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Modern babies are being born without wisdom teeth as humans continue to evolve at a rapid rate, according to a study.
Scientists in Australia have found that people are undergoing microevolution in which evolutionary changes can be observed over a short period of time.
Dr Teghan Lucas, from Flinders University in Adelaide, said faces are getting much shorter, with smaller jaws, which means there is less room for teeth.
“This is happening over time as we have learned to use fire more and process food. A lot of people are being born without wisdom teeth, ”he said.
The research also found that some people are born with extra bones in the arms and legs, as well as shorter faces, or with abnormal connections of two or more bones in the feet.
Additionally, Dr. Lucas’ research, together with Adelaide University professors Maciej Henneberg and Jaliya Kumaratilake, showed a “significant increase” in the prevalence of the median artery since the late 19th century.
The artery forms while the baby is in utero and is the main vessel supplying blood to the forearm and hand, but it disappears during gestation and is replaced by the radial and ulnar arteries.
The study authors said that humans are evolving at a faster rate than at any time in the last 250 years (Philip Toscano / PA)
“But an increasing number of cases retain it, so a person can have all three arteries,” the authors wrote.
“This evolutionary trend will continue in those born 80 years from now, and the median artery will become common in the human forearm.”
Ms Lucas said the study shows that humans are evolving at a faster rate than at any time in the last 250 years.
The research authors suggested that changes in natural selection could be the main reason for microevolution.
