The findings could have implications for our understanding of distant, water-rich planets.

A team of scientists working in UNLV's Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab pioneered a new method for measuring the properties of water under high pressure. The water sample was first squeezed between the tips of two opposite-facing diamonds—freezing into several jumbled ice crystals. The ice was then subjected to a laser-heating technique that temporarily melted it before it quickly re-formed into a powder-like collection of tiny crystals.

A team of scientists working in UNLV's Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab pioneered a new method for measuring the properties of water under high pressure. The water sample was first squeezed between the tips of two opposite-facing diamonds—freezing into several jumbled ice crystals. The ice was then subjected to a laser-heating technique that temporarily melted it before it quickly re-formed into a powder-like collection of tiny crystals.

The scientists made Ice-VIIt in the lab by squeezing water at a pressure more than 50,000 that found at sea level.

The scientists made Ice-VIIt in the lab by squeezing water at a pressure more than 50,000 that found at sea level.

A diamond anvil squashed water ice into a never-before-seen transitional form that may exist on other planets.

A diamond anvil squashed water ice into a never-before-seen transitional form that may exist on other planets.

Physicists have discovered a new form of ice, something they say redefines the properties of water at high pressures. A team of scientists working in the Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pioneered a new method for measuring the properties of water under high pressure, according to a recent report from the university.

Physicists have discovered a new form of ice, something they say redefines the properties of water at high pressures. A team of scientists working in the Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pioneered a new method for measuring the properties of water under high pressure, according to a recent report from the university.

Researchers hypothesise that the Ice-VIIt phase of ice could exist in abundance in the crust and upper mantle of expected water-rich planets outside of our solar system

Researchers hypothesise that the Ice-VIIt phase of ice could exist in abundance in the crust and upper mantle of expected water-rich planets outside of our solar system

The first fast radio burst detected dates back to 2007. Since then, nearly a hundred of these ultrashort cosmic “explosions” have been recorded, some of them being periodic. Despite these multiple observations, the origin of these signals remains unknown to this day. Black holes, simple neutron stars, pulsars or magnetars are among the sources considered. A new study conducted by an international team on five different sources of these strange signals could finally solve this mystery.