We do not yet know how, where, or why life first appeared on our planet. Part of the difficulty is that "life" has no strict, universally agreed-upon definition.
Astrobiology
Jan 29, 2024
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After an amazing journey, a grain from the asteroid Bennu will be brought to Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron, for scientific measurements. The grain is from 100 milligrams of sample sent to the Natual ...
Planetary Sciences
Dec 13, 2023
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Imagine you're way out in the middle of the Pilbara. There's no one around you, but you may be surprised to learn you're close to the origin of life.
Astrobiology
Feb 11, 2021
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In his new book, Assembling Life, David Deamer challenges the consensus that life began in the ocean and presents an alternative scenario, based on his research, in which life began in freshwater hot springs.
Evolution
Mar 15, 2019
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SFI Omidyar Fellow Rogier Braakman, in a commentary in PNAS, reviews two scientists' recent progress in simulating prebiotic chemistry at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and puts the research in the context of what we know, and ...
Biochemistry
Aug 23, 2013
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From encouraging the first steps of life migrating from the oceans to the land, to stabilising Earth's axial tilt against chaotic excursions, the moon is often put forth almost as a magical ingredient – a prerequisite for ...
Space Exploration
Mar 29, 2013
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The "chemical garden," a school classroom chemistry experiment, in which beautiful plant-like structures sprout in a test tube, has become the linchpin for real-world scientific experiments that aim to shed light on the origins ...
Other
Mar 20, 2013
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Dr John Stewart has made important contributions to a growing body of work that shows how the evolution of ecosystems has to be taken into account when speculating between different geological eras. Go back to the time of ...
Evolution
Feb 26, 2013
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Inspired by a 2009 colloquium on microbial evolution convened at the Galapagos Islands, a new book from ASM Press, Microbes and Evolution: The World That Darwin Never Saw celebrates Charles Darwin and his landmark publication ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 30, 2012
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New international agreements are required to ensure nations benefit equally from medicines, foods and biofuels derived from the ocean's untapped genetic riches, according to a panel of University of British Columbia and European ...
Ecology
Feb 18, 2012
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