Scientists: Life Can Thrive in Most Extreme Environments

If microbes can live in the most extreme regions on Earth, scientists say it is quite possible they can live on other celestial bodies.

A hydrothermal vent emits jet-black smoke. This material is usually made of minerals that solidify and form chimneys on the sea floor. However, hydrogen can also be a byproduct of vents. Image credit: NOAA

In a recently published study, researchers from Washington State University say bacteria, found in the hyper-arid soil of Chile's Atacama Desert, can live dormant for decades, patiently waiting for very rare rainfalls.

Once the rain arrives, they quickly reanimate and produce offspring. Since Mars once had flowing water, scientists say it is possible that similar microorganisms may be waiting there for the next opportunity to continue life.

But other celestial bodies within our solar system, such as Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, have water now, so they too may harbor extraterrestrial life.

Studying life around deep-sea hydrothermal vents near Japan's island of Okinawa, microbiologists led by a team from the University of Vienna found that certain microbes thrive in conditions similar to those on Enceladus.

The hardiest of the microbes were able to reproduce even in the presence of extremely unfriendly chemicals, such as ammonia and carbon monoxide. (George Putic/VOA)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Sitting Is Bad for Your Brain

Studies show that too much sitting, like smoking, increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and premature death.

Declining Sense of Smell Linked to Risk of Death

A disappearing sense of smell is linked to higher chances of dying prematurely and should be included in routine GP health checks, experts have said.

Studies Find Echoes of Black Holes Eating Stars

Supermassive black holes, with their immense gravitational pull, are notoriously good at clearing out their immediate surroundings by eating nearby objects. When a star passes within a certain distance of a black hole, the stellar material gets stretched and compressed -- or "spaghettified" -- as the black hole swallows it.

Juno Spacecraft Sends First In-orbit View

The JunoCam camera aboard NASA's Juno mission is operational and sending down data after the spacecraft's July 4 arrival at Jupiter. Juno's visible-light camera was turned on six days after Juno fired its main engine and placed itself into orbit around the largest planetary inhabitant of our solar system.

Blocking A Sneeze, Man Ruptures Throat

Pinching your nose while clamping your mouth shut to contain a forceful sneeze isn't a good idea, warn doctors.

3 Cups Of Coffee Daily Could Improve Heart Function

The effects of beverages such as coffee and tea are widely studied but still not clearly understood.