Scientists have made a significant but sweet discovery in which they found that dogs experience “emotional contagion” after smelling human stress.

Because of this, the dogs tend to make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, as per the scientists.

The study, which was carried out by the University of Bristol, is the first one in which it tested how odours of human stress affect the learning and emotional state of the dogs.&nbsp;

In the earlier evidence, it was found that the smell of a stressed person is affecting subconsciously the choices and emotions of those who are nearby that human.&nbsp;

Bristol Veterinary School's researchers wanted to study if such experiences are also changing the learning and emotional state of the dogs and how they are reacting to relaxation odours or human stress.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/brains-of-humans-go-through-significant-change-after-death-study-737176">Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study</a>

A test of ‘optimism’ or ‘pessimism’ was carried out by the team in animals on the basis of findings which stated that &nbsp;‘optimistic’ or ‘pessimistic’ choices by people indicate negative or positive emotions.&nbsp;

<h2>How the study was carried out?</h2>

Around 18 dog-owner partnerships were recruited by the researchers to participate in a series of trials with various human smells present.&nbsp;

The dogs who participated in the test were between the age&nbsp;group of eight months to 10 years. The dogs were two Springer spaniels; two Cocker spaniels; two Labrador Retrievers; two Braque d’Auvergne; a Whippet; a Golden Retriever; a Miniature Poodle and seven mixed breed dogs.&nbsp;

In the trials, the dogs received training by placing a food bowl in one location where it had a treat and then placing an empty bowl in another location.&nbsp;

After the dog found out the difference between the bowl locations they were fast in approaching the bowl which had a treat. &nbsp;

The researchers then checked how quickly the dog approached the new and ambiguous bowl locations which were placed between the original two.

Watch:&nbsp;Study reveals lung cancer hit non-smoker Indian earlier than westerners

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-reveals-lung-cancer-hit-non-smoker-indian-earlier-than-westerners-740591/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It was found that a quick approach showed the dogs' ‘optimism’ regarding food which was present in the ambiguous locations and a slow approach hinted at ‘pessimism’ and negative emotion.&nbsp;

They carried out trials in which every dog was exposed to odours of sweat and breath samples or no odour from humans in either a stressed and arithmetic test or relaxed states.&nbsp;

Researchers discovered that dogs became slower to approach the ambiguous bowl location because of the stress smell, which was not the case with the relaxed smell.&nbsp;

The findings, which were published in the journal Scientific Reports, stated that the stress smell is likely to have made the dogs believe that there is no food in the new location.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have made a significant but sweet discovery in which they found that dogs experience “emotional contagion” after smelling human stress. Because of this, the dogs tend to make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, as per the scientists.

Scientists have made a significant but sweet discovery in which they found that dogs experience “emotional contagion” after smelling human stress. Because of this, the dogs tend to make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, as per the scientists. The study, which was carried out by the University of Bristol, is the first one in which it tested how odours of human stress affect the learning and emotional state of the dogs. In the earlier evidence, it was found that the smell of a stressed person is affecting subconsciously the choices and emotions of those who are nearby that human. Bristol Veterinary School's researchers wanted to study if such experiences are also changing the learning and emotional state of the dogs and how they are reacting to relaxation odours or human stress. Also Read: Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study A test of ‘optimism’ or ‘pessimism’ was carried out by the team in animals on the basis of findings which stated that ‘optimistic’ or ‘pessimistic’ choices by people indicate negative or positive emotions. How the study was carried out? Around 18 dog-owner partnerships were recruited by the researchers to participate in a series of trials with various human smells present. The dogs who participated in the test were between the age group of eight months to 10 years. The dogs were two Springer spaniels; two Cocker spaniels; two Labrador Retrievers; two Braque d’Auvergne; a Whippet; a Golden Retriever; a Miniature Poodle and seven mixed breed dogs. In the trials, the dogs received training by placing a food bowl in one location where it had a treat and then placing an empty bowl in another location. After the dog found out the difference between the bowl locations they were fast in approaching the bowl which had a treat. The researchers then checked how quickly the dog approached the new and ambiguous bowl locations which were placed between the original two. Watch: Study reveals lung cancer hit non-smoker Indian earlier than westerners It was found that a quick approach showed the dogs' ‘optimism’ regarding food which was present in the ambiguous locations and a slow approach hinted at ‘pessimism’ and negative emotion. They carried out trials in which every dog was exposed to odours of sweat and breath samples or no odour from humans in either a stressed and arithmetic test or relaxed states. Researchers discovered that dogs became slower to approach the ambiguous bowl location because of the stress smell, which was not the case with the relaxed smell. The findings, which were published in the journal Scientific Reports, stated that the stress smell is likely to have made the dogs believe that there is no food in the new location. (With inputs from agencies)

Dogs are altering their behaviour after smelling stress in humans: Study

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation.

The new study was published in&nbsp;Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution. The living beings are said to have come from a single common ancestor known as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), according to the scientists.

LUCA is a hypothesised common ancestor from which it is believed all modern cellular life has descended.

The living beings that evolved from LUCA also came from different sources: the amino acids which had built proteins in other cellular organisms, cellular machinery like the ribosome and others, and the shared energy currency.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-groundwater-to-turn-undrinkable-for-half-a-billion-people-by-2100-study-740031">Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study</a>

The team compared all the genes in the genomes of living species, counting the mutations that have occurred within their sequences over time since they shared an ancestor in LUCA.

Some species' time of separation was understood from the fossil record and a genetic equivalent of the familiar equation was used by the team to understand when LUCA existed, which was found to be 4.2 billion years ago - nearly four hundred million years after the Earth and our solar system was formed.

<h2>LUCA was a complex organism, exploiting its environment: Scientists&nbsp;</h2>

The study's co-author Dr Sandra Álvarez-Carretero said, "We did not expect LUCA to be so old, within just hundreds of millions of years of Earth formation. However, our results fit with modern views on the habitability of early Earth."

The researchers also worked on LUCA's biology by modelling the physiological characteristics of living species with the genealogy of LUCA's life.

Explaining the process, lead author Dr Edmund Moody said, "The evolutionary history of genes is complicated by their exchange between lineages. We have to use complex evolutionary models to reconcile the evolutionary history of genes with the genealogy of species."

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-say-the-earths-core-is-behaving-oddly-heres-why-739062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Our study showed that LUCA was a complex organism, not too different from modern prokaryotes, but what is really interesting is that it's clear it possessed an early immune system, showing that even by 4.2 billion years ago, our ancestor was engaging in an arms race with viruses," said co-author Professor Davide Pisani, while speaking about the features of LUCA.

Taking this discussion further, co-author Tim Lenton said, "It's clear that LUCA was exploiting and changing its environment, but it is unlikely to have lived alone. Its waste would have been food for other microbes, like methanogens, that would have helped to create a recycling ecosystem."

(With inputs from agencies)

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation.

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation. The new study was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The living beings are said to have come from a single common ancestor known as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), according to the scientists. LUCA is a hypothesised common ancestor from which it is believed all modern cellular life has descended. The living beings that evolved from LUCA also came from different sources: the amino acids which had built proteins in other cellular organisms, cellular machinery like the ribosome and others, and the shared energy currency. Also Read: Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study The team compared all the genes in the genomes of living species, counting the mutations that have occurred within their sequences over time since they shared an ancestor in LUCA. Some species' time of separation was understood from the fossil record and a genetic equivalent of the familiar equation was used by the team to understand when LUCA existed, which was found to be 4.2 billion years ago - nearly four hundred million years after the Earth and our solar system was formed. LUCA was a complex organism, exploiting its environment: Scientists The study's co-author Dr Sandra Álvarez-Carretero said, "We did not expect LUCA to be so old, within just hundreds of millions of years of Earth formation. However, our results fit with modern views on the habitability of early Earth." The researchers also worked on LUCA's biology by modelling the physiological characteristics of living species with the genealogy of LUCA's life. Explaining the process, lead author Dr Edmund Moody said, "The evolutionary history of genes is complicated by their exchange between lineages. We have to use complex evolutionary models to reconcile the evolutionary history of genes with the genealogy of species." Watch: Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why "Our study showed that LUCA was a complex organism, not too different from modern prokaryotes, but what is really interesting is that it's clear it possessed an early immune system, showing that even by 4.2 billion years ago, our ancestor was engaging in an arms race with viruses," said co-author Professor Davide Pisani, while speaking about the features of LUCA. Taking this discussion further, co-author Tim Lenton said, "It's clear that LUCA was exploiting and changing its environment, but it is unlikely to have lived alone. Its waste would have been food for other microbes, like methanogens, that would have helped to create a recycling ecosystem." (With inputs from agencies)

Earth was barren till life came into existence 4.2 billion years ago: Study

In a new study, it has been found how inconvenient is death as an event for a living brain.&nbsp;

A cascade of effects has been observed as oxygen starts depleting and translating the DNA in its last efforts to save the life.

The scientists have compared the post-mortem brain tissue and samples collected from living patients in which significant differences were revealed for the first time in the way the RNA strands are modified.

The researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York emphasised the way specific base codes of adenosine (A) are swapped with very different bases, which is inosine (I) in messenger RNA.

"Until now, the investigation of&nbsp;A-to-I editing&nbsp;and its biological significance in the mammalian brain has been restricted to the analysis of postmortem tissues,"&nbsp;genomicist Michael Breen said while speaking to Science Alert.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gene-therapy-gives-life-to-child-with-rare-genetic-disorder-in-major-medical-breakthrough-736482">Gene therapy gives life to child with rare genetic disorder in major medical breakthrough</a>

"By using fresh samples from living individuals, we were able to uncover significant differences in RNA editing activity that previous studies, relying only on postmortem samples, may have overlooked," he added.

For changing the genes - which were encoded by double-stranded helixes of DNA - to functional proteins, their sequences need to be copied into different formats based instead on RNA.&nbsp;

Other RNA structures, which have amino acid building blocks, can translate these 'messengers' into proteins.

This intermediary transcription and translation service has been part of billions of years of evolution and has added a whole new library of proteins.

<h2>Some species rewriting own genetic instructions of their brains</h2>

Some species, like the types of cephalopod, have taken RNA editing to a different level by rewriting their own genetic instructions of their brain.

However, the samples collected and analysed suffer a major drawback.

Watch:&nbsp;Chinese scientists identify gene that may protect against obesity

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-scientists-identify-gene-that-may-protect-against-obesity-734665/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We hypothesised that molecular responses to postmortem-induced hypoxic and immune responses can significantly alter the landscape of A-to-I editing,"&nbsp;said the lead author of the study Miguel Rodríguez de los Santos, who is a molecular biologist at Mount Sinai.

"This can lead to misunderstandings about RNA editing in the brain if we only study postmortem tissues," he said while speaking about the drawbacks.

"It is critical to note that our findings do not negate but instead provide missing context for using postmortem brain tissues in researching A-to-I regulation,"&nbsp;said co-senior author Alexander Charney, who is a physician-scientist at Mount Sinai.

"Understanding these differences helps improve our knowledge of brain function and disease through the lens of RNA editing modifications, which can potentially lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, it has been found how inconvenient is death as an event for a living brain. A cascade of effects has been observed as oxygen starts depleting and translating the DNA in its last efforts to save the life.

In a new study, it has been found how inconvenient is death as an event for a living brain. A cascade of effects has been observed as oxygen starts depleting and translating the DNA in its last efforts to save the life. The scientists have compared the post-mortem brain tissue and samples collected from living patients in which significant differences were revealed for the first time in the way the RNA strands are modified. The researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York emphasised the way specific base codes of adenosine (A) are swapped with very different bases, which is inosine (I) in messenger RNA. "Until now, the investigation of A-to-I editing and its biological significance in the mammalian brain has been restricted to the analysis of postmortem tissues," genomicist Michael Breen said while speaking to Science Alert. Also Read: Gene therapy gives life to child with rare genetic disorder in major medical breakthrough "By using fresh samples from living individuals, we were able to uncover significant differences in RNA editing activity that previous studies, relying only on postmortem samples, may have overlooked," he added. For changing the genes - which were encoded by double-stranded helixes of DNA - to functional proteins, their sequences need to be copied into different formats based instead on RNA. Other RNA structures, which have amino acid building blocks, can translate these 'messengers' into proteins. This intermediary transcription and translation service has been part of billions of years of evolution and has added a whole new library of proteins. Some species rewriting own genetic instructions of their brains Some species, like the types of cephalopod, have taken RNA editing to a different level by rewriting their own genetic instructions of their brain. However, the samples collected and analysed suffer a major drawback. Watch: Chinese scientists identify gene that may protect against obesity "We hypothesised that molecular responses to postmortem-induced hypoxic and immune responses can significantly alter the landscape of A-to-I editing," said the lead author of the study Miguel Rodríguez de los Santos, who is a molecular biologist at Mount Sinai. "This can lead to misunderstandings about RNA editing in the brain if we only study postmortem tissues," he said while speaking about the drawbacks. "It is critical to note that our findings do not negate but instead provide missing context for using postmortem brain tissues in researching A-to-I regulation," said co-senior author Alexander Charney, who is a physician-scientist at Mount Sinai. "Understanding these differences helps improve our knowledge of brain function and disease through the lens of RNA editing modifications, which can potentially lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study

It is often assumed that the inner voice is a universal human experience but what if we tell you that it actually isn't. Inner voice is not as common as one would expect. Watch the video to know more.

Inner voice: Does it make a difference?

A new study has found that humans started making deadly and complex hunting wood weapons 300,000 years ago. Earlier, archaeologists had suspected that humans used wooden tools till the time they were also hunting with stone ones.

A new study has found that humans started making deadly and complex hunting wood weapons 300,000 years ago. Earlier, archaeologists had suspected that humans used wooden tools till the time they were also hunting with stone ones. However, now because of the more fragile nature of wood, major evidence has rotted away. Archeologist Dirk Leder, who is from the Lower Saxony State Office for Cultural Heritage, along with colleagues used 3D microscopy and micro-CT scanners to examine 187 wooden artefacts which were discovered from Schoningen in Germany. "Wood was a crucial raw material for human evolution, but it is only in Schöningen that it has survived from the Paleolithic period in such great quality," University of Gottingen archaeologist Thomas Terberger said while speaking to Science Alert. Also Read: Archaeologists uncover Alexander the Great’s bathroom in Greece In the middle of these multiple wooden artefacts, the largest one found belonged to the Pleistocene epoch (2.58 million to 11,700 years ago). The archaeologists found at least seven throwing sticks, 10 spears, and 35 domestic tools. The tools, which included spruce, pine, and larch, were all carved from wood and they were both hard and flexible. In the tools, there was clear proof of a splitting technique, along with signs of abrasion, scraping and carving. "The way the wooden tools were so expertly manufactured was a revelation to us," explained Annemieke Milks, University of Reading palaeolithic archaeologist. Archaeologists find evidence of butchered animals, recycling The archaeologists also discovered evidence of nearly 25 butchered animals, which were mainly horses, from the same site at Schoningen. Speaking to The New York Times, Terberger said, "It turned out that these pre-Homo sapiens had fashioned tools and weapons to hunt big game. Not only did they communicate together to topple prey, but they were sophisticated enough to organise the butchering and roasting." The researchers further argued that such powerful hunting abilities appear much older than the wood artefacts discovered in Schöningen. Watch: Five bodies unearthed at former Nazi army base "Likewise, (hunting) would have ensured sustainable populations even in less favourable parts of Europe during the Pleistocene and contributed to human range expansion across the globe," wrote Leder and team, in their paper. The researchers also discovered evidence of recycling. It was found that the tools, which were blunted or broken, appeared to be reworked for new purposes. "The study provides unique insights into Pleistocene woodworking techniques," the researchers said. "Schöningen's wooden hunting weapons exemplify the interplay of technological complexity, human behaviour, and human evolution," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans were hunting animals with deadly wooden spears 300,000 years ago: study

Scientists have predicted when humankind will witness the "triple whammy extinction" event that will wipe out humans and what will cause it. Experts have warned humanity for years about the impact of global warming.

Scientists have predicted when humankind will witness the "triple whammy extinction" event that will wipe out humans and what will cause it. Experts have warned humanity for years about the impact of global warming. As the temperatures rise, there's a concern about the world food supply, rising sea levels and regions of Earth becoming too hot to live. According to a study published in Nature Geoscience, led by the University of Bristol, Earth might become a hot, dry and largely uninhabitable supercontinent with all land mass set to merge on one giant plot. Every year, scientific experts update the Doomsday Clock, which shows how close humanity is to a global catastrophe, with the world currently "profoundly unstable." The study used the first-ever supercomputer climate models of the distant future. It showed that the world will have more volcanic eruptions emitting huge plumes of carbon dioxide, increasing the temperature further. Sun might become hotter and brighter in the sky, warming Earth more than ever and bringing the average temperature between 40 and 50 degree Celsius. ALSO READ | First case of Walrus dying from bird flu recorded on Arctic island: Researcher Dr Alexander Farnsworth, the study's lead author and a senior research associate at the University of Bristol, told LadBible, "The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO2 in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet." He continued, "The result is a hostile environment devoid of food and water sources for mammals. Widespread temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high humidity, would ultimately seal our fate. Humans – along with many other species – would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies." According to the study, even if humanity stops using fossil fuels, it would not stop the extinction. Even if humanity survives until the event, there'll be a total wipeout. The only silver lining is that the event is 250 million years away, per the prediction. Dr Eunice Lo, the study's co-author and a research fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol, said, "It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases. While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health. This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists forewarn timing of 'triple whammy extinction' that will eradicate all life from Earth

Utah state wildlife officers have announced that a disease responsible for the recent beaver deaths in the northern part of the US state could affect humans. Since March 23, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has found nine beavers dead in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties.

Utah state wildlife officers have announced that a disease responsible for the recent beaver deaths in the northern part of the US state could affect humans. Since March 23, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has found nine beavers dead in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties. The Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter staff discovered the initial five deceased beavers between March 23 and April 2. The beavers lived together in a lodge at the preserve and were all found in the same area. Tests on three revealed that they had tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, hare plague and deer fly fever. Bacteria transmitted by tick and deer fly bites can cause the disease. It can also spread through direct contact with an infected animal's blood or tissue, drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked meat from an infected animal. ALSO READ | Pluto has heart-shaped feature on its surface, and scientists now know how Tularemia is not only a threat to beavers, rabbits and rodents. The disease can also reach humans, usually via bug bite. The DWR reported, "The disease can be life-threatening for people if not treated quickly." However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most infections are treatable with antibiotics. “The bacteria that causes this infection is known to be in the environment in many parts of Utah; however, it is unusual to see this many animals die from it at once,” DWR veterinarian Ginger Stout said in the release. “There is a concern about the possibility of tick-borne or fly-borne diseases, so it’s advised to take the necessary precautions by wearing protective clothing, using appropriate insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being in brushy areas,” Stout added. Individuals who come across deceased rabbits, beavers, or other rodents should avoid the carcasses and report them to the nearest DWR office, according to officials. The symptoms of tularemia might vary from person to person. They may include ulcers on the skin where the bite occurred, swollen glands in the armpit, groin coughing, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Before this, the most recent wildlife death from tularemia was confirmed when a rabbit died in 2017. To keep yourself safe, wear a bug repellant, long sleeves and pants to avoid bites, and check for ticks after visiting bushy areas, DWR officers advised. (With inputs from agencies)

Disease killing beavers in Utah can also be contracted by humans, officials warn

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways.

The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour.

The investigation was carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the United States.&nbsp;

They looked into the fact that there were significant changes in the personality of a patient after an organ transplant.&nbsp;

The researchers also observed the types of changes recipients of heart transplants went through and if they were different from recipients of other organs.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-200-women-and-several-men-allege-doctor-of-sexual-abuse-unnecessary-examinations-in-lawsuit-709484">Over 200 women, several men accuse doctor in Boston of sexual abuse, unnecessary examinations in lawsuit</a>

<h2>How was the study&nbsp;carried out and what was found?</h2>

The study was carried out with 47 participants who filled out an online survey. Among the 47 people, 23 were heart recipients and 24 others were organ recipients.&nbsp;

In the study,&nbsp;89 per cent of all transplant recipients said that they went through personality changes after their transplant surgery.&nbsp;

They reported changes in preferences for food, music, art, professional pursuits, intimacy and leisure activities. Some people also wrote about experiencing “new” memories, enhanced cognitive capabilities, heightened social and sexual adaptability and more inclination towards spiritual or religious events.

These were the types of changes which were described as either neutral or beneficial, however, there were also reports of distressing changes like anxiety, delirium, depression, sexual dysfunction and psychosis.

Watch:&nbsp;South Korean President Yoon calls doctors for constructive dialogue

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korean-president-yoon-calls-doctors-for-constructive-dialogue-706596/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Many recipients also shared having “memories” which were not related to their personal experiences. Such memories generally involve sensory perceptions which were apparently related to their organ donor.

An example was highlighted by the paper: “A 56-year-old college professor received the heart of a 34-year-old police officer who tragically lost his life after he was fatally shot in the face."

“Following the transplant, the recipient reported a peculiar experience, stating, ‘A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face, and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns'," the paper read.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways. The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour.

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways. The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour. The investigation was carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the United States. They looked into the fact that there were significant changes in the personality of a patient after an organ transplant. The researchers also observed the types of changes recipients of heart transplants went through and if they were different from recipients of other organs. Also Read: Over 200 women, several men accuse doctor in Boston of sexual abuse, unnecessary examinations in lawsuit How was the study carried out and what was found? The study was carried out with 47 participants who filled out an online survey. Among the 47 people, 23 were heart recipients and 24 others were organ recipients. In the study, 89 per cent of all transplant recipients said that they went through personality changes after their transplant surgery. They reported changes in preferences for food, music, art, professional pursuits, intimacy and leisure activities. Some people also wrote about experiencing “new” memories, enhanced cognitive capabilities, heightened social and sexual adaptability and more inclination towards spiritual or religious events. These were the types of changes which were described as either neutral or beneficial, however, there were also reports of distressing changes like anxiety, delirium, depression, sexual dysfunction and psychosis. Watch: South Korean President Yoon calls doctors for constructive dialogue Many recipients also shared having “memories” which were not related to their personal experiences. Such memories generally involve sensory perceptions which were apparently related to their organ donor. An example was highlighted by the paper: “A 56-year-old college professor received the heart of a 34-year-old police officer who tragically lost his life after he was fatally shot in the face." “Following the transplant, the recipient reported a peculiar experience, stating, ‘A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face, and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns'," the paper read. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans may witness personality change after organ transplant: Study

Pathogens from animals gave some of the deadliest diseases to humankind. For example, the virus that causes AIDS crossed over from chimpanzees. But a new study suggests this exchange has not been a one-way street. Watch this video to find out all details.

Are Humans giving more viruses to animals than they give us?

The icy moon of planet Jupiter, Europa, has been producing 1,000 tonnes of oxygen every 24 hours which is sufficient to keep one million humans breathing, as per the data collected by the Juno spacecraft, which is orbiting the planet.

The new findings, however, have proven that in reality Europa produces less amount of oxygen than was previously believed.

The new study was published in Nature Astronomy with the use of data collected by Juno's Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) instrument which measures the amount of hydrogen that has out gassed the surface of the icy moon.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-is-round-but-jupiter-was-once-most-likely-flat-scientists-690573">Earth is round, but Jupiter was once most likely flat: Scientists</a>

According to the study, every second 12kg of oxygen is being produced at Europa. It was previously estimated to be as much as 1,000kg every second.

<h2>Is Europa's subsurface ocean a habitable place?</h2>

However, according to some planetary scientists, some of the oxygen produced on Jupiter's moon is entering Europa's subsurface ocean and the icy moon has been one of the most suitable places to hunt for habitable conditions beyond Earth in the Solar System.

“Europa is like an ice ball slowly losing its water in a flowing stream. Except, in this case, the stream is a fluid of ionised particles swept around Jupiter by its extraordinary magnetic field. When these ionized particles impact Europa, they break up the water-ice molecule by molecule on the surface to produce hydrogen and oxygen. In a way, the entire ice shell is being continuously eroded by waves of charged particles washing up upon it,” said Jamey Szalay from Princeton University, while speaking to NASA.

Juno spacecraft measured the hydrogen while flying overhead on September 29, 2022. It was 354 kilometres above Europa as JADE started recording data.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Russia's new secret weapon for space war

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-russias-new-secret-weapon-for-space-war-691077/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The spacecraft took measurements of hydrogen and oxygen ions which had been created by bombarding charged particles and then “picked up” by the magnetic field of Jupiter.

“Our ability to fly close to the Galilean satellites during our extended mission allowed us to start tackling a breadth of science, including some unique opportunities to contribute to the investigation of Europa’s habitability. And we’re not done yet. More moon flybys and the first exploration of Jupiter’s close ring and polar atmosphere are yet to come,” said Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The icy moon of planet Jupiter, Europa, has been producing 1,000 tonnes of oxygen every 24 hours which is sufficient to keep one million humans breathing, as per the data collected by the Juno spacecraft, which is orbiting the planet.

The icy moon of planet Jupiter, Europa, has been producing 1,000 tonnes of oxygen every 24 hours which is sufficient to keep one million humans breathing, as per the data collected by the Juno spacecraft, which is orbiting the planet. The new findings, however, have proven that in reality Europa produces less amount of oxygen than was previously believed. The new study was published in Nature Astronomy with the use of data collected by Juno's Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) instrument which measures the amount of hydrogen that has out gassed the surface of the icy moon. Also Read: Earth is round, but Jupiter was once most likely flat: Scientists According to the study, every second 12kg of oxygen is being produced at Europa. It was previously estimated to be as much as 1,000kg every second. Is Europa's subsurface ocean a habitable place? However, according to some planetary scientists, some of the oxygen produced on Jupiter's moon is entering Europa's subsurface ocean and the icy moon has been one of the most suitable places to hunt for habitable conditions beyond Earth in the Solar System. “Europa is like an ice ball slowly losing its water in a flowing stream. Except, in this case, the stream is a fluid of ionised particles swept around Jupiter by its extraordinary magnetic field. When these ionized particles impact Europa, they break up the water-ice molecule by molecule on the surface to produce hydrogen and oxygen. In a way, the entire ice shell is being continuously eroded by waves of charged particles washing up upon it,” said Jamey Szalay from Princeton University, while speaking to NASA. Juno spacecraft measured the hydrogen while flying overhead on September 29, 2022. It was 354 kilometres above Europa as JADE started recording data. Watch: Gravitas: Russia's new secret weapon for space war The spacecraft took measurements of hydrogen and oxygen ions which had been created by bombarding charged particles and then “picked up” by the magnetic field of Jupiter. “Our ability to fly close to the Galilean satellites during our extended mission allowed us to start tackling a breadth of science, including some unique opportunities to contribute to the investigation of Europa’s habitability. And we’re not done yet. More moon flybys and the first exploration of Jupiter’s close ring and polar atmosphere are yet to come,” said Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator. (With inputs from agencies)

Jupiter’s moon Europa produces enough oxygen for one million humans to breathe every day: Study

There was a time when humans had tails, but thanks to evolution, certain changes ensured that the tail vanished. Nearly 25 million years ago, the tails of human beings disappeared.

There was a time when humans had tails, but thanks to evolution, certain changes ensured that the tail vanished. Nearly 25 million years ago, the tails of human beings disappeared. Scientists have now found out what exactly happened that led to this change during the evolution process. The secret behind the disappearance of the tail was discovered by researchers from New York University Langone Health. They identified a single snippet of DNA, which is commonly found in apes and humans but has been missing from monkeys. The new study was published in the prestigious journal Nature. "Our study begins to explain how evolution removed our tails, a question that has intrigued me since I was young," said lead study author Bo Xia. Also Read: A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study The answer is present in the gene TBXT which is present in the tail length in certain animals. As per the study, the gene was not found in humans, not due to mutation but because another genetic code "snippet" known as AluY was randomly inserted inside non-tailed apes and early humans during prehistoric times, as per the study. How the gene affected tail length? The new gene was observed to affect tail lengths. When it was paired with TBXT, the new gene created two types of ribonucleic acid, which are important for cellular structure and led to the disappearance of tails in people and apes. "This finding is remarkable because most human introns carry copies of repetitive, jumping DNAs without any effect on gene expression, but this particular AluY insertion did something as obvious as determine tail length," said Dr Jef Boeke, the Sol and Judith Bergstein Director of the Institute for Systems Genetics, as reported by the New York Post. AluY snippets are also known as "jumping genes" or "mobile elements" since they are able to move around and insert themselves repeatedly and in random order in human code. Watch: Study: Apes like to tease their friends The scientists used mice to test their theory and inserted AluY into 63 of them. It was found by the researchers that the tails of offspring were either completely missing or had shortened. These experiments proved that tail loss may also coincide with an increase in neural tube defects which can cause diseases like spina bifida in people. In this disease, the spine does not properly align with the spinal cord. "Future experiments will test the theory that in an ancient evolutionary trade-off, the loss of a tail in humans contributed to the neural tube birth defects," study author Dr Itai Yanai said. (With inputs from agencies)

Here's why human tails disappeared 25 million years ago

According to a new study, even if an intelligent species exists, the physical constraints which are present on some planets are likely to prevent them from taking any step in space travel.

The research article, which was published in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, looked into the possibility of alien civilisations&nbsp;which may exist in other worlds and the factors that may influence their ability to explore space.

The researchers studied the influence exerted by the escape velocity of the planet permitting a species to launch into space and explore the Solar System.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-made-the-meteor-that-hit-earth-10-years-ago-scientist-claims-687718">Aliens made the 'meteor' that hit Earth 10 years ago, scientist claims</a>

The escape velocity of Earth is 11.2 km/s, which is more than 40,000 kmph and is the speed which a rocket should attain to escape the gravitational pull of our planet.

In recent studies, the super-Earth planets which scientists have identified as potential candidates for hosting alien life, have comparatively higher masses and gravity.

<h2>Aliens likely deal with higher escape velocities</h2>

The planets are likely to have more than 10 Earth masses, which means intelligent alien civilisations living on them are likely to deal with higher escape velocities.

“It could therefore be the case that an intelligent species on these planets would never be able to travel into space due to sheer physical impossibility,” said Elio Quiroga, the study’s author and a professor at the Universidad del Atlántico Medio in Spain, as reported by Science Alert.

In the study, Dr Quiroga calculated the likely escape velocity needed in some of the planets outside the solar system and introduced a measure called the Exoplanet Escape Factor (Fex). The research added that space travel is unlikely on a planet with a Fex value of 2.2.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;NASA Chief says aliens exist | This World

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-chief-says-aliens-exist-this-world-636678/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Values of Fex greater than 2.2 would make space travel unlikely for the exoplanet’s inhabitants,” the study emphasised.

“They would not be able to leave the planet using any conceivable amount of fuel, nor would a viable rocket structure withstand the pressures involved in the process, at least with the materials we know,” wrote Dr Quiroga.

For such aliens, not only leaving super-Earths but re-entry of spacecraft will also pose significant challenges.

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a new study, even if an intelligent species exists, the physical constraints which are present on some planets are likely to prevent them from taking any step in space travel.

According to a new study, even if an intelligent species exists, the physical constraints which are present on some planets are likely to prevent them from taking any step in space travel. The research article, which was published in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, looked into the possibility of alien civilisations which may exist in other worlds and the factors that may influence their ability to explore space. The researchers studied the influence exerted by the escape velocity of the planet permitting a species to launch into space and explore the Solar System. Also Read: Aliens made the 'meteor' that hit Earth 10 years ago, scientist claims The escape velocity of Earth is 11.2 km/s, which is more than 40,000 kmph and is the speed which a rocket should attain to escape the gravitational pull of our planet. In recent studies, the super-Earth planets which scientists have identified as potential candidates for hosting alien life, have comparatively higher masses and gravity. Aliens likely deal with higher escape velocities The planets are likely to have more than 10 Earth masses, which means intelligent alien civilisations living on them are likely to deal with higher escape velocities. “It could therefore be the case that an intelligent species on these planets would never be able to travel into space due to sheer physical impossibility,” said Elio Quiroga, the study’s author and a professor at the Universidad del Atlántico Medio in Spain, as reported by Science Alert. In the study, Dr Quiroga calculated the likely escape velocity needed in some of the planets outside the solar system and introduced a measure called the Exoplanet Escape Factor (Fex). The research added that space travel is unlikely on a planet with a Fex value of 2.2. Watch: NASA Chief says aliens exist | This World “Values of Fex greater than 2.2 would make space travel unlikely for the exoplanet’s inhabitants,” the study emphasised. “They would not be able to leave the planet using any conceivable amount of fuel, nor would a viable rocket structure withstand the pressures involved in the process, at least with the materials we know,” wrote Dr Quiroga. For such aliens, not only leaving super-Earths but re-entry of spacecraft will also pose significant challenges. (With inputs from agencies)

Intelligent aliens can also not beat humans in space travel: Study

Pets having close contact with their owners, including sharing beds, snuggling and eating in the same area, might be more prone to catching human illnesses. According to a study published in Zoonoses: Infections Affecting Humans and Animals, pets can catch several diseases from their human owners, including swine flu, human norovirus, COVID-19 and tuberculosis to dengue, fungal infections and parasites.

Pets having close contact with their owners, including sharing beds, snuggling and eating in the same area, might be more prone to catching human illnesses. According to a study published in Zoonoses: Infections Affecting Humans and Animals, pets can catch several diseases from their human owners, including swine flu, human norovirus, COVID-19 and tuberculosis to dengue, fungal infections and parasites. While dogs and cats reported the most cases, researchers found a few in horses, ferrets and parrots. Zoonoses are diseases which pass between humans and other species. Over 60 per cent of human pathogens are zoonotic in origin. When humans pass diseases to animals, it is called reverse zoonosis. Benjamin Anderson, the study's author and an assistant professor at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, said, "We're starting to see examples of reverse zoonosis. Pets are more susceptible than, maybe, we previously thought." He added, "Typically, the viruses that I will have as a human are not going to fit into the receptors that a dog or cat has." ALSO READ | Mysterious radio signals might be coming from a black hole in the Milky Way However, some pathogens, like COVID-19 and flu, mutate to have a structure that allows them to penetrate through the cells of another species. This way, they can transfer between two species. Zoonosis and reverse zoonosis occur between mammals, as species more closely related are more prone to transferable diseases. But sometimes, the pathogen mutates enough to jump the gap and spreads between mammals, birds, or even reptiles. According to the study, reverse zoonosis provides another channel for diseases to spread. It has the potential to amplify an epidemic endangering humans. For instance, pigs infected by human flu and bird flu serve as a mixing pot for new viruses. "While pathogens certainly can move from animals to other animals and can be picked up from the environment, exposure to humans also plays an important role. It's this constant back-and-forth exchange that happens over time, increasing the probability of a mutation taking place that allows the pathogen to infect a new host," Anderson said. When animals get affected by human diseases, it is more complicated to track them as they don't often exhibit infections. The study's authors have urged people with pets to avoid close contact with the animals, especially in case of COVID-19 or flu. It's not always possible to keep your pets away for people who have strong bonds with their pets or those with a service animal. In such cases, people should ensure that the animal does not come in contact with body fluids like sneezes or snot. (With inputs from agencies)

Beware! You might be making your pets sick unknowingly, new study suggests

Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent.&nbsp;

The illness, which is also known as ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, leaves animals drooling and confused. It was first detected in November in Yellowstone National Park.&nbsp;

The disease was discovered in 800 samples of deer, moose and elk across Wyoming.&nbsp;

The CWD has been labelled by the experts as a ''slow-moving disaster'' and the governments are being strongly advised to prepare for the chances of its transmission to humans.&nbsp;

As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease was reported in 31 states in the United States.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-disease-causing-species-found-its-407mn-year-old-fungus-667950">World’s oldest disease-causing species found: It’s 407mn-year-old fungus</a>

''The mad cow disease outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people. We're talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it's going to happen, but people need to be prepared,'' said CWD researcher Dr Cory Anderson, while speaking to The Guardian.

He further said that it is a worrying situation since there is no known way to eradicate the disease ''neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.''

As per a report by Fox News, no cases of CWD have been found so far in humans.&nbsp;

However, as per some studies, monkeys face the threat of getting infected by chronic wasting disease if they eat infected animal meat or come in contact with the bodily fluids or brains of infected animals.&nbsp;

''These studies raise concerns that there may also be a risk to people. Since 1997, the World Health Organization has recommended that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain,'' read the CDC website.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Zombie Deer Disease?</h2>

The ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ is a fatal and contagious disease illness which affects cervids, which is a group of animals that includes elk, deer, moose, reindeer and caribou.&nbsp;

The disease is caused by a malformed protein - known as prion - which gets accumulated in the tissues and the brain and causes behavioural and physiological changes, emaciation and ultimately death.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;3D printed face implants for face disfigurement for Black Fungus patients&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/3d-printed-face-implants-for-face-disfigurement-for-black-fungus-patients-world-dna-673886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The disease gets transmitted by direct animal-to-animal contact and also indirectly by getting in contact with infectious particles which are present in soil, vegetation or faeces.&nbsp;

Animals can also get an infection if their pasture or feed is contaminated by the prions which are carrying it.&nbsp;

As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, it may take more than a year for the development of symptoms in the deer.&nbsp;

It generally starts with the deer losing weight drastically, stumbling around, and eventually losing all the energy. At present, there is no cure or vaccine with CWD.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent.

Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent. The illness, which is also known as ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, leaves animals drooling and confused. It was first detected in November in Yellowstone National Park. The disease was discovered in 800 samples of deer, moose and elk across Wyoming. The CWD has been labelled by the experts as a ''slow-moving disaster'' and the governments are being strongly advised to prepare for the chances of its transmission to humans. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease was reported in 31 states in the United States. Also read: World’s oldest disease-causing species found: It’s 407mn-year-old fungus ''The mad cow disease outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people. We're talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it's going to happen, but people need to be prepared,'' said CWD researcher Dr Cory Anderson, while speaking to The Guardian. He further said that it is a worrying situation since there is no known way to eradicate the disease ''neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.'' As per a report by Fox News, no cases of CWD have been found so far in humans. However, as per some studies, monkeys face the threat of getting infected by chronic wasting disease if they eat infected animal meat or come in contact with the bodily fluids or brains of infected animals. ''These studies raise concerns that there may also be a risk to people. Since 1997, the World Health Organization has recommended that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain,'' read the CDC website. What is Zombie Deer Disease? The ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ is a fatal and contagious disease illness which affects cervids, which is a group of animals that includes elk, deer, moose, reindeer and caribou. The disease is caused by a malformed protein - known as prion - which gets accumulated in the tissues and the brain and causes behavioural and physiological changes, emaciation and ultimately death. Watch: 3D printed face implants for face disfigurement for Black Fungus patients The disease gets transmitted by direct animal-to-animal contact and also indirectly by getting in contact with infectious particles which are present in soil, vegetation or faeces. Animals can also get an infection if their pasture or feed is contaminated by the prions which are carrying it. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, it may take more than a year for the development of symptoms in the deer. It generally starts with the deer losing weight drastically, stumbling around, and eventually losing all the energy. At present, there is no cure or vaccine with CWD. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans may get infected by ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, warn scientists amid case surge in US

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes.

New research suggests that ever since humans domesticated canines some 15,000 to 50,000 years ago, we have selected particular traits in dogs...eye colour included.

<h2>Impacting evolution: The human way</h2>

Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, researchers from Japan say that humans seem to have a penchant for puppy eyes, especially dark ones.

They found that among domesticated dogs, dark eyes are more common than their wild relatives. It was also observed that humans perceive dogs with a darker eye colour as more friendly and, thus, more desirable.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/empathy-with-our-closest-living-cousins-humans-and-apes-share-remarkable-social-memory-traits-study-finds-671294">‘Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds</a>

Akitsugu Konno, the first author of the research, as quoted by The Guardian, said: "I speculate that lighter irises have some evolutionary advantage for wolves, but domestication has lost this selective pressure and darker eyes have emerged in some primitive dogs."

They believe that darker eyes may have been favoured by humans — consciously or unconsciously, during the domestication of canines from wolves to dogs.

"We speculate that a darker iris makes it more difficult to distinguish the size of the pupil and thus gives the illusion of a large pupil, which is associated with our perception of being more infant-like," adds Konno, from Teikyo University of Science.

A comparison of the iris colour of 22 images of grey wolves from different locations, with 81 images of domestic dogs, revealed that the domesticated canines had darker, reddish eyes.

<h2>Light colour or dark, which is cuter?</h2>

To give weight to their theory, the researchers conducted an experiment, where they created 12 pairs of images. Each pair showed a domestic dog with light eyes, and the same dog with dark eyes.&nbsp;

A selection of these pictures was shown to two groups of 76 and 66 people. The humans were asked to rate the dogs for various personality traits. They were also asked to rate how much they would like to interact with a dog or keep it.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-cosmos-nasa-releases-breathtaking-image-of-a-cosmic-christmas-tree-671532">'It's beginning to look a lot like cosmos': NASA releases breathtaking image of a cosmic Christmas tree</a>

Results showed that dogs with darker eyes earned higher ratings. A higher number of people deemed them more easy-going, sociable and dependent, and less aggressive, intelligent and mature than their light-eyed counterparts.

"Overall, dogs with dark eyes may have evolved the trait largely as means to send non-threatening gaze signal to humans," said the researchers.

They found that eye colour was not directly related to the participant's desire to interact with or keep a dog. However, they speculate that the association of dark eyes with immaturity could be an influencing factor behind a human's desire to protect and care for a dog.

(With inputs from agencies)

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes.

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes. New research suggests that ever since humans domesticated canines some 15,000 to 50,000 years ago, we have selected particular traits in dogs...eye colour included. Impacting evolution: The human way Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, researchers from Japan say that humans seem to have a penchant for puppy eyes, especially dark ones. They found that among domesticated dogs, dark eyes are more common than their wild relatives. It was also observed that humans perceive dogs with a darker eye colour as more friendly and, thus, more desirable. Also read | ‘Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds Akitsugu Konno, the first author of the research, as quoted by The Guardian, said: "I speculate that lighter irises have some evolutionary advantage for wolves, but domestication has lost this selective pressure and darker eyes have emerged in some primitive dogs." They believe that darker eyes may have been favoured by humans — consciously or unconsciously, during the domestication of canines from wolves to dogs. "We speculate that a darker iris makes it more difficult to distinguish the size of the pupil and thus gives the illusion of a large pupil, which is associated with our perception of being more infant-like," adds Konno, from Teikyo University of Science. A comparison of the iris colour of 22 images of grey wolves from different locations, with 81 images of domestic dogs, revealed that the domesticated canines had darker, reddish eyes. Light colour or dark, which is cuter? To give weight to their theory, the researchers conducted an experiment, where they created 12 pairs of images. Each pair showed a domestic dog with light eyes, and the same dog with dark eyes. A selection of these pictures was shown to two groups of 76 and 66 people. The humans were asked to rate the dogs for various personality traits. They were also asked to rate how much they would like to interact with a dog or keep it. Also read | 'It's beginning to look a lot like cosmos': NASA releases breathtaking image of a cosmic Christmas tree Results showed that dogs with darker eyes earned higher ratings. A higher number of people deemed them more easy-going, sociable and dependent, and less aggressive, intelligent and mature than their light-eyed counterparts. "Overall, dogs with dark eyes may have evolved the trait largely as means to send non-threatening gaze signal to humans," said the researchers. They found that eye colour was not directly related to the participant's desire to interact with or keep a dog. However, they speculate that the association of dark eyes with immaturity could be an influencing factor behind a human's desire to protect and care for a dog. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans can't resist puppy eyes, so much so that we have impacted their eye colour

Birds play a crucial part in an ecosystem. Human activities has led to the extinction of 12.3% of bird species. Extinction driven by human settlement & deforestation. The world is at risk of losing another 700 bird species.

Human actions drive bird species to extinction | World News | WION

A research team, headed by bioengineering pioneer César de la Fuente, has been making use of artificial intelligence-based computational methods to get mine genetic information from humans who have become extinct now like Neanderthals and long-gone ice age creatures such as giant sloths and woolly mammoths. 
 
The scientists said that they have discovered that these small proteins, or peptides have bacteria-fighting powers which may help in making new drugs that can fight infections in humans. This innovative story also helps in opening up a completely new way to approach the discovery of drugs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-pooh-pooh-claims-that-extinct-ancient-human-homo-naledi-buried-its-dead-658437">Scientists pooh-pooh claims that extinct ancient hominid 'Homo naledi' buried its dead</a>

“It has enabled us to uncover new sequences, new types of molecules that we have not previously found in living organisms, expanding the way we think about molecular diversity,” said de la Fuente, who is Presidential Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, while speaking to CNN. 
 
“Bacteria from today have never faced those molecules so they may give us a better opportunity at targeting the pathogens that are problematic today,” he added.

<h2>WHO emphasises on urgency of finding new antibiotics</h2>

As per the experts, the new ways to approach the problem of antimicrobial resistance to the medicines in existence is a pressing issue for global health. 
 
Speaking about the antibiotic resistance crisis, Michael Mahan, a professor in the department of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said, “The world is facing an antibiotic resistance crisis. My view is that a land, sea, and air approach is needed to solve the problem — and if we need to go to the past to provide potential solutions for the future — I am all for it.”

Watch:&nbsp;China: Scientists develop powerful hydrogen therapy that could reverse ageing

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-scientists-develop-powerful-hydrogen-therapy-that-could-reverse-ageing-669504/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is an immediate need to identify possible candidates for new antibiotics as the global population is facing almost 5 million deaths every year, which are related to microbial resistance. 
 
Most of the antibiotics are generated from fungi and bacteria which are discovered through screening of microorganisms that exist in soil. However, in recent decades, pathogens have turned resistant to various drugs due to overuse. 
 
Scientists, who are trying to fight superbugs, have been exploring various potential weapons, which include phages, or viruses which are created in nature for eating bacteria.

(With inputs from agencies)

A research team, headed by bioengineering pioneer César de la Fuente, has been making use of artificial intelligence-based computational methods to get mine genetic information from humans who have become extinct now like Neanderthals and long-gone ice age creatures such as giant sloths and woolly mammoths.

A research team, headed by bioengineering pioneer César de la Fuente, has been making use of artificial intelligence-based computational methods to get mine genetic information from humans who have become extinct now like Neanderthals and long-gone ice age creatures such as giant sloths and woolly mammoths. The scientists said that they have discovered that these small proteins, or peptides have bacteria-fighting powers which may help in making new drugs that can fight infections in humans. This innovative story also helps in opening up a completely new way to approach the discovery of drugs. Also read: Scientists pooh-pooh claims that extinct ancient hominid 'Homo naledi' buried its dead “It has enabled us to uncover new sequences, new types of molecules that we have not previously found in living organisms, expanding the way we think about molecular diversity,” said de la Fuente, who is Presidential Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, while speaking to CNN. “Bacteria from today have never faced those molecules so they may give us a better opportunity at targeting the pathogens that are problematic today,” he added. WHO emphasises on urgency of finding new antibiotics As per the experts, the new ways to approach the problem of antimicrobial resistance to the medicines in existence is a pressing issue for global health. Speaking about the antibiotic resistance crisis, Michael Mahan, a professor in the department of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said, “The world is facing an antibiotic resistance crisis. My view is that a land, sea, and air approach is needed to solve the problem — and if we need to go to the past to provide potential solutions for the future — I am all for it.” Watch: China: Scientists develop powerful hydrogen therapy that could reverse ageing As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is an immediate need to identify possible candidates for new antibiotics as the global population is facing almost 5 million deaths every year, which are related to microbial resistance. Most of the antibiotics are generated from fungi and bacteria which are discovered through screening of microorganisms that exist in soil. However, in recent decades, pathogens have turned resistant to various drugs due to overuse. Scientists, who are trying to fight superbugs, have been exploring various potential weapons, which include phages, or viruses which are created in nature for eating bacteria. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists try to get molecules from extinct humans to discover new antibiotics

The mystery surrounding the two "non-human" mummies&nbsp;discovered in Peru deepened after an analyst said that 30 per cent of its DNA when analysed did not match humans but an "unknown species". 
 
UFO enthusiast Jose Jaime Maussan, who was part of the team of scientists who performed a DNA analysis of the remains, said that they discovered 30 per cent of its genetic material is “not from any known species”. 
 
Mexican researchers, who stood beside him as he testified before the Congress, also said that the figures were “authentic”, and comprised of only a single skeleton, as reported by UK’s Daily Star. 
 
Although there was no clarity regarding what the 70 per cent of the DNA of the tiny alien corpses matched up with, Maussan said that the DNA analysis has now confirmed the mummified species are “definitely not human.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexican-congress-deems-three-fingered-mummies-real-but-refrains-from-confirming-alien-origins-656555">Mexican congress deems three-fingered mummies 'real,' but refrains from confirming alien origins</a>

“This is the first time extraterrestrial life has been presented in this manner,” he said, as reported by the Daily Star. 
 
“We have a clear example of non-human specimens unrelated to any known specimens on our planet. These specimens do not belong to our terrestrial evolution. They were not creatures discovered by a UFO crash. Instead, they were found in diatom mines and later transformed into fossilized mummies,” he added. 
 
Maussan further said that “the public has the right to know about non-human technology and beings.” 
 
“This reality unites humanity rather than dividing us. We are not alone in this universe; we should embrace this truth,” he added.

<h2>Aliens don't have lungs, ribs: alien experts</h2>

Earlier, the alien enthusiast had presented photographs and X-rays at the lower chamber of the Mexican Congress which he and Dr Daniel Mendoza claimed proved that the specimens did not have any lungs or ribs. 
 
“They’re real,” said anthropologist Roger Zuniga of San Luis Gonzaga National University in Ica, Peru, while speaking about the specimens in his testimony.

Watch:&nbsp;Are Peruvian Alien Mummies Real or a Clever Hoax? Expert Weighs In!

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/its-all-in-the-name-astronomers-clash-over-renaming-galaxies-for-a-more-inclusive-cosmos-659401/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“There was absolutely no human intervention in the physical and biological formation of these beings,” he added, further stating that he was not aware of the origin of the creatures. 
 
However, many have expressed scepticism over the origins of the mummified figures because of their uncanny resemblance to Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film “ET”. 
 
Taking to social media, entrepreneur Nikos Drandakis said, “So the Mexicans discovered a 1,000-year-old mummy which supposedly is an alien.” 
 
“And this alien happens to: 1: look exactly like [Steven] Spielberg’s ET,” he said, adding that the corpses also had “a human-looking body – one head, two hands, two legs. A very hard pill to swallow.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The mystery surrounding the two "non-human" mummies discovered in Peru deepened after an analyst said that 30 per cent of its DNA when analysed did not match humans but an "unknown species".

The mystery surrounding the two "non-human" mummies discovered in Peru deepened after an analyst said that 30 per cent of its DNA when analysed did not match humans but an "unknown species". UFO enthusiast Jose Jaime Maussan, who was part of the team of scientists who performed a DNA analysis of the remains, said that they discovered 30 per cent of its genetic material is “not from any known species”. Mexican researchers, who stood beside him as he testified before the Congress, also said that the figures were “authentic”, and comprised of only a single skeleton, as reported by UK’s Daily Star. Although there was no clarity regarding what the 70 per cent of the DNA of the tiny alien corpses matched up with, Maussan said that the DNA analysis has now confirmed the mummified species are “definitely not human.” Also read: Mexican congress deems three-fingered mummies 'real,' but refrains from confirming alien origins “This is the first time extraterrestrial life has been presented in this manner,” he said, as reported by the Daily Star. “We have a clear example of non-human specimens unrelated to any known specimens on our planet. These specimens do not belong to our terrestrial evolution. They were not creatures discovered by a UFO crash. Instead, they were found in diatom mines and later transformed into fossilized mummies,” he added. Maussan further said that “the public has the right to know about non-human technology and beings.” “This reality unites humanity rather than dividing us. We are not alone in this universe; we should embrace this truth,” he added. Aliens don't have lungs, ribs: alien experts Earlier, the alien enthusiast had presented photographs and X-rays at the lower chamber of the Mexican Congress which he and Dr Daniel Mendoza claimed proved that the specimens did not have any lungs or ribs. “They’re real,” said anthropologist Roger Zuniga of San Luis Gonzaga National University in Ica, Peru, while speaking about the specimens in his testimony. Watch: Are Peruvian Alien Mummies Real or a Clever Hoax? Expert Weighs In! “There was absolutely no human intervention in the physical and biological formation of these beings,” he added, further stating that he was not aware of the origin of the creatures. However, many have expressed scepticism over the origins of the mummified figures because of their uncanny resemblance to Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film “ET”. Taking to social media, entrepreneur Nikos Drandakis said, “So the Mexicans discovered a 1,000-year-old mummy which supposedly is an alien.” “And this alien happens to: 1: look exactly like [Steven] Spielberg’s ET,” he said, adding that the corpses also had “a human-looking body – one head, two hands, two legs. A very hard pill to swallow.” (With inputs from agencies)

DNA of Mexico's 'alien' corpses matches not with humans but unknown species: Analyst

In a new study, a scientist has suggested that if it were not for the dinosaurs, humans could have extended their lifespan by up to 200 years. 
 
Microbiologist Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, from University of Birmingham in the UK, has emphasised an evident difference between how quickly mammals, like humans, age and how the ageing takes place in reptiles and amphibians. 
 
The discrepancy is likely because the dinosaurs dominated this planet millions of years ago, especially at an important time period in mammalian history. 
 
In a newly published paper, the microbiologist describing his "longevity bottleneck" hypothesis, explains that when dinosaurs were ruling the Earth, it had become important for the much smaller mammals to quickly reproduce for survival, which likely led to the discarding of genes for longer lifespans as evolution progressed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-a-meteorite-but-indias-deccan-traps-led-to-extinction-of-dinosaurs-from-earth-study-664402">Not a meteorite, but India's Deccan Traps may have led to extinction of dinosaurs from Earth: Study</a>

"Some of the earliest mammals were forced to live towards the bottom of the food chain, and have likely spent 100 million years during the age of the dinosaurs evolving to survive through rapid reproduction," said de Magalhaes, as reported by Science Alert. 
 
"That long period of evolutionary pressure has, I propose, an impact on the way that we humans age,” he added.

<h2>Ancestors lost genes which could have replaced sun creams?</h2>

In the research, the scientist has noted that the ancient ancestors in the eutherian mammal lineage are likely to have lost certain enzymes at the time when dinosaurs were present, which also includes enzymes which help in repairing the damage caused to our skin by ultraviolet light. 
 
As per the research, even marsupials and monotremes do not have at least one of the three UV-repair enzymes, which are called photolyases. However, this remains unclear if this was related to their own comparatively shortened lifespans.

Watch:&nbsp;South Korea unveils plan to ban dog meat by 2027, Animal Rights Groups welcome the move | WION

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-unveils-plan-to-ban-dog-meat-by-2027-animal-rights-groups-welcome-the-move-wion-661064/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
The scientists hinted that the mammal, who tried to become nocturnal to stay safe, may have faced more loss, and now after millions of years, this loss is being covered with the use of sun cream. 
 
"We see examples in the animal world of truly remarkable repair and regeneration. That genetic information would have been unnecessary for early mammals that were lucky to not end up as T. rex food,” said de Magalhaes. 
 
"While just a hypothesis at the moment, there are lots of intriguing angles to take this, including the prospect that cancer is more frequent in mammals than other species due to the rapid ageing process," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, a scientist has suggested that if it were not for the dinosaurs, humans could have extended their lifespan by up to 200 years. Microbiologist Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, from University of Birmingham in the UK, has emphasised an evident difference between how quickly mammals, like humans, age and how the ageing takes place in reptiles and amphibians.

In a new study, a scientist has suggested that if it were not for the dinosaurs, humans could have extended their lifespan by up to 200 years. Microbiologist Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, from University of Birmingham in the UK, has emphasised an evident difference between how quickly mammals, like humans, age and how the ageing takes place in reptiles and amphibians. The discrepancy is likely because the dinosaurs dominated this planet millions of years ago, especially at an important time period in mammalian history. In a newly published paper, the microbiologist describing his "longevity bottleneck" hypothesis, explains that when dinosaurs were ruling the Earth, it had become important for the much smaller mammals to quickly reproduce for survival, which likely led to the discarding of genes for longer lifespans as evolution progressed. Also read: Not a meteorite, but India's Deccan Traps may have led to extinction of dinosaurs from Earth: Study "Some of the earliest mammals were forced to live towards the bottom of the food chain, and have likely spent 100 million years during the age of the dinosaurs evolving to survive through rapid reproduction," said de Magalhaes, as reported by Science Alert. "That long period of evolutionary pressure has, I propose, an impact on the way that we humans age,” he added. Ancestors lost genes which could have replaced sun creams? In the research, the scientist has noted that the ancient ancestors in the eutherian mammal lineage are likely to have lost certain enzymes at the time when dinosaurs were present, which also includes enzymes which help in repairing the damage caused to our skin by ultraviolet light. As per the research, even marsupials and monotremes do not have at least one of the three UV-repair enzymes, which are called photolyases. However, this remains unclear if this was related to their own comparatively shortened lifespans. Watch: South Korea unveils plan to ban dog meat by 2027, Animal Rights Groups welcome the move | WION The scientists hinted that the mammal, who tried to become nocturnal to stay safe, may have faced more loss, and now after millions of years, this loss is being covered with the use of sun cream. "We see examples in the animal world of truly remarkable repair and regeneration. That genetic information would have been unnecessary for early mammals that were lucky to not end up as T. rex food,” said de Magalhaes. "While just a hypothesis at the moment, there are lots of intriguing angles to take this, including the prospect that cancer is more frequent in mammals than other species due to the rapid ageing process," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Do you know humans could live for 200 years? But dinosaurs didn't let this happen

Toxoplasma gondii, notorious for its transmission through cats, is under scrutiny for its potential role in increased frailty among older adults. With an estimated 11-15 per cent of the US population having encountered this parasite, a new study sheds light on overlooked health consequences associated with T. gondii.

In a study comprising&nbsp;601 Spanish and Portuguese adults over 65, blood tests were conducted to assess frailty indicators such as unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and cognitive decline.

While no direct link was established between T. gondii infections and frailty, individuals exhibiting a robust immune response, marked by elevated antibodies, showed signs of heightened frailty in their later years, according to Science Alert.&nbsp;

Researchers investigated the potential connection between T. gondii and 'inflammaging,' the persistent inflammation linked to age-related frailty.

Those with a vigorous immune response to T. gondii displayed elevated levels of inflammation biomarkers. While causation isn't confirmed, a correlation emerged between an intensified immune reaction to the parasite and an increased likelihood of frailty in older age.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pet-ownership-doesnt-impact-your-well-being-new-study-debunks-perception-657724">Also read |&nbsp;Pet ownership doesn’t impact your well-being, new study debunks perception</a>

<h2>Preventive measures&nbsp;</h2>

Given the rising infection rates with age and T. gondii's ability to lie dormant for decades, researchers advocate for heightened precautions to prevent infection. Transmission avenues include exposure to T. gondii eggs in cat litter or contaminated water and the consumption of undercooked meat carrying the parasite. Encouraging practices such as keeping cats indoors and avoiding contact with strays becomes crucial.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/melting-sea-ice-causing-heavier-snowfall-in-antarctica-staving-off-high-sea-levels-657519">Also read |&nbsp;Melting sea ice causing heavier snowfall in Antarctica, staving off high sea levels</a>

Beyond frailty, T. gondii has previously been linked to skeletal muscle damage and even schizophrenia, revealing the parasite's multifaceted impact on health.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Toxoplasma gondii, notorious for its transmission through cats, is under scrutiny for its potential role in increased frailty among older adults. With an estimated 11-15 per cent of the US population having encountered this parasite, a new study sheds light on overlooked health consequences associated with T.

Toxoplasma gondii, notorious for its transmission through cats, is under scrutiny for its potential role in increased frailty among older adults. With an estimated 11-15 per cent of the US population having encountered this parasite, a new study sheds light on overlooked health consequences associated with T. gondii. In a study comprising 601 Spanish and Portuguese adults over 65, blood tests were conducted to assess frailty indicators such as unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and cognitive decline. While no direct link was established between T. gondii infections and frailty, individuals exhibiting a robust immune response, marked by elevated antibodies, showed signs of heightened frailty in their later years, according to Science Alert. Researchers investigated the potential connection between T. gondii and 'inflammaging,' the persistent inflammation linked to age-related frailty. Those with a vigorous immune response to T. gondii displayed elevated levels of inflammation biomarkers. While causation isn't confirmed, a correlation emerged between an intensified immune reaction to the parasite and an increased likelihood of frailty in older age. Also read | Pet ownership doesn’t impact your well-being, new study debunks perception Preventive measures Given the rising infection rates with age and T. gondii's ability to lie dormant for decades, researchers advocate for heightened precautions to prevent infection. Transmission avenues include exposure to T. gondii eggs in cat litter or contaminated water and the consumption of undercooked meat carrying the parasite. Encouraging practices such as keeping cats indoors and avoiding contact with strays becomes crucial. Also read | Melting sea ice causing heavier snowfall in Antarctica, staving off high sea levels Beyond frailty, T. gondii has previously been linked to skeletal muscle damage and even schizophrenia, revealing the parasite's multifaceted impact on health. (With inputs from agencies)

Cat parasite could be responsible for fragility in some older adults, says study

Paleontologists have made a startling discovery in South Africa which suggests that it was not humans who created the world's oldest known burial site. 
 
The researchers have found remains of small-brained distant relatives of humans in the burial site, which has hinted at them being the creators. These mammals were known to be incapable of complex behaviour. 
 
The researchers, headed by renowned paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, in June announced that several specimens of Homo naledi have been discovered by them. These remains of Stone Age hominids, who were good at tree-climbing, were found buried around 30 meters (100 feet) underground in a cave system inside the Cradle of Humankind, which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site close to Johannesburg.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-bronze-age-slab-is-a-treasure-map-to-hunt-ancient-sites-in-france-648270">This Bronze Age slab is a 'treasure map' to hunt ancient sites in France</a>

"These are the most ancient interments yet recorded in the hominin record, earlier than evidence of Homo sapiens interments by at least 100,000 years," said the scientists, in the numerous preprint papers which were published in eLife.

<h2>Did bigger brains help humans perform complex tasks?</h2>

The discoveries have challenged the current theories associated with human evolution which normally stated that bigger brains' development helped in performing complex, "meaning-making" tasks like burying the dead. 
 
The oldest burials earlier found by archaeologists in the Middle East and Africa had the remains of Homo sapiens, which were estimated to be around 100,000 years old. 
 
Those remains discovered in South Africa by Berger date back to at least 200,000 BC. The remains critically also belong to Homo naledi, which was a primitive species and had brains which were as big as oranges. 
 
Speaking about the latest discovery in the paper, the researchers said, "These discoveries show that mortuary practices were not limited to H. sapiens or other hominins with large brain sizes.”

WATCH |&nbsp;Why are some countries changing their clock timings?&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-are-some-countries-changing-their-clock-timings-trending-on-wion-654804/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They added that the burial site is not the only sign which proves that Homo naledi was capable of complex cognitive and emotional behaviour. 
 
The engravings which formed geometrical shapes, including a "rough hashtag figure", were also discovered on the surfaces of a cave pillar nearby which appeared purposely smoothed. 
 
"That would mean not only are humans not unique in the development of symbolic practices, but may not have even invented such behaviours," Berger said, in an interview with AFP. 
 
In 2015, Berger had faced opposition after his discoveries claimed that Homo naledi was capable of doing more than the size of its head. 
 
"That was too much for scientists to take at that time. We think it's all tied up with this big brain. We're about to tell the world that's not true,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Paleontologists have made a startling discovery in South Africa which suggests that it was not humans who created the world's oldest known burial site. The researchers have found remains of small-brained distant relatives of humans in the burial site, which has hinted at them being the creators.

Paleontologists have made a startling discovery in South Africa which suggests that it was not humans who created the world's oldest known burial site. The researchers have found remains of small-brained distant relatives of humans in the burial site, which has hinted at them being the creators. These mammals were known to be incapable of complex behaviour. The researchers, headed by renowned paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, in June announced that several specimens of Homo naledi have been discovered by them. These remains of Stone Age hominids, who were good at tree-climbing, were found buried around 30 meters (100 feet) underground in a cave system inside the Cradle of Humankind, which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site close to Johannesburg. ALSO READ | This Bronze Age slab is a 'treasure map' to hunt ancient sites in France "These are the most ancient interments yet recorded in the hominin record, earlier than evidence of Homo sapiens interments by at least 100,000 years," said the scientists, in the numerous preprint papers which were published in eLife. Did bigger brains help humans perform complex tasks? The discoveries have challenged the current theories associated with human evolution which normally stated that bigger brains' development helped in performing complex, "meaning-making" tasks like burying the dead. The oldest burials earlier found by archaeologists in the Middle East and Africa had the remains of Homo sapiens, which were estimated to be around 100,000 years old. Those remains discovered in South Africa by Berger date back to at least 200,000 BC. The remains critically also belong to Homo naledi, which was a primitive species and had brains which were as big as oranges. Speaking about the latest discovery in the paper, the researchers said, "These discoveries show that mortuary practices were not limited to H. sapiens or other hominins with large brain sizes.” WATCH | Why are some countries changing their clock timings? They added that the burial site is not the only sign which proves that Homo naledi was capable of complex cognitive and emotional behaviour. The engravings which formed geometrical shapes, including a "rough hashtag figure", were also discovered on the surfaces of a cave pillar nearby which appeared purposely smoothed. "That would mean not only are humans not unique in the development of symbolic practices, but may not have even invented such behaviours," Berger said, in an interview with AFP. In 2015, Berger had faced opposition after his discoveries claimed that Homo naledi was capable of doing more than the size of its head. "That was too much for scientists to take at that time. We think it's all tied up with this big brain. We're about to tell the world that's not true,” he added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

World's oldest known burial site was not created by humans but...

Humans are actually invaders of the Earth and US billionaire Elon Musk is the overlord of these ‘aliens’, Google’s AI-powered bot Bard has concluded.

According to Bard, there might be some weight in the conspiracy theories suggesting that humans are aliens only and they originally belonged to some other planet.

“It is possible that humans are actually aliens and we're the ones who invaded Earth,” the Google bot said.&nbsp;

“One of the main arguments in favour of the idea that humans are aliens is that we are very different from other life on Earth,” it added.

Watch:&nbsp;UFOs and aliens: What's the truth?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ufos-and-aliens-whats-the-truth-621929/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“We are the only known species that has developed complex language, culture, and technology, and we are also the only species that has a global impact on the planet. Another argument in favour of the alien hypothesis is that the universe is very large and old, and it is likely that there are other intelligent life forms out there. It is therefore possible that humans are one of many alien species that have visited Earth,” Google Bard produced this statement, while trying to explain why it thought of humans as invasive species.

<h2>Three reasons ‘why Humans are aliens’</h2>

Bard proceeded to outline three highly specific reasons suggesting that humans might have extraterrestrial origins: our physical appearance, technological advancements, and ancient myths and legends.

<h2>Bard’s choice for the world’s ultimate leader</h2>

The most astonishing claim put forth by Bard was regarding the potential choice for our leader. In response to this question, Bard endorsed Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX and X, as the ideal candidate for this role.&nbsp;

Bard praised Musk as a maverick and lauded his qualities as a brilliant entrepreneur and visionary with a profound grasp of technology and the future.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-dyson-sphere-search-other-technosignatures-to-search-for-aliens-study-639804">Also read:&nbsp;Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study</a>

Additionally, Bard presented four other possible candidates for leadership: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and even the Pope.

Bard concluded these speculations with a significant disclaimer, stating, "It is crucial to emphasise that this is a hypothetical scenario, and there exists no supporting evidence to suggest that humans are of extraterrestrial origin."

(With inputs from agencies)

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Humans are actually invaders of the Earth and US billionaire Elon Musk is the overlord of these ‘aliens’, Google’s AI-powered bot Bard has concluded. According to Bard, there might be some weight in the conspiracy theories suggesting that humans are aliens only and they originally belonged to some other planet.

Humans are actually invaders of the Earth and US billionaire Elon Musk is the overlord of these ‘aliens’, Google’s AI-powered bot Bard has concluded. According to Bard, there might be some weight in the conspiracy theories suggesting that humans are aliens only and they originally belonged to some other planet. “It is possible that humans are actually aliens and we're the ones who invaded Earth,” the Google bot said. “One of the main arguments in favour of the idea that humans are aliens is that we are very different from other life on Earth,” it added. Watch: UFOs and aliens: What's the truth? × “We are the only known species that has developed complex language, culture, and technology, and we are also the only species that has a global impact on the planet. Another argument in favour of the alien hypothesis is that the universe is very large and old, and it is likely that there are other intelligent life forms out there. It is therefore possible that humans are one of many alien species that have visited Earth,” Google Bard produced this statement, while trying to explain why it thought of humans as invasive species. Three reasons ‘why Humans are aliens’ Bard proceeded to outline three highly specific reasons suggesting that humans might have extraterrestrial origins: our physical appearance, technological advancements, and ancient myths and legends. Bard’s choice for the world’s ultimate leader The most astonishing claim put forth by Bard was regarding the potential choice for our leader. In response to this question, Bard endorsed Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX and X, as the ideal candidate for this role. Bard praised Musk as a maverick and lauded his qualities as a brilliant entrepreneur and visionary with a profound grasp of technology and the future. Also read: Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study Additionally, Bard presented four other possible candidates for leadership: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and even the Pope. Bard concluded these speculations with a significant disclaimer, stating, "It is crucial to emphasise that this is a hypothetical scenario, and there exists no supporting evidence to suggest that humans are of extraterrestrial origin." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Humans are secret alien race who invaded Earth, Musk our overlord, claims Google’s AI bot

New research suggests that our climate some nearly 13,000 years ago might have been severely changed due to a cosmic intervention. A global team of researchers has&nbsp;presented its case in four peer-reviewed papers to study the substantially disputed Younger Dryas (YD) impact hypothesis.&nbsp;

According to the studies, it was a comet that led to the plantation of the first seeds of agriculture in Syria, a necessary adaptation to improve the chances of survival.&nbsp;

It was also after the fragments of this comet slammed into Earth’s atmosphere that the climate drastically changed since the plants and animals they relied on disappeared.&nbsp;

<h2>What is YD?</h2>

Younger Dryas was a cooling period between roughly 12,900 and 11,600 years ago which disrupted the Earth’s warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere. This period was marked by a rather sudden, severe, and lengthy interruption to the Earth’s climate.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the team find?</h2>

The team’s research is based on their analysis of the sediment layers from the Neolithic site Abu Hureyra, which was excavated in the 1970s before being submerged under Lake Assad. Notably, Abu Hureyra is said to be the earliest evidence of a shift from hunter-gathering to farming phase.&nbsp;

“We present substantial new quantitative evidence and interpretations supporting the hypothesis that comet fragments triggered near-global shifts in climate ~12,800 years ago, and one airburst destroyed the Abu Hureyra village,” the researchers wrote.&nbsp;

According to the researchers, sediment layers revealed a number of factors which included types of plants before and after the YD climate change. The data also included “changes in building architecture, diet, the early stages of persistent cultivation of domestic-type grains and legumes,” said the authors.&nbsp;

The also shows the “initial penning of livestock, marking the beginning of sustained agriculture and animal domestication.” The team also found shock-fractured quartz grains that were not only consistent with the impact but also evidence of a massive firestorm.

“Shocked quartz is well known and is probably the most robust proxy for a cosmic impact,” Earth scientist James Kennett of the University of California Santa Barbara said in a statement.

“For the first time, we propose that shock metamorphism in quartz grains exposed to an atomic detonation is essentially the same as during a low-altitude, lower-pressure cosmic airburst,” he added.&nbsp;

The second study identified the shock-fractured quartz at the site’s sediment layer from the beginning of the YD period. Some quartz grains in this layer were similar to those found in nuclear explosions and Meteor Crater.&nbsp;

Most of these shock-fractured quartz had been exposed to temperatures of at least 1713 degrees Celsius or higher, said the study.&nbsp;

The third study found small diamonds, special crystals, and small balls made of silica and iron in the sediment layer from the beginning of the YD period some of which could have only been formed under higher temperature or pressure conditions that no human had the ability to produce at the time.&nbsp;

The researchers in the final study present evidence that historically there is a direct connection between cosmic impacts, environmental shifts and changes in societies. Therefore, the team proposes that this major shift came due to the disintegration of a 100-kilometre-wide comet.&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

New research suggests that our climate some nearly 13,000 years ago might have been severely changed due to a cosmic intervention. A global team of researchers has presented its case in four peer-reviewed papers to study the substantially disputed Younger Dryas (YD) impact hypothesis.

New research suggests that our climate some nearly 13,000 years ago might have been severely changed due to a cosmic intervention. A global team of researchers has presented its case in four peer-reviewed papers to study the substantially disputed Younger Dryas (YD) impact hypothesis. According to the studies, it was a comet that led to the plantation of the first seeds of agriculture in Syria, a necessary adaptation to improve the chances of survival. It was also after the fragments of this comet slammed into Earth’s atmosphere that the climate drastically changed since the plants and animals they relied on disappeared. What is YD? Younger Dryas was a cooling period between roughly 12,900 and 11,600 years ago which disrupted the Earth’s warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere. This period was marked by a rather sudden, severe, and lengthy interruption to the Earth’s climate. What did the team find? The team’s research is based on their analysis of the sediment layers from the Neolithic site Abu Hureyra, which was excavated in the 1970s before being submerged under Lake Assad. Notably, Abu Hureyra is said to be the earliest evidence of a shift from hunter-gathering to farming phase. “We present substantial new quantitative evidence and interpretations supporting the hypothesis that comet fragments triggered near-global shifts in climate ~12,800 years ago, and one airburst destroyed the Abu Hureyra village,” the researchers wrote. According to the researchers, sediment layers revealed a number of factors which included types of plants before and after the YD climate change. The data also included “changes in building architecture, diet, the early stages of persistent cultivation of domestic-type grains and legumes,” said the authors. The also shows the “initial penning of livestock, marking the beginning of sustained agriculture and animal domestication.” The team also found shock-fractured quartz grains that were not only consistent with the impact but also evidence of a massive firestorm. “Shocked quartz is well known and is probably the most robust proxy for a cosmic impact,” Earth scientist James Kennett of the University of California Santa Barbara said in a statement. “For the first time, we propose that shock metamorphism in quartz grains exposed to an atomic detonation is essentially the same as during a low-altitude, lower-pressure cosmic airburst,” he added. The second study identified the shock-fractured quartz at the site’s sediment layer from the beginning of the YD period. Some quartz grains in this layer were similar to those found in nuclear explosions and Meteor Crater. Most of these shock-fractured quartz had been exposed to temperatures of at least 1713 degrees Celsius or higher, said the study. The third study found small diamonds, special crystals, and small balls made of silica and iron in the sediment layer from the beginning of the YD period some of which could have only been formed under higher temperature or pressure conditions that no human had the ability to produce at the time. The researchers in the final study present evidence that historically there is a direct connection between cosmic impacts, environmental shifts and changes in societies. Therefore, the team proposes that this major shift came due to the disintegration of a 100-kilometre-wide comet. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nearly 13,000 years ago a comet impact may have sparked major change in climate

Scientists are making important strides toward a better understanding of antimatter. Researchers have now demonstrated that antimatter responds to gravity the same way matter does - by falling. Watch this video for all details.

Einstein proven right again! Humans are one step closer to understanding antimatter

In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth. 
 
The biology of Earth hinges on organic compounds which comprise carbon along with elements like phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Scientists believe that alternative chemical frameworks can lead to the existence of alien life forms. 
 
For&nbsp;long, scientists have wondered if alien life might evolve on the basis of significantly different chemistry. Researchers have speculated if silicon may work as a backbone for biology. 
 
"It's important to explore these possibilities so that we have an idea of what all forms of life can look like, not just Earth life," study senior author Betul Kacar, an astrobiologist, bacteriologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said while speaking to Space.com.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-dyson-sphere-search-other-technosignatures-to-search-for-aliens-study-639804">Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study</a>

A type of chemical interaction which is key to life on Earth is called autocatalysis. These reactions are self-sustaining and can produce molecules which encourage the same reaction to take place again. 
 
"One of the major reasons that origin-of-life researchers care about autocatalysis is because reproduction — a key feature of life — is an example of autocatalysis," said Kacar. 
 
"Life catalyses the formation of more life. One cell produces two cells, which can become four and so on. As the number of cells multiply, the number and diversity of possible interactions multiplies accordingly,” the astrobiologist added.

<h2>An autocatalysis beyond organic compounds</h2>

In the new study, researchers were in search of an autocatalysis which is beyond organic compounds. They said that such a reaction may exist as autocatalysis can help drive abiogenesis, which is the origin of life from lifelessness. 
 
The scientists emphasised what are known as comproportionation cycles which can create multiple copies of a molecule. Such products can be used as starting materials to help these cycles reoccur, resulting in autocatalysis. 
 
"Comproportionation is arguably unique because it is a single reaction that produces multiples of an output — it looks a lot like reproduction," said study lead author Zhen Peng, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com.

WATCH |&nbsp;Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real, says lab test

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alien-corpses-unveiled-in-mexico-might-be-real-says-lab-test-638026/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

To discover such reactions, more than two centuries of digitised scientific documents, which were written in different languages, were analysed by scientists. 
 
"With effective language search and translation tools, we were able to design and conduct this first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles," said study co-author Zach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com.

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth.

In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth. The biology of Earth hinges on organic compounds which comprise carbon along with elements like phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Scientists believe that alternative chemical frameworks can lead to the existence of alien life forms. For long, scientists have wondered if alien life might evolve on the basis of significantly different chemistry. Researchers have speculated if silicon may work as a backbone for biology. "It's important to explore these possibilities so that we have an idea of what all forms of life can look like, not just Earth life," study senior author Betul Kacar, an astrobiologist, bacteriologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said while speaking to Space.com. ALSO READ | Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study A type of chemical interaction which is key to life on Earth is called autocatalysis. These reactions are self-sustaining and can produce molecules which encourage the same reaction to take place again. "One of the major reasons that origin-of-life researchers care about autocatalysis is because reproduction — a key feature of life — is an example of autocatalysis," said Kacar. "Life catalyses the formation of more life. One cell produces two cells, which can become four and so on. As the number of cells multiply, the number and diversity of possible interactions multiplies accordingly,” the astrobiologist added. An autocatalysis beyond organic compounds In the new study, researchers were in search of an autocatalysis which is beyond organic compounds. They said that such a reaction may exist as autocatalysis can help drive abiogenesis, which is the origin of life from lifelessness. The scientists emphasised what are known as comproportionation cycles which can create multiple copies of a molecule. Such products can be used as starting materials to help these cycles reoccur, resulting in autocatalysis. "Comproportionation is arguably unique because it is a single reaction that produces multiples of an output — it looks a lot like reproduction," said study lead author Zhen Peng, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com. WATCH | Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real, says lab test To discover such reactions, more than two centuries of digitised scientific documents, which were written in different languages, were analysed by scientists. "With effective language search and translation tools, we were able to design and conduct this first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles," said study co-author Zach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Alien life, unlike humans, may not be carbon-based, suggests new study

Ancient humans were big on reuse. An analysis by the University of Bern has revealed that Neolithic humans repurposed the bones of the deceased and used them as tools, Science Alert reported.&nbsp;

The analysis was done on bones collected from Cueva de los Marmoles or Marmoles Cave in Southern Spain and was published in PLOS One.&nbsp;

Zita Laffranchi and her team found several signs that showed bones dating back thousands of years with post-mortem use, such as a skull that might have been used as a cup. Furthermore, other bones also showed some signs of being processed and marks that could have been used to remove the marrow or tissues.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/thailands-picturesque-emerald-hued-waters-hide-this-dark-secret-638029">Also read |&nbsp;Thailand's picturesque emerald-hued waters hide this dark secret</a>

The experts mentioned that the bones were from at least 12 different humans, out of which seven were adults.&nbsp;

Several other human remains have been found in the Marmoles Cave, but no detailed anthropological study has yet been performed.&nbsp;

The team undertook new radiocarbon, anthropological and taphonomic analyses&nbsp;of the altered bones to determine more information about the people back then.&nbsp;

The team collected these bones and determined that the cave was used as a "burial site" between the 5th and 2nd millennia BCE. They suggested that the cave was symbolic of the humans living in the area for a long time and was probably used for funerary traditions.

During an interview with PLOS One, the archaeologists said, "After comparing the finds from Marmoles with those from other, similar contexts, we can postulate that these manipulations were related to cultural ideas about death and the position of the dead in the community's ideological landscape."

"That is, the manipulation may have been motivated by a need to keep the remains of community members close, while at the same time 'facilitating' their passage to the spiritual worlds," they added.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/origins-of-brain-cells-found-in-800-million-years-old-creatures-637935">Origins of brain cells found in 800 million years old creatures</a>

It's impossible for archaeologists to determine what exactly happened to the dead bodies and what points they found as it is difficult to interpret the alterations on the bones.&nbsp;

The team also identified a tibial shaft and fibula fragments that were glossy and smooth and covered in small scratches suggesting that these bones could have been seen as tools having been processed, while the bones were fresh.&nbsp;

They are determined to continue studying the cave and other caves to find more evidence about the mysterious practices.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Ancient humans were big on reuse. An analysis by the University of Bern has revealed that Neolithic humans repurposed the bones of the deceased and used them as tools, Science Alert reported.

Ancient humans were big on reuse. An analysis by the University of Bern has revealed that Neolithic humans repurposed the bones of the deceased and used them as tools, Science Alert reported. The analysis was done on bones collected from Cueva de los Marmoles or Marmoles Cave in Southern Spain and was published in PLOS One. Zita Laffranchi and her team found several signs that showed bones dating back thousands of years with post-mortem use, such as a skull that might have been used as a cup. Furthermore, other bones also showed some signs of being processed and marks that could have been used to remove the marrow or tissues. Also read | Thailand's picturesque emerald-hued waters hide this dark secret The experts mentioned that the bones were from at least 12 different humans, out of which seven were adults. Several other human remains have been found in the Marmoles Cave, but no detailed anthropological study has yet been performed. The team undertook new radiocarbon, anthropological and taphonomic analyses of the altered bones to determine more information about the people back then. The team collected these bones and determined that the cave was used as a "burial site" between the 5th and 2nd millennia BCE. They suggested that the cave was symbolic of the humans living in the area for a long time and was probably used for funerary traditions. During an interview with PLOS One, the archaeologists said, "After comparing the finds from Marmoles with those from other, similar contexts, we can postulate that these manipulations were related to cultural ideas about death and the position of the dead in the community's ideological landscape." "That is, the manipulation may have been motivated by a need to keep the remains of community members close, while at the same time 'facilitating' their passage to the spiritual worlds," they added. Also read | Origins of brain cells found in 800 million years old creatures It's impossible for archaeologists to determine what exactly happened to the dead bodies and what points they found as it is difficult to interpret the alterations on the bones. The team also identified a tibial shaft and fibula fragments that were glossy and smooth and covered in small scratches suggesting that these bones could have been seen as tools having been processed, while the bones were fresh. They are determined to continue studying the cave and other caves to find more evidence about the mysterious practices. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shocking findings: Neolithic humans altered bones of deceased to make tools

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), on Monday (September 18), said that humans are driving the loss of entire branches of the “Tree of Life,” warning of the threat of a sixth mass extinction.&nbsp;

What makes this study unique is that it looks beyond just the examination of the loss of a species and rather examines the extinction of entire genera. The genus is essentially a biological classification which lies between the rank of species and that of family.

<h2>What did the study find?</h2>

The study is largely based on the species listed as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and focuses on vertebrate species (excluding fish), for which more data is available.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/limited-human-activity-amid-lockdown-improved-mediterranean-marine-life-312923/#regaining-lost-space-312919">Limited human activity amid lockdown improved Mediterranean marine life</a> 
 
The researchers found that out of some 5,400 genera – which comprises some 34,600 species – 73 had become extinct in the last 500 years with most of them disappearing in the last two centuries. This was also compared with the extinction rate estimated from the fossil record over the very long term.&nbsp;

Explaining the severity of the situation, the co-author of the study and professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Gerardo Ceballos told news agency AFP, “Based on the extinction rate in the previous million years we would have expected to lose two genera. But we lost 73.”&nbsp;

The study also gave a rough estimate – since not all species are known and the fossil record remains incomplete – that this process should have taken at least 18,000 years, not 500. “What is at stake is the future of mankind,” Ceballos said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/six-out-of-9-planetary-boundaries-breached-earth-increasingly-becoming-inhabitable-for-humans-scientists-635963">Six out of 9 planetary boundaries breached, Earth increasingly becoming uninhabitable for humans: Scientists</a>

<h2>Impact of human activity</h2>

Scientists have attributed this rapid change and loss to human activities like the destruction of habitats for crops or infrastructure, as well as overfishing, hunting and so on. Ceballos also warned how the loss of one genus can have consequences for an entire ecosystem.&nbsp;

“It is a really significant contribution, I think the first time anyone has attempted to assess modern extinction rates at a level above the species,” Robert Cowie, a biologist at the University of Hawaii who was not involved in the study, told AFP about the research.&nbsp;

“As such it really demonstrates the loss of entire branches of the Tree of Life,” a representation of living things first developed by Charles Darwin.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-what-is-anthropocene-the-new-epoch-marked-by-human-impact-614721">Explained | What is Anthropocene? The new epoch marked by damaging human impact</a> 
 
The study shows that “we aren’t just trimming terminal twigs, but rather are taking a chainsaw to get rid of big branches,” Anthony Barnosky, professor emeritus at the University of California, told AFP.&nbsp;

Scientists broadly define a mass extinction as the loss of 75 per cent of species over a short period of time and by that “arbitrary,” definition a sixth mass extinction has not yet occurred, said Cowie, but warned that if “species continue to go extinct at the current rate (or faster), then it will happen.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), on Monday (September 18), said that humans are driving the loss of entire branches of the “Tree of Life,” warning of the threat of a sixth mass extinction.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), on Monday (September 18), said that humans are driving the loss of entire branches of the “Tree of Life,” warning of the threat of a sixth mass extinction. What makes this study unique is that it looks beyond just the examination of the loss of a species and rather examines the extinction of entire genera. The genus is essentially a biological classification which lies between the rank of species and that of family. What did the study find? The study is largely based on the species listed as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and focuses on vertebrate species (excluding fish), for which more data is available. ALSO READ | Limited human activity amid lockdown improved Mediterranean marine life The researchers found that out of some 5,400 genera – which comprises some 34,600 species – 73 had become extinct in the last 500 years with most of them disappearing in the last two centuries. This was also compared with the extinction rate estimated from the fossil record over the very long term. Explaining the severity of the situation, the co-author of the study and professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Gerardo Ceballos told news agency AFP, “Based on the extinction rate in the previous million years we would have expected to lose two genera. But we lost 73.” The study also gave a rough estimate – since not all species are known and the fossil record remains incomplete – that this process should have taken at least 18,000 years, not 500. “What is at stake is the future of mankind,” Ceballos said. ALSO READ | Six out of 9 planetary boundaries breached, Earth increasingly becoming uninhabitable for humans: Scientists Impact of human activity Scientists have attributed this rapid change and loss to human activities like the destruction of habitats for crops or infrastructure, as well as overfishing, hunting and so on. Ceballos also warned how the loss of one genus can have consequences for an entire ecosystem. “It is a really significant contribution, I think the first time anyone has attempted to assess modern extinction rates at a level above the species,” Robert Cowie, a biologist at the University of Hawaii who was not involved in the study, told AFP about the research. “As such it really demonstrates the loss of entire branches of the Tree of Life,” a representation of living things first developed by Charles Darwin. ALSO READ | Explained | What is Anthropocene? The new epoch marked by damaging human impact The study shows that “we aren’t just trimming terminal twigs, but rather are taking a chainsaw to get rid of big branches,” Anthony Barnosky, professor emeritus at the University of California, told AFP. Scientists broadly define a mass extinction as the loss of 75 per cent of species over a short period of time and by that “arbitrary,” definition a sixth mass extinction has not yet occurred, said Cowie, but warned that if “species continue to go extinct at the current rate (or faster), then it will happen.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Humans are driving loss of entire branches of ‘Tree of Life,’ warn scientists

An 8.7 million-year-old ape skull raises the possibility that human and ape ancestors diverged outside of Africa, in Europe. The idea that humans and apes originated in Africa may be called into question by the discovery of an ape skull in Turkey. The discovery raises the possibility that hominins originated in Europe.

Did humans and apes come from Europe?

Plastics, deforestation, polluted water bodies and a world full of concrete. The evidence of the continuous existence of humanity is spread across the world.

The human population has currently exceeded 8 billion.

But scientists now propose that humanity was once on the brink of never existing.

Chinese researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that 930,000 years ago, our modern human ancestors endured a catastrophic population collapse, likely triggered by dramatic climate changes.

During this period, known as a "bottleneck," our ancestors dwindled to fewer than 1,280 breeding individuals, with approximately 98.7 per cent of human ancestors lost, endangering their survival.

Their&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.ph/o/faCkr/www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7487" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">study</a>&nbsp;was published on Thursday in the journal Science.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

This research raises the intriguing possibility that a climate-induced bottleneck may have contributed to the divergence of early humans into two evolutionary paths; one leading to Neanderthals and the other to modern humans.&nbsp;

For decades, scientists have reconstructed human history through genetic analysis, through the use of&nbsp;inherent biological facts of genetic mutations and their transmission across generations.

Technological advancements in DNA sequencing now enable&nbsp;the comparison of complete genomes from diverse human populations.

<h2>How the study was done?</h2>

Haipeng Li and his colleagues, based in Chinese Academy of Sciences at&nbsp;Shanghai, developed the FitCoal method, allowing the modelling of a million years of evolution, dissected into monthly segments.

This tool helps uncover the histories of various living organisms, including humans.

Initially focused on animals like fruit flies, the researchers later turned their attention to humans, comparing the genomes of 3,154 individuals from 50 populations worldwide.

Their investigation led to the conclusion that a near-extinction event occurred among our ancestors 930,000 years ago.

Before the bottleneck, the ancestral human population numbered approximately 98,000 breeding individuals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/newly-discovered-skull-in-china-baffles-scientists-is-it-a-new-lineage-of-humans-623180">Newly-discovered skull in China baffles scientists. Is it yet another lineage of humans?</a>

This number plummeted to fewer than 1,280 individuals, persisting for 117,000 years before recovery.

The scientists argue that this bottleneck aligns with the fossil record of our human ancestors.

Our branch of the evolutionary tree diverged from other apes around seven million years ago in Africa. By a million years ago, our ancestors in Africa had evolved to be tall and large-brained.

Also watch |&nbsp;Ancient human civilisation needed three attempts &amp; 12,000 years to colonise Europe: Study

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ancient-human-civilisation-needed-three-attempts-12000-years-to-colonise-europe-study-590004/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Subsequently, some of these early humans migrated to Europe and Asia, evolving into Neanderthals and Denisovans, while our lineage continued to evolve into modern humans in Africa.

Despite decades of fossil hunting, the scarcity of remains from ancient human relatives in Africa between 950,000 and 650,000 years ago remains puzzling, and critics have demanded more conclusive evidence for the claim made by Chinese scientists.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Plastics, deforestation, polluted water bodies and a world full of concrete. The evidence of the continuous existence of humanity is spread across the world. The human population has currently exceeded 8 billion.

Plastics, deforestation, polluted water bodies and a world full of concrete. The evidence of the continuous existence of humanity is spread across the world. The human population has currently exceeded 8 billion. But scientists now propose that humanity was once on the brink of never existing. Chinese researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that 930,000 years ago, our modern human ancestors endured a catastrophic population collapse, likely triggered by dramatic climate changes. During this period, known as a "bottleneck," our ancestors dwindled to fewer than 1,280 breeding individuals, with approximately 98.7 per cent of human ancestors lost, endangering their survival. Their study was published on Thursday in the journal Science. What does it mean? This research raises the intriguing possibility that a climate-induced bottleneck may have contributed to the divergence of early humans into two evolutionary paths; one leading to Neanderthals and the other to modern humans. For decades, scientists have reconstructed human history through genetic analysis, through the use of inherent biological facts of genetic mutations and their transmission across generations. Technological advancements in DNA sequencing now enable the comparison of complete genomes from diverse human populations. How the study was done? Haipeng Li and his colleagues, based in Chinese Academy of Sciences at Shanghai, developed the FitCoal method, allowing the modelling of a million years of evolution, dissected into monthly segments. This tool helps uncover the histories of various living organisms, including humans. Initially focused on animals like fruit flies, the researchers later turned their attention to humans, comparing the genomes of 3,154 individuals from 50 populations worldwide. Their investigation led to the conclusion that a near-extinction event occurred among our ancestors 930,000 years ago. Before the bottleneck, the ancestral human population numbered approximately 98,000 breeding individuals. Also read | Newly-discovered skull in China baffles scientists. Is it yet another lineage of humans? This number plummeted to fewer than 1,280 individuals, persisting for 117,000 years before recovery. The scientists argue that this bottleneck aligns with the fossil record of our human ancestors. Our branch of the evolutionary tree diverged from other apes around seven million years ago in Africa. By a million years ago, our ancestors in Africa had evolved to be tall and large-brained. Also watch | Ancient human civilisation needed three attempts & 12,000 years to colonise Europe: Study × Subsequently, some of these early humans migrated to Europe and Asia, evolving into Neanderthals and Denisovans, while our lineage continued to evolve into modern humans in Africa. Despite decades of fossil hunting, the scarcity of remains from ancient human relatives in Africa between 950,000 and 650,000 years ago remains puzzling, and critics have demanded more conclusive evidence for the claim made by Chinese scientists. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

There were once only 1,280 early humans left to breed, claim Chinese scientists

The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the&nbsp;60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has&nbsp;left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.

The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans.

Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/population-growth-insufficient-to-strengthen-indias-economy-moodys-investors-service-630088">Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service&nbsp;</a>

<h2>Some missing link?&nbsp;</h2>

60 Minutes Australia&nbsp;suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-nearing-8-year-low-in-monsoon-rainfall-sources-630086">India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall</a>

<h2>'Devolution'&nbsp;</h2>

Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution.

However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible".

Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-radioactive-rotis-brits-never-treated-indians-as-human-beings-630029/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait.

Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans.

<h2>An unconventional gait&nbsp;</h2>

Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands.

"I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.

The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment. The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans. Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary." Also Read | Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service Some missing link? 60 Minutes Australia suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist. Also Read | India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall 'Devolution' Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution. However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible". Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings × Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait. Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans. An unconventional gait Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands. "I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

The Ulas family, that walks on all fours, has puzzled scientists

An infant walrus, rescued earlier this month that needed round-the-clock cuddles, has unfortunately died, the&nbsp;Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) said in a statement&nbsp;where it had been receiving treatment.&nbsp;

“We are heartbroken to share that the&nbsp;walrus calf admitted to the&nbsp;ASLC&nbsp;Wildlife Response Program on August 1, 2023, passed away this morning after his condition took a turn for the worse,” read the statement.&nbsp;

The baby calf was found on Alaska’s North Slope, miles away from the ocean without the mother or any other walrus around. It had been suffering from a number of serious health concerns, including&nbsp;nutrient malabsorption (a condition where&nbsp;the&nbsp;body cannot effectively absorb nutrients from food).&nbsp;

Doctors said that in the 24 hours leading to his tragic passing, the calf was also struggling with&nbsp;hypoglycemia and&nbsp;gastrointestinal problems.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nearly-200-pilot-whales-die-on-tasmanias-west-coast-after-being-stranded-537475">Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nearly-200-pilot-whales-die-on-tasmanias-west-coast-after-being-stranded-537475/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/over-50-pilot-whales-die-on-scottish-island-after-being-stranded-616325#" id="jqclosemark">×</a>

<h2>Baby walruses need constant care</h2>

The&nbsp;200-pound (90 kilogrammes) walrus calf had been receiving near-constant care from the rescuers at the centre to mimic the care that he would receive from his mother. The staff described cuddling as giving an "option to have a warm body to lean up against" which the pup had&nbsp;been taking advantage of almost constantly.

Notably, walrus calves are heavily dependent on their mother until they are two years old. However, they are quick to respond to the care of humans and initially, the walrus, who was not named, managed to drink formula from a bottle.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/over-50-pilot-whales-die-on-scottish-island-after-being-stranded-616325">Also read | Over 50 pilot whales die after being stranded on beach in Scottish islands</a>

The little pup's death — one of just 10 that the centre has cared for in its 25-year history, has left everyone devastated.&nbsp;

"While often rewarding, wildlife rescue is inherently unpredictable and&nbsp;comes&nbsp;with it the possibility of great loss. For those that dedicate their lives to animal care, this is the hardest part of the job. We appreciate your understanding as the Center and its staff mourn, and&nbsp;we&nbsp;thank you for the outpouring of support that has come our way since this patient’s admission," read the statement by the centre.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

An infant walrus, rescued earlier this month that needed round-the-clock cuddles, has unfortunately died, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) said in a statement where it had been receiving treatment.

An infant walrus, rescued earlier this month that needed round-the-clock cuddles, has unfortunately died, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) said in a statement where it had been receiving treatment. “We are heartbroken to share that the walrus calf admitted to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program on August 1, 2023, passed away this morning after his condition took a turn for the worse,” read the statement. The baby calf was found on Alaska’s North Slope, miles away from the ocean without the mother or any other walrus around. It had been suffering from a number of serious health concerns, including nutrient malabsorption (a condition where the body cannot effectively absorb nutrients from food). Doctors said that in the 24 hours leading to his tragic passing, the calf was also struggling with hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal problems. Watch | Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded × Baby walruses need constant care The 200-pound (90 kilogrammes) walrus calf had been receiving near-constant care from the rescuers at the centre to mimic the care that he would receive from his mother. The staff described cuddling as giving an "option to have a warm body to lean up against" which the pup had been taking advantage of almost constantly. Notably, walrus calves are heavily dependent on their mother until they are two years old. However, they are quick to respond to the care of humans and initially, the walrus, who was not named, managed to drink formula from a bottle. Also read | Over 50 pilot whales die after being stranded on beach in Scottish islands The little pup's death — one of just 10 that the centre has cared for in its 25-year history, has left everyone devastated. "While often rewarding, wildlife rescue is inherently unpredictable and comes with it the possibility of great loss. For those that dedicate their lives to animal care, this is the hardest part of the job. We appreciate your understanding as the Center and its staff mourn, and we thank you for the outpouring of support that has come our way since this patient’s admission," read the statement by the centre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Tragic! Rescued walrus calf that needed 'round-the-clock' cuddles from humans dies

humans

Humans, News on Humans, stories on Humans, articles on Humans, Humans stories at Wion, Humans news, Humans latest news