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Amino Acids Created in Deep-Space-Like Environment

Posted by michael on from the purple-rain dept.

klevin writes "NASA scientists today announced the creation of amino acids, critical for life, in an environment that mimics deep space. The above link is the press release, with additional details here."

6 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. soo... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    does his mean my chances for finding an alien hotty, ala kirk, have just gone way up?

  2. Why? by geek · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is mildly cool, but honestly it's done all the time by companies like TwinLab who sell them to body builders in little glass jars.

    Why bother growing them in space when you can bring them with you? Sounds like NASA is taking the long way around.

    1. Re:Why? by soulsteal · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's not about use with space exploration. It's about being prepared for what's to come during said exploration. If amino acids can form in deep space, then the conditions might also be right for things like proteins to assemble. Basic building blocks of life could be right around the celestial corner. They could even be leading to life forms.



      I'm just hoping there's nothing out there that demands that we call it Xenu\Linux.

  3. I can create them here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can create them there.
    I can create them anywhere!

    I will not evolve them in a house
    I will not evolve them with a mouse
    I do not like space genes of man
    I do not like them Sam I am.

  4. Re:Big deal by smoondog · · Score: 3, Funny

    Amino acids, so what? I will be excited when the explain how amino acids assemble themselves into something as complex as DNA.

    So would I. Perhaps you should read your own signature. Nucleic acids assemble to DNA; amino acids make proteins.

    -Sean

  5. Re:Come on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Oh Please. If you're going to flame my religion, at least get the facts straight. Santa only needs one busy night to get his work done, not a week! Sheesh.