-
Contents
- Sweet Confusion: Does high fructose corn syrup deserve such a bad rap?
- Closed Thinking: Without scientific competition and open debate, much psychology research goes nowhere
- subscribe
- give a gift
- renew
- RSS Feeds
- email alerts
- Digital Edition
- Podcast
- Past issues
Read articles, including Science News stories written for ages 9-14, on the
SNK website.
-
Contents
- Major twister hits Oklahoma: Its speed, which largely determines the damage it causes, is still unknown
- Why a tornado forms: Tornadoes start with a thunderstorm. But they also require other ingredients, such as instability.
- A mind for math: A part of the brain associated with making memories may also predict success in learning math
FOR KIDS: Genetic memory
The stuff of genes can be used to store digital data, too
Web edition: February 8, 2013
Enlarge
A DNA molecule looks like a twisted ladder. Scientists have found a way to use the rungs of lab-made DNA ladders to store data efficiently.
NHGRI
DNA can be found in nearly every cell of every living thing. The molecule is a chemical blueprint that effectively instructs cells on how to work. If holding the “blueprint of life” isn't impressive enough, consider this: Scientists have now shown that DNA also offers a good way to store data.
Spoiler alert: For their new device, the researchers didn’t use DNA from a living organism. Instead they created a synthetic, or lab-built, mimic of DNA.
Visit the new Science News for Kids
Citations
R. Ehrenberg. DNA stores poems, a photo, and a speech. Science News. Vol. 183. January 23, 2013, p. 5. Available online: [Go to]
Follow Us
features
Please alert Science News to any inappropriate posts by clicking the REPORT SPAM link within the post. Comments will be reviewed before posting.
You must register with Science News to add a comment. To log-in click here. To register as a new user, follow this link.