New observations from ALMA indicate that planets can form in challenging stellar environments

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) to take high-resolution images of eight protoplanetary disks. sigma orionisa star cluster that is irradiated with strong ultraviolet light from a massive star. Surprisingly, they found evidence of gaps and rings in most of the disks. These are the substructures commonly associated with the formation of giant exoplanets.

These ALMA images show the rich disk structure around the star Sigma Orioni. Image credits: ALMA / ESO / JAO / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan / NRAO / Huang others.

“We expected that high levels of radiation within this cluster would inhibit planet formation in the outer regions of these disks,” the Columbia University astronomers said. jane fan.

“But instead, we are seeing signs that planets may be forming at distances of tens of astronomical units from their stars, similar to what we have observed in less harsh environments.”

Previous research has focused on regions of the disk with little ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

This study used ALMA's highest resolution to observe a disk in a much harsher environment.

“These observations suggest that the processes driving planet formation are very robust and can function even under difficult conditions,” said Dr. Huang.

“This gives us even more confidence that planets may be forming in many more places across the galaxy, even in areas previously thought to be too harsh.”

The discovery has important implications for understanding the formation of our own solar system, which likely evolved in a similar high-radiation environment.

These also motivate future studies of disks in more extreme stellar neighborhoods.

Astronomers used ALMA's most extended antenna configuration to obtain unprecedented detail in disk images, achieving a resolution of about 8 AU (astronomical units).

This allowed us to resolve several different gaps and rings on several disks.

The exact nature of these disk structures is still under debate, but it is thought that they either contribute to planet formation or are the result of interactions between the forming planet and the disk's material.

“Our observations suggest that the substructure is common not only in disks near mildly illuminated star-forming regions, but also in disks exposed to intermediate levels of external ultraviolet radiation.” the researchers said.

“If these substructures track planet-disk interactions, ice and gas giant planets may still be forming on Solar System scales in Sigma Orioni, but with very large semi-major axes (50 Giant planet formation in the ~100 AU) region may be rare compared to star formation in nearby regions. ”

“These observations motivate high-resolution imaging of the disk in more extreme ultraviolet environments to investigate the universality of the disk's substructure.”

of findings Coming up this week are: astrophysical journal.

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jane fan others. 2024. High-resolution ALMA observations of the highly structured protoplanetary disk of σ Orionis. APJ 976,132;doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad84df

Source: www.sci.news

Podcast: The untold story of how a double agent named ‘Stakeknife’ was never caught

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This week showcases an international drug ring, a trivia quiz, and an IRA double agent. At least two of them are truly exciting listens (keep reading to discover which ones will get your heart racing).

Late-night podcast listeners have nothing to worry about this week. This newsletter won’t get your heart racing enough to disrupt your relaxation time. We’ll also provide you with an overview of the top five shows to unwind with at the end of a busy day. You’re welcome. Sweet dreams!

Alexi Duggins
TV Deputy Editor-in-Chief

This week’s picks

Always an optimist…Red Carpet’s Yara Shahidi. Photo: John Salangsang/REX/Shutterstock

Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi
Wide range of weekly episodes available
Yara Shahidi, an award-winning actor for comedies “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish,” believes she can inject more optimism into her life. To achieve this, she created a podcast to guide people on the journey to positivity. Shahidi engages in an inspiring conversation with singer, actor, and “professional self-esteem writer” Janelle Monae and Yale happiness expert Dr. Laurie Santos, who share in her optimism project. We invite you to join in. Holly Richardson

stake knife
BBC Sounds, weekly episodes
How did Freddy Scappatic (codename: Stakeknife) manage to lead a double life for so long? Mark Hogan delves into the intricate case of a man who operated as a double agent while hunting down an IRA informant. It all starts with his outrage over a published article revealing his identity and the subsequent period of incubation. Hannah Verdier

Operation Seal Bay
BBC Sounds, weekly episodes
“This is the tale of how a small Welsh community and local police unite to take on an international drug cartel.” The opening summary of this new series is undeniably captivating. Depicting, in an exhilarating and immersive manner, the efforts of a Danish tycoon to siphon cannabis from a fishing village in Pembrokeshire. Alexi Duggins

SmartLess introduces ClueLess
Episodes are widely available bi-weekly
The popular show SmartLess now presents a quiz-based spin-off where host Sean Hayes tackles trivia questions with his celebrity friends. It’s a unique way to listen, almost like eavesdropping on a pub quiz team, and a tad too early for potential participation. However, the banter with SmartLess co-hosts Will Arnett and Jason Bateman in the inaugural episode is entertaining. advertisement

kings of death
Wide range of weekly episodes available
This true crime podcast promises a fresh perspective on the 1990s murder of Ohio sex worker Cindy Cozad. Yet, even those prepared for intense depictions can rest assured. Host Thrasher Banks unfolds a personal and poignant narrative about his mother’s encounters with the deadly Lords of Death gang. HV

There’s a podcast for that

Chew on the fat…Jesse and Renee Ware's chatty cooking podcast is the perfect way to focus. Photo: Paul Hansen/Observer

This week, Ammar Kalia selects the 5 best podcasts for switching off, from comedians’ soothing shows to Jesse and Lenny Ware’s mellow podcasts.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists discover precise form of individual photon

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New research from the University of Birmingham examines the properties of photons (individual particles of light) in more detail than ever before.

Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou define the precise shape of a single photon. Image credit: Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou.

Professor Angela Demetriadou from the University of Birmingham said: “The geometry and optical properties of the environment have a significant impact on how photons are emitted, including defining their shape, color, and even the likelihood of their existence.” said.

The team's new research shows how photons are emitted by atoms and molecules and how they are shaped by their environment.

The nature of this interaction creates endless possibilities for light to exist and propagate, or travel, through the surrounding environment.

However, this infinite possibility makes modeling interactions extremely difficult, a challenge that quantum physicists have been grappling with for decades.

By grouping these possibilities into distinct sets, the authors explain not only the interaction between the photon and the emitter, but also how the energy from that interaction is transmitted far into the far field. I was able to create a model.

At the same time, they were able to use calculations to visualize the photons themselves.

“Our calculations have enabled us to transform a seemingly unsolvable problem into a computable problem,” said Dr. Benjamin Yuen from the University of Birmingham.

“And almost as a byproduct of the model, we were able to generate this image of a photon that physics had never seen before.”

This research is important because it opens new research avenues for quantum physicists and materials scientists.

Being able to precisely define how photons interact with matter and other elements of its environment allows scientists to discover ways to communicate securely, detect pathogens, control chemical reactions at the molecular level, and more. We can design new nanophotonics technologies that have the potential to change the world.

“This research will help us better understand the energy exchange between light and matter, which in turn will help us better understand how light radiates into nearby and distant environments,” Yuen said. Ta.

“A lot of this information used to be thought of as just noise, but there is so much information in it that we can now understand and use. .”

“By understanding this, we have established a foundation from which we can engineer light-matter interactions for future applications such as better sensors, improved photovoltaic cells, and quantum computing.”

of work Published in a magazine physical review letter.

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Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou. 2024. Precise quantum electrodynamics of synchrotron radiation environments. Physics. pastor rhett 133, 203604; doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.203604

Source: www.sci.news

Justice Department argues in court filing that Google must sell Chrome to end search monopoly

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

U.S. prosecutors have told a judge that Alphabet Inc.’s Google should take steps to end its monopoly on Internet search by selling off its Chrome browser and sharing data and search results with competitors.

This would result in a decade of heightened regulation for Google, as ruled by a Washington federal court that found the company maintained an illegal monopoly on online search and related advertising.

Google currently controls about 90% of the online search market.

In a court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) stated, “Google’s illegal conduct not only deprived competitors of important distribution channels but also hindered their entry into these markets through new and innovative ways, eliminating potential distribution partners.”

The recently filed court papers further detail the U.S. government’s plan to break Google’s monopoly, which Google considers radical and harmful to American consumers and businesses.

Google intends to appeal the proposal.

The Justice Department’s demands include prohibiting Google from rejoining the browser market for five years and potentially requiring the sale of its Android mobile OS if competition is not restored through other means.

Additionally, the department seeks to prevent Google from acquiring or investing in search rivals, query-based artificial intelligence products, or advertising technology.

The Justice Department and a group of states have asked U.S. District Judge Amit to terminate Google’s exclusive contracts paying Apple and other device vendors to make its search engine the default option on tablets and smartphones.

Google will have an opportunity to present its counterproposal in December, with a trial scheduled for April, subject to potential interference by President-elect Donald Trump and the Justice Department’s incoming antitrust chief.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scimitar-tooth cat cub found in permafrost in Yakutia estimated to be 36,000 years old

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

of Frozen specimen from 36,000 years ago Originally from Yakutia Homotherium latidensA species of scimitar-toothed cat that lived in Eurasia during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.The modern lion cub is characterized by elongated front legs, an unusually shaped muzzle with a large mouth and small ears, and a very large body. differs greatly. Neck area and dark coat.

homotherium serum. Image credit: Sergiodlarosa / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Homotherium latidens It was 1.5 to 2 meters long, up to 1.1 meters high, and weighed up to 200 kilograms, about the same size as an average modern lion or tiger.

However, its physical appearance is It was different Differences from other big cats: This extinct species had long saber-like canine teeth, a sloping back, and a short tail.

“homotherium was widespread during the Pliocene to Pleistocene in Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas,” said lead author Dr. Alexei Lopatin and his colleagues.

“For a long time, as the latest presence, homotherium Records in Eurasia were recorded in the Middle Pleistocene. ”

“The key event was the discovery of a late Pleistocene mandible. Homotherium latidens It comes from the North Sea and dates back 28,000 years. ”

“The largest number of Late Pleistocene discoveries homotherium It is concentrated in North America (more than 30 regions), where it is traditionally classified as a species. homotherium serum”

In the new study, the authors examined frozen mummified corpses. Homotherium latidens A baby discovered in the Pleistocene permafrost at a place called Badlyikskoe, along the Badlyikkha River in northeastern Yakutia, Siberia.

“A large number of bones of representative mammoth animals have been collected from the loess loam of the Yedma horizon in this region,” they said.

Researchers say the Bajarica specimen is about 36,000 years old.

“The specimen includes the head and the anterior part of the body, which was preserved up to the caudal end of the thorax,” the researchers said.

“Some people have an incomplete pelvis with joints that connect with the femur and shin bones.”

“The baby was found trapped in ice along with its front part.”

According to the team's analysis, most of the postcranial features are Homotherium latidens It can be tracked already at 3 weeks of age.

“The length of the preserved part is homotherium The length from the tip of the baby's nose to the thoracic gap (at the level of the 12th vertebra) is 248 mm,” the scientists said.

“The body is Covered with short, thick, soft dark brown fur The length of the hair is about 20-30mm. The fur on the back and neck is longer than on the legs. ”

“Two rows of wool are clearly visible on the upper lip, most of which are broken off at a height of 3 to 5 mm from the base.”

“The hair around the corners of the mouth has grown considerably.”

“The overall morphology of the skull is typical of juvenile felines,” the researchers added.

“The skull is also characterized by a relatively long facial area, a rounded braincase, an expanded zygomatic arch, a wide area of the premaxilla, and large maxillary deciduous incisors.”

“The bones of the nose are homotherium Compared to lion cubs, the cubs are significantly shorter and wider. ”

“The neck is longer than a lion's and more than twice as thick,” they said.

“The difference in thickness is explained by the large amount of muscle visually observed at the site where the skin was separated from the mummified flesh.”

“The length of the forelimb is homotherium Lion cubs are 18-23% larger than baby lions. ”

“At the same time, the body length of the latter is homotherium Or about 10% more. ”

“The increased size of the mouth cleft indicates adaptation to a wider mouth cleft.”

” front paws homotherium turnip It has a round shape. Its width is about the same as its body length, in contrast to lion cubs, whose front legs are long and relatively narrow. ”

“All claws are sharp and strongly curved. In cross section, the claws are laterally compressed, giving them the same shape as a lion cub.”

“The wide feet, square-shaped pads, and lack of carpal pads are adaptations to walking in snow and cold temperatures.”

“The pinna is small and low, and there is no carpal bone in Bajarica.” homotherium This contrasts with the taller pinnae and normally developed pads of lion cubs. All these characteristics can be interpreted as adaptations to life in cold climates. ”

discovery of Homotherium latidens Cub fundamentally expands our understanding of the distribution of this genus and confirms its presence in the Late Pleistocene of Asia.

“For the first time in the history of paleontological research, the appearance of an extinct mammal with no analogues in modern fauna has been directly studied,” the authors concluded.

their paper Published in this week's magazine scientific report.

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AV Lopatin others. 2024. Mummy of a young saber-toothed tiger Homotherium latidens From the Upper Pleistocene of Siberia. science officer 14, 28016; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-79546-1

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient nematode fossils resembling Ediacaran species discovered in Australia

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

For decades, paleontologists have hypothesized that a major group of animals called ecdysizoans must be older than the Cambrian, but until now their origins have remained a mystery. discovery of Unkus Zaugishi A research team led by Professor Mary Droser at the University of California, Riverside says that the large gap between predictions based on molecular data and the lack of description of ecdysizoans prior to the rich Cambrian fossil record has been reconciled and animal life This will deepen our understanding of the evolution of .

Digital photography and 3D laser scanning Unkus Zaugishi body fossils. Scale bar – 10 mm. Image credit: Hughes others., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.030.

Ecdysids are the largest and most species-rich group of animals on Earth, containing more than half of all animals.

Characterized by a cuticle (a tough external skeleton that is periodically shed), this group consists of three subgroups. Arthropods, including insects, spiders, and crustaceans. and Scaridophora, an eclectic group of small scaly marine creatures.

“Like many modern animal groups, ecdymozoans are prevalent in the Cambrian fossil record, and at the beginning of this era, about 540 million years ago, we see evidence of all three subgroups. We can,” said Ian Hughes, a graduate student in oceanography. Studied biology at Harvard University.

“We know that they didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere, so the ancestors of all ecdysizoans originated in the preceding Ediacaran period (635 to 539 million years ago). It must have existed.”

“DNA-based analyzes used to predict the age of fauna by comparing it to its closest living relatives supported this hypothesis.”

“However, ecdysozoan fossil animals remain hidden among the large number of animal remains that paleontologists have discovered during the Ediacaran period.”

Newly described Ediacaran ecdysizoan, Unkus Zaugishi was only a few centimeters long.

Gathering of 82 people Unkus Zaugishi The specimen was discovered in Nilpena-Ediakara National Park in South Australia.

Dr. Scott Evans of Florida State University said, “Nilpena is perhaps the best fossil site in the world for understanding the evolution of early animals, because fossils occur during periods of increased diversity, and these “This is because we can excavate extensive rock formations that preserve snapshots of the world.” .

“The layer we found was Unkus Zaugishi It's especially interesting because the grains in the sediment are so small that you can actually see every detail of the fossils preserved there. ”

“We were excited to find evidence for what scientists have long predicted: the presence of ecdymozoans during Ediacaran times,” Hughes said.

“It’s also very important for understanding what these early animal groups looked like and their lifestyles, especially since ecdysizoans really came to dominate the Cambrian marine ecosystem.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper in a diary current biology.

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Ian V. Hughes others. An Ediacaran bilaterian from South Australia with an affinity for molting animals. current biology published online on November 18, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.030

Source: www.sci.news

DESI’s Latest Observations Confirm General Relativity’s Predictions

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

astronomer using dark energy spectrometer The most advanced instrument (DESI) aboard NSF's Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory maps how nearly 6 million galaxies cluster together over 11 billion years of the universe's history I did. Their results provide one of the most rigorous tests of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity to date.

This artist's impression shows the evolution of the universe, starting with the Big Bang on the left and continuing with the emergence of the Cosmic Microwave Background. The formation of the first stars ends the Dark Ages of the universe, followed by the formation of galaxies. Image credit: M. Weiss / Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“General relativity has been very well tested at the scale of the solar system, but we also needed to test whether our assumptions work on even larger scales,” said the CNRS and Institute for Nuclear and High Energy Research. said cosmologist Dr. Pauline Zarouk. Physics.

“Studying the rate of galaxy formation allows us to directly test our theory, and so far it is consistent with what general relativity predicts on cosmological scales.”

In a new study, Dr. Zarouk and his colleagues found that gravity behaves as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

This result validates our main model of the universe and limits the possibility of a modified theory of gravity. Modified gravity theories have been proposed as an alternative way to explain unexpected observations, such as the accelerated expansion of the universe, which is usually attributed to dark energy.

This complex analysis uses around 6 million galaxies and quasars, allowing researchers to look up to 11 billion years into the past.

Today's results provide an expanded analysis of DESI's first year of data. DESI created the largest 3D map of the universe to date in April, revealing hints that dark energy may be evolving over time.

April's results examine a particular feature of how galaxies cluster together, known as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs).

The new analysis expands the scope by measuring how galaxies and matter are distributed across the universe at different scales.

The study also improved constraints on the mass of neutrinos, the only fundamental particle whose mass has not yet been precisely measured.

Neutrinos slightly affect the clustering pattern of galaxies, which can be measured by the quality of the DESI data.

The DESI constraints are the most stringent to date and complement those from laboratory measurements.

The study required months of additional work and cross-checking. As with the previous study, they used a method that kept the results of the study hidden from the scientists until the end, reducing unconscious bias.

“This research is one of the important projects of the DESI experiment to learn not only fundamental aspects of particles, but also fundamental aspects of the large-scale universe, such as the distribution of matter and the behavior of dark energy.” he said. Dr. Stephanie Juneau is an astronomer in NSF's NOIRLab and a member of the DESI Collaboration.

“By comparing the evolution of the distribution of matter in the universe with existing predictions, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity and competing theories, we are further narrowing down the possibilities for the gravitational model.”

“Dark matter makes up about a quarter of the universe, and dark energy makes up another 70%, but we don't actually know what either is,” says Dr. Mark Maus. student at Berkeley Lab and the University of California, Berkeley.

“The idea that we can take pictures of the universe and address these big fundamental questions is amazing.”

The DESI Collaboration today shared its results below. some papers in arXiv.org.

Source: www.sci.news

Ethiopian Wolf Makes History as First Large Carnivore to Consume Flower Nectar

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

by honey collectors Ethiopian wolf (canis mensis) may contribute to pollination of Ethiopian Red Hot Poker Flower (Kniphofia foliosa)According to new paper Published in a magazine ecology.

Ethiopian wolf (canis mensis) Lick the nectar of the Ethiopian Red Hot Poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa). Image credit: Adrian LeSafre.

Ethiopian wolf too known as The red jackal, Ethiopian jackal, Abyssinian wolf, horse jackal, Simien jackal, or Simien fox, is the world's rarest wild canid.

The seeds are listed as endangered species IUCN, citing their small number and fragmented scope,

Found only in the highlands of Ethiopia, fewer than 500 individuals survive in 99 herds confined to six Afroalpine enclaves.

This large carnivore's main prey is the African mole rat, but it also eats other types of rats, hares, and sometimes geese and eggs.

Dr. Sandra Rai, a researcher at the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program and the University of Oxford, and her colleagues observed Ethiopian wolves foraging for wolf nectar. Kniphofia foliosa.

“Kniphofia foliosa is an endemic Ethiopian perennial found in the Bare Mountains and other high-altitude grasslands, where the endemic Ethiopian wolf, a top predator restricted to African alpine ecosystems, also lives.” said.

“Flowers from kniphofia This genus produces large amounts of nectar and attracts a variety of bird and insect pollinators. ”

The researchers say some Ethiopian wolves visit up to 30 flowers on a single trip, with multiple wolves from different packs exploiting this resource.

There is also evidence of social learning, with children being taken to flower gardens with adults.

By doing so, the wolf's muzzle becomes coated with pollen, which can be transferred from flower to flower as the wolf feeds.

This new behavior is probably the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large predator, and it is also the only large carnivorous predator ever observed to feed on nectar.

Professor Claudio Cirello of the University of Oxford, founder and director of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program, said: “I first discovered the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker when I saw shepherd children in the Bale Mountains licking the flowers.'' I learned of its existence,” he said.

“Soon I tasted it too. The honey had a pleasant sweetness.”

“When I later saw the wolves doing the same thing, I could see that they were having fun tapping into this rare energy source.”

“We are pleased to report that this behavior is common among Ethiopian wolves and to investigate its ecological significance.”

“These findings highlight how much we still have to learn about one of the world's most threatened carnivores,” Dr Lai said.

“This also shows the complexity of the interactions between the different species that inhabit Africa's beautiful roofs.”

“This extremely unique and biodiverse ecosystem remains under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation.”

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sandra rye others. Are canids pollinators? Nectar collection by Ethiopian wolves may contribute to wolf pollination. Kniphofia foliosa. ecologypublished online on November 19, 2024. doi: 10.1002/ecy.4470

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Uncover the Newest Transiting Exoplanet

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have discovered a transiting exoplanet, named IRAS 04125+2902b, orbiting a 3 million-year-old, 0.7 solar mass protostar in the Taurus Molecular Cloud.

Artistic interpretation of the IRAS 04125+2902 system. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / R. Hurt & K. Miller, Caltech & IPAC.

The radius of IRAS 04125+2902b is 0.96 the radius of Jupiter, and the mass is

This giant exoplanet, also known as TIDYE-1b, orbits its parent star. IRAS 04125+2902once every 8.83 days.

The system is located approximately 522 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.

it is part of Taurus Molecular Cloudan active star nursery with hundreds of newborn stars.

“IRAS 04125+2902b casts doubt on previous theories about the rate of planet formation,” said astronomer Madison Barber of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues.

“While Earth took 10 to 20 million years to form, this exoplanet emerged in just 3 million years and orbits its star almost every week.”

“When we discover planets like this, we can look back into the past and get a glimpse of how planets formed.”

First detected by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), IRAS 04125+2902b is the newest known transiting planet.

The discovery sheds light on potential differences between our solar system and planetary systems that host nearby giant planets, such as IRAS 04125+2902b, and provides greater context about our own cosmic neighborhood. We provide.

Additionally, because the planet is still within a disk of nascent material, scientists will be able to study its formation up close, opening up new avenues of research.

Follow-up research will analyze how the planet's atmosphere compares to the surrounding disk material, providing clues about its journey into a compressed orbit.

Astronomers will also investigate whether IRAS 04125+2902b is still growing through accretion of material, or whether it may have lost its upper atmosphere to its host star.

“Planets typically form from flat disks of dust and gas, which is why the planets in our solar system are arranged in a 'pancake-flat' arrangement,” says the Young World Institute's said lead researcher and astronomer Dr. Andrew Mann. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“But here the disk is tilted and out of alignment with both the planet and its star. This is a surprising twist that calls into question our current understanding of how planets form.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper Published in today's magazine nature.

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MG Barber others. 2024. A giant planet passing through a 3 million meter protostar with a misaligned disk. nature 635, 574-577; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08123-3

Source: www.sci.news

Cities are becoming uninhabitable due to extreme heat – how can we adapt?

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Humidity makes Shanghai’s heat even more unbearable

lukyeee1976/Getty Images

“My office was like a steamer on Monday morning,” Chinese influencer Bi Dao wrote in a social media post in August. He removed a drink from what appeared to be a cold water dispenser, and its temperature was 40.8°C (105°F). Bi, who lives in Hangzhou, a provincial city on China’s east coast, decided to walk around the city with a temperature gun and point it at things to find out exactly how much the temperature was rising. “The ground was 72.6 degrees Celsius, the seat of a shared bike was 56.5 degrees Celsius, the handrails of the subway station were 45 degrees Celsius, and even the bark of a tree was 38.7 degrees Celsius,” he wrote. He concluded his post by thanking Willis Carrier, who invented air conditioning.

Hangzhou is known for its beautiful lakes, large pagodas, and rolling green tea fields, but it’s not known for its heat. But Bi witnessed just one of the 60 “hot days” above 35 degrees Celsius that have scorched the city and its 12.5 million residents this year. It’s not just Hangzhou. Many cities around the world are feeling the heat. The situation has gotten so bad that more and more people are facing temperatures that are beyond what humans can tolerate.

Approximately 500,000 people die each year due to these conditions. This rate will inevitably rise as climate change increases the number and intensity of heat waves around the world. Cities are on the front lines of this ongoing crisis. And China’s vast, densely populated metropolises are leading the way. At the same time we can get a glimpse of the situation we are in…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Robot Pigeon Uncovers the Secrets of Bird Flight without Vertical Caudal Fins

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A pigeon-inspired robot has uncovered the mystery of bird flight without vertical tails found in human-designed aircraft. The prototype has the potential to lead to passenger planes that can reduce drag and fuel consumption.

The vertical stabilizer, or tail fin, in aircraft allows for side-to-side turns and prevents unintentional changes in direction. Some military aircraft, like the Northrop B-2 Spirit, are designed without tails to reduce radar visibility. Instead, they use inefficient methods like flaps creating extra resistance on one side.

Research by David Lentink at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands led to the development of the PigeonBot II to study how birds maintain control without vertical stabilizers.

PigeonBot II, a robot designed to imitate bird flight techniques

Eric Chan

SEI 230190334 — PigeonBot II, a robot designed to imitate bird flight techniques

Eric Chan

The previous model, built in 2020, mimicked bird flight by flapping wings but had a traditional tail. The new design, featuring 52 real pigeon feathers, incorporates a bird-like tail, and successful test flights confirm its functionality.

Lentink explains that PigeonBot II’s success lies in its programmed, reflexive tail movements resembling those of birds. The intricate tail movements contribute to stability, proven by the robotic replica’s flight.

The team controlled PigeonBot II’s nine servo motors, utilizing propellers on each wing for steering and tail adjustments in response to the autopilot’s commands. Lentink notes that the complexity of these reflex movements prevents direct human control of PigeonBot II.

After numerous unsuccessful tests, the control system was refined, enabling safe takeoff, cruising, and landing. Lentink envisions a future where vertical stabilizers are unnecessary, reducing weight and drag in aircraft designs.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Mayors are essential leaders in the fight against climate change.

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

2XMXH3D London, UK. July 30, 2024. UK Weather: A heatwave sunset over St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge ends a warm Tuesday. Temperatures today are expected to reach over 30C, potentially making it the UK's hottest day of the year so far. Credit: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Live News

It hasn’t been a good year for people concerned about climate change. The expected peak in carbon emissions has not appeared, meaning global warming continues to accelerate (see ‘Humans have warmed the planet by 1.5°C since 1700’). Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s election as US president for a second term and his pledge to “drill, baby, drill” new oil and gas supplies could lead the country to backtrack on climate action. expensive.

Similar sentiments against fossil fuels come from Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who called the oil-rich country’s natural resources a “gift from God.” Aliyev made the comments at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. Ironically, this “gift” will become increasingly unavailable as a warming world dries up the Caspian Sea and strands billions of dollars in fossil fuel infrastructure. (See ‘We face climate disaster as the world dries up’).

Given the failure of politicians on the international stage to grasp the reality of climate change, other leaders need to step up, but surprisingly, mayors are the best suited to do so. Maybe it’s the position.

It will be essential for cities to adapt to cope with the unique impacts of urban heat.

Mayors cannot be expected to influence the Earth’s climate, but they oversee the well-being of more than 50 percent of the world’s population who live in urban centers. This number is expected to increase to 70 percent by 2050. Current projections are for spot temperatures to increase by 2.5 degrees Celsius. Adapting cities to deal with the unique effects of urban heat will be essential, from promoting green spaces to investing in buildings that can be cooled without air conditioning (‘Extreme heat makes cities uninhabitable’). (See “How can I survive?”)

The good news is that many mayors already recognize their responsibilities. London Mayor Sadiq Khan aims for the city to be net zero by 2030. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, France, planted trees in certain areas and banned cars from passing. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also pledged environmentally friendly changes in preparation for the 2028 Olympics. Organizations like C40 and Climate Mayors are helping to unite local politicians around the world into action. This won’t solve climate change, but it will make life in a warming world more bearable for many people.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Saudi dissidents are pursuing lawsuits despite concerns of a crackdown across borders

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

An influential Saudi dissident who collaborated closely with Jamal Khashoggi was harmed in a security breach of the company, then known as Twitter Inc., by Saudi officials in 2014, as stated by a U.S. appeals court. In response, the company mentioned taking further legal action against the dissident.

Personal details about Canadian resident Omar Abdulaziz, a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, were exposed to Riyadh by a Twitter employee who used an anonymous account to access Abdulaziz’s information. This information was later acquired by the Saudi government to silence Abdulaziz’s criticisms.

The breach, dating back almost a decade and involving around 6,000 accounts, was uncovered in 2018 and had severe repercussions for Abdulaziz, including the incarceration of his family in Saudi Arabia. Saudi operatives also obtained Abdulaziz’s phone number, which was exploited by the Saudis. Citizen Lab researchers later revealed that Abdulaziz was targeted using NSO Group spyware while he was in close contact with Khashoggi, who was tragically killed a few months later.

Abdulaziz is currently facing challenges with both Twitter and X Company, owned by Donald Trump’s adviser Elon Musk.

Despite a recent appeals court ruling dismissing Abdulaziz’s lawsuit against the social media platform for negligence in preventing Saudi operatives from accessing his account due to not meeting California’s statute of limitations requirements, the court did recognize that Abdulaziz had standing to pursue the lawsuit based on alleged harm caused by the company’s actions. In light of this development, Abdulaziz intends to seek a review of the case where the court could reconsider its decision. Twitter claimed at the time that it was a “victim” of employee misconduct.

This incident highlights the ongoing threats faced by activists and critics of authoritarian governments who are subjected to harassment, surveillance, and violence, even in countries like the United States and Canada that were once considered safe havens. This trend has now spread to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and India.

In 2020, The Guardian reported that Abdulaziz had been alerted by Canadian authorities about being a potential target for Saudi Arabia, advising him to take precautions to ensure his safety.

Ronald Deibert of Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s potential impact on cross-border repression. He warned that advancements made in regulating tools used for repression could be reversed, posing a significant risk to civil society.

In 2021, the Biden administration blacklisted Israel’s NSO Group due to concerns about the spread of its surveillance software and its threat to U.S. national security. However, NSO lobbyists are actively trying to reverse this classification through the Department of Commerce.

One prominent example of cross-border crackdowns on U.S.-linked dissidents was the brutal killing of Khashoggi in 2018. Following the murder, the U.S. imposed sanctions against several individuals, with President Biden later releasing an intelligence report implicating Prince Mohammed in the murder.

Abdulaziz stressed the importance of holding companies accountable for their users’ safety in a statement to The Guardian. No one should suffer due to a company’s failure to protect against hacks.

The Guardian did not respond to requests for comments from X.

Following Musk, X’s primary investor is a company led by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who himself faced imprisonment by the Saudi government in 2017. Despite not leaving Saudi Arabia or the UAE since then, Prince Alwaleed recently met with X CEO Linda Yaccarino to underscore the strong ties between X and his company Kingdom Holding, partially owned by Saudi Arabia.

During a visit to the Middle East, Yaccarino also met with Dubai’s leader Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. UK court findings revealed that Sheikh Maktoum’s agents used NSO spyware to target the phones of his ex-wife and her legal team in 2021.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Race for ‘Game of the Year’ in 2024 Between Astro Bot and Balatro is Neck and Neck

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

MJust as Christmas isn’t very fun for someone who has to prepare all the presents and prepare dinner, the annual gaming season can be pretty scary for someone who has to put together a shortlist. Every November, I add up all the critically acclaimed games of the year I haven’t played yet, the underground picks I haven’t followed, and the games I loved but forgot about in February. I feel the panic rising. And when all the year-end lists are released, you inevitably realize you missed something anyway.

The Game Awards has announced the nominations for this year’s ceremony, which will be held on December 12th in Los Angeles. (Disclosure: The Guardian is one of 130 voting bodies for this award, but my knowledge and involvement is limited to sending a ballot to Geoff Keighley each year, usually 1-2 (Sorry, Jeff.) But I’m happy to say that one of the top two games with the most nominations is Astro Bot, which received seven nominations. As far as I know, this game doesn’t get enough reviews. (The other was Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which won six awards and which critics called a miracle of fan service.) Sadly, after many attempts over the years to get into Final Fantasy Despite this, I’m still not immune to Final Fantasy’s charms.

The other contender for Game of the Year is Balatro, the ridiculously obsessive card game that took over my life in January. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, an expanded version of the 2022 action role-playing masterpiece. Metaphor: ReFantazio, a very stylish Atlus RPG that I wrote about a few weeks ago. And Black Myth: Wukong was a huge hit this summer, despite huge controversy surrounding its development and release.

It’s a close race, but my prize goes to Shadow of the Erdtree as the Grand Prize. Because this game is especially loved by game critics. However, I would be happy if Astro Bot wins. The dark horse is Baratolo. Everyone I know loses a week or two at that game, but the moment I win, the appeal wears off. However, there is a public vote worth 10% of the weighting. Significantly Black Myth: Wukong is powered by a huge fan base in China.

Neva, rightly nominated for Best Art Direction. Photo provided by: Nomada Studio

Elsewhere, I had the pleasure of seeing Neva, a game about a warrior and his wolf. This one completely made me sob and was nominated for best art direction, best independent game, and confusing game. Games that make an impact category. The latter list is supposed to be “thought-provoking games with pro-social meanings or messages,” but it appears to be an umbrella category of “emotional games.” I’ve played most of the games nominated in that category and a) I don’t see what ties them together, and b) I couldn’t explain what “prosocial” means in this context .

Indika is a dark and fascinating horror-inspired game about a 19th century nun who attacks a Russian Orthodox church. Hellblade II, like its predecessor, depicts the protagonist’s struggle with mental illness. Tales of Kenzera: Zau is about sadness and draws from its creator’s African heritage. “Closer the Distance” is also a song about sadness. Mr. Nevaeh could be interpreted as an environmentalist, and I think there is some loss in that. However, it is impossible to determine what kind of message Life is Strange: Double Exposure has along these lines.

Otherwise, there are few welcome surprises. Creepy exploration puzzler Animal Well was named Best Independent Game, followed by Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, an unpredictable mystery set in an abandoned hotel, and Mosmouth’s 1980s-style game, Ridiculously Generous The same goes for the compilation UFO 50. “Pacific Drive,” a spooky and bizarre fictional road trip about a broken old car that is constantly being repaired and reinforced, also made it onto our list of best debut games. While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown deserves praise as the best action game, it was a real shame that Dragon’s Dogma II was only named as the best RPG.

and, of course, The Pokémon trading card game Pocket won the award for Best Mobile Game. I’ve been playing it for several hours every day since it was released (and I still No shiny Articuno).

video game chronicle Easy to parse list Among all categories and nominations. But if you think The Game Awards is too commercial, a new awards show is debuting this year. indie game awards which celebrates the “creativity, innovation and passion” of small game developers, has just announced the nominees. Excerpt from the Best Games category: Mouthwashing, a horror game about the final days of the doomed crew of a space freighter. Arranger is an innovative RPG puzzle game. And Nine Sols, an action game that’s like a cross between Hollow Knight and Sekiro, is something I’ve been meaning to try all year.

Please tell us your favorite…

Before I get back to my own ghastly list, I’ll be giving a shout-out to Pushing Buttons readers’ favorite games of 2024, as always, in my newsletter towards the end of December. So go ahead and send it in with a few sentences about what it means to you and see the results in a few weeks.

what to play

Gloomy and strange…the rise of the Golden Idol. Photo: Color Gray Games

I continue to be fascinated of Rise of the Golden Idola gruesome and bizarre detective story that combines logic puzzles, fill-in-the-blank clues, and hidden object games. Each case is presented in the form of a tableau, and although I’m not sure of the style, it reminds me of a version with a certain twist. Grant Wood’s painting “American Gothic”.

The characters are frozen in a loop of seconds at or immediately after the crime, and you have to figure out who everyone is, why they’re there, and what the heck happened. It all connects to a larger story about corruption, deception, and cursed objects. This game often makes me feel very stupid (I don’t have a great brain to figure out names or details), but I still stick with it.

Available: Smartphone (if you subscribe to Netflix), PC, game console
Estimated play time: 12 hours

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what to read

There’s nothing like the real thing…World of Warcraft II remastered. Photo: YouTube

to celebrate world of warcraftOn the anniversary of , Blizzard re-released Warcraft and Warcraft II with updated graphics. unfortunately, everyone hates them. of the valve half life 2 Anniversary update speed has been significantly improved. Only venerable games Broke the long-standing concurrent player record. With steam.
a minecraft theme park ‘ is scheduled to be released in the UK in 2026 or 2027. I’m already breaking into a cold sweat thinking about how crowded it will be during the first half of the year.
Another game event comes up. WASDa popular showcase of indie-focused PC games, He’s not there anymore.
Helpful explainer roblox‘s upcoming “improved” parental controls.

What to click

question block

Kid-friendly…Terra Nil. Photo: Free Lives

I’ll answer new questions next week, but for now, I have a few questions. Reader Recommendations Here are the answers to the last few question blocks. First, some more suggestions for Jonny’s wife who’s looking for a game like Civilization VI, but not quite so chill.

“I have young children, so www.theguardian.com

Experience the stunning beauty of the sun in these Solar Orbiter photos.

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The sun’s upper atmosphere, or corona, seen in ultraviolet light

ESA & NASA/Solar Probe/EUI Team

These fiery images are the clearest views of the Sun ever seen by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft.

solar orbitera joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, is a state-of-the-art instrument that orbits the sun and has been sending information back to Earth since it arrived in 2020.

These images were taken in March 2023, when Solar Orbiter was less than 74 million kilometers from the sun. The photo above was taken using ultraviolet light and reveals the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, in great detail, showing billowing million-degree plasma exploding along the sun’s magnetic field lines. There is. Normally, bright light from the sun’s surface hides the corona. Therefore, the corona can only be seen when observing it by blocking visible light or using ultraviolet light, which typically occurs during solar eclipses.

To create this complete image of the sun’s corona, many smaller zoomed-in images had to be stitched together, resulting in this complete mosaic of 8000 pixels. In the future, Solar Orbiter will be able to obtain two such high-resolution photos of the Sun each year, according to ESA.

Visible Sun imaged by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft’s polarization measurements and solar seismic imager

ESA & NASA/Solar Probe/PHI Team

This second image shows what the sun’s surface, or photosphere, looks like when viewed from Solar Orbiter in visible light, the same light that our eyes can see . The temperature of this layer of the sun is approximately 4500-6000°C. The dark areas here are sunspots, which are cooler and emit less light than the surrounding areas.

Map of the Sun’s magnetic field measured by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft’s polarization measurements and solar seismic imager.

ESA & NASA/Solar Probe/PHI Team

Observations using the spacecraft’s magnetic instruments show that the Sun’s magnetic field is concentrated around the sunspot region (see image above). The field directs charged particles away from these areas, cooling them and giving them a dark appearance.

Velocity map, or tachogram, showing the speed and direction of movement of matter on the visible surface of the Sun

ESA & NASA/Solar Probe/PHI Team

Solar Orbiter can also track the speed and direction of plasma as it moves across the Sun’s surface. In this velocity map (above), called a tachogram, blue represents movement toward the spacecraft and red represents movement away from the spacecraft. It shows that it diverges in its surroundings.

This collection of images helps scientists understand the behavior of the sun’s corona and photosphere. Solar Orbiter will also image never-before-seen images of the Sun’s poles at the top and bottom of the star. Currently, not much is known about the solar poles, and researchers expect these regions to look significantly different from the rest of the sun.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

MPs Call on Elon Musk to Testify about X’s Involvement in UK Summer Riots | Social Media Involvement

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

MPs in a parliamentary inquiry into the UK riots and the proliferation of false and harmful AI content are set to call on Elon Musk to testify about X’s role in spreading disinformation, as reported by The Guardian.

Additionally, senior executives from Meta and TikTok, the companies behind Facebook and Instagram, are expected to be summoned for questioning as part of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee’s social media inquiry.

The first public hearing is scheduled for the new year, amidst concerns that current online safety laws in Britain are at risk of being outpaced by advancing technology and the politicization of platforms like X.

Images shared on Facebook and X were reportedly used to incite Islamophobic protests following the tragic deaths of three schoolgirls in Southport in August. The inquiry aims to investigate the impact of generative AI and examine Silicon Valley’s business models that facilitate the spread of misleading and potentially harmful content.

The Chairman of the Labour Party Select Committee, Chi Onwura, expressed interest in questioning Musk about his stance on freedom of expression and disinformation. Musk, the owner of X, has been critical of the UK government and was not invited to an international investment summit in September.

Former Labour Secretary Peter Mandelson has called for an end to Musk’s feud with the British government, emphasizing the importance of not overlooking Musk’s influence in the technological and commercial space.

Despite speculation, it remains uncertain whether Musk will testify in the UK, as he is reportedly gearing up for a senior role in President Trump’s White House. Amidst these developments, millions of X users are said to have migrated to a new platform called Bluesky, raising concerns about misinformation and the presence of previously banned users.

The investigation also aims to explore the connection between social media algorithms, generative AI, and the dissemination of false or harmful content. Additionally, the use of AI to complement search engines, such as Google, will be scrutinized in light of recent instances of false and racist claims propagated on online platforms.

In response to the spread of misinformation and incitement after the Southport killings, Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has highlighted the need for social media companies to address activity that incites violence or promotes false behavior. New rules under the Online Safety Act will require companies to take action to prevent the spread of illegal content and minimize security risks.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Astronauts find it challenging to think fast while in space.

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

There's a lot to keep in mind when working in space

NASA (from Getty Images)

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have shown declines in memory, attention, and processing speed after six months, raising concerns about the impact of cognitive impairment on future space missions to Mars.

The extreme environment of space, including reduced gravity, harsh radiation, and lack of regular sunrises and sunsets, can have dramatic effects on astronauts' health, from muscle loss to increased risk of heart disease. There is a gender. However, the cognitive effects of long-term space travel are less well documented.

now, Sheena Dev Researchers from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, examined the cognitive abilities of 25 astronauts while on the ISS.

The team conducted 10 tests on the astronauts, some on Earth once before and after the mission, and others on the ISS early and late in the mission. These tests measure specific cognitive abilities, such as finding patterns on a grid to test abstract reasoning, or choosing when to stop an inflated balloon before it bursts to test risk-taking. I did.

The researchers found that on the ISS, astronauts took longer to complete tests measuring processing speed, working memory, and attention than on Earth, but the accuracy was the same. Although there were no overall cognitive impairments or lasting effects on the astronauts' abilities, some measures, such as processing speed, took longer to return to normal after returning to Earth.

Having clear data on the cognitive effects of space travel is critical for future human spaceflight. Elisa Raffaella Ferre But before we know the full story, it's important to collect more data both on Earth and in space.

“Mission to Mars is not only long in terms of time, but also in terms of autonomy,” Ferre says. “Human performance is key as people on the ground will have a completely different interaction with ground control due to distance and communication delays and will need to be fully autonomous in making decisions. You wouldn't want an astronaut on Mars who has slow reaction times in terms of attention, memory, and processing speed. ”

Given the unusual environment of space, it's not surprising that there was a certain decline in cognitive performance, he said. Joe Bower at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. “It's not necessarily a huge cause for alarm, but it's useful to know, especially to know your limits when you're in such an extreme environment,” she says.

That awareness could be especially helpful for astronauts on long-duration missions, Bower added. “It’s not just about how well you do on a test, it’s also about how you perceive your abilities,” she says. “For example, when you're sleep deprived, your performance often suffers, but you don't even realize it's happening.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trump Observes SpaceX Starship Launch in Texas

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

President-elect Donald Trump, who once criticized Elon Musk’s SpaceX for launching “rocket ships to nowhere,” visited the Texas coast on Tuesday to witness the latest tests of the massive Starship rocket. SpaceX received a warm welcome.

Trump, sporting a red MAGA hat, observed the launch from under a tent alongside Musk as the large rocket soared into the sky near Brownsville. The rocket is a crucial component of Musk’s plan to establish a colony on Mars.

This appearance further illustrates Trump’s evolving relationship with Musk, one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Musk has been serving as a general advisor to Trump following his assistance in securing a second term in the White House two weeks prior.

President Trump has expressed his support for the Mars exploration initiative. He announced his visit via X, a social media platform owned by Musk.

“I’m traveling to Texas to witness the launch of the largest object ever lifted from the ground, not just to reach space. @ElonMusk and all the amazing patriots who contributed to this incredible project, good luck!” he stated.

The event was attended by several guests, including Donald Trump Jr., Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Linda McMahon, a former professional wrestling executive supporting Trump’s transition. During the event, Musk enthusiastically conversed with Trump, while Trump observed the rocket launch mostly stoically. The rocket lifted off around 5 p.m. ET, and the booster seemed to land safely in the Gulf of Mexico shortly afterward.

Following the launch, Musk guided Trump on a tour of his nearby office, and Trump interacted with guests outside. They did not address the public immediately as the Starship’s upper stage continued on its trajectory towards the Indian Ocean.

Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, stated on X that Trump expressed his honor in attending the event.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Pacific Northwest prepares for severe weather from ‘bomb cyclone’ and atmospheric river

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Thousands of homes lost power, as downed power lines and trees blocked highways in Washington state on Tuesday due to a powerful atmospheric river event, officials announced.

Forecasters stated that a storm could bring up to 15 inches of rain and heavy snowfall in the mountains. By 7 p.m. local time, about 100,000 homes and businesses in Washington and over 14,000 homes in Oregon were without power, as reported by news agencies on the Rack Website poweroutage.us.

The Bellevue, Washington, fire department warned, “Trees are falling across the city, hitting homes.” They advised residents to stay away from windows and not to go outside if possible. X was contacted on Tuesday around 8pm.

Weather forecasters warned of a whiteout snowstorm in the Cascade Range and possible 2 feet of snow in Mount Shasta, Northern California, along Interstate 5. High wind gusts of up to 90 mph were recorded on Mount Rainier and 52 mph in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Known as bomb cyclones, these intense winds are caused by rapidly intensifying storm systems with decreasing atmospheric pressure. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to climate change generating more atmospheric rivers, which are significant contributors to precipitation on the West Coast.

An atmospheric river storm could bring significant rainfall over a three-day period in Northern California, with a flood watch issued in several areas. These storms help replenish water supplies after dry summers, but can also lead to severe flooding and damage.

Satellite images show a weather system moving towards the Pacific Northwest, prompting concerns of damaging winds, rain, and snow. Climate scientists are closely monitoring the storm and its potential impacts on various regions.

Satellite images show the weather system moving closer to the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday morning.
NOAA

As the storm progresses, residents in affected areas are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and follow safety guidelines to minimize risks and potential damage.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Einstein’s theory proved correct on unprecedented scale in historical test

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

DESI instrument observing the sky from the Nicholas U. Mayall telescope during a meteor shower

KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Sparks

Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has been proven correct on the largest scale ever. Analysis of millions of galaxies showed that the way they evolved and clustered over billions of years was consistent with his predictions.

Ever since Einstein proposed his theory of gravity more than a century ago, researchers have been trying to find scenarios in which the theory of gravity doesn't hold true. However, no such test had ever been performed at the level of the longest distances in the universe. Mustafa Ishak-Bushaki At the University of Texas at Dallas. He and his colleagues conducted the experiment using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI) in Arizona.

The details of the structure of the universe and how it has changed over time provide a powerful test of how well we understand gravity. Because it was this force that shaped galaxies as they evolved from small fluctuations in the distribution of matter in the early universe.

DESI has so far collected data on how nearly 6 million galaxies have come together over the past 11 billion years. Ishak-Boushaki and his colleagues combined this with the results of several other large-scale surveys, including the cosmic microwave background radiation and supernova mapping. They then compared this to the predictions of a theory of gravity that encompasses both Einstein's ideas and more modern modified theories of gravity. They did not discover any deviations from Einstein's gravity. Ishak-Boushaki says that while there is some uncertainty in the measurements, there is still no strong evidence that theories that deviate from Einstein's can more accurately capture the state of the universe. .

Itamar Allari Professors at Brown University in Rhode Island say that although general relativity has been shown to hold up in very precise tests performed in the laboratory, it is important that it can be tested at all scales, including the entire universe. states. This eliminates the possibility that Einstein correctly predicted objects of one size but not others, he says.

The new analysis also provides hints about how dark energy, the mysterious force thought to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, fits into theories of gravity. Nathalie Palanque-Dravuille At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California. Einstein's early formulations of general relativity included a cosmological constant (a type of antigravity that plays the same role as dark energy), but earlier DESI results showed that dark energy is not constant. It suggested that. That may have changed as the universe aged, Palanque-Delabouille said.

“The fact that we see that we agree; [general relativity] And any deviation from this cosmological constant opens up a Pandora's box of what the data can actually tell us,” says Ishak Boushaki.

DESI will continue to collect data for several more years, eventually recording the locations and properties of 40 million galaxies, which the three scientists agree will support the theory of general relativity and dark energy. He said it would be clear how to combine them correctly. This new analysis used only one year of data from DESI, but in March 2025 the team plans to share findings from the instrument's first three years of observations.

Allari said these results could help pinpoint changes in the Hubble constant, a measure of the rate of expansion of the universe, narrow down the mass of elusive particles called neutrinos, and even search for new particles. He said he expects it to be significant in this important respect. Cosmic components such as “dark radiation”.

“This analysis will have implications not just for gravity, but for cosmology as a whole,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Live coverage of SpaceX’s 6th test flight with appearances by Musk and Trump

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

SpaceX is gearing up for the sixth test flight of Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket. Elon Musk’s company follows a “fail fast, learn fast” approach to research and development, which resembles the culture of Silicon Valley more than the aerospace industry, with an acceleration in the pace of launches. It seems so.

When is the next flight?

SpaceX states on the website that Starship is scheduled to conduct its sixth test flight on November 19th, with launch slots opening at 4pm Central Time (10pm UK). A live stream of the launch will be available. SpaceX’s X account on the social media platform also owned by Musk, can be viewed here at newscientist.com

It took SpaceX 18 months to complete Starship’s first five test flights, with the fifth happening in mid-October. With the launch of its sixth flight next week, it will be just over a month since the last flight, making it the fastest flight yet.

What will SpaceX attempt with Flight 6?

Flight 6 mirrors Flight 5 in many ways but with some significant differences.

The booster stage will once again try a “chopstick” landing, catching and securing the vehicle as it returns to the launch pad for a soft landing. This methodology aims to eventually enable boosters to be reused multiple times, significantly reducing the cost of launching payloads into orbit.

Starship during high altitude test flight

SpaceX

Starship SN8 high altitude flight test https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/50703878421 Photographed on December 9, 2020 — Starship during high altitude test flight

SpaceX

The upper stage will enter space, complete a partial orbit, re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, and splash-land in the Indian Ocean. In this flight, the upper stage will attempt to reignite one of the Raptor engines in space to gather valuable operational data. Also, new heat shield designs will be tested during atmospheric reentry.

One notable change in this flight is that the landing of the upper stage in the Indian Ocean will be filmed during the day as the launch occurs later in the day. This will provide detailed images as previous landings happened at night, limiting the visibility for engineers compared to daytime landings.

What occurred in previous Starship launches?

During the first test flight on April 20, 2023, three out of the 33 engines in the booster stage failed to ignite. This led to the rocket becoming uncontrollable and self-destructing.

In the second test flight on November 18, 2023, the flight proceeded further, with the booster and upper stage separating as planned. However, the booster stage exploded before reaching the ground, and the upper stage self-destructed before reaching space.

Test Flight 3 on March 14, 2024, was at least partially successful as the upper stage reached space, but it did not return to Earth unscathed.

The subsequent flight on June 6 saw the upper stage reach an altitude of over 200 kilometers and fly at speeds exceeding 27,000 kilometers per hour. Both the booster and upper stage completed a soft landing at sea.

Test Flight 5 was the most ambitious yet, with Starship’s super-heavy booster touching down on the launch pad and being safely caught by “chopsticks” on SpaceX’s launch tower, known as Mechazilla. This innovative landing approach aims to secure and lower the booster for reuse.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Existential Cosmology: Embracing the Possibility of the Universe’s Disappearance

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Billions, perhaps trillions of years from now, long after the sun has swallowed the Earth, cosmologists predict the universe will end. Some people wrestle with whether they are likely to collapse under the weight of the Big Crunch or become an infinitely empty Big Freeze that will continue to expand forever. Some believe that the end of our universe will be determined by a mysterious energy that rips the universe apart.

But there is a more immediate cataclysm that may already be heading towards us at the speed of light. They call it “big sip.”

The slurp in question begins with a quantum fluctuation, causing the bubble to roll through space like a cosmic tsunami, obliterating everything in its path. We should take this possibility seriously, says John Ellis of King's College London. In fact, the question is not so much if this apocalypse will happen, but when. “It could be happening as we speak,” he says.

Theorists like Ellis are actually surprised that such a catastrophe has not yet occurred in the observable universe. But rather than take our precarious existence for granted, they use the obvious fact that we are still here as a tool. The idea is that some weird physics is protecting us.

This kind of existential cosmology also helps physicists filter through the myriad models of the universe, and could tell us how the universe began in the first place. “Maybe you need something to stabilize it. [the universe]And it could be new physics.'' arthu rajanti…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Heart-shaped mollusks with window-like structures that function as optical fibers

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Hazard monkeys come in a variety of colors and harbor photosynthetic algae in their shells.

dakota mccoy

Heart-shaped mollusks have evolved tiny windows that function like fiber optic cables, the first known examples in nature.

Heart monkey (Corculum Cardissa) are bivalves that look a bit like shellfish and have a symbiotic relationship with the photosynthetic algae that live inside them. Algae have a safe home, receive light, perform photosynthesis, and provide nutrients to their hosts.

Unlike other bivalves, cockles do not open their shells wide, but they somehow concentrate light inside even though they remain closed.

now, dakota mccoy Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that cockles have transparent calcium carbonate crystal structures inside their shells that act like bundles of optical fibers, trapping light inside and showering it on the algae. “If you don't have to open it and you have a clear window, it's a very safe way to irradiate algae,” McCoy said.

The researchers examined shell fragments of various heart monkeys and the transparent structures within them, as well as the intensity and color of the light that passes through them. The researchers discovered that the windows are made of long, thin fibers of a mineral called aragonite, a type of calcium carbonate, which allows twice as much light, useful for photosynthesis, to pass through as it does harmful ultraviolet light. “We wear sunscreen because ultraviolet light can cause mutations and cancer, and the cockles use this window as a sunscreen,” McCoy said.

If you shine a light on the heart monkey's shell from inside, you'll see transparent windows shaped like small triangles (left) or stripes (right).

dakota mccoy

Aragonite threads are similar to manufactured optical fibers, but they transmit light just as effectively, although they lack a protective insulating sheath called a cladding. This could be an inspiration for cladding-free fiber optic cables that are cheaper to produce.

Shells' natural UV-blocking properties could also be used to protect corals. Like cockles, corals harbor photosynthetic algae inside, but McCoy said they are susceptible to environmental stresses such as light and heat.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Supercomputer Built to Simulate Nuclear Bombs is the Fastest in the World

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

El Capitan supercomputer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Garry McLeod/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The top spot in the league table of the world's most powerful computers has changed hands, with one supercomputer built for US national security research overtaking another.

top 500The final list of the most powerful computers is based on one metric: how fast a machine can solve large numbers of equations, measured in floating point operations per second (FLOPS). Masu. A machine called Frontier, built in 2022, was the first to be publicly acknowledged to have reached exascale (1 billion FLOPS).

Frontier was founded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to not only perform nuclear weapons simulations, but also address a variety of complex scientific problems such as climate modeling, fusion simulations, and drug discovery. Ta.

Now, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California has developed El Capitan, which has a power of 1.742 exaFLOPS, more than any other supercomputer.

The machine was built under tight security in cooperation with the National Nuclear Security Administration, a division of the Department of Energy dedicated to developing nuclear weapons science. The agency was established in 2000 in response to revelations that nuclear secrets had been leaked from the Department of Energy to China.

Essentially, El Capitan would provide the vast computational power needed to ensure the effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without conducting any physical nuclear tests. LLNL claims that complex, high-resolution 3D simulations of nuclear explosions that previously took months on Sierra, its most powerful system, can be completed in just hours or days on El Capitan.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

BlueSky ushers in a new era of social media with proprietary algorithms

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Bluesky sign-ups continue to grow

Anna Barclay/Getty Images

As a technology reporter, I like to think of myself as an early adopter. I first signed up for the social network Bluesky about 18 months ago, when the platform saw a small spike in users dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s approach to what was then still called Twitter. Ta.

It didn’t stick. Like many people, I found Twitter too tempting and deleted my Bluesky account, but it has returned in recent weeks. I’m not alone. Xodus began as Musk continues to transform his social platform, now called X, while taking on a role in President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Blue Sky acquired 12 million users in 2 months which is approaching 20 million users. This time I’m going to stay here – and I think others will too.

The main reason is that I want to have a social media experience without being bombarded with hate speech, gore, and porn videos. All of these have been complaints from X users in recent months. But I also have my eye on Bluesky. Because we think this signals a more fundamental change in how social media works.

Social media algorithms, the computer code that determines what each user sees, have long been a source of controversy. Fears of disappearing down the “rabbit hole” of radicalization, or of becoming trapped in an “echo chamber” of consensual and sometimes conspiratorial viewpoints, have dominated the scientific literature.

Displaying information from followers in chronological order creates a confusing quagmire for the average user to process, so using algorithms to filter information has become the norm. Sorting and filtering what’s important or what’s likely to keep users interested has been key to the success of platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram.

But by controlling these algorithms, we can have a huge say in what people read. One of the problems many users have with X is its “For you” algorithm. Under Musk, comments by and about him appear to be pushed into users’ timelines, even if they don’t directly follow him.

Bluesky’s approach is not to do away with algorithms, but instead to have more than the average social network. in Blog Posts in 2023 Bluesky CEO Jay Graber outlined the ethos of the platform. Bluesky is promoting a “market of algorithms” rather than a single “master algorithm”, she wrote.

In practice, this means users will be able to see posts from users they follow on the app, and will be Bluesky’s default standard view. But they can also choose to see What is popular among your friends? selects posts that your peers will enjoy based on an algorithm. There is Feed exclusively for scientists curated by people who work in or work in the field. to promote black voices often decimated by algorithmic filtering.

Specifically one feed Promoting “Quiet Posters” – Users who post infrequently and whose opinions are drowned out by users who share all their opinions with their followers.

This menu of options allows Bluesky to serve the dual purpose of bridging the past and future eras of social media. The platform has the potential to function as a “de facto public town square” once it reaches a certain number of users. Musk’s Twitter dubbing before he buys it. Given that X has steered toward excluding many mainstream voices, and competitors like Threads have chosen to avoid promoting politics and current events, perhaps Bluesky will have a place in such a forum. It is probably the only one left.

But beyond feeds, Bluesky lets you tailor the app to your needs through other elements, like a starter pack of recommended users to jump-start your niche, and blocking tools to silence unruly voices. You can also.

No doubt, there are still problems. Finding the right feed for you can be difficult, but creating your own is even more complicated and requires third-party tools. But it’s exciting to be able to see the big picture of public conversations and delve into smaller debates within wider clusters and communities of society. This is a new social media model where users, rather than large corporations or mysterious individuals, control what they see. And if Bluesky continues to add users, it could become the norm. Come with me – I @stokel.bsky.social.

Chris Stokel-Walker is a freelance technology journalist.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Meta Takes on UK Public Sector with NHS Technology for AI Implementation

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Meta’s efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence systems in the UK public sector have advanced with the tech giant granting funding to develop technology to reduce waiting times in NHS A&E.

In the midst of competing initiatives by Silicon Valley tech companies to collaborate with national and local governments, Meta hosted Europe’s first ‘hackathon’ where over 200 programmers were challenged to use its Llama AI in UK public services. They were tasked with finding ways to implement the system. A Meta executive stated that they were ‘focused on Labor’s priorities’.

This development followed reports of another US tech company, Palantir, lobbying government officials, including the Department of Justice and Prime Minister Rachel Reeves. Additionally, Microsoft recently sealed a five-year agreement with Whitehall departments to provide AI Copilot technology to civil servants.

Meta’s hackathon featured Nick Clegg, former deputy prime minister and current president of international affairs at Meta in California. Ferial Clarke, the UK’s AI minister, emphasized the potential for governments to adopt AI, like Meta’s open-source model, to bolster their critical missions.

When questioned about the significance of Meta offering free technology, Clegg stated, “It will indirectly benefit us in the long run by fostering an ecosystem of Llama-based innovation, making it more likely for us to integrate innovation back into our products.” He also brushed off concerns regarding AI risks in public services.

Discussing potential regulation, Mr. Clark assured that Labor would address the substantial risks AI poses while supporting innovation and ensuring workers are not overwhelmed by regulations.

Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science and technology, acknowledged that the UK government was being outspent by tech giants in innovation, highlighting the need for a national strategy in collaborating with such companies.

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The push to promote Meta’s open-source AI platform in the public sector comes as concerns mount over the influence of tech giants, particularly following the involvement of Elon Musk’s X platform in the US presidential election and social media’s role in inciting the August riots in the UK.

In response to inquiries about Meta’s management of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Clegg highlighted the contrast between Meta and X in how they handle content.

“We approach things very differently,” he remarked. “During the UK riots, individuals like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate, who caused significant issues, were long banned from our platforms. This contrasts with platforms like Telegram and X.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

TechScape: The Thriving World of Online Gambling Faces New Challenges as FBI Targets Market

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

GMentioning presidential election results became legal in the United States in early October after being banned for decades, marking a new type of pre-election polling. Online prediction markets such as Calci and Polymarket accept billions of dollars in bets on the outcome, with users out of sync with mainstream polls that gave Donald Trump a 70% chance of winning over Kamala Harris. The Trump campaign touted this prediction.

Election gambling is legal in the UK, but takes a very different form. Traditional bookmakers and betting companies take players’ bets and set prices and odds. This betting is less similar to a prediction market than it is to horse racing. These markets are prone to their own scandals. Kalshi and Polymarket offer a vision of online gambling that covers a wider range of themes, is algorithmically priced, and relies on cryptocurrencies.

Now, Kalsi is riding the wave of these accurate predictions, gaining millions of new users and billions of dollars in trade value, expanding the scope of what users can bet on. Polymarket has courted political influencers like Nate Silver and ZeroHedge to ask questions that users can bet on. Robinhood and DraftKings also intend to throw themselves into the political gambling ring. Will every public event soon have billions of dollars in online wagers? Will the Oscars become a new type of speculative financial market? Would you bet your life’s savings on whether the price of eggs will rise in the first month of President Trump’s inauguration? This is a real bet you can place on Karsi.

Callum Jones of the Guardian reports:

“We are just getting started,” said Tarek Mansour, CEO of Karshi. Kalsi is adding “nearly 100” new markets to its platform every day, and is based on combinations that allow users to bet on a bunch of different outcomes or conditional markets (e.g. “What will happen to GDP if Trump wins?”) We plan to launch a market for ) within a few weeks. “I think it will accelerate from here…”

For Karshi, the only things off-limits are “terrorism, assassinations, and violence.” What about Ukraine? Although the conflict falls under the platform’s banned category, the Russian invasion and subsequent war have certainly moved stocks and products since February 2022. “Time will tell,” Mansour said.

That’s great news for Kalsi. The polymarket is making the post-election party much quieter. Last Wednesday, the FBI searched the Manhattan home of gambling market founder Shane Coplan, 26, and seized his cell phone and other electronic devices. The company quickly blamed the 6 a.m. attack on “clear political retaliation by the outgoing government.”

However, Bloomberg reported: The US Department of Justice is investigating The company is suspected of accepting transactions from users in the United States, but has been prohibited from doing so since a settlement agreement with regulators in 2022. However, users of the site have done their best to circumvent geofencing using virtual private networks. Two weeks ago, Polymarket announced that it would soon resume operations in the United States. With an active FBI investigation looming over the company, it’s hard to imagine it will reopen. Fortune also reported on another type of illegal market manipulation: “wash trading.” It is said to have been proliferated on the site..

France is also grappling with the effects of the polymarket. A French man with the username “Theo” made the site’s most famous bet. It was a bet of around $30 million (about £23.7 million) that Trump would win the US election. Do such huge bets amount to foreign election interference? Mr Teo’s bet is similar to that of Peter Thiel, the US entrepreneur who made an unexpected early bet against Mr Trump in the 2016 election. It is similar to the polymarket itself supported by

France’s gambling regulator is currently investigating the site for market manipulation. Cryptocurrency industry publications It was reported that the country is considering banning it. In response, Polymarket said it saw no evidence of market manipulation.

Can Trump and Elon Musk weaponize the US? Internet and satellite regulator?

Donald Trump and Elon Musk attended a UFC event at Madison Square Garden in New York over the weekend. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Late Sunday, President Trump announced his nomination of Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A conservative committee member wrote: Chapter on the future of the FCC He joined Project 2025, the second Trump administration’s infamous far-right strategy, and was the only current government official to do so. Mr. Carr’s views on the U.S. technology sector are largely in line with those of Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk. In recent months, they have collectively criticized broadcast television networks and public broadcasters.

Rather than be bound by exclusive practices, Kerr said, “censorship cartel” He believes that statements from big tech companies are stifling conservative speech. Google is already reeling from losing an antitrust case against the United States, and with President Trump slamming Google in his campaign speech, it could be a big loser in the next administration. Carr also supports banning TikTok due to its alleged national security threat.

Mr. Carr’s agency could become a political bludgeon for President Trump in his personal vendetta against technology companies. He is a friend of the telecommunications industry and an enemy of Silicon Valley’s big tech companies. He applied a hands-off approach to internet service providers, dismantling consumer protections that benefit the industry’s largest incumbents, and then sacrificing consistency in favor of political expediency, including Google and Facebook. Will it apply oversight and strict powers to things like that?

“Brendan Kerr campaigned for this job promising to be at the mercy of Donald Trump and Elon Musk,” said Co-CEO of left-wing media advocacy group Free Press Action. says Craig Aaron. “Kerr doesn’t care about protecting the public interest. He took this job to carry out a personal vendetta against Trump and Musk.”

Mr. Kerr also could turn the FCC into a commercial weapon against his billionaire tech rivals, “First Buddies,” as Mr. Musk himself christened them. The main beneficiary of the commissioner’s appointment is likely to be Musk’s SpaceX, whose satellites and the internet services it provides fall under the jurisdiction of the FCC. In his Project 2025 proposal to the FCC, Carr emphasizes the priority of “advancing America’s space leadership.” He cited Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet company, and said his agency would adopt the friendliest possible regulatory stance on the company’s launch schedule.

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“As a company, we are not anti-technology”…Yondr cell phone pouch. Photo: Public relations company handout

When everyone else is digging for gold, sell shovels. A company called Yondr discovered this. The brand saw a market opportunity as schools around the world implemented No Phone Days and governments debated whether children should be banned from using social media altogether. Founded in 2013, Yondr was one of the first companies to create a lockable phone pouch that allows students (and others) to isolate their devices. CEO Graham Dugoni told the Guardian that 1 million students across 35 countries use Yondr pouches every day.

Dugoni said his company sees a spike in business when principals, school districts and states implement no-phone policies. However, he was hesitant to use the word “ban” when referring to the school’s policy on phone use. “No one has done anything wrong, and we are not anti-technology as a company… rather, it’s about how we constructively interact with these tools in the future.”

Dugoni doesn’t want to ban smartphones, he wants people to live in harmony with them, but he uses a flip phone and doesn’t control any of his or his company’s social media profiles. . “Creating a phone-free space is a positive step forward. We’re not trying to take anything away or pull us back into the world of the past. In doing so, we’re creating a fundamentally new and no-one They create a framework and social etiquette around what they are trying to understand about the possibilities and possibilities of the Internet.”

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Small aircraft are used to protect humans and livestock from predators. Photo: Wesley Sarmento/Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists use genes from pre-animal choanoflagellates to recreate mice

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Hong Kong have utilized genetic tools from single-celled organisms that share a common ancestor with animals to create mouse stem cells capable of producing fully developed mice.

Choanoflagellate Sox can induce pluripotency in mammalian cells. Image credit: Gao others., doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54152-x.

Alex de Mendoza, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London, and his colleagues used genes found in choanoflagellates, single-celled organisms related to animals, to create stem cells that were then employed in giving birth to living, breathing mice.

Choanoflagellates are the closest living relatives of animals, housing genes in their genomes that support pluripotency in mammalian stem cells, including versions of Sox and POU.

This surprising discovery challenges the notion that these genes only evolved within animals.

“With the successful creation of mice using molecular tools derived from our single-celled relatives, we are witnessing an incredible continuity of function spanning nearly a billion years of evolution,” Dr. Mendoza stated.

“This research suggests that crucial genes involved in stem cell formation may have originated well before the stem cells themselves, potentially paving the way for the multicellular life we observe today,” he added.

Shinya Yamanaka, who won the Nobel Prize in 2012 for demonstrating the obtainment of stem cells from differentiated cells by expressing factors such as Sox (Sox2) and POU (Oct4) genes, highlighted the significance of the study.

In their research, Dr. de Mendoza and co-authors incorporated the choanoflagellate Sox gene into mouse cells, leading to reprogramming into a pluripotent stem cell state.

These reprogrammed cells were then injected into developing mouse embryos to assess their efficacy.

The resulting chimeric mice displayed physical attributes from both donor embryos and laboratory-derived stem cells, highlighting the essential role these ancient genes play in shaping animal development.

This study showcases how early versions of the Sox and POU proteins, known for binding to DNA and regulating other genes, were utilized by unicellular ancestors for functions critical to stem cell development and animal growth.

“Despite choanoflagellates lacking stem cells and being unicellular organisms, they possess these genes, likely governing fundamental cellular processes that multicellular animals later repurposed to construct intricate bodies,” Dr. Mendoza explained.

“This newfound insight underscores the evolutionary adaptability of genetic tools and how early life forms employed similar mechanisms for controlling cell production, even before the emergence of truly multicellular organisms,” he concluded.

“This discovery goes beyond evolutionary biology and could lead to innovative advancements in regenerative medicine.”

A paper detailing the study findings was published in Nature Communications.

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Y. Gao others. 2024. The appearance of Sox and POU transcription factors predates the origin of animal stem cells. Nature Communications 15, 9868;doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54152-x

This article is based on a press release provided by Queen Mary University of London.

Source: www.sci.news

Excessive texting can make your messages appear insincere

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Are your messages still marked as read? A recent study suggests that not getting replies to your messages could be linked to your texting habits. Many people use abbreviations in their text messages, but research from Stanford University suggests that this may signal a lack of interest in the conversation. Read more here.

The study also found that individuals who use abbreviations in their texts are less likely to receive responses, and the use of abbreviations can disrupt the flow of conversations.

According to the study authors at the American Psychological Association, “Perceived lack of effort can negatively impact interpersonal interactions when texting.” Lead researcher David Fang, a PhD student at Stanford University, emphasized the importance of appearing sincere and building social connections, especially in the early stages of a relationship or when trying to make a good impression.

This study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, analyzed conversations from 37 countries involving over 5,300 text messagers. Researchers examined how message recipients reacted in conversations with and without abbreviations on dating apps and chat rooms.

Contrary to popular belief, using abbreviations does not make individuals seem relaxed; rather, it can make them appear dishonest. The research revealed that 80% of participants believed others would not mind their use of abbreviations, while 4% incorrectly thought abbreviations would have a positive impact.

“We initially thought abbreviations were perceived as casual and familiar, but we were surprised to find they actually created negative perceptions of the sender,” explained Huang, one of the study’s researchers.

In addition to abbreviations, using emojis to convey messages can also lead to misunderstandings. A recent study found that the intended meaning of emojis can be easily misinterpreted. Learn more here.

Prior research has shown that using humble punctuation marks at the end of texts can make readers perceive the message as less authentic than a message without punctuation. Readers considered exclamation points as the most honest way to convey excitement in texts.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Species of Gecko Discovered by Scientists in Venezuela

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

An international research team has described a new, smaller species of gecko. pseudogonad Originally from the Paria Peninsula in northeastern Venezuela.

Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus. Image credit: Shargel others., doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae120.

The newly confirmed species belong to the following: pseudogonada small genus of geckos in the family Sphaerodactylidae, containing fewer than 10 scientifically recognized species.

These creatures, better known as South American clawed geckos, Among the smallest living lizards.

named Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatusthe new species is only 6.35 cm (2.5 inches) long and has a brown color, a conical head, a long snout, and a specialized skull structure.

“Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus This is unique in craniology, and we used the term “telescope” from the literature to explain the overlap of the nasal bones, especially the premaxilla, which completely separates the nasal bones and contacts the frontal bone. '', said lead author Professor Walter Schergel. The University of Texas at Arlington and colleagues.

“The new species is also the only known species. pseudogonad The parietal bones are fused. ”

Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus The Paria Peninsula is a region that juts out into the Caribbean Sea in northeastern Venezuela and is known for its high biodiversity, moderate temperatures, and lush vegetation.It was discovered during fieldwork in the evergreen forests of the mountains of the Paria Peninsula. .

Researchers collected specimens in 2002 and again in 2014, noting the gecko's unique cranial structure, which led to further investigation.

“The Paria Peninsula, part of Venezuela's Coastal Mountains, has been a hotspot for reptile and amphibian discoveries in recent decades,” Professor Shargel said.

“The region's complex geography and climate create a diverse range of habitats that can support a wide range of species.”

“The new gecko species joins the list of reptiles found only in this region, highlighting the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts in this region.”

“This discovery not only deepened our understanding of the biodiversity of this region of Venezuela, but also highlighted the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems,” he added.

“We hope this discovery will lead to stronger conservation measures to protect the habitat of this rare species and other native species in the region.”

of the team paper Published in Zoological journal of the Linnean Society.

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Walter E. Shargel others. 2024. Morphology and molecular phylogenetics support new species of organism. pseudogonad (Squamata: Sublunar: Sphaerodactylidae) from Venezuela, with a prominent telescopic skull. Zoological journal of the Linnean Society 202 (2): zlae120;doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae120

Source: www.sci.news

The reasons behind weight regain after losing it: a new understanding emerging

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Losing weight can be difficult

Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images

Obese people often lose weight but gain it back, but this may be partly due to permanent changes in the DNA within fat cells, a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments. may lead to.

Approximately 85% of overweight or obese people lose at least one-tenth of their body weight get it back within a year.

Part of the reason is that low-calorie diets are difficult to maintain over long periods of time, but that likely plays a relatively small role, he said. Laura Katarina Hinte at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland. “There's no way we all don't have enough willpower to keep off the weight we lose.”

Research shows that the brain interprets a sudden drop in body fat as dangerous; It responds by reducing the body's energy expenditure.

To learn more about this process, Hinte and his colleagues sampled adipose tissue from 20 obese patients, who were about to undergo bariatric surgery (a procedure that shrinks the stomach to help you feel full more quickly) and who had at least lost weight. It was analyzed two years later. 1/4 of the original weight. They also examined adipose tissue in 18 people with healthy weight.

Researchers have sequenced a type of genetic molecule called RNA that codes for proteins in fat cells. They found that obese people had increased or decreased levels of more than 100 RNA molecules compared to healthy weight people, and these differences persisted two years after weight loss.

These changes appear to exacerbate inflammation and disrupt the body's state. Fat cells store and burn fat, both of which increase the risk of future weight gain, according to team members. Ferdinand von Mayenalso at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.

To examine whether these RNA changes could cause rebound weight gain, the researchers first determined that similar changes persisted even after obese mice lost weight. These mice, as well as mice of healthy weight, were then fed a high-fat diet for one month. The previously obese mice gained an average of 14 grams, while the other mice gained only 5 grams.

The researchers also found that fat cells from previously obese mice took up more fat and sugar than fat cells from other mice when cultured in a laboratory dish. Taken together, these results show how obesity-related RNA changes can increase future weight gain, von Mayen said.

Finally, the research team found that molecular tags, or epigenetic marks, on the DNA within fat cells appear to drive RNA changes associated with obesity. They change RNA levels by changing the structure of the DNA that encodes it.

Although the study did not look for these molecular tags in the people studied or see if they regained the weight they lost, the findings likely apply from mice to humans. states. henriette kirchner At the University of Lübeck, Germany.

This is based on similarities between the physiology of these species and how the environment can change the way their genes work, known as epigenetics, she says. In the coming decades, Kirchner says drugs that target epigenetics could help treat obesity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly discovered marine reptile species from the Triassic period.

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have described a new species of pachypleurosaur that lived during the mid-Triassic period in southwestern China.

holotype of Dianmeisaurus mutaensis From the Guanling Formation, China: (A) Skeleton seen from the back. (B) Equivalent to (A). Scale bar – 1 cm. Image credit: Hu others., doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4.

Dianmeisaurus mutaensis They lived in what is now China during the Anisian period of the mid-Triassic period, about 245 million years ago.

What is an ancient species? Pachyprourosaurus a group of primitive sauropterygian reptiles of the Triassic period.

These animals resembled aquatic lizards and had small heads, long necks, paddle-like limbs, and long, deep tails.

“Sauropterygia was the most flourishing clade of Mesozoic marine reptiles in terms of species diversity, with the iconic plesiosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, and the stem-group placodonts and eophytes of the Triassic. sauropterygia,” said Dr. Jun Liu and colleagues at the institute. Hefei University of Technology.

“Eosauropteri were traditionally divided into three groups: pachyprourosaurids, nososaurids, and pistosaurids.”

“In this traditional view, the monophyletic Pachypleurosauria is thought to constitute a sister group to the clade Eusauropterygia, which consists of Nososaurinae and Pistosaurinae.”

complete and articulated skeleton of an immature animal Dianmeisaurus mutaensis It was discovered in an abandoned quarry about 1 km northwest of Muta Village, Luxi County, Yunnan Province, China.

The skeleton was divided into two parts during collection and prepared using pneumatic tools and needles in the paleontology laboratory.

“The skeleton is embedded in dark gray micritic limestone and consists of one segment and its counterpart,” the paleontologists said.

“The specimen is well preserved and has a total length of 99.2 mm (4 inches).”

“Adjacent to the specimen are scattered limb and rib bones from other individuals, but the limited information available makes further identification difficult.”

Artist's impression of Pachypleurosaurus Umengosaurus. Image credit: Nobu Tamura / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The research team's analysis identified this new species as a sister group. Dianmeisaurus gracilis a small pachypleurosaur from the Luoping biota of the Middle Triassic.

“Dianmeisaurus mutaensis Displays several eutoroid features, including a postfrontal region that extends posteriorly to the middle of the parietal table and is excluded from the upper temporal fenestra, a stout last dorsal rib that is shorter than the first sacral rib, and two sacral vertebrae. “There is,” the researchers said.

“Additionally, a new data matrix has been compiled to reassess the interrelationships of neosauropterygians.”

“Phylogenetic analysis indicates monophyletic collapse of Eusauropterygia,” they added.

“Pistosaurinae, Magiasinosaurus and Hanosaurus These constitute a continuous sister group to the monophyletic clade that includes Pachyprosaurinae and Nososaurinae.”

“Furthermore, the monophyly of Pachyprourosauria is supported by six synapomorphies.”

“Our phylogenetic results provide further evidence for the East Tethys origin of pachypleurosaurs,” the researchers said.

“However, to test the biogeographical hypothesis, we need early Anisian pachypleurosaurs from the eastern region of Tethys.”

of findings Published in Swiss Journal of Paleontology.

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YW Hu others. 2024. A new species of Pachypleurosaurid (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) that lived in the Middle Triassic of southwestern China and its phylogenetic and biogeographical significance. Switzerland J Palaeontre 143, 1; doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4

Source: www.sci.news

New Study Finds Polar Vortex Surrounding the Sun

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Polar vortices exist in the atmospheres of planets ranging from rocky Earth-like planets to gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. However, currently not much is known about their presence and characteristics on the Sun due to the lack of direct observations in the polar regions. Unlike planetary atmospheres, the Sun’s underground layers are greatly influenced by the presence of magnetic fields. New research shows that the solar cycle’s magnetic fields provide the mechanism for the formation of polar vortices in the Sun.

On August 31, 2012, the corona, a long filament of solar material suspended in the Sun’s atmosphere, erupted into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. CME traveled at more than 900 miles per second. Although it did not fly directly towards Earth, the single shot connected with Earth’s magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, and caused the aurora borealis to appear on the night of September 3rd. Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

“No one can say exactly what’s going on at the solar pole,” says Dr. Mausmi Dikpati, a senior scientist at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research’s High Altitude Observatory.

“But this new study gives us an interesting look at what we might expect to find when we are able to observe the solar pole for the first time.”

It is not surprising that some kind of polar vortex may exist on the Sun.

These rotating geological formations develop in the fluid surrounding rotating bodies due to the Coriolis force and are observed on most planets in the solar system.

On Earth, vortices rotate high in the atmosphere around both the north and south poles.

When these vortices are stable, frigid air is trapped at the poles, but when they weaken and become unstable, that cold air penetrates toward the equator, creating cold air in the midlatitudes. cause

NASA’s Juno mission has returned breathtaking images of Jupiter’s polar vortices, showing there are eight tightly packed vortices around the gas giant’s north pole and five around its south pole.

Saturn’s polar vortex, observed by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, is hexagonal at the north pole and more circular at the south pole.

These differences provide scientists with clues to the composition and dynamics of each planet’s atmosphere.

Polar vortices have also been observed on Mars, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn’s moon Titan, so the fact that the Sun (also a rotating body surrounded by fluid) has such a feature may be obvious in some ways. yeah.

However, the sun is fundamentally different from planets and satellites, which have atmospheres. The plasma surrounding the sun is magnetic.

How that magnetism affects the formation and evolution of the Sun’s polar vortex, or whether it forms at all, remains a mystery. This is because humans have never sent a probe into space that can observe the poles of the sun.

In fact, our observations of the Sun are limited to views of the Sun’s face when it points towards the Earth, which only provides hints about what’s happening at the poles.

Astronomers have never observed the sun’s poles, so the study authors turned to computer models to fill in the blanks about what the sun’s polar vortex looks like.

What they discovered is that the Sun does indeed likely have a unique polar vortex pattern that evolves as the solar cycle unfolds and depends on the strength of the particular cycle.

Simulations show that a tight ring of polar vortices forms at about 55 degrees latitude, which corresponds to Earth’s Arctic Circle, at the same time that a phenomenon called “polar plunge” begins.

At the maximum of each solar cycle, the magnetic field at the sun’s poles disappears and is replaced by a magnetic field of the opposite polarity.

This flip-flop is preceded by a “polar plunge” in which a magnetic field of opposite polarity begins to move toward the pole from about 55 degrees latitude.

After formation, the vortices move towards the poles within the constricting ring, releasing the vortices as the circle closes, until eventually only a pair of vortices directly adjacent to the poles remain, completely disappearing during solar maximum.

The number of vortices that form and their configuration as they move toward the poles changes with the strength of the solar cycle.

These simulations provide a missing piece to the puzzle of how the Sun’s magnetic field behaves near the poles and could help answer some fundamental questions about the Sun’s solar cycle.

For example, many scientists have traditionally used the strength of the magnetic field “pushing to the poles” as a proxy for how strong future solar cycles are likely to be.

However, the mechanism of how they are connected, if at all, is not clear.

The simulation also provides information that can be used to plan future missions to observe the Sun.

In other words, this result shows that some form of polar vortex is observable during all parts of the solar cycle except during solar maximum.

“You could launch a solar mission and arrive at the pole at exactly the wrong time,” says Scott McIntosh, also of the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research’s High Altitude Observatory.

Solar Orbiter, a joint mission between NASA and ESA, may give researchers their first glimpse of the solar pole, but the first glimpse will be close to solar maximum.

Scientists say a mission aimed at observing the poles and providing researchers with multiple simultaneous views of the sun could help solve long-standing questions about the sun’s magnetic field.

Dr. McIntosh said, “Our conceptual boundaries are that we currently operate from only one perspective.”

“To make significant progress, we need the necessary observations to test our hypotheses and see if simulations like this are correct.”

of result will appear in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Mausumi Dikpati others. 2024. Magnetohydrodynamic mechanism of solar polar vortex formation. PNAS 121 (47): e2415157121;doi: 10.1073/pnas.2415157121

Source: www.sci.news

Unusually short, stiff, pointed tails in Jurassic pterosaurs.

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Skifosoura Baybaritsa is a type of pterosaur that lived in what is now southern Germany about 149 million years ago, bridging the gap with earlier organisms. monophenestratan pterosaur and after that pterosaur.

Two people's lives restored Skifosoura Baybaritsa In flight. Image credit: Gabriel Uguet.

For 200 years, paleontologists have divided pterosaurs into two major groups: the early non-pterodactyls and the later, much larger pterodactyls.

Early pterosaurs had short necks, short heads, short bones at the wrists of the wings, fifth toes and long tails, but pterosaurs had the opposite: long necks, large heads, long wrists, and long tails. It had a short fifth finger. Toes and short tail.

However, it was unclear which parts of the body changed between these groups.

In the 2010s, a series of intermediate species called Darwinopterans were discovered, showing that their heads and necks changed before the rest of their bodies.

This was a great example of an intermediate individual filling an evolutionary gap.

But it also meant that we didn't really know what was happening before and after these changes.

Skifosoura Baybarica I'm going to sit between these earlier. Darwinopteran and pterodactyloid.

Although it retains a very pterodactyl-like head and neck, it has also been shown to have longer wrists and shorter toes and a tail than early Darwinpterans, but these are not as extreme as seen in pterodactyls. Not.

“This is an incredible discovery,” said lead author Dr. David Horne, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London.

“This will really help us understand how these amazing flying animals lived and evolved.”

“We hope this study will provide a basis for further future research on this important evolutionary transition.”

“Pterosaurs have long been symbols of a unique past life,” says co-author Dr. Adam Fitch, a paleontologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Skifosoura Baybaritsa This represents an important new form for elucidating the evolutionary relationships of pterosaurs and, by extension, how this lineage arose and changed. ”

Almost complete, but fragmented specimen Skifosoura Baybaritsa It was discovered in 2015 in the Schaudiberg quarry near Mülheim, Bavaria, Germany.

Although specimens are preserved in three dimensions, most pterosaurs tend to be crushed flat. When alive, it had a wingspan of about 2 meters (6.6 feet), which is thought to have been similar to that of large birds such as golden eagles.

Co-author Dr René Lauer of the Lauer Foundation said: “The specimens were disjointed and often had overlapping bones of varying quality.''

“Digital photographs of the specimens taken in both visible and ultraviolet light greatly aided the process of identifying these elements and better analyzing details that cannot be discerned in normal sunlight alone.”

“The Lauer Foundation is proud to have the opportunity to bring this important specimen to science and further our understanding of pterosaur evolution,” added co-author Dr. Bruce Lauer of the Lauer Foundation. .

In addition to indicating the intermediate position of Skifosoura Baybaritsait has also been shown to be a species of Scottish pterosaur. dearkfits into a mirror position between early pterosaurs and the first Darwinopterans.

“In other words, we now have a complete evolutionary sequence from early pterosaurs to pterosaurs. dearkto the first Darwinopteran Skifosoradown to the pterodactyls,” the paleontologist said.

“Although not all specimens are complete, we are now able to track increases in head and neck size, wrist extensions, toe and tail reductions, and other features step-by-step across multiple groups. .”

“This is a great example of the evolution of a group whose transition has so far been far from clear-cut.”

“both deark and Skifosora It also suggests that the changes that allowed pterosaurs to reach giant sizes were also present in these transitional species. ”

of study Published in today's magazine current biology.

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david william elliott horn others. A new large monophenestratan reveals an evolutionary transition from pterosaurs to pterosaurs. current biologypublished online on November 18, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.023

Source: www.sci.news

Nations are falsely achieving net zero by excessively depending on forests

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Russia’s plan to reach net zero by 2060 relies on existing forests to absorb continued carbon emissions

Varnakov R/Shutterstock

Countries are taking shortcuts to net-zero emissions by including forests and other “passive” carbon sinks in their climate plans, a tactic that thwarts global efforts to halt climate change. leading researchers have warned.

Relying on natural carbon sinks to absorb continued carbon emissions from human activities will keep the world warmer. This comes from the researchers who first developed the science behind net zero emissions and today launched a highly unusual intervention accusing nations and companies of abusing the concept.

“This document calls on people to be clear about what net zero really means.” Miles Allen The Oxford University professor said this at a press conference on November 14th.

Natural sinks such as forests and peat bogs play an important role in the Earth’s natural carbon cycle by absorbing some of the carbon from the atmosphere. However, we cannot rely on existing sinks to offset ongoing greenhouse gas emissions.

If used in this way, global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations would remain stable even when we reach “net zero,” and warming would continue for centuries due to the way the oceans absorb heat. Allen warned. “Even if we think we’re on the path to 1.5C, we could end up with temperatures rising well above 2C,” he says. “This ambiguity could effectively destroy the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

To halt global temperature rise, we need to reduce emissions to net zero, without relying on passive absorption by land and oceans. This allows existing natural sinks to continue absorbing excess CO2, reducing the concentration of the gas in the atmosphere and offsetting ongoing warming from the deep ocean.

However, many countries already count passive land sinks such as forests as greenhouse gas removals in their national carbon accounts. In some countries, such as Bhutan, Gabon, and Suriname, Already declared net zeroThanks to the existing vast forests.

Some companies are setting long-term net-zero targets based on this approach. For example Russia Pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060but this plan relies heavily on using existing forests to absorb ongoing carbon emissions.

“Maybe some countries will use this in a deliberately naughty way.” glenn peters He is from the CICERO International Climate Research Center in Oslo, Norway, and spoke at a press conference. “This problem will be even more problematic in countries where forest area is a large proportion of total land area.”

The researchers fear this problem will become more serious as carbon markets develop and pressure on countries to decarbonize increases. “As the value of carbon increases, there will be more pressure to define anything that can be removed as a negative emission, potentially to be able to sell it in the carbon offset market,” Allen said.

Countries and companies with net-zero targets will need to modify their approach to exclude passive carbon sequestration from their accounts, the researchers say.

Natural sinks count as carbon removal when they are added to existing ones, for example when new forests are planted or peat bogs are rewetted. However, this type of natural carbon sink is vulnerable to climate impacts such as wildfires, drought, and the spread of invasive species, and is unreliable for long-term sequestration.

This has not stopped countries from relying heavily on these natural sinks in their net-zero strategies. one 2022 survey It turns out that a number of countries, including the United States, France, Cambodia and Costa Rica, plan to rely on forest carbon and other naturally occurring removals to offset ongoing emissions. “Many national strategies ‘bet’ on increasing carbon sinks in forests and soils as a means of achieving long-term goals,” the study authors wrote.

Allen stressed that natural carbon sinks must be conserved but not relied on to balance ongoing emissions. Instead, he urges countries to aim for “geological net zero,” where all ongoing carbon emissions are balanced by long-term carbon sequestration in underground storage.

“Countries need to recognize the need for geological net zero,” he said. “That means if we are producing carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels by mid-century, we need to have a plan to put that carbon dioxide back into the ground.”

“Geological net zero seems like a sensible global goal for countries to aspire to,” he says. harry smith At the University of East Anglia, UK. “This will help clarify many of the ambiguities that plague the current way countries consider land travel.”

But he warns that it could have a knock-on effect on climate ambitions. “What does the new politics of geological net zero look like? If geological net zero drives the goals of governments’ climate strategies, what does this mean for governments’ climate change ambitions?” Will it have an impact?”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists may have uncovered the key to solving a significant weight loss mystery

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

When it comes to weight loss, one universal truth stands out: losing body fat is challenging, and keeping it off can be even more difficult. A recent study may shed some light on why this is the case: adipose tissue, or body fat, retains a sort of “memory” even after cells have become obese.

“This discovery potentially helps explain the changes that occur in adipose tissue during weight fluctuations,” explained Dr. Ferdinand von Mayen, an assistant professor at ETH Zurich’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

Dr. von Mayen and his team observed transcriptional changes in human cells, which are responsible for regulating genetic material, in individuals’ adipose tissue before and after a 25 percent reduction in BMI. “We found that even after weight loss, the genetic regulation in adipose tissue did not fully return to normal, indicating that the body is programmed to regain lost weight,” he added.

While this news may be disheartening for those on a weight loss journey, Dr. von Mayen hopes that this study will help destigmatize weight fluctuations. “There is a molecular mechanism at play that influences weight regain, and it’s not simply a matter of willpower,” he emphasized.

He also stressed the importance of prevention in addressing the global obesity epidemic. “Early intervention is key, as it is much harder to lose weight once it has been gained. Implementing healthier lifestyle choices at a societal level is crucial in combating this issue,” Dr. von Mayen noted.

About our experts

Dr. von Mayen: I specialize in researching obesity and metabolic diseases at the Nutritional and Metabolic Epigenetics Laboratory at ETH Zurich.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The benefits of increasing your online presence after 50: latest research findings

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It’s commonly believed that spending time online can negatively impact mental health. However, a new study suggests that internet use could actually benefit adults over the age of 50, reducing symptoms of depression by approximately 9%. The study, which examined over 87,500 adults, also indicates that internet use may increase overall life satisfaction. Internet users reported their health as being 15% better on average compared to non-users.

According to one of the co-authors of the study, the internet provides valuable opportunities for older adults to access health-related information, connect with others, and find entertainment. The research, published in the magazine nature, analyzed internet habits in 23 countries and how they correlated with symptoms of depression and life satisfaction among participants.

The study found that adults in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China experienced the most positive effects from internet use. Even older users, particularly those aged 65 and above with lower levels of social contact, benefited significantly. Additionally, the study showed that internet users did not need to go online frequently to experience benefits, but those who used the internet more frequently generally had better mental health.

Dr. Zhang Qingpeng, one of the co-authors of the study, emphasized the global potential of the internet as a tool to improve mental health. While acknowledging the positive aspects of internet use, some experts caution that it should be used in moderation to maintain meaningful face-to-face interactions and reduce loneliness.

Professor Andrea Wigfield, director of the Center for Loneliness Research, highlights the importance of balancing internet use with real-life connections to combat loneliness. While the study did not address negative effects of internet use on mental health, experts agree that moderation is key in leveraging the benefits of online connectivity while also nurturing in-person relationships.

About our experts:

Dr. Zhang Qingpeng: An associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on data science, AI in medical analytics, and drug discovery.

Dr. Andrea Wigfield: Director of the Center for Loneliness Research and co-director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, Dr. Wigfield specializes in social isolation and well-being at Sheffield Hallam University.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

John Oliver weighs in on potential US ban on TikTok: ‘Possibly unnecessary, but insufficient’

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

○Last Week Tonight, John Oliver investigated the impending ban of TikTok in the United States. TikTok, a popular social media app known for its cooking tutorials and trendy dances, has captured the attention of many users, especially those born after 1985.

With 170 million active users in the U.S., TikTok has a significant following, particularly among young adults. Despite its popularity, the app faces potential extinction as the Senate passed a bill in April giving its Chinese parent company ByteDance an ultimatum to sell TikTok or risk being banned in the U.S. due to national security concerns.

Lawmakers from both parties view TikTok as a threat, with one likening it to a “gun to Americans’ heads.” Despite this, Oliver humorously points out that Congress tends to act differently when faced with literal gun violence as opposed to figurative threats.

Oliver delves into TikTok’s history, highlighting the app’s rapid rise in popularity, especially during the pandemic. He humorously notes that TikTok thrived during lockdowns as people turned to it for entertainment and distraction.

Concerns about TikTok’s ties to China have been ongoing, with President Trump attempting to block the app through an executive order. Despite TikTok’s efforts to distance itself from China, questions remain about the security of user data and potential government influence on the app.

Oliver examines TikTok’s data collection practices and algorithm, pointing out the extensive information the app gathers about its users. He raises alarm about the potential vulnerabilities and privacy risks associated with TikTok’s operations.

While acknowledging concerns about propaganda and censorship on TikTok, Oliver questions the evidence supporting these claims. He suggests that underlying motives, including competition from other tech companies, may be at play in the push to ban TikTok.

Oliver concludes by emphasizing the need for stronger privacy protections in the U.S. and questioning the efficacy of banning TikTok as a solution. He highlights the complex nature of the debate and the lack of clear solutions in addressing the risks associated with data privacy and national security.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hubble Captures Mysterious Spiral Galaxy Edge-On

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has released a surprising image of the unusual edge-on spiral galaxy UGC 10043 taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

This Hubble image shows UGC 10043, an unusual spiral galaxy located about 150 million light-years away in the constellation Serpens. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / R. Windhorst / W. Kiel.

UGC 10043 It is located in the constellation Serpens, about 150 million light years from Earth.

Also known as IRAS 15464+2201 or LEDA 56094, this galaxy is one of the somewhat rarer spiral galaxies. Viewed from the side.

“We see galactic disks as sharp lines through space, with pronounced dust lanes along them,” Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

“This dust is spread throughout UGC 10043's spiral arm, but when viewed from the side it appears very thick and cloudy.”

“I can see some lights, too.” Active star forming region In your arms, shining from behind the dust. ”

“Surprisingly, we can also see that the center of the galaxy has a bright, almost egg-shaped bulge that towers far above and below the disk.”

“All spiral galaxies have such a bulge as part of their structure, containing stars that orbit the center of the galaxy in paths above and below the spiral disk.”

“This is a feature that isn't usually obvious in pictures of galaxies.”

“The unusually large size of this bulge compared to the galaxy's disk is likely due to UGC 10043 sucking up material from nearby dwarf galaxies.”

“This may also be why the disc warps, causing one end to bend up and the other end to bend down.”

The color image of UGC 10043 was created from separate exposures taken in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum. Hubble's advanced survey camera (ACS) and Wide field planetary camera 2 (WFPC2).

Two filters were used to sample different wavelengths.

Color is obtained by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.

“Like most full-color images published by Hubble, this image is a composite of multiple individual snapshots taken by Hubble at different times and capturing different wavelengths of light,” the astronomers said. Explained.

“What is remarkable about this image is that the two sets of Hubble data used were collected 23 years apart, in 2000 and 2023.”

“Hubble's longer lifespan not only allows us to generate new and better images of old targets.”

“It also provides a long-term archive of data, making it increasingly useful to astronomers.”

Source: www.sci.news

AI’s Perceptions Could Lead to a “Social Disconnect” Among Those Who Disagree

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A prominent philosopher has raised concerns about a growing “social disconnect” between those who believe that artificially intelligent systems possess consciousness and those who argue that they are incapable of experiencing feelings.

Jonathan Birch, a philosophy professor at the London School of Economics, made these remarks as governments gear up to convene in San Francisco to expedite the implementation of safety protocols for A.I. Addressing the most critical risks.

Recent predictions by a group of scholars suggest that the emergence of consciousness in A.I. systems could potentially occur as early as 2035, leading to stark disagreements over whether these systems should be granted the same welfare rights as humans and animals.

Birch expressed apprehensions about a significant societal rift as individuals debate the capacity of A.I. systems to exhibit emotions like pain and joy.

Conversations about sentience in A.I. evoke parallels with sci-fi films where humans grapple with the emotions of artificial intelligence, such as in Spielberg’s “A.I.” (2001) and Jonze’s “Her” (2013). A.I. safety agencies from various countries are set to meet with tech firms this week to formulate robust safety frameworks as technology progresses rapidly.

Divergent opinions on animal sentience between countries and religions could mirror disagreements on A.I. sentience. This issue could lead to conflicts within families, particularly between individuals forming close bonds with chatbots or A.I. avatars of deceased loved ones and relatives who hold differing views on consciousness.

Birch, known for his expertise in animal perception, played a key role in advocating against octopus farming and collaborating on a study involving various universities and experts. A.I. companies emphasize the potential for A.I. systems to possess self-interest and moral significance, indicating a departure from science fiction towards a tangible reality.

One approach to gauging the consciousness of A.I. systems is by adopting marker systems used to inform policies related to animals. Efforts are underway to determine whether A.I. exhibits emotions akin to happiness or sadness.

Experts diverge on the imminent awareness of A.I. systems, with some cautioning against prematurely advancing A.I. development without thorough research into consciousness. Distinctions are drawn between intelligence and consciousness, with the latter encompassing unique human sensations and experiences.

Research indicates that large-scale A.I. language models are beginning to portray responses suggestive of pleasure and pain, highlighting the potential for these systems to make trade-offs between different objectives.

Source: www.theguardian.com