Articles tagged with Paleopathology
Scientists discovered that howler monkeys began eating leaves 13 million years ago, causing them to evolve larger body sizes and occupy a unique ecological niche. The analysis of two jaw fossils provides key information about the diet, body size, and biodiversity of these ancient monkeys.
Researchers investigated social exclusion based on illness in medieval Denmark and found that people with stigmatized diseases like leprosy were buried just as prominently as their peers. The study suggests that medieval communities were variable in their responses to debilitating diseases.
A new study published in Nature found that hunter-gatherers in Belgium and the Netherlands adopted farming thousands of years later than elsewhere in Europe. The research suggests that migrant women played a pivotal role in introducing farming practices, bringing their knowledge and genes to the local communities.
Researchers developed a new method for extracting and identifying proteins from ancient soft tissues, providing insights into past lives and diseases. The technique identified over 1,200 ancient proteins from 2.5mg of sample, offering a window on human history.
Researchers analyzed a centuries-old Austrian mummy and found it remarkably well-preserved due to an unusual embalming technique involving wood chips, twigs, fabric, and zinc chloride. The mummy, of a local parish vicar, was identified through interdisciplinary analysis, including radiocarbon dating and stable isotope patterns.
Researchers discovered signs of human remains being manipulated and dissected, indicating cannibalism among Late Ice Age societies in Central Europe. The findings suggest that cannibalism may have occurred due to conflicts over resources or territories, rather than necessity.
Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Argentina to determine the origin of syphilis. The study found that syphilis-like infections occurred in the Americas for millennia and supports an American origin for the disease.
Researchers used ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy to treat MPS IVA in mice, achieving partial correction of bone pathology and complete correction of heart pathology. The study suggests potential for novel therapies to treat patients with MPS IVA.
The study found that exercise increased PEDF levels in skeletal muscles and suppressed senescence markers in the lungs. PEDF also reduced senescence markers in multiple tissues and attenuated decline in respiratory function in pulmonary emphysema mouse model, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for age-related diseases.
A new study published in Science Advances documents the first case of Down syndrome in Neandertals, named 'Tina', and reveals that they provided extensive care for a young child with severe hearing loss. The discovery sheds light on the existence of true altruism among Neandertals.
Researchers analyzed two ancient skulls and found cutmarks suggesting surgical interventions related to cancerous cells. The study provides new insights into the limitations of ancient Egyptian medical knowledge, highlighting their efforts to explore cancer treatments.
Recent studies published in the Tuberculosis journal reveal the earliest confirmed presence of tuberculosis' causative agents in human remains, pushing the timeline back by tens of thousands of years. Researchers have also discovered evidence of TB infection in Neanderthal specimens from Hungary, dating back over 32,000 years.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine created a machine learning model to calculate percent necrosis in osteosarcoma patients after chemotherapy. The model achieved an 85% positive correlation with musculoskeletal pathologist results, increasing accuracy to 99% when one outlier was removed. This could help provide patients with earlier...
Researchers found osteochondrosis dissecans in fossil bones of Ice Age predators, with an incidence as high as 7% in shoulder and knee joints. The study suggests dwindling populations may have contributed to the disease's prevalence in these ancient species.
A 17th century child mummy was found to be malnourished and sick with pneumonia, despite being born into a powerful aristocratic family. The virtual autopsy revealed that the child's soft tissue showed signs of obesity, but his bones indicated severe rickets or scurvy due to lack of sunlight exposure.
Three pre-Columbian South American mummies found evidence of lethal trauma, with two males dying from extreme intentional violence. The study used 3D CT scans to examine the mummies and provide new insights into the rate of trauma and violent deaths in prehistoric human societies.
Researchers examined an abnormal tooth from an Otodus megalodon shark to determine the root cause of double tooth pathology. The study suggests that feeding-related injury may be the probable cause, as modern sharks with similar deformities are often caused by sharp objects piercing developing teeth.
Researchers discovered that a saber-toothed cat with congenital hip dysplasia was able to survive to adulthood due to likely social support. The study used 3D imaging to analyze the internal structure of the pelvis and femur bone, overturning previous interpretations of its death.
A 16,000-25,000-year-old jawbone from Sulawesi provides conclusive evidence of Pleistocene-era humans in the region. The fossil exhibit unusual dental wear patterns, offering insights into the daily lives and dietary habits of early Homo sapiens.
A Swedish study has successfully imaged the soft tissue of an ancient Egyptian mummy's hand using a novel CT technique called phase-contrast imaging. This technique enhances contrast and allows for detailed analysis of soft tissues, opening up new opportunities for paleopathology research.
Scientists have discovered that nearly half of the mammoths' bones show signs of serious pathologies, including 'articular mouse' disease and abnormal vertebrae. These findings support the hypothesis that geochemical stress led to the mass extinction of mammoths.
Researchers at USC have created a transgenic mouse with an overexpressed noggin gene, resulting in increased hair follicles, thicker fur, and additional whiskers. The study also reveals unusual changes to the mice's eyes, feet, and genitalia, challenging the distinction between normal and abnormal variations.
Scientists have found evidence of pathological prion protein in the skeletal muscles of Syrian hamsters infected with scrapie. The discovery expands on previous findings and suggests that further research is needed to understand the presence of prions in muscle tissue.