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Genetic Material Found on Meteorite
Although it's only one part of the answer, we have come another step closer to solving the question of how life originated. Two necessary molecular ingredients of DNA and RNA have been confirmed to have originated from outer space. They join the handful of amino acids we have discovered to have been delivered to Earth on the backs of asteroids and comets.
6.17.2008 at 09:31pm - Comment by alex10294Pernicious: Similar molecules can be created by electrical catalysis or other ways. These are the VERY simple building blocks of DNA. Not that this isn't a huge deal, but it's not evidence of ET life. Although, as they say, it's encouraging that these things are flying around. Also, we can't be surprised to find these same components on Mars now. If we find them there, we know where they likely came from.
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December 2009: Best of What's New
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
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