Search Results (85)

The study of astromaterials, including meteorites, provides essential insights into the origin and evolution of the Solar System. Their scientific value relies not only on analytical investigations but also on rigorous documentation and long-term preservation. In this context, standardized cataloging systems are not merely administrative acts but fundamental tools for ensuring data accessibility, safeguarding collection integrity, and facilitating knowledge dissemination within the planetary science community. Importantly, most meteorites are preserved in museum collections, making these institutions central to their conservation and study. This contribution examines the BN-PL (Beni Naturalistici–Planetologia) Italian national cataloging standard, developed by the Central Institute for Cataloging and Documentation (ICCD) under the Ministry of Culture. Specifically designed for meteorite museum collections, BNPL forms part of a legally recognized, interoperable, and open-access system. The standard comprises over 21 thematic sections, covering classification, sample availability, provenance, acquisition, analytical data, conservation policies, exhibition records, and bibliography. Each entry is complemented by high-resolution images and multimedia documentation, supporting both research and public engagement. This work outlines the state of cataloging Italian meteorite museum collections using BNPL, highlighting its strengths and limitations, while also considering the potential development of the standard for cataloging astromaterials within the national heritage framework. Full article

Background: Survival among children and adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer has improved substantially over recent decades; however, dominant survivorship models remain reactive—activated post-treatment and anchored to static exposure- and organ-based screening. This design underuses the anticipatory window at diagnosis and overlooks environmental and social determinants that modulate outcomes across the life course. Methods: We narratively reviewed international frameworks including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG), the Pan-European Network for Care of Survivors after Childhood and Adolescent Cancer (PanCare) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and synthesized evidence on environmental determinants, exposomics, toxicogenomics, and implementation. Building on two decades of real-world practice, we describe the evolution from the Pediatric Environmental History (PEHis) to the Ambiomic Health Compass (AHC), integrating genomic, exposomic, geospatial, clinical, and biomonitoring layers into routine care. In this framework, survivorship is conceptualized as beginning at the time of cancer diagnosis (“day 0”). Results: PEHis operationalizes guideline-based care with structured environmental and social assessment, personalized plans, and community integration, contributing to improved survival, healthier behaviors, reduced treatment-related mortality and stronger oncology–primary-care coordination. AHC extends PEHis with dynamic risk recalibration, contextual alerts, targeted biomonitoring, and toxicogenomic interpretation, enabling anticipatory decisions from day 0. The manuscript summarizes the paradigm shift (current vs. Ambiomic models), the domain-specific expansion over existing guidelines, the core clinical/system tools, and time-bound metrics (12, 24, 60 months) to support implementation and evaluation. Conclusions: Survivorship should move upstream—from late surveillance to ambiomic, exposure-aware care beginning at diagnosis. Integrating advanced exposomics, mutational epidemiology, and explainable analytics can reduce preventable events and chronicity, enhance equity, and align pediatric oncology with planetary health. The PEHis–AHC continuum offers a scalable blueprint for next-generation survivorship programs in Europe and beyond. Ambiomic medicine does not replace precision medicine—it completes and extends it by integrating exposomics, social context, and anticipatory analytics from day 0. Full article

The planetary health approach has gained traction in academic and international governance spheres; however, its limited integration into education systems has hindered its emergence as a universal framework for addressing the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution) and its impacts on individual well-being and global health systems. We mapped the evolution of the educational approach to planetary health between 2015 and 2025 from a critical and constructive perspective, using a bibliometric and thematic analysis. Through the bibliometric analysis, we found that publications from the Global North predominate, focusing on health programmes and topics such as climate change, One Health, Global Health and Public Health. The thematic analysis, based on inductive categorisation, allowed us to identify criticisms of the educational approach, such as its curricular marginalisation and limited scalability. From an epistemological perspective, these criticisms refer to technoscientific reductionism, the invisibility of non-Western epistemologies and the decoupling of cognition and environment. Given these limitations, we propose a reconstruction of the planetary health approach along three critical dimensions: Motivation, Legitimacy and Epistemology. This reconstruction is projected into short-, medium- and long-term scenarios at the university level, particularly as part of curriculum reform efforts, to broaden the pedagogical impact and promote a more inclusive and transformative vision. Full article

Asteroids are remnants of primordial material from the early stages of solar system formation, approximately 4.6 billion years ago, and they preserve invaluable records of the processes underlying planetary evolution. Investigating asteroids provides critical insights into the mechanisms of planetary development and the potential origins of life. To enable efficient sample acquisition under vacuum and microgravity conditions, this study introduces a two-stage gas-driven asteroid sampling strategy. This approach mitigates the challenges posed by low-gravity environments and irregular asteroid topography. A coupled computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method (CFD–DEM) framework was employed to simulate the gas–solid two-phase flow during the sampling process. First, a model of the first-stage gas-driven sampling device was developed to establish the relationship between the inlet angle of the gas nozzle and the sampling efficiency, leading to the optimization of the nozzle’s structural parameters. Subsequently, a model of the integrated two-stage gas-driven sampling and sample-delivery system was constructed, through which the influence of the second-stage nozzle inlet angle on the total collected sample mass was investigated, and its design parameters were further refined. Simulation outcomes were validated against experimental data, confirming the reliability of the CFD–DEM coupling approach for predicting gas–solid two-phase interactions. The results demonstrate the feasibility of collecting asteroid regolith with the proposed two-stage gas-driven sampling and delivery system, thereby providing a practical pathway for extraterrestrial material acquisition. Full article

The evolution of space technology in recent years, fueled by advancements in computing such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), has profoundly transformed our capacity to explore the cosmos. Missions like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have made information about distant objects more easily accessible, resulting in extensive amounts of valuable data. As part of this work-in-progress study, we are working to create an atmospheric absorption spectrum prediction model for exoplanets. The eventual model will be based on both collected observational spectra and synthetic spectral data generated by the ROCKE-3D general circulation model (GCM) developed by the climate modeling program at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS). In this initial study, spline curves are used to describe the bin heights of simulated atmospheric absorption spectra as a function of one of the values of the planetary parameters. Bayesian Adaptive Exploration is then employed to identify areas of the planetary parameter space for which more data are needed to improve the model. The resulting system will be used as a forward model so that planetary parameters can be inferred given a planet’s atmospheric absorption spectrum. This work is expected to contribute to a better understanding of exoplanetary properties and general exoplanet climates and habitability. Full article

As digital technology continues to embed and influence everyday life, its social and environmental impacts need to be addressed seriously. This article introduces and clarifies the concept of Ecological Citizenship (EC), defining it as a form of citizenship that extends rights and duties beyond the human social sphere into ecological systems, requiring individuals, communities, and institutions to take responsibility for the environmental consequences of their digital practices. Unlike traditional forms of citizenship tied to legal or territorial boundaries, EC is grounded in shared ecological accountability and civic responsibility. We argue that EC offers a distinctive lens for shaping the evolution of a Sustainable Digital Society (SDS), where digital innovation and sustainability are co-aligned. Through theoretical analysis and case studies, this article examines how EC can support community-based, policy-led, and design-focused approaches towards digital sustainability. We look to highlight ways in which EC can be embedded in digital behaviour, infrastructure, and product design while acknowledging barriers such as the digital divide, unequal resource allocation, and adverse policy settings. This research aims to offer policymakers, technologists, and educators’ pragmatic advice for realising sustainable design, environmental literacy, and universal digital access. The study looks to argue for a more systemic reconsideration of digital development, a consideration which places environmental values at the forefront of technological progress, to ensure that digital transformation is both socially equitable and beneficial to planetary well-being. Full article

Spectroscopic observations of Earth-like exoplanets and ultra-faint galaxies–top scientific priorities for the coming decades–involve measuring broadband signals at rates of only a few photons per square meter per hour. This imposes exceptional requirements on the detector performance, necessitating dark currents below 1 e⁻/pixel/kilo second, read noise under 1 e⁻/pixel/frame, and the ability to handle large-format arrays–capabilities that are not yet met by most existing infrared detectors. In addition, spaceborne LiDAR systems require photodetectors with exceptional sensitivity, compact size, low power consumption, and multi-channel capability to facilitate long-range range finding, topographic mapping, and active spectroscopy without increasing the instrument burden. MCT Avalanche photodiodes arrays offer high internal gain, pixelation, and photon-counting performance across SW to MW wavelengths needed for multi-beam and multi-wavelength measurements, marking them as a critical enabling technology for next-generation planetary and Earth science LiDAR missions. This work reports the latest progress in developing Hg_1−xCd_xTe linear-mode e-APDs at premier industrial research institutions, including relevant experimental data, simulations and major project planning. Related studies are summarized to demonstrate the practical and iterative approach for device fabrication, which have a transformative impact on the evolution of this discipline. Full article

The formation and evolution of haze layers in planetary atmospheres play a critical role in shaping their chemical composition, radiative balance, and optical properties. In the outer solar system, the atmospheres of Titan and the giant planets exhibit a wide range of compositional and seasonal variability, creating environments favorable for the production of complex organic molecules under low-temperature conditions. Among them, Uranus—the smallest of the ice giants—has, since Voyager 2, emerged as a compelling target for future exploration due to unanswered questions regarding the composition and structure of its atmosphere, as well as its ring system and diverse icy moon population (which includes four possible ocean worlds). Titan, as the only moon to harbor a dense atmosphere, presents some of the most complex and unique organics found in the solar system. Central to the production of these organics are chemical processes driven by low-energy photons and electrons (<50 eV), which initiate reaction pathways leading to the formation of organic species and gas phase precursors to high-molecular-weight compounds, including aerosols. These aerosols, in turn, remain susceptible to further processing by low-energy UV radiation as they are transported from the upper atmosphere to the lower stratosphere and troposphere where condensation occurs. In this review, I aim to summarize the current understanding of low-energy (<50 eV) photon- and electron-induced chemistry, drawing on decades of insights from studies of Titan, with the objective of evaluating the relevance and extent of these processes on Uranus in anticipation of future observational and in situ exploration. Full article

As the planet most similar to Earth in the solar system, Mars holds an important role in exploring significant scientific problems, such as the evolution of the solar system and the origins of life. Research on Mars mainly rely on planetary remote sensing technology, among which thermal infrared remote sensing is of great studying significance. This technology enables the recording of Martian thermal radiation properties. However, the current spatial resolution of Mars thermal infrared remote sensing images remains relatively low, limiting the detection of fine-scale thermal anomalies and the generation of higher-precision surface compositional maps. While updating extraterrestrial exploration satellites can help enhancing the spatial resolution of thermal infrared images, this method entails high cost and long update cycles, making improvement difficult to conduct in the short term. To address this issue, this paper proposes a super-resolution reconstruction method for Mars thermal infrared remote sensing images integrating multi-source data. First, based on the principle of domain adaptation, we introduced a method using highly correlated visible light images as auxiliary to enhance the spatial resolution of thermal infrared images. Then, a multi-sources data integration method is designed to constrain the thermal radiation flux of resulting images, ensuring the radiation distribution remains consistent with the original low-resolution thermal infrared images. Through both subjective and objective evaluations, our method is demonstrated to significantly enhance the spatial resolution of existing Mars thermal infrared images. It optimizes the quality of existing data, increasing the resolution of the original thermal infrared images by four times. In doing so, it not only recovers finer texture details to produce better visual effects than typical super-resolution methods, but also maintains the consistency of thermal radiation flux, with the error after applying the consistency constraint reduced by nearly tenfold, ensuring the applicability of the results for scientific research. Full article

Objects with the B[e] phenomenon, whose defining features are the presence of forbidden emission lines and infrared excess coming from circumstellar dust, represent a broad range of evolutionary stages from pre-main-sequence to planetary nebulae. They are important for understanding mechanisms of the circumstellar matter formation and evolution. However, it is not easy to discover them, especially among faint stars, as forbidden emission lines are usually weak and hardly noticeable in low-resolution spectra. We developed photometric criteria to search for candidate objects with this phenomenon based on a combination of optical and near-infrared color indices and found nearly 40 objects that satisfy these criteria. Spectroscopy of the candidates allows us to make more confident conclusions on their classification. We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic observations of six objects, which are part of a large list of ∼40 objects that satisfy our photometric selection criteria for candidate objects with the B[e] phenomenon. Forbidden lines of neutral oxygen were clearly detected in the optical spectrum of one object (VES 683) and suspected in three others. One object, AS 415, is most likely a binary system with components that exhibit partial eclipses but without the B[e] phenomenon, while IRAS 20402 + 4638 may be a luminous member of the FS CMa objects group. Full article

Sustainability research encompasses diverse theories and frameworks focused on promoting sustainable economic ($E$), social ($S$), and environmental ($Env$) systems. However, integrated approaches to sustainability challenges have been impeded due to the absence of a unified analytical framework in the field. This study investigated how foundational and emerging theories, including resilience thinking, systems theory, and planetary boundaries, could be synthesized to develop an Integrated Sustainability Model (ISM) that captures nonlinear feedback, adaptive capacities $A_i\left(t\right)$, and threshold effects across these domains. The ISM model employs a system dynamics approach, where the rates of change for $E$, $S$, and $Env$ are governed by coupled differential equations, each influenced by cross-domain feedback (${\alpha }_i$ and ${\beta }_i$), adaptive capacity functions, and depletion rates (${\gamma }_i$). The model explicitly incorporates boundary constraints and adaptive capacity, operationalizing the dynamic interplay and co-evolution of sustainability dimensions. Grounded in an integrative perspective, this research introduces the Synergistic Resilience Theory (SRT), which proposes optimal sustainability arises from managing economic, social, and environmental systems as interconnected, adaptive components of a resilient system. Theoretical analysis and conceptual simulations demonstrated that high adaptive capacity and positive cross-domain reinforcement foster resilient, synergistic growth, while reduced capacity or breaches of critical thresholds ($En{v}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}}$ and $S_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}}$) can lead to rapid decline and slow recovery. These insights illuminate the urgent need for integrated, preventive policy interventions that proactively build adaptive capacity and maintain system resilience. This research, by advancing a mathematically robust and conceptually integrative framework, provides a potent new lens for developing empirically validated, holistic sustainability strategies within sustainability research. Full article

The eddy dissipation rate (EDR, or turbulence dissipation rate) is a crucial parameter in the study of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). However, the existing Doppler lidar-based estimates of EDR seldom offer long-term comparisons that span the entire ABL. Building upon prior research utilizing Doppler lidar wind-field data, we optimized the EDR retrieval algorithm using a genetic adaptive approach. The newly developed algorithm demonstrates enhanced accuracy in EDR estimation. The daily evolution of EDR reveals a distinct diurnal pattern in its variation. A detailed four consecutive days study of turbulence generated via low-level jets (LLJs) indicated that EDR driven by heat flux (~10⁻² m²/s³) is significantly stronger than that produced through wind shear (~10⁻³ m²/s³). Subsequently, we examined seasonal variations in EDR at different mixing layer heights (MLH, Zi): elevated EDR values in summer (~7 × 10⁻³ m²/s³ at 0.1Zi) contrasted with reduced levels in winter (~6 × 10⁻⁴ m²/s³ at 0.1Zi). In the early morning, EDR decreases with height for 1 magnitude, while in later stages, it remains relatively stable within 0.1 order of magnitude across 0.1Zi to 0.9Zi. Notably, the EDR during DJF exceeds that of MAM and SON in the afternoon. This suggests that ML turbulence is not solely dependent on surface fluxes (SHF + LHF) but may also be influenced by MLH. A lower MLH (smaller volume), even with reduced surface fluxes, could potentially result in a stronger EDR. Finally, we compared the evolution of the EDR and MLH in the boundary layer using Doppler lidar data from ARM sites and the PBL (Planetary Boundary Layer) Moving Active Profiling System (PBLMAPS) Airborne Doppler Lidar (ADL). The results show that the vertical wind data exhibit strong consistency (R = 0.96) when the ADL is positioned near ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) sites C1 or E37. The ADL’s mobility and flexibility provide significant advantages for future field experiments, particularly in challenging environments such as mountainous or complex terrains. This study not only highlights the potential of utilizing Doppler lidar alone for EDR calculations but also extensively explores the development patterns of EDR within the ABL. Full article

Human space exploration presents an unparalleled opportunity to study life in extreme environments—but it also exposes astronauts to physiological stressors that jeopardize key systems like vision. Corneal health, essential for maintaining precise visual acuity, is threatened by microgravity-induced fluid shifts, cosmic radiation, and the confined nature of spacecraft living environments. These conditions elevate the risk of corneal abrasions, infections, and structural damage. In addition, Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)—while primarily affecting the posterior segment—has also been potentially linked to anterior segment alterations such as corneal edema and tear film instability. This review examines these ocular challenges and assesses current mitigation strategies. Traditional approaches, such as terrestrial eye banking and corneal transplantation, are impractical for spaceflight due to the limited viability of preserved tissues, surgical complexities, anesthetic risks, infection potential, and logistical constraints. The paper explores emerging technologies like 3D bioprinting and stem cell-based tissue engineering, which offer promising solutions by enabling the on-demand production of personalized corneal constructs. Complementary advancements, including adaptive protective eyewear, bioengineered tear substitutes, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostic tools, also show potential in autonomously managing ocular health during long-duration missions. By addressing the complex interplay of environmental stressors and biological vulnerabilities, these innovations not only safeguard astronaut vision and mission performance but also catalyze new pathways for regenerative medicine on Earth. The evolution of space-based ophthalmic care underscores the dual impact of space medicine investments across planetary exploration and terrestrial health systems. Full article

We discuss the spectral distinctions between B[e] stars and compact planetary nebulae. The differentiation between proto-planetary nebulae, transition objects between the asymptotic giant branch and planetary nebulae, and reflection nebulae in binary systems is also discussed. Infrared and millimeter-wave observations have identified many inorganic and organic molecules, as well as solid-state minerals, in the circumstellar environment. There is evidence that complex organics in the form of mixed aromatic/aliphatic nanoparticles (MAONs) are synthesized during the proto-planetary nebulae phase of evolution. Their ejection into the interstellar medium may have enriched the primordial Solar System, and the complex organics found in comets, asteroids, and planetary satellites could be stellar in origin. Full article

This paper presents a novel Earth-System Stratified Grid (ISEA4H-ESSG) model, designed to address the challenges in multi-layer geoscience data management and analysis. In the realm of geosciences, which encompasses the solid earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, as well as planetary and space sciences, the effective integration of diverse data sources is crucial. Traditional grids have limitations in three-dimensional spatial modeling, cross-layer data fusion, and dynamic multi-scale analysis. The ISEA4H-ESSG model overcomes these drawbacks by integrating the Icosahedral Snyder Equal-Area Aperture 4 Hexagon Discrete Global Grid System (ISEA4H DGGS) with a degenerative subdivision mechanism. It adheres to six core principles, including stratified spherical coverage, geographic consistency, multi-scale dynamic adaptability, global seamless partitioning, encoding uniqueness and efficiency, and multi-source data compatibility. Through the independent subdivision of spherical and radial layers, this model balances resolution differences and resolves polar-grid distortion and cross-layer data heterogeneity issues. The introduction of a four-dimensional spatiotemporal encoding framework enhances the storage and parallel computing capabilities of massive datasets. Case studies on ionosphere three-dimensional modeling and global atmospheric temperature field formatting demonstrate the high precision and adaptability of the ISEA4H-ESSG model. This research provides a unified spatial data infrastructure for geosciences, facilitating in-depth studies on natural hazards, climate change, and planetary evolution, and offering new perspectives for international partnerships and future Earth-related research. Full article