Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42050058›Full record

ReviewNature genetics2026

Insights into human adaptation from ancient DNA.

Dina MemarMoshrefi, Olivia L Johnson, Christian D Huber

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nature genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Dina MemarMoshrefiDepartment of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-0328-4236
Olivia L JohnsonDepartment of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8029-2397
Christian D HuberDepartment of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. cdh5313@psu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2267-2604

Funding

The role of admixture in human evolutionR35GM146886 · NIGMS · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · PI Christian Huber · 2022 to 2026
$2.0M
NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM146886
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has revolutionized our ability to study human evolution by enabling the direct observation of genetic changes through time. This has reshaped our understanding of human adaptation and its relevance for modern health and disease. In recent years, high-quality ancient genomes and large datasets have made it possible to track allele frequency dynamics and identify episodes of natural selection with unprecedented resolution. Here, we synthesize insights from recent studies that have systematically investigated how humans adapted to shifts in diet, mobility, pathogen exposure and environment. We summarize the approaches used to detect selection in aDNA, examine the role of major migration and admixture events and connect results across time periods and archaeological contexts. Finally, we outline future challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed for aDNA studies to provide new insights into human adaptation that could not be inferred from present-day genomes alone.

Indexed as

Adaptation, BiologicalAdaptation, PhysiologicalDNA, AncientAnimalsEvolution, MolecularGene FrequencyGenome, HumanHuman MigrationHumansSelection, GeneticDNA, Ancient

Identifiers

PMID42050058
PMCPMC13234955

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.