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Grandmother Hypothesis

All articles tagged with #grandmother hypothesis

biology1 year ago•4 min saved

"The Grandmother Hypothesis: How Whale Menopause Sheds Light on Human Evolution"

Researchers at the University of Exeter studied five species of whales, including orcas and narwhals, to understand the evolutionary purpose of menopause in mammals. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that older female whales go through menopause to help care for younger generations, supporting the "grandmother hypothesis." The study compared toothed whale species that go through menopause with those that don't, finding that the former have longer lifespans, allowing for more overlap between generations in family groups. This research sheds light on the important role of grandmothers in whale social structures and may offer insights into the role of older women in human societies.

via The Washington Post|

#biology #evolution #grandmother-hypothesis

science1 year ago•4 min saved

"Whale Menopause: Clues to Longevity and Evolution"

A study of whales suggests that menopause gives an evolutionary advantage to grandmother whales’ grandchildren, offering insights into why humans also experience menopause. The findings support the "grandmother hypothesis," which suggests that menopause evolved to allow older women to focus on supporting their children and grandchildren. The study indicates that species with menopause have longer lifespans, supporting the live-long hypothesis. While the similarities between whales and humans shed light on menopause, the study doesn't explain why only females undergo menopause in humans.

via USA TODAY|

#evolution #grandmother-hypothesis #human-evolution

science2 years ago•6 min saved

Chimpanzees Join Humans and Whales in Experiencing Menopause: Study

A new study challenges the notion that menopause is unique to humans, as researchers have discovered evidence of menopause in chimpanzees. The study, conducted in Uganda's Ngogo community of chimpanzees, observed older female chimps who were not having more babies and measured hormone levels in their urine. The findings suggest that menopause may have evolved in chimpanzees and could have played a role in the evolution of humans. The Grandmother Hypothesis, which suggests that menopause allows older females to focus on helping raise their grandchildren, may not fully explain the evolution of menopause in chimpanzees. Further research is needed to understand the evolutionary significance of menopause in different species.

via The New York Times|

#chimpanzees #evolution #grandmother-hypothesis

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Uncovering the Hidden Microbial World on Our Skin

A study by researchers at the George Washington University has found that the composition of the skin microbiome varies across dry, moist, and oily regions of the skin. The study, which tested the "Grandmother Hypothesis," showed that areas like behind the ears and between the toes, which are often washed less frequently, can harbor different types of bacteria compared to areas that are cleaned more thoroughly. The researchers found that these hotspots had a less diverse collection of microbes, potentially leading to skin diseases like eczema or acne. The study highlights the importance of proper hygiene in maintaining a healthy skin microbiome.

via Phys.org|

#grandmother-hypothesis #health #hygiene