Ralph Fiennes in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
Credit: Sony Pictures
After decades of anticipation, the sequel to Danny Boyle’s iconic virus-based horror film, 28 Days Later, has arrived. Titled 28 Years Later: Temple of Bones, this gripping narrative picks up almost immediately from the chilling conclusion of the previous installment. It introduces a perilous gang led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell).
This time, the real menace emerges from the human characters, prominently featuring the “infected” portrayed by Samson (Chee Lewis-Parry). Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes (as shown above), finds himself forming an unexpected camaraderie with him.
As they gaze at the stars and enjoy music from Duran Duran, Kelson delves deeper into the virus’s mysteries and embarks on a quest to develop a cure. The story builds to a thrilling and intense finale.
Despite the dark themes, the film balances its grim narrative with moments of humor and humanity, enriching the horror landscape. Should this third installment, 28 Years Later, resonate with audiences, it has the potential to become a celebrated trilogy in cinematic history.
The ancient human foot bones have puzzled scientists since their discovery in 2009.
Johannes Haile-Selassie
The origins of a 3.4-million-year-old foot bone uncovered in Ethiopia may finally be elucidated, prompting a reevaluation of how various ancient human ancestors cohabited.
In 2009, Johannes Haile-Selassie and his team at Arizona State University unearthed eight hominin bones that previously constituted a right foot at a site known as Burtele in northeastern Ethiopia’s Afar region.
This discovery, dubbed Bartele’s foot, features opposable big toes akin to those of gorillas, indicating that any species could have had arboreal capabilities.
Another ancient human species, Australopithecus afarensis, was known to inhabit the vicinity, with the well-known fossil of Lucy—also discovered in the Afar region—but Bartele’s foot appeared to belong to a different species. “From the outset, we realized it was not part of Lucy’s lineage,” Haile Selassie states.
There were two primary hypotheses that intrigued Haile Selassie: whether the foot was associated with another species within the genus Australopithecus or perhaps an older, more primitive group known as Ardipithecus, which existed in Ethiopia more than a million years ago and also possessed opposable thumbs.
Meanwhile, in 2015, scientists announced the identification of a previously unknown hominid species, named Australopithecus deiremeda, after jaw and tooth remains were found in the same region. Initially, there was uncertainty about whether the enigmatic leg bone was part of A. deiremeda, as its age differed from that of the jaw and tooth remains.
However, in the subsequent year, researchers made a crucial discovery. The lower jaw of A. deiremeda was located within 300 meters of Bartele’s foot, and both sets of remains were dated to the same geological era. This led the research team to conclude that Bartele’s foot belonged to A. deiremeda.
Bartele’s foot (left) and bones shaped like a gorilla’s foot (right), similar to Australopithecus deiremeda
Johannes Haile-Selassie
In a separate part of the study, researchers analyzed Earth’s carbon isotopes. They found that A. deiremeda primarily consumed materials from trees and shrubs, while human teeth were more adapted for a diet rich in grasses than those of afarensis.
Haile Selassie noted that this finding suggests that both hominin species occupied the same ecological niche without competing for resources. He believes these groups could have coexisted harmoniously, engaging in separate activities. “They must have crossed paths and interacted within the same habitat, each doing their own thing,” he remarked. “While members of Australopithecus deiremeda may have spent time in trees, afarensis was likely wandering the adjacent grasslands.”
This revelation enhances our understanding of human evolution. “Historically, some have argued that only a single hominid species existed at any given time, with newer forms emerging eventually,” Haile Selassie explained. “We are now realizing that our evolutionary path was not straightforward. Multiple closely related hominid species coexisted at the same time, indicating that coexistence was a fundamental aspect of our ancestors’ lives.”
Carrie Mongul, a professor at Stony Brook University in New York, expressed enthusiasm about these developments. “Understanding more about the diversity of Pliocene hominins is truly exciting,” she stated. “This period, around 3 million years ago, was rich in evolutionary significance.”
Broken bones often need a material to fill the void
Sopone Nawoot/Alamy
Researchers have discovered that with slight modifications, hot glue guns, typically used in crafting, can effectively and affordably mend damaged bones.
While bones can often heal themselves after minor injuries, serious trauma or tumor removal may leave cavities that require a synthetic plug to stimulate bone cell growth.
Although 3D printing can create tailored scaffolding to fill these gaps, the method necessitates scanning and remote fabrication, taking at least a week. While this pre-planned approach works for worn joints, it’s unfeasible for emergency surgeries.
To tackle this issue, John Seung Lee from Sungkyunkwan University in Korea and his team have created a solution that can be employed immediately during a single procedure.
They modified hot glue guns to lower their operating temperature from above 100°C to approximately 60°C and developed biological adhesive materials composed of hydroxyapatite (which makes up 50% of natural bone) and a biodegradable thermoplastic known as polycaprolactone.
During surgery, surgeons can utilize hot glue guns to rapidly fill bone voids, enabling bone cells to access these gaps and ultimately heal the injuries permanently over time.
“It’s essentially created from a standard hot glue gun,” Lee explains. “It significantly reduces time and costs.”
Lee and his colleagues assessed the glue gun’s effectiveness by repairing a 1 cm gap in a rabbit’s femur. Twelve weeks later, samples showed no complications or signs of separation between the adhesive and the bone, with bone mass being more than double that of control animals treated with traditional cement.
Furthermore, researchers found that two antibacterial agents can be integrated into the filaments to decrease infection risk, releasing the drugs gradually to the surgical site over several weeks.
Benjamin Olivere from the University of Nottingham in the UK is investigating 3D-printed scaffolds for bone repair but expresses skepticism, suggesting hot glue guns might become a more practical alternative compared to slower scanning and printing methods.
“Is it an intriguing idea? Absolutely. Is it feasible? Yes. Do I believe it’s plausible? Yes,” he states. “However, the practical application may be a different matter.”
Cut marks on the foot bone from El Mirador cave, Spain
iphes-cerca
The discovery of human remains in caves in northern Spain indicates that Neolithic people may have resorted to cannibalism after battles.
Francesc Marginedas from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) in Tarragona, along with his team, examined fragments from 650 human remains found in El Mirador cave on Mount Atapuerca. These remains date back approximately 5,700 years and belong to 11 individuals.
All examined bones displayed evidence that these individuals had been consumed by other humans. Some exhibited chop markings made by a stone tool, while others showed translucent portions with gently rounded edges. Some of the long bones were fractured open with stones to access the bone marrow, and smaller bones like metatarsals and ribs had clear human bite marks.
This research supports the notion that cannibalistic practices were more prevalent in human history than previously believed.
El Mirador marks at least the fifth significant site in Spain with notable evidence of cannibalism during the Neolithic era, a shift period from foraging to agriculture, according to Margida. “There’s a growing understanding that such behavior was more frequent than we anticipated.”
The motives behind these cannibalistic acts remain unclear. Some archaeological sites show skull cups indicating a ritualistic aspect to cannibalism, while others hint at survival strategies during dire circumstances.
However, Marsidas and his team propose that the findings at El Mirador suggest these acts were linked to warfare. There was a significant amount of animal remains, and no signs of nutritional stress among the humans involved, indicating this early agricultural community was not struggling with food scarcity. Their findings offer no indication of ritualistic behavior, as human bones were found alongside animal remains.
The ages of the individuals ranged from under seven to over fifty, implying that an entire family unit may have been lost to conflict. Radiocarbon dating indicated that all 11 individuals were killed and consumed within a few days.
This evidence reflects patterns of conflict and cannibalism, which have also been noted at two other Neolithic sites: the Von Bregore Caves in France and Helxheim in Germany. This period appears marked by instability and violence due to community clashes with neighboring groups and newcomers.
While Margida and his colleagues are uncertain about the reasons behind these cannibalistic practices, historical ethnographic studies suggest that such acts during warfare can serve as a method of “ultimate exclusion.” “We believe that one group attacking and consuming another serves as a humiliating statement,” states Merseydus.
“The thoroughness of the body’s treatment and consumption is remarkable.” Paul Pettitt from Durham University, UK, comments, “The aggressive nature shown in these artifacts, regardless of whether the consumed were relatives or adversaries, mirrors a dehumanization process during consumption.”
Sylvia Bello from the Museum of Natural History in London concurs that this evidence of death likely ties back to conflicts but remains skeptical about the notion of consumption as humiliation. She suggests that cannibalism may stem from aggression and animosity rather than ritualized farewell practices, implying a more complex interpretation. “It could carry ritual significance, even amid warfare,” she asserts.
Neanderthals, Ancient Humans, and Cave Art in France
Join new scientist Kate Douglas on an enthralling exploration of the key Neanderthal and Upper Paleolithic sites in southern France, spanning from Bordeaux to Montpellier.
A South Carolina man admitted guilt on Thursday for bringing in and selling sperm whale teeth and bones from four countries in the United States, according to federal prosecutors.
Lauren H. Deloha, 69, of St. Helena, South Carolina, pleaded guilty to violating the Lacy Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act by importing and selling sperm whale parts. The US Attorney’s Office in South Carolina reported this.
Deloach is said to have imported sperm teeth and bones into South Carolina from July 2022 to September 2024, including at least 30 shipments from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine, as revealed in court documents and statements made in court.
He allegedly sold around $18,000 worth of at least 85 pieces on eBay, falsely labeling them as “plastic” to evade detection by customs officials, according to prosecutors.
Authorities mentioned that they confiscated about $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts while searching his residence.
It remains unclear how Deloach acquired these items and who purchased them from him. Teeth and bones are sought after for use in artworks like sculptures, prosecutors stated.
Sperm whales, the largest toothed whales, inhabit deep waters worldwide, from the equator to the edges of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Females can grow up to 40 feet long, while males can reach up to 52 feet long, as per the agency.
Sperm whales have been safeguarded since 1970 under the Endangered Species Act and the International Treaty on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Lacey Act criminalizes the illegal sale of wildlife that was imported illegally, prosecutors mentioned.
“Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion dollar global enterprise, with animals and fuels protecting organized crime,” stated Brooke B. Andrews, acting US attorney for South Carolina. “We will uphold the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Vulnerable species like sperm whales have been slaughtered for profit.”
Deloach’s attorney, Nathan S. Williams, mentioned in a statement on Sunday that Deloach “regretted his actions and took responsibility for them.”
Deloha faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine for felony Lacey Act violations, and up to one year in prison for misdemeanor violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
This incident was the latest involving protected wildlife.
In February, a California couple reached a plea agreement in Butte County, California. They were caught by wildlife officers smuggling mountain lion trophies and turtle skulls in their carry-on bags, breaching fish and game laws. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated.
Who were the first inhabitants of Western Europe, what their physical characteristics were, and where they lived are some of the pending questions in the study of Eurasian settlements during the early Pleistocene epoch. Information on ancient humanity available from Western Europe is limited and limited to the Iberian Peninsula. Now, paleontologists have discovered a fragment of the midface of humanity at the site of the Sima del Elephante in Sierra de Atapuerc, Spain. Fossils, which were 1.4 million to 1.1 million years ago, represent the earliest human faces of Western Europe ever identified.
Archaeological excavations at the Sima del Elephante in Sierra de Atapuerc, Spain. Image credits: Maria D. Guillen/Iphes-Cerca.
“It is suggested that Eurasia was first settled by Hymonin at least 1.8 million years ago,” he said, institut Catetut Catetut Catetut Catetut de Paleoecologia Humana IEvolucióSocial, Rovira I Virgili, and Museo nacional de Ciencias natures, and colleagues
“Evidence of early human settlements in Western Europe is limited to highly fragmented fossil samples from the Iberian Peninsula, with few clues as to the appearance and classification of these human beings.”
“The fossils from the Spanish site, about 850,000 years ago, are Homo Alivisora species of early people with thin midfaces that resemble modern humans. ”
“In 2007, a Hominin Joborne (ATE9-1) was found at the Simadel Elephante site in northern Spain, between 12 and 1.1 million years ago, but it was not a definitive allocation. Homo Alivisor. ”
In the new study, the authors examined the fossil ruins of Hominin Midface from the Sima Del Elefante site.
The fragment labeled ATE7-1 consists of a substantial portion of the maxilla and zygote bone from the left side of an adult.
Using both physical evidence and 3D imaging techniques, the researchers reconstructed the fossil fragments, estimated to be between 1.4 million and 1.1 million.
They also discovered additional archaeological sites: stone tools and ruins of slaughtered animals.
“These practices demonstrate that the first Europeans had a close understanding of available animal resources and knew how to systematically utilize them,” Dr. Huguett said.
According to scientists, the ATE7-1 fossil does not display the “modern” midface features found in Homo Alivisor Fossils, but there are some similarities Homo Erectus system.
They tentatively allocated fossils Homo aff. Erectusshows affinity for Homo Erectuswithholding further evidence.
This finding may suggest that at least two people live in Western Europe Homo Early Pleistocene species: Homo aff. Erectusand later Homo Alivisor.
“The evidence is why it was assigned to the ''because it is still insufficient for a definitive classification. Homo aff. Erectus“Dr. Maria Martinon Torres, a researcher at the Centro Nacional de Investigation, said he is a researcher at Evolcion Humana in London and University College London.
“This designation recognizes the affinity of ATE7-1 Homo Erectus While it leaves the possibility that it belongs to another species open. ”
“Our findings demonstrate at least two different human invasions of Western Europe during the Pleistocene era, providing fascinating insights into the evolution of the genus. Homo. ”
“While their size is small, pioneering analysis of facial fragments greatly enriched our understanding of the origins and dynamics of the earliest Europeans on the continent.”
“More research and fossil samples are needed to investigate the relationships between these populations and further improve their classification,” the researchers concluded.
Their paper It was published in the journal this month Nature.
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R. Huguett et al. The oldest human face in Western Europe. NaturePublished online on March 12, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08681-0
Washington – Early Man utilized animal bones to create cutting tools 1.5 million years ago on a regular basis.
A recent discovery of 27 sculptures and sharp bones from elephants and hippos in Tanzania’s All-Bai Valley site has extended the timeline for the use of ancient bones by around a million years. Researchers already knew that early individuals crafted simple tools from stones as long ago as 3.3 million years.
New discoveries of ancient humans published in Nature on Wednesday have shown that they had a more sophisticated toolkit, incorporating various materials, according to William Harcourt Smith, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History. He was not involved in the study.
A well-preserved bone tool measuring up to 16 inches (40 cm) may have been created by fracturing the bulky ends of leg bones and chipping off the flakes from the remaining bone shaft using stones. Research co-author Ignacio de la Torre, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, explained that this technique was used to produce one sharp edge and one tip.
The bone tools were likely used as hand axes, handheld blades not attached to a handle, for the purpose of butchering animal carcasses.
These blades were ideal for removing flesh from elephant and hippo carcasses but were not utilized as spears or projectiles. “I don’t believe they were hunting these animals. They were likely scavenging,” he stated.
Numerous artifacts exhibit signs of being struck in order to remove more than dozens of flakes, indicating a sustained level of craftsmanship.
The consistent choice of bones – specifically large, heavy leg bones from a particular animal – and a pattern of uniform modifications suggest that early humans deliberately selected and crafted these bones, as noted by paleobiologist Milia Pacheco from the Federal University of San Carlos in Brazil, who was not part of the study.
The bones show minimal signs of erosion, trampling, or gnawing by other animals, ruling out the possibility of natural factors shaping the tools.
These bone tools date back over a million years, predating the emergence of our species, Homo Sapiens, by approximately 300,000 years.
According to Brianna Poviner, a paleontologist with the Smithsonian Human Origins program, when the tools were created, three types of human ancestors coexisted in the same East African region.
This tool could have been created and used by Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, or Paranthropus Boisei. “It could have been any of these three, but it’s nearly impossible to determine which one,” Poviner mentioned.
The detection of soft tissues (such as proteins) in fossil bones is a growing research field, and new research, led by Liverpool University, has contributed to such discoveries. The authors use three independent analytical combinations to indicate that some dinosaur bones of collagen bones are the original fossils.
Tuinstra et al。 In order to replenish the two mass-specific (MS) technologies used, the total attenuation (ATR) -ftir and intersection polarized microscopes (Xpol), which replenish two mass spectrometics (MS) technologies. Edmont Saurus SP. Fossil bones. Image credit: Tuinstra et al。 , Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115.
In their research, Professor Steve Taylor and his colleagues of Liverpool University examined the 22 kg hip bone of herbivorous dinosaurs that bred ducks. Edmont Saurus。
The specimen was excavated from the late Cretaceous band of the Helkleak layer in Harding County, South Dakota, USA.
Using advanced mass spectrometry and other technologies, old -life scholars have identified collagen remnants with fossil bones.
“This study shows that organic body molecules, such as collagen -like proteins, seem to be present in some fossils,” said Taylor.
“Our results have a wide range of meanings. First, the hypothesis that organic matters contained in fossils need to be caused from contamination.”
“Second, it suggests to reconsider the cross -polarized microscopes of fossil bones collected over the first century.”
“These images may clarify the intact patches of bone collagen, and may provide candidates for ready -made fossil candidates for further protein analysis.”
“This may release a new insight about dinosaurs. For example, we will clarify the connection between dinosaur species as it is.”
“Finally, the result of this survey tells you an interesting mystery about how these proteins have long lasted in fossils.”
“This study not only solves the scientific discussion for many years, but also has a further path to study ancient life, and can be seen on the biochemical preservation of the fossils of extinct creatures.”
Team result Published in the journal on January 17th Analytical chemistry。
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Lucien Tuinstra et al。 Evidence of endogenous collagen Edmont Saurus Fossil bones. anus. ChemistryReleased online on January 17, 2025. Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115
A 12,900-year-old bone needle discovered at the La Preure site in Wyoming, USA, was made from fox bone. rabbit. This could include felines such as bobcats, pumas, lynx, and even the now extinct American cheetah. New research from the University of Wyoming shows that the bones of these animals are sized to make bone needles, remain attached to fur sewn into intricate clothing, and are readily available within campgrounds. It is said to have been used by early Paleoindian gatherers at La Prele.
La Prele Bone Needle and Needle Preform Reconstruction and Comparison Micro-CT Scan of Animal Specimens. Image credit: Pelton others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313610.
la prele Early Paleoindian mammoth trapping site and campground on a tributary of the North Platte River near Douglas, Wyoming.
Ten seasons of excavation in four major blocks yielded tens of thousands of artifacts related to a single occupation.
Among the wide variety of artifacts recovered from the site so far are fragments of 32 bone needles.
“Our study identifies for the first time the species and possible elements from which Paleoindian people produced bone needles with eyes,” said Wyoming State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton and colleagues.
“Our results provide strong evidence that tailored clothing is produced using bone needles and fur from fur-bearing animals.”
“These garments partially enabled the dispersal of modern humans into northern latitudes and, ultimately, the colonization of the Americas.”
In their study, Dr. Pelton and his colleagues examined bone needle fragments taken from the La Prele site.
The researchers used peptides (short chains of amino acids) obtained from these artifacts to identify animals known to have existed during the Paleoindigenous period, which refers to the prehistoric period of North America between 13,500 and 12,000 years ago. peptide.
As a result of the comparison, it was concluded that the bones of the red fox are bones. Bobcat, puma, lynx, or American cheetah. At La Preure, hares and rabbits were used to make needles.
“Despite the importance of bone needles in explaining the global dispersal of modern humans, archaeologists have not identified the materials used to make bone needles, making this important cultural innovation “This limits our understanding of the
Previous research has shown that to cope with the cold temperatures of northern latitudes, humans likely created tailored clothing with tightly sewn seams that provided a barrier against the elements.
There is little direct evidence of such clothing, but there is indirect evidence in the form of bone needles and the bones of fur owners whose fur was used for clothing.
“Wearing such clothing allowed modern humans to extend their range into areas that were previously inaccessible due to the threat of hypothermia and death from exposure. '' said the scientists.
“How did the people of La Prele Ruins obtain fur-bearing animals?
“It was probably a trap, not necessarily looking for food.”
“Our results are a reminder that foragers used animal foods for a wide range of non-subsistence purposes, and that the mere presence of animal bones at an archaeological site need not indicate a diet. ”
“Combined with a review of comparable evidence from other North American Paleoindian sites, our results suggest that early Paleoindians of North America had direct access to fur-bearing predators, probably by traps, and that It represents some of the most detailed evidence ever discovered regarding Indian clothing.
SR Pelton others. 2024. Early Paleoindians used canids, felines, and hares to produce bone needles at the La Prele site in Wyoming, USA. PLoS ONE 19 (11): e0313610;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313610
The veil of mystery surrounding the Treasury Monument in Petra, Jordan has been lifted once again.
Beneath an ancient building carved out of rock, archaeologists discovered a hidden tomb containing 12 relatively well-preserved human bones and a vast array of grave offerings.
A similar tomb was discovered more than 20 years ago opposite the famous Treasury Building, also known as Al-Khazneh, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Earlier this year, a team of researchers received permission from Jordanian authorities to conduct a week of remote sensing in and around the Treasury, a city center hand-carved into the walls of a desert canyon by the Nabatean people.
“There was always the idea that there might be more graves, but no one has yet been found,” Richard Bates, a geophysicist and professor at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, said in an email. “The hope was to find an intact grave.”
A joint Jordanian-American team, which also included the Jordanian Department of Antiquities and the Amman-based nonprofit American Research Center, used ground-penetrating radar to detect the cavity and pinpoint its location and depth. Instead of digging straight through, which would have cut through solid rock and damaged parts of the building, Bates said they carefully dug by hand into the cavity from the outside.
Richard Bates. Excavation at the Treasury. Kindly provided by Professor Richard Bates, University of St Andrews
Inside, in the original burial site, are 12 human bones, one of which is clutching the top of a broken pitcher, most likely dating from the 1st century BC. Bates said the bodies likely included both men and women and ranged in age from children to adults. Although that is not confirmed yet.
“No complete burial has ever been found here before, so this discovery could potentially tell us more about the Nabataean kingdom,” Bates said.
The discovery could also provide new insights into the Treasury itself, whose purpose is still unknown.
“Despite its fame, the Treasury Department remains a mystery to us in many ways,” Pierce Paul Creesman, director of the Center for American Studies, said in an email. “Anything we can do to understand it more deeply is important.”
Visited by more than 1 million visitors a year, the Treasury is the most famous of Petra’s iconic monuments. In Steven Spielberg’s 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it was featured as the resting place of the Holy Grail in the film.
The newly uncovered tomb excavation was featured in a two-part episode of the American reality television series Expedition Unknown, which aired on the Discovery Channel.
Bates said there are signs of other cavities in the area that could be graves.
“It’s very likely that more will be discovered, so we need to get the funding back and continue the research,” he said.
Argentine archaeologists analyzed 21,000-year-old fossil remains bearing cut marks belonging to a specimen of the extinct glyptodon. NeosclerocalyptusThe discovery, made in the northeast of the Pampean region, on the banks of the Reconquista River, adds new insights into the earliest human settlements in southern South America, and in particular into the interactions between humans and local megafauna in the Pampean region during the last glacial period.
Paleo-Indians hunting a Glyptodon, a relative of the armadillo that lived in the Pleistocene era, by Heinrich Harder, 1920.
The timing of early human occupation in South America is a topic of intense debate and is highly relevant to studies of early human dispersal across the Americas and the potential role of humans in the end-Pleistocene large mammal extinction.
This debate is hampered by a general lack of direct archaeological evidence for early human presence or human-animal interactions.
In the current study, Dr Mariano del Papa from the National University of La Plata and his colleagues found evidence of butchery in Pleistocene mammal fossils discovered on the banks of the Reconquista River in the northeastern Pampeo region of Argentina.
The fossils examined by the team were: Neosclerocalyptus Glyptodon, a giant relative of the armadillo.
Cut marks on the pelvis, tail and parts of the armour matched known marks made by stone tools.
The placement of these marks was consistent with a slaughter procedure that targeted densely packed areas of meat.
“Radiocarbon dating has dated these fossils to approximately 21,000 years ago, approximately 6,000 years older than any other known archaeological evidence from southern South America,” the researchers said.
Distribution of cut marks on the tail vertebrae NeosclerocalyptusImage courtesy of Del Papa others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304956.
The results are consistent with other recent studies showing early human presence in the Americas more than 20,000 years ago.
These fossils also represent some of the earliest evidence of human interaction with large mammals shortly before many of them went extinct.
“Our findings contradict the established dating framework for the earliest human occupation of southern South America, which was proposed to date back to 16,000 years ago,” the scientists said.
“Surprisingly, Recent Research “We now have reliable evidence of human habitation in Patagonia 17,300 years ago, indicating an even earlier initial settlement of southern South America.”
“Although traditional settlement models tend to support a later human migration into southern South America, we cannot exclude the possibility that humans were present and had associated cultural evidence much earlier than 16,000 years ago.”
“In this context, our findings support the growing body of archaeological evidence indicating an early human settlement in the Americas, especially the Southern Corn Islands.”
M. Delpapa others2024. Artificial cut marks on the bones of an extinct megafauna discovered in the Pampean region (Argentina) during the Last Glacial Maximum. PLoS One 19 (7): e0304956; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304956
In the UK, there are over 11 million people aged 65 and above, a number expected to rise to 13 million, constituting 22% of the population in a decade. This demographic change has drawn attention to often overlooked health issues, particularly in women: osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Globally, over 8.9 million osteoporotic fractures occur annually, equating to one osteoporotic fracture happening every three seconds somewhere in the world.
But why does bone health deteriorate with age? Our bones house specialized cells known as osteoblasts that generate new bone tissue. Conversely, osteoclasts are cells at the other end of the skeletal cycle responsible for dissolving old, damaged bone tissue and replacing it with fresh, healthy tissue.
The balance of activity between these cell types is crucial for bone health. Up to the age of 30, osteoblast activity generally exceeds osteoclast activity, resulting in more bone formation than loss. However, as individuals reach 35, osteoclast activity becomes dominant, leading to a gradual decline in bone quality and density.
Most concerning is the rapid decrease in estrogen production in postmenopausal women, which triggers increased osteoclast activity due to reduced osteoblast numbers and extended osteoclast lifespans. This change is believed to contribute to osteoporosis development.
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When a certain level of bone density loss occurs, osteopenia may develop, leading to extremely low bone density and increased fracture risk, potentially progressing to osteoporosis. This condition is often referred to as “bone thinning,” but it results from changes in bone density, microstructure, and quality that compromise bone strength.
Unfortunately, both osteopenia and osteoporosis are typically asymptomatic until a fracture occurs, making diagnosis incidental. Various risk factors may contribute to the development of these conditions, including smoking, thyroid disease, diabetes, and certain medications like steroids.
Preventive measures for bone health should be initiated early. A balanced, calcium-rich diet is crucial, with dairy products serving as primary sources of calcium. Individuals with restricted dairy intake may need calcium supplements, emphasizing the importance of vitamin D production through sunlight exposure or supplementation.
While calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, engaging in bone-straining exercises, especially resistance training, can stimulate osteoblast activity, preventing osteoporosis progression. Exercise not only enhances bone mineralization but also improves muscle strength, balance, and posture, reducing the risk of falls and fractures.
For menopausal women, exercising efficacy in promoting bone mineralization hinges on adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, making supplementation vital. Additionally, various medications are available to treat or slow osteoporosis progression, with estrogen therapies recommended for menopausal women, particularly those with premature ovarian insufficiency.
Education and awareness about bone health can significantly impact prevention and proper management of osteoporosis, especially as societies aged. Addressing these issues is crucial as we navigate the future of an aging population.
TWhat's frustrating about this adventurous multiplayer game from Ubisoft? reportedly It was in development hell for about 10 years. largely good.some things about it teeth. It offers interesting customization and even thrills when playing against well-matched opponents, including ship battles that are more flexible than you might expect. And when you're sailing from the coast of Africa to the East Indies, or navigating river channels surrounded on all sides by tropical wilderness, you can't help but admire the beauty of this game. And some things about it could get better. For now the menu is confusing, slow and messy time. A few tweaks could further increase the pace before pirate exploration becomes more exciting. This is a live service game, so there is room for evolution.
But some things about Skull and Bones are never going to be good, at least not without tearing them down and starting over, and after years of costly delays, it seems unlikely that that will ever happen. Seems low. All characters in this game have dead eyes and only their lips move when they speak. The story is so boring that even after spending over 20 hours at sea, I can tell you the relative value of rough stones and where to sell cigarettes for the most money, but I can't remember the names of a single character or faction. not. And when you're on the ground, there's no sword fighting, no treasure hunting, no meaningful exploration. A lot of effort has gone into creating a small oasis of land, but there's nothing there except a few quest-givers and a campfire. He only has two more populous pirate-based settlements on the whole map, and while you can at least find a blacksmith and a tavern, it's hard to find other interesting places to anchor.
This means you will spend 90% of your time sailing as all the action takes place on the waves. And if you're not plundering merchant ships or trying to protect yourself from other pirates, all you need to sail is raising and lowering your sails and occasionally adjusting your trajectory. Although boring, I found it peaceful to actually carry things and enjoy the scenery. The best part of Skull and Bones is the Indian Ocean. Occasionally, I felt a sense of quiet awe, such as when I was maneuvering a narrow cutter down a narrow road, seeing rocks towering from all sides and waterfalls cascading around corners. As the sun set, a soundtrack could be heard coming from the crew's shack. At that moment, like Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games sometimes do, Skull and Bones felt like a recreation of a lost time, breathing new life into the Golden Age of Piracy.
A few tweaks could really speed up the pace – Skull and Bones. Photo: Ubisoft/Keza McDonald
Unfortunately, Assassin's Creed is the elephant in the room here. Skull and Bones is a super fun pirate-flavored adventure inspired by 2013's Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Felt It's an adventure, with lots of islands to explore, things to discover, and interesting stories to discover along with the thrill of sailing and firing cannonballs at your enemies. 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey still features a stunning voyage through the deep blue waters of ancient Greece, but there's so much more to do. Skull and Bones levels up sailing ever so slightly, and ship building is much better – changing ships and weapons makes a big difference in how you play – but it has nothing else to offer. The game has no personality or plot at all. The game that inspired it.
Another game I can't help but mention here is Rare's Sea of Thieves. This is another online pirate action game that launched in 2018 in Barren State, but has since evolved into something fun, chaotic, and unique, and a great time with friends. As you would expect from a pirate game. But Skull and Bones is much more serious, lonely, and a completely different game. It reminded me more of Sid Meier's Pirates than Sea of Thieves in that most of the game involves actually transporting or interfering with cargo. A faction of colonialists. The deeper you go, the more Skull and Bones will be tasked with manufacturing, selling, and transporting goods in hidden markets, or sinking other players to steal their goods. This is more than just a pirate game, it's a trade and naval battle simulator. Although he is not overbearing, he is a good sailor and has a wide selection of three-cornered hats.
If publisher Ubisoft continues to support it, Skull and Bones will appeal to avid players of naval warfare enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with ship construction, facing off against each other, and teaming up to take on deadly fleets and cargo. It will attract a lot of people. However, if you're looking for a game that feels like a pirate adventure, Black Flag is still a better choice.
The credit for discovering the first dinosaur bones is usually given to an English gentleman who discovered them in England between the 17th and 19th centuries. British natural historian Robert Plott first described dinosaur bones in his 1676 book. Oxfordshire natural history. Paleontologists from the University of the Witwatersrand and Nelson Mandela University have presented evidence that the first dinosaur bones may have been discovered in Africa as much as 500 years before Plott's discovery.
tyrannosaurus rex. Image credit: Amanda Kelly.
Humans were born in Africa. homo sapiens It has existed for at least 300,000 years.
And this continent is home to a wide variety of rock outcrops, including the Kem Kem Formation in Morocco, the Fayum Depression in Egypt, the Rift Valley in eastern Africa, and the Karoo in southern Africa, which contain fossils that were always accessible to our ancestors. I am.
So it's not just that Africans were likely the first to discover fossils. It was inevitable.
In many cases, the first dinosaur fossils claimed to have been discovered by scientists were actually brought to our attention by local guides.
An example is the discovery of giant dinosaurs. jobaria By the Tuareg people of Niger Giraffatitan By the Mwera people of Tanzania.
our paperPublished in Geological Society, London, Special Publicationreviews what is known about African indigenous fossil knowledge.
We enumerate fossils that may have been known since ancient times at various sites in Africa and discuss how they were used and interpreted by African communities before the science of paleontology was born. .
One of the highlights of our paper is the ruins of Borara, a Late Stone Age rock shelter in Lesotho.
Various dating techniques indicate that the site was inhabited by the Khesan and Basotho peoples from the 12th to 18th centuries (1100-1700 AD).
The shelter itself is surrounded by hills formed by compacted sediments deposited under harsh deserts like the Sahara some 180 to 200 million years ago, when the first dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Masu.
This region of Lesotho is particularly well known for its deliveries. Massospondylus carinatusa dinosaur with a body length of 4 to 6 meters, a small head and a long neck.
Fossilized bones of this kind are abundant in this area and were already the case when this place was occupied by people in the Middle Ages.
In 1990, archaeologists working in Bolarla discovered a human finger bone. Massospondylus He was being carried into a cave.
There are no fossilized skeletons protruding from the cave walls. So the only possibility that this phalanx ended up there is that someone picked it up in the distant past and carried it to a cave.
Perhaps this person did it out of simple curiosity, or to turn it into a pendant or toy, or to use it in a traditional healing ritual.
After heavy rains, it is not uncommon for people in the area to discover bones of extinct species that have been washed away from the host rock.
They usually recognize them as belonging to dragon-like monsters that swallow humans and even entire houses.
In Lesotho, the Basotho people call the monster “Holmormo,'' and in the Eastern Cape, which borders South Africa, the Xhosa people call it “Amagongonko.''
The exact date on which the phalanx was collected and transported has unfortunately been lost to time.
Given current knowledge, the period of occupation of the shelter could be between the 12th and 18th centuries.
This leaves open the possibility that the dinosaur bones were collected up to 500 years before Plott's discovery.
Early knowledge about extinct organisms
Most people have known about fossils long before the age of science, as far back as society's collective memory can go.
For example, in Algeria, people referred to some dinosaur footprints as belonging to the legendary “rock bird”.
In North America, cave paintings depicting dinosaur footprints were painted by the Anasazi people between 1000 and 1200 AD.
Indigenous Australians have identified dinosaur footprints as those of the legendary 'Emuman'.
In the south, the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés was gifted a fossil mastodon femur by the Aztecs in 1519.
In Asia, Hindus have worshiped ammonites (coiled fossil shells), which they call “shaligrams,” for more than 2,000 years.
Claim credit
The fact that African people have known about fossils since ancient times is clear from folklore and the archaeological record, but there is still much to learn about them.
For example, unlike peoples in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, indigenous African paleontologists appear to have little use of fossils in traditional medicine.
We do not yet know whether this is a truly unique cultural feature common to most African cultures, or whether it is due to our admittedly still incomplete knowledge.
Also, some fairly prominent fossil sites, such as Morocco's Kem Kem Formation and South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage Cradle of Man caves, do not yet provide solid evidence of indigenous knowledge.
This is unfortunate, as fossil-related traditions can help bridge the gap between local communities and paleontologists, thereby contributing to the preservation of important heritage sites.
By investigating the paleontology of Africa's indigenous peoples, our team brings together the pieces of a forgotten past and serves local communities.
We hope this will inspire a new generation of local paleoscientists to follow in the footsteps of Africa's first fossil hunters.
_____
julian benoit other. 2024. Paleontological knowledge of African indigenous peoples. Geological Society, London, Special Publication 543; doi: 10.1144/SP543-2022-236
author: julian benoita paleontologist at the University of the Witwatersrand.
cameron penn clarka paleontologist at the University of the Witwatersrand.
charles helma paleontologist at Nelson Mandela University.
Bearded seals have complex nasal bones that help retain internal heat.
Ole Jorgen Rioden/naturepl.com
Arctic seals have evolved clever adaptations to help them stay warm in frigid climates. The nose has a complex maze of bones.
Many birds and mammals, including humans, have a pair of thin, porous nasal bones called turbinates or nasal turbinates, which are covered with a layer of tissue.
“They have a scroll shape or a tree-like branching shape,” he says. Matthew Mason at Cambridge University.
When we breathe in, air first flows through the maxillary turbinates, allowing the surrounding tissues to warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs. When we exhale, the air follows the same route, trapping heat and moisture so it doesn’t get lost.
The more complex the shape, the larger the surface area and the more efficient it is at doing its job.
Animals that live in cold, dry environments, such as arctic reindeer, have been found to have more complex gnathonasal turbinates than animals that live in warmer climates.
Now, Mason and his colleagues have discovered that arctic seals have the most complex gnathonasal turbinates ever reported.
Researchers took a CT scan of a bearded seal (Elignathus barbatus), commonly found in the Arctic, and the Mediterranean monk seal (monax monax). Both species had complex turbinates, but the researchers found that the bearded seal’s nasal bones were much denser and more complex than anything seen before.
Mason and his colleagues used computer models to measure how much energy is lost as heat in physical processes at -30°C and 10°C (-22°F and 50°F). We compared how well the seals retain heat and moisture.).
With each breath at -30°C, Mediterranean monk seals lost 1.45 times more heat and 3.5 times more water than bearded seals. Similarly, at 10°C, monk seals lost about 1.5 times more water and heat than arctic seals.
“More complex structures evolved to make life in the Arctic possible,” he says. Sign Kelstrup At the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
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