NYT : Lost in a Million-Year Gap, Solid Clues to Human Origins

Today, I was exuberant when the New York Times printed an article about human origins. The human evolution tree is still far from perfect. However, there are several good theories. Unfortunately, there are not enough fossils discovered and some may be waiting to be discovered.

When I read the publication last month about the new idea of Homo erectus and Homo habilis living together even though they became isolated from each other for many thousand years. I am really curious whether Homo erectus actually left Africa or stayed at another part of Africa before meeting their distant cousins.

Did Homo splitted off from australopithecus? In my own opinion, I would say yes. But, I can't be one hundred percent sure. Recently, I acquired a copy of book called Lucy. I plan on reading this to learn more about australopithecus.

As scientists and paleoanthropologists try to revamp the human evolution map, I can still ponder about some theories they have on the table. This is one of the most exciting fields.

An amazing parrot is at peace

Alex, a 31-year old Africian gray brainy parrot, passed away last week at age 31. I was intrigued when I read an article in the New York Times about brain parrot's achievements that went beyond my expectation. Alex knew more than 100 words and could count and recognize colors and shapes. One last thing that amazed me was that he said to Dr Pepperberg on his final night before his death, "You'll be in tomorrow."

For further reading, click on the link below.

Brainy Parrot Dies, Emotive to the End

NYT : Warming Is Seen as Wiping Out Most Polar Bears

There is an article in the New York Times about global warming is seen as wiping out most Polar Bears. This is very unfortunate. The esimate of current population is 22,000. I have read an article a couple months ago about Polar Bear as the most prized animals for hunters and they are not about to slow down.

At one point, the Polar Bears will have to adapt the new change and try to survive by looking for different kinds of food and atmosphere. I think that they are in gravely dangerous of becoming extinct someday if not much is done to protect them. Global warming is unstoppable but will the Polar Bears adapt to the new lifestyle?

For further reading, click on the link below.

Warming Is Seen as Wiping Out Most Polar Bears

NYT : When the Moon Was a Matter of Pride

The New York Times' Science Section has an article about the documentary film called "In the Shadow of the Moon." In that film, you will find the history of the journey to the Moon. Unfortunately, Neil Armstrong wasn't included in the film. It's due to the fact that he is a very private man.

The amazing thing is that Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, & Mike Collins made an excursion that no human being has done. Even though Mike stayed in the orbit, this was a special event. They were not just representing the United Sates, they were representing the world. Of course, there were several other manned flights to the Moon after Apollo 11's achievement.

I have read the book called First Man, an authorized biography of Neil Armstrong and I enjoyed the book. I would probably enjoy the documentary film despite to Neil Armstrong's absence.

Distant space collision meant doom for dinosaurs

I just read an article about the distant space collision meant doom for dinosaurs. I sat back and thought about it for a moment. I seem to like this notion that this kind of collision played the role. I'm keeping my mind open on other hypotheses and theories. It's worth reading.

On other note, I do believe that the asteroid has caused the catastrophe about 65 million years ago. The crash was powerful enough to put Earth in dark for a period of time. My biggest question is how did mammals survive? Did a fraction of plants survive without the sunlight ray? I have thought about the continuous activities of volcanoes that may have allowed the small group of plants at unaffected area to survive.

Zero-G Stresses Immune Organs

I just read an article posted in Yahoo News. The researchers have discovered that Zero-G can stress immune organs. If true, it can be a significant concern, especially when sending humans to Mars. This research could be vital to the decsion making and this research should continue further. There are so many things that we don't fully understand about the space and we are aware of various risks.

Book : The World Without Us

I just bumped into an article in The New York Times. There is a Book Review about a book called 'The World Without Us'. I find this review very interesting. I have thought about it numerous of time. The author's explanation seems very logical. I know that some of you would disagree with me on many areas but I'm going to post my own opinion as I see something plausible.

Life would eventually change after the mankind is nearly or completely wiped out. The destruction of civilization will certainly happen but nobody knows when and how it will happen.

What would happen to Manhattan after the catastrophe? For sure, it would look wholly different. Two days after the incident, the subway tunnels become flooded with water because nobody would be able to regulate the pump system. The skyscrapers would collapse because nobody would do any repair work. The river would occupy Manhattan.

This is not a pleasant thought. However, this book can be a valuable tool for us so that we can try to deal with issues such as the sudden global warming, nuclear crisis, and other areas.

If the mass extinction does happen, everything will start all over again. Our planet would recover with some things left behind by us. The species would become wild again. The carbon dioxide level would become normal again 100,000 years later. If a fraction of Homo sapiens survive, it would be challenging for them to rebuild the civilization but they would struggle for a long time. As the article said, life will go on with or without us. The species will keep evolving gradually based on survival, weather, and competition.