One of the big questions in the origin of life, is why are some chemicals right handed or left handed. Usually in a reaction, the two enantiomers are formed. And this is dependent on several factors. Looking at meteorites, scientists have found that in space there is a higher proportion of left-handed amino acids than expected.
Edit: After publishing this piece, I received information about a conference on this topic.
From Physorg.com, an example of biogeochemistry where microorganisms contribute to the deposition of sediments. Looking at Angel Terrace in Yellowstone National Park, the rate of precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was reduced when there was not microbes. So depending on the layers of limestone, the age of the rock can be determined. Also, the microbes seem to create a pattern in the calcium carbonate crystals.
From Physorg.com, I’m not entirely sure about this(the article does not make this clear), but I think this research looks at nano-sized particles of iron oxides and the interaction with other metals. It emphasizes how these nanoparticles will effect remediation projects.
From Physorg.com, The shell of diatoms have an iridescent property that can make cleaner, shiner colors. The idea of diatom farming has a certain appeal to me.
In Mexico there is one of many caves that has these huge gypsum crystals. The photos are just amazing.
So Rogers AR maybe the new Dover. Parents there seem to want “critical thinking” about evolution. But I doubt that any critical thinking about “creation science” will be allowed.
Cool shit in OZ. The South Australia Museum will be displaying fossils from the Ediacaran period. These PreCambrian fossils are some of the oldest animal fossils.
And finally, some help for the RNA World hypothesis. The discovery of a RNA enzyme that acts like RNA polymerase(meaning that it can join pieces of RNA together) is big news. Abstract
From Biocompare, so engineers have been looking for ways of stopping liquefaction. The solution: bacteria. Using common soil bacteria with nutriants and oxygen, scientists have lab-tested bacterial metabolism to create calcite from sand.
I use to get irritated when some fundy made the comment that science says that we are made out of rock or dirt or the like. Even when they say that Genesis is how we were created: Adam from dust (Genesis 2:7). I realized that what upset me was not that geochemical processes created life from non-life that eventually formed 3.8 billion years ago-give or take. What really bothered me was the belief that it was impossible for such a thing to occur without some form of divine assistance. That somehow rocks were inert. It makes me wonder if people do not know what the incredible mingling of water and limestone do over millions of years to from glistening caverns of calcite. Read the rest of this entry »