Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers have found rounded pebbles on Mars that indicate flowing water, with sizes between 4-40mm. The findings suggest a prolonged warm period with flowing streams and a denser atmosphere, potentially making Mars habitable for microbial life.
The USGS has taken operational control of Landsat 8, the latest in a series of remote-sensing satellites that have been monitoring Earth's landscape since 1972. With this shift, at least 400 scenes will be collected daily to be processed and archived, supporting scientific research and decision-making on environmental issues.
A Purdue University-led team has mapped the location and development of mass concentrations, or mascons, on the lunar surface, resolving a decades-long mystery. The findings provide valuable insights into the moon's origin and evolution and will aid in navigating future lunar missions.
Astronomers have observed a spinning neutron star slowing down and spinning at a faster rate, providing clues to understand these dense objects. The discovery has important implications for understanding the extreme physical conditions present within neutron stars.
Astronomers detected a neutron star's abrupt slow-down with NASA's Swift observatory, which is an unprecedented event. The discovery of the 'anti-glitch' neutron star named 1E2259+586 has significant implications for understanding pure physics in extreme conditions.
A University of Alberta physicist collaborated with amateur astronomers to confirm the periodic bursts of light from a binary star, SS Cygni, 370 light years away. The team re-examined an established theory and confirmed its accuracy using data from ground-based radio telescopes and optical observations.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a M7-class solar flare on May 22, 2013, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME was not Earth-directed but may cause disruptions to satellites and electronic systems.
A mid-level solar flare (M7) was observed by NASA's SDO on May 22, 2013, causing brief radio blackouts at the poles and disrupting GPS signals. The sun is in its solar maximum phase, leading to an increase in flares and coronal mass ejections.
Scientists discover carbon spherules at multiple sites worldwide, indicating a massive comet or meteorite impact altered Earth's atmosphere. This event accelerated global warming and led to mass extinctions, including the demise of wooly mammoths.
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) was detected by NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory on May 17, 2013, traveling at speeds of around 745 miles per second. The CME is expected to cause a geomagnetic storm when it connects with the Earth's magnetic envelope.
A NASA-funded team will develop a miniature instrument to measure the amount of solar energy reflected by Earth and emitted as infrared radiation. The team aims to understand the Earth's energy balance, which is critical to climate science.
A strong X1.2 class solar flare was detected on May 14, 2013, with a non-Earth-directed CME caused by the flare. The CME is traveling at speeds of up to 745 miles per second and may impact spacecraft in its path.
The NRL-developed MIGHTI instrument will measure neutral winds and temperatures in the Earth's low-latitude thermosphere. The ICON mission aims to understand space weather events' impact on the ionosphere.
UGA researchers have developed a way to interrupt photosynthesis and capture electrons from plant cells, resulting in electrical current levels two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported systems. This technology could lead to more efficient solar panels and even competitive alternatives like plant-based systems.
Researchers found that water on the moon and Earth came from small meteorites called carbonaceous chondrites in the first 100 million years after the solar system formed. The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in the moon's water matches that found in chondrites, suggesting a common source.
Scientists found that the Moon's water originated from the Earth, suggesting the proto-Earth was already wet at the time of the Giant Impact. The study used hydrogen isotopes to determine the origin of water in the Moon and matched it with carbonaceous chondrites on Earth.
Researchers have found evidence of building blocks for Earth-sized planets in the atmospheres of two burned-out stars called white dwarfs. The silicon and low levels of carbon in these dead stars suggest that asteroid-like debris is falling onto them, potentially creating rocky planet assembly around stars.
Scientists discover that water on the Moon's mantle originated from primitive meteorites, not comets, raising questions about the formation of the Moon. The findings also suggest that most of the water on Earth comes from the same source.
Astronomers have found signs of rocky material in the atmospheres of two dead stars, suggesting that terrestrial planets may still exist. The debris detected around these white dwarfs is thought to be the remains of asteroids that were shredded by the star's gravity.
Researchers found Fe-60 iron atoms in sediments from ocean cores dating back to 2.2 million years ago, indicating a possible supernova impact on Earth. The discovery suggests that magnetotactic bacteria may have created magnetite crystals containing the radioactive isotope.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami are the subject of a special issue in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. Researchers investigated the rupture process, seismic radiation, geodetic deformations, and tsunami waves. The study sheds light on the processes at work during giant earthquakes.
Researchers found a surprising relationship between the oxidation state of iron in volcanic rocks and variations in the deep Earth's chemistry. The study revealed that lavas with lower iron concentrations are enriched in elements like barium and lanthanum, suggesting a role for carbon in the deep Earth.
The CU-Boulder instrument package, known as the Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), is designed to measure energy output from the sun that can affect satellite operations. The EXIS will provide rapid alerts for solar flares and monitor extreme ultraviolet wavelengths to track space weather effects.
Fermi's spacecraft dodged a catastrophic 1.5-ton bullet from the defunct spy satellite Cosmos 1805, avoiding an extremely close encounter. The successful maneuver was executed after NASA's CARA team predicted the potential collision just one week in advance.
A team of scientists, including a Michigan State University professor, has examined a nakhlite meteorite formed on Mars over a billion years ago. The study found mineral and chemical signatures indicating terrestrial weathering, which could provide valuable clues about Mars' habitability conditions.
Scientists successfully retrieved temperature measurements of the fault that caused the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The recovered sensors provide critical data on frictional heat generated by fault slip during the earthquake.
Researchers found sulfur-isotope signatures in oceanic lava flows indicating the material originated in Earth's Archean crust. The discovery supports the theory that most of the Archean crust was subducted or folded back into the mantle.
Researchers propose that white dwarf stars can support habitable planets, allowing for detection of biomarkers like oxygen and methane. The James Webb Space Telescope will be capable of detecting these signs after only a few hours of observation time.
Researchers analyze growth process of brinicles, hollow tubes of ice growing downward into cold seawater near the Earth's poles. The study suggests brinicles could have fostered emergence of life on Earth billions of years ago and may be important for life on other planets with ice-covered oceans
Researchers have discovered two hot spots in the outer atmosphere of Betelgeuse, a cool red supergiant. The hot spots are separated by half the visual diameter of the star and have temperatures of around 4,000-5,000 Kelvin, much higher than expected.
A global murmur, then unusual silence: A recent study found that following a major Indian Ocean earthquake, global seismic rates increased for days but subsequently dropped to zero for over 95 days. Researchers attribute this quiet period to the event causing short-term dynamic stressing of a global faulting system.
Researchers are working to extend earthquake risk estimates globally, studying hundreds of M≥7 mainshock events in 21 regions. Initial results show that remote triggering has occurred at least once in half of the regions studied during the past 30 years.
Researchers have identified five planets within the habitable zone of a Sun-like star, including two planets similar in size to Earth. The discovery was made using data from the Kepler spacecraft and validated by high statistical confidence.
Two new super-Earths and a Mars-sized planet have been found in the habitable zone of Kepler-62, a star similar to our Sun. These planets are thought to be solid and rocky or rocky with frozen water, making them potentially hospitable to life.
The Proba-3 mission aims to validate precision formation flight technology, enabling the creation of enormous space telescopes. Two satellites weighing approximately 340 kg and 200 kg will travel jointly attached together until they separate in a highly-eccentric orbit.
The NASA Wind spacecraft has detected 'SLAMS' waves in the region between the Earth's magnetosphere and the sun, showing that these structures may accelerate narrow jets of charged particles. The discovery provides new insights into how radiation and energy from the sun can cross the magnetosphere and impact near-Earth space.
A new ice cloud has appeared over Titan's south pole, marking the onset of a global air circulation reversal. The cloud is composed of an unknown ice type and appears to be building rapidly, while its northern counterpart is slowly fading.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new statistical model to compare modern and historical temperatures. The study found that the warmest summers in the last two decades are unprecedented in the previous six centuries.
A powerful M6.5 solar flare was detected by NASA on April 11, 2013, which also triggered an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME caused a geomagnetic storm, potentially affecting electronic systems in satellites and on the ground.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as an M6.5 flare, was detected by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on April 11, 2013, producing a radio blackout. The flare disrupted radio signals for hours and is the strongest seen in 2013 so far.
A three-year study by Professor Michael Blaber and his team suggests that proteins, not RNA, were the first molecules to form life. The researchers found that 10 prebiotic amino acids could be folded into complex protein structures in a high-salt environment, supporting a 'protein-first' view of abiogenesis.
Researchers at the University of Leeds found a compound called pyrophosphite, which is similar to ATP and could have acted as an earlier form of energy transfer. This discovery suggests that chemical life could be the missing link between geology and biology.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a 1,800-year-old 'Rosetta Stone' in tropical ice cores, providing the most complete picture of Earth's low-latitude climate history to date. The cores reveal year-by-year patterns in chemical composition, offering a new tool for studying past climate change.
In some Earth's mantle regions, the movement of subducted plates stagnates due to slow diffusion and transformation of mineral components. High-pressure experiments revealed that exchange of elements between minerals slows down significantly at depths of 440-650 kilometers, leading to congestion.
A new study links a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in central Oklahoma to wastewater injection, destroying homes and causing widespread damage. The researchers found that the pressure increase triggered by wastewater injection led to the largest earthquake ever recorded in Oklahoma.
The International Council for Science recommends six new Sustainable Development Goals that integrate planetary stability with poverty eradication. The goals aim to alleviate poverty while protecting the Earth's life support system, which is facing increasing threats from climate change and environmental degradation.
The EU-funded 'LUMINET' project aims to develop novel luminescent materials that minimize the use of rare earths. Researchers are exploring new methods to produce phosphors without these precious commodities.
Researchers used computer simulations of water to predict its behavior under extreme pressure and temperature. The results suggest that magnesium carbonate, previously thought insoluble, can dissolve in water at great depths, potentially returning carbon to the surface through volcanoes.
A solar storm was triggered by a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) approaching Earth, causing a mild geomagnetic storm with weak power grid fluctuations and minor impact on satellite operations. Aurora may be visible at high latitudes in northern US states such as Michigan and Maine.
A NASA research model revealed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) left the sun at speeds of around 900 miles per second, causing mild to moderate effects on Earth. The CME may also pass by the Spitzer and Messenger spacecraft, with only minor particle radiation associated.
Two CMEs were emitted by the sun on March 12-13, 2013, traveling at speeds of around 400 miles per second. These events are expected to have a minimal impact on Earth, with no particle radiation and limited geomagnetic storm effects.
A team of researchers studied water under extreme conditions, discovering its structure transforms from ordered to disordered at supercritical temperatures. This knowledge provides an improved estimate of water's behavior during geochemical and geological processes.
Researchers recalculated the commonness of Earth-sized planets in habitable zones of low-mass stars, finding nearly three times as many planets as previous estimates. The average distance to the nearest potentially habitable planet is about seven light years.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed two transits: an Earth transit from March 2-3 and a lunar transit from March 11. The eclipses showed distinct features due to Earth's atmosphere and the moon's curved shape.
Yue Deng aims to protect satellites and power systems from solar wind energy bursts. Her research focuses on the Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere interaction.
A new study reconstructs Earth's temperature history back to the end of the last Ice Age, revealing that the planet is warmer than it was during 70 to 80 percent of the past 11,300 years. The analysis also shows that global temperatures have warmed about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century.
Scientists reconstructed Earth's climate history using data from 73 sites worldwide, revealing that the planet today is warmer than during 70-80% of the last 11,300 years. The study suggests that global temperature will rise significantly by the end of this century under all plausible greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
New experiments show that complex molecules can form in icy grains in space, potentially bringing the building blocks of life to Earth. The discovery opens the door to comets or meteorites as a source for life's origins.
The Deep Carbon Observatory investigates deep carbon's movement, origin and forms, shedding light on the planet's oldest ecosystem. Studies suggest a significant amount of carbon may be locked into minerals and melts in the mantle and core.
At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, researchers create ultrathin layers of amorphous ice to replicate extreme chemistry found in space. They find that water helps amino acids last longer when exposed to cosmic radiation, producing new chemical byproducts.