Benzonitrile (c-C6H5CN) has been recently detected in cold and dense regions of the interstellar medium (ISM), where it has been used as a signpost of a rich aromatic organic chemistry […]
chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Titan
Titan Atmospheric Chemistry Revealed by Low-temperature N2-CH4 Plasma Discharge Experiments
Chemistry in Titan’s N2-CH4 atmosphere produces complex organic aerosols. The chemical processes and the resulting organic compounds are still far from understood, although extensive observations, laboratory, and theoretical simulations have […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
An Experimental And Theoretical Investigation Of HCN Production In The Hadean Earth Atmosphere
A critical early stage for the origin of life on Earth may have involved the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in a reducing, predominantly H2 atmosphere. HCN is crucial for […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report
Periodic Table: Nuclear Origin Of The Elements – And Life
This periodic table is color coded to indicate humanity’s best guess as to the nuclear origin of all known elements. The simplest elements, hydrogen and helium, are far and away […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Status Report
Periodic Table: Origins Of The Elements
This periodic table depicts the primary source on Earth for each element. In cases where two sources contribute fairly equally, both appear.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Scientists Develop New Molecular Tool To Detect Alien Life
While scientists know the discovery of alien life would be a game-changing, interstellar event for humanity, the search to date has been unsuccessful. But now, they have a new tool […]
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Chemists Discover Plausible Recipe For Early Life On Earth
Chemists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a fascinating new theory for how life on Earth may have begun. Their experiments, described today in the journal Nature Communications, […]
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
A New View of the Tree of Life
Scientists have dramatically expanded the tree of life by using genomic data from over 1,000 organisms that have not previously been cultivated in the laboratory. The new version of the […]
Posted inComets and Asteroids, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life
Melting Pots for Life on Earth
Geochemists from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Natural Sciences may have found a solution to a long-debated problem as to where – and how – life first formed on Earth. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Influence of Water Content in Protoplanetary Discs on Planet Migration and Formation
The temperature and density profiles of protoplanetary discs depend crucially on the mass fraction of micrometre-sized dust grains and on their chemical composition. A larger abundance of micrometre-sized grains leads […]