University of Copenhagen

A study of Homo naledi fossils from South Africa's Rising Star Cave system found no male markers in 23 analyzed teeth, suggesting the Dinaledi Chamber may be an all-female fossil site. Researchers used protein analysis to detect the absence of Amelogenin-Y, a male-specific protein, raising questions about the species' burial practices and potential sex-specific mortuary behavior.

Scientists discovered the oldest known evidence of the plague in Siberian teeth dating back 5,500 years, revealing two outbreaks linked to marmot transmission and affecting small families, including children. The study, published in Nature, challenges prior timelines and highlights the plague's prehistoric evolution.

Scientists discovered the oldest evidence of plague in Siberian teeth dating back 5,500 years, revealing two outbreaks caused by a prehistoric strain of the disease. The plague spread from marmots to humans and affected small families, with many victims being children aged 8 to 11.