Overview

• Scientists traced a 20,000 km migration by early Asians from North Asia to South America, completed around 14,000 years ago.
• The study, published in *Science*, analyzed DNA from 1,537 individuals across 139 ethnic groups as part of the GenomeAsia100K project.
• Migrants entering South America split into four groups, settling in the Amazon basin, Dry Chaco, Patagonia, and Andes valleys.
• The migration reduced genetic diversity, including immune-related genes, impacting disease resilience in ancient populations.
• Findings highlight the need for greater Asian representation in genomic studies to improve personalized medicine and public health.