ecosystem
Posted inBiophysics, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Plant Biology, Radiation, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations, Status Report

China Exoplanet Habitability and Ecosystem Space Experiment

by Keith Cowing

The experiment of exo-ecosystem and the exploration of extraterrestrial habitability aims to explore the adaptation of terrestrial life in space conditions for the manned space program and the future interstellar […]

Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering

Dust storm-driven Dispersal of Potential Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In The Eastern Mediterranean

by Keith Cowing

The atmosphere hosts a microbiome that connects remote ecosystems but remains underexplored. In this study, we employed metagenomics to examine the ecological roles of the atmospheric microbiome, including the dispersal […]

Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biophysics, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Earth’s Atmosphere: A Transport Medium Or An Active Microbial Ecosystem?

by Keith Cowing

The atmosphere may be Earth’s largest microbial ecosystem. It is connected to all of Earth’s surface ecosystems and plays an important role in microbial dispersal on local to global scales. […]

Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Hydrothermal Vents On The Seafloors Of Ocean Worlds Could Support Life

by Keith Cowing

We’ve all seen the surreal footage in nature documentaries showing hydrothermal vents on the frigid ocean floor—bellowing black plumes of super-hot water—and the life forms that cling to them. Now, […]

Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Earth’s Earliest Sea Creatures Drove Evolution By Stirring The Water

by Keith Cowing

A study involving the University of Cambridge has used virtual recreations of the earliest animal ecosystems, known as marine animal forests, to demonstrate the part they played in the evolution […]

Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Purple Is The New Green: Biopigments And Spectra Of Earth-like Purple Worlds

by Keith Cowing

With more than 5,500 detected exoplanets, the search for life is entering a new era. Using life on Earth as our guide, we look beyond green landscapes to expand our […]

Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, TRAPPIST-1

Biosignatures From Pre-oxygen Photosynthesising Life On TRAPPIST-1e

by Keith Cowing

In order to assess observational evidence for potential atmospheric biosignatures on exoplanets, it will be essential to test whether spectral fingerprints from multiple gases can be explained by abiotic or […]

Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Even Inactive Hydrothermal Smokers Are Densely Colonized By Microbial Communities

by Keith Cowing

With its high pressure, darkness and nutrient deficiency, the deep sea is generally not a hospitable place. But in the presence of heat and a rich influx of energy-rich fluids, […]

Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Societal Issues, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Exploring The Undiscovered Potential Of Deep Sea Microbial Ecosystems And Establishing Sustainable Thresholds For Their Preservation

by Keith Cowing

We’re publishing this article today in advance of a COP28 talk entitled “Ocean biodiscovery, capacity development and equitable access to ocean biodiversity data” that Emma Bolton, Ocean Research Lead at […]

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