Scientists found that water and key minerals enter a superionic state at extreme depths, preserving water for geological timescales. This discovery provides new insights into deep water cycling and the long-term storage of ancient water and hydrogen.
A study reveals that expanding existing mines worsens environmental and social risks over time, with many operations concentrated in high-risk contexts. The practice tends to draw less regulation due to its routine nature, unlike new mining projects.
Researchers analyzed over 500 zircon crystals and found no evidence of glaciers transporting the bluestones to Stonehenge. The study strengthens the case for human transport, leaving the exact method a mystery. Advanced mineral fingerprinting techniques provided key insights into geological history.
The University of Birmingham has launched a new facility for separating and recycling rare earth magnets, reducing the UK's reliance on imports. The facility uses an innovative hydrogen-based process that can recover over 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch.
The DASH Diet, developed at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been ranked as the best heart-healthy diet and second-best overall by US News & World Report. The diet's focus on fiber, heart-healthy minerals, and whole grains helps lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Scientists have developed a new way to track landscape development over millions of years using cosmogenic krypton in zircon minerals. This method reveals how climate, tectonics, and sediment transport are linked, providing insights into the Earth's surface history.
A new method uses tiny crystals of zircon to study the past evolution of Australian landscapes, offering insights into how the environment responds to geological processes and climate change. The approach provides valuable information on the storage and reworking of sediments near the surface over millions of years.
Researchers have discovered that iron oxide minerals like ferrihydrite employ different chemical strategies to grab and hold onto various types of organic molecules, making them powerful carbon traps. This study provides new insight into how these minerals in soils trap carbon for decades or centuries.
Recent research articles explore innovative methods for rehabilitating coral reefs, new observations of masquerading behavior in deep-sea squids, the rapid expansion of Sphagnum peat patches across Alaska's North Slope, trade-offs between protected areas and sustainable development goals, and a surprising first-time observation of moth...
Scientists have identified two key forces that shape iron nanoparticles' stability in environments, including aggregation and phase transformation. Understanding these processes can improve strategies for managing water quality and contaminant transport.
Researchers have developed a method to fabricate multilayer optical coatings using natural mineral powders, reducing material costs and environmental impact. The use of raw materials like SiO2, TiO2, and iron/copper oxides enables the creation of vibrant colors with high durability and resistance.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have found evidence of abiotic nitrogen reduction, a reaction driven by minerals as catalyst, which likely produced necessary nutrients for life. This discovery sheds light on the faint young sun paradox and provides a key piece to understanding how life may have emerged on Earth.
Researchers have found that microorganisms can enhance silica uptake and sediment formation rates by a factor of three and a half compared to environments without microbial activity. This discovery sheds new light on how ocean chemistry regulates carbon dioxide, the ocean's acidity, and the global climate.
A new study by Montana State University professor Eric Boyd explores how Yellowstone's earthquakes impact microbial life and the planet's earliest ecosystems. The research reveals that earthquakes allow fresh minerals to be exposed, replenishing the energy source for microbes, which could provide insights into life on other planets.
Researchers found that Chang'e-6 soil has a substantially higher angle of repose than near-side samples, exhibiting flow behavior characteristic of cohesive soils. The elevated angle is attributed to friction, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic forces, particularly in fine non-clay mineral particles.
Researchers have identified crystalline hematite and maghemite formed by major impact events in lunar soil samples. This finding provides direct sample-based evidence of highly oxidized materials on the lunar surface.
Scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi discovered evidence of ancient underground water on Mars, which created conditions that could have supported microscopic life. The study found that water once flowed beneath Martian sand dunes, gradually turning into rock after interacting with underground water billions of years ago.
Researchers discovered that tiny diatom skeletons transform into clay minerals in just 40 days, rapidly shaping ocean chemistry. This process, known as reverse weathering, influences carbon dioxide levels, nutrient recycling, and marine ecosystems.
A new method uses uranium-lead dating and elemental mapping on dinosaur eggshells to accurately determine the age of fossil sites. This technique overcomes limitations in dating fossils themselves or associated minerals, providing a powerful tool for paleontologists to unravel mysteries about dinosaur evolution.
The University of the Witwatersrand has launched the Earth Observatory and CORES, aiming to drive innovation in the minerals sector. The observatory provides cutting-edge geoanalytical techniques, while CORES integrates economic geology, extractive processes, and data-driven innovation to promote sustainable mining practices.
Researchers found that iron oxyhydroxide nanominerals can catalyze the breakdown of harmful plastic additives. The study shows that mineral structure plays a crucial role in determining degradation rates.
A team of scientists introduces a nature-based solution to tackle global soil pollution by harnessing microbes and iron minerals. Microbial iron mining removes toxic substances like heavy metals and organic pollutants, transforming them into less hazardous forms.
Researchers have developed a sustainable method for environmental cleanup using iron mineral-bacterial biofilms that degrade pollutants like antibiotics. The system harnesses solar energy to store and release electrons, leading to significant improvements in pollutant degradation.
Researchers found that hydrothermal systems release iron that can be transported far beyond vent sites through environmental parameters and plume chemistry. This process has significant consequences for ocean productivity and the global carbon cycle.
The University of Houston's $1 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to address the critical workforce gap in the US mineral industry. The initiative will sponsor high school and community college students for a four-week training camp and immersive field-based learning experiences.
A Curtin University-led study solved the mystery of how the skin of a fossilised fish was preserved for 52 million years. The researchers found that unique chemical conditions created an environment where phosphate minerals could form and rapidly replace organic material, leading to fossilisation.
Researchers found that certain soil minerals can trap dissolved organic matter released from biochar, keeping more carbon in the soil. Low-intensity rainfall helps retain this dissolved carbon within mineral-rich soils, limiting its downward movement and loss.
Brassica vegetables are rich in health-promoting compounds like glucosinolates, vitamins, carotenoids, and essential minerals that can reduce risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. The review highlights strategies to boost their value through breeding, biofortification, and advanced biotechnologies.
A team of researchers has developed a 'bio-photovoltage soil-microbe battery' that uses sunlight energy to power the breakdown of antibiotic pollutants in the dark. The system, formed by common soil bacteria and iron minerals, captures and releases solar energy to trigger chemical reactions degrading antibiotics.
The Australian National University (ANU) has developed a technology that can recover untapped critical resources such as copper and lithium from mining waste. The BERST system, inspired by nature, uses nanotechnology to separate and extract high-purity minerals and metals, while turning dirty water into clean water.
A new membrane developed by Rice University selectively filters out lithium from brines, achieving high selectivity and using considerably less energy. The membrane's design can be adapted for other valuable minerals like cobalt and nickel, and its durability makes it suitable for large-scale synthesis.
Researchers found that native halophytic plants can reduce alkaline minerals and promote mineral weathering, creating early organo-mineral associations essential for soil development. The plants also doubled organic carbon content, fueling stabilization of soil aggregates.
Researchers explain how iron nanoparticles form in water or on minerals, organic matter, and microbial biofilms, influencing ecosystem health and pollutant movement. Organic molecules and microbes also play major roles in nanoparticle growth and transformation.
Researchers from UMass Amherst identified a unique mineral on Mars, ferric hydroxysulfate, which provides clues about the Martian environment and history. The mineral was formed at high temperatures in an acidic environment and is believed to have been created via geothermal heat.
In a new study, researchers from Umeå University found that ice at minus ten degrees Celsius releases more iron from common minerals than liquid water at four degrees Celsius. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles increase dissolution, releasing organic compounds and fuelling further chemical reactions.
An international research team used 300-million-year-old fossilised droppings to better understand molecular fossilisation, revealing how tiny grains of iron carbonate preserved delicate molecular traces. The findings add a new dimension to understanding molecular preservation and its implications for reconstructing ancient ecosystems.
Scientists have identified two dozen types of minerals that reveal a dynamic history of volcanic rocks altered by liquid water on Mars. The findings support multiple episodes of habitability, with three distinct categories of minerals indicating different conditions favorable or unfavorable for life.
Researchers found genetic adaptations in response to micronutrient shortages and surpluses, particularly in regions with iodine-poor soils. The study provides insights into the impact of micronutrient availability on human evolution, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to deficiencies as climate change affects soil nutrient levels.
A new study suggests that ancient Martian rocks contain minerals and organic matter indicative of a habitable environment and potential biological processes. The discovery was made in the Jezero Crater's Bright Angel formation, which is considered a prime target in the search for signs of past life.
The Perseverance rover discovered chemical reactions involving minerals, water, and possibly organic material on ancient Mars. These findings suggest that conditions were favorable for life on the planet billions of years ago.
A team of scientists has discovered a new microbial metabolism that removes toxic sulfide and uses iron minerals for growth, coupling the reduction of iron with the oxidation of sulfide. This process, known as MISO, could play a crucial role in regulating nutrient availability and mitigating pollution in aquatic environments.
Researchers found that recovering 90% of these byproducts could meet nearly all US critical mineral needs, while one percent recovery would significantly reduce import reliance. This prospect is especially attractive due to increased demand and geopolitical conflicts in major mining regions.
This narrative review explores the use of natural products as disinfectants in prosthodontics and oral implantology. Natural products like clove oil, propolis, and green tea extract disrupt microbial cell membranes and inhibit biofilm formation, making them promising alternatives to synthetic disinfectants.
MIST uses a hierarchical, rules-based classification system grounded in verified mineral formulas from the RRUFF mineral database. It accurately identifies hundreds of different mineral species from their chemical composition, even accounting for natural imperfections and vacancies found in real minerals.
Researchers at King's College London discovered that keratin can repair tooth enamel and stop early stages of decay. Keratin forms a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
A new iron sulfate mineral has been identified on Mars, providing insight into the planet's early history. The discovery suggests that geothermal heat played a crucial role in shaping the Martian surface, with minerals forming under conditions of high temperature and oxygen presence.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science reveals that deep-dwelling mesopelagic fish excrete carbonate minerals at rates comparable to shallow-water species. This finding validates previous global models suggesting that marine fish are major contributors to biogenic carbonate pr...
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received a National Science Foundation grant to study an electrochemical system for removing insoluble mineral deposits in water treatment. The goal is to develop a lower-cost, environmentally friendly system that can selectively remove scale-forming cations and prevent the buildup of harmful minerals.
The US relies heavily on Chinese graphite for battery production, with prices twice as high as importing it from China. To address this, the STEER initiative proposes lowering costs through financing, technological innovation, and domestic recycling, but faces challenges including lengthy qualification timelines.
The BfR emphasizes that vitamins and minerals are essential but unnecessary additional intake can lead to health issues. The institute also discusses various health risks associated with food supplements, including plant-based ingredients.
Olivine is found to be highly infrared transparent, playing a significant role in radiative thermal conductivity. This process heats subducting slabs, enabling them to carry water-bearing minerals down to the Mantle Transition Zone, where it may remain for millions of years.
A new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) imaged a previously unexplored portion of the seafloor in ultra-deep waters near the Mariana Trench. The OECI partnered with Orpheus Ocean and federal agencies to advance understanding of critical minerals.
A team from Tohoku University has discovered that submarine hydrothermal alteration may have been a significant source of phosphorus on the early Earth. The study, published in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, suggests that hydrothermal systems could have locally supplied sufficient phosphorus to support early microbial ecosystems.
Researchers from UK and Canada will study ways to reduce mining's environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains. The project aims to develop new geological models and exploration tools for rare earth element deposits, aiming to diversify the supply chain and ensure high environmental standards.
This innovative technology reduces dependence on critical REEs by creating high-performance magnets with less rare earth content. The technologies, developed in partnership with the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, aim to secure U.S. energy independence and technological leadership.
Researchers found that lunar nearside samples are anomalously rich in chlorine, linked to incorporation of gaseous Cl-compounds. This suggests a connection between volcanic activity and lunar dichotomy. Crustal rocks from the farside show no Cl enrichment, preserving information about the Moon's initial magma ocean.
Researchers found that gamma-aminobutyric acid can induce the formation of nanocavities in montmorillonite clay, which could facilitate life's first chemistry. This discovery adds a new dimension to the concept of the 'warm little pond' and introduces an unusual suspect in the origin of life.
Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between the Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 540 million years. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests that fluctuations in the magnetic field may be influencing the planet's habitability.
The proposed Global Minerals Trust would provide a cooperative framework for managing critical minerals, prioritizing environmental and social safeguards. It aims to replace the current competitive model with one rooted in transparency, justice, and long-term resilience.