Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a highly reactive non-metal and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements and compounds. Oxygen is vital for life on Earth; it is a key component of cellular respiration for most terrestrial life forms and a critical component of the Earth’s atmosphere, making up approximately 21% by volume. In the atmosphere, oxygen mainly exists as diatomic molecules (O2), but it also occurs as the triatomic molecule ozone (O3), which plays a crucial role in protecting Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Beyond biological processes, oxygen is used in various industrial applications, including steelmaking, welding, and as a propellant in rocketry. Its ability to support combustion makes it essential in energy production and medical settings, where it supports breathing in clinical treatments.
Scientists discover metallic minerals split water to generate ‘dark oxygen’. An international study reveals that deep-sea minerals produce oxygen in total darkness, suggesting an alternative…
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have revealed how the Cambrian ‘SPICE’ event caused significant oxygen depletion in the oceans due to a chain reaction…
Earth’s “Great Oxidation Event” was spread over 200 million years, according to recent discoveries. New research highlights the Great Oxidation Event’s complexity, revealing that the…
Enhanced oxygen levels in the tropical ocean during an abrupt global warming event in geological history Oxygen is essential for maintaining life on Earth. The…
New findings from the James Webb Space Telescope reveal a surprising abundance of oxygen in the early Universe. Researchers discovered that oxygen levels in galaxies…
Scientists have discovered a pivotal role of oceanic anoxia in the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction, indicating that even localized deoxygenation can lead to widespread ecosystem collapse….
Riding with the Perseverance rover, the instrument has proved to be a viable technology for astronauts on Mars to produce oxygen for fuel and breathing….
The study of physical systems under extreme conditions offers valuable insights into their organization and structure. In the realm of nuclear physics, neutron-rich isotopes, particularly…
One in every ten breaths you take contains oxygen produced by cellular mechanism in microscopic algae. Take a deep breath. Now take nine more. One…
A small trial has found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may help restore proper heart function in patients with post-COVID syndrome, with participants in the…
NASA has successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum, using a specialized carbothermal reactor. This achievement is a major stride towards enabling…
When mice are subjected to sustained, low levels of oxygen similar to those found at an altitude of 4,500 meters, their metabolism changes. In comparison…
Scientists have discovered why elevated levels of oxygen can result in enduring health issues in humans. When it comes to oxygen, you can have too much…
Alternating Hemiplegia is a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder that stems from a mutation in the ATP1A3 gene. This condition affects children at an early age and…
Oxygen levels in the Earth’s atmosphere are likely to have “fluctuated wildly” one billion years ago, creating conditions that could have accelerated the development of early…
Ancient mass extinction was preceded by a drop in a crucial trace element. According to a recent study from Florida State University, a major extinction…
First, pause and take a deep breath. When we breathe in, our lungs fill with air containing oxygen, which is distributed to our red blood…
Continental movement is capable of throttling marine oxygen. A previously overlooked factor — the position of continents — helps fill Earth’s oceans with life-supporting oxygen….