This Strange Molecular Signature May Be the Best Clue Yet to Alien Life

A Nature Astronomy study suggests statistical patterns in amino acids and fatty acids may be a stronger biosignature for alien life than any single molecule.

Researchers found living systems produce distinctive molecular distribution patterns that differ from nonbiological chemistry.

Using ecology-style diversity metrics, they could separate biological from abiotic samples across microbes, fossils, meteorites, asteroids, soils, and lab data.

The approach could help NASA missions look for life on Mars, Europa, or Enceladus using chemical data already being collected.