Researchers have pinpointed the timeframe of the last known interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals to between 50,500 and 43,000 years ago, using DNA from over 300 individuals dating back to 45,000 years ago. Published studies in Science and Nature highlight the complexity of this intermingling period, suggesting that various groups may have mixed over significant periods. The findings provide insight into how inherited Neanderthal traits have influenced modern human genetics, including adaptations related to immune response and environmental factors.