Natural Sciences Active Updated Jun 19, 2026
Our ancient relatives, still in our genes
Ancient human relatives like the Denisovans are turning out to still shape modern immune systems, and the gaps in our genetic databases matter for health.
The story so far
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Jun 19, 2026 Latest
Researchers catalogued more than 3,000 Denisovan genetic variants active in modern immune cells, with some Papua New Guinean populations carrying up to about 5 percent Denisovan DNA.
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Jun 14, 2026
A study found the Denisovans, an ancient human relative we interbred with about 40,000 years ago, still influence part of the immune systems of people in Oceania.
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