Study Suggests Universe May Be Tuned for Life

Magnetars are the most magnetic objects in the universe.

Scientists have proposed a new theory suggesting that the fundamental laws of the universe may be closely connected to the existence of life itself.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London say the universe’s physical constants appear to exist within an extremely narrow range that allows liquids such as water and blood to flow properly, creating conditions necessary for life.

The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, suggest that even slight changes in these constants could dramatically alter the behaviour of liquids, potentially making complex life impossible.

Scientists explained that life depends heavily on the movement of liquids at microscopic levels. Nutrients travel through cells, proteins fold into precise structures and molecules constantly move through watery environments inside living organisms.

All of these biological processes rely on viscosity, the property that determines how easily a liquid flows.

According to the researchers, changes of only a few percent in the universe’s fundamental constants could make water and other biological fluids either too thick or too thin to support life.

Kostya Trachenko said the study reveals an unexpected link between the flow of everyday liquids and some of the deepest questions in physics.

He noted that if water behaved more like tar, life in its current form would likely not exist. The same principle applies to blood and cellular fluids that are essential for biological functions.

The researchers added that even small shifts in constants such as the Planck constant or the electron charge could significantly affect how blood and cellular fluids move through the body.

Scientists have long debated why the universe’s physical constants appear to be “fine-tuned” for life. Earlier theories mainly focused on the formation of stars, galaxies and heavy elements required for planets.

This new research shifts attention toward biology, arguing that life may also depend on liquids maintaining extremely precise flow conditions inside cells.

Researchers say the theory remains theoretical, and there is still no universally accepted explanation for why nature’s constants have their current values.

However, they believe the findings could open new discussions about the relationship between physics, biology and the origins of life in the universe.