> Dan Fergus ... discovered that mite DNA could be sequenced from face scrapings regardless of whether a mite could be found under the microscope

Reminds me of the use of DNA sequencing to detect giant salamanders using DNA collected from stream water. [0]

There's something so incredible wondrous to me about this. Tiny, tiny signals revealing secret hidden life.

[0] http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjourna...