A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.
The study finds that the combined rate of ice sheet melting is increasing, with Antarctica and Greenland losing more than three times as much ice as in the 1990s. The new research confirms that both polar regions are losing ice, contrary to earlier uncertainty.
An international team of satellite experts has produced the most accurate assessment of ice losses from Antarctica and Greenland to date, confirming both regions are losing ice. The study reveals that melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets has contributed significantly to global sea level rise over the past two decades.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) with speeds of 375 miles per second reached the sun's surface in November 2012, marking the third Earth-directed CME since November 20. The event may cause geomagnetic storms and auroras near the poles, but is unlikely to disrupt electrical systems or GPS communications.
The probe dug a 12 cm deep hole before bouncing out onto a flat surface, sliding 30 cm across the surface due to friction. The probe wobbled back and forth five times before coming to rest, suggesting the surface was soft enough to make a hole but hard enough to support wobbling
Scientists have discovered an enormous amount of water vapour, enough to fill Earth's oceans over 2000 times, in a gas and dust cloud collapsing into a new Sun-like star. Water was previously detected outside our Solar System as ice coated onto tiny dust grains near active star formation sites.
A new study found that nearly half of all retail firewood sold in the US West is infested with live insects. The research highlights the risks of untreated firewood transporting pests and pathogens to uninfested areas. Heat-treating firewood before sale could help mitigate these risks.
The apple flea weevil has reemerged as a significant pest in organic apple orchards, causing up to 90% damage. The authors discuss management options and highlight the need for proven methods in organic production.
Tadpole shrimp have been identified as a new pest of rice production systems in the midsouthern United States. The shrimp feed on rice seedlings and uproot them during foraging, causing water to become muddy and reducing light penetration.
A recent study found that the abandonment of rice cultivation in Taiwanese paddies has led to an increase in disease-carrying ticks and chiggers, resulting in higher incidence rates of scrub typhus. This demonstrates the potential for global commodities pricing to drive the spread of infections.
The European Space Agency (ESA) funded a study to test the shielding properties of Moon and Mars regolith against cosmic radiation. The GSI facility in Germany analyzed how well the stone slabs protect against radiation and produced neutrons when radiated.
The Entomological Society of America has recognized Dr. Donald A. Rutz, Dr. Kevin Heinz, and Dr. Florence Dunkel with awards for their contributions to extension entomology, horticultural entomology, and teaching respectively. The winners will be honored at the ESA's 60th Annual Meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Endangered Species Act focuses on boosting species' numbers, but many will require continued management actions. Individual conservation agreements can help such 'conservation-reliant species',
The Entomological Society of America has selected three new entomologists, Dr. Elizabeth F. Beckmeyer, Dr. Steve Clement, and Dr. Victoria Y. Yokoyama, as Honorary Members for their 20+ years of significant involvement in the Society's affairs. They will be honored at the Awards Ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee this November.
A study finds that citizens do a better job of picking threatened species than the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Citizen-initiated listings are more likely to pose conflicts with development, but those species are also significantly more threatened on average.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center recorded a coronal mass ejection traveling at unprecedented speeds using data from the STEREO spacecraft. The event produced a strong magnetic field and intense solar radiation, offering insights into the causes of space weather events.
Scientists explore the interconnectedness of ecological relationships and evolutionary history to better understand species distribution, adaptation, and coexistence. The research reveals complex feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes, shedding new light on the patterns and processes of biodiversity.
The Entomological Society of America has elected ten new Fellows for 2012, including Christian Borgemeister and Henry Hagedorn, recognized for their research on biological control and integrated pest management. The ESA International Branch also named Joseph Morse as a Fellow, honored for his work in entomology and systems science.
Ken Bierly, Senior Partnerships Coordinator at the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, has been recognized for his outstanding record of informing political decision-making with ecological science. He has developed tools for watershed management, including wetland regulations and local watershed councils.
The James Webb Space Telescope's NIRISS and FGS instruments, developed by University of Montreal's Professor René Doyon, will study the universe from a record-breaking distance. These Canadian-made instruments will analyze stars and galaxies dating back to the Big Bang and search for life-supporting planetary systems.
The first cross-disciplinary conference on Public Participation in Scientific Research will bring together experts from various fields to share ideas and form new communities. Citizen science projects have recruited non-specialists to contribute to real scientific questions, multiplying data collection by orders of magnitude. The confe...
The Ecological Society of America honored eight scientists with prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to ecology, including Robert Naiman and Janet Lanza. The awards recognize meritorious research, teaching, and service to the field of ecology.
Researchers using Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton have found a point-like object, IGR J11014, which may be a rapidly spinning, super-dense star ejected during a supernova explosion. If confirmed, its speed of millions of miles per hour poses a challenge to existing models for supernova explosions.
The Euclid mission, a collaboration of nearly a thousand scientists, aims to study the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy using state-of-the-art instruments. The UK Space Agency has funded £8.5M for the development of scientific instruments and the Science Ground Segment.
The European Space Agency has adopted the largest astronomy collaboration to build the Euclid satellite, which will study the dark universe with great precision. The mission will trace the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy throughout the Universe.
The UK Space Agency has invested £11.5M in the Solar Orbiter mission, which will discover how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere by flying closer than ever before to the Sun. The mission will study the Sun's magnetic field and solar activity, including coronal mass ejections that can affect Earth.
The chance alignment of galaxies NGC 3314A and NGC 3314B shows a unique view of their spiral arms and dust lanes. The motion of the galaxies indicates they are not on a collision course, with NGC 3314A's warped shape likely due to an encounter with another nearby galaxy.
Astronomers use XMM-Newton data to detect X-ray 'echoes' from a distant galaxy, revealing a new way to study supersized black holes and their accretion disks. The echoes, which lag behind AGN flares by up to 30 minutes, provide insights into the environment around these massive black holes.
Astronomers using Herschel Space Observatory data show that massive black holes at galaxy centers influence star formation rates. Galaxies with powerful black holes form stars at a thousand times the rate of Milky Way, but fastest-growing black holes shut off star formation in surrounding galaxies.
The Mid InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) has been declared ready for delivery to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. This instrument will allow astronomers to explore the formation of planets around distant stars and could pave the way for investigations into other planetary systems.
Researchers highlight the importance of dry river ecology, which is under-researched but provides essential habitats for biota. Human societies use these areas for agriculture, recreation, and resource extraction, emphasizing the need to study intermittent river systems.
Scientists at FAO and IAEA developed a larval rearing unit for efficient mosquito mass-rearing, promising to boost the Sterile Insect Technique's effectiveness. The new system maintains water temperature stability and minimizes evaporation, allowing normal larval development and reducing labor costs.
The upcoming Sentinel-2 mission will fill the gap in research and operations, providing frequent coverage and high-resolution imagery. This will enable the monitoring of land cover, forests, agriculture, and glaciers, leading to better management of the environment and understanding of climate change.
Gene Kritsky will give the Entomology Founders' Memorial Award lecture at Entomology 2012, honoring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Dr. Kritsky's research has significantly contributed to understanding periodical cicadas and apiculture.
The ESA Southwestern Branch presented awards to Apurba Barman for his Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award and Rachel Mohr for her PhD Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation. The awardees showcased their research on entomology and its applications in agriculture, forensic science, and livestock management.
Dr. Amanda C. Hodges received the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension for her extensive work on plant pest diagnostics, training, and research. Dr. Gregg S. Nuessly was awarded the 2011 Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology for his contributions to research and extension projects on turfgrass pests.
Researchers develop three methods to improve gravitational field models of Phobos, using high-resolution shape data and comparisons show good consistency. The updated model provides a more detailed understanding of Phobos' physical properties, including its volume and surface gravity.
Researchers analyzed Martian soil samples and found no microscopic clay particles, suggesting the soil has had a very arid history. The team estimated that liquid water on Mars was present for at most 5,000 years since its formation, making it unlikely for life to maintain a foothold on the surface.
The NRL SoloHI instrument will study coronal mass ejections and their effects on the solar wind, impacting power lines, satellite communications, and cell phone service. The Solar Orbiter mission will provide scientists with increased understanding of the Sun's influence on its environment and the solar dynamo.
The FDA has revised labeling guidelines for erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) drugs in chronic kidney disease patients. These updates aim to minimize the risk of heart-related problems, but critics argue that they may be too conservative and not tailored to individual patient needs.
The report explores complex consequences of excess nitrogen on ecological communities, human health, and agriculture. Strategies to maximize efficient use of fertilizer and mitigate agricultural sources are also presented.
Astronomers have discovered the most distant galaxy cluster ever observed, comprising five bright galaxies that are 600 million years after the Big Bang. The cluster is believed to be a protocluster, with galaxies expected to merge and form a massive central galaxy.
A recent study has found that many US species at risk of extinction are not on the country's official Endangered Species Act (ESA) list. The IUCN Red List, a leading global threatened species list, reveals that up to 95% of certain species groups are missing from the ESA.
A new study projects a bleak future for San Francisco Bay's tidal marshes under high-end sea-level rise scenarios, with up to 93% of the bay's tidal marshes potentially lost. However, the study also highlights the importance of restoration efforts and sediment management in preserving these vital ecosystems.
Researchers found that the Lutetia asteroid is a dense, intact relic dating back to the solar system's formation. The asteroid's density was calculated using a mathematical method developed by Professor Mikko Kaasalainen, revealing a large and metallic core surrounded by a more porous outer layer.
The University of New Hampshire will provide instruments for the ESA's Solar Orbiter and JAXA's SCOPE missions. The Solar Orbiter will study the Sun's influence on its environment, while the SCOPE mission will investigate magnetosphere processes and solar flares.
The cereal leaf beetle, introduced in the US in the early 1960s, has rapidly spread across the country, becoming a major pest of oats, barley, and wheat. Current research focuses on developing new information and procedures to encourage growers to adopt integrated pest management approaches.
The Entomological Society of America recognizes two entomologists with Distinguished Achievement Awards: Dr. Angela Douglas for her research on insect nutrition and symbiotic microorganisms, and Dr. Michael Parrella for his work on integrated pest management in the floriculture industry.
The European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate with NASA on the Solar Orbiter mission, a spacecraft designed to study the powerful influence of the sun. The mission aims to understand how solar activity affects Earth's magnetic environment and potentially damaging satellites.
Thrips infestation in cotton seedlings can lead to significant crop injury, including distortion, malformation, and reduced plant growth. Management practices for thrip infestation are discussed in the article.
The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is a significant insect pest reducing US soybean yields by $2.4 billion annually. Biological control, host plant resistance, and other factors affecting its populations are reviewed.
The Entomological Society of America recognizes Marvin K. Harris, Gail E. Kampmeier, Kevin L. Steffey, and two others for their significant contributions to the field of entomology. These honorees have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the society through their service, research, and leadership.
A new study by Nicolas Lehner and Christopher Howk reveals that massive clouds of ionized gas in the Milky Way's halo are a reservoir of fuel for galactic star formation. The researchers measured the distances to these clouds using the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope, confirming models that predicted gas falli...
Scientists present research on healthy microbes, mosquito-borne diseases prevention and E. coli food contamination. Researchers shed light on standing water mosquito breeding in cities and its impact on controlling larval mosquitoes. They also examine the complex relationships between humans and microbes in food production systems.
Researchers discussed using Doppler weather radar to track bat behavior and effectiveness of acoustic deterrents in reducing bat fatalities at wind farms. Aeroecology also explored the role of atmospheric conditions in flight behavior, with studies on golf courses as potential habitats for roosting bats and the importance of insectivor...
A study on human bellybutton microbiomes found diverse bacterial communities, similar to those on the skin, but also stable over time and between family members. The research used citizen science to collect and analyze 391 samples, shedding light on human health and environmental interactions.
Astronomers detect cosmic dust from a supernovae using Herschel Space Observatory, confirming the theory that these explosions create dust. The study reveals a large amount of cold dust formed during the explosion, which could explain the origin of dust in galaxies.
Karen Hixon, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission member, will receive the ESA's 2011 Regional Policy Award for her dedication to informing policy decisions with ecological science. The award recognizes her outstanding record of promoting environmental stewardship in local communities.
The Entomological Society of America has elected 10 new Fellows for 2011, recognizing their outstanding contributions to entomology. Dr. Susan J. Brown is a leading geneticist who established Tribolium as a model organism for insect development research, while Dr. James Carey is an authority on arthropod demography and invasion biology.
Integral's observations show that quantum 'graininess' must be at much smaller scales than previously predicted, contradicting Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The results limit the size of these grains to 10^-48 m or smaller, ruling out some string theories and quantum loop gravity theories.