Microbial Life Discovered in Atacama Desert

Scientists have discovered a hidden underground habitat in the Chilean Atacama Desert, challenging previous beliefs about the region’s biodiversity. Through innovative DNA analysis techniques, researchers found microbial communities thriving in the hyperarid soils, shedding light on life’s resilience in extreme environments. This groundbreaking study, published in PNAS Nexus, has implications for astrobiology and expands our understanding of desert ecosystems.