Researchers estimate that opening protected areas to mining would lead to the destruction of 183 km² of forest and further loss of 7,626 km² due to infrastructure construction. The study highlights the need for strategic planning and environmental impact assessments before making changes to conservation policies.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 25, 2022
A joint study by TAU and Hebrew University accurately dated 21 destruction layers at 17 archaeological sites in Israel, using geomagnetic field reconstruction. The new data verify Biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian military campaigns against the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A team of researchers led by Goethe University Frankfurt analyzed a diamond from Botswana, revealing significant amounts of water stored in the transition zone. The discovery has far-reaching consequences for the dynamic situation inside the Earth, potentially altering global material circulation.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin created synthetic rocks to study rare earth element formation. The study reveals that fluids containing REEs replace common limestone via complex reactions, shedding light on the mechanisms of rock formation and industrial separation processes.
SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalGlobal Challenges·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022
A team of researchers has discovered 1.2-billion-year-old groundwater containing radiogenic helium, neon, and xenon, which could sustain subsurface microbial communities. The study reveals how energy stored in the Earth's subsurface can be released and distributed through its crust.
SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2022
Curtin researchers have found evidence of an almost four billion-year-old piece of the Earth's crust beneath Western Australia. The discovery was made by firing lasers at tiny grains of a mineral extracted from beach sand, revealing its geological history and influencing the region's evolution.
SourceCurtin University·JournalTerra Nova·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have discovered a method to date calcite trapped in ancient ocean floors, which could aid in sourcing critical minerals for electric cars and solar panels. This breakthrough could help meet the growing demand for renewable energy technologies.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalGeochronology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 2, 2022
A study published in Cell Reports Physical Sciences has measured the physical limits for liquid water in icy extraterrestrial worlds. The results show that cold, salty liquids can remain liquid at much cooler temperatures than previously thought, extending the range of possible habitats on icy moons.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2022
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
SourceCactus Communications·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2022
The Bushveld Complex functioned as a gigantic magma body, with a column of melt likely several km thick, contradicting the prevailing theory of non-existent large, long-lived and largely molten magma chambers. This discovery was made possible by 3D high-resolution X-ray computed tomography studies of chromitite.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 14, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers used geochemical data from 225 hot springs to create a detailed map of the boundary between the Indian and Asian continental plates, revealing processes occurring deep below the surface. The findings suggest that an old theory about the flat position of the Indian plate beneath Tibet is no longer tenable.
SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2022
Scientists propose a new mechanism by which oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere, shifting the planet out of its low-oxygen equilibrium. Interactions between certain marine microbes and minerals in ocean sediments may have prevented oxygen consumption, setting off a self-amplifying process.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2022
Researchers have discovered a surprisingly soft mineral, davemaoite, that plays a crucial role in the Earth's recycling of rocks. The study suggests that davemaoite is around 1,000 times softer than other minerals in the mantle, and its mechanical properties can help explain how earthquakes and volcanoes occur.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022
Researchers have measured deformation of mineral davemaoite under conditions inside the Earth's mantle, finding it to be surprisingly soft. This discovery challenges previous ideas about subducting slabs in the lower mantle, suggesting a detachment of crust from the underlying plate can occur.
SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ancient grains of sand, revealing details of the Earth's distant geological past. The 'age distribution fingerprint' of zircon minerals sheds light on the evolution of continents and the accumulation of mineral resources.
SourceCurtin University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 28, 2022
A team of researchers used advanced dating techniques to determine that the subduction of continental material occurred after the obduction of the Samail Ophiolite, contradicting previous estimates. The study provides new insights into subduction zones and their formation.
SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth·DateFeb 8, 2022
Researchers found evidence of high-intensity damage caused by asteroid impact in a Martian meteorite, challenging previous findings on early Mars habitability. The discovery provides new insights into dynamic processes that affected the young planet's surface.
SourceCurtin University·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
Researchers at MIT developed a selective separation process using sulfidation to target rare metals like cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. The approach reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional liquid-based separation methods.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2021
A new study suggests that clay minerals like smectite could store the missing water on Mars. Researchers found that iron-rich smectite can form at depths of up to 30 km, making it a potential reservoir for the planet's lost water.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals chemical heterogeneities in Apollo 17 sample troctolite 76535, indicating an early rapid cooling of the Moon. This finding challenges previous estimates of a 100-million-year cooling duration and supports initial rapid cooling of magmas within the lunar crust.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 14, 2021
A new nanotechnology developed by Penn State researchers selectively recovers neodymium and other rare earth elements from electronic waste using plant cellulose. The process is environmentally friendly and can separate neodymium in seconds, making it a sustainable solution for recycling.
SourcePenn State·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateNov 23, 2021
A team of scientists has identified a new force behind the past mass extinction event, finding that volcano eruptions produced a 'volcanic winter' that drastically lowered earth's temperatures. This change added to the environmental effects resulting from other phenomena at the time.
SourceNew York University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 17, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers from UNLV have discovered a new mineral, davemaoite, which originated between 410-560 miles deep within the Earth's lower mantle. The calcium silicate compound was trapped in a diamond and preserved due to its incredible strength, making it possible for scientists to study its structure.
SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalScience·DateNov 15, 2021
Researchers found that borosilicate glass was crucial for synthesizing amino acids and other prebiotic organic compounds. The study suggests that the emergence of life on Earth may be more abiotic than previously thought.
SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 2, 2021
Researchers have identified a quantum phase transition in ferropericlase, a mineral abundant in the lower mantle. The study, published in Nature Communications, confirms earlier predictions and suggests this phenomenon may increase tectonic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2021
Scientists recreated Titan's conditions, studying properties of organic molecules ACN and PCN on the moon's surface. The findings could provide insights into Titan's surface cracking and confirm its mineral composition.
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers at MLU and Brazilian University of Pará create climate-friendly cement alternative by replacing limestone with Belterra clay, a previously unused overburden from bauxite mining. The new cement is just as stable as traditional Portland cement and reduces CO2 emissions during production.
SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalSustainable Materials and Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021
Scientists have found evidence of hydrohematite, an iron oxide mineral containing water, in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests that Mars may have once had a watery environment and could hold a significant water reserve.
Researchers found that even in hydrated subducting slabs, dry olivine can exist, resolving a long-standing paradox. This discovery suggests hydrous minerals play crucial roles in the Earth's interior water cycle and contribute to deep-focus earthquakes and large plate deformations.
SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 26, 2021
Penn State is leading a $1.2 million project, CANARY, to assess and catalog northern Appalachian-basin critical mineral resources and waste streams. The project aims to extract valuable materials from coal waste, promoting regional growth and addressing national security needs.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study suggests that early Earth's hotter mantle could have stored more water than today, leading to a larger global ocean. The findings challenge previous assumptions about the size of the ocean and offer clues to its evolution over time.
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalAGU Advances·DateMar 30, 2021
Researchers used lab tools to mimic extreme conditions, redefining the conditions under which carbonates can exist in the Earth's lower mantle. The study expands our understanding of the deep carbon cycle and the Earth's evolution.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 24, 2021
Compressive stresses in the lithosphere induce grain mixing and damage, generating vertical weak bands that facilitate subduction initiation. These weak zones are susceptible to bending associated with subduction and may provide insight into plate tectonics on Earth.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2021
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.
SourceCactus Communications·JournalEarth Science Frontiers·DateJan 12, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
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.
SourceEhime University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 30, 2020
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
SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateNov 3, 2020
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University have improved a processing technology for monazite concentrate, increasing the extraction of thorium and rare earth elements. This new method provides a more eco-friendly nuclear fuel cycle with reduced waste accumulation and increased reactor lifespan.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers discovered that sodium and potassium make rare earth elements soluble, allowing for better predictions of their concentrations. This breakthrough could lead to new discoveries of neodymium and dysprosium deposits, essential for digital and clean energy manufacturing.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 9, 2020
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.
SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 2020
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.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 9, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
A team of scientists at MIT and elsewhere has determined that a family of oddball meteorites likely came from an early planetesimal with a magnetic core. The discovery suggests that the diversity of the earliest objects in the solar system may have been more complex than previously thought.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 24, 2020
Researchers found remnants of bridgmanite in large type IIb diamonds, suggesting they formed at depths of over 660 km. This confirms predictions that both the Hope and Cullinan diamonds are super-deep, originating from more than three times deeper in the Earth's mantle
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.
SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers discovered an oxygen-excess phase in the mid-mantle that contains more oxygen than hematite. This new phase could have long-termly oxidized the shallow mantle and crust, influencing global habitability.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 27, 2020
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.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalGeology·DateApr 2, 2020
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.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
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.
SourceEhime University·JournalAnnual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences·DateMar 2, 2020
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.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2020
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.
SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 21, 2020
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.
University of Queensland scientists have identified a new reference material and used a state-of-the-art instrument to better date rock formations in central Asia. This new method could help establish the relationship between historical episodes of magma activity and mineral accumulation.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateNov 3, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
The West Virginia Water Research Institute will scale up its Rare Earth Recovery Project with the new funding, which includes building a facility at an acid mine drainage treatment plant near Mount Storm. The project aims to extract rare earth elements from coal and coal byproducts, reducing dependence on China.
A new study suggests that ancient Mars experienced warm periods with flowing water, followed by cold periods where water froze. This finding is significant as it increases the chances of simple life developing on Mars around the same time as it did on Earth.
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.
SourceEhime University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 19, 2019
SMU's 'Titans in a jar' project aims to recreate Titan's conditions in laboratory cylinders, helping assess the possibility of life on the moon. Researchers will study chemical structures and organic minerals to understand Titan's potential for past or present life.
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.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateJun 3, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers have discovered naturally occurring photocurrents in iron and manganese mineral coatings on rocks in China. These coatings exhibit stable photocurrents under steady illumination and rapid changes with illumination fluctuations, suggesting a potential role in biogeochemical processes.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2019
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.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of the Geological Society·DateApr 8, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
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.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 22, 2019