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    Puffy Planets Lose Atmospheres, become Super-Earths

    February 8, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    ILLUSTRATION OF THE MINI-NEPTUNE TOI 560.01, LOCATED 103 LIGHT-YEARS AWAY IN THE HYDRA CONSTELLATION. THE PLANET, WHICH ORBITS ITS STAR AT DISTANCE OF 0.06 AU, IS LOSING ITS PUFFY ATMOSPHERE AND MAY ULTIMATELY TRANSFORM INTO A SUPER-EARTH.
    Credit: W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko

    Finding Represents First Detections of Atmospheric Loss in “Mini-Neptunes.

    Astronomers have identified two different cases of “mini-Neptune” planets that are losing their puffy atmospheres and likely transforming into super-Earths. Radiation from the planets’ stars is stripping away their atmospheres, driving hot gas to escape like steam from a pot of boiling water.

    “Most astronomers suspected that young, small mini-Neptunes must have evaporating atmospheres,” says Michael Zhang, lead author of bot...

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    Researchers report Game-Changing Technology to Remove 99% of Carbon Dioxide from Air

    February 7, 2022, Categories  Environment/Geology, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    University of Delaware researchers have broken new ground that could bring more environmentally friendly fuel cells closer to commercialization. Credit: Graphic illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase

    University of Delaware (UD) engineers have demonstrated a way to effectively capture 99% of carbon dioxide from air using a novel electrochemical system powered by hydrogen.

    It is a significant advance for carbon dioxide capture and could bring more environmentally friendly fuel cells closer to market.

    The research team, led by UD Professor Yushan Yan, reported their method in Nature Energy on Thursday, February 3.

    Fuel cells work by converting fuel chemical energy directly into electricity. They can be used in transportation for things like hybrid or zero-emission vehicles.

    Yan, Hen...

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    Origin of Supermassive Black Hole Flares identified: Largest-ever simulations suggest Flickering powered by Magnetic ‘Reconnection’

    February 7, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    A snapshot from one of the new black hole simulations. Here, green magnetic field lines are overlaid on a map of hot plasma. Just outside the black hole’s event horizon, the connection of magnetic field lines pointing in opposite directions makes an X-point where they crisscross. This process of reconnection launches some particles in the plasma into the black hole and others into space, an important step in the generation of black hole flares. B. Ripperda et al., Astrophysical Journal Letters 2022

    Black holes aren’t always in the dark. Astronomers have spotted intense light shows shining from just outside the event horizon of supermassive black holes, including the one at our galaxy’s core...

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    Exercise can Provide Relief for Dry, Itchy Eyes

    February 5, 2022, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Making time for regular exercise can make your eyes feel better. A team led by researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that a significant increase in tear secretion and tear film stability after participating in aerobic exercise can be another remedy for relieving dry, itchy eyes.

    Every time we blink, our eyes are covered in tear film — an essential protective coating necessary for maintaining healthy ocular function. Healthy tear film comprises three layers-oil, water, and mucin-that work together to hydrate the ocular surface and protect against infection-causing irritants like dust or dirt.

    When any part of the tear film becomes unstable, the ocular surface can develop dry spots, causing eye symptoms like itchiness or stinging and burning sensations.

    “With s...

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