New Science: Planets & A Dinosaur

8-science

ekaart / 123RF Stock Photo

Valley in Mercury

Using data from the MESSENGER spacecraft (a spacecraft launched to study Mercury) scientists have found a large valley. Its stated measurements are 620 miles long, 250 miles wide and 2 miles deep. For perspective that makes it larger than the Grand Canyon. The researchers involved believe that as parts of the planets crust were forced upward they slowly surrounded an empty piece of land to form the valley.

Valley

Pluto’s Water Heart

Researchers studying the Tombaugh Regio or The Heart of Pluto have found an explanation for why Pluto’s moon Charon is always facing it while in orbit. They think that a good explanation would be that Pluto’s heart is hiding an ocean. They think that the subsurface ocean offers an explanation as to why the spots remain tethered to each other. They had deduced this all from satellite imagery as well as fractures throughout parts of the region indicative of an ocean freezing then cracking.

Pluto’s Ocean

Artificial Pancreas

An artificial pancreas has been created for people living with diabetes I. In this type people cannot produce insulin which breaks down sugar in the bloodstream. If the sugar level remains too high it can lead to nerve damage, shock and then death. Up until now you had to use a monitor to check your insulin level and then inject insulin as needed. This device intends to circumvent the current methodology by acting as both a monitor and injection device. It will monitor your glucose levels constantly and inject insulin depending on the need in your body.

Artificial Pancreas

Dinosaur Feathers

A fantastic discovery of preserved dinosaur feathers in amber has been discovered at a market in Myanmar. Researchers are sure it isn’t a prehistoric bird due to the difference in its vertebrae. Some stray feathers have been found occasionally by researchers but this is the first time a specimen this large has been found. The pictures are in the link and they offer the first real world insight into exactly what part of an ancient dinosaur looked like.

Dino-Feathers

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