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Ancient Climate Questions Could Improve Predictions
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| Topic: Climate |
04/12/13 |
| Summary:
A new study raises questions about climate models of the early Pliocene Earth. During this period in history, the Earth was warmer than today. As the modern earth warms, studying the Pliocene could provide clues about the future of life on Earth. |
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New Study Points to Proteins and Salt for Life's Origin
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| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
04/12/13 |
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A new study indicates that 10 amino acids believed to exist on the early Earth were capable of forming foldable proteins. The research suggests that these proteins could have been used in biological reactions in the first living cells. |
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Remaining Mars Atmosphere Still Dynamic
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| Topic: Mars |
04/11/13 |
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New data from the Curiosity rover indicates that much of Mars' original atmosphere has been lost, but what remains is still quite active. |
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How Rocky Planets Get Their Atmospheres
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| Topic: Geology |
04/11/13 |
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A new study suggests that the way carbon moves from within a planet to the surface plays a big role in the evolution of a planet's atmosphere. If Mars released much of its carbon as methane, for example, it might have been warm enough to support liquid water. |
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NASA Selects Exoplanet Satellite for Next Explorer-Class Mission
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| Topic: Missions |
04/10/13 |
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NASA's Astrophysics Explorer Program has selected two missions for launch in 2017. One of the missions is the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which will use an array of telescopes to search for transiting exoplanets ranging from Earth-sized to gas giants. |
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Retired Star Found with Planets and Debris Disc
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| Topic: Cosmic Evolution |
04/10/13 |
| Summary:
Astronomers have provided the first images of a dust belt orbiting a star that hosts a planetary system. The belt is formed by dust from colliding comets or asteroids. |
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Io's Volcanoes are in the Wrong Place
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| Topic: Jupiter System |
04/09/13 |
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A new study shows that volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io is not where models predicted it would be. The study provides new insight into the processes behind tidal heating. |
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Mapping the Chemistry Needed for Life on Europa
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| Topic: Europa |
04/09/13 |
| Summary:
A new study shows that hydrogen peroxide is present over much of the surface of Europa. If hydrogen peroxide mixes through the icy surface and into the water ocean below, it might be an important energy source for life. |
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Decoding the DNA of One of Earth's Great Survivors
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| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
04/08/13 |
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Scientists have decoded the genome of one of Earth's most abundant turtle species. The findings can teach us a lot about evolution and the unique survival strategies of turtles. |
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The Power Behind the Primordial Soup
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| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
04/07/13 |
| Summary:
A new study shows that molecules similar to those used in generating energy in modern cells may have been formed on the early Earth when meteorites containing phosphorus crashed in the pools of hot, acidic liquid near around volcanoes. |
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