NewsCloud.com Humans News

Upright Walking Began 6 Million Years Ago, Thigh Bone Comparison Suggests

A shape comparison of the most complete fossil femur (thigh bone) of one of the earliest known pre-humans, or hominins, with the femora of living apes, modern humans and other fossils, indicates the earliest form of bipedalism occurred at least six million years ago and persisted for at least four million years. William Jungers, Ph.D., of Stony Brook University, and Brian Richmond, Ph.D., of George Washington University, say their finding indicates that the fossil belongs to very early human ancestors, and that upright walking is one of the first human characteristics to appear in our lineage, right after the split between human and chimpanzee lineages. Their findings are published in the March 21 issue of the journal Science.

More than 40 percent of Chinese rural drinking water unfit: report

More than 40 percent of drinking water in rural China falls short of government standards, state media said Monday, citing a health ministry study.

Fossil finds challenge view of man's place in evolution - Independent Online Edition > Sci_Tech

Two fossils discovered in northern Kenya directly challenge the established view that there was a linear progression from apes to humans.

Why Humans Walk On Two Legs

A team of anthropologists that studied chimpanzees trained to use treadmills has gathered new evidence suggesting that our earliest apelike ancestors started walking on two legs because it required less energy than getting around on all fours.