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.
A PSU professor is conducting a four-year research project to understand how households in Nepal recover from natural disasters, with a focus on the long-term impacts of the 2015 earthquake. The study aims to identify key factors driving recovery and social transformations in communities affected by disasters.
A two-year project will study the effects of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem, focusing on Western Siberia's Yamal Peninsula. The research will document changes to ecosystems, habitats, and indigenous communities.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology reveals that humans and chimpanzees travel with different linearity when approaching out-of-sight food locations. Humans tend to have higher linearity in familiar areas, while chimpanzees exhibit the opposite pattern.
Researchers found that African chickens have longer, meatier legs due to selective breeding, but are losing diversity as commercial birds are introduced. The study highlights the importance of preserving traditional breeds and their unique characteristics.
Researchers analyzed DNA from Gibraltar Neanderthal remains found in 1848 and 1926, finding that some sequences were deaminated due to damage, while others showed significant human DNA contamination. The study suggests it is possible to analyze ancient DNA in highly contaminated specimens using a specific preparation method.
A 160,000-year-old archaic human molar fossil discovered in China provides morphological evidence of interbreeding between archaic humans and Homo sapiens. The study reveals a rare three-rooted lower molar trait that was previously thought to have evolved after H. sapiens dispersed from Africa.
Researchers have retrieved nuclear genome sequences from ancient Neandertal fossils, providing a unique glimpse into the early history of European Neandertals. The study reveals that these ancient individuals were more closely related to later Neandertals in Europe than to those in Siberia, shedding new light on human migration patterns.
The study used CT scans and 3D imaging to analyze cranium fossils of two extinct species, identifying adaptations and relationships with extant platyrrhine species. The results showed that C. bambuiorum is closely related to Ateles, Brachyteles, and Lagothrix, contradicting its initial classification.
Chimpanzees use percussive technique to gain access to meat of inaccessible reptiles, exhibiting intelligent behavior. They plan for future needs, such as hunger, in a surprising display of cognitive flexibility.
Researchers found that bonobo mothers aid their adult sons in copulation efforts, protecting them from other males and giving them access to popular spots within social groups. This behavior, rare in chimpanzees, is linked to higher male fertility and reproductive success for the bonobos.
Portland State University researchers are helping to develop a mobile app called Trans Women Connected aimed at reducing HIV among transgender women. The app will offer effective HIV and sexual health messaging tailored to the community's specific needs, including social support networks and trans-friendly healthcare resources.
The Xiahe mandible, discovered on the Tibetan Plateau, is at least 160,000 years old and shares anatomical features with Denisovans from Denisova Cave. The ancient proteins found in the mandible indicate a hominin population closely related to Denisovans.
A team of UT researchers will monitor and analyze Russian information warfare tactics, measuring their effectiveness in shaping public opinion in Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The project aims to model relationships between propaganda and opinion, assessing the impact of disinformation campaigns on democratic institutions.
A new study led by Murray Cox has found that modern Papuans carry hundreds of gene variants from two deeply divergent Denisovan lineages, separated for 350,000 years. The research reveals a complex history of interbreeding between modern humans and archaic hominins in Island Southeast Asia.
Researchers from University of Kansas will analyze genomic data from ancient and contemporary Aleutian Islanders to understand their evolutionary and cultural history. The study aims to uncover the genetic influence of Russian colonization and how the unique environment prompted biological adaptations.
A government-run program in the Brazilian Amazon distributes revenue from carbon credits to rural laborers and family farmers, creating an inclusive green economy. The program's benefits include expanded social welfare initiatives and potential to prevent deforestation, but also raises concerns about land power and potential risks.
Researchers found that bonobos reacted more strongly to camera traps than chimpanzees, while younger apes were more curious and explored them longer. The study highlights the need for scientists to consider animal responses to unfamiliar monitoring equipment in their natural habitats.
The article discusses the importance of diversity in science, highlighting how underrepresented groups' voices are enriching scientific knowledge. Scientists from diverse backgrounds challenge existing perspectives on race, sex, and gender, promoting a more complete understanding of human and nonhuman diversity.
A new paper proposes that miniaturization is a central tendency in hominin technologies going back at least 2.6 million years. The researchers argue that tiny stone flakes were like disposable razor blades or paperclips, pervasive and easily replaced.
A new study of macaque monkeys found that shorter birth intervals are associated with higher mortality rates in offspring. The research suggests a biological link between birth intervals and offspring mortality, consistent with previous studies on human birth intervals.
Researchers found that chimpanzee behavioral diversity is reduced by 88% in areas with high human impact, indicating a loss of cultural traditions and social learning opportunities. This study highlights the need to protect animal behavioral diversity as part of biodiversity conservation efforts.
A study of 60 cultures from around the world identifies seven universal moral rules that promote cooperation and the common good. These rules, including helping family, returning favors, and respecting others' property, were consistently found in all societies, regardless of region or culture.
A small Ohio State University study found a disconnect between Mexican immigrants' positive accounts of living in the US and their physical signs of stress, such as high blood pressure and obesity. The researchers believe these migrants use positive narratives to cope with discrimination and stress.
Researchers found a way to reconstruct these indigenous communication networks, showing how they laid the groundwork for Native American political systems. The analysis utilizes sophisticated social network analysis to map social and political connections between dozens of Native American villages.
New research using compound-specific isotope analysis reveals that Neandertals had a predominantly carnivorous diet, primarily consisting of large herbivores. The study also sheds light on the possibility of late weaning and cannibalism in Neandertal populations.
Archaeologists found evidence of household items, tools, and ceremonies that suggest Native communities in Marin County persisted outside of missions. These findings challenge the dominant narrative of cultural extinction and highlight the resilience of Coast Miwok communities.
In a study comparing chimpanzees and humans learning the same nut-cracking technique, chimpanzees acquired the skill more rapidly and reached adult efficiency earlier. The study found that teaching facilitated the acquisition of complex behaviors in both species, contradicting the assumption of human superiority in tool use.
A new paper in Current Anthropology proposes that early human ancestors acquired a taste for fat by eating marrow scavenged from large animal skeletons. This fatty diet provided the necessary calories to develop bigger brains, contradicting the widely held view that meat consumption was crucial for human evolution.
Researchers from OU and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules. The team is working toward the development and dissemination of best practices for museums in this field.
The newly discovered Australopithecus sediba species is unique, sharing features with both Australopithecus africanus and early Homo species. Its fossils reveal a mix of bipedalism and arboreal adaptations, challenging traditional linear views of evolution.
Dirk Hanschel's research project investigates the intersection of environmental protection and human rights, exploring whether a healthy environment can be considered a human right. The project aims to understand how environmental changes affect people and their cultures.
Researchers discover Levallois cores in Asia dating back 80,000 to 170,000 years, challenging the notion of East Asian technological lag. The independent emergence of this complex toolmaking technique supports the idea that ancient civilizations in the region were capable of innovation.
Researchers discovered that bonobos have shorter vocal folds compared to chimpanzees, resulting in lower-pitched voices. This unexpected finding suggests that bonobos use their voice pitch to signal tolerance and non-aggressive interactions with other bonobos.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that male mountain gorillas who spend more time with their group's children are more reproductively successful. The study suggests an alternative pathway to the evolution of fathering behavior in humans, where males may not necessarily know their offspring.
A recent study suggests that researchers may be overlooking intricate social relationships among chimpanzees and macaques. The study found that existing dominance-based methods are too simplistic to capture the complex dynamics of these primates' social interactions.
In a study led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, researchers found that active participation in group-hunts increased successful hunts and encouraged sharing of meat among chimpanzees. Oxytocin activation during hunting behavior also supported cooperative interactions.
Researchers found that Australopithecus africanus had wider, splayed roots than Paranthropus robustus and Paranthropus boisei, indicating increased lateral chewing loads. The study suggests that the orientation of tooth roots provides valuable insights into the dietary ecology of ancient humans and their extinct relatives.
A new study reveals that chimpanzees in the savannah consume tougher and less digestible food than those in the rainforest. The researchers found that the outer casing of certain fruits had higher toughness values, suggesting that the chimps' teeth evolved to handle these more challenging foods.
A copper band discovered in coastal Georgia indicates that ancient Native Americans had a more extensive trade network than previously thought. The band was manufactured in the Great Lakes region and shows that the practice of cremation was used across a wider area than previously known, suggesting shared cultural values.
Mary-Claire King has been recognized by ASHG for her tireless advocacy on using genetics to help people and families worldwide. Her lab has helped reunite 130 families through mtDNA sequencing, and her work with the UN Forensic Anthropology Team has identified victims of extra-judicial execution.
Researchers found that primates choose grooming partners based on various factors, including reproductive state, social relationships, and dominance rank. They also consider the social environment, adapting their choice to maximize benefit. This study reveals impressive cognitive abilities in primates.
A study on ring-tailed lemurs found that physical injury alters their natural scents, making them detectable to others. This change in scent allows males to detect weakness and aggression from injured peers, leading to more competitive behavior.
The study uses archaeological evidence and physics-based processes to describe how the islanders placed the hats on the statues. The researchers propose that workers would rotate, leverage, and pivot the hats onto the statue tops using small wooden levers.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that vervet monkeys use heuristics to plan their routes when foraging for food, finding relatively short paths without much thought. This ability is similar to that of humans and highlights the cognitive abilities of these primates.
The mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Volcanoes has more than doubled over the past three decades due to concerted conservation efforts. A recent census found a minimum of 604 gorillas, representing a 26% increase from the previous estimate in 2010.
Researchers found that chimpanzees use distinct 'hoo' variants in different behavioral contexts, such as travel and rest. These variations enable receivers to respond appropriately and maintain cohesion, facilitating cooperation.
Chimpanzees in the African savanna show significant physiological difficulty when temperatures are high and water is scarce, leading to dehydration and thermoregulatory stress. Despite these challenges, some chimpanzees have developed strategies to cope with food scarcity, such as relying on non-fruit foods like termites and bark.
A well-preserved horse burial at Tombos has provided new insights into the social significance of equids in the Nile Valley during the Third Intermediate Period. The discovery suggests that horses represented symbols of a larger social, political and economic movement in ancient Nubian culture.
The Boras extend their language reach by a factor of 100 using drummed speech with rhythmic units encoded in pauses between beats. Drummed speech allows them to convey meaning and distinguish words through tone and rhythm.
A study by David Casagrande explores the attitudes and perception of flood risk in US coastal communities. Residents employ rationalizations such as scapegoating and social comparison to avoid making difficult decisions, rather than taking steps to mitigate damage. This research highlights the importance of addressing individual belief...
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that early settlers in interior western Canada used the Pacific coastal route to reach temperate North America, contradicting traditional theories of migration. The fluted spear points provide evidence supporting new genetic models explaining how humans colonized the New World.
New research pushes back the first glaciation and early human appearance in central Germany by 100,000 years. The study used luminescence dating to determine the age of river deposits containing Lower- and Middle Paleolithic stone artefacts.
The study of five late Neandertals' genomes provides evidence for a turnover in the Neandertal population towards the end of their history. The genomes also show that Neandertals were more similar to modern humans outside Africa than an older Neandertal from Siberia.
A team of researchers found evidence of early humans using coloring materials and obtaining raw materials from distant sources around 320,000 years ago. This discovery pushes back the evolutionary timeline and suggests that early humans developed social networks and complex behaviors earlier than previously thought.
A researcher re-examined seven bone measurements from 1940 and found they were more similar to Amelia Earhart than 99% of individuals in a large reference sample. The study concluded that the bones belonged to Earhart, citing evidence including her humerus and radius lengths.
Researchers used Uranium-Thorium dating to determine the age of cave art in Spain, finding it was created by Neanderthals over 64,000 years ago, predating modern human arrival in Europe. This discovery suggests that Neanderthals shared symbolic thinking and cognitive abilities with early Homo sapiens.
Researchers found that cranial modifications in the ancient Andes were associated with group identity and increased social inequality. The practice, which involved binding and reshaping a baby's head, became more common between 1100-1450 AD, particularly among elite groups.
Middle school students who used personalized DNA and genealogy learned as much as their peers who used case studies. The curriculum encouraged students to explore their personal histories and cultures, fostering engagement with science and promoting understanding of complex topics like race and genetics.
The study reveals that Bornean orangutan populations are declining faster than expected, with deforested areas and agricultural land showing the most significant rates of decline. However, some populations appear to be relatively stable, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to prevent further losses.