In this oxygen-poor, prebiotic world, solar energy may have provided the jolt to transform simple organic molecules into more complex ones, which were used as the building blocks of biology and life.

Unlocking the origins of life starts with understanding how simple space molecules turned into complex building blocks. To do that, scientists need untouched samples—material that hasn’t been ...

If you love chemistry--not just its nuts and bolts but the story behind the discovery of the molecules of everyday life and how they work--you will enjoy John Emsley's new book, "Vanity, Vitality ...

The origin of life, formally known as abiogenesis, is the natural process by which first replicating life form arises from simple organic compounds in the pre-biotic era. It considers the physical and ...

The Itokawa findings align with evolutionary models tracing life’s origins to over 3.5 billion years ago. During this era, simple organic molecules began forming RNA, proteins, ...

Astronomers have found a rare form of methanol, a type of alcohol, in a planet-forming disk, providing a critical step in understanding how life beyond Earth may form. This result reveals vital ...

New findings from Perseverance rover suggest the presence of organic molecules in Jezero crater, where a lake existed more than 3.5 ... Understanding their properties can be useful for everyday life ...

Uracil and other organic molecules have previously been found in these meteorites, but there has been no way to rule out the possibility that some of the molecules had a terrestrial origin.

Potential organic molecules, clues to previous life on Mars - study The research employed an innovative technique utilizing the SHERLOC instrument to detect signs of past life, paving the way for ...

Alternative theories on life's origins suggest organic molecules originated at hydrothermal vents or arrived from space via asteroids. This summary was AI-generated and reviewed by CNN editors.

Organic molecules of 'unprecedented size' have been discovered on Mars, adding further evidence that life may once have existed on the Red Planet.. Experts have found long carbon chains ...

Fatty acids are among the organic molecules that on Earth are chemical building blocks of life, NASA said in a news release. Fatty acids also can be made without life, through chemical reactions ...