"1.75-Billion-Year-Old Fossils Shed Light on the Dawn of Photosynthesis"
Scientists have discovered the oldest direct evidence of photosynthesis, dating back 1.75 billion years, in fossilized cyanobacteria found in Australia. These fossils contain thylakoid structures, which are essential for the photosynthetic process. This finding pushes back the known emergence of photosynthetic life and may help to explain the rise in atmospheric oxygen known as the Great Oxidation Event. The research, which utilized high-resolution microscopy techniques, could lead to a better understanding of early Earth ecosystems and the evolution of complex life forms.