How water shaped the Earth Minerologists, geologists, astronomers, astrobiologists explain how water shaped our planet’s history by studying the types of chemical reactions where water plays a fundamental role.

November 21, 2020 by Romulo Cruz Read More

Students inspired to study science by participating in real NASA missions In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a group of scientists and teachers came together to create an exciting new educational resource, named Ad Astra Academy. The goal? To develop brief, intense programs to help encourage academically at-risk students to develop critical thinking skills.

November 16, 2020 by Sarah Treadwell Read More

Algae in space teaches us how life responds to harsh environments A species of blue-green algae that can live in rocks could resist radiation and extreme space weather, and returned to Earth still viable!

October 25, 2020 by Rabeea Rasheed Read More

Could a deadly gas be a sign of life? The presence of carbon monoxide on exoplanets is no longer a reason to discount the possibility of the presence of life.

October 22, 2020 by Emma Stefanacci Read More

There may be other ways to build DNA and RNA Researchers have made a synthetic DNA that is made of eight bases instead of the normal four. This genetic system was capable of supporting the requirements of life. This work lays the foundation of how life could look on a different world.

October 7, 2020 by Madeline Garner Read More

Learning about space exploration motivates students to pursue science Implementing a program called Ad Astra Academy with students in disadvantaged communities in Rio de Janeiro resulted in increased passion and inspiration for science.

September 29, 2020 by Elisabeth Lee Read More

Could “Fools’ Gold” have helped build the first proteins? Scientists measured the forces that allow iron pyrite to help amino acids bind to each other at the bottom of the ocean -- to understand how life may have formed a long time ago.

September 21, 2020 by Marcos Jusino-Maldonado Read More

Early Martian life may have used sulfur as an energy source Using an environment on Earth that simulates early Mars conditions, researchers found an abundance of bacteria that get their energy from sulfur-containing molecules, suggesting a new focus in the search for biosignatures on the Red Planet.

September 7, 2020 by Brooke Carruthers Read More

How biology writes its signature Scientists search for extraterrestrial life by looking for tell-tale signs of biologic activity including plant pigments and changes in atmosphere composition over time.

August 26, 2020 by Garrett Campion Read More

Ice-covered moon shows promise for harboring life Could there be life on Saturn's moon? Hydrogen found in the icy plumes of Enceladus may be evidence for hydrothermal processes that could support life.

July 9, 2020 by Dylan Mankel Read More