Self-replicating protocells created in lab may be life’s “missing link”

Exactly how life first emerged from non-living matter is one of the most enduring mysteries of science. In a new study, Japanese scientists have created self-replicating protocells in the lab, which they say could represent the “missing link” between c… Continue reading Self-replicating protocells created in lab may be life’s “missing link”

Say hi to Hycean worlds, a new class of exoplanet that could host life

More than 4,400 exoplanets have been discovered to date, and in the hunt for whether there may be life out there most of our attention has been focused on Earth-like worlds. But now, astronomers have defined a new class of exoplanet called “Hycean” wor… Continue reading Say hi to Hycean worlds, a new class of exoplanet that could host life

NASA’s Dragonfly to search for life on Titan

Saturn’s moon Titan is one of the most intriguing places in the solar system, so much so that NASA is planning to send a rotorcraft there in the mid 2030s. Now the science team behind this Dragonfly mission has outlined its science goals and objectives… Continue reading NASA’s Dragonfly to search for life on Titan

Controversial astronomer outlines plans to search for alien technology

Controversial physicist Avi Loeb is on the hunt for aliens again. His new Galileo Project is setting out to look for any extraterrestrial technology, by tracking unexplained oddities in the sky, studying interstellar objects that whiz through the solar… Continue reading Controversial astronomer outlines plans to search for alien technology

Methane in plumes from Saturn’s moon could be signs of microbial life

Something is making methane on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. A new study has found that methane levels detected from the icy moon are far higher than can be explained by known geochemical processes – but they are consistent with microbes.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Methane in plumes from Saturn’s moon could be signs of microbial life

Water study may wash out hopes for life on Venus

Hopes of finding life on Venus had already been dashed, but now a new study may have hammered the last nail into the coffin. New modeling of water activity on different solar system planets has found that Venus would be too dry for even the most extrem… Continue reading Water study may wash out hopes for life on Venus

“Rogue planet” exomoons could potentially harbor water and life

Contrary to popular belief, not all planets orbit stars – some drift freely through the cosmos on their own. These cold, dark worlds don’t make great candidates for hosting life, but a new study suggests that their moons could be more habitable than th… Continue reading “Rogue planet” exomoons could potentially harbor water and life

Seafloor volcanoes may be supporting life on icy Europa

Jupiter’s Icy moon Europa may have enough internal heat to trigger volcanic activity on the floor of its global ocean, according to the results of a new study. Despite being encased in a shell of water ice, Europa is considered to be one of the most pr… Continue reading Seafloor volcanoes may be supporting life on icy Europa

Tardigrades fired from a gun to test theory asteroids seed life

Tardigrades are some of the toughest lifeforms ever discovered, and it’s been proposed that they (or similar organisms) could seed life through the cosmos by hitching rides on asteroids. Now, researchers at the University of Kent have tested the hypoth… Continue reading Tardigrades fired from a gun to test theory asteroids seed life

Entirely new class of biomolecule may be common to all forms of life

Scientists continue to make surprising discoveries in our own bodies. Stanford researchers have now discovered a new biomolecule hiding in plain sight, which may be common to most types of life and could play a role in autoimmune diseases in humans.Con… Continue reading Entirely new class of biomolecule may be common to all forms of life