Papers by Claire L . Gold
American Journal of Human Biology, 2024
Menarche is a key life history event that shapes the female reproductive trajectory and is import... more Menarche is a key life history event that shapes the female reproductive trajectory and is important to the study of human biology because of the associated epidemiological and social consequences later in life. Our question is whether breastfeeding is associated with the variation in timing of menarche. Using data from a college-aged female student population from Amherst, MA, we examined whether having been breastfed was associated with age at menarche.
American Journal of Human Biology, 2023
Objectives: Cross-population variation in age at menarche is related to many factors. The purpose... more Objectives: Cross-population variation in age at menarche is related to many factors. The purpose of this study was to examine climate variables in relation to mean age at menarche among 87 modern human populations. We hypothesized a later age at menarche among populations living in areas with high precipitation variability, heavy seasonal rainfall, and high temperatures yearround due to water-borne diseases and periods of resource scarcity. Methods: Using a comparative dataset, we examined geospatial distribution and climate variables in relation to age at menarche for 87 modern human populations. Results: We found the strongest predictor of a later age at menarche was higher fertility followed by a later mean age at death. In addition, higher annual rainfall, higher precipitation seasonality, and lower annual mean temperature were moderate predictors of age at menarche. Conclusions: We propose that later ages at menarche in countries with high fertility may be a life-history strategy developed in response to climatic conditions that have resulted in higher immunological load. In these conditions, females may prioritize growth rather than reproduction. Shifts in climate and global population growth may change the future biological landscape of age at menarche.
Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 2021
The 90th annual meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) held its f... more The 90th annual meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) held its first ever virtual conference from April 7 to 28, 2021 with the theme “Physically distanced but intellectually connected.” The conference spanned 82 sessions, nearly 600 scientific presentations occurred, along with eight invited symposia. This year's AAPA meeting also included a throwback program that made it possible for four invited symposia and 150 authors to present their research, originally scheduled for the 2020 AAPA meetings, that were unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic.
Books by Claire L . Gold
the material is concerned, speci cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrati... more the material is concerned, speci cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on micro lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a speci c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Conference Presentations by Claire L . Gold
Case Studies presented at the 2015 Orlando, FL SAA Conference
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Papers by Claire L . Gold
Books by Claire L . Gold
Conference Presentations by Claire L . Gold