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The Guardian
6 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Even Neanderthals had distinct preferences when it came to making dinner, study suggests
Nothing turns up the heat in a kitchen quite like debating the best way to chop an onion. Now researchers have found even our prehistoric cousins had distinct preferences when it came to preparing food. Archaeologists studying animal bones recovered from two caves in northern Israel have found different groups of Neanderthals, living around the same time, butchered the same animals in different ways. 'It means that within all the Neanderthal population, you have several distinct groups that have distinct ways of doing things, even for activities that are so related to survival,' said Anaëlle Jallon, the first author of the research, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Writing in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archeology, Jallon and colleagues report how they studied cut marks on 249 bone fragments from between 70,000 and 50,000 years ago from Amud cave, and 95 bone fragments dating to between 60,000 and 50,000 years ago from Kebara cave. The caves are about 70km apart and both were occupied by Neanderthals during the winters. Both groups are known to have used similar flint-based tools. The team's analysis of the bones fragments – which were recovered from the caves in the 1990s – confirmed previous findings that burned and fragmented samples were more common in Amud cave, and that both groups had a similar diet featuring animals including mountain gazelles and fallow deer. But it also provided fresh insights, including that bones from larger animals such as aurochs were more commonly found at Kebara cave. However, Jallon noted it could be that the samples at Kebara were easier to identify, or that Neanderthals at Amud might have butchered such animals elsewhere. Jallon and colleagues carried out a detailed analysis of the cut marks on 43 and 34 bone samples from Amud and Kebara caves respectively, finding a number of differences in the cut marks between the two sites. While the researchers say some of the variation related to the type of animal – or body part – being butchered, these factors did not explain all of the differences. 'Even when we compare only the gazelles, and only the long bones of gazelles, we find a higher density of cut marks in [bones from] Amud, with more cut marks that are crossing each other, [and] less cut marks that are straight lines, but more [curved],' said Jallon. The team suggest a number of possible explanations, including that different groups of Neanderthals had different butchery techniques, involved a different number of individuals when butchering a carcass, or butchered meat in different states of decay. 'It's either, like, food preferences that lead to different ways of preparing meat and then cutting it, or just differences in the way they learn how to cut meat,' said Jallon. Dr Matt Pope, of University College London, who was not involved in the work, said the study added to research showing different Neanderthal groups had different ways of making tools, and sometimes used different toolkits. 'These aren't just cut marks being studied, these are the gestures and movements of the Neanderthal people themselves, as evocative to us as footprints or hand marks on a cave wall,' he said. 'Future research will help to discern between the alternative [explanations for the variations], but the study as it stands is a powerful reminder that there is no monolithic neanderthal culture and that the population contained multiple groups at different times and places, living in the same landscape, with perhaps quite different ways of life.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Did Neanderthals have 'family recipes'? Study suggests butchery practices in ancient groups
Their meticulous examination of cut-marks on the remains of animal prey revealed patterns that cannot be explained by differences in skill, resources, or available tools at each site. New research into the butchery practices of Neanderthals living in two nearby caves in northern Israel between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago suggests surprisingly distinct food preparation methods, hinting at the possibility of early cultural traditions being passed down through generations. Despite living only 70 kilometers apart and utilizing the same tools and prey, the Neanderthals of Amud and Kebara caves appear to have processed their food in visibly different ways, according to a study led by Anaëlle Jallon from the Institute ofArchaeology at Hebrew University. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, involved collaboration with colleagues Lucille Crete and Silvia Bello from the Natural History Museum of London, under the supervision of Hebrew University's Prof. Rivka Rabinovich and Prof. Erella Hovers. Their meticulous examination of cut-marks on the remains of animal prey revealed patterns that cannot be explained by differences in skill, resources, or available tools at each site. 'The subtle differences in cut-mark patterns between Amud and Kebara may reflect local traditions of animal carcass processing,' stated Anaëlle Jallon, a PhD candidate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the lead author. She added, 'Even though Neanderthals at these two sites shared similar living conditions and faced comparable challenges, they seem to have developed distinct butchery strategies, possibly passed down through social learning and cultural traditions." Were Neanderthal butchery techniques were standardized Jallon emphasized the unique opportunity these two sites present: 'These two sites give us a unique opportunity to explore whether Neanderthal butchery techniques were standardized. If butchery techniques varied between sites or time periods, this would imply that factors such as cultural traditions, cooking preferences, or social organization influenced even subsistence-related activities such as butchering.' Both Amud and Kebara caves were occupied by Neanderthals during the winters, leaving behind not just food remains but also burials, stone tools, and hearths. The two groups relied on similar diets, predominantly gazelles and fallow deer, and used identical flint tools. However, subtle distinctions emerged from the archaeological record. Neanderthals at Kebara appear to have hunted more large prey and more frequently transported large kills back to the cave for butchering, rather than processing them at the kill site. Further differences in bone remains provided clues: at Amud, 40% of the animal bones were burned and highly fragmented, potentially due to cooking or post-depositional damage. In contrast, only 9% of the bones at Kebara were burned, less fragmented, and believed to have been cooked. Additionally, bones from Amud showed less evidence of carnivore damage compared to those found at Kebara. To investigate these variations in food preparation, the research team meticulously examined cut-marked bones from contemporaneous layers at both sites, using both macroscopic and microscopic analysis. They recorded various characteristics of the cut-marks, hypothesizing that similar patterns would suggest consistent butchery practices, while differing patterns would point to distinct cultural traditions. The analysis revealed that while the cut-marks were clear, intact, and largely unaffected by later damage, and their profiles, angles, and surface widths were similar (likely due to the shared toolkits), the cut-marks at Amud were more densely packed and less linear in shape than those at Kebara. The researchers explored several hypotheses for these observed patterns. They ruled out explanations based on different prey species or bone types, as the differences persisted even when comparing only the long bones of small ungulates found at both sites. Experimental archaeology also indicated that the variations couldn't be attributed to less skilled butchers or more intensive butchering to maximize food yield. Instead, the evidence strongly suggested that the differing cut-mark patterns were a result of deliberate butchery choices made by each Neanderthal group. One compelling explanation proposed by the researchers is that the Amud Neanderthals might have been pre-treating their meat before butchering. This could involve drying the meat or allowing it to decompose, similar to how modern butchers hang meat. Decaying meat is known to be more challenging to process, which would explain the greater intensity and less linear nature of the cut-marks observed at Amud. Another possibility is that differences in group organization, such as the number of individuals involved in butchering a single kill, played a role. However, further research is needed to fully explore these intriguing possibilities. "There are some limitations to consider,' Jallon acknowledged. 'The bone fragments are sometimes too small to provide a complete picture of the butchery marks left on the carcass. While we have made efforts to correct for biases caused by fragmentation, this may limit our ability to fully interpret the data." She concluded, "Future studies, including more experimental work and comparative analyses, will be crucial for addressing these uncertainties — and maybe one day reconstructing Neanderthals' recipes.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Non-US firms are shrewd accounting standards shoppers
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. When choosing whether to use U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or International Financial Reporting Standards to file financial reports, many non-U.S. companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges are shrewd shoppers, according to a recent study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 'This research shows that accounting regime selection is not merely a matter of regulatory compliance,' the lead researcher Dr. Heylel-li Biton of the Hebrew University Business School said in a July 2 release on the findings that were published in The International Journal of Accounting. 'It reflects calculated decisions by firms to align their financial reporting with operational goals and cost structures.' Since 2007, it's gotten easier for so-called foreign private issuers to use IFRS in the U.S. That's the year the Securities and Exchange Commission eliminated a requirement that FPIs reconcile any reports filed using IFRS accounting methods with U.S.-based GAAP. The change was expected to smooth the path for more foreign companies to list their shares in the U.S., to foster cross-boarder acquisitions, as well as to reduce reporting compliance costs, according to a report at the time from the law firm Clearly Gottlieb. U.S. GAAP has been a key choice for many filers who have stuck with it over the years. Out of a sample selection of 413 FPIs registered with the SEC from 1995 to 2015 who consistently report financials using the same accounting standard, the majority (325) use U.S. GAAP, 73 go with IFRS and just 15 use a domestic version of GAAP from their home countries, according to the study. But a review of a sample of non-U.S. firms who opted to switch accounting standards after the 2007 regulatory change on IFRS reconciliation shows a 'significant trend toward IFRS,' with 273 firms transitioning from domestic GAAP to IFRS and 82 from U.S. GAAP to IFRS. While the study found that some firms may favor U.S. GAAP because they associate it with lower compliance costs, data indicates firms from capital-intensive industries such as manufacturing and mining prefer IFRS. Of a total of 261 mining FPIs, 127 chose to report using IFRS, 108 went with a form of their country's GAAP while just 26 chose U.S. GAAP. The firms may be choosing a preference tied to rules that affect them. In comparing accounting standard guidance on long-lived assets' revaluations, IFRS provides 'more options to communicate fundamental value; thus, firms with more assets are likely to choose IFRS for the option of implementing fair-value accounting,' the study states. But U.S. GAAP may also provide some benefits from an enforcement standpoint because the SEC isn't as familiar with IFRS, increasing the likelihood that firms reporting with IFRS might be more likely to receive comment letters and requests for amendments, according to the report. In recent years the Financial Accounting Standards Board that sets and updates GAAP rules has stepped away from a push to converge U.S. GAAP with international standards, CFO Dive previously reported. Recommended Reading Restatements decline, with small companies more prone to error: CAQ
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Qedma raises $26m in Series A funding
Qedma, an Israel-based company specialising in solutions for quantum computing errors, has secured $26m (NIS87bn) in Series A funding, with IBM among the new investors. The investment round was led by Glilot Capital Partners, alongside Korean Investment Partners and existing supporters including TPY Capital. Qedma was founded in 2020 following collaborative discussions among Technion physicist Netanel Lindner, Asif Sinay, and Hebrew University professor Dorit Aharonov. The trio came together over insights into noise patterns in quantum devices and error correction strategies, establishing a firm focused on integrating theoretical and practical solutions to quantum errors. Qedma aims to tackle the critical issue of quantum noise resilience and plans to demonstrate quantum advantage through collaborations with various companies and research institutions. According to the start-up, quantum computing faces significant challenges due to errors that arise as systems grow in size and complexity. Existing error correction techniques, though theoretically effective, require substantial overhead, which often involve up to 1,000 qubits to correct errors for a single qubit. Qedma's software is engineered to accelerate progress towards practical quantum computing by reducing these errors. It is said to enhance hardware performance and enable larger-scale computations than currently possible. The company's solution works by executing a protocol when a user requests a quantum algorithm. This protocol identifies the noise characteristics unique to each device and adjusts the algorithm to suppress specific types of errors. Remaining errors are mitigated through post-processing methods. As technology advances, Qedma aims to integrate proprietary error correction techniques combined with mitigation strategies for increased reliability. Qedma CEO and co-founder Sinay said: 'While the industry is making massive investments in quantum computing infrastructure and scaling the number of qubits, our platform-agnostic approach allows us to extract maximum value from existing hardware across all quantum computing architectures. 'By accelerating the timeline to practical quantum computing, we're establishing a fundamental foundation that will become even more crucial as quantum systems scale." In September 2024, Qedma joined forces with IBM to offer its Quantum Error Suppression and Error Mitigation (QESEM) software via the latter's Qiskit Functions platform. The collaboration with IBM focuses on addressing noise-induced errors in quantum operations. These errors present a major challenge in achieving Quantum Advantage, where quantum computers surpass classical systems in practical applications. By integrating QESEM, quantum developers, data scientists, and computational scientists are expected to interact with quantum computers as seamlessly as they do with classical systems. This approach allows for the efficient execution of quantum algorithms without the need for extensive qubit overheads, said Qedma. IBM venture capital global head Emily Fontaine said: "Qedma continues to make meaningful contributions that are progressing the quantum computing space at a pivotal time in the industry. "We're excited to see their next chapter as they scale their impact, working towards their mission to advance quantum computation and provide error reduction software solutions to the quantum ecosystem." "Qedma raises $26m in Series A funding" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
South Korean student shares harrowing escape from Israel amid missile barrage
South Korean college student has recounted her harrowing escape from Israel amid a barrage of Iranian missile strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the arch-foes takes hold following a 12-day conflict The woman, who is studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, chronicled her June 13 evacuation during the aerial clash in a video posted to YouTube last Thursday. She said she was woken up by air raid sirens at 3am, forcing her to rush into a bomb shelter. 'I initially thought the situation would resolve soon, but I heard the sirens again the next day,' she said in the video, capturing flying missiles that she saw from the window of her college dormitory, as more than 100 missile alerts buzzed her phone. The student was scheduled to travel to Paris on June 16, which she had booked four months ago, but the flight was cancelled. Israel's official surveyors and volunteers check a damaged residential building a day after a direct missile strike, launched from Iran, following the announcement of a ceasefire, in Beersheba, Israel, on Wednesday. Photo: AP Looking for a way out of the country proved difficult due to soaring air fares that hit 2.37 million won (US$1,740) from the previous 816,785 won, The Korea Herald reported.
