University of Hawaii scientists analyzed a tiny fragment from the comet Wild 2 to determine when it formed. The study found that the fragment formed at least three million years after the formation of the first solids in our Solar System, providing new insights into Jupiter's formation and the origins of the Solar System.
A new model, published by Anne Hofmeister and Robert Criss, presents a three-dimensional gas cloud scenario for planetary accretion. The model explains planetary orbits and spins without relying on heat production, conserving angular momentum in a cold environment.
A Scripps Florida team has been awarded nearly $1.5 million to identify and develop novel potent inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The research targets the capsid protein, a critical component of HIV, with the goal of creating new treatments for HIV-infected patients.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have uncovered a self-sustaining signaling circuit in breast cells that leads to cancer. This circuit is triggered by the activation of MEK/ERK and IKK/NF-kB pathways, which maintain the malignant state of tumor cells.
Researchers designed a series of small molecules that target an RNA defect causing myotonic dystrophy type 1. These compounds improve biological defects in cell culture and animal models by more than 40 percent.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found a phase change in molten magnesium silicate that transforms to a more dense liquid with increasing pressure. This discovery provides insight into planet formation and suggests that extra-solar 'Super-Earth' planets may have different structures than Earth.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified a single prion protein that causes neuronal death similar to 'mad cow' disease, with toxic effects up to 10 times more potent than larger prion species. The study opens new avenues for exploring neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Dr. F. Michael Flasar, Dr. Anthony D. Del Genio and Dr. James Slavin recognized for their outstanding contributions to Earth and space sciences. Flasar's work on planetary atmospheres, including Titan's unique atmosphere, was highlighted as fundamental to understanding climate physics.
The average global temperatures and illumination models suggest that roughly half of Vesta's surface is cold and dark enough for water ice to survive. The polar regions are thought to be favorable for water ice existence, but may be buried beneath a layer of dry regolith.
Researchers successfully stabilized electron orbits using an electromagnetic field, mimicking Jupiter's gravitational influence on asteroids. The experiment verifies calculations made at Vienna University of Technology and holds promise for future studies on the quantum-world of tiny objects.
Physicists at Rice University mimic the orbit of Jupiter's Trojan asteroids within an atom, confirming Niels Bohr's 1920 prediction on quantum mechanics and Newtonian physics. The research demonstrates control over atomic behavior using radio frequency waves.
A recent study found that a large fraction of planets have orbital distances between 0.5 and 10 sun-Earth distances, challenging the previous assumption that most extrasolar planets were gas giants closer to their stars.
Researchers have discovered two new planets, Kepler-34b and Kepler-35b, orbiting a binary star system using data from NASA's Kepler mission. The low-density gas giants are comparable in size to Jupiter but much less massive, with Kepler-34 being about 24% smaller and Kepler-35 being about 26% smaller.
Most of the Milky Way's 100 billion stars have planets similar to Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The research found an average of 1.6 planets in the habitable zone around each star.
A team of astronomers using gravitational microlensing detected three exoplanets, including a super-Earth and planets comparable to Neptune and Jupiter. Combining this data with previous findings, the researchers conclude that planets are more common than stars in the Milky Way.
Astronomers at Vanderbilt University and Caltech discovered three smallest planets yet orbiting a distant star, KOI-961, connected to Barnard's star. The planets range in size from Mars to three-quarters the size of Earth, with short orbits making liquid water impossible.
Researchers have discovered that proteins and ligands engage in a complex dance-like interaction, influencing the binding modes of ligands and receptor dynamics. This finding has implications for designing future diabetes treatments.
Sathyanaryanan Puthanveettil, a Scripps Research scientist, has been awarded two notable grants to study the critical component of long-term memory formation. He will investigate the role of kinesin in this process using the marine snail Aplysia.
Researchers have discovered two planets that survived being engulfed by their parent star, shedding new light on stellar and planetary systems. The discovery may also offer insights into the possible future of our own solar system.
Lund University has received a total of SEK 40 million in funding for its geology and biology research. This includes SEK 25 million for Birger Schmitz's ERC-funded project Astrogeobiosphere, which explores the link between life on Earth and astronomical events.
Voyager 1 has sailed to the edge of the solar system and is expected to punch its way into interstellar space in the coming months or years. The spacecraft was launched in 1977 and completed the Grand Tour of the Solar System, making numerous groundbreaking discoveries about the outer planets and their moons.
Scientists have elevated little-studied cellular mechanism sulfenylation to potential drug target by showing its importance in cell signaling and cancer. A new chemical probe allowed detection of minute differences in sulfenylation rates, revealing a key role for hydrogen peroxide in activating epidermal growth factor receptor.
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute created the first realistic 3D reconstruction of a thalamocortical column in the rodent brain. This achievement marks a significant milestone toward developing a complete computer model of the brain, which may lead to a deeper understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The Habitable Exoplanets Catalog ranks planets according to various habitability indices, such as the Earth Similarity Index and Habitable Zones Distance. The catalog lists 15 exoplanets and 30 exomoons as potential habitable candidates, with only two confirmed exoplanets matching the criteria so far.
A Caltech-led team of astronomers has discovered 18 new planets orbiting massive stars, with masses similar to Jupiter's. The findings provide valuable insights into planetary formation and support the theory that planets grow from seed particles accumulating gas and dust in a disk surrounding a newborn star.
A Scripps Florida scientist has received a $3.4 million grant to study a new compound that blocks HIV replication by targeting the viral protein Tat. The goal is to evaluate its therapeutic potential in animal models and optimize it for human clinical trials, potentially leading to a novel class of anti-viral drugs.
Scripps Research scientists have identified a key gene that plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic balance. The study found that the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) expressed outside the brain is equally important as its central nervous system counterpart.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University re-created the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus to study the presence of lightning sprites. The research aims to understand electrical and chemical processes on other planets, potentially indicating the presence of extraterrestrial life.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have created a new class of small molecules with the potential to serve as a rich foundation for drug discovery. The approach combines synthetic chemistry and advanced screening technologies, overcoming molecular limitations associated with current methods.
Researchers have found a body of liquid water on Europa, similar to the North American Great Lakes, which could support life. The newly discovered lake is covered by floating ice shelves that facilitate nutrient and energy transfer between the surface and a vast ocean below.
Researchers have achieved a record pressure of 50 megabars in a diamond experiment at the National Ignition Facility, replicating conditions believed to exist in super-Earths. The use of ramp-compression technique allowed for higher pressures than standard near-instantaneous shock-physics experiments.
Researchers propose that Jupiter may have 'jumped' out of its orbit to avoid disturbing the inner solar system. The 'jumping-Jupiter' theory suggests one planet was ejected from the solar system, leaving four giant planets behind.
A Scripps Research Institute scientist has been awarded a $1 million grant to study adropin, a peptide hormone that may improve insulin sensitivity and treat type 2 diabetes. The research aims to explore adropin's potential role in glucose homeostasis and its application as a protein-based therapy.
A Scripps Research scientist has been awarded a $500,000 grant to study the genetic mutations associated with Parkinson's disease. The researcher will investigate two genes, LRRK2 and SGK1, which have shown a link between their mutations and reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
A team of astronomers has discovered three new planets and a mystery object orbiting giant, dying stars. The research provides insights into the evolution of planetary systems around these stars and how metal content influences their behavior.
Astronomers have discovered a planet-sized object, dubbed WD 0806-661 B, that is as cool as the Earth's surface. This brown dwarf has a mass similar to Jupiter but orbits a white dwarf companion at a vast distance of 2500 AU.
A Scripps Florida scientist has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to explore the role of host cell signaling pathways in HCV-induced liver cancer. The research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating chronic HCV infections.
Astronomers at Yale University have discovered the first two potential exoplanets found by Planet Hunters users analyzing real scientific data from NASA's Kepler mission. The candidate planets orbit their host stars with periods ranging from 10 to 50 days and radii that range in size from two-and-a-half to eight times Earth's radius.
Two Scripps Research scientists, Michael Petrascheck and Brian Paegel, have won the NIH Director's New Innovator Award. Petrascheck will conduct research on aging in C. elegans using $1.5 million in funding, while Paegel will evolve new molecular tools for protein sequencing.
Astronomers detect a double sunset on the newly discovered Kepler-16b, a planet similar to Saturn in size and mass. The planet orbits two smaller, cooler stars and is estimated to be around -100°C due to its distance from its parent bodies.
A University of Toronto-led team has observed extreme brightness changes on a nearby brown dwarf, suggesting the presence of a gigantic storm. The researchers used an infrared camera to capture repeated images of the brown dwarf over several hours, revealing the largest variations in brightness ever seen.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed prototype drugs with powerful anti-diabetic effects without the severe side effects of current medications. The new compounds target PPAR-gamma, a metabolic regulator controlling fat cell development, and block phosphorylation to minimize risk.
Scripps Research scientists have identified a specific region of the β2-adrenergic receptor where changes in structure lead to altered signaling function. The study's findings could lead to the development of highly selective therapeutic drugs targeting this receptor.
Researchers have discovered a new class of anti-diabetic compounds that target a unique molecular switch, potentially offering fewer side effects than existing drugs. The new compound, SR1664, blocks Cdk5's action on PPARG and shows improved blood sugar levels without weight gain or fluid retention.
Astronomers found a small, half-Jupiter-sized planet with a diameter of 60,000 kilometres orbiting an extremely dense pulsar, suggesting a unique formation process. The discovery reveals the possibility of a diamond-like structure in the planet's core due to its incredibly high density.
A team of astronomers using CSIRO's radio telescope discovered a small planet made of diamond orbiting an unusual star called PSR J1719-1438. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of binary systems and the formation of 'diamond planets', which are thought to be composed of crystalline material.
Researchers have defined a specific protein complex that allows cells to remove damaged mitochondria via autophagy, a process crucial for maintaining cellular integrity. This discovery highlights the interaction between Hsp90-Cdc37 and Ulk1, which is essential for efficient mitochondrial clearance.
Researchers pinpointed a novel mechanism involving β-arrestin-1, β2-adrenoreceptors, and catecholamines in chronic stress-induced DNA damage, which can lead to various disorders including cancer, aging, and neuropsychiatric conditions.
A new study suggests that coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a more accurate predictor of heart attacks and strokes than C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy adults. High CAC scores are associated with a fourfold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, while low scores indicate an extremely low risk of events. Statin treatment may be mo...
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have defined the structure of one of the cell's most basic engines required for cell growth. The study reveals a series of redundant mechanisms that assure production of critical cellular building blocks while avoiding missteps, which could lead to disease.
TrES-2b's extremely dark surface is attributed to its high temperature and the presence of light-absorbing chemicals. The planet emits a faint red glow due to its heat, revealing it's not pitch black despite its low reflectivity.
The Juno mission aims to resolve unanswered questions about the massive planet and its evolution. By analyzing microwave signals passing through Jupiter's atmosphere, scientists hope to understand how much water exists there.
The Juno Mission aims to study the origin and evolution of Jupiter, helping scientists understand planetary formation and the solar system. The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times, measuring magnetic activity and water content in its atmosphere.
Hubble made its one millionth science observation while analyzing the exoplanet HAT-P-7b's atmosphere, revealing spectroscopic patterns that can indicate water vapor presence. The milestone marks Hubble's continued legacy in characterizing exoplanet atmospheres.
A University of Arizona planetary scientist has determined Neptune's rotation with high accuracy by tracking atmospheric features in its atmosphere. The discovery improves upon previous measurements and provides a better understanding of the planet's fundamental properties.
The Genesis mission has provided the first oxygen and nitrogen isotopic measurements of the Sun, showing significant differences from those on Earth. These results suggest that the solar system was formed through a complex process, with different astrophysical mechanisms contributing to the composition of space dust.
A University at Buffalo team proposes using sodium to convert hydrogen into a superconducting metal, which could improve power transmission efficiency. The researchers used an open-source computer program to find suitable sodium polyhydrides that become metallic at lower pressures than previously thought.
Jupiter's Grand Tack model reveals the planet's youthful travels profoundly impacted the solar system. The giant planet's migration toward and away from the sun altered the nature of the asteroid belt, making Mars smaller than expected. The new model suggests Jupiter perturbed objects in the asteroid belt instead of destroying it.
Researchers propose a new theory on Mars' small size and low mass, suggesting that Jupiter's early gas-driven migration stripped the region of formation materials. The 'Grand Tack Scenario' simulation explains properties of the asteroid belt and its compositional differences between inner- and outer-belt bodies.
The discovery of blue stragglers in the Milky Way's hub suggests that the galaxy stopped making stars billions of years ago. The findings provide new constraints for models of the star-formation history of the bulge.