Humans shed genetic information everywhere they go

Humans shed genetic information everywhere they go
Researchers found DNA in beach sand, and even in air from rooms in which humans had been working. (Image: Getty)
The Economist
In the genetic age, ecologists’ jobs are made much easier by two things. One is that every organism carries its own chemical identity card, in the form of its genome. The second is that they drop these ID cards everywhere they go. Urine, bits of fur stuck to a hedge, even shed skin cells: all deposit DNA into the environment. Cheap gene sequencing allows scientists to harvest this “environmental DNA” (eDNA) from soil, sand, water and the like, and use it to keep track of which species are living where.“Every or...

More Technology

First NZ-made aluminium cans set to roll off Recorp's line
Technology

First NZ-made aluminium cans set to roll off Recorp's line

Operations were delayed by months because the machinery was too big for the building.

Greg Hurrell 02 Jul 2024
Scott Tech lands two new deals worth $19m
Markets

Scott Tech lands two new deals worth $19m

Scott has a new deal with existing customer Danone and has nabbed a new UK customer.

Ben Moore 02 Jul 2024
Being AI sues investment bank for defamation
Markets

Being AI sues investment bank for defamation

Chair Sean Joyce says the bank has doubled down on highly defamatory allegations.

Tech industry wants to lock up nuclear power for AI
Technology

Tech industry wants to lock up nuclear power for AI

The largest tech companies are looking to buy nuclear power directly from plants.