Stanford's new research: Water droplets' micro lig

Recently, a new study from Stanford University in the United States has provided a fresh perspective on the mystery of the origin of life. Research suggests that the basic modules of life may have been born under the influence of "micro lightning", which provides a more vivid picture of the origin of life compared to the traditional lightning strike hypothesis. ​

For a long time, the Miller Yuri hypothesis has held an important position in the field of the origin of life research. In 1952, this classic experiment confirmed through simulating lightning strikes that electricity can promote the reaction of water and inorganic gases to produce organic compounds. However, as research deepens, critics point out that natural lightning has a low frequency of occurrence, vast ocean areas, and dispersed materials, making it difficult to explain the actual origin of life. ​

This time, the Stanford University research team took a different approach and found that water droplets naturally carry different charges when separated in the air, with larger droplets carrying positive charges and smaller droplets carrying negative charges. When these water droplets with opposite charges approach, they will produce "micro lightning". Although these sparks are extremely weak and difficult to detect with the naked eye, they contain the energy to initiate a series of chemical reactions. ​

To verify this discovery, researchers used high-speed camera technology to capture the traces of "micro lightning". They introduced room temperature water spray into an environment that simulated the composition of the early Earth's atmosphere, including nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia. The experimental results were astonishing: organic molecules containing carbon nitrogen bonds such as hydrogen cyanide, glycine, and uracil began to form, and these molecules are the key components that make up biological macromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids. ​

This indicates that the cracks, rock surfaces, and areas where water mist gathered on early Earth may have been cradles of life. Every chemical reaction triggered by a "micro lightning" is like the carefully arranged dance steps of nature, ultimately playing the symphony of life. ​

This achievement not only challenges the traditional notion that life originates from violent shocks, but also provides a new perspective for humanity to understand the process of life's birth. In the future, related research is expected to further deepen and help us uncover the mystery of the origin of life. ​