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The Apollo missions that put astronauts on the surface of the Moon were – and still are – a triumph of technology and human spirit. But perhaps just as important as those footprints left on the Moon are the samples of lunar rock and soil the astronauts brought back to Earth.
Geophysicists have learned a lot studying those rocks over the years, including that the Moon once had a magnetic field. But the enduring mystery of why it no longer has one remained. Until now.
John Tarduno, a geophysicist at the University of Rochester, reexamined the Apollo rocks with a new technique that can detect even the faintest signs of magnetism. His results not only have major scientific implications for the study of the ancient Sun and Earth, but also can tell us whether the Moon may be hiding a precious stash of resources vital for space exploration.
Also today:
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Daniel Merino
Assistant Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast
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Scientists have been studying lunar samples brought back from Apollo missions to understand the geologic history of the Moon.
NASA
John Tarduno, University of Rochester
Without a magnetic field, the Moon’s surface is exposed to solar wind. These could have been depositing resources like water and potential rocket fuel on the Moon’s surface for billions of years.
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Ethics + Religion
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Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross
A religion scholar explains why the label of ‘cult’ gets in the way of understanding new religions and political movements.
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Education
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Genny Beemyn, University of Massachusetts Amherst
The Common Application now lets students indicate their gender identities and pronouns when applying to college. But is that enough to make trans students feel welcome? A scholar weighs in.
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Environment + Energy
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Stephanie Spera, University of Richmond
These international climate assessments are used by governments worldwide as they weigh future risks and climate policies.
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Arturo Ramírez-Valdez, University of California San Diego
The giant sea bass fishery collapsed long ago in the US, but that didn’t mean the species was endangered. New research shows these iconic fish have been thriving south of the border.
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Health
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Nicholas B. Tiller, University of California, Los Angeles
Many elite athletes turn to alternative therapies to improve performance and enhance recovery. But are these treatments helping or hindering their quest for sporting success?
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Economy + Business
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Kevin Werbach, University of Pennsylvania
Decentralized finance makes it easier for virtually anyone to take advantage of financial markets without the need for a bank, but there are new risks as well.
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Tessa Skidmore, IUPUI; Jacqueline Ackerman, IUPUI
Winners of a new gender-equity contest do an array of work that includes helping caregivers and trying to reduce intimate-partner violence.
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Politics + Society
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Lee M. Pierce, State University of New York, College at Geneseo
When there is nothing new to say, pegging news stories to the anniversaries of the deaths of Black Americans objectifies the victims and helps make violence ordinary.
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Science + Technology
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Marc Zimmer, Connecticut College
Three pioneering technologies have forever altered how researchers do their work and promise to revolutionize medicine, from correcting genetic disorders to treating degenerative brain diseases.
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Trending on Site
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Grant Donnelly, The Ohio State University; Ashley Whillans, Harvard Business School
Several studies found that using the excuse ‘I don’t have time’ when declining an invitation harmed the relationship with the person who extended it.
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Peter Chin-Hong, University of California, San Francisco
The CDC guidance applies to areas with high coronavirus transmission rates – which on the day of the announcement covered 63% of US counties.
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William Petri, University of Virginia
An immunologist explains that you get some protection from the first dose of the mRNA vaccines but you need two to build up strong immunity, particularly to newer coronavirus variants.
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