Evolution helped turn hairless skin into a canvas for self-expression
2/16/13
Hairless skin first evolved in humans as a way to keep cool -- and then turned into a canvas to help them look cool, according to a Penn State anthropologist.
skin
skin
Video: Nina Jablonski on how lifestyle decisions impact skin health
11/12/12
Nina Jablonski, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Penn State and a 2012 Guggenheim Fellow, is internationally known for her research on the evolution of human skin and skin color. In a video produced by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health, she discusses how human lifestyle decisions impact the health of our skin and its ability to mediate our overall health. The skin is the major interface between our internal and external environments, Jablonski notes, especially in connection with our need for vitamin D, which is critical to our body's ability to absorb calcium and maintain a healthy skeleton.
Controversial film 'Skin' provides unique look at apartheid
3/16/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the controversial film "Skin" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in the auditorium of the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
Controversial film 'Skin' provides unique look at apartheid
2/3/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the controversial film 'Skin,' 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building auditorium. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
For information about the Global Film Series or 'Skin,' contact Robin Schreck, coordinator of residence life and student activities, at ras62@psu.edu or 724-773-3947.
Public invited to attend free screening of 'Skin'
1/27/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of "Skin" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building auditorium. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
For information about the Global Film Series, contact Robin Schreck, coordinator of residence life and student activities, at ras62@psu.edu or 724-773-3947.
Skin color: Handy tool for teaching evolution
2/20/11
Variations in skin color provide one of the best examples of evolution by natural selection acting on the human body and should be used to teach evolution in schools, according to a Penn State anthropologist.
Anthropology researcher explains why humans have no fur
2/5/10
Humans are the only primates whose bodies are covered by mostly naked skin, not by fur. The evolution of our oddly bare bodies has been crucial in the development of other human traits. In the February issue of Scientific American magazine, Penn State anthropologist Nina Jablonski writes about the evolutionary origins of human hairlessness. Mammals possess ample body fur for insulation, protection from external elements, and social signaling. Though various underground or aquatic mammals have also evolved hairlessness, human hairlessness is unique because it evolved to help our bodies stay cool.
Lecture to explore biological and social aspects of human skin
9/16/09
Nina Jablonski, professor and head of the Department of Anthropology at Penn State, will present "Skin as Interface: Exploring the Biological and Social Aspects of Human Skin" from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, in the Living Center in room 110 Henderson Building. "Our skin is the primary interface between our bodies and our physical and social environment. In this lecture, I will discuss the evolution of human skin and the many functions that our skin serves, from physical protection to communication," Jablonski said.
Anthropology professor to appear on 'CBS News Sunday Morning'
1/30/09
Nina Jablonski, professor and head of Penn State's anthropology department, is scheduled to appear this Sunday (Feb. 1) on "CBS News Sunday Morning," a 90-minute news magazine show hosted by Charles Osgood, to discuss the topic of skin and the sun. Jablonski's 2006 book, "Skin: A Natural History," attracted a great deal of public and academic attention; her research on the evolution of human skin and skin color has been featured on "The Colbert Report" and in "National Geographic," "Scientific American" and other popular science publications.
Probing Question: What is the history of tattooing?
6/20/08
You might not think the sullen, tattooed teenager skulking around your local record store has anything in common with Winston Churchill, but you would be wrong. Sir Winston, King George V, and the slaves of ancient Greece—to name a few—all have their place in the colorful history of skin decoration.
Evolution helped turn hairless skin into a canvas for self-expression
2/16/13
Hairless skin first evolved in humans as a way to keep cool -- and then turned into a canvas to help them look cool, according to a Penn State anthropologist.
Video: Nina Jablonski on how lifestyle decisions impact skin health
11/12/12
Nina Jablonski, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Penn State and a 2012 Guggenheim Fellow, is internationally known for her research on the evolution of human skin and skin color. In a video produced by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health, she discusses how human lifestyle decisions impact the health of our skin and its ability to mediate our overall health. The skin is the major interface between our internal and external environments, Jablonski notes, especially in connection with our need for vitamin D, which is critical to our body's ability to absorb calcium and maintain a healthy skeleton.
Controversial film 'Skin' provides unique look at apartheid
3/16/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the controversial film "Skin" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in the auditorium of the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
Controversial film 'Skin' provides unique look at apartheid
2/3/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the controversial film 'Skin,' 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building auditorium. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
For information about the Global Film Series or 'Skin,' contact Robin Schreck, coordinator of residence life and student activities, at ras62@psu.edu or 724-773-3947.
Public invited to attend free screening of 'Skin'
1/27/12
The public is invited to attend a free screening of "Skin" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building auditorium. The film, which is part of the campus' Global Film Series, depicts a true story set in apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.
For information about the Global Film Series, contact Robin Schreck, coordinator of residence life and student activities, at ras62@psu.edu or 724-773-3947.
Skin color: Handy tool for teaching evolution
2/20/11
Variations in skin color provide one of the best examples of evolution by natural selection acting on the human body and should be used to teach evolution in schools, according to a Penn State anthropologist.
Anthropology researcher explains why humans have no fur
2/5/10
Humans are the only primates whose bodies are covered by mostly naked skin, not by fur. The evolution of our oddly bare bodies has been crucial in the development of other human traits. In the February issue of Scientific American magazine, Penn State anthropologist Nina Jablonski writes about the evolutionary origins of human hairlessness. Mammals possess ample body fur for insulation, protection from external elements, and social signaling. Though various underground or aquatic mammals have also evolved hairlessness, human hairlessness is unique because it evolved to help our bodies stay cool.
Lecture to explore biological and social aspects of human skin
9/16/09
Nina Jablonski, professor and head of the Department of Anthropology at Penn State, will present "Skin as Interface: Exploring the Biological and Social Aspects of Human Skin" from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, in the Living Center in room 110 Henderson Building. "Our skin is the primary interface between our bodies and our physical and social environment. In this lecture, I will discuss the evolution of human skin and the many functions that our skin serves, from physical protection to communication," Jablonski said.
Anthropology professor to appear on 'CBS News Sunday Morning'
1/30/09
Nina Jablonski, professor and head of Penn State's anthropology department, is scheduled to appear this Sunday (Feb. 1) on "CBS News Sunday Morning," a 90-minute news magazine show hosted by Charles Osgood, to discuss the topic of skin and the sun. Jablonski's 2006 book, "Skin: A Natural History," attracted a great deal of public and academic attention; her research on the evolution of human skin and skin color has been featured on "The Colbert Report" and in "National Geographic," "Scientific American" and other popular science publications.
Probing Question: What is the history of tattooing?
6/20/08
You might not think the sullen, tattooed teenager skulking around your local record store has anything in common with Winston Churchill, but you would be wrong. Sir Winston, King George V, and the slaves of ancient Greece—to name a few—all have their place in the colorful history of skin decoration.