The ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa could have the necessary balance of chemical energy for life, even if the moon lacks volcanic hydrothermal activity, finds a new study. Europa is […]
NAI
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Evolution Influenced By Temporary Microbes
Life on Earth often depends on symbiotic relationships between microbes and other forms of life. A new theory suggests that researchers should consider how symbiotic microbes can influence the evolution […]
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 inMars, Press Release
Potential for Life in Martian Perchlorate Brines
Perchlorate salts on Mars could allow liquid water to persist on the martian surface as brines, despite the cold and dry conditions. The potential for life in briny water is […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Could Earth's Light Blue Color Be a Signature of Life?
In 1990, Voyager 1 captured the most distant portrait of our planet ever taken, revealing that from beyond Pluto’s orbit, Earth appears as nothing more than a “pale blue dot.” […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Identifying Planetary Biosignature Impostors
In order to identify inhabited worlds beyond the Solar System, scientists are exploring the possibility of detecting gases that could serve as biosignatures in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets. Molecular […]
Posted inEuropa, Press Release
Clues to Ocean Composition on Europa
Determining the habitability of Europa’s subsurface ocean is one of the key priorities for astrobiology in our Solar System. nderstanding life’s potential on Europa comes down to determining the composition […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Status Report
Microbial Mats Adapting To The Cold In Lake Joyce, Antarctica
Researchers have identified the first cold-adaptation proteins found in microbial mats from Lake Joyce, a perennially ice-covered lake in Antarctica.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
New Insight Into Prebiotic Chemistry's 'Water Problem'
Inspired by previous work on chemistry’s ‘water problem’ and ‘asphalt problem,’ a team of researchers has provided new insight into the conditions in which nucleosides combine with phosphate to form […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release
Diversity of Life on Pumice Islands
During and following the eruption of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in southern Chile in 2011, large quantities of ash and pumice filled the air and landed into neighboring lakes. Small […]