Gorillas More Related to People Than Thought, Genome Says

Although [70 percent] of the human genome is indeed closer to chimpanzees, on average, a sizable minority of 15 percent is in fact closer to gorillas, and another 15 percent is where chimpanzees and gorillas are closest.

Via National Geographic

Diabetes may begin in the gut

Scientists studying mice have made a surprising discovery about the origin of diabetes. The disease may start in the intestines.

Full story at Futurity

6,500-year-old popcorn and 5 other foods with ancient origins

It turns out that humans have been munching on everyone’s favorite movie-time snack, popcorn, for much longer than previously thought. Scientists from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Washington’s Natural History Museum have uncovered fossilized cobs indicating that people in northeastern Peru were popping kernels as early as 4,700 B.C. But popcorn is hardly the only contemporary food with origins in the ancient world.

Link The Week