Navigation Links
Anthropologist finds explanation for hominin brain evolution in famous fossil
Date:5/7/2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- One of the world's most important fossils has a story to tell about the brain evolution of modern humans and their ancestors, according to Florida State University evolutionary anthropologist Dean Falk.

The Taung fossil the first australopithecine ever discovered has two significant features that were analyzed by Falk and a group of anthropological researchers. Their findings, which suggest brain evolution was a result of a complex set of interrelated dynamics in childbirth among new bipeds, were published May 7 in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"These findings are significant because they provide a highly plausible explanation as to why the hominin brain might grow larger and more complex," Falk said.

The first feature is a "persistent metopic suture," or unfused seam, in the frontal bone, which allows a baby's skull to be pliable during childbirth as it squeezes through the birth canal. In great apes gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees the metopic suture closes shortly after birth. In humans, it does not fuse until around 2 years of age to accommodate rapid brain growth.

The second feature is the fossil's endocast, or imprint of the outside surface of the brain transferred to the inside of the skull. The endocast allows researchers to examine the brain's form and structure.

After examining the Taung fossil, as well as huge numbers of skulls belonging to apes and humans, as well as corresponding 3-D CT (three-dimensional computed tomographic) scans, and taking into account the fossil record for the past 3 million years, Falk and her colleagues noted three important findings: The persistent metopic suture is an adaptation for giving birth to babies with larger brains; is related to the shift to a rapidly growing brain after birth; and may be related to expansion in the frontal lobes.

"The persistent metopic suture, an advanced trait, probably
'/>"/>

Contact: Dean Falk
dfalk@fsu.edu
505-954-7249
Florida State University
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Anthropologist discovers new fossil primate species in West Texas
2. Missouri elk are being reintroduced in the wrong part of the state, MU anthropologist says
3. Recently analyzed fossil was not human ancestor as claimed, anthropologists say
4. Hobbit fossils represent a new species, concludes University of Minnesota anthropologist
5. Texas A&M anthropologist discovers long-lost primate in Indonesia
6. LSU research finds orangutans host ancient jumping genes
7. Syracuse University study finds autumn advantage for invasive plants in eastern United States
8. Pacific islands may become refuge for corals in a warming climate, study finds
9. New study finds a protein combination is best to consume post-workout for building muscle
10. Study finds Western diet detrimental to fetal hippocampal tissue transplants
11. Study finds soda consumption increases overall stroke risk
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/23/2013)... in treating cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. Following ... year old boy had been in a persistent vegetative ... months after treatment with the cord blood containing stem ... the child learned to speak simple sentences and to ... study, dispel the long-held doubts about the effectiveness of ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... 22, 2013 U.S. Forest Service scientists are part ... funding from the TKF Foundation, will examine how collaborative ... individuals recover from tragedy. , The TKF Foundation announced ... projects selected for grant funding. In addition to research ... in recovery and resiliency, the 3-year, $585,000 grant will ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... fatty acids in fish oil have long been thought ... American Heart Association currently recommends eating at least two ... in omega 3s. However, the mechanism behind this protective ... scientists led by Jason R. Carter of Michigan Technological ... that fish oil might specifically counteract the detrimental effects ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):First successful treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood 2'Landscapes of Resilience' to study how people use nature as a source of recovery 2Fish oil may help the heart beat mental stress 2
... , LAKE MARY, Fla. , April 26 Roundtable Concepts ... are of the highest quality components and specifications. A great review has been ... limited time only, is offering this promotional special: the RTC View 32" LCD ... at www.rtcview.com . , , ...
... Innovalight, Inc., a privately-held firm selling a platform of silicon ink-based ... company has achieved a new record of 19 percent conversion efficiency ... solar cell is the proportion of sunlight energy that a cell ... , , ...
... faculty members at the University of California, Riverside ... have been awarded 2010 Guggenheim Fellowships by ... Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of achievement ... the fellowship for genetics, genomics, and the many faces ...
Cached Biology News:Roundtable Concepts Inc., the Company that has Officially Licensed Marvel Comic TVs and Officially Licensed Collegiate TVs, has just Launched their Own Line of HDTVs Named RTC View 2Innovalight Establishes New Record With Silicon Ink Solar Cells 2Innovalight Establishes New Record With Silicon Ink Solar Cells 32 professors at UC Riverside receive Guggenheim Fellowships 22 professors at UC Riverside receive Guggenheim Fellowships 3
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 The New Jersey chapter ... Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), is hosting its 10th ... 2013. This all-day event will encourage students and their ... ins and outs from many of the industries’ finest ... the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the event will ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, ... and contract research company focused on research and ... today a publication reporting the induction of functional ... and immunotherapeutic vaccinia JX-594 (pexastimogene devacirepvec; Jennerex Inc.). ... the May 15 th , 2013 issue of ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Bed bugs compromised Penn State. A report ... Meanwhile, My Cleaning Products offered complimentary samples of its bed ... without using harmful chemical elements. , Based on the ... building was actually a dormitory , My Cleaning Products ... May 13 and bed bug presence was confirmed on May ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Oven Industries announces the new 5R1-1400 AC ... a PC through the TTL level UART Communication port. ... square can deliver up to 15 AMPS of load ... state relay. Operator safety is achieved with 1KV of ... sensor input. Specifications: Input Voltage 85 to 265VAC ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) New Jersey Hosts 10th Annual Families in Technology Day June 8, 2013 2Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 2Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 3Penn State Dorm Infested with Bed Bugs, My Cleaning Products Offers Complimentary Sample of Bed Bug Spray to Help Bed Bug Victims 2New AC Temperature Controller Announced by Oven Industries 2
... , , ... ... ... ...
... in the understanding of how specific types of tissue are ... has succeeded in mapping the entire network of DNA-binding transcription ... which factors can combine to determine cell fate, will be ... Cell . Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that bind ...
... N.Y. Determined to play a key role in ... doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and ... new method for storing hydrogen at room temperature. ... graphene that exhibits hydrogen storing capacity far exceeding any ...
Cached Biology Technology:China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 2China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 3China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 4China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 5China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 6China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 7China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 8China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 9China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 10China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 11China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 12China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 13China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 14China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 15China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 16China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 17China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 18China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 19China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 20China Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 21Researchers create atlas of transcription factor combinations 2Helping hydrogen: Student inventor tackles challenge of hydrogen storage 2Helping hydrogen: Student inventor tackles challenge of hydrogen storage 3Helping hydrogen: Student inventor tackles challenge of hydrogen storage 4
... from Magnetofection technology, SilenceMag is the ... Simple, rapid and easy to use, ... toxic. Specifically designed for siRNA delivery, ... very low doses of siRNA.,SilenceMag formulation ...
... Radiolabeled Ligands\n\nReceptor-related research has long been enabled ... ligands selected to keep pace with new ... products and services for receptor research and ... If you do not find exactly what ...
... The Fluorescence Test Plate consists of ... format, with Inert Organic Fluorescent Compounds embedded ... be used on BioTeks FLx800 and Synergy ... ideal for GLP compliance while reducing the ...
... Extraction Software reads and processes ... prepare microarray data for analysis. ... one 2-year license for ... accounts , * one ...
Biology Products: