Late pleistocene exploitation of Ephedra in a funerary context in Morocco.

The active compounds found in many plants have been widely used in traditional medicine and ritual activities. However, archaeological evidence for the use of such plants, especially in the Palaeolithic period, is limited due to the poor preservation and fragility of seed, fruit, and other botanical macro-remains. In this study, we investigate the presence and possible uses of Ephedra during the Late Pleistocene based on the analysis of exceptionally preserved plant macrofossils recovered from c.

Persistent predators: Zooarchaeological evidence for specialized horse hunting at Schöningen 13II-4.

The Schöningen 13II-4 site is a marvel of Paleolithic archaeology. With the extraordinary preservation of complete wooden spears and butchered large mammal bones dating from the Middle Pleistocene, Schöningen maintains a prominent position in the halls of human origins worldwide. Here, we present the first analysis of the complete large mammal faunal assemblage from Schöningen 13II-4, drawing on multiple lines of zooarchaeological and taphonomic evidence to expose the full spectrum of hominin activities at the site-before, during, and after the hunt.

Isotopic evidence of high reliance on plant food among Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers at Taforalt, Morocco.

The transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture stands as one of the most important dietary revolutions in human history. Yet, due to a scarcity of well-preserved human remains from Pleistocene sites, little is known about the dietary practices of pre-agricultural human groups. Here we present the isotopic evidence of pronounced plant reliance among Late Stone Age hunter-gatherers from North Africa (15,000-13,000 cal BP), predating the advent of agriculture by several millennia.

A detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of Schöningen 13II-4 'Spear Horizon' faunal remains.

The Middle Pleistocene Schöningen 13II-4 'Spear Horizon' (Germany) is a key site for the study of human evolution, most notably for the discovery of Paleolithic wooden weaponry and evidence for developed hunting strategies. On the other hand, the 'Spear Horizon' offers an excellent opportunity to approach hominin spatial behavior, thanks to the richness of the archeological assemblage, its exceptional preservation, and the vast expanse of the excavated surface. Analyzing how space was used is essential for understanding hominin behavior at this unique open-air site and, from a wider perspective, for approaching how humans adapted to interglacial environments.

Infant funerary behavior and kinship in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from Morocco.

Infant remains are relatively uncommon in the late Pleistocene (Upper Palaeolithic) archaeological record. Funerary treatment is considered indicative of social status and mirrors cultural attitudes toward the deceased or the group they represent. Here we report on the burials of six infants, including three who died at birth or shortly thereafter, from Later Stone Age (Iberomaurusian) levels at Grotte des Pigeons, Taforalt, in Morocco dating to ∼14,500 cal BP.

Middle Pleistocene protein sequences from the rhinoceros genus and the phylogeny of extant and extinct Middle/Late Pleistocene Rhinocerotidae.

Background: Ancient protein sequences are increasingly used to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between extinct and extant mammalian taxa. Here, we apply these recent developments to Middle Pleistocene bone specimens of the rhinoceros genus . No biomolecular sequence data is currently available for this genus, leaving phylogenetic hypotheses on its evolutionary relationships to extant and extinct rhinoceroses untested.

Iberomaurusian funerary behaviour: evidence from Grotte des Pigeons, Taforalt, Morocco.

Grotte des Pigeons at Taforalt, north-east Morocco, is well known for a large assemblage of Iberomaurusian (Epipalaeolithic) skeletons, possibly representing the earliest and most extensively used prehistoric cemetery in North Africa. New archaeological excavations carried out in 2005 and 2006 revealed further human remains in a largely undisturbed burial area in an alcove at the back of the cave. This discovery provides the first opportunity to report on Iberomaurusian human mortuary activity at this site.

Lanthanum carbonate is an effective hypophosphatemic agent for hemodialysis patients intolerant of other phosphate binders.

Background: Lanthanum carbonate (LC) is a noncalcium-containing phosphate binder of proven utility in treating hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients, and displays a good tolerability profile.

Objective: This study addressed whether this tolerability profile could result in improved phosphate control in patients intolerant of other phosphate binders, and who remain hyperphosphatemic despite intensive dietary advice and adequate dialysis provision.

Design, Setting, And Patients: This 18-month study, from a large urban hemodialysis unit, studied 55 patients identified by the multidisciplinary team as fulfilling the following criteria: persistent hyperphosphatemia; intolerance of, or admitted nonadherence to, prescribed phosphate binders (either calcium-based or sevelamer); and provision of adequate dialysis (urea reduction ratio, >65%).

82,000-year-old shell beads from North Africa and implications for the origins of modern human behavior.

The first appearance of explicitly symbolic objects in the archaeological record marks a fundamental stage in the emergence of modern social behavior in Homo. Ornaments such as shell beads represent some of the earliest objects of this kind. We report on examples of perforated Nassarius gibbosulus shell beads from Grotte des Pigeons (Taforalt, Morocco), North Africa.

Ancient DNA reveals lack of postglacial habitat tracking in the arctic fox.

How species respond to an increased availability of habitat, for example at the end of the last glaciation, has been well established. In contrast, little is known about the opposite process, when the amount of habitat decreases. The hypothesis of habitat tracking predicts that species should be able to track both increases and decreases in habitat availability.

Label claims for foods and supplements: a review of the regulations.

Consumers are confronted with a vast array of food and dietary supplement products claiming to improve health, manage conditions, and reduce disease risks. Most consumers are unaware of the legal requirements, regulatory processes, and scientific evaluation that underlie these label statements. Labeling for foods and dietary supplements is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Interactive learning for congregate nutrition site nutrition education: a pilot study.

Older adults who participate in the Older Americans Act Title III-C Elderly Nutrition Program often are at moderate to high nutritional risk. Although nutrition education is a component of the Elderly Nutrition Program, there are numerous barriers to promoting behavior change in older adults. Nutrition education programs targeted to congregate nutrition site participants must address their unique nutritional needs, while engaging them in activities that promote learning and motivate them to make positive behavior changes.

Comparing nutrient intake from food to the estimated average requirements shows middle- to upper-income pregnant women lack iron and possibly magnesium.

Objective: To determine whether nutrient intake from food alone was adequate across trimesters for middle- to upper-income pregnant women when compared with estimated average requirements (EAR), and to determine whether food intake exceeded the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for any nutrient.

Design: Observational study in which pregnant women completed 3-day diet records each month during their pregnancy. Records were analyzed for nutrient content, and usual intake distributions were determined.