A Johns Hopkins University researcher found that corals can switch from using aragonite to calcite minerals in building their skeletons based on the magnesium-to-calcium ratio of seawater. This change poses questions about coral reefs' future survival amid global warming and ocean acidification.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a theoretical model explaining how hot spring water deposits calcium-carbonate minerals, forming travertine and shaping landscapes. The model reveals that rocks grow at a rate of 1 millimeter per day, contradicting common assumptions about erosion.
A Virginia Tech student is selected to meet with Nobel laureates to discuss his research on bioremediation using bacteria-mineral interaction. The study aims to understand the fundamental reactions that dictate how bacteria interact with minerals, potentially leading to a safe and cost-effective means of environmental remediation.
Researchers find patterns of cracks and thin fins on Mars resembling those formed by damp sand in New Mexico. The discoveries suggest the presence of water on Mars beyond polar ice caps.
Scientists have found that macromolecular carbon in Martian meteorites is always associated with magnetite, a mineral catalyst for its formation. This association raises hopes that the meteorite's carbon complexes could be evidence of non-biological synthesis of organic molecules on Mars.
At the March APS Meeting, NSLS student-researchers presented their innovative studies on biomineralization. Michael DiBiccari's x-ray analysis revealed identical atomic structures between biosilica and synthetic silica, while Samantha Palmaccio discovered that protein fibers enhance the strength of calcium carbonate minerals over time....
Astronomers discover high-temperature minerals in comet Wild 2, challenging the formation of crystalline materials. The Stardust mission brings back samples from the coldest spot in the solar system, providing clues about the origin of these materials.
Robert Downs is almost halfway to creating a library of spectral fingerprints for all the Earth's minerals, with over 1,500 cataloged so far. The associate professor of geosciences is collaborating with colleagues to develop a pocket-sized Raman spectrometer for use on Mars and handheld instruments for identifying gemstones on Earth.
A University of Washington researcher found that salmon spawning can alter stream beds, releasing silt, minerals, and nutrients that impact nearby rivers and lakes. This
A study found that older adults in North Carolina predominantly use food home remedies and other home remedies for health management, often as a form of self-care. The study also revealed significant differences in CAM therapy use among ethnic groups, with African-Americans and Native Americans showing higher rates of use.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
Researchers found evidence of increased clay mineral deposition in the oceans during a 200 million year period, which preceded the first animal fossils about 600 million years ago. The study suggests that an increase in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere was necessary for animal life to arise.
Scientists have re-evaluated mountain building processes after discovering ancient mountain elevation data reveals a rapid uplift of the Andes between 10-7 million years ago. This suggests that 'deblobbing' - the detachment of dense mantle roots beneath the Earth's crust - may be responsible for mountain range formation.
Data from Mars Express confirms the presence of hydrated minerals, implying long-term liquid water on Mars during the Noachian era. Phyllosilicates and sulphates were detected in various regions, suggesting two distinct climatic episodes: a moist environment for phyllosilicates and an acid environment for sulphates.
The University of Queensland is leading a world-first consortium to create an Australian Minerals Science Research Institute, funded by a $8.6 million ARC grant. The five-year research program will focus on sustainable mining and mineral processing, with potential applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food production.
Scientists discovered that clay minerals can protect and promote the formation of organic compounds under extreme conditions. This finding suggests that clays may have acted as a 'primordial womb' for infant molecules, providing shelter and facilitating reactions that led to the production of complex biomolecules.
Researchers have identified plant genes crucial for capillary root formation, a vital process for plants to absorb water and minerals. This discovery has important implications for sustainable agriculture, enabling the cultivation of crops that can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Scientists investigate bacterial adhesion to iron oxide surfaces using dual-strategy approach, combining protein pinpointing and random mutagenesis. The goal is to understand genetic, biochemical, and regulatory processes controlling cell attachment, with potential applications for environmental remediation and metal biotransformation.
Researchers reconciled inconsistencies between two pre-existing data sets for kaolinite, a major earth and industrial material. The findings provide a unifying approach for explaining crystal and mineral dissolution and growth, with implications for understanding geological time, nuclear waste storage, and biomedical issues.
Researchers study bacteria's sticking efficiencies on minerals using atomic force microscopes, revealing the impact of pH levels on stickiness. The findings have implications for understanding toxin mobility in geosystems.
Researchers from Virginia Tech studied the fate of arsenic fed to poultry and found that organic arsenic is biotransformed to inorganic arsenic, which can be toxic. However, surprisingly, low concentrations of arsenic are transported to streambeds instead of being retained by aquifers.
The Virginia Tech EIGER project focuses on naturally occurring interfaces among minerals, water, air, and microorganisms. The program will educate graduate students in a complex field vital to leading environmental issues through an interdisciplinary approach.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a way to reduce phytate levels in animal feed, making it more nutritious. By understanding the biochemical pathway of phytate synthesis in plants, they were able to create low-phytate strains of feed grains that could improve nutrition and reduce environmental pollution.
CRISM will map areas on the Martian surface down to house-sized scales, detecting minerals in reflected sunlight. The instrument will identify sites most likely to have contained water, making them potential landing sites for future missions.
A new study by Arizona State University reveals Mars' surface minerals using THEMIS and TES data, yielding surprising results in localized areas. The findings show that Mars has evolved and continues to evolve beneath its surface, similar to Earth, with diverse igneous mineral types rivaling those found on our planet.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $12 million to the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies (CAST) at Virginia Tech to develop advanced separation technologies for efficient coal cleaning. The project aims to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and mercury content, while increasing domestic energy production.
Dr. Mary Schweitzer isolated intact soft tissue from a 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex femur, showing blood vessels and cell-like structures. The discovery, published in Science, suggests that dinosaur fossils may retain some of their original flexibility and resilience.
Researchers found diverse surface materials, including hydrated minerals, which suggest water was common on Mars. The study suggests areas like Syrtis Major, Valles Marineris, and Terra Meridiani are strong candidates for future Mars missions.
Scientists have discovered minerals in comet dust similar to those found on Earth, providing insights into the solar system's formation. The Spitzer space telescope has captured detailed images of Comet Encke, helping researchers model how comets eject particles as they orbit the sun.
Researchers recreated extreme conditions to find that rocks rich in chromium minerals accelerate the production of more complex hydrocarbons. This process may help explain the diverse communities thriving around hydrothermal vents.
Scientists study hydrogen's effect on upper mantle melting, revealing new data for improving earthquake hazard estimates. A computing technique analyzes seismic data to monitor active volcanoes worldwide. Comets may help track solar ejections and heliospheric conditions.
Scientists have identified a crucial role of HDAC4 in regulating bone formation, and its disruption can lead to developmental defects. The discovery opens new possibilities for designing drugs to control bone growth and may help prevent osteoporosis.
Scientists found evidence of jarosite and gypsum on Mars' surface, indicating that liquid water likely existed in the past. The discovery suggests a brief geological window where conditions may have been hospitable for life.
The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy challenges the 'nutrient displacement hypothesis' suggesting added sugars replace essential vitamins and minerals. The study's findings indicate energy from other sources has a stronger association with micronutrient intake.
A team of UBC scientists aims to use stem cells to regenerate bone cells and improve the success rate of artificial joint replacements. By combining minerals and slow-release growth factors, they hope to create a strong, organic environment to secure prosthetic joints.
Researchers at Penn State have created a new method to speed up the process of capturing carbon dioxide from combustion gases using serpentine minerals. This innovative approach significantly reduces the time required for sequestration from geologic timescales, making it a promising solution for mitigating climate change.
Researchers found evidence of a failed rift in the ancient continent Nunavutia, dating back 3.9 billion years, with minerals suggesting significant diamond exploration potential. The discovery sheds light on Earth's history and evolution, offering insights into plate tectonics in the Archean era.
Researchers analyzed Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data, revealing water ice, minerals, and unidentifiable materials on Phoebe's surface. This suggests a possible connection between Phoebe and comets, supporting the idea that it may be similar to Kuiper Belt Objects.
Researchers suggest Martian and Utah rocks formed underground when minerals precipitated from flowing groundwater, providing clues to the origin of 'blueberries' discovered on Mars. The study also sheds light on the search for evidence of past life on Mars.
A study found that over half of men taking part in a prostate cancer risk assessment program reported using dietary supplements to prevent the disease. The most commonly used supplements were vitamins and minerals, with saw-palmetto being one popular option.
Researchers have discovered that the breakdown of mineral serpentine can trigger earthquakes in Earth's deeply buried crust. At pressures above a few tens of kilometers, scientists expected faulting instability only if volume change during serpentine breakdown was positive. However, experiments have shown that even with a strongly nega...
The study reveals that nanoparticles are 30 times more efficient at promoting manganese oxidation than bulk material. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that manganese oxidation requires bacteria, suggesting particle size may play a key role.
Researchers found that caustic soils at Hanford can trap radioactive cesium and strontium, forming stable minerals like zeolites and feldspathoids. This discovery may aid in remediation efforts by slowing down the migration of toxic waste into groundwater.
Scientists from UW-Madison used a new technique to precisely date glacial deposits, revealing that the last two major glaciations were global events. The findings suggest that rapid cooling of the Earth's atmosphere synchronized climate change worldwide during each ice age.
Researchers found that a sugar called ribose can be formed from interstellar dust clouds using borate minerals like colemanite. This discovery sheds light on the 3-billion-year-old mystery of how life on Earth began and could have implications for disease diagnostics and therapy.
Scientists use Raman spectrometer to analyze minerals, gases and liquids on the sea floor, tracking carbon dioxide levels and distinguishing between gas and liquid forms. The device could potentially trap carbon dioxide in clathrate hydrates, a promising method for climate change mitigation.
Researchers discovered that rapid lava eruption traps seawater, heating it to form steam bubbles trapped under glassy crusts. These findings support a subsurface biosphere and could alter lava flow dynamics.
Researchers found widespread zeolites across Yucca Mountain, abundant at a depth considered ideal for waste storage. A combination of man-made safeguards and natural features is necessary to prevent waste migration.
Researchers at USGS and international universities reveal that hot vaporized seawater contributes to the formation of new oceanic crust. High-pressure images of lava cavities show molten salt and exotic minerals formed from steam bubbles, challenging previous assumptions about seawater's boiling point at great depths.
The 2002 Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research highlights recent studies on the role of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in managing various health conditions. The publication features a list of top 25 articles selected from over 350 original research papers.
Researchers analyzed TES observations and found trace amounts of carbonate minerals in Martian dust, indicating a thin atmosphere interacting with dust. The discovery contradicts the idea of past oceans on Mars and suggests a climate history dominated by ice and frozen water.
A University of Toronto geologist claims that diamonds originated on the ocean floor, supported by a new study published in Nature. The research reveals that diamond formation begins when lava is pushed onto the ocean floor, interacting with sea water to alter its oxygen composition.
University of Alberta researchers are working on a project to remotely scan and analyze core samples, allowing geologists to determine the type and quality of rock without physically inspecting them. This technology has the potential to improve mine safety, accuracy, and production by reducing the need for human intervention.
Marine geologist Peter Rona describes a metal-rich mound, two-and-a-half miles under the Atlantic Ocean, composed of copper, iron, zinc, gold, and silver. The ocean's crust is cracked into plates that allow heat and materials to escape, creating habitats and energy for microbes that can be used in various applications.
Researchers found ways to incorporate microbe/mineral interactions into high school science lessons, including physics, math, biology, chemistry, and earth sciences. The project aims to bring nanotechnology out of the lab and into secondary school classrooms through teacher training and lesson development.
Researchers have developed a new microscope technology to study the interaction between biomolecules and minerals. The study focuses on Azotobacter vinelandii, a bacterium that releases siderophores to acquire iron from minerals. The findings suggest that these molecules can also dissolve minerals and potentially remove toxic metals, l...
A team led by Tim Kusky has discovered the world's first large intact pieces of oceanic mantle from the planet's earliest period, dating back 2.5 billion years. The findings suggest that plate tectonics began shifting more than 500 million years earlier than previously believed.
Researchers discovered that some trees use fungi to obtain calcium from an intermediate pool of apatite, previously unknown as a plant-available source. This finding has implications for forest management and understanding the effects of acid rain on forests.
Researchers found that treated zeolite filters were effective in removing viruses and bacteria from drinking water, achieving 99% virus removal rates. The study suggests using zeolite filters as a low-cost solution for controlling the spread of diseases through contaminated wells.
Researchers found that iron oxide minerals are effective in removing lead from water, with synthetic manganese oxides showing high efficiency. Manganese oxides, especially the Birnessite form, also adsorb lead in similar amounts to naturally occurring iron oxides.