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RNA Formation Possible on Early Earth and Mars, Study Reveals

1/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Yuta Hirakawa of Tohoku University reports that RNA could have formed on early Earth about 4.3 billion years ago.
Borates stabilize ribose and enable phosphate production, supporting RNA formation.
Experiments simulating early Earth conditions produced RNA without human intervention.
NASA's Apollo 10 mission captured a photo of Earth from 36,000 nautical miles in 1969.
The findings suggest similar RNA-forming processes could have occurred on Mars, where borates have been detected.

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Story summary

Yuta Hirakawa of Tohoku University reports that RNA could have formed on early Earth about 4.3 billion years ago.
Borates stabilize ribose and enable phosphate production, supporting RNA formation.
Experiments simulating early Earth conditions produced RNA without human intervention.
NASA's Apollo 10 mission captured a photo of Earth from 36,000 nautical miles in 1969.
The findings suggest similar RNA-forming processes could have occurred on Mars, where borates have been detected.