Reconstructing ancient bacterial genomes can revive previously unknown molecules – offering a potential source for new antibiotics
Ancient microbes likely produced natural products their descendants today do not. Tapping into this lost chemical diversity could offer a potential source of new drugs.
Pierre Stallforth, Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry and Paleobiotechnology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• conversation
May 4, 2023 • ~9 min
May 4, 2023 • ~9 min
Enigmatic human fossil jawbone may be evidence of an early *Homo sapiens* presence in Europe – and adds mystery about who those humans were
Scientists had figured a fossil found in Spain more than a century ago was from a Neandertal. But a new analysis suggests it could be from a lost lineage of our species, Homo sapiens.
Rolf Quam, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Binghamton University, State University of New York
• conversation
May 2, 2023 • ~12 min
May 2, 2023 • ~12 min
DNA study sheds light on Scotland's Picts, and resolves some myths about them
The genetic study challenges previous theories about the origins and culture of the Picts.
Adeline Morez, Post-doctorate researcher, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, visiting lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University •
conversation
May 2, 2023 • ~8 min
May 2, 2023 • ~8 min
Unravelling DNA's structure: a landmark achievement whose authors were not fairly credited
An article written for Time Magazine, but never published, could have rewritten the history of how DNA was discovered.
Mark Lorch, Professor of Science Communication and Chemistry, University of Hull •
conversation
April 25, 2023 • ~8 min
April 25, 2023 • ~8 min
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