NEW YORK (AP) — As job-seekers look for work in a challenging environment, an increasing number are falling victim to job scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
The scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message, and the scammers take time to build trust with the victim before cashing in on the relationship.
“Most of the people who end up losing money to a scammer are behaving pretty rationally,” said Kati Daffan, assistant director of the Federal Trade Commission’s division of marketing practices. “Scammers are sophisticated, and they keep changing their tactics.”
Reported losses to job scams increased more than threefold from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024, they topped $220 million, according to the FTC. Gamified job scams, or task scams, represented a significant portion of that growth. About 20,000 people reported experiencing gamified scams in the first part of 2024, compared to 5,000 in all of 2023.
Daffan said that that the number is certainly an underestimate, because many people don’t report their experiences of job scams to law enforcement or government trackers.
“Only 4.8% of people complain,” she said.
Here’s what to know:
How the scams work
The scam typically begins with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message from a “recruiter” offering online work, according to the FTC. The mystery texter will say you can “make good money” by “product boosting” or doing “optimization tasks” for an online platform or in an app, which might involve liking videos or rating product images.
This “job” promises to earn you money from “commissions” per click. Once you complete the tasks, you’ll see an increasing tally of “earnings” on the platform or in the app. These earnings are fake.
Eventually, the app or platform will ask you to deposit your own money, typically in crypto, to complete more tasks and withdraw your (non-existent) earnings. But if you do make the deposit, you lose your real money, and you never receive the illusory pay.
Who gets targeted
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said these types of scammers typically prey on job-seekers who are new to the job market, people who have been out of the job market for some time (such as homemakers re-entering the workforce, whose children are grown), and immigrants, who may be less familiar with the employment landscape or who face language barriers.
“Often the job will have an easy interview or no interview, promise to let you work from home, and let you start right away,” Velasquez said. “Sometimes they’ll start with praise, and the person will feel their skills are recognized. ‘Oh, you think I’m great? Tell me more.’”
Velasquez emphasized the vulnerability of people looking for work, especially given ongoing economic uncertainty, who may choose to accept a role even if it initially feels shady.
“Sometimes the ask is to leave phony reviews for products,” she said. “The scammers are probably selling those reviews illegally, but a job-seeker might look at a line and say, ‘I’ll cross that line. I’ve got to eat.’”
Tips for spotting a task-based scam
— Ignore any generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs, no matter how specific or complimentary the messages.
— Never pay to get paid, or to get a job. That requirement is a red flag that the position is a scam.
— Don’t trust employers who says they’ll pay you to rate or like things online, without an above-board process for using the actual products or services you’re rating.
The rise of so-called quantitative funds—mutual funds run by algorithms and computer models—has led investors to ask: Are machines better than humans at delivering consistently good investment returns?
An advantage might be that the machines are not subject to the biases that human fund managers are. Antonio Miguel and Yihao Chen, authors of the April 2021 study “Do Machines Beat Humans? Evidence from Mutual Fund Performance Persistence,” sought to answer that question by comparing the two types of mutual funds:
Human-managed funds are run by traditional fund managers, who use experience, judgment, and research in their investing decisions.
Machine-managed (or quantitative) funds are run by algorithms and quantitative models, often with minimal human intervention.
The researchers focused on performance persistence across quintiles. They asked, do funds that perform well in one period continue to perform well in the future? Their dataset included 270 quantitative funds covering the period 2000–19, representing nearly 6% of the funds. Risk-adjusted performance was measured against the Carhart four-factor model (beta, size, value, and momentum). The following is a summary of their key findings:
Both Humans and Machines Struggle With Consistency
While both types of funds sometimes outperform the market, it’s rare for either to persistently outperform more than is randomly expected—past winners (whether human or machine) don’t reliably stay on top.
There’s No Clear Winner
There was no strong evidence that machine-managed funds consistently outperformed human-managed funds, or vice versa, in delivering persistent outperformance. There was performance persistence in bottom–performing funds (both human and machine), while there were reversals at the top of the performance scale.
Skill Still Matters
Both human and machine managers can demonstrate skill, but it’s hard to predict which managers (or models) will continue to do well in the future.
Investors Chase Performance
Capital flows were responsive to past performance, demonstrating that fund flows are sensitive to both raw returns and four–factor alpha—investors believe performance persists.
Key Takeaways for Investors
The most important takeaway from the research findings is that quantitative funds do not provide a challenge to market efficiency. However, it is important to note that the use of quant funds does avoid the risk of a fund manager engaging in “style drift,” causing the investor to lose control of their asset allocation and, thus, the risk of their portfolio. Other investor takeaways are:
Avoid recency bias and don’t chase past performance. Whether a fund is managed by a person or a computer, past outperformance is not a guarantee of future success.
Fees and other costs matter. Because neither machines nor humans have a clear, persistent edge, investors should focus on low-cost (including low turnover and patient trading) funds that have the most exposure to the risks they want to take (be they an asset class or factor).
Diversification is the prudent strategy. Avoid concentrating risks.
Stay disciplined and adhere to a well-thought-out asset-allocation plan. Investors should resist the urge to jump from one “hot” fund to another, whether it’s run by a star manager or a fancy algorithm.
Larry Swedroe is the author or co-author of 18 books on investing, including his latest, Enrich Your Future. He is also a consultant to RIAs as an educator on investment strategies.
Larry Swedroe is a freelance writer. The opinions expressed here are the author’s. Morningstar values diversity of thought and publishes a broad range of viewpoints.
All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their team for the second test against France at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Timoci Tavatavanawai will have the opportunity to earn his first All Blacks cap this Saturday night, becoming the fifth debutant this season so far. He has been named on the bench in one of three changes to the line-up that beat France in Dunedin last weekend.
With Scott Barrett unavailable for the remainder of the series due to a calf injury, Patrick Tuipulotu comes in at lock and Ardie Savea [pictured] will captain the side.
Caleb Clarke will make his first start of 2025 in the 11 jersey, while Rieko Ioane shifts to the right wing.
“Test series are a unique and exciting opportunity. Both teams now have a better idea of what they’re going to get on Saturday night, and both will lift for this next occasion. We know where we need to improve,” Scott Robertson said.
“It is also awesome to be part of a double-header with the Black Ferns, who will take on Australia at 4:30pm. We’ve enjoyed connecting with the team this week and know they will put on a spectacle for the fans at Sky Stadium, in their last domestic game before the Rugby World Cup.”
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant)
1. Ethan de Groot (30)
2. Codie Taylor (97) (Vice-Captain)
3. Fletcher Newell (23)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (51)
5. Fabian Holland (1)
6. Tupou Vaa’i (39)
7. Ardie Savea (95) (Captain)
8. Christian Lio-Willie (1)
9. Cam Roigard (11)
10. Beauden Barrett (135)
11. Caleb Clarke (29)
12. Jordie Barrett (69) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (3)
14. Rieko Ioane (82)
15. Will Jordan (42)
Relacements:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (31)
17. Ollie Norris (1)
18. Pasilio Tosi (8)
19. Samipeni Finau (9)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (1)
21. Cortez Ratima (12)
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai *
23. Damian McKenzie (62)
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf)
MATCH FACTS
A win this weekend would see the All Blacks awarded the Dave Gallaher Trophy, for the first time since 2018. The trophy is named after the 1905–06 All Black captain who was killed in Belgium during World War I.
The All Blacks became the first international side to record 500 test wins last weekend, taking 652 matches to do so. France is the nation with the next highest number of test wins, with 460 out of 829.
This will be the 30th All Black test match Sky Stadium has hosted since opening in 2000.
France has never beaten the All Blacks in Wellington (but has in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin).
Proteinsupports muscle growth, repairs tissues and aids in the production of enzymes and hormones.
There are many ways to incorporate protein into your diet from both animal- and plant-based sources.
Daily protein needs vary based on factors such as age, activity levels and health conditions, so talk to a registered dietitian for individualized advice.
Protein is a vital nutrient that serves as a powerhouse for your body. It not only helps keep you feeling full but also supports the growth and maintenance of muscles, blood vessels, skin, hair and nails. It also plays a crucial role in the production of hormones and enzymes, ensuring your body functions efficiently. Protein is found in a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beans, nuts and whole grains. Adults typically need at least 46 grams (g) of protein per day, but this varies depending on how many calories you eat each day. Your protein needs are also dependent on your age, activity level, whether you are pregnant and other factors that can result in you needing much more than the standard recommendation. Learn exactly how much protein you need to eat every day.
If you eat a balanced diet, you are likely getting the daily required amount without much difficulty. A standard 3-ounce chicken breast has about 26g of protein in it, which is more than half the minimum recommendation. But despite the fact that most people get enough protein, it remains a popular macronutrient to focus on. To make it easier for you to eat up, we looked at what a serving of protein looks like and how much you’re getting from different sources.
Chicken Breast
Abbey Littlejohn
2.4 ounces (oz) cooked = 15g protein
Chicken is a fantastic source of lean protein, making it an excellent addition to any balanced diet. Packed with essential nutrients like B vitamins, phosphorus and selenium, it is a nutritional powerhouse. What’s great about chicken is how versatile and cost-effective it is; it can be grilled, baked, or added to countless recipes, making it easy to include in meals. Whether you’re looking to build muscle or simply enjoy a satisfying and healthy food, chicken is a smart choice.
Salmon
Abbey Littlejohn
2.4 oz cooked= 15g protein
Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. It’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart, brain and skin. Additionally, salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth. It also contains important vitamins like B12 and D, which support energy levels and bone health. Including salmon in your diet may help reduce inflammation and support your health in many other ways.
Shrimp
Abbey Littlejohn
2.6 oz cooked = 15g protein
Shrimp provides high-quality protein while being low in calories and fat. Additionally, shrimp are packed with essential nutrients like selenium, iodine and B12, all of which contribute to overall health. To prepare shrimp, simply sauté them with olive oil, garlic and your favorite spices for a quick and delicious meal. You can also toss them into pasta, salads or stir-fries for a versatile addition to your dishes. Their quick cooking time makes them perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Eggs
Abbey Littlejohn
2.4 large eggs = 15g protein
Eggs are a healthy vegetarian protein source. When you think of how much protein is in an egg, you might think of the egg white first. While lots of protein advocates reach for egg whites, the yolk also contains protein and houses many key nutrients, like choline, a nutrient that supports brain health.
Ground Beef (80/20)
Abbey Littlejohn
3.1 oz cooked patty = 15g protein
80/20 ground beef strikes the great balance between flavor and nutrition. The 80% lean portion provides ample protein to support muscle growth and repair. Meanwhile, the 20% fat content adds rich taste and juiciness, making dishes super satisfying. It’s versatile and can be used in a variety of meals, from burgers to pasta sauces, and it is widely available and budget-friendly, making it an accessible option for many households.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Abbey Littlejohn
5.1 oz = 15g protein
Cottage cheese is packed with high-quality protein that helps keep you full and supports muscle growth and repair. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile: You can enjoy it on its own, mix it into smoothies or add it to salads and snacks. Cottage cheese is also low in fat (if you choose lower fat percentage options like nonfat, 1% or 2%) and contains important nutrients like calcium. Best of all, it’s lower cost, easy to find and works for many different kinds of meals. Pro tip: Try adding it to a baked potato. It’s so good!
Canned Tuna
Abbey Littlejohn
2.8 oz = 15g protein
Canned tuna is a staple in many households. It’s cost-effective and easy to find, offering a generous amount of nutritional value while aligning with many budgets. Packed with key nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, it supports heart and brain health while satisfying your hunger. Just remember, different types of tuna might have varying levels of mercury, which can be a concern because high mercury intake is harmful to human health, potentially affecting the nervous system. Skipjack tuna typically has lower mercury levels compared to other varieties, making it a safer option for regular consumption.
Ricotta Cheese
Abbey Littlejohn
6.7 oz = 15g protein
Ricotta cheese offers a creamy texture and mild flavor, making it easy to include in both savory and sweet dishes. It’s packed with high-quality protein that supports muscle repair and overall health. Try using ricotta cheese as a rich and creamy base for pancakes or in smoothies for a creative and flavorful twist.
Firm Tofu
Abbey Littlejohn
2.8 oz = 15g protein
Firm tofu is packed with plant-based protein, making it a versatile option for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. It easily absorbs flavors from marinades and spices, so you can customize it to suit any dish. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to cook; whether you pan-fry, bake or grill it, it always turns out delicious. Not to mention, it is lower cost and widely available, making healthy eating more accessible. Lastly, firm tofu is also a natural source of iron and calcium, adding even more nutritional benefits to your meals!
Cheddar Cheese
Abbey Littlejohn
2.3 oz = 15g protein
Sliced cheddar cheese offers about 7 grams of protein per ounce, making it a quick way to help meet your daily protein goals. It’s an excellent option for making sandwiches, pairing with crackers, or topping on a salad. Full of calcium as well, cheddar cheese supports healthy bones and teeth while keeping you feeling full.
Canned Chickpeas
Abbey Littlejohn
7.4 oz = 15g protein
Chickpeas aren’t just a protein source. Sure, they provide high-quality protein. But they are also a natural source of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and promote cellular health. Their impressive fiber content aids in meeting your nutritional needs, supporting digestive health and improving gut microbiota. Chickpeas also contribute to better heart health. Versatile and nutrient-dense, they enhance a variety of dishes while offering significant health benefits.
Low-Fat Greek Yogurt
Abbey Littlejohn
5.3 oz = 15g protein
Low-fat strained-style yogurt—such as Greek yogurt—is packed with protein. It’s creamy, delicious and available in a variety of flavors. It is also rich in probiotics, supporting healthy digestion and gut health. Whether enjoyed on its own, blended into a smoothie or as a base for savory dips, it’s an incredibly versatile food.
Depending on which type of yogurt you pick, the protein content will vary. Greek yogurt typically contains more protein compared to regular yogurt due to its straining process.
Quinoa
Abbey Littlejohn
3.8 oz = 15g protein
Quinoa is a grain that also happens to give your meals a protein boost. It’s also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. This gluten-free grain is easy to prepare and pairs excellently with vegetables, meats or sauces, making it a great addition to any meal. Quinoa is also a source of fiber, adding to the laundry list of why dietitians love it. Its mildly nutty flavor and chewy texture make it a tasty and nutritious base for diverse dishes.
Lentils
Lentils (cooked), 2.2 oz.
Abbey Littlejohn
2.2 oz cooked = 15g protein
Lentils are a powerhouse of plant-based protein, with approximately 18 grams of protein per cup when cooked. They’re incredibly budget-friendly, accessible and easy to prepare, making them a favorite for healthy eating. Aside from protein, lentils are a source of iron and folate, which are essential for energy production and overall health. They blend seamlessly into soups, stews, salads or even as a meat substitute in recipes like burgers or tacos. Their hearty, satisfying nature makes them an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans or anyone looking to include more plant-based meals in their diet.
Almonds
Abbey Littlejohn
2.5 oz = 15g protein
Just a small handful of almonds packs a solid protein punch, along with healthy fats and fiber that help keep you feeling full and satisfied. They’re also plant-based. One of the best things about almonds is their convenience. Unlike cooking up a piece of chicken or preparing a protein shake, almonds are ready to eat right out of the bag. They’re perfect for snacking on-the-go, tossing into a salad or adding to your morning oatmeal. With their crunchy texture and nutty flavor, they’re delicious and versatile in a variety of dishes.
Beyond protein, almonds are packed with other nutrients that make them a powerhouse food. They provide a healthy dose of vitamin E, which supports skin health and your immune system. They’re also rich in magnesium, which helps with muscle function and energy metabolism, making them excellent for post-workout recovery.
Our Expert Take
When it comes to your protein intake, variety is the name of the game. There are several foods that are good sources of protein, but they offer other health benefits as well. Consuming numerous different foods to meet your protein needs is the best way to help support your nutritional needs and overall health. Daily protein requirements vary based on factors such as age, activity levels, and individual health conditions, so meet with a registered dietitian to get more individualized advice.
BEIRUT: A man was killed in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon on Thursday, the health ministry said, after Israel announced it was carrying out “special, targeted operations” against Hezbollah.
Despite a November ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has kept up its strikes in Lebanon, hitting suspected Hezbollah targets and occasionally those of its Palestinian ally Hamas.
“One man was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli enemy drone strike that targeted a motorcycle in the village of Mansouri” near the coastal city of Tyre, the ministry said.
The Israeli military identified its target as Muhammad Jamal Murad and said he was a Hezbollah artillery commander in the coastal sector.
It accused him of being behind past rocket launches towards Israel and of attempting to rebuild Hezbollah’s artillery capabilities.
On Tuesday, a drone strike hit a car in a nearby village, killing another man the Israeli military said was involved in developing Hezbollah’s artillery capabilities.
Israeli strikes on south Lebanon kill three: ministry
The November 27 ceasefire sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, including two months of all-out war that left the group severely weakened.
Under its terms, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters back north of the Litani river, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the region.
Israel was required to fully withdraw its troops from the country but has kept them in five places it deems strategic.
On Thursday, a patrol of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon was blocked and pelted with stones by “several individuals in civilian clothes” in the southern village of Wadi Jilu, UNIFIL said.
“The (Lebanese army) arrived at the scene and the situation was brought under control,” UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said.
In recent weeks, several incidents have seen civilians in Hezbollah strongholds confront UNIFIL patrols. The UN force sits on the ceasefire monitoring committee alongside Lebanon, Israel, France and the United States.
Referencing the attacks, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told EU ambassadors “these were limited and isolated incidents, which are being addressed and contained,” adding that the “safety of UNIFIL personnel is essential to Lebanon, and that cooperation with the army is close”.
An exciting tennis game was no match for how sleepy Hugh Grant appeared to be Wednesday at Wimbledon.
The “Heretic” actor was caught on camera seemingly dozing while sitting in the Royal Box at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in England during the quarterfinal match between Novak Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli.
In the clip, Grant is seen sitting next to his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein wearing a pair of sunglasses when his head appears to slump over to his right side, his hands clasped together in his lap.
The clip has gone viral on social media, with many users noticing that Grant appeared to be asleep during the game.
Another image captured and reposted to X shows Grant leaning over to his right side in his seat, which was located in the row behind Queen Camilla and her sister Annabel Elliot. Grant was, however, seen in another clip very much awake, having a lively conversation with the royal sisters at one point during the match.
CNN has reached out a representative for Grant for comment.
While Grant may be the only person at Wimbledon caught possibly taking a quick nap, there were plenty of other famous faces who’ve attended the esteemed Tennis competition since it started last month, including Joe Alwyn, Hannah Waddingham, Glen Powell and Cate Blanchett.
Andrew Garfield and “A Complete Unknown” actress Monica Barbaro also went public with their romance when they attended Day 7 of Wimbledon together last week, walking in holding hands and wearing matching all-white outfits.
As for the match that Grant attended Wednesday, Tennis champion Djokovic beat Cobolli in four sets. Djokovic will face men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinal Friday.
“We recently conducted a study that explored the effects of increasing fermented food intake in more than 6,000 people,” she tells me. “We found that 42% reported less bloating and 52% reported feeling less hungry.”
Beans and legumes
Described as “full of fiber” and a “longevity food” by Nasser, beans and legumes can help with feeding the good bacteria in the gut, as they tend to contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Pick from kidney beans, butter beans, edamame beans, black beans, borlotti beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, and myriad others for maximum variety.
Kefir
“A fermented dairy drink that’s rich in live cultures (or probiotics), kefir is a staple in my home because of the way it supports the balance of good bacteria in the gut,” nutritionist and author of The Unprocessed Plate, Rhiannon Lambert, explains. “There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that regularly consuming probiotic foods like kefir can help improve gut microbial diversity, potentially supporting digestion, immune function, and even mood.”
Cooked leafy greens
“Rainbow chard, kale, spinach, spring greens, and cavolo nero are all rich in magnesium and fiber, which feed beneficial gut bacteria and support regular bowel movement,” says BANT registered nutritionist, hormone specialist, and author of Everything I Know About Hormones, Hannah Alderson. She emphasizes how important regular bowel movements are for detoxifying excess oestrogen from the body.
Shiitake mushrooms
“Shiitake mushrooms contain a special type of fiber known as ‘beta-glucan’,” Nasser explains. “It helps to strengthen the gut lining, increase SCFA production, and plays a role in immune-modulation.” In layman’s terms, this means it can positively affect how the immune system functions.
Nasser says she likes to buy dried shiitake mushrooms, blitz them in a blender or food processor, and then add them to the base of whatever she’s cooking. So, for good gut health, think onions, garlic, and shiitake.
Pumpkin seeds
A handful of pumpkin seeds contains around 5 g of fiber and 150 mg of magnesium, which can help with gut motility and regular bowel movements, says English. “A lot of people who experience bloating or constipation are low in magnesium, especially if they’re stressed or not sleeping well,” she says. Sprinkle on salads, porridge, or yogurt, or simply enjoy a handful as a mid-morning snack.
Herbs and spices
According to Dr. Murthy, carminative (anti-bloating) herbs and spices are a happy gut’s best friends. “Ginger, fennel, ajawain (carom) cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and mint all support digestion, reduce bloating and regulate gut motility (the way in which the digestive tract moves food and waste through),” he explains. His best tip is to sip a warm ginger and mint tea in the morning to “wake up” the gut.
Stewed fruit
Ideal for when you fancy a warming sweet treat, cooked fruits are high on Alderson’s list of the best foods for gut health. “Cooked apples and stewed berries are high in pectin, a soluble fiber that feeds your gut bacteria, especially those linked to inflammation reduction and gut lining health.”
Healthy fats
“Extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and omega-3 rich fish can help calm inflammation and support the gut lining,” nutritionist, naturopath, and founder of Artah, Rhian Stephenson tells me. Consider swapping low-quality, heavily processed cooking oils like corn and some sunflower varieties for healthier alternatives, such as ghee, coconut, extra virgin olive, or avocado.
Dark chocolate
In addition to offering a range of health benefits (better mood being just one of them), dark chocolate contains a notable amount of fiber, says Nasser. “One study found that a serving size of 85% dark chocolate helped to improve gut health,” she says. “The darker the chocolate, the more fiber and polyphenols it’ll contain.”
Bone broth
An often overlooked part of good gut health is the gut lining. The innermost layer of the digestive tract, the gut lining, can control how well food is able to pass through the colon without pesky particles “leaking” back into the bloodstream. “Bone broth is rich in collagen, glycine, and glutamine,” English explains, noting that each of these nutrients plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the gut lining.
Pakistan, Türkiye aim for $5bn trade volume – Daily Times
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Paleontologists have discovered protein sequences within dense enamel tissues of ancient rhinocerotid and proboscidean fossils collected at sites of Buluk and Loperot in the Turkana Basin, Kenya.
The Turkana Basin within the East African Rift System preserves fossil assemblages that date back more than 66 million years; Green et al. collected powdered samples for paleoproteomic analysis from the dense interiors of enamel from large herbivores from the Early Pleistocene back to the Oligocene (29 million years). Image credit: Green et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9.
“Teeth are rocks in our mouths,” said Dr. Daniel Green, a researcher at Harvard University and Columbia University.
“They’re the hardest structures that any animals make, so you can find a tooth that is a hundred or a hundred million years old, and it will contain a geochemical record of the life of the animal.”
“That includes what the animal ate and drank, as well as its environment.”
“In the past we thought that mature enamel, the hardest part of teeth, should really have very few proteins in it at all.”
However, utilizing a new newer proteomics technique called liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the authors were able to detect a great diversity of proteins in different biological tissues.
“The technique involves several stages where peptides are separated based on their size or chemistry so that they can be sequentially analyzed at higher resolutions than was possible with previous methods,” said Dr. Kevin Uno, also from Harvard University and Columbia University.
“We and other scholars recently found that there are dozens — if not even hundreds — of different kinds of proteins present inside tooth enamel,” Dr. Green said.
With the realization that many proteins are found in contemporary teeth, the researchers turned to rhinocerotid and proboscidean fossils.
As herbivores, these animals had large teeth for grinding their diet of plants.
“These mammals can have enamel two to three millimeters thick. It was a lot of material to work with,” Dr. Green said.
“What we found — peptide fragments, chains of amino acids, that together form proteins as old as 18 million years — was field-changing.”
“Nobody’s ever found peptide fragments that are this old before.”
Until now, the oldest published materials are about 3.5 million years old.
“The newly discovered peptides cover a range of proteins that perform different functions, altogether known as the proteome,” Dr. Green said.
“One of the reasons that we’re excited about these ancient teeth is that we don’t have the full proteome of all proteins that could have been found inside the bodies of these ancient elephants or rhinoceros, but we do have a group of them.”
“With such a collection, there might be more information available from a group of them than just one protein by itself.”
“This research opens new frontiers in paleobiology, allowing scientists to go beyond bones and morphology to reconstruct the molecular and physiological traits of extinct animals and hominins,” said Dr. Emmanuel Ndiema, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya.
“We can use these peptide fragments to explore the relationships between ancient animals, similar to how modern DNA in humans is used to identify how people are related to one another.”
“Even if an animal is completely extinct – and we have some animals that we analyze in our study who have no living descendants — you can still, in theory, extract proteins from their teeth and try to place them on a phylogenetic tree,” Dr. Green said.
“Such information might be able to resolve longstanding debates between paleontologists about what other mammalian lineages these animals are related to using molecular evidence.”
The findings appear today in the journal Nature.
_____
D.R. Green et al. Eighteen million years of diverse enamel proteomes from the East African Rift. Nature, published online July 9, 2025; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9
Looking for a better soundtrack to your backyard adventures this summer? Prime Day delivers, with this excellent Ultimate Ears Boom 4 sale headlining my list of the best audio deals of the week.
Need more deals to shop? Check out our Prime Day Live Blog post, our Best Bluetooth Speakers guide, and our ultra-roundup of the Absolute Best Prime Day Deals for a cascade of sales.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
The Boom 4 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is follows an impressive legacy in the world of Bluetooth speakers. The fourth generation of the popular line added some sonic tweaks and much needed USB-C charging, while keeping the same rugged exterior that makes it pretty much everything proof, including an IP67 weatherproof rating that makes it essentially immune to dust ingress and ready for a quick dunk in the pool or a wash in the sink.
The speaker’s sound is smooth and clear, with more refinement in the subtle details than most speakers we test, while still offering solid punch at high volume. Its 360-degree soundstage means you’ll get the same great sound from any angle. The bass isn’t as beefy as its larger sibling, the Megaboom 4 (also on sale for Prime Day) but it’s much more packable to let you take it virtually anywhere.
Those oversized plus/minus buttons on the front make it easy for anyone to juice up the party, while in-app features like an EQ, alarms, and even the ability to wake the speaker from sleep provide functionality you won’t find in most no-name cylinder speakers.
The Boom 4 totes 15 hours of battery life and, my personal favorite, over 100 feet of range (personally authenticated by my two feet and superior counting skills) means you won’t have to worry about killing the vibe when you check on the kids or the grill.
I was a big fan of this speaker at full price, but at $100 or less, it’s a no-brainer buy and a great addition to any portable audio arsenal.
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