Science

In the experiments, we levitated a miniature ocean of magma on a stream of gases maintained melted by the heat of a powerful laser. This allowed us to calibrate the chemical reaction between iron and oxygen in the magma and relate it to the composition of the atmosphere. Credit: IPGP provided by the author Earth is the only planet we …

Credit: C0 Public Domain Neanderthal thumbs are better adapted to hold tools in the same way we hold a hammer, according to an article published in Scientific reports. The findings suggest that Neanderthals may have found precise grips – where objects are held between the fingertip and thumb – more challenging than grips when objects are held like a hammer, …

BERLIN – The European Space Agency says it has signed a 86m-euro ($ 102m) contract with a Swiss start-up company to return a large piece of orbital debris back to Earth. The agency said Thursday that a deal with ClearSpace SA would lead to “the first active debris removal mission” in 2025, in which a specially designed spacecraft will catch …

After the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced last Thursday the destruction and decommissioning of the iconic Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico, scientists, experts and many Puerto Ricans have gone to digital platforms to call on the government to save the 57-year-old observatory. Many of them, including researchers and students, use #SaveTheAreciboObservatory and #WhatAreciboMeansToMe hashtags to share the observatory’s impact …

Global warming appears to be causing trees to leave their leaves earlier, according to a new study that confuses the idea that higher temperatures delay the onset of autumn. The finding is important because trees draw huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and therefore play a key role in climate management. Rising temperatures also mean that spring arrives …

The possibilities do not end there. While we are currently relying on materials from Earth to build power plants, scientists are also considering using space resources for production, such as those found on the moon. But one of the main challenges before us will be to return the power transmitted back to Earth. The plan is to convert electricity from …

Space is a hostile place. We may have developed technology to put astronauts into orbit and return home safely, but scientists are still finding out how space travel affects human health, especially over long distances. This is essential before any planned mission to Mars to ensure the health and safety of astronauts on board these important flights. We already know …

From country life Jupiter and Saturn will catch up this December, creating a “double planet” in the night sky. This is the first time since the Middle Ages that the planets have been arranged so closely. You can see this planetary connection in the winter solstice, December 21st. For the first time since the Middle Ages, Jupiter and Saturn will …

The periodic table of the elements, created mainly by the Russian chemist Dmitry Mendeleev (1834-1907), celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. It would be difficult to overestimate its importance as an organizing principle in chemistry – all novice chemists get acquainted with it from the earliest stages of their education. Given the importance of the table, one can forgive the …

Credit: Unsplash / CC0 Public Domain The European Space Agency says it has signed a 86m-euro ($ 102m) contract with a Swiss start-up company to return a large piece of orbital debris back to Earth. The agency said Thursday that a deal with ClearSpace SA would lead to “the first active debris removal mission” in 2025, in which a custom-made …