Extinction Followed Eruption
A new study indicates that undersea volcanic activity may have triggered an extinction event in the Earth's oceans. The extinction occurred 93 million years ago and is responsible for creating some of today's major oil reserves.

Stars of the Deep
Researchers studying life deep beneath the Earth's surface in a South African platinum mine have discovered microbes with a unique appearance. In fact, these tiny bacteria are the 'stars' of their community.

Earth: An Alien World
NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft has filmed the moon transiting Earth from 31 million miles away. The event is now being used to develop techniques for studying alien worlds.

Song from the Past
Scientists have discovered that the neural network behind sound production in vertebrates can be traced back to marine organisms. The finding provides a unique perspective on life's evolutionary mechanisms.

Machine Evolution
Many scientists believe that life started out as nothing more than strands of proto-genetic material known as RNA. A new device automates studies of RNA evolution and could lend insights into the origin of life on Earth.

RNA World Remnant
A new study has shown bacterial cells can perform a number of tasks without the involvement of DNA. The findings provide a glimpse into what the earliest forms of life on Earth may have looked like.

When Mars Was a Water World
Two new studies indicate that Mars once hosted vast lakes, flowing rivers and other wet environments. Even more remarkable, the data supports the theory that Mars once had the potential to support life.

Meteorite Acid Test
Evidence of acid rain in 1908 supports the theory that a meteorite impact was responsible for the Tunguska catastrophe. The study is uncovering important clues about how impact events can affect life on Earth.

Spot the Difference: Alaska and Mars
Two geology professors have hypothesized that landscape features in Alaska are also seen on Mars, and the processes that formed those features are the same on both planets.

Exploring with SnoMotes
Unmanned, toy-sized snowmobiles recently navigated Alaska's frozen arctic outback. The new technology may one day help scientists study the affects of global climate change on melting ice in the arctic.