Astronomers have pinpointed the 'Venus Zone' as a critical area around stars where planets are likely to exhibit unlivable conditions. This definition will help Kepler researchers distinguish between habitable and uninhabitable planets, enabling better understanding of Earth's atmospheric evolution.
Researchers developed parameters to distinguish Venus-like planets from Earth-like ones based on distance from stars. The study identified 43 potential Venus-like planets with characteristics like size and orbit, but atmospheric conditions remain unknown.
Researchers investigate supperrotation on Venus and Titan using global atmospheric simulations. They find a global instability coupling equatorial waves, which could predict superrotation occurrence. This discovery helps scientists design spacecraft and landing missions for specific targets.
The Y dwarf WISE J0304-2705 is an extremely cool object, currently at 200-300°F (100-150°C), which may have spent its youth as hot as a star. Its unusual features suggest it could be an ancient object with a diverse history.
Researchers created a model showing how Mercury's core dynamics contribute to its unusual magnetic field, which is three times stronger in the north than south. This finding indicates that planets have multiple ways of generating a magnetic field.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science discover that genetic mutations affecting only half the population, like those causing male sterility, occur twice as often as those affecting males and females equally. This finding has implications for understanding causes of genetic diseases and developing targeted treatments.
A study suggests that Planet Mercury's unusual metal-rich composition is a result of early hit-and-run collisions with larger planets. This process could have stripped away Mercury's mantle without intense shock, leaving behind a mostly-iron body.
Four doctoral students at Washington University in St. Louis will train in mechanobiology, integrating biology with engineering and other disciplines. They will conduct research on various length scales and develop teaching skills through outreach activities.
Two planets in the Kepler-56 system will meet their fate when they are dragged into the star's expanding orbit. The inner planets will be destroyed due to tidal forces and intense heat from the growing star.
Researchers have developed a model to estimate the effect of Earth-like planet ingestion on star chemical composition. By analyzing twin stars with planets, they found significant changes in refractory element abundance, supporting the connection between exoplanets and stellar hosts.
Scientists discovered a relationship between the time of the Moon-forming event and material added to Earth, forming a 'clock' to date the Moon. The new method estimates the Moon's age to be 95 ±32 million years after the beginning of the solar system.
Researchers discovered that geologic cycles, including mountain formation and chemical weathering, play a crucial role in balancing atmospheric CO2 levels. This balance helps prevent the planet from becoming too hot or too cold, allowing life to thrive.
Giant hot flow anomalies can swallow Venus whole due to its magnetic field absence, posing a significant threat to the planet's surface. Observations from European Space Agency's Venus Express reveal frequent and large-scale space weather events at Venus.
Brain researchers discovered how Galileo's visual illusion works in the mind's eye, revealing that it occurs due to non-linear and exaggerated responses to light stimuli. This effect is responsible for various phenomena, such as why certain objects appear larger or smaller based on their dark parts in bright daylight.
The Opportunity rover has discovered evidence of conditions that support the chemistry of life in Mars' past, earning a spot in Science magazine. The 10-year-old rover explored Martian geology and environmental processes, searching for signs of habitability and life.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced the travel award recipients for the APS Professional Skills Training Course, promoting underrepresented minority students and postdoctorates. This year's program conferred $10,800 in awards to support participation of young scientists from diverse backgrounds.
Astronomers have successfully imaged individual stars in a nearby binary star system using a new instrument that combines adaptive optics and interferometry.
Researchers found that men are sensitive to impairing their image, but do not prefer who they complain to. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to complain to close friends when concerned about their reputation. The study challenges prior assumptions that negative word-of-mouth is largely driven by product performance.
Researchers study fossil estuaries, a 'natural wind tunnel' experiment on the Chinese Loess Plateau, frictional melting of rocks in water, glacial moraines in Colorado, and topographic data from Venus. These studies explore ecosystem stability, aeolian sediments, fault frictional properties, and volcanic lightning.
A new study published in The Lancet has found that compression stockings are a cost-effective treatment for venous leg ulcers, reducing recurrence and nurse visits. While some patients may not prefer to wear the stockings, they offer improved value for money for the NHS compared to traditional bandages.
A NASA sounding rocket called VeSpR is scheduled to launch on Nov. 25 to probe Venus' atmosphere and investigate the planet's water history. The mission aims to determine whether rivers once flowed on Venus and if the planet had ice.
A study investigated the optimal site for cell transplantation to treat spinal cord injury, using laboratory mice with contusive spinal cord injuries. The researchers found that intralesional injection of neural stem/progenitor cells led to motor functional recovery and improved survival rates compared to other sites.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed polymers that 'snap' when triggered by light, converting light energy into mechanical work. This phenomenon enables flexible devices with potential applications in robotics and biomedical engineering.
A NASA technologist has developed a fully automated tool, the Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG), that gives mission planners detailed directions for efficiently steering spacecraft to distant interplanetary destinations. The tool can calculate multiple trajectories in minutes, reducing the time required to design missions.
Researchers found a lower thermal radiation threshold for the runaway greenhouse process, making it easier to initiate than previously thought. This could lead to a revised understanding of the habitable zone and potentially revoke candidacy for some planets as possible habitable worlds.
A coronal mass ejection was detected heading towards Mercury and Venus on July 1, 2013. The CME is expected to pass by NASA's Messenger, Spitzer, and STEREO-B satellites with only slight particle radiation associated with it.
Researchers have identified the V5 region of the brain as the site of motion prediction, enabling humans to perceive objects at predicted locations despite visual processing delays. This discovery has implications for understanding and diagnosing disorders affecting motion perception.
Researchers have identified five planets within the habitable zone of a Sun-like star, including two planets similar in size to Earth. The discovery was made using data from the Kepler spacecraft and validated by high statistical confidence.
Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.
The University of Calgary has launched a satellite to track near-Earth asteroids, enabling researchers to study these rare and difficult-to-detect objects. The NEOSSat satellite will enable scientists to take hundreds of sensitive images daily to search for moving dots of light that represent asteroids.
A team of astronomers used the VIMOS instrument on the VLT to study a one-thousand-year-old supernova remnant. They found evidence of rapidly moving protons in the gas, which could be the necessary seed particles for cosmic rays to form.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reveals that men and women share a significant number of psychological traits, with most characteristics falling along a linear gradation for both genders. The authors conclude that traditional gender categories are not as rigid as stereotypes suggest.
Researchers at UC Davis study a rare meteorite, the fastest and rarest known to hit Earth, providing insights into the formation of planets. The team uses advanced techniques to analyze the meteorite's composition and internal structures.
Scientists observed and measured the tiny distortion in a star's light caused by Venus passing in front of it. The effect, known as the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, is difficult to detect but holds promise for studying exoplanets. Measuring this effect will aid in understanding the history of exoplanet formation.
A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.
New research suggests that planets orbiting white or brown dwarfs are unlikely to support life due to the cooling and shrinking of their habitable zones. The study's findings indicate that such planets would have had to undergo a 'sterilization phase' in the past, making them dead for hosting life.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.
Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show a shift in seasonal sunlight causing a sudden change in atmospheric circulation on Saturn's moon Titan. This unexpected turn reveals the key factor in Titan's atmosphere circulation is the slant of light, which led to sinking air at altitudes previously thought to be upwelling.
French physicists study Venus fly trap's leaf snapping mechanism, shedding light on its rapid closure. They use microfluidic pressure probe to measure cell wall elasticity and osmotic pressure, helping understand the botanical bite.
The research aims to test two theories on Venus' geological history, focusing on its volcanic activity and plate tectonics. The team will gather data from NASA's Magellan mission and create statistical models to analyze the orientations of volcanic constructs.
Senesky and Pavone, Stanford assistant professors, receive $200,000/year grants for research on extreme environments and spacecraft motion planning. The awards support development of materials and electronics for future NASA space programs.
Researchers use CRIRES instrument on VLT to study Tau Bootis b's atmosphere, measuring mass and carbon monoxide levels. The new technique allows for the detection of non-transiting exoplanets' atmospheres, enabling scientists to learn more about their atmospheric conditions.
Astronomers have found two planets with diverse densities and compositions locked in close orbits, defying the planetary pattern of our solar system. The discovery, made possible by NASA's Kepler Mission, reveals a 'puzzling pair' that challenges theories on planet migration and orbital rearrangement.
Researchers will observe the Arc of Venus, a glowing rim around Venus, to learn about its atmosphere and super-rotation. The phenomenon reveals temperature and density structures in Venus' middle atmosphere, shedding light on the planet's mysterious evolution.
The RHESSI satellite will utilize the June 5-6, 2012 Venus transit to improve its measurements of the sun's diameter. By analyzing the sharpness of the Venus disk as it crosses the sun, scientists can calibrate their instrument and refine their observations of the sun's horizon.
The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will observe the June 2012 Venus transit to calibrate its instruments and learn more about Venus' atmosphere. The transit provides a unique opportunity to test the SDO's orientation accuracy and understand the point spread function of the telescope.
Researchers have mapped the female fruit fly's post-coital behavioral switch using neural circuitry analysis. The study reveals that stimulation of specific neuronal clusters triggers a dramatic change in behavior, influencing both the female's and male's actions.
Archaeologists have uncovered a unique structure with paintings and hundreds of scrawled numbers at the ancient Maya site of Xultún in Guatemala. The discovery includes calculations relating to the Maya calendar, stretching over 7,000 years into the future.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope will observe the moon for seven hours before, during, and after a rare Venus transit on June 5-6. The telescope will capture reflected sunlight and isolate the small fraction of light that passes through Venus' atmosphere to study its atmospheric makeup.
Astronomers will witness a rare transit of Venus, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's surface, which won't happen again until 2117. The event will help scientists study Venus's atmosphere and potentially aid in finding extrasolar planets.
A new study at Rice University reveals that plant defenses are enhanced when plants are touched, triggering an insect defense response. This response is mediated by the plant hormone jasmonate, which plays a critical role in initiating plant defenses against insect-eating insects and some fungal infections.
Scientists have found that Mercury's core is larger than anticipated, occupying 85% of the planet's radius. The planet's topography shows smaller elevation ranges compared to Mars or the Moon, with evidence of large-scale changes since its geological history.
Scientists have found evidence of 'hot flow anomalies' on Venus, which are similar to those observed on Earth. These events release massive energy and can even deflect the solar wind back towards the sun.
Most of the Milky Way's 100 billion stars have planets similar to Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The research found an average of 1.6 planets in the habitable zone around each star.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found significant personality differences between men and women, contrary to previous underestimation. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 participants using a comprehensive personality test, revealing large discrepancies in traits such as warmth, sensitivity, and perfectionism.
Researchers have discovered two planets that survived being engulfed by their parent star, shedding new light on stellar and planetary systems. The discovery may also offer insights into the possible future of our own solar system.
Astronomers using NASA's Kepler mission have detected two Earth-sized planets, Kepler-20e and 20f, orbiting a G-type star. The discovery brings scientists closer to their goal of finding a twin Earth, with the planets expected to have rocky compositions and masses less than those of Earth.
Shakespeare's works show that physical symptoms like dizziness and fatigue are common in characters expressing strong emotions. This data suggests the Bard was a master at portraying psychological causes of physical symptoms, making his characters more human and empathetic.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University re-created the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus to study the presence of lightning sprites. The research aims to understand electrical and chemical processes on other planets, potentially indicating the presence of extraterrestrial life.
Researchers propose that Jupiter may have 'jumped' out of its orbit to avoid disturbing the inner solar system. The 'jumping-Jupiter' theory suggests one planet was ejected from the solar system, leaving four giant planets behind.