Explore the latest scientific revelations as NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission challenges our understanding of life's origins with unexpected findings from asteroid Bennu. Delve into the FDA's ban on food dye Red No. 3 and its implications for public health. Discover the groundbreaking creation of a synthetic eukaryotic genome, marking a new era in synthetic biology. Join us as we uncover life's building blocks in asteroid dust and ponder the cosmic factors shaping existence. This episode offers a captivating journey through the mysteries of life and the universe, promising to engage and enlighten our audience.

Sources:

https://mashable.com/article/nasa-bennu-asteroid-amino-acids-surprise

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/03/1228844197/red-dye-number-three

https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-just-achieved-a-major-milestone-in-creating-synthetic-life

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/01/science/bennu-asteroid-sample-osiris-rex-science-newsletter-wt/index.html

Outline:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:00:40) NASA scientists want to solve a mystery: Why did life "turn left?"

(00:03:12) The science behind the FDA ban on food dye Red No. 3 : Life Kit

(00:06:29) Scientists Just Achieved a Major Milestone in Creating Synthetic Life

(00:09:19) Life’s building blocks discovered in asteroid dust