An American surgeon, Dr. Peter Stafford, contracted Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was in critical condition and struggled to stand when flown to Germany for urgent medical care on Tuesday, according to leaders of the Christian missionary organization known as Serge.
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Dr. Scott Maile, the East and Central Africa regional director for Serge, discussed the scene as Dr. Stafford was transported.
“There were personnel donned in personal protective equipment (PPE), and he was barely able to walk, relying on them for support,” Maile recounted. “He appeared extremely fatigued and ill.”
Dr. Stafford was serving at Nyankunde Hospital in the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province. Maile noted that just days before the outbreak was confirmed by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stafford had operated on a 33-year-old patient with severe abdominal pain, initially suspected to have a gallbladder infection.
“[Stafford] performed an abdominal procedure, confirming the gallbladder was normal, but unfortunately, the patient passed away the following day,” Maile explained.
Shortly after, it was discovered that the patient, who had been buried prior to testing, likely succumbed to Ebola. Stafford exhibited symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the virus on Sunday, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“He is an extremely diligent professional, always wearing sterile attire, gloves, a hat, and glasses during surgeries,” Maile remarked. “However, this alone does not suffice to prevent Ebola transmission.”
Rebecca Stafford, Dr. Stafford’s wife, is also a physician and has treated the same patients. Maile mentioned that she and their four young children are still in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are under monitoring. Another doctor, Dr. Patrick Larochelle, is also believed to be infected by the second patient and is currently being observed, although no one is showing symptoms.
“While childhood Ebola cases are rare, we remain hopeful that this will not be the case here,” Maile expressed.
Maile added that Stafford self-isolated as soon as he noticed symptoms, which included chills, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea.
For his flight to Germany, Stafford was placed on a cylindrical plastic bed resembling a coffin to prevent infection risks amongst the crew.
The World Health Organization states that the Ebola virus has an incubation period of up to 21 days, and its leaders have expressed grave concern over the outbreak’s scale and spread.
It is suspected that the virus had been circulating for several weeks before confirmation. The rising death toll has surpassed 131, with 531 confirmed infections reported across Central Africa.
This outbreak is fueled by a rarer variant known as Bundibugyo, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Previously, Bundibugyo outbreaks have had fatality rates ranging from 30% to 50%, according to the WHO.
Exciting new findings from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft indicate that the Zwan-Wolf effect—where charged particles are expelled through magnetic structures known as flux tubes—is also influencing Mars’ upper atmosphere. This phenomenon was previously believed to be exclusive to Earth’s magnetosphere.
An artistic rendering of the Zwan-Wolf effect on Mars observed by NASA’s MAVEN mission. Image credit: LASP/CU Boulder.
“While analyzing MAVEN data, we discovered a remarkable change,” said Dr. Christopher Fowler, a researcher at West Virginia University.
“We never anticipated this effect because it had not been documented in any planet’s atmosphere before.”
The Zwan-Wolf effect was first identified in 1976 and had only been recorded within planetary magnetospheres until now.
In contrast to Earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field, which significantly impacts how it interacts with solar wind and space weather.
The MAVEN spacecraft detected the Zwan-Wolf effect within Mars’ ionosphere—less than 200 km above the surface—where a notable number of charged particles reside.
Mars has an induced magnetosphere, produced by solar wind interacting with its ionosphere, but this field’s size and form can vary dramatically due to large solar wind and space weather events.
This variability is what Dr. Fowler and his team observed in MAVEN data during a massive solar storm on Mars.
The team suspects that the Zwan-Wolf effect could be constantly occurring in Mars’ ionosphere but at levels undetectable by MAVEN’s instruments.
Currently, space weather phenomena appear to have intensified, allowing researchers to observe it in their findings.
Initially, the authors noticed intriguing fluctuations in the magnetic field as the spacecraft traversed the Martian atmosphere.
To clarify these observations, they conducted a more detailed analysis using multiple MAVEN instruments, including charged particle measurement capabilities in the ionosphere.
Further analysis revealed additional fascinating features within the data.
After eliminating other possibilities, they identified the Zwan-Wolf effect as the reason for the observations.
“No one anticipated this effect in the atmosphere,” Dr. Fowler remarked.
“This discovery is thrilling; it introduces complexities in physics that remain unexplored and sheds light on new ways solar and space weather can influence Mars’ atmospheric dynamics.”
“Understanding the Zwan-Wolf effect on Mars enhances our knowledge of space weather’s impact and offers fresh insights into similar phenomena on non-magnetic celestial bodies like Venus and Saturn’s moon Titan.”
“These observations underscore the need to comprehend how large-scale space weather fluctuations can lead to environmental changes on Mars, potentially affecting assets both on the planet and in its vicinity.”
“Understanding space weather’s interactions with Mars is vital,” stated Dr. Shannon Currie, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Institute for Atmospheric and Space Physics and MAVEN’s principal investigator.
“The MAVEN team continues to analyze our dataset for new discoveries and connections between our Sun and Mars.”
For a detailed look at this research, see the study published in this week’s edition of Nature Communications.
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C.M. Fowler et al. 2026. The Zwan-Wolf effect is detected in the ionosphere of Mars. Nat Commun, 17, 4224; doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72251-9
Living a long, fulfilling life isn’t solely about avoiding diseases or sticking to daily HIIT workouts. As technology advances, researchers are increasingly focused on how our bodies evolve over time. The emphasis has shifted from simply extending lifespan to enhancing healthy life expectancy: living longer and better.
Physical fitness significantly impacts how our bodies age, particularly concerning cardiovascular health. Metrics such as VO₂ max, which measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen, are often linked to a healthier long-term health profile.
2. Sleep consistency matters more than you think
Data from WHOOP indicates that regular sleep duration and a consistent sleep schedule are vital for a healthy aging profile.
Regular training can significantly boost your health span. In 2025, WHOOP users logged a whopping 1.2 billion minutes in steady heart-rate zones like walking and daily activities, underscoring that consistent movement promotes longevity.
5. Stress and recovery impact your biological aging
WHOOP data reveals that even moderate drinking can have detrimental health effects, impacting your recovery score. Studies show that just one night of drinking can hinder recovery for up to four to five days. Research conducted among university athletes supports this. Over time, the combination of stress and inadequate recovery can accelerate the aging process, highlighting the need for restorative activities in long-term health.
The Big Picture
Collectively, these insights illustrate that consistent, small actions, rather than drastic lifestyle changes, can profoundly influence our health over time. Factors such as fitness, sleep, and strength training are crucial for a longer, healthier life. It’s essential to cultivate small, positive habits daily.
Curious if your aging process is on track?
Tools like WHOOP band help you better understand how your daily habits influence your long-term health.
When observing a tuatara, a unique lizard-like creature native to New Zealand, you might be intrigued to discover a fascinating feature: a functioning third eye on the top of its head.
Like its prominent lateral eyes, the parietal eye contains a lens, retina, and neural connections to the brain. This sophisticated eye structure in vertebrates, closely related to us on the evolutionary tree, is surprising—but humans possess a similar feature.
The pineal gland, located deep within our brains, plays a crucial role in how we respond to light and darkness, even though it is shielded from direct sunlight.
A groundbreaking new hypothesis published in Current Biology explores the origins of this gland, suggesting that our third eye traces back to some of our earliest ancestors, potentially unlocking one of the deepest mysteries in the evolution of vision.
Vertebrate Eye Problems
Many animals, from flies to octopuses, follow a consistent evolutionary plan for eye structure. Their lateral eyes use an ancient family of striated photoreceptors, while a second group known as ciliary photoreceptors usually performs non-visual tasks in the brain, such as tracking light levels.
For vertebrates—which include fish, reptiles, birds, and humans—this model is more complex. Our eyes incorporate ciliary photoreceptors at the input end and neurons of striated origin at the output, a rare configuration in the animal kingdom.
Juvenile tuatara are born with a visible third eye, which becomes covered with scales in adulthood – Photo credit: Getty
Research shows that this complex eye structure demands an explanation: “What was the original solution to vision, and how have species adapted it?” questions Professor Thomas Baden, a neuroscientist at the University of Sussex and co-author of the study.
Ancestor of the Cyclops
To investigate these questions, Baden and his team examined the evolutionary history stretching back 575 million years. Our ancestors during this time were likely simple, maggot-like creatures with dual lateral eyes for navigation and a central eye for light tracking.
As these early vertebrates buried themselves in sediment, their navigation needs evolved. The lateral eyes—now energetically costly—became obsolete, leaving behind a central sensor for determining orientation, day and night.
Approximately 560 million years ago, our ancestors began burrowing, leading to the loss of lateral eyes – Photo credit: Thomas Baden
Baden notes that even after losing the side eyes, the central sensor remained vital. “You still need to track time and know your orientation,” he states.
One Eye Becomes Three
Eventually, some ancestors resurfaced, transitioning back into an aquatic environment where navigation re-emerged as a necessity. This led to a slow evolution of the central eye into a complex structure with a cup-shaped extension sensitive to incoming light direction.
As the eye evolved, it migrated to the side of the head, allowing for directional vision and improved navigation. Remarkably, the original central eye did not vanish; it persists as the pineal gland, found in virtually all vertebrates—from lions to lizards.
In tuataras and certain reptiles, this gland functions similarly to a complete eye, while in fish it remains a basic light sensor. In mammals, we’ve lost this direct light-detecting capability; instead, we interpret light via signals relayed from our eyes.
Some reptiles, such as the silkback bearded dragon shown here, have a pineal gland located on their head – Credit: Getty
Eyes in Front of Me
This evolutionary narrative has unexpected implications. For the retina—the sheet of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye—a primitive version likely existed first in the median eye, influencing the development of our own eyes.
However, Baden adds, referring to the median eye as a “real eye” might be misleading. “What you see on your head is more accurately a collection of sensors, like a patch of photoreceptors,” he clarifies.
New research published in Nature suggests our ancestors may have initially possessed four eyes, all equipped with lenses and retinas. The complexity of reconstructing 500 million years of evolutionary history is no small feat, yet Baden is optimistic about uncovering more answers.
“With adequate funding and time, I believe we can test the core aspects of our proposal and possibly arrive at a definitive answer,” he affirms.
Ultimately, one fact remains clear: at the top of our skull, buried and shielded from light, lies a network of cells that once gazed toward the sky—a testament to our fascinating evolutionary journey.
According to recent research from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria, women are more likely to sustain injuries in car accidents than men.
The study indicates that women involved in the same crash as men are 60% more likely to be injured.
“Our analysis shows that women are disproportionately injured, particularly in the chest, spine, arms, and legs,” stated project coordinator Dr. Corina Krug.
Dr. Klug and her team analyzed data from approximately 2,000 traffic accidents in Austria between 2012 and 2024.
Using advanced virtual human models and computer simulations, they reconstructed individual accidents to compare the effects on male and female bodies during crashes.
The findings revealed that women over 50 are at a heightened risk of injury.
Moreover, women are more than twice as likely as men to suffer serious injuries or fatal outcomes in low-speed accidents.
“In our study, women and men were involved in identical crashes and in the same vehicle, so the differences weren’t due to vehicle type, crash speed, or crash mode,” Klug stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
“While the presence of more female passengers contributes to the discrepancy, it does not entirely explain it.”
The increased risk seems to arise from differences in body proportions and weight distribution between genders, she noted.
This highlights a critical issue in vehicle safety design, which has historically favored male body types.
Manufacturers typically use crash test dummies modeled after average American males from the 1970s: 175 cm tall and 78 kg.
While some female models are used, they often represent smaller versions of male dummies, failing to adequately reflect the anatomy of most women.
“Women are not little men,” Klug emphasized. “Standard petite female models often cannot accurately replicate accident scenarios.”
As a result, although vehicle designs prioritize safety for male bodies, women continue to face significant risks.
Women seated in the passenger side of a car are at a higher risk of injury compared to the driver, especially in accidents – Credit: Getty
To address this issue, researchers recommend developing female crash test dummies that better reflect average female anatomy, including a wider pelvis and larger chest.
They also advocate for using virtual crash models to enhance vehicle safety assessments based on various body sizes and seating positions.
In the meantime, there are several ways car users can improve their safety. It all starts with proper seating positioning.
“We’ve all seen passenger seats pushed too far back or reclined,” Klug explains. “However, airbags and seat belts may not perform effectively in these non-standard positions.”
Research shows that passengers are at greater risk in a car compared to drivers, especially if the seat is inclined excessively.
Co-author Dr. Felix Lessi, also from Graz University of Technology, advises: “Adjust your seat belt properly. The lap belt should rest over your pelvis while the shoulder belt sits over your sternum and aligns with your collarbone center.”
A comprehensive analysis of 27 animal studies reveals that adopting a healthier diet significantly enhances memory function, though the impact diminishes after consuming a sugary diet.
Lane et al. conducted an extensive review and meta-analysis of dietary reversal effects on cognition and behavior in rodent models. Image credit: Steve Buissinne.
Dr. Simone Lane from the University of Technology Sydney states, “Our research indicates that enhancing diet quality positively affects memory.”
“Nevertheless, the improvements remain partial; even after weeks on a healthy diet, memory levels failed to match those of animals that never consumed an unhealthy diet.”
Dr. Rehn and colleagues executed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 preclinical studies, uncovering consistent patterns across various experiments.
The research focused primarily on memory but also examined behaviors such as anxiety, depression, activity levels, and eating motivation.
Throughout the study, animals that transitioned to a healthy diet demonstrated superior performance on memory tasks compared to those that continued unhealthy eating habits.
However, the extent of memory recovery depended substantially on the dietary composition; while high-fat meal studies indicated recovery, those involving high-sugar or combined high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets did not yield similar results.
No significant enhancements were observed in anxiety, activity, or eating motivation, implying that the effects were limited to memory rather than overall behavior.
“By replacing high-fat options with healthier foods, we observed more marked improvements in memory,” remarked Dr. Lane.
“However, evidence of recovery was minimal with sugar-laden diets that included meals high in both fat and sugar.”
“This suggests that sugar could be a key factor hindering memory recovery.”
The memory tasks assessed in the study reflect the hippocampus’s function, a crucial brain area for learning and memory, also linked to appetite regulation and food intake.
“Animal models have been vital for understanding the brain’s dietary impacts,” commented Dr. Mike Kendig, also from the University of Technology Sydney.
“In humans, dietary changes often coincide with adjustments in exercise, mood, and daily activities, making it challenging to isolate diet’s effects on brain function.”
“There’s a widespread belief that the adverse impacts of an unhealthy diet are easily reversible.”
“Our findings indicate that the reality is more nuanced, particularly concerning memory, especially with sugar-rich diets.”
“Improving diet quality holds value, but safeguarding brain health may also require limiting long-term exposure to unhealthy diets, rather than assuming all effects are easily reversible.”
For more information, refer to the review paper published in the Journal on May 17, 2026, in Nutritional Neuroscience.
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Simone Lane et al. Cognitive and behavioral effects of reversing high-fat, high-sugar diets: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Nutritional Neuroscience, published online on May 17, 2026. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2026.2664635
Shipping companies are increasingly exploring wind power as a viable solution to cut fuel costs. Various strategies are being implemented, with some companies constructing entirely new vessels equipped with traditional sails, while others are retrofitting existing ships with modern self-sailing technologies.
Innovative technologies being adopted include: hard sails that mimic the design of airplane wings, Flettner rotors made from rotating cylinders, and suction sails that enhance lift by drawing in air, alongside a giant kite similar to those used in kitesurfing.
According to Gavin Allwright from the International Windship Association, “There are many types of wind propulsion vessels, ranging from those utilizing minimal wind power to ships that derive over half of their energy solely from wind.”
Despite some wind-assisted ships still adhering to conventional operating methods—maintaining fixed speeds and direct routes—Torben Schwedt and colleagues at the German Aerospace Center are innovating by analyzing how altering the route and speed can enhance wind utilization without extending travel times. While it may seem feasible to sail purely on wind energy, he notes that most cargo must meet specific delivery schedules, with fewer trips potentially translating to reduced revenue for ship operators.
The research team envisions a future where ships can generate and store hydrogen. This emerging technology, currently implemented in a limited number of vessels, entails using excess energy from strong winds to produce hydrogen via onboard turbines. This hydrogen could then fuel the ship’s engine during times of low wind.
Utilizing restored historical weather data, the research modeled a yearlong Atlantic crossing via an optimal route, discovering that ships following these ideal paths consumed an average of 75% less energy compared to those on direct courses. Schwedt shared these findings at the recent European Geosciences Union conference in Vienna.
“The most significant savings occur when routes are completely optimized, allowing for substantial detours that may initially seem impractical,” Schwedt explains. “With this approach, we have achieved energy savings ranging from 50% to 100%.” The team aspires to demonstrate that this route optimization can also apply to predictive modeling.
Guillaume Le Grand from TOWT, a French organization specializing in sailing cargo vessels, believes in the validity of these expectations: “That’s precisely what TOWT’s sailing cargo ships have accomplished.”
Tristan Smith from University College London notes, “The notion of optimizing routes for enhancing the performance of wind-powered ships is not new and is indeed sensible.” He adds that yacht racers often select seemingly convoluted routes for this reason.
“Achieving 75-100% energy savings is theoretically feasible, but it greatly depends on the target average voyage speed, which is ultimately dictated by the economics of the vessel’s operation and its cargo,” Smith states. “In our experience, actual savings for most ocean-going vessels tend to be significantly lower.”
A team of expert archaeologists has unearthed compelling evidence that a remote ruin in the Mexican jungle could be the long-lost Mayan city of Sac Balam. Historically, Sac Balam served as the last stronghold of the Maya following the Spanish conquest.
This significant discovery was unveiled at a recent conference, where the Society for American Archaeology’s team shared insights that might provide a remarkable glimpse into the decline of the Maya civilization.
Professor Yuko Shiratori, an archaeologist at Japan’s Rissho University and the study’s lead researcher, stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus: “Life in Sakkubaram was undoubtedly challenging.” According to historical documents, more than 100 houses were recorded in the year 1694.
The name Sac Balam, translating to “white jaguar” in the Mayan language, was established in 1586 by the Lacandon Chol people as a sanctuary following the Spanish destruction of the regional capital, Lakum Tun.
Mayan culture thrived in this region for over 100 years, ultimately succumbing to Spanish rule in 1695. By 1712, the city fell into abandonment.
One of the most convincing pieces of evidence affirming this as a lost settlement is a wall measuring 16 meters (52 feet) long and 1 meter (3 feet) high. This structure aligns with historical Spanish accounts describing significant communal buildings in Sakbaram that would have hosted public events and gatherings.
Stone walls at the Sol y Paraiso ruins in Chiapas, Mexico. Archaeologists believe these may be remnants of the lost Mayan city of Sac Balam – Photo credit: Yuko Shiratori
Additionally, the archaeological team discovered pottery shards and monkey figurines that date back to the era of Sak Balam.
However, uncertainties remain about the authenticity of this site as a lost refuge. “We need to ascertain whether the 16-meter wall can support the notion of a building’s foundation,” said Shiratori. “To achieve this, we seek to employ AMS carbon dating to identify associated artifacts such as ceramics and charcoal, with a focus on incense burners.”
Spanish historical records indicate that Sakbaram was torched during the conquest. Consequently, a layer of ash beneath the soil could potentially validate whether this is genuinely a lost city.
Scientists are closely monitoring the Pacific Ocean as one of the most significant climate changes in recorded history rapidly unfolds beneath its surface.
Latest predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate a 61 percent chance of an El Niño event—the periodic warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean known for altering global weather patterns—developing by July.
While El Niño occurs every few years, this instance could be unprecedented. NOAA reports a 1 in 4 chance that it will reach “very strong” intensity, potentially categorizing it as a “super” El Niño. Such powerful events have historically led to droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures across various continents.
Furthermore, researchers warn that the combination of these phenomena with human-caused climate change might create impacts unlike anything previously experienced.
“Currently, I estimate a 50 percent chance that this event could be the strongest in history,” stated Paul Roundy, a professor of atmospheric science at the University at Albany. BBC Science Focus. “Just weeks ago, my estimate was closer to 20 percent.”
What is El Niño? Why is this Different?
El Niño describes a recurring climate cycle driven by the warming of the surface waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Every few years, normal trade winds that typically push warm water westward weaken or reverse, allowing the heat to disperse eastward along the equator.
A Super El Niño is characterized by a rise in sea surface temperatures exceeding 2°C (3.6°F) above normal in central Pacific regions. Historically, only three such significant instances have occurred: in 1982/1983, 1997/98, and 2015/16.
In 1876, a Super El Niño caused a global famine and is believed to have resulted in the deaths of as many as 50 million people.
This satellite data reveals the development of the 2015 Super El Niño as warm water accumulated in the Pacific Ocean. This year could see similar strength, but under a warmer global climate – Photo credit: NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison
Roundy explained that this year, a series of unusually robust westerly winds in the Pacific are pushing accumulated warm water eastward.
The phenomenon mirrors the early 1997 wind event that precipitated what is considered the strongest El Niño of the 20th century.
“Currently, the warm water east of the westerly winds is about half a degree warmer than during the same timeframe in 1997,” Roundy observed. “We have the momentum needed to increase the intensity of this event beyond what was achieved then.”
The ultimate outcome remains uncertain; future wind shifts may partially mitigate the ongoing phenomenon.
“Drawing from historical trade wind patterns, it would require significant surges in severe trade winds to prevent this El Niño from becoming extremely intense,” Roundy added.
In essence, a very strong El Niño is highly likely, but whether it will set new records is still uncertain.
What Does Super El Niño Actually Cause?
The impact of El Niño is felt globally, from declining fish stocks off the coast of Peru to reduced monsoons and rainfall in India, China, and much of Southeast Asia.
“Typically, wet regions dry up and wildfires ensue, while dry areas become saturated,” Roundy explained.
The United States may experience the effects of the ongoing El Niño this summer, with increased rainfall in the Midwest and West, while dry conditions could persist from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.
As El Niño establishes itself during winter, a strengthened southern storm track will likely result in heavy rain from California to the East Coast.
Roundy recalled that both 1982 and 1997 were “notorious flood years” in the U.S., while the northern parts experienced warmer winters.
A potential advantage of a strong El Niño is its capacity to suppress the Atlantic hurricane season, as increased wind shear inhibits storm formation.
During El Niño winters, the Pacific jet stream is redirected, bringing increased moisture to the typically dry southern U.S. This could bolster reservoir levels but poses flooding risks – Photo credit: NOAA
Into Unknown Territory
Assessing this situation is not straightforward in any year, but 2026 is particularly complex. Global temperatures have already surged more than 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and a strong El Niño integrated with this elevated baseline could push the climate system into uncharted territory for modern humanity.
“The world has never encountered a strong or very strong El Niño event coupled with such elevated baseline temperatures,” stated Dr. Daniel Swain from the University of California College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR). “Thus, unprecedented global impacts related to extreme flooding, droughts, and wildfires could emerge late in 2026 and extend into 2027.”
“There’s a significant likelihood that a new global temperature record will be established in either 2026, 2027, or potentially both years.”
With such elevated temperatures, the risk of wildfires looms large. A Super El Niño “could amplify the risk of extensive or unusually intense fires in humid regions where they typically do not occur, particularly given the rise in reference temperatures,” Swain specified, highlighting regions like the Amazon and Oceania, where peatlands “can smolder for months.”
A December 2025 study published in Nature Communications underscores these concerns. Analyzing prior Super El Niños alongside climate model predictions, it suggests that such significant events may markedly heighten the risk of “climate regime change,” causing abrupt and persistent shifts in temperature, sea level, and soil moisture for years or even decades following the El Niño.
This implies that the repercussions of Super El Niño in 2026 may not simply disappear even if Pacific temperatures return to normal; some alterations might become permanent.
However, Roundy cautioned against overestimating this conclusion. With only three Super El Niños historically documented, predicting future events remains precarious.
“Scientists should exercise caution when extrapolating future outcomes from a limited pool of past events,” Roundy cautioned.
Ultimately, the extraordinary scale and trajectory of developments in the Pacific are underway during a climate phase hotter than any in the post-industrial age.
“Ecosystems have adapted to El Niño dynamics for millions of years, and such extreme events play a crucial role in ecosystem rejuvenation,” Roundy noted. “However, they significantly impact human societies and life overall.”
What remains uncertain is the extent to which the effects will be severe, harmful, or long-lasting.
Recent discoveries at the Plain of Jars in Laos have challenged our understanding of this ancient site, where at least 37 bodies have been unearthed from gigantic stone jars.
Spanning the remote Xieng Khouang Plateau, these enormous stone pots, some reaching heights of 3 meters and weighing several tons, have long been suspected to be linked to ancient burial practices.
Historical legends suggest that these jars were created for giants who brewed rice wine, according to Nick Skopal from James Cook University, Australia.
Findings from the 1930s hinted at a connection to the Iron Age (circa 500 B.C. to 500 A.D.), proposing that the jars may have played a role in cremation or the disposal of human remains. More recent studies have uncovered glass beads, burial artifacts, and cremated remains.
Recently, Skopal and his team excavated a jar measuring over 1.3 meters high and 2 meters wide near the town of Phonsavan, revealing the bones of 19 individuals, with teeth belonging to 37 people.
Radiocarbon dating indicates the remains date from the 9th to the 12th century AD, suggesting multiple burial events.
The arrangement of the bones indicates careful packing, with larger bones organized at the ends and many smaller bones likely missing due to decomposition.
This breakthrough is a key finding, as noted by Nigel Chan, also from James Cook University, who was not involved in the study. “This is the first investigation showing a definitive link to mortuary practices over the past century,” he stated.
Close to the larger jar were several smaller pots containing glass beads, suggesting a two-step burial process: initial storage in smaller jars followed by a transfer to the larger jars post-decomposition.
“Could these stone pots be part of rituals to honor ancestors or release their souls?” Skopal inquires. “DNA testing on the remains will reveal familial connections among these individuals.”
While the samples indicate when the jars were used, they do not ascertain the age of the jars themselves.
“Evidence indicates a significant activity around this site during the latter half of the first millennium AD,” Chan adds, while speculating that the jars may actually date back over 2000 years.
Although determining the jars’ age is challenging, Skopal noted their artifact dating aligns with the remains, supporting the theory that the jars were used for multiple generations. “The shift from an Iron Age context to a medieval cultural practice is becoming evident,” he states.
Excavated Stone Jar with Human Remains
Dr. Nicholas Skopal
According to Skopal, this practice has deep roots in ancestor worship, passed down through generations. However, variations exist among Laotian stone jars, with different customs observed across regions, such as upright jars in some areas and flat ones in others.
“It’s likely these jars were utilized by various cultural groups over extended periods,” suggests Tiatoshi Jamil of Nagaland University, India.
The excavation team also uncovered iron tools, pottery, copper bells, and glass beads inside the jars, revealing trade connections as far as southern India and Mesopotamia.
This is not surprising, as around 1000 AD was a flourishing time in East and Southeast Asia, highlighted by the Song Dynasty, Khmer Empire, and the pagan kingdoms of present-day Myanmar.
Marco Mitri is investigating similar stone jars at North Eastern Hill University in India. Archaeological findings in Northeast India indicate diverse cultural practices that resonate with these traditions.
Mitri theorizes that various Austro-Asian communities have practiced these funerary rituals for centuries, with modern parallels seen in groups like the Khasis in India, who still use stone boxes called cysts for bone deposits following cremation.
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When you gather at the dinner table, do you taking just a few bites, burp, and quickly finish your meal, or do you savor every bite with small nibbles?
While we often know our eating speed instinctively, the pace at which you chew significantly affects digestion, weight management, and overall health.
“Research indicates that simply slowing down your eating rate can substantially decrease your energy intake,” says Professor Sarah Berry, a nutritionist at King’s College London.
Research shows that reducing your eating speed by just one-fifth can result in a significant 11% to 15% calorie reduction.
Conversely, those who eat quickly are at a higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes compared to slower eaters.
Eating slowly with smaller portions can enhance digestion – Credit: Getty
Taking your time at meals can lead to less food intake, weight loss, and better digestion—all without feelings of hunger.
“If there’s one thing I’d change about tonight’s meal, it’s to slow down,” Berry advises.
The Benefits of Eating Slowly
Unlike calorie counting or carb restrictions, eating slowly is a natural weight loss strategy that reduces the desire to overeat.
Simply put, it’s the act of chewing that signals fullness, not just the digestion process. Chewing causes your stomach to stretch and triggers your intestines to release satiety hormones—chemical signals that inform your brain when you’re satisfied.
However, these mechanisms don’t respond immediately.
“These natural processes take time,” notes Professor Ciaran Forde at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, whose research focuses on how sensory input affects eating behavior. “There’s often a delay between eating and when your brain receives fullness signals.”
This lag can create a disconnect between consumption and perceived satiety. Eating too quickly can lead to overconsumption of calories before the brain registers fullness.
“These signals may reach your brain well after you’ve indulged in that 18th cookie, leaving you uncomfortably full,” Forde explains. “By then, it’s too late.”
While we can’t speed up these biological signals, we can create space for them by slowing down our eating pace.
Using chopsticks may encourage smaller bites and slower eating – Credit: Getty
A significant hormone involved in satiety is GLP-1, which is mimicked in popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wigovy, signaling your brain that you’re full.
Research from Waseda University in Japan found that participants released more GLP-1 when chewing shredded cabbage compared to swallowing pureed cabbage.
It’s effective in curbing appetite, allowing for less food intake without additional effort. Furthermore, in a 2021 study, Forde’s team discovered that slow eaters not only felt fuller but also exhibited a stronger insulin response to meals, improving their ability to process sugars.
“The initial stage of digestion happens behind the lips, not in the stomach,” Forde explains. “The way you chew can influence how your metabolism functions and your feeling of fullness post-meal, as your body prepares to digest nutrients.”
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Tips for Eating More Slowly
Eating slowly enhances feelings of fullness and optimizes your body’s metabolism. Yet, changing ingrained habits can be challenging.
For Berry, the key is mindfulness. “I often find myself distracted by the TV, which leads me to eat too quickly,” she admits. “We miss out on the family dining experience where we put down our utensils and engage in conversation.”
Eating in front of the TV can distract you from recognizing when you’re full – Credit: Getty
A simple approach is to turn off screens and enjoy meals with family. Engaging in pleasant conversation rather than focusing solely on your plate can create natural pauses in chewing.
Berry also suggests putting down your utensils between bites to help pace yourself.
Additionally, a study revealed that using chopsticks encourages smaller bites, better chewing, and overall slower eating.
Modify Your Diet
Turn off the screen, enjoy family meals, and employ chopsticks—these tactics can significantly improve your chewing habits.
Additionally, focus on making smart food choices that promote slower eating. Opting for chewier foods can naturally extend meal duration and reduce your appetite.
Forde’s research emphasizes this approach, as detailed in a popular study involving 41 healthy adults who participated in two distinct diets for two weeks.
Participants were free to eat as much as they wished, with meals designed for nutrition and taste, differing only in texture.
“We engineered the texture of these meals so that one required slower eating and the other was consumed quickly,” Forde explains.
“To our surprise, when participants weren’t given specific instructions, simply changing their meals to textured foods led them to consume an average of 370 fewer calories per day.” [with more textured food] “When they consumed soft foods, they collectively ingested around 5,200 extra calories over the two weeks. In contrast, the slow-eating diet resulted in adults losing nearly half a kilogram (1 pound) of body fat weekly.”
“These findings are significant, and we achieved this without issuing directives,” Forde states. “There were no labels or public health warnings—only the foods themselves drove the results.”
Soft, creamy, and sugary foods can lead to excessive calorie consumption – Credit: Getty
This means prioritizing crunchy meals over softer options, such as selecting crunchy rolls instead of soft buns, crispy roasted veggies over steamed ones, and grilled chicken instead of nuggets.
Forde emphasizes avoiding energy-dense, soft-textured foods and sugary drinks that you can consume quickly.
“Using excessive oil or sauce makes dishes easier to eat rapidly,” he warns. “High-fat, sweet, and creamy options can be inhaled effortlessly, leading to overconsumption. Before you know it, you’ve devoured three marshmallow tea cakes!”
NGC 1266 is a fascinating cosmic object frozen between two identities, offering astronomers insights into the cessation of star formation.
This Hubble image illustrates lenticular galaxy NGC 1266, showcasing reddish-brown dust clumps that obscure its surface while distant galaxies radiate red, blue, and orange light. Image credits: NASA/ESA/K. Alatalo, STScI/G. Kober, NASA, and The Catholic University of America.
Located approximately 100 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus, NGC 1266 is a distinguished lenticular galaxy.
Astronomers classify NGC 1266 as a transitional galaxy, serving as an evolutionary bridge between spiral and elliptical galaxies.
“The lenticular shape features a bright central bulge with a spiral-like disk, yet lacks spiral arms and minimal elliptical star formation,” Hubble experts explained.
“While its structure and classification are intriguing, they are not the galaxy’s most remarkable attributes.”
“NGC 1266 is identified as a rare post-starburst galaxy, positioned in the transition between galaxies that have experienced significant star formation and quieter elliptical galaxies,” the researchers noted.
Post-starburst galaxies, which comprise about 1% of the local galaxy population, boast young stars but few active star-forming regions.
Approximately 500 million years ago, NGC 1266 experienced a minor merger with another galaxy.
“This merger triggered new star formation and injected gas into the supermassive black hole, thus augmenting the mass of the galaxy’s central bulge,” astronomers reported.
“The influx of material heightened the activity of the black hole, leading to the formation of an active galactic nucleus.”
“This increased black hole activity likely generated powerful winds and jets of gas along its rotation axis.”
Over time, the explosive formation of new stars and the black hole’s powerful jets depleted the galaxy’s star-forming gas, while turbulence from these processes impeded further star formation.
Through observations from Hubble and other telescopes, astronomers discovered strong gas outflows from NGC 1266 and significant disturbances in its interstellar space.
Their findings revealed that star nurseries are concentrated in the galaxy’s center, with little to no star formation occurring beyond that region.
“These observations imply that supermassive black holes at galaxy centers may inhibit star birth by stripping or ejecting star-forming gas,” the researchers concluded.
“The shock waves produced by this activity generate turbulence that disrupts the interstellar gas and dust, preventing the remaining material from condensing into new stars.”
Consuming grapes may enhance the skin’s protective barrier against environmental damage by altering gene activity, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by Western New England University.
Grape phytochemicals interact with the microbiome, influencing gene expression and promoting skin health. Image credit: Nicky Pe.
Grapes are rich in a variety of natural compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a valuable addition to your diet.
Key components include quercetin, anthocyanins, and the well-known resveratrol.
Clinical research has linked regular grape consumption to various health benefits, including enhanced cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, improved bowel function, and better cognitive performance in older adults.
“We are increasingly confident that grapes serve as a superfood, mediating nutritional genomic responses in humans,” stated Professor John Pezzuto, the study’s lead author from Western New England University.
“This was particularly evident in the body’s largest organ, the skin.”
“Notably, we observed changes in gene expression that indicated improved skin health.”
“Furthermore, grape consumption likely influences gene expression in other vital organs, such as the liver, muscles, kidneys, and even the brain.”
“This research enriches our understanding of how whole foods, like grapes, impact overall health.”
“It’s thrilling to be part of a post-genomics era, where we can visualize the complex matrices that illustrate nutritional genomic responses.”
The study involved human volunteers who consumed the equivalent of three servings of whole grapes daily for two weeks.
Gene expression in the skin was measured both before and after grape ingestion, with and without exposure to low-dose ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The findings displayed variations in gene expression between individuals, indicating unique responses to both grape consumption and UV exposure.
More significant changes were observed when UV exposure coincided with grape consumption.
Thus, while individual responses varied, all participants experienced notable changes in gene expression after eating grapes.
By identifying functional similarities in gene expression changes post-grape consumption, researchers noted increased keratinization of the skin, a process that forms a protective barrier against environmental harm.
This conclusion was further reinforced by exposing the skin to low doses of UV radiation and measuring malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, which decreased with grape consumption.
“Our results, primarily based on transcriptomic data and theoretical protein-protein interactions, support the conclusion that grape consumption benefits skin health,” the researchers confirmed.
“Of course, other factors such as non-coding RNA and epigenetics also play a role and require further exploration.”
For more details, refer to their published paper in ACS Nutrition.
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Asim Dave et al. Inter- and intra-individual variation in gene expression in human skin after grape consumption and/or exposure to ultraviolet radiation. ACS Nutritional Science, published online on May 13, 2026. doi: 10.1021/acsnutrsci.6c00003
The antenna of House cricket (Acheta domesticus) exhibits fascinating behavior when contacted with a heated probe. Insects show heightened attention to the burned area, grooming it much more significantly than if there were either innocuous contact or no contact at all. This phenomenon, observed by entomologists from the University of Sydney, may provide evidence for a condition akin to pain in insects, a topic that has sparked considerable scientific debate.
Manzi et al. explored house crickets (Acheta domesticus), a key species in insect farming, emphasizing the importance of flexible, site-specific self-defense as a pain-related behavioral feature. Image credit: Matthew Lindsey / CC BY 2.0.
“Once thought to possess brains too simple for complex experiences, insects are now recognized for their ability to perform intricate tasks like associative learning and situational decision-making,” said Dr. Thomas White, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Sydney.
“Recent studies have pinpointed brain regions such as the mushroom body and central complex that seem to facilitate evaluative processing similar to mechanisms found in vertebrates.”
“However, understanding pain in insects cannot be resolved solely by examining neural structures.”
“Considering the variety of nervous systems across different species, behavioral observation remains the clearest path to inferring subjective experiences.”
“Thus, rather than questioning whether insects share the same neural structures, it is more pertinent to investigate whether they display similar behaviors under comparable conditions.”
In their research, the authors assessed 80 adult house crickets under strictly controlled experimental conditions designed to dismiss simple reflex actions.
Each cricket underwent exposure to three specific conditions: the tip of a soldering iron heated to 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) was briefly applied to one antenna, followed by a non-heated probe application, alongside a no-contact scenario.
Cameras recorded the crickets’ movements for ten minutes, while three observers, blinded to the treatment each insect underwent, analyzed the grooming behavior frame by frame.
Results showed that crickets exposed to heat stimulation were significantly more prone to groom the affected antennae, dedicating considerably more time to this behavior—about four times longer than their counterparts in the no-contact group.
On average, the duration of grooming for damaged antennae reached approximately 13 seconds post-exposure, contrasted with around 3 seconds in the control condition.
“The increased grooming intensity in crickets followed a clear temporal pattern; those subjected to noxious heat displayed a heightened and sustained response, which later declined. This behavior mirrors findings in bees and rodents,” the researchers noted.
What makes this discovery particularly significant is not merely that the crickets responded, but how they did so.
Reflexes—often automatic responses that even the simplest nervous systems exhibit—typically cease once the stimulus is removed.
In contrast, the crickets continued returning to the impacted area long after the heated probe was taken away, indicating they were likely tracking an internal signal of damage.
“Pain represents one of the most enigmatic and crucial aspects of animal cognition, positioning insects as a challenging case study,” the authors remarked.
“Behavioral indicators, particularly flexible and localized responses to harm, offer the most straightforward method to deduce pain-like states in these creatures.”
“Our findings showcase such a response in a crucial organism: Acheta domesticus. Crickets exhibited more frequent grooming, prolonged duration, and a distinct temporal profile in response to noxious stimulation compared to tactile or non-contact controls.”
“These responses were specific to the injury site and persistent, indicating that crickets monitor the vicinity of the harm and adjust their behavior beyond mere reflex actions.”
Findings are detailed in a study published this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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Oscar Manzi et al. 2026. Flexible self-defense as evidence of a pain-like state in house crickets. Proc Biol Sci 293 (2070): 20260609; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2026.0609
Recent studies by entomologists reveal that the carpenter ant, the largest genus in the subfamily Halinaciinae of Formicidae, produces a variety of previously unknown venomous peptides with potent antifungal properties. This discovery challenges the long-standing belief that older ants depend solely on formic acid for their defense mechanisms.
Analysis of Camponotus nicobarensis venom. Image credit: Koch et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aed4078.
The Formicinae subfamily is renowned for its diverse ant species and ecological success, primarily known for producing toxins rich in formic acid, sometimes comprising up to 70% of their chemical defenses.
Interestingly, unlike many ant species, Gyricin ants lack stingers. They deliver venom through an acidopore located at the tip of their abdomen, which allows them to smear it on predators, spray it from a distance, or apply it to areas afflicted by bites.
Research has established that these venoms serve a multitude of functions beyond mere combat. Formicinae ants utilize their venom as an external immune defense, distributing it throughout their colonies to acidify their guts and create beneficial microbial communities, as well as for alarm signals and recruitment.
Traditionally, scientists attributed most of these functions to formic acid, believed to constitute the majority of the venom’s composition.
However, earlier studies suggested the existence of unexplored peptide compounds within the venom.
“We revisited some lesser-known publications from decades ago,” stated Professor Timo Niedermayer from the Free University of Berlin.
The earlier paper pointed out that these venoms contained peptidic compounds.
“Our investigation of the venoms from eight geographically distinct carpenter ant species revealed 35 peptides, known as formicytoxins, derived from two gene families.”
“While the specific formicytoxin profile varied among species, we found that its presence was widespread.”
“This indicates that carpenter ant venom is far more complex than previously thought.”
For this study, researchers employed cross-disciplinary methods, integrating biology, chemistry, and pharmacy.
By utilizing proteotranscriptomic techniques, they analyzed protein and RNA data from the venom and related tissues to identify distinct peptides and their corresponding gene sequences.
They also performed chemical analyses, conducted bioactivity tests, and synthesized formicytoxin in laboratory environments.
The findings suggest that these peptides play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene within ant colonies.
As ants distribute this toxin within their nests, the researchers theorized that formicytoxin may enhance and sustain external immune defenses long after the immediate antibacterial properties of formic acid have lessened.
“Certain peptides exhibit significant antifungal characteristics,” explained Dr. Simon Tragast, a researcher at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
This is particularly pertinent given the threats posed by environmental microorganisms and pathogens to social insects like ants, as well as the escalating issue of microbial resistance affecting human health.
The Formicinae subfamily comprises over 3,700 species, indicating a significant potential for uncovering more bioactive compounds.
Explore the full study published in the journal Science Advances.
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Lucas Koch et al., 2026. Beyond formic acid: Peptides in carpenter ant venom help protect against disease. Science Advances 12(20); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aed4078
Discover the fascinating world of asteroids with the Virtual Telescope Project, operated by Italy’s Bellatrix Observatory. This platform is live-streaming stunning views of asteroids, including exciting flybys.
While many smaller asteroids zoom past Earth unobserved, some create spectacular displays, streaking through our atmosphere as bright fireballs.
The Chelyabinsk meteor, which impacted Russia in 2013, is the largest known space rock to enter Earth’s atmosphere. Its explosion caused significant damage, shattering windows and affecting the Chelyabinsk region.
The tremendous energy of the explosion was equivalent to 30 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, according to NASA. The Chelyabinsk meteor weighed around 11,000 tons and had a diameter of roughly 59 feet, making it slightly smaller than asteroid 2026 JH2, though the latter’s precise dimensions are still being determined.
Astronomers leverage a network of ground and space-based telescopes to keep tabs on asteroids and comets that may approach Earth. NASA’s Near Earth Observation Program plays a key role in identifying potentially hazardous asteroids and analyzing their orbits to assess any risks.
One asteroid currently under close scrutiny is Apophis, anticipated to approach Earth even more closely than asteroid 2026 JH2 in the years ahead.
Spanning approximately 1,200 feet in diameter, asteroid Apophis is projected to come within 20,000 miles of Earth on April 13, 2029.
NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft is set to rendezvous with Apophis in June 2029 to investigate how Earth’s gravitational influence affects the orbits and physical characteristics of such space rocks. This mission follows the groundbreaking OSIRIS-REx mission, which returned the first-ever asteroid samples to Earth in 2023.
Having been in space since its launch in 2016, the OSIRIS-APEX mission faces potential budget cuts under the fiscal year 2027 proposal from the Trump administration. If these cuts proceed, OSIRIS-APEX could be among over 50 NASA missions slated for cancellation.
A recent study conducted by planetary scientists at the Southwest Research Institute and KTH Royal Institute of Technology has raised questions about the evidence of steam emissions from Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa.
Artist’s impression of a steam geyser on Europa. Image credit: University of Cologne.
“The evidence for a water vapor plume on Europa is not as robust as previously believed,” stated Dr. Kurt Retherford, a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute and co-author of the original 2014 study.
In this new research, Dr. Retherford and his team examined data gathered by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer (HST/STIS) aboard the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope from 1999 to 2012-2020.
Their focus was on Europa’s Lyman-alpha radiation, a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted and scattered by hydrogen atoms.
“A key challenge in interpreting the data at the time was accurately positioning Europa within that context,” said Dr. Retherford.
“Due to Hubble’s operational method, there remained some uncertainty about the alignment relative to the center of the image.”
“If Europa’s alignment is off by even a pixel or two, it can significantly impact our data interpretation.”
This uncertainty could mean that what researchers initially perceived as evidence of a water vapor plume might simply be random statistical noise.
“Our reanalysis has downgraded the initial confidence level of the plume’s existence from 99.9% to below 90%,” explained Dr. Lorenz Ross, a researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
“This is insufficient evidence to uphold the claims we made previously.”
“While current data does not rule out the possibility of water vapor plumes as described in the 2014 paper, it no longer offers solid evidence for their existence,” Dr. Retherford noted.
“The interpretations of previous phenomena no longer apply as they once did.”
“These new findings have prompted us to reassess our earlier paper’s conclusions regarding the presence of water vapor plumes.”
“Additionally, recent analyses provide enhanced insights into the neutral hydrogen atomic content of Europa’s atmosphere escaping from its water ice surface.”
“We remain hopeful of discovering a plume of water vapor escaping from Europa.”
“Similar water vapor plumes have been detected on Saturn’s moon Enceladus, and another of Jupiter’s moons, Io, also has plumes of sulfur dioxide venting into space.”
The team’s new paper was published in the May 5th edition of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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L. Ross et al., 2026. Lyman alpha emission from Europa observed by HST/STIS. A&A 709, A59; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202659406
The universe is approximately 14 billion years old, but during the initial few hundred million years, a phase known as the dark ages of the universe is theorized to have occurred when no stars were formed. Following this era, scientists speculate that the period marking the beginning of star formation is referred to as the dawn of the universe. This phase saw the earliest galaxies begin to emerge from vast clouds of gas and plasma.
As these galaxies began to merge and more materials became available, star formation rates significantly increased. Between two to three billion years post-Big Bang, galaxies entered a phase of rapid growth, yielding stars at an unprecedented rate in cosmic history, aptly termed the noon of the universe.
Recently, Dutch researchers focused on three distant galaxies whose light started its journey to Earth during cosmic noon. They selected these galaxies from a pool of ancient star-forming galaxies identified through the ALMA program, aimed at advancing kinematic analysis, such as the ALMA Alpaca project. The galaxies under study were designated ID1, ID3, and ID13.
The team utilized two sets of data to create a comprehensive profile of these galaxies. They first gathered information from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array, a massive 66-antenna telescope located in Chile, known as the ALMA telescope. By employing ALMA, researchers detected radio emissions from carbon monoxide and elemental carbon present in these galaxies. They posited that understanding these chemicals could provide insights into the dynamics of free-floating gas clouds in distant galaxies.
Additionally, they used publicly available data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) near-infrared camera, or NIRCam, to assess the starlight emitted from these galaxies. By analyzing these midday galaxies through multiple methodologies, the researchers sought to quantify their mass and assess the contributions of both normal and dark matter.
They utilized computer programs developed by other astronomers to interpret the JWST data into a series of maps, displaying the star distribution within each galaxy. This emission data was instrumental in estimating the overall mass of stars in these galaxies. Subsequently, they developed their own program to delineate gas distribution using ALMA data, resulting in plots known as rotation curves, which depict the orbital speed of particles around each galaxy’s center relative to their distance from that center.
Astronomers employed these rotation curves to estimate the dark matter content within each galaxy. This method is effective since dark matter is undetectable yet still exerts gravitational forces. Consequently, visible matter such as stars and gas located at the outskirts of galaxies is observed to move faster in dark matter-rich galaxies.
The findings revealed that these galaxies have masses ranging from 39 billion to 80 billion times that of our Sun, known in astrophysics as solar mass. They contained free-floating gas equivalent to between 4 billion and nearly 16 billion solar masses, in addition to dark matter amounts estimated at between 1 trillion and 31 trillion solar masses.
However, upon comparing the luminosity data with the rotation curves, a discrepancy emerged. Typically, dark matter is expected to dwell within a halo surrounding the galaxy, primarily influencing the outer regions. Normally, astronomers can calculate the mass of central matter based solely on the stellar and gas content found there. Yet, in the centers of these galaxies, the mass derived from emissions was found to be lower than that estimated from the rotation curves.
The researchers proposed several explanations for this anomaly. They hypothesized that the shape of the dark matter halo might not accurately represent its distribution in all galaxies, suggesting that the noon era galaxies may contain dark matter closer to their centers. Alternatively, they posited that densely packed stars within these galactic centers might impede each other’s emissions. Additionally, galaxy ID1 hosts a supermassive black hole comprising approximately 1.5% of its total stellar mass.
In conclusion, while the researchers successfully delineated the mass distribution of these midday galaxies, the underlying reason for the central mass discrepancy remains unresolved. They inferred a complex interrelationship between dark matter halos and the remaining matter within these galaxies and encouraged future astronomers to apply similar methods to explore the matter distribution in the ALMA Alpaca and other distant galaxies highlighted in upcoming surveys.
Floatation Tanks: A Promising Solution for PTSD Relief
Image Credit: Dave Stamboulis / Alamy
A mobile unit containing three floatation tanks is en route to Maui, Hawaii, in response to the mental health crisis ignited by the catastrophic wildfires, which were the deadliest in U.S. history. Floatation therapy, often found in upscale spas, is emerging as a viable treatment for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If this initiative proves successful, similar units could be deployed in disaster-stricken areas worldwide.
In August 2023, devastating wildfires erupted in Maui, resulting in the tragic loss of 102 lives and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Following these events, the risk of depression and anxiety has surged by over 50%, highlighting the urgent need for PTSD interventions.
“Maui lacks the infrastructure to manage a mental health crisis of this scale,” states Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of a nonprofit organization, the Float Research Collective. “People are resorting to self-medication. Alcohol consumption is rising, and rates of suicide and PTSD are increasing.”
On May 2nd, Feinstein announced the Embodied Mind Summit in Los Angeles, where free floatation therapy sessions will be provided for first responders and wildfire survivors, while simultaneously gathering long-term data on float therapy’s efficacy for mental health treatment.
Float therapy, also referred to as environmental stimulus reduction therapy, entails lying in a shallow pool saturated with Epsom salt, allowing the body to float effortlessly. The pool’s water and the surrounding air are maintained at body temperature, with earplugs minimizing noise and the lights turned off to create an environment free of sensory distractions.
This innovative tank design originated with neuroscientists in the 1950s to explore whether the brain would deactivate without external stimulation. Surprisingly, participants remained conscious but reported heightened relaxation.
Feinstein has dedicated more than a decade to researching the treatments and the mental and physical effects of float therapy. His studies indicate significant reductions in anxiety for both healthy individuals and those with various mental health disorders, such as depression and PTSD. Feinstein notes that the effects can be almost as impactful as benzodiazepines, a common sedative.
While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, floatation therapy appears to alleviate external sensory input and reduce bodily movement, thereby inducing a state of tranquility in both the body and mind. Research indicates that shortly after floating, breathing and heart rates decrease, along with blood pressure, and brain activity shifts from self-referential thoughts and emotional processing to states resembling restorative sleep.
Residing in Maui since 2020, Feinstein collaborated with the UK-based company Floataway to develop a cost-effective, modular float pod that can be assembled rapidly in various locations, unlike traditional tanks. The Maui Calm Project aims to introduce these tanks in the region and begin data collection this summer. If successful, the initiative seeks to establish a fleet of portable tanks for deployment in disaster areas to combat PTSD.
According to Sarah Garfinkel, a professor at University College London studying the physical basis of PTSD, prioritizing body-calming techniques represents a crucial evolution in the treatment of this condition. “Hyperarousal is a core feature of PTSD, leading to heightened reactive physiological responses,” she explains. “It seems that floating could offer a sense of internal safety, which may transform our understanding and management of PTSD. I’m eager to see the results of this research.”
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the British Samaritans at 116123 (samaritans.org); or the U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For services in other countries, visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines.
Timing of Children’s Polio Vaccination Affects Immune Strength.
Bilawal Arbab/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Many individuals notice fluctuations in their health correlating with seasons. Recent studies reveal that vaccine responses—and, broadly, our physiological characteristics—vary throughout the year.
While humans are not generally categorized as seasonal beings, many plants and animals adhere to biological calendars that dictate behaviors such as flowering, reproduction, migration, and hibernation. Over the last decade, research has unveiled that humans experience subtle seasonal changes in immune activation, hormone levels, and gene expression.
“The most intriguing discovery from this research isn’t just about vaccines, but rather human immune function. It varies by season,” states Kathy Wyse from the University of Edinburgh, who did not participate in the study. “This indicates that humans may possess an inherent seasonal timing mechanism, akin to that observed in animals and birds.”
Research indicates that the response to influenza vaccines adheres to a 24-hour circadian rhythm. Laura Valero Guevara and her team at New York University explored the implications of seasonality on vaccine effectiveness.
The team analyzed data from 96 randomized controlled trials involving approximately 48,000 children vaccinated against 14 infectious diseases, including measles, polio, and chickenpox. These studies, held in various countries at different times of the year, allowed for a comprehensive comparison of seasonal and geographic differences in immunogenicity—the immune response strength provoked by vaccination.
“We indeed observed a seasonal immune response,” Valero-Guevara shared. “What’s particularly exciting is the latitudinal gradient we noticed. In temperate zones, both in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, stronger immune responses occurred in the winter, likely influenced by seasonal variations in light exposure.”
As proximity to the equator increased, the immune responses appeared to follow a less predictable seasonal pattern. There remained significant annual fluctuations in vaccine reactions within tropical regions; while some vaccines, like rotavirus and polio, showed marked seasonal variations. However, unlike the consistent winter peaks seen in temperate areas, tropical peak responses varied depending on the specific vaccine.
The researchers excluded any children with pre-existing antibodies against the pathogens prior to vaccination, indicating that recent exposure to infections is unlikely to account for these findings.
However, the underlying causes of these variations remain elusive. “Initially, we posited that seasonal circadian rhythms prompted by changes in light exposure drive these variations. This would imply that the amplitude of seasonality should be less pronounced in tropical areas compared to temperate regions,” said Mathieu Domenech de Sel from the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin. “But that’s not what we found, so other factors, or a combination of light exposure and other influences, might be at play.”
Past research has suggested seasonal patterns in immune activity. In 2020, Wyse and her colleagues reported seasonal variations in inflammatory markers, revealing different immune cell types peak at varied times—some in winter, others in spring.
Additionally, Manuel Ilima and his team at the Genome Control Center in Barcelona identified seasonal patterns in gene expression across multiple human tissues, including hormone-regulating areas of the brain and testes, along with numerous immune-related genes. “While we still lack a clear understanding of the mechanisms, the new findings could be tied to our observations,” suggests Iruma.
Weiss posits that humans may possess an inborn seasonal timing system influenced by variations in daylight. “This mechanism is also revered in animals, birds, and fish, even if we haven’t conclusively demonstrated it in humans yet,” he explains.
Thought to be located in the hypothalamus—which houses the suprachiasmatic nucleus that regulates circadian rhythms—this timing system adapts differently in equatorial animals, where day length stability weakens annual cycles, redirecting ecological reliance towards environmental factors like food availability or rainy seasons.
Evidence suggesting seasonal patterns in humans could extend beyond the immune realm. Earlier this year, Timothy Hearn at the University of Cambridge with David Whitmore of University College London reported that births in Britain exhibited a notable seasonal rhythm, peaking during spring throughout much of the 20th century, until a significant change in the 1970s due to widespread contraceptive access.
Professor Hahn emphasizes that dismissing evidence of seasonal biology in humans is becoming increasingly challenging, but disentangling whether these rhythms represent an inherent biological calendar is complex. “The term ‘season’ encompasses a range of interconnected environmental interactions, along with related shifts in disease exposure, diet, activity, sleep, and social behaviors.”
If the seasonal variations identified by Valero-Guevara and her team are validated, it may prompt considerations around optimizing vaccination schedules based on seasonal health patterns.
Nonetheless, Professor Weiss cautions that differences in antibody responses may not directly translate to significant variances in vaccine efficacy, implying that delaying vaccinations for potential immune improvements could pose greater risks. “Postponing vaccination for a month to target winter could be more hazardous than anticipated,” she states. “Current evidence does not substantiate such an approach.”
“Ultimately, time will determine if there are clinical advantages in scheduling vaccinations seasonally,” she adds. “Presently, the evidence is insufficient to support this.”
What is love? This enduring question has mystified philosophers for centuries, and even today, scientists are still searching for answers.
Niall McDiarmid/Millennium Images, UK
In the vibrant hotel lobby, I walk past a couple sharing an intimate kiss as I head towards a softly lit conference room buzzing with the excitement of new connections. I am here to participate in “Love: Practical and Theoretical,” a groundbreaking conference sponsored by the Royal Society in Edinburgh, UK. As a romantic at heart, I hope this event sheds light on one of life’s greatest mysteries: what is love?
Over the next two days, I absorbed insights from numerous experts, including evolutionary biologists, neuroscientists, and psychologists, all sharing their perspectives on this instinctive yet elusive concept we call love, with a particular focus on romantic relationships.
This event was a historic meeting, providing many key researchers in love studies their first opportunity to convene. “This is a significant challenge for love science. It brings tears to my eyes,” remarked Adam Bode, a professor from the University of Melbourne, during a poignant moment at the conference.
Romance research has often struggled for funding, perceived as a “soft” science, according to Bode. “Initially, I felt that the science of love was not taken seriously,” he expressed. “The very fact that the world’s oldest and most prestigious scientific institution now supports discussions on love lends it a legitimacy that has been lacking.”
Defining love is a challenging yet essential first step in studying it. “As scholars, we have not yet agreed on a clear definition of love,” stated Marta Kowal from the University of Wrocław, Poland.
Some view love merely as an emotion, similar to joy or sadness—subjective experiences that vary widely among individuals. “My fascination with love sparked when I found myself deeply in love with someone I didn’t intend to,” Bode remarked.
However, the consensus among many researchers is that romantic love encompasses more than mere feelings. Some suggest it serves as a motivational state, driving us to maintain close relationships and ensuring the continuation of our species.
This assertion is supported by brain imaging studies showing that love activates reward pathways deep within the brainstem, influencing our fundamental urges. “Like hunger and thirst, love is integral to our survival,” explained Lucy Brown from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Other scientists prefer to analyze love through established psychological frameworks. Robert Sternberg at Cornell University proposes that love is built on three fundamental elements: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Intimacy involves an emotional connection, passion encompasses physical attraction, and commitment signifies the intention to sustain a relationship.
Sternberg shared that his theory stemmed from personal experiences. “I developed a strong bond with Mary and a deep passion for Julia. Yet there was Eren, who had a scheduled meeting with me,” he elaborated.
A point of agreement among researchers is that romantic love evolves through distinct stages. Initially, the honeymoon stage is marked by intense desire and typically lasts one to two years, followed by a more pragmatic, lasting love. “This next phase is ‘more practical than poetic,’ and it represents a continuum rather than a clear cut transition,” Kowal noted.
The attachment experienced in passionate love can form part of this definition. According to Bode, individuals in love devote about half their waking hours contemplating their partner. “I suspect anyone newly in love shouldn’t be granted a driver’s license; I’m even considering a research grant to investigate this,” he joked.
In the conference’s final discussion, researchers outlined plans to explore various definitions of love in forthcoming scientific papers. Although we may never fully unravel the mystery of love, the pursuit remains invaluable, as many of us find our lives driven by love itself.
From protein powders to protein-fortified snacks like popcorn and pancakes, supermarket aisles are brimming with options. But what fuels this booming trend in protein consumption? Donald Layman, a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has contributed significantly to this field, having conducted over 100 studies. His research predominantly focuses on leucine, a vital amino acid linked to muscle growth and repair. This makes protein an essential nutrient for both young individuals aiming for a defined physique and older adults looking to combat age-related muscle loss. According to New Scientist, here are the three crucial insights you need about protein.
1. The Protein Craze: Is It Overhyped?
If you’re taking the time to read about protein, you’re likely already mindful of your diet and aiming to avoid protein deficiency. The latest U.S. dietary guidelines recommend consuming between 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight daily. Achieving this is simple with a well-rounded, omnivorous diet low in ultra-processed foods.
While there’s no strong evidence indicating that excessive protein intake is detrimental, the benefits don’t continually increase with higher consumption. In fact, protein intake beyond 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight may not lead to significantly greater muscle gains.
If you find protein labels on unexpected foods like popcorn, it may indicate an unhealthy trend. The additional protein from fortified products does little to enhance overall dietary health. Simply slapping the word “protein” on packaging does not inherently make a food healthier.
2. Decoding Protein Intake
When calculating your protein needs, remember to distinguish between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight daily and the dietary guidelines aimed at optimal health. The RDA serves as the minimum requirement to avoid deficiency, while dietary guidelines recommend higher intakes for overall well-being.
Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods has resulted in a decline in dietary quality. According to recent findings, half of U.S. adults fall below the recommended protein intake outlined in dietary guidelines. The goal is to achieve 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.
However, athletes and bodybuilders may choose to consume more than the standard recommendations. Your individual protein requirements will depend on factors such as age, activity level, body composition, and the type of protein consumed.
Understanding your optimal protein needs can be tricky. Start by examining the protein content of the foods you regularly consume. For instance, 100 grams of chicken breast provides about 32 grams of protein, while an egg contributes 6 grams. This can give you a rough estimate of whether you’re meeting your protein requirements. A healthy woman in her 30s who exercises moderately might aim for about 70 to 90 grams per day. Starting the day with a boiled egg and enjoying a chicken sandwich for lunch can help achieve this target.
3. Prioritizing Protein Sources
It’s entirely feasible for vegetarians and vegans to meet their protein needs, but it requires careful meal planning. Meat, fish, dairy, and eggs are generally more protein-rich than plant sources. For instance, to match the protein content of 100 grams of chicken breast, one would need to consume 3 cups of cooked beans or over 200 almonds.
Additionally, protein from plants is often less bioavailable. For example, nearly 100% of chicken protein is absorbed by the body, whereas absorption rates are about 75% for beans and less than 60% for almonds.
Protein deficiency may not manifest for 1 to 2 weeks, but many people adopt vegetarian or vegan diets in their 20s or 30s. While moderating protein can be manageable at that age, challenges may arise in the 40s, leading to fatigue and weaker hair and nails. Those following low-calorie diets while taking appetite-suppressing medications, like GLP-1 weight loss drugs including semaglutide, might face further risks.
I typically advise vegans and older adults to consider protein shakes. As we age, our appetite tends to decrease and protein utilization efficiency drops. Consequently, older adults losing muscle mass may have an increased risk of hip fractures from falls. Incorporating a protein shake into your daily routine can serve as a useful safeguard.
A health worker instructs local residents on handwashing amidst the Ebola outbreak in Rwampara, DRC, dated May 16.
Credit: Xinhua/Shutterstock
Epidemiologists urgently call for the development of vaccines targeting various deadly viruses, particularly in light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. While the risk of a global Ebola pandemic remains low, this situation illuminates the severe impact of funding cuts to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In early 2025, the United States reduced its funding to WHO, forcing the agency to implement significant budget cuts for 2026/27. Adrian Esterman from the University of Adelaide states, “WHO is severely underfunded and has had to lay off many staff. The U.S. withdrawal from WHO was akin to a disaster.”
According to WHO, “The initial suspected case, a healthcare worker, showed symptoms starting April 24, 2026, which included fever, bleeding, vomiting, and severe fatigue.” On May 17, the organization characterized the crises in the DRC and Uganda as public health emergencies of international concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that as of May 17, there were 336 suspected cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Bundibugyo, leading to related fatalities. The Bundibugyo strain has a known mortality rate of 20-50%.
There are currently two vaccines approved for the Zaire Ebola virus, the strain responsible for major outbreaks with a mortality rate of up to 90%. Although no vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo virus yet, ongoing research, including promising trials, is underway. WHO emphasizes urgent containment measures to curb the spread of the Bundibugyo virus.
In January, Oxford University announced its collaboration with Moderna to develop vaccines targeting multiple filoviruses, including Bundibugyo, other Ebola strains, and Marburg virus.
Esterman underscores that, in light of the current crisis, these efforts must be accelerated. “This outbreak reinforces the need for fast-tracking vaccine development,” he asserts. “Bundibugyo has been known for nearly 20 years, but viable vaccine options remain absent. This outbreak highlights the significant costs of this gap.”
He advocates for a multivalent vaccine development program encompassing all known filovirus species, stating that it “should not be subject to bureaucratic obstacles.” “Accelerated timelines do not require compromising safety, but we can expedite trials and increase funding,” Esterman adds.
According to Raina McIntyre from the University of New South Wales, vaccine research has predominantly targeted the Zaire strain. However, mRNA technology enhances the potential to develop vaccines against filoviruses like Bundibugyo “very rapidly.”
McIntyre explains that the absence of vaccines for these filoviruses stems from the economics of drug development. “Ebola primarily affects low-income countries, and 90% of drug development focuses on conditions prevalent in high-income nations,” she notes.
While Ebola does not transmit as easily as diseases like SARS-CoV-2, McIntyre indicates the possibility of isolated “low-risk, high-outcome” cases in affluent countries due to travel from affected regions. “Emergency departments worldwide should inquire about travel history to Central Africa for patients with a fever to ensure proper isolation protocols are initiated,” she advises.
“Individuals not confirmed to have traveled to outbreak zones might be subject to lengthy waiting periods before receiving care, which could inadvertently expose others to infection.”
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In the early 20th century, physicists grappled with profound questions raised by the revolutionary mathematical principles of quantum mechanics. Many settled on the mantra: “Shut up and do the math.” This phrase captured the prevailing sentiment of engaging with quantum mechanics pragmatically, without delving into its philosophical implications.
This mindset reflects a broader trend in science, where researchers prioritize calculation over contemplation. While scientific inquiry thrives on empirical data, recent advancements in the study of consciousness demonstrate a shift in understanding—recognizing it as a legitimate scientific field, rather than relegating it to philosophical discourse. For instance, some climate scientists readily build models to predict the impacts of rising emissions but often shy away from discussing the political ramifications, fearing they may stretch beyond scientific boundaries.
In New Scientist, we advocate that while science is a powerful framework for understanding the universe, it shouldn’t be the sole avenue of knowledge. Embracing a more pluralistic approach could yield significant insights into overarching questions like “What is the origin of the laws of nature?”
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The lesson is not to dismiss philosophy, but to view it as an additional tool. “
When integrating philosophy into scientific exploration, it must not be burdened by dogma or rigid methodologies. A case in point is the concept of trees sharing resources through the so-called “Wood Wide Web,” a notion ecologist Suzanne Simard has significantly advanced—but also faced backlash for potentially overextending scientific claims.
Ultimately, the crucial takeaway is to embrace philosophy as an ally in the realm of science. Just as computational quantum physicists have done, we should broaden our intellectual horizons. Science does not possess an exclusive claim to useful ideas; insights from various knowledge domains should be acknowledged and welcomed, provided they are supported by empirical evidence.
Beyond a black hole’s event horizon lies a strange boundary
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The extraordinary phenomenon of falling into a black hole protects you from spaghettification. While the intense gravity pulls the near side of objects with greater force than the far side, stretching them into improbable shapes, a hypothetical high-tech compression suit could shield you from this fate. As you pass through the event horizon—the ultimate point of no return—all that remains visible is darkness mixed with streaks of light plummeting toward the singularity at the heart of the black hole. This Impossible Suit might even provide defense against molecular disruption caused by near-light-speed collisions.
Upon crossing a lesser-known boundary known as the Cauchy horizon, time and space swap roles. If they exist inside a black hole, its interior would truly be among the most bizarre places in the universe.
All classical physics is rooted in causality—the understanding that past events shape future outcomes. For instance, if you observe all variables affecting a thrown stone, you can accurately determine where it will land. This deterministic view holds at human scales and beyond, but falters within the enigmatic environment of a black hole.
Black holes, irrespective of their types, are some of the oddest locales in the cosmos, with such immense mass that they warp the very fabric of spacetime. If a black hole is rotating and bears an electric charge—a rare phenomenon—it opens the door to even stranger phenomena.
In everyday experience, we can move freely through space but are bound to a linear path through time. Yet, upon crossing the event horizon, your directionality changes. You can only move towards the black hole’s center, while your perception of time becomes warped. To an external observer, it seems you are suspended at the edge of the black hole due to time dilation, yet to you, time flows normally—until you confront the Cauchy horizon, where the oddities intensify with peculiar constructs known as closed time-like curves.
Envision these curves as temporal Möbius strips; through forward movement in time, you could find yourself looping back to the past before returning to the present—a scenario that challenges our very notion of causation. Events can no longer dictate future outcomes—or vice versa.
Beyond Cauchy’s horizon, time may flow in a curve like a Möbius strip
Mirage C/Getty Images
Existing in a closed, twisted timeline feels like an uncanny odyssey. In this realm, the very structure of spacetime becomes so tangled and warped that predicting subsequent events becomes impossible. A thrown stone might wholly defy expectations, perhaps even morphing into a pumpkin due to the chaotic laws of this universe. Under these conditions, it’s hard to trust the protective capabilities of the suit that carried you into the black hole in the first place. As you witness the full extent of this scenario, hope for escape dwindles rapidly.
How do we resolve the implications of our current understanding of physics? Enter cosmic censorship—a principle asserting that at the singularity’s core, or points where causality fails, the breakdown of physics remains unseen. This maintains the predictive integrity of our physical laws. A parallel theory, time series censorship, posits that if you venture too close to the singularity, escaping becomes nearly impossible, reinforcing the idea that such phenomena can occur without entirely dismantling the principles of physics.
This theory complicates experimental validation of black holes possessing Cauchy horizons. Checking for black hole rotation is feasible, and the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has confirmed the existence of rotation. Yet, determining electric charge remains elusive, given their propensity to discharge into surrounding space.
Researchers have also calculated the stability of a potential Cauchy horizon, but findings suggest that such horizons lack stability and may collapse with minimal disturbance, giving rise to an extended singularity and unleashing immense energy density. Would you place faith in your protective suit amid such tumultuous conditions? The only certainty appears to be that encountering what lies past the Cauchy horizon may be more hazardous than not stepping across it at all.
The South Korean icebreaker “Araon” navigates through sea ice near the Thwaites Glacier in January 2026.
Chang W. Lee/New York Times/Redux/eyevine
The front ice shelf of Thwaites Glacier is on the brink of collapse, increasing the instability of Antarctica’s most vulnerable glacier.
“Its imminent demise could occur suddenly, and to clarify, we are preparing an ‘obituary’ press release,” states Rob Larter from the British Antarctic Survey.
Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the ‘Doomsday Glacier’, is approximately the size of the United Kingdom, rapidly shrinking and currently contributing to around 4% of global sea level rise. Furthermore, its collapse might instigate a domino effect across the West Antarctic ice sheet, leading to an alarming 3.3 meters of sea level rise and reshaping coastlines globally.
Numerous glaciers in Antarctica have ice shelves that float into the ocean, aiding the flow of ice from the continent. This includes the Eastern Thwaites Ice Shelf (TEIS), roughly the size of Greater London (1,500 square kilometers) and boasting a thickness of 350 meters. Recent satellite imagery reveals troubling indications that this ice shelf may soon become detached, with some experts asserting that this separation has already commenced.
“Suddenly, extensive areas were torn apart,” remarks Christian Wilde from the University of Innsbruck, Austria. “It resembles a shattered windshield.”
Significant cracks have emerged around the pinning points (the sections where the floating ice shelf is secured by underwater ridges) and along the grounding line, the area where the glacier transitions into the ocean and begins to float.
“It’s dramatic. I visited in 2019 or 2020, and now when I look at the satellite image, I can’t identify that ledge. There’s a considerable notch where there was none before,” comments Karen Alley, a professor at the University of Manitoba in Canada, who is examining how this divide might progress.
The primary cause of these changes is shifts in ocean circulation, which have led to the melting and thinning of the ice. Additionally, alterations in ice flow dynamics mean the shelf is colliding with stable points, causing fractures. “We’re transitioning from a robust, thick ice shelf anchored at specific points to a weakened, thinner ice shelf that’s disintegrating,” Alley explains.
The disappearance of ice shelves is also evident in the speed at which they flow. “From January 2020 to January 2026, the ice flow has tripled to over 2,000 meters per year, which is alarming,” Wilde states. This trend has intensified in the last five months. “We’re essentially in a state of free fall at this point.”
Simultaneously, fresh cracks are appearing along the grounding line. “These have emerged in the past few years as shelf displays have significantly accelerated,” comments Ted Scambos from the University of Colorado Boulder. This indicates that ice shelves are being pulled away from glaciers.
Predicting the exact moment of final breakup is exceedingly complex. “Forecasting ice shelf rupture is akin to predicting earthquakes,” Larter explains. “We recognize an event is in motion, but timing is reliant on unpredictable processes. The next satellite image we receive may reveal ice shelf collapse, but the same could be true next year.”
However, don’t expect a colossal iceberg to float into the ocean immediately. Due to the area’s geography, any detached ice is likely to remain in proximity, and, since TEIS is already so fractured, significant breaks are improbable.
While the dramatic collapse of giant icebergs often captures headlines, glaciologists emphasize that the primary concern lies in the diminishing strength of the ice shelf. Wilde remarks that the shelf is “effectively gone” when it ceases to impede the upstream flow. This results in a quicker movement of glaciers into the ocean.
In an upcoming study, Wilde and colleagues revealed that from January 2020 to 2026, the ice flow of glaciers previously supported by TEIS increased by roughly 33 percent. “There is evident proof that there is little to no buttressing in this region anymore,” he states. This reduction has effectively led to the collapse of the ice shelf.
This poses significant implications for future global sea levels. “Increased ice movement from Antarctica means more ice entering the ocean, contributing to rising sea levels,” Scambos notes, emphasizing that while this is not an immediate crisis, it will slowly unfold, affecting future sea levels over decades. “This will influence how Thwaites evolves and potentially contributes to 10 to 20 percent of future sea level rise.”
By 2067, Thwaites may lose approximately 190 gigatonnes of ice annually according to a January study by Daniel Goldberg from the University of Edinburgh and colleagues. This marks a 30 percent increase over current glacier losses, equating to the total ice currently lost from Antarctica.
While ice shelf break-offs are normal in polar cycles, current loss trends are alarming. “Since the 1990s, we’ve observed increasing instability in ice shelves,” Alley states. Notably, the adjoining Pine Island Glacier is also undergoing rapid changes, and its ice shelf is collapsing.
“Ice shelves remain stable primarily in extremely cold conditions,” Alley adds. “Both ocean and atmospheric temperatures must be low. However, as we warm the planet, we observe the corresponding loss of ice shelves, which is precisely what’s expected.”
Humans inadvertently impact their environment with every muscle movement they make.
As climate change persists, our lifestyles—including diets, transportation, and comfort choices—are facing increasing scrutiny, particularly as the human population continues to grow. Recently, our online behaviors have also come under examination.
The rise of AI has highlighted the substantial energy and water demands of digital technologies.
A 2026 report predicts that global AI usage, especially the data centers that support it, will produce CO2 emissions comparable to that of New York City within a year.
Moreover, estimates suggest that every 5 to 50 queries to ChatGPT requires 0.5 liters of water (about 1/10th of a gallon) to cool its servers.
But how does AI usage contrast with other online activities, such as streaming movies or scrolling through social media?
Global AI usage is estimated to emit CO₂ equivalent to that of New York City within a year – Photo credit: Getty
Comparing one technology to another or one platform to another can be challenging, but some analysts have attempted to do so.
For instance, AI and tech writer Andy Masley calculated that the average ChatGPT query emits 0.28g of CO2. This is roughly equal to streaming video for 35 seconds, uploading nine photos to social media, or using a laptop for one minute.
It’s important to note that assessing the total environmental impact of AI is complicated due to the extensive resources needed for model training, making precise calculations challenging.
A simpler way to gauge the environmental costs of online activities is by examining the amount of data consumed at any given moment.
For example, reading a text post on LinkedIn utilizes less data than watching a video on TikTok. Similarly, a text query to an AI chatbot consumes much less data compared to generating an AI text-to-video request.
Cloud-based gaming is among the biggest online culprits, requiring gaming servers to operate continuously.
However, a 2025 report from the carbon accounting firm Greenly indicates that physical video games are 100 times more carbon-intensive than online streaming, due to the manufacturing of discs and packaging, product distribution, and their eventual disposal in landfills or incinerators.
Cloud-based gaming can be one of the most environmentally harmful activities online, requiring servers to run continuously – Photo credit: Getty
This illustrates a broader truth: our offline activities typically have a significantly greater environmental impact than our online endeavors.
Another analysis from Greenly indicates that an annual subscription to Netflix (based on average viewing time) results in approximately 17 kg of CO2 emissions, roughly equivalent to a 60-mile trip in a gasoline vehicle.
A single flight from London to Berlin generates ten times more emissions per economy passenger. Additionally, consuming just one sirloin steak produces more carbon (20-30 kg depending on size) than a year’s worth of binge-watching Bridgerton.
In summary, if reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, while managing screen time is important, factors such as your purchases, dietary choices, and travel habits have a more significant impact.
This article addresses the question posed by Adeline Cliffe of Lisburn: “What is the worst thing you can do for the planet online?”
If you have any queries, please reach out to us at:questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a messageFacebook,Twitter, orInstagramPage (please include your name and location).
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Nutritionists seldom endorse a one-size-fits-all food choice. Recently, we’ve grasped that nutritional requirements vary from person to person; a healthy diet hinges on balance, while individual foods possess distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Nevertheless, nutrition experts almost unanimously recommend beans. These versatile legumes are brimming with health advantages, each variety offering unique benefits.
If your thoughts of beans are limited to the old playground rhyme, “Beans, beans, good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you fart,” it’s time to look beyond that!
Here’s why nutrition experts urge you to include beans in your grocery list — and which types to prioritize.
Beans: A Fiber Powerhouse
The primary reason beans are considered superfoods is their high fiber content. Fiber is often lacking in our diets, yet it is abundant in all types of beans.
One of the champions of beans is Dr. Emily Leeming, a nutritionist and gut health specialist at King’s College London.
“Beans offer numerous health benefits,” she states. “They’re particularly vital for fiber intake; a staggering 96% of Brits fall short on fiber.” In the US, that figure is similarly alarming, with 95 percent not meeting their fiber needs.
“Consuming beans is a convenient way to increase your fiber intake,” Leeming notes. Just a half-cup serving of beans provides around 7 to 8 grams of fiber, alongside an equivalent amount of protein.
She continues, “This contributes significantly to the recommended daily fiber intake of 30 grams.”
However, this recommendation may not suit everyone. Certain individuals, such as those on a low FODMAP diet, might experience adverse effects from additional fiber.
For most people adhering to a Western dietary pattern, research indicates that fiber from beans can enhance gut health and metabolic function.
This fiber aids in promoting feelings of fullness, supporting a diverse gut microbiome, and reducing the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Maintaining gut health aids overall wellness – Credit: Getty
Additionally, as the famous rhyme suggests, fiber is also “good for the heart.” Dr. Megan Rossi, author and gut health scientist known as The Gut Health Doctor, elaborates on this.
“The heart health benefits of beans are attributed to their rich fiber content, which aids in lowering harmful cholesterol levels,” she explains.
Excessive LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in blood vessels, heightening the risk of heart disease.
Research consistently supports that increasing bean consumption can reduce LDL cholesterol levels, thereby boosting heart health.
“Fiber helps bind cholesterol so it can be excreted rather than reabsorbed into the bloodstream,” Rossi clarifies.
In addition to cholesterol, inflammation is another significant factor impacting heart health, and beans can mitigate this as well.
Persistent inflammation raises the risk of numerous diseases from diabetes to arthritis, and can severely damage blood vessels.
Beans are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds known as phytochemicals (“phyto” meaning “plant”). These compounds help reduce chronic inflammation and protect cardiovascular health.
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Affordability and Sustainability of Beans
Aside from their remarkable health benefits, beans also contribute economically and environmentally. It’s not solely about their health advantages; the way we approach our eating habits is equally important.
As a plant-based protein source, incorporating beans into your diet in place of some meats can save you money and enhance sustainability.
Recent research found that individuals who replaced some processed or red meats with beans had lowered LDL cholesterol and even lost weight.
Soybeans are a protein powerhouse with a lower environmental impact than animal sources – Credit: Getty
The United Nations acknowledges beans’ significant role in minimizing the environmental footprint of our global food system.
The 2025 EAT-Lancet Report recommends enhancing the nutritional and sustainable aspects of our food systems by encouraging greater consumption of plant-based proteins and reduced meat intake.
This collaborative effort included professionals from diverse fields, indicating that it’s not just nutritionists advocating for increased bean consumption—climatologists, economists, and agronomists are on board, too.
Top Beans to Include
It’s clear that beans are beneficial for both health and the environment, but not all beans are equal. If you’re looking to stock up on beans, which varieties should be your priority?
Black Beans
Black beans are low in sodium and rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium – Credit: Getty
While there’s no definitive “best” bean, black beans come notably close due to their high levels of anti-inflammatory polyphenols. According to Rossi, “Black beans are among the richest sources of polyphenols found in legumes.”
She highlights that these beans contain anthocyanins, a specific type of polyphenol responsible for their deep black hue. Studies suggest that these powerful phytochemicals may lower the risk of cancer, dementia, and heart disease.
A single serving of black beans (approximately 100 grams or half a cup) provides 15% of your daily magnesium needs, an essential nutrient critical for heart, nerve, muscle, and bone health.
Lima Beans
Lima beans, or butter beans, have a mild flavor that blends seamlessly into dishes – Credit: Getty
Lima beans, commonly referred to as butter beans, offer a wealth of micronutrients. Each serving provides one-fifth of the daily manganese requirement, an essential nutrient crucial for brain and nervous system health.
“From a culinary standpoint, I adore butter beans for their creaminess,” Rossi says. “They lack saturated fat, making them a fantastic substitute for butter in recipes.”
Excessive saturated fat can elevate LDL cholesterol levels, so incorporating lima beans serves as a heart-healthy choice. Leeming enjoys mashing butter beans into potatoes to enhance creaminess and fiber.
Red Mung Beans
Red mung beans are popular in various dishes, both sweet and savory – Credit: Getty
Rossi has a penchant for red mung beans, which, although lesser-known in the UK or US, are widely embraced in Japan. “One serving provides nearly 20% of daily zinc needs,” she notes.
Zinc plays a crucial role in immunity and metabolism, along with possessing anti-inflammatory properties. “Red mung beans are also rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, linked to improved skin health,” Rossi explains.
Kidney Beans
Enhance your snack with beans-on-toast using whole wheat bread – Credit: Getty
Shifting from less common varieties to popular ones, kidney beans are well known for their use in British baked beans. “Many people don’t realize baked beans are made from kidney beans,” Rossi explains. “Each serving offers almost 20% of your daily thiamine (vitamin B1) needs.”
Thiamine is essential for converting food into energy and bolstering a healthy immune system.
Honorable Mentions
Other nutritious options include cannellini beans, black-eyed peas, and pinto beans, favored by Rossi for their rich nutrient profiles. Black-eyed peas offer 40% of daily folate needs for non-pregnant adults, while pinto beans are rich in kaempferol, an anti-inflammatory compound linked to reduced cholesterol levels.
Leeming draws attention to kidney beans and chickpeas (garbanzo beans), both high in fiber. Moreover, “Chickpeas are a beloved option due to their delightful taste,” she notes.
Don’t Forget Fresh Options
While we often find beans in canned or dried forms, Leeming emphasizes the value of fresh and frozen beans.
“We shouldn’t overlook options like fava beans, green beans, and runner beans,” she insists. “While these may contain about half the fiber of dried beans, they are still among the highest fiber-rich vegetables.”
Even the humble pea falls into this category; as Leeming points out, “Peas are affordable and a nutritious option.”
Fresh or frozen peas are loaded with vitamins A, C, K, iron, and folic acid – Credit: Getty
Aim for Variety
When it comes to transitioning to a legume-rich diet, both Rossi and Leeming stress the importance of variety over choosing a single “best” bean.
“There isn’t a super bean,” Rossi says. “Diversity is key; every bean contributes different nutrients.”
Each anti-inflammatory phytochemical possesses unique effects on the body.
“Individuals consuming a diverse range of plants tend to have a more varied gut bacteria profile since different bacteria thrive on different phytochemicals,” Rossi explains.
“Thus, from a gut health perspective, it’s advantageous to incorporate various beans such as pinto, butter beans, black beans, and black-eyed peas for maximizing phytochemical diversity.”
However, variety is just one component. Leeming emphasizes the necessity of including beans that align with personal tastes. “We shouldn’t be overly selective about beans,” she asserts. “They are all nutritional gems, each offering unique benefits.”
If something tastes great, you’re more likely to consume it, making it critical to pair beans with the right foods. For example, this might include green beans in chili, chickpeas in curry, butter beans in creamy dips, or your preferred legumes with favorite dishes.
Beans can be exciting and delicious in various dishes – Credit: Getty
The essential takeaway from Leeming is to increase bean consumption. A 2024 survey revealed that 40% of participants in the UK didn’t consume any legumes, excluding peas.
While the situation isn’t as grave in the United States, legume intake has gradually risen, from 8 pounds (3.6 kg) per person in 2014 to 11.7 pounds (5.3 kg) in 2017.
However, this isn’t enough for Leeming, who advocates for beans’ inclusion in national dietary guidelines.
“We know how beneficial they are for health and that they are affordable; if you’re enhancing a meal, make it with beans,” she concludes.
SpaceX is gearing up to launch the newest version of its Starship megarocket—a vital prototype for NASA’s mission to send astronauts to the moon within two years—in a pivotal test flight this Tuesday.
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The stakes for Starship and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are at an all-time high. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, SpaceX is vying with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to create a lunar lander, aiming to get astronauts to the moon by 2028. NASA plans to test one or both systems during the Artemis III mission next year in low Earth orbit.
Simultaneously, SpaceX is on the cusp of going public. The anticipated IPO next month could potentially be the largest in history. As reported by Reuters, a prospectus is expected to be released shortly after the Starship test flight, with a market debut likely by mid-June.
Starship has experienced a series of challenges during previous test flights, including an uncontrolled re-entry and two mid-flight explosions last year as the upper spacecraft ascended.
The last Starship test flight occurred seven months ago. Since then, significant redesigns have taken place for both the booster, Super Heavy, and the upper stage, known as Ship. This next launch marks the inaugural test flight of SpaceX’s third-generation Starship, termed V3. Taller and more powerful, Starship V3 stands at 408 feet when fully stacked, surpassing its predecessor.
It will launch from a new pad at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in southern Texas during the 6:30 p.m. ET launch window.
The flight plan resembles earlier Starship missions. According to SpaceX, during this suborbital test flight, Starship aims to deploy 22 mock Starlink satellites and reignite one of its six Raptor engines while in space—a crucial demonstration for future deorbit maneuvers when returning from space.
Tuesday’s mission is projected to last around 65 minutes. If successful, the upper stage is set to splash down in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX ultimately aims for Starship to be reusable, employing a mechanical arm to catch the spacecraft on a launch tower at the Starbase facility in Texas.
SpaceX previously demonstrated a similar catch technique with the Starship’s Super Heavy booster during an earlier test flight. In contrast, the booster scheduled for Tuesday will land in the Gulf of Mexico, without attempting to return to the launch site.As per SpaceX.
However, Starship’s development is trailing behind NASA’s expectations. Initially expected to fly in 2023, setbacks in the last year have pushed back timelines. NASA had aimed to land astronauts during the Artemis III mission but revised those plans earlier this year to allow for more time to develop lunar landers.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman indicated in testimony last month that Artemis III would launch in late 2027, rather than mid-2027 as initially proposed.
SpaceX is under tight deadlines as it prepares Starship for next year’s Artemis III mission. This mission will call for the Starship upper stage to rendezvous with NASA’s Orion capsule, which recently orbited the moon with Artemis II astronauts. SpaceX needs to ensure Starship is qualified for crewed lunar flights next year.
Plans for the Artemis IV mission in 2028 include Starship’s upper stage orbiting the moon and docking with Orion to transfer astronauts to the lunar surface, ultimately returning them to Earth.
Updates to Starship for V3 encompass new Raptor 3 engines for both Super Heavy and Ship, capable of generating around 18 million pounds of thrust.
Additionally, SpaceX has enhanced the propellant tank volume and reduced the number of grid fins on the booster to improve landing precision.
“These advancements aim to unlock Starship’s core functions, including rapid reusability, propellant transfer in space, Starlink satellite deployment, and facilitating human and cargo transport to the Moon and Mars,” SpaceX stated on its website.
Successful propellant transfer in space is essential for enabling the upper stage to refuel in orbit before heading to the moon. A successful test flight on Tuesday could pave the way for these critical future operations.
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Some scientists propose that the stroma is the largest organ in the human body, although this perspective is somewhat debated. Stay tuned for a detailed explanation.
The stroma, a recently discovered component of our anatomy, has only been identified in the last decade, leaving many unaware of its existence.
So, what exactly is stroma, where can it be found, and what functions does it serve?
Consider the stroma a vast network of channels that navigate around and between our cells and tissues, essentially the ‘spaces within spaces.’
These fluid-filled channels perform multiple functions: they buffer and support tissues, facilitate the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and waste, and play an integral role in our immune system.
Prior to 2018, this network was primarily viewed as simple interstitial fluid. While significant, researchers did not recognize it as a distinct organ or organized system. This notion changed when a groundbreaking paper compelled biologists to rethink their understanding.
Digital illustration depicting the interstitial network beneath the skin, showcasing fluid-filled channels interwoven among connective tissue scaffolds. – Photo credit: Getty
The study employed an advanced imaging method known as confocal laser endoscopy, which allows for real-time visualization of bodily functions. The importance of this real-time aspect underlines how we’ve historically overlooked crucial components of human anatomy.
During biopsies or autopsies, researchers often find that the tissues they evaluate are in a “disintegrated” state, as the interstitial fluid is typically expelled in laboratory settings.
Confocal laser endoscopy enables a three-dimensional view of bodily functions, revealing that this fluid doesn’t merely flow through compressed tissues. Instead, researchers observed open, interconnected channels supported by a scaffold of collagen and elastin fibers—a previously unseen aspect of anatomy.
Since the discovery of the stroma, discussions regarding its nature and function have intensified. For example, it could serve as a type of intracellular buffer.
These channels drain into lymph nodes, playing a significant role in waste removal and potentially acting as communication pathways within the body. They may also be involved in immune responses or serve as transport vehicles for white blood cells and cancer cells spread throughout the body. Additionally, they may contribute to swelling and inflammation.
Since the pivotal 2018 paper, debate has arisen about whether the stroma qualifies as an organ in its own right. Its spongy structure and multifunctionality contribute to this classification.
Estimates suggest that the stroma could encompass as much as 20% of the body’s volume.
Conversely, others argue that it is not a standalone organ but rather an intricate refinement of an existing network that carries out essential bodily functions.
Regardless, we are in the early stages of research, and scientists are just beginning to unravel how the stroma impacts our health and whether it might offer new avenues for treatments and medications.
This article answers the question posed by Joel Percival from Sutton Coldfield: “What is stroma?”
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The environmental impact of rocket launches has been a growing concern. Certain fuel systems, particularly solid rocket boosters, release substantial amounts of harmful chlorine into the atmosphere, contributing to ozone depletion.
Two decades ago, NASA’s annual operations were responsible for an estimated 0.6% increase in global stratospheric chlorine, causing an approximate 0.1% decline in the ozone layer each year.
Despite a reduction in the use of solid rocket fuel since then, the rate of ozone layer depletion has escalated, now standing at around 0.15% annually.
Moreover, recent research indicates that a slight increase in rocket launches could exacerbate this deterioration rate to 0.17% by 2030. In a worst-case scenario, a dramatic surge in launches could push this rate to 0.29%.
The 1987 Montreal Protocol aimed to mitigate ozone damage by phasing out halocarbons—compounds that contain carbon and a halogen like fluorine or chlorine.
However, the ozone layer has continued to decline at about 0.03% per year between 1996 and 2020. Although this rate is slowing, a return to pre-halocarbon levels is projected to take decades.
This trend suggests that future rocket launches may completely undermine the protective benefits afforded by the Montreal Protocol. Therefore, new protocols are essential to limit the impact of rocket launches on the ozone layer.
This article addresses the question posed by Rex Ellwood from Kingston upon Hull: “Will increased rocket launches negatively impact the ozone layer?”
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Imagine capturing an animal, extending its lifespan, and filling its mind with knowledge, unsettling it with the concept of death. What would become of it? You may find a profoundly confused and anxious creature. I highly recommend Michael Bond’s thought-provoking novel, Animate: How Animals Shape the Human Mind, as a starting point for unraveling these complexities.
We are fundamentally animals, intertwined with nature, yet often we overlook this connection.
Animate delves into the intriguing and sometimes unsettling relationship between humans and animals that began after the last ice age. In the words of the former editor of New Scientist, the time was an Eden for ancient humans, filled with encounters with cave lions, wolves, bears, and more.
Witness the remarkable emotional art created in France’s caves like Lascaux, which embodies not just the essence of creatures but also their forms and movements. According to Bond, these representations are “essential and unadorned, more like reincarnation than art.”
Rarely do human figures appear in this cave art, and when they do, they are often ambiguous. This absence emphasizes the significance of animals; they were pivotal to survival, deeply embedded in human existence.
The Neolithic era marked a shift in human perception. Art evolved into abstract representations, stripping animals of their individuality. They became mere motifs on pottery as human exploitation of animals grew, resulting in a clear distinction between humans and animals.
Why this shift? Researcher Ernest Becker, in The Denial of Death, proposed that our acute awareness of mortality drives us toward irrationality, in contrast to animals, which merely exist without such existential baggage.
Human exceptionalism, while demarcating our species as superior, has had detrimental effects on countless non-human lives. Yet, it’s challenging to envision daily life without the comfort of this separation. Bond attempts to mend this divide but confronts the obstacles of our fear of death.
For centuries, writers have likened us to animals. Bond recalls David Hume, who noted that animals, like humans, utilize observation and experience to navigate their futures. This perspective evolved, particularly after Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged human exceptionalism.
However, nearly 170 years post-Darwin, we continue our complex relationship with animals. Bond eloquently critiques our disconnect, especially in meat consumption, highlighting how social distance allows many to ignore the brutal realities of slaughter.
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Bond does a good job of skewering my meat. Admittedly, I have never seen a pig being slaughtered, nor do I intend to. “
Bond’s mission is to cultivate a kinder world. Unlike previous works where optimism prevails, Animate tackles profound themes with an unfiltered narrative.
Can a confused animal, burdened with the knowledge of its identity, find peace?
Every species perceives the world through unique lenses shaped by its own needs. In his bestselling book subtitled How Animal Senses Reveal Hidden Realms Around Us, science journalist Ed Yong illustrates the diverse ways animals engage with their environments.
The hybrid known as the Kiptshan is larger than a wolf and smaller than a dog.
Molap Namgail
No doubt about it, the Kiptshan hybrid showcases grayish fur and moves effortlessly across soft snow. This incredible creature, similar to a wolf, makes its living by hunting marmots with precision.
Witnessing this spectacle at approximately 5,000 meters in the Indian-administered region of Ladakh, it’s clear that these wolves share their harsh habitat with other mammals such as snow leopards, Himalayan brown bears, and Tibetan foxes.
Adapted to the low oxygen levels and challenging conditions at high altitudes, Himalayan wolves belong to one of the oldest lineages of species (canis lupus). As the day shifts from blue to gray, witnessing the wolf’s swift kill reminds us of their survival struggles, which are increasingly jeopardized by climate change. The mountains are warming at twice the global average, impacted by urbanization, pollution, and cautious farming practices.
Recently, a surge in stray dogs has been noted, with roughly 25,000 dogs in Ladakh compared to merely a few hundred wolves. These dogs, both pets and strays, have been moving into the mountains, directly competing for the same prey as their wild cousins, leading to increased interbreeding and the emergence of hybrids.
“We refer to this hybrid as Kiptshan,” states Tsewang Namgail, director of the Snow Leopard Conservation India Trust, who studies mammals in Ladakh. The term is derived from kipt meaning dog in Ladakhi, and shang meaning wolf.
“The realization of this hybrid has become more prevalent over the last five to ten years,” Namgail explains. “It is neither a wolf nor a dog, but a significant hybrid.” This unique creature boasts a larger size than a dog yet smaller than a wolf, adorned with a tan coat, and possesses the potential to dominate other carnivores.
“They exhibit fearlessness towards humans,” adds Mohammad Imran, a Ladakhi filmmaker and naturalist.
These hybrids are bold enough to invade villages and prey on livestock. “They blend the fearlessness of dogs with the predatory instincts of wolves, creating a dangerous combination,” warns Namgail.
Dog attacks are rising, with hospitals in Leh reporting four to five dog bites daily. Tragically, at least four locals have been killed this year alone, raising concerns over the dangers posed by hybridization. Experts fear these hybrids threaten both wolves and humans, potentially decreasing wolf populations and endangering their future in the region, which covers approximately 60,000 square kilometers of Ladakh, India.
Since hybrids are a relatively new phenomenon, formal research on them is scarce, leaving much unknown beyond anecdotal evidence. What is clear is the rise of Kiptians correlates with the explosion of stray dogs. The sterilization of dogs is illegal in Ladakh, as the region’s Buddhist beliefs discourage harming animals. Additionally, due to border conflicts, dogs serve as a vital defense for military bases, often receiving food from soldiers, further complicating the ecosystem.
With an abundance of dogs and a dwindling number of wolves, man’s best friend may soon overshadow wild canids, similar to trends witnessed in Italy and North America, where hybridization is diluting red and eastern wolf populations.
As wolves and humans vie for resources, their interactions with stray dogs intensify. Carter Niemeyer, known for capturing Canadian wolves for reintroduction in Yellowstone and Idaho, emphasizes that wolf-dog hybrids must not be allowed to breed or roam free to preserve the genetic purity of wolves.
After observing the wolf, we encountered a pack of dogs lingering by the road. Some slept on the cold blacktop, while others begged for scraps as one remained watchful in the distance.
Wildlife photographer Molap Namgail, accompanying me, speculated that one might be a Kiptsian, as he has documented several sightings across Ladakh, even capturing a rare fox-dog hybrid.
Two years prior, Namgail and I witnessed a pack of dogs chase a snow leopard who had just killed an ibex. Observing a dog run down the road, I recalled my lead dog from that day, remembering his confident demeanor and lack of fear. Could it have been more than just a dog?
Namgail believes the Kiptshan symbolizes the rapid changes in these mountains. While no one can predict the future, the presence of true wolves remains critical. We need to learn about their behavior and take action. Namgail worries that the hybrid Kiptians might not only teach stray dogs hunting tactics but also become more dog-like, leading to conflicts with people.
“These hybrids, being new to the ecosystem, have fragile positions in the natural order, making them potentially hazardous,” states Namgail. “This places all of us at risk.”
Does My Brain Live in the Past? Yes, your brain does live a bit in the past. This is an inherent feature of how we process sensory information.
The data we receive through our senses, like light entering your eyes or sound vibrating in your ears, is always slightly outdated. Not only does this information take time to reach your brain, but your brain also takes time to process it.
Data transmission within the brain is relatively slow. Even the fastest neurons travel at approximately 431 km/h (268 mph), which pales in comparison to copper wire, which can transmit signals at about 1.08 billion km/h (669 million mph).
This means that what you are currently experiencing actually happened in the world about 100 milliseconds ago (roughly 1/10th of a second).
While these time delays may seem minor, they pose significant challenges when interacting with the environment, especially since your body’s controls are also somewhat sluggish. Consequently, your brain has developed a strategy: it anticipates what is happening around you.
Your subjective experience blends outdated sensory snapshots with predictive guesses, often so seamlessly that you hardly notice.
For instance, one fun illustration of your brain’s anticipatory skill is that you cannot tickle yourself. This is because your brain can predict sensory effects from your own movements and neutralizes them.
Another interesting case is the disorienting wobbly sensation experienced after riding a faulty escalator. When the escalator operates smoothly, your brain stabilizes your posture effectively. However, it struggles to adjust when the escalator stops, leading to that uneasy wobbling feeling.
Not only does your brain operate with slightly outdated sensory data, but it also appears to reflect on past experiences continuously.
This phenomenon is partly due to “jerky eye movements,” known as saccades, which occur several times per second. These rapid movements cause your vision to blur, but your brain suppresses visual input during each saccade to avoid confusion.
When your gaze focuses on an object, your brain assigns how long that object has been in view by referencing up to 50 milliseconds back from when you made the eye movement. Given that most objects in a scene remain stable, this past processing often goes unnoticed—unless you’re looking at a clock’s second hand.
Have you ever felt that a used item looks like it’s been in one place for too long? That perception arises from your brain’s backdating process, making the second hand appear stuck.
In summary, while you may feel like you are fully in the moment, your brain is continually playing catch-up with past experiences.
This article addresses the question posed by Sunderland’s Karen Homer: “Does my brain live a bit in the past?”
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Recent research into proteins extracted from the enamel of six Homo erectus teeth sheds light on our evolutionary past. Conducted on remains found in China, this groundbreaking study offers a unique perspective on the genetic heritage of one of humanity’s earliest ancestors, estimated to have lived around 400,000 years ago. The findings indicate that Homo erectus may have exhibited genetic mutations that were later inherited by Denisovans, influencing some modern human populations today.
Artist’s reconstruction of Homo erectus. Image credit: Yale University.
“Homo erectus holds a pivotal role in human evolution as the first species of our genus to migrate from Africa,” remarked lead author Qiaomei Fu, Ph.D., from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“Despite their significance, the genetic traits, population diversity, and connections of Homo erectus to contemporary humans remain largely unexplored due to a lack of molecular evidence.”
“Thus, the contribution of Homo erectus to human evolution remains a fascinating enigma and a topic of ongoing debate.”
The research team studied Homo erectus fossils sourced from three sites across northern and southern China: Zhoukoudian near Beijing, Hexian in Anhui province, and Sunjiadong in Henan province.
Instead of attempting to recover DNA, the researchers focused on proteins found within tooth enamel.
From the six Homo erectus specimens, they identified two unique amino acid variants in a tooth development protein known as ameloblastin. One variant, AMBN-A253G, has not been registered in any other human or primate species.
The second variant, AMBN-M273V, was previously recognized exclusively in Denisovans.
These discoveries imply that ancient populations of Homo erectus in East Asia may have interbred with Denisovans, leaving behind genetic signatures.
Portrait of a young Denisovan woman based on a skeletal profile reconstructed from ancient DNA. Image credit: Maayan Harel.
“The first significant finding is the previously unidentified AMBN-A253G mutation, which serves as a potential molecular marker linked to Homo erectus‘ large population,” the researchers stated.
“Our analysis suggests that specimens from these three locations belonged to a single evolutionary lineage.”
“The second variant, AMBN-M273V, previously thought unique to Denisovans, is now shown to share a common origin with the Homo erectus population,” the team added.
This second variant likely entered the Denisovan lineage through interbreeding, eventually contributing to some modern human populations in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
“This research offers unprecedented insights into the possible connections between East Asian Homo erectus populations and their deep genetic links to certain modern humans, including Zhoukoudians and Denisovans.”
The complete findings are detailed in a recent publication in Nature.
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Q. Fu et al. studied 6 enamel proteins from Homo erectus specimens throughout China. The study was published online in Nature on May 13, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10478-8
Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery by directly detecting how turbulent clouds of ionized gas between stars bend and distort radio signals from distant quasars for the first time.
The radio signal from quasar TXS 2005+403 travels approximately 10 billion light-years to Earth, passing through the Cygnus region, one of the Milky Way’s most tumultuous environments. The left image depicts a quasar with a vibrant accretion disk and jets emanating into space, resembling lighthouses in the dark. The right image illustrates how turbulent gas distorts our view of the quasars, similar to how fire haze obscures objects behind it. Image credit: Melissa Weiss / CfA.
The interstellar medium, the space between stars in our Milky Way, is filled with clouds of ionized gas and electrons, creating a turbulent environment.
As radio light waves from distant quasars navigate this chaotic material, they become bent and distorted, akin to how haze from a fire blurs our vision of objects behind it.
While this distortion has allowed astronomers to infer turbulence’s presence over the years, fully understanding its intricate structure has proven challenging—until now.
Astronomer Alexander Pravin from Harvard University, alongside colleagues from the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, focused on the quasar TXS 2005+403 for this groundbreaking study.
This bright radio source, driven by a supermassive black hole, lies approximately 10 billion light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.
As its radio light travels toward Earth, it is refracted and altered while traversing the Cygnus region, recognized as one of the Milky Way’s most turbulent and scattering settings.
“Most of the information we gather from the radio data does not originate from the quasars themselves but rather from the scattering effects caused by turbulence in this region of the Milky Way,” stated Dr. Pravin.
“This scattering, along with the resultant distortions, enables us to investigate turbulence and improve our understanding of its structure.”
To delve deeper into the influence of turbulence on the light from TXS 2005+403, researchers analyzed nearly a decade’s worth of archival data from NSF’s Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).
Initially, they anticipated that as the radio light passed through the Milky Way, it would gradually blur and fade.
Contrary to their expectations, they discovered distinct, consistent patterns that created structured, mottled distortions in the light—evidence of turbulence’s influence.
“The farthest pair of telescopes would typically be unable to observe the quasar image, but surprisingly, they clearly detected its faint glow,” noted Dr. Pravin.
“This phenomenon cannot be explained by simple blurring or characteristics of the quasars themselves; the effects of interstellar turbulence are evident as it behaves as theorized.”
“The scattering properties along this line of sight through the galaxy have shown persistence over time.”
For more details regarding the survey findings, check out this paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letter.
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AV Pravin et al. 2026. Direct detection of interstellar turbulence signatures on quasars by very long baseline interferometry: TXS 2005+403. APJL 1003, L4; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae60f4
A massive tyrannosaurid dinosaur likely roamed the floodplains of present-day New Mexico around 74 million years ago, as revealed by a team of paleontologists from Bath University, Montana State University, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
Bistahieversor sealeyi hunting Pentaceratops sternbergi. Image credit: A. Belov / CC BY 3.0.
“Tyrannosaurids were among the largest and latest predatory dinosaurs,” stated lead author Dr. Nicholas Longrich from the University of Bath and his collaborators in their research paper.
“Following the extinction of carcharodontosaurs during the mid-Cretaceous, tyrannosaurs diversified and evolved into larger forms, dominating as the primary predators of the late Cretaceous in North America and Asia.”
“By the Late Campanian era, multiple groups of tyrannosaurids, such as Albertosauridae, Daspletosaurini, and Teratophonii, achieved impressive weights of 2 to 3 tons.”
“Their evolutionary journey culminated with the emergence of titanic forms, like tyrannosaurus, the largest known predatory dinosaur ever to exist.”
In this study, paleontologists analyzed an exceptionally large tibia (shin bone) from a Tyrannosaurus specimen sourced from the Hunter Wash Formation in New Mexico’s Kirtland Formation.
The tibia measures 96 cm in length and 12.8 cm in diameter, representing about 84% and 78% of the dimensions of the largest confirmed tyrannosaurus specimens.
Based on comparisons with known tyrannosaurus species, researchers estimated that this prehistoric predator weighed around 4 to 5 tons.
“This discovery marks the oldest giant tyrannosaurus found in North America, potentially identifying it as the earliest known species of Tyrannosaurini,” they noted in their publication.
The tibia exhibits features akin to later tyrannosaurids, specifically tyrannosaurus rex.
Researchers considered three scenarios: the fossil belongs to an unusually large known tyrannosaurus from New Mexico, Bistahieversor sealeyi; it might represent a new lineage of colossal tyrannosaurs; or it could be an early member of the tyrannosaurus rex lineage and its Asian relatives.
After thorough comparisons with other tyrannosaurids and conducting a phylogenetic analysis, the authors determined that the third hypothesis is the most plausible.
“Regardless of which hypothesis is accepted, the unusual size of the Hunter Wash tyrannosaurus is significant as it signifies the presence of a previously unknown large tyrannosaurid in the late Campanian, suggesting their earlier than anticipated evolutionary emergence,” the researchers added.
Paleontologists have long debated the geographic origins of giant tyrannosaurs.
Some theorize that this lineage started in Asia before migrating to North America, while others argue that the massive tyrannosaurus rex originated in the southern part of western North America known as Laramidia.
The newly discovered fossils bolster the theory of a southern Laramidian origin.
“The Hunter Wash tyrannosaurs underscore the remarkable diversity of Laramidian dinosaurs, with smaller albertosaurines and daspletosaurids inhabiting the northern regions, while gigantic tyrannosaurids thrived in the south,” the paleontologists concluded.
The team’s findings were published in a research paper in March 2026 in the journal Scientific Reports.
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NR Longrich et al. 2026. A large tyrannosaurid from the late Cretaceous (Campanian) of North America. Scientific Reports 16, 8371; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-38600-w
A prolonged series of mushroom poisonings in California has tragically resulted in four fatalities and left 43 individuals hospitalized, marking the largest outbreak of its kind in the history of the U.S., according to experts.
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Three cases emerged earlier this week, notably after the typical growing season for the mushrooms notorious for causing this illness, prompting public health officials and mycologists to investigate the widespread poisonings and the factors contributing to this alarming trend.
These three new cases involved family members who foraged for mushrooms in Napa County on Saturday, fell ill on Sunday, and were subsequently admitted to Stanford Medical Center, as reported by Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Kristin Wu.
Since the onset of the outbreak in November, affected individuals have ranged in age from just 19 months to 84 years old. California Department of Public Health indicates that incidents have clustered, with at least six families linked to the same batch of mushrooms. Four individuals have undergone liver transplants due to their ailments.
Poisoning incidents have spanned over a dozen counties within the San Francisco Bay Area and California’s central coast. Following a surge in cases during late fall, state health officials have cautioned the public against consuming foraged mushrooms.
“This outbreak is significantly larger than previous years, with its duration extending beyond what we anticipated,” stated Heather Hallen-Adams, chair of toxicology for the Mycological Society of North America. “The reasons for this are still unclear.”
Deathcap mushrooms, native to Europe, have made their way into the United States.Ann Pringle
The primary source of the poisonings has been identified as the invasive death cap mushroom, often referred to as fly agaric. Additionally, the Western destroying angel, known as amanita, has been implicated in several cases. Typically, 50 cases of amanita poisoning are reported annually across the nation, but California has already surpassed that number this year, with five new infections reported this month.
This situation is highly atypical,” noted Anne Pringle, a mycology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Typically, the peak season for these mushrooms is in December and January. We are left wondering why this occurrence is happening.”
This outbreak has brought to light significant gaps in California’s public health infrastructure, revealing a lack of rigorous scientific understanding of these toxic mushrooms.
Healthcare providers currently are not mandated to report amatoxin poisoning cases to public health authorities, as outlined in state regulations. This has led the California Department of Public Health to track cases through a more cumbersome and less structured procedure than for other conditions like E. coli and West Nile virus.
“At present, our primary source of information about these incidents stems from the California Poison Control System,” Dr. Wu remarked. “They are actively working to identify and report these cases to CDPH.”
Dr. Wu indicated that efforts are underway to include amatoxin poisoning in the list of reportable diseases. However, the ministry has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this issue.
Dr. Wu revealed that the three family members who fell ill recently were not from Napa County and had been foraging mushrooms in rural areas within the county.
“Their case came to my attention solely due to their mushroom foraging activities in Napa County,” Dr. Wu stated, pointing out that there was no obligation for notification. “This information allows me to act to protect other community members in Napa.”
Since the outbreak’s onset, the majority of those affected by the toadstools predominantly communicate in Spanish, with others speaking Chinese, Ukrainian, Russian, Mam, and Mixteco (an indigenous language from Central America).
Consequently, public health experts suggest that some individuals may be relying on foraging practices rooted in traditions from their countries of origin.
“Research indicates that the death cap and Western angel of destruction closely resemble some native edible mushrooms found in their home countries,” Dr. Wu explained.
Dr. Wu mentioned that Napa County Public Health Department has initiated radio advertisements in English, Spanish, and Mixteco to alert the public about toxic mushrooms. The California Department of Health has also produced flyers available in nine languages.
“It’s surprising that we haven’t undertaken more outreach to Spanish-speaking communities; this poses a significant public health risk,” Dr. Wu remarked. “We are committed to improving our efforts in this area.”
The decomposing mushroom is an invasive species that was introduced to California through imported seedlings in the 1930s. The destroying angel mushrooms are specific to certain nations. In California, death caps typically thrive near oak and sometimes pine trees, usually growing several inches tall but can reach larger sizes, featuring white gills, a pale yellow or green cap, and a distinctive ring around their stem.
Amatoxins produced by these mushrooms can severely damage the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of amatoxin poisoning may take up to 24 hours to manifest and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. More severe reactions, including potentially fatal liver damage, can occur within two to three days. Amatoxins account for the majority of deadly mushroom poisonings, as even a volume comparable to a sugar cube can be lethal.
Mike McCurdy, president of the San Francisco Mycological Society, reported increased occurrences of death cap mushrooms over the weekend.
“This is a significant growth surge; it’s a widespread phenomenon, stretching from Monterey to Napa,” McCurdy lamented. “This level of activity during the spring is unprecedented.”
McCurdy recounted spending around 20 minutes searching for death cap mushrooms on Saturday, during which he identified more than 20 “fruiting bodies” around five live oak trees along the coast.
Pringle expressed her confusion over the unusual abundance of death cap mushrooms this year and their extended presence deep into the season, stating, “It’s both an intriguing and alarming situation.”
In comparison to plants and animals, mushrooms are less frequently studied and receive considerably less research funding, Pringle noted. There remains a lack of comprehensive understanding of the toxins they produce.
“Science requires funding to tackle these challenges,” she concluded. “If we can mitigate the factors contributing to these outbreaks, we can save lives.”
Starship on the Launch Pad at SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas
Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX’s Upcoming Starship Test Flight
SpaceX is poised to conduct a highly anticipated test flight of its significantly upgraded Starship next week, which has the potential to become the tallest and most powerful rocket in history. This flight is crucial for NASA’s ambitious plans to return humans to the Moon by 2028.
The Starship system consists of two main components: an upper stage, also referred to as the Starship, and a lower stage known as the Super Heavy. Since the last test back in October, SpaceX has implemented several substantial modifications to both stages.
The upcoming test flight scheduled for May 19th will feature new iterations of both the Starship and Super Heavy, including three distinct models. Each stage is powered by the enhanced version 3 Raptor engines, which have been tested only sparingly in previous launches. The stakes are higher this time, as the launch will occur from a newly designed pad at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.
In the configuration of Super Heavy 3, the number of grid fins has been reduced from four to three, but their size has been increased by 50% to ensure precise atmospheric maneuverability. Starship 3 incorporates larger propellant tanks, an advanced on-orbit refueling capability, and enhanced heat-resistant tiles designed for atmospheric reentry.
At launch, the rocket will reach a total height of 124 meters, surpassing the previous version 2 by about one meter. This height also exceeds that of NASA’s 98-meter Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the 111-meter-tall Saturn V, the historic rocket that transported astronauts to the Moon during the 1960s and ’70s.
Starship 3 is engineered to produce a staggering thrust of 75,000 kilonewtons, nearly double that of the SLS’s 39,000 kilonewtons, making it the most powerful rocket to date.
Research from the University of Sheffield, conducted by Alistair John, indicates that the collective power output of all engines combined in the Starship stack at maximum capacity exceeds the total electricity generation of Germany. “It’s enormous,” John remarked.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has outlined plans for the Starship to transport satellites into orbit, as well as serve beyond Earth with missions to Mars. Moreover, NASA selected it as one of two commercial lander designs for the Artemis program, aiming for a human return to the Moon, alongside the Blue Origin lander backed by Jeff Bezos.
After the successful unmanned Artemis 1 mission in 2022, the recent Artemis flight saw four astronauts venture further from Earth than any humans before, orbiting around the Moon.
A recent NASA document confirmed details of the Artemis III mission, which will send a crew into low Earth orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft atop an SLS rocket. They will then rendezvous with one or both commercial lunar landers offered by SpaceX and Blue Origin. This critical maneuver is necessary for transferring crew and fuel to the lander in preparation for a lunar landing mission targeted for Artemis IV as early as 2028.
SpaceX employs a rapid iteration and learning strategy, typical of Silicon Valley, distinct from the more cautious approach usually adopted in space exploration. Out of 11 test flights conducted thus far, six have succeeded while five have encountered failures. Neither SpaceX nor NASA has commented on these outcomes.
Dr. Peter Shaw from Kingston University believes SpaceX remains aligned with its Artemis timelines despite earlier setbacks. “Rocket science is inherently complex and difficult,” remarks Shaw. “Can they succeed? Absolutely. Will they meet their deadlines? There is confidence in their ability; even if they face more failures, they will learn, adapt, and innovate.”
The forthcoming Starship test is vital for confirming the integrity of the Version 3 design, which will underpin SpaceX’s Human Landing System (HLS) essential for Moon landings. The HLS will require significant adaptations, including a different engine tailored for the Moon’s lower gravity and will forgo the heat shield since it will not need to handle Earth reentry.
“While this represents a small, incremental improvement, it is also the most significant iteration. Version 3 is what we require for the Artemis program; its predecessors were merely prototypes,” explains John. “Version 3 is effectively the inaugural test of the production model. Our goal is reliability.”
Beach in Southampton, New York Treated with Olivine Sand
Cheyenne Morrow
Initial studies of adding crushed olivine to ocean waters for atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption showed no adverse effects on the seafloor ecosystem during the first year.
While the New York State trial offers promising findings for this innovative carbon removal technology, researchers advise caution, as it may not encapsulate all potential negative impacts.
Emilia Jankowska from Hourglass Climate, the nonprofit organization conducting the study, stated that while the addition of olivine to the ocean should be regulated, “there are methods to minimize effects while maintaining effectiveness.”
The UN climate change agency highlights the necessity for carbon removal strategies, including reforestation and advanced carbon filtration methods, to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. With rising emissions, the aspiration to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius remains a challenge.
Olivine, a magnesium iron silicate mineral, is often found within the Earth’s mantle and reacts with CO2 when reaching the surface, forming stable compounds that can sequester carbon in the ocean for millennia.
A recent study indicated that spreading crushed olivine and similar silicates on crops could enhance this process, potentially removing up to 1.1 billion tons of CO2 annually. U.S. startup Vesta aims to introduce olivine directly into ocean waters, facilitating increased carbon absorption through bicarbonate formation.
However, olivine may contain trace amounts of heavy metals. Research has detected elevated nickel and chromium levels in crustaceans and mollusks exposed to olivine. There are concerns about sand potentially suffocating benthic organisms, such as crustaceans and worms.
In 2022, Vesta distributed 650 tons of olivine sand along Long Island’s coast, overlaying it with 13,500 tons of regular sand for shore reinforcement. However, as storms intensified, tides washed away much of the olivine.
Researchers collected sediment samples from shallow waters up to 160 meters offshore before and after adding olivine, and a year later. They compared these to samples from areas where only regular sand or no sand was added.
Among numerous species, only a minor decline was observed in the fringe bloodworm within the olivine-treated area, with overall benthic species’ abundance and diversity rebounding within two months. Species composition shifted similarly in regions where only regular sand was used, indicating common beach aquaculture practices.
Crucially, nickel, chromium, cobalt, and manganese concentrations in organisms remained low. “Natural systems are highly dynamic, causing dissolved elements to dilute rapidly,” Jankowska remarked.
While Vesta oversaw environmental monitoring for these trials, the analyses conducted by Hourglass were independently funded by the Grantham Foundation.
Olivine’s dissolution in ocean waters may lead to calcium carbonate precipitating from seawater, potentially trapping trace metals, as noted by Christopher Pierce at the UK National Marine Centre. Nevertheless, this might limit the additional CO2 absorption capacity of seawater.
This significant research transitions understanding from laboratory settings to real-world applications. Further investigation remains essential to comprehend varying biological responses and infection rates associated with CO2 ingestion.
Nonetheless, the study’s assertion of no negative effects may overstate the findings, according to James Kelly of Ocean Care. He notes that fluctuations in olivine concentrations could imply limited exposure, questioning the notion that olivine is inherently safe.
Hourglass Climate is currently tracking the results from a large-scale trial with Vesta. In 2024, 8,200 tons of olivine were identified 450 meters offshore from Duck, North Carolina. Preliminary insights suggest recovery in species richness and diversity, although metal accumulation analysis is ongoing.
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