Researchers find that urea in astronaut urine can be used to soften concrete, making it more pliable and resistant to extreme temperatures. The discovery could help reduce costs associated with transporting construction materials to the Moon.
Researchers used a computer algorithm inspired by slime mould to create a three-dimensional map of the cosmic web structure in the local Universe. The analysis revealed that intergalactic gas is organised into filaments and detected at distances over 10 million light-years from galaxies.
Two research collections showcase new tools using genetic analysis and geospatial technology to detect and track invasive species. The collections provide insights into the practical implications of these innovative solutions for improved management of invasive species.
A recent study by Tufts University found that federally protected lands in the US significantly reduced habitat loss and protected endangered species. Compared to private lands, protected federal lands lost only 3.6% of their habitat over a 30-year period.
The UC3M and SENER aeroespacial team has developed a helicon plasma thruster prototype with the European Space Agency. The project, HIPATIA, aims to test the technology in small space platforms, potentially offering an affordable thruster solution for non-geostationary satellites.
Scientists tracked mass loss from Pine Island Glacier using ESA satellite technology and found complex patterns in space and time, with thinning rates decreasing in the central trunk by a factor of five since 2007. This contradicts previous observations, highlighting the need to improve model projections for future sea level rise.
Researchers have discovered traces of five different ammonium salts on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, shedding light on the presence of nitrogen on comets and its potential link to the emergence of life on Earth. The study found high concentrations of ammonia in the form of these salts.
Researchers have traced the journey of phosphorus from star-forming regions to comets, revealing where molecules containing the element form and how it's carried in comets. This discovery provides crucial insights into the origin-of-life puzzle, suggesting that phosphorus monoxide played a key role in starting life on Earth.
New study reveals that simultaneous X-ray and gravitational wave observations of supermassive black hole collisions will provide unprecedented insights into cosmic events. The European Space Agency's Athena and LISA missions, set to launch in the 2030s, will enable astronomers to study these phenomena in detail.
A team of scientists has used data from the TESS satellite and ground-based telescopes to determine an ancient collision between our galaxy and Gaia-Enceladus occurred early in its history. The study reveals new insights into the history of the Milky Way, providing a timeline for the collision.
Patients overwhelmingly agree that anaesthesia providers should use checklists in their presence, with high scores indicating reduced risk of errors and improved patient safety. However, anaesthesia providers underestimate patient discomfort, suggesting a need for increased collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.
Researchers develop a new industrial laser system to study cold atom dynamics in space. By doubling the frequencies of widely used telecommunications lasers, their design enables accurate measurements of subtle variations in the Earth's gravitational field.
The Greenland ice sheet has lost 3.8 trillion tonnes of ice since 1992, with the rate of ice loss increasing seven-fold over three decades. The study's findings show that the ice sheet is tracking the IPCC's high-end climate warming scenario, predicting 40 million people will be exposed to coastal flooding by 2100.
A new study using satellite data from the European Space Agency has provided unprecedented insights into the deep structure of Antarctica. The researchers used special gradient data to analyze the lithosphere, which consists of the crust and the earth's upper mantle below the frozen continent.
Researchers at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel identify Volcano F as the origin of a large pumice raft drifting towards Australia. The team used satellite images and seismic data to confirm the connection between the volcano and the floating rocks.
The Hubble Space Telescope has studied the gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C, emitting record-breaking energy of 1 TeV. Scientists observed this extremely high-energy emission from a collapsing star at nearly 99.999% of the speed of light, providing new insights into gamma-ray bursts and their environments.
The mission detected 54 impacts from micrometeoroids, mostly from short-period comets with Jupiter-determined orbits. The findings help refine dust models used in various studies, including planet formation and spacecraft impact risks.
Dr Markus Mugrauer's study confirms the influence of multiple stars on planet formation and development. He found 200 companion stars to planetary host stars up to 1,600 light years away, including red and white dwarf stars.
Véronique Dehant's research aims to understand Mars' core, which is essential for determining the planet's habitability and potential for life. The ExoMars mission will collect Martian radio science data and analyze the planet's rotation to gain insights into its innards.
KU Leuven researchers have developed a method to measure snow depth using satellites, enabling the study of inaccessible areas like the Himalayas. The findings reveal significant snow volumes in European and North American mountain ranges.
TESS observed a black hole tearing apart a star in a cataclysmic event, allowing scientists to study the physics of tidal disruptions. The early data revealed a smooth rise in brightness and a significant temperature drop near the black hole.
The report examines wind energy impacts on sensitive wildlife, citing the need to balance wildlife conservation with rapid greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It highlights areas where further research is needed to minimize wind turbine effects on birds and bats.
Over 1,600 scientists endorse letter calling on Congress to fully fund conservation programs to stem biodiversity decline. Funding would accelerate species recovery and ensure a stable Earth.
Researchers have developed a laser prototype that nearly meets the stringent requirements for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. The laser system features a seed laser, YDFA amplifiers, and an optical reference cavity to improve spectral purity and stability.
Scientists at University College London have discovered water vapor on the potentially habitable exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits a cool dwarf star about 110 light years from Earth. The detection confirms that the planet is in its star's 'habitable zone', where temperatures could support liquid water and life.
A new special issue of the Annals of the Entomological Society of America showcases research on insect agriculture for food and feed. More than 1 million insect species are known, offering room for growth in the field. Insect-based industries could reach $50-100 billion by 2050, bolstering global ag sector while protecting environment.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a two-thirds increase in returning coho salmon to the Oregon coast would generate up to $518 million in annual non-market economic benefits. The study also found that people value conservation goals sooner rather than later, with up to $277 million in annual benefits.
The Ecological Society of America donates over $13,800 to Louisville Grows to support its urban agriculture and forestry programs. The organization's efforts prioritize inclusion and diversity in promoting sustainable communities.
Representative John Yarmuth receives the ESA Regional Policy Award for his advocacy on clean water, environmental stewardship, and climate change. The award recognizes his use of ecological science to inform policy decisions.
A recent study suggests that restoring forests can stabilize carbon stocks and reduce the risk of severe wildfires. By thinning out dense vegetation and promoting biodiversity, restored forests can store more carbon than damaged ones. This approach has the potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Graphene Flagship partners with the European Space Agency and the University of Cambridge to launch a rocket into space, testing the printing of graphene patterns on silicon substrates in zero gravity. The mission aims to validate graphene's self-assembly properties and pave the way for its use in long-term space exploration.
The Ecological Society of America's 104th Annual Meeting emphasized the importance of inclusive approaches in ecology, fostering connections between disparate landscapes and disciplines. Key sessions explored the intersection of human and non-human nature, agricultural practices, and environmental justice issues.
The Hubble Space Telescope has observed multiple supernovae in the spiral galaxy NGC 4051, revealing Type Ic supernovae produced by massive star core collapse. These events are scattered throughout the center and spiral arms of the galaxy.
Satellites equipped with the new technology can deorbit and reenter the Earth's atmosphere, preventing space debris proliferation. Researchers have developed a prototype of the deorbit kit using low work-function tethers, which transforms orbital energy into electrical energy without fuel.
The Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3 has captured a breathtaking image of NGC 7773, a mature barred spiral galaxy. The galaxy features a luminous bar-shaped structure, thought to be a sign of galactic maturity and stellar nursery.
NGC 4621, also known as Messier 59, is an elliptical galaxy exhibiting signs of star formation contrary to typical elliptical galaxies. Located approximately 50 million light-years away, the galaxy was observed using Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the galaxy Messier 90, which is moving towards the Milky Way at a speed of approximately 60 million light-years. This rare phenomenon is known as blueshift, where the galaxy's light is compressed and shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum.
The IAC and ESA have signed an agreement to expand the programmes of optical communication with space missions and studies of space debris at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife. The new agreement will enable the installation of additional optical systems on the existing telescope, enhancing the observatory's capabilities.
A nearby galaxy, NGC 4485, is experiencing a surge in star birth due to its gravitational interaction with NGC 4490. The collision triggered the creation of young blue stars and nebulae on the right side of the galaxy.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of NGC 2903, a nearby spiral galaxy. The study aims to understand the relationship between a galaxy's central black hole and its rugby-ball-shaped bulge.
A study reveals that nearly half of protected areas face staffing shortages, affecting conservation progress. Meanwhile, researchers identify remote high-elevation areas with ancient trees in China. Fuel breaks aim to prevent wildfires but may create new problems, such as altering predator migration routes.
Messier 75 is a globular cluster located approximately 67,000 light-years away from Earth in the Sagittarius constellation. The cluster features an enormous core with about 400,000 stars, making it one of the most densely populated clusters ever discovered.
The Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a stunning image of Messier 3, a massive globular cluster containing over half a million stars. The cluster features 274 variable stars, including the rare RR Lyrae type, which can be used as standard candles to measure vast celestial distances.
A color test developed at University of Technology Sydney can accurately detect all cathinones, a new illicit synthetic drug entering the market every four days. The test is now commercialized and being marketed to police and customs agencies in Europe, offering a solution for detecting new psychoactive substances.
Researchers found that cities like Chicago, Houston, and Dallas have the highest levels of exposure to artificial lights, disrupting nocturnal bird migration patterns. A study also showed that humans' connection to nature decreases with age, particularly in teenagers and males. Meanwhile, a network for tracking urban wildlife and using...
Asteroid Gault, one of only a handful to be caught disintegrating, has been observed in clear images from the Hubble Space Telescope. The object's two narrow tails indicate it is slowly undergoing self-destruction, releasing material into space.
NGC 6052 is a pair of colliding galaxies visible in the Hercules constellation, consisting of two galaxies merging due to gravity. The Milky Way will undergo a similar collision with Andromeda in approximately 4 billion years.
Astronomers combined data from Hubble and Gaia to estimate Milky Way's mass, reducing uncertainty from decades of research. The galaxy is found to weigh approximately 1.5 trillion solar masses within a radius of 129,000 light-years.
A new satellite mission has captured precise data on the elevation of the Antarctic ice sheet, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool for long-term monitoring efforts. The Sentinel-3 satellite's performance over ice sheets shows promise in detecting areas where the ice surface is rapidly lowering.
The Ecological Society of America's Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment journal publishes research on parasites hidden in museum specimens that can teach us about past and present diseases. A review reveals non-native species contribute to more plant and animal extinctions than native species.
A team of scientists used LOFAR data to study a massive solar storm on September 10, 2017, revealing that particles accelerate simultaneously in multiple locations. This discovery may help improve space weather forecasting and mitigate potential effects on communication, navigation, and power grids.
Researchers from the University of Bristol used satellite imagery to detect uplift on the northern flank of Agung volcano, indicating magma movement sideways as well as vertically. This study provides the first geophysical evidence of a connected plumbing system between Agung and Batur volcanoes.
Researchers have charted the environment surrounding a stellar-mass black hole using NASA's NICER payload. The study reveals changes in the environment's size and shape, including the corona contracting vertically from 100 to 10 miles at vast distances.
The ESA releases new research on the Great Barrier Reef, where sharks are declining despite protected areas. The study suggests that illegal fishing is a major factor, while stricter regulations have led to fish population recovery in the Northeast Atlantic.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 78% of marine mammal populations and 75% of sea turtle populations increased significantly after being listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Conservation measures such as tailored species management and fishery regulations appear to have been successful in promoting species recovery.
Astronomers have found the first direct evidence of white dwarf stars solidifying into crystals, which could make them billions of years older than previously thought. This discovery has been published in Nature and is based on observations taken with the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite.
Researchers used NASA's NICER payload to detect X-ray light from a small black hole (J1820) consuming material from a companion star. Light echoes revealed changes in the environment's size and shape, providing new insights into stellar-mass black holes' behavior.
A joint ESA-University of Bath project aims to estimate forces experienced by lower limbs in different gravity environments, mapping variation in external loads, muscle strength, and reduced gravity effect.
Researchers tested flashing light deterrents to protect llama and alpaca herds from pumas and found them effective but not against Andean foxes. Surface coal mining was also shown to alter or eliminate rattlesnake habitats, while small ponds acted as carbon sinks with higher rates of organic carbon burial than many other terrestrial ha...
Astronomers have developed a revolutionary method to detect dark matter using faint starlight in Hubble images. The technique accurately studies the distribution of dark matter and has been confirmed in galaxy clusters. Future studies will survey more clusters and analyze additional data with the James Webb Space Telescope.