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Ryugu Asteroid Sample Holds All Five DNA Building Blocks
Scientists analyzing material returned by Japan's Hayabusa2 from asteroid Ryugu have confirmed all five nucleobases that form the chemical alphabet of DNA and RNA, the strongest evidence yet for space-based origins of life's chemistry.
Key Takeaways
- All five DNA/RNA nucleobases confirmed in Ryugu asteroid material returned by Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft
- Contamination-controlled sample collection makes this the most definitive extraterrestrial nucleobase detection to date
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DT Editorial AI··3 min read·via space.com