Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
A. C. Fox, R. S. Jakubek, J. L. Eigenbrode
Summary: In this study, Mars-relevant minerals and organic material were irradiated to simulate the effect of cosmic rays and solar particles. It was found that ionizing radiation resulted in the loss of molecular features diagnostic of organic material's origins, but the effects could be mitigated by the formation of macromolecular structures and associations with specific minerals. Rocks with fluorescence or Raman features associated with non-aromatic molecular features and/or kerogen-like structures may indicate less damaged organic material that should be prioritized for return.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura J. Bonales, Victoria Munoz-Iglesias, Olga Prieto-Ballesteros, Eva Mateo-Marti
Summary: The subsurface of Mars is better suited for preserving organic matter, but the impact of natural radiation on possible life forms needs to be considered. This study demonstrates the importance of natural radiation on the stability of the amino acid glycine in two Mars-relevant compounds. The results show that glycine bonded to magnesium in the compound was more stable under gamma radiation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stuart M. Marshall, Cole Mathis, Emma Carrick, Graham Keenan, Geoffrey J. T. Cooper, Heather Graham, Matthew Craven, Piotr S. Gromski, Douglas G. Moore, Sara Walker, Leroy Cronin
Summary: The search for alien life is challenging due to uncertainties in defining signatures of living systems. Using the molecular assembly index and tandem mass spectrometry, this study presents a method for identifying molecules produced by biological systems and detecting biosignatures from various samples, including those from outer space.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ming Xie, Qintuan Xu, Lei Xie, Ying Li, Bing Han
Summary: This study establishes a three-band fluorometric index method for rapid oil species identification using fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. The optimal excitation and detection wavelengths determined in this study provide a theoretical basis for the design of fluorescence sensors for rapid oil spill detection and identification.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Claudia Pacelli, Alessia Cassaro, Ilaria Catanzaro, Mickael Baque, Alessandro Maturilli, Ute Boettger, Elke Rabbow, Jean-Pierre Paul De Vera, Silvano Onofri
Summary: The success of astrobiological search for life on Mars or other planetary bodies in the Solar System depends on the detectability of biosignatures. Spectroscopic methods like Raman and FT-IR are ideal for detecting biosignatures, allowing for repeated and contactless analysis. Studies on fungal colonies exposed to UV radiation found significant DNA damage but preserved spectral properties of melanin, demonstrating the potential for detecting biosignatures in extraterrestrial environments.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Izzuddin Rumaling, Fuei Pien Chee, Abdullah Bade, Nur Hasshima Hasbi, Sylvia Daim, Floressy Juhim, Mivolil Duinong, Rosfayanti Rasmidi
Summary: This paper discusses the application of four spectroscopy methods for detecting COVID-19 virus. UV spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy have been proven effective in differentiating healthy samples from virus-infected samples. Due to their non-invasive properties, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy will be more commonly used in future virus detection studies.
Article
Microbiology
Alessia Cassaro, Claudia Pacelli, Mickael Baque, Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera, Ute Boettger, Lorenzo Botta, Raffaele Saladino, Elke Rabbow, Silvano Onofri
Summary: The second ExoMars mission aims to search for traces of extant or extinct life on Mars, using instruments on board the rover to gather potential biomarker samples, offering the best chance to detect preserved biomarkers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anthony Puga, Azer Yalin
Summary: This study presents a novel approach for ambient ozone detection using deep-ultraviolet cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy and a laser driven light source. The laser driven light source has broadband spectral output, and by filtering, it provides illumination in the range of 230-280 nm. The detected CEAS signal is analyzed using a UV spectrometer and fitted to determine the ozone concentration. The experimental results show good sensor accuracy.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Laura M. Barge, Laura E. Rodriguez, Jessica M. Weber, Bethany P. Theiling
Summary: The field of prebiotic chemistry studies the complex organic chemical systems that exhibit life-like properties, which can be produced abiotically in the laboratory. Understanding and interpreting organic signatures detected during planetary missions are crucial in astrobiology and life detection research, and involve gaining a deeper understanding of prebiotic/abiotic chemical possibilities in diverse planetary environments. Additionally, utilizing experimental prebiotic samples as analogues when generating comparison libraries for life-detection mission instruments is recommended.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Elizabeth A. Lymer, Menelaos Konstandtinidis, Emmanuel A. Lalla, Michael G. Daly, Kimberly T. Tait
Summary: The study conducted UV time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TR-LIF) analysis of 10 amino acids found in carbonaceous meteorites, presenting decay rates and comparing with relevant homogeneous minerals. Results show a linear relationship between calculated lifetimes and nitrogen and carbon elemental abundance, aiding in reliable identification of organic material within meteorites and asteroids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wang Liu, Zhongchen Wu, Wenxi Chen, Guobin Jin, Wei Zhang, Xinfang Lv, Pei Yu, Hong Zhao
Summary: Life information searching is crucial for Mars exploration, as ancient Mars might have been habitable and capable of supporting life. Current Mars, however, has a harsh environment where life materials are expected to exist as primitive microbial or organic residues within mineral matrices. Detecting these remnants is important for understanding the origin and evolution of life on Mars. In this study, infrared spectroscopy was used to detect characteristic spectra and the detection limit of potential organic compounds with associated minerals. The degradation of organic matter due to electrostatic discharge under simulated Mars conditions was also investigated. Our results suggest that the degradation products of organics are more likely to be found on the Martian surface than the organic matter itself.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lauriane Soret, Jean-Claude Gerard, Nicholas Schneider, Sonal Jain, Zachariah Milby, Birgit Ritter, Benoit Hubert, Tristan Weber
Summary: This study presents an analysis of middle ultraviolet auroral spectra collected at the limb on Mars using the IUVS instrument on board the MAVEN spacecraft. It focuses on the spectral properties and vertical profiles of the auroral emissions, identifying new features and providing insights into the Martian aurora. Comparisons with in situ measurements of electron energy spectra show temporal coincidence but not necessarily quantitative agreement with the characteristics of the auroral emissions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Dina M. Bower, Clayton S. C. Yang, Tilak Hewagama, Conor A. Nixon, Shahid Aslam, Patrick L. Whelley, Jennifer L. Eigenbrode, Feng Jin, Jennifer Ruliffson, John R. Kolasinski, Alan C. Samuels
Summary: Raman spectroscopy and LIBS are complementary techniques for comprehensive characterization of geologic environments; the study aimed to distinguish different environmental regimes based on mineral and biomolecule identification in rocks and sediments; the combination of techniques successfully identified major mineral polytypes and a large diversity of biomolecules in ice-rock samples.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fabiane Grecco da Silva Porto, Eduardo dos Santos Vasconcelos, Angela Diniz Campos, Neftali Lenin Villarreal Carreno, Irene Teresinha Santos Garcia
Summary: Pyroligneous liquor and chitosan, both derived from renewable sources, exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, making them promising agricultural inputs. The combination of chitosan with DPL forms colloidal systems with stable Newtonian flow characteristics, showing potential for agricultural applications.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harrison B. Smith, Cole Mathis
Summary: Astrobiology aims to determine the distribution and diversity of life in the universe, but the problem of determining if exoplanets contain life without a theory of life poses an existential question. Focusing on unambiguous features of life in four areas is advocated to resolve this problem.