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Image Credit: Universe Today
New Study Proposes that Cosmic Radiation Altered Virus Evolution in Africa
- A recent study by astronomers from UC Santa Cruz suggests that Earth was affected by radiation from a nearby supernova 2.5 million years ago, potentially leading to an increase in virus diversity in Africa.
- Scientists analyzed iron-60 samples from Lake Tanganyika, dating them to 2.5 and 6.5 million years old, indicating supernova activity near Earth during those times.
- They traced the origin of iron isotopes back to our Solar System passing through the Local Bubble in the Milky Way, and a nearby star going supernova between 2 and 3 million years ago.
- Simulations showed that cosmic rays from the supernova bombarded Earth for 100,000 years post-blast, potentially impacting DNA and leading to evolutionary changes and increased virus diversification.
- Lead author Caitlyn Nojiri is now pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics after her groundbreaking research was published.
- The findings suggest a link between cosmic radiation events and biological changes on Earth, highlighting the interconnectedness of astronomical events and life on our planet.
- Nojiri's research has garnered attention and recognition, with her being the first UCSC undergraduate to present at the Center for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics.
- The study emphasizes the significance of diversity in scientific research and the importance of varied perspectives in understanding complex phenomena like supernova effects on Earth.
- This groundbreaking study sheds light on the potential impact of cosmic events on Earth's biological evolution and showcases the interdisciplinary nature of astrophysics research.
- The study opens up new avenues for exploring the connections between astronomical phenomena and biological evolution, highlighting the vast influence of the cosmos on life on Earth.
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