Developing new processes to examine some of the rarest and most toxic elements on Earth
The synthesis and study of radioactive compounds are naturally difficult due to the extreme toxicity of the materials involved, but also because of the cost and scarcity of research isotopes......»»
Q&A: Using a new approach to shine a light on hidden plant microbes
Despite there being more microbes on Earth than stars in our galaxy, only a tiny fraction have been discovered. An approach called metagenomics—a type of DNA sequencing—may help scientists learn more about these elusive organisms, according to Pe.....»»
Toxic chemicals from Ohio train derailment lingered in buildings for months
New study offers lessons on how to better protect communities from disasters. On February 3, 2023, a train carrying chemicals jumped the tracks in East Palestine, Ohio, rupturing.....»»
Toxic chemicals from Ohio train derailment lingered in buildings for months
New study offers lessons on how to better protect communities from disasters. Enlarge / This video screenshot released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows the site of a derailed freight train in East Pale.....»»
Scientists find plausible geological setting that may have sparked life on Earth
Researchers have discovered a plausible evolutionary setting in which nucleic acids—the fundamental genetic building blocks of life—could enable their own replication, possibly leading to life on Earth......»»
Southern California study finds high levels of airborne plasticizers
A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that's been banned from children's items and beauty products......»»
Opinion: Enough, already—why humanity must get on board with the concept of "sufficiency"
Humanity's rapacious consumption is more than Earth and its climate can handle, which is driving an ecological crisis. Australians are the worst offenders per person due to our excessive resource use......»»
Most climate scientists foresee temperature rise exceeding Paris Agreement targets, study finds
A new survey of climate experts reveals that a majority believe the Earth to be headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to well-below 2°C......»»
NASA"s instruments capture sharpest image of Earth"s radiation belts
From Aug. 19–20, ESA's (European Space Agency's) Juice (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) mission made history with a daring lunar-Earth flyby and double gravity assist maneuver, a spaceflight first. As the spacecraft zipped past our moon and home planet.....»»
Can you see Earth"s new "minimoon" with the naked eye?
Can you see Earth"s new "minimoon" with the naked eye?.....»»
In storms like Hurricane Helene, flooded industrial sites and toxic chemical releases are a silent and growing threat
Hundreds of industrial facilities with toxic pollutants were in Hurricane Helene's path as the powerful storm flooded communities across the Southeast in late September 2024......»»
Developing artificial muscles to give weakened people their strength back
Researchers have succeeded in making artificial muscle fibers from rubber thread, paving the way for sewing the muscles into a blouse and giving renewed strength to the wearer......»»
European Space Agency releases new strategy for Earth observation
The European Space Agency (ESA) has released its new Earth Observation Science Strategy, Earth Science in Action for Tomorrow's World. Responding to the escalating threats from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and extreme weather and the.....»»
Hubble captures stellar nurseries in majestic spiral galaxy IC 1954
This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features the spiral galaxy IC 1954, located 45 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Horologium. It sports a glowing bar in its core, majestically winding spiral arms, and clouds of da.....»»
Engineers investigate another malfunction on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket
SpaceX probably won't be grounded for long, but this could affect the launch of Europa Clipper. Enlarge / The Merlin vacuum engine on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fired for six minutes to place the Crew-9 mission into low-Earth orbit.....»»
New assessment suggests Anthropocene started in the 1950s
A team of Earth scientists from the Center for Marine Environmental Studies, the University of Tokyo, The Australian National University, Matsuyama University, Kyoto University, and Shimane University, has found, via a new assessment, that the 1950s.....»»
Ants might be pushing montane birds higher up, study finds
Mountains are home to 85% of the world's amphibian, bird, and mammalian species, despite covering only 25% of the Earth's surface. This makes them a highly diverse ecosystem and a key focus for conservation efforts......»»
Watch out-of-this-world footage from the recent Polaris Dawn mission
A camera attached to the Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft recorded some remarkable footage from 450 miles above Earth......»»
Earth will have a temporary "mini moon" for two months
Earth's moon will soon have some company—a "mini moon.".....»»
SpaceX launches mission to bring Starliner astronauts back to Earth
SpaceX is bringing back propulsive landings with its Dragon capsule, but only in emergencies. Enlarge / SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft climbs away from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on Saturday atop a Falcon 9 roc.....»»
SpaceX set to launch mission to bring Starliner astronauts back to Earth
SpaceX is bringing back propulsive landings with its Dragon capsule, but only in emergencies. Enlarge / SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is ready for launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Spa.....»»