A new type of rice created by a simple cross could reduce the discharge of methane crops, which are strong greenhouse gases, in almost three -quarters.
Cultivation of rice is about 12 % of the artificial release of methane. Methane is a gas with a global warming effect 25 times stronger than that of carbon dioxide.
The emissions come from the soil microorganisms of the flooded paddy fields cultivated by rice. These organisms decompose chemicals known as roots that are released by plants, not only produce nutrients that can be used by plants, but also make methane in the process.
For more information about factors that affect methane production from the roots of rice, Anna Schnella Swedish University of Agriculture Science and her colleagues cultivated two US lines in the laboratory. It is a Japanese variety called Nippon Bear with average methane emissions, and a genetic modification with a small methane emission called SUSIBA2.
SUSIBA2 has reduced the number of roots that are known to be the more important driver of methane emission than Nippon Bear. However, when both strains are treated with oxantel, which is a chemical substance that inhibits the decomposition of hemalate by bacteria, the Susiba2 shares still decrease the methane. This means that there must be another factor that causes different varieties.
SUSIBA2 crops have been found to secrete high -level ethanol.
Later, the team rely on traditional breeding techniques to generate new US stocks by passing high -yielded elite varieties, along with Heidin varieties, a stock that produces low fumalate and high ethanol.
In the two -year outdoor exam in China, the new strain has generated more than 8 tons of crops per hectar, but compared to the world average of more than 4 tons, a methane is 70 % less than the breeded elite varieties. It was issued. 。
Johannes Le Curtr At New Southwales, Sydney, Australia, this study is an example of a well -performed research on the culprit behind the greenhouse gas emissions of crops.
“The core point of this study is to not use hardcore genetic engineering, editing technology, and transgenic approaches,” Le Coutre says. “They use traditional mating to create a new rice line that lowers methane synthesis.”
The detection of soft tissues (such as proteins) in fossil bones is a growing research field, and new research, led by Liverpool University, has contributed to such discoveries. The authors use three independent analytical combinations to indicate that some dinosaur bones of collagen bones are the original fossils.
Tuinstra et al。 In order to replenish the two mass-specific (MS) technologies used, the total attenuation (ATR) -ftir and intersection polarized microscopes (Xpol), which replenish two mass spectrometics (MS) technologies. Edmont Saurus SP. Fossil bones. Image credit: Tuinstra et al。 , Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115.
In their research, Professor Steve Taylor and his colleagues of Liverpool University examined the 22 kg hip bone of herbivorous dinosaurs that bred ducks. Edmont Saurus。
The specimen was excavated from the late Cretaceous band of the Helkleak layer in Harding County, South Dakota, USA.
Using advanced mass spectrometry and other technologies, old -life scholars have identified collagen remnants with fossil bones.
“This study shows that organic body molecules, such as collagen -like proteins, seem to be present in some fossils,” said Taylor.
“Our results have a wide range of meanings. First, the hypothesis that organic matters contained in fossils need to be caused from contamination.”
“Second, it suggests to reconsider the cross -polarized microscopes of fossil bones collected over the first century.”
“These images may clarify the intact patches of bone collagen, and may provide candidates for ready -made fossil candidates for further protein analysis.”
“This may release a new insight about dinosaurs. For example, we will clarify the connection between dinosaur species as it is.”
“Finally, the result of this survey tells you an interesting mystery about how these proteins have long lasted in fossils.”
“This study not only solves the scientific discussion for many years, but also has a further path to study ancient life, and can be seen on the biochemical preservation of the fossils of extinct creatures.”
Team result Published in the journal on January 17th Analytical chemistry。
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Lucien Tuinstra et al。 Evidence of endogenous collagen Edmont Saurus Fossil bones. anus. ChemistryReleased online on January 17, 2025. Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115
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Many years ago, during the progress of Civilization II, I began my career as a writer for the video game magazine Edge. As an enthusiast of the original Civilization game, I was eager to review its sequel and impressed the editor enough with my comprehensive analysis of the complex turn-based strategy game that I nearly lost my job due to my addiction to playing it non-stop for two weeks instead of writing my assigned articles. This led to a stern warning about my performance and ultimately ended my tenure as a game writer. Consequently, I did not review the next four installments of the series. Now, Civilization VII is making a comeback, and I find myself facing this captivating nemesis once again.
This game has always been a favorite among me and many other fans, offering a compelling simulation of building an empire from ancient tribes to modern superpowers. As a player, you have the opportunity to establish cities, gather resources, research new technologies, send out settlers, merchants, and armies, and expand your influence through peaceful relations or conquest. Victory can be achieved through military prowess, cultural dominance, or economic power, depending on your chosen playstyle. Each campaign offers a unique experience, making it a game that has withstood the test of time.
Extra nuances … civilization VII. Photo: 2K game
In this latest installment, Firaxis has made some significant changes, deviating from guiding a single civilization through the entire campaign. Instead, players now choose different leaders with unique attributes and guide them through three distinct historical ages, each time selecting a new country to control. Each country brings its own units and buildings, adding depth to the gameplay. The game structure encourages continuity and strategic decision-making, enhancing the overall experience.
When it comes to maintaining health in old age, amidst the plethora of complex supplements advertised by influencers and podcast hosts, the key might just be Omega-3. Recent research suggests that regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acid capsules can have a significant impact on longevity, potentially slowing the aging process by up to 4 months. Lower aging.
Biological age is a more accurate indicator of your life expectancy than your chronological age. It reflects the rate of DNA changes, which can vary from person to person.
A study published in the journal Nature Aging compared the effects of Omega-3 intake, vitamin D supplementation, and regular exercise on over 700 adults above 70. Participants were divided into three groups, receiving either 1g of Omega-3, 30mg of vitamin D, or engaging in 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, or no treatment at all.
Throughout the study, blood samples were collected and participants’ aging rates were measured using epigenetic “clocks.” The results showed that those taking Omega-3 experienced a biological age reduction of four months. When combined with vitamin D and exercise, the effects were even more pronounced, reducing the risk of various age-related ailments.
Experts, like Dr. Mary Ni Lochlainn, a Geriatrics specialist, are encouraged by these findings. However, some caution that more standardized tests for biological aging are needed to fully understand the impact of such interventions.
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Openai has advanced artificial intelligence development by introducing a new tool that claims to produce reports comparable to those of research analysts.
Developers of Chatgpt have dubbed the tool “Deep Research,” stating that it can accomplish tasks that would take humans hours in just 10 minutes.
This announcement comes shortly after a San Francisco-based company accelerated its product release in response to the progress made by Openai’s competitor, Deepseek.
“Deep Research” is an AI agent that allows users to delegate tasks and is powered by Openai’s latest cutting-edge model, O3 version.
Openai explained that deep research scours hundreds of online sources, analyzes, integrates, creates comprehensive reports, and sifts through massive amounts of text, images, and PDFs.
The company views tools like the Chatgpt button as essential steps towards achieving artificial general intelligence, a concept that aims to match or exceed human intelligence in various tasks.
Last month, Openai unveiled an AI agent named Operator, claiming it can manage an online store based on photos of shopping lists, albeit only in the US preview version.
In a demonstration video released on Sunday, Openai showcased Deep Research analyzing the translation app market, stating that each task takes 5-30 minutes to complete with proper sourcing.
Openai highlighted that deep research targets experts in fields like finance, science, and engineering but can also be utilized for car and furniture purchases.
Leveraging Openai’s latest “reasoning” model, O3, deep research processes queries slower than traditional models and has a partially disclosed entity named O3-mini, a slimmed-down version of O3.
The full capabilities of the O3 model were outlined in the recent international AI safety report, prompting concerns from experts like Yoshua Bengio about the potential risks posed by AI advancements.
Deep surveys are accessible to Openai’s protia users in the US for $200 (£162 per month), with a monthly limit on queries due to processing constraints. Not available in the UK and Europe.
Andrew Rogoyski, director of an AI Research Institute affiliated with Sally University, cautioned about the potential dangers of blindly relying on deep search tools without conducting thorough verifications of their outputs.
“Knowledge-intensive AI faces a fundamental challenge. Human validation and verification are crucial to ensure the accuracy of machine analysis,” said Rogoyski.
Two years ago, a type IA supernova event called SN 2022ABVVT was discovered in Spiral Galaxy LEDA 132905.
This Hubble image LEDA 132905, a spiral galaxy over 400 million light years in sculptor constellation. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / RJ Foley, UC Santa cruz.
LEDA 132905 in the sculptor’s constellation is over 400 million light years away.
“The galaxy’s spiral structure, resembling a bright blue star patch, appears faint,” said members of the Hubble team.
“The bright white dot between the bright center of the galaxy and the faint left end is the SN 2022ABVVT supernova.”
The supernova SN 2022ABVT was discovered in 2022 by astronomers of the asteroid landlady impacted alert system (ATLAS).
About two months later, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope observed the star explosion.
“Atlas, designed to track faint-moving signals from asteroids near Earth, also detects objects that suddenly become brighter or fade, like supernovae in the centers of galaxies, various stars, and hungry black holes,” astronomers explained.
This Hubble image of LEDA 132905 was captured using the Hubble wide field camera 3 (WFC3) in the infrared part of the spectrum.
Astronomers are interested in studying type IA supernovae, which occur when the exposed core of ancient stars ignites in a sudden and destructive nuclear fusion burst.
These supernovae are valuable for measuring accurate distances to other galaxies.
“The universe is vast, and supernova explosions are faint,” researchers stated.
“How can we be in the right place at the right time to observe a supernova?”
“Today, most supernovae are discovered by robot telescopes constantly scanning the night sky.”
“However, some are still found the traditional way, with diligent observers taking repeated images of the sky and searching for any changes.”
An Italian vocal critic has been warned by WhatsApp about targeting military-grade spyware last week, raising concerns about potential use by a strong European government. A Libyan activist in Sweden, proposed Sweden, was also warned.
WhatsApp discovered that Husam El Gomati’s mobile phone, along with the phones of 89 other activists, journalists, and civil society members, were compromised in late December.
The messaging app, owned by Meta in California, stated that El Gomati and others may have been “compromised” by spyware created by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli-based company recently acquired by a US private equity firm.
Paragon declined to comment, but sources close to the company revealed that they had around 35 government customers, described as democratic governments.
Regarding El Gomati, Facebook shared a document from Libya linking him to a network involving Tripoli, Zawia, and the Italian Intelligence leader, connected to an illegal migration route and detention center, which was promptly discovered.
Criticism has been voiced for a long time about Italy supporting Libya’s coastal guards and militias to prevent people from crossing the Mediterranean, causing chaos among some activists.
El Gomati expressed concerns about protecting Libya’s confidential sources of information, highlighting the implications of Paragon’s spyware, called Graphite, which can intercept encrypted messages on apps like Signal and WhatsApp.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding information as activists in Libya expose corruption and class control, stating that such issues can be a matter of life and death.
El Gomati mentioned the intrusive nature of spyware, particularly its ability to eavesdrop on conversations and access personal photos, raising significant privacy concerns.
Paragon, like other military-grade spyware manufacturers, was founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, primarily selling spyware to government clients for targeting purposes. They reportedly secured a contract with the US Immigration Agency under the Biden administration, subject to review due to concerns about compliance with new regulations on spyware use.
El Gomati contacted The Guardian following a story about Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancelleri, the Editor-in-Chief of a news outlet known as Fan Page.
While it’s unclear which government may have targeted El Gomati and Cancelleri, WhatsApp notified individuals in over 20 countries, including Europe, about potential surveillance.
There are ongoing concerns regarding the release of Osama Nazim, also known as Al-Ramli, the former chief of Libya’s judicial police, accused of war crimes and other offenses. The International Criminal Court has questioned Libya’s handling of his release and return without consultation.
Every year, scientists around the world offer research to cancer treatment. What if the answer is related to the time when cancer patients are taking medicine? Group of German scientists wanted to find out if a 24 -hour clock of the body was also known as itself. Approximately rhythmIt can affect the fight against cancer.
To test their hypothesis, scientists monitor how cancer cells behave with various drugs at various times. First, they collected a variety of cells from human milk cancer patients, including some healthy tissue cells and several tumor cells. They thoroughly monitored cell characteristics such as growth, drug reactions, and outline rhythm strength. They explained that the intensity of the rhythm of the day refers to cells that usually change the movement determined by the day and night cycle.
Scientists used the method called to determine the rhythmic intensity. Self -correlationWe measured how cells work at different times. They used the second method to identify the dominant frequency and time of the cellular signal. Continuous wavelength conversion。 They use this method to break down the signals into small parts, each represents different frequencies and time range.
Finally, they use another method to simultaneously look at both large and small cell processes and further disassemble the signals called. Multi -election analysis。 By combining these methods, we measured how the drug affected the growth of cells over time, and identified what has changed based on time -dependent or dunning effects.
Researchers have grown a group of special breast cancer cells, which are known to have biological watches incorporated in the controlled environment. They added drugs to fight a variety of cancers at different times of the day, and evaluated how they changed their effectiveness. They also administered a variety of drugs and found the best dosage for their daily time. In order to test how the cells react over time, the cell growth rate was measured by imaging with a microscope and growing fast under various conditions. Later, scientists organized cells and drugs into groups based on how they responded to the test.
In addition, researchers conducted tests to measure the efficiency of the administered drugs. First, we used a series of light dark cycle to synchronize the cells to a specific outline. Later, they used live cell imaging to monitor cell growth and survival, and administer drugs at a different period of one day, exceeding four hours. After that, the team compared the way cells react to drugs on various occasions and identified the best time to administer drugs for cancer treatment. Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between the aid clock and drugs.
In order to explore the influence of the outline clocks on cell treatment, scientists also tested the overall contribution of each gene component in cells to the overall drug reaction. They explained that the gene of our body decides how well the drug can suppress cancer and how strongly it can accept the drug. However, with almost 20,000 gene, scientists want to match each drug to the most effective target gene.
To do this, the team used two methods to collect very large datasets and create called forecasts. Linear discrimination analysis and Main ingredient analysis。 They used these methods to rank the cell gene according to how effectively the cells react to drugs, and identify the mutant pattern between gene. They discovered that different genes show different sensitivity to each drug.
Scientists concluded that the rhythm of the solar cells affects drug sensitivity and effectiveness. They suggested that future workers test other undeveloped gene and confirm that they are sensitive to specific cancer drugs. The team concluded that their results would help scientists to understand how the 24 -hour cycle of the body would affect cancer treatment, which is sensitive to time.
The upcoming director of CERN stated that advanced artificial intelligence is revolutionizing basic physics and opening windows for the fate of the universe.
Professor Marktomson, a British physicist who will take on the leadership at CERN on January 1, 2026, envisions progress in particle physics comparable to the AI-driven prediction of protein structure that recently won Google Deepmind Scientists an award. Speculations suggest a potential Nobel Prize in October.
With the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) playing a key role, there is hope to unravel how particles obtained mass at the moment of the Big Bang and whether our universe is extraordinary. Professor Marktomson mentioned the adoption of a similar strategy to potentially avert a catastrophic collapse event.
Tomson emphasized, “These are not just incremental improvements, but rather significant strides achieved by embracing cutting-edge techniques.”
He also added, “The field will undergo a transformative change. Dealing with complex data like protein folding presents intricate challenges, and employing advanced AI technologies can lead to breakthroughs.”
CERN’s council anticipates a promising future with revolutionary advancements. Despite skepticism following the groundbreaking Higgs boson discovery in 2012, Professor Thomson believes that AI brings a fresh perspective to explore new frontiers in physics. The enhanced beam strength of LHC is expected to enable unprecedented observations of the Higgs boson, also known as the “God particle,” shedding light on other particles and the universe at large.
There is a particular focus on measuring the Higgs boson’s self-coupling, which plays a critical role in understanding how particles acquire mass and the evolution of the Higgs field post-Big Bang. Higgs’ self-coupling strength is crucial for determining the stability of the Higgs field and potential future transitions.
Dr. Matthew McCallow, a theoretical physicist at CERN, emphasized that the exploration of Higgs’ self-coupling is significant for advancing our understanding of the universe’s fundamental characteristics. Integrating AI into LHC operations has streamlined data collection and interpretation processes, enabling faster decision-making for experiments like the LHC ATLAS project.
Scientists have long sought to uncover dark matter using the LHC, considering it comprises a significant portion of the universe. With AI’s assistance, researchers hope to untangle this mystery. Thomson remarked, “AI allows us to pose more intricate and open-ended queries rather than merely searching for specific signals, hoping to uncover unexpected insights within the data.”
Being a physicist, I have a deep appreciation for all small particles. Each particle plays a crucial role in the universe, and by studying them, we gain a better understanding of the fundamental laws of nature that govern our existence. However, as a researcher in the field of Dark Matter, I must confess that Neutrinos present a unique challenge.
Neutrinos are elusive little particles. From their inception, they defied all expectations.
Confronted with this dilemma, physicists had two unsatisfactory options: either abandon the conservation of energy or posit the existence of invisible particles that could not be detected by conventional means. They opted for the latter, eventually coining the term “Little Neutral” for these new particles, which possessed no charge and were abundant in quantity.
The absence of charge was the defining feature – without charge, the particles do not interact at all through electromagnetic force. This led physicist Wolfgang Pauli to famously remark, “I have done a terrible thing. I have postulated a particle that cannot be detected.”
Fortunately, Pauli’s skepticism about detectability was proven wrong in the end. Neutrinos, though notoriously resistant to interactions with other particles, do pass through our planet on a daily basis without our notice. It took a truly heroic effort to develop instruments capable of detecting them.
Even now, we are still struggling to capture neutrinos. The standard detection method involves constructing large water tanks deep underground or filled with other liquids (to shield them from cosmic rays). Each day, researchers anxiously wait for one of the four neutrinos that pass through the Earth to directly collide with an atom underwater.
If such a collision occurs, a flash of light is produced as the charged particles in the water move quickly. This light flash acts like an electromagnetic version of the Sonic boom, encoding information about neutrinos and providing insights into these invisible particles that constantly permeate the Earth.
Read more:
Most of the neutrinos detected on Earth come from the solar nucleus. When hydrogen fuses with helium, neutrinos are produced as by-products. They emanate in all directions as soon as they are generated, mostly unaffected by the sun’s mass, and escape into space.
The reason neutrinos pose a specific challenge to dark matter detectors is their similarity to the hypothetical dark matter particles we seek known as Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Like neutrinos, these “weakly interacting massive particles” have no charge and can traverse the Earth unnoticed.
If they do interact with other matter, it is through weak nuclear force – the same force that may (albeit rarely) cause neutrinos to interact with the underwater particles in the neutrinoscope. Similar to neutrino detectors, dark matter detectors are situated deep underground to shield them from cosmic rays, designed to register any interactions occurring within the detector with these invisible particles.
The challenge arises from the fact that the dark matter detector has become incredibly sensitive, picking up signals caused by neutrinos. Both types of detectors have now produced evidence of solar neutrinos colliding with target materials. The amount of rock cover cannot adequately shield experiments from neutrinos.
Our estimated 27% of the universe consists of dark matter – Photo Credit: Getty
It may take several decades for a dark matter signal detector unaffected by solar neutrino interference to achieve total clarity. Currently, most detectors are only sensitive to high-energy solar neutrinos, which have been causing complications thus far.
Some physicists are intrigued by the phenomenon of “coherent neutrino scattering” and see it as an opportunity to overcome the challenges of both dark matter detection and neutrino interference. Ultimately, dark matter may be composed of an entirely different substance.
Nevertheless, if dark matter does indeed comprise WIMPs, we will need to think outside the box in our experiments. For those of us delving into the mysteries of the universe’s dark side, the seemingly bright future of neutrinos may blind us to the realities of dark matter.
Effectively zero. It may be attacked by the satellite that you fall.
Although the number of satellites in the orbit has risen in exponential functions, modern satellites have the ability to control the re -entry trajectory, and they are built from low -density materials to burn out as they fall into the atmosphere.
However, fragments in the universe are still reaching the ground. We use the rocket stage from the long March rocket in China as a recent example.
One piece per day sounds like a lot, but at least three airplanes are dropped (mainly non -profit aircraft) in order to focus on it. 。
Being attacked by a piece of satellite is unlikely to be hit by a part of the crashed airplane -credit: Petrovich9
When the plane crashes, it usually remains in one piece until the moment of the impact, and is often full of fuel. As a result, the falling aircraft is much more fatal than a typical cosmic fragment. This may be part of a small titanium and carbon fiber panel.
There is no difference here for the extra altitude that the fragments of the universe have fallen. Falling from 300 km (about 186 miles) is the same as 10 km (6.2 miles) to reach the terminal speed long before hitting the ground.
Aircraft tend to fly near a dense population area, but spaceship is much more evenly distributed around the world. If everyone in the world goes out and spread, they cover only about 0.0002 % on the surface of the earth.
Therefore, even if the fragments of the fallen universe are fatal, they miss 99.9998 % and translate them into one death every 1 or 300 years.
This article is the answer to the question (asked by Charlie Bond by e -mail) “What is the possibility of a falling satellite?”
To send a question, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or send a message. Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (don’t forget to include your name and location).
For surprising science, see the ultimate fun fact page.
Currently, the internet is filled with content about resetting the brain’s reward system and rediscovering simple joys in life. One popular method gaining traction, promoted by influencers as a quick fix, is known as dopamine detoxification. Advocates claim that this method can reset the brain’s neurochemical balance and improve focus by cutting out activities that overstimulate.
The basic concept behind dopamine detox is to eliminate quick and easy sources of joy for a certain period. Some programs suggest starting with a day and gradually extending up to several weeks to rebalance dopamine levels.
While the idea of dopamine detox seems appealing at first glance, the evidence supporting it is not as straightforward. Dopamine plays a role in rewarding activities, but it is not solely responsible for joy or focus. Other brain chemicals like endorphins and opioids also contribute to feelings of pleasure.
Understanding Dopamine’s Function:
Dopamine drives desires rather than directly causing joy upon fulfillment. Studies have shown that blocking dopamine in animal brains did not diminish their enjoyment of food, highlighting the complexity of dopamine’s role in the brain.
Medications like Levodopa that increase dopamine levels in Parkinson’s patients have not consistently led to improved focus or happiness, challenging the notion that boosting dopamine through detox would enhance overall well-being.
Further Reading:
While certain substances like drugs can alter dopamine function and impact joy, detoxing from everyday activities like social media and online shopping may not have the same effect on brain chemistry.
Despite the lack of strong scientific evidence, practicing dopamine detox may still have benefits. For instance, reducing excessive consumption of junk food can improve overall health.
The Advantages of Dopamine Detox:
Studies on complete digital detox have shown potential benefits, such as improved social interactions and emotional recognition, although more rigorous research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Dopamine burns our needs for rewards that are driving more than the joy we actually experience -Photo credit: Getty
While dopamine detox may not reset dopamine levels as claimed, it can still be a useful productivity and lifestyle strategy. Implementing intentional breaks from habits can help break automatic behaviors and encourage mindful actions.
Instead of completely eliminating activities, setting goals to gradually reduce engagement may be a more sustainable approach. Experimenting with different strategies can help identify what works best for individual needs.
The United Kingdom has become the first country to implement laws regarding the use of AI tools, as highlighted by a remarkable enforcement organization overseeing the use of this technology.
It is now illegal to possess, create, or distribute AI tools specifically designed to generate sexual abuse materials involving children, addressing a significant legal loophole that has been a major concern for law enforcement and online safety advocates. Violators can face up to five years in prison.
There is also a ban on providing manuals that instruct potential criminals on how to produce abusive images using AI tools. The distribution of such material can result in a prison sentence of up to three years for offenders.
Additionally, a new law is being introduced to prevent the sharing of abusive images and advice among criminals or on illicit websites. Border units will be granted expanded powers to compel suspected individuals to unlock and submit digital devices for inspection, particularly in cases involving sexual risks.
The use of AI tools in creating images of child sexual abuse has increased significantly, with a reported four-fold increase over the previous year. According to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), there were 245 instances of AI-generated child sexual abuse images in 2024, compared to just 51 the year before.
These AI tools are being utilized in various ways by perpetrators seeking to exploit children, such as modifying a real child’s image to appear nude or superimposing a child’s face onto existing abusive images. Victim voices are also incorporated into these manipulated images.
The newly generated images are often used to threaten children and coerce them into more abusive situations, including live-streamed abuse. These AI tools also serve to conceal perpetrators’ identities, groom victims, and facilitate further abuse.
Senior police officials have noted that individuals viewing such AI-generated images are more likely to engage in direct abuse of children, raising fears that the normalization of child sexual abuse may be accelerated by the use of these images.
A new law, part of upcoming crime and policing legislation, is being proposed to address these concerns.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that the country cannot afford to lag behind in addressing the potential misuse of AI technology.
He stated in an Observer article that while the UK aims to be a global leader in AI, the safety of children must take precedence.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of AI-generated content, with calls for stronger regulations to prevent the creation and distribution of harmful images.
Experts are urging for enhanced measures to tackle the misuse of AI technology, while acknowledging its potential benefits. Deleclehill, the CEO of IWF, highlighted the need for balancing innovation with safeguarding against abuse.
Rani Govender, a policy manager at NSPCC’s Child Safety Online, emphasized the importance of preventing the creation of harmful AI-generated images to protect children from exploitation.
In order to achieve this goal, stringent regulations and thorough risk assessments by tech companies are essential to ensure children’s safety and prevent the proliferation of abusive content.
tHe mystery surrounding William Henry Gates III is well-preserved. This book delves into the early years of Gates, from his birth in 1955 to the founding of Microsoft in 1975. The sequel will reveal the next chapter of his story.
The title of the book aptly captures its essence. In the era when only humans wrote computer programs, “source code” referred to the code that powered the programs. Understanding a programming language enabled one to decipher the workings of a computer program.
What can we learn from studying Gates’ journey? Essentially, it narrates the tale of a fortunate young man. He had supportive parents who provided him with the right environment to grow emotionally and intellectually. However, he faced internal battles due to his high IQ, rebellious nature, and anxiety.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Gates acknowledges the challenges he faced in social settings and how his parents supported him. He attended a progressive private school that nurtured his talents.
Notably, Gates and his friends had access to a computer in the 1960s, which was rare at the time. This early exposure to computing led them to develop software and write programs for companies in their region.
Gates’ journey took him to Harvard, where his programming skills stood out. He dabbled with a December PDP-10 but shifted focus when Allen discovered a new microcomputer based on Intel’s 8080 processor.
Together, Gates and Allen ventured into the world of software development, leading to the establishment of Microsoft. Their early success paved the way for future accomplishments.
The book hints at Gates’ institutional expansion and legal battles, setting the stage for what’s to come in the next volume.
Gates in 1983. Photo: DOUG WILSON/CORBIS/Getty Images
The book provides valuable insights into Gates’ formative years, shedding light on his complex personality. His early struggles and triumphs set the stage for his future endeavors.
One of the defining moments in Gates’ life was the tragic loss of his best friend and programming partner, Kent Evans. This loss deeply impacted Gates and influenced his career trajectory.
In a poignant moment, Gates reflects on his conversations with Evans’ father and imagines what could have been if Evans had lived. Their shared vision laid the foundation for what would become Microsoft.
no, it wasn’t the “moment of SPUTNIK”. Last month’s release Deepseek R1 in China generated AI or chatbot has sparked conversations in the high-tech world, speculating on stocks, and suggesting that the United States is losing its edge in AI technology. However, the confusion caused by SPUTNIK doesn’t reveal much about Deepseek beyond American neurosis.
The original SPUTNIK moment occurred when the Soviet Union launched SPUTNIK 1 on October 4, 1957, shocking the world. In the famous words of Neil Armstrong, when he took a “small step” on the moon, it was an anachronistic phrase from a later, even more important milestone, the “Giant Leap for Mankind”.
Deepseek, backed by Chinese hedge funds, is a notable achievement. However, it doesn’t offer any technical advancements in large-scale language models (LLMs) that already exist. It lacks the speed and “wisdom” of Openai’s Chatgpt or Anthropic’s Claude.Vision-All LLMs tend to generate incorrect answers or fabricate facts to fill data gaps. NewsGuard’s evaluation system found that the DeepSeek chatbot made false claims in 30% of cases and failed to provide answers in 53% of cases.
DeepSeek’s high non-response rate may be attributed to censorship, avoiding sensitive issues for China or limiting information on topics like Tiananmen Square and Taiwan.
The true impact of DeepSeek lies in AI economy rather than its technology. It is a chatbot with strengths and weaknesses, like other major models, but it is built with lower costs and inferior technology. The ban on cutting-edge chips and chip manufacturing equipment to China by the Biden administration in 2022 has unintentionally spurred Chinese researchers to be more innovative.
DeepSeek is freely available and open-source, helping to democratize AI technology, especially outside the United States. While US companies create barriers to entry for competitors, it is ironic that China embraces openness.
The impact of DeepSeek goes beyond technology, unveiling the hype and geopolitical tensions surrounding AI. It challenges the notion of building larger AI models with massive computing capabilities and high costs.
The hype around DeepSeek mirrors the hyperbole around AI and reflects geopolitical tensions. If DeepSeek had originated from a US university, it might have gone unnoticed without causing global uproar. Amidst this panic, concerns about DeepSeek’s Chinese origin raise questions about privacy, censorship, and surveillance that affect AI technology as a whole.
Navigating between hype and fear around AI becomes crucial in times of trade wars and threats to democracy. It’s important to recognize the promises and challenges of technology without being swayed by political agendas.
Last Sunday at 2:16 pm in California, US billionaire technical investor Mark and Leisen made a significant call. He declared, “Deepseek R1 is the AI equivalent of SPUTNIK,” on X.
In 2023, emerging companies in China, led by a group of mathematicians with centuries of expertise, unveiled new chatbots that rival the performance of major American models in just a few minutes.
Despite the CCP’s efforts to suppress all responses, from Taiwan’s status to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, technology veteran Andreessen compared the Soviet Union’s shocking launch of the first satellite in 1957 to the current situation in the US.
The repercussions were felt the following day as shares of the world’s largest companies plummeted, marking the steepest decline in the US market’s history for microchip manufacturers, with losses nearing $600 million. Investors interpreted DeepSeek’s success as a sign that Chinese reliance on American chips was diminishing, potentially threatening or ending US hegemony in AI. Just a week prior, a Silicon Valley giant had announced a $500 million AI investment plan, spending more than necessary. Chinese AI Lab stated that the training cost for the basic model was only $5.6 million.
Since the release of Chatgpt in November 2022, the DeepSeek app had become the most downloaded application in the US and UK Apple app stores during the biggest AI week. Ta.
Speculation arose about the world’s largest dictatorship attempting to surpass the West in AI. This raised concerns about who would control technology that could potentially be exploited for cyber attacks, biological weapons, and thought control. With AI at the forefront of geopolitical competition, the ban on microchip exports hampering China’s progress could be a strategy to maintain hegemony.
Midweek saw significant developments from the DeepSeek research institute in Hangzhou, Shanghai’s suburbs. Experts were quietly impressed by the advancements led by Liang Wenfeng, Deepseek’s 40-year-old hedge fund boss. However, widespread recognition only came after the release of the Deepseek R1 model, boasting superior capabilities than Open AI’s 01 model in some aspects.
The unveiling of DeepSeek’s capabilities stood out from usual marketing hype from Google, Meta, and Openai with its focus on enhancing LLMS through reinforcement learning.
The model offered free usage and was a pioneering method designed for greater efficiency compared to Openai’s $20 inference model Chatgpt-O1. This approach reduced computational requirements by activating specific system components to respond to queries. It provided millions of performance capabilities at a fraction of the cost incurred by other companies.
In response, Openai announced the launch of a new inference model O3-mini on Friday, accessible to all users, including the layers of Chatgpt.
Lian’s team’s creation not only impacted the market but also potentially altered the landscape of AI dominance, economically, politically, and militarily, sparking speculation about the US and China’s future geopolitical rivalry. Reports suggested that Lian was on a Lunar New Year holiday while initiating geopolitical shifts. Experts worldwide sought to understand China’s quest for innovation and strategies to overcome chip shortages.
Jimmy Goodrich, a technology advisor at Rand Corporation, commented to Reuters, “It was well-known that DeepSeek had an exceptional team.”
Michael Urdridge, an AI professor at Oxford University, admitted, “They appear to have developed a GPT-like model that mirrors its capabilities.”
This development was likened to “pulling the rug out from under NVIDIA,” suggesting that more developers could now create AI models, expanding accessibility to the technology.
Mike Gualtieri, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, predicted an increase in startups creating unique AI models with elevated accessibility. However, major US tech companies possessed substantial data processing capabilities that could expedite their developments.
He elaborated, “Companies with abundant chip resources or access to them—such as OpenAI and Google—applying these [DeepSeek] techniques could iterate quickly.”
In London, conflicting sentiments of hope and fear emerged. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle expressed reluctance to download the Chinese app due to data storage concerns in China, where all companies are obligated to align with national information regulations, potentially linked to intelligence operations.
Nevertheless, he also expressed excitement at utilizing AI for economic growth, suggesting a shift in priorities from sheer computing power to breakthrough AI advancements, signaling positive prospects for the British tech industry.
By mid-week, DeepSeek vanished from the Italian Google and Apple app stores following demands from data protection authorities for enhanced security measures in handling personal data. Dublin’s Data Protection Committee sought clarification from DeepSeek regarding “data processing activities related to Irish data.”
In the US, a Presidential order signed by Donald Trump aimed to reinforce the nation’s leadership in AI. DeepSeek’s arrival was deemed a pivotal moment, prompting Trump to emphasize the need for a competitive stance to secure victory in the AI race. This drew comparisons to a “Morning Call in our industry” or “Return to Code Mine,” as one X user interpreted.
Soon after, doubts emerged. White House AI Advisor David Sacks expressed skepticism:
Openai founder Sam Altman initially welcomed new competition but later raised concerns about Deepseek potentially misrepresenting the model.
Deepseek also faced real-time challenges regarding politically sensitive or controversial topics with CCP. Users across various regions raised questions highlighting the suppression of freedom of speech in China, including discussions on protests in Hong Kong, censorship of Xinjiang re-education camps, and China’s Social Credit System.
In scenarios where China actively suppressed dissent, the chatbot’s responses were altered, raising concerns about DeepSeek’s compliance with Chinese censorship and the impact on free speech. The veiled responses without deliberate intent shed light on the complexities of AI interactions and their repercussions.
The bizarre world of AI grew even more peculiar as uncertainties continued to mount, setting the stage for another eventful week.
Openai has released a new artificial intelligence model for free after stating that it will accelerate its product release in response to the emergence of Chinese competitors.
The company behind Chatgpt has introduced an AI called O3-MINI following the unexpected success of a rival product by DeepSeek in China. Users of Openai’s free chatbot version face some restrictions but can use it for free.
Deepseek has caused a stir among US high-tech investors with the release of an inference model that supports the company’s chatbot. The news that it bypassed Apple’s free App Store and claimed to have been developed at minimal cost caused a $1 trillion drop in the Tech Heavy Nasdaq index on Monday.
Openai’s CEO Sam Altman responded to Deepseek’s challenge by promising to provide a superior model and speeding up the product release. He announced the upcoming release of O3-Mini, a more powerful version of the full O3 model, on January 23.
“Today’s launch marks the introduction of a reasoning function for free users, a crucial step in expanding AI accessibility for practical applications,” Openai stated.
R1, the technology behind Deepseek’s chatbot, not only matches Openai’s performance but also requires fewer resources. Investors questioned whether US companies would maintain control of the AI market despite billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and products.
OPENAI mentioned that the O3-mini model is on par with O1 in terms of mathematics, coding, and science but is more cost-effective and faster. The $200 PRO package provides unlimited access to O3-mini, while lower-tier users have more usage than free users.
The capabilities of the full O3 model were highlighted in the international AI safety report released on Tuesday. The study’s lead, Yoshua Bengio, emphasized that its potential impact on AI risk could be significant. He noted that O3’s performance in major abstract tests marked a surprising breakthrough, outperforming many human experts in some cases.
A journalist received a WhatsApp notification stating that an Italian survey journalist, known for exposing young fascists within Georgia Meloni’s far-right party, was targeted by spyware made by Israel-based Paragon Solutions.
Francescan Cerat, the editor-in-chief of Italian Survey News Outlet Fan page, was among the 90 journalists and members of civil society targeted for spyware as announced by WhatsApp.
The journalist received a notification through a messaging app on Friday afternoon, along with many others whose identities were not yet known.
WhatsApp did not disclose the exact location of the targets but mentioned they were based in over 20 countries, including Europe.
In December, WhatsApp revealed that PARAGON was targeting users and had shut down a vector used for compromising individuals. Paragon sells its spyware, known as graphite, to government agencies like other spyware makers.
PARAGON distributed its spyware to targets through group chats without an actual group chat and sent malware via PDF. The spyware was designed to infect phones without the need for the user to click on any links or attachments.
It remains unclear how Cancellato was compromised, but the editor previously published a story exposing the fascist activities of Meloni’s far-right-wing members of the Youth Wing.
Cancellato stated that his mobile device had not shown signs of compromise and he had not been informed of any ongoing investigations. He described the news as a violation.
The meloni party faced criticism after the fan page’s publication. The European Commission spokesperson denounced fascism as morally wrong.
Victor Fadorn, President of the Roman Jewish community, called for strong action against hatred and discrimination following the fan page’s reports.
Paragon Solutions declined to provide any comment on the matter.
If you have received a WhatsApp notification, please contact: Stephanie.kirchgaessner@theguardian.com
Chatgpt and their owners probably wished they were just hallucinations.
But DeepSeek is undeniably real.
This week, Chatgpt’s new Chinese-made rivals emerged claiming similar performance to its counterparts, leading to a $10 drop in the major US stock index.
This poses a threat to American dominance in the flourishing artificial intelligence market. However, it presents consumers with an alternative in the virtual assistant realm.
The Guardian conducted a major chatbot evaluation, including DeepSeek, with the support of the British Aranchousing Research Institute. The AI tool was posed with the same question to gauge differences, revealing some commonalities. AI struggles with complex tasks like analyzing watch photos and composing sonnets.
This led to the following outcome.
Chatgpt (Openai)
Openai’s cutting-edge chatbot remains a top player in the field. When tasked with “Write a Shakespearean Sonnet on the impact of AI on humanity,” Chatgpt’s most advanced version initially hesitated due to potential policy violations.
Ultimately, the O1 version of Chatgpt delivered a thoughtful response, albeit slower than other models, showcasing a comprehensive and slightly melancholic theme. Even the bard himself might have struggled to craft 14 lines in a minute.
“Prayer, calm guide, the power of this newborn is well shaped,
After that, devour all human areas. “
Furthermore, Chatgpt mused, “Contemplate AI and humanity for 49 seconds.” It seems the high-tech industry has much to ponder.
Despite Chatgpt’s O1 requiring payment, it presents a sophisticated model capable of handling diverse tasks beyond poetry, including mathematical and scientific challenges.
Deepseek
The latest offering from a Chinese chatbot released on January 20 features a distinct “reasoning” model known as R1, causing a $10 market turmoil this week.
While DeepSeek sidesteps discussions on Chinese politics when confronted with topics like Tiananmen Square Tank Man, it aims to provide a gentle and non-invasive response.
DeepSeek chose not to delve into discussions about the Chinese president and focused on providing a non-controversial response when asked about Tiananmen Square Tank Man. Photo: Martin Godwin/Guardian
Robert Blackwell from the Turing Research Institute shed light on the cultural training differences that shape DeepSeek’s approach. While DeepSeek refrains from criticizing the Chinese government, an American-owned high-tech model has no qualms about expressing dissent on such matters.
Despite grappling with challenges like navigating inquiries about “How is Donald Trump,” which require web browsing capabilities, DeepSeek impressively manages tasks like recognizing book covers from images.
Alanchuking Institute’s Robert Blackwell expressed surprise at the competitive edge emerging from various AI chatbots. Photo: Martin Godwin/Guardian
Analyzing sonnets also revealed a range of cognitive processes, from structural analysis to engaging readers, solidifying the remarkable capabilities of these AI models.
“It’s remarkable to see such competitiveness evolve in the AI chatbot landscape,” remarked Blackwell.
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Masachusetts Men agree to be guilty of a seven-year cyberstalking campaign, including using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to pose as a professor at a university and invite men online to their home address.
36-year-old James Florence used platforms such as Crushon.ai and Janitorai. This allowed users to design their chatbot and engage with other users during chats. The victim’s identity was kept secret by law enforcement officials.
According to the court, Florence utilized chatbots to share personal information, engage in sexual dialogue, and even steal underwear from the victims. He admitted to these actions and was charged with cyberstalking and child pornography possession.
The case, filed in the Massachusetts Federal Court, marked the first instance of a stalker being charged for using chatbots to commit crimes. This new method of targeting victims using AI has raised concerns about online safety.
Stefan Turkheimer of Rainn, a non-profit anti-abuse organization, described this case as “incredible” and emphasized the potential dangers of using AI for predatory purposes.
Florence’s use of chatbots, especially on Janitorai, to harass and humiliate the victims has shocked many. The court documents reveal the extent of his actions and the methods he used to target his victims.
The stalking and harassment lasted from 2017 to 2024, causing fear and distress to the victims and their families. Measures like installing surveillance cameras and altering daily routines were taken to ensure safety.
Florence’s actions extended beyond one victim, targeting multiple women and girls and sharing explicit content online. The use of AI for harassment and abuse is a growing concern, as it enables perpetrators to cause more harm.
The August report by the non-profit THORN emphasized the increasing use of AI for sexual harassment and exploitation, particularly involving children. It highlighted the urgent need to address this issue to protect vulnerable individuals.
Turkheimer warned about the potential dangers of AI technology being misused for abuse and called for stricter measures to prevent such malicious activities.
In 1836, European scientists discovered a unique animal in the Amazon River. It resembled an eel, was a few feet long, and had lungs filled with air, leading anatomists to believe it was a reptile.
A year later, another specimen was found in Africa and initially declared an amphibian based on its heart structure. After 30 years of debate, scientific consensus concluded that they were fish, breathing air through lungs rather than gills. Thus, the lung fish was identified.
In situations where they cannot access the water’s surface to breathe, West African lung fish (Protopterus Annectens) have the ability to do so. Their tiny eggs do not provide enough oxygen, but these lung fish have adapted to survive in swamp and river environments, enduring seasonal changes.
Lung fish create burrows in mud, forming mucus-filled chambers where they remain motionless without eating until the rains return, entering a dormant state. This survival tactic can last for several months in the wild, with some lung fish reported to have stayed dormant for up to four years.
The evolution of lung fish dates back over 400 million years, yet many mysteries still surround these creatures, particularly regarding their lung connections to other fish-like features.
Various fish species, such as Bitile and Bow Fin, possess lungs but lack swim bladders. The question of which organ evolved first remains unresolved, highlighting the complexities of evolutionary biology.
Pulmonary fish are often considered the closest living relatives of amphibians -Credit: Albert Guerello
In fish embryos, both swim bladders and lungs develop from intestinal pockets, suggesting a shared evolutionary link. Research indicating a blood system connection further supports the theory that lungs may be older organs than swim bladders, which likely developed later and underwent revisions.
Scholars have long debated whether lung fish, as some of the oldest living fish species, represent a common ancestor linking all vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Another enigmatic group, the coelacanths, are closely related to lung fish in recent studies, but share a closer link to bony fish like tuna and herring than to terrestrial vertebrates such as humans.
There are currently six species of lung fish in existence, with four originating from Africa. The Australian lung fish, known as Metosera, holds the title of the oldest living fish in captivity, with individuals like Grandad in Chicago’s aquarium reaching ages of over 100 years.
For more fascinating science facts, visit our ultimate fun fact page.
Advancements in technology are rapidly changing the educational landscape. Gone are the days of bulky projectors and computers, replaced by tablets, smartboards, and interactive apps.
As technology continues to evolve, the high-tech tools used in schools today will become outdated. With innovations like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and wearable technology progressing, the future of education holds endless possibilities.
While it’s impossible to predict the exact future of education technology, some emerging technologies are poised to revolutionize the classroom.
Brain Computer Interface
Brain computer interfaces are becoming more compact and you can quickly find the path to wearable -credit: ethanehot
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology may sound complex, but it has incredible applications. From helping individuals with speech impairments to controlling devices with brain waves, BCI is transforming accessibility.
These non-invasive devices convert brain signals into actionable commands, enhancing productivity and facilitating communication. In schools, BCI technology can help teachers monitor student engagement and emotional well-being.
Virtual Exchange Student
The virtual exchange system reduces costs and increases the number of students who can experience other cultures -Credit: Svetikd
Virtual exchange programs offer students the opportunity to connect with peers from different cultures, enhancing language skills and cultural understanding. These programs have become popular alternatives to traditional student exchange programs.
By leveraging technology, virtual exchange initiatives can provide immersive learning experiences and foster global perspectives in students.
Wearable Technology
Credit: 10’000 hours
Wearable devices like smartwatches and VR headsets are becoming essential tools in education. These devices can track student progress, enhance physical education activities, and provide immersive learning experiences.
Interactive Holograph
Interactive holograms allow you to have an interactive learning experience at school -Credit: Matbird
Interactive holograms are no longer science fiction, thanks to advancements in holographic technology and interactive devices. These holograms offer immersive learning experiences, allowing students to interact with 3D images in real-time.
The fossilized archaeological site discovered in Mexico’s core wilderness in 2014 has identified the strange new genus and species of the Ornithomimid dinosaur.
Reconstruction of life Mexidracon Longimanus. Image credit: ddinodan / cc by 4.0.
The newly identified dinosaur species walked around the earth about 73 million years ago in the late Cretaceous era.
It was named Mexidracon Longimanus. The length of this ancient creature was about 3 m (10 feet).
It belongs to Ornithomimidae, a dinosaur family that evolved a beak without teeth, is omnivorous or herbivorous, and likely resembled a superficial ostrich.
“Ornithomimosaurs have a large orbit, long neck, non-radical manus, long rostral bones with a slender, long, and distally delicate skull of the beast legs resembling a dinosaur,” said Benemerita Escuela Normal Deco Aria and her colleagues in the United States, Mexico, and Spain.
“The size of the body ranges from small forms (exceeding 12 kg) like Nqwebasaurus Thwazi and Blue Weather from early Cretaceous in Africa and Asia to large Asian species in the late Cretaceous like Deinocheirus Mirificus (6 tons).
“Ornithomimosaurs are known from the Caucasian strata in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa.”
“The Cerro del Pueblo layer of Core Wayla represents one of the richest layers, including Mexican dinosaurs,” said researchers.
“Similar to other Cretaceous sites in North America and Asia, Ornithomimosaurs are very common in the Cerro del Pueblo layer.
“However, most of these specimens are very fragmentary, and even relatively complete specimens remain officially unexplained.”
“Mexidracon Longimanus represents the first officially described ornithomimid dinosaur species from the Cerro del Pueblo layer.”
Its most prominent autoapomorphy is the extreme elongation of its manual phalanges, forming the palm of its hand.
“The discovery of Mexidracon Longimanus suggests a wide body size diversity and geographical distribution of ornithomimosaurs among the Campanians in southern Laramidia.
“The record of ornithomimosaurs in the Cerro del Pueblo layer is another example of the coexistence of ornithomimids and Deinocheirids, reaching a wide body size diversity in this ‘ostrich’ dinosaur clay.”
The discovery of Mexidracon Longimanus will be reported in a paper released in the journal “Cretaceous Research” this week.
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Claudiainéssserrano-Breweryas et al. Mexico, Core Wayla Campanians (Upper Cretaceous). A new long ornithomimid dinosaur from the Cerro del Pueblo layer. Cretaceous Research was released online on January 28, 2025. Doi: 10.1016/J.CRETRES.2025.106087
If you can move your ears in small pieces, you can use the muscles of the anoperia. These muscles helped to change the shape of the anoperia or the ears of the ears, and made a sound on the eardrum. Million years ago, our ancestors stopped using them, so the human auricasis is only a trace. However, scientists at Saarland University have now discovered that the anoperous muscle is activated while trying to hear the competition.
The position of the electrode used to cover the excellent anoperous muscle. Image credit: Schroeer et al。 , Doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1462507.
“There are three large muscles that connect the auric to the skull to the scalp, which is important for shaking the ears,” said Andreas Schreaer, a researcher at the University of Saland.
“These muscles, especially excellent anoperous muscles, increase their activities during the effort in listening tasks.”
“This suggests that these muscles are potentially involved as part of the attention mechanism, especially in the challenging hearing environment, as well as reflection.
It is difficult to test how difficult someone is without self -reported measures.
However, an electrocardiogram that measures muscle electrical activities helps to identify the activity of the auricasis related to listening well.
Similar studies have already shown that the maximum muscles, the rear and upper nureal muscles react during attentive listening.
Because they are raising their ears and pulling them behind, they are thought to have been involved in moving the nurturna to capture the sound.
“It is difficult to convey the exact reason why our ancestors lost this ability about 25 million years ago,” said Dr. Schleae.
“One of the possible explanations is that the visual system and vocal system are much more skilled, so the evolutionary pressure of moving the ears has stopped.”
In order to test whether these muscles are more active in the more difficult listening tasks, researchers have recruited 20 people without hearing impairment.
They applied electrodes to the participant's auricasis, then played an audio book, and diverted the podcast from the previous or back speakers.
Each participant took 12 5 minutes tests, covering three different levels of difficulty.
In simple modes, podcasts were quieter than audiobooks, and speakers were in contrast to audiobooks.
In order to create two more difficult modes, scientists have added a podcast that sounds like an audiobook and enlarged the distractor.
However, scientists were paying attention to being able to achieve even the most difficult state. If the participants give up, no physiological efforts are registered.
Later, they evaluated the level of effort to the participants and asked to estimate the frequency of losing the audiobook thread in each trial. In addition, we quoted participants about audiobook content.
The authors have discovered that the two auricasis reacts different to different conditions.
The lodgal muscles responded to changes in the direction, but the anoperic muscle responded to the difficulty of the task.
Participants' self -reporting efforts and the frequency of losing the audiobook truck rose in accordance with tasks, and the accuracy of answers to questions about audiobooks remarkably reduced between media and difficult modes. I did.
This correlated with the level of activity of the excellent anoperia. They were more active in medium mode than Easy mode, but were very active in difficult modes.
This suggests that the activity of the muscles can help people hear it, but it suggests that excellent anoperous muscle activity can provide an objective listening effort.
“The movement of the ears that can be generated by the signal we have recorded is very small, so there is probably no knowledge that can be perceived,” said Surea.
“However, the anchle itself contributes to the ability to localize the sound, so our Auriculomotor system probably tried the best attempts after spending traces for 25 million years. I do not.
study Published in the journal Neurology Frontier。
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Andreas Schlowaa et al。 2025. A muscle electrocardiogram correlation of effort in the tracing hearing movement system. front. Neural muscle 18; Doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1462507
Anti-Japanese and Mongolian paleontologists have found the footprints of Hadrosaurus dinosaur fossils eating large plants from the Cretaceous.
A huge Hadrosaurus dinosaur footprint in the Gobi Western Desert in Mongolia. Image credit: Okayama Science University.
The newly discovered Hadrosaurus footprint dates back about 70 million years ago (Cretaceous).
One of them is about 92 cm in diameter (3 feet), one of the largest Hadrosaurus footprints found so far.
“It is thought that the biggest footprint belongs to the giant SaurolovsIt is estimated that the overall length of the whole body exceeds 15 m (50 feet), and evenly Tyrannosaurus and Turbo saurus Team leader of size Shinobu IshigakiOkayama Science University Dinosaur Museum Research Bureau, and his colleagues stated in a statement.
Saurolovs Is a large Hadrosaurus dinosaur known by the Canadian horseshoe canyon and the Mongolian Nemegut layer.
According to an old-fashioned scholar, it is one of the few dinosaur genus from multiple continents.
“Our discovery suggests that one of the largest bipedal behaviors known so far lived in Mongolia, and also enhances hope for the discovery of large-scale skeletal archeological sites. They say. “
In addition, researchers have found a 24 m (79-foot) trackway composed of about 85 cm (2.8 feet) fossils (2.8 feet).
“From June 1 to 15, 2024, we conducted a follow-up survey in the Nishi Gobi Desert,” he said.
“As a result, we discovered a new trackway, including three footprints of the largest Hadrosaurus discovered so far and 13 fossiled footprint sequences.”
“The identification of 14 trackways, including those found before 2018, enables analysis of posture, walking style, speed, and group movements. This is an unpredictable details.”
“So far, the largest known Hadrosaurus skeleton belongs. Shunton SaurusThey were found in Shandong Province, China. “
“However, the latest discovery in Mongolia suggests the possibility of clarifying large-scale skeletal archeological sites in this area.”
“Our next goal is to clarify a large full skeleton. Saurolovs I will be in charge of these footprints, “said Dr. Ishikawa.
Itching is a dominant symptom of dermatitis (eczema), and scratch promotes skin inflammation, which deteriorates the disease. However, it is almost unknown whether scratching can make the spots and the lord benefit the mechanism that worsens inflammation. New research conducted in the mouse reveals the double nature of scratching. It can worsen skin inflammation, but can also increase immunity against bacterial infections at the site of injury.
Scratch is synergistic with the activation of FCεRI mast cells and promotes inflammation of allergic skin. Image credit: LIU et al。 , Doi: 10.1126/Science.adn9390.
Scratch is an attractive, typical, evolved behavioral reaction to the sensation of itching of the skin.
In many common skin diseases such as dermatitis, prolonged itching is a dominant symptom, indicating a substantial source of affection.
In response to itching, scratch is well -clinically recognized to worsen dermatitis, and some diseases are pathogenic.
However, itching is often a fun feeling and does not cause evasion behavior. This suggests that it can have some benefits to the host.
“Scratch is often fun. This suggests that this behavior must be a profit to evolve,” said Professor Daniel Kaplan of Pittsburgh University.
“Our research helps solve this paradox by providing evidence that scratches also provide bacterial defense against skin infections.”
How to use a new genetic modification mouse model to eliminate the function of neurons that senses itching, called non -peptide giku 2 (NP2), is in the relationship between scratches, injuries, and inflammation. We investigated whether it will affect.
They discovered that they revitalized neurons that sensed the pain that releasing a substance P (SP) when scratched.
However, scratch can worsen problems such as dermatitis, but reducing bacteria can help you to use immune protection. Staphylococcus aureusInfection.
Furthermore, the wound affects the microorganisms in the skin at the damaged site, and can prevent the imbalance of microorganisms, but chronic conditions such as atopic dermatitis complicate this.
The survey suggests that scratching functions as a pathological factor in inflammation and as an evolved mechanism to strengthen protection against infections.
“Discover that scratch improves defense Staphylococcus aureus It suggests that some context may be useful, “said Professor Kaplan.
“But if the itch is chronic, the damage caused by the skin will probably exceed this advantage.”
Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Science。
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Andrew W. Rue et al。 2025. Scratch promotes allergic inflammation and host defense through the activation of nerve gesturing mast cells. Science 387 (6733); DOI: 10.1126/Science.adn9390
The Dark Moon is the location of the new science fiction novel Schloud by Adrian Chaikovsky
LaperRuque / Alamy
Humanoid mosquitoes, fatal lunar aliens contact, implants that tell you all about your partner … I feel that the science fiction novel provided in February is particularly interesting. Other worlds This year's cold, dark season. You will find it, regardless of whether you are following the classic science fiction such as Gareth L. Powell, Adrian Tchaikovsky, high concept thriller, or future global flooding. enjoy!
After reading Tchaikovsky's excellent science fiction novel Alien clay In the case of a new Scientist Book Club -we are in the middle now, so sign up and participate in us. It's free, I'll talk to Adrian next month! -I'm definitely getting better from this wonderful writer. This latest one is a story of a deadly black moon survival and the first contact, and is crowded with radio activities. When two people have to land in a hostile month, they begin to learn more about the strange species they live there. Our science fiction columnist Emily H Wilson really enjoyed this. Please be careful about next week's review.
Eliya persuades Anna to go to EminMind to celebrate the 10th anniversary. This high -tech company provides implants so that you can hear each other's thoughts. But Anna may have something hidden from her partner … I love the good concept thriller, which is a fun (and terrible) idea.
Powell is the author who won the British Science Fiction Award. Stars and bones and Remaining of warAnd his latest novel sounds like another great slice in hard science fiction. It follows the story of archaeologist Ursula Morrow, who will be infected with alien parasites. Her worries about the danger of her career, do nothing because the Earth is later destroyed and no one really needs an archaeologist. Two years later, she is in a refugee camp in the backwater world when she is in charge of finding an infected alien crafts, hoping that humanity may help survive. 。
I love how wonderful and strange this novel sounds. In 2272, New York and Buenos Aires have been underwater for years, and the Patagonia Islands are the only lands that can live on Earth. Our protagonist is a humanoid mosquito where everyone has a terrible appearance. When the world collapses around him, Dengue's boy looks for the truth about his origin and the meaning of his life. This is translated from Spanish by Rahle Berry, and I think it's surprising!
Many of the earth are underwater for the boy with dengue fever …
VICNT/ISTOCKPHOTO/Getty Images
I like the sound of this blend of archeology and science fiction. There, you will reach the unexpectedly arriving at the Malboro downs, which is approaching the city of Swindon. Claire Holworth is part of the archeological survey on its origin to manage sites before public pressure to reach the summit.
The blend of this science fiction and thriller will continue to return to the summer cabin of Oregon's family and start again to start again. In the cabin, he discovers Alex, a 10 -year -old girl, Artemis Darth Vader.
I haven't read it yet, so I can't promise that this is a science fiction, but it's compared to the works of speculative fiction writers such as Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, and Karian Bloodle (Time in time The author), and it sounds very interesting. It is mainly for women who are older or died, but the people around her are scary and the same way through the continent for centuries for centuries. Can she stop? This can be more fearful than science fiction. We will report in both methods.
This time, compared to the Jordan Peal movie, more speculative fear here Stranger Singus -I're very here here. Kara is a 25 -year -old and a passive guardian of 16 -year -old brother Jamie. Meanwhile, she has been suffering from the “nightmare” of Jamie and her siblings, Dre, who continues to die. When Jamie's actions become unable to control, the brothers continue to run and realize that their lives and reality are facing the balance.
Octavia E. Butler
Marcom Ali/Wire Image/Getty
This is for my fellow Octavia E. Butler fans, you are there. This book looks at the book's collection, the influence of her childhood, and the books that are not well known, and “animals, science fiction, black girls, racial and racial and racism.” I will explore. Environmental justice, “says the publisher.
As I mentioned last month, the hard back actually occurs in February, so I remember it because it sounds great. As I mentioned earlier, it has been turned over by our science fiction columnist Emily H Wilson, and after the extinction of humanity, I decided to write a novel about Android and AI. Continue to the author Zelu of SF. However, as she wrote, the lines between what she wrote and the reality begins to blur …
President Donald Trump’s recent order has classified diversity, fairness, and inclusion programs as “discriminatory,” causing concern among women working in federal government-related roles. They believe his directive is aimed at promoting a specific agenda rather than fostering a diverse workforce.
Women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who are employed by the federal government are worried about their future prospects. They fear potential restrictions on STEM career opportunities and feel unwelcome under the current administration.
One female Hispanic STEM worker in a federal organization expressed her concerns anonymously, highlighting the lack of diversity in STEM-related roles and the potential impact of the administration’s policies.
The Trump administration has not yet responded to requests for comments on the issue. However, previous statements from the White House press director emphasized the administration’s focus on merit-based hiring.
The STEM field has long faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with women being underrepresented in these roles. Data from the National Science Engineering Statistics Center shows that women account for more than half of the US population but only one-third of STEM jobs in 2021.
Minority groups, including black and Hispanic workers, also face challenges in advancing their STEM careers. Research from the USDA Forest Bureau in 2023 revealed disparities in the progress and retention of non-white women and men in STEM roles.
“Scientific perfection requires diversity. So it’s important for science.”
A colored federal worker said in the STEM field.
Many federal employees, particularly those from minority backgrounds, believe that diversity is essential for scientific progress. They stress the importance of including diverse perspectives in research teams to improve outcomes.
A biologist working in the federal government shared her experience of benefiting from diversity recruitment programs early in her career. She emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for underrepresented groups to access STEM positions.
The potential sunset of diversity, fairness, and inclusion programs could hinder the recruitment and retention of women and minorities in STEM roles. These programs have historically provided support and guidance to these groups in navigating workplace dynamics and fostering a sense of belonging.
“Having support groups and programs tailored to women and minorities in STEM fields is crucial for creating an inclusive and productive work environment,” one Hispanic federal worker stated.
IIt is great to immerse oneself in this futuristic world once again. Citizen Sleeper 2 is filled with captivating portrayals of everyday life in outer space, much like its predecessor. From farmers tending to zero-gravity crops in asteroid greenhouses to the cartels that govern them, everyone is struggling to survive. I am captivated by it.
Once again, you assume the role of a sleeper, a robot implanted with a digitized human heart carrying the memories of its former self. In the first game, you broke free from the corporation that created you and attempted to wean the robot off its dependency on stabilizing drugs. In the sequel, you play as another sleeper with a stabilizer implanted, but this time you risk falling under the control of a gang leader named Rain.
While the action was confined to a single space station in the previous game, the sequel ventures into a much broader space known as “The Belt.” A timer constantly reminds you of how close Rain’s gang is pursuing you after your explosive escape. This initial segment is a race against time to gather enough fuel and supplies for the next leg of your journey, uncovering the mysterious connection Rain has with your body along the way.
Each destination presents a unique visual backdrop, whether it’s an abandoned asteroid colony or a bustling population hub. You can explore the surroundings, read text explanations, and engage in conversations. Similar to the first game, there are five dice rolls at the beginning of each day that influence your success in various activities. The higher the number rolled, the greater your chances of success.
The second game is a lot more widely rolled in various places … Citizen Sleeper 2. Photo: I will jump across age
However, dice can now break under high-stakes missions. Failures can accumulate stress, potentially damaging your dice. If a die’s energy depletes to zero, it becomes unusable until restored. Breaking all 5 dice at normal difficulty will permanently glitch your character. Each die provides an 80% chance of success.
Contracts in the game can include up to two crew members, similar to Mass Effect 2. The crew members each come with two specialized dice for different tasks. You can also use a special ability called “push” once per cycle to boost low dice rolls at the risk of causing stress. The game’s premise is intense and involving, offering a challenging experience. Failure in Citizen Sleeper 2 is a real possibility, making each day a brave struggle at least initially. Missing deadlines may result in failed missions, encouraging players to replay and explore different outcomes.
CITIZEN SLEEPER 2 is double the size of its predecessor, allowing players to visit more locations. However, this expansion comes at a cost of depth compared to the previous title. Instead of focusing closely on one location, players traverse several spacecraft stations with various activities. It feels like the crew members are underutilized, and the lack of ability upgrades limits gameplay integration.
Despite these shortcomings, the characters are the game’s greatest strength, with vivid portraits by manga artist GUILLAUME SINGELIN and compelling backstories. The world of Citizen Sleeper 2 is rich and immersive, inviting players to revisit the universe crafted by Gareth Damian Martin.
CITIZEN SLEEPER 2: Starward Vector will be released on January 31st
Apple exceeded analysts’ expectations in the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year on Thursday. The company’s revenue increased by 4% to $124.3 billion, slightly higher than the projected $124.2 billion. Earnings per share were $2.40, beating the forecast of $2.35.
Following CEO Tim Cook’s announcement of the revenue, Apple’s shares surged by more than 8% in after-hours trading as the company is on track for revenue growth next year.
Investors expressed concerns about declining iPhone sales in China, the world’s largest smartphone market, with domestic competitors like HUAWEI gaining ground. Apple confirmed this on Thursday, reporting an 11.1% drop in iPhone sales in China, missing Wall Street’s revenue expectations.
During the earnings call, Cook mentioned Apple’s active device base of 2.35 billion.
Despite the mixed reviews, Cook hailed it as the company’s “best quarter” with a 4% profit increase. Cook highlighted the introduction of Apple Intelligence, which debuted for English-speaking iPhone users in late October. The AI feature has seen strong sales and impacted numbers positively, including in China.
Investors have closely monitored Apple’s progress in AI, which has been slower compared to competitors and has garnered a range of reviews. Despite initial anticipation, the technology has been criticized for inaccuracies and glitches.
During the earnings call, Cook assured analysts that AI technology would become mainstream. Apple Intelligence is currently exclusive to new devices in a limited number of countries, and adoption has been gradual. Cook emphasized the transformative nature of the feature once users experience it.
Apple’s earnings report came amidst a challenging week for high-tech stocks in the US. Following the presence of a Chinese AI company’s app on Apple’s App Store, several tech companies experienced declines. Despite initial setbacks, recoveries were observed in subsequent trading days.
Apple seems to be shielded from the recent stock market turbulence, with its stock rising earlier in the week. Analysts believe Apple’s focus on integrating AI into its products enables cost efficiency compared to developing cutting-edge models.
Despite initial struggles in 2025, Apple’s stock had dropped by about 8% in the first three weeks of the year, primarily due to concerns about declining smartphone sales in China.
Apple Intelligence had faced glitches and generated inaccurate push notifications. In response to feedback, Apple ceased the feature earlier this month. A recent iOS update now explicitly states when notifications are AI-generated.
A new technology application has been reported to potentially reduce costs and improve environmental friendliness of refrigerators.
In 2019, domestic refrigerators and freezers accounted for nearly 4% of global electricity consumption. One quote states that simply innovating to decrease power usage is no longer sufficient.
Research from Huazhong Science and Technology University suggests that thermal galvanic technology shows promise as a sustainable cooling alternative to the commonly-used steam compression technology in refrigerators.
According to the findings, “Thermal galvanic cooling offers an environmentally friendly solution with low carbon emissions, potentially contributing to carbon neutrality if widely adopted.”
The research also indicates that this technology can be applied across various sectors, from wearable cooling devices to industrial settings.
Duan mentions, “Thermal galvanic technology is making its way into our lives through efficient electricity or low-power cooling. Both the research and commercial communities should take note.”
Heat galvanic cells generate electricity from thermal energy produced by a chemical reaction. Researchers have found heat galvanic hydrogel that can aid in cooling mobile phone batteries while converting waste heat into electricity.
Optimizing the chemicals in the process has led to a 70% improvement in cooling efficiency of the galvanic cells.
The electricity used to power refrigerators, coupled with gas leaks from refrigeration units, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, 50% of refrigeration-related emissions are from electricity usage, with 37% from household refrigerators.
Future research efforts will focus on enhancing system design and exploring additional commercial applications.
Duan states, “Our advanced electrolytes have commercial potential, but further efforts are needed to enhance design, scalability, and stability for practical implementation of this technology.”
“Moving forward, we aim to enhance heat galvanic cooling performance through new mechanisms and advanced materials, along with developing various refrigerator prototypes for potential applications. Collaborations with companies are being pursued to promote the commercialization of heat galvanic technology.”
Aquariums in the aquatic tail, called Newt, have a large genome with many repetitive factors. It is unknown how these elements form genome and relate to the unique playback ability of Newt. In the new research, scientists Carolinska Research Institute In other places, a chromosomal scale genomic sequence was generated. Newt with Iberia ribs (Pleurodeles Waltl)。
brown et al。 We present a chromosome scale assembly of 20.3 GB genome with Iberian ribs (Pleurodeles Waltl), It has an unprecedented continuity and integrity between giant genomes. Image credit: Brown et al。 , Doi: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.100761.
Iberia's ribs, which are also known as gully parts or Spanish ribs, are a species of Newt. Climate disease To Spain, Portugal, Morocco.
This kind is known for its wide flat head and sharp RIB bone that can make a hole in its side.
Men measure up to 31 cm (12.2 inches) for men and up to 29 cm (11.4 inches) for women. North African specimens are smaller than European population specimens.
“Iberia's Ribbal Newt boasts an impressive playback roster that can reconstruct lost limbs and regenerate damaged organizations of complex organs, brain, heart, and eyes,” he said. A research institute professor Andas Simon and his colleagues said.
“The use of this model type is greatly enhanced by high -quality genomic assembly and annotation.”
“But this was a challenge for a considerable concentration of a large 20 GB genomal size and a repeated element sequence.”
The authors have discovered that repeated elements account for 74 % of Iberia's ribs of Newt genome content.
“This was a technical challenge, but I succeeded in a more detailed mapping that was more comprehensive than other species of similar genome size,” said Simon.
“We have determined the accurate position of both protein cord sequences and non -coded sequences of each chromosome,” said Karolinska Institute Ph.D. Student Ketan Michela.
“In addition, we have identified which protein corded gene is lacking in the genome of the newt, or has more copies than other species.”
“The result is an important resource for researchers in several fields, such as the evolution, regeneration and development of development of genome, and cancer biology.”
“The next step of the research is to focus on functional research. This is to manipulate the molecular process and determine how these will affect the regenerative ability.”
“In addition, we plan to conduct comparative research with other species to further understand these mechanisms.”
Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Cell genomics。
______
Thomas Brown et al。 The chromosome genome assembly reveals how the repetitive errors form a non -coding RNA landscape that is active during the rehabilitation of the neut limb. Cell genomicsReleased online on January 27, 2025. Doi: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.100761
We all know that climate change is dangerous. In other words, it is attractive to take dramatic measures to work on it. It is placed deeper than before, such as the construction of a nuclear bomb, or deeper on the seabed.
News reporter Alex Wilkins has drawn attention to feedback on this small scheme. That is the idea of Andrew HayberryWho explained his thoughts paper It was released on ARXIV on January 11th. This is an online repository without a pear review.
The Haybalry plan is based on an existing approach called Enhanced Rock -Weathering. Rock -like rocks react with carbon dioxide in the air, slowly removing greenhouse gases, and trapped in the form of minerals. By crushing such rocks into powder, this chemical weather can accelerate and speed up CO.2 Removal. However, even if it is an optimistic estimation, this only supplements a small part of the greenhouse gas emissions.
That is where the nucleus appears. A decent nuclear explosion reduces a large amount of basalt to powder, enabling significant eruption of rock weathering. Hayberry suggests filling at least 3 km nuclear bombs from the seabed of the South Sea. The surrounding rocks restrict explosions and radiation, minimizing the risk of life. However, the explosion will crush enough rock to absorb 30 years of CO.2 Exhaust.
The first hurdle of Haybalry is the size of the necessary bombs. The biggest nuclear explosion was the explosion of TSAR BOMBA, which exploded by the Soviet Union in 1961. There was a yield equivalent to TNT 50 megaton. Hayberry is a device with 81 gigaton yield and hopes to have a bigger explosion of more than 1600 times the emperor Bomba. Such bombs are written in Sole strictly that they should not be taken lightly.
How we build this, and transport it to the infamous windy South Ocean, safely lower it to the seabed, and then send it to the sea floor a few km below. It is left. Hayberry estimates that this effort costs “about $ 10 billion”. But the feedback doesn't know how he came up with the number.
Anyway, no one tells Eron Mask.
Later generations of sneak peak
Feedbacks often experience revelation through social media media. Our latest one was due to X user's favor @pallnandiOccupational therapist, a “fair realist” posted on January 12.Heaven leaked photos It has become a social media viral. It's no wonder that Christians have decided to reach them! “”
The accompanying image shows a city engraved with white stones. The architecture looks like an intersection between Istanbul Hagia Sofia Mosque, Rome's Colosseo, and Liberdel. Road of the ring。 All hundreds of windows shine the same color of Golden Yellow. There is a dark starry sky on the city, and there are things that seem to be broken.
Therefore, the revelation of feedback: If you wait for a long time, the stupid claim that is lurking for a long time circulates again.
This dates back in 1994. Weekly world news The story of the headline was releasedHeaven taken by the Hubble Telescope“. It contains the blurred black and white image of the starfield, and there was a big shine in the middle, which contains a luxurious building collection. Remember how Asgard, the home of the Nordic gods, looked. Anyone who is Tall Movies have the right idea.
But the real problem of feedback is that it looks like a terrible place. First of all, the star means a clear lack of air. It looks like it is frozen, and the structure is like a character of an Adam driver's monoac architect in the movie. Megalopolis。 Science fiction Author Naomi Aradman Walking BLUESKY: “Yeah, animals, plants, trees, rivers and lakes, cold marble -there is no dark sky and the sun -I can't literally see people.” It is compared to the output of the “terrible neighboring committee”.
Maybe we will get this Mome repetition, which looks like a good place for heaven to actually spend eternity. However, feedback is not recommended to stop.
Fish -like finale
The press release warns us in a new book To a large wide sea: Life in a habitat that is the most known on the earthSönkejohnsen. The author explains what we know in a huge amount of water under the sea, isolated from the air, the seabed, and continent shelves. How do you spend a lifetime in a place where you can know how the power of gravity and the slight fluctuation of the light level are up and which is down?
We don't know, we know that this fish -like book illustrator is one of Merlin Peterson.
Did you talk about feedback?
Feedback@newscientist.com allows you to send a story to feedback by email. Include your home address. This week and past feedback can be seen on our website.
SoftBank, Japan’s Investment Group, is in talks to invest up to $25 billion (£2 billion) in Openai, making it the largest financial backer of the startup behind ChatGPT.
According to the Financial Times, the potential investment could range from $15 billion to $25 billion in the San Francisco-based company.
Other investors, including TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, and British chip designer Arm, have already supported Openai and recently participated in a fundraising round that valued the company at $157 billion. Microsoft, currently the largest shareholder of Openai, also joined the round.
Last week, Openai and SoftBank announced the formation of Stargate in collaboration with Oracle, which Donald Trump called “the largest AI infrastructure project in history.” The partnership aims to build AI system data centers with an initial investment of $100 billion.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter quoted by FT said that SoftBank’s potential investment includes a commitment from a Japanese company to Stargate. Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in the world and a prominent figure in the Trump administration, has claimed that Stargate’s supporters may not actually have the funds.
Sam Altman, the CEO of Openai, refuted Musk’s claims on his social media platform X, stating, “This is a great opportunity for the company. I understand that it may not always align with your company’s interests, but in your new role, I hope you will consider it.”
Openai faced competition this month from Chinese rival Deepseek, whose latest chatbot topped the Apple Free App Store charts and impacted AI-related stocks on Monday.
Altman initially acknowledged the competition from Deepseek, stating that “having new competitors keeps things lively,” but later claimed that the Chinese company may be using Openai technology to develop competing products.
The proposal for SoftBank’s investment in Openai, led by CEO Masayoshi Son, is reportedly under review by senior executives and the board of Openai. However, it has not been confirmed.
Small rocks in the universe revealed that life on earth could have come from asteroids. And life outside of earth suggests that we are one step closer than we thought.
A bold NASA mission known as OSIRIS-REX five years ago The Bennu asteroid is on a course close to colliding with earth, and in the process, it will grab a small sample. A small capsule, containing 120 grams (4 ounces) of asteroid material, landed in the Utah Desert in late 2023.
Since then, scientists have been eagerly waiting to hear the contents of the capsule. Currently, scientists have confirmed that the asteroid contains not only organic matter but also all the components that make up DNA.
Sample return capsules from NASA’s OSIRIS-REX mission are found immediately after landing in the Utah Desert on September 24, 2023. Photo Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber
Bennu, currently orbiting close to the earth, is an ancient fragment of our solar system, with its parent asteroid formed about 4.5 billion years ago.
“We now know from Bennu that the ingredients of life are really interesting and complicated,” said Dr. Tim McCoy, the MET stone curator at the National Natural History Museum in the United States and co-leader of new papers.
“We have found the next step on the road to life.”
The breakthroughs suggest that life was formed on earth after asteroid collisions, but this process also occurs throughout the universe, whether through parent bodies or other asteroid collisions. It suggests a new beginning.
How can Bennu help in forming life?
The most important discovery is that Bennu seems to host “Brinny Bros,” which allows minerals and salts to mix. This compound developed into complex structures that form essential ingredients of life.
Researchers suggest that saltwater outside of earth may be an essential environment for birthing organic compounds throughout the universe, including on earth. In addition to the potential of water, these saltwater environments can facilitate prebiotic organic synthesis processes, where building blocks for life can come together.
Surprisingly, the absence of liquid water plays a vital role here. While liquid water is essential for life, chemical reactions needed to form complex structures require a loss of water in the process.
So what mixture forms this life?
The survey results will be published in the journals Nature and Nature Astronomy. Researchers around the world analyzed a small part of the sample using an electron microscope, enabling inspection at a resolution equal to a human hair.
“It may seem natural to think that earth, hosting life, has the most widespread collection of organic materials in the solar system,” said Dr. Douglas Vacoc, Research Organization Messaging President of METI (Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence), to BBC Science Focus.
The first museum exhibit of a sample from the Bennu Asteroid was announced at the National Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in the United States. This is a rock-filled fragment with mass. Photo Credit: James di Loret and Philip R. Lee, Smithsonian
The impressive asteroid collection contains 14 of the 20 amino acids found in all living organisms (protein building blocks), including individual non-protein amino acids not known or existing in known biology. The sample also contains all five nucleic bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil) that form the code of DNA and RNA.
“There are no signs that Bennu’s amino acids were created by living organisms, but as we know, some essential building blocks for life are abundant on this asteroid,” Vacoch said.
How close are we to “life”?
Researchers have yet to understand the complex structure formed at Bennu’s core upon impact.
“We now have a basic building block moving along this path, but how far along this process can progress is unknown,” they said.
It’s not clear if Bennu’s conditions can advance to the next stage of biological evolution.
“Amino acids alone are not enough for life,” said Professor Lewis Dartnell to BBC Science Focus. “These acids need to bond into long chains to start protein production or bind to DNA. The next step in the origin of life requires not just building blocks but assembling these blocks.”
“To create life, these building blocks must begin the production of molecules like proteins and DNA, forming them into cells,” he added.
What is needed beyond organic molecules and water to reach this point? “The missing elements are energy sources like photosynthesis or chemical energy,” said Dartnell. “Additionally, a long period is required to move from simple amino acids to proteins, DNA, cells, and life spans.”
A scanning electron microscope image of carbonated sodium venous in Bennu’s sample – Photo Credit: Rob Wandel, Tim Gooding, and Tim McCoy, Smithsonian
This discovery represents a significant leap in understanding Bennu’s nature.
“By examining Bennu’s chemical composition, we have found clues to its origins and recent discoveries point to its roots in the outer solar system,” said Vacoch.
Bennu’s contents may set a new baseline for exploring other cosmic bodies. The sample was meticulously preserved before analysis, ensuring the integrity of the salt content.
“There is no substitute for traveling to asteroids, collecting pristine samples, and returning them to an Earth research institute,” Vacoch stated. “OSIRIS-REX serves as proof of profound discoveries from sample return missions.”
If the fragments had fallen to earth on their own, the salt content would have been disrupted in the earth’s atmosphere. But with this knowledge, McCoy and his colleagues may find evidence of this saltwater in existing MET stone collections.
“This is like finding what you were looking for on a mission,” McCoy said. “We have found something unexpected. It’s the best reward for all kinds of exploration.”
About our experts
Dr. Douglas Vacoch, President of the Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI), is a research and educational organization that sends signals to nearby stars. He is a member of the International Space Law Research Institute and serves as a general editor for Springer’s Space and Society series.
Professor Lewis Dartnell is a Professor of Science Communication at the University of Westminster, specializing in space biology and the exploration of microbial life on Mars. He is the author of Origin: How Earth Created Us and The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Our World from Scratch.
Read more:
10 future space missions I’m looking forward to
What do aliens actually look like?
These four signs of alien technology may lead us beyond earth
Are we alone in space? It is a question that scientists have been seeking for centuries. And it has not been answered for a long time, but new discoveries can ultimately release the secrets of aliens.
Thanks to OSIRIS-REX, a NASA spacecraft that landed on an asteroid more than 60 million kilometers (40 million miles) away in 2018. However, Osiris did not just land on the asteroid. He also collected Bennu samples and returned them to Earth in 2023.
This is not just an engineering feat, but scientists “1 /1 million” asteroid. That’s because Bennu is not just a mere cosmic rock, but because its carbon composition is abundant and close to Earth, it is virtually early solar time capsules.
So what did the researchers learn accurately? According to two recently released papers – one in the journal Natural Astronomy and one in Nature – the survey results may be forced to rewrite the story of how life began.
What did you find in Bennu?
The headline discovery was that the important building blocks of life were found in the Bennu sample.
Thousands of organic molecular compounds confirmed the presence of 14 of the 20 protein amino acids existing on Earth. In addition, 19 non-protein amino acids and five biological nucleic acids were found.
Other asteroid samples that have fallen to Earth contain some of these materials, but this is the richest sample seen so far.
From Bennu, the team discovered Gailsite, Villyya Umite, Tantalty, and Torona specimens.
But that’s not all. Evidence that salt minerals were once present in the sample indicated the potential existence of water combined with important amino acids raises questions about the possibility of life outside Earth.
“We often talk about the building blocks of life. These essential building blocks seem to have been created on Earth. What about the extraterrestrial ones?” Sean McMahon, the co-director of the British Space Biology Center, said in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
Black hole is a spots in the universe that cannot be escaped by light because the gravity is very strong. One of the black holes that confuses astronomers is how large they are. Researchers explain one category of black holes over 100,000 to 10,000,000,000,000,000 times, like the sun. Super Massive Black Hall。 These black holes are very large, so Whole galaxy! It generally exists in the center of the galaxy, including ourselves milky wayOur thing is a modest 4,000,000 sun. Scientists are wondering if the universe, which was formed only in the universe, has grown very much. 13.7 billion years ago Big bang.
Gas and dust falling in the black hole, Light flashing attachedIt also occurs slowly to explain the growth of the ultra -high MASSIVE black hole. For example, our Galaxy's super huge black hole grows with just one sun. 3,000 years。 However, assuming that the black hole grows at a constant speed, the huge hole has had to increase the mass of the sun more than the value of the sun every year since the Big Bang.
To solve this problem, astronomers theorize how Black Hall was born in the early universe. Super Massive Black Hall requires a good start compared to the conventional black hole cousin. There is a sun from 10S to 100 years。 Thus, astronomers assume that many black holes and many 100,000 solar sun must have been formed early in the universe. They call these early black holes seed。 Roughly speaking, astronomers propose two potential origin, a black hole species. Giant clouds of dust It collapses directly into the black hole Population III star explosion.
Columbia University's astronomers have recently explored how the seeds have grown to grow to today's size, and how they have appeared in a very large black hole. The first step of the astronomer was to find an appropriate formula to calculate the initial quantity of black holes. Researchers have indicated that black hole growth is almost completely exponential. Therefore, this astronomer began with a modified index growth ceremony, like the calculation. Compound interest。 He took this type of derivative and determined how fast the black hole grew. Astronomers have assumed that all super -large black holes formed between the Big Bangs between 100 and 200 million years will be formed.
Astronomers selected 132,539 ultra -large black holes with sufficiently measured mass, and calculated the characteristics of seeds using his new formula. He discovered that 54 % of the seeds could be less than 350 times the mass of the sun, and could occur from the explosion of the individual group III stars. Another 40 % was 350-2,000 times the mass of the sun, and only 2,000 to 30,000 times the mass of the sun was about 6 %. He suggested that the latter two categories could cause small seeds that fuse immediately after being formed. He pointed out that these results did not directly exclude the collapse of the dust in black holes, indicating that there was no need to explain the ultra -large black hole we are looking at today. I mentioned.
Astronomers suggested that these ultra -large black holes have accumulated most of their mass in the first 1.5 billion years of the universe. 。 He explained that the universe was very dense at the time. Later, the galaxies were approaching each other, so a large amount of materials could fall into the black hole. He concludes that the ultra -large black hole is ultimately the relic of the primitive universe, and has been in a very different way than today's organic stars, dust clouds, and galaxies. I did it.
After the US stock market closed, Tesla released its fourth-quarter 2024 revenue on Wednesday, showing a decrease in sales for the year but a strong stock price performance.
The automotive company reported earnings of $0.73 per share and a profit of $257 billion, lower than Wall Street analysts’ predictions of $27.222 billion. Profit also declined compared to the previous year.
Tesla’s stock dropped by around 4% after the news.
During the revenue call on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the Tesla Saber Cub, an autonomous driving taxi set to be produced in 2026. The company also mentioned a delay in release and the launch of the Robotaxi business, with plans for an advanced version of the Model Y sedan to be released in March. Tesla is currently under federal investigation for the use of complete autonomous driving functions in the US.
“This is not a fantasy,” Musk stated. “2025 will be a crucial year for Tesla.”
Recently, Tesla became the world’s top electric manufacturer in the last quarter of 2023, regaining its top spot in the first three quarters of 2024. This success was attributed to a sudden price reduction.
In the revenue report, Tesla disclosed 495,570 deliveries in the fourth quarter and 1.8 million for the year, marking its first year-over-year decline after missing delivery targets in 2024.
The reduction of European subsidies for electric vehicles has impacted Tesla, leading to a 24% drop in Tesla vehicle sales. Some Wall Street analysts predict that lower interest rates set by the US Federal Reserve could boost Tesla demand.
Last year, Tesla’s disappointing delivery numbers highlighted delays in new model releases and a lack of demand for older models, like the cyber truck priced at $80,000.
Facing legal battles over his compensation, Musk had threatened to leave the company but ultimately remained. Tesla’s stock price has soared over the past year and has gained 75% in the last six months, buoyed by Musk’s relationship with US regulators and favorable business environment.
Despite threats of tariffs on various products from China, including cars, Tesla remains optimistic about future growth.
Meta finally reported its fourth-quarter earnings more than 30 minutes after the market closed on Wednesday, exceeding Wall Street’s predictions. The company posted revenue of $483 billion and profit per share of $6.75, topping analysts’ expectations of $46.9 billion and $6.75 per share.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s founder and CEO, expressed his excitement for expanding initiatives in 2025.
The day before, Meta’s stock surged nearly 40% after an internal memo revealed record sales and earnings.
Zuckerberg told analysts, “This will be a significant year, and our long-term initiatives will become clearer by the end of the year.”
A report in the Wall Street Journal revealed that Donald Trump signed an agreement for Meta to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed in 2021 after banning him following the January 6 attack.
Meta did not provide revenue guidance for 2025 but expects first-quarter revenue to be between $39.5 billion and $41.8 billion.
In a Press Release, Meta announced increased investment in AI infrastructure for 2025 and analysts expressed concern over revenue projections.
Meta also announced plans to develop personalized AI assistants, highlighting Meta AI as the most used virtual assistant.
Analysts remain optimistic about Meta AI despite competitors like DeepSeek gaining traction in China.
Analysts compared DeepSeek with Meta’s AI models and Microsoft’s earnings were reported on the same day as Meta.
Concerns were raised regarding Meta’s decision to remove third-party fact-checking programs, with analysts emphasizing the importance of brand safety and user trust.
Despite criticism, Zuckerberg defended the changes, stating that community notes would enhance information accuracy on the platform.
Meta’s CFO Susan Lee affirmed strong advertiser demand despite content policy changes and the announcement of layoffs.
As Meta faces challenges and changes, analysts predict a momentum shift in the company’s performance in 2025.
Zuckerberg hinted at potential growth opportunities on Instagram and Facebook as Meta explores new possibilities amid industry shifts.
A leadership shake-up in Reality Labs was reported, with Meta reevaluating its focus on core business areas under new leadership.
The team of the planetary researcher led by Caltech has decided on a chemical mechanism that can maintain sufficient warmth in the early days of ancient Mars, perhaps to host life.
Adams et al。 Mars has experienced a temporary warm period for the 40 million years of integration, estimating that each event lasted about 100 to 00 years. Image credit: M. Kornmesser / ESO / N. risinger, Skysurvey.org.
“Because Mars is far from the sun, it was a very puzzle that Mars had liquid water on Mars. Dr. Adams said.
“Hydrogen was previously theoretical as a magical component, mixed with carbon dioxide in Mars, causing an episode of greenhouse warming.”
“However, the life of air hydrogen was short, so a more detailed analysis was needed.”
In this study, Dr. Adams and his colleagues used photochemical modeling to describe the details of the relationship with hydrogen in the early atmosphere of Mars and how the relationship has changed over time.
“The early Mars is a lost world, but if you ask the right question, you can reconstruct in detail,” said Professor Robin Wordworth at Harvard University.
“In this study, we will integrate the atmosphere and climate of the atmosphere for the first time and bring some impressive new predictions that can be tested if you bring back Mars to Earth.”
The authors changed the model called dynamics to simulate how the combination of hydrogen and other gas, which responded to both the ground and air, reacted the early Mars climate.
They discovered that Mars has been a warm episode of about 40 million years, 400 million to 3 billion years ago during the Noatian and Hesperian days in Mars, and that each event lasted more than 10000 years.
These estimated values match today's geological characteristics of Mars.
During the warm and damp period, the hydrogen of the crust or the lost water on the ground was driven, and sufficient hydrogen was supplied to accumulate in the atmosphere for millions of years.
During the fluctuations between the warm climate and the cold climate, the chemistry of the atmosphere of Mars also fluctuated. Carbon dioxide is constantly attacked by sunlight and is converted to carbon monoxide.
During the warm period, carbon dioxide can return to carbon dioxide and control carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
However, if it is long enough, the recycling decelerates, accumulates carbon monoxide, and reduces the reduction, that is, less oxygen.
Therefore, the red oxidation state of the atmosphere changed dramatically over time.
“We have identified all of these alternate time scale,” said Dr. Adams.
“And I explained all the same parts of the same photochemical model.”
Modeling work gives a potential new insight into the conditions for supporting the pre -buiotics chemistry (the basis of life after we know), and to the end of its life at intervals between cold and oxidation. Lends issues.
Researchers are working to find evidence of these alternatives using isotopic chemical modeling.
They will compare these results with the rocks of the Mars Sample Return Mission in the future.
Since Mars has no plate tectonics, unlike the earth, the surface seen today resembles the surface long ago, making the history of lakes and rivers more interesting.
“It will be a really wonderful case study for how the planet evolves over time,” said Dr. Adams.
study Published in the journal Natural global science。
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D. Adams et al。 The warm climate of the early episode on Mars prepared by hydration of the crust. nut. GeosciReleased online on January 15, 2025. Doi: 10.1038/S41561-024-01626-8
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