Researchers used computer models to recreate the impact that carved out Mead crater, finding that Venus's lithosphere must have been quite thick for the crater's ring structures to be where they are. This suggests that plate tectonics was not happening on Venus at the time of the impact.
SourceBrown University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 28, 2021
A team from the University of Washington has used a robust model of Venus' atmosphere to reinterpret radio telescope observations and conclude that phosphine was unlikely detected. The data instead suggest sulfur dioxide as the source of the signal, which is consistent with what astronomers know of the planet's environment.
A team of researchers discovered that the early Solar System formed in two distinct steps, resulting in different planetary compositions and evolutionary paths. The study explains why the inner planets are small and dry, while the outer planets are larger and wet.
High-speed X-ray imaging reveals click beetles can perform extreme movements by releasing stored energy quickly, supporting the idea of a distributed spring mechanism. Understanding this dynamics could inform development of insect-inspired robots.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers used machine learning to redesign a bacterial protein into a highly sensitive sensor that can monitor brain serotonin levels in real time. The new sensor detected subtle changes in serotonin signaling during sleep, fear, and social interactions, as well as testing the effectiveness of new psychoactive drugs.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalCell·DateDec 23, 2020
New research suggests that weathering of rocks at Earth's surface may be weaker in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than previously estimated. The team found an additional source of sodium in river waters across the globe, not from weathered silicate rocks as assumed, but from very old clays being eroded in river catchments.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2020
Researchers found that four commonly consumed mussel species globally contained microplastic particles, with varying levels of contamination. The study reveals the widespread presence of microplastics in mussels worldwide, including those from the North Atlantic and South Pacific regions.
SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateDec 17, 2020
A comprehensive study reveals that Germany's plant diversity has been declining steadily over the past decade, affecting both archaeophytes and neophytes. The decline in species diversity averages around two percent per decade, with many common species being affected.
SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 16, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
The VENUS device simulates complex organic molecules in interstellar space conditions by replicating the strong vacuum and frigid temperatures found in space. This allows researchers to better understand how these molecules form and potentially identify prebiotic species involved in early life processes.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateDec 15, 2020
Researchers have isolated sensory hairs from the Venus flytrap and identified genes that convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals. The discovery sheds light on how plants can detect and respond to touch, revolutionizing our understanding of plant biology.
SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 11, 2020
A Rutgers-led study suggests the most habitable region for life on Mars would be up to several miles below its surface due to subsurface melting of thick ice sheets. Liquid water may have been stable at great depths, allowing life to thrive through hydrothermal activity and rock-water reactions.
SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 2, 2020
The study suggests that the obese figurines were linked to extreme nutritional stress during Ice Age Europe. The researchers propose that these statues represented an idealized body type for young women, conveying ideals of body size for survival in difficult living conditions.
SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalObesity·DateDec 1, 2020
The study found that Earth's early atmosphere was slightly oxidizing, with carbon dioxide as its main constituent, and had a surface pressure much higher than today due to the hot surface.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A combination approach of catheter ablation and ethanol infusion significantly reduced atrial fibrillation recurrence rates, with 49% remaining free from AFib after six months. This finding supports the use of the Vein of Marshall Ethanol for Untreated Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (VENUS) trial's treatment as a first-line therapy.
A new study proposes that pieces of Venus could have crashed on the moon, providing a possible solution for testing Earth-like environment theories. Ancient rocks from Venus are thought to contain valuable information about the planet's history and its interactions with asteroids and comets.
SourceYale University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateOct 7, 2020
Research team successfully visualized intracellular calcium concentrations in the Venus flytrap, revealing that its short-term memory can be explained by changes in calcium concentration. The study demonstrates how a single contact event triggers a burst of calcium ions, which then trigger a second stimulus to close the trap.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Plants·DateOct 5, 2020
A study by UCR astrobiologist Stephen Kane suggests that Venus was likely habitable a billion years ago due to its more circular orbit. The findings could provide insights into how the Earth became habitable and what went wrong for Venus, which now has surface temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateSep 30, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A recent study by Curtin University reveals that approximately a quarter of the world's carnivorous plant species are at risk of extinction. The biggest threats to these unique plants are human activities such as agriculture, mining, and climate change, which can lead to habitat loss and hydrological changes.
SourceCurtin University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateSep 23, 2020
Researchers found layering consistent with volcanic activity on Venus' oldest terrain, tesserae, dating back 750 million years. This finding suggests that these regions were formed through volcanic activity rather than tectonic deformation or continental crust formation.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalGeology·DateSep 17, 2020
An international team of astronomers detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere, which could be evidence of biological origin, but unknown photochemistry or geochemistry are also possible explanations.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 15, 2020
Astronomers have discovered phosphine in the clouds of Venus, leading to speculation about the presence of microbial life. Calculations suggest that terrestrial organisms would need to operate at 10% of their maximum productivity to produce the observed quantity of phosphine.
SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 14, 2020
A team of international researchers has detected phosphine gas in Venus' clouds, a potential biosignature indicative of life. The finding is significant as it rules out natural non-biological processes that could produce the same amount of phosphine.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Research highlights sex differences in gene expression, finding over a third of genes display sex-biased expression in at least one tissue. Sex-linked disparities contribute to increased cancer rates in males and autoimmune disorders in females.
SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateSep 11, 2020
Materials scientists at UMass Amherst developed a way to efficiently convert elastic energy into kinetic energy for high-acceleration movements. By designing elastic bands with strategically placed elliptical holes, they achieved more than 90% energy conversion, compared to 70% for plain bands.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 3, 2020
The VENUS system uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate small metal parts in landmines, detecting vibrations that distinguish them from other buried objects. This technology has the potential to upgrade conventional systems and reduce false alarm rates, benefiting humanitarian operations and road mobility.
Computer simulations revealed that Venus' coronae topography depends on crust thickness and magma activity, classifying over 100 large coronae into active and inactive groups. The 'Ring of Fire' in Venus' southern hemisphere is a zone expelling high levels of rising plume material.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered 37 recently active volcanic structures on Venus, suggesting the planet's interior is still churning. The study provides evidence that Venus is no longer a dormant planet and may hold clues to its geological development.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 20, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A new study reveals that a single slow touch on the Venus flytrap's trigger hair can also trigger trap closure, allowing it to catch slow-moving larvae and snails. The researchers used highly sensitive sensors and mathematical models to determine the forces needed to trigger the mechanism.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 10, 2020
Researchers analyzed the Venus flytrap's biomechanical properties using digital 3D image correlation methods and finite element simulations. They found that the trap snaps shut when under prestress, and only traps with three tissue layers can close correctly.
SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2020
Researchers analyzed remains from a 30,000-year-old burial site in France, revealing sorted bones and elaborate cave art. The study provides new insights into complex mortuary dynamics of the Gravettian culture.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020
Using data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, scientists at Durham University measured the rates at which neutron particles leaked out from Venus and Mercury. The findings suggest a neutron lifetime of 13 minutes, with implications for our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics.
SourceDurham University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateJun 11, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
The study found that airborne dust can cool down the hotter dayside but also warm the night side, effectively widening the planet's habitable zone. This process is a negative climate feedback, postponing the loss of water and making the planet more habitable.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2020
The Solar Ring mission aims to study the Sun and its influence on the inner heliosphere using a novel six-spacecraft configuration. The mission will provide unprecedented capabilities, including determining the photospheric vector magnetic field with unambiguity and resolving solar wind structures at multiple scales.
SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Technological Sciences·DateJun 1, 2020
Three carnivorous plant species, including Venus flytrap, sundew, and waterwheel, have a shared genetic basis for their insect-trapping mechanisms. Despite their unique adaptations, these plants are among the most gene-poor known, with fewer genes than most other plants.
SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 14, 2020
Researchers from UBC have discovered a new timeline for the ancient magnetic field on Mars, with evidence of dynamo activity at 4.5 billion and 3.7 billion years ago. The findings suggest that the Martian dynamo was active earlier than previously thought, providing insights into the planet's thermal history and evolution.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 1, 2020
Researchers found that atmospheric tidal waves formed from solar heating on the planet's dayside and cooling on its nightside maintain Venus' super-rotation. The study also reveals a dual circulation system that transports heat across the globe.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers tracked Venus' atmospheric clouds and winds using Akatsuki data to estimate forces sustaining super-rotation. Thermal tides from solar heating near the equator are found to provide required angular momentum
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2020
Researchers have developed a new tool to predict volcanic eruptions by analyzing the composition of gases in the atmosphere. The tool uses precise measurements to identify the contribution of the atmosphere and Earth's mantle to these gases, allowing for more accurate predictions of future eruptions.
A team of researchers led by Cédric Gillmann found that water on Earth has been there since its formation, likely buried deep in the planet. This discovery challenges previous ideas about the origin of water and has implications for habitability of ancient planets.
SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 10, 2020
Researchers found that a small presence of sulfur in the atmosphere can lead to three times more haze particles, primarily organic sulfur products. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about sulfur's role in exoplanet atmospheres and highlights the importance of caution when interpreting spectroscopic data.
SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 6, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A new study suggests that Mars' ancient waters were characterized by high salinity and a neutral pH, creating an environment potentially suitable for microbial life. The research found evidence of hyposaline lakes on early Mars, which could have supported life forms similar to those found on Earth.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 2020
LSU astronomers predict that binary star V Sagittae will become the brightest in the Milky Way galaxy, outshining Sirius and Venus, around 2083. The star is currently faintly visible but will brighten rapidly due to its rapid orbital decay.
CU Anschutz researcher reveals that the story of Merit Ptah, a celebrated ancient Egyptian woman physician, was fabricated from a misunderstanding of historical records. Peseshet, an Old Kingdom courtier's mother, bears a striking resemblance to Merit Ptah and may have been mistakenly identified as the 'first woman doctor'.
SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences·DateDec 16, 2019
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin engineer molecular sensors based on porphyrin pigments, which can detect and capture pollutants. The novel sensors exploit the shape of porphyrins to mimic a Venus flytrap's opening leaves, enabling selective binding of target molecules.
SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 19, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that players perform worse against opponents with rising rankings due to 'status momentum', which affects their mental game. This theory counters the widely debated 'hot hand' concept, suggesting a player's positive momentum can heighten their own performance.
SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019
The NASA-developed Photonic Integrated Circuit Tuned for Reconnaissance and Exploration (PICTURE) instrument will utilize telecommunications-inspired technologies to create a smaller, more capable spectrometer. This device aims to gather unprecedented details about extraterrestrial planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered three new exoplanets, including one rocky planet in the habitable zone, which could potentially support liquid water and life. The newly found planets, TOI-270, are unique in that they occupy a 'missing link' between rocky Earth-like planets and gas-dominant mini-Neptunes.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 29, 2019
The discovery of TOI-270 includes two sub-Neptunes that could be an intermediate size between Earth and Neptune, providing insights into planetary formation. Astronomers also found a rocky super-Earth with a three-day orbit, adding to the system's potential for studying exoplanet dynamics.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 29, 2019
A Harvard study suggests that resveratrol can preserve muscle mass and strength in rats exposed to simulated Mars gravity, with almost complete rescue of front and rear paw grip. The compound's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may help conserve muscle and bone in astronauts on long missions to Mars.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 18, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers discovered that the Venus flytrap's tactile sensors respond to minute pressure stimuli, converting them into electrical signals that cause the trap to close. The plant has evolved smaller traps to detect the smaller forces generated by lightweight mosquitoes.
SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 8, 2019
Researchers have discovered a new species of egg-sucking sea slug, Olea hensoni, in Florida's Cedar Key. This unique slug belongs to the sacoglossans group and has been found to prey on eggs of fellow slugs and snails. The discovery highlights the vast marine life remaining to be discovered, even in well-studied areas.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalZootaxa·DateJun 18, 2019
Researchers found that the early Sun's rotation rate and solar activity influenced the formation of the Moon, affecting sodium and potassium levels. The study suggests that space weather played a crucial role in shaping the solar system's evolution.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 17, 2019
A new study suggests that glacial sediments played a crucial role in the emergence and evolution of global plate tectonics. The research found two major periods of worldwide glaciation, each boosting the rate of plate tectonics, which resulted in massive deposits of glacier-scrubbed sediment.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2019
Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf found that Venus, Earth, and Jupiter's tidal forces impact the Sun's magnetic field, causing it to follow a regular cycle. This discovery explains the Sun's 11-year activity cycle and has implications for climate predictions and space weather.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalSolar Physics·DateMay 27, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
Researchers at Dartmouth College and City University of Hong Kong developed a swimming robot with a light-controlled cellular engine that can perform highly-targeted drug delivery. The biohybrid device transforms its shape when exposed to skin-penetrating near-infrared light, allowing it to drive and brake through fluid environments.
Rainer Hedrich's new project aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying frequency-dependent decision making in Dionaea, using mutants with disturbed stimuli transmission. The researcher hopes to determine the cellular basis for counting and decision-making in plants.
Researchers found that the carnivorous waterwheel plant catches a wide variety of prey, including fast-swimming animals and slow-moving snails. The plant's diverse diet may be an adaptation to its fragmented habitats.
SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalIntegrative Organismal Biology·DateMar 25, 2019
Researchers found a fine haze of cosmic dust over Mercury's orbit, forming a ring some 9.3 million miles wide. They also identified the likely source of dust at Venus' orbit: a group of never-before-detected asteroids co-orbiting with the planet.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 12, 2019
Scientists have recovered accurate values for precession frequencies of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter using lake sediment data from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic epochs. The findings provide insights into climate variations driven by Solar System chaos and could constrain models of Solar System evolution.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Recreating Earth's interior conditions helps scientists understand diamond formation and carbon transport in the mantle. Carbonate minerals remain stable up to depths of 1,000-1,300km before reacting with surrounding silica to form bridgmanite.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 22, 2019