Wednesday 15 May 2024

Oldest known human viruses found hidden within Neanderthal bones

 

Image courtesy of S. S. Entressangle/E. Daynes/Science Photo Library

Joel Kontinen

“Genetic sequences from three common viruses that plague humanity today have been isolated from the remains of Neanderthals who lived more than 50,000 years ago.

Marcelo Briones at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, says it may be possible to synthesise these viruses and infect modern human cells with them in the lab.”

The connect between humans and neandertals means that humans were the children of Noah and not of apes.

Source:

James Woodford. 2024. Oldest known human viruses found hidden within Neanderthal bones | New Scientist 14 May.