Cerebral Inception
Bob Grant | May 1, 2019
Our brains have evolved to the point where we can build artificial brains that might help us understand our brains. Let that sink in.
RNA-DNA Chimeras Might Have Supported the Origin of Life on Earth
RNA-DNA Chimeras Might Have Supported the Origin of Life on Earth
A new study finds mixtures of nucleotide types, rather than pure systems, are more likely to yield the building blocks of life.
A new study finds mixtures of nucleotide types, rather than pure systems, are more likely to yield the building blocks of life.
Primordial RNA May Have Contained Inosine
Catherine Offord | Mar 1, 2019
The discovery that the adenosine derivative aids self-replication adds weight to the theory that life on Earth originated from a mixture of RNA molecules.
Oldest Evidence of Terrestrial Life on a Young Earth
Anna Azvolinsky | Jul 23, 2018
Microbes were living on land as early as 3.22 billion years ago, fossilized rocks show, 500 million years earlier than previously documented.
Mitochondria’s Bacterial Origins Upended
Shawna Williams | Apr 25, 2018
Contrary to some hypotheses, the organelles did not descend from any known lineage of Alphaproteobacteria, researchers find.
Search for Life on the Red Planet
Diana Kwon | Dec 1, 2017
Growing evidence points to a once-habitable world—and recent findings suggest that life could exist on Mars today.
Building Blocks of Life May Have Formed in Water Droplets
Ashley Yeager | Oct 23, 2017
Reactions that generate fundamental components of the cell run smoothly in microdroplets, study shows.
Twists and Turns
Mary Beth Aberlin | Jul 17, 2017
New starring roles for nucleic acids
Molecule Similar to Peptides Detected in Protostars
Kerry Grens | Jun 9, 2017
The dust surrounding emerging, Sun-like stars contains methyl isocyanate, an organic molecule.
Life Before 4 Billion Years Ago?
Jef Akst | Oct 20, 2015
A new estimate of the origin of life on Earth pushes back the date by 300 million years.