Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · 7d

A team of international researchers, including at ASU, have uncovered genetic adaptations in the Kenyan Turkana tribe that may have helped them survive in hot and dry environments through natural selection.

Read more: news.asu.edu/20250918-sci...

Scientists discover genetic adaptations can help those living in dry climates | ASU News

A team of international scientists has uncovered key genetic adaptations underlying survival in hot and dry environments, revealing how natural selection may have enabled some pastoralist populations ...

news.asu.edu

2

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · 15d

For the past two summers, an international cohort of five university students have gathered in South Africa for a 7-week training cohort to analyze animal fossils.

And they have an anthropology PhD student at Arizona State University to thank.

Read: news.asu.edu/20250917-sci...

PhD student establishes unique lab program for students in Southern Africa | ASU News

For the past two summers, an international cohort of five university students have gathered at the coast of South Africa for seven weeks to analyze animal fossils. The training program gives students ...

news.asu.edu

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · 29d

New research from Madeleine Getz, a PhD student studying global health, suggests that increases in cholesterol and heart-related risks after menopause might be universal.

Read more: news.asu.edu/20250903-hea...

New research reveals insights into link between menopause, cardiovascular health | ASU News

Deep in the Bolivian Amazon exists a forager-horticultural community called the Tsimane. Researchers look to them for insights on how the human body functioned prior to modern technologies, as their lifestyles remain the closest to that of our ancestors.

news.asu.edu

1 1

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Aug 13

A team of international scientists, led by researchers at Arizona State University, has discovered a new species of Australopithecus, a genus of early hominins, in Africa.

This new species has never been found anywhere.

Read more about the discovery: news.asu.edu/20250813-sci...

ASU scientists uncover new fossils — and a new species of ancient human ancestor | ASU News

A team of international scientists has discovered new fossils at a field site in Africa that indicate Australopithecus and the oldest specimens of Homo coexisted at the same place in Africa at the sam...

news.asu.edu

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Jul 29

Congrats to Divyendu Kashyap, SHESC evolutionary anthropology PhD student, on receiving the prestigious Baldwin Fellowship from The Leakey Foundation!

His research on ancient East African ecosystems helps us understand how species responded to environmental shifts over time.

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Jul 1

June 15 marked 13 years of DACA, which provides work permits and deportation relief to young immigrants.

To mark the anniversary, explore five publications on DACA’s impact on im/migrant well-being, including one by SHESC Associate Professor Emir Estrada!
iwbcollab.org/5-essential-...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Jun 24

New research from ASU evolutionary anthropologists reveals that people may follow social norms not out of fear of judgment, but simply because it’s tradition.

Read: news.asu.edu/20250620-sci...

New research: Tradition trumps payoffs in maintaining social norms in some situations | ASU News

New research by evolutionary anthropologists is redefining what we thought we knew about human behavior, specifically social norms and how we may be able to change them in the future.Social norms are ...

news.asu.edu

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Jun 11

From ASU to London, 20 students are diving deep into history and culture this summer through the SHESC faculty-led Plague Pits and Body Snatchers study abroad program. 🌍✈️

For three weeks, this group is exploring how people lived and died in the past through global health and bioarchaeology.

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 20

We had a great time celebrating our spring graduates on Friday! It was a joy to honor your achievements and cheer you on as you enter the next chapter.

Go out and shine! 💫

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 16

From artist to graduating summa cum laude as a Dean's Medalist with three undergraduate degrees, Randii Lantz Castaneda's ASU journey tells the story of someone determined to bring Native culture and art to the forefront. #ASUGrad 🌟
news.asu.edu/20250515-sun...

1

Reposted by ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change

Department of English at Arizona State University @asuenglish.bsky.social · May 14

🎓 ASU linguistics alum Richard Southee was inspired to a career in global health. This spring he's earning a PhD from @asubeinghuman.bsky.social and plans to continue his work in the community.

Learn more: ow.ly/hMPj50VRu1A #ASUHumanities #ASUGrad

In this photo illustration by Ashley Sorensen, the number 2025 and a graduation cap are layered over a courtesy photo of graduating ASU student Richard Southee, who wears a brown turtleneck and holds a microphone.

1 1

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 14

As an instructor at the University of Arizona Sky School, Caitlin Hawley’s goal was to provide opportunities for students to find their passion.

After pursuing her own passion, Hawley became a doctor of environmental & social science this spring. news.asu.edu/b/20250507-i...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 14

Congrats to Samuel Rosales, a Starbucks partner, who used the Starbucks College Achievement Plan to earn his bachelor’s and master’s in global health through ASU’s 4+1 program! “I was taking ASB 100: Intro to Global Health and just remember being completely mind-blown.”
news.asu.edu/20250429-sun...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 13

Meet Bianca Obando: a double major in global health and biotech, president of 2 student clubs, research assistant and Dean’s Medalist — all while maintaining a 4.13 GPA at ASU!

Congrats Bianca! We can’t wait to see your future impact. 🌟
news.asu.edu/20250429-sun...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 6

Join us in congratulating Robert Boyd, a SHESC professor and research scientist with the @asuiho.bsky.social, who has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences — one of the highest honors a researcher can receive! 🌟

news.asu.edu/20250505-uni...

ASU expert in cultural evolution elected to National Academy of Sciences | ASU News

A leading authority on cultural evolution, Robert Boyd, a professor in Arizona State University’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change and a research scientist with the Institute of Human Origi...

news.asu.edu

14 38

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · May 2

Despite a rapid rise in multiculturalism in the U.S., many Americans still find themselves forced into narrowly defined monoracial categories. Research from SHESC professor, Takeyuki "Gaku" Tsuda sheds new light on the issue. news.asu.edu/b/20250422-c...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Apr 22

Arizona is home to 550 bird species, each contributing to our ecosystem.

This Earth Day, we’re highlighting Lucy’s warblers and an initiative between ASU's Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve and Midwestern University to help conserve their habitat for future generations. 🌎
news.asu.edu/20250326-env...

Homes for songbirds: Protecting Lucy’s warblers in the urban desert | ASU News

Each spring, tiny Lucy’s warblers, with their soft gray plumage and rusty crown, return to the Arizona desert, flitting through the mesquite branches in search of safe places to nest.But as urban expa...

news.asu.edu

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Apr 15

Since 2018, the course, SB231: Introduction to Archaeological Field Methods, has given students the opportunity to experience first-hand research and work on local excavation sites together with @mesacc.bsky.social
news.asu.edu/b/20250411-a...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Apr 1

Trust is the foundation of governed market economies like the U.S. — but if you had to define trust, could you? news.asu.edu/20250331-loc...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Mar 25

As wildfires raged across the country, the Corsi-Rosenthal Box became a game changer for clean air access. Led by SHESC’s Megan Jehn, research showed this DIY air filter outperformed costly HEPA systems, providing an option for vulnerable communities. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...

These DIY air purifiers could make clean air more accessible during wildfires

Homemade air purifiers can filter air faster, making them an affordable alternative to more expensive commercial products.

www.washingtonpost.com

3

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Mar 25

Surrounded by lace and shell buttons, Sherri Starkey found her calling. A Victorian-era reenactor, she was restoring an 1883 wedding gown when she realized she wanted to work in museums. That moment led her to pursue a master's in museum studies with SHESC. Read more: news.asu.edu/b/20250310-a...

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Mar 7

How an enrollment error led to a happy mistake that launched a collaborative research environment for ASU Online and on-campus School of Human Evolution and Social Change students. news.asu.edu/20250307-art...

1

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Mar 4

March Mammal Madness is back! 🦁 Created by SHESC Associate Professor Katie Hinde, the tournament combines scientific research and storytelling for a look at the animal kingdom.

Already, 600,000 learners are expected to participate this year! Read more:
news.asu.edu/20250221-art...

March Mammal Madness hypes science, storytelling in the classroom and beyond | ASU News

In classrooms throughout the country, the buzz around March Mammal Madness starts long before the tournament begins. For middle school science teacher Jessica Harris, students wonder which animals wil...

news.asu.edu

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Mar 3

SHESC global health student Surabhi Sajith is creating opportunities for undergrads to publish scientific research through an innovative club at ASU. news.asu.edu/b/20250228-u... #research #undergrad

Undergraduate Scientific Review bolsters undergraduate research | ASU News

Growing up in Tempe as a first-generation American, Surabhi Sajith, knew that she wanted to combine the global experience of her India-born parents with a desire to make a difference locally. Now a se...

news.asu.edu

1 2

ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change @asubeinghuman.bsky.social · Feb 26

Named after the hominin that helped reveal human origins, NASA's Lucy spacecraft is now on a mission to help uncover the origins of our solar system.

It's setting its sight on asteroid 52246, Donaldjohanson, with an expected flyby on April 20! 🚀 Read: www.space.com/space-explor...

NASA's asteroid-hopping Lucy probe takes 1st images of its next target: Donaldjohanson

The first images of Lucy's next target show a tiny asteroid moving against a starry background.

www.space.com