Herero people, a group of pastoralists in Botswana. The study found that wealthiest families' children had lower body fat, but overall mortality is low due to the high prosperity of the community.
Research suggests that higher hCG levels are associated with an increased risk of morning sickness during the first trimester. The study also found a link between age and pregnancy-related sickness, with older women experiencing less symptoms.
The study confirms the Bornean rhino's genetic distinctness from other Sumatran rhinos, with a 1% difference in genetic code, making interbreeding unlikely. Only 50-100 animals remain, and conservation efforts are needed to protect them.
A new study using electron spin resonance dating has pushed back the age of Homo erectus remains to 27,000 to 53,000 years old. This finding challenges the Multiregional theory and supports the Out of Africa model of modern human origins.
The discovery provides evidence of a thriving agricultural practice before the village was buried by volcanic ash 1,400 years ago. The remains of the first chili bushes ever discovered at a Mesoamerican archaeological site reveal the villagers used sophisticated techniques and had a high biodiversity of crops.
Archaeologists found that prehistoric Indian villagers in southeastern Iowa consumed knotweed and little barley seeds, which were rich in carbohydrates. The discovery sheds light on the diet and agriculture practices of the Oneota Culture, a Native American tribe that lived from 1580 to 1640.
A University of Michigan study analyzes data from various studies to show that whole-body metabolic rate changes over the course of the menstrual cycle, becoming about 7 percent lower after menstruation. This metabolic cycling saves an amount of energy equivalent to six days' worth of food over four menstrual cycles.
A University of Wyoming professor and specialist in forensic anthropology is leading an effort to study the Kennewick Man skeleton, believed to be over 9,300 years old, before its reburial. The team of scientists hopes to gain insights into human evolution and population change in North America, which could shed light on the bone struc...
Hopkins professors Sidney Mintz, Katherine Verdery, Donald Carter, Laury Oaks, and Felicity Northcott share their research on various anthropology topics, including the complex global economy of food, cultural identity in diaspora communities, the transformation of socialist systems, nuclear cleanup efforts, Ireland's abortion debate, ...
A Cornell anthropologist studies Japanese expectations for imported seafood, finding that external appearance is crucial in determining the 'perfect' tuna. American fishermen must learn about cultural differences and standards to compete with Asian buyers and meet Japan's high standards for seafood quality.
The excavation, led by CU-Boulder and the Southwest Heritage Foundation, aims to answer questions about how the Chacoan system operated and how these sites were established. The Bluff Great House appears to be architecturally similar to great houses at Chaco Canyon.
Researchers have discovered a new Paleoindian culture in Brazil, challenging traditional views of early human migration and settlement. The site, Caverna da Pedra Pintada, dates back to between 11,200 and 10,000 years ago and reveals a more diverse range of habitats for human adaptation.