All life on Earth comes from one ancestor, and now we know who

Source: https://www.earth.com/news/luca-last-universal-common-ancestor-progenitor-all-life-on-earth/
Summary
A new study identifies LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), the ancestor of all Earth life, existing 4.2 billion years ago. Researchers analyzed thousands of microbial genomes, finding universally shared genes to characterize LUCA. Contrary to previous assumptions, LUCA was complex, with a developed metabolic system, thriving in anaerobic, hydrothermal vents. It used chemosynthesis for energy, had ribosomes, and DNA. This supports the hydrothermal vent theory for life's origin. Identifying LUCA aids understanding of life's emergence, tracing evolution, and the search for extraterrestrial life, offering insights into conditions enabling life's start.