JOURNAL ARTICLE

AI spots 'ghost' signatures of ancient life on Earth: Find could revolutionize search for early life on our planet and elsewhere in the cosmos.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Service, Robert F. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) method developed by researchers to identify signs of ancient life in rocks, potentially revolutionizing the search for early life on Earth and beyond. This AI can detect molecular patterns left by degrading biomolecules, pushing back the evidence of life to 3.3 billion years ago and extending the timeline for photosynthetic life to 2.5 billion years ago. The researchers utilized a pyrolysis gas chromatograph mass spectrometer to analyze over 400 samples, achieving over 90% accuracy in distinguishing biological from abiotic samples. The study aims to apply this technology to extraterrestrial environments, with a new NASA-funded project focused on exploring the potential for life on Mars and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/11, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:189414817
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