Scientists plan DNA hunt for Loch Ness monster next month
A global team of scientists plans to scour the icy depths of Loch Ness next month using environmental DNA (eDNA) in an experiment that may discover whether Scotland's fabled monster really does, or did, exist.
The use of eDNA sampling is already well established as a tool for monitoring marine life like whales and sharks. Whenever a creature moves through its environment, it leaves behind tiny fragments of DNA from skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces and urine. "This DNA can be captured, sequenced and then used to identify that creature by comparing the sequence obtained to large databases of known genetic sequences from hundreds of thousands of different organisms," said team spokesman Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago in New Zealand.
[...] Gemmell's team, which comprises scientists from Britain, Denmark, the United States, Australia and France, is keen to stress the expedition is more than just a monster hunt. "While the prospect of looking for evidence of the Loch Ness monster is the hook to this project, there is an extraordinary amount of new knowledge that we will gain from the work about organisms that inhabit Loch Ness," Gemmell said on his university website.
Also at Time.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Saturday May 26 2018, @06:59PM (2 children)
Don't all monsters from British history and mythology have a weakness for virgins? Just throw a nubile young virgin in the water, and Nessie will show up soon. And, a unicorn will arrive shortly thereafter to rescue the nubile young female.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @07:09PM
Nessie won't be able to wade through all the True Scotsmen attempting to rescue the virgin.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Arik on Sunday May 27 2018, @01:03AM
That's not [tor.com] really what I would call a "rescue."
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 2) by turgid on Saturday May 26 2018, @07:56PM (4 children)
I once took a photo of the Loch Ness monster. I was driving down Loch Ness side in my Mazda RX-7 and stopped at one of the visitors centres where they had a big green plastic Nessie.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @08:29PM (3 children)
I realize the bar is really low on this site, but a plastic model does not a monster make.
Seriously, this is a new low.
(Score: 3, Funny) by turgid on Saturday May 26 2018, @08:55PM (2 children)
Darn.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 3, Funny) by aristarchus on Sunday May 27 2018, @12:01AM (1 child)
And you expect us to believe you were driving an RX-7? Environmental DNA, bullocks!
(Score: 2) by turgid on Sunday May 27 2018, @07:51AM
Those were the days.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by black6host on Saturday May 26 2018, @08:42PM
If they're checking eDNA, not to be confused with iDNA which comes from Apple products, perhaps we'll finally find Jimmy Hoffa!
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 27 2018, @04:45AM
I'm pretty sure the best way to search for the Loch Ness Monster is with a few pints of wee heavy at the local pub.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 27 2018, @04:48AM (1 child)
I need some money to analyze the eDNA in my backyard.
I think there are fairies living in the flowers.
(Score: 2) by Spamalope on Sunday May 27 2018, @07:08PM
Get funding for your aquatic DNA study by employing this one weird publicity trick!