Researchers estimate that a small village has only 40 members, making it highly vulnerable to extinction. Remote surveillance using satellite images can track the tribe's demographic health and movements without disrupting their lives.
Researchers analyzed the gut microbiota of Hadza hunter-gatherers, revealing a unique microbial profile that supports their adaptation to a foraging subsistence pattern. The study found differences in gut microbiota between sexes, reflecting sexual division of labor and having implications for fertility and reproductive success.
Researchers found that European humans have a higher number of Neanderthal variants in genes related to lipid breakdown, which may have provided a selective advantage. This study suggests that Neanderthal ancestry has driven evolutionary changes in lipid processing and brain composition among Europeans.
Researchers are using a unique approach to climate change vulnerability, involving community stakeholders and scenario-building techniques. The study focuses on two geographic case studies, Big Hole Valley in Montana and Grand County in Colorado, exploring how communities can prepare for future ecological hazards.
Researchers found that male and female owl monkeys were genetically monogamous, with no cases of extra-pair paternity. The team discovered a strong connection between a species' faithfulness and significant involvement of males in caring for their young.
Recent research in biological anthropology explores how global environmental variations shape human health and biology. The studies examine the effects of diet, energy dynamics, and chronic inflammation on human reproduction, nutrition, and disease prevalence.
Researchers discovered 45 trepanation procedures on human remains in Peru's Andahuaylas caves dating back to AD 1000-1250. The ancient practice was used to treat various ailments and conditions, with varying techniques employed by practitioners.
A partial skeleton of Paranthropus boisei, a human ancestor characterized by its 'robust' jaw and skull bones, has been found in Tanzania. The find suggests that the species was more ruggedly built than previously thought and had strong forearms and powerful upper body.
Researchers have successfully extracted and sequenced the oldest hominin DNA to date from a 400,000-year-old fossil from Sima de los Huesos in Northern Spain. The mitochondrial genome sequence reveals that the ancient hominins are related to Denisovans and share a common ancestor with them about 700,000 years ago.
Researchers at UC Davis have found evidence that Neandertals, not modern humans, made the first specialized bone tools in Europe. The discoveries were made by undergraduate student Naomi Martisius and her adviser Teresa E. Steele, who identified the tools as part of a decade-long excavation project.
Archaeologists at the University of Bonn have discovered a 1,400-year-old mass grave containing 24 skeletons from the Maya civilization. The remains show signs of violent death and dismemberment, including decapitation and hatchet marks.
Researchers found that reciprocity is a significant factor in food sharing, similar across humans, monkeys, and apes. Humans tend to exchange food for food, while primates barter for services like grooming or coalition support.
Researchers found that suitable habitats were settled first by early migrants, leading to a diverse patchwork of language groups. This process may account for global ethnolinguistic patterns.
UCSB researchers found that tree chopping increases testosterone levels more than soccer, improving muscle energy and performance. The study suggests that Tsimane men maintain high testosterone levels due to their physically demanding lifestyle, contrary to industrialized populations.
Two research teams discovered Neandertal bone tools in southwest France, similar to later modern human sites and used today by high-end leather workers. The tools, called lissoirs, were made from deer ribs and polished for softening and water-resistance, dating back approximately 50 thousand years.
Researchers found that female motivation to help offspring and attractiveness significantly influence the outcome of intersexual conflicts in wild bonobos. Attractive females are more likely to win conflicts against males, with males displaying reduced aggression during times of elevated fecundity.
A benign bone tumor has been discovered in a 120,000-year-old Neandertal rib fragment, providing a unique link to modern humans. The fibrous dysplasia tumor was identified through advanced imaging techniques and sheds light on the health of ancient human populations.
Adult wild chimpanzees exhibit a strong association between age and malaria parasite detection rates, with significantly lower positivity in adults. This suggests that individuals reaching adulthood mount an effective protective immunity against malaria parasites, consistent with human observations.
A new report documents harassment, abuse, or assaults of young researchers in biological anthropology fieldwork. Larger research sites tend to have fewer incidents than smaller ones.
A study by UCSB anthropologist Jeffrey Hoelle explores the complex relationship between cattle ranchers and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Ranchers, who are often seen as villains of Amazonia, actually have a nuanced perspective on their industry's impact.
Anthropologist Robert W. Sussman explores the dangers of eugenics and the importance of cultural understanding in addressing human behavior. He argues that most individual variances result from social, environmental, and cultural exposure rather than genetics.
A new DNA study from the University of Texas at Austin provides genetic evidence for the impact of Aztec imperialism on Mesoamerican populations. Researchers found that the pre-conquest maternal aDNA did not match those of the post-conquest era in Xaltocan, suggesting significant genetic changes
A study of ancient DNA from a 40,000-year-old human from Tianyuan Cave near Beijing found that the individual shared a common origin with present-day Asians and Native Americans. The genetic profile also revealed that this early modern human diverged genetically from present-day Europeans and did not carry a larger proportion of Neande...
Researchers found that Tsimane indigenous population in Bolivia does not exhibit the traditional Big Five personality traits, but rather a 'Big Two' of prosociality and industriousness. The study's findings suggest that lifestyle and ecology shape human psychology more broadly.
A University of Oklahoma study analyzed ancient DNA from human fecal samples to understand changes in the human gut microbiome. The results suggest that the last 100 years have seen a major shift in the human gut microbiome, with broader implications for modern health.
Researchers used ArcGIS to analyze a human foot bone, revealing patterns of tension and compression that reveal how the bones were used during life. The study provides a proof of concept for using geographic software to study internal bone structure.
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology found that singing gibbons use the same vocal techniques as professional soprano singers. The research reveals a physiological similarity between gibbon and human voices, suggesting that complex vocal abilities evolved in humans were not due to unique modifications.
Research by Kathrine Starkweather found that polyandrous cultures often feature small-scale societies with egalitarian values, where younger brothers protect the family. This study adapts traditional practices to modern realities, highlighting human adaptability and variability in marriage structures.
A Wayne State University researcher has launched a program to target safer river fishing practices among Detroit River anglers. The 'Improving Community Awareness for Detroit River Fish Consumption Advisories' program aims to educate anglers on the importance of choosing less-contaminated fish.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered a massive ancient dam built by the Maya, stretching over 260 feet and holding 20 million gallons of water. The dam, constructed from cut stone and earth, was part of a sophisticated water management system that allowed the city to thrive despite periodic droughts.
A new EU-funded project, BEAN, aims to enhance skills in anthropology, pre-history, and population genetics by analyzing DNA from hunter-gatherers and early farmers. Researchers will compile a model for the settlement of Europe using genomic data.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth to reveal that A. sediba ate harder foods like trees and bushes, unlike most other hominids who focused on grasses and sedges. This diet was confirmed by analysis of microscopic particles trapped in tooth tarter, suggesting the individuals avoided open grasslands.
A Michigan State University study found that poor mothers produce fattier milk for their daughters than sons, supporting a 1973 hypothesis. In contrast, wealthy mothers prefer to invest resources in sons who are more likely to increase their status through marriage.
Research by Rutgers-Camden professor Cindy Dell Clark analyzes Hollywood's portrayal of children with asthma, revealing common stereotypes that can lead to stigma and unfair treatment. Her study suggests that depicting asthma as a form of weakness or stress-induced condition is not supported by medical evidence.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that children of older fathers inherit longer telomeres, which may promote slower aging and facilitate extension of lifespan. The association is cumulative across multiple generations, offering insights into the evolution of aging.
Research on lemur extinctions over 2,000 years reveals that remaining species go into 'ecological retreat,' increasing extinction risk. Surviving lemurs rely on denser habitats due to vacant environmental niches, which may be a result of human disturbance.
Two studies led by University of Pennsylvania scientists uncover new information about Native American and First Nations migration patterns, genetic impact of cultural practices and historical relationships among groups. The research provides the first clear evidence of shared markers in DNA of people living in the circumarctic region.
A recent study found that bigger male gorillas are more successful at attracting mates and raising offspring. The research, conducted over 12 years in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, revealed positive correlations between physical traits such as head-crest size and gluteal muscles with an adult male's average number of mates.
Archaeologists are utilizing information from multiple disciplines to inform and enhance their data, providing new insights into social systems, economic processes, and political dynamics. The field has expanded beyond anthropology to include perspectives from sociology and other social sciences.
Researchers found that humans and chimpanzees tend to copy majority behaviour, while children consider both frequency and number of demonstrators. Orangutans, however, showed no such bias, possibly due to their solitary group structure. The study suggests a key difference in social learning mechanisms between humans, chimpanzees, and o...
Researchers found that people consistently judge pistol-packers to be taller and stronger than men holding other objects, even when hand size and appearance are similar. The study suggests an unconscious mental mechanism that gauges threat and translates it into size and strength dimensions.
The prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Foundation has selected four University of Miami students as 2012 Goldwater Scholars: Christopher Sanchez, Ian Ergui, Juan Pablo Ruiz, and Christine Chesley. Sanchez is majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with a focus on Anthropology.
Scientists have discovered the first evidence of Pre-Columbian sources of palygorskite for Maya Blue. Researchers established a link between contemporary indigenous knowledge and ancient mines in Mexico's northern Yucatan Peninsula.
A Michigan State University anthropologist has exposed the horrific experiences of poor people who were victims of organ trafficking. Moniruzzaman's study found that kidney sellers are often plagued with health problems and receive inadequate compensation.
Recent studies suggest that prehistoric pastoralist societies in Eurasia developed distinct economies and triggered the formation of extensive networks of interaction. These 'nonuniform institutional complexity' models describe how small-scale institutions impact wider-scale political economies and shape the growth of great empires.
A recent study published in Current Anthropology reveals that women who did not plan their pregnancies are more likely to stop breastfeeding within three months. The research suggests that unplanned pregnancy leads to emotional and physical discomfort, causing women to resist the close physical connection required by breastfeeding.
Researchers at Michigan State University used advanced DNA testing to confirm the presence of brucellosis in skeletal remains from medieval Albania, suggesting the disease was endemic in the region since the Middle Ages. The findings provide valuable insights into the history of infectious diseases and their impact on human health.
A Queen's University study found that men prefer sons while women want daughters, despite cultural norms of gender neutrality. The results suggest an intrinsic desire to leave a legacy, with men envisioning this through male heirs.
A study by Oregon State University researcher Melissa Cheyney found that midwife-attended home births have better health outcomes, including lower cesarean section rates. Midwives construct woman-centered rituals around pregnancy and birth to put mothers in control, involving family members and downplaying technology.
A 5-year study on Bornean orangutans reveals they store fat when abundant food is available and use it for energy during scarcity. This research may aid in understanding human obesity and eating disorders.
Chimpanzees from the Fongoli research site in Senegal frequently share plant food and hunting tools with other chimps, exhibiting behavior similar to humans. The study found that females commonly receive food from males, potentially as a future mating strategy.
A team of researchers used computational modeling to study the evolution of Neanderthals in response to climate change, revealing that they were as adaptable and resourceful as modern humans. The study suggests that Neanderthals' success led to their own extinction due to interbreeding with modern humans.
Researchers have re-analyzed ancient deciduous teeth from Grotta del Cavallo, Italy, and found they belong to anatomically modern humans. The new study suggests that Homo sapiens arrived in Europe earlier than previously known, with dates ranging from ~43,000-45,000 cal BP.
The article reveals how Los Alamos' decline is linked to misguided policies and mismanagement, rather than a culture of arrogance. The lab's scientists faced harsh conditions, including polygraph tests and shutdowns, after media scrutiny of one individual's actions was misconstrued as institutional failure.
Researchers found that four-year-olds conformed their public judgment of a situation to the majority of peers despite better knowledge. This conformity plays a crucial role in acquiring group-specific behavior. In the study, only 40% of children conformed at least once, indicating some level of peer pressure on young minds.
Researchers at Poggio Colla excavation site in Italy discovered a ceramic fragment with two images of a woman giving birth to a child, over 2,600 years old. The unique find is the first of its kind ever found in an Etruscan excavation, providing new insights into the culture.
Research suggests that human children exhibit a strong preference for working together to solve problems, with cooperation rates exceeding 78% compared to 58% for chimpanzees. This finding highlights a potential difference in motivation between humans and our primate cousins.
Researchers will examine how humans have responded to changes in surrounding forests over multiple centuries, focusing on New Mexico's Jemez Mountains and the intersection of climate change, drought, and forest fires. The team aims to understand how humans can live sustainably within fire-adapted ecosystems.
A new Northwestern University study confirms that human males are biologically wired to care for their offspring, showing that fatherhood significantly lowers testosterone levels. The study found that fathers who became more involved in child care experienced the largest decline in testosterone.
Researchers describe the earliest complete fossil hominin hand post-dating stone tools, Australopithecus sediba's hand. The study reveals that it used its hand for arboreal locomotion but also showed human-like precision grips, a prerequisite for tool-making.