Researchers at Cornell University have developed a library of basalt-based spectral signatures to help identify the presence of water on exoplanets. By analyzing small spectral differences between basalt samples, scientists can determine if an exoplanet once had running surface water or water in its interior.
A team of scientists has determined that a meteorite from Mars, the Lafayette Meteorite, was exposed to liquid water 742 million years ago. The minerals in the meteorite formed when there was liquid water present on the Martian surface, providing insight into the planet's past.
New research led by the University of Southampton found that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy increase children's bone mineral density in mid-childhood. Children born to mothers who received extra vitamin D supplementation had stronger bones and were less likely to break them.
The report analyzes Africa's potential to transition from raw material extraction to refining minerals and assembling or manufacturing batteries. With the right investment and policy environment, African countries could generate an additional $6.8 billion in annual revenues and create approximately 3,500 good-quality jobs by 2030.
A study by University of Michigan researcher Chris Emproto found that 94% of minerals are named after men, while just 2.8% are named after women. The researchers analyzed nearly 6,000 mineral names and found that growth in the proportion of women among new minerals named for people stalled decades ago.
Researchers found that rising temperatures accelerate weathering of rocks in the Canadian Arctic, leading to increased CO2 release and a positive feedback loop. This process could contribute significantly to climate change, with predicted emissions doubling by 2100 under moderate emission scenarios.
Researchers used instruments on board Curiosity to measure the isotopic composition of carbon-rich minerals and discovered extreme evaporation, suggesting a climate that could only support transient liquid water. This finding rules out life on Mars' surface but leaves open the possibility of an underground biosphere.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
The study reveals desugared sugarcane extract contains significant amounts of proteins, minerals, and phenolic acids, exhibiting strong radical scavenging activity and α-glucosidase inhibition, suggesting its potential for antioxidant and antidiabetic applications.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A new strategy for massive water production on the Moon has been proposed by Chinese researchers, utilizing reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen. The study reveals that one ton of lunar regolith can generate over 50 kg of water, enough for 50 people for a day.
Researchers discovered that wheat and lettuce plants actively grab, transport, and utilize solid mineral particles from their roots to shoots. This study provides crucial insights into the direct uptake routes of plants in their soil environment, potentially altering how we manage crop nutrition and soil health.
Seven rock samples collected along the fan front of Mars' Jezero Crater show evidence of minerals formed in water, suggesting a watery environment. While organic matter cannot be confirmed, these rocks may hold the key to finding remnants of ancient Martian life.
Researchers found the stone's age and chemical composition matched rocks from northeast Scotland, differentiating it from Welsh bedrock. The discovery suggests a high level of societal organization and implies long-distance trade networks along the British coast.
A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago proposes an alternative theory for the formation of Earth's continents, challenging the long-held leading theory. The researchers used computer models to investigate the origin of Archaean zircons, which date back to 2.5-4 billion years ago.
A new study reveals that metallic minerals on the deep-ocean floor can produce oxygen, even in complete darkness. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions that only photosynthetic organisms generate Earth's oxygen and has significant implications for our understanding of the origin of life.
Researchers at Curtin University used a new geochronology technique to accurately date iron oxide minerals, finding the Hamersley deposits formed between 1.4 and 1.1 billion years ago. This discovery enhances our understanding of ancient geological processes and improves predictions for future exploration.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which iron oxide minerals recycle phosphorus from DNA and RNA molecules, transforming them into bioavailable inorganic forms. This finding uncovers a missing piece of Earth's puzzling phosphorus cycle, highlighting the importance of understanding natural phosphorus recycling mechanisms.
A new study reveals that whole wheat retains major minerals and trace minerals better than refined flour during milling and baking. The study also found that vitamin E levels dropped substantially with each processing step, regardless of the type of flour used.
Research findings suggest that higher intakes of calcium and zinc before conception can lower the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Participants with higher pre-conception intakes of these essential minerals were 24% less likely to experience hypertensive disorders compared to those with lower intakes.
A new study reveals the Jøtul hydrothermal field in the Arctic Ocean, which is rich in minerals and metals. The discovery of high concentrations of methane indicates a significant interaction with magma, contributing to ocean acidification and climate change.
Researchers found stishovite's unit-cell volume expands excessively with water, but only briefly and at high pressures. The excess volume decreases rapidly with increasing temperature, suggesting stishovite may not be a stable water carrier in the lower mantle.
The OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Team found that Bennu contains essential components for life, including carbon and nitrogen, as well as organic compounds. The presence of magnesium-sodium phosphate in the sample suggests a possible history of interaction with water, but also reveals a chemically primitive asteroid.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a novel method for forming bastnåsite, a crucial mineral in extracting rare earth elements. The study reveals that fluocerite can act as a 'seed' to promote the rapid formation of bastnåsite, with significant implications for efficient and cost-effective extraction methods.
A new study by Tulane University found that dark chocolate is safe for consumption and even nutritionally beneficial, containing essential minerals like copper and zinc. Only four out of 155 dark chocolate bars sampled had cadmium levels that posed a risk to children weighing less than 33 pounds.
Researchers have documented 75 locations across northern Alaska's Brooks Range where remote streams and rivers are turning from crystal clear blue to cloudy orange. The staining is likely caused by minerals exposed by thawing permafrost, resulting in highly acidic and corrosive conditions.
Researchers have discovered concentrated rare earth elements in coal mines and adjacent formations in Utah and Colorado. The findings could enable the extraction of these critical minerals from domestic sources, supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin unveil a deeper understanding of bastnäsite and rare earth carbonates' formation, influenced by multiple factors including temperature, time, and host grain solubility. This discovery could reshape the tech industry's reliance on rare earth elements.
The project aims to extract and concentrate rare earth elements from domestic coal-based acid mine drainage, producing high-purity materials for magnet and super alloy applications. The goal is to establish a 100% domestic supply chain, reducing U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a simple, water-based solution to separate and purify rare earth elements from e-waste. The new process uses the unique properties of metals to form solids at different rates, resulting in nearly pure minerals recovered in hours rather than days.
Researchers studied rodent incisors and discovered tiny pockets of iron-rich materials that form a protective shield for teeth, but don't contribute to the orange-brown hue. This finding could lead to improved human dentistry by incorporating small amounts of iron minerals into dental care products.
Researchers developed a framework to ensure food safety by retaining vitamins and minerals. The study used bootstrapping to estimate kill ratios in low-moisture foods, allowing for more accurate risk assessments and potentially relaxed standards, while maintaining high levels of food safety.
Scientists used lithium isotope data to show that continental clay export promoted organic carbon burial and thus atmospheric oxygenation during the Cambrian period. This finding challenges traditional views on marine oxygen levels during this time, suggesting a complex interplay between oceanic and atmospheric processes.
Researchers at the University of Arizona used computer simulations and spacecraft data to study the moon's geology, finding that a dense layer of titanium-rich material sank into the interior and rose on the near side. The findings suggest that the moon 'turned itself inside out' during its formation.
A recent study reveals that the demand for critical minerals in Africa is putting African Great Apes at risk due to deforestation and habitat destruction. The study estimates that more than 180,000 gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees are at risk, with West African countries like Guinea being the most severely affected.
Researchers from KIST have found that nitrate enhances the natural purification of groundwater through the formation of new iron oxides, increasing removal efficiency and duration. This breakthrough is expected to revolutionize water quality management strategies for ASR systems.
A recent analysis of six species of seaweeds found in Hawaii reveals that they are rich in essential minerals and nutrients, yet may also contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. The study highlights the need for regulation and informed cooking practices to ensure nutritious and safe seaweed products.
A recent study found that microbial communities thrive on inactive hydrothermal vent smokers, producing organic carbon and fixing CO2. These ecosystems are crucial for understanding the deep-sea carbon cycle and its interactions with the environment.
Researchers discovered novel compounds in shrimp by-products offering promising health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-aging properties. The study highlights the potential of converting seafood waste into valuable health-promoting agents, promoting sustainable seafood processing.
A new study finds that mountains can switch from being a sink of carbon dioxide to a source as their erosion rate increases. The optimal erosion rate for maximizing carbon dioxide removal through mineral weathering is approximately 0.1 millimeter per year.
A new study found that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) drawdown from chemical weathering of rocks is limited to a narrow range of moderate erosion rates. This has significant implications for understanding the constraints of weathering-mediated CO2 drawdown and resolving conflicting data on its impact on the climate.
Researchers have discovered that produced water, often considered waste, contains nearly every element in the periodic table, including critical minerals like lithium and platinum group metals. A new approach using CO2 desalination can extract these valuable minerals, making it a lucrative means of offsetting reclamation costs.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
A Chinese spacecraft returned a sample of the moon's surface, containing minerals that provide insights into its past. Researchers found high-pressure minerals in the sample, which are unusual in lunar rocks.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo found evidence of a tropical island with rich mineral deposits, including cobalt and nickel, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The team's analysis of seafloor sediment samples suggests the area was once home to vegetation and had volcanic activity between 30-40 million years ago.
Living organisms produce minerals through a complex process involving pre-nucleation clusters, mobile water molecules, and dissolved hydroxide ions. The study provides a structural model for amorphous calcium carbonate and sheds light on the conductivity of ACC particles.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge identified iron-bearing sulfate minerals as the cause of the mysterious UV absorption feature on Venus' clouds. The discovery was made possible by synthesizing and analyzing minerals under extreme chemical conditions.
The study reveals that excited electrons in perovskites cause a shift towards increased symmetry in the crystal lattice. This attractive interaction between excitons could be exploited to enhance electron transport and improve solar cell performance.
A clay mineral called smectite, formed through plate tectonics, efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming. Smectite's accordion-textured folds effectively trap dead organisms, preventing them from being consumed by microbes.
Researchers developed indoor solar panels to power smart home devices, identifying efficient PV materials and minimizing heat production. Gallium indium phosphide shows promise but is expensive, while perovskite minerals and organic films offer a cost-effective solution.
The study predicts thermal conductivity of bridgmanite and post-perovskite at high pressure and temperature, clarifying heat flow distribution and magnitude at the core-mantle boundary. The team obtained a heat flux of 7.1 ± 0.5 TW, which is significant for understanding Earth's coupled core-mantle evolution and geodynamo operation.
A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.
A new global study assesses the scale of metal mining contamination in river systems worldwide, impacting human populations and ecosystem services. The research estimates 23 million people affected by toxic waste, highlighting the need for new safeguards to address growing demand for 'green' minerals.
Researchers discovered how corrosion and crystallization over centuries created nanofabrication of photonic crystals in ancient Roman glass. The crystals have applications in modern technology, including waveguides, optical switches, and devices for fast optical communications.
Researchers will track how key minerals form in a watershed to build a fuller picture of the processes that allow soil to store carbon as organic matter. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop practices and incentives for a carbon market economy, potentially harnessing Earth's natural mechanisms to combat climate change.
A new NIH study found that high levels of certain minerals and metals in environmental water supplies may increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The presence of sulfate, vanadium, and molybdenum was positively associated with increased incidence of lung infections.
A new UCF project aims to examine a method to keep carbon from escaping soils and trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere. Researchers will focus on histosols in the Everglades Agricultural Area, adding fine minerals to prevent carbon release.
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 at DTU Health Tech created a multi-levelled scaffold that enables near-perfect bone healing in just eight weeks, without using growth factors or endocrine factors and cells. The scaffold combines essential bone minerals with mechanical properties matching human bone compressive strength.
This study reconstructs long-term clay mineral records to show the progressive aridification of Asia's interior since late Oligocene, driven by Tibetan uplift and global cooling. Clay mineral evolution reveals strengthened continental weathering and erosion in Asia.