Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Remains of a modern glacier found near Mars' equator implies water ice possibly present at low latitudes on Mars even today      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists revealed the discovery of a relict glacier near Mars' equator. Located in Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus at coordinates 7° 33' S, 93° 14' W, this finding is significant as it implies the presence of surface water ice on Mars in recent times, even near the equator. This discovery raises the possibility that ice may still exist at shallow depths in the area, which could have significant implications for future human exploration.

Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Propeller advance paves way for quiet, efficient electric aviation      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Electrification is seen as having an important role to play in the fossil-free aviation of tomorrow. But electric aviation is battling a trade-off dilemma: the more energy-efficient an electric aircraft is, the noisier it gets. Now, researchers have developed a propeller design optimization method that paves the way for quiet, efficient electric aviation.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Understanding sound direction estimation in monaural hearing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

One of the fascinating features of human hearing is its ability to localize sound. While the human ear usually does this with binaural cues, it is, in fact, possible to locate sound direction with monaural hearing alone. Now, researchers have developed a method to estimate the direction of sound signals in 3D space using monaural cues based on monaural modulation spectrum that could help simplify sound surveillance techniques and enhance hearing aid instruments.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

New ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue -- a key indicator of disease -- has been developed.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Scientists call for global push to eliminate space junk      (via sciencedaily.com) 

As almost 200 countries agree a legally-binding treaty to protect the High Seas, a collaboration of experts in ocean plastic pollution and satellite technology has urged world leaders to learn lessons from the management of the High Seas and act now to protect Earth's orbit.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

ALMA traces history of water in planet formation back to the interstellar medium      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Observations of water in the disk forming around protostar V883 Ori have unlocked clues about the formation of comets and planetesimals in our own solar system.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

The planet that could end life on Earth      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A terrestrial planet hovering between Mars and Jupiter would be able to push Earth out of the solar system and wipe out life on this planet, according to a recent experiment.

Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

DART impact provided real-time data on evolution of asteroid's debris      (via sciencedaily.com) 

When asteroids suffer natural impacts in space, debris flies off from the point of impact. The tail of particles that form can help determine the physical characteristics of the asteroid. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission in September 2022 gave a team of scientists a unique opportunity -- to observe the evolution of an asteroid's ejecta as it happened.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumb trick inspires robotic exploration of caves on Mars and beyond      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Future space missions likely will send robots to scout out underground habitats for astronauts. Engineers have now developed a system that would enable autonomous vehicles to explore caves, lava tubes and even oceans on other worlds on their own.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

The future of touch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Haptic holography promises to bring virtual reality to life, but a new study reveals a surprising physical obstacle that will need to be overcome.

Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Hubble captures movie of DART asteroid impact debris      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In 2022 NASA embarked on a bold experiment to see if they could change an asteroid's velocity by smacking it with a ballistic probe -- kind of like hitting it with a hammer. This experiment was to test a potential technique to someday deflect an asteroid on a collision course to Earth. Perhaps, for the first time in the history of the universe, an intelligent planetary species sought ways to avoid its own potential extinction by threats from outer space (something the dinosaurs, who were wiped out 65 million years ago by a rogue asteroid, never evolved to accomplish).

Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

New NASA DART data prove viability of asteroid deflection as planetary defense strategy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Astronomers offer new insight into how deflection missions can protect the planet from future Earth-bound asteroids and comets.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Ultrasound device may offer new treatment option for hypertension      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new device that calms overactive kidney nerves with ultrasound consistently lowered blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, researchers have found.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Baby star near the black hole in the middle of our Milky Way: It exists after all      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have detected the heaviest and youngest infant star ever discovered close to the black hole at the center of our Galaxy. They also identified the region where this 'impossible star' may have formed.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Liquid nitrogen spray could clean up stubborn moon dust      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A liquid nitrogen spray can remove almost all of the simulated moon dust from a space suit, potentially solving what is a significant challenge for future moon-landing astronauts.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

A mysterious object is being dragged into the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An object near the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy has drawn the interest of scientists because it has evolved dramatically in a relatively short time. A new study suggests that the object, called X7, could be a cloud of dust and gas that was created when two stars collided. The researchers believe it will eventually be drawn toward the black hole and will disintegrate.

Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Cosmology Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

New discovery sheds light on very early supermassive black holes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Astronomers have discovered a rapidly growing black hole in one of the most extreme galaxies known in the very early Universe. The discovery of the galaxy and the black hole at its center provides new clues on the formation of the very first supermassive black holes.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: Optics
Published

Faster and sharper whole-body imaging of small animals with deep learning      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team presents technology that enhances photoacoustic computed tomography using a deep-learning approach.