Unknown Class of Water-Rich Asteroids Identified

Unknown class of water-rich asteroids identified
Implantation of planetesimals into the asteroid belt during the planets’ growth and dynamical evolution. Credit: Nature Astronomy (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-023-01898-x

New astronomical measurements in the infrared range have led to the identification of a heretofore unknown class of asteroids. An international research team including geoscientists from Heidelberg University has succeeded in characterizing these small planets using infrared spectroscopy.

They are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and are—similar to the dwarf planet Ceres—rich in water. According to computer models, complex dynamic processes shifted these asteroids from the outer regions of our solar system into today’s asteroid belt shortly after their creation.

With an equatorial diame...

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Scientists make Stunning Discovery, find New Protein Activity in Telomeres

Newly discovered telomeric protein VR, (green spheres) is seen accumulating in nuclei (blue ovals) in human osteosarcoma cancer cells stained in red. (Griffith Lab)

Once thought incapable of encoding proteins due to their simple monotonous repetitions of DNA, tiny telomeres at the tips of our chromosomes seem to hold a potent biological function that’s potentially relevant to our understanding of cancer and aging.

Reporting in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, UNC School of Medicine researchers Taghreed Al-Turki, Ph.D., and Jack Griffith, Ph.D...

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Neuromorphic Semiconductor Device achieves World’s Highest Handwriting Pattern Recognition Rate

The world's highest level of handwriting pattern recognition rate!
A diagram of battery material-incorporated next-generation neuromorphic semiconductor device with high-density and high-reliability (left) Photo and handwriting pattern recognition accuracy of a 3-terminal-based device with high density made of a thin film of lithium-ion (right). Credit: Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS)

A research team led by Dr. Yong-hun Kim and Dr. Jeong-Dae Kwon has successfully developed the world’s first neuromorphic semiconductor device with high-density and high-reliability by developing a thin film of lithium-ion battery materials. They achieved this by producing ultra-thin lithium ions, a key material of lithium-ion batteries that have been in the spotlight recently, and combining it with two-dimensional nano-materials...

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Newly discovered form of Salty Ice could exist on Surface of Extraterrestrial Moons

Newly discovered form of salty ice could exist on surface of extraterrestrial moons
Researchers discovered two new crystals made from water and table salt at low temperatures, below about minus 50°C. The known structure (left) has one salt molecule (yellow and green balls) to two water molecules (red and pink balls). X-ray imaging let researchers determine the position of individual atoms in the new structures. The center structure has two sodium chloride molecules for every 17 water molecules and stays stable even if pressure drops to near vacuum, as would exist on a lunar surface. The structure on the right has one sodium chloride molecule for every 13 water molecules, and is stable only at high pressure. Credit: Baptiste Journaux/University of Washington

The red streaks crisscrossing the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, are striking...

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