Study: Malaria Shaped Human Settlement Patterns for Over 74,000 Years

By:
On:
In: Science & Nature

New research led by Max-Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and University of Cambridge scientists suggests malaria did more than sicken ancient populations, it steered where early humans could live, fragmenting groups and influencing the genetic map of our species. Colucci et al. explored whether Plasmodium falciparum-induced malaria drove habitat choice inContinue Reading

Orange-Colored Lichens Helping Paleontologists Discover Dinosaur Fossils

By:
On:
In: Science & Nature

Lichens are symbioses between fungi and algae (and/or cyanobacteria) that play important ecological roles and colonize many substrates, including fossils. According to new research, they can serve as biological indicators of fossils in western North America and can be identified using remote sensing. Preferential colonization of dinosaur bones by lichens.Continue Reading