Could the origins of life have come from small rocks hurtling through space? Find out more at 🚀 Engineering
Scientists uncovered the last two of the five informational units of DNA and RNA that hadn't yet been discovered in samples from meteorites,The implications are potentially massive, as they show that all of the genetic parts required to form DNA are present in meteorites, meaning they may have reached Earth via space rocks many years ago.
The discovery was made by an international team, including researchers from NASA. Until now, scientists had only found three of the five informational nucleobases required to build DNA and RNA. A recent analysis by a team of scientists led by Associate Professor Yasuhiro Oba of Hokkaido University, Japan, identified the two missing pieces of the puzzle.
For the latest study, the researchers used cool water to extract the compounds instead of the hot formic acid typically used. This may have helped to prevent the more delicate nucleobases from breaking down during the process. The scientists also used more sensitive analytics, allowing them to pick up smaller traces of the molecules they were seeking.
The discovery doesn't provide conclusive evidence that the development of life on Earth was assisted by meteorites, but it provides a new avenue of research that could shed new light on the very early development of life on our planet. "This is adding more and more pieces; meteorites have been found to have sugars and bases now," said Jason Dworkin, a co-author of the paper at NASA Goddard. "It's exciting to see progress in the making of the fundamental molecules of biology from space."This isn't the first time an investigation has shown the building blocks for life can be found on asteroids.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A huge solar storm that could destroy electronics missed the Earth by only 9 daysHere's how a massive solar storm that would have wiped out humanity's entire electronic infrastructure missed the Earth by just nine days in 2012.
Read more »
Earth, Wind & Fire saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk dies at 71Earth, Wind & Fire's Andrew Woolfolk has died at the age of 71. His jubilant saxophone lit up hits such as 'September' and 'Shining Star.'
Read more »
Earth, Wind & Fire Saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk Dies at 71Earth, Wind & Fire member Philip Bailey revealed that Woolfolk was struggling with illness for “over six years.”
Read more »
University of Alaska Fairbanks sponsors Earth Day Symposium for students across AlaskaThe University of Alaska Fairbanks sponsored an educational symposium for students across Alaska with the GLOBE program for Earth Day.
Read more »
Rich trio back on Earth after charter trip to International Space StationThree rich businessmen returned from the International Space Station with their astronaut escort Monday, wrapping up a pricey trip that marked NASA’s debut as a B&B host.
Read more »
Gigantic Asteroid Is About to Skim Past Earth, NASA SaysA gigantic 'potentially hazardous' asteroid that may be twice the size of the Empire State Building is set to zoom past Earth Thursday (April 28), according to NASA.
Read more »