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Hiding from Jupiter's Radiation
Researchers as part of NASA’s Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology program are mapping the surfaces of Jupiter’s moons Europa and Ganymede. One goal is to identify ‘dead zones’ where the powerful radiation of Jupiter would likely destroy any interesting organic compounds. The team also hopes to find areas that are possible ‘safe havens’ – where materials expelled from the moons’ subsurface oceans might survive. Such areas could be extremely important sites for future missions to the Jovian system.Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
January 19, 2009 / Written by: Michael Schirber
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Replicating RNA
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have made important steps toward understanding how life originated by shedding light on the ‘RNA World’ hypothesis. The ‘RNA World’ refers to the idea that life on Earth went through a stage where RNA was used to store information and act as a catalyst, much like DNA and proteins are used in organisms today. A critical component of this stage would be that RNA molecules would have to replicate themselves. The team at Scripps has now synthesized RNA enzymes that can replicate themselves without the help of additional...
Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
January 16, 2009 / Posted by: Aaron Gronstal
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Examining a SLIce of the Arctic
NASA-funded researchers have trekked to the arctic island of Svalbard in order to study how life survives in ice. Their research is also helping scientists develop new methods for detecting the presence of ice-dwelling organisms. The SLIce project will help astrobiologists understand how to identify life in surface ice on Earth in preparation for future missions to search for life on other planets, like Mars.
Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
January 5, 2009 / Written by: Henry Bortman
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Jill Tarter Receives TED Prize
Please join in congratulating Jill Tarter, Director of the SETI Institute’s Center for SETI Research, and holder of the Bernard M. Oliver Chair for SETI, for her award of the prestigious TED Prize. The TED Prize, an initiative of the TED Conference, is awarded annually and grants three extraordinary individuals a wish to change the world, one hundred thousand dollars, and support in making the wish come true. Jill and the other two recipients, undersea exploration pioneer Sylvia Earle and economist, musician, and social reformer Maestro and Dr. Jose Antonio...
November 25, 2008 / Posted by: Daniella Scalice
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Life's Boiling Point
Some proteins can work above the boiling point of water, but these vital biomolecules may have a harder time evolving at high temperature. A new project is searching for the maximum temperature for protein-based life.
Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
November 12, 2008 / Written by: Michael Schirber
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Magnetic Death Star
An international team of scientists has discovered microscopic, magnetic fossils resembling spears and spindles, unlike anything previously seen in the fossil record.Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
October 24, 2008 / Posted by: Shige Abe
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Shooting Life on Mars
Using a highly sensitive laser, scientists have developed a new method to search for evidence for life in martian minerals. The technique reduces the risk of contamination and can detect incredibly low concentrations of biomolecules. With funding from NASA’s Astrobiology program, the researchers have done previous studies showing that minerals like halite and jarosite yield distinct ion patterns when organic molecules are present. This time, they tried thenardite,...Source: [Astrobiology Magazine]
October 17, 2008 / Posted by: Shige Abe
