Credit: DepositphotosAfter discovering the blood vessels responsible for finger wrinkles in water, young readers of The Conversation's Curious Kids series had more questions for scientists:"Do the wrinkles always form the same way?" one reader asked.Curiosity Sparks a Scientific Investigation"I thought, 'I haven't the foggiest clue!'" recalls Guy German, a biomedical engineer from Binghamton University...
Credit: PixabayGrowing evidence suggests that a hidden secret beneath Mars' dusty red plains could change our understanding of the planet: a massive reservoir of liquid water, buried deep within its crust.Mars, dotted with remnants of ancient water, has fascinated scientists as they unravel the mystery of what happened when the planet became cold and...
Some giant storms on Jupiter can generate mushballs if conditions are just right. (NASA)The weather on Jupiter may, in some ways, resemble phenomena on Earth, but there are peculiarities that completely defy our understanding.The “Mushball” HypothesisScientists now propose an explanation for the strange properties of the planet’s chaotic clouds: during massive thunderstorms with lightning and...
Credit: DepositphotosPlanetary scientists have long believed that Earth's water came from external sources, such as hydrogen-rich rocks and comets, which arrived after the planet formed, given the apparent lack of moisture in the early building blocks of Earth.New Research Challenges the Conventional TheoryHowever, a recent study by researchers from the University of Oxford and...
The meteorite used in this study—LAR12252—when it was discovered in Antarctica. Credit: The ANSMET (ANtarctic Search for METeorites) Program, Case Western Reserve University and University of Utah.Researchers at the University of Oxford have uncovered compelling evidence about the origins of Earth's water. By analyzing a rare meteorite type known as an enstatite chondrite—chemically similar...
Credit: pixabayWater is a cornerstone of life. Every organism on Earth depends on it, and our planet thrives with life due to its abundance of water.The link between water and life comes from both water’s unique properties and its abundance in the cosmos.The Origins of Water: Hydrogen and OxygenWater, with its simple structure of...
Credit: DepositphotosThe wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures, many of which were homes, and firefighters are still working to control the infernos. Parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other California communities are now left unrecognizable.As evacuation orders are lifted, residents returning to their homes should prioritize ensuring access...
Each "sentinel mollusk" used in a molluSCAN-eye setup provides water quality readings 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearmolluSCANScientists have developed a commercial water-quality monitoring system, molluSCAN-eye, which uses live, electronically enhanced mollusks to detect pollution. Filter-feeding mollusks like oysters and mussels naturally respond to pollutants by altering how they open their shells,...
Credit: PixabayDrinking water in developed countries is generally clean, yet invisible contaminants can still pose risks. For decades, scientists have puzzled over a mysterious “phantom chemical” in treated water. Now, researchers have identified this elusive compound, revealing it as entirely new to science.The Mystery of Chloramine By-ProductsChlorination is a common method for disinfecting drinking...
The new solar still has been tested in real world settingsCanadian scientists have developed an innovative device that can purify a gallon of water per day for just a few cents. Even better, this sustainable purifier is made from recycled tires and can also generate small amounts of electricity.Innovative Solar Still Turns Undrinkable Water...
