A new study reveals a never-before described natural process in soil that converts nitrogen gases into nitrates through the action of visible and ultraviolet radiation. This finding is crucial for understanding the nitrogen cycle in soil, which affects global sustainability, productivity, and air quality.
Scientists at Curtin University have discovered the Yarrabubba crater, dated to 2.229 billion years ago, coinciding with the end of a global deep freeze known as Snowball Earth. The research suggests that the asteroid impact may have influenced global climate by vaporizing ice and releasing greenhouse gases.
Researchers discovered evidence of a strong early magnetic field in ancient minerals, dating back to 3.2-4.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that the magnetic field was relatively strong between 4.1 and 4 billion years ago, likely powered by an internal geodynamo.
School packed lunches in the UK still have low nutritional quality, with only 1.6% meeting food standards, according to a study. The analysis found that sugar levels decreased, while vitamin C content dropped significantly.
A recent study published in Science Advances analyzed a shocked meteorite sample, revealing the presence of bridgmanite and metallic iron nanoparticles. Bridgmanite is considered the dominant material in the Earth's lower mantle, making up about 38 volume percent of our planet.
The global low-carbon revolution faces a significant threat unless new governance mechanisms are established to ensure a sustainable supply of rare minerals and metals. The extraction and processing of these materials poses environmental and social risks, and their growing demand could lead to shortages and market instability.
Joanna Clark is developing a technique to study past Martian climate conditions using silica minerals. She plans to create silica minerals in the laboratory and analyze them for oxygen isotopes.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can degrade solid bedrock by oxidizing iron and extracting energy from it. The study found that these microorganisms use proteins on their outer surface to move electrons, allowing them to 'munch' rocks without taking minerals into their cells.
A deep-Earth water cycle is possible if a key mineral called stishovite can store and transport large amounts of water under extreme conditions. This discovery indicates that water could be present far into the lower mantle, altering our understanding of planetary evolution.
Researchers discovered a new aluminium hydroxide phase that remains stable at pressures exceeding the Earth's mantle. This finding suggests water can be stored in these hydroxides within deep Earth environments, terrestrial super-Earths, and icy planet cores.
New research suggests ancient microorganisms played a critical role in setting the stage for life on a dimly lit early Earth. These microbes transformed iron into rusty minerals without oxygen and served as a food source for other microbes, producing methane that warmed the planet's atmosphere.
New research suggests that ancient microbes played a crucial role in forming massive iron ore deposits and keeping the early atmosphere warm. The findings provide strong evidence for the 'faint-young-sun' paradox theory, which proposes that life emerged on Earth despite a less intense sun.
Researchers found that brand is the biggest influence on bread buying behavior, followed by type of wheat and value considerations. Only 1% of surveyed consumers regularly purchase gluten-free bread due to perceived lack of value.
A study analyzing carbonate minerals in Soreq Cave, Israel, suggests the summer monsoon periodically impacted the region during the last interglacial period. The findings coincide with archaeological evidence of human migration out of Africa, implying paleoclimate may have influenced early human movement.
A new study finds that nutrient supplements rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids significantly reduce child mortality among children 6-24 months old. The supplements may decrease mortality by up to 27 percent in these countries.
Researchers found that different clay minerals interact with organic matter to varying degrees, affecting carbon sequestration. Smectite and kaolinite form stable complexes with organic substances, while mica and chlorite bind tightly with continental carbon.
Researchers found that deliquescent minerals can assist the construction of proteins from simpler building blocks during cycles timed to mimic day and night on early Earth. This process, which avoids unpredictable storms, may have played a key role in the origins of life.
Researchers found layers of ancient African dust in volcanic rocks and dune sands on Canary Islands, dating back to 4.8-2.8 million years ago. The findings agree with deep-sea sediments and suggest the Sahara Desert has taken breaks, with wetter periods interspersed with arid times.
New study reveals that the temperatures on the dark sides of hot Jupiters are remarkably uniform, suggesting the presence of clouds made of minerals and rocks. This discovery could provide insights into cloud formation elsewhere in the universe, including on Earth.
Scientists have reconstructed 300-million-year-old rainwater to study the history of Western France and its mountain range. The analysis suggests that the area was once mountainous, near the Equator, and subject to violent tectonic processes.
Researchers have discovered a vast reserve of methane in the Earth's oceanic crust, formed through chemical reactions involving seawater and olivine. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding the origins of life beyond our planet.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the deep Earth's interior, determining the phase boundary for the transportation of water. The new phase H MgSiO4H2 has been identified and its decomposition process explained, shedding light on the complex geodynamics at play.
Researchers analyzed barium sulfate minerals to determine biosphere productivity post-Great Oxidation Event. The study found a significant decrease in biosphere size following the event, potentially driven by decreased nutrient availability.
The University of Edinburgh's space mining devices will be tested in orbit to study how microscopic organisms can recover minerals from space rocks. The experiment aims to develop ways to source essential materials for survival in space.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have found that electricity-driven reactions in deep-sea hydrothermal environments can reduce metal sulfides to native metals, promoting the reduction of organic compounds and potentially facilitating prebiotic chemistry. This discovery has implications for understanding the universality and...
Researchers found that a global cycle of matter underpins modern plate tectonics, with excess water in the transition zone of the mantle originating from an ancient ocean on Earth's surface. Komatiitic magma samples revealed significant quantities of water and chlorine in minerals, indicating a 'pumping' of water into the planet's inte...
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth from an extinct human species and found evidence of barium accumulation suggesting breast feeding up to a year, helping overcome seasonal food shortages. This finding may inform strategies to improve modern breast-feeding practices.
Seismic and electrical conductivity observations suggest water is present in the Earth's mantle, affecting dynamics and causing earthquakes. Hydrogen and water play key roles in lower internal friction, magma generation, and mantle convection.
Researchers reviewed 50 testosterone-boosting supplements and found that only a few had data to support their claims. Many supplements contained high doses of vitamins and minerals without any proven effects on testosterone levels. The study recommends more regulation around these supplements to protect consumers.
Scientists have discovered new compounds and minerals on Saturn's moon Titan, including a co-crystal made of solid acetylene and butane. This finding suggests that the bathtub rings suspected to exist around Titan's hydrocarbon lakes may be formed by these alien crystals.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source employ X-ray Laue microdiffraction to study tiny samples of promising candidate minerals. The technique successfully identifies ognitite, a newly discovered mineral with unique chemical properties.
A new study found that people who get less than 7 hours of sleep per night tend to consume fewer essential vitamins and minerals. The research also revealed a greater association between poor sleep and lower nutrient intake in women.
A new classification system could better understand mineralogy as a process of universal and planetary evolution by accounting for minerals' distinct journeys. This system, proposed by Robert Hazen, groups minerals into natural kind clusters that reflect the inherent messiness of planetary evolution.
A cross-disciplinary study by UH Manoa scientists reveals chemical and physical evidence of water formation on the Moon. The research proposes a mechanism where solar wind protons, lunar minerals, and micrometeorite impacts interact to produce water vapor.
A new analysis of oceanic crust cores has found distinct sections of rock with different chemical make-ups in the mantle. This variability could be linked to recycled oceanic crust and its interaction with the surrounding mantle.
The Chang'E 4 mission has collected new evidence from the largest crater in the solar system, shedding light on the moon's composition and evolution. The findings suggest that the lunar mantle may consist of equal parts olivine and pyroxene, contradicting previous theories.
During their 6,000-km journey to spawn, European eels undergo dramatic silvering and skeleton breakdown, redistributing minerals for energy reserves. The study found significant bone loss in females, with toxic metals transferred to ovaries, raising concerns about conservation impacts.
Researchers mapped aluminum monoxide around a distant young star, clarifying details about our solar system's formation. The findings suggest that AlO gas rapidly condenses into solid grains, similar to calcium and aluminum-rich inclusions found in asteroids.
Daniela Rubatto's research provides a new way to connect minerals' ages to their formation conditions, reconstructing the speed and duration of rock travel within the Earth's crust. Her innovative method uses an ion microprobe to extract valuable information from minerals, contributing to better understanding geological processes.
A new characteristic 'biosignature' has been identified to track the remains of ancient life on Earth. The discovery suggests that graphite-like crystals alongside minerals such as apatite and carbonate are indicative of biological origin.
A new study published in Neurology found no link between dietary intake of minerals like zinc, iron, and other minerals with the development of multiple sclerosis. The study involved over 80,000 female nurses and found no association between mineral intake and MS risk.
Researchers created a special food for elderly patients with swallowing difficulties, improving nutritional state and health indicators in just 10 days. The food is rich in unsaturated fat, vitamins, and minerals, making it easily consumable for those with swallowing issues.
A new study proposes using iron powder produced by bacteria to stimulate growth of phytoplankton in the ocean, which can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This approach aims to supplement decreasing carbon emissions and mitigate climate change by fertilizing microscopic ocean plants.
The Hayabusa2 mission has provided new insights into the composition and origin of the Ryugu asteroid, revealing it to be a porous 'rubble pile' with a highly porous interior and low density. The asteroid's surface is also characterized by hydrated minerals, which are ubiquitous across its dark surface.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team discovered evidence of abundant water-bearing minerals on the surface of asteroid Bennu using OSIRIS-REx spectral data. The findings are consistent with meteorites found on Earth and provide clues to the distribution and abundance of water in the early solar system.
Rosa Maria Rojas, a University of Arizona professor, has been awarded the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. She is the first Peruvian to win the award, recognizing her significant contributions to the minerals industry.
Computational study simulates CO2 reacting with rock surfaces to form carbonate minerals, revealing a stable method of long-term carbon storage. The findings suggest that 'mineral trapping' can be used for carbon storage and provide insights into the chemistry of CO2 mineralization.
Researchers studied mineral reactions using a technique called coherent diffraction imaging, revealing the formation of hematite and strain within iron oxide particles. The findings provide new insights into how minerals react in different conditions, with implications for understanding natural systems.
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.
A study led by CSIC reveals that carbonaceous chondrites transported hydrated minerals and organic material from the protoplanetary disk to Earth, enriching its water supply. The findings provide valuable insights into the accretion phases of early planetary bodies and the origin of water on our planet.
Researchers have visualized meteorite components at unprecedented resolution using atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables the analysis of organic matter distributions and associations with minerals in carbonaceous chondrites, crucial for understanding the formation of life and Solar System history.
Researchers at PNNL use APT to trace oxidation-reduction reactions and create the first 3D atomic maps of iron oxide crystals. These 'atomic maps' reveal a dynamic iron cycle, showing iron atoms filling in potholes on crystal surfaces and driving growth.
Scientists discovered that Antarctic meltwater streams retain their chemical composition regardless of flow rate, with high levels of chemical weathering being the primary mechanism. This finding has implications for understanding stream behavior and predicting water quality changes in temperate watersheds.
Researchers used X-ray diffraction to track dynamic processes in feldspar minerals during simulated meteorite impacts. The results show that structural changes occur at varying pressures depending on the compression rate, highlighting a need for further investigation to understand impact conditions.
Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.
Scientists recommend measures to prevent environmental damage from seabed mining, including improved monitoring and protection of Marine Protected Areas. They suggest moving towards a circular economy that reduces demand for virgin minerals.
The Japanese infrared satellite AKARI has detected hydrated minerals containing water in a number of asteroids, providing insight into the distribution of water in our solar system. The study reveals that C-type asteroids were formed by the agglomeration of rocks and water ice, followed by aqueous alteration and dehydration.
Researchers have identified hydrotalcites as capable of capturing CO2 in mine tailings, potentially improving carbon sequestration beneath the surface. The study found that these minerals can trap CO2 deeper into the tailings than carbonate minerals could, offering a new approach to reducing atmospheric emissions.
A new study found that daily hazelnut consumption improved biomarkers of vitamin E status and magnesium levels in older adults. The research suggests a potential link between hazelnut consumption and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has made groundbreaking observations of asteroid Bennu, revealing the presence of water molecules and hydrated minerals. The findings confirm that Bennu is an excellent specimen for the mission, which aims to return a sample of surface material to Earth in 2023.