Researchers analyze journals written by NASA astronauts to identify factors that affect their mental and emotional states during long-duration space missions. The study aims to develop recommendations for future missions, including training exercises and procedures to mitigate behavioral issues.
The remnants of Ex-Typhoon Choi-wan continued to generate rainy and windy weather over southeastern Russia as revealed by NASA's infrared satellite image. Cloud top temperatures near -36F/-38.1C were detected in the region, indicating strong uplift and stronger storm behavior.
Tropical Storm Mujigae was tracked by NASA using its Aqua satellite and RapidScat instrument aboard the International Space Station. The storm's surface winds were measured, revealing maximum sustained winds of 53.6 mph/86.4 kph near the northern quadrant.
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) has successfully transitioned to Phase B, paving the way for the deployment of a laser-based instrument on the International Space Station. This mission aims to provide high-resolution measurements of Earth's forest vertical structure, enabling scientists to better understand the globa...
Researchers mapped social vulnerability at the district level, identifying three clusters of most vulnerable districts containing over 1 million people. The study highlights the importance of addressing water quality, food insecurity, and access to medical care to prevent Ebola infections and deaths.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters found that peak-time emissions from diesel trains at London's Paddington Station exceeded European air quality recommendations and were higher than nearby roadsides on most days. The station's semi-enclosed design contributed to elevated concentrations of particulate matter, nitrogen ...
Tropical Storm Ignacio has weakened significantly, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, as it moves north of the Hawaiian Islands. The storm is expected to turn north-northwest late on September 3 and slow weakening is anticipated starting Thursday.
A new self-healing material has been developed that can plug life-threatening holes in spacecraft, preventing structural penetration and catastrophic damage. The material, made by sandwiching a reactive liquid between two solid polymer layers, reacts with oxygen to form a solid plug in under a second.
The James Webb Space Telescope's flight backplane has arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, marking a significant step towards the telescope's 2018 launch. The backplane will hold the telescope's 18 hexagonal mirrors and instruments steady while observing deep space.
Researchers at the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota are conducting unprecedented whole-ecosystem manipulation to study peatlands' response to increased temperature and elevated carbon dioxide. The goal is to understand how peatlands react to various warming conditions and their impact on the global carbon cycle.
A new study finds that smaller-scale space weather events are amplified near the equator, putting power grids at risk in previously considered safe regions. These disturbances can cause fluctuations in wholesale electricity pricing and damage unprotected power infrastructure.
The RED Epic Dragon camera is capable of recording images with six times more detail than previous cameras, capturing high-resolution footage of astronauts on the International Space Station. The camera's ability to record at high resolution and up to 300 frames per second makes it ideal for science investigations and dynamic events.
Researchers at Strathclyde University won a prestigious award for their work on the Stardust project, exploring solutions to threats from asteroids and space debris. The €4.1m project, funded by the European Commission, aims to tackle the risks posed by asteroids and ensure a safe future for assets in orbit.
Scientists are calling for cooperation between conservationists and space agencies to monitor biodiversity loss, which has halved in just 40 years. Satellite images can reveal changes in vegetation productivity and provide information on ground-level biodiversity levels.
Post-Tropical Storm Claudette's winds weaken significantly due to cold sea surface temperatures, according to NASA's RapidScat measurements. The storm's intensity is predicted to drop rapidly as it moves northward over the Northern Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical Depression Chan-Hom made landfall just south of Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 12. The depression weakened to a remnant low pressure area and is expected to dissipate by July 14.
Typhoon Chan-Hom was monitored by NASA using RapidScat, which detected the storm's strongest winds stretching from northwest to southeast at over 30 meters per second. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 100 knots and is expected to weaken as it approaches the Chinese mainland.
Researchers created a simulation of Pluto's space environment to estimate solar wind densities and understand how they affect the dwarf planet's atmosphere. The models, which take into account coronal mass ejections and other factors, suggest that Pluto may experience low solar wind densities for about a month before being compressed.
Typhoon Nangka is experiencing powerful winds of up to 78.9mph/126kph near its center, according to NASA data gathered from the International Space Station's RapidScat instrument.
A recent study found that installing functional doors and windows in abandoned buildings can lead to a significant decrease in crime rates. Over a 2-year period, the study revealed an estimated 8 fewer assaults, 10 fewer gun assaults, and 5 fewer nuisance crimes in areas with improved building facades.
A study by McGill University researchers found that homes near BIXI bike-sharing stations in central Montreal saw an average increase of 2.7% in sales price, with each station valued at $700 more in property value. The study suggests that other cities with similar systems may also experience similar effects on housing prices.
NGC 6503, a 30,000-light-year-long galaxy, is located at the edge of the 150-million-light-year-wide Local Void. The Hubble Space Telescope image showcases its vibrant colors and swirling spiral arms.
Researchers have created a real-time monitoring system for air and water quality in space, reducing the need for sample collection and analysis. The system enables astronauts to test their surroundings more efficiently, making long-term space missions possible.
Tropical Storm Blanca is strengthening due to low vertical wind shear, warm waters, and a moist atmosphere. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts.
The GOES-R satellite has begun environmental testing to simulate the harsh conditions of launch and the space environment. This includes vibration, acoustics, and temperature testing to ensure the satellite is properly protected from electromagnetic phenomena in space.
Scientists used NASA's ISS-RapidScat to measure the winds of Tropical Storm Ana in May 2015. The instrument provided accurate data on wind speed and direction near the ocean surface.
Experimental data from zero-gravity experiments on the International Space Station provides insights into thermodiffusion effects in ternary liquid mixtures. The results, published in the European Physical Journal E, offer a benchmark for future theoretical and numerical models.
The study focuses on improving seismic monitoring data transmission speed and reducing response time to provide timely warnings for the region. Key findings include increasing station coverage, particularly in urban areas like Portland, Oregon, and strategically placing coastal stations to mitigate megathrust fault earthquakes.
A new space-based system combines a super-wide field-of-view telescope with a high-efficiency laser to track and deorbit centimeter-sized space debris. The system, proposed by RIKEN scientists, could remove most of the debris within five years of operation.
NASA's fleet of satellites captured stunning views of Super Typhoon Maysak's eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm dropped rain at a rate of over 70 mm per hour northwest of its well-defined eye. Maysak was moving west-northwest towards the Philippines, where it is expected to make landfall on April 4.
A new study by University of Chicago Booth School of Business researchers found that redesigning bike networks can increase ridership by up to 29.4% and reduce the distance commuters need to walk to reach stations. By taking commuter preferences into account, cities can optimize their bike-share systems to attract more users.
Researchers identified three genes that improve production by about 15 bushels per acre under both irrigated and dryland conditions. The study's results are promising, with potential benefits for Texas farmers who have struggled with low yields in recent years.
Researchers at UC Irvine will investigate the behavioral impairments of rodents attributed to space radiation exposure, aiming to understand the underlying causes of these deficits. The study aims to inform efforts to minimize the effects of solar and galactic cosmic radiation on the central nervous system.
UTEP has secured a $5 million contract with NASA to explore space safety through collaborations with faculty and students. The partnership will focus on human space exploration and provide hands-on experiences for students.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan's sustained winds reached over 30 meters per second, making it a strong tropical storm. The cyclone's center was near the Lockhart River south to Cape Flattery in the Coral Sea.
The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument has provided a detailed profile of the atmosphere above Africa, revealing particles in the air at different heights. The data will help scientists model dust plumes and interactions with clouds and aerosols, improving our understanding of climate change.
Tropical Cyclone Lam made landfall in Australia's Northern Territory, with NASA satellites and instruments gathering data on the storm's structure and behavior before and after landfall. The storm was characterized by sustained winds of up to 90 knots (103.6 mph) and heavy rainfall rates of almost 55 mm per hour.
A Florida State University and Russian Academy of Sciences team found that space travel may impair the body's ability to regulate blood flow to the brain, contributing to temporary or permanent vision problems experienced by astronauts. The research team plans to conduct further experiments to find solutions.
Astronauts on ISS captured stunning night image of Cyclone Bansi in January 2015, revealing brilliant lightning around its eye. The cyclone reached category 4 strength before weakening into an extra-tropical system.
The ISS-RapidScat instrument provided forecasters with wind speed data on the hurricane-force nor'easter. The storm brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the Northeast region, with sustained winds reaching up to 35 meters per second (78.2 mph/126 kph).
Researchers aim to gauge the effect of space and space travel on interest in STEM subjects among school children. A three-year project will involve gathering views from pupils, teachers, and space scientists to understand what inspires young people to participate in STEM.
The article discusses the need for medical care practices in commercial space transportation, highlighting different phases of suborbital and orbital missions. The authors suggest defining Medical Levels of Care to account for various types of flight, including motion sickness, emergency equipment, and spacesuits.
The ISS-RapidScat instrument measured high wind speeds off the Atlantic Ocean near the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Wind chills were reported near zero in several cities, posing a risk of frostbite, with temperatures 20-25 degrees below average.
BioServe Space Technologies will launch state-of-the-art hardware on SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, including petri dishes with infected nematode organisms, to study bacterial virulence in low gravity. The experiment aims to understand how pathogens behave in space and has implications for human health.
A recent study found that having a journalist engage with commenters can reduce incivility and increase the use of evidence in comments. The researchers partnered with a local television news station and conducted an experiment using its Facebook community, resulting in a statistically significant effect on the tone of the comments.
The MATROSHKA experiment found that doses of cosmic radiation inside the International Space Station were lower than those recorded by astronauts' personal dosimeters. In open space, the overestimation was even higher, exceeding 200%.
Typhoon Hagupit continues to intensify as it moves through Micronesia, triggering warnings for strong winds and rough seas. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to 115.1 mph, with forecasters predicting it will peak at Category four on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument on the International Space Station measures aerosols and cloud layers, providing data to improve air quality forecasts and track hazardous events like wildfires. This information will also feed into climate models to better understand Earth's energy balance.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive cognitive test battery, Cognition, to measure the impact of spaceflight stressors on astronauts' cognition. The 10-test battery will be administered to the first astronaut on the International Space Station on November 28.
Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center tested a 'tripod' supporting the James Webb Space Telescope's secondary mirror in a successful deployment. The system was designed to unfurl in space to 8 meters long and was tested using the Pathfinder backplane structure.
Scientists analyzed gravitational effects of the Moon on thermosphere to predict satellite collisions. Incorporating these results in atmospheric models can refine accuracy and keep satellites separate from space junk.
NASA's ISS-RapidScat tracked the winds of post-tropical cyclone Nuri as it moved parallel to Japan. The storm is now expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Kansas State University's Konza Prairie Biological Station will continue to conduct long-term ecological research with a renewed $6.76 million NSF grant. The grant supports research on the impact of land-use change, climatic variability, and restoration ecology on tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Scientists are developing low-cost air-cleaning devices to replace expensive metals like platinum and palladium. Recent studies have shown promising results in improving indoor air quality, potentially alleviating symptoms of 'sick-building syndrome'
A series of articles published in New Space journal suggest that ordinary citizens can take short trips to the edge of space without significant health effects. The research also identifies potential challenges and risks associated with human commercial spaceflight.
The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope withstood 116 days of extremely cold temperatures, simulating conditions found in space. The successful test ensures the telescope will function correctly at its final destination one million miles away from Earth.
A new paper by University of New Hampshire scientists warns that cosmic rays pose a significant threat to future manned deep-space exploration. The study finds that extremely low densities and magnetic field strengths in the solar wind create hazardous radiation levels that limit allowable days for astronauts behind spacecraft shielding.
Dartmouth researchers are developing a virtual reality-based relaxation system to help astronauts cope with stress on long-duration spaceflights. The Virtual Space Station program uses virtual reality, sounds, and smells to create immersive experiences that promote relaxation and calmness.
Researchers investigate degradation of essential vitamins over time in spaceflight foods, aiming to develop strategies to minimize loss. They'll use similar foods consumed by astronauts at the International Space Station to determine the impact of preparation and storage conditions on vitamin potency.
Scientists at NH Agricultural Experiment Station will apply DNA-based tools to create new rosaceous crop varieties, including strawberries, with improved product quality and disease resistance. The five-year grant aims to develop commercial scion and rootstock cultivars for local growers and organic production.