Creativity at its best: African content creators on YouTube and TikTok explore new avenues for monetization

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

VLogs by Nigerian content creators Tayo Aina feature anything from Nigeria Japan (immigration) wave and voodoo festival. Performing with Afrobeats stars in Benin david or last hunter-gatherer tribe. In Tanzania, you can get millions of views on YouTube.

Aina, 31, who started the channel in 2017 while working as an Uber driver, says it has allowed her to see parts of Nigeria that she had never had the chance to visit before. Using his iPhone, he began a mini-travel adventure, taking breaks to record the places he visited and tell stories not covered in mainstream media.

“I want to inspire the next generation of Africans to have no limits,” says Nigerian content creator Tayo Aina. Photo: Handout

Aina learned how to film and edit through YouTube tutorials, saved up to buy better equipment, and soon began traveling beyond Nigeria to countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Namibia, learning about the continent’s culture and social life. He created a travel video that introduces Africa through the lens of photography. African traveler.

“Most of the online media was negative, and I realized that I was trying to change the narrative about Africa by presenting it more clearly. It’s light,” says Aina, who now travels around the world.

Africa’s Creator Industry 2024 Report Research by publisher Communiqué and media technology company TM Global values the sector at £2.4bn and predicts it will grow five times by 2030, reflecting trends in the global creator economy. Its growth is being driven by a wave of creators between the ages of 18 and 34, a surge in internet connectivity and social media usage across the continent, and the explosion of African culture on the world stage.

Growing interest in African culture – from Afrobeats and Amapiano Music and dance to an international fashion collection made from African textiles such as Ankara and Kikyoy. African movies – This is part of an international aspiration for authentic cultural storytelling outside the Arctic Circle, reflected in global cultural movements such as Hallyu, says David Adeleke, Founder of Communiqué.

This year, TikTok recognized More than a dozen African creators including Nigerian lifestyle creators @__iremide, a person who makes videos that satirize everyday life, and a South African Sachiko-sama. The 22-year-old is known for cosplaying characters from anime, video games, and pop culture. Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of international affairs, recently said: held a meeting Other social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok are increasing their presence and Heva I’m getting involved.

The report says the industry is gaining momentum but is still young. Most content creators are in their third year of work, have fewer than 10,000 followers, and are faced with the challenge of turning social capital into income. The report adds that discussions about the monetization and standardization of the creator business ecosystem continue to take place primarily in Western countries.

But that is gradually changing.

As Aina’s channel grew and attracted a more international audience, he discovered what he was capable of. more and more It cost him money when his content was viewed by Western audiences rather than Africa. YouTube’s advertising model relies on ad spend, which is lower in many African markets than in North America and Europe.

“Part of the reason is economic. Generally speaking, Western creators and audiences have more resources, but that alone is not enough to justify the disparity in opportunity. ” says Adeleke.

As Aina began diversifying her content and audience to generate more income, there were other issues to worry about. He shares a video about the barriers and prejudice he faced during his travels, including being detained in Ethiopia on suspicion of drug possession, being arrested in South Africa on suspicion of being a “fraudster” and being refused entry to Dubai. I’ve posted it on my blog. The 2022 incident in Dubai was the “last straw” for Aina. Aina invested her savings in St. Kitts and Nevis and eventually secured a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis, becoming a citizen of the Caribbean nation.

He currently runs the Creator Academy on YouTube, where he has trained nearly 2,000 mostly African creators. “I want the next generation of Africans to grow their brands globally without limitations,” he says.

Chiamaka “Amaka” Amaku A 30-year-old Nigerian travel and lifestyle innovator who works as a social media manager and creates content as a personal project, believes digital infrastructure issues, including the challenges of sending and receiving international money, are a challenge for Nigerian creators. It says it can limit growth. Some global payment platforms have imposed restrictions on certain countries, including Nigeria, due to concerns about fraud and money laundering.

“Payment is one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria’s creator economy,” Amaku said, adding that payment barriers deter global brands from working with Nigerian creators.

In recent years, fintech companies such as flutter wave and salary stack While supporting international payments has reduced the barriers creators face in accepting digital payments, many restrictions remain, including local bank policies. For travel creators like Amaku, that means it’s harder to book flights or take Uber abroad.

Amaku, who charges between £250 and £500 for posts on his Instagram page, which has around 20,000 followers, says it is difficult to make a living from creating content and there is a “culture of secrecy” around fees in the industry in Nigeria. He says that many people have died because of this. Creators quickly changed.

Sharon Makira A 31-year-old Kenyan luxury travel creator who describes her audience as “Afropolitan champagne nomads” agrees. He said competition for brand sponsorships is fierce because many companies still rely on traditional advertising, so negotiating rates can become a race to the bottom.

With around 20,000 followers on Instagram and 7,000 followers on YouTube, she gets around five brand deals a year, and is paid around £600 to £1,000 per campaign. When she became a full-time content creator last year, after nearly a decade in media and PR, she realized she couldn’t make a living relying on a few unpredictable brand deals, so companies started creating content. We have opened a PR studio that allows you to tailor your business to suit your needs. Cooperate with viewers, travel agencies and other businesses nomad And luxury lodges in Rwanda Singita Kwitonda.

According to her, building a business around a social media brand can earn you several times more per project than a brand deal. “I think there’s real promise there.” [African] Creators: Leverage your social capital, network, credibility, and personal brand to launch your business,” she says.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Four proven methods for creating habits that endure

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Embarking on a new routine can feel intimidating, but it’s actually simpler than we often perceive. Here are some expert tips for ensuring that new habits stick.

How to establish improved study habits

One effective method for developing a habit is to attach a desired new behavior to an existing habit.

For instance, let’s say you want to incorporate a daily 10-minute German vocabulary study session into your routine. Identify habits you already have and integrate your vocabulary learning into them.

For example, if you already have tea every day at 3pm, try studying German vocabulary for 10 minutes while enjoying your tea.

Credit: Kyle Smart

How to cultivate healthier social media habits

There is often criticism surrounding our device and social media usage, but ultimately, only you can determine if your phone is interfering with more important priorities.

If you feel this is the case, one effective way to regain control is by reducing your device usage habits, starting with disabling notifications.

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Notifications can act as triggers for habitual behavior, leading you to mindlessly check emails and social media messages without conscious intent.

Scheduling specific times for using email, social media, or news websites can help break habitual behaviors and allow for more intentional device usage. It’s a proven strategy.

How to develop a consistent exercise routine

If you’re currently not exercising at all and the thought of starting a new exercise habit seems overwhelming, try the 2-minute rule.

This rule, popularized by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, recommends starting with just two minutes of a new activity to ease its incorporation into your daily life. Once it becomes a habit, you can gradually increase the duration.

Start with 2 minutes of exercise at 8 a.m. daily, whether it’s a brief walk, stair climbing, or some jumping jacks. Gradually increase the duration as it becomes routine. Remember, consistency is key.

Strategies for adopting sustainable habits

The psychology of habits sheds light on why behavior change can be slow, even when attitudes towards the environment evolve. Despite acknowledging the importance of eco-friendly practices, many individuals still engage in harmful behaviors out of habit.

To promote positive change, psychologists recommend habit-based approaches that reduce friction between cues and desirable behaviors.

For example, placing recycling bins near individual desks led to a significant increase in office paper recycling rates, while slowing down elevator doors reduced elevator usage. Small adjustments can lead to significant changes in behavior.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists’ Grave Concern over Hidden Climate Tipping Point

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

If you want to unsettle climate scientists, simply stand next to them and quietly mention the phrase “tipping point” in their ear. While climate change due to global warming is already concerning, the concept of climate tipping points adds an extra layer of fear. But what exactly are they and why are they causing alarm?

We find ourselves in a unique time where Earth’s average temperature is increasing at a rate at least 10 times faster than ever recorded in geological history. This has led to a surge in extreme weather events, melting ice sheets, and rising sea levels. Despite these clear signs, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise rapidly, with global temperatures increasing by 1.64°C (nearly 3°F) in the past year alone. As a result, the possibility of irreversible and drastic changes in the climate system becomes more and more likely.

Tipping points are named as such because they require a critical threshold to be crossed before a significant change occurs. Once activated, like a seesaw tipping over, there is no turning back. These moments, as defined by the American Cultural Heritage English Dictionary, are described as “a critical moment in a complex situation where a small influence or development suddenly produces a large or irreversible change.” This holds true for the climate crisis we face.

How things shift

One of the challenges for scientists studying global warming is the unpredictability of tipping points in terms of timing and impact. Additionally, how these points are integrated into climate models can greatly affect predictions of future climate change. The complexity of the climate system suggests that there are numerous tipping points, with nine identified as having the potential to trigger significant global environmental changes.

These include the potential collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, dieback of the Amazon rainforest, and release of methane from melting Arctic permafrost. Each of these events could have far-reaching consequences, from massive sea level rise to increased carbon levels in the atmosphere.

While some of these tipping points may seem distant, the looming collapse of the Gulf Stream and associated ocean currents presents an immediate concern. Previously considered unlikely, recent data suggests that this crucial system may be on the brink of destabilization sooner than expected, posing a threat to the UK and Northern Europe’s climate stability.

Recent research suggests Antarctic ice sheets may be melting faster than existing models predict – Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The Earth’s great engine

Understanding the significance of AMOC’s collapse requires knowledge of its role as a key component of the global ocean current system. This system, known as the global conveyor belt, transports heat from the tropics to the Arctic, playing a crucial role in global climate and weather patterns.

The sheer scale of AMOC’s operation is astounding, moving millions of cubic meters of water and gigawatts of heat every second. However, disruptions to this system, such as increased freshwater input from melting ice, can hinder AMOC’s ability to function properly, potentially causing a shutdown with severe global consequences.

If AMOC were to fail, global weather patterns would be disrupted, leading to a range of impacts from cooler temperatures in Europe to altered monsoons in Asia and Africa. The effects would be felt globally, with implications for food security, migration patterns, and geopolitical stability.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Orca mother grieving loss of newborn now carrying second calf’s body

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

overview

An orca that carried around a dead calf for several days in 2018 appears to be repeating the same behavior with a newly dead calf.
Scientists believe the killer whales are likely expressing sadness.
Killer whales are part of an endangered subpopulation known as southern killer whales.

Nearly six years ago, a mother orca attracted international attention when she carried a dead calf for 17 days straight. Sadly, the whale now appears to be repeating what researchers say is an expression of grief over another deceased newborn.

The mother whale, also known as J35 or Tahlequah, was first spotted with her new calf on December 20th. But on Wednesday, researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration photographed a whale with a dead calf on its head off the coast of West Seattle.

“We can confirm that J31 lost the calf and was pushing it around on its head,” Brad Hanson, a researcher at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, said in a press conference Thursday.

He said that when the calf is about to sink, “she seems to do a high arch dive to retrieve the calf, but at that point you can’t really tell if she’s pushing or grabbing the calf.” added. ”

Scientists said they believe Tahlequah likely carried the dead calf as an expression of grief. Whales have a similar wiring structure to humans and other large, long-lived social mammals, Joe Gaydos, scientific director of the Sea Dog Society, an ocean research organization, said at a press conference.

“We have the same neurotransmitters as they do. We have the same hormones as they do. Shouldn’t we have the same emotions that they have? We are a market cornered by emotions.” So I think it’s fair to say she’s sad or grieving,” Gaydos said, adding that similar behavior has been observed in dolphins and non-human primates. added.

Tahlequah, also known as J35, and a dead calf.
NOAA

J35 is part of an endangered subpopulation of whales known as southern killer whales. The death of Tahlequah’s calf and the recent birth of another killer whale left the group at just 73 individuals.

Over the years, Tahlequah has had two surviving calves, both male, one born in 2020.

Southerners have been given tracking numbers by the Center for Whale Research and are closely watched by researchers, photographers and whale watchers, especially if they are near Puget Sound communities like Seattle.

Scientists have been following the story of the dead calf for weeks. Hanson said NOAA researchers discovered the female calf themselves on Dec. 23 after a citizen scientist first noticed the female calf, called J61. They were concerned about the calf’s health at the time because it appeared to be struggling and surfacing unusually, he said.

It is not uncommon for orca pups to die shortly after birth. Michael Weiss, director of research at the Center for Whale Research, said the first year of life is the biggest hurdle to survival.

Approximately 70% to 80% of calves that researchers can record and give identification numbers survive the first few years.

“We don’t know exactly what the survival rate is, probably because so many calves are born and die before they are photographed or recorded,” Weiss says. “Probably 50 percent of calves born will survive the first year.”

NOAA researchers said they are now concerned about Tahlequah’s own health because pushing his calves creates a lot of resistance in the water and requires a lot of energy.

“One thing she probably doesn’t have time for is feeding,” Hanson said. “We are concerned that she is expending so much energy caring for her lost calf.”

This is a typical calving season for southern whales. Hanson said researchers were encouraged by the birth of another killer whale, called J62. The orca was first spotted by observers on Dec. 30 and confirmed by the Cetacean Research Center on New Year’s Day.

“It appears to be very robust,” Hanson said.

Southern killer whales have been the subject of conservation efforts for decades. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and were listed as endangered in 2005.

Whales typically spend several months each year along the Puget Sound coastline in Washington state. They live in three pods called J, K, and L, and have evolved to eat primarily fish, including the prized Chinook salmon.

In the early 1960s, many of Minami’s killer whales were killed or captured, and some of the surviving killer whales were put on display in marine parks. As of 1974, surveys showed that only 71 individuals remained in the wild. The population has since fluctuated, reaching a high of 95 people in 1995, but has declined since then.

The main reasons why whales are struggling are a decline in the quality and quantity of their prey and pollution from industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that contaminate their prey and accumulate in their bodies. Additionally, ship noise can disturb whales and prevent communication.

Research shows that unless more aggressive action is taken, the southern population is on a path to extinction. Already, Washington state and federal agencies have invested more than $1 billion in programs to reduce threats to whales. But the essential point still remains. Southerners simply don’t have enough food.

Major rivers that were once rich in salmon, including the lower Snake River, have been dammed, limiting access to and survival of salmon.

“We’re not doing enough on chinook recovery and salmon recovery,” Gaydos said.

For struggling southerners, the loss of a female calf is a devastating blow not only to the mother but to the trajectory of the subspecies as a whole.

“The real limit is the number of females that reach reproductive age and their ability to actually raise calves successfully. So we would like to see more females in the population.” Weiss said.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Upcoming Space Launches and Missions Set for 2025

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

overview

The coming year is expected to be filled with ambitious space missions.
Multiple robotic landers are expected to be launched to the moon in the coming weeks or months.
China and India also each hope to achieve new milestones in space later this year.

From robotic expeditions to the moon to new observatories in space and rendezvous with asteroids, 2025 promises to be full of ambitious space exploration.

NASA and U.S. commercial space companies aren’t the only ones busy. Launch plans planned for this year include potential milestones in China, Japan and India.

Here are some of the biggest upcoming space missions.

Moon fever continues

In 2025, the moon will once again be in the spotlight.

Later this month, SpaceX rockets are scheduled to launch two new missions to the moon. One, a lander called Blue Ghost developed by Texas-based company Firefly Aerospace, is intended to spend about two weeks collecting scientific data on the moon. The second is a privately built Japanese lunar lander with an attached small rover.

The Blue Ghost attempts to land on a region of the moon known as the Moon. Mare Crisium is thought to be the site of an ancient asteroid impact.

The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative. The space agency has signed contracts with three private companies, including Firefly Aerospace, to transport scientific experiments, technology and other cargo to the moon’s surface. The effort is part of NASA’s larger Artemis mission, which aims to eventually return humans to the moon. The Blue Ghost mission will carry out 10 NASA science and technology experiments.

Riding into orbit on the same rocket booster will be a resilient lander developed by a Japanese company called ispace and the Tenacious “micro rover.” It aims to take a longer route to the moon, consuming less energy than the Blue Ghost, and land on the lunar surface approximately four to five months after launch.

The touchdown target is located in the far north of the moon, in an area called Mare Frigoris.

iSpace’s bid to become the first private company to land a spacecraft on the moon ended in disappointment last year. The company’s lander, Hakuto, accelerated unexpectedly during its descent and crashed onto the lunar surface.

A third lunar launch by the company, which was the first to land a privately built ship on the moon, could also take place this month.

Texas-based Intuitive Machines also won a contract under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Last year, the company’s lander became the first American vehicle to land on the moon in more than 50 years. The company aims to send its next-generation lander to the moon’s south pole on another SpaceX rocket in the coming weeks.

The mission will include a drill to extract lunar soil and a robot that will hop into nearby craters to take images and perform scientific experiments.

Exploring the origin of the universe

NASA aims to launch the SPHEREx mission, a space observatory designed to map the entire sky in optical and near-infrared light, in late February.

The SPHEREx observatory is shown in a horizontal position, showing its telescope and three-layer photon shield.BAE Systems / NASA

The spacecraft will observe more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way and collect data on more than 450 million other galaxies.

As part of its planned two-year mission, the observatory will also search for signs of life as we know it, such as water and organic molecules, in the Milky Way. Experts hope the expedition will provide insight into how galaxies form and how the universe came into being.

Two NASA astronauts finally return home

Two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station since a problem aboard their Boeing spacecraft in June are finally scheduled to return home in March.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the International Space Station.NASA

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were launched to the ISS on the first manned flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The original plan was for the two to spend about a week on the space station, then return to Earth on the Starliner. However, the capsule encountered fuel leaks and thruster problems, so NASA opted to leave Williams and Wilmore in orbit and return the spacecraft unmanned.

They will have spent more than nine months in space before returning to Earth in a SpaceX capsule with two other space station crew members.

India’s spaceflight ambitions

India is poised to make major strides in its human spaceflight program this year.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronaut Shubhansh Shukla will fly to the International Space Station on a commercial mission run by Texas-based startup Axiom Space.

The launch, expected by spring at the earliest, will include government-backed crew members from Poland and Hungary. The crew will spend up to 14 days on the ISS.

Meanwhile, India is also working on developing its own manned spacecraft, aiming to launch its first one in 2026.

A new private space station?

California-based startup Vast plans to launch its first commercial space station into orbit this year. The civilian outpost, called Haven-1, is scheduled to launch by August on a SpaceX rocket.

Haven-1 is designed to accommodate four astronauts on missions of up to 30 days. The space station will initially function as an independent outpost, but Vasto plans to eventually connect it to a larger module in development.

In partnership with SpaceX, Vast intends to someday launch a crewed mission to the Haven-1 outpost, but the company has not yet announced a target date for that launch.

China encounters an asteroid

China’s space exploration shows no signs of slowing down even in 2025.

This spring, the country plans to launch a mission to collect asteroid samples, the first such expedition.

The plan calls for a spacecraft called Tenbun-2 to rendezvous with a near-Earth asteroid called Kamoorewa, which some scientists have suggested. maybe part of the moon It was ejected during an ancient collision.

The mission aims to collect debris from the asteroid, release a capsule containing samples, and return to Earth in 2026. After that, the Tenbun-2 probe is expected to orbit around the Earth and fly using the Earth’s gravity as a slingshot. Heading toward the comet known as 311P/Panstars. The spacecraft is expected to arrive at the comet in the mid-2030s.

If China’s asteroid sampling mission is successful, it would be a major accomplishment for the country’s space agency. This would be an achievement that follows several recent milestones. China has already become the first company to collect and return samples from the far side of the moon, landed a rover on Mars and completed construction of its own Tiangong space station.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Fossilized tracks of predatory and plant-eating dinosaurs found in the UK dating back to 166 million years ago

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists discovered hundreds of different dinosaur footprints, including one left by a ferocious 9-meter (29.5-foot) predator megalosaurus Dewar’s Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England, by a herbivorous dinosaur up to twice its size.

Footprints of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs at Dewar’s Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England. Image credit: University of Birmingham.

Professor Kirsty Edgar from the University of Birmingham said: “These footprints provide a special window into the lives of dinosaurs, revealing details about their movements, interactions and the tropical environments they lived in. ” he said.

Professor Edgar and colleagues have unearthed five vast dinosaur footprints dating back to the mid-Jurassic period, some 166 million years ago.

The longest continuous track was over 150 m (492 ft) long.

Four of the orbits were created by giant, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs called sauropods. cetiosaurusa cousin of the famous brassica, which can grow up to 18 meters (59 ft) in length. diplodocus.

The fifth orbit was created by a carnivorous theropod dinosaur megalosaurusit was characterized by large three-toed feet with claws.

Parts of the site show intersecting carnivore and herbivore tracks, raising questions about whether and how the two were interacting.

“Scientists know about it and have studied it. megalosaurus Dr Emma Nicholls, a vertebrate paleontologist at Oxford University’s Natural History Museum, said: “They lived longer than any other dinosaur on Earth, but recent discoveries show that new evidence of these animals still exists and discoveries It proves that we are waiting for the future.”

Paleontologists worked together to discover around 200 footprints and used aerial drone photography to build a detailed 3D model of the site.

Professor Richard Butler, from the University of Birmingham, said: “There is much more we can learn from this site. It is an important part of our global heritage.”

“Our 3D model will allow researchers to continue their studies and make this fascinating part of our past accessible for generations to come.”

During the excavation, researchers took more than 20,000 images of the footprints.

These provide a wealth of material for further research and education, providing valuable information about how these dinosaurs walked, their speed, size, whether they interacted, and how they interacted. May provide insight.

Dr Duncan Murdoch, a researcher at Oxford University’s Natural History Museum, said: “The preservation is very detailed and you can see how the mud deformed as the dinosaur’s feet moved in and out.”

“Together with other fossils such as burrows, shells and plants, they can bring to life the muddy lagoon environment that the dinosaurs walked through.”

Source: www.sci.news

Making Refrigerators More Sustainable with Crystal-based Cooling Technology

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Refrigerators and freezers typically derive their cooling power from environmentally harmful liquids.

Mint Images Limited/Alamy

A new type of crystal could help refrigerators and air conditioners keep us cool without warming the planet.

Refrigerators and air conditioners obtain their cooling power by circulating liquid within the device. The liquid absorbs heat and causes cooling through cycles of evaporation and condensation. However, many such liquids contribute to the greenhouse effect and cause further warming if they leak. now, jenny pringle Researchers at Australia's Deakin University have created a climate-friendly alternative to these liquids using “plastic crystals” – crystals containing molecules that can move enough to make them flexible. Developed.

If enough pressure is applied, these plastic crystals can deform. Their molecules go from a random orientation to an ordered grid. Then, when the pressure is removed, they disturb again. As part of this disordering process, the crystals absorb heat, effectively cooling their surroundings.

Although pressure-based cooling like this has been studied before, most materials capable of making this transition can only do so at mild temperatures, limiting their cooling power, Pringle said. In contrast, her team's crystals exhibit their heat-absorbing ability at temperatures between -37°C (-34.6°F) and 10°C (50°F), a temperature suitable for home refrigerators and freezers. .

However, the new crystals are not yet ready to leave the lab. That's because the pressure required to make them work is so high, Pringle says, that it's hundreds of times greater than atmospheric pressure and equivalent to thousands of meters underwater.

david boldrin Researchers at the University of Glasgow in the UK said materials like the new study “have the potential to almost completely decarbonize this giant carbon”. [cooling] However, he shares concerns about the high pressure required.

He says there may be other practical problems with this approach. Bing Li At the Chinese Academy of Sciences. With each repeated use, the grid formed by the molecules becomes more distorted and each crystal absorbs less heat. Still, Lee said he was optimistic and believed the technology could be applied in the “near future.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Study on the Unique Variety of Camellia sinensis Found in the Tea Plant of Hainan Island

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tea (Camellia sinensis) originated in China more than 3,000 years ago and evolved from a medicinal herb to a widely consumed beverage. Although there is considerable research focusing on tea plants in southwestern China, research on tea plants has received little attention. Hainan Island. Remarkable similarities between Hainanese tea and tea leaves Camellia sinensis variable Asamika Along with the island’s unique geographic and climatic conditions, research on Hainanese tea presents significant challenges. A new study fills this gap by collecting 500 tea tree samples from Hainan and using whole-genome resequencing to examine differences between Hainanese teas and cultivars. Camellia sinensis.

Guo others. A clear taxonomic position of Hainan tea was confirmed. Camellia sinensis providing valuable insights into resource conservation and molecular breeding. Image credit: Lin2015.

Tea is the oldest recorded tree crop in China, with a history of cultivation spanning more than 3,000 years.

Originally used as a medicinal herb with roots dating back approximately 5,000 years, it later evolved into a widely consumed beverage.

Tea plants grown worldwide are divided into two main groups. Camellia sinensis variable sinensis and Camellia sinensis variable Asamika.

Hainan Island, located in the northern part of the South China Sea, has a rich history of tea cultivation and has vast plantation areas.

There were reports that Hainan Island had abundant tea plant resources at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

For example, American missionary and botanist Benjamin Couch Henry discovered significant numbers of wild tea plants during his extensive explorations of the Li region of Hainan province, indicating that the island had an ancient tea plant resource. I have confirmed that it is plentiful.

Since the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is widely recognized as a potential geographic origin of tea, most studies on tea population genomics have focused on southwestern China, especially Camellia sinensis variable Asamika Despite the large number of varieties, research on Hainan tea plants remains relatively sparse.

“Our study clarifies the taxonomic position of Hainan tea and highlights the importance of conservation and molecular breeding efforts,” said researcher Dazhong Guo of Yunnan Agricultural University and colleagues.

In this study, the authors analyzed 500 tea plant samples (including those from ancient tea plants) collected from four major tea-producing regions in Hainan province: Ledong, Qiongzhong, Baisha, and Wuzhishan. The genome sequence was analyzed.

They acquired a total of 6.9 terabytes of raw sequencing data, which they filtered and aligned with a reference genome (Yunkang 10), achieving a final average alignment rate of 98.98%.

After variant calling, 32,334,340 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, the majority of which were located in intergenic regions and a small number in exonic regions.

Phylogenetic analysis using SNP data revealed that Hainan tea samples formed a distinct cluster separate from the overall tea leaves. Camellia sinensis variable sinensis and Camellia sinensis variable Asamika There is a significant geographic concentration within the Rim Mountain region, but no clear pattern elsewhere.

Population structure analysis further confirmed that Hainan tea exhibits a unique genetic composition compared to global varieties.

Principal component analysis (PCA) supported these findings and showed that Hainan tea is genetically different from other teas. Camellia sinensis variable sinensis and Camellia sinensis variable Asamikabut shares some genetic similarities with their global counterparts. Camellia sinensis variable Asamika.

Moreover, gene flow analysis suggested limited historical movement between Hainan tea and other tea varieties, reinforcing its unique genetic lineage.

Kinship analysis showed that the close genetic relationships observed in certain Hainanese tea samples were influenced by human activities in managed tea plantations.

Genetic diversity analysis revealed that the Hainan Island and Lim Mountains populations had higher levels of diversity compared to other populations. Camellia sinensis variable sinensis and Camellia sinensis variable Asamikathere is minimal genetic differentiation between Hainan tea and Limshan tea.

These results highlight the unique evolutionary trajectory of Hainan tea, provide valuable insights into its genetic background, and provide implications for conservation and breeding strategies.

The genetic uniqueness and high diversity of Hainan tea highlight its potential as a valuable resource for future breeding programs.

“Our research provides a deeper understanding of biological evolution. Camellia sinensis The stage is now set for further studying the genetic basis of Hainan's amazing plants,” the researchers said.

Their paper Published in a magazine agricultural biodiversity.

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Guo Dazhong others. 2024. Genome resequencing reveals genes with unique origins Camellia sinensis Variety – Hainanese tea. agricultural biodiversity 1 (1): 3-12;doi: 10.48130/abd-0024-0003

Source: www.sci.news

AI chatbots are incapable of diagnosing patients solely through conversation

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Don’t call your favorite AI “Doctor” yet

Just_Super/Getty Images

Advanced artificial intelligence models have scored highly in professional medical examinations, but they are still challenging one of the most important doctor tasks: talking to patients, gathering relevant medical information, and providing accurate diagnoses. I am still neglecting one thing.

“Large-scale language models perform well on multiple-choice tests, but their accuracy drops significantly on dynamic conversations,” he says. Pranav Rajpurkar at Harvard University. “Models especially struggle with open-ended diagnostic inference.”

This became clear when researchers developed a method to assess the reasoning ability of clinical AI models based on simulated doctor-patient conversations. “Patients” is based on 2000 medical cases drawn primarily from the United States Medical Board Specialty Examinations.

“Simulating patient interactions allows assessment of history-taking skills, which is an important element of clinical practice that cannot be assessed through case descriptions,” he says. shreya jolialso at Harvard University. The new assessment benchmark, called CRAFT-MD, “reflects real-world scenarios where patients may not know what details are important to share and may only disclose important information if prompted by specific questions. “I do,” she says.

The CRAFT-MD benchmark itself relies on AI. OpenAI's GPT-4 model acted as a “patient AI” that conversed with the “clinical AI” being tested. GPT-4 also helped score the results by comparing the clinical AI's diagnosis with the correct answer for each case. Human medical experts reconfirmed these assessments. We also reviewed the conversations to confirm the accuracy of the patient AI and whether the clinical AI was able to gather relevant medical information.

Multiple experiments have shown that the performance of four major large-scale language models (OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models, Meta's Llama-2-7b model, and Mistral AI's Mistral-v2-7b model) is performance on benchmarks was shown to be significantly lower than at the time. Makes a diagnosis based on a written summary of the case. OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral AI did not respond to requests for comment.

For example, GPT-4's diagnostic accuracy was an impressive 82 percent when a structured case summary was presented and the diagnosis could be selected from a list of multiple-choice answers, but not when a multiple-choice option was provided. However, when it had to make a diagnosis from a simulated patient conversation, its accuracy dropped to just 26%.

And GPT-4 performs best among the AI models tested in this study, with GPT-3.5 often coming in second place, and Mistral AI models sometimes coming in second or third place. Meta's Llama models generally had the lowest scores.

AI models also failed to collect complete medical histories a significant proportion of the time, with the leading model, GPT-4, only able to do so in 71% of simulated patient conversations. Even if an AI model collects a patient's relevant medical history, it doesn't necessarily yield the correct diagnosis.

It says such simulated patient conversations are a “much more useful” way to assess an AI's clinical reasoning ability than medical tests. Eric Topol At the Scripps Research Institute Translational Institute in California.

Even if an AI model ultimately passes this benchmark and consistently makes accurate diagnoses based on conversations with simulated patients, it won't necessarily be better than a human doctor. says Rajpurkar. He points out that real-world medical procedures are “more troublesome” than simulations. That includes managing multiple patients, coordinating with medical teams, performing physical exams, and understanding the “complex social and systemic factors” in the local health care setting.

“While the strong performance in the benchmarks suggests that AI may be a powerful tool to support clinical practice, it does not necessarily replace the holistic judgment of experienced physicians.” says Rajpurkar.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Elon Musk Urges Labor MP to Address Tommy Robinson’s Anger

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk has caused controversy by advocating for the release of Tommy Robinson and criticizing Keir Starmer for not prosecuting a child rapist in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Billionaire and ally of Donald Trump, Elon Musk’s message “Free Tommy Robinson!” was prominently displayed on his X feed, showing support for the far-right activist who had been jailed for contempt of court.

In addition to expressing support for Robinson, Musk also made several posts about the Rochdale and Oldham rape gangs, criticizing the Prime Minister and Security Secretary Jess Phillips for their handling of the scandal.

In a post, Musk mentioned, “In the UK, serious crimes like rape require approval from the Crown Prosecution Service for the police to prosecute a suspect. Who was leading the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008-2013.”

He also stated that Mr. Phillips claimed it was Oldham City Council, not the central government, calling for an investigation into child exploitation, remarking, “He deserves to be in prison.”

Elsewhere, he suggested: “The real reason she’s refusing to investigate the rape gang is because it would clearly implicate Keir Starmer [Crown Prosecution Service] during that time.”

Musk reposted numerous comments advocating for Robinson’s release, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and who had been jailed the previous October for spreading false information about Syrian refugees.

The recent involvement of the Tesla founder and X owner in British politics has angered many Labour MPs, prompting calls for the government to cease using X for postings.

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The founder of Tesla and X has been openly critical of Mr. Starmer for the Prime Minister’s response to last summer’s British riots. He is reportedly considering donating up to $100m (£80m) to Reform Britain, and two weeks ago, he met with party leader Nigel Farage and treasurer Nick Candy, with whom he was photographed.

Musk’s recent online posts show strong support for the British far-right and follow his pledge to support Germany’s anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany.

As one member of parliament commented: “[Musk] This time I went too far. Twitter [now X] is becoming a cesspit remarkably quickly, even for uninterested independents.”

Several ministers believe this should be the trigger for the government to distance itself from Musk’s platform, although some warn that doing so could create a diplomatic issue given Musk’s role in the upcoming Trump administration.

Downing Street declined to provide a comment.

A spokesperson for Reform UK did not indicate whether the billionaire’s support for Mr. Robinson, who is at odds within the party, would impact their willingness to accept funding from him.

A spokesperson for Oldham City Council stated: ‘Survivors are at the heart of our efforts to end child sexual exploitation, and their wishes remain our priority, regardless of the outcome of any future investigations. We have made a promise, and we intend to keep it.

“We all acknowledge the grave mistakes of the past where children were overlooked and neglected. By ensuring that survivors’ voices are heard, we can prevent the same failures from happening again.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exciting Upcoming Games of 2025: Mark Your Calendars for Date Everything!

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

LLots of great stuff, date them all! It started as a joke. Envisioning a game in which a lonely remote worker starts chatting to furniture, Final Fantasy voice actors Ray Chase and Robbie Daymond immediately fell in love with the concept. What would happen if it really happened? It was A game where you can date literally anything?

A bizarre game of banging home appliances that boasts over 70,000 lines of dialogue and 100 dateable inanimate objects has become a reality. Working with Team 17 and fellow voice actress and producer Amanda Hufford, they brought their ridiculous concept to life, resulting in a game they describe as wholesome, frivolous, and fun.

You may be wondering how this works. Now, when players don Dateviators (VR glasses that turn inanimate household objects into talkable, dateable beings), inanimate furniture and appliances suddenly become very chatty, and within seconds I'm talking about a dishwasher and Start flirting.

“We knew we wanted to make sure it felt wholesome, that it was sexy, but in no way vulgar,” says Robbie Daymond. “Our mantra is that we want to create something that people won't feel embarrassed about if they come in. We're playing around with that.”

From tables and microwaves to fireplaces and televisions, there are “characters” you can write dates on, and each potential lover is brought to life by a different voice actor. Every appliance is decidedly and endearingly weird, from a surprisingly liberating microwave that makes you think you're fighting an interdimensional war to a gushing frat-boy fireplace dubbed “The Art of the Pick-Up Line.” is.

No need to be shy…date everything! Photo: Sassy Chap Games

They're also taking a different approach to paying actors fairly. “One of the superpowers we have is that we know a lot of people in the industry,” Daymond says. “We have a good relationship with [actors union] SAG and we were able to work out a deal that would give back the balance to the actors who worked on it. Thanks to a combination of clever scripting by TV writer Logan Burdick and great voice acting throughout, even my short demo gives me the following endearing freedom to see what happens next. I felt I had to meet a new appliance.

Although it sounds like a product of the pandemic, the premise of Date Everything was actually born in 2018 when Draymond wondered if anyone could empathize with the boredom and social deprivation of remote work. . “I’m really excited that something so surreal exists,” Burdick reflects. “I think it’s unbelievable that everyone got a chance.”

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“I was a little skeptical when I started working with the team,” exclaims Jack, the game's quiet programmer. “But I was really impressed when I actually played it and saw how much care and attention was put into each character. A lot of games do primarily the same thing in slightly different ways. It's not a typical game, and that's very important today.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why science recommends abstinence for a healthier life over moderate drinking

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In a dry January of 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alcohol statement pouring warm, stale lager, based on the idea that no matter how much alcohol you drink, it’s good for your health. There is no such thing as a safe drinkit was written.

Publication year lancet public healthThe statement states: “Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and addictive substance; [was] It was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer several decades ago.” It’s a sobering thought, and a surprise to those of us who celebrate our health with the occasional drink.

We all know that excessive drinking is associated with a variety of health problems, including damage to the liver, heart, mental health, and even increased risk of cancer. But most drinkers have also likely heard that small amounts of alcohol can have certain protective effects, such as reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis and lowering insulin resistance.

Of course, “moderate drinking” is a subjective measure. In the UK, this means between 7 and 14 units of alcohol per week (14 units is the equivalent of six pints of beer or one and a half bottles of wine). Belgian guidelines state that drinking 21 drinks a week for men and 14 drinks a week for women is “low risk”. So why did the WHO decide that consuming alcohol in any amount is bad?

Dry January was launched as a public health campaign in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK, a UK-based charity. – Photo credit: Getty

Well, the WHO statement was not issued in a vacuum. It explains that it partially arose from the debate over whether there is a “threshold” at which alcohol becomes carcinogenic. Dr. Jurgen Rehma PhD from the University of Toronto, researching the harms of alcohol and other drugs to public health.

“While being even, [the alcohol] “While the industry does not deny that alcohol is a carcinogen, there has been debate about potential thresholds,” he says.

“This led to a reassessment of the evidence and reiterated the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s statement that there is no lower limit.”

In other words, drinking just one drink a week increases your risk of cancer. This is consistent with what other researchers have found in recent years. “There’s a lot of research on breast cancer that shows that even drinking less than one drink a day can pose a risk,” Rehm says.

And it’s not just cancer. In 2021, scientists at the University of Oxford discovered that: No amount of alcohol is safe for brain functiontracks the loss of gray and white matter in the brain as alcohol intake increases.

In 2022, researchers also rejected the idea that light drinking is good for the heart. Using data from over 300,000 people in the UK Biobank, they found that: Even just a few drinks can increase your risk of high blood pressure and coronary artery disease..

They also found that while light drinkers appear to have a lower risk of heart disease than abstainers, it’s not vice that helps. Instead, the study found that light drinkers were more likely to engage in other healthy behaviors, such as exercising and quitting smoking. It was those, not the occasional shiraz, that were the beneficiary.

There is another interesting point that emerges from these and other studies. In most cases, the health risks from alcohol increase the more you drink.

“Many of the risk curves for alcohol are exponential,” Rehm says. “This means that the health benefits of reducing your daily drinks from four to two are much greater than reducing your daily drinks from two to zero.”

Nothing in life is without risk. So if you enjoy drinking occasionally, you may be able to tolerate the risk. “Personally, I don’t care about the risk of three glasses.” [a week]”Unless you’re genetically predisposed to cancer,” Rehm says.

For anyone cutting back after a very enjoyable Christmas, it’s natural to wonder whether Dry January should be a more permanent change. The evidence continues to mount and it is clear that less is more.

read more:

About our experts

Dr. Jurgen Rehm She studies addiction at the University of Toronto, focusing on how social factors and policies influence drug use. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Jelinek Memorial Award and the European Addiction Research Award.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NHS’s Health Innovation Center Honors its Legacy and Embraces Future Innovations

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In a life-size model of a house, a 50,000-pound mannequin capable of breathing, blinking, and coughing awaits a replica ambulance.

The remarkably lifelike technology developed by the model-makers who created the ‘bodies’ for the BBC’s Silent Witness integrates real-world training with simulated environments, including virtual reality, to enhance medical training and address the shortage of student lab time.

Kevin Reilly, technical services manager at the National Healthcare Innovation Center (NHIC), explains the capabilities of human patient simulation: “If you inject them, they’ll react. If they collapse your lungs and intubate you, your lips will become cyanotic. Even in worsening scenarios, we can resuscitate them exactly as we would a real patient.”

Yorkshire and the Humber region has the highest level of overweight individuals, the second highest infant mortality rate, and the third lowest life expectancy in the UK. NHIC, located at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, aims to alleviate NHS staffing shortages, address inequality, and promote regeneration.

NHIC, spanning seven buildings upon completion, plans to serve a population of 7 million people from South Yorkshire to Greater Manchester, offering state-of-the-art facilities and innovative healthcare solutions.

The NHIC celebrates the history of the NHS while looking towards the future, honoring individuals like Daphne Steele, the first black hostel director in Britain, through the newly opened simulation facility.

The center’s innovative approach to medical training includes a ‘community house’ within the Daphne Steele building, allowing trainees to practice in realistic scenarios with a range of mannequins.

NHIC also addresses the need for healthcare workers, including nurses, paramedics, and podiatrists, in the face of NHS staffing challenges.

Local connections and a focus on skill development relevant to the region distinguish Huddersfield as a prime location for medical training, with the NHIC viewed as a groundbreaking project in the North of England.

Robert Steele, son of NHS worker Daphne Steele, praises NHIC’s tribute to his mother’s legacy, recalling her impactful career in healthcare that garnered global recognition.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Transform Your Life with This Simple Exercise

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The active fitness enthusiasts among us enjoy reaping the rewards of our workouts, whether it’s hitting the track for a run or refueling at the gym. But for the rest of us, finding time for a full workout can be a challenge, especially for those with busy schedules or young children. New research suggests that breaking up your physical activities throughout the day can be just as beneficial as longer workouts.

Studies have shown that incorporating small bursts of activity into your daily routine can help improve your overall health and longevity. Recent research indicates that even short periods of activity can have a positive impact on your health, particularly for those who are considered inactive and at risk of heart-related issues.

Thanks to advancements in movement tracking technology, scientists can now accurately monitor people’s activity levels, providing valuable insights into the benefits of even small amounts of physical activity. This precise measurement has revealed the significant impact that short, intense activities can have on overall health.

Research is highlighting the importance of “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity” (VILPA), which includes short bursts of high-intensity activities like running up stairs as part of your daily routine. Studies have demonstrated that incorporating these types of activities into your day can lead to improved health outcomes.

While the World Health Organization recommends a certain amount of weekly physical activity, many people struggle to meet these guidelines. The idea of incorporating shorter bursts of activity throughout the day is gaining traction as a more achievable way to stay active and healthy.

Both VILPA and exercise snacks, which involve intentional bursts of activity, offer a more flexible approach to physical fitness. These concepts aim to make staying active more accessible, especially for individuals who may find traditional exercise routines challenging.

While short bursts of activity should not be seen as a replacement for longer workouts, they can be a valuable addition to your overall fitness routine. Experts emphasize that any physical activity, no matter how short, is beneficial for your health and well-being.

About our experts

Emmanuel Stamatakis: Professor of physical activity and population health, with extensive experience in sports medicine and research.

Lenert Veerman: Public health expert specializing in health economics and epidemiological modeling.

Tessa Strain: Postdoctoral fellow specializing in physical activity research and public health policy.

Jonathan Little: Professor known for developing the concept of “exercise snacks.”

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

DECam captures close-up of the Antria galaxy cluster

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Antria Galaxy Cluster is a group of at least 230 galaxies brought together by gravity. This galaxy cluster is rare. Unlike most other galaxy clusters, there appears to be no dominant galaxy within it.

The Antria star cluster is dominated by two giant elliptical galaxies: NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (bottom right). Image credits: Dark Energy Survey / DOE / FNAL / DECam / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / R. Colombari & M. Zamani, NSF's NOIRLab.

Galaxy clusters, like stars and galaxies, are fundamental building blocks of the universe.

These structures typically contain thousands of galaxies of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

They have a mass about a million times the mass of the Sun and are formed over billions of years as groups of small galaxies slowly come together.

At one point, galaxy clusters were believed to be the largest structures in the universe, until they were supplanted by the discovery of superclusters in the 1980s. Its length spans hundreds of millions of light years.

However, there is one thing the cluster holds on to. Because superclusters are not held together by gravity, galaxy clusters still hold the title of the largest gravitationally bound structures in the universe.

“Galaxy clusters are some of the largest known structures in the known universe,” NOIRLab astronomers said in a statement.

“Current models suggest that these giant structures form as clumps of dark matter, and that the galaxies that form within them are pulled together by gravity to form groups of dozens of galaxies, which then merge to form groups of several dozen galaxies. This suggests that they form clusters of hundreds or even thousands of galaxies.

“One such group is antoria clusterlocated approximately 130 million light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Antolia. ”

The Antlia cluster, also known as Abell S636, 3rd closest Add it to the local group after the Virgo and Fornax clusters.

The new images of the Antolia star cluster were captured by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) mounted on NSF's Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a program of NSF's NOIRLab.

It captures only a portion of the 230 galaxies so far discovered to make up this cluster, as well as thousands of background galaxies.

“Antria Cluster” host Two giant elliptical galaxies: NGC3268 and NGC 3258,” the astronomers said.

“These central galaxies are surrounded by numerous faint dwarf galaxies.”

“Based on X-ray observations that revealed the existence of a 'rope' of globular clusters along the optical peak region between these two galaxies, we believe that these two galaxies are in the process of merging. Masu.”

“This may be evidence that the Antlia cluster is actually two smaller clusters joined together.”

“The cluster is rich in lenticular galaxies (a type of disk galaxy with little interstellar medium and therefore little continuous star formation), as well as some irregular galaxies,” the researchers added. .

“Many rarer, lower-luminosity dwarf galaxies have been discovered within this cluster, including ultracompact dwarfs, compact elliptical galaxies, and blue compact dwarfs.”

“The Antria cluster may also contain subtypes of dwarf spheroidal and superdiffuse galaxies, but further investigation is needed to confirm these.”

“Many of these galaxy types have been identified within the past few decades, as advances in observational instruments and data analysis techniques have allowed us to better capture the low luminosity and relatively small size of these galaxies. It just happened.”

“Assessing galaxy types allows us to plot details of their evolution, and some galaxies are rich in dark matter, providing further opportunities to understand this mysterious material, which makes up 25% of the universe. We will provide it.”

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists create advanced nanosensor for measuring forces

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The newly developed all-optical nanosensor is a luminescent nanocrystal that changes intensity and color when pushed or pulled. Probed only with light, allowing fully remote reading. No wires or connections required. They have force sensitivity that is 100 times better than existing nanoparticles that utilize rare earth ions for their optical response, with a force operating range of more than four orders of magnitude and a much wider range than other nanoparticles (10–100 times). Conventional optical nanosensor.

Illustration of atomic arrangement within a single lanthanide-doped nanocrystal. Each lanthanide ion can emit light. Image credit: Andrew Mueller / Columbia Engineering.

“Our discovery revolutionizes the sensitivity and dynamic range achievable with optical force sensors, and has implications for applications from robotics to cellular biophysics, medicine to space travel,” said Dr. Jim Shack, a researcher at Columbia University. We expect that this technology will immediately disrupt technology in this field.”

The new nanosensor enables high-resolution, multiscale capabilities for the first time in the same nanosensor.

This means that this nanosensor alone, rather than a series of different classes of sensors, can be used for the continuous study of forces from the subcellular level to the whole system level in engineered and biological systems such as embryonic development. It is important because it means , moving cells, batteries, or integrated NEMS, highly sensitive nanoelectromechanical systems in which the physical movement of nanometer-scale structures is controlled by electronic circuits and vice versa.

“Aside from their unparalleled multiscale sensing capabilities, what makes these force sensors unique is that they operate with benign, biocompatible, and deeply penetrating infrared light,” said Natalie, a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University. said Dr. Fardian Melamed.

“This will allow us to peer deeply into various technical and physiological systems and monitor health conditions from a distance.”

“These sensors will enable early detection of system malfunctions and failures, and will have a major impact on sectors ranging from human health to energy and sustainability.”

Researchers were able to construct these nanosensors by exploiting the photon avalanche effect within nanocrystals.

In photon avalanche nanoparticles, the absorption of a single photon within the material causes a chain reaction that ultimately leads to the emission of many photons. Therefore, one photon is absorbed and many photons are emitted.

The optically active components within the nanocrystals studied are atomic ions from the lanthanide series of elements of the periodic table, also known as rare earth elements, doped into the nanocrystals. In this study, the scientists used thulium.

They found that the photon avalanche process is very sensitive to several things, such as the spacing between lanthanide ions.

With this in mind, they tapped a piece of a photon avalanche nanoparticle (ANP) with an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and found that the avalanche's behavior was influenced by these gentler forces than previously expected. I found that I was greatly affected.

“We discovered this almost by accident,” Shook said.

“We suspected that these nanoparticles were force-sensitive, so we measured the release while hitting the nanoparticles.”

“And they turned out to be much more sensitive than expected!”

“In fact, we couldn't believe it at first either. We thought the chip might be having a different effect.”

The authors knew how sensitive ANPs were, so they designed new nanoparticles that responded to force in different ways.

In one new design, nanoparticles change the color of their emitted light depending on the applied force.

In another design, they created nanoparticles that do not exhibit photon avalanches under ambient conditions, but start avalanching when a force is applied. These turned out to be very sensitive to forces.

They are now applying these force sensors to critical systems with the goal of making a big impact.

“The importance of developing new force sensors was recently highlighted by 2021 Nobel Prize Laureate Erdem Patapoutian. “It highlighted the difficulty of investigating biological processes,” said Dr. Shook.

“We are thrilled to be part of these discoveries that will transform the sensing paradigm and allow us to sensitively and dynamically map significant changes in forces and pressures in real-world environments that are unreachable with today's technology.” I think so.

team's work Published in today's diary nature.

_____

Natalie Fardian Melamed others. 2025. Infrared nanosensor from piconewton to micronewton forces. naturein press. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08221-2

This article is a version of a press release provided by Columbia University.

Source: www.sci.news

The Growth of Muslim-Friendly Websites and Apps: A Look at Halal Technology in 2024

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

aMany Kirawi create breakup playlists every time they get dumped, and there are three in total. A playlist featuring songs like Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” and OneRepublic’s “Apologize” would be the perfect soundtrack for a romantic split, but it wasn’t. The playlist was put together after Qirawi was told by three different banks and payment processors that they would no longer work with LaunchGood, a crowdfunding platform for the Muslim community that she co-founded.

Stripe said so. limit the work After working with LaunchGood for five years, we entered the crowdfunding space. Stripe also told the company that it no longer wanted to do any international humanitarian work, which is a prerequisite for crowdfunding platforms that cater to Muslim communities. Another bank told the company there were so many Muslim and Arabic names that it was difficult to know whether those names belonged to sanctioned individuals.

“People don’t realize that Muhammad is the most approved name,” said Kilawi, LaunchGood’s chief operating officer. With each layoff, it felt like LaunchGood was on the brink of collapse. “If we can’t accept payments, we can’t survive as a business,” she says.

Few existing options offered the stability and reliability that Killawi and his co-founders were looking for. So they did what a growing number of the founders of Islam have been doing ever since. It was about creating your own solution.

LaunchGood co-founders Amany Killawi, Chris Blauvelt, and Omar Hamid. Photo: LaunchGood

Now, more than a decade after its founding, LaunchGood is a well-known company that has helped its primarily Muslim user base raise nearly $700 million. Although the platform also hosts private fundraisers, LaunchGood is best known for: focus on philanthropy Users can also now set up automatic donations for every day of the holy month of Ramadan. It is the main gateway for many people during Ramadan, and many Muslims donate to charity every day during Ramadan.

The rise of this site and the challenges it faces are not unusual. According to studies and surveys, the “halal” consumer market, which includes halal food, financial services, and other goods and services aimed at Muslims, has grown to an estimated $2 trillion worldwide. Advisory company Dinar Standard. still 2022 survey Muslims are more likely than other religious groups to have their accounts closed, investigated, or challenged at banks and other U.S. financial institutions, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Social Policy Understanding (ISPU). More likely, businesses are effectively denied access to Muslim customers.

That’s why Kirawi decided to step away from his day-to-day responsibilities as LaunchGood’s chief operating officer and form a sister company, a payments processing company called PayGood, in 2024. She hopes to give what the LaunchGood team had to hack together to Muslim businesses and charities. As such, it is a non-discriminatory and reliable payment system.

“when [my co-founders and I] “We started 11 years ago and we just wanted to build a community,” Kirawi said. “We never thought we would have to become compliance experts. At some point, it felt very present. Can you survive in this world without financial access? ”

LaunchGood was one of the early entrants into the largely untapped Muslim-friendly technology space, while its sister company is a growing technology company aimed at catering to Muslims in the US, Canada, and the UK. Part of the enterprise and software companies. But what it means to be a Muslim-friendly company has begun to change since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Targeting Muslim consumers has always meant some alignment with the ethics and values of the Muslim community, such as offering halal dating apps, interest-free loans, and modest clothing. Now, this new player in Muslim-friendly technology is openly responding to growing demand among its target customers to make it easier to stop contributing to Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. Or working on it implicitly.

“What happened in Gaza last year struck a completely different nerve,” Qirawi said. “Palestine is a perennial issue for Muslims, but the level and scale of destruction over the past year has been unprecedented. It has accelerated this entire Islamic ecosystem and economy.” There's a new awareness among people: “Let's vote.'' ”

Even PayGood, which is still in beta, is starting to emerge as an alternative to major payment processors like Stripe and PayPal as Muslims decide whether these existing platforms align with their values. .

… (content continues)

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jeff Koons explains his decision to reject AI in the art world: “I refuse to take the easy way out”

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

HJeff Koons, the world’s most expensive artist, has faced criticism in the past for creating his famous balloon dogs and stainless steel rabbits without physically using his own hands. I have drawn a line. Work – I am contemplating using AI to enhance my work.

The art world is currently abuzz with discussions about the possibilities and risks of artificial intelligence. Deep learning models are now capable of replicating styles and generating unique compositions upon request.

Speaking to the Guardian at the launch of Reflections, a joint exhibition featuring his work alongside Pablo Picasso’s at Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Koons welcomed this divine development. His reliance on a team of craftsmen and cutting-edge technology to create his artwork led Collector magazine to question last year, “Is Jeff Koons a true artist?”

A work juxtaposed with Jeff Koons’ Ball of Gazes (David’s intervention with a Sabine woman) in Granada and Picasso’s Helmeted Head.

Koons has embraced technological advancements in his work. A highly mirror-polished stainless steel Rabbit he created five years ago, designed to mimic the look and materials of a balloon through intensive machining, fetched a record $91 million (£72.5 million). His previous bestseller, a 10-foot-tall steel balloon dog, sold for $58 million in 2013. Additionally, in February, 125 of his miniature lunar sculptures were sent to the moon via a SpaceX rocket, becoming the first authorized art pieces on the moon.

His Gazing ball series has been recreated, with a large blue glass bauble added to the shelf and selecting 35 out of 350 balls before finalizing the artwork. Koons is also exploring innovative avenues. He shared, “I have a few projects in mind. We have had insightful discussions with individuals at the forefront of AI development.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The peak of the first Shibungid meteor shower of 2025 is expected this week

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

overview

The annual Quadrantids meteor shower is scheduled to reach its peak early Friday morning.
This will be the first meteor shower in 2025.
The crescent moon sets before the shower peaks, so future shows won’t be overshadowed by moonlight.

Ring in the new year with the first meteor shower of 2025.

The annual Quadrantids meteor shower is scheduled to peak early Friday morning, before dawn. Showers have already begun to fall, but that’s when people in the northern hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing shooting stars. The celestial show will continue until January 16th, although some lucky ones might be able to find some photos on New Year’s Eve.

The Quadrantids meteor shower is caused by a piece of an asteroid called 2003 EH1, which takes more than five years to complete one orbit around the sun.

The Quadrantids meteor shower is known for producing brighter, and sometimes more colorful, fireball meteors because they originate from larger pieces.

By the peak of the rain early Friday morning, the crescent moon has already set, so there’s no danger of the shooting stars being obscured by the bright moonlight.

The Quadrantids meteor shower will be best visible in mid-northern to far northern latitudes on Friday before sunlight begins to shine. For ideal viewing, pack your bags and go somewhere with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, away from city lights.

Meteors can be seen with the naked eye without the need for special equipment.

In both clear and dark conditions, people were able to spot about 120 meteors per hour during the peak of the shower. According to NASA.

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through huge streams of debris from comets and asteroids. When these pieces of rock and space dust collide with the planet’s atmosphere, they flare up and streak the night sky as shooting stars.

While most other meteor showers take two or more days to reach their peak, the Quadrantids’ peak is short, lasting only about six hours. NASA says this is because the debris cloud is relatively thin and Earth’s orbit is such that the planet passes through it at a perpendicular angle.

Meteor showers are usually named based on where in the sky the shooting stars appear to originate from. For example, Perseid meteors appear to come from the constellation Perseus, and Geminid meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini.

However, the Cygnids meteor shower is named after a now-defunct constellation known as the Cygnus. This group of stars was not included when the International Astronomical Union compiled its list of recognized modern constellations in 1922, but the meteor shower retained its name.

The former constellation Quadrans Muralis was located near the Big Dipper. Although meteors may appear to come from this point in the sky, people should be able to see them across the sky without looking in a specific direction.

The next major meteor shower this year, following the Cygnids meteor shower, is the Lyrid meteor shower, which occurs in April.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Top 8 of the Spiciest Chili Peppers of 2025

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Over the past decade, there has been a fierce competition to discover the world’s hottest chili pepper. Despite numerous contenders for the title, one chili pepper has emerged as the victor with a confirmed Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) score exceeding 2 million. To provide some context, a plain jalapeño typically registers a mere 2,500 SHU.

The spiciness of a substance is gauged on the Scoville scale and quantified in Scoville heat units. Established in 1912 by American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville (hence the name), this scale assesses the concentration of capsaicin, a compound responsible for the piquancy or spiciness found in chili peppers.

Previously, capsaicin levels were determined by a panel of audacious taste testers, but contemporary labs now employ high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry for more precise measurements. This technological advancement has revolutionized the process of analyzing capsaicin levels.

With this knowledge in mind, here is an inventory of the officially recognized hottest chili peppers worldwide. Although there are purportedly even hotter chili peppers out there (such as Pepper X with an alleged SHU of 3,180,000), their ratings have not been officially validated yet.

8. Scotch Bonnet Pepper – 350,000 SHU

Photo credit: Getty

Commencing the list is the Scotch Bonnet chili pepper, a native pepper renowned for its spiciness found in West Africa and the Caribbean. Though its Scoville peak stands at 350,000, its lower boundary is reportedly around 100,000. Unlike other listed peppers, Scotch Bonnet is neither a cultivated variety nor a hybrid but grows naturally in tropical climates. Widely utilized in Caribbean cuisine, Scotch Bonnet offers a relatively more approachable heat level compared to other chili peppers on the list, but caution is still advised when consuming it whole.

7. Red Sabina Pepper – 350,000-577,000 SHU

Red Savina chili pepper held the title of the world’s hottest chili pepper from 1994 to 2006. With a maximum value of 577,000 SHU and a median heat rating of 463,500 Scoville, Red Savina offers a fiery experience that is slightly more manageable than what follows. When handling chili peppers, it is advisable to wear gloves and avoid contact with the eyes.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Games to Look Forward to in 2025: Dragons, Demons, and Grand Theft Auto VI

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Civilization VII

The rules of Civilization remain the same in this long-standing strategy series, but Civilization VII is set to receive a much-needed update. With a release date of February 11th, players can expect more leaders and peoples to choose from as they navigate world domination from ancient times to modern eras.
Released on February 11th on all platforms

Grand Theft Auto VI

Rockstar’s latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, Grand Theft Auto VI, features a female protagonist named Lucia and is set in a vibrant Florida environment resembling Vice City. With the immense success of GTA V, generating $8.5 billion, the anticipation for this game is high, although the release date is yet to be determined.
Release date: TBD on PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

From the creators of Life is Strange comes Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, a narrative game that follows a group of teenage bandmates on a mysterious journey. Jump between the summer of 1995 and the present day in this visually stunning game, released on February 18th.
Released on February 18th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC

Atom fall. Photo: Rebellion

monster hunter wilds

Embark on a thrilling adventure in Monster Hunter Wilds, a game by Japanese developer Capcom known for their impressive titles. With its captivating creatures, spectacular weapons, and diverse environments, this game promises an exciting experience for players. Release date set for February 28th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

atom fall

Fans of post-apocalyptic settings will enjoy Atomfall, a game from British developer Rebellion set in an alternate timeline following the 1957 Windscale fire in Britain. Pulpy references and elements from popular culture make this game a unique experience. Released on March 27th on PC, PS4/5, and Xbox.

DOOM: Dark Ages

Get ready for an even more intense experience in DOOM: Dark Ages, the next installment in the iconic first-person shooter series. Expect gore, demons, and medieval warfare in this high-octane game. Release date to be announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

metroid prime 4

Anticipated for the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor, Metroid Prime 4 is a space adventure game developed by Retro Studios. With a legacy of sci-fi excellence, fans are eager to see what new innovations this game will bring to the beloved series.
Release date: TBD on Nintendo Switch

Doom: The Dark Ages. Photo: Bethesda

Like a Dragon: Hawaiian Pirate Yakuza

Experience the oceanic adventures of Goro Majima in Like a Dragon: Hawaiian Pirate Yakuza, a game that combines Japanese gangster themes with high-seas action. Set to release on February 21st on PC, PS4/5, and Xbox, this game promises a blend of naval combat, sword-wielding, and treasure hunting.
Release date: February 21st on PC, PS4/5, Xbox

fable

Get ready for a comical fantasy adventure in Fable, starring Richard Ayoade and Matt King. This game aims to revive the beloved Fable series with its humor and unique British sensibilities. Release date to be announced for Xbox and PC.
Release date: TBA on Xbox, PC

Claire Obscur: Expedition 33

Enter a dark fantasy world in Claire Obscur: Expedition 33, a French game with a captivating storyline. Explore a twisted wilderness and unravel mysteries in a game filled with intriguing environments and supernatural elements. Release date to be announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

Source: www.theguardian.com

MicroStrategy’s Bold Investment in Bitcoin Sends Stock Price Soaring

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

I
In the summer of 2020, amidst the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic on economies worldwide, an overlooked American software company made a bold decision to diversify. MicroStrategy, located near a shopping mall and subway station in Tysons Corner, Virginia, felt that its traditional “software-as-a-service” business was not daring enough.

Instead, the company announced its plans to broaden its horizons by investing up to $250 million in alternative assets, including stocks, bonds, commodities like gold, digital assets such as Bitcoin, and other types of assets.

Fast forward less than five years later, and the sideline in Bitcoin has propelled MicroStrategy to new heights. The company’s stock price has skyrocketed by 20 times, pushing its market capitalization to nearly $75 billion, with its stock entering the Nasdaq 100 index of leading technology companies.

Co-founder and chairman Michael Saylor took a risk to embrace digital currencies after Donald Trump’s election victory, despite concerns about potential threats from volatile crypto prices. MicroStrategy has now become a preferred choice among UK investors as the token’s value has surged.

Saylor’s strategic vision transformed the company into the world’s first “Bitcoin treasury company.” MicroStrategy’s relentless pursuit involves a cycle where issuing bonds to purchase Bitcoin drives up MSTR stock prices, leading to more bond offerings to acquire additional Bitcoin.

Interestingly, Saylor likened Bitcoin to Manhattan real estate in 1650 and emphasized the company’s commitment to quarterly Bitcoin acquisitions.

Critics argue that Manhattan real estate provides stable rental income and potential property value appreciation. However, Saylor focuses on BTC yield, a key metric tracked by MicroStrategy to monitor the ratio of Bitcoin holdings to the company’s stock.

While some may feel they missed the boat with Bitcoin reaching $100,000 in December, Saylor confidently stated that he would buy $1 billion worth of Bitcoin daily even at that price.

Portfolio manager Michael Lebowitz criticized MicroStrategy for essentially “ripping off investors,” citing increased optimism about Bitcoin and heightened stock price volatility.

MicroStrategy’s financial results showed a decline in total revenue and a significant increase in net losses in the third quarter of 2024. Despite this, the company became the top stock choice for UK investors through Interactive Investor.

By the end of December, MicroStrategy had invested $27.9 billion to acquire a total of 446,400 Bitcoins. This represented around 2% of the total Bitcoin supply and was valued at approximately $42 billion at that time.

This strategic approach significantly boosted MicroStrategy’s stock price by almost 400% in 2024, with Bitcoin’s value doubling within that year.

MicroStrategy’s inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index was expected to accelerate the flywheel effect, as index-tracking ETFs would automatically purchase the company’s stock. This move was likened to Bitcoin entering the Nasdaq by industry analysts.

However, investors who bought in November might have witnessed a drop in value, as MicroStrategy’s stock price surged by 58% in November but declined over 20% in December.

In October, MicroStrategy unveiled plans to issue $21 billion in stock and bonds over the next three years to fund further Bitcoin acquisitions.

Shortly before Christmas, the company sought approval from shareholders to issue billions of additional shares, significantly increasing the number of Class A common stock.

MicroStrategy has become an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin without directly owning the cryptocurrency. Shares can be held through various accounts like Roth IRAs or ISAs.

Industry experts view MicroStrategy as a “Bitcoin agency,” catering to risk-tolerant investors seeking exposure to the cryptocurrency. The significant surge in Bitcoin prices, especially during specific periods, has further fueled interest in the company.

An essential component of MicroStrategy’s strategy involves issuing convertible debt with minimal or no interest payments. These instruments provide investors exposure to Bitcoin by converting into stock if the company’s value surges.

In December, MicroStrategy sold $3 billion in convertible notes without interest, convertible into stock at a premium above the stock price on the sale date.

Lebowitz cautioned that convertible note holders would profit only if the company’s stock price exceeds the conversion price upon maturity, potentially missing out on interest payments elsewhere.

MicroStrategy’s heavy reliance on Bitcoin holdings has led to the company being dubbed a leveraged Bitcoin holder, carrying significant risks in case of a market downturn.

Before embracing Bitcoin, Saylor faced a significant financial setback in 2000, losing billions of personal wealth in a day. MicroStrategy had to revise its earnings, leading to a steep decline in its stock price.

MicroStrategy is not alone in aspiring to benefit from the Bitcoin boom. Other players like Riot Platforms and Tesla have joined the trend, while Microsoft shareholders recently voted against adding Bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet.

Analysts have raised concerns about MicroStrategy’s vulnerability to Bitcoin price fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of Bitcoin’s sustained growth for the company’s success.

While Bitcoin enthusiasts believe in its resilience, the future of MicroStrategy’s strategy remains uncertain, particularly in the face of market volatility.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The danger of “broken down narcissists” and how to steer clear of them

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Narcissists are individuals who exhibit grandiosity and entitlement, often convinced of their own specialness. They typically lack empathy and constantly seek attention.

In severe cases, a person may receive a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. Despite their outward confidence, narcissism is believed to stem from deep-rooted insecurities referred to as “fragile narcissism.”

Research supports this notion. For instance, a brain scan study revealed that when narcissists viewed images of themselves, neural activity indicated negative emotions.

Another study found that narcissists display reduced connectivity between various brain regions related to self and reward. Neural regions related to self and reward.

For some narcissists, the need to attract attention and show off serves as a coping mechanism for personal self-doubt. However, this strategy can backfire if the narcissist faces rejection or public humiliation.

While the term “disintegrated narcissist” is not included in psychiatric diagnostic manuals, therapists and psychologists use it to describe a narcissist who experiences a breakdown, leading to feelings of deflation and anger.

Studies have shown that vulnerable narcissists react to imagined insults or rejection with feelings of sadness and self-hatred. Additionally, disintegrated narcissists often respond to provocation with shame, anger, and rage.

Attempting to bring a narcissist down a notch may escalate conflicts and worsen underlying insecurities. A better approach may involve helping the narcissistic individual build healthier self-esteem and cultivate empathy towards others.

This article is in response to a question posed by Jules Morrison via email: “What is a disintegrated narcissist?”

If you have any questions, please contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (remember to include your name and location).

Explore more:

How does a narcissist’s personality change with age?
How to identify the hidden narcissist in your life
Are we becoming more narcissistic?

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Failure of a Global Treaty to Reduce Plastic Pollution: Expert Marce Gutiérrez-Glaudis Discusses Next Steps.

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Marce Gutierrez-Glaudis was thrilled to participate in a historic event last month when over 170 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea, to negotiate a binding global agreement to reduce plastic pollution.

“We were hopeful that this would mark the end of our meetings,” shared a marine conservation expert from California who was part of the U.S. delegation, speaking to NBC News.

However, a global agreement did not materialize as countries failed to reach a consensus during the fifth and final round of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Commission.

“I am planning to engage in at least one more round in late spring or summer,” Gutierrez-Growdish mentioned. Instead of delaying potentially problematic treaties for years, he emphasized the importance of investing more time in exploring methods to oversee funding, transparency, and national accountability.

Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiche founded Azul, a nonprofit organization that protects marine resources, after witnessing the decline of fish in her work in commercial fishing and aquaculture.Provided by: Azure

Wrapping up the year, a Mexican-American environmental leader shared insights. As the Founder of Azure, they are committed to safeguarding marine resources through positive and forward-thinking actions.

Researchers project that without effective measures, plastic pollution could double by 2050, while a global treaty could potentially reduce it by 91%.

Despite challenges like the recent deadlock and the uncertain future in South Korea, concerns linger about the next Trump administration potentially causing a breakdown. Gutierrez-Groudish emphasized the need to focus on collaboration rather than political affiliations when it comes to international agreements and environmental protection, stating, “We must set aside our political or federal preferences.”

Experts in marine conservation stressed the bipartisan nature of environmental issues, finding resonance among the Latin American community. “People are becoming more aware that things are changing and crises are on the rise.”

For instance, in California, residents are witnessing escalating temperatures, water scarcities, and increased wildfires, while across the nation, devastating impacts from recent severe hurricanes are evident.

Mr. Gutierrez-Groudis mentioned: Her organization conducted a poll among 2,500 Latino registered voters earlier this year, revealing widespread support for increased government investment in ocean protection, even if it entails higher costs for individuals.

Regarding plastic use, Over 70% of Latino voters backed bans on single-use plastics, while 75% supported regulations on plastic manufacturing chemicals. The majority favored an international treaty to eliminate plastic pollution, even if it meant adhering to challenging and costly regulations in the U.S.

While recent headlines have focused on microplastics’ presence in humans, Gutierrez-Groudish advocates for a comprehensive approach targeting plastic production’s root causes and impacts.

Highlighting the need to address the entire plastic production lifecycle and its repercussions, she and her team are formulating a comprehensive plan for forthcoming international conferences.

Witnessing the Impact Directly

Before establishing Azul in 2011, Gutierrez-Graudish began her career in commercial fishing and aquaculture, overseeing logistics and operations—experience that sensitized her to environmental degradation due to dwindling fish supplies and rising fuel costs. “I observed it firsthand,” she shared. “It was a profound moment that steered me towards conservation.”

As she gears up for global negotiations, her nonprofit Azul is actively spearheading three campaigns in her state. The Deja el Plastico (No Plastic) initiative endeavors to mitigate plastic pollution in California, leading to a state-wide ban on single-use plastic bags in 2016.

Gutierrez-Glaudis noted that Latina grandmothers can offer practical examples of reducing plastic consumption, alluding to the “Abuela Bag.” “My grandma had reusable bags, not the trendy eco-friendly ones you find at stores, but the concept remained the same,” she reminisced.

Azul’s Vamos a La Playa (Let’s Go to the Beach) campaign centers on coastal accessibility, seeking to ensure Californians can enjoy shoreline access granted under the more than 40-year-old California Coastal Act. She accentuated the importance of clear communication at local levels to inform communities of their rights.

“Many people don’t realize that the coast is for everyone, and we need to rectify any sense of exclusion,” Gutierrez-Groudish emphasized. “I’ve witnessed this firsthand.”

Having also launched the Latino Marinos (Latino Mariners) Campaign, an advocacy branch inspired by her experiences, Gutierrez-Graudis aims to foster inclusivity and provide resources for underrepresented groups in maritime conservation.

Marce Gutierrez-Glaudis will speak to students at the GenSea Binational Academy in November.Provided by: Azure

“We are creating an inclusive environment and providing opportunities and tools,” Gutierrez-Groudish shared. “Our mission is to translate potential, not just language but transformative opportunities.”

A couple of years ago, Azul unveiled the Rising Leaders Initiative, offering a chance to visit Washington, D.C. for Ocean Week and interact with elected officials.

Excited about the increasing diversity within conservation fields, Gutierrez-Groudish praised social media for making conservation more accessible. She encouraged enthusiasts to connect virtually and engage with organizations like hers to enter the conservation arena.

For individuals wondering about their environmental impact, Gutierrez-Groudish reassured them by stating that every effort counts, even simple actions like using reusable items and reaching out to elected representatives can make a significant difference.

She advocated that caring for the environment is not limited to specific actions, but rather stems from mindful decisions and actions.“People used to say to me, ‘I don’t drive a Prius.’ If they’re making mindful choices and valuing environmental issues, they too are environmentalists,” she concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

China government dismisses allegations of hacking US Treasury | Cybercrime

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The Chinese government has responded to allegations linking Chinese government-supported attackers to the recent cyber breach at the U.S. Treasury Department, dismissing the accusations as “baseless.”

The breach was carried out through a third-party cybersecurity service provider, according to a letter from the Treasury to lawmakers. The hackers were able to access keys used by vendors to bypass certain parts of the system.

The Treasury Department confirmed that the incident took place earlier in the month, allowing the attackers to remotely access the workstation and obtain some unclassified documents.

China refuted the claims on Tuesday, stating that it opposes all forms of hacker attacks and especially rejects the propagation of false information for political motives.

Speaking on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning said, “We have consistently refuted these unfounded accusations without supporting evidence.”

The Treasury Department reported the breach to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency after being informed by the third-party provider and is collaborating with law enforcement to assess the situation.

A department spokesperson stated, “The compromised services have been disabled, and there is no indication that the attackers continued to infiltrate Treasury systems or data.”

In a letter to the Senate Banking Committee leadership, the Treasury Department stated, “Based on available evidence, this incident appears to be the work of a Chinese state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor.”

APT refers to a cyber attack where an intruder gains unauthorized access to a target and remains undetected for an extended period.

The ministry did not disclose the extent of the impact of the breach but promised to provide further details in a subsequent report.

“The Treasury Department treats any threat to our nation’s systems and data with utmost seriousness,” the spokesperson emphasized.

Several countries, including the United States, have expressed concerns about Chinese government-supported hacking campaigns targeting their governments, militaries, and enterprises.

While the Chinese government has denied the allegations, it has previously stated that it opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyber attacks.

In September, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the neutralization of a global cyber attack network affecting 200,000 devices, allegedly operated by Chinese government-backed hackers.

In February, U.S. authorities revealed the dismantling of a hacker network called Bolt Typhoon that targeted critical public infrastructure at China’s direction.

In 2023, Microsoft disclosed that China-based hackers had infiltrated email accounts at numerous U.S. government agencies in search of intelligence information.

The hacker group “Storm-0558” breached the email accounts of around 25 organizations and government agencies, including the State Department and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Can the Arrival of Affordable Electric Vehicles in Europe Rescue Automakers in the Automotive Industry?

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

aIn recent years, affordable new electric family cars have become scarce in Europe, particularly those manufactured in the EU. Campaign group Transport and Environment reports that no electric models produced domestically and priced below €25,000 (£20,740) will be available for sale across the EU in 2022-23.

However, the landscape has shifted in recent months with the introduction of new cars like the Fiat Grande Panda, Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Instar, Dacia Spring, and Renault 5. This sudden influx has provided buyers with more options.

This change is not coincidental. As stricter EU carbon emissions targets take effect on January 1, car manufacturers are facing the need to sell more electric vehicles to avoid fines. The industry is pushing for relaxed rules, while environmentalists are advocating for a firm stance from the EU.

Globally, automakers are grappling with weak demand for both battery-powered and internal combustion engine models. This profit decline occurs at a challenging time as the industry seeks funding for the costly shift to electric vehicles (EVs).

While 2024 saw record-breaking electric vehicle sales worldwide, driven by China’s growing industry, European markets are experiencing a slowdown. Analyst Matthias Schmidt predicts a 1.4% sales decrease in the 18 largest Western and Northern European markets over the past year.

The decline can be attributed to the cessation of generous subsidies for new EVs in Germany, the largest EV market in Europe. The end of a €5,000 incentive per car has posed challenges, impacting EV sales not only in Germany but also in other countries like France.

electric car sales chart

Some automakers are faring better than others in meeting emissions targets. While Ford struggles with Cologne-made electric car sales, BMW, Stellantis, Tesla, Polestar, and Volvo are ahead of their targets, allowing them to sell “credits” to competitors.

The sales dip has put political leaders on alert, as automakers blame regulations for potential factory closures. Volkswagen announced plans to close up to three factories in Germany, while Ford is cutting jobs in Europe. This has led industry associations to lobby for relaxed emissions standards to protect jobs.

In the UK, manufacturers have successfully argued against fines, leading to calls for a unified approach. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association is urging the European Commission to provide clarity on emissions standards to safeguard jobs.

fiat grande panda. Stellantis has repeatedly halted assembly operations at its headquarters factory in Mirafiori, Italy. Photo: LaPresse/Alamy

European policymakers may consider easing emissions regulations, with discussions set to begin in January. Efforts to relax rules are being led by some EU governments.

However, concerns persist about the long-term impact of deregulation. Analysts and activists warn that relaxing targets could jeopardize European industry, allowing Chinese EV startups to gain ground in the market.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Parker Solar Probe successfully completes record-breaking closest approach to the sun

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

On December 24, 2024, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will soar just 6.1 million km (3.8 million miles) above the surface of our home planet and hurtle through the solar atmosphere at 692,000 km (430,000 miles) per hour. I did. This is the fastest speed the spacecraft has ever achieved. An object made by humans. A signal received two days later confirmed that the spacecraft had safely passed the encounter and was operating normally.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe approaches the Sun. Image credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Near the Sun, the Parker Solar Probe relies on a carbon foam shield to protect the probe from the extreme heat in the upper part of the Sun’s atmosphere, called the corona, which can exceed 500,000 degrees Celsius (1 million degrees Fahrenheit).

The shield is designed to reach temperatures of 1,427 degrees Celsius (2,600 degrees Fahrenheit) while keeping the instruments behind it shaded at a comfortable room temperature.

In the hot but low-density corona, the spacecraft’s shield is expected to warm up to 982 degrees Celsius (1,800 degrees Fahrenheit).

“Flying this close to the Sun is a historic moment in humanity’s first mission to the stars,” said Dr. Nikki Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

“Studying the Sun up close will allow us to better understand its impact on the entire solar system, including the technologies we use every day on Earth and in space, and will also help us understand the workings of stars throughout the universe. We can learn about and help us explore habitable worlds beyond our home planet.

“Parker Solar Probe will venture into one of the most extreme environments in the universe,” said Dr. Noor Rawafi, a researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and project scientist for the Parker Solar Probe. It has exceeded all expectations.”

“This mission ushered in a new golden age of space exploration and brings us closer than ever to solving the sun’s deepest and most enduring mysteries.”

Parker Solar Probe’s record-breaking distance of 6.1 million kilometers (3.8 million miles) may seem far away, but on a cosmic scale it’s incredibly close. Image credit: NASA/APL.

“Being able to get a spacecraft this close to the sun is monumental,” said John Wurtzberger, a researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and Parker Solar Probe mission systems engineer. .

“This is a challenge the space science community has wanted to address since 1958, and we’ve spent decades advancing technology to make it possible.”

The Parker Solar Probe will fly through the solar corona to help scientists better understand how the region gets hot, track the origins of the solar wind, and discover how energetic particles We can make measurements that will help us discover how it accelerates to half the speed of light.

“This data is extremely important to the scientific community because it gives us new advantages,” said Dr. Kelly Kolek, a program scientist at NASA Headquarters.

“Parker Solar Probe revolutionizes our understanding of the Sun by providing first-hand knowledge of what is happening in the Sun’s atmosphere.”

So far, the rover is only transmitting that it is safe, but it will soon arrive at a location where it can downlink the data it collects on this latest solar pass.

“The data coming down from the spacecraft will provide fresh information about places we humans have never been before. This is an amazing accomplishment,” said Joe, director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division. Dr. Westlake said.

The spacecraft’s next planned solar approaches will take place on March 22, 2025 and June 19, 2025.

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers delve into the three-dimensional makeup of the Milky Way galaxy

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using data from the APOGEE survey, astronomers from the Potsdam Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, the University of Vienna, and the Paris Observatory reconstructed the properties of “hidden” stars within the Milky Way’s disk.

Several real star orbits are shown on the overall starlight of the Milky Way galaxy. Image credit: S. Khoperskov / AIP.

“With each dramatic increase in the number of stars, our understanding of the Milky Way has improved,” said Dr. Sergei Khopelskov of the Potsdam Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics and his colleagues.

“From the earliest observations to increasingly advanced space and ground-based telescopes, each milestone has revealed new layers of the galaxy’s complex structure and motion.”

“Although the amount of star research continues to expand, our view of the Milky Way remains very vague because most of the stars we can study are concentrated around the Sun.”

“This discrepancy is primarily due to fundamental limitations in our observations resulting from our position in the central plane of the Milky Way’s disk.”

“At our location, the amount of stars we might be able to observe is limited by their brightness, but also by the possibility of interstellar medium blocking or dimming, called annihilation. It is affected by dust and gas.”

The authors have developed an innovative method to fill gaps in our understanding of the Milky Way’s structure.

“Rather than relying solely on observations of individual stars, we can use the entire orbits of actual stars to represent the structure and dynamics of galaxies,” they explained.

“As stars move around the center of the galaxy, they serve as a tool for mapping areas of the galaxy that our telescopes cannot directly reach, including areas on the opposite side of the Milky Way.”

“Using a model of the Milky Way’s mass distribution and observed star positions and velocities, we not only calculated the stars’ orbits, but more importantly, how much mass is associated with each orbit. I measured what I should do.”

Using a new technique, we apply it to a large sample of stars using spectroscopic parameters from the star. APOGEE surveyThis is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, in which researchers mapped the kinematics of stars across the Milky Way.

They revealed the complex motion of stars within the bar region, unhindered by distance measurement uncertainties.

Astronomers quantified the galaxy’s mass-weighted chemical abundance and age structure by reconstructing the star’s orbit using real Milky Way stars with precisely determined parameters.

This approach avoids the challenges posed by dense interior regions and the disappearance of the interstellar medium, and provides a comprehensive view of the stellar population, including previously unobservable regions on the Milky Way’s far side.

“You can look at this approach from a different perspective,” Dr. Hopelskov said.

“Imagine that for every star we observe, there is a large sample of stars that follow the exact same orbits but were not captured by surveys for various reasons.”

“What we’re doing is reconstructing the positions, velocities and stellar parameters of these invisible stars and filling in the missing parts of the galaxy’s structure.”

“The new data strongly suggest that the Milky Way formed in two distinct stages, as evidenced by the different age and chemical abundance relationships.”

“The inner disk lies well inside the Sun’s radius and formed relatively quickly during the early stages of galactic evolution.”

“About 6 to 7 billion years ago, the outer disk began to assemble, rapidly expanding the radial extent of the Milky Way and forming its current structure.”

Source: www.sci.news

New sauropod dinosaur species uncovered by paleontologists in China

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

newly discovered dinosaur species, Richeron WangiIt is central to the transition from early sauropods to sauropods. paper Published in a magazine Peer J.

Photograph of the skull (A) and interpretive line drawing (B) Richeron Wangi In right side view. Image credit: Wei Gao.

Richeron Wangi They roamed the Laurasian supercontinent during the early Jurassic period, about 193 million years ago.

This new species was a non-sauropod dinosaur in the clade. Masopoda.

“Non-sauropod sauropods were the dominant sauropods from the Norian period (227 to 208 million years ago) to the end of the Early Jurassic period (175 million years ago). “They were the main group of herbivores until they were replaced,” Dr. Qian said. Nan Zhang is a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology and the Nanjing Institute of Science. Department of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues.

“Since Thecodontosaurus Since it was first established, more than 40 valid nonsauropod sauropods have been reported worldwide. ”

“Most of these genera were identified from Gondwana and recovered primarily from South America and southern Africa.”

“The Early Jurassic was a critical period for tracing the early radiation and diversification of sauropod dinosaurs,” the researchers added.

“Nearly all of the non-sauropods currently recovered in China have been reported from Yunnan Province, and the Early Jurassic Lufeng Formation is the most fossil-rich Mesozoic unit in the province.”

“Despite the well-preserved and abundant nature of these Lufeng materials, comparative studies and cladistic analyzes have underestimated the number of rare skulls in particular.”

Richeron WangiA partial skeleton of was recovered from the middle-upper part of the Shawan Formation of the Lufeng Formation near Jiutou Village, Yunnan Province, China.

The specimen includes a skull and mandible, as well as a nine-articulated cervical vertebrae.

“This new species differs from other terrestrial species in both cranial and cervical features,” the paleontologists said.

“It has some automorphisms of the nasal process, maxillary neurovascular foramen, and cervical neurovertebral column.”

The research team's phylogenetic analysis revealed the following: Richeron Wangi It is a sister species of Yunnanosaurus.

“Richeron Wangi “It has the largest skull among the abundant sauropod members of the Lufeng Formation,” the researchers said.

“Therefore, a reconsideration of phylogenetic analyzes using individual specimens of ascertainable ontogenetic stages as operational taxonomic units is undertaken to obtain generally better resolution.”

“Our study provides new insights to previous authors who addressed the anatomy of Lufeng species and represents a first step toward a reassessment of this famous dinosaur fauna.”

“Furthermore, Gondwanan early sauropod paleontological diversity appears to have decreased slightly across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.”

“We therefore hypothesize that a non-sauropod genus of sauropods survived and rapidly radiated from Laurasia, particularly China.”

“Furthermore, the reconstruction of the ancestral region of Lufeng sauropods is temporally ambiguous.”

“However, the consequences of multiple rounds of dispersal and exchange may explain the continued diversification advantage of non-sauropods in the Lufeng Formation.”

“The limited paleobiogeographic information available from Richeron Wangi “This provides evidence that at least sauropods, or an early sauropod lineage closely related to sauropods, were present in southwestern China during the Early Jurassic.”

_____

Q. Chan others. 2024. The largest sauropod skull excavated from the Lufeng Formation of the Lower Jurassic period in China. Peer J 12: e18629;doi: 10.7717/peerj.18629

Source: www.sci.news

Advancements in Research Shed Light on Habitability of Oceanic Worlds in Our Solar System and Beyond

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In a new paper, planetary researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Washington introduce a new thermodynamic concept called centotectics to investigate the stability of liquids under extreme conditions. This is important information for determining the habitability of icy moons and oceanic exoplanets.

Europa's surface stands out in this newly reprocessed color view. Image scale is 1.6 km per pixel. North of Europe is on the right. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SETI Institute.

Exploration of icy ocean worlds represents a new frontier in planetary science, with a focus on understanding the potential of these environments to support life.

New research is addressing fundamental questions in this field. Under what conditions can liquid water remain stable on these distant frozen bodies?

The authors provide an important framework for interpreting data from planetary exploration activities by defining and measuring the cenotect, the absolute minimum temperature at which a liquid remains stable under various pressures and concentrations.

This research combines their expertise in cryobiology with their expertise in planetary science and high-pressure water ice systems.

Together, they developed a framework that bridges the disciplines to tackle one of the most fascinating challenges in planetary science.

2016 artist concept for the European Clipper spacecraft. As spacecraft development progresses, the design changes. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

“The launch of NASA's Europa Clipper, the largest planetary exploration mission ever launched, ushered us into a decades-long era of exploration of the frigid ocean world,” said Dr. Baptiste Journeau, a planetary scientist at the University of Washington. It's coming in,” he said.

“Measurements from this and other missions will tell us the depth of the ocean and its composition.”

“Laboratory measurements of liquid stability, particularly the lowest possible temperature (a newly defined cenotect), combined with the mission results will help us determine how habitable the solar system's cold, deep oceans are, and how likely they will ultimately be. It will be possible to completely constrain what the temperature will be.''The fate would be when the moon or planet cools down completely. ”

“The study of icy worlds is a particular priority for both NASA and ESA, as evidenced by the spate of recent and upcoming spacecraft launches,” said Dr. Matt Powell-Palm, a planetary scientist at Texas A&M University. Ta.

“We hope to help Texas A&M provide intellectual leadership in this area.”

of paper Published in the Journal on December 18, 2024 nature communications.

_____

A. Zaris others. 2024. On the equilibrium limit of liquid stability in pressurized water systems. nut community15;doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54625-z

Source: www.sci.news

The Strongest Material in the Universe: Ultra-Dense Cosmic “Pasta”

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The concept of “strength” in materials refers to their ability to withstand deformation caused by external forces.

Typically, the strongest materials are the densest ones because atoms in close proximity offer greater resistance to compression. However, factors like structural properties can also influence strength, leading to exceptions like graphene, which is the strongest natural material despite not being the densest like osmium.

Some high-density states of matter, formed when massive stars collapse, are incredibly strong compared to ordinary matter. For instance, white dwarf stars have a structure composed of carbon and oxygen nuclei surrounded by electrons experiencing degeneracy pressure, preventing further compression.

However, in cases of extreme density like neutron stars, the degeneracy pressure of densely packed nuclei and free protons and neutrons overcomes electron degeneracy pressure, halting further collapse.

Nuclear pasta is created by the conflicting forces of protons and neutrons, resulting in various shapes. This tightly bound and incredibly strong material is believed to be the most robust substance in the universe. – Credit: Mark Garlick

The material within neutron stars is about 100 trillion times denser than anything found on Earth. While the exact structure is complex and uncertain, a theorized thin layer within the star undergoes a transition from normal to ultra-dense matter, forming different shapes known as nuclear pasta.

Scientists consider this ultra-dense material to be the strongest substance in the universe, estimated to be at least 10 billion times stronger than steel.

This article addresses the question (from Colin Davids of Bridgewater): “What is the strongest material in the universe?”

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Hubble’s Observation of a Spiral Galaxy Hosting a Supernova

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has released a beautiful photo of spiral galaxy LEDA 22057 taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

This Hubble image shows spiral galaxy LEDA 22057 about 650 million light-years away in the constellation Gemini. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/RJ Foley, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Leda 22057 It is located in the constellation Gemini, about 650 million light years away from Earth.

Also known as AGC 170923, MaNGA 11743-12703, or 2MASX J07524264+1450263, this galaxy is the site of a supernova explosion.

“This special supernova… SN2024piwas discovered by automated research in January 2024,” Hubble team members said in a statement.

“This survey covered the entire northern half of the night sky every two days and cataloged more than 10,000 supernovae.”

New images of LEDA 22057 consist of observations from. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WCF3) Located in the infrared part of the spectrum.

“SN 2024pi is visible in this image,” the astronomers said.

“SN 2024pi’s pale blue dot, located just below and to the right of the galactic nucleus, stands out against the galaxy’s ghostly spiral arms.”

“This image was taken about a month and a half after the supernova was discovered, so the supernova appears many times fainter here than at its peak brightness.”

According to the researchers, SN 2024pi supernova belongs to type Ia.

“This type of supernova requires a remarkable object called a white dwarf, which is the crystallized core of a star with a mass less than about eight times the mass of the Sun,” the researchers said.

“When a star of this size runs out of hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, becoming colder, swollen, and brighter.”

“Over time, pulsations and stellar winds strip away the star’s outer layers, leaving behind a white dwarf and a colorful planetary nebula.”

“White dwarfs can have surface temperatures of over 100,000 degrees Celsius and are extremely dense, packing almost the mass of the Sun into a sphere the size of Earth.”

“Nearly all stars in the Milky Way will someday evolve into white dwarfs, a fate that awaits our Sun in about 5 billion years, but not all of them will explode as Type Ia supernovae.”

“For that to happen, the white dwarf must be part of a binary star system.”

“If a white dwarf siphons material from its stellar partner, it could become too massive to support itself.”

“The resulting runaway fusion explosion destroys the white dwarf in a supernova explosion visible many galaxies away.”

Source: www.sci.news

The upcoming advancements of 3D cell culture in biomedical research

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

For more than a century, scientists have studied how cells grow and develop to aid medical research and drug development. They grow plant and animal cells in laboratory equipment such as Petri dishes, glass plates, and various media, producing collections of newly grown cells called “cells.” cell culture. Scientists carefully maintain cell cultures for research, providing the cells with the nutrients and environmental conditions they need to survive and reproduce. By studying them, researchers have advanced the scientific community’s understanding of cellular life and developed new drugs and vaccines against diseases such as cancer.

Currently, scientists grow most cell cultures in dishes or flasks. 2D culture. Two-dimensional or 2D cell culture confines cells to an unnatural flat space, limiting their growth and range of movement. These obstacles lead to less than optimal precision in 2D cell culture experiments, so scientists have invented new three-dimensional approaches to address these limitations.

This new approach consists of growing cells in three-dimensional systems such as spherical plates, gel-like materials that provide structural and biochemical support. hydrogelor specialized equipment that creates a controlled environment to regulate the delivery of nutrients. bioreactor. These systems allow cells to grow in all directions, just as they do in nature and in the human body. Scientists call these devices: three dimensional or 3D cell culture. 3D cell culture provides a more realistic environment in which cells can migrate, interact, mature, and organize into complex structures that resemble organ tissues.

The team of scientists wanted to assess the current state of 3D cell culture technology and how it is being adopted in the field of microbiology. Researchers have discovered that scientists are effectively using 3D cell cultures to develop vaccines, model tumors, and develop patient-specific cancer treatments. They explained that 3D cell culture is superior to 2D cell culture in these areas because artificially flat conditions limit the amount of cell growth. This limitation allows drugs and treatments aimed at killing cells or slowing their growth to appear to work, when in fact the cells are simply responding to the shape of their environment. This may create an illusion.

As part of their evaluation, the research team found that cells growing in all directions interact with their environment in ways that better mimic human tissues, forming structures like clusters of epithelial cells or the invasive patterns of cancer cells. I also discovered that. They explained that this realism will improve the accuracy of treatments, drug tests, and vaccine tests by more effectively replicating how treatments target cells and tissues in the body. . Although 3D cultures address many of the limitations of 2D systems, such as mechanical and biochemical relevance, they still face challenges such as reproducing the complexity of immune interactions.

One of the central problems with 3D cell culture that researchers have identified is that some researchers find it prohibitively expensive. Constructing a 3D cell culture can be 2 to 10 times more expensive than a 2D cell culture. Additionally, scientists have a hard time creating and maintaining them because they are very complex in design and require specialized equipment to maintain.

The researchers say these factors made adopting these practices a lengthy process for biomedical researchers. The researchers predicted that slow adoption could cause problems in the future, as researchers pioneering these unusual techniques may have trouble finding qualified reviewers to evaluate their experiments. . You will also have fewer colleagues qualified to reproduce your results.

Scientists concluded that 3D cell culture provides a more accurate model for drug testing, cancer research, and tissue engineering. Therefore, it could reduce researchers’ reliance on animal models, streamline drug development, and potentially lead to safer and more effective treatments. However, despite the many advantages of 3D cell culture, challenges such as high cost, technical complexity, and need for standardization continue to hinder its widespread adoption. The team’s proposed solution is to make 3D machining more accessible and improve overall efficiency. They also suggested that future researchers continue to use 3D cell cultures to push the boundaries of medicine by exploring applications in regenerative medicine and personalized cancer treatments.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Dating app set to unveil AI capabilities to assist users in finding the perfect match

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Feeling exhausted from writing dating profiles or swiping endlessly on dating apps? Wondering if dating apps are even worth it? Let a digital buddy handle the work for you.

As user fatigue becomes apparent with a noticeable decline in user numbers, the world’s largest online dating company is fighting back with artificial intelligence that promises to “revolutionize” online dating. Introducing an intelligent assistant.

Match Group, the tech company holding the biggest dating platform portfolio globally, recently announced a heightened investment in AI for new products launching in March 2025.

The upcoming AI assistant will take on essential dating tasks like selecting photos to maximize responses, suggesting prompts and profile information, and assisting users in finding their ideal match.

Through audio interviews, the AI will understand users’ dating objectives and recommend messages to send to matches based on shared interests.

Additionally, the AI will offer coaching for struggling users and provide tips on how to enhance profile visibility for those facing challenges in getting attention from matches.

Match Group CEO Bernard Kim expressed to investors that the company’s focus on AI signifies the start of a new phase known as the “AI transformation.”

Last month’s Ofcom report suggested a decrease in subscribers for Tinder and Hinge, the primary apps under Match Group, indicating a drop in app usage compared to the previous year.

Gary Swidler, Match Group’s president and CFO, emphasized the ongoing investment in AI technology to streamline the dating experience and highlighted the forthcoming benefits for investors and users.

However, critics like Anastasia Babas raise concerns about the potential negative impact of increased reliance on AI in dating, highlighting issues around personal agency, data privacy, and bias elimination.

Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno acknowledged the cautious approach towards AI data processing while committed to integrating it into the mainstream to transform user interactions thoughtfully.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Significance of Skin Care for Long-Term Wellness

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The skin is undoubtedly the body's largest organ. Depending on your height and weight, Covers an area of about 1.5-2 square meters They weigh between 3.5 and 10 kilograms, which is about 15 percent of their total body weight.

Think of it as a kind of intellectual armor. It helps us sense the world around us, protects our internal organs, and protects us from pathogens. This is reason enough to take good care of it, especially for the following reasons: premature skin aging Your ability to perform all of these functions may be reduced and your risk of infection may increase. But new research suggests the effects on skin health may be even more profound.

To understand why, we need to examine its structure. The skin is made up of three layers. The outer waterproof epidermis is constantly regenerated. The dermis underneath is filled with collagen and elastin fibers. And underneath, the subcutaneous tissue, or subcutaneous tissue, is made of fat and connective tissue and is filled with cavities that help cushion the rest of the body from impact. Damage to these layers can cause skin cells to excrete inflammatory proteins. In the short term, this may increase blood flow to the injury site and speed healing. However, if high levels of inflammation are maintained over a long period of time, those chemicals can accumulate and spread to other organs with the help of the vast network of blood vessels within the dermis, causing organ damage. .

accelerated aging

Aging can accelerate this process. As we age, our skin loses collagen, water, and fat and becomes more fragile. To make matters worse, many skin cells enter a state called senescence, where their production of inflammatory chemicals increases. This potentially toxic cocktail appears to amplify the risk of age-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Although there is no conclusive evidence for this hypothesis yet, various evidences Now we support it. For example, animal studies have shown that skin damage can cause widespread inflammation. Meanwhile, researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Does someone's face look older or younger than their actual age? It was associated not only with general cognitive function, but also with an overall risk of developing cataracts, osteoporosis, hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In the future, “aging therapy” drugs may be developed that remove aging cells, including those in the skin, or block the release of inflammatory proteins. these are Still in developmentbut progress is promising. On the other hand, there are many lifestyle changes that can help all of us take care of this important and fascinating organ. Read on to learn more.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The President’s Overlooked Achievements at NASA

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Many have speculated about what prompted Mr. Carter to make this decision.

A 2016 study by Ars Technica suggested that Mr. Carter considered using the Space Shuttle as a tool for securing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. During the 1979 Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, Carter agreed that the Space Shuttle would not be used to build factories or missiles, thereby ensuring Soviet compliance. He even hinted that he could monitor the launch site.

National security reasons may have also influenced the White House’s support for the development of the space shuttle.

Neal, a source, mentioned, “I believe this convinced him that the shuttle had a valid purpose and should be preserved.”

Mr. Carter confirmed to Ars Technica that he discussed the space shuttle with Mr. Brezhnev, providing a different explanation for his choice. He stated, “I wasn’t enthusiastic about sending humans on missions to Mars or space. However, we believed the shuttle was a beneficial way to continue NASA’s progress. We did not want to squander the investments we had already made.”

Neal pointed out that this rationale aligns with Carter’s character and leadership style.

“He was hands-on, a natural and trained engineer,” she remarked. “He was not a lawyer or a natural politician. I think he felt that canceling the program was inappropriate but that there needed to be a clearer definition of what the shuttle’s capabilities were.”

Despite the political climate, Carter’s decision to save the space shuttle program was likely challenging.

“Looking back, it was a brave decision,” she acknowledged.

As president, Carter supervised some of NASA’s less daunting achievements.

He included a written statement on NASA’s twin Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977 with a mission to explore the outer reaches of the solar system and beyond.

According to Matthew Shindell, curator of planetary science and exploration at the National Air and Space Museum, Carter’s message on the Voyager spacecraft was intended to introduce humanity to any alien civilization that might intercept it during its journey.

The “Golden Record” carried by Voyager was a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc containing sounds and images depicting Earth’s diverse life and cultures.

The “Golden Record” carried by Voyager was a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc containing sounds and images selected to depict the diversity of life and culture on Earth.
NASA (via AP)

Carter’s words became a profound message to the cosmos.

“This is a gift from a small world far away, symbolizing our sounds, science, images, music, thoughts, and emotions. We are striving to survive and hope to address our challenges and one day join the galactic community. This record encapsulates our aspirations and resolve in the vast and marvelous universe, embodying goodwill.”

The Voyager probes continue their journey through space. Voyager 1 ventured more than 15 billion miles from Earth, while Voyager 2 covered about 13 billion miles. Both have traveled longer than any other spacecraft in history.

In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, surpassing the outermost boundaries of the Sun’s influence and journeying into the space between stars.

Although the Voyager mission was planned before Carter’s presidency, the years of strategic planning to take advantage of the optimal planetary alignments resulted in launching a spacecraft during his administration. The peak had been reached.

“The achievements of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in visiting all the planets will likely not be replicated in our lifetimes,” observed Shindell. “They have paved the way for our continued fascination with exoplanets.”

Despite his significant contributions to the country’s space program, Mr. Carter’s space legacy is often overlooked.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Lisa Nandy urges YouTube and TikTok to promote higher quality content for children

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Britain’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has reached out to video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok, urging them to prioritize the promotion of high-quality educational content for children.

Recent data indicates a substantial shift in children’s viewing habits, with a significant decrease in TV consumption over the past decade. Instead, children, aged between 4 and 8, are increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube and TikTok for entertainment, according to Nandy.

During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Nandy mentioned the government’s intention to engage in dialogue with these platforms initially, but warned of potential interventions if they do not respond positively.

She emphasized the importance of the high-quality educational content produced in the UK, which plays a crucial role in informing children about the world, supporting their mental well-being and development, and providing entertainment. However, she expressed concerns about the lack of similar quality in content on video-sharing platforms compared to traditional broadcasters.

Former BBC presenter Floella Benjamin, acting as a guest editor on the show, described these platforms as a “wild west” filled with inappropriate content.

Nandy highlighted the government’s efforts to remove harmful content for children and stressed the need to address deeper issues related to the quality of content children consume.

She acknowledged the democratic nature of platforms like YouTube, where individuals can build careers from home, but also emphasized the responsibility to ensure the content is appropriate for young viewers.

Regarding the decrease in funding for children’s television, Nandy mentioned the Young Audiences Content Fund as a positive initiative to boost production. She believed that increasing investment might not be the solution, as the focus should be on reaching all children, including those who do not watch traditional TV.

Despite concerns raised by Benjamin about a crisis in children’s television, Nandy praised the sector as a valuable asset for Britain, from networks like CBeebies to beloved shows like Peppa Pig. She emphasized the government’s role in supporting and nurturing this content, even if it may not be highly profitable.

Nandy admitted the challenges of monitoring her own son’s online activities but commended the platform’s filtering mechanisms and highlighted the positive influence of educational content like news programs.

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Nandy confirmed contacting Ofcom to elevate the importance of children’s television in their regulatory considerations and urged a review of public broadcasting, anticipated in the summer.

She stressed the necessity of balancing the influx of investment from platforms like Netflix and Disney with preserving and promoting uniquely British content without overshadowing it.

This involves forming partnerships with public broadcasters to expand online content availability and ensure adequate recognition and support for their contributions, as per Nandy’s statements.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Top 10 Strangest News Stories From 2024

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This year has brought us a variety of reasons to celebrate, from new vaccine developments to climate tipping points.

But let’s not forget about the stories that fascinated, shocked, and puzzled us. Here are some of our favorite moments from the past year:

1. Hippos can fly

Hippo running patterns mean they are technically capable of flight – Credit: Barbara Yuste Zambrano

It turns out hippos can spend up to 15 percent of their stride cycle in the air due to their fast running speed.

2. Poop frequency is an important health indicator

The volume of our poop is linked to key health indicators – Credit: Peter Dazeley

Researchers have found that having one or two bowel movements a day can have long-term health benefits.

3. A strange UFO is hurtling through space

Giant red dwarf star distorted by travel speed – Credit: Mark Garlick/ Science Photo Library

Scientists are still trying to figure out the mysterious object hurtling through space at incredible speeds.

4. Pompeii’s victims were not who we thought they were.

Two fossilized bodies from the Pompeii explosion lie next to each other – Credit: Pompeii Archaeological Park

New DNA evidence has provided insights into the victims of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD.

5. Robot skin

Robot with living skin – Credit: Takeuchi et al. CC-BY-ND

Scientists have developed robot skin made from human cells, a step towards creating more durable robots.

6. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark

If you’ve ever wondered who would win, a killer whale or a great white shark, we now have the answer – Credit: Serge Melesan

Scientists observed an orca attacking and killing a great white shark, showcasing a rare predator-prey interaction.

7. ‘Zombie’ cannibal star discovered

A white dwarf star was discovered with scars indicating it cannibalized other celestial bodies.

8. New Loki Dinosaur

A reconstruction of Lokiceratops, which was surprised by a crocodile in a 78-million-year-old wetland in northern Montana, USA. – Image credit: Andrey Atutin

A newly discovered horned dinosaur was named after the Norse god Loki for its distinctive features.

9. New cat color

A new cat fur color has been discovered. This color was named “Salted Licorice” – Credit: Ari Kankainen

A unique cat fur color known as “Salted Licorice” was identified this year.

10. Megalodon research community during the war

Was megalodon lean or fat? A new study sparks controversy in paleontology. – Photo credit: Alamy

New research about the prehistoric shark Megalodon and its size and shape has sparked debates in the paleontology community.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists might have uncovered the answer to the mystery of whale calls

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Approximately 50 million years ago, the ancestors of land-based whales transitioned into the oceans, developing various adaptations for their new aquatic life.

They acquired nostrils on the top of their heads for easier breathing at the surface, while their limbs evolved into flippers and fins for swimming. Although the vocalizations of humpback and other baleen whales were well-known, the method by which they produced these sounds remained a mystery until recently.

Studying the sounds of live whales in the vast oceans presented a significant challenge. In a groundbreaking study released in early 2024, scientists were able to examine the voice box of baleen whales by studying the larynxes and carcasses of three stranded whales – a humpback, a sei whale, and a minke whale, which were in relatively good condition.

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2024/12/GettyImages-1254094926.mp4

Whales communicate through low bass sounds.

The larynx of baleen whales is a peculiar organ consisting of elongated cylinders that press against a fat cushion in a rigid U-shape. When air was blown into the larynx, the cushion vibrated, producing low-frequency sounds.

Live whales recycle air through their larynx, enabling them to vocalize without inhaling water or depleting their air supply. Researchers also developed a 3D computer model of the whale’s larynx to demonstrate how muscles control sound production.

This research revealed that the baleen whale’s vocalizations overlapped in frequency with the noise generated by ship propellers.

Due to the structure of whales’ larynx, they lack the ability to adjust their vocal pitch to avoid colliding with underwater ship sounds, making it challenging for them to communicate over long distances in increasingly noisy oceans.

This article addresses the query “How do whales sing in the ocean?” (submitted by Howard Hinchcliffe via email).

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Researchers suggest that AI tools may soon have the ability to control individuals’ online choices

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the ability to influence online viewers into making decisions, such as what they purchase and who they vote for. The researchers from Cambridge’s Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) are exploring the concept of the “intention economy,” where AI assistants can understand, predict, and manipulate human intentions, selling this information to companies for profit.

According to the research, the intention economy is seen as a successor to the attention economy, where social media platforms attract users with advertising. The intention economy involves technology companies selling information about user motivations, from travel plans to political opinions, to the highest bidder.

Dr. Johnny Penn, a technology historian at LCFI, warns that unless regulated, the intention economy will turn human motivation into a new form of currency, leading to a “gold rush” for those who sell human intentions. The researchers emphasize the need to evaluate the impact of such markets on free and fair elections, freedom of the press, and fair market competition.

The study highlights the use of large-scale language models (LLMs) in AI tools like ChatGPT chatbots, which can predict and guide users based on behavioral and psychological data. Advertisers in the attention economy can buy access to user attention through real-time bidding on ad exchanges or future advertising space on billboards.

In the intention economy, LLMs work with brokered bidding to leverage user data for maximum efficiency in achieving objectives, such as selling movie tickets. Advertisers can create customized online ads using generative AI tools, with AI models driving conversations across various platforms.

The research suggests a future scenario where companies like meta may auction off users’ intentions for activities like booking restaurants and flights to advertisers. AI models will adapt their output based on user-generated data, providing highly personalized formats. Tech executives have discussed the potential of AI models to predict user intent and behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding user needs and desires.

Source: www.theguardian.com

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Explore the key questions about skincare in our latest special series. topic:

1. Hippos can fly

2. Poop frequency is an important health indicator

3. A strange UFO is hurtling through space

4. Pompeii’s victims were not who we thought they were.

5. Robot skin

6. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark

7. ‘Zombie’ cannibal star discovered

8. New Loki Dinosaur

9. New cat color

10. Megalodon research community during the war

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