About one-fifth of the Earth’s atmosphere is oxygen, pumped out by green plants as a result of photosynthesis and used by most living things on the planet to keep our […]
Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Status Report
The Origin of Complex Organic Molecules in Prestellar Cores
Complex organic molecules (COMs) have been detected in a variety of environments, including cold prestellar cores. Given the low temperature of these objects, these last detections challenge existing models. We […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Molecules with a peptide link in protostellar shocks: a comprehensive study of L1157
Interstellar molecules with a peptide link -NH-C(=O)-, like formamide (NH2 CHO), acetamide (NH2 COCH3) and isocyanic acid (HNCO) are particularly interesting for their potential role in pre-biotic chemistry. We have […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics
Four billion-year-old chemistry in cells today
Parts of the primordial soup in which life arose have been maintained in our cells today according to scientists at the University of East Anglia. Research published today in the […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors
Martian Salts Must Touch Ice to Make Liquid Water, Study Shows
In chambers that mimic Mars’ conditions, University of Michigan researchers have shown how small amounts of liquid water could form on the planet despite its below-freezing temperatures.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Census of Complex Organic Molecules in Solar Type Protostar IRAS16293-2422
Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) are considered crucial molecules, since they are connected with organic chemistry, at the basis of the terrestrial life. More pragmatically, they are molecules in principle difficult […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Origin & Evolution of Life
Stanley Miller's Forgotten Experiments, Analyzed
Stanley Miller, the chemist whose landmark experiment published in 1953 showed how some of the molecules of life could have formed on a young Earth, left behind boxes of experimental […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics
Quantum Biology: Algae Evolved to Switch Quantum Coherence On and Off
A UNSW Australia-led team of researchers has discovered how algae that survive in very low levels of light are able to switch on and off a weird quantum phenomenon that […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Microbiology & Virology
Blood Falls Becomes First Subglacial Antarctic Specially Protected Area to Protect Scientific Values
Blood Falls, one of the more bizarre features found anywhere in Antarctica, has fascinated scientists since it was first discovered a century ago by Griffith Taylor, the senior geologist on […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Interstellar, Press Release
Key to Cosmic Carbon's Molecular Evolution
Scientists at NASA’s Ames Research Center now have the capability to systematically investigate the molecular evolution of cosmic carbon. For the first time, these scientists are able to automatically interpret […]