Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Many gut microbes found in two non-industrialized communities are rare or absent in datasets from industrialized populations, according to a 2026 Nature study. The results are consistent with some microbes having accompanied human populations over long periods. But the study did not track people through industrialization, prove that industrialization caused specific microbes to disappear, or show that their absence harms health.
What the study found
The paper, “Prehistoric global migration of vanishing gut microbes with humans,” compared gut microbial genomes from Tsimane adults in Bolivia with previously collected data from the Hadza in Tanzania. The two communities have different subsistence practices and live in distinct environments; they are not interchangeable examples of one uniform “traditional” lifestyle.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Researchers identified 1,408 bacterial and archaeal species in the Tsimane cohort. Of those, 1,231—87.4%—were also found in the Hadza data. The study further reported that 848 species, or 60.2% of the Tsimane cohort’s 1,408 species, were rare or absent in fecal microbiome datasets from industrialized populations.
Recommended Free Tools
Those percentages describe comparisons among study datasets, not a count of microbes present in every individual. “Rare or absent” means infrequently detected or not detected in the industrialized-population data examined; it does not establish that a species is absent from every industrialized person.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How the researchers made the comparison
Sequencing stool samples and assembling microbial genomes
The researchers deeply sequenced 133 stool samples from 85 Tsimane adults. The samples were collected in 2009 and 2012–2013. From the sequencing data, they recovered 12,746 metagenome-assembled genomes, representing 1,408 bacterial and archaeal species. A metagenome-assembled genome, or MAG, is a reconstruction of an organism’s genome from DNA sequenced in a mixed sample—in this case, stool containing genetic material from many microbes.
Comparing two community datasets
The Tsimane data were compared with 32,034 metagenome-assembled genomes from 137 Hadza participants. The researchers used population-genetic analyses that account for microbial recombination, the exchange of genetic material that can complicate estimates of how microbial populations are related.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Study group | Participants and samples | Genome and species data |
|---|---|---|
| Tsimane, Bolivia | 85 adults; 133 stool samples collected in 2009 and 2012–2013 (Nature, 2026) | 12,746 MAGs representing 1,408 bacterial and archaeal species (Nature, 2026) |
| Hadza, Tanzania | 137 participants; sample count and collection dates not stated in the study summary (Nature, 2026) | 32,034 MAGs; species total not stated in the study summary (Nature, 2026) |
What the genomes suggest about human history
The authors found population-genetic patterns consistent with long-standing associations between people and many of the microbes. Some estimates of strain divergence align with major prehistoric human migrations. That is an inference drawn from present-day microbial genomes, not direct evidence from ancient human remains or microbes sampled from ancient people.
In the UC Santa Barbara summary of the study, co-senior author Benjamin Good described the motivating question as whether there might be “a core set of bacterial and other species that traveled with the ancestors of the Tsimané as they migrated around the globe.” Senior author Justin Sonnenburg likewise interpreted the findings as evidence that many species now rare or missing in industrialized microbiomes were “ancient companions” of humans. These are interpretations of the genomic patterns, not observations of microbes traveling alongside particular ancient populations.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The paper also leaves room for other explanations. More recent acquisition from the environment, as well as human contact, could help account for the microbes’ distributions. Distinguishing those possibilities from long-term inheritance or co-migration requires further evidence.
Does this prove industrialization caused the microbes to disappear?
No. The study compares microbial data from particular cohorts with available datasets from industrialized populations. It does not follow the same people before and after industrialization, isolate industrialization from other differences, or establish that industrialization alone caused each species to become rare or undetectable.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Diet, environment, geography, history, and patterns of contact differ between the communities and the populations represented in industrialized datasets. “Rural,” “foraging,” and “industrialized” are broad labels, not standardized exposures that by themselves explain why a microbe is present in one dataset and missing from another.
What the findings mean for health—and what they do not
The study documents microbial diversity and offers clues about evolutionary history. It does not demonstrate that losing any of the identified species causes a particular illness, quantify a resulting disease burden, or show that restoring a species improves health. The Nature paper says the health consequences remain uncertain.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Nor did the researchers test a supplement or other intervention to bring these microbes back. The findings therefore do not establish that a consumer microbiome test can identify a meaningful deficiency or that a probiotic can restore the species described. Turning a pattern in population-level genomic data into a health recommendation would require evidence the study does not provide.
The careful reading of “gut our microbiomes”
The study offers evidence that many microbial species detected in the Tsimane cohort are shared with the Hadza and are uncommon or undetected in the industrialized-population datasets examined. Its genomic analyses are consistent with some microbes having deep associations with human populations. That makes the possibility of microbiome change across lifestyles worth investigating—but it is not proof that industrialization alone erased these microbes or that their disappearance damaged human health.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
