Of Chimps and Men
Chimpanzees are genetically closer to humans than to great apes, according to a new study from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The study showed that humans and chimps are evolving at a similar rate; the genetic codes of the two species only differ by 3%. This finding supports a controversial proposal to reclassify the chimpanzee from the genus Pan to our genus, Homo.
People have higher foreheads, but less-prominent features than our counterparts from 650 years ago, according to a paper in the British Dental Journal. A team examined skulls from the mid-14th century and the mid-16th century, as well as current orthodontic records. The evidence suggests that an increase in cranial vault height may be due to an increase in intelligence.
The orangutan population has declined dramatically in the past 200 years, and researchers have linked the collapse to human deforestation. A paper in PLoS Biology examined the genetic profiles of 200 orangutans, inferring from the level of diversity that the population had dropped sharply in the past 200 years. The period of population decline correlates with colonial exploitation of the orangutans' habitat.
Scientists have found the smallest fish on record, measuring only 7.9 millimeters in length. Unfortunately for this newly-discovered species of the Paedocypris genus, humans are rapidly destroying Indonesian peat swamps, its natural habitat. Scientists say the fish's long term prospects are poor and that other tiny fish may have already become extinct due to swamp drainage and forest destruction.
According to a new study, ears probably first developed as respiratory organs. Swedish scientists who examined a 370-million-year-old fossil fish say that the ear developed in incremental steps. The researchers posit that the ear began as an expansion in a blowhole-like cavity, which soon began to resemble the ears of land animals.
Jumping Ship to Phone Home
G. Scott Hubbard, leader of the NASA Ames Research Center, is leaving his post to join Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) as the Carl Sagan Chair for the Study of Life in the Universe. Hubbard said the new position would allow him "to return to the research arena and pursue a lifelong interest in the search for life in the universe and its origins on Earth."
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Astronomers have found the smallest-known extra-solar planet that orbits a normal star. The planet, which orbits a red dwarf star approximately 28,000 light years away, is about 5.5 times the mass of Earth and appears to be rocky. The researchers who made the discovery say it suggests that rocky, somewhat Earth-like planets may be common.
NASA has delayed its mission to explore two of the solar system's largest asteroids, the agency announced. NASA chalked the decision up to cost overruns and technical issues with its spacecraft, Dawn. This mission is part of the greater Discovery program, which aims to explore the solar system on a very small budget: Dawn was supposed to cost $371 million. The program has already requested an extra $40 million.
After six years of studying Earth's magnetic field, NASA satellite Image ceased operation. Image successfully completed its primary mission after two years, continuing to make observations until its power supply failed one month ago. Image beamed back dozens of visuals during its tenure, one of which was the first global view of a double aurora.
On Tuesday, Japan launched an H-2A rocket carrying a four ton observation satellite. The satellite will make weather observations of the Asia-Pacific region and gather terrain data for maps. If this satellite is successful, Japan plans on launching two more satellites by March, 2007. The new satellites would be used to spy on North Korea and other dangerous areas.