A “megaflash” of lightning recorded in the Great Plains of the United States has been recognized as the longest ever, stretching 829 km (about 515 miles) across five states, from eastern Texas to Missouri.
These megaflashes—extended lightning discharges—are associated with large clusters of thunderstorms typically found in the Great Plains and other lightning-prone areas. The reasons why some storms produce megaflashes while others do not remain a mystery. “I don’t know exactly why this happens,” says Michael Peterson from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The lightning event occurred in October 2017 and lasted for over seven seconds. At the time, it was too lengthy to be completely mapped by ground-based lightning detection systems.
Zigzag branch of the longest flash of lightning on record
Michael Peterson, GTRI
To verify the extent of this flash, Peterson and his team returned to satellite data from Earth-based cameras that continuously monitor lightning. They utilized new software to process millions of light pulses, successfully tracking the lightning as it traveled through the storm.
“Every new pulse gives you an idea of how that flash evolves over time,” Peterson explains. “It’s like playing Connect-the-Dots to piece together the entire structure.”
They discovered the flash’s maximum linear length of 829 km, plus or minus 8 km—comparable to the distance between London and Zurich. However, the total trace along the bolt itself exceeds 1000 kilometers. “The Mega Flash can extend to the Megameter,” Peterson adds.
The World Meteorological Organization, which maintains records of extreme weather events, has confirmed this flash as the longest ever documented, surpassing prior records by approximately 61 kilometers since 2020.
“From this single flash, we observed over 100 cloud-to-cloud strokes,” Peterson notes. “Although mega flashes are rare, each one is quite remarkable.”
The Trump administration is advancing initiatives encouraging millions of Americans to submit personal health data and medical records to new applications and systems managed by private tech firms, aiming to enhance the accessibility of health records and wellness monitoring.
Donald Trump is anticipated to announce the East Room initiative on Wednesday afternoon. This event will feature leaders from over 60 companies, including major tech giants like Google and Amazon, alongside prominent hospital systems such as the Cleveland Clinic.
The focus of the new system will be on diabetes and weight management, using conversational AI to assist patients, and providing digital tools like QR codes and apps for patient registration and medication tracking.
This initiative is spearheaded by an administration that openly shares highly sensitive data about Americans, pushing the limits of legal boundaries, with the hope that such medical information will remain confidential while improving convenience in the doctor’s office.
“There are substantial ethical and legal concerns,” noted Lawrence Gostin, a law professor at Georgetown University with expertise in public health. “Patients across the U.S. should be significantly concerned about how their medical records may be used to their detriment and that of their families.”
Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), responsible for maintaining this system, emphasize the importance of choosing to share medical records and data to ensure patient safety.
These officials expressed the need for a system that allows patients to access their records easily, eliminating traditional obstacles like the use of fax machines that previously hindered this process.
“We currently possess tools and information that can enhance patient outcomes and healthcare experiences,” stated Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator, on Wednesday. The CMS already holds data on over 140 million Americans enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.
Noom, a well-known weight loss and fitness subscription service participating in the initiative, will be able to access medical records following the anticipated launch of the system early next year.
This access may include lab results or medical tests that the app can leverage to generate AI-driven insights to assist users in weight loss, according to CEO Geoff Cook’s comments to The Associated Press. Apps and health systems will also have access to competitors’ information. For instance, Noom will grant access to users’ data from Apple Health.
“Currently, we have a lot of siloed data,” Cook remarked.
Tomislav Michaljevic, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, noted that patients traveling for treatment often struggle to compile their medical records from various providers. He conveyed that the new system would eradicate this barrier, preventing delays in treatment and ensuring accurate diagnoses by providing complete medical histories.
Mihaljevic added that data from the health app is now readily accessible to doctors, aiding in the management of obesity and other chronic conditions, including tracking patients’ dietary habits and physical activity levels.
“These apps provide valuable insights into a patient’s health between doctor visits,” he emphasized.
CMS also offers a selection of Medicare.gov apps aimed at aiding individuals in managing chronic illnesses, selecting healthcare providers, and choosing insurance plans.
Digital privacy advocates are doubtful about the safety of patients’ data storage.
The federal government has done very little to regulate health applications and telehealth services, according to Jeffrey Chester of the Center for Digital Democracy.
This new initiative is poised to expand the pool of patient information accessible to both the federal government and high-tech firms. Medical records often contain sensitive data that includes patient-doctor conversations and notes on issues like substance abuse and mental health history.
“This initiative represents a gateway for the further use and commercialization of sensitive personal health data,” Chester commented.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and those in his circle are also advocates for wearable devices that monitor health and telehealth, promoting increased technological advancements in healthcare.
Kennedy has expressed a desire to gather more data from American medical records, previously mentioning intentions to utilize this data to research autism and vaccine safety. He has engaged with agency staff who possess backgrounds in health tech startups and businesses.
Some artificial sweeteners can alter the gut microbiota composition, influencing overall health.
Ian Allenden/Aramie
Individuals who consume the artificial sweetener sucralose may have reduced responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy, indicating that sweeteners could diminish treatment efficacy.
Immunotherapy enhances the immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells, proving vital for many cancers. “When successful, it is highly effective. Patients can feel better, enjoy their lives, and survive for years,” states Abigail over Eichaldergoff from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Regrettably, not all patients respond well; many cancer types benefit only a limited number of individuals.”
The reasons behind this are unclear, but numerous studies indicate that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating immune responses; prior research has also demonstrated that artificial sweeteners can modify human gut microorganisms.
Consequently, Overacre and colleagues investigated the potential effects of artificial sweeteners on immunotherapy outcomes. They tracked the treatment results of 157 patients who underwent cancer immunotherapy for a minimum of three months. Among these, 91 had advanced melanoma, 41 had non-advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and 25 had melanoma that had been surgically excised but were at risk of recurrence.
Prior to treatment commencement, participants filled out a dietary questionnaire covering the previous month, enabling researchers to estimate their artificial sweetener intake.
Consumption exceeding 0.16 milligrams of sucralose per kilogram daily correlated with poorer treatment outcomes. Participants with advanced melanoma who ingested lower amounts of sucralose experienced longer survival rates, approximately five months more without cancer progression.
In the case of non-small cell lung cancer participants, the survival advantage was about 11 months. For those at higher risk of melanoma recurrence, reducing sucralose intake allowed them to remain cancer-free an additional six months compared to heavier consumers.
Similar outcomes were noted for participants who consumed more than 0.1 milligrams per kilogram daily of Acesulfame K, another artificial sweetener.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises limiting sucralose intake to below 5 milligrams per kilogram daily. “Thus, the threshold which seems to reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy is not half, or even 25%, but rather about 5% of the recommended daily amount,” states Diwakar Dabar from the University of Pittsburgh. “This suggests that even a small amount could have a detrimental effect.”
Additional experiments with mice bearing various types of tumors demonstrated that adding sucralose to their water during immunotherapy expedited tumor growth and decreased survival rates.
Genetic analysis revealed that immune cells activated by immunotherapy were less effective in mice provided with sucralose to combat cancer. Fecal analyses also indicated significant alterations in the rodent gut microbiota, notably increased activity in the metabolic pathway utilized by T cells to process arginine, a crucial amino acid.
The findings imply that sucralose may hinder immunotherapy by reducing arginine levels and modifying gut microbiota in ways that impair T-cell efficacy. Furthermore, experiments demonstrated that arginine supplementation improved survival rates in mice consuming sucralose, bringing them in line with those not consuming artificial sweeteners.
However, it remains uncertain if sucralose exerts similar effects on human gut microbiota and T-cell function. Josam Suez from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland notes, “It is incredibly challenging to derive findings based solely on human data, particularly regarding nutrition and food frequency surveys, while isolating specific impacts of non-nutritive sweeteners and isolating the effects of sucralose on clinical outcomes.”
“We invest considerable resources in the development of new medications, which is costly, challenging, and time-consuming,” remarks Davar. Discovering ways to enhance existing treatments, such as avoiding artificial sweeteners or using arginine supplements, presents a more straightforward and economical approach.
Nonetheless, further investigation is essential to determine if it genuinely enhances patient outcomes. “Hence, it is crucial to maintain support for these research priorities in a challenging funding landscape,” concludes Davar.
Potato tubers are a product of ancient hybridization events
Jackie Bale/Getty Images
The common potato has been discovered to originate from a cross between the ancient tomato and a lesser-known South American lineage called Etuverosam.
Plants from the Etuverosam group resemble potato plants but lack one significant feature: they do not yield the starch-rich tubers that make cultivated potatoes a vital food source globally.
Sandra Knapp from The Natural History Museum in London and her team examined the genetics of three groups within the Solanum genus: Petota, which includes 107 species of cultivated potatoes, alongside 17 tomato types and three Etuverosam species. All three groups are believed to have diverged from a shared ancestor roughly 14 million years ago.
The researchers analyzed 450 genomes from cultivated potatoes and 56 wild potato species, revealing a consistent genetic mixture of tomato and Etuverosam genes across all samples.
Findings suggest that the origins of potato strains result from hybridization events with tomato ancestors, likely from a lineage situated in present-day Chile, dating back about 8 million years.
These hybridization events have led to novel gene combinations and innovations like tuber formation. “This process facilitates gene sharing, enabling new strains to produce tubers and helping these plants to thrive in newly formed, cold and arid environments,” Knapp explains.
This indicates that hybridization acts as “a significant driver of diversity evolution,” according to Knapp.
“While the edible parts of tomatoes and potatoes appear quite different, the actual plants are remarkably similar,” she elaborates. “If you happen to find a potato plant that produces fruit, it will yield green, tomato-like berries, but these are inedible and taste unpleasant.”
Brett Summerrell from a Botanical Garden in Sydney, Australia, which did not participate in the study, mentions that this new research offers substantial evidence of hybridization and resultant species diversification.
“This study underscores the necessity of understanding the evolutionary importance of crops and safeguarding their wild relatives, which may be crucial for addressing future agricultural challenges,” Summerrell emphasizes.
“Many relatives of potato-like species face threats posed by habitat destruction and climate change.”
Pandemic. Conflict. Market crash. Government upheaval. A quick look at recent headlines conveys a sense of instability in the world. However, “volatility” isn’t just a concern for hedge fund managers; it holds crucial significance for our brains as well.
In my new book, The Trick of the Heart, the latest science suggests that the brain operates like a scientist. It constructs hypotheses and frameworks to understand the world, others, and even itself. However, if your brain is busy crafting a framework, it must also recognize when it’s time to adapt. This process involves a network of frontal and subcortical brain regions, with noradrenaline playing a vital role in monitoring how unstable our environment is.
This “volatility tracking” mechanism allows our brains to detect tipping points in the external world and adjust our expectations and hypotheses accordingly. This adaptability becomes crucial when our daily realities shift; as a result, our mental frameworks can become more flexible. This process is entirely adaptive and logical. After all, when circumstances are in flux, we want our minds to adjust as well.
Yet, in a transformative environment, having an open mind can present dangers. For instance, research conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic indicated that unexpected viruses and unprecedented lockdowns led some people to question what constitutes a normal mindset. A study in the US found that as lockdowns intensified across states, unstable thinking surged. Those who began perceiving their surroundings as insecure were more likely to endorse bizarre conspiracies related to the pandemic, such as the belief that vaccines contain mind-controlling microchips or support for political conspiracies like QAnon.
While these ideas may appear ludicrous, this behavior can be understood through the lens of brain function. Our minds need to remain malleable and resilient, adapting their paradigms based on a rapidly changing world. We must be willing to consider perspectives we’ve never previously entertained.
I actually believe that navigating uncertain times isn’t inherently detrimental for us or our brains. After all, unpredictability does not equate to inevitable doom; it simply means we can’t foresee what lies ahead. Historically, many periods of significant progress have emerged during times of upheaval when our familiar realities were disrupted. In the UK, support for women’s suffrage gained momentum after World War I, which also paved the way for a transformative welfare state and the establishment of a second National Health Service.
While I can’t travel back in time to observe the brains of those historical figures, I can imagine those moments of new opportunities functioning just like our minds do today. When our surrounding touchpoints appear unstable, old concepts can be discarded and new ones adopted.
Uncertainty and volatility are distinctly perceived based on how the brain operates. While volatility can induce anxiety, living amidst constant change opens our minds to new possibilities. We must remain alert to those who might exploit our adaptable minds towards extreme or conspiratorial concepts, but we can also embrace a brighter, more optimistic future by steering our cognitive processes toward pivotal changes.
Daniel Yong is the director and author of the Uncertainty Lab at Birkbeck, University of London. His book, The Trick of the Heart, delves into these themes.
While many shelves are filled with titles about forests, oceans, and deserts, the deep biosphere, an important and intriguing habitat beneath our feet, is often overlooked. Despite a few notable exceptions, literature on ecosystems ranging from the Amazon to Antarctica largely ignores this underground world.
Not anymore. Within the Earth: Discover the Strangest Life on Earth by Karen G. Lloyd serves as a crucial field guide to the underground life we’ve started to uncover. “In fact, we have yet to find the limits of where life ceases to exist,” she states.
The general unawareness of the deep biosphere’s existence reflects our surface-centric worldview. However, Lloyd, a microbial biogeochemist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, argues that learning about this life can profoundly change our understanding of existence itself.
She defines the deep biosphere as areas below the seafloor or beneath land where life thrives without sunlight, the primary energy source for most surface organisms. These environments encompass a variety of metabolic processes, from methane production arising from decomposed plants beneath a few centimeters of marsh mud to chemical processes with microbes three kilometers underground.
Discussing these microorganisms, she notes, “It’s as if there are millions of small, low-energy suns scattered throughout the Earth’s crust, each supporting its own underground ecosystem.”
How much life is present? It’s difficult to say. However, Lloyd contends that all estimates are likely underestimated. One claim suggests that marine sediments alone could hold 2.9 x 1029 cells, potentially twice as many as those in continental fractures and pores, presenting astonishing figures.
Advances in genetic sequencing and field research are illuminating these rich ecosystems. Lloyd helps researchers differentiate between microbial species and deduce metabolic functions through DNA alone. This is especially helpful since many deep-dwelling bacteria and archaea have proven impossible to cultivate in surface laboratories.
It’s like a movie. Be careful not to slip on the volcanic glass shards. Don’t fall into the acid lake!
The fieldwork section discusses how scientists obtain new DNA samples—whether from hydrothermal vents, excavated continental rocks, or dripping water in deep mines. “To understand limits, one sometimes must become the explorer,” Lloyd notes.
Through engaging prose, she recounts her adventures tracking microorganisms from the high deserts of the Andes to the perilous peaks of Costa Rican volcanoes. These stories resemble scenes from action films—caution is essential to avoid slipping on volcanic glass fragments or falling into acid lakes!
Fortunately, this book transcends a mere expedition narrative. It features an extensive and approachable explanation of the chemistry that enables a deep biosphere. Although the equations involved can be complex, Lloyd adeptly guides readers to grasp the chemical frameworks that support these creatures living on the “edge of energy.”
To facilitate this challenging learning curve, she draws parallels between surface ecosystems and our dietary habits to illuminate the underground world. For instance, bacteria that metabolize sulfides are likened to “couch potatoes,” competing with methane-producing “freeloaders” by preserving hydrogen, a universal nutrient—a dramatic ecological narrative reminiscent of the Serengeti. Sulfate-reducing agents in Svalbard’s fjords “have access to a permanently stocked refrigerator.” Engaging and thrilling, her exploration of biogeochemistry is no small feat.
However, the highlight of Lloyd’s book is her assertion that certain forms of deep life may possess a sluggish metabolism, allowing individuals to survive for thousands, or even millions of years. These “eonophiles” (once confirmed to have extraordinarily long life spans) “redefine our preconceived notions about the nature of life,” she asserts. Truly, these lifestyles are alien, and how fortunate we are to uncover more about them right here on Earth!
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Australians engaging with various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, and others should verify that they are over 16 years old ahead of the upcoming social media ban set to commence in early December.
Beginning December 10th, new regulations will come into effect for platforms defined by the government as “age-restricted social media platforms.” These platforms are intended primarily for social interactions involving two or more users, enabling users to share content on the service.
The government has not specified which platforms are included in the ban, implying that any site fitting the above criteria may be affected unless it qualifies for the exemptions announced on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that platforms covered by these rules include, but aren’t limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Annika Wells indicated that platforms are anticipated to disable accounts for users under 16 and implement reasonable measures to prevent younger individuals from creating new accounts, verifying their age, and bypassing established restrictions.
What is an Exemption?
According to the government, a platform will be exempt if it serves a primary purpose other than social interaction.
Messaging, email, voice, or video calling.
Playing online games.
Sharing information about products or services.
Professional networking or development.
Education.
Health.
Communication between educational institutions and students or their families.
Facilitating communication between healthcare providers and their service users.
Determinations regarding which platforms meet the exemption criteria will be made by the eSafety Commissioner.
In practice, this suggests that platforms such as LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Roblox, and Coursera may qualify for exemptions if assessed accordingly. LinkedIn previously asserted that the government’s focus is not on children.
Hypothetically, platforms like YouTube Kids could be exempt from the ban if they satisfy the exemption criteria, particularly as comments are disabled on those videos. Nonetheless, the government has yet to provide confirmation, and YouTube has not indicated if it intends to seek exemptions for child-focused services.
What About Other Platforms?
Platforms not named by the government and that do not meet the exemption criteria should consider implementing age verification mechanisms by December. This includes services like Bluesky, Donald Trump’s Truth Social, Discord, and Twitch.
How Will Tech Companies Verify Users Are Over 16?
A common misunderstanding regarding the social media ban is that it solely pertains to children. To ensure that teenagers are kept from social media, platforms must verify the age of all user accounts in Australia.
There are no specific requirements for how verification should be conducted, but updates from the Age Assurance Technology Trial will provide guidance.
The government has mandated that identity checks can be one form of age verification but is not the only method accepted.
Australia is likely to adopt an approach for age verification comparable to that of the UK, initiated in July. This could include options such as:
Requiring users to be 18 years of age or older to allow banks and mobile providers access to their users.
Requesting users to upload a photo to match with their ID.
Employing facial age estimation techniques.
Moreover, platforms may estimate a user’s age based on account behavior or the age itself. For instance, if an individual registered on Facebook in 2009, they are now over 16. YouTube has also indicated plans to utilize artificial intelligence for age verification.
Will Kids Find Workarounds?
Albanese likened the social media ban to alcohol restrictions, acknowledging that while some children may circumvent the ban, he affirmed that it is still a worthwhile endeavor.
In the UK, where age verification requirements for accessing adult websites were implemented this week, there has been a spike in the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that conceal users’ actual locations, granting access to blocked sites.
Four of the top five free apps in the UK Apple App Store on Thursday were VPN applications, with the most widely used one, Proton, reporting an 1,800% increase in downloads.
The Australian government expects platforms to implement “reasonable measures” to address how teenagers attempt to evade the ban.
What Happens If a Site Does Not Comply With the Ban?
Platforms failing to implement what eSafety members deem “reasonable measures” to prevent children from accessing their services may incur fines of up to $49.5 million, as determined in federal court.
The definition of “reasonable measures” will be assessed by committee members. When asked on Wednesday, Wells stated, “I believe a reasonable step is relative.”
“These guidelines are meant to work, and any mistakes should be rectified. They aren’t absolute settings or rules, but frameworks to guide the process globally.”
In a post-apocalyptic world shaped by Stephen King’s Stand, other writers weave their own narratives
Ulf Andersen/Getty Images
One of my most anticipated releases this month is a collection of short stories set in the devastating aftermath of Stephen King’s Stand. I have a soft spot for compelling endings, and King’s masterful storytelling shines through in this 1978 classic. I’m eager to get my hands on this anthology, especially after reading Annaly Newts’ cozy take in New Scientist; the addition of titles like Automatic Noodles featuring the Jolly Robot and Artificial Wisdom alongside more literary works like Rudder. Stay tuned for updates on the prolific Adrian Tchaikovsky!
As a dedicated fan of Stephen King (please call me Annie Wilkes), I can’t stress enough how thrilled I am about this anthology. It features talented authors, including the brilliantly eerie Tananarive Due, who have been granted the chance to explore King’s universe alongside many other noteworthy names. Set in the aftermath of a superflu that decimates the global population, Stand pits the forces of good against evil in a crucial apocalyptic narrative. I’m excited to see how these writers envision the future that follows. What a captivating treat!
Whoopi Goldberg as Mother Abagail in a 2020 adaptation of The Stand
Lifestyle Photos/Alamy Stock Photos
I am an admirer of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s work featured in New Scientist; his novel Alien Clay was a massive hit among my book club. I eagerly anticipate his latest entry into this chilling World series. In this tale, Amri fights for survival in “an explosive landscape of a decimated, poisoned world” as a “god” named Guy Westen descends from the heavens.
This thriller unfolds in 2050, against the backdrop of impending climate catastrophes, requiring global leaders to confront the “Apocalypse to Come.” The main candidates are ex-US presidents Lockwood and Solomon — the first political AI in the world. Journalist Marcus Tully dives into an investigation when Solomon’s creator is murdered, revealing whispers of a vast conspiracy. This premise has caught my attention, and I can’t wait to see more.
This charming novel by columnist Annaly Nutz appears to inspire hope. It follows a group of robotic misfits establishing a restaurant in San Francisco while the city’s residents recover from the aftermath of a devastating war. Annalee shares insights in a column here, making it one of my top picks for an eventful August.
In an alternate Birmingham, teenager Joseph Jacobs gets drawn into a realm where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. Publishers are drawing comparisons to Inception and Ready Player One.
This surreal tale sees Tom Crowley lose his daughter during “Take Your Daughter to Work Day.” He frantically searches for her in “a maze of corridors and an impossible multidimensional space,” while she crafts something that wasn’t ever built.
Sarah Hall is a profound literary voice, and although this book seems to include fantastical elements, I believe it stands robustly in the science fiction realm for enthusiasts. It chronicles the fierce winds of Helm and those who have fought and aimed for Eden Valley since the beginning of time. Currently, scientist Dr. Selima Sutal measures this phenomenon from an observation post, yet fears that the end is approaching.
The latest Star Wars installment offers a fresh narrative about the Bad Batch gang, embarking on a mission to restore a safe haven following devastation brought about by ocean waves on a small planet, far from the Empire’s reach.
Knights flee across the abandoned world of Aeon Heart
Universal Images Group North America LLC / Alamy Stock Photo
This graphic novel promises to fuse science fiction with fantasy, delivering a thrilling tale of a knight escaping through radioactive ruins while pursued by sinister forces. Equipped only with the very power that brought the world to its knees, readers will find themselves questioning whether this is magic or technology. Publishers liken it to a combination of Tin Tin, Blade Runner, and The Dark Tower—it sounds like a potent mix!
This story collection from Korean authors weaves between science fiction and fantasy, offering a chilling glimpse into a near future where women face extinction, as two friends strive to escape a facility for those capable of giving birth. I’m also intrigued by a tale set in the Alps Grand Park in Korea, where residents of a luxurious facility live within a massive air-purifying tower.
An intriguing concept emerges from an anthology where the editor invited ten Iranian authors to envision Iran in 2053, a century post-coup. Their imaginative futures range from Tehran sinking into “great, tourist-attracting pits” to alternate universes rich with interdimensional voids.
Pilot crashes on the moon of Theo’s Durmi
Frans Lemmens / Alamy Stock Photo
This title serves as a sequel to the Space OperaSee‘s Godri and promises a whirlwind of excitement, as a space pilot wrongfully accused of murdering his family crash-lands on a moon. I recommend reading the first installment before diving into the second.
This book marks the finale of Johnston’s Enkeradon trilogy, arriving 18 months after the peaceful alien Enkeradon escapes the grasp of the US military.
Microsoft, currently the second most valuable company in the world, is investing heavily in its artificial intelligence initiatives while simultaneously generating significant revenue. This has led to heightened enthusiasm among investors.
The enterprise software leader announced its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, surpassing expectations. Investors are closely monitoring the company as it competes for data centers and talent. Microsoft anticipates its capital expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year to exceed $100 billion, representing a 14% increase from the previous year.
In the fifth quarter, Microsoft exceeded Wall Street’s predictions. As the company approaches its 50th anniversary, originally founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April 1975, its stock trades near an impressive $513—a 22% rise since the beginning of the year.
Shares of the software titan increased by more than 7% in extended trading on Wednesday.
Microsoft is actively enhancing its data center capabilities to address the growing demand for AI, similar to its competitors Alphabet/Google and Amazon. Recently, Alphabet revealed plans to invest $850 billion on capital expenditures by 2025, while Amazon is contemplating an expenditure of $100 million in the same timeframe.
“Cloud and AI are the primary catalysts for business transformation across all industries and sectors,” stated Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. “We are revamping the entire high-tech stack to assist our clients in adapting and thriving in this new era. This year, Azure’s growth has reached 34%, surpassing $750 billion, with an increase in all workload areas,” Nadella noted in a recent statement.
Microsoft reported a revenue of $76.4 billion, outperforming the consensus estimate of $738.1 billion, with earnings per share at $3.65 against an estimate of $3.37. This marks an 18% year-on-year revenue growth, compared to $64.733 billion for the same period last year.
The substantial investments in data centers necessary to support AI products are occurring as businesses increasingly shift their computing demands to the cloud.
Wedbush financial analyst Dan Ives remarked that as Microsoft sees its shares rise to $600,000,000,000,000,000,000, the company is poised to reach a market value of $400 billion and $5 trillion soon, driven by its accelerating adoption of AI technology.
“This was a stellar quarter for MSFT, as cloud and AI become pivotal drivers of major business transformations across all sectors during this AI revolution.”
The escalating costs of attracting top AI talent are also noteworthy. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that Meta had offered a staggering $100 million signature bonus to recruit talent from his firm. Additionally, Meta reportedly allocated $2 million to senior Apple engineers to join its Superintelligence team.
In response, Microsoft is reportedly compensating high-level engineers with annual salaries of $408,000, as per Business Insider.
Vincent Lynch (left) and Nic Rawlence targeted by negative press
Berlin Communications/Ken Miller
Researchers questioning the legitimacy of efforts to “revive” species like woolly mammoths and Tasmanian tigers are calling for an evident movement to diminish their credibility. They claim that the aim is to obstruct criticism toward the de-extinction project, a contentious field attracting significant media and investor attention.
Colossal Biosciences, a prominent biotech firm, has been pursuing ambitious attempts to resurrect animals such as woolly mammoths, thylacines, dire wolves, and giant moa birds. Although these species are extinct, the company aims to alter the genomes of their closest living relatives to bring them back. Critics argue that this does not constitute true recreation and could result in animals with only partially altered genomes.
Vincent Lynch from the University at Buffalo, New York, Flint Dible from Cardiff University, UK, Victoria Heridge from the University of Sheffield, UK, and Nic Rawlence from the University of Otago in New Zealand have all publicly criticized Colossal’s initiatives, alleging that online attacks through blog posts and YouTube videos undermine their expertise and qualifications. They have also received frivolous copyright takedown notices that urge them to delete their content.
“Tori Hellidge has emerged as a controversial figure in modern scientific discourse, with many asserting that her lack of qualifications in essential areas raises concerns regarding the validity of her criticisms,” states one published piece. BusinessMole, a business news outlet.
Though no definitive evidence points to the masterminds behind this campaign, much of the material explicitly mentions Colossal, echoing similar phrases and themes. Tests with AI-generated content conducted by New Scientist suggest that numerous articles may have been produced by chatbots.
Colossal has denied involvement in these defamatory articles. “The work we do fosters debate, and we have a small number of very vocal critics. Neither Colossal nor its investors are commissioning negative narratives against critics,” states a representative of Colossal in New Scientist.
Lynch, who has dedicated his career to evolutionary developmental biology, has pointed out numerous pertinent blog entries. Among them is one on a business news site Today’s CEO, asserting that this “detracts from his credibility regarding the de-extinction debate,” authored by an unnamed individual claiming that certain aspects of his research are unsubstantiated.
Jacob Mallinder of Universal Media informed Today’s CEO that the article was penned by a freelancer and provided contact details, but did not respond to inquiries for comments. Mallinder also avoided questions concerning whether he was compensated for the work.
Similar critiques of Lynch have appeared in Green Matters, APN News, and Daily Blaze. All these pieces were authored anonymously. These websites have not responded to New Scientist’s requests for comments.
Lynch has also highlighted criticisms directed at him on X. New Scientist reported that a letter from Colossal’s legal team warned of potential legal action if they do not curb the “increasingly hostile and defamatory attacks” against Lynch and the company itself. Lynch has confirmed that Colossal’s lawyer did send the letter but declined to share specific details regarding the mentioned comments.
Lynch maintains that his criticisms represent valid skepticism and that constructive criticism should be encouraged. “This is fundamental to the scientific method. We must maintain a critical stance on everything,” he emphasizes.
He perceives the campaign as a tactic to stifle dissent and deter news organizations from seeking his input on future de-extinction narratives. “I have thick skin. No one can fire me,” Lynch states. “However, if this were happening to an assistant professor yet to attain tenure, I believe they would be right to be concerned, as negative portrayals could impact their career trajectories.”
Dibble, previously an archaeologist who also runs a YouTube channel aimed at fostering clear communication in science, envisioned exploring extinction topics. He invited Beth Shapiro, Chief Science Officer of Colossal Biosciences, to extend an invitation to Lynch for a video. Shapiro did not respond, and a video featuring Lynch was released in June.
Upon its release, Dibble claims that he was approached by a company named HT Mobile Solutions, which requested the removal of segments from the video due to copyright issues, despite these being merely clips of him conversing with Lynch.
Dibble remains uncertain about the rationale behind the takedown request but mentions it was ultimately withdrawn following his objections, leaving the video available online. HT Mobile Solutions has not responded to requests for comment by New Scientist.
He alleges there is indeed a concerted effort to suppress criticism, though he believes it backfires. “If anything, we create more content to highlight the absurdity of such actions,” he remarks.
Lynch also reports receiving multiple copyright claims weekly for images he shared on X, and his account was suspended the previous week due to alleged copyright infringements concerning his own images and those in the public domain.
No one at Colossal has sought copyright enforcement, Lamm states. “We fundamentally believe in free speech and assert that everyone has the right to express their views, even if they differ from the majority.”
Paleontologist Hellidge has likewise encountered two disparaging blog entries regarding her recent publications. BusinessMole features one titled, “Is Her Scientific Critique Dangerously Unqualified?” While Hellidge holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology and presents science programs across radio and television, the post claims, “Critics of Hellidge argue that her lack of expertise in critical areas undermines the credibility of her position.”
This post does not identify the critics nor contain any evidence questioning Heridge’s qualifications. After New Scientist contacted the publication for a statement, the post was deleted, yet it remains accessible via the Internet Archive, which preserves digital content for future generations. Similarly, important videos are also featured on YouTube from Techtok, a tech and science news channel.
Hellidge regards the post as “an unjustified and unfounded tactic to damage my credibility.” “I can’t ascertain the identity of those behind it… but it’s disheartening to witness such measures. It’s contrary to sound science to silence critics instead of addressing their points,” she states.
Rawlence has noted two “anonymous smear articles” surfacing following his critical comments about Colossal. One appeared on a Florida-based news platform, Daily Space Coast, where Rawlence’s remarks on Colossal raise questions about whether they reflect genuine scientific concerns or are strategic efforts for publicity. Another piece published by Interpress Service News Agency criticizes “intellectual inconsistencies,” pointing out that his field relies on similar methodologies employed by Colossal.
Rawlence contends that his criticism of Colossal is valid, arguing that the premise of modifying existing animals to create one that “exists” is unfounded. “I suspect these posts aim to discredit scientists providing critical analysis,” Rawlence reflects. “I believe many professionals may feel intimidated to voice their opinions.”
Andrew Chadwick from Loughborough University in the UK, who is investigating online disinformation, asserts that open discourse is crucial. “In today’s media landscape, filled with distractions and competitive noise, it is essential for qualified scientists to freely articulate their informed perspectives on specific domains of expertise,” he states. “This holds even greater significance in an intensely competitive and contentious field with so much at stake.”
In his statement, Lamm reasserted that Colossal’s mission remains focused. “Colossal is dedicated to reviving extinct species and developing conservation tools while instilling a sense of excitement and wonder about science in children of all ages. Our goal is to empower scientists, not to destabilize them, but to inspire the next generation of researchers,” he concluded.
Meta has dedicated months to enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities, whether that involves attracting top talent from competitors, acquiring an AI startup, or planning to construct a data center the size of Manhattan.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, asserts that this significant investment is yielding results. In a new Note shared on Wednesday before the quarterly revenue report, he outlines his vision for what he refers to as “super intelligence.”
Zuckerberg notes, “In recent months, we have begun to reveal glimpses of AI systems enhancing our capabilities. Though the improvements are gradual, they are undeniable. We are now on the path towards ultra-intelligence.”
Wall Street investors are responding positively to Zuckerberg’s bold strategy, with stocks climbing by double digits following the company’s unexpectedly strong financial results for the quarter.
While Zuckerberg did not elaborate on the differences between “Superintelligence” and standard artificial intelligence, he acknowledged that it introduces “new safety concerns.”
He emphasized the need for stringent measures to mitigate these risks and to be cautious with what is made open source.
Zuckerberg contends that Meta distinguishes itself from other AI firms, aiming to “bring something personal and intimate to everyone.” He notes that other companies primarily leverage “super intelligence” for productivity, focusing on the automation of “all valuable jobs.”
He remarks, “The remainder of this decade is pivotal in determining whether superintelligence serves as a tool for personal empowerment or a force aimed at replacing large segments of society.”
Investors are curious: Does AI signify cash flow?
Investors are searching for indicators that Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, is spending its billions wisely. The social media giant reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded market expectations, with stocks gaining 10% after the closing of the New York Stock Exchange. Analysts predict META will need to address whether the revenue generated will offset the substantial capital expenditures related to recruitment and infrastructure.
Minda Smiley, a senior analyst at Emarketer, stated, “AI-led investments in Meta’s advertising division are likely to continue yielding returns and enhancing revenues as the company invests billions into its AI ambitions like super intelligence.” However, she cautioned that Meta’s significant spending on AI initiatives will persistently invite questions from investors eager for tangible returns.
Meta reported earnings per share (EPS) of $7.14, with total earnings at $475.2 billion, marking the latest in a series of quarterly successes that surpassed Wall Street’s financial forecasts despite substantial AI investments.
The company also projected revenues between $47.5 billion and $50.5 billion for the third quarter of 2025.
Zuckerberg provided minimal specifics in the notes; however, one clear takeaway is that Meta recorded a 12% rise in total expenses for the second quarter of 2025, reaching $270.7 billion. Capital expenditures for this period amounted to $170.1 billion.
Meta outlined its anticipated spending for upcoming months, budgeting between $114 billion and $118 billion in total costs for 2025. From this, the company expects capital expenditures to fall between $660 billion and $720 billion, revising its earlier forecast of $640 billion to $720 billion, which was increased from $600 billion to $65 billion.
Looking ahead to 2026, Meta anticipates that total costs for that year will surpass those of 2025.
According to the company, “The primary drivers of growth will be the rapid expansion of infrastructure and the associated costs of increased operational capabilities as we broaden our infrastructure assets.” Additionally, employee compensation is expected to be the second-largest growth factor as Meta recruits technical talent for its priority areas and acknowledges the one-year compensation for employees throughout 2025.
Meta is forming a new Superintelligence Labs team, recruiting talent from competing AI firms. Initially, they invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI for a 49% stake, appointing startup CEO Alexandr Wang as the chief AI officer. Reports indicate that Meta has successfully attracted engineers and other personnel from various startups, offering lucrative reward packages, including one reported to exceed $200 million for at least one hire from Apple or GitHub (according to Bloomberg).
Mike Pulx, director of research at Forester, stated, “To excel in the super intelligence race, it’s essential to recruit the best talent, and Meta is making significant efforts to attract leading AI professionals.” He added, “They’re leveraging their substantial financial resources to invest in data centers and support AI initiatives, while also providing attractive packages to pull in top talent from competitors.”
Reality Lab continues to generate revenue, contributing $370 million in the second quarter, but Zuckerberg maintains a vibrant outlook on AI glasses. He likens wearing AI glasses to using contact lenses, suggesting that without them, one faces a cognitive disadvantage.
He mentioned, “Personally, I believe that not having AI-enabled glasses puts you at a cognitive disadvantage. It’s akin to being in the forefront of evolving life sciences.”
The company’s primary revenue source, advertising, remains on an upward trajectory. Meta recorded $46.6 billion in advertising revenue for the second quarter, significantly up from $38.3 billion in the previous year’s quarter. Susan Li, Meta’s CFO, noted in a call with investors that she does not anticipate WhatsApp, a new advertising channel, becoming a “meaningful contributor” to growth in the coming years.
Li added, “We expect that ads on WhatsApp and Status will garner lower average prices than Facebook or Instagram ads due to challenges in the WhatsApp monetization market and limited targeting information.”
If your dog is overweight, it’s important to note that certain breeds are more prone to this issue than others. According to recent studies.
Researchers from Texas A&M University assessed “food motivation” by surveying over 15,000 dog owners about their pets’ eating habits and reviewing veterinary records regarding the dogs’ weights.
This assessment showed that dogs identified as overweight by vets indicated a strong preference for food.
The study revealed that sporting breeds, such as spaniels, retrievers, setters, and pointers, were 10% more likely to exhibit higher food motivation scores than mixed-breed dogs, with Labradors and Golden Retrievers making up the majority.
Hound breeds came in second, with a 5.3% increased risk of food motivation compared to mixed breeds. This group included Greyhounds, Dachshunds, Beagles, and Basset Hounds.
On the other hand, non-sporting breeds showed a lower likelihood, with scores 4.1% less than mixed breeds. Common breeds in this category included poodles, bulldogs, Dalmatians, and terriers.
“Overweight dogs face various health risks, including skin diseases, diabetes, and arthritis,” noted Dr. Kate Creevey, Chief Veterinary Officer of The Dog Aging Project and Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.
“It’s crucial for veterinarians to understand the factors influencing dog obesity, including social, environmental, and demographic contexts.
The likelihood of a dog being overweight can vary by breed, with larger dogs generally exhibiting higher food motivation scores than smaller ones.
Moreover, dogs residing in urban areas are more susceptible to weight gain compared to their rural counterparts.
Additionally, dogs living in multi-pet households face a greater risk of obesity than those in single-pet environments, possibly due to less individualized attention from humans.
“These variables can impact a dog’s exercise levels and food access,” Creevey explained. “Some dogs may seek out food due to boredom, especially in settings with limited opportunities for exercise and engagement.
“Furthermore, owners with multiple dogs may adopt specific feeding practices, such as free feeding, which increases food availability.”
Hound breeds show a 5.3% likelihood of a higher food motivation score, indicating overweight – Credit: Wakira via Getty
To determine the food motivation score for each dog, owners filled out a survey detailing their pets’ food responses, pickiness, bloating, and general food interest.
This data was combined with veterinary assessments of each dog’s “physical condition,” where vets evaluated areas like the ribs and hips to determine the amount of fat relative to size.
This evaluation aids in calculating the dog’s physical condition score (BCS).
“BCS is essential for helping veterinarians discuss weight issues with pet owners, so it’s important to increase the use of these scores,” Creevy stated.
If your Irish Setter seems a bit heavy, what’s the solution? Creevy mentioned that weight loss interventions can frequently falter if the veterinarian and owner aren’t aligned.
“Based on our study, some breeds may need stricter feeding guidelines,” she added.
Thus, researchers recommend consulting your veterinarian for personalized advice tailored to your furry friends.
Anger has surged on Chinese social media following reports of online groups, reportedly comprising hundreds of thousands of men sharing unauthorized photos of women, including explicit images.
A report published last week by Southern Metropolis outlined a group on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, known as the “Mask Park Tree Hall Forum.” This group boasts over 100,000 members and claims to be “exclusively composed of Chinese men.”
These individuals allegedly circulated sexually explicit images of women, captured either in private settings or through hidden cameras disguised as everyday objects such as plug sockets and shoes.
The incident has drawn parallels to South Korea’s “nth room” scandal, where women were coerced into sharing explicit photos within a Telegram group.
While Telegram is blocked in China, users can still access it via a virtual private network (VPN) that bypasses location restrictions.
The hashtag linked to the scandal had garnered over 110 million views on Weibo by Thursday. However, there are signs of censorship, as some related searches yield results indicating, “According to relevant laws and regulations, this content cannot be viewed.” Earlier reports from Reuters noted the hashtag received over 270 million views.
“Women’s lives are not a male erotic novel,” commented one user on Xiaohongshu, a platform similar to Instagram.
Another user on Xiaohongshu remarked:
In South Korea, the leader of the chat group received a sentence of 40 years in prison.
In China, those who photograph individuals without consent face penalties of up to 10 days of detention and a fine of 500 yuan (£53). Disseminating pornographic material can lead to prison sentences of up to two years.
The Mask Park scandal isn’t an isolated incident; last year, a tech company owner in Beijing was found to have secretly recorded over 10,000 videos of female employees in the bathroom, receiving only a 10-day detention as punishment. “Ten days are merely encouragement,” remarked one Weibo user.
Criminal law professor Lao Dongyan from Tsinghua University stated on Weibo that Chinese law treats unauthorized filming as an indecent crime, rather than a violation of women’s rights.
“Women who are secretly filmed are the primary victims. Reducing their experiences to indecency material is equivalent to categorizing them as participants in pornographic content, which is absurd,” Rao commented.
As authorities continue to limit civil discourse and behaviors, addressing feminism and women’s rights in China becomes increasingly challenging. Nonetheless, some women have discovered ways to counteract misogyny publicly, including through comedy.
In a recent episode of the popular stand-up show The King of Standup Comedy, comedian Huang Yijin humorously mentioned putting on makeup alone in his hotel room.
Water is crucial for life, which is why researchers prioritize finding water sources when exploring other planets. Mars is of particular interest to astrobiologists due to evidence of historical water presence. The current surface of Mars is cold and arid, prompting scientists to investigate what happened to that past water. Studies have indicated that Mars has an active water cycle that produces clouds of water ice, but the existence of water on its surface remains unclear.
Recently, an international team of researchers employed high-resolution imaging and spectral photoanalysis to look for frost on Mars’ volcanoes. They analyzed around 4,200 images obtained using a technology known as color and stereo surface imaging technology from Cassis. This technology utilizes satellite imagery of Mars from the European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter. The researchers explained that they identified frost by searching for the blue wavelengths in blackcurrant data, as frozen surfaces reflect more brightly at these blue wavelengths of spectral light.
Through their analyses, the team located 13 frost regions across four volcanoes, including Olympus Mons, Seranius Solas, Ascleus, and Arciamontes. They observed images taken over a 12-hour period and noted that high frost concentrations appeared early in the morning on the edges and craters of Olympus Mons. In one crater alone, frost covered an area of about 4,500 km or 3,000 miles, akin to the size of Philadelphia. The researchers estimated that these frost deposits were quite thin, measuring around 10 microns thick, which is roughly one-tenth the width of a human hair.
Next, the team sought to determine if the frost was composed of water or carbon dioxide. Given that Mars’ atmosphere is predominantly carbon dioxide, it is possible for carbon dioxide to freeze. Similar to Earth, Mars has ice in its polar regions; the Martian polar ice caps consist primarily of carbon dioxide, with minor amounts of water. Thus, they theorized that the volcanic frosts could also contain frozen carbon dioxide.
The research team utilized Mars weather research and prediction models to calculate the surface temperature of a volcano over a 24-hour period. They determined that the minimum temperature was -190°F or approximately -120°C, which is too warm for carbon dioxide frost to form, as it typically requires surface temperatures below -200°F or -130°C. However, they proposed that these volcanic frost deposits are likely made of water, as they were found at -140°F or -95°C in the Martian atmosphere.
The researchers highlighted that these Martian volcanoes are among the tallest highland volcanoes in the solar system and located within the equatorial region of Mars. It’s generally not expected that water ice would form in equatorial volcanoes since the slopes and sides tend to be too warm for frost condensation. However, their climate model indicated that the unique topography of these volcanic craters created local weather patterns conducive to frost formation.
Finally, the team carried out further observations and climate model simulations of Olympus and Arciamontes to ascertain whether this frost can form solely during the day or throughout the night. They found that frost accumulated in both volcanoes during the early mornings of winter and spring but not in summer, indicating a seasonal pattern that might reflect variations in Martian temperatures.
The researchers concluded that Mars’ volcanoes produce about 150,000 tonnes, or 150,000,000 kilograms, of water frost daily. They suggested that this frost formation is likely influenced by seasonal atmospheric phenomena such as wind patterns and pressure changes. Studying these processes could help scientists determine the potential for life on Mars; nevertheless, they noted that additional research is needed to rule out direct volcanic water sources.
New research by neurobiologists at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that the brain’s internal GPS changes as individuals navigate familiar environments. These findings shed light on the essential mystery of how the brain encodes and retains spatial memories, influencing scientists’ perspectives on memory, learning, and even aging.
Memories navigating familiar paths are more fluid than previously thought and activate different neurons on each journey. Image credit: Zeinab vessel.
“Our study confirms that the spatial memories in the brain are not fixed but rather dynamic,” stated Professor Daniel Dombeck from Northwestern University.
“You can’t simply point to a specific group of neurons and claim that their memories are located there.”
“We are uncovering the fact that memories shift between neurons over time.”
“The same experience triggers different neurons each time. It’s not an abrupt change; it evolves gradually.”
The hippocampus, situated deep within the temporal lobe, is integral for storing memories related to spatial navigation.
For many years, neurobiologists believed that the same hippocampal neurons encoded the same memory in a consistent location.
This led to the assumption that a person’s route from the bedroom to the kitchen would activate identical neuron sequences during a midnight quest for water.
However, about a decade ago, researchers studied the brains of mice traversing a maze.
Despite running through the identical maze daily, different neurons fired with each run, prompting scientists to question whether this outcome was an anomaly. Perhaps the mice’s experiences were affected by subtle environmental cues.
To delve deeper into these inquiries, Professor Dombeck and his team devised an experiment that meticulously controlled mouse sensory input.
The mice navigated a virtual maze on a treadmill, allowing precise measurements of their speed.
The maze was presented through a multisensory virtual reality platform developed by the researchers.
This setup ensured that the mice experienced the same visual stimuli and odors during all sessions, minimizing environmental variability.
After conducting multiple trials, the results indicated a different set of neurons activated each time, even in the highly controlled virtual setting.
This revelation confirms that the brain’s spatial mapping is inherently dynamic, constantly adapting, even in supposedly stable settings.
“Our findings suggest that memory is fluid,” commented Jason Climer, a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“This ties into a broader question regarding modern AI and why the brain can learn and adapt in ways machines struggle with.”
“It may also be linked to natural forgetting, which is often overlooked but essential for healthy memory function.”
While there were few discernible patterns throughout the experiment, one consistent observation emerged. The more excitable neurons were more successfully activated, leading to stable spatial memory across multiple sessions in the virtual mazes.
Given that neuronal excitability diminishes with age, this finding aids in understanding how aging and related diseases impact the brain’s ability to form new memories.
“The small clusters of stable neurons are unique, and gaining insights into what makes them special could pave the way for new treatments for memory disorders,” stated Professor Climer.
“Memory impairment is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and presents significant challenges for individuals with various neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia.”
“By deepening our understanding of fundamental memory aspects, like temporal changes highlighted in our study, we can identify new targets for understanding brain differences in these patients and develop new treatment strategies.”
“Learning about how the brain deals with memory challenges can also inform improvements in computers and AI.”
Survey results were published in the journal on July 23, 2025, in Nature.
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JR Climer et al. The hippocampus expression drifts in a stable, multisensory environment. Nature Published online on July 23, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09245-y
Two extinct hominins, Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus, exhibited much greater sexual dimorphism than chimpanzees and modern humans. According to Dr. Adam Gordon, a paleontologist at the University of Albany and Durham, Australopithecus afarensis displayed even higher levels of dimorphism.
Reconstructing the face of Australopithecus afarensis. Image credit: Cicero Moraes/CC by-sa 3.0.
The sexual size dimorphism is not just a mere physical trait; it indicates deeper behavioral and evolutionary strategies.
In line with sexual selection theory, the sexual size dimorphism seen in modern primates typically correlates with intense male-male competition and social structures, fostering a one-sided mating system where one or more large males dominate access to multiple females.
Conversely, low sexual dimorphism is characteristic of species that exhibit paired social structures with lower competition for mating opportunities.
Contemporary human populations show low to moderate sexual size dimorphism, with males generally being slightly larger than females on average, although there is considerable overlap between the sexes.
Fossil data is often incomplete, making it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the gender of ancient individuals.
To overcome this issue, Dr. Gordon utilized a geometric averaging method for estimating size from multiple skeletal elements, including the upper arm, femur, and tibia.
Resampling techniques were then employed to simulate thousands of comparisons between fossil hominins and living primates, ensuring that the statistical model accounted for the incomplete and varied nature of fossil samples.
A comparative framework was developed using data from contemporary gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans with known genders and complete skeletons.
Unlike earlier studies where ambiguous or inconclusive statistical results were interpreted as signs of similarity, Dr. Gordon’s approach unveiled clear and significant differences, even with relatively small fossil samples.
To eliminate the potential of body size changes in Australopithecus afarensis reflecting broader evolutionary trends rather than gender distinctions, Dr. Gordon also analyzed time series trends over a 300,000-year span from the Khadar Formation in Ethiopia.
His analysis indicated no significant size increase or decrease over time, suggesting that the observed variations were more likely due to differences between males and females.
“These were not minor differences,” Dr. Gordon stated.
“In the case of Australopithecus afarensis, males were significantly larger than females—possibly more so than the great living apes.”
“Both of these extinct hominin species displayed gender-specific size distinctions from modern humans, yet differed from extant ape species in this regard.”
Australopithecus africanus. Image credit: JM salas/cc by-sa 3.0.
Dr. Gordon’s previous research indicates that the elevated sexual size dimorphism seen in living primates may correlate with considerable resource stress. In situations where food is scarce, smaller, healthier females can better meet their metabolic needs and reproduce quicker than larger females, leading to offspring with smaller mothers and greater size disparities between males and females.
The pronounced sexual size dimorphism observed in both Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus suggests a high level of male competition, akin to differences noted in chimpanzees and gorillas. However, the distinctions between the two fossil species could reflect varying intensities of sexual selection or resource stress in their environments (e.g., differences in the length of dry seasons that could affect female body size).
In any event, the high sexual size dimorphism of these fossil hominins starkly contrasts with the more balanced sizes seen in modern humans, offering insights into different models of early human existence.
The implications of these findings are significant. Australopithecus afarensis, which inhabited the Earth between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago, is often viewed as very closely related to the direct ancestors of modern humans.
However, its pronounced sexual dimorphism suggests that early human social systems may have been much more hierarchical and competitive than previously believed.
On the contrary, Australopithecus africanus—which appears slightly later in the fossil record—exhibits less dimorphism compared to Australopithecus afarensis. This could represent different evolutionary branches within the human lineage or perhaps reflect various social behavioral stages in the development of hominins.
“We often categorize these early hominins together as a single group called Gracile Australopithecines, believed to have interacted with their physical and social environments in similar ways,” Dr. Gordon explained.
“While there is some truth to this, the significant differences in dimorphism between the two species indicate that these closely related hominins were under distinct selection pressures, unlike those affecting modern human pair bonds.”
The survey findings will be published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology.
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Adam D. Gordon. 2025. Dimorphism of sexual size in Australopithecus africanus and A. afarensis in contrast to modern humans despite low power resampling analysis. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 187(3): E70093; doi: 10.1002/ajpa.70093
Archaeologists have reexamined the 2,500-year-old remnants discovered in bronze containers at an underground shrine in Paestum, Italy, previously categorized as a mixture of wax, fat, and resin. Utilizing a multi-species approach, the researchers identified lipids, sugar degradation products, hexose sugars, and key royal jelly proteins.
Paestum Honey: (a) An underground shrine in Paestum, Italy. (b) One of the Hydrias showcased in 2019 alongside a Perspex box containing Ashmolean Museum residues. (c) A graphic representation of the arrangement of bronze artifacts within the shrine. (d) Samples extracted from the core of the residue. Image credit: Da Costa Carvalho et al. , doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c04888.
Honey played a crucial role in ancient societies.
Historical texts and depictions indicate that honey was utilized as an early sweetener in medicinal recipes, rituals, and cosmetics.
Within ancient Greek and Roman traditions, bees and honey were of significant religious and symbolic value.
Honey is thought to confer wisdom, with myths stating that Zeus was given honey in his infancy.
Discovering honey in archaeological residues offers direct chemical evidence of the collection, exploitation, and processing of bee products, illuminating early agricultural and subsistence strategies in various regions globally.
In 1954, excavations at an ancient Greek site in Pestum, southern Italy, dating back to around 520 BC, unveiled an underground shrine dedicated to an unknown deity. This shrine housed a bronze bottle and two amphoras encircling an empty iron bed.
The container was found to hold a paste-like residue with a distinct waxy aroma.
Archaeologists noted that the residue was initially a liquid or semi-liquid. Traces were discovered on the exterior of a vessel that had originally been sealed with a cork disk.
The excavation reports underscored the shrine’s sacredness, with the empty bed’s inaccessibility suggesting the presence of the deity.
Additionally, archaeologists identified the original contents of the bronze bottle as honey, a revered symbol believed to have originated from honeycomb, though only traces of beeswax persisted as a prominent element.
Subsequent laboratory analyses of samples with varying residues ruled out honey from the composition.
In 2019, when the residues from Paestum reached the Ashmolean Museum for display during the final evening of the Pompeii exhibition, it presented a fresh opportunity to reassess the biomolecular composition, leveraging recent advances in mass spectrometry technology.
Researchers from Oxford University, including Luciana da Costa Carvalho and James McCulla, analyzed the residue samples, determining their molecular composition through several modern analytical methods.
The analysis revealed that the ancient residues bore nearly identical chemical signatures to modern beeswax and honey, with elevated acidity levels indicative of changes due to prolonged storage.
The chemical profile of the residue appears to be more complex than that of pyrolyzed beeswax, hinting at the existence of honey or other substances.
Residues in contact with the bronze jar showed a mixture of sugars that had reacted with copper.
Hexose sugars, frequently identified in honey, were present in higher concentrations in the ancient residues compared to modern beeswax.
Proteins linked to Royal Jelly, known to be secreted by western honeybees, were also identified in the residues.
These findings suggest that the ancient material may indeed be remnants of ancient honey.
However, researchers have not entirely ruled out the presence of other bee products.
“The ancient residues are not simply traces of what people consumed and offered to the gods; they represent intricate chemical ecosystems,” remarked Dr. Da Costa Carvalho.
“Investigating these substances will unveil how they have evolved over time, paving the way for future studies on ancient microbial activities and their potential applications.”
A paper detailing the study’s findings was published today in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
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Luciana da Costa Carvalho et al. Immortal symbol: evidence of honey in bronze jars from 530 to 510 BC. J. Am. Chemistry. Soc, published online on July 30th, 2025. doi:10.1021/jacs.5c04888
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula generated water waves traveling at jetliner speeds toward Hawaii, California, and Washington states on Wednesday.
Yet, when the tsunami reached the U.S., it appears not to have inflicted widespread devastation, with some areas where warnings were issued showing no signs of significant flooding.
This doesn’t mean the tsunami was a “bust” or poorly predicted, according to earthquake and tsunami researchers.
“When you hear ‘tsunami warning,’ people often think of dramatic scenes from movies, and when it arrives at just three feet, they might wonder, ‘What’s going on?’,” remarked Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Earthquake Network and professor at the University of Washington. “We should view this as a success; we received a warning, but the situation wasn’t catastrophic.”
Here’s what you should know.
How intense was the Kamchatka earthquake? What caused the initial discrepancies?
Initially, the US Geological Survey assessed the Kamchatka earthquake at magnitude 8.0, which was later adjusted to 8.8.
“It’s not unusual for major earthquakes to see such adjustments in the first moments,” Tobin explained. “Our standard methods for calculating earthquake sizes can quickly saturate, akin to turning up the volume on a speaker until it distorts.
A buoy measuring the quake, located approximately 275 miles southeast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, gave the first signs of the earthquake, showing bigger waves than the initial report.
This buoy belongs to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s DART (Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting) system and is connected to a submarine pressure sensor roughly four miles deep.
That sensor detected waves measuring 90 centimeters (over 35 inches), which caught the attention of tsunami researchers.
Vasily Titov, a senior tsunami modeler at NOAA’s Pacific Ocean Environment Research Institute, noted:
Titov reflected on the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which tragically claimed nearly 16,000 lives in Japan.
Subsequent earthquake models confirmed the Wednesday earthquake’s magnitude as 8.8, as detailed by the USGS calculator.
In comparison, Tohoku was significantly larger.
Tobin estimated that the energy released during the Kamchatka quake was two to three times less than that in Japan, with the tsunami generated there being approximately three times as severe.
He further noted that the Tohoku event “created a notably large seafloor displacement.”
Tobin speculated that the Kamchatka quake likely had less seafloor displacement than what could occur in a worst-case 8.8 scenario, though more research is needed for substantiation.
Emergency services experts assess damage on Sakhalin Island in the Far East post-earthquake.Russia’s Ministry of Emergency via Getty Images / AFP
How did researchers generate predictions? How accurate were they?
Within two hours, researchers produced tsunami predictions for various “warning points” along both the Pacific and US coasts, forecasting tidal gauge and flood levels.
The tsunami took around eight hours to reach Hawaii and twelve hours to arrive at the California coast.
Titov, who assisted in developing the model used by predictors in the National Tsunami Warning Centers in Hawaii and Alaska, explained that the model relies on seismic data and a network of over 70 DART buoys along the Pacific edge. The U.S. operates more than half of these buoys.
Titov indicated that the model projected tsunami waves hitting Hawaii’s North Shore region at approximately two meters.
“Hawaii was predicted to have waves of about 2 meters [6.5 feet], and actual measurements were around 150 centimeters, or 1.5 meters (5 feet). That aligns perfectly with our expectations,” Titov stated.
A similar trend was observed in parts of California, according to Titov.
As assessments of flooding continue to come in, it takes time to determine how well the model performed.
“We know there were floods in Hawaii. We can’t ascertain the full extent yet, but initial reports seem to align closely with our predictions,” Titov shared.
On Wednesday at the Pacifica Municipal Pier Coastline in California, tsunami alerts were triggered following the earthquake.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
Why did residents in Hawaii evacuate for a 5-foot wave?
Yong Wei, a tsunami modeler and senior research scientist at the University of Washington and NOAA’s tsunami research center, indicated that 1.5 meters (5 feet) of tsunami waves could be highly perilous, particularly in Hawaii’s shallow waters.
Tsunami waves carry significantly more energy than typical wind-driven waves, possessing shorter wavelengths and durations between waves, resulting in slower speeds.
Wei noted that tsunami waves of this stature could surge several meters inland, producing hazardous currents and endangering boats and other objects.
Visitors stand on the balcony of the Alohilani Resort facing Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, responding to warnings of potential tsunami waves.Nicola Groom / Reuters
“People can get hurt. If you ignore the warning and stay, even a wave of two meters can be deadly,” Wei warned. “Being on the beach can expose you to powerful currents that may pull you into the ocean, which can lead to fatalities.”
Tobin expressed that he viewed the initial warning as conservative yet necessary.
“It’s essential not to belittle warnings. If nothing happens, people shouldn’t think, ‘Oh, we had alerts and nothing transpired.’ Warnings need to be cautious, allowing for some margin of error.”
Was this a significant event?
No. The Kamchatka Peninsula has a long history of seismic activity.
“This area has been slated for another earthquake, with several occurring recently, which indicates a heightened risk,” researchers noted.
In 1952, prior to a robust understanding of plate tectonics, a 9.0 magnitude quake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in a similar location, resulting in a tsunami that impacted the town of Severokrilsk.
“The Russian populace was caught off guard. It was an immensely powerful quake, leading to a massive tsunami, and they were unprepared,” McInnes shared.
McInnes explained that the tsunami measured between 30 to 60 feet in height in the southern section of the peninsula.
“Thousands perished, and the town suffered considerable destruction,” stated Joanne Bourgeois, a professor emeritus of sedimentology at the University of Washington.
How will the tsunami warning system function if an earthquake threatens your area?
The Kamchatka tsunami arose from a massive earthquake along a subduction zone fault, where one tectonic plate is pushed below another. A comparable fault exists offshore the U.S. West Coast, known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, stretching from Northern California to Northern Vancouver Island.
“It’s akin to a mirrored image of the Pacific Ocean,” remarked Tobin. “The relatively shallow depth of 8.8 in Cascadia is certainly plausible for a scenario here.”
In fact, Cascadia has the potential to produce significantly larger earthquakes, as modeling suggests it could generate tsunami waves reaching heights of 100 feet.
Typically, earthquakes in subduction zones yield tsunamis that reach the coast within 30 minutes to an hour, and predictions are developing better methods for estimating tsunami impacts along the U.S. West Coast before flooding occurs.
Titov emphasized that enhancing predictions will necessitate advancements in underwater sensors, improved computing infrastructure, and AI algorithms.
Tobin noted that the success of Tuesday’s tsunami warning should inspire more investments in underwater sensors and earthquake monitoring stations along the subduction zones.
“This incident highlights the significant role of NOAA and USGS. Many questioned these agencies’ relevance, but without NOAA, no alert would have been issued. The next warning could be for a more imminent threat. They truly demonstrated their importance,” he asserted.
A recently identified giant stick insect species, discovered in the wet tropical rainforests of Australia, is poised to be recognized as the heaviest insect ever recorded on the continent.
Acrofera Alta weighs 44 grams, roughly equivalent to a golf ball, and measures around 40 cm in length. To date, only two female specimens have been collected, with a third individual photographed and released by surprised locals.
The genus of these insects has been known since 1835, yet this particular species remained hidden from scientific discovery, likely due to its elusive habitat, according to Angus Emmott from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.
The lush, damp tropics of northeastern Australia serve as a pristine wilderness, rich with cool rainforests and home to other rare species like tree kangaroos.
So far, Acrofera Alta has only been found in tree canopies above 900 meters, specifically in the mountainous regions of Millaa Millaa and Mount Phypipamee in Queensland.
The species name Alta reflects both the altitude of the forests it inhabits and the height of the trees it commonly frequents.
“It has very large wings, but due to its bulky body, it can only use them to glide down to the ground,” Emmott explains.
Current population status remains uncertain. “We can’t really determine its rarity,” Emmott states. “It’s limited to small stretches of high-altitude rainforests and exists primarily in the canopy, making it less visible to observers unless they survive being affected by cyclones and birds.”
Insects and Ecosystem Expedition Safari: Sri Lanka
Explore the heart of Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity on this unique expedition focused on entomology and ecosystem study.
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3D representation of a tattooed mummy. The upper image uses textures captured under visible light, while the lower image’s textures come from near-infrared photography.
M. Vavulin
The intricate tattoo, featuring motifs of tigers, birds, and mythical creatures, has been uncovered on an ice mummy dating back over 2000 years. This mummified female belonged to the Pasilic culture in Siberia, which is part of the broader Scythian civilization.
Assessing the prevalence of ancient tattoos is challenging, yet some exceptions exist, such as Ötzi “Iceman,” who lived around 3300 BC and was found preserved in ice.
Now, Gino Casparri from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany and his team studied the remains of semi-nomadic Iron Age herders from the Altai Mountains of Siberia, who passed away in the 3rd or 4th centuries BC. This individual is among the few in the region whose deep burial sites remain frozen, preserving her skin’s dark and dry condition.
Tattoos featured creatures resembling both real and mythical species.
D. Riday
“When observing the mummy with the naked eye, the tattoo remains invisible,” explains Casparri. Hence, his team utilized high-resolution near-infrared imaging to uncover astonishing hidden visuals.
“We see herbivores being hunted by tigers and leopards, and in some cases, birds are depicted,” Casparri remarks. “Given their age and vivid artistic style, Pasilic tattoos are genuinely remarkable.”
One bird resembles a rooster, as noted by team member Aaron Deter-Wolf from the Tennessee Department of Archaeology, highlighting how the tattoos feature a blend of realistic and fantastical animals.
The researchers also uncovered the process behind creating these tattoos. “Our investigations reveal that tattoos were crafted using a direct puncture technique rather than being etched or stitched into the skin,” states Deter-Wolf.
One of the tattoos seems to depict a rooster.
D. Riday
Cross-cultural evidence indicates that the tattooing method used was a technique called hand-poking. In this method, the needle is dipped in ink and punctured into the skin to create dot patterns, with carbon pigments likely sourced from charcoal, soot, or ash.
The tattoos on the right forearm exhibited more intricate designs compared to those on the left, suggesting they may have been created by different artists with varying skill levels, according to Caspari. “Our research indicates that tattooing was not only a widespread practice across the Eurasian steppe over 2000 years ago but also a specialized craft requiring significant expertise and technique,” he concludes.
Lung tissue samples from mice, depicting cells (blue), cancerous cells (green), and proliferation markers (magenta)
Bryan Johnson
Respiratory viruses are capable of triggering the growth of dormant cancer cells that have metastasized to the lungs from other body areas. Infectious diseases, such as influenza, can instigate an inflammatory response that aids the immune system in combating pathogens, yet they may also adversely influence cancer progression.
Cancer fatalities frequently result from tumor cells migrating from their primary sites. These cells may remain dormant in new locations for extended periods—potentially years or decades—before forming detectable tumors.
While it is uncertain if these cells will eventually proliferate, previous studies have suggested that once cancer cells infiltrate the lungs, inflammation induced by respiratory virus infections might play a significant role. “Nevertheless, no comprehensive research has been conducted to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship,” notes James DeGregori from the University of Colorado.
To address this research gap, DeGregori and his team employed genetically modified mice to develop tumors in their mammary glands. By two months of age, each mouse had developed a mammary tumor and fewer than ten dormant cancer cells in their lungs.
Subsequently, the researchers infected half of the mice with the H1N1 influenza strain, commonly referred to as swine flu, causing illness for approximately two weeks. During the nine days following the infection, the number of lung cancer cells surged by 100-fold, whereas uninfected mice exhibited minimal changes.
In complementary experiments, the team discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, led to a tenfold increase in cancer cell numbers in the mice’s lungs, again with no significant alterations in uninfected counterparts.
The researchers hypothesized that this expansion occurred due to viral infections elevating the levels of inflammatory molecules known as IL-6.
To investigate this hypothesis, they conducted further experiments with genetically modified mice deficient in IL-6 and found significantly fewer lung cancer cells compared to typical mice with normal IL-6 levels.
Another experiment suggested that IL-6 seemed to rejuvenate dormant cancer cells that had already migrated to the lungs instead of promoting the dissemination of these cells from the breasts.
However, IL-6 levels wane when the infection subsides. At this juncture, the researchers observed that cancer cells in the mouse lungs had ceased to proliferate but had acquired alterations in gene expression typically associated with tumor metastasis, according to DeGregori.
These findings suggest a potential impact on individuals with undetected levels of cancer cells in the lungs who are believed to be in remission, as stated by Anne Zeuner at the National Institutes of Health in Rome, Italy.
To determine the relevance of these findings to humans, researchers analyzed health records from 36,800 women in the U.S. diagnosed with breast cancer before the COVID-19 pandemic, who were thought to be non-metastatic.
Women who tested positive during the initial three years of the outbreak were significantly more likely to receive a diagnosis of secondary lung cancer in that timeframe. However, some women may have avoided testing due to asymptomatic infections, while others might not have sought tests, thereby complicating the validation of this finding, notes DeGregori.
Further research is necessary to corroborate these findings and explore the interactions between various respiratory viruses and cancer types, according to Zeuner. “Individual factors are likely to significantly influence the relationship between respiratory infections and cancer recurrence,” she adds.
The research focused solely on swine flu and SARS-CoV-2, but DeGregori expresses hope that a spectrum of viruses will exhibit similar behaviors, as many are known to elevate IL-6 levels. He also underscores the importance of vaccination, stating, “As a cancer survivor, I would ensure I am protected against common respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19,” remarks DeGregori.
Difficult-to-create diamonds, eluding scientists for years, can now be synthesized in labs, allowing the production of exceptionally challenging cutting and drilling tools.
Diamonds are known for their cubic atomic structure, yet for over 60 years, researchers have recognized the existence of a much tougher hexagonal diamond form.
Natural hexagonal diamonds are found in certain metamorphic rocks, referred to by the mineral name Ronzderate, but they only occur together with cubic diamonds. Earlier efforts to synthesize hexagonal diamonds yielded only minute quantities of impure variants.
Recently, Ho-Kwang Mao and his team at the Advanced Research Center for High Pressure Science and Technology in Beijing successfully produced relatively large hexagonal diamond samples measuring 1 mm in diameter and 70 micrometers thick.
While researchers have synthesized regular diamonds for some time, they state, “We explored various pressures and temperatures to identify optimal conditions for producing hexagonal diamonds. This includes 1400°C at a pressure of 20 Gigapascals, which is about 200,000 times the Earth’s atmospheric pressure.”
As these materials are unprecedented, Mao indicated a comprehensive investigation is necessary to ascertain their properties. “It’s extremely valuable,” he explains. “However, once the synthesis process is understood, anyone can replicate it. Thus, securing a patent and discovering ways to reduce production costs are critical.”
Predictions suggest hexagonal diamonds might be around 60% more rigid than conventional diamonds based on their structure. Cubic diamonds have a hardness rating of about 115, as measured by Vickers hardness tests. The hexagonal diamonds synthesized by Mao’s group exhibit a rating of 120 Gigapascals, which they believe could improve with further refinement of their techniques.
If hexagonal diamonds can be fabricated to sufficient thickness, they could be utilized to create more robust and resilient industrial tools for applications like geothermal energy drilling, according to James Elliott from Cambridge University. “Naturally, as you drill deeper, temperatures rise, which may enable exploration at greater depths.”
The deep-sea environment is largely dominated by marine tube worms
Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, CAS
Over 9,500 meters of ecosystems fueled by chemicals from tectonic plate interactions have been uncovered beneath the northwest Pacific Ocean.
“Their resilience and beauty captivated me,” says Mengrand Du from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Sanya. “The striking crimson tentacles unfurl like delicate blossoms of the trench.”
Du and her team undertook 24 dives between July 8 and August 17, 2024, exploring 2,500 kilometers west of the Krill Kamchatka trench and Aleutian trench, at depths ranging from 5,800 to 9,533 meters. In a frozen section beyond 6,000 meters deep, the Hadal zone experiences crushing pressure and is devoid of light.
This region is referred to as the Hadal biosphere, which derives energy from nutrients descending from surface photosynthesis or exists via chemical bonds relying on chemicals as energy sources.
Taxonomic and genetic data gathered during the dives indicated that many organisms in the Hadal zone utilize compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methane, which are released through fault lines formed as tectonic plates slide against each other.
“We have discovered a chemically-synthesized community thriving at an astonishing depth of 9,533 meters,” Du states. These findings, made during 19 dives, illustrate their extensive distribution.
The chemically-driven community was primarily composed of bivalve mollusks and marine tube worms known as ciboglinid polychaetes. Some populations consisted of thousands of individuals, sprawling for kilometers.
Numerous bivalve mollusks are also present.
Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, CAS
A notable characteristic of many of these organisms is their dependence on chemical energy rather than sunlight, according to Du. “While other organisms, such as sea cucumbers and amphipods, might inhabit greater depths, they cannot harness chemicals like hydrogen sulfide for energy and must rely on organic matter instead.”
This finding indicates “the deepest and most extensive known chemical synthesis community on our planet.”
Streptococcus Bacteria are responsible for vaginal and urinary tract infections, as well as neonatal infections
Cavallini James/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The sugars found in breast milk play a significant role in combating common strains of Streptococcus Bacteria, which can cause complications during pregnancy if they infect the vagina.
Research on breast milk remains ongoing. “This is the second most crucial liquid in the universe after water, and yet its intricacies remain largely unexplored,” states Stephen Townsend from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
Investigators are starting to uncover the beneficial sugar structures unique to breast milk: human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). While once regarded as trivial sugars, they are now believed to function as effective prebiotics.
Prior investigations into HMOs primarily focused on their advantages for gut microbiota. However, Townsend and his team shifted their attention to their impact on vaginal health, specifically how HMOs may assist in regulating the balance of beneficial bacteria while managing potentially harmful Group B Streptococcus (GBS).
“Group B Strep is a bacterium we all harbor,” Townsend notes. “It typically poses no harm, remaining undetected in most cases.” Nevertheless, GBS can lead to serious illnesses in immunocompromised individuals, including pregnant women and newborns, causing various complications such as preterm births. Thus, women with vaginal GBS infections are often prescribed antibiotics during pregnancy.
Townsend and his team monitored GBS and the growth of lactobacillus Bacteria when exposed to HMOs, conducting their research in three distinct scenarios: live mice and lab-created vaginal tissue. Across all three settings, HMOs were found to enhance beneficial bacterial growth while inhibiting GBS.
As a result, Townsend suggests the presence of a “small storm of positive effects.” He elaborates that GBS struggles to thrive in an HMO-rich environment, while healthy bacteria not only consume HMOs for nourishment but also multiply and flourish, further hampering GBS growth. Additionally, the metabolism of HMOs by beneficial bacteria leads to a more acidic environment and the generation of fatty acids that can kill more harmful bacteria.
This discovery opens pathways for regulating and restoring a healthy vaginal microbiome. “These insights present new tools and strategies of significant therapeutic value for women and their infants,” remarks Katie Patras from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas. However, she emphasizes that potential treatments are still in developmental stages.
Even if new therapies emerge, researchers maintain that the most effective strategy for treating GBS infections remains the use of antibiotics. “Our work is not intended to replace antibiotics,” insists Townsend. “Our research aims to preserve their efficacy.” This is crucial, considering that overuse of antibiotics can contribute to the issue of antibiotic resistance. Innovative therapies like HMOs to modulate microbiomes may ultimately reduce the volume of antibiotics required to combat GBS.
“These synergistic interactions can prove extremely beneficial,” he asserts. Lars Bode from the University of California, San Diego, cautions that the application of breast milk therapies should wait until further research validates their efficacy, as unprocessed milk may pose additional risks, including infections like HIV.
In the interim, Townsend aims to deepen understanding of the unique evolutionary adaptations humans have developed in their HMOs.
“It’s incredibly daunting that we have barely scratched the surface in recognizing the strength of breast milk,” Bode expresses.
Creating effective HIV vaccines may necessitate intricate formulations containing various viral proteins. Presently, two trials utilizing potential mRNA components have shown encouraging outcomes. The aim is to leverage mRNA technology for administering vaccines as a single dose rather than requiring multiple injections.
Typically, vaccines feature the virus’s outer protein, prompting the immune system to react against it. However, developing HIV vaccines poses significant challenges due to the virus’s proteins being heavily coated with sugars, which makes it tough for the immune system to generate antibodies. There’s also considerable variation across strains; therefore, even if an individual’s immune system can produce effective antibodies, these may only target a specific variant of the virus.
Nevertheless, a few individuals generate broadly neutralizing antibodies that are effective across multiple strains. Research in animals suggests that vaccines incorporating sequences of HIV proteins in various configurations can reliably elicit this broadly protective response, according to William Schief at the Scripps Institute in California.
This method highlights the advantages of mRNA vaccine technology, as mRNAs can be developed swiftly and conveniently, Schief states. “That’s a significant benefit.”
A single mRNA vaccine could encode multiple viral proteins simultaneously and has the potential to produce them in the body at different intervals, he adds. This implies that the mRNA HIV vaccine could potentially be administered as a single dose, even though several boosters typically follow. “Ideally, I’d prefer to administer one vaccine, with some components being released later,” Schief explained.
Earlier this year, his team shared promising results from preliminary human trials of the initial primers developed to stimulate B cells. Currently, his team is evaluating one of the subsequent boosters in another small study.
When volunteers received mRNA instructions for HIV external proteins integrated into the cell membrane, 80% generated antibodies shown to block infection in laboratory tests.
In this study, these antibodies were specific to one strain. Researchers anticipate that when boosters are administered sequentially, each component will be produced within the body in the correct order.
However, both trials reported a higher incidence of volunteers experiencing hive reactions, which have persisted for years. This reaction hasn’t been seen in any other mRNA vaccine trials or in non-mRNA vaccines incorporating HIV proteins, Schief notes. There appears to be an unknown factor related to delivering HIV proteins via mRNA that leads to this side effect. “It remains a scientific mystery at this time,” he states.
“The uncertainty surrounding the cause of this adverse effect makes it challenging to mitigate,” notes Hildegund Ertl, a vaccine expert associated with a company currently under exploration, Pharma5 in Morocco.
Ertl concurs that mRNA technology enables rapid testing of vaccine components but believes that the optimal final product could be delivered through different types of vaccines, such as those using empty viral shells. These alternatives can be stored at room temperature, unlike others that may require freezing, she points out.
Currently, there’s a medication called renacapavir, which offers nearly complete protection from HIV infection with two injections a year. Nevertheless, Schief believes a vaccine is still necessary. “We’re all striving to achieve this as quickly as possible,” he states, but even with the advancements in mRNA technology, an approved HIV vaccine may still be decades away.
Cemetery shifts earn their name for a reason. Individuals working night shifts face heightened health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. The World Health Organization has identified shift work as a potential carcinogen, given the increased likelihood of cancer.
While the rest of us are asleep, these night workers often go unnoticed, yet their efforts are vital to the medical and emergency services on which we rely. Though we depend on them for our very survival, the irony lies in how their work impacts their own health.
This situation could evolve with the advent of a test that accurately measures one’s internal biological clock in relation to external time (see “How innovative new tests can unleash the power of your body clock”). Such advancements in medicine promise to benefit a larger population.
Research indicates that many frequently used medications affect the body’s system, which operates on a 24-hour cycle, and are more effective when administered in harmony with this rhythm. Surgeries and vaccinations also yield better results at specific times of the day. Initial strategies often rely on standardized biological clocks, but for those whose circadian rhythms are misaligned, this approach may prove ineffective or even detrimental. This is where the new tests come into play.
Night workers may remain in the shadows, yet they are the backbone of essential services we all rely on.
Fortunately, these tests are expected to become more affordable and widely accessible. However, there is a concern that they could be misused by those anxiously trying to optimize their health, perhaps alongside other fitness metrics like step counts (refer to page 16).
The genuine potential lies in using these tests to gain insights into the biological processes of those in challenging situations, ensuring that in the future, the effects of nighttime work and improved strategies for managing shift patterns are addressed. One day, your biological clock may finally align with the external clock.
This could mitigate the health repercussions associated with night shifts and provide these employees with a chance to revitalize their lives. Employers must recognize this opportunity.
Recent statistics indicate that since the implementation of age verification for pornographic websites, the UK is conducting an additional five million online age checks daily.
The Association of Age Verification Providers (AVPA) reported a significant increase in age checks across the UK since Friday, coinciding with the enforcement of mandatory age verification under the Online Safety Act.
“We are thrilled to assist you in maximizing your business potential,” remarked Iain Corby, executive director of AVPA.
In the UK, the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow users to bypass restrictions on blocked sites, is rapidly increasing as they mask users’ actual locations. Four of the top five free applications in the UK Apple Download Store are VPNs, with popular provider Proton reporting an astonishing 1,800% surge in downloads.
Last week, Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, indicated it may initiate a formal inquiry into the inadequate age checks reported this week. Ofcom stated it will actively monitor compliance with age verification requirements and may investigate specific services as needed.
AVPA, the industry association representing UK age verification companies, has been assessing the checks performed on UK porn providers, which were mandated to implement “very effective” age verification by July 25th.
Companies that verified ages were instructed to report “the number of checks conducted today for a very effective age guarantee.”
While the AVPA stated it couldn’t provide a baseline for comparison, it noted that effective age verification measures are newly introduced to dedicated UK porn sites, which previously only required a confirmation check for age.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Until now, children could easily stumble upon pornographic and other online content without seeking it out. Age checks are essential to prevent that. We must ensure platforms are adhering to these requirements and anticipate enforcement actions against non-compliant companies.”
Ofcom stresses that service providers should not promote the use of VPNs to circumvent age management.
Penalties for breaching online safety regulations, including insufficient age verification processes, can range from 10% of global revenue to complete blockage of the site’s access in severe cases.
Age verification methods endorsed by OFCOM and utilized by AVPA members include facial age estimation, which analyses a person’s age via live photos and videos; verification through credit card providers, banks, or mobile network operators; photo ID matching, where a user’s ID is compared to a selfie; and a “digital identity wallet” containing age verification proof.
Prominent pornographic platforms, including Pornhub, the UK’s leading porn site, have pledged to adopt the stringent age verification measures mandated by the Act.
The law compels sites and applications to protect children from various harmful content, specifically material that encourages suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. Advanced platforms must also take action to prevent the dissemination of abusive content targeting individuals with characteristics protected under equality laws, such as age, race, and gender.
Free speech advocates argue that the restrictions on child-related content have caused the classification of X-rated materials to age unnecessarily, along with several Reddit forums dedicated to discussions around alcohol abuse.
Reddit and X have been approached for their feedback.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern Medicine reveals that the cognitive aging of many American adults is occurring at a pace exceeding their chronological age, sometimes by more than a decade.
This study, published in the journal Jama Cardiology, utilized a cutting-edge calculator to estimate the “heart age” of over 14,000 U.S. adults devoid of prior cardiovascular diseases.
Available for free, these tools can be accessed online. By translating risk percentages into age, individuals can more easily reassess their risk scores and comprehend how their lifestyle and health choices influence their long-term heart health.
“Traditional percentage-based estimates can often feel abstract and hard to interpret,” noted senior author Professor Sadiya Khan in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
“We believe that presenting the risk of heart disease in terms of age serves as a valuable supplementary tool that is more intuitive. It’s simpler for individuals to grasp whether their heart age is ‘older’ or ‘younger’ than their actual age.”
The calculator leverages basic health metrics, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, diabetes, and more to compute a person’s heart age, based on equations formulated by the American Heart Association.
In this study, women exhibited an average heart age that was 4.1 years older than their chronological age, while men showed an average gap of seven years.
However, the discrepancies were more pronounced among marginalized communities. For instance, Black men had a heart age that was 8.5 years older than their chronological age, compared to 6.4 years for white men.
Improving diet and incorporating exercise can help align your heart age with your actual age. – Credit: Getty
Hispanic and Black women exhibited heart ages significantly older than their white and Asian counterparts, and individuals with lower income and educational backgrounds were similarly impacted.
“These disparities are expected given the heightened risk of cardiac diseases in minority groups or those facing social disadvantages. However, they emphasize the urgent need for action,” Khan stated.
“Recognizing individuals with an ‘older’ heart age can prompt them to take immediate steps to prioritize preventive measures.”
Khan envisions that this tool will be integrated into primary care, facilitating discussions about health risks and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices. “The exciting aspect of this tool is the multitude of actions individuals can take,” she mentioned.
“We aim for this to empower people to optimize their heart health, promoting healthier aging and extended health spans.”
Read more:
About our experts
Sadiya S Khan is a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University’s School of Preventive Medicine. She is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases and holds an active medical license in Illinois.
Ancient Greek bronze jars displayed at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford have been discovered to contain honey.
American Chemical Society
The findings from the ancient Greek pot located at a shrine near Pompeii serve as evidence of the lasting nature of honey jars.
In 1954, a Greek burial shrine dating back to around 520 BC was uncovered in Pestum, Italy, approximately 70 kilometers south of Pompeii.
The shrine contained eight pots with sticky residues, and their contents remained a mystery since their unearthing.
Honey was initially suspected in tests conducted on one of the pots between the 1950s and 1980s by Luciana Carvalho from Oxford University.
Three distinct teams analyzed the residue but concluded that the jars contained animal or vegetable fats mixed with pollen and insect parts, rather than honey.
At that time, researchers depended on significantly less sensitive analytical methods, focusing on solubility tests.
Carvalho and her team started by examining the infrared reflection of the residues to determine their overall composition.
Ancient honey residues from the interior of the pot
Luciana da Costa Carvalho
Initially, it was hypothesized that the contents could be decomposed beeswax due to its outward resemblance and high acidity.
To test this hypothesis, the team employed gas chromatography paired with mass spectrometry, which ultimately unveiled the presence of sugars like glucose and fructose, the primary sugars found in honey.
“We unearthed a remarkably intricate mixture of acids and broken-down sugars,” states Carvalho. “The clear indicator of honey was the detection of sugar at the core of the residue.”
Further examination by Elizabeth Pierce from Oxford University confirmed the presence of a protein called major royal jelly protein, secreted by honeybees, along with the detection of peptide traces from Tropilaelaps Mercedesae, a parasitic mite that consumes bee larvae.
“This parasite is believed to derive from an Asian beehive,” Pierce comments.
Carvalho mentions that the cork seal of the bronze jar eventually failed, allowing air and microorganisms to enter. “We believe these bacteria consumed most of the sugar remnants, leading to the production of additional acids and decomposition products. What was left was an acidic, waxy residue clinging to the walls of the jar.”
“Investigating the honey offerings at the shrines in Paestum elucidates how the people honored their deities and their perceptions regarding the afterlife,” Carvalho explains.
Historic Herculaneum – discover Vesuvius, Pompeii, ancient Naples
The journey through history and archaeology embarks on a fascinating exploration where the past comes alive through Mount Vesuvius and the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
wSpending a week during the summer holidays in schools across the UK often sparks curiosity about how many parents are feeling anxious as they opt to move their children away from screens. When my son was younger, I used to envision idyllic trips to the seaside filled with treasure hunts in the garden, paddling in rivers, and visiting family. However, reality hit me with work commitments and the short attention span of my son. In just a few hours, our home was a mess with muddy footprints from various activities, half-finished craft projects, and tired grandparents. It was challenging, and eventually, we permitted some Fortnite time just to catch our breath.
There’s immense pressure and guilt surrounding kids and gaming, particularly during extended school breaks. It’s essential to reevaluate our social perspectives. I cherish the delightful memories of gaming with my sons on warm August days, gradually constructing absurd mansions in Minecraft and engaging in silly antics in Goat Simulator. We established a holiday routine where, during our evening meals, my wife and I could relax with a glass of wine while the boys played Super Mario together. We still found time to build sandcastles, swim, and discover new towns, but gaming offered a route to unwind and enjoy familiar leisure.
Keeping it in the family… Keith Stuart and his son Zach have shared video gaming experiences for many years. Photo: Morag Stuart/The Guardian
During their visits to their grandparents, they also indulged in gaming. My mother owned a Nintendo Wii, which she claimed was solely for entertaining her grandchildren. It was heartwarming to see my sons patiently explaining Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn to her. I fondly recall playing Commodore 64 games at my kitchen desk, often trying to lure my dad into playing hooky games while he was meant to be cooking. I’m grateful that my children can share their skills and enthusiasm, whether through playing guitar after discovering instruments via rock bands, or catching Jigglypuffs in Pokémon Go.
It’s a cliché to say “everything in moderation,” but it rings true. There’s excessive discourse about screen time being an indiscriminate evil. When kids engage in video games and become adept in that realm, summer breaks offer an opportunity to evaluate what they are experiencing, who they’re playing with, and what they’re gaining from it. Is it truly detrimental for them to spend an hour or two in Fortnite each night? Or are they making friends, sharing laughs, and creating in creative mode? Gaming can serve diverse purposes. Although you might prefer they don’t game on the beach, those in-between moments—like long travels or rainy afternoons—can be incredibly enriching, and parents shouldn’t feel guilty about that. For many Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, gaming forms a vital part of their everyday experiences, much like I had records or comics at their age.
Just this week, I took one of my sons, now 17, to London. While I met a friend, he explored the city solo. On our coach journey to Somerset, we had little chance to chat, so we played Mario Kart together. We set up the console on a small tray in front of us as the coach rumbled along, often swaying for my benefit. It was enjoyable—laughing, comparing strategies, and intermittently looking up as the evening sun illuminated the fields outside. I believe I’ll cherish that bus ride much more than any other part of that day. Despite a screen between us, we were together.
What to Play
A wild and carefree thrill… Fumes. Photo: Fumes Team
Car Battle Games thrived in the mid-90s, with titles like Twisted Metal, Carmageddon, and Demolition Derby encouraging players to smash cars into one another while unleashing rocket launchers.
The newcomer Fumes brings back those thrilling days. This single-player, open-world game invites players to explore a vast Mad Max landscape, upgrading muscle cars to obliterate foes. With a slightly retro aesthetic and a guitar-laden soundtrack reminiscent of the original PlayStation era, it features a loose and reckless arcade handling. It’s currently in Early Access on Steam, and a free demo is available.
Available on: PC Estimated Playtime: Over 10 hours
What to Read
Controversial… Motiram’s Light. Photo: Polaris Est
As reported by IGN among other sources, Sony is suing Chinese game publisher Tencent for copyright and trademark infringement, claiming that Tencent’s upcoming game Motiram’s Light bears a striking resemblance to Sony’s successful Horizon series, where young girls battle giant robotic dinosaurs in a vast open world. Tencent has yet to comment on the allegations.
Diversity has revealed that a Wolfenstein TV series is under development at Amazon MGM Studios. Penned by Patrick Somerville (known for Station Eleven and Maniac), it will feature Gustafsson from MachineGames as executive producer. This shooter, which features a narrative of defeating Nazis, aims to draw in young viewers who prefer streaming over superhero content.
Falmouth University developers are collaborating with local teens to craft video games that address adverse childhood experiences. The game, titled Heart’s Ace, focuses on themes like grief and poverty, encouraging players to engage in dialogue about their experiences. Learn more on the BBC News website.
Team Player… Gaming can foster identity and connection among youth. Photo: Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images
Timeless questions from Andy via email:
“In Gareth Southgate’s Richard Dimbleby lecture, he mentioned that he fears young men are spending too much time gaming, gambling, and consuming adult content. He believes this oversimplifies the nature of gaming. The time dedicated to “good games” should be seen positively. I often contemplate this, as I’m genuinely interested in how gaming shapes young people’s identities and cultures.
The challenge of Toxic Communitiesin games is well-documented, yet there are many uplifting examples too. Personally, I’ve encountered kindness and inclusiveness in communities centered around specific games, especially simulation games about space exploration. Titles like Deeprock Galactic and No Man’s Sky and in creative genres like Minecraft foster environments where players appreciate each other’s skill sets. Minecraft has also nurtured a strong accessibility community, exemplified by Autcraft, which runs a server for neurodivergent players, enabling friendships to form in meaningful ways. Streamers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, such as Aimsey, Springsims, and Xchocobars, cultivate communities that offer fans a sense of identity and belonging. I appreciate how certain games promote communities where creativity and inclusivity extend beyond the gameplay experience itself, whether through creative events centered around League of Legends cosplay or fan fiction groups for Life is Strange. Video games, akin to music and film, serve as mediums for fandoms to express their identities and explore their passions. For many young individuals, navigating the complexities of contemporary life feels nearly impossible without these communal spaces.
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Satellite image of the subglacial lake area post-outburst flood reveals damage to the ice sheets
10.1038/s41561-025-01746-9
Typically, when glaciers in Greenland melt, the water drains into the underlying bedrock before eventually reaching the ocean. However, in 2014, a significant surge of meltwater from a subglacial lake erupted through the Greenland ice sheet’s surface, creating a crevasse 25 meters deep.
“This phenomenon is unprecedented,” remarks Malcolm McMillan, a researcher at Lancaster University, UK. “While we are aware of the subglacial lakes in Greenland, witnessing the destruction caused as water erupts from the ice sheet’s surface is entirely new to us.”
McMillan and his research team initiated their study upon observing a sudden 85-meter deep crater on the ice sheet, captured by satellite imagery in August 2014.
They found that within a span of 10 days in late July and early August 2014, these craters formed following a rapid drainage of the subglacial lake. About a kilometer downstream from the crater, the team identified significant ice turbulence, with water surfacing.
The researchers theorize that the pressure from the subglacial lake increased sufficiently to force the water up through fractures in the ice, ultimately leading to its explosive emergence from the ice sheet, which resulted in a considerable crevasse and an ice tower along its path.
According to McMillan, the meltwater was compelled to surface due to being encased by frozen ice in the bedrock. “It seems that when water flows into a frozen environment, it can accumulate enough pressure to trigger this unforeseen outcome,” he elaborates.
McMillan aims to utilize satellite imagery in future research to ascertain whether similar eruptions have occurred and if this phenomenon is a consequence of rapidly melting ice sheets in the context of rising global temperatures.
“This marks the initial exploration of a phenomenon that we were previously unaware of, and the upcoming challenge is to comprehend its implications and underlying mechanisms,” he concludes.
Children are turning to YouTube as soon as they power on their TVs, marking a significant shift in video consumption from laptops to living rooms.
According to an extensive study of UK viewing habits by the Communications Regulator Ofcom, YouTube stands as the most favored TV platform for Generation Alpha.
Last year, one in five young viewers, aged between four and 15, headed to this platform first. While BBC One ranked among the top five initial choices, kids had the option to select BBC iPlayer as well.
It’s not only the younger demographic that has taken to YouTube TV. An observable cultural shift reveals that viewers aged 55 and older have nearly doubled their watching time on YouTube, going from 6 minutes a day to 11 minutes last year, with an increasing percentage (42%) tuning in through television.
On average, viewers dedicated 39 minutes a day to YouTube in 2024, positioning the platform as the UK’s second most-watched service after the BBC and ahead of ITV.
For those aged 16 to 24, traditional live television earned only 17 minutes of daily watch time last year, as just 45% tuned in during an average week, down from 48% in 2023.
YouTube has emerged as a serious rival to conventional broadcasters, with half of its trending videos echoing the content typically associated with mainstream broadcasters, including long-form interviews and game shows.
The rise of YouTube poses significant challenges for public service broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
These organizations are eager to engage newer, younger demographics; however, YouTube also captures a substantial share of their advertising revenue, which raises concerns that featuring their content on YouTube may diminish viewer time on their own platforms.
A 12-year-old girl will be holding a morning training session on Joe Wicks YouTube. Photo: Richard Sarker/Guardian
“Public service broadcasters recognize this shift and will adapt to meet audiences in online environments, increasing engagement there,” a spokesperson commented. “However, more ambitious efforts are needed to ensure that public service media remains relevant and sustainable in the long term.”
Ofcom has already advised traditional broadcasters, referred to as “endangered species,” to collaborate with YouTube for greater content visibility, emphasizing the need for “fair commercial terms.”
Michael Grade, chairman of Ofcom and former Channel 4 director, proposed that the government consider new legislation requiring YouTube to feature UK public service broadcasters’ content more prominently.
Channel 4 has been among the pioneers in sharing content on YouTube, arguing that rather than detracting from their own platform, it expands their audience reach. ITV also announced a new agreement with YouTube at the end of last year.
Discussions are underway within the BBC about how much content should be uploaded to YouTube, although significant media coverage will still be featured there. Deborah Turness, head of BBC News, has informed staff that the new head of the AI department will drive a YouTube strategy aimed at younger viewers.
Weekly video viewing times remain stable, with the average person watching 4 hours and 30 minutes at home last year—down just a minute from the previous year.
Traditional broadcast content still dominates viewing, accounting for 56% of the total, although this figure has decreased from 71% in 2018.
Additionally, YouTube has become the leading online audio platform, with 47% of UK adults using it weekly, compared to 36% for Spotify. The rise of podcasts on YouTube signifies its growing influence across the media landscape.
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Running offers a thrilling aspect of immersive Sims. Games like Thief and Strange immerse players in a dynamic world filled with navigable emails and notes.
One could argue that the essence of this genre is embodied by every character you’ve longed for, monstrous figures towering hundreds of feet above while watching your every move. Fortunately, the latest release from Russian developers Tallboys addresses this gap. In Militsioner, you’re apprehended for an ambiguous offense and must escape the city swiftly. Will you cover the getaway on the Railway? Or perhaps shatter a window for distraction? These are classic tactics in immersive sims. Unfortunately, a policeman stands in your way. Even seated serenely, he looms as a melancholic yet vigilant giant over the ravaged urban sprawl.
“A new dimension to storytelling”…Miritty Honor. Photo: Tallboys Game
This formidable figure embodies a military presence. He could either be a target to undermine or a distraction, radiating a visual glow that clearly sets this game apart as a unique immersive journey. Director and game designer Dmitry Shevchenko of Tallboys reveals that the project took shape six months before the police made their entrance.
“I remember an interview regarding the development of Thief: The Dark Project,” shares Shevchenko. “We were captivated by the concept of granting players a definitive role or profession, which resonated with our vision. Around the same time, we also considered giants as a central theme.”
These concepts coalesced when Shevchenko recalled a digital artwork by Russian artist Andrei Snov depicting a colossal traffic cop outdoors. “It resonated perfectly,” Shevchenko laughs. “The image encapsulated the player’s role and their antagonists quite well: the criminals and the police.”
Cruel dystopia…Mirity Honor Photo: Tallboys Game
Following that revelation, the portrayal of other militarized characters fell into place swiftly. The game delves into a harsh, totalitarian landscape that engages with a relentless systemic control over individuals. Yet it also weaves in a more personal and intimate narrative strand. Is it unlawful to offer apples as bribes to towering police officers? Is attempting to pursue a romantic interest considered illegal?
To differentiate elements, Militsioner employs a unique system to track the internal worlds of non-player characters. “We are adhering to classic immersive Sim mechanics, where players can engage through dialogue, stealth, or combat,” explains Shevchenko, suggesting that emotional states will introduce an additional layer inspired by The Sims. “The emotional state of a character will be crucial to the gameplay,” he emphasizes.
For instance, you may trigger panic if you sneak into someone’s home and are discovered. This will alter your dialogue options and interactions. “Such an approach creates an intricately interconnected web of reactions, enhancing problem-solving and narrative depth,” asserts Shevchenko.
This complex system is augmented by rigorous player testing. During this phase, the Tallboys team investigates player actions and their choices. The notion of dating police officers emerged from this feedback. “Players expressed interest in exploring that relational dynamic,” says Shevchenko.
Milichoiner, developed by a Russian team reflecting on the Ukrainian invasion, is profoundly political and subtly literary. Shevchenko cites influences from Kafka, along with notable figures like the Strugatsky Brothers, famed for their dystopian tales in “Roadside Picnic.” “I continuously strive to evoke the emotions present in their works,” says Shevchenko. “Their ability to depict abstract settings and character sketches, particularly the surreal images of society and its systems, is what I admire.”
Additionally, echoes of Nikolai Gogol can be felt in the narrative, exploring power structures through imaginative and extraordinary gameplay. His anti-heroes navigate a world populated by gigantic police officers, including a man whose nose aspires to a higher social rank, and another who seeks riches by exploiting deceased serfs.
Rust-based battery systems housed within standard 12-meter shipping containers
Ore Energy
Iron-empty batteries that utilize a reversible rusting mechanism to store and release energy now stand as the first type linked to public power grids. Startup Ore Energy announced on July 30 that the battery developed by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands is now grid-connected.
These batteries play a crucial role in maintaining a stable power supply by storing renewable energy generated from solar and wind sources, preventing immediate decreases in electricity availability during sudden changes in weather conditions.
“We need to effectively store the surplus of energy generated when the wind blows and the sun shines,” mentions John Joseph Mary from the Faraday Institute, a UK battery research facility. “Essentially, the battery stabilizes the energy output for grid usage.”
While most grid-connected batteries are lithium iron phosphate varieties produced in China, they tend to store only 4-6 hours of electricity and are quite costly, according to Mary. Conversely, the iron-empty batteries created by Ore Energy can store over 100 hours of electricity and are made from inexpensive, readily accessible materials.
“Iron is the most abundantly mined metal globally and is extremely affordable,” says Mary. “When combined with air, which is literally everywhere around us and essentially free, they are among the cheapest materials available.”
Battery systems utilize electricity to convert iron oxide (rust) back into metal iron for energy storage. The iron can discharge energy through a chemical reaction with oxygen from the air, reverting back to rust.
“During discharge, we transform the iron into an innovative kind of rust,” explains Aytac Yilmaz, CEO of Ore Energy. “When charging, we revert the rust to iron, repeating this process continuously while the battery breathes in and out atmospheric oxygen.”
The battery is housed in standard 12-meter shipping containers and holds multiple megawatt-hours of energy. One megawatt-hour can power an average US household for over a month.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts-based Form Energy is executing several iron battery projects across the US, set to be established in New England and the Midwest.
In addition to iron and air, these batteries utilize affordable, plentiful water-based electrolytes, significantly minimizing the risk of battery fires. “I hesitate to say this, but water is undeniably non-combustible,” remarks Mary.
Ultimately, the primary objective of this battery technology is to facilitate the transition of renewable energy resources to supplant fossil fuels within the electric grid.
“Energy companies are still heavily reliant on gas-fired power generation to ensure flexibility when solar and wind cannot provide enough energy,” states Bas Kil, Business Development Manager at Ore Energy. “However, a long-term solution will necessitate various types of flexibility, where these innovative batteries can significantly contribute.”
Samsung’s 7th generation flip phone sheds unnecessary features, boasting an expansive cover screen outside and a spacious folding display within, yet it doesn’t drastically change the existing formula.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will join the Book Style Z Fold 7 as Samsung’s two flagship folding devices in 2025. Similar to its predecessor, the Flip’s main allure is the ability to fold one of Samsung’s largest screens in half, making it ideal for pocket transport.
Prices starting at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799) align closely with the standard S25+ and Super Thin S25 Edge, yet offer slightly larger displays.
The Flip 7 operates just like a standard Android device, showcasing a flexible OLED screen and a generous 6.9-inch OLED main display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Flip 7 is a touch taller than its predecessor, supporting a larger 6.9-inch inner screen. Additionally, it’s thinner by 1.2mm when folded. However, unlike the noticeable upgrades introduced with this year’s Fold 7, the changes may not be readily apparent.
The new outer cover display envelops the camera and LED flash at the top half of the Flip 7. It accommodates more text from notifications and widgets, significantly enhancing its appearance compared to prior iterations. Selecting an appealing wallpaper can make the dark metallic blue shade especially striking.
The hinge offers a reassuringly robust closure, though operating the Flip 7 with one hand can be quite challenging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Flip 7 features a glass exterior, but the inner screen is shielded with a softer material that tends to collect fingerprints, exhibit glare, and show marks easily. It demands more care than a conventional flat phone. While the Flip is water-resistant, it’s not dust-proof, meaning the hinge should be safeguarded from tiny particles that could cause issues.
Specifications
Main screen: 6.9in FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED INFINITY FLEX Display (397PPI)
Water resistance: IP48 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
Folded dimensions: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm
Expanded dimensions: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5mm
Weight: 188g
Performance and Battery Life
The Flip 7 charges fully in approximately 90 minutes, utilizing a power adapter of 25W or greater (not included) to reach 50% in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2500 chip, the Flip 7 features a high-end processor comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite found in other flagship devices from Samsung. Although it may not claim top performance accolades, the Flip 7 delivers a solid gaming experience, even if the phone heats up during extended sessions.
Battery performance falls slightly short compared to its predecessor, typically lasting around 36 hours between charges while utilizing a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi, and supports roughly 6 hours of screen time. This aligns closely with the base S25 model, implying that most users will likely need to charge the Flip 7 nightly, especially considering that prolonged 5G usage leads to greater battery depletion than on Qualcomm-powered Samsung devices.
One UI 8
In Flex Mode, tools such as the trackpad, scroll wheel, playback, and camera controls appear on the upper half of the screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Alongside the Z Fold 7, the Flip 7 is among the initial Samsung devices running One UI 8 (based on Android 16) at launch. It’s a robust Android version offering extensive customization and stable performance.
The interface closely resembles that of the standard S25 series software, featuring multiple AI capabilities for tasks like lighting adjustments, image modification and generation, transcription, and translation. Additional Google AI services such as Gemini and Circle to Search are also present. The Now Bar is a fantastic feature that displays current activities such as sports scores, music playback, timers, alarms, and more.
The Flip 7 includes various tools specifically for foldable devices. A convenient “flex mode” allows content, websites, or applications to shift to the top half of the screen while folding the Flip into an L shape, placing controls on the lower half.
Currently playing music album art displays beautifully on the Flip 7’s external cover screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Numerous tools for utilizing external screens are available. You can view notifications, reply to texts, manage music and system settings, access a range of widgets like audio recorders and calculators, and interact with Gemini without needing to open the phone. Some applications like Google Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Netflix, and YouTube can also be accessed on the external screens. However, to run additional apps on the cover screen, downloading Samsung’s MultiStar plugin from the Galaxy Store is necessary—though this should ideally be a built-in feature.
Samsung pledges to provide Android and security updates until July 31, 2032.
Camera
Flex mode encourages creativity in photography, allowing for diverse angles and configurations. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Cameras are a less impressive aspect of the Flip 7. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera on the inside.
While the selfie camera performs adequately, it’s not exceptional and struggles in low-light conditions for video calls. Instead, you might opt to use the main camera for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder for improved results.
The main camera shines outdoors, capturing detailed and vibrant colors, although indoor shots can suffer from murkiness and graininess due to lower lighting. The ultra-wide camera is decent for landscapes but struggles significantly in dim conditions.
The camera comes loaded with playful modes, including features for taking photos or videos in a traditional handicam style, which supports hands-free selfies.
Overall, the Flip 7 captures acceptable photos, but its camera quality falls short compared to traditional flagship devices.
Sustainability
Although there is a small gap near the hinge, the rest of the phone is sealed shut to prevent dust and fluff from entering. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity over a maximum of 2,000 complete charging cycles.
The device is generally repairable, with internal screen repairs estimated at around £294. Samsung also provides CARE+ insurance for accidental damage, reducing repair costs to £119.
The Flip 7 utilizes recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel, accounting for 18.2% of the device’s weight. Samsung operates trade-in and recycling programs for older devices and documents the environmental impact of its phones in reports (PDFs).
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799).
For comparison, the Z Fold 7 is priced at £1,799, the S25 Edge at £1,099, the S25+ at £999, the Z Flip 7 FE at £849, the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra at £1,099, and the Xiaomi Mix Flip at £640.
Verdict
The Flip 7 stands as Samsung’s most appealing flip device, with the most notable enhancement being its larger outer screen.
Most other features mirror those of its predecessor. While the interior folding display is impressive, it is also delicate and requires careful handling. The side-mounted power button fingerprint scanner is functional yet somewhat inconveniently positioned. The camera quality is decent but does not compete with standard flagship models, and the battery life leaves much to be desired. However, the software is robust, with 7 years of updates promised. Overall, it feels somewhat repetitive.
The Flip 7 is an excellent choice for those wanting a substantial display in a compact form factor, yet it lacks the transformative redesign seen in its larger Fold 7 counterpart released this year.
Strengths: Bigger outer screen, ample inner display, IP48 water resistance, 7 years of updates, a variety of AI features, attractive design, enjoyable software.
Drawbacks: High price point, less durable than conventional phones, repairs may be costly, no dust resistance, camera lacks telephoto zoom, and its performance does not reach flagship standards, coupled with a lack of significant updates.
The Flip 7 offers stunning aesthetics and can perform numerous tasks while closed, though most functions are better executed on the main internal display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A recent study conducted by New York University Abu Dhabi suggests that radiolysis, triggered by cosmic rays in galaxies, may serve as a potential energy source for microbial metabolism within the subsurface environments of rocky celestial bodies such as Mars, Europa, and Enceladus.
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft captured this stunning mosaic of Enceladus as it flew past this geologically active moon of Saturn on October 5, 2008. Image credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute.
While ionized radiation is known for its detrimental effects on biological systems, such as causing damage to DNA and generating reactive oxygen species, it can also yield biologically beneficial outcomes.
Though direct exposure to high radiation levels can be harmful to biological activity, ionizing radiation can create numerous biologically useful products.
One such process involves the generation of valuable biological products through charged particle-induced radiolysis.
“We investigated the consequences of cosmic rays striking surfaces containing water or ice,” noted Dr. Dimitra Atli, PhD, from New York University Abu Dhabi, alongside colleagues from Washington University, the University of Tennessee, Rice University, and Santander University.
“The impact of these rays breaks down water molecules and releases tiny particles known as electrons.”
“Certain bacteria on Earth are capable of utilizing these electrons for energy, akin to how plants harness sunlight.”
“This phenomenon, known as radiolysis, allows for life to persist in dark, cold environments devoid of sunlight.”
This newly reorganized color view presents a massive surface of Europa. The image scale is 1.6 km per pixel, with the northern part of Europa on the right. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Seti Institute.
Researchers utilized computer simulations to assess the energy output of this process on the icy moons of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
These icy moons are believed to harbor liquid water beneath their thick ice crusts.
Findings indicate that Enceladus is the most promising candidate for supporting life in this manner, followed closely by Mars and Europa.
“This discovery reshapes our understanding of potential habitats for life,” Dr. Atri commented.
“Rather than confining our search to warm, sunlit planets, we can now consider cold, dark regions where water lies beneath the surface and is subjected to cosmic rays.”
“Life might exist in many more locations than previously thought.”
This image captured by Mars Express’s high-resolution stereo camera reveals an overview of Mars, with patches of yellow, orange, blue, and green on a muted gray background, depicting various surface compositions. Image credits: ESA/DLR/FU BERLIN/G. MICHAEL/CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.
In their research, the authors introduce a new concept termed the Radiolysis Habit Zone.
Unlike the traditional “Goldilocks zone”—the region around a star where planets can sustain liquid water—this new zone emphasizes the potential for subsurface water that can be energized by cosmic radiation.
Given that cosmic rays are ubiquitous throughout the universe, this suggests that numerous additional locations may harbor life.
“These findings offer fresh directions for future space exploration,” remarked Reservers.
“Scientists can target the underground environments of these icy moons and Mars instead of solely searching for life on their surfaces.
“This study paves the way for thrilling new avenues in life exploration across the cosmos, implying that even the coldest and darkest regions may have conditions suitable for life.”
The study will be published in International Journal of Astrobiology.
____
Dimitra Atri et al. 2025. Estimating the potential of ionizing radiation-induced radiolysis for microbial metabolism in Earth’s planets and moons with tenuous atmospheres. International Journal of Astrobiology 24:E9; doi:10.1017/s1473550425100025
Lava planets are rocky exoplanets that orbit extremely close to their host star, allowing for conditions that melt silicate rocks daily.
Boucale et al. We introduce a straightforward theoretical framework to explain the evolution of lava planets’ internal atmospheric systems. Image credit: Sci.News.
A lava planet is typically a super-Earth to Earth-sized world, orbiting its star in less than one Earth day.
Similar to the Earth’s moon, these planets are expected to be tidally locked, displaying the same hemisphere to their stars at all times.
With extreme surface temperatures, their rocks can reach melting or even evaporating points, creating a distinctive state within our solar system.
These unusual worlds are easily observable due to their pronounced orbital dynamics, offering valuable insights into the fundamental processes that drive planetary evolution.
“Due to the extreme orbital characteristics of lava planets, our understanding of rocky planets in the solar system does not apply directly, which leaves scientists uncertain about expected observations,” states Dr. Charles Eiduard Bukare from York University.
“Our simulations provide a conceptual framework for understanding their evolution and a way to investigate internal dynamics and chemical transformations over time.”
“While these processes are greatly intensified on lava planets, they fundamentally mirror those shaping rocky planets in our solar system.”
As rocks melt or evaporate, elements like magnesium, iron, silicon, oxygen, sodium, and potassium partition differently across vapor, liquid, and solid states.
The unique orbital dynamics of lava planets maintain vapor-liquid and solid-liquid equilibria for billions of years, facilitating long-term chemical evolution.
Using cutting-edge numerical simulations, the researchers predict the evolutionary status of two distinct categories.
(i) Fully melted interior (likely a younger planet): The atmosphere reflects the planet’s overall composition, with heat distribution within the melt ensuring a hot and dynamic nightside surface.
(ii) Nearly solid interior (likely an older planet): Only shallow lava oceans persist, while the atmosphere becomes depleted of elements such as sodium, potassium, and iron.
“We sincerely hope that with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, we will be able to observe and differentiate between young and old lava planets,” Dr. Boukaré expressed.
“Demonstrating this capability would signify a significant advancement beyond conventional observational methods.”
study was published today in the journal Natural Astronomy.
____
cé. Boucale et al. The significance of internal dynamics and differentiation in the surface and atmosphere of lava planets. Nut Athlon Published online on July 29th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02617-4
Capuchin Monkeys and Their Role in Seed Dispersal in Tropical Forests
Carlos Grillo/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Tropical ecosystems, rich in animal biodiversity that aids in seed dispersal, can sequester carbon at rates up to four times higher than fragmented forests lacking these animals or where their movements are limited.
“This underscores the connection between the loss of animal biodiversity and the processes that intensify climate change,” explains Evan Fricke from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “We’ve lost the potential for tropical forest regeneration.”
While animals only store a fraction of the carbon in their environment, their activities significantly influence ecosystem carbon dynamics. Notably, species such as monkeys, birds, and rodents play a crucial role in dispersing a wide variety of seeds.
Fricke mentions that “linking this to a prolonged process like carbon capture across landscapes proved quite challenging.”
Fricke and his team examined over 3,000 plots in tropical forests where trees are returning and successfully reabsorbing carbon following disturbances. They then assessed the degree of movement and diversity disruption of seed-dispersing animals in each plot, with findings influenced by forest fragmentation and data from monitored animals.
They discovered that increased disruption in seed disperser movement correlated with lower rates of carbon accumulation. The forests with the most disturbed animal behaviors grew four times faster than those with minimal disruption.
On average, disturbances in animal diversity and movement patterns that disperse seeds halved the carbon accumulation potential of affected plots. This indicates that such disruptions had a more detrimental impact than other factors inhibiting tree regrowth, such as fires and livestock grazing.
In contrast, forests experiencing the least disruption sequestered carbon more rapidly than monoculture wood farms. “Natural growth enhanced by animal activity presents a cost-effective and biodiversity-friendly recovery method,” states Fricke.
Earlier ecological models indicated that seed dispersers might significantly influence carbon storage; however, this study further elucidates the critical role these animals play, according to Oswald Schmitz from Yale University. “It highlights their importance now and into the future.”
Batteries created from iron and salt in ceramic tubes present a reduced fire risk compared to lithium-ion batteries
Inlyte Energy
Batteries utilizing iron and salt can deliver emergency power without fire hazards, located near one of California’s historic redwood forests.
The 200-kilowatt battery will be integrated with solar panels at the Alliance Red Woods Conference Ground in Sonoma County, California. This site is situated in a high wildfire risk zone of Redwood Forest, merely 16 kilometers from Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, and is home to California’s tallest and oldest trees. During severe weather and wildfires, conference facilities often assist firefighters and evacuees, yet they are also prone to power grid outages.
“Our view of technology revolves around establishing a secure, cost-effective energy storage solution.” Ben Kaun from Inlyte Energy in California stated. “This perspective guided us toward developing large cells with affordable and plentiful active materials such as iron and salt.”
The battery projects are expected to provide up to two weeks of emergency backup power, operational by 2027. This capability will enable lighting within the conference grounds and supply power to local firefighter water pump stations without jeopardizing the iconic redwood trees.
This is attributed to the non-flammable nature of these easily sourced battery components (powdered iron and salt contained in ceramic tubes). “These batteries and their cells can be positioned closely together without the typical fire or explosion risks associated with lithium-ion batteries,” says Kaun.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in smartphones and electric vehicles, can ignite under certain conditions, and this risk escalates when batteries are concentrated in large storage facilities. For instance, in January 2025, a fire at California’s largest battery storage site obliterated 300 megawatts of energy storage. Conversely, Inlyte’s iron-salt batteries possess significantly lower risk profiles. The Iron-Salt Battery initiative has secured nearly $4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance energy resilience in wildfire-prone areas near Redwood Forest.
“These non-flammable batteries are a prudent choice for project developers considering energy storage installations in remote or drought-prone regions or near forests vulnerable to frequent drought,” says Dustin Mulbany from San Jose State University. “Energy technology and infrastructure have historically contributed to wildfires, and utilizing non-flammable batteries offers a way to mitigate some of these risks.”
The Central Congo Basin boasts the largest variety of tropical peatlands globally, covering 16.7 million hectares. Previously, radiocarbon dating of ancient peat was confined to just 14 samples, which poorly represented the area, indicating that peat development typically commenced during the Holocene. However, recent findings indicate that peat began forming in multiple locations during the late Pleistocene. The earliest date identified by the author is 42,300 years before present, highlighting that this peatland is one of the oldest in the world, twice as ancient as previously thought.
The swamp of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Image credit: Greta Dargie.
The central Congo Basin, which spans the equator, encompasses 360,000 km.2 This wetland is shared by the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Out of this wetland area, it is estimated that 167,600 km2 have a median thickness of 1.7 m.
These peatlands rank among the most carbon-dense ecosystems worldwide, storing an average of 1712 mg c ha-1 with a total of 29 pg c-1 stored in peat.
Although research into the formation and expansion of this vast carbon reservoir is in its early stages, it includes studies on peat initiation and basin-wide development dynamics.
“These peat marshes serve as crucial global carbon reservoirs, equivalent to three years’ worth of fossil fuel emissions,” said Greta Dargie, a researcher from the University of Leeds.
“We now know that these are the oldest tropical peatlands on Earth.”
The research initiated with the team trekking through the inaccessible peat marshes of Congo, collecting peat samples up to 6 m deep on the forest floor using surgical tools.
Upon returning to the lab, they dated small samples of peat to ascertain when peat formation began at each sampling site.
Over a decade, researchers successfully collected and dated more than 50 cores from throughout the Central Congo Basin, reconstructing the development of the peatlands over time.
Scientists were surprised not only by the great age of these peatlands.
“One of our unexpected discoveries was that some of the older peatlands in central Congo started forming during periods when the region’s climate was considerably drier than today,” stated a researcher.
“The earlier hypothesis suggested that peat began forming in response to a wetter climate at the onset of the Holocene around 12,000 years ago.”
“We now understand that non-climatic factors must have helped saturate the soil enough for peat formation to occur.”
“This raises important questions about how climate change in the 21st century will impact peatland landscapes and the substantial carbon stored within them.”
The Congo Basin peat marshes provide essential resources for local communities, including fish, bushmeat, and building materials.
Due to their remoteness, these swamps also serve as crucial habitats for species such as forest elephants, Nile crocodiles, lowland gorillas, and bonobo chimpanzees.
While Congolese peatlands have largely avoided threats such as deforestation and drainage compared to many tropical regions, the push for improved local livelihoods and extraction of resources like oil can conflict with biodiversity and carbon conservation objectives.
Dr. Pauline Gulliver, a researcher at the University of Glasgow, remarked:
“These peatlands meticulously draw carbon from the atmosphere, safely storing it for at least 40,000 years.”
“The dynamics of peat cannot be understood within a timeframe that aligns with societal expectations.”
“If peatlands are compromised, they could release a significant amount of carbon into the atmosphere, worsening global warming.”
“It’s crucial to manage the carbon within the Congo Basin peatlands carefully to prevent such occurrences.”
Survey results were published in the journal Environmental Survey Letter.
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Greta C. Dargy et al. 2025. The timing of peat initiation throughout the central Congo Basin. environment. res. Rent 20, 084080; doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ade905
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