Looks like a fascinating preprint on urbanization in red foxes: 'Animals’ willingness to touch, explore, and solve novel challenges, such as exploiting unfamiliar resources, are thought to be key behavioural characteristics for urban adaptation. Little is known about the impact of spatiotemporal patterns of urbanisation, particularly historical patterns of change, on these behaviours. We tested this in the world’s most urbanised carnivore, the red fox, using novel tasks deployed across 284 sites in the United Kingdom.' https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.26.678765v1
An unknown lineage in #Argentina found in #aDNA over 8,000 years old in one of the last areas humans reached. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-ancient-dna-uncovers-unknown-argentina.html
Please boost community Fediscience! πŸŒ–Tues Nov 11πŸŒ— 6:30 pm (London UK) Chris Stringer New evidence from China helps to clarify the 'muddle in the middle' of human evolution LIVE LG11 Lecture Room in Bentham House, 4-8 Endsleigh Gardens, WC1H 0EG ZOOM ID 952 8554 1412 passcode Wawilak image
I so didn't realise that Mamdani's father was a Professor of #Anthropology and his mum Mira Nair. So anthropology had a bit of a role here? https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a69136325/zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayor-campaign-aunties/
#Neanderthals deep into #Asia. New #mtDNA from Crimea, Starosele https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dna-neandertals-traveled-asia
Free community fediscience, please boost! πŸŒ’Tues Oct 28 πŸŒ“ 6:30pm 'The science of mythology. "The Sleeping Beauty" and other tales' Chris Knight LIVE Daryll Forde Room, 2nd Floor, UCL Anthropology Dept, 14 Taviton St, WC1H 0BW ZOOM ID 952 8554 1412 passcode Wawilak image
Possible difference between #Neanderthals (plus other archaics) compared with #Homosapiens in exposure to #lead contamination with effects on brain #development. A gene mutation in our ancestry could have worked protectively:- 'a gene called neuro-oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1) plays a central role in human brain development and synapse formation. Considered the master regulator of neurodevelopment, NOVA1 controls how neural progenitor cells respond to lead. Disruption of NOVA1 activity is linked to several neurological disorders'
This is a magnificent vid for DoubleDownNews with our friend and comrade Mark, organiser of the Holocaust Survivors and Descendants against Gaza Genocide. So clear, so true!