|
|
|
Hot Topic
Origins
Origin & Evolution of Life
|
|
|
| |
|
| Dinosaur-Killer was Soft on Algae |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
10/02/09 |
| Molecular fossils of algae in the so-called “K-P boundary” point to a very fast recovery of these organisms following the meteorite impact that killed the dinosaurs. |
|
|
|
| Zinc and UV Zapped Life into Being? |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
09/03/09 |
| A new model for the origin of life says zinc may have played a vital role. If true, then the Sun’s UV radiation may have provided the energy necessary for life to arise. |
|
|
|
| The Search for Life on Earth |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
06/08/09 |
| A great deal of money and effort have gone into searching for life on other worlds. But what if a second genesis of life, a type of life unrelated to DNA-based life, is here on Earth? Paul Davies urges the scientific community to take a look. |
|
|
|
| Reanimating Extinct Genes |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
04/27/09 |
| Can evolution be played over again in the lab? A group of researchers plans to insert an ancient gene in a modern day bacteria and see if this gene will mutate back to its current-day form. The results will give insight into how unique the evolutionary path may be. |
|
|
|
| How Life Shatters Chemistry's Mirror |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
04/06/09 |
| Handedness, or "chirality," is when molecules come in two forms that are mirror images of each other, like right- and left-handed gloves. Even though chiral molecules are produced equally in nature, life seems to prefer one hand over the other. The reason for this is a mystery that scientists are struggling to answer. |
|
|
|
|
| Life’s Crystal Code |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
03/19/09 |
| What do we have in common with a crystal chandelier? We’re both made of material that replicates its own structure. In our case it’s DNA, while the crystals in the chandelier grew from minerals like quartz. One scientist thinks for early life on Earth, certain mineral crystals played the role that DNA does for us today. |
|
|
|
|
| Digging up Ancient Microbes |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
10/02/08 |
| Limestone from Namibia has biomarkers that indicate a community of microbes oxidized methane at least 300 million years ago. Such biomarkers can provide clues to the history of life on Earth, and could help scientists search for signs of life on other worlds. |
|
|
|
|
| Ancient Footprints in the Salt |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
07/31/08 |
| Scientists have discovered fibers from ancient organisms preserved inside salt crystals in New Mexico. The surprising finding could help astrobiologists search for signs of life on other planets. |
|
|
|
|
| Machine Evolution |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
07/21/08 |
| Many scientists believe that life started out as nothing more than strands of proto-genetic material known as RNA. A new device automates studies of RNA evolution and could lend insights into the origin of life on Earth. |
|
|
|
|
| How Did Life Get Started? |
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
03/10/08 |
| How did life get started? A growing body of evidence favors an “RNA World” as an early stage of life, before DNA assumed its present role as the molecule that stores genetic information. |
|
|
|
|
|
