INFORMATION:
Dannberg, J. and Sobolev, S.V., "Low-buoyancy thermochemical plumes resolve controversy of classical mantle plume concept", Nature Communications, 24.04.2015, doi: 10.1038/ncomms7960
A figure of the flood basalts that ascended through the Earth's crust and reached the surface in Siberia can be found at:
https://media.gfz-potsdam.de/gfz/wv/05_Medien_Kommunikation/Bildarchiv/LIP%20Siberia/temp_xs/46726314-Siberian%20Traps%202.jpg
Ascent or no ascent?
How hot material is stopped in the Earth's mantle
2015-04-24
(Press-News.org) 24.4.2015: Gigantic volumes of hot material rising from the deep earth's mantle to the base of the lithosphere have shaped the face of our planet. Provided they have a sufficient volume, they can lead to break-up of continents or cause mass extinction events in certain periods of the Earth's history. So far it was assumed that because of their high temperatures those bodies - called mantle plumes - ascend directly from the bottom of the earth's mantle to the lithosphere. In the most recent volume of Nature Communications, a team of researchers from the Geodynamic Modeling Section of German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ explains possible barriers for the ascent of these mantle plumes and under which conditions the hot material can still reach the surface. In addition, the researchers resolve major conflicts surrounding present model predictions.
The largest magmatic events on Earth are caused by massive melting of ascending large volumes of hot material from the Earth's interior. The surface manifestations of these events in Earth's history are still visible in form of the basaltic rocks of Large Igneous Provinces. The prevailing concept of mantle plumes so far was that because of their high temperatures, they have strongly positive buoyancy that causes them to ascend and uplift the overlying Earth's surface by more than one kilometer. In addition, it was assumed that these mantle plumes are mushroom-shaped with a large bulbous head and a much thinner tail with a radius of only 100 km, acting as an ascent channel for new material. But here is the problem: In many cases, this concept does not agree with geological and geophysical observations, which report much wider zones of ascending material and much smaller surface uplift.
The solution is to incorporate observations from plate tectonics: In many places on the Earth's surface, such as in the subduction zones around the Pacific, ocean floor sinks down into the Earth's mantle. Apparently, this material descends up to a great depth in the Earth's mantle over several millions of years. This former ocean floor has a different chemical composition than the surrounding Earth's mantle, leading to a higher density. If this material is entrained by mantle plumes, which is indicated by geochemical analyses of the rocks of Large Igneous Provinces, the buoyancy of the plume will decrease. However, this opens up the question if this hot material is still buoyant enough to rise all the way from the bottom of the Earth's mantle to the surface.
GFZ-researcher Juliane Dannberg: "Our computer simulations show that on the one hand, the temperature difference between the plume and the surrounding mantle has to be high enough to trigger the ascent of the plume. On the other hand, a minimum volume is required to cross a region in the upper mantle where the prevailing pressures and temperatures lead to minerals with a much higher density than the surrounding rocks."
Under these conditions, mantles plumes with very low buoyancy can develop, preventing them from causing massive volcanism and environmental catastrophes, but instead making them pond inside of the Earth's mantle. However, mantle plumes that are able to ascend through the whole mantle are much wider, remain in the Earth's mantle for hundreds of millions of years and only uplift the surface by a few hundred meters, which agrees with observations.
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Biodiversity promotes multitasking in ecosystems
2015-04-24
A new study of the complex interplay between organisms and their environment shows that biodiversity--the variety of organisms living on Earth--is even more important to the healthy functioning of ecosystems than previously thought.
The findings bolster the view that conservation of biodiversity benefits the plants and animals directly involved, and by extension the human populations that rely on these organisms and ecosystems for food, water, and other basic services.
Lead author on the study, to be published in the online journal Nature Communications on April 24, ...
Grazoprevir/elbasvir combo shows high cure rate for patients with chronic HCV
2015-04-24
Philadelphia, April 24, 2015 -- Once-daily oral grazoprevir/elbasvir combination therapy, taken without interferon or ribavirin for 12 weeks, demonstrated high sustained virologic response rates for treatment-naïve patients with cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 4, or 6. These findings suggest that once-daily oral grazoprevir/elbasvir represents a new therapeutic option for chronic HCV infection.
Data from the Phase 3 C-EDGE Treatment-Naïve Trial are being presented for the first time at the 50th annual congress of the European ...
Stem-cell-based therapy promising for treatment of breast cancer metastases in the brain
2015-04-24
Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed an imageable mouse model of brain-metastatic breast cancer and shown the potential of a stem-cell-based therapy to eliminate metastatic cells from the brain and prolong survival. The study published online in the journal Brain also describes a strategy of preventing the potential negative consequences of stem cell therapy.
"Metastatic brain tumors - often from lung, breast or skin cancers - are the most commonly observed tumors within the brain and account for about ...
Once-daily grazoprevir/elbasvir is effective in patients infected with chronic hepatitis C
2015-04-24
April 24, 2015, Vienna, Austria: Results presented today at The International Liver Congress™ 2015 show that a 12-week oral regimen of once-daily single tablet grazoprevir/elbasvir (GZR/EBR) is effective and well-tolerated in treatment-naive (TN) patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GT)-1, -4 or -6, including those with compensated cirrhosis.
Based on preliminary results from 316 GZR/EBR recipients in the immediate treatment arm, 299 patients (95%) achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12).
"These initial results ...
Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir combination proves effective in subset of patients with chronic hepatitis C
2015-04-24
April 24, 2015, Vienna, Austria: A new study presented today at The International Liver Congress™ 2015 has demonstrated that ledipasvir (LDV) in combination with sofosbuvir (SOF) achieves sustained virologic response rates 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12; primary endpoint), of 93% and 95% in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 4 or 5, respectively.
In the study, LDV/SOF was administered in a once-daily, fixed-dose combination tablet for 12 weeks to treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with or without cirrhosis. A total ...
Cancer rates among patients with hepatitis C are increased compared to those not infected
2015-04-24
April 24, 2015, Vienna , Austria: Results announced today at The International Liver CongressTM 2015 show that cancer rates in patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) were significantly increased compared to the non-HCV cohort. The researchers suggest an extrahepatic manifestation of HCV may be an increased risk of cancer.
The aim of the study was to describe the rates of all cancers in the cohort of HCV patients compared to the non-HCV population. Known cancer types associated with hepatitis C include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, renal and prostate cancers, as well as liver ...
Novel therapeutic candidate targets key driver of HCC in genomically defined subset of patients
2015-04-24
April 24, 2015, Vienna, Austria: Findings were presented today at The International Liver CongressTM 2015 on a novel therapeutic candidate for a genomically defined subset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with an aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) pathway. BLU-554, a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR4, has been identified as a potential treatment option for up to 30% of HCC patients. In preclinical studies, the investigational drug was shown to be potent and 'exquisitely selective' for FGFR4 compared to other kinases targeting the FGFR family. ...
NASH associated with a 50 percent higher chance of death compared with NAFLD
2015-04-24
April 24, 2015, Vienna, Austria: Results from a large population-based cohort of almost a million people in the UK found that the chances of dying from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), over a 14-year period, was approximately 50% higher than for those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Reported today at The International Liver CongressTM 2015, the large study analysed the overall burden of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality across the spectrum of NAFLD. The four stages of NAFLD are steatosis (or simple fatty liver), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ...
Cribs are for sleeping, car seats are for traveling
2015-04-24
Cincinnati, OH, April 24, 2015 -- Sleep-related deaths are the most common cause of death for infants 1-12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their back on a firm mattress, without loose bedding. However, many parents use sitting or carrying devices, such as car seats, swings, or bouncers, as alternative sleeping environments, which could lead to potential injury or death. In a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers describe how the improper use of these items can lead to infant deaths.
Erich ...
Cures and curcumin -- turmeric offers potential therapy for oral cancers
2015-04-24
Turmeric - the familiar yellow spice common in Indian and Asian cooking - may play a therapeutic role in oral cancers associated with human papillomavirus, according to new research published in ecancermedicalscience.
One of the herb's key active ingredients - an antioxidant called curcumin - appears to have a quelling effect on the activity of human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a virus that promotes the development of cervical and oral cancer. There is no cure, but curcumin may offer a means of future control.
"Turmeric has established antiviral and anti-cancer properties," ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
New research boosts future whooping cough vaccines
Mechanistic understanding could enable better fast-charging batteries
No bones about it: new details about skeletal cell aging revealed
UNM scientists discover how nanoparticles of toxic metal used in MRI scans infiltrate human tissue
UMaine research examines best methods for growing Atlantic sea scallops
Medical cannabis could speed recovery, especially at community recovery homes
Study assesses U.S. image amid weakening of democracy
Two scientific researchers to receive 2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health
Researchers improve chemical reaction that underpins products from foods to fuels
Texas Tech to develop semiconductor power devices through $6 million grant
Novel genomic screening tool enables precision reverse-engineering of genetic programming in cells
Hot Schrödinger cat states created
How cells repair their power plants
Oxygen is running low in inland waters—and humans are to blame
ACP’s Best Practice Advice addresses use of cannabis, cannabinoids for chronic noncancer pain
Beyond photorespiration: A systematic approach to unlocking enhanced plant productivity
How a small number of mutations can fuel outbreaks of western equine encephalitis virus
Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions
Research uncovers hidden spread of one of the most common hospital-associated infections
Many older adults send their doctors portal messages, but who pays?
Fine particulate matter from 2020 California wildfires and mental health–related emergency department visits
Gender inequity in institutional leadership roles in US academic medical centers
Pancreatic cells ‘remember’ epigenetic precancerous marks without genetic sequence mutations
Rare combination of ovarian tumors found in one patient
AI-driven clinical recommendations may aid physician decision making to improve quality of care
Artificial intelligence has potential to aid physician decisions during virtual urgent care
ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine present breaking scientific news at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2025
New study reveals polymers with flawed fillers boost heat transfer in plastics
Signs identified that precede sudden arrhythmic death syndrome in young people
Discovery of bacteria's defence against viruses becomes a piece of the puzzle against resistance
[Press-News.org] Ascent or no ascent?How hot material is stopped in the Earth's mantle