Acting as super-predators, humans are forcing changes to body size and reproductive abilities in some species 300 percent faster than would occur naturally, a new study finds picked by Bornbad 11 months ago

A new study has concluded that one key part of the immune system, the ability of vitamin D to regulate anti-bactericidal proteins, is so important that is has been conserved through almost 60 million years of evolution and is shared only by primates, including humans – but no other known animal species. picked by Bingo 3 months ago

Remains of stone tools found amid ash deposits in India from a volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago show that modern humans were living there earlier than scientists had previously thought. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

In the 6 million years since hominids split from the evolutionary ancestor we share with chimpanzees and bonobos, something happened to our brains that allowed us to become master cooperators, accumulate knowledge at a rapid rate, and manipulate tools to colonize almost every corner of the planet. picked by 2manyusernames 4 months ago

Fossils recently discovered in Myanmar could prove that the common ancestors of humans, monkeys and apes -- known as anthropoids -- evolved from primates in Asia, rather than Africa, researchers contend in a study released Wednesday. picked by AutumnLotus 5 months ago

The party was over more than 4,000 years ago, but the remnants still remain in the gourds and squashes that served as dishware. For the first time, University of Missouri researchers have studied the residues from gourds and squash artifacts that date back to 2200 B.C. and recovered starch grains from manioc, potato, chili pepper, arrowroot and algarrobo. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

News of politicians' extramarital affairs seems to be in no short supply lately, but if humans were cut from exactly the same cloth as other mammals, a faithful spouse would be an unusual phenomenon. Only 3 percent to 5 percent of the roughly 5,000 species of mammals (including humans) are known to form lifelong, monogamous bonds, with the loyal superstars including beavers, wolves and some bats. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Humans may soon be able to develop long-term relationships with virtual humans that are capable of reading and adapting to our emotions, say French researchers. picked by AutumnLotus 12 months ago

China houses several early-human (Paleolithic) archaeological sites along the Nihewan Basin near Mongolia, some with artifacts that date back about 1 million years ago. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Using supercomputers to compare portions of the human genome with those of other mammals, researchers at Cornell have discovered some 300 previously unidentified human genes, and found extensions of several hundred genes already known. The discovery is based on the idea that as organisms evolve, sections of genetic code that do something useful for the organism change in different ways. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

"Our Earth--healthy strong and full of life. But wait, what's that you've got there? Looks like you've got a case of The Humans!" picked by ogri2003 2 years ago

While it is well understood that the evolution of new genes leads to adaptations that help species survive, gene loss may also afford a selective advantage. A group of scientists has investigated this less-studied idea, carrying out the first systematic computational analysis to identify long-established genes that have been lost across millions of years of evolution leading to the human species. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Awesome flash animations for Worth1000.com's Battle of the Animators. Seven episodes in all! picked by capriccio 3 years ago

Scientists at the University of Washington and other institutions have identified 25 genes regulating lifespan in two organisms separated by about 1.5 billion years in evolutionary change. At least 15 of those genes have very similar versions in humans, suggesting that scientists may be able to target those genes to help slow down the aging process and treat age-related conditions. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Humans have a number of vestiges of prior evolutionary paths. Goose bumps, wisdom teeth and more are left overs from an earlier time when such things were beneficial but are now just shadows. there are a lot of comments as can be expected picked by 2manyusernames 11 months ago