Daily Archives: September 18, 2020

The very first human beings originally emerged in Africa before spreading across Eurasia about 60,000 years ago. After that, the story of humankind heads down many different paths, some more well-studied than others.

Eastern regions of Eurasia are home to approximately 2.3 billion people today roughly 30% of the worlds population. Archaeologists know from fossils and artifacts that modern humans have occupied Southeast Asia for 60,000 years and East Asia for 40,000 years.

But theres a lot left to untangle. Who were the people who first came to these regions and eventually developed agriculture? Where did different populations come from? Which groups ended up predominant and which died out?

Ancient DNA is helping to answer some of these questions. By sequencing the genomes of people who lived many millennia ago, scientists like meare starting to fill in the picture of how Asia was populated.

In 2016, I joined Dr. Qiaomei Fus Molecular Paleontology Lab at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Our challenge: Resolve the history of humans in East Asia, with the help of collaborators who were long dead ancient humans who lived up to tens of thousands of years ago in the region.

Members of the lab extracted and sequenced ancient DNA using human remains from archaeological sites. Then Dr. Fu and I used computational genomic tools to assess how their DNA related to that of previously sequenced ancient and present-day humans.

One of our sequences came from ancient DNA extracted from the leg bones of the Tianyuan Man, a 40,000-year-old individual discovered near a famous paleoanthropological site in western Beijing. One of the earliest modern humans found in East Asia, his genetic sequence marks him as an early ancestor of todays Asians and Native Americans. That he lived where Chinas current capital stands indicates that the ancestors of todays Asians began placing roots in East Asia as early as 40,000 years ago.

Farther south, two 8,000- to 4,000-year-old Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers from Laos and Malaysia associated with the Habnhian culture have DNA that, like the Tianyuan Man, shows theyre early ancestors of Asians and Native Americans. These two came from a completely different lineage than the Tianyuan Man, which suggested that many genetically distinct populations occupied Asia in the past.

But no humans today share the same genetic makeup as either Habnhians or the Tianyuan Man, in both East and Southeast Asia. Why did ancestries that persisted for so long vanish from the gene pool of people alive now? Ancient farmers carry the key to that answer.

Based on plant remains found at archaeological sites, scientists know that people domesticated millet in northern Chinas Yellow River region about 10,000 years ago. Around the same time, people in southern Chinas Yangtze River region domesticated rice.

Unlike in Europe, plant domestication began locally and was not introduced from elsewhere. The process took thousands of years, and societies in East Asia grew increasingly complex, with the rise of the first dynasties around 4,000 years ago.

Thats also when rice cultivation appears to have spread from its origins to areas farther south, including lands that are todays Southeast Asian countries. DNA helps tell the story. When rice farmers from southern China expanded southward, they introduced not only their farming technology but also their genetics to local populations of Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers.

The overpowering influx of their DNA ended up swamping the local gene pool. Today, little trace of hunter-gatherer ancestry remains in the genes of people who live in Southeast Asia.

Farther north, a similar story played out. Ancient Siberian hunter-gatherers show little relationship with East Asians today, but later Siberian farmers are closely related to todays East Asians. Farmers from northern China moved northward into Siberia bringing their DNA with them, leading to a sharp decrease in prevalence of the previous local hunter-gatherer ancestry.

Genetically speaking, todays East Asians are not very different from each other. A lot of DNA is needed to start genetically distinguishing between people with different cultural histories.

What surprised Dr. Fu and me was how different the DNA of various ancient populations were in China. We and others found shared DNA across the Yellow River region, a place important to the development of Chinese civilization. This shared DNA represents a northern East Asian ancestry, distinct from a southern East Asian ancestry we found in coastal southern China.

When we analyzed the DNA of people who lived in coastal southern China 9,000-8,500 years ago, we realized that already by then much of China shared a common heritage. Because their archaeology and morphology was different from that of the Yellow River farmers, we had thought these coastal people might come from a lineage not closely related to those first agricultural East Asians. Maybe this groups ancestry would be similar to the Tianyuan Man or Habnhians.

But instead, every person we sampled was closely related to present-day East Asians. That means that by 9,000 years ago, DNA common to all present-day East Asians was widespread across China.

Todays northern and southern Chinese populations share more in common with ancient Yellow River populations than with ancient coastal southern Chinese. Thus, early Yellow River farmers migrated both north and south, contributing to the gene pool of humans across East and Southeast Asia.

The coastal southern Chinese ancestry did not vanish, though. It persisted in small amounts and did increase in northern Chinas Yellow River region over time. The influence of ancient southern East Asians is low on the mainland, but they had a huge impact elsewhere. On islands spanning from the Taiwan Strait to Polynesia live the Austronesians, best known for their seafaring. They possess the highest amount of southern East Asian ancestry today, highlighting their ancestrys roots in coastal southern China.

Other emerging genetic patterns show connections between Tibetans and ancient individuals from Mongolia and northern China, raising questions about the peopling of the Tibetan Plateau.

Ancient DNA reveals rapid shifts in ancestry over the last 10,000 years across Asia, likely due to migration and cultural exchange. Until more ancient human DNA is retrieved, scientists can only speculate as to exactly who, genetically speaking, lived in East Asia prior to that.

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.]

Read the rest here:
Ancient DNA is revealing the genetic landscape of people who first settled East Asia - The Conversation US

September 15, 2020

Newsroom co-workers and society alike benefit when journalists have different perspectives and backgrounds, because they reflect diversity, equity and inclusion.

These differing perspectives could be influenced by skin color, gender or sexual orientation and should be considered assets.They not only represent a shifting America in terms of demographics, but they bring cultural competence to their organizations, according to two nationally renowned journalists.

What were really talking about is dismantling white supremacy, said Maria Hinojosa, president and founder of Futuro Media and anchor and executive producer of NPRs Latino USA. What were really talking about is white men understanding they do not have an ownership on so-called objectivity or fairness. They have one way of seeing the world.

Hinojosas comment was made at Reporting on Diverse Communities, a Sept. 14 panel discussion that continues the fall 2020 Must See Mondays lecture series at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on Arizona State Universitys Downtown Phoenix campus.

Venita Hawthorne James

Moderated by Cronkite Professor of PracticeVenita Hawthorne James, the other panelist for the Zoom livestream event wasKeith Woods, chief diversity officer for NPR. James said she moderated the event because diverse communities deserve to be visible, valued and understood, and their stories are worthwhile.

Thats one reason journalists of color, transgender journalists, journalists from multiple generations and from a spectrum of political and religious perspectives and their allies are foundational to news, sports and marketing, said James, who has three decades of journalism experience. Inclusive coverage also serves a higher purpose, because it connects all communities, in all their diverse splendor, to the fullness of humanity.

The wide-ranging, hourlong discussion covered a variety of topics that included storytelling, identity, race, ethnicity, social media, allyships and societal shifts in the newsroom.

We dont want to take the marathon approach to work. We want change yesterday, said Woods, who has been a journalist for more than four decades. The moment is now. Im optimistic because I think that the impatience of the people who will have their way is driving this moment for us. Were having this conversation as many years as weve been having them because people have not felt the urgency to change. And I think thats shifting.

Those shifts have not only taken time, but were often painful to newsroom pioneers, said Hinojosa. She said she suffered from imposter syndrome, which she writes about in her new book, Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America.

I didnt focus so much that I was the first (Latina) in the newsroom because I had a job to do. I was trying not to be overwhelmed by the imposter syndrome, Hinojosa said. I was busy, really trying to quiet that voice I was like, What am I doing in this editorial meeting? Nobodys going to understand what Im about to say.' And I would force my hand to go up. I would literally push it up, hold it up, because I had a responsibility. I think it was that immigrant responsibility. Like, youre there, you better speak up because your parents didnt, and you didnt come all this way to this country to be in a newsroom and not say anything.

Maria Hinojosa

Coming from a different background means there are certain biases that a reporter brings to the newsroom, but Woods said practicing sound journalism can help overcome this.

If we can reject the idea that there is any such thing as human impartiality, then we can get closer to fair, as long as those two notions exist, Woods said. The idea is that you want fair and complete, contextually accurate journalism, and you get those things by the exercising of hard questions.

Ridding biases also includes taking other precautions as a reporter, Hinojosa said.

You will not see me making any political contribution. You will not see me signing any petition letter, Hinojosa said. You will not see me participating in a protest, because Im covering it and making it clear that Im a journalist.

Diversity in newsrooms often means building allyship with others from different backgrounds and learning together whats acceptable and whatsnot.

Although my newsroom is diverse and includes white men and women, we dont use the word minority (or) the word illegal, said Hinojosa, whose Futuro Media is a Harlem, New York-based nonprofit that creates multimedia content for the new America mainstream. In my newsroom, we can make certain decisions about how we approach certain things. Its really hard when you become an employer because you suddenly have to have these conversations.

Keith Woods

Woods said he, too, is interested in building allyship, but others should note hell be holding them accountable.

Allyship requires that I both meet you where you are, or you meet me where you are. But accept that Im going to have a hand on your back pushing that we are not staying where you are, Wood said. An allyship cannot succeed if all youre saying to me is, This is who I am and you have to accept me. Thats no great value to me in an allyship. Youve got to demonstrate you are ready to get on the starting blocks and run that sprint with me.

Read more from the original source:
Storing information and designing uncrackable codes with DNA - ASU Now

The colt is a clone of a male Przewalski's horse and the first successful cloning of the species, San Diego Zoo officials said in a news release on September 4. It was born August 6 to a domestic surrogate mother. Przewalski's horse are known as the last wild horse, according to the National Zoo. They were originally native to Europe and Asia, but the expansion of humans and environmental changes depleted their numbers.

Scientists said that the horse was formally extinct in the wild, and has been surviving for the last 40 years primarily in zoos. Some herds have been found in Mongolia.

"This birth expands the opportunity for genetic rescue of endangered wild species," said Ryan Phelan, executive director of Revive & Restore, a wildlife conservation organization promoting biotechnologies that's partnering with San Diego Zoo Global and ViaGen Equine on the cloning project.

"Advanced reproductive technologies, including cloning, can save species by allowing us to restore genetic diversity that would have otherwise been lost to time."

The DNA used for the colt was cryopreserved in 1980 at the San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG) Frozen Zoo. The cloned stallion was born in 1975 in the United Kingdom and was transferred to the US in 1978. The zoo said he lived until 1998.

"As the new clone matures and successfully breeds, he can provide a valuable infusion of genetic diversity for the Przewalski's horse population," the news release said.

The baby horse was named "Kurt," in honor of Kurt Benirschke, who was instrumental in founding the Frozen Zoo and the conservation research program at San Diego Zoo Global.

Kurt will be moved to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park when he is older to be integrated into a breeding species.

"This colt is expected to be one of the most genetically important individuals of his species," said Bob Wiese, chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global.

"We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski's horse population."

See the rest here:
A clone of the endangered Przewalski's horse is born of DNA saved for 40 years - CNN

This week, the inadequate ethical and regulatory structures under which Ireland permits DNA research has been exposed yet again, raising persistent questions about why Ireland remains one of the few countries without a national public genomics programme.

Yet again, patients, their relatives, and patient advocates expressed frustration and concern over an unexpected Monday deadline by which people needed to request that brain tumour tissue taken from them, or a deceased relative, be removed from an enormous database project between Beaumont Hospital and a commercial third party, Genuity (the recently-rebranded GMI).

Genuity a restructured, now-independent company affiliated with a large Chinese health conglomerate collects and analyses DNA samples for databases that are marketed to third parties. It has expressed a goal of gathering DNA samples from 10 per cent of Irish people, a percentage exceeding that at which an entire national population could be genetically profiled, according to the publication New Scientist.

Contrary to what usually would happen with DNA data, which is granted special-protected status under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals here must explicitly opt out of having these tissues included in the database.

This form of permission which several medical and privacy experts, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) believe violates GDPR guidelines was granted after researchers appealed a decision made late last year by the new oversight board, the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee.

Originally, the committee criticised this opt-out consent, and concluded it was not evident that GMIs use and commercialisation of [tissue sample DNA] would directly and significantly benefit the public, and refused the proposal.

But research permission was granted by a separate appeals committee. No patient or data privacy experts were consulted during the appeal. GMI/Genuity engaged a barrister (generally not allowed in research appeals internationally) who argued that that it might upset people to be contacted directly for permission. Beaumont and Genuity were instead allowed to run ads in print newspapers during the pandemic.

In a short video posted to her Twitter account last Sunday, Social Democrats TD Risn Shortall once again raised the alarm about a deadline that shed already managed to postpone once. In June, at the time of the first deadline, shed highlighted concern in the Dil about this questionable consent framework after being contacted by worried patients and families. A new deadline was set, for this week.

And this week, just as last June, more affected individuals, unaware of this project, were shocked to learn about it from social media. Many were outraged the burden fell on them to arrange to remove this sensitive personal data from automatic inclusion in a database.

Callers rang RTs Liveline to voice anger that they hadnt been contacted directly. Also of deep concern was the lack of clarity about the role of a commercial partner Genuity presented in the information campaign as a research partner and the possibility that tissue data would be marketed in for-profit databases to unknown parties for years to come. The deadline was postponed again, but the controversial opt-out structure remains.

Understandably, some callers expressed support for facilitating research that might possibly find new treatments for devastating illnesses. But finding new treatments is not at issue; rather, its how this is best done. The details of the creation and usage of genomic databases matter: the processes surrounding the gathering, protection and utilisation of data, who benefits, and who profits. In non-public projects, such details can be obscured as commercially sensitive.

Most science-focused modern nations prioritise significant national control over genomics databases. Much research is funded nationally, research partners are publicly known, and clear, public-benefitting conditions are placed on the research.

Leaving database gathering and management in the hands of private companies significantly limits national control especially in Irelands vague and lacking regulatory environment and places domestic researchers in a funding bind, where a commercial entity is the only option.

Its not clear from the information website for the Beaumont/Genuity brain tissue project that Genuity is a commercial partner that could sell tissue databases to other commercially-driven third parties here and abroad. Theres no indication of any direct benefit to the Irish population. No details of the partnership are publicly offered.

This is an inappropriate information void. In our national genomic vacuum, where regulation already is at some variation with international operational and ethical norms, private, multinational, for-profit companies have become the only, de facto national genome project the gatherers, significant controllers and monetisers of Irelands rich, sensitive, commercially-exploitable national genomic resources.

Does it benefit the Irish people, or advance Irish or EU research? In Irelands fraught and uncertain DNA and genomics research situation, we cannot know, and Irish researchers have few alternatives. Ireland needs to enter the 21st century and before this revealing national resource slips entirely into private, multinational hands establish a national genomics project.

See the original post:
Ireland is quietly allowing private firms to gather and monetise Irish DNA - The Irish Times

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An infant kidnapped from a Chicago hospital. A man who became an unidentified living person the instant a DNA test disproved his past. An internationally known investigative genetic genealogist who helped solve the mystery of their true identities.

This is the story genetic detective CeCe Moore, along with Paul Fronczak, abandoned as a toddler 55 years ago, will recount today as they open the 2020 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI).

ISHI is the largest and longest-running meeting focusing entirely on forensic DNA. Promega, a manufacturer of products for DNA-based human identification, began the annual meeting 31 years ago to facilitate collaboration and innovation. This years virtual platform, offering a mixture of live and on-demand presentations, is enabling a record-setting 2200 people to attend, and registration is still open.

Advancing forensic DNA science is what ISHI is about, said Moore, an innovator on the use of DNA to resolve unknown parentage. For instance, she recalled a quite forward thinking and prescient panel discussion she participated in at ISHI 2014 about how SNP genotyping and genetic genealogy could be applied to law enforcement. Everybody in that room started thinking about the future.

Today, genetic genealogy has been used to solve several high-profile crimes, including Californias Golden State Killer case in 2018. (The detective who helped solve the case, Paul Holes, was the ISHI keynote speaker in 2019.) Moore leads Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs unit that applies genetic genealogy to identify crime suspects. She is also the subject of ABCs new The Genetic Detective series, and the full-time genetic genealogist of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on PBS.

ISHI brings together a wide range of forward-thinking forensic DNA experts. Participants are involved in all aspects of DNA typing and come from state, federal and local crime labs in the US and around the world, parentage and testing laboratories, academic institutions, governmental research agencies and policy think tanks. Discussions center on emerging technologies, changing policies and advances in forensic DNA analysis. ISHI 2020 topics include:

Presentations will be available for on-demand viewing until October 14, so registration remains open. For more information on topics, speakers and registration, visit http://www.ishinews.com

About Promega Corporation

Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry and has provided products for DNA-based human identification for more than 25 years. The companys 4,000 products support a range of life science work across areas such as cell biology; DNA, RNA and protein analysis; drug development; human identification and molecular diagnostics. For over 40 years these tools and technologies have grown in their application and are used today by scientists and technicians in labs for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics and agricultural and environmental testing. Promega is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information, visitwww.promega.com.

See the article here:
DNA Experts Gather to Advance Forensic Science at 2020 International Symposium on Human Identification - Business Wire

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market Research Report by Type, by Application, by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market is expected to grow from USD 551.56 Million in 2019 to USD 2,101.82 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24.97%.

This research report categorizes the Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.

Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry so far and the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments

The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market?

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w76mxp

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

See more here:
Global Viral Vector & Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

Timmins Police Service headquarters on Spruce Street South. The Daily Press file photojpg, TD

DNA evidence left at one break-in and video surveillance footage at another, drew police to a single suspect who has since been arrested.

John George Wesley, 26, has been charged in connection with recent break-ins at two businesses.

The first incident occurred during the late afternoon hours of Wednesday, June 17 at a Cedar Street South business in Timmins.

The Timmins Police Service responded to a call for service where the owner of the business had discovered that a break-in had occurred where a suspect had gained entry by forcing a main door window open, gaining physical entry, and rummaged through the office space.

Various office supplies were stolen from the business.

Police say the perpetrator cut himself while gaining illegal entry into the place of business, providing investigators with DNA evidence.

The second incident occurred during the late night hours of Sunday, Aug. 23 at a business located on Father Les Costello Drive in Schumacher.

The Timmins Police Service responded to a call for service where the owner of the business had discovered that a break-in had occurred where the suspect has forcibly gained entry by damaging a window and rummaged through the building.

Total damage to the building is pegged at $150 over and above the general ransacking of the business.

The Timmins Police Service says it was able to positively identify the suspect by means of a thorough review of video surveillance capturing the subject in the act of completing the break-in.

In connection with these two incidents, Wesley, who is already known to Timmins police, is charged with two counts of break and enter, two counts of breach of probation, one count of possession of property obtained by crime and one count of mischief causing damage.

According to a release issued by the Timmins Police Service on Thursday, Wesley was arrested on Sept. 3.

He was subsequently released on bail and his next scheduled court appearance is Oct. 6.

More here:
DNA, video evidence linked suspect to pair of break-ins, say police - Timmins Press

New Delhi: The problem of fake news can have dangerous consequences and its impact was witnessed during the lockdown when a panic situation was created through social media. The fake news can now make or mar the fate of a country or a society, affecting the lives of millions of people. The DNA analysis looks at different aspects of this menace that can trigger riots or even create a war-like situation between the two countries.

Talking about its impact, MoS Home G Kishan Reddy told Parliament on Tuesday that the migration of a large number of workers was triggered by fake news during the lockdown. We can recall that thousands of people left from Delhi to their native place despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advice to stay wherever they are.

Kishan Reddy told Lok Sabha that caused panic among workers who were forced to flee as they felt that if they stay in their house, they will not get food and water. The fake news was spread that the lockdown would last be too long.

In reply to TMC MP Mala Roy, who had asked the reasons why thousands of these labourers ended up walking home post lockdown, Reddy said, The migration of a large number of migrant workers was triggered by panic created by fake news regarding the duration of lockdown. And people, especially migrant labourers, were worried about an adequate supply of basic necessities like food, drinking water, health services and shelter."

Regarding the number of people who died during the said migration, Reddy said the Centre does not have the data as it is not maintained centrally.In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, however, said that the Centre was 'fully prepared' in this regard. It had taken necessary measures to provide food and water to the poor, but due to rumour, the labourers thought it better to go home.

It may be noted here that on 28th and 29th March, thousands of migrant labourers gathered at Anand Vihar in Delhi. The topic of migrant labourers became the most preferred subject for politicians and intellectuals during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. A similar picture was also seen at Mumbai's Bandra railway station on April 14. The migrant labourers reached the railway station to catch a train for their native city.

Even after the lockdown was imposed, pictures of migrant labourers were seen across the country. It seemed as if the state governments were not trying to stop these people. Perhaps, the states too wanted that the migrant labourers should return to their native places. In such a situation, fake news has created a worse situation for the migrant labourers.

In India, there are about 4 crore migrant labourers who go away from their homes and work in another state. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, about 75 lakh labourers returned to their homes till May this year. It means one in every 5 migrant labourers went back to their state. There is a possibility that all these people become victims of fake news.

The fake news not only causes riots it can also harm the economy and society of a country. Nowadays, big countries are adopting this method to fight against their enemies. This can also be termed a hybrid war.

Fake news was recently spread on social media on the 4th September, claiming that a Chinese fighter jet Sukhoi-35 was shot down by Taiwan's air defence system as it was entering into the Taiwan border. A 15-second fake video was also shared with this claim. This fake news spread like a wildfire across the world in a few hours, but neither China nor Taiwan confirmed this news. The website which published the denial of this news had also crashed.

Last month, a journalist tweeted fake news about the death of former President Pranab Mukherjee, and it was retweeted by many in a few seconds without confirming it. Later, Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijeet Mukherjee tweeted to deny this and the fake news was deleted.

During anti-CAA protests also, fake news was used to create an atmosphere in the country against the ruling dispensation. Due to the increasing trend of fake news, this has been formally incorporated into the Oxford Dictionary last year. It says that term was first used in the year 1890.

The first case of fake news in modern times is believed to have appeared in the year 1835. The then American newspaper, The Sun, claimed to have found life on the moon, and it also published some photographs.

Perhaps the world's first fake news is associated with the Mahabharata period when Yudhishthira had disclosed the fake new of Ashwathama's death before Guru Dronacharya, who then decided not to fight and was beheaded by Draupadi's brother.

Now the question arises how to ascertains the truth behind any fake news. You just need to take some precautions. There are three sides to fake posts on social media. One who posted, the other service provider, and the third segment is of those who liked or shared the post.

To identify fake news, you should see from where the news has come, and from where did it start. After that, you should check the veracity of the news with the help of a search engine. Don't share any news until you are confident about it. The sharing of fake news may put you behind the bar for 3 years under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act 2000.

Continued here:
DNA Exclusive: Fake news may trigger riots or create war-like situation between two nations - Zee News