Harvard President: Sorry About That Whole Genocide-Calls-Depend-On-Context Thing

Taylor Swift Is Not a PsyOp

We know that‚ around 2.1 million years ago‚ Homo erectus‚ the first humans‚ migrated out of Africa. But how did they make this epic journey across territory that is covered in expansive desert?For a long time‚ researchers have puzzled over how H. erectus managed to cross through northeastern Africa and the Middle East‚ to make their way into Europe. The desert landscape in this region is merciless today‚ and food and water would have been scarce.Now researchers from Aarhus University‚ Denmark‚ suggest the desert may not have been a problem for H. erectus as it may not have existed at the time.“We know that there are recurring periods when the climate in the Sahara changes. We call the phenomenon ‘Green Sahara’ or ‘African Humid Periods’‚” Rachel Lupien‚ one of the authors of the study explained in a statement.“During a green period‚ the desert shrinks significantly and is transformed into a landscape that resembles the savannas we know from eastern Africa today.”According to Lupien and her team’s work‚ the Sahara may have been much greener at precisely the time when H. erectus first migrated from Africa. In fact‚ the Sahara may have been greener than any other time in the 4.5 million year period they studied.H. erectus was‚ Lupien said‚ “most likely able to walk through a green corridor out of Africa.”The seafloor tells allToday‚ the Sahara is experiencing one of its dry spells. How long these periods last for tends to vary‚ but it appears the region experiences a full cycle – between dry and wet periods – every 20‚000 years. The rainy periods have been dubbed “African Humid Periods” by Lupien and colleagues.“How wet the humid green periods become‚ varies. There are indeed two other cycles that also come into play. One lasts 100‚000 years and the other 400‚000 years. Over the course of 100‚000 years‚ the wet periods will thus vary and become wetter or drier than usual. The same applies in intervals of 400‚000 years‚” Lupien explained.But how do we know how the Sahara looked several hundred thousand years ago? Well‚ the seafloor can tell us.“Using core samples from the Mediterranean‚ we can see what the climate was like millions of years back in time. Layers of sediment are formed on the seafloor‚ and small molecules in these layers can tell us quite a bit about what the climate was like in the past.”The seabed is basically a kind of logbook to past climates. When material from the land is blown into the sea‚ it drifts to the seafloor where it gradually builds up into new layers of “stuff”. Each layer has its own suite of biomarkers that store information about the climate at that time. One such marker is the wax plants use to protect their leaves.“Wax gives leaves on trees‚ bushes and grasses the coating that makes them shine. When the plants die‚ most plant parts decompose quite quickly‚ while wax molecules can survive for a long time. That’s why we often find such molecules in sediments that are millions of years old‚” Lupien added.Interestingly‚ the hydrogen molecules in these waxes can be used to determine the levels of precipitation at the time.“Water contains hydrogen‚ so we can use hydrogen to follow the water cycle. The water on Earth contains both regular hydrogen and heavy hydrogen (deuterium). When it rains a lot‚ the plants are able to absorb relatively less heavy hydrogen‚ while when it is dry they absorb more‚” Lupien added.But while the amount of heavy hydrogen in the wax may tell us when it rained in the distant past‚ it does not tell us anything about the plants that thrived at the time. However‚ the carbon atoms contained in the leaf wax can fill that gap.“Broadly speaking‚ there are two types of plants. We also call them C3 and C4 plants‚” Lupien explained. “About 90 percent of all plants are C3 plants. They thrive in most parts of the globe except in areas that are bone dry or very hot. C4 plants‚ on the other hand‚ are specialized to survive in areas where rain rarely falls and the temperature is high.”C3 and C4 plants produce leaf wax with different amounts of heavy carbon‚ allowing us to distinguish between them in a sample. As such‚ they can tell us which plants were most dominant at a given time‚ and it seems C3 plants were most abundant at the time when H. erectus migrated. They are also more abundant at this time than at another other humid period in the last 4.5 million years.The Sahara‚ it seems‚ was actually a grassland right at the time when our ancestors set off towards the Middle East and on to Europe.“The climate has therefore most likely facilitated this migration‚” Lupien concludes.The study is published in the journal Communications Earth &; Environment. 

Happy birthday to you‚ happy birthday to you‚ happy birthday dear Jonathan the 191-year-old tortoise‚ happy birthday to you! The world’s oldest living land animal‚ a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) named Jonathan‚ who has captured hearts across the world with his longevity and antics‚ has reached the grand old age of 191.In doing so he breaks his own Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest chelonian. Chelonian is the old name for animals belonging to the order Chelonia‚ now called Testudines (because zoologists love renaming things)‚ which refers to reptiles that are either turtles‚ tortoises‚ or terrapins. Jonathan's life story is a fascinating one. While we celebrate his birthday‚ nobody knows the exact date on which he hatched. It’s thought that he came into the world around 1832‚ and was gifted to the future governor of Saint Helena‚ Sir William Grey-Wilson‚ in 1882 as a fully grown adult tortoise‚ which would have made him around 50 years old at the time. In 2022‚ Jonathan was granted an official birthday‚ by the now governor of Saint Helena Nigel Philippes – December 4‚ 1832. Despite his advanced age‚ his vet Joe Hollins told Guinness World Records (GWR) that he lives life with a healthy appetite.“In spite of losing his sense of smell and being virtually blind from cataracts‚ his appetite remains keen‚” Hollins told GWR. “He is still being hand-fed once a week with a fortifying helping of fruit and vegetables by a small‚ dedicated team. This not only supplements his calories but provides those essential drivers of his metabolism: vitamins‚ minerals and trace elements.”      IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.Jonathan enjoys his meals in the company of three other tortoises‚ David‚ Emma‚ and Fred‚ in the gardens of Plantation House. This is the official home of Saint Helena's governor and where the elderly tortoise has lived for most of his life. David and Emma joined him in 1969‚ while Fred became part of the group in 1991. Initially‚ Fred was believed to be a female (originally called Frederika)‚ but after persistent mating attempts from Jonathan‚ was discovered to be a male. Hollins says Jonathan still frequently tries to mate with both Emma and Fred. “Animals are often not particularly gender-sensitive!” Hollins said. In his 191 years‚ he has lived through the invention of the lightbulb‚ the first flight by the Wright brothers‚ and the first people on the Moon‚ not to mention the terms of 40 US presidents.“It is extraordinary to think that this gentle giant has outlived every other living creature on land‚ including‚ of course‚ the whole human race‚” Hollins said to GWR. “Jonathan is in good health and all the indications at present make us hopeful that he will reach his third century—if indeed he hasn’t done so already!”Happy birthday‚ Jonathan! 

Although pork and beef are some of the most popular meats for modern humans‚ it’s easy to wonder if the same could be said when we couldn’t just pop to the supermarket to pick them up. Researchers previously thought that humans in the Middle Pleistocene stuck to hunting and eating large mammals – but a recent study has revealed a far smaller‚ somewhat unexpected item on the menu: beavers.In examining the bones of at least 94 beavers from 400‚000 years ago‚ excavated from the Bilzingsleben site in Germany‚ a team of archaeologists uncovered what they described in their paper as “systematic exploitation of beavers” by humans at this time. Under magnifying glasses and digital microscopes‚ the beaver bones showed signs of cut marks made by stone tools‚ something of an unusual find. "Until now‚ cut marks on Palaeolithic beaver bones had been identified very rarely and on isolated bones only‚” said Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser‚ one of the study’s authors‚ in a statement.The distribution of the cut marks suggests that humans may have targeted beavers for both their skins and as a source of meat. As for why they took to eating them‚ it might have something to do with these rodents’ characteristic rotundness. Fat was a pretty important food resource during the Pleistocene and the beaver remains largely belonged to young adults – fully grown and fat-rich‚ but not yet experienced in dealing with threats‚ making them an ideal target for hunters.The study’s findings contradict the previous assumption that humans had a relatively narrow diet until later on in the Pleistocene. "Until now‚ it was generally thought that people in Europe fed primarily on large game until around 50‚000 years ago‚ and that this was an important difference to the more flexible dietary strategies of modern humans‚” said Gaudzinski-Windheuser. “We have now demonstrated that the hominin food spectrum was much broader much earlier."Gaudzinski-Windheuser also had an explanation for why it may have seemed as though early humans hunted mainly larger animals‚ such as bovids and rhinoceroses. "The remains of large mammals from this period are generally much better preserved than those of small ones‚ not to mention plant remains‚” said the researcher.Modern humans are also starting to explore some more unusual food choices on the particularly small side – you might find a bug-based meal on your plate at some point in the near future.The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Some concerning changes are impacting the waters around Bermuda. After 40 years of tracking‚ scientists have noticed that the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the archipelago is warming and losing oxygen‚ as well as becoming increasingly salty and acidic.Researchers have been keeping track of the water around Bermuda since 1983‚ taking monthly samples to assess the physics‚ biology‚ and chemistry of the ocean's surface and depths.Known as the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS)‚ the latest findings of the project show that the ocean water surrounding the islands in the 2020s is almost unrecognizable from the range seen in the 1980s."We show that the surface ocean in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean has warmed by around 1°C [33.8°F] over the past 40 years. Furthermore‚ the salinity of the ocean has increased‚ and it has lost oxygen. In addition‚ ocean acidity has increased from the 1980s to the 2020s‚" Professor Nicholas Bates‚ an ocean researcher at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and professor in the School of Ocean Futures at Arizona State University‚ said in a statement.Just as you might expect‚ these shifting conditions are likely harming the biodiversity of the area. The past four decades have seen oxygen levels drop by 6 percent‚ which is not good news for aquatic organisms. Likewise‚ acidity levels have increased by 30 percent‚ which also affects animal health‚ such as the ability of organisms to sustain their shells.A scientist on the BATS team collecting data on the research vessel Atlantic Explorer.Image credit: Jeff NewtonBermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean‚ made up of nearly 200 islands and located around 1‚770 kilometers (1‚100 miles) from the coast of Miami. It’s perhaps best known for the Bermuda Triangle‚ a region of sea southwest of the islands which some claim has been responsible for a suspiciously high number of aircraft and boats disappearing under unexplained circumstances. However‚ hard statistics and evidence-based investigations suggest that tales of the Bermuda Triangle are little more than an urban legend. Rest assured‚ these latest changes to the sea around Bermuda won’t be increasing the odds of mystery disappearances either.It does‚ however‚ highlight how many of the world’s oceans are facing drastic change in the wake of the deepening climate crisis. Similar observation stations can also be found near Hawaii‚ the Canary Islands‚ Iceland‚ and New Zealand. The researchers explain that all of them are seeing similarly worrying changes in regard to warming‚ salinification‚ and ocean acidification.“These observations give a sense of the rate of change in the recent past of ocean warming and ocean chemistry. They provide key indications of future changes in the next decades. They also are proof of regional and global environmental change and the existential challenges we face as individuals and societies in the near future‚” explained Bates.The new study is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

A gorgeously garish species of orchid‚ known to the Indigenous Tsou people as the “God Flower”‚ is rapidly disappearing from the mountainous wildlands of Taiwan. Just like the plight of countless other flowering plants around the world‚ some suspect that climate change is the prime suspect.Also known as the Dendrobium orchid or golden grass orchid‚ the plant boasts a bright yellow flower with a rich orange-fringed center. It was once found in abundance across Taiwan‚ but the Tsou are now being forced to trek further and further into the mountainous forests of Alishan Township to find the flower‚ the BBC reports.The flower plays a significant role in the culture and spiritual beliefs of the Tsou‚ making its apparent demise all the more poignant. "My tribe has to have the God Flower for our ceremonies. Otherwise‚ God won't be able to find us‚" tribal elder Gao Desheng told the BBC.The orchid is also closely associated with the Tsou’s war god. An Xiao-Ming‚ another Tsou person‚ explained: "It is said that the God Flower surrounds the habitat of this deity. These flowers are placed on the roofs of Kuba‚ signifying the presence of the divine.”For the plant's buds to successfully bloom in spring‚ temperatures in winter should ideally be below 12°C (54°F). As a result of climate change‚ temperatures in the region are rising above this seasonal threshold. The average November temperature in Alishan is currently around 12 to 14°C (54 to 57°F) and that’s expected to rise to 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F) by 2050 if current trends continue. This important plant isn’t the only flower set to suffer as the climate crisis continues. Rising temperatures are set to alter the world's flowering plants in a myriad of ways.Many flowers are now blooming earlier than before due to rising temperatures. Among plants in the UK‚ the average first flowering date is a full month earlier than in the past. Over in Japan in 2021‚ climate change was thought to be responsible for the earliest cherry blossom season in some 1‚200 years. Oddly‚ research has also indicated that flowers are changing their colors in response to climate change. Faced with rising temperatures and declining ozone over the past 75 years‚ flowers across the world are altering ultraviolet pigments in their petals.As well as early blooms and changing colors‚ flowers are becoming more abundant in places where they were once scarce‚ such as the frigid coasts of Antarctica. Overall‚ however‚ it’s looking like the planet of the future could be significantly less flowery than in previous centuries. Recent research has shown that climate change is likely to make life much harder for wildflowers. This could reduce the number of helpful pollinators like bees and‚ in turn‚ threaten food security.  

A West Virginia man claims to have found evidence of Bigfoot in a muddy patch of land in Ritchie County. Chuck Headley posted photos of a large five-toed footprint on the Bigfoot Believers Facebook group‚ sparking a heated debate among the members. The mysterious print‚ which was spotted in Ritchie County‚ West Virginia‚ had the outline of five stumpy toes and seemed to show that the beast had strolled out of a small body of water. However‚ not everyone was impressed by Headley’s discovery. Some users on the Facebook group questioned why there was only one footprint and no other signs of the creature’s presence. They suggested that the footprint could have been made by another animal or even faked by someone. “Why only one print?” one user wrote. “Why is there always only ONE footprint? What? Bigfoot only hops on one foot then lands a mile away?” The global fascination with Bigfoot dates back to 1967‚ when footage emerged in the Six Rivers National Forest. The renowned “Patterson-Gimlin” footage‚ a three-minute‚ grainy clip‚ showcased a hairy creature moving through the woods‚ marking the purported first-ever filming of Bigfoot by adventurers Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin. Despite the intrigue surrounding Bigfoot‚ experts generally dismiss claims of its existence as lacking credibility. The prevailing consensus among specialists is that belief in the existence of this large‚ ape-like creature is more likely a result of hoaxes or confusion rather than legitimate sightings of an actual creature. The post West Virginia man finds ‘Bigfoot’ footprint in mud appeared first on Anomalien.com.

In the captivating realm of oceanic life‚ a remarkable event unfolds‚ showcasing the intelligence and adaptability of marine creatures. The video presents a thrilling encounter between a coconut octopus and blacktip sharks. This narrative delves into the ingenious survival tactics of the octopus‚ aided by an unexpected ally‚ revealing the intricate dynamics of underwater life.... The post Spy octopus helps real one hide from sharks and gets sweetest ‘thank you’ in return appeared first on Animal Channel.

An annoyed Seth Meyers reacted to the Wednesday GOP presidential debate on the Thursday edition of Late Night on NBC by claiming that “no one gives a [bleep]” and that the four debaters were all a bunch of “blowhards.” Citing current polling‚ Meyers wondered what the whole point was before sarcastically conceding that maybe he should give the non-Trump candidates some credit‚ “Now‚ in fairness‚ I shouldn't be so glib I may disagree with these people‚ but they've stepped up to take on the responsibility of leadership‚ and who knows? Maybe there's a chance they'll beat Trump and become the nominee. So‚ I do think we should at least listen to what they have to say.”     Meyers then played a clip of Megyn Kelly opening the broadcast‚ “Welcome to the fourth and final—” but Meyers cut the clip short‚ “Just kidding. No one gives a [bleep].” Claiming his dismissal was justified‚ Meyers continued‚ “Why should I-- why should I act like any of these people are actually running against Donald Trump when they won't even act like they're running against Donald Trump. They spent the whole debate fighting with each other like pigeons fighting over a French fry in the parking lot of a restaurant that is owned by a much bigger pigeon. In case you missed it -- sorry because you missed it‚ here's a quick recap of all these dweebs taking shots at each other.” Meyers then played an extended montage of the more rambunctious‚ but not necessarily substantive portions of the debate concluding with Chris Christie labeling Vivek Ramaswamy a “blowhard.” Coming out of the montage‚ Meyers added‚ “Hey‚ everyone break it up‚ there's no need to fight. You're all obnoxious blowhards. And yet based on the polls‚ your problem is‚ you don't blow hard enough although.” Of course‚ Republican candidates are going to try to tailor their message in a way that appeals to Republican voters and running around sounding like Seth Meyers is not the way to victory. Here is a transcript for the December 7-taped show: NBC Late Night with Seth Meyers 12/8/2023 12:41 AM ET SETH MEYERS: Now‚ in fairness‚ I shouldn't be so glib I may disagree with these people‚ but they've stepped up to take on the responsibility of leadership‚ and who knows? Maybe there's a chance they'll beat Trump and become the nominee. So‚ I do think we should at least listen to what they have to say. MEGYN KELLY: Welcome to the fourth and final –  MEYERS: Just kidding. No one gives a [bleep]. Why should I-- why should I act like any of these people are actually running against Donald Trump when they won't even act like they're running against Donald Trump.  They spent the whole debate fighting with each other like pigeons fighting over a French fry in the parking lot of a restaurant that is owned by a much bigger pigeon. In case you missed it -- sorry because you missed it‚ here's a quick recap of all these dweebs taking shots at each other.  … MEYERS: Hey‚ everyone break it up‚ there's no need to fight. You're all obnoxious blowhards. And yet based on the polls‚ your problem is‚ you don't blow hard enough although.