Researchers found that legume trees can alter their soils' microbiome to increase access to nutrients and support surrounding tree growth. This process involves accelerating mineral weathering processes, releasing vital nutrients for the trees.
Isabel Barton is developing a more proactive approach to extraction by applying detailed characterization methods to quantify relevant ore properties. Her research aims to link these properties to leaching results, leading to more efficient mining operations worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have designed liquid crystals with complex symmetry structures, similar to those found in minerals and gems. The breakthrough could lead to new types of smart windows and displays with enhanced energy efficiency.
Researchers discovered that Arctic permafrost releases even larger quantities of CO2 than once believed, with microorganisms converting organic matter into greenhouse gases. The study found that the mineral iron no longer binds carbon as previously thought, resulting in a significant increase in CO2 emissions.
Phosphorus-containing minerals from wind-blown dust fuel algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet, darkening the surface and contributing to increased melting. The blooms, particularly in the Dark Zone, have significant implications for future ice sheet melting and sea level rise.
Researchers led by Syracuse University's Suzanne Baldwin deciphered the story of garnet sand, which holds secrets of its journey through the rock cycle. The findings indicate that the rock recycling process occurred in less than 10 million years, offering insights into geologic evolution and plate boundary dynamics.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a rare mineral in the thick walls of a decommissioned nuclear power plant that increases concrete strength by more than three times. The formation of aluminous tobermorite allows for stronger and more eco-friendly concrete.
Scientists propose that widespread semiconducting minerals can absorb sunlight and drive reduction reactions similar to those in biological photosynthesis. These minerals may have played a transformative role throughout primitive Earth, driving the evolution of early lifeforms.
Researchers found that asteroid Ryugu's water content is lower than expected, suggesting its parent body dried out before formation. The study suggests that a heating event altered the parent asteroid, leaving Ryugu drier.
A new study reveals the physical and chemical interactions that sequester carbon in soil, showing layers of carbon around organic interfaces and a crucial role for nitrogen. This breakthrough technique may help develop strategies for sequestering more carbon in soil, mitigating climate change.
A research team led by Dr. Vicky Hamilton has identified a potentially new meteorite parent asteroid through analysis of the Almahata Sitta meteorite. The study suggests that the parent body was an asteroid roughly the size of Ceres, formed in the presence of water under intermediate temperatures and pressures.
Scientists propose a new way to categorize minerals by incorporating historical data, highlighting the importance of understanding a sample's formation process. The IMA system is criticized for being time-independent, while the proposed approach uses 'historical natural kinds' to reflect changes in Earth's diversity.
Researchers from St. Petersburg University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev discovered cyclophosphates, chemically active phosphorus-containing compounds found in rocks along the Dead Sea. These compounds are thought to have played a key role in prebiotic phosphorylation reactions that led to the emergence of primordial life.
Researchers Marco Fielder and Arun Nair found that water and mineral content variations significantly impact collagen fibril behavior, leading to bio-composites with improved mechanical stability. Composites with 40% mineralization were twice as strong as those without minerals, regardless of water content.
Al-phase D mineral discovered to transport and host water up to 1200 km in lower mantle, improving stability against pressure and temperature. Researchers measured sound velocities and density of Al-phase D using synchrotron X-ray techniques, providing clear understanding of seismic velocities of hydrous rocks.
The study led from the University of Turku discovered phosphorus and fluorine in solid dust particles collected from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This finding suggests that comets may have delivered life-necessary elements to the young Earth.
Research on ice sheet weathering reveals that meltwaters from the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets contain higher concentrations of key trace elements than typical rivers. This suggests long water residence times or increased weathering of minerals underlying the ice sheets, potentially affecting local marine environments.
A team of scientists discovered ancient zircon minerals in a Martian meteorite that date back to 4.5 billion years ago, but also contain younger ages suggesting volcanic activity in the northern hemisphere. The zircons' hafnium isotope composition reveals a primitive reservoir in Mars' interior, unchanged since the planet's formation.
A recent study suggests that bacteria can extract useful materials from rocks on Mars and the Moon, paving the way for new technologies to support human exploration and settlement. The findings also highlight the potential of microorganisms to enhance the removal of rare earth elements from lunar and Martian landscapes.
Researchers have discovered a new form of calcium carbonate that is soft and absorbent, found in mussel shells. They tested its ability to absorb oils and dyes, finding it highly effective but limited by scalability and cost, for potential use in marine pollution cleanup.
Scientists at the University of Turku discovered that titanium is key to hackmanite's glow and developed a material with a longer afterglow. The study reveals complex composition differences in natural minerals and their role in luminescence, offering valuable insights for synthetic materials development.
Researchers have discovered a new high-pressure mineral in the lunar meteorite Oued Awlitis 001, which is composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicon atoms. The newly found mineral donwilhelmsite forms at depths of 460-700 kilometers and has relevance for understanding subducted terrestrial sediments
Researchers from ETH Zurich and colleagues reconstructed the Paleocene and Eocene climates using siderite minerals, finding high humidity and heat transport. This suggests today's global warming is linked to increased moisture and heat transport in the atmosphere.
Researchers at TU Graz have discovered a new sediment archive on the Styrian Erzberg, providing valuable insights into recent climate development. The archive features geologically young minerals formed shortly after the last ice age, challenging current understanding of mineral formation temperatures.
Researchers have discovered a reaction pathway that forms sugars in the absence of water, using minerals as catalysts. This finding provides a plausible explanation for the formation of sugars under extraterrestrial settings.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has provided detailed insights into the composition and structure of asteroid Bennu, a 'rubble pile' of carbon-rich material. Researchers have discovered that Bennu's surface has undergone complex evolution due to space weathering processes and that carbonate minerals are widespread across most of its surface.
SwRI scientists studied the color, reflectivity, age, composition, origin and distribution of materials on asteroid Bennu's surface. The mission discovered carbon-bearing compounds and minerals containing or formed by water, which will help determine the scenarios that best explain Bennu's surface composition.
Research from Rice University found that certain cooling magmas can grow large crystals in just hours or days, defying traditional understanding of crystal growth. The study used advanced techniques to measure the chemical composition and growth rates of sample crystals, revealing surprisingly fast growth rates.
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.
A study published in Geoderma journal reveals that iron minerals and bacteria are main agents of carbon dioxide emissions from soil. Iron facilitates formation of active oxygen forms that destroy plant waste and promote CO2 emissions.
Researchers discovered that helium ions can heal radiation-damaged monazite, a mineral that always remains moderately damaged. This unusual property has significant implications for Earth sciences research and experiments with synthetic minerals.
Researchers found that donors without fractures had more flexible collagen and mineral nanostructure than those with fractures. The study suggests that flexibility at the nanoscale could be an important predictor of future bone fractures, highlighting the need for new treatments targeting nanoscale bone health.
Scientists have discovered a novel disordered crystalline phase of silica that forms under dynamic shock compression, challenging longstanding assumptions about the material's behavior. The findings provide new insights into planetary formation and evolution, and may reveal details about the Earth's geologic history.
A new treatment process recovers higher concentrations of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage (AMD), a significant environmental concern. The two-stage method uses carbon dioxide to extract valuable minerals at lower costs and environmental impact.
Researchers found that carbonate-rich molten rock can alter the physical properties of rocks, affecting seismic waves. The study provides new insights into the elasticity, density, and compressibility of these rocks, potentially revealing a substantial carbon reservoir in the Earth's deep upper mantle.
Researchers investigated the dynamics of the Earth's transition zone, a boundary layer between ~410 and ~660 km depth. They found that deformation mechanisms shift from dislocation creep to pure climb creep at geological stresses, influencing the Earth's geochemical evolution.
New research finds that graphene flakes can attract water at their edges but repel it on their surface, making them a new generation of surfactant. This property allows graphene to stabilise oil and water mixtures, opening up possibilities for environmentally friendly extraction of minerals and crude oil.
Researchers from the University of Sydney developed an electrochemical oxidation process to clean up complex wastewater containing toxic chemicals. The process transforms organic contaminants into harmless gases or minerals without requiring additional chemicals or severe operation conditions.
Researchers found that Europa's ocean could have been formed by tidal forces or radioactive decay, leading to a potentially habitable environment. The team's models suggest that the ocean's composition became more Earth-like, with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and calcium, making it suitable for life.
Researchers discovered new variants of feldspar stable under extreme pressure conditions, potentially altering seismologic signatures and plate dynamics. The high-pressure polymorphs were formed through severe geometrical distortions in the tetrahedral framework.
A new urine-testing system inspired by nature can identify metabolites that cause kidney stones to form, enabling patients to receive results within 30 minutes. The test is more cost-effective and simpler than current methods, making it a promising solution for managing urinary stone disease.
Research finds that ferropericlase transforms into superoxide when exposed to water at deep lower mantle conditions. The discovery suggests the lower mantle is locally oxidized where water is present, contrary to previous theories.
Scientists studying Martian rocks find evidence of long-lived lakes, organic compounds, and a cold ancient environment. The discovery suggests that Mars' climate may have changed over time, with factors like volcanic activity and changes in the planet's obliquity contributing to these shifts.
Researchers used atom-probe tomography to study minerals from an asteroid over 4.5 billion years ago, discovering water precipitates that suggest the presence of sodium-rich fluids. These conditions are ideal for amino acid synthesis, potentially supporting microbial life formation as early as 4.5 billion years ago.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that microorganisms can extract water from minerals, changing the rock's structure and providing a survival strategy. The findings may help develop practical applications for defense and advance our search for life beyond Earth.
Scientists have detected 4-billion-year-old nitrogen-bearing organic compounds in a Martian meteorite, suggesting early Mars may have been habitable and favourable for life to start. The discovery provides strong evidence that evidence for early life can be preserved and detected today.
Researchers found significant differences in mineral deposits on aortic valves between men and women with stenosis. The study highlights the importance of considering diversity in research to improve science.
Researchers discovered a potential new method to detect age-related macular degeneration using tetracycline staining and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Tiny deposits of lipids, proteins, and minerals under the retina can be visualized with this technique, offering enhanced early detection.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a self-adapting material that can change its stiffness in response to applied force, mimicking how human bone adjusts to its environment. This advancement holds promise for developing materials that can self-reinforce damaged areas and accelerate treatment of bone-related diseases.
A team of scientists from MIT has found evidence to contradict previous claims that the Earth's magnetic field existed beyond 3.5 billion years ago. The researchers studied zircons excavated from an ancient outcrop in Western Australia and concluded that these minerals are unreliable as recorders of ancient magnetic fields.
Researchers discovered a community of bacteria as dense as the human gut living in tiny clay-filled cracks in solid rock millions of years old. The bacteria's presence suggests that life can thrive in conditions similar to those on Mars, where nutrient availability may be limited.
Researchers have found that excess minerals in these rocks originate from feeder conduits, where magma interacts with cold sidewalls and crystallises. This approach has great promise for solving petrological problems of magmatic complexes.
Scientists identify two meteorites containing minerals with superconducting properties, shedding light on the potential for natural superconductivity in space. The discovery could help explain the formation of magnetic fields in celestial objects.
Nikhil Gupta received the prestigious Brimacombe Medalist Award from the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society for his innovations in lightweight porous materials. His work has led to eco-friendly materials with applications in marine, automotive, and aerospace industries.
Researchers found that type of natural organic matter affects rate and level of arsenic release from sediments. Arsenic contamination in water can cause health issues like poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Recent advancements in quantum mechanical computation enable precise predictions of complex minerals' stability, elasticity, and transport properties. These calculations reveal new insights into the Earth's deep interior, including post-perovskite phase boundaries and potential hydrous compounds.
Geologists from Wits University have found a mechanism that generates melts saturated in plagioclase alone, leading to the formation of monomineralic layers. These unique rock formations are common in layered intrusions worldwide and hold significant value for glass fibre manufacturing.
A new study by Dr. Martina Preiner and colleagues simulates the emergence of life in a lab environment using hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide as starting materials. The team found that these simple chemical reactions can produce the same building blocks used by early cells, providing insight into the origins of life.
The USGS report evaluates the global supply of and US demand for 52 mineral commodities between 2007 and 2016, identifying those posing the greatest supply risk. The top-risk minerals include rare earth elements, cobalt, niobium, and tungsten, which are crucial for mobile devices, renewable energy, aerospace, and defense applications.
Research team led by Professor Hagit Affek analyzed chemical bonds in calcium carbonate minerals from fossilized eggs to calculate body temperatures of dinosaurs. Their study found that dinosaur body temperatures ranged from 35-40 degrees Celsius, suggesting endothermic characteristics.