Scientists engineer first human-pig hybrid embryo
By Emma Gruner, Staff Writer The idea of a human-animal hybrid is one that usually generates a host of exotic, otherworldly images. Centaurs, mermaids, freakish mutants… all beings that one generally does not expect to encounter outside of fantasy and science fiction. In actuality, though, these hybrids may be closer to becoming a reality than previously thought. On January 26, a team of researchers at Salk Institute, led by...
Scientists discover seven planets that could harbor life
By Emma Gruner, Staff Writer For practically all of human history, the realm of outer space has captivated our collective imagination, likely because it lies beyond it. The vast sizes and distances that our galaxy – nay, our universe – involves the array of places, objects, and phenomena unlike anything we ourselves have ever laid eyes on. It all tests the limits of our comprehension, and in doing so, it fascinates us all the more....
How the agricultural revolution impacted man’s best friend
By Emma Gruner, Staff writer The Agricultural Revolution is well-regarded as a turning point in human history in more ways than one. Socially, this shift marked the beginning of modern civilization, but scientifically, it marked a major change in the makeup of the human genome. As our ancestors transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to primarily sedentary farmers, their bodies, and ultimately their DNA, were forced to adjust to...
Research suggests your social status could affect your health
By Emma Gruner, Staff Writer In today’s modern world, biology and sociology are often considered separate disciplines. The former governs the basic functionality of living creatures, while the latter governs the more complex, nuanced world of human interaction. Yet as one recent study shows, the two fields can intersect in surprising ways. A collaborative research team from Duke University, Emory University, and the University...
Apes prove to have unique human quality
By Emma Gruner, Staff Writer The family of great apes, which includes chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and gorillas, has long been a source of great fascination to evolutionary scientists. As humankind’s closest relatives in the animal kingdom, they have served as a bridge between the world of man and beast. Psychological studies conducted on these creatures have gradually revealed their remarkable intellectual abilities, and...
