{
  "id": 473036,
  "title": "Earth extremophile can grow in near-Mars-like conditions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/earth-extremophile-can-grow-in-near-mars-like-conditions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-10T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2583902-earth-extremophile-can-grow-in-near-mars-like-conditions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study conducted on Earth has provided further evidence that life could potentially exist on Mars. Researchers from the University of Florida discovered that salt-loving microorganisms, known as halophilic microbes, can grow in conditions that closely resemble those found in salty pockets of water just beneath the surface of the Red Planet. The study, led by Adam Robinson, demonstrated that these microbes can thrive under anoxic, low-pressure atmospheres and in a high-salt liquid media containing harmful Martian chemicals similar to bleach, specifically perchlorates.\n\nThe researchers designed their experiments based on the possibility of liquid, salty water existing just below the Martian surface, though they have not yet confirmed its presence. Their chosen microbe, Haloferax volcanii, is an archaeon that thrives in extremely salty environments such as the Dead Sea. By exposing these microbes to a high-salt environment of 225 grams of salt per liter, a temperature of 21°C (approximately 70°F), and a pressure of 24 millibar for 160 days, the team observed that growth still occurred, despite the slower growth rate in the low-pressure condition.\n\nThe microbes' growth was confirmed by the cloudiness of the growth medium, a standard measure of growth, and the biological reduction of nitrate and perchlorate. Additionally, extensive biofilm formation was observed using a scanning electron microscope, providing robust evidence for active growth rather than mere survival. While previous studies have shown that microbes can survive in Mars-like conditions, this study is the first to demonstrate growth of salt-loving extremophiles.\n\nHowever, the existence of such water pockets on Mars remains uncertain, as past missions have intentionally avoided regions deemed potentially habitable to prevent contaminating areas that may harbor life. Despite the significantly lower pressure and higher temperature found on Mars compared to Earth, team member Scott Perl suggests that if life evolved on the planet billions of years ago, it would have had time to adapt to these conditions.\n\nThe team plans to further investigate these conditions by replacing the yeast extract used as a carbon source with acetate, a potential carbon source believed to be present on Mars today. Sean McMahon from the University of Edinburgh points out that, although temperatures on Mars' surface can exceed 21°C during the day, the pressure is only around 6 to 12 millibar, which significantly lowers the likelihood of liquid water existing. Nonetheless, the researchers believe that the conditions used in the study could be plausible on Mars, particularly in underground regions where pressures could reach 24 millibar, but temperatures remain well below freezing. The team is now exploring whether cold-loving halophiles can grow in temperatures ranging from 0° to 4°C (32° to 39°F) and pressures between 7 and 12 millibar, as well as investigating potential food sources for microbes on Mars, such as methanogens that can feed on CO2 and produce methane.",
  "summary": "A salt-loving microorganism found in places like the Dead Sea can not just survive but actively grow in conditions close to those that may be found just under the Martian surface",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}