Articles tagged with Human Adaptation
A new study by an international team of scientists links early human habitats to past climate shifts using a supercomputer model and fossil records. The research suggests that climate change played a central role in determining where different hominin groups lived and their remains were found.
Research led by Dr. Petra Holden from the University of Cape Town found that catchment restoration through alien tree management can reduce climate change's impact on drought streamflow. The study shows that clearing moderate levels of invasion can result in a 3-16% amelioration of human-derived climate change impact.
Researchers analyzed mollusk shells at 4,000-year-old shell ring villages in Georgia and found environmental changes drove the formation and abandonment of these coastal communities. Smaller oyster shells and lower salinity conditions suggested depletion in oyster stocks and unsustainable fishing practices.
A new Michigan Medicine study suggests that genes from oceanic bacteria have entered the human gut microbiome, enabling digestion of seaweed polysaccharides. The research found that these genes are more common than previously recognized and are linked to the ability to process certain seaweed-derived sugars.
New Penn State research found that the maximum wet-bulb temperature for humans is lower than previously thought, at around 31°C in warm-humid environments. This finding has significant implications for planning and preparing for extreme heat events.
A study by MedUni Vienna found that dual-vaccinated and recovered individuals have virtually no protection against infection with the current Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. However, a third Corona vaccination provides partial blockade of Omicron.
The study behind PopHumanVar explores how human genomes have adapted to environmental pressures and dietary changes throughout history. The database allows for the identification of specific mutations responsible for adaptive events, such as lactose digestion in European populations.
A new UC Riverside-led study found that people tire from repetitive questions and tend to give similar answers, leading to unreliable data in surveys. To improve accuracy, researchers suggest using process-tracing and ensemble methods with multiple measurement techniques.
Researchers studied Paradise, California's response to the 2018 Camp Fire. They found that community responses vary greatly due to distinct fire and demographic characteristics.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
A team of researchers has extracted and analyzed ancient proteins and DNA from nearly 4,000 bone fragments at Denisova Cave, yielding five human bones with intact biomolecules, dating back to 200,000 years ago. The findings provide robust insights into the first occupants of the cave and their archaeological signature.
New fossil vertebrae from Australopithecus sediba, a 2-million-year-old human relative, show a mix of adaptations for bipedalism and arboreal behaviors. The discovery provides insight into the species' locomotion patterns, with evidence suggesting it walked like humans but climbed like apes.
A new study by Ritsumeikan University reveals that whole-body dynamic balance training increases brain connectivity and improves motor learning. The research found significant changes in brain activity associated with offline learning, opening up new avenues for studying neural networks during natural tasks.
A study by José María Martín-Olalla suggests that cancelling daylight saving time could result in increased early morning activity in winter, negatively impacting human health. This is due to the UK's alignment with sunrise during winter mornings, which has helped regulate daily activity.
Researchers found that recessive Mendelian disease-causing genes were less likely to be swept out of populations, potentially due to genetic interference. This allowed these genes to persist longer in human populations despite their harmful effects.
A unique form of English rewilding is emerging as domesticated and scaled-down compared to global efforts. This approach requires human intervention to restore ecological function and increase biodiversity.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
Researchers have identified a shortened version of the human growth hormone receptor gene, GHRd3, which may help people survive in situations where resources are scarce or unpredictable. The study found that this variant emerged around 1-2 million years ago and was more prevalent in ancient humans and Neanderthals.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that early human groups in Europe endured cold climatic conditions for over 7,000 years. The team used archaeological materials to generate climatic data, revealing a higher degree of climate flexibility than previously believed.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a worked bone assemblage found near the Atlantic Coast of Morocco dating back to 120,000 years ago, suggesting the manufacture of clothing during this period. The find provides strong evidence for the emergence of complex culture and specialized tool manufacture in early humans.
A team of scientists found that people can adjust their walking efficiency automatically, even when distracted, without having to think about it. This ability allows for focus on other tasks while walking, such as tracking road bumps and managing daily life.
A team of archaeologists led by Paola Villa has uncovered an unprecedented array of bone tools crafted from elephant bones at the Castel di Guido site in Italy, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery reveals a high level of cognitive intellect and technological sophistication among early humans during this period.
A new study published in Genome Biology found that the ability of gut bacteria to produce spores is associated with their adaptation to humans. Bacteria that can produce spores have larger genomes and are less abundant in the gut, while those that cannot have smaller genomes and are more adapted to human hosts.
An international team analysed genomes of over 2,500 humans from 26 populations to understand human adaptation to historical coronavirus outbreaks. They found signs of adaptation in 42 different human genes encoding viral interacting proteins (VIPs), which primarily active in the lungs and interact with coronaviruses.
A new study reveals that Neanderthals and ancient humans adapted to eating starch-rich foods as far back as 100,000 years ago. This early adaptation likely helped pave the way for the expansion of the human brain due to the glucose in starch, which is the brain's main fuel source.
Cavatappi artificial muscles, developed by Northern Arizona University researchers, exhibit specific work and power metrics ten and five times higher than human skeletal muscles, respectively. These flexible actuators respond as fast as they can pump pressurized fluid and have demonstrated contractile efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Researchers report a 50-year review of nature's contributions to human societies, revealing an imbalance between agricultural growth and declining regulatory ecosystem services. The study highlights the need for adaptations and substitutes, but notes they come at a cost.
USC researchers have developed a system that lets robots autonomously learn complicated tasks from a very small number of imperfect demonstrations. The system uses signal temporal logic to evaluate the quality of each demonstration, allowing robots to learn more intuitively and adapt to human preferences.
A study by the University of Bristol found that urban gulls adjust their foraging patterns to coincide with human activity, such as school breaks and waste centre opening hours. This adaptability helps them thrive in cities by maximizing energy intake from fluctuating food sources.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois created a new take on deep reinforcement learning using the game Capture the Flag, helping robots evaluate their next move and adapt to unexpected situations. By breaking down tasks into sub-tasks, they improved adaptation and reduced complexity in updates.
A new drill core analysis from the Smithsonian reveals a 400,000-year-old boom-bust landscape that drove early humans to abandon old tools, develop sophisticated technology, and broaden trade networks. The findings suggest climate variability was one of several environmental factors contributing to human adaptability.
A new computational model suggests that certain protective mutations against malaria have not become widespread due to rapid immune system adaptation, making it less likely for these mutations to spread among the population. The study highlights the need for further genetic studies of populations living in regions impacted by malaria.
The yellow-legged gull's annual lifecycle is adapted to human activities for food, with its eating pattern changing throughout the year. This opportunistic species can modify its habitat use to manage limitations, such as physiological restrictions and fluctuations in food availability.
Researchers have discovered evidence of Neanderthals' extensive use of the sea as a food source, similar to modern humans in Africa. The findings suggest that Neanderthals were fisher-hunter-gatherers with a long-term coastal resource use record dating back to around 106-86 kya.
Scientists discovered more evidence of archaic introgression in immunity-related genes and found a possible resistance to malaria among Papua New Guineans. They also identified genes related to porphyrins, energy metabolism, and olfactory receptors showing signals of Neandertal introgression.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering and Law School develop a joint fault-based liability rule using game theory to regulate self-driving car manufacturers and human drivers. They find that an optimally designed liability policy is critical to prevent moral hazard and improve traffic safety.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that Daylight Saving Time (DST) regulations do not disrupt human cycles, including sleep and labor patterns. The report highlights the impact of latitude on seasonal adaptation of human activity.
A study analyzing humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas reveals the human heart adapts to endurance activities by becoming larger, longer, and more elastic. However, there is a trade-off between these adaptations, making it harder for individuals with one type of adaptation to cope with the other.
The study reveals that humans developed longer ventricles and larger chamber sizes due to endurance exercise, contrasting with great apes' shorter intense bursts of resistance. This suggests a trade-off between pressure and volume in the human heart's evolution.
A study finds that global warming is increasing unexpected ocean temperatures in large marine ecosystems, threatening their diversity and productivity. Forward-looking strategies are more advantageous for adaptation, suggesting that many LMEs will push to their limits due to extreme ocean temperatures.
Decades-old frozen fish reveal roots of rapid evolutionary adaptation to human-induced environmental change. Genomic analysis shows that multiple genetic pathways can lead to similar traits, supporting the idea of diverse evolutionary paths.
Yeganeh Hayeri, an expert on autonomous vehicles and level three automation, has been selected among 82 of the nation's brightest engineers. She studies the impact of driverless cars on transportation, human behavior, environment, and society.
A recent study suggests that climate change may make parts of Asian Russia habitable for humans by the late 21st century. The research found that warming temperatures and increased precipitation could improve food security in the region, but development depends on infrastructure investments.
Research found chimpanzees have adapted to cross roads safely and visit human settlements, but their survival is still at risk due to habitat loss. The study suggests care with infrastructure development and agreements with farmers to protect chimpanzee habitats.
The Gulf killifish has developed adaptive resistance to pollutants in Galveston Bay, Texas, through hybridization with the Atlantic Killifish. This genetic exchange has enabled the species to persist in polluted waters, highlighting the role of inter-species connectivity in adaptation to environmental changes.
A study in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases analyzed gene expression in patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, revealing a heightened presence of B cell transcripts and unique patterns of macrophage activation. The research also identified new targets for vaccine development against this rare and neglected tropical disease.
A new book review clarifies the rewilding concept as an adaptive approach to regaining wildness in degraded ecosystems. The authors highlight similarities and differences between methods and discuss how they work in practice.
Researchers discovered bone and tooth specimens of wild camels, elephants, horses, and antelopes at Azraq Basin site, providing insights into ancestral human adaptation to changing environments. The team found evidence of butchery and suggests that humans may have faced challenges from predatory competitors like lions and hyenas.
A new study examines mountain gorilla foraging habits in Rwanda, highlighting the need to adapt local land use practices to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. The research reveals that accessing sodium-rich foods can lead to increased risk of hypothermia and crop damage, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating agricultural practices.
A new study led by UNH researcher Matthew MacManes is exploring how tiny desert rodents adapt to dehydration, with the goal of developing strategies for humans. The research focuses on understanding the physiology and genomics of cactus mice in the field and lab, with an emphasis on electrolytes, urine concentrations, and kidney function.
A recent study by researchers at Uppsala University reveals that catastrophic flood events can lead to decreased human proximity to rivers, particularly in areas with low structural flood protection. This shift may help reduce exposure to future flooding events.
Researchers found female nipple sizes vary significantly due to functional use in breastfeeding, contradicting previous claims. The study's findings support the idea that highly variable features result from weak evolutionary selection.
Research by Zachary Estes and colleagues found that single speech sounds are statistically associated with negative or positive emotions in several languages. These associations aid survival by allowing quick reactions to vital objects.
Researchers developed a brain-computer interface that uses mutual learning to improve control for tetraplegic individuals. The system allowed users to adapt and learn at their own pace, leading to significant improvements in performance.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant associated with migraine headaches that is more common in people living in colder climates and higher latitudes. This variant may have helped early humans adapt to the cold, contributing to its high frequency in European populations and higher prevalence among individuals suffering from migraines.
A study found that the Bajau people have genetically enlarged spleens, allowing them to free dive for extended periods. The discovery could lead to new insights into Acute Hypoxia and its treatment.
A new study of Tommo So folk songs reveals that artistic expression often prioritizes harmony over pitch accuracy, despite the potential for confusion. The authors found that melodies in tonal languages like Tommo So tend to avoid direct contradictions between sung and spoken pitches.
As climate change raises summer temperatures, research suggests that wetter summers could produce unexpected impacts such as disease outbreaks and crop failures. Subtropical and temperate regions are expected to experience warmer, wetter extremes, threatening ecosystems and human communities.
Scientists found that Trichophyton rubrum nearly all belong to a single mating type and refuse to mate with others, even under various conditions. The fungus's high clonality may limit its ability to adapt, making it more susceptible to new antifungal medications.
A new veterinary medical ethics committee has been developed at North Carolina State University to aid caregivers in navigating complex care situations. The committee, consisting of seven members, operates independently from the hospital's academic and business aspects to provide a fair and open discussion of ethical issues.