Technology

NASA’s Asteroid Bennu Sample Reveals Mix of Life’s Ingredients

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2025

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Studies of rock and dust from asteroid Bennu delivered to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security–Regolith Explorer) spacecraft have revealed molecules that, on our planet, are key to life, as well as a history of saltwater that could have served as the “broth” for these compounds to interact and combine.

The findings do not show evidence for life itself, but they do suggest the conditions necessary for the emergence of life were widespread across the early solar system, increasing the odds life could have formed on other planets and moons.

“NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission already is rewriting the textbook on what we understand about the beginnings of our solar system,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Asteroids provide a time capsule into our home planet’s history, and Bennu’s samples are pivotal in our understanding of what ingredients in our solar system existed before life started on Earth.”

In research papers published Wednesday in the journals Nature and Nature Astronomy, scientists from NASA and other institutions shared results of the first in-depth analyses of the minerals and molecules in the Bennu samples, which OSIRIS-REx delivered to Earth in 2023.

Detailed in the Nature Astronomy paper, among the most compelling detections were amino acids – 14 of the 20 that life on Earth uses to make proteins – and all five nucleobases that life on Earth uses to store and transmit genetic instructions in more complex terrestrial biomolecules, such as DNA and RNA, including how to arrange amino acids into proteins.

Scientists also described exceptionally high abundances of ammonia in the Bennu samples. Ammonia is important to biology because it can react with formaldehyde, which also was detected in the samples, to form complex molecules, such as amino acids – given the right conditions. When amino acids link up into long chains, they make proteins, which go on to power nearly every biological function.

These building blocks for life detected in the Bennu samples have been found before in extraterrestrial rocks. However, identifying them in a pristine sample collected in space supports the idea that objects that formed far from the Sun could have been an important source of the raw precursor ingredients for life throughout the solar system.

“The clues we’re looking for are so minuscule and so easily destroyed or altered from exposure to Earth’s environment,” said Danny Glavin, a senior sample scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and co-lead author of the Nature Astronomy paper. “That’s why some of these new discoveries would not be possible without a sample-return mission, meticulous contamination-control measures, and careful curation and storage of this precious material from Bennu.”

While Glavin’s team analyzed the Bennu samples for hints of life-related compounds, their colleagues, led by Tim McCoy, curator of meteorites at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, and Sara Russell, cosmic mineralogist at the Natural History Museum in London, looked for clues to the environment these molecules would have formed. Reporting in the journal Nature, scientists further describe evidence of an ancient environment well-suited to kickstart the chemistry of life.

Ranging from calcite to halite and sylvite, scientists identified traces of 11 minerals in the Bennu sample that form as water containing dissolved salts evaporates over long periods of time, leaving behind the salts as solid crystals.

Similar brines have been detected or suggested across the solar system, including at the dwarf planet Ceres and Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

Although scientists have previously detected several evaporites in meteorites that fall to Earth’s surface, they have never seen a complete set that preserves an evaporation process that could have lasted thousands of years or more. Some minerals found in Bennu, such as trona, were discovered for the first time in extraterrestrial samples.

“These papers really go hand in hand in trying to explain how life’s ingredients actually came together to make what we see on this aqueously altered asteroid,” said McCoy.

For all the answers the Bennu sample has provided, several questions remain. Many amino acids can be created in two mirror-image versions, like a pair of left and right hands. Life on Earth almost exclusively produces the left-handed variety, but the Bennu samples contain an equal mixture of both. This means that on early Earth, amino acids may have started out in an equal mixture, as well. The reason life “turned left” instead of right remains a mystery.

“OSIRIS-REx has been a highly successful mission,” said Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASA Goddard and co-lead author on the Nature Astronomy paper. “Data from OSIRIS-REx adds major brushstrokes to a picture of a solar system teeming with the potential for life. Why we, so far, only see life on Earth and not elsewhere, that’s the truly tantalizing question.”

NASA Goddard provided overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator. The university leads the science team and the mission’s science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft and provided flight operations. NASA Goddard and KinetX Aerospace were responsible for navigating the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Curation for OSIRIS-REx takes place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. International partnerships on this mission include the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter instrument from CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and asteroid sample science collaboration with JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Hayabusa2 mission. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA’s New Frontiers Program, managed by the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information on the OSIRIS-REx mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex

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SOURCE NASA

Technology

JA Solar Summit Highlights Shift Toward Solar-Storage Integration as Global Demand Holds Firm

Published

11 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

BEIJING, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 5th Global Solar and Energy Storage Summit 2026, hosted online by JA Solar, brought together over 20+ senior representatives from leading international organizations and industry players to share insights on the accelerating energy transition. The summit featured keynote speeches and panel discussions with influential voices from the IRENA, S&P Global, BloombergNEF, SolarPower Europe, TÜV NORD, as well as prominent utilities, developers, investors, and technology companies worldwide. With a global audience exceeding 20,000 participants from 30+ countries, the event highlighted the growing integration of solar and energy storage as central to a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future.

Record-Breaking Renewable Deployment in 2025

IRENA’s Ilina Stefanova opened the summit by underscoring the scale and urgency of the global energy transition. “2025 marked a record year for renewable energy, with 692 GW of new capacity deployed globally, and solar contributing 75% of the total,” she said. However, she emphasized the need for stronger policy and investment frameworks to sustain this momentum and meet 2030 climate targets.

S&P Global’s Holly Hu followed with the latest market outlook, noting that global solar installations reached 617 GW in 2025, driven by robust activity in China, Europe, and North America. While she acknowledged potential growth moderation in 2026, Hu emphasized an industry shift from scale-dominated competition to smarter, more value-driven strategies.

Solar + Storage + X: The Future of Energy Solutions

Dr. Zi Ouyang, President of Product and Solution R&D Centre and CTO of JA Solar, delivered a keynote on how integrated solutions are shaping the next phase of clean energy deployment. He introduced “Solar + Storage + X” as the industry’s path forward, where combined technologies create new opportunities across utility-scale, commercial, and residential markets.

“The future of energy lies in integration,” said Dr. Ouyang. “Standalone solar PV systems are no longer sufficient to meet today’s increasingly complex demands. By integrating storage and advanced solutions, we can unlock significant value and provide the flexibility necessary for tomorrow’s global energy systems.” He also highlighted JA Solar’s expertise in enabling scenario-specific solutions, including AI-powered data centers, industrial parks, and remote microgrids.

Driving Value Creation Across Global Markets

Two panel discussions explored the changing dynamics of solar and storage integration.

The first, “Global Perspectives: New Value Drivers and Growth Opportunities,” discussed the industry’s pivot toward value-based development. Panelists emphasized how system efficiency, long-term performance, and financial optimization are replacing cost as priorities, with integrated solutions emerging as critical to capturing project value and market flexibility.

The second panel, “Energy Transformation Across Every Scenario: From Deserts to Cities,” explored the application of solar and storage in emerging sectors such as AI Data Centers (AIDC), mining, modern agriculture, and transportation infrastructure. Panelists highlighted innovations addressing diverse energy demands while tackling challenges like system resilience in extreme environments, from remote deserts to urban microgrids.

JA Solar’s Global Leadership in Integrated Energy Growth

The summit reflected the industry’s transition into a transformative phase defined by integration, intelligence, and scenario diversity. As the event organizer and a leading global innovator in solar technology, JA Solar reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the adoption of high-performance, sustainable energy solutions.

“At JA Solar, we believe collaboration and innovation are fundamental to building a sustainable energy future,” said Dr. Zi Ouyang. “Through advanced technologies and strong partnerships, we aim to deliver scalable, resilient solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide.”

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SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

Technology

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

Published

12 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

SINGAPORE, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates (“Dezan Shira”), a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

This strategic move significantly expands Ascentium’s reach and capabilities across Asia, the United States, and Europe, enabling the group to guide businesses from pre-investment market assessment through long-term operations, while further deepening its advisory expertise for international businesses operating across these regions.

Expanding cross-border capabilities

With this acquisition, Ascentium now operates in 27 markets, including new locations such as Mongolia, Poland, Germany and Italy, thereby enhancing its ability to support clients with cross-border investments and multi-jurisdictional operations. The addition of Dezan Shira’s network complements Ascentium’s existing footprint in Southeast Asia, positioning the group as one of the most extensive on-the-ground advisory platforms supporting foreign investment in Asia.

This expansion further enables Ascentium to serve clients on the Chinese mainland more effectively, especially foreign investors seeking to enter or scale in this dynamic market. Added to the established network of InCorp International, an Ascentium Company, the incorporation of Dezan Shira contributes three new offices in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Zhongshan, extending Ascentium’s presence across the Chinese mainland to 15 locations.

With a network spanning major commercial hubs including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Tianjin, Ascentium delivers clear answers and hands-on support to help businesses navigate regulatory complexity and build a strong, compliant presence with confidence.

Deepening advisory and intelligence capabilities

Dezan Shira brings over three decades of experience advising foreign investors in Asia, with recognised strengths in regulatory analysis, business intelligence, investment structuring, tax advisory and technology-enabled solutions. These capabilities complement Ascentium’s established services in incorporation, multi-country HR and payroll, ESG and tax advisory, and fiduciary – creating an integrated platform that supports clients from market entry through long-term growth.

Multinational enterprises, regional headquarters, and growth-oriented businesses will benefit from greater scale, deeper regulatory expertise, and a unified service platform designed to navigate complex cross-border business environments.

Asia Briefing: Business intelligence and market insights platform

The acquisition also brings Asia Briefing, Dezan Shira’s business intelligence and research arm, into Ascentium’s ecosystem. Through its Doing Business guides, digital publications, and daily regulatory analysis, Asia Briefing is the leading source for insights on market entry, compliance, regulatory developments, and business news across Asia.

The Asia Briefing platform strengthens the combined group’s ability to pair on-the-ground advisory services with timely, region-wide intelligence to support informed decision-making.

Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, said, “Joining Ascentium marks an exciting new chapter for Dezan Shira & Associates. By combining our expertise with Ascentium’s global platform and execution capabilities, we can deliver even greater value to clients looking to expand and succeed in multiple markets.”

Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, added, “This acquisition brings us closer to a fully connected advisory platform across Asia and beyond. With Ascentium’s execution strength and Dezan Shira’s market intelligence and regulatory expertise, we can guide businesses through every stage of expansion, from pre-investment assessment through sustained operations, whether they are entering one new market or scaling across multiple jurisdictions.”

About Ascentium

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we drive extraordinary growth through expert people, purpose-led technology, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

With over 2,600 professionals across 46 cities in 23 markets globally, we deliver integrated solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, fund administration, human resources, and fiduciary and trust services. Serving more than 63,000 client entities across diverse industries, Ascentium combines specialised expertise with innovative, technology-enabled solutions to help clients navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

For more information, visit: ascentium.com

About Dezan Shira & Associates

Founded in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is a professional services firm advising foreign investors and multinational enterprises entering and operating across Asia.

The firm provides business intelligence and market entry, corporate establishment and licensing, accounting, tax advisory, payroll and HR administration, internal audit and risk advisory, as well as technology-enabled financial software and ERP solutions.

With more than 300 professionals operating from 27 offices globally, Dezan Shira & Associates maintains one of the region’s most extensive integrated advisory platforms dedicated to foreign direct investment and cross-border operations.

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SOURCE Ascentium

Technology

Thunes Launches Real-Time Payments into New Zealand

Published

12 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network can now send real-time payments to bank accounts in New Zealand, further strengthening the company’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

BANGKOK, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today announced the expansion of its Direct Global Network with the launch of direct, real-time Pay-to-Bank services into New Zealand.

This expansion enhances Thunes’ cross-border payment capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, providing Members of the Thunes Direct Global Network with faster and more transparent payment solutions for both consumer and business transactions. With this launch, users can easily transfer NZD directly to New Zealand bank accounts. Transactions can be made either through a direct API integration to Thunes or by leveraging existing Swift connectivity.

New Zealand is increasingly focused on upgrading its financial infrastructure to support real-time digital trade and the burgeoning gig economy. As the nation transitions to a next-generation payments ecosystem, real-time transactions are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 21.3% through 2027.

Eugene Chua, Head of Network, APAC, at Thunes, said: “At Thunes, we’re dismantling the legacy friction that creates barriers to the global digital economy. Asia Pacific is where the Thunes story began, so we are especially pleased to be strengthening our reach in a high-growth market like New Zealand. Geography should never hinder ambition, and we are proud to be the engine driving financial connectivity, providing the infrastructure that supports and empowers businesses and individuals to benefit from international money movement and participate more fully in the global economy.”

With this expansion, Thunes reinforces its position as a leading provider of real-time cross-border payments. Its Direct Global Network leverages Thunes’ in-house SmartX Treasury System for AI-driven forecasting and real-time liquidity management, and its Fortress Compliance Platform, which benefits from over 50 licences worldwide. This ensures every payment is executed with the highest levels of security, compliance, and operational efficiency.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Thunes will be attending Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok from April 21-23, 2026, located at booth 6005. Schedule a meeting here.

For more information about Thunes, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

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