Does Life on Earth Come from Mars?
We’ve all heard the theory that life on Earth originated on Mars, but now there is fresh evidence to support it.
New research presented at a recent scientific conference suggests that the Red Planet was actually a much better place for life billions of years ago and therefore the very likely source of the first living cells that appeared on Earth.
The theory was presented at the Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology by Professor Steven Benner. According to generally accepted theory, life appeared on Earth 3.5 billion years ago as the planet began to cool down. The drop in temperatures allowed the formation of simple organic compounds, which then combined into polymers and eventually became the first protocells.
Evidence suggests that these first cells used RNA replication and that life forms switched to DNA replication a lot later. But according to Benner, this theory of RNA replication does not hold, as the process would have been very rare if Earth was indeed submerged in water back then.
The formation of RNA requires two essential components: borate and molybdate and if these are absent, organic molecules dissolved in water result in tar instead of RNA. But both borate and molybdate would have been scarce on Earth billions of years ago.
However, Benner says the minerals would have been abundant on Mars, something confirmed by the recent analysis of Martian meteorite. Scientists have collected and tested 120 Martian meteorites so far and most of them indicate that both catalysts needed for RNA replication were present on the Red Planet.
Another element that further supports the theory is that water is corrosive to RNA, so replication would have been a lot more likely to happen on Mars, which had significantly less water than Earth did.
According to banner, the most recent evidence adds extra weight to the theory that “we are actually all Martians” and that life on Earth actually started on the Red Planet and came here “on a rock.”
While we are still a longs distance from seeing definitive proof of the actual origins of life, the latest discoveries give hope that we will eventually find life on Mars and other worlds. What do you think of the theory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
[Image via Telegraph]
The post Does Life on Earth Come from Mars? appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://techbeat.com/2013/09/does-life-on-earth-come-from-mars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-life-on-earth-come-from-mars
Self-healing Fluid That Can Help Nanosatellites Travel Through Space
It is thought that one day tiny satellites known as nanosatellites could propel themselves in space by expelling fine streams of liquid, in the same way that a squid shoots jets of water to move itself forward.
At the moment researchers use tiny, fragile needles to build tiny jet propulsion systems but these are expensive. However, researchers at the Michigan Technological University have found a better solution in something called ferrofluid; a magnetic liquid that can form itself into needles that can act in the same way.
These ferrofluids are flat until exposed to a magnet, at which point they form spikes. These remain in place no matter whether the fluid is shaken or turned. They are also self-healing, meaning the spike will reform if it gets broken.This is a useful characteristic seeing as a nanosatellite needs a few hundred spikes despite measuring only a few inches across.
Nanosatellites need to be robust in order to survive the trip in to space and also the return journey to Earth.
“Because they are so small and intricate, they are expensive to make, and the needles are fragile,” Michigan Technological University mechanical engineering professor Brad King said in a release. “They are easily destroyed either by a careless bump or an electrical arc when they’re running.”
Mr King has applied for a patent and continues to research ferrofluids for nanosatellites.
“First we have to really understand what is happening on a microscopic level, and then develop a larger prototype based on what we learn,” King said in the release. “We’re not quite there yet; we can’t build a person out of liquid, like the notorious villain from the Terminator movies. But we’re pretty sure we can build a rocket engine.”
[Image via wikimedia]
SOURCE: http://gigaom.com/2013/09/04/self-healing-fluid-could-help-tiny-satellites-travel-through-space/
The post Self-healing Fluid That Can Help Nanosatellites Travel Through Space appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://techbeat.com/2013/09/self-healing-fluid-that-can-help-nanosatellites-travel-through-space/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=self-healing-fluid-that-can-help-nanosatellites-travel-through-space
Microsoft Surface Price Cuts Are Permanent
About two months ago, Microsoft users were treated to the slashing of Surface RT prices. I think you’ll have to pay me to actually use one of those things, but no one can deny that there is still a market for Microsoft Surface tablets. Then again, the market does not really seem to be kind to Microsoft, so the initially temporary price cuts have been made permanent!
Good news, isn’t it? For those who have their hearts set on having a Microsoft Surface, the price cut does away with the need to hurry up. For those who may not have been considering buying one, the decrease in price may be enough incentive.
The nitty gritty
So how much will you have to pay? ZDNet lists the price cuts in detail.
- $100 (U.S.) off Surface Pro (including the 256 GB SKU). This means the entry-level Surface Pro will now start at $799 (U.S.)
- $40 (U.S.) off Touch Covers. Touch Covers will now start at $79 (U.S.), and Limited Edition Touch Covers will now start at $89 (U.S.)
- $50 (U.S.) off Surface RT bundles. Surface RT bundles will now start at $399 (U.S.)
The most significant price cut is for the Surface Pro, but the actual price is still NOT cheap. At that price, I am pretty sure you can find something else that will give you more value for your money. Say, something like the iPad? 
What might be the reason behind the permanent price cuts?
Off the top of my head…could it be that sales are not meeting their expectations? (How can that be possible???)
The official word, though, is “to meet customer demand and retailer expectations”; and according to a spokesperson, “The customer response to recent Surface pricing and keyboard-cover promotions has been exciting to see, and we are proud to begin rollout of Surface Pro, Touch Cover and Surface RT bundles at even more affordable prices.”
Euphemism at its best, huh?
For more details on price cuts – and everything Surface – visit the official web site.
[Image via Forbes]
The post Microsoft Surface Price Cuts Are Permanent appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://techbeat.com/2013/09/microsoft-surface-price-cuts-are-permanent/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-surface-price-cuts-are-permanent
phpMyAdmin 4.0.6
phpMyAdmin is a free software tool written in PHP intended to handle the administration of MySQL over the World Wide Web. phpMyAdmin supports a wide range of operations with MySQL.
via FileHippo.com http://filehippo.com/download_phpmyadmin/ [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]