International

Learn about seven important NASA discoveries

Photo: NASA

October 15 |

As part of the commemoration of the discovery of the exoplanet Kepler 452-b, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States (U.S.), this Sunday is worth knowing seven important discoveries of this U.S. agency in recent years.

The cosmic body identified by the Kepler telescope, to which it owes its name, was confirmed by NASA on July 23, 2015.

Kepler-452b is an exoplanet, a planet revolving around a star other than the Sun, which in this case is a G2-type yellow dwarf, which is known as Kepler-452.

The agency responsible for the civil space program, as well as for aeronautical and aerospace research, since its foundation in 1958 has developed space exploration and science projects, which have led to relevant discoveries in several aspects.

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1) The study of twins
In April 2019 NASA published the controversial results of an investigation known as the Twins Study.

A set of ten teams of researchers from the United States (U.S.) set out to observe the changes that might occur to a human being when exposed to the risk of traveling into space for a year.

The scientists compared a wide range of samples and measurements from identical twin brothers, retired astronauts Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly. Scott was sent into space, while Mark remained on Earth.

One of the results revealed the lengthening of the space-bound twin’s telomeres, special features at the ends of each strand of DNA that generally shorten with age, which demonstrated how a human body can adapt to a variety of changes generated by the environment of outer space flight.

2) Observing the Earth from space
There are a wide variety of scientific studies based on images that NASA crew members take using Crew Earth Observations (CEO).

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NASA’s orbiting space station carries its crew and cameras over different points on Earth at different times and the station revisits the sites at varying intervals, allowing images of many areas to be collected at different times of the day and night.

In this way experts discovered that artificial lighting at night affects the behavior of urban wildlife, according to a study of light levels in the city of Chicago that was based on images taken by astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS).

3) A revealing microscope
A miniaturized fluorescence microscope made it possible to observe changes in living cells in microgravity.

This microscope enables real-time analysis of cell behavior during long-duration spaceflight. Its rapid imaging capability allows monitoring of cellular and molecular reactions that can happen more rapidly in altered gravity environments.

The implementation of real-time analysis methods on the station furthers the understanding of how cells in the human body react and adapt to the space environment.

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4) The universe in better resolution
NASA’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (Nicer) facilitates measurements with excellent precision of neutron stars, objects containing ultra-dense matter at the threshold of black hole collapse.

In early 2018 JAXA’s All-Sky X-ray Imaging Monitor (MAXI) captured a new transient X-ray source in the sky designated MAXI J1820 + 070.

Nicer began monitoring the source and discovered that it was a binary black hole system with a mass much larger than that of the Sun. In addition, recorded measurements have revealed how the inner edge of a black hole’s accretion disk (and the corona above it) vary in size and shape as a black hole consumes material from a companion star.

5) Spaceflight decreases crew performance on Earth.
Astronauts’ bodies adapt to microgravity while in space. When crew members return to Earth, they show significant decreases in manual dexterity, multitasking, motion perception, and the ability to operate a vehicle.

NASA researchers confirmed that the post-flight performance decline was related to spaceflight factors and not to other factors such as lack of practice or sleep.

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6) Cement in space
Another discovery confirmed by NASA suggests the possibility of building places to live on the Moon or Mars.

It is a research called Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS), which reveals that samples processed in space show considerable changes in the microstructure of cement compared to those processed on Earth, such as increased porosity, or the presence of more open spaces.

Showing that cement can harden in space is of great importance for future lunar constructions.

7) Keep it clean
New materials are needed to slow the growth and spread of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and silver coatings, according to research called Biorisk-KM-Metally, conducted by the Russian space agency (Roscosmos) and confirmed by NASA.

The researchers conducted tests on an antimicrobial coating called AGXX® and compared it with silver and stainless steel coatings. For the study, crew members placed 12 plates on the space station’s toilet door, with one plate coated in each tested material to be collected at six, 12 and 19 months.

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In all time lapses, the experts found that the AGXX® coating had significantly fewer bacteria than surfaces coated with silver and stainless steel. These data are useful for the development of ideal technologies to reduce the risk of biological damage to space hardware and equipment.

International

Nine People Killed in Two Armed Attacks in Manabí, Ecuador

At least nine people were killed Monday in two nearly simultaneous armed attacks in the province of Manabí, located on Ecuador’s Pacific coast, one of the areas hardest hit by violence in the country, according to the National Police.

The first attack left seven people dead and took place in Camarones, a rural area of the Jama canton. The second occurred in the sector known as La Y, in the seaside town of Canoa, part of the San Vicente canton, where two people were killed.

According to preliminary reports, both incidents occurred early Monday morning when armed men intercepted the victims. Authorities said the motives behind the attacks remain under investigation.

The assault in Camarones happened around 1:15 a.m. local time, when a group of armed individuals stormed a ranch in the area. The victims have not yet been officially identified.

About 15 minutes later, in Canoa, two men traveling in a motorized taxi were intercepted by armed suspects riding motorcycles and shot. One of the victims was identified as a 28-year-old passenger, while the identity of the driver has not yet been confirmed.

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The attacks occurred just days after another multiple homicide on February 12 at a ranch in San Juan de las Cucarachas, a rural area of the Santa Ana canton in Manabí, which left six people dead.

Manabí has been experiencing escalating insecurity linked to disputes among organized crime groups, including drug trafficking networks and territorial control conflicts. In response, the government has maintained a state of emergency in the province since August to address the surge in violence attributed to these criminal organizations.

International

Over 40 Million Affected by Major Snowstorm in Northeastern U.S.

More than 40 million people across the northeastern United States are facing a new major snowstorm this Monday, including residents of New York City, where local authorities have shut down roads to traffic.

The storm triggered widespread flight cancellations early in the morning and caused power outages affecting thousands of homes and businesses throughout the region.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani banned non-essential vehicle travel at least until noon and ordered the closure of public schools as a precautionary measure. Authorities in neighboring states, including New Jersey and Rhode Island, imposed similar restrictions to ensure public safety.

This marks the second major winter storm to hit the East Coast in less than a month, leading to growing frustration among residents.

“I’m fed up. I don’t want to see another snowflake,” said Vincent Greer, a resident of Wildwood, New Jersey, as he shoveled accumulated snow from in front of his building.

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Officials continue to urge residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor local advisories as crews work to clear roads and restore power.

International

Ninth Victim Recovered After Deadliest U.S. Avalanche in Decades

Rescue teams in California on Saturday recovered the body of the ninth and final victim of a deadly avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, according to the local sheriff’s office.

The avalanche struck a group of 11 skiers and four guides on Tuesday as they were returning from a three-day backcountry trip near Castle Peak, a 2,777-meter (9,111-foot) mountain and popular tourist destination on the U.S. West Coast.

Six people were rescued alive on Tuesday. Authorities said the incident marks the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981.

“All nine individuals who lost their lives in the February 17 Castle Peak avalanche have been safely recovered from the mountain,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“There are no words that can truly capture the magnitude of this loss, and our hearts grieve alongside the families affected by this catastrophic event,” Sheriff Shannan Moon said.

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Officials had warned on Thursday that search operations would likely continue through the weekend due to severe weather conditions in the area.

Survivors were able to call for help shortly after the avalanche occurred. However, near-zero visibility and the risk of additional snow slides prevented rescue teams from reaching them for several hours.