Topic: Space & Astronomy

Peptides adopt stable omega-loop structures in concentrated sulfuric acid.

The search for life beyond Earth has focused on planets and moons with liquid water, reflecting the assumption that complex biomolecules require aqueous environments to remain stable and functional. Such a view excludes a wide class of planetary settings, including the concentrated sulfuric acid clouds of Venus, where extreme acidity and minimal water are thought to preclude molecular structure despite suitable temperatures. A growing body of evidence shows that a wide range of organic molecules