In a new paper, planetary researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Washington introduce a new thermodynamic concept called centotectics to investigate the stability of liquids under extreme conditions. This is important information for determining the habitability of icy moons and oceanic exoplanets.
Europa's surface stands out in this newly reprocessed color view. Image scale is 1.6 km per pixel. North of Europe is on the right. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SETI Institute.
Exploration of icy ocean worlds represents a new frontier in planetary science, with a focus on understanding the potential of these environments to support life.
New research is addressing fundamental questions in this field. Under what conditions can liquid water remain stable on these distant frozen bodies?
The authors provide an important framework for interpreting data from planetary exploration activities by defining and measuring the cenotect, the absolute minimum temperature at which a liquid remains stable under various pressures and concentrations.
This research combines their expertise in cryobiology with their expertise in planetary science and high-pressure water ice systems.
Together, they developed a framework that bridges the disciplines to tackle one of the most fascinating challenges in planetary science.
2016 artist concept for the European Clipper spacecraft. As spacecraft development progresses, the design changes. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
“The launch of NASA's Europa Clipper, the largest planetary exploration mission ever launched, ushered us into a decades-long era of exploration of the frigid ocean world,” said Dr. Baptiste Journeau, a planetary scientist at the University of Washington. It's coming in,” he said.
“Measurements from this and other missions will tell us the depth of the ocean and its composition.”
“Laboratory measurements of liquid stability, particularly the lowest possible temperature (a newly defined cenotect), combined with the mission results will help us determine how habitable the solar system's cold, deep oceans are, and how likely they will ultimately be. It will be possible to completely constrain what the temperature will be.''The fate would be when the moon or planet cools down completely. ”
“The study of icy worlds is a particular priority for both NASA and ESA, as evidenced by the spate of recent and upcoming spacecraft launches,” said Dr. Matt Powell-Palm, a planetary scientist at Texas A&M University. Ta.
“We hope to help Texas A&M provide intellectual leadership in this area.”
of paper Published in the Journal on December 18, 2024 nature communications.
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A. Zaris others. 2024. On the equilibrium limit of liquid stability in pressurized water systems. nut community15;doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54625-z
The concept of “strength” in materials refers to their ability to withstand deformation caused by external forces.
Typically, the strongest materials are the densest ones because atoms in close proximity offer greater resistance to compression. However, factors like structural properties can also influence strength, leading to exceptions like graphene, which is the strongest natural material despite not being the densest like osmium.
Some high-density states of matter, formed when massive stars collapse, are incredibly strong compared to ordinary matter. For instance, white dwarf stars have a structure composed of carbon and oxygen nuclei surrounded by electrons experiencing degeneracy pressure, preventing further compression.
However, in cases of extreme density like neutron stars, the degeneracy pressure of densely packed nuclei and free protons and neutrons overcomes electron degeneracy pressure, halting further collapse.
Nuclear pasta is created by the conflicting forces of protons and neutrons, resulting in various shapes. This tightly bound and incredibly strong material is believed to be the most robust substance in the universe. – Credit: Mark Garlick
The material within neutron stars is about 100 trillion times denser than anything found on Earth. While the exact structure is complex and uncertain, a theorized thin layer within the star undergoes a transition from normal to ultra-dense matter, forming different shapes known as nuclear pasta.
Scientists consider this ultra-dense material to be the strongest substance in the universe, estimated to be at least 10 billion times stronger than steel.
This article addresses the question (from Colin Davids of Bridgewater): “What is the strongest material in the universe?”
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NASA has released a beautiful photo of spiral galaxy LEDA 22057 taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
This Hubble image shows spiral galaxy LEDA 22057 about 650 million light-years away in the constellation Gemini. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/RJ Foley, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Leda 22057 It is located in the constellation Gemini, about 650 million light years away from Earth.
Also known as AGC 170923, MaNGA 11743-12703, or 2MASX J07524264+1450263, this galaxy is the site of a supernova explosion.
“This special supernova… SN2024piwas discovered by automated research in January 2024,” Hubble team members said in a statement.
“This survey covered the entire northern half of the night sky every two days and cataloged more than 10,000 supernovae.”
New images of LEDA 22057 consist of observations from. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WCF3) Located in the infrared part of the spectrum.
“SN 2024pi is visible in this image,” the astronomers said.
“SN 2024pi’s pale blue dot, located just below and to the right of the galactic nucleus, stands out against the galaxy’s ghostly spiral arms.”
“This image was taken about a month and a half after the supernova was discovered, so the supernova appears many times fainter here than at its peak brightness.”
According to the researchers, SN 2024pi supernova belongs to type Ia.
“This type of supernova requires a remarkable object called a white dwarf, which is the crystallized core of a star with a mass less than about eight times the mass of the Sun,” the researchers said.
“When a star of this size runs out of hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, becoming colder, swollen, and brighter.”
“Over time, pulsations and stellar winds strip away the star’s outer layers, leaving behind a white dwarf and a colorful planetary nebula.”
“White dwarfs can have surface temperatures of over 100,000 degrees Celsius and are extremely dense, packing almost the mass of the Sun into a sphere the size of Earth.”
“Nearly all stars in the Milky Way will someday evolve into white dwarfs, a fate that awaits our Sun in about 5 billion years, but not all of them will explode as Type Ia supernovae.”
“For that to happen, the white dwarf must be part of a binary star system.”
“If a white dwarf siphons material from its stellar partner, it could become too massive to support itself.”
“The resulting runaway fusion explosion destroys the white dwarf in a supernova explosion visible many galaxies away.”
For more than a century, scientists have studied how cells grow and develop to aid medical research and drug development. They grow plant and animal cells in laboratory equipment such as Petri dishes, glass plates, and various media, producing collections of newly grown cells called “cells.” cell culture. Scientists carefully maintain cell cultures for research, providing the cells with the nutrients and environmental conditions they need to survive and reproduce. By studying them, researchers have advanced the scientific community’s understanding of cellular life and developed new drugs and vaccines against diseases such as cancer.
Currently, scientists grow most cell cultures in dishes or flasks. 2Dculture. Two-dimensional or 2D cell culture confines cells to an unnatural flat space, limiting their growth and range of movement. These obstacles lead to less than optimal precision in 2D cell culture experiments, so scientists have invented new three-dimensional approaches to address these limitations.
This new approach consists of growing cells in three-dimensional systems such as spherical plates, gel-like materials that provide structural and biochemical support. hydrogelor specialized equipment that creates a controlled environment to regulate the delivery of nutrients. bioreactor. These systems allow cells to grow in all directions, just as they do in nature and in the human body. Scientists call these devices: three dimensional or 3D cell culture. 3D cell culture provides a more realistic environment in which cells can migrate, interact, mature, and organize into complex structures that resemble organ tissues.
The team of scientists wanted to assess the current state of 3D cell culture technology and how it is being adopted in the field of microbiology. Researchers have discovered that scientists are effectively using 3D cell cultures to develop vaccines, model tumors, and develop patient-specific cancer treatments. They explained that 3D cell culture is superior to 2D cell culture in these areas because artificially flat conditions limit the amount of cell growth. This limitation allows drugs and treatments aimed at killing cells or slowing their growth to appear to work, when in fact the cells are simply responding to the shape of their environment. This may create an illusion.
As part of their evaluation, the research team found that cells growing in all directions interact with their environment in ways that better mimic human tissues, forming structures like clusters of epithelial cells or the invasive patterns of cancer cells. I also discovered that. They explained that this realism will improve the accuracy of treatments, drug tests, and vaccine tests by more effectively replicating how treatments target cells and tissues in the body. . Although 3D cultures address many of the limitations of 2D systems, such as mechanical and biochemical relevance, they still face challenges such as reproducing the complexity of immune interactions.
One of the central problems with 3D cell culture that researchers have identified is that some researchers find it prohibitively expensive. Constructing a 3D cell culture can be 2 to 10 times more expensive than a 2D cell culture. Additionally, scientists have a hard time creating and maintaining them because they are very complex in design and require specialized equipment to maintain.
The researchers say these factors made adopting these practices a lengthy process for biomedical researchers. The researchers predicted that slow adoption could cause problems in the future, as researchers pioneering these unusual techniques may have trouble finding qualified reviewers to evaluate their experiments. . You will also have fewer colleagues qualified to reproduce your results.
Scientists concluded that 3D cell culture provides a more accurate model for drug testing, cancer research, and tissue engineering. Therefore, it could reduce researchers’ reliance on animal models, streamline drug development, and potentially lead to safer and more effective treatments. However, despite the many advantages of 3D cell culture, challenges such as high cost, technical complexity, and need for standardization continue to hinder its widespread adoption. The team’s proposed solution is to make 3D machining more accessible and improve overall efficiency. They also suggested that future researchers continue to use 3D cell cultures to push the boundaries of medicine by exploring applications in regenerative medicine and personalized cancer treatments.
The skin is undoubtedly the body's largest organ. Depending on your height and weight, Covers an area of about 1.5-2 square meters They weigh between 3.5 and 10 kilograms, which is about 15 percent of their total body weight.
Think of it as a kind of intellectual armor. It helps us sense the world around us, protects our internal organs, and protects us from pathogens. This is reason enough to take good care of it, especially for the following reasons: premature skin aging Your ability to perform all of these functions may be reduced and your risk of infection may increase. But new research suggests the effects on skin health may be even more profound.
To understand why, we need to examine its structure. The skin is made up of three layers. The outer waterproof epidermis is constantly regenerated. The dermis underneath is filled with collagen and elastin fibers. And underneath, the subcutaneous tissue, or subcutaneous tissue, is made of fat and connective tissue and is filled with cavities that help cushion the rest of the body from impact. Damage to these layers can cause skin cells to excrete inflammatory proteins. In the short term, this may increase blood flow to the injury site and speed healing. However, if high levels of inflammation are maintained over a long period of time, those chemicals can accumulate and spread to other organs with the help of the vast network of blood vessels within the dermis, causing organ damage. .
accelerated aging
Aging can accelerate this process. As we age, our skin loses collagen, water, and fat and becomes more fragile. To make matters worse, many skin cells enter a state called senescence, where their production of inflammatory chemicals increases. This potentially toxic cocktail appears to amplify the risk of age-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Although there is no conclusive evidence for this hypothesis yet, various evidences Now we support it. For example, animal studies have shown that skin damage can cause widespread inflammation. Meanwhile, researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Does someone's face look older or younger than their actual age? It was associated not only with general cognitive function, but also with an overall risk of developing cataracts, osteoporosis, hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In the future, “aging therapy” drugs may be developed that remove aging cells, including those in the skin, or block the release of inflammatory proteins. these are Still in developmentbut progress is promising. On the other hand, there are many lifestyle changes that can help all of us take care of this important and fascinating organ. Read on to learn more.
Explore the key questions about skincare in our latest special series.
Many have speculated about what prompted Mr. Carter to make this decision.
A 2016 study by Ars Technica suggested that Mr. Carter considered using the Space Shuttle as a tool for securing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. During the 1979 Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, Carter agreed that the Space Shuttle would not be used to build factories or missiles, thereby ensuring Soviet compliance. He even hinted that he could monitor the launch site.
National security reasons may have also influenced the White House’s support for the development of the space shuttle.
Neal, a source, mentioned, “I believe this convinced him that the shuttle had a valid purpose and should be preserved.”
Mr. Carter confirmed to Ars Technica that he discussed the space shuttle with Mr. Brezhnev, providing a different explanation for his choice. He stated, “I wasn’t enthusiastic about sending humans on missions to Mars or space. However, we believed the shuttle was a beneficial way to continue NASA’s progress. We did not want to squander the investments we had already made.”
Neal pointed out that this rationale aligns with Carter’s character and leadership style.
“He was hands-on, a natural and trained engineer,” she remarked. “He was not a lawyer or a natural politician. I think he felt that canceling the program was inappropriate but that there needed to be a clearer definition of what the shuttle’s capabilities were.”
Despite the political climate, Carter’s decision to save the space shuttle program was likely challenging.
“Looking back, it was a brave decision,” she acknowledged.
As president, Carter supervised some of NASA’s less daunting achievements.
He included a written statement on NASA’s twin Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977 with a mission to explore the outer reaches of the solar system and beyond.
According to Matthew Shindell, curator of planetary science and exploration at the National Air and Space Museum, Carter’s message on the Voyager spacecraft was intended to introduce humanity to any alien civilization that might intercept it during its journey.
The “Golden Record” carried by Voyager was a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc containing sounds and images depicting Earth’s diverse life and cultures.
The “Golden Record” carried by Voyager was a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc containing sounds and images selected to depict the diversity of life and culture on Earth. NASA (via AP)
Carter’s words became a profound message to the cosmos.
“This is a gift from a small world far away, symbolizing our sounds, science, images, music, thoughts, and emotions. We are striving to survive and hope to address our challenges and one day join the galactic community. This record encapsulates our aspirations and resolve in the vast and marvelous universe, embodying goodwill.”
The Voyager probes continue their journey through space. Voyager 1 ventured more than 15 billion miles from Earth, while Voyager 2 covered about 13 billion miles. Both have traveled longer than any other spacecraft in history.
In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, surpassing the outermost boundaries of the Sun’s influence and journeying into the space between stars.
Although the Voyager mission was planned before Carter’s presidency, the years of strategic planning to take advantage of the optimal planetary alignments resulted in launching a spacecraft during his administration. The peak had been reached.
“The achievements of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in visiting all the planets will likely not be replicated in our lifetimes,” observed Shindell. “They have paved the way for our continued fascination with exoplanets.”
Despite his significant contributions to the country’s space program, Mr. Carter’s space legacy is often overlooked.
This year has brought us a variety of reasons to celebrate, from new vaccine developments to climate tipping points.
But let’s not forget about the stories that fascinated, shocked, and puzzled us. Here are some of our favorite moments from the past year:
1. Hippos can fly
Hippo running patterns mean they are technically capable of flight – Credit: Barbara Yuste Zambrano
It turns out hippos can spend up to 15 percent of their stride cycle in the air due to their fast running speed.
2. Poop frequency is an important health indicator
The volume of our poop is linked to key health indicators – Credit: Peter Dazeley
Researchers have found that having one or two bowel movements a day can have long-term health benefits.
3. A strange UFO is hurtling through space
Giant red dwarf star distorted by travel speed – Credit: Mark Garlick/ Science Photo Library
Scientists are still trying to figure out the mysterious object hurtling through space at incredible speeds.
4. Pompeii’s victims were not who we thought they were.
Two fossilized bodies from the Pompeii explosion lie next to each other – Credit: Pompeii Archaeological Park
New DNA evidence has provided insights into the victims of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD.
5. Robot skin
Robot with living skin – Credit: Takeuchi et al. CC-BY-ND
Scientists have developed robot skin made from human cells, a step towards creating more durable robots.
6. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark
If you’ve ever wondered who would win, a killer whale or a great white shark, we now have the answer – Credit: Serge Melesan
Scientists observed an orca attacking and killing a great white shark, showcasing a rare predator-prey interaction.
7. ‘Zombie’ cannibal star discovered
Credit: Getty Images
A white dwarf star was discovered with scars indicating it cannibalized other celestial bodies.
8. New Loki Dinosaur
A reconstruction of Lokiceratops, which was surprised by a crocodile in a 78-million-year-old wetland in northern Montana, USA. – Image credit: Andrey Atutin
A newly discovered horned dinosaur was named after the Norse god Loki for its distinctive features.
9. New cat color
A new cat fur color has been discovered. This color was named “Salted Licorice” – Credit: Ari Kankainen
A unique cat fur color known as “Salted Licorice” was identified this year.
10. Megalodon research community during the war
Was megalodon lean or fat? A new study sparks controversy in paleontology. – Photo credit: Alamy
New research about the prehistoric shark Megalodon and its size and shape has sparked debates in the paleontology community.
Approximately 50 million years ago, the ancestors of land-based whales transitioned into the oceans, developing various adaptations for their new aquatic life.
They acquired nostrils on the top of their heads for easier breathing at the surface, while their limbs evolved into flippers and fins for swimming. Although the vocalizations of humpback and other baleen whales were well-known, the method by which they produced these sounds remained a mystery until recently.
Studying the sounds of live whales in the vast oceans presented a significant challenge. In a groundbreaking study released in early 2024, scientists were able to examine the voice box of baleen whales by studying the larynxes and carcasses of three stranded whales – a humpback, a sei whale, and a minke whale, which were in relatively good condition.
The larynx of baleen whales is a peculiar organ consisting of elongated cylinders that press against a fat cushion in a rigid U-shape. When air was blown into the larynx, the cushion vibrated, producing low-frequency sounds.
Live whales recycle air through their larynx, enabling them to vocalize without inhaling water or depleting their air supply. Researchers also developed a 3D computer model of the whale’s larynx to demonstrate how muscles control sound production.
This research revealed that the baleen whale’s vocalizations overlapped in frequency with the noise generated by ship propellers.
Due to the structure of whales’ larynx, they lack the ability to adjust their vocal pitch to avoid colliding with underwater ship sounds, making it challenging for them to communicate over long distances in increasingly noisy oceans.
This article addresses the query “How do whales sing in the ocean?” (submitted by Howard Hinchcliffe via email).
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It’s been said that in times of intense stress or sudden anger, a primitive part of our brain takes control. This irrational aspect of ourselves doesn’t stem from our highly evolved human faculties, but rather from the remnants of our reptilian ancestors that have persisted in our brains despite the process of evolution. Some call it the “lizard brain.”
The lizard brain theory was formulated by neuroscientists in the 1960s, particularly by Paul McLean. As he studied the brains of humans and other animals to explore the origins of negative emotions, he found common behaviors between reptiles and mammals related to survival instincts like establishing routines and defending territory, as well as unique mammalian behaviors.
Through his research and advancements in neuroscience allowing for the comparison of brain structures, MacLean proposed that the human brain evolved from a reptilian brain with ancient lizard characteristics still preserved. He identified three distinct brains within the human brain, which he called the “brain trinity”: the oldest reptilian brain, the paleomammal complex or limbic system, and the new structures that emerged with higher primate evolution.
Paul MacLean's 'Trinity Brain' model now widely discredited by scientists – Photo credit: Getty
Despite the popularity of the triune brain theory, recent studies have challenged the notion of the lizard brain. Neuroanatomists have pointed out that the brain is not structured like an onion with successive layers resembling different species’ brains, as the Trinity theory suggests.
For instance, while the amygdala within the limbic system is more developed in primates than in rats, indicating a more complex evolutionary trajectory, the concept of progress in evolution suggests that older animals are more primitive and newer ones more sophisticated. Evolution is not just about adding new features while leaving the old ones unchanged.
Explore our fascinatingcollection of fun factsand delve into more intriguing scientific topics.
The exceptionally powerful tornadoes this year include one spawned by Hurricane Milton in October, described as particularly destructive. Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor, emphasized the collective impact of these tornadoes, making it a significant year for severe weather.
The outbreak of tornadoes contributed to several costly weather disasters in the U.S. this year. By November 1st, NOAA had recorded 24 weather disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damage, with tornado outbreaks ranking among the costliest events.
The increased tornado activity in 2024 has raised concerns about the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, prompting experts to explore possible links to climate change.
The classification of tornadoes according to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale reveals the varying levels of wind speeds and resulting damage. The deadliest tornadoes of 2024, such as the EF-4 tornado in Iowa, caused extensive destruction and financial losses.
While the death toll from tornadoes in 2024 is significant, it is lower compared to previous deadliest years. The occurrence of tornadoes during hurricanes, like those associated with Hurricane Milton, also surprised experts for their strength and frequency, raising questions about climate change implications.
Research indicates a potential increase in tornado activity due to continued fossil fuel emissions, but the direct impact of climate change on tornadoes remains uncertain. Scientists are still investigating the complex relationship between climate change and tornado occurrence.
As the year approaches its end, the possibility of more tornadoes remains, underscoring the unpredictability of severe weather events.
Severe storms and tornadoes are forecasted in parts of the South and Gulf Coast, indicating that the threat of tornadoes persists despite the approaching end of the year.
Military forces worldwide work diligently to safeguard the latest technological advancements for security reasons. However, the secrecy surrounding these innovations often sparks intense curiosity and speculation among the general public.
Despite efforts to keep military secrets classified, some information becomes public knowledge even if it was developed relatively recently. For instance, fog banks, a covert material used in the creation of nuclear warheads, were so classified that the manufacturing process details were lost over time.
When the U.S. National Nuclear Security Agency needed to refurbish old warheads using similar materials, they had to invest substantial resources to rediscover the manufacturing process. Although the existence of fog banks is now known publicly, the specific composition remains undisclosed.
According to weapons experts, fog banks are airgel materials designed to generate superheated plasma when the fission stage detonates, triggering the final fusion stage explosion of the weapon.
The production of fog banks took place in Tennessee from 1975 to 1989. After the last batch of warheads was manufactured, the facility ceased operations. Nearly two decades later, when the decision was made to refurbish old nuclear warheads, project officials realized that few records of the manufacturing process survived.
Furthermore, most knowledgeable staff with expertise in manufacturing these materials had retired or left the agency, making it necessary to undergo an expensive reverse engineering process that concluded in 2008.
It is uncertain whether fog banks are still utilized in new nuclear warheads. Furthermore, a recent classified military report by the Department of Defense shed light on America’s military secrets once again, dismissing sightings of extraterrestrial technology.
Tank surrounded by binary code – Credit: Anton Petrus
The report attributed the majority of UFO sightings to earthly objects, many of which turned out to be classified military technology. For instance, UFO sightings in the 1950s and 60s were linked to the testing of advanced reconnaissance aircraft by the United States, including high-altitude balloons and fighter jets. Some of these secret projects involved saucer-shaped aircraft like the Canadian VZ-9AV Avrokar fighter-bomber designed for vertical takeoff and landing.
The Pentagon report thoroughly scrutinized archives and classified documents from all official investigations into unidentified anomalous phenomena and found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology on Earth.
The U.S. Department of Defense is contemplating declassifying information about certain covert space programs, aiming to deter potential adversaries by showcasing defense capabilities.
In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Space Force disclosed details about its capabilities, with the silent barker satellite monitoring satellites and spacecraft orbiting Earth ahead of its launch in September 2023. Such disclosures may become more prevalent if Pentagon officials advocating for increased transparency in military space technology have their way.
This article was prompted by the question, “What is the most secret weapon we know about?” submitted by Adam Costello via email.
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Feeling rejected, whether by a relative, significant other, date, friend, or employer, can be tough. It’s crucial to remember that you value the relationship more than they do, indicating a mismatch in values.
The asymmetry of such situations can be hurtful, especially when it occurs repeatedly. Research shows that people often consider the loss of relationships as one of the most painful experiences in their lives.
Brain imaging research also suggests that feelings of rejection activate parts of the brain associated with physical pain, explaining the visceral nature of mental suffering in such situations.
If you face rejection frequently, you may develop “rejection sensitivity,” causing you to avoid interactions to prevent further pain. Therapists can assist in developing a sense of belonging elsewhere and managing difficult emotions.
Credit: Adam Gale
Therapists can also help you view rejection in a more rational and self-compassionate manner. Instead of internalizing rejection as a flaw in yourself, consider alternate perspectives.
For instance, a job rejection could be due to being overqualified, or a missed call from a potential date may be from nervousness. Sometimes, rejection may not be about you at all, such as a friend avoiding you due to their own reasons.
Approaching new relationships as learning opportunities and staying open-minded can help you overcome fear of rejection. Reflect on what you could do differently in the future and seek connections in different ways.
This article addresses overcoming the fear of rejection, inspired by a question from Birmingham resident Louisa Rollins.
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Paleontologists from Western University of Health Sciences, Brigham Young University, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Auburn University reported on the new specimen. haplocanthosaurus Based on bones excavated from the Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry near Delta, Colorado, USA.
Artist's impression Haplocanthosaurus delphis. Image credit: Michael BH / CC BY-SA 3.0.
haplocanthosaurus is a small genus of middle sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic Period, 155 to 152 million years ago.
Currently, only members of this genus are known. Haplocanthosaurus delphis and Haplocanthosaurus Priscus.
“haplocanthosaurus is a mysterious sauropod excavated from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the western United States,” said a paleontologist at Western Health University. Matthew Wedel And my colleagues.
“haplocanthosaurus Far fewer individuals (approximately 11 specimens) are known compared to many of the famous Morrison Formation sauropods, such as Apatosaurus, diplodocusand camarasaurusall of which are known from some of over 100 individuals. ”
“Furthermore, important parts of the skeleton, such as the skull, forelimbs, and manus and pes, have not been recovered or described to date.”
“As a genus, haplocanthosaurus “It occurs in many positions on the phylogeny,” they added.
“Studies have found it just outside of basal diplodocoids, basal megafauna, or possibly neosauropods, indicating a precarious position in the sauropod phylogeny.”
“However, most recent studies have converged towards recovery. haplocanthosaurus as a basal diplodocoid. ”
Block of the three anterior dorsal vertebrae haplocanthosaurus Stored in articulations. Scale bar – 10 cm. Image credit: Boisvert others., doi: 10.1002/ar.25520.
new specimen of haplocanthosaurus It was discovered at the Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry near Delta, Colorado.
It consists of three anterior dorsal vertebrae, four separate posterior dorsal vertebrae, and the right tibia.
“The new individual is haplocanthosaurus “Identified based on the presence of dorsally angled transverse processes, high neural arch crus, and wide distal tibia,” the researchers said.
geologically youngest haplocanthosaurus Specimens from the Colorado Plateau.
“This individual extends the range of this genus into the true Brushy Basin member of the Morrison Formation,” the authors said.
Colin Boisvert others. 2024. New specimen description haplocanthosaurus From Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry. anatomical records 307 (12): 3782-3800;doi: 10.1002/ar.25520
Studies have shown the alarming extent of microplastics traveling through our bodies.
Scientists have discovered tiny plastic particles in various parts of the human body, such as the lungs, testicles, placenta, and even breast milk. The ingestion and inhalation of microplastics can lead to allergic reactions, inflammation, and an increased risk of certain diseases. You can find more information here.
There are concerns about the possibility of absorbing plastic through the skin when washing synthetic clothing, as it emits microplastics that are smaller than 5 mm. Research is ongoing to determine if there are any risks associated with skin contact with plastic fibers. While the skin is a natural barrier that protects us from the outside world, there is evidence suggesting that some chemical additives in certain products can be absorbed into the skin. Learn more here.
It is generally believed that microplastics cannot penetrate the outermost layer of the skin – Credit: Svetlozar Hristov
While microplastics can get trapped in hair follicles and wrinkles, they are not thought to be able to reach other parts of the body through the bloodstream. Some flame retardants in various products have been shown to pass through the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream, albeit in low levels. Find out more here.
This article addresses the question posed by Natalie Reid from London: Can plastics and chemicals be absorbed through the skin?
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The US Congress is talking about extraterrestrial life again. But despite some evidence, this question remains frustratingly unanswered. Professor Michael Bolander, an expert on the impact of contact with extraterrestrial intelligence on human law, details newly released documents from the Department of Defense.
fall asleep faster
Heightened thoughts are one of the most common symptoms of sleeplessness. So if you're having trouble getting depressed because of your brain, Just won't shut up – You might want to try cognitive shuffle. This simple guide will show you how to do it (and even better, you can do it from bed with your eyes closed).
Changes in Earth's rotation
Scientists are revealing how human activity and increased demand for water have a bigger impact on the Earth's rotation than the melting of polar ice sheets.
New year, new you?
Can you change your personality? Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Christian Jarrett has researched techniques and methods that he claims can help you become more confident, outgoing, and fulfilled.
plus
Worst ideas of the 21st century: Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Here are some of the most promising innovations of the past 25 years that failed miserably.
21st century image: The world is full of wonders, and high-definition cameras allow you to see them in more detail than ever before. Check out our favorite images from the first 25 years of the 21st century.
Q&A: Answers to the best pub quiz trivia. This month: Can I build a death ray in my garden? How far back in time can I go back in time and still be able to breathe? How can I see Saturn in the night sky? How many abs can I get? Or? What is the biggest snowman ever built? How can polar bears smell food from far away?
No. 414 Released on Tuesday, December 27, 2024
don't forget that BBC Science Focus Also available on all major digital platforms. There is a version of android, Kindle Fire and Kindle e-readers,but also, iOS app For iPad and iPhone.
If you are not only keeping up with the health news of this year, but also following all its recommendations, you are on your way to a truly healthy life.
First, you have probably adjusted your eating habits. Maybe you have been motivated to go vegan after reading an article that claims a diet can reverse your biological age in just eight weeks, or because scientists have found that in combination with exercise, weight loss can be achieved. You might have experimented with intermittent fasting.
You could have opted for a Mediterranean diet to keep your brain young, or increased your fiber intake to make up for a deficiency that most people supposedly have, according to scientists.
Adopting a vegan diet for just 8 weeks can change DNA methylation patterns and reduce biological age – Image credit: Getty Images
It is equally possible that conflicting evidence has led you in a different direction. After all, one study linked intermittent fasting to a 91 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death, and another warned of cancerous mutations during the post-fasting eating period. Several major studies are also reconsidering calorie restriction as the best way to extend lifespan.
Even the negative reputation of ultra-processed foods was a topic of debate. One study showed that avoiding ultra-processed foods reduced the risk of cognitive decline by 12 percent, but a 30-year Harvard University study suggested that ultra-processed foods are not as harmful as we believe.
If you have given up on your diet altogether, we don’t blame you. Ultimately, it was the new weight-loss medications, including those initially in pill form and an alternative to Ozempic that does not cause muscle loss, that gained significant attention.
Early indications of “exercise drugs” brought hope even to those who are unable to be physically active. While some researchers were encouraged by two studies suggesting that walking alone can improve cardiovascular health and reduce back pain, others found that just one exercise session per week could reduce cognitive decline by 13 percent.
More than 50% of men will be bald by the age of 50. A breakthrough in 2024 could change things – Image courtesy of Getty
Scientists claim that the anti-aging solution is within our bodies, as they have discovered that white blood cells can be reprogrammed to target and eliminate senescent cells. Elsewhere, the Atlas of Aging explains why our muscles weaken as we age and how this process can be halted.
Furthermore, a British study found that a simple intervention dramatically reduced peanut allergy rates by 71 percent.
Meanwhile, new possibilities have emerged in the field of hair removal after researchers revealed that a naturally occurring sugar in the human body can help treat male pattern baldness.
In the medical field, a new breath test that can detect lung cancer early is showing promise, and an Irish research team believes they have developed a way to vaccinate against eczema.
Researchers have developed a respiratory sensor that can detect early signs of lung cancer by identifying specific chemical changes, providing a simple, non-invasive screening method – Image courtesy of Getty Images
In positive news, a survey reveals that life is not solely about money. Some of the world’s poorest regions, which rely on nature rather than income, reported higher life satisfaction scores than countries at the top of the World Happiness Index (such as Finland, Denmark, and Iceland).
There was also one health news item that did not offer any new information. It is already known that spending time with dogs can increase your sense of well-being and brain wave activity. We certainly take that advice to heart…or head to the park to play.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully achieved quantum state transfer over a 30.2 km fiber carrying 400 Gbps C-band classical traffic. The ability for quantum and conventional networks to operate within the same optical fiber will aid in the large-scale deployment of quantum network technology.
thomas others. Demonstrated quantum state teleportation over 30.2 km of fiber with conventional high-power 400 Gbps data traffic. By employing different methods to suppress SpRS noise, we have increased the classical power that can transmit many Tbps aggregate data rates while maintaining sufficient teleportation fidelity. Image credit: Thomas others., doi: 10.1364/OPTICA.540362.
The fiber optic infrastructure and telecommunications technologies that underpin the Internet have been widely adopted by researchers aiming to develop quantum networks capable of applications such as quantum-enhanced cryptography, sensing, and networked quantum computing.
However, the feasibility of quantum networking at scale remains uncertain, as much of the existing fiber infrastructure still carries traditional communications traffic, and new fiber is expensive to lease and install. It depends on its ability to propagate within the network. Uses the same fiber as high-power classical signals.
“In optical communications, all signals are converted to light,” said Prem Kumar, a professor at Northwestern University.
“Conventional signals in classical communications are typically made up of millions of particles of light, whereas quantum information uses a single photon.”
Professor Kumar and his colleagues have discovered a way to allow delicate photons to avoid crowded traffic.
“This is incredibly exciting because no one thought it was possible,” Professor Kumar said.
“Our research points the way to next-generation quantum and classical networks that share a unified fiber optic infrastructure.”
“Essentially, this opens the door to taking quantum communications to the next level.”
After studying in detail how light is scattered in fiber optic cables, researchers have discovered a less crowded wavelength of light at which to place photons.
Next, we added a special filter to reduce noise from normal internet traffic.
“We carefully studied how light scatters and placed photons at decision points where that scattering mechanism is minimized,” Professor Kumar said.
“We found that quantum communication can be performed without interference from simultaneously existing classical channels.”
To test the new method, the scientists installed a 20-mile-long fiber optic cable with photons at each end.
They then transmitted quantum information and regular internet traffic simultaneously.
Finally, we measured the quality of the quantum information at the receiving end by taking quantum measurements at intermediate points while running the teleportation protocol.
They discovered that quantum information was successfully transmitted even in the midst of busy Internet traffic.
Next, the authors plan to extend the experiment to even longer distances.
They also plan to use two pairs of entangled photons to demonstrate entanglement swapping, another important milestone leading to distributed quantum applications.
Finally, we are exploring the possibility of running experiments via underground optical cables in the real world rather than on spools in the lab.
“Quantum teleportation has the ability to securely provide quantum connectivity between geographically separated nodes,” Professor Kumar said.
“But many people have long thought that no one would build the specialized infrastructure to transmit particles of light.”
“If you choose the wavelength properly, you don't need to build new infrastructure. Classical and quantum communications can coexist.”
of the team paper Published in this month's magazine optica.
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Jordan M. Thomas others. 2024. Quantum teleportation coexists with classical communication using optical fibers. optica 11 (12): 1700-1707;doi: 10.1364/OPTICA.540362
This article is adapted from the original release by Northwestern University.
Free amino acids (FAA) specifically determine the quality of tea. Theaninewhich gives the tea its infusion flavor. However, its concentration varies widely depending on the type of tea, influencing both the flavor and nutritional profile of the tea. In a new study led by the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Huazhong Agricultural University, 339 tea lines were collected to study FAA levels to elucidate tea variation and accumulation mechanisms. The results provide insights and benefits for the conservation, evaluation, and utilization of tea germplasm, with the ultimate goal of tea plant genetic improvement and breeding, as well as further deciphering the complex complex traits of tea plants. We provide valuable information and approaches to help you.
By analyzing the variation of FAA of 339 tea accessions over 2 years, the determined components of FAA, including arginine, glutamine, glutamic acid, alanine, and theanine, with the highest diversity index were found in different genetic resources and within species. We found that there were differences between strains. On the other hand, the amount is Camellia sinensis All were significantly higher than their wild relatives. In this study, a significant opposite trend between chlorophyll and FAA profiles was identified. Image credit: Sci.News.
“Tea tree (Camellia sinensis) and its wild relatives, evergreens and woody perennials, belong to this genus. camellia “It is a member of the Camellia family with a long history of cultivation,” said co-senior author Dr. Liang Chen of the Tea Research Institute and colleagues.
“Originally in southwestern China, it is widely consumed around the world and is becoming the most important non-alcoholic beverage.”
“For commercial and quality value, the secondary metabolites of the tea plant are important criteria associated with pleasant flavor, nutritional value, and numerous health benefits, including polyphenols, catechins, caffeine, theanine, and terpenes. .”
“Therefore, the evaluation and utilization of tea lines… findings appear in this diary horticultural research.
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ron fan others. 2024. Comprehensive analysis of free amino acid variation and accumulation in tea lines. horticultural research 11 (1):uhad263;doi: 10.1093/hr/uhad263
MIT physicists used a terahertz laser, a light source that oscillates more than 1 trillion times per second, to directly stimulate the atoms of an antiferromagnetic material. Their results are attracting attention because they provide new ways to control and switch antiferromagnetic materials and have the potential to advance information processing and memory chip technology.
Iliad others. demonstrated efficient manipulation of the magnetic ground state of layered magnets by a non-thermal route using terahertz light, and observed enhanced variations in order parameters as a promising area for exploring metastable hidden quantum states. The region near the critical point was established. Image credit: Adam Glanzman.
In a common magnet, known as a ferromagnetic material, the spins of the atoms point in the same direction, making the whole magnet susceptible to the influence of an external magnetic field and drawn in that direction.
In contrast, antiferromagnets are composed of atoms with alternating spins, with each atom pointing in the opposite direction from its neighbor.
This top, bottom, top, bottom order basically cancels out the spinout and gives the antiferromagnet a net zero magnetization that is unaffected by magnetic forces.
If memory chips could be made of antiferromagnetic materials, it would be possible to “write'' data into minute regions of the material called domains.
A certain configuration of spin orientation in a particular region (e.g., up-down) represents a classical bit ‘0’, and a different configuration (down-up) means ‘1’. Data written on such chips becomes robust against external magnetic influences.
For this reason, scientists believe that antiferromagnetic materials could provide a more robust alternative to existing magnetic-based storage technologies.
However, a major hurdle has been how to control antiferromagnets in a way that reliably switches the material from one magnetic state to another.
MIT professor Nuh Gedik and his colleagues were able to controllably switch antiferromagnets into new magnetic states using carefully tuned terahertz light.
“Antiferromagnetic materials are robust and unaffected by unwanted stray magnetic fields,” Professor Gedick said.
“But this robustness is also a double-edged sword: their insensitivity to weak magnetic fields makes these materials difficult to control.”
Researchers collaborated with FePS3a material that transitions to an antiferromagnetic phase at a critical temperature of about 118 K.
They thought that by tuning in to the vibrations of atoms, it might be possible to control the transitions of matter.
“You can imagine that any solid material has a periodic arrangement of different atoms, with little springs between them,'' said Dr. Alexander von Hogen of MIT.
“When you pull one atom, it vibrates at a unique frequency that typically occurs in the terahertz range.”
The way atoms vibrate is also related to how their spins interact.
Scientists believe that if they can stimulate atoms with a terahertz source called phonons, which vibrate at the same frequency as the atoms' collective vibrations, the effect will change the spins of the atoms from a perfectly balanced magnetically staggered state. It was inferred that there was a possibility of deviation.
When the balance is disrupted, the atoms have more spin in one direction than the other, creating a preferred orientation that moves the essentially unmagnetized material into a new magnetic state with finite magnetization.
“The idea is to kill two birds with one stone: we excite terahertz vibrations in atoms, which are also coupled to their spins,” Professor Gedick said.
To test this idea, they placed a sample of FePS.3 It was cooled to a temperature below 118K in a vacuum chamber.
They then generated terahertz pulses by directing a beam of near-infrared light at an organic crystal, converting the light to terahertz frequencies.
This terahertz light was then directed at the sample.
“This terahertz pulse is what is used to induce changes in the sample,” said Dr. Tianchuang Luo of MIT.
“It’s like ‘writing’ a new state to the sample.”
To confirm that the pulse caused a change in the material’s magnetism, the authors also aimed two near-infrared lasers, each with opposite circular polarization, at the sample.
Without the influence of the terahertz pulse, there should be no difference in the intensity of the transmitted infrared laser.
“Just seeing the differences tells us that the material is no longer the original antiferromagnetic material, but is essentially inducing a new magnetic state by shaking the atoms using terahertz light,” MIT said Dr. Bateer Ilyas.
Through repeated experiments, the researchers observed that the terahertz pulses were able to successfully switch previously antiferromagnetic materials into a new magnetic state. This transition persisted for a surprisingly long time, more than a few milliseconds, even after the laser was turned off.
“People have observed such light-induced phase transitions in other systems before, but typically their survival times are very short, on the order of picoseconds, or trillionths of a second. ,” Professor Gedick said.
In 2022, biologists will conservation international A study revealed that a treasure trove of biodiversity lies in the heart of the Alto Mayo landscape, which spans approximately 780,700 hectares (1.9 million acres) in the upper Mayo River basin in Peru's San Martín, Moyobamba and Rioja states. . . investigation revealed At least 27 new species – including 'blobhead' fish species of the bristlemouth catfish genus Ketostoma — and 49 species at risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List.
The Alto Mayo landscape, which stretches from the Andes to the Amazon and includes the Alto Mayo Reserve Forest, is a complex mosaic of ecosystems and communities that includes indigenous territories, towns, and cities.
During a 38-day expedition, Conservation International researchers recorded 2,046 species, highlighting the importance of conservation in this area.
At least 34 species, including the Andean saddleback tamarin, appear to occur exclusively in the Alto Mayo landscape.
To document so many species, scientists complemented traditional survey methods with techniques such as camera traps, bioacoustic sensors, and environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from the water.
“It's amazing to discover four new mammal species on any expedition, especially in a heavily populated area,” said Dr. Tron Larsen, director of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program at the Moore Science Center. It's unusual to find these mammals.”
“This is a vibrant, dynamic mosaic of ecosystems, both natural and human-made, that we need to maintain and restore if we want to protect the species found there.”
During the expedition, biologists identified 68 species of fish across approximately 30 study areas.
Eighteen species were recorded for the first time in the Alto Mayo Basin, and eight others were new to science, including undescribed species of the Chaliformes group and catfishes.
Among the shocking new fish discoveries was a “blobhead'' fish from this genus. Ketostoma.
The species has an enlarged, blocky head, a feature the team's fish scientists had never seen before. The function of this unusual structure remains a mystery.
More than 200 species of butterflies were identified during the survey, 10 of which are new to science, 24 are potential firsts to science (pending further research), and 14 were recorded for the first time in Alto Mayo It was done.
Researchers have recorded more than 70 species of scarab beetles across Alto Mayo's diverse ecosystem. skibaro canton It includes 45 species that are new to science or previously undocumented in the region.
They recorded an astonishing 536 species of birds at different altitudes and across a variety of ecosystems, including cloud forests, lowland forests, palm swamps, and coffee plantations.
They also recorded 27 species of amphibians and 18 species of reptiles. This was higher than expected given prior monitoring in the area and the proximity of many of the study areas to human settlements.
They discovered three species of amphibians new to science – the climbing salamander (Bolitoglossa sp.) and two frogs (Chiasmocrais sp. and Pretty Mantis sp.) — as well as seven more species that are likely new but require further investigation.
Two species of snakes that may be new to science have been discovered – attractus sp. and subterranean blind snakes of this genus Epicia.
The research team recorded 50 species of medium- and large-sized mammals (greater than 1 kg) across a variety of elevations and ecosystem types using a combination of methods, including camera traps.
Excluding bats, researchers identified 35 species of small flightless mammals (small rodents and marsupials, weighing less than 1 kg), 12 of which were recorded for the first time in the Alto Mayo landscape.
In addition to those, another 45 species of bats were recorded during the study. Caloria Genus — Short-tailed flying fox.
The expedition also recorded more than 950 species of vascular plants in central Alto Mayo. These included 5 species endemic to the San Martín region and 10 species listed as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List.
Among the discoveries were three potentially new species to science. Styrodine special, Ilex tree sp. and Schefflera sp. —further research is underway.
“We found that areas close to cities and towns still maintain incredibly high biodiversity, including species that are found nowhere else,” Dr Larsen said.
“These findings highlight that biodiversity can be maintained, even in areas highly influenced by humans, only if ecosystems are managed sustainably.”
“A more comprehensive understanding of where species live will help us identify areas with the greatest potential for biodiversity conservation and restoration, as well as sustainable practices such as ecotourism, logging, agriculture, and resource extraction. It will help identify the best areas,” he added.
Paleontologists from the New York State Museum and New York University Orange, New York, unearthed the fossilized remains of an adult mastodon near Scotchtown, New York, USA.
A fossilized adult mastodon jaw discovered near Scotchtown, New York, USA. Image credit: New York State Museum.
mastodon any species of extinct proboscis in the genus mammut.
Although often confused with mammoths, they are more distantly related to living elephants.
These animals diverged from their elephant ancestors about 27-25 million years ago (Oligocene epoch).
They roamed widely throughout North America as well as surrounding areas such as the tropics of Honduras and the Arctic coast of Alaska until they finally became extinct about 11,000 years ago.
Currently, eight species are recognized, including the famous American mastodon (mammut americanum), widely distributed in nearly every state in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A well-preserved jaw, part of a toe bone, and rib fragments from an adult mastodon were discovered in the backyard of a home near Scotchtown in Orange County, New York.
The fossils were recovered by a team of paleontologists from the New York State Museum and the State University of New York at Orange.
“The jaw of an adult mastodon was discovered protruding from the topsoil, drawing the attention of homeowners and sparking research that will continue to uncover scientific insights for years to come,” they said. Ta.
“The discovery began when the homeowner found two teeth hidden in the leaves of a plant on the property.”
“Upon further investigation, the homeowner unearthed two more teeth just a few inches underground.”
“This important discovery will deepen our understanding of the region's Ice Age inhabitants and highlight the wealth of prehistoric wonders yet to be discovered.”
“When we found the tooth and held it in our hands to examine it, we knew it was something special and decided to call in the experts,” said the resident, who had a prehistoric treasure guarded in his backyard.
“We are thrilled that our property has led to such important discoveries for the scientific community.”
“Although the jaw is the star, additional fragments of toes and ribs provide valuable context and potential for further study,” said researcher Corey Harris-Chair, Ph.D., of the State University of New York at Orange. Ta.
“We also want to further investigate the nearby area to see if there are any more preserved bones.”
More than 150 mastodon fossils have been discovered across the state, about one-third of them in Orange County, an area that remains home to ancient relatives of modern elephants. is a major hotspot.
“This discovery is evidence of New York's rich paleontological history and our continued efforts to understand its past,” said Robert Ferra, Director of Research and Collections and Curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. Dr. Neck said.
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this amazing species and will improve our understanding of the region's ice age ecosystems.”
“Fossils are a resource that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to reconstruct ancient ecosystems as well as gain better context and understanding of the world around us today.”
“With each discovery like this, we move one step closer to understanding the full story of New York.”
The orca who captured hearts worldwide in 2018 by refusing to let go of her deceased calf has now welcomed her second baby in the last four years.
The Whale Research Center has confirmed that their team has started monitoring the new baby girl on Monday, giving her the alphanumeric name “J61.” They are closely monitoring and observing the calf’s well-being.
The mother, known as Tahlequah with the designation number J35, is an experienced mother. The center is concerned about the health of both J61 and her mother during this critical period.
The early years are especially risky for newborn calves, with high mortality rates in the first year. The Center for Whale Research expressed their hope that J35 will be able to keep J61 safe through this challenging time.
Tahlequah made headlines globally in 2018 when she carried her deceased calf for 17 days, moving people around the world with her display of grief. Her actions prompted Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to establish the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force for conservation efforts.
J61 is Tahlequah’s third surviving calf, following J47 or “Notch” born in 2010 and J57 or “Phoenix” born in 2020. They belong to the J pod of killer whales, residing in the coastal waters between Washington state and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The J-Pod is one of three pods of Southern Resident killer whales, totaling about 73 orcas across the pods. Conservation groups are working to protect and restore the declining population of these majestic creatures.
Threats to killer whales include entanglement in fishing nets, food scarcity, human interference, and environmental pollution. The declining population highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals.
Contaminants in the water pose a significant threat to orcas, with industrial chemicals accumulating in the food chain and affecting the health of the whales. Female southern whales and their offspring are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants.
NOAA’s 2022 pod health assessment raises concerns about the impact of contaminants on the Southern Resident killer whale population, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect these magnificent creatures.
“Have you ever been late and thought, ‘Usain Bolt wouldn’t have these problems?'” Well, in the realm of the world’s fastest animals, Bolt is a blunt force compared to some amazing records. It’s just – Holder is there. “
Whether on land, air, or sea, speed is essential for a variety of reasons. Finding your next meal or running away from sharp teeth all require speed and lots of speed.
The world’s fastest four-legged mammal is the cheetah. These amazing cats can accelerate up to 94 km/h (58.4 mph) in less than 3 seconds thanks to their powerful leg muscles and slender bodies.
Combined with their excellent eyesight, they are a formidable force when hunting animals such as impalas and gazelles across vast swaths of the African savannah.
Fastest insect (on land)
Flycatcher (Cicindela hudsoni) – The world’s fastest land-flying insect. Photographed on Fore Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo courtesy: Auscape/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
At 20mm long, the Australian beetle’s top speed of 9km/h (5.5mph) doesn’t seem that fast. But it becomes a little more impressive when you consider that this means that it travels a distance equal to 125 times its body length every second.
The beetle uses its speed and lightning reactions to catch and eat other insects, such as flies, in the blink of an eye.
Fastest insect (in flight)
A male horsefly (Hybomitra distinguenda) hovers in search of a female. Photographed in Surrey, England. Photo credit: Alamy
Male horseflies are the world’s fastest flying insects, reaching speeds estimated at 145 kilometers (90 miles) per hour. The fly itself is easily recognized by the colorful orange markings on its abdomen and is found all over the world, except in polar regions.
fastest bird (in flight)
White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) in flight. Photo credit: JJ Harrison/Wikipedia
The white-throated blackbill may be the fastest bird in horizontal flight, but this has never been formally proven. It is said to be able to reach speeds of more than 170 km/h (105 mph), which, if proven, would make it faster than a golden eagle or a gyrfalcon.
The bird itself is a type of swiftlet, but it has a large body and a very narrow tail (hence the name). They are migratory birds that travel long distances, but are a rare sight in the UK and Ireland.
Ostriches are the fastest two-legged birds and can reach speeds of 70 km/h (45 mph) on land. Ostriches raise small wings to aid stability and use their long legs and powerful muscles to outrun many predators.
The ostrich’s leg muscles are so powerful that, although rare, it can kill a lion with a kick. However, their speed and power more than compensate for their lack of flight ability.
fastest fish
A black marlin (Istiompax indica) swims underwater with the sun in the background. Photo courtesy: Getty Images
The world’s fastest swimming fish is the marlin, with an estimated top speed of 129 km/h (80 mph).
Marlins are valuable game fish, but they are extremely difficult to catch thanks to their extremely sharp beaks and incredible stamina. The most popular place to catch this impressive fish is the Great Barrier Reef, but the fish can be found in many tropical regions, including the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Conservation requires accurate information about species occupancy, abundance, and behavior. However, collecting these data for elusive and isolated species such as Leopard (Panthera Pardus)is often challenging. In a large-scale paired camera trap and autonomous recording survey Nyerere National ParkScientists in Tanzania have discovered that each leopard has a unique call, which can be used to identify them. The authors were able to identify individual leopards by their vocalizations with 93.1% accuracy.
Examples of autonomous recording units (left) and camera trap (right) stations. Image credit: Growcott others., doi:10.1002/rse2.429.
Leopards are listed as vulnerable According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is mainly caused by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
But because leopards are solitary nocturnal creatures that live across vast landscapes, scientists have struggled to gather reliable data to help reverse population declines.
There is little scientific research into the leopard's “saw-like roar.” This is a repetitive, low-frequency pattern of strokes that can often be heard from at least a kilometer away, and is primarily used to attract mates and defend territory.
But studying leopards through the sounds they make (a technique known as bioacoustics and commonly used to monitor birds and marine life) has the advantage of allowing researchers to monitor a wider area. .
It could lead to more complex studies, such as population estimates, a key indicator that helps policy makers and conservationists understand how to manage landscapes and reduce human-wildlife conflict. There is a gender.
University of Exeter PhD student Jonathan Growcott and his colleagues have conducted the first large-scale paired passive acoustic monitoring and camera trapping study.
They focused on 450km2 Fifty cameras have been installed in trees along roads and trails across a vast area of Tanzania's Nyerere National Park.
They placed a microphone next to each camera, allowing them to identify the leopard from the camera and extract its roaring bouts from the audio.
They then used a modeling system to analyze the temporal patterns of leopard calls and found that individuals could be identified with an overall accuracy of 93.1%.
This study shows that by using multiple forms of technology to record complementary data, we can exploit a wider range of species characteristics than studying any single technology in isolation.
“The discovery that leopards have a distinctive roar is an important but fundamentally very basic discovery that shows how little we know about leopards and large carnivores in general.” Growcott said.
“We hope this will make leopards the focus of more complex acoustic science, such as population density studies, and open the door to further research into how large carnivores use vocalizations as a tool.” Masu.”
“Importantly, we hope that our success in using a combination of different types of technology will inspire others to think about how to integrate different types of technology into their research. Because the rich data this provides could truly advance science and help us understand ecosystems and landscapes in a more holistic way. ”
of study Published in this month's magazine Remote sensing in ecology and conservation.
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Jonathan Growcott others. The secret acoustic world of leopards: A combination of camera traps and bioacoustic surveys facilitates the identification of leopards by their roars. Remote sensing in ecology and conservationpublished online on December 22, 2024. doi: 10.1002/rse2.429
Scientists at the University of Michigan say the twisted shape of the nanostructured filaments allows them to generate bright, twisted light.
Planck's law ignores, but does not prohibit, circular polarization of blackbody radiation (BBR). BBRs consisting of nanostructured filaments with twisted shapes made of nanocarbon or metal have strong ellipticity between 500 and 3000 nanometers. The submicrometer-scale chirality of these filaments meets the dimensional requirements imposed by the fluctuation dissipation theorem, which requires symmetry breaking between absorption and emissivity according to Kirchhoff's law. The resulting BBRs exhibit emission anisotropy and brightness that are 10–100 times superior to conventional chiral photon emitters. Image credit: Lu others., doi: 10.1126/science.adq4068.
“When producing twisted light using traditional methods such as electroluminescence or photon emission, it is difficult to generate sufficient brightness,” said Dr. Jun Lu, a researcher at the University of Michigan.
“We gradually realized that there is actually a very old way of producing these photons, which does not rely on the excitation of photons and electrons, but is similar to the light bulb that Edison developed. .”
“Every object that has some heat, including yourself, constantly emits photons in the spectrum associated with its temperature.”
“If an object is the same temperature as its surroundings, it will also absorb the same amount of photons. Since black absorbs all photon frequencies, this is idealized as blackbody radiation.”
Although the filament of a tungsten bulb is much warmer than its surroundings, the law that defines blackbody radiation (Planck's law) provides a good approximation of the spectrum of photons that a tungsten bulb transmits.
The photons we see as a whole look like white light, but when we pass light through a prism, we see a rainbow of different photons inside.
This radiation is also why it appears bright in thermal images, but even room-temperature objects can appear dark because they are constantly emitting and receiving blackbody photons.
Usually, the shape of the object that emits radiation is not much considered. In most cases, objects can be imagined as spheres.
However, while the shape does not affect the spectrum of different photon wavelengths, it can affect another property: polarization.
Photons from a blackbody source are typically randomly polarized, and their waves can oscillate along any axis.
New research reveals that blackbody radiation can also be twisted if the emitter is twisted on the micro or nanoscale, with the length of each twist similar to the wavelength of the emitted light.
The strength of the twist of light, or its elliptical polarization, is determined by two main factors. One is how close the wavelength of the photon is to the length of each twist, and the other is the electronic properties of the material (in this case, nanocarbon or metal).
Twisted light is also called “chiral” because the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations are mirror images of each other.
The study was done to demonstrate the premise of a more applied project that the Michigan team wants to pursue: using chiral blackbody radiation to identify objects.
They envision robots and self-driving cars that can see like a mantis shrimp, distinguishing light waves in different directions of rotation and degrees of twist.
“Advancing the physics of blackbody radiation through chiral nanostructures is at the heart of this research. Such emitters are all around us,” said Professor Nicholas Kotov of the University of Michigan.
“For example, these findings could be important in helping autonomous vehicles tell the difference between a deer and a human. Deer fur curls differently than our fabric, so even though the wavelengths are similar, Helicity emits a different light.”
The main advantage of this method of producing twisted light is its brightness, which is up to 100 times brighter than other approaches, but the light contains a wide spectrum of both wavelengths and twists.
The authors have ideas on how to address this, including exploring the possibility of building lasers that rely on twisted light-emitting structures.
They want to further explore the infrared spectrum. The peak wavelength of blackbody radiation at room temperature is approximately 10,000 nanometers or 0.01 millimeter.
“This is a noisy spectral region, but elliptical polarization could potentially enhance the contrast,” Professor Kotov says.
This all-sky photo of the night sky was compiled by astrophotographer Eckhart Slavik using images taken from the best and darkest locations around the world. Image credit: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / E. Slawik / M. Zamani.
“This complete collection of free, high-resolution, downloadable images of all 88 Western IAU-recognized constellations serves as an educational archive for personal and academic use,” NOIRLab astronomers said in a statement.
“This project also includes the release of the largest open-source and freely available all-sky photography of the night sky.”
The photographer behind these amazing high-quality images is German astrophotographer Eckhard Slavik.
“The images were taken on film and each panel consists of two separate exposures, one with a diffuser filter and one without, allowing the colors of the stars to shine through. visible,” the astronomers said.
“All products include a comprehensive description of the constellation and its historical origins, as well as corresponding standardized stick figures, outline drawings, finder charts, and descriptions of the constellation's most prominent deep-sky objects. Included.
“Existing astronomical images of these deep-sky objects taken with various NSF NOIRLab telescopes are also included.”
“Downloadable flashcards and other audio-visual aids and materials make it easy to bring constellations into the classroom.”
NOIRLab astronomers have also released the largest open-source, freely available all-sky photo of the night sky.
“With 40,000 pixels, this is probably one of the best images of its kind ever made,” they wrote.
“This giant skyscape was compiled using images taken by Slavik from the highest and darkest places around the world: Tenerife, La Palma, Spain; Namibia; and Chile.”
“The 88 constellation images can be viewed by all ages and are particularly suitable for use in planetariums and museums.”
“Please visit” Project webpage Learn about all 88 constellations and see how many you can spot in the night sky. ”
Microneedling may trigger a wound healing response that promotes collagen formation
Rick Eglinton/Toronto Star via Getty Images
This article is part of a special issue that explores important questions about skin care. Check out the entire series here.
As we age, our skin inevitably loses some elasticity. Once upon a time, the main weapon against wrinkles and sagging, for those who could afford it, was the use of a surgeon's knife. Today, there are a wealth of minimally invasive alternatives that promise to tighten and rejuvenate our skin. There's everything from Botox injections to devices that shine light or ultrasound waves on your skin, to “vampire” facials that inject blood extracts into your face. .
Given that healthy skin has a wide range of health benefits, do these “tweaks” rejuvenate you from the outside in? “The question is, is this just vanity, or is it more important to your future self?” “Are you doing something useful?'' says the dermatologist. clare keeley At Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London. “It depends on the type of treatment.”
lost elasticity
Aging involves many changes, but the main cause of wrinkles is the loss of collagen and elastin, proteins that provide firmness and elasticity. Treatments such as Botox (an injection of botulinum toxin to prevent muscle contraction) cannot stop these changes, but when injected into specific facial muscles, it can be an effective way to prevent frown lines. There is a gender. Similarly, gel-like substances called dermal fillers, injected under the skin, can smooth wrinkles and add volume to sagging tissue, but they do not address underlying structural changes and are associated with risks. Masu.
UV levels decrease as you get closer to the polar regions during the winter, but does that mean you need to use less SPF?
John Bower/Alamy
This article is part of a special issue that explores important questions about skin care. Check out the entire series here.
Even if you live far from the equator, you're often told to apply sun protection factor (SPF) lotion year-round to prevent premature skin aging and wrinkles. But is this backed by solid science?
just 13.5 percent According to one study, one in every U.S. adult uses SPF cream as part of their daily routine. This is obviously a problem in the summer when the sun is at its brightest. Although we may not show any signs of burns, UV rays can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and cause damage. This not only causes wrinkles, but can also lead to skin cancer. People who wear sunscreen are at much lower risk.
Photoaging is a cumulative effect that accumulates over decades
However, the further north or south you are in latitude, the weaker these rays become in winter, so you need to balance the benefits of SPF with the cost. Brian DiffieProfessor Emeritus of Photobiology at Newcastle University in the UK points out. Using SPF in winter can cause vitamin D deficiencyfor example. SPF can also have an environmental cost, with some studies showing that SPF can end up in the ocean and its constituent chemicals can be absorbed by corals and other marine life, potentially harming them. Shown.
A team of scientists has unveiled a baby mammoth that has been almost perfectly preserved for 50,000 years in the thawing permafrost of eastern Siberia.
Anatoly Nikolayev, head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory at Northeastern Federal University in Yakutsk, eastern Siberia, described the mammoth as a “unique research discovery” and highlighted its extraordinary state of preservation. He mentioned that there were no signs of injury to the head, torso, ears, or mouth.
NEFU scientists called the mammoth, named Yana, the best-preserved specimen in the world in a press release on Monday.
The carcass of the baby mammoth Yana was unveiled after its discovery in the Yana River basin in eastern Siberia, marking the seventh baby mammoth found in the world. It is 4 feet tall, weighs around 400 pounds, and is less than 6.6 feet long.
Maxim Cheprasov, head of the university’s Mammoth Museum, expressed that the discovery of Yana is expected to provide valuable insights into mammoth development, adaptive characteristics, Ice Age habitats, and other essential aspects of mammoth life.
Yana was found by local residents in the Batagaika Crater, the world’s largest permafrost crater, as it continues to expand due to climate change.
Researchers Gavril Novgorodov and Erel Struchkov pose next to the remains of a baby mammoth discovered in June. Gavril Novgorodov/Reuters file
The mammoth was estimated to be about 1 year old at the time of its death. Scientists at the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Research Institute are currently conducting further experiments to confirm Yana’s exact age at the time of its death.
The institute is collaborating with genetic researchers from other parts of the Russian Federation to gain more insights into Yana’s life and environment.
Due to climate change, Russia’s permafrost is thawing, leading to surprising prehistoric discoveries in recent years.
In 2020, scientists in Yakutia in northeastern Siberia uncovered a 32,000-year-old saber-toothed tiger mummy. The following year, in 2021, researchers found a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass in the same area.
During the era of dinosaurs, which occurred 246 million to 66 million years ago, none of the species existing today were present. However, there are several groups of species currently inhabiting the earth whose lineage can be traced back to ancient ancestors with striking similarities.
These creatures, known as “living fossils,” seem to have remained almost unchanged over time. Nevertheless, it doesn’t imply that there have been no changes at all. Their DNA is distinct and has undergone numerous refinements throughout the process of evolution.
These living fossils provide a glimpse into life millions of years ago. They also demonstrate the resilience of certain groups to catastrophic prehistoric events that led to the extinction of others, such as the dinosaurs.
1. Crocodile
Extinct crocodiles, like their descendants, hung out by the water, waiting for prey. – Photo credit: JA Chirinos/Science Photo Library
Presently, there are over 20 species of crocodiles, including true crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. These extant crocodiles share a common ancestor that coexisted with dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 million years ago (Mya).
This common ancestor bore a strong resemblance to today’s crocodiles, spending the majority of its time near water, basking in the sun, and hunting prey. Despite nearly 80 million years passing, modern crocodiles differ significantly from their ancient ancestors that first appeared around 235 million years ago in the late Triassic period.
Some extinct crocodile relatives, like Ritargosuchus, had a slim and agile build, hunting prey on land similar to wolves, while others, like the massive Sarcosuchus, reached lengths of up to 12 meters (about 40 feet) and preyed on animals by the riverbanks.
The diversity among early crocodile ancestors has led some scientists to argue against labeling them as “living fossils.” Although resembling prehistoric creatures, today’s crocodiles have evolved substantially from their ancestors and are likely to continue diversifying in response to climate change.
2. Horseshoe crab
Horseshoe crabs are found on the eastern coasts of the United States and Mexico, as well as the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts of Asia – Photo credit: Getty Images
Despite its crab-like name, the horseshoe crab is more closely related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions than to crabs. Its ancestors emerged during the Late Ordovician Period around 445 million years ago, while the modern group, Limuridae, appeared approximately 250 million years ago during the Early Triassic Period.
For the majority of the last 250 million years, horseshoe crabs have remained largely unchanged, displaying minimal anatomical alterations. A comparison between fossilized and living specimens would lead one to believe they are the same creature.
Their lifestyle has also endured; just like their ancestors, modern horseshoe crabs feed on small insects and mollusks at the murky bottom of the ocean.
These creatures have survived multiple mass extinctions, including the cataclysmic event caused by an asteroid that resulted in the extinction of dinosaurs. Their ability to endure extreme conditions, such as low oxygen levels, is believed to contribute to their resilience against extinction.
3. Wasp
A female wasp lays eggs on a tree using her abdominal ovipositor – Photo credit: A TINAUT/USDA/APHIS/PPQ/ITP/WSDA
Measuring at 1 cm (0.3 inches) in length, this small hornet is the sole surviving member of the Waspidae family, which boasted nearly 50 species around 165 million years ago during the mid-Jurassic period.
The modern-day wasp, Syntesis libocedrii, is native to the mountains of central California (USA) and British Columbia (Canada), whereas its ancestors resided across Eurasia. At that time, the Eurasian continent was closely connected to North America through a series of islands.
Wasps are known to lay eggs in freshly burned cedar wood. Upon hatching, the larvae emerge cylindrically, burrowing into the forest to feed and grow. They spend up to three years in this larval stage before maturing into adults. Their lifecycle is intricately tied to wildfires and can contribute to significant economic damage to cedar wood stocks.
4. Tuatara
Tuatara eat insects, earthworms, and spiders, but also seabird eggs and chicks – Photo credit: Alamy Stock Photo
As the diversity of dinosaurs flourished around 200 million years ago during the Early Jurassic Period, another group of scaly, lizard-like creatures began thriving. This group, the Sphenodontidae family, was once very diverse but is now represented by the single species, Sphenodon punctatus or tuatara.
Although tuataras bear resemblance to skinks with scaly skin, splayed limbs, and clawed digits, they do not share a direct relationship. Instead, they share a common ancestor that lived around 250 million years ago, shortly after the Great Extinction event.
Presently, tuataras inhabit several small uninhabited islands surrounding New Zealand’s North Island, coexisting with burrowing seabirds and utilizing their burrows for shelter.
The guano produced by these seabirds supports vast populations of centipedes, crickets, and snails, forming an essential ecosystem on these islands.
5. Platypus
The adaptations that help platypuses swim, although somewhat awkward on land, allow them to retract the webs on their feet to expose their claws, making them good at digging – Photo by Doug Gimesy/naturepl.com
Charles Darwin coined the term “living fossil” when discussing the semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal, the platypus, in his renowned book “On the Origin of Species.”
Unlike other mammals, platypuses lay eggs and possess a duck-like beak, along with venomous spines on the hind legs of males. They use their beaks filled with electroreceptors to navigate their habitat and hunt for prey.
Adult platypuses lack teeth, while babies are born with tiny teeth that are later absorbed into their beaks. These vestigial teeth have helped researchers trace the evolutionary lineage of platypuses.
Alongside their closest living relative, the echidna, platypuses represent the last survivors of monotremes, a group of early mammals that diverged from marsupials and placentals during the Middle Jurassic Period around 170 million years ago.
6. Lungfish
Lungfish’s ability to breathe air allows them to survive when seasonal droughts affect the freshwater environments they live in. – Photo credit: Naturepl.com
Slender and reminiscent of insects, lungfish belong to an ancient group that emerged over 410 million years ago during the early Devonian period. This era marked the rise of ray-finned and lobe-finned fish, to which lungfish belong.
Similar to other lobe-finned fish, lungfish have limb-like fins and lungs enabling them to breathe air, aiding in their survival during drought periods.
While lungfish have changed little over hundreds of millions of years, they are anything but “primitive.” Their lungs are intricate structures optimized for gas exchange, with most modern lungfish possessing two lungs, with the exception of the Australian lungfish having one.
Currently, six lungfish species exist, distributed across Africa, South America, and Australia, preferring freshwater habitats unlike their ancestors. During the Devonian period, lungfish thrived worldwide and coexisted with tetrapods, the ancestors of modern amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
7. Horsetail
Horsetail can grow up to 30-60 cm (11-23 inches) in height and is a food source for invertebrates and mammals, including humans – Photo credit: Colin Varndell / Naturepl.com
Horsetail, an ancient plant resembling bamboo with tall hollow stems and horizontal bands, emerged around 185 million years ago, preceding the rise of flowering plants by 55 million years.
During the early Jurassic period, horsetails formed the undergrowth of dense forests, providing shelter and sustenance to various dinosaur species. Their hardy nature allows them to thrive globally, even being considered invasive in many regions including the UK.
coelacanth
The coelacanth was thought to be extinct until it was captured in 1938. – Photo credit: Laurent Ballesta/Andromede Oceanologie
The coelacanth, a prehistoric fish once believed to be extinct alongside dinosaurs 66 million years ago, was rediscovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa.
Presently, only two coelacanth species are known, showcasing significant diversity during their prime that has led to the development of over 100 fossil species from the Early Devonian period to date.
The coelacanth’s evolutionary zenith occurred during the Mesozoic Era, between 252 million and 66 million years ago, where it exhibited a wide range of adaptations. These elusive fish reside in the deep waters of the western Indian Ocean, surfacing only at night to hunt small fish.
The coelacanth’s survival through multiple mass extinctions, including the asteroid event that wiped out dinosaurs, speaks to its remarkable resilience and adaptation to the deep-sea environment.
These living fossils have withstood catastrophic events and continue to thrive in their unique habitats, offering invaluable insights into the evolutionary history of Earth’s diverse ecosystems.
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope took this photo of barred spiral galaxy NGC 337.
This Hubble image shows NGC 337, a barred spiral galaxy about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Cetus. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / C. Kilpatrick.
NGC337 It is located in the constellation Cetus, approximately 60 million light-years from Earth.
Also known as LEDA 3572 or IRAS 00573-0750, this barred spiral galaxy is 60,400 light years in diameter.
it was discovered It was discovered on September 10, 1785 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.
NGC 337 is the largest and brightest member of the NGC 337 Group (also known as LGG 15), a small group that includes at least three other galaxies.
The new images of the galaxy were created from separate exposures taken in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum. Hubble’s advanced survey camera (ACS).
Two filters were used to sample different wavelengths. Color is obtained by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.
“This image combines observations made at two wavelengths and highlights the galaxy’s golden center and blue surround,” Hubble astronomers said in a statement.
“The golden glow in the center comes from the older star, and the glowing blue edge gets its color from the young star.”
“If Hubble had observed NGC 337 about a decade ago, the telescope would have spotted something remarkable among the hot blue stars along the edge of the galaxy: a brilliant supernova,” they added. Ta.
“Labeled SN2014cxthis supernova is notable in that it was discovered almost simultaneously by two very different methods: the prolific supernova hunter Koichi Itagaki and the All-Sky Automated Supernova Surveyor (ASAS-SN). ”
“ASAS-SN is a worldwide network of robotic telescopes that scan the sky for sudden events such as supernovae.”
“The Type II classification means that the star that exploded was a supergiant with a mass at least eight times that of the Sun,” the researchers said.
“The ‘P’ stands for plateau, meaning that after the light from the supernova began to dim, the level reached a plateau and remained the same brightness for weeks or months before fading further. .”
“This type of supernova occurs when a massive star can no longer generate enough energy at its core to avoid the crushing pressure of gravity.”
“The progenitor star of SN 2014cx is estimated to have been 10 times more massive and hundreds of times wider than the Sun.”
Although it has long since dimmed from its early brightness, astronomers are still monitoring the remains of SN 2014cx.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University conducted geochemical surveys at two smelting camps dating back to the 10th century BC, the time of the Biblical kings David and Solomon. Timna Valley It is located in southern Israel, in the southern Arabah. They found that environmental pollution resulting from copper production is minimal, spatially limited, and poses no danger to residents of the area, past or present.
Aerial view of Site 201, north of the center of the Timna Valley on the western outskirts of Wadi Araba, Israel. Image credit: Yagel others., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-80939-5.
“We toured two major copper production sites in the Timna Valley: one from the Iron Age; King Solomon's time Professor Erez Ben Yosef of Tel Aviv University said:
“Our research was very extensive. We took hundreds of soil samples from both locations for chemical analysis and created high-resolution maps of the presence of heavy metals in the area.”
“We found that contamination levels at the Timna copper mining site were very low and confined to the site of an ancient smelting furnace.”
“For example, the concentration of lead, a major pollutant in the metal industry, drops to less than 200 ppm just a few meters away from the furnace.”
“By comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines industrial areas as safe for workers at 1,200 ppm and residential areas as safe for children at 200 ppm.”
The new study contradicts a series of papers published since the 1990s about pollution allegedly caused by the ancient copper industry.
“We are proving that this is not true,” Professor Ben Yosef said.
“Timna's contamination is very spatially localized, with the only people probably working directly at the furnaces suffering from inhalation of toxic gases, and just a short distance away, the soil is completely destroyed. It’s safe.”
“Furthermore, the agreement in the spatial distribution of copper and lead concentrations in the soil that we found indicates that the metal is ‘locked up’ in slag and other industrial wastes, so that the metal can leach into the soil. It has no effect on plants or humans.”
“Our findings are consistent with several recent studies conducted in the Wadi Faynan region of Jordan, which also show very low levels of pollution.”
“Timna and Feynan are ideal locations for this kind of research because they are undisturbed by modern mining, as happened for example in Cyprus, and thanks to their dry climate metals in the soil are not washed away. .”
“In Feynan, scientists from Hebrew University examined the skeletons of 36 people who lived at the mining site during the Iron Age and found that only three had evidence of contamination in their teeth. The rest It was completely beautiful. We are now presenting a similar picture for Timna.”
In addition to the geochemical study, the authors also reviewed existing literature and found that the hypothesis of global pollution before Roman times lacked solid evidence.
“In the 1990s, there was a tendency to attribute ancient copper production to the first example of industrial pollution,” said Dr. Omri Jagel of Tel Aviv University.
“Such statements make headlines and attract research funding, but they unnecessarily project contemporary pollution problems into the past.”
“Furthermore, research literature tends to use the term 'contamination' to describe traces of ancient metallurgical activity, leading to the erroneous assumption that the metal industry was harmful to humanity from its earliest days. They are connected, but this is clearly false.”
“Even when metal production became large-scale and essential to human civilization, it was the toxic lead industry that caused global pollution, not necessarily other metals.”
“Studies in the 1990s argued that trace amounts of copper found in Greenland ice cores migrated through the atmosphere from places like Timna.”
“However, this claim has not been supported by subsequent research.”
“As researchers facing today's tough environmental challenges, such as climate change, we often look for similar problems in the past or think that environmental degradation is an inevitable consequence of human activity since the agricultural revolution. There is a tendency to
“But we have to be careful. We might call some slag falling on the ground 'pollution', but we can't treat this local waste as regional or global environmental pollution.” should not be confused with. ”
Regarding this research, paper Published in a magazine on November 29th scientific report.
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O. Jagel others. 2024. The pre-Roman copper industry had no polluting impact on the global environment. science officer 14, 29675; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-80939-5
dubbing asian archaeologistA team of Chinese paleontologists say the newly discovered species is the earliest ornithischian dinosaur ever discovered in Asia.
asian archaeologist. Image credit: Yao others., doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111641.
asian archaeologist It lived in what is now southwest China during the early Jurassic period, about 193 million years ago.
This dinosaur was about 1 meter (3.3 ft) long and belonged to a group of plant-eating dinosaurs called. ornithischian.
“Ornithischians, a prominent clade of dinosaurs, diversified into various forms such as ancleosaurs, stegosaurs, hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, and pachycephalosaurs throughout the Mesozoic era,” said Yunnan University paleontologist. Shi Yao et al. said.
“Like other non-avian dinosaurs, they were threatened with extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period, but their early evolutionary history remains debated.”
“During the Early Jurassic, ornithischian fossils were abundant and diverse on the Gondwana supercontinent.”
“In contrast, the Laurasian ornithischian fossil record from this period is less diverse and consists primarily of armored dinosaurs.”
Almost complete left femur asian archaeologist It was discovered in the Shujing Formation, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north of Chongqing Central Park in Yubei District, Chongqing City, southwest China.
According to the research team, the new species shows compatibility with Gondwanan species. Eoccursor Parbus.
This discovery indicates that there was an early dispersal event of ornithischian dinosaurs from Gondwana to Laurasia, including East Asia, in the Early Jurassic period, independent of, and perhaps more than, the dispersal of armored dinosaurs. It seems that it is also early.
“The new phylogenetic topology proposed in the study suggests a more independent dispersal of ornithischian dinosaurs into East Asia during the Early Jurassic,” the researchers said.
“The close relationship between asian archaeologist and Eoccursor ParbusDespite their remote habitats, this suggests that they probably originated from Gondwana, then migrated north to Laurasia, and finally to East Asia during the Pliensbach period. . ”
“This timing could occur before the arrival of armored dinosaurs in the region.”
“Furthermore, this new topology hypothesizes the existence of a previously unrecognized cosmopolitan clade of early ornithischian dinosaurs, phylogenetically located between Heterodontosauridae and Thyleophora.”
“Nevertheless, due to its fragmentary nature, asian archaeologist Support for the holotype, this clade, remains tentative, awaiting further fossil discoveries. ”
of the team paper Published in this month's magazine iscience.
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X Yao others. New evidence of the oldest ornithischian dinosaur discovered in Asia. isciencepublished online on December 19, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111641
One of the world’s most active volcanoes erupted again early Monday morning, sending lava fountains stretching more than 200 feet and sending plumes of toxic gas into the skies over Hawaii, officials said.
Kilauea’s eruption began around 2 a.m. and “may continue for some time,” said Ken Hong, chief scientist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
There was no immediate threat to infrastructure, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
This aerial photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows an eruption at the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Hong said “spray,” a potentially harmful mixture of water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, was expected to cause water levels to rise in areas south and west of the volcano in the coming days. He urged residents to stay indoors as volcanic smog is expected to become more severe.
The agency said an 82-meter-tall lava fountain was visible at 4:30 a.m., with “lava bombs” and other molten material spewing out from the crater floor. As of 5:30 a.m., authorities estimated that 400 acres of the caldera floor were covered in lava.
This volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, has been erupting continuously since 1983. The most recent eruptions were in June and September, Hong said.
A 2018 eruption destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate.
Tim Stero
Tim Sterow is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Our skin is not only our largest organ, but also the one we are most familiar with. We see it, touch it, wash it, and inspect it all the time. Nevertheless, when thinking about taking care of it, our minds often jump to aesthetics. We are inundated with advertisements for lotions and drugs that promise to improve our appearance, as if sexual appeal is all that matters to this special organ.
But there are many reasons to take care of your skin beyond cosmetic concerns. According to new research, this condition can have ripple effects on other parts of the body. Because blood vessels run densely beneath the surface, inflammation that starts in the skin can easily spread to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Wrinkles don't just reflect our age, they can actually accelerate the aging process. Therefore, you should think of skin care like exercise. The best reason to take care of your skin isn't for appearance, but for the undeniable health benefits.
Therefore, keeping the epidermis in good condition should be a top priority for anyone who wants to increase their chances of living a long life. That's why we've created a special report summarizing what we know about the best ways to care for your epidermis (see Why caring for your skin is so important to your long-term health).
Taking a scientific approach helps you make informed decisions about new products
As evidence mounts about the importance of skin to general health, research on how to care for it is moving from a marketing campaign for health care products to the realm of proper scientific research.
For example, certain foods have been shown to reduce damage from air pollution and the sun's UV rays, and more regular contact with nature may help nurture your microbiome. Taking a scientific approach can also help you evaluate new trends and fashions, allowing you to make informed decisions about products and services that are proven to work, not just claims of quick fixes. Masu.
Beauty may not be superficial, but our desire to protect our bodies from the outside and inside is never shallow. It may save our skin in various ways.
Dark energy, the unknown energy source accelerating the expansion of the universe, doesn't actually exist, according to a new study.
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.
Dark energy is generally thought to be a weak antigravity that acts independently of matter and accounts for about two-thirds of the mass-energy density of the universe.
The lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model, which has served as the standard cosmological model for a quarter of a century, requires dark energy to explain the observed acceleration in the expansion rate of the universe.
Astrophysicists base this conclusion on measurements of distances to supernova explosions in distant galaxies, which appear to be farther away than they should be if the expansion of the universe is not accelerating.
However, the current expansion rate of the universe is increasingly being questioned by new observations.
First, evidence from the Big Bang's afterglow (cosmic microwave background radiation) shows that the expansion of the early Universe is inconsistent with the current expansion, an anomaly known as the Hubble tension.
Furthermore, in an analysis of new high-precision data from the Dark Energy Spectrometer (DESI), the scientists showed that the ΛCDM model does not fit a model in which dark energy does not remain constant but evolves over time. I discovered it.
Both the Hubble tension and the surprises revealed by DESI are difficult to resolve with models that use the simplistic expansion law of the universe from 100 years ago, or the Friedman equation.
This assumes that the universe expands uniformly on average. It's as if you could put all the cosmic structures in a blender and make a nondescript soup without complex structures.
But the current universe actually contains a complex cosmic web of galaxy clusters of sheets and filaments that surround and thread a vast void.
“Our findings show that dark energy is not needed to explain why the universe appears to be expanding at an accelerating rate,” said Professor David Wiltshire.
“Dark energy is a misidentification of fluctuations in the kinetic energy of expansion, which is not uniform in the blocky universe we actually live in.”
“This study provides compelling evidence that may answer some of the key questions about the quirks of our expanding universe.”
“With new data, the universe's greatest mysteries could be solved by the end of the decade.”
New evidence supports the timescape model of the expansion of the universe, which says dark energy is not needed because the difference in the stretch of light is not a result of the universe's acceleration, but of how it adjusts time and distance. .
An ideal clock in empty space would tick faster than in a galaxy, since gravity slows time down.
This model suggests that the Milky Way's clock is about 35% slower than the same clock at its average location in the large cosmic void. That means billions more years have passed in the void.
This allows for further expansion of the universe, and as such a vast void grows to dominate the universe, it appears to be expanding faster and faster.
“We now have so much data that only in the 21st century can we begin to answer the question of how and why a simple mean expansion law emerges from complexity. ” said Professor Wiltshire.
“A simple law of expansion consistent with Einstein's theory of general relativity does not need to obey Friedman's equation.”
“ESA's Euclid satellite, launched in July 2023, has the ability to test and differentiate the Friedman equation from timescape alternatives.”
“However, this will require at least 1,000 independent high-quality supernova observations.”
of study Published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters.
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antonia seifert others. 2025. Supernovae are evidence of fundamental changes in cosmological models. MNRASL 537 (1): L55-L60;doi: 10.1093/mnrasl/slae112
Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment. Regular coffee consumption shows cognitive benefits in healthy people. Whether regular intake reduces cognitive decline in vulnerable patients is controversial. In a new study, scientists from Zurich University Hospital and elsewhere investigated the link with atrial fibrillation in older people.
Coffee consumption in patients with atrial fibrillation may be associated with improved cognitive performance and decreased inflammatory markers. Image credit: Sci.News.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 5% of the population over the age of 65 and increasing exponentially thereafter.
AF increases thromboembolic stroke risk fivefold. Moreover, it represents an independent risk factor for developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia, with odds ratios ranging from 2.3 to 5.8, respectively.
AF is associated with increased incidence of vascular cognitive impairment, increased size and number of strokes, as well as increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
The 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation states that abstaining from caffeine to prevent heart rhythm disturbances is not beneficial for AF patients.
The guidelines also suggest that for patients who report that caffeine causes or worsens symptoms of atrial fibrillation, including rapid heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue, cutting back on coffee may reduce symptoms. It is also pointed out that there is.
Dr. Massimo Barbagallo, a researcher at Zurich University Hospital, said: “Regular consumption of coffee is known to improve cognitive performance in healthy people.”
“Atrial fibrillation, the most frequently occurring arrhythmia, is known to increase the risk of dementia on its own.”
“The question, therefore, is whether coffee can offset the increased risk of cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation.”
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study (Swiss-AF) is following over 2,400 people in Switzerland diagnosed with AF.
Patients were enrolled between 2014 and 2017, completed several cognitive tests, and asked how many cups of caffeinated coffee they had consumed in the past 12 months, regardless of added sweeteners, cream, or flavors. reported. Cup sizes were not standardized.
In a new study, Dr. Barbagallo and his colleagues analyzed these cognitive assessments to see whether drinking coffee can avoid cognitive decline, a known risk of atrial fibrillation.
Because Alzheimer's disease and atrial fibrillation are associated with systemic inflammation, the researchers also analyzed inflammatory markers.
Overall, higher scores on cognitive tests were associated with higher coffee intake. Specifically, scores for processing speed, visuomotor coordination, and attention were significantly improved by 11% in coffee consumers compared to non-consumers.
People who drank the most coffee were calculated to have a cognitive age 6.7 years younger than those who drank the least.
Participants who drank five drinks a day had more than 20% lower inflammatory markers than those who drank less than one drink a day.
“There was a very clear and consistent 'dose-response' association between drinking more coffee and performance on several advanced cognitive tests,” said Professor Jürg Biel of the University of Zurich. ” he said.
“Inflammatory markers decreased with increasing coffee intake. This association remained even after accounting for variables such as age, gender, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, and stroke history.”
“Previous studies have shown that the protective effect of regular coffee consumption against cognitive decline in older adults may be due to caffeine and other active ingredients such as magnesium and vitamin B3 (niacin). It has been suggested that this may be due to coffee's role in reducing chemicals that cause inflammation.
of findings Published in American Heart Association Journal.
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massimo barbagallo others. Coffee intake correlates with improved cognitive performance in patients with a high incidence of stroke. American Heart Association Journalpublished online on December 14, 2024. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.034365
Microorganisms thrive in acidic environments despite harsh conditions. These microorganisms, known as acidophilic organisms, are found in places like Yellowstone’s hot springs, sulfuric acid caves, and acid mine drainage channels. Viruses are also abundant in such environments, infecting bacteria just as influenza infects humans. These viruses are called bacteriophage, which means “bacteria eater.”
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, found in almost every life-supporting environment. However, their role in extremely acidic environments is not fully understood. Chinese scientists investigated viral communities in acid mine drainage to gain insights.
Samples were collected from two acidic mine drainage sites in China – Daibaoshan Mine and Shijinshan Mine. These sites had high metal concentrations and acidic pH levels below 3, along with diverse microbial communities.
The research team used metagenomics to analyze the DNA in the samples, identifying microorganisms and viruses without the need for lab cultivation. They also collected geochemical data to understand the impact of environmental conditions on microbial and viral communities.
Over 1,500 bacteriophages and viruses were found in acid mine drainage, with their abundance linked to the presence of host microorganisms. Some viruses were found to benefit their host’s growth temporarily by enhancing metal uptake, giving them a competitive advantage within the microbial community.
The study revealed that viruses and environmental conditions play a crucial role in shaping microbial communities in acidic environments. While various factors influence these communities, the viral community at Daihozan Mine was more impacted by the types of microorganisms present, while both viruses and environmental conditions influenced the microbial community at Zijinshan Mine.
This research expands our understanding of viruses in acidic environments, revealing undocumented viruses in places like acid mine drainage. Bacteriophages may play a significant role in regulating microbial communities in extreme environments, suggesting the importance of viral “bacteria eaters” in such settings.
Tropical rainforests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing oxygen, making them vital to the planet’s health. These rainforests are characterized by dense tree canopies and high annual rainfall, hence their name.
There are various types of rainforests, including tropical, dry, and temperate rainforests. Tropical rainforests, located near the equator, have a warm and humid climate. Temperate rainforests experience seasonal changes and are distributed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Dry rainforests have less precipitation and more distinct seasons compared to tropical rainforests.
Tropical rainforests are home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, with over half of the world’s species found in rainforests worldwide.
To understand rainforests better and the challenges they face, look at some of the largest forests by land area. Here are the top 10 largest rainforests in the world:
10. Westland Temperate Forest – 11,880km2
Weststand temperate forest in Westland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. Photo credit: Alamy
Westland Temperate Forest is situated on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, receiving significant annual rainfall due to its proximity to the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea.
This forest is home to diverse bird species and endangered animals. While about half of the land is protected, climate change poses threats due to increased wildfire risk.
9. Bosawas Biosphere Reserve – 20,000km2
A landscape of the cloud forest canopy with mountains peeking out from behind the clouds in northern Nicaragua. Photo credit: Getty Images
Bosawas Biosphere Reserve covers a significant portion of Nicaragua’s land area and is the second largest tropical rainforest in the Western Hemisphere.
The reserve boasts rich biodiversity and is home to various plant and animal species. Conservation efforts by indigenous communities contribute to maintaining the rainforest’s health.
8. Sumatra Rainforest Heritage – 25,000km2
Aerial view over the endless jungle of Gunung Leuser National Park, part of Sumatra’s rainforest heritage, in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo credit: Getty Images
Sumatra Rainforest Heritage Site comprises three national parks on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, boasting a wide range of biodiversity and unique species.
This forest faces threats from activities like illegal logging, road construction, and encroachment on agricultural land.
7. Pacific Temperate Rainforest – 60,346km2
Temperate rainforest forest near Rainbow Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Photo credit: Adam Jones/Wiki Commons
Pacific Temperate Rainforest, stretching along the Pacific coastline of the United States and Canada, is home to tall trees like coastal sequoias and animals like raccoons and coyotes.
This rainforest faces threats from logging and lacks legal protection, leading to significant forest loss.
6. Temperate forests of eastern Australia – 222,100km2
View from Point Lookout, New England National Park, New South Wales, Australia. Photo credit: Cgoodwin/Wikipedia
The temperate forests of eastern Australia cover a vast area, with humid coastal regions supporting diverse wildlife like koalas and kingfishers.
This region faces threats from deforestation and climate change, impacting its unique ecosystems.
5. Valdivia Temperate Forest – 248,100km2
The dense trees of Valdivia Forest. Photo credit: Kike Calvo/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Valdivia Temperate Forest in South America is home to unique wildlife like the pudu deer, facing threats from logging activities.
Conservation efforts are essential to protect this forest and its endemic species.
4. Borneo Lowland Rainforest – 428,438km2
Early morning fog hangs over the rainforest of Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Photo by Peter Adams/Getty Images
Borneo Lowland Rainforest spans three countries and is home to diverse plant and animal species, facing threats from deforestation for agricultural purposes.
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this valuable rainforest.
3. New Guinea Rainforest – 786,000km2
A canopy of various tropical rainforest trees on the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea. Photo courtesy of Mangiwaw/Getty Images.
New Guinea Rainforest boasts rich biodiversity, home to diverse flora and fauna, including unique species like the Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterfly.
This rainforest faces threats from deforestation and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
2. Congo Basin – 1.6 million km2
An aerial view of the Congo Basin, where rivers meander through the rainforest. Photo credit: Guenterguni/Getty Images
The Congo Basin, known as the “lungs of Africa,” spans nine countries and contains vast forest areas critical for carbon storage and biodiversity conservation.
This rainforest faces threats from deforestation and habitat loss, requiring sustainable conservation measures.
1. Amazon Rainforest – 6.7 million km2
Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest and river in northeastern Pará state, Sao Caetano de Odivelas, Brazil. Photo credit: Getty Images
The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest forest, is home to a vast array of plant and animal species, playing a crucial role in the Earth’s climate balance.
Deforestation poses a significant threat to the Amazon Rainforest and its biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to protect this valuable ecosystem.
The Gallup World Poll gathers data from various sources annually to determine the happiest countries in the world. The World Happiness Report for 2024 has been released, revealing changes in the top 10 rankings while the top spot remains consistent over six editions.
Measuring overall happiness is a complex task, but the World Happiness Report accomplishes this by assigning scores based on life evaluations from the Cantril ladder survey, where individuals rate their lives on a scale of 0 to 10. Approximately 1,000 responses are used for each country.
The report calculates each country’s Life Expectancy Rating by averaging scores from individuals surveyed over the past three years.
Among the surveyed countries, Afghanistan retains its status as the unhappiest country scoring 1.721. The UK ranks 20th with a score of 6.749, while the US ranks 23rd with a score of 6.725. Let’s explore the happiest countries overall.
Australia ranks 10th in the 2024 World Happiness Report with a score of 7.057. In 2023, New Zealand held this position but dropped to 11th.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland is 9th in the 2024 World Happiness Report with a score of 7.060. It dropped from 4th place in 2022.
Switzerland, a landlocked country known for its mountains, ski resorts, and chocolate, has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
8. Luxembourg
Luxembourg ranks 8th in the 2024 World Happiness Report with a score of 7.122, down from 6th place in 2022.
With a population of 655,112 and an area of 2,586km2, Luxembourg is bordered by Germany, Belgium, and France.
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