PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Researchers develop algorithm to identify individual grains in planetary regolith

2013-11-15
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Ashley Berthelot
aberth4@lsu.edu
225-578-3870
Louisiana State University
Researchers develop algorithm to identify individual grains in planetary regolith Instruments on the Curiosity Mars rover not only measure the chemistry of rocks, elemental abundances of soils and wind speeds, but also take an incredible number of images from both mast-mounted cameras and up-close imaging systems mounted to robotic arms. The process of analyzing soil images can be daunting, particularly when there are thousands of images and when the particles can be on the order of only 5-10 pixels wide. A team of researchers, led by Suniti Karunatillake at LSU's Department of Geology and Geophysics, and including Stony Brook University, USGS-Flagstaff AZ, and Rider University, developed an image analysis and segmentation algorithm specifically to aid planetary scientists with this very basic, but often difficult, task.

Planetary scientists use images to identify the distribution of grain sizes of large-scale (centimeter or larger diameter) rocks and small-scale (less than 1 cm) grains. These grain sizes tell scientists about the processes that distributed the particles from their source regions to where they are now. For example, were they derived from a water source, blown by wind, or show hydrodynamic sorting?

The algorithm, implemented in Mathematica, uses a variety of image processing steps to segment the image, first into coarser (foreground) and finer (background) grains. The image is then further segmented until most grains are outlined. The code processes a single image within 1 to 5 minutes.

The semi-automated algorithm, while comparing favorably with manual (human) segmentation, provides better consistency across multiple images than a human. The researchers are exploring the use of this algorithm to quantify grain sizes in the images from the Mars Exploration Rovers Microscopic Imager (MI) as well as Curiosity's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). The grain size distributions identified in those images have the potential to reveal subtle trends with composition not considered previously. Ability to identify most of the grains in images also makes detailed, area-weighted, sedimentology possible. Applications extend to terrestrial data from less accessible sites such as deep lake basins or undisturbed river bed sediments.

### DOI 10.1016/j.icarus.2013.10.001; 10.1016/j.icarus.2013.09.021


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

A decline in creativity? It depends on how you look

2013-11-15
A decline in creativity? It depends on how you look But new research from the University of Washington Information School and Harvard University, closely studying 20 years of student creative writing and visual artworks, hints that the dynamics of creativity may not ...

Study finds social networks are key to city violence

2013-11-15
Study finds social networks are key to city violence A new study of gun violence in Chicago, led by Yale sociologist Andrew Papachristos, reveals that a person's social network is a key predictor in whether an individual will become a victim of gun homicide, even more so than race, ...

Starting dialysis after -- not before -- conception may improve birth rates in women with advanced kidney disease

2013-11-15
Starting dialysis after -- not before -- conception may improve birth rates in women with advanced kidney disease Study's findings may help guide care of young women who need dialysis Washington, DC (November 14, 2013) — Women with advanced kidney disease who start ...

Scientists identify the world's most irreplaceable protected areas

2013-11-15
Scientists identify the world's most irreplaceable protected areas This news release is available in French. Gland, Switzerland, 14 November 2013 (IUCN) – A new scientific study has identified the protected areas most critical to preventing extinctions of the world's ...

UMD, Google & gov. create first detailed map of global forest change

2013-11-15
UMD, Google & gov. create first detailed map of global forest change COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- A University of Maryland-led, multi-organizational team has created the first high-resolution global map of forest extent, loss and gain. This resource greatly improves the ability to ...

Stanford researchers home in on roots of Caribbean populations using new DNA analysis method

2013-11-15
Stanford researchers home in on roots of Caribbean populations using new DNA analysis method STANFORD, Calif. — Those of us who want to learn about our ancestors — who they were, where they came from and how they mingled (or didn't) with others ...

Deciphering genetic echoes from the past: Illuminating human history

2013-11-15
Deciphering genetic echoes from the past: Illuminating human history Historical records are often used to learn about ancestry but a new approach, using genetics, is currently being applied. In a recent study, published in PLOS Genetics, scientists from the Stanford University ...

Stanford scientists create a low-cost, long-lasting water splitter made of silicon and nickel

2013-11-15
Stanford scientists create a low-cost, long-lasting water splitter made of silicon and nickel Stanford University scientists have created a silicon-based water splitter that is both low-cost and corrosion-free. The novel device – a silicon semiconductor coated in ...

High marks for Columbia's new public health curriculum

2013-11-15
High marks for Columbia's new public health curriculum The architects of the Columbia MPH reflect on its rationale and design, and report feedback from students and faculty A fully re-envisioned Master of Public Health program was launched by Columbia ...

Has the idea of 'zero deforestation' lost its meaning

2013-11-15
Has the idea of 'zero deforestation' lost its meaning Separate targets for gross deforestation and reforestation would increase progress toward forest conservation, climate change mitigation goals ARLINGTON, Va. (November 14, 2013) – What exactly does "zero ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Study reveals global inequalities in cancer research funding

England’s forgotten first king deserves to be famous, says Æthelstan biographer as anniversaries approach

Experts urge the medical profession to confront the global arms industry

Personalized risk messages fail to boost colorectal cancer screening participation

Something from nothing: Physicists model vacuum tunnelling in a 2D superfluid

CRISPR’s efficiency triples with DNA-wrapped nanoparticles

For the first time in 40 Years, Panama’s deep and cold ocean waters failed to emerge, possibly affecting fisheries and coral health

Depression may make learning to avoid unpleasant events harder

Study sheds light on how pediatric brain tumors grow

Rare seasonal brain shrinkage in shrews is driven by water loss, not cell death

AI co-pilot boosts noninvasive brain-computer interface by interpreting user intent

Black adults face heart failure nearly 14 years earlier than white patients

Study detects multidrug-resistant KPC-producing bacteria in Chilean wastewater for the first time

New artificial intelligence model accurately identifies which atrial fibrillation patients need blood thinners to prevent stroke

Safety of factor XI inhibition with abelacimab in atrial fibrillation by kidney function

Combination of mini-camera and AI predicts recurrent heart attack

Study Reveals Details of Overactive Immune System in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

UTSA and UT Health San Antonio complete merger to become The University of Texas at San Antonio

Helicobacter pylori screening after acute myocardial infarction

Solar Orbiter traces superfast electrons back to Sun

GaN-based electron beam technology from Nagoya University startup poised to overcome critical semiconductor manufacturing challenges at KIOXIA

Circle versus rectangle: Finding ‘Earth 2.0’ may be easier using a new telescope shape

Metformin changes blood metal levels in humans

Long-term anticoagulation discontinuation after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Fractional flow reserve–guided complete vs culprit-only revascularization in non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease

Participation of women in cardiovascular trials from 2017 to 2023

Semaglutide and tirzepatide in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Changes in biology of internal fat may be the leading cause of heart failure

Transcatheter or surgical treatment of patients with aortic stenosis at low to intermediate risk

Promising new drug for people with stubborn high blood pressure

[Press-News.org] Researchers develop algorithm to identify individual grains in planetary regolith