X-ray Spectroscopy Reveals Earth's Early Stages

Tokyo, 12 Sep (ONA) --- A new study led by Zhong Yin, an associated professor at Tohoku University, probed the pre-biotic stage of earth’s history.

The team of researchers included researchers from Tohoku University, the University of Geneva, ETH Zurich, and the University of Hamburg.

It is indicated that in early stages, Earth’s atmosphere was different, with intense space radiation. Some hypothesized that urea, a vital organic compound, reacted with this radiation in water puddles, forming the basis for DNA and RNA.

For this study, the team used advanced X-ray spectroscopy technology, examining chemical reactions in liquids with femtosecond precision. They found that ionizing radiation damaged urea molecules, but as the energy dissipated, ureas underwent a dynamical process at the femtosecond scale.

---Ends/Thuraiya/AG