Jun 26 2008
Evolving Differences
Four quick bits of science news from over at ScienceDaily. The first three pertain to evolution, the final about what men do online more than women, and it’s not what you think.
1. When Threatened, A Few African Frogs Can Morph Toes Into Claws
Biologists at Harvard University have determined that some African frogs carry concealed weapons: When threatened, these species puncture their own skin with sharp bones in their toes, using the bones as claws capable of wounding predators.
One word: cool.
That “design” certainly doesn’t strike me as intelligently planned.
2. Life On The Edge: To Disperse, Or Become Extinct?
“Predicting the speed at which plants are likely to migrate during climate warming could be key to ensuring their survival,” says Queen’s Biology professor Christopher Eckert.
Populations of plants growing at the outer edges of their natural “geographic range” exist in a precarious balance between extinction of existing populations and founding of new populations, via seed dispersal into vacant but suitable habitat.
I wonder if part of our species’ success has been our incredible mobility. Bipedal endurance, advanced means of staying cool (naked skin & sweating), omnivorous diet . . . “We” certainly have migrated and dispersed with the best of them
3. Evolutionarily Preserved Signature Found In The Primate Brain
Researchers have determined that there are hundreds of biological differences between the sexes when it comes to gene expression in the cerebral cortex of humans and other primates. These findings indicate that some of these differences arose a very long time ago and have been preserved through evolution.
These conserved differences constitute a signature of sex differences in the brain.
Many more obvious gender differences have been preserved throughout primate evolution; examples include average body size and weight, and genitalia design. This study, believed to be the first of its kind, focuses on gene expression within the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is involved in many of the more complex functions in both humans and other primates, including memory, attentiveness, thought processes and language.
Okay, here is my politically-correct caveat: regardless of differences, females and males do (or should) have equal rights and equal value in modern society. And we are far more alike than we are different. But we are different, and those differences are fascinating and important.
Hmm. Maybe that comment that women may never achieve equity with men in the “hard sciences” by the Harvard dean, that subsequently got him replaced, wasn’t incorrect in its appraisal of reality (current, at least). Of course, achievement relies on both aptitude and interest, and males and females may differ on both in many, many fields, with females having great aptitude and interest than males in say, foreign languages.
4. Men Share Their Creative Work Online More Than Women
A Northwestern University study finds that men are more likely to share their creative work online than women despite the fact that women and men engage in creative activities at essentially equal rates.
The difference wasn’t huge, but substantial. Two thirds vs. one half.
My own speculations as to causes would include the male primate’s apparent greater interest in forming alliances and in attaining/advancing/protecting his status. (A related phenomenon may be the “good old boys club” on capital hill and the difficulties females have had in penetrating it.)
For further ruminations on the human male’s propensity to seek alliances and attain/advance/protect his status, see these posts from my online project, “An Almighty Alpha: How Our Primate Heritage Contributes to Belief in Gods.”
http://almightyalpha.blogspot.com/2008/05/primate-females-and-status.html
http://almightyalpha.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-comes-naturally.html
http://almightyalpha.blogspot.com/2008/01/gods-love-for-his-own-children-part-ii.html
