Brittany Seto, a UC Riverside alumna, interned at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is now working on Mars projects. The university has set a record for the number of UCR undergraduates interning at JPL, with 22 students participating in the FIELDS program.
The three Mars rovers, including NASA's Perseverance rover, ExoMars rover, and China's HX-1 rover, will analyze rocks and soil for evidence of life on the Red Planet. The missions aim to determine whether life could have existed on Mars in the past.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that resveratrol supplementation preserved muscle function and mitigated muscle atrophy under Martian gravity. The study suggests that resveratrol could be a key dietary supplement to maintain musculoskeletal health on long-term Mars missions.
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.
Silica aerogel could warm the Martian surface, increasing atmospheric pressure and temperatures similar to Earth's greenhouse effect. This regional approach to making Mars habitable offers a more achievable solution than global atmospheric modification.
Aarhus University researchers suggest a previously overlooked process explains methane's consumption on Mars, leading to doubts about its presence and potential biosignature. The new mechanism involves erosion and chemistry, affecting the possibility of life on or near Martian surface.
Researchers have discovered rocks in Santorini cove similar to Martian basaltic material, with properties comparable to those of the Spirit and Curiosity rovers and Martian meteorites. The findings suggest that Santorini can serve as a low-cost resource for experiments and characterization of geological processes on Mars.
Experiments with salt-tolerant bacteria in brine have shown that microbes can survive and grow in conditions similar to those on Mars. The research has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth, as well as the risk of contaminating other planetary bodies.
Researchers discovered that meteors create 'meteoric smoke' in Mars' middle atmosphere, condensing into thin clouds. These clouds have a significant impact on the Martian climate, influencing temperatures and potentially affecting past evolution.
Researchers have identified a bacterium, Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense, as a potential sign of life on Mars. The bacterium can thrive in harsh environments with low oxygen levels and forms unique rock formations that resemble pasta, making it an easy target for detection.
A team of planetary scientists found that processes on Mars differ significantly from those on Earth, with large-scale features and differences in landform surface temperature playing key roles. The study reveals that active sand dunes are concentrated in three distinct regions, including Syrtis Major and North Polar Erg.
Newly discovered layers of ice on Mars reveal a record of past climate and could hold the key to understanding if the planet was ever habitable. The ice reserves are estimated to be as much as 90% water, equivalent to a global layer 1.5 meters deep.
A new study suggests that a strange mineral deposit near the landing site of NASA's next Mars rover is likely sourced from ancient volcanic explosions. The research provides tangible evidence for the importance of explosive volcanism on early Mars, shedding light on the water budget, groundwater abundance, and atmospheric thickness.
Scientists at the Swedish Museum of Natural History have compiled an atlas of fossils in volcanic rock to guide where and what to look for in the search for Martian life. The atlas aims to identify which types of microorganisms are most likely to have been preserved on Mars, based on their metabolism and geochemical conditions.
Numerical modeling explains the escape of hydrogen atoms from Martian atmosphere into outer space due to water photodissociation. Seasonal winds and dust storms affect water circulation, but not in an obvious way.
A study presents the results of clinical and nonclinical Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence (MARS) MRI protocols at 3 Tesla on different hip arthroplasty implants. The findings show that only a minimal risk of thermal injury occurs with these protocols, especially when considering perfusion effects.
Research from the NASA Twins Study found that extended spaceflight alters the ratio of two major categories of bacteria in the gut microbiome, but not its diversity. The study's findings could help protect astronauts' and space tourists' microbiomes during long bouts of space travel.
Researchers have discovered embedded organic material in a Martian meteorite, suggesting that life could have existed on the Red Planet. The study proposes the presence of active bacteria on Mars and may indicate that there was once life beyond Earth.
A new publication outlines objectives for Mars Sample Return campaign, providing a blueprint for answering key questions about Mars. The University of Alberta is home to a vast collection of meteorites and experts like Chris Herd emphasize the importance of returning samples from Mars with context.
Researchers from USC Arid Climate and Water Research Center discovered that deep groundwater likely exists in a broader geographical area than previously thought, with an active system as deep as 750 meters. Groundwater is believed to originate surface streams in near-equatorial areas on Mars.
Researchers found that Mars' rivers were twice as wide as those on Earth and had intense flow persisting until one billion years ago. This suggests a global, long-lived phenomenon of climate-driven precipitation during low-atmosphere conditions on Mars.
A new study by UChicago scientists found significant river runoff persisted on Mars later into its history than previously thought. The intense runoff, which was wider than those on Earth today, occurred at hundreds of locations and suggests a complex climate with strong greenhouse effects.
A new paper proposes specific scientific objectives for a Mars Sample Return campaign to address fundamental questions about the planet. The study identifies critical measurements that would need to be done on returned samples to maximize their scientific value.
Researchers are investigating ways to conduct meaningful science and send valuable information back to Earth in the harsh Martian environment. Scientists have simulated mission conditions using basalt samples from Idaho and Hawaii, seeking clues to the ongoing search for life on Mars.
A NASA rover mission in the Mars-like Atacama Desert has recovered subsurface soil samples containing unusual microbes that are distributed in patches, related to limited water availability and scarce nutrients. The findings will aid the search for evidence of signs of life during future planned missions to Mars.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a predictive model to help NASA assemble ideal teams for the Mission to Mars. The study, conducted in two analog environments, reveals that crews experience diminished abilities to think creatively and solve problems, with successful task completion rates between 20-60%.
A new study argues that recent magmatic activity must have occurred underneath the surface of Mars for liquid water to exist beneath the kilometer-and-a-half thick ice cap. The research suggests that volcanic activity in the planet's subsurface could be providing heat to generate liquid water today.
Researchers have developed a new flight strategy to land heavier vehicles on Mars by eliminating parachutes and using larger rocket engines. The approach optimizes the lift vector to minimize propellant usage, enabling vehicles to carry more payload while reducing costs.
NASA's MAVEN mission is shrinking its Mars orbit to prepare for the upcoming Mars 2020 rover launch. The spacecraft will tighten its orbit from 3,850 to 2,800 miles above the surface, allowing it to circle Mars more frequently and communicate with rovers more often.
Researchers repurposed data from NASA's Curiosity rover to measure the gravitational tug of Martian rocks, finding that lower slopes of Mount Sharp have lower density rock layers than predicted. This challenges a competing theory suggesting Gale Crater was once completely filled with sediment and excavated by erosion.
Scientists have made the first surface gravity measurements on a planet other than Earth using NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. The rover's accelerometers, used for navigation, were calibrated to measure subtle changes in gravitational acceleration, providing new information about the subsurface of Mars.
New research found that overflowing crater lakes on Mars carved canyons rapidly, possibly in weeks, using high-resolution satellite images. This process likely played a major role in shaping Mars' surface without plate tectonics.
Researchers transformed a Martian sunrise photo into a two-minute piece of music, with quiet harmonies and brighter sounds created by the sun disk. The work showcases image sonification's potential in analyzing planet surfaces and atmospheres, as well as health science applications.
Scientists analyzed three Martian meteorites to find electrochemical reactions between briny liquids and volcanic minerals created the organic carbon. This process has implications for understanding habitability and could occur elsewhere in the solar system.
Researchers at UCF developed a scientifically based method for creating Martian and asteroid soil simulants. The team published their findings in the journal Icarus and is now selling the simulant, which can be used for experiments on Earth.
Researchers at MIT have developed a software tool that automatically generates maps of favorable landing sites on Mars, taking into account scientific priorities and engineering constraints. The program uses fuzzy logic to deal with imprecision in the data and can explore different landing and exploratory scenarios.
The presence of methane on Mars presents novel challenges to explain its formation and implications for potential life on the planet. Researchers recommend further studies to clarify geochemical processes and sources of methane.
A new study reveals that ancient Mars likely had an ample supply of chemical energy for microbes to thrive underground. The researchers estimate that hydrogen concentrations in the crust around 4 billion years ago would have been sufficient to support microbial life.
A 20-kilometer-wide lake of liquid water has been detected beneath Mars' southern ice cap using the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument. The presence of dissolved salts could lower the melting point, allowing the lake to remain liquid
Scientists have discovered that Mars' massive dust storms originate from a single geological formation near the equator. This vast deposit, called the Medusae Fossae Formation, has been eroding over time and polluting the planet with fine, powdery dust particles.
The MAVEN spacecraft has found a new type of Martian aurora that occurs over much of the day side, where auroras are hard to see. Protons 'steal' electrons from Mars' outer atmosphere, creating ultraviolet light and depositing energy.
New Zealand scientists have developed a revolutionary 3D colour medical scanner that provides far greater detail of the body's chemical components. The MARS spectral x-ray scanner will revolutionise medical imaging globally, enabling more accurate diagnosis and personalisation of treatment for diseases like cancer and heart disease.
A recent study suggests that Mars' river networks were shaped by superficial run-off of rainwater, contradicting previous hypotheses about groundwater seepage. The researchers found similarities in the branching angles of Martian valleys with those in arid landscapes on Earth.
The Black Beauty meteorite contains rare zircon with high hafnium levels, providing a temporal framework for Martian crust formation. This study suggests that Mars had a solid crust within 20 million years of solar system formation, potentially hosting oceans and life.
Researchers used Mars-inspired tools to map the Himalayas, revealing details about rock types and fault systems. The study used thermal infrared spectrum analysis to create colorful images of different rock types, providing new insights into the region's geology.
A massive Martian dust storm has engulfed the planet, prompting NASA's Opportunity rover to suspend science operations. However, Curiosity remains largely unaffected due to its nuclear-powered battery. The storm has grown to a 'planet-encircling' size, with atmospheric haze blocking sunlight at Gale Crater.
The discovery of ancient organic molecules in Martian sedimentary rocks increases the chances of finding evidence of habitability and potential life on Mars. The findings suggest that NASA's Curiosity rover may have discovered record-breaking amounts of organic carbon, comparable to those found in meteoritic samples.
New research published in Icarus suggests Mars had a cold and icy ancient climate, with evidence of volcanism interacting with ice sheets. The findings identify three distinct mineral combinations associated with glaciers, providing insight into the planet's past.
The Curiosity rover has discovered a seasonal cycle in Martian methane levels, suggesting it may be trapped in water-based crystals. Additionally, the rover has detected ancient organic matter, including thiophene and methanethiol, which are reminiscent of Earth's organic-rich sedimentary rock.
A new data-mining technique developed by Carnegie's Shaunna Morrison improves the understanding of Mars' geologic history and habitability. By analyzing mineral compositions and unit cell dimensions, scientists gained a more detailed picture of Martian minerals, including their origins and alteration processes.
Researchers suggest iron-rich rocks near ancient lake sites on Mars could hold clues to past life, with sedimentary rocks rich in iron and silica being the most promising candidates for fossil preservation. This study aims to aid NASA's next rover mission by identifying the best places to search for evidence of ancient life.
A team of astronauts working together for months in a confined space will be critical to Mars mission success. The psychology of teamwork is crucial, with characteristics such as emotional stability, agreeability, and resilience being key factors.
Researchers found traces of fatty acids in Dorset's acidic streams, mimicking conditions on Mars billions of years ago. They believe these findings could indicate nearly 12,000 pools of organic matter on Mars that represent past life.
A University of Oklahoma astrophysics team discovered that the growth of Mars was halted by an orbital instability among the outer solar system's giant planets. The study used computer simulations to show how this instability, linked to the Nice Model, prevented Mars from becoming a larger, habitable planet like Earth.
Researchers found a single species of bacteria in Laguna Caliente lake water, a toxic environment that resembles ancient Mars hot springs. This discovery may help scientists searching for signs of life on Mars.
A recent study suggests that early Mars was modestly warm and prone to rain, with only small patches of ice. The research challenges the long-held idea of an icy climate on Mars.
A team of scientists, including Kansas State University's Saugata Datta, will explore lava caves in Northern California using a robotic vehicle called CaveR. The research aims to understand the conditions necessary for life on Mars by studying similar environments on Earth.
A University of Cincinnati geology student, Andrew Gangidine, is developing a marker for ancient bacterial life on Mars to aid NASA's search. He's studying microbial life in silica hot springs at Yellowstone National Park to create a useful indicator of life on the red planet.
A machine learning approach developed for Mars feature mapping has been adapted to assess the effect of treatments on tumors. The technique provides a four-fold increase in precision and enables researchers to present findings with confidence.
A new study confirms desiccation cracks on Mars provide evidence of drying, revealing the shape of water on the red planet. The research sheds light on Mars' ancient climate and provides context to its lacustrine system.