The turned-over leaf of the week. (genetic material in magnolia leaf) (Currents) From: U.S. News & World Report | Date: April 23, 1990 | COPYRIGHT 1990 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

It is a leaf from the Book of Life-quite literally. Last week, scientists announced that they have recovered bits of a gene from an astonishingly well-preserved magnolia leaf that fell to earth 17 million years ago. The genetic material, which provides a tiny molecular window on a time long before humans, is the most ancient yet found. Previously, the oldest came from human remains dating back a mere 8,000 years. Researchers from the University of California at Riverside and their c...