Your DNA can be extracted from thin air

+ calculating COVID-19's economic cost US Edition - Today's top story: You shed DNA everywhere you go – trace samples in the water, sand and air are enough to identify who you are, raising ethical questions about privacy [View in browser]( US Edition | 16 May 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [How Erdoğan outperformed expectations]( - [A brief history of the Nation of Islam]( - [The unique ability of gorillas to overcome childhood adversity]( Lead story Anyone who has watched a crime drama knows that a stray hair or drop of blood contains enough DNA to convict a suspect. But did you know you can also leave your DNA behind with every breath and step you take? Genetic sequencing technology is now advanced enough to be able to extract identifiable information about your gender, genetic ancestry and health risks from trace samples exposed to the elements and mixed in with other species. It can even be pulled straight from the air. Ecologists and marine biologists Jenny Whilde and Jessica Alice Farrell of the University of Florida collect environmental DNA, or eDNA – genetic material organisms shed into the environment – to study endangered sea turtles. While they knew they were likely collecting DNA from other species as well, including humans, they didn’t know [just how informative that DNA could be](. “Identifiable information can be extracted from eDNA, and accessing this level of detail about individuals or populations comes with responsibilities relating to consent and confidentiality,” they write. “We’re calling for deeper discussion about how to ethically handle human environmental DNA.” [[Sign up here to our topic-specific weekly emails.](] Yesterday’s editor’s note misspelled the name of scholar Boaz Dvir. We regret the error. Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor A casual stroll on the beach can leave enough intact DNA behind to extract identifiable information. Comezora/Moment via Getty Images [You shed DNA everywhere you go – trace samples in the water, sand and air are enough to identify who you are, raising ethical questions about privacy]( Jenny Whilde, University of Florida; Jessica Alice Farrell, University of Florida Environmental DNA provides a wealth of information for conservationists, archaeologists and forensic scientists. But the unintentional pickup of human genetic information raises ethical questions. Economy + Business - [COVID-19’s total cost to the economy in US will reach $14 trillion by end of 2023 – new research]( Jakub Hlávka, University of Southern California; Adam Rose, University of Southern California Workplace absences, along with sales lost due to the cessation of brick-and-mortar retail shopping, airline travel and public gatherings, contributed the most. - [Want more good ideas from your workers? Try giving them a reward – and a choice]( Aichia Chuang, University of North Carolina – Greensboro; Greg R. Oldham, Tulane University; Jing Zhou, Rice University; Ryan Shuwei Hsu, National Chengchi University A recent study found that offering workers a choice of what type of reward they would like for offering good suggestions increased the volume of submissions and their creativity too. Science + Technology - [Thriving in the face of adversity: Resilient gorillas reveal clues about overcoming childhood misfortune]( Stacy Rosenbaum, University of Michigan; Robin Morrison, University of Exeter In many animals, including humans, adverse events in youth have lasting negative health effects over the life span. But new research suggests something different is going on in mountain gorillas. Politics + Society - [Turkey’s presidential election – how Erdoğan defied the polls to head into runoff as favorite]( Salih Yasun, Indiana University Turkish voters will be heading back to the polls on May 28 after no candidates managed to gain more than half the votes. But incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was boosted by a stronger-than-expected showing. - [US has a long history of state lawmakers silencing elected Black officials and taking power from their constituents]( Rodney Coates, Miami University Throughout US history, a ‘white backlash’ has worked to keep Black officeholders and their constituents out of power. - [The International Criminal Court is using digital evidence to investigate Putin – but how can it tell if a video or photo is real or fake?]( Ronald Niezen, University of San Diego Digital evidence is becoming a routine fixture for war crimes investigations, including the one focused on Ukraine, changing the landscape for international tribunal investigations. Ethics + Religion - [The Nation of Islam: A brief history]( Joseph R. Stuart, Brigham Young University The civil rights leader Malcolm X was famously part of the Nation of Islam until his break from the group in 1964. What is the history behind this small but influential religious movement? - [Sunzi, ‘shì’ and strategy: How to read ‘Art of War’ the way its author intended]( Scott D. McDonald, Tufts University The ancient Chinese text is considered a military classic, but Western readers often overlook its philosophical roots. Health + Medicine - [Gay men can now donate blood after FDA changes decades-old rule – a health policy researcher explains the benefits]( Ayako Miyashita, University of California, Los Angeles In 1983, during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, the US Food and Drug Administration made the decision to ban gay men from donating blood. Now, 40 years later, it is dropping that rule. Environment + Energy - [EPA’s crackdown on power plant emissions is a big first step – but without strong certification, it will be hard to ensure captured carbon stays put]( Stephanie Arcusa, Arizona State University; Klaus Lackner, Arizona State University Fossil fuel power plants can avoid most emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and pumping it underground. But to be a climate solution, that carbon has to stay stored for thousands of years. From our international editions - [Flip-flopping magnetic fields hint at a solution for puzzling fast radio bursts from space]( - [Tiredness of life: the growing phenomenon in western society]( - [Cleopatra’s skin colour didn’t matter in ancient Egypt – her strategic role in world history did]( Today's graphic [A chart showing how much the U.S. government paid in interest expenses in each quarter from 1947 Q1 to 2023 Q1.]( From the story, [Debt ceiling impasse: Fed rate hikes are already forcing US to spend record amounts on interest payments – and it’s going to keep getting worse]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? 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