The study shows that TOR kinase deficiency in Caenorhabditis elegans significantly extends its lifespan, suggesting a new role for TOR signaling in aging control. This effect is independent of mitochondrial activity and is linked to the DAF-2/IGF pathway. The findings indicate that TOR and the DAF-2/IGF pathway may be related in controlling lifespan, metabolism, and reproductive growth. The results also suggest a genetic interaction between let-363/CeTor and daf-2, with let-363(RNAi) enhancing dauer formation in daf-2 mutants. These findings highlight the importance of TOR signaling in aging and its potential role in mediating lifespan regulation by insulin signaling and nutrient sensing. In birds of paradise, the basal metabolic rate is influenced by body mass, food habits, and altitude. A power function describes the relationship between log10 basal rate and log10 body mass, with coefficients accounting for food habits and altitude. The study shows that frugivorous birds have lower basal rates than insectivorous ones, and that the evolution of high basal rates is associated with movement to higher altitudes or adoption of omnivorous or insectivorous diets. The analysis of covariance used in this study is superior to conventional phylogenetic-contrasts approaches. The age of Pleistocene Homo sapiens fossils and archaeological material from the Bouri Formation in Ethiopia has been constrained to between 160 ± 2 and 154 ± 7 kyr based on isotopic dating and stratigraphic and geochemical evidence. However, the minimum age is doubtful, and the fossils may be distinctly younger than reported. The fossils and archaeological remains occur in volcaniclastic sandstones and gravel deposits of the older part of the Upper Herto Member of the Bouri Formation. The lower boundary of this member is formed by a widespread erosional surface, and a bentonite tuff dated to 260 ± 16 kyr is found immediately below this surface. Two pumices and two obsidian clasts from the fossiliferous deposits above the erosional surface provide a relatively narrow age range close to 160 kyr, indicating a maximum age for the deposit. The main problem in dating the fossiliferous horizon is how to establish a younger age limit. The Upper Herto Member is capped by the stratigraphically important Waidedo Vitric Tuff (WAVT, MA92-1), which has proved difficult to date isotopically due to contamination by older feldspar.The study shows that TOR kinase deficiency in Caenorhabditis elegans significantly extends its lifespan, suggesting a new role for TOR signaling in aging control. This effect is independent of mitochondrial activity and is linked to the DAF-2/IGF pathway. The findings indicate that TOR and the DAF-2/IGF pathway may be related in controlling lifespan, metabolism, and reproductive growth. The results also suggest a genetic interaction between let-363/CeTor and daf-2, with let-363(RNAi) enhancing dauer formation in daf-2 mutants. These findings highlight the importance of TOR signaling in aging and its potential role in mediating lifespan regulation by insulin signaling and nutrient sensing. In birds of paradise, the basal metabolic rate is influenced by body mass, food habits, and altitude. A power function describes the relationship between log10 basal rate and log10 body mass, with coefficients accounting for food habits and altitude. The study shows that frugivorous birds have lower basal rates than insectivorous ones, and that the evolution of high basal rates is associated with movement to higher altitudes or adoption of omnivorous or insectivorous diets. The analysis of covariance used in this study is superior to conventional phylogenetic-contrasts approaches. The age of Pleistocene Homo sapiens fossils and archaeological material from the Bouri Formation in Ethiopia has been constrained to between 160 ± 2 and 154 ± 7 kyr based on isotopic dating and stratigraphic and geochemical evidence. However, the minimum age is doubtful, and the fossils may be distinctly younger than reported. The fossils and archaeological remains occur in volcaniclastic sandstones and gravel deposits of the older part of the Upper Herto Member of the Bouri Formation. The lower boundary of this member is formed by a widespread erosional surface, and a bentonite tuff dated to 260 ± 16 kyr is found immediately below this surface. Two pumices and two obsidian clasts from the fossiliferous deposits above the erosional surface provide a relatively narrow age range close to 160 kyr, indicating a maximum age for the deposit. The main problem in dating the fossiliferous horizon is how to establish a younger age limit. The Upper Herto Member is capped by the stratigraphically important Waidedo Vitric Tuff (WAVT, MA92-1), which has proved difficult to date isotopically due to contamination by older feldspar.