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The article discusses the relationship between stars, energy, cells, atoms and the evolution of life on planet Earth, including in regard to the calcium in bones that were developed in stellar evolution. An overview of the development of water on Earth, including the water molecules within the digestive system of a brontosaurus and the development of oceans, is provided.

The article discusses a theory that suggests volcanism caused a sharp rise in global temperature, driving evolution. Topics include research by Ryan McKenzie of the University of Texas at Austin and colleagues that suggests volcanism caused the Cambrian explosion, which is the appearance of many major animal phyla at the beginning of the Cambrian period, volcanic activity during the formation of the landmass Gondwana, and the link between plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, and evolution.

The article discusses Ida and Luca, which are the initial Darwinian ancestor and the last universal common ancestor, respectively. According to the author, scientific discoveries regarding the behavior of chemicals have led scientists to believe that life originated from strands of RNA. Topics include an in-depth discussion of research by Michael Yarus of the University of Colorado at Boulder investigating the relationship between natural chemical affinities and Luca.

The article reports that hundreds of human bones were discovered in a deep South African cave called the Rising Star cave from the Cradle of Humankind cave in October 2013. Topics include speculation on the potential effect of the discovery on knowledge of human evolution and details on the discovery of near-complete skeletons of the species Australopithecus sediba.

The article discusses research on the evolution of modern Homo sapiens, and the timing of their migration out of Africa, focusing on studies that have concluded that some humans migrated to Asia well before the accepted timeline of 60,000 years ago. Topics include studies conducted by researchers Christopher Bae, Wei Wang, and Erik Trinkaus on fossilized teeth and jaws; the use of genetic analysis to map migration, including a population bottleneck; and fossil dating.