Biophysics Archives

Evidence for ribozyme mass extinction. (A) Abundance distribution across all ten known small self-cleaving ribozyme families, showing the hammerhead's 91% dominance, a pattern characteristic of disaster taxa following mass extinction events. (B) Circular phylogeny of 80,548 unique hammerhead sequences colored by host taxonomic group. The star-like topology is consistent with post-bottleneck radiation, and the interspersion of distantly related host phyla around the tree reflects repeated independent colonization events rather than co-speciation, consistent with horizontal transfer of a single dominant survivor lineage. (C) Null distribution tests for Tajima's D (left) and Fu's Fs (right), each based on 10,000 coalescent replicates (n = 200, S = 40). Blue and orange histograms show the null distributions under neutral expectations; red dashed lines indicate the observed values (D = +2.28, upper-tail p = 0.013; Fs = −618.0, p < 0.0001). Observed D falls in the extreme upper tail (98.7% of null replicates below observed), indicating deep hierarchical structure; observed Fs falls far below any null replicate, indicating massive haplotype excess. The discordance between positive D and extremely negative Fs is diagnostic of ancient divergence preserved through a bottleneck followed by rapid within-lineage expansion. Full-sample values (n = 5,036) are D = +3.79, Fs = −690.8. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

A Ribozyme Mass Extinction At The RNA-cellular Boundary And Its Potential Imprint On The Genetic Code

by Keith CowingApril 13, 2026April 13, 2026

The transition from the RNA world to cellular life remains one of the least understood events in the history of biology.

Community composition and functional profiles of 152 samples. a, The relative abundance of archaea and bacteria in 152 samples. b, The proportion of all archaea in all samples. Bars in different colors represented different classes of archaea. c, The proportion of all bacteria in all samples. Bars in different colors represented different phyla of bacteria. d, the relative abundance of KEGG standard categories (level B) in all samples. e-f, Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) of all RMAGs, archaea, bacteria, and KOs in different sites based on Bray–Curtis distances. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

The Recovery Of 12,789 Genomes Revealed The Diversity, Function, And Microbial Interactions Of The Geothermal Spring Microbiome

by Keith CowingApril 12, 2026April 13, 2026

Geothermal springs, characterized by extreme physicochemical conditions, represent ecologically and evolutionarily significant habitats that foster unique microbial communities and drive adaptive evolutionary processes.

Graphical Abstract -- Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy

Analog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Microstructural And Biochemical Constraints On Cryptoendolithic Life In Atacama Halite: Implications For Extreme Habitability

by Keith CowingApril 11, 2026April 11, 2026

Halite pinnacles from the Yungay area in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert harbor cryptoendolithic microbial colonies.

A) Subcluster of viral genomes within the family Microviridae. Network constructed using vConTACT3 and visualized in Cytoscape. Reference nodes are colored by genus (RefSeq and vConTACT3 predictions), while fumarole viruses are colored by sample site. Edges represent genesharing strength. The blue node (phiX174) forms a weakly resolved clade with fumarole viruses in the maximum-likelihood phylogeny based on major capsid protein amino acid sequences. B) Pairwise genome comparisons of RefSeq and fumarole Microviridae using local alignment (MMseqs2). The top row and left column indicate predicted genus assignments (vConTACT3) for fumarole and RefSeq viruses. The top-left quadrant shows RefSeq–RefSeq comparisons; the top-right shows fumarole–RefSeq comparisons (RefSeq colored by genus). The second row (genome source) is colored by fumarole sample site. The star denotes comparisons involving the phiX174 RefSeq genome. -- biorxiv.org

Analog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Hawaiian Geothermal Fumaroles Contain Diverse and Novel Viruses

by Keith CowingApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Microbial communities of geothermal habitats are central to understanding the evolution of life on Earth. Metagenomics has provided insight into the role of viruses in shaping microbial diversity of complex […]

Graphical Abstract -- ACS Central Science

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Nonequilibrium Synthesis of Glycolamide (NH2COCH2OH), a Precursor to Amino Acids, on Interstellar Nanoparticles

by Keith CowingApril 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Complex organic molecules (COMs) are thought to form in cold interstellar environments, yet the chemical routes to key prebiotic precursors remain poorly understood. Glycine, the simplest amino acid, has not […]

TEM images of Ca-MMT’s ordered and distorted layered structures including nanocavities after exposure to amino acids. a Control sample showing characteristic layering; ordered yet with slight distortions, considered as ordered for this clay material. b Sample exposed to single-organic Lys showing ordered layering only. Clay samples exposed to organic mixtures of c Lys-GABA d Arg-GABA; showing highly-distorted layering and nanocavities with well-defined lattice fringes that are embedded within distorted layered structures. In all panels, ordered layering, distorted layering, and nanocavities are marked with white, red and black arrows, respectively. See Methods for detailed image analysis procedure and limitations. -- Scientific Reports via PubMed

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report

Antagonistic Effects Of Amino Acids Support Abiotic Nano-environments In Clay

by Keith CowingApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Prebiotic chemistry in nano-environments confined within catalytic mineral media is emerging as a promising frontier in origins-of-life research. Such confined spaces exhibit physicochemical properties distinct from bulk conditions, enabling out-of-equilibrium […]

Images. (A-B) Purple biofilms dominated by Gloeobacter inside a pit-like feature inside the ERZ, (C-E) green to dark green/purple biofilms found in an open area within the ERZ with various steam vents surrounding it, (F) dried up biofilm inside a cave named “Big Ell” within Kīlauea Caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, (G) dark green biofilms inside a fissure within Big Ell cave, (H) soil samples inside Big Ell -- biorxiv.org

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Amplicon And Metagenomic Data From Fumarole-associated Geothermal Features Of Hawai’i

by Keith CowingApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

The Hawaiian islands are among the most geologically and volcanically active places on Earth. While the Hawaiian Archipelago is known for its animal and plant diversity, much less is known […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Behavior Of Biomolecules Under High-pressure Torsion And Its Implications For Astrobiology

by Keith CowingApril 5, 2026April 5, 2026

Understanding the fate of biomolecules under extreme conditions is central to astrobiology and the origin of life.

NASA's Juno spacecraft passed north-to-south (yellow track) over Jupiter's atmosphere on 17 August 2022, detecting a cluster of radio pulses from lightning (cyan symbols marking instrument pointing for each pulse). Credit Wong et al. (2026, AGU Advances; HST and Juno MWR).

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Gas Giants, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release

Lightning Bolts On Jupiter Pack More Than 100 Times The Power Of Earth’s Flashes

by Keith CowingApril 5, 2026April 5, 2026

Jupiter, the most massive planet in our solar system, has correspondingly humongous storms, some of which last for centuries. Some of these storms also generate terrific bolts of lightning, according […]

Carbon-silicate cycle includes a carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolution in rainwater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) that falls on land and oceans; b reaction of H2CO3 and silicate (SiO32-) to form silicon dioxide (SiO2) and carbonate (CO32-), which is sequestered into oceanic crust for further recycling to the mantle followed by release into the atmosphere through volcanic activity; and c regeneration of CO2 through reaction between SiO2 and CO32-. Carbon fixation includes (d) reduction of CO2 to methane (CH4) through (e) the production of H2 from H2O on the surface of iron sulfide minerals that serve as sources of dissolved ferrous ion (Fe2+), which is photochemically oxidized to ferric ions (Fe3+.) in water vapor. Carbon monoxide (CO) either reacts with (f) H2O for synthesis of formic acid (HCOOH) or g ammonia (NH3) for synthesis of formamide (HCONH2). Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) formation may occur through either h reaction between CH4 and NH3 or i reaction of CH3• and N• through free radical mechanism. j HCN further reacts with H2O to produce CO and NH3.that also is produced through (k) N2 fixation under high temperatures, both can be sequestered into the mantle; l NH3 photolysis by UV radiation gives rise to N2 and H2; m hydrothermal H2 production occurs through the H2O oxidation by Fe2+ into H2 used for N2 fixation in the atmosphere. In this figure, royalty-free mountain and meteorite images designed by Freepik platform (www.freepik.com) are used. -- Nature via PubMed (open access)

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Redox Chemistry Of Early Earth And The Origin Of Life

by Keith CowingApril 4, 2026April 4, 2026

Multiple controversial scenarios have been proposed explaining the emergence of life, both from environmental and chemical perspectives.

Biophysics

A Ribozyme Mass Extinction At The RNA-cellular Boundary And Its Potential Imprint On The Genetic Code

The Recovery Of 12,789 Genomes Revealed The Diversity, Function, And Microbial Interactions Of The Geothermal Spring Microbiome

Microstructural And Biochemical Constraints On Cryptoendolithic Life In Atacama Halite: Implications For Extreme Habitability

Hawaiian Geothermal Fumaroles Contain Diverse and Novel Viruses

Nonequilibrium Synthesis of Glycolamide (NH2COCH2OH), a Precursor to Amino Acids, on Interstellar Nanoparticles

Antagonistic Effects Of Amino Acids Support Abiotic Nano-environments In Clay

Amplicon And Metagenomic Data From Fumarole-associated Geothermal Features Of Hawai’i

Behavior Of Biomolecules Under High-pressure Torsion And Its Implications For Astrobiology

Lightning Bolts On Jupiter Pack More Than 100 Times The Power Of Earth’s Flashes

Redox Chemistry Of Early Earth And The Origin Of Life

PJ Harvey Announces New Song “Voyager”

Fifty Years after Viking: The Promise of Solar System Microbiology and Microbial Ecology

Characterising Transiting Exoplanets At Long Orbital Period: Lessons Learned For PLATO From 10 Years Of Monitoring The HIP41378 System

Implications Of Self-consistent H2O Ice Optical Constants On Radiative Transfer Models Of Disks

The GAPS Programme at TNG LXXIV. A Reanalysis Of The Planetary Systems TOI-1272 And TOI-1694 With HARPS-N And Retraction Of The Planetary Interpretation Of TOI-1272 c