Posted on 01/01/2016 5:14:05 AM PST by WhiskeyX
(Phys.org)—A team of researchers from Germany and Switzerland has found examples of microbial life from over 3 billion years ago, that appeared to have evaded UV radiation by hiding in subsurface cavities. In their paper published in the journal Geology, the team describes where the fossilized cells were found, their testing techniques and why their finding is important.
Scientists believe that life first came to exist on planet Earth approximately three and a half to four billion years ago, a time called the Archaean aeon, when there was not yet an ozone layer to filer out UV radiation, or oxygen in the atmosphere to breathe—that meant that microbes that developed would have had to do so in a protected place. In this new effort, the researchers report that they believe they have found just such a haven.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
Good post.
“On a geological time scale, of course, meaning anytime now in the next few million years.”
It may be as little as a few years or decades. They are already producing self replicating organic systems that are the key to RNA and DNA. See for one example:
Chemists edge closer to recreating early life
09 January 2009
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/January/09010901.asp
Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell
An organism controlled by completely manmade DNA can grow and reproduce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRzrYNVXF28
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