In 2010, scientists discovered that early humans and Neanderthals interbred, impacting modern humans’ circadian rhythms, immune system, and pain perception. However, the reverse gene flow—how humans influenced Neanderthals—remained unclear.

A new study reveals that DNA exchange occurred between the two groups over the last 250,000 years, offering insights into Neanderthal extinction and human migration from Africa.

Guest: Dr. Joshua Akey, Professor at the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices