Ancient fossil discovery in Ethiopia rewrites human origins
A team of international scientists has discovered new fossils at a field site in Africa that indicate Australopithecus, and the oldest specimens of Homo, coexisted at the same place in…
Lemurs age without inflammation—and it could change human health forever
What can lemurs tell us about inflammation and aging, aka “inflammaging” in humans? That’s the question Elaine Guevara, a biological anthropologist who studies the evolution of life history and aging…
Whispers in the womb: How cells “hear” to shape the human body
Like all complex organisms, every human originates from a single cell that multiplies through countless cell divisions. Thousands of cells coordinate, move and exert mechanical forces on each other as…
The fatal mutation that lets cancer outsmart the human immune system
New research from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has uncovered an evolutionary change that may explain why certain immune cells in humans are less effective at fighting solid tumors compared…
A tiny implant just helped paralyzed rats walk again—is human recovery next?
Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable with devastating effects on people’s lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. Spinal…
Common supplement reverses premature aging in landmark human trial
Werner syndrome (WS), a rare genetic disorder that causes accelerated aging. From their twenties, patients develop gray hair, hair loss, cataracts, diabetes, and other age-related conditions normally seen in the…
Antibiotics from human use are contaminating rivers worldwide, study shows
Millions of kilometres of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a McGill University-led study warns. Published…
A long and ongoing look at the secrets of human longevity and healthy aging
It’s notable when a scientific study reaches the decade mark, but when the topic is the healthy aging of people who have lived 10 times as long, it just means…
Climate change and prehistoric human populations: Eastward shift of settlement areas at the end of the last ice age
A new study sheds light on how prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations in Europe coped with climate changes over 12,000 years ago. Led by scientists from the University of Cologne, a team…
Researchers create gel that can self-heal like human skin
We all encounter gels in daily life — from the soft, sticky substances you put in your hair, to the jelly-like components in various foodstuffs. While human skin shares gel-like…