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Original North American Dogs Descended From Siberian Populations
Original North American Dogs Descended From Siberian Populations
European settlers likely wiped out these ancient dogs, but the animals seem to have left a lasting legacy in a transmissible canine cancer.
Original North American Dogs Descended From Siberian Populations
Original North American Dogs Descended From Siberian Populations

European settlers likely wiped out these ancient dogs, but the animals seem to have left a lasting legacy in a transmissible canine cancer.

European settlers likely wiped out these ancient dogs, but the animals seem to have left a lasting legacy in a transmissible canine cancer.

ancient DNA

Infographic: Resurrecting Ancient Proteins
Amber Dance | Jul 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Learn the basic steps researchers take when reconstructing proteins from the past and how these biomolecules can inform engineering projects.

Scientists Bring Ancient Proteins Back to Life
Amber Dance | Jul 1, 2018 | 10+ min read
Researchers are resurrecting proteins from millions of years ago to understand evolution and lay the groundwork for bioengineering custom molecules.
Ancient Humans Had Hepatitis B
Abby Olena, PhD | May 9, 2018 | 4 min read
Analyses of more than 300 ancient human genomes show that Hepatitis B virus has infected humans for at least 4,500 years and has much older origins than modern viral genomes would suggest.
Homo Sapiens Interbred With Denisovans From Two Different Populations
Shawna Williams | Mar 16, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers find that modern human populations carry distinct sets of genes from the extinct hominin species.
DNA Analysis Paints New Picture of 10,000-Year-Old Briton
Shawna Williams | Feb 7, 2018 | 2 min read
“Cheddar Man” had dark hair and blue eyes, a sequencing analysis suggests.
All Native Americans Descended from One Ancestral Population
Abby Olena, PhD | Jan 3, 2018 | 3 min read
The genome of an infant who lived in Alaska thousands of years ago represents a previously unknown group of humans called Ancient Beringians, who share a common lineage with other Native Americans. 
Human Species May Be Much Older Than Previously Thought
Shawna Williams | Sep 29, 2017 | 2 min read
From DNA evidence, researchers estimate the split from other species took place between 260,000 and 350,000 years ago.
Ancient Protein Helps E. coli Thwart Viral Attack
Ashley Yeager | May 9, 2017 | 3 min read
When engineered to use a four-billion-year-old version of the protein thioredoxin, the bacteria can stall bacteriophage replication, a new study shows.
Paper Suggesting Major Revision to Human Migration Stirs Debate
Bob Grant | Apr 27, 2017 | 2 min read
Scientists are criticizing the claim that hominins were in North America more than 100,000 years earlier than the currently accepted estimation.
Secrets from Neanderthal Tooth Plaque
Jef Akst | Mar 9, 2017 | 2 min read
Ancient hominins in northern Spain ate mushrooms, pine nuts, and moss, and may have used Penicillium mold and other natural products to sooth toothache pain.
Genetic Test Solves Royal Mystery
Jef Akst | Oct 1, 2016 | 4 min read
Genetic analyses lay to rest conspiracy theories about death of Belgian King Albert I, who lost his life in a rock climbing accident more than 80 years ago.
Study: Farming Arose Twice in the Ancient Middle East
Bob Grant | Jun 21, 2016 | 1 min read
Ancient DNA research suggests that there were two independent agricultural revolutions more than 10,000 years ago.
Dog Domestication History Clarified
Bob Grant | Jun 3, 2016 | 2 min read
A study suggests that wolves were transformed into man’s best friend more than once, in Asia and in Europe or the Near East.
US Government to Repatriate Kennewick Man
Bob Grant | Apr 29, 2016 | 2 min read
A 2015 ancient DNA study determined that the 8,500-year-old skeletal remains belonged to an individual of Native American ancestry. Now, the US Army Corp of Engineers has begun the process of returning the bones to their rightful owners.
Clock Reset on Denisovan-Neanderthal Split
Kerry Grens | Mar 14, 2016 | 1 min read
Nuclear DNA from 430,000-year-old specimens indicates that Neanderthals had already diverged from their ancient-human predecessors.
Ancient Microbe Migration
Karen Zusi | Jan 11, 2016 | 2 min read
Bacteria from the stomach contents of “Iceman,” an ancient corpse frozen in a European glacier, shed light on early human migration.
Ancient Irish
Jef Akst | Dec 30, 2015 | 2 min read
The genomes of a 5,200-year-old woman and three 4,000-year-old men yield clues about the founding of Celtic populations.
Year in Review: Spotlight on Ancient DNA
Bob Grant | Dec 29, 2015 | 2 min read
Several studies using centuries-old genetic material graced the pages of life-science journals in 2015. Here’s a look at a few of the researchers and papers that made headlines this year.
Farming Sped Eurasian Evolution
Bob Grant | Nov 24, 2015 | 1 min read
New clues from ancient DNA reveal the remarkable effect of agriculture on adaptation in Stone Age humans who lived across Europe.
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