Sugar Found in Space

Astronomers have discovered simple sugar molecules (glycoaldehyde) in the gas surrounding a star 400 light years away (IRAS 16293-2422), suggesting such organic components may be more common than expected in the search for interstellar life.

Underground Desert Oasis

Researchers have discovered a robust ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, DNA and other molecules of life only two meters beneath the surface of the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on Earth and a good analogue for most of the terrain of Mars.

Hydrogen Peroxide in Space

The APEX telescope in Chile has detected molecules of hydrogen peroxide in space for the first time around the Rho Ophiuchi star formation, a key compound linked to two other molecules of life, oxygen and water.

Arsenic-Tolerant Bacteria

Scientists have isolated arsenic-tolerant bacteria (GFAJ-1) found in a California lake and have cultured them to thrive in an arsenic-heavy environment, possibly substituting arsenic for phosphorus on a molecular level and changing the baseline chemistry believed necessary for life to function.

Amino Acids Found in Comet

NASA's Stardust spacecraft has detected at least one simple amino acid (glycine) in the tail of the comet Wild 2, lending support to the theory comets may have seeded a primeval Earth with organic matter.

Evidence of Water on Saturn Moon

Water plumes observed erupting from the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus may suggest the existence of a subsurface ocean.