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Genetic markers for tracking species

Scientists have identified sections in the DNA of living beings as 'DNA barcodes' that differ among species, allowing for fast and accurate identification. The project aims to collect over 5,000 plant samples using these markers to monitor environmental effects and track species.

Getting a handle on chronic pain

Researchers developed a visual tool to help doctors assess patients' pain levels by analyzing their movement patterns, providing a more precise assessment than traditional questionnaires. The new 'barcode' tool offers a dynamic view of a patient's condition, enabling doctors to monitor progress and adapt treatment accordingly.

Playing RFID tag with sheets of paper

Researchers in France have developed a way to deposit thin aluminum RFID tags on paper using thermal evaporation, reducing the cost of RFID tagging. This approach could enable single printed sheets or flyers to be tagged and open up RFID tagging to more systems.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications·DateFeb 6, 2012

Unlisted ingredients in teas and herbal brews revealed in DNA tests by high school students

A study published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports found that many tea and herbal products contain unlisted ingredients, including weeds and plants from various families. The research used DNA barcoding technology to identify unknown species in 70 tea products and 60 herbal products, revealing a total of 25 unexpected ingredients.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 2011

Pheromone responsible for male mouse 'sex appeal'

Scientists have identified a key pheromone, darcin, responsible for male mouse 'sex appeal.' This chemical stimulates females to remember individual males and prefer them over others. By understanding the role of darcin, researchers may develop new methods for pest control and gain insights into animal behavior.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 3, 2010

Study: DNA barcoding in danger of 'ringing up' wrong species

A new study from Brigham Young University warns that the current DNA barcoding technique may be inaccurately identifying species, leading to overestimation of species numbers. The technique relies on a universal genetic marker, but errors can occur when 'numts' (inactive genetic code) are misinterpreted as unique species.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2008

Flaws in the barcoded technology used to reduce medication administration errors identified

Researchers found that barcoded technology is not fool-proof and nurses develop workarounds to compensate for its limitations. The study highlights 31 causes of problems with barcode systems, including unreadable medication-barcodes, malfunctioning scanners, and non-barcoded-medications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateJul 1, 2008

DNA 'barcode' identified for plants

A unique DNA gene, matK, has been identified as a potential 'barcode' for plants, allowing for easy identification and cataloging of different species. This discovery could lead to new methods for identifying plant ingredients in traditional medicines and monitoring endangered species.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2008

DNA barcodes put to the test

A new study revisits DNA barcoding for species identification and discovery, finding it performs well in highly characterized groups but error-prone for novel species. A comprehensive database of over 2,000 cowrie COI sequences reveals the need for refinement and collaboration with taxonomists.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 28, 2005

A test case for DNA barcodes to identify species

A study published in PLoS Biology demonstrates the effectiveness of DNA barcoding in identifying species. Using a specific gene, researchers correctly identified 260 North American bird species with unique genetic barcodes. The findings suggest that this method could advance life cataloging efforts but require further validation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 27, 2004