NATURE BRIEFING

22 October 2026

See what gave Denisovans their distinct look. Plus, a vaccine trial for Ebola could kick off this week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and what makes a great climate graphic.

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Artist depiction of the heavy set facial features of a Denisovan. Credit: Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology/Chinese Academy of Sciences

The portrait of a Denisovan

A low, sloping forehead, a massive brow ridge, rectangle-like eye sockets, flat cheeks, and a moderately elevated bridge of the nose were probably the hallmark features of Denisovans — a mysterious ancient-human species. Using fossilized skull fragments, teeth and jaws, researchers identified some visual features that would have set Denisovans apart from other early-human species, such as the flattened, elongated skull shape.…