CNN — The
human population at that time was reduced to small isolated groups in
Africa, apparently because of drought, according to an analysis
released Thursday.

The report notes that a separate study by researchers at Stanford
University estimated that the number of early humans may have shrunk as
low as 2,000 before numbers began to expand again in the early Stone
Age.

“This study illustrates the extraordinary power of genetics to reveal
insights into some of the key events in our species’ history,” said
Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer in residence.

“Tiny bands of early humans, forced apart by harsh environmental
conditions, coming back from the brink to reunite and populate the
world. Truly an epic drama, written in our DNA.” …

Studies using mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down through mothers,
have traced modern humans to a single “mitochondrial Eve,” who lived in
Africa about 200,000 years ago. Don’t Miss

The migrations of humans out of Africa to populate the rest of the
world appear to have begun about 60,000 years ago, but little has been
known about humans between Eve and that dispersal.

The new study looks at the mitochondrial DNA of the Khoi and San people
in South Africa, who appear to have diverged from other people between
90,000 and 150,000 years ago. …

Paleontologist Meave Leakey, a Genographic adviser, asked, “Who
would have thought that as recently as 70,000 years ago, extremes of
climate had reduced our population to such small numbers that we were
on the very edge of extinction?”

Today, more than 6.6 billion people inhabit the globe, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (05/14/08)
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BBC Biological Science — The
UK’s only mountain dwelling species of butterfly could be wiped out in
Scotland because of climate change, experts have warned.

Warmer temperatures are driving the mountain ringlet higher up hillsides in the search for cooler conditions.

Butterfly Conservation Scotland (BCS) has appealed to the public to
report sightings as part of a Scottish Natural Heritage-funded project.

People are also asked to look for northern dart and netted mountain
moth. Paul Kirkland, BCS director, said ringlet faced a very real
threat. …

The flip side of global warming has seen species which have died
out in the south surviving in Scotland. They include chequered skipper
butterfly, Kentish glory and New Forest Burnet moth.

Mr Kirkland said: “There are already parts of Scotland
harbouring butterflies that have become extinct in England, and the
largely unspoilt landscape found in the uplands is an increasingly
important habitat. “It is essential that we find out exactly what is hiding in the hills.”

There are 33 species of butterfly that regularly breed in Scotland and about 1,300 species of moths. (05/14/08)
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Duke University  Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health will be hosting two 5-day summer research courses on July
21-25, 2008 and August 11-15, 2008.

Each course will focus on how to
conduct research on religion, spirituality and health, and how to
develop an academic career in this area.

Leading religion-health
researchers from Duke, University of North Carolina, University of South
Carolina, and elsewhere will give presentations. There will also be time
to discuss individual research projects with them. …

The courses are open to all interested in conducting scientific research
or academic work in this area, regardless of level of training.

Established researchers, new investigators, and students are welcome,
including those in medicine, nursing, psychology, sociology, chaplaincy,
theology, pastoral counseling, public health, or other related
disciplines.

Basic and advanced materials will be presented, depending
on the needs of participants. Topics that will be covered include:

• Previous research on religion, spirituality and health
• Strengths and weaknesses of previous research
• Applying findings to clinical practice
• Spirituality of the health care provider
• Theological considerations and concerns 
• Highest priority studies for future research
• Strengths and weaknesses of religion/spirituality measures
• Designing different types of research projects
• Qualitative research
• Carrying out and managing a research project
• Writing a grant to NIH or private foundations
• Where to obtain funding for research in this area
• Writing a research paper for publication; getting it published
• Presenting research to professional and public audiences
• Working with the media
• Developing research and academic careers in this area

 The courses will take place in Durham,
North Carolina, during the summer of 2008 as noted above. (05/14/08)
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