Denisovan Genome Bombshell, Epstein-Barr Lupus Link, Formula E Rise and Bill Bryson on Updating A Short History of Nearly Everything

In this episode, New Scientist reports a bombshell finding about Denisovans, revealing a second full genome from a 200,000 year old tooth and suggesting three Denisovan populations with interbreeding history. The show also explores the dormant Epstein-Barr virus and its links to lupus, the rapid progression of Formula E toward rivaling Formula One, and an interview with Bill Bryson about updating A Short History of Nearly Everything. Together, these stories illustrate how new data reshapes our understanding of human origins, disease, technology, and the science behind everyday curiosity.

Denisovan Genome and Ancient Population Structure

This episode centers on a bombshell result in paleogenetics: researchers have obtained a full Denisovan genome from a 200,000 year old tooth found in Siberia. The sediment dating aligns with the tooth as among the oldest Denisovan remains, revealing that there were multiple distinct Denisovan populations and complex interactions with other hominins. The genome suggests interbreeding with an unidentified group of ancient humans and with a separate Neanderthal lineage. The finding expands the Denisovan story beyond the cave in Siberia and hints at at least three discrete Denisovan populations with different histories that intermingled with Homo sapiens as they moved out of Africa. The episode also discusses how these ancient genetic threads persist in some modern humans today, including signals of Denisovan ancestry on the Tibetan plateau.

Interbreeding and the Human Family Tree as a Hedge

Analyses indicate that the Denisovan lineage interbred with Neanderthals and with other ancient hominins that diverged long before modern humans. The story emphasizes how the discovery of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA complicates the traditional linear view of human evolution. The timeline traces a0 Africa migration more than 400,000 years ago, followed by Homo sapiens leaving Africa 50,000 to 60,000 years ago and subsequently encountering these archaic groups. The evidence points to a mosaic of populations exchanging genetic material over hundreds of thousands of years, leaving a genetic footprint still present in some of us today and underscoring the deep and intertwined history of human relatives.

Epstein-Barr Virus and Lupus

The program shifts to the Epstein-Barr virus, which infects a large majority of adults worldwide and often remains dormant. New findings show that EBV can alter immune cell gene expression in memory B cells, fueling cascades that contribute to autoimmune diseases such as lupus. The discussion covers how autoimmune conditions are influenced by genetics, environment, and sex differences, and how vaccination strategies might be targeted to treat virus driven cancers rather than eliminating the virus from the entire population. The segment also places EBV within the broader context of the human virome and the potential roles dormant viruses play in chronic diseases and fatigue syndromes.

Formula E and the Future of Electric Racing

The show then delves into Formula E and the near term future where electric race cars could outperform traditional petrol driven Formula One cars. Generation 4 cars offer around 815 horsepower and top speeds near 220 mph, with Generation 5 expected to rival or beat Formula One depending on race length. The discussion explains the energy density advantage of liquid fuels and how battery technology and architecture are closing the gap. Key points include the efficiency gains in electric powertrains, the use of battery assisted acceleration, and concepts such as 800 volt architecture that improves power delivery and fast charging. The interview raises questions about battery energy density limits and whether future solutions might include battery swaps, while also exploring how the race format and rules have evolved to incorporate strategies like attack mode and energy management.

Bill Bryson on Updating A Short History of Nearly Everything

The final segment features Bill Bryson discussing why he revised his bestselling 2003 book, what changed in science over the past two decades, and how the internet reshaped fact checking. Bryson reflects on how the human family tree has become more complicated thanks to discoveries like Denisovans and Homo floresiensis. He describes the thrill of re interviewing scientists again and the challenge of keeping popular science accessible while conveying the evolving nature of knowledge. The conversation touches on Big Physics, climate change, and the value of understanding how scientists arrive at knowledge, rather than simply what is known. Bryson also shares personal anecdotes about his motivation to communicate science to a broad audience and the joys of scientific curiosity.