Science Snapshots: August 2, 2026
This science roundup covers the discovery of ancient smallpox genomes in Chile, the role of fiber in gut health, and a new cooling technology for electronics inspired by beagle tongues. These findings offer insights into historical disease migration, human nutrition, and biomimetic engineering.
Why it matters
Scientific advancements in these areas have broad implications for public health, dietary guidelines, and sustainable cooling solutions for hardware.
Study ‘proves’ colonists brought smallpox to South America
Scientists have found direct molecular evidence that European colonisers brought smallpox to South America after recovering the first ancient smallpox genomes from the Americas, in the remains of individuals in Chile. The strains belonged to a now-extinct lineage that branched from European strains around 1296. Analysing the virus’s DNA revealed it actively adapted to human hosts until the mid-16th century, then experienced few changes for 200 years. Smallpox caused Indigenous populations to collapse following European contact.
Plant-based diet’s winning hand is protein-fibre combo
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