The discovery of a previously unknown reaction pathway for the formation of urea has shed new light on the origins of life. A research team led by Ruth Signorell, Professor of Physical Chemistry at ETH Zurich, has made this groundbreaking finding, which has been published in the journal Science.

Until now, the industrial production of urea required high pressures and temperatures or chemical catalysts. However, enzymes enable the same reaction to take place in humans and animals, removing toxic ammonia from the breakdown of proteins such as urea. As this simple molecule contains nitrogen as well as carbon and probably existed on the uninhabited Early Earth, many researchers view urea as a possible precursor for complex biomolecules.

Signorell’s team studied tiny water droplets, such as those found in sea spray and fine mist. The researchers observed that urea can form spontaneously from carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH₃) in the surface layer of the droplets under ambient conditions. This remarkable reaction takes place without any external energy supply.

The physical interface between air and liquid creates a special chemical environment at the water surface that makes the spontaneous reaction possible. Chemical concentration gradients form in this area, which acts like a microscopic reactor. The pH gradient across the interfacial layer of the water droplets creates the required acidic environment, which opens unconventional pathways that would otherwise not take place in liquids.

The results suggest that this natural reaction could also have been possible in the atmosphere of the Early Earth — an atmosphere that was rich in CO2 and probably contained small traces of ammonia. In such environments, aqueous aerosols or fog droplets could have acted as natural reactors in which precursor molecules such as urea were formed.

In the long term, the direct reaction of CO2 and ammonia under ambient conditions could also have potential for the climate-friendly production of urea and downstream products. This study opens a new window into the early days of the Earth and provides valuable insights into processes that could be significant for evolution.

The discovery of this spontaneous reaction pathway has significant implications for our understanding of the origins of life. It suggests that seemingly mundane interfaces can become dynamic reaction spaces, and biological molecules may have a more common origin than was previously thought.

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In a groundbreaking study published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society on June 12, 2025, researchers from Toho University have shed new light on the evolution of deadly claws in female earwigs. For decades, it was believed that these pincer-like appendages were exclusive to males and evolved solely as weapons in battles with rivals. However, the findings of Tomoki Matsuzawa (then an undergraduate) and Associate Professor Junji Konuma have challenged this notion, revealing a surprising parallel between male and female earwigs.

The researchers conducted a quantitative study on the maritime earwig Anisolabis maritima, analyzing the morphometric data of both sexes. They found that not only do females possess forceps, but they also exhibit positive allometry – a phenomenon where certain body parts grow disproportionately large relative to body size. This is strikingly similar to the pattern observed in males, suggesting that female earwigs may have evolved these traits through sexual selection.

In their study, the team measured various dimensions of the head, thorax, abdomen, and bilateral forceps, as well as shape differences between sexes. They discovered that males possess thick, short, and curved forceps, while females have thin, long, and straight ones – a clear example of sexual dimorphism. When they plotted body size against forceps width and length on a log-log scale, the results revealed positive allometry in both males (in forceps width) and females (in forceps length).

Associate Professor Konuma explained that this finding suggests female earwigs may have evolved their forceps as effective weapons in competing for mates. A previous behavioral study had shown that female earwigs engage in competition with each other for small, non-aggressive males. This new research highlights the importance of considering female traits when studying the evolution of insect morphologies.

These groundbreaking findings demonstrate how the complex and fascinating world of insects can continue to surprise us, revealing the intricacies of natural selection and mate competition.

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: Scientists Discover Natural Cancer-Fighting Sugar in Sea Cucumbers

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Mississippi and Georgetown University have discovered a natural sugar compound found in sea cucumbers that can effectively block Sulf-2, an enzyme crucial for cancer growth. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies.

The research team, led by Marwa Farrag, a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the UM Department of BioMolecular Sciences, worked tirelessly to isolate and study the sugar compound, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, from the sea cucumber Holothuria floridana. This unique sugar is not commonly found in other organisms, making it an exciting area of research.

Human cells are covered in tiny, hairlike structures called glycans that help with cell communication, immune responses, and the recognition of threats such as pathogens. Cancer cells alter the expression of certain enzymes, including Sulf-2, which modifies the structure of glycans, helping cancer spread. By inhibiting this enzyme, researchers believe they can effectively fight against the spread of cancer.

Using both computer modeling and laboratory testing, the research team found that the sugar compound from sea cucumbers can effectively inhibit Sulf-2, a promising step towards developing new cancer therapies. This natural source is particularly appealing as it does not carry the risk of transferring viruses and other harmful agents, unlike extracting carbohydrate-based drugs from pigs or other land mammals.

While this discovery holds great promise, the researchers acknowledge that further study is needed to develop a viable treatment. One of the challenges lies in finding a way to synthesize the sugar compound for future testing. The interdisciplinary nature of the scientific study highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in tackling complex diseases like cancer.

This groundbreaking research has far-reaching implications for the medical field and demonstrates the power of scientific discovery in unlocking nature’s secrets. As researchers continue to explore this area, they may uncover new therapies that can effectively combat cancer, ultimately saving lives and improving patient outcomes.