Articles tagged with Human Origins
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
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.
The study of Neanderthal footprints offers a unique window into everyday behaviour, providing insight into their physical presence, locomotion strategies, diet and social structure. The research suggests that Neanderthals were more versatile and ecologically adapted to coastal environments than previously believed.
A genomic analysis of over 1,200 people from across South Africa reveals how colonial-era European, Indigenous Khoe-San peoples, and enslaved people contributed to the modern-day gene pool. European genes were more common in males, while Indigenous genes were more common in females.
A new study found that a gene passed down from extinct archaic humans, Denisovans, is present in modern Latin Americans with Indigenous American ancestry and provides an adaptive advantage. The researchers also discovered the gene's presence in ancient individuals excavated at archeological sites across North and South America.
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.
Researchers analyzed stone tools from Kenya's Homa Peninsula and found they were crafted from stronger, volcanic rocks brought from several miles away. This discovery pushes back the earliest known evidence of ancient humans transporting resources over long distances by 600,000 years.
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.
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.
Researchers found that chimpanzees deliberately select plant materials with flexible properties for termite fishing, indicating an intuitive comprehension of material properties. This 'folk physics' ability has implications for understanding human technological evolution and tool use.
Researchers found evidence of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations around 1.5 million years ago, which contributed to the modern human species. The study suggests a more complex story of human evolution than previously thought, with different groups developing separately before reuniting.
A recent study published in Nature has assigned a facial fragment, nicknamed 'Pink', to the species Homo aff. erectus, challenging the long-held view of early European human habitation. The discovery at Sima del Elefante sheds new light on the history of Western Europe's first inhabitants.
A research team led by Ohio University's Sabrina Curran has discovered new evidence of early hominin activity in Europe, suggesting that hominins were present on the continent at least 1.95 million years ago. This finding pushes back previous timelines and provides valuable insights into the behavior of early human ancestors.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that bonobos, known for their nonviolence, show a moderated version of the common enemy effect when faced with threats from other groups. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have emerged several million years ago, before human and chimpanzee lineages diverged.
Researchers at George Washington University found that fossil hotspots in eastern Africa, such as the East African Rift System, bias our understanding of human evolution due to their limited geographic representation. The study suggests that scientists must take this bias into account when interpreting early human history and recommend...
Pinnacle Point, a cave system in South Africa, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its significance in understanding the origins of modern humans. The site has yielded important insights into human evolution and adaptation, particularly in relation to the sea.
Researchers found evidence of multiple waves of genetic intermingling between modern humans and Neanderthals, challenging previous theories. The study reveals a more intimate connection between early human groups than previously believed.
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.
Researchers found evidence of cooking and stone tools at Toba site, suggesting archery origins. Early humans adapted to arid intervals along 'blue highways,' migrating outward in search of food.
Researchers found a 'well-watered corridor' in the Levant that funnelled hunter-gatherers towards western Asia and northern Arabia via Jordan. This route, favoured by travelling Homo sapiens heading north, was used to populate Asia and then Europe over tens of thousands of years.
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.
A new fossil ape named Anadoluvius turkae, discovered in Türkiye, pushes the origin of African apes and humans from Europe to Asia. The findings suggest that hominines evolved in western and central Europe before migrating to Africa.
Researchers have identified cut marks on a fossil leg bone that suggest butchery and likely cannibalism by humans' close evolutionary relatives around 1.45 million years ago. The analysis of 3D models revealed nine clear matches for stone tool damage, which was found to be located in areas suitable for removing flesh.
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.
The discovery of stone tools and cut-marked animal bones at the Nyayanga site in Kenya offers new insights into the dawn of stone technology. The artifacts, dating back 2.9 million years, include hammerstones, cores, and flakes, which were used to process a wide range of materials and foods.
The study reveals that Sahelanthropus tchadensis, a 7 million-year-old species, had both ground-dwelling and tree-climbing abilities. This suggests that early humans acquired bipedalism very early in their history.
Researchers assessed facial structure of prehistoric skulls to determine extent of interbreeding between humans and Neandertals. The study found that the Near East was an important crossroads for human migration and interaction, supporting the hypothesis that much of this interbreeding took place in the region.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a worked bone assemblage found near the Atlantic Coast of Morocco dating back to 120,000 years ago, suggesting the manufacture of clothing during this period. The find provides strong evidence for the emergence of complex culture and specialized tool manufacture in early humans.
Researchers found 62 bone tools at Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, with shaping and use marks indicating they were used for scraping hides to make leather and furs. The discovery highlights the pan-African emergence of complex culture and provides evidence for the earliest clothing in the archaeological record.
A team of archaeologists led by Paola Villa has uncovered an unprecedented array of bone tools crafted from elephant bones at the Castel di Guido site in Italy, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery reveals a high level of cognitive intellect and technological sophistication among early humans during this period.
Dr. Briana Pobiner will discuss her approach to science education and outreach in communicating about human evolution. Her methods focus on listening, respect, and finding connections with public audiences.
Recent research confirms Darwin's insights on human evolution, revealing shared characteristics with apes, talent for high-level cooperation, and expanded social learning capacity
Researchers found that chimpanzees exhibit rhythmic swaying and hand-clapping when exposed to musical sounds. The study suggests a foundation for dancing in our common ancestor with humans.
Researchers found that using non-dominant hands activates both sides of the brain's motor pathway, suggesting a shared talent for tool use and language development. This discovery challenges traditional theories of human intelligence, which often emphasize dominant hand skills and linguistic abilities.
Two outbreaks of respiratory illness in wild chimpanzees were identified, one lethal and the other non-fatal, caused by human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus 3. The viruses were found to be nearly identical genetically to common strains in humans, suggesting a human origin.
New research reveals Neanderthal healthcare was widespread and effective, with a focus on caring for injured peers. Despite severe injuries, individuals remained part of the group, highlighting the social significance of healthcare in Neanderthal society.
Research by Kevin Langergraber and colleagues reveals that patrolling by male chimpanzees increases group size, leading to increased offspring and long-term benefits. This cooperative behavior outweighs individualized efforts, demonstrating a striking example of group-level cooperation among primates.
A new primate species from India has been discovered, revealing a previously unknown branch of the evolutionary tree. The ancient Ramadapis sahnii existed around 11-14 million years ago and is connected to lemurs and humans through its Sivaladapidae family ties.
The study provides an expanded framework for researchers to study human origins, drawing upon extensive DNA sampling from modern and archaic hominid populations. It suggests a major eastern-western population split once modern humans left Africa, dating back to at least 45,000 years ago.
In this experiment, participants were asked to discover successive innovations to produce a virtual remedy and stop the spread of a virus. The results show that fully connected groups performed well in the short-run but rapidly converged toward the same solutions.
A fossil lower jaw found in Ethiopia pushes back the human genus evidence to 2.8 million years ago, providing clues to changes in the jaw and teeth of early Homo species. The discovery helps narrow the evolutionary gap between Australopithecus and early Homo.
The ASU Institute of Human Origins will conduct a multifaceted research project to increase understanding of human evolution, with a focus on cognition, culture, and cooperation. The $4.9M grant will support 11 linked projects, including studies on tool use and large-scale cooperation.
Researchers identified stone-tipped spear points at the South African site of Kathu Pan 1, dating back 500,000 years. This finding suggests that humans were using such technology 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, shedding new light on early human adaptations and capacities.
Fossil discoveries from the last decade are being reevaluated by biological anthropologists who argue that some fossils may not be human ancestors. The authors propose a more nuanced explanation, considering alternative interpretations and shared characteristics with other species.
A 3.2 million-year-old fossil foot bone found in Ethiopia shows that human ancestors walked bipedally with a modern human-like foot, resolving a long-standing debate among paleoanthropologists. The discovery provides strong evidence for the arches and supports a modern-human style of locomotion for Lucy's species.
Researchers from Arizona State University analyzed fossilized animal bone fragments to find evidence of sharp-edged stones being used to remove flesh and marrow. This discovery pushes back the origins of technology and carnivory by 800,000 years.
Scientists used a novel approach to determine the age of first molar emergence in apes, revealing ages similar to those of modern humans. The study's findings have implications for understanding human life history and evolution.
Researchers reject popular DNA analysis suggesting humans are closely related to chimpanzees, proposing a new grouping for humans, orangutans and common ancestors. A scenario of the migration and evolution of 'dental hominoids' is presented.
The study confirms that modern humans originated from a single area in Sub-saharan Africa, with genetic diversity decreasing as populations migrated further away. The researchers found no evidence to support alternative non-African origins.
A nearly intact 3.3 million year-old juvenile Australopithecus afarensis skeleton has been discovered, providing insights into the growth and development cycle of the species. The skeleton's unique blend of ape-like features and adaptations for bipedal locomotion will help researchers better understand human evolution.
Research suggests that geographic distance from East Africa is a strong predictor of human genetic diversity, supporting the Recent African Origin model. Populations further away from Ethiopia display lower genetic variability, indicating a progressive loss of neutral genetic diversity as new areas were colonized.
A pre-Darwinian tradition of controversy over human origins existed in the US for two decades before Darwin's publication. Notions such as different races having different origins and proto-fundamentalist beliefs about a prehistoric, prebiblical lineage for humans persisted despite Darwin's influence.