On September 28th 2015, NASA announced that they had made conformation of liquid water flowing on the surface of Mars. Photos taken from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed what researchers at NASA are calling, recurring slope lineae or (RSL), which are narrow, dark streaks on the planet's surface. NASA's director of planetary sciences division, James L Greene said, "We now have, I think, great opportunities to investigate the possibility of life."
The recurring slope lineae or RSL are about 15 feet in width or smaller and appear on slopes during the planets warm seasons. These lineae then fade during the cooler seasons only to reappear when the temperature warms again. Previous analysis of data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer found neither salt nor water. However, the new study has yielded greater detail.
A team of researchers, led by Lujendra Ojha, of the School of Earth Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, found evidence of hydrated salts like magnesium chlorate, magnesium perchlorate, and sodium perchlorate. All of these substances can effectively lower the freezing point of water so that it can flow freely at cooler temperatures. The average temperature on Mars is 70 degrees below zero but can reach as high as 70 degrees above zero near the equator.
NASA and other research institutions are developing new technologies to search for a bio-signature on Mars. Some of those bio-hunting devices are expected to be incorporated into the next NASA mission, Mars 2020 rover and the European Space Agency's ExoMars Mission. Researchers are now expressing some concern as to how life can be detected without causing cross contamination. Any robotic mechanism designed to detect Martian life may ultimately only be detecting life brought there from Earth.
The plan for future exploration is to use a sort of, "stand off," analysis. At this time, the idea is to use Raman Spectroscopy, which is a form of vibrational spectroscopy. While it's harder for Raman Spectroscopy to distinguish between fossils and carbon based materials, it is however very adept at distinguishing between organic compounds that were once alive and those that are living now. Some researchers believe that the ideal way to examine the Martian soil, is to do a Mars sample return.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
A New Species Of Human Is Found In South Africa
On September 10th 2015, scientists in South Africa announced that they had discovered what they believed to be a new species of human. The fossil find was made while searching the Rising Star Cave. The remains, which were many, covered the earthen floor just beyond the caves narrow entrance. Deep within what is being called the Dinaledi Chamber were the 1,500 bones of approx 15 hominids that have been named Homo Naledi.
The international team that made the discovery consisted of 60 scientists who were led by Lee R Burger. Burger is an American paleontologist and a professor of human evolution studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Burger says that the species' name, Homo Naledi, is derived from the cave where the remains were found, and that "naledi" means "star" in the local Sesotho language.
Researchers analyzing the Homo Naledi remains have yet to determine the actual age of the fossils. A determination has been difficult due to the muddled chamber contents and the absence of fauna. Because the species had a brain no larger than an orange, Dr Burger believes that it might have evolved near the root of the Homo genus. If this is true, then it's possible that Homo Naledi may have lived 2.5 to 2.8 million years ago.
The scientists who made the discovery have noted that Homo Naledi has a combination of both primitive as well as modern characteristics, which include their jaws, teeth and feet. The average Homo Naledi is believed to have stood five feet tall and weighed about 100 pounds.
The international team that made the discovery consisted of 60 scientists who were led by Lee R Burger. Burger is an American paleontologist and a professor of human evolution studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Burger says that the species' name, Homo Naledi, is derived from the cave where the remains were found, and that "naledi" means "star" in the local Sesotho language.
Researchers analyzing the Homo Naledi remains have yet to determine the actual age of the fossils. A determination has been difficult due to the muddled chamber contents and the absence of fauna. Because the species had a brain no larger than an orange, Dr Burger believes that it might have evolved near the root of the Homo genus. If this is true, then it's possible that Homo Naledi may have lived 2.5 to 2.8 million years ago.
The scientists who made the discovery have noted that Homo Naledi has a combination of both primitive as well as modern characteristics, which include their jaws, teeth and feet. The average Homo Naledi is believed to have stood five feet tall and weighed about 100 pounds.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Arctic Ice Shrinks To Fourth Lowest Level
On September 15th 2015, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) announced that the sea ice in the Arctic had reached its fourth lowest level in recorded history. The decline is seen as a long term trend that has been monitored via satellite since the 1970s. Melting sea ice is closely tied to warmer weather in the region as average Arctic temperatures continue to rise.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) stated that the lowest extent occurred on September 17th 2012, when the ice only covered 1.31 square miles of terrain. This year's level, reached on September 11th, was 1.70 square miles. The NSIDC went on to say that, "the nine lowest extents recorded during the satellite era all occurred in the last nine years. They added that in 2013, the ice experienced an unexpected revival when the volume was recorded as increasing by 41%.
Tony Scambos, head of the NSIDC science team, said that unlike 2012 when storms broke up a great deal of ice, there wasn't anything particularly extraordinary, in an atmospheric sense. He believes that the Arctic is "evolving," and says that, "even relatively typical summers in the Arctic lead to relatively low sea ice extents." NASA, which funds the NSIDC, added that, "The sea ice decline has accelerated since 1996.
The NSIDC has not released a full analysis of this year's ice melt. They note that there is still a chance that changing wind patterns or low season melt could possibly see the ice recede even further.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) stated that the lowest extent occurred on September 17th 2012, when the ice only covered 1.31 square miles of terrain. This year's level, reached on September 11th, was 1.70 square miles. The NSIDC went on to say that, "the nine lowest extents recorded during the satellite era all occurred in the last nine years. They added that in 2013, the ice experienced an unexpected revival when the volume was recorded as increasing by 41%.
Tony Scambos, head of the NSIDC science team, said that unlike 2012 when storms broke up a great deal of ice, there wasn't anything particularly extraordinary, in an atmospheric sense. He believes that the Arctic is "evolving," and says that, "even relatively typical summers in the Arctic lead to relatively low sea ice extents." NASA, which funds the NSIDC, added that, "The sea ice decline has accelerated since 1996.
The NSIDC has not released a full analysis of this year's ice melt. They note that there is still a chance that changing wind patterns or low season melt could possibly see the ice recede even further.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
NASA Creates Material That Heals Its Self
On August 27th 2015, NASA announced that it had created a material that can self heal after being punctured. The research, funded by NASA, and carried out at the University of Michigan, has produced a "Terminator style," material that may one day be used to protect spacecraft from being damaged by space debris.
The material consists of two layers of polymer with a third layer of a liquid resin called, Thiol-ene-Tryialkyborane, which is sandwiched in between them. When the material is punctured, the resin is released and mixes with the surrounding oxygen. The resin quickly hardens to form a solid plug in the damaged area.
University of Michigan researchers believe that the new material could also be used to line the inside of fuel tanks, in airplane hulls, or in just about anything that may face the risk of being depressurized due to a breach. The most notable possible application is the outer hull of the International Space Station.
The material consists of two layers of polymer with a third layer of a liquid resin called, Thiol-ene-Tryialkyborane, which is sandwiched in between them. When the material is punctured, the resin is released and mixes with the surrounding oxygen. The resin quickly hardens to form a solid plug in the damaged area.
University of Michigan researchers believe that the new material could also be used to line the inside of fuel tanks, in airplane hulls, or in just about anything that may face the risk of being depressurized due to a breach. The most notable possible application is the outer hull of the International Space Station.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Apple Is Moving Foward With Driverless Car
On August 14th 2015, The Guardian announced that it had obtained documents that confirm that Apple is building a self driving electric car. Despite some skepticism from some tech bloggers, Apple continues to hire engineers and car executives from around the auto industry, including some from Tesla Motors, which would indicate that they are moving forward with their plans to build a car.
The documents, which The Guardian obtained under a public records request, states that Apple's self driving car project is code named Titan. It further reveals that in May of 2015, Apple engineers from its Special Projects Group met officials from GoMentum Station. GoMentum Station is a former Navel base outside San Fransisco that is now being used as a high security test facility for autonomous vehicles.
Also, in the documents obtained by The Guardian, is a correspondence from Apple's Frank Fearon, who stated, "We would Like to get an understanding of timing and availability for the space and how we would need to coordinate around other parties who would be using it." The GoMentum Station site offers 20 miles of everyday transport scenarios and 24 hour surveillance provided by armed soldiers.
While the details of project Titan remain unknown, there are reports that Apple has met with officials from German car maker BMW. It is believed that Apple is interested in the carbon fiber reinforced BMW i3 electric vehicle, which is thought to be the most energy efficient car in the US.
The documents, which The Guardian obtained under a public records request, states that Apple's self driving car project is code named Titan. It further reveals that in May of 2015, Apple engineers from its Special Projects Group met officials from GoMentum Station. GoMentum Station is a former Navel base outside San Fransisco that is now being used as a high security test facility for autonomous vehicles.
Also, in the documents obtained by The Guardian, is a correspondence from Apple's Frank Fearon, who stated, "We would Like to get an understanding of timing and availability for the space and how we would need to coordinate around other parties who would be using it." The GoMentum Station site offers 20 miles of everyday transport scenarios and 24 hour surveillance provided by armed soldiers.
While the details of project Titan remain unknown, there are reports that Apple has met with officials from German car maker BMW. It is believed that Apple is interested in the carbon fiber reinforced BMW i3 electric vehicle, which is thought to be the most energy efficient car in the US.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Study Suggests That Aboriginies Were First Americans
On July 21st 2015, it was announced that a study has revealed a genetic link between Australian Aborigines and Amazonians of Brazil. The study, co authored by David Reich, was done by a group of researchers from Harvard University. Reich says that, "About 2% of the ancestry of Amazonians today comes from this Australian lineage that's not present anywhere in the Americas."
It has always been the conclusion that native Americans from both continents originally migrated across an icy land bridge between Russia and Alaska in the Baring Straits. The new study proposes that a first migration that took place some 15,000 years ago, came from two groups, Eurasians and native people from the continents that form the Pacific Ring, and include, Australia, New Guinea, and the Andaman Islands. The Harvard study also suggests that the latter group may have actually been the first of the two to make the journey.
Reich and his research group collected and analyzed the DNA of nine Brazilian populations. They then compared that DNA with with the genomes of 200 non American Populations. What they found was that the Karitiana Tribe, Tupi speaking Surui people that first came in contact with the modern world in 1969, and the Ge-speaking Eastern Brazilians, all had a genetic link to indigenous Australians. However, the Harvard research team was not able to find any other traces in any other Native American groups in South, Central, or North America.
The Harvard research team believes that the genetic link may be as old as the first humans to colonize the continent, and that the Aborigine population might have even been living in the area before Native Americans. They say that their findings also suggests that skeletons of some Native Americans found in Brazil have skulls that have Australian features, and that this may mean that there was a greater diversity of the founding population than what was once believed.
It has always been the conclusion that native Americans from both continents originally migrated across an icy land bridge between Russia and Alaska in the Baring Straits. The new study proposes that a first migration that took place some 15,000 years ago, came from two groups, Eurasians and native people from the continents that form the Pacific Ring, and include, Australia, New Guinea, and the Andaman Islands. The Harvard study also suggests that the latter group may have actually been the first of the two to make the journey.
Reich and his research group collected and analyzed the DNA of nine Brazilian populations. They then compared that DNA with with the genomes of 200 non American Populations. What they found was that the Karitiana Tribe, Tupi speaking Surui people that first came in contact with the modern world in 1969, and the Ge-speaking Eastern Brazilians, all had a genetic link to indigenous Australians. However, the Harvard research team was not able to find any other traces in any other Native American groups in South, Central, or North America.
The Harvard research team believes that the genetic link may be as old as the first humans to colonize the continent, and that the Aborigine population might have even been living in the area before Native Americans. They say that their findings also suggests that skeletons of some Native Americans found in Brazil have skulls that have Australian features, and that this may mean that there was a greater diversity of the founding population than what was once believed.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Columbia House Files For Bankruptcy
On August 10th 2015, Columbia House filed for bankruptcy under chapter 11. The one time mail order giant known to many consumers in the 80s and 90s as the Columbia Music and DVD Club, was once worth some 1.4 billion dollars in revenue a year. Film Entertainment Inc., the company that owns Columbia House, cited the advent and subsequent rise of digital distribution, and the continuing pace of the growth of technology, for the company's demise.
Columbia House was founded in 1955 as a division of CBS Inc. Early on, it was most noted for offering records and tapes, and then in the 80s it was CDs and cassettes that could be had for a penny. As their business continued to grow, DVDs were added. The company would offer as many as a dozen or more CDs or DVDs for the low penny price, if the consumer was willing to commit to a two, three, or four year contract to buy them at regular club prices. Those prices could be as much as $19.99 each.
Digital file formats such as the Mp3 in the 90s slowly began to erode the popularity of music's physical distribution model and many feel, the value of music as well. File sharing increased the possibility and the amount of illegal downloading and music piracy. At the beginning of the twenty first century, the introduction of the of the iPod and digital music stores made buying singles the preferred way to buy music as opposed to albums.
By 2010, Columbia House had given up the music side of its trade in favor of a DVD only business. But, by 2014, annual revenue had fallen to just $17 million, while its membership had fallen to just 110,000 participants. Film Entertainment has tested both film and music streaming, but it is not clear if the company will proceed in either direction in the future.
Columbia House was founded in 1955 as a division of CBS Inc. Early on, it was most noted for offering records and tapes, and then in the 80s it was CDs and cassettes that could be had for a penny. As their business continued to grow, DVDs were added. The company would offer as many as a dozen or more CDs or DVDs for the low penny price, if the consumer was willing to commit to a two, three, or four year contract to buy them at regular club prices. Those prices could be as much as $19.99 each.
Digital file formats such as the Mp3 in the 90s slowly began to erode the popularity of music's physical distribution model and many feel, the value of music as well. File sharing increased the possibility and the amount of illegal downloading and music piracy. At the beginning of the twenty first century, the introduction of the of the iPod and digital music stores made buying singles the preferred way to buy music as opposed to albums.
By 2010, Columbia House had given up the music side of its trade in favor of a DVD only business. But, by 2014, annual revenue had fallen to just $17 million, while its membership had fallen to just 110,000 participants. Film Entertainment has tested both film and music streaming, but it is not clear if the company will proceed in either direction in the future.
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