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Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have successfully produced oxygen and rocket fuel through artificial photosynthesis. This development could play a crucial role in China’s future lunar base by enabling resource generation on-site reducing the need for supplies from Earth. Conducted by the Shenzhou-19 crew, the experiment utilised water and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel components, similar to the natural process of photosynthesis in plants. The approach, which requires minimal energy, may provide a sustainable method for future space missions.

Artificial Photosynthesis Method and Its Potential

According to reports, Chinese state television CCTV stated that the artificial photosynthesis system mimics natural plant processes through engineered physical and chemical reactions. A semiconductor catalyst and a compact apparatus resembling a drawer were used to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and hydrocarbon-based fuel. Researchers believe the technology could be adapted to produce methane or formic acid by changing the catalyst used in the reaction.

Energy-Efficient Alternative to Electrolysis

As reported by the South China Morning Post, this method consumes significantly less energy compared to electrolysis, which is currently used on the International Space Station (ISS) to generate oxygen. Studies have shown that electrolysis can require up to a third of the ISS’s power supply, highlighting the potential advantage of this new technique in long-term space exploration.

Application in China’s Lunar Base Plans

China plans to establish a lunar base near the Moon’s south pole by 2035, and this artificial photosynthesis technology could support astronaut survival by generating breathable air and fuel for return missions. Reports indicate that China, in collaboration with Russia, is also working on a mini nuclear reactor to power the base. Astronauts are expected to land on the Moon by 2030, ahead of NASA’s delayed Artemis missions.

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NASA’s MMS Mission Marks 10 Years of Magnetic Reconnection Discoveries

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NASA's MMS Mission Marks 10 Years of Magnetic Reconnection Discoveries

A decade after its launch on March 12, 2015, NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission has significantly advanced the understanding of magnetic reconnection, a fundamental process occurring throughout the universe. Magnetic reconnection takes place when magnetic field lines break and realign, releasing massive amounts of energy. Around Earth, a single event can generate as much energy in hours as the United States consumes in a day. Thousands of research papers based on MMS data have contributed to scientific and technological advancements, including a better understanding of space weather’s effects on Earth and potential applications for fusion energy research.

Observations in a Unique Space Environment

According to reports magnetic reconnection was previously understood in a limited capacity. The MMS spacecraft, using advanced measurement instruments, has provided insights into this phenomenon. The four identical spacecraft move in a highly elliptical orbit, enabling them to study reconnection events in key locations—both on the Sun-facing side of Earth and on the nightside, farther from the Sun. According to a statement, in an official press release by NASA, Jim Burch, Principal Investigator for MMS at Southwest Research Institute, noted that MMS has corrected previous theories about reconnection in turbulent regions and revealed its occurrence in unexpected locations.

Enabling Scientific and Career Breakthroughs

Reports indicate that the MMS mission has played a crucial role in fostering the careers of early-stage researchers. Nearly 50 doctorate degrees have been completed using its data, and early-career scientists have been supported through dedicated grants and training programs. These initiatives have been so effective that they are now a requirement for all NASA heliophysics missions, as confirmed by Guan Le, MMS Mission Lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Record-Setting Achievements in Space

Beyond scientific contributions, MMS has set multiple records. The mission holds the Guinness World Record for the highest GPS fix at 116,300 miles above Earth, demonstrating the feasibility of GPS navigation for deep space missions, including NASA’s Artemis programme. Another record was set for the smallest satellite formation, with spacecraft maintaining just 2.6 miles of separation. Despite a decade in space, the mission remains operational, with enough fuel to continue for years.

Looking Ahead

Scientists remain focused on leveraging MMS for further discoveries. With upcoming years presenting ideal conditions for studying reconnection events on Earth’s nightside, ongoing observations are expected to refine existing theories and uncover new aspects of this powerful space phenomenon.

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Ancient Europeans Retained Dark Skin, Hair and Eyes Until the Iron Age

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Ancient Europeans Retained Dark Skin, Hair and Eyes Until the Iron Age

Most early Europeans retained dark skin, hair, and eyes until approximately 3,000 years ago, as suggested by recent genetic research. Findings indicate that lighter features only became common in Europe during the Iron Age. Although the genetic markers for lighter pigmentation first appeared around 14,000 years ago, they remained relatively rare for thousands of years. Scientists suggest that lighter skin may have provided an advantage by aiding vitamin D production in regions with lower sunlight exposure. The research was conducted through an extensive analysis of ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites across Europe and parts of Asia.

Pigmentation Variations Over Time

According to a study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, genetic material from 348 ancient individuals was examined, with samples dating back as far as 45,000 years. The oldest belonged to the Ust’-Ishim individual from western Siberia, discovered in 2008, while another well-preserved genome came from the SF12 individual, who lived in Sweden around 9,000 years ago. Despite degradation in many samples, scientists utilised probabilistic phenotype inference and the HIrisPlex-S system to reconstruct pigmentation patterns.

Silvia Ghirotto, a geneticist at the University of Ferrara and the study’s senior author, stated in an email to Live Science that while lighter skin, hair, and eyes emerged sporadically in individuals over time, dark pigmentation remained dominant in parts of Europe well into the Copper Age. Some regions continued to see frequent occurrences of darker traits until the Iron Age.

Emergence of Lighter Features

The study found that lighter eye colours first appeared between 14,000 and 4,000 years ago, primarily in Northern and Western Europe. However, individuals with dark skin and dark hair still remained prevalent during that period. The genes responsible for lighter skin emerged in Sweden around the same time but remained rare initially.

Carles Lalueza-Fox, a palaeogeneticist at Barcelona’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology, who was not involved in the study, expressed surprise at the findings. He told Live Science that the persistence of darker pigmentation in some individuals until the Iron Age was unexpected. While the study maps out the emergence of these genetic traits, the reasons for their eventual dominance remain uncertain.

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SpaceX Crew-10 Launches to ISS, Relieving Stranded NASA Starliner Crew

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SpaceX has launched the Crew-10 mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts to the ISS. The team will replace Crew-9 members, two of whom have been stranded since June due to Boeing’s Starliner delays. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off successfully on March 14, and Crew-10 is expected to dock with the ISS in about 28 hours. The six-month mission…

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