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National Geographic
06-08-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Did ancient ‘hobbit' humans create these million-year-old tools?
Seven newly discovered stone tools, dating to between 1.04 and 1.48 million years ago, were found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The stone tools may have been created by an ancient hominin, such as Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, their relatives, or members of a yet-undiscovered species. Photograph courtesy of M.W. Moore/University of New England. In 2004, archaeologists discovered a new species of ancient human, Homo floresiensis, on the Indonesian island of Flores. Nicknamed 'the hobbit,' this three-foot-tall hominin lived between about 60,000 and 100,000 years ago. Its discovery kickstarted a broader search across Southeast Asia's islands for fossils and other traces of early human relatives. On Luzon in the Philippines, scientists later found another small-bodied hominin, Homo luzonensis, the remains of which dated to between 50,000 and 67,000 years ago. Across the region, researchers have also uncovered artifacts that predate the fossils, including flaked stone tools from 1.02 million years ago on Flores and 700,000-year-old stone tools on Luzon, which strongly suggests that hominins have arrived far earlier than evidenced by the oldest known fossils. Now, on the larger Indonesian island of Sulawesi, a team of researchers has unearthed stone tools dating to between 1.04 and 1.48 million years ago, pushing back the presence of ancient human relatives on the island by hundreds of thousands of years. Previously, the earliest signs of hominin activity on Sulawesi dated to about 194,000 years ago. Excavations at Calio in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia found seven flaked stone tools that were likely made by an ancient hominin. Photograph courtesy of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) 'At least one million years ago, there were tool-producing hominins on Sulawesi,' says Gerrit van den Bergh, a vertebrate paleontologist from the University of Wollongong in Australia, and one of the authors of a paper about the findings that was published Wednesday in Nature. But a mystery remains: Were these early toolmakers the 'hobbit' Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, their relatives, or members of a yet-undiscovered species? Hammering for stone tools The Sulawesi expedition was led by Budianto Hakim, an archaeologist from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency. Limited Time: Bonus Issue Offer Subscribe now and gift up to 4 bonus issues—starting at $34/year. The team found seven tools, all embedded in sandstone, at a site called Calio on the south of the island. Hakim found the youngest at the surface, and the oldest was found about two feet deeper down. Based on the approximate age of the surrounding rock and a giant pig jaw buried just above it, the tools are estimated to be at least a million, possibly nearly 1.5 million years old. The youngest stone tools, dating to around 1.04 million years ago, were found embedded near the surface of sandstone. Photograph by Adam Brumm/Griffith University The oldest of the stone tools dated to around 1.48 million years ago and were found two feet below the younger tools. Photograph by Adam Brumm/Griffith University Though two feet may not sound like much of a dig, 'you have to break up the hard rock with a hammer and a chisel,' says van den Bergh, who previously explored the area in the early 1990s. Underneath, the researchers discovered an ancient riverbed in which the tools had been preserved. 'We don't know what they were doing with these sharp-edged flakes of stone, but most likely they were cutting or scraping implements of some kind,' says Adam Brumm, an archaeologist from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, and an author of the study. Closer investigation revealed the stones were turned around to be struck with another stone at the most promising points to produce useful flakes, showing that whoever made the tools was skilled at it. Some flakes were then struck again to create even sharper tools. Seafaring or swept away? The stone tool discovery hammers home another point: ancient humans, whoever they were, somehow made it to these islands and found a way to survive. Brumm does not think they did so by boat, however. 'Most likely, they crossed to Sulawesi from the Asian mainland in the same way rodents and monkeys are suspected to have done—by accident, presumably as castaways on natural 'rafts' of floating vegetation, maybe after a tsunami,' he says. Flores, where H. floresiensis was found, is hundreds of miles south of Sulawesi. It's also possible hominins from the Philippines—maybe 'hobbits,' maybe not—first made it to Sulawesi, and then ended up on Flores, like how animals did, says van den Bergh. 'If you look at the islands from north to south, the fauna becomes increasingly impoverished,' he says. 'Luzon had rhinos, buffaloes, deer, wild pigs, two kinds of elephants. Sulawesi never had rhinos, but it did have wild pigs and both elephants. Flores had only one of the elephants–and several rat species.' The recent discovery at Calio in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia pushes back the presence of ancient human relatives on the island by hundreds of thousands of years. Photograph courtesy of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) The further from the Philippines–or the mainland–the fewer animals appear to have made it across. The relationship between the hominins on Sulawesi and H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis cannot be made without fossil remains. But it's possible they were at least distantly related. Our own species, Homo sapiens, and our relatives Neandertals and Denisovans did not yet exist, so van den Bergh says the small-bodied hominins most likely descended from Homo erectus, 'which we know was on the mainland at the right place at the right time.' Thomas Ingicco, a paleoanthropologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, and a National Geographic Explorer, agrees Homo erectus is the most likely ancestor of the hominins on South-East Asian islands in this period. Ingicco led a 2018 study documenting the earliest known stone tools and evidence of animal butchery in the Philippines but was not involved in this study. He warns, though, that even though it's 'tempting to think that hominins may have arrived on Sulawesi first, more findings might come out from Luzon and Flores,' and it would therefore be too early, he says, 'to hypothesize too fast about migration paths.' So, were these stone tool-making ancient hominins on Sulawesi 'hobbits,' Homo luzonensis, Homo erectus, or something else? Without any fossils, the answer remains unknown, at least for now. 'I can assure you that in Sulawesi,' van den Bergh says, 'the hunt for hominins will start soon.'
USA Today
26-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
RFK Jr. is waging a war against ultra-processed foods. Will almond milk be canceled?
Ultra-processed foods are undergoing increased scrutiny as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his supporters blame these often tasty snacks for contributing to chronic diseases in the U.S. But what is ultra-processed food? There still isn't a universal definition. While many ice creams, chips and sodas are considered ultra-processed, there's also a wide array of other foods that can be included in a healthy diet that fall into the same category, such as tofu, some canned fruits and vegetables, protein bars, cereals and nut milks. 'These are all quite processed and some of them can be classified as ultra-processed foods but because of their nutrient profiles, they might be better for us and not associated with the worst health outcomes,' said Michele Polacsek, professor of public health at the University of New England and an expert on promoting healthy food choices. Does that mean these foods will be targeted, too? Probably not, said Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert and emeritus professor at New York University. 'That would be impossible because of the way that Americans eat,' she said, as research shows over 70% of American calories come from ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are foods that have been made by food companies using manufactured ingredients, rather than actual foods. If you've ever taken a look at some food labels, you may not recognize many of the ingredients listed. These are likely ultra-processed ingredients that are used to make food "taste better, look better and last longer on the shelf," Nestle said. Research has shown UPFs replace healthier foods and encourage people to eat more calories, Nestle said. Ultra-processed foods have been linked to about 30 health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and mental health disorders, according to a 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal. In May, Kennedy and his 'Make America Healthy Again' commission targeted ultra-processed foods in a 69-page report. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the administration is seeking information and data to help develop an official definition for ultra-processed foods, according to a July 23 statement. While it's a good first step, Polacsek said not all UPFs are the same and there isn't enough data to determine which ingredients or processes in packaged foods lead to negative health outcomes. 'We don't have all the evidence we need,' she said. 'We need a lot more research on this.' It would be a mistake to create policy based on the data available on ultra-processed foods, Polacsek said. But if the administration makes policy decisions based on a universal definition, she hopes agencies will also allocate funding to research how it's impacting public health and the food industry. Is Chick-fil-A healthy? Fast-food chain named one of the least nutritious in America In the meantime, Nestle recommends minimizing the amount of ultra-processed foods you eat but also reminds consumers that some contain nutrients that can be incorporated into a healthy diet. In a 2023 study, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture led a study that showed how it was possible to build a healthy diet with 91% of the calories coming from ultra-processed foods. However, study authors noted the diet was particularly high in sodium and didn't contain enough whole grains. 'The basic principle of healthy eating is variety,' Nestle said. 'If you eat a lot of different kinds of food, and most of them are minimally processed, you're doing fine.' 'Food is one of life's greatest pleasures, it's really important to enjoy what you eat.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The best and worst universities for graduate salaries revealed
'Maybe it's got nothing to do with Group of Eight in itself, just that these people have higher ATARs to start with, or are on average a bit smarter, maybe better connected, and that's kind of starting to show as they get further into their careers,' he said. While some graduates had low starting salaries, he said it was not necessarily reflective of their lifetime earning potential. 'Medicine has a very good long-term trajectory, even though the four- to six-month-out salary is not super impressive,' he said. Norton said regional university graduates earned more initially because students typically had more work experience before starting their degree. Psychology graduates from the University of New England were the biggest earners in their field, while that institution's science and mathematics graduates were also around the top of the salary table. Completing a degree in dentistry was one of the biggest earners, with someone from Charles Sturt earning a median salary of $93,000 straight out of university. Charles Sturt graduates were also the top paid in social work and computing and information systems when compared with other NSW institutions. Charles Sturt vice chancellor Professor Renée Leon said the university had industry partnerships which gave students an advantage when competing for jobs. 'At the end of the day, our students deserve this reassurance that, after years of dedication and hard work in their studies, they have every chance of getting the job and salary they've dreamt of,' she said. Independent economist Dr Kim Houghton said while there was a preconception that professionals were paid more in big cities, that was not borne out by research data. He noted research from the Regional Australia Institute this year which revealed a significant income premium for workers in outer regional areas. 'The further west you go, the more inland you go, the higher those salaries are,' Houghton said. 'Health specialists are in really short supply, so there are quite a lot of incentives, both Commonwealth and state, to induce people to come and practise those professions in regional places. 'The labor market is trying to function to the extent that you're paying more people to fill a shortage, but there's still chronic shortages in those sorts of skilled specialist medical professions across all the regions.' The University of NSW had strong graduate salaries across fields including health services, science and mathematics. A spokeswoman said salaries post-graduation were a key factor when it came to choosing the university. Loading 'Although UNSW does not influence graduate salaries directly, we are deeply committed to student success and continuously monitor graduate outcomes … This data informs our ongoing efforts to enhance the student experience and ensure our graduates are well prepared for the workforce,' she said. Sydney University pro vice chancellor of educational innovation Adam Bridgeman said the university helped students understand what employers wanted and how to present themselves in the job market. 'While salaries aren't the only thing students need to consider when deciding their career goals, they can be an important factor for many, and our career consultations include salary trends and coaching and advice on how to negotiate salaries,' he said.
The Age
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
The best and worst universities for graduate salaries revealed
'Maybe it's got nothing to do with Group of Eight in itself, just that these people have higher ATARs to start with, or are on average a bit smarter, maybe better connected, and that's kind of starting to show as they get further into their careers,' he said. While some graduates had low starting salaries, he said it was not necessarily reflective of their lifetime earning potential. 'Medicine has a very good long-term trajectory, even though the four- to six-month-out salary is not super impressive,' he said. Norton said regional university graduates earned more initially because students typically had more work experience before starting their degree. Psychology graduates from the University of New England were the biggest earners in their field, while that institution's science and mathematics graduates were also around the top of the salary table. Completing a degree in dentistry was one of the biggest earners, with someone from Charles Sturt earning a median salary of $93,000 straight out of university. Charles Sturt graduates were also the top paid in social work and computing and information systems when compared with other NSW institutions. Charles Sturt vice chancellor Professor Renée Leon said the university had industry partnerships which gave students an advantage when competing for jobs. 'At the end of the day, our students deserve this reassurance that, after years of dedication and hard work in their studies, they have every chance of getting the job and salary they've dreamt of,' she said. Independent economist Dr Kim Houghton said while there was a preconception that professionals were paid more in big cities, that was not borne out by research data. He noted research from the Regional Australia Institute this year which revealed a significant income premium for workers in outer regional areas. 'The further west you go, the more inland you go, the higher those salaries are,' Houghton said. 'Health specialists are in really short supply, so there are quite a lot of incentives, both Commonwealth and state, to induce people to come and practise those professions in regional places. 'The labor market is trying to function to the extent that you're paying more people to fill a shortage, but there's still chronic shortages in those sorts of skilled specialist medical professions across all the regions.' The University of NSW had strong graduate salaries across fields including health services, science and mathematics. A spokeswoman said salaries post-graduation were a key factor when it came to choosing the university. Loading 'Although UNSW does not influence graduate salaries directly, we are deeply committed to student success and continuously monitor graduate outcomes … This data informs our ongoing efforts to enhance the student experience and ensure our graduates are well prepared for the workforce,' she said. Sydney University pro vice chancellor of educational innovation Adam Bridgeman said the university helped students understand what employers wanted and how to present themselves in the job market. 'While salaries aren't the only thing students need to consider when deciding their career goals, they can be an important factor for many, and our career consultations include salary trends and coaching and advice on how to negotiate salaries,' he said.
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Happened When Leaders Tested The Power Of Business Storytelling?
By embracing storytelling each professionals reach their goals and experience significant leadership ... More transformation. Since the early 2000s, business storytelling has become a key communication strategy for leaders across sectors. At a board meeting, nonprofit leader Arlene Milon saw the impact of effective storytelling: 'We had a lot of data to share, but instead I kicked off the [board of directors]Similarly, the following four leaders experienced the impact of story-based leadership. By embracing storytelling each professional reached their goals and experienced significant leadership transformation. CFO Becomes Recognized Leader In Financial Storytelling Karma Auden, Chief Financial Officer of University of New England, Australia, has always thought of profit and loss statements as stories. 'I believe that every number is not just a number. A number represents a person or a resource or an activity,' she said. 'So you need to understand what that number represents in order to share the information effectively.' But convincing other accountants of the value of storytelling had been a challenge. That's why she became a Certified Story Facilitator through Leadership Story Lab. With the adoption of AI for more of the routine work of accounting, Auden believes accountants must develop their communication skills to effectively interpret the data for the business. It's been transformational in her own work and also in her quest of turning all accountants everywhere into storytellers. She relies on storytelling strategies when presenting budgets to different groups at her university and when she's conducting workshops for other accounting professionals. Auden has become a go-to expert with industry groups asking her to lead financial storytelling workshops for accounting teams. 'I keep saying, I'm trying to make finance fun for everyone.' Coaches Embrace Storytelling And See The Results In Their Clients As a former actor and entrepreneur, public speaking coach Chris McAuley keenly understood storytelling and its power for effective communication. He now uses leadership storytelling with his clients to see transformation. One client came to him because she was painfully shy, but her role at her company required her to give presentations. To help his client, McAuley used a storytelling tool called Passion DNA to help her understand herself in a new light. Through the exercise McAuley got a sense of her passion and her confidence. 'I will write a story with an intriguing beginning, the riveting middle, the satisfying end,' explained McAuley about his client using the information from the storytelling exercise. When he sent her the story, the impact was immediate. 'Her supervisor even called me and said, 'My God, what did you do?'' Seeing herself from the perspective of her coach allowed her to tap into an innate power and confidence that had always been there — he just helped her discover it through storytelling. Similarly, Reggie Polk, a corporate trainer at a ServiceNow, software company that helps organizations employ AI, infuses storytelling into his corporate training programs to help his colleagues tap into their strengths. 'If you want to move people, then you have to figure out what makes them move,' says Polk. 'Most courses are very regimented with no room for flavor or imagination. Understandably the goal is to get a point across or reach a destination, but how do you keep an audience engaged.' For Polk, the answer is making space for authentic storytelling. By incorporating storytelling into his training, he sees his colleagues open up, make meaningful connections with each other and learn how to understand their clients' pain points better. Executive Rolls Out Organizational Change with Storytelling Chuck Rhorig was tasked with leading one of the biggest organizational changes in his department at USAA, a financial services organization for members of the military and their families. For this reason, he was grateful that USAA had adopted storytelling as a key skill for their corporate strategy scorecard and provided training to help him implement storytelling into his leadership. 'I'm a lot more intentional [since the training].' Rhorig reflected. 'Anytime there's a big change, we can freak out. That's why with that first message about the change, I spent a ton of time shaping and reshaping and practicing that story and getting it tight, not too long.' He knew he needed to engage his audience emotionally, so they could listen to all the information he had to share. But for Rhorig, storytelling is not just about those big moments. He said, 'I need to get more into the practice of bringing it into more day-to-day opportunities.' It's about making connections and building relationships with his team at every opportunity. The Case For Business Storytelling As seen in these five case studies, storytelling is a flexible communication tool that helps leaders communicate effectively in different scenarios — from budget meetings, mentorship and coaching to leading organizational change. Leadership storytelling is more than about being the sage on stage. It's also about being the guide on the side. When storytelling is embraced as a leadership strategy, it unlocks relationships and skills latent within people. If you are an executive who wants to discover the power of storytelling as a leadership strategy, here's how you can get started.
