Archaeologica.org

New studies by Rice University scientists suggest a possible answer; the speed of evolution has increased over time because bacteria and viruses constantly exchange transposable chunks of DNA between species, thus making it possible for life forms to evolve faster than they would if they relied only on sexual selection or random genetic mutations.

"We have developed the first exact solution of a mathematical model of evolution that accounts for this cross-species genetic exchange," said Michael Deem, the John W. Cox Professor in Biochemical and Genetic Engineering and professor of physics and astronomy.

A BEACHCOMBER claims he has found ancient human footprints dating back 8,000 years, embedded in an ancient Welsh peat bed.

Digit, have you been beachcombing?

Digit wrote:I missed that! I shall have to have a few sharp words with him. Couldn't borrow a hand axe couldI?

Jan. 31, 2007 — A glassy stick made by lightning striking Libyan sands has now been used to date the lightning and detect the ancient climate.


It turns out that the root-like glass "fulgurite" structure made of melted and welded sand from the Libyan Desert contains miniscule bubbles of trapped gases from the time it was made. These gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) harbor hints of the type of plants that were zapped along with the sandy ground some 15,000 years ago.

Vikings may have used special crystals called sunstones to ensure gloomy weather did not come between them and an outing to sack British villages or discover new lands to the west, scientists have discovered. Tests aboard a research vessel in the Arctic ocean found that certain crystals can be used to reveal the position of the sun, a trick that would have allowed early explorers to ascertain their position and navigate, even if the sky was obscured by cloud or fog.

The final design for a "doomsday" vault that will house seeds from all known varieties of food crops has been unveiled by the Norwegian government.

The Svalbard International Seed Vault will be built into a mountainside on a remote island near the North Pole.

The vault aims to safeguard the world's agriculture from future catastrophes, such as nuclear war, asteroid strikes and climate change.