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100,000-Year Microbe in Siberian Permafrost Reveals Dormant Life; Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain; Climate Change Correlated with Rebellions Across Europe
In this episode, New Scientist explores a microbe revived from 100,000-year-old Siberian permafrost, raising questions about what counts as life. The show also covers a novel deep brain stimulation implant that uses machine learning to tailor treatment to an individual’s brain activity, improving outcomes for chronic pain and offering potential for other conditions. Finally, researchers analyze 140 historical rebellions and revolutions and find correlations between climate disturbances during the Little Ice Age and spikes in unrest, driven by food price increases. The discussion highlights the complexity of life, the promise of personalized neuromodulation, and the climate links to social upheaval.
Overview
New Scientist’s World, the Universe and Us examines three interlinked topics: the long survival of microbes in permafrost, a breakthrough in adaptive deep brain stimulation for chronic pain, and a climate-related analysis of social unrest across Europe during the Little Ice Age.
Ancient Permafrost Microbes
Researchers found individual cells from Siberian permafrost that remained alive for at least 100,000 years. They targeted ancient sediments in the Chukchi Peninsula, where ice has remained unchanged for roughly 100–120 thousand years. By extracting DNA and applying an enzyme that repairs degraded DNA, scientists distinguished between living cells and relic DNA, arguing that intact genomes after that timescale indicate life that persists in a dormant state. The organisms belong to Promethe-archaeota, also known as Asgard archaea, a group linked to the evolution of eukaryotes and potentially common long-term survival strategies in extreme environments.
Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
At University of California, San Francisco, researchers developed a brain implant that detects pain signals in real time and adjusts stimulation accordingly. Using machine learning to differentiate high from low pain states, they personalized stimulation across brain regions for six participants with untreatable chronic pain. In a controlled trial, real stimulation reduced daily pain by about 50% and increased activity such as daily steps, with benefits persisting for years. The approach contrasts with traditional constant stimulation and holds promise for other conditions including depression and obesity, though it remains investigational.
Climate and Social Unrest
A separate study analyzed 140 European rebellions and revolutions from 1250 to 1860, identifying correlations between cold Little Ice Age phases, volcanic eruptions, reduced solar activity, and rising grain prices. Peaks in bread and grain costs were linked to higher rebellion rates, with the Lakey volcanic eruption of 1783 cited as a notable trigger for turmoil during the subsequent years. While climate did not directly cause revolts, it acted as a threat multiplier by destabilizing food systems and amplifying grievances, suggesting growing relevance for modern climate resilience and conflict risk.
Implications
These findings invite reflection on life’s boundaries, the potential of personalized neuromodulation, and the societal risks posed by climate-driven resource fluctuations. The discussion underlines the importance of resilience in facing evolving biological and environmental challenges.