How Black Death survivors gave their descendants an edge during pandemics

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Using DNA extracted from teeth of people who died during and after the Black Death pandemic, researchers were able to identify genetic differences between those who survived and who died from the virus.

Up to 50% of Europeans died from the plague. Now a new study shows that those who lived had a protective gene mutation they passed on to bolster immunity — but it comes at a cost.

(Image credit: Matt Clarke/McMaster University)

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