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Real-time space observations can now keep watch over ‘super emitter’ power plants

Scientists have successfully tracked CO2 emissions from the Bełchatów power plant in Poland using existing satellites. The study demonstrates that tracking-at-the-source is already possible for 'super-emitters' like this facility, and its success is an important achievement. The results indicate that the EU's planned CO2M mission will ...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Remote Sensing·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 28, 2022

Wobbling droplets in space confirm late professor’s theory

Researchers confirmed a key aspect of Professor Steen's theory on how liquids interact with surfaces, showing that water droplet mobility can be controlled by vibration frequencies. The study, conducted on the International Space Station, used microgravity to demonstrate the impact of surface roughness on contact line movement.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 16, 2022

How scientist proposed a novel Kalman filter for target tracking in space

A novel Kalman filter, GMCKF, was proposed to improve robot tracking accuracy in space with complex non-Gaussian noise. The algorithm achieves better performance under various non-Gaussian noises by utilizing a generalized Gaussian density function and automatic parameter selection.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2022

Women in space analogues demonstrate more sustainable leadership

A study by Inga Popovaitė suggests that women may be better suited for long-term space missions due to their positive and supportive leadership style. Women tend to focus on mutual support, motivation, and a positive environment, which can be beneficial in extreme situations where interpersonal conflicts can jeopardize team success.

SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalActa Astronautica·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2022

High school students measure Earth's magnetic field from ISS

Three high school students from Portugal used a Raspberry Pi computer to measure Earth's magnetic field in orbit, comparing their results to data provided by the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. They found significant differences due to static magnetic fields inside the space station, but improved results with more measurements.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAmerican Journal of Physics·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2022

Study of data from NASA, ESA and Russian space agency explores effects of extended spaceflight on brain

A study of NASA, ESA, and Russian space agency data found that extended spaceflight leads to changes in the brain's perivascular spaces. The research, led by Medical University of South Carolina scientists, used MRI scans to evaluate brain changes before and after six months on the International Space Station.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 12, 2022

Story tips: Beneath the skin, crustacean-inspired cotton, automating clean water, samples in space and capturing furnace emissions

Researchers analyzed skin cell data to identify gene expression patterns responsible for inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Crustacean-inspired cotton was found to control water flow through a special wicking mechanism. Autonomous water treatment systems were also developed to improve energy efficiency and waste reduction.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022

How scientists designed the assembly method of 3-arm robot to fix the load plate on space station?

Researchers developed an autonomous assembly method for a 3-arm robot to fix a multi-pin and hole load plate on a space station. This solution tackles the challenges of complex environmental lighting and matching multiple groups of holes and pins in the task. The study reduces astronaut safety risks by leveraging robots instead of humans.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022

How scientists designed the controllers for robot manipulators in the space station?

Researchers developed a recursive composite adaptive control method to improve the accuracy and dynamic performance of robot manipulators in the Chinese Space Station. The new controller reduces computational loads and achieves faster parameter convergence, making it suitable for high-degree-of-freedom robots.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateJan 11, 2022

Visual displays in space station culture

Researchers analyzed thousands of space station photographs to discover that Russian cosmonauts use walls to display religious icons and Soviet heroes, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. This study has practical applications for long-duration space missions, where understanding human identity and society is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 23, 2021

Studying thermophoresis in space

A multidisciplinary team of Lehigh University researchers will conduct experiments on thermophoresis in complex fluids for bioseparations at the International Space Station. The team hopes to understand how temperature gradients affect particles and improve virus separation techniques with potential societal impact.

Astronauts demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in space

Researchers have developed a novel method for studying DNA repair in yeast cells that can be conducted entirely in space, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The technique successfully demonstrated the viability of the new method on the ISS, paving the way for extensive research into DNA repair in space.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021

Microbial space travel on a molecular scale

Researchers found that D. radiodurans produced outer membrane vesicles and initiated multifaceted protein responses to alleviate cell stress after 1 year of exposure to low Earth orbit. The bacteria also used polyamine putrescine as a reactive oxygen species scavenger during regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalMicrobiome·DateNov 4, 2020

Space lettuce

Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMar 6, 2020

Detecting bacteria in space

Scientists have pioneered a new genomic methodology to identify and map bacterial species on the International Space Station, aiming to safeguard astronauts' health. The approach has applications in environmental management and healthcare, and will enable researchers to explore new microbiome environments.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateMay 22, 2019

Space microbes aren't so alien after all

Researchers discovered that bacteria on the ISS are adapting to survive in a stressful environment, rather than evolving into superbugs. The study's findings provide good news for astronauts and potential space tourists, but also highlight the need for precautions against illness transmission.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalmSystems·DateJan 8, 2019