Scientists make stunning discovery that could help explain why life exists
Physicist Kostya Trachenko has identified a link between fundamental physical constants and the viscosity of liquids, suggesting these values are essential for supporting life. The study proposes that even minor changes to these constants could render biological processes impossible.
Why it matters
This research provides a deeper understanding of the 'fine-tuning' of the universe and the physical constraints required for life to exist.
Imagine a universe where stars still shine, planets still form, and water exists, but liquids are so thick that living cells can barely function. Even with the chemical ingredients for life, the conditions might make living organisms impossible.
Scientists have uncovered a remarkable connection between the fundamental laws of physics and the ability of life to exist. Their findings suggest that even relatively small changes to some of the universe's most basic physical constants could dramatically alter how liquids flow, potentially preventing essential biological processes from taking place.
The discovery, detailed in a study published in Science Advances , came from physicist Kostya Trachenko at Queen Mary University of London. His theoretical analysis identified an additional constraint on the values of fundamental physical constants: They must permit liquids to move in ways that support life within and between cells.
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