58.4 F
San Francisco
Monday, April 6, 2026
Home Blog Page 2259

DNA Study Finds Modern Egyptians Do Not Have Much in Common with Ancient Mummies

Megan Diane
-
0
DNA Study Finds Modern Egyptians Do Not Have Much in Common with Ancient Mummies

Researchers have discovered the ancient mummies do not have much in common with modern Egyptians.

Analyzing DNA from mummies that are thousands of years old have revealed that ancient Egyptians are more genetically linked to people living in countries such as Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.

Scientists once believed mummies did not contain any DNA. Then a team in 2010 analyzed ancient DNA from 16 Royal mummies. At that time, their method they used was not very useful in distinguishing actual money DNA from new DNA that might’ve been contaminated. However, on Tuesday, researchers published a study in the Journal of Nature Communications illustrating how scientists used a more precise and innovative method of DNA sequencing to analyze genetic data from several mummies from several different time periods in ancient Egyptian history.

Mummy

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 4, 2016: ancient Egyptian pharaoh statues in the Vatican Museum (Viktor Gladkov / Shutterstock.com)

The team of researchers studied over 150 mommies from a site about 100 km south of Cairo. These mummies were excavated in the early 1900s, and carbon dating showed that their history range from 1388 BCE to 426 CE. While there was no available genetic material in any of the soft tissue, researchers were able to identify DNA in the bones and teeth of the mummies. Approximately, 90 of these bodies had incomplete DNA, and only three contains an entirely intact genome. Researchers then concentrated their focus on those three bodies.

Researchers compared the DNA of the ancient mummies to both old and modern people in the same region. As a result, researchers were able to identify that ancient Egyptians are more genetically similar to those living in the Middle East. Moreover, they have more in common with people living in countries such as Israel, Lebanon, and Syria then today’s Egyptians. In fact, the mummies identified in the study did not have any DNA from sub-Saharan Africa, while 20% of today’s Egyptians have sub-Saharan genes. Lead author and study Johannes Krause told Science that modern-day variation might be because of the spread of Islam or the increased amount of contact due to trade between different parts of Africa.

The DNA sequencing method used in the study adds credibility to the research results. Scientists looked at any DNA in a given sample and then isolated the genetic material that might be human. The team looked for DNA patterns that correlate with ancient DNA, allowing them to ignore DNA that might’ve been contaminated.

While the study is fascinating, the new DNA sequencing method may leave the way for further research studies regarding ancient animals, humans, and societies.

Researchers Discover 40 More Genes Linked to Intelligence

Brent Edward
-
0
Researchers Discover 40 More Genes Linked to Intelligence

Recent research has found sleep plays a major part in forming new memories, and pregnancy brain may actually exist. Now, scientists reveal new genes that influence intelligence.

Researchers announced on Monday that they had found 40 new genes linked to intelligence. However, researchers claim that their finding does not show that there is a connection between the genetic pattern and intelligence. Moreover, intelligence is more complex than anyone previously thought.

Researchers have found 52 genes that influence intelligence. Researchers claim they account for less than 5% of the variation in human intelligence.

Researchers report their findings in the Journal of Nature Genetics, which was led by Danielle Posthuma of VU University Amsterdam.

Human Brain
Stock Photo: Profile of a bearded man head with symbol neurons in brain. (Lia Koltyrina/Shutterstock.com)

“These findings provide new insight into the genetic architecture of intelligence,” Posthuma explained.

The study examined a database of more than 78,000 adults and children, all of the European descent. Subjects included in the study included people from Britain’s BioBank, which is a sampling and analyzing of the entire genomes of volunteers, as well as a database of exceptionally intelligent people and twins.

Scientists used two different types of DNA analysis studies to pinpoint genes associated with intelligence, looking the genes in the DNA map.

“We show that the identified genes are predominantly expressed in brain tissue, and pathway analysis indicates the involvement of genes regulating cell development,” they wrote. “Our calculations show that the current results explain up to 4.8 percent of the variance in intelligence.”

One of the studies discovered a gene called SHANK3, which is involved in the formation of synapses, the connections between brain cells. Researchers found mutations in this gene is linked to a type of autism spectrum disorder.

“Mutations in this gene are a cause of autism spectrum disorder, which is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted behavioral patterns and interests. Mutations in this gene also cause schizophrenia type 15,” the researchers wrote.

Another variation of the gene FOXO3 has been linked to brain cell death and brain longevity. Researchers also found genes linked to obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it may take a while before scientists fully understand how these genes influence intelligence.

Ariana Grande Massacre – At Least 22 People Killed and 59 Injured

Jonathan Antonio
-
0
Ariana Grande Massacre – At Least 22 People Killed and 59 Injured

On Monday night in Manchester, England an explosion that appeared to be due to a suicide bombing killed at least 22 people and injured 59 others following an Ariana Grande concert. Now, authorities are treating this incident as a terrorist attack.

Terror took control of the crowd at the Manchester Arena as the bomb shook throughout the building, just as the final song played and pink balloons dropped from the rafters towards the end of the 23-year-old American pop star’s concert.

Children became separated from their parents as screams seized concertgoers and what appears to be the deadliest episode of terrorism in over a decade following the 2005 London transit bombings.

Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, revealed that the explosion took place around 10:33 p.m. Children were among those killed, and the wounded were taken to several different hospitals.

Hopkins explained that a man detonated “an improvised explosive device” and he had also been killed in the blast. He said the man had acted alone but, they were trying to determine whether he had been connected to a wider link of terrorists. Other officials pointed out that police are investigating reports the bomb had nuts and bolts, which were to be used as shrapnel to injure further and kill concertgoers.

The bombing in Manchester draws a connection to the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, which included a deadly shooting inside the Bataclan concert hall, where the Eagles of Death Metal had been playing. But unlike the Bataclan concert, the Manchester show was filled with children.

Prime Minister Theresa May said that this “is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.”

Explosions, Deaths Reported at Ariana Grande Concert

Jonathan Antonio
-
0
Explosions, Deaths Reported at Ariana Grande Concert

Several people killed and several others were injured following two explosions in Manchester Arena during the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

According to reports, several people were killed following multiple explosions at the end of an Ariana Grande commercial. Videos of the incident have surfaced and show people running away in terror from the venue following the explosions after the concert finished. Bloodied concert goers were caught leaving and assisted by emergency services outside of the concert.

Manchester Police released a statement, “Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured. Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene. Details of a casualty bureau will follow as soon as available.”

Rolling Stone reports that audience members first heard the explosion after Grande’s last song at roughly 10:40 p.m.

Ariana Grande explosions
PHILADELPHIA, PA – December 10, 2014: Ariana Grande performs at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2014 in Philadelphia. (JStone / Shutterstock.com)

Suddenly everybody started screaming and running for the exit … We could hear the police and ambulance sirens. It was terrifying,” a concertgoer told MailOnline. “There were thousands of people trying to get out at once. They were all screaming and crying. The whole place smelt smokey and burnt.”

Majid Khan, a concert goer, told The Independent: “I and my sister, along with a lot of others were seeing Ariana Grande perform at Manchester Arena, and we were all exiting the venue when around 10.40-10,45pm-ish, a huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena … It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit Trinity Way and that was blocked so everyone was just running to any exit they could find as quickly as they could.”

Ariana Grande is most known for her roles in Victorious and Sam & Cat. Her music career started with the soundtrack Music from Vicorious. She signed a contract with Republic Records and released her debut studio album, Yours Truly 2013. The album’s hit single “The Way” debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, with fans comparing her style to Mariah Carey. Her second album My Everything debuted at NO. 1 in the US. In 2016, Time called Grande one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She is also the second most followed person on Instagram.

First Humans Came from Europe and Not Africa, Study Finds

Megan Diane
-
0
First Humans Came from Europe and Not Africa, Study Finds

First humans emerged in the Eastern Mediterranean and not East Africa. A new controversial study claims that they have found the origin of humans as early as 7.2 million years ago.

Humans may have spawned from the rest of great apes more than 200,000 years earlier than previously thought and evolved in what is now called Greece and Bulgaria, changing the theory of human evolution belief that humanity originated out of East Africa.

The last common ancestor of chimps and humans was thought to have lived between 5 and 7 million years ago in Africa, according to previous research. A species that lived in the eastern Mediterranean has found to have human-like traits, which throws a wrench in the previous theory.

ancient human

The species is called Graecopithecus freybergi. The species teeth are at the center of the research discovery. Two different specimens from Greece and Bulgaria date back 7.2 million years ago. Researchers say the premolars are more similar to those of humans.

“While great apes typically have two or three separate and diverging [premolar tooth] roots, the roots of Graecopithecus converge and are partially fused – a feature that is characteristic of modern humans, early humans and several pre-humans including Ardipithecus and Australopithecus”, said study author Madelaine Böhme of the University of Tübingen, Germany, in a statement.

The specimen is said to be hundreds of thousands of years older than contenders for the oldest pre-human species, which have all been found in Africa. One of the oldest pre-humans was a Sahelanthropus discovered in Chad. The newly discovered Graecopithecus freybergi is at least 200,000 years older.

Researchers also point out that they have discovered a link between the formation of the Sahara desert 7.2 million years ago had a major impact on early human evolution. Sand particles were found on the specimens and they were roughly the same rock age as what makes up the Sahara desert.

Study: Gender-Confirmation Surgeries Rise by Nearly 20%

Brent Edward
-
0
Study: Gender-Confirmation Surgeries Rise by Nearly 20%

In the first report on the topic from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has found the number of surgeries to confirm a person’s gender identity, also known as sex reassignment surgeries have increased.

In 2016, there were more than 3,500 sex reassignment surgeries were performed in the U.S. That is up more than 20% from the number completed in 2015, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What are Gender-Confirmation Surgeries?

Gender Confirmation surgeries are any surgery that people undergo to make their physical traits align better with their sex identity. Gender confirmation operations could be anything from genital reconstruction surgery to any facial or body contouring, according to the report.

Researchers point out that there are steps people may have to undergo as part of aligning with their gender identity depends on the person, according to GLAAD.

“Board-certified plastic surgeons undergo rigorous training that is designed to not only provide the safest and best quality care but also give patients a variety of options when it comes to gender affirming surgeries,” ASPS President Debra Johnson, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Sacramento, said in a statement. “Our goal as plastic surgeons is to help get transgender patients to a place where they feel the most comfortable.”

Why have Gender Confirmation Surgeries increased?

Researchers report access to gender confirmation surgeries has improved in recent years, with Medicare removing its ban on coverage for these procedures in 2014. Currently, Medicare pays for operations on a case-by-case basis, and many third party payers followed, Schechter explained.

“In my experience, many corporations have also recognized the importance of providing trans-related health care benefits,” he said. “However, many certainly don’t.”

This news comes after Caitlyn Jenner completed gender confirmation surgery after being known in the public eye as Bruce Jenner. Many believed she would become a voice for the LGTBQ community but, her reality show was recently canceled due to poor ratings, and her latest memoir was not a hit.

Pediatricians Advise Infants Should Not Drink Juice: “Fruit juice offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit.”

Brent Edward
-
0
Pediatricians Advise Infants Should Not Drink Juice: “Fruit juice offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a new report and advice about juice. The advisory board argues that kids should avoid drinking it.

If you are craving something fruity, it is better to eat a piece of fruit instead. If you’re thirsty, then you should drink water.

Juice is the most popular beverage for kids and teens. Americans between the ages of 2 to 18 drink half of their fruit in the form of juice. As a result, the Academy’s position on juice is this: “Fruit juice offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit.”

Kids younger than six months should not drink milk.

The advisory board says in the first six months, the only thing infant’s should drink infant formula or breast milk. “No additional nutrients are needed,” the statement says.

Researchers argue that babies who drink juice risk missing out on essential protein, fats, and nutrients that help a young baby grow.

Kids at six months to 1 year should drink milk, formula or water.

Babies at this age start eating solid foods and fruit. Overall, researchers offer this piece of parenting advice:

  • Limit juice intake to 4 ounces per day.
  • Serve juice in a cup, not a bottle.
  • Do not put babies to bed with juice that they can sip throughout the night.
  • If the goal is to rehydrate a baby with acute gastroenteritis, use electrolyte solutions instead of juice.

Toddlers and children 6 and younger over consume juice

The Academy explains that fruit juice and juice drinks are over consumed by kids and young children because “they taste good.”

In a statement, the Academy says, “they are conveniently packaged or can be placed in a bottle or transportable covered cup and carried around during the day.”

Researchers argue that parents should encourage their kids to eat fruit instead of drinking juice. “Like soda, it can contribute to energy imbalance.”

If parents are insistent selling juice, they should limit the consumption of pasteurized juice to about 4 ounces per day for children between ages 1 and 3, and to 6 ounces per day for those 4 to 6.

Older children and teens

The Academy argues that children should not drink more than 8 ounces of juice per day.

“Fruit juice,” the Academy says, “has no essential role in healthy, balanced diets of children.”

Older Doctors Linked to Higher Death Rates, Study Finds

Brent Edward
-
0
Older Doctors Linked to Higher Death Rates, Study Finds

A new study suggests younger doctors are better at treating patients than older physicians.

According to a new study posted this week in the British Medical Journal, being handled by an older doctor may, in fact, increase your chance of dying within a month of being admitted to a hospital if you’re 65 years and older.

Researchers surveyed over 700,000 American hospital patients who received Medicare between 2011 and 2014 and almost 19,000 doctors were involved in the study. Ultimately, the study found that the 30-day mortality rate was 10.8% for seniors treated by doctors under the age of 40 years old.  Meanwhile, the death rate for physicians between the ages of 40 to 59 years old was 11.1% and 12.1% when treated by a doctor age 60  or older.

It is important to highlight the that the study did indicate that older physicians who deal of high volume with patients did not experience the same mortality rate numbers. Scientists found that for every 77 patients treated by a doctor age 60 or older, one fewer patient would die within 30 days if those same patients have been treated by Dr. who was younger than 40.

Ultimately, the study is a paradigm shift from the long-held believed myth that older doctors provide better care than younger physicians because they have more experience. The study found that newer doctors have undergone more recent training and as a result can make safer decisions for their patients.

Professor Anupam Jena, the co-author, explained, “Older physicians bring invaluable richness of knowledge and depth of experience, yet their clinical skills may begin to lag behind over time.”

Researchers do, however, suggest that findings should not deter people from seeing old physicians.

Last December researchers found that patients of female physicians live longer. Researchers found that hospital patients who are treated by a female doctor are less likely to die within a month of going to the hospital in comparison to hospital patients who are treated by male physicians. Also, patients handled by a male doctor were 5% more likely to go back to the hospital.

U.S. Workers Failing Drug Tests At the Highest Rate in Over a Decade

Brent Edward
-
1
U.S. Workers Failing Drug Tests At the Highest Rate in Over a Decade

According to reports, more US workers are testing positive for illegal drugs. The Wall Street Journal reports, the number of workers who tested positive for marijuana increased by 4%. In addition, other drugs also rose.

What is causing the rise in positive drug tests? The Wall Street Journal explains, “The increases come against a backdrop of more liberal marijuana state laws and an apparent resurgence in the use of drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.”

Quest Diagnostics Inc., one of the largest workplace drug testing labs in the country, conducted a study and found 4.2% of their 8.9 million drug tests came back positive, which is up from 4% in 2015. It is the highest rate of drug use among U.S. workers since 2004, when 4.5% of tests showed evidence of illicit drug use.

Currently, marijuana remains the most commonly used drug among United States workers. The drug was identified in 2.5% of all urine tests in 2016, which is up .1% in comparison to 2015.

“This year’s findings are remarkable because they show increased rates of drug positivity for the most common illicit drugs across virtually all drug test specimen types and in all testing populations,” said Barry Sample, PhD, senior director, science and technology, Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions. “Our analysis suggests that employers committed to creating a safe, drug-free work environment should be alert to the potential for drug use among their workforce.”

This news comes after, the Canadian government released plans to legalize marijuana on July 2018. In addition, a December 2016 study found legalized recreational marijuana has changed the way teens view pot.

For the First Time Ever, Women in their 30s are Having More Babies than Younger Moms

Brent Edward
-
0
For the First Time Ever, Women in their 30s are Having More Babies than Younger Moms

According to a new study, American women in their 30s are having more babies than younger moms.

Researchers say the shift is due to more women waiting longer to have children and the drop in teenage pregnancies. Important to note, for the past 30 years, women in their 20s have the highest birth rates. But, in 2016, data has suggested that women in their early 30s are having more babies than younger women, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

The birth rate for women ages 30 to 34 was about 103 per 100,000 women. Meanwhile, the rate for women ages 25 to 29 was 102 per 100,000 women.

As a result, it is becoming more common to see older parents with kids in elementary and high school.

Researchers also found the overall birthrate was down slightly in 2016, with 62 births per 100,000 women ages 14 to 44. In addition, the average age a woman has the first child is now 28 years old.

This news comes after a report by the Social Security Administration that said Caitlin is no longer a popular name. In fact, in the report researchers found that all four versions of the name Caitlin have dropped out of the top 1000 baby names. Many people argue that the name;s quick decline came after the former reality star, Caitlyn Jenner announced a new gender. In 2015, Bruce Jenner, an Olympic gold medalist, announced her status as a transgender woman.

1...2,2582,2592,260...2,310Page 2,259 of 2,310

Explore

Trending

Follow us

© All Rights Reserved, Newspaper Theme.