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autocatalytic cycles
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Alien life may not be carbon-based, new study suggests | Space space.com Sep 23, 2023 16 facts
claimResearchers noted that multiple autocatalytic cycles can be combined to create self-sustaining chemical reactions that generate a diverse range of molecules and complexity.
claimResearchers cautioned that it is uncertain whether all the identified autocatalytic cycles can be replicated in a laboratory setting or found on other astronomical objects.
claimResearchers analyzed over two centuries of digitized scientific documents in multiple languages to assess the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles.
claimThe researchers discovered four autocatalytic cycles involving noble gases, which rarely chemically react with other elements.
quoteZach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated that the use of effective language search and translation tools enabled the first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles.
measurementOnly eight of the 270 identified autocatalytic cycles were complex, consisting of four or more reactions, while most consisted of just two reactions.
quoteZach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated that the use of effective language search and translation tools enabled the first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles.
measurementThe researchers discovered 270 different cycles of autocatalytic reactions.
claimSome identified autocatalytic cycles involve elements that are rare or absent in life on Earth, such as mercury or the radioactive metal thorium.
claimSome of the identified autocatalytic cycles centered around elements that are absent or rare in life on Earth, such as mercury or the radioactive metal thorium.
measurementOf the 270 identified autocatalytic cycles, only eight were complex, consisting of four or more reactions, while most consisted of just two reactions.
claimMost of the 270 identified autocatalytic cycles did not employ organic compounds.
claimResearchers noted that multiple, distinct autocatalytic cycles can be combined to potentially create self-sustaining chemical reactions that generate a diverse range of molecules and complexity.
claimMost of the 270 identified autocatalytic cycles did not employ organic compounds.
claimResearchers analyzed over two centuries of digitized scientific documents in multiple languages to assess the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles.
claimResearchers discovered four autocatalytic cycles involving noble gases, which are typically chemically inert.