Led by East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Justin Ledogar, an international team
of researchers published a new study in April that suggests the earliest human ancestors
may have ditched hard foods earlier than previously believed. By utilizing advanced
computer simulations, researchers were able to compare bite force mechanics of earlier
human ancestors, recent modern humans, modern chimpanzees and Homo habilis – the earliest
member of the genus Homo – by creating biomechanical models of their skulls.