New Delhi: The mantle and crust of Mars have a distinct structure with ancient reservoirs dating back to when the Red Planet was formed, an analysis of meteorites that reached Earth from its nearest neighbour has revealed.
Scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography studied the chemical composition of meteorites that formed on Mars roughly 1.3 billion years ago, later breaking off the planet and reaching Earth.
Their findings, published 31 May in Science Advances, help us understand Mars’ formation and evolution and provide data for NASA missions such as InSight and Perseverance.
The scientists identified the meteorites as nakhlites and chassignites, which originated in the same Martian volcano. A meteor impact on Mars some 11 million years ago sent them hurtling towards the Earth. Some of the meteorites landed in Africa and Antarctica, while others have been found in France as recently as 1815 and in Egypt in 1905.
The new study demonstrates how the nakhlites and chassignites formed on Mars through volcanic processes similar to those that occur on Earth. However, the plate tectonic activity on Earth, which has mixed up the reservoirs below its surface, is absent on Mars. Mars, hence, has retained its ancient reservoirs, with the study throwing light on what the early Earth may have looked like. Read more here.
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Avian flu vaccine prevents severity, death in animal trial stage
An experimental mRNA vaccine against avian influenza virus H5N1 has proven highly effective in preventing severe illness and death in preclinical models.
This vaccine could help manage the current H5N1 outbreak in birds and cattle in the US and prevent human infections, according to research, conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published 23 May in Nature Communications.
The mRNA technology is by what the COVID-19 vaccines were developed for humans and allows rapid development of vaccines within hours of sequencing a new viral strain. This contrasts with the available treatment during past pandemics such as the H1N1 in 2009 when vaccines were delayed.
The mRNA vaccine targeting H5N1 elicited strong antibody and T-cell responses in mice and ferrets, with vaccinated animals clearing the virus faster than the unvaccinated control animals and surviving infection, unlike the latter. Read more here.
’50 times that of humans’ — Largest genome found in tiny fern
In a study published in iScience, researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and other Spanish universities have identified the New Caledonian fork fern species Tmesipteris oblanceolata as having the largest amount of DNA in any living organism.
This fern contains over 100 metres of unravelled DNA, more than 50 times that of humans, surpassing the previous record held by the Japanese plant Paris japonica from 2010.
T. oblanceolata has set three Guinness World Records for the largest genome, largest plant genome, and largest fern genome by DNA amount. This rare fern species is native to New Caledonia, an overseas French territory in the Southwest Pacific, and neighbouring islands such as Vanuatu.
The DNA from each cell of the fern would surpass the height of London’s Elizabeth Tower at 96 metres. For comparison, human DNA measures only about 2 metres per cell. The study also pointed out genus T. oblanceolata’s ancient lineage noting that it evolved 350 million years ago and mainly grows on tree trunks and branches. Read more here.
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1937 photos show East Antarctica’s ice evolution
Aerial photos from 1937 by a whaler have provided the University of Copenhagen with detailed insights into the ice evolution in East Antarctica.
The finding, published in Nature Communications 25 May, is that the ice has remained relatively stable and even grown slightly over the past century though there are early signs of weakening.
Using hundreds of old aerial photos and modern computer technology, including 3D reconstructions of Antarctica, researchers tracked glacier changes over 2000 kilometres of the coastline. Comparing these photos with modern satellite data showed that increased snowfall contributed to slight ice growth.
PhD student Mads Dømgaard, who worked on the paper, noted in the press release that “it is refreshing to observe an area of glaciers that has remained stable for almost a century”.
However, he highlighted emerging changes in sea ice conditions, suggesting future vulnerability. This long-term data is vital for accurate predictions of glacier changes and sea level rise and helps our understanding of East Antarctica’ ice stability. Read more here.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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