Researchers have discovered that ribosomal RNA can provide unique molecular fingerprints that may aid in cancer detection. Unlike traditional genetic markers, these chemical modifications in RNA differ across tissue types and change when cells become cancerous. The study highlights the possibility of identifying cancerous tissues using a minimal RNA sample, potentially transforming early diagnosis methods, particularly for lung cancer. This approach, termed epitranscriptomic fingerprinting, could enable rapid and accurate cancer examinations with portable sequencing devices.