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December 2, 2008 10:13:44 PM CST

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Princeton Team Adds Twist to Darwin's Theory

It's not random, they say: Organisms can control own evolution

Princeton University Nov 12, 08 7:25 PM CST
(Newser) - Princeton scientists say they have found evidence that organisms can essentially control their own evolution, a finding that could provide a fundamental shift in our understanding of Darwin's theory, reports the university's news service. The research suggests that evolution isn't entirely random, as Darwin believed. Rather, proteins within organisms constantly make self-correcting adaptations to bring about the fittest being. More »

More about:  evolution • biology • Charles Darwin • Princeton • natural selection

ANALYSIS

Sure, I'm Offended—
I'm Human!

People are extra sensitive these days, and science knows why

Slate Slate Oct 18, 08 7:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - From Larry David to John McCain, we’re all getting a little touchy these days, writes Emily Yoffe in Slate: “People are like tuning forks, ready to vibrate with indignation.” While economists argue humans are rational, “it seems we live in a culture devoted to retribution on behalf of the thin-skinned,” writes Yoffe, who delves into the science behind our over-active tempers. More »

More about:  Barack Obama • John McCain • psychology • language • gossip • natural selection • morality • social behavior

 Multitasking 
 Is a Myth 

Imaging shows brain quickly switches among tasks instead

NPR NPR Oct 4, 08 9:33 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pull your ears away from that cell phone: Multitasking is a myth. New research shows we can’t really concentrate on two things at once; rather, the executive functions of the brain sweep quickly between multiple tasks. It’s thought that survival and the hunt made this rapid refocusing of attention an evolutionary boon. NPR checked in with researchers studying the phenomenon. More »

More about:  MIT • scientific research • human evolution • University of Michigan • MRI • natural selection • multitask • executive function

Anglicans Making Nice With Darwin

Church's essay series aims to repair evolutionist's reputation

Guardian (UK) Guardian (UK) Sep 15, 08 12:04 PM CDT
(Newser) - When Charles Darwin came out with his theory of evolution by natural selection nearly 150 years ago, the Church of England opposed it. But now, 200 years after the celebrated scientist's birth, the church has launched a website exploring its history with Darwin, and the church's head of public affairs has issued a posthumous apology, the Guardian reports. More »

More about:  science • evolution • apology • Charles Darwin • Church of England • natural selection

Darwin's Papers Now Online

Once-private drafts, notes and even recipes of evolutionary scientist are free to public

BBC BBC Apr 17, 08 4:48 PM CDT
(Newser) - A vast collection of the papers of Charles Darwin is now online, providing public access to volumes once restricted to Cambridge scholars, the BBC reports. 20,000 items are available, including the first draft of his seminal book on evolution, travel notes and personal pieces such as family recipes, Reuters reports. “Darwin changed our understanding of nature forever,” says the project’s director. More »

More about:  science • evolution • research • nature • biology • Charles Darwin • natural selection

Humans Wired to Fear Snakes

Scientists find innate ability to discern slithering critters in the wild

LiveScience LiveScience Mar 5, 08 4:42 PM CST
(Newser) - Evolution seems to have given humans a hard-wired ability to recognize snakes and spiders, LiveScience reports. Intrigued by the widespread fear of serpents despite the fact that most humans rarely interact with them, researchers showed groups of adults and 3-year-olds natural scenes containing various hidden animals. Both groups were consistently able to find snakes and spiders faster than other animals. More »

More about:  genes • human evolution • psychological research • natural selection • snakes • spiders • phobias

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