Ancient DNA Unravels Ice Age Genetic Mystery

An international team of researchers has been able to solve a long-standing mystery by analyzing ancient DNA from a 12,000-year-old burial in southern Italy. The study revealed that the individuals, a mother and daughter, had a rare genetic disorder affecting bone growth, identified through mutations in the NPR2 gene. The younger woman's condition was more severe, while her mother had a milder form. These findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscore the importance of paleogenomics in tracing genetic diseases back to prehistoric times. The study also highlights how social support allowed the younger individual to survive despite physical challenges.