Article 1: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/science/dna-hunter-gatherers-europe.html 

The article Ancient DNA Reveals History of Hunter-Gatherers in Europe by reporter Carl Zimmer was published on March 1st, 2023. This article discusses the results of recent genetic studies done on newly discovered archaeological remains. It is a well-established fact that the earliest modern humans emerged in Africa approximately 60 thousand years ago (paragraph 10). At some point after their emergence in Africa, different groups separated, and modern humans reached Europe. This can be traced back to 45 thousand years ago (paragraph 12). The new discovery suggests that 2 specific groups of humans, the Fournol and Vestonice, migrated into Europe in different waves, yet “lived for several thousand years sharing the Gravettian culture but remaining genetically distinct” (paragraph 21). This news is seen as “groundbreaking” by scientists in the archaeological world and could lead to new discoveries on the cultural contacts between the two. The interactions between humans and their natural environment also influenced migration patterns. The ice age separated groups of humans into further distinctions, and altogether the scientists believe this new genetic discovery could have revealed up to 8 different populations of early Europeans.  

This article contains very interesting information and seems like a monumental discovery in archaeology and genetics. The author has a history of reporting on studies of ancient DNA and forms of life and presents this information in an objective way. This leads me to infer that the article is meant to be informative, and I have learned much about archaeological genetics that I did not know before. I think the inclusion of scientist perspectives of this new discovery, such as the one from Archaeologist Anais Luiza Vignoles; “This result is, in my opinion, groundbreaking”, is important in emphasizing the significance of it in a science-research world. I found it intriguing when the author mentioned the different methods used to identify and trace DNA back to ancient times. The fact that the history of our lineage as humans can be traced by “extracting DNA from teeth and bones” (paragraph 2) is fascinating. The author had a strong conclusion by including the fact that “it is now possible to extract human DNA from cave sediments rather than searching for bones and teeth” (final paragraph). This opens the door for a whole world of new discoveries.  

Article 2: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/health/tricuspid-valve-clip-leakage.html 

The article New Treatment Could Help Fix the Heart’s ‘Forgotten Valve’ by reporter Gina Kolata was published on March 4th, 2023. This article discusses a newly tested procedure that addresses heart complications in a conservative and less-risky approach. “More than 1 million mostly older Americans have seriously leaking tricuspids” (paragraph 2) and face symptoms such as “fatigue, abdominal distention, swollen legs and general feelings of malaise” (paragraph 3), usually ending in heart failure. Previously, there have been no reliable techniques to mitigate the side effects of the leaky tricuspid valve. A recent clinical trial done by the medical device company, Abbott, reports high success rates in “treatment that involves clipping the floppy tricuspid valve to make it smaller and better able to function” (paragraph 6). Abbott researchers report that many patients who were treated with the clip have been able to return to their lives with minimal symptoms (paragraph 8). Although it has only been one year since this trial and long-term effects are still unknown, the treatment has less than a one-percent mortality risk and is seen as a “huge win” in the eyes of many cardiologists (paragraphs 9-11).  

The author of this article does a great job reporting on the new medical discoveries in cardiology. They are a reliable reporting source of medical information based on their history of publishing and awards. Kolata presents this new method of tricuspid valve treatment as a highly successful treatment to solve heart problems that a large population of older people are facing. The article addresses alternative methods of treatment for tricuspid valve leakage, but their risk, complications, and mortality rates were much higher compared to the new clip method (paragraphs 15-18). I believe that this trial has opened a new door to improved treatment in cardiac complications and can be helpful to many patients and medical researchers.