Most stars in the Universe exist in binary or multiple star systems, where the presence of close-in companion stars in such systems can adversely influence the formation and orbital stability of planets around one of the stars. An international team of astrophysicists led by Professor Man Hoi LEE from the Department of Earth Sciences and the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Mr Ho Wan CHENG, an MPhil student in his team, has confirmed the existence of a planet in an unprecedented retrograde orbit (moving in the opposite direction to the binary’s orbit) in the nu Octantis (nu Octantis) binary star system and revealed the role of binary star evolution in the origin of this planet. The findings have been published in the journal Nature.

Published in the Journal of Palaeogeography (Chinese Edition), this work underscores the journal’s role as a hub for cutting-edge Earth science research. By integrating regional geology with universal themes, it attracts studies that redefine our understanding of Earth’s past while informing sustainable resource exploration. For scholars, the NCC’s mineral archives exemplify how localized data can unravel global mysteries—a testament to the journal’s commitment to impactful, globally relevant science.

A groundbreaking study by researchers from Chongqing University and the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveals that diatoms can transform lunar soil, boosting its water retention and nutrient levels to support robust plant growth. This breakthrough paves the way for sustainable agriculture in lunar habitats, offering a vital step toward humanity’s long-term survival and interplanetary exploration.

Examining the fallout from the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period, researchers found that the species that survived weren’t random.

Quaise Energy has moved out of the lab and into the field with the first demonstration of its novel drilling technique on a full-scale oil rig just outside of Houston. The company, formed only seven years ago, is on track to prove that clean, renewable geothermal energy could power the world, according to Carlos Araque, CEO of Quaise and a co-founder.

A new study led by the University of Oxford has finally confirmed the theory that the cause of extraordinary global tremors in September - October 2023 was indeed two mega tsunamis in Greenland that became trapped standing waves.

Using a brand-new type of satellite altimetry, the researchers provide the first observations to confirm the existence of these waves whose behaviour is entirely unprecedented.

The findings have been published today (3 June) in Nature Communications.