Tag: science

La Trobe archaeologists have described 18 new hominin fossils including a second Homo erectus skull fragment confirming the species’ first appearance was in southern Africa 2.0 million years ago – 200,000 years earlier than traditionally thought.

South Africa: Fossils Confirm Homo Erectus Present 2 Million-Years Ago [200,000 Years Earlier Than Previously Thought]! (3.11.2026)

“Homo erectus is the first species of hominin that researchers broadly agree fits within our own genus Homo and is likely directly ancestral to us. Drimolen preserves evidence for the first appearance of this species 2 million years ago, however the original fossil, DNH 134, belonged to a child aged between two and four, and there was uncertainty about what the adult version may have looked like,” lead researcher Dr Jesse Martin said.

“This paper publishes a new adult fossil attributed to Homo erectus, DNH 127, providing further confirmation that this species first appeared in southern Africa 2 million years ago.”

The researchers have also been able to confirm that P. robustus underwent micro-evolution, and evolved larger teeth and chewing muscles between 2 million and 1.8 million years ago.

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Hindu Balathal (2006) Page 61

UK: Email – What Do I Think About the Balathal Skeleton? (22.9.2026)

Although 700 BCE is touted around the internet – the remains could be as late as the 4th century CE (well within the date for Yoga). The site is not Indian – the skeleton is Indian. My own view is that if this is a holy man – we are probably talking about the disciples of the Buddha who dwelled at the base of trees – a “root-dweller” no-less. Of course, this is just speculation on my part and I am running with the “meditating in isolation” angle. There is absolutely no evidence for the “holy man” interpretation except for the conveniently positioned hands and fingers (the academic authors of the second paper go out of their way to insert an elaborate Hindu origin for this). This seems unprofessional to me. There is no surrounding (qualifying) evidence for the holy man hypothesis. What should usually happen is that a note would be added that draws the reader’s attention to the fact that these remains, when viewed in a certain light, possess a passing similarity to certain well-known religious postures found within the practices of a number of religious and spiritual paths. Whatever the case, more evidence is needed and none has been forthcoming (these are not “new” digs). 

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Prime Minister calls on education authorities, teachers, parents, students and society as a whole to strengthen efforts to improve education quality!

Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic: PM Calls for Strong Improvement in All Education Standards During New Academic Year! (22.9.2026)

He commended education administrators, teachers, students, local authorities and development partners for their contributions during the 2025–2026 academic year, particularly in improving school infrastructure, expanding school meals in remote areas, promoting non-formal education, increasing student allowances and reducing school dropout rates.

For the new academic year, he called for stronger measures to address teacher shortages, reduce dropout rates, improve vocational and higher education enrolment, and enhance teaching quality through modern techniques and technology.

The Prime Minister urged teachers to uphold professional ethics and continuously improve teaching methods, while encouraging parents to ensure their children remain in school through at least compulsory lower-secondary education.

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This undated file image provided by Jilin University in northeast China's Jilin Province shows a reconstructed 3D image of Equus ovodovi, an extinct ancient horse. (Jilin University/Handout via Xinhua)

China: Ancient Chinese Horse Reconstructed! (12.9.2026)

The horse fossils, dating back roughly 40,000 years, were first found in a cave in southwestern Siberia in Russia. Initially, only broken jawbones and teeth were discovered, without a complete skull. Over the years, related fossils have also been unearthed in North America, Africa, Siberia and northeast China. However, because the bones were scattered fragments, the animal’s true appearance had remained a mystery for more than a hundred years.

In 2022, Chinese researchers at Jilin University and Northwest A&F University in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province successfully extracted high-quality gene data from the fossils. Building on that work, they worked with American researchers in 2026, comparing the fossil data with living species, such as the Asian wild donkey and domestic horse. They reconstructed the skeleton, built up muscle structure, and eventually recreated the animal’s full appearance.

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Workers celebrate as excavation of the Jintang undersea tunnel passes the 4,000-meter mark on Aug. 31, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Zhao Rongfa)

China: World’s Longest Undersea [High-Speed] Rail Tunnel Project – Passes “4-km Boring Milestone”! (2.9.2026)

Stretching 16.18 kilometres, the Jintang Tunnel is a core component of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway. Upon completion, it will become the world’s longest undersea high-speed railway tunnel. Its 11.21-kilometre shield-driven section is being excavated from the Ningbo and Zhoushan sides by two tunnel boring machines that will meet beneath the sea.

The tunnel’s Ningbo excavation segment spans 4.94 kilometres, with its lowest point reaching 92 metres below the seabed. The domestically developed “Yongzhou” machine is currently boring through the hardest full-face rock section along the undersea route.

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Portrait of William of Ockham by Peter Paul Rubens 1617

UK: William of Ockham (1287-1347-49?) – Origin of “Occam’s Razor”! (22.8.2026)

The Church and the State would have us believe that out of this quagmire of human ignorance and darkness – rays of light emerged. I can say that William of Ockham did write copious numbers of texts on all kinds of academic and theological topics, including politics, biographies, and philosophy. Part of the delay in the examination of his work by the Vatican in the 1320s was caused by its sheer volume. And it would seem that after his “Excommunication” – the nature of his work became ever-more defiant and questioning of Church authority. I think his conflict with the Church solidified his method of the efficient use of knowledge as a means of critiquing Church dogma and theology. Indeed, William appears to become nearly “Protestant” in his argument with Avignon. He may not have coined the term “Occam’s Razor” (why would a humble monk do such a strange thing?) – but he certainly earned the right to be considered a strong candidate for its modern inception due to the nature of the hostility he had to contend with. Although I am always suspicious of bourgeois sources (due to their a priori anti-Socialist position) – I believe we can trust the two I have included below. As always – think for yourself.

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