A cave in Iraq where the bones of ancient human farmers were found. Their DNA was sequenced to unlock the mystery of who the earliest farmers were in the region. (credit: FEREIDOUN BIGLARI)

Two new studies published this month in Science and Nature magazines use DNA analysis of ancient human bones to conclude that farming arose in multiple regions simultaneously. The Science study focused on four farmers who lived between 9,000 and 10,000 years ago in the mountainous Zagros region of Iran. The Nature study analyzed 44 individuals (farmers as well as hunter-gatherers) from Armenia, Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Iran, who lived between 14,000 and 3,500 years ago. By sequencing parts of these ancient people’s DNA, researchers could determine their likely ancestry, as well as what populations are descended from them today. They conclude that there are at least two groups of ancient humans who discovered farming separately in the Middle East, then exported the Neolithic revolution across large parts of the continent.

The secrets of ancient DNA

Over the past decade, modern DNA sequencing techniques have allowed scientists to recover strands of genetic material from decayed bones that have been infused with microbes over thousands of years. Now, those techniques are widely accessible and highly refined. It starts with how researchers pick their bones. If possible, they’ll extract DNA from the petrous bone in the inner ear, a goldmine for genetic material that can yield roughly 100 times more ancient DNA than other parts of the skeleton. Then researchers use a process called in-solution hybridization, which uses special probes made from DNA or RNA that attach to the desired ancient human DNA, fishing it out of a soup of other genetic material from other organisms that accumulated in the decomposing bone. Techniques like these are making it easier than ever for us to sequence ancient DNA and reconstruct the human past.

This PlayStation VR promotional pamphlet page spells out some surprising room-space requirements for the system. (credit: Imgur)

As Sony approaches the October launch of its first major virtual reality product, PlayStation VR, the company has begun to publish more info about its system. On Friday, advertising pamphlets revealed a previously unknown aspect: its space requirements.

The amount of suggested minimum space may surprise some players. The pamphlet image, posted anonymously on Imgur and found by Polygon, suggests that players dedicate 11.8′ of depth and 6.2′ of width to their PSVR play area. This includes a two-foot dead zone directly in front of a single PlayStation Camera, which must be set up for tracking purposes, and a few more feet back to position a chair so that players can look and wave arms all around their play space.

The pamphlet also makes clear that players cannot play very far from the camera. PSVR requires a specific just-close-enough sweet spot to track the system’s headset, Move wands, and DualShock 4 controllers. Ideally, players will place a chair in that PSVR zone, as the pamphlet suggests players “remain seated whenever possible.” If a particular game asks players to stand up, that may require a repositioning of the PS Camera to track full body height.