Origin of life

A new experimental system demonstrates that precursors of ribonucleotides, amino acids, and lipids may have simultaneously arisen from the same prebiotic chemistry.

A review of The Scientist’s 2014 special issues, highlighting trending areas of research across the life sciences

Although Philae’s active life on a comet lasted just a few days, it has confirmed what many had suspected: organic molecules are present.

Researchers suggest that ancient animal species helped oxygenate Earth’s oceans, paving the way for complex life forms to evolve.

How did Earth become biological?

Geobiologist Roger Summons analyzes organic material in rocks found deep inside Earth, looking for evidence of how life originated and evolved on our planet—and possibly on Mars.