, May 12 -- Scientists say they have identified a hidden chemical pattern that could help detect life beyond Earth.

The new study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggests that scientists may not need to focus only on finding specific molecules on distant planets and moons. Instead, they can look at how those molecules are organized.

"We're showing that life does not only produce molecules," said Fabian Klenner, an assistant professor of planetary sciences at University of California, Riverside and co-author of the study. "Life also produces an organizational principle that we can see by applying statistics."

Looking beyond individual molecules

For years, scientists have searched for signs of life by looking for compounds s...