Tiny Electrical Sparks May Help Explain Lightning and the Origins of Life
The spark that transfers a charge from one carbon particle to another, generating lightning and possibly life itself, is finally understood.
origin of life
Did Life Begin as Slime? Scientists Propose Novel ‘Gel-First’ Origin of Life Theory
Scientists propose a Gel-First theory suggesting life began in sticky prebiotic gels, not a primordial soup.
Toxic Hydrogen Cyanide May Play a Key Role in Life’s Origins on Icy Worlds
Frozen crystals of hydrogen cyanide, a poisonous substance, may have been essential to life on Saturn’s moon Titan, researchers say.
“We Used to Think Life Had to Start Completely from Scratch”: New Evidence Shows Biomolecules May Have Origins in Earth’s Atmosphere
New experiments show that biomolecules the form the basis of all life were present in the Earth's atmosphere before the first life existed
Origins of Life Decoded? Researchers Unravel How RNA and Amino Acids May Have First Combined
Researchers have revealed early conditions under which RNA and amino acids may have combined, giving rise to the origin of life on Earth.
Scientists Successfully Synthesize ‘Superalcohol’ Seed of Life Molecule in Space-Like Conditions
Scientists announce the first ever successful synthesis of a "superalcohol" seed of life molecule that could aid the search for life in space.
‘Space Ice’ Experiments Pour Cold Water on Panspermia Origin of Life Theories
Scientists studying space ice say the amorphous, low-density material's structure decreases the odds of a panspermia origin of life theories.
4.2 Billion Years Ago, Our Last Universal Common Ancestor Was in an “Arms Race” Against Life’s Greatest Adversary: The Virus
Scientists have traced the origins of life back 4.2 billion years, and how our earliest ancestor fought life’s greatest enemy, the virus.
Saturn’s ‘Death Star’ Moon Mimas is Hiding a Secret Beneath its Icy Shell. Astronomers Now Say It’s ‘a Prime Candidate for Study’
An international research team has announced the discovery of an ocean hidden beneath the surface of Saturn's "Death Star" moon, Mimas.
Cutting-Edge Analysis of the Winchcombe Meteorite Confirms Presence of Life-Supporting Organic Compounds
Researchers using a high-resolution electron microscope have confirmed the presence of organic compounds within the Winchcombe meteorite without the use of any chemicals.
Darwin’s Theories About Life on Earth Gain Fresh Support, May Aid the Search for Life on Other Worlds
A new study by researchers from the University of Washington is lending fresh support to Charles Darwin's idea that the origin of life on Earth began in phosphate-rich bodies of water.
Origin of Life Mystery May Finally Be on the Brink of a Solution Thanks to Electron Transport Chains
A new method in the search for the origin of life that combines the two most popular but opposing methods involves electron transport chains.
The Mysterious Origin of Life on Earth and Other Planets One Step Closer to Being Solved
Research into which metals were present at the time life first formed on earth is shedding new light on the possible origin of life both here and potentially on other planets.
Experts Say Extraterrestrial Water Has Been Found Inside This UK Meteorite
A recently fallen meteorite containing water that is undeniably extraterrestrial has been found for the first time in the U.K.
Another Clue Origin of Life May Be Extraterrestrial
In yet another clue that the origin of all life may be extraterrestrial, NASA says it has found all pieces of DNA and RNA inside meteorites.
Origins of Life on Earth May Be Extraterrestrial After All
Researchers have shown that amino acids can form peptides, the building blocks of life, in space, potentially explaining the origin of life.