Researchers recreated prehistoric projectiles and points from ancient sites in Alaska to understand technological choices made by early humans. The study found that composite microblade points were more effective on smaller prey, while stone and bone points had strengths for larger game.
Researchers found that the modern human brain shape developed gradually within the species, with fossils showing a transition from elongated to globular shapes between 100,000 and 35,000 years ago. This evolution was independent of brain size and was accompanied by changes in early brain development.
The discovery of the Misliya fossil suggests that Homo sapiens left Africa at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought. The fossil, found in Israel, is between 175,000-200,000 years old and provides evidence of modern humans meeting and interacting with other archaic human groups.
Recent research suggests up to 5% of modern humans' DNA originated from Neanderthal populations, sparking questions about species' genetic makeup. Dr. Anthony J. Tosi's new NSF-funded project aims to investigate the evolutionary mechanics of hybridization across a primate radiation.
The study found that societies with larger populations have smaller war groups, leading to fewer casualties. The researchers gathered data from 295 societies and 430 historical conflicts to demonstrate the scaling law guiding social organization.
A new study suggests that societal scale, rather than overall violence levels, is the primary driver of conflict-related casualties. The researchers analyzed data from 295 societies and 430 historical conflicts to find a deep scaling law guiding social organization, which explains trends in war group size and conflict casualties.
Antipodal words, encapsulating opposites, offer sharp communication and irony. They articulate predation, violence, and human excess, briefly opening a semiotic window onto the unspeakable.
A team led by Purdue University anthropology professor Erik Otárola-Castillo used 3D imaging, shape analysis, and Bayesian statistics to accurately measure animal bone cut marks with an 88 percent success rate. This technique improves upon existing archaeological methods, enabling a more accurate understanding of human evolution.
Research reveals high degrees of wealth-based inequality led to unstable ancient societies, contrasting with modern expectations.
Researchers studied wild-born bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The results showed that bonobos will help strangers get food even when there is no immediate payback. This behavior is linked to a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion, which suggests that bonobos are also contagious with yawning.
A team of researchers, led by Luke Premo, question the widely accepted timeline of human cultural transmission, suggesting that it may be much more recent. They propose that the Oldowan tool, believed to be one of the first stone tools made by humans, could have been learned through innate skill rather than cultural transmission.
A Florida State University researcher challenges the idea that modern civilization reduces violence by arguing it may actually increase the likelihood of surviving a war. Studies on chimpanzees and human societies show that larger populations lead to more deaths in conflicts.
Researchers Dean Falk and Charles Hildebolt question the idea that larger populations are less prone to violence. Contrary to Steven Pinker's theory, they found that war deaths scale similarly with population sizes across all levels of human society.
A team of University of Arizona researchers has discovered that a previously thought to be small turquoise mine was actually a significant source of the mineral, producing 25% more turquoise than previously estimated. The study uses both archaeology and geochemistry to gain a complete picture of operations at the mine.
A new report found that field site directors who fail to establish clear ground rules are more likely to tolerate or engage in harassment. The study also highlights the importance of positive leadership, mutual support, and inclusion for creating a safe work environment.
Archaeologists discovered ancient Egyptian-like plant impressions indicating that prehistoric peoples in the Butana Group were cultivating wild sorghum until it was genetically altered into a domesticated form. This finding pushes back the process for domesticating summer rainfall cereals by over a thousand years.
A study led by the University of Arizona found that dogs with leash aggression had higher levels of total vasopressin, while those without exhibited higher oxytocin and oxytocin-to-vasopressin ratios. This supports the idea that oxytocin may help inhibit aggression in dogs.
Researchers suggest that understanding the root cause of fan violence could lead to positive outcomes and even reduce extremism. By harnessing motivations such as loyalty and belonging, football fans can be encouraged to channel their energy into pro-social activities.
A vast ancient trading network operating in Vietnam from 4,500 to 3,000 years ago has been uncovered by archaeologists. The network included specialist tool-makers and technological knowledge, with items manufactured and circulated over hundreds of kilometres.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that maize was sufficiently domesticated 4,300 years ago in Honduras, contrary to previous Mexico-based theories. The site's exceptional preservation and high-precision dating methods revealed larger cobs with more rows than typically found in Mexico.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding a junior research group at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz to analyze jihadist images and videos. The project aims to understand how this material proliferates online and affects various audience groups.
Researchers analyzed projectile points to find evidence of increased experimentation in tool production, suggesting a decrease in social interactions among North American populations. The findings provide insights into the changing hunter-gatherer social dynamics during this period.
Researchers found that hairless dogs lack specific lingual cusps on their molars and premolars due to FOXI3 gene variation. The study suggests the gene may also play a role in human tooth morphology.
The study reveals that ancient Rapa Nui people consumed a balanced diet of seafood and terrestrial resources, with evidence suggesting deliberate management of agricultural crops. This challenges the ecocide hypothesis, which attributes societal collapse to environmental destruction.
A team of scientists has documented early, permanent human settlement in the Andes dating back to around 8,000 years ago. The findings suggest that hunter-gatherers adapted to high-elevation life and survived year-round despite harsh conditions.
Researchers analyzed ancient Roman skulls using state-of-the-art forensic techniques to identify significant cranial differences between coastal communities. The findings suggest that the area around Velia had a large Greek population, influencing local physical characteristics.
Scientists at Max-Planck Institute develop new method to retrieve hominin DNA from cave sediments, revealing genetic affiliations of ancient humans. The discovery sheds light on human evolution, allowing researchers to uncover the genetic history of extinct species like Neandertals and Denisovans.
A new study of ancient DNA from northwest North America finds evidence of genetic continuity spanning over 10,000 years. The research suggests that indigenous groups living today in southern Alaska and British Columbia are descendants of the first humans to inhabit the region, supporting their oral traditions.
Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.
A review of studies on menopause symptoms found that women frequently use alternative treatments but often don't inform their doctors. The University of Delaware study suggests improving communication between healthcare providers and patients using CAM can boost treatment efficacy.
Researchers analyzed cranial traits to determine Scythian gene pool formation. Results suggest both hypotheses of Scythian ethnogenesis are partially correct, indicating a mix of Central Asian migrants and local Srubnaya culture populations.
A new epoch name could raise awareness about humanity's planetary-scale impact and encourage action on climate change. However, it may also perpetuate technological hubris and ecomyopia, a phenomenon where societies ignore or fail to act on ecological information.
A team of archaeologists and biological anthropologists have discovered that a matrilineal dynasty likely ruled Pueblo Bonito in New Mexico for over 300 years. The study, published in Nature Communications, used radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA analysis to show that the leadership was inherited through the maternal line.
Researchers used wireless tracking technology to map social interactions in remote hunter-gatherer populations, showing that close friendships facilitate the exchange of information and culture. Strong friendships are more important than family ties in predicting levels of shared knowledge among individuals.
A study found that chimpanzees are more likely to reproduce with mates whose genetic makeup differs from their own, suggesting a unique mating strategy. This preference may help reduce inbreeding depression and increase infant survival rates among chimps.
Researchers used computer technology to learn how past societies responded to climate change, identifying crops and strategies that can be useful today. The studies found that drought-tolerant crops like Hopi corn and foxtail millet could become crucial for human survival in areas impacted by climate change.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found that American Indian adults who experienced early life trauma are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poor physical health. The research highlights the importance of addressing early interventions to minimize this risk.
A new study by University of Colorado Denver researcher Sarah Horton challenges common portrayals of identity theft in workplaces dominated by undocumented immigrants. Many employers furnish workers with invented or borrowed work authorization documents, a practice she has termed 'identity loan'. This study highlights the active role e...
Researchers found wild chimpanzees in Guinea using long and robust sticks as tools to extract freshwater green algae from streams and ponds. This new behaviour variant differs from previous reports and suggests that algae provide an important nutritional benefit during the dry season.
A new study suggests that Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein' is rooted in biology and warns of the consequences of unchecked population growth. Researchers found that a growing population of creatures could drive humans to extinction within 4,000 years.
Researchers found atypical burials with signs of violence, challenging traditional theories of witchcraft and blood feuds. The study suggests that violence was used to signal power and prestige, potentially leading to further conflict and biological fitness benefits.
Researchers observed wild chimpanzee mothers teaching their offspring to use tools, including termite-fishing probes. By sharing tools and customizing the learning process for local conditions, these mothers help their young develop essential skill sets.
Three-year-olds quickly grasp social norms and infer them from observation, even without direct instruction. They expect others to follow these norms, protesting when they are broken.
A new UT study found that human limbs do not evolve independently, but are influenced by genetic correlations with other bones. The research challenged traditional theories on body shape and size, suggesting that multiple forces shape human form in response to environmental factors.
In a controlled study, researchers found that two aye-ayes and a slow loris could discriminate between varying concentrations of alcohol and preferred the highest concentrations. The findings support the idea that fermented foods were important in human ancestors' diets, potentially pre-adapting humans for the Neolithic Revolution.
Scientists at McMaster University have discovered a clear way to measure past changes in vitamin D deficiency, which affects over 1 billion people worldwide. They analyzed the microscopic structure of ancient teeth to reveal anomalies formed in dentin layers during periods of low sun exposure.
A recent study by Binghamton University found significant ethnic differences in circadian blood pressure variation among African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and European American women. The research suggests that genetic and cultural factors contribute to these variations, which can inform personalized treatment approa...
Researchers discovered multiple assemblages of Homo erectus footprints in northern Kenya, preserving evidence of a modern human style of walking and group structure consistent with human-like social behaviours. The findings provide direct insight into the locomotor patterns and group dynamics of our fossil ancestors.
Researchers have selectively bred domesticated rat strains to exhibit tame behavior, with no instances of biting reported. The study also reveals hormonal responses and sex differences in aggression between male and female rats, shedding light on the physiological changes during domestication.
Researchers will study household sites in Coba and Yaxuna ruins to understand social interactions between residents of two ancient cities linked by a massive roadway during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.). The project aims to determine how life changed for tens of thousands of people living along the causeway.
Key fossil discoveries in Africa confirm the co-existence of multiple early human ancestor species between 3.8 and 3.3 million years ago. The new review outlines a diverse evolutionary past, raising questions about how ancient species shared resources and adapted to their environments.
Research found that early institutional care was associated with lower DNA methylation at specific stress-related genes. This epigenetic modification can have long-lasting impacts on biological and behavioral processes.
The OU Center will examine knowledge and attitudes about genomics in Native American communities and health care systems. The project aims to advance dialogues on genomics in society through deliberation and education.
A new study reveals that police recruits and experienced officers are more likely to subscribe to colorblind racial beliefs, which can lead to problematic interactions with racial minorities. The research highlights the need for training programs that address police racial attitudes and social identities.
A University of Missouri study found that children physically react to stress from their social networks, with cortisol levels and salivary alpha-amylase indicating stress responses. The quality and size of childhood social relationships may have long-term physiological consequences for youth's physical and mental health.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that chimpanzees use advanced manual prehension to evaluate and select figs, demonstrating a significant foraging advantage over other primates. The findings provide new insight into the evolution of skilled forelimb movements and the ecological origins of human hands with fine motor control.
New research suggests that human brain size and body size are genetically linked, with increased brain size leading to a correlated response in body size. This phenomenon played a significant role in the evolution of larger brains and bodies in humans.
Human ancestors adapted to fire-prone environments by exploiting its foraging benefits, improving search and handling efficiency. This scenario provides a solution to the mismatch between fossil and archaeological records.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that baby monkeys in groups with higher risks of infanticide develop faster. This accelerated growth may be triggered by stress hormones in maternal milk, allowing mothers and infants to better survive.
A study by Dr. Andrew Sanchez shows how joking relationships between colleagues enable people to distance themselves from the values that inform religious and ethnic violence. This exchange of humorous insults implicitly critiques public life of ethnic difference, operating on more tolerant principles rooted in the present.