Genomics
Ancient DNA ties paratyphoid and relapsing fevers to Napoleon’s 1812 retreat
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Scientists analyzing DNA from 13 soldiers buried in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania, uncovered genetic traces of paratyphoid fever and louse-borne relapsing fever—offering the first direct confirmation of these pathogens in Napoleon’s Grande Armée. The study, published October 24, 2025, in Current Biology, links centuries-old eyewitness reports to modern genomics. ([sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021727.htm))
An international team of scientists has started the EuroWorm project to create an open-access genomic database of European marine annelids, aiming to discover species before they vanish. Led by the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis, the initiative focuses on these vital segmented worms that support ocean ecosystems. The effort combines museum collections with modern genomics to accelerate global biodiversity research.
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A new genomic analysis suggests that Alzheimer's disease may begin with inflammation in organs like the skin, lungs, or gut, potentially decades before brain symptoms appear. Researchers analyzed genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people and found risk genes more active outside the brain. This perspective could reshape prevention and treatment strategies.