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Gene diversity patterns at 10 X-chromosomal loci in humans and chimpanzees

Here we report a cross-species comparison of 10 X-chromosomal genes known to cause mental retardation in humans. Overall nucleotide diversity in these genes is ...

Genetic Discontinuity between the Maritime Archaic and Beothuk Populations in Newfoundland, Canada

By examining the mitochondrial genome diversity and isotopic ratios of 74 ancient remains in conjunction with the archaeological record, we have provided ...

17th Century Variola Virus Reveals the Recent History of Smallpox

The partially mummified remains of a young child have offered a unique insight into the history of a once-feared disease. The remains, recovered from the crypt ...

Testing the validity of stable isotope analyses of dental calculus as a proxy in paleodietary studies

Stable isotopic analyses (δ13C, δ15N) of dental calculus have been suggested as a proxy for the study of diet of ancient populations but questions about their ...

The paradox of HBV evolution as revealed from a 16th century mummy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a ubiquitous viral pathogen associated with large-scale morbidity and mortality in humans. However, there is considerable ...

Evolution of the Mylodontidae and Arborealism in Sloths

Nuclear and mitochondrial data from Darwin's extinct ground sloth shows close relation to two-fingered sloths and supports multiple origins for arboreality.

Surveying the repair of ancient DNA from bones via high-throughput sequencing

A comparative analysis on DNA repair/recovery methodologies to increase the amount of recoverable material.

Ancient pathogen DNA in archaeological samples detected with a Microbial Detection Array

Research paper outlining the usefulness of broad microarrays as a rapid and inexpensive paleopathological screening tool for ancient samples.

Ancient Plague's DNA Revived From A 1,500-Year-Old Tooth

NPR Shots story on work from the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre's identification of the Justinian Plague.

Ancient cholera mysteriously disappeared

Nature News story on the strain differences between ancient and modern Cholera.