Did you think humans reached their final form and stopped evolving? If so, it turns out you were wrong. Researchers in Australia recently published a study that provides concrete proof of the recent appearance of an extra artery in our arms. Though evolution is so slow that it is hard to notice changes within one lifetime, these exciting findings prove that humans constantly develop.
The median artery is the main vessel that supplies blood to the human forearm while in the womb. However, it typically disappears around the eighth week of gestation, or once two other arteries develop. The researchers wanted to look into the prevalence of this artery sticking around after birth, and what they learned was remarkable. When studying the cadavers of 80 Australians of European descent, ranging in age from 50 to 100 years old, the study demonstrated a steady increase in adults with this third artery intact.
“Since the 18th century, anatomists have been studying the prevalence of this artery in adults and our study shows it’s clearly increasing,” stated Dr. Teghan Lucas of Flinders University. “The prevalence was around 10% in people born in the mid-1880s compared to 30% in those born in the late 20th century, so that’s a significant increase in a fairly short period of time when it comes to evolution.”
The scientists predict that people born 80 years from now will all carry a median artery if the trend continues. It would be considered a “normal human structure” once it becomes prevalent in more than 50% of adults.
“This is macroevolution in modern humans and the median artery is a perfect example of how we’re still evolving because people born more recently have a higher prevalence of this artery when compared to humans from previous generations,” explained the senior author of the study Professor Maciej Henneberg.
While the presence of the median artery can be a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome, Henneberg claims it offers benefits as well. Not only could this additional artery increase blood supply, but it can also be used as a replacement in surgical procedures in other parts of the body.
This is not the first anatomical evolutionary change to be recognized in recent years. Previous examples include the increasing absence of wisdom teeth and the resurgence of the fabella, a small bone in the back of the knee joint. Similarly to the median artery, the fabella is now three times more common in humans than it was a hundred years ago. According to Dr. Lucas, modern humans are currently evolving at a faster rate than at any point in the past 250 years. The prospects for future developments are certainly fascinating.
Found this article interesting? Share it with family and friends!
Forget Apples! It's an Egg a Day That Keeps the Doc Away!
According to new research, it could actually be an egg a day that keeps the doctor away.Find out more here!
New Study: There is a Sure Way to Slow Aging
This new study confirms what has long been suspected: The less calories we consume, the slower we age.
Why Do We Have Eyebrows? Science Has the Answer!
Ever wondered what purpose your eyebrows fulfill? Science has the answer!
Why Do We LAUGH? 7 Studies on the Origins of Humor
As pervasive as it is in our lives, the origin of laughter remains an intriguing enigma. This article investigates the origins of laughter and humor.
How Drinking Too Little Alcohol May Also Cause Dementia
A new study shows that drinking too much or too little alcohol can affect your chances of getting dementia. Read all about it here.
Alcohol Linked To More Cancer Types Than Previously Known
A new study found a clear correlation between alcohol consumption and more types of cancer than previously known.
8 Inventions of 2023 That Will Change The Way We Live
This year was a prominent one for ground-breaking innovations that will change the way we live.
These Optical Illusions Will Shock Your Mind!
Optical illusions create miscommunication between our eyes and brain making, us see things that are not really there or not see things that are right in front of us. See for yourself.
What Does the Appendix Actually DO?
Dr. Berg explains, in this video, all about the appendix and what it actually does in our body.
The Magical Geometry of Crystals and How It Came to Be
How and why crystals are formed in such distinctive shapes that look like a human must have shaped them.
20 Amazingly Simple Inventions That Make Life Easier
Some wonderful inventions can fix some of the most annoying little problems that bug us every single day. Here are 20 of the most inventive ideas I've ever seen that I can't believe no one has invented before.
17 Incredible Eye Facts You Have To See To Believe
They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and they also happen to be our windows to the world. Here are 17 insanely fascinating facts about eyes.
Visual Illusions: What Color Are These Strawberries?
Tricking our brain into believing that something is one color or shape than another thing is surprisingly easy, but can we explain why?
6 Shocking Truths About Coffee You Never Knew
Have you been believing these common coffee myths too?
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
Wonder Why Time Speeds Up As You Age? Here's the Answer
We all get the sensation that time moves faster as we get older, but there are scientific reasons for that. Read on to learn about this fascinating phenomenon.
Is it REALLY the Coffee that Wakes Us Up in the Morning?
A recent study has revealed that the coffee you drink may just be a placebo...
Science Lesson: How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
How laser removal of tattoos actually works. These guys are going to find out and explain it to us.
The History of Our Planet in One Beautiful Spiral...
This beautiful infographic offers us a remarkable story – the history of Planet Earth.
The Surprisingly Convoluted History of Traffic Lights
What did the first-ever traffic light look like? Probably stranger than you imagine...
You Won't Believe That These Things Exist in Japan...
If there's one place on this planet that well and truly at the forefront of modern technology, it has got to be Japan, as these inventions prove...
These Shoes Can Boost Your Walking Speed by 250%!
Robotic engineers have created shoes that, they claim, will increase your speed by 250%.
Science Proves: These 10 Bible Stories Probably Did Happen
The Bible describes many seemingly supernatural cases, but today, science can show that they might have indeed happened.
Guide: All About the Gut-Brain Connection in Your Body
it's becoming increasingly clear just how influential our tiny gut microbes are in shaping our mood and even our overall health.
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
24 Smart Storage Inventions You Didn't Know You Needed
These super useful inventions are designed to make you help space!
Check Out This Radio-Controlled Lego-Powered Submarine
This is the height of creativity! Check out this insanely cool Lego submarine. It actually works!
This Mind-Blowing Talk Explores the Nature of Reality
In this video, cognitive scientist, Donald Hoffman, attempts to answer this mind-blowing question in this incredible TED talk.
Here Are the 16 Oldest Household Objects in the World
If you think ancient life is remote, these pre-historic household items will make you think again. Just look at how old they are!
STUDY: The Effect of Personality on Our Level of Happiness
Researchers finally know which types of people will always be happier than others.
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
These Archaeological Finds Left the World Mystified
Find out more about the most mysterious discoveries that archaeologists made.
3 Surefire Ways to Always Identify Pseudoscience
Find out how you can identify pseudoscience, and learn how it differs from actual science.
INTERACTIVE: How Personal Items Have Changed Over Time
Some of you will be old enough to remember what many of today's objects used to look like. Here are 20 such objects. Click to see them as they used to be.
12 Earliest Versions of Tech Inventions We Use Every Day
Witness the evolution of 11 popular devices we use all the time by looking at how they all started...
20 Useful Facts About the Science of Cooking
The science behind cooking is not often thought of, but it plays a crucial role in a dish turning out right. Here are 20 facts on the science of cooking.
The Future is in Our Hands - Next Generation Technology
These young brilliant minds grind hard at finding and creating solution to waste recycling, and the results are promising.
What on Earth Is a Black Hole? This Video Explains All...
What on Earth are black holes, how do they affect us, and should we be at all worried about their existence? Find out here.
Let's Talk About Size, From Big to Huge.
an incredible discovery that leads us to a better and better understanding of these objects' true size.
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
9 Women Inventors Who Have Been Overlooked by History
History has overlooked many great women inventors. Here’s your chance to get to know a few of them.
These 11 Brain Facts Are Enough to Boggle Your Mind
When you consider the sheer complexity of the human brain, it's difficult to wrap your head around it. Learn these 11 fascinating facts about the human brain.
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
GUIDE: How Alcohol Affects Us, Drink by Drink...
In this article, we're going to discuss the exact amounts of alcohol in our blood and what they look like, including how each level affects us and our ability to function.
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.