Articles tagged with South America
A new study led by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that the extinct ground sloth Mylodon was an omnivore, contrary to previous assumptions. The researchers analyzed amino acid nitrogen values in fossil samples to determine their diet, finding evidence of meat consumption.
A new study highlights the need to balance wildlife conservation with local community needs in Peru and Chile. Small-scale fisheries are struggling due to protected sea lion and seal populations, which compete for resources and damage fishing gear.
A new study found that global light pollution has increased significantly over the past 25 years, with the true increase potentially being much higher. The study, led by the University of Exeter, reveals that the transition to solid-state LED technology has masked the impact of light pollution in many regions.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to longer dry spells in tropical regions, causing important global crops like coffee and cocoa to suffer. This could result from hotter temperatures, increased number of dry days, and longer dry spell lengths, particularly during the dry season.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that fact-checking significantly reduces belief in misinformation globally. Fact-checking leaves a more enduring mental imprint than false claims, increasing accurate beliefs regardless of political affiliation.
Researchers in Peru have estimated the population density of spectacled bears and identified an unknown hotspot, revealing over 10 bears per 100 square kilometers. The team also observed the first 'golden' bear with nearly golden fur, sparking further investigation into its unusual characteristics.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
A new study by University of Houston researchers suggests that maximizing sleep can offer psychological benefit to adolescents in this at-risk group. The study found that experiences of neglect in childhood were associated with mental health symptoms, but this relation was weakened in the presence of high sleep duration.
A new study suggests that droughts in South America will increase by the end of the century due to rising temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. The study used 38 Global Climate Models to analyze temperature and precipitation changes across the continent.
A new fossil discovery in Panama's Los Boquerones town has revealed an ancient cashew relative with a lineage dating back over 30 million years. The find supports the hypothesis of tropical species migrating from Eurasia to North America during warmer climate periods.
Fossils of land animals from South America found in Antilles, with species migrating via giant sunken islands. Researchers reconstructed Caribbean geography over 40 million years, revealing archipelagos and island connections.
A study analyzing genomic data from South American populations reveals an extensive Australasian genetic signal, previously thought to be confined to Amazonian groups. The findings suggest at least two migratory waves accounted for the present-day genetic diversity of Central and South American populations.
Researchers have discovered two new species of South American screech owls, the Xingu Screech Owl and the Alagoas Screech Owl, through a comprehensive study analyzing morphological, vocal, and genetic variation. The study also highlights the threat of deforestation to these species.
A new study found that individual yellow warblers exhibit similar climatic preferences across their migratory range, tracking dry or wetter areas rather than warmer or cooler ones. This adaptation could help the species respond to changing climate conditions.
A recent study led by McGill University found that the Pacific and Caribbean crocodile populations have been separated for approximately 100,000 years, contradicting previous expectations of 3 million years. This discovery was made possible by reconstructing Ice Age sea levels and analyzing genetic variations in the crocodiles' genomes.
Genetic analysis reveals that improved maize varieties developed by Indigenous South Americans were reintroduced into Central America, potentially leading to more productive and consumed varieties. The study provides new insights into the spread of maize in the Americas and its impact on human history.
Three 2,000-year-old cobs from Honduras show that humans brought maize varieties back to Mesoamerica, sparking potential productivity increases and shaping civilization. This new study fills gaps in corn's history, revealing a more complex domestication story with parallel but differing speeds across regions.
Researchers have discovered that the iconic Clovis spear-point and other distinctive tools were created by North America's earliest inhabitants for only a brief 300-year period. This finding provides new insights into the origin and demise of the Clovis culture, which once occupied the continent at the end of the last Ice Age.
Researchers found that the formation of the Isthmus of Panama led to a significant reduction in native South American mammal diversity, allowing North American immigrants to thrive. The resulting asymmetry has lasting effects on modern species distribution.
A study on fossils reveals that native South American mammals were disproportionately extinct, leading to a higher number of North American ancestors in the region. This biotic exchange event resulted from the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.
A study by University of Notre Dame researchers found over 100 million Zika virus infections went undetected between 2015 and 2018. The team's findings highlight the need for improved surveillance systems to track transmission, especially in regions with high asymptomatic infection rates.
The NIAID has established a global network of centers for research in emerging infectious diseases, which will investigate spillover potential and prepare for future outbreaks. The network aims to detect new causes of febrile illnesses, develop reagents and diagnostic assays, and study human immune responses.
The new South American Drought Atlas shows widespread, intense droughts and unusually wet periods have increased since the mid-20th century. The study suggests global warming and pollution may be contributing factors.
A global assessment of heatwaves has found increasing frequency and duration since the 1950s, with regions like the Mediterranean experiencing rapid changes. The cumulative heat metric shows accelerating trends worldwide, but not in heatwave intensity.
A University of Kansas undergraduate majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology, Rachel Smith, has published a description of 18 new species of aquatic water beetles from the genus Chasmogenus. The research involved fieldwork and lab work to identify key differences in DNA evidence and internal anatomy.
Researchers discovered well-preserved conifer fossils in Patagonia that show the Araucaria genus has roots in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. The findings suggest that relatives of Norfolk Island pines were part of a rainforest stretching across Australasia and Antarctica.
New research reveals that guinea pigs were originally domesticated in the Andes region of Peru around AD500, and later introduced to the Caribbean through trade networks. The study used ancient DNA analysis to clarify the origins of guinea pigs found on islands in the Caribbean, contradicting previous theories.
A new study analyzing ancient DNA from 93 early Caribbean islanders reveals at least three separate colonization events in the region. The findings provide genetic evidence of distinct population histories and interactions between the earliest settlers and newcomers from South America.
Researchers use computer simulations to model the expansions of four archaeological cultures in South America, showing that some expansions may be due to similar demographic processes as the Neolithic in Eurasia. The study found that population growth and migration can explain the spread of these cultures across vast distances.
The discovery of ancient frog fossils in Antarctica provides insight into a warm and temperate climate before the continent's separation. The 40-million-year-old fossils found on Seymour Island suggest that the Antarctic Peninsula may have had forests similar to those in modern-day South America.
A new species of Triassic reptile discovered in Brazil is the closest known relative of tanystropheids, suggesting their ancestors may have lived on land before adapting to aquatic life. The discovery provides insights into the early diversification of tanystropheids and sheds light on their origins.
The extinct turtle Stupendemys had a carapace reaching almost three meters and weighed an estimated 1,145 kg, making it one of the largest turtles to have existed. Males carried horns on their shells, indicating two sexes with sexual dimorphism.
The analysis of four ancient skulls from Mexico suggests that early North Americans were more biologically diverse than previously believed, with affinities to various populations including Arctic, European, Asian, and Native American groups. This new finding challenges the previous narrative about the settlement of the Americas.
A new study has confirmed the history of tomatoes from South America, from blueberry-sized wild tomatoes to large-fruited common tomatoes. Scientists have reconstructed a putative domestication history of tomato groups, focusing on the intermediate stage represented by SLC, which originated in Ecuador around 78 KYA.
Researchers found that coyotes and crab-eating foxes are co-occurring in eastern Panama due to deforestation along the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Jaguars and other tropical forest predators may prevent coyotes from moving further south by maintaining their habitats.
A second ancient lungfish has been discovered in Africa, adding to the understanding of evolving aquatic life forms over 400 million years ago. The new genus, Isityumzi mlomomde, was found at high latitudes and represents a significant finding for the study of Western Gondwana.
An analysis of sediment carried by glaciers in both South America and East Africa reveals tropical glaciers began to melt earlier than expected around 20,000 years ago. Rising temperatures at the poles reduced atmospheric circulation, slowing heat out of the tropics and triggering early melting.
Researchers from Goethe University have developed reliable maps predicting the Zika virus transmission risk in South America. The models also indicate a moderate risk in Central America and lowest in southern areas of the continent. Europe is under threat, especially in Mediterranean regions and inland France.
A study published in Journal of Climate found significant associations between global warming and intensified extreme rainfall in global monsoon regions, affecting nearly two-thirds of the world's population. Regional characteristics, including aerosols, urbanization, and climate natural variability, also impact extreme rainfall.
Researchers at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History have discovered three distinct species of electric eels in the Amazon basin, showcasing their remarkable diversity and adaptability. The newly identified species can produce up to 860 Volts of electricity, significantly more than previously known species.
Researchers found that highland and lowland populations had distinct craniofacial variations, with adaptations to climate and altitude contributing to the differences. The study suggests a complex interplay of environmental factors, rather than just genetic drift, in shaping human diversification in the New World.
Researchers discovered highly sensitive snails can digest cellulose, form hard eggshells and pack neurotoxins in eggs. Genome sequencing revealed key adaptations enabling the invasion of freshwater wetlands.
Researchers from UNM led a study in Belize to identify and establish an absolute chronology for the earliest stone tool types indigenous to Central America, revealing strong ties between lowland Neotrop regions at the onset of the Holocene. The findings support previous research on genetic relationships between early colonists in Centr...
A recent study found that over 25 parrot species are breeding in 23 US states, with many being escaped pets or released by owners. Monk parakeets, Red-crowned Amazons, and Nanday Parakeets are among the most common species.
A study has uncovered chemical evidence suggesting the use of psychoactive plants in pre-Columbian rituals in Bolivia. The analysis of a 1,000-year-old ritual bundle found five psychoactive compounds, including cocaine and dimethyltryptamine, which hint at the use of multiple plants to make ayahuasca
An international team of anthropologists discovered a ancient ritual bundle in southwestern Bolivia containing multiple psychoactive substances, including cocaine, DMT, and ayahuasca. The researchers believe the shaman who owned this pouch consumed multiple plants simultaneously to produce different effects or extend their hallucinations.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that 14 common chemicals were detected in over 50% of wristbands from three continents. The wristbands, which absorb chemicals from the air and skin, are an excellent screening tool for population exposures to organic chemicals.
Researchers have uncovered an ancient four-legged whale named Peregocetus pacificus, dated to 42.6 million years ago, with a mix of terrestrial and aquatic adaptations. The discovery supports the hypothesis that early cetaceans migrated from Africa to South America across the South Atlantic.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a major cosmic impact event in southern Chile, dating back to around 12,800 years ago. The impact is believed to have caused rapid climatic changes, biomass burning, and the extinction of megafauna, with similar effects observed in North America and Western Europe.
Scientists discover Zika virus has been circulating in Thailand since at least 2002, defying South American pattern of viral strain similarity. The finding highlights the need for effective long-term surveillance systems to monitor the virus's activity.
A novel synthetic DNA vaccine targeting the Mayaro virus envelope protein provides complete protection from disease in preclinical studies. The vaccine induces potent protective and virus-specific immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies and cellular responses.
Scientists from Cardiff University propose that volcanic activity played a significant role in the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama, which formed around 2.8 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on one of Earth's most significant geological events, affecting global weather patterns and biodiversity.
Researchers found the highest rate of mass loss in Patagonian ice sheets, while glaciers in tropics are losing mass at a slower rate. This has important implications for water sources in dry periods.
A new study reveals southwestern Amazonia as a secondary improvement center for early maize, contradicting previous understanding of its history. The analysis of ancient grains' genetic heritage provides insight into human-mediated evolutionary processes that led to one of the world's most important staple crops.
Researchers uncovered unprecedented details about the ancestry of people in Central and South America, revealing a key link between Clovis culture-associated individuals and the oldest inhabitants of Chile, Brazil, and Belize. A continent-wide population replacement began at least 9,000 years ago, reshaping how researchers view Early H...
A comprehensive study confirms the existence of a single ancestral population for all Amerindian ethnic groups, contrary to traditional theories linking Africa or Australasia. The study reveals that the Lagoa Santa people were descendants of Clovis culture migrants from North America.
A study of ancient DNA from Central and South America has revealed two previously unknown genetic exchanges between North and South America, including a continent-wide population turnover. The findings suggest that the Clovis culture had a major demographic impact further south than previously thought.
A study of ancient DNA from 49 individuals in Belize, Brazil, and the Central Andes reveals that most Central and South American ancestry originated from at least three different streams of people entering from North America. The research also detected two previously undocumented genetic exchanges between North and South America.
Researchers uncovered genetic adaptations in ancient Andeans, including cardiovascular modifications and a starch-digesting enzyme variant, allowing them to thrive in the harsh environment. The study suggests that these adaptations enabled highlanders to survive European contact with less population decline than lowlanders.
Research by Rebstock and Boersma found that Río de la Plata's plume affects female penguin body conditions, but not males. A weaker plume may increase prey density and visibility, helping females catch fish.