GPS News  
EXO WORLDS
Scientists look for life's building blocks in outer space
 by Brooks Hays
 Washington (UPI) Apr 10, 2017


Most deep-sea animals produce their own light, research shows
Washington (UPI) Apr 10, 2017 - There a few ecosystems on Earth where the sun doesn't shine. The largest is the deep sea. Below 1,000 feet, the ocean is pitch black.

According to new research, the vast majority of creatures found at such depths create their own light.

Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute analyzed the footage from 240 dives conducted by the institute's remote-controlled submersibles. The survey identified more than 350,000 individual animals using the Video Annotation and Reference System.

Scientists compared the results of their survey with a database of species known to be bioluminescent and classified the identified individuals into one of five categories: definitely bioluminescent, highly likely to be bioluminescent, very unlikely to be bioluminescent, definitely not bioluminescent and undefined.

The research showed nearly three-quarters of all deep-sea dwellers produce their own light. Surprisingly, scientists say, the percentage of bioluminescent species is consistent at a range of depths. However, the groups of animals responsible for bioluminescence at each depth changes.

Between the surface and roughly 5,000 feet, bioluminescence is mostly produced by jellyfish and comb jellies. Between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, most bioluminescent creatures are marine worm species. Most of the glowing species below 10,000 feet are small sperm-like filter feeders called appendicularians, or larvaceans.

"I'm not sure people realize how common bioluminescence is," MBARI researcher Severine Martini said in a news release. "It's not just a few deep-sea fishes, like the angler fish. It's jellies, worms, squids...all sort of things."

Study authors Martini and Steve Haddock published their work in the journal Scientific Reports.

Scientists have long theorized comets delivered key ingredients for life on Earth. Scientists in Germany are currently testing the theory.

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum are replicating the conditions of outer space to test whether cometary chemical reactions could have yielded complex molecules like amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

The average comet hosts all of the ingredients necessary for amino acid construction -- oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon. Scientists suspect the molecule hydroxylamine, NH2-OH, could have served as an amino acid precursor. But researchers haven't been able to confirm the molecule's presence on a comet flying through space.

Scientists have studied space-based chemical reactions in the gas phase, but researchers at RUB are interested in the chemical reactions in the condensed phases, solids and liquids, on the surfaces of comets.

A pair of radicals are likely to form a simple, direct bond when meeting in a gaseous environment.

"However, if we observe the reactions in the ice, anything is possible," researcher Teddy Butscher said in a news release.

Researchers set up experiments to see whether simple molecules could evolve complex molecules like hydroxylamine in ice. Researchers supplied the ice with ammonia and oxygen and subjected the sample to high-energy radiation. Infrared spectroscopy helped scientists track chemical reactions inside the ice. Specific vibrations can reveal certain molecules.

At first, scientists were unable to locate hydroxylamine. The chorus of chemical vibrations from other molecules drowned out its signature. But when researchers heated the sample, sublimating other molecules, hydroxylamine's signature surfaced.

"I think that people had not been searching for it using the right methods until now," said researcher Yetsedaw Tsegaw.

The research is a promising first step in explaining the origins of life, but RUB scientists are quick to point out the impossibility of proving how life began. Researchers say they can only provide plausible theories backed by thorough research and scientific evidence.

"The creation of life occurred over a timescale that we cannot simulate," said researcher Wolfram Sander. "Even though our research is of fundamental importance, it will not be able to provide a definitive answer to this question."

EXO WORLDS
'Smart' cephalopods trade off genome evolution for prolific RNA editing
 Cape Cod MA (SPX) Apr 10, 2017
 Octopus, squid, and cuttlefish are famous for engaging in complex behavior, from unlocking an aquarium tank and escaping to instantaneous skin camouflage to hide from predators. A new study suggests their evolutionary path to neural sophistication includes a novel mechanism: Prolific RNA editing at the expense of evolution in their genomic DNA. The study, led by Joshua J.C. Rosenthal of th ... read more
Related Links
 Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth


Thanks for being here;
 We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal
 		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly

paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.
Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

EXO WORLDS
To save honey bees, human behavior must change

 So sheep may safely graze

 Fungus uses light to invade, attack wheat plants

 Colombia forces struggle to root out coca
EXO WORLDS
Touch-sensitive, elastic fibers offer new interface for electronics

 Microprocessors based on a layer of just 3 atoms

 Streamlining mass production of printable electronics

 Irish researchers make major breakthrough in smart printed electronics
EXO WORLDS
Aviation poised for 'third revolution': Airbus boss

 U.S. F-35s to make first operational deployment in Europe

 Airbus talks with military plane clients 'constructive': Enders

 Lockheed Martin gets $372 million contract mod for F-35 work
EXO WORLDS
GM to ramp up self-driving effort in Silicon Valley

 Uber says growth strong as it gives a peek at earnings

 Tesla's Musk announces plans for semi-truck launch

 Apple gets permit to test self-driving cars
EXO WORLDS
China producer prices jump 7.6% in March: govt

 First 'Silk Road' train from Britain leaves for China

 US: China, Germany must do more to cut trade surpluses

 Chile, China start talks to expand trade deal
EXO WORLDS
Greenhouse gas effect caused by mangrove forest conversion is quite significant

 When old growth beats old school

 Stanford study explores risk of deforestation as agriculture expands in Africa

 A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer for land surface radiation models
EXO WORLDS
New map reveals Earth's magnetic field in high resolution

 Solar Storms Can Drain Electrical Charge Above Earth

 Climate change to increase severe aircraft turbulence

 NASA's High-Altitude Plane Takes to the Sky for GOES-16 Field Campaign
EXO WORLDS
Scientists created nanopowders for the synthesis of new aluminum alloys

 Self-assembling polymers provide thin nanowire template

 Scientists identify unusual force acting on nanoparticles

 UNM physicist discovers strange forces acting on nanoparticles








The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.