51�Թ�

By tracing mitochondrial DNA, which is only passed on by women, Dr Cassidy found that most women in the community were related by blood dating back generations.

At another grave mound in the region, a woman was buried in the central grave, and a young man with similar mitochondrial DNA markers was buried in the same mound, also suggesting a connection on the maternal line.

The team also showed that cGAS-STING activation by gamma irradiation leads to mitochondrial DNA leakage into the cytoplasm and is not associated with MN formation.

Scientists have known that this mitochondrial DNA, known as mtDNA, can escape into our cells and cause inflammation.

The mitochondrial DNA from the victim was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.