Anthropology

You are currently browsing articles tagged Anthropology.

Genetics of Pacific Islanders

February 9, 2008 in Anthropology, Critical Thinking, Education, Technology by Kris | No comments

ResearchBlogging.orgFriedlaender et al. have a recent article in PLos Genetics. Titled The Genetic Structure of Pacific Islanders, the study used 687 microsatellite and 203 indel loci in nearly 1000 individuals from 41 populations in and around Oceania, in order to determine the genetic origins of these populations.

The researchers found

only a modest association between language and genetic affiliation. Oceanic languages were introduced and dispersed around the islands within the last 3,300 years, but there was apparently only a small infusion of accompanying “Austronesian” ancestry that has survived…suggest[ing] that Oceanic languages were adopted by many formerly Papuan-speaking groups, while at the same time there was little genetic influence or marital exchange. At least in Near Oceania, rates of language borrowing and language adoption have been faster and more pervasive than rates of genetic admixture.

Two aspects of this study appeal to me.

  1. Whole genome studies appear to be the wave of the future for anthropological genetic research, with the advent of new technologies that make these types of analyses feasible.
  2. It was published in an open access journal, by well-respected members of the field. There’s an interesting discussion of open-access publishing at apophenia, in which she emphasizes the importance of tenured faculty supporting open-access.

–

Friedlaender JS, Friedlaender FR, Reed FA, Kidd KK, Kidd JR, Chambers GK, Lea RA, Loo JH, Koki G, Hodgson JA, Merriwether DA, & Weber JL (2008). The genetic structure of Pacific Islanders. PLoS genetics, 4 (1) PMID: 18208337

AAA Race Exhibit in Wichita

November 26, 2007 in Anthropology, Critical Thinking, Education by Kris | No comments

The American Anthropological Association has created a traveling exhibit exploring the concept of race. It’s currently at Exploration Place in Wichita until January 1, 2008. For those outside of Kansas, there’s a virtual tour of the exhibit.

The Global Census activity is particularly enlightening. In the Bulgarian Census, my race is ‘Other.’

Awesome Scientists: Dr. Julie Schablitsky

November 9, 2007 in Anthropology, Education by Kris | No comments

I’m starting a new series on Freethinker’s: Awesome Scientists. One of the goals of this blog is highlight the interesting research being done by scientists in different fields. The inaugural post highlights Dr. Julie Schablitsky, historical archaeologist at the University of Oregon. She was profiled last summer by Nova ScienceNOW.

Dr. Julie Schablitsky

University of Oregon archaeologist Julie Schablitsky examines part of a ceramic dish unearthed at the Donner dig in July 2004.

Not all archaeology is ancient. Julie’s work focuses on forgotten stories from the historical period. You know the old saw about history, the winner writes it. Dr. Schablitsky is more interested in the tales from minorities, those who lacked a voice, or whose stories have been embellished or misrepresented by tradition. Julie has worked on documenting the life of Chinese immigrants to the US in the 19th century, and a reanalysis of the Donner Party disaster.

Her research caught my attention because she was part of a research team that used genetic analysis of bones found in a hearth at the Donner Party site, and demonstrated an absence of human bones. Instead, there were bones of deer, rabbit, rodents, even the family dog. The researchers concluded that the pioneers trapped in the Sierra Nevadas that winter exhausted every available resource prior to resorting to cannibalism to survive, and that by the time it became necessary, many of them had managed to leave. The gruesome and gory account of the Donner party was not entirely accurate, and Dr. Schablitsky and her team were able to use the scientific method to debunk it.

–
Image credit: Guy Tasa, University of Oregon

Washoe Passes Away

November 2, 2007 in Anthropology by Kris | No comments

Washoe, one of the first chimpanzees to learn American Sign Language, died Tuesday evening at her home at Central Washington University. Raised by Beatrix and Allen Gardener, she eventually went to live with Robert Fouts, and his wife, Deborah, who together established the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at CWU. Their charitable, educational organization, Friends of Washoe, posted the following:

Our beloved friend Washoe passed away Tuesday evening, October 30, at 8:00, after a brief illness. At the time of her passing she was at home at CHCI, with her family and closest friends. Washoe was 42 years old, a long life for a female chimpanzee. Most females in captivity live an average of 33.5 years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Washoe’s name to Friends of Washoe, to continue supporting her family.

Washoe was a wonderful ambassador for her species, a favorite topic in my Introduction to Physical Anthropology classes, and will be sorely missed.

Update: Watson Apologizes

October 19, 2007 in Anthropology, Critical Thinking, Education, Genetics by Kris | No comments

James Watson issued an apology today, stating:

I can certainly understand why people, reading those words, have reacted in the ways they have. To all those who have drawn the inference from my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologise unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view, there is no scientific basis for such a belief.

I haven’t yet been able to track down an explanation of exactly what he did mean, but it’s an apology. In the meantime, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued this statement yesterday:

The comments attributed to Dr. James Watson that first appeared in the October 14, 2007 edition of The Sunday Times U.K. are his own personal statements and in no way reflect the mission, goals, or principles of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Board, administration or faculty. Dr. Watson is not the President of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and was not speaking on behalf of the institution.

The Board of Trustees, administration and faculty vehemently disagree with these statements and are bewildered and saddened if he indeed made such comments. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory does not engage in any research that could even form the basis of the statements attributed to Dr. Watson.

This morning, the lab announced that they had suspended Chancellor Watson from all of his administrative duties pending “further deliberation by the Board.”

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

« Older entries § Newer entries »