hWith just a few taps on the app, the electric car slowed down and came to a halt outside Berlin’s old cargo hall. There’s no one behind the wheel, but as passengers enter, a voice chimes in:
The vehicle emits a cheerful jingle before proceeding to the former runway, where traffic cones indicate various operational zones.
This isn’t an ordinary driverless car. “Bartek” refers to Bartek Sztendel, not just an automated voice from Robotaxi. A real person, stationed hundreds of meters away at a remote driving hub, controls it.
Bartek Sztendel, remote driver at work. Photo: Nicolo Lanfranchi/Guardian
Seated in a plush leather chair, he uses pedals for acceleration and braking while steering with a wheel, closely monitoring the journey through three large screens in front of him, supplemented by four discreet rooftop cameras. Headphones provide audio feedback from both inside and outside the vehicle, while sensors let him sense the bumps on the road.
Sztendel is part of Vay—a name that reflects how many Germans say “Way.” This remote driving tech firm, founded in Berlin in 2018, aims to transform urban mobility across Europe.
Vay’s communications manager, Silvia Avanzini, reviews the apps used to start and conclude remote drives. Photo: Nicolo Lanfranchi/Guardian
While the world is gradually adopting conventional self-driving taxis in cities like San Francisco and Shanghai, Vay envisions a future where remote-driven cars can pick up rental vehicles in Berlin, transport them to a desired location with a remote operator, and terminate the rental—leaving the hassle of parking to the driver. Users are charged per minute for electric rides at a rate claimed to be approximately half of current shared services.
Vay’s CEO and co-founder, Thomas von Der Ohe, plans to utilize Las Vegas as a trial area for its services, with Germany set to follow soon. A Stanford University alumnus in computer science and entrepreneurship, he mentions that American cities “have a crucial legal framework.”
Vay CEO Thomas Von Der Ohe poses with one of the electric vehicles in their fleet. Photo: Nicolo Lanfranchi/Guardian
“It made it onto page three. Germany had its share of challenges, but we collaborated closely with authorities to address everything from technical specifications to safety concerns.
Just before the summer break, the German parliament approved legislation to allow commercially operated remote-controlled vehicles in designated areas, starting December 1. Though not as daring as laws enabling firms like Waymo and Cruise to run autonomous vehicles in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, it still signals a new momentum for major European automakers.
An application is available to initiate and complete your journey. Photo: Nicolo Lanfranchi/Guardian
Von Der Ohe envisions a future where car ownership is no longer necessary, contributing to sustainable urban living.
Beyond engineers, the company heavily relies on drivers, which represents a significant cost. Despite the skills gap, attracting candidates for this emerging field hasn’t been problematic.
According to Von Der Ohe, many of the controllers have backgrounds from Uber and traditional taxi services, especially those who have faced safety issues. He noted that even truck drivers, worn out from lengthy hauls and time away from family, are looking for a change, including some coping with health issues due to extended vibrations.
“People see this as a promising career. They enjoy scheduled breaks and work in teams rather than isolation,” Von Der Ohe emphasized. Moreover, they earn hourly wages instead of on a per-ride basis.
Sztendel, who hails from Poland, logged extensive driving hours over several weeks before becoming certified as a remote operator. He remarked that individuals with gaming experience tend to adapt quickly, but emphasized that “serenity, strong safety, and responsibility skills” are critical. He enjoys games like Need for Speed, but described the experience of remotely controlling real vehicles as “truly incredible.”
Glancing away from his monitor, he pointed out that the large red button on the left can be pressed in an emergency, prompting the car to stop instantly.
According to a widely referenced study, during waking hours, an average person blinks about 12 times per minute, with each blink lasting approximately a third of a second. Over a span of 16 hours, that totals around 11,520 blinks, equivalent to more than an hour of blinking time.
In a typical lifespan of 80 years, this amounts to around 3.5 years spent blinking. This raises the question: what other time might we be wasting?
How much time do you spend…
Yawning?
As adults, we yawn approximately nine times a day, and even more during our younger years, with infants yawning up to 25 times a day at 12 weeks old. This adds up to at least two weeks of yawning over a lifetime.
Putting on socks?
It takes about 20 seconds to put on a pair of socks. If you wear socks daily, this activity accumulates to nearly a week of your life.
Scratching?
Even without allergies, most people scratch around 97 times a day, with each scratch taking a few seconds. This totals approximately two months of your life spent scratching. And yes, I scratched again after reading this.
In the restroom?
If you’re scrolling on your phone, you may spend quite a bit of time in the restroom – Image credit: Robin Boyden
On average, people spend between one to three years in the restroom, influenced by both dietary fiber and how much time they spend on their phones.
Traveling by car?
In your lifetime, you will spend around three years driving. This means some individuals may actually spend more time on the toilet than in a car.
Swallowing?
Did you know you swallow at least 500 times a day? Most swallowing occurs when you aren’t even eating, as saliva continuously cycles from the mouth to the stomach and back into the bloodstream.
Research shows that normal swallowing rates average 1.32 times per minute, totaling nearly 2,000 swallows a day. Over an entire lifetime, this can add up to about 1 year and 9 months spent swallowing.
This article addresses a question posed by Marlowe Fox via email: “How much time do we spend in an average lifetime?”
We invite you to submit your questions to Question @sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Don’t forget to include your name and location!
Explore our ultimateFun Facts and more amazing science pages!
Carbon Capture and Storage Cement Plant in Padeswood, Wales
Padeswood CCS
Commercial carbon capture systems for cement facilities are currently being rolled out, signaling a potential turn towards net-zero emissions for one of the most challenging sectors in the industry.
As reported by German company Heidelberg Materials, the inaugural carbon capture cement plant has been operational in Norway since June, with the first “carbon cement” products slated for delivery to the UK and other European countries next month.
In tandem, construction of carbon capture infrastructure at the Padeswood cement plant in North Wales is set to commence shortly, following a subsidy agreement revealed this week between the UK government and Heidelberg representatives. Several similar facilities are also in the pipeline for Sweden, Germany, and Poland.
This advancement represents a critical leap forward in the cement industry’s quest to cut emissions, a long-recognized hurdle in decarbonization efforts. “That’s significant progress,” states Paul Fennell of Imperial College London, referring to the projects in Norway and the UK.
Cement contributes to roughly 8% of global carbon emissions, according to Chatham House, a think tank. Much of this carbon dioxide is emitted by the chemical processes that create clinkers, the primary component of Portland cement, the most widely used construction material. “Regular Portland cement production inherently generates substantial CO2 due to essential chemical reactions,” Fennell explains.
Capturing CO2 generated from these processes is regarded as the only viable option for significantly decarbonizing cement production. Yet, this method is costly, with estimates ranging from 50-200 euros needed to capture, transport, and permanently store large amounts of carbon from European cement operations, as outlined in an analysis by the Bank of Netherlands here.
The Brebik plant in Heidelberg, Norway, benefits from government subsidies. Its carbon capture infrastructure accounts for 50% of the cement facility’s overall emissions. It operates by removing CO2 from the exhaust of cement plants using an ammonia-based solvent known as amines. The extracted CO2 is then released from the solvent, liquefied, and stored beneath the seabed in Norway.
The Padeswood Plant employs similar amine technology, but when the carbon capture and storage systems become operational in 2029, it is projected to eliminate around 95% of the plant’s emissions, according to the UK CEO of Heidelberg Materials, Simon Willis. This translates to approximately 800,000 tons of CO2 annually. The Padeswood facility is anticipated to sequester more CO2 than the Brevik plant, but that is largely due to the lack of additional energy supplies required to achieve the 95% reduction at Brevik.
Construction is expected to start in the coming weeks, with the UK government agreeing to subsidize the operational costs of the technology—although details of this funding agreement remain undisclosed. “The fundamental premise is that the government is providing us with funds to assist in establishing and operating carbon capture facilities,” Willis states.
According to Leon Black from the University of Leeds, UK, government financial backing is crucial for constructing the initial fleet of cement plants focused on carbon capture and storage. “Carbon capture and storage would not be feasible without governmental aid,” he asserts.
However, emerging technologies hold the promise of enhanced energy efficiency, and costs are anticipated to decrease over time. In Germany, for instance, Heidelberg is collaborating with a consortium exploring Oxifuer technology, which involves recirculating exhaust gases back to the burner, increasing the CO2 concentration in exhaust gases to around 70%, thereby making the carbon capture process more efficient.
An international team of astronomers, as part of the Widefield Askap L-Band Legacy All-Sky Survey (Wallaby), observed DDO 137 (Wallaby J123424+062511). Their findings uncovered a vast bridge of neutral hydrogen, measuring 185,000 light-years, connecting the two galaxies, along with various arms and clouds that link to a longer gas tail (1.6 million light-years) previously identified by the Arecibo telescope.
Radio (left) and light (right) images of NGC 4532/DDO 137. Image credits: ICRAR/D. Lang, Perimeter Institute.
“This discovery marks a significant advance in our understanding of galaxy interactions,” stated Professor Lister Starley Smith from the University of Western Australia Node at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).
“Our simulations indicate that the tidal forces between these galaxies play a crucial role in the observed gas dynamics in close vicinity to the massive Virgo clusters of galaxies.”
“As the galaxies approached the hot gas clouds surrounding the Virgo clusters—temperatures 200 times that of the sun—we experienced what is termed RAM pressure, resulting in gas being stripped away from the galaxy.”
“This phenomenon is analogous to atmospheric burn-up when a satellite reenters Earth’s upper atmosphere, albeit extended over a billion years.”
“The electron density and the velocity at which galaxies descend into these hot gas clouds sufficiently clarify why they were drawn from the galaxy toward the bridge and surrounding regions.”
This observation formed part of the Wallaby Survey, a comprehensive project aimed at mapping the sky and examining the hydrogen gas distribution across galaxies using CSIRO’s Askap Radio telescope.
“Neutral hydrogen is vital for star formation, making this discovery pivotal in understanding how galaxies interact and evolve, particularly in densely packed environments,” remarked Professor Kenji Bekki of ICRAR.
“This system exhibits striking similarities to our Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds, offering a unique opportunity for a detailed examination of such interactions,” noted Professor Stavely-Smith.
“Grasping the dynamics of these gas bridges is crucial for understanding galaxy evolution over time, the redistribution of galactic gases, and the various conditions impacting star formation within galaxies.”
“This enhances our overall understanding of the universe’s largest structures and their lifecycle.
result will be published in Monthly Notices from the Royal Astronomical Society.
____
L. Stavely-Smith et al. 2025. WallabyPilot Survey: Extensive interaction between NGC 4532 and DDO 137 and Virgo clusters. mnras 543(1): 526-539; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf1443
When contraceptives were first introduced in the United States, women were not cautioned about potential side effects such as heart attacks or blood clots. It wasn’t until about a decade later that significant action was taken. In her 1969 book Physician’s Case of Medication, journalist and activist Barbara Seaman compiled testimonials from women who had suffered these symptoms for years. Her advocacy led to a Senate hearing on drug safety, which resulted in the inclusion of critical information regarding lower dosage and side effects.
This was not an isolated delay in addressing women’s voices, particularly regarding medications. Despite substantial anecdotal evidence from users, large trials connecting drugs to another side effect—depression—did not emerge until the 2010s linking studies began to surface.
The same can be said for individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, where 80% of those affected are women. Despite overwhelming testimony regarding debilitating consequences, research on this condition has been limited over the years in similar contexts (long-standing community) – leading to loss of funding.
“
When thousands of individuals express similar concerns regarding their health, we must heed their voices. “
This week’s 36-page feature article highlights recent developments. For decades, women suffering from endometriosis—a painful gynecological disorder—have also reported issues resembling autoimmune diseases. Significant correlations have only been explored in research over the last few years after thorough investigations. Just this year, a comprehensive analysis revealed a shared genetic pathway between these two conditions, paving the way for potential new therapies.
Why has progress been so slow? Insufficient funding for women’s health and the stigma surrounding women’s anatomy play significant roles. However, it’s crucial to recognize the attention given to women’s concerns and the lack of validation they often receive. When countless individuals articulate similar experiences regarding their health, we must proceed with caution. While robust data is required for specific medical recommendations and safe treatments, we could make faster strides by listening to experiential accounts, especially those of women.
Molecular gas and X-ray emissions around Sagittarius A*, a black hole in the Milky Way.
Mark D. Golsky et al. (CC by 4.0)
Researchers have confirmed that hot winds are emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of the Galaxy for the first time.
In contrast to many other supermassive black holes throughout the universe, Sagittarius A* (SGR A*) remains relatively subdued. Unlike its more active counterparts that emit vast jets, SGR A* does not produce such striking displays. While many supermassive black holes create winds, which are streams of hot gas that originate near the event horizon, these have never been definitively observed around SGR A*, despite theoretical predictions dating back to the 1970s.
Mark Golsky and Elena Marchikova from Northwestern University, Illinois, utilized the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to conduct a more detailed study of the cold gas in the innermost region of the Circumnuclear Disk (CND). Their observations revealed an unexpectedly large volume of cold gas and a distinct cone that penetrates through the hot gas.
“To find such a significant amount of cold gas so close to the black hole was surprising,” says Golsky. “Conventional understanding suggested it was unlikely to be there, which is why we hadn’t previously searched for it. When I shared this image, my colleague remarked, ‘We need to investigate this further, as it’s been a puzzle for over 50 years.’”
Golsky and Marchikova’s five years of observations provided a detailed analysis of the innermost part of the CND, mapping cold gases within a vicinity of SGR A* 100 times previous measurements. By simulating and subtracting the bright variability of SGR A*, they could isolate the dim light from the cold gas.
This approach revealed a pronounced cone region nearly devoid of cold gas, and when they overlaid X-ray emissions (produced by the hot gas), a striking correlation emerged. The energy required to propel the hot gas through this cone approximates that of 25,000 suns—far too substantial to originate from nearby stars or supernovae, indicating it likely derives from SGR A* itself. “The energy necessary comes directly from the black hole, confirming the presence of winds originating from it,” Golsky states.
<p>Prior observations have identified expansive gas bubbles, known as Fermi bubbles, situated above and below the galaxy. However, the possibility of these jets reforming remains uncertain. Understanding this wind phenomenon sheds light on why SGR A* shows lower activity and enhances our comprehension of black hole evolution.</p>
<p>The implications of the reduced wind activity surrounding SGR A* are exciting. If verified, findings by <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1VNwK9gAAAAJ&hl=en">Ziri Younsi</a> from University College London could offer crucial insights into the nature of the black hole, including its rotational direction. Astronomers have postulated that SGR A* spins perpendicular to the Milky Way plane, implying a need for edge-on observation. However, the inaugural image of a black hole captured by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2022 produced inconclusive data, suggesting a possible in-person orientation.</p>
<p>“The mass of Sagittarius A* is well-defined by current observations, but its tilt angle relative to us remains largely unknown,” explains Younsi. “If these findings are robust, understanding the origins of these matter flows will be genuinely fascinating, as it will provide insights into how material spirals toward the black hole, contributing to our knowledge of galactic evolution.”</p>
<section class="ArticleTopics" data-component-name="article-topics"><p class="ArticleTopics__Heading">topic:</p></section>
The caudate nucleus is one of the brain regions that gene therapy targets
Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library
Innovative gene therapy has emerged as the pioneering treatment that effectively slows the progression of Huntington’s disease. While the results are still in their early stages, this method holds significant promise and could even pave the way for new therapies for other neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
How does the treatment function?
The therapy known as AMT-130 specifically targets the abnormal brain proteins associated with Huntington’s disease progression. Those affected by the condition possess genetic mutations that result in the accumulation of huntingtin proteins, which form toxic aggregates in brain cells, leading to cell death. This eventually manifests as memory loss, mobility issues, speech impairment, and various other symptoms.
Therapies from the Dutch biopharmaceutical company Uniqure aim to halt the production of these mutant proteins. The process involves delivering genetic material to brain cells using a harmless virus. This genetic material instructs the cells to produce small RNA molecules called microRNAs that effectively block and eliminate the signals that lead to the generation of toxic proteins. It acts similarly to a molecular stop signal.
Procedures and Location of Treatment
This therapy initially focuses on two specific brain areas impacted by Huntington’s disease: the caudate nucleus and the putamen. These regions are located deep within the brain, requiring doctors to utilize real-time brain imaging to navigate thin catheters into place. The entire procedure duration ranges from 12 to 18 hours, and preliminary results suggest that a single injection may be adequate to permanently reduce levels of mutant huntingtin in the brain.
What is the efficacy of gene therapy?
Initial findings released by Uniqure indicate that gene therapy may slow the advancement of Huntington’s disease by approximately 75%.
The revelation stems from a clinical trial spearheaded by Sarah Tabrizi of University College London, where 17 Huntington patients received high-dose treatment. After three years, researchers noted the deterioration in cognitive function, motor skills, and daily activities compared to a similar group of untreated individuals. Tabrizi remarked that the decline typically observed over a year in untreated patients was instead noted within four years for those receiving treatment. BBC News. Additionally, those treated exhibited reduced levels of proteins associated with brain damage in their cerebrospinal fluid, highlighting the potential of gene therapy in slowing Huntington’s progression.
“These findings reaffirm our conviction that AMT-130 could revolutionize the treatment landscape for Huntington’s disease,” stated Walid Abi-Saad from Uniqure in a press release.
Are there any side effects?
While Uniqure has not provided comprehensive data on the side effects of the treatment, initial reports suggest that the drug appears to be safe and well-tolerated. The most frequently reported side effects included headaches and confusion, which generally resolved with steroid treatment to reduce inflammation.
When will the treatment be accessible?
In a recent press announcement, Uniqure indicated that it anticipates submitting an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration early next year, with the potential for product availability as soon as before 2027 with expedited approval.
“However, it is still in the preliminary phase, and further testing is necessary to assess the long-term effects of this new gene therapy and any potential side effects,” noted Zofia Miedzybrodzka from the University of Aberdeen, UK, in a statement.
Could this method assist in treating other brain disorders?
If successful, the gene therapy could facilitate the development of analogous treatments for various neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia, according to David Rubinsztein from Cambridge University. Researchers could manipulate genetic material to target the toxic proteins that cause these conditions. “This could represent a significant breakthrough,” he remarked.
Positioned at the core of the Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius B2 is an immense molecular cloud of gas and dust, boasting around 3 million times the mass of the sun.
The Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud, where stars, gases, and cosmic dust shimmer in near-infrared light, as captured by Webb’s Nircam instruments. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/A. GINSBURG, University of Florida/N. Budaiyev, University of Florida/T. Yu, University of Florida/A. Pagan, STSCI.
The distance from Earth to Sagittarius B2 is roughly 27,000 light years, while it sits just 390 light years from the center of the Milky Way.
This is the largest and most active star-forming cloud within our galaxy, accounting for half of the stars birthed in the central region, even though it comprises merely 10% of the material required for star formation in that area.
“Sagittarius B2 is situated just hundreds of light years away from the supermassive black hole located at the galaxy’s center, right at the heart of star formation.”
“Webb’s infrared observations can penetrate some of the dense clouds present, uncovering young stars alongside the warm dust enveloping them.”
“Examining Webb’s findings aids in unraveling the long-standing enigma surrounding the star formation process and why Sagittarius B2 generates stars at a rate surpassing other galaxy centers.”
“Interestingly, one of the most striking elements of Webb’s imagery of Sagittarius B2 is the regions that remain dark.”
“These seemingly vacant areas of space are so tightly packed with gas and dust that even Webb cannot detect them.”
“These dense clouds are the progenitors of future stars and are too young to emit light themselves.”
Webb’s Miri (medium-infrared device) displays the Sagittarius B2 region in medium-red light, revealing bright warm dust. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/A. GINSBURG, University of Florida/N. Budaiyev, University of Florida/T. Yu, University of Florida/A. Pagan, STSCI.
With the high resolution and sensitivity of Webb’s Miri (mid-infrared device), this area has been uncovered in remarkable detail, showcasing luminous cosmic dust heated by a massive, young star.
The red area labeled Sagittarius B2 North (located to the right in these Webb images) is among the most molecularly abundant regions known, yet astronomers have never observed it with such clarity before.
The differentiation lies in the longer wavelengths produced, even within the infrared spectrum, and the contrast between images from Webb’s Miri and Nircam (near-infrared camera) makes it evident.
“The luminous gas and dust emerge dramatically in mid-red light, though everything except for the brightest stars vanishes from sight,” the astronomer noted.
“In contrast to Miri, vibrant stars take center stage in Webb’s Nircam images.”
“Further investigations into these stars will yield insights into their masses and ages, aiding astronomers in comprehending the intricacies of star formation within this dense, dynamic galactic core.”
“Has this activity persisted for millions of years? Or has an unknown process triggered it recently?”
“We anticipate that Webb will illuminate the reasons behind the disproportionate star formation centered around galaxies.”
“While there are ample gaseous components in this area, overall productivity is not on par with that of Sagittarius B2.”
“Sagittarius B2 contains only 10% of the galaxy-centric gas but is responsible for 50% of the stars.”
Painted alongside scientist Manel Esterer, Maria Blagnas Morela contributed to research aimed at uncovering her secrets of longevity
Manel Esterler
From January 17, 2023, to August 19, 2024, Maria Blañas Morera from Spain was formally recognized as the oldest person in the world until her passing at the age of 117 years and 168 days. To investigate the secrets behind her remarkable longevity, a team of researchers explored her genetics, microbiome, and lifestyle.
When Morera was 116, the researchers gathered samples of her blood, saliva, and stool for genetic analysis. “Her genome was exceptional, enriched with variants known to extend lifespans in other species such as dogs, worms, and flies,” noted team member Manel Esterler at the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain.
Showing no signs of dementia, Morera also possessed numerous genetic variants that helped maintain low blood lipid levels, protecting her heart and cognitive functions, according to Esteller. “Simultaneously, she lacked genetic mutations linked to conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or metabolic disorders.”
The researchers discovered that her lipid metabolism was one of the most efficient recorded. “Her lipid profile was remarkable, with very low cholesterol,” Esterer mentioned. “This efficiency was tied to her modest diet and genetic traits that enabled the rapid metabolism of damaged molecules.”
Esteller noted that Morela abstained from alcohol and smoking and adhered to a Mediterranean diet comprising vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil, along with three servings of sugar-free yogurt daily.
Further assessments indicated that Morela maintained a robust immune system typically seen in younger individuals, alongside a gut microbiota characteristic of much younger people.
One of the most “astonishing” findings was a high concentration of Actinobacteriota bacteria in her gut, including well-known probiotics like Bifidobacteria. This abundance typically declines with age but tends to increase among centenarians and supercentenarians, offering various anti-aging benefits, such as reducing inflammation.
The researchers believe that her yogurt intake may have continually replenished her levels of Bifidobacteria. “This may suggest that dietary interventions can be linked to prolonged lifespan by influencing gut microbiota, along with preventing obesity and other health issues,” Esterer added.
Lastly, scientists examined whether there was a significant difference between Morela’s biological age and her chronological age by constructing an epigenetic clock based on her DNA methylation. This process involves adding or removing chemical tags that regulate gene expression. “Her biological age appeared 23 years younger than her actual age, contributing significantly to her longevity,” remarked Esterer.
Previous studies indicate that supercentenarians may carry genetic mutations associated with various medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular issues. Nevertheless, they somehow manage to overcome these obstacles and attain extraordinary lifespans. “There are limited studies on supercentenarians, and many only focus on one aspect, like microbiomes,” explained Esteller. “Our research demonstrates that overcoming such maladies is a blend of advantageous genetics and other elements, including beneficial gut microbiota, delayed biological aging indicated by a youthful epigenome, and lifestyle factors such as avoiding smoking, alcohol, and maintaining a low-fat diet.”
Richard Farragher from the University of Brighton in the UK acknowledged that the study highlights the plethora of assessments available to longevity researchers, cautioning that a case study of one individual could risk being perceived as a scientific “So-So Story.”
He explains that there are two key reasons behind the survival of extremely long-lived individuals: “First, there’s something extraordinary about them, perhaps genetically, and second, survival biases due to their fortunate circumstances,” said Farragher.
If luck plays a role, he asserts that to substantiate her longevity, Morela belonged to a family with a history of long lifespans that wasn’t documented in the study.
Quantum computers can be developed using arrays of atoms
Alamy Stock Vector
Devices boasting over 6000 qubits are setting new records and represent the initial phase of constructing the largest quantum computer ever.
At present, there isn’t a universally accepted design for creating quantum computers. However, researchers assert that these machines need to incorporate at least tens of thousands of qubits to be truly functional. The current record holder is a quantum computer utilizing 1180 qubits, with Hannah Manetsch from the California Institute of Technology and her team endeavoring to build a 6100 qubit system.
These qubits are made from neutral cesium atoms that are chilled to near absolute zero and manipulated using a laser beam, all arranged neatly on a grid. According to Manetsch, they have fine-tuned the properties of these qubits to enhance their suitability for calculations, although they have yet to carry them out.
For instance, they modify the laser’s frequency and power to help the fragile qubits maintain their quantum state, thus ensuring the grid’s stability for more precise calculations and extended runtimes of the quantum machine. The research team also assessed how efficiently the lasers could shift qubits around within the array, as noted by Ellie Bataille at the California Institute of Technology.
“This is a remarkable demonstration of the straightforward scaling potential that neutral atoms present,” he remarks. Ben Bloom from Atom Computing also employs neutral atoms in their technologies.
Mark Suffman from the University of Wisconsin-Madison emphasizes that new experiments are vital, providing proof that neutral atomic quantum computers can achieve significant sizes. However, further experimental validation is necessary before considering these setups as fully developed quantum computers.
Research teams are currently investigating optimal methods for enabling qubits to perform calculations while employing error-reduction strategies, mentions Kon Leung at the California Institute of Technology. Ultimately, they envision scaling their systems to 1 million qubits over the next decade, he states.
w
Road trips are a quintessential American getaway, allowing you to visit family across states, escape to the mountains for a picturesque autumn weekend, and enjoy an extraordinary journey that may last weeks. While it’s possible to hit the road with just a driver’s license and a water bottle, incorporating some practical gadgets and supplies can lead to a much smoother experience.
Having lived in a camper van while traversing North America, I’ve continually taken numerous trips each year, giving me plenty of time to test the best road trip gear. From entertainment options like podcasts and games to utilities such as portable power banks and pet accessories, we’ll introduce essential items that will make your next excursion the best adventure yet.
All prices are current as of publication.
Portable Power Bank
Photo: John Bittner/Guardian
Anker Laptop Power Bank
$119.99 on Anker
$119.99 on Amazon
I travel with a variety of electronic devices (many of which are work-related), so I’m always conscious of their remaining battery life. Although most modern cars come with USB ports, they often lack the power needed for larger gadgets like laptops. Some hotels may have malfunctioning or inaccessible outlets, and most campsites traditionally don’t have any.
Pack the Anker Laptop Power Bank for reliable power on the go; it features two built-in USB-C cables for fast laptop charging and a port for other devices, with enough capacity to recharge your iPhone about four times.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
If you’ve embarked on a long drive, you know how listening to music can soon become monotonous. A great way to break up the routine is by mixing in podcasts and audiobooks. Audible provides an excellent selection, offering access to thousands of audiobooks for $7.95 per month. Furthermore, if you’re already subscribed to Spotify Premium, you may not realize you are entitled to 15 hours of audiobooks each month, including Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell.
For free options, check out the Libby app, which allows access to free audiobooks from your local library. And, naturally, most podcasts are free; some popular choices include Serial and S-Town.
Travel-sized Board Games
Photo: John Bittner/Guardian
GoCube Edge 3×3 Speed Cube
$49.95 on Amazon
$69.95 for retail
If you’re traveling with friends, small travel board games and puzzles can significantly reduce the time spent on the road. Many of my favorite games come in compact travel editions such as Catan, Chess, and Checkers. On your journey, your travel partners can play and save the big game night for your arrival.
Looking for something more engaging? Consider the GoCube Edge, a Rubik’s Cube that connects to your smartphone, offering tutorials to help you solve its colorful challenges.
Don’t forget to pack your pup’s poop bags for bathroom breaks along with dog food, medication, a foldable water bowl to save space, and a protective seat cover if your furry friend has sharp claws or sheds. Consider an affordable and durable standard active pet car hammock; it’s practical and fits most vehicles.
It’s common sense, yet many overlook regularly checking and restocking their first aid kits after use. Some even forget to bring one along! Keeping a stocked first aid kit in your car is essential for road trips, particularly with painkillers, band-aids, allergy meds, and antiseptics. It’s never fun to injure yourself only to realize there’s no bandage available, especially when the closest convenience store is hours away.
Cooler
Photo: John Bittner/Guardian
RTIC Road Trip Cooler
$99 on RTIC
$105 at Walmart
It’s astounding how fast food and drink costs escalate on the road—just a Big Mac can surpass $7. Prices soar as you approach the highway, making packing a cooler a smart strategy to avoid these inflated costs. I’ve been using the Moose Jaw Chiradilla, which is no longer available. Its robust build doesn’t just keep your fruit, sparkling water, and sandwiches safe; you can also place it on a short hike without worrying about damage.
While the Chiradilla is no longer on the market, the RTIC 16-Quart road trip cooler features a similar durable design. For ease of travel in a packed vehicle, the RTIC cooler is ideal. Alternatively, Rei Trailgate cooler is a popular soft-sided choice. While we can’t guarantee all these options, check them out as you consider an upgrade.
In addition to my laptop, I always like to have another entertainment source handy, usually my 10.3″ e-reader tablet. This slim device not only provides access to hundreds of books, but also enables note-taking and drawing, while handling word and PDF files. With its multifunctionality, it’s easy to justify bringing it along on any trip, especially since it’s portable.
For films and games, a simple iPad can be an excellent choice. Available in four variations, the basic iPad comes with an 11-inch screen, ample power, and a reasonable price of $349, ensuring you can enjoy a full day of battery life.
Headphones
Photo: John Bittner/Guardian
Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones
$198 at Walmart
$228 on Amazon
While you shouldn’t use headphones while driving, they can be great for passengers to enjoy their favorite tunes. It’s wise to invest in a set with superb noise cancellation to block out the car radio and nearby chatter. I use the Sony WH-1000XM4, which delivers fantastic noise cancellation and impressive audio quality. For even more advanced features, consider the Sony WH-1000XM6.
Sony WH1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Jon Bitner is a travel, outdoor, and tech writer for platforms like GameSpot, Digital Trends, and Islands. An avid hiker, he enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains from his home in Boulder, Colorado.
Can plants count from 1 to 10 using their root tendrils? No. However, researchers have discovered that some plants possess the fascinating ability to detect insect intruders and monitor their own food supply, allowing them to perform basic counting and mathematics.
Take, for instance, Venus flytraps, which are renowned for snapping shut when they detect movement from an insect or other triggers. Interestingly, this is only activated if the object moves twice within a time frame of approximately 15-20 seconds.
These movements are captured by delicate “trigger” hairs on the leaves, which convert the sensory input into electrical signals that travel through the plant as waves of charged atoms (ions). The leaves then close upon receiving two triggering electrical signals.
Additionally, a group of international scientists noted in a 2016 exhibition that Venus flytraps can tally multiple counts before reacting.
They wait to receive a minimum of three electrical signals before producing the necessary enzymes to digest their prey, potentially to avoid wasting energy on false alarms.
Even prior to this finding, scientists had proposed that the mustard plant (Arabidopsis), a common research subject, exhibits behaviors akin to division.
During daylight hours, plants harness sunlight to accumulate food stores (starches) through photosynthesis.
To sustain themselves overnight, they must establish a balanced starch consumption rate (starch divided by time) by gauging the starch stored in their leaves alongside their circadian rhythms.
Experts caution against labeling these unique counting abilities as “intelligent” or indicative of a primitive brain structure; instead, they are vital survival mechanisms that demonstrate remarkable sophistication.
This article answers a query posed by Llewi Evans from Monmouthshire.
Feel free to send your questions via emailQuestion @sciencefocus.com or MessageFacebook,Twitter, or InstagramPage (please include your name and location).
Explore our ultimateFun factsand more incredible science content.
fA few years back, during a time when we sought refuge from the chaos of the outside world, “Hades” by Supergiant Games provided a welcome distraction. Zagreus, the underworld’s rebellious son, attempted to escape his prison while the rest of us remained confined at home. There was no shame in its alluring charm, and it embraced its sensuality without reservation. The character designs by artist Jen Zi showcased Olympian perfection, and winning the favor of these irresistibly charismatic Greek gods was essential for thriving in this realm. It was a tale filled with apologies.
Alongside this, a series of challenges awaited. In “Hades II,” composer Darren Korb delivers a powerful and dramatic score to underscore the climactic stages of Olympus. This level of operatic grandeur surpasses anything from the original game. Zee’s new character illustration (including one wearing a leopard skin pouch) may even inspire further fan art and fan fiction. The brilliant script by writer Greg Casabin is wittier, smarter, and more layered than ever before.
Revenge is sweet, but this time, you are not playing as Zagreus; instead, you take on the role of his sister, Merinoe, at a crucial juncture. Rather than being trapped in a motel, she calls a haunted forest home, guided by the spectral shade and her mentor Hecate. While it may be dim and dreary, unlike Zagreus, she does not seek escape. Instead, she faces nightly adventures. Supergiant invites us to reclaim our time as we dive into the same struggles we faced five years ago, navigating two frontlines of intense battles—from the depths below to the heights of Mount Olympus.
Hardships and troubles… Hades II. Photo: Super Giant Game
Preparing to face Hecate in your first attempt may be a challenge—your showdown with the “Head Mistress” is merely the initial test of your combat abilities. However, the allure of run-based games like “Hades II” lies in the opportunity for improvement each night presents. Every failure offers lessons, and with each attempt, you gain some measure of progress. Emphasizing its occult theme, you will gather materials to throw into a cauldron during quests, enhancing your spells and boosting your odds of survival.
The game also draws inspiration from another pandemic hit. Animals that cross your path can sense resources and assist you in battle. The pale raven Raki surprises both rocks and foes, while the faithful hound Hecuba can distract enemies while unearthing recovery items. Personally, I found Wildcat Toula hard to overlook; she charges at nearby opponents with her claws—when she feels like it. Plus, she grants you a single chance to evade death during each run. With nine lives, she can afford to be daring.
To defeat Cronos, we will require the help of these newfound allies along with other forms of essential support. Encounters are as intense as you might expect, and it takes time to get accustomed to Merino’s captivating weapons. Interestingly, even if you wield the witch staff like a spear, combat feels intimately magical. The dark cloak allows you to send enemies into the ether and serves as a magical jetpack. As challenging as “Hades II” may become, you are afforded more avenues than ever before to tip the scales in your favor. Conversely, you can make the slopes of Olympus even steeper: nightmare boss fight variations demand mastery of the game’s delectable yet perilous risk-reward mechanics.
One of the delights of “Hades II” lies in its exploration of an internal conflict within a Dysfunctional Extended Family. But this is merely a setup for the resolved conflict. Not every character seems aware of the stakes: Scylla, the frontwoman of the Pop-Punk Trio of Sirens, cheerfully sings I will captivate you and make you my own deep down in Oceanus. Nonetheless, even amidst chaos, the fickle nemesis of your power suit could sporadically challenge you before blocking potential exits, but you can overcome them with the gifts of Nectar or Ambrosia. The conclusion of the game makes it abundantly clear: the fight against oppression’s power requires every ounce of our collective strength, no matter how insignificant we may feel. Regardless of our stance, true resistance arises from solidarity.
eSince my journey began in 1988, the annual Game Developer Conference (GDC) has taken place in California each year. It started modestly as a cozy gathering in the living room of Atari designer Chris Roford, hosting just 27 attendees. By the mid-90s, the event outgrew Chris’ home and expanded to over 4,000 participants. In 2005, it found a permanent venue at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Nowadays, nearly 30,000 game development professionals attend annually. The GDC Vault online is a valuable resource, offering insights into the history of game development and practical tips across gaming disciplines.
However, GDC has faced challenges in recent years. Rising costs have become a significant barrier for developers, with conference passes exceeding $1,500, and expenses for travel and accommodation in one of the world’s most expensive cities can quickly escalate to between $5,000 and $10,000—even for small hotel rooms.
Additionally, following Trump’s re-election, many members of the global video game development community have expressed reluctance to visit the United States. The atmosphere at the conference has been dampened by the loss of funding throughout the gaming industry, alongside the pressures brought on by AI developments and ongoing layoffs. If securing funding for games is challenging, why should professionals spend thousands on travel for meetings with thousands?
As Jon Ingold, founder of UK Studio Inkle, remarks, “GDC, as an industry networking event, currently lacks financial viability and job opportunities. The United States feels like an inhospitable environment.”
This may be a reason behind the event’s recent rebranding. It was announced on Monday that the Game Developers Conference will now be known as the Festival of Gaming: GDC, promising a “week of opportunity” linked to a comprehensive B2B game ecosystem in a vision presentation. The key takeaway appears to be that obtaining a pass will be more accessible, with events being hosted not only at the Moscone Center but also across the city.
Calling California… Within GDC: Game Festival.
Unfortunately, this rebranding has not addressed long-standing worries among developers—that the conference is not accessible enough, and that San Francisco (or the U.S. at large) is an unsuitable venue for global gaming events. “Despite clear evidence from the COVID era that GDC could have integrated digital access, the exorbitant ticket prices reflect [organizer] Informa’s focus on profits rather than accessibility,” says independent game developer Rami Ismail, who has advocated for the global developer community on GDC’s issues.
Even when a visa is obtained, safety concerns regarding firearms, crime, and healthcare expenses linger. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s right-leaning populism has rendered the U.S. unwelcoming for many.
This concern is valid. Visitors to the U.S. face risks of deportation and even detention since Trump’s reelection. Many choose to carry burner phones and clean their social media profiles, with numerous European developers and journalists, myself included, feeling hesitant about traveling to the U.S. under the current administration. For individuals coming from Arabic or South American countries, these fears are intensified.
A consensus seems to be forming within the global game development workforce: the U.S. no longer serves as a crucial industry hub. While San Francisco remains home to top companies and studios, many feel the city has lost its creative spirit, hollowed out by the relentless pursuit of Silicon Valley’s interests.
There are viable alternatives. Canadian tax incentives make it an attractive destination for game development, and the current government is welcoming to foreigners. From Brighton in the UK to Game Connect in Australia, various regions host local developer gatherings. Events like Gamescom in Cologne, along with an increasing number of developer-centric events around the world, underscore this shifting landscape. While the GDC organizers cannot control U.S. policy, maintaining relevance as a professional game nexus will require more than a rebrand.
What to Play
Unpleasant and funny… consumes me. Photo: Jenny Jiao Hsia
The video game landscape continues to expand with exciting choices. Hades II, a visually stunning and challenging action game developed by Supergiant, is eagerly anticipated. Meanwhile, the horror reboot Silent Hill F has garnered positive feedback from many critics.
I am currently immersed in Consuming Me, an entertaining and occasionally uncomfortable game by developer Jenny Jiao Hsia about navigating high school amidst the pervasive diet culture of the 2000s. It features a quirky mini-game where players must focus on class and manage walking their dog while dealing with awkward conversations about weight with their parents.
This topic can be triggering for many, as it evokes painful memories of the 2000s’ beauty standards for women. If you’ve ever wrestled with disordered eating (or know someone who has), finding enjoyment might be challenging. However, the game addresses sensitive issues with humor, empathy, and plenty of satirical jabs, making the discomfort worth exploring.
Stardew Valley-style sim… Palpharm from Palworld. Photo: PocketPair
The developers behind last year’s hit, Palworld, are currently entangled in legal disputes with Pokémon companies over similarities to their creature-collecting games. They’ve announced a new game: Palpharm, which fuses adorable creatures with Stardew Valley-like gameplay.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed video game memoirs from TV comedy writer Mike Drucker. His latest release, Good Game, No Rematches, is now available in the UK. It offers a fascinating perspective on growing up with Nintendo across the Atlantic during the NES era, detailing how a young gamer turned into a game writer.
For years, our game correspondent Keith Stuart has tackled the question: Why do some people choose to invert the controls? His 2020 article on the subject prompted scientists to delve into the matter, and they have finally determined that it relates to how our brains perceive 3D space.
Question Block
Words of wisdom…The Legend of Zelda. Photo: Nintendo
Following up on last week’s discussion about video game dialogue, reader William asks:
“I believe there are quotes from various video games that serve as life advice. Two of my favorite quotes are: ‘When the time comes, just act’ (Wolf O’Donnell, Star Fox Assault) and ‘Anyone who is stubborn enough can survive. Anger is an anesthetic hell’ (Zaeed Massani, Mass Effect 2). What video game wisdom resonates with you?”
This may be a contentious viewpoint, but I often find that video game quotes are profound by coincidence. The most memorable lines frequently emerge from translation quirks and voice acting inconsistencies (“I used to be an adventurer…but I took an arrow in the knee,” “Your bass is all ours,” “Jill, Master of Rocking”). They stick with us not necessarily for their deep meaning, but for their absurdity.
That said, the phrase “It’s dangerous to go alone” from the original Legend of Zelda somehow strikes me as genuinely supportive, while “The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world” also comes to mind.
I invite readers to share: Are there any video game quotes that genuinely carry significance for you?
If you have a lingering question or want to include your favorite game quotes in the newsletter, please reply to this or email us at buttons@theguardian.com.
Is it a China-owned TikTok, or is it managed by a consortium of billionaires backed by Trump?
This is the question Australia is being prompted to contemplate.
The Trump administration stated that the agreement proposed by TikTok to continue its U.S. operations would involve Americans, transferring control to a U.S. firm with seven board members. Donald Trump has indicated that a group of U.S. companies, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison and Fox Corporation’s Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, are part of this deal.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese entity ByteDance. In 2024, the U.S. Congress enacted a law to prohibit social media apps unless sold to a U.S. company, citing privacy and national security issues. The Trump administration has repeatedly extended this ban while negotiations continue between the U.S. and China.
According to White House press secretary Karolyn Leavitt, TikTok’s own algorithm will be “managed by the U.S.”
Liberal Senator James Patterson commented that Australia should transition to the U.S. version of the app as the deal advances.
“If there were a safe version of TikTok in the U.S., it would be unfortunate for the Australian version to remain under the control of foreign authoritarian governments,” he remarked to Murdoch. Sky News.
Tom Sulston, policy director for Digital Rights Watch, highlighted that the issue lies not in ownership, but rather in pervasive user surveillance, describing the transition to U.S. control of TikTok as “puzzling.”
“Ownership isn’t the main concern. The issue is the continuous invasive monitoring of users. U.S.-owned TikTok users do not enjoy greater privacy than those using the Chinese version, as there is a lack of effective regulation of social media firms,” he stated.
“TikTok users remain under extensive surveillance while online, which is utilized for profiling by both them and the National Information Services.”
Sky Predabeck, a fellow at the Australian Institute; emphasized the need for a Royal Commission and expressed her concerns about TikTok’s influence on media representation and public discourse.
“If the Murdochs own TikTok, this would give a new level of power over media, especially since TikTok plays a crucial role in public discussions and elections,” she explained.
Sulston argued that TikTok’s algorithm would likely remain just as opaque under U.S. control, as Meta and other platforms utilize their algorithms with almost no transparency.
“These companies depend on secret algorithms that exploit industrial-level surveillance of users to suggest content and advertisements.”
Dr. Dana McKay, Associate Dean of Interaction, Technology and Information at RMIT University, proposed that Australia should develop its own local version of TikTok for better data and security management.
However, McKay cautioned that ownership changes might lead to an app version that fails to meet user expectations. The core appeal of TikTok is its algorithm, and there is uncertainty about whether the data used for recommendations would be transferred to the U.S. during the transaction.
“Currently, Oracle is in the process of reconstructing the algorithm, but there may be a significant drop in user experience until sufficient data is gathered on viewing habits,” McKay added. “This could take days or weeks, depending on how much data the existing algorithm relies on.”
Will this deter users or drive them to another application? Sulston referenced News Corp’s previous unsuccessful venture into social media with MySpace.
In 2005, News Corp invested USD 580 million during a boom in online social networking. MySpace was valued at USD 12 billion at its peak, but then Facebook emerged, offering better navigation and features.
By June 2008, Australians were visiting Facebook more than MySpace, a trend that didn’t occur in the U.S. until 2009.
Frustrated, Rupert Murdoch sold MySpace in 2011 for USD 35 million.
“News Corp sold MySpace for significantly less than its original purchase of around USD 5 billion. Perhaps this will be another misstep,” Sulston noted.
The federal government maintains its stance on TikTok, which is banned on government devices, and indicates ongoing oversight of U.S. developments during the transaction process.
Both News Corp and TikTok were approached for comment.
Aides to the Senior Minister stated that AI firms would not be required to compensate creators for using their content to train their systems.
Kirsty Innes, recently appointed as special advisor to Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, remarked, “Philosophically, whether you believe large companies should compensate content creators or not, there is no legal obligation to do so.”
The government is currently engaged in discussions regarding how creatives should be compensated by AI companies. This has prompted well-known British artists, including Mick Jagger, Kate Bush, and Paul McCartney, to urge Kiel’s predecessors to advocate for the rights of creators and safeguard their work.
Innes, who previously worked with the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) Think Tank, has since deleted her statement. In a post on X from February—before her ministerial appointment—she commented:
Additionally, she stated:
The TBI received donations amounting to $270 million (£220 million) last year from Oracle Tech billionaire Larry Ellison. Oracle is backing the $600 million Stargate project aimed at developing AI infrastructure in the U.S. with OpenAI and the Japanese investment firm SoftBank.
Since Labour initiated consultations on copyright law reform, tensions have arisen with the UK creative community. The suggested approach to allow AI companies to utilize copyrighted works without permission from their owners indicates a desire to circumvent the process.
Some content creators, such as The Guardian and The Financial Times, have entered agreements with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, to license and monetize their content for use in the San Francisco startup.
The government now asserts that it no longer prefers requiring creatives to opt out and has assembled working groups from both the creative and AI sectors to develop solutions to the issues at hand.
Ed Newton-Rex, founder of Foally Trained—a nonprofit dedicated to respecting creative rights and certifying generative AI companies—emphasizes his advocacy for creative rights.
“I hope she takes this into account with her advisor. This perspective aligns more closely with public sentiment, which is rightly concerned about the implications of AI and the influence of large technology firms.”
He noted that Kendall’s appointment presents an opportunity to redefine a relationship that has become increasingly complicated between the creative industry and the dominance of big technology companies. This move appears to reflect the demands from Big AI firms for copyright reform without the obligation to compensate creators.
Both Innes and Kendall chose not to comment.
Beevan Kidron, a crossbench peer who has rallied against the loosening of copyright laws, stated, “Last week, Creative sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to clearly define the rights of individuals in their scientific and creative endeavors, especially in terms of the unintended consequences of government policies that overlook British citizenship.”
In March 2021, a 25-year-old American citizen arrived at Chicago’s Midway Airport and was detained by US Border Patrol agents. According to a recent report, the individual underwent a cheek swab for DNA collection. This person was later identified by state authorities, and their DNA was entered into the FBI’s genetic database, all without any criminal charges being filed.
This 25-year-old is among roughly 2,000 US citizens whose DNA was gathered and forwarded to the FBI by the Department of Homeland Security between 2020 and 2024, as reported by Georgetown’s Privacy and Technology Center. The report highlights that even some 14-year-old US citizens had their DNA collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.
“We have witnessed a significant breach of privacy,” stated Stevie Gloverson, director of research and advocacy at Georgetown’s Privacy Center. “We contend that the absence of oversight on DHS’s collection powers renders this program unconstitutional and a violation of the Fourth Amendment.”
When immigration officials collect DNA to share it with the FBI, it is stored in the Combined DNA Index System (Codis), which is utilized nationwide by various law enforcement agencies to identify crime suspects. A 2024 report also revealed that CBP collects DNA data from the Privacy and Technology Center in Georgetown. Additionally, the data indicates that DNA was collected and shared from immigrant children, with initial estimates suggesting that approximately 133,000 teens and children have had their sensitive genetic information uploaded to this federal criminal database for permanent retention.
The recent CBP document specifically outlines the number of US citizens from whom genetic samples were collected at various entry points, including significant airports. The agency gathered data on the ages of individuals whose DNA was obtained by border agents as well as any charges associated with them. Like the 25-year-old, around 40 US citizens had their DNA collected and forwarded to the FBI, including six minors.
Under current regulations, CBP is authorized to gather DNA from all individuals, regardless of citizenship status or criminal background.
However, the law does not permit Border Patrol agents to collect DNA samples from US citizens merely for being detained. Yet, recent disclosures indicate that CBP lacks a system to verify whether there is a legal basis for collecting personal DNA.
In some atypical instances, US citizens had DNA collected for minor infractions like “failure to declare” items. In at least two documented cases, citizens were subjected to DNA swabbing, with CBP agents merely noting the accusation as “immigration officer testing.”
“This is data from CBP’s own management,” Gloverson pointed out. “What the documentation reveals is alarming. Afterward, CBP agents are isolating US citizens and swabbing their mouths without justification.”
No formal federal charges have been filed in approximately 865 of the roughly 2,000 cases of US citizens whose DNA was collected by CBP, indicating, according to Gloverson, that no legal cases have been presented before an independent authority, such as a judge.
“Many of these individuals do not go before a judge to assess the legality of their detention and arrest,” she remarked.
DNA records can disclose highly sensitive information, such as genetic relationships and lineage, regardless of an individual’s citizenship status. Information found in the criminal database, utilized for criminal investigations, could subject individuals to scrutiny that may not otherwise occur, Gloverson warned.
“If you believe your citizenship guards you against authoritarian measures, this situation is clear evidence that it does not,” she concluded.
Hybridization among these species is notable within vertebrate groups. Such occurrences typically take place between recently diverged populations, with the most recent common ancestors of the Blue (Cyanocitta cristata) and Green (Cyanocorax yncas) Jays estimated to have existed at least 7 million years ago.
A hybrid of a man with a green Jay’s mother and a blue Jay’s father. Image credit: Brian R. Stokes.
“We’ve been working hard to engage with the community,” stated Brian Stokes, a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.
“While historical instances of vertebrate hybrids have often been linked to human influences—like the introduction of invasive species and recent range expansions—this particular case seems to have emerged due to climate shifts prompting the overlap of both parent species.”
During the 1950s, Green Jays, a tropical bird native to Central America, were limited to areas from Mexico to southern Texas, while Blue Jays, a temperate species found in the eastern U.S., extended westward to Houston, with minimal interaction between them.
However, their ranges have since converged around San Antonio as Green Jays migrated north and Blue Jays spread westward.
Stokes, who is focused on researching Green Jays in Texas as part of his PhD, actively monitors various social media platforms where birdwatchers share photos of sightings. This was one of several methods he utilized to capture birds, take genetic blood samples, and then release them back into their natural habitats.
One day, he spotted a rough image of an unusual blue bird featuring a black mask and white chest shared by a woman in the suburbs northeast of San Antonio. Although resembling a Blue Jay, it was distinctly different. The backyard birder welcomed Stokes for an in-person sighting.
“On our first attempt to capture it, the bird was quite elusive,” Stokes recounted.
“But the second day proved to be much more fortunate.”
Using a mist net—a long rectangular mesh of black nylon thread stretched between two poles, almost invisible to birds in flight—Stokes was able to successfully catch the bird on the second day after previously capturing and releasing dozens of others.
He quickly took a blood sample from this peculiar bird, allowing him to facilitate future research.
Interestingly, the bird vanished for several years, reappearing in the woman’s garden in June 2025. The reason for its return remains a mystery.
“I can’t explain it, but it felt like pure chance,” Stokes commented.
“Had it been two houses down, it likely wouldn’t have been reported at all.”
Investigations revealed that the bird is a hybrid descendant of a male Green Jay and a female Blue Jay.
It closely resembles other hybrids produced through researcher crossbreeding of Green and Blue Jays in the 1970s.
“Hybridization is likely far more prevalent in nature than researchers recognize, as we often miss these events happening,” Stokes expressed.
“Furthermore, in many species, physical barriers may prevent interactions that could lead to mating because we’re not actively observing.”
The team’s publication appears in the journal Ecology and Evolution.
____
Brian R. Stokes and Timothy H. Keat. 2025. Intergenerational hybrids between historically isolated temperate and tropical Jays after recent expansion of the scope. Ecology and Evolution 15(9): E72148; doi: 10.1002/ECE3.72148
Ice at 10 degrees Celsius releases iron from more abundant minerals compared to liquid water at 4 degrees Celsius, according to researchers from Umeå University, Chimiques de Rennes, and CNRS. This discovery sheds light on why many Arctic rivers are taking on a rusty orange hue as permafrost begins to thaw in warmer climates.
Schematic diagram of the iron mineral dissolution reaction of ice. Image credit: Sebaaly et al. , doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122.
“It may seem counterintuitive, but ice is not merely a static frozen mass,” stated Professor Jean François Boyley from Umeå University.
“Frozen states create microscopic pockets of liquid water between ice crystals.”
“These pockets function like chemical reactors, where compounds become concentrated and highly acidic.”
“This implies that even at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius, they can engage with iron minerals.”
To investigate this phenomenon, Professor Boyley and his team examined goethite, a diverse array of iron oxide minerals, along with naturally occurring organic acids.
Through advanced microscopy and a series of experiments, they found that repeated freeze-thaw cycles enhance iron dissolution significantly.
When ice undergoes freezing and thawing, it releases organic compounds that were previously trapped, fostering additional chemical reactions.
Salt concentration also plays a critical role; fresh brackish waters promote iron dissolution, whereas seawater inhibits it.
The outcomes of this research are particularly relevant in acidic environments like mine drainage sites, frozen atmospheric dust, acid sulfate soils along the Baltic coast, or acidic freezing locales where iron minerals interact with organic matter.
“As global temperatures rise, the freeze-thaw cycles are becoming more frequent,” remarked Angelo Pio Severly, a doctoral candidate at Umeå University.
“Each cycle liberates iron from the soil and permafrost into the water, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems over vast areas.”
“These findings emphasize that ice is an active participant, rather than a passive medium for storage.”
“It is crucial to recognize the growing impact of freeze and thaw processes in polar and mountainous regions on ecosystems and elemental cycling.”
The research team’s paper was published on August 26, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
____
Angelo P. Severly et al. 2025. Ice as a kinetic and mechanical driver for iron oxide dissolution of oxalate oxide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122 (35): E2507588122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122
Paleontologists have discovered a new species of extinct crocodile-like creature from fossilized remains found in southwest Montana, USA.
Impressions of the artist Thikarisuchus Xenodentes. Image credits: Dane Johnson/Rockies Museum.
The newly identified species existed at the edge of the ancient western inland sea around 95 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period.
It has been named Thikarisuchus Xenodentes, a type of neostian.
“Measurements indicate it was less than 60 cm (2 feet) from nose to tail tip,” stated David Barilisio, a professor at Montana State University. “If it had grown fully, it could have reached about 90 cm (3 feet) or more, but still much smaller than most members of the Neosuchia clade to which it belongs.”
“This clade includes modern crocodiles and their closest extinct relatives, most of which are semi-aquatic or marine carnivorous animals with simple cone-shaped teeth.”
In contrast, Thikarisuchus Xenodentes likely lived on land and possibly fed on plants, insects, and small animals, possessing a variety of tooth shapes.
“Its unique anatomy indicates it is part of a newly identified family of crocodile-like creatures endemic to the Cretaceous in North America.”
The fossilized remains of Thikarisuchus Xenodentes—including its limbs, vertebrae, jaw, and a skull measuring 50 mm—were discovered in the US Forest Service Black Reef Formation near Dillon, Montana, in the summer of 2021.
“We previously found dinosaurs in the Black Reef Formation, making this the second known vertebrate species discovered in this layer,” remarked Harrison Allen, a doctoral student at Stony Brook University.
Paleontologists found the bones of Thikarisuchus Xenodentes in a densely packed arrangement consistent with the fossils of other living creatures found in the dens of the Black Reef Formation and nearby Wayan Formation in Idaho.
“This supports the idea that Thikarisuchus Xenodentes was preserved in dens and that fossils from these layers are biased toward those found in such environments,” they noted.
The specimen also suggested connections to a newly established family group, wannchampsidae, and a related group identified in Eurasia, known as the Atopasauriaceae.
Both families were small, globally adaptive, and exhibited specific skull and dental characteristics shared with more distantly related groups from the Cretaceous period in Africa and South America.
“We propose that shared environmental conditions and prey availability led to convergent evolution between these two distantly related groups during the same timeframe.
“The vast majority of alligatorid diversity belongs to the past, including fully marine crocodiles, entirely terrestrial crocodiles, herbivorous, omnivorous species, and those with unique shells.”
“This discovery surprised me and motivated my interest in this specific field of paleontology.”
A paper detailing the findings is published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
____
Harrison Allen et al. 2025. The impact of newly discovered small heterodonneostians and heterodonneostians in southwestern Montana’s Black Leaf Formation on paleoecology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in press; doi: 10.1080/02724634.025.2542185
Minerals constitute the building blocks of rocks, and the specific minerals and their chemical compositions reveal significant insights into rock formation and history. On Mars, NASA’s dedicated rover, equipped with X-ray lithochemistry (PIXL) instruments, produces geochemical maps of rock surfaces. A recent study examined over 90,000 chemical analyses collected by PIXL during its first 1,100 days on Mars, revealing that the minerals in Jezero Crater interact with various types of liquids over time. result This will be published in Journal of Geophysics: Planets.
This image from NASA’s Mars reconnaissance orbiter showcases the Jezero Crater on Mars. Image credits: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS/JHU-APL.
In this research, Eleanor Moreland, a Rice University graduate student, along with her team, utilized mineral identification through stoichiometry (MIST) algorithms to analyze PIXL data.
PIXL determines the chemical composition by bombarding Martian rocks with X-rays, yielding the most comprehensive geochemical measurements ever obtained from another planet.
“The minerals identified in Jezero Crater through MIST indicate that these volcanic rocks interacted with liquid water multiple times throughout Mars’ history, suggesting the potential for habitable conditions,” Moreland stated.
Minerals form under specific environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the chemical composition of fluids, making them reliable narrators of planetary history.
Within Jezero Crater, 24 mineral species illustrate the volcanic characteristics of the Martian surface and their interactions with water over time.
Water chemically alters rocks, producing salt or clay minerals, with the specific minerals formed depending on environmental variables.
The minerals discovered in the crater showcase three different types of liquid interactions, each indicating distinct possibilities for habitability.
The first mineral suite, featuring green arilite, hizingerite, and ferroaluminoceradonite, shows localized high-temperature acidic fluids present only in crater bedrock, interpreted as among the oldest rocks studied.
The water involved in this scenario is regarded as the most conducive to life, given that research on Earth suggests high temperatures and low pH can harm biological structures.
“These hot, acidic conditions present the toughest challenges to life,” commented Kirsten Siebach, a researcher at Rice University.
“However, on Earth, life can thrive in extreme environments such as the acidic waters of Yellowstone, so this doesn’t negate the possibility of habitability.”
The second mineral suite favors more hospitable conditions and indicates a medium neutral fluid present over larger areas.
Minerals like Minnesotaite and Clinoptilolite were detected on both the crater floor and fan area, forming at lower temperatures with neutral pH, while Clinoptilolite was restricted to the crater floor.
Lastly, the third category represents a cold alkaline liquid, considered highly habitable from a modern Earth perspective.
Sepiolite, a common mineral change on Earth, was found to form under moderate temperature and alkaline conditions, widely distributed across all units explored by the rover.
The presence of sepiolite in all these units indicates multiple episodes of liquid water contributing to habitable conditions in Jezero Crater.
“These minerals demonstrate that Jezero Crater has undergone a transition from harsher, hotter, acidic liquid conditions to more neutral and alkaline environments over time.
Given that Mars samples cannot be prepared or scanned as accurately as Earth samples, the team developed an uncertainty propagation model to enhance the findings.
Using a statistical approach, MIST repeatedly assessed mineral identification while considering potential errors, analogous to how meteorologists predict hurricane paths by utilizing numerous models.
“Error analysis enables us to assign confidence levels to all mineral identifications,” Moreland remarked.
“MIST assists not just with the scientific and decision-making processes of Mars 2020, but also establishes a mineralogical archive of Jezero Crater, which will be invaluable if samples are returned to Earth.”
The findings affirm that Jezero Crater, once home to an ancient lake, has experienced a complex, dynamic aqueous history.
Each new mineral discovery brings us closer to determining whether Mars has ever supported life, while also refining strategies for sample collection and return.
____
Eleanor L. Moreland et al. 2025. Multiple episodes of fluid changes in Jezero Crater indicated by the identification of MIST minerals in PIXL XRF data from the first 1100 SOL of the Mars 2020 mission. Journal of Geophysics: Planets 130 (9): e2024je008797; doi: 10.1029/2024je008797
A recently identified member of the Megaraptran dinosaur family has been unveiled by a collaborative effort of Argentine and US paleontologists.
Joaquinraptor Casali. Image credit: Andrew McCuffy, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
This newly discovered dinosaur species inhabited Patagonia, Argentina, during the later stages of the Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 67 million years ago.
Dubbed Joaquinraptor Casali, these ancient predators were the apex carnivores in the region.
It is a member of the Megaraputra, a lineage of large, clawed carnivorous theropod dinosaurs recognized from Cretaceous deposits across Asia, Australia, and especially South America.
“Megaraptrands were carnivorous theropods characterized by elongated skulls, large claws, and robust forelimbs found in Asia, Australia, and South America,” stated Dr. Lucio Ibilik, a paleontologist at Patagonico de Geología y Paleontología.
“Nevertheless, our comprehension of this group is limited due to the scarcity of complete fossils.”
A well-preserved, partially articulated skeleton of a single Joaquinraptor Casali specimen was uncovered in the Lago Corfue Huapi Formation, situated in the South Central Chubut province of central Patagonia, Argentina.
The specimen comprised numerous dinosaur skulls, anterior limbs, hind legs, ribs, and vertebrae.
Based on the microstructure of the bones, paleontologists propose that the specimen is an adult, albeit possibly not fully matured.
Drawing from other megaraptran remains, they estimate that Joaquinraptor Casali measured about 7 meters in length and weighed over 1,000 kg.
Evidence from sediment suggests this dinosaur thrived in a warm, humid floodplain environment.
“The discovery of bones within the fossilized remains of a crocodilian’s leg pressed against the lower jaw of Joaquinraptor Casali provides insights into its feeding habits, suggesting it may have been a primary predator in its habitat,” the researchers noted.
“However, additional studies are necessary to enhance our understanding of its behavior and ecological role.”
According to scientists, Joaquinraptor Casali and other factions of Megaraputra remained dominant predators in this area of South America, ultimately facing extinction alongside other non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.
“It seems that South American megaraptolids achieved larger body sizes (over 7 m in length) than their generally smaller counterparts in Australia (5-6 m),” they added.
“The Patagonian Megaraputrids may have continued to grow throughout their evolutionary history, possibly influenced by the extinction of Carcharodontosaurus during the late Cretaceous.”
“Furthermore, this could have permitted Megaraptorids to fill a niche as apex predators within their ecosystems.”
“Moreover, as suggested by the stratigraphy of the Maastrichtian (likely late Maastrichtian), Joaquinraptor Casali may have survived until the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, perishing alongside all other non-avian dinosaurs.”
The discovery of Joaquinraptor Casali has been detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications.
____
lm ibiricu et al. 2025. The latest Cretaceous Megaraptolid Cellopod dinosaurs shed light on the evolution and paleontology of megaraptrans. Nut commune 16, 8298; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-63793-5
The Trump administration has included a drug known as leucovorin in efforts to alleviate certain autism symptoms. However, experts specializing in autism largely agree that additional research is needed before it can be widely used in children and adults.
Leucovorin, or Folinic Acid, is a synthetic variant of vitamin B9 requiring a prescription. It is primarily administered to cancer patients via IV alongside chemotherapy.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration revealed that it is moving forward with the approval of a tablet formulation for specific autistic patients.
Many researchers have raised concerns that this approval may be hasty, given that only a few small trials—mostly conducted outside the US—demonstrate its effectiveness in children with autism.
Several experts informed NBC News that FDA approval might create unrealistic expectations for families. This is particularly concerning as not all children with autism are eligible for prescriptions, and the likelihood of achieving positive results remains uncertain.
Researchers have long sought medications that can effectively mitigate autism symptoms; however, very few have satisfied the FDA’s rigorous safety and efficacy criteria. Prior to Monday, the FDA had only authorized two medications to address bothersome symptoms associated with autism, none of which targeted issues related to communication, social interactions, or repetitive behaviors.
Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation, commented that her organization supports research grounded in evidence; leucovorin is not suggested as a treatment and more research is essential.
“Leucovorin doesn’t meet the standards set for FDA approvals, yet this administration is proceeding regardless. Therefore, I wouldn’t label this a victory,” Halladay remarked.
She further noted that the way the drug was presented at Monday’s White House Briefing as a major breakthrough for families with autism doesn’t align with the nuances of FDA approval.
The FDA stated in a news release that the drug is being approved for patients suffering from cerebral folate deficiency, a rare neurological disorder marked by low levels of vitamin B9 (folate) in the brain. Some researchers speculate that this condition might be linked to autism, but it is not present in all autistic individuals.
(Halladay estimates that around 10-30% of autistic patients may have this condition.)
Though leucovorin can potentially aid in reaching the brain, theoretically improving verbal communication and alleviating autism symptoms like irritability and repetitive actions, there is no evidence to suggest it entirely eradicates these symptoms.
“We still hope that leucovorin might serve as a helpful option for a subset of patients,” noted Dr. Rachel Forlomer, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “However, I can’t say we’re at a stage where we can confidently claim we can assist every individual with autism.”
President Donald Trump expressed at a briefing that the approval “offers hope for many parents of children with autism that life improvement is possible.” Mehmet Oz, leader of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, described the decision as “life-saving.” FDA commissioner Marty McCurry remarked, “I believe hundreds of thousands of children will benefit.”
However, in a follow-up news release, the Department of Health and Human Services clarified that leucovorin is “not a cure” for autism and “may only result in improvements in speech-related deficits for a subset of children.”
David Mandel, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, remarked that the folate hypothesis is based on relatively weak scientific evidence.
“We lack robust large-scale studies demonstrating that a significant number of individuals with autism suffer from folic acid deficiency,” he noted.
While leucovorin has shown minimal side effects in cancer patients, higher doses can lead to gastrointestinal issues and increase the risk of seizures in individuals on anti-seizure medications. It is commonly part of treatment for colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies, often enhancing the efficacy of the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil. In rare cases, it is administered to reduce side effects from another chemotherapeutic agent, high-dose methotrexate.
Halladay mentioned observing side effects during the leucovorin autism trial but noted that the specific safety of the drug was not evaluated. She indicated that dosages varied across studies, making it difficult to determine if leucovorin was responsible for any symptom improvement, as some trial participants also received behavioral therapy.
According to Mandel, the largest study involving these trials included only 80 participants.
“For FDA approval, one would ideally want hundreds of children involved in these trials,” he explained.
Leucovorin must overcome one final obstacle before it becomes available to select autistic patients. The FDA stated it is collaborating with GSK, the manufacturer of the brand-name version of leucovorin, to update the drug’s labeling. GSK confirmed that a new application will be submitted to include autism indications.
Oz stated on Monday that leucovorin prescriptions will be covered by Medicaid, with private insurance companies likely to follow suit.
However, Mandel expressed concern that anticipated cuts to Medicaid may compel many families to cover costs out of pocket, potentially driving them to purchase folinic acid supplements online without prescriptions. Such supplements may not have gone through quality control, and dosage information could be unclear.
Dr. William Dahoot, chief science officer at the American Cancer Society, expressed concern that the growing interest in leucovorin for autism might adversely impact its availability for cancer patients.
“We have faced shortages of this drug before, and an increase in demand could lead to future shortages,” he noted in an email.
The theoretical particles known as axions have attracted the attention of physicists for decades, as they are significant candidates for identifying dark matter. Recent research suggests that we might not need new experiments to discover these exotic particles; evidence could already be embedded in existing data from previous particle collider experiments.
Particle colliders like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland, discover new particles by colliding protons and ions, analyzing the resulting debris. Now, Gustabo Gilda Silveyra and his team at CERN are exploring another avenue: can we detect when a proton or ion emits a new particle during acceleration? Their findings indicate that this may indeed be possible.
The axion was theorized in the 1970s as part of a pivotal solution to a significant problem in physics. Its importance surpasses even that of antimatter. Although the ongoing search for experimental evidence of axions has not yet yielded results, it raises the possibility that other particles resembling axions might exist. Due to their incredibly low mass, they bear a close resemblance to substantial quantities of light or photons, interacting together with the LHC.
This interaction primarily occurs when protons or ions are accelerated to astonishing energy levels. As these particles approach each other, they begin to emit radiation in the form of photons, which may then collide with one another. Researchers have modeled this scenario, replacing photons with axion-like particles. Their results indicate that accelerated protons exhibit a higher likelihood of generating axion-like particles compared to accelerated ions, with both producing photons simultaneously. Consequently, the team has identified collisions between protons and lead ions as optimal for uncovering signals related to axions influencing photons. The specific proton-lead ion collisions were executed at the LHC in 2016, and the researchers propose that data from these experiments might have been previously overlooked but could contain vital hints about new axion-like particles.
Lucien Haaland Lang from University College London has remarked that this approach presents an intriguing new pathway to uncover potential undiscovered particles, though he cautions about the challenges involved. “Such collision events are rare, and we must be cautious to differentiate our findings from background processes that may inadvertently mimic the signals we seek,” he notes.
Access to older LHC data poses challenges due to updates in software, according to Da Silveira. However, he expresses optimism regarding future experiments at the LHC. “We will be able to adjust the detector to capture this specific signal,” he states.
Identifying a particle signal analogous to an axion does not equate to discovering an actual axion, thus leaving one of the major unresolved questions in physics unanswered. Nonetheless, it expands our understanding of particle physics, prompting inquiries into how new particles might interact with known counterparts and whether they might help explain the enigmatic dark matter that permeates the universe.
Journal Reference: Physical Review Letter, In print
The US government raised concerns about painkillers used during pregnancy
Solstock/Getty Images
On Monday, the US government introduced two initiatives concerning autism. One update involves labeling for paracetamol, commonly known as acetaminophen, emphasizing that its use during pregnancy could elevate the risks of autism and ADHD in children. The government also approved leucovorin for certain children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, these actions are not strongly supported by scientific evidence and may have negligible effects on autism prevalence in the United States.
This announcement followed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s pledge, made in April, to uncover the causes of autism by the close of September. President Donald Trump later described this initiative at a press conference as “a historic step towards battling the autism crisis.”
This portrayal indicates a possible misunderstanding or distortion of existing knowledge about autism. There is no crisis as such. Autism rates began to surge rapidly since the 1980s, significantly influenced by increased awareness and recognition of its symptoms leading to more frequent diagnoses.
Evidence supporting the idea that paracetamol causes autism is limited. While several studies indicate a correlation between paracetamol use during pregnancy and an elevated risk of autism in children, causation should not be assumed. A recent investigation involving 46 studies found that 27 of them reported a significant link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and heightened risk for neurodevelopmental issues, including autism. Nevertheless, correlation does not imply causation; other underlying factors may also play a role.
Contrasting findings are evident in other studies. For instance, a 2024 evaluation analyzing around 2.5 million children determined that while those exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy faced a marginally higher autism risk, this effect diminished when comparing children exposed to painkillers with their siblings. “It wasn’t the paracetamol use, but rather family history that played a crucial role,” said Dimitrios Siasacos from University College London. “Although studies indicate a slight increase in autism outcomes related to paracetamol use during pregnancy, this tends to vanish when analyzing the more significant factors involved.”
During a press briefing, Trump advised that pregnant women should avoid taking paracetamol for pain or fever. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release stating that no causal link between paracetamol and autism has been established. Additionally, in a notification to healthcare providers, the FDA confirmed that paracetamol remains the safest and most accessible pain relief option during pregnancy. “[It] is the only over-the-counter medication that is approved for use to treat fever during pregnancy, as a high fever can pose risks to the developing fetus,” emphasizing potential fetal brain or spinal cord defects.
The FDA also announced its approval of leucovorin for individuals with cerebral folate deficiency, a condition that affects the brain’s capability to absorb vitamin B9. Studies suggest that around 40% of people with autism may be affected by this deficiency, leading to similar symptoms, including difficulties with communication and sensory processing.
Leucovorin, a form of vitamin B9, is already utilized to address deficiencies of this vitamin and to mitigate side effects from certain cancer treatments. Preliminary evidence implies that it might aid in alleviating severe autism symptoms. For instance, a 2016 study involving 25 autistic children treated with leucovorin demonstrated that 65% showed meaningful improvements in verbal communication skills compared to only 24% in the placebo group after 12 weeks.
However, existing studies on leucovorin and autism have been relatively small, often yielding only modest positive results. Larger clinical trials are in progress, with results expected next year. “Currently available evidence is tentative and not yet deemed comprehensive,” stated Monique Botha at Durham University. “While these medications might offer benefits in specific areas, there are no treatments that effectively address or eliminate autism as a whole.”
Following the announcement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reiterated that “while promising, it’s crucial to understand that leucovorin is not a cure for ASD but may help to enhance speech-related skills in a limited group of children with the condition.”
With Trump’s backing, Kennedy is positioning the “autism epidemic” as a cornerstone of U.S. public health policy. They are both framing these policy developments as substantial milestones achieved in a brief timeframe. However, scientific evidence suggests that avoiding paracetamol during pregnancy or utilizing leucovorin is unlikely to have the significant impact on autism that Trump and Kennedy claim. Instead, the most probable outcome of these initiatives pertains to how and when to manage pain and fever safely during pregnancy.
Is it possible to fully comprehend brain function if we can accurately map its structures? Researchers aim to develop a wiring diagram, or connectome, of our neural pathways, yet the task of unveiling the brain’s mysteries is proving to be complex.
The Connectome serves as a roadmap for nerve signal pathways, but Sophie Dovari from Princeton University and her team have found notable gaps in these pathways.
Researchers analyzed the connectome of the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, and compared it to recorded neural signals. They accomplished this by stimulating each neuron and observing how signals flowed through the connectome. This method is feasible with nematodes due to their relatively simple nervous system, composed of roughly 300 neurons.
Nematode worms are significantly simpler than humans, with approximately 300 neurons depicted in green
Heiti Paves / Alamy Stock Photo
By viewing these two datasets as mathematical networks, researchers can ascertain whether closely connected groups of neurons manifest a high frequency of signal exchanges. They uncovered that this correlation is not always evident.
Dvali notes instances of substantial connection density and overlapping signal exchanges, like how worms eat or the groups of neurons that correspond well. However, even in cases where they appeared significantly connected, a gap remained in understanding their respective functionalities across both networks. Overall, these findings suggest that the biological connectome is insufficient to predict all neural behaviors.
Team member Andrew Leifer, also from Princeton University, points out that signals do not always follow the shortest paths between neurons; some may communicate beyond their direct connections. “While we typically leverage connectomes for research, the multitude of useful connections calls for deeper comprehension,” he explains.
According to Albert Laslo Barabasi at Northeastern University, Massachusetts, criticism surrounding connectomics often revolves around its inability to provide action-oriented insights from structural data. This new paper seeks to address that challenge.
Looking forward, researchers aim to delve deeper into how signals disseminate through the connectome when multiple neurons are activated simultaneously, with aspirations to study more complex organisms, such as fruit fly larvae, recognized for their intricate neural networks. “We are on the verge of a revolution in brain mapping,” Barabasi concludes.
Reconstruction of the artist’s dinosaur Joaquinraptor Casali
Andrew McAfee, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
During the Cretaceous period, South America was a site of significant dinosaur discoveries.
Named the dinosaur species Joaquinraptor Casali, this megaraptor was uncovered in 2019 along the banks of the Liochico River in Patagonia, Argentina. It is believed to have existed just before the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Recently, Lucio Ibiricu from the National Council on Science and Technology Research in Tubat, Argentina, and his team conducted an in-depth analysis of the fossil, revealing unexpected findings in the nearly complete skull.
“A relative humerus, likely belonging to an extinct crocodile, was found between the jaws of Joaquinraptor and was in direct contact with its teeth,” states Ibiricu. “This indicates a unique ecological interaction at the time of death.”
Further investigations of the crocodilian humerus are ongoing to ascertain its size, but initial assessments suggest it is considerable, according to Ibiricu.
In addition to the recovered skull, the excavation yielded vertebrae, feet, two claws, arms, legs, and hands. Notably, the thumb claw—approximately the size of a human forearm—could have been effective for tearing the flesh of its prey, according to Ibiricu.
Fossils of other megaraptors have been discovered across Asia, Australia, and South America. Joaquinraptor was first identified close to the Cretaceous period’s end, and it is among the more complete specimens found.
The thumb claw of the dinosaur
Matt Lamanna
The scientific team concluded that the dinosaur was at least 19 years old at the time of its demise, based on the microstructure of the tibia. It measured approximately 7 meters in length and weighed a minimum of 1 tonne.
Meanwhile, Tyrannosaurus Rex was considerably larger and boasted a massive head, as noted by Ibiricu. Nonetheless, he emphasizes that both species represented apex predators within their respective environments.
Dinosaur Hunting in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Experience an exciting and unique expedition that explores the renowned sites of dinosaurs in the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert, a premier paleontological hotspot.
I have faith in a group of evangelical Christian influencers on social media. On Tuesday, September 23rd, or perhaps Wednesday, September 24th—consider the state of society. For the first time, joy blossoms on TikTok.
Followers are flocking to the app, revealing that they are ready for their impending destiny. I sold their car or asked for an “Eternal vacation” from their jobs and expressed their concerns. The family dog is also expected to join them in heaven. One woman advised her followers to remove password protection on their devices, making personal information accessible to anyone left behind. Another purchased Bibles from a myriad of Dollar Trees, intending to leave personalized notes in hopes of saving last-minute converts.
Evangelical Christians who believe in the rapture view it as a pivotal doctrine. The concept suggests that one day, true believers will ascend to heaven, marking an end to life as we know it, while the rest must endure seven years of suffering under the Antichrist.
The theory gained traction in the early 1800s through an English cleric named John Nelson Darby, who sparked numerous false alarms. In 1844, a farmer from New York named William Miller attracted a massive following with predictions that ultimately led to widespread disappointment. When Halley’s Comet appeared in 1910, con artists sold “anti-comet drugs” intended to save souls, and in 1997, the Hale-Bopp comet was linked to the tragic suicides of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult.
This time, the message comes from South African preacher Joshua Murakera. He said on a podcast in June, “Spread the word—Rejoy is upon us, ready or not.” This theory quickly made its way to TikTok, where over 320,000 posts have been tagged with #Rapture.
Tyler Huckabee, the managing editor at Sojo.net, a progressive Christian publication, remarked that the “Joker of the Day” in the newsroom is that deadlines have become obsolete. “This isn’t my first rodeo dealing with a particular sect of Christian theology that ignites rumors about the world’s end,” Huckabee noted. “Facebook and Twitter had their moments, but this is TikTok’s inaugural end of the world.”
The Rapture narrative thrives during tumultuous times, according to Matthew Gabriele, a professor at Virginia Tech studying apocalyptic movements. “Christians don’t know when it will happen, but they look for signs,” Gabriele elaborated. “Typically, when conditions worsen, that’s when the electors are saved, which isn’t surprising given the current backdrop of political violence, economic worries, and illness.”
The phrase “end time” frequently circulates on social media to describe our fractured reality—one marked by a pandemic akin to a plague, natural disasters of biblical proportions, and widespread violence. Recently, followers linked the assassination of Charlie Kirk to Rapture Theory. Some TikToks have become platforms for Christian nationalist narratives, suggesting Kirk is embarking on a religious revival. Revival is in the air.
Content creator Jess Lauren on TikTok. Photo: Tiktok/@Jesslauuren
Jess Lauren, a 27-year-old content creator who also runs a clothing startup, was raised in a “deeply involved” Christian household where both her parents were pastors. While studying at the University of California, Davis, Lauren began to question her conservative beliefs and gravitated towards the “deconstruction” movement.
As a child, she was a firm believer. In particular, after reading “Left Behind,” the blockbuster apocalyptic book series co-written by the controversial minister Tim LaHaye, she bought into concepts like the Illuminati and supported views from Christian author Jerry B. Jenkins. (The series has been adapted into several films, including the 2014 version starring Nicolas Cage.) Growing up as the youngest of four, Lauren once roamed the streets checking if fewer cars were on the road, questioning if she had indeed been left behind.
Ibid. April Ajoy, a podcaster and author of the memoir “Star Spangled Jesus: Leave Christian Nationalism and Find True Faith,” recounted a traumatic moment from her childhood. “At 13, chatting on AOL Instant Messenger, I thought I had been left behind. I began to search for my family, who had simply gone for a walk.”
“It was incredibly traumatic,” Ajoy shared. She now prays that “God will turn off his phone” until she grows older, allowing her to graduate high school, marry, and experience intimacy for the first time. While simultaneously feeling excitement about the rapture, Ajoy acknowledged, “We were taught that it’s like a get-out-of-death-free card. You go straight to heaven, avoid dying, and bypass horrors on Earth.”
Rumors about the Rapture tend to spike in September, Ajoy mentioned, coinciding with Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday referenced in the Bible. “People often turn to talk about the rapture when they feel particularly out of control and frightened,” she noted.
On TikTok, fear isn’t always overt. Many #RaptureTok clips adopt a lighthearted tone, aligning well with the platform’s algorithms. Sarah Raines, a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania who studies religion and social media, has observed moms giving practical advice for the final hour while preparing for those left behind.
“They adopt a self-help language, common on social media, and attach it to the discourse around the rapture,” she explained. “Some might not genuinely believe it’s the moment of the rapture, yet they feel an essential awakening call to pay attention. They’re hedging their bets.”
It’s not just devoted followers lighting up #RaptureTok. Outside religious contexts, social media users are pushing for a systematic approach to hoarding supplies. One amusing video suggests left-behind individuals stockpile VHS copies of Shrek, implying it’s the new currency. Moreover, one X user remarked that September 23rd is also the day dedicated to bisexual visibility, highlighting that Jesus’ “second coming” would coincide with the public’s opportunity to come out.
So, on Thursday morning, what had changed? Sojo.net’s Huckabee remarked that if previous false alarms are any indication, there’s not much to worry about. Those who predicted the rapture and were proven wrong rarely take it as a cue to reevaluate their beliefs.
“There’s a very human fear of admitting, ‘I was wrong,'” Huckabee said. “I’ve seen people resign from jobs, believing Jesus was returning.”
Greetings from TechScape! I’m back in the US and busy writing this from the plane. This week’s Tech News revolves around a significant deal involving Donald Trump, which has implications for the high-tech industries in China, the UK, and the US due to unexpected fines on favored visas.
Trump’s Talent Tariff: Visa Fines Threatening the Industry’s Most Valued Employees
Last year, a major tech firm brokered an agreement where tens of millions of dollars went to Trump’s presidential campaign in exchange for favorable policies that foster access to the president and stimulate industry growth. If Elon Musk is included, this figure rises to hundreds of millions. However, Trump’s new fees on frequently utilized visas pose a threat to this arrangement.
My colleague Johanna Bouyan reports:
On Friday, Donald Trump signed a declaration imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications, which could have significant repercussions for the US tech landscape.
The potential crackdown on H-1B visas has become a central issue for the tech industry. Government data reveals that around two-thirds of H-1B visa employment is tech-related, as employers utilize these visas to attract engineers, educators, and healthcare professionals.
In response to the initial announcements, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google encouraged their overseas staff to return quickly to the US and advised dependents against traveling abroad. The implications of the fines that began at 12 AM on September 21 were uncertain, raising concerns within their HR departments. The White House later clarified that the fees would only apply to new applicants and would not impact existing visa holders with six-figure annual fees. The US Secretary of Commerce reiterated this point. With the camera Fees will be collected on an annual basis.
These penalties are particularly alarming for immigrants from India. Approximately 700,000 H-1B visa holders reside in the US, with 71% originating from India. Chinese nationals make up about 10% to 15% of this group. Additional noteworthy insights: nearly three-quarters of H-1B visa holders are male, earning a median salary of around $120,000. If these penalties survive potential legal challenges, the cost of hiring these workers in the US could become prohibitive for employers.
“Fearing for Our Talent”: India Responds to Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Increase
These fees serve as tariffs on talent, paralleling Trump’s duties on goods from nearly all US trading partners. The president’s protectionist approach towards professional work resonates like his stance on imports from Vietnam. Additionally, similar to these tariffs, the rationale behind his employee fees is challenging to discern. The US lacks adequate domestic manufacturing capabilities to assemble smartphones fully and will not erect barriers preventing parts made abroad. Likewise, it doesn’t possess a robust pipeline of trained technical workers comparable to those in India and China, creating a talent gap that many leading American companies currently face. Enter H-1B. Advocates of the program, including Elon Musk of Tesla, argue it will address the talent void and attract essential skilled workers to maintain competitiveness. Musk, a US citizen originally from South Africa, once held an H-1B visa himself.
In December, Trump expressed his support for the program.
“I have a lot of H-1B visas for my properties. I support H-1B. I’ve utilized them many times. It’s a valuable program,” said the president. New York Post.
Will Trump’s Talent Tariff catalyze a resurgence of technical manufacturing, prompting the American education system to inspire more students toward technical careers? Perhaps not while he continues to battle against a university system that trains many international students who subsequently obtain H-1B visas and contribute to American companies.
At Last: Trump Finalizes the TikTok Transfer Agreement
Will the TikTok deal go through? Photo: Dado Ruvić/Reuters
Five years later, TikTok faces uncertainty, having dealt with multiple deadline extensions, and Trump claims he has finalized an agreement to transfer TikTok from its parent company in Beijing to US ownership, which is expected to be accepted.
“We have a deal concerning TikTok. A group of major companies is interested in acquiring it,” Trump stated last Tuesday without elaborating.
Since the initial vague announcement, further details have emerged. Trump mentioned in an interview on Fox News Sunday that media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan, CEO of Fox Corporation, might be involved in the deal. Additionally, Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, is reportedly a part of the discussions.
White House officials revealed that Larry Ellison, who recently lost his Forbes title as the world’s richest man to Elon Musk, would lease and manage TikTok’s algorithm, extending to the management of data collected from American users.
Attention Big Spenders: Starmer and Trump’s Multi-Billion Dollar Tech Agreement
Last week, Trump and Keir Starmer met at Checkers, the Prime Minister’s residence. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
Just a week ago, Keir Starmer and Trump announced a commitment from numerous US companies to invest £31 billion in the UK technology sector in the coming years.
Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, hailed it as the “largest announcement” with a commitment of £22 billion over the next four years. Google has also promised to invest £5 billion.
CoreWeave, a US data center company, plans to invest an additional £1.5 billion in the UK, including its site in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The US software company Salesforce is contributing another $2 billion in the UK.
Nvidia, the leading AI chip manufacturer, has pledged a £11 billion investment in the UK economy as part of this agreement, providing up to 120,000 Blackwell GPUs for projects developed over the coming years in the UK.
A notable critique has suggested that this contract resembles the US’s Stargate project, which promises either $500 million in commitments from high-tech companies or the establishment of the world’s largest data center in Abu Dhabi. The government isn’t obliged to oversee the significant financial transactions. Nvidia announced on Monday that it would invest $100 million in OpenAI, which is more than three times its UK commitment.
Nick Clegg, former UK Deputy Prime Minister and past top policymaker for Meta, criticized the arrangement as a “second-class offer” for the UK in the US technology market.
At a Royal Television Association meeting in Cambridge, Clegg stated that the relationship between the UK and the US tech sectors is heavily lopsided and that the announcement primarily serves US businesses.
He cautioned that the UK risks becoming overly dependent on the US tech industry instead of fostering its own capabilities.
“These companies need these infrastructure resources anyway,” he noted. “They are constructing data centers globally. Perhaps they’ve merely made a token effort to align with the timing of this week’s state visit, but the flow of benefits isn’t mutual.”
“We are technically becoming a kind of vassal state. This is a reality. As soon as our high-tech companies begin to grow in size and ambition, they must turn to California.”
Amazon is set to shutter all of its Amazon Fresh Stores in the UK, just four years after the initial launch of its grocery store in London.
The tech giant is planning to close its 19 fresh stores, with intentions to convert five of them into Whole Foods Market locations, a US organic grocery chain purchased in 2017.
The first fresh store opened in Ealing, West London in 2021, offering a shopping experience without traditional checkout processes.
Customers enter the store using an app, pay upon exiting, and are tracked by a network of advanced cameras and sensors that monitor items picked up in store.
Nevertheless, this innovative concept has faced challenges, especially as the demand for contactless shopping declined post-pandemic. Amazon has struggled to compete significantly with established retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury.
While Amazon did not specify how many employees would be impacted by the closures, it stated that it intends to provide new roles for these workers elsewhere within the company.
The company is further concentrating on its Whole Foods brand as part of a wider strategy to revamp its approach to the grocery sector.
Despite Whole Foods operating largely independently following its acquisition for $13.7 billion (£10.7 billion), Amazon has begun to exert more influence over the brand.
During the summer, Amazon expanded its corporate staff program, including wage standards and benefits, to include Whole Foods’ corporate employees in the US.
On Tuesday, Amazon announced its plan to double the number of UK Prime Subscription members eligible for at least three grocery options through partnerships with Morrison, Iceland, Co-ops, and Gopuff.
Starting next year, customers will be able to order fresh groceries such as dairy, meat, and seafood directly from the Amazon website, the company confirmed.
Amazon’s grocery operations are currently under scrutiny in the UK, which includes a request to adhere to the grocery supply code.
In June, the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA), the industry watchdog, initiated an investigation into Amazon concerning allegations of delayed payments to suppliers.
“We’ve been striving to optimize our business,” stated John Boumphrey, Amazon UK’s country manager.
“We persist in innovating and investing to provide our UK customers with more choices and convenience, enabling them to shop for a wide array of everyday essentials and groceries at competitive prices with swift delivery options through Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market Stores.
We may finally understand what caused the inner core of the Earth to freeze.
The inner core is a sphere of iron approximately 2,400 km (1,500 miles) in diameter, enveloped by a molten outer core. Its growth is responsible for generating the Earth’s magnetic field, which shields the planet from harmful solar radiation. However, the precise process by which the core first crystallized has remained unclear.
Recent research published in Nature Communications suggests a mechanism that hinges on deep Earth chemistry. By utilizing advanced computer simulations, scientists examined how various factors influence the freezing of iron under extreme pressure and temperature at the planet’s center.
They found that incorporating carbon allows iron to solidify under realistic conditions, positioning it as a key component in understanding the ingredients that contributed to the formation of the inner core billions of years ago.
“By investigating how Earth’s inner core formed, we gain insights not only into the planet’s history,” said Dr. Alfred Wilson from the University of Leeds, who led the study.
“We get rare insights into the chemistry of a region that we can never physically reach, and we can only speculate on how it might change in the future.”
The inner core lies deep within the planet, beneath layers of rock and magma – Credit: Getty Images/EPS Vector
At the extreme pressures found 5,000 km beneath our feet, iron doesn’t simply freeze when it drops below its melting point; it requires “super-cooling” of the crystals before they form. Pure iron must be cooled to as low as 1,000°C (1832°F), resulting in a significantly larger core than the one we see today.
New computer modeling indicates that the presence of carbon alters this equation. With less than 4% carbon in the mix, iron can crystallize at much lower temperatures, producing a core that aligns with seismic observations.
Scientists believe that the Earth’s center likely continues to host a mixture of elements. However, this research firmly highlights the critical role of carbon in one of geology’s greatest mysteries.
Leveraging artificial intelligence can aid the global fight against the climate crisis, but it’s essential for governments to implement regulations on this technology, stated the UN’s director of climate affairs.
AI enhances the efficiency of energy systems and creates tools to lower carbon emissions in industrial practices. The United Nations employs AI to support climate diplomacy efforts as well.
However, Simon Stiel, the executive director of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, expressed that the significant energy demands of large data centers raise concerns that necessitate governmental action.
“AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it carries risks. Yet, it has the potential to be transformative. We need to mitigate those risks while amplifying its catalytic power,” he remarked. “As we manage significant AI platforms, we will innovate ways to run them using renewable energy and encourage energy efficiency.”
He continued, “AI doesn’t replace human effort; it enhances our abilities. Most crucially, it is a force that drives tangible results, aiding in microgrid management, climate risk assessment, and resilient planning.”
Stiel offered an optimistic perspective on global climate actions, asserting that the world is “aligned with the Paris Agreement,” anticipating a surge in renewable energy and new governmental commitments to cut carbon emissions.
Confronted with strong opposition from Donald Trump’s administration, he staunchly defended climate diplomacy while observing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where world leaders convened amidst significant geopolitical and economic challenges.
“If we look beyond the distractions, the evidence indicates a world that aligns with the Paris Agreement,” he stated. “Investment in renewable energy has soared tenfold over the past decade, with the clean energy transition flourishing across almost all major economies, reaching $2 trillion last year alone.”
While China is at the forefront of the global clean energy surge, nations such as the EU, India, several African countries, and Latin America are also widely adopting clean alternatives. However, investments face hurdles due to the obstacles posed by Trump’s dismantling of federal climate initiatives, even as many state governments and companies uphold their commitments.
Though businesses are recognizing the economic potential of transitioning to a low-carbon future, they still require more investment. A recent study revealed that out of over 700 low-carbon industrial facilities planned worldwide, only 15 secured the necessary funding for full production, representing a remarkable $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) opportunity for investors.
Referring to this research, Stiel emphasized, “We’re not waiting for a miracle. The economics are favorable. Over 90% of newly installed renewables are cheaper than the least expensive new fossil fuel options. The technology and solutions are already available.”
However, he noted that despite companies acknowledging the shift, the tangible benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy have yet to be felt in households. “This boom is uneven. Its substantial benefits aren’t equitably distributed,” Stiel remarked.
He further noted that the impacts of the climate crisis are accelerating, necessitating quicker progress. Governments are obliged to develop a new national plan, known as the NDC, for controlling greenhouse gases in accordance with the Paris Agreement. While these were expected to be ready by February, Stiel has extended the deadline ahead of the Crunch COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil this November.
Numerous major economies, including the EU, China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, have yet to officially submit their national plans, while Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Stiel, who emphasizes the positive economic prospects arising during the climate crisis, stated, “Every challenge has its skeptics.”
“We are now reinforcing and transmitting a stronger, unmistakable message: the world remains firmly committed to the Paris Agreement and is fully engaged in climate collaboration.
After successfully countering the US Department of Justice’s challenge regarding illegal monopoly in online searches, Google now faces another threat to its internet dominance in a trial centered around potentially abusive digital advertising practices.
This trial, which commenced on Monday in Alexandria, Virginia, focuses on the detrimental ruling by US District Judge Leonie Brinkema in April, who deemed certain aspects of Google’s digital advertising technology as an illegal monopoly. The judge concluded that Google’s actions were reducing competition and harming online publishers who depend on this system for revenue.
Over the next two weeks, Google and the Justice Department will present evidence in court and seek rulings on how to restore competitive market conditions, in what is being referred to as a “relief” trial according to Judge Brinkema.
As the Justice Department progresses, Brinkema has instructed Google to divest parts of its advertising technology. Google’s legal team argues that this could lead to “confusion and damage” to consumers and the overall internet ecosystem. However, the Justice Department contends that this is the most efficient and immediate approach to dismantling monopolies that have stifled competition and innovation for years.
“The goal of the relief is to take necessary steps to restore competition,” stated Julia Tarver Wood from the DOJ’s antitrust division during the opening remarks.
Wood accused Google of manipulating the market in a manner that conflicts with the principles of free competition.
“The means of fraud are hidden within computer code and algorithms,” Wood remarked.
In response, Google’s attorney Karen Dunn argued that the proposed government intervention was unreasonable and extreme, asserting that the DOJ aimed to eliminate Google from the competitive landscape entirely.
The Justice Department is “advocating for a solution that addresses a past overshadowed by technological advances and market shifts in digital advertising consumption,” Google’s attorneys contended during the trial.
Regardless of the judges’ verdict, Google plans to appeal any earlier decisions labeling its advertising networks as a monopoly, although an appeal can only proceed once a remedy is established.
This case was initiated under the Biden administration in 2023 and threatens the intricate network that Google has built over the last 17 years to bolster its dominant position in the digital advertising sector. Digital ad sales contribute significantly to the $350 billion revenue generated by Google’s services division for its parent company, Alphabet Inc.
Google asserts that it has made considerable adjustments to its “advertising manager” system, including more transparency and options for pricing, to address concerns highlighted in the judge’s ruling.
Google’s legal struggle regarding its advertising technology signifies another confrontation, following a recent case in which a federal judge condemned the major search engine as an illegal monopoly, leading to Remedy Hearings earlier this year aimed at combatting fraud.
In that scenario, the Justice Department suggested a strict enforcement measure that would mandate Google to sell its widely-used Chrome browser. However, US District Judge Amit Mehta opted for a more measured approach in a recent ruling that reshaped the search market, which is undergoing changes driven by artificial intelligence technology.
Google opposed all aspects of Mehta’s ruling, yet the outcome was generally perceived as a mere slap on the wrist. This sentiment contributed to a surge in Alphabet’s stock price, yielding a 20% increase since Mehta’s decision, elevating the company’s market valuation to over $3 trillion, making it one of only four publicly traded companies to achieve such a milestone.
With indications that the results of the Search Monopoly case could significantly impact advertising technology practices, Judge Brinkema has instructed both Google and the Department of Justice to incorporate Mehta’s decision into their arguments in forthcoming trials.
As seen in previous search cases, Google’s legal representatives have already asserted in court documents that the AI technologies applied by competitors in ad networks, like those operated by Meta, have transformed market dynamics, making a “radical” approach proposed by the Justice Department unnecessary.
Amazon faced a US government lawsuit on Monday, where it was accused of employing deceptive methods to enroll millions in its Prime subscription service, making cancellation nearly impossible.
A complaint from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed in June 2023, alleges that Amazon deliberately used a “dark pattern” design to mislead consumers into subscribing to a $139 Prime service during checkout.
According to the complaint, “For years, Amazon has intentionally and subconsciously enrolled millions of consumers in the Amazon Prime service.”
The case pivots on two primary claims: that Amazon registered customers without their clear consent through a confusing checkout process, and that it established a convoluted cancellation system dubbed “Illid.”
Judge John Chun presided over the case in federal court in Seattle. He is also overseeing another FTC case accusing Amazon of operating an illegal monopoly.
This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative, with multiple lawsuits against major tech companies in a bipartisan bid to rein in the influence of US tech giants after years of governmental inaction.
Allegedly, Amazon was aware of the extensive non-consensual Prime registrations but resisted modifications that would lessen these sign-ups due to their adverse effect on company revenue.
The FTC claims that Amazon’s checkout process forced customers to navigate a confusing interface designed with prominent buttons, effectively hiding the option to decline while signing up. Crucial information regarding Prime pricing and automatic updates was often concealed or presented in fine print, forming a core part of Amazon’s business model.
Additionally, the lawsuit scrutinizes Amazon’s cancellation procedure, which the FTC describes as a complicated “maze” involving 4 pages and 6 clicks.
The FTC seeks financial penalties, monetary relief, and permanent injunctions to mandate changes in Amazon’s practices.
In its defense, Amazon argues that the FTC is overreaching its legal boundaries and asserts that it has made improvements to its registration and cancellation processes, dismissing the allegations as outdated.
The trial is anticipated to last around four weeks, relying heavily on internal Amazon communications and documents, as well as testimonies from company executives and expert witnesses.
Should the FTC prevail, Amazon could face significant financial repercussions and may be required to reform its subscription practices under court supervision.
For a week now, the White House has indicated that a deal is on the horizon to transfer TikTok’s ownership to an American company. Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order this week that will establish a framework for a consortium of investors to take over the operations of the US-Chinese social media platform.
On Monday, officials from the White House revealed that US software company Oracle would license TikTok’s recommended algorithm as part of the agreement. This collaboration expands the existing management of TikTok data collected from US users.
The US president had a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, sharing on Truth Social that the call was “very good” and expressing gratitude for “TikTok’s approval.” Earlier in the week, leaders from both countries met in Madrid, Spain, to discuss trade agreements related to TikTok’s ownership.
The status of popular apps in the US has been uncertain for over a year, stemming from a 2024 Congressional vote that overwhelmingly approved a law banning social media apps unless they could find US buyers. The Supreme Court upheld the law in January, but on his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order delaying the ban. He has consistently postponed TikTok’s ban, which was initially his proposal, until a deal could be finalized.
Here’s what we know about the forthcoming agreements, including the involvement of media moguls and Oracle’s Larry Ellison alongside the Murdoch family, who recently surpassed Elon Musk as the richest individuals globally:
What are the terms of the transaction?
The deal aims to keep TikTok operational in the US, but under new ownership that is not linked to China. Lawmakers argue that a popular social media app owned by a Chinese entity poses risks, enabling potential propaganda spread among its 180 million US users.
At least 12 investors have shown interest in acquiring TikTok, including a consortium led by software giant Oracle. A complete roster of investors has yet to be disclosed. According to White House officials, Oracle is responsible for managing data for US users and overseeing TikTok’s influential recommendation algorithms, ensuring that information remains outside the jurisdiction of Chinese authorities.
ByteDance will ultimately retain less than 20% ownership of the app, as White House officials told Reuters, with US TikTok operations managed by a blend of existing US and global firms, along with new investors devoid of ties to Chinese authorities.
The agreement mandates that all data pertaining to US users be stored domestically within cloud infrastructure managed by Oracle.
Who is involved?
Trump mentioned in a Fox News Sunday interview that media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan, CEO of Fox Corporation, might join the deal. He also indicated that Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, is involved.
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has been a key player among the potential buyers for quite some time. He leads a consortium that includes asset manager Blackstone, private equity firm Silverlake, Walmart, and billionaire Frank McCourt.
According to Reuters, the US government will not have a seat on the board or a golden share in the new entity that owns TikTok within the US. It remains uncertain if the US government will receive financial considerations as a condition for approval.
Why is this happening?
The prospect of banning TikTok began with Trump in 2020, citing that apps owned by China pose national security risks. This issue soon garnered bipartisan consensus, leading Congress to overwhelmingly pass a law last year that mandated the app’s ban unless sold by its Chinese owners. The initial deadline for TikTok’s ban was set for January 19th.
After embracing the app during his presidential campaign last year, Trump shifted his perspective on TikTok, gaining millions of followers and hosting TikTok CEO Shaw Chew at Mar-a-Lago and the White House. The president has praised social media platforms for enhancing his connection with younger voters in the 2024 election.
Trump issued the first executive order in January to delay the TikTok ban, subsequently signing three more orders to postpone enforcement until a deal could be reached. Currently, the president is delaying the enforcement of the law until mid-December, as transaction details are settled to ensure the new ownership is eligible for a complete sale.
What does the executive order do?
The order is expected to delineate the framework of the TikTok transaction and ensure the agreement complies with US law. The proposal reportedly includes a seven-member board comprised of Americans, and TikTok’s algorithm will be leased to the new US owner.
Trump’s executive order is anticipated to feature a new 120-day suspension of enforcement to facilitate investors and finalizing contracts.
Does China agree?
The US is optimistic about China’s approval of the deal and doesn’t plan further discussions with Beijing on the details, as White House officials explained to reporters during a conference call. However, they noted that additional documentation from both parties would be necessary for deal approval.
China has yet to confirm its approval of the transaction. ByteDance stated that while discussions about the app’s resolution are ongoing with the US government, any contracts will be “subject to approval under Chinese law.”
google’s Pixel SuperPhone returns, featuring enhanced battery life, rapid charging, magnetic accessories, and cutting-edge AI tools, aiming to challenge the dominance of Apple and Samsung in the mobile market.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is Google’s largest smartphone, and it ranks among the biggest available in Europe and the US. Priced at £1,199 (€1,299/$1,199/$1,999), it sits at the pinnacle of the Pixel 10 Pro range, just below the forthcoming folding Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and competes head-on with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Similar in size to the previous generation, the 10 Pro XL boasts a slight increase in weight of 11g. It’s a sizable and hefty device that usually requires two hands for operation and benefits from accessories like grips or handles.
The device features a magnetic ring that allows for various Qi2 or MagSafe accessories, including grips, car mounts, wallets, stands, batteries, and more. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
It sports a large, bright OLED display that offers a superb viewing experience for TV shows and movies. The rear integrates QI2.2 wireless charging and magnetic accessory support, positioning it as one of the few smartphones able to charge at up to 25W with the latest wireless chargers.
The 10 Pro XL carries the same Google Tensor G5 chip found in the entire Pixel 10 series, providing smooth and responsive performance. While it handles gaming adequately, those seeking top-tier graphics and frame rates may prefer competitors using Qualcomm’s premium Snapdragon processors, such as the S25 Ultra.
With the largest battery among the Pixels, the 10 Pro XL offers impressive longevity. It matches its predecessor, providing roughly 52 hours of use through a combination of Wi-Fi and 5G. Users can expect it to last through even the most demanding days, typically requiring charging every other day.
Charging is quick, taking under 90 minutes via cable and about 2 hours via a QI2 25W wireless charger. See the Ugreen Magflow 2-in-1 (left) or Belkin Ultracharge Pro (right) for options. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, NFC, Bluetooth 6, GNSS
Water Resistance: IP68 (1.5m for 30 minutes)
Size: 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
Weight: 232g
Android 16 with AI
Magic Cue is among the most advanced AI features, working silently in the background to provide useful, timely information. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 10 Pro XL operates on Android 16 software, enriched with AI capabilities similar to the 10 Pro, delivering one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated user experiences available. Google will offer updates until 2032.
Gemini Chatbot is integrated system-wide, complemented by a standalone app that visually displays screen content. The standout new feature, Magic Cue, operates in the background, proactively showcasing data from calendars, emails, chats, and other Google apps as needed. Whether providing location details when a friend texts about dinner or displaying an order confirmation when a recognized business calls, it seamlessly integrates with various Google and select third-party apps, although it currently does not support popular messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Moreover, the 10 Pro XL includes a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, granting access to Google’s more powerful Gemini models and 2TB of cloud storage for photos, files, and emails (valued at £19 per month).
Camera
With the 10 Pro XL, you’re likely to capture stunning photos in various conditions. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The camera system on the larger Pixels mirrors that of the 10 Pro, meaning the choice lies in the size rather than the camera quality. Its 50MP main sensor, complemented by a 48MP ultra-wide and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens, provides some of the finest photo capabilities available. With a point-and-shoot approach on the Pro XL, you’re virtually guaranteed excellent results, irrespective of the conditions.
Additionally, several AI tools enhance the photography experience, including: Novel Camera Coach; Please Add Me that blends two photos to introduce the photographer into a group shot; and Best Take, which now operates automatically. By simply pressing the shutter button or combining multiple shots, you’re more likely to achieve group photos where everyone is looking at the camera.
Moreover, activating the Pro Res Zoom feature when exceeding a 30x zoom utilizes GenAI to restore details and clarity in images lost due to digital zoom. While results can vary, and the feature deactivates when it detects people, it often enhances blurry 100x zoom photos. It’s essential to note that this process interprets and reconstructs the image using AI, clearly indicated by the camera app. C2PA Content Credentials.
Overall, the Pixel camera system ranks among the best on the market, regardless of AI tool usage.
Sustainability
The fingerprint scanner at the bottom of the display is quick and accurate, enabling seamless unlocking. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Battery longevity is rated to exceed 1,000 full charge cycles while maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Repairs can be conducted through Google, authorized third-party providers, or via self-repair using available parts and manuals.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL includes 29% recycled materials by weight, such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. The company is committed to minimizing its environmental impact, as indicated in their Environmental Report, and offers free recycling of old devices through their platform.
Price
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is priced at £1,199 (€1,299/$1,199/$1,999) and is available in four color options.
For context, the Pixel 10 is priced at £799, the Pixel 10 Pro at £999, and the Pixel 9a at £399. The Galaxy S25 Ultra retails for £1,249, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at £1,199.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro XL epitomizes a superphone with significant size, price, and functionality. If you appreciate the features of Google’s 6.3-inch smartphone but desire larger dimensions, this model is the ideal choice.
The camera stands out as one of the best, the display is stunning, and the software, which integrates Google’s most advanced AI features, is superb. The introduction of QI2.2 support accelerates wireless charging while providing access to a range of magnetic accessories, such as grips that facilitate handling larger devices.
While the pixels exhibit responsiveness, they don’t represent a groundbreaking upgrade from last year’s 9 Pro XL. Particularly regarding raw gaming performance, they fall short compared to competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Pros: 7 years of software updates, 5x optical zoom and 10x AI zoom, excellent display, magic cues, stellar camera with impressive local AI capabilities, QI2.2 wireless charging and magnetic accessory support, exceptional battery life, great ergonomics, swift fingerprint and face recognition, and a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro.
Cons: High price point, large and heavy, reliance on face ID, insufficient raw performance, inconsistent battery performance, lack of physical SIM slot in US models, and not a significant enhancement over its predecessor.
Please note, the Pixel 10 Pro XL lacks a physical SIM slot in US versions, relying solely on eSIMs. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Feeling exhausted? Has bloating become a concern? Are sleepless nights troubling you? Your cortisol levels might be elevated – at least that’s the prevailing notion on social media.
Cortisol has recently garnered attention from various health and wellness influencers, who attribute all sorts of issues to it. Fortunately, this is a challenge that can often be addressed with the right blend of supplements.
But what is cortisol exactly? And why has it become a source of so much concern?
Cortisol is widely recognized as a stress hormone. When faced with a potential danger, the amygdala in your brain activates a “fight or flight” mechanism. This leads to the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, preparing your body to either confront or flee from the threat. You might feel this rush when startled by a scary movie or while feeling anxious before a big presentation.
In most instances, stress is temporary – fear is immediate, and presentations are often short-lived – allowing our adrenaline levels to stabilize shortly afterward. Neuroscientists and psychologists refer to this as acute stress, which in moderation can actually be beneficial for us.
Cortisol comes into play when stress is prolonged or perceived as unmanageable. In these situations, cortisol is secreted from the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys.
This release peaks after about 15-20 minutes, during which it helps the body sustain its response to threats by ensuring energy availability, maintaining blood flow to muscles, and keeping the brain alert.
However, this isn’t the case for every instance of fear or stress. “It’s quite difficult to trigger a cortisol response from acute stress,” says Professor Stafford Reitman from the University of Bristol School of Medicine.
“While it’s easy to evoke an adrenaline response, initiating cortisol release is more complex, as it depends on how you personally perceive a situation as a genuine threat.”
A 2025 study involving 201 healthy volunteers found that cortisol levels peaked just before waking.
Nonetheless, cortisol’s role extends beyond stress responses. It has several essential functions, some of which are beneficial. For instance, cortisol plays a crucial role in helping you rise in the morning: your cortisol levels increase before you wake up. Without this morning boost, getting out of bed would be even more challenging.
Cortisol is involved in various functions, as Reitman notes. “Cortisol acts as a signaling molecule. Almost every tissue in the body possesses cortisol receptors, found in the muscles, liver, and brain.”
When organs and muscles receive cortisol signals, they trigger vital processes that stabilize the body. For example, when organs like the liver or pancreas detect cortisol, they help maintain stable blood sugar levels and consistent blood pressure. Additionally, cortisol can initiate anti-inflammatory responses within the body, providing short bursts of immune system support.
“Cortisol performs multiple tasks,” Lightman explains. “Its regulation is critically important, as it’s the only hormone essential for life – without cortisol, survival is impossible.”
Understanding Patterns
Clearly, some cortisol is necessary, but what if you’re concerned about having too much?
This can be tricky to assess because cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day (rising in the morning and declining by evening). The challenge is that home test kits used for measuring cortisol typically capture a single snapshot each day, labeling levels as “high” or “low.”
Lightman describes these tests as “utterly inadequate,” noting that “normal fluctuations can vary widely at any given moment, making it difficult to determine whether someone’s cortisol level is truly high or low. Levels could differ completely just 20 minutes later.”
For an accurate assessment, you’ll need to track cortisol over several days. This is how healthcare professionals diagnose conditions related to cortisol release abnormalities.
Moreover, cortisol tends to be released in bursts approximately every hour. This release pattern influences gene activity and is critical for numerous bodily functions. One study investigating this involved healthy volunteers undergoing cortisol suppression, then receiving matching doses that either mimicked a non-pulsed daily (circadian) pattern or a pulsatile circadian rhythm (akin to natural cortisol release).
Participants following the non-pulsed protocol exhibited declines in working memory tasks and sleep quality. However, those in the pulsed protocol were less adept at identifying facial expressions linked to improved mental health compared to their counterparts. The findings suggest that the release pattern may be crucial for functionality rather than merely the cortisol amount present.
Research involving mice indicates that higher cortisol levels may facilitate neuronal connections, aiding in more effective skill acquisition. However, adequate cortisol levels are imperative for learning new skills. These connections are retained in the brain for extended periods.
Even if continuous tracking of cortisol were possible, it wouldn’t necessarily inform your health status. “You first need to establish what’s considered normal for an individual,” Reitman emphasizes. “Then it becomes evident if their daily pattern deviates from that norm. No one has performed this assessment. Claims of ‘dysregulated patterns’ are misleading,” he asserts.
Incorporating the Japanese practice of “Shinrin Yoku” or forest bathing has consistently been shown to lower cortisol levels – Getty
Stay Calm
Scientists concur that chronic stress can negatively impact our health, and managing it can improve our quality of life. However, Reitman advises against hastily attributing health issues to cortisol.
“Experiencing long-term stress from events like divorce, job loss, or restless nights can lead to health problems, but this doesn’t necessarily mean cortisol is the culprit.”
Addressing the underlying causes of stress is often the most effective treatment, rather than relying on supplements to reduce cortisol levels, although this may not always be viable.
Fortunately, there are various strategies available for managing stress. For instance, a 2019 survey revealed that older adults who engaged in three months of dance training experienced lower peak cortisol levels. Dance has also been shown to reduce stress.
Additionally, physical affection can be effective in managing immediate stress levels. One study indicated that students receiving more hugs than usual experienced lower morning cortisol spikes the following day.
Spending time in nature, such as walking through forests, has also proven beneficial. One study found that forest bathing can reduce cortisol levels by 53%.
Unless you’re a villain, cortisol is crucial for our body and brain; for most of us, worrying about it is hardly necessary.
It’s best to steer clear of influencers selling the latest health trends and focus instead on the fundamentals of healthy living (diet, exercise, sleep) – especially when true joy can often be found in the real world.
The prominent, yellowish bulge at the core of NGC 2775 is populated with older stars, encircled by tightly wound spiral arms adorned with areas of dark dust and young blue stars.
This Hubble image captures NGC 2775, a galaxy located approximately 67 million light years away in the Cancer constellation. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/F. Belfiore/J. Lee/Phangs-HST team.
NGC 2775 is situated about 67 million light years from the northern constellation of Cancer.
This galaxy was discovered on December 19, 1783, by British astronomer William Herschel, who was originally from Germany.
NGC 2775 is a principal member of the Galaxy’s Anti-Rahydra Cloud and part of a small group of galaxies known as the NGC 2775 group.
Also referred to as Caldwell 48, Leda 25861, or UGC 4820, NGC 2775 has a diameter of approximately 80,000 light years.
“NGC 2775 has an unusually smooth center that is devoid of gases, resembling an elliptical galaxy,” noted Hubble astronomers in a statement.
“It contains dusty rings with clusters of patchy stars, similar to spiral galaxies.
“Observing NGC 2775 from a single perspective makes it challenging to ascertain its true nature.”
“While some researchers classify NGC 2775 as a spiral galaxy due to its star and dust patterns resembling feathered rings, others categorize it as a lenticular galaxy.”
“Lenticular galaxies exhibit characteristics of both spiral and elliptical types.”
“The exact appearance of a lenticular galaxy remains uncertain, as they can form in various ways.”
“Some lenticular galaxies may have originated as spiral galaxies that fused with one another or may have lost their star-forming gas and prominent spiral arms.”
“They might also have accumulated gas in their surrounding discs, leading them to appear more oval-shaped.”
Astronomers suggest that NGC 2775 may have merged with other galaxies in the past.
“In the Hubble image, NGC 2775 features a hydrogen gas tail extending nearly 100,000 light years around the galaxy,” the researchers indicated.
“This faint tail could represent the remnants of one or more galaxies that ventured too close to NGC 2775 before being absorbed.”
“If NGC 2775 has indeed merged with other galaxies previously, it could help to explain the unusual appearance of the galaxy as we observe it today.”
“Hubble’s images of NGC 2775 were released earlier in 2020,” they added.
“The updated version includes observations of specific wavelengths of red light emitted by hydrogen gas clouds surrounding the young giant star.”
Paleontologists have examined fossilized flowers and bees dating back 24 million years, following the scarcity in Enspel, Germany, and unveiled new species of Linden. These include Tilia Magna Separa and two newly identified bumblebee species, Bombos (Chrono Bombos) Mesegas and Timebombus Palaeocrater. The presence of identical tyria pollen in both the flowers and on the outer surfaces of the bumblebees serves as direct evidence of their interactions, identifying Bombos as a pollinator of Tyria. At least due to the late decline, we remain anchored in the present.
Tilia Magna Separa. Image credit: Christian Geier.
“We analyzed countless fossil flowers and insect pollens in hopes of understanding the evolution of flowers, their visitors, and the pollination process,” stated Dr. Friðgeir Grímsson, a researcher at the University of Vienna.
“These microscopic pollen grains were made visible using UV and blue light, and then extracted individually from flower or insect hair, or aggregated from insects, with the aid of extremely thin needles and minimal invasive techniques.”
The pollen grains underwent careful washing and were analyzed using high-resolution light and electron microscopes.
Many of the flowers studied originated from Linden trees, with numerous bumblebees visiting Linden flowers prior to their fossilization in an ancient volcanic crater lake.
“The newly identified linden flower has been named Tilia Magna Separa,” said Christian Geier, a doctoral student at the University of Vienna.
“Additionally, two new bumblebee species have been identified: Bombos (Chrono Bombos) Mesegas and Bombos (Time Bombos) Pereoctor.”
The fossils were uncovered during the excavation of lake sediments from the former volcanic lake near Enspel in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
“Tilia Magna Separa marks the first recorded flowers from the European continent, characterized and described as per pollenological standards—the science of pollen,” the researchers noted.
“The fossil bumblebees rank among the oldest representatives of their genus, with only one species from Colorado, USA, predating them.”
“This is the first instance globally where a fossil flower and its pollinator bee have been described arising from the same deposits, with pollen linking them directly,” Geier remarked.
“Such research holds significant potential to enhance our understanding of past pollinator dynamics.”
The Fossil Record offers insights into the evolutionary developments of the past, revealing changes due to climate shifts, species extinction, and evolutionary adaptation.
By analyzing fossilized animal and plant groups, we can infer their behaviors and reactions to environmental changes.
“Our research allowed us to identify specific flower homeostasis among the bumblebees studied,” Geier explained.
“This indicates that they tend to visit only one type of plant during a single flight.”
“These findings are crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of the delicate interactions and resilience within today’s ecosystems.”
The study was published today in the journal New Botanist.
____
Christian Gayer et al. 24 million years of pollination interaction between European linden flowers and bumble bees. New Botanist, published online on September 22, 2025. doi: 10.1111/nph.7053
A newly identified supermassive black hole resides in the center of the “Little Red Dot” galaxy, known as Capers-LRD-Z9, existing merely 500 million years after the Big Bang.
Artistic impressions of Capers-Lrd-Z9. Image credit: Erik Zumalt, University of Texas, Austin.
“Finding a black hole like this pushes the limits of what we can currently detect,” remarked Dr. Anthony Taylor, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas at Austin.
“We’re truly expanding the boundaries of technological capability today.”
“While astronomers have identified more distant candidates, clear spectroscopic signatures for black holes have yet to be found,” noted Dr. Stephen Finkelstein from the University of Texas at Austin.
The astronomers conducted their research using data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, as part of the CAPERS (Candels-Area Prism Epoch of Reionization Survey) program.
Initially regarded as a mere speck in the program images, Capers-LRD-Z9 is now recognized as part of a newly classified category of galaxies called Little Red Dots.
“The find of the Little Red Dot was a surprising revelation from initial Webb data. It did not resemble the galaxies captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope,” Dr. Finkelstein explained.
“We are currently working to understand what they are and how they formed.”
Capers-Lrd-Z9 contributes to the growing evidence that the ultra-large black hole plays a critical role in the unusual luminosity of small red dots.
Typically, such brightness signifies a galaxy teeming with stars. However, in the absence of substantial stellar mass, these small red dots cease to exist.
These galaxies may also help clarify what causes the distinct red hue observed in small red dots, which is altered to a red wavelength as it passes through surrounding gas clouds encircling the black hole.
“I’ve observed these clouds in other galaxies,” Dr. Taylor stated.
“When I compared this object to others, it was unmistakable.”
Capers-LRD-Z9 merits attention due to the immense size of its black hole.
It’s estimated to be as massive as 300 million solar masses, equating to half the total star mass within the galaxy. This size is notably large, even among supermassive black holes.
By discovering such massive black holes early on, astronomers provide a unique opportunity to investigate the growth and evolution of these entities.
Black holes existing in later epochs had diverse opportunities for growth over their lifetimes, yet this was not the case during the initial hundreds of millions of years.
“This reinforces the increasing evidence that early black holes grew much faster than previously believed,” Dr. Finkelstein mentioned.
“Or they might have originated much larger than our models suggested.”
These findings are detailed in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal.
____
Anthony J. Taylor et al. 2025. Capers-Lrd-Z9: Gasensing Little Dot hosts Broadline’s active galactic nucleus at z = 9.288. apjl 989, L7; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ade789
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
