The opposable thumb is a defining characteristic of primates, including humans. It allows us to grasp objects, use tools, and perform complex tasks.
The evolution of the opposable thumb is closely tied to the development of human intelligence. As our ancestors began to use tools, their thumbs evolved to better handle these objects.
The placebo effect is a phenomenon in which some people experience a perceived improvement in their health or symptoms after receiving a placebo or 'fake' treatment, which has no therapeutic intent.
The mind-body connection is a powerful one and the placebo effect is a perfect example of this. The belief that a treatment will work can sometimes be enough to cause an improvement in health.
Language is a system of communication used by humans with the use of vocal sounds, gestures and written symbols. It is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and social relationships.
The evolution of speech is thought to have begun with simple vocalizations by early hominids and evolved over time into the complex languages we use today. The exact timeline of this evolution is still a topic of debate among scientists.
The biological clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is an internal system that regulates many of our physiological processes, including sleep, metabolism, and hormone production. This clock is influenced by external cues, such as light and temperature.
The circadian rhythm is controlled by a group of nerve cells in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN responds to light and dark signals, adjusting our sleep-wake cycle accordingly.
The human microbiome is the collection of all the microorganisms living in association with the human body. These communities consist of a variety of microorganisms including eukaryotes, archaea, bacteria and viruses.
Bacteria in the human body are abundant and necessary for our health. They help digest our food, regulate our immune system, protect against other bacteria that cause disease, and produce vitamins including B vitamins and vitamin K.
Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. They were first discovered in the early 1990s, when a team of Italian researchers found individual neurons in the brains of macaque monkeys that fired both when the monkeys grabbed an object and also when the monkeys watched another primate grab the same object.
Humans share about 98.7% of their DNA with chimpanzees, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. This surprising fact has led many to question just how similar we are to these primates.
Despite the small percentage difference, the genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees are striking. Both species have the same number of chromosomes and many of the same genes.
Throughout history, epidemics have marked turning points in the life of civilizations. Beyond their impact on health, these health crises have transformed societies, economies, and even the balance of power among empires. From the Black Death to the Spanish flu, these diseases have left a profound mark on the course of humanity.
About 160,000 years ago, the world was going through one of the most hostile periods for human life: the Middle Pleistocene glaciation. Much of the planet was covered in ice, and habitable areas were drastically reduced. Extreme temperatures and lack of resources led to the collapse of many hominid populations in different regions of the planet.
