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"The organism that gave rise to life on Earth existed at least 3.9 billion years ago" Moreover, based on what we know about the evolutionary tree of life, some researchers argue that the last universal common ancestor - an organism that gave rise to everything living today - existed at least 3.9 billion years ago. In short order, biochemists revealed how information is encoded in the sequence of building blocks that make up the DNA molecule, and how the sequence is used to construct the complex proteins from which organisms are made. Just three weeks later, news broke of the astonishing Miller-Urey experiment, which showed how a simple cocktail of chemicals could spontaneously generate amino acids, vital for building the molecules of life. Features HOW did life on Earth begin?. [Extracted from the article]

"We study wormholes partly for fun and partly, more seriously, to see what is physically allowable for space-time,"' says theorist Toby Wiseman at Imperial College London. Worse, Einstein's gravity is unique in that it equates to the geometry of space-time, the very stage on which the other forces act. The question of whether virtual particles are real or are merely a mathematical tool arises because they were invented - or discovered, depending on your point of view - when physicist Richard Feynman created squiggly line diagrams to render tractable the equations physicists use to describe particle interactions. Features Features Cover story Science has taken us a long way in our quest to make sense of an often-enigmatic universe and our place in it. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how physical forces, such as pressure, may have played a role in the evolution of multicellularity in microorganisms, specifically archaea. Researchers compressed a salt-loving archaea called Haloferax volcanii and observed the formation of multicellular tissue-like structures. The study suggests that exploring biomechanical properties of cells, in addition to genetic information, is crucial for understanding evolution, highlighting the importance of physical and mechanical factors in biological innovations. [Extracted from the article]

Microorganisms have been discovered living in a 2-billion-year-old rock in South Africa, marking the oldest known rock to host life. This finding could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth and aid in the search for life beyond our planet. The microbes found in the rock are believed to have been carried in by water shortly after its formation, and their presence may offer clues about early forms of life and evolution. Additionally, this discovery may have implications for detecting life on other planets, such as Mars, as the rocks in the Bushveld Igneous Complex are similar to Martian rocks in terms of age. [Extracted from the article]

At the smallest scales, the world can and does run in reverse. This revelation is helping us understand the engines that power life itself, finds Benjamin Skuse [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich suggests that chemical reactions crucial to the origin of life on Earth may have occurred within hot, thin rock fractures deep underground. The researchers created a heat flow chamber to model how organic molecules would behave in these fractures and found that molecules were concentrated at different parts of the chamber based on their sensitivity. The study also found that creating a network of linked chambers further enriched the compounds. However, while the findings are interesting, experts caution that the enrichment in rock fractures is still far from a viable scenario for the origin of life. [Extracted from the article]

Simple explanations of how life got started don't add up, which leaves a surprising alternative, finds Michael Marshall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecules of life have a strange asymmetry – and we finally have a grasp on why, finds Hayley Bennett [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New research suggests that cosmic dust falling from space may have delivered crucial elements for life to early Earth. Cosmic dust is rich in elements like phosphorus and sulfur, which are relatively scarce on Earth. Up to 40,000 tonnes of cosmic dust falls to Earth every year, and billions of years ago, this number would have been even higher. The researchers found that glacial ponds could have collected and concentrated the cosmic dust, providing an environment rich in the elements necessary for life. While it is unclear if glaciers were common on early Earth, studying this possibility could provide insights into the origins of life. [Extracted from the article]

An analysis of rocks in South Africa has revealed the existence of a diverse ecosystem that thrived in the sea 3.4 billion years ago, suggesting an even earlier origin of life on Earth. The rocks, which are 3.42 billion years old, contain microscopic blobs of carbon-based matter believed to be the remains of microorganisms. The chemical makeup of these blobs indicates that there were photosynthetic microbes living near the surface of the sea, as well as other microbes that fed on waste products produced by the photosynthetic organisms. This study provides further evidence for an early origin of life on Earth, although the earliest history of life remains unknown due to a lack of well-preserved rocks. [Extracted from the article]

Zombie microbes flourishing far beneath the surface could reveal life's strange origins, says Graham Lawton [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a chronology of the origin of the earliest life on Earth based on genetic research. He mentions the development of the last universal common ancestor which dates from at least 3.9 billion years ago, the rise of methanogens which released methane as a waste product, cyanobacteria which released oxygen, and the development of eukaryotes.

This document is a collection of letters from readers published in New Scientist. The topics discussed include the measurement of sleep duration using smart devices, the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of panspermia, the concept of pixelated space-time and its implications for understanding the multiverse, observations of animal behavior, the suitability of heat pumps for Victorian homes, the need to prevent contamination between Earth and Mars, the natural occurrence of emulsifiers in food, and the proposed name for the opening chapter of the Anthropocene epoch. The letters come from various locations including the UK, Australia, and the US. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses theories about the origin of life on Earth. Topics include research on life around underwater vents in the Pacific Ocean, research on hot pools in desert areas in relation to the formation of RNA, and the role of water and wet-dry cycles in the formation of life. The possibility that life on Earth has an extraterrestrial origin is addressed.

Alison Flood Views editor London, UK I have just finished Martin Maclnnes's In Ascension, one of the best sci-fi novels I've read for ages. This week, I also visited Dopamine Land in London (ends 25 June), a multisensory event intended to "fire your happiness hormone levels" through a mix of pillow fights, a lights- and-mirrors room and a digital forest complete with woodland smells. Around the same time, NASA engineers make a breakthrough in propulsion tech that will transform space travel, and Leigh is hired by a secretive space agency. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that biomolecular chemist Thomas Carell and his team from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany have conducted a study which aimed at studying the component stages that brought about the origins of life. Topics discussed include the prevailing hypothesis that ribonucleic acid (RNA) holds the key to the origins of life and Carell's success in constructing the building blocks of RNA using substances that were abundant on early Earth.

The article discusses the views of chemist Steven Benner on the origins of life. Contrary to the speculations of 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin and others, Benner does not believe life began in water. He points out that water is corrosive and attacks organic molecules. In his view life probably started in a very hot environment similar to Death Valley in California, and in the presence of borates and formamide or some other organic solvent. Supporters of his theory include chemist Armen Mulkidjanian of Germany's University of Osnabrück.

A fundamental process in our cells may explain the origin of life and the cause of cancer, finds Michael Marshall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on organisms in ecosystems in the Earth's crust, such as the Halicephalobus mephisto nematodes discovered by geologist Tullis Onstott and team in water of rock fissures in gold mines in South Africa. Microorganisms such as bacteria and archaebacteria have been found in marine sediments over 500 meters beneath the ocean floor. Other topics include the discovery of living microbes in 86 million year-old Pacific Ocean sediments, the lack of cell division in ancient microbes in sediments with limited energy resources, and underground bacteria which produce energy from the radiolysis of uranium. Also noted are the implications of these findings on the study of the origins of non-photosynthetic life on Earth.

The article discusses research into the origins of life on Earth, focusing on the theory that greenhouse gases trapped warmth from dim rays of the sun in the early Earth atmosphere to allow the presence of liquid water. Scientists have explored the potential influence of carbon dioxide, nitrogen gases, and hydrogen on early climate warming. Other topics include the effect of the albedo, solar wind velocities, and the possibility that Earth shifted ts orbit away from the sun after formation.

The article explores the origin of life. Topics include an explanation based on energy for why complex alien life has yet to be discovered, the primordial energy source that fueled the beginning of life on Earth, and a theory by biochemist Peter Mitchell who proposed that an electrophysiological force, called the proton-motive force, powers organic molecules. Also discussed is research by U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) geologist Michael Russell investigating hydrothermal vents as a source for the beginnings of life and the physiological limitations that prohibit simple cells from evolving into more complex life forms.

The article presents a discussion of the factors that make Earth habitable and of research which has investigated the possibility of life on stars and on planets other than Earth. The role that astrobiologists and technological innovations play in the search for life on planets other than Earth is discussed.

The article explores the challenge posed by uncovering the earliest origin of life as Earth developed an atmosphere fit for humans to breath. It describes the important role played by oxygen in nurturing life on Earth. It offers a look at several theories on the origin of life proposed by several scientists, such as palaentologist William Schopf and Thomas McCollom of the University of Colorado in Boulder. The article also examines a theory introduced by cell evolution expert William Martin.

The article discusses life and the more complex truth of life's identity and origin. A meeting called "What is life?" attracted hundred scientists, who mingled with assorted philosophers and theologians to debate on the origin of life. Opinions differed dramatically, but the most contentious debates occurred within the scientific ranks. One very senior expert on lipid molecules argued that life began with the first semi-permeable lipid membrane.

The article focuses on physicist Roni Harnik and his colleagues at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in California, who are exploring other universes. Scientific researchers have begun to believe that the universe in which humans live is not alone, but instead is one among many. Harnik's research, based on the anthropic principle, also aims to explore another universe complex enough to potentially support life. INSET: Anthropic basics.

The article reports on disagreements related to the theory of evolution that is taught in schools in the U.S. Barbara Forrest, a philosopher at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond who has chronicled the history of the ID movement, testified that it was founded on a desire to redefine science to include the idea that human beings were created by God. ID is a scientific theory, and a legitimate scientific controversy exists between ID and natural selection. Scott Minnich, a microbiologist at the University of Idaho, Moscow, testified that there are gaps in the theory of evolution because it does not fully explain the origin of information, the origin of life or the evolutionary history of biochemical pathways and sub-cellular structures. INSETS: WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT;"CREATION SCIENCE" UNCONSTITUTIONAL;THE PLAINTIFFS' CASE;THE DEFENCE CASE

The article discusses several theories regarding the origin of life on Earth. From the record of rocks, most palaeobiologists are convinced that microbial life was flourishing on our planet as long as 3.5 billion years ago. Fossils from the Pilbara region of Western Australia imply that colonies of fairly sophisticated bacteria were already hard at work. The Pilbara fossils remain the oldest clear traces of life on Earth, but presumably there would have been an extended phase of evolution preceding this. The theory that life came to Earth from space is far from new. It was much discussed in the 19th century.

In the 144 years since 'On the Origin of Species,' evolutionary theory has come a long way. Modern biology consistently confirms biologist, Charles Darwin's amazing ideas, even though he knew nothing of genetics or molecular biology. This article examines five of the biggest questions related to evolution. They are about origin of life, role of mutations in evolution, ways how new species are formed, whether evolution is predictable and the role of God in evolution.

The author mulls over the question that whether astronauts who are about to set off for Mars in May 2003 would find definitive evidence of the planet's warm, wet past, or have the most ambitious Mars missions for a generation been oversold. The U.S. NASA's Mars Explorer Rovers are sitting on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida, and Mars Express, Europe's first attempt to land on the Red Planet, is ready for blast-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan as of May 2003. For planetary scientists, these missions represent the opportunity of a lifetime. The craft will be landing at sites that look like they were fashioned by flowing water in days long ago when Mars was warm and wet. On Earth, scientists find life wherever they find liquid water. If life ever evolved in some prebiotic Martian soup, then these are the places where a lucky robotic explorer could stumble upon its traces. The key places to look for more direct evidence is in the gullies, basins and canyons. If these were indeed carved by water, the astronauts should be able to see obvious hallmarks of water erosion on the rocks. The catch is that craft cannot land just anywhere.

Focuses on the origin of life on Earth. Age determination of microbial fossils; Difference of opinion among various paleontologists regarding the date of origin of life; Analysis of carbon isotopes of rocks from Isua, Greenland; Evidence of presence of photosynthesizing early life.

Discusses a revised approach to the evolution of human intelligence from life on the Earth. Evolutionary convergence of the life on the Earth; Levels at which the convergence operates; Implications of the convergence.

Focuses on a computer simulation which suggests that adaptation for survival occurs on a very simple level. Creation of the simulation by physicist Sorin Solomon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Description of how it works; Applicability of the program to certain aspects of financial markets, the origin of human life, the spread of HIV, and robotics.

Examines how astronomers are attempting to re-create outer space here on earth. Work of Luo Allamandola, David Deamer and Jason Dworkin; Details of their research into the origin on life which relies on mixing chemicals under conditions thought to have existed at the start of the Earth's history; Their work at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration's Ames Research Center.

Presents views of scientists opposing breakthroughs in molecular biology concerning the origin of life. Jack Szostak's claims on the RNA'S origin from the random assembly of nucleotides in rock pools; Stanley Miller's synthesis of amino acids through electricity; Contradictions to the RNA world theory.

Early organisms may have relied on nickel sulphide to sustain themselves [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the evolution of modern life from RNA and DNA molecules through a study of a bread mould from Texas. Possibility of providing for the missing links in the evolutionary pathway; Involvement of an intermediate stage in which RNA originals gave rise to DNA copies; Resemblance of the Mauricevill enzyme with the first reverse transcriptase.

Describes how the analysis of fossilized plant seeds, pollen grains and phytoliths are enabling researchers to piece together the evolutionary history of life on Earth. Diet; Gathering fossil specimens; Using a scanning electron microscope; Analysis procedures; Description of phytoliths.

Lee Cronin is fascinated by nature's patterns, but he struggled with science at school. Now, he is building a chemical robot to explore the origin of life [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research led by researcher Prabal Saxena on the role of the sun's rotation in the formation of life on Earth, published in the journal "The Astrophysical Journal Letters."

The article provides information on studies examining how cell-like structures called protocells can form in conditions found in hot springs, such as temperatures and the repeated cycles of drying and rehydration, and how this provides insight on the origin of life.

The article focuses on research examining the conditions exoplanets need to possess in order to be habitable. It states over 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered in orbit around distant stars. It mentions the habitable zone of a star where water is a liquid and talks about the need for ultraviolet (UV) radiation to help create complex compounds needed for life. It explains the concept of the abiogenesis zone where planets are not sterilized by UV light but have enough for prebiotic chemistry.

The article presents a correction to the article "Life's Dark Ages" in the January 12, 2019 issue.

The article considers research intro the genome of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), considering competing findings on whether the organism lived above or below 50 degrees centigrade.

The article discusses the structure of the carbon atom's nucleus, including in regard to the origin of life, the development of carbon and the astronomer Fred Hoyle's prediction on the excited state of the carbon nucleus.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to topics in previous issues including intelligence company DeepMind's access to National Health Service (NHS) patient data, the concern of pre-Christian religions with morality and theories on the origin of life on Earth.

The article reports on a study led by researcher Marta Sewilo at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, which found that the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) appears to contain clouds of methanol, methyl formate and dimethyl ether, which were part of pre-life molecules on earth. Sewilo said LMC can be found into the disc where the planets form as well as into comets and asteroids.

The article offers news briefs related to science. Research on bird flight in the fog, referencing a study under the direction of the scientist Eileen Kirsch in the periodical "The Wilson Journal of Ornithology," is provided. The role that the brightening of an exoplanet plays in indicating that a comet or object has crashed into it, referencing a study in the journal "Icarus," is discussed. Research on the break-up of Pangaea supercontinent indicates that life emerged through the conditions created by the continental break-up.