Reuters Science News Summary

Researchers have discovered the oldest-known plague outbreak, dating back 5,500 years in Siberia, where ancient DNA revealed the presence of Yersinia pestis, the plague bacterium.

Following is a summary of current science news ​briefs.

Oldest-known plague outbreak came 5,500 ​years ago in Siberia

About ‌5,500 years ​ago, bands of hunter-gatherers inhabited the Lake Baikal region in Siberia, sustained by rich resources including prey such ‌as elk, deer, moose, fish, seals and rodents called marmots. These people became victims of the earliest-known plague outbreak, especially children and adolescents. Researchers said ancient DNA obtained from bodies interred ‌in four burial sites in the area revealed the presence of the ‌oldest-known strains of Yersinia pestis, the plague bacterium. These prehistoric deaths presaged the immense suffering that this pathogen has visited on humankind over the millennia.

Scientists identify 64,000 sq miles of coral reef capable ⁠of surviving ​climate crisis

Scientists have ⁠identified nearly 166,000 sq km (64,000 sq miles) of coral reefs that are capable of surviving and recovering ⁠from climate change, three times more than previously estimated, research showed on Tuesday. The world's ​coral reefs, which sustain a quarter of all marine life, have come under severe ⁠stress as a result of violent tropical storms, pollution and mass "bleaching" events caused by soaring ocean temperatures, ⁠with ​some scientists warning that they are facing irreversible decline.

Blue Origin starts launch pad rebuild, targets New Glenn rocket return in 2026

Reconstruction has begun at ⁠Blue Origin's Florida launch pad after a New Glenn rocket exploded during a ground ⁠test in May, CEO ⁠Dave Limp said on Wednesday, with launches expected to resume before the end of this year. Limp was speaking alongside Blue ‌Origin ‌and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at the ​VivaTech conference in Paris.