Space weather: Explosions on Venus
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.
Search results for “Venus”
546 results for "Venus"
A wealth of habitable planets in the Milky Way
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.
Men and women have major personality differences
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.
Astronomers discover deep-fried planets
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.
First Earth-sized planets found
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.
Doctors could learn from Shakespeare’s deep understanding of mind-body connection
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.
Lightning sprites are out-of-this-world
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.
Giant planet ejected from the solar system
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.
ESA To Collaborate with NASA on Solar Science Mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate with NASA on the Solar Orbiter mission, a spacecraft designed to study the powerful influence of the sun. The mission aims to understand how solar activity affects Earth's magnetic environment and potentially damaging satellites.
In reading facial emotion, context is everything
Researchers argue that context, including conceptual information and cultural background, significantly influences facial emotional perception. Studies show that people can accurately perceive emotions only when context is provided, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on facial expressions.
SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateOct 3, 2011
Venus weather not boring after all, NASA/international study shows
A new study by NASA and international scientists detects temperature changes in Venus' upper atmosphere, contrary to the planet's harsh surface conditions. The findings suggest that atmospheric circulation patterns may be more complex than previously thought, with potential implications for understanding Earth's own atmospheric evolution.
From Star Wars to science fact: Tatooine-like planet discovered
Astronomers detect a double sunset on the newly discovered Kepler-16b, a planet similar to Saturn in size and mass. The planet orbits two smaller, cooler stars and is estimated to be around -100°C due to its distance from its parent bodies.
NASA awards $100,000 for space exploration power systems
NASA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Penn State researcher Michael V. Paul for developing non-radioisotope power systems. The project aims to explore sunless solar system missions using metal-combustion engines, which could enable low-cost planetary exploration without relying on radioisotope power sources.
Worldwide map identifies important coral reefs exposed to stress
The study creates a worldwide map of coral reefs, highlighting areas with high biodiversity and low stress, to inform conservation efforts. The researchers used fuzzy logic and publicly available data to group reef systems into clusters based on their stress exposure grades.
Clocking Neptune's spin
A University of Arizona planetary scientist has determined Neptune's rotation with high accuracy by tracking atmospheric features in its atmosphere. The discovery improves upon previous measurements and provides a better understanding of the planet's fundamental properties.
'Odd couple' binary makes dual gamma-ray flares
A team of astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope observed a unique binary system that produced dual gamma-ray flares during its closest approach. The flares were many times stronger than expected and occurred despite the star following an eccentric orbit, making them only visible every 3.4 years.
New solar system formation models indicate that Jupiter's foray robbed Mars of mass
Researchers propose a new theory on Mars' small size and low mass, suggesting that Jupiter's early gas-driven migration stripped the region of formation materials. The 'Grand Tack Scenario' simulation explains properties of the asteroid belt and its compositional differences between inner- and outer-belt bodies.
CU-Boulder to participate in NASA mission to land on an asteroid
A CU-Boulder team will participate in the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to map and collect samples from a primitive asteroid. The mission is expected to provide insights into the formation of the solar system and potentially shed light on the origins of life.
NASA to launch new science mission to asteroid in 2016
The OSIRIS-REx mission aims to study the asteroid 1999 RQ36, a primitive near-Earth object that contains original material from the solar nebula. The mission will return samples to Earth in 2023, providing insights into the solar system's formation and potential biosignatures.
Kepler's astounding haul of multiple-planet systems
Kepler's first four months of data reveal evidence for over 1,200 planetary candidates, with 408 residing in systems containing two or more planets. These multi-planet systems are characterized by flat orbits, tilted less than 1 degree, and lack Jupiter-sized gas giants.
Researchers get a grip on nervous system's receptors
Scientists used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques combined with wavelet transforms to study the AMPA receptor's behavior. They identified four distinct conformations of the receptor and found that its 'cleft' is constantly opening and closing, exploring space for neurotransmitters.
UF astronomers, NASA team find 6 closely packed planets orbiting same star
A NASA team led by University of Florida astronomers has discovered six new planets in a distant solar system resembling our own. The planets, orbiting Kepler-11, are rocky or ice-combined and have densities lower than water but higher than Earth.
Special section on stigma in Perspectives on Psychological Science: Group differences, not deficits
This special section of Perspectives on Psychological Science explores how psychologists can avoid stigmatizing groups by framing individual and group differences as strengths. Experts discuss the importance of challenging biases and stereotypes in research, teaching, and advocacy to promote a more inclusive field of psychology.
SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateDec 14, 2010
Venus holds warning for Earth
Scientists discovered a mysterious high-altitude sulphur dioxide layer on Venus that can help explain its formation. The new findings also suggest that injecting large quantities of sulphur dioxide into Earth's atmosphere to mitigate climate change may not be as effective as thought.
CCNY chemists design molecule that responds to stimuli
Researchers at City College of New York create amphiphilic molecule that forms self-assembled structure responding to temperature changes, resembling nature's own adaptation mechanisms. The discovery opens doors for designing adaptive soft materials that can take cues from nature.
Planet hunters no longer blinded by the light
Using new optics technology developed at the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory, astronomers have obtained images of a planet on a closer orbit around its parent star than any other extrasolar planet previously found. The discovery enables scientists to search for planets closer to the star than has been previously possible.
New computer switches handle heat that renders transistors useless
Researchers have developed electromechanical switches that can withstand twice the heat as transistors, enabling computers to operate in extreme temperatures. The switches, made from silicon carbide and nanotechnology, perform better than transistors at high temperatures and have no discernible leakage.
Plants that move: How a New Zealand species disperses seeds in a high alpine, wet environment
Researchers found that 10 out of 17 Veronica species in New Zealand's alpine environment exhibit hygrochasy, a type of seed dispersal mechanism that combines plant movement with moisture response. The study challenges the traditional view of plant movement and highlights the diversity of plant adaptations to environmental conditions.
AGU journal highlights
Scientists are studying how landmass shape affects Arctic sea ice extent, estimating rainfall interception in rainforests, and measuring mountain building rates. Landmass geometry influences Arctic sea ice growth, while forest canopy evaporation accounts for significant water resources loss. Researchers also investigate fault zone resp...
No such thing as a free lunch for Venus flytraps
Researchers discovered that Venus flytraps convert sugars into carbon dioxide and energy to power their traps, contradicting the idea of passive plants. The plants' digestive process provides a means to capture prey, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments.
Was Venus once a habitable planet?
Scientists studying the Venus Express mission have found that Venus likely had oceans billions of years ago, but they were likely atmospheric and short-lived. The loss of water into space has left the planet's surface dry today.
Scientists call for a new strategy for polar ocean observation
Scientists propose a multi-platform approach using automated technologies like glider robots and sensors on ships of opportunity to observe the polar oceans. This could help reduce uncertainty about the effects of warming on marine ecosystems worldwide.
May 2010 Geology highlights
This study examines the correlation between end-Triassic mass extinction and flood basalt volcanism, as well as the effects of water depth on pumice formation in submarine domes. It also investigates the relationship between climatic conditions and soil erosion during the last glacial cycle.
Venus is alive -- geologically speaking
Scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency found evidence of relatively young lava flows on Venus, suggesting the planet remains capable of volcanic eruptions. These findings indicate that volcanic activity on Venus is likely gradual rather than cataclysmic.
April 2010 Geology and GSA Today highlights
Recent studies have shed new light on explosive volcanic eruptions in the ocean, a 300-million-year-old forest from the Andes, and innovative methods for dating sedimentary rocks. Researchers have discovered a unique eruption style dubbed 'Poseidic,' characterized by uninterrupted magma ascent, while fossil evidence supports an ecologi...
A Venus flytrap for nuclear waste
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new material that permanently traps only the desired radioactive ion, cesium, from a sodium-heavy solution. The synthetic material, made from layers of a gallium, sulfur and antimony compound, sequesters 100% of the cesium ions while ignoring all the sodium ions.
First Earth-like planet spotted outside solar system likely a volcanic wasteland
CoRoT-7 b is a rocky planet circling a star 480 light years from Earth, with temperatures above 4,000 degrees F on its surface and potentially hosting multiple volcanoes due to its close orbit. Its extreme volcanic activity makes it unlikely to harbor life.
NASA awards CU-Boulder $3.3 million for concept study for mission to Venus
CU-Boulder is leading a $3.3 million concept study for a lander mission to Venus, aiming to study the planet's surface, climate, and atmosphere. The mission will compare Venus with other terrestrial planets and help understand Earth's fate.
Rice scientists divide and conquer
Researchers have discovered a way to visualize iron-sulfur clusters in living cells using a custom protein tag, enabling analysis of diseases involving these metalloclusters. This technique has high potential for helping find real treatments for diseases such as Friedreich's ataxia and myopathy.
Scientists think 'killer petunias' should join the ranks of carnivorous plants
Researchers suggest that many commonly grown plants, including petunias, have some carnivorous characteristics, and may even digest trapped insects. The study reviews the different levels of carnivory in plants and challenges traditional definitions.
University of Hawai'i at Manoa team unravels the chemistry of Titan's hazy atmosphere
A UH Mānoa team led by Ralf Kaiser discovered triacetylene formation in Titan's atmosphere through simulation experiments and theoretical calculations. This finding sheds light on the origin and chemical evolution of Saturn's moon, which may serve as a building block for more complex polyynes.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2009
For carnivorous plants, slow but steady wins the race
Researchers found that carnivorous plant traps are cheaper to make than leaves, contrary to evolutionary predictions. This discovery sheds light on how complete food webs operate, highlighting the benefits and trade-offs of nutrient allocation in plant ecology.
Mars and Venus: Short- and long-term success of male to female kidney transplants
A study found that female recipients of male donor kidneys have a higher risk of transplant failure in the first year after transplantation. However, this increased risk is reversed after ten years. The study suggests that H-Y antigens on male cells may elicit an immune response in female kidney transplant recipients.
SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 29, 2009
Red giant star Betelgeuse is mysteriously shrinking
UC Berkeley researchers have found that Betelgeuse, the bright reddish star in the constellation Orion, has steadily shrunk over the past 15 years. The star's diameter has decreased by more than 15% since 1993, a change that is striking to observe.
Arizona State researchers use multispectral images to reveal origin and evolution of planet Mercury
Researchers constructed a nearly complete globe of Mercury using high-resolution and multispectral images, revealing its composition and origin. The study suggests that Mercury's crust formed in repeated volcanic eruptions, unlike the Moon.
Star Trek-like technology offers noninvasive monitor for patients and athletes
The Venus prototype uses near-infrared light to measure metabolic rate, tissue oxygen, and pH without needle pricks. This technology has numerous applications, including emergency medical care, sports performance, and patient monitoring, and may improve survival rates for trauma victims and astronauts in space.
NASA twin spacecraft may reveal secret of Moon's origin
Stereo will use a wide-field-of-view telescope to search for asteroids orbiting the region, which could be leftovers from a Mars-sized planet that formed billions of years ago. The mission aims to provide three-dimensional views of space weather and study its effects on Earth.
AGU journal highlights -- March 12, 2009
Researchers investigated coral skeleton formation and found systematic compositional variations, complicating paleoenvironmental change proxies. Meanwhile, a study on Venus' vortices revealed similarities with terrestrial hurricanes, potentially aiding atmospheric superrotation understanding.
When texting, eligible women express themselves better
Researchers at Indiana University found that women use more non-standard language in texting, such as abbreviations and emoticons, to convey enthusiasm and individuality. In contrast, men tend to use standard language to achieve upward mobility and be perceived as polite.
Astronomers get a sizzling weather report from a distant planet
Researchers observed the intense heating of HD 80606b as it swung close to its star, providing clues to its atmospheric properties. The data enabled the creation of realistic images of the planet using computer simulations.
Where did Venus's water go?
Scientists discover hydrogen gas being stripped from Venus' day-side, indicating water is being broken up in the atmosphere. The loss of hydrogen and oxygen suggests that water on Venus was once abundant but has since been depleted.
Venus comes to life at wavelengths invisible to human eyes
Scientists study Venus' atmosphere using instruments on board ESA's Venus Express, discovering high-contrast zones created by a mysterious chemical that absorbs ultraviolet light. Clouds are found at similar heights across dark and bright regions, with temperature variations influencing atmospheric dynamics.
Scientists discover new planet orbiting dangerously close to giant star
A team of astronomers discovered a new planet closely orbiting the giant star HD 102272, nearly six times the mass of Jupiter. The planet's location near the star raises questions about how aging stars influence nearby planets.
AGU journal highlights -- August 6, 2008
Researchers study drought patterns in northwestern Africa, finding a recent drought is consistent with climate model projections. Hail precipitation in China decreases by nearly half since the 1980s, likely due to rising freezing levels. New data reveals variable wind speeds on Venus, including strong vertical shear at low latitudes.
AGU Journal Highlights -- July 3, 2008
Scientists studied carbon export in the deep Arctic Ocean, finding that most particulate organic carbon enters from surrounding continental margins. Meanwhile, research on Venus's magnetic field reveals new structures and turbulence patterns within its induced magnetosphere. Additionally, Antarctic sea ice forms unique, organism-rich l...
Celestial clues hint at eclipse in Homer's Odyssey
Researchers have identified four celestial events in Homer's Odyssey that match astronomical patterns, suggesting a total solar eclipse occurred on April 16, 1178 BCE. This could help date the fall of Troy and shed new light on Odysseus' journey.
SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2008
Hot climate could shut down plate tectonics
A new study finds that Earth's plate tectonics could become unstable if the surface temperature rises by 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more for a few million years. This would cause the crust to become locked in place, leading to volcanic activity and a lack of tectonic plates moving.
Biologists are from Mars, chemists are from Venus?
A two-year project at the University of Delaware investigates how scientists bridge disciplinary boundaries, finding that individuals can narrow back to niche specialization. The team also observes differences in culture between academics doing cancer research versus clinicians.
Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops
Astronomers are looking for Earth-like planets with liquid oceans in the habitable zone of their star. By monitoring the light curve of a distant planet as it spins on its axis, they can determine if the planet has water.
IU Health & Wellness: New research findings from the Kinsey Institute
The study, which examined men's reports of sexual desire and arousal, found that factors like depression, relationships, and scent play a significant role in shaping their experiences. The Kinsey Institute's dual control model suggests that separate systems for excitation and inhibition exist within the central nervous system.