Head lice have plagued communities for centuries across the world. Now, a new study suggests lice DNA can help track human migration from continent to continent. AdvertisementAdvertisementTo complete the study, the researchers looked at 175 head lice from 18 sampling locations and nine geographic regions. More recently, around the 16th century, European colonizers brought their own head lice to the Americas when they arrived, according to NPR. AdvertisementAdvertisement"These lice are mirroring the colonization of the Americas," Ascunce told NPR.

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Persons: —, we've, Marina Ascunce, Ascunce, Alejandra Perotti, shouldn't, Perotti, — Ascunce Organizations: Service, US Department of Agriculture, NPR Locations: Americas, Bering Strait, Asia, North America, Africa