Scientists just found where airborne microplastics really come from - Science Daily

CANBERRA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Forensic scientists are exploring environmental DNA (eDNA), including airborne traces left by intruders in residential burglaries, as a new tool to help solve criminal cases lacking biological evidence. The study, led by Oslo University Hospital in Norway with collaborators at Flinders University in Australia, evaluated the possibility of finding viable evidence from 391 eDNA samples collected from air, dust and surfaces during simulated 15-minute residential burglaries, according to a statement released recently by Flinders University. The research found evidence of human intruder eDNA from air samples collected under controlled conditions, although recovery varied depending on factors including air temperatures, humidity, dust and existing household DNA. Researchers said the brief nature of burglaries, offenders' efforts to avoid detection and the difficulty of identifying where DNA traces were deposited may result in limited or absent biological evidence.

Windsor·AudioSo far, the American-led research has tracked roughly 200 people connected to Lake Erie coastal communities. So far, roughly 200 connected to coastal communities have been trackedBob Becken · CBC News · Posted: Sep 12, 2026 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: September 12Listen to this articleEstimated 6 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Dan Desmond, of Toledo, holds his grandnephew while walking on the beach near Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park in Ohio. This file photo is from September 2024. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Associated Press)Most people living near Lake Erie are all-too familiar with warnings about blue-green algae blooms. Don’t swim in it. Keep your pets out of the water. And definitely don’t swallow it. Coming into contact with algae blooms can cause things like a rash, sore throat or red eyes. But there’s another way you could be exposed — and it has nothing to do with physically getting into the freshwater system. Some Lake Erie anglers consider algae blooms helpful — but what are the health implications?