The famous sequence that shows the evolution of man from knuckle-dragging ape to an upright human may be flawed, a new study has revealed. Researchers who examined the wrist bones of several primate species believe our early human ancestors never used their knuckles to walk like gorillas. Instead they evolved from other apes who spent most of their time in trees and descended to the ground uprig... read full post picked by AutumnLotus 3 months ago

A new study has concluded that one key part of the immune system, the ability of vitamin D to regulate anti-bactericidal proteins, is so important that is has been conserved through almost 60 million years of evolution and is shared only by primates, including humans – but no other known animal species. picked by Bingo 3 months ago

A new analysis of the dental fossils of human ancestors suggests that Asian populations played a larger role than Africans in colonizing Europe millions of years ago. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

The clever boffins have finally managed to break the speed of light. A light pulse was so fast that it "exited a specially-prepared chamber before it even finished entering it." picked by TheStep 3 years ago

Scientists think they've found the missing link between higher primates and apes, humans etc.

The preservation is so good, it is possible to see the outline of its fur and even traces of its last meal.

Update to this post. picked by Ankabout 6 months ago

Acting as super-predators, humans are forcing changes to body size and reproductive abilities in some species 300 percent faster than would occur naturally, a new study finds picked by Bornbad 10 months ago

New evidence shows humans lived in North America more than 14,000 years ago, 1,000 years earlier than had previously been known. Discovered in a cave in Oregon, fossil feces yielded DNA indicating these early residents were related to people living in Siberia and East Asia. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Scientists had theorized that pinnipeds evolved from land-dwelling ancestors but had little fossil evidence to support that claim. The new finding could be the missing link in pinniped evolution. picked by stinkobinko 7 months ago

Researchers working in Ethiopia have unearthed the fossils of a 10-million-year-old ape, a discovery they say suggests that humans and African great apes may have split much earlier than thought. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

As far back as Charles Darwin, scientists have noted that apes make characteristic sounds during play or while being tickled, apparently to signal that they're interested in playing. picked by kakana 5 months ago

The fossil hand of a long-necked, ostrich-like dinosaur recently found in China may help solve the mystery of how bird wings evolved from dinosaur limbs, according to a new study. picked by suebe 5 months ago

Australian scientists say the recent discovery of a fossil fish has rewritten the record of evolution of land mammals. picked by robfouryqr 3 years ago

For a team of paleontologists interested in fossil mammals, the Fayum district of Egypt summons an impressive history that extends much further back in time than the Sphinx. The latest issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology reports the discovery of six new bat species dating to around 35 million years ago, which sheds new light on the early evolution of bats. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

BANGKOK, Thailand - Eighty-four spoon-billed sandpipers have been discovered in a coastal stretch of Myanmar, offering hope for saving the endangered birds, a conservation group said Thursday. picked by tchengrox 2 years ago

One of the mechanisms governing how our physical features and behavioural traits have evolved over centuries has been discovered by researchers at the University of Leeds.

In research published this week, the Leeds team reports that a protein known as REST plays a central role in switching specific genes on and off, thereby determining how specific traits develop in offspring. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

For generations, scientists have believed Africa was the cradle of mankind.

Now a stunning archaeological discovery suggests our primitive ancestors left Africa to explore the world around 800,000 years earlier than was previously thought before returning to their home continent. picked by Doggylives 2 months ago

A standing offer of $250,000 to anyone who can give any empirical evidence (scientific proof) for evolution.* My $250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is nothing more than a religious belief. picked by eastcoast1978 10 months ago

Hidden away in museums for more that 100 years, some recently rediscovered flatfish fossils have filled a puzzling gap in the story of evolution and answered a question that initially stumped even Charles Darwin. picked by mutil8or 1 year ago

Islamic Creationist Adnan Oktar (as previously mentioned here by Jetka) has offered 10 Trillion Turkish Lira to anyone who can provide a fossil sample that demonstrates evolutionary transition. picked by pocksucket 1 year ago

The mysterious disappearance of Neanderthals about 30,000 years ago has baffled scientists for centuries.

But now, according to a leading fossil expert, it seems the race may have met a rather grisly end. They were eaten by our ancestors, the modern humans. picked by AutumnLotus 6 months ago