this post was submitted on 16 May 2024

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Oldest known human viruses found hidden within Neanderthal bones (www.newscientist.com)

submitted 1 year ago by ooli@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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[–] zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev 60 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Please keep them there. Do not let the bone viruses out of their prisons.

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 31 points 1 year ago

We may already have resistance to them, by sharing up to 2% of neanderthal DNA. Viruses can alter the host genetically, and those mutations are passed on to offspring. Ancient to current viruses make up to 8% of human DNA.

https://www.science.org/content/article/viral-fossils-our-dna-may-help-us-fight-infection