Homo Sapiens

Why is almost everyone right-handed? The answer may lie in how we learned to walk

Ancient burial practices and DNA research reveal that family goes beyond genetic relatedness

Researchers use ancient DNA and burial practices to show that family ties can be more than just blood-related. This challenges traditional views of kinship, highlighting the importance of cultural and anthropological perspectives in understanding family dynamics.

Alignment of large language model responses with human therapists in motivational interviewing

Researchers evaluated alignment between large language model responses and human therapist responses in motivational interviewing. The study found that LLMs can generate responses consistent with motivational interviewing principles, but with limitations in coherence and stylistic alignment.

Signs on Stone Age objects: Precursor to written language dates back 40,000 years

Researchers found that Palaeolithic sign sequences are statistically comparable to the earliest proto-cuneiform script, dating back 40,000 years. The analysis of over 3,000 geometric signs on 260 objects revealed complex and informative systems used by early humans to convey information.

Global shark bites return to average in 2025, with a smaller proportion in the United States

In 2025, global unprovoked shark bites returned to near-average levels, with a significant decrease in the United States. The country accounted for 38% of worldwide incidents, down from over 50% in recent years. Australia followed closely, with 32% of global bites and 56% of fatalities.

Retelling the Jomon story

Researchers used mitochondrial DNA from 13 Jomon skeletons to examine population changes over time, finding a significant increase in eastern Japan between 13,000 and 8,000 years ago. This study suggests regional factors, such as climate and food resources, played a role in shaping the Jomon population history.

Hunter-gatherers northwestern Europe adopted farming from migrant women, study reveals

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.

Windows into the past: Genetic analysis of Deep Maniot Greeks reveals a unique genetic time capsule in the Balkans

A new study found that the people of Deep Mani represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, with many lineages tracing back to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period. The research team discovered that present-day Deep Maniot men descend from a single male ancestor who lived in the 7th century CE.

Small chimps, big risks: What chimps show us about our own behavior

A study of chimpanzees reveals that infants take the greatest risks, followed by juveniles and then adolescents. This contradicts human behavior where risky behavior peaks during adolescence. The researchers suggest that human parents' ability to monitor their children may be a key factor in mitigating risk-taking behavior.

Study models the transition from Neanderthals to modern humans in Europe

The study uses a numerical model to simulate encounters between Neanderthals and modern humans on the Iberian Peninsula. Climate fluctuations significantly influenced population dynamics, with mixing possible in certain regions. The research offers a broader explanatory framework for interpreting archaeological and genomic data.

Researchers uncover clues to mysterious origin of famous Hjortspring boat

Researchers have uncovered clues about the ancient Hjortspring boat's origins, including a partial human fingerprint and carbon-dating results indicating it was built in the 4th or 3rd century BCE. The findings suggest that the boat may have come from the Baltic Sea Region, where pine forests were more abundant.

Becoming human in southern Africa: What ancient hunter-gatherer genomes reveal

Researchers analyzed DNA of 28 ancient southern Africans, finding 490 modern human-specific genetic variants, including immune system and kidney function genes. These adaptations may be related to human's water-retention and body-cooling system, giving special endurance.

Humans are evolved for nature, not cities

A new paper argues that modern life has outpaced human evolution, leading to chronic stress and health issues. The researchers suggest that societies need to rethink their relationship with nature and design healthier environments to mitigate these effects.

An AI-powered lifestyle intervention vs human coaching in the diabetes prevention program

A new study finds that an AI-powered lifestyle intervention is noninferior to human coaching in achieving a composite outcome in adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. The AI-led Diabetes Prevention Program was noninferior to the human-led program in terms of weight reduction, physical activity, and HbA1c levels.

Analysis of 4.4-million-year-old ankle exposes how earliest ancestors moved, evolved

A new analysis of the 4.4-million-year-old Ardipithecus ankle bone reveals that early human ancestors were capable of vertical climbing like African apes, challenging previous findings on human evolution. The study provides evidence for a more generalized ancestor and sheds light on the transition to bipedal locomotion.

The oldest shell jewellery workshop in Western Europe

Researchers uncover pierced shells and pigments from Châtelperronian period, indicating a genuine workshop for jewellery manufacture. The findings suggest long-distance trade networks or significant human mobility, shedding new light on cultural variability of the time.

Bronze and Iron Age cultures in the Middle East were committed to wine production

Farmers in Middle East prioritized viticulture over olive growing due to irrigation, which maintained grape cultivation. This suggests that grapes and wine held cultural and economic value.

DNA from extinct hominin may have helped ancient peoples survive in the Americas

Researchers discovered that humans with Indigenous American ancestry are more likely to carry a variant of the MUC19 gene inherited from Denisovans, which may have helped them adapt to new ecosystems. The Denisovan gene variant is surrounded by DNA from Neanderthals, suggesting interbreeding between the two species.

Earliest evidence discovered of interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals

A 140,000-year-old child's skeleton from Israel reveals biological ties between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens through unique morphological traits. The discovery confirms genetic exchanges between the two groups, with up to 6% of modern humans' genome originating from Neanderthals.

Discovery confirms early species of hominins co-existed in Ethiopia

New research confirms early human species, Homo and Australopithecus, coexisted in Ethiopia between 2.6-3.0 million years ago. The discovery fills a critical gap in the evolution puzzle, revealing that early humans did not replace other hominin species but rather overlapped with them.

Discovery of new fossils — and a new species of ancient human ancestor — reveals insights on evolution

UNLV anthropologist Brian Villmoare and an international team discovered new fossils in Ethiopia that indicate Australopithecus and Homo species coexisted between 2.6 and 2.8 million years ago. The findings suggest a more complex tree-like pattern of human evolution, challenging the traditional linear model.

Tracing brain chemistry across humanity’s family tree

Researchers found that a single amino acid substitution in the ADSL enzyme affects its stability and expression, contributing to modern human differences in behavior. The study suggests that this change may have provided an evolutionary advantage in certain tasks.

Changes in diet drove physical evolution in early humans

A new study found that early humans consumed carbohydrate-rich foods like grains and underground plant tissues before they had the ideal teeth to chew them efficiently. This suggests that behavior played a significant role in their physical evolution, allowing them to adapt to new environments despite physical limitations.

"Scrumping" windfallen fruits and the origin of feasting

Amino acid mutation allows humans to efficiently burn calories from alcohol, enabling scrumping of overripe fruits. This adaptation is linked to contemporary human habits of feasting and sacred rituals, fostering community identity and cohesion.

Interbreeding with Neanderthals may be responsible for modern-day brain condition, SFU study finds

A new study suggests that interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals may be responsible for the neurological condition Chiari Malformation Type 1. The research, published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, found a link between Neanderthal genes and skull shape traits common to people with the malformation.

University of Houston archaeologists discover tomb of first king of Caracol

The discovery sheds light on the complex connections between ancient Maya and central Mexican civilizations. Archaeologists found artifacts indicating early contact between the two regions around AD 350.

Baby talk – a human superpower?

A study by researchers from the University of Zurich found that humans are the most frequent users of child-directed speech among five species of great apes. However, non-human great ape infants may acquire language through surrounding communication and gestures, similar to human children.

Philippine islands had technologically advanced maritime culture 35,000 years ago

The Philippine archipelago has been found to have a sophisticated ancient technology dating back over 30,000 years, with evidence of seafaring capabilities and specific fishing skills. The discovery highlights the region's significance in the narrative of human migration and adaptation in Island Southeast Asia.

A turning point in the Bronze Age: the diet was changed and the society was transformed

A new study reveals radical changes in mobility, diet, and social inequalities during the Late Bronze Age, around 1500 BC. The researchers found that people's food consumption became more uniform but poorer, while animal husbandry and migration patterns changed.

Archaeologists combine cutting edge research techniques to shed light on the treatment of individuals with disabilities in the late Middle Ages

Researchers analyzed a skeleton with a severe knee injury to uncover the complexities of social attitudes towards individuals with disabilities in medieval Europe. The study found that despite negative cultural views, some individuals with disabilities received long-term care and prominent burials.

Ancient tools from a South African cave reveal connections between prehistoric people

Researchers analyzed ancient stone tools found in the Robberg caves, revealing specific methods of core reduction that indicate shared ideas among prehistoric people. The study suggests that these ancient humans were more connected than previously thought, with similar tool-making techniques found across different regions.

First burials: Neanderthal and Homo sapiens interactions in the Mid-Middle Palaeolithic Levant

The research reveals that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted and shared aspects of daily life, technology, and burial customs. These interactions fostered cultural exchange, social complexity, and behavioral innovations.

Neuroscience beyond boundaries: Dr. Melissa Perreault bridges Indigenous knowledge and brain science

Dr. Melissa Perreault's research combines cutting-edge science with Indigenous knowledge, pioneering sex-specific biomarkers, neuroethics, and psychedelics research in neuropsychiatry. Her work aims to promote inclusive methodologies that consider diverse worldviews and cultural understandings of health.

Study uncovers earliest evidence of humans using fire to shape the landscape of Tasmania

Researchers found charcoal and pollen in ancient mud from the Bass Strait islands, indicating that early Aboriginal Tasmanians used fire to clear forests and create open spaces for subsistence and cultural activities. This discovery provides insight into how humans have shaped their environment for tens of thousands of years.

Mizzou scientists create geochemical fingerprints

Scientists use modern technology to analyze ancient ochre samples, revealing the material's origin and history. This helps them understand how human cognition and social networks developed alongside early technological innovations.

Professor awarded NEH grant to advance anthropology research collections at Texas A&M

The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a Preservation Assistance Grant to Texas A&M University's Anthropology Research Collections. The grant will help protect and improve access to the university's anthropological and archaeological materials, while also providing new learning opportunities for graduate students.

Birth: It’s a tight squeeze for chimpanzees, too

Researchers found that chimpanzees have a similarly narrow pelvis to humans, contradicting previous theories. The study proposes a new hypothesis that the obstetrical dilemma developed gradually and became increasingly exacerbated over evolution.

Underwater caves yield new clues about Sicily’s first residents

A new study in PLOS ONE reports on the contents of 25 coastal and underwater cave sites in southern Sicily, uncovering three new sites with potentially important archaeological sediments. The findings provide key data for understanding the early expansion of Homo sapiens into the Mediterranean.

Fossils and fires: Insights into early modern human activity in the jungles of Southeast Asia

A new study reconstructs cave conditions in Tam Pà Ling, Laos, identifying human activities and environmental changes over 52,000 years. The findings suggest that early Homo sapiens fossils were deposited in the cave during periods of heavy rainfall, with possible forest fires or human use of fire nearby.

Research reveals reality of Ice Age teen puberty

Researchers analyzed ancient human bones to assess puberty stages in 13 Ice Age teens, ages 10-20. Most entered puberty at 13.5 and reached adulthood between 17-22 years old.

Risky play in childhood exercises an ancestral need to push limits

Dartmouth anthropologists argue that jungle gyms and monkey bars are essential for childhood development, allowing children to build resilience and confidence through risk-taking play. The research cites fossil evidence showing early humans spent extensive time in trees, and modern nonhuman primates exhibit similar climbing skills.

Botanists and archaeologists receive National Science Foundation grant to study Mediterranean history

Researchers are using a hyper-diverse group of herbs called bellflowers to understand relationships between species, origins, and human activity. The project combines genetic data, archaeological records, and computer modeling to create a playbook for answering similar questions in other regions.

The first homo sapiens facilitated the establishment of the Bonelli's eagle in the Mediterranean 50,000 years ago

A study led by Spanish researchers reveals Bonelli's eagles colonized the Mediterranean 50,000 years ago due to early human settlement, displacing golden eagles as the dominant species. Human activities now threaten the eagle's survival.

More plants on the menu of ancient hunter-gatherers

A recent study reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers in Morocco consumed a significant amount of plant foods, including Mediterranean species, which predates the advent of agriculture in the region. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of human evolution and subsistence strategies.

Interspecies competition led to even more forms of ancient human – defying evolutionary trends in vertebrates

A new study reveals that competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins. The research found that the Homo lineage experienced an unprecedented number of new species emerging, contradicting traditional views on evolutionary patterns. Technology, such as stone tools and fire, may have driven this process.

New archive of ancient human brains challenges misconceptions of soft tissue preservation

A new study has compiled a global archive of preserved human brains, challenging the notion that brain preservation is extremely rare. The archive reveals that nervous tissues persist in much greater abundances than traditionally thought, with many brains up to 12,000 years old and found in diverse environments.

Human activity on Curaçao began centuries earlier than previously believed, study finds

A team of international partners has extended the earliest known human settlement of Curaçao by centuries, adding pieces to the puzzle of pre-Colombian Caribbean history. The study, published in the Journal of Coastal and Island Archaeology, places human occupation on the island as far back as 5735 – 5600 cal BP.

Low voice pitch increases standing among strangers

A cross-cultural study found that lower voice pitch makes women and men sound more attractive for long-term relationships and more formidable among other men. Lower male voice pitch also confers formidability and high social status in societies with higher relational mobility, suggesting evolutionary origins.

North America’s first people may have arrived by sea ice highway

Researchers propose that early Americans used a 'sea ice highway' to migrate into North America along the Pacific coastline, traveling on winter sea ice between 24,500-22,000 years ago and 16,400-14,800 years ago. This theory provides a new framework for understanding human migration without a land bridge or easy ocean travel.

New insights on Neanderthal cuisine. Plos One has just published a study that sums up twenty years of archaeological excavations with a striking conclusion: Neanderthals were as intelligent as Homo sapiens

Neanderthals demonstrated intelligence and symbolic thought through their ability to control fire and cook food. Their varied diet consisted of cooked meats, fish, and other food sources, showcasing their advanced cognitive abilities.

Pollen analysis suggests peopling of Siberia and Europe by modern humans occurred during a major Pleistocene warming spell

A new study in Science Advances uses pollen data to tell a compelling story of early human migration across Europe and Asia. The research suggests that warming temperatures supported forests that expanded into Siberia, facilitating human migration there around the same time as other regions.

Human shoulders and elbows first evolved as brakes for climbing apes

A study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that human shoulders and elbows evolved to facilitate 'downclimbing' - the process of descending from trees without dying. This adaptation allowed early humans to navigate their environment safely, gathering food and deploying tools for hunting and defense.

SARS-CoV-2: how the history of human populations influences their immune response

Researchers investigated SARS-CoV-2 responses in 222 donors from Central Africa, Europe and East Asia. They found disparities in immune responses due to blood cell composition, latent cytomegalovirus infection and human genetic factors. These population differences may help improve patient management in future epidemics.

Unveiling Japan's ancient practice of cranial modification: The case of the Hirota people in Tanegashima

Researchers from Kyushu University discovered intentional cranial modification among the Hirota people on Tanegashima island, characterized by a flattened back of the skull. The practice, which predates written history, was likely used to signify group affiliation and preserve social status.

New research shows genetic mutation known for Alzheimer’s disease is associated with higher fertility in women

A new study found that Tsimane women with the APOE-ε4 allele had an increase of 0.5 births and shorter interbirth intervals, allowing them to have about half an additional child. This advantageous effect on fertility could help explain why the allele persists despite negative effects in later life.

Study shows ancient Alaskans were freshwater fishers

Researchers discovered that ancient Alaskans between 13,000 and 11,500 years ago relied on freshwater fish like burbot, whitefish, and pike for sustenance. This finding provides insight into how early humans adapted to environmental changes, using techniques such as nets and weirs.

First hominin muscle reconstruction shows 3.2 million-year-old ‘Lucy’ could stand as erect as we can

A study using digital reconstructions of Australopithecus afarensis muscles suggests that the 3.2 million-year-old 'Lucy' hominin could walk upright as efficiently as modern humans. The research, published in Royal Society Open Science, used open-source data on Lucy's fossil to create a detailed model of her lower body muscle structure.

A rare glimpse of our first ancestors in mainland Southeast Asia

The discovery of human fossils at Tam Pà Ling cave in northern Laos reveals that modern humans spread from Africa through Arabia and to Asia much earlier than previously thought. The findings confirm that early Homo sapiens did not just follow coastlines and islands, but also traveled through forested regions along river valleys.

New UC Davis research using DNA changes origin of human species, researchers suggest

Researchers have uncovered a new model of human evolution suggesting that Homo sapiens originated from multiple closely related populations in Africa. This new model provides a better explanation for genetic variation among individual humans and human groups, offering significant advancements in anthropological science.

A new understanding of human origins in Africa

A recent study published in Nature challenges traditional views on human origins in Africa, proposing that modern humans emerged from the interaction of multiple populations across the continent. By analyzing genomic data from diverse African groups, researchers found evidence of gene flow and mixing over hundreds of thousands of years.