Navigation Links
'Hobbits' are a new human species -- according to the statistical analysis of fossils
Date:11/19/2009

Researchers from Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York have confirmed that Homo floresiensis is a genuine ancient human species and not a descendant of healthy humans dwarfed by disease. Using statistical analysis on skeletal remains of a well-preserved female specimen, researchers determined the "hobbit" to be a distinct species and not a genetically flawed version of modern humans. Details of the study appear in the December issue of Significance, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society, published by Wiley-Blackwell.

In 2003 Australian and Indonesian scientists discovered small-bodied, small-brained, hominin (human-like) fossils on the remote island of Flores in the Indonesian archipelago. This discovery of a new human species called Homo floresiensis has spawned much debate with some researchers claiming that the small creatures are really modern humans whose tiny head and brain are the result of a medical condition called microcephaly.

Researchers William Jungers, Ph.D., and Karen Baab, Ph.D. studied the skeletal remains of a female (LB1), nicknamed "Little Lady of Flores" or "Flo" to confirm the evolutionary path of the hobbit species. The specimen was remarkably complete and included skull, jaw, arms, legs, hands, and feet that provided researchers with integrated information from an individual fossil.

The cranial capacity of LB1 was just over 400 cm, making it more similar to the brains of a chimpanzee or bipedal "ape-men" of East and South Africa. The skull and jawbone features are much more primitive looking than any normal modern human. Statistical analysis of skull shapes show modern humans cluster together in one group, microcephalic humans in another and the hobbit along with ancient hominins in a third.

Due to the relative completeness of fossil remains for LB1, the scientists were able to reconstruct a reliable body design that was unlike any modern human. The
'/>"/>

Contact: Dawn Peters
physicalsciencenews@wiley.com
781-388-8408
Wiley-Blackwell
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Gene regulation, not just genes, is what sets humans apart
2. Antioxidant overload may underlie a heritable human disease
3. Facial attraction -- choice of sexual partner shaped the human face
4. Humans fostering forest-destroying disease
5. SRMs track fire retardants in humans and environment
6. St. Jude influenza survey uncovers key differences between bird flu and human flu
7. Human derived stem cells can repair rat hearts damaged by heart attack
8. Influence of sex and handedness on brain is similar in capuchin monkeys and humans
9. Gene regulation in humans is closer than expected to simple organisms
10. Pittsburgh scientists identify human source of stem cells with potential to repair muscle
11. Researchers developing device to predict proper light exposure for human health
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/16/2013)... hematopoiesis at sites outside the bone marrow in ... (LMU) in Munich now show that a specific type ... blood cells. , Balanced hematopoiesis is essential for the ... takes place mainly in the liver and the spleen. ... and this tissue normally serves as the sole source ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... Top neuroscientists from Canada and around the world ... Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting will showcase the latest ... system and reveal clues to understanding the disorders ... neuroscience research, and this meeting will showcase the ... the world," says Sam David, President of the ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... of us don,t ponder our pulses outside of the gym. ... to monitor heart health. , Zhenan Bao, a professor of ... than a dollar bill and no wider than a postage ... on the wrist, is sensitive enough to help doctors detect ... day be used to continuously track heart health and provide ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Herpes infections: Natural killer cells activate hematopoiesis 27th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, May 20-24, 2013 2Stanford engineers monitor heart health using paper-thin flexible 'skin' 2Stanford engineers monitor heart health using paper-thin flexible 'skin' 3
... CAApril 25, 2012Warner C. Greene, MD, PhDwho directs ... won the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award from the ... (WUSTL). This prestigious award acknowledges outstanding personal ... to the Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Greene ...
... state in 1970s; Zoo has monitored for beetle since 2002. ... Conservation; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; the Missouri Department ... 600 Zoo-bred American burying beetles for the first time ... the 4,040-acre Wah, Kon-Tah Prairie in Southwest Missouri. ...
... team of kinesiology researchers led by Richard Van Emmerik ... 2.5-year, $975,000 grant through the Navy Health Research Center ... average 100-lb. equipment load carried by soldiers, which can ... likelihood of injury and ability to carry out missions. ...
Cached Biology News:Gladstone scientist Warner C. Greene receives Washington University School of Medicine Alumni Award 2First-ever release of endangered burying beetles in Missouri 2First-ever release of endangered burying beetles in Missouri 3First-ever release of endangered burying beetles in Missouri 4Kinesiology team gets $975,000 Defense grant to study effects of heavy loads on soldiers 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... MIAMI , May 17, 2013  Insero Health, ... medical needs in epilepsy and related neurological disorders, is ... of its lead compound INS001 in patients with drug-resistant ... Drug and Device Trials (AED) Xll meeting by Dr. ... epileptologist and Chairman of Insero,s Scientific Advisory Board.  In ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... IAC Industries wants to share with you the ... to set up and furnish a research lab knowing that ... a year’s time. How does a company make choices in ... What is efficient and cost-effective? , The solution was ... The planners at DisperSol determined that the concept of modular ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... 2013 In late 2012, Dr. Sarah Hart, ... doctors in China about Appearance Medicine . Although Dr. ... her first trip to lecture in China, and quite a ... Fuzhou, home to 12 and 7 million people respectively. Interest ... at this point in time. As Dr. Hart passed through ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... SAN DIEGO , May 16, 2013  The ... the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers (ABFO) 2013 National Conference, ... will be held May 28-31 at the Hilton San ... finishing touches on this year,s conference and want to ... opportunity to attend," said Brandi Roberts ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Insero Health Reports Positive Data on Phase I Trial of Novel Therapy for Drug-resistant Epilepsy 2New Downloadable Success Story: “How To Outfit a Dynamic Lab in Flux” 2Registration Extended Until May 22 for Association of Bioscience Financial Officers (ABFO) 2013 National Conference -- San Diego 2Registration Extended Until May 22 for Association of Bioscience Financial Officers (ABFO) 2013 National Conference -- San Diego 3Registration Extended Until May 22 for Association of Bioscience Financial Officers (ABFO) 2013 National Conference -- San Diego 4
... 30, 2009 and Host Call on Friday, May 1, 2009 ... OSTE ), a leader in the emerging field of biologic ... quarter ended March 31, 2009 financial results will be released ... host a conference call and webcast on Friday, May 1, ...
... (OTC Bulletin Board: SNBP) ("Sinobiopharma" or, the "Company") is pleased to ... month period ended February 28, 2009.Financial highlights include: , ... increased to US $2,715,702 for the nine months ended February 28, ... 2008. , Gross profit ...
... Weinschenk is Chief of Technical Staff and Services of Human ... services. Dr. Weinschenk recently released her latest book ... What makes them click? Colleagues, usability professionals, IT ... about her book and her recent appearances have been blogged, ...
Cached Biology Technology:Osteotech Announces First Quarter 2009 Earnings Release and Conference Call 2Sinobiopharma Reports a 41% Increase in Revenues From Unaudited Financial Results for the 9 Month Period Ended February 28, 2009 2Dr. Susan Weinschenk, Chief of Technical Staff and Services, Speaks on Neuro Web Design at 'Persuasive Technologies 2009 Conference' and 'Voices That Matter Web Design Conference' 2
... intended for use as a wash buffer for ... Fluid is useful for transportation of specimens (such ... studies. Samples may remain in Transport Fluid ... Michels Transport Fluid is not a fixative ...
... Systems provide rapid, precise localization of ... frozen or paraffin-embedded tissue, cytospins and ... facilitate double or triple labeleing experiments, ... with primary antibodies of different animal ...
... covers can be used with ... covers for stacking of covered ... for use with automated systems ... and non-ridged, are available for ...
SYBR Green Nucleic Acid Dye...
Biology Products: