The story of the red planet, it turns out, may be due for a revision. At one time, experts thought that Mars was covered with fields of rocks with iron trapped inside. Somehow or other, and over a long period, those rocks reacted to water in the air. That reaction formed rust, in much the same way it does when iron and water meet on Earth. Then, over billions of years, those rocks slowly eroded. As they broke down into dust, heavy winds spread the scarlet silty substance all around, until Mars†...read more
LTT 9779 b, an exoplanet 262 light years from Earth, always stares directly at the sun. With a surface of nearly 2000 degrees Celsius (about 3632 degrees Fahrenheit), the planet glows bright red while still reflecting starlight. Researchers have called it a rare ultra-hot Neptune.Thanks to images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) published in Nature Astronomy, researchers are now able to see and analyze extreme weather patterns on this intriguing exoplanet, which can help them better un ...read more
A red onion a day may keep the microplastics at bay. Or a serving of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, or cranberries may do the job. Really, any food high in anthocyanins — an antioxidant in many fruits and vegetables purported to fight inflammation and boost heart health — could offset the potentially harmful effects of microplastics accumulating in your body, according to a study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis.What Are Microplastics?Marine ecologist Richard Thompson coine ...read more
Our sun may be responsible for life on Earth, but stars across the galaxy are also responsible for creating a plethora of elements on the period table. These are some of the building blocks of life as well as the basic material that forms planets and other astral bodies.But how do stars form, evolve, and eventually die?The answer depends in part on the size of the star, and even then, the outcome may differ based on several factors.How are Stars Formed?Most stars form in a similar way. Clouds of ...read more
The first case of bird flu in cattle was reported on March 25, 2024. In less than a year, the virus has hit 973 herds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first issued an order to test cows that farmers intended to move between states last April. Then, in December 2024, the agency issued a federal order for milk testing. The order stipulated that unpasteurized milk samples be collected from dairy processing faciliti ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine