First DNA study of ancient Eastern Arabia reveals resistance to malaria

The first DNA study of the ancient population of Eastern Arabia has revealed that people developed resistance to malaria following the appearance of agriculture in the region around five thousand years ago. The study also provides unprecedented insights into human history and disease progression in the region, shedding light on the ancestry of ancient populations and the prevalence of the malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation. The research, published in Cell Genomics, involved experts from multiple universities and research centers.