Tag

Originsoflife

All articles tagged with #originsoflife

science26 days ago•5 min saved

Amino Acids May Have Arrived Out of Order, Rewriting Life's Origins

A University of Arizona study published in PNAS suggests the first amino acids did not appear in a simple, global sequence as traditionally thought. By analyzing the evolution of protein domains dating to LUCA, researchers find that tryptophan was more common in pre-LUCA life than post-LUCA, implying a more complex and regionally diverse origin of amino acids and a potentially ancient, diverse genetic code. These results challenge established timelines for life's beginnings and hint that amino acids could form in non-Earth environments, widening the search for extraterrestrial life (e.g., Enceladus' subsurface ocean).

via Indian Defence Review|

#aminoacids #geneticcode #luca

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Revisiting Earth's Early Days: Not as Harsh as Once Thought

Recent research suggests that the early Earth, during the Hadean Period, may have been more habitable than previously thought, with liquid water present despite its volcanic and chaotic environment. A study by researchers from the University of California explores the conditions that could have supported the origins of life, examining various atmospheric and geological processes. While the paper leaves some questions unanswered, it provides insights into how life might have begun on Earth.

via Universe Today|

#earlyearth #geochemistry #habitability

science-and-environment2 years ago•1 min saved

"Breakthrough Fossil Discovery Reveals Photosynthesis Origin 1.75 Billion Years Ago"

Scientists have discovered fossils dating back 1.75 billion years, providing evidence of ancient oxygenic photosynthetic structures that predate previous findings by over a billion years. This discovery, detailed in a study published in Nature, could shed light on the origins of life on Earth and the Great Oxygenation Event, which filled the atmosphere with oxygen and allowed diverse life forms to emerge. The fossils were found in the McDermott Formation in Australia, and the research highlights the significant impact these early photosynthetic organisms had on the planet's atmosphere and biosphere.

via indy100|

##earthhistory #fossildiscovery

science-and-environment2 years ago•14 min saved

Unearthing the Secrets of Life's Beginnings Below the Surface

Scientists aboard the drillship JOIDES Resolution have retrieved mantle rocks from beneath the Atlantic seafloor, which may offer insights into the origins of life on Earth. These rocks, obtained from an area where Earth's crust is thin, could help researchers understand the chemical processes that may have led to the formation of organic compounds necessary for life. The presence of high concentrations of hydrogen gas in the borehole waters suggests the potential for abiotic synthesis of organic molecules. This research could illuminate the prebiotic chemistry that existed before life began and provide a better understanding of early Earth conditions.

via Quanta Magazine|

##abioticchemistry #deepoceandrilling