Archives: September2009

• Oldest Skeleton of Human Ancestor Found

  There was never a chimp-like missing link between humans and today’s apes, says a new fossil-skeleton study that could rewrite evolutionary theory. Said one scientist, “It changes everything.”

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• PHOTOS: Oldest “Human” Skeleton Refutes “Missing Link”

  See images of Ardi, the new human ancestor that could rewrite evolutionary theory. Updated.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Hypericum uralum

  

  Thank you to James Gaither in San Francisco for submitting today’s Botany Photo of the Day (Original Image | Botany Photo of the Day Flickr Pool)!

  Lindsay Bourque writes:

  Hypericum, the genus to which this species belongs, has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy documented in Aulus Cornelius Celsus’ (circa 25 BC- 50 CE) De Medicina. Known in English by its common name, St. John’s Wort, it is used for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

  Contemporary pharmacology has isolated two compounds, hyperforin and hypericin, which are used to treat mild depression. Interestingly, in ancient Greece Hypericum was hung above pictures to ward off evil spirits (hyper-above and eikon-a picture). However, its effectiveness as an anti-depressant is still debatable and has a number of known side-effects, such as photosensitivity.