One of the most remarkable changes in human evolution is the loss of our tails, a transformation that occurred around 25 million years ago. This pivotal shift not only altered the trajectory of our species but also marked a significant moment in the evolutionary history of primates. While scientists have long speculated on why humans lost their tails, the genetic cause has remained elusive—until now. A recent study published in Nature has finally uncovered the genetic factors responsible for this evolutionary change.

The Quest to Understand Tail Loss
The journey to unravel the mystery of human tail loss began in an unexpected way. Bo Xia, a graduate student at New York University, was inspired to investigate the origins of the human tailbone after injuring his own coccyx. This personal curiosity led Xia and his team to embark on a groundbreaking scientific investigation.
Through careful research, the team focused on the TBXT gene, which plays a crucial role in regulating tail length in various species. Their research revealed a unique genetic mutation within this gene, providing a major breakthrough in understanding human evolution.
The Role of Jumping Genes
A key aspect of this discovery lies in the role of Alu elements, often called “jumping genes.” These genetic elements, specific to primates, can move within the genome and cause significant changes. The researchers found that Alu elements inserted themselves into the TBXT gene, triggering a chain reaction that led to the loss of our tails.
This insertion activated a process known as alternative splicing, where RNA molecules are cut and restructured, which ultimately led to the deletion of a crucial exon. This change altered the structure and function of the resulting protein, leading to the tail loss seen in humans.
Validation Through Mice Studies
To confirm their findings, the researchers engineered laboratory mice with the same genetic mutations found in humans and apes. These genetically altered mice lost their tails, providing compelling evidence that the identified mutation plays a crucial role in the absence of tails in humans and other primates.
However, the study also uncovered a downside to tail loss: an increased risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. This finding highlights the complex balance between evolutionary benefits and potential genetic trade-offs.
The Broader Implications
This discovery has profound implications not just for understanding human evolution, but also for human anatomy and health. The loss of our tails was not a random event but a genetic adaptation with lasting consequences. It illustrates the complex relationship between genetic changes and the way they shape our physiology over time.
As we continue to study our evolutionary past, these findings remind us of the intricate process of natural selection and genetic innovation that has shaped humanity. This breakthrough also underscores the power of scientific inquiry in uncovering the mysteries of our origins, offering insight into the past that can help us understand our future.
The identification of the genetic reasons behind tail loss is a testament to the persistence of scientific exploration and the ongoing quest for knowledge about our evolutionary journey.
Paris Jackson Covered Her Body in Makeup to Hide Her 80+ Tattoos for the Grammys, Here’s Why
Paris Jackson made a stunning impression at the 2024 Grammys with her red carpet look. However, it wasn’t what she wore that caught people’s attention — it was what she didn’t. The daughter of the late Michael Jackson sparked intrigue among fans and observers by being completely free of tattoos, despite being heavily inked, and was questioned about why she chose to hide it all.

Paris Jackson has been getting tattoos for years. She has lots of different designs, like chakra symbols, quotes from books, and symbols inspired by Led Zeppelin. She even has tattoos that match with many of her friends, like Cara Delevingne, and in 2020 she even tried her hand at tattooing by inking herself in the foot.
At the 2024 Grammys, she rocked a strapless black dress with revealing cutouts, making sure to show off her “magic trick” as all her body art seemingly vanished. But why did the model and singer chose to temporarily hide all her 80+ tattoos?

Well, the 25-year-old just wanted to try something completely different and unique, and this was the answer. In a humorous reel posted on Instagram with the question, “Why did Paris cover her tattoos?”, the answer was given by a voice-over clip of Kim Kardashian saying a now popular quote, “Because it’s iconic, and I love to do iconic things.”

But she has Cover Fx to thank for the element of mystery of her look. The cosmetics company took the opportunity to prove the quality of their products, and they partnered with Jackson to create the jaw-dropping transformation.
With celebrity makeup artist Tyson Fountaine was at the helm of the makeover, she became almost unrecognizable. In a time-lapse video, it’s possible to see the look come to life and slowly see the tattoos disappear from her arms, hands and chest, making for an impressive before-and-after.
Celebrities always give us their best looks on red-carpet events. However, with how often they attend them, they’re bound to have to get creative in order to outdo themselves. And well, Margot Robbie surely outdid herself. Ever since she starred in Barbie, she’s been recreating iconic Barbie looks in real life, and it’s fascinating to see!
Preview photo credit parisjackson / coverfx / Instagram, parisjackson / sarahkrickphotography / Instagram, Broadimage Entertainment/Broad Image/East News
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