The Great London [05/21/22] 

  • Indigenous Cultures: First estimate of Pygmy population in Central Africa reveals their plight

    The forests of Central Africa could be home to up to 920,000 Pygmies, according to researchers from UCL, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Malaga, who have conducted the first measured estimate of the population and distribution of these indigenous groups.Pygmy musicians in the Congo Basin, Bottom: Mbendjele…

  • Genetics: Obesity in humans linked to fat gene in prehistoric apes

    A genetic mutation in extinct European apes that enabled them to convert fruit sugar into fat could be a cause of the modern obesity epidemic and diabetes, according to scientists. Fossil evidence reveals that apes living around 16 million years ago, in what was then subtropical Europe, began to suffer as global cooling subsequent…

  • Forensics: Intricate animal and flower tattoos found on Egyptian mummy

    A mummy from ancient Egypt was heavily tattooed with sacred symbols, which may have served to advertise and enhance the religious powers of the woman who received them more than 3,000 years ago.The mummy's tattoos include two seated baboons depicted between a wadjet eye (top row), a symbol of protection [Credit: Anne Austin]The ne…