Scientists Find First Evidence Of Life In Antarctic Lake

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 15:00 in Biology & Nature

Alien Ground Scientists could use microbes found in Vostok, Whillans and ellsworth, three subglacial lakes in Antarctica, to create DNA probes and biosignature models to be used by future search-for-life missions in our solar system Kevin HandBut we've seen this before. Some more tests are needed to confirm it. One of a few research teams hoping to find life in Antarctica seems to be a little closer to success. As Discover reports, the researchers at the subglacial Lake Whillans has taken a sample, and preliminary tests say they've found life! Now for the caveat: It's important to focus on the word preliminary here. Nothing's conclusive just yet. DNA-sensitive dye made cells in a sample glow green when placed under a microscope, but we've seen that sort of thing before: Last year, other Antarctic researchers thought they had found life, only to discover that it was actually bacteria from their own kerosene...

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