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Sicily was a medieval melting pot

A recent study published in PLOS One analyzed DNA from 111 individuals across 19 archaeological sites in Sicily, revealing a complex demographic history. The results show that North African descent was present earlier than expected, and both Islamic and Christian burials had diverse ancestry patterns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Completeness, accuracy nearly doubled for Japanese genome mapping

A team of researchers has made a significant contribution to understanding human genetics by mapping the Japanese genome, revealing new insights into genetic disease shaping in the Japanese population. The study nearly doubled the complete reconstruction rate to 91.2%, enabling better personalized medicine and treatment options.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Humans evolved fastest amongst the apes

Researchers analyzed ape skulls to find that humans evolved the largest brain size and flattest face among closely related species. This rapid evolution suggests a strong link between cranial structure and cognitive abilities, but social factors may also play a role in human skull development.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2025

“It’s like they have a superpower”: Genetic analysis of all-women extreme divers finds changes linked to blood pressure, cold tolerance

A study of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea found two genetic changes that could aid their diving ability, lowering blood pressure and improving pain tolerance to cold. The researchers hope this discovery will advance care for health conditions like stroke related to high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

New study reveals Neanderthals experienced population crash 110,000 years ago

A new study found that Neanderthals experienced a drastic loss of genetic variation approximately 110,000 years ago, leading to their eventual extinction. The research measured the morphological diversity in semicircular canals, which revealed lower diversity in classic Neanderthals compared to pre-Neanderthals and early Neanderthals.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2025

Emory-led Lancet review highlights racial disparities in sudden cardiac arrest and death among athletes

A recent Lancet review highlights racial disparities in sudden cardiac arrest and death among athletes, with Black athletes facing a significantly higher risk. The study emphasizes the need for increased research into social determinants of health and adequate pre-participation evaluation to mitigate these disparities.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalThe Lancet·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 28, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal study reveals key insights on the global burden of thyroid cancer in 2022

A study published in the Chinese Medical Journal projects a significant rise in global thyroid cancer burden, with 821,214 new cases and 47,507 related deaths reported worldwide in 2022. The incidence is expected to increase by 44.1% from 2019 to 2030, with women experiencing higher rates than men.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2024

Workforce diversity is key to advancing One Health

A new article by Amélie Desvars-Larrive and Fariba Karimi emphasizes the need for diverse workforces in One Health to foster creativity, reduce groupthink, and improve scientific research. This diversity fosters a stronger One Health approach by bringing different perspectives and methods to tackle complex global health challenges.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 11, 2024

Mount Sinai leaders receive prestigious awards during the American College of Emergency Physicians 2024 Scientific Assembly (ACEP24)

Brendan G. Carr, MD, MS, receives the Colin C. Rorrie Award for Excellence in Health Policy, recognized for his work on building regional systems for emergency care and advocating for increased collaboration between public and private sectors. Ugo Ezenkwele, MD, MPH, receives the Leon L. Haley Jr. Award for Excellence in Diversity, Inc...

Fossil hotspots in Africa obscure a more complete picture of human evolution

Researchers at George Washington University found that fossil hotspots in eastern Africa, such as the East African Rift System, bias our understanding of human evolution due to their limited geographic representation. The study suggests that scientists must take this bias into account when interpreting early human history and recommend...

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 20, 2024

Island birds more adaptable than previously thought

A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society found that birds on islands are more evolutionarily similar and diverse than expected, with more species thriving in agricultural areas. The research suggests that there may be fundamental principles of ecology at play, influencing bird evolution on islands.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 13, 2024

Filling in genomic blanks for disease studies works better for some groups than others

A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that genome-wide association studies' imputation technique works better for European, African American, and Latino groups than others. The researchers evaluated over 100 global populations, finding that imputation is less reliable for those farther away from Europe.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 10, 2024

Researchers prove human influence on large herbivore diets during anthropocene

A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that human population growth and land-use changes led to significant dietary shifts in large herbivores in eastern China. The researchers found that these herbivores adapted by altering their diets, with increased interspecific differences and expanded intraspecific dietary ranges.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalEcology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 24, 2023

A new weapon against the super tough C diff bacteria

A phase-one human clinical trial shows that Omadacycline causes a distinctly different effect on the gut microbiome than Vancomycin, making it a safe drug option for patients at high risk for C diff infection. The antibiotic achieves high concentrations in the gut quickly, reducing the risk of long-term colonization.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2023

STEM Career Days boost high school students’ career aspirations in STEM fields, MU study finds

A new MU study shows that high school students who attended college-run STEM Career Days were far more likely to have STEM-related career aspirations than those who did not attend. The study highlights the benefits of introducing high school students to STEM opportunities and can help increase diversity in the STEM workforce.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Science Education·TypeSurvey·DateNov 6, 2023

New insights on Neanderthal cuisine. Plos One has just published a study that sums up twenty years of archaeological excavations with a striking conclusion: Neanderthals were as intelligent as Homo sapiens

Neanderthals demonstrated intelligence and symbolic thought through their ability to control fire and cook food. Their varied diet consisted of cooked meats, fish, and other food sources, showcasing their advanced cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

UCLA biobank study reveals disease risk, heath care use among LA’s diverse population

A new UCLA Health study analyzed genetic data from 36,000 patients to identify disease risks and healthcare utilization among ancestrally diverse groups in the Los Angeles region. The research found substantial differences in diagnoses, hospital utilization, and genetic disease rates across clusters linked by shared genetic ancestry.

Moving towards a more inclusive approach to medicine

A new human pangenome reference has been released, representing the genetic diversity of 47 individuals from around the world. This development may lead to breakthroughs in targeted medical treatments and a better understanding of disease responses, as regions previously missed are now being explored.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2023

Tooth unlocks mystery of Denisovans in Asia

The discovery of a 164,000- to 131,000-year-old Denisovan tooth in Laos provides significant insights into the species' geographic range. The ancient tooth's shape and similarity to teeth found on the Tibetan Plateau suggest that Denisovans inhabited Southeast Asia, particularly northern Laos.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Communications·TypeCase study·DateMay 17, 2022

Greater diversity in genetic studies helps researchers uncover new insights

A new study has shown that increasing genetic diversity can improve researchers' ability to identify important genetic markers for health conditions. The study, which analyzed data from over 470,000 Hispanic/Latino individuals, identified 42 previously unidentified regions of the human genome related to BMI, height, and waist-to-hip ra...

SourcePenn State·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·TypeObservational study·DateApr 12, 2022

Repeats are key to understanding humanity's genome

Researchers fill in gaps in Human Reference Genome, discovering repetitive sections are a major source of human variation and genetic diversity. The Telomere-2-Telomere project reveals complex architectural features with significant consequences for understanding human evolution and biological function.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2022

AAA funds initiative to bring equitable representation to anatomical instructional materials

The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has funded the Portfolios of People: Advancing Anatomical Representation Together (POP AART) program. This project aims to create an accessible digital library of representative photographs and illustrations of diverse individuals, addressing a lack of inclusive visual supplements in anatomy e...

SourceAmerican Association for Anatomy·TypeNews article·DateDec 8, 2021