A team of Canadian researchers has completed a massive survey of the network of protein complexes that orchestrate the fundamental processes of life.

An important discovery has been made with respect to the mystery of “handedness” in biomolecules. Researchers led by Sandra Pizzarello, a research professor at Arizona State University, found that some of the possible abiotic precursors to the origin of life on Earth have been shown to carry “handedness” in a larger number than previously thought.

The U.S. census reports that 36.5 million people or 9% of the population were living within the technical definition of poverty in 2006. "There is still a generation of no progress against poverty," said Sheldon Danziger, at the National Poverty Center in Michigan. "Somehow, we have to confront the fact that ... a rising economy no longer lifts all boats." If you travel in the United States, you can see that this is the case for all kinds of reasons.

The present can tell you a lot about the past, but you need to know where to look. A new study appearing this month in Genome Research reveals that protein architectures – the three-dimensional structures of specific regions within proteins – provide an extraordinary window on the history of life.

Before life emerged on earth, either a primitive kind of metabolism or an RNA-like duplicating machinery must have set the stage - so experts believe. But what preceded these pre-life steps?

As I look out my window on this cold, wet and quickly approaching snowy day, I'm reminded of how lucky I am. When I woke this morning I went through a similar routine as most; I shaved and showered and dressed and prepped myself for the day. I ate a little breakfast and instead of getting into my car for my morning commute, I strolled down the hall to my office arriving about five seconds later.