US judge stops government from monitoring energy usage of cryptocurrency mining.

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The U.S. government has halted an investigation into a cryptocurrency mining operation over its rising energy use following a lawsuit from an industry accused by environmental groups of fueling the climate crisis.

A federal judge in Texas granted an interim order blocking new requirements to verify cryptocurrency miners’ energy use, stating that the industry would suffer “irreparable harm” if forced to comply.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched an “emergency” initiative last month to examine the energy usage of mining operations, which use computational power to mine currencies like Bitcoin.

The growth of cryptocurrencies and mining activities has led to a surge in electricity usage, with data centers popping up and even reviving coal-fired power plants for mining operations.

The federal government requires more information on big miners’ electricity use, as mining facilities provided a significant portion of total U.S. electricity demand last year. Globally, cryptocurrency mining is responsible for a notable portion of energy consumption.

Campaigners warn that the increased electricity consumption from cryptocurrency mining exacerbates the climate crisis, with mining operations releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide each year.

Cryptocurrency mining is straining power grids, with instances of Bitcoin companies receiving energy credits to reduce power usage during peak demand periods.

The industry has managed to avoid an investigation it deems burdensome, citing political motives from the government. The debate continues on the regulation of cryptocurrency mining in the U.S.

The Blockchain Council of Texas and other groups argue that the government’s actions are aimed at limiting or eliminating Bitcoin mining in the U.S., causing concerns for the industry and its employees.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Is Nvidia’s $1 trillion valuation sustainable, or is Apple poised to take the crown?

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

EEveryone wants to be like Apple. The world’s largest publicly traded company, with a flagship product that prints money, a cultural footprint that has reached world-historical significance, and the Ford of the 21st century.

At a surface level, it’s clear which companies get hammered in this comparison. If you send out a well-crafted, smartly designed home appliance in a nice box, someone somewhere will compare you to the Cupertino giant.

Digging a little deeper allows for more meaningful comparisons. Apple isn’t just defined by its style, it’s also defined by its focus. A small number of computers, phones, and tablets in a small number of configurations account for most of the revenue.

That focus has allowed the company to develop a reputation for quality. Of course, it also contributed to its formidable media strategy, making every product launch an industry event in a way that few have been able to imitate before. This is what I was thinking nearly a decade ago when I referred to gaming giant Blizzard, creator of World of Warcraft and Diablo, as “his Apple of gaming.” (Now owned by Microsoft and plagued by allegations of misconduct, Blizzard’s star has since fallen.)

But there’s something else that makes Apple what it is today, and it’s difficult for startups to imitate. The Apple they see is just the latest evolution of a company that was an industry giant before the latest generation of founders were born. The Apple II, Mac, and iMac all shaped computing for 25 years before the iPod turned Apple into a consumer electronics company. And the iPod gave Apple another decade of growth and sophistication, until the iPhone came along and created the behemoth it is today.

Now let’s talk about Nvidia.

$1 trillion is not cool

…

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk redeems himself at California bakery following $2,000 pie mishap

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A California bakery alleges that Tesla did not pay for a hefty order, amounting to thousands of dollars. The billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly assured to rectify the situation, resulting in the bakery confirming that the outstanding claims have been settled.

The owner of Giving Pies, a black-owned bakery in San Jose, California, revealed that Tesla ignored an order for 4,000 mini pies just five days ago. Voahunzi Lacetarinella made this known on his Instagram account.

Racetarinella, in an email to the Guardian, acknowledged that Tesla has now settled the missing $2,000 payment. This development came after Musk responded to the story on X (formerly Twitter) and assured, “Things will go well with the bakery.”

The bakery received a last-minute order of 2,000 pies from Tesla on Valentine’s Day, which was later doubled to 4,000 pies. However, Tesla canceled the order without making the payment, as reported by KTVU.

Racetarinella shared on Instagram that she turned down other Black History Month catering requests to fulfill the expanded order, but the bakery was left uncompensated for their efforts.

She criticized Tesla’s corporate culture for prioritizing convenience over accountability and disregarding the livelihoods of small business owners like herself. Racetarinella emphasized the challenges faced by small businesses when dealing with large corporations.

Following media coverage of the incident, Giving Pies garnered widespread support, leading to a surge of customers at the store. Racetarinella expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response and reflected on her entrepreneurial journey in a post on Instagram.

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Racetarinella concluded on a positive note, underscoring her determination as a Black female entrepreneur to overcome setbacks and continue serving her community with integrity and pride.

Source: www.theguardian.com

An undisclosed ice base uncovers ethereal cosmic particles in Antarctica

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists have faced a challenge for nearly a century: How do you detect the undetectable, like the elusive neutrino? But now, in a groundbreaking discovery, neutrinos from elsewhere in the Milky Way have been detected for the first time, shedding light on a new era of neutrino astronomy.

The discovery of neutrinos has opened up new possibilities, and researchers like Steve Sclafani from the University of Maryland are excited about this new frontier. Neutrinos, the second most abundant elementary particles in the universe, are notoriously difficult to detect due to their elusive nature. When Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli proposed their existence in the 1930s, he thought they could never be detected, but he was proven wrong in 1956.

The discovery of neutrinos from outside the Milky Way was made possible by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a massive telescope located near the South Pole. By detecting high-energy neutrinos from distant galaxies, scientists are uncovering the mysteries of cosmic particle accelerators. These accelerators, like supermassive black holes, can provide clues about the origins of cosmic rays and other cosmic phenomena.

Small particles, huge targets

The IceCube detector, operated by a collaboration of scientists from around the world, works by detecting Cherenkov radiation emitted when high-energy neutrinos interact with the ice. This innovative approach allowed researchers to distinguish Milky Way neutrinos from other background signals, leading to the detection of hundreds of neutrinos over a 10-year period.

By studying the distribution of these neutrinos, scientists hope to learn more about the origins of cosmic rays and other high-energy phenomena in our galaxy. With plans to expand the IceCube observatory and improve detection methods, the future of neutrino astronomy looks promising.

Birth of neutrino astronomy

The detection of high-energy neutrinos from the Milky Way marks a new era in astronomy, providing researchers with a unique tool to study cosmic phenomena. By tracking these neutrinos back to their sources, scientists hope to uncover the mechanisms behind cosmic particle accelerators and other cosmic mysteries.

Neutrino astronomy offers a new perspective on the universe, allowing researchers to peer into the heart of energetic and turbulent environments near supermassive black holes. This discovery opens up a whole new window on the universe, providing invaluable insights into the workings of the cosmos.

New perspective

Neutrino astronomy has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of cosmic particle accelerators and other energetic phenomena. By studying the origins of high-energy neutrinos, researchers can uncover the mysteries of the cosmos and explore new frontiers in astrophysics. Exciting times lie ahead for neutrino astronomy, with new discoveries and advancements on the horizon.

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About our experts

Mirko Hünefeld from Dortmund University of Technology and Steve Sclafani from the University of Maryland are leading scientists in the field of neutrino astronomy. Their contributions to the IceCube observatory have helped advance our understanding of the universe and unlock new insights into cosmic phenomena.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

My life was consumed by a terrifying blend of solitaire and poker

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

I
I’m the type of person who wants to cry when the rules of a board game are explained to me, so I generally don’t like card games. In real life poker, you get bored after a few rounds, go all-in, and crash spectacularly, but something can happen. However, real-life poker is not a varsity game. Balatro may be the best card game you’ve ever come across. Especially this morning I left the steam deck at home. It’s to avoid sitting at your desk and playing Ballatro instead of doing other not-so-fun things you should be doing at work, like staring regretfully at your constantly overflowing email inbox. I think it will be one of the breakout games of this year. Join us and you’ll be hooked too.

Here’s how to play: You are dealt a regular hand of 9 cards, from which you play your best 4- or 5-card poker hand (flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, etc.). Then, a satisfying “Ding!” sound determines the hand’s score and moves on to the next score. The only person you play is yourself. Once you reach your point goal (perhaps a few hundred points to begin with), you advance to the next round.

In between games, you’ll find mystical features such as holographic, steel, and gold versions of cards that give multipliers or extra chips, planet cards that increase points to increase the value of certain hands, and tarot cards that transform cards. You can add things to your deck. A bunch of interesting ways and strange jokers that can completely change your strategy. It’s poker, but a little trippy.and you Assumption Bending the rules.

This madness is ideally what your deck will look like in a few rounds. Photo: LocalThunk/Playstack

By the fourth or fifth series of the game, hearts gained additional multipliers, playing face cards earned double points, and planets gave modest pairs huge multipliers. You’ll end up with a deck of quirky lucky cards. You can rely on it to help you reach your point goals. You are abandoning the ace in hopes of drawing his three diamonds for a special steal that will add valuable points to your score. Every three rounds, a boss appears that makes horrible modifications to your play, such as limiting your cards to his five, drawing cards face down, or randomly disabling entire suits. You have to adapt round by round, hope your luck holds out and keep things in your favor.

Apparently, he can beat Balatolo by completing an eight-round match. I googled this question and came across a thread on the Steam forums where someone was brazenly claiming to have won 2 rounds and was still winning 80% of the time. I hate this person.

It went to the final stage twice and was successfully bottled. Once, I forgot that I hadn’t actually leveled up my hand and went for a rare straight-to-his flush, but I ended up getting fewer points than I could have with a few pairs. Several times I’ve grossly miscalculated my hand and discarded a card in hopes of drawing a replacement card that was mathematically very unlikely to appear. One time, I encountered a boss right before the final stretch. Only allow one type of hand to be played.

Watch your hands…Balatoro. Photo: LocalThunk/Playstack

Baratolo may feel terribly cursed when something like this happens, but the thing is, this isn’t entirely a game of chance. Although you have to have good luck from the cards and the belief that a decent joker will appear in the shop between rounds, do Decide where to spend your money on new cards, which hands to go for, and which risk opportunities to take. So, like all good roguelikes, each failure resets your progress so you can feel like you’ll be fully successful next time.

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And then 2 hours disappear. I find the slightly mesmerizing chillwave music and pixel psychedelic illustrations, the naughty Joker card illustrations and retro TV scanlines disturbingly calming. If Baratolo was trying to extort money from you, that would be pure evil. But the good news is that once you’ve paid £12.79, all your gambling is done virtually and all you’re spending is your time.

I imagine that perhaps after I achieve that elusive victory, the spell will finally be broken. In the meantime, now life is baratolo and baratolo is life. I’m dreaming with clubs and spades.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unusual Fish with Mouth that Extends to Resemble a Trunk

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A hinged mouth that extends its proboscis to feed at the bottom of the aquarium.

Alison Evans

Found only in rivers and forest ponds in West Africa, this fish has a protruding trunk-like snout that allows it to suck in food or breathe air like a snorkel.

hinge(Fractolemus ansorgii) has what biologists call an expandable proboscis, a tubular structure that can be folded onto the head and extended upward or downward. The lips of the proboscis are lined with tooth-like structures made of keratin, which the fish uses to scrape up algae and other debris.

Alison Evans Researchers at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., used dissection, videography, and CT scans to uncover the jaw's complex structure.

Unlike all other fishes, where the jaw joint is located at the back of the mouth, the hinge mouse's jaw joint is located at the front of the head. The lower jaw is tipped back and pointed toward the throat. The upper jaw is connected to the lower jaw by ligaments and is part of the proboscis. “You can think of the upper jaw more or less hanging onto the skin of the proboscis,” Evans says. This is why the structure can extend far from the head.

Hingemouths offer “a novel mechanical solution to a ubiquitous challenge faced by all fish: how to acquire food in viscous fluid media,” Evans says.

She also observed the fish swimming up to the surface and using its proboscis “like a snorkel” to suck in air. This can be a useful feature in forest pools where oxygen levels can be low.

Scientists aren't sure how hinges evolved because fossil evidence is scant. “The family, fractoremus“The family Quneridae is thought to have originated in the mid-Cretaceous period, but no intermediate forms have yet been found in the fossil record,” says Evans.

“The most important thing for me is that scientists remain curious about the world’s little weirdos,” she says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

This ‘zombie’ cannibal star was caught feasting on his siblings

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

White dwarfs, known as “man-eating stars” by scientists, are not just a concept from a Stephen King novel set in space. They are born through the process of swallowing surrounding planets and asteroids, leaving visible scars.

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in solving the mystery of these cannibal stars by finding traces of metal on the surface of one such white dwarf star for the first time ever.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said study co-author John Landstreet, a professor at Western University in Canada. These findings are reported in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

The white dwarf in question, WD 0816-310, is now the size of Earth and is the remnants of a star that was once as large as the Sun.

Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, researchers detected the concentrated metals on the scar of the cannibal star using the VLT’s FORS2 instrument, often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife.”

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Experts believe that a planet or asteroid disintegrated as it neared the white dwarf, forming a ring of debris around the dead star. WD 0816-310 then consumed part of this debris ring, leaving behind traces of specific chemicals on its surface, akin to evidence of food theft around a child’s mouth.

Additionally, scientists observed variations in the strength of metal detections on the star as it rotated, resembling changes in the magnetic field.

It was discovered that the magnetic field drew these metallic elements into the man-eating star, concentrating them at its poles and creating a distinctive “scar” in those areas.

These observations provide valuable insights into the composition of exoplanets and shed light on how stars interact with planetary systems even after their “death,” showcasing that WD 0816-310 is not just a “man-eating” star but also a “zombie” star.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Hubble Observes NGC 1841 Globular Cluster

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the globular star cluster NGC 1841 in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

This Hubble image shows the globular cluster NGC 1841 about 162,000 light-years away in the constellation Mensa. The color images include ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared observations from both Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and Survey Altitude Camera (ACS). Three filters were used to sample different wavelengths. Color is obtained by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / A. Saragedini / F. Niederhofer.

NGC1841 It is located approximately 162,000 light years away in the constellation Mensa.

The cluster is discovered It was proposed by British astronomer John Herschel on January 19, 1836.

Also known as ESO 4-15, this galaxy is part of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way.

“Satellite galaxies are galaxies that are gravitationally bound in orbit around a larger host galaxy,” Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

“While we usually think of our galaxy's closest galactic companion as the Andromeda galaxy, it would be more accurate to say that the Andromeda galaxy is the closest galaxy that does not orbit the Milky Way.”

“In fact, our galaxy is orbited by dozens of known satellite galaxies much closer than Andromeda, the largest and brightest of which is the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is easily visible to the naked eye even from the southern hemisphere. can.”

Globular clusters, such as NGC 1841, are very old systems of stars bound together by gravity into a single structure about 100 to 200 light-years in diameter.

These objects contain hundreds of thousands, or perhaps millions, of stars. The large mass in the cluster's rich stellar center pulls the stars inward, forming a star ball.

These are among the oldest objects known in the universe, relics from the earliest era of galaxy formation.

It is believed that all galaxies contain globular clusters. There are at least 150 such objects in our Milky Way galaxy.

“There are many globular star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud,” the astronomers said.

“These objects lie somewhere between open clusters (much less dense and tightly bound) and small, compact galaxies.”

“Increasingly sophisticated observations have revealed that the stellar populations and other characteristics of globular clusters are diverse and complex, but how these dense clusters form is poorly understood. yeah.”

“But all globular clusters have a certain consistency. They are so stable that they can persist for long periods of time, and therefore can be very old.”

“This means that globular clusters often contain large numbers of very old stars, making them similar to 'fossils' in the sky.”

“Just as fossils provide insight into the early development of life on Earth, globular clusters like NGC 1841 provide insight into the very early formation of stars in galaxies.”

Source: www.sci.news

Study finds that butterfly and moth genomes have remained remarkably stable over 250 million years of evolution

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This stability exists despite the incredible diversity in wing patterns, sizes, and caterpillar morphology across more than 160,000 species worldwide today, according to one study. new paper It was published in the magazine natural ecology and evolution.

lissandra belargas. Image credit: Eric Silvestre.

Butterflies and moths (in order) Lepidoptera) make up 10% of all described animal species and are extremely important pollinators and herbivores in many ecosystems.

In a new study, Professor Mark Blaxter and colleagues from the Wellcome Sanger Institute set out to understand the processes driving the evolution of chromosomes in this highly diverse group.

They analyzed and compared more than 200 high-quality chromosome-level genomes of butterflies and moths.

They identified 32 ancestral chromosomal components; Merian element Thanks to the work of pioneering 17th century entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian, most butterfly and moth species have remained intact since their last common ancestor more than 250 million years ago.

With the exception of a single ancient fusion event between two chromosomes that led to the 31 chromosomes found in most species today, the chromosomes of most modern species correspond directly to these ancestral Merian elements.

Researchers discovered that not only are chromosomes incredibly stable, but the order of genes within them is also stable.

They discovered several species with small changes, mainly involving the fusion of small autosomes and sex chromosomes. This highlights the role of chromosome length as a driver of evolutionary change.

However, scientists believe that the blue butterfly (lissandra) and the group containing cabbage butterflies (Pieris) ignored these genomic structure constraints.

These groups underwent large-scale chromosomal reshuffling, including large-scale chromosome reshuffling through chromosome breakage and fission and fusion.

This study improves our understanding of the factors that lead to genetic diversity in these insects. This will guide efforts to protect and conserve specific species facing unique challenges and environmental changes related to climate change.

“The chromosomes of most butterflies and moths living today can be directly traced back to 32 ancestral Merian elements that existed 250 million years ago,” said Dr. Charlotte Wright, researcher at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. said.

“It is surprising that even though the species has diversified extensively, its chromosomes have remained surprisingly intact.”

“This calls into question the idea that stable chromosomes may limit species diversification. Indeed, this feature may be the basis for building diversity. We We hope to find clues about rare groups that have circumvented these rules.”

“Studies like this that allow us to delve into these evolutionary processes are only possible through efforts like the Darwin Tree of Life Project, which generate high-quality, publicly available genome assemblies,” Blaxter said. the professor said.

“We are stepping up these efforts with Project Psyche, where we aim to sequence all 11,000 butterfly and moth species in Europe in collaboration with collaborators across the continent.”

“As important pollinators, herbivores, and food sources in a variety of ecosystems, and as powerful indicators of ecosystem health, a deeper understanding of the biology of butterflies and moths through Project Psyche will This will be useful for future research on adaptation and speciation for biodiversity conservation.”

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CJ light other. Comparative genomics reveals the dynamics of chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera. Nat Ecole Evol, published online on February 21, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02329-4

Source: www.sci.news

Radcliffe waves found to exhibit oscillations by astronomers

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Our Sun is within 300 parsecs (about 1,000 light-years) of a 2,700-parsec (about 9,000 light-years) long sinusoidal dense gas cloud known as the Radcliffe wave. The wavy shape of this structure was discovered using 3D dust mapping, but initial kinematic investigations of its oscillatory motion were inconclusive. Radcliffe waves oscillate in the plane of the Milky Way galaxy, radiating away from the galaxy's center, according to a new study.

Radcliffe waves next to the sun (yellow dot) in a cartoon model of the Milky Way. The blue dots are a group of baby stars.The white line is the theoretical model by Konietzka other. It describes the current shape and movement of the wave. The magenta and green lines show how the waves will move in the future. Image credit: Ralf Konietzka / Alyssa Goodman / Worldwide Telescope.

“By using the movement of baby stars born in gas clouds along Radcliffe waves, we can track the movement of the natal gas and show that the Radcliffe waves are actually rippling,” says Ralph.・Dr. Konietzka said. He is a student at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

In 2018, astronomers mapped the 3D location of a stellar nursery in the sun's galactic neighborhood.

By combining new data, ESA's Gaia Mission Using a data-intensive “3D dust mapping” technique, they noticed an emerging pattern, leading to the discovery of the 2020 Radcliffe wave.

“This is the largest coherent structure that we know of, and it's in our immediate vicinity,” said Dr. Katherine Zucker, an astronomer at the Harvard University & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“It's been there all along. We just didn't know it because we weren't able to build high-resolution models in 3D to show the distribution of gas clouds near the Sun.”

Although the 3D dust map clearly showed that Radcliffe waves were present, sufficient measurements were not available at the time to confirm whether the waves were moving.

But in 2022, astronomers used a new release of Gaia data to assign 3D motion to young star clusters in Radcliffe waves.

By understanding the location and movement of the clusters, they were able to confirm that the entire Radcliffe wave was indeed undulating, moving like what physicists call a “traveling wave.”

“Traveling waves are the same phenomenon you see in sports stadiums, where people take turns standing and sitting to do waves,” Konietzka said.

“Similarly, star clusters along Radcliffe waves move up and down, creating patterns that travel through the galaxy's backyard.”

“In the same way that fans in a stadium are pulled back into their seats by Earth's gravity, Radcliffe waves are oscillated by the Milky Way's gravity.”

No one yet knows what causes Radcliffe waves or why they behave the way they do.

“Now we can test all the different theories about why the waves formed in the first place,” Dr. Zucker said.

“Those theories range from the explosion of a giant star called a supernova to disturbances outside the galaxy, such as a dwarf satellite galaxy colliding with the Milky Way,” Konietzka added.

“It turns out we don't need significant dark matter to explain the motion we observe.”

“The gravity of ordinary matter is enough to move waves.”

Furthermore, the discovery of this oscillation has raised new questions about the predominance of these waves in both the Milky Way and other galaxies.

Radcliffe waves appear to form the backbone of the Milky Way's closest spiral arms, so the ripples in these waves may be due to the oscillations of galactic spiral arms in general, making galaxies even more dynamic than previously thought. It may suggest that you are doing something.

“The question is: What causes the displacement that causes the ripples that we see?” said Professor Alyssa Goodman, an astronomer at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“And does it happen throughout the galaxy? In every galaxy? Does it happen sometimes? Does it happen all the time?

of result appear in the diary Nature.

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R. Konietzka other. Radcliffe waves are oscillating. Nature, published online on February 20, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07127-3

Source: www.sci.news

New Moons Found Around Uranus and Neptune by Astronomers

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The three newly discovered moons (S/2023 U1, S/2002 N5, and S/2021 N1) are the faintest ever discovered around Uranus and Neptune using ground-based telescopes.

Discovery image of Uranus’ moon S/2023 U1 using the Magellan Telescope on November 4, 2023. Image credit: Scott Sheppard.

The new Uranian moon, tentatively named S/2023 U1, was first discovered by astronomers at the Carnegie Institution for Science on November 4, 2023. Scott Sheppard using the Magellan Telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory.

At just 8 km (5 miles), it is probably the smallest of Uranus’ moons. It takes 680 days to circumnavigate the ice giant.

S/2023 U1 will eventually be named after a character from a Shakespeare play, following Uranus’ outer moon naming conventions.

This discovery brings the total number of moons on this giant icy planet to 28.

Dr. Sheppard also used the Magellan telescope to discover S/2002 N5, the brighter of two newly discovered Neptune moons.

The moon’s diameter is about 23 km (14.3 miles), and it takes almost nine years to circumnavigate the ice giant.

The dimmer moons of Neptune were discovered by Dr. Sheppard and his colleagues using the Subaru telescope.

The star, named S/2021 N1, is about 14 km (8.7 miles) in diameter and has an orbital period of almost 27 years.

S/2002 N5 and S/2021 N1 were both first seen in September 2021.

Both have enduring names based on the 50 Nereid sea goddesses from Greek mythology.

“The orbit around Neptune of S/2002 N5 is determined using observations from 2021, 2022, and 2023, indicating that it was discovered near Neptune in 2003, but is still orbiting the planet. “We were able to trace it back to an object that was lost before it was confirmed,” Sheppard said.

S/2023 U1, S/2002 N5, and S/2021 N1 have far-flung, eccentric, and inclined orbits that occurred when Uranus and Neptune were formed from rings of dust and debris surrounding them, or it suggests that they were captured by the gravity of these planets shortly after our sun is in its infancy.

All giant planets in our solar system, regardless of their size or formation process, have a similar composition of outer moons.

“Even Uranus, which is tilted sideways, has a moon population similar to other giant planets orbiting the sun,” Dr. Sheppard said.

“And Neptune, which likely captured the distant Kuiper Belt object Triton, an event that could disrupt its lunar system, has an outer moon that looks similar to its neighbors. “

This new moon also indicates the existence of a dynamic orbital group of outer moons around Uranus and Neptune, similar to those seen around Jupiter and Saturn.

At Uranus, S/2023 U1 has an orbit similar to Caliban and Stefano.

At Neptune, S/2021 N1 has an orbit similar to Psamate and Neso, and S/2002 N5 has an orbit similar to Thao and Laomedeia.

These groupings suggest that the once larger parent moon was shattered, perhaps by a past collision with a comet or asteroid, leaving shattered debris in an orbit similar to the original larger moon. There is.

Many small lunar fragments are likely present in these groups, but they are generally too small to be efficiently observed with current technology.

These groupings of moons indicate that the early solar system was a very chaotic place, with constant movement and collisions between different objects.

Source: www.sci.news

Cretaceous Dinosaurs with Armored Bodies had Two Cheek Horns

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of ankylosaurid dinosaur have been identified from two specimens discovered in southeastern China.

type specimen of Datai Inliangis Rebuilt on site. The head, neck, and thorax of the specimen were discovered and extracted from a single block. Image credit: Xing other., doi: 10.18435/vamp29396.

named Datai Inliangisthe newly discovered dinosaur species roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, about 96 million to 90 million years ago.

ancient beast was a member strongosaursa group of club-tailed armored dinosaurs that reached a peak of diversity in the latest Cretaceous period.

“Ankylosaurids are iconic armored dinosaurs that characterized the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Asia and Laramidia (western North America) during the Late Cretaceous period,” said a paleontologist from the China University of Geosciences. Rida Singh And my colleagues.

“The earliest members of this clade are known from the Early Late Cretaceous of Asia, but there is little consensus on how they relate to anatomically derived and chronologically younger forms. are not obtained.”

“In southeastern China, Cretaceous red sand beds extend into a basin from Zhejiang to Guangdong.”

“However, horizons corresponding to the early Late Cretaceous remain poorly sampled.”

Two well-preserved immature skeletons Datai Inliangis It was collected from the Zhoutian Formation in southeastern China.

The specimens were found combined, with one head placed on top of the other, representing slightly different stages of the ontogeny of the skeleton.

“This is the first definitive vertebrate skeleton, let alone an armored dinosaur skeleton, excavated from the Ganzhou Formation,” the paleontologists said.

According to the authors: Datai Inliangis It is characterized by having two cheekbones/square zygomatic angle.

“The primary horn develops in the posteroventral horn of the skull and projects posterolaterally,” the researchers explained.

“There is a small attached horn just in front of this that hides the jaw joint when viewed from the side.”

“Morphologically, it is intermediate to older Asian ankylosaurids (e.g. crichton pelta and Giyumperta) and derived post-Cenomanian ankylosaurines (e.g. pinacosaurus),” they added.

“Phylogenetic analyzes broadly support this assessment.”

“The new species will either be placed in the Asian ankylosaurine subfamily, which is close to the lineage of the derived taxon, or it will form a sister lineage.” pinacosaurus”

“Based on these insights, Datai This genus represents an important addition to the Early Late Cretaceous vertebrate fauna of southeastern China and highlights the region's future potential for a better understanding of the origins and early evolution of ankylosaurids. ”

of discovery is reported in Vertebrate anatomy, morphology, and paleontology.

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L. Shin other. 2024. A new armored dinosaur with double cheek horns that lived in the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern China. Vertebrate anatomy, morphology, and paleontology 11; doi: 10.18435/vamp29396

Source: www.sci.news

Delta Airlines offers eclipse viewing flight as airlines seek to profit from solar phenomenon

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Passengers who book special Delta flights will have the opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse in April from a unique perspective at 30,000 feet.

The airline revealed on Monday that it will be offering flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Detroit on April 8, allowing passengers to maximize their time within the eclipse’s “total path.”

The eclipse is anticipated to be a significant event as it travels through various populated areas of North America, including parts of Mexico, the continental United States, and eastern Canada. In the U.S. alone, millions of sky gazers from Texas to Maine will have the chance to witness this rare astronomical occurrence.

A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light. Within the approximately 100-mile-wide strip known as the Path of Totality, observers will witness the moon completely obscuring the sun, creating a darkened afternoon sky.

Delta Airlines is providing eclipse enthusiasts with another option to experience the April event. The flight announced on Monday will be the airline’s second full charter scheduled for April 8. The initial flight from Austin, Texas to Detroit was announced on February 19 and sold out within 24 hours, according to the company.

The Austin to Detroit flight (Delta Flight 1218) is on an A220-300 aircraft, departing from Texas at 12:15pm Central Time and arriving in Detroit at 4:20pm Eastern Time.

The flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Detroit (Delta Flight 1010) is operated on a large A321neo plane, departing Texas at 12:30 PM (Central Time) and landing in Detroit at 4:20 PM (Eastern Time).

While the flights are designed to maximize time within the total path, they are subject to potential changes due to factors like weather conditions and air traffic control.

For detailed booking information, visit the following website: Delta.com.

The upcoming solar eclipse is poised to be a major draw for travel and tourism, with many businesses already capitalizing on it. Hotels are offering special solar eclipse packages, while state tourism departments are organizing various events tied to the cosmic phenomenon.

During the April eclipse, the total path will traverse through states like Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In certain areas of Michigan and Tennessee, totality may be visible if weather conditions are clear.

In other parts of the continental U.S., observers will witness a partial solar eclipse, where the moon appears to “take a bite” out of the sun and only partially obscures it in the sky.

To safely observe the eclipse, use eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector to avoid eye damage. Never look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse, even when it is partially or mostly covered by the moon.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Can Wasabi Aid in Preserving Ancient Egyptian Papyrus Artifacts?

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Ancient Egyptian papyrus scrolls can be damaged by fungi

Paul Williams / Alamy

Wasabi steam is powerful enough to kill fungi growing on painted papyrus pieces without damaging the fragile craft or altering the appearance of the vibrant colors.

A unique disinfection strategy could help archaeologists and museums preserve documents written on paper made from the papyrus plant, which has been used for thousands of years in ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire. “Biological degradation of papyrus is a global problem,” he says. Hanadi Saada At the Grand Egyptian Museum in Egypt.

Fungi can damage delicate papyrus, but some disinfectants can be harmful as well. So Sarda and his colleagues are researching less irritating, “greener” treatments. In this experiment, a paste of wasabi (a popular Japanese seasoning derived from a plant related to horseradish and mustard) was mixed and placed on aluminum foil next to a papyrus sample.

Instead of risking historic papyrus artifacts, researchers prepared replicas for experiments. Samples of modern papyrus were painted in different colors such as red, yellow, and blue and heated in an oven at 100°C (212°F) for 120 days to simulate the natural aging of papyrus over 1000 years. . Finally, they were exposed to several fungal species known to parasitize archaeological papyri.

After 3 days, wasabi treatment removed the fungal contamination without affecting the pigments of the papyrus samples. A follow-up test 1 month later showed the same results.

Current papyrus storage methods include folders lined with special blotting material to protect against changes in humidity, which it says is a “passive method to prevent fungal growth and deterioration.” I am. jessica byler At the Penn Museum in Pennsylvania.

However, Beiler acknowledges that using standard methods does not always guarantee fungal prevention, and that is why “our team of conservators is working to improve the environment in the field of conservation.” I'm interested in learning more about innovative technology.”

A team at the Grand Egyptian Museum is planning to use wasabi treatment on archaeological papyri. The researchers also plan to test whether the spicy condiment is equally effective at disinfecting other crafts made of wood, paper and textiles.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Russian LockBit ransomware hacker launches comeback attempt | Cybercrime

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The LockBit ransomware gang is re-emerging, following a recent international crackdown that severely disrupted its operations.

Based in Russia, the group has created new dark web sites to showcase a few alleged victims and release stolen data. The gang is now under investigation by the National Crime Agency in Britain, as well as the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. This comes after a joint operation led by Europol to target the group last week.

In a statement issued in English and Russian, LockBitSupp, the group’s administrator, claimed that law enforcement agencies hacked their previous dark web site by exploiting vulnerabilities in PHP, a commonly used programming language for websites. They assured that other servers with backup blogs not using PHP would continue leaking data from targeted companies.

The statement also mentioned personal negligence and irresponsibility, along with expressing support for Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election. The group even offered a job to the individual who hacked their main site. Law enforcement confirmed that LockBitSupp does not reside in the U.S. and is cooperating with authorities.

Despite the disruption, the NCA stated that LockBit remains compromised, but they are vigilant as the group may attempt to reorganize. Additionally, the U.S. has indicted two Russians for deploying LockBit ransomware globally. Ukrainian police also arrested suspects related to attacks carried out using LockBit’s malicious software.

The renewed Rockbit website has issued threats against U.S. government sites and listed more alleged hacking victims. Security experts indicate that the group is attempting to resume operations but will face challenges due to the damage caused by international law enforcement actions.

LockBit operates on a ransomware-as-a-service model, leasing software to criminal organizations in exchange for a cut of the ransom payments. Despite the setback, the group needs to rebuild its reputation within the criminal community to attract affiliates following the recent law enforcement activities.

Ransomware attacks involve hackers infiltrating a target’s system, disabling it with malware, and encrypting files for ransom. Recent trends include extracting sensitive data like personal and customer information and demanding payment in cryptocurrency, mainly Bitcoin, to decrypt files or delete stolen data copies. Last year saw a record $1.1 billion paid in ransomware payments.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Surprising Noisemaking Abilities of Tiny Fish

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Danionella celebraum male fish

Ralph Blitz/Senkenberg Dresden

One of the world’s smallest fish, measuring just 12 millimeters long, it can make a sound as loud as a firecracker at more than 140 decibels.

Danionella cerebrum It is a small fish that lives in small rivers along the Bago Yoma Mountains in Myanmar.it is smallest known brain of all vertebrates in the world.

“We study this fish primarily for neuroscience because it’s so small and transparent,” he says. verity cook Charité, Faculty of Medicine, University of Berlin, Germany. But the fish are so loud, she says, that she can hear the pulsating sound just by walking in front of the tank.

To investigate how these tiny fish make this sound, Cook and his colleagues gathered groups of three or four fish into small tanks and shot high-speed video.

When a fish makes a sound, the ribs next to the swim bladder (organs that control the buoyancy of the swim bladder) are pulled by special muscles into a small hollowed cartilage area.

“There’s a lot of tension in this contraction,” Cook said. “When it is released rapidly, [the rib] When you hit the swim bladder, it makes a drum sound. “

Based on gene expression analysis, these specialized muscles are more resistant to fatigue than other muscles in the fish, and are therefore able to produce more hits in a row.

It’s unclear why these fish make so much noise. D. cerebrum They typically live in murky, murky waters and may have evolved this behavior to help find each other when visibility is poor, Dr Cook said.

“But the fact that only males make sounds suggests that it is related to aggressive behavior towards other males and mating behavior with females,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The emotional impact of live music finally explained

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Elton John to perform at Glastonbury Festival in June 2023

Matt Crossic/Alamy

Hearing live music can be more moving than listening to a recording of the same song. This is because the parts of the brain associated with emotional processing become more active.

Sasha Frewholz from the University of Zurich in Switzerland, composed 12 pieces of music, each 30 seconds long. Half were written with the purpose of conveying negative emotions such as sadness or anger. These are slower than the rest of the songs, are less harmonious, contain more minor chords, and were written to evoke positive emotions.

They then recruited 27 people with no musical training and asked them to listen to these 12 songs twice. The first performance was performed by a live pianist, and the second performance was played to the participants as a recording.

The order of hearing was randomly assigned, with 30 seconds of silence in between. Participants did not know when they were listening to a recording or a live performance.

While listening to music, they lay in an MRI scanner so the team could monitor their brain activity. The pianist was told to adjust the volume and speed of the piece according to this activity. For example, if participants showed little activity in response to positive music, they may have played louder.

“Recorded music does not adapt to the listener's response, but live pianists often adapt their music to the audience to get the best response from the audience,” says Frewholz.

The researchers found that live performances of both negative and positive pieces consistently caused brain activation in the left amygdala, an area of the brain strongly associated with assigning sensory stimuli such as sounds to specific emotions. was found to lead to an increase in

The recorded songs, on the other hand, activated activity in the left amygdala much less and more inconsistently. This matched how emotionally participants rated each piece of music after the experiment.

The findings show that live music enhances our emotional responses, perhaps because of its free-flowing, dynamic nature, Fruhholz says.

The researchers hope to repeat the experiment with a larger audience in a concert setting. “When you go to a live concert, you're not alone,” Fruhholz says. “This intense emotional experience is also a social experience.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Searching for the exomoon: Investigating a moon orbiting a distant planet

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Many years ago, at that time david kipping When he lived in London, he would walk home through the city and look up at the moon. For astronomers, its dimly glowing presence was a nightly source of inspiration. “It reminded us that satellites are waiting for us around exoplanets,” he says. “It made sense that we should look for them.”

It would be exciting to discover an exomoon, a natural satellite of a world outside our solar system. First, the moon may play a key role in determining the habitability of its host planet by dampening its wobble and promoting a stable climate, in the same way it did for Earth. there is. There may also be strange and wonderful configurations, such as a lunar ring or a moon with its own moon. But the most interesting thing is that some of them may be more suitable for life than exoplanets.

Kipping, now at Cornell University in New York, is part of a small community of astronomers exploring solar moons. At least statistics are on your side. About 5,500 exoplanets have been discovered so far, some of which may have dozens of moons. The problem is that it’s not easy to prove its existence. Two previous sightings of Kipping have been hotly debated.

But now there’s hope on the horizon, with many new ways to explore these objects, from monitoring rogue planets that have abandoned their stars to monitoring exoplanets’ gravitational wobbles. Armed with these new technologies, and new telescopes also in development, the Moon will…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Supplements containing resistant starch could assist in weight loss

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Raw oats are a natural source of resistant starch

Mark Oliver/Alamy

Supplements containing resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that takes time to digest, helped people moderately lose weight in a small trial.

Resistant starch is naturally found in beans, whole grains, raw oats, and green bananas, and is also formed when common starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, and rice cool after cooking.

Resistant starch comes in several different forms, but what they have in common is that the structure of the molecule means that it is not easily digested and absorbed in the small intestine.

Therefore, the starch reaches further into the intestine, into the large intestine, where it is digested by bacteria. This means that starch is classified as a prebiotic.

Although some previous studies have suggested that this starch can help with weight loss, Lihuatei Researchers from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China studied its effects on gut bacteria.

Researchers asked 37 overweight people to consume sachets of starch mixed with water twice a day before meals. For eight weeks they were given resistant starch, and for a further eight weeks they were given packets containing regular starch as a comparison. Participants were also provided with three balanced meals a day and various health indicators were measured.

After consuming resistant starch for eight weeks, people lost an average of 2.8 kilograms, while regular starch had no effect on weight. Resistant starch causes less rise in blood sugar levels after meals and is considered to be good for health.

Stool samples revealed that while people consumed resistant starch, the numbers of several bacterial species increased in their intestines. When these bacteria were transplanted into mice fed a high-fat diet, they appeared to have a weight-loss effect.

Rebecca McManamon A spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association said the trial was too small to be conclusive, but the results were plausible. “These outcomes are natural,” she says.

However, some people with irritable bowel syndrome may feel bloated and uncomfortable when they eat resistant starch, as the bacteria produce gas as they break down, she says.

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carbohydrates/
weight loss

Source: www.newscientist.com

First images from civilian lunar lander capture historic moon landing

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A privately built spacecraft on the moon has sent back new photos from the lunar surface. The images captured the spacecraft’s much-lauded descent and the moment it rolled over shortly after landing.

The Odysseus lander, built by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, touched down on the moon on February 22, making it the first commercial ship to reach the moon’s surface and the first U.S. ship to reach the moon in more than 50 years. It made history as a spaceship.

The Odysseus Lunar Module took this image about 35 seconds after it rolled over on its approach to the landing site.
Intuitive machine via AP

The next day, Intuitive Machines announced that Odysseus had rolled over as it landed near a crater called Malapart A near the moon’s south pole. Company officials said the 14-foot-tall lander was operational, but part of the rover’s antenna was pointing toward the ground, limiting its ability to communicate with flight controllers on Earth. Ta.

with update MondayIntuitive Machines said it was continuing to communicate with the spacecraft, adding that flight controllers “will collect data until the lander’s solar panels are no longer exposed to light.”

Company officials said they expect to be able to communicate with Odysseus until Tuesday morning, based on the positions of the Earth and the moon. The lander was originally expected to spend about a week collecting data on the lunar surface before the lunar night begins and the spacecraft powers down.

In its latest update, the company announced that Odysseus’ instruments detected nine safe landing sites within the target zone near the moon’s south pole. The moon’s south pole region has long intrigued scientists because water ice is thought to be relatively abundant in permanently shadowed craters.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Bizarre White Dwarf Leaves Metallic Marks Following Consumption of Planet

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s impression of WD 0816-310. Astronomers have discovered scars imprinted on the surface left when a star swallows a planet.

ESO/L. Calzada

Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf star with strange metallic scars on its surface. The scar likely formed when the star tore apart and ate a small planet in its orbit.

Researchers often find white dwarfs with traces of metal in their atmospheres that came from planets that fell into the star. It has long been thought that metals should be evenly distributed across the surfaces of these so-called contaminated white dwarfs; Jay Farihi Researchers at University College London have discovered a strange concentration of metal debris.

Researchers monitored the star, called WD 0816-310, for two months using the Very Large Telescope in Chile. They discovered that the white dwarf had an opaque piece of metal on top of one of its magnetic poles, blocking some of the star’s light as it rotated. This position indicates that material may have been funneled into the star by its magnetic field. “This is the same process that causes auroras on Earth: charged particles follow magnetic fields to the surface,” Farihi said.

The planet that WD 0816-310 destroyed was small, probably about the same size as the solar system’s asteroid Vesta, which is about 525 kilometers in diameter. Its interior is now prominently displayed on its host star, which could make it relatively easy to study what its geochemistry was like before it was engulfed. Such studies may even be one of the best ways to observe small worlds outside our solar system, even after they disappear.

And there may be many other stars that have been similarly damaged. “When we find something outlandish, it’s often because they all looked that way and we just weren’t asking the right questions,” Farihi says. “This is the first, but it probably won’t be the last.” In fact, researchers have already discovered two white dwarfs that appear to have similar scars. If we go back and observe similar stars over and over again, we may discover even more stars.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Are there air pollution issues with electric cars in the automotive industry?

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

TOxygen smog has been a part of big city life since the Industrial Revolution. Harmful particles can be like pea soup, so thick that they are difficult to see and breathe. But in many cities around the rich world, that dirty oil was banished as car engines became cleaner and factories moved. (Poor cities are still not so lucky.)

Some people believe that the transition to electric vehicles could reverse some of that progress. That means heavier cars and particles created by friction can sacrifice clean air on the altar of zero carbon emissions.

In our EV myth-busting series, the Guardian has examined claims about electric vehicles (EVs), examining issues ranging from carbon emissions and battery fires to the idea of overtaking them with hydrogen. In the latest installment of the series, do electric cars have an air pollution problem?

Claim

Electric cars eliminate engine pollution, but brakes and tires still rely on friction to function. This friction can cause substances to break down and eventually be released into the environment. Some argue that the transition to EVs could increase overall air pollution because they tend to be heavier and have more wear and tear.

In 2022, then British Environment Minister George Eustace said: Said Congress of “skepticism” about improving air quality. “Some say the fact that these vehicles are heavier means they may be less profitable than some are expecting, just from road wear and tear, but it's a bit unclear at this point. ” he said.

The Daily Mail reported that tire pollution is the “dirty secret of electric cars”, while the Sun reported that “super-heavy electric cars actually cause more pollution than petrol or diesel motors” EV drivers are being warned about how to

science

EVs do not directly burn fossil fuels and produce no emissions when produced using only zero-carbon electricity. This means that not only carbon dioxide, but also carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, a mixture of carbon, metals and unburned hydrocarbons are not emitted in urban areas. (Fossil fuel power plants still have problems charging electric cars, but they tend…thors difficult, and there have been relatively few comparative studies to date. This means there is still uncertainty as to whether the extra weight of EV batteries will lead to worse particulate pollution.

The shift to SUVs makes vehicles increasingly taller, wider and heavier, worsening carbon emissions. Photo: Mike Kemp/Photography/Getty Images

German tire maker Continental said vehicle and tire design is more important than driving style or road curves in determining wear (a point echoed by Malden). A Continental spokesperson said: “In principle, electric cars do not generate more particulate matter than comparable internal combustion…ase by a slight decrease in total PM emissions from road traffic in the future.” The study found that heavier electric vehicles experience slightly more road and tire wear than larger electric vehicles. 10pm Particles and smaller objects PM2.5. However, when engine pollution was added, gasoline and diesel cars did slightly worse.

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Anna Krazynska, manager of vehicle emissions and air quality at the Department of Transport and Environment, said there was no conclusive evidence whether electric vehicles increased particulate emissions, but the move to…e.

verdict

There is no doubt that the auto industry still has pollution questions to answer. As the internal combustion engine is phased out, particle pollution from tire wear is expected to receive more attention as it is one of the few sources of pollution generated during vehicle use. It can have significant health benefits for humans, animals and plants.

Indeed, heavier vehicles almost certainly produce more tire particulates. Electric cars are currently even heavier than comparable cars. But still, tire pollution appears to be roughly equivalent between gasoline, diesel, and electric vehicles. The other benefits of switching to electric cars are huge, especially the reduction in carbon pollution.

Combating air pollution is an important objective, but it does not seem to be a reason to delay the transition to electric vehicles.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Recognizing gender disparities in the brain is crucial for mental well-being

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

we heard it all. Men's brains are larger and have better spatial awareness. Women's brains are adapted for multitasking and emotional intelligence. Stereotypes about how sex influences behavior abound, and as increasingly sophisticated brain-scanning technology emerges, claims about such inconsistencies are becoming more apparent.

But as we discovered in our feature on the human brain (“Your Amazing Brain: 10 Challenging Questions That Uncover Amazing New Discoveries About the Human Brain”), men's and women's behaviors, interests, We are trying to identify the biological reasons for population differences in . The issue of occupation is a delicate debate that includes not only sex but also gender, and has never been resolved.

Still, we should keep trying. In particular, if there really are gender-related brain differences, this would have a major impact on our health. That's because many pathologies related to the brain and neural branches affect men and women at different rates and in different ways. For example, women have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Men have higher rates of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

There are many possible reasons for this imbalance in the gender ratio. For example, autism may be underdiagnosed among girls, or typical behaviors may manifest differently. Similarly, biological factors may make women more susceptible to depression because they tend to have lower incomes or because men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems. .

However, brain differences between the sexes may also exist. If so, the photo is not yet complete. These may not be due to direct genetic or sex hormonal effects, but may be due to the way society generally treats men and women differently throughout their lives.

Elucidating all of this could shed light on the mechanisms behind these symptoms and lead to better treatment strategies. After all, this is not a competition between male and female brains, but an initiative that has the potential to help everyone.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

“Rampant Misinformation: Preparing for AI’s Influence on Elections in the US” | US News

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

AI elections are here.

This year, artificial intelligence-generated robocalls targeted New Hampshire voters during the January primary, posing as President Joe Biden and instructing them to stay home. This incident might be the initial attempt to interfere with a US election. The “deepfake” call was linked to two of his companies in Texas: Life His Corporation and Apple His Telecom.

The impact of deepfake calls on voter turnout remains uncertain, but according to Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen, a group advocating for government oversight, the potential consequences are significant. Regulating the use of AI in politics is crucial.

Events mirroring what might occur in the US are unfolding around the globe. In Slovakia, fabricated audio recordings may have influenced an election, serving as a troubling prelude to potential US election interference in 2024, as reported by CNN. AI developments in Indonesia and India have also raised concerns. Without robust regulations, the US is ill-prepared for the evolving landscape of AI technology and its implications for elections.

Despite efforts to address AI misuse in political campaigns, US regulations are struggling to keep pace with AI advancements. The House of Representatives recently formed a task force to explore regulatory options, but partisan gridlock and regulatory delays cast uncertainty on the efficacy of measures that will be in place for this year’s election.

Without safeguards, the influence of AI on elections hinges on voters’ ability to discern real from fabricated content. AI-powered disinformation campaigns can sow confusion and undermine electoral integrity, posing a threat to democracy.

Manipulating audio content with AI raises concerns due to its potential to mislead with minimal detection capabilities, unlike deepfake videos. AI-generated voices can mimic those known to the recipient, fostering a false sense of familiarity and trust, which may have significant implications.

…

Source: www.theguardian.com

How to Safely Watch the Rare “Ring of Fire” Eclipse

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A total solar eclipse is set to pass over North America in April, offering millions of skywatchers the rare chance to witness the afternoon sky briefly darken and a “ring of fire” appear overhead. The upcoming April 8 solar eclipse is expected to be a significant event, as its path will traverse parts of Mexico, the continental United States, and eastern Canada. Weather permitting, skywatchers in 15 states in the US will have the opportunity to see the moon almost completely block the sun, casting its shadow in a fiery circle and creating a halo effect in the sky. In all other states in the continental US, viewers will witness a partial solar eclipse where the moon appears to partially obscure the sun.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming total solar eclipse.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is crucial not to look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse, even if it is partially or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector are necessary to safely view the eclipse and prevent eye damage. Sky observers should never look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses without a solar filter installed. Using Eclipse glasses is essential, as failure to do so can result in serious eye damage. NASA advises taking proper precautions. During the total solar eclipse when the moon completely blocks the sun, it is safe to view with the naked eye, but at all other times, eclipse glasses are required.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth align, with the moon passing in front of the sun to temporarily block its light. The moon can either completely obscure the sun in a total solar eclipse or partially block its light in a partial solar eclipse.

Who can see it?

This eclipse is rare because it will cross populated areas of the United States compared to other recent total solar eclipses. NASA estimates that approximately 31.6 million people will live within the 160-mile-wide total path, with an additional 150 million living within 200 miles of the path. The eclipse will pass through various states in the US and enter Canada through provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.

While the most spectacular views will be within the total eclipse path, there are still opportunities for people across the continent to witness the astronomical event. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in all 48 states of the continental US, and NASA will stream a live view of the total solar eclipse online.

When will it happen?

The timing and duration of totality will vary by location, with some areas experiencing darkness and the “ring of fire” for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Various resources online, including NASA, NationalEclipse.com, and timeanddate.com, provide information for planning and expectations on the day of the eclipse.

Specific timings for some populous cities along the path of totality are as follows:

Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:40 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:44 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:02 PM CT.

Little Rock, AR: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:51 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:54 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:11 PM CT.

Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:13 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:17 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:29 PM ET.

Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:18 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:22 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:32 PM ET.

Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:27 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:30 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:38 PM ET.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

James Cleverley warns that Britain’s enemies could utilize AI deepfakes to manipulate election results

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The Home Secretary expressed concerns about criminals and “malicious actors” using AI-generated “deepfakes” to disrupt the general election.

James Cleverley, in anticipation of a meeting with social media leaders, highlighted the potential threats posed by rapid technological advancements to elections globally.

He cited examples of individuals working on behalf of countries like Russia and Iran creating numerous deepfakes (realistic fabricated images and videos) to influence democratic processes, including in the UK.

He emphasized the escalating use of deepfakes and AI-generated content to deceive and bewilder, stating that “the era of deepfakes has already begun.”

Concerned about the impact on democracy, he stressed the importance of implementing regulations, transparency, and user safeguards in the digital landscape.

The Home Secretary plans to propose collaborative efforts with tech giants like Google, Meta, Apple, and YouTube to safeguard democracy.

An estimated 2 billion people will participate in national elections worldwide in 2024, including in the UK, US, India, and other countries.

Incidents of deepfake audio imitations of politicians like Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan, as well as misleading videos like the fake BBC News report on Rishi Sunak, have raised concerns.

In response, major tech companies have agreed to adopt precautions to prevent the misuse of AI tools for electoral interference.

Executives from various tech firms gathered at a conference to establish a framework for addressing deceptive AI-generated deepfakes that impact voters. Elon Musk’s Company X is among the signatories.

Mr. Clegg, Meta’s global president, emphasized the need for collective action to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies like deepfakes.

Source: www.theguardian.com

ElmonX Reveals First Ever NFT of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” – Latest in Blockchain News, Opinion, TV and Job Listings

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

London, UK, February 26, 2024, Chainwire

Starting March 1st at 9am PT on OpenSea.io

Elmon X We are proud to announce the upcoming release of 'scream' Written by Edvard Munch.

Digital collectibles platform ElmonX has announced a collaboration to launch one unique drop licensed by Bridgeman Images.

“The Scream”, 1895 (Lito), Munch, Edvard (1863–1944)/Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA/Bridgeman Images.

Important information about Moderate:

General sale: Friday, March 1st at 9am PT Price: 0.075 Eth (purchase limit 3 per wallet) Edition: 780 (36 reserved) License: Bridgeman Images Availability: Worldwide OpenSea.io

Previous NFTs released through ElmonX include Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” (1503), Van Gogh's “The Starry Night” (1889), Auguste Rodin's “The Thinker” (1904), Includes iconic artwork such as Claude Monet's “Nympheas” 1907.

Edvard Munch is world-famous for his series of works entitled “The Scream.” This 1895 lithograph representation of his was created using his unique printmaking technique and captures a haunting scene of existential despair against a swirling sky. Interpreted as a powerful symbol of anxiety and human confusion, it represents Munch's expressionist style. Licensed by Bridgeman Images and housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, the work's inscription adds depth to its historical significance.

This is your first opportunity to own “The Scream 1895 (Litho)” digital collection as a 3D premium digital art piece by ElmonX. Holders can view and interact with NFTs in augmented reality.

There will be a limited edition release with only 780 collectibles available. A collector can acquire these exclusive digital collectibles using a credit card or his ETH. OpenSea.io.

The sale begins on OpenSea.io on Friday, March 1st at 9am PT on a first-come, first-served basis.

About Elmon

ElmonX specializes in creating licensed NFT (non-fungible token) art. Our team of skilled artists and designers creates work that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also technologically advanced. By leveraging blockchain technology, ElmonX is creating the next generation of aesthetically pleasing and verified collectibles and artwork through a unique and transparent way for art collectors to invest in and display their collections. can be provided.

The company's focus on art, next-generation collectibles and artifacts reflects its commitment to staying at the forefront of the art world and pushing boundaries and breaking new ground. ElmonX's NFT art represents a new era in art collecting. As blockchain technology gains momentum, the demand for digital assets and collectibles is increasing.

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About Bridgeman Images

ElmonX has partnered with Bridgeman Images to bring “The Scream, 1895 (litho)” to the world of digital collectibles. Bridgman is one of the world's leading experts in the distribution of art, cultural and historical images, and reproduction footage. With 50 years of experience, we offer images from the most famous museums, collections and artists. Their property collection spans centuries and mediums including disciplines, geography, contemporary art, fine art, photography, textiles, sculpture, maps, documentary footage, and more.

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Source: the-blockchain.com

Global Coalition Formed by the US to Combat Foreign Government Disinformation and Cyber Warfare

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The US special envoy addressing the issue announced the formation of a global coalition of democracies to defend against disinformation campaigns by foreign governments.

James Rubin, special envoy for combating non-state propaganda and disinformation at the US Department of State’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), mentioned that the coalition aims to establish a clear understanding of information operations and the rights of other governments. He also highlighted the importance of reaching a consensus on defining common opinion even in moments of disagreement.

The US, UK, and Canada have already signed a formal framework agreement, and there are expectations of more countries joining the coalition. The GEC primarily focuses on countering disinformation campaigns by foreign powers and has been working towards developing a global strategy while uncovering covert disinformation operations, like Russia’s activities in Africa discrediting US health services.

A framework signed between the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada aims to counter foreign manipulation of states by addressing disinformation as a national security threat, requiring a coordinated response from governments and civil society. This emphasizes the need for a collective approach to enhance resilience and response to foreign intelligence threats through information sharing and collaborative data analysis tools.

James Rubin, a seasoned US government official and journalist, serving as a special envoy, acknowledged the complexity of the issue of disinformation and its intellectual challenges. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between hostile opinion and disinformation to determine the appropriate government interventions.

James Rubin wants to promote more fact-based information. Photo: Tayfun Salcı/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

He emphasized the need for fact-based information promotion while also finding ways to label information operations originating from foreign governments like China and Russia. He stressed the importance of identifying the sources of covert disinformation without censoring thoughts or opinions.

This challenging issue raises questions about the dynamics between the government and social media companies, particularly in countries like the United States with constitutional guarantees of free speech. In contrast, the European Union has taken more interventionist measures with laws regulating digital services and social media content.

Rubin underscored that it is essential to expose foreign disinformation operations without dictating social media companies’ behavior. He advocated for the enforcement of terms of service by these platforms in combatting disinformation efforts.

Addressing the asymmetry in information space access, Rubin highlighted the challenges posed by closed-off information environments of countries like Russia and China.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Is spam email effective for receiving responses?

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

DDo spam emails actually work? We're not talking about suspicious phishing emails, we're talking about annoying ads and sales pitches. Perhaps the answer is yes, otherwise spammers wouldn't care, but I find it hard to believe.
Ali Farhan, Manchester

Please send new questions to
nq@theguardian.com
.

Reader replies

wait a minute. I'm going to email 300 million people and ask them. el comentario

It's more effective than doing nothing. This is the secret behind all marketing. one, another name

There are many different types of spam. More targeted types (e.g., an email from a company you've previously shopped with telling you they have a sale) can tell people what they might be interested in and potentially lead to a sale. That's why it works so well. Anything that's completely fake or untargeted won't be very effective.

But the reason companies use this kind of email is because it's so cheap. Send thousands of emails for just a few pounds. It only takes a few people to respond to make it worthwhile. For many of them, if 1 out of 1,000 people who receive an email buys something, they can make a profit from it. Meanwhile, everyone's inboxes suffer.
Snowy John

I work in sales and send out so-called spam emails. (This is in the business-to-business sales space.) There's a trick behind this. I don't reach out unless I have a reason and think there's something I can do to help. This is done by looking at the role the company is in, the types of technology, and evaluating its growth. Emails are personalized. Mixed in with my phone calls, I also embed videos of me reviewing websites in my emails.

It definitely works. Will everyone react? Absolutely not. Some people show interest, but it takes time to strike up a conversation. But that's part of sending an email. To get people in and out. If you choose not to contact us anymore, please do not contact us again.
Konobu 2020

I really don't understand people who don't care about spam or sell things on the street. I ignore everyone and look it up myself if I need to buy something. I may be missing out on countless deals, but I'll take a chance. Babylonian SheDevil03

My inbox is mostly unusable due to emails from companies I love and have previously purchased from. I receive at least two emails a month from companies that sell belts. How many quality belts can I buy? I might buy another one in five years, but I won't buy it from that annoying spammer. mega road

Last week's N&Q was about beans, this week it's about Spam. Will it be mushrooms next Sunday? Fried onion rings? Please wait and see… eddie miscellaneous post

I especially despise people who have an “unsubscribe” button that doesn't actually work. They immediately rank at the top of my banned list. Oz Josh

Avoiding spam is a great way to waste time. bricklayer options

Source: www.theguardian.com

Insights from China’s Huge Cyber Breach: The Market for Hackers

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A significant data breach from a Chinese cybersecurity company has offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Beijing-linked hackers.

Analysts suggest that the breach contains valuable information about the day-to-day operations of China’s hacking program, which the FBI claims is the largest globally. I-Soon has not yet verified the authenticity of the leak and has not responded to requests for comment. As of Friday, the leaked data has been taken down from GitHub, where it was originally posted.

From staff complaints about salaries and office rumors to claims of infiltrating foreign governments, here are some key insights gathered from the leak.

Who was targeted in the hack?

Icesun employees were actively seeking high-profile targets on a daily basis.

The leak exposed that government entities in neighboring countries of China, such as Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Vietnam, had their websites and email servers breached. The targets ranged from British government departments to Thai ministries. I-Soon staff also claimed to have gained access to communication service providers in various countries. They specifically mentioned targeting the Indian government, viewed as Beijing’s geopolitical rival, and accessing educational institutions in Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, they acknowledged difficulty in accessing data seized from government agencies in Myanmar and South Korea.

Additional targets included domestic entities from Xinjiang to Tibet, covering topics from illegal activities to gambling establishments.

Who were the clients of Yi Seung?

Based on the leaks, most of Icesun’s customers were local police departments and state security agencies responsible for safeguarding the Communist Party against perceived threats to its authority. The company offered assistance in securing devices and communications with many contracts listed as non-confidential.

There were indications of official corruption, with discussions of kickbacks in sales to law enforcement agencies. Complaints about business challenges in regions like Xinjiang were also highlighted.

The leak mentioned the company’s focus on creating Trojans, compiling personal information databases, and developing technology for various hacking purposes.

Who are the hackers?

The leak sheds light on the daily operations at mid-sized Chinese cybersecurity firms, revealing internal issues like office politics, technical shortcomings, low pay, and customer retention challenges.

Employee conversations included complaints about management decisions, such as extravagant purchases and salary disputes.

The leak illustrates a less flattering side of the operations at these companies, showcasing a mix of competence and ethical concerns.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know about Extraterrestrials

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Currently, there is a high level of excitement in the quest for extraterrestrial life. This field, known as astrobiology, combines biology, chemistry, planetary science, and astronomy to explore the possibility of life beyond Earth.

While microbial life forms like bacteria are expected to be the most common in the Milky Way, there is a chance that some planets could support more complex life forms such as plants and animals. Recent advancements in extremophiles, exoplanets, and robotic exploration have increased optimism among astrobiologists for discovering signs of life beyond Earth.

List three reasons why astrobiologists are optimistic about finding extraterrestrial life.

1. Extremophile microorganisms

The adaptability of life on Earth, especially extremophiles, showcases the limits of life in extreme environments. These microorganisms thrive in harsh conditions like hydrothermal vents, glaciers, acidic volcanic water, and high radiation zones, offering insights into potential habitable extraterrestrial environments.

Image credit: Getty

2. Exoplanets

Discovery of exoplanets orbiting distant stars has expanded the search for potentially habitable worlds. Small, rocky, Earth-like planets orbiting within the habitable zone of their stars offer promising locations for extraterrestrial life. Future space telescopes are expected to detect biosignatures, such as oxygen, indicating potential life forms.

3. Exploration of the solar system by robots

Advances in robotic technology have enabled probes to explore planets and moons in our solar system, revealing environments that could support life. From Mars to Europa and Enceladus, these missions provide valuable data on habitable conditions and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Where in the solar system could extraterrestrial life exist?

Various celestial bodies within our solar system, including Venus, Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and Titan, offer potential environments for extraterrestrial life. Whether in subsurface oceans or unique atmospheres, these locations raise interesting questions about the existence of life beyond Earth.

Do aliens have intelligence?

While astrobiology primarily focuses on single-celled life and biosignatures, the possibility of more complex life forms and intelligent beings in the galaxy is still an intriguing topic. Despite efforts to detect signs of intelligent life, no definitive evidence has been found yet.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Exposure: A decade ago, the auto industry was alerted to the increased theft risk of keyless car technology.

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The automobile industry disregarded warnings from over a decade ago about the risks of keyless technology in modern vehicles leading to a rise in vehicle thefts, as revealed by an investigation in the automotive sector. The observer can disclose.

Legal and computer experts had cautioned that keyless entry and vehicle software were vulnerable to being “hacked” due to inadequate security measures.

Findings indicated that car owners could potentially face theft without any evidence of forced entry in the future.

The surge in vehicle crimes through keyless entry has resulted in record hikes in car insurance costs, with some drivers now confronted with premiums exceeding £2,000 annually. Car thefts in England and Wales reached a decade-high in the year leading up to March 2023.

Observers discovered the following:

Devices camouflaged as gaming consoles, referred to as ’emulators’, are utilized by thieves to mimic electronic keys and steal vehicles within 20 seconds. This is applicable to Hyundai and Kia models.

The ‘smart’ devices are available for purchase online for up to £5,000, allowing criminals to breach a vehicle’s computer system and program a new key.

Police in various regions report a high rate of keyless car thefts and are resolving some cases within 24 hours, even with CCTV footage available.

Nick Freeman, an attorney specializing in the automotive industry, remarked: “The automotive sector was neglectful as they were forewarned about this new technology emerging. It’s a dire situation where individuals are compelled to pay exorbitant insurance premiums.

In November, Jaguar Land Rover announced a £10m investment to enhance the security of high-target car models manufactured between 2018 and 2022. The observer Investigations highlighted similar security vulnerabilities in other vehicles, prompting Hyundai to acknowledge this weekend that criminals had “utilized a device to unlawfully disable smart key lock systems” to access their vehicles. They affirmed the immediate implementation of preventive measures.

A report from 2011 by researchers at the University of California and the University of Washington indicated the potential for attacks on the software in contemporary cars, potentially allowing breaching the car’s telematics system to unlock doors and start the engine without authorization.

An article published in the April 2012 Computer Law and Security Review by specialist barrister Stephen Mason highlighted the vulnerability of keyless systems, warning that vehicles could be stolen without any forced entry unless security enhancements were introduced.

Mr. Mason expressed, “There was a sense of complacency and lack of concern in the automotive sector that hesitated to invest in proper security. We now have state-of-the-art cars with advanced technology, yet owners rely on traditional steering locks for theft protection.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) refutes claims of security lapses in the industry, suggesting it is engaged in an ongoing battle with criminals. SMMT CEO Mike Hawes stated: “Automakers continuously introduce new technology to outsmart criminals. This investment has significantly reduced vehicle theft over the past three decades.

“Manufacturers are continually strengthening their security systems, but technology alone cannot prevent all thefts, which is why our industry collaborates closely with law enforcement, insurers, and other security stakeholders.”

The Home Office reports an overall reduction in vehicle crime, including thefts from vehicles. A spokesperson emphasized the importance of law enforcement in addressing motor vehicle crime and commended their commitment to pursuing thorough investigations.

“We have made significant strides in combating vehicle crime, which has decreased by 39% since 2010. New regulations in the Criminal Justice Bill will outlaw electronic devices used in vehicle theft.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Is it possible to enjoy cake while also cutting out sugar? Welcome to the sugar-free world.

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

I I eagerly anticipate chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen shared by a bio-based startup in San Francisco. Despite being diagnosed with pre-diabetes a few years back, I typically steer clear of sweets. However, I have a secret weapon – Monchi Monchi, a unique plant fiber-based drink mix designed to expand in the stomach like a sponge, soaking up sugar from food and preventing premature absorption.

The concept behind this product is that it can trap a significant amount of sugar, with laboratory tests showing it can absorb 6 grams of sugar per 1 gram of the mix. Various types of sugar like sucrose, glucose, fructose, and some simple starches can be sequestered. With each sachet containing just over 4 grams, the goal is to counteract the sugar in snacks and provide the gut with fiber replenishment. “How can you enjoy food without compromising your health? I believe we’ve found a solution,” shared Paolo Costa, the company’s co-founder and CEO, as he demonstrated mixing the powder with water and consuming it.

Welcome to the emerging technology of carbohydrate removal, which focuses on neutralizing carbohydrates post-consumption rather than pre-consumption. Despite the rising rates of diabetes and obesity, sugar substitutes, the main method for reducing sugar intake, fall short. They can alter the taste and texture of foods and raise safety concerns. Additionally, they do not stimulate the brain’s reward centers like sugar does. Sugar removal technology offers the enticing prospect of enjoying sugar in a healthier, guilt-free manner. John Topinka, the research and strategy director at Kraft Heinz, believes the entire food industry could benefit from such technology.

Launched in 2019, BioLumen introduced Monch Monch to the U.S. market as a supplement in November. Each granule, a unique microsponge, is composed of plant cellulose (insoluble fibers) infused with the company’s specialized hydrogel (soluble fibers) designed to soak up sugar. Priced at $150 (approximately £120) per month for two bags daily, the product is not widely available yet. However, BioLumen’s vision is to offer it as an ingredient for food manufacturers to incorporate into their products. Having already received “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) designation in the US, the company is actively working on lowering costs.

The chief medical officer and co-founders of BioLumen include Robert Lustig, a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, known for raising awareness about the health risks of excessive sugar consumption. While presenting unpublished data from a small human trial showing reduced blood sugar spikes and insulin response with the product, Lustig emphasized the need for a larger, longer-term study to confirm the findings. Further tests, including stool studies, are necessary to determine the exact amount of excreted sugar and its overall efficacy in countering sugar intake.

a Sugar sponges are not the only solution being explored. Some are pursuing a different path by converting sugar into fiber in the intestines. This feat surpasses the digestive enzymes’ capabilities but can be achieved by integrating specific enzymes into foods in carefully measured quantities.

Researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Bioinspired Engineering, in collaboration with Kraft Heinz, developed a method utilizing naturally occurring plant enzymes to convert sugars into fiber and encasing them in an edible coating.

The coating, made of fibers, keeps the enzymes dormant in the food while on shelves. In less acidic conditions in the intestines, the coating expands to release the enzymes that break down sugars into simpler components like glucose and fructose. Fructose is converted into soluble fiber, beneficial to the gut microbiome, producing inulin.

Most of the glucose, however, is still absorbed by the body. By encapsulating enzymes that convert glucose into fiber, the coating could potentially offer further benefits. Wyss plans to license this technology to a start-up for further testing and regulatory approval, with anticipated commercialization among US manufacturers in 2026.

Joining Wyss in the enzyme pathway is a British start-up, Zaya, formerly known as Inulox. Their product, Convero, is an enhanced version of a natural inulosucrase enzyme distinct from Wyss’s. Zya’s research shows that this substance, produced using genome-edited microorganisms, efficiently converts sugar into fiber in the intestines.

Through simulated gut models, Zya found that around 30% of carbohydrates are converted to fiber, primarily targeting fructose for conversion into inulin. This proposed change holds promise for humanity, potentially enabling impactful claims in the food industry. Initial pig studies on the natural enzyme showed no harm to the animals, with further studies planned for the enhanced version and human trials.

Requiring minimal amounts for efficacy, both Wyss’s and Zya’s enzymes are easily integrated into existing foods without significant modifications. While there may be an additional cost premium, it is deemed manageable. Zya aims to secure US regulatory approval as a food ingredient by 2026, with plans to expand into Europe and the UK.

Emphasizing functional claims over health claims, Zya focuses on the sugar-to-fiber conversion aspect. By making sugar more digestible, the company envisions a shift towards a more beneficial sugar consumption approach. “Enjoy sugar responsibly with improved digestion,” states Josh Sauer, CEO of Zya.

While these innovative techniques hold promise in mitigating sugar impact on the body, further research is necessary, notes Graham McGregor, charity chairman and professor at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London. Careful evaluation of clinical trials and safety considerations is crucial before widespread adoption of such products.

Despite the potential benefits, Professor Tim Spector, from King’s College London and co-founder of personal nutrition company Zoe, raises concerns about these products encouraging unhealthy food choices. Stressing the importance of whole foods and reducing ultra-processed products, Spector suggests focusing on a balanced diet. The technology offers tools to manage sugar intake but does not address other harmful food components, urging a holistic dietary approach.

While the future of sugar reduction technologies is promising, Lustig highlights the ongoing challenge of giving up sugar entirely. “We need all the tools we can get,” he concludes.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Guide to Viewing the 2024 Snow Moon: Witness the Final Full Moon of Winter

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The upcoming full moon in February 2024, known as the snow moon, will be the second one of the year. Despite being a micromoon this month, it signifies the end of winter and the coming of spring.

Wondering when is the best time to witness this full snow moon in the UK? How close is the micromoon? And the current constellation of the moon? Here is everything you need to know about the full moon in February 2024.

If you want to enjoy a clear night sky, explore our beginner’s guide to astronomy. To get familiar with some unique constellations, this guide is the perfect starting point.

Interested in capturing beautiful moon photos? Check out our practical moon photography guide that is filled with expert advice from astrophotographers and even BBC Night Sky presenter Pete Lawrence. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, we have tutorials to suit your needs.

When will we see the snow moon in 2024?

If the skies are clear, the snow moon will be visible in the early morning and evening on February 24, 2024, across the UK, US, and other parts of the world.

The peak illumination of the full moon in February will happen at 12:30 PM GMT. For viewers in the UK, this means that the moon will be fully illuminated during the day when it is below the horizon. However, it will still appear “full” when it rises at night and for a few days after.

In London, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:27pm GMT and set in the west-northwest at 7:32 a.m. on February 25th.

In New York, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:55 pm ET and set in the western sky at 7:18 am on February 25th.

In Seattle, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 6:07 pm PST and set in the west at 7:40 a.m. on February 25th.

What’s unique about the 2024 Snow Moon?

This year’s Snow Moon is special for two reasons. First, it falls on the day before the moon reaches its apogee, making it the smallest full moon of the year. Secondly, it coincides with the Lunar New Year celebrations, including the Lantern Festival.

On February 24th, National Tortilla Day is also celebrated in the US, giving you another reason to toast the full moon with chips and dip.

When is the best time to view the 2024 Snow Moon?

The best time to observe the snow moon is in the evening of February 24th, just after sunrise, or before moonset on the morning of February 24th. The moon will be closest to full illumination and low on the horizon in both cases.

In London, the moon will set at 7:21 a.m. GMT on the morning of February 24th, offering a picturesque sight low on the horizon. And if you wait until evening, the moon will rise at 5:27pm GMT on February 24th, just after sunset.

The Earth’s counterclockwise rotation means that the moon will appear to move across the sky from left to right in the Northern Hemisphere and from right to left in the Southern Hemisphere at a rate of 15 degrees per hour.

Why is February’s full moon called the snow moon?

February is one of the coldest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the cooling effects of winter and the sun’s lower angle. The snow moon gets its name from the significant snowfall experienced in the US, Canada, and Europe during this time.

What constellation is the moon in?

On February 22nd, the Moon will be in Cancer, and by the full moon, it will have moved into Leo, situated between Regulus and Keltan. Three days later, the moon will shift to Virgo, followed by Libra from March 1st.

Is the snow moon a supermoon?

No, the February 2024 snow moon is not a supermoon, as it will be a micromoon. Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth, known as perigee, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky.

How far away is the moon?

During apogee on February 25, the moon will be 406,312 km (252,470 miles) away from Earth, making it the smallest full moon of 2024. The farthest point of the moon from Earth will be on October 2, 2024, at 406,516 km (252,597 miles) during a new moon.

What causes a full moon?

A full moon occurs when the side facing Earth is fully illuminated by the sun, as the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment, known as “syzygy,” only lasts for a moment but signifies a full moon in the lunar cycle.

The moon’s cycle lasts about 29.53 days, with the full moon marking the midpoint. The sun and moon balance each other during a full moon, with the moon appearing full all night but technically only being “full” for a brief moment.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Misconceptions about prostate cancer: What we need to know

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Recent news about King Charles’ prostate issues and subsequent cancer diagnosis has raised awareness of such health issues nationwide. Although the king is not diagnosed with prostate cancer, his efforts to raise awareness among older men have been widely appreciated.

The charity Prostate UK is using billboards to encourage men across the country to assess their cancer risk and consult their GP if they experience symptoms like frequent or difficult urination. However, prostate cancer is a complex and subtle condition.

The prostate, located below the bladder, tends to enlarge with age. The urethra, the tube draining urine from the bladder to the outside, passes through it. When the prostate enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, causing symptoms like dribbling and increased frequency of urination. This condition is quite common.

Similarly, prostate cancer is also common. Autopsy studies show that 36% of whites and 51% of African Americans develop prostate cancer in their 70s. There are even cases of prostate cancer found in 5% of men under 30 in autopsy studies. However, not all forms of prostate cancer are equally dangerous, with some being harmless and others potentially fatal.

How dangerous is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer accounts for around 4% of male deaths in the UK, with approximately 12,000 people dying from it each year. The challenge lies in finding treatments that do not cause further harm, as treatments like surgery and radiation therapy can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

The lack of an accurate way to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors is a major problem. The PSA test, developed in the 90s, was introduced to monitor men’s response to prostate cancer treatment. However, the increasing number of diagnoses did not correspond to a reduction in mortality rates.

In the US, the Preventive Services Task Force has offered recommendations for or against PSA screening. While screening may slightly reduce prostate cancer deaths, it can also lead to unnecessary testing and treatments for non-fatal conditions.

To avoid unnecessary treatment, the “watchful waiting” approach has been effective in managing localized prostate cancer with low mortality rates. In the UK, the National Screening Committee does not recommend PSA screening for prostate cancer.

Research suggests that identifying harmful cancers through prostate screening MRI scans may be a viable solution, although more evidence is needed to assess its impact on reducing deaths without overtreatment.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

What is the reason behind science’s heavy reliance on mathematics?

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The following is an excerpt from the Lost in Space-Time newsletter. Every month, we Give a keyboard to a physicist or mathematician and let them talk about some fascinating ideas from their corner of the universe. You can sign up for Lost in Space-Time for free here.

“Science is written in the language of mathematics,” Galileo declared in 1623. And over the past few centuries, science has become increasingly mathematical. Mathematics now seems to have complete supremacy, especially in the fields of quantum physics and relativity. Modern physics education seems to include deriving theories such as…

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Impact of a TikTok Clip on the Popularity of a 177-Year-Old Sourdough Starter

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Mary Buckingham shares, “There’s a long-standing pioneer tradition, tracing back to the early days of settling the American West, where people freely shared bread starter with those who asked.”

Things were going smoothly until the arrival of TikTok.

Mr. Buckingham, a retired meteorologist from Greeley, Colorado, along with a small group of bread enthusiasts, have been sending out sourdough starter samples to individuals who send stamped envelopes for baking their own bread. As a demonstration of that generous tradition, we are offering you free shipping.

But this isn’t just any ordinary starter. The natural yeast and bacteria cultures in this mixture have been carefully nurtured and kept alive since 1847 when a pioneer family travelled from Missouri to Oregon in a covered wagon and settled there. The tradition has been handed down through generations.

For years, the 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter was known only to a select few.until Viral TikTok videos changed everything after an article posted last month.

Mary Buckingham currently records one of the many letters she receives at her Greeley, Colorado home. Photo: Andy Cross/Media News Group/Denver Post/Getty Images/DP

“It’s absolutely crazy,” Buckingham remarked. While they used to receive 30 to 60 requests per week for samples, this year they have already received 7,000. They are struggling to keep up. I enlisted my sister’s help for this task, but it’s just the two of us handling it.

She used to dedicate two to three hours a week to respond to requests, but no more. “I’m now spending all day, every day, every weekend, eight to 10 hours a day,” she said. “It’s really overwhelming. I haven’t taken a day off since this began.”

Sourdough, a naturally fermented mix of flour and water, has been used for centuries to make leavened bread before commercial yeast was introduced. While highly valued by many bread makers, careful upkeep is required to sustain the culture, which can potentially live indefinitely.

The origin of the 1847 starter can be traced back to Carl Griffith. Born in 1919, an Oregon attorney and U.S. Air Force veteran from World War II, he had been baking bread from the same sourdough batch since he was 10 years old. He later documentedthat his family inherited it from his great-grandfather’s family, Dr. John Savage, who settled in the western part of the state in 1847.

“We’re unsure where or when it originally originated from in the wild, as commercial bread starters weren’t available back then, but we’ve encountered many wild yeasts since then. Personally, I love it,” he noted.

Griffith gladly shared dried samples of his dough with anyone who asked, connecting with an online community of sourdough enthusiasts in the early days of the internet. When he passed away in 2000, his widow and the others decided to continue the tradition.

Mary Buckingham collects the most recent batch of letters at the Greeley post office. Photo: Andy Cross/Media News Group/Denver Post/Getty Images/DP

Although most members never met Griffith, they referred to themselves as “Carl’s Friends.”

“It was a good start, and the founders thought, ‘It’d be a shame to let this disappear.’ So, we established a small society,” Buckingham explained.

While she typically handles request sorting, another member in WA nurtures and dries the starter. Given the number of people who forget to include stamps, it’s more work than expected. With the surge in demand, “It has to diminish quickly,” meaning she’ll also jump in.

After expanding enough to cover eight Swiss rolls cans thinly, “the dough is tacky and stretchy, making it hard to fit into the cans,” then left in a warm and dry area. After two to four days, the mix is blended, tested, portioned into small bags, and packed into the incoming envelopes by the thousands.

“A robust, enduring, palatable, consistent starter is highly prized and always has been,” shared Mr. Buckingham, a bread baker since the 1960s when his mother showed him at age 11. Carl’s starter is “a solid, robust starter” that ferments beautifully without yeast.

Has it genuinely lived for 177 years? While it’s impossible to confirm, Buckingham remarks, “That’s how bread was made in the old days.”

Why does she continue despite the time commitment? “I think it’s a kind of passion. It’s heartening to see so many young people taking an interest in it. I hope they carry it forward.”

Sourdough is “like a little pet that you have to feed and keep alive. And if you don’t, it will perish. After a while, you might feel, ‘Oh, that’s too much work. It’s easier to buy bread locally.'”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Understanding Sora AI: A Comprehensive Guide to OpenAI’s Text-to-Video Tools

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Sora introduces a groundbreaking artificial intelligence software that empowers users to produce remarkably lifelike videos based on simple verbal instructions.

OpenAI, the mastermind behind Dall-E and ChatGPT, is pushing boundaries with the soon-to-be-released service.

This innovation seemingly emerged out of nowhere. Previous attempts at AI-generated videos were less than impressive, to put it lightly. But with Sora, things are changing.

How did OpenAI achieve this feat? Can you use these tools today? And what does this mean for the future of video and content creation? Let’s dive deep into the modern tools and their implications.

What is Sora?

Sora is an AI tool capable of generating full videos up to 1 minute long. For instance, by simply entering a prompt like “a group of cats worshipping a giant dog,” Sora can potentially display videos matching that description.

Amidst the social media buzz and specialized computing communities, Sora’s unexpected rise may have gone unnoticed. There wasn’t any grand announcement or extensive advertising campaign; it just appeared abruptly.

OpenAI has showcased various sample videos where Sora impressively produces lifelike visuals. These videos feature mirror reflections, intricate liquid movements, and falling snow particles.

How does Sora work?

Sora operates similarly to previous AI image generators but with added complexity. It utilizes diffusion modeling to convert video frames into static images, which are then reconstructed into a cohesive video.

To train Sora, example videos and corresponding textual descriptions are provided to help the model understand the relationship between images and actions depicted in the videos.

This process challenges the model to understand intricate details like 3D models, motion, reflections, shadows, and other complex features to replicate accurately.

For transparency, OpenAI offers a detailed explanation of how the model functions on its website, although the sources of the training videos remain undisclosed.

How to use Sora AI

Currently, Sora is not available to the general public. OpenAI exercises caution in releasing such powerful tools, starting with a small “red team” of individuals who assess potential risks and harms of the technology.

Following this, a select group of visual artists, designers, and filmmakers will gain insight into how the tool functions for creative endeavors. Eventually, Sora may become accessible to the public, likely following OpenAI’s pay-as-you-go model.

Is Sora the best AI video generator?

Based on the videos unveiled so far, Sora appears to be a significant leap ahead of previous AI video generation attempts. Early endeavors in AI-generated videos, like Will Smith eating spaghetti or the ”Peppoloni Hug Spot” commercial, paled in comparison.

Contrasting those early attempts with Sora’s work reveals a stark contrast. Sora’s videos boast accurate lighting, reflections, and human-like features, even tackling complex scenarios like people entering and exiting the frame.

Despite its impressive capabilities, Sora is not without flaws. Glitches like disappearing body parts, sudden appearances, and floating feet are observable in its videos. As the public gains access, more videos will expose both strengths and weaknesses of the model.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Groundbreaking Discovery in Quantum Gravity May Lead to a Unified “Theory of Everything”

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Curious about what goes on inside a black hole? Wondering about the origins of the Big Bang and how the forces of the universe came together? These are some of the biggest questions humanity has about the universe, and new discoveries are bringing us closer to the answers than ever before.

Scientists have made a breakthrough in measuring gravity in the quantum world, with British, Dutch, and Italian teams utilizing new technology to detect weak gravity on small particles. By suspending particles weighing just 0.43 mg at ultra-low temperatures, they were able to isolate the vibrations of the particles using magnets and superconducting devices.

This groundbreaking technique allowed scientists to measure weak attractive forces of only 30 attonewtons (aN), a force smaller than that of a bacterium on a table’s surface. Previously, understanding how gravity worked at the microscopic level had eluded scientists, but this discovery has shed light on the interaction of forces with particles at a small scale.

Lead author of the study, Tim Hooks from the University of Southampton, noted that scientists have been struggling for a century to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics interact. This new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe and potentially paves the way for further advancements in measuring quantum gravity.

By continuing to refine the method used in this study, researchers hope to delve deeper into the forces that govern the universe, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the very structure of our cosmos.

“We are on the brink of new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world,” said Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, one of the study authors.

For more information, visit Professor Hendrik Ulbricht’s profile.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists observe massive outburst from supermassive black hole in far-off galaxy cluster

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Some of the gas erupts from the supermassive black hole located at the center of galaxy cluster SDSS J1531+3414 (abbreviated SDSS J1531) until it reaches a temperature high enough to form numerous star clusters. Cooled down.

Multi-wavelength image of the massive galaxy cluster SDSS J1531+3414.Image credits: NASA / CXC / SAO / Omorui other. / STScI / Tremblay other. / Astron / Loafers / NASA / CXC / SAO / N. Walk.

SDSS J1531 is a huge galaxy cluster containing hundreds of individual galaxies and a huge reservoir of hot gas and dark matter.

At the center of SDSS J1531, two of the cluster's largest galaxies collide with each other.

Surrounding these merging giants are 19 large star clusters called superclusters, arranged in an “S” shape similar to beads on a string.

Dr. Osase Omoruyi and colleagues at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics are using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the LOFAR radio network, and other telescopes to discover how this chain of unusual star clusters formed. I found out what happened.

The discovery of evidence of an ancient mega-eruption in SDSS J1531 provided important clues.

The eruption may have occurred when a supermassive black hole at the center of one of the large galaxies produced a very powerful jet.

As the jet traveled through space, it pulled surrounding hot gas away from the black hole, creating a huge cavity.

“We're already observing this system as it existed 4 billion years ago, when the Earth was just forming,” Omoruyi said.

“This ancient cavity is a fossil of the black hole's influence on its host galaxy and its surroundings, and tells us about important events that occurred almost 200 million years ago in the history of this star cluster.”

Evidence for the cavity comes from bright X-ray emission “wings” seen on Chandra that track dense gas near the center of SDSS J1531.

These wings form the edges of the cavity, and the less dense gas between them is part of the cavity.

LOFAR shows radio waves from the remains of the jet's energetic particles filling a huge cavity.

Taken together, these data provide convincing evidence for an ancient great explosion.

Astronomers also discovered cold and warm gas near the cavity's opening, detected by the Atacama Large Millimeter and Submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Gemini North Telescope, respectively.

They argue that some of the hot gas pushed out of the black hole eventually cooled down to cold, warm gas.

They believe that the tidal effects of the two galaxies merging compressed the gas along a curved path, forming the star cluster in a “string-bead” pattern.

“We reconstructed the sequence of events that may have occurred within this cluster over a wide range of distances and times,” said Dr. Grant Tremblay, also of Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“It started when a black hole, just one light-year in diameter, formed a cavity about 500,000 light-years wide.”

“This single event triggered the formation of young star clusters almost 200 million years later, each several thousand light-years in diameter.”

Although the authors only looked at the radio waves and cavity from one jet, black holes typically fire two jets in opposite directions.

They also observed radio emissions further out from the galaxy that could be the remains of a second jet, but it was unrelated to the detected cavity.

They speculate that radio and X-ray signals from other eruptions may have diminished to the point where they could no longer be detected.

“We believe the evidence for this large-scale eruption is strong, but further observations from Chandra and LOFAR will confirm the case,” Dr. Omoruyi said.

“We hope to learn more about the origins of the cavities we have already detected and find the cavities we expect to find on the other side of the black hole.”

a paper Regarding the survey results, astrophysical journal.

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Omase Omorui other. 2024. A “string bead” star formation associated with one of the most powerful she-AGN outbursts observed in the Cool Core Galaxy Cluster. APJ, in press. arXiv: 2312.06762

Source: www.sci.news