The first Ancient North American genome was sequenced
On Feb. 12, 2014, Scientists, led by ancient DNA expert Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen and…
Neanderthal genes unearthed in modern humans
On Jan. 29, 2014, Neanderthal genes were unearthed in modern humans by University of Washington scientists Benjamin Vernot…
DNA analysis unearthed origins of Minoans, the first major European civilization
On May 14, 2013, a University of Washington led team announced that DNA analysis had unearthed the origins…
2012 Lasker awards honor scientists for groundbreaking medical research
On Sept. 10, 2012, the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation announced winners of the annual Lasker Awards: Michael…
Soybeans were domesticated
On Jan. 6, 2012, scientists reported that small-seeded soybeans indicating wild-type soybeans date to 9,000 years ago. Historical…
The genome of our closest relative, the Neandertal, was sequenced
On May 7, 2010, in a paper released in Science, an international consortium announced sequencing the genome of…
Smallpox appeared in the first agricultural settlements in northeastern Africa
On Jan. 8, 2005, researchers from Baylor University Medical Center reported that although the origin of smallpox is…
Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel was published, introducing DNA technology to a wide audience
On Nov. 20, 1990, Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel was pulbished, introducing DNA technology to a wide audience….
In the first recorded act of biological warfare, Scythians archers used poison-tipped arrows
In 400 BCE, Greek historian Herodotus wrote of Scythians archers from the Black Sea region that used poison-tipped…
The Plague of Athens devastated the city-state of Athens in ancient Greece
In 430 BCE, a plague struck the city of Athens, which was then under siege by Sparta during…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Marine Science | Prehistory | Therapeutics
Chinese medical writings recorded decreases in goiter size upon ingestion of seaweed (iodine)
Early Chinese medical writings in approximately 3600 B.C. were the first to record the decreases in goiter size…
Potatoes, the world’s most widely grown tuber crop, were first cultivated
Around 8000 BCE, Potatoes, the world’s most widely grown tuber crop, were first cultivated for food in area…