By looking for unique chemical signatures in light and radio signals gathered by telescopes, researchers have observed more than 140 molecules — including increasingly complex organic ones — surrounding stars or in interstellar space. (discovermagazine.com)
Just as factory workers stamp serial numbers on the parts they manufacture, a star imprints its dust grains with unique chemical signatures. (sciencemag.org)
It's not just a yucky bodily secretion — unique chemical signatures in ear wax contain clues to everything from drug misuse to festive overindulgence (newscientist.com)