Research on Earth's systems and resources. Covers green energy, ocean oxygen and metal deposits, lunar exploration, and geothermal power.
The AGILE particle telescope will analyze charged particles in the heliosphere, shedding light on physical processes in space. The technology could help clinicians accurately measure radiation absorbed by cancer patients during therapy.
A team of scientists from Carnegie Institution argues that a planet's interior dynamics are vital for creating a hospitable environment. The researchers suggest that planetary composition and interior processes should be considered when searching for signs of life on exoplanets.
Astronomers discover that a violent neutron star collision near the solar system created 0.3% of Earth's heaviest elements, such as gold and platinum, 4.6 billion years ago. This cosmic event is believed to have occurred in our neighborhood, about 1000 light years from the cradle of Earth.
Researchers at Arizona State University have detected water in samples from the asteroid Itokawa, which suggests that impacts early in Earth's history may have delivered as much as half of our planet's ocean water. The team used ASU's NanoSIMS technology to analyze tiny mineral grains and found they were enriched in water compared to o...
Researchers used diamond inclusions to study the formation of mantle keels, which stabilize continental crust. The study found that thickening and stabilization occurred when mantle sections were squeezed by ocean floor material, resolving a long-standing debate.
Researchers found STEVE's source region in space and identified two mechanisms that cause it, with the reddish arc caused by heating of charged particles higher up in the atmosphere. The picket fence is powered by energetic electrons streaming from space thousands of kilometers above Earth, creating a unique aurora-like phenomenon.
A recent study synthesizes advances in the causes and formation mechanisms of severe haze pollution in northern China. Researchers found that seasonal emissions from residential heating and efficient secondary aerosol formation contribute to severe haze events.
Researchers found evidence of a solid inner core in Mercury, approximately 1,260 miles wide and making up half the planet's core. This discovery helps scientists better understand Mercury's interior and offers clues about how rocky planets change over time.
Recent studies suggest that high-energy particles from TRAPPIST-1's star could break apart complex molecules needed for life, while tidal forces may raise temperatures and drive volcanic activity on planets. This challenges the habitability of TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets.
Astronomers use thermal wavelengths to spot near-Earth objects, providing critical details for defensive strategies. This technique enables the calculation of energy required to nudge an object away from Earth's trajectory, shedding light on the solar system's formation.
The TESS mission has discovered its first Earth-sized exoplanet, HD 21749c, which orbits a nearby star in just 7.8 days. The planet is likely a rocky, uninhabitable world with surface temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
The discovery of Kepler-47d, the third planet in the Kepler-47 circumbinary system, sheds light on the formation and composition of low-density planets. The new planet's size and location were unexpected, with it being the largest of the three planets in the system.
The discovery of an Earth-sized planet and a warm sub-Neptune-sized world in the HD 21749 system marks a significant milestone for NASA's TESS mission. The planets have distinct orbital periods, with the sub-Neptune taking 36 days to complete its orbit.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that volcanic eruptions in the Siberian Traps led to a global catastrophe known as the Great Dying, which killed off 95% of life on Earth. The eruptions released massive amounts of mercury vapor into the atmosphere, causing acid rain and warming the planet.
A new MIT study suggests that primitive ponds, rather than oceans, were more suitable for brewing up Earth's first life forms. Shallow bodies of water, on the order of 10 centimeters deep, could have held high concentrations of nitrogen, a key ingredient for jump-starting life.
Scientists found no long-lasting, major differences between astronaut Scott Kelly's epigenome and his twin brother Mark's after a year in space. The study suggests that research on additional astronauts may help predict medical risks on long space journeys.
Scientists at UC Berkeley discovered that mountain formation in the tropics triggers global cooling, resulting in ice caps. The team found that volcanic arc-continent collisions in the tropics expose rocks with high CO2-absorbing capacity, cooling the planet.
A recent study published in Science found that a year-long mission to the International Space Station has a small but significant impact on the gut microbiome. The researchers discovered that the ratio of two dominant phyla of bacteria shifted during flight, but returned to normal after Scott Kelly's return to Earth.
Long-term spaceflight causes significant changes to gene expression, immune system, and DNA repair systems. The study provides insights into the effects of prolonged space travel on astronaut health and may help scientists develop treatments or prevention strategies.
The NASA Twins Study found no significant health differences for astronaut Scott Kelly after spending nearly a year in orbit. However, changes were observed in his DNA methylation and gene expression, particularly related to the immune system, which may persist after his return to Earth.
The NASA Twins Study found changes in gene expression and metabolite alterations that support the potential health effects of long-duration spaceflight on astronauts. The study also suggests that human health can be mostly sustained over a year-long space mission, with targeted countermeasures needed for future Mars missions.
The NASA Twins Study found that Scott Kelly's telomeres in white blood cells got longer while in space, contradicting initial expectations. This could mean a higher risk for accelerated aging and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A new space weather model accurately predicts 'killer' electrons in the Earth's outer radiation belt, providing a one-day warning before space storms. The model connects satellite measurements to electron population data, enabling reliable forecasts and protecting vital infrastructure.
New study models UV environments of nearby exoplanets, finding they could support life despite high radiation levels. The researchers argue that life has survived similar conditions on Earth and suggests the possibility of life existing today on planets like Proxima-b.
A new study maps historical biodiversity in unprecedented detail, showing that a cooler climate is crucial for conserving biodiversity. The researchers also debunk the notion of a brief ice age causing a major extinction event, pointing instead to volcanic activity as the primary cause.
Researchers found mostly human-associated microbes on the ISS, including opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. The study provides a comprehensive catalogue of bacteria and fungi, which can help improve safety measures for NASA's deep space human habitation.
Researchers Christoph Sens-Schönfelder and Tom Eulenfeld used seismic waves generated by surf and tidal effects to study subsurface properties. They found that the velocity of these waves can reveal information about deformations in the Earth's material, allowing for non-destructive analysis of subsurface stress and strain fluctuations.
Researchers have discovered new magnets based on more readily available rare earths and some promising magnets without these materials. These findings aim to ease the demand for scarce rare-earth permanent magnets by identifying alternative options.
A University of Rhode Island scientist has determined the temperature at the boundary of the Moon's core and mantle, finding it to be between 1,130 and 1,470 degrees Celsius. This discovery will help create a temperature profile through the Moon, allowing researchers to better understand its internal structure, composition, and evolution.
Scientists have discovered a unique fossil site in North Dakota that preserves the remains of hundreds of fish and other organisms killed instantly by a massive asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The site, dubbed Tanis, provides conclusive evidence of the impact's devastating effects on Earth's ecosystems.
A new publication outlines objectives for Mars Sample Return campaign, providing a blueprint for answering key questions about Mars. The University of Alberta is home to a vast collection of meteorites and experts like Chris Herd emphasize the importance of returning samples from Mars with context.
A Florida State University team has uncovered conclusive evidence linking sea level rise and ocean oxygen depletion to the Ireviken extinction event. The study reveals that reduced oxygen conditions played a central role in the mass extinction, with only about 8% of global oceans experiencing significant reductions.
Researchers found that Mars' rivers were twice as wide as those on Earth and had intense flow persisting until one billion years ago. This suggests a global, long-lived phenomenon of climate-driven precipitation during low-atmosphere conditions on Mars.
Researchers characterized two massive deep earthquakes in the Tonga-Fiji region, discovering complex geological processes and dual mechanism propagation patterns. The study suggests that these events can trigger subsequent large earthquakes and highlights the need to better understand deep-Earth processes.
The Cornell University-led study identifies 1,822 stars with conditions suitable for finding Earth-like planets and life-supporting environments. These stars are within reach of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope for atmospheric analysis and the detection of signs of life.
A new study reveals that the Earth's lower mantle is more dynamic than previously thought, with increased flow in regions where ancient ocean floors plunge into the planet's core. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how quickly Earth is cooling and the dynamic evolution of our planet.
Astronomers now consider carbon monoxide as a biosignature gas that could indicate microbial life on exoplanets. Computer models reveal two scenarios where carbon monoxide accumulates in the atmospheres of living planets, including ancient Earth and habitable exoplanets around red dwarf stars.
The Hayabusa2 mission provides valuable insights into the composition and history of asteroid Ryugu, helping researchers understand the presence or absence of essential materials for life. The study reveals that Ryugu is a dry asteroid, which challenges current models of the early solar system.
Researchers have identified tropical tectonic pileups as the likely trigger for three major ice ages in the last 540 million years. The team found that these collisions caused a chemical reaction between rocks and the atmosphere, pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and leading to cooling temperatures globally.
Researchers analyzed ancient ocean fossils to understand ecological transformation after mass extinctions. The study found that survivors shared similar traits with predecessors, but had a surge in modern traits like mobility and diverse feeding habits, driving recovery.
Scientists have observed that asteroid Bennu's rotation period is getting shorter by about 1 second every 100 years, a change that could lead to dramatic changes in the space rock. This acceleration is likely due to the YORP effect, which causes asteroids to spin faster or slower as sunlight hits them.
The study reveals that water molecules migrate over the course of a day, with higher concentrations at higher latitudes. This new understanding of lunar hydration has significant implications for future human missions to the Moon, where water could be used as a source of fuel or radiation shielding.
Scientists have observed water molecules moving around the dayside of the Moon, contradicting previous assumptions that it was arid. The amount and locations of surface water vary based on the time of day, with more common at higher latitudes.
The spacecraft studied the solar wind to better understand turbulence, which is a chaotic motion of a fluid. The mini-campaign provides scientists with an up-close view to push the frontiers of the field.
Astronomers find that binary star interactions can expand the habitable zone, increasing the likelihood of life on planets. Simulations reveal that 20 out of 350 binaries in young star clusters are squeezed together, expanding their habitable zones.
Researchers propose that obliquity is a key factor in the formation of pairs of over-tilting exoplanets, leading to extreme seasons and weather patterns. The study could have significant implications for estimating the structure, climate, and habitability of these planets.
Scientists have recovered accurate values for precession frequencies of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter using lake sediment data from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic epochs. The findings provide insights into climate variations driven by Solar System chaos and could constrain models of Solar System evolution.
Researchers have identified key aspects of planetary motions from a period around 200 million years ago, pushing the record back further than ever before. They used geological records to create a 'Geological Orrery', a precise history of solar system changes that can be extrapolated into the future.
A NASA rover mission in the Mars-like Atacama Desert has recovered subsurface soil samples containing unusual microbes that are distributed in patches, related to limited water availability and scarce nutrients. The findings will aid the search for evidence of signs of life during future planned missions to Mars.
New analysis offers insights into the nature of Planet Nine, estimating its mass as five times that of Earth and orbital semimajor axis of approximately 400 AU. The findings suggest that Planet Nine is likely to be reminiscent of a typical extrasolar super-Earth.
Researchers have discovered evidence of significant ocean oxygenation before the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), which occurred around 2.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding of oxygen accumulation, suggesting it may have extended over large regions of the ocean and even reached the sea floor.
The study predicts that WFIRST will find about 100 of those not-yet-discovered planets could have the same or lower mass as Earth. The telescope will map the Milky Way and other galaxies 100 times faster than Hubble Space Telescope, scanning a small piece of the universe with high resolution.
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.
Two Rice University faculty members, Mark Torres and Ming Yi, have been selected as 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows for their work in ocean sciences and physics. The fellowships provide $70,000 in funding to support fundamental research by early-career scientists.
A team of scientists used LOFAR data to study a massive solar storm on September 10, 2017, revealing that particles accelerate simultaneously in multiple locations. This discovery may help improve space weather forecasting and mitigate potential effects on communication, navigation, and power grids.
Researchers using NASA's IRIS have found evidence of pseudo-shocks, which may contribute to the corona's heat during solar maximums. The discovery adds a new clue to the long-standing mystery of coronal heating.
Researchers found rough topography on the 660-km boundary, rivaling the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, using data from a massive Bolivian earthquake. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the Earth's formation and function.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-led project seeks to identify and replicate prebiotic molecules under early Earth conditions. Researchers will explore various environments and their potential to give rise to life's chemistry.
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.
The twin Van Allen Probes are starting a new phase of their exploration, lowering their orbits to gather data on the dynamic radiation belts. The spacecraft will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere, providing insight into how oxygen can degrade satellite instruments.