General Science Thread

[DZ]

Sticking with Mars trip theme. http://www.livescience.com/56449-cos...ge-brains.html

Key to the ambitious endeavor, however, is ensuring the astronauts' safety, which may be difficult, according to a NASA-funded study published yesterday (Oct. 10) in the journal Scientific Reports.

This could be an issue.

The new study, in rodents, shows that astronauts could suffer from a phenomenon called "space brain" during the long trip to Mars, as cosmic radiation bombards their bodies and damages their brain cells.

Researchers exposed the laboratory-bound rodents to a level of radiation similar to that expected on a six-month one-way trip to Mars. They found that the radiation caused significant long-term brain damage, including cognitive impairments and dementia, a result of brain inflammation and damage to the rodents' neurons.

Train all your life, risk that very life, all to get to Mars. And then damage one's mind enough that you don't remember it? Nature can be cruel.

[DZ]

Sorry, 2 posts in one day, bad.

But, it's not every day there's a new crater on the moon. http://www.space.com/34371-lunar-imp...ter-video.html

[DZ]

More Mars. Lots in the news. http://www.space.com/34399-european-...othership.html

European Mars Lander Separates From Mothership, Takes Aim at Red Planet.

The European Space Agency's Mars-bound Schiaparelli module separated from its carrier craft — the Trace Gas Orbiter — at about 10:42 a.m. EDT (1442 GMT) as both spacecraft were in the home stretch of their 308 million-mile trek (496 million kilometers) to Mars. If all goes well, the two probes (which make up the ESA-Russian ExoMars 2016 mission) will arrive at the Red Planet on Wednesday (Oct. 19), with Schiaparelli dropping down to the Martian surface as its mothership enters orbit around Mars

The Trace Gas Orbiter, or TGO as it's called, is built to seek out water-ice deposits on or just below the Martian surface, according to an ESA mission overview. It will also investigate the presence of methane in Mars' atmosphere to help scientists learn exactly how the gas — which can be created by geological and biological processes — may have formed

[DZ]

Whoops. Update from above. http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/...an-mars-lander


Update: R.I.P. Schiaparelli: Crash site spotted for European Mars lander

Update: Poor Schiaparelli—your life was so short. Imagery released on 21 October from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) shows the bright, reflective surface of a parachute, and 1 kilometer north of it, a dark patch on the ground where before there had been nothing. In a statement, the European Space Agency (ESA) said this could be a small crater from the lander’s impact at more than 300 kilometers per hour, having fallen from an altitude of between 2 and 4 kilometers after its thrusters cut out too early. “It is also possible that the lander exploded on impact, as its thruster propellant tanks were likely full,” ESA said in its statement. Better imagery of the crash site could come in subsequent days from a higher resolution camera on MRO. Meanwhile, ESA reports that the Trace Gas Orbiter—the main scientific rationale for the ExoMars 2016 mission—is in good health, and is set to begin slowly lowering the altitude of its orbit so that it can begin looking for methane and other gases that could signal life on Mars.

[DZ]

There have been a spectacular number of failures with Mars missions, far more than one would even expect, giving conspiracy theorists (which, yes, I study) a field day.

Check out the last pic of a Russian satellite just before it met it's untimely end. That is "something" coming out of Phobos, the moon on Mars that has a density that led an actual real Russian scientist to argue it was hollowed out. (It's only a couple dozen miles across).




There is this "weird" picture of the "monolith" on Phobos:



Of which, Buzz Aldrin, either the second man on the moon, or a crazed conspiracy theorist said;

Fuel was added to the flames after Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, alluded to a similar monolith detected on Mars’ moon Phobos.
Speaking on a U.S. cable television channel he said: ‘We should visit the moons of Mars.

‘There’s a monolith there – a very unusual structure on this little potato shaped object that goes around Mars once every seven hours.

‘When people find out about that they are going to say, “Who put that there? Who put that there?” Well the universe put it there, or if you choose God put it there.’

There is the light on Mars - this, btw, is real, and they have no idea what it is or what caused it.



This is also a real NASA pic from the mars surface watching something rise over the surface:

[DZ]

Real science.

Planet 9? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/1...ay-outer-space

But starting in the ‘70s we had another tool—computer models. And that’s where a big mystery reared its icy head: Uranus and Neptune couldn’t have accrued where we see them today, way past the orbit of lovely ringed Saturn. And there were more mysteries: The physics of planetary formation being modeled suggested that dozens of sizable proto-planets might form. Some would surely be gobbled up, but with that many, some of them should have been favored by statistics and hung around.

One solution to those mysteries is now in better focus, and it comes with some startling conclusions: There may be lots of planets floating around free of our sun; the inner solar system was probably pummeled by a bunch more; and there might even be at least one lone survivor still out there, undiscovered, until now

The planet has yet to be seen. So why is it thought to be out there? And how can we know so much about it? Planet Nine is the best fit to explain the orbits of six distant objects. What’s odd about these six objects is that they have peculiar but remarkably similar orbits. These objects have been nudged off kilter and yet they are all shepherded together in the same region of space.

[DZ]

How about some very uplifting news on a Monday? Breakthrough in cancer research. We've all lost people to cancer. http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/04/health...-breakthrough/

Researchers discovered that even though cancer cells mutate wildly within a person's body, the cancer cells within each patient also have common mutations -- ones that could be isolated and fought off by certain immune cells

What this means for treatment

Quezada told CNN this discovery could lead to two kinds of treatment:

1) Making customized vaccines to target the core mutations in each patient.

2) Identifying which immune cells, or T-cells, can fight off those core mutations, then multiplying those T-cells in a lab.

Quezada said the customized vaccines would be "the ultimate personalized form of therapy."

Quezada said no human trials have started using either approach in light of the study, but said he hopes trials will begin within five years.

[DZ]

Cool. New Dinosaur found.

SALT LAKE CITY — About 290 million years ago, a four-legged reptile with three toes on each of its back feet strolled across the mucky land, the waves of a tidal flat likely lapping near its feet, a new study finds.

The ancient environment preserved this creature's footprints in a fossilized trackway that researchers are calling Chelichnus gigas. (Scientists name trackways like they do new species.) However, although researchers have a clear view of the animal's back feet, the shape of its front feet remains a mystery.

Long time ago. We've been around 20,000 years or so, dinos gone 65 Million

[DZ]

I've dealt with shape shifting in other things.

So, here. And don't say I never gave you anything. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/...t-flies?tgt=nr

Shape-shifting molecule aids memory in fruit flies

A protein that can switch shapes and accumulate inside brain cells helps fruit flies form and retrieve memories, a new study finds.

Such shape-shifting is the hallmark move of prions — proteins that can alternate between two forms and aggregate under certain conditions. In fruit flies’ brain cells, clumps of the prionlike protein called Orb2 stores long-lasting memories, report scientists from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo. Figuring out how the brain forms and calls up memories may ultimately help scientists devise ways to restore that process in people with diseases such as Alzheimer’s

[DZ]

In an effort to spurn interest in science w/ fosters, looking for more compelling stories. How about bringing back supersonic airline travel? http://www.vox.com/energy-and-enviro...light-concorde

“In aerospace, there are two great passions,” Scholl says. “You either want to build rockets and go colonize Mars — or you want to go really, really fast. People like Elon Musk are focused on the former. We’ve built a team that’s obsessed with the latter.”

A few years ago, Blake Scholl, a former coder and longtime amateur pilot, was messing around with spreadsheet models and realized that a number of recent advances in aerodynamics and engine technology could, in theory, allow engineers to build a plane that was far more fuel-efficient than the Concorde. “If you could do that, you could have a plane that was competitive with existing business travel,” he says. “I started running these numbers by various experts and realized it wasn’t just science fiction.”

He says science fiction like it's a bad thing? Anyway, shapeshifting and supersonic flight? I'm working hard here to keep up interest.

[willandi]

In an effort to spurn interest in science w/ fosters, looking for more compelling stories. How about bringing back supersonic airline travel? http://www.vox.com/energy-and-enviro...light-concorde












He says science fiction like it's a bad thing?

Just the other day I had to use my wife's flip open tri corder...er...cell phone. I much prefre my own, at least until they start using the liquid LED screens so they fold for storage and open for a large screen.

As a child my father emphasized that "Students taking physics should clean out their drawers at least 2-3 times a week".

[DZ]

Everybody say "Welcome" to our second moon!

NASA scientists discovered an asteroid that has been captured and is in stable Earth orbit, making it a constant near-Earth companion, or a second satellite. There are a lot of objects orbiting this planet—space stations, man-made satellites, and lots and lots of junk—but only one moon that we can see. Now, NASA has confirmed the existence of 2016 HO3.

The asteroid orbits very far from Earth and is more gravitationally affected by the Sun than Earth, but it does orbit Earth as well along its orbital path of the Sun. Don’t get too excited about walking on it one day, as it is considerably smaller than our natural satellite with dimensions of 40–100 meters (130–350 ft) across

[DZ]

Powerful Earthquake Rocks New Zealand http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-w...h-new-zealand/

A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island early Monday, killing at least two people, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure, and prompting emergency services to warn people along the coast to move to higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck just after midnight in a mostly rural area that’s dotted with small towns. Near the epicenter, it opened up snaking fissures in roads and triggered landslides

It caused damage in Wellington, the capital, more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) to the north and was also strongly felt in the city of Christchurch to the south. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes, and was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.

If that hit Southern California, (or Northern Cal), it would be "the big one" they've been fearing. It would kill thousands.

Tsunami threat: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11747414

Scientists investigating the mechanics of the earthquake say it faulted in the same way the February 22, 2011, Christchurch Earthquake did.

GNS Science seismologist John Ristau said the quake, which struck at magnitude 7.5 severe earthquake has struck 15 km north-east of Culverden at 12.02am, was the result of what's called thrust faulting, a type of reverse faulting.

In reverse faulting, in a compressed area of the Earth's crust, one rocky block - called the "hanging-wall" block - is pushed up relative to rock - "the footwall block" - on the other side.

One almost has to wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that The Moon is the closest it's been in 67 years! : http://www.space.com/34712-closest-supermoon-full-moon-since-1948-webcasts.html

The supermoon (perigee full moon) on November 14, 2016, will bring the moon closer to Earth than it has been since January 26, 1948. What’s more, the moon won’t come this close to Earth again until November 25, 2034. That makes the November 2016 full moon the closest and largest supermoon in a period of 86 years!

Giant earthquakes and super moons? Now, don't ever say the science thread isn't the place to be.

[Martin Centre Mad Man]

This is freakin' amazing.

I saw all twelve dots with no effort.

[DZ]

I saw all twelve dots with no effort.

Wow! Nice job. I have not heard from anyone who could. I'm not close at all, I have to focus on 4, then lose all the other 8.

[DZ]

Unbelievable picture from New Zealand, post earthquake:

[Bogozags]

Powerful Earthquake Rocks New Zealand http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-w...h-new-zealand/










If that hit Southern California, (or Northern Cal), it would be "the big one" they've been fearing. It would kill thousands.

Tsunami threat: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11747414



One almost has to wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that The Moon is the closest it's been in 67 years! : http://www.space.com/34712-closest-supermoon-full-moon-since-1948-webcasts.html






Giant earthquakes and super moons? Now, don't ever say the science thread isn't the place to be.

Extremely clear skies here in Hilton Head and that moon sure does look like it's moving towards us...but I am guessing that is just an optical illusion or so I hope...will let you know in the AM

[DZ]

NASA's going to check out Saturn's rings: https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/17fc0e5...mbarks-on.html

Consider it a cosmic carousel with countless rings up for grabs.

NASA's Saturn-orbiting spacecraft, Cassini, has begun an unprecedented mission to skim the planet's rings. On Tuesday, Cassini got a gravitational assist from Saturn's big moon Titan. That put the spacecraft on course to graze Saturn's main outer rings.

The first orbit of this new venture begins Wednesday night. Then on Sunday, an engine firing by Cassini should seal the deal, with the spacecraft making its first ring crossing.

I guess they save the most dangerous stuff for last, since if they do this right, the thank you the Cassini gets is to be dropped straight into the crushing gasses in Saturn.

[DZ]

Great stuff http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-.../#.WFG94eQzUtI

Soupy Mix of Minerals a ‘Jackpot’ on Mars

Recent findings from the Curiosity rover indicate that the clay and mineral deposits on the higher regions of Mount Sharp were ideal for hosting life. The rover regularly takes samples of the soil as it traverses the mountain and also uses its Chem-Cam laser to analyze the composition of rocks that are of particular interest.

Recently, Curiosity discovered something on the Red Planet that’s never been seen before: boron. This finding is of particular interest to scientists because boron is usually found in abundance of groundwater, and where we find water we tend to find life. NASA’s mission, after all, is to always “follow the water.”

[gu03alum]

A coworker was telling me about the Salton Sea. I googled it and came across this article. It was an interesting read.

Toxic Dust from a Dying California Lake

[DZ]

I sure hope people see this one: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0d9a594570c03

Arctic temperatures 50 degrees above normal. Temps for Christmas eve, right near Santa's house might get very near melting point. Unreal.

Temperatures in the Arctic are predicted to soar nearly 50 degrees above normal on Thursday in a pre-Christmas heat wave that will bring the frozen tundra scarily close to the melting point.

It’s the second year in a row the North Pole ― now in perpetual darkness after saying goodbye to the sun in late October ― has seen abnormally high temperatures around the Christmas holiday. It’s also the second time this year. In November, temperatures in the region skyrocketed 36 degrees above normal.

[Martin Centre Mad Man]

I thought you science types might like this.

http://www.vox.com/science-and-healt...h-year-science

[DZ]

I thought you science types might like this.

http://www.vox.com/science-and-healt...h-year-science

Wow, wow - thanx for posting.

I knew that they'd been looking and looking and looking, not even sure how to look - and I had absolutely no idea they'd found evidence this year.

It truly is a breakthrough. I've known of the "missing parts" in Einstein's General Relativity. Not that it's wrong, we wouldn't have anywhere near such accurate satellite gps if they didn't factor in relativity even at that short distance, I don't understand any of it about anything other than the scientists saying there are holes to their understanding. And, pretty well anything truly new has to at least be part of a search for Dark Matter.

Just, wow. Great post.

[bullzag23]

A coworker was telling me about the Salton Sea. I googled it and came across this article. It was an interesting read.

Toxic Dust from a Dying California Lake

Ah yes, the Salton Sea. It was going to be a resort town decades ago, until the salinity levels in the lake increased to the point that all the fish died off and gave the lake 'lovely' aroma. Now it's surrounded by abandoned towns, and may dry up over the next 10-20 years. I've seen it with my own eyes from the inside of a car. Wouldn't really prefer to get any closer.

[DZ]

The HELL? http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/...ng-dark-energy

DARK ENERGY - A SOLUTION

For nearly 2 decades, cosmologists have known that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, as if some mysterious "dark energy" is blowing it up like a balloon. Just what dark energy is remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics. Now, a trio of theorists argues that dark energy could spring from a surprising source. Weirdly, they say, dark energy could come about because—contrary to what you learned in your high school physics class—the total amount of energy in the universe isn't fixed, or "conserved," but may gradually disappear

If you really want your mind blown, those "strings" or "webbing" are made up of clumps of galaxies - millions of light years apart

Now, however, Josset, Perez, and Sudarsky show that in unimodular gravity, if they just go with it and allow the violation of the conservation of energy and momentum, it actually sets the value of the cosmological constant. The argument is mathematical, but essentially the tiny bit of energy that disappears in the universe leaves its trace by gradually changing the cosmological constant. "In the model, dark energy is something that keeps track of how much energy and momentum has been lost over the history of the universe," Perez says.