Some icy exoplanets may have habitable oceans and geysers
A NASA study expands the search for life beyond our solar system by indicating that 17 exoplanets (worlds outside our solar system) could have oceans of liquid water, an essential ingredient for life, beneath icy shells. Water from these oceans could.....»»
Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda is warmer and more acidic than ever, 40 years of observation show
Decade-long ocean warming that impacts ocean circulation, a decrease in oxygen levels that contributes to changes in salinification and nutrient supply, and ocean acidification are just some of the challenges the world's oceans are facing......»»
Astronomers calculate which exoplanets are most likely to have water
Astronomers know of about 60 rocky exoplanets orbiting in the habitable zones of their stars. When they try to determine how habitable these planets might be, detecting water in their atmospheres plays a huge role. But what if there was another way o.....»»
Large exomoons unlikely around Kepler-1625 b and Kepler-1708 b, astronomers say
Only two of the more than 5,300 known exoplanets have so far provided evidence of moons in orbit around them. In observations of the planets Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708b from the Kepler and Hubble space telescopes, researchers discovered traces of s.....»»
Melting fire-ice: Study finds climate change can cause methane to be released from the deep ocean
New research has shown that fire-ice—frozen methane which is trapped as a solid under our oceans—is vulnerable to melting due to climate change and could be released into the sea......»»
The ocean"s first large swimming apex predators had exceptionally rapid growth, fossil study finds
The rapid diversification of animals over 500 million years ago—often referred to as the Cambrian Explosion—saw the appearance of the first large swimming predators in our oceans. Amplectobelua symbrachiata, a member of the group Radiodonta, whic.....»»
Study: Your local sea snail might not make it in warmer oceans, but oysters will
The frilled dog winkle may sound like a complex knot for a tie, but this local sea snail holds clues to our warmer future, including a dire outlook for species that can't move, adapt, or acclimate as fast as their environment heats up......»»
Landscape dynamics determine the evolution of biodiversity on Earth, research reveals
Movement of rivers, mountains, oceans and sediment nutrients at the geological timescale are the central drivers of Earth's biodiversity, research published in Nature has revealed......»»
Minimalist or maximalist? The life of a microbe a mile underground
If you added up all the microbes living deep below Earth's surface, the amount of biomass would outweigh all life within our oceans......»»
Calciferous organisms are a good tool in climate research, says scientist
The fossil calciferous skeletons of single-celled foraminifers are a beautiful history book with information on CO2-levels in the oceans of the distant past......»»
Alien haze, cooked in a lab, clears view to distant water worlds
Scientists have simulated conditions that allow hazy skies to form in water-rich exoplanets, a crucial step in determining how haziness muddles observations by ground and space telescopes......»»
Study identifies key algae species helping soft corals survive warming oceans
Scleractinian corals, or hard corals, have been disappearing globally over the past four decades, a result of climate change, pollution, unsustainable coastal development and overfishing. However, some Caribbean octocorals, or soft corals, are not me.....»»
Astronomers discover two "hot Jupiters" orbiting red-giant stars
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has discovered two new "hot Jupiter" exoplanets. The newfound alien worlds, designated TOI-4377 b and TOI-4551 b, both orbit distant red-giant stars. The.....»»
Researchers develop AI model that uses satellite images to detect plastic in oceans
More and more plastic litter ends up in oceans every day. Satellite images can help detect accumulations of litter along shores and at sea so that it can be taken out. A research team has developed a new artificial intelligence model that recognizes.....»»
Blasts to clear World War II munitions could contaminate the ocean
World War II concluded decades ago, but live mines lurking on the ocean floor still pose threats, potentially spewing unexpected geysers or releasing contaminants into the water. Experts conduct controlled explosions to clear underwater munitions, bu.....»»
James Webb investigates a super puffy exoplanet where it rains sand
One of the least dense exoplanets known was recently investigated using James Webb, and the planet's weather seems is as strange as its puffiness......»»
Research in Lake Superior reveals how sulfur might have cycled in Earth"s ancient oceans
Geochemist Alexandra Phillips has sulfur on her mind. The yellow element is a vital macronutrient, and she's trying to understand how it cycles through the environment. Specifically, she's curious about the sulfur cycle in Earth's ancient ocean, some.....»»
Who should collect, manage and have access to data from the oceans?
Research institutions from Norway and other countries have collected a great amount of data from the northern oceans in recent years. Many people want access to this information......»»
NASA data reveal possible reason some exoplanets are shrinking
A new study could explain the "missing" exoplanets between super-Earths and sub-Neptunes......»»
"Bouncing" comets could deliver building blocks for life to exoplanets
How did the molecular building blocks for life end up on Earth? One long-standing theory is that they could have been delivered by comets. Now, researchers from the University of Cambridge have shown how comets could deposit similar building blocks t.....»»
Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is telling us more about its alien ocean
JUNO has spotted salt deposits that may have percolated up from a sub-surface ocean. Enlarge (credit: USGS) With Europa and Enceladus getting most of the attention for their subsurface oceans and potential to host life,.....»»