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Scientists call for wider search for alien life
http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?id=6553275 ^ | Carl Zimmer | Carl Zimmer

Posted on 07/08/2007 5:42:34 PM PDT by BenLurkin

NEW YORK: A panel of scientists convened by America's leading scientific advisory group says the hunt for extraterrestrial life should be greatly expanded to include what they call "weird life": organisms that lack DNA or other molecules found in life as we know it.

"The committee's investigation makes clear that life is possible in forms different from those on Earth," the scientists conclude in their report.

Starfish, sequoias, salamanders and the rest of Earth's residents may seem very diverse, but they are surprisingly similar on the molecular scale. All species that scientists have studied need liquid water to survive, for example. Further, they all rely on DNA to carry genetic information, and they all use that information to build proteins from the same set of building blocks, known as amino acids.

Weird life could differ from life as we know it in small or big ways. For example, while DNA uses phosphorus in its backbone, it might be possible to build a backbone out of arsenic instead. And life might exist in liquids other than water, perhaps ammonia or methane.

Benner said there was "good evidence that the life we know on Earth was preceded by a weird form of life." Early Earth life may have been based on RNA, a single-stranded form of DNA. Although DNA-based life may have out-competed earlier forms on the surface of the planet, RNA life may still exist in refuges. One potential hiding place is deep below the ocean floor.

To find weird life, however, scientists will have to build new kinds of detectors. The scientists also said the possibility of weird life should prompt NASA to reorder its future missions. They singled out Saturn's moon Titan as particularly promising.

(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: carlzimmer; seti; weirdlife
"weird life"
1 posted on 07/08/2007 5:42:37 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Trying to see if I remember how to post a pic.
img source = “http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/f/f2/Belushi_in_Animal_House.jpg";


2 posted on 07/08/2007 5:45:59 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: BipolarBob

Nope.
“img source = http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/f/f2/Belushi_in_Animal_House.jpg";


3 posted on 07/08/2007 5:46:56 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: BipolarBob

Well I give up.


4 posted on 07/08/2007 5:47:19 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: BenLurkin

Art Bell retired last weekend.

Sorry.


5 posted on 07/08/2007 5:48:04 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network (D is for Defeatism. R is for Reconquista.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

Say it isn’t so ?!


6 posted on 07/08/2007 5:55:10 PM PDT by festus (The constitution may be flawed but its a whole lot better than what we have now.)
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To: festus

Sorry to say, it’s so.

His new daughter was just born, he’s obviously set financially, and evidently wants to spend time with his wife and their new home.

He’s rediscovering happiness I would think.

Good for him. He’ll be back. He always is. :)


7 posted on 07/08/2007 5:57:46 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network (D is for Defeatism. R is for Reconquista.)
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To: festus

The folks from SETI have to start all over now.


8 posted on 07/08/2007 6:01:11 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: BipolarBob

9 posted on 07/08/2007 6:05:58 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Scientists call for wider search for alien life

Try the Arizona border area!!!

10 posted on 07/08/2007 6:11:52 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: BenLurkin
To find weird life, however, scientists will have to build new kinds of detectors.

Scientists have long held the belief that there ARE feral felines hidden beneath the highways and byways of major cities, worldwide. This C.A.T. (Cat Attack Tracker) detector tech is bound to find one soon! (if he don't get smooshed by a speeding lorrie)Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

11 posted on 07/08/2007 6:41:33 PM PDT by DancesWithCats
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To: Quix

PING.


12 posted on 07/08/2007 8:02:38 PM PDT by Joya (2007 is half over)
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To: BenLurkin

Have they looked at the DNC?


13 posted on 07/08/2007 8:28:44 PM PDT by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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