NASA's Curiosity rover finds more signs there may be life on Mars

NASA may be one step closer to finding life on Mars.

Scientists studying samples from NASA's Curiosity rover have discovered evidence of nitrates in Martian rocks. Nitrogen compounds are essential for life on Earth, The Los Angeles Times explains, so the find could have significance for those studying Mars. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers searching for life on Mars have searched for organic carbon, but nitrogen could also be an important clue, the study authors wrote. RNA and DNA, as well as amino acids, contain nitrogen.

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The Martian rock samples contained nitric oxide, which the researchers believe originated from nitrates. The scientists believes the nitrates were the result of a "thermal shock" to the planet, such as an asteroid collision or lightning strike, the Times reports. Researchers are now studying whether nitrate creation is still occurring on Mars.