Tag Archives: Adolescence

Ancient Reptiles Evolve from Four Legs to Two During Adolescence: Unveiling Evolutionary Mysteries

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Artist's reconstruction of Sonselasuchus cedrus in its environment, 215 million years ago

Reconstruction by artist Sonselasuchus cedrus in its environment, 215 million years ago

Credit: Gabriel Ugueto

Ancient crocodilian relatives navigated their early years on all fours before transitioning to a bipedal stance as they matured.

This evolutionary adaptation involved differing growth rates in their arm and leg bones. “The forelimb length starts at about 75% of the hindlimb length and ends up being about 50%,” explains Elliot Armor Smith from the University of Washington in Seattle.

This discovery contributes to a growing body of evidence indicating that crocodile-like ancestors from the early dinosaur era showcased remarkable diversity, with some developing body shapes and lifestyles akin to modern ostriches.

Christian Sidor, Armor Smith’s collaborator, excavated the Cay Quarry, located in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. This site comprises mudstone and sandstone laid down by ancient rivers during the Triassic period, around 215 million years ago.

Through their excavation, Armor-Smith and Sidor unearthed over 3,000 bones from early crocodilian relatives known as Shubosauridae. “It’s a jumble of individual limb bones that aren’t necessarily related,” notes Armor-Smith.

They successfully identified a new species within the Shubosaur family, naming it Sonselasuchus cedrus. Over 950 bones belong to this species, which diverges significantly from modern crocodiles, resembling more of a flightless bird or theropod dinosaur with short arms and a toothless beak instead of a jagged mouth full of teeth.

Other Shubosaurs share similar body features. “Shubosaurids are unique creatures that existed in the late Triassic period,” asserts Michelle Stocker from Virginia Tech. “They bear a striking resemblance to dinosaurs.” Most closely, they resemble ornithomimids, ostrich-like dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period, occurring more than 100 million years after the Shubosaurids.

Sonselasuchus cedrus marks the beginning of a four-legged life. Fossils from young individuals exhibit similar sizes in forelimbs and hindlimbs, while older specimens showed larger hind limbs capable of supporting greater weight. “The robust femur indicates strength,” Armor-Smith remarks, “though even the largest humerus is relatively delicate.”

This is unusual, yet not entirely surprising. A 2019 study uncovered evidence of two dinosaur species transitioning from quadrupedal to bipedal locomotion as they matured. One was a sauropod, an ancestor of colossal sauropods like Brachiosaurus, while the other was a distantly related early ceratopsian akin to Triceratops.

Both juvenile and adult S. cedrus likely lived somewhat distinct lives, even adopting different diets, according to Stocker.

Common narratives of the dinosaur age often imply that dinosaurs, especially avians, evolved in remarkable ways, while crocodiles have largely remained unchanged. This perception misrepresents the extensive diversity of pseudosuchians, the lineage that includes crocodiles. Stocker clarifies, “They engaged in numerous unique and radical adaptations first, paving the way for dinosaurs.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Adolescence Influences Your Adult Life, But Your Mindset Isn’t the Sole Factor

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Interestingly, recent studies indicate that individuals with higher intelligence often experience earlier puberty but tend to have children later and fewer overall.

This appears contradictory from a biological standpoint, as earlier puberty typically signifies readiness for reproduction.

However, an analysis of data from thousands in the UK and US revealed that more intelligent individuals tend to progress more slowly through key reproductive milestones.

They often begin sexual activity later, have fewer sexual partners, delay marriage, and have their first child at an older age.

Research suggests that this may stem from the fact that highly intelligent individuals enjoy greater opportunities, pursue extended education, embark on ambitious career paths, and prioritize personal goals before contemplating family life.

In some instances, they might even choose not to have children.

Long-term Mental Health Consequences During Adolescence

The timing of puberty can significantly affect how adolescents perceive themselves.

For instance, research has shown that girls entering puberty early are more susceptible to body image issues, anxiety, and low self-esteem due to feeling different from their peers and lacking readiness for the transformation.

These feelings can have profound implications for mental health, often extending into adulthood.

Research indicates that girls who undergo early puberty are more likely to experience body image concerns, anxiety, and low self-esteem due to their differences from peers and emotional unpreparedness for change – Image courtesy of Getty Images

Late puberty can present significant challenges for boys as well. A study reveals that boys who bloom later are often dissatisfied with their bodies, particularly because their muscle development may lag behind.

This dissatisfaction can contribute to low self-esteem and a sense of inadequacy.

Additionally, some boys encounter teasing, social pressure, and bullying, potentially leading to depression and other mental health issues.

While these feelings may diminish over time, they can leave lasting effects and elevate the risk of mental health concerns later on.

Risks Associated with Early or Late Puberty

A major UK study indicates that individuals entering puberty earlier than average are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease in adulthood.

Conversely, those with delayed development are more prone to asthma.

Researchers postulate that the timing of hormonal shifts can impact factors such as weight, stress levels, and lifestyle habits.

While early or late onset of puberty might lead to issues, it is not necessarily alarming. Everyone matures at their own pace.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s development or health, it’s advisable to consult your doctor for guidance.

This article addresses the inquiry (from Natalie Montagu in Stockport): “What impact does the timing of puberty have on a person’s long-term health?”

If you have questions, feel free to email us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Wayward Review: An Intrusive Netflix Mystery Delving into the Challenges of Adolescence

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Abby (Sydney Topriff, left) and Leila (Aribia Allin Lind)

Netflix

Whimper
May Martin, Netflix

Like many, I prefer not to revisit my teenage years. However, despite the persistent embarrassment they cause, I’ve never viewed adolescence as a mistake to be eradicated.

This perspective doesn’t hold for many characters in Whimper, a mystery series authored by comedian May Martin. The story unfolds in a fictional small-town academy in Vermont, aiming to tame unruly teens and tame the chaos of adolescence. Evelyn Wade (Toni Collett), a commanding figure, oversees the “progressive and intentional community” nestled among saccharine pines, embodying New Age ideals. Yet beneath the surface, there’s a darker undertone to this seemingly blissful place.

Through the eyes of Abby (Sydney Topriff), a Canadian stoner tomboy struggling to meet her father’s expectations, we explore Tall Pines Academy. After sneaking out to meet her best friend Leila (Arivia Allin Lind), Abby is portrayed as a troubled influence, leading to her enforced enrollment under Evelyn’s watchful eye. Upon her arrival, she is stripped of her belongings and encouraged to spy on fellow students for any offenses.

Meanwhile, newcomer police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sara Gadon) navigate their new town, with Laura being a cherished alum of the academy, gifted their home by Evelyn. When Alex encounters a frantic runaway student in the woods, he begins to suspect something is amiss with the school.

“
The most frightening part is Therapis Peak, with cruelty disguised as a way to protect mental health
“

Tall Pines Academy, surrounded by eerie forests, seems to harbor an unsettling interest in Alex and Laura’s unborn child. Mysterious elements emerge, including a peculiar door hidden underground and Laura’s fixation on an odd toad. A former student, now an employee under Evelyn, breathlessly speaks of the academy’s transformative effects.

However, the core terror of Whimper lies in its therapy culture. The series examines how weaponized mental health jargon disguises real cruelty, cloaked as concern for well-being.

Poor Abby is the subject of attempts to reshape her into someone else, with accusations of harm and efforts to suppress her identity separating her from supportive friends like Leila.

Everyone at the academy is a skilled manipulator, but none compare to Evelyn. She turns the adage “integrity is the best policy” into a twisted form of “treatment,” where students are subjected to peer scrutiny armed with harsh “truths,” ultimately breaking them down. “It’s a way to hold yourself accountable,” Evelyn insists at dinner.

While Whimper presents many intriguing concepts, it evokes more thought than engagement. Unfortunately, after an enticing pilot, it devolves into mediocrity, leaving only fleeting moments of brilliance in character revelations.

If you’re brave enough to relive adolescence, Whimper may be worth a watch. Otherwise, your time might be better spent elsewhere.

I also recommend…

Hereditary
Ali Aster

Toni Collette delivers a standout performance in this haunting tale of intergenerational trauma, where uncanny events unfold after the family’s matriarch passes away.

Abolish the Family
Sophie Lewis

This book traces the 200-year movement to dismantle familial structures, urging alternative child-rearing methods beyond privatized units, offering insightful perspectives whether or not you fully embrace its arguments.

Bethan Ackerley is an assistant culture editor for New Scientist. She has a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and unsettling stories. x Follow her at @‌inkerley

Source: www.newscientist.com

Matt Richell Explores How Modern Life is Shaping Adolescence

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Social media can impact youth negatively.

Alice Tomlinson/Getty Images

How We Grow
Matt Richtel (Mariner Books)

The true narrative of How We Grow by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel raises significant concerns for parents observing their children approach adolescence.

Elanib was once a cheerful girl, but upon entering puberty, she underwent drastic changes seemingly without reason. Struggling to focus on her studies and battling depression, treatments proved ineffective. Despite her parents’ relentless support, her story ended tragically. “It wasn’t due to a lack of relationships or care,” her father recounts to Richtel. “I did everything I could to help her.”

In How We Grow, Richtel fuses interviews, scientific studies, historical context, and insights from prominent researchers to explore the roots of today’s potential mental health crisis among youth. This book highlights a sobering reality, painting a vivid picture of the profound changes that define this critical transition into adulthood.

Adolescence coincides with significant shifts in brain chemistry. As teens grapple with their identity, they often display rebellious, moody, and impulsive behaviours. Richtel also emphasizes that in many countries, adolescence is now beginning far earlier, with serious ramifications. For example, throughout the 19th century, American children typically entered adolescence four years later than they do today. Since 1900, the average age for American girls to start menstruating has dropped from 14 to 12, largely attributed to improvements in nutrition that accelerate bodily development.

The world has undoubtedly evolved. Our environments are now thoroughly mapped, technology ensures most people are physically safe and nourished. However, the spheres in which teenagers rebel have shifted towards their identities and ethics, increasingly occurring online, presenting more complex information and perspectives to navigate.

The noticeable decline in cases of bulimia and alcohol-related accidents among teenagers in the US may be attributed to this inward focus, yet the Covid-19 lockdown left many adolescents isolated at a time when personal interactions are crucial for developing emotional intelligence, disrupting their existing support networks.

This shift means the adolescent body matures faster while their brains remain underdeveloped, as Richtel notes. Generally, this does not lead to dire consequences, but the influence of the online environment is inconsistent.

While research on the effects of social media on mental health varies, How We Grow suggests it acts as a volume knob, amplifying pre-existing emotional states. Courtney, one interviewee who had her first period at age 10, encapsulates this notion perfectly.

Provocative yet reassuring, How We Grow offers insights into adolescence for both teens and parents, shedding light on the realities of growing up and how to navigate them more effectively. For me, navigating adolescent rebellion was less about striving for independence and more about reshaping the future for the next generation.

Chris Sims is an author based in Somerset, UK.

If you need someone to talk to, contact the Samaritans in the UK at 116123 (Samaritans.org); or the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). You can also visit bit.ly/suicidehelplines for services in other countries.

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