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Salmagundi

Ilyanna

Ilyanna

moral imperfection
From the University of Zurich
link article


News release, May 08, 2012
Typically human brain development older than first thought


A large neonate brain, rapid brain growth and large frontal lobes are the typical hallmarks of human brain development. These appeared much earlier in the hominin family tree than was originally thought, as anthropologists from the University of Zurich who re-examined the Taung child’s fossil cranial sutures and compared them with other fossil skulls now prove. The late fusion of the cranial sutures in the Taung child is also found in many other members of the Australopithecus africanus species and the earliest examples of the Homo genus.
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As the researchers now demonstrate using computer-imaging comparisons of fossil crania, the late fusion of the metopic suture in the Taung child is not unique in fossils. It is also found in many other members of the species Australopithecus africanus, not to mention the earliest examples of our Homo genus. The three typical hallmarks of human brain development – a large neonate brain, rapid brain growth and large frontal lobes – therefore appeared much earlier in the hominin family tree than was originally thought.
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From the University of Western Australia

link

University News

Talking plants

Tuesday, 3 April 2012
When South African botanist Lyall Watson claimed in his 1973 best-seller "Supernature" that plants had emotions that could register on a lie detector, scientists scoffed and branded it hippie nonsense.
But new research at The University of Western Australia has discovered that plants appear to react to sounds and may even make clicking noises to communicate with each other.
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They also found that young corn roots suspended in water leaned toward the source of a continuous sound emitted in the region of 220Hz, which is within the frequency range that the same roots emitted themselves.
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National Geographic:

Unprecedented Maya Mural Found, Contradicts 2012 "Doomsday" Myth

Under the Guatemalan jungle, 1,200-year-old paintings like no others.


Erik Vance in Xultún, Guatemala
for National Geographic News
Updated 5:28 p.m. ET, May 10, 2012
In the last known largely unexcavated Maya megacity, archaeologists have uncovered the only known mural adorning an ancient Maya house, a new study says—and it's not just any mural.

In addition to a still vibrant scene of a king and his retinue, the walls are rife with calculations that helped ancient scribes track vast amounts of time. Contrary to the idea the Maya predicted the end of the world in 2012, the markings suggest dates thousands of years in the future.

Perhaps most important, the otherwise humble chamber offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Maya society.
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One is a lunar table, and the other is a "ring number"—something previously known only from much later Maya books, where it was used as part of a backward calculation in establishing a base date for planetary cycles. Nearby is a sequence of numbered intervals corresponding to key calendrical and planetary cycles.
The calculations include dates some 7,000 years in the future, adding to evidence against the idea that the Maya thought the world would end in 2012—a modern myth inspired by an ancient calendar that depicts time starting over this year.
"We keep looking for endings," expedition leader Saturno said in a statement. "The Maya were looking for a guarantee that nothing would change. It's an entirely different mindset."
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National Geographic:

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Unmatched Among Chameleons?

Photograph courtesy Frank Glaw
Match-tip tiny, Brookesia micra (juvenile pictured) is the smallest of four new chameleon species found on the African island country of Madagascar. With an average adult length of just over an inch (2.9 centimeters) from snout to tail, B. micra is among the tiniest reptiles in the world.
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The thread is kind of triggered by your Wiki one.
I currently have two major topics that just don't seem to leave me alone - the brain/mind, and the influence sociological paradigms have on us. Not necessarily linked to each other in all cases, but I love to hear from new scientific discoveries that might shed new light on common beliefs.

I just thought I'd collect anything I stumble across in one place for closer scrutinization and/or later referral.

For example - the first article taps into two things at once: a) the evolution of the brain. The scientific theses have to be rewritten quite frequently, and I love how what we've once learned in school is completely outdated and plain wrong. b) the close genetic relationship between the different primates, which, of course, is a big, spiky thorn in the side of every one thinking humans are "special".

The second one shows -again - that intentional, purposeful communication is not even close to being dependent on a nervous system. Again - a challenge to paradigms humans have held dear for quite a while now.

Third one - heh, brainwaves and the multiple ways to fuck with them. Self-explanatory ;)

The Maya stuff - Apart from being very disappointing news FOR SOME OF US (*puts away her space elevator keys*), this sentence caught my interest: "The Maya were looking for a guarantee that nothing would change. It's an entirely different mindset."I'm not sure if that is such a different mindset than ours, but I need to ponder that a bit longer.

The baby chameleon - 100% cuteness factor, and an example of just how fucking perfect nature is.

Anyone interested (especially you, Gear ;) ) - feel free to add your own stuff as you see fit, I'm interested in pretty much everything these days, doesn't necessarily have to be about the a/m topics, either.
 
^yeah, once again life barfed on my freshly polished cowboy boots. *goes to check if there's a way to prolong her studies for 30 more years*
 
Not my dept. I just take great relish in the fact that most of these fucks aren't making it out alive.
 
And those who do survive the first two weeks will then die a slow, cold death for not knowing how to build a proper fire.
Yes, I am still optimistic.
 
When? the nearest estimate is 2040. Apophis has a1 in 4 million chance of hitting, but another asteroid, 2040, the odds drop to 1 in 625. Our tech should be better by then.
 
*looks back at our recent posts* uh, dunno, 'Gear. Eat the weak might probably be a better idea...
 
The weak aren't nearly as spiritually tasty as the rude. It's better for you nutritionally if you have to catch it to eat it.
 
'Gear said:
The weak aren't nearly as spiritually tasty as the rude. It's better for you nutritionally if you have to catch it to eat it.
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Dammit, that's what I suspected. Does it count if I just wait till they powerwalk my way?
 
Sure! Deception and ambush are always legit. And as I'm sure you're well aware - Rude people are almost always only smart in a linear way if at all. They never see you coming sideways because they're too busy being as offensive as possible.
 
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