Earthquakes are usually caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. But recently, the Mars InSight lander has recorded the very first seismic signal but we have yet to determine its cause.

The new seismic event was too small to provide solid data on the Martian interior, which is one of InSight's main objectives. The Martian surface is extremely quiet, allowing SEIS, InSight's specially designed seismometer, to pick up faint rumbles. In contrast, Earth's surface is quivering constantly from seismic noise created by oceans and weather.

Earth's conditions are a bit different from Mars but despite the environment, InSight was well-equipped for these types of phenomena and so they were able to pick it up through the SEIS instrument, which is in itself a remarkable feat of engineering.

On Earth, high-quality seismometers often are sealed in underground vaults to isolate them from changes in temperature and weather. InSight's instrument has several ingenious insulating barriers, including a cover built by JPL called the Wind and Thermal Shield, to protect it from the planet's extreme temperature changes and high winds.

It was through a collaboration of efforts from various agencies that this groundbreaking event took place.

SEIS has surpassed the team's expectations in terms of its sensitivity. The instrument was provided for InSight by the French space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), while these first seismic events were identified by InSight's Marsquake Service team, led by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

From Marius Hills to Olympus Mons and beyond toward Serenity Chasma, there are many places that one could visit in the solar system outside our home planet.

They may not be teeming with as much life as Earth is but the grandiosity of these is still a sight to behold. And to traverse them is more than just a challenge, it could be the thrill of a lifetime.

This might just be wishful thinking now until we are able to develop the technology to reach the other planets as quickly as we could go on a cross-country trip throughout America and without having to lose provisions or die along the way due to lack of oxygen or simply float away in space.

But when that does happen, you better make sure to visit these places in our solar system.

(Image credit: NASA)

In celebration of Earth Day, Google has created a doodle that features six different wildlife with some superlative qualities. From the tallest to the oldest, these creatures are just some of the reasons why we should take care of Earth and do what we can to preserve it. -via Live Science

(Image credit: Google)

Checking on the health of coral reefs is vital now more than ever especially with the threat of more bleaching events happening due to worsening climate conditions.

As it stands, it might take the Great Barrier Reef at least a decade to recover from the subsequent bleaching events it endured in just the past four years. But trying to assess coral reefs' condition is painstakingly tedious and expensive.

(Image credit: skeeze/Pixabay)

On the other hand, scientists looked into using DNA material expelled by marine organisms into the water, also known as environmental DNA (or eDNA), as a means of making the process a lot easier.

Now, scientists from the University of Hawaii at Manoa have discovered that it also works for coral surveys. Utilizing a single-step "metabarcoding" process, marine biology grad student Patrick Nichols and Assoc. Prof. Peter Marko were able to identify all of the coral DNA sequences present in one water sample.

(Image credit: joakant/Pixabay)

A single gene and its variants may hold the key in developing a drug that could address obesity and regulate a person's appetite and metabolism.

Scientists have already been aware of the MC4R gene and its role in how people gain or lose weight. But scientists dug deeper and looked into a large collection of data that linked the gene to cases of obesity.

The study revealed 61 different MC4R gene variants, nine of which were associated with increased genetic activity. About six percent of the subjects studied were found to have one of the nine genetic variations, and those subjects displayed lower odds of obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease.

With this information, it could pave the way for the development of a drug that would target this gene and its variants so that it could help people regulate their metabolism.

(Image credit: James Heilman/Wikimedia Commons)

It's summer time in the tropics and it would be great to go out to the beach, ride the waves, and get tanned. Or just soak in cool waters. Of course, we are always admonished to put on sunscreen.

But a recent research has urged legislators to ban the use of sunscreens with chemical ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, saying that these can potentially cause coral bleaching and even hormonal imbalances.

For his 2015 study, Downs' lab placed coral larvae, which are just a couple of millimeters long, into the tiny wells of microplates filled with artificially created seawater containing oxybenzone at "environmentally relevant" concentrations measured in parts per million, parts per billion, and parts per trillion. The larvae reacted by losing their cucumber-like shape and turning white, indicative of bleaching.

The methods with which the study was conducted has been met with skepticism however, as the conditions may not reflect a realistic environmental situation wherein these chemicals could somehow make a large impact on corals.

Eric Hochberg says he believes Downs' research offers weak evidence that oxybenzone is actually damaging corals because the experiment's laboratory conditions "completely lack realism." Hochberg is working on his own study by placing corals in tanks with flowing water containing concentrations of oxybenzone that match those found in water samples around Bermuda.

Another thing that may cause some concern with using these sunscreens has to do with their effects on health.

Beyond corals, some scientific evidence has shown that oxybenzone may produce harmful effects in mammals and fish by mimicking estrogen in the body and disrupting the endocrine system, which produces and regulates hormones.

For now, further evidence that would indicate clear environmental detriment might be needed before a widespread ban on sunscreens containing these two ingredients is implemented. Otherwise, we would need to find another way to protect ourselves from the sun.

(Image credit: Bill Branson/Wikimedia Commons)

Over the years, there have been multiple discussions regarding statistical analysis of different generations. Apart from demographic data, certain thought processes, values, and behavioral patterns have been ascribed to cohorts like boomers, Gen Xers, and millennials. Now, they say a new cohort is being born, the Gen Z.

"But that's how you do statistical analysis," replies Twenge, a Gen X'er born in 1971. "You group people and compare them. Generational research is no different. Most of it is focused on personality traits, attitudes, behaviors, indicators of mental health—how all of those differ, on average, depending on when you were born."

Each generation has lived in its own context and they are shaped by society as much as society is shaped by them. Trying to assign specific traits to generalize a whole group may lead us to inaccurate conclusions. But doing a generational analysis may still give us insight into what makes our predecessors and successors tick.

"It helps us understand people younger and older than us. It has helped me understand my parents, and my kids," Twenge continues. "If people overgeneralize, that's a danger, but it's a problem of people misinterpreting the research—for example, thinking average differences apply to everyone."

On the other hand, generational differences aren't necessarily detrimental and their contrast may not be as stark as they are purported to be. These various generations don't live in a vacuum after all. One generation influences the other and vice versa.

The experiences of older generations may give insight that could propel newer generations to make things even better. We shouldn't neglect that synergy can be done among generations just as much as it can be done among races, genders, and other groups.

(Image credit: John Moeses Bauan/Unsplash)

Decorating trees with colorful eggs was once a trend and almost became an American tradition. Brought to the US by German immigrants, it is a symbol of fertility and good luck.

However, the tradition was discontinued as it is much easier to simply put eggs in a basket than adorn a bare tree with painted eggshells. In Europe, it's a different story as people still hang eggs on trees.

Until recently, one spectacular example of an ostereierbaum ruled them all. In Saalfeld, Germany, one local couple, Volker and Christa Kraft, decorated their home garden’s massive apple tree with tens of thousands of decorated eggshells.

(Image credit: AndrewPoison/Wikimedia Commons)

I'm a big fan of dry humor especially with perfect timing, it's comedic gold. And one would think that it would be quite difficult to pull that off in musicals or even movies without seeming forced or awkward. But that's what made Virginia O'Brien unique and ahead of her time.

Nicknamed "Frozen Face", "Miss Deadpan", and "Miss Ice Glacier", her comedic prowess was quite accidental and her discovery, serendipitous.

On her stage debut, she was supposed to deliver an ostentatious number but due to stage fright, she danced stiffly and with a frozen stare.

Reduced to tears in the wings after her debut that left the audience in laughter, the actress had no idea that her nervous energy would afford her the attention of Louis B. Mayer, of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and jumpstart her career as a comedic singer in some of the greatest movie musicals of the era.

(Image credit: IMDb)

Everybody wants to live a long, healthy life and with modern medicine, we are able to do that. Supplements, enhancements, and other medical breakthroughs that fight disease and prolong our lives are pushing our average lifespans further up. But are we putting too much focus on longevity?

Though we live longer, the implications that it has on society have been neglected or at the very least, unanticipated.

Because more people live longer, younger generations will have to support that aging population. Unless those people prepared in advance for retirement, the onus is entirely left to the succeeding generations to support their parents and grandparents.

What are the consequences for society if average life expectancy rises to 100 years, or even more? We face the prospect of an army of centenarians cared for by poorly paid immigrants. The children of these centenarians can expect to work well into their 70s, or even 80s. The world of work will alter drastically, with diminishing opportunities for the young.

(Image credit: Matthew Bennett/Unsplash)

More than that, the vision that many older generations have about their retirement years is one where they can simply enjoy their lives and spend their hard-earned money on their bucket list. They want a retirement that is "well-funded, active, and packed with experience."

But this vision of aging is wishful thinking. Many now face an old age in which the final years are spent in nursing homes. There are several societal reasons for this: increased longevity, the demise of the multi-generational extended family, and the contemporary obsession with safety.

(Image credit: sk/Unsplash)

Almost two weeks ago, the measles outbreak in New York became a public health emergency which mandates everyone in the city to get vaccinated. But the story stretches far back in 2018, from people visiting New York City who had been exposed to the disease.

Of course, recently the growing anti-vaxxer movement has been vehemently opposing MMR vaccination on the grounds that these vaccines can cause health complications, in particular the development of autism.

But the declaration from the NYC mayor brings to our attention the seriousness of the matter and why people should get vaccinated to prevent epidemics and more public health concerns from emerging.

More of this on NYU.

(Image credit: huntlh/Pixabay)

We already have electric cars that run on batteries and thus help reduce the carbon footprint.

But now a new concept tries to step up the game by not only using hydrogen as a source of fuel, but also making the car like a mini power plant that can convert energy into electricity which will then be supplied to the power grid.

The concept comes from Esther Park Lee from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) who recently obtained her PhD on the subject.

A fuel cell car converts hydrogen into electricity, heat and clean water. The stationary hydrogen car can also supply that electricity to the power grid and thus act as a buffer in a sustainable energy system, because the supply of energy from renewable sources such as wind and sun fluctuates.

(Image credit: Spielvogel/Wikimedia Commons)

NASA's Cygnus capsule arrived at the International Space Station last Friday bringing with it supplies and some goodies for the astronauts on board. They included meals enough for an Easter feast especially for those who wouldn't be able to celebrate with their families.

Currently, there are six astronauts at the ISS including Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques who was the one that caught the capsule and brought it in for everyone to share.

For Cygnus’ trip, NASA packed more than 800 meals for the International Space Station’s six astronauts, including holiday choices of pork chops with gravy, smoked turkey, potatoes au gratin, apricot cobbler, and lemon meringue pudding. 

According to the CSA, some Canadian treats were also sent to the cosmonauts. Smoked salmon, maple cream cookies, and a bison chili that’s based on Saint-Jacques’ favorite family dish were also included in the Easter-themed shipment.

(Image credit: David Saint-Jacques/Twitter)

People have been asking whether Notre Dame's spire in Paris should be rebuilt with modern designs. Of course, it has been a symbol of architecture, culture, and ingenuity that has stood the test of time. But making a new modern spire might increase its durability and safety.

On the other hand, artist Kendra Wells shares a few of her thoughts (and jokes) of what possible new designs for Notre Dame's spire could be when it undergoes restoration. Check out her comic strip on The Nib.

(Image credit: Kendra Wells/The Nib)

More than a week ago, the first teaser trailer for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker was released and many people have been speculating based on the scenes that were shown in the trailer what will happen in the final episode of the sequel trilogy.

The Nerdist took particular notice of the frame showing the Death Star as Rey, Finn, and Poe stare at it from a distance. They believe that it might be the key for Kylo Ren's redemption. Take it however you will, it's just a theory. How they are going to wrap up the space saga, we will know once the film is released in December.

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)