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A recent NASA-funded study has observed findings about the molecular processes that might have shaped the origins of life on Earth. Research published in Nature Communications suggests that ribonucleic acid (RNA), a molecule believed to have predated DNA, exhibits no inherent bias in producing the left- or right-handed versions of amino acids. This challenges long-standing assumptions about why life predominantly uses left-handed amino acids in its proteins, a phenomenon known as homochirality.

The Enigma of Molecular Handedness

Amino acids, the essential building blocks of proteins, exist in two mirror-image forms: left-handed and right-handed. Life on Earth exclusively relies on the left-handed variety, though there is no apparent reason right-handed amino acids would not function similarly. This phenomenon has baffled scientists, as it appears to reflect a fundamental aspect of biology. The current study, led by Irene Chen, Professor at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, tested ribozymes—RNA molecules capable of acting like enzymes under early-Earth conditions. The results indicated that ribozymes could favour either handedness, undermining the notion that RNA inherently favoured the left-handed type.

Implications for Life’s Early Evolution

The research involved simulating primitive Earth conditions, where ribozymes were exposed to amino acid precursors. In 15 tested combinations, no consistent bias towards left-handed amino acids was observed. This discovery suggests that homochirality may have emerged through evolutionary processes rather than as a result of RNA’s chemical preferences. Co-author Alberto Vázquez-Salazar, a UCLA postdoctoral scholar, noted that these findings imply that life’s molecular handedness likely arose later in its development.

Future Research on Life’s Molecular Origins

Jason Dworkin, Senior Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasised that understanding life’s molecular properties informs the search for extraterrestrial life. Current analysis of samples from asteroid Bennu, brought back by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, includes studying amino acid handedness. Such investigations may uncover further clues about the origin of homochirality and its role in life’s development.

The research was funded by NASA, the Simons Foundation, and the National Science Foundation, contributing valuable insights into one of life’s most profound mysteries.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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Oak Trees: A Journey Through Time, From Fossils to the Forests We Know

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December 23, 2024

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Oak Trees: A Journey Through Time, From Fossils to the Forests We Know

Rising global temperatures and shifting tectonic plates are believed to have shaped the development of one of Earth’s most iconic trees, the oak (Quercus). According to reports, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a significant climatic event approximately 56 million years ago, created extreme conditions that influenced the evolution of diverse plant species, including the ancestors of modern oaks. This event occurred during a time of volcanic activity that released massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, leading to an average temperature increase of 8 degrees Celsius globally.

The Impact of the PETM on Early Ecosystems

It has been documented that the PETM caused dramatic changes in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. According to sources, tropical forests expanded across South America, while plant and animal species migrated vast distances in response to rising temperatures. The fossil record suggests that during this period, the ancestors of today’s oaks began to emerge, though evidence such as acorns and pollen remains sparse.

First Oak Fossils Discovered in Austria

Fossilised oak pollen was first identified in Oberndorf, Austria, near the site of the Church of Saint Pankraz. Reports indicate that this discovery provides the earliest evidence of oaks dating back to the PETM. The surrounding forests, a mosaic of subtropical and temperate species, were home to plants that later contributed to modern biodiversity.

The Evolutionary Split of Oaks

As the Atlantic Ocean widened, dividing North America and Europe, reports suggest that the ancestral oak population split into two major lineages. One evolved in the Americas, while the other adapted to regions in Eurasia and North Africa. This separation is attributed to tectonic activity and natural barriers, which likely played a critical role in the diversification of oak species. The history of oaks exemplifies the gradual process of evolution driven by environmental factors, with their legacy continuing into today’s temperate forests.

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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest Sun Flyby Ever on December 24

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December 23, 2024

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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest Sun Flyby Ever on December 24

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to perform its closest flyby of the sun on December 24, 2024, at 6:53 a.m. EST. The spacecraft, which launched in 2018, will approach within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometres) of the solar surface, setting a record for the nearest distance a human-made object has travelled to a star. Travelling at an extraordinary speed of 430,000 mph (692,000 kph), the probe will traverse the sun’s corona, collecting data on its high-temperature environment.

Mission Details and Flyby Preparations

The Parker Solar Probe, managed by NASA and designed at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL), has completed 21 previous solar encounters and seven flybys of Venus, as per a report by Parker Solar Space. The upcoming event marks the 22nd solar approach in its mission to deepen the understanding of the sun’s outer atmosphere. According to Nick Pinkine, mission operations manager at JHUAPL, the probe will provide unprecedented data from regions no spacecraft has explored before.

As part of its preparations, the probe sent a final transmission to Earth on December 20, signalling all systems are functioning normally, according to reports. Contact with the spacecraft will remain offline until December 27, when it is expected to send a health status update. Comprehensive science data, including telemetry, will begin to arrive in January 2025, as per reports.

Engineering to Withstand Extreme Temperatures

During the flyby, the spacecraft will endure temperatures reaching 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (980 degrees Celsius). Its advanced heat shield, constructed from carbon foam, ensures the probe’s instruments remain at near room temperature while withstanding up to 1,377 degrees Celsius.

Future of the Mission

As per reports, two additional close solar flybys are planned for March 22 and June 19, 2025. Decisions regarding the spacecraft’s trajectory and continued operations are expected after the primary mission concludes. The Parker Solar Probe’s findings aim to address critical questions about the sun’s behaviour, contributing to the broader understanding of solar phenomena.

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NASA’s discovery of a sideways black hole in NGC 5084 raises questions

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December 23, 2024

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NASA's discovery of a sideways black hole in NGC 5084 raises questions

In findings shared through The Astrophysical Journal, NASA scientists have uncovered an extraordinary black hole in galaxy NGC 5084. Located around 80 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, the black hole has been observed lying at a 90-degree tilt relative to the galactic plane. Using archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, the research team identified twin plasma plumes forming a striking “X” shape, an unprecedented phenomenon in astronomical observations, as per reports.

Unusual Discovery Sparks Investigation

The discovery was attributed to a novel image analysis method, known as Selective Amplification of Ultra Noisy Astronomical Signal (SAUNAS), enabling researchers to detect faint X-ray emissions. The study team noted this departure from the typical spherical distribution of X-rays, indicating a significant and previously undetected event in the galaxy’s history.

Dr Pamela Marcum, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, explained in a statement, that the unusual cross-shaped structure of the X-ray plumes, coupled with the tilted dusty disk, provides unique insights into the galaxy’s past.

A Cosmic Collision Hypothesised

Further analysis through the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) confirmed the presence of a dusty ring at the galactic core, rotated in alignment with the black hole’s tilt. The alignment and structural anomalies suggest that NGC 5084 may have experienced a collision with another galaxy, generating plasma outflows above and below its plane.

Dr Alejandro Serrano Borlaff, also from Ames Research Center, stated that the combination of observations across multiple wavelengths revealed the dynamic and transformative events that have shaped this galaxy.

This discovery underscores the potential of archived data, dating back decades, when combined with modern processing techniques. Researchers anticipate that ongoing studies will unravel more details about the violent event that altered NGC 5084’s structure and orientation.

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