Study Shows Life From Earth Could Temporarily Survive on Mars
Study shows sending microbes to Earth’s stratosphere, to test their endurance to Martian conditions, can reveal their potential use and threats to space travel. Some…
Frontiers
Mars Bioreactor Atmos: Biotech Fit for the Red Planet
New method for growing cyanobacteria under Mars-like conditions. NASA, in collaboration with other leading space agencies, aims to send its first human missions to Mars…
Unexpected Life: Strange Creatures Accidentally Discovered Far Beneath Antarctica’s Ice Shelves
Far underneath the ice shelves of the Antarctic, there’s more life than expected, finds a recent study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. During an…
Study Links Brain Cells to Depression – Brings Hope for Targeted Treatment Options
New research linking major depression to a reduced number of cells in the brain that support neuron function, brings hope for targeted treatment options. A…
Disappearing Glaciers Puts Alpine Plants at Risk of Extinction
Beyond the ski slopes, one of the most iconic symbols of the Alps are the alpine flowers. These plants are not only beautiful — they…
New Bacterial Culture Methods Could Result in the Discovery of Diverse New Species of Microbes
The culture-dependent study allowed to isolate a surprisingly large number of diverse and previously unreported bacterial strains from the Tabernas Desert. Microorganisms are the most…
Deconstructing an Ancient Jewish Parchment by Imaging Across the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Analyses of the materials in the scrolls helps put the object into a historical context and guides conservators in future restoration efforts. A picture may…
Highly Toxic Algal Blooms on the US West Coast Triggered by Ocean Heatwave
Fishermen, swimmers, and seafood enthusiasts may already know the dangers of “red tides,” but a recent study in Frontiers in Climate shows that climate change…
AI Analyzes Content of Nightmares, Finds COVID-19 Infects Majority of Bad Dreams
Study applies artificial intelligence to analyze content of nightmares using crowdsourced data from more than 800 people during pandemic lockdown in Finland. COVID-19 has turned…
Neuroscientists Study How Your Favorite Music Can Send Your Brain Into Pleasure Overload
Bringing neuroscience out of the laboratory and into the concert hall. We all know that moment when we’re in the car, at a concert or…
Large Trees Dominate Carbon Storage in Forests: 3% of Trees Account for 42% of Carbon Storage
Large-diameter trees make up 3% of total stems, but account for 42% of total carbon storage in Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems. Older, large-diameter trees have…
The Toughest Organisms on Earth: Evolution of Radio-Resistance Is More Complicated Than Previously Thought
Radio-resistance of bacteria can be induced independently, to the level of Deinococcus radiodurans (one of the most resistant bacteria). The toughest organisms on Earth, called…
Whale Shark Girls Overtake the Boys to Become World’s Largest Fish
A decade-long study of the iconic fish has found male whale sharks grow quickly, before plateauing at an average adult length of about eight or…
“COVID-19 Is Here to Stay” – Scientists Predict That SARS-CoV-2 Will Become a Seasonal Virus
Thanks to the sniffling noses, coughs, and colds that accompany the colder months of the year, we are all too familiar with the seasonal patterns…
Fluid Physics of Movement in Marine Snails Could Lead to Novel Bio-Inspired Underwater Vehicles
Cuvierina atlantica, a thecosomatous pteropod with an elongated shell. Credit: David Murphy and coauthors Poetry in motion: Engineers analyze the fluid physics of movement in…
Satellite Tracking Reveals Reef Manta Rays Make Long-Term Use of Marine-Protected Areas
Study uses satellites and photographs to fill in important gaps in migratory patterns for one of the world’s largest species of rays. Marine animals are…
Space Station Experiment Shows Bacteria Could Survive the Long Trip From Earth to Mars
Tanpopo mission addresses the possibility of natural interplanetary transport of microbial life called panspermia. Imagine microscopic life-forms, such as bacteria, transported through space, and landing…
Human, Bird and Reptile Tears Aren’t So Different – Critical to Healthy Eyesight Across Species
Bird and reptile tears aren’t so unlike our own, shows a new study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. But the differences could provide insights into…