Salty Origins for Early Earth Biomolecules
In a study presented at the European Planetary Science Conference in Potsdam, researchers proposed that salt deposits on the early Earth's volcanic coasts enabled the conversion of amino acids into other important molecules for the start of life. Cynthia Graber reports
Microbe-ferrying Russian probe reportedly won't head for Mars orbit until 2011
Ear to the Universe starts listening
US radio array starts its search for extraterrestrial life.
Sample-return mission pulls a building block of life from a comet
Alien Invasion? An Ecologist Doubts the Impact of Exotic Species
Many conservationists have dedicated their lives to eradicating invasive plant and animal species, but Mark Davis wants them to reassess their missions
Handedness Could Reveal Aliens
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are developing a way to measure the directionality of compounds on other planets--which could reveal the presence of life, because biomolecules tend to twist in only one of two possible directions. Karen Hopkin reports
Without the Moon, Would There Be Life on Earth?
By driving the tides, our lunar companion may have jump-started biology--or at least accelerated its progression
Are You Out There, ET? Searches for Habitable Planets Are About to Get a Boost
A Q&A with stellar and planetary scientist Alan Boss about the holy grail of extrasolar planet research--finding Earth-like planets
Artificial life: Was Steven Spielberg onto something in E.T.?
Alien Census: Can We Estimate How Much Life Is Out There?
New study looks to tabulate the extent of intelligent extraterrestrial life
Methane on Mars: Is Something Organic Brewing on the Red Planet?
Localized gas plumes may point to biological or geologic activity
Reel Life: The Day the Earth Stood Still
The remake of this 1951 sci-fi classic delivers a modern warning wrapped in an ancient myth