How can animate life be formed from inanimate matter? It’s one of the most fascinating enigmas in science because, without this crucial first step, called abiogenesis, there would be no life on Earth.

Scientists have made a bold leap in the search for life’s origins, offering a fresh look at how chemistry might have crossed over into biology. At the center of this progress are coacervate ...

Researchers find that shifts in Earth’s orbit can trigger abrupt climate changes, even in warm periods without ice sheets.

Modern cells are complex chemical entities with cytoskeletons, finely regulated internal and external molecules, and genetic ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. We’ve pieced together a remarkably detailed timeline of ...

What can ancient moon rocks tell us about the origins of Earth, the future of space travel, and even the water we drink? At Case Western Reserve University, professor and geochemist Jim Van Orman is ...

In his new book, Assembling Life, David Deamer challenges the consensus that life began in the ocean and presents an alternative scenario, based on his research, in which life began in freshwater hot ...