By Jaqueline Ramirez  Understanding the origins of life and the first evolutionary events on Earth is an integral part of our quest to find life forms on other planets. For this, and although it is a complex concept, it is important to try to establish a definition of life (or, at least, a characterization of life) and to consider the limits and physical parameters in which it can develop. Starting from a prevalent working definition of life accepted by NASA […]

By Isita Singh We are yet to encounter many of the innumerable dreadful events that occur within our galaxy. One such event that the scientists expect to turn out to be potentially dreadful for our planet is the explosion of a massive star leading to what we call a supernova. No wonder that it shall be one of the most dazzling visual sights to think of and if by chance we got to see in any form, the view shall […]

By Alyssa Eakman It’s easy to forget how much humanity is in science. Imagining science, especially on a professional level, may evoke mental images of metal instruments, white lab coats, and cold, hard calculations. Robots and screens and beakers are part of science, of course, but what often gets overlooked is humanity. Behind all the overworked computers and lines of code and chalkboard mathematics are humans.  The curiosity and cravings for company that are so innate to human nature underscore […]

By Xi Chen The history of the Neogene paleoclimate and environment are hidden in a “secret collection” written by nature in code. Scientists all over the world are explaining and reading these “secrets”, among which the three most widely read books include deep-sea sedimentation, polar ice cores, and Chinese loess. The Loess Plateau is one of the longest (about 20 million years) and most complete land paleoclimate recorders discovered so far. The Loess Plateau is composed of loess, a word […]

by Diego Dueñas Parapar Mars is one of the planets that many members of humankind plan to settle relatively soon. Since the mid-20th century, many space missions have been carried out for the exploration of Mars — satellites, landers, rovers, and even a helicopter have been sent with the aim of getting to know the climatological, geological, and (maybe) biological conditions on the Red Planet. Thanks to these missions, we know that Mars has an atmosphere dominated by approximately 96% […]