Ancient hominin Australopithecus afarensis could run, but not fast
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers have revealed that Australopithecus afarensis, an ancient hominin species, exhibited a limited capacity for running. This small bipedal ancestor, which lived over three million years ago, was capable of running on two legs but could not match the speed or efficiency of modern humans. According to reports, these findings were achieved through advanced 3D simulations, providing insights into the muscular and skeletal adaptations that have evolved in the human lineage.
Insights from 3D Models
Researchers led by Karl Bates, an evolutionary biomechanics expert at the University of Liverpool, utilised a 3D model of the iconic “Lucy” skeleton, a near-complete specimen of A. afarensis discovered in Ethiopia, as per sources. Muscle mass estimations were derived from modern apes and applied to the fossil data. Through computer simulations, the team evaluated Lucy’s running capabilities against those of a digital model of a modern human.
The analysis revealed that Lucy could run, but her speed peaked at approximately five metres per second. In comparison, modern humans in the model reached speeds of about eight metres per second. Reports attribute this disparity to Lucy’s anatomical structure, including her lack of a lengthened Achilles tendon and other features crucial for endurance running.
Energy Efficiency and Muscular Adaptations
The study also explored energy expenditure during running by modifying Lucy’s digital model with modern human-like ankle muscles. When these muscles were incorporated, the energy costs of running became similar to those observed in animals of a comparable size. However, replacing these muscles with ape-like features significantly increased energy demands, highlighting the importance of muscular and tendon adaptations in the evolution of human endurance running.
Herman Pontzer, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, commented to Nature that the study offers a comprehensive approach to understanding human evolution. The researchers plan to expand their investigation into fatigue and bone strain to further assess the physical limitations of A. afarensis in endurance activities.
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A breakthrough discovery by an international team of scientists has highlighted the role of a gold-sulfur complex in the formation of gold deposits on Earth. The study, co-authored by Adam Simon, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, was recently . It details the previously unknown conditions under which gold is transported from deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface.
Role of the Gold-Trisulfur Complex
According to the research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024), a unique gold-trisulfur complex forms under specific pressure and temperature conditions in the mantle, situated 30 to 50 miles beneath active volcanic zones. This complex, which has been debated in scientific circles, plays a significant role in the enrichment of gold in magma that travels to the surface. The findings shed light on why certain subduction zones, where tectonic plates converge, are particularly rich in gold deposits.
Volcanic Activity and Gold Deposits
The study highlights subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity is prevalent, as key areas for gold formation. These regions, including locations such as New Zealand, Japan, Alaska, and Chile, provide the ideal geological environment for magma to carry gold from the mantle to surface deposits. The researchers link the processes behind volcanic eruptions to the mechanisms that concentrate gold in these zones.
Scientific Findings and Practical Applications
The researchers developed a thermodynamic model to simulate mantle conditions and confirm the existence of the gold-trisulfur complex. This model not only validates earlier theories about gold-sulfur interactions but also provides a clearer picture of the conditions required for gold-rich mineral systems to form.
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Two perentie lizards, among the largest species of lizards globally, have hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking the first time this species has been bred there. Native to Australia, these carnivorous reptiles are known for their impressive size, often exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing over 40 pounds. The zoo, which is one of the few facilities outside Australia to successfully breed them, is now home to the newly hatched pair, who are being carefully monitored in a controlled environment.
First Breeding Success Highlighted by Experts
According to reports from usnews.com, the perentie lizards were bred and hatched for the first time in the facility’s history. Byron Wusstig, curator at the Los Angeles Zoo, shared with the Associated Press that achieving this milestone is a significant accomplishment for the team. These lizards, classified as Varanus giganteus, are rarely seen in zoos outside their native Australia, despite not being endangered.
Special Care for Hatchlings in Early Stages
Reports confirm that the hatchlings are thriving under close observation by the zoo’s staff. They are being kept off-exhibit in a specially managed setting to ensure their health during these crucial initial months. The lizards will eventually join the Australia section of the zoo, near the Komodo dragon habitat, where the father is currently on display.
This species is characterised by its distinct brown skin adorned with cream or yellow markings. Their diet, as stated in reports, includes turtle eggs, insects, birds, small mammals, marsupials, and other reptiles, all of which are consumed whole. As per zoo officials, this breeding success highlights the capabilities of the institution in conserving and caring for unique species, contributing to the understanding of their behaviour and needs in captivity.
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A comprehensive study involving 91 researchers, including Eske Willerslev from the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre at the University of Copenhagen, has provided critical insights into the genetic and linguistic origins of Indo-European populations. The findings, identify two significant migrations during the Bronze Age that contributed to the spread of steppe ancestry across the Mediterranean. The genetic research links Spanish, French and Italian populations to Bell Beaker ancestry, while Greek and Armenian populations have been connected directly to Yamnaya ancestry from the Pontic Steppe region.
Analyses of Steppe Ancestry Distribution
According to the study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, steppe ancestry in Western Europe is attributed to Bell Beaker populations, who combined their genetic profile with local Neolithic farmers. These migrations align with linguistic theories suggesting a shared origin for Italo-Celtic languages. In contrast, Greek and Armenian ancestry reflects direct Yamnaya influence, with no significant local admixture. This divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean populations aligns with the Italo-Celtic and Graeco-Armenian linguistic hypotheses.
Genomic and Strontium Isotope Studies
As per reports, the study sequenced 314 ancient genomes dated between 2,100 and 5,200 years ago from regions including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. A total dataset of 2,403 genomes was analysed, alongside 224 strontium isotope assessments to trace human mobility. Results showed active migration patterns during the Bronze Age, with non-local individuals identified in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. A notable finding was a Scandinavian individual in Cyprus, suggesting Mediterranean trade routes extended far beyond local boundaries.
Implications for Linguistic Migration Models
These findings substantiate linguistic theories connecting Italic and Celtic languages to Bell Beaker ancestry and Greek and Armenian languages to Yamnaya ancestry. The research contradicts alternative hypotheses, including Indo-Greek and Italo-Germanic models. This study provides a clearer understanding of the genetic and linguistic history of Indo-European populations, offering a vital reference for future investigations into ancient human migrations
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