A new study uses nanoscopic 3-D imaging to analyze ancient bone samples, revealing insights into protein and tissue preservation during fossilization. The technique shows that Ice Age bones still retain original collagen protein frameworks, offering a potential proxy for screening specimen suitability for molecular sequencing.
A digital archive created by archivist Jeff Kramer highlights the contributions of Albanian laborer Emin Kani Barin to UC's historic excavation at Troy. Kani's impressive skills and work ethic earned him recognition from Carl Blegen, the expedition leader, who described him as the dig's most important worker.
Research reveals that ancient viruses can play a critical role in helping cancer survive and thrive. Silencing certain endogenous retroviruses may make cancer treatments work better by turning off nearby gene expression.
African DNA and ancient DNA research is poised to dramatically increase, but African scientists remain underrepresented. A new paper outlines a bold vision for an equitable future, including training more African scholars and improving scientific literacy.
Researchers have discovered fossils of ancient chromosomes in the skin of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth, allowing them to assemble the genomes of extinct species. The discovery provides insights into the history of life on Earth and enables scientists to study the evolution of genes and organisms.
A team has assembled the genome and 3D chromosomal structures of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth for the first time. The preserved chromosomes revealed the mammoth's genomic organization and active genes in its skin tissue.
The study, published in PNAS, used ancient dingo DNA to analyze the genetic landscape of dingoes before European settlement. The research found that modern-day dingoes retain much of their ancestral genetic diversity and are distinct from domestic dogs.
A study by University of Texas at Dallas geoscientist Dr. Robert Stern and colleague Taras Gerya suggests that plate tectonics, oceans, and continents are necessary for the evolution of intelligent civilizations. The researchers propose refining the Drake equation factor to account for these requirements, which could explain the Fermi ...
Researchers investigated the northward shift of the ancient Silk Road in arid NW China, finding that low temperature and reduced precipitation led to water shortage, triggering a shift to more abundant and stable water resources. A warm climate during ~600-850 AD prevented this shift due to geopolitical conflicts.
This review bridges traditional wisdom and modern science to examine the safety, efficacy, and bioactivity of herbal medicines. It highlights successful case studies where herbal remedies enhance patient outcomes when used alongside conventional treatments.
A significant shift in the Nile River's evolution around 4,000 years ago may have contributed to ancient Egypt's agricultural economy prosperity and cultural achievements. The research found that changes in the landscape enlarged arable land near Luxor and improved soil fertility.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered a new technique for tissue regeneration using mineral-based nanomaterials inspired by ancient medical practices. The approach aims to induce natural bone formation, reducing the need for invasive procedures and long-term medication, and promoting improved quality of life.
Researchers analyzed two ancient skulls and found cutmarks suggesting surgical interventions related to cancerous cells. The study provides new insights into the limitations of ancient Egyptian medical knowledge, highlighting their efforts to explore cancer treatments.
Researchers sequenced ancient genomes to understand the genetic composition of western plateau populations over 3,500 years. They found complex interactions between southern and western plateau populations, with Central Asian components introduced around 2,300 years ago.
Researchers at King's College London found that thousands of DNA sequences from ancient viral infections contribute to psychiatric disorder susceptibility. Five specific Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) were associated with increased risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
A groundbreaking system utilizing a flexible tactile sensor based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility and sensitivity compared to conventional methods. The system achieved high classification accuracies, with reconstructed images and measured voltage vectors.
Research finds climate conditions restrict animal distribution in folklore, and native species are necessary for trickster animals to occur. The study uses biogeographical methods to analyze the interactions between ecology and culture.
A new study reveals the presence of previously unknown species at Kromdraai archaeological site in South Africa, providing unprecedented insights into human evolution. The discovery highlights the complexity of ancient ecosystems and their influence on hominin development.
Researchers discovered evidence of ceremonial plant offerings beneath a ballcourt in Yaxnohcah, Mexico. Environmental DNA analysis revealed the presence of plants with religious and medicinal significance, indicating a possible blessing ritual during construction.
Scientists developed a reliable proxy to reconstruct ancient marine oxygen levels, revealing a significant rise during the Late Paleozoic era. This finding suggests early animals evolved in oxygen-poor oceans, providing critical context for studying exoplanet atmospheres.
Chinese scientists have discovered the spinning mechanism of silkworms, revealing that metal ions and pH gradients play a crucial role in forming highly ordered molecular alignments. This discovery could lead to the development of superfibers with higher strength and toughness.
A recent study has uncovered new insights into the evolution of microsatellites in ancient and modern Adélie penguin genomes. The research found that microsatellite length remained remarkably stable over thousands of years, with some loci persisting for over half a billion years.
Researchers reconstructed Emperor Wu's face using DNA from his remains, finding he had brown eyes and dark to intermediate skin. The study also suggests the emperor's death at age 36 may be linked to a stroke.
Researchers have recovered ancient microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth in Ireland, revealing major changes in oral microenvironments. The study identified bacteria linked to gum disease and provided the first high-quality ancient genome of Streptococcus mutans, a major culprit behind tooth decay.
Researchers analyzed well-preserved microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth in Ireland, providing a snapshot of oral health in the past. The study found evidence of dysbiosis and an unusual abundance of S. mutans bacteria, suggesting that our ancestors' mouths differed significantly from ours.
A team of researchers decoded the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, a staple in ancient civilizations for over 10,000 years. The study mapped the genetic blueprint of 197 varieties, revealing its domestication in Southern Africa around 12,000 years ago.
Excavations at La Marmotta, Italy, uncovered five Neolithic canoes dating between 5700-5100BC, featuring advanced construction techniques. The discovery provides invaluable insights into early navigation and the technological sophistication of ancient communities.
Researchers analyzed ancient vessels to find evidence of cacao DNA and methylxanthine components, revealing widespread use among pre-Colombian cultures. High diversity among ancient strains suggests cross-breeding to adapt to new environments.
DNA analysis of ancient Bahraini remains shows the presence of a malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three samples, suggesting many people in ancient populations enjoyed protection from malaria. The discovery provides insights into human history and disease progression in the region.
Researchers identified six ancient individuals with an extra copy of Chromosome 21 and another with three copies of Chromosome 18, indicating care and appreciation from their communities. These findings suggest that children with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were not stigmatized but rather recognized as part of their societies.
Researchers identified six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome in ancient human remains from Spain, Bulgaria, Finland, and Greece dating back to 4,500 years ago. The individuals were buried with care and special grave goods, indicating they were appreciated by their societies.
A recent study by Professor Joseph Michalski and his team has revealed a vast number of diverse volcanoes in Mars' ancient crust, including lava domes, stratovolcanoes, calderas, and large shields of ash. These findings suggest that intense volcanism occurred on ancient Mars, causing the crust to collapse into the mantle.
Researchers found that ancient retroviruses are essential for myelin production in mammals, amphibians, and fish. The gene sequence RetroMyelin is likely a result of ancient viral infection, and its presence is necessary for myelination to occur.
Researchers utilize the SETI Ellipsoid method to identify potential technosignatures in continuous sky surveys, enhancing detection capabilities. The method compensates for uncertainties in signal arrival times using observations spanning up to a year.
A new analysis of ancient Greek and Roman medical texts suggests that severe memory loss was extremely rare 2,000 to 2,500 years ago. The study bolsters the idea that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are diseases of modern environments and lifestyles.
A newly published study provides a high-resolution climatic record for ancient Italy, revealing phases of climatic instability that overlap with periods of social and political crisis. The marine core record also shows a strong association between episodes of rapid climate change and epidemics of infectious disease.
Researchers analyzed ancient fecal samples to assess what details of the ancient people's lives could be ascertained from these samples. The study found DNA fragments of human betaherpesvirus 5, adenovirus F, and other viral and bacterial genetic material from thousands of years ago.
A large-scale ancient human gene bank analysis revealed that genetic variants increasing MS risk were introduced by sheep and cattle herders 5,000 years ago. This finding explains the North-South Gradient of MS prevalence in Europe.
Researchers unveil a monumental earthen wall, trench, and 34 structures spanning 405 kilometers. The study contributes to understanding medieval wall systems, raising questions about motives, functionality, and socio-political implications.
A team of scientists has decoded the evolution of Marek's Disease Virus, a fatal disease in chickens, using ancient DNA from up to 1,000-year-old chicken bones. The study found that the virus was already widely distributed over 1,000 years ago and became increasingly aggressive due to global chicken farming and vaccine use.
A team of scientists used ancient DNA to trace the evolution of Marek's Disease Virus, revealing genetic alterations that increased its virulence over time. The study highlights the importance of preserving archaeological remains in understanding the emergence of deadly diseases.
A severe drought led to a surge in professional vertical skateboarding in Los Angeles, influenced by cultural, commercial, and environmental changes. The development of polyurethane wheels and sport-specific media contributed to the growth of the sport.
A multidisciplinary study reconstructed the genomic history of the Balkan Peninsula during the first millennium CE, highlighting cosmopolitanism of the Roman frontier. The analysis revealed a large demographic contribution of people from Anatolia and cases of long-distance mobility from Africa and the steppes.
Researchers analyzed skeletal remains of ancient Egyptian baboon mummies from the site of Gabbanat el-Qurud, finding lesions and deformations indicative of malnutrition and lack of sunlight. The findings provide insights into how baboons were kept in captivity before their eventual mummification.
Researchers used psychoacoustics to analyze sound frequencies and clarity at the ancient Greek sanctuary of Zeus, revealing that hillside spectators could hear sounds from the hippodrome. The method provides a unique perspective on ancient societies' organization and activity, but its results should be interpreted with caution.
A new study published in PLOS ONE provides detailed insights into the timing of events in ancient Gezer, a city known from Egyptian, Assyrian, and Biblical texts. The radiocarbon dates suggest that some proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts are plausible.
The Curiosity rover has found new evidence of ancient Martian rivers, suggesting that much of the planet's craters could have been habitable. The discovery provides a more optimistic view of ancient life on Mars, with potential for widespread river activity and nutrient cycles.
Ancient human footprints discovered in White Sands National Park have been confirmed to be over 20,000 years old. Multiple independent age estimates from radiocarbon and optically simulated luminescence methods support the previous study's claims, showing humans inhabited southern North America during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Recent advances in ancient DNA have greatly expanded our knowledge of evolutionary history, including the study of non-European regions. Finer-scale investigations can provide insights into past histories of neglected communities and inform conservation efforts.
Researchers found that ancient Amazonians intentionally created dark earth by modifying the environment to improve soil fertility. This practice allowed for large and complex societies to thrive, with stored carbon remaining in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
Researchers found that specialized placozoan cells share similarities with neurons and may have given rise to them in more complex animals. The study sheds light on the evolution of neurons, focusing on the unique characteristics of these ancient creatures.
A new study finds that human activities are impacting the planet, breaching six planetary boundaries and increasing the risk of triggering dramatic changes. The study highlights the need for a global focus on interactions between boundaries, particularly Climate and Biosphere Integrity.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have recreated an ancient Egyptian woman's scent used in her mummification, revealing complex ingredients and trade connections. The 'scent of eternity' blend includes beeswax, plant oil, and exotic resins, highlighting sophisticated mummification practices and long-distance trade.
The University of Missouri is launching a five-year, $3 million doctoral training program to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers for emerging fields like materials science and data science. The program aims to empower future workers with both technical expertise and data-driven insights.
Researchers successfully extracted ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick, revealing 34 distinct taxonomic groups of plants. The most abundant sequences were from Brassicaceae (cabbage) and Ericaceae (heather), providing a unique biodiversity time-capsule for the ancient Assyrian site.
A USTC study reveals the Yangshao culture period's dominant crops were broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, and rice, with millets occupying a main position in agricultural structure. Climate change may have driven this shift around 6400 years ago.
A new study analyzed protein residues from ancient cooking cauldrons and found evidence of deer, sheep, goats, and cow family members being consumed during the Maykop period. The researchers also discovered milk proteins, indicating that dairy was a part of the diet.
Researchers found stable antibodies in 800-year-old medieval human teeth that can still recognize viral proteins, allowing them to study the history of infectious human diseases. This discovery expands the field of palaeoproteomics and may enable experts to analyze how human antibody responses developed over time.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered intentional cranial modification among the Hirota people on Tanegashima island, characterized by a flattened back of the skull. The practice, which predates written history, was likely used to signify group affiliation and preserve social status.
Researchers studied 21 lowland meandering rivers on Earth and ancient Martian riverbeds to understand how climate change impacts river sinuosity. The study found that variable-sinuosity rivers continue changing, while constant-sinuosity rivers reach a steady state.