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A New Wrinkle in Ancient Ocean Chemistry
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| Topic: Climate |
11/01/09 |
| Summary: Scientists widely accept that the Earth's atmosphere underwent a dramatic rise in oxygen 2.4 billion years ago, which ultimately paved the way for complex life on our planet. New research has helped solve some important questions surrounding this 'Great Oxidation Event'. |
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Robot Armada Could Explore Alien Worlds
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| Topic: Robotics & A.I. |
10/31/09 |
| Summary: Some scientists believe that we are on the brink of big changes in planetary exploration. Future robotic explorers might be nothing like what we see today, and the new technologies could have benefits for astrobiologists. |
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Fish – It's What's for Dinner
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| Topic: Climate |
10/30/09 |
| Summary: The oceans of Earth play an essential role in making our planet habitable for life as we know it. The future of our oceans, however, may be in jeopardy. Recently, Astrobiology Magazine's climate blog, The Hot Zone, discussed how anoxic waters may affect the biosphere in years to come. |
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Life's Ancient Island in the Ice
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| Topic: Biosphere |
10/29/09 |
| Summary: During the last ice age, massive glaciers covered much of our planet. However, a region of Alaska, Siberia and the Canadian Yukon remained ice-free. This region, known as Beringia, supported unique organisms and was an important haven for evolution. Now, scientists may have uncovered how Beringia supported such diversity at a time when conditions for life were harsh. |
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Volcanoes Set the Stage for an Ice Age
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| Topic: Geology |
10/28/09 |
| Summary: Researchers have discovered connections between volcanoes and a deadly ice age that occurred 450 million years ago. The study reports that the volcanoes may have release massive amounts of carbon dioxide, causing global warming. However, when they stopped erupting, an ice age began. |
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Spotting Spores
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| Topic: Missions |
10/27/09 |
| Summary: Chemists have developed a technology to rapidly assess the presence of microbial life on spacecraft. The method will help in decontaminating spacecraft before launch, and could have medical and pharmaceutical uses on Earth. |
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Detecting Life-Friendly Moons
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| Topic: Cosmic Evolution |
10/26/09 |
| Summary: The search for life-friendly real estate around distant stars doesn't have to be limited to planets. New research shows that habitable exomoons can be detected with a new method using current technology. |
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IBEX Maps Our Place in the Galaxy
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| Topic: Cosmic Evolution |
10/25/09 |
| Summary: NASA's IBEX spacecraft has made it possible for scientists to construct the first comprehensive sky map of our solar system and its location in the Milky Way. The new view will help researchers study the interaction between our galaxy and sun, and the conditions that allow for habitability in our solar system. |
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Killer Algae
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| Topic: Biosphere |
10/24/09 |
| Summary: A new theory suggests that algae may be the killer behind the world's greatest mass extinctions. Toxic algae usually exist in small concentrations, but sudden warming of water can trigger blooms that kill large numbers of organisms. The study could be important in understanding past and current climate change on Earth. |
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Ocean Acidifcation, Climate's Step Sister
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| Topic: Climate |
10/23/09 |
| Summary: The Hot Zone recently discussed ocean acidification and what it could mean for the future climate of Earth. Earlier this month expert panels organized by the United Nations discussed ocean acidification and the future of Earth's marine ecosystems. |
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