A new study uses ancient DNA extracted from the remains of Francesco I de’ Medici and his brother, Giovanni, to revisit a centuries-old mystery about possible poisoning within the prominent Medici family. According to reporting from multiple outlets, researchers analyze genetic material preserved in the bones to look beyond historical accounts and longstanding rumors. The study also examines evidence related to disease, including findings that point to a malaria strain not previously described in earlier records, which researchers say could offer a biological explanation for illness rather than poisoning. The outlets describe the work as providing scientific context that contrasts with older narratives suggesting that Francesco and/or Giovanni were murdered through toxic substances. While the reports focus on the DNA results and their implications, both emphasize that the analysis centers on what can be inferred from the genetic material recovered from the remains. The findings are presented as new evidence in an ongoing historical debate rather than a definitive account of events, with researchers tying the genetic discoveries to possible causes of illness in the period.