Early efforts focused on mitochondrial DNA, which is more abundant in cells, but researchers have now shown that even nuclear DNA can be recovered from sediments. One group described how nuclear DNA ...

The human genome is made up of 23 pairs of chromosomes, the biological blueprints that make humans … well, human. But it turns out that some of our DNA — about 8% — are the remnants of ancient viruses ...

Researchers have reconstructed ancient herpesvirus genomes from Iron Age and medieval Europeans, revealing that HHV-6 has been infecting humans for at least 2,500 years. Some people inherited the ...

The discovery of ancient human cousins has long stirred wonder and debate. Early Neanderthal remains offered a glimpse into our distant past, prompting questions about how they lived and whether they ...

Two small changes in human DNA may have played a big role in helping our ancestors walk upright, researchers say. The study, recently published in the journal Nature, found that these tweaks changed ...

A new study has revealed that "junk DNA" descended from ancient viruses could play a key role in controlling genes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.