nanoparticles Archives - Astrobiology

The conceptual scheme outlines the primary prerequisites for habitability in ocean worlds, highlighting the importance of water, energy, CHNOPS, and TMs. The horizontal bar on the bottom denotes our assessment of the extent of exploration of each subject area indicated in the top bar. Ocean worlds are not to scale. The Europa image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA01295, credit NASA/JPL/University of Arizona. The Titan image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA20016, credit NASA/JPL/University of Arizona/University of Idaho. The Callisto image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA03456, credit NASA/JPL/German Aerospace Center (DLR). The Enceladus image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA06187, credit NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute. The Ganymede image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA01972, credit NASA/JPL. The Pluto image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA11709, credit NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute. The Triton image is modified from the NASA Photojournal PIA01994, credit NASA/JPL. -- The Planetary Science Journal

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Plume Particle Ejecta Can Trace Habitat-forming Gradients in Ocean Worlds: Insights from Planet Earth Geochemistry

by Keith CowingMay 8, 2025May 8, 2025

Upcoming explorations for habitability in the ocean worlds of the solar system can greatly benefit from searching beyond parameters such as water, organics, nitrogen, phosphate, and silicate and being able […]

Giant virus-like particles with unique structural features from Harvard Forest soil: “Gorgon” morphotype. -- biorxiv.org

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report

Amazing Structural Diversity Of Giant Virus-like Particles In Forest Soil

by Keith CowingApril 8, 2025April 8, 2025

Large DNA viruses of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota infect diverse eukaryotic hosts from protists to humans, with profound consequences for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While nucleocytoviruses are known to be highly […]

Conceptual illustration of terrestrial hot springs on early Earth -- Illustration by Alex Bosoy, Design & Illustration, LLC

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Possible Role Of Iron Sulfides In Creating Life In Terrestrial Hot Springs

by Keith CowingNovember 29, 2024November 29, 2024

An international team of scientists recently published a study highlighting the potential role of iron sulfides in the formation of life in early Earth’s terrestrial hot springs. According to the […]

Phylogeny,

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Dormant Magnetosome Genes Discovered In Non-magnetic Bacteria

by Keith CowingDecember 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Magnetic bacteria can align their movement with the Earth’s magnetic field thanks to chains of magnetic nanoparticles inside their cells. The blueprints for making and linking these magnetosomes are stored […]