A University of Missouri researcher studied an island fox and its mainland relative to understand human evolution. The study found that the island fox's smaller body size was likely due to adapting to its new environment, not a disease.
An international team of researchers has connected specific genetic signals with specific areas of the face, identifying 203 genomic regions that play a role in human facial development. The study sheds light on craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate, as well as evolutionary differences between various populations.
In contemporary Taiwan, a study reveals that weak police forces effectively maintain peace by focusing on civic ritual and performative peace. The author argues for a normative ideal of 'weak policing' as the democratic midpoint between violent control and uncontrolled violence.
A University of Maine-led team developed a model, Power Theory, which suggests that demography played a crucial role in the transition from egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies to centralized authority. The researchers found a correlation between population density and size, and the change in power dynamics in early Peruvian societies.
An international team has received a 10 million euro grant to investigate the evolution of human quantification. The QUANTA project will analyze quantification as a bio-cultural phenomenon, combining insights from anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and cognitive science.
The discovery of a new fossil specimen at Drimolen cave system reveals subtle anatomical changes in Paranthropus robustus, challenging the long-held assumption that males were larger than females. The findings suggest that environmental conditions drove rapid evolutionary changes in the species.
Scientists identify a 34,000-year-old Early East Asian fossil with mixed Eurasian descent, showing a quarter of its ancestry came from western Eurasians. The study found that the individual's DNA contained segments from extinct hominins, including Denisovans and Neandertals.
A study found that forensic anthropology is a relatively homogenous discipline, lacking diversity in terms of people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The field struggles to keep up with issues relevant to society due to its lack of diversity.
Recent research shows that chimpanzees, like humans, increasingly prioritize mutual and equitable friendships with others as they get older. Younger adults tend to form lopsided relationships, while older chimpanzees focus on maintaining smaller, fulfilling networks of close friends.
Project Man in Space, initiated by social psychologist Donald Michael in 1955, aimed to capture public opinion on space exploration. The program's research revealed strong interest in Sputnik and influenced public support for new initiatives, but also perpetuated utopian narratives that obscured military applications.
Researchers found that societies with good governance, characterized by equitable power and wealth distribution, tend to collapse more thoroughly than autocratic regimes. Leaders who abandon core principles and moral guidelines can destabilize their societies, leading to a loss of citizen confidence and fiscal health.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that a Neandertal gene variant significantly increases the risk of developing severe COVID-19. The research found that this genetic variant is inherited from Neandertals and affects around three times more people than expected, with varying prevalence across different regions.
Researchers collected responses from over 50 participants, revealing fears, concerns, and conspiracy theories about COVID-19. The study found that perceptions of the virus as a biological agent versus a malicious actor may influence responses to the pandemic.
A new study uncovers patterns of perimortem trauma in a Southern Siberian nomadic community from the 2nd-4th centuries CE, suggesting violence beyond warfare, including ritualistic practices. The research found that 25% of individuals died from interpersonal violence, with evidence of throat-slitting and scalping on some skeletal remains.
Chimpanzees exhibit diverse behaviours across various contexts, including tool use, foraging on insects and honey, and thermoregulatory habits. Environmental variability is positively associated with behavioural and cultural diversity, suggesting that species adapt to uncertainty through mechanisms like innovation and cognitive capacity.
The study reveals the oldest mitochondrial genome of a Neanderthal found in Central-Eastern Europe, dating back ~80,000 years. Genetic analysis shows a strong connection between Poland and the Northern Caucasus, shedding light on Neanderthals' adaptability and biology.
The Natodomeri fossil site in northwest Kenya is yielding a complete skull and partial skeleton of an early modern human, as well as extensive archeological material. The site's discovery provides a unique opportunity to compare early humans from the same time period but existing in different places.
African forest elephants' trail networks benefit humans and local communities. Biological anthropology plays a crucial role in conservation by considering human knowledge and needs alongside species protection.
Breastfeeding and human milk are critical to maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. Current COVID-19 recommendations contradict WHO guidance, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Studies must be conducted with a racial equity lens to provide evidence-based guidance.
Two startup nonprofits in Jordan are documenting, conserving, protecting and making decisions about the future of Jordan's archaeological sites. Professor Allison Mickel is studying their progress to understand what works and what doesn't in engaging local communities in heritage management.
A study discovered that some people in Europe and South America carry a Neandertal variant of an ion channel gene, leading to increased pain sensitivity. The gene's variant is associated with a lower pain threshold compared to the modern human version.
A study in Côte d'Ivoire found that preferences for bushmeat vary widely among hunters, traders, and consumers, driven by factors such as nutritional needs, cultural practices, and economic incentives. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize targeted conservation strategies that account for individual motivations and user groups.
Researchers study Tarahumara runners to dispel stereotypes about their athletic prowess. They find that traditional long-distance running is a socially vital form of prayer and develops endurance through regular hard work and physical activities like walking and dancing.
Researchers found that chimpanzees are more motivated to cooperate and warn others than bonobos, who rely less on each other. This suggests that the interdependence hypothesis may be supported, where humans' reliance on cooperation evolved from hunting large prey or conflict with other groups.
A new study from Purdue University finds that mothers do not have diminished attention and may even have better executive control attention compared to non-mothers. The research used a revised Attention Network Test to compare reaction times among 60 mothers and 70 non-mothers, finding no evidence to support the 'mommy brain' stereotype.
A recent study by Max Planck Institute researchers used stem cells and organoids to analyze the role of Neandertal DNA in human development. The team found that archaic DNA is present in nearly all modern humans outside Africa, with certain genes associated with skin and hair color being highly prevalent in Europeans.
Researchers analyzed the genetic variability of immunity in response to COVID-19, identifying key HLA molecules that contribute to individual susceptibility. The study found significant differences in HLA variant frequencies across populations, suggesting past adaptations to different pathogenic pressures.
The newly discovered Aguada Fénix site in Mexico's Tabasco state is the largest and oldest known Mayan monument, constructed between 1,000 to 800 B.C. The site suggests that the Maya civilization developed more rapidly than previously thought and had less social inequality than later periods.
A study on DNA data from 110 skeletal remains in West Asia dated 3,000 to 7,500 years ago found evidence of long-term genetic mixing and subtle population movements. The researchers suggest that this gradual change in genetic profile spread across the region over a thousand years, influencing the rise of urbanism.
Researchers mapped developmental milestones in wild chimpanzees, finding gross motor skills emerge at 4 months, while fine motor skills appear at 15 months. The study suggests that extended development is necessary for acquiring adult skills, similar to humans.
Researchers found that women inheriting a Neandertal gene variant have lower rates of early miscarriages, fewer bleedings during pregnancy, and higher birth rates. The study suggests the variant has a favorable effect on fertility, with increased progesterone receptor production leading to greater sensitivity and protection.
Researchers found 38 distinct technical elements in chimpanzee termite fishing, with individuals sharing common elements among communities. This study expands our understanding of chimpanzee culture, highlighting the complexity and diversity of their social behaviors.
New discoveries at Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria reveal the earliest evidence of Homo sapiens in Europe, with fossils dating back to 45,820 years ago. The findings indicate that Homo sapiens arrived in Europe and interacted with Neanderthals, bringing new behaviors and tools.
A new analysis by an international team of researchers confirms that Homo sapiens created the earliest modern artifacts in Europe, dating back to around 45,000 years ago. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that Neanderthals were responsible for these advanced technologies.
Cortney Hughes Rinker is developing an open education resource textbook for introductory-level courses in cultural anthropology. The textbook aims to support learning for all students with a focus on translation, application, and real-world engagement.
Researchers discovered evidence of milk processing in ancient pottery from east Africa, confirming the story that bones have been telling us about pastoralist societies' way of life. The findings suggest that herders who specialized in cattle were drinking milk and survived better due to lactase persistence.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that teeth contain annual layers, or cementum bands, that record an individual's life experiences, including reproduction and menopause. The research uses microscopic examination to reveal connections between tooth formation and other life stages.
A Dartmouth research team analyzed the Minister's gait in Monty Python's 'The Ministry of Silly Walks.' The study found that his walk was 6.7 times more variable than normal, sparking a comparison to peer review inefficiencies in academic research. Researchers propose streamlining grant applications and awarding grants more quickly to ...
Researchers measured brain asymmetry in humans and great apes, finding a shared pattern in brain shape and connectivity. Humans exhibited greater variability in brain asymmetry than expected, suggesting increased functional modularization.
Researchers discovered a rare disease called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in the fossilized tail of a young dinosaur that lived in Canada 60 million years ago. The study found that the disease has survived for over 60 million years and still affects humans, particularly children under 10.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that many families at risk for Vitamin A deficiency can't grow Golden Rice, while commercial farmers won't plant it due to its breeding into existing lowland rice varieties.
Researchers developed mathematical models to understand what conditions produced traditional community structures and conventions around the world. Simulated family groups with shared traits naturally grouped together into distinct cultural groups, leading to the emergence of incest taboos and direct or generalized exchange kinship str...
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that early human ancestors could have eaten hard plant foods like nuts and seeds without causing damage to their teeth. The researchers used experiments on modern tooth enamel to demonstrate that even the hardest plant tissues barely influence microwear textures.
A study on wild chimpanzees found that offspring who lost their mother after weaning had less muscle mass, while mothers of high social status produced offspring with higher muscle mass. Even without direct provisioning, mothers' presence and influence food consumption in their offspring's lives.
Female chimpanzees' reproductive success decreases when neighboring groups exert high pressure on their territory, leading to longer intervals between births. High neighbor pressure also negatively affects offspring survival, suggesting that stress from competition triggers physiological responses in gestating females.
A new study by the University of Oregon team reevaluated radiocarbon dating results from cultural sites on 55 islands, revealing that seafaring South Americans settled first on large northernmost islands of the Greater Antilles. The findings challenge a long-held stepping-stone model of Caribbean colonization.
Researchers recreated the emergence of language in deaf communities by challenging children to communicate with each other without spoken language. They found that children invented signs for abstract concepts and gradually developed grammatical structures, demonstrating that communication cannot be reduced to words alone.
Researchers found that monkeys in large social groups don't call out to specific kin or friends when threatened, but rather broadcast the location of the threat to the general public. This allows individuals to minimize their risk while still providing warning to others in the group.
Human songs share common patterns despite cultural diversity, with predicted social functions and contexts emerging from musical features. The study provides insights into cognitive universals underlying music creation and enjoyment.
A study analyzing ancient DNA samples from Rome and adjacent regions found at least two major migrations into the city, with influences from North Africa, Europe, and the Near East. The population's ancestry shifted significantly over time, reflecting Rome's shifting alliances and cultural exchange.
Skull shape differences were found among Asian and Asian-derived groups, enabling more nuanced ancestry estimations in forensic casework. The study provides population-specific methods for estimating biological profiles, aiding victim identification in mass disasters.
Researchers discovered evidence of controlled fire in Lusakert Cave 1, contradicting the long-held notion that Homo sapiens were the first to master fire. The team used archaeological, hydrocarbon, and isotope analysis to determine the age of fire control among early humans.
New research from the University of Colorado Denver finds that US refugee resettlement programs create systemic barriers to socioeconomic stability. Refugees often face intense scrutiny and calculations of worthiness, leading to limited governmental support.
A recent survey reveals rich patterns in anthropologists' views on sensitive controversies, with disciplinary subfield, gender, and politics identified as key predictors. The study draws on social intuitionism to interpret the results, suggesting that shared moral intuitions may aid scholars in coming to consensus.
A new federal grant will provide Kent State graduate students with invaluable opportunities to study primates and human evolution at Kyoto University in Japan. The International Research Experience for Students (IRES) grant, awarded by the National Science Foundation, will allow six students to travel to Japan each summer for three years.
A team of researchers has developed a method to screen bone samples for collagen using near-infrared spectrometry, reducing the need to destroy valuable remains. This breakthrough could enable scientists to analyze ancient DNA and gain insights into human history.
A study published in Current Anthropology found that extreme ritual practices, such as the kavadi attam, have positive effects on psychological well-being. Participants who engaged in higher levels of bodily mutilation experienced improved perceived health and quality of life.
A new map synthesizes data from over 250 archaeologists, showing that human activity altered the Earth's soil by 3,000 years ago. The study adds an archaeological perspective to historical land use models, challenging recent estimates of human behavior and environmental change.
A Stanford-led study found that incorporating traditional techniques into current fire suppression practices could help revitalize American Indian cultures, economies, and livelihoods. The approach increased the production of high-quality stems needed to make culturally significant items up to 10-fold compared with untreated shrubs.
A recent study found that more than half of the 504 primate species were left out of the research literature, with only 13% focused on chimpanzees. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered primate species and their habitats.