A small red dwarf star called EV Lacertae unleashed an unprecedented stellar flare, detected by NASA's Swift satellite. The star's fast rotation and magnetic fields generated the powerful flare, releasing energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
A new study from the University of Minnesota has identified a key receptor molecule involved in the development of sun-induced skin cancer. Researchers found that UV light triggers this molecule to change state, allowing it to interact with cannabinoid compounds found in marijuana, leading to an increased risk of skin cancer.
The spacecraft is equipped with sun shades to block stray light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon, allowing GLAST to accurately track its orientation. Thermal blankets protect GLAST from harsh space environment conditions.
The Solar Probe mission will study the streams of charged particles emitted by the sun, exploring the processes that heat its corona and produce solar wind. The spacecraft will zip past the sun at speeds up to 125 miles per second, gathering data on magnetic fields, energy flow, and energetic particle formation.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified a key gene, SUN, controlling the elongated shape of tomatoes. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis of fruit shape variation in various crops, including peppers and cucumbers.
Researchers have found evidence of small, sandy particles orbiting a newborn solar system at a distance similar to the Earth's orbit around the sun. The discovery sheds light on how Earth-like planets may form and offers new opportunities for studying the chemical composition of these particles.
Researchers have created a three-dimensional model describing the seismic anisotropy and iron crystal texture within Earth's innermost core. The study revealed an inner inner core with a diameter of approximately 1,180 kilometers.
Scientists at University of Warwick argue that Alfvén waves, thought to superheat the Corona, are actually kink waves, a bending of the magnetic field. This reinterpretation throws doubt on previous research and leaves the question of the Corona's extreme heat unresolved.
Astronomers have discovered that many nearby sun-like stars may form rocky planets, with potential for life being more common than thought. The study suggests that at least 20 percent to 60 percent of stars similar to the sun are candidates for forming terrestrial worlds.
A new study by Fox Chase Cancer Center reveals that most American adults engage in multiple behaviors increasing their exposure to UV rays, including infrequent sun protection and indoor tanning. The study found that younger adults, men, Caucasians, smokers, and those with fair skin are more likely to engage in these high-risk behaviors.
Researchers have identified a new clock gene, CRY2, that provides insight into the biology of monarch butterfly migration and evolution of circadian clocks. The discovery reveals a dual function of CRY2 as a core clock component and an output molecule linking the clock to the sun compass.
A new study finds that moderate sun exposure can increase vitamin D production, which protects against various cancers and diseases. The research suggests that people in southern latitudes produce more vitamin D due to increased solar radiation intensity.
The analysis of noble gases in Stardust samples indicates that some particles match a special type of carbonaceous material found in meteorites and must have spent time near the sun. The study suggests an alternative mechanism for grain incorporation into comets, contradicting earlier formation theories.
The Voyager 2 spacecraft has detected a strong magnetic field in the interstellar region, distorting the bubble of outflowing gas from the sun. Additionally, the temperature was found to be ten times cooler than expected just outside the boundary, sparking new explanations.
Voyager 2 has entered the heliosheath, a vast region at the edge of our solar system where the solar wind meets interstellar space. The spacecraft's Plasma Science instrument provided direct measurements of the solar wind, revealing an unusual shock wave with lower temperatures than predicted.
The SECCHI team has obtained images of large waves of solar material sweeping past Earth, confirming the existence of previously known point measurements. The waves are associated with high-density regions that rotate with the Sun and are believed to form as high-speed wind from coronal holes runs into low-speed wind.
The Hinode space mission has made groundbreaking discoveries about the Sun's surface and atmosphere, shedding light on long-standing mysteries. Researchers found evidence of Alfvén waves, which could heat the corona to extreme temperatures and accelerate the solar wind.
Hinode satellite data sheds light on sun's magnetic field and solar wind formation, revealing Alfvén waves play a critical role in driving the solar wind. Magnetic reconnection and convective motions also contribute to its creation.
Researchers at UCL have identified a critical point of no return for gas giants, beyond which their atmospheres become unstable and rapidly expand. At this threshold, the cooling mechanism breaks down, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Computer simulation predicts Voyager 2 will reach major milestone in space, crossing the 'termination shock' one more time in mid-2008. The spacecraft's expected crossing of the spherical shell marks a significant event in its journey into interstellar space.
The NASA SORCE mission is tracking regional variations in the sun's warming impact on Earth, with possible implications for global climate patterns. The study found that while the sun's brightness affects Earth's temperature modestly, regional temperature changes can vary by a factor of eight.
Scientists analyzed neon and argon samples from NASA's Genesis mission to determine the isotopic composition of noble gases in the sun. The results show that the isotopic composition is consistent across different regimes of solar wind, indicating that measuring solar wind samples can represent the solar corona.
The Sunrise project successfully launched a solar telescope to an altitude of 120,000 feet, enabling scientists to view features of the Sun that were previously unseen. The telescope will capture stable images in the ultraviolet range, allowing for higher resolution than can be obtained from Earth's surface.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a massive stellar black hole, located in a distant galaxy, which challenges the current understanding of how these objects form. The black hole has a mass of 15.65 times that of the sun and was detected using precise measurements of its gravitational effects on nearby stars.
A study found that increased sunlight exposure reduces the risk of advanced breast cancer in women with light skin color. The researchers measured skin color and compared sun exposure between women with breast cancer and those without, finding a significant difference.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a mathematical tool that computed the mechanical force exerted by the Z-ring when it helps bacteria cells split. The calculation revealed a surprisingly small force of 8 piconewtons, which could aid scientists in developing new antibiotics and understanding cell division.
Research reveals that Hispanic adolescents are less affected by parental divorce, but this is not due to a lack of resilience; instead, they start with more challenges. In contrast, European and Asian American teens face significant problems after family disruption, while African Americans show fewer issues before the breakup.
Researchers found a planet orbiting a star near its end of life, providing insights into the potential fate of our own planet. The discovery suggests that planetary systems can survive the sun's expansion and helium flash, but larger planets may still be vulnerable.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) will measure the sun's ultraviolet radiation changes, causing outages in radio communications and affecting satellites. EVE will provide space weather forecasters with warnings of potential communications and navigation outages every ten seconds.
Researchers have observed elusive oscillations in the Sun's corona, known as Alfvén waves, that transport energy outward from the surface of the Sun. These discoveries can help unlock secrets of the corona's heat and solar storms, and improve our understanding of how the Sun affects Earth.
The BioWeb is an Internet library of peer-reviewed papers and information related to bioenergy and bioproducts, providing valuable resources for scientists, students, and researchers. The project aims to strengthen American agriculture and develop environmentally friendly manufacturing products and technologies.
The Virginia Tech research team has observed tell-tale signals of low-energy solar neutrinos for the first time, providing evidence for the validity of a model of solar energy generation. The detection was made possible by a new technology that eliminated background contaminants and achieved unprecedented purities in the detector.
Princeton physicists have made the first real-time observation of low-energy solar neutrinos, confirming a long-held theory about the sun's nuclear reactions. The observation provides precise measurements of the neutrinos' energy and confirms that we understand how the sun shines.
A survey of 369 Florida high school students found that white Hispanic teens were more likely to use tanning beds and less likely to protect themselves from the sun, compared to their white non-Hispanic peers. White Hispanics have a lower rate of skin cancer but are often diagnosed at a later stage, suggesting differences in knowledge ...
Researchers have developed a method to produce highly pure and functional neurons from human embryonic stem cells, enabling the creation of models for studying neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new approach allows for the isolation of specific neuronal populations with defined biological properties.
The discovery of a planet orbiting a giant red star provides insight into the potential fate of our solar system as it evolves into a red-giant star. The planet, located 300 light years from Earth, circles its star every 360 days and offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the effects of red-giant stars on planetary systems.
A Rutgers study found that moderate caffeine intake combined with exercise can protect against UVB radiation-induced skin damage. Apoptosis rates increased by 95% in caffeine drinkers, 120% in exercisers, and nearly 400% in those who drank and exercised.
A study published in Neurology found that people who spent more time in the sun as children may have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The study involved 79 pairs of identical twins and found that the twin with MS spent less time in the sun as a child, leading to a reduced risk of 25-57% depending on the activity.
Astronomers used powerful telescopes to detect giant Jupiter-like planets in the outer regions of nearby solar systems, but found none beyond 5 astronomical units from their stars. The survey, which was conducted over three years, aimed to determine what the average planetary system looks like and whether ours is typical.
Researchers found that early life sun exposure increases the risk of melanomas with BRAF gene mutations. Patients who reported high levels of sun exposure before age 20 were more likely to have this mutation. In contrast, patients with NRAS gene mutations had higher exposure between ages 50-60.
Researchers found that increased body fat in elderly adults is associated with lower levels of vitamin D, regardless of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is critical for maintaining bone health and low levels can increase the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.
The study reveals that the Sun's magnetic field allows the release of wave energy from its interior, enabling sound waves to travel through fountains into the solar chromosphere. This discovery sheds light on why the chromosphere is hotter than the star's surface and has significant implications for climate variability.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have found fractal patterns in the solar wind that correspond to the Sun's 'storm season', indicating complex magnetic field activity. This discovery could improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on cosmic ray flux, as well as inform the development of fusion power.
Scientists observed large fluctuations in magnetic and electric field readings around each spacecraft, revealing variations in solar wind protons reflected by the shock. This discovery provides valuable insights into bow shocks around distant celestial objects, which can accelerate particles to extreme energies.
The American Academy of Dermatology surveyed 32 US metropolitan regions to identify the most and least sun-smart cities. Washington, D.C. and New York City topped the list, while Chicago was ranked as the least sun-smart city due to low knowledge and attitudes towards tanning and sun protection.
Astronomers using the Global Oscillation at Low Frequency (GOLF) instrument on SOHO have detected possible long-sought oscillations on the Sun's surface. This finding provides insight into the Sun's core and its role in the formation of our solar system.
Researchers have found strong evidence that Mercury's core is molten, a discovery that could explain the planet's weak magnetic field. The study used a novel technique to detect tiny twists in Mercury's spin, which occurred as the sun's gravity exerted alternating torques on the planet.
A comprehensive review suggests that wearing protective clothing is a more effective way to prevent skin cancer and sun damage than relying on sunscreen. The review highlights the characteristics of clothing that can provide optimal protection, including tightly woven fabrics like denim and wool.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that protein p53 prompts skin to tan in response to ultraviolet light, deterring melanoma skin cancer. This process may also underlie people's desire for sunshine and is linked to stress response in the body.
A study published in Cell Press found that the p53 gene, known for preventing cancer, also regulates the suntan response. The researchers discovered that p53 activates the tanning machinery, protecting against sunburns. The findings may lead to new products that produce a tan safely without UV radiation exposure.
Researchers at Yale University and the University of Leicester have discovered an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru, dating back to the 4th century B.C. The site features a line of 13 towers aligned with the sun's position throughout the year, making it the oldest complete solar observatory in the Americas.
Astronomers have identified an X-ray-emitting binary star system in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 170,000 light-years from Earth. The system, HD 5980, features two stars with intense winds that collide and produce multimillion-degree gas radiating brilliantly in X-rays.
Astronomers have discovered a sun-like star in the earliest stage of development, dubbed E42, which is believed to be a virtual twin of Earth's sun. The object has a mass similar to the sun and appears in a violent environment similar to that believed to have produced our own star.
Jiong Qiu, a Montana State University scientist, has won the Karen Harvey Award for her research on magnetic eruptions on the sun and moon brightness. Her work focuses on analyzing measurements to understand activities in space.
The online survey aims to learn how people of different nationalities behave while having fun in the sun, and their attitudes to tanning and skin cancer. Researchers have identified four high-risk melanoma genes that increase someone's risk of skin cancer.
Researchers identified p38-regulated/activated protein kinase (PRAK) as an essential component mediating ras-induced senescence and tumor suppression. The study found that PRAK activation inhibits tumor development, laying the groundwork for new cancer therapy.
Researchers found that human circadian clocks couple to local sun time, with chronotypes becoming later in densely populated areas. City dwellers experience decreased influence of local sun time relative to rural residents.
Researchers found that gas giants either form within the first 10 million years of a sun-like star's life or not at all. The study suggests that gas giant planets must form early in a star's history, offering insights into planet formation.
Scientists have identified a new type of massive stellar death, where stars may collapse into black holes without exploding in supernova explosions. This discovery was made using data from two long-duration Gamma-ray bursts detected by NASA's Swift satellite.
New findings indicate that near-Earth space weather is driven by the merging rate of Earth's and sun's magnetic fields, not solar wind's electric field. Researchers developed a formula predicting 10 types of space weather activity, including aurora and magnetic disturbances.