- The mysterious deaths of Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and his wife Bianca Cappello in 1587 have been attributed to malaria, not murder, according to a new DNA analysis.
- Previous rumors suspected poisoning by Francesco's brother Ferdinando, but genetic evidence of Plasmodium parasites in Francesco's remains supports malaria.
- The study identified two malaria species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae, suggesting a double infection.
- Historical records of symptoms and travel to malarial areas align with malaria, but some researchers still argue for arsenic poisoning based on skin eruptions and other evidence.
- Ancient DNA analysis provides a definitive answer for malaria, though it cannot completely rule out the possibility of additional poisoning.
- The research highlights the use of paleogenomics to resolve longstanding historical mysteries.