The intricate capabilities of the human hand have long been regarded as a defining trait of our species. The evolution of manipulative abilities, including tool-making, played a pivotal role in shaping human development. Recent research comparing the hand morphology of Australopithecus sediba and Homo habilis sheds new light on the origins of tool-making prowess in … Read more
The debate surrounding the origins of upright walking in early human ancestors has long intrigued researchers, with questions about how and when this transition occurred still sparking scientific inquiry. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by an international team of researchers provides new evidence challenging conventional notions and … Read more
The story of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) in human evolution is a tale of genetic adaptation, chance encounters, and the intricate dance of pathogens crossing species barriers. HSV1, known for causing cold sores, has been a companion to humans for ages. In contrast, HSV2, responsible for genital herpes, has a more mysterious past, one intertwined … Read more
Analysis of a 3.3 million-year-old fossil skeleton reveals the most complete spinal column of any early human relative, including vertebrae, neck and rib cage. The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicate that portions of the human spinal structure that enable efficient walking motions were established millions of … Read more
Walking on two feet, or bipedalism, is one of the defining characteristics of being human. Our ability to walk upright has shaped our evolution and set us apart from other primates. A recent study published in Science Advances provides fascinating insights into the bipedal locomotion of our ancient human ancestors, particularly focusing on a 3.32-million-year-old … Read more
A team of scientists has pieced together how the hominid Australopithecus sediba (Au. sediba) walked, chewed, and moved nearly two million years ago. Their research, which appears in six papers in the latest issue of the journal Science, also shows that Au. sediba had a notable feature that differed from that of modern humans—a functionally … Read more
The study of ancient hominins, our evolutionary ancestors, often presents challenges in accurately identifying and categorizing fossil remains. Recent research has brought into focus a fascinating case centered around the skeletons of two individuals, Malapa Hominin 1 (MH1) and Malapa Hominin 2 (MH2), discovered in South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind region. Initially thought to represent … Read more
New research published in Science Advances challenges the hypothesis that Australopithecus sediba, a fossil species discovered in South Africa, is the direct ancestor of the Homo genus, which includes modern humans. The study, conducted by paleontologists from the University of Chicago, suggests that Australopithecus afarensis, known for the famous “Lucy” skeleton, remains the most likely … Read more
Australopithecus anamensis is the earliest-known species of Australopithecus, and widely accepted as the progenitor of Lucy’s species, Australopithecus afarensis. Until now, A. anamensis was known mainly from jaws and teeth. Yohannes Haile-Selassie of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Stephanie Melillo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and their colleagues have discovered the … Read more
The Black Death, an infamous epidemic that swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, remains one of history’s most devastating events, claiming an estimated 40 to 60% of the continent’s population. Its impact reverberated for centuries through subsequent waves of plague outbreaks, leaving a mark on societies and shaping historical narratives. While the Black Death’s … Read more