Ancient DNA sheds light on Later Stone Age civilizations

+ AI and cybersecurity; climate science from the early 20th century US Edition - Today's top story: Ancient DNA helps reveal social changes in Africa 50,000 years ago that shaped the human story [View in browser]( US Edition | 23 February 2022 [The Conversation]( A study published today offers fascinating insights into how people lived in Africa around 50,000 years ago using a relatively new technique in anthropology: ancient DNA analysis. By combining DNA garnered from archaeological human remains with other sources, including linguistics and oral and written histories, the team was able to discern [how widely African peoples moved and intermingled in a period known as the Later Stone Age](. One of the more shocking pieces of news to me about the coronavirus from the past year was the discovery that infection of white-tailed deer in the U.S. is widespread. More than a dozen captive and wild species have been infected. Three veterinary researchers from Colorado State University provide an [overview of the science on this subject of animal virology and explain why it matters to both animal and human health](. A great thing about working with academics is hearing about some of the solutions to big problems that they’re crafting. Engineering professor Roger Bales reports on a solar canal project slated to be tested in California’s Central Valley, in which Bales’ research team is participating. As you can see from the artist’s rendition below, [solar panels will cover a portion of California’s extensive water canals, providing electricity and reducing evaporation](. Also in this week’s science and research news: - [Olympic Winter Games will look very different in the future]( - [Why it’s the end of the line for your 3G phone]( - [Edwin Land, founder of Polaroid Corp., helped make modern imaging possible]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Together with artifacts from the past, ancient DNA can fill in details about our ancient ancestors. Nina R/Wikimedia Commons [Ancient DNA helps reveal social changes in Africa 50,000 years ago that shaped the human story]( Elizabeth Sawchuk, University of Alberta; Jessica Thompson, Yale University; Mary Prendergast, Rice University A new study doubles the age of ancient DNA in sub-Saharan Africa, revealing how people moved, mingled and had children together over the last 50,000 years. White-tailed deer are one of the few wild species that scientists have found to be infected with the coronavirus – at least so far. Andrew C/WikimediaCommons [Deer, mink and hyenas have caught COVID-19 – animal virologists explain how to find the coronavirus in animals and why humans need to worry]( Sue VandeWoude, Colorado State University; Angela Bosco-Lauth, Colorado State University; Christie Mayo, Colorado State University Scientists have been testing captive and wild animals for the coronavirus since the pandemic began. Only a few wild species are known to carry the virus, but many more have been shown to be susceptible. An artist’s rendering of a solar canal. Robin Raj, Citizen Group & Solar Aquagrid [First solar canal project is a win for water, energy, air and climate in California]( Roger Bales, University of California, Merced Covering the state’s canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water and help meet renewable energy goals – all while saving money. - [How AI is shaping the cybersecurity arms race]( Sagar Samtani, Indiana University Artificial intelligence is emerging as a key cybersecurity tool for both attackers and defenders. - [What is 3G and why is it being shut down? An electrical engineer explains]( Mai Vu, Tufts University As the wireless telecommunications companies ramp up their 5G rollouts, they are beginning to pull the plug on their 3G networks. 2022 is the end of the line for the venerable cellphone service. - [How climate change threatens the Winter Olympics’ future – even snowmaking has limits for saving it]( Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University; Sunshine Swetnam, Colorado State University Innovation made the 2022 Winter Games possible in Beijing, but snowmaking has limits in a warming climate. - [75 years of instant photos, thanks to inventor Edwin Land’s Polaroid camera]( Ann Elsner, Indiana University Whether at a family gathering or in a research lab, getting access to images immediately was a game-changer. And Land’s innovations went far beyond the instant photo. - [Farmers are overusing insecticide-coated seeds, with mounting harmful effects on nature]( John F. Tooker, Penn State Studies suggest that seeds coated with neonicotinoid insecticides may harm nontarget insects, mammals and birds. In response, states are starting to restrict use of these products. - [A mild-mannered biker triggered a huge debate over humans’ role in climate change – in the early 20th century]( Sylvia G. Dee, Rice University His theory, based on years of detailed climate and weather data, became known as the Callendar Effect. Today we call it global warming. - [Why the cost of mitigating climate change can’t be boiled down to one right number, despite some economists’ best attempts]( Matthew E. Kahn, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Human behaviors shift. Policies change. New technology arrives and evolves. All those changes and more are hard to predict, and they affect tomorrow’s costs. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( Enjoy reading The Conversation? 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