Tuesday, March 27, 2012

SOME PITHY TITLE ALLUDING TO WINDS OF CHANGE, BLA BLA BLA

I haven't been posting as much as I would like, but some exciting developments are underway. I'm currently finishing my last semester as an Anthropology/Linguistics undergrad, and have decided to forego law school to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology. Of course, this rather recent decision means my plans have been eviscerated. Instead of the LSAT, I need to prepare (rather tardily) for the GRE, and I'm scrambling to put my admissions material together in time to meet application deadlines. All this on top of composing my senior project on Native land rights in the Americas. Still, I haven't been this excited about the future for years, and I'm standing firmly behind my gut feeling on this decision. Though I'm versed in some rudimentary science  and statistics through formal coursework and personal study, I've got a long path ahead of me. As I immerse myself in this academic pursuit, expect the postings to reflect continued exploration of subjects like biostatistics, public health concerns, and infectious diseases, in addition to the topics already covered. I'm not sure where this new direction will spit me out, but I'm certain it will be one hell of an interesting ride!

Friday, March 16, 2012

NEW HUMAN SPECIES?


A new PLoS ONE journal article studies recently-discovered humanoid remains which may be an evolutionary offshoot of Homo sapiens. The skeletons, discovered in caverns in the South-west of China, feature large jaws  (absent chin) and molars, eminent brow ridges, robust bone structure, and flat faces. Caches of fossilized remains from giant prehistoric deer suggest that venison comprised a significant portion of these early humans' diet. The big question now is one of taxonomy: will the "red deer cave people" be classified as a phenotypic anomaly, or a new human species? 

Read the full journal article here:
Human Remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition of Southwest China Suggest a Complex Evolutionary History for East Asians

Related secondary sources:
National Geographic
Live Science


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