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The SKA Project: Just the latest chapter in a story thousands of years old

Researchers in South Africa's Karoo region are redefining the relationship between Indigenous knowledge and modern science, as they study the ethnoastronomical knowledge of local communities. The project, which involves elders and knowledge holders, highlights the dynamic and adaptive nature of traditional knowledge, which continues to...

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2026

Societies around the world have buried their dead at home. Anthropologists want to understand why the practice started, and why it has largely disappeared

Researchers analyzed ancient burial records to understand why some societies practiced residential burials and how this practice changed over time. They found that residential burials were more common in older societies than expected, suggesting that cultural practices can shift significantly over centuries.

SourceField Museum·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateJul 27, 2026

A new transnational history explores Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, illuminating resilience, displacement, community building, and the struggle for justice

A new reference essay examines Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, highlighting the development of vibrant communities and women's roles in shaping immigrant life. The article also explores the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Canadians during WWII and their ongoing struggle for justice.

New study unveils the human and scientific dimensions of IPCC sea level rise projections

Researchers from Indiana University and Princeton University provide an unprecedented look at the collaborative process that determines IPCC's sea level rise projections. The study highlights challenges in reconciling conflicting methodologies while maintaining scientific integrity.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2024

The beginnings of fashion

Researchers suggest eyed needles were used for adornment, signifying the transition from utilitarian to social purposes in clothing. The innovation allowed for more complex, layered clothing and decorative items, marking a significant shift in human attire.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 28, 2024

The Situation of the Uyghurs

The EU project Remote XUAR uses remote research methods to analyze the situation in Xinjiang. Researchers use internet-based document analyses, discourse analysis on social media, and satellite-based remote sensing to study everyday changes in the region.

Transcultural literacies and meaning-making through fanfiction

A study by Liudmila Shafirova, Daniel Cassany, and Carme Bach examines the creation and sharing of fanfiction, highlighting how fans develop transcultural literacies through amateur translation of a Russian novel into English. The research reveals the importance of online spaces for social practice and language learning.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalInternational Journal of Language Translation and Intercultural Communication·DateNov 25, 2020

Multiple fathers prevalent in Amazonian cultures

Researchers found that up to 53 out of 128 studied societies believe in the principle of multiple paternity. Women benefit from this system as secondary fathers provide gifts and support, increasing child survival rates. Men also gain by formalizing alliances through shared wives, strengthening family bonds.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2010

The consumer's cache

This study reveals that consumers store and camouflage brand products in their households, creating a new understanding of American consumerism. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about the significance of brands, highlighting the importance of household processes over individual identity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005