New evidence released by the journal NATURE suggests a new theory to explain the gaps in the fossil records regarding the split between the humans and Chimps. According to this new hypothesis the final speciation; split between humans and Chimpanzees; is much more recent than what used to be commonly believed. It is now estimated that the split into two different species occurred less than 6.3 million years ago and might have been as recent as 5.4 million years ago.
It is commonly believed that the split from an original ancestor, into humans and Chimpanzees, took place 9 million years ago. This is still the belief. The fossil record, however, contained a large gap that went unexplained until this recent study of genomes.
What the scientists have concluded sounds bizarre but it is as of today the only possible explanation of the developments that can be seen in the genetic codes.
The Harvard and MIT study reiterated the belief that the split from a common ancestor started 9 million years ago and was completed 6.3 million years ago. But this is where the new revelations become interesting. Early humans must have been attracted to the Chimps and must have mated with them, which created new hybrid specie. Finally the two animals split totally around 5.3 million years ago because they just did not find each other to be physically appealing.
Scientific evidence does not only claim that humans and chimpanzees have common ancestors but that both have even mated with each other. Does such a trial and error process require an intelligent designer?
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Can$$$$ buy you good Health?
A study conducted by a group of British and US researchers concluded that the typical white American is not as healthy as the white British in any of the seven areas investigated.
The study was done on a group of 55-64 years old and in order to isolate the race factor only whites were used. The Americans were almost twice as likely to have diabetes or cancer as their British counterparts and 50% more likely to develop a stroke or heart disease. Hypertension, heart attacks and lung disease were 25-30% more likely to occur in Americans rather than the British. What is astonishing is the fact that the Americans did not beat the British in any category despite the fact that the US outspends the UK on health care. What was even more astounding was the revelation that in most categories the British poor were healthier than the US rich; the poor Brits had fewer incidences of cancer, diabetes and hypertension than the wealthy Americans.
The explanation for the above unexpected results will require more detailed studies. The leading hypothesis by the researchers, however, centers on a lifestyle phenomenon called social isolation.
“We have many people working an enormous number of hours," says Lisa Berkman, a social epidemiologist with Harvard University. "But they also have no time to take care of themselves or their families, as well as maintain a certain kind of community or neighborhood or set of ties." If we would only remember the admonition that we do not live by bread alone!!!!!
The study was done on a group of 55-64 years old and in order to isolate the race factor only whites were used. The Americans were almost twice as likely to have diabetes or cancer as their British counterparts and 50% more likely to develop a stroke or heart disease. Hypertension, heart attacks and lung disease were 25-30% more likely to occur in Americans rather than the British. What is astonishing is the fact that the Americans did not beat the British in any category despite the fact that the US outspends the UK on health care. What was even more astounding was the revelation that in most categories the British poor were healthier than the US rich; the poor Brits had fewer incidences of cancer, diabetes and hypertension than the wealthy Americans.
The explanation for the above unexpected results will require more detailed studies. The leading hypothesis by the researchers, however, centers on a lifestyle phenomenon called social isolation.
“We have many people working an enormous number of hours," says Lisa Berkman, a social epidemiologist with Harvard University. "But they also have no time to take care of themselves or their families, as well as maintain a certain kind of community or neighborhood or set of ties." If we would only remember the admonition that we do not live by bread alone!!!!!
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