New theory links ocean waves to life's origin

Scientists have proposed a new theory about the origin of life on Earth, suggesting that "microlightning" from crashing waves and waterfalls may have sparked the first chemical reactions necessary for life. This contrasts with the previous belief that lightning strikes from early clouds were responsible. Researchers at Stanford University created microscopic electrical charges in a lab, mixing them with gases from Earth's early atmosphere. This process produced organic molecules, including uracil, a key component of DNA and RNA. The study indicates that the electrical charges in water droplets, formed during splashes, could have been a constant source of energy for life-creating reactions. This challenges the long-held Miller-Urey hypothesis, which relied on infrequent lightning strikes.