Grand Canyon Thought to Be 65 Million Years Older Than Previous Estimates

A new analysis of the mineral grains from the bottom of the Grand Canyon indicates that it was formed about 70 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous Period, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

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Sediment Samples from Japanese Lake Extend Carbon Dating Timeline

Tighter carbon dates for the remains of Neanderthals could help explain why they became extinct. Image: J. Reader/SPL.

Climate records from a Japanese lake will improve the accuracy of dating techniques, which will probably help shed light on some mysteries such as the extinction of the Neanderthals as well as paradoxes that have arisen due to dating.

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European Cave Paintings Older Than Previously Thought, Might Have Been Painted by Neanderthals

Some European cave paintings are older than previously thought, implying that Neanderthals might have been their creators rather than Homo sapiens. It’s not yet certain, but some of the earliest paintings that were dated raise interesting questions, including whether Neanderthals were painters.

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The Totem Pole of Communication

Like many viewers, who saw HBO’s Girls last week, one of the most intriguing parts of the show was when a girl instructed her friend on the totem pole of chat. That term has been in my mind for the last week or so and I’ve spent time thinking about the idea. In our modern connected society, communication has evolved significantly, which is something that a lot of people have trouble grasping. It’s no longer the difference between snail mail and email, but the vast different ways that people of all ages communicate these days, from texts, messaging systems, and life streams.