What happened that Tibetan Plateau's Denisovans became extinct after surviving for more than 100,000 years?

The hardest places on Earth are found in the Tibetan Plateau, which features enormous grasslands, glaciers, and snow-capped summits. A recent study indicates that the Denisovans, an extinct human race, may have flourished here long before Homo sapiens, contradicting the previous theory that this was one of the final sites where humans settled. Based on jaw and rib bones from Baishya Karst Cave, Denisovans, who were first identified in 2010 based on DNA from a finger bone fragment in Siberia, are now better understood. These extinct humans' over 100,000-year ice-age survival was made clear by excavations conducted in 2018 and 2019, as reported by Yahoo News.

Chang'e-6 mission and lunar samples

For the first time in human history, China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission returned on June 25 carrying rocks and soil from the moon's far side. The China National Space Administration intends to disseminate these samples worldwide, in keeping with NASA's practice following the Apollo flights. But the US Wolf Amendment, which prevents NASA from working with China on a bilateral basis without approval from Congress or the FBI, could make it more difficult for the US to reach China. To obtain legal access to these samples, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is striving to learn more about the early history of the solar system, the moon, and Earth.

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The oldest known story in the world

An Indonesian cave wall has what scientists believe to be the earliest story ever written on it. This over 50,000-year-old artwork shows three humans engaging with a pig. A novel dating method was applied to the calcium carbonate crust that developed over the artwork. When compared to Paleolithic sites in Europe like Lascaux, this discovery is substantially older. According to some scholars, these drawings may have accompanied oral histories that have since been lost to time.

The Ganges river's dramatic past

Evidence that the Ganges River was significantly diverted 2,500 years ago by a strong earthquake was found by a scientific team investigating the river. The evidence for this conclusion comes from sand volcanoes and a full river channel from the same period, as well as hints discovered in mud and sand grains. In the Ganges Delta, nearly 140 million people might be impacted by a similar earthquake today.

Painted lady butterflies' epic journey

On a beach in French Guiana, entomologist Dr. Gerard Talavera discovered ten exhausted painted lady butterflies, which may indicate the insects had traveled across the Atlantic. These butterflies usually move over land, stopping occasionally to rest. Talavera and his group verified their incredible voyage, demonstrating the butterflies' incredible tenacity.

FAQs:

What did the recent study on the Denisovans reveal?
The study showed Denisovans thrived in the Tibetan Plateau over 100,000 years ago, challenging previous beliefs about human settlement there.

Why is sharing lunar samples with the US difficult?
The US Wolf Amendment restricts NASA from bilateral cooperation with China without approval, complicating access to these lunar samples.