Coverage dated October 12, 2026

Stanford Scientists Discover We’ve Lost Ancient Gut Microbes That Traveled With Humans for Thousands of Years

Headline from SciTech Daily

Scientists comparing the gut microbiomes of two geographically distant populations uncovered surprising similarities despite thousands of years of separation. Hundreds of bacterial species missing from modern human guts may have accompanied our ancestors for tens of thousands of years.

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SciTech Daily
Stanford Scientists Discover We’ve Lost Ancient Gut Microbes That Traveled With Humans for Thousands of Years (opens SciTech Daily)
Published Oct 12, 2026
SciTech Daily's feed description
Scientists comparing the gut microbiomes of two geographically distant populations uncovered surprising similarities despite thousands of years of separation. Hundreds of bacterial species missing from modern human guts may have accompanied our ancestors for tens of thousands of years.
The Boston Globe
Was the human gut healthier in ancient times? (opens The Boston Globe)
Published Oct 12, 2026
The Boston Globe's feed description
Researchers identified more than 600 species of bacteria that may once have been common in the gut but are now rare or missing entirely from people in most societies today.