Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a tilted dark matter halo, explaining the Milky Way's warp and flare. The team used models to calculate star orbits within a warped, oblong dark matter halo, matching existing observations of a distorted galaxy.
A new system using satellite data improves crop area and yield estimates, providing critical information for food security and sustainability planning. The WorldCereal project offers a cloud-based platform with diverse operational models to cater to various user communities.
Scientists have quantified a direct link between greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear survival, overcoming a loophole in the Endangered Species Act. The study provides a template for estimating the demographic impact of proposed GHG-emitting actions on polar bears.
Eric Quaempts, Tribal member and Department of Natural Resources Director at Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has been recognized for his work on First Foods management approach. He received the 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award for integrating tribal ecological approaches into natural resource management.
The Aeolus satellite is conducting a controlled reentry, involving extensive scientific experiments led by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS). Key findings include tests on vertical winds and the ATLID lidar, which will be replicated on the EarthCARE satellite.
The BepiColombo mission has successfully observed how electrons raining down on Mercury's surface can trigger high-energy auroras. The observations confirm that the mechanism generating aurorae is the same throughout the Solar System.
The Pacific Northwest and Cascadia Bioregion are home to diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests and marine environments. Research presented at the ESA Annual Meeting explores topics such as restoration efforts, plant community recovery, and climate change impacts on salmon populations.
A team of Swiss robots, including legged ANYmal and wheeled robots, is sent to explore a challenging terrain, showcasing the benefits of redundancy and specialization. The robots work together to detect minerals and identify rocks, with semi-autonomous capabilities for direct task assignment.
Researchers found that many satellites lack basic security concepts, such as separation of code and data, and rely on obscurity to ensure security. The team conducted a thorough analysis of three low-earth orbit satellites and identified vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
A study by University of Malaga researchers estimates over 131M pieces of space waste orbiting the Earth, posing a lethal collision risk. The model determines optimal satellite launch rates to maximize benefits while minimizing space debris, warning of market failure and potential physical problems.
The CHEOPS satellite has successfully detected two elusive exoplanets, TOI 5678 b and HIP 9618 c, using its precise measurements. The planets have sizes similar to Neptune and Earth radii, respectively, with orbital periods of 48 days and 52.5 days.
A team of astronomers has observed the most luminous quasar in 9 billion years, shedding light on its interaction with its environment. The study found that the quasar's black hole is growing at a rate of 100 solar masses per year and emitting powerful winds into the host galaxy.
The European Space Agency has commissioned an engineering study to test the reliability of meta-optical elements in space. The collaboration aims to advance remote sensing systems while overcoming size and weight constraints, enabling innovative applications for Earth observation data.
Researchers found that solriamfetol, armodafinil–modafinil, and pitolisant reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea already using conventional therapy. However, patients may be more likely to discontinue the use of these medications due to adverse events including headache, anxiety, and insomnia.
Renowned astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti received the International Osteoporosis Foundation President’s Award for her collaboration on the "Lift Off For Bone Health" public awareness campaign. The campaign reached over three million people, with videos viewed close to two million times.
An international research team explores ultra-fast gas emissions from active galactic nuclei, which significantly change galaxy ecosystems. The study confirms the existence of these powerful emissions and their role in regulating star formation.
The seven worst years for polar ice sheet melting and losing ice have occurred during the past decade, with 2019 being the worst year on record. Global heating is driving up sea levels and coastal flooding around the world, with melting ice sheets accounting for a quarter of all sea level rise.
A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
A recent study found that food processing facilities and high-rise apartments with 10 stories or higher are major contributors to nitrogen dioxide emissions in California. The research, published in Science of the Total Environment, used satellite remote sensing data to analyze NO2 emissions from various property types.
A new study by EPFL researchers has calibrated the best cosmic yardsticks to unprecedented accuracy, further amplifying the Hubble tension. The Hubble constant is measured in kilometers per second per megaparsec and has puzzled astrophysicists and cosmologists worldwide.
The detection of GRB 221009A marks the most energetic gamma-ray burst ever observed, with a luminosity surpassing that of entire galaxies and hundreds of billions of stars. The event was followed up by space-based telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, which provided insight into its properties.
Researchers reconstruct ancient climates using plant fossils from the eastern seaboard, revealing a homogenous climate with warmer temperatures and increased rainfall seasonality. The findings suggest that future warming may be more similar to the early Miocene climate than expected.
A 60-day bed rest study showed that long-term inactivity significantly increases blood sugar levels even with reduced food intake. The study found average blood sugar levels increased by 6% during the day and 10% at night, highlighting the importance of physical activity for metabolic health.
A study by the University of Antwerp and University of Liège found that prolonged microgravity affects human cerebral connectivity, with some changes persisting even after returning to Earth. The research used MRI data from 14 astronaut brains before and after their space missions.
The Ecological Society of America showcases the contributions of Black scholars to 21st-century ecology, exploring historical erasure and public health injustices. The virtual collection features open-access articles addressing disparities in environmental engagement and conservation.
The BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter missions provided a unique insight into Venus' atmosphere retention through their gravity-assist flyby. The study revealed that the induced magnetosphere protects the atmosphere from solar wind erosion, extending to an unexpected distance of 1,900 km above the planet's surface.
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified ice in deeper regions of interstellar molecular clouds, revealing unprecedented insights into the abundance of icy compounds. The team discovered complex organic molecules, such as methanol and potentially ethanol, suggesting that prebiotic molecules may be common in planetary systems.
The QUIJOTE experiment has provided detailed maps of the galaxy's microwave emission processes, characterizing synchrotron emission with unprecedented accuracy. The new data also enable the study of anomalous microwave emission and offer insights into dark matter decay processes.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a unique binary star system where a small companion star is surrounded by a large disk of dusty material. The companion star caused a seven-year-long eclipse of the main star, Gaia17bpp, which is one of the longest recorded eclipses.
Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and European Space Agency use Loon project data to validate Aeolus satellite wind measurements, finding almost bias-free results. They recommend increasing vertical resolution for future wind satellites to improve accuracy.
The MARM robotic platform has three limbs for enhanced mobility and manipulation flexibility, allowing it to transport large payloads and assemble components. The robot's unique design enables full-body motions and facilitates assembly operations by adjusting its central pelvis base.
A study published in the Astrophysical Journal reveals a strong correlation between cosmic ray counts and the solar cycle at Mars and Venus. The research found that cosmic rays are suppressed during peak solar activity, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions for future robotic missions and human exploration.
Researchers investigated open star clusters, finding they dissolve faster than predicted by Newton's laws. The team developed a new method to count stars in tidal tails, revealing a significant difference in the number of stars between the front and rear tails.
Scientists at EMPA have developed a miniaturized Fourier-transform waveguide spectrometer with subwavelength photodetectors, enabling rapid detection of hazardous chemicals and greenhouse gases without laboratory equipment. The ultra-compact design allows for integration into consumer electronics and space devices.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that most species are not receiving protection until their populations are precariously small, dimming their prospects of recovery. The study also highlights the issue of inadequate funding for protecting threatened and endangered species, which has persisted for decades.
Predatory mosquito larvae employ two distinct methods to capture prey: one involves a harpoon-like head-propulsion action, while the other uses a sweeping tail to snare insects. This new research provides insight into the behavior of these tiny predators and their ability to feed on other aquatic insects.
The SATEX project aims to investigate the feasibility of scientific missions with nanosatellites in extraterrestrial space, focusing on technical possibilities and user needs. The research will prioritize activities and develop concrete proposals for possible national missions.
Anemia is common among adults with advanced kidney disease, associated with adverse outcomes and low eGFR levels. Effective iron supplementation is a low-risk intervention to address this issue, emphasizing the need for increased testing and treatment.
A four-legged robot trained through artificial intelligence has mastered jumping to navigate the Moon's rugged terrain. The robot can collect samples and deploy scientific instruments, overcoming limitations of traditional rovers in loose soil and steep slopes.
The Europlanet Science Congress 2022 will feature press briefings on the ESA Hera Mission, which investigates Binary Asteroid (65803) Didymos and the DART Crater. The event will also cover solar system observations with the Webb space telescope.
The joint observations of EMM and MAVEN reveal fine-scale structures in proton aurora spanning the full day side of Mars, indicating a chaotic solar wind interaction. This phenomenon is caused by turbulent conditions around Mars allowing charged particles to flood directly into the atmosphere, forming patchy proton aurora.
Research suggests that climate change may lead to the proliferation of pathogenic fungi in drying soils, which could pose a significant public health threat. The study's findings are being used to inform policymakers on the potential risks of global climate change on soil fungal communities in the US Southwest.
Astronomers have found that short gamma-ray bursts did not originate as castaways, but instead occurred in distant galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away. The discovery suggests that these events may have been more common in the past than expected and could have seeded the Universe with precious metals.
Researchers have identified a series of complex organic molecules at comet Chury, including fragrant molecules like naphthalene and benzoic acid. The findings suggest that comets may have played a role in the emergence of carbon-based life on Earth.
A study by UFZ researchers used satellite data and artificial intelligence to determine the land-use intensity of meadows and pastures in Germany. The results show that grassland was used less intensively in 2018 due to drought, with 64% not mowed compared to 36% in 2017.
A study found that changes in anemia care policies led to lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, mortality, and stroke among patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis. The policy changes resulted from a shift towards more conservative ESA dosing, which reduced acute myocardial infarction risk.
Scientists analyzing NASA's ICON mission data and ESA's Swarm satellites found that the Tonga volcano's eruption triggered hurricane-speed winds and unusual electric currents in the ionosphere. The extreme winds reached speeds of up to 450 mph, affecting the equatorial electrojet and causing a dramatic shift in its direction.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
Astronomers identify GNz7q, a dusty compact object with properties of both galaxies and quasars, born 750 million years after Big Bang. The discovery provides new insights into the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in early universe.
A study of NASA, ESA, and Russian space agency data found that extended spaceflight leads to changes in the brain's perivascular spaces. The research, led by Medical University of South Carolina scientists, used MRI scans to evaluate brain changes before and after six months on the International Space Station.
A new study reveals rapid degradation in air quality and increases in urban exposure to hazardous pollutants in tropical megacities. The research found significant annual increases in pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, attributed to emerging industries and residential sources.
Researchers used NASA's Planetary Spectrum Generator to analyze light from Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, shedding new light on the presence of biosignatures and chemical compounds. The study helps clarify the association between methane on Mars and life, as well as the fate of Martian water.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a single star, nicknamed Earendel, located an astonishing 28 billion light-years away. The star is estimated to be up to 500 times more massive than our Sun and millions of times brighter.
The EPA has introduced a new policy to evaluate the impact of pesticides on endangered species before new products are introduced to the market. The policy requires consultation with wildlife services and aims to mitigate adverse effects, but challenges remain due to differing approaches and thresholds between agencies.
Researchers found significant microstructural changes in white matter tracts, indicating the brain's ability to adapt to spaceflight. After returning to Earth, these changes remained visible seven months later.
Researchers predict LISA will detect new fundamental fields, shedding light on dark matter and the universe's expansion. The space interferometer will observe gravitational waves from extreme mass-ratio inspirals, providing a unique opportunity to probe strong-field gravity.
Researchers suggest LISA can detect scalar fields interacting with gravity, providing strong bounds on theories beyond General Relativity. Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals offer a unique probe of the strong-field regime of gravity.
Researchers have created the first global map of flow velocities for 98% of the world's glaciers using satellite images. The study found that Himalayan glaciers hold a third more water than previously estimated, while tropical Andean glaciers may be up to 23% smaller.
Researchers detect hundreds of major methane releases linked to global oil and gas extraction activities, with a one-year comparison to 20 million vehicles. Limiting these emissions could mitigate climate effects and save billions of dollars for fossil-fuel-producing countries.