New theory of how Earth formed Scientists have found evidence that the Earth was created from a rapid landslide in less than 5 million years rather than a gradual series of celestial collisions, revising the longstanding theory of how Earth-like planets form in the galaxy. “With this new planet formation mechanism, the chance of having […]
Brain changes in astronauts Astronauts on space missions lasting six months or more have enlarged cerebral ventricles in the brain, according to a study of 30 astronauts. Researchers found that most ventricle expansion occurs during the first six months in space, but slows down after a year, and the astronauts’ brains fully recovered after three […]
Climate paradox of slashing emissions While cutting greenhouse gas emissions is necessary for reducing global warming in the long term, it may also lead to rapidly rising temperatures in the short term. R esearchers studying the emissions reduction during the pandemic show that while air pollution decreased, a lower concentration of aerosols led to a […]
Volcanoes, meteorites may be tied to life’s start Meteorites and volcanoes could have produced iron particles that served as a catalyst for creating life forms on Earth. Scientists conducted experiments using metallic particles from meteorites and ash from Sicily’s Mount Etna to see how iron may have helped convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons […]
Simulated accretion disks may explain black hole growth Researchers using the Mega Ampere Generator for Plasma Implosion Experiments produced spinning columns that mimicked artificial accretion disks by accelerating and then colliding plasma jets. One of the research team’s primary goals is to understand how black holes are able to grow when accretion disks’ orbits stay […]
Human pangenome captures genetic diversity A draft human pangenome published in Nature aggregates the genomic sequences of 47 people from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe and captures more genetic variation than previous reference genomes have. The researchers computationally aligned the sequences to form a map with branching paths that indicate genetic variation, and the […]
Mars formations may derive from similar material Scientists who reviewed data from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer on NASA’s Opportunity rover say Mars’ Burns formation and underlying Grasberg formation may have originated from a similar source material. Dust particles or ash from volcanic eruptions may have solidified before they were blown to the site and […]
Researchers compare hundreds of mammalian genomes Researchers working on the Zoonomia Project, an international study comparing the traits and genomes of some 240 mammal species, including humans, have released some of their findings in 11 papers published in Science. Researchers found conserved stretches of DNA common across species that are largely unchanged by evolution, and […]
Colour-changing dressing to aid in wound monitoring A wound dressing composed of a nanocellulose mesh with bromthymol blue dye that changes from yellow to blue when the wound has become infected has been developed. Being able to see instantly whether a wound has become infected, without having to lift the dressing, opens up for a […]
Scientists use AI to sharpen first black hole image Scientists have used artificial intelligence to refine the first image of a black hole taken in 2019. The picture reveals a skinnier doughnut-shaped ring and darker center than the original image. Full Story: The Associated Press Volcanic eruptions led to 2 ancient extinctions Carnivores died in […]