Ryugu asteroid samples contain all DNA and RNA building blocks, bolstering origin-of-life theories
Summary
Scientists analyzing Ryugu samples found a complete set of nucleobases required for DNA and RNA, including uracil, adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, supporting the idea that such molecules are widespread in the solar system. The study notes a correlation between nucleobase ratios and ammonia and cautions that this does not indicate life on Ryugu, but it reinforces the role of carbon-rich asteroids in delivering prebiotic chemistry to early Earth.