Science

The Arctic Ocean may experience its first ice-free day as early as 2027, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers have stated that this significant environmental milestone is inevitable within the next 20 years unless drastic action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study, conducted by climatologists, has utilised advanced simulations

An experiment conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia has revealed the limited potential of mealworms in addressing plastic pollution. The study, published in Biology Letters on December 4, estimated that 100 mealworms would take approximately 138 days, or 4.5 months, to consume a single disposable face mask made from polypropylene. The findings

A decline in rice quality across East Asia has been attributed to climate warming, according to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters. The research, led by Dr Xianfeng Liu of Shaanxi Normal University in China, highlights the vulnerability of rice—a dietary staple for billions—to rising temperatures. Using 35 years of data from Japan and

A groundbreaking mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) involving two satellites designed to create artificial eclipses is scheduled for launch on December 04, 2024. The Proba-3 formation-flying mission will be carried into orbit aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The liftoff is expected 4:08 PM (IST). Live

A study published in Science Advances has identified a significant anomaly to Vagn Walfrid Ekman’s widely-accepted theory on wind-driven ocean currents. Conducted by a team of researchers from NOAA, the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services and the University of Zagreb, the study focused on the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. Data

A new study published in Science Advances by Jens Müller and Nicolas Grube from the Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics at ETH Zurich has highlighted the growing depths of ocean acidification. Using a 3D model of the world’s oceans, the researchers examined how carbon emissions since the industrial age have impacted marine chemistry. The

Timekeeping, a cornerstone of modern technology and daily life, is poised to achieve unprecedented accuracy due to groundbreaking research in atomic and nuclear clocks. Essential for global positioning systems (GPS), telecommunications and financial networks, the definition of a “second” has evolved over centuries. The latest innovations could lead to a redefinition of the second, enhancing

The first phase of astronaut training for India’s Gaganyaan mission, a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, has been successfully completed. ISRO announced this milestone in an official statment, which confirmed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the primary crew member, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup crew member,

A dramatic flow of lava from an active fissure near Iceland’s Blue Lagoon was captured by NASA’s satellites, highlighting the ongoing volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The images, taken by Landsat 9 and Suomi NPP satellites, were released on November 27, showing the intensity of the eruption that began on November 20. The infrared

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites was launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on November 30, 2024, at 12:00am EST (10:30am IST). According to a report, this marked the latest addition to the company’s growing Starlink constellation, designed to provide global internet coverage. Satellite Deployment and Low-Earth Orbit

NASA’s Curiosity rover is gearing up for a fresh phase of exploration on Mars, targeting a striking patch of surface features resembling spiderwebs. These structures, referred to as “boxwork deposits,” extend over an area of 10 to 20 kilometres and are believed to hold clues about the Red Planet’s ancient water systems, according to reports

Chinese scientists are reportedly racing against time to protect potatoes, a vital global food crop, from the adverse effects of climate change. Research conducted under the International Potato Center (CIP) in Beijing is said to have revealed alarming reductions in potato yields when exposed to higher temperatures. Potatoes grown in simulated conditions, replicating future climate

A recent study by researchers at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment has examined the water quality effects of a historic lithium mine in North Carolina, specifically near Kings Mountain. Conducted by a team led by Avner Vengosh, a Distinguished Professor of Environmental Quality, the study highlights the presence of elevated levels of lithium,

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft has begun deploying its scientific instruments during its journey to Jupiter. The probe, launched on October 14, 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Centre, is set to study Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. Europa is believed to possess a subsurface ocean, potentially harbouring conditions suitable for life.

A study published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science has reported the discovery of terrestrial micro-organisms in a sample returned from asteroid Ryugu by Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission. According to researchers, these microbes, identified as Earth-based in origin, had colonised the sample after its return to Earth in December 2020. The findings have highlighted concerns regarding the

Magnetic vortices descending from Jupiter’s ionosphere into its deep atmosphere are believed to trigger the formation of ultraviolet-absorbing anticyclonic storms, according to a study published on November 26 in Nature Astronomy. These storms, appearing as dark ovals, span the size of Earth and have been observed primarily in Jupiter’s polar regions. The phenomenon was first

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and open science by NASA has been reported to significantly advance disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. According to the space agency, NASA’s Disasters Program, supported by the agency’s commitment to open science, has been developing innovative tools and datasets to assist in managing natural disasters like hurricanes. These

A new analysis of Cygnus X-3, a distinctive stellar system, has been produced by XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission), a collaboration led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) with participation from NASA. By examining X-ray emissions from this unique binary system, XRISM has provided astronomers with the clearest depiction to date of the

Flowers of Hypenia macrantha, a species native to Brazil, have been observed using unique mechanisms to outcompete rivals during pollination. According to research, these blooms utilise a pollen “catapult” system to increase the chances of successful pollination. The strategy involves launching their pollen in a burst to displace rival pollen from the beaks of visiting

One of the most intense cosmic shockwaves has been observed in Stephan’s Quintet, a group of galaxies located approximately 290 million light-years from Earth. The event was triggered by the galaxy NGC 7318b colliding with four neighbouring galaxies at an estimated velocity of two million mph (3.2 million kmph). The collision produced a shock front