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NASA simulation indicates ancient flood volcanoes could have altered climate

Scientists analyzed a 14.7 million-year-old eruption in the Columbia River basalt formation, finding that it produced massive amounts of lava and gas that could have reached the stratosphere. This hypothetical scenario indicates that ancient flood volcanoes may have played a significant role in altering global climate patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateAug 7, 2015

Lab mimicry opens a window to the deep interiors of stars and planets

Researchers mimicked the conditions of distant planets and stars using a laboratory technique, revealing how noble gases behave under extreme pressures and temperatures. This discovery sheds light on the atmospheric and internal chemistry of celestial objects, including the mystery of Saturn's internal heat emission.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Intestinal gas could be used to diagnose diseases

Researchers propose two novel gas-sensing systems to measure intestinal gases, which may contribute to gastrointestinal diseases. These non-invasive methods could provide medical devices that reduce medical costs and improve healthcare system efficiency.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateMar 12, 2015

Laser sniffs out toxic gases from afar

Scientists have developed a system that can identify chemicals in the atmosphere from up to one kilometer away. The technique uses terahertz radiation and an infrared laser to detect toxic gases, including nerve gas, chemical spills, and industrial pollutants.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateDec 3, 2014

Better bomb-sniffing technology

Researchers have created a new material that can detect explosives and toxic gases in seconds, offering four advantages over current detectors: sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The breakthrough could lead to flexible solar panels and improved public safety.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 4, 2014

A noble gas cage

A new porous material called CC3 effectively traps radioactive krypton and xenon gases from nuclear fuel, using less energy than conventional methods. The material's selectivity is higher than other experimental materials, making it a promising solution for removing unwanted elements.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 20, 2014

Swell new sensors

Researchers at MIT's Quantum Photonics Laboratory have developed novel optical sensors with predicted detection levels in the parts-per-billion range. The sensors use microscopic polymer light resonators that expand in the presence of specific gases.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 17, 2014

Diagnosis just a breath away with new laser

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new type of laser that can detect very low concentrations of gases in exhaled breath and the atmosphere. The laser's high power and efficiency make it suitable for detecting gases such as methane and ethane, which are important in global warming.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 30, 2014

Swiss cheese crystal, or high-tech sponge?

Researchers at University at Buffalo have designed a new material called UBMOF-1, which can change the shape of its pores in response to ultraviolet light. This property makes it useful for applications like drug delivery and secure storage, where control over chemical compounds is crucial.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalChemical Communications·DateJan 27, 2014

A path to better MTV-MOFs

Scientists have developed a method to accurately predict the adsorptive properties of crystalline MTV-MOF systems, enabling the optimization of function and control of spatial disorder. The approach uses solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements with molecular-level computational simulations.

The quantum secret to alcohol reactions in space

Chemists discovered that quantum tunnelling enables alcohol reactions in space to occur vigorously at minus 210 degrees Celsius, 50 times faster than at room temperature. The phenomenon allows for the creation of methoxy radicals under extreme cold conditions, shedding light on complex molecule formation in interstellar space.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 30, 2013

Noble gases hitch a ride on hydrous minerals

Geochemists at Brown University have discovered noble gases can dissolve in amphibole minerals, providing a potential mechanism for their recycling between the atmosphere and Earth's interior. This finding is significant as it sheds light on how other volatiles like water and carbon are cycled.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 16, 2013

When water speaks

Computer simulations reveal that water stabilizes specific charge states on the catalyst surface, increasing efficiency and outperforming a gas phase. Researchers also found that thermodynamic conditions can control catalytic efficiency by varying pressure and temperature.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013

Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer

Research suggests that giant volcanic eruptions in Nicaragua over the past 70,000 years temporarily thinned the ozone layer by releasing bromine and chlorine gases. The team used a novel method to estimate gas content in lava rocks and combined it with existing data to calculate potential ozone layer depletion.