Mosaic

Human Evolution: Origins and Evolutionary History of Homo sapiens

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Human evolution is the process by which Homo sapiens, the modern human species, emerged and diversified from earlier hominin ancestors over millions of years. It is a complex and fascinating journey that spans millions of years and involves numerous species, environmental changes, adaptations, and migrations. Understanding human evolution requires interdisciplinary approaches, drawing insights from paleontology, … Read more

The Taklamakan Desert Mummies

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The Taklamakan Desert, situated in the heart of Central Asia, is one of the world’s most inhospitable and mysterious landscapes. Covering an area of approximately 337,000 square kilometers (130,000 square miles), the Taklamakan Desert is known for its extreme aridity, blistering temperatures, and shifting sand dunes. Despite its harsh environment, the Taklamakan Desert has yielded … Read more

Complex dental traits found in Chinese fossils challenge theories of human evolution

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Although a relatively large number of late Middle Pleistocene hominins have been found in East Asia, these fossils have not been consistently included in current debates about the origin of anatomically modern humans (AMHS), and little is known about their phylogenetic place in relation to contemporary hominins from Africa and Europe as well as to … Read more

Ancient child’s teeth reveal surprisingly modern development

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A relative of modern humans that lived at least 104,000 years ago in northern China showed evidence of dental growth and development very similar to that of people today, a new study found. An international team of scientists performed the first systematic assessment of dental growth and development in an East Asian archaic hominin fossil … Read more

40,000-year-old culture in Northern China

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When did populations of Homo sapiens first arrive in China and what happened when they encountered the Denisovans or Neanderthals who lived there? A new study in Nature by an international team of researchers opens a window into hunter-gatherer lifestyles 40,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations at the site of Xiamabei in the Nihewan Basin of … Read more

Researchers discover 2,000-year-old house during excavation in Malta

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Researchers and six eager students from the University of South Florida have unearthed a time capsule from antiquity during a riveting excavation in Malta, a Mediterranean gem steeped in history. Guided by the seasoned expertise of Davide Tanasi, a distinguished professor at USF’s Institute for Digital Exploration (IDEx), the team embarked on the Melite Civitas … Read more

Ancient nut analysis reveals changing environments

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In the backdrop of a Mesolithic landscape, one would encounter a panorama teeming with natural wonders and ecological diversity. Picture rolling hills adorned with lush forests, interspersed with pristine lakes and meandering rivers. The air would be filled with the symphony of wildlife—birds chirping melodiously, the rustle of leaves as small mammals scurry through the … Read more

From ancient Rome to complexity science: A personal narrative of historical inquiry

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American humorist and writer Mark Twain is believed to have once said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” I’ve been working as a historian and complexity scientist for the better part of a decade, and I often think about this phrase as I follow different strands of the historical record and notice the … Read more

New magellan observations confirm complex merger in massive galaxy cluster Abell 2744

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Using the powerful Magellan Telescopes in Chile, a team of Italian astronomers has turned their gaze toward the enigmatic giant galaxy cluster known as Abell 2744, affectionately dubbed the Pandora’s Cluster. Their findings, detailed in a paper published on February 13 via the preprint server arXiv, offer fresh insights into the intricate properties of this … Read more

Fossil ear canals reveal kinship of miocene apes and ancestral hominid form

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A PNAS study led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) analyzed the kinship between two Miocene great apes (Hispanopithecus and Rudapithecus) based on the morphology of their inner ear semicircular canals. This anatomical structure is informative in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships between fossil primate species. The results are in accordance with the distinction … Read more

Ancient DNA analysis identifies six individuals with sex chromosome differences

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Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, working with University of Oxford, University of York and Oxford Archaeology, have developed a new technique to measure the number of chromosomes in ancient genomes more precisely, using it to identify the first prehistoric person with mosaic Turner syndrome (characterized by one X chromosome instead of two [XX]), who … Read more

Cell membrane

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The cell membrane, often referred to as the plasma membrane, stands as a critical component in the realm of biology, serving as a protective barrier that encapsulates the internal environment of cells. Its intricate structure and dynamic functions are integral to the survival and functionality of living organisms. This semi-permeable boundary is a mosaic of … Read more

What is the structure and function of the cell membrane?

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The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a vital component of all living cells. It serves as a protective barrier, separating the internal environment of the cell from the external surroundings. The structure and function of the cell membrane are intricately linked, playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular integrity, facilitating communication, … Read more

What is the significance of Lucy in the study of human evolution?

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Lucy, the iconic fossil of Australopithecus afarensis discovered in 1974 by paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson and his team in the Afar region of Ethiopia, holds immense significance in the study of human evolution. Lucy’s discovery provided a window into our early hominin ancestors, offering crucial insights into bipedalism, tool use, and the environmental context in which … Read more

What is a cell?

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A cell is the fundamental unit of life, serving as the basic building block of all living organisms. This remarkable structure is the smallest entity that exhibits the characteristics of life, encapsulating the complexity of biological systems within its microscopic confines. The understanding of cells and their functions has been a cornerstone of biology, unraveling … Read more

Ancient fossils reveal earlier origins of modern humans

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Led by Jean-Jacques Hublin from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Abdelouahed Ben-Ncer from the National Institute for Archaeology and Heritage in Morocco, an international research team has made groundbreaking discoveries at Jebel Irhoud, Morocco. Fossil bones of Homo sapiens, along with stone tools and animal bones, were uncovered at this site, dating … Read more

Denisovan

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Denisovans are an ancient hominin group that garnered significant attention in the field of paleoanthropology following the discovery of their remains in the Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. These enigmatic beings represent a distinct branch in the hominid family tree, alongside Neanderthals and modern humans. While much about Denisovans remains shrouded in … Read more

Study suggests lush river corridor was pathway for human migration out of Africa

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Our Homo sapiens ancestors embarked on multiple journeys out of Africa, with evidence of their presence in the Levant and Arabia dating back 130,000 to 70,000 years ago. However, the exact routes they took remain shrouded in mystery. In a recent study published on October 4th in Science Advances, we’ve uncovered intriguing insights. Contrary to … Read more

New Indo-European language discovered in ancient Turkey

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An excavation in Turkey has revealed a previously unknown Indo-European language, and Professor Daniel Schwemer, an expert in the ancient Near East, is actively involved in exploring this remarkable discovery. This newfound language came to light at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Boğazköy-Hattusha in north-central Turkey, which once served as the capital of the … Read more

How sea ice melting is changing zooplankton behavior

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The melting of sea ice in the Arctic is having profound effects on marine ecosystems. As the ice melts, sunlight is able to penetrate deeper into the ocean, triggering significant changes in the behavior of marine zooplankton. These tiny organisms are a crucial link in the marine food chain, and alterations in their behavior could … Read more