#ancient-dna

#ancient-dna

And while the history of the combustion engines that eventually replaced horses is well understood, precisely how and when our ancestors transformed wild animals into docile and rideable domestic companions has been debated, pieced together from studies of ancient teeth and bones. But a new study of ancient DNA sheds light on how modern horses came to be, pinpointing key genetic changes that shaped their bodies and behavior, helping make the wild animals more docile and rideable.

Pathogens have been a constant threat to human health throughout our evolutionary history. Infectious diseases are estimated to have been responsible for more than half of all children deaths before age 15.