Cosmic Clues to Life’s Origins: The Discovery of Uracil in Asteroid Ryugu
<p>Ryugu, a near-Earth asteroid, has long fascinated scientists with its potential to unlock the secrets of the early solar system. It’s a relic from a time when the solar system was just a disc of dust and gas, eventually giving birth to planets and life as we know it. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s daring mission to collect samples from Ryugu and bring them back to Earth was driven by the hope that these ancient rocks could answer fundamental questions about life’s chemical precursors.</p>
<p>Uracil: A Molecule with a Story</p>
<p>Uracil is one of the nucleobases in RNA, playing a crucial role in the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Finding uracil in an asteroid suggests that the essential components for life could be more widespread in the universe than previously thought. The presence of such molecules in space rocks supports the theory that life’s ingredients were delivered to Earth aboard meteorites and comets.</p>
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