Japan’s space agency plans to bring soil samples back from the Mars region in hopes of finding clues to the planet’s origin and traces of possible life. Link: https://phys.org/news/2021-08-japan-aims-soil-samples-mars.html

CRISPR, a gene-editing technology, has been successfully used in the DNA of common yeast on the International Space Station. Link: https://phys.org/news/2021-08-international-space-station-dna-toolkit.ht

This new 10-minute animated video hosted by Eric Anderson (who interviewed Stairway to Life co-author Rob Stadlertackles) tackles an ongoing dilemma in the field of astrobiology: how life originated. This video’s argument suggest that, contrary to popular belief, we are no where near creating life from non-life in the lab. Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFtnwriQRi8

Two researchers at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) suggest evidence of extra-terrestrial life could exist on Mars’ two moons. Link: https://phys.org/news/2021-08-life-mars-moons.html