Researchers map 7,000-year-old genetic mutation that protects against HIV

Modern HIV medicine is based on a common genetic mutation. Now, researchers have traced where and when the mutation arose – and how it protected our ancestors from ancient diseases

University of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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What do a millennia-old human from the Black Sea region and modern HIV medicine have in common?

Quite a lot, it turns out, according to new research from the University of Copenhagen.

18-25 percent of the Danish population carries a genetic mutation that can make them resistant or even immune to HIV. This knowledge is used to develop modern treatments for the virus.

Until now, it was unknown where, when, or why the mutation occurred. But by using advanced DNA technology, researchers have now solved this genetic mystery.

“It turns out that the variant arose in one individual who lived in an area near the Black Sea between 6,700 and 9,000 years ago,” says Professor Simon Rasmussen from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen, corresponding author of a new study mapping the mutation. He adds:

“HIV is a relatively new disease – less than 100 years old – so it’s almost coincidental and very fascinating that a genetic variation that arose thousands of years ago also protects against a modern virus like HIV.”

Analyzed 900 skeletons

To determine where and when the mutation arose, researchers first mapped it by analyzing the genetic material of 2,000 living people worldwide. They then developed a new AI-based method to identify the mutation in ancient DNA from old bones.

The researchers examined data from over 900 skeletons dating from the early Stone Age to the Viking Age.

“By looking at this large dataset, we can determine where and when the mutation arose. For a period, the mutation is completely absent, but then it suddenly appears and spreads incredibly quickly. When we combine this with our knowledge of human migration at the time, we can also pinpoint the region where the mutation originated,” explains first author Kirstine Ravn, senior researcher at CBMR.

Thus, the researchers were able to locate the mutation in a person from the Black Sea region up to 9,000 years ago – an individual from whom all carriers of the mutation descend.

Was an advantage back then

But why do so many Danes carry a millennia-old genetic mutation that protects against a disease that didn’t exist back then?

The researchers believe the mutation arose and spread rapidly because it gave our ancestors an advantage:

“People with this mutation were better at surviving, likely because it dampened the immune system during a time when humans were exposed to new pathogens,” explains Leonardo Cobuccio, co-first author and postdoc at CBMR. He and Kirstine Ravn elaborate:

“What’s fascinating is that the variation disrupts an immune gene. It sounds negative, but it was likely beneficial. An overly aggressive immune system can be deadly – think of allergic reactions or severe cases of viral infections like COVID-19, where the immune system often causes the damage that kills patients. As humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to living closely together in agricultural societies, the pressure from infectious diseases increased, and a more balanced immune system may have been advantageous.”

Read the study “Tracing the evolutionary history of the CCR5delta32 deletion via ancient and modern genomes”.

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Journal

Cell

DOI

10.1016/j.cell.2025.04.015 

Article Title

Tracing the evolutionary history of the CCR5delta32 deletion via ancient and modern genomes

Article Publication Date

5-May-2025

COI Statement

S.R. is the founder and owner of the Danish company BioAI and has performed consulting for Sidera Bio ApS.

 

World record for lithium-ion conductors

TUM researchers develop new material for solid-state batteries

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

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Prof. Thomas F. Fässler in his laboratory at the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry with a Focus on Novel Materials

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Credit: Wenzel Schuermann / TUM

The team led by Prof. Thomas F. Fässler from the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry with a Focus on Novel Materials partially replaced lithium in a lithium antimonide compound with the metal scandium. This creates specific gaps, so-called vacancies, in the crystal lattice of the conductor material. These gaps help the lithium ions to move more easily and faster, resulting in a new world record for ion conductivity.

Since the measured conductivity far exceeded that of existing materials, the team collaborated with the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry under Prof. Hubert Gasteiger at TUM to confirm the result. Co-author Tobias Kutsch who conducted the validation tests, commented: “Because the material also conducts electricity, it presented a special challenge, and we had to adapt our measurement methods accordingly.”

Fässler sees great potential for the new material: "Our result currently represents a significant advance in basic research. By incorporating small amounts of scandium, we have uncovered a new principle that could prove to be a blueprint for other elemental combinations. While many tests are still needed before the material can be used in battery cells, we are optimistic. Materials that conduct both ions and electrons are particularly well suited as additives in electrodes. Because of the promising practical applications, we’ve already filed a patent for our development." In addition to its faster conductivity, the material also offers thermal stability and can be produced using well-established chemical methods.

The researchers have even discovered an entirely new class of substances through their work, as first author Jingwen Jiang, scientist at TUMint.Energy Research, emphasizes: "Our combination consists of lithium-antimony, but the same concept can easily be applied to lithium-phosphorus systems. While the previous record holder relied on lithium-sulphur and required five additional elements for optimization, we only need only Scandium as an additional component. We believe that our discovery could have broader implications for enhancing conductivity in a wide range of other materials."

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Journal

Advanced Energy Materials

DOI

10.1002/aenm.202500683 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Scandium Induced Structural Disorder and Vacancy Engineering in Li3Sb – Superior Ionic Conductivity in Li3−3xScxSbv

 

German satellite measures CO2 and NO2 simultaneously from power plant emissions for the first time

New approach to satellite-based emission monitoring of air pollutants with a high level of detail

Max Planck Institute for Chemistry

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A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz and Heidelberg University has, for the first time, used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in emission plumes from power plants – with an unprecedented spatial resolution of just 30 meters. The newly developed method allows for tracking of industrial emissions from space with great precision and enables atmospheric processes to be analyzed in detail. The results were published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Key points of the study

• World first: first simultaneous satellite measurements of NO₂ and CO₂ over individual power plants.
• High spatial resolution: EnMAP data makes it possible to track emission plumes over several tens of kilometers.
• Quantitative evaluation: direct estimation of emissions and analysis of chemical transformations in the atmosphere.
• Emission metrics: NOx /CO2 ratios provide information on the characteristics and efficiency of the power plants.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are among the most significant anthropogenic air pollutants – with consequences for climate, health, and air quality. Satellite measurements are considered a key tool for independent emission monitoring. Previously, however, they were subject to significant limitations: many sensors have spatial resolutions that are too coarse to detect isolated emissions sources such as power plants reliably. Atmospheric processes – such as clouds, or the chemical reaction of nitrogen oxides – also complicate data interpretation. In the case of CO2, the high background values often mask the relatively weak emission signals.

As NO2 and CO2 are emitted together, NO2 measurements are often used to estimate CO2 emissions based on known emission ratios. Until now, however, there has been no instrument that can detect both gases simultaneously with a high spatial resolution. The method now presented closes this gap: for the first time, both gases can be measured simultaneously and with high resolution directly above the emission sources – and their ratio precisely determined. This opens the door to more transparent and independent satellite-based emissions monitoring.

EnMAP: high-resolution perspectives

Atmospheric trace gases such as CO₂ and NO₂ leave characteristic absorption patterns in sunlight, which can be detected using spectrometers. Instruments with very high spectral resolution are typically used for satellite-based measurements. They can analyze the fine absorption structures of the gases in the reflected sunlight, but usually only achieve a spatial resolution of three to five kilometers.

By contrast, the German earth observation satellite EnMAP was originally designed for remote sensing of land surfaces. It provides imagery with an exceptionally high level of spatial detail of 30 x 30 meters, but has a comparatively low spectral resolution.

The new study now demonstrates that – contrary to previous assumptions – reliable measurements of trace gases are possible even with an instrument not specifically designed for atmospheric observation. "Using the EnMAP data, we were able to determine the distribution of CO2 and NO2 in emission plumes from individual power plants – for example, from plants in Saudi Arabia and in the South African Highveld region, one of the world's largest emission hotspots," explains Christian Borger, first author of the study and, until recently, a postdoctoral researcher in the Satellite Remote Sensing Group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. He now works at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in Bonn.

From measurement to application

This means that the EnMAP satellite can be used to determine CO2 and NOx emissions from individual power plants simultaneously and at high resolution. Additionally, NOx/CO2 ratios can be derived from this, which allow conclusions to be drawn about the technology, efficiency, and operating mode of the systems. In the future, such ratios could be used to estimate CO2 emissions solely on the basis of NO2 data.

The data also offers new insights into the chemical conversion of NO to NO2 within emission plumes. Until now, this central process in atmospheric chemistry could only be studied through complex aircraft measurement campaigns. The use of satellite data has major advantages in this context as it enables the worldwide, consistent, and comparable detection of industrial pollutant emissions.

Impetus for new missions

"Our study shows how satellites with high spatial resolution can contribute to the targeted monitoring of industrial emissions in the future – in addition to large-scale missions such as the European CO2M satellite," summarizes group leader Thomas Wagner. The EnMAP environmental satellite opens new perspectives for a global, satellite-based monitoring system for air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

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Journal

Environmental Research Letters

DOI

10.1088/1748-9326/adc0b1 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

High-resolution observations of NO2 and CO2 emission plumes from EnMAP satellite measurements

 

KAIST innovates mid-infrared photodetectors for exoplanet detection, expanding applications to environmental and medical fields​

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

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Photo 1. (from the left) Ph.D. candidate Inki Kim (co-author), Professor SangHyeon Kim (corresponding author), Dr. Joonsup Shim (first author), and Dr. Jinha Lim (co-author) of KAIST School of Electrical Engineering.

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Credit: KAIST 3D Integrated Opto-Electronic Device Laboratory

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) utilizes mid-infrared spectroscopy to precisely analyze molecular components such as water vapor and sulfur dioxide in exoplanet atmospheres. The key to this analysis, where each molecule exhibits a unique spectral "fingerprint," lies in highly sensitive photodetector technology capable of measuring extremely weak light intensities. Recently, KAIST researchers have developed an innovative photodetector capable of detecting a broad range of mid-infrared spectra, garnering significant attention.

 

 

< Photo 1. (from the left) Ph.D. candidate Inki Kim (co-author), Professor SangHyeon Kim (corresponding author), Dr. Joonsup Shim (first author), and Dr. Jinha Lim (co-author) of KAIST School of Electrical Engineering. >

 

KAIST (represented by President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 27th of March that a research team led by Professor SangHyeon Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering has developed a mid-infrared photodetector that operates stably at room temperature, marking a major turning point for the commercialization of ultra-compact optical sensors.

The newly developed photodetector utilizes conventional silicon-based CMOS processes, enabling low-cost mass production while maintaining stable operation at room temperature. Notably, the research team successfully demonstrated the real-time detection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas using ultra-compact and ultra-thin optical sensors equipped with this photodetector, proving its potential for environmental monitoring and hazardous gas analysis.

Existing mid-infrared photodetectors generally require cooling systems due to high thermal noise at room temperature. These cooling systems increase the size and cost of equipment, making miniaturization and integration into portable devices challenging. Furthermore, conventional mid-infrared photodetectors are incompatible with silicon-based CMOS processes, limiting large-scale production and commercialization.

To address these limitations, the research team developed a waveguide-integrated photodetector using germanium (Ge), a Group IV element like silicon. This approach enables broad-spectrum mid-infrared detection while ensuring stable operation at room temperature.

 

 

< Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a room-temperature mid-infrared waveguide-integrated photodetector based on the Ge-on-insulator optical platform proposed in this study (top). Optical microscope image of the integrated photodetector connected with the sensing unit (bottom). >

 

A waveguide is a structure designed to efficiently guide light along a specific path with minimal loss. To implement various optical functions on a chip (on-chip), the development of waveguide-integrated photodetectors and waveguide-based optical components is essential.

Unlike conventional photodetectors that primarily rely on bandgap absorption principles, this new technology leverages the bolometric effect*, allowing it to detect the entire mid-infrared spectral range. As a result, it can be widely applied to the real-time sensing of various molecular species.

*Bolometric effect: A principle in which light absorption leads to an increase in temperature, causing electrical signals to change accordingly.

The waveguide-integrated mid-infrared photodetector developed by the research team is considered a groundbreaking innovation that overcomes the limitations of existing mid-infrared sensor technologies, including the need for cooling, difficulties in mass production, and high costs.

 

 

< Figure 2. Room temperature photoresponse characteristics of the mid-infrared waveguide photodetector proposed in this study (left) and real-time carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensing results using the photodetector (right). >

 

This breakthrough technology is expected to be applicable across diverse fields, including environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, industrial process management, national defense and security, and smart devices. It also paves the way for next-generation mid-infrared sensor advancements.

Professor SangHyeon Kim from KAIST stated, "This research represents a novel approach that overcomes the limitations of existing mid-infrared photodetector technologies and has great potential for practical applications in various fields." He further emphasized, "Since this sensor technology is compatible with CMOS processes, it enables low-cost mass production, making it highly suitable for next-generation environmental monitoring systems and smart manufacturing sites."

 

 

< Figure 3. Performance comparison image of a room-temperature mid-infrared waveguide photodetector fabricated with the technology proposed in this study. It achieves the world’s highest performance compared to existing technologies utilizing the Bolometric effect, and is the only solution compatible with CMOS processes. The technology proposed by our research team is characterized by its ability to respond to a wide spectrum of the mid-infrared band without limitations. >

 

 

The study, with Dr. Joonsup Shim (currently a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University) as the first author, was published on March 19, 2025 in the internationally renowned journal Light: Science & Applications (JCR 2.9%, IF=20.6).

 (Paper title: “Room-temperature waveguide-integrated photodetector using bolometric effect for mid-infrared spectroscopy applications,” https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01803-3)

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Journal

Light Science & Applications

DOI

10.1038/s41377-025-01803-3 

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Room-temperature waveguide-integrated photodetector using bolometric effect for mid-infrared spectroscopy applications

Is air pollution exposure equal across South Korea?

 News Release 9-May-2025
Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)

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4-year averages (May 2018−April 2022) of estimated NO2 concentrations across South Korea

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Credit: POSTECH

A new study from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), led by Professor Hyung Joo Lee and integrated PhD student Na Rae Kim, evaluated how well ground monitoring networks represent nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure and how the exposure varies by socioeconomic status across South Korea. The research team estimated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data at a 500-meter spatial resolution, which was an essential factor in their analysis. The findings were recently published in the international journal Environmental Science & Technology.

 

NO2 is a criteria air pollutant primarily emitted from combustion sources, such as on-road and off-road vehicles and power plants. It is regulated under South Korea’s Clean Air Conservation Act due to its association with adverse health effects, particularly on respiratory health. Because NO2 has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime and reacts readily with other atmospheric components, spatially resolved data are critical for accurate exposure assessment. However, ground monitoring networks are not evenly distributed, making it difficult to represent population-level exposures adequately. To address this challenge, the POSTECH team employed satellite remote sensing NO2 data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), producing a detailed spatial map of NO2 exposure at a 500-meter resolution nationwide.

 

Using these high-resolution data, the researchers assessed whether the national ground monitoring network accurately captured population exposure to NO2 across metropolitan cities and provinces. Since ground monitoring data are used as benchmarks for evaluating compliance with air quality standards, it is crucial to ensure they reflect real-world exposure levels. The study revealed that ground monitors underestimated NO2 exposure by up to 11% in Gangwon-do (northeastern part of South Korea) and overestimated exposure by as much as 61% in Jeju-do (the largest island in South Korea). Moreover, the representativeness of ground monitoring was not strongly associated with the number of monitors in a region, suggesting that merely adding more monitors may not improve accuracy in reflecting population exposure.

 

The study also examined the differences in NO2 exposure by socioeconomic status within each region. The results showed that areas with higher socioeconomic levels, based on individual housing prices and insurance premiums per capita, demonstrated higher NO2 concentrations. This finding was supported by consistently positive correlations, ranging from 0.53 to 0.92 for housing prices and from 0.41 to 0.91 for insurance premiums. Interestingly, this contrasts with previous findings in other countries, where socially disadvantaged groups often experience higher NO2 exposure. The researchers attributed this difference to South Korea’s unique economic development history. During the rapid industrialization in the 1970s and 1980s, major roads and residential areas were constructed nearby. Proximity to these roads was highly valued for commuting convenience, driving up housing demand and prices. Furthermore, in the 1970s, the government established industrial complexes in many parts of South Korea, drawing job seekers and eventually becoming hubs for high-paying employment. As a result, wealthier populations have concentrated in areas that show higher NO2 air pollution today.

 

Professor Hyung Joo Lee emphasized, “Strategic placement of ground monitors, accounting for both pollution hotspots and population distribution, is essential for precise exposure assessment.” He added, “While our study focused on NO2, other air pollutants also need to be evaluated to develop a more comprehensive understanding. Given that the health impacts of air pollution are influenced by factors such as medical infrastructure, neighborhood environment, and underlying health conditions, a more integrated and multidisciplinary approach is crucial to fully understand and address the public health implications of air pollution.”

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Journal

Environmental Science & Technology

DOI

10.1021/acs.est.4c10996 

Article Title

Leveraging High-Resolution Satellite-Derived NO2 Estimates to Evaluate NO2 Exposure Representativeness and Socioeconomic Disparities

 

Metals and hormone-disrupting substances pose real threat to sustainable agriculture and water management in Europe

The use of animal manure in agriculture appears to be the best choice in terms of metal contamination of our soils

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

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The current study focused on two main areas: metals in fertilised agricultural soils and oestrogens in aquatic systems, including the Scheldt estuary. In both domains, attention was paid not only to the presence of pollutants but more importantly to their behaviour and interaction with environmental factors such as pH, redox potential, and dissolved organic carbon.

 

From Manure to Metal Mobility

A significant portion of Jia’s research investigated the effect of fertilisers on the mobility and bioavailability of metals. This included the use of the S920-Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) technique—a novel method allowing researchers to measure the fraction of metals that are truly bioavailable for plant uptake. This is crucial in the context of food safety and long-term sustainable agriculture policy.

“Fertilisers are a source of heavy metals in agricultural soils,” explains her supervisor, Professor Yue Gao of VUB’s Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) research group. “The application of the passive DGT sampler is essential for assessing the bioavailable fractions of metals in soil, as this is directly linked to plant uptake.”

Using innovative analytical techniques, Jia was able to map the impact of different fertilisers on metal distribution in agricultural soils. She compared three types of fertilisers: phosphate fertiliser, sewage sludge, and animal manure. Her findings indicate that animal manure is the preferable option when it comes to limiting metal contamination.

 

Oestrogens in the Scheldt: A Declining Trend

In parallel, Jia studied the presence of oestrogens in the Scheldt estuary. These hormone-disrupting compounds—often originating from domestic wastewater—can affect the endocrine systems of aquatic organisms and, ultimately, human health. Through bioassays (ER-CALUX), she demonstrated that oestrogenic activity in the water column decreases downstream, and that sediment concentrations show a general decline over a period of four decades.

“These results demonstrate the impact of investment in wastewater treatment and the effect of European regulations such as the Water Framework Directive,” says Professor Emeritus Willy Baeyens. Nevertheless, continued monitoring remains essential, particularly in light of emerging chemical substances and changing industrial and urban discharge patterns.

 

An International Dimension

Yuwei Jia previously obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental Science in China, and her doctoral research in Brussels was funded by the China Scholarship Council. During her PhD, she published three articles in international peer-reviewed journals and presented her findings at various international conferences.

Her research underscores the importance of integrated environmental policy at the intersection of soil quality, water management, and food safety—areas that are expected to become even more prominent on the policy agenda in the coming years.

 

Full reference:

Yu-Wei Jia, Xiao Jian, Wei Guo, Guanlei Li, Martine Leermakers, Marc Elskens, Willy Baeyens, Yue Gao, Time evolution of estrogen contamination in the Scheldt estuary, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 957, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177432.
 

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Journal

Science of The Total Environment

DOI

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177432.