Astronomers find record-breaking slowest rotating neutron star emitting radio waves

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Neutron stars typically spin quickly, taking just a few seconds or even a fraction of a second to complete one revolution around their axis, but one neutron star labeled ASKAP J1935+2148 bucks this rule, emitting radio signals at a relatively slow interval of 53.8 minutes.

Artist's impression of a neutron star. Image courtesy of Sci.News.

“We're used to extreme examples when studying radio-emitting neutron stars, so the discovery of such a compact star that is still emitting radio waves despite rotating slowly was unexpected,” said Professor Ben Stappers, from the University of Manchester.

“This new generation of radio telescopes demonstrates that pushing the boundaries of our search space will reveal surprises that will shake up our understanding.”

At the end of their lives, massive stars use up all their fuel and undergo a spectacular explosion called a supernova.

What remains is a stellar remnant called a neutron star, which consists of trillions of neutrons packed into an extremely dense sphere with a mass 1.4 times that of the Sun, packed into a radius of just 10 km.

Astronomers detected an unexpected radio signal from ASKAP J1935+2148 that traveled about 16,000 light-years to Earth.

The nature of its radio emission and the rate of change of its rotation period suggest that it is a neutron star, but further study is needed to confirm what this object is.

“This discovery relied on the complementary capabilities of the ASKAP and MeerKAT telescopes, combined with our ability to probe these objects on timescales of minutes, and examine how their radiation changes from second to second,” said Dr Kaustubh Rajwade, an astronomer at the University of Oxford.

“Such synergies can shed new light on how these compact objects evolve.”

ASKAP J1935+2148 was detected by CSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope in the Wadjari Yamatji region of Western Australia.

“What's interesting is that this object exhibits three different radiation states, each with completely different properties to the others,” said Dr Manisha Caleb, an astronomer at the University of Sydney.

“The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa played a key role in distinguishing between these states.”

“If the signals had not come from the same point in the sky, it would be hard to believe that it was the same object producing these different signals.”

“Until the arrival of these new telescopes, the dynamic radio sky was relatively unexplored,” said Professor Tara Murphy, from the University of Sydney.

“Now we can look deeply and frequently see a variety of unusual phenomena.”

“These events give us insight into how physics works in extreme environments.”

This discovery paper In the journal Natural Astronomy.

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M. Caleb othersA radio transient phenomenon in which the radiation state switches with a period of 54 minutes. Nat AstronPublished online June 5, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41550-024-02277-w

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists reveal ancient Triassic thalattosaurus could move both on land and in water

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Pachystropheus reticulum One of the last thalattosaurs, it was a large marine lizard with otter-like behaviour that could move on land, but was likely a primarily marine predator with a different ecological niche from contemporary marine reptiles (placodonts, ichthyosaurs) and carnivorous fishes (hybodont sharks, actinopterygii).

Restoration of Life Thalattosaurus alexandraePhoto courtesy of: Nobu Tamura, translation:.

Pachystropheus reticulum It is a type of thalattosaur that lived in the Late Triassic deposits of Britain and continental Europe.

Although known for a long time, this ancient reptile still remains shrouded in mystery.

For many years, is assumed Pachystropheus reticulum the first chorusAnother group of marine reptiles similar to crocodiles.

In the new study, paleontologist Jacob Quinn of the University of Bristol and his colleagues Pachystropheus reticulum Since 1935.

They called this PachistropheusKnown as Annie, the cave contains hundreds of bones from several different humans.

“Thalattosaurs existed throughout the Triassic Period, some of which reached lengths of up to four metres (13 feet) and would have been terrors of the seas,” Quinn said.

“But our Pachystropheus reticulum Its body was just over a metre (3.3 feet) long, half of which was its long tail.”

“It had a long neck, a tiny head the size of a matchbox (which has yet to be found) and four paddles.”

“If it was like its relatives, it would have had lots of sharp little teeth that were ideal for catching fish and other small, mobile prey.”

“Before Pachystropheus reticulum “This dinosaur was the first to be identified as a member of the Choristoderes, another group of crocodile-like marine reptiles, and was held in great importance because it was the oldest,” said Professor Mike Benton, from the University of Bristol.

“Jacob said some of the bones were from fish and others were actually Pachystropheus reticulum “That indicates that it was in fact a small thalattosaur.”

“So what was thought to be the first of the choristoderes has now been identified as the last of the thalattosaurs.”

“Pachystropheus reticulum “It probably lived a similar lifestyle to modern otters, feeding on small fish, shrimp and other invertebrates,” said Dr David Whiteside.

“This slender reptile had a long neck, a flattened tail for swimming, and surprisingly strong forelimbs for a marine animal. Pachystropheus reticulum They may have come onto land to feed or to avoid predators.”

“At the time, the Bristol area, and much of Europe, was covered by shallow waters and these animals likely lived in large populations in the warm, shallow waters around the islands.”

of result Appears in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Jacob G. Quinn othersRelationships and paleoecology Pachystropheus reticuluman enigmatic marine reptile (diapsid: Thalattosaurinae) from the Late Triassic period. Journal of Vertebrate PaleontologyPublished online June 4, 2024; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2350408

Source: www.sci.news

California rejects test of cloud-brightening technology

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The Alameda, California City Council decided not to permit ongoing controversial experiments related to technology that aims to brighten clouds. The project involves spraying saltwater onto a former aircraft carrier’s deck at the city’s pier to test devices that can create and measure aerosol plumes. This research could lead to marine cloud brightening, a form of climate intervention aimed at making clouds more reflective to send heat back into space and help mitigate global warming. Despite the potential long-term benefits, the council unanimously voted against continuing the experiments.

This decision placed city officials in the midst of a national debate about geoengineering and whether testing such technology should be allowed. The council’s vote does not reject the science or the concept of geoengineering but rather criticizes the lack of transparency, safety vetting, and misguided approach of the researchers. The researchers from the University of Washington had already begun the experiment on the USS Hornet in Alameda without proper public disclosure. The experiments aimed to study the effects of increasing water droplets in clouds to make them more reflective to sunlight, which could help reduce global warming.

The council’s concerns focused on potential health risks to the community surrounding the experiment site, lack of regulatory measures, and insufficient transparency from the project leaders. Despite claims of safety from the researchers, city leaders stopped the experiments, prompting a discussion on the risks and benefits of geoengineering.

While project organizers expressed disappointment with the council’s decision, outside environmental groups warned about the broader implications of geoengineering, fearing unintended consequences that could impact global climate efforts. The debate highlights the challenges of advancing geoengineering research in the face of skepticism and concerns about the potential risks associated with altering natural systems.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Study finds that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Earth’s Speed It’s getting warmer 2023 is the highest on record, beating last year’s astonishing 92%. Record-breaking heatwave Leading scientists have calculated that the cause is human.

A group of 57 scientists from around the world used UN-approved methods to investigate what’s behind it. Last year’s heatwaveThey said that even if the rate of warming has increased, they found no evidence of a significant acceleration of human-induced climate change beyond increased burning of fossil fuels.

Last year’s record temperatures were so extraordinary that scientists have been debating what’s behind the spike, whether climate change is accelerating or if other factors are at play.

“When we see the world accelerating or going through a major tipping point, things aren’t happening,” said Piers Forster, a climate scientist at the University of Leeds and lead author of the study. “Temperatures are rising and things are getting worse exactly as we predicted.”

A person sprays water at passersby on a hot summer day in Karachi, Pakistan on May 30, 2024.
Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images

This can mostly be explained by the buildup of carbon dioxide from increased fossil fuel use, he and his co-authors said.

Last year’s warming rate was 0.26C (0.47F) per decade, up from 0.25C (0.45F) the year before. Forster said that’s not a huge difference, but this year’s rate is the highest on record.

Still, outside scientists said the report paints a more alarming picture than ever before.

“While whether or not to tackle climate is a politically contentious issue, this report should remind people that it is actually a fundamentally life-saving choice,” said Andrea Dutton, a climate scientist at the University of Wisconsin who was not part of the international research team. “To me, that’s something worth fighting for.”

Ocean Beach in San Francisco during a heat wave warning in California on June 4, 2024.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The authors, who formed to provide an annual scientific update between major UN scientific assessments every seven to eight years, concluded that last year’s temperature was 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than the 1850-1900 average, of which 1.31 degrees was due to human activities. The remaining 8 percent of warming was Mainly due to El NiñoThese include natural, temporary warming in the central Pacific Ocean that changes weather around the world, as well as unusual warming along the Atlantic Ocean and other weather randomness.

Looking at longer time frames — decade-by-decade, which scientists prefer over annual periods — the world has warmed about 1.19 degrees Celsius (2.14 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, the report said. Earth System Science Data Journal found.

The report also says that if the world continues to burn coal, oil and natural gas, the planet is likely to reach a point within four and a half years where it will become unavoidable to cross internationally accepted warming thresholds. 1.5℃ (2.7℃) ).

Students experience extreme heat at an elementary school in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on May 7, 2024.
Chaidir Mahyudin/AFP via Getty Images

This is consistent with previous studies that project that if emissions trajectory remains unchanged, the planet will reach at least 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming by early 2029. While reaching 1.5 degrees may be years away, it seems inevitable once all the carbon is used, Forster said.

Scientists say that going over 1.5 degrees won’t mean the end of the world or humanity, but it will be pretty dire. Past UN Studies Large-scale changes to Earth’s ecosystems are expected to become more likely with a warming of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, ultimately resulting in the loss of the planet’s coral reefs, Arctic sea ice, plant and animal species, as well as more extreme and life-threatening weather events.

Last year’s temperature rise wasn’t just a minor spike — September was particularly unusual, said study co-author Sonia Seneviratne, head of the land climate dynamics department at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

A caged howler monkey receives treatment during a heatwave in Cunduacan, Mexico, on May 24, 2024. The heat was so severe that the monkey fell from a tree and died.
Jose Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images

Seneviratne said this year was at the higher end of the range but within expectations.

“If there was an acceleration, it would be even worse, perhaps a worst-case scenario, where the world would reach a tipping point,” Seneviratne said. “But what’s happening now is already very bad, and we’re already seeing big impacts. We’re in the middle of a crisis.”

Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Environmental Studies, and Zeke Hausfather, a global climate scientist at the University of Berkeley, neither of whom worked on the study, said they still see an acceleration in warming, which Hausfather noted is much faster than the 0.18 degrees Celsius (0.32 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade that occurred from 1970 to 2010.

Medical workers treat a dehydrated patient in Austin, Texas, 2023.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images file

The scientists Big increase in SeptemberHausfather called that “staggering.” Wednesday’s report didn’t find enough warming from other potential causes. It said that while reduced sulfur pollution from ships had some cooling effect on the atmosphere, that was offset last year by carbon particles released into the atmosphere by Canadian wildfires.

The report also noted that undersea volcanoes, which released huge amounts of heat-trapping water vapor into the atmosphere, also spewed cooling particles, with the two forces roughly cancelling each other out.

“The future is in our hands,” said Katherine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University and chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy. “It’s up to us, humans, not physicists, to decide how fast and how much the Earth will warm.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Five children born deaf regain their hearing through gene therapy

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Gene therapy involves administering normal copies of the mutated gene that causes a particular disease.

nobeastsofierce/Shutterstock

Five Chinese children born deaf have received gene therapy that provides them with a healthy copy of a mutated gene, allowing them to hear in both ears. Although the children have varying degrees of hearing loss, all can now hear and localize sounds at conversational volume.

Six months after treatment, the five children’s hearing was about 50 to 60 percent of normal levels, team members say. Chen Yi Chen “They get confused when we whisper, but normal conversation is fine,” he said at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. “We’re very happy.”

In the first phase of the trial, which began in 2022, the team gave another group of six children in China the gene therapy in just one ear. Five of the six children had their hearing restored in the treated ear, with continued improvement, Chen said.

The team expects to see further progress in the second group of five children. “The progress we’re seeing now isn’t the peak,” Chen says. “We expect to see even more progress.”

The trial in China is the first of several ongoing trials around the world. She lives in the UK with her two children. There have also been reports in the United States of people regaining hearing in one ear after undergoing gene therapy.

“The tests are all pretty much the same.” Manohar Bans Doctors from Cambridge University treated two children in the UK.

All of the children in these trials were born with hearing loss because they carry a mutation in both copies of the gene for a protein called otoferin, which plays a key role in synapses, or connections, between the hair cells in the ear that detect sound and the nerves that transmit signals to the brain. The mutation affects the protein, blocking the transmission of signals.

Between 2 and 8 percent of children worldwide who are born with hearing loss are thought to have this condition, known as DFNB9.

Both parents of a child with DFNB9 have normal hearing if they each have just one mutant copy of otoferlin. These couples are often unaware that they have a one in four chance of having a child that is born deaf.

Gene therapy relies on the help of a virus called AAV to deliver a working version of the otoferlin gene to hair cells. Due to the gene’s large size, it needs to be split and put into two separate viruses.

The virus cocktail is injected into the inner ear, and the complete gene is reconstituted in cells that receive both halves. The DFNB9 trial marks the first time that so-called dual AAV gene therapy has been used to treat humans.

“This is a major technological advance,” Chen says, “and we hope that this technology will be widely used to treat other genetic diseases.”

The clinical trials will begin by treating one ear at a time because half the dose of AAV is needed, reducing the chance of adverse events, he says. No serious adverse events have been reported in any of the trials.

Chen’s team now plans to treat the other ears of the first group of children. This could be difficult because an immune response to the initial AAV injection could block gene delivery, but Chen believes it is possible.

Treating other inherited hearing loss is more difficult because some of the structures inside the ear degenerate. With DFNB9, all of the structures remain intact. “You only need to repair one element,” Chen says.

Some people believe that hearing loss is not a disease that needs treatment, Martin MacLean The position of the National Society for Deaf Children. Families should be free to make their own informed decisions.

“Parents and young people need to be aware of all the risks and, above all, understand that hearing loss in itself does not prevent people from living a happy and fulfilling life,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Record-breaking heatwaves expected to continue into May 2024 for the 12th consecutive month.

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

People collect water in hot weather in New Delhi, India on May 22.

Amarjeet Kumar Singh/Anadolu via Getty Images

With each new month comes new records as the planet continues to experience unprecedented, record-breaking heatwaves. Last month, global temperatures were the warmest on record for a May, marking the 12th consecutive month of such record-breaking weather, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Copernicus’ Carlo Buontempo said in a statement that while the current record will eventually end, the record set over the past year is likely to be broken in coming years as the world continues to warm due to rising greenhouse gases. “This period of the hottest months will likely be remembered as a relatively cool one,” Buontempo said.

The average Earth’s surface temperature in May 2024 was 1.52°C higher than the 1850-1900 average, considered pre-industrial levels, and 0.19°C higher than the warmest May to date, in 2020. May 2024 will mark the 11th consecutive month with average temperatures more than 1.5°C higher than pre-industrial levels, the threshold that countries aim to avoid exceeding under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The global average temperature over the past 12 months was 1.63°C higher than the average from 1850 to 1900, the highest on record, but climate scientists will not consider the 1.5°C limit to have been breached until the long-term average exceeds this level.

Climate scientists had predicted that 2023 and 2024 would be hotter because of an El Niño weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean that dumps ocean heat into the atmosphere, temporarily warming the surface of the planet on top of the trends caused by rising greenhouse gases. But temperatures actually turned out to be even hotter than predicted, and it’s unclear why.

El Niño is now being replaced by La Niña, during which much of the Pacific Ocean absorbs more heat than usual from the atmosphere. This may temporarily cool sea surface temperatures, but because sea surface temperatures are still at record levels, 2024 is likely to be even hotter than 2023.

Unusually warm May caused extreme heat and heat waves Heat waves are occurring in parts of the world, including large swaths of India, where temperatures in the capital Delhi reached a new record of 49.9°C (121.8°F) on May 28.

Howler monkeys in Mexico Falling from a tree and dying This heat has now spread to the northern United States during a prolonged heat wave.

Last year, a study warned that if the world exceeds the 1.5°C limit, heatwaves could become so intense that they cause mass deaths in places where people are not used to such heat and buildings are not designed with it in mind.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Start Using Salt Now to Kick Your Addiction

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In 1960, most of the world’s population was deficient in the micronutrient iodine, with serious implications for public health. By 2020, the number of iodine-deficient countries had decreased to 21 (down from 113 in 1990), and 90% of people were receiving sufficient amounts.

The solution? Adding iodine to table salt. Adding iodine to the salt supply is strongly supported by the salt industry and governments, and is arguably one of the most effective public health interventions in history.

In 2024, the world faces a similar public health crisis. High blood pressure is a leading cause of illness and death. A key contributor is excessive sodium intake, which raises blood pressure. But as we report in An Easy Way to Satisfy Your Salt Cravings Without Compromising Your Health, new research suggests that an equally simple solution may be at hand: potassium-fortified salt.

This could be a game changer, since efforts to reduce salt intake have failed for a variety of reasons, not least because people prefer salty foods. Governments and industry must also bear some of the blame: processed food manufacturers have been reluctant to set salt reduction targets, while the salt industry has tried to cast doubt on the efficacy and safety of salt reduction, in part by promoting the idea that too little is as harmful as too much.

Either way, new scientific findings offer a new solution: Switching to potassium-fortified salt is a win-win: reduce sodium and increase potassium intake. New research shows this has a greater impact on blood pressure than reducing sodium intake alone. Only 14% of people get enough potassium. Nearly everyone gets too much sodium.

“If industry won’t act on these findings voluntarily, governments should be forced to do so. Hypertension is an enormous cost to the health care system. Adding potassium to salt, as we have done with iodine, is a surprisingly simple way to save lives and money.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Non-surgical tiny brain sensor dissolves within weeks of implantation

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Hydrogel-made brain sensor is small enough to be injected with a needle

Hanchuan Tang and Jianfeng Zang

Tiny sensors can be injected into the skull with a needle to monitor brain health until they dissolve within a few weeks. These sensors have been tested in animals, and in the future, they may enable minimally invasive, implantable sensors in the human body that can monitor traumatic brain injury and neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

“To my knowledge, this is the first wireless sensor that can monitor conditions inside the body without the need for surgery,” he said. Jules Magda The researcher is from the University of Utah, but was not involved in the study.

The sensor is a soft hydrogel cube about 2 millimeters wide, about the width of a grain of rice. Jiangfeng Zhan Professors from China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology created structured “metagel” sensors by creating precisely spaced air columns throughout a hydrogel. When an external ultrasound source is aimed at the sensor, the channels guide the ultrasound waves. The shape of the sensor changes subtly in response to changing conditions in the brain, such as pressure or temperature, which can be seen in the reflected ultrasound.

“No wiring or electronics are required,” Zhang says. “It’s as if the metagel acts as a tiny acoustic mirror that changes its reflection depending on the environment.”

Zhang and his colleagues showed that when metagel sensors were injected into the brains of rats and pigs, they could measure pressure, temperature, pH levels, and flow rates in nearby blood vessels. They obtained results comparable to wired probes traditionally used to monitor brain health. Their experiments also found that metagel broke down into relatively harmless components, such as water and carbon dioxide, within four to five weeks.

Injecting the sensor into the brain requires a thick needle, which could still cause pain or discomfort, Magda said, and he noted that researchers also need to make sure the dissolved metagel is non-toxic.

Zhang says that the rats in the study showed little swelling in brain tissue or buildup of immune cells after the sensors were implanted and degraded, but he says that longer-term testing in larger animals is still needed to show that the metagel works reliably and safely before clinical trials in humans can begin.

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brain/
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Source: www.newscientist.com

Excessive salt intake may trigger eczema symptoms

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It is already known that excessive salt intake increases blood pressure.

Toufik Ahmed/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Researchers have found that people with the skin condition have higher levels of sodium in their urine, suggesting that excessive salt intake may be linked to eczema.

Over 200 million people Eczema affects many people around the world and is a skin condition that causes dry, cracked, itchy skin. Common causes include irritants in soaps and detergents, as well as environmental and food allergens. Previous studies have shown that: Frequent fast food consumption linked to increased risk of severe eczema For the children.

To see if salt plays a role, Katrina Abuaballah Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) looked at urine sample data from more than 215,800 adults who took part in the UK Biobank study, more than 10,800 of whom had eczema.

The researchers used each participant's urine sample to estimate urinary sodium excretion over a 24-hour period. About 90% of dietary sodium is excreted in the urine.This waste product therefore provides a relatively reliable way of measuring a person's salt intake.

Overall, study participants were estimated to have excreted an average of 3.01 grams of sodium in their urine over a 24-hour period. Typically around 2.5 grams per dayThis is the equivalent of 6 grams of salt, or 1 teaspoon.

The researchers found that for every gram of sodium excreted, participants were 11 percent more likely to be diagnosed with eczema, and their risk of ever developing eczema at any one time increased by 16 percent.

The team acknowledges that a single urine sample may not accurately reflect an individual's typical salt intake, but in another part of the study, the researchers looked at the daily diet of a different group of more than 13,000 U.S. adults and found further correlations between high salt intake and eczema.

In previous studies, Sodium activates immune system cells“The immune system responds to allergens and irritants in a way that triggers several inflammatory pathways,” Abuaballah said. People with eczema have an overactive immune response to allergens and irritants, which causes skin inflammation and subsequent symptoms.

Although the study suggests a link between high urinary sodium levels and eczema, team members say more research is needed to prove that the former causes the latter. Brenda Chanalso at UCSF.

“It's too early to say whether lowering sodium in the diet can reduce the severity or risk of developing eczema,” he said. Karsten Flor At King's College London.

Abuaballah said her team will soon begin enrolling participants for a National Institutes of Health-funded study that will look at the relationship between dietary sodium, sodium levels on the skin, and eczema severity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Boeing’s Starliner Successfully Launches Crew to International Space Station

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Starliner launched on June 5th from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Joe Raedl/Getty Images

Boeing has successfully launched its Starliner spacecraft with a crew for the first time on its third attempt, a landmark launch that gives NASA two commercial options for sending astronauts into space: Boeing and SpaceX.

Starliner was launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. June 5th, 10:52 AM (local time) After several years of delays, the manned launch has finally come to fruition. Initially, the manned launch was expected to take place by the end of 2017, but the plans fell behind schedule. The mission was finally scheduled to launch in May, but a valve failure forced NASA to abort the mission. The second launch on June 1 was scheduled for Discarded Due to computer problems.

But the third launch just a few days later was successful, with the capsule reaching orbit as planned. Carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, they made the 24-hour journey to the International Space Station, where they will stay for about a week to test various systems before returning to Earth aboard the same spacecraft.

The capsule was named Calypso. Reportedly Named after Jacques Cousteau's oceanographic ship, the mission's goal is to verify that Starliner is safe to transport crew to the ISS. If these tests are successful and the two astronauts return safely to Earth aboard Starliner, similar ships could begin annual crewed flights to the space station.

Each Starliner is designed to last up to 10 round trips, carrying up to seven people per flight, though a standard operational flight will likely only carry three or four astronauts.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Two contracts won Ten years ago, there were bids for a shuttle ship to transport crew to the International Space Station. One bid was for Boeing's Starliner, the other was SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Dragon outdid Starliner with its first crewed flight in 2020.

Starliner will be the sixth manned orbital spacecraft launched by the United States, following Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle and Dragon.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Glasses Coated with Lithium Enhance Vision in Low Light

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A device that can convert infrared light into visible light

Laura Valencia Molina et al. 2024

Glasses coated with lithium compounds may one day help us see clearly in the dark.

For more than a decade, researchers have been searching for the best lightweight materials that can convert infrared light, invisible to the human eye, into visible light in order to provide an alternative to night-vision goggles, which are often heavy and cumbersome.

Until recently, the leading candidate was gallium arsenide. Laura Valencia Molina The researchers, from the Australian National University in Canberra, and their colleagues found that a film of lithium niobate coated with a lattice of silicon dioxide performed better.

“Through improved design and material properties, we have achieved a tenfold increase in the conversion rate from infrared to visible light compared to gallium arsenide films,” the team said. Maria del Rocio Camacho MoralesAt the Australian National University.

Through a series of experiments, the team demonstrated that the lithium niobate film could convert high-resolution images from infrared light with a wavelength of 1,550 nanometers to visible light with a wavelength of 550 nanometers, exceeding the capabilities of gallium arsenide.

Night vision goggles require infrared particles called photons to pass through a lens and be converted into electrons in a device called a photocathode. These electrons then pass through a phosphor screen to be converted into visible light photons. This entire process requires cryogenic cooling to prevent distortion of the image.

Molina says the lithium niobate film is hit by infrared light emitted by an object and illuminated with a laser at the same time. The film combines the infrared light with the laser light, which then up-converts the infrared light into visible light.

Camacho Morales says that one day, lattices of lithium niobate and silicon dioxide could be made into a film thinner than plastic wrap that could be coated over regular glasses to improve night vision.

While still in the research stage, the laser was positioned so that it could be easily shone onto the film along with infrared light emitted by the object, and the team is now experimenting with creating an array of nanolasers that can be positioned on top of the lithium niobate film.

The research is an important next step toward lightweight night-vision devices, and perhaps a film that can be attached to ordinary glasses, Camacho Morales said. It could also help drones navigate in the dark, he said, because current night-vision devices are too heavy to carry in some vehicles.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Rare T-Rex Fossil Found by 10-Year-Old Boy in North Dakota

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

During a family walk in North Dakota, a rare fossil was unexpectedly discovered buried in the soil — that of a teenage boy, a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

This discovery is significant as it could provide greater insight into the life of this famous dinosaur known as “Teen Rex,” who was discovered by two younger brothers, his father, and a cousin.

The fossil was found in the North Dakota wilderness, about 10 miles from the town of Marmarth, in 2022 by children aged 7, 9, and 10. While on a walk, one of the children and his father noticed a large foot bone sticking out of the ground.

Tyrannosaurus Rex was smaller than a full-grown Tyrannosaurus and had not yet fully matured – Courtesy of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

The father, Sam Fisher, contacted Tyler Lyson, curator of paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, who confirmed the discovery through research.

“This finding is particularly interesting because Tyrannosaurus Rex “All the fossils found so far have been of adults,” said Lyson. “Studying the remains of young animals will shed light on different aspects of dinosaur life, such as growth patterns.”

“Furthermore, three young scientists have embraced their passion and the excitement of discovery, making incredible dinosaur discoveries that advance science, deepen our understanding of the natural world, and inspire other explorers and scientists of the future.”

Tyrannosaurus is one of the best-known dinosaurs of all time and lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, between 90 and 66 million years ago.

In a paper published in 2023, it was initially believed that dinosaurs like T. rex were particularly clever, with brains containing about 3 billion neurons, more than a baboon’s. However, recent studies have shown intelligence comparable to that of a reptile.

It is now thought that this Teen Rex was around 13 to 15 years old, measuring 7.6 meters (25 feet) in length and weighing around 1,500 kilograms. They reach full growth at around 18-21 years of age and can weigh more than twice as much as this specimen.

After careful excavation and extraction, “Teen Rex” was airlifted by Blackhawk helicopter and is now displayed at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The fossil and its plaster encasement weigh over 2,000 kg.

A team of museum paleontologists and volunteers will now clean the skeleton and prepare it for study in the Teen Rex Discovery Preparation Lab where the progress can be followed by the public.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Research indicates that fresh water emerged on Earth approximately 4 billion years ago.

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Geologists have analysed 4-billion-year-old zircon crystals from Jack Hills in Western Australia’s mid-west region to date the emergence of fresh water back just a few hundred million years after the Earth formed.

Artistic conception of early Earth. Image by Simone Marchi/NASA.

On the early Earth, extensive interactions between flowing (fresh) water and the emerging continental crust may have been key to the emergence of life, but when the water cycle first began is unclear.

In the new study, Curtin University scientist Hamed Gamaleldien and his colleagues used the oxygen isotope composition of zircon crystals from Jack Hills in Western Australia to determine when the water cycle began.

Their findings suggest that meteoric water appeared on Earth about 4 billion years ago, 500 million years earlier than previously thought.

“We were able to date the origins of the hydrological cycle, the ongoing process by which water moves around Earth and is essential for maintaining ecosystems and supporting life on Earth,” Dr Gamalerdien said.

“By examining the age and oxygen isotopes of microscopic crystals of the mineral zircon, we discovered an anomalously light isotopic signature that dates back 4 billion years.”

“These light oxygen isotopes typically result from hot freshwater altering rocks several kilometers below the Earth’s surface.”

“The evidence for the presence of fresh water this deep in the Earth casts doubt on existing theories that the Earth was completely covered by oceans 4 billion years ago.”

“This discovery was crucial for our understanding of how Earth formed and how life began,” said Curtin University scientist Hugo Orioluk.

“This discovery not only sheds light on the early history of Earth, but also suggests that land and freshwater systems provided the foundation for life to thrive within a relatively short time frame – less than 600 million years after Earth’s formation.”

“This discovery represents a major advance in our understanding of Earth’s early history and opens the door to further exploration of the origin of life.”

of Investigation result Published in this week’s journal Nature Chemistry.

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H. Gamaleldine othersThe Earth’s water cycle began 4 billion years ago or sooner. National GeographyPublished online June 3, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01450-0

Source: www.sci.news

New research indicates that woolly rhinos may have been driven to extinction by early humans

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Extinction of Woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta Antiquitatis) This species, which lived at the beginning of the Holocene Epoch, remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting evidence as to its causes and dynamics. A team of paleontologists led by scientists from the University of Adelaide and the University of Copenhagen has used computationally intensive modelling techniques and extensive paleontological and ancient DNA information to uncover why and how this enigmatic species went extinct.

Woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta Antiquitatis) was once widespread across northern and central Eurasia but became extinct about 10,000 years ago. Image by Mauricio Antón.

The woolly rhinoceros is an iconic member of the giant steppe fauna of central and northern Eurasia, originating from the Tibetan Plateau approximately 2.5 million years ago.

It is a cold-adapted species with thick skin and long fur, and its body size is comparable to that of modern mammals. African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

Based on fossil chronology, the woolly rhino is estimated to have become extinct by 13,900 years ago, despite having survived multiple glacial and interglacial cycles during the Pleistocene.

However, recent discovery of woolly rhinoceros DNA in early Holocene deposits suggests a later extinction date of 9,800 years ago. This young dating is subject to debate, but is unlikely to be due to redeposition of DNA.

“Using computer models, fossils and ancient DNA, we have traced the population history of woolly rhinoceros across Eurasia over 52,000 years, at a resolution previously thought impossible,” said Dr Damian Fordham, from the University of Adelaide.

“This suggests that a combination of decreasing temperatures beginning 30,000 years ago and small-scale but continuing hunting by humans caused the woolly rhino's range to shrink southwards, confining it to isolated and rapidly degraded habitat at the end of the last ice age.”

“As the Earth thawed and temperatures rose, woolly rhino populations were unable to colonize key new habitats in northern Eurasia, causing destabilization and collapse, ultimately leading to extinction.”

The new research contradicts previous studies that found humans were not responsible for the woolly rhino's extinction, despite the animal coexisting with humans for tens of thousands of years before its disappearance.

“The demographic responses revealed by our analysis have a much higher resolution than previously captured in genetic studies,” said Professor Eline Lorenzen from the University of Copenhagen.

“This allowed us to pinpoint key interactions between woolly rhinos and humans and document how these have changed over time and space.”

“One of these largely overlooked interactions is persistent, low-level hunting by humans, presumably for food.”

“Humans pose similar environmental threats today,” the researchers said.

“Large animal populations have been forced into fragmented and suboptimal habitats by overhunting and changes in human land use.”

“Of the 61 species of large terrestrial herbivores weighing more than one tonne that lived during the Late Pleistocene, only eight survive today, five of which are rhinos.”

“Our results show how climate change and human activities can lead to the extinction of large animals,” said Professor David Nogus Brabo from the University of Copenhagen.

“This understanding is crucial for developing conservation strategies to protect species currently at risk of extinction, such as vulnerable rhinos in Africa and Asia.”

“Studying past extinctions can provide valuable lessons for conserving Earth's remaining large animals.”

of study Appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Damien A. Fordham others2024. 52,000 years of woolly rhino population dynamics reveal mechanisms of extinction. PNAS 121(24):e2316419121; doi:10.1073/pnas.2316419121

Source: www.sci.news

Pterosaurs from the Jurassic period had wingspans of at least 10 feet

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A team of paleontologists Ctenochasmatoid pterosaur Discovered in the Kimmeridg Clay of Oxfordshire in central England, this specimen is one of the largest Jurassic pterosaur fossils, with an estimated wingspan of at least 3 metres (10 ft), and is the first pterodactyl pterosaur described from the Jurassic of Britain.

Partial wingspan profiles of large Jurassic pterosaurs: pterodactyloides (left), including the new fossil (EC K2576), and rhamphorhynchids (right). Image courtesy of Etienne others., doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.05.002.

Pterosaurs were flying reptiles of the Mesozoic era characterized by a flight membrane stretched between their forelimbs and hindlimbs and an extremely elongated fourth digit consisting of four elongated phalanges.

The largest Cretaceous form was Aramburgiana, Hatzegopteryx and QuetzalcoatlusThe combined wingspan reached a length of over 10 metres (33 ft).

However, Triassic and Jurassic forms were considerably smaller, with a typical wingspan of 0.5 to 2 metres (1.6 to 6.5 ft).

There is evidence that some Jurassic species also achieved large wingspans, but these rarely exceeded 3 metres (10 ft).

The new pterosaur fossil was discovered in the Kimmeridge Clay near Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England.

This specimen is a wing bone, broken into three pieces but still well preserved.

The team said the dinosaur belonged to adult Ctenophora, a group of pterosaurs known for their elongated wings, long jaws and thin, bristle-like teeth.

“When the bones were discovered their size was certainly remarkable,” said Professor David Martill, from the University of Portsmouth.

“We performed numerical analysis and came up with a maximum wingspan of 3.75 meters (12.3 feet).”

“This is small for a Cretaceous pterosaur, but absolutely gigantic for a Jurassic one.”

“This fossil is particularly special as it is also one of the first records of this type of Jurassic pterosaur in the UK.”

“This specimen is currently the largest known Jurassic pterosaur in the world, surpassed only by a Swiss specimen, with an estimated wingspan of 5 metres (16.4 feet).”

“AbFab, as the Abingdon pterosaur is nicknamed, shows that pterodactyloides, the advanced pterosaurs that completely dominated the Cretaceous period, achieved astonishingly large sizes shortly after they first appeared in the Middle Jurassic, just as the ancestors of bird-like dinosaurs were beginning to take to the air,” said Dr Dave Unwin from the University of Leicester.

a paper The paper on the survey results is Proceedings of the Association of Geologists.

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James L. Etienne others“Giant” pterodactyloid pterosaur that lived in the Jurassic of Britain. Proceedings of the Association of GeologistsPublished online May 24, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.05.002

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered fossil of hybodontiform shark found in Japan

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Japanese paleontologists have described a new species of shark-like cartilaginous fish based on fossil teeth found in the Momonoki Formation of the Late Triassic Period.

Fossilized teeth Parvodus ominechonensisScale bar – 0.5 mm. Image courtesy of Breeden III others., doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2322749.

Named Parvodus ominechonensis The newly identified shark species lived during the Late Triassic period, between 237 million and 227 million years ago.

it is Parvodas Small extinct genus Hybodontiform Shark It has been known since the Mesozoic era.

“Hybodontiforme is an extinct lineage of sharks that is generally considered to be the sister lineage of Neoselachia (i.e. rays, rays, and modern sharks) within the chondrichthyes Euselaciidae,” he said. Dr. Benjamin T. Breedon III Researchers from the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tsukuba and his colleagues.

“The oldest clearly hybodontiform fossils are from the Mississippian, but the discovery of isolated teeth has pushed the oldest record of this group back to the Late Devonian.”

“Hybodontiform fossils have been found primarily in coastal and lagoonal deposits throughout the Late Palaeozoic, suggesting a shallow-marine palaeoecology of the clade's ancestors.”

“However, some hybodontiforms appear to have become euryhaline early in the evolution of their lineage, and since the Mississippian, hybodontiforms have repeatedly invaded freshwater environments.”

“Hybodontis were the most abundant group of sharks among marine and non-marine vertebrate groups throughout the Early Mesozoic, but their diversity declined after the Early Jurassic until their extinction at or near the end of the Cretaceous.”

Ecological reconstruction of the hybodontiform shark Strophodus rebeccae Image credit: Jorge Blanco / CC BY 4.0.

Some isolated teeth Parvodus ominechonensis It was collected from the non-marine peach tree layer in Ominecho (romanized as Ominecho) in the western part of Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

“The diversity of Triassic hybodontids is known from Japan, among which Parvodus ominechonensis It is the only species known from non-marine sediments and the first reported occurrence of this family. Ronchididae” the paleontologist said.

According to the study: Parvodus ominechonensis Filling in gaps in the geological record Parvodas Between occurrences in Middle Triassic and Middle Jurassic strata.

“The Triassic Global Record Parvodas include Parvodus physodus From the Chinese Olenekians, Parvodas Chinese Anisian sp., and Parvodus ominechonensis The Carnian period in the Japanese Archipelago Parvodus ominechonensis and Parvodus physodus “It is also known from non-marine deposits,” the authors say.

“Since the Triassic Period, Parvodas It is known to have lived in marine and non-marine strata throughout Laurasia and South America until its extinction in the Early Cretaceous.

“this is, Parvodas They may have originated in freshwater habitats in the southern Chinese region of Pangaea after the end-Permian mass extinction, diversified throughout the Triassic in what is now East Asia, and achieved a global distribution during the late Mesozoic.”

Discovery Parvodus ominechonensis It has been reported paper In Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Benjamin T. Breedon III others2023. A new species of hybodontiform shark (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchia), a freshwater shark from the Upper Triassic Momonoki Formation of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 43(5); doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2322749

Source: www.sci.news

Equipment failure forces NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to scale back observations

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Hubble encountered additional difficulties.

The space telescope entered hibernation over a week ago due to the failure of one of its three remaining gyroscopes, which are part of its pointing system. This same gyro had been malfunctioning for months, affecting its scientific capabilities.

NASA confirmed on Tuesday that efforts to repair the gyro had been unsuccessful, leaving the spacecraft operating with just one gyroscope, limiting its scientific functions.

As a result, Hubble will be inactive until mid-June. The telescope will have reduced agility and slower target acquisition. Despite these limitations, officials believe that Hubble will still be able to make significant discoveries in the coming decade.

“We are optimistic about Hubble’s future,” said Patrick Close, NASA’s project manager.

Mark Crump, NASA’s astrophysics director, stated that there are currently no plans to launch a mission to extend Hubble’s life by raising it to a higher orbit.

A billionaire who has booked SpaceX flights for himself has offered to sponsor and perform the necessary repairs. However, Crumpen expressed concerns about the risks involved and the need for further analysis.

The Hubble Telescope was launched into orbit in 1990, initially facing challenges due to a misaligned mirror. After a successful repair mission, Hubble resumed its observations of the cosmos in remarkable detail.

During a visit in 2009, astronauts installed six new gyroscopes on Hubble. Unfortunately, three of them have stopped functioning. These gyroscopes are crucial for maintaining the telescope’s stability and orientation.

Currently, only two gyroscopes are operational, one for pointing and the other as a backup.

The Webb Space Telescope, a more advanced successor to Hubble, is set to launch in 2021.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

SpaceX and Boeing gear up for risky space missions

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Rivals Boeing and SpaceX are preparing for a busy week with upcoming key test flights of their rockets and spacecraft.

Boeing is set to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Starliner spacecraft for the third time on Wednesday. The liftoff is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Command Station in Florida.

The following day, SpaceX will conduct the fourth uncrewed test flight of its Starship megarocket. The launch will take place from SpaceX’s Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas, with a targeted liftoff time of 8 a.m. ET.

Despite being spaceflight competitors, this week’s launch serves a unique purpose: Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, developed in collaboration with NASA, will transport astronauts to the space station – a service SpaceX has been providing commercially for NASA since 2020.

Boeing’s third attempt to launch astronauts into space

Should Boeing’s initial crewed test flight succeed, it could pave the way for regular flights of its Starliner spacecraft to the space station for NASA, challenging SpaceX’s current dominance.

The Starliner will carry NASA astronauts Barry “Batch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who will spend approximately a week aboard the space station before returning to Earth and landing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams put on their Boeing space suits at the Kennedy Space Center on Saturday.
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP – Getty Images

Starliner’s most recent launch attempt was halted on Saturday with less than four minutes to go due to an automatic abort triggered by a computer controlling the Atlas V rocket, created by United Launch Alliance, a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

SpaceX’s Starship test flight on Thursday aims to demonstrate technologies critical for future moon missions.

Starship, the most powerful rocket ever developed and designed to be fully reusable, is expected to play a vital role in NASA’s plans to send astronauts back to the Moon. Additionally, SpaceX intends to use Starship for eventual missions to Mars.

NASA is also working on its own Space Launch System megarocket and Orion spacecraft for moon missions, part of the Artemis program which envisions establishing a base camp on the moon’s surface before exploring Mars.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Tomorrow’s SpaceX Live Stream: Starship Launch 4 Date, Time, and Viewing Information

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket was deployed on the launch pad at StarBase, the company’s facility in South Texas, in June 2024 ahead of a planned test flight.

SpaceX is getting ready Starship. The most powerful rocket ever built is gearing up for its next test launch. Here’s everything you need to know.

What time is the launch scheduled?

The launch is expected to take place in the next week or so, but SpaceX has said it could take place as soon as June 5, pending regulatory approval. Each flight must be approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Other signs point to the same day. Judge Eddie Trevino of Cameron County, Texas, home to SpaceX’s Starbase launch site, said: Nearby roads are closed. It will be carried out at the beginning of June. This precautionary measure is usually taken during launches, but it may also be relevant for some of the ground tests.

However, Treviño explicitly states in official documents that these closures are for “flight testing,” and establishes a 14-hour closure period from midnight to 2 p.m. local time on June 5. The documents also state that alternative closures of the same duration could be scheduled on June 6 and 7, if the company so desires.

How can I watch the Starship launch?

SpaceX has announced that a live webcast will begin approximately 30 minutes before launch.

Where is Starship going?

The fourth test flight will focus on returning Starship from orbit and conducting a mock landing of both the Starship and the Super Heavy first stage booster. Because landings on ground are currently deemed too risky, both vehicles will make a “soft splashdown” in the ocean, using their engines to slow their descent and line up, as if they were landing on a base, to gently touch down on the water. The first stage booster is scheduled to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, not far from the launch site, about seven minutes after liftoff, while Starship aims to splash down in the Indian Ocean about an hour later.

What has happened in Starship launches so far?

All three Starship launches have ended in explosions, which was expected as part of SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn fast” strategy.

During the first launch on April 20 last year, three of the first stage’s three engines (out of a total of 33) failed to ignite. Several more subsequently failed during the flight. The rocket then spun out of control and its self-destruct safety mechanism was activated. The entire flight lasted about three minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 39 kilometers.

Starship’s second launch was on November 18. This time, all 33 engines were working, and the rocket flew far enough for the first and second stages to separate. But as the first stage rotated to begin its deceleration and landing procedure, it exploded. The second stage continued on smoothly to an altitude of about 90 miles, passing the Kármán line, which marks the beginning of the universe. But it was destroyed by a safety device after it stopped transmitting data before completing an orbit or returning to Earth.

SpaceX’s third Starship test flight, on March 14, was at least partially successful, as it reached space, performed a fuel transfer test, and flew farther and faster than ever before. However, it lost attitude control during the flight and failed to make the planned soft landing. Nevertheless, it achieved several important milestones, including Starship’s first atmospheric reentry from space, the first opening and closing of Starship’s payload door in space, and a successful demonstration of fuel transfer, which is key for future NASA Artemis missions to the Moon.

What would happen if this launch were to fail?

The chances of Starship completing its mission perfectly are slim, so it’s likely to fail in some way. But failure will provide data and experience that can be used to improve the design and process for the fifth launch. SpaceX has shown it can iterate quickly and make great strides with each launch.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The harm of toxic positivity: How relentless optimism can negatively impact your health and mental wellbeing

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Having a positive mindset can have unexpected results

DEEPOL (Plain Picture/photo by Anja Weber Dekker)

Do you suffer from low self-esteem? If so, you may have been told to repeat phrases like, “I am worthy of love, I am worthy of love, I am worthy of love.” Repeating positive statements like these is called self-affirmation, and it's said to boost a person's mood and sense of worth. Sounds incredible, right? Well, it is. When psychologists tested the effectiveness of this mantra, it backfired. Participants who started out with low self-esteem ended up feeling worse. The problem was, they simply didn't believe what they were being told.

We know that a positive attitude is good for your health, and that the right mindset can really impact your health and happiness. But it turns out that too much of a good thing can be bad. What psychologists who study self-esteem have discovered is an example of “toxic positivity” – the idea that forcing yourself to interpret your experiences in an optimistic way and suppressing negative emotions can actually do you harm. The term has become something of a buzzword in both academia and pop culture. And yet, the messages that “happiness is a choice” and “positivity is a mindset” are rampant.

What is needed is a return to balance. It is not enough to say that excessive positivity is harmful; we need to know when, why and for whom it is harmful. Fortunately, there is a growing body of research addressing these questions. …

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why You (and Everyone Else) Will Be Wearing a Third Thumb Soon

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

We are on the brink of having a third thumb, thanks to a revolutionary prosthetic limb being tested in the UK by researchers at University College London. This robotic prosthetic limb for the hand aims to extend human capabilities by allowing users to better grasp and hold objects.

The Third Thumb is a 3D printed wearable that sits on the hand opposite the real thumb and is controlled by wireless sensors attached to the foot. Pressure sensors under the toes control the movement of the thumb, enabling users to lift and hold objects with it.

Recent studies have shown that users can quickly learn to control the extra thumb, with almost all participants being able to use it immediately. Regardless of age, gender, or background, most individuals were able to complete tasks with the thumb, showcasing its potential for widespread application.

While the need for a third thumb may seem unnecessary at first, it has the potential to assist in various tasks, from everyday activities like carrying shopping bags and using a phone to more specialized tasks for musicians, laborers, and surgeons.

The designer of The Third Thumb, Dani Claude, sees it as an extension of the body rather than a replacement limb, emphasizing its assistive nature. While availability to the public may still be some time away, the potential applications for this innovative prosthetic are vast.

Whether it’s holding limes, assisting in surgical procedures, or enhancing musical abilities, the Third Thumb could revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us. Stay tuned for further developments on this cutting-edge prosthetic technology.

About our expert, Dani Claude

Dani Claude is the mastermind behind The Third Thumb, a range of prosthetics designed to enhance the human form’s versatility. Her innovative work in this field aims to push boundaries and empower individuals with new capabilities.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New discovery shows scimitar-toothed cat Homotherium found in new locations

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions have discovered fragments of the jaw of a feline with scimitar teeth. Homotherium McFaddin Beach, Texas. Homotherium from the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. The topography may have formed a broad subtropical gulf coastal corridor that facilitated the dispersal of Neotropical species along the coast between Texas and Florida. The associated fauna at McFaddin Beach includes Neotropical mammals common to South Texas and Florida, Homotherium It was a type of animal that lived in the Gulf Coast Corridor during the Late Pleistocene.

Homotherium serumImage credit: Sergiodlarosa / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Homotherium It is an extinct genus of scimitar-toothed cat that lived in the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, from about 4 million to 12,000 years ago.

These animals are large, sturdy cats about the size of a jaguar, with elongated faces, long, slender front legs, and sloping backs that end in short, cropped tails.

Their serrated canines were covered with large gum tissue, similar to that of modern domestic dogs.

Their fossils have been found in several areas of Texas, but the newly discovered remains show for the first time that the big cats roamed the now-submerged continental shelf between Texas and Florida.

“This region was a neotropical corridor,” said John Moretti, a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin, and his colleagues.

“Animals that couldn't move any further north, such as capybaras and giant armadillos, used these moist grasslands to migrate from Mexico to Texas and Florida.”

In this fossil specimen Homotherium Moretti's research otherstwo teeth are visible at the bottom: an incisor and the tip of a partially evolved canine. Scale bar – 1 cm. Image courtesy of Sam Houston State University.

The fossils studied by the team were discovered more than 60 years ago. McFaddin BeachIt was written by Professor Russell Long of Lamar University, south of Beaumont.

“The fossil appears to consist of a few exposed teeth in a rugged, rounded rock that appears slightly damaged after being submerged and tumbling on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico for thousands of years before washing up on the shore,” the researchers said.

“But when we X-rayed the fossil, we found more than met the eye: hidden canines that had not yet erupted from the jawbone.”

“That was the information we needed to identify the fossils as belonging to a specific organism. HomotheriumIt is a genus of large cats that roamed large areas of the Earth for millions of years.”

“This cat wasn't fully developed when it died, so its characteristic sabre-shaped canines hadn't fallen out of place. The teeth were still nestled inside the jaw, protecting them from the environment.”

“If the sabre teeth had been fully developed and in their adult form, rather than during the awkward period of their mid-teens, they would have broken right away,” Moretti said.

“It wouldn't have been there and it couldn't have been used as evidence.”

“The discovery Homotherium “Studying the animals that lived along this corridor gives scientists a glimpse into the local ecosystem during the Late Pleistocene,” he added.

“These large carnivores, like cats, helped shape the wider animal community, suppressing prey populations and impacting local biodiversity.”

of result Published in Anatomy record.

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John A. Moretti othersScimitar Cat Homotherium From the submerged continental shelf of the Gulf Coast of Texas. Anatomy recordPublished online April 23, 2024, doi: 10.1002/ar.25461

Source: www.sci.news

Parts of California and Arizona to experience triple-digit temperatures this week

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

By Monday morning, firefighters had built containment lines around three-quarters of the fire.

“The humidity is starting to drop,” Kurth said. “We’re seeing an increase in grass fires.”

He noted that the heat wave that began this week is not unusual for Central California in August, but because it started so quickly, it could become more severe because “people aren’t used to the heat.”

“If a heatwave occurs early in the season, the impact on people could be greater,” he said.

He said high early-season surf could also increase the risk of drowning in the Western mountains, where people often flock to rivers and streams fed by melting snow.

“The water is pretty cold and the currents are strong,” Kurth said. “Please be careful and wear your life jackets.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted last month that 2024 will be one of the five warmest years on record and could easily be the hottest year on record.

Last year, a prolonged heatwave hit much of the South and Southwest, causing a sharp rise in deaths.

Adrian Mata stands in a little shade while waiting for a bus in Phoenix on July 15.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images file

More than 2,300 people who died in the United States last summer mentioned heat on their death certificates, the highest number in 45 years, according to an Associated Press analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, but its impact can be obscured in death certificate data because heat often aggravates underlying conditions like heart, respiratory and kidney disease. Researchers at Texas A&M University estimated that heat was responsible for 11,000 deaths last year that would not have occurred otherwise, according to the Associated Press.

A weather pattern, such as a ridge of high pressure that is expected to develop this week, is responsible for many of these deaths.

Temperatures in the Phoenix area topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit every day except one last July, according to data from the National Weather Service. Scientists later concluded that would be “virtually impossible” without the effects of climate change. At least 645 people died from heatstroke in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and many of its suburbs, last year, a 52% increase from the previous year.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Hidden Method Your Dog Uses to Communicate With You

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Our dogs have been our companions for thousands of years. Every wag of a tail, flick of an ear, and furrowed brow speaks volumes if you know how to interpret them.

Despite thinking we know our dogs well, research suggests that dogs are actually better than humans at reading body language. To help us understand dog communication better, we sought advice from experts in animal behavior, such as Dr. Zazie Todd. Learn more about the hidden meaning behind your dog’s behavior, from their nose to their tail, ears to paws.

Understanding Dog Facial Expressions

Humans often rely on facial expressions to understand each other, but can we do the same with dogs? Some dogs have very expressive faces, which can help us interpret their emotions. A relaxed jaw and slightly open mouth can be the equivalent of a “smile” in dogs, while a grinning dog may be signaling aggression. It’s important not to anthropomorphize too much, as dogs may have different expressions than humans.

In some cases, what may seem like a “guilty look” from a dog may actually be their fear of getting scolded. Research has shown that dogs may not fully understand their actions but are responding to the owner’s potential reaction. Eye contact and ear positioning can also reveal a lot about a dog’s feelings and intentions.

Signs of Stress in Dogs

While it’s easy to spot when a dog is happy, signs of anxiety or fear can be harder to detect. Yawning, licking lips, and other subtle cues may indicate stress in dogs. Understanding these signals can help prevent misunderstandings and improve communication between you and your pet.

Interpreting Dog Posture

Dog posture can reveal a lot about their emotions. A low, hunched body may indicate fear, while a playful “play bow” posture signals a desire to engage. Observing your dog’s body language can help you understand their intentions and mood better.

Decoding Tail Wagging

Tail wagging is a common form of communication for dogs. A big, loose wag can indicate happiness, while a stiff, vertical tail may signal stress or aggression. Pay attention to the direction of the wag to better understand your dog’s emotions. Research has shown that the direction of the wag can reflect the dog’s mood.

Understanding Vocalizations

Barking and growling are essential forms of vocal communication for dogs. Different sounds can convey various emotions or intentions. Research has shown that dogs can use growls to express their size and feelings honestly in different situations. Understanding your dog’s vocalizations can help you better respond to their needs.

About Our Expert

Zazie Todd is an animal behavior expert and award-winning author. She founded Pet Psychology in 2012 to explore how science can improve the happiness of cats and dogs. With over 50,000 monthly visitors, Companion Animal Psychology is a valuable resource for pet owners.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Volcanic Activity on Jupiter’s Moon Io Discovered by Large Binocular Telescope

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

how to use SHARK-VIS device Using the Large Binocular Telescope on Mount Graham in Arizona, US, astronomers have captured the highest-resolution optical images of Io ever taken by a ground-based telescope. The new images allow the astronomers to confirm that large-scale surface changes are occurring around Pele, one of Io's most well-known volcanoes.

Taken with the SHARK-VIS camera on the Large Binocular Telescope on January 10, 2024, this image is the highest resolution image of Io ever taken by an Earth-based telescope. The image combines three spectral bands: infrared, red, and green to highlight the reddish ring around Pele volcano (below and to the right of the Moon's center) and the white ring around Piran Patera to the right of Pele. Image credit: INAF / Large Binocular Telescope Observatory / Georgia State University / SHARK-VIS@LBT / PIF Pedichini / D. Hope / S. Jefferies / G. Li Causi.

Io is slightly larger than Earth's Moon and is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.

It is the innermost of Jupiter's Galilean moons, which besides Io include Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Io is caught in a gravitational tug-of-war between Jupiter, Europa, and Ganymede, and is constantly compressed, causing frictional heat to build up inside it, which is thought to be the cause of sustained and widespread volcanic activity.

By monitoring Io's surface eruptions, planetary scientists hope to gain insight into the thermal movement of material beneath the moon's surface, its internal structure, and ultimately the mechanisms of tidal heating that drive Io's intense volcanic activity.

Io's volcanic activity was first discovered in 1979, when Linda Morabito, an engineer for NASA's Voyager missions, spotted plumes of smoke in one of the images the spacecraft took during its famous Grand Tour of the outer planets.

Since then, countless observations have been made, both from space and from telescopes on Earth, documenting Io's restless nature.

“Io offers a unique opportunity to learn about the powerful eruptions that contributed to shaping the surfaces of the Earth and Moon long ago,” said Dr Al Conrad, an astronomer at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory.

The new images, taken with the large binocular telescope SHARK-VIS, are so detailed that they enabled the team to identify a major resurfacing event in which the plume deposits around a prominent volcano known as Pele, located near the equator in Io's southern hemisphere, have been covered by eruption deposits from a neighboring volcano, Piran Patera.

A similar series of eruptions was observed by NASA's Galileo spacecraft, which explored the Jovian system from 1995 to 2003.

“We interpret this change as dark lava deposits and white sulfur dioxide deposits from the Piran Patera eruption partially covering Pele's red sulfur-rich plume deposits,” said Dr. Ashley Davis, principal scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“Before SHARK-VIS, it was impossible to observe these resurfacing events from Earth.”

“The visible light images are absolutely stunning,” said Imke de Patter, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Pele appears to be erupting continuously, spewing plumes of volcanic gases about 300 kilometers above Io's surface, high enough to have been photographed by Voyager, Galileo and Hubble.”

“Gases in the plume erupting from the lava lake freeze and are deposited on the surface as a conspicuous, wide, reddish, sulfur-rich ring.”

“Piran Patera, on the other hand, appears to erupt intermittently, leaving lava surrounded by a white ring of frozen sulfur dioxide.”

“The new images show that the white sediments obscure Pele's reddish sediments, but perhaps only for a short time.”

“Images of Io taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft in April 2024 will show a nearly perfect orange ring, with perhaps a faint hint of red where the Piran deposits were located.”

“It's like a race between Piram and Pele to see how much and how fast each can deposit.”

“Once Piran stops completely, it will be covered again with Pele's red deposits.”

of Investigation result It will be displayed in journal Geophysical Research Letters.

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Al Conrad othersIn 2024, LBT SHARK-VIS observes a large-scale re-emergence event on Io. arXiv: 2405.19604

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient snake painting holds record as world’s largest rock art

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Animal sculptures carved into rocks along the Orinoco River in South America

Philip Riris et al.

The prehistoric rock carvings of giant snakes along the Orinoco River in South America are some of the largest known rock art in the world, some measuring over 40 metres in length.

The Orinoco is one of the world’s largest rivers, and it flows through Venezuela along the border with Colombia. “There is a fantastic record of rock art along the Orinoco, especially on the Venezuelan side,” he said. Jose Oliver at University College London. “Typically, they are paintings found under rocks.”

He said carvings are common at many open-air sites along the river, but not all of them have been officially recorded.

Oliver and his colleagues have made several visits to the coastal areas on both the Colombian and Venezuelan sides of the river since 2015, trying to get a better picture of the river’s rock carvings.

“It wasn’t hard to find new sites,” a team member said. Philip Lillis Professor at Bournemouth University in the UK. “Every time I turned a corner there was always something new.”

Of the 157 rock art sites the team visited, 13 consisted of carvings over four meters in height. “Anything that size is monumental to us,” Lillis says, “meaning they’re often visible from quite a distance, anywhere from 500 meters to a kilometer away.”

Most of the carvings depict humans, mammals, birds, centipedes, scrolls and geometric shapes, but snakes are one of the largest motifs, the largest measuring 132 feet (42 meters) wide. In indigenous Orinoco mythology, anacondas and boa constrictors are highly revered because they are primordial creator beings, Lillis said.

The prominence of rock art along the river suggests that the ancient carvings may have been territorial markers indicating that a particular group lived there, but not necessarily a warning not to trespass. “The carvings were not exclusionary, but rather may have been an inclusive practice shared between communities,” Lillis says.

Pottery excavated in the area, dated to 2,000 years ago, contains motifs similar to those in the carvings, suggesting that the rock art was created 2,000 years ago as well.

The team hopes to find more of these carvings and glean clues about their origin and purpose — for example, many of them are found close to rock shelters containing burial sites, suggesting a possible connection to ancient funerary practices.

“This is valuable research.” Andres Troncoso “This discovery sheds light on rock art in a little-known part of South America and furthers our knowledge of the region,” said researchers from the University of Chile.

“When Westerners think of rock art, they often think of mammoths, cave lions, and other large mammals that inhabit the Pleistocene cave sites of Western Europe,” he said. Patrick Roberts Commenting on the findings, a researcher from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany said: “However, the giant snake carving studied in this paper is one of the largest single rock art in the world, and was found in the heart of a lowland tropical environment.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

MUSE finds peculiar star surrounded by a luminous protoplanetary disk

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers Multi-unit spectroscopic probe The (MUSE) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile has imaged Propride, an externally illuminated protoplanetary disk around a young star, at 177-341 W. Orion Nebula.

This VLT/MUSE image shows propylid 177-341 W. Image courtesy of ESO / Aru others., doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202349004.

Young stars are surrounded by a disk of gas and dust that gives rise to planets.

If another very bright and massive star is nearby, its light can heat up the young star’s disk and strip it of some of its material.

“Protoplanetary disks made of gas and dust emerge as a result of star formation processes and are the birth sites for planetary systems,” explained ESO astronomer Marie-Rees-Al and her colleagues.

“The evolutionary path of a protoplanetary disk and its ability to form planets depend on the surrounding environment, and we expect disks to undergo rapid changes in the presence of massive stars.”

“In massive clusters close to OB stars, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause the disk to photoevaporate externally, significantly reducing its size, mass, and lifetime.”

Astronomers used the MUSE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope to observe 177-341W and 11 other dwarf stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster, about 400 parsecs away from the Sun.

“The stars encroaching on 177-341 W’s disk drop out of the frame after passing the upper right corner,” the researchers said.

“When that radiation collides with the material around the young star, it creates the bright bow-like structures we see in yellow.”

“The tail extending from the star toward the lower left corner is material being dragged away from 177-341 W by a star outside the field of view.”

“The colours displayed in this image represent different elements, including hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen,” the researchers added.

“But this is only a small part of the total data collected by MUSE. MUSE actually takes thousands of images simultaneously in different colors and wavelengths.”

a paper The findings have been published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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M.-L. Al others2024. A kaleidoscope of irradiated disks: Propride MUSE observations of the Orion Nebula Cluster. I. Sample presentation and size of the ionization front. A&Ain press; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202349004

Source: www.sci.news

Dr. Fauci Provides Testimony at Contentious Hearing Regarding COVID-19 Origins

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Dr. Anthony Fauci faced tough questions from Republican politicians in a recent hearing regarding the lessons learned from the pandemic. This was his first public testimony since leaving government service at the end of 2022.

During the hearing with the House Select Subcommittee on COVID-19, Fauci addressed various allegations made against him, including claims about funding for virus research in China. Some conspiracy theories suggest that this research could have led to the coronavirus leak.

Fauci admitted that the possibility of a lab leak cannot be dismissed entirely, but denied any involvement in concealing information related to it. He emphasized that the origins of the pandemic remain unknown.

Despite the accusations, no evidence linking Fauci to the origins of the coronavirus was presented during the hearing.

Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, defended his actions during the pandemic and refuted claims of bribing scientists or misleading the public.

Democrats supported Fauci as a dedicated public servant, while some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, called for his prosecution and made unsubstantiated accusations against him.

The hearing also focused on the EcoHealth Alliance’s research activities, with Republicans questioning Fauci’s relationship with the organization and its president, Peter Daszak.

Fauci addressed the concerns raised during the hearing, including allegations about his former aide’s communications and the nature of the research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Despite facing continued harassment and threats to his life, Fauci remains committed to serving the public and providing accurate information about public health issues.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Hubble directly observes a barred spiral galaxy from a head-on perspective

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3059 in the constellation Carina.

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows NGC 3059, a barred spiral galaxy about 57 million light-years away in the constellation Carina. Image courtesy of NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Thilker.

NGC 3059 It is located in the constellation Carina, about 57 million light years away.

Also known as ESO 37-7, IRAS 09496-7341, and LEDA 28298, the galaxy has a diameter of 55,000 light years.

it was discovered It was discovered on February 22, 1835 by British astronomer John Herschel.

This new image of NGC 3059 shows Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) is present in the ultraviolet, near infrared, and visible light portions of the spectrum.

Six filters were used to sample different wavelengths, and color was generated by assigning a different hue to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.

“The data used to create this image was collected by Hubble in May 2024 as part of an observing program studying a large number of galaxies,” Hubble astronomers explained.

“All observations were made using the same range of filters – partially transparent materials that only let certain wavelengths of light through.”

“Filters are widely used in observational astronomy and can be adjusted to let through a very narrow range of light, or a somewhat broader range of light.”

“Narrowband filters are invaluable from a scientific perspective because specific wavelengths of light are associated with specific physical and chemical processes.”

“For example, under certain conditions, hydrogen atoms are known to emit red light with a wavelength of 656.46 nm.”

“Red light of this wavelength H-alpha radiationor “H-alpha radiation.”

“Their presence is extremely useful to astronomers as they serve as indicators of certain physical processes and conditions. For example, they are often a telltale sign that a new star is forming.”

“Thus, narrow-band filters tuned to pass H-alpha radiation can be used to identify regions of the universe where stars are forming.”

For this image of NGC 3059, a narrowband filter called the F657N or H-alpha filter was used.

“F stands for filter and N stands for narrow,” the astronomers said.

“The numbers represent the peak wavelength that the filter passes. 657 is very close to the wavelength of the 656.46 H-alpha line.”

“Data collected using five other filters also contributed to the image, and they are all broadband filters, meaning they let through a wider range of wavelengths of light.”

“This isn't very useful for identifying very specific lines (such as H-alpha), but it still allows us to explore relatively unusual parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.”

“And by integrating the information from multiple filters, we're able to create beautiful images like this.”

Source: www.sci.news

Australia unearths remarkably intact fossil skull of extinct colossal bird

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Australian paleontologists Genyornis neutoni A species of giant flightless Mihirn that became extinct approximately 45,000 years ago.

This illustration is, Genyornis neutoni Waterside in a wetland or marsh-like environment. The scene itself was inspired by places that exist in southern South Australia today, such as the Coorong and the Narrindjeri region of the Lower Murray River. Genyornis neutoni If this type of environment were widespread across the country, many Genyornis The fossils were found in Lake Carabonna, more than a day’s drive north, which is now a dry salt lake. It was probably much wetter in the past. Image by Jacob C. Blokland.

Genyornis neutoni Belongs to Dromornithidae The Mihirung is a species of flightless bird from Australia that became extinct during the Oligocene and Pleistocene epochs.

Also known as Newton’s Mihirn, this species lived in Australia between 48,000 and 45,000 years ago.

The bird was over two metres tall, weighed 220-240 kilograms, had tiny wings and huge hind legs, and laid a melon-sized egg weighing around 1.5 kilograms.

The only previous known skull of this species was reported in 1913, and it was so badly damaged that very little of the original bone remained, meaning not much could be inferred about the skull.

The well-preserved new specimen was discovered in the dry, salty lake bed of Lake Carabonna, in a remote area of inland South Australia.

As would be expected from such a large bird, its skull was far from ordinary, with an enormous cranium, large upper and lower jaws, and an unusual skull crown.

The upper beak in particular displays a remarkable morphology that distinguishes this bird even from its closest relatives, which are otherwise quite similar.

“Genyornis neutoni “It had a high, mobile upper jaw like a parrot, but was shaped more like a goose, with a wide mouth opening, powerful biting force and the roof of its mouth capable of crushing soft plants and fruit,” says American zoologist Dr Phoebe McInerney. Flinders University.

“Skull features also showed undeniable and complex affinities with early-diverging waterfowl lineages, the South American screamer and, more recently, the Australian magpie goose.”

” Genyornis “The mysteries within this group have been difficult to unravel, but with this new skull we begin to piece together the puzzle that shows this species is a giant goose.”

“we, Genyornis“For the first time we’ve been able to work out the face of this bird – it’s quite different to other birds but does resemble a goose,” said Dr Trevor Worthy, also from Flinders University.

skull Genyornis neutoniImage courtesy of McInerney others., doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2308212.

By assessing the morphology of the skull, the researchers were able to evaluate the muscles and movements of each joint, building a detailed picture of how the head functioned.

“Bone shape and bone structure are in part related to the soft tissues that interact with them, such as muscles and ligaments and their attachment sites and pathways,” said Flinders University researcher Jacob Blokland.

“By using modern birds as a comparison, we can put flesh on fossils and bring them back to life.”

Moreover, paleontologists Genyornis neutoni It has several unusual adaptations to adapt to its aquatic habitat, allowing it to protect its ears and throat from the influx of water when its head is submerged underwater.

These adaptations provide further support that the species was nothing more than a giant prehistoric goose, and may be linked to its extinction as the freshwater bodies of northern South Australia are now mainly salt lakes.

“Thanks to this skull, we Genyornis neutoni “We now have a much better understanding of these birds, which once roamed widely across the Australian outback, and the reasons for their eventual extinction,” the researchers concluded.

their paper Published in the journal Historical Biology.

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Phoebe L. McInerney othersMysterious skull shape Genyornis neutoni Stirling & Zeitz, 1896 (Aves, Dromornithidae), with implications for functional morphology, ecology and evolution in the Gallopodidae. Historical BiologyPublished online June 3, 2024; doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2308212

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient geese reached the height of three meters and weighed as much as a cow

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Artistic reconstruction of Genyornis newtoni, an ancient relative of the goose

Illustration by Jacob C. Blokland

Australia's prehistoric ptarmigan, once thought to be an ancestor of the emu, was actually the largest goose that ever lived.

This group was reclassified based on analysis going back 45,000 years. Genyornis neutoni The skull was found in the fossil deposits of Lake Carabonna in the South Australian desert.

The newly discovered skull is the first of the extinct species to be discovered since 1913, and the only one well-preserved enough to allow detailed anatomical study. G. Newton He weighed approximately 230 kilograms and was over 2.5 metres tall.

However, its close relativesDromornis stiltoniAt well over three metres tall and weighing up to 600 kilograms, it is not only a contender for the largest bird in history, but also the largest goose ever.

When Thunderbird fossils were first discovered in the 19th century, they were thought to be ancestors of ratites, which include emus, cassowaries and ostriches. Later, some argued that the group, officially called Dromornithiidae, with eight known species, should be classified with land birds, which also include chickens and pheasants.

now, Phoebe McInerney Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, concluded that the Thunderbird is a large waterbird and should be classified as part of the Anseriformes, the same group as geese.

The team was primarily convinced by the anatomy of the beak and skull, including the arrangement of muscles and the deformation of the bones to which they were attached. Genyornis The structure is nearly identical to that of South American screamers, an ancient lineage of waterbirds, and is so complex that it's unlikely it evolved independently, McInerney said.

Artistic reconstruction of the skull of Geniornis newtoni based on fossil data

Illustration by Jacob C. Blokland

All of the ptarmigans were herbivores, she says, but they were probably fierce creatures. “They would have been very tough animals,” McInerney says. “They could defend themselves and they would have been quite formidable beasts. They would have had a very low, loud cry.”

Adam Yates Yates, of the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery in Australia, said the study supports the claims of his predecessor, Peter Murray, who proposed in the early 1990s that the Thunderbird was a waterbird. “So it's not a shock to me,” Yates said. “But Genyornis It took so long to find the skull, so we're very happy that it has finally been found.”

Many Thunderbird species became extinct before humans arrived in Australia around 65,000 years ago, which is thought to have been due to climate change.G. Newtoni Humans had inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and some researchers speculate that hunting may have also played a role in their extinction.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

What are the causes of brain fog in patients with long COVID?

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The COVID-19 pandemic has had long-lasting impacts on society and the health of millions of Americans who are still experiencing symptoms. Long-haul COVID-19 can result in chronic symptoms lasting for months, including weakness, palpitations, fatigue, headaches, and cognitive impairment. Scientists are still uncertain about the extent to which COVID affects brain function, leading to what is colloquially known as “brain fog.” Forgetfulness.

So, what causes brain fog in long COVID-19 patients? Researchers propose that the dysfunction of specialized cells lining the brain’s blood vessels plays a crucial role. Known as the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), this filter prevents toxins, pathogens, and large molecules from entering the brain. It is theorized that a leaky BBB could allow harmful substances to enter, disrupting normal processes and causing brain fog.

To investigate the link between a leaky BBB and COVID-related brain fog, researchers led by Matthew Campbell, PhD, and Colin P. Dougherty, PhD, examined the brains of patients previously infected with COVID. They studied a group of men and women over 18 years old, including 10 COVID survivors and 22 long-haul COVID patients (symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks), with 11 experiencing brain fog and 11 without it.

Using high-resolution MRI, the team measured BBB permeability by injecting a contrast agent into the patients’ blood to track blood flow through the BBB and into the brain. Patients with brain fog showed higher leakage rates compared to those without brain fog, suggesting a link between BBB dysfunction and persistent brain fog.

Further analysis revealed that patients with long COVID and brain fog had elevated levels of inflammatory markers in their blood, indicating brain inflammation potentially caused by a leaky BBB. The team also observed higher levels of a cell-signaling protein associated with chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with brain fog.

Investigating the immune system’s role in brain inflammation during long COVID, researchers examined gene activity in white blood cells. White blood cells from long COVID patients with brain fog showed significantly more active genes related to sustaining the immune response, suggesting ongoing inflammation causing BBB dysfunction and brain fog.

Lab experiments with brain cells exposed to patient blood samples further supported the link between inflammation, BBB dysfunction, and brain fog. Additionally, direct exposure of brain cells to COVID virus proteins resulted in increased inflammatory gene activity.

In conclusion, researchers found that BBB dysfunction during long COVID leads to chronic inflammation, contributing to brain fog. This insight may aid in understanding other long-term COVID effects and could guide future research on restoring BBB function to treat long COVID patients.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Chang’e-6 spacecraft from China commences sample collection on the dark side of the moon

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of the Chang’e 6 spacecraft landing on the moon

Source: cnsa.gov.cn

China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has successfully landed on the far side of the moon and has begun taking lunar rock samples from that area for the first time.

After orbiting the Moon for three weeks, the probe landed on a relatively flat area of Apollo Crater within the South Pole-Aitken impact basin at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time on June 2.

The landing sequence was largely autonomous, as the far side of the moon has no direct communications link with Earth, but engineers were able to monitor the situation and send instructions using the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was launched in March this year and is currently in lunar orbit.

Footage from the spacecraft’s camera as it approaches the landing site

Source: cnsa.gov.cn

Once the lander and its attached ascent module separated from the orbital portion of the spacecraft, its engines began a controlled descent, using obstacle avoidance systems and cameras to detect rocks and stones and select a smooth landing area. About 100 meters above the lunar surface, laser scanners selected the final location, after which the engines were shut down and the craft made a cushioned landing.

The lander is currently collecting samples, using a robotic scoop to collect surface material and a drill to extract rocks from about two metres underground, in a process that will take 14 hours over two days, according to the China National Space Administration.

The collected samples will be loaded onto an ascent vehicle and sent through the lunar exosphere to the orbiter module, which will then return to Earth and release the sample-laden re-entry capsule on June 25, which will land at Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The genome of a new fern species from New Caledonia is the largest among all organisms

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Tumecipteris oblancorata is a rare fern species known as the wolf lark, found in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It has recently broken the world record with its genome size of 160.45 billion base pairs (Gbp), challenging current understanding and paving the way for further exploration of genome gigantism.

Tumecipteris oblancorata. Image courtesy of Pol Fernández.

Tomesypteris is a small and relatively understudied genus consisting of 15 species, mostly found in Oceania and some Pacific islands.

Scientists have previously estimated the genome sizes of two Tomesypteris species – Tumecipteris tannensis and Tomesypteris obliqua – with large genomes of 73.19 Gbp and 147.29 Gbp, respectively.

In 2023, Dr. Jaume Pellicer and his colleagues from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, traveled to New Caledonia to analyze the genome size of Tumecipteris oblancorata.

The analysis revealed a record-breaking genome size of 160.45 Gbp for Tumecipteris oblancorata, also known as Tumecipteris truncata, surpassing the genome size of the Japanese flower plant species Paris Japonica (148.89 Gbp). For comparison, the human genome contains approximately 3.1 Gbp across 23 chromosomes.

Tomesypteris is a unique fern genus whose ancestors date back around 350 million years, characterized by primarily being epiphytes with a distribution limited to Oceania and a few Pacific islands.

Dr. Ilia Reich of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, expressed surprise at the world record held by the inconspicuous Tumecipteris oblancorata, highlighting the diversity of plants at the DNA level and their importance in Earth’s biodiversity.

The team’s findings were published in the journal iScience.

Genome size diversity in eukaryotes: (A) Current distribution of genome sizes in the major lineages of plants, animals, and fungi. (B) Top 10 largest genome sizes recorded in eukaryotes. Image courtesy of Pol Fernández et al., doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109889.

This remarkable discovery raises questions about the biological limits and complexities of plant genomes, inspiring further exploration into the mysteries of genome gigantism.

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Pol Fernandez othersThe 160 Gbp fork fern genome breaks eukaryotic size record. iSciencePublished online May 31, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109889

Source: www.sci.news

Paris Olympics to showcase city’s shift towards reducing air pollution by limiting car usage.

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paris, the host city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The city has made efforts to become greener by reducing its reliance on cars, setting an example for cities around the world.

Under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris has enacted several changes to promote sustainability. Over 100 roads have been closed to automobiles, parking fees have tripled, SUVs have been restricted, around 50,000 parking spaces have been removed, and over 1,300 kilometers of bike lanes have been built.

These efforts have resulted in a 40% reduction in air pollution, according to city officials. Hidalgo expressed that Paris would end its dependency on cars through disruptive changes.

Although European cities like Paris have been leading the way in reducing car use, similar reforms in the U.S. have been slow to materialize. The American infrastructure has historically been built around cars, making it challenging to transition to alternative modes of transportation.

The environmental reforms in Paris have garnered support from residents like Louise Kraustl, who believes that fewer cars and more walking and cycling make the city safer and less polluted. Inspired by the concept of the “15-minute city,” Paris aims to create pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhoods where daily necessities are within easy reach.

While some cities in the U.S. have made progress in promoting biking and public transport, car dependency remains prevalent. Despite the challenges, experts emphasize the importance of reducing transportation emissions to combat climate change and improve air quality.

Paris’ efforts to prioritize sustainable urban planning serve as a model for other cities to follow. As cities worldwide grapple with the effects of climate change, the need for transportation reform becomes increasingly urgent.

The upcoming elections in Paris will be crucial in determining the city’s continued commitment to reducing car use and combating climate change.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

8 Scientifically Proven Reasons Why Cats Are So Adorable

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The study of cats is our favorite field of study (second only to information about dogs). We have compiled our favorite cat facts, from whether your cat truly loves you to how they use their whiskers. Enjoy these 8 fascinating cat facts confirmed by science.

1. Blinking slowly can help you befriend cats

Research has shown that squinting is the most effective way to build trust with a cat.

A study conducted by the Universities of Portsmouth and Sussex revealed that this technique mimics the “slow blink,” also known as a cat smile, and helps establish a bond between humans and cats.

According to Professor Karen McComb from the Department of Psychology at the University of Sussex, who oversaw the study, “As someone who studies animal behavior and has a cat, I’m pleased to be able to show that cats and humans can communicate in this way.”

After a cat has blinked slowly at its owner, the cat is more likely to reciprocate the slow blink than if there is no contact at all.

2. One in 10 pet cats suffers from separation anxiety

More than 1 in 10 pet cats surveyed in a study exhibited behavioral issues when temporarily separated from their owners.

Scientists observed that cats with separation-related problems tended to be from households without females or where multiple females lived. Lack of access to toys and absence of other pets in the home were also associated with similar behavioral issues in cats.

One in ten pet cats suffers from separation anxiety © Getty Images

The analysis found that a significant percentage of sampled cats displayed behaviors associated with separation-related issues, including destructive behavior, excessive vocalization, and aggression.

3. Your cat really loves you

While food may have initially brought humans and cats together, cats have shown deep affection towards their human companions over time.

Recent studies indicate that cats exhibit behaviors similar to “secure attachment” seen in dogs, suggesting a strong bond between cats and their owners.

You’re more than just a giant can opener © Dan Bright

Cats exhibit behaviors beyond seeking food, indicating a deeper bond with their owners.

4. Cats can tell when a thunderstorm is approaching

Cats, along with other animals, have heightened senses that allow them to detect impending storms before their owners.

Your cat may sense changes in air pressure, smell rain, or hear distant thunder, alerting them to an oncoming storm.

5. Cats love boxes for their comfort

Cats seek out cozy hiding spots, such as boxes, for security and comfort, especially when sleeping.

Cats prefer warm environments and will utilize boxes for warmth and a sense of security.

6. Domestic cats impact local wildlife

Studies have shown that domestic cats contribute significantly to the decline of local wildlife populations.

Domestic cats kill more prey in a given area than wild predators of the same size, posing a threat to the ecosystem.

© Roland Kays/North Carolina State University/PA

Domestic cats have a concentrated impact on local prey due to their small home ranges, causing significant harm to bird and small mammal populations.

7. Cats cannot thrive on a vegan diet

Cats are obligate carnivores and require specific nutrients found only in meat sources, making a vegan diet unsuitable for cats.

Feeding cats a vegan diet can lead to severe health issues, such as blindness and heart failure, due to the lack of essential amino acids like taurine.

8. Cat whiskers are essential for hunting

Cat whiskers play a crucial role in hunting, providing sensory information to help cats navigate and hunt effectively.

Whiskers help cats judge distances, detect prey, and regulate movement, making them efficient hunters.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NASA astronauts forced to cancel first launch with Boeing again

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA and Boeing have had to once again cancel the first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was set to take off from Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida at 12:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, carrying NASA astronauts Barry “Batch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station, marking the spacecraft’s inaugural crewed test flight.

Unfortunately, the launch attempt was aborted with just minutes remaining in the countdown, adding to Boeing’s challenges after years of delays and cost overruns in its Starliner program.

The crewed test flight by Boeing was a crucial milestone to demonstrate the safe transportation of astronauts to the space station with Starliner. A successful mission could lead to Boeing being authorized by NASA to conduct regular flights to the space station, providing NASA with an alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to board a Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for a crewed flight test launch on Saturday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA via Getty Images

Boeing’s previous launch on May 6 had also been halted with about two hours left in the countdown due to a valve issue on the spacecraft’s Atlas V rocket. Subsequently, a helium leak was found in Starliner’s propulsion system, causing further delays to the crucial test flight.

Although the rocket’s valve was replaced, the helium leak was determined not to pose a risk to the crew or spacecraft. It was not fixed before the scheduled flight on Saturday, as stated by mission controllers in a press conference the previous week.

Both SpaceX and Boeing were involved in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, launching new spacecraft to transport astronauts to low Earth orbit after the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle fleet more than a decade ago.

However, Boeing has fallen significantly behind SpaceX, which has been conducting crewed missions to the space station for NASA since 2020.

The issue on Saturday was not the first challenge encountered by Starliner. During its initial uncrewed flight in 2019, software problems forced an early termination of the flight before attempting to dock with the space station. Subsequent attempts were delayed due to a fuel valve issue, with a successful uncrewed flight to the space station only achieved in 2022.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

Dennis Chou

Denise Chou is an NBC News Science reporter specializing in general science and climate change.

Marissa Parra Contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Be prepared: A fungus is threatening to eradicate millions of ‘zombie cicadas’ in the US. Here’s what to expect.

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It’s finally here. Once every 200 years, two flocks of periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground.

Across much of the US, billions of winged insects are emerging from the ground in search of a mating opportunity, but an unlucky few have been infected by a mysterious pathogen that is transforming them into flying insects. The salt shaker of death.

Are you locking the door and hiding under the covers? Before you do, hear this: Although zombie insects sound like the plot of a low-budget ’70s horror movie, they’re completely harmless to humans, plants, and pets, so feel free to marvel (probably from afar) as one of nature’s most powerful forces takes control.

Why do cicadas turn into zombies?

Cicada species live all over the planet, but the species currently abundant across the US are called “periodic cicadas,” which spend years underground as larvae before emerging as adults to mate.

Currently, two so-called “swarms” occur simultaneously in parts of the eastern U.S.: one that appears every 13 years, the other every 17. If you live in an area where this phenomenon is occurring, you’ll notice that it’s accompanied by a noise that’s louder than traffic.

The current occupation is expected to continue until the end of June, by which time most of the cicadas will have died and their eggs will have hatched and burrowed underground for another 13 to 17 years.

“One of the main reasons for this periodic emergence is to prevent predators from developing specialized ways to catch them,” says Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky. BBC Science Focus.

The only exception, Larson said, is Massospora cicadaina. “It’s likely that the disease will play a long game and remain dormant and not cause any symptoms until the cicadas emerge as adults above ground,” he said.

Once above ground, the infected cicada’s normally hollow body fills with white fungal spores and the abdomen bursts open to reveal what Larson describes as a “chalky white mass.”

Once exposed, the spores are free to infect other cicadas…

read more:

How bacteria reproduce

Imagine a third of your body being filled with a harmful pathogen. You might not feel too great, and for good reason. However, infected cicadas can carry on with life as normal. In fact, the fungus changes the cicada’s behavior in some pretty significant ways.

“They can continue to act normally as if they are not infected, which allows them to continue spreading the virus,” Larson explains.

What is normal cicada behavior? After 17 years (or 13) underground, all they have on their mind is finding a mate. Male cicadas shake their abdomens to attract females, hence the loud explosion. Infected males do the same, killing unsuspecting females.

But the fungus has another trick up its sleeve.

“Female cicadas flap their wings in response to the loud, boisterous calls of males,” Larson explains, “but if the males are infected, they also start flapping their wings, fooling other males into thinking they’re mating with the female.”

How cicadas manage to stay alive with so many parts of their bodies packed with spores remains a mystery, but scientists have found some clues in recent years.

Billions of cicadas will emerge in the United States this year in a once-in-200-year event. – Image credit: Getty

For example, a study published in the journal Fungal Ecology It turns out that the fungus produces a type of amphetamine in its mass, which is used as a powerful human stimulant. Massospora Cicadina Will it stick?

Larson explains that it’s not clear exactly how the psychoactive substances affect the cicadas, but that the insects must be stimulated in some way. “That’s the real zombification part: They’re doing their job, they’re alive, but they’re just going through the motions. The lights are on, but no one’s home,” Larson says.

Should we worry about zombies?

First, the percentage of infected insects is very small, less than 5%, but 5% out of billions or even trillions of insects is still a lot of zombies flying around.

Thankfully, this fungus is specialized for cicadas. Massospora Cicadina ‘ is just a little hint so you don’t have to worry about infecting yourself.

“Transmission tends to be very localized, so while there are hotspots, it’s not common everywhere,” Larson said.

However, if you are planning to eat cicadas, you should definitely be careful. Yes, there are a lot of people out there who eat cicadas. Spicy Popcorn Cicada RecipeIf you’re interested, however, you should definitely avoid eating infected varieties.

“If you’re catching cicadas, the infected ones will be noticeably different,” Larson says. “If some fall off and you see a whitish lump, throw it away and don’t eat it.” Who would have thought eating insects infected with a pathogenic zombie fungus would be a bad idea? Everyone would.

About our experts

Jonathan Larson He is an entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky who provides his insect expertise to those dealing with problems in urban landscapes, lawns, nurseries, greenhouses and the home, and he is co-host of the informative insect podcast, The Insect Podcast. Arthropods.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Overcoming the Hesitation to Ask for Help: Strategies for Seeking Support

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It can be challenging to ask for help when you need it, but you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Psychologists have studied this phenomenon for many years, as people’s reluctance to seek help has led to various high-profile failures. These failures, such as those with the Hubble Space Telescope and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, were often worsened by key individuals not seeking assistance.

Asking for help requires bravery because it means admitting you have needs or lack knowledge in certain areas. You may fear appearing incompetent, losing control, or giving someone else credit for your efforts. However, seeking help is essential for growth and success.

Low self-esteem or anxiety can make asking for help even more challenging, as you may fear rejection. Remember, it’s okay to seek help, as no one can do everything alone. Research shows that asking for advice actually makes you appear more competent.

Studies indicate that those who help others tend to like them more, and people are often more willing to assist than you might think. Remind yourself of this the next time you need help and be thoughtful about who you ask and when.

If someone can’t help, don’t take it personally. They may be busy or unsure of how to assist. Asking for help is a normal and necessary part of life, so don’t hesitate to reach out when needed.

This article addresses the question of why it’s challenging to ask for help, posed by Sally Gardner via email.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via the email address below. For more information, you can also reach out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

For more fascinating science facts, visit our page. Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Webb finds the farthest galaxy ever recorded

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers NIR Specs The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope (Near-Infrared Spectrometer) instrument Obtained Spectrum of the record-breaking galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, observed just 290 million years after the Big Bang. Redshift It’s about 14, a measure of how much the galaxy’s light has been stretched by the expansion of the universe.

This infrared image from Webb’s NIRCam shows the record-breaking galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / B. Robertson, UC Santa Cruz / B. Johnson, CfA / S. Tacchella, Cambridge / P. Cargile, CfA.

JADES-GS-z14-0, located in the constellation Fornax, JWST: Advanced Deep Extragalactic Exploration (Jade).

The galaxy is much brighter than expected, with a resolved radius of 260 parsecs (848 light years).

The discovery proves that luminous galaxies were already in existence 300 million years after the Big Bang, and that they are more common than expected before Webb.

“The Webb instrument is designed to discover and understand the oldest galaxies, and in its first year of observing as part of JADES, it has found hundreds of candidate galaxies spanning the first 650 million years after the Big Bang,” said Dr. Stefano Carniani of the École Normale Supérieure in Pisa, Italy, and Dr. Kevin Hainline of the University of Arizona, Tucson.

“Early in 2023, we discovered a galaxy in our data with strong evidence of being at a redshift greater than 14. This was very exciting, but some properties of its source made us wary.”

“The source was incredibly bright, something not expected in such a distant galaxy, and it was so close to another galaxy that the two appeared to be part of a single, larger object.”

“When Webb observed the source again in October 2023 as part of the JADES Origins Field, NIR Cam (Near-infrared camera) filters further supported the high-redshift hypothesis.”

“We knew we needed a spectrum, because anything we learn would be of immense scientific importance, either as a new milestone in Webb’s study of the early universe or as a mysterious outlier in a middle-aged galaxy.”

“In January 2024, NIRSpec observed JADES-GS-z14-0 for almost 10 hours, and when the spectrum was first processed, there was unequivocal evidence that the galaxy is indeed at redshift 14.32, breaking the previous record for the most distant galaxy, JADES-GS-z13-0.”

“Seeing this spectrum was very exciting for the whole team, given that its source remained a mystery.”

“This discovery was not just a new distance record for our team. The most important thing about JADES-GS-z14-0 is that it shows that at this distance, this galaxy must be intrinsically very luminous.”

“The images show that the source is more than 1,600 light-years in diameter, proving that the light we are seeing is coming primarily from young stars, and not from the vicinity of a growing supermassive black hole.”

“This much starlight suggests that the galaxy’s mass is hundreds of millions of times that of the Sun!”

“This raises the question: How could nature create such a bright, massive and large galaxy in less than 300 million years?”

“The data reveal other important aspects of this remarkable galaxy,” the astronomers said.

“We found that the galaxy’s color is not inherently blue, which indicates that even at its very earliest stages, some of its light is being reddened by dust.”

They also confirmed that JADES-GS-z14-0 was detected at Webb’s longer wavelengths. Milli (mid-infrared observation instrument), a remarkable achievement considering its distance.

MIRI’s observations cover wavelengths of light emitted in the visible range that are redshifted and cannot be seen by Webb’s near-infrared instrument.

According to the analysis, the brightness of the source suggested by the MIRI observations exceeds that estimated from measurements by other Webb instruments, indicating the presence of strong ionized gas emission in the galaxy in the form of bright emission lines from hydrogen and oxygen.

The presence of oxygen so early in the galaxy’s life was surprising, suggesting that several generations of very massive stars had already died before the galaxy was observed.

“Taken together, all these observations show that JADES-GS-z14-0 is different from the types of galaxy predicted to exist in the early universe by theoretical models and computer simulations,” the researchers said.

“Given the observed luminosity of a source, we can predict how it will grow over cosmic time. So far, we have not found a suitable analogue among the hundreds of other galaxies we have observed at high redshifts in our survey.”

“Because the region of sky we searched to find JADES-GS-z14-0 is relatively small, its discovery has a significant impact on the predicted number of luminous galaxies seen in the early universe, as discussed in a separate, concurrent JADES study.”

“Webb’s observations will enable astronomers to discover many more such luminous galaxies over the next decade, and perhaps sooner.”

“We’re excited to see the incredible diversity of galaxies present in Cosmic Dawn!”

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Stefano Carniani others2024. A shining cosmic dawn: spectroscopic confirmation of two luminous galaxies at z ∼ 14. arXiv:2405.18485

Source: www.sci.news