Ancient Supernova May Have Sparked Viral Evolution in Africa’s Lake Tanganyika

Undergrad researcher Caitlyn Nojiri discovered that a supernova near Earth 2-3 million years ago could have created numerous new viruses in Lake Tanganyika. Researchers used iron-60 traces from Earth sediments to link astronomic events with life evolution after finding evidence of a nearby stellar explosion through this research.

Based on their calculations the research team believes the supernova came either from Tucana-Horologium or Upper Centaurus Lupus at distances of 230 light-years and 460 light-years respectively. DNA mutation rates in Lake Tanganyika sediment likely increased due to the Tucana-Horologium supernova emissions although a lifecycle extinction did not occur.

Professor Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz promotes diverse participation in science through his remarks about Nojiri becoming the first UCSC undergraduate to share research at the Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics seminar. 

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Scientists now see theoretical ways that cosmic events might affect Earth’s life forms through this research but need separate investigations across different areas to prove how supernovae affect evolution. Lake Tanganyika stands as an excellent place to study evolutionary changes due to its large supply of one-fifth of global surface freshwater.