Sexual assault investigations often face a tricky situation. There are usually more female cells than male cells in the evidence. This makes it hard to get clear DNA results. Scientists have been testing different ways to separate these cells. They want to find the best method to identify the attacker's DNA. A recent study looked at three different techniques. These...
A mysterious skull, affectionately named the dragon man, has puzzled experts for ages. This ancient relic, dating back 146, 000 years, was first uncovered in Harbin, China, during the 1930s. For a long time, scientists believed it might represent a brand-new species of early humans. However, recent studies published in Science and Cell have shed new light on its orig...
The Dragon Man skull, a giant human-like cranium, was first unearthed in 1933 by a worker in Harbin City, China. The skull was later donated to science in 2018. This skull is massive, with a long, low braincase, a prominent brow ridge, a broad nose, and large eyes. It was initially classified as a new species, Homo longi, or "Dragon Man, " in 2021. The Drago...
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GISTs, are a type of tumor that can grow in the digestive system. These tumors can occur in both dogs and humans. They are often linked to changes, or mutations, in a gene called KIT. Scientists took samples from 55 cases of canine GISTs. They looked for specific changes in three parts of the KIT gene: exons 8, 9, and 11. They...
DNA testing has become a big deal in forensics. It helps solve crimes by identifying people through their genetic material. One type of DNA test looks at insertions and deletions of genetic code. These are known as InDels. A new test, the 36-InDelplex panel, was created to spot human DNA. It focuses on 34 specific points in the genome, plus two markers for sex identi...
In Japan, sika deer pose a significant threat to crops. To manage their population, hunters are paid to cull them. However, not all hunters follow the rules. Some leave the deer carcasses behind, which is illegal. This is where DNA analysis comes into play. It helps match abandoned deer with the tails hunters submit to authorities. This process is not straightforward...
The current methods for extracting DNA from bones are not perfect. They often destroy the bone and have unpredictable results. When bones are ground into a fine powder, the DNA inside can break apart. Plus, unwanted substances can mix in, making the DNA harder to study. Despite some attempts to change this, most labs still use the old powdering method. A new approac...
Teeth are tough. They can stand up to a lot, including strong acids. This is important for forensic scientists. They often need to identify people from remains. Teeth are great for this because they hold onto DNA well. Even when exposed to harsh chemicals, teeth can still give up their DNA secrets. Scientists wanted to see how long teeth could hold onto DNA when expo...
Forensic science has long relied on two key methods: analyzing fingerprints and extracting DNA. Both are crucial in solving crimes. However, getting clear fingerprints and extracting DNA from the same sample can be tough. This is especially true when the fingerprints are not clear enough. In such cases, the focus shifts to getting as much DNA as possible from the ava...
Have you ever wondered how detectives solve tough crimes? Believe it or not, tiny bits of genetic code can hold the answers. Genes, like little instruction manuals, make each of us unique. Scientists use specific tools to read this genetic code and catch the bad guys. One of these tools is called PCR, which helps to copy small pieces of DNA. There's also STR, which ...