DNA from hunter-gatherer teeth reveals secrets of ancient plague

NATURE PODCAST

17 June 2026

Analysis shows evidence of deadly outbreaks 5,500 years ago — plus, a prototype dark-matter detector.

By

Benjamin Thompson

Nick Petrić Howe

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In this episode:

00:45 Ancient evidence of deadly plague outbreaks

Research article: Macleod et al.

12:33 Research Highlights

Nature: Bones of Iron Age skeleton were whittled into tools

Nature: Giant crustacean of the deep sea steals a trick from bacteria

14:52 A prototype atom interferometer

Research article: Baynham et al.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-01941-7

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