Re:How to run 50% faster without external energy (2020)
by hinkley on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @01:48PM
(#38002648)
We have a cluster of veins at the base of the skull that dumps heat on the back of your neck after the blood reaches the brain, which is a similar convergent evolution. In the mid 90’s when I took an anthropology class, they had just worked out that the human family tree needed some adjustments based on the presence or absence of these ports on the edges of the occipital bone. These radiators were important to our big brain evolution. Without extra heat dissipation we’d cook our noodles. Humans with fevers over about 104-106 risk brain damage. It’s why willow bark tea and later aspirin were such pivotal discoveries.
(Recently learned that aspen bark also contained salicylic acid, which is how aspirin got its named).
Not only could they race an entire marathon, they would beat those inline-skaters. 30mph for hours and 150 miles in some journeys.
They evolved a different cooling system than sweating.
https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/211/5/749/18118/...