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Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Scientists have discovered that the earliest living organisms on Earth were capable of making a mineral that may be found on Mars.

The clay- mineral stevensite has been used since ancient times and was used by Nubian women as a beauty treatment, but scientists had believed deposits could only be formed in harsh conditions like volcanic lava and hot alkali lakes.

A research team, including the late Dr Linda Moore from The University of Western Australia's Microbiology and Immunology department, found living microbes create an environment that allows stevensite to form, raising new questions about the stevensite found on Mars.

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David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716

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