Research indicates that women write faster and with greater legibility than men. This difference is evident as early as elementary school, becomes more pronounced by junior high, and then stabilizes.
Both genders enhance their handwriting skills with age, yet statistically, women outperform men on average.
This trend appears consistent across various countries and cultures. But does this imply that biological factors are at play? Current evidence suggests it likely does not.
A 2020 study published in Human Brain Mapping utilized fMRI scans to demonstrate that men and women activate different brain regions while performing handwriting tasks, even when handwriting quality is equivalent.
Neural pathways develop through life experiences, which may cause individuals to engage varying brain areas when executing the same skill. This depends on their initial learning experiences, instructional methods, and the extent of their practice.
In broad terms, girls and boys often have differing expectations regarding the importance of neatness and receive varying degrees of encouragement in developing fine motor skills.
Cultural influences shape **gender disparities in handwriting**, highlighting how girls and women are taught to place value on neatness, unlike boys and men. – Credit: Getty
Notably, many left-handed individuals are often perceived to have poor handwriting. However, this perception is likely influenced more by practice and educational methods than by biology, as left-handed people can achieve excellent handwriting.
Men typically exhibit worse handwriting on average, largely due to the societal value placed on this skill being lower for men. However, it’s essential to recognize that the differences within each gender often surpass the differences between them.
This article addresses the question posed by Aydin Andrews via email: “Why do men tend to have worse handwriting than women?”
If you have any questions, please contact us at:questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out throughFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram(please include your name and location).
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For centuries, cold substances have been utilized to address various skin issues.
Medical professionals often apply liquid nitrogen to effectively freeze warts. Notably, devices for treating acne with liquid oxygen have existed since the 1920s, although their efficacy remains subject to debate.
Regarding ice rollers, there currently are no clinical trials confirming their benefits.
For those looking to minimize swelling, theoretically, some temporary improvements may occur due to the constriction of small blood vessels near the skin.
Evidence suggests that soaking your face in cold water could stimulate the “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) pathway of the nervous system, although this practice is not widely recommended. Bururu.
This article addresses the question: “Should I start using an ice roller?” (submitted by Rebecca Webb, Newry).
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A groundbreaking study reveals that approximately 3.4 billion years ago, during the Archean Era, ancient microbes were not only reliant on molybdenum—a rare metal at the time—but also explored the use of tungsten. This discovery has the potential to transform how astrobiologists search for extraterrestrial life.
Early Earth. Image credit: Peter Sawyer/Smithsonian Institution.
Geochemical evidence indicates that the concentration of molybdenum in early Earth’s anoxic oceans was extremely limited; however, modern organisms are largely dependent on this essential element.
Previous theories proposed that life initially utilized tungsten before transitioning to molybdenum as it became more abundant.
Professor Betül Kaçar from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her research team aimed to test this hypothesis.
“The transition metal molybdenum presents a puzzling evolutionary narrative in relation to biological systems,” the researchers stated.
“Molybdenum plays a significant role in vital biogeochemical processes involving carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, which previous studies suggest have deep-rooted evolutionary histories.”
In their research, the authors analyzed genome databases to pinpoint species with genes responsible for molybdenum transport, storage, and enzymatic functions.
They applied a technique known as phylogenetic matching to trace the evolutionary lineage of molybdenum- and tungsten-utilizing proteins within the current tree of life.
Moreover, they investigated the mechanisms of molybdenum movement and utilization within living cells, focusing on intracellular transport from uptake to catalysis.
Simultaneously, they explored the historical context of biological tungsten use for similar functions.
The researchers compiled existing data regarding molybdenum’s prevalence over time and found that, despite its scarcity, ancient microorganisms on Earth found ways to utilize it, dating back to between 3.3 and 3.7 billion years ago.
“Counterintuitively, geochemical records suggest that the abundance of molybdenum on early Earth was significantly lower billions of years ago, particularly prior to the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis,” noted Dr. Aya Cross, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“Yet, life persisted in evolving biochemical pathways that depended on molybdenum, despite its limited availability.”
“These processes have been passed down to modern organisms.”
“Understanding the elemental dependencies of early life could aid astrobiologists in identifying other planets capable of supporting life,” Professor Kaçar remarked.
“This study illustrates that a lack of an element in the environment doesn’t negate the potential for life to adapt and exploit it in innovative ways.”
“Life exhibits remarkable adaptability, and insights like these remind us that the quest for extraterrestrial life may necessitate considering possibilities previously unimagined.”
A research paper detailing these findings was published in the latest edition of Nature Communications.
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AS Cross et al. 2026. The biological utilization of molybdenum and tungsten dates back 3.4 billion years. Nat Commun 17, 3943; doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72133-0
A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University researchers sheds light on why coffee drinkers tend to live longer and experience fewer chronic diseases. The findings indicate that brewed coffee is rich in compounds that interact with little-understood proteins in the body, potentially affecting inflammation, aging, and cancer processes.
Hailemariam et al. revealed that brewed coffee and its principal polyphenolic and polyhydroxy components act as NR4A1 ligands, suggesting NR4A1’s vital role in the health benefits associated with coffee. Image credit: Sci.News.
“Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage globally,” stated Texas A&M University professor Steven Safe and his team.
“Coffee drinkers comprise a vast demographic that enjoys an aqueous extract from roasted and ground coffee berries.”
“The health benefits of coffee mirror those seen in vegetarian groups and various ‘blue zone’ populations known for lower mortality rates and age-related diseases.”
“Despite variations in coffee bean types and brewing techniques, consensus indicates that coffee drinkers enjoy longer lifespans.”
“They also face a decreased risk of age-related conditions, including metabolic disorders, certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and cardiovascular issues.”
In their investigation, researchers concentrated on NR4A1, a receptor that responds to dietary compounds and is essential for maintaining health in aging individuals.
This receptor activates during inflammation and cellular damage, and it has been shown to protect tissues.
“When tissue is damaged, NR4A1 activates to help mitigate that damage,” Professor Safe explained.
“Removing this receptor results in even greater tissue damage.”
Through biochemical experiments, the team discovered that freshly brewed coffee and several of its key components bind to NR4A1.
Identified compounds included common coffee polyphenols like caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid, along with diterpenes such as kahweol and cafestrol.
“Our findings suggest that at least some of coffee’s health benefits stem from their ability to bind to and activate this receptor,” Professor Safe noted.
Experiments on cancer cell lines indicated that coffee extract and its constituents slowed cell proliferation.
When NR4A1 levels were reduced, the effects waned, implying that this receptor mediates the biological activities of coffee.
Many of these compounds served as inverse agonists, reducing NR4A1 activity in a way that may counteract tumor-promoting signals.
“Coffee consists of a highly complex array of compounds, creating a powerful blend,” Professor Safe remarked.
Notably, not all components yield the same effects. While caffeine is often seen as the primary component of coffee, it has been shown to exert more diverse and relatively weaker effects on receptors compared to polyphenols.
The research supports the notion that coffee’s benefits are likely due not just to caffeine, but to a complex mixture of bioactive compounds.
Brewed coffee contains over 1,000 chemicals, many of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“Caffeine binds to the receptor but doesn’t significantly aid in our model,” Safe emphasized.
“Polyhydroxy and polyphenolic compounds demonstrate much more activity.”
“This could explain why both regular and decaffeinated coffee link to similar health benefits in extensive population studies.”
For more details, refer to the study results published in the journal nutrients.
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Amanuel Hailemariam et al. 2026. Brewed coffee and its components act through orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1). nutrients 18 (6): 877; doi: 10.3390/nu18060877
In the vastness of today’s universe, galaxies predominantly exhibit ordered rotation. However, among the largest star systems, those that do not form new stars are often influenced by chaotic stellar motion. Astronomers refer to these galaxies as slow-rotators. While fast-rotating systems are frequently observed, slow-rotators are believed to be rare, especially in the early universe. Recent findings from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have illuminated a slowly rotating giant galaxy known as XMM-VID1-2075, located at redshift z = 3.449, which means we are observing a galaxy that is approximately 12 billion years old.
The Webb/NIRSpec/IFU image depicting the slowly rotating galaxy XMM-VID1-2075. Credit: Forest et al., doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02855-0.
Current astronomical theories indicate that the first galaxies formed through the acquisition of angular momentum from inflowing gas, coupled with gravitational forces causing them to rotate.
Over billions of years, many galaxies—particularly those within clusters—undergo numerous mergers. These interactions lead to their combined rotations either enhancing or partially countering each other.
This phenomenon explains why some galaxies nearest to Earth display minimal overall rotation, yet contain considerable random stellar movement.
The discovery of XMM-VID1-2075 as a slow rotator is surprising, especially considering it reached this state when the universe was less than 2 billion years old.
“This invariant characteristic can typically only be observed in the most massive, mature galaxies closer to us in space and time,” stated Ben Forrest, an astronomer from the University of California, Davis.
“It was particularly striking that we found this galaxy exhibiting no indications of rotation, which raises intriguing questions.”
Ben Forrest and his team, part of the MAGAZ3NE (z>3 NEar-Infrared Giant Ancient Galaxies) survey, had previously conducted observations of XMM-VID1-2075 at the WM Keck Observatory in Hawaii.
“Earlier MAGAZ3NE observations confirmed that this galaxy ranks among the most massive in the early universe, possessing several times the number of stars as the Milky Way and not forming any new stars, making it an exceptional candidate for further study,” Dr. Forrest added.
Astronomers utilized the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to evaluate the relative motion of matter within XMM-VID1-2075, along with two other similarly aged galaxies.
“Conducting this type of analysis is standard for nearby galaxies due to their proximity and size, allowing for ground-based studies. Nevertheless, it’s challenging with high-redshift galaxies since they appear much smaller from our vantage point,” Dr. Forrest explained.
“The Webb Telescope is pioneering new research frontiers in this field.”
“Among the three galaxies we examined, one displayed clear rotation, one exhibited a somewhat chaotic pattern, while one showed no rotation but random stellar movement.”
“This pattern aligns with the characteristics of some of the most massive galaxies in our local universe, yet the early discovery of this slow rotator is quite unexpected.”
What led to the formation of this slow-rotating galaxy in under 2 billion years?
One hypothesis is that XMM-VID1-2075’s slow rotation may not stem from multiple mergers, but rather a singular collision between two galaxies rotating in nearly opposite directions, a notion supported by the team’s observations.
“In this galaxy, we observe a significant excess of light on one side,” Dr. Forrest noted.
“This suggests that an additional entity may be interacting with the system, potentially altering its dynamics.”
This groundbreaking research is detailed in the following paper published in Nature Astronomy.
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B. Forrest et al.. Discovery of a massive, slowly rotating galaxy from the early universe. Nat Astron, published online May 4, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02855-0
Credit: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan / Ko Arimatsu
Recent research reveals that a small, icy celestial body located in the Kuiper Belt, comparable to Pluto, possesses an atmosphere.
This object, designated as (612533) 2002 XV93, marks its discovery nearly 25 years ago and has a diameter under 500 kilometers.
It is classified within the Plutino group, sharing a similar stable orbit with Pluto, completing three solar revolutions for every two of Neptune.
On January 10, 2024, (612533) 2002 XV93 caused an occultation, passing in front of a distant star. A team led by Wataru Arimatsu at Kyoto University monitored this event across three locations in Japan.
If there were no atmosphere, the star’s light would have blinked away almost instantaneously as it obscured 2002 XV93.
However, the researchers noticed that the star’s light gradually faded and returned within approximately 1.5 seconds at the shadow’s edge.
“This gradual change suggests that starlight is being refracted by a thin atmosphere enveloping 2002 XV93,” explains Arimatsu.
The team estimates a surface pressure of 100 to 200 nanobars—dramatically thinner than Earth’s atmosphere, approximately 5 to 10 million times less, and about 50 to 100 times thinner than Pluto’s atmosphere.
“I couldn’t breathe, feel the wind, or see anything reminiscent of Earth’s sky,” said Arimatsu. “Nonetheless, this thin atmosphere significantly bends starlight, indicating the presence of volatile gases around small icy bodies.”
While the exact composition of the atmosphere remains undetermined, Arimatsu speculates that methane, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide could be potential constituents, as these gases are highly volatile even under the frigid temperatures of the outer solar system.
Another question arises regarding the gas emissions from the interior of 2002 XV93, potentially suggesting volcanic activity or a result of cosmic collisions.
“This discovery reshapes our understanding of small celestial bodies in the outer solar system,” Arimatsu asserts. “Traditionally, detectable atmospheres were believed to be exclusive to planets, dwarf planets, and a select few large moons. 2002 XV93 stands as one of the smallest known celestial objects with a clearly detectable atmosphere.”
Astonished, Ben Montet from the University of New South Wales in Sydney remarked, “If one stood on this icy surface, they wouldn’t see a sky like ours. This challenges the belief that even the faintest atmosphere cannot exist on small celestial bodies.”
Explore the Mysteries of the Universe: Cheshire, England
Join a weekend adventure with some of science’s leading minds and delve into the enigmas of the universe, featuring a tour of the iconic Lovell Telescope.
NHS England’s recent move to withdraw open source code developed with taxpayer funds has led to significant backlash due to concerns over computer hacking by AI models.
Recent reports revealed that Mythos, an AI from Anthropic, can identify vulnerabilities in software, potentially enabling hackers to exploit systems using that software. Consequently, NHS England has mandated that all existing and future software must be restricted from public access by May 11 to mitigate these risks.
This shift contradicts NHS service standards, which advocate for software produced by staff to remain open source. This accessibility allows for the enhancement and utilization of tools without redundant efforts, a practice experts argue does not inherently bolster security.
In response, an open letter has amassed hundreds of signatures urging NHS England to reconsider its stance. At present, 682 signatories include writers and digital rights advocates. Notably, Cory Doctorow and former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock have been approached for comments. Mr. Hancock labeled the initiative a “significant error” in a LinkedIn post, asserting that the decision undermines public investment.
“Opening source code has been one of the NHS’s most forward-thinking strategies. This work was funded by taxpayers; hence they should reap the rewards,” Mr. Hancock noted. “The empirical evidence also supports that open source code is subjected to more rigorous testing, is inherently more secure, and can be enhanced by talented individuals globally.”
Vlad Stefan Halbs, from the University of Edinburgh, co-signed the open letter. He has utilized Mythos to assess vulnerabilities within the NHS’s open source code, uncovering “multiple significant vulnerabilities” which were responsibly reported to the NHS before the project’s decommissioning.
“While we cannot confirm if our reported vulnerabilities triggered this course of action, they likely contributed,” Halbs remarked. “Routine security assessments and public disclosures, aided by large language models, can uncover similar vulnerabilities. Mythos merely streamlines the process. The fundamental issue, however, remains a severe underinvestment in cybersecurity, a problem that predates Mythos.”
Halbs speculates that backups of the NHS code will persist, potentially repurposed for training various AI models. Yet, he questions whether restricting access from GitHub will deter professionals dedicated to enhancing the quality and security of public services from contributing. “By closing access, we are alienating our supporters, not our adversaries,” Halbs concluded.
A report by the UK government-backed AI Security Institute (AISI) on Mythos indicated its limitations, revealing it could primarily target “small, poorly defended corporate systems,” and showing no evidence that genuinely secure networks were threatened.
Terrence Eden, a British civil servant with a history of advocating for public data access, criticized the decision as illogical.
“Trust in the NHS hinges on its openness, transparency, and honesty. Given our healthcare system’s reliance on digital technologies, open source is essential. It is our right to understand the operation of these tools. I urge the NHS to heed this petition and uphold its obligations to the community,” Eden stated.
The UK Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to inquiries. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for NHS England reiterated its stance: “To fortify our cybersecurity amid rapid AI model advancements, we are temporarily restricting access to certain NHS England source codes. Nonetheless, we will continue to publicly share source code whenever deemed essential.”
The cruise ship MV Hondius is anchored off the coast of Cape Verde.
AFP/Getty Images
An outbreak of hantavirus has been reported on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, anchored off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. This virus can result in severe illness in humans, with a mortality rate of up to 50%.
So far, seven individuals have been infected, with three fatalities confirmed.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a category of viruses carried by rodents known to cause severe illnesses in humans. Infection typically occurs through exposure to infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva.
Different hantaviruses cause various clinical syndromes across the globe. In the Americas, they can lead to a severe illness known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), which has a fatality rate of about 50%. In Europe and Asia, they primarily cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), affecting kidneys and blood vessels.
It is estimated that there are 10,000 to over 100,000 hantavirus infections annually worldwide, with the highest rates in Asia and Europe.
The specific strain of hantavirus affecting those on board the ship remains unidentified. “There are multiple species, at least 24, that can be harmful to humans,” says Adam Taylor, a researcher at Lancaster University, UK. “Until we determine which strains are involved, we cannot fully understand the situation.”
Where Was the Ship Located?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been notified of this outbreak. On May 2, a statement announced an outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness onboard the MV Hondius, including two fatalities and one critically ill passenger.
The cruise departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, and traveled across the South Atlantic, with stops including Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, and Ascension Island. WHO identified the Argentine port as a focal point for investigations into the outbreak due to the presence of the Andes virus, known for limited person-to-person transmission in South America.
A total of 147 individuals from 23 nationalities were onboard, consisting of 88 passengers and 59 crew members. The extent of contact with local wildlife during the voyage remains unclear, as per WHO’s statement.
What Are the Symptoms of Hantavirus?
Initial symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Some patients may develop respiratory complications. Diagnosis typically involves specialized blood tests.
How Does Hantavirus Spread?
The primary route of infection is contact with infected rodents, particularly through inhalation of virus particles from contaminated rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.
“For this reason, investigations often focus on potential exposure to rodent-contaminated areas,” stated Roger Hewson from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “Hantaviruses are not generally believed to be easily transmissible between humans.”
While rarer, infection may also occur through rodent bites. High-risk activities include cleaning poorly ventilated spaces, farming, and sleeping in rodent-infested environments. According to WHO, human-to-human transmission has only been recorded for the Andes virus in the Americas, occurring with close and prolonged contact, mainly among family and intimate partners, particularly during the early stages of the disease.
Current Outlook on the Infection Spread
According to Taylor, there is no need for panic. “Transmission of hantaviruses usually requires contact with animal products, not person-to-person contact,” he emphasized. “While precautions are in place on board, they are just that—precautions.”
Hewson added that it’s crucial not to make assumptions based on the cruise ship context. “Infection confirmation among passengers does not clarify whether the exposure occurred on the ship, prior to embarkation, during shore excursions, or through common environmental contact,” he remarked. “Therefore, public health surveillance, lab confirmations, and possible virus sequencing are vital.”
As a passionate honey enthusiast, I relish the taste of honey in everything from buttery sourdough bread to refreshing smoothies and savory Asian stir-fries. I often justify my sweet indulgence by recalling its numerous health benefits. But how true are these claims?
Honey is widely recognized as a healthier alternative to refined white sugar. Its less processed nature results in a more stable blood sugar level. Honey, derived from plant nectar and enriched by bees, primarily consists of monosaccharides like glucose and fructose, along with trace sugars like trehalose, kojibiose, nigerose, melibiose, gentiobiose, and palatinose. However, the health benefits of honey largely depend on the sources of nectar collected by the bees.
One useful measure for comparing honey to other sugars is the glycemic index (GI), which indicates how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Refined white sugar has a GI score of approximately 65. In contrast, honey’s GI can vary significantly; for example, honey made from Sidr tree nectar in the Middle East boasts a GI of just 32, while Greek thyme honey reaches a GI of 85. Interested in comparing various honey types? Check out the University of Sydney’s extensive GI database for more information.
The variation in GI values can be attributed to the differing ratios of glucose and fructose in honey. Glucose raises blood sugar levels rapidly, whereas fructose does not. Unlike refined sugar, which contains a consistent ratio of glucose and fructose, honey’s composition can vary, impacting its glycemic response.
Additionally, honey contains components like phenolic acids and flavonoids that may slow glucose absorption in the intestines, thus contributing to lower GI values. These compounds are also believed to possess antioxidant properties that provide mild protection against ailments like cancer and heart disease—conditions often associated with oxidative stress. However, it’s essential to remember that fruits and vegetables are far superior sources of antioxidants as they are lower in sugar and calories.
Opting for raw honey, often available at local markets, is considered a healthier choice compared to mass-produced varieties, as it retains a higher concentration of beneficial phenolic acids and flavonoids. Raw honey is freshly harvested directly from the hive and minimally processed. Unlike raw milk, raw honey is generally safe to consume, although there are risks of contamination from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium producing a potent neurotoxin. This toxin is particularly hazardous for infants under one year. Parents should avoid giving honey to infants, and it’s advisable to steer clear of Botox for little ones as well.
A straightforward way to gauge the phenolic acids and flavonoids in honey is by examining its color. Darker honey typically indicates higher levels of these beneficial compounds. Personally, I enjoy purchasing rich, dark brown raw honey from a local beekeeper, which I find far superior in taste compared to supermarket varieties. His bees gather nectar from local eucalyptus trees, which likely contributes to its lower GI value based on tests conducted on other eucalyptus honeys.
Is Honey Effective for Hay Fever or Just a Myth?
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While many believe that consuming locally produced honey may relieve hay fever, this idea is rooted more in folklore than in scientific fact. The premise is that honey contains trace amounts of local pollen that might help the immune system acclimatize to these allergens. However, hay fever is primarily triggered by pollen from trees that bees do not visit; these trees release airborne pollen that can irritate your nasal passages. In fact, hay fever is caused by such wind-dispersed pollen.
Nonetheless, honey does demonstrate potential benefits in soothing symptoms like a sore throat and cough, likely due to its pleasant consistency and natural antibacterial properties. A review of existing studies found that honey could alleviate cough symptoms in children and was comparable in effectiveness to over-the-counter cough syrups. Anyone who has tried a warm lemon-ginger tea with honey can attest to its comforting effects when feeling unwell.
Honey’s efficacy extends beyond soothing sore throats; it also plays a significant role in wound care. Medical-grade Manuka honey, which is recognized in countries like the UK, US, and Australia, is often used in ointments and dressings. This honey is made from the nectar of Manuka tea tree flowers and is sterilized to eliminate harmful microorganisms. It possesses high levels of an antibacterial compound called methylglyoxal, which is effective in preventing or treating wound infections. Studies highlight its healing properties.
However, it’s crucial to heed warnings about honey derived from rhododendron flowers, especially from certain species native to Nepal and Turkey. This type of honey can cause “mad honey disease,” leading to symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, and vomiting. Historically, it has even been weaponized; for instance, Mithridates VI Eupator used it strategically against Roman troops in 65 BC, luring them into confusion. Do you dare to wonder what happened next?
While honey may not alleviate my hay fever, I still enjoy it—after all, there’s no sweeter delight than the joy it brings me.
Can Quantum Gravity Theory Explain the Moments After the Big Bang?
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Cosmic inflation remains a hotly debated topic in modern cosmology. It posits that during a minuscule fraction of the universe’s first second, the universe expanded exponentially—by a factor of about 1030. This rapid expansion resolved several cosmic mysteries; however, some aspects of inflation theory continue to raise eyebrows among researchers in the field.
On the positive side, inflation provides answers to pivotal questions about the universe’s vast structures, addressing concepts like galaxy formation—the so-called “tectonic problem.” Long before inflation, the universe was nearly uniform, only exhibiting slight quantum fluctuations. Inflation magnified these anomalies, allowing gravity to shape matter into galaxies and other astrophysical structures, making the complex cosmos we observe today.
Interestingly, inflation also resolves the “horizon problem,” explaining why regions of the universe separated by vast distances exhibit uniformity. In essence, inflation posits that all areas were once close enough to interact before being propelled outward. These two problems—structural anomalies and uniformity—are intrinsic to inflation, underscoring its significance in explaining the universe’s current state.
Critics, however, highlight that the theory leaves many questions unanswered. Initially, the universe requires very specific conditions to initiate inflation, a dilemma often referred to as the “fine-tuning problem.” The inability to explain these conditions might suggest an arbitrary alignment of parameters, which troubles many theorists.
Furthermore, devising a coherent mechanism for initiating and concluding inflation remains a significant challenge. Models abound, but tensions arise when juxtaposed against other cosmological mysteries.
The intersection of general relativity and quantum mechanics provides fertile ground for research into quantum gravity, aiming to integrate these competing theories in a explanatory framework. Infinitely growing complexities arise when considering how inflation fits within this larger theoretical landscape.
Addressing Inflation in Quantum Gravity
One proposed solution is the “loop quantum gravity” model, suggesting that the universe undergoes cyclic expansions and contractions—a “big bounce” scenario. Alternatively, “infinite inflation” theorizes a region where inflation continues indefinitely, albeit complicating hypotheses with an infinite multiverse where different regions form distinct universes, evading observational access.
As straightforward explanations falter, complex ideas like “hybrid inflation” emerge, which incorporate multiple fields of energy dynamics during inflation—a significant departure from simpler models. String theory adds nuance with “brane inflation,” where our universe lies on a membrane between dimensions, providing intriguing insights into unresolved inflation questions.
Another concept, “quantum secondary gravity,” examines modifications to gravity models at extreme energy densities, positing that quantum corrections might induce inflationary phenomena automatically as the universe expands. This model reconciles aspects of gravity with quantum mechanics, aligning with both established theories.
Exploring Quantum Second-Order Gravity as a Solution to Inflation
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The challenge with quantum secondary gravity is the impromptu prediction of “ghost particles,” which remain elusive in experimental findings. However, recent literature has reinterpreted these anomalies, suggesting that during the universe’s inflationary growth, gravity intensified to cause what scientists refer to as “ghost containment.”
This theory, despite remaining speculative, holds promise. Quantum second-order gravity could lead to detectable ripples in spacetime created in the early universe—albeit subtle gravitational waves that future detectors might capture.
The controversy surrounding inflation is likely to persist for years. Precise measurements required to validate this phenomenon are exceptionally demanding, particularly concerning detection of gravitational waves and observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Existing misinterpretations of the CMB—including previously classified findings of gravitational waves—underscore the need for cautious interpretation. The early moments of the universe possess the potential to redefine our understanding of physics, merging two foundational theories into a cohesive understanding of the cosmos.
X-ray of a woman’s arm before biopsy: Arrow highlights the tumor
Gannon MC, Gabor RM, Gupta A, et al. (April 15, 2026)
A remarkable case involves a woman whose cancerous tumor on her arm is now in remission, attributed to a biopsy that triggered a powerful immune response. This unique scenario exemplifies how a biopsy can potentially change the fate of some cancer patients.
She is one of only nine known cases where a biopsy uncovered this specific type of cancer affecting connective tissue, which spontaneously resolved within weeks.
“It’s quite extraordinary,” says Toby Lawrence from the Marseille Lumigny Immunology Center, not directly involved in this case. “This suggests there was an immune activation in response to the biopsy injury, rapidly halting tumor growth.”
The 59-year-old woman noticed a rapidly enlarging lump, which reached two centimeters, before seeking medical attention. “The symptoms were escalating quickly and causing discomfort. She was understandably concerned,” states Rohit Sharma from Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin.
Sharma and his team marked the tumor’s location with tattoo ink and performed a thin-needle biopsy. They identified the growth as a myxofibrosarcoma, which contained highly malignant cells, posing a risk of metastasis. “Cancer often leads to fatal metastasis,” Sharma warns.
Two weeks later, the woman returned for tumor removal surgery, but astonishingly, the tumor had completely vanished. “She reported symptom relief within just three to four days post-biopsy,” says Sharma.
To confirm the disappearance of the tumor, the surgical team removed surrounding tissue, which showed no cancer cells. “The timing indicates that an immune response was activated,” Sharma explains. The phenomenon of cancer disappearing post-biopsy is extremely rare, typically observed in cancers that the immune system can easily identify, such as skin cancers.
A biopsy can destroy some cancer cells and release inflammatory signals that activate immune cells, like natural killer cells, which can eliminate damaged tumor tissue within days. This could trigger an even stronger immune response as T cells identify and attack remaining cancerous cells.
However, such an extraordinary immune reaction does not occur for most individuals. Factors like genetics and environmental triggers likely play a role in this rare phenomenon, according to Lawrence.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of the Tumor
Gannon MC, Gabor RM, Gupta A, et al. (April 15, 2026)
By analyzing the genomes and medical histories of these exceptional cases, researchers aim to uncover strategies that could enhance overall cancer treatment efficacy. Understanding the unique immune responses in mice with cancer resulting from minor tissue damage may hold the key to unraveling these mechanisms, suggests Caetano Reis e Souza at the Francis Crick Institute in London. “If we can learn how biopsies expose cancer cells to the immune system, it might pave the way for novel therapeutic drugs,” he posits.
Sharma’s research team is planning to explore this phenomenon further in the upcoming years by establishing a database of similar unique cancer cases.
Doug Whitney (left, pictured with his son Brian in November 2022) is genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer’s disease, but has so far avoided the condition.
Shelby Lum/Associated Press/Alamy
An American man, Doug Whitney, whose genetics indicated a high likelihood of developing early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, has surprisingly managed to evade its effects. This remarkable outcome may be linked to unintentional heat exposure he experienced while working in a ship’s engine room, aligning with emerging evidence that suggests heat therapy could play a role in preventing symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Whitney’s family carries the Presenilin 2 genetic variant, a mutation traced back to a small village in Volga, Germany, during the 18th century. Individuals with this mutation are typically predisposed to Alzheimer’s in their late 40s or early 50s.
“My family has been devastated by this disease,” Whitney remarked in a press statement. “My mother had 13 siblings, and 10 of them died before the age of 60. It was an epidemic.”
Despite sharing the same mutation, Whitney has reached his late 70s without experiencing significant memory loss or other Alzheimer’s symptoms, making him the only known mutation carrier to avoid the condition long after it was expected to manifest.
Dr. Jeffrey Kane from the French National Center for Scientific Research, became intrigued by Whitney’s case after discussing it with Dr. Randall Bateman, who has been studying Whitney for years.
At a conference, Kane presented research on the supportive effects of hyperthermia on mouse brains. A Finnish study found that frequent sauna users are 65% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Kane and colleague Emmanuel Planel from Université Laval in Quebec initiated a study to explore the underlying mechanisms.
The findings were compelling since Bateman knew of Whitney’s two-decade-long work in the extremely hot engine rooms of steam-powered naval vessels starting at age 18. Bateman discussed these circumstances with Kane and Planel, leading them to investigate further.
Engine room temperatures could soar up to 50°C (122°F), where Whitney would remain for extended periods, often needing to be hosed down to prevent overheating.
This prolonged heat exposure may have led to elevated levels of heat shock proteins in Whitney’s cerebrospinal fluid. These proteins are produced in response to heat and facilitate the repair and refolding of other proteins damaged by increased temperatures.
These heightened levels of heat shock proteins may have helped regulate tau, a crucial brain protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease. In affected individuals, tau misfolds and aggregates, which correlates with cognitive decline. Brain imaging studies reveal that Whitney’s brain holds negligible amounts of abnormal tau, likely explaining his absence of symptoms. Although his brain contains misfolded amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s, symptoms remain unpredictable as evidenced in studies.
Whitney prepares for a PET scan in March 2025 as part of an Alzheimer’s Research Program at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
M. Scott Brauer 2025/ Redux/eyevine
Support for their hypothesis emerged when Kane and Planel discovered that exposing mice to heat helped maintain the tau protein structure and facilitated increased clearance from the brain. Moreover, tau clearance was found to be more efficient in awake older adults compared to when they sleep, likely due to the natural elevation of body temperature during wakefulness.
Dr. Rebecca Nisbet from Australia’s Florey Brain Research Center notes that Whitney’s occupational heat exposure may elucidate his resistance to Alzheimer’s, yet genetic factors likely contribute as well. Whitney may carry a specific protective gene absent in affected family members, highlighting the complexity surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.
Nisbet has personally begun using saunas, inspired by this new evidence of their cognitive benefits. “I believe this is a harmless activity that can mitigate dementia risk,” she asserts.
Interestingly, regions with the lowest rates of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s in individuals over 60 tend to be located in very hot climates, such as Ballabgarh, India and the Bolivian Amazon. “While high temperatures alone can’t explain everything, they may be a significant contributing factor,” reflects Canet.
On the contrary, cold exposure could heighten Alzheimer’s risk. For instance, tau exhibits dysregulation in bears during hibernation, according to Nisbet. “The tau in a hibernating bear appears abnormal, yet normalizes promptly upon waking and warming up,” she explains.
Research has shown that general anesthesia, which lowers body temperature, can contribute to short-term cognitive issues reminiscent of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially due to its effects on tau. “Caution is advised in mouse studies, as prolonged anesthesia can lead to tau dysregulation,” warns Nisbet.
Exploring the vast potential of quantum computing, one of the most exciting areas of research is simulating proteins to facilitate new drug discovery. Currently, quantum devices are hampered by errors, making them less suitable for this purpose. However, a groundbreaking collaboration involving supercomputers and two quantum systems has set a new record by accurately simulating a molecule containing 12,635 atoms.
Determining the quantum state and energy levels of drug molecules is essential for understanding how they behave, a task often only achievable through approximate methods on traditional computers. A team of researchers from Cleveland Clinic, IBM, and Japan’s Institute of Science and Technology focused on developing quantum computers that inherently utilize quantum physics principles. They innovated a hybrid model combining quantum and classical supercomputing for unprecedented simulations of large molecular structures.
“This was my dream, and here we are,” says Kenneth Mertz from Cleveland Clinic. In this study, the researchers utilized two IBM Heron quantum computers located at RIKEN and Cleveland Clinic, alongside the world’s most powerful supercomputers, Fugaku and Miyabi-G. Their approach focused on simulating a protein-ligand complex, a well-studied example pivotal for biomedical research, while also examining the molecules in a water layer that reflects laboratory conditions.
Currently, the limited size and inherent error rates of quantum computers restrict their utility. Thus, the research team divided the molecular simulation tasks among four machines. The quantum computer was tasked with calculating specific properties, and the results were transferred back and forth with the supercomputer over 100 hours. Despite the lengthy process, the team believes it was faster than traditional methodologies. Jerry Chow at IBM noted that the simulation accurately estimated the lowest energy state of the molecule, matching the precision of conventional methods, though it hasn’t yet proven markedly superior.
According to Liu Junyu from the University of Pittsburgh, this research signifies a crucial milestone towards achieving practical applications of quantum computing with real-world hardware. He expressed admiration for the scale of the experiment. Even prior to achieving error-free quantum computing, there is a necessity to explore hybrid methods further to enhance the usefulness of quantum systems.
Chow added that while their findings indicate that quantum hardware might excel in certain calculations, this simulation record is a preliminary achievement. “There is a growing push to explore the limits of what can be achieved,” Chow acknowledged. “It’s just the beginning of an exciting journey.”
A newly discovered genus and species of Masopodan sauropodomorph, named Kounryu Hōmei, has been identified from a partial skeleton found in southwestern China, dating back to the early Jurassic period. This remarkable dinosaur represents a crucial link between early herbivores and the massive four-legged sauropods that would later dominate the Mesozoic Era.
Artist’s impression of Kounryu Hōmei. Image credit: Connor Ashbridge / CC BY 4.0.
Kounryu Hōmei inhabited what is now China approximately 190 million years ago during the early Jurassic period.
Fossil evidence suggests that this dinosaur measured about 9 to 10 meters (30 to 33 feet) in length, making it one of the largest known early-branching sauropods unearthed in China.
This species belongs to the Masopodan group, which existed from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous.
“The Early Jurassic was a key era in dinosaur evolution, marking the diversification and emergence of sauropod dominance in terrestrial ecosystems,” stated Dr. Ya-Ming Wang from the China Museum of Geology and colleagues.
“Within this group, non-sauropod Masopoda sauropods played a significant role in the evolutionary trajectory leading to the distinctive large body shapes associated with sauropods.”
“Therefore, understanding the anatomy, diversity, and paleobiogeography of these early-diverging sauropods is essential for unraveling the origins of one of the most successful dinosaur clades, the sauropods.”
The partial skeleton of Kounryu Hōmei was discovered in the Fengjiahe Formation located in Luming Town, Yunnan Province, China.
The specimen consists of the neck, back, tail vertebrae, and part of the hip joint.
Analysis of these fossils revealed an unusual combination of traits, indicating an alternative evolutionary path. Notably, it had a strong, elongated tail rather than the long neck typically associated with large dinosaurs.
Despite its relatively short neck for its body size, the tail may have played a balancing role, enabling this dinosaur to stand on its hind legs and feed.
Through phylogenetic analysis, researchers found that Kounryu Hōmei occupies a pivotal evolutionary position between early sauropods and more advanced forms closer to true sauropods.
“The discovery of this new specimen greatly enriches the known Early Jurassic dinosaur fauna of southwestern China,” the authors remarked.
“This provides essential new anatomical features that enhance our understanding of morphological differences and evolutionary patterns among early-diverging sauropods.”
Hu Shaobin et al. 2026. A neosauropod dinosaur discovered from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation in Dali, Yunnan Province, China. R Soc Open Science 13 (3): 252219; doi: 10.1098/rsos.252219
A team of Japanese astronomers has discovered a thin atmosphere surrounding the trans-Neptunian object (612533) 2002 XV93, which has an approximate diameter of 500 km. This celestial body is too small and cold to retain a substantial atmosphere.
Artist’s conception of trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93. Image by: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
“The cold regions of the outer solar system host thousands of small bodies known as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) because they orbit outside Neptune.” according to Dr. Ko Arimatsu from Ishigakijima Observatory.
“While Pluto, the most well-known TNO, has been observed with a thin atmosphere, studies of other TNOs generally yield negative results.”
“Most TNOs are extremely cold and possess weak surface gravity, making it unlikely for them to maintain an atmosphere.”
Astronomers utilized stellar occultation to study trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93, measuring its light fluctuations as background stars passed behind it.
“With a diameter of around 500 km, 2002 XV93 is significantly smaller than Pluto, which has a diameter of 2,377 km,” they noted.
“On January 10, 2024, 2002 XV93’s orbit caused it to briefly obscure a background star.”
“As the star gradually dimmed while being obscured by 2002 XV93, it indicated the possibility of light attenuation due to the thin atmosphere, or a sudden disappearance as it moved behind the solid surface of the TNO.”
The researchers concluded that the observed behavior best supports the existence of a thin atmosphere around 2002 XV93.
They estimate that this atmosphere could vanish in approximately 1,000 years unless it is replenished in some manner.
This suggests that the atmosphere must have formed or been replenished relatively recently.
“Observations with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope reveal no indications of frozen gas that could sublimate to create an atmosphere on 2002 XV93,” the authors stated.
“One hypothesis is that deep internal processes brought frozen or liquid gas to the surface of the TNO.”
“Alternatively, a comet may have collided with 2002 XV93, releasing gas and forming a temporary atmosphere.”
“Further investigations are essential to clarify these possibilities.”
“This finding sheds light on the potential for even smaller TNOs to temporarily harbor atmospheres, challenging conventional volatile retention models,” the researchers concluded.
“Our results imply that some distant icy bodies could be sustained by ongoing cryovolcanism or exhibit atmospheres formed by recent impacts from small icy objects.”
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
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Kazuya Arimatsu et al.. Discovery of the atmosphere surrounding a trans-Neptunian object beyond Pluto. Nat Astron, published online on May 4, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02846-1
Among the fascinating and peculiar animals residing in the deep sea, perhaps the most captivating are those elusive creatures that occasionally grace deep-water cameras, only to vanish into the abyss before scientists can investigate further.
Many of these enigmatic animals have yet to be classified by researchers, including a peculiar squid that features elbows, large undulating fins, and long, spaghetti-like tentacles.
Squid specialists have analyzed available footage and largely theorize that these specimens belong to the bluefin squid family, specifically the Magnapinidae. This family was initially identified in 1998 from a handful of rare squid larvae.
No adult bluefin squid have ever been captured with a net; they have only been documented through photography.
While adult squid resemble their larvae counterpart, definitive relationships remain uncertain until a specimen is brought to the surface.
Nevertheless, deep-sea scientists continue to speculate about the lives of these mysterious squids. The characteristic “elbow stance” (illustrated below) is commonly employed by bluefin squid to capture prey.
When hunting, they extend their arms and tentacles away from their bodies, spreading them out like spider legs and bending them at 90 degrees. Meanwhile, the remaining tentacles trail through the water, likely creating a wide net to passively ensnare prey.
In 2024, a bluefin squid was observed traversing the ocean floor on its tentacles in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, possibly in search of food. At one point, the squid’s sticky tentacles seemed to get caught on something out of the camera’s frame. It amusingly tugged at the obstruction for several seconds until it freed itself and swam off.
This squid was documented at approximately 3,300 meters (10,830 feet) deep. Another specimen was recorded nearly double that depth, at 6,212 meters (20,380 feet) in the Philippine Trench, marking it as the deepest squid ever noted.
Caught only on camera, no adult bluefin squid has ever been captured with a net. – Image credit: Christa Rabenold
Its relative, the dumbo octopus, which swims using fins resembling giant elephant ears, dives even deeper, having been spotted near 7,000 meters (23,000 feet).
Bluefin squid have been photographed in various locations worldwide, including Brazil, West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Indian Ocean. This wide distribution suggests that this family may consist of multiple species.
In 2015 and 2017, research in the Great Australian Bight involved towing a camera through deep waters ranging from 900 to 3,000 meters (approximately 2,950 to 9,840 feet). During this study, the bluefin squid was captured on camera five times, marking the first sighting in Australian waters.
These squids exhibit impressive features when they showcase their tentacles, often much longer than their bodies; however, they are relatively small. The squid photographed in Australia measured between 6 to 15 centimeters (about 2 to 6 inches) long, with tentacles extending up to 1.5 meters (almost 5 feet).
Yet, the possibility remains that larger bluefin squids are still lurking, hidden in the vast ocean depths just out of view.
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In the past 15 years, the discovery of circumbinary planets—exoplanets orbiting binary stars—has been firmly established. Thanks to observations from NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a total of 14 such planets have been identified using the transit method. Recently, innovative techniques applied to TESS data have unveiled 27 new orbiting star candidates, indicating that these unique planetary systems may be more prevalent than previously thought.
Artist’s impression of an orbiting exoplanet and its two parent stars. Image credit: Sci.News.
The newly identified planet candidates range from sizes comparable to Neptune to those with masses up to 10 times that of Jupiter.
The closest candidate is located approximately 650 light-years away from Earth, while the farthest is about 18,000 light-years distant.
“Candidates are distributed across both the southern and northern skies,” said study co-author Ben Montet, an astronomer at the University of New South Wales. “This means that if you have a telescope, at least one of these systems will be observable regardless of the time of year.”
“We discovered 27 planet candidates out of 1,590 binary systems, which signifies nearly 2% of these binary systems have the potential for hosting planets.”
“This could translate into thousands, or even tens of thousands, of planets waiting to be uncovered through data from the new 10-year sky survey conducted by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, known as the Space-Time Heritage Survey.”
“This represents a thrilling first step, revealing the significant work that lies ahead in the coming years.”
The team’s novel planet-detection technique, referred to as posterior body precession, has been used in the past to characterize binary stars but was previously unutilized for large-scale exoplanet searches.
This method involves monitoring the long-term changes in the orbits of visible binary stars due to stellar eclipses. Variations in the timing of these eclipses—unexplainable by general relativity or stellar interactions—suggest a third object, possibly a planet, may be influencing the star’s orbit.
“A significant portion of our current understanding of planets is based on biased detection methods,” states lead author Dr. Margo Thornton, a candidate at the University of New South Wales. “We’ve primarily identified those that are the simplest to detect.”
“This innovative method has the potential to reveal a multitude of hidden planets, particularly those that are not perfectly aligned to our line of sight.”
“It may help illuminate the true distribution of planets in our universe,” added Dr. Montet. “We are enthusiastic about the number of planets we could uncover using this approach.”
“Our preliminary research suggested that we would find 27 candidates at this stage, but we are thrilled to have achieved that.”
“We’re now embarking on an exciting project to validate which of these planets are indeed real.”
The team’s findings will be published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.
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Margo Thornton et al. 2026. 27 circumbinary planet candidates detected through posterior body precession of eclipsing binaries observed by TESS. MNRAS 548 (3): stag515; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stag515
A groundbreaking study examining various South American butterfly lineages and diurnal moths reveals that convergent evolution—where unrelated species develop similar traits—follows a consistent genetic pattern. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how species may adapt to climate change.
Ben Chehida and others. A flight study of Itomini, Isomini, and Heliconius butterflies, along with the Ketonga moth. Image credit: Ben Chehida et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003742.
“Convergent or parallel evolution serves as a natural experiment where unrelated species independently evolve similar traits in response to equivalent selective pressures,” states Kanchon Dasmahapatra, a professor at the University of York.
“This indicates how reproducible—and thus predictable—evolution can be.”
“Highly divergent lineages often display significant trait convergence, such as repeated colonization of habitats like land, water, and air, or the evolution of resistance against threats like pesticides, drought, and heat stress.”
According to the researchers, “Convergence in traits across different species can stem from genetic changes occurring in different genes or in the same gene (gene reuse).”
“Gene reuse is expected to be more prevalent among closely related lineages or when developmental pathways towards optimal fitness are limited.”
“Convergence may happen when the same allele is reused (allele sharing), either through independent mutations in one gene or through ancestral variation and introgression between species.”
In this study, the authors investigated various species of distantly related South American rainforest butterflies and moths that share similar wing color patterns for predator deterrence, a phenomenon known as mimicry.
The study aims to identify the genes responsible for these similar mimic color patterns among seven distantly related species.
Remarkably, researchers found that distinct butterfly and moth species reuse the same two genes—ivory and optics—which evolve into similar color patterns, despite being very distant relatives.
Genetic alterations in several butterfly species did not occur in the genes themselves but rather in similar “switches” that control gene expression.
Interestingly, one moth species utilizes an inversion mechanism where substantial DNA sequences flip directions, mirroring a genetic strategy used by a butterfly.
“Convergent evolution, where numerous unrelated species independently develop the same trait, is a widespread phenomenon across the tree of life,” says Professor Dasmahapatra.
“However, there is limited opportunity to explore the genetic foundation of this phenomenon.”
“By studying seven butterfly lineages along with diurnal moths, we demonstrate that evolution is surprisingly predictable and that both butterflies and moths have repeatedly employed the same genetic tricks to develop similar color patterns since the time of dinosaurs.”
The findings from this study reveal that evolution may not always be random and could be more predictable than previously believed.
Professor Joanna Meyer from the Wellcome Sanger Institute remarked: “All these distantly related butterflies and moths are toxic and unpalatable to birds that attempt to consume them.”
“Their similarities are advantageous; if birds recognize a specific color pattern as indicating ‘don’t eat us, we are poisonous’, it benefits other species to exhibit the same warning colors.”
“Our research illustrates that these warning colors are remarkably optimal. With a highly conserved genetic basis over 120 million years, evolving these similar color patterns could be quite straightforward.”
The results are published in the journal PLoS Biology.
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Y. Ben Chehida et al. 2026. Convergent mimic coloration in lepidopterans over 120 million years of evolution is underpinned by genetic parallelism. PLoS Biol 24 (4): e3003742; doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003742
Image processing by ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA; M. Schirmer (MPIA, Heidelberg)
Centuries of scientific experimentation are paving the way for a breakthrough in the hunt for new particles, particularly those believed to constitute dark matter.
In 1773, British scientist Henry Cavendish initiated an experiment aimed at unraveling the mysteries of electromagnetism, involving the measurement of electrical potential on two nested metal shells to examine interactions of charged particles.
Now, Peter Graham, a professor at Stanford University, suggests reviving Cavendish’s historic experiment could illuminate the enigmatic particles forming dark matter.
Dark matter, which constitutes a significant portion of our universe, remains poorly understood. Numerous theories have emerged regarding its composition, and experiments range from particle colliders to advanced underground detectors.
Graham and his research team are focusing on a dark matter candidate known as milli-charged particles (mCPs). True to its name, mCP has an exceptionally small charge, rendering it suitable for Cavendish’s original experimental setup.
The team proposes recreating the nested shell design, applying a voltage to the outer shell and measuring the voltage difference to detect the presence of mCPs during the experiment.
Exploring Electromagnetism: Henry Cavendish’s 18th Century Experiments
Cavendish Institute
To enhance the experimental design, the team plans to incorporate an accumulator device to effectively extract all charged particles from the surrounding environment, maximizing the potential for mCP detection, according to Harikrishnan Ramani of the University of Delaware.
This innovative design is cost-effective compared to other mCP explorations, estimated at under $1 million—1,000 times less than operating a particle accelerator for a year. Preliminary calculations indicate it could be more sensitive than future collider experiments.
Researchers like Kevin Kelly from Texas A&M University believe this experimental approach could potentially outperform existing methods by a factor of 100 to 10,000, capable of detecting mCPs with even lower charges than previously thought.
According to Christopher Hill at Ohio State University, this technique may surpass some current experiments. He posits that it could accelerate the timeline for significant discoveries regarding the composition and functioning of our universe.
The research team is currently in the final stages of planning the experiment and securing funding. If successful, they aim to execute the project within two to three years, potentially offering a new avenue for studying mCPs.
Recent research utilizing data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft has resulted in the most precise measurements of Jupiter’s size in 50 years, revealing that the largest planet in our solar system is thinner and flatter than previously thought.
Hubble’s observations of Jupiter highlight an ever-changing landscape resulting from its turbulent atmosphere. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / Amy Simon, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / Michael H. Wong, University of California, Berkeley / Joseph DePasquale, STScI.
“The previous understanding of Jupiter’s shape was based on just six measurements made by NASA’s Voyager and Pioneer missions nearly 50 years ago, utilizing radio waves sent to Earth,” explained Dr. Eli Galanti from the Weizmann Institute of Science.
“While those missions laid the groundwork, we now have the unique chance to analyze 26 new measurements obtained from NASA’s Juno spacecraft.”
“By determining Jupiter’s distance and observing its rotation, we can accurately derive its size and shape,” stated Professor Yohai Kaspi of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
“However, to achieve highly precise measurements, we require more advanced techniques.”
“Juno’s passage behind Jupiter opens up new scientific opportunities,” commented Dr. Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator and a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute.
“As the spacecraft navigates behind the planet, its radio communication signals become obstructed and bent by Jupiter’s atmosphere, enabling precise size measurements.”
“By tracking the curvature of these radio signals as they pass through Jupiter’s atmosphere, we were able to generate a detailed map of the planet’s temperature and density, providing the clearest insight yet into Jupiter’s dimensions,” explained Dr. Maria Smirnova, a student at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
The study revealed that Jupiter has a polar radius of 66,842 km, an equatorial radius of 71,488 km, and an average radius of 69,886 km—12, 4, and 8 km lower than prior estimates respectively.
“It’s time to update textbooks. While Jupiter’s size remains unchanged, our measurement techniques have significantly evolved,” noted Professor Kaspi.
“Those few kilometers matter. A slight shift in radius greatly improves how well our internal model aligns with both gravity data and atmospheric metrics,” commented Dr. Galanti.
“Our advanced models of Jupiter’s internal density structure illustrate how sophisticated geometries can help reconcile models with measurements,” said Dr. Marjan Ziv, also a student at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Previous estimates overlooked Jupiter’s powerful winds. By considering these winds in their calculations, scientists resolved a long-standing contradiction.
“It’s challenging to decipher details beneath Jupiter’s clouds, but radio data provides insights into the depths of Jupiter’s zonal winds and intense hurricanes,” stated Professor Kaspi.
The findings are documented in a study published in Nature Astronomy.
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E. Galanti et al. 2026. Jupiter’s Size and Shape. Nat Astron 10, 493-501; doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02777-x
Clinical Trial Compares Chewing Gum Types for Periodontal Health
PeopleImages/Shutterstock
Patients suffering from periodontal disease can experience immediate relief by chewing gum infused with nitrates, substances known to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as mild gingivitis, develops when plaque—a thin film of bacteria—accumulates on the teeth, leading to gum inflammation and bleeding.
Maintaining oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing or using interdental brushes, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash are essential for preventing or treating this condition. However, these habits can be challenging to maintain regularly, notes Sean Green at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in West Carson, California.
If untreated, this milder form of gum disease can escalate to periodontitis, resulting in painful oral abscesses and loss of teeth.
Prior studies indicate that consuming nitrate-rich foods like leafy greens and beets can enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, mitigating gum inflammation. However, access to or enjoyment of such foods varies widely, adds Green.
To explore a different method of leveraging nitrate benefits, Green and his team enlisted 30 adults diagnosed with mild periodontal disease. Participants were randomly assigned to chew a nitrate-rich gum developed by the researchers or a nitrate-free gum of the same flavor for at least 15 minutes three times daily over three weeks. They were instructed to continue their regular oral care routines and dietary habits during the study period.
Before and after the trial, the researchers evaluated gum health by measuring bleeding around each tooth using a small metal rod. Participants chewing the nitrate-rich gum showed a decrease in bleeding from an average of 26% at the study’s onset to 15% by the end. In contrast, chewing nitrate-free gum did not produce any significant results.
“This marks a clinically significant improvement in gum health,” states Praveen Sharma, a researcher from the University of Birmingham, UK, who did not participate in the study.
Analysis of saliva samples indicates that the nitrate gum enhances levels of beneficial oral bacteria that convert nitrate into nitric oxide while reducing the presence of harmful plaque-forming bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis.
The findings imply that this approach, supplemented by conventional treatments, could serve as an effective method for alleviating periodontal symptoms. “This serves as a solid proof of concept,” adds Francesco Daiuto at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK. However, further research is necessary to determine the longevity of these effects and their efficacy in treating advanced periodontal disease.
David Attenborough and mountain gorilla on location in Rwanda Life on Earth
John Sparks
In celebrating David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on May 8th, we cannot overlook the powerful imagery associated with him.
Life on Earth, the pioneering 1979 series showcasing the iconic gorilla scene, opened the door to Attenborough’s
immersive narration and breathtaking visuals that have captivated audiences for decades. His documentaries span from ocean depths to the complexities of plant life, chronicling humanity’s fight against climate change.
Join us as we delve into the documentaries that have profoundly influenced our team and merit special recognition today.
David Attenborough on location by the Grand Canyon in Life on Earth
John Sparks/naturepl.com
Life on Earth holds special significance for many. Its iconic gorilla encounter and its pioneering approach set the foundation for future nature documentaries. Attenborough’s exploration of the Grand Canyon showcases a remarkable intersection of science and storytelling.
Reflecting on this series often evokes nostalgia, especially for those who first experienced it in their formative years, evoking the haunting opening music by Edward Williams.
Reporter Michael Le Page
Filming team led by David Attenborough on Ellesmere Island in The Private Life of Plants
Neil Nightingale/naturepl.com
Plants inhabit a realm unseen. Morning glories greet the sun, while brambles silently dominate the forest floor. Attenborough’s unparalleled storytelling takes us through the secret life of plants.
Although technology like time-lapse and high-speed photography existed, The Private Life of Plants pioneered their large-scale use. This innovation brought to light the hidden intelligence and mechanics of plant life.
Revisiting the series today evokes nostalgia from its playful graphics and unique visuals that enhance the captivating narratives. Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes episode of Life
showcasing the filmmakers’ dedication to their art. Watch it here.
Thomas Lewton, Features Editor
Pacific Ocean from the International Space Station
NASA
Blue Planet unravels the mysteries beneath the ocean waves, revealing rarely-seen wildlife. Attenborough’s storytelling continues to inspire a passion for marine conservation.
Twenty-five years later, the haunting memory of orcas hunting on a gray whale continues to resonate with viewers, emphasizing Attenborough’s impactful narrative style that draws us into the world of nature.
Despite lacking the extreme detail offered by newer imagery, Blue Planet redefined documentary filmmaking and ignited a lifelong passion for the ocean within many, including myself here at New Scientist.
Eleanor Parsons, Magazine Editor
David Attenborough at the launch of the third series of Planet Earth in 2023
Ian West/PA Image/Alamy
The haunting images of nighttime lions chasing a juvenile elephant have left a profound impression since the original series aired in 2006. Planet Earth set a benchmark for high-definition wildlife filmmaking.
Noteworthy moments include a starving polar bear stalking a walrus, an eagle preying on a crane, and dolphins beaching themselves to catch fish. This is true mastery of storytelling and visuals in television.
Each subsequent series has evolved, with the latest reflecting the contemporary issues of wildlife adapting to urban environments, showcasing animals alongside human activity.
While each series aims to inspire wonder rather than despair, it’s undeniable that our planet faces monumental changes.
Reporter Michael Le Page
Frozen Planet”
data-credit=”BBC”/>
Polar bear in Frozen Planet
BBC
Frozen Planet offers a poignant glimpse into the unique species inhabiting Earth’s polar regions. Presented by Attenborough, the series combines stunning visuals and heartfelt narratives, equipping viewers with critical knowledge about climate change impacts.
Not only does the series point out the hazards of global warming, but it also cultivates genuine concern for these geographical wonders.
Bethan Ackerley, Associate Editor
A Life on Our Planet”
data-credit=”Netflix / David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet”/>
Turtle swimming over a coral reef in A Life on Our Planet
Netflix / David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet
David Attenborough’s extraordinary life serves as a lens through which we assess the changes our planet has undergone. The documentary A Life on Our Planet released amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects on the Earth’s ecological degradation, showcasing the vibrant life observed during Attenborough’s career.
This film also thoughtfully discusses challenges faced by future generations, emphasizing climate change and biodiversity loss. Despite its somber themes, it also presents actionable solutions for the pressing environmental issues we face today.
Bethan Ackerley, Associate Editor
Prehistoric Planet”
data-credit=”Apple TV”/>
Rapetosaurus, a long-necked sauropod from Madagascar featured in Prehistoric Planet
Apple TV
Prehistoric Planet is a remarkable achievement in bringing extinct species back to life, recognized for its accuracy, and was developed with the endorsement of paleontologists.
The series showcases iconic dinosaurs and lesser-known species, allowing a fresh perspective on their lives, including fascinating behaviors like swimming and mating.
The latest series revisits the Ice Age, capturing a plethora of prehistoric creatures, though it’s worth noting that Tom Hiddleston now takes over narration from Attenborough, altering the series’ signature charm.
Reporter Michael Le Page
Wild London, on the London Underground”
data-credit=”BBC/Passion Planet Ltd/Simon De Glanville”/>
Pigeon, a star of Wild London on the London Underground
BBC/Passion Planet Limited/Simon de Granville
This recent addition to the David Attenborough collection has quickly become a household favorite after its debut on New Year’s Day. Wild London showcases remarkable wildlife findings in the urban landscape.
While introducing the expected foxes and pigeons, extraordinary moments reveal lionesses fighting in urban areas and pigeons commuting on the Tube, challenging our perceptions of city wildlife.
Shifts in urban wildlife dynamics, including peregrine falcons and other species flourishing in the city, add dimension to the narrative of London’s ever-changing ecology.
Local landscapes, from community gardens to parks, invite urban dwellers to appreciate the hidden natural beauty surrounding them, aligning with Attenborough’s own belief in the city’s charm.
In the realm of Star Wars, alien heroes confront villains wielding planet-destroying superweapons “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” But what do scientists truly understand about alien planets in galaxies far beyond our own? These fascinating worlds are known as extragalactic exoplanets. Assuming the Milky Way galaxy is akin to other galaxies, it is predicted to harbor similar worlds. Yet, many galaxies remain distant, rendering modern exoplanet observation techniques inadequate for their detection.
Recently, astronomers studied a stream of over 700,000 stars potentially absorbed by the Milky Way from the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy. Given their remoteness, the team investigated if any of these stars hosted large exoplanets orbiting close to Earth, specifically hot Jupiters, which are generally easier to identify.
The researchers established three criteria for narrowing down their star selection. First, each star must be sufficiently bright as observed by a transiting exoplanet probe like TESS to ensure high accuracy in their data processing software. Second, each star should possess at least a 50% likelihood of originating from the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy, based on motion and position measurements from the Gaia mission. Finally, the radius of each star needed to be less than twice that of the Sun to simplify the search for planets around smaller stars. These criteria helped refine the list to approximately 20,000 candidate stars.
Subsequently, the team utilized a software package to analyze public TESS catalog data, specifically the Eleanor TESS-Gaia light curve, also known as TGLC. Using these tools, they plotted the brightness of each star over time on a graph termed the light curve. The astronomers searched for periodic brightness dips, indicating an exoplanet passing in front of the star. This process eliminated several thousand stars affected by optical interference, refining their sample size to just over 15,000 stars.
To detect hot Jupiters, the team looked for brightness dips occurring at intervals of 14 hours to 10 days, the typical orbital periods for these planets. They employed geometric calculations to derive the radius of each exoplanet based on the proportion of starlight obscured. Candidates with dips corresponding to objects with radii more than twice that of Jupiter were excluded, as these dips likely resulted from orbiting companion stars rather than true exoplanets.
Among the examined stars, the most promising candidate for a hot Jupiter was identified as TIC 92223525. The researchers estimated that it could host an exoplanet with a radius 1.76 times that of Jupiter and an orbital period of 7.2 days. However, closer inspection of the star’s light curve indicated contamination from a neighboring star, TIC 92223526. The periodic brightness variations from this companion star mimicked those of an exoplanet, leading to a false positive in the initial screening. Consequently, the research team had to dismiss this candidate, leaving no confirmed exoplanets from their study.
The researchers drew significant conclusions from their inability to identify hot Jupiters within the Sagittarius Dwarf star sample. They estimated that if more than 1% of these stars hosted hot Jupiters, detecting at least one in a sample of over 15,000 stars would have been very probable. This limits the occurrence rate of hot Jupiters to around 1%. If accurate, future exoplanet-hunting endeavors may necessitate exploring over 11,000 stars to discover one, with reasonable scientific uncertainty suggesting at least 80,000 stars may need to be examined.
While this survey of the Sagittarius Dwarf yielded no conclusive results, the research team encourages subsequent researchers to continue their exploration of the Sagittarius Dwarf and other star streams from different galaxies. Scientists have identified over 20 such streams within the Milky Way. Investigations into these stellar streams may lead to the discovery of the first extragalactic planets or offer insights into whether other galaxies produce fewer hot Jupiters than our own. Let’s hope none of them stumble upon an extragalactic Death Star!
Since the groundbreaking debut of Ancillary Justice in 2013, Anne Leckie has emerged as a formidable talent in the realm of science fiction. Following swiftly were her acclaimed sequels, Auxiliary Sword and Imperial Mercy, completing the Imperial Radch trilogy which garnered numerous prestigious science fiction awards.
Leckie’s exploration of the genre continued with her shift toward independent novels set in the Radch universe. Although I have yet to dive into Raven Tower, I thoroughly enjoyed her intriguing standalone, Translation Status, which dissects both death and life through Leckie’s clever, yet chilling, Pleasure Aliens. Now, her latest addition to the Imperial Radch saga, Radiant Star, has just hit the shelves this month.
Radiant Star unfolds on the extraordinary planet Aaa, where its inhabitants have been compelled to dig into the underground city of Oioia after losing their sun.
This subterranean city is highly introverted, centering around a unique religious site known as the Temporal Location of the Shining Star, filled with enigmatic “saints” who may just be lifeless remains. Beyond this sacred site, the city teems with political nuances—marked by a peculiar dependence on onions (which becomes crucial as the story progresses).
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The drama that unfolds as the Latch Empire collapses and famine strikes across the planet feels entirely believable. “
One fateful day, Radchai, the ruler of the Latch universe, decides to annex this sunless world. The sentient spaceship, the Justice of Alva, suddenly materializes from the “Gate Universe,” alerting Aaa’s residents to impending changes. Onboard is Governor Charak Suvo, who arrives to govern Aaa while utilizing enslaved human bodies as his enforcers. However, the story takes a turn when an incident isolates the planet from the galaxy, complicating Charak’s governance.
Is Radiant Star a worthwhile read? Absolutely. Leckie’s world-building, intricate details, and ability to quickly develop relatable characters shine throughout the narrative. Her writing exudes confidence, wit, and an authentic dialogue style that resonates. The unfolding events on Aaa are compelling as the Latch Empire crumbles, leading to famine gripping the planet.
However, this book may cater more to established fans rather than newcomers to the Radch universe. Oioia feels quite claustrophobic, with much of the plot unfolding through political meetings rather than adventurous exploits. The city’s layered political and religious factions, while impressively developed, might not be the most engaging companions when contrasted with characters like Ambassador Pleasure.
Personally, I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the ship’s Justice character or perhaps more focus on one of the quirky local inhabitants instead of the many less congenial natives. Still, as a devoted follower of Leckie, I eagerly absorb every word she presents. Her prowess positions her among the elite authors in science fiction, and Radiant Star stands as a quieter yet significant piece in her repertoire.
While this novel may not be the brightest star in the Imperial Radch galaxy, it certainly makes a notable addition to Leckie’s distinguished collection in this universe.
The latest installment in our beloved Murderbot series is launching this month. I find myself reading Murderbot’s inner thoughts in Alexander Skarsgård’s voice ( Adaptation on Apple TV), making it even more captivating.
Emily H. Wilson, author of the Sumerian series—Inanna, Gilgamesh, Ninshubar—currently published by Titan, is also working on her first science fiction novel. Formerly an editor at New Scientist, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyhwilson1.
What did the New Scientist Book Club think of Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson?
I set an engaging challenge for the New Scientist Book Club this April: reading through Kim Stanley Robinson’s epic novel Red Mars, a detailed 600-page journey into the complexities of colonizing Mars. In just 30 days, our members shared their thoughts on this literary masterpiece during our vibrant discussions on Discord.
There’s a personal element to this as well; Red Mars is one of my all-time favorites. After reading a compelling article by critic George Bass about the story’s beginning in 2026, I was motivated to revisit this captivating world with our passionate community of 25,000 readers. Robinson masterfully captures the vast, alien beauty of Mars, and I loved experiencing the narrative from multiple perspectives, particularly the character Anne — a passionate advocate for preserving Mars’s natural state — and Sacks, who is determined to terraform the planet swiftly. I found the perspective of Nadia, a pragmatic engineer, especially engaging, though I admit the love triangle between John, Frank, and Maya felt somewhat repetitive.
Some members returned to Red Mars for a second read, while others picked it up for the first time, and some were inspired to finally dive into a book they had long overlooked. DavidC reflected on his initial draw to the book, stating, “I found the phrase ‘but it all happened in the mineral unconscious’ really appealing right on the first page. Now I’m ready for the next 600 pages!”
However, Zagosia expressed dissatisfaction with the dramatic opening that resulted in an important character’s demise, stating, “I don’t like the concept of spoiling the ending in the first chapter. You don’t want to know where this is going?” I, along with other members, reassured her to continue reading.
My conversation with Robinson during a video interview shed light on his intriguing narrative choice: “This is a flash-forward. It creates a sense of tension as we learn that John is dead, but we don’t yet understand why. This adds depth to every seemingly mundane detail of the town’s development.” The suspense enriches the story.
Robinson recently reread Red Mars and found it resonated well, apart from some “laughable gaps” in his knowledge of 2026 and beyond. He discussed the current misguided dreams of colonizing Mars, critically stating, “These people don’t think through the implications.” He dismissed Elon Musk’s notion that colonizing Mars would “save Earth” as unrealistic.
Reactions from our readers varied; many praised Robinson’s beautifully crafted writing about Mars while some found it hard to connect with the characters. Zagosia noted, “The portrayal of nature and scale was remarkable, yet I struggled to empathize with the characters and often felt situations lacked logic.”
Annie Greenwood enjoyed the book but craved something more relationship-driven afterward, saying, “I wanted an injection of character complexity after ‘Red Mars.’ I felt the narrative leaned heavily on ideas more than deep interpersonal dynamics.” The high-quality writing is undeniable, yet it lacked the emotional engagement she sought.
Discussions arose about the fragile state of affairs on Mars and whether a better selection of astronauts could have prevented chaos. Barbara Howe noted, “I anticipated a tale of scientific triumph over adversity, but what I encountered was a melodrama rife with human politics and flaws.” Despite personal frustrations with the plot dynamics, she appreciated the vivid descriptions of the Martian environment and found a few characters, like Nadia and Arkady, compelling.
Overall, our book club members enjoyed the rich experience of reading, discussing, and analyzing this classic sci-fi novel. Personally, I was thrilled to rediscover Red Mars as one of my enduring favorites.
Join the New Scientist Book Club today and participate in the conversation! Visit us on Discord.
A Coin-Sized Device for Measuring Flatulence in Smart Underwear
Brantley Hall, University of Maryland
Research reveals that most people are unaware of their flatulence frequency. However, innovative smart underwear can accurately monitor this, assisting in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal issues like lactose intolerance.
Brantley Hall and his team from the University of Maryland have developed a compact hydrogen detection device that clips onto your underwear. “It’s approximately the size of a nickel and is attached near the perineum,” says Hall.
The research involved 37 participants who wore the device to track flatulence post-lactose ingestion. Many individuals remain unaware of their flatulence, especially those who are lactose intolerant, as their bodies lack the enzyme lactase to properly digest lactose, leading to fermentation by gut bacteria and subsequent gas production.
The team asked participants to follow a strict low-fiber diet for two days to establish a baseline before consuming 20 grams of either lactose or sucrose. There was a double-blind design, ensuring neither participants nor researchers knew what was ingested.
Results from the study indicated that 24 out of the 37 participants who consumed lactose exhibited a significant increase in flatulence—more than 1.5 times their baseline levels. Notably, in 22 of these individuals, higher gas production correlated with greater lactose intake.
Despite these findings, an additional study showed participants could only accurately identify their gasiest days about 50 percent of the time, akin to flipping a coin. “People aren’t reliable narrators of their flatulence patterns,” Hall added.
Hall plans to present the findings at Digestive Disease Week 2026 in Chicago, highlighting the device’s potential to help diagnose conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and evaluate treatment efficacy for excess gas production.
This non-invasive approach using smart underwear for measuring flatulence is promising, especially as technology acceptance grows. Tom Van Gils from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, noted the link between subjective feelings of bloating and objective measures, saying, “This could improve our understanding of physical changes involved in gastrointestinal disorders.”
A recent investigation by Hall et al. revealed that healthy adults experience between 4 to 59 farts daily, with an average of 32 farts per day.
“Our study may skew towards those who fart more frequently, so this number could reduce over time,” Hall commented. “We aim to establish baseline flatulence patterns in healthy individuals and assess common triggers.”
In a captivating crime scene, two individuals and three DNA profiles emerge.
A woman with a gunshot wound to her head was discovered in China, but investigators were baffled. Forensic analysis uncovered a perplexing detail: a second DNA profile, this time male, present in her bloodstream.
Initially, researchers explored common explanations such as DNA transfer from lab contamination or recent contact. Yet, 17 repeated tests confirmed the presence of the male DNA across various organs and blood samples.
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A second DNA profile was intertwined throughout her body, suggesting that within her lay the remnants of a long-lost twin.
Chimera’s DNA retains genetic echoes of its ‘vanished’ twin – Image courtesy of Getty Images
The intricate details of this case were detailed in a 2026 study published in Forensic Medicine International: Genetics. Unbeknownst to her, the woman was a genetic chimera.
Typically, living organisms harbor a single set of DNA that guides their development and function. However, chimeras possess dual DNA sets, potentially shaping their bodies in unique ways.
While rare, chimerism could be more common than documented cases suggest. Estimates indicate that you may know a chimera—or might even be one yourself!
Understanding Chimerism
It’s not unusual for cells to differ from one’s main DNA. Most of us have traces of “microchimerism” from exchanging genetic material with our mothers during pregnancy.
Moreover, organ transplants or blood transfusions also introduce donor DNA into recipients.
Congenital chimerism occurs differently at conception, resulting in a significant second DNA set that can impact bodily formation.
A typical pregnancy starts when a single sperm fertilizes an egg, blocking entry to others. This fusion results in a single genetic spindle that replicates and develops.
However, if two sperm enter simultaneously, a rare condition can lead to a triploid fetus carrying genetic material from the egg and both sperm. Normally, this results in miscarriage.
In rare cases of chimerism, an atypical spindle survives, leading to a viable pregnancy—a phenomenon termed heterogonic chimerism.
“Such occurrences are extremely rare due to the body’s regulatory systems,” she explains.
Identifying Chimerism
What’s remarkable is that this Chinese woman likely carried DNA from two sperm that were genetically different—one with an X chromosome and another with a Y chromosome.
These two DNA profiles appeared in varying degrees throughout her body. In some chimeras, the distribution is even, while in others, one DNA set predominates, leading to diverse genetic traits in different body parts.
Physical signs of chimerism, though uncommon, can surface, including patchy skin pigmentation. Taylor Mule, a chimerism advocate, showcases this with distinctive skin patterns dividing two colors on her abdomen.
Taylor Mule’s skin pigmentation reflects her unique chimerism – Image credit: Getty Images
In an XX/XY chimera scenario, a fusion of female and male cell lines can result in ambiguous genitalia, although the murder victim displayed no obvious signs of chimerism.
Chimerism often remains hidden within our DNA until revealed through comprehensive genetic testing. It typically comes to light during mother-child examinations or in forensic contexts.
Prevalence of Chimerism
The more common variant of chimerism is known as the “tetragametic phenomenon,” occurring when two eggs are released simultaneously and fertilized by different sperm. In chimerism, this leads to the fusion of two embryos into one.
If twins exist in a family, the chances of chimerism increase significantly, according to genetic counselors and “DNA detectives.” Kayla Mandel Sheets from Vibrant Gene emphasizes the importance of family histories involving multiple births and assisted reproductive technology.
However, chimerism doesn’t always leave physical traces, making its prevalence difficult to ascertain. Estimates suggest that up to 10 percent of the population may be chimeras, although this is considered a significant overestimation by some experts due to the low incidence of chimeras among individuals in UK genetic databases.
“It’s exceedingly rare,” she states. “I analyze blood samples daily, and I’ve never encountered a chimera.”
Ultimately, the actual incidence of chimerism will require large-scale, costly studies to unravel.
Looking ahead, the rise of in vitro fertilization (IVF) could lead to an increased occurrence of biological chimerism, as more embryos are created and occasionally fuse. Increased IVF rates could further contribute to this phenomenon.
“With the surge in IVF and fertility treatments, fraternal twin pregnancies are climbing, leading us to suggest that congenital chimerism may also rise,” says Sheets.
Chimerism and Daily Life
So, how might being a chimera impact your life? One significant challenge is proving parentage for oneself or one’s children.
A notable case in 2002 involved Lydia Fairchild, who was informed that her cheek swab revealed no match with her child’s DNA while applying for state benefits. This led to a fraud accusation.
To resolve this, officials ordered a blood sample at the birth of her third child. Yet, testing still showed no genetic match, raising the threat of her children being taken by the state.
Fortunately, a lawyer who had read a recent study requested a new sample from Fairchild’s cervix.
In Fairchild’s situation, her reproductive tissue sourced DNA from a different lineage than her blood and saliva. Testing her cervical cells ultimately revealed a match with her children.
Families with twins may frequently experience chimerism – Image courtesy of Getty Images
“Each pregnancy was a roll of the dice concerning which egg would be viable,” Sheets notes, emphasizing that it was the missing twin’s egg that often prevailed.
This implies that chimeric children may carry genetic traits from individuals who never existed at all. In Fairchild’s case, she turned out to be a kind of biological aunt to her kids, potentially having “impregnated” them in the absence of her vanished twins.
Chimerism and Crime
Imagine a scenario: DNA evidence collected from a crime scene fails to match any suspect, including the individual identified by the victim, enabling the true perpetrator to escape.
This situation resembles a plotline from a crime drama, but it’s increasingly relevant in real legal cases involving chimerism. Concerns exist that chimerism may complicate criminal investigations.
“It’s a factor to consider in these cases,” Cindercombe-Court explains. However, forensic analysts have trained protocols to account for DNA mixtures resulting from contamination, transplants, or chimerism.
A surge of chimerism reports in the 1990s raised questions about DNA’s reliability in court for establishing relationships.
Kayla Mandel Sheets’ research on chimeras published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics – Image credit: Kayla Mandel Sheets
The genetic test known as Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis has been the standard in forensic science since the 1980s. However, it has limitations that might yield incorrect results, leading to misidentification of relationships.
Many chimeras could remain undetected due to the complexities of their mixed DNA. As technology evolves, there’s potential for identifying familial connections more accurately.
Experts predict that advancements will lead to the recognition of chimerism more frequently in legal contexts, helping to prevent individuals from losing parental rights or facing other consequences tied to mistaken identity.
Therefore, should DNA evidence be dismissed in court? Not necessarily. However, perhaps it’s time to reconsider its perceived infallibility.
Curiosity often leads us to explore places deemed off-limits, yet these areas have compelling reasons for their restricted access.
From hazardous materials to priceless artifacts, uncover the science behind some of the world’s most restricted zones.
Elephant’s Foot
The Elephant’s Foot is a two-ton mass of molten material under reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Known as one of the most radioactive substances in history, the Elephant’s Foot is a two-ton mass of molten material found beneath reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine.
Composed of a rare mixture known as corium, it combines molten reactor core and nuclear fuel.
When discovered in 1986, its extreme radioactivity posed a lethal threat, with exposure times less than three minutes dangerous.
Although radioactive decay reduces its risk over time, it remains hazardous. Large-scale steel and concrete barriers have been erected to contain radiation, and access to the site is strictly controlled.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
This secure underground facility protects some of the world’s most vital biological samples.
Located beneath permafrost on a mountainside in Spitsbergen, the Global Seed Vault safeguards over one million seeds.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic contains 1.4 million seeds from over 6,000 species. Very few seeds are removed. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Its mission is to preserve the genetic material of crops and wild species, providing a backup in case other seed banks globally suffer damage from disasters, wars, or diseases.
Lascaux Cave
Located in southern France, access to the Lascaux Cave is restricted to a select few authorized individuals, due to its archaeological significance.
The Lascaux Caves feature over 600 rock paintings dating back around 17,000 years to the Upper Paleolithic period. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
The rise in carbon dioxide levels and heat from visitors created an ideal environment for fungi and lichens, further threatening the artwork.
In 1963, the caves were closed to protect the delicate rock art, and air conditioning was installed for preservation.
Zone Rouge
Covering over 1,200 km2 in northeastern France (Zone Rouge), this region has been closed since World War I.
These former battlefields are filled with unexploded ordnance, and the soil is contaminated with heavy metals like mercury and arsenic from discarded weaponry.
The ‘Zone Rouge’ still bears the scars of World War I, filled with unexploded ordnance. Image courtesy of Alamy.
In the most affected regions, the soil contains up to 300 shells per hectare, and cleanup crews estimate it will take at least 300 years for complete remediation.
Surtsey Island
Access to this uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean is exclusive to a select number of scientists.
Surtsey Island was formed in 1963 following the eruption of an underwater volcano. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Happy 50th birthday, Apple! As we approach April 2026, let’s dive into some of the tech giant’s most iconic products, the challenges that shaped them, and what exciting innovations lie ahead.
Iconic Products
#1 Apple II
The Apple II, launched in 1977, was pivotal in transforming Apple from a budding startup to a technology powerhouse.
VisiCalc, the first mainstream spreadsheet application, launched on Apple II – Image credit: Getty Images
Unlike the DIY computer kits of its era, the Apple II arrived fully assembled, featuring color graphics and connectivity to home televisions.
Its success was fueled by software innovations, most notably VisiCalc, which became a staple in small and medium-sized businesses. This revenue surge financed Apple’s ascent during the 1980 stock market boom and paved the way for future innovations.
#2 Macintosh 128K
While the Apple II laid the foundation, the Macintosh 128K, introduced in 1984, fundamentally redefined user interaction with computers.
Its revolutionary graphical user interface replaced complex text commands with intuitive mouse control, catalyzing a desktop publishing revolution.
The Macintosh 128K played a pivotal role in shaping Apple’s identity – Image credit: Getty Images
Though sales were modest, the Macintosh solidified Apple’s reputation for sleek design and enhanced user experience, distinguishing it from IBM competitors.
#3 iMac G3
The iMac G3, designed by Jony Ive, revitalized Apple under Steve Jobs – Image courtesy of Getty Images
Launched in 1998, the iMac G3 emerged as Apple faced significant financial struggles. This all-in-one computer was instrumental in reviving the brand, featuring vibrant colors and innovative USB connectivity.
The controversial “hockey puck” mouse became iconic, and the iMac G3 solidified Apple’s reputation by merging functionality with modern design.
#4 iPod (1st Generation)
When the iPod debuted in 2001, it catapulted Apple into the musical spotlight, changing the way we consume music forever.
The iPod transformed music purchasing and listening habits – Image credit: Getty Images
With an intuitive scroll wheel and seamless integration with iTunes, the iPod outperformed its competitors, setting new music consumption standards and laying the groundwork for future mobile technologies.
#5 iPhone 3G
While the original iPhone marked Apple’s entry into smartphones, the iPhone 3G, released in 2008, truly revolutionized mobile technology.
With major upgrades including 3G connectivity and the introduction of the App Store, the iPhone 3G redefined mobile usability.
The iPhone 3G epitomized Apple’s vision for smartphones – Image courtesy of Alamy
Developers quickly flocked to create thousands of apps, skyrocketing sales and launching the modern smartphone era.
Notable Missteps
Apple III
In its rush to compete with IBM, Apple released the Apple III without comprehensive testing, leading to overheating and stability issues that tarnished the brand’s credibility.
Apple Pippin
Apple’s attempt to merge gaming with the Macintosh experience fell flat with the Pippin, unable to compete due to its high price and limited game library, selling only 42,000 units against a target of 500,000.
Apple Vision Pro
Despite its innovation, high costs have hampered the Vision Pro’s success – Image courtesy of Apple
The Vision Pro, featuring advanced optics and software, impressed critics but struggled with sales due to its steep price and limited practicality for the average consumer.
The Future of Apple
What lies ahead for Apple? Speculations abound regarding AI-driven smart glasses, smart home displays, and even proprietary security cameras. However, the most buzz surrounds the rumored “iPhone Fold,” possibly set for release this year.
The iPhone Fold aims to eliminate the creases that plague current foldable tech – Image credit: Getty Images
The anticipated “iPhone Fold” is expected to transition from a 5.5-inch display to an iPad mini-sized screen, a “book-style” foldable design.
While competitors like Google and Samsung have forayed into this territory, Apple’s history suggests that innovation often comes with its own timing.
However, this foldable device won’t come cheaply; reports suggest a price tag of around $2,500 (£1,900).
The Earth’s magnetic field originates from moving charges. In a typical bar magnet, these moving charges are electrons orbiting in atoms. However, inside the Earth, the magnetic field is produced by electrons in circulating flows of molten iron.
The exact processes are not fully understood. Essentially, the hot material in the Earth’s outer liquid iron core expands and rises as it becomes less dense than its surroundings. As it cools, it should sink again; yet, Earth’s rotation complicates this process.
Consequently, fluid circulation occurs around the core, generating friction between the various layers, similar to a plastic comb rubbing against a nylon sweater. It’s this movement of charges that ultimately creates the Earth’s magnetic field.
Thus, two essential factors for planetary magnetism are a liquid core and rotation. This is evident because, despite Venus being nearly the size of Earth and having a liquid core, it lacks a significant magnetic field due to its slow rotation speed of once every 243 Earth days.
Why Do the Earth’s Magnetic Poles Move?
Tracking the true position of magnetic north is essential for accurate navigation – Credit: Alamy
The Earth’s magnetic field resembles that of a bar magnet with distinct north and south poles; however, the processes that generate it are complex and lead to fluctuations in the magnetic poles.
Historically, the North Pole has shifted approximately 15 km (9 miles) annually. Since the 1990s, this acceleration has intensified, with the pole currently moving towards Siberia at a rate of about 55 kilometers (34 miles) per year. Speculatively, this shift might signal an impending magnetic reversal, where the magnetic north and south poles swap positions—an event recorded 171 times over the past 71 million years.
Satellite observations suggest that these movements arise from competing clusters of unusually strong magnetic fields deep within the Earth. Despite various theories, the exact reasons for the reversal of Earth’s poles remain uncertain.
What Happens If the Magnetic Field Disappears?
Auroras visualize magnetic fields that protect us from harmful radiation – Credit: Getty
Scientists discovered the concept of magnetic reversal by studying fields on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where molten rock emerges and solidifies. As it does so, crystals align with the Earth’s magnetic field, leaving a historical record of reversals.
The reversal is believed to take place over a period of 1,000 to 10,000 years, during which the magnetic field can shrink to zero before re-emerging with the opposite polarity. This process implies that there may be extended periods when Earth had no magnetic field.
This absence poses risks for life, as the magnetic field extends far into space, creating a protective bubble that shields the Earth’s surface from harmful solar wind particles and cosmic rays.
These particles usually funnel toward the poles, resulting in stunning auroras. Without this protective shield, the increase in radiation could elevate mutation rates in living cells and potentially lead to cancer in various organisms. Despite these challenges, life has withstood many such magnetic field events.
How Stable Is Earth’s Magnetic Field?
Earth’s core is as hot as the sun’s surface – Credit: Getty
The reliance of the Earth’s magnetic field on electrical currents flowing through molten material means that the field is inherently variable. This variability is evident in the current movement of the magnetic north pole, while the south pole’s movement is less pronounced.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to recognize that the magnetic field remains relatively stable 99.9% of the time. This stability has played a key role in protecting life on Earth for nearly 3.8 billion years.
How Do Animals Use Magnetic Fields for Navigation?
Pigeons can sense Earth’s magnetic field, enhancing their incredible homing instincts – Credit: Getty
Many animals exhibit remarkable navigation abilities, leading to the hypothesis that they possess a magnetic sense to detect magnetic field lines. However, identifying the underlying mechanisms has proven challenging.
In the 1970s, American researcher Richard Blakemore observed that certain single-celled organisms responded to magnetic fields, leading biologists to discover that these organisms contain small sacs of magnetic iron oxide or sulfide.
Currently, Noboru Ikeya and Jonathan Woodward from the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that magnetic fields can induce chemical changes affecting cell behavior. They found that the presence of a magnet could alter cellular chemicals by up to 3.5%, shedding light on the connection between magnetic fields and biological responses.
Research involving numerous European bird species—including great tits, house sparrows, and blackbirds—indicates that these birds can differentiate between male and female humans, responding accordingly. However, the underlying reasons for this behavior remain elusive.
Western Wagtail (Motacilla flava), small birds from the order Passeriformes and the family Motacilidae. Image credit: Sci.News.
“When facing potential predators, flight is the primary response across various animal species,” stated Daniel Blumstein, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Evaluating the costs and benefits of escape is vital for managing predation risks.”
“Flight Initiation Distance (FID) is often utilized to explore the cost-benefit dynamics associated with these risks.”
“FID serves as a reliable measure of fear, reflected in the distance between the observer and the target animal when it decides to flee.”
“In urban birds, FID can effectively gauge predator-related apprehension, even in situations where humans approach without aggressive intent.”
In a recent study across five European nations (the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland, and Spain), participants—both male and female—walked directly towards birds located in urban parks and green spaces.
The study revealed that male observers could approach birds an average of 1 meter closer before the birds took flight compared to female observers.
These findings were consistent among the 37 bird species examined in all participating countries, ranging from fast-fleeing species like magpies to slower species like pigeons.
“Adjusting for other variables influencing FID, our research indicates that birds generally flee from a distance roughly 1 meter farther when approached by females compared to males,” the researchers stated.
“This suggests a lower tolerance among birds for female approaches, a trend observed consistently across diverse geographical locations.”
This leads to the conclusion that urban birds can perceive the gender of approaching humans.
However, the specific traits that prompt this detection and the reasons behind the heightened aversion to women remain unclear.
“We firmly stand by our findings that urban birds react distinctively to the gender of human observers, yet we currently lack a definitive explanation,” noted Professor Blumstein.
“Utilizing advanced comparative analysis techniques, we confirmed consistent results across various cities and species, leaving us puzzled regarding the underlying factors.”
Dr. Janina Benedetti from the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague remarked, “As a female researcher in the field, it was surprising to see differing reactions from the birds.”
“This study sheds light on how urban wildlife perceives humans, which holds significant implications for urban ecology and the representation of diversity in scientific research.”
“Many behavioral studies presume human observers are neutral; our study illustrates this assumption doesn’t hold true for urban birds.”
The research team has proposed several hypotheses regarding potential factors, such as pheromones, body shape, and gait.
“This aspect of our study is particularly intriguing,” commented Dr. Federico Morelli, a researcher at the University of Turin.
“We’ve identified an interesting phenomenon, yet the reasons remain unclear.”
“Our findings highlight the birds’ advanced capabilities in environmental assessment.”
“Urban birds evidently react to subtle cues that often go unnoticed by humans,” concluded Benedetti.
Future studies could focus on individual aspects such as behavior patterns, olfactory signals, and physical traits, allowing for a more targeted investigation into the specific cues that birds may recognize.
For further information, refer to the findings published in the February 2026 issue of the journal People and Nature.
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Federico Morelli et al. 2026. Sex matters: European urban birds flee faster when approached by females than when approached by males. People and Nature 8 (2): 316-326; doi: 10.1002/pan3.70226
Newly discovered Neoazhdarchian pterosaur footprints in South Korea unveil critical insights into the hunting behaviors of some of the largest flying reptiles.
Life reconstruction of Jinjuichnus procerus and its tetrapod trackmaker, showcasing how Neoazhdarchian pterosaurs hunted small vertebrates. Image credit: Jun Soon-yi.
Pterosaurs, recognized as the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, are often portrayed soaring over ancient oceans.
However, paleontologists have long posited that many pterosaur species spent considerable time on land, pursuing prey similarly to modern wading birds.
Despite this, concrete evidence supporting such behavior has remained scarce.
“Pterosaurs played vital roles in the Mesozoic ecosystem, flourishing from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous,” stated Dr. Jeongyun Jeong from the University of Texas at Austin, along with collaborators from the Korea Dinosaur Research Center at Chonnam University.
“They occupied diverse ecological niches and showcased varied dietary adaptations.”
Specifically, Neo Azhdarchia species, including Thalaminoptera, Hemiptera, and Azhdarchidae, are thought to be primarily terrestrial carnivorous hunters based on their anatomical features and fossil evidence.
“These insights suggest some groups may have utilized hunting strategies akin to modern terrestrial stalkers such as storks and cranes.”
Nonetheless, the fossil record has not yet yielded direct evidence of pterosaurs preying on land.
Jinjuichnus procerus footprints and associated small vertebrate tracks preserved on a single slab. Image credit: Chong et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y.
The newly identified footprints, dating back 106 million years, are preserved in the Jinju Formation, potentially shedding light on this behavioral gap.
These large, asymmetrical tracks with elongated fingers are attributed to Neoazhdarchian pterosaurs, specifically Jinjuichnus procerus.
The footprints are situated in close proximity to other tracks likely made by small terrestrial animals, such as salamanders or lizards, suggesting possible prehistoric interactions.
The animal’s track indicates a sudden change in direction and a noticeable increase in stride length, hinting at a fast burst of movement.
Pterosaurs displayed impressive speed for their size, moving at approximately 0.8 meters per second.
This aligns with the theory that Neoazhdarchians were highly adapted as terrestrial predators.
However, the possibility of coincidental association between these tracks cannot be dismissed.
“This correlation presents significant ichthyological evidence of terrestrial vertebrate interactions with pterosaurs,” the paleontologists concluded.
“Yet, direct communication between the trackmakers remains difficult to ascertain, as alternative interpretations of these tracks exist.”
“Paired trackways offer valuable insights into factors to consider when evaluating potential interactions involving trackmakers.”
“While scenarios like predation remain uncertain, they highlight the complexities involved in interpreting behavioral associations preserved in ancient trackways.”
The research team’s study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
_____
J. Jung et al. 2026. New large pterosaur footprints from Korea and implications for terrestrial behavior. Scientific Reports 16, 12363; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have obtained a stunning image of the spiral galaxy NGC 3137, situated in the constellation Antolia.
This Hubble image showcases NGC 3137, a spiral galaxy approximately 53 million light-years away in the constellation Antolia. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Tilker / PHANGS-HST Team.
NGC 3137, also known as LEDA 29530, UGCA 203, and ESO 435-47, boasts a diameter of 140,000 light-years.
This magnificent galaxy was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on February 5, 1837.
Experts from Hubble state, “At the heart of NGC 3137, enveloped by a network of fine, dusty clouds, lies a black hole estimated to be 60 million times the mass of the Sun.”
“This spiral galaxy’s unique tilt offers an exceptional view of its elegant, feather-like spiral arms.”
“While the myriad of features is astonishing, it’s the galaxy’s brilliant star clusters that truly captivate observers.”
“Dotted with dense clusters of luminous blue stars and radiant red gas clouds, this galaxy indicates the presence of lively young stars still enveloped in their birth nebulae.”
“Unsurprisingly, these star clusters have drawn Hubble’s keen eye.”
This captivating image of NGC 3137 was captured as part of the PHANGS (Physics at High Angular Resolution in Nearby Galaxies)-HST program, which is dedicated to studying 55 star clusters in nearby galaxies.
The data gathered assists astronomers in identifying star clusters and the glowing nebulae surrounding them, providing insight into the ages of stars within galaxies like NGC 3137.
These observations reveal a detailed panorama of stellar life in spiral galaxies, from nascent stars undergoing formation to ancient stellar populations that developed in the early epochs of their galactic host.
“NGC 3137 is particularly intriguing for astronomers as it moves through space alongside a group of galaxies thought to resemble the Local Group, which includes our Milky Way,” they noted.
“Similar to the Local Group, the NGC 3175 group comprises two large spiral galaxies: NGC 3137 and NGC 3175, which Hubble also examines.”
“The major constituents of the Local Group include the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy.”
“In addition to these two prominent spiral galaxies, both groups contain numerous small dwarf galaxies; however, the precise number of small galaxies within the NGC 3175 group remains uncertain.”
“By investigating this nearby galaxy group, astronomers can glean valuable insights into the dynamics of our galactic home.”
This summer was unforgettable. July struck hard, with 62 recorded heatstroke fatalities in Seoul, compounded by a disgraceful failure of a GS-100 security android that collapsed outside the Unified Chosun Bank. A street cleaner swept the remains into a pile, leaving behind its head, which continued chirping warnings about the heat.
Then came the monsoon season. Undeterred, hundreds of Red Devils supporters packed the World Cup stadium, waving flags of a unified nation, only to have their hopes dashed in the first round: Mexico triumphed 7-0 over the Republic of Korea. The following day, the sun reemerged, casting a white glow over a salvage yard as an aged Grumman A-1 bomb disposal unit maneuvered in a figure-eight pattern. It made way for a young girl named Louisier, who exuberantly threw her arms back as if celebrating, while dragging a woman by her ankles.
This woman, once enchanting with her pink lips and shimmering blonde hair, had seen better days. Her visage was a mosaic of ruins, held together by one cloudy blue eye, while her torso resembled a translucent bioplastic vest. Ruijie pressed the power button on the woman’s neck, but alas, the robot was lifeless.
Yet, those legs—so exquisitely beautiful—caught Mr. Louisier’s attention, and he intended to take them home.
She paused to check her robowear’s battery. Two hours remained. A cutting-edge, battery-powered titanium brace was affixed to her leg, designed to enhance her mobility, a testament to the love that surrounded her.
Nearby, Japanese pampas grass swayed at the edge of the collection lot. Abandoned war machines from the Unification War lay dormant, resembling ancient beasts. Among them rested the SADARM-1000, notorious for its terrifying legacy. Once active, it unleashed a barrage of bladed robots that sliced through the air with abandon.
Decades later, SADARM remained dormant, lying on its side as if in a deep slumber, its gut torn open and robbed of valuable parts. Louisier pulled on the woman’s leg, but when her head struck a piece of buried metal, one blue eye popped out. Cursing, he chased it through the grass until it finally slowed to a crawl at the base of SADARM’s belly.
Ruijie paused for a moment, her heart racing as a swarm of wasps stood still, their wings flickering. From the melted remnants of another machine, perhaps there lay the remnants of a golden drone, or a yellow jacket awaiting to pounce—real or virtual, which posed a greater threat?
Real entities displayed no restraint.
She aspired to achieve perfection, to become as still as a robot. Yet, robots require no enhancements to move. They are discarded when they outlive their utility.
In that instant, a hum emanated from deep within SADARM. The hornets rustled, their wings buzzing with rising indignation, but a unique sound submerged their anger. It was a melodic hum, oscillating like the tide, echoing the gentle rhythm of a temple bell. Hmm, hmm. The vibrations disrupted her robowear and sent chills across her arms.
Silence enveloped the hornets.
Someone is inside. Even her thoughts lowered to whispers, and this must be a person of wonder to be lulled to sleep by the drone of a wasp’s nest.
RUIJIE was treasured by both sides of her family. Her relatives in Fuzhou lovingly called her Rui Rui and Mingzhu, particularly her father, who saw her as a priceless gem.
Her symptoms first arose in fourth grade while her father proudly shared Ruijie’s award-winning science project, “The Great Silence and Why I Think We’re Listening,” during dinner, leading her mother to jest that the table itself could benefit from some silence. Amidst laughter, Louise inhaled pungent shacha sauce through her nose, reaching for a glass of water when it slipped from her grasp.
Days passed, and she dropped her chopsticks. They crashed to the floor, dragging slippery noodles along. Her father commented on her clumsiness. Ruijie, shy but rebellious, remembered those moments and often felt trapped within her own body.
The tremors intensified. Her fingers resisted the urge to clench. Embracing this, she found strength to fend off annoying classmates, yet simple tasks like holding a pen became insurmountable. Hospital visits escalated, tests unveiled potential scares—ALS, PMA, MMA, but they were no martial arts to her. Sleepless nights came, gripped by an iron band tightening on her body. In despair, her parents would sneak in, kneeling beside her as they wrapped sandalwood beads around her hands and prayed for relief.
Thereafter, she was fitted for her first robowear. A rectangular ivory disc was affixed to her hip—a sensor and motor guiding her movements like a gentle nudge on a swing. Louisier stood unassisted for the first time in weeks. Her father praised her as “super,” while her mother captured the moment, touching the photo delicately as if to save its fleeting worth.
Doctors maintained a somber tone—preparations were in order. But Ruijie, a triumphant presence in science fairs, remained optimistic about miracles. She believed in the intricate connections between beings and the universe. She was one with everything. Matter and spirit melded, resembling a swimmer’s fluidity within the sea and the precision of an archer’s shot. With this belief, she envisioned waking up, walking forward, and inhaling the luminous energy of a universe alive with fluctuating light—her body undergoing decay, yet thriving, igniting her internal cosmos, where stars flickered in radiant harmony.
This is an excerpt fromBright, written by Sylvia Park, published by Oneworld, May 2026.Join the New Scientist Book Club and be part of our discussions on Discord.
Wildfires in Patagonia, Argentina, are a significant concern in 2026 due to extreme weather conditions.
Credit: Thomas Cuesta/AFP via Getty Images
Experts predict that 2026 could become the hottest year on record, attributed to climate change and the emerging El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to elevate temperatures even further.
Records indicate that these temperatures will surpass the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels by 2024.
In the latter half of 2026, the onset of the El Niño phenomenon will likely be felt. This natural climate stage, characterized by the warming of equatorial Pacific waters, influences global temperatures. Some predictions suggest a “Super El Niño,” potentially the strongest recorded, could result in unprecedented temperature spikes in 2027.
Renowned climatologist James Hansen from Columbia University warned Congress in 1988 about human-induced climate warming. Current discussions among his colleagues reflect concerns that 2027 may become even hotter than forecasted.Read more here.
Currently, La Niña, the global climate phenomenon that cools temperatures, temporarily mitigates warming. The initial months of 2026 were approximately 0.1°C cooler than the same period in 2024. To outdo 2024, the latter half of this year must be exceptionally warm.
Based on projections from early 2026, Zeke Hausfather at Berkeley Earth estimates that 2026 will be around 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average, making it the second hottest year recorded.
However, Hansen and his team believe this is an underestimation. They argue that lowering air pollution, which allows more sunlight to warm the planet, is accelerating global warming beyond current models.
In their recent analysis, they highlighted that sea surface temperatures—which are less influenced by short-term weather fluctuations—are now 0.17 degrees Celsius warmer than in 2023. This increase is more substantial than the 0.11 °C rise observed in 2024 compared to 2023.
“The temperature gap is significant enough to suggest that 2026 may indeed become the hottest year recorded,” they assert.
Not all scientists share this certainty. The UK’s Met Office, as predicted in December, projected that 2026 temperatures would reach 1.46°C above pre-industrial levels, with variability between 1.34°C to 1.58°C. Thus, it’s still uncertain if 2026 will surpass the 1.55°C registered in 2024, according to Adam Scaife of the Japan Meteorological Agency.
“Given the temporal uncertainties, providing a probability is wise,” Scaife commented. “Absolute confidence is impossible.”
As the equatorial Pacific continues warming and El Niño probabilities increase, the likelihood of record-breaking global temperatures rises. Yet forecasters still anticipate a wide array of potential outcomes, says John Kennedy from the World Meteorological Organization. “Hansen’s projection is definitive, but it represents one of many forecasting methods.”
In a recent blog post, Hausfather revealed a 26% chance that 2026 will set a new temperature record, alongside a 56% chance of being the second hottest year.
Scaife underscores Hansen’s legitimate concern regarding rapid warming, suggesting that the increased sensitivity of the climate to carbon dioxide emissions may outpace predictions. “If humanity’s climate sensitivity is higher than assumed, we could witness serious implications for future climate patterns,” he remarked.
No matter the precise figures on Earth’s temperatures, the world is likely bracing for more extreme weather conditions as El Niño impacts escalate. Regions such as Australia, Southeast Asia, south-central Africa, India, and the Amazon rainforest are poised to face severe heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
“A consensus exists that El Niño will trigger unprecedented levels of global warming,” one expert concluded. “The combination of these factors could lead to extraordinary weather events later this year.”
As our affection for pets becomes increasingly refined, the concept of parenthood often feels more like an obligation. In a world facing economic and environmental challenges, exacerbated by AI, traditional milestones appear elusive.
To express my appreciation, bright, emphasizes that this narrative originated as a children’s book. A family tragedy altered its path. Over several years, I experienced a succession of losses. The first was the death of a beloved dog.
He was fragile, charming with his silky fur and long eyelashes, drawing attention wherever he went. Despite being adored, he was also challenging—he had a distinct aversion to children. Yet, whenever we returned home, he danced about joyously. When we had to say goodbye, his suffering manifested as seizures, the first signs of a brain tumor.
The loss of a pet is fundamentally disruptive. Logically, one might anticipate this eventuality. Bringing an animal into our lives carries an implicit acknowledgment of its finite existence. We tell ourselves, “I know you will eventually depart.”
We often deceive ourselves. Headlines reveal how many have embraced the role of caregivers for these beloved animals—“fur babies,” we call them. The strollers we buy are not for infants but for our older furry companions. What could be more unnatural than losing something akin to a child?
This unnatural aspect inspired my exploration into the realm of robotics, particularly in the context of childhood. In my novel, a robot child goes missing, and her older guardian confronts the degradation not just of her sense of loss, but of her very identity. Aging takes its toll, evident in her diminished mobility; she grapples with the profound void left by the absence of her ‘daughter’, along with the loss of her housekeeper and assistant—all embodied in the robot child.
As robots become integral to our lives, our love for them might eventually be viewed as unconventional. The eeriest aspect is that these artificial beings, which elicit our affections, may not even possess consciousness. Yet, love them we will—just as we have done with countless living beings.
I sought to explore this emotional attachment and sorrow. How does one navigate grief for something deemed socially unacceptable? Not long ago, mourning a pet publicly was often met with the suggestion to “just get another one.” Today, jokes abound about taking time off work for a deceased pet. Grief complicates existence, especially when it lingers. We discuss “processing” grief as though it’s a task to be completed. In a society driven by productivity, being too sad to work renders one ‘unproductive,’ particularly for childless women with a love for animals. The attachment we develop for robotic children may soon face similar scrutiny.
And rightly so; we need to be cautious. Consider the ethics surrounding companies marketing these artificial relationships. Imagine robots cleaning, cooking, and even nurturing the elderly, perhaps embodied as a child designed to love and never leave us.
But what if that love isn’t genuine?
bright May 2026 article by Silvia Park (Oneworld). New Scientist Book Club. Join the conversation here.
In recent years, water bottles have grown substantially, driven by health influencers advocating for increased water intake for benefits such as glowing skin, enhanced brain function, and improved athletic performance. But is it essential to drink excessive amounts of water daily? And can you actually drink too much? Tamara Hugh Butler, a physiologist with over 20 years of hydration research under her belt and the medical research director for California’s Western States Endurance Run—one of the toughest ultramarathons—aims to debunk prevalent hydration myths.
1. Myth: Everyone should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
The required water intake varies considerably among individuals and fluctuates day by day. Common advice suggests everyone needs to drink around two liters or eight glasses daily. However, there’s no universal rule. A person weighing 45 kg who remains seated all day doesn’t need the same amount as a 100 kg rugby player outdoors in the sun.
Your hydration needs should align with your daily fluid loss. Although we’re not aware of how much water we lose, it is our body’s signal for thirst. The brain constantly monitors blood composition, sensing when hydration is required, prompting thirst to prevent dehydration. Ignoring thirst will only amplify the urge to drink.
A common misconception is that thirst indicates severe dehydration; in reality, it simply signals that more water is needed. Personally, I only hydrate when thirsty, which aligns with the principle for 98% of people.
2. Myth: Plain water is superior to coffee for hydration.
As someone who doesn’t enjoy plain water, I often opt for coffee, watery soups, fruits, vegetables, and smoothies for hydration. I only drink plain water when outdoors and in need. You can attain adequate hydration from various beverages and water-rich foods.
Contrary to belief, coffee isn’t a significant diuretic; the need to urinate after drinking coffee results from the liquid itself, not the caffeine. On the other hand, alcohol does act as a diuretic, leading to increased urination after consumption.
3. Myth: Drinking water when not thirsty offers extra health benefits.
Consuming more water than necessary doesn’t contribute additional health benefits except possibly curbing appetite for weight management. Your body tightly regulates hydration levels, meaning excess intake only leads to more frequent urination. There is minimal scientific evidence supporting claims that excessive water intake enhances skin health, alleviates constipation, or boosts immunity.
However, while harmless in moderation, overhydration can be risky. My own research emerged following incidents of runners who passed away from excessive water consumption during marathons. Overdrinking can dilute sodium levels in the blood, resulting in hyponatremia, which may cause brain swelling and, in extreme cases, death.
Research indicates that consuming 3 to 4 liters of water within an hour can lead to symptoms of hyponatremia, including headaches, nausea, and bloating.
4. Myth: Sports drinks are essential for rehydration during exercise.
Many believe sports drinks are necessary for hydration during physical activity due to the electrolytes like sodium and potassium they contain, which replace those lost through sweat. However, studies reveal that these extra electrolytes are typically only needed for prolonged, intense exercises, such as running for 17 hours in extreme heat. Even with regular workouts lasting a couple of hours, the electrolyte loss can generally be compensated by regular meals afterward. While sports drinks can be beneficial for carbohydrate replenishment during intense exercise, most individuals do not require them.
NHS England is swiftly retracting all software it developed from public access, due to concerns over potential hacking threats from advanced artificial intelligence. However, security experts deem this decision unnecessary and counterproductive.
The software produced by NHS has historically been open source, available on GitHub, allowing organizations to innovate and enhance services without duplicating efforts due to funding from public resources.
In light of recent developments, NHS England has issued new directives shared with staff. According to New Scientist, existing and forthcoming software must remain private. “All source code repositories must be private by default. Public access is only permitted under exceptional circumstances,” the guidance states, with a deadline for compliance set for May 11.
Recent reports highlighted that the AI system developed by Anthropic, called Mythos, could detect vulnerabilities in nearly any software, raising concerns about potential cyber breaches.
NHS England cites Mythos as a primary motivator for these new regulations, warning that public repositories heighten the risk of exposing sensitive information that savvy hackers may exploit. “This directive establishes a default closed posture for code while ensuring that organizations evaluate the impact of these changes,” they wrote.
Contrarily, the UK government-backed AI Security Institute (AISI) has found that Mythos primarily targets “small, poorly defended and vulnerable corporate systems,” indicating that truly secure software remains unharmed.
The recent measures contradict NHS service standards, mandating that software originating from public resources be open source. “Public services, funded by taxpayers, should remain reusable and modifiable by others unless deemed necessary otherwise,” as outlined in previous guidelines.
Open source software enhances trust and transparency in public services. The Horizon IT system utilized by the UK Post Office, which caused unjust accusations of theft, might have avoided turmoil if its code had been publicly accessible. Read more about the scandal here.
Terrence Eden, a British civil servant with experience in public data accessibility, criticized the recent move as illogical. “Is it possible for Mythos to scan a repository and identify a bug? Absolutely. But will it lead to a security issue in running NHS services? Highly unlikely,” Eden asserts. “This reaction seems to reflect a panic based on exaggerated fears about Mythos’s capabilities.”
Eden argues that open source solutions are actually more secure due to greater scrutiny from the community. Furthermore, NHS software has long been publicly accessible, meaning it exists in various backups regardless of new restrictions.
“Restricting access now is akin to closing the barn door after the horse has bolted,” Eden comments. “NHS staff are perplexed, uncertain about where this policy aims to lead.”
A spokesperson for NHS England stated: “To bolster our cybersecurity, we are temporarily limiting access to certain NHS England source code while we assess the rapidly evolving AI landscape. We will continue to share source code publicly where necessary.”
Colombian and Dutch ministers Irene Vélez Torres and Stientje van Veldhoven embrace at the conclusion of a significant meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia.
Ivan Valencia/Associated Press/Alamy
In November, nations convened in Brazil for the annual UN climate change summit COP30, with aspirations to develop a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, due to resistance from oil-dependent nations, the final document failed to even address fossil fuels.
In response, Colombia and the Netherlands launched a pivotal conference on the transition away from fossil fuels this week, hosting 57 countries at Colombia’s coal export hub in Santa Marta. This “coalition of the willing” featured not only frontrunners in climate action like the European Union and the United Kingdom, but also prominent oil-exporting nations such as Canada, Nigeria, and Norway.
The summit reinforced the necessity for countries to intensify their investment in renewable energy as a countermeasure to the energy crisis exacerbated by the war in Iran. While this signifies progress, some experts remain skeptical about whether verbal commitments will translate into tangible international action.
Johan Rockström, a professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, noted that the conference focused on actionable strategies rather than debating the validity of the climate crisis. “This marks a significant move toward implementation,” he commented.
Global investment in renewable energy has doubled, with transitions to low-carbon energy sources effectively replacing fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. However, projections indicate that without significant change, global temperatures may rise over 2°C by 2100.
Participants of the summit are preparing for a follow-up conference next year in Tuvalu, with a pre-meeting set for Ireland to discuss national roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
While these roadmaps are voluntary, their intention is to encompass both domestic consumption and exports of fossil fuels, which are often excluded from COP climate targets.
At the Santa Marta conference, scholars announced that Colombia aims to reduce its energy emissions by 90 percent by 2050, potentially yielding an economic benefit of $280 billion.
The event also marked France as the first high-income nation to unveil a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels, focusing on expanding solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy, while enhancing public transport, electric vehicles, and heat pumps.
The proposed timeline calls for a phase-out of fossil fuel energy: coal consumption by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050. In contrast, many countries only project net-zero targets, which may still allow for fossil fuel emissions supplemented by carbon capture technologies.
The conference aims to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies in the financial sector, redirecting funds toward renewable energy and overcoming the debt crises that hinder low-income countries from investing in sustainable energy.
“We can create pathways to dissolve fossil fuel subsidies and allocate that money towards climate finance,” said Jenny Miller from the Global Climate and Health Alliance. “This can only happen through open discussions among countries about necessary reforms.”
Simon Sharp, of S-Curve Economics, emphasizes that while addressing debt is crucial, the fossil fuel roadmap’s impact will be limited unless there’s a decrease in demand for oil and gas. He advocates for incentives to decarbonize lagging sectors like steel rather than simply limiting fossil fuel outputs.
“Diplomacy is important, but we must engage with the right stakeholders,” Sharp remarked, noting the absence of major developing countries such as China, India, and South Africa from Santa Marta.
The true efficacy of the conference will hinge on the ability of participants to transform their aspirations into actionable agreements at COP31 in Turkey, as emphasized by Joanna Depledge from Cambridge University.
“Are we simply echoing our beliefs?” she asked. “Or will we strive harder for consensus at COP? The essence of COP is to inclusively engage all stakeholders, including fossil fuel-exporting nations.”
Two Oak Trees in Spring Showcasing Leaf Growth Variations
Sven Finberg
After extensive leaf consumption by caterpillars in one season, oak trees experience a delay in bud opening by three days the following spring. This phenomenon ensures that when caterpillars hatch, their food source is scarce, resulting in a significant reduction in caterpillar survival and, consequently, leaf availability.
As spring approaches, warmer days trigger oak trees to flourish anew, with buds blossoming and young leaves unfurling. Many species sync their life cycles with this seasonal event. For instance, specific caterpillar species emerge precisely when new leaves appear, allowing them to feed on tender, nutrient-rich foliage immediately.
Researchers, including Somen Maric from the University of Wurzburg in Germany, have identified a defense mechanism employed by oak trees. By analyzing a large area of northern Bavaria using Sentinel-1 radar satellite data from 2017 to 2021, they discovered that the condition of oak canopies reveals critical insights.
This research focused on stalked oaks and sessile oaks (Quercus serrata and Quercus petraea), assessing 27,500 pixels of satellite imagery, where each pixel corresponds to an area of about 10 by 10 meters—approximately equal to the size of a tree’s crown.
A significant outbreak of gypsy moths (Lymantria Disper) occurred in 2019, causing severe damage as these caterpillars voraciously consumed the trees’ leaves.
The satellite data revealed a critical pattern: oak trees heavily infested by caterpillars exhibited a three-day delay in leaf emergence compared to healthier trees. This delay led to a striking 55% decrease in tree damage from the previous year, as caterpillars emerged to find their food source depleted.
This adaptation allows oak trees to withstand caterpillar infestations by preventing these pests from having immediate access to nutritious young leaves, ultimately leading to higher mortality rates among caterpillars, as stated by Malick.
Caterpillar Resting on an Oak Leaf Bud
Sven Finberg
Oak trees possess leaves that are challenging for herbivores to consume. Research suggests that these trees may release aromatic compounds that attract natural predators to caterpillars. “Delaying bud flowering appears to be a more effective defense mechanism than other strategies,” states Malick.
According to James Cahill from the University of Alberta, while the correlation between bud delay and caterpillar emergence is clear, further studies are needed to establish causation. The delay might result from diminished tree health due to leaf loss, necessitating more data across multiple outbreaks.
Professor Malick points out that while the delay may arise from physiological challenges, its consistency across various tree populations suggests it is an adaptive response that significantly mitigates herbivory.
“Understanding this mechanism is crucial and warrants further investigation,” notes James Blande from the University of Eastern Finland.
Observations indicate that forests may green later in spring than what current climate models predict. Malick emphasizes the importance of recognizing that plant responses extend beyond just climate change effects.
“It’s vital that we understand plants’ adaptive strategies in response to climate variations,” Cahill adds.
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