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Ancient Bacteria Harnessed Oxygen 900 Million Years Early

4/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Groundbreaking research uncovers that specific bacteria began harnessing oxygen nearly 900 million years before the Great Oxidation Event, challenging our views on early life evolution. By examining 1,007 bacterial genomes, scientists suggest aerobic metabolism emerged around 3.2 billion years ago, reshaping our understanding of microbial evolution and Earth's ancient history.

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Story summary

Groundbreaking research uncovers that specific bacteria began harnessing oxygen nearly 900 million years before the Great Oxidation Event, challenging our views on early life evolution. By examining 1,007 bacterial genomes, scientists suggest aerobic metabolism emerged around 3.2 billion years ago, reshaping our understanding of microbial evolution and Earth's ancient history.