Comment

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa yesterday

The discovery of carbonate suggests that the atmosphere contained enough carbon dioxide to support liquid water existing on the planet's surface. As the atmosphere thinned, the carbon dioxide transformed into rock form.
NASA says future missions and analysis of other sulfate-rich areas on Mars could confirm the findings and help to better understand the planet's early history and how it transformed as its atmosphere was lost.
Scientists are trying to determine whether Mars was ever capable of supporting life—and the latest paper brings them closer to an answer. It tells us that the planet was habitable and that the models for habitability are correct.
The broader implications are the planet was habitable up until this time, but then, as the CO2 that had been warming the planet started to precipitate as siderite, it likely impacted Mars' ability to stay warm.

"The question looking forward is how much of this CO2 from the atmosphere was actually sequestered? Was that potentially a reason we began to lose habitability?"
The latest research fits with his ongoing work on Earth—trying to turn anthropogenic CO2 into carbonates as a climate change solution.

Learning about the mechanisms of making these minerals on Mars helps us to better understand how we can do it here.
Studying the collapse of Mars' warm and wet early days also tells us that habitability is a very fragile thing. It's clear that small changes in atmospheric CO2 can lead to huge changes in the ability of the planet to harbour life.
The most remarkable thing about Earth is that it's habitable and it has been for at least four billion years. Something happened to Mars that didn't happen to Earth.
What is it and how can we avoid such a situation, if we ever can, here on Earth?

We must catch these answers that are blowing in the thin Martian atmosphere and embedded in the dust on the planet's surface.

Benjamin M. Tutolo, Carbonates identified by the Curiosity rover indicate a carbon cycle operated on ancient Mars, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ado9966. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado9966

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa yesterday

Curiosity rover finds large carbon deposits on Mars

And scientists are trying to answer some of the questions on earlier Martian life and that of the Earth at present with these findings

Research from NASA's Curiosity rover has found evidence of a carbon cycle on ancient Mars, bringing scientists closer to an answer on whether the red planet was ever capable of supporting life.

The team is working to understand climate transitions and habitability on ancient Mars as Curiosity explores Gale Crater.

The paper, published in the journal Science, reveals that data from three of Curiosity's drill sites had siderite, an iron carbonate material, within sulfate-rich layers of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater.

The discovery of large carbon deposits in Gale Crater represents both a surprising and important breakthrough in our understanding of the geologic and atmospheric evolution of Mars. 

The abundance of highly soluble salts in these rocks and similar deposits mapped over much of Mars has been used as evidence of the 'great drying' of Mars during its dramatic shift from a warm and wet early Mars to its current, cold and dry state.

Sedimentary carbonate has long been predicted to have formed under the CO₂-rich ancient Martian atmosphere. 

NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, and has traveled more than 34 kilometers on the Martian surface.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

People, not alligators, are at fault in most alligator bite cases

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a study by scientists.

Published in the journal Human–Wildlife Interactions, the research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter. Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack. The findings show that alligator bites are not random; they're preventable.

The insights come at a time of year when alligator activity is ramping up. Mating season, which runs from April through June in some places, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.

To reach their conclusions, the team analyzed nearly three centuries of records from 1734 to 2021 on human–alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database, now called CrocAttack.org. The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies. Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high.

Most bites occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators. The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters. In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks.

The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present, say the researchers. 

The most surprising finding was how high the percentage was for humans engaging in risky behavior. This indicates that humans—rather than alligators—are at fault in the vast majority of cases where bites occur.

The results emphasize that alligators aren't seeking conflict, but they will respond when humans provide what scientists call an "attractive stimulus," such as by splashing, swimming or entering alligator habitats.

Although some bites happened without clear warning, in many cases, people unknowingly triggered the alligator's natural response to defend itself or to hunt.

Researchers stress that humans are entering the environment of a large, wild predator much like hikers entering bear country or swimmers in shark-inhabited waters and should assume some level of responsibility and attentiveness.

Mark S Teshera et al, Human-Alligator Incidents in the United States: Risky Human Behaviors Cause Most "Attacks", Human–Wildlife Interactions (2023). DOI: 10.26077/wvfj-s221. digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/vie … cle=1885&context=hwi

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

Bonobos refuse to participate when faced with unequal rewards

To better understand the evolutionary origins of fairness, researchers  investigated inequity aversion in bonobos, one of humans' closest relatives.

 The researchers conducted two rounds of experiments using established inequity paradigms: one in which the bonobos exchanged tokens for rewards, and another in which they tested whether their reactions might have been caused by disappointment in the experimenter. The study is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The results showed that bonobos refused to participate more often when they received a lesser reward than their partner. Unlike chimpanzees, their responses could not be explained by disappointment alone, supporting the idea that bonobos genuinely recognize and respond to unfair treatment.

Unlike chimpanzees, their reactions were not simply due to disappointment with the experimenter, but reflected a genuine aversion to unequal treatment.

Interestingly, bonobos were more tolerant of inequity when interacting with closely affiliated partners, similar to patterns seen in humans. This suggests that social bonds may influence reactions to fairness, reinforcing the idea that inequity aversion has evolved as a stabilizing force for cooperation.

Kia Radovanović et al, Bonobos respond aversively to unequal reward distributions, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2873

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

The researchers made two other remarkable discoveries:

First, unlike other methods, the new light-emitting technique remains effective even after extensive washing of the shooter's hands. This is important for forensic investigations, as suspects often try to tamper with or remove evidence of their involvement.

Second, bystanders standing approximately 2 meters away from the shooter also tested positive for lead traces on their hands. "These findings provide valuable pieces of the puzzle when reconstructing a shooting incident. But, a positive test also needs to be carefully interpreted. It does not automatically mean that you fired a gun.

The researchers think this new method will be especially beneficial to first responders, such as police officers, who can use it to rapidly screen potential suspects and witnesses to secure crucial evidence.

Kendra Adelberg et al, Perovskite-based photoluminescent detection of lead particles in gunshot residue, Forensic Science International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112415

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

Forensic Science: Glowing gunshot residue: New method illuminates crime scene clues

Crime scene investigation may soon become significantly more accurate and efficient thanks to a new method for detecting gunshot residues. Researchers  developed the technique that converts lead particles found in gunshot residue into light-emitting semiconductors. This method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.

Forensic experts at the Amsterdam police force are already testing it in actual crime scene investigations. The researchers published their findings in Forensic Science International on March 9.

The innovative light-emitting lead analysis method offers exciting opportunities for crime scene investigations. When a weapon is fired, it leaves gunshot residue containing lead traces on the surrounding environment, including clothing and skin.

Obtaining an indication of gunshot residue at the crime scene is a major advantage, helping us answer key questions about shooting incidents. For instance, determining whether the damage found could have been caused by a bullet and determining the relative position of a person who might have been involved in a shooting incident. We test for lead traces on possible bullet holes and a suspect's or a victim's clothing or hands.

Currently, police send all samples to the lab for analysis. However, the methods used there are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require expensive equipment.

The new analysis method builds on recent advances in perovskite research. Perovskites are a promising material used in applications ranging from solar cells to LEDs. A few years ago, researchers  developed an easy-to-use lead detection method based on perovskite technology.

In this method, a reagent converts lead-containing surfaces into a perovskite semiconductor. Shining with a UV lamp will make the newly formed semiconductor emit a bright green glow visible to the naked eye—making even small traces of lead easily detectable.

In 2021, Noorduin and Lukas Helmbrecht (formerly Ph.D. student in the group) established a start-up company to develop this lead testing method into a practical lead detection kit: Lumetallix. Over the past years, many people worldwide have been investigating their surroundings using the Lumetallix test kit. They report positive tests in all sorts of objects, for example: dinner plates, beer glasses, but also in paint dust at construction sites.

Now researchers developed an altered version of the Lumetallix reagent for the forensic application: one that reacts especially well with lead atoms in gunshot residue and produces a long-lasting green glow.

To validate the effectiveness of this method, the researchers conducted a series of controlled experiments. The results revealed well-defined luminescent patterns that were clearly visible to the naked eye, even at extended distances.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

But when serendipitously analyzing the material just outside of one of these chondrules, composed of a matrix of extremely fine (sub-micrometer) material, the team discovered that the matrix itself was incredibly rich in hydrogen sulfide. In fact, their analysis found that the amount of hydrogen in the matrix was five times higher than that of the non-crystalline sections.

Since the proto-Earth was made of material similar to enstatite chondrites, this suggests that by the time the forming planet had become large enough to be struck by asteroids, it would have amassed enough reserves of hydrogen to explain Earth's present-day water abundance.

Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulfide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native—that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of.

Thomas J. Barrett et al,The source of hydrogen in earth's building blocks, Icarus (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116588

In contrast, in other parts of the meteorite that had cracks and signs of obvious terrestrial contamination (such as rust), very little or no hydrogen was present. This makes it highly unlikely that the hydrogen sulfide compounds detected by the team originated from an earthly source.

Footnotes:

1. L. Piani el al., "Earth's water may have been inherited from material similar to enstatite chondrite meteorites," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.aba1948

2. "The origins of water," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.abc1338

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

Scientists find evidence that challenges theories of the origin of water on Earth

A team of researchers have uncovered crucial evidence for the origin of water on Earth. Using a rare type of meteorite, known as an enstatite chondrite, which has a composition analogous to that of the early Earth (4.55 billion years ago), they have found a source of hydrogen which would have been critical for the formation of water molecules.

Crucially, they demonstrated that the hydrogen present in this material was intrinsic, and not from contamination. This suggests that the material which our planet was built from was far richer in hydrogen than previously thought.

The findings, which support the theory that the formation of habitable conditions on Earth did not rely on asteroids hitting Earth, have been published in the journal Icarus..

Without hydrogen, a fundamental elemental building-block of water, it would have been impossible for our planet to develop the conditions to support life.

The origin of hydrogen, and, by extension, water, on Earth has been highly debated, with many believing that the necessary hydrogen was delivered by asteroids from outer space during Earth's first approximately 100 million years. But these new findings contradict this, suggesting instead that Earth had the hydrogen it needed to create water from when it first formed.

The research team analyzed the elemental composition of a meteorite known as LAR 12252, originally collected from Antarctica. They used an elemental analysis technique called X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron at Harwell, Oxfordshire.

 A previous study led by a French team(1,2) had originally identified traces of hydrogen within the meteorite inside organic materials and non-crystalline parts of the chondrules (millimeter-sized spherical objects within the meteorite). However, the remainder was unaccounted for—meaning it was unclear whether the hydrogen was native or due to terrestrial contamination.

The new work by the team suspected that significant amounts of the hydrogen may be attached to the meteorite's abundant sulfur. Using the synchrotron, they shone a powerful beam of X-rays onto the meteorite's structure to search for sulfur-bearing compounds.

When initially scanning the sample, the team focused their efforts on the non-crystalline parts of the chondrules, where hydrogen had been found before.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Thursday

New pollen-replacing food for honey bees brings hope for their survival

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators. Many crops depend on these pollinators for survival. Honey bees are generalists and do not get all their nutrition from a single source. They need variety in their diet to survive but find it increasingly difficult to find the continuous supply of pollen they need to sustain the colony.

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators.

Now Scientists have unveiled a new food source designed to sustain honey bee colonies indefinitely without natural pollen.

Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research details successful trials where nutritionally stressed colonies, deployed for commercial crop pollination  thrived on the new food source.

This innovation, which resembles the man-made diets fed to livestock and pets all their lives, contains all the nutrients honey bees need. It's expected to become a potent strategy for combating the escalating rates of colony collapse and safeguarding global food supplies reliant on bee pollination.
The newly developed food source resembles human "Power Bars." These are placed directly into honey bee colonies, where young bees process and distribute the essential nutrients to larvae and adult bees.

This breakthrough addresses one of the growing challenges faced by honey bees: lack of adequate nutrition in their environment.

The reported scientific work shows in commercial field conditions that providing nutritionally stressed colonies with the pollen-replacing feed results in a major measurable step change in colony health compared to current best practices. This new product has the potential to change the way honey bees are managed.

A critical discovery within the research is the role of isofucosterol, a molecule found naturally in pollen that acts as a vital nutrient for honey bees.

Colonies fed with isofucosterol-enriched food survived an entire season without pollen access, while those without it experienced severe declines, including reduced larval production, adult paralysis, and colony collapse. The new feed also contains a comprehensive blend of the other nutrients honey bees require.

A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honey bee colonies during stressful commercial pollination - Requirement for isofucosterol, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.3078. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi … .1098/rspb.2024.3078

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Researchers uncover molecular connection between body fat and anxiety

Researchers  have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health.

The findings, published in Nature Metabolism on April 15, 2025, are particularly relevant given the rising rates of anxiety and obesity, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying biological processes.

Understanding the link between adipose tissue and anxiety opens up new avenues for research and potential treatments.

The research team discovered that psychological stress, which triggers the fight or flight response, initiates a process called lipolysis in fat cells. This process leads to the release of fats, which in turn stimulates the release of a hormone called GDF15 from immune cells found in fat tissue. GDF15 then communicates with the brain, resulting in anxiety.

Researchers came to their conclusion through a series of meticulously designed experiments involving mice. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety-like behavior, and molecular analyses identified the activated pathways. A clear connection between metabolic changes in adipose tissue and anxiety was established, offering new insights into the interplay between metabolism and mental health.

 Logan K. Townsend et al, GDF15 links adipose tissue lipolysis with anxiety, Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01264-3

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