A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation.

The new study was published in&nbsp;Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution. The living beings are said to have come from a single common ancestor known as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), according to the scientists.

LUCA is a hypothesised common ancestor from which it is believed all modern cellular life has descended.

The living beings that evolved from LUCA also came from different sources: the amino acids which had built proteins in other cellular organisms, cellular machinery like the ribosome and others, and the shared energy currency.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-groundwater-to-turn-undrinkable-for-half-a-billion-people-by-2100-study-740031">Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study</a>

The team compared all the genes in the genomes of living species, counting the mutations that have occurred within their sequences over time since they shared an ancestor in LUCA.

Some species' time of separation was understood from the fossil record and a genetic equivalent of the familiar equation was used by the team to understand when LUCA existed, which was found to be 4.2 billion years ago - nearly four hundred million years after the Earth and our solar system was formed.

<h2>LUCA was a complex organism, exploiting its environment: Scientists&nbsp;</h2>

The study's co-author Dr Sandra Álvarez-Carretero said, "We did not expect LUCA to be so old, within just hundreds of millions of years of Earth formation. However, our results fit with modern views on the habitability of early Earth."

The researchers also worked on LUCA's biology by modelling the physiological characteristics of living species with the genealogy of LUCA's life.

Explaining the process, lead author Dr Edmund Moody said, "The evolutionary history of genes is complicated by their exchange between lineages. We have to use complex evolutionary models to reconcile the evolutionary history of genes with the genealogy of species."

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-say-the-earths-core-is-behaving-oddly-heres-why-739062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Our study showed that LUCA was a complex organism, not too different from modern prokaryotes, but what is really interesting is that it's clear it possessed an early immune system, showing that even by 4.2 billion years ago, our ancestor was engaging in an arms race with viruses," said co-author Professor Davide Pisani, while speaking about the features of LUCA.

Taking this discussion further, co-author Tim Lenton said, "It's clear that LUCA was exploiting and changing its environment, but it is unlikely to have lived alone. Its waste would have been food for other microbes, like methanogens, that would have helped to create a recycling ecosystem."

(With inputs from agencies)

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation.

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol studied the earliest ecosystem on Earth to understand when life began flourishing on our planet, just a hundred million years after planetary formation. The new study was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The living beings are said to have come from a single common ancestor known as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), according to the scientists. LUCA is a hypothesised common ancestor from which it is believed all modern cellular life has descended. The living beings that evolved from LUCA also came from different sources: the amino acids which had built proteins in other cellular organisms, cellular machinery like the ribosome and others, and the shared energy currency. Also Read: Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study The team compared all the genes in the genomes of living species, counting the mutations that have occurred within their sequences over time since they shared an ancestor in LUCA. Some species' time of separation was understood from the fossil record and a genetic equivalent of the familiar equation was used by the team to understand when LUCA existed, which was found to be 4.2 billion years ago - nearly four hundred million years after the Earth and our solar system was formed. LUCA was a complex organism, exploiting its environment: Scientists The study's co-author Dr Sandra Álvarez-Carretero said, "We did not expect LUCA to be so old, within just hundreds of millions of years of Earth formation. However, our results fit with modern views on the habitability of early Earth." The researchers also worked on LUCA's biology by modelling the physiological characteristics of living species with the genealogy of LUCA's life. Explaining the process, lead author Dr Edmund Moody said, "The evolutionary history of genes is complicated by their exchange between lineages. We have to use complex evolutionary models to reconcile the evolutionary history of genes with the genealogy of species." Watch: Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why "Our study showed that LUCA was a complex organism, not too different from modern prokaryotes, but what is really interesting is that it's clear it possessed an early immune system, showing that even by 4.2 billion years ago, our ancestor was engaging in an arms race with viruses," said co-author Professor Davide Pisani, while speaking about the features of LUCA. Taking this discussion further, co-author Tim Lenton said, "It's clear that LUCA was exploiting and changing its environment, but it is unlikely to have lived alone. Its waste would have been food for other microbes, like methanogens, that would have helped to create a recycling ecosystem." (With inputs from agencies)

Earth was barren till life came into existence 4.2 billion years ago: Study

A potentially habitable planet which was discovered by scientists has destroyed its own atmosphere. Known as Trappist-1e, the planet is&nbsp;most likely&nbsp;inhospitable to alien life now.

The electric currents, which were created by the planet, have led to the stripping of the atmosphere as the planet has been racing near its red dwarf host star.&nbsp;

This is a significant discovery since the Trappist-1 system, in which this exoplanet orbits a small red dwarf star, was one of the major targets where alien life was being hunted.

Among the seven Earth-like planets in the system, at least three are present in the habitable zone, which is a region around a star that is neither too hot nor too cold and lets a planet support liquid water.

However, if a planet lacks an atmosphere, it cannot hold on to liquid water, even if it is in the habitable zone which is called the "Goldilocks zone."&nbsp;

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The present condition proves that Trappist-1e may be the habitable zone of red dwarf Trappist-1 - which is at a distance of 40 light-years from Earth - however, its habitability may be fleeting.

The phenomenon which has affected the atmosphere of Trappist-1e, is also likely to have impacted the atmospheres of the other planets which are present in the habitable zone and has decreased the hope of finding life in this system.

<h2>What is stripping the atmosphere of exoplanets?</h2>

Trappist-1e is approximately the size of the Earth, however, it has around 0.7 times the mass of our planet. It is located fourth place from its star and orbits at just 0.028 times the distance between the sun and Earth, hence, completing one orbit in only 6.1 Earth days.

Even though Trappist-1 is in close proximity,&nbsp;it is much smaller and cooler than the sun and&nbsp;the&nbsp;habitable zone is closer to its surface in comparison to the habitable zone of our star.

So, the radiation from the red dwarf is not stripping the atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1e, but it is a wind of charged particles which is blowing from the star and is known as the "stellar wind."&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Planet warming at an accelerating rate

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/planet-warming-at-an-accelerating-rate-691640/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We looked at how the space weather changes through the planet's orbit, with TRAPPIST-1e transitions very rapidly between very different stellar wind conditions and pressures, leading to a sort of pulsing compression and relaxation of the planetary magnetic field," said Cecilia Garraffo, team member and an astrophysicist at Harvard &amp; Smithsonian, while speaking to Space.com.&nbsp;

"This drives strong electric currents in the upper atmosphere — the ionosphere — that heat up the atmosphere just like an electric heater," Garraffo added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A potentially habitable planet which was discovered by scientists has destroyed its own atmosphere. Known as Trappist-1e, the planet is most likely inhospitable to alien life now.

A potentially habitable planet which was discovered by scientists has destroyed its own atmosphere. Known as Trappist-1e, the planet is most likely inhospitable to alien life now. The electric currents, which were created by the planet, have led to the stripping of the atmosphere as the planet has been racing near its red dwarf host star. This is a significant discovery since the Trappist-1 system, in which this exoplanet orbits a small red dwarf star, was one of the major targets where alien life was being hunted. Among the seven Earth-like planets in the system, at least three are present in the habitable zone, which is a region around a star that is neither too hot nor too cold and lets a planet support liquid water. However, if a planet lacks an atmosphere, it cannot hold on to liquid water, even if it is in the habitable zone which is called the "Goldilocks zone." Also Read: NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ with habitable zone. This planet 137 light years away assures… The present condition proves that Trappist-1e may be the habitable zone of red dwarf Trappist-1 - which is at a distance of 40 light-years from Earth - however, its habitability may be fleeting. The phenomenon which has affected the atmosphere of Trappist-1e, is also likely to have impacted the atmospheres of the other planets which are present in the habitable zone and has decreased the hope of finding life in this system. What is stripping the atmosphere of exoplanets? Trappist-1e is approximately the size of the Earth, however, it has around 0.7 times the mass of our planet. It is located fourth place from its star and orbits at just 0.028 times the distance between the sun and Earth, hence, completing one orbit in only 6.1 Earth days. Even though Trappist-1 is in close proximity, it is much smaller and cooler than the sun and the habitable zone is closer to its surface in comparison to the habitable zone of our star. So, the radiation from the red dwarf is not stripping the atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1e, but it is a wind of charged particles which is blowing from the star and is known as the "stellar wind." Watch: Planet warming at an accelerating rate "We looked at how the space weather changes through the planet's orbit, with TRAPPIST-1e transitions very rapidly between very different stellar wind conditions and pressures, leading to a sort of pulsing compression and relaxation of the planetary magnetic field," said Cecilia Garraffo, team member and an astrophysicist at Harvard & Smithsonian, while speaking to Space.com. "This drives strong electric currents in the upper atmosphere — the ionosphere — that heat up the atmosphere just like an electric heater," Garraffo added. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth-like exoplanet destroys its own atmosphere, reduces hope of existence of alien life

In a recent study, researchers have claimed that the moon of Saturn, which has a massive impact crater on its surface and appears similar to the Death Star from Star Wars, has a hidden ocean which is buried miles beneath its crust.&nbsp;

With the discovery, Mimas - which is a 250-mile-wide ice ball - became the latest member to join an exclusive club of moons which harbour subterranean oceans. Saturn’s Titan and Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa and Ganymede were already part of the group.&nbsp;

Astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris in France Valery Lainey said, "It’s quite a surprise. If you look at the surface of Mimas, there’s nothing that betrays a subsurface ocean. It’s the most unlikely candidate by far.”

Keeping in mind the peculiarities in Mimas’ orbit, the astronomers have drawn two possibilities: either an internal ocean of the moon helped its outer shell to shift independently from the core or that it contains an elongated core covered in ice.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-super-earth-with-habitable-zone-this-planet-137-light-years-away-assures-687327">NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ with habitable zone. This planet 137 light years away assures…</a>

The calculations done by Lainey and his colleagues, using images captured by NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn, showed that the moon contains a hidden subsurface ocean.&nbsp;

“There is no way to explain both the spin of Mimas and the orbit with a rigid interior. “You definitely need to have the global ocean on which the icy shelf can slip," said Lainey.&nbsp;

The scientists said that an ocean, which is 45 miles deep, is hidden beneath Mimas’s 15-mile-thick icy shell, and temperatures close to the sea floor reach tens of degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

<h2>Are global oceans harbouring life?&nbsp;</h2>

The findings of global oceans in moons around Jupiter and Saturn have left scientists studying if they have a potential for harbouring life.&nbsp;

More than 100 geysers have been spotted on Enceladus where vapour blasts through surface fractures. If life ever evolved on the tiny moon, the plumes could propel extraterrestrial microbes out into space where they could be detected by visiting missions.

Lainey said that since the moon contained water which is in contact with warm rock, he can't rule out the existence of life.&nbsp;

However, if the hidden ocean is only tens of millions of years old, the possibility of the ocean harbouring life may be less.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;New Study reveals why the Moon is shrinking

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-study-reveals-why-the-moon-is-shrinking-686119/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He said, “Whether it’s too young, nobody knows. I would say: why not?”

Professor of planetary geosciences at the Open University David Rothery said that even if subsurface ocean was present beneath the surface of Mimas, there were comparatively easier places to look for life beyond Earth.&nbsp;

“There’s no indication of a connection between the internal ocean, where life could survive, and the surface or space where traces of life could be detected and sampled, such as we have done in the plumes of Enceladus, and hope to do on the surface or in plumes at Europa,” said Rothery, as reported by The Guardian.&nbsp;

“If there were life inside Mimas, it would be hidden by more than 20km of unbroken ice. If the ocean has existed for only 25mn years, that may not have been enough time for life to get started and established. Europa and Enceladus are much more promising candidates," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a recent study, researchers have claimed that the moon of Saturn, which has a massive impact crater on its surface and appears similar to the Death Star from Star Wars, has a hidden ocean which is buried miles beneath its crust.

In a recent study, researchers have claimed that the moon of Saturn, which has a massive impact crater on its surface and appears similar to the Death Star from Star Wars, has a hidden ocean which is buried miles beneath its crust. With the discovery, Mimas - which is a 250-mile-wide ice ball - became the latest member to join an exclusive club of moons which harbour subterranean oceans. Saturn’s Titan and Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa and Ganymede were already part of the group. Astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris in France Valery Lainey said, "It’s quite a surprise. If you look at the surface of Mimas, there’s nothing that betrays a subsurface ocean. It’s the most unlikely candidate by far.” Keeping in mind the peculiarities in Mimas’ orbit, the astronomers have drawn two possibilities: either an internal ocean of the moon helped its outer shell to shift independently from the core or that it contains an elongated core covered in ice. Also Read: NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ with habitable zone. This planet 137 light years away assures… The calculations done by Lainey and his colleagues, using images captured by NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn, showed that the moon contains a hidden subsurface ocean. “There is no way to explain both the spin of Mimas and the orbit with a rigid interior. “You definitely need to have the global ocean on which the icy shelf can slip," said Lainey. The scientists said that an ocean, which is 45 miles deep, is hidden beneath Mimas’s 15-mile-thick icy shell, and temperatures close to the sea floor reach tens of degrees Celsius. Are global oceans harbouring life? The findings of global oceans in moons around Jupiter and Saturn have left scientists studying if they have a potential for harbouring life. More than 100 geysers have been spotted on Enceladus where vapour blasts through surface fractures. If life ever evolved on the tiny moon, the plumes could propel extraterrestrial microbes out into space where they could be detected by visiting missions. Lainey said that since the moon contained water which is in contact with warm rock, he can't rule out the existence of life. However, if the hidden ocean is only tens of millions of years old, the possibility of the ocean harbouring life may be less. Watch: New Study reveals why the Moon is shrinking He said, “Whether it’s too young, nobody knows. I would say: why not?” Professor of planetary geosciences at the Open University David Rothery said that even if subsurface ocean was present beneath the surface of Mimas, there were comparatively easier places to look for life beyond Earth. “There’s no indication of a connection between the internal ocean, where life could survive, and the surface or space where traces of life could be detected and sampled, such as we have done in the plumes of Enceladus, and hope to do on the surface or in plumes at Europa,” said Rothery, as reported by The Guardian. “If there were life inside Mimas, it would be hidden by more than 20km of unbroken ice. If the ocean has existed for only 25mn years, that may not have been enough time for life to get started and established. Europa and Enceladus are much more promising candidates," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Another water world in solar system? Saturn’s moon ‘Death Star’ possibly hiding massive ocean

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life. &nbsp;

The moon is highly essential for the functioning of Earth as it controls the length of the day and ocean tides, which affect life cycles on the planet. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/omicron-variant-originated-from-mice-say-chinese-scientists-is-the-narrative-changing-continuously-450343" hreflang="en">Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists. Is the narrative changing continuously? &nbsp;</a>

The moon also makes the Earth's climate more stable by stabilising its spin axis, which provides an ideal environment in which life can develop. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a recent study, the moon could also be an advantageous feature in harbouring life on other planets. The journal 'Nature Communications' published the study on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-evolution-humans-noses-have-become-less-sensitive-finds-study-450319" hreflang="en">In evolution, humans’ noses have become less sensitive, finds study</a>

The team of researchers has been led by Miki Nakajima, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester. It has suggested that the size and make-up of the planet is the key to understanding the formation of moons. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a press release, Nakajima said, “By understanding moon formations, we have a better constraint on what to look for when searching for Earth-like planets.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life.

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life. The moon is highly essential for the functioning of Earth as it controls the length of the day and ocean tides, which affect life cycles on the planet. Also Read: Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists. Is the narrative changing continuously? The moon also makes the Earth's climate more stable by stabilising its spin axis, which provides an ideal environment in which life can develop. According to a recent study, the moon could also be an advantageous feature in harbouring life on other planets. The journal 'Nature Communications' published the study on Tuesday. Also Read: In evolution, humans’ noses have become less sensitive, finds study The team of researchers has been led by Miki Nakajima, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester. It has suggested that the size and make-up of the planet is the key to understanding the formation of moons. In a press release, Nakajima said, “By understanding moon formations, we have a better constraint on what to look for when searching for Earth-like planets.” (With inputs from agencies)

Where can we expect the existence of alien life? Study makes the revelation

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