A deadly chemical frozen in ice may have sparked life on Earth Hydrogen cyanide may have helped life begin by turning icy crystals into microscopic reaction engines. Date: January 16, 2026 Source: American Chemical Society Summary: Hydrogen cyanide, a toxic chemical, may have helped spark the chemistry that led to life. When frozen, it forms crystals with highly reactive surfaces that can drive unusual chemical reactions, even in extreme cold. These reactions could produce more reactive molecules that pave the way for life’s basic ingredients. The findings suggest frozen worlds may be more chemically active than once thought.
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