How complex life arose under extreme stress
Scientists discovered molecules that helped the first complex life forms build strong cell membranes to withstand extreme environments.
Category: Earth Systems
These articles summarize studies that are all about how the planet Earth works!
Remains of the Moon could be lurking inside Earth
Scientists used models to test whether remnants of the moon-forming impactor, Theia, are present deep within the Earth.
Researchers used bottled “lightning” to make ingredients for life
Scientists used spark discharge experiments to test whether lightning converted enough nitrogen to a usable form to support the origins of…
How quickly did life recover from the end-Permian mass extinction?
Paleontologists described exceptionally well-preserved fossils of a complex marine ecosystem that developed within 1 million years of a…
What’s making Earth’s atmosphere drier?
Scientists investigated humidity patterns in tree rings across Europe to test whether recently drier air is natural or caused by global…
Can scientists predict catastrophic floods?
Researchers showed river structure and moisture conditions can help predict large-scale flood events.
Scientists found a new way diamonds are made and destroyed
Geologists examined CT images of diamonds from southern Africa to determine what happens to them underground.
How did nautiloids survive extinction?
Researchers found nautiloids outlived other shelly creatures in the late-Cretaceous extinction because they had slower metabolisms.
Fruit flies use diverse senses to sniff out their surroundings
Scientists found cosmopolitan fruit flies have different genes for smelling and tasting that help them adapt to diverse habitats.
How do mountains affect Earth’s climate?
Scientists showed sulfuric acid formed during weathering of rocks causes mountains to consume less greenhouse gasses than they previously…