Articles tagged with Caves
Scientists track Egyptian fruit bat flights using miniature wireless devices and find that place cells respond to spherical volumes of space, suggesting uniform perception of all three dimensions. The study provides new insights into navigation, spatial memory, and spatial perception.
A new dating method has accurately determined the age of Neanderthal remains found in the El Sidrón cave in Asturias, Spain. The results, published in Archaeometry, confirm that the remains are between 45,200 and 51,600 years old.
A new DNA-based technique allows early identification of Geomyces destructans, a fungus causing White Nose Syndrome (WNS), in bats, soils, and cave walls. The test is 100-times more sensitive than previous ones, detecting single spores of the fungus.
Evidence from Siberian caves suggests a 1.5°C temperature rise could cause substantial permafrost thawing, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and damaging ecosystems and human infrastructure.
A 397,000-year-old fossil found in Serbia reveals that southeastern European human ancestors evolved differently than those in western Europe due to the absence of glaciers. The study confirms southeast Europe as a critical 'gate to the continent' where humans, plants, and animals sought refuge during glaciations.
Researchers found a unique social structure in a small town where males and females coexist in the same roosts. This arrangement allows females to conserve energy and ensures faster growth of their young. In contrast, lowland areas have female-only childrearing colonies.
In a recent discovery, botanists have identified three new species of cave-dwelling nettles in the Guangxi province of China. These plants thrive in extremely low light conditions, deep within limestone caves.
The California Academy of Sciences has described 137 new species across four continents and two oceans, adding to the complex web of life on Earth. These discoveries strengthen conservation efforts by providing a deeper understanding of evolution and the persistence of life.
Researchers discovered that modern humans first settled in Sicily around the time of the last ice age, with a diet consisting mainly of terrestrial animals. Genetic analysis revealed the peopling of Sicily occurred at 19,000-26,500 years ago, when sea levels were low enough to expose a land bridge.
Three new arthropod species have been found in the Maestrazgo caves in Teruel, Spain. These ancient organisms have survived for thousands of years with unique adaptations to their isolated environment. The researchers' study expands knowledge of biodiversity and highlights the importance of studying cave-adapted animals.
A new cave-dwelling reef coral species, Leptoseris troglodyta, has been discovered in the Indo-Pacific region. This species differs from its relatives by its small polyp size and lack of symbiotic algae, providing insights into coral-algal symbiosis.
A new study found that the area with sufficient snow cover for ringed seals to reproduce will disappear by almost 70% this century. The researchers anticipate that the loss of sea ice will lead to insufficient snow depth, causing caves to collapse and hindering the seals' ability to raise their pups.
Two groups of blind cave fishes from Australia and Madagascar are each other's closest relatives, descending from a common ancestor separated by continental drift nearly 100 million years ago. The study identifies new species that add to existing biological evidence for the existence of Gondwana.
A 63,000-year-old skull found in a cave in northern Laos is the oldest modern human fossil discovered in Southeast Asia. The discovery challenges previous theories on modern human migration, suggesting that ancient wanderers left Africa and inhabited diverse habitats earlier than thought.
A team of scientists discovered a new spider family, Trogloraptoridae, in caves of the Pacific Northwest. The spider, Trogloraptor, is characterized by its elongate claws and ancient features, forcing a revision of spider evolution understanding.
A team of international researchers has dated and directly analyzed organic artifacts from Border Cave in South Africa, revealing evidence of San material culture dating back 44,000 years. This finding pushes the timeline for the emergence of modern human culture earlier than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed fossil feces from an Arizona cave and found a diet rich in fiber, low in fat, and high in plant-based foods with low glycemic indices. This diet may have been enough to fix thrifty genes in place, making modern populations susceptible to disease.
A new study reveals that Native-Americans' high rates of diabetes may be attributed to their ancestors' high-fiber diet, which was rich in foods like maize and sunflower seeds. This diet, characterized by low fat and glycemic index, could have given rise to 'thrifty genes' that now contribute to the disease.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered 13,000-year-old Western Stemmed projectile points and human DNA in the Paisley Caves. The findings provide new information on the overlap between Clovis and Western Stemmed point-production technologies.
A new study confirms that humans used Oregon's Paisley Caves as early as 12,450 radiocarbon years ago, with projectile points of the Western Stemmed tradition. The findings suggest parallel technological development and potentially pre-date Clovis sites.
A team of international researchers discovered evidence of pre-13,000-year-old non-Clovis cultures in North America, contradicting the long-held 'Clovis First' theory. The findings include Western Stemmed projectile points and DNA-profiling of human coprolites from the Paisley Caves.
Researchers dated 50 paintings in 11 caves in Northern Spain using uranium-series disequilibrium, finding hand stencils and a club-shaped symbol date back at least 40,800 and 35,600 years, respectively. This pushes the origins of cave art in Europe back by several thousand years.
McMaster University researchers found a remarkable prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria isolated from Lechuguilla Cave, one of the deepest and largest caves in the world. The discovery suggests that there are far more antibiotics in the environment that could be used to treat currently untreatable infections.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Hebrew University have identified evidence of controlled fire use by human ancestors dating back to one million years ago. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that Homo erectus may have begun using fire as part of their way of life.
The discovery of fossils from two caves in south-west China reveals a previously unknown Stone Age people with unusual anatomical features. Dated to 14,500-11,500 years old, these individuals may represent a previously unknown species or early migration of modern humans out of Africa.
Scientists have discovered the deepest terrestrial animal, a springtail insect, at 1,980 meters below ground surface. Four new species were also identified, shedding light on unique adaptations of cave-dwelling animals in extreme environments.
Researchers have uncovered a network of cisterns and reservoirs that fed the community's water supply in the ancient city of Xcoch, Mexico. The findings provide insights into the city's ability to adapt to drought and its significance as a religious site.
Researchers have discovered layers of bacterial microbes in underwater caves, each with specialized forms of life adapted to different depths and conditions. The findings suggest that microbial life can thrive in extreme environments, potentially providing insights into the origins of life on Earth and its possibility elsewhere.
A recent study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that the Mexican cavefish has multiple evolutionary origins from ancestral stocks, despite interbreeding with surface-dwelling populations. The eyeless 'cave phenotype' has been maintained through strong selection pressure against eyes in the cave environment.
Scientists used 700- to 1,100-year-old Hawaiian ibis feathers to confirm the bird's classification as a close relative of the American white ibis and scarlet ibis. The plumage coloration revealed the bird was brown-black to ivory-beige, providing new insights into prehistorically extinct Hawaiian birds.
Researchers discover intact Sex Pistols graffiti on a London flat's walls, arguing it's a powerful representation of punk rebellion. The find challenges traditional notions of heritage and suggests a new approach to conservation.
A team of researchers used ancient DNA to analyze the color variations seen in Paleolithic cave paintings, finding that all phenotypes existed in pre-domestic horse populations. This study lends weight to the argument that artists were reflecting their natural environment.
Studies explore Ligurian accretionary complex evolution and Andean thrusting, shedding light on continental margin dynamics. Cosmogenic isotope analysis reveals insights into the geological history of Wonderwerk Cave and Redoubt Volcano.
A fossil fragment from Kent's Cavern in southern England establishes the presence of modern humans in western Europe by 40,000 years ago. The discovery joins a human skull and lower jaw from Romania, confirming modern humans at both ends of Europe by this date.
The planned reopening of Spain's Altamira caves is sparking debate over the impact on 20,000-year-old wall paintings. Moisture and human activity are believed to foster bacterial growth that damages the artwork.
A genetic study of cave millipedes in the southern Cumberland Plateau highlights the importance of conservation efforts for isolated species. The research found that these millipedes have reduced pigmentation, non-functional eyes, and diverged several million years ago.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have found evidence of advanced blade production during the late Lower Paleolithic period, around 200,000-400,000 years ago. The discovery of well-planned 'production lines' suggests a sophisticated tool-making system that rivals later blade technology.
Archaeologists have discovered a 100,000-year-old ochre toolkit and workshop at Blombos Cave in South Africa. The findings suggest that early humans had the conceptual ability to source, combine, and store substances for social practices, demonstrating an elementary knowledge of chemistry.
Researchers have confirmed the age of Australopithecus sediba fossils to be 1.98 million years old, making it a strong candidate for our oldest direct human ancestor. The discovery provides new insights into early human evolution and sheds light on the beginnings of the Homo genus.
A study published in Science magazine has found significant transitional fossils that support the evolutionary link between Australopiths and Homo. The discovery, led by Texas A&M University researcher Darryl de Ruiter, provides key insights into human development and evolution.
College students with mobility impairments will explore a computer-generated simulation of Mammoth Cave, allowing them to meet degree requirements for field-based learning experiences. The project aims to create an interactive, virtual environment that is tailored to their abilities and provides a sense of realism.
Egyptian fruit bats use an internal map to locate individual trees based on visual landmarks like lights or hills. The bats can bypass familiar trees to reach their favorite feeding site, suggesting a large-scale navigational mechanism beyond simple visual cues.
A new species of blind beetle, Paralovricia beroni, has been discovered in Bulgarian caves and clarifies questions about its systematic position within the Carabidae family. The discovery provides insight into the paleogeographic history of the Balkans, revealing a previously unknown subtribe Lovriciina.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that female hominids preferred to move away from their residential groups, suggesting a dispersal pattern similar to modern humans and some primates. The team used high-tech analysis of strontium isotope ratios in tooth enamel to identify specific areas of landscape use.
A study found that Atlantic molly females from regular surface streams have difficulty reproducing in dark conditions and are more prone to stress-induced bacterial columnaris disease. The research suggests that permanent darkness severely hampers reproduction in these fish, highlighting the importance of light for their survival.
Researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital found that noisy classrooms significantly affect young students' ability to learn. Meanwhile, a new study on deaf infants with cochlear implants shows they don't automatically know how to listen when people speak. Cognitive psychologists also explored the power of single words in ...
Ancient cave systems near Allgäu Mountains preserved oldest radiometrically dated dripstones from European Alps. The study quantifies erosion and uplift rates for northern rim of Alps over 2 million years, with significant altitudinal changes attributed to glacial erosion.
Textiles and rope fragments found in a Peruvian cave have been dated to around 12,000 years ago, confirming the antiquity of artifacts previously found at the site. The dating technique used reveals that women may have played a key role in textile production during early high-altitude explorations.
Researchers measured heat variations in the cave and found that tourist visits caused minimal temperature increases. The effects of tourism disappeared shortly after the number of tourists fell.
Researchers found that cave fish sleep significantly less than surface fish, with an average of 110-250 minutes per day. Genetic studies revealed a dominant gene responsible for reduced sleep in cave fish, which may be linked to human insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Researchers studying Mexican Blind Cave Fish found that cave-adapted fish sleep less and are more active than their surface-dwelling relatives. The discovery suggests that the transition to a dark environment may be associated with changes in sleep behavior, potentially due to the need for continuous vigilance to find food.
A team of archaeologists and palaeontologists discovered prehistoric human faces in Lene Hara Cave, dated to the late Pleistocene era. The 'sun ray' face has been confirmed to be around 10,000 to 12,000 years old, while other faces are likely to be equally ancient.
The study found that illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products are contaminating Mexico's aquifers, posing a threat to the region's freshwater quality and availability. The researchers recommend integrated approaches to protecting and managing the aquifer to ensure sustainable tourism and human health.
A deadly fungus is decimating bat populations across North America, killing over 1 million bats. Researchers are racing to combat the disease, which infects and invades the living skin of hibernating bats, causing frequent arousals from hibernation and potential fat reserves depletion.
The discovery of an ancient wine production facility in Armenia has confirmed that humans were producing wine 6,100 years ago. The facility, dated between 4100 B.C. and 4000 B.C., included a wine press, fermentation vats, and storage jars, providing the oldest complete archaeological picture of wine production.
Archaeologists have found evidence of Homo sapiens in the Qesem Cave in Israel dating back to 400,000 years ago. The discovery challenges the long-held theory that modern man emerged from Africa 200,000 years ago and may indicate significant evolutionary changes in human behavior during this period.
The discovery of the ancient Siberian human genome reveals a new hominin group, Denisovans, which shared an origin with Neandertals but diverged. The findings also suggest interbreeding between Denisovans and modern human ancestors in Papua New Guinea.
Researchers found that Mexican cavefish exposed to a natural fish toxin developed resistance, passing tolerant genes to offspring. This adaptation was triggered by an indigenous ritual that was discontinued due to government pressure, revealing the power of natural selection in response to human activity.
Researchers have discovered the oldest evidence of pressure flaking in South Africa's Blombos Cave, pushing the origins of a skillful stone-tool-sharpening method back more than 50,000 years. The technique, used by anatomically modern humans, allows for precise control over tool shape and sharpness.
Archaeologists discovered remains of tortoises and cattle cooked for human consumption at a burial site dating back to around 12,000 years ago. The findings suggest that early humans practiced communal feasting as a social behavior unique to the species.