Science Daily News

• Fossils in the 'Cradle of Humankind' may be more than a million years older than previously thought June 27, 2022
  For decades, scientists have studied these fossils of early human ancestors and their long-lost relatives. Now, a dating method developed by geologists just pushed the age of some of these fossils found at the site of Sterkfontein Caves back more than a million years. This would make them older than Dinkinesh, also called Lucy, the […]
• The heat is on: Traces of fire uncovered dating back at least 800,000 years June 27, 2022
  Scientists reveal an advanced, innovative method that they have developed and used to detect nonvisual traces of fire dating back at least 800,000 years -- one of the earliest known pieces of evidence for the use of fire. The newly developed technique may provide a push toward a more scientific, data-driven type of archaeology, but […]
• The octopus' brain and the human brain share the same 'jumping genes' June 24, 2022
  The neural and cognitive complexity of the octopus could originate from a molecular analogy with the human brain, according to a new study. The research shows that the same 'jumping genes' are active both in the human brain and in the brain of two species, Octopus vulgaris, the common octopus, and Octopus bimaculoides, the Californian […]
• Giant bacteria found in Guadeloupe mangroves challenge traditional concepts June 23, 2022
  Researchers describe the morphological and genomic features of a 'macro' microbe' -- a giant filamentous bacterium composed of a single cell discovered in the mangroves of Guadeloupe. Using various microscopy techniques, the team also observed novel, membrane-bound compartments that contain DNA clusters dubbed 'pepins.'
• Humans can't, but turtles can: Reduce weakening and deterioration with age June 23, 2022
  Evolutionary theories of ageing predict that all living organisms weaken and deteriorate with age (a process known as senescence) -- and eventually die. Now, researchers show that certain animal species, such as turtles (including tortoises) may exhibit slower or even absent senescence when their living conditions improve.