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[Abstract:]

#1

Science / Re: Neanderthals in the News

Last post by Recusant - June 22, 2025, 05:24:34 PM

Examination of a hypothesis that a geomagnetic excursion (reversal of Earth's magnetic polarity) was at least partially responsible for the disappearance of Neanderthals.

"Neanderthal extinction: a space physicist reopens the debate" | The Conversation

Neanderthals have long been the subject of intense scientific debate. This is largely because we still lack clear answers to some of the big questions about their existence and supposed disappearance.

One of the latest developments is a recent study from the University of Michigan, published in the journal Science Advances [press release--paper linked below]. It proposes that Neanderthals went extinct for astrophysical reasons.

The work was led by Agnit Mukhopadhyay, an expert in space physics, a discipline that studies natural plasmas, especially those found within our own solar system. Plasma is the state of matter that dominates the universe: the Sun and stars are huge balls of plasma, as are the northern lights.

Mukhopadhyay's research suggests that a shift in the Earth's magnetic poles around 41,000 years ago, known as the Laschamp event, may have contributed to the extinction of Neanderthals.

According to his work, the extreme weakening of the Earth's magnetic field during that event allowed for greater penetration of cosmic and ultraviolet radiation. This would have generated more aggressive environmental conditions that Neanderthals could not withstand, giving our own species, Homo sapiens, an edge.

In this context, sapiens would have had an advantage over Neanderthals thanks to their presumed use of close-fitting clothing, ochre – a mineral with protective properties against the sun – and taking shelter in caves. Caves which, by the way, on numerous occasions were inhabited by both Neanderthals and our own species.

The hypothesis is interesting, and is based on innovative three-dimensional models of the Earth's geospatial system during this period. However, as with many hypotheses that attempt to explain complex phenomena on the basis of a single variable, its scope and some of the assumptions on which it is based need to be examined more closely.

[Closer critical examination . . .]

Put simply, the archaeological record does not support Mukhopadhyay's hypothesis. There is no evidence of an abrupt demographic collapse coinciding with this geomagnetic event, nor of a widespread catastrophic impact on other human or animal species.

Moreover, if solar radiation had been such a determining factor, one would expect high mortality also among populations of sapiens that did not wear tight clothing or live in caves (in warm regions of Africa, for instance). As far as we know, this did not happen.

When trying to explain the disappearance of Neanderthals, it is vital that we integrate multiple lines of archaeological, paleoanthropological and genetic evidence.

[Continues . . .]

The Mukhopadhyay et al. paper (which covers more than the hypothesized effect on Neanderthals) is open access:

"Wandering of the auroral oval 41,000 years ago" | Science Advances

Abstract:

In the recent geological past, Earth's magnetic field reduced to ~10% of the modern values and the magnetic poles shifted away from the geographic poles, causing the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion, about 41 millennia ago. The excursion lasted ~2000 years, with dipole strength reduction and tilting spanning 300 years.

During this period, the geomagnetic field's multipolarity resembled outer planets, causing rapid magnetospheric changes. To our knowledge, this study presents the first space plasma analysis of the excursion, linking the geomagnetic field, magnetospheric system, and upper atmosphere in sequence using feedback channels for distinct temporal epochs.

A three-dimensional reconstruction of Earth's geospace system shows that these shifts affected auroral regions and open magnetic field lines, causing them to expand and wander toward lower latitudes. These changes likely altered the upper atmosphere's composition and influenced anthropological progress during that era. Looking through a modern lens, such an event would disrupt contemporary technology, including communications and satellite infrastructure.

#2

Science / Re: COVID-19

Last post by Recusant - June 22, 2025, 04:31:10 PM

Forcing some advance in medicine is the only good thing that this bug has brought, as far as I can tell. Not enough to make up for the damage it's done. 

The bug is relatively benign, the vaccine however......

Citations needed.

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

That's what I thought.

#3

Science / Re: COVID-19

Last post by Vocaloldfart - June 22, 2025, 08:19:47 AM

Forcing some advance in medicine is the only good thing that this bug has brought, as far as I can tell. Not enough to make up for the damage it's done. 

The bug is relatively benign, the vaccine however......

Citations needed.

My comment was there to for thought and contemplation.
I have researched medicine since 1983 and have formed my opinion based on my research and training.
I have my opinion, I ask all to do their research and come to a position and then debate openly.
If you need to be spoon fed by citations, you miss the point.
Sure I can supply any amount of citations (10Tb of books, journals and research papers) but they are, as gathered, mine and biased toward my present opinion.

#4

Religion / Re: Church going is resurging ...

Last post by GreenBlaze - June 22, 2025, 04:32:48 AM

It would not surprise me if the reports of rising church attendance among younger folk are accurate. It's not as if the human species has magically become less gullible. I think things do look a bit more precarious than several years ago, at least to inhabitants of wealthier nations that had previously felt more insulated from turmoil and grief on a wide scale. When the world seems less safe, people tend to seek whatever comfort and reassurance they can find, however threadbare.

Thank you for your thoughts, they are interesting.
I would agree there does seem to be something going here especially with young people, the world has been very unstable for some time and there has been some high profile of late too who have converted in the media like the co founder of wikipedia.
I look with interest to at the Pew research which needs to be updated as it only goes back to 2010-2020 and misses critically out the period post COVID and war/economy effect.

#5

Religion / Re: Church going is resurging ...

Last post by Recusant - June 21, 2025, 10:17:56 PM

It would not surprise me if the reports of rising church attendance among younger folk are accurate. It's not as if the human species has magically become less gullible. I think things do look a bit more precarious than several years ago, at least to inhabitants of wealthier nations that had previously felt more insulated from turmoil and grief on a wide scale. When the world seems less safe, people tend to seek whatever comfort and reassurance they can find, however threadbare.

#6

Religion / Re: Church going is resurging ...

Last post by GreenBlaze - June 21, 2025, 09:25:07 PM

Hi everyone. Hope life is treating you well, nice weather where I live.

Good to hear.

As for the rest of your post, what is your point?

I was wanted your thoughts and a discussion on why you think this is happening and do you believe it is actually happening or something else?

#7

Religion / Re: Church going is resurging ...

Last post by Recusant - June 21, 2025, 02:54:41 PM

Hi everyone. Hope life is treating you well, nice weather where I live.

Good to hear.

As for the rest of your post, what is your point?

#8

Science / Re: COVID-19

Last post by Recusant - June 21, 2025, 02:47:18 PM

Forcing some advance in medicine is the only good thing that this bug has brought, as far as I can tell. Not enough to make up for the damage it's done. 

The bug is relatively benign, the vaccine however......

Citations needed.

#9

Science / Re: COVID-19

Last post by Dark Lightning - June 21, 2025, 02:36:47 PM

That statement is contrary to reality.

#10

Religion / Church going is resurging worl...

Last post by GreenBlaze - June 21, 2025, 02:31:53 PM

Hi everyone. Hope life is treating you well, nice weather where I live.

I came across the first two articles linked below on church attendance in the UK and I was surprised to read the news. I read in the articles that church attendance is increasing in the UK and church's are seeing resurgence and especially was so around Easter with church's being full to bursting. I was surprised to see the information because for much of my life  I have heard that church going is going down in the UK. The clear information is though is that church going among young people especially Generation X the 18-24 age group and men are increasing.

Just a few years ago I read that Church's were in decline in Europe too and resurging in other lower developed countries like Africa and Latin America. Resurging areas in particular were church's that were Catholic Charismatic and around the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I read these articles and found them interesting. I read to further analytical research for me the third and fourth article and I saw that church attendance varies in different age groups. Areas of growth particularly seem to be around young people aged 18-24 joining the church for the very first time. Interesting.

Much of the world has seen calamity and tribulation in the world in the last few years and it does make some people question what exactly is going on in the world. I know I have at times myself questioned what exactly is going on.

Are some people now returning to the church? It seems it.

New people seem to be returning to God now in time of great distress. People seem to be wanting more to life and deepening a sense of spirituality and faith.

Revivals for church going is happening what was for secular countries like France baptisms are increasing.
 
This is not what Samuel Huntingdon predicted in the Clash of Civilisations.

More people are wanting to learn more about God the creator and have deepened spirituality. The last few years for many may be this might have something to do with it. It can be hard to find and see a future and everything can be expensive and seem overwhelming at times. They seem to need a God to take care on their needs and advocate for them through their promised comforter that Jesus promised them.

What do you think of this resurgence? I studied religion and am a social social scientist and this resurgence is very interesting.

There are a number of articles, but the evidence seems that it cannot be argued against.

https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/christianity-is-back-heres-the-data/19549.article
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/11-april/news/uk/dramatic-growth-in-young-people-attending-church-bible-society-research-finds
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/quiet-revival-uk-bible-society
https://www.premierchristianity.com/renewal/many-churches-are-reporting-record-breaking-easter-attendance-heres-the-best-stories/19373.article
https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/revival-is-coming-but-is-the-church-ready/18948.article
https://www.premierchristianity.com/real-life/more-men-are-finding-jesus-my-church-is-full-of-them/19559.article
https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/weve-never-seen-spiritual-hunger-like-this-before-revival-is-here-here-are-4-ways-you-can-steward-it/19457.article
https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/3-reasons-why-were-confident-a-quiet-revival-is-taking-place/19427.article
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/01/04/the-young-men-leaving-traditional-churches-for-orthodox/

https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christians-cliffside-monastery-monks-488a9ec2bea52f54071bf91ddfc7d56d