Scientific novelty beyond the experiment

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(6), P. 1131 - 1173

Published: Feb. 14, 2023

Practical experiments drive important scientific discoveries in biology, but theory-based research studies also contribute novel-sometimes paradigm-changing-findings. Here, we appraise the roles of approaches focusing on experiment-dominated wet-biology areas microbial growth and survival, cell physiology, host-pathogen interactions, competitive or symbiotic interactions. Additional examples relate to analyses genome-sequence data, climate change planetary health, habitability, astrobiology. We assess importance thought at each step process; natural philosophy, inconsistencies logic language, as drivers progress; value experiments; use limitations artificial intelligence technologies, including their potential for interdisciplinary transdisciplinary research; other instances when theory is most-direct most-scientifically robust route novelty development techniques practical experimentation fieldwork. highlight intrinsic need human engagement innovation, an issue pertinent ongoing controversy over papers authored using/authored by (such large language model/chatbot ChatGPT). Other issues discussed are way which aspects can bias thinking towards spatial rather than temporal (and how this biased lead skewed terminology); receptivity that non-mainstream; science education epistemology. Whereas briefly classic works (those Oakes Ames, Francis H.C. Crick James D. Watson, Charles R. Darwin, Albert Einstein, E. Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, Gilbert Ryle, Erwin R.J.A. Schrödinger, Alan M. Turing, others), focus microbiology more-recent, discussing these context process types they represent. These include several carried out during 2020 2022 lockdowns COVID-19 pandemic access laboratories was disallowed (or limited). interviewed authors some featured microbiology-related and-although ourselves involved laboratory fieldwork-also drew from our own experiences showing such not only produce new findings transcend barriers between disciplines, act counter reductionism, integrate biological data across different timescales levels complexity, circumvent constraints imposed techniques. In relation urgent needs, believe global challenges may require beyond experiment.

Language: Английский

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Methane-hydrogen-rich fluid migration may trigger seismic failure in subduction zones at forearc depths

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

Abstract Metamorphic fluids, faults, and shear zones are carriers of carbon from the deep Earth to shallower reservoirs. Some these fluids reduced transport energy sources, like H 2 light hydrocarbons. Mechanisms pathways capable transporting sources towards reservoirs remain unidentified. Here we present geological evidence failure mechanically strong rocks due accumulation CH 4 -H -rich at forearc depths, which ultimately reached supralithostatic pore fluid pressure. These originated adjacent reduction carbonates by during serpentinization eclogite-to-blueschist-facies conditions. Thermodynamic modeling predicts that production aqueous can produce overpressure more easily than carbon-poor CO fluids. This study provides for migration along tectonic discontinuities, suggests causal relationships with brittle hard rock types may trigger seismic activity depths.

Language: Английский

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Coupled surface to deep Earth processes: Perspectives from TOPO-EUROPE with an emphasis on climate- and energy-related societal challenges

Global and Planetary Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 226, P. 104140 - 104140

Published: May 12, 2023

Understanding the interactions between surface and deep Earth processes is important for research in many diverse scientific areas including climate, environment, energy, georesources biosphere. The TOPO-EUROPE initiative of International Lithosphere Program serves as a pan-European platform integrated sciences, synergizing observational studies structure fluxes on all spatial temporal scales with modelling processes. This review provides survey developments our quantitative understanding coupled surface-deep achieved through TOPO-EUROPE. most notable innovations include (1) process-based connection upper mantle dynamics absolute plate motion frames; (2) models sediment source-to-sink dynamics, demonstrating importance mass transfer from mountains to basins basin basin; (3) demonstration key role polyphase evolution sedimentary basins, impact pre-rift pre-orogenic structures, subsequent lithosphere landscape dynamics; (4) improved conceptual back-arc extension tectonic inversion onset subduction; (5) explain strength Europe's lithosphere; (6) concepts governing interplay thermal stress-induced intraplate deformation; (7) constraints record vertical motions high-resolution data sets obtained geo-thermochronology topographic evolution; (8) recognition quantifications forcing by erosional and/or glacial-interglacial regional magmatism, major implications carbon cycle geological timescales emerging field biogeodynamics; (9) insights coupling domain geothermal energy exploration. Concerning future agenda TOPO-EUROPE, we also discuss rich potential further advances, multidisciplinary community building across frontiers, biosphere, climate energy. These will focus obtaining better insight into initiation subduction systems, plumes continental rifting (super)continent break-up, deformation reactivation cratons; interaction geodynamic, processes, such glaciation, sea level change processes; sensitivity, tipping points, spatio-temporal tectonics well rock melting outgassing affecting interactions; biogeodynamics, that – life Earth; tightening societal challenges regarding renewable georesources, change, natural geohazards, novel process-understanding system.

Language: Английский

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Complexity of graphite formation in response to metamorphic methane generation and transformation in an orogenic ultramafic body

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 364, P. 166 - 183

Published: Oct. 26, 2023

Language: Английский

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Complex organic matter degradation by secondary consumers in chemolithoautotrophy-based subsurface geothermal ecosystems

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(8), P. e0281277 - e0281277

Published: Aug. 18, 2023

Microbial communities in terrestrial geothermal systems often contain chemolithoautotrophs with well-characterized distributions and metabolic capabilities. However, the extent to which organic matter produced by these supports heterotrophs remains largely unknown. Here we compared abundance activity of peptidases carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) that are predicted be extracellular identified metagenomic assemblies from 63 springs Central American Andean convergent margin (Argentinian backarc Volcanic Zone), as well plume-influenced spreading center Iceland. All two orders magnitude more than CAZymes, suggesting microorganisms use proteins for their carbon and/or nitrogen acquisition instead complex sugars. The CAZy families highest GH23 CBM50, most abundant peptidase M23 C26, all four degrade peptidoglycan found bacterial cells. This implies heterotrophic community relies on autochthonous dead cell biomass, rather allochthonous plant matter, material. Enzymes involved degradation cyanobacterial- algal-derived compounds lower at every site, volcanic sites having degrading cyanobacterial non-volcanic algal compounds. Activity assays showed many enzyme classes samples. High temperature (> 80°C) had similar carbon-degrading regardless province, a less well-developed population secondary consumers sites, possibly connected limited subsurface biosphere high sites. We conclude < 80°C springs, chemolithoautotrophic production capable wide range do not vary geological even though taxonomic respiratory repertoire differ greatly across regions.

Language: Английский

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Subsurface microbial community structure shifts along the geological features of the Central American Volcanic Arc

EarthArXiv (California Digital Library), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 5, 2024

Subduction of the Cocos and Nazca oceanic plates beneath Caribbean plate drives upward movement deep fluids enriched in carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron along Central American Volcanic Arc (CAVA). These compounds fuel diverse subsurface microbial communities that turn alter distribution, redox state, isotopic composition these compounds. Microbial community structure functions vary according to fluid delivery across arc, but less is known about how differ axis a convergent margin as geological features (e.g., extent volcanism subduction geometry) shift. Here, we investigate changes bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons geochemical analysis deeply-sourced seeps southern CAVA, where Ridge alters setting. We find shifts margin, with similar settings clustering together independently proximity sample sites. correlates variables such host rock type, maturity hydrothermal slab depth different segments CAVA. This reveals tight coupling between Earth processes activity, controlling margin.

Language: Английский

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Carbon, nitrogen, and noble gas isotopes reveal deep volatile signatures in thermal springs in the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ) of the Andes

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 651, P. 119169 - 119169

Published: Dec. 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Standard Operating Procedure for the analysis of trace elements in hydrothermal fluids by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Open Research Europe, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3, P. 90 - 90

Published: June 12, 2023

This standard operating procedure (SOP) validates an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the trace element determinations in hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal fluids are aqueous solutions with a wide range of temperature, salinity, pH and elements that can be used by set microbial proteins containing redox-sensitive transition metals as their catalytic core. Due to high variability these samples, we have developed this protocol taking into account special features matrices analyzed. An ICP-MS 7900 Agilent system was used. Calibration curves linear 0.01 100 μg/L concentration range.

Language: Английский

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Greenland 2022 GHOST project: Sampling Greenland geothermal springs - expedition report

Open Research Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4, P. 77 - 77

Published: April 19, 2024

This report describes the GRL22 expedition to Disko Island (West Greenland) sample thermal springs generated by residual heat associated with formation of Icelandic hotspot. Despite large number present on Island, our knowledge microbiology these and how they relate cycling volatile elements controls their budgets is limited. The aim project understand diversity microbial communities brought Earth’s surface spring fluids determine role in biogeochemical cycling. long-term goal combine data hot from East Greenland Iceland. This approach will create a transect “space time” across hotspot track, that allow us evaluate potential influences plume subsurface communities. leg took place between July 25 August 2, 2022, nine distinct sites were sampled for geochemistry.

Language: Английский

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Standard operating procedure for the analysis of major ions in hydrothermal fluids by ion chromatography

Open Research Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3, P. 94 - 94

Published: May 28, 2024

This standard operating procedure (SOP) describes an ion chromatography (IC) for the major cations and anions in hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal fluids are aqueous solutions with a wide range of temperature, salinity, pH species that can be used by microbial metabolism as electron donors acceptors. Due to high variability environmental physical-chemical parameters these samples, we have developed this protocol taking into account special features matrices analyzed. An Eco IC Metrohm system equipped conductivity detector was used. Calibration curves linear 0.1 10 mg/L concentration Ca

Language: Английский

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