Distant gas cloud contains sugar found in raspberriesCosmic sugar in the starsPhoto: AI-generated illustration Radio telescopes have detected sugars in outer space. However, astronomical research indicates the universe seems to be very favourable towards carbon-based life. Most stars emit lots of ultraviolet light, which destroys complex carbon molecules. These include many of the chemical foundations of carbon-based life, including amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Sugar molecules are rather fragile, and if they can be formed in those clouds, then we can expect many more biologically important molecules being formed and safely stored.