2 reasons why mothers far outnumbered fathers in human history

Surprising studies revealed why mothers affected the genetic pool more than fathers.

Credit: Pixabay
  • Studies showed that in human history, mothers often outnumbered fathers.
  • This happened because of polygyny and migration patterns.
  • Modern ratio of mothers to fathers is closer to 1 to 1.
Keep reading Show less
dna mother's day parenting evolution biology population history genetics
Surprising Science

Elderly folks now outnumber children younger than 5 for first time ever

What does this mean for economies?

Elderly people are seen near the National Stadium where the debate between the two remaining presidential candidates is taking place in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 19, 2019. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • For the first time in recorded history, there are more over-65s than under-5s.
  • Aging populations worry economists that certain countries will undergo profound financial stress.
  • Yet the current distribution of resources does not allow for further population explosion.
Keep reading Show less
global issues social change sustainability economics aging population
Politics & Current Affairs

Longer lifespans: A coming crisis or reason to celebrate?

content.jwplatform.com
  • A huge segment of America's population — the Baby Boom generation — is aging and will live longer than any American generation in history.
  • The story we read about in the news? Their drain on social services like Social Security and Medicare.
  • But increased longevity is a cause for celebration, says Ashton Applewhite, not doom and gloom.


This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism
List Price: $26.99
New From: $13.42 in Stock
Used From: $12.41 in Stock
population public health life death ashton applewhite media united states society aging
Videos

How Tasmanian devils are evolving to fight back against extinction

Devil facial tumor disease, or DFTD, has cut the Tasmanian devil population by 90 percent. Now, some devils have evolved to resist the virulent cancer.

GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images
  • Devil facial tumor disease, or DFTD, is a transmissible cancer that Tasmanian devils spread through bites.
  • The cancer is highly infectious and lethal, and the Tasmanian devil population has dropped by 90 percent since it was first discovered.
  • In the short time that we've known about the disease, however, the devils seem to be evolving new defenses that are helping some of them fight back and survive.
Keep reading Show less
biodiversity cancer deextinction pandemic population evolution
Surprising Science

Where you live in America determines when you’ll die

Two maps show two very different takes on the huge discrepancies in U.S. life expectancy

Image: Titlemax
  • These maps show strong links between location and life expectancy.
  • Hawaiians live longest, Mississippians die earliest.
  • County-level ranking shows short-life hotspots in Kentucky, long-life ones in Colorado.
Keep reading Show less
addiction aging population public health race men women map
Strange Maps