Sky News
Scientists have analysed locks of what is believed to be Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair to sequence the genome of the prodigious composer - finding the likely combination behind his death at 56-years-old, as well as a potential affair in his paternal line. An international team of researchers led by Cambridge University analysed strands of hair from eight different locks in public and private collections, five of which were deemed to be authentic and from one male European. While unable to find a definitive cause for Beethoven's deafness or gastrointestinal problems, the researchers' findings indicate it is likely that a genetic predisposition to liver disease and a hepatitis B infection, combined with his broadly accepted alcohol consumption, contributed to his death.