Sahelanthropus: Fossil comparison with chimpanzees and humans
Williams et al., Sci. Adv. 12, eadv0130
The long-standing debate regarding whether our earliest ancestors walked on knuckles like chimpanzees or stood upright like modern humans may be closer to resolution, yet skepticism remains.
Scott Williams and researchers at New York University recently reanalyzed fossil remains of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, indicating that this species possessed at least three anatomical features suggesting it was our earliest known bipedal ancestor.
The journey to this conclusion has been extensive.
Fossilized remains of a skull, teeth, and jawbone from approximately 7 million years ago were first identified in 2002 in Chad, north-central Africa. The distinctive features of this ancient species, including its prominent brow ridge and smaller canine teeth, were quickly acknowledged as diverging from ape characteristics.
Analyzing the skull’s anatomy suggests it was positioned directly over the vertebrae, analogous to other upright, bipedal hominins.
In 2004, French scientists uncovered the femur and ulna associated with the Sahelanthropus skull from Chad. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that researchers claimed the femur exhibited curvature similar to that of non-bipedal great apes.
Since then, scholarly debate has fluctuated. For instance, in 2022, researchers Frank Guy and Guillaume Daver of the University of Poitiers argued for anatomical features of the femur that indicate bipedalism. In 2024, Clement Zanoli and colleagues from the University of Bordeaux countered, suggesting Guy and Daver’s assertions were flawed, as the anatomical characteristics of bipedalism may also appear in non-bipedal great apes.
Lead study author Williams started with a “fairly ambivalent” stance on Sahelanthropus.
His team investigated the femur’s attachment point for the gluteus maximus muscle, finding similarities to human femur anatomy.
They also compared the femur and ulna size and shape; while similar in size to chimpanzee bones, they aligned more closely with human proportions.
Additionally, they identified the “femoral tuberosity,” a previously overlooked feature of Sahelanthropus.
“We initially identified it by touch, later confirming it with 3D scans of the fossil,” Williams shared. “This bump, present only in species with a femoral tubercle, contrasts smooth areas found in great apes and plays a critical role in mobility.”
This area serves as an attachment point for the iliofemoral ligament, the strongest ligament in the human body. While relaxed when seated, it tightens during standing or walking, securing the femoral head in the hip joint and preventing the torso from tilting backward or sideways.
However, Williams expressed doubts about whether this study would fully end the conversation about how Sahelanthropus moved.
“We are confident Sahelanthropus was an early bipedal hominin, but we must recognize that the debate is ongoing,” Williams noted.
In response to a recent paper, Guy and Daver issued a joint statement asserting that humans likely began walking on two legs by 2022: “This reaffirms our earlier interpretations about Sahelanthropus adaptations and locomotion, suggesting habitual bipedalism despite its ape-like morphology.”
They acknowledged that only new fossil discoveries could unequivocally conclude the matter.
John Hawkes, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also endorsed the new findings, noting their implications for understanding the complex origins of the hominin lineage.
“It may be deceptive to perceive Sahelanthropus as part of a gradual evolution towards an upright posture. It reveals crucial insights into these transformative changes,” Hawkes commented.
However, Zanoli contended, stating, “Most of the evidence aligns Sahelanthropus with traits seen in African great apes, suggesting its behavior was likely a mix between chimpanzees and gorillas, distinct from the habitual bipedalism of Australopithecus and Homo.
Explore the Origins of Humanity in South-West England
Join a gentle walking tour through the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, immersing yourself in early human history.
Gentle exercises, like walking, can enhance brain health
Gordon Scammell/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Older adults, particularly those at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease, might slow cognitive decline by walking just 3,000 steps daily. The underlying reasons for this effect remain unclear; however, it could be linked to how regular exercise influences inflammation and blood circulation in the brain.
Earlier studies connecting regular physical activity to reduced cognitive decline often depended on individuals recalling their activity levels, with limited exploration into why staying active might offer such benefits.
To overcome these constraints, Wai Ying Wendy Yau and colleagues at Harvard University objectively tracked the physical activity of 296 cognitively healthy adults aged 50 to 90 through step-counting devices over a week.
Most participants also underwent brain imaging to assess baseline levels of misfolded proteins known as tau and beta-amyloid, which are believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. These levels were typically evaluated every 2 to 3 years over a follow-up duration spanning 3 to 14 years. Participants took annual cognitive tests measuring memory and processing speed.
The research team estimated exercise’s impact on cognitive decline by feeding data from step counts, brain imaging, and cognitive evaluations into a statistical model. They discovered that participants with elevated levels of misfolded beta-amyloid who walked between 3,000 to 5,000 steps daily considerably slowed tau accumulation, but not beta-amyloid.
“[Exercise is] somehow hindering the spread of tau protein, which is more closely linked to symptom onset in individuals with [Alzheimer’s disease] than amyloid beta,” remarked Charles Marshall at Queen Mary University of London.
This was associated with an approximate 40 percent reduction in cognitive decline over a nine-year average follow-up, compared to participants taking fewer than 3,000 steps daily, categorized as inactive. Researchers, however, did not have data on whether any participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during the follow-up.
Conversely, walking between 5,000 and 7,500 steps daily further slowed tau buildup, leading to a 54 percent reduction in cognitive decline compared to inactivity. However, exceeding 7,500 steps daily did not result in additional cognitive improvements. “The benefits with tau and cognition eventually reach a plateau,” Yau noted.
While the exact mechanisms through which regular exercise yields these effects remain uninvestigated, potential causes may include: Physical activity that diminishes inflammation purportedly caused by beta-amyloid and tau misfolding, disrupting neural connections, and damaging cells. Moreover, exercise could enhance blood flow or boost levels of protective hormones in the brain.
Nonetheless, this study does not conclusively establish that walking 5,000 steps daily directly contributes to slowing cognitive decline. Unidentified or unnoticed pre-existing conditions might impact individuals’ capacity and enthusiasm for exercising, according to Marshall. Various lifestyle and socio-economic factors that the research team considered may also affect activity levels and tau counts.
Nevertheless, given that regular exercise offers numerous health advantages, is inexpensive, and generally has few side effects, individuals should be encouraged to aim for at least 3,000 steps daily, even if the exact impact on cognitive function remains uncertain. “I always advise people not to obsess over numeric goals for step counts. It’s merely a target,” said Marshall. “What truly matters is maintaining regular physical activity, which doesn’t have to be at large volumes or high intensity.”
Prior research suggests that consistent lifestyle alterations, including exercise, can reverse cognitive decline. However, Yau emphasizes the necessity for further studies that randomly assign participants to distinct daily step counts to differentiate the effects of exercise from other lifestyle modifications and determine whether it genuinely slows tau accumulation.
The transportation of the iconic Moai statues from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) has sparked debate for over a century. A thorough analysis of 962 moai, concentrating on 62 road statues, by Professor Carl Lipo from Binghamton University and Dr. Terry Hunt from the University of Arizona utilized 3D modeling and field experiments to reveal that small groups of ancient Rapa Nui individuals may have utilized ropes to “walk” the massive statues in a zigzag motion along purposefully constructed roads.
Carl P. Lipo and Terry L. Hunt employed 3D modeling and field tests to verify that the ancient inhabitants of Rapa Nui “walked” the moai statues. Image credit: Carl Lipo.
Previously, Professor Lipo and his team had provided experimental proof that the large statues were “walked” from the quarry to ceremonial platforms using an upright rocking motion, countering the notion that they were moved lying flat on wooden contraptions.
“Once you initiate movement, it’s quite manageable. People can pull it with one arm, conserving energy and moving quickly,” stated Professor Lipo.
“The challenging part is getting it rocking from the outset. The key question is, what does it take if the statue is exceptionally large?”
“Is our experimental evidence in line with expectations based on physics?”
To examine the movement of larger statues, Professor Lipo and Dr. Hunt created high-resolution 3D representations of the moai, identifying unique design elements, such as a broad D-shaped base and forward incline, which enhance the likelihood of wobbling or zigzagging.
To test their hypothesis, they constructed a replica moai weighing 4.35 tonnes featuring a special ‘forward leaning’ design.
Only 18 individuals managed to transport the moai 100 meters in just 40 minutes, a significant enhancement over earlier vertical transportation methods.
“The physics is sound,” Professor Lipo remarked.
“What we observe in experiments is effective. And as sizes increase, it remains applicable.”
“The characteristics of giant object movement only become more consistent as they grow larger, as that becomes the sole viable approach to relocating them.”
Further backing for this theory lies in the roads of Rapa Nui.
This road, measuring 4.5 meters in width and concave in shape, was well-suited for stabilizing the statue during its movement.
“Each time the statue is moved, it appears as if a road is being formed. The road plays a role in the statue’s movement,” Professor Lipo explained.
“We’re essentially observing them overlapping and many parallel paths being created.”
“What they likely did was clear one path, move the statue, then clear another, adjusting their route in a specific sequence.”
“Thus, they devoted considerable time to the road aspect.”
“Currently, no other explanation sufficiently accounts for how the moai were moved. The challenge for others is to disprove this hypothesis.”
“Provide evidence that contradicts the walking theory, since I have yet to encounter information that challenges it.”
“In fact, every finding and thought we have encountered thus far continues to reinforce this hypothesis.”
“Our research pays homage to the Rapa Nui people, who accomplished a remarkable engineering achievement with limited resources.”
“This illustrates the incredible intelligence of the Rapa Nui, as they comprehended this process.”
“They executed it in a manner that aligns with the resources at their disposal.”
“It is truly a privilege to showcase their achievements. We can learn a great deal from their methodologies.”
The team’s study was published in the archeology journal.
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Carl P. Lipo and Terry L. Hunt. 2025. The Walking Moai Hypothesis: Archaeological Evidence, Experimental Testing, and Responses to Critics. archeology journal 183: 106383; doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106383
In recent research published in the journal Jama Network Open, it was found that daily walking volume and intensity are inversely related to the risk of chronic lower back pain. The results indicate that walking volume may provide more substantial benefits compared to walking intensity.
Individuals who engage in regular walking experience less back pain than those who do not walk frequently. Volume is more crucial than intensity. Image credit: Tung Lam.
Back pain impacts individuals of all ages and is a leading cause of functional health loss, accounting for an estimated 7.7% of all years lived with disability.
In the United States, lower back pain is the most prevalent form of chronic pain, contributing significantly to medical costs alongside neck pain.
The burden of back pain is expected to rise over the coming decades, presenting a major challenge for the sustainability of healthcare systems.
To mitigate this burden, it is important to identify modifiable factors that can be addressed through policies and preventive strategies.
Physical activity is advised in guidelines for managing chronic low back pain.
However, explicit recommendations for physical activity aimed at the primary prevention of chronic low back pain remain unclear.
Walking, a popular form of leisure physical activity among adults, is linked to a reduced risk of various non-communicable diseases and conditions.
Nevertheless, the relationship between walking and the risk of chronic lower back pain has been largely underexplored.
“Individuals who walk for over 100 minutes daily have a 23% lower risk of lower back issues compared to those who walk for 78 minutes or less,” explained PhD candidate Rayane Haddadj from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
“While it’s likely not shocking that physical activity benefits your back, until now, we lacked clarity on whether low-intensity walking could help.”
“Strength is also a factor in the risk of chronic back issues, but daily walking volume plays a more significant role.”
A total of 11,194 individuals took part in the Trøndelag Health Study (The Hunt Study).
This study is distinctive as it measured daily walking volume and strength through sensors worn on the participants’ thighs over the course of a week.
“These findings highlight the importance of allocating time for physical activity to prevent chronic back problems and other health issues,” remarked Professor Paul Jarl Mork of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
“In the long run, this can result in substantial savings for society.”
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Rayane Haddadj et al. 2025. The amount and intensity of walking and the risk of chronic lower back pain. Jama Netw Open 8 (6): E2515592; doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.15592
In 2011, Joey Lanev de Francesco spent nearly four years working in room service at a luxury hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, earning a mere $5.50 (£4) per hour. He endured long shifts that took a toll on him and reduced his hard-earned tips.
The inadequate treatment escalated when De Francesco and his coworkers attempted to unionize. The manager responded harshly, punishing employees for minor infractions. In fact, shift workers who needed to call guests were prohibited from sitting down.
De Francesco ultimately decided to resign. On his final day, he secretly entered the hotel staff quarters with a herd of seven powerful marching bands, surprising his boss with a musical farewell. “I’m here to tell you I’m not going,” he proclaimed, exiting while his band played triumphant tunes and chanted “Joey Quits.”
At 22 years old, De Francesco quickly enlisted friends to record the event. After sitting on the video for a few days, he uploaded it to YouTube, where it rapidly gained traction. Fast forward 13 years, and the video has garnered nearly 10 million views.
Brass off… Joey Lanev de Francesco bids farewell to his low-wage hotel job in 2011. Photo: YouTube
“We didn’t think it would gain much attention,” De Francesco, now 36 and living in New York, stated. The musician expressed feeling “liberated” after resigning and turning the tables on his manager. “Now, I’m ashamed of you for treating everyone so poorly,” he remarked.
Did his viral exit hinder his job prospects? Not at all. Shortly thereafter, De Francesco found work at a museum, noting that the incident “will never come up” in job interviews—perhaps even something worth adding to his resume.
De Francesco’s story remains iconic in the Hall of Fame of Resignation, but it faces stiff competition from a new wave of employees. More workers are staging revenge resignations, demonstrating their discontent with their workplaces. Even clergy members are partaking in this trend: In July, Father Pat Brennan delivered a “farewell gift” to his congregation in the form of a poem that doubled as his resignation letter, aiming to be an “uncomplaining, undesirable” parishioner who spread “gossip” using “holy lips.”
A gift for farewell… Father Pat Brennan’s resignation poem. Photo: Facebook
Employer review site Glassdoor warned at the end of last year about a “wave of revenge” shaping the future of employee satisfaction by 2025. A survey of 2,008 workers in the UK released in July revealed that 15% have left their jobs out of revenge. Social media has accelerated this trend, with many sharing their stories online. Brianna’s resignation video concluded with a rallying cry: “These companies will fire you in a day and leave nothing behind.
The 26-year-old American, living in Kyoto, Japan, was just two hours away from teaching his next English class when he quit. Initially, things were manageable, but it quickly changed. “If I finished a lesson a minute early or late, she’d become upset,” Slaughter recounted.
As Slaughter began to work, he found lots of free time, but his coworkers were mostly “cold,” and soon, problems began to arise. They earned 2,000 yen (£10) per class instead of hourly wages, forcing them to endure unpaid hours between classes for minimal compensation. Schedules were often given out just a day before, making planning nearly impossible. Due to the sedentary nature of the job, Slaughter developed health issues: “I went to the doctor, and they said, you’re sitting all the time, so you’re getting inflammation in your neck,” he noted.
Slaughter’s breaking point occurred with the arrival of a new manager, who insisted he wear long sleeves to cover his “aggressive tattoos” and often sat in on classes. It escalated to the point where Slaughter was crying every night. After receiving an unimpressive 100,000 yen (£500) for a month of “Hardcore Classroom Lessons” last May, he had had enough.
“If you want to leave, leave the baby”… Briana Slaughter on TikTok. Photo: TikTok
Slaughter sent his resignation letter into the digital ether before quickly recalling that a two-month notice was required. In a TikTok video that has amassed 1.2 million views, Slaughter addressed his manager:
Far from hindering their careers, these stories have gone viral, unlocking new opportunities. “I made $7,000 on TikTok in the month I left,” Slaughter remarked. Many reached out, expressing that his video inspired them to leave their toxic workplaces: “They said: I think I’ll quit my job too. This was my sign.” For those undecided, Slaughter advised:
Younger generations are more likely to execute revenge resignations. A report revealed that 26% of individuals aged 18-34 and 22% of those aged 35-44 in the UK have done so, compared to just 8% of people aged 45-54. In June, a survey by the Business Research Group found a 15% difference in this regard between younger and older workers in the United States.
Four years ago, 25-year-old Carly, residing in Alabama, was jobless. After contacting a temp agency, she was immediately offered a receptionist position based solely on her resume, with instructions to start the next day. “It might not have been the ideal job, but I was desperate, so I accepted,” she reflected.
The initial three months were “wonderful,” leading to a promotion as the HR pay manager, but things soon took a downturn. A new colleague aligned with the boss began to spread false rumors that Carly was an alcoholic due to her use of a lamp instead of overhead lights in her office. “I liked the ambiance,” she noted.
Carly was soon assigned additional duties as an accounts payable manager. “It was too much for a 21-year-old to handle alone,” she explained. The company briefly hired a man who was paid $10 more per hour than her to assist, but he was fired after mishandling payroll. Carly was forced to juggle both roles once more.
“I was perpetually stressed, distressed, and crying,” she admitted. The situation reached a boiling point during a management meeting when a colleague expected her to “flap frustration” in front of everyone. “It was an absurd request,” she remarked. “He essentially aimed to bully me publicly,” but Carly had different plans.
On the day of the meeting, Carly awoke early, went to the office, and scheduled an email to all managers conveying, “Let them know how messed up their business is,” she stated. It began cautiously: “I decided it was time to pursue a different path,” but quickly escalated. She bluntly labeled one manager as “literally a rock” and mentioned that her heavy workload caused “daily stress that often culminated in anxiety attacks and tearful nights.” She concluded with, “My laptop and keys are on my desk.”
After hitting send, her boss attempted to call; Carly didn’t answer. “I never heard from them again,” she recounted. Upon leaving the office for the last time, she felt euphoric: “I could have stripped my clothes off and raced home naked. All my anxiety and stress melted away,” she claimed.
She quickly secured another job, although she had some reservations about future interviews. “If they ask, I’ll be honest. If you treat me well, I won’t do this to you,” Carly assured.
While most are no longer engaging in dramatic revenge resignations, some new workers may be motivated to share their own experiences. Katie Ostler left her job after two years at a supermarket in Melbourne, Australia, where she began working at 16. “It was a very toxic, high-pressure environment with significant sales,” she explained.
Now 29 and living in Manchester, UK, Ostler wasn’t concerned about her boss knowing her name for the first six months. “It wasn’t ideal, but I kept my head down and did what was required,” she expressed.
As she approached 18, new job opportunities, particularly in bars, opened up. When the toxic supermarket experience pushed her to the edge, she had already submitted her resume to a local pub. One day, a customer angrily yelled at one of Ostler’s 15-year-old colleagues over a refund. Rather than support the young employee, the manager sided with the customer and also shouted. “I decided it was time to leave,” she remarked.
Not long after, she received a bar job offer and went to the supermarket to submit her resignation during the mandatory week’s notice. Attempting to give her letter to the supervisor, she was directed to hand it directly to the manager, who was supposedly in an interview. After following the supervisor’s instructions on location, Ostler seized the opportunity. She delivered the letter and announced her departure. The room fell silent, and the interviewees stared at her in confusion. “It took a lot of courage. I left before my manager could respond,” she said.
That wasn’t the last she would hear from him. She received a call on her way to begin her new job, instructing her not to finish her final week because she “didn’t want my toxic energy” around the team. “I remember thinking, did you look in the mirror?” she recalled. She had to return to the supermarket several times for groceries. “I avoided it when possible, but people recognized me and said hello. Unfortunately, no one cheered for me when I entered,” she said. Nonetheless, the resignation felt empowering: “I felt like a boss. It was a very powerful moment.”
Introducing the Cosmic Welcome Mat, the newest addition to our solar system.
On Tuesday, astronomers discovered a new satellite approximately the size of 90 soccer fields. This new moon was found orbiting the seventh planet from the sun, Uranus, and was initially spotted by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope on February 2nd. It joins 28 other known moons in the busy orbit of Uranus.
The observations of Uranus made by the Webb telescope provide researchers with enhanced understanding of this enigmatic planet.
“Uranus has more small inner moons than any other planet,” stated Matthew Tiscareno, a member of the research team and senior research scientist at the SETI Institute in California. He mentioned in a statement.
Tiscareno added that the “complex interaction” between Uranus’s moons and its faint ring system hints at a tumultuous evolutionary history for the planet.
Moreover, this new moon is smaller and more surprising than the smallest previously known inner satellites, indicating there may be further complexities to uncover,” he stated in a report.
Researchers note that the new satellite is situated about 35,000 miles from the center of Uranus and maintains a nearly circular orbit.
With a diameter of just 6 miles, it can be traversed in roughly two hours at an active walking pace; however, follow-up observations are necessary to verify the moon’s size and additional characteristics.
These findings are still pending peer review.
Uranus is home to five major moons known as Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. The recently discovered moon orbits among these five primary satellites, according to researchers.
All moons of Uranus are named after characters from the works of Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, as per NASA’s guidelines. The new moon is yet to be named and will require approval from the International Astronomical Union for its official designation.
“While small, this moon is a notable discovery. I didn’t even catch sight of it during the Voyager 2 mission nearly 40 years ago,” he remarked in a statement.
In 1986, the Voyager 2 spacecraft made history as the first human-made object to fly by Uranus, providing humanity’s first detailed observations of this distant planet. This encounter yielded over 7,000 images and led to the discovery of two new rings and 11 new moons around Uranus.
While the latest moon’s size might have been too small for the Voyager 2 camera to detect, the advanced instruments aboard the Webb telescope are expected to reveal more about Uranus and its system.
“Looking ahead, the discovery of this moon exemplifies how modern astronomy builds upon the legacy of missions like Voyager 2,” El Moutamid stated. “Now, almost 40 years later, the James Webb Space Telescope is pushing those boundaries even further.”
Recent findings reveal that walking briskly for just 15 minutes daily can significantly lower the risk of premature death, particularly among low-income and Black populations. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine supports this claim.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 80,000 participants, discovering that active walking was linked to a 20% decrease in overall mortality rates.
This reduction is especially pronounced for deaths related to cardiovascular issues, demonstrating the distinct advantages of maintaining an active pace, independent of other physical activities.
“While the health benefits of daily walking are well-documented, there has been limited research on how variables like walking speed influence mortality, particularly in low-income and Black/African-American communities,” noted Chief InvestigatorDr. Wei Zheng from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Our study indicates that a brisk 15-minute walk correlates with nearly a 20% reduction in total mortality.”
In comparison, slower walking for over three hours a day is associated with only a modest 4% decline in mortality, indicating that intensity matters.
The participants, primarily low-income and Black individuals across 12 states in the southeastern U.S., reported their average daily “slow” and “fast” walking. Their health outcomes were monitored over a median follow-up period of 16.7 years.
This study suggests that walking enhances cardiovascular efficiency and mitigates risk factors like weight. – Credit: Getty
The advantages of brisk walking persisted even after controlling for other lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Fast walking confers numerous cardiovascular benefits, including improved cardiac function and a reduction in risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
The researchers emphasized that this activity is low-cost and low-impact, making it accessible to individuals at all fitness levels and an effective intervention in communities with limited healthcare and recreational resources.
To raise awareness, Dr. Lili Liu from the Public Health Campaign and Community Programme stated, “We highlighted the significance and accessibility of brisk walking to enhance health outcomes, and the need to provide resources and support that facilitate easier and faster walking.”
“Individuals should aim to incorporate more intense physical activities into their daily routines,” he added.
Tracking your daily step count is a straightforward method to assess your activity levels
Volkerpreusser/Alamy
While the widely accepted goal is to aim for 10,000 steps per day, research indicates that reaching just 7,000 steps daily can considerably lower the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and depression.
The 10,000-step benchmark reportedly originated from a Japanese marketing initiative. Nevertheless, studies reveal substantial health benefits associated with this goal.
Standard exercise guidelines typically omit specific step counts. For example, the UK recommends moderate activity for a minimum of 150 minutes weekly, while the average adult should engage in being active for at least 75 minutes each week.
As Melody Ding from the University of Sydney remarks, “If you ask someone on the street about their steps, they might struggle to answer. How is ‘moderate to vigorous’ even defined?”
Tracking step counts using a wrist pedometer or smartphone may offer a practical solution for measuring activity levels. Therefore, Ding and her team aimed to determine how many steps are necessary for maintaining good health.
The researchers examined a total of 57 studies published between 2014 and 2025, encompassing a diverse group of adults, most of whom had no severe health conditions at the beginning of the studies.
Generally, increased physical activity correlates with better health outcomes. While walking 10,000 steps is superior to 7,000, the latter still offers significant health advantages. On average, individuals who walked 7,000 steps daily had a remarkable 47% lower likelihood of dying from any cause during the study period. Additionally, there was a 25% reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, leading to a 47% lower death risk.
This step count is also linked to a 37% decrease in the risk of cancer-related fatalities, a 38% lower risk of dementia, and a 22% reduction in depressive symptoms.
Ding emphasizes the importance of not deterring individuals from striving for 10,000 steps, noting, “While 7,000 steps are likely more achievable, it doesn’t imply it’s harmful to exceed that.”
“Targeting 7,000 steps feels far more attainable for many individuals compared to 10,000,” says Laura Fleming from Teesside University.
However, Ding cautions that if the goal of 7,000 steps still feels overwhelming, individuals should aim to increase their overall movement. Remarkably, the research indicated that even achieving 4,000 steps a day could reduce mortality risk by 36% compared to just taking 2,000 steps.
Walking slightly faster than usual can markedly enhance the health of seniors, according to new research from the University of Chicago.
Specifically, researchers discovered that frail or at-risk adults can bolster their health and quality of life by increasing their walking speed by at least 14 steps per minute over their normal pace.
“Increased walking speed is a well-documented protector against mortality,” stated Dr. Daniel Rubin, associate professor of anesthesia and critical care at the university, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “Older adults who walk more briskly tend to live longer.”
The study involved 102 participants from 14 retirement communities, implementing a structured walking program over four months.
During this period, 56 participants maintained a normal walking pace while the remaining 46 were encouraged to walk quickly yet safely.
At the conclusion of the program, each participant’s walking speed was assessed during a 6-minute walk.
While all participants reaped benefits from the walking program, those who managed around 100 steps per minute showed the most significant improvement in their frailty levels from the start to the end of the study.
Researchers had long recognized that walking speed correlates with the health of older adults, but previous recommendations on how to enhance pace were often subjective and challenging to quantify.
Traditionally, older adults were advised to walk at a pace where talking was easy but singing was difficult.
Frail adults are at increased risk of falls, hospitalization, and loss of independence. Warning signs include weakness, unintentional weight loss, and fatigue. Image Credit: Getty.
“We can offer the elderly straightforward and targeted advice like, ‘Try to walk five steps per minute faster than your normal pace.’
Healthcare providers and researchers can use wearable technology, such as accelerometers, to track walking speed. Rubin and his team are currently developing an app for individuals to measure their speed at home.
In the meantime, Rubin suggests utilizing a metronome to establish a baseline walking pace, syncing steps with the metronome’s beat.
“Once a comfortable pace is established, you can gradually add 5-10 steps per minute to enhance your cadence,” he noted. “The target is to aim for an increase of 10-15 steps per minute, which is acceptable.”
Nonetheless, Rubin emphasizes that seniors must walk safely and monitor for any symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
“Our hope is that older adults will find this a practical strategy for guiding walking intensity, enabling them to live longer and continue engaging in activities they enjoy,” he added.
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About our experts
Dr. Daniel Rubin is a physician at the University of Chicago and an assistant professor of anesthesia and critical care. His interest in gait studies stems from his clinical experience with elderly patients preparing for surgery.
Engaging in regular and extended bouts of walking can help shield you from abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, heart diseases, and strokes.
Recent research published in Heart, a publication owned by the British Medical Journal, supports this notion. According to the study, adults who maintained a brisk walking pace of over four miles per hour (mph) were 43% less likely to develop heart rhythm abnormalities over a 13-year period.
For many people, a pace of 3.5 mph is typical, so walking at 4 mph may feel more energetic. It’s a deliberate pace that slightly elevates your heart rate and breathing, but still allows for conversation.
“Individuals who perceived their normal walking pace as average (3-4 mph) or active (>4 mph) experienced a reduced risk of heart rhythm abnormalities,” stated Professor Jill Perl, the Henry Mechanic Professor of Public Health at the University of Glasgow and senior author of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
Furthermore, even minor lifestyle changes, such as walking at an average pace for at least five minutes daily, were shown to yield significant benefits according to the study’s findings.
Most of us walk at speeds of 3.5 mph or 130 bpm. This is about the pace of the song that got me hooked on the senses of BJ Thomas. – Credit: Solstock via Getty
The study included data from 420,925 participants from the UK Biobank, of which 81,956 individuals tracked their walking habits using activity monitors.
After 13 years, approximately 9% of participants developed heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.
Individuals who spent more time walking at an average or active pace were found to have lower odds of developing these abnormalities compared to those with less walking activity.
It was estimated that around 36% of the benefits associated with brisk walking and heart health could be attributed to its positive impact on risk factors for heart disease.
“Brisk walking can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation in the body,” explained Professor Perl.
While the study had limitations, including its reliance on self-reported data and a predominantly white participant pool, the results emphasize the potential benefits of incorporating regular brisk walking into one’s routine.
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About Our Experts:
Professor Jill Perl holds the Henry Mechanic Chair in Public Health at the University of Glasgow. She also serves as an honorary public health consultant for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Commission. Prior to her current role, Professor Perl was a professor of epidemiology at the British Heart Foundation’s Centre for Cardiovascular Research in Glasgow. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the European Society of Cardiology.
Pelvic width can affect the risk of birth complications and back pain
Cavan Images/Getty Images
According to the largest research of this kind, a person’s waist width appears to be the result of a complex trade-off between larger brain evolution and upright walking.
“If the brain is growing bigger and bigger over the same evolutionary time as the pelvis is narrowing, this of course leads to conflict.” Vagheesh Narasimhan At the University of Texas at Austin.
This idea, first proposed in the 1960s, is known as the obstetric dilemma. Recently, it has been suggested that the risk of pelvic floor conditions is also considered. The pelvic floor is the layer of muscle that keeps organs in place. If it becomes weak or tear, it can lead to incontinence and problems during childbirth.
“The obstetrics dilemma has been very heated and debated,” says Narasinghan. For example, there have been many previous studies that attempt to relate pelvic structures to walking speed and efficiency, but these studies usually involve a small number of people and produce conflicting results.
Now, Narasinghan and his colleagues are looking at 31,000 men and women using data from the UK biobank. The team measured various aspects of the pelvis based on the type of scan called dual energy x-ray absorption measurements and looked for correlations with genetic variation and aspects of people’s health, including the need for emergency Caisalians.
Results show that wider pelvis reduces the risk of birth complications, but slower walking and higher risk of pelvic floor-related conditions, leading to hip osteoarthritis. On the other hand, narrower pelvis can speed up walking, but increases the risk of birth complications, lower back pain and knee osteoarthritis.
Previously, it has been suggested that there is a link between narrow-back births and reducing the risk of prenatal births, but the team found no association between pelvic width and pregnancy length. “This is consistent with other studies showing that no human children are born. [relatively] Faser than other apes,” says Narasinghan.
The team observed a link between pelvic width at birth and baby’s head size. “Individuals who may give birth to a wider head child often have a wider pelvis,” says Narasinghan. “It happens because of natural selection, which is a continuous selection of this correlated individual.” According to a 2016 survey, this selection may have ended for the C section.
Another finding is that most people have slightly asymmetric pelvises that correlate with their dominant hand. Being left or right-handed usually determines which legs dominate. This affects walking and pelvic development, which can lead to slight asymmetry as we grow, says Narasinghan.
“This is an extraordinary contribution to fundamental aspects of human evolutionary biology.” Scott Simpson Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “By integrating anatomical, genetic, clinical and behavioral data, the authors provided important insights into this unique human adaptation.”
“It’s good to be able to take advantage of large datasets.” Nicole Webb At the University of Zurich in Switzerland, the chimpanzee birth canal was far larger than the people’s birth canal. Webb points out that all people in the dataset are older than 40 years old and are from the UK. “If this work is done in a young, diverse group, the results can be even more impressive,” she says.
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that makes it difficult for people to regulate their voluntary movements. Parkinson's disease affects about 500,000 Americans and causes symptoms such as stiffness, slowness of movement, and a hunched back. For this reason, the way the patient walks; How to walkis one of the main ways doctors determine the quality of life of Parkinson's disease patients. Doctors have developed a variety of treatments for Parkinson's disease, but few have been able to help patients walk.
Scientists have discovered that walking problems in Parkinson's disease patients are related to brain overactivity. This hyperactivity is caused by brain wave patterns. beta bandIt is located in a specific area of the brain that regulates movement, known as the . subthalamic nucleusor STN. Researchers have developed treatments that modulate STN activity, but it is not known whether changing the associated brain wave patterns can help patients walk more easily.
Previous researchers have shown that electrical stimulation of a patient's skin in different areas can stimulate nerves that regulate muscle tone and other bodily functions. vagus nerve. Scientists in Italy and the United Kingdom recently discovered that a form of electrical stimulation Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation taVNS may help people with Parkinson's disease walk.
To perform taVNS, researchers placed electrodes in the outer ears of Parkinson's disease patients to stimulate the vagus nerve. Scientists had two main questions. Does taVNS reduce STN beta-band wave activity, and does this reduction in activity allow Parkinson's disease patients to walk more easily?
Researchers enrolled 10 people with Parkinson's disease in the study. Each patient was treated with a different type of electrical stimulation to the STN. They asked participants to stop taking traditional Parkinson's medications the night before the taVNS test and turned off electrical stimulation an hour before the test.
During the taVNS test, scientists applied two types of stimulation to each patient. One stimulated the vagus nerve through the ear, and the other stimulated another area that did not affect the brain. imitative stimulus. They ran each type of simulation on the patient four times for two minutes, with one minute in between.
The researchers also measured the patients' involuntary side-to-side movements while walking. swaythe time it took to change direction mid-test, or Rotation timemeasure the total number of steps, step length variability, total walking time, and walking speed, and compare the effects of real and imitation treatments on patients. Finally, each patient's quality of life was physically assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III.
The scientists found that during taVNS, patients' STN beta-band waves were 7% weaker on the right side than during mimic stimulation. They also found that taVNS improved patients' step length variability, total walking time, and walking speed. The researchers also used statistical tests to show that participants with less active STN beta-band brainwave patterns walked faster. However, there was no significant improvement in patients' quality of life based on rating scale scores.
The researchers concluded that taVNS could help Parkinson's patients walk faster, perhaps by altering brain waves in the STN beta band. They also pointed out that taVNS is a non-invasive treatment, meaning it does not require surgery or implantation into the body, and is much more affordable than invasive treatments. The scientists acknowledged that their study was small, and future researchers will look to do more research to further understand how STN beta-band waves are related to gait in Parkinson's disease. He emphasized the need to conduct trials in large patient groups.
A team of researchers at Cornell University has created a new class of magnetically controlled microscopic robots (microbots) that operate at the diffraction limit of visible light. These microbots, called diffractive robots, can interact with visible light waves and yet move independently, allowing them to move to specific locations, take images, and measure forces at the scale of the body’s smallest structures. You can.
Diffractive robotics connects untethered robots with imaging techniques that rely on visible light diffraction (the bending of light waves as they pass through an aperture or around something).
Imaging techniques require an aperture with a size comparable to the wavelength of light.
For the optics to work, the robot must be at that scale, and for the robot to reach the target it is imaging, it must be able to move on its own.
The robot is controlled by a magnet that performs a pinching motion, allowing it to move inchworm-like across solid surfaces. The same motion can also be used to “swim” through a fluid.
The combination of maneuverability, flexibility, and sub-diffractive optical technology represents a major advance in the field of robotics.
“A walking robot that is small enough to interact with light and effectively shape it would place a microscope lens directly into the microworld,” said Paul McEwen, a professor at Cornell University.
“We can perform close-up imaging in a way that would never be possible with a regular microscope.”
“These robots are 2 to 5 microns in size. They're tiny. And by controlling the magnetic fields that drive their movement, we can make them do whatever we want them to do.”
“I'm really excited about the fusion of microrobotics and micro-optics,” said Dr. Francesco Monticone of Cornell University.
“The miniaturization of robotics has finally reached a stage where these actuated mechanical systems can interact with and actively shape light on the scale of just a few wavelengths (one millionth of a meter). I did.”
To magnetically drive a robot at this scale, the research team used hundreds of nanometer-scale magnets with two different shapes, long and thin or short and stubby, with the same volume of material to drive the robot. I made it into a pattern.
Professor Itai Cohen of Cornell University says, “Long, thin objects require a larger magnetic field to switch from pointing in one direction to pointing in another direction, whereas short, stubby objects require a larger magnetic field to switch from pointing in one direction to pointing in another direction.'' “Things require smaller magnetic fields.”
“So if you apply a large magnetic field, you can align them all, but if you apply a smaller field, only the short and thick ones will flip.”
To create the robot, the authors combined this principle with a very thin film.
“One of the main challenges for optical engineering was to find the best approach for the three tasks (light conditioning, focusing, and super-resolution imaging) for this particular platform, because “different approaches “There are different performance trade-offs depending on how the microrobots behave,” said Dr. Monticone. “They can move and change shape.”
“There are advantages to being able to mechanically move the diffractive elements to enhance imaging,” Professor Cohen says.
The robot itself can be used as a diffractive grader or a diffractive lens can be added. In this way, the robot can act as a local extension of the microscope lens looking down from above.
The robot measures force using the same magnet-driven pinching motions used to push structures while walking.
“These robots are very compliant springs, so if something pushes on them, it can squeeze them,” Professor Cohen said.
“That changes the diffraction pattern and allows us to measure it very well.”
Force measurements and optical capabilities can be applied to basic research such as exploring the structure of DNA. Or it may be introduced into clinical practice.
“Looking to the future, we can imagine swarms of diffractive microbots walking along the surface of samples to perform super-resolution microscopy and other sensing tasks,” Professor Monticone said.
“I think we have just scratched the surface of what is possible with this new paradigm of combining robotics and optics at the microscale.”
Dealing with back pain can make daily activities uncomfortable, and finding relief can be a challenge. However, researchers suggest a simple solution that could help alleviate back pain and extend the time between episodes.
According to studies, over 600 million people worldwide experience back pain, with 7 out of 10 individuals facing a relapse within a year after initial recovery. Back pain is considered a major cause of disability globally. A study conducted by the Spine Pain Research Group at Macquarie University in Australia revealed that regular walking could be beneficial in treating back pain. This approach may be more practical than other recommended exercises, which could be costly or require supervision.
A recent study published in the Lancet journal involved 701 adults who had recovered from low back pain lasting at least 24 hours. Participants were divided into three groups: a personalized walking program, sessions with a physical therapist, or a control group receiving no treatment. The researchers monitored the participants for one to three years and found that those in the walking program experienced less activity-limiting back pain and reduced the need for medical assistance and time off work by half.
Moreover, the time between back pain incidents nearly doubled for those in the walking program. Dr. Mark Hancock, the senior author of the study, emphasized that walking is a cost-effective and accessible form of exercise that can benefit individuals of all backgrounds.
While some experts believe that walking can be beneficial for back pain, others argue that the study results may not provide conclusive evidence. Dr. Franziska Denk from King’s College London acknowledges the benefits of low-intensity exercise but highlights the importance of gradually incorporating physical activity to manage back pain.
Overall, walking is seen as a potentially helpful method for addressing back pain, but individuals should approach it with caution and patience to see long-term improvements.
Back pain is a common discomfort that can be difficult to shake once it sets in. Researchers suggest a simple way to make back pain more manageable and potentially extend the time between episodes.
Over 600 million people worldwide suffer from back pain, with studies showing that 7 out of 10 individuals experience a relapse within a year after recovery. This makes back pain a major cause of disability globally (source).
The Spine Pain Research Group at Macquarie University in Australia conducted a study indicating that regular walking can help treat back pain. They suggest that some current exercise recommendations may not be suitable or practical due to cost or supervision requirements (source).
A recent study published in the journal Lancet focused on 701 adults who had recovered from low back pain lasting at least 24 hours. Participants were assigned to a personalized walking program, physical therapy sessions, or a control group with no treatment (Dr. Mark Hancock).
The researchers observed that the walkers experienced less back pain, reduced the need for medical assistance, and halved their sick leave. The time between episodes nearly doubled from 112 days to 208 days.
Dr. Hancock believes walking’s benefits come from gentle motion and muscle strengthening, as well as stress-relieving effects. While some experts agree that low-intensity exercise like walking can help with back pain, others suggest the study’s findings may not be groundbreaking.
In conclusion, while walking may not be a quick fix for back pain, it is a recommended low-intensity exercise that can provide relief over time. It’s important to keep moving and gradually improve rather than sitting still and doing nothing.
Pocobi and her colleagues wanted to find an affordable, relatively accessible way to prevent pain recurrence, so they designed “Walk-Back,” the first controlled trial of its kind.
The researchers selected 701 people aged between 20 and 82 years old living across Australia who had experienced and recovered from back pain in the previous six months, without any specific diagnosis such as fracture or infection.
On average, participants experienced 33 episodes of back pain each that interfered with their daily activities and lasted at least 24 hours. None of the participants went for recreational walks or participated in any kind of exercise program to manage their pain.
The scientists asked 351 participants to create an individualized walking program with the help of a physical therapist, with the goal of gradually increasing their walking to 30 minutes a day, five days a week, within six months. The program was unique to each participant to ensure they could stick to it, Pocovy said. After 12 weeks, participants were walking an average of 130 minutes a week.
Pocoví said her intention was to also inform people about the latest scientific knowledge about back pain and reassure them that moving with the supervision of a physical therapist is safe. “A history of back pain can lead many people to avoid or fear moving,” she said.
The remaining 350 volunteers received no such education or walking program recommendations. Pocobi and her team followed all of the participants for up to three years. Regardless of which group they were in, participants were free to receive additional treatment for their pain.
On average, subjects in the treatment group experienced their first recurrence of activity-limiting back pain 208 days after starting the study, compared with 112 days in the control group.
Additionally, half of the control group sought other interventions, such as massage or chiropractic care, compared with only 36% of those who participated in the walking and education program, but the latter group was more likely to experience minor exercise-related complications, such as sprains.
“I think this is probably a useful tool that clinicians can use and patients can use when they go to the clinician,” Pocoví says.
Walking 9,000 to 10,000 steps a day appears to protect against early death and heart-related events
Pippa Samaya/Getty Images/Cavan Images
Walking 9,000 to 10,000 steps a day appears to reduce the risk of early death and heart-related events, adding legitimacy to an idea that has been criticized as unscientific.
The exact origins of the popular belief that people should aim for 10,000 steps a day are unknown, but it is believed to be related to a marketing campaign promoting pedometers in Japan.
Now, research by Matthew Ahmadi Professors at the University of Sydney in Australia suggest that this number may have some value.
The researchers analyzed more than 72,000 participants in the UK Biobank study, with an average age of 61, who wore movement-tracking accelerometers on their wrists for a week. “We were able to quantify the number of steps we took each day,” Ahmadi says.
Participants were then followed for an average of just under seven years, during which time there were 1,633 deaths and 6,190 heart disease-related events. The researchers found that the optimal number of steps per day is 9,000, after adjusting for other factors that may influence the risk of illness and death during that period, such as diet quality, smoking status, and other physical activity. I calculated it to be ~10,000 steps, after which the benefits begin to gradually decrease.
Doing so was found to reduce the risk of death by 39% and risk of heart-related events by 21% during the follow-up period.
“This paper will help the field take a major step forward in refining the science behind physical activity and sedentary time guidelines. Pardon the pun,” he says. Dale Esliger At Loughborough University, UK. “It seems to support the idea that the 10,000 step goal, which is not evidence-based to begin with, may indeed be about right.”
However, on the other hand nicolas berger Researchers at Britain’s Teesside University said the study was “very well designed” using “rigorous methodology and statistical analysis”, but Esliger said the wrist-worn acceleration It says that the meter is not always the best indicator of step count.
The researchers also didn’t take into account the number of steps taken per minute. “Probably about 6,000 steps performed at a higher cadence may be just as protective of your health as 10,000 steps at a slower pace,” Esliger says.
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