There is a vast population on Earth, with some residing in extremely cold climates. The coldest location on Earth, Dome Fuji in Antarctica, recorded temperatures as low as -93.2°C (-135.76°F). However, the coldest city in the world can be found in Siberia, Russia.
Yakutsk, located in Siberia, holds the title of the coldest city on Earth. This city has a population of 355,000 and experiences harsh winters with an average minimum temperature of -42°C (-43.6°F) in January. Despite its freezing temperatures, Yakutsk can also get very hot in the summer, with temperatures reaching 26°C (78.8°F) in July.
Why is Yakutsk the coldest city in the world?
Yakutsk’s extreme cold can be attributed to several factors. It is situated inland, far from the moderating effects of the Sea of Okhotsk. The city lies in a region trapped by a high-pressure system during winter, bringing in cold Arctic air masses. Additionally, Yakutsk receives minimal sunlight during the winter and is built on continuous permafrost.
With a population mainly working in diamond mines, Yakutsk remains one of the most frigid cities on the planet.
Where is the coldest inhabited place on Earth?
Oymyakon in Russia is often considered the coldest inhabited place in the world, with temperatures dropping as low as -71.2°C (-96.2°F). This remote village, approximately 21 hours away from Yakutsk, experiences such extreme cold that vehicles left outdoors must remain running to avoid stalling.
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To discover more fascinating science facts, explore our ultimate fun facts page.
Are you in a hurry? What's the rush? If you’re stuck on a plane with noisy kids for hours on end, you’ll definitely feel the need for speed. But which commercial airplane will get you to your destination the quickest?
Here, we take a look at the top speeds of planes worldwide, comparing their velocity and cost.
Buckle up, fasten your seatbelt, and hop on board the fastest aircraft in the sky.
10. Boeing 747-400 – 1056km/h (656mph)
A Qantas Boeing 747-400 takes off for the last time at Sydney Airport after being decommissioned in Sydney, Australia on July 22, 2020. Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Despite being in service for over 35 years, the iconic 747-400 earns a spot on this list. This version of the 747 was widely used by airlines for its impressive range and speed.
Unfortunately, this aging model is no longer being produced, with only one commercial plane still flying. The decline in use was hastened by reduced air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
9. Boeing 777 – 1098km/h (683mph)
A Boeing 777-9 performs at the 54th Paris International Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France on June 19, 2023. Photo courtesy: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Boeing’s popular 777 has been in operation for nearly 30 years and continues to be a key player in the aviation industry.
This aircraft can accommodate over 500 passengers, impressive for a twin-jet aircraft. It can also reach speeds of Mach 0.89, or 1099km/h.
8. Airbus A380 –1098km/h (683mph)
A380 demonstrated at the 2021 Dubai Air Show. Photo courtesy of Airbus
The A380 stands as the world’s only full-length double-decker plane, capable of carrying over 800 passengers comfortably. It’s the largest passenger aircraft ever made, with a width equal to 32 double-decker buses. Despite its size, it can still reach speeds of Mach 0.89.
Over the past 16 years, the A380 has transported over 300 million passengers worldwide. Despite production ending, this aircraft’s speed and luxury ensure it will remain in operation for years to come.
7. Dassault Falcon 7X – 1111km/h (690mph)
Dassault Falcon 7X arrives on land. Photo courtesy: N509FZ/Wikipedia
The unassuming but swift Dassault Falcon 7X is a triple-engine business jet known for its speed, reaching over 1100km/h while carrying 16 passengers in luxury. Its unique trijet design sets it apart from other aircraft, enhancing fuel efficiency.
Dassault has a long history of manufacturing Falcon planes, with the even faster Falcon 10X on the horizon with a top speed of Mach 0.925.
6. Boeing 787 Dreamliner – 1111km/h (690mph)
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner lands at Barcelona Airport, Spain, on January 4, 2023. Photo courtesy: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Boeing’s renowned Dreamliner is known for its comfort and efficiency, but it also boasts impressive speed, reaching 1111km/h.
With over 1,000 planes in operation worldwide, the Dreamliner is a popular choice for long-haul flights.
5. Boeing 747-8i – 1136km/h (706mph)
A Boeing 747-8 flies over Barcelona Airport, Spain, on December 16, 2022. Photo credit: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Despite its aging platform, the 747-8i stands as the world’s fastest large commercial jet, capable of transporting nearly 500 passengers at speeds over 1130 km/h.
In a testament to its capabilities, two 747-8i planes are undergoing refurbishment for the U.S. Air Force, set to become Air Force One in 2024.
4. Gulfstream G700 – 1142.19km/h (709mph)
Gulfstream G700 in action. Photo credit: Gulfstream
Gulfstream’s luxury private jet, the G700, is known for its incredible top speed, matching its hefty price tag of $80 million (£63 million).
With room for 19 passengers, a range of 13,000km, and the ability to fly above turbulent weather conditions, the G700 offers a smooth and luxurious travel experience.
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3. Cessna Citation X+ – 1154.538km/h (717mph)
A Cessna Citation X on final approach to land. Photo credit: Aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
An upgraded version of the Citation X, the Citation X+ offers a larger cabin and increased top speed. While it has a shorter range than competitors, it remains a popular choice despite production ending in 2018.
2. Bombardier Global 8000 – 1160km/h (721mph)
Global 8000 is scheduled to be operational in 2025. Photo credit: Bombardier
If you’ve ever envied Logan Roy’s jet-setting lifestyle on “Succession” but found traditional planes too slow, the Global 8000 is your solution. This aircraft can reach speeds of up to 1160km/h (Mach 0.94) while accommodating 19 passengers in luxury.
With a projected range exceeding 14,000km, the Global 8000 is set to replace the Global 7500 in 2025.
1. SpaceShipTwo “Unity” – 3704 km/h (2301.81 mph)
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity spacecraft returns to Earth on July 11, 2021, after flying over Spaceport America near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico, on its way to space. I will return. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
The world’s fastest plane available for passengers in 2023 will be a Virgin Galactic craft. In July 2021, six passengers on a rocket plane reached speeds of Mach 3 over New Mexico.
Unlike traditional planes, the VSS Unity is powered by a single rocket engine and requires a launch vehicle to reach operational height. Once launched, it can achieve speeds over 3,700km/h at an altitude of around 90km.
After two decades of development, commercial flights have begun, with tickets costing $400,000 for a 90-minute journey.
If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and yearn for a quieter place to live, with far fewer people spoiling your fun, you may want to consider one of the world’s 10 least populated countries.
All of these United Nations-recognized countries are famous for their small populations. The largest population on this list is just over 73,000 people, and the smallest home is just over 500 people. You said they were small.
Read the top 10 smallest countries in the world by population. If you prefer a quiet location, you can also use this list to plan your next vacation destination.
We start this list with Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic). According to united nationsin Dominica Estimated population Out of 73,006 people.
Dominica’s land area is 751 km². It is located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago.
The island nation is best known as the last Caribbean country to be colonized by Europeans, but after many years of British rule, it finally became an independent nation in 1978. Mary Eugenia Charles became the first female Prime Minister in the Caribbean in Dominica, starting in 1980. 1995.
According to the population estimate, united nations With a population of 47,745, Saint Kitts and Nevis consists of two islands. It is known as the smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere.
With a land area of 261km² (St Kitts is 168km² and Nevis is 93km²), it is one of the smallest countries in the world in physical size and population.
The country was granted full independence from Britain in 1983, but Nevis unsuccessfully attempted to break away and form its own country after a failed referendum in 1998. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a tropical country that is popular with tourists to the Caribbean. Thanks in part to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just under 42,000 people live in the Marshall Islands (united nations) – 41,952 to be exact. The archipelago is also home to Bikini Atoll, a notorious nuclear testing site.
Located in Oceania, the Marshall Islands consists of a collection of five major islands and 29 coral atolls (1,225 islets and islands in total). The total land area of all the islands is 181 km².
Human settlement in the Marshall Islands dates back to 2000 BC, and after centuries of rule by Spain, Germany, and Japan, the Marshall Islands were finally granted independence from the United States in 1979.
Top Gun There’s really a lot to answer for. Before this movie was released, generations of kids wanted to be astronauts or sports stars. But when Tom Cruise’s blockbuster hit our screens, suddenly everyone was dreaming of donning aviators and taking to the skies in a technologically advanced million-pound fighter jet.
Our gallery has compiled information about the 10 fastest jet planes in the world and their history.
Strap on and have your sick bags ready as you take to the skies to see which jet is the fastest.
10 – F-22 Raptor
An F-22 Raptor flies over Kadena Air Base, Japan on a routine training mission. Photo by Sergeant Major Andy Dunaway/U.S. Air Force
This single-seat stealth fighter is a formidable weapon with a top speed of Mach 2.25 and long-range cruise capability, not to mention a large number of missiles.
Because its stealth capabilities are so advanced, the F-22 is not allowed to be sold outside the United States. But despite its speed and stealth, it has been overshadowed by the slower but more versatile F-35 Lightning II jet.
Production of the F-22 ended after only 187 were built, making it relatively rare to see it in the air.
9 – MiG-29 Fulcrum
Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 with full afterburner. Photo credit: Bangladesh Air Force/Wikipedia
The MiG-29 was built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War to compete with aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle. It is a lightweight fighter aircraft that can fly 1,500 km on fuel tanks and can refuel in the air. It has a top speed of Mach 2.3, which is extremely fast.
This jet is extremely well built and durable, able to withstand takeoffs and landings on the roughest runways. It has undergone a continuous upgrade program and is still used in many countries around the world.
8 – F-14 Tomcat
An F-14D Tomcat flies over the Persian Gulf region. Photo by Sergeant Rob Tabor/USAF
The F-14 is perhaps best known as the star of the original 1986 film Top Gun. Those familiar with the movie will be familiar with its agility and cockpit built for two people. You may also be aware of the fact that it was operated from an aircraft carrier and had impressive takeoff and landing sequences.
The F-14 is equipped with two jet engines to achieve a top speed of Mach 2.34 and has been in service for over 30 years, making it one of the most famous jet fighters in the world.
7 – MiG-23 Frogger
An aerial view of a Soviet-era MiG-23 jet in flight. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
The MiG-23 is one of the most famous jets on our list, thanks to its variable swept wing design. This makes it very light and agile in flight, making it ideal for air combat situations. Top speed is Mach 2.35, which is difficult to exceed.
As such, it proved to be a very popular airplane, with over 5,000 built over 18 years. Even though the design is nearly 60 years old, it is still in use in some countries thanks to its excellent manufacturing quality.
6 – Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker
Sukhoi Su-27 demonstrating its capabilities at the MAKS-2005 air show. Photo credit: Dmitry Pichugin/Wikipedia
The versatile Sukhoi Su-27 jet has a top speed of Mach 2.35, which means it barely cracks the top five. But speed is not the only appeal of this jet. It also boasts an excellent range and excellent flight maneuverability.
The plane’s climbing ability is legendary, reaching an amazing altitude of 12 km in less than a minute. Thanks to its versatility and flight characteristics, it remains in production more than 40 years after its introduction.
5 – F-15 Eagle
An F-15C Eagle of the 44th Fighter Squadron flies during routine training from Kadena Air Base, Japan. Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Seefeldt/U.S. Air Force
McDonnell Douglas’ venerable F-15 fighter jet remains one of the fastest jet aircraft, with a top speed of Mach 2.5.
Due to its light weight and large wing area, the F-15 is incredibly agile and capable of making small turns without losing speed.
4 – MiG-31 Foxhound
A MiG-31 jet fighter performs at the MAKS-2021 International Aerospace Salon held in Zhukovsky, a suburb of Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
The MiG-31 is one of the oldest jet aircraft still in service. It features a top speed of Mach 2.83, making it a very impressive jet.
3 – MiG-25 Foxbat
A supersonic all-weather fighter interceptor MiG-25PD of the Ukrainian Air Force took off from the air base in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. Photo credit: Alamy
The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 25 remains the third fastest jet fighter with a top speed of Mach 2.83. Even the latest version is still in use in some countries, despite being outdated.
The plane could theoretically reach speeds of at least Mach 3.2, but its top speed was limited to Mach 2.83 to prevent engine damage from prolonged travel at high speeds.
Over its long lifespan, approximately 1,200 were built, making it one of the most successful fighter aircraft of all time.
2 – Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
This photo shows a Lockheed SR-2 used for pilot proficiency and training on the ramp at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, just before being delivered to the Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility (later Dryden Flight). This is a front view of 71B. Research Center), located in Edwards, California. Photo courtesy of NASA
The SR-71, known as the “Blackbird,” remains the second fastest jet aircraft in history with a top speed of Mach 3.3. It was developed for high-altitude flight during reconnaissance missions throughout the Cold War era.
The last person to fly the SR-71 was NASA, which used the plane to train pilots for high-speed, high-altitude flights.
1 – NASA X-43
NASA X-43 during testing in March 2004. The aircraft was ejected at an altitude of 29,000 meters. Photo courtesy of NASA
The world’s fastest jet aircraft is NASA’s X-43 experimental aircraft, reaching a speed of Mach 9.6 thanks to its scramjet design.
Although the design of these aircraft required them to descend from a Boeing B-52 in order to fly, they are still very impressive aircraft.
When it comes to ranking the world’s largest countries, there are various metrics to consider. However, in this list, we focus on total area rather than population to showcase the top 10 largest countries on the planet. These countries are truly massive in terms of land area.
If you find yourself feeling cramped in your current location, perhaps moving to one of the largest United Nations-recognized countries could provide you with the space and freedom to explore vast open landscapes with your family.
If you are seeking to immerse yourself in the experience of visiting a global superpower with expansive territories and long travel distances, start planning your next vacation to one of these destinations. Keep in mind that the initial journey may present some challenges…
10. Algeria – 2,381,740km²
A rock carving depicting a cow in Algeria’s Tassili-Najjer National Park. Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis, Getty Images
Embark on a brief exploration of Algeria, the starting point of the top 10 list of the world’s largest countries, boasting a total area of 2,381,740 km².
Since gaining independence from France in 1962 after an eight-year struggle, Algeria has a rich history shaped by centuries of foreign rule, starting with the Numidians back in the 3rd century BC.
With an approximate population of around 45.5 million in 2024, Algeria is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and the Sahara desert, including the UNESCO-designated Tassili N’Ajjer known for its remarkable rock art.
1. Russia – 17,098,242km²
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Russia claims the title of the world’s largest country, spanning a total area of 17,098,242 km². It covers over 11 percent of the Earth’s land area, stretching across northeastern Europe and northern Asia.
While more than 60 percent of Russia’s land is inhospitable due to permafrost, the country is home to various unique features and a population of nearly 145 million people. However, traveling to Russia following the conflict with Ukraine may not be advisable.
It may seem like a simple question, “How many countries are there in the world?” There are no easy or definitive answers.
The total number of countries in the world varies depending on the source. number of continents. Many point to the UN’s list of officially recognized countries as the definitive answer to this question, but this is not without controversy.
For example, the United Nations is located in Vatican City ( the smallest country in the world) or treat Palestine as a full-fledged state and instead list it as an observer state (a state that can speak at the UN General Assembly but cannot vote on resolutions).
The UN list also includes more controversial omissions. Taiwan is not recognized by the organization, nor are Kosovo and Hong Kong. Outside the United Nations, such territory is recognized by some countries but not by others. It’s complex and highly political.
Depending on who you ask, the total number of countries on Earth ranges from 193 to 237. This is because, after all, there are many disputed regions and states around the world that retain full or partial sovereignty.
How many countries are there in the world?
According to the United Nations, there are 195 recognized countries in the world. Of these, 193 countries are members of the United Nations, while two, Vatican City and the State of Palestine, are non-member observer states.
Other organizations list different numbers of countries around the globe, and the US intelligence agency is the CIA. A total of 237 countries are listed.
Below is a complete list of fully sovereign and independent countries recognized by the United Nations, but it is worth reiterating that there are many other countries that consider themselves to be full states.
Statues serve various purposes, from honoring historical events and celebrities to expressing devotion to religious figures. But have you ever wondered about the world’s largest statue?
There are numerous remarkable landmarks worldwide, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York (43 meters tall), Michelangelo’s David (5 meters tall), and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. However, these installations pale in comparison to some of the largest statues on the planet.
So, how tall are the world’s largest statues, and where can you find them? Here are the top 10 largest statues globally, sorted by height.
10. Kitanomiyako Park Daikannon – Ashibetsu City (88m)
Hokkaido Daikannon in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido. Photo provided by: Akiyoshi Matsuoka/Wikipedia
The Great Kannon in Kita no Miyako Park is a statue dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon, an important figure in Buddhism associated with compassion and mercy. In traditional Chinese Buddhism, Guan Yin is represented as a man. However, in Japanese culture, God is considered to be female and is depicted as such in artwork and sculptures.
The construction of the statue was completed in 1989, and until 1991, it was the tallest statue globally. This statue is one of many erected across Japan by affluent benefactors during the 1980s financial boom. Many of these statues have since deteriorated, and some have been demolished.
9. Sendai Daikannon – Sendai City (92m)
Photo provided by: Hideyuki Kamon/Wikipedia
The next spot on our list is occupied by another similar statue depicting the Great Kannon. This version was erected in Sendai City in 1991 and briefly held the title of the world’s tallest statue.
In this depiction, the Great Kannon holds the Cintamani Stone, a wish-fulfilling gemstone present in both Buddhism and Hinduism.
8. Thai Big Buddha – Angthong, Thailand (92m)
The Thai Big Buddha, located at Wat Muang Monastery in Ang Thong province, also known as the Big Buddha or Mahamin Sakayamnee Viseychaichang, is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. Photo credit: Getty Images
The Great Buddha of Thailand, officially known as Phra Putta Mahanawamintra Sakayamnee Sri Viseichaichang, is not just towering but also impressively wide at 63 meters. The statue’s construction spanned 18 years, completed in 2008.
This seemingly extravagant statue is actually made of concrete painted in gold. Local Buddhists funded the £2.2 million needed to build the Big Buddha through donations.
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7. Mother of all Asia – Pagquilatan, Philippines (98.15m)
Photo credit: Arnold RA Gutierrez/Wikipedia
The “Mother of All Asia” statue represents the world’s tallest Virgin Mary, symbolizing peace and unity. Situated at the Monte Maria International Pilgrimage and Conference Center in Batangas City, Philippines, the statue was finalized in 2021.
Compared to the other statues on our list, this statue is relatively simple yet equally striking. The interior includes a chapel, theater, shops, food hall, living spaces, and the Basilica of Pope John Paul II.
6. Kameyama Guanyin – Hunan, China (99m)
Stairs going up to the Guishan Guanyin statue in Hunan Province, China. Photo courtesy: Huangdan2060/Wikipedia
To reach the Kameyama Thousand-Armed Kannon Statue, one must ascend numerous steps at the Meiyin Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple in Weishan, China.
Your reward upon reaching the top is a gold-plated bronze monument depicting the manifestation of the Bodhisattva Kannon, known as Shigian Senju Kannon. The statue was finalized in 2009, costing approximately £28 million.
5. Ushiku Daibutsu – Ushiku City (100m)
Ushiku Daibutsu statue in Ushiku City. Photo credit: Getty Images
Completed in 1993, the Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha statue was once the tallest worldwide for 15 years. The statue houses an elevator that transports visitors to an 85-meter observation deck for spectacular views. It is also considered the heaviest statue ever constructed, weighing over 4,000 tons.
This bronze monument commemorates the birth of Shinran, an influential Japanese monk who established the Shin sect of Buddhism, the most widely practiced sect in Japan.
4. Vishwas Swaroopam – Nathdwara, India (106m)
Hindu god Lord Shiva with Shiva Linga symbol photographed in Nathdwara, India. Photo credit: Getty Images
Vishwas Swaroopam, also known as the devotional statue, portrays the Hindu god Shiva meditating peacefully overlooking the Indian countryside near Nathdwara in Rajasthan, India. It is the tallest Shiva statue globally.
Constructed from copper-clad concrete, the statue was completed in 2020 and opened to the public in 2022. The building includes elevators that transport visitors to various viewing points along with an exhibition hall.
3. Lekyun Sekkya – Katakan Town, Myanmar (116m)
The giant Lekyun Sekya Buddha statue lies near Monywa, Myanmar. Photo credit: Getty Images
Featuring a unique design, the Rakhikyun Sekhya Buddha statue alternates between depicting Gautama Buddha in two states: “Pari Nirvana” and Buddhist scenes. This statue rests on a large platform in the village of Katakan Taung, Myanmar, and was completed in 2008, briefly holding the title of the world’s tallest statue before being surpassed.
2. Spring Temple Buddha – Henan, China (128m)
Buddha statue at Spring Temple in Henan Province, China. Photo provided by: Nyx Ning/Wikipedia
The world’s tallest Buddha statue is situated in Zhaocun Town, Lushan County, China, portraying the Cosmic Buddha or Dainichi Nyorai in the lotus position. It is known as the “Spring Temple Buddha” due to its proximity to a renowned hot spring with healing properties.
Completed in 2008, this statue held the title of the world’s tallest bronze statue for a decade.
1. Statue of Unity – Gujarat, India (182m)
Indian police officers stand guard near the world’s tallest Statue of Unity in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Photo by Sam Pansaky/AFP/Getty Images
Standing at a towering height of 182 meters, the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, India, claims the title of the world’s tallest statue. It surpasses Big Ben’s height twofold and exceeds the Statue of Liberty’s height by over three times.
This statue immortalizes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Indian independence leader who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister post-independence in 1947.
To obtain some of the iron required for this remarkable monument, located near the Narmada dam as part of a larger complex, local farmers were urged to donate tools.
Understanding time can be a complex concept. Einstein famously explained how time is relative, experienced differently based on the speed of an object. Let’s dive into the topic further.
Many animals have defied the odds and lived long, extraordinary lives. But which animal holds the title for the longest lifespan?
Scientists have studied longevity for years, with species on this list offering potential insights for longer, healthier lives. Let’s explore some of the world’s longest-living creatures.
Humans: Earth’s Longest-Lived Land Mammals
A photo of Jeanne Calment in 1995 at the age of 120. Photo courtesy: Pascal Parrot/Sygma/Getty Images
Jeanne Calment holds the record for the world’s longest-lived person, living an astonishing 122 years and 164 days. Born in 1875 in Arles, France, she claimed to have met Vincent van Gogh and humorously described him.
Calment credited her stress-free life and sense of humor for her longevity, even indulging in smoking after meals until she quit at 117. She outlived her daughter and grandson, passing away in 1997.
Glass Sponge: The Longest-Lived Aquatic Creature
Stalked vitreous cavernoma (hexatinerid) of Borosoma photographed at Maruru Seamount. Photo credit: National Marine Sanctuary/Wikipedia
The glass sponge, with its delicate appearance, can live up to 15,000 years, found in oceans worldwide at depths below 450 meters. Its unique ability to generate electrical impulses sets it apart from other creatures.
When threatened, the glass sponge’s flagella halt their beating, a survival adaptation distinct from other sponge species. Its shape remains unchanged when stimulated.
Cookie the Cockatoo: Earth’s Longest-Lived Bird
Cookie the pink parrot, photographed at Brookfield Zoo, USA, in 2008. Photo: Nimesh Madhavan/Wikipedia
Cookie the Cockatoo, a male pink parrot, holds the record for the oldest parrot, living until 83 years old before passing away in 2016 at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, USA.
Despite retiring from public life at 81 for health reasons, Cookie outlived other pink parrots by decades.
Naked Mole Rat: The Longest-Lived Rodent
Close-up of a naked mole rat (Heterocepalus glaber) in its underground burrow. Photo credit: Getty Images
Naked mole rats, resilient rodents, can survive 18 minutes without oxygen and show resistance to cancer. They live underground, protected from predators, and age differently than other mammals.
With accurate cell replication and DNA protection, naked mole rats can live for decades, with some reaching 37 years old.
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Ocean Quahog: The Longest-Lived Invertebrate
The oldest marine quahog is thought to be over 500 years old and is known as “Min”. Photo courtesy of Bangor University
The ocean quahog, an arctic clam species, holds the title for the oldest animal on Earth. A specimen found in 2006 off the coast of Iceland was estimated to be 507 years old by scientists.
Known as “Ming” or “Hafrun,” these clams display annual growth rings, allowing scientists to determine their age.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise: The Longest-Living Turtle
Adwaita, a giant Aldabra tortoise, rests in a cage at Alipore Zoo in Kolkata, India, on April 25, 2005. Photo by Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty Images
The Aldabra giant tortoise, native to the Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll, is Earth’s longest-living turtle species. The oldest, Adwaita, lived an estimated 255 years before passing away in 2006.
Greenland Shark: Earth’s Longest Living Fish
Greenland shark or Greenland sleeper shark (Somniosus microcepalus) swimming along the St. Lawrence River estuary in Canada. Photo credit: Alamy
Greenland sharks, with slow metabolisms, inhabit cold oceans and have lifespans difficult to estimate due to their unique physiology. Carbon dating suggests ages between 252 and 512 years.
Bobi: The Longest-Lived Dog
A photo taken on February 12, 2023 shows Bobi, the world’s oldest dog according to Guinness World Records, at her home in the village of Conqueiros, near Leiria, Portugal. Photo by Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images
Bobi, a Rafeiro de Alentejo, achieved a remarkable 31 years before his passing, earning recognition as the longest-lived dog in history. Originally from Portugal, these dogs are known for their gentle nature.
Dad jokes are humorous puns and phrases that fathers worldwide just can’t resist sharing whenever they have the opportunity. These jokes are eye-rollingly corny, family-friendly, and designed to make kids laugh (and everyone else groan).
If you ask your family, they may claim that dad jokes are inherently terrible and not worth repeating. But if you’ve just searched for “best dad jokes,” we both know that secretly you think these jokes are actually pretty great, despite how bad they are. I see you.
So whether you want to entertain your children, irritate your least favorite relative, or put together the world’s worst stand-up routine, we’ve got the perfect one-liners for you. Impress (or annoy) your loved ones by eliciting eye rolls with the funniest and best dad jokes now.
101 of the best dad jokes
When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent
What is the cloud wearing? Thunder wear.
Can February turn into March? No, but April and May.
Why not buy one with Velcro? It’s a total rip-off
What did the fish say when it hit the wall? Dam
Have you heard about the claustrophobic astronaut? He just needed some space.
Have you heard about the actor who broke his leg on stage? He’s still on the cast
Have you ever heard that oxygen dated potassium? It was a match
What did the police officer say to Navel? You’re under the vest
What is the witch’s favorite subject in school? Spelling.
Why did the zombie take a nap? He was dead tired.
Have you ever heard of two rowboats getting into an argument? It was an all-deal
What is the easiest building to lift? Lighthouse
I was a baker but couldn’t make enough dough
Why did the scarecrow win the award? Because he was outstanding in his field
What did biologists wear to impress on dates? Designer genes
Did you hear about our camping trip? It was in-tents
Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything
What did the evil chicken give birth to? Deviled egg
How do you make holy water? Boil it thoroughly
What do you call a fish without eyes? Fsh
How does a person on the moon cut his hair?
Have you heard about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere
Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine
What do you call an illegally parked frog? Toad
Which day is the strongest? Saturday and Sunday. Other days are just weak days
You can make jokes about pizza, but they’re pretty cheesy
What do you call a sheep on a trampoline? Wool jumper
Every morning I declare to my family that I’m going for a jog, but I never actually go… Just kidding.
Why do astronauts use Linux? Because they can’t open windows in space.
I’m currently reading Bill Jerome Holmes’ book on DIY home construction.
Why do people always bring a spare pair of socks when playing golf? They don’t want a hole-in-one
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana
What is the most relaxing element? Bromine
Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They have no guts
I’m reading a book about sandpaper… It’s a gripping read
Why were scientists disappointed with the results of the new weapons experiments? They bombed
Have you ever heard of the man who was scared of hurdles? He got over it
What did you say when the earthquake ended? Sorry, it’s my fault!
What would Yoda say when he saw himself in 4K? HDMI
What is an astronaut’s favorite part of a computer? Spacebar
What is brown and sticky? A stick
What did the police officer say to Navel? You’re under the vest
What did you say when the grapes were crushed? Nothing, just a little whine
Two peanuts were walking down the street. One was a salted
Peanut was sitting on the railroad tracks and his heart was pounding. 5:15 passed in a blink, Too Too! peanut butter
I don’t trust those trees. They seem a bit shady
I always thought orthopedic shoes were overrated, but I think they’ve corrected that.
There’s a joke about a broken clock, but it’s not the right time
There’s a joke about chemistry, but it doesn’t seem to get a reaction.
What happened when the world champion of tongue twisters was arrested? They gave him a harsh sentence
To the person who invented zero – thank you for everything
Geology may be rocky, but geography matters
Why is the ocean so salty? Because the land never waves back
How do you throw a party in space? You planet
Why can’t leopards hide? They’re always spotted
Why couldn’t the beaver go home? It couldn’t find the dam door.
What’s your secret to always keeping it real? Gravity
What do you call the goldfish that came in third place? A bronze fish
You can’t trust stairs…They’re always up to something.
What time did the man go to the dentist? Tooth-hurty
How do you get Pikachu on a bus? Poke him on
Why does everyone wear tank tops in America? They have the right to bare arms
What kind of jewelry do you wear when you don’t have a neck? Headless
Have you heard about the cheese factory explosion? There was nothing left but De Brie?
I just got kicked out of my local park for arranging squirrels by height… The squirrels didn’t like the size of my nuts.
What do you call a dinosaur who knows a lot of words? Thesaurus
The doctor told me I would lose my hearing…It was a difficult pill to swallow.
I had to return the vacuum cleaner… It sucked.
I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now.
What do spies do when it’s cold? They go undercover
What do you call someone allergic to lactose? Lactose intolerant
What do you call a fish wearing a tie? Sophishicated
Doctor, there’s an invisible man in the waiting room. Tell him I can’t see him
What is an astronaut’s favorite chocolate? Mars Bar
Why did mushrooms become popular? They’re a fungi
Why do trees have so many friends? They like to branch out
Where does bad light end up? In the prism
I’d tell you another chemistry joke but all the good ones Argon
I sued the airport for losing my luggage…I lost my case.
Why did the chemistry teacher go to the sea? To test the waters.
Why are meteors so beautiful? They always make a splash
Why aren’t guilty pandas caught? They eat, shoot, and leaf
Why are teddy bears never hungry? They’re always stuffed
Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They might crack up
Why don’t crabs donate to charity? Because they’re shellfish
When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent
Mountains aren’t just funny, they’re hill areas
What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? Supplies!
Why can’t bicycles stand up on their own? They’re two tired
I used to play the piano by ear, now I use my hands and fingers.
I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know y
What do you call fake spaghetti? Impasta.
Why did the physics teacher break up with the biology teacher? There was no chemistry.
What is a physicist’s favorite snack? Fission chips
My dog doesn’t have a nose. How does he smell? Terrible
How do mathematicians cultivate their fields? With a protractor.
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She hugged me
I’m on a whiskey diet. I’ve already lost three days.
Why did the doctor have a red pen in case he needed to draw blood?
If that wasn’t enough dad jokes for you, then check out our list of amazing fun facts that will keep you smiling from ear to ear.
On TikTok, people claim that pouring castor oil on their belly buttons can cure endometriosis, aid in weight loss, improve complexion, and promote healthy hair. However, it’s important to question the scientific basis behind this viral trend. Castor oil is known for its stimulant and laxative effects, which can be beneficial for treating constipation and inducing labor, although there are more commonly used medications for these purposes.
In addition to its medicinal uses, castor oil is also utilized in cosmetics like lip balms and moisturizers due to its moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research supporting or refuting the health benefits of applying castor oil to the belly button.
This practice may not make sense from a physiological standpoint, as the belly button served as a connection to the placenta during fetal development, providing oxygen and removing waste products. However, this connection is severed at birth, and oil does not enter the body through the belly button.
While massaging castor oil into the skin may offer temporary relief for certain conditions, such as menstrual cramps, it is not proven to be effective for weight loss or pain relief when taken orally or applied topically. Essential oils have shown to be more effective for aromatherapy purposes compared to unscented oils like castor oil.
Overall, while abdominal massage with castor oil may provide some relief for symptoms like constipation, it is not a substitute for proper medical treatment. It’s important to approach health trends with caution and rely on scientifically proven methods for healthcare.
This year, the bird flu outbreak has led to several alarming developments, with at least 64 human infections.
Experts outlined several indicators that the spread of the virus is moving in the wrong direction.
These include the recent detection of the virus in wastewater and signs of dangerous mutations.
The lingering threat of bird flu appears to be escalating.
This year has witnessed a series of troubling events related to the virus spread. Since April, at least 64 individuals have tested positive for the virus, marking the first U.S. case in 2022 apart from one. Dairy herds in 16 states were affected this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the nation’s first severe case of avian influenza in a critically ill patient in Louisiana. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency this week due to the growing outbreak in cattle and poultry.
“The warning signs are transitioning from green to yellow,” stated Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco specializing in infectious diseases. “Numerous indications are pointing in an unfavorable direction.”
While no human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has been recorded, the CDC asserts that the immediate public health risk remains low. However, concerns are escalating based on four key indicators.
For instance, the avian influenza virus known as H5N1 is rapidly spreading among animals, including cattle, that frequently interact with humans. Moreover, detections in wastewater suggest that the virus has not only impacted livestock but also various other areas.
Additionally, there are instances of human cases where the source of infection is unidentified, along with studies on the virus’s evolution indicating that it has adapted to human receptors required for inter-human transmission. Fewer mutations have been observed.
Experts warn that when considering these indicators together, the virus is on track to potentially become the next pandemic.
“We are currently in a very precarious situation,” remarked Scott Hensley, a microbiology professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
Extensive circulation creates new pathways to humans
Since the onset of the avian influenza outbreak in 2022, the virus has spread to wild birds, domestic poultry, and wild mammals like sea lions, foxes, and black bears. Over 125 million poultry have perished from infectious diseases or been culled in the United States, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Approximately 125 million poultry have died from the virus or been culled since 2022.Ulises Riuz/AFP from Getty Images File
In March, an unexpected occurrence unfolded when dairy cows fell ill, experienced reduced feed intake, and produced discolored milk.
Research indicates that the virus likely spread swiftly and effectively among cows through raw milk, as infected cows excreted significant virus amounts from their mammary glands. Raccoons and domestic cats are also susceptible if they consume raw milk.
The more animals infected, the higher the risk of transmission to humans who come in contact with them.
“The more individuals infected, the higher the likelihood of variant emergence,” mentioned Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiology professor and head of the Pandemic Center at Brown University’s School of Public Health. “I don’t want to give the virus the opportunity to trigger a pandemic.”
Prior to this year, influenza prevention efforts did not focus on cows.
“We hadn’t considered dairy cows to be influenza hosts, at least not significant ones,” mentioned Andrew Bowman, a veterinary preventive medicine professor at Ohio State University in an interview with NBC News this past summer.
However, the virus has been detected in at least 865 herds in 16 states and in raw (unpasteurized) milk sold in California. For domestic cats that consume raw milk.
A lab manager prepares milk samples for testing at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center on Dec. 10.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
“Currently, raw milk and related products pose a direct risk to communities and consumers,” stated Chin-Hong. “A year ago, or even just months ago, the risk was significantly lower.”
Cases with unknown exposure sources
Most human H5N1 infections occur among poultry and dairy farm workers. However, in some mysterious instances, the source of infection remains unidentified.
One such case was reported in Hospital in Missouri in August, with subsequent recovery. Another instance involved children in California who tested positive in November.
Furthermore, Delaware health authorities reported a case of H5N1 infection this week in an individual with no known exposure to poultry or cattle. Although CDC testing did not confirm avian influenza as the virus, the case is considered “probable.”
In British Columbia, Canada, a teenager was hospitalized in early November after contracting H5N1 despite no apparent contact with farm animals or wildlife. The genetic makeup of the virus suggested similarity to strains found in waterfowl and poultry.
Such unexplained cases are causing concern among experts.
“This implies that the virus has a wider reach, and more individuals may have encountered it than previously thought,” mentioned Nuzzo.
Increased concentration of avian influenza in wastewater
Scientists are actively monitoring wastewater for virus fragments to better comprehend the geographical spread of the avian influenza epidemic.
Amy Lockwood, CDC’s director of public health partnerships and Verily, a company offering CDC wastewater testing services, stated that in recent months, “detections are increasing in frequency across a broader geographic spectrum.” A program known as Wastewater SCAN is in place.
Earlier in the month, approximately 19% of facilities monitored within the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System across at least 10 states reported positive detections.
It is uncertain whether the detected virus fragments originated from animals or humans. For instance, some may stem from wild bird droppings entering storm drains.
“At this stage, we do not believe these signify human-to-human transmission, but there are numerous H5 viruses present,” revealed Peggy, CDC’s Director of Infectious Disease Control and Innovation.
Lockwood and Peggy mentioned that wastewater detections are concentrated near dairy processing facilities and poultry farms. However, puzzling hotspots have emerged in regions devoid of such agricultural operations in recent months.
“We are observing infections in areas where we do not automatically identify the source,” Lockwood noted, adding, “It’s a game of large numbers.”
Another mutation?
Until recently, virologists believed that multiple mutations were necessary for H5N1 to transition easily among humans.
However, a study published in Science magazine this month revealed that a cattle-circulating strain of the virus could bind to human receptors following a single mutation (Note: The study focuses solely on viral proteins, not the entire infectious virus).
Fatina Albies, a researcher in Sabeti's lab at the Broad Institute, tests milk samples for avian influenza in Boston.Boston Globe/Getty Images
“We are not implying that a pandemic is more imminent due to this finding. We simply want to highlight that the risk has elevated as a result,” explained Jim Paulson, co-author of the study and the director of molecular medicine at Scripps Research.
Separately, scientists have detected concerning elements in another virus variant found in a Canadian teen who fell severely ill in recent months. Virus samples indicated mutations that could enhance human-to-human transmissibility.
A CDC spokesperson stated that these mutations were unlikely present in the virus when the boy was infected.
“These mixed changes in the virus probably occurred following prolonged infection in the patient,” the spokesperson explained.
The strain of the virus in the first severe bird flu case in the U.S., announced on Wednesday, matched the one that infected the Canadian teenager.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, revealed that the CDC is analyzing patient samples to identify potential concerning variants.
Meanwhile, Hensley expressed concerns that the flu season could expedite virus evolution. If an individual is co-infected with seasonal influenza and avian influenza, genetic code segments can be exchanged between the two.
“Mutations are unnecessary; it’s simply a genetic code exchange,” Hensley asserted, emphasizing the importance of farmworkers receiving flu shots to reduce such opportunities.
Upcoming trials and vaccines
Experts highlighted various measures that can be taken to track bird flu spread more effectively and prepare for a possible pandemic, some of which are already in progress.
Nuzzo emphasized that efforts need to be intensified swiftly.
“We have delayed comprehensive bulk milk testing for too long, as it is a common method for detecting outbreaks on farms,” she stated.
Simultaneously, Andrew Trister, Verily’s chief medical and scientific officer, mentioned that the company is enhancing wastewater analysis to identify concerning mutations.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is expected to dive extremely close to the sun’s surface on December 24th.
The spacecraft will have to fly closer to the Sun than any other man-made object in history, less than 3.86 million miles away.
The mission was designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and help researchers learn how solar storms erupt into space.
NASA is preparing to “taste” the sun on Christmas Eve.
The bureau’s Parker Solar Probe is just days away from making its closest approach ever to the Sun on Tuesday, when it will fly closer to our star than any other man-made object in history.
The spacecraft, about the size of a small car, is scheduled to dive to within 3.86 million miles of the sun’s surface at 6:40 a.m. ET on Tuesday. It passes by at approximately 430,000 miles per hour. According to NASA.
“If you think about it, it’s like going 96 percent of the way to the surface of the sun,” said Kelly Kolek, a program scientist in NASA’s heliophysics division.
Because mission controllers cannot communicate with the spacecraft during maneuvers, NASA will have to wait about three days before receiving a signal that the spacecraft has survived its rendezvous with the sun.
The first images of the close encounter will then likely be transmitted to Earth sometime in January, the agency said.
As the Parker Solar Probe swoops toward the Sun, it will likely fly through a plume of solar plasma and potentially fly into the star’s active regions, Kolek said.
The mission was designed to study the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere, an extremely hot region known as the corona. Scientists are keen to look at the corona up close because researchers have long puzzled over why the outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere is hundreds of times hotter than the star’s surface.
Observations of the corona will also help researchers study how storms that form on the sun’s surface erupt into space. For example, the spacecraft will be able to observe streams of the most energetic solar particles coming from the Sun and exploding into space at supersonic speeds.
“This is the birthplace of space weather,” Kolek said. “While we have observed space weather from afar, Parker is now living space weather. In the future, we will be able to better understand how space weather forms.” , when we look at solar storms through a telescope, we can understand what they mean for us here on Earth.”
During periods of intense space weather, the Sun can emit huge solar flares and streams of charged particles known as solar wind directly to Earth. When these explosions interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they could not only supercharge the aurora, but also damage satellites and take out power grids.
Kolek said the Parker Solar Probe mission will help researchers better predict space weather and its potential impacts, similar to the work meteorologists and atmospheric scientists do about weather on Earth. said it was helpful.
The Parker spacecraft launched into space in 2018 and has orbited the sun more than 20 times since then. The Christmas Eve flyby will be the first of three final flybys planned for the mission. The spacecraft is named after Eugene Parker, the pioneering astrophysicist at the University of Chicago who first theorized the existence of the solar wind. Mr. Parker passed away in 2022 at the age of 94.
Last month, the spacecraft flew near Venus in a maneuver intended to slingshot its way to the sun. The upcoming approach was timed to coincide with the sun’s most active period in its 11-year cycle. This busy phase is typically characterized by a flurry of solar storms and high magnetic activity and is known as solar maximum.
Scientists like Kolek are hoping the Parker Solar Probe will have a front-row seat if a storm hits the sun’s surface on Christmas Eve.
As temperatures drop, winter officially begins on Saturday.
Learn about the winter solstice, the start of astronomical winter, and the shortest day of the year.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice marks the start of astronomical winter, different from the meteorological winter based on the calendar.
In middle school science class, you may have learned that the Earth rotates around the sun in a large circle and on its axis, creating day and night. The axis tilt causes varying sunlight amounts in the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year.
The winter solstice refers to the moment when half of the Earth is furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year. It also signals an increase in sunlight for the next six months.
When is the winter solstice?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on December 21st, this year it is on December 21st. The summer solstice occurs around June 21st.
For people on the equator, their winter solstice is in June, and summer solstice in December.
What is the vernal equinox?
There are two vernal and autumnal equinoxes each year.
During the spring equinox, the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, bringing equal sunlight and darkness.
The spring equinox in March marks the astrological end of winter, while the autumnal equinox in September marks the end of summer.
When is the next astrological seasonal change?
After the winter solstice, expect astronomical seasonal changes on specific dates:
Vernal Equinox (Spring): Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:01 a.m.
Summer Solstice: Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:42 p.m.
Autumnal Equinox (Fall): Monday, September 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m.
Can you see the winter solstice?
As the winter solstice approaches, the sun’s orbit sets lower in the sky, resulting in longer shadows. On the day of the solstice, the shadow will be the longest of the year at noon.
The cosmetics industry is a thriving sector. The European market is projected to reach 96 billion euros in 2023, with the UK being the fourth largest consumer at 11 billion euros after Italy, France, and Germany.
Both men and women are increasingly using cosmetics on a daily basis, and this trend looks set to continue. However, there are concerns about the safety of the ingredients used in these products.
In the European Union and other regions, ingredients in cosmetics are subject to strict regulations. Only approved ingredients are allowed, and this list is regularly updated based on new scientific findings.
The process of banning certain ingredients from cosmetics in Europe is overseen by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA). The agency first notifies about its intention to restrict certain chemicals, followed by a call for evidence where stakeholders provide data on the safety of the chemicals in question.
After thorough evaluation by scientific committees, recommendations are made, and a final decision is reached by the European Commission, a process that can take several years.
Companies are informed about upcoming regulatory changes so they can voluntarily replace substances that will be restricted in the future. An example is the ban on plastic microbeads, which were promptly removed from products ahead of the ban.
However, plastic remains a common ingredient in cosmetics, especially in leave-in products. Although not included in the microbead ban, these products will be phased out over the next seven years as part of the EU’s restrictions on the use of microplastics.
Microplastics are a concern due to their potential harm to humans, mainly because of their small size and persistence in the environment. There are also worries about the presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics, which have raised health concerns.
The use of PFAS in cosmetics is limited, but there are potential ways for them to enter products unintentionally. Regulations are in place to phase out PFAS in cosmetics, and efforts are being made to ensure consumer safety.
What Does the Future Hold for Cosmetics?
Considering the small percentage of products containing PFAS and the ongoing efforts to phase them out, restrictions on the use of PFAS in cosmetics are not expected to greatly impact the industry.
Regulatory bodies are actively working to phase out harmful chemicals from cosmetics and ensure product safety. Consumers can stay informed by checking ingredient labels, utilizing databases like cosmile, and using apps to identify potential health risks in cosmetics.
A groundbreaking achievement in human communication has been made by scientists with quantum teleportation. However, this technology is not meant for teleporting people or objects, but rather for teleporting information.
The scientists have found a way to instantly teleport information over any distance without the need for advanced technology. They believe that quantum teleportation is a feasible option, as discussed in a study published in optica.
Professor Prem Kumar from Northwestern University led the research and expressed excitement about the possibilities this breakthrough opens up for quantum and classical networks. This advancement could revolutionize quantum communications and make them more efficient.
Optical communications, which involve transmitting information as light signals, underpin most telecommunications systems. The recent study proposes that quantum teleportation could enhance the security and speed of these communications, limited only by the speed of light.
An Innovative Breakthrough
Quantum teleportation harnesses quantum entanglement, allowing particles to exchange information instantly regardless of their distance apart. Instead of using millions of light particles like classical communication, quantum communication relies on pairs of single photons.
A team at Northwestern University, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, discovered a method to guide these delicate photons through fiber optic cables more efficiently. By identifying specific wavelengths that minimize interference from other signals and implementing special filters, they successfully transmitted quantum information alongside regular internet traffic.
This success could pave the way for secure and rapid quantum communications, aligning with the goals of the International Year of Quantum Technology designated by the United Nations in 2025.
Future Applications
With this breakthrough, existing fiber optic networks could integrate quantum teleportation, eliminating the need for specialized infrastructure. This advancement holds promise for applications like quantum cryptography, sensing, computing, and potentially a new quantum internet.
Professor Kumar aims to test quantum teleportation over longer distances and explore entanglement swapping to enhance communication quality and security. Once proven effective on real underground cables, this technology could be fully integrated into communication networks.
Meet the Experts
Jim Al-Khalili CBE FRS, a theoretical physicist and Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey, is a prominent figure in the field. He has made significant contributions to science communication through his books and media appearances.
Most of us are aware that our planet is constantly spinning around its own axis as it orbits the sun. However, the Earth actually rotates around a tilted axis of 23.44°, leading to changes in its slope over time due to natural oscillations and cycles.
Human activities, such as global warming and groundwater extraction for irrigation, are causing significant changes in Earth’s tilt. Scientists have found that as polar ice melts and water redistributes, it can affect the planet’s rotation.
Researchers estimate that pumping large amounts of groundwater for irrigation purposes has led to significant changes in Earth’s tilt over recent decades. This redistribution of water mass is impacting the planet’s rotation, with measurable effects on sea levels and pole shifts.
Experts like Professor Seo Ki-won note that even small changes in water mass can affect Earth’s rotation, leading to shifts in its axis. These changes have been observed over the past few decades, indicating the impact of human activities on a global scale.
While these changes may not directly impact the climate, they do have implications for systems that rely on precise measurements and timing, such as GPS and financial markets. As Earth’s rotation slows due to mass redistribution, adjustments will need to be made to prevent system failures.
It is becoming increasingly clear that human activities are influencing not just the climate, but also the fundamental movements of Earth within space. As we continue to alter the planet’s mass distribution, we must be prepared to adapt our technologies and systems to accommodate these changes.
A new genus and species of Monophenestratan pterosaur has been identified from partial and postcranial fossils discovered in the Chubut province of Patagonia, Argentina. named Mercamtel Pateco an ancient flying reptile that predates the currently oldest members of the Monophenestrata clade by at least 8 million and perhaps 10 million years.
rebuilding the life of Mercamtel Pateco. Image credit: Pedro Andrade.
Mercamtel Pateco They lived in what is now Argentina during the most recent Early Jurassic period, 184 to 174 million years ago.
The ancient species is a member of Monophenestrata a large clade of pterosaurs consisting of Darwinoptera, Anurognatidae, and Pterodactylidae.
“Pterosaurs were the first clade of actively flying tetrapods that achieved great success during the Mesozoic Era, achieving a worldwide distribution from the Triassic to the Cretaceous.” Dr. Alexandra Fernandes researchers from the Bavarian National Institute of Paleontology and Geology and colleagues in Germany and Argentina.
“Meanwhile, the pterosaur Bauplan transitioned from the basal non-monophenestratan ‘non-pterodactyloid’ body shape to a more derived pterodactyloid body shape. ”
“This evolutionary event has become better understood in recent years with the recognition of the Darwinoptera clade. Darwinoptera primarily exhibit a variety of morphological attributes during this transition and are considered to be “non-pterodactyl”. It has been considered to be an “intermediate” monofenid, combining the plesiomorphic features of “.” It has wing-like characteristics. ”
“Records of Mesozoic pterosaurs are abundant in the Northern Hemisphere, but records from the Southern Hemisphere are relatively sparse.”
“Although it is possible that Argentinians may be excluded, all carpNon-pterodactyl monophenestratan pterosaurs have so far been found only in the Northern Hemisphere, namely Britain, Germany, and China, and first appeared during the Batonian period (168 to 165 million years ago). ). ”
“The apparent success of these monofenid forms and their pterodactyl descendants replaced the Rhamphorhynchus body form (which disappeared in the early Cretaceous) and survived until extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.”
“However, there is still a lack of knowledge about monofenestral stratus in nonpterodonts, especially in terrestrial depositional environments.”
discovered by paleontologists Mercamtel PatecoThe fossilized remains of – a portion of the skull, two associated teeth, and some postcranial elements – are located at the Queso Lajad site in the Canadon Asphalt Formation.
They also found an isolated tooth of a ctenochasmatid pterosaur pterosaur at the same location.
“The Canadon Asphalt Formation is widespread in the north-central Chubut province of Argentina,” they said.
“This is part of the deposits of the Canadon Asphalt Basin, a large half-graben structure in central Patagonia that opened with the onset of the South Atlantic during the Early Jurassic.”
“The production area of Queso Laryado is located approximately 5.5 km northwest of the village of Cerro Condor in the middle reaches of the Rio Chubut River.''
“The Fossil Formation is a 0.8 meter thick carbonate, partially silicified mudstone underlying the Canadon Asphalt Formation.”
According to the researchers, Mercamtel Pateco This marks the world's earliest appearance of a monophenestratan pterosaur, predating the current oldest member of this clade by at least 8 million and perhaps 10 million years.
This species is also the first and only non-pterodactyl monophenestratan to inhabit the supercontinent of Gondwana.
“Mercamtel Pateco “This is the most conclusive evidence to date for the existence of Monophenestrata in the Late Late Jurassic, and the novel traits expressed in this new species also contribute to morphological diversity.” The scientists concluded.
“Furthermore, if confirmed by future discoveries, the possible existence of Ctenochasmatidae, currently indicated by a single tooth, would not only place the origin of pterodactyls in the Early Jurassic, but also their early diversification. It may even indicate that it already happened in that era.”
“While our understanding of long-term pterosaur diversity and dispersal has traditionally been dominated by Northern Hemisphere Lagerstätten, high phylogenetic diversity of Early Jurassic pterosaurs also existed in Gondwana. It is now clear that the Canadon Asphalt Formation is the only one that now shows evidence for at least three different species. ”
“This further highlights that we still lack knowledge about the Jurassic pterosaur fauna of Gondwana, and while we await further field sampling and recovery of pterosaur fossils, the southern hemisphere probably someday It is clear that there is an inherent potential to match the abundance of the hemisphere. “
discovery of Mercamtel Pateco is reported in paper in a diary Royal Society Open Science.
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Alexandra E. Fernandez others. 2024. The oldest monophenestratan pterosaur from the Queso Rayado region (Toarcian, Canadon Asphalt Formation), Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. R. Soc. Open Science 11(12):241238;doi: 10.1098/rsos.241238
A US law banning popular video-sharing app TikTok is expected to take effect in early 2025, but the US Supreme Court has ruled agreed To hear TikTok’s legal challenge to this. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he may take action against the law, raising new questions about whether it will survive.
What does a TikTok ban actually do?
From January 19, 2025, “Act to protect Americans from regulatory applications by foreign adversaries' will prevent US companies such as Google and Apple from allowing users to access or update TikTok through their own app stores unless TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance sells the app to US companies. It turns out. It would also require internet service providers to block the platform on US internet browsers. The bill was approved by the House and Senate with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Joe Biden in April 2024.
If the ban were implemented, it would be virtually impossible for new users in the US to download the TikTok app. Kate Ruan At the Center for Democracy & Technology, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. For the 170 million existing TikTok users in the United States, the app may remain on their phones. However, not having access to updates will reduce functionality over time.
People in the United States may still access TikTok using virtual private network (VPN) services that disguise the user's location. But the experience of using the app could still deteriorate, Ruan said. TikTok content will no longer be stored on nearby U.S. servers, so it will load more slowly.
These restrictions stem from privacy and security concerns. US lawmakers fear that the Chinese government could force ByteDance to hand over TikTok users' data, pressure the app to change its algorithm, and present content that could manipulate public opinion. , said TikTok is a “national security threat.” However, no solid evidence has been provided to support these claims. TikTok said We are investing heavily to keep U.S. data safe. From outside influences and manipulation.
“It is deeply concerning that a country like the United States, which has always led the world stage in championing a free, open, and interoperable internet, is taking steps to ban access to entire platforms within its borders. 'This is unusual and should be done,' says Luan.
Will the Supreme Court block TikTok's ban?
Previously, he was a judge on the D.C. Lower Circuit Court of Appeals. allowed With U.S. law in effect, the Supreme Court agreed to hear TikTok's appeal. TikTok position That is, the ban amounts to censorship that violates Americans' right to free speech under the First Amendment.
“We hope courts will seriously address how this law violates these rights and how governments should account for the rights of social media users when seeking to regulate these speech platforms. I think so,” Luan said. “Despite the fact that some users have filed lawsuits claiming that this law violates their First Amendment rights, which are different from TikTok, the court did so in the process of considering this particular law.” have not done so.”
The most likely short-term impact, Ruan said, is that the U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily halt enforcement of the law while the justices consider the case. This could delay implementation of the law for months, no matter how long it takes for the Supreme Court to rule in 2025. TikTok specifically seeks such a suspension in its court filing.
Ruane said the ban violates First Amendment rights and that the government would be justified in such an outright ban if the Supreme Court found that the U.S. government had less restrictive options at its disposal. It is possible that an injunction could be issued that would make it virtually impossible to do so. The Supreme Court could also ask the lower D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its analysis of the case. Such a decision could force governments to find more tightly tailored options for regulating TikTok.
How can Trump stop banning TikTok?
President-elect Trump supported plans to ban TikTok during his first term, but has since changed his mind. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he promised:Save TikTok'' he urged American voters to support him in a post on his social media platform “Truth Social.'' On December 16th, President Trump met TikTok's CEO later said in a press conference that the administration would “consider” the ban. Even if the Supreme Court ultimately agrees to keep the ban in place, President Trump could change the law's impact.
For example, the president could meet with U.S. lawmakers and ask for changes, such as repealing or amending domestic laws, Ruane said. She also described a possible scenario in which President Trump could instruct his administration's attorney general not to enforce the law, but warned that it would be outside the norm for how the U.S. government normally operates.
Even if President Trump's attorney general announces that the US government will not enforce the ban, US companies such as Google and Apple remain reluctant to allow people to access apps through their platforms. There is a possibility. “If I were in charge of legal risk at one of these companies, I don't know if I would be able to say, 'We believe in it.' [decision]It’s okay to allow access to this app, which is prohibited,” Ruane said.
What does the US ban on TikTok mean for the rest of the world?
If passed, the U.S. ban could have significant ramifications around the world. First, people in other countries will not be able to access new content from US-based TikTok creators and influencers. But more importantly, the U.S. government's actions could prompt other countries to consider similar restrictions.
The US is not the first country to take action against TikTok, with the Indian government blocking the app since 2020, but Luan said the US ban would lead to “authoritarian regimes” They expressed concern that this could prompt the banning of all apps, including those that are Similar national security justification.
“This will no doubt be used as a justification to ban TikTok elsewhere, and to ban access to other applications that have served as important speech platforms in countries where the internet is less open. will also be used,” Luan said.
Will banning TikTok protect privacy?
The ostensible purpose of the ban is to protect the privacy of U.S. TikTok users and prevent their data from falling into the hands of other countries, as well as to prevent the Chinese government from potentially manipulating the content presented to U.S. app users. It is to address the concerns that there are. But Ruane says there are many alternative steps U.S. lawmakers could take before blocking TikTok completely.
For example, governments could require TikTok to be more transparent about how it collects and shares individual user data and what steps it takes to protect privacy. There is sex. Lawmakers could require platforms to share how their algorithms filter and control the content users see to alleviate concerns about tampering, Ruan said.
The U.S. government may also consider enacting consumer privacy laws that would provide better legal protections for how social media platforms share personal data with other companies and the government. “These consumer privacy and transparency choices are not as extreme as banning the entire platform,” Ruan said.
The orange fur on the underside is Nepenthes The leaves are why this plant is named after an orangutan
Alviana Damit
A newly described species of Nepenthes, one of the largest and furriest species ever discovered, has been identified in the wild mountains of Malaysian Borneo.
The back of the leaf is Nepenthes The team that discovered the plant in May 2023 decided to name it after the native Borneo orangutan because of its thick, rust-colored fur.Pongo Pygmaas) People who share the Meriow Mountains in central Sabah.
“It's certainly not as hairy as an orangutan. It's more like a really hairy-chested human,” he says. alastair robinson At the Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. “But the color is almost the same as orangutan fur.”
He suggests that the plant may have a common name: orangutan pitcher plant. Robinson and his colleagues discovered just 39 plants during their two expeditions, which they say are at high risk of extinction if not protected from poaching by collectors.
Mr Robinson said there was evidence that poachers had entered the area and stolen the specimens even before arriving at the scene, as the plants had been sold online.
Nepenthes A genus of carnivorous plants found throughout the tropics of Southeast Asia and parts of the Pacific Ocean and consisting of more than 160 species. It is very popular in the black market horticulture industry because its leaves form spectacular water containers. In the wild, animals fall into these pitchers and drown before being consumed by the digestive enzymes produced by plants.
Mr Robinson said that because the mountain is “essentially a rock mountain”, there is no running water above 300 meters, so the pickasaw is often the only water source for local wildlife. states.
Their jugs reach 45 centimeters in length and can hold much more than 2 liters of water. They're “like their own little ecosystem,” Robinson says.
This new species was first photographed in 2004, but was mistaken for a known variety. “I've been studying Nepenthes “I have lived in Borneo for many years and this species is the furriest species I have ever come across,” says a team member. Alviana Damit At the Forest Research Center in Sandakan, Malaysia. “Naming it after an orangutan is the perfect tribute.”
On November 13, 2024, four witnesses appeared before the Joint Subcommittee. US Congressional Oversight and Accountability for a testimony session on so-called “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).” This is a necessary rebranding of the term “UFO.” The people who spouted these three letters in the past were rarely seen as trustworthy or worthy of testifying before the U.S. government.
The four witnesses were Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, former commander of the U.S. Navy’s Meteorological and Marine Command; Luis Elizondo, former director of the Defense Department’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program; investigative journalist Michael Shellenberger; Former NASA Deputy Administrator Michael Gold.
4 people submitted written testimony before the hearing. Shellenberger also allegedly original document An anonymous whistleblower report regarding a program called “Immaculate Constellation,” an “unauthorized special access program” for top-level monitoring of UAP-related activities.
The document referred to an extensive database of high-quality evidence collected over several decades, all of which had previously evaded democratic oversight by Congress and most executive branches.
Ann early hearing Held on July 26, 2023, former U.S. Navy pilots testified about events such as encounters with the famous “tic-tock object” and 2004 FLIR (forward-looking infrared) video from the USS. Nimitz Encounters, and GoFast and gimbal videos from the 2015 USS roosevelt Incident.
Previous reports of UAP/UFO sightings date back to the 1940s, and some even centuries earlier. There also seemed to be waves of UFO sightings.
Suspicions of a government cover-up have been floating since the Roswell incident in 1947, but the latest surge in interest in government secrets was sparked in 2017. new york times article About the Department of Defense’s alleged UAP program.
This has led to a bipartisan interest in Congress to uncover the extent to which the U.S. government and intelligence community covered up the sightings. They promised to provide transparency to the American people.
read more:
So far, it’s safe to say that attempts at transparency have been a total failure. Witnesses have refused to disclose classified material that could violate confidentiality oaths, and the government’s refusal to declassify the material (or even acknowledge its existence) has created obstacles. This had an impact on the full-scale discussion on UAP disclosure.
The hearing on November 13, 2024 was no exception. Chairman Nancy Mace began the cover-up game by saying she had no intention of “revealing names.” She also said there were people trying to influence her not to hold this hearing.
Nancy Mace speaks at a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. – Photo courtesy of Getty
All witnesses except Gold are not allowed or unwilling to discuss certain questions in public session, or are not allowed or unwilling to discuss them completely. (Shellenberger claimed it was to protect his journalistic sources). They also reported being subject to threats or outright intimidation not to disclose confidential material.
close encounter
If Mr. Gold had confidential information, he never disclosed it. He simply, and rightly, emphasized the need for independent scientific and academically rigorous investigation of the phenomenon.
However, that did not stop witnesses from claiming knowledge of the crash recovery program and encounters with underwater UAPs and USOs (Unidentified Submersible Objects). They also implied that staff were being treated for injuries sustained from contact with the UAP, and that humanity was already dealing with non-human intelligence (NHI).
Information that, if true, would fundamentally change our view of our place in the universe. This also shows that there is still a lot of sensitive material hidden away.
Witnesses are allowed to speak to some extent about facts that are usually considered “official secrets,” but are prohibited from releasing confidential material that supports their claims. This means you can never really know if what they say is true.
Two senior members of the Eighth U.S. Air Force have identified metal fragments found by a farmer near Roswell, New Mexico as debris from a weather balloon. This is the basis for the 1947 Roswell Incident, which was the alleged crash of an alien spacecraft.
Their testimony is always subject to ample doubt. They may all be sincere in their beliefs or have access to relevant evidence, but it is this personal editing that inevitably leads the witness to failure and, at worst, ridicule. It will be done.
But in many previous hearings, they have only presented what they were told, or in legal parlance, “hearsay evidence”, a type of evidence that legal systems around the world consider to be questionable. I haven’t.
This makes it easy for so-called “falsifiers” to point out that evidence is always announced to be released soon, but is never actually released.
And unfortunately, not all of the witnesses who appeared before Congress on November 13th have impeccable reputations for due diligence and fact-checking information.
His response was to congratulate those who realized his mistake and to say that he is always happy to see false evidence removed from a serious UAP story.
This “non-human” alien corpse was presented to Mexican politicians in 2023. Experts around the world have labeled the corpse a hoax. – Photo credit: Getty
Regardless, former U.S. officials should reconsider their blind allegiance to secrecy and consider whether there is really any benefit to complying with the government’s demands for silence. Their current reluctance to disclose information only further fuels the US government’s quest to obfuscate the democratic process.
If the witnesses’ claims are true, this knowledge should be shared with the world, not held by one country’s government.
battle of words
The question of whether we are alone in space or even here on Earth is not, by definition, a national security issue. This myopic view, currently held by domestic intelligence agencies, is not appropriate for future policy principles.
It is inevitable that at some point someone will have to make the drastic decision to release or publish confidential material to which they have access, and have to impose their name and risk the consequences.
In fact, the threat of legal consequences not only lends greater credibility to the whistleblower’s character, but also increases the credibility of their testimony. Why risk making confidential documents public unless you are 100% sure they are true?
Even if the truth becomes public, it is unlikely to have any real impact. Steals Jack Ryan’s line, “If a bomb goes off, there’s no use trying to defuse it.” A clear and present danger.
Until then, the meaningless show of unchecked hearsay testimony will continue to be repeated on the floor of Congress. It is better to ignore the protests of witnesses that no real information can be revealed and to actively prevent the spread of unverifiable claims than to remain in a perpetual state of limbo of alien gossip and innuendo. Probably.
Keeping their mouths shut will ultimately do great damage to the truth behind UAP.
read more:
For more fact-checked news, visit the BBC. confirm website of bit.ly/BBCVerify
These relatives are Pterodactylus. This will allow paleontologists to reconstruct the flying reptile’s life history from hatching to adulthood.
holotype specimen of Pterodactylus antiquus. Image credit: Robert SH Smyth & David M. Unwin, doi: 10.1080/14772019.2024.2421845.
Almost 250 years ago, the first pterosaur fossil was discovered in a quarry in northern Bavaria, Germany.
Dubbing Pterodactylus, this 150-million-year-old fossil provides the first evidence of a group of extraordinary flying reptiles that filled the skies of the Mesozoic Era, soaring above dinosaurs on wings spanning up to 10 meters or more.
This first pterosaur was only about the size of a turtledove, but it completely reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life.
Despite being the original “pterodactyl”, Pterodactylus was soon overshadowed, quite literally, in people’s consciousness by the more dramatic appearance of giant pterosaurs. Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus attracted attention. but Pterodactylus remained popular among pterosaur scientists.
For centuries, Pterodactylus and other similar pterosaurs in Bavaria are the focus of ongoing scientific research, and much of what we know about pterosaurs, from the shape of their wings and the way they fly to the way they eat and grow. It helps shape the.
But one question always remains. Among these many pterosaurs, which one is the true pterosaur? Pterodactylus And which belong to completely different species?
This confusion has continued for centuries and continues to this day.
Thanks to a new study that analyzed data from dozens of Pterodactylus The mysteries of specimens displayed in museums around the world have been solved, and the true nature of these fossils has finally been revealed.
Paleontologists Robert Smith and Dave Unwin from the University of Leicester shine an intense UV torch on fossil bones to make them fluoresce, allowing them to distinguish one type of pterosaur from another, almost visually. The researchers succeeded in revealing the details of tiny bones that cannot be seen.
Use Pterodactylus Unique features found in the head, hips, hands, and feet led them to systematically examine other fossils from the same deposits, and to their surprise, they discovered many other fossil examples. Pterodactylus It was “hidden” among what is believed to be another species of pterosaur.
“By examining many fossils in collections across Europe, we were able to re-identify more than 40 specimens. Pterodactylus” said Smith.
“UV-excited fluorescence is amazing in the amount of detail it can reveal. Features that were once hidden are now clearly visible.”
Complete your entire concept in the blink of an eye Pterodactylus It has changed dramatically.
With nearly 50 examples confirmed to date, knowledge about this most important pterosaur is exploding.
“We are now able to construct a complete and detailed skeletal anatomy of this important pterosaur,” Dr. Unwin said.
“The soft tissues of more than 20 specimens have been fossilized, allowing us to reconstruct the top of the head, the shape of the body, the webs of the feet, and even the wings.”
“UV-excited fluorescence is a well-known technique, but the difference in this case is that we were able to combine a new, high-quality light source with a systematic ‘catch-all’ approach, which revolutionized our research and will have a significant impact. Understanding pterosaurs.”
of result Published in Journal of Systematic Paleontology.
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Robert S. H. Smith & David M. Unwin. 2024. Re-evaluation of Pterodactylus antiquus and Diopecephalus flathead: Two troublesome classification concepts. Journal of Systematic Paleontology 22 (1): 2421845;doi: 10.1080/14772019.2024.2421845
Some people can’t imagine a dog barking or a police siren. I can’t get the song out of my head. They have no inner voice. Anauraria It was proposed in 2021 by scientists at the University of Auckland to explain the little-known condition of the silent mind. This time, the University of Auckland is hosting a world conference on imagined sounds in the mind, aimed not only at scientists but also at philosophers, musicians, poets, and writers.
Aphonia is a lack of auditory imagery, or the inability to hear anything in the inner ear. Image credit: Vat Roai.
Professor Tony Lambert from the University of Auckland said: “Scientists are interested in how the brain creates, or does not create, imaginary sounds such as inner voices.”
“But for writers, musicians, and poets, it can be an important part of the creative process, so they too have insights to share.”
“Charles Dickens said he could hear the voices of his characters. So did Alice Walker. Some readers even picture the voices of their characters in their heads.”
For Sang Hyun Kim, a student at the University of Auckland with a quiet mind, the idea of other people hearing imaginary voices may seem strange. And he will be intrigued to see what research turns out about auditory imagery.
of heart ear and inner voice The conference will be held in Auckland, New Zealand from April 14th to 16th, 2025.
We would like to include personal accounts of individuals who have experienced anodynia and hyperacusis, the experience of highly vivid auditory images.
“Some people say they can reproduce a symphony in their heads in great detail; others report weak auditory imagery, while others report nothing at all,” the researchers said.
“It is estimated that nearly 1% of people in New Zealand experience aphonia. This is often accompanied by aphantasia, a lack of visual imagination.”
“There doesn’t seem to be any downside to a silent mind. On the contrary, recent research suggests there may be positive outcomes associated with increased attention.”
“The concept of musicians experiencing atonia seems perplexing. How can you play a role without being able to conjure up sounds in your head?”
“I don’t understand this either,” Professor Lambert said.
“The mind of such a musician may contain representations of music that are not auditory in nature. This is similar to the difference between hearing music and music represented as a musical score. Masu.”
“Overall, auditory imagery has received far less research attention than visual imagery.”
“Our conference is unique in that it focuses on these issues from a very interdisciplinary perspective.”
“Who doesn’t imagine voices, music, and other sounds?” If so, how common is this? What is the psychological impact of experiencing a quiet inner world? Is that so?”
“We have good answers to the first two questions. The last question is a much bigger question, but we believe we have made significant progress.”
“Ongoing research in the Aunaularia Laboratory at the University of Auckland includes neuroimaging studies that combine high-density EEG, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyography of the activity of muscles used in speech production. .”
“The conference’s lineup of keynote speakers from around the world includes experts in fields called voice hearing (auditory hallucinations) and cognitive literary studies.”
The standard model of particle physics predicts an asymmetry between matter and antimatter known as charge parity (CP) violation. However, the size of this asymmetry in the Standard Model is not large enough to explain the disequilibrium, and so far the asymmetry has only been observed in certain decays of particles called mesons. In two new studies, LHCb collaboration CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has discovered evidence of CP violation in baryon decay and beauty hadron decay into charmonium particles, shedding light on these two pieces of the matter-antimatter puzzle.
Exterior view of the LHCb detector. Image credit: CERN.
Experiments involving LHCb have previously searched for baryon CP violation by looking for differences in the way matter and antimatter baryons decay into other particles.
However, these investigations have so far been essentially empty-handed.
One LHCb study provided evidence for a process in the specific collapse of the bottom lambda baryon, but subsequent studies analyzing larger samples of such collapses did not increase that evidence.
in first new studyLHCb physicists scrutinized proton-proton collision data obtained during the first and second runs of the LHC and discovered various decay modes of the bottom lambda baryon, including decay into a lambda baryon and two kaons. You have searched for
We then investigated the CP violation in each decay mode, essentially by counting the number of decays of the bottom lambdabaryon and its antimatter partner and taking the difference between the two.
In the case of the lambda baryon and its decay into two kaons, this difference showed evidence of a CP violation with a significance of 3.2 standard deviations.
in second studythe LHCb team focused on the decay of a beautiful charged meson into J/psi and a charged pion.
J/psi is a charmmonium particle, a meson consisting of a charm quark and a charm antiquark.
We performed an analysis similar to the lower lambda baryon study, also using data from the first and second runs of the LHC, and found evidence for CP violation in this decay mode of charged meons. Again, the significance is 3.2 standard. Deviation.
This finding represents evidence of CP violation in the decay of beauty hadrons to charmonium particles.
“Our study represents an important step toward establishing whether CP violations are present in these types of collapses,” the authors state.
“Data from the high-luminosity LHC, with its third experiment and planned collider upgrades, will shed further light on these and other parts of the matter-antimatter puzzle. .”
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LHCb collaboration. 2024. Study of Λ0b and Ξ0b decay to Λh+h'- and evidence of CP violation in Λ0b→ΛK+K- decay. arXiv: 2411.15441
LHCb collaboration. 2024. First evidence of direct CP violation to charmonium decay in cosmetology. arXiv: 2411.12178
“Lloyd,” he told me. “His name is Lloyd.” Of course. Why is the green Lego Ninjago called a different name? This plastic figurine has shot to the top of son Sam's Christmas list.
Anyone who knows young children will relate. While they covet the Barbie Color Reveal Deluxe Styling Head, which promises instant but fleeting joy, we want to buy a woodland activity kit that is sure to nourish the body and mind.
If you are despairing of such a choice, help is readily available. Thanks to our increased understanding of the cognitive benefits of specific toys, we now have a better understanding of the relative merits of different toys. This Christmas, I decided to use this research to identify the perfect toy, or at least get as close to it as possible.
If you dig deeper into this world, you'll quickly discover that some toys are really better for young brains than others, and that computer games aren't as evil as you think. Now you know the secret to buying toys without getting bored. Cupboard.
Although toys may seem like a relatively recent invention, they have been a part of our lives for thousands of years. Analysis of rock fragments dating back 60,000 to 80,000 years in South Africa's Western Cape suggests that children may have been tinkering with dull and functionally useless copies of adult stone tools. Ta. These ancient playthings are thought to have been key to the development of cognitive skills, such as the ability to imagine alternative scenarios and come up with new ideas.
CMS Collaboration physicists used data from high-energy proton-proton collisions from Experiment 2 at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to released The latest research into the production of Higgs boson pairs, known as De-Higgs, has placed constraints on the rate of their formation.
Event display of candidate events for Higgs pair generation. Image credit: CERN.
According to physicists, Higgs particle pair can be created in two main ways.
The first is called gluon-gluon fusion, in which gluons (particles inside colliding protons) interact to produce the Higgs boson. This process allows scientists to study the interaction between one so-called intermediate state Higgs boson and two final state Higgs bosons.
The second method involves quarks, also inside the colliding protons, which emit two vector bosons. These vector particles interact to form a Higgs particle, allowing the study of the interaction between two Higgs particles and two vector particles.
CMS physicists performed the latest analysis by exploring multiple ways DeHiggs could collapse.
These final states resulted from the decay of Higgs boson pairs into bottom quarks, W particles, tau leptons, and photons.
By combining these searches and analyzing all the data simultaneously using advanced analytics techniques such as boosted decision trees and deep neural networks, the collaboration was able to extract more information than ever before. .
This study allowed the researchers to set an upper bound on the Higgs pair production rate with a 95% confidence level.
The measured limits are now 3.5 times higher than the Standard Model’s prediction for total DeHiggs production and 79 times higher than the Standard Model’s prediction for DeHiggs production by vector boson fusion.
The LHC’s Run 3 data acquisition era is underway, and the amount of data collected by CMS experiments has already doubled, and CMS researchers are making progress in analyzing it.
One of the most exciting prospects for measuring the self-interactions of the Higgs boson is the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), scheduled to become operational in 2030.
In this new phase, the accelerator will provide CMS with the highest luminosity ever reached in a collider.
Considering luminosity predictions and systematic uncertainties, scientists estimate that the first evidence of Higgs formation may begin to appear in about half of the HL-LHC data.
“We look forward to further investigating this rare and exciting phenomenon,” they said.
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CMS cooperation. 2024. Combined search for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV. CMS-PAS-HIG-20-011
The newly described species lived in what is now Europe during the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago.
with scientific name Apachius Madsenithe ancient insect was about 1.9 centimeters (0.75 inches) long.
belongs to the genus Apacius in the family Apacidaeis part of a larger insect order Dermatoptera (commonly known as earwig).
Currently, extant species of this family are found only in south-central Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
They are generally characterized by relatively large, flat bodies and often bright colors.
“Today, the Apaceae family consists of 15 living species in two genera, 13 of which are Apacius And in two Dendroiketes) similarly Apachius Madseni'' said paleontologist Jan Audun Rasmussen of the Mors Museum.
“The current species are distributed in Central Africa (three species) and from India to the Philippines and Australia (the remaining species).”
The discovery of Apachius Madseni Therefore, we show that the range of Apacidae has expanded considerably, indicating that the current distribution of this family is not necessarily indicative of its past distribution or biogeographic origin. ”
almost completed single Apachius Madseni The fossil was discovered in a fur layer in Mors, northwestern Denmark.
“This fossil is the second species of Dermatoptera to be described from the fur layer, and the first representative of the enigmatic Apacidae,” the paleontologists said.
According to the authors, this formation's diatomaceous clay deposits formed the seafloor of northwestern Denmark during the early Eocene, when Denmark was completely covered by sea.
Because modern members of the Apaceae family live under the bark of trees, they believe that: Apachius Madseni It was carried to the sea covered in the bark of a tree trunk that is thought to have drifted ashore from Sweden or Norway about 55 million years ago.
“It's no surprise that we found the ancestor of this tropical and subtropical earwig family so far north as Denmark,” Dr. Rasmussen said.
“55 million years ago, the ocean that covered what is now Denmark was subtropical to almost tropical, as evidenced by the fish, bird, insect, and plant fossils found in ancient seafloor deposits on the islands of Mors and Fir. It is reflected.”
Thomas J. Simonsen others. 2024. Apachius Madseni (Dermoptera: Apacidae) sp. November discovery in the Ypresian fur layer in Denmark: the first fossil record of the mysterious earwig family Apacidae. paleoentomology 007 (5): 638-644;doi: 10.11646/Paleoentomology.7.5.7
Mars is at the extreme of salt water stability. And only the combination of the most favorable environmental conditions and the salt with the lowest eutectic temperature could stabilize brine, at least temporarily, on the surface of Mars, one researcher says. new research Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
This image of an impact crater in the Sirenum Fossai region of Mars was taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance rover on March 30, 2015. The crater is approximately 3,300 feet (1 km) wide and appears to be relatively recent due to its sharp edges and wells. -Stored emissions. The steep inner slopes are carved by canyons and contain slope lines that may recur on the equator-facing slopes. Image credit: NASA / JPL / University of Arizona / Alfred McEwen.
Liquid water is an important prerequisite for a habitable planet. However, the combination of Mars' low temperatures, atmospheric pressure, and water vapor pressure means that any liquid water found on Mars would likely freeze, boil, or evaporate quickly, making it unlikely that Mars exists. .
However, paleontologists continue to insist that liquid water exists on Mars.
Of particular interest is the discovery of seasonal black stripes called repeat slope lines.
These features appear in some places on Mars when temperatures rise above -23 degrees Celsius (-10 degrees Fahrenheit) and disappear when it gets colder.
They are often described as possibly being associated with liquid water.
The new study puts a damper on the idea that liquid water is likely to be found soon in Mars' recurring slopes, permafrost, or salt water.
“If we look closely at RSL, its behavior is consistent with a sand or dust flow, and water is not required for RSL formation,” said lead author Dr. Vincent Chevrier, a researcher at the University of Arkansas. said.
Other researchers believe that brine, a highly salty solution like Earth's oceans, may hold the key to finding liquid water on Mars.
Salt water can freeze at much lower temperatures, and Mars is rich in salt.
Among these salts, perchlorate appears to be the most promising because of its extremely low eutectic temperature (the temperature at which the melting point of the mixture is lower than that of the single components).
For example, calcium perchlorate brine freezes at -75 degrees Celsius (-14 degrees Fahrenheit), but the average surface temperature near the equator of Mars is -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit), so theoretically This suggests that there may be zones where calcium coagulates. Perchlorate water can remain liquid, especially underground.
Dr. Chevrier and his colleague, Dr. Rachel Srank of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, then considered all the arguments for and against brine that could form a stable liquid.
“A variety of limiting factors, including the relatively small amount of most promising salts, water vapor pressure, and ice position, strongly limit the amount of brine present at the surface and in the shallow subsurface,” the researchers said. Ta.
“And even if saline waters formed, they would still remain uninhabitable by terrestrial standards.”
“Despite these drawbacks and limitations, there is always a possibility that Martian life adapted to these salt waters and some terrestrial life could survive in them. This is a planetary protection consideration because there is a possibility that
“Therefore, detecting brine in situ remains a key objective for Mars exploration.”
The next hurdles ahead, the authors say, are improving the equipment needed to detect small amounts of brine, better identifying the best places to look for brine, and conducting more experiments under Martian conditions. It is suggested that this is to enable room measurements to be carried out.
“Despite our best efforts to prove otherwise, Mars remains a cold, dry, and completely uninhabitable desert,” Chevrier said.
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Vincent F. Chevrier and Rachel A. Slank. 2024. The elusive nature of liquid brine on Mars. PNAS 121 (52): e2321067121;doi: 10.1073/pnas.2321067121
Using a catalog of 26,041 white dwarfs observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, astronomers confirmed a long-predicted effect in these ancient, ultra-dense stars.
Concept art of two white dwarfs with the same mass but different temperatures. The hot star (left) is slightly swollen, while the cool star (right) is more compact. Image credit: Roberto Molar Candanosa / Johns Hopkins University.
At the end of their stellar evolution, stars that are not massive enough to become neutron stars or black holes eject their outer layers and leave their cores as compact remnants known as white dwarfs.
All stars with initial masses in the range of 0.07 to 8 solar masses (about 97% of all stars) end their lives as white dwarfs.
Dr Nicole Crumpler said: 'White dwarfs are a great way for us to work together to test theories underlying commonplace physics in the hope that we might discover something exotic that points to new fundamental physics. It is one of the best characterized stars ever made.” , an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University.
“If you want to look for dark matter, quantum gravity, and other unusual things, you need to have a good understanding of normal physics.”
“Otherwise, what seems novel may just be a new manifestation of an effect we already know.”
The new study was based on measurements of how these extreme conditions affect the light waves emitted by white dwarf stars.
As light moves away from such a huge object, it loses energy in the process of escaping gravity and gradually turns red.
This redshift effect stretches light waves like a rubber band so they can be measured with telescopes.
This is caused by the distortion of space-time caused by extreme gravity, as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.
By averaging measurements of a white dwarf's motion with respect to Earth and grouping them according to gravity and size, astronomers can isolate gravitational redshifts to determine how high temperatures affect the volume of their gaseous outer layers. We measured the impact it had.
The team's 2020 study of 3,000 white dwarfs confirmed that electron degeneracy pressure causes stars to shrink as their mass increases. Electron degeneracy pressure is a quantum mechanical process that keeps dense nuclei stable for billions of years without the need for the nuclear fusion that normally underpins our sun and other planets. Types of stars.
“Until now, we haven't had enough data to confidently confirm the subtle but important effects of increasing temperature on the mass-size relationship,” Crumpler said.
“The next frontier may be detecting very subtle differences in the chemical composition of the cores of white dwarf stars of different masses,” said Dr. Nadia Zakamska, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University.
“The maximum mass a star can have to form a white dwarf, as opposed to a neutron star or a black hole, is not completely understood.”
“These increasingly precise measurements will help test and refine theories about this and other poorly understood processes in the evolution of massive stars.”
“This observation could also help in attempts to discover signatures of dark matter, such as axions and other hypothetical particles,” Crumpler said.
“By providing a more detailed picture of the structure of white dwarfs, these data could be used to reveal the signals of certain models of dark matter that cause interference patterns in our galaxy.”
“If two white dwarfs are in the same dark matter interference patch, the dark matter will change the structure of these stars in the same way.”
Although dark matter has gravity, it does not emit light or energy that can be seen with telescopes.
Scientists have learned that the sun makes up most of the matter in the universe because its gravity affects stars, galaxies, and other space objects in the same way that it affects the orbits of planets. I am.
“We've been banging our heads against the wall trying to figure out what dark matter is, and I'd say we've been caught flat-footed,” Crumpler said.
“We know a lot about what dark matter is not, and there are limits to what dark matter can and cannot do, but we still don't know what it is.”
“That's why it's so important to understand simple objects like white dwarfs, because they give us hope of discovering what dark matter is.”
Nicole R. Crumpler others. 2024. Detection of temperature dependence of mass radius and gravitational redshift of white dwarfs. APJ 977, 237;doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad8ddc
Planetary scientists using ESA's Mars Express spacecraft's high-resolution stereo camera have captured stunning images of Earth's mysterious landscapes. Australe Scopri Region in the southern hemisphere of the red planet.
Frozen landscape of the Australe Skopli region on Mars' south pole. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.
“Here, a layer of carbon dioxide ice and dust envelops the site, turning Mars white,” ESA researchers said in a statement.
“The contrasting light and dark layers are especially striking on the exposed surfaces of hills and valleys.”
“They track the seasonal polar layered deposits characteristic of the region, which form when layers of ice freeze and trap varying amounts of dust within them. It is something that will be done.”
“It's probably better to take a sled ride, but either way, dress warmly, because it's -125 degrees Celsius (-193 Fahrenheit) outside so it's cold,” they added.
“Skiers and sledders on Mars will have to slalom around potentially hundreds of dust jets.”
“That's because ski season is almost over and it's starting to look like spring, or even summer. This image was taken on June 16, 2022, near the Antarctic summer solstice.”
If you zoom in on the image above, you can see numerous dark spots where the ice has already sublimated. This is a sure sign that the sun's warming rays have been hitting the area for some time.
“When sunlight hits the translucent upper layer of carbon dioxide ice, it warms the underlying surface,” the scientists explained.
“The ice at the bottom of the layer begins to sublimate, forming pockets of trapped gas.”
“As the pressure increases, the overlying ice suddenly cracks, causing gas to burst out from the surface.”
“These gas fountains carry black dust from below, which falls to the surface in a fan-shaped pattern depending on the prevailing wind direction.”
“Fan lengths range from tens of meters to hundreds of meters.”
“If you look more closely, it often appears that the fans follow the boundaries between polar layered deposits.”
“Perhaps these boundaries represent zones of weakness, from which escaping dust-laden jets can more easily break through the ice layer.”
“We may have missed the chance to create 'Frosty the Snowman,' but it's still a wonderful time of year on Mars.”
New research suggests the moon may be older than many scientists thought.
This study suggests that the moon rock samples taken during the Apollo missions date back to an event in which the moon's surface melted, rather than the moment the moon formed.
Therefore, the authors believe that the Moon formed about 4.51 billion years ago, which is more than 100 million years earlier than the generally accepted estimate.
The moon may be more than 100 million years older than some scientists previously thought, according to a new study.
The study was published on Wednesday. journal naturechallenges long-held ideasThe moon is thought to have formed about 4.35 billion years ago after an object the size of Mars crashed into the early Earth and created our natural satellite.
That timeline is based on analysis of lunar rock samples taken during NASA's Apollo mission. But new research shows that the moon formed much earlier, about 4.51 billion years ago, and then underwent a dramatic “remelting” phenomenon around the time other scientists thought the moon first formed. It suggests that you have experienced it.
According to the authors, the melting occurred because Earth's constant gravitational pull distorted the moon and made it extremely hot as it moved away from Earth. According to the study, this process altered the moon's surface and hid the moon's true age.
The study's lead author, Francis Nimmo, a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said the extreme heating caused the moon's surface to re-melt, effectively “resetting all the clocks” on the moon's rocks. 'There is a possibility.
“So moon rocks don't tell us when the moon formed, but they tell us when subsequent events that heated the moon occurred,” he says.
The scientific community has disagreed for decades about the exact age of the moon. Nimmo and his colleagues are not the first to offer older estimates. This new discovery adds to the growing consensus that there may be more to the moon's history than the Apollo samples revealed.
For example, planetary scientists have wondered how a massive collision occurred 4.35 billion years ago, when most large objects in the history of the solar system were thought to have already come together to form planets. I have had a hard time explaining why the moon was formed.
“Those who studied the Apollo samples had reasonable guesses about the moon's age, but those who modeled how the planets in our solar system formed are wondering why so much material still remains after 200 million years. “It was always difficult to explain why the solar system was still flying,” Nimmo said. “That's the way it is, and the two camps want different ages.”
The adjusted schedule by Nimmo's team may also help explain why.A mineral called zircon found on the moonIt was discovered in Apollo's moon rock and is estimated to be approximately 4.5 billion years old. The moon's zircons, like other minerals on the moon, were thought to have crystallized during the moon's extreme temperatures, but their much older age has long puzzled scientists. .
In a new study, Nimmo and his colleagues suggest that the moon's overheating is the product of a process known as “tidal heating.”
“There are certain spots where the moon's orbit can be temporarily thrown off as it gets pushed aside,” Nimmo said. “During that time, the moon can be squeezed and stretched by Earth's gravity, which causes it to heat up.”
Similar tidal heating is thought to occur between Jupiter and its moons. a 2020 survey Researchers have discovered that the gas giant's gravity can stretch and squeeze some of its icy moons to the point where they heat up their interiors and melt rocks into magma. It is believed that this also applies to Jupiter's moon Io.
Recent and upcoming lunar missions could provide better insight into the moon's evolutionary history, Nimmo said. This includes China's Chang'e 6 mission, which collected samples from…
“The evolution of the solar system was very rapid. In just tens of millions of years, all the objects we know today were formed,” Munker said. “That's why we need very good temporal resolution for these very early events and why it's important to understand how the Earth-Moon system formed.”
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the smell of freshly baked gingerbread wafting through your home. A blend of warming spices and rich molasses, it’s a must-have snack on a winter’s day. And when I was a kid, it was always gingerbread that I fed Santa every Christmas Eve. In fact, gingerbread might be my favorite biscuit. It has the perfect balance of crunch and chewing power.
I’d like to think I know a thing or two about how to accomplish that. Participated in the 2023 series. Great British Bake Off He also received the notoriously difficult handshake from judge Paul Hollywood during Biscuit Week.
My success lies in the careful application of science to the art of baking. So let me share some key insights you need to bake gingerbread that will really turn heads, and the science behind why they’re so important. I’m a chemist by trade, so I eschew the traditional gingerbread house and instead assemble biscuits to create a stand-alone Christmas ‘chemistry’. Drool was already coming out of my mouth.
As with all biscuits, the first step is to prepare the dry ingredients. Flour, sugar, spices, and baking soda (see “Ingredients and Instructions” on the right) are required, and each has an important role to play. The flour acts as a binder and helps form the structure of the biscuit, while the sugar caramelizes to create sweetness, color, and texture.
Gingerbread’s flavor comes from a blend of spices, with ginger and cinnamon being the main ingredients.
A new method of using adhesive tape to create ultrathin diamond wafers could aid in the production of diamond-based electronics, which may one day provide a useful alternative to silicon-based designs.
Diamond is an excellent insulator, and at the same time has unusual electronic properties that allow electrons with a certain energy to move with little resistance. This means it can handle high energy with higher efficiency than traditional silicon chip designs.
However, manufacturing practical diamond chips requires large, very thin wafers, similar to the thin silicon wafers used to make modern computer chips, which have proven difficult to create.
now, Chu Zhiqing and colleagues at the University of Hong Kong have discovered a way to use adhesive tape to fabricate extremely thin and flexible diamond wafers.
Chu and his colleagues first embedded nano-sized diamonds in a small silicon wafer and then sprayed methane gas at high temperatures onto them to form a continuous, thin sheet of diamond. Next, we made a small crack on one side of the pasted diamond sheet, and then used regular adhesive tape to peel off the diamond layer.
They say that this exfoliated diamond sheet is extremely thin, less than a micrometer, much thinner than a human hair, and smooth enough to use the kind of etching techniques used to make silicon chips. I discovered.
“This is very reminiscent of the early days of graphene, when cellophane tape was used to produce the first monolayers of graphene from graphite. I never imagined this concept would be applied to diamond. “I did,” he says. julie macpherson At the University of Warwick, UK.
“This new edge-exposed delamination method will enable numerous device designs and experimental approaches,” he says. Mete Atature at Cambridge University. One area that could be particularly useful is increasing control over quantum devices that use diamonds as sensors, he says.
Chu and his colleagues say the diamond films they can produce are about 5 centimeters in diameter, showing that the method works as a proof of principle. andrea ferrari But that’s smaller than the 20 to 30 centimeters that are standard in many wafer processes, and it’s not clear whether the new method can be scaled up, he says.
The manufactured wafers also appear to be polycrystalline, but they are not as smooth and regular as single-crystal diamond, which may limit their use in some applications, McPherson said.
Robots the size of a grain of sand work together like ants
Jung Jae-wi et al.
Swarms of small robots guided by magnetic fields can coordinate and act like ants, even swarming to form floating rafts or lifting objects hundreds of times their weight. The microrobots, which are about the size of a grain of sand, could one day be able to perform tasks that larger robots cannot, such as unclogging blood vessels or delivering drugs to specific parts of the human body.
Jung Jaewi and his colleagues at South Korea's Hanyang University built the tiny, cubic-shaped robot using a mold and epoxy resin embedded with a magnetic alloy. These tiny magnetic particles allow the microrobot to be “programmed” to form different configurations after being exposed to a strong magnetic field from a specific angle. The bot is controlled by an external magnetic field and can perform rotations and other movements. This approach allowed the team to “efficiently and quickly manufacture hundreds to thousands of microrobots” with magnetic profiles designed for specific missions, Wee said.
The researchers instructed swarms of microrobots to work together to overcome obstacles five times higher than individual microrobots and form floating rafts on water. The bot also punched through a clogged tube and transported tablets weighing 2000 times their individual weight through a liquid, demonstrating potential medical applications.
“These magnetic microrobots hold great promise for minimally invasive drug delivery in confined, confined spaces,” he says. small guangdong from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee was not involved in the study. However, microrobots are not yet capable of autonomously navigating complex and narrow spaces such as arteries.
There are also safety challenges, Dong said, including the need to coat “potentially toxic” magnetic particles with human-friendly materials. Still, he says he's optimistic about future medical applications for such microrobots. When safe, bots can “effectively travel to targeted disease sites and deliver drugs locally,” making treatments more precise and effective.
Good neighborhoods are defined by the people who reside there. The presence of a helpful individual can enhance the community, while a negative neighbor can detract from its overall quality. The same concept applies to the brain, as revealed in a recent study indicating that brain cells behave like communities. Some cells contribute to a nurturing environment, promoting health and resilience in adjacent cells, while others spread stress and damage like bad neighbors.
Throughout one’s life, the composition of this brain community influences the aging process. Negative relationships can accelerate aging and lead to issues such as memory loss, while a healthy brain community can work collectively to combat aging. Researchers at Stanford University believe that these findings could potentially inform the development of treatments to slow or reverse aging.
Published in the journal Nature, the study identified 17 cells that influence aging positively or negatively. Notably, T cells and neurons were highlighted for their significant impact as bad and good neighbors, respectively. T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, can contribute to inflammation in the brain and hasten aging, while neural stem cells play a vital role in rejuvenation and maintaining a youthful brain.
The researchers conducted gene activity mapping across 2.3 million cells in the mouse brain, constructing a “spatial aging clock” to predict the biological age of individual cells. This innovative approach could lead to new biological discoveries and interventions, such as inhibiting pro-aging factors released by T cells or enhancing the efficacy of neural stem cells.
These findings have implications for understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s and potential strategies to strengthen the brain’s natural repair mechanisms and prevent cognitive decline. The research offers hope for uncovering ways to support brain health and combat aging-related challenges.
A momentous (or more accurately prehistoric) finding was unearthed just below the Earth’s surface on a New York homeowner’s lawn.
A full mastodon jaw was found in the backyard of a house in Scotchtown, a town in Orange County, as confirmed by state officials. The New York State Museum and the State University of New York at Orange researchers retrieved the jaw and additional bone fragments, as announced by the state Department of Education in a press release on Tuesday.
It has been over 11 years since a discovery of this kind has been made in New York.
The mastodon jaw, presumed to belong to an adult, was discovered by researchers after a homeowner noticed it surfacing on his lawn. Initially, the homeowner found two teeth hidden in plants on the property, and after some digging, two more teeth were discovered.
“Upon finding the tooth and examining it closely, we knew it was unique and decided to seek out an expert,” stated the homeowner.
Following this, museum and university staff conducted an excavation that led to the unveiling of the well-preserved jaw of a mastodon, an ancient relative of present-day elephants. Additionally, part of a toe bone and rib fragments were found.
Mastodon jaw unearthed in backyard in Scotchtown, New York new york state museum
“Though the jaw is the highlight, the additional toe and rib fragments provide valuable context and possibilities for further research,” said Dr. Corey Harris, chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences at New York University at Orange. “We are also keen on exploring the surrounding area to look for more preserved bones.”
The fossil will undergo carbon dating and analysis to determine the mammal’s time of existence in the area, its dietary habits, and habitat details. The discovery will be showcased on public television as of 2025 and is expected to be featured in magazines.
“This finding proves New York’s rich paleontological history and our persistent efforts to understand the past,” said Robert Ferra, Director of Research and Collections and Curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. Dr. Neck mentioned, “This mastodon jaw offers a unique chance to study the ecology of this extraordinary species and enhance our comprehension of the ice age ecosystems in the region.”
To date, approximately 150 mastodon fossils have been found in New York, with about one-third of them located in Orange County.
It’s that time of the year again when runny nose season has already arrived. However, for some people, runny noses are a year-round struggle due to allergies. In fact, an estimated 25-40% of people worldwide are affected by allergic rhinitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the nose’s mucous membranes.
So, what’s behind this constant sniffing? Scientists may have an answer: individuals with allergies harbor a variety of fungi in their noses.
Despite this discovery, the presence of any fungus in our noses is quickly countered by our immune system. We all have fungi in our nasal mycobiome, a diverse community of fungal microorganisms that reside in our nostrils and sinuses, contributing to our overall microbial diversity essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and fighting off harmful pathogens.
In a study on nasal mycobiome, researchers collected nasal swabs from 214 allergic patients and 125 healthy individuals. The swabs showed significant differences in the prevalence and diversity of nasal fungi between the two groups, with allergic patients exhibiting more abundant and diverse mycobiomes.
“These findings suggest that the nasal cavity serves as a reservoir for fungi that may contribute to allergic rhinitis,” said Dr. Luis Delgado, a Professor at the University of Porto, Portugal, and one of the authors of a new study published in 2006 in the journal Frontiers of Microbiology.
The study also identified specific metabolic pathways more common in the fungal communities of allergic rhinitis patients, potentially paving the way for future allergy treatments.
Saturn’s icy rings may be much older than they appear, as they are resistant to contamination from collisions with rocky debris.
Hyodo others. This suggests that the apparent youthfulness of Saturn’s rings may be due to resistance to pollution, rather than an indication that they were formed at a young age. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / A. Simon, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / MH Wong, University of California, Berkeley / OPAL team.
Saturn’s rings were once thought to be ancient, perhaps forming at the same time as Saturn itself, about 4.5 billion years ago.
Over time, it is thought that the rock and ice particles that make up the ring become dirty and darkened by micrometeorite impacts.
However, when NASA’s Cassini spacecraft reached Saturn in 2004, it observed that Saturn’s rings appeared relatively bright and clean.
“According to the hypothesis that non-icy micrometeorite impacts act to darken Saturn’s rings over time, Saturn’s rings are estimated to be approximately 100 million to 400 million years old. “Cassini observations show that the particles in the rings appear to be relatively clean,” said Dr. Tatsuki Hyodo of Tokyo University of Science and colleagues.
“These younger age estimates assume that the rings formed from pure water ice particles with high accretion efficiency impacting non-ice micrometeorite material.”
In the new study, researchers used a computer model to simulate the collision between a micrometeorite and an ice ring particle.
They found that high-velocity collisions can cause the micrometeorite to evaporate, and that vapor can expand, cool, and condense in Saturn’s magnetic field to form charged nanoparticles and ions.
The researchers’ simulations showed that these charged particles could either collide with Saturn, be dragged into the atmosphere, or escape Saturn’s gravity altogether.
As a result, scientists suggest that little of this material builds up on the rings, keeping them relatively clean.
They say very low pollution levels mean Saturn’s rings are actually billions of years old and are simply maintaining a more youthful appearance. suggests that it is possible.
Although more research is needed, this process may also occur in the rings of Uranus and Neptune, as well as in the icy moons around the giant planets.
“High-velocity collisions leading to the production of charged nanoparticles and ions could potentially occur in places such as the rings of Uranus and Neptune or the icy moons around the giant planets,” the authors said.
“While this mechanism may not change the bulk composition of the impacted target, it suggests that the surface composition may change.”
“Furthermore, the new material from the impactor may not be efficiently incorporated into the satellite’s rings or surface and may be transported elsewhere.”
“Thus, most of the compositional differences observed in the various ring systems of giant planets may be due to their formation processes, for example when building materials come from outside the system, rather than to their post-formation dynamics.” There is a sex.”
of study Published in this week’s magazine natural earth science.
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Takashi Hyodo others. Pollution resistance of Saturn’s ring particles during micrometeoroid impact. nut. earth sciencepublished online on December 16, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01598-9
According to a study led by researchers at University College London, one of these genetic variations was inherited from Neanderthals.
El Sidrón Neanderthals taste wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and forest moss. Image credit: Abel Grau, CSIC Communication.
“Teeth can tell us a lot about human evolution. Well-preserved ancient teeth are of particular interest to archaeologists, as we learned from the transition to cooked foods and when human teeth began to shrink in size.” We will highlight milestones such as when the , a researcher at University College London.
“However, little is known about the genetic basis of differences in tooth size and shape in modern humans, partly because teeth are difficult to measure.”
“We have now identified a large number of genes that influence tooth development, some of which are responsible for differences between ethnic groups.”
In the study, Dr. Adhikari and his colleagues used data from 882 Colombian volunteers of European, Native American, and African descent.
The dataset included crown measurements (dimensions of the part of the tooth visible above the gums) taken from 3D scans of dental plaster casts.
The researchers compared these measurements to participants' genetic information in genome-wide association studies, using an analytical approach called multi-omics that integrates numerous data sources.
They identified 18 genomic regions that influence the size and shape of different tooth groups, 17 of which had not previously been associated with tooth dimensions.
One of the new connections concerned genes thought to have been inherited from Neanderthals through interbreeding with ancient humans. homo sapiens.
This genetic variation, which contributes to the biological pathway of tooth development, is found only in people of European descent, and carriers of the mutation have thinner incisors (the eight teeth located at the front of the mouth). The thickness of the tooth was measured from back to front).
Generally speaking, people of European descent had smaller teeth.
Scientists also found a link between tooth dimensions and a gene already known to influence the shape of incisors in East Asians, but the new study shows that this gene, called EDAR, It turns out that it also determines the width of all teeth.
“Some of the genes that contribute to normal variations in tooth dimensions in healthy people may also contribute to pathogenic variations, such as tooth growth failure and other dental health conditions,” said a researcher at Fudan University. said researcher Dr. Chin Lee.
“We hope that our findings will have medical benefits, such as people with certain dental problems being able to undergo genetic testing to help diagnose them, and dental abnormalities one day being treated with gene therapy.” I hope.”
“Our findings did not reveal whether the genes that specify tooth shape were selected during evolution for special benefits for dental health. “Differences that occur as a side effect may have been selected for the shape of the area as well as its influence on other areas,” said Professor Andres Luis Linares, a researcher at University College London, Fudan University, and Aix-Marseille University. said.
a paper The findings were published in a magazine on December 12th. current biology.
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Chin Lee others. PITX2 Expression and Neanderthal gene introgression HS3ST3A1 Contributes to changes in tooth dimensions in modern humans. current biologypublished online on December 12, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.027
Using data from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Keck Telescope, astronomers detected a binary star system in the S star cluster near Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. I discovered it. This is the first time that a binary star has been discovered near a supermassive black hole.
This image shows the location of binary star D9 orbiting Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Image credit: ESO / Peißker et al. / S. Guizard.
Sagittarius A* is orbited by fast stars and dusty objects collectively known as the S cluster.
Binary star systems (two stars gravitationally bound to each other around a common center of mass) are predicted to exist within the S cluster, but have not been detected so far.
Previous studies have suggested that such stars are unlikely to be stabilized by their interactions with Sagittarius A*.
“Black holes are not as destructive as we think,” says Florian Peisker, an astronomer at the University of Cologne.
“Our findings show that some binaries can temporarily thrive even under disruptive conditions.”
The newly discovered binary star, named D9, is estimated to be just 2.7 million years old.
Due to the strong gravity of the nearby black hole, it will probably merge into a single star within just a million years, a very short time for such a young system.
“This only provides a short window on the cosmic timescale for observing such binary star systems, but we succeeded,” said Dr. Emma Bordier, also from the University of Cologne. Ta.
“The D9 system shows clear signs of gas and dust surrounding the star, suggesting it may be a very young system that must have formed near a supermassive black hole. ” said Dr. Michal Zajacek. Astronomer at Masaryk University and the University of Cologne.
The most mysterious of the S clusters are the G objects, which behave like stars but look like clouds of gas and dust.
It was while observing these mysterious objects that the research team discovered a surprising pattern in D9.
“This result sheds new light on what the mysterious G-objects are,” the authors said.
“They may actually be a combination of binaries that have not yet merged and leftover material from stars that have already merged.”
“Planets often form around young stars, so this discovery allows us to speculate about their existence,” Dr. Pisker said.
“It seems like it’s only a matter of time before planets are detected at the center of the galaxy.”
a paper This discovery was published in today’s magazine nature communications.
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F. Peisker others. 2024. A binary star system in the S star cluster near the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. Nat Commune 15, 10608; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54748-3
NASA announced on Tuesday that two astronauts have been stranded on the International Space Station since a problem with their Boeing spacecraft in June. Due to delays, they will have to remain there even longer.
The next astronaut launch to the ISS, originally scheduled for February, has been postponed to late March. This is to allow the new SpaceX spacecraft used for the mission more time to complete processing.
The four crew members currently on board the station must wait for the next crew member to arrive before departing in another SpaceX Dragon capsule. Among them are NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are set to embark on the first test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Originally planned to spend about a week on the space station, Williams and Wilmore have now been living and working in orbit for over nine months, including additional time due to the recent delay.
Typically, new crew members overlap with departing crew members for a short period on the ISS, known as the handover period. During this time, astronauts exchange information about ongoing experiments, maintenance projects, and other protocols.
When Williams and Wilmore finally depart, NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will also return home with them.
December 2, 2024, ISS astronaut Suni Williams. NASA (via Flickr)
According to officials, the new Dragon capsule scheduled for launch in late March should arrive at NASA’s processing facility in Florida in early January. Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized the meticulous attention to detail required in manufacturing, assembling, testing, and integrating a new spacecraft.
The capsule, known as Crew 10, will be launched by NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers, Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, and Japanese cosmonaut Takuya Onishi. Until then, the quartet will continue training for the mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
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