Researchers at Flinders University and the University of Delade in Australia have discovered something interesting in some humans. When in the womb, babies have a temporary artery that runs through the middle of the lower back that usually disappears over time. However, that artery did not disappear as before.
Scientists say that there are more adults than there are extra channels of vascular tissue under the thorns. The change is a significant increase in the mid-1880s when only 10 percent of people were born with an extra artery compared to 30 percent of those born in the late 20th century. Scientists point to this as evidence that humans are still evolving and note that such short-term increases are significant.
The middle artery forms at the beginning of development in humans and carries blood to the middle of the hand to feed as the hand grows. It usually responds in about eight weeks, leaving two other blood vessels called the radial and ulnar arteries. In the research, the scientists studied 80 organs of cadavers donated by Austral Australians of European descent. Donors died when they were 51 to 101 years old, meaning they were born in the first half of the 20th century.
During the research, the team noted how often they enabled the average artery to carry an adequate blood supply and compared it with past literature search statistics. They believe this means that natural selection favors those who have an extra blood supply. Increased vessel retention can be caused by mutated genes involved in the development of the middle artery, resulting in better health with the mother during pregnancy or both.
Researchers say they expect to see more retention of the ship in the coming years. They note that if this trend continues, most people have a middle artery in the front side by 2100.
