Australian_Science_Illustrated_Issue_52_2017

16 | SCIENCE ILLUSTRATED

Scientists

Make Embryo

in the Lab

BIOLOGY British scientists have

managed to produce the world’s

first artificial mouse embryo using

stem cells. The breakthrough

sheds light on the mysterious, but

important first days of embryonic

development. The scientists used

two types of stem cells that also

exist naturally – embryonic stem

cells, which can develop into any

type of body cells, and trophoblast

stem cells, which develop into the

placenta. The two cell types were

placed beside each other on a 3D

template, where they could

develop jointly. In seven days,

without external influence, the

cells managed to arrange

themselves into something that

resembled and behaved like a

natural embryo.

New fish

species in

German cave

Scientists have discovered a

new carp species in a cave in

Southern Germany. It is the

only fish species in Europe,

which lives permanently

below ground. Apparently,

the fish has been isolated

for 20,000 years.

NEWS FLASH!

Using two types of stem cells, scientists

produced an artificial mouse embryo.

SARAH HARRISON OG GAELLE RECHER, ZERNICKA-GOETZ LAB, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

ARTIFICIAL EMBRYO

REAL EMBRYO

Magnetic shield makes Mars habitable

A huge electromagnet could protect Mars against hazardous radiation. In less

than 100 years, the technology will make our barren neighbouring planet a

small version of Earth.

ASTRONOMY The Sun blew the Martian

atmosphere away. About four billion years

ago, Mars had a magnetic field just like

Earth’s, which protected the planet’s

atmosphere from harmful solar particles.

But when Mars' core cooled, the planet’s

protective magnetic field disappeared, and

it was converted into a freezing desert.

Now, NASA has a plan to give the Red Planet

a new, artificial magnetic field using a huge,

floating electromagnet.

With the field in place, we can crush

rocks to rebuild Mars' atmosphere. Mars

will become warmer, the

air thicker, and water once

again will flow on Mars. Looking

to the far future, this artificial magnetic

shield will also protect Martian colonists

against solar radiation.

According to computer simulations, all

these changes would be effective in less

than 100 years, meaning that the planet

could become habitable long before

previously believed. NASA engineers expect

to have completed the technology for

producing the magnetic shield before 2050.

NASA Wants to

Shield Mars

NASA scientists are developing new technology

which can convert Mars into a friendly world

with a warm climate and liquid water.

NASA & MIKKEL JUUL JENSEN

Magnet located in

a stable place

1

The magnetic shield

will be located in the

Lagrangian point between

the Sun and Mars, where

the gravity between them is

perfectly balanced, which

will allow the shield to keep

a stable orbit.

Shield protects

Mars from radiation

2

The shield's magnetic

field bends the solar

wind, which is a flow of

harmful particles ejected

from the Sun's surface. The

artificial magnetic field is

increased, until the entire

planet is protected.

Atmosphere makes

Mars habitable

3

The shield protects

Mars’ atmosphere,

which is slowly restored,

causing the temperature

and pressure to rise and the

ice caps to melt. The water

releases carbon dioxide,

boosting the warming.

2

ELECTROMAGNET

An electromagnetic

shield is to protect

Mars against harmful

solar radiation.

MAGNETIC FIELD

ATMOSPHERE

1 3

SOLAR RADIATION

MARS

SCIENCE UPDATE

WILD VISION