Could a deadly gas be a sign of life?
How do scientists look for life in the universe? Usually they look for gasses that would support life, and assume anything toxic to us would…
Tag: astrobiology
There may be other ways to build DNA and RNA
One of the most fundamental building blocks of life on earth is DNA. This molecule consists of four base pairs and a negatively charged…
Learning about space motivates students to pursue science
Whether it is the acceptance of different passions, backgrounds, or even favorite movies, diversity matters. A group of ten researchers who…
Could “Fools’ Gold” have helped build the first proteins?
How and why humans exist are questions that have challenged different cultures ever since the dawn of civilization. Many scientists have…
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…
How biology writes its signature
In recent decades the search for extraterrestrial life has seen major advancements in technology and methodology. The search for…
How does life handle the harshness of space?
Experiments on the International Space Station found that lichens, a combination of algae and fungi, survived in space-like, flight, and…
Bacteria from the Black Sea Have an Unusual Diet
Many organisms live by breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide, and those that don’t often live by taking in carbon dioxide…
We can learn about life on other planets by studying viruses
Scientists from the University of Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, as well as the Icahn School of Medicine at…
Can life hiding near Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs tell us about the ancient Earth?
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its hot springs, geysers, wildlife, and incredible geology. While the area is popular among visitors…