QUICK-SETTING resin preserves the DNA of ancient plants and animals better
than resin that dries slowly, according to Scott Rogers of the State University
of New York in Syracuse. So the ability to recover DNA trapped in amber may
depend on whether or not the prehistoric Sun was shining. Rogers and his
colleagues added pieces of fungi to resin from Douglas fir trees. The
researchers found that the fungal DNA was well preserved in resin that dried
quickly in sunshine, but was severely damaged in slow-drying resin that was kept
in shade and immersed in water (Naturwissenschaften, vol 87, p…
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from 91av
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 91av articles
1
Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators
2
QBox theory may offer glimpse of reality deeper than quantum realm
3
Is stem cell therapy about to transform medicine and reverse ageing?
4
Huge study reveals how Epstein-Barr virus may cause multiple sclerosis
5
Symptoms of early dementia reversed by bespoke treatment plans
6
Can you slow ageing with your diet? A new book gives it a go
7
Gravity's strength measured more reliably than ever before
8
The monstrous number sequences that break the rules of mathematics
9
Catching a cold can delay cancer from spreading to the lungs
10
Collapse of key ocean current may release billions of tonnes of carbon
