Researchers at McGill University found that two rare minerals, stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite, have the same structure as man-made MOFs. This discovery opens up new possibilities for using these materials in various applications such as hydrogen storage and carbon sequestration.
A new study suggests that the weathering of rocks by early non-vascular plants, such as mosses and lichens, may have contributed to the cooling of the climate during the Late Ordovician period. This process, known as chemical weathering, can draw down atmospheric CO2, leading to global cooling.
Researchers have created stable silver clusters within zeolite frameworks, maintaining their unique optical properties. This breakthrough has great potential for the development of more efficient and affordable fluorescent and LED lighting.
Researchers have discovered a new type of meteorite called Ost 65, which appears to be from the missing partner in a massive asteroid collision 470 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into the history of our solar system and may shed light on the evolution of life on Earth.
Scientists at the Hellisheidi power plant in Iceland have developed a method to convert CO2 emissions into solid minerals within months, significantly faster than predicted. The process involves mixing CO2 with water and injecting it into volcanic basalt, resulting in the formation of whitish, chalky minerals.
Researchers found that basaltic rocks can effectively store carbon dioxide, a potential solution to mitigate climate change. By injecting CO2 into these rocks, the greenhouse gas is converted into stable carbonate minerals, reducing leakage risks.
Researchers developed a new method to calculate elasticity of minerals at high pressure and temperature, reducing computational loads by up to tenfold. This allows for the constraining of Earth's interior composition and temperature with increased precision.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London developed a new lighting material using silver, which can emit light with high efficiency and is cheap to produce.
These unique ecosystems sustain a diverse range of marine life, including tube worms, giant crabs, and mussels, which consume methane and toxic sulfide. The hydrothermal vents and seeps also release minerals and heat, creating rocks and habitat that can last for tens of thousands of years.
Research by University of Sussex professor Constantin Blome found that industry collaboration and consumer pressure can make a big impact in the global drive to stop profits from mineral trade falling into the hands of armed groups. Simple measures such as sharing lists of certified smelters and refineries can help.
A team of researchers from Germany and the UK used high-resolution electron microscopy to study magnetic vortices in magnetite minerals, revealing that they are surprisingly resilient to temperature changes. The findings have significant implications for understanding the Earth's magnetic field history and plate tectonics.
Researchers have identified two novel molecular players necessary to regulate plasmodesmata in plants under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. These enzymes help control the flow of nutrients, minerals, and cellular signals between cells by altering callose levels at the plasmodesmata channel.
Researchers studied the electrical conductivity of hydrous silicate minerals under controlled temperature and pressure to understand water distribution in the Earth's interior. The study found that dehydration and pressure effects significantly impact bulk conductivity, with implications for understanding subduction zones.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to break down glyphosate, a common commercial herbicide, using manganese oxide minerals. The study found that the mineral can degrade glyphosate and AMPA, a major byproduct, within hours, providing a potential solution to environmental concerns about these compounds.
Scientists discovered a novel metal-binding activity in MamO, a protease that helps build magnetic nanoparticles using a unique motif. The study found that this process has evolved convergently throughout the evolution of magnetosomes.
A team of scientists led by Patrick Peplowski used MESSENGER mission data to confirm a high abundance of carbon at Mercury's surface. The carbon most likely originated deep below the surface, in an ancient graphite-rich crust that was later brought to the surface through impact processes.
Scientists from the University of Exeter will lead a four-year €5.4 million project to discover essential raw materials and minerals in Europe. The team aims to use advanced techniques to expose previously unknown underground resources for high-tech products.
Researchers found that by-product metals and minerals are indeed more price volatile than commodity materials, with a 50% increase in volatility over the past 50 years. However, monthly price data showed mixed evidence, which may be attributed to smaller transaction volumes and unchanged published prices for several months at a time.
Scientists have inventoried and categorized all of Earth's rare mineral species, revealing clues about the planet's sub-surface conditions and past biological upheavals. The rarest minerals are found at five or fewer locations worldwide and offer insights into what an inter-planetary probe might find.
Researchers discovered that biological molecules can change the shape of minerals by controlling how they link together, a process that could lead to the development of new drugs and synthetic materials. The study's findings shed light on the importance of chirality in drug development, as seen in the devastating Thalidomide tragedy.
Researchers discovered that diatoms are attracted to the smell of silicate minerals and move actively to areas with high concentrations. This ability allows them to colonize specific regions and is a key factor in their survival. Understanding this process could lead to the development of new materials resistant to algal colonization.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new technique to identify copper deposits in magmatic rocks by analyzing their chemical composition. The method, which was tested on a major porphyry discovery in Chile, has shown promising results and could lead to the discovery of new valuable metal deposits.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism for incorporating soft biological matter into calcium carbonate crystals, creating strong biominerals. The study provides insight into the formation of natural minerals with composite properties, which could lead to sustainable energy materials.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made promising findings about the use of bioactive glass in composite tooth fillings, showing a significant reduction in bacterial penetration. The study suggests that bioactive glass could help slow down secondary tooth decay and provide minerals to replace those lost due to tooth decay.
A global challenge is launched to discover new carbon-bearing minerals, with an estimated 145 yet-to-be-described minerals waiting discovery. Researchers believe most of these minerals will be hydrous carbonates, potentially making them challenging for collectors to find.
Researchers from Syracuse University found that atmospheric argon and neon are trapped in minerals formed at ultra-high pressure depths within the Earth's mantle. These findings indicate that noble gases can be recycled from the atmosphere into the deep Earth, and back to the surface again through a process known as forearc recycling.
A study found that ultrasonic humidifiers emit aerosols with dissolved contaminants, including minerals and metals, which are 90% respirable. The quality of the water source affects the health consequences of inhaling these contaminants.
A new study examines trade flows of 71 mineral commodities between 107 countries and finds that regional shortages of essential minerals can lead to cascading shocks and instabilities in the global market. The research proposes policy measures, such as commodity risk taxes, to create more stable markets.
Scientists have discovered a previously undocumented sheet-silicate crystal structure in the alkali-aggregate reaction, a chemical process that weakens concrete over decades. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more durable concrete, reducing global infrastructure failures.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory create a new surface microscope that allows them to control the chemical environment and image minerals as they react under extreme conditions. The technique, called X-ray reflection interface microscopy (XRIM), enables scientists to study reaction front instabilities in real-time.
Researchers are exploring how minerals from a healthy diet can be used in bioelectronics to create ingestible devices that power electronic pills. The goal is to reduce the amount of expensive medications needed for each patient, making them more cost-effective.
A large study found that adhering to healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of depression. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 was also linked to a significant reduction in depression risk, although this effect may be explained by similarities with the Mediterranean diet.
Research predicts Earth's mineralogy is unique in the cosmos, with over 1,500 undiscovered minerals, influenced by physical characteristics, geological activity, and biological processes.
A new test for liver cancer is being developed based on analyzing the stable isotope compositions of rocks and minerals. The researchers found that patients with HCC have enriched quantities of certain isotopes, such as copper-63 and sulphur-32, in their blood compared to normal controls.
Scientists believe the Earth's magnetic field arose at least four billion years ago, according to research published in Science. The findings support previous geochemical measurements on ancient zircons that suggest an age of around 4.4 billion years.
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Budongo Forest are increasingly eating clay to supplement the minerals in their diet, which also helps them 'detox' and digest their food. The researchers observed that accessing clay with leaf sponges provided higher mineral concentrations than taking clay-water or clay directly from the ground.
A team of researchers has recovered a magnetic field record from ancient minerals for Iron Age southern Africa, combining it with the weakening Earth's magnetic field. The data suggests that the region beneath southern Africa may be responsible for some recent and future pole reversals.
Researchers use innovative NanoSIMS ion probe measurements to document concentration gradients in igneous minerals, calculating the timescale between reheating and eruption. The study suggests an eruption triggered within 10 months after a magma reservoir's reheating, predicting potential future eruptions at Yellowstone.
A new study reveals that the Campi Flegrei caldera's caprock resembles ancient Roman concrete, with intertwining fibrous minerals contributing to its high strength. The findings help explain how the caldera has endured significant deformation without erupting.
A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often do not receive adequate nutrients from dietary supplements. Despite supplementation, many children with ASD still have deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitami...
New research reveals zinc may be the core of stone formation in kidneys, with changes in oxalate levels tracking dietary zinc intake. The findings suggest that understanding zinc's role in preventing kidney stones could lead to new preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have discovered that carbonates in the deep mantle can contain significant amounts of iron, contrary to previous thought. The study found that these minerals undergo a spin transition under pressure, redistributing iron between them.
New analysis reveals 'Apex chert microfossils' are not evidence of ancient life but rather peculiarly shaped minerals. Researchers used high-spatial resolution data to map chemical composition and morphology at the sub-micrometre scale, clearing up a long-standing debate about Earth's earliest fossils.
Research by University of Colorado Cancer Center investigator Tim Byers found that taking more dietary supplements than needed can lead to a higher risk of developing cancer. The study, which involved thousands of patients and ten years of research, showed that some supplements may even increase cancer risk by 20%.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that chemicals emitted by plant roots break bonds between carbon and minerals in the soil, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This process could accelerate climate warming by up to 1% per year, as current models may be underestimating carbon loss from soil.
Researchers found that root secretions can promote soil carbon loss by freeing organic compounds from protective associations with minerals. This mechanism is known as 'priming' and challenges the assumption that mineral-associated carbon is protected from microbial cycling over millennial timescales.
A new study by University of Utah researchers reveals the existence of an unknown layer inside Earth's lower mantle, where rock gets three times stiffer. This stiffness increase may explain why slabs of sinking tectonic plates stall and thicken at a depth of 930 miles underground.
Researchers at CU-Boulder propose that water trapped deep below Earth's crust may have flooded the lower crust, creating buoyancy and lift, which could explain the region's high elevation. This mechanism is supported by past seismic studies showing a correlation between crustal thickness/density and elevation.
New research shows that climate change mitigation efforts in Brazil's steel industry have failed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Instead, programs under the Kyoto Protocol led to a doubling of carbon dioxide emissions, from 91 million to 182 million metric tons of CO2 between 2000 and 2007.
Researchers studied a rare rock covered in small diamonds, speckles of garnet, and other minerals using X-ray machines to uncover its genesis. The findings suggest diamonds form at high temperatures and pressures, contradicting previous theories.
A new study of the ALH84001 Martian meteorite provides valuable insights into Mars' early climate and potential habitability. The analysis suggests that smaller seas existed on Mars billions of years ago, rather than vast oceans.
Research by Indiana University scientists reveals that soil mineral surfaces determine nitrous acid release into the atmosphere, playing a pivotal role in smog formation and greenhouse gas lifetime. This finding could contribute to improved models for understanding and controlling air pollution, a significant public health concern.
The Curiosity rover has taken samples of Martian rocks and soils using the CheMin instrument, which has provided insights into processes on Mars. The analysis reveals a complex mineralogy, including aqueous alteration and hydrated sulphates.
A Johns Hopkins University-led team has discovered a rich variety of organic carbon species in deep fluids, suggesting they could spark the formation of diamonds and potentially become food for microbial life. These findings, published in Nature Geoscience, provide new insights into the Earth's mantle and its role in the origin of life.
Researchers have discovered naturally occurring asbestos in Boulder City, Nevada, posing a risk to local residents. The fibrous minerals were found in areas not previously considered at risk, highlighting the need for further investigation into their occurrence and toxicity.
A Clemson University-led research team aims to develop materials that can encase nuclear waste for safe storage. The project focuses on crystalline ceramic based on naturally occurring minerals that endure for millions of years.
Researchers found that microbial activity increases with mineral deposits on sand particles in rapid sand filters, removing impurities like iron and ammonia. The study refutes the conventional assumption that minerals interfere with microbial colonization, suggesting potential improvements in drinking water production.
Researchers identify jarosite minerals in Ius Chasma canyon wall, suggesting atmospheric sulfur trapped in ice formed glaciers. The discovery provides evidence of past glaciation in the Valles Marineris on Mars.
Researchers used a powerful microscope to study the birth of crystals in real time, revealing that calcium carbonate forms into different minerals through various pathways. This discovery may help scientists understand how to lock carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and better reconstruct ancient climates.
A newly discovered ovoid structure in the Nakhla Martian meteorite contains a variety of minerals and shows evidence of shock events, sparking debate about its formation and potential for life on Mars. The study suggests that subsurface hydrothermal alteration could support niche environments conducive to life.