Alison Campbell • Jul 31, 2017 •
What follows is loosely based on a workshop I ran at this year’s Biolive/ChemEd secondary science teachers’ conference. (A most excellent conference, by the way – kudos to those organising & presenting.) I’ve added a bunch of hotlinked references. Back when I was in 7th form (or year 13 – i.e. a rather long time ago), the description of … Read More
John Kerr • Sep 22, 2016 •
Where did we come from and when did we leave there? These existential questions are at the heart of several human genetics studies published today in the leading journal Nature, all with links to New Zealand. Tracing our genetic roots The now widely accepted ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis puts Africa as the origin of all modern humans. However, there is still debate … Read More
Brendan Moyle • Apr 01, 2016 •
The short answer. No. Longer answer: Newspapers are fond of stories that breathlessly announce discoveries as revolutionary. Fossils never add anything to our knowledge incrementally. They will always rewrite the theory of evolution. Cancer is another popular target for revolutionary new treatments or causes. So it was with some skepticism I read that, quote, “Scientists have found vegetarianism can cause a … Read More
Brendan Moyle • Sep 09, 2015 •
Image linked to Wits University Wits University will be streaming a major new discovery on Thursday. It is from the “Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site”. Other than that, we’ll all have to wait. The streaming will begin at 10.30, 10 September, South Africa time. Read More
Peter Dearden • Jul 11, 2015 •
Our extinct relatives still shape the way we evolve. Read More
Peter Dearden • May 13, 2014 •
Peter K. Dearden Perspective is an important thing in understanding science. I, like everyone else on earth should, have an interest in the evolution of our species. I am struck by the conundrum that we seem very different from our nearest relatives, yet genetically we are very similar. I bet a lot of that is about perspective. It is easy … Read More
Brigid Gallagher • Apr 03, 2012 •
Ask anybody today what the fundamental requirements of life are, and they will tell you….food, shelter, lighting, warmth, their iphone… Ask anybody in prehistory what the fundamental requirements of life are, and they may tell you….food, shelter, lighting, warmth… And for most of this, until recently, that meant fire. Fire to protect, Fire to cook, Fire to see, Fire … Read More
David Winter • Feb 22, 2012 •
I'm giving a big talk next week - a departmental seminar. It's the first time I've had more than 15 minutes to talk about my research, so this talk will be a little more discursive that my usual. I study speciation, how new species come into being, a... Read More
Alison Campbell • Jan 26, 2012 •
Just a heads-up for teachers & students: next month Chris Stringer will be giving public lectures on human evolution in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin. (No Hamilton talk! I am sad :-( I've got an all-day meeting that means I'd... Read More
Alison Campbell • Sep 07, 2011 •
This comes at an opportune time for those of you teaching the Human Evolution content - and for those looking around for some follow-up reading :-) The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has a whole lot of free biology education resources available... Read More