Deep in the Siberian permafrost, a young woolly mammoth named Yuka lay frozen for roughly 40, 000 years. In 2010, tusk hunters found Yuka's remarkably preserved body, with skin, muscle tissue, and even hair still intact. Scientists were thrilled, as Yuka's DNA was in such good shape that some cell nuclei could start limited activity when placed in mouse eggs. However...
Phages, those minuscule viruses that target bacteria, come in different types. Some are like bulls in a china shop, while others are more chill. Knowing which is which is crucial for science and the environment. The problem? The data we have is often incomplete, and the variety of phages is vast and not well understood. Traditionally, predicting phage lifestyles inv...
A cold case from Long Island has finally been cracked, but the news is bittersweet for the families involved. Advanced DNA technology has identified the man responsible for two horrific crimes committed nearly 30 years ago. Steven Briecke, a known criminal with a long history of offenses, was linked to the murder of 69-year-old Ann Lustig in 1997 and the rape of an 8...
In Guinea-Bissau, a country rich in biodiversity but struggling with poverty and illegal wildlife trade, a new approach is being tested to protect its animals. The idea is to use small, cheap labs and DNA codes to identify species and train locals. This could be a big deal for a place like Guinea-Bissau, where big labs and experts are hard to find. The plan is simpl...
DNA in our blood can reveal a lot about our health. But to use it for spotting cancer, scientists need to clean it up first. The way they do this can make a huge difference. Right now, there's no agreement on the best cleanup method. This makes it hard to use DNA for cancer detection. Researchers decided to investigate. They wanted to see how different cleanup metho...
Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812 was a disaster. About 300, 000 soldiers died out of a force of roughly 500, 000. This event marked the start of the end for Napoleon's empire. Scientists recently studied DNA from the teeth of 13 French soldiers buried in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania. They found evidence of two new pathogens: paratyphoid fever and louse-bo...
In 1994, Robin Lawrence, a talented artist and loving mother, was brutally murdered in her home. The crime scene was gruesome, with signs of a fierce struggle and a young daughter left alone with her mother's body. The investigation initially focused on Robin's husband, Ollie, due to his affair and suspicious absence during the murder. However, DNA evidence from a wa...
Summer McKesson's life took an unexpected turn when she discovered she had seven half-siblings through a DNA test. This revelation led her to uncover a shocking family secret: her biological father was Dr. Charles Peete, a fertility specialist at Duke University who had used his own sperm to impregnate patients without their consent. McKesson's journey to understand ...
A young man from London, Dylan Earl, found himself in deep trouble. He admitted to setting fire to buildings that supported Ukraine. This was not just any fire. It was a planned attack, and it was serious. The court heard that Earl had big plans. He talked about kidnapping a wealthy businessman. He also discussed burning down a warehouse in another country. Earl was...
Hair turning gray is not just about getting older. It might be a sign that your body is fighting off cancer. Scientists have found that the cells that give hair its color can act like bodyguards. They protect you by getting rid of damaged cells that could cause cancer. These special cells, called melanocyte stem cells, live near the base of your hair follicles. Thei...