Reindeer are able to eat and sleep simultaneously

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Reindeer can multitask

gabriella wagner

The reindeer seems to be dozing all day long, ruminating on the cud. This may be an adaptation to their arctic habitat, where food is plentiful in the summer and they must eat constantly to gain enough weight to survive the winter.

Reindeer chew the cud to help break down the fibrous plants that make up their food. That is, it regurgitates food from the stomach back into the mouth for further chewing. And they often stare at each other in a trance-like manner while munching. “You can see it in their faces. They’re a little distant,” he says. gabriella wagner At the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy. “However, no one had ever measured reindeer’s brain waves before, so no one knew whether reindeer really slept.”

Wagner and her colleagues used electroencephalography (EEG) with metal electrodes attached to the heads of four Eurasian tundra reindeer.Langifer Tarandus Tarandus), and over the next few days recorded electrical pulses in their brains as they ate, slept and moved around.

The reindeer’s brain wave patterns revealed that when they ruminate, they are in a light sleep stage called non-REM sleep, suggesting that reindeer can recharge while ruminating. “It’s very similar to human sleep; it has the same stages of sleep spindles and slow-wave activity,” Wagner explains of the bursts of brain activity visible on the EEG. They also found that the longer reindeer ruminated, the less they needed additional rest.

Wagner suspects this kind of multitasking might help animals get enough rest during the summer, when they spend almost all their time foraging in preparation for winter. “This seems to be a perfect adaptation to the Arctic, where there is a very short period of the year where they have to eat all the time to gain weight,” she says.

Resting while ruminating may also explain why reindeer appear to sleep the same amount regardless of season, unlike most other species that sleep more in winter.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Finds COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Increase Risk of Miscarriage

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A study by Boston University researchers found no increased risk of miscarriage associated with the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals planning a pregnancy. This encouraging evidence supports the safety of preconception vaccination and is consistent with health authorities’ recommendations for vaccination of people planning pregnancy.

The new study is the first to prospectively assess the relationship between bias and bias. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) We found that vaccinating both partners and having a miscarriage slightly reduced the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated partners trying to conceive.

In many studies, It is shown COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility or increase the risk of pregnancy-related problems, including miscarriage.Despite this evidence, people still on guard About the potential negative effects of vaccines on pregnancy.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) provided more comprehensive information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals considering pregnancy.

It was published in the magazine human reproductionthe study found no increased risk of early or late miscarriage as a result of either the man or the woman’s partner receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before pregnancy.

Insights from new research on pre-pregnancy vaccine safety

This study is the first to assess the risk of early miscarriage (<8 weeks gestation) following preconception COVID-19 vaccination, and the first to assess vaccination and miscarriage in men. The researchers hope these results will be useful information for individuals planning pregnancy and health care providers.

“These findings should be replicated in other populations, but are reassuring for couples planning pregnancy,” says lead author Jennifer Eland, an epidemiology doctoral student at BUSPH at the time of the study. .

Study details and results

For this study, Yland and colleagues analyzed survey data on COVID-19 vaccination and miscarriage among male and female participants of the BUSPH-based Online Pregnancy Study (PRESTO). National Institutes of Health– A funded study that enrolls women who wish to become pregnant and follows them from before pregnancy until 6 months after giving birth. Participants in this new analysis included 1,815 women in the United States and Canada who were followed in the study from December 2020 to November 2022. They were observed from the first positive pregnancy test until miscarriage or other event (e.g. induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy) occurred. , or 20 weeks of pregnancy)—whichever comes first.

Among female participants, 75% had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine before becoming pregnant. Almost a quarter of pregnancies led to miscarriage, 75% of which occurred before 8 weeks of pregnancy, but there was no increased risk.

The risk of miscarriage was 26.6% for unvaccinated female participants, 23.9% for female participants who received one dose of vaccine before pregnancy, and 24.5% for female participants who completed the full first dose before pregnancy. and 22.1% among female participants who completed the vaccination series. 20.1% of women received only one dose of the two-dose vaccine three months before pregnancy.

“The miscarriage rate among vaccinated people was not only comparable to that among PRESTO participants who became pregnant before the pandemic, but also that the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated people was higher than that of unvaccinated people. “Our data showed that it was slightly lower than the previous year,” Yland said.

Federal health officials continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for people planning pregnancy, emphasizing that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the potential risks of vaccination before or during pregnancy. ing.

Reference: “Prospective Cohort Study of Preconception COVID-19 Vaccination and Miscarriage” Jennifer J Yland, Amelia K Wesselink, Annette K Regan, Elizabeth E Hatch, Kenneth J Rothman, David A Savitz, Tanran R Wang, Krista By F Huybrechts, Sonia Hernández-Diaz, Michael L. Eisenberg, Lauren A. Wise, October 20, 2023. human reproduction.
DOI: 10.1093/hamrep/dead211

The study was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Science Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Most NFTs will become worthless and fade away slowly in 2023

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs aren’t as valuable as they once were

Mundisima/Alamy

In 2022, the world went crazy for digital drawings of primates. In 2023, we are bored.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been touted as a revolutionary technology that will upend the concept of ownership and, more broadly, the global economy. These digital identifiers of ownership are stored on blockchain, the same technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, but to most people, the phrase refers to strange images sold for high prices. Reminds me.

…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Future of Climate-Tolerant Plants to be Shaped by New Discoveries

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered an important role for diligent proteins in plant roots, regulating water and nutrient uptake by controlling the endothelial lignin barrier. This discovery has important implications for the development of drought-tolerant crops that require fewer resources. The researchers also emphasized the importance of this discovery in adapting agriculture to changing climate conditions and ensuring future food security.

Researchers have identified the role of proteins that seal plant roots and control the uptake of nutrients and water from the soil. This breakthrough could lead to the development of climate-resilient crops that require less water and less chemical fertilizers.

researchers University of Nottingham We have identified a new component of the plant root lignin barrier and a specific function of diligent proteins (DPs) located in the root endodermis that control water and nutrient uptake. Their research results are science.

Root function and endothelium

Plant roots function by absorbing mineral nutrients and water from the soil and controlling the proper balance within the plant. This control is carried out by a specialized layer of root tissue called the endothelium.

The endodermis contains a barrier to solute and water movement made of lignin, the same substance found in wood. This impermeable barrier blocks uncontrolled movement of substances into the roots by forming a tight seal between cells. This seal ensures that the only route for nutrients and water to enter the roots is through the endothelial cells. This gives the cells complete control over what enters and exits the plant through the roots.

Role of Diligent Protein

This study identified a new component of the lignin deposition machinery, focusing on the function of diligent proteins (DPs) present in the root endothelium. These proteins act in conjunction with other described root control components to direct and organize the correct deposition of lignin into the endothelium, ensuring that the plant receives an optimal balance of nutrients from the soil. will do so.

Dr Gabriel Castrillo, from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nottingham, one of the study’s leaders, said: They can be future-proofed to secure future food supplies. This study shows how plant roots regulate water and nutrient uptake through DP-regulated lignin deposition. Without these proteins, proper root sealing is not completed and the nutritional balance within the plant is compromised. This knowledge can be used to engineer plants to grow with less water and chemical fertilizers. ”

Reference: “Diligent protein complexes direct lignin polymerization and construction of root diffusion barriers” Yi-Qun Gao, Jin-Quan Huang, Guilhem Reyt, Tao Song, Ashley Love, David Tiemessen,
Pei-Ying Xue, Written by Wen-Kai Wu, Michael W. George, Xiao Ya
Chen, Dai Ying Chao, Gabriel Castrillo, David E. Salt, October 26, 2023. science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adi5032

Source: scitechdaily.com

Is aerosol injection a solution to saving ice?

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study from Indiana University’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences suggests that utilizing stratospheric aerosol injection to scatter sunlight-reflecting particles in the atmosphere could help slow the rapid melting of West Antarctica. This strategy aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic sea level rise due to climate change. The study shows that even with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, significant sea level rise is still expected.

The study is one of the first to explore the effects of climate engineering on Antarctica, particularly focusing on the accelerating ice loss in West Antarctica. Researchers used high-performance computers and global climate models to simulate various stratospheric aerosol injection scenarios. The data analysis for the study was conducted on Carbonate, a large-memory computer cluster at IU University Information Technology Services.

The results of the study indicate that releasing stratospheric aerosols at multiple latitudes in the tropics and subtropics, with a larger proportion in the Southern Hemisphere, could be the best strategy for preserving Antarctic land ice. The researchers also emphasize the need for further research to quantify changes in melt rates and stress the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with stratospheric aerosol injection. These risks include changes in regional precipitation patterns and the potential for global temperatures to rapidly return to pre-injection levels if treatment is interrupted.

The study expands knowledge about the potential benefits and drawbacks of intentionally cooling the Earth and contributes to a growing conversation about geoengineering in response to the effects of climate change. While more research is needed, the findings highlight the importance of understanding how stratospheric aerosol injection affects the Antarctic region.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Great apes display remarkable recollection of distant companions

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study has revealed that great apes possess exceptional social memories, allowing them to recognize former mates over 25 years later. This discovery indicates that there are significant cognitive similarities between humans and great apes, emphasizing the depth and longevity of social connections among these close animal relatives. Published today in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this research demonstrates the longest-lasting non-human social memory ever recorded.

The study, led by Christopher Krupenier, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, explores the remarkable social memory capabilities of great apes, particularly chimpanzees and bonobos. The research team found that these animals can recognize individuals even after decades of separation, and exhibit heightened responses to individuals with whom they had positive relationships.

To conduct the study, the researchers worked with chimpanzees and bonobos at various zoos, collecting photos of apes that had left the zoos or passed away. They then presented these photos to the apes and measured their response using non-invasive eye-tracking equipment. The results indicated that the apes displayed enduring social memory, as they looked longer at their former group members and friends, despite prolonged periods of separation. One notable example was a bonobo named Louise, who showed a strong bias toward her sister and nephew, despite not having seen them for over 26 years.

The findings suggest that great apes possess social memories that may persist for over 26 years, similar in duration to human social memory. This suggests that such memory was likely already present in the common evolutionary ancestor of humans and great apes. Moreover, these long-lasting social memories may have played a crucial role in the evolution of human culture, influencing unique forms of social interaction and relationships.

According to the researchers, this study also raises questions about the emotional impact of separation on great apes, highlighting the potential negative consequences of poaching and deforestation on their social relationships. Going forward, the team hopes to further investigate the unique social memory capabilities of great apes and examine how it may compare to other primate species.

This research, made possible by the Templeton Global Philanthropic Foundation grant TWCF-20647 and the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program, offers valuable insights into the social cognition of great apes and underscores the importance of preserving their social networks and relationships.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Black Holes’ Eating Habits: A Surprising Revelation

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

An imaginary diagram of the interstellar medium distribution of active galactic nuclei based on current observation results. Dense molecular gas from the galaxy flows along the disk’s surface toward the black hole. The energy generated by the high temperature of the material accumulated around the black hole destroys molecular gas, converting it into atoms and plasma. Most of these multiphase interstellar mediums are jets flowing outward from the galactic center (mainly plasma jets occur directly above the disk, and mainly atomic and molecular jets occur at an angle). However, it turns out that most of the particles flow back into the disk like a fountain. Credit: ALMA (ESO/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/Nuclear Astronomical Observatory), T. Izumi et al.

Recent advances in astrophysics have led to groundbreaking observations of gas flows around supermassive black holes. These observations were made with great detail. light years Important insights into the behavior of these giant universes have been revealed. Remarkably, the researchers found that while large amounts of gas are attracted to these black holes, only a small portion (about 3 percent) is actually consumed. The remaining gas is ejected and recycled back to the host galaxy.

Not all substances fall into this. Black Hole It is absorbed, but some is excreted as effluent. However, it has been difficult to measure the ratio between the amount of material that a black hole “eats” and the amount that it “falls into.”

An international research team led by Assistant Professor Takuma Izumi of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is developing the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (alma telescope) Observe a supermassive black hole in the Circus Galaxy, 14 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Circus. This black hole is known to be actively feeding.

The center of the Silcinus galaxy observed with ALMA. Carbon monoxide (CO; indicating the presence of a medium-density molecular gas) is shown in red. Atomic carbon (C; indicates the presence of an atomic gas) in blue. Green is hydrogen cyanide (HCN; indicating the presence of a dense molecular gas). Pink hydrogen recombination line (H36α; indicating the presence of ionized gas). The central dense disk of gas (green) is about 6 light-years wide. The plasma outflow proceeds almost perpendicular to the disk. Credit: ALMA (ESO/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/Nuclear Astronomical Observatory), T. Izumi et al.

ALMA’s role in solving the mystery of black holes

Thanks to ALMA’s high resolution, the research team was able to measure the inflow and outflow around a black hole for the first time on a scale of several light years. By measuring the flow of gases in different states (molecules, atoms, and states), plasma) The team was able to determine the overall feeding efficiency of the black hole and found it to be only about 3%. The researchers also confirmed that gravitational instability is driving the influx.

The analysis also showed that most of the ejected outflow was not fast enough to escape from the galaxy and be lost. They are recycled into the perinuclear region around the black hole and begin falling slowly towards the black hole again.

Reference: “Feeding and feedback of supermassive black holes are observed at subparsec scale” Takuma Izumi, Keiichi Wada, Masatoshi Imanishi, Koichiro Nakanishi, Kotaro Kono, Yuki Kudo, Daiki Kawamuro, Shunsuke Baba, Naoki Matsumoto , Yutaka Fujita, Conrad R.W. Tristram, 2 November 2023 science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adf0569

This research was funded by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Webb’s ERO-BluDOG Mix-Up: A Space Incident of Mistaken Identity

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers re-evaluated extremely red objects (EROs) in the JWST data and found similarities with BluDOGs previously identified from Subaru Telescope data. This discovery contributes to a broader understanding of quasar evolution and points to the need for further research using advanced telescopes like GREX-PLUS. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Space researchers have discovered that extremely red objects (EROs) exist in space. james webb space telescope This data is similar to the Subaru Telescope’s BluDOG, challenging previous assumptions and highlighting the complexity of studying quasar evolution.

Not every discovery is actually a new discovery. This is the case for extremely red objects (EROs) found in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data. The analysis showed that it is very similar to a blue-excessive dust-covered galaxy (BluDOG) previously reported using data from the Subaru Telescope.

Quasars, some of the brightest objects in the universe, are powered by supermassive black holes with masses that can reach more than a billion times that of the Sun. Although these objects are the focus of much research, how they form is still poorly understood. A leading theory is that quasars form within galaxies with clouds of gas and dust that obscure the growing quasar until they become powerful enough to blow away the clouds. If this is true, we should be able to catch a short window of time when a quasar breaks out of the cloud.

A galaxy covered in blue excess dust (BluDOG) photographed by the Subaru Telescope.Credit: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/HSC cooperation

Because the transition period is short, we must observe a large number of prequasar candidates and hope that we are lucky enough to catch a galaxy just as the quasar begins to erupt. Examining the JWST data, a group of extremely red objects (EROs) were identified as possible transitional quasars. But researchers at the Subaru telescope, a Japanese telescope in Hawaii, say that although ERO is called “red,” it is similar to the blue-excess dust-encrusted galaxy (BluDOG) found in big data. I noticed that it also has an important blue component. It was obtained from the Subaru Telescope and described in last year’s report.

Our analysis shows that ERO and BluDOG are likely objects of the same class, but that there are also important differences. One possibility is that ERO is at an earlier stage of evolution than BluDOG. More candidate samples need to be collected to determine the true relationship between ERO, BluDOG, and quasars. Larger samples will be studied by next-generation astronomical instruments, including a planned infrared space telescope project in Japan called GREX-PLUS.

References:

“Similarities between the compact, very red object discovered by JWST at the dawn of the universe and the blue, dust-covered galaxy known at the noon of the universe” Akatoki Noboriguchi, Akio Inoue, Toru Nagao, Yoshiki Toba, Toru Misawa, December 14, 2023 of Astrophysics Journal Letter.
DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad0e00

“The extreme properties of four blue dust-covered galaxies revealed by optical spectroscopy” Akatoki Noboriguchi, Toru Nagao, Yoshiki Toba, Kohei Ichikawa, Masaru Kajisawa, Nanako Kato, Toshihiro Kawaguchi, Hideo Matsubara , Yoshiki Matsuoka, Kyoko Onishi, Masafusa Onoe, Nozomu Tamada, Koki Terao, Yuichi Terashima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Takuji Yamashita, December 23, 2022, of astrophysical journal.
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aca403

“Optical properties of galaxies covered with infrared bright dust seen with Subaru Hyper Supreme Cam” Akatoki Noboriguchi, Toru Nagao, Yoshiki Toba, Mana Niida, Masaru Kajisawa, Masafusa Onoe, Yoshiki Matsuoka, Takuji Yamashita, Yuyan Zhang , Toshihiro Kawaguchi, Yutaka Komiyama, Kodai Nobehara, Yuichi Terashima, Yoshihiro Ueda, May 13, 2019, astrophysical journal.
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ab1754

Source: scitechdaily.com

Revolutionary Drug Delivery System Transforms Diabetes Treatment

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Stanford University engineers have created an injectable hydrogel depot technology that allows GLP-1 drugs to be administered once every four months, rather than requiring daily injections. This new hydrogel has the potential to revolutionize treatment for type 2 diabetes and weight management by significantly reducing the burden of daily injections.

The hydrogel drug delivery system was developed by materials engineers at Stanford University and turns daily or weekly injections of drugs like Ozempic, Maunjaro, Trulicity, and Victoza into a single injection every four months. This new system could greatly improve patient compliance and health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes, as well as providing a more manageable treatment regimen.

The hydrogel contains GLP-1 drug molecules and slowly releases them over time, eliminating the need for frequent injections. This novel nanocomposite hydrogel is made of polymers and nanoparticles that dissolve over the course of several months, similar to how a sugar cube dissolves in water. Once the hydrogel is injected under the skin, it gradually releases the drug as it dissolves, providing sustained delivery over a four-month period.

Initial testing in laboratory rats has shown promising results, and future trials will be conducted on pigs to further validate the system’s effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to conduct human clinical trials within the next two years to evaluate the long-term administration of GLP-1-based treatments.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and a seed grant from the Stanford Diabetes Research Center.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The impact of programmable bacteria on cancer treatment

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers are developing synthetic programmable bacteria to help kill cancerous tissue.Credit: Texas A&M Engineering

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1009258

https://chat.openai.com/c/6cfb1180-0a40-409b-b230-817e653d2c44

Texas A&M University researchers are co-leading a $20 million project to develop a $1 cancer treatment.

What if a single dose of $1 could cure cancer?

A multi-university research team is receiving federal funding to develop a highly efficient bacterial therapy that targets cancer more precisely and makes treatment safer at a cost of $1 per dose.

Traditionally, cancer treatments have had limited effectiveness in treating patients. Some treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can cause harmful side effects, while others tend to have poor patient response, not to mention the high cost of treatment.Survey results from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network reports that 73% of cancer survivors and patients are concerned about how they will pay for their cancer treatment, and 51% say they have medical debt from their treatment. For example, cutting-edge cancer treatment can cost up to $1,000,000.

Texas A&M University and the University of Missouri are leading efforts to develop low-cost, safe and controlled cancer treatments. Researchers received a $20 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to fight cancer. The four-year project is part of the current administration’s cancer moonshot plan to boost cancer research and increase funding. It is funded by a newly established agency that aims to accelerate improved health outcomes for all by supporting the development of highly effective solutions to society’s most challenging health problems. It was one of my first projects.

Rapid analysis of cells

$12 million of the grant will go to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station/Texas A&M. Alam Han, Jim Song, and Chelsea Hu are developing programmable synthetic bacteria for immune-induced killing in the tumor environment (SPIKE). The idea is to engineer the bacteria so that the T cells kill the cancerous tissue, and once the cancer is gone, they destroy themselves and are safely excreted out of the body as human waste.

“SPIKE can specifically target tumor cells,” said Han, a professor in Texas Instruments’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “And because we only target the cancerous tissue and not the surrounding healthy cells, patient safety is dramatically increased. I’m excited to be part of this team tackling a critical health issue that affects so many people. I am very honored.”

Han’s lab is developing high-throughput microfluidic systems that can rapidly process and screen large bacterial therapeutic libraries one cell at a time to rapidly identify the most promising treatments. By fusing microfabrication techniques and biotechnology, these systems create picoliter-scale liquid handling systems that can accurately analyze single cells with high precision and speed, and devices that rapidly analyze individual cells. Realize.

“The big challenge is figuring out how to actually develop these sophisticated microdevices that can run millions of fully automated tests with very little manual or human intervention,” Han said. said. “That’s the engineering challenge.”

Rescue anti-tumor immune cells

While Han innovates and designs microdevices, Song, an immunologist with a background in microbial pathogenesis, T-cell biology, and T-cell-based immunotherapy, has spent the past five years working in bacterial immunotherapy. We are working on this.certain bacteria known as Brucella melitensis At least four types of cancer can be treated by manipulating the human body’s microenvironment and promoting T cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

“We are working on improving Brucella melitensis We can more effectively prevent or suppress tumor growth,” said Song, a professor at Texas A&M School of Medicine. “Our current approach involves finding ways to manipulate bacteria to rescue anti-tumor immune cells and make them more effective at killing tumor cells.

“According to the data so far, BrucellaThe efficiency is dramatically higher than other cancer treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and T-cell receptor therapy, with a response rate of over 70%,” said Song.

Safe and controllable treatment

While Professor Song continues to test the effectiveness of bacteria using cancer models, Professor Hu, an assistant professor in Artie McFerrin’s Department of Chemical Engineering and a synthetic biologist, has demonstrated that live bacterial treatments are safe and controllable. We are working to confirm.

” Brucella The strain we are using is attenuated and has been shown to be safe for the host as it lacks key genes required for bacterial virulence,” Hu said. Told. “Ultimately, we want to control the rate at which bacteria multiply within the tumor environment and their ability to self-destruct when their mission is completed.”

To control the rate of growth, the bacteria’s genes are modified to regulate its population, which fluctuates around a certain set point. Hu also plans to incorporate biosensors into the bacteria, allowing them to distinguish between healthy and tumor tissue, allowing them to grow only within the tumor microenvironment.

The bacteria are engineered with receptors that allow patients to take antibiotics after the cancer has gone away. This sends a signal to the bacteria to essentially shred itself and safely remove it from the patient’s body.

“We humans are actually covered in bacteria, and many diseases are caused by imbalances in these bacterial communities,” Hu said. “For example, some people have incredibly fragile stomachs, while others have strong stomachs. The science behind this is that people with strong immune and digestive systems have a healthy gut. It means that it has a population of bacterial cells. There are many possibilities for biological therapy.”

“It’s a really great opportunity to have a great team with the expertise and the ability to push this technology to the forefront,” Hu said. “So the goal is to go into the clinic and provide patients with effective cancer treatment for less than $1 per treatment.”

Tackling difficult problems with unconventional approaches

Other collaborators include Dr. Zhilei Chen of Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dr. Xiaoning Qian of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Principal Investigator Dr. Paul de Figueiredo of the University of Missouri.

“The three important advantages of this study are high safety, low cost, and specific targeting of cancerous tumors,” Han said. “We are very excited to be one of the first teams to receive support from ARPA-H, a brand new agency supported by Congress. We take an unconventional approach to tackling difficult problems. High risk, high impact is the hallmark of our approach.”

And the future applications of bacterial engineering that this research unlocks are limitless.

“For our next big project, we will work together to develop bacteria that fight autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis,” Song said. Bacteria-based immunotherapy is an exciting frontier in medicine and offers the potential to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune diseases. With the power of beneficial microorganisms harnessed to modulate the immune system, we are changing the future of medicine. Our research and expertise promises to transform the lives of millions of people, giving them new hope and a healthier tomorrow. ”

Source: scitechdaily.com

New Study Seeks to Rewrite History by Highlighting Women as Hunters

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study reveals that prehistoric women not only participated in hunting, but may have been physiologically suited for it. The study is based on physiological studies and archaeological evidence, highlighting women’s endurance and the lack of a strict division of labor in early societies. This study highlights the need to reevaluate long-standing prejudices about women’s abilities.

When Carla Okobock was a child, she often wondered about the images in movies, books, comics, and cartoons depicting prehistoric men and women. Accompanying her are a “man hunter” with a spear in his hand and a “female gatherer” with a spear. The baby was strapped to his back, and in his hand was a basket of crop seeds.

“This was something everyone was used to seeing,” Okobock said. “This is an assumption that we all had in our heads, and it was carried through at the Natural History Museum.”

Many years later, Ocobock, an assistant professor in the University of Notre Dame’s anthropology department and director of the Human Energetics Laboratory, realized that she was a human biologist, studying physiology and prehistoric evidence, and working with early women. I discovered that many of these notions about women are true. Men were less accurate. The accepted reconstruction of human evolution assumed that men were biologically superior, but that interpretation did not tell the whole story.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Saber-Toothed Cat and the Direwolf: Prehistoric Predators

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers found high rates of osteochondrosis in the joints of Ice Age saber-toothed tigers and dire wolves, based on more than 1,500 limb bones examined from the La Brea Tar Pits. This study suggests a potential link between the health problems of these ancient species and those of modern livestock. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Studies have found that the incidence of osteochondrosis in these extinct predators is surprisingly high.

Ice Age saber-toothed tigers and direwolves had higher rates of bone disease in their joints, according to a recent study published in an open access journal. Pro Swan By Hugo Schmökel and colleagues at the Evidencia Academy in Sweden.

Ancient species of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a developmental bone disease known to affect joints. vertebrateincluding humans and various domestic animals. seed. However, the disease is not well documented in wild species, and published cases are extremely rare. In this study, Schmökel and colleagues identified signs of the disease in fossil limb bones of Ice Age saber-toothed tigers. (Smilodon fatalis) and dire wolf (Aenosion Dyras) Approximately 55,000 to 12,000 years ago.

Reconstructed photo of a dire wolf on display at the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum. Credit: La Brea Tar Pits and Los Angeles County Museum and Natural History Museum; CC-BY 4.0

Research results from the La Brea Tar Pits

Researchers examined more than 1,000 limb bones of saber-toothed tigers and 500 limb bones of dire wolves taken from the late Pleistocene La Brea Tar Pits, and found that many bones contained dissecting bones. They discovered small defects that matched certain symptoms of a bone disease called osteochondrosis (OCD). These defects were primarily found in the shoulder and knee joints, and their incidence was as high as 7% of the bones examined, significantly higher than that observed in extant species.

Implications and future research

Because this study was limited to bones isolated from a single fossil locality, further research on other fossil sites will reveal patterns of prevalence of the disease and from there provide insight into the lives of these animals. aspects may be clarified. For example, it remains unclear whether problems with these joints hindered the hunting ability of these predators. Additionally, OCD is common in highly inbred modern domestic dogs, so the high incidence of this disease in these fossil animals could be a sign that populations are declining as these ancient species approach extinction. It may be.

Detail of a 1911 illustration of a saber-toothed cat in the La Brea Tar Pits. Credit: Robert Bruce Horsfall & Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; CC-BY 4.0

Connection with modern animals

The authors add: “The study adds: Smilodon Direwolf paleopathology made possible by La Brea Tar Pits & Museum’s unparalleled large sample size. This collaborative research between paleontologists and veterinarians shows that these animals, despite having survived harsh times and are now extinct large predators, share diseases with the dogs and cats in our homes today. It confirms what I was holding. ”

Reference: “Subchondral defects resembling osteochondrosis dissecans in the articular surfaces of the extinct saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis and the dire wolf Aenocyon dyrus,” by Hugo Schmökel, Aisling Farrell, and Mairin F. Balisi. July 12, 2023 Pro Swan.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287656

Source: scitechdaily.com

Webb’s groundbreaking perspective on the concealed rings of Uranus

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The James Webb Space Telescope captures revealing images of Uranus

The James Webb Space Telescope has taken detailed images of Uranus, revealing its dynamic atmosphere, including rings, moons, and storms. This enhanced view, in contrast to previous images, shows a more active Uranus, with a pronounced seasonal polar cloud cap and some storms. These observations are essential for understanding the planet’s complex atmosphere and may also provide insight into the study of exoplanets.

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

New view reveals strange and dynamic ice world

When Voyager 2 passed Uranus In 1986, the planet appeared as a featureless, bright blue sphere. Now, Mr. Webb shows a more dynamic and interesting infrared view. Tree rings, the moon, storms, and the bright polar cap grace these new images. Because Uranus is tilted sideways, its polar caps appear more prominent as Uranus’s poles point towards the Sun and receive more sunlight. This period is called the winter solstice. Uranus will reach her next summer solstice in 2028, and astronomers will observe changes in the planet’s atmosphere. Studying this giant ice cube can help astronomers understand the formation and meteorology of similarly sized planets around other suns.

This image of Uranus taken from the NIRCam (Near Infrared Camera) on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows the planet and its rings in new clarity. The planet’s seasonal polar cap shines bright and white, and Webb’s exquisite sensitivity resolves Uranus’ dim inner and outer rings, including the planet’s closest very faint and diffuse ring, the Zeta ring.

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Webb Space Telescope rings with ringed planet Uranus on holiday

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope recently set its sights on the unusual and mysterious Uranus, an ice giant spinning on its side. Webb used other atmospheric features to capture this dynamic world, including rings, the moon, storms, and seasonal polar caps. This image expands on his two-color version released earlier this year, adding a wavelength range for an even more detailed look.

Uranus’ rings and moon in new light

With exquisite sensitivity, Webb captured Uranus’ dim inner and outer rings, including the elusive Zeta ring, the planet’s closest very faint and diffuse ring. It also photographed many of the planet’s 27 known moons, and several smaller moons were also visible in the ring.

At visible wavelengths observed by Voyager 2 in the 1980s, Uranus appeared as a gentle blue sphere. At infrared wavelengths, Webb reveals a strange and dynamic icy world full of exciting atmospheric features.

This image of Uranus taken with the Webb Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) shows a compass arrow, scale bar, and color key for reference.

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Atmospheric phenomena and seasonal changes

One of the most impressive of these is the planet’s seasonal arctic cloud cap. Compared to images on the web from earlier this year, these new images make it easier to see some of the details on the cap. These include a bright white inner cap and dark lanes at the bottom of the polar cap toward lower latitudes. Several bright storms are also visible near and below the southern boundary of the polar cap. The number of these storms, and how often and where they appear in Uranus’ atmosphere, is likely due to a combination of seasonal and meteorological influences.

Polar caps become more visible as the planet’s poles begin to move toward the sun and receive more sunlight as the planet approaches the summer solstice. Uranus will reach her next summer solstice in 2028, but astronomers are keen to observe possible changes to the structure of these landforms. Webb helps disentangle the seasonal and meteorological influences that affect Uranus’ storms. This is important for helping astronomers understand the planet’s complex atmosphere.

Uranus’s unique tilt and future research

Because Uranus rotates on its side at an angle of about 98 degrees, it experiences some of the most extreme seasons in the solar system. For almost a quarter of Uranus’s year, the sun shines above one pole, and the other half of the Earth plunges into a dark winter that lasts her 21 years. Webb’s unparalleled infrared resolution and sensitivity now allows astronomers to observe Uranus and its unique features with groundbreaking new clarity. These details, especially those of the close Zeta ring, will be invaluable in planning future missions to Uranus.

Uranus: proxy for exoplanet research

Uranus also serves as a proxy for studying the nearly 2,000 similarly sized exoplanets discovered in the past few decades. this “exoplanet ‘In our backyard’ helps astronomers understand how planets of this size work, what their meteorology is like and how they formed Masu. This helps us understand our own solar system as a whole by placing it in a larger context.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s highest space science observatory. Webb unravels the mysteries of our solar system, looks to distant worlds around other stars, and explores the mysterious structure and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by: NASA With our partner ESA (european space agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Quantum Batteries: Revolutionizing Power Source Technology

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Quantum batteries, with their innovative charging methods, are a revolutionary development in battery technology and offer potential for greater efficiency and a broader range of uses in sustainable energy solutions. These batteries use quantum phenomena to capture, distribute, and store power, surpassing the capabilities of traditional chemical batteries in certain low-power applications. A counterintuitive quantum process known as “indefinite causal order” is being used to improve the performance of these quantum batteries, bringing this futuristic technology closer to reality.

Despite being mostly limited to laboratory experiments, researchers are working on various aspects of quantum batteries with the hope of integrating them into practical applications in the future. Researchers, including Chen Yuanbo and associate professor Yoshihiko Hasegawa from the University of Tokyo, are focusing on finding the best way to charge quantum batteries in the most efficient manner.

Using a new quantum effect called “indefinite causal order,” the research team has found that charging quantum batteries can have a significant impact on their performance. This effect has also led to a surprising reversal of the relationship between charger power and battery charging, enabling higher energy batteries to be charged using significantly less electricity. Furthermore, the fundamental principles uncovered through this research have the potential to improve performance in various thermodynamics and heat transfer processes, such as solar panels.

The research paper, titled “Charging Quantum Batteries with Undefined Causal Order: Theory and Experiments,” provides further details on this groundbreaking work and its potential applications in sustainable energy solutions.

Source: scitechdaily.com

For the First Time, NASA Unveils World Map of Earth’s Surface Minerals

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

NASA’s EMIT has produced the first global map of hematite, goethite, and kaolinite in the dry regions of Earth using data from the year ending November 2023. The mission collected billions of data measurements of three different minerals along with seven minerals that could impact climate when released into the air. The mission, EMIT, aims to provide a detailed map of the mineral composition of Earth’s dust source regions, which can help scientists model the impact of fine particles on climate change.

EMIT launched to the International Space Station in 2022, will be launched by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and surveys the Earth’s surface from approximately 250 miles in the air. The mission captures high-resolution images to create detailed maps of surface composition and is capable of detecting plumes of methane and carbon dioxide emitted by various human activities. EMIT’s data will be used to improve climate models and study the effects of dust on global ecosystems, including its impact on phytoplankton blooms and the transport of essential nutrients over long distances.

In addition to tracking the 10 major minerals as part of its primary mission, EMIT’s data also tracks other minerals, vegetation types, snow and ice, and even humans at or near the surface. The instrument was selected from NASA’s Earth Venture Instrument-4 public offering and is managed by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. The data collected by EMIT is publicly available for use by other researchers and the public at the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Uncommon footage captures killer whale guiding its calf in hunting and launching a dolphin high into the air

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A rare video was captured this week by a whale-watching trip off the coast of San Diego, showing an orca teaching its baby how to hunt by headbutting a dolphin and flipping it over multiple times in the air.

Wildlife filmmaker Domenic Biagini, who shot the footage, described the scene, saying: “The killer whale catches the dolphin, but when the dolphin slows down, he releases it after it is subdued and brings the baby killer whale with him to catch it himself.” “Seeing that level of communication and understanding was like watching a family.”

Biagini owns Gone Whale Watching, one of several companies that spotted a pod of six orcas off the coast of San Diego on Monday. He said the orca hunt took about 30 minutes, which was much longer than the average orca hunt because he was teaching orca pups.

According to marine biologist Alisa Shulman Janiger, killer whales are among the ocean’s apex predators and are known to incorporate their large size and speed into their hunting strategies. She added that it is common for orcas to slow down the prey and show the children how to hunt.

Shulman-Janiger explained that the killer whales in the video are so young that their eye patches are yellow instead of white, a color that eventually fades as they get older.

Where do whales come from?

Shulman Janiger said the whale in Biagini’s footage is an eastern tropical Pacific orca, which typically lives in waters off Mexico and Central America. They are rarely seen in the relatively warm, calm waters of Southern California.

Speaking about the hunting behavior, Biagini said, “We try to explain to our guests that while what whales do to dolphins can sometimes be very gruesome, this is normal and healthy.”

Biagini also mentioned that after Monday’s hunt, the killer whales approached the boat to see what was going on and began to poke their heads out of the water, which is a behavior known as spy hopping.

‘Remember us at your Thanksgiving feast’: Killer whales celebrate the hunt

Biagini said the killer whales often celebrate after a successful hunt and zigzag back and forth through the water. He compared it to the feeling of happiness and smiling after a Thanksgiving meal.

Additionally, Biagini expressed concern about the increasing number of boats getting close to orcas to film social media videos, urging people to film animals in the most ethical way.

Danger of flocking to whale watching

Biagini also raised concerns about the number of boats surrounding the pod of killer whales, stating that too many boats with inexperienced operators could interfere with their hunting behavior or lead to collisions.

In a video he shot, a man driving a boat by himself abandons the wheel to lean out onto the deck to record the video.

Overall, Biagini emphasized the importance of being stewards of animals and approaching them in an ethical way.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Strange Alien Planet Indicates Earth’s Survival After Sun’s Demise

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library

When I found out the date of the end of the Earth, everything seemed so simple. Five billion years from now, the solar system will have changed dramatically. Instead of the gentle presence we are accustomed to, the sun will become a behemoth, hundreds of times larger than it is today. In the process, it will wipe out the rocky inner planets, including our own.

Or will it be? We recently witnessed the death stages of another star for the first time. And miraculously, it seems some planets will be able to survive this apocalyptic era. Observations like these call into question the story of how the Earth will die, and give us hope that somehow the Earth may outlast the Sun. Even if it doesn’t, all is not lost. The study also provides clues as to where humans might best seek refuge.

How does the sun die?

The sun is powered by nuclear fusion. In nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms fuse into helium, releasing a huge amount of energy in the process. However, the fate of our star is determined by one fact. This means that the supply of hydrogen is limited. As this energy begins to deplete, in about another 5 billion years, the Sun’s internal structure will change and it will expand to about 200 times its current size. It will change from the current yellow dwarf to a red giant. After another billion years, the star shrinks and expands again, before disappearing and becoming a stellar corpse called a white dwarf.

As it grows…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Stay Warm in the Coldest Weather with a Polar Bear Fur Sweater

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Polar bear fur keeps animals warm even in arctic temperatures

Torsten Milse/Robersarding/Alamy

Fibers said to mimic polar bear fur may one day be used in the next generation of spacesuits, military uniforms and clothing for extremely cold environments.

Under the guidance of developers at China’s Zhejiang University, this man-made fiber has already been made into sweaters and is claimed to be as warm as down feathers, the best-known natural insulator. It’s just a small part of that warmth. thickness.

The researchers make claims about the sweater’s strength and stretch in their paper, but not everyone is convinced they’ve presented enough data to back them up.

HaobaiPolar bear fur consists of a highly porous core and a dense shell, team members said. “The porous structure traps large amounts of air to block heat transfer, and the dense shell provides the hair’s mechanical strength,” he says.

Man-made fibers, on the other hand, are composed of “aerogels,” materials with low density, high porosity, and high air content (more than 90 percent by volume) encased in a rubberized exterior.

In addition to being warm, the researchers tested the fabric for practicality by subjecting it to 10,000 stretching cycles and reported no loss of structure. It has an elasticity of up to 1,600 percent and is strong enough that a single fiber can lift a mass of 500 grams.

Sweaters knitted with this fiber are “about one-fifth as thick as down for the same warmth, and are easier to wash and dye,” the researchers wrote in their paper. “Such fibers have excellent insulation and multifunctionality, and have great potential in areas such as military uniforms and spacesuits used in extremely cold environments.”

lisa lake According to a research team at Australia’s University of Technology Sydney, people have long been interested in how polar bear fur keeps the animals warm in such frigid temperatures, and researchers are looking to create a synthetic It appears they have found a way to mimic that property using materials.

but christopher hullen Researchers from Australia’s Deakin University also question the claims based on the limited data presented.

There are also many animals with hollow fur similar to polar bears, such as beavers, camels, and the Australian green possum. One of the biggest benefits of polar bear fur is not its structure, but the transparency of the fibers, which reduces heat radiation.

“It’s a nice idea, but does it really mimic polar bear fur?” says Hulen. “Probably not.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Top Animal Photos of 2023: From Hyenas to Southern Rays

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Spotted Hyena

This spotted hyena (Crokuta Crokuta) is a natural in front of the camera, while its mother and siblings watch closely in the background. This playful shot was taken by Wim van den Heever in Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.

Southern Stingray

As the sun rises over the coast of the Cayman Islands, southern rays (Dashatis Americana) are captured in this striking split-level snap by the photographer, Alex Mustard, as they wander on a sandy beach.

Slug Sucking Sap

A brightly fluorescent animal known as the sap-sucking slug (Costasiella crocimae) is captured by Mustard, crawling on green algae just off the coast of northern Indonesia. This sea slug has a special ability to preserve the chloroplasts of the algae they feed on, allowing them to photosynthesize.

Eurasian Brown Bear

Deep in the forests of Finland, Andy Rouse took an action shot of a Eurasian brown bear (Ursus Arctos Arctos) after a short soak in the pond, the body trembles dry. These mammals can weigh up to 480 kilograms and are common in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Spotted Fritillary Larva

In the grasslands of the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, Guy Edwards took a colorful photo of a spotted fritillary (Melitaea Didyma) larvae. It eventually transforms into a butterfly, its wings becoming bright orange with brown spots.

White Winged Snowfinch

The majestic white-winged snowfinch (Montifringilla Nivalis) is captured braving a snowstorm in the Swiss Alps by Mateusz Piesiak. It is a relatively large and sturdy bird, reaching up to 19 centimeters in height.

Fruit Bat

This bewildered fruit bat has its nose and throat swabbed as part of an effort in the Republic of Congo to better understand how zoonotic diseases such as Ebola are transmitted to people. Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Congo Medical Research Foundation collected blood and saliva samples from about 100 fruit bats.

Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA Transmits Cat Video 31 Million Kilometers into Space

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Video of cat Taters chasing laser light sent from space

NASA

NASA has broken its own record by transmitting ultra-high-definition video from deep space to a distance of 31 million kilometers. The video was not of a distant celestial body or spaceship, but of a cat called Tater chasing the light from a laser pointer.

Abhijit Biswas NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) speaks new scientist Taters were selected for the first transmission at that distance.
first television test broadcast Also featured was a cat, Felix, a cartoon feline. Lasers He says the inclusion of his pointers is a visual reflection of the use of lasers in transmission.

“Apparently this cat really likes chasing laser pointers, and somehow it all came together in this video,” Biswas said.

The 15-second video was sent by NASA.
Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) The experiment was carried out aboard the Psyche spacecraft, which was launched in October to intercept the asteroid of the same name.

DSOC is really a proof of concept and I hope everyone believes that this can be done. This technology is already being used to transmit data between the Moon and Earth, but only over a distance of 384,400 kilometers. He said it should be possible to test longer distances than the Taters test in the future.

One problem is making sure the laser light is aimed precisely at the receiving station. “It’s a very narrow beam. At the distance Psyche is now, it [is] just a few hundred kilometers [wide by the time it reaches Earth]” says Biswas. “So if you take the slightest turn, you’ll end up in the Pacific Ocean or somewhere else. You’ll miss it completely. So there was a lot of anxiety about that.”

The video was transmitted at near-infrared wavelengths by a laser transceiver and took 101 seconds to travel from the spacecraft to Earth. The 267 Mbit/s message was received by the following equipment:
hale telescope After being filmed at Palomar, it was transmitted via the Internet to JPL in Southern California, where the video was played in real time. This data rate makes DSOC faster than most national broadband connections.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Role of Microorganisms in Creating Cheddar Cheese’s Distinctive Flavor

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Cheddar cheese often has a creamy, nutty flavor, but can also have fruity, meaty notes.

Julian Eales/Alamy

Cheddar cheese’s nutty, creamy flavor depends slightly on a delicate balance of bacteria that scientists have now identified. Understanding how these bacteria interact can help cheesemakers achieve the specific flavor they are trying to create, and even help create starters with the right balance of microbes. This could lead to computer simulations for formulating cultures.

All fermented foods and beverages, including cheese, kimchi, and kombucha, rely on complex interactions between microorganisms. To make cheese in particular, a starter culture is added to milk to begin fermentation, acidifying the dairy product and giving it a slightly tangy taste.

Cheese makers have long known that some of the important bacteria involved in this process are: thermophilus and types LactococcusHowever, little was known about how these interact and whether those interactions affect the flavor of cheese.

Kratz Melkonian Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands focused on cheddar cheese, one of the world’s most popular cheeses.

They used variations of four starter cultures to create different cheese samples. One was from an industrial producer of such starters and included both. thermophilus bacteria and types Lactococcusmainly seeds L. lactis and its variants L. cremoris. Others were made by researchers and either contained the same bacteria as before or not. thermophilus bacteria or there is no type Lactococcus.

After a year, the research team found that the cheese made from the starter thermophilus bacteria The population of the type of ~ was much smaller Lactococcus Better than anything else, even a starter of nothing Lactococcus The type to start with.this suggests thermophilus bacteria important to strengthen Lactococcus It will grow, Melkonian said.

When it comes to taste, L. cremoris It seems to control the production of diacetyl and acetoin, the chemicals that give buttery flavor, but in too high a quantity can cause an “unpleasant” taste.

L. cremoris It also increased the concentration of compounds that add subtle meaty, fruity notes, the researchers wrote in the paper. Without this variant, cheese tended to contain high levels of chemicals that add nutty and creamy flavors.

There was no difference in the microbial activity or taste of cheeses using the same starter bacteria, regardless of whether the starter was made industrially or by the team.

Overall, these findings indicate that the flavor within cheddar cheese is easily influenced by various bacterial interactions. This could help cheesemakers fine-tune the taste of the cheese they’re making, Melkonian says. “We now have targets whose interactions can affect different bacteria.” Computer simulations can help you formulate starters with the right proportions of different bacteria to achieve the desired flavor. You could do that, he says.

topic:

microbiology/
Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Overcome the lava flow and rebuild from the ashes

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Above: Photo taken from an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on February 13, 2016 (before the eruption). Below: Photo taken from astronauts aboard the International Space Station on August 18, 2023.

Two years after the Cumbre Vieja eruption in the Canary Islands, some roads have been rebuilt.

astronaut on board international space station (ISS) took these photos of La Palma Island while in orbit over the North Atlantic Ocean. La Palma is part of Spain’s Canary Islands, approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara. The island is basalt shield volcano This volcano consists of two volcanic centers. One is the old collapsed Caldera de Taburiente and the other is the young and active Cumbre Vieja.

From September to December 2021, eruption Lava flows, lava fountains, and volcanic ash clouds occurred on the southwest flank of Cumbre Vieja. The mission lasted about 85 days and gave astronauts on the space station the opportunity to take photos of plumes and glowing lava flows at night.

In total, the lava flow and ash covered more than 12 square kilometers (5 square miles) of La Palma and extended 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the fissure to the coastline.Ash and lava damaged Over 3,000 buildings and some banana plantations, caused yellowing of pine forests.

These photos were taken in February 2016 (top) and August 2023 (bottom) and show the landscape several years before and after the eruption. In the two years since the eruption, some roads have been rebuilt and are visible as thin, brightly colored lines cutting through the lava flow. This road will reconnect the town of Los Llanos de Aridane with Puerto Naos and other nearby communities. In this photo, the eruption crack is clearly visible as a brighter, linear feature halfway down the side of the volcano.

Although not noticeable in the spatial resolution of these images, sparse trees and shrubs continue to grow within the deposited volcanic ash. canary islands pine (Pinus canariensis).This fire resistance serotinic Coniferous trees, endemic to the Canary Islands, use the heat from fires to melt the resin surrounding their pine cones and produce viable seeds.

Astronaut photo ISS069-E-62382 was acquired on August 18, 2023 with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Astronaut photo ISS046-E-40929 was acquired on February 13, 2016 with a Nikon D4 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Images provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observation Facility and the Johnson Space Center Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit. The images were taken by Expedition 69 crew members and Expedition 46 crew members. Images have been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports this laboratory as part of the ISS National Laboratory, allowing astronauts to take the most valuable photographs of Earth to scientists and the public, and to make those images available on the Internet. We support it so that it can be used freely. Caption by Cadan Cummings, Jacobs, JETS II Contract NASA-JSC.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Uncovering the Impact of Climate Change on Exoplanets: Transitioning from Temperate to Fear

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have conducted a new study on the runaway greenhouse effect, revealing how a critical threshold of water vapor could cause catastrophic climate change on Earth and other planets. This study reveals key cloud patterns contributing to this irreversible climate change and provides insight into exoplanets’ climates and their potential to support life. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

The UNIGE team, in collaboration with CNRS, successfully simulated an entire runaway greenhouse effect that could render Earth completely uninhabitable.

Earth is a wonderful blue and green dot covered with oceans and life, Venus It is a yellowish sterile sphere that is not only inhospitable but also sterile. However, the temperature difference between the two is only a few degrees.

A team of astronomers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and members of the National Center for Research Competence (NCCR) PlanetS achieved a world first by managing the entire simulation, with support from the CNRS laboratories in Paris and Bordeaux. Achieved. A runaway greenhouse process that could change Earth’s climate from an idyllic environment perfect for life to a harsh and more than hostile place.

Scientists have also demonstrated that from the early stages of the process, atmospheric structure and cloud cover change significantly, making reversing the nearly uncontrollable and runaway greenhouse effect extremely complex. On Earth, an increase in the average temperature of the Earth by a few tens of degrees after a slight increase in the sun’s brightness is enough to start this phenomenon and make our planet habitable.

A runaway greenhouse effect could transform a temperate, habitable planet with oceans of liquid water on its surface into a planet dominated by hot steam hostile to all life. Credit: © Thibaut Roger / UNIGE

Greenhouse effect and runaway scenario

The idea of a runaway greenhouse effect is not new. In this scenario, the planet could evolve from an Earth-like temperate state to a true hell with surface temperatures exceeding her 1000 degrees. Cause? Water vapor is a natural greenhouse gas. Water vapor prevents solar radiation absorbed by the Earth from being re-emitted into space as thermal radiation. It traps some heat like a rescue blanket. A little greenhouse effect would be helpful, but without it, the average temperature of Earth would drop below the freezing point of water, making it a ball of ice and hostile to life.

Conversely, if the greenhouse effect is too strong, it increases evaporation in the oceans and increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. “There is a critical threshold for this amount of water vapor, beyond which the Earth can no longer cool down. From there, everything ramps up until the oceans completely evaporate and temperatures reach hundreds of degrees.” , explains Guillaume Chabelo, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Astronomy at the Faculty of Science at UNIGE and lead author of the study.

Groundbreaking research on climate change

“Other important studies in climatology to date have focused solely on either temperate states before the runaway or habitable states after the runaway,” says a study from the CNRS Institute in Paris and Bordeaux. Martin Tarbet, author and co-author of this paper, explains: study. “This is the first time a research team has used a 3D global climate model to study the transition itself and see how the climate and atmosphere evolve during the process.”

One of the key points of the study explains the emergence of very unique cloud patterns, increasing the runaway effect and making the process irreversible. “From the beginning of the transition, we can observe the development of very dense clouds in the upper atmosphere. In fact, the latter are responsible for the separation of the Earth’s atmosphere and its two main layers, the troposphere and the stratosphere. It no longer exhibits the characteristics of a temperature inversion. The structure of the atmosphere has changed significantly,” points out Guillaume Chavelot.

Serious consequences of searching for life elsewhere

This discovery is an important feature for studying the climate of other planets, especially exoplanets orbiting stars other than the Sun. “By studying the climates of other planets, one of our most powerful motivations is to determine the likelihood of them harboring life,” said Dr. said Emmeline Bolmont, director and co-author of “Extraterrestrial Research” study.

LUC leads cutting-edge interdisciplinary research projects on the origins of life on Earth and the search for life elsewhere in the solar system and beyond planetary systems. “After previous studies, we had already suspected the existence of a water vapor threshold, but the appearance of this cloud pattern is a real surprise!” reveals Emmeline Bolmont. “We also studied in parallel how this cloud pattern produces specific signatures, or ‘fingerprints’, that can be detected when observed. exoplanet atmosphere. The next generation of equipment should be able to detect it, ”he reveals Martin Turbet. The team also doesn’t aim to stop there. Guillaume Chabelo received a research grant to continue this work at the Grenoble Institute for Planetary Observation and Astrophysics (IPAG). This new phase of the research project will focus on specific cases from Earth.

Earth in fragile equilibrium

Using a new climate model, scientists have shown that a very small increase in solar radiation of just a few tens of degrees, leading to a rise in global temperatures, is enough to trigger this irreversible runaway process on Earth. I calculated that. It would make our planet as inhospitable as Venus. One of the current climate goals is to limit global warming caused by greenhouse gases to just 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. One of the problems with Guillaume Chavelot’s research grant is to determine whether a small increase in greenhouse gases could cause a runaway process. The brightness of the sun may be enough. If so, the next question becomes determining whether the threshold temperatures for both processes are the same.

Therefore, Earth is not far from this apocalyptic scenario. “Assuming this runaway process begins on Earth, evaporation of just 10 meters of ocean surface would raise atmospheric pressure at the surface by 1 bar. Within just a few hundred years, surface temperatures would exceed 500°C. Then the surface pressure would rise to 273 bar, the temperature would exceed 1500 degrees, and eventually all oceans would completely evaporate,” concludes Guillaume Chavelot.

Reference: “First Exploration of Runaway Greenhouse Transitions Using 3D General Circulation Models” by Guillaume Chaverot, Emeline Bolmont, and Martin Turbet, December 18, 2023. astronomy and astrophysics.

Exoplanets in Geneva: 25 years of expertise wins Nobel Prize

The first exoplanet was discovered in 1995 by two University of Geneva researchers, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz, who won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics. With this discovery, Department of Astronomy, University of Geneva The construction and installation of has put us at the forefront of research in this field. harp upon ESO3.6 meter telescope at La Silla in 2003.

For 20 years, this spectrometer was the world’s most powerful at determining the masses of exoplanets. However, HARPS was surpassed in 2018 by ESPRESSO, another Earth-based spectrometer built in Geneva. very large telescope (VLT) Paranal, Chile.

Switzerland is also working on space-based exoplanet observations with the CHEOPS mission. This is the result of the expertise of two countries. University of Bern, the on-ground experience of the University of Geneva in collaboration with the universities of Geneva and with the support of the universities of the Swiss capital. These two areas of scientific and technical expertise are PlanetS National Center for Research Capability (NCCR).

Life in the Universe Center (LUC): A pillar of interdisciplinary excellence

of Life in the Universe Center (LUC) is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), established in 2021 following the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Professors Michel Mayor and Didier Quelot. Thanks to advances over the past decade in both the fields of solar system exploration, exoplanets, and the organic structure of life, it is now possible to address the question of the emergence of life on other planets in a concrete way. Ta. It’s no longer just a guess. Located at the intersection of astronomy, chemistry, physics, biology, and the earth and climate sciences, LUC aims to understand the origin and distribution of life in the universe. Led by the Department of Astronomy, LUC brings together researchers from numerous institutes and departments at UNIGE, as well as from our international partner universities.

Source: scitechdaily.com

NASA makes “Christmas tree clusters” come alive

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The Christmas Tree Cluster, NGC 2264, is a young star cluster in the Milky Way galaxy, about 2,500 light-years from Earth. Enhanced by specific color selection and rotation, this composite image depicts these stars of varying sizes as part of a cosmic Christmas tree. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO. Optics: TA Rector (NRAO/AUI/NSF and NOIRLab/NSF/AURA) and BA Wolpa (NOIRLab/NSF/AURA). Infrared: NASA/NSF/IPAC/CalTech/University of Massachusetts. Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/L.Frattare & J. Major

NGC 2264, also known as the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” milky way depicted with a new enhanced image to resemble a cosmic Christmas tree.

NGC 2264 is a cluster of young stars that has been colored and rotated to emphasize its nickname, the “Christmas Tree Cluster.”
This composite image includes X-rays from Chandra (blue and white), optical data from WIYN (green gas), and infrared data from 2MASS (white star).
The stars in this cluster are between 1 and 5 million years old, while the Sun is 5 billion years old.
Young stars are volatile and produce strong flares of X-rays and other types of light, but not in the coordinated way shown in the animation.

A cosmic Christmas tree: NGC 2264’s starscape

This new image of NGC 2264, also known as the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” shows the shape of a cosmic tree with a glow of starlight. In fact, NGC 2264 is a cluster of young stars, about 1 million to 5 million years old, located in the Milky Way about 2,500 light-years from Earth. The stars in NGC 2264 are smaller and larger than the Sun, ranging from those with masses less than a tenth of the Sun’s mass to those containing about 7 solar masses.

Festive composite image: color and rotation

This new composite image enhances the resemblance of a Christmas tree through color and rotation choices. The blue and white light (flashing in the animated version, see video below) is a young star that emits X-rays, and the X-rays are detected. NASAChandra X-ray Observatory. Optical data from his National Science Foundation-supported WIYN 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak shows gas nebulae in green star clusters that correspond to the “pine needles” of trees. Finally, the infrared data from the Two Micron All Sky Survey shows foreground and background stars as white. The image has been rotated 160 degrees clockwise from astronomers’ standard north-up orientation, so the tops of the trees appear to be toward the top of the image.

This composite image shows a Christmas tree cluster. The blue and white light (blinking in the animated version of this image) is her X-ray-emitting young star detected by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Optical data from the National Science Foundation’s WIYN 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak shows gas in the nebula in green, corresponding to the “pine needles” of trees, and infrared data from the 2-micron all-sky survey shows foreground and background shows the stars. White. The image has been rotated about 160 degrees clockwise with astronomers’ standard of north at the top, so the tops of the trees appear to be near the top of the image.

Star dynamics and observation techniques

Young stars like NGC 2264 are highly volatile, causing strong flares in X-rays and other types of fluctuations seen in different wavelengths of light. However, the coordinated blinking variation shown in this animation was done artificially to emphasize the position of the star seen in the X-rays and to emphasize the resemblance of this object to a Christmas tree. . In reality, the changes in the stars are not synchronized.

The fluctuations observed by Chandra and other telescopes are caused by several different processes. Some of these are associated with activity involving magnetic fields, such as flares like those experienced by the Sun (but much more powerful), and hot spots and spots on the star’s surface that move in and out of view as the star rotates. dark areas etc. Other possibilities include changes in the thickness of the gas obscuring the star, and changes in the amount of material falling onto the star from the surrounding gas disk.

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center manages scientific operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.

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SpaceX Dragon packed up by ISS crew for return to Earth

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The SpaceX Dragon supply ship (photographed from the window of the SpaceX Dragon Freedom crew ship) carrying more than 5,800 pounds of new scientific experiments and crew supplies approaches the International Space Station in the South Atlantic Ocean in July 2022. Credit: NASA

The crew of Expedition 70 finished packing the U.S. cargo ship before departure Wednesday. International space station. The seven orbiting residents also collaborated on various human studies to learn how to keep humans healthy in space.

On Wednesday, the four astronauts worked together to coordinate the final cargo transport inside the spacecraft. Space X Dragon cargo spaceship. The Dragon had been berthed at the station since November 11 and was scheduled to unberth at 9:05 p.m. EST Wednesday from the forward port of the Harmony module’s orbital outpost. Due to weather conditions, we are scheduled to depart on Thursday, December 21st at 5:05pm ET.

The agency will provide live coverage of Dragon’s undocking and departure starting at 8:45 p.m. NASA+via streaming services web or NASA app. The coverage will also be broadcast live on NASA Television. YouTubeand the agency’s Website.learn how Stream NASA TV Through various platforms including social media.

SpaceX’s Dragon supply ship approached the International Space Station in April 2023 carrying more than 6,200 pounds of scientific experiments, crew supplies, and other cargo to replenish the crew for Expedition 68. At the time this photo was taken, both spacecraft were flying 429 miles above the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. Credit: NASA

Astronauts Jasmine Mogberg and Andreas Mogensen began their science return mission in the morning, transferring frozen research samples from the station’s science freezer to an insulated Dragon science transport bag. Astronauts Loral O’Hara and Satoshi Furukawa continued handing over samples in the Destiny, Kibo, and Columbus experimental modules and packed them into Dragon. NASA aeronautical engineers O’Hara and Mogbeli concluded their study by storing fresh astronaut blood samples inside Dragon for recovery and analysis on Earth. Mogbeli will be the last crew member to leave the Dragon and close the hatch several hours before departure.

Seven Expedition 70 crew members take portraits inside the Kibo laboratory module on the International Space Station. Front row (from left) are ESA (European Space Agency) Commander Andreas Mogensen, NASA flight engineers Jasmine Moghberg and Loral O’Hara. Behind him are Roscosmos aeronautical engineers Nikolai Chubut, Konstantin Borisov and Oleg Kononenko. Satoshi Furukawa, flight engineer at JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Credit: NASA

All four crew members went to work and had blood and saliva samples taken. Cryptography A suite of 14 experiments examining how living in zero gravity affects the human body. O’Hara also took cognitive tests to understand how the brain works in space. Moghbeli downloaded the medical data stored on the health monitoring vest and headband. After all, Furukawa and Mogensen JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and ESA (european space agency) Each used an ultrasound 2 machine to scan the veins in each other’s necks, shoulders, and legs.

The three astronauts lived and worked on the station, but remained focused on their mission. Roscosmos-Based scientific experiments and laboratory maintenance. Aviation engineers Konstantin Borisov and Nikolai Chubut participated in two different fitness evaluations. Borisov started pedaling on an exercise cycle, while Chubb jogged on a treadmill with a sensor attached to measure aerobic activity. Aeronautical engineer Oleg Kononenko conducted another of his 3D printing sessions to demonstrate manufacturing tools and consumables in microgravity.

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Google Search: Beware of These Deceptive Practices

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study shows that searching online to evaluate news can actually increase beliefs in misinformation, especially when search engines return low-quality information. This highlights the need for better media literacy programs and improved search engine responsiveness. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Alarming research findings demonstrate the limitations of using recommended procedures to debunk false content.

Conventional wisdom holds that searching online to assess the veracity of misinformation can lead to less belief in that information. But a new study by a team of researchers shows that the opposite is happening. This means that searches are actually taking place to assess the veracity of false news articles. To increase Probability of believing false information.

The results of this study will be published in the journal today (December 20th) Nature, provides insight into the impact of search engine output on users. This is a relatively under-researched area.

How search engines influence users’ beliefs

“Our research shows that the act of searching online to evaluate news increases beliefs in misinformation, which is very common and by a significant amount.” new york universityCenter for Social Media Politics (CSMaP) and one of the authors of this paper.

The reason for this result may be explained by the search engine output. Researchers found that this phenomenon was concentrated among individuals for whom search engines returned low-quality information.

“This means that ‘data gaps’ (areas of the information ecosystem dominated by low-quality or outright false news and information) play a significant role in the online search process, leading to poor search results. “The danger is that you may see reliable or, even more alarmingly, unreliable information at the top of search results,” said lead author and University of Central Florida professor said Kevin Alette, assistant professor and CSMaP faculty researcher.

Methodology and focus of nature research

The newly published Nature Aslett, Sanderson, and their colleagues studied the effects of using online search engines to evaluate false or misleading views. This approach is recommended by technology companies, government agencies, and others.

To do so, they recruited participants through both Qualtrics and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (a tool frequently used to conduct behavioral science research) and conducted a series of five experiments. Its purpose is to measure the impact of common actions. i.e. Searching and Evaluating News Online (SOTEN).

Investigating online search behavior and its impact

The first four studies tested the following aspects of online search behavior and impact:

The impact of SOTEN on believing both false or misleading news and true news within two days of article publication (popular fake articles included articles such as: COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) vaccines, Trump impeachment proceedings, climate change, etc.)
Does the effect of SOTEN change individuals’ evaluations of the truthfulness of news articles?
blue sky effect Month After publication
The impact of SOTEN on recent news about salient topics with important news coverage – in the case of this study, news about the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fifth study combined survey and web tracking data to determine the effects of exposure to both low- and high-quality search engine results on misinformation beliefs. By collecting search results using a custom web browser plug-in, researchers were able to determine how search results were displayed. quality These search results can influence users’ beliefs about the misinformation being evaluated.

Source credibility ratings for this study were determined by NewsGuard, a browser extension that rates news and other information sites to help users evaluate the trustworthiness of content they encounter online.

Conclusion and recommendations

Across five studies, the authors found that the act of searching online to evaluate news led to a statistically significant increase in belief in misinformation. This occurred either immediately or months after the incorrect information was published. This finding suggests that the passage of time, and the ostensible opportunity for fact-checking to enter the information ecosystem, does not reduce the impact of SOTEN, which increases the likelihood of believing a false news article to be true. Additionally, a fifth study showed that this phenomenon is concentrated among individuals for whom search engines return low-quality information.

“The findings of this study underscore the need for media literacy programs to ground recommendations in empirically tested interventions and the need for search engines to invest in solutions to the challenges identified in this study.” ” concludes Joshua A. Tucker, professor of political science and co-director of CSMaP. of the author of the paper.

Reference: “Online searches to evaluate misinformation may increase perceptions of its truth,” December 20, 2023 Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06883-y

Other authors on the paper include William Gaedel and Jonathan Nagler of New York University’s Center for Social Media Politics and Nathaniel Persily of Stanford Law School.

This research was supported by a grant (2029610) from the National Science Foundation.

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Newly Discovered Fossils Shed Light on Enigmatic Human Lineage in the Levant

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Orthographic view of the static skull, mandible, and parietal bones.Credit: Tel Aviv University

Nesher Ramla homoan ancient hominin group discovered in Israel reveals a complex admixture of Eurasian and African hominins 140,000 years ago, changing perceptions of the origins of Neanderthals.

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown archaic hominin group they named Nesha Ramla. homo” at a recently excavated site in Israel. This group, dating from about 140,000 to 120,000 years ago, is thought to be the last survivor of the Middle Pleistocene. homo. They exhibit a unique blend of Neanderthal and ancient human characteristics and technology.

Neanderthals are thought to have originated and flourished in continental Europe long before modern humans arrived. However, recent evidence suggests a genetic contribution from as yet unknown non-European populations and points to a long and dynamic history of interactions between Eurasian and African hominin populations.

Human interaction in Eurasia and Africa

Here, Israel Hershkovitz, Yossi Zeidner and colleagues present fossil, artifact, and radiometric evidence from the Levantine region of the Middle East that illustrates this complexity. According to Hershkovitz et al., the newly discovered Nesher Ramla homo They exhibit anatomical features that are older than their contemporaneous Eurasian Neanderthals and modern humans, who also lived in the Levant. This discovery indicates that this archaic lineage may represent one of the last surviving populations of the Middle Pleistocene. homo in southwest Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Archaeological context and cultural interaction

In joint research, Zaidner other. We provide archaeological context for the new fossils and report on their associated radiometric dates, artifact assemblages, and the behavioral and environmental insights they provide. Researchers found that Nesher Ramla homo Familiar with technology that was previously known only to a select few homo sapiens And Neanderthals. Taken together, these findings provide archaeological support for close cultural interactions and genetic admixture between different human lineages before 120,000 years ago. This may help explain the different expressions of teeth and skeletal features in later Levantine fossils.

“Interpretation of Nesher Ramla fossils and stone tools will have mixed reactions among paleoanthropologists. Nevertheless, the age of Nesher Ramla materials, the discordant morphological and archaeological similarities , and the site’s location at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia make this a major discovery,” writes Marta Lahr in an accompanying Perspective.

For more information about this research, see Types of prehistoric humans previously unknown to science.

References:

“Middle Pleistocene Homo from Nesher Ramla, Israel” Israel Hershkovitz, Hilla May, Rachel Salig, Ariel Pokhodzhaev, Dominique Grimaud Hervé, Emiliano Bruner, Cinzia Fornai, Rolf Quam, Juan. Written by Luis Arzuaga, Victoria A. Crenn, and Maria Martinon Torres, José María Bermudez de Castro, Laura Martin Frances, Vivian Soulon, Lou Albesado Ball, Amelie Viale, and Tim Schuler , Giorgio Manzi, Antonio Profico, Fabio Di Vincenzo, Gerhard W. Weber, Yossi Seidner, June 25, 2021, science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.abh3169

“Behavior and culture of Homo during the Middle Pleistocene, 140,000 to 120,000 years ago, and interaction with Homo sapiens” Yossi Seidner, Laura Senty, Marion Prevost, Norbert Mercier, Christophe Farguerre, Gilles Guerin, Hélène Valadas, Mairis Richard, Asmodee Ghaly, Christophe Pécherin, Olivier Tombre, Edwidge Pons-Branch, Naomi Porat, Ruth Shahak Gross, David E. Friesem, Reuven Yeshurun, Zohar Turdjman Yaffe, Amos Frumkin, Gadi Herzlinger, Ravid Eckstein, Maayan Shemar, Oz Valoner, Rachel Salig, Hila May, Israel Hershkovitz, June 25, 2021, science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.abh3020

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Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease Possible 30 Years Before Onset of Symptoms, Scientists Find

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have discovered a way to detect Parkinson’s disease up to 30 years before symptoms appear using biomarkers and PET scans. This breakthrough includes tracking neurodegeneration more sensitively than current methods and shows that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is an important early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. is identified. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially up to 10 years earlier than currently.

Researchers at The Florey and Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia, have demonstrated the potential to identify early indicators of Parkinson’s disease 20 to 30 years before the onset of symptoms. This breakthrough paves the way for early screening programs and intervention, potentially allowing treatment before significant damage occurs.

Researchers at the Florey Institute and Austin Health have demonstrated the possibility of identifying early indicators of Parkinson’s disease 20 to 30 years before the onset of symptoms. This breakthrough paves the way for early screening efforts and preventive treatment, long before permanent damage occurs.

Florey Professor Kevin Burnham said that although Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, is often thought of as a disease of the elderly, it actually begins in midlife and can last for decades. He said it may not be detected.

“Parkinson’s disease is very difficult to diagnose until symptoms become apparent, by which time up to 85 percent of the neurons in the brain that control motor coordination have been destroyed. At that point, many treatments are likely to be ineffective,” Professor Burnham said. “Our long-term goal is to find ways to detect diseases earlier and treat people before they cause harm.”

Advanced diagnostic technology

In a recently published study, neurologylead researcher Professor Burnham and colleagues explore how a known biomarker called F-AV-133 can be used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose Parkinson’s disease and accurately track neurodegeneration. I’m explaining how it can be done.

In the Melbourne study, Austin Health’s Frawley Professor Chris Rowe and his team studied 26 patients with Parkinson’s disease, 12 controls, and 11 patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a strong indicator of Parkinson’s disease. I checked the name. .

Each person underwent two PET scans two years apart. Key findings include:

Currently available assessments of Parkinson’s disease showed no significant changes in clinical symptoms in any of the participants.
In contrast, PET scans showed “significant neuronal loss” in three key areas of the brains of people with the disease, making F-AV-133 more effective than what is currently available. also suggests that it is a sensitive means of monitoring neurodegeneration.

Further mathematical modeling yields the following calculation:

Slow nerve cell loss over a total of approximately 33 years in Parkinson’s disease

This loss takes about 10.5 years before the disease is detected on a PET scan.
Even if a PET scan detects the disease, it will take another six and a half years for motor symptoms to appear.
It takes about 3 years after physical symptoms appear until a clinical diagnosis is confirmed.
This corresponds to approximately 22.5 years of neuronal loss before clinical symptoms are sufficient for diagnosis.

Professor Burnham said the findings pave the way for the development of screening protocols to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease up to 10 years earlier than is currently possible. It may also help identify patients for clinical trials.

What is RBD?

RBD stands for Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder.
Patients with RBD scream, thrash, and sometimes move violently during sleep, enacting vivid and disturbing dreams.
RBD is caused by a lack of muscle relaxation (sleep paralysis).
90% of RBD patients develop Parkinson’s disease.

Half of all Parkinson’s patients have RBD.
RBD is an important warning sign for early Parkinson’s disease.
If you have RBD, see a sleep specialist or neurologist.

Reference: “Use of 18F-AV-133 VMAT2 PET Imaging to Monitor Progressive Nigrostriatal Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease”, Leah C. Beauchamp, Vincent Dore, Victor L. Villemagne, SanSan Xu, David Finkelstein, Kevin J. Barnham, Christopher Rowe, 28 November 2023 neurology.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207748

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The use of 3D atomic revelations revolutionizes alloy engineering

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

UCLA scientists have accomplished a groundbreaking feat by mapping medium- and high-entropy alloys in 3D for the first time, revealing their unique combination of toughness and flexibility. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize the field of alloy design and utilization.

This study represents a significant achievement in alloy research, providing the first 3D mapping of medium- and high-entropy alloys. These materials have the potential to enhance toughness and flexibility, presenting a new approach to alloy design.

These types of alloys, which combine three or more metals in approximately equal amounts, have stable properties that blend hardness and flexibility not typically found in traditional alloys. In comparison, traditional alloys are predominantly comprised of one metal with smaller proportions of others. The discovery is based on the counterintuitive fact that small structural defects make metals and alloys stronger. The research team focused on a type of structural defect called a twin boundary, which is a key factor in the unique combination of toughness and flexibility of medium and high entropy alloys.

The researchers created nanoparticles using a series of metals, including nickel, palladium, platinum, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, iridium, and more. The nanoparticles were then imaged using an innovative technique called atomic electron tomography.

The researchers found that the more atoms of different elements or categories of elements are mixed together, the more likely it is that the structure of the alloy will change and contribute to the harmonization of toughness and flexibility.

The study, published in the journal Nature, represents a significant step forward in understanding the structure and properties of medium- and high-entropy alloys. The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and conducted at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry.

This advancement has the potential to change the way alloys are designed and utilized. The possibility of avoiding the longstanding trade-offs inherent in most materials has the potential to significantly impact a wide range of applications, from buildings and transportation to appliances and tools.

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Potential New Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension Discovered by Scientists

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame focused on reversing vascular remodeling through an epigenetic pathway involving the protein SPHK2, as reported in the journal Circulation Research. A potential treatment has been discovered. This innovative approach could transform the treatment of this serious lung disease.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine’s South Bend Regional Campus and colleagues at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a new therapeutic target to treat pulmonary hypertension. This form of hypertension particularly affects blood vessels in the lungs. The team’s research and findings were recently published in the journal circulation research.

Pulmonary hypertension is a complex and often fatal condition in which the heart works harder than normal to pump blood to the lungs. The exact cause of pulmonary hypertension is unknown, but one of its hallmarks is thickening of pulmonary blood vessels caused by cell overgrowth, also known as vascular remodeling.

Discovery of new treatments

Margaret A. Schwartz, M.D., professor of pediatrics at IU School of Medicine and senior author of the study, said there are few treatments for pulmonary hypertension, and they usually treat the symptoms of vascular remodeling rather than the remodeling itself. Ta.

Dr. Schwartz said that an interesting finding of her team was the discovery of an epigenetic pathway through the protein SPHK2 that can reduce and potentially reverse vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Dushani Ranasinghe (left) and Margaret Schwartz, MD, attend the University of Notre Dame Ranasinghe graduation ceremony.Credit: Provided by Margaret Schwartz

“This is one of the first reversible mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension identified,” she says. “Patients with pulmonary hypertension are usually given drugs to lower blood vessel pressure in the lungs or to help the heart contract to pump blood, both of which are symptoms of vascular remodeling. Our research focuses on targeting an epigenetic reversal of this mechanism. Ultimately, stopping the vascular remodeling process entirely may be the answer.”

Schwartz said the concept is similar to cancer treatment.

“In the case of cancer, we don’t just treat the symptoms, we stop the tumor from growing,” she says. “Vascular remodeling is a different mechanism, but the idea is that treatments target the mechanism rather than the symptoms.”

Main findings and future directions

Other key findings from the study include:

SPHK2 promotes the development of pulmonary hypertension through hyperacetylation of histone H3K9 and contributes to vascular remodeling in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).
SPHK2 deficiency results in decreased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertension, and thickened distal vessel walls.
EMAP (endothelial monocyte activation polypeptide) II plays an important role in stimulating the nuclear SPHK2/S1P epigenetic regulatory axis, suggesting cooperation between SPHK2 and S1P.
EMAPII may be a major driving force of epigenetic-mediated vascular PASMC reprogramming and remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary endothelial cells are priming factors for the EMAPII/SPHK2/S1P axis that alters PASMC-specific acetylome through histone H3K9 hyperacetylation.

Schwartz and the study’s lead author, Dr. Dushani Ranasinghe, who was a member of Schwartz’s lab when Schwartz was a graduate student at Notre Dame, also thanked Dr. Schwartz for this episode. were interviewed about their findings. Podcast “Discover CircRes”It is produced by. circulation research.

Dr. Schwartz said the next steps in her research include collaborating with Brian Bragg, director of the Warren Center for Drug Discovery and Development at the University of Notre Dame, to further explore the SPHK2 protein as a therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension. Stated.

Reference: “Changes in smooth muscle cell histone acetylome through the SPHK2/S1P axis promote pulmonary hypertension” A. Dushani CU Ranasinghe, Maggie Holohan, Kalyn M. Borger, Deborah L. Donahue, Rafael D. Kuc, Martin Gerig, Andrew Kim, Victoria A. Propris, Frances J. Castelino, Margaret A. Schwartz, September 12, 2023. circulation research.
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.123.322740

Other IU authors on the study include Maggie Holohan and Martin Gerrig.

This research was made possible in part through funding from the following institutions: National Institutes of HealthLilly Endowment, O’Brien Family Excellence Fund, National Science Foundation, Buckner Family Scholarship.

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Unveiling the Structure of Neurotransmitter Transporters: Scientists Finally Answer 40-Year-Old Question

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have uncovered the structure of VMAT2, a crucial neurotransmitter transporter, shedding light on its interaction with drugs used to treat conditions like Tourette syndrome. This pioneering study offers insights into neurotransmitter transport and advances the field of neuropharmacology.

Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters, and experts at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have utilized their knowledge in structural biology to reveal the structure of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), an essential component of neurotransmission.

By visualizing VMAT2 in different states, researchers can now better comprehend its function and how its different conformations impact drug binding. This knowledge is crucial for the development of drugs to treat hyperactivity disorders such as Tourette syndrome.

This work was recently published in the journal Nature. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline, play a central role in neurotransmission by influencing various brain functions. Before they can be released, these molecules must be packaged into vesicles, which are compartments in cells that store neurotransmitters.

VMAT2 is a protein that moves monoamines into these vesicles, acting like a loading crane on a cargo ship. The study, led by researchers such as Dr. Chia-Hsueh Lee, Dr. Shabareesh Pidathala, and Dr. Yaxin Dai, utilized cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the structure of VMAT2 and its interactions with serotonin and drugs used to treat certain conditions.

The study revealed that different drugs bind to specific conformations of VMAT2, providing detailed insights that can aid in developing treatments for various disorders. The research also identified amino acids that facilitate neurotransmitter transport, laying the groundwork for future studies to fully understand the mechanisms involved.

The study was supported by grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

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Unknown source of ultra-high energy extraterrestrial particle detected by telescope array

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

An artist’s illustration of an extremely high-energy cosmic ray, named the “Amaterasu particle,” observed by the surface detector array of the Telescope Array experiment.Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University/L-INSIGHT, Kyoto University/Ryuunosuke Takeshige

A groundbreaking detection of extremely high-energy cosmic rays by a telescope array experiment points to a void in the universe and casts doubt on current theories about the origin and high-energy physics of cosmic rays. It raises questions about its source.

Discovery of an exceptional extraterrestrial particle

Researchers involved in the telescope array experiment announced that they had detected cosmic rays with unusual energy. This particle originates outside our galaxy and has an incredible energy level of more than 240 exaelectronvolts (EeV). Despite this remarkable discovery, its exact source remains elusive, as its direction of arrival does not point to any known celestial body.

The mystery of ultra-high energy cosmic rays

Cosmic rays are subatomic charged particles that come from space, and ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are a rare and extremely powerful type. These UHECRs have energies in excess of 1 EeV, which is about a million times the energy reached by man-made particle accelerators. These are thought to originate from the most energetic phenomena in the universe, such as black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and active galactic nuclei. However, its exact physics and acceleration mechanisms are still not fully understood. These high-energy cosmic rays occur infrequently, estimated at less than one particle per square kilometer per century, making their detection a rare event and requiring instruments with large collection areas. .

An artist’s illustration of ultra-high energy cosmic ray astronomy, which elucidates highly energetic phenomena as opposed to weak cosmic rays that are affected by electromagnetic fields.Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University/Kyoto University/Ryuunosuke Takeshige

A unique discovery of telescope arrays

The Telescope Array (TA) experiment, a large-scale surface detector array in Utah with an effective detection area of 700 square kilometers, successfully detected UHECR on May 27, 2021 at a breakthrough energy of approximately 244 EeV.

Given the very high energy of this particle, it should experience only a relatively small deflection by the foreground magnetic field, and therefore its direction of arrival should be expected to be more closely correlated with its source. Researchers point out that there is. However, our results show that the direction of arrival does not indicate an obvious source galaxy or other known objects that could be potential sources of UHECRs.

Instead, its direction of arrival points to a cavity in the large-scale structure of the universe, a region where galaxies are almost absent. Scientists believe this indicates a much larger magnetic deflection than predicted by galactic magnetic field models, an unidentified source in the local extragalactic neighborhood, or an incomplete understanding of the high-energy particle physics involved. This suggests that there is a possibility that

For more information on this discovery, see:

Reference: “Extremely high-energy cosmic rays observed by surface detector arrays”*†, RU Abbasi, MG Allen, R. Arimura, JW Belz, DR Bergman, SA Blake, BK Shin, IJ Buckland, BG Cheon, Tetsuya Fujii, Kazuya Fujisue, Kazuya Fujita, Masaki Fukushima, GD Furlich, ZR Gerber, N. Globus, Kazuto Hibino, Tatsuya Higuchi, Kazuya Honda, Daisho Ikeda, Hiroshi Ito, Akira Iwasaki, S. Jeong, HM Jeong, CH Jui, K. Kadota, F. Kakimoto, OE Kalashev, K. Kasahara, K. Kawata, I. Kharuk, E. Kido, SW Kim, HB Kim, JH Kim, JH Kim, I. Komae, Y. Kubota, MY Kuznetsov, KH Lee, BK Rubsandrjiev, JP Lundquist, JN Matthews, S. Nagataki, T. nakamara, A. Nakazawa, T. Nonaka, S. Ogio, M. Ono, H. Oshima, IH Park. , M. Potts, S. Pushilkov, JR Remington, DC Rodriguez, C. Lott, GI Rubtsov, D. Liu, H. Sagawa, N. Sakaki, T. Sako, N. Sakurai, H. Shin, JD Smith, P Sokolsky, BT Stokes, TS Stroman, K. Takahashi, M. Takeda, A. Takeda, Y. Tameda, S. Thomas, GB Thomson, PG Tyniakov, I. Tkachev, T. Tomita, SV Troitsky, Y. Tsunesada, S. Udo, FR Urban, T. Wong, K. Yamazaki, Y. Yuma, YV Zeser, Z. Zunder, November 23, 2023. science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.abo5095

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AI Found to Form Memories in Similar Way to Humans, a Surprising Discovery

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The multidisciplinary team discovered that AI models, and Transformer in particular, process memories in a manner similar to the hippocampus in the human brain. This breakthrough suggests that applying neuroscience principles like NMDA receptors to AI can improve memory function, advance the field of AI, and provide insight into human brain function. doing. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Researchers have discovered that memory consolidation processes in AI are similar to those in the human brain, particularly the hippocampus, opening the door to advances in AI and a deeper understanding of human memory mechanisms.

The interdisciplinary team, comprised of researchers from the Center for Cognition and Sociality and researchers from the Data Science Group within the Institute of Basic Sciences (IBS), will study memory processing in artificial intelligence (AI) models and the hippocampus and hippocampus of the human brain. revealed that there are striking similarities between the two. This new discovery provides a new perspective on memory consolidation, the process of converting short-term memory into long-term memory in AI systems.

Evolving AI through understanding human intelligence

Understanding and replicating human-like intelligence has become a key research focus in the race to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), led by influential organizations such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind. At the heart of these technological advances is the Transformer model. [Figure 1]its fundamental principles are now being explored in new depths.

Figure 1. (a) Diagram showing ion channel activity in a postsynaptic neuron. AMPA receptors are involved in the activation of postsynaptic neurons, while NMDA receptors are blocked by magnesium ions (Mg2⁺), whereas calcium ions (Ca2⁺) are activated when postsynaptic neurons are fully activated. Induces synaptic plasticity through influx. (b) Flow diagram representing the computational process within the Transformer AI model. Information is processed sequentially through stages such as feedforward layer, layer normalization, and self-attention layer. The graph showing the current vs. voltage relationship for the NMDA receptor is very similar to the nonlinearity of the feedforward layer. Input-output graphs based on magnesium concentration (α) show nonlinear changes in NMDA receptors.Credit: Basic Science Research Institute

Brain learning mechanism applied to AI

The key to powerful AI systems is understanding how they learn and remember information. The research team focused on the learning principles of the human brain, particularly memory consolidation via the NMDA receptors in the hippocampus, and applied them to the AI model.

NMDA receptors are like smart doors in the brain that facilitate learning and memory formation. The presence of a brain chemical called glutamate excites nerve cells. Magnesium ions, on the other hand, act as small gatekeepers that block the door. Only when this ionic gatekeeper steps aside can substances flow into the cell. This is the process by which the brain creates and retains memories, and the role of the gatekeeper (magnesium ions) in the whole process is very specific.

AI models that mimic human brain processes

The research team made an interesting discovery. The Transformer model appears to use a gatekeeping process similar to the brain’s NMDA receptors. [see Figure 1]. This discovery led the researchers to investigate whether the consolidation of Transformer memories could be controlled by a mechanism similar to the NMDA receptor gating process.

In animal brains, low magnesium levels are known to impair memory function. Researchers have discovered that mimicking NMDA receptors can improve long-term memory in transformers. Similar to the brain, where changes in magnesium levels affect memory, tweaking the transformer parameters to reflect NMDA receptor gating improved memory in the AI model. This breakthrough suggests that established knowledge from neuroscience can explain how AI models learn.

Expert insights on AI and neuroscience

“This research is an important step in the advancement of AI and neuroscience,” said C. Justin Lee, the institute’s director and neuroscientist. This will allow us to delve deeper into how the brain works and develop more advanced AI systems based on these insights.

CHA Meeyoung is a data scientist on the team.
kaist
says, “The human brain is remarkable in that it operates on minimal energy, unlike large-scale AI models that require vast amounts of resources. It opens up new possibilities for low-cost, high-performance AI systems that learn and remember information.”

Fusion of cognitive mechanisms and AI design

What makes this work unique is its commitment to incorporating brain-inspired nonlinearity into AI structures, representing a significant advance in simulating human-like memory consolidation. The fusion of human cognitive mechanisms and AI design not only enables the creation of low-cost and high-performance AI systems, but also provides valuable insights into the workings of the brain through AI models.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Future NASA Moon Landings to Feature International Astronauts

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

International astronauts will join U.S. astronauts on the moon by the end of this decade under an agreement announced Wednesday by NASA and the White House.

The news came as Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting of the National Space Council in Washington, the third such meeting under the Biden administration.

There was no word on who the international moonwalker would be or what country he would represent. A NASA spokesperson later said the crew will be assigned to a location close to the lunar landing mission, and no commitments to other countries have been made yet.

NASA has been sending international astronauts on space trips for decades. Canadian Jeremy Hansen About a year from now, it will fly around the moon with three American astronauts.

Another crew member will actually land. This will be the first landing by astronauts on the moon in more than half a century. According to , it is unlikely to happen before 2027. U.S. Government Accountability Office.

All 12 moon walkers on NASA’s Apollo program in the 1960s and 1970s were U.S. citizens. The space agency’s new moon exploration program is named Artemis, after the mythical twin sister of Apollo.

Including international partners is “not only deeply appreciated, but also urgently needed in today’s world,” Hansen told the board.

NASA has long emphasized the need for global cooperation in space, and in 2020 established the Artemis Accords with the U.S. Department of State to promote responsible behavior not only on the moon but everywhere in space. Representatives from all 33 countries that have signed the agreement so far are expected to attend the Space Council meeting in Washington.

“We know from experience that cooperation in space pays off,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, citing the Webb Space Telescope, an effort between the United States, Europe and Canada, as an example.

Notably absent from the Artemis Accords are Russia and China, the only countries other than the United States that have sent their citizens into orbit. Russia is her NASA partner on the International Space Station, along with Europe, Japan and Canada. Even in the early 1990s, the Russian and U.S. space agencies collaborated on a shuttle program to launch each other’s astronauts to Russia’s former orbiting Mir base.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Harris also announced new policies to ensure the safe use of space as more private companies and nations take to the skies. The problems the United States is trying to solve include the climate crisis and the growing amount of space junk on Earth. Russia’s anti-satellite missile tests in 2021 added more than 1,500 pieces of potentially dangerous orbital debris, prompting Blinken to join other meetings and urge all countries to conduct such destructive tests. I asked them to cancel it.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

New experiment challenges the principles of quantum electrodynamics

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The X-ray beam from Europe’s XFEL, the world’s largest X-ray laser, can only be seen with photographic clarity in complete darkness and with an exposure time of 90 seconds. In 2024, the first experiment to detect quantum fluctuations in vacuum will take place here. Credit: European XFEL / Jan Hosan

The HZDR team proposes improvements to experiments aimed at probing the limits of physics.

Completely empty – that’s how most of us imagine a vacuum. But in reality, it is filled with flickers of energy, or quantum fluctuations. Scientists are now preparing laser experiments aimed at examining these vacuum fluctuations in new ways, which could provide clues to new laws of physics.

The Dresden-Rossendorf-Helmholtzzentrum (HZDR) research team has developed a series of suggestions designed to make experiments more effective and increase the chances of success.The research team will publish their findings in a scientific journal Physical Review D.

The world of physics has long recognized that the vacuum is not completely hollow, but filled with vacuum fluctuations, eerie quanta that flicker around in time and space. Although it cannot be captured directly, its effects can be observed indirectly, for example through changes in the electromagnetic field of small particles.

However, it is still not possible to verify vacuum fluctuations without the presence of particles. If this can be achieved, one of the fundamental theories of physics, quantum electrodynamics (QED), will be proven in a previously untested area. However, if such experiments reveal deviations from theory, it would suggest the existence of new, previously undiscovered particles.

Dr. Ulf Zastrau heads the HED (High Energy Density Science) experimental station at European XFEL. HED Beam In his chamber, flashes from his X-ray laser, the world’s largest, must be matched with light pulses from his ReLaX high-power laser operated by HZDR to detect vacuum fluctuations. Credit: European XFEL / Jan Hosan

Experiments to achieve this are planned as part of the Helmholtz International Extreme Field Beamline (HIBEF), a research consortium led by HZDR, at the HED experimental station of the world’s largest X-ray laser, the European XFEL, in Hamburg. There is. . The basic principle is that an ultra-powerful laser fires short, powerful flashes into a vacuumed stainless steel chamber. The aim is to manipulate vacuum fluctuations to, as if by magic, change the polarization of his X-ray flashes from his XFEL in Europe, i.e. rotate their direction of vibration.

“It’s like sliding a clear plastic ruler between two polarizing filters and bending it back and forth,” explains HZDR theorist Professor Ralf Schutzhold. “A filter is originally set up to prevent light from passing through it. Bending the ruler changes the direction of the vibrations of light, allowing you to see something.” In this analogy, the ruler responds to fluctuations in the vacuum. and a super powerful laser flash bends the vacuum fluctuations.

Two flashes instead of just one

The original concept involved firing a single optical laser flash into a chamber and using special measurement techniques to record whether the polarization of the X-ray flash changed. But there’s a problem. “The signal can be very weak,” Schutzhold explains. “Only one in a trillion X-ray photons can change its polarization.”

However, this may be below current measurement limits, and events may simply slip through the cracks undetected. Schutzhold and his team therefore rely on a variation of firing not just one but two of his light laser pulses into a vacuum chamber simultaneously.

Both flashes run into it and literally collide. Her X-ray pulses from Europe’s XFEL are set to hit precisely the point of impact. The clincher: Laser flash collisions affect her X-ray pulses like a kind of crystal. Just as X-rays are diffracted, or deflected, when they pass through natural crystals, XFEL X-ray pulses are deflected by the brief “crystal of light” of the two colliding laser flashes.

“This not only changes the polarization of the X-ray pulse, but also slightly deflects the pulse,” explains Ralf Schutzholt. The researchers hope that this combination may improve the chances of actually measuring effects. The researchers calculated different options for the firing angle of the two laser flashes colliding inside the chamber. Experimentation will tell you which variant works best.

Are you targeting ultralight ghost particles?

The visibility could also be further improved if the two laser flashes fired into the chamber were not the same color, but two different wavelengths. This also allows for small changes in the energy of the X-ray flash, which is useful for measuring effectiveness as well. “However, this is technically very difficult and may be implemented at a later date,” Schutzhold says.

The project is currently in the planning stage in collaboration with the European XFEL team at the HED experimental station in Hamburg, with first trials scheduled to begin in 2024. If successful, QED could be confirmed again.

However, perhaps experiments will reveal deviations from established theory. This could be caused by previously undiscovered particles, such as ultralight ghost particles known as axions. “And it will clearly demonstrate additional laws of nature that were previously unknown,” Schutzholt says.

Reference: “Quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence detection scheme” N. Ahmadiniaz, TE Cowan, J. Grenzer, S. Franchino-Viñas, A. Laso Garcia, M. Šmíd, T. Toncian, MA Trejo, R. Schützhold , October 10, 2023 Physical Review D.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.108.076005

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Newest Developments in Science and Technology: Forecasting 2023

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

agio type

In 2020, michael snyderGeneticists at Stanford University in California have discovered that we tend to age along four different pathways. He said that the biological characteristics associated with aging are mainly found in four parts of the body (kidneys, liver, immune system, and general metabolism), and that of these systems one or two We found that it ages faster than the rest of the systems.

Snyder believes that understanding your “age type” can guide you to optimal strategies to target key aging pathways, helping you live longer, healthier lives. People with liver disease may consider quitting drinking, he said. On the other hand, people of metabolic age should focus on exercise.

In any case, one might expect the term to become popular, at least in circles obsessed with it, because it pioneers efforts to personalize anti-aging interventions. I don’t know.

agrivoltaics

Next time you’re walking through the countryside, you might come across a field that looks a bit unusual. Some areas may grow crops that coexist with large areas of solar panels, while others may have livestock sheltering or grazing under solar canopies. What you are looking at is “agrivoltaics”. This is the term used to describe solar energy facilities designed to work with crops and livestock.

Inevitably, some argue that solar power degrades the landscape and changes the nature of rural areas. But in North America, agrivoltaic proponents are working to convince people that solar power can help restore disappearing grasslands. In any case, the term is sure to stick around because it captures something new…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Artificial Intelligence identifies novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant bacteria

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Shutterstock / Katerina Conn

Artificial intelligence has contributed to the discovery of new classes of antibiotics that can treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This could help fight antibiotic resistance, which claimed more than 1.2 million lives in 2019, and that number is expected to increase in the coming decades.

A new antibiotic compound has proven to be a promising treatment for both methicillin resistance and tolerance in tests in mice. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistance Enterococcus – Bacteria that have developed resistance to drugs commonly used to treat MRSA infections.

“our [AI] The model not only tells us which compounds have selective antibiotic activity, but also why in terms of their chemical structure. ” Felix Wong at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Massachusetts.

Wong and colleagues aimed to show that AI-driven drug discovery can go beyond identifying specific targets to which drug molecules can bind to predicting the biological effects of entire classes of drug-like compounds.

First, we tested the effects of over 39,000 compounds. Staphylococcus aureus Three types of human cells: liver, skeletal muscle, and lung. The result was training data for the AI model to learn the chemical atoms and bond patterns of each compound. This has enabled AI to predict both the antibacterial activity and potential toxicity of such compounds to human cells.

The trained AI model then analyzed 12 million compounds through computer simulations and found 3,646 compounds with ideal drug-like properties. Additional calculations identified chemical substructures that could explain the properties of each compound.

By comparing such substructures of different compounds, researchers identified a new class of potential antibiotics and ultimately two non-antibiotics that can kill both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. discovered a toxic compound Enterococcus.

Finally, researchers used mouse experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of these compounds in treating skin and thigh infections caused by MRSA.

Only a few new classes of antibiotics, such as oxazolidinones and lipopeptides, have been discovered to be effective against both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. Enterococcus – and says resistance to such compounds is increasing. james collins at the Broad Institute, where he co-authored the study.

“Our research has identified one of the few new classes of antibiotics in 60 years that complements other antibiotics,” he says.

Researchers are working to design entirely new antibiotics and discover other new drug classes, such as compounds that selectively kill aging and damaged cells involved in conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer. are starting to use this AI-driven approach.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Hippocampal Taurine Levels Decrease by 20% in Association with Depression

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study by South Korean researchers has revealed a link between lower levels of taurine in the hippocampus and depression in young women. This discovery, using 7T MRI technology, opens new avenues in the treatment and understanding of depression and highlights the importance of taurine in brain health. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Precise observation using ultra-high magnetic field 7T MRI. A South Korean research team has discovered for the first time that there is a significant relationship between depression and taurine levels in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and learning functions. This discovery provides an opportunity to promote the role and importance of taurine in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression in the future. (source)

Advanced imaging technology reveals important insights. Researchers from the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI, Director Sung-kwan Yang) biochemical analysis team (Dr. Young-kyu Song, Dr. Ji-hyun Cho, and Dr. Chae-joon Jeong) used ultra-high magnetic field 7T human MRI (7T MRI). (source)

The study was conducted in collaboration with a research team led by Dr. Kim Hyun-jun from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) and Professor Song Jin-hoon from Chungnam University (CNU), and compared two groups of female participants. It is, a group of 36 female patients with major depressive disorder, and a control group of 40 healthy women. All participants were between 19 and 29 years old. (source)

(A) Brain regions where spectra were measured (yellow box) (B) 1H MR spectrum of the hippocampus: taurine signal in the hippocampus shown at 3.4 ppm (arrow). Black line: actually measured spectrum. Red line: LCModel fitting spectrum. Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Global impact of depression. Depression is an illness that causes serious damage and loss, not only personally, but also socially and economically. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 260 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and more than 800,000 people take their own lives each year. (source)

What is taurine? Taurine is an aminosulfonic acid acid unlike most others, amino acid, does not build proteins. Instead, it plays several important roles in the body. It is naturally present in the brain, heart, eyes, and muscle tissue. Taurine can be synthesized in the body and can also be obtained from the diet, especially meat, fish, and dairy products. It is also a common ingredient in energy drinks. (source)

Taurine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and has a calming effect on the nervous system. It also plays a role in regulating calcium levels in certain cells, contributes to heart function, and has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage. Taurine’s role in health, particularly heart and brain health, has been the focus of numerous medical studies. (source)

Taurine concentrations in the hippocampus, frontal cortex (anterior cingulate cortex, ACC), and occipital cortex (OCC) (red: depressed patient group, blue: healthy control group). The average taurine concentration within the hippocampus was 0.91 mM in the depressed patient group and 1.13 mM in the healthy control group. Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Pioneering research methods. MRI is widely used in brain disease research because it can accurately scan specific locations within the body and obtain a variety of quantitative information. Previous MRI studies of depression have focused on uncovering changes in metabolites mainly confined to areas of the cerebral cortex at the edges of the brain. This study is the first to reveal the relationship between metabolites in the hippocampus, located inside the brain, and depression. (source)

Detailed analysis of brain metabolites. To identify substances closely associated with depression, the research team identified seven substances that are present in the frontal, occipital, and hippocampal regions of depression: taurine, choline, creatine, glutamine, glutamic acid, myo-inositol, and N-acetylaspartate. The concentrations of two metabolites were measured and compared. young woman. (source)

When performing MRI scans, there are technical limitations to measuring metabolite concentrations within the hippocampus due to the location of the hippocampus in the brain. Taurine is also particularly difficult to obtain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) signals due to its low concentration compared to other metabolites. The research team used 7T MRI, which provides high signal sensitivity and resolution, and an sLASER pulse sequence designed to reduce chemical shift displacement errors, to detect subtle differences in taurine signals in the hippocampi of patient and control groups. succeeded in measuring. (source)

(Left) Dr. Cho Ji-hyun (Right) Dr. Song Young-gyu.Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Implications for future research. Concentrations of metabolites were also precisely measured, taking into account the precise distribution of components of white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is individual-dependent. In the future, it is expected that these measurement results will be applied to brain disease research customized to individual characteristics. (source)

KBSI research team leader Dr. Jee-Hyun Cho said, “This study will advance research on the role of taurine in the hippocampus and its relationship with depression, and will contribute to etiological research and diagnostic development of depression.” he declared. Furthermore, “Using KBSI’s cutting-edge research equipment, we plan to conduct follow-up research on changes in taurine concentration in the brain through long-term observation of patients with depression, as well as the effects of taurine intake as a treatment.” Ta. depression. (source)

collaborative efforts. The KBSI research team proposed an initial research idea on the relationship between depression and hippocampal taurine levels, performed measurements of brain metabolites using 7T MRI, and conducted an analysis of the obtained data. . The research team from KIOM and CNU participated in the recruitment of depressed patients and a healthy control group, conducted psychological tests and clinical interviews, and controlled demographic, (source)

Reference: “Association between hippocampal taurine levels and major depressive disorder in young women: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 7 Tesla” Yong-Gyu Song, Ji-Hyun Cho, Hyun-Jung Kim, Yong-Jim, Yi-Hae Chung, Sunyoung Choi , Jeong-Hon Park, Sungho Tak, Bumwoo Park, Jin-Hun Sohn, Gyunggoo Cho, Chaejoon Cheong, September 5, 2023, biological psychiatry.[source]

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.025[source]

Source: scitechdaily.com

Lava Erupts from Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Brightness temperature images obtained by the NOAA-20 satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite on December 18, 2023 (left) and December 19, 2023.

After weeks of warning, a new crack has appeared on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland.

The wait is over. After weeks of spooky earthquakes and geologists warning of a possible eruption, lava has begun pouring out of new fissures. Reykjanes Peninsula Occurred in southwestern Iceland late on December 18, 2023. The eruption was about 4 kilometers (2 miles) northeast of the town of Grindavik and about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.

The eruption began with lava spewing tens of meters high along a four-kilometer fissure, from which it flowed sideways. 5 vents. The brightness temperature image above (right) was acquired by VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite). NOAASatellite-20 at 4 a.m. local time on December 19, after the eruption began. Another image (left) shows the same area in the early morning hours of December 18 before the eruption. brightness temperature The measurements help distinguish the relative warmth or coolness of features on the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.

Observed volcanic dynamics

“What you see in these images is that the active lava flows are very hot compared to the surrounding land and clouds,” said Simon Kahn, a volcanologist at Michigan Technological University. “Areas of darker temperatures look like terrain where lava is flowing, but where eruptive fissures are not active and there is colder lava, or where gas plumes or clouds obscure the surface. It could be a territory.” topographic map In part of this area, three hills reaching a height of about 200 meters can be seen on the west side of the eruption fissure.

report The Icelandic Meteorological Agency said the lava is flowing primarily to the east and north, posing minimal risk to Grindavik, the Blue Lagoon and other nearby infrastructure. “However, the situation could change if lava accumulates and starts flowing in a different direction, if active fissures spread south, or if new fissures open,” Khan said. . “If the lava continues to flow north, it could eventually reach the main highway from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik.”

Minimize the impact on air travel and safety measures

Icelandic authorities stress that the type of eruption that is occurring – a fissure eruption – does not typically cause large explosions or large amounts of ash being thrown into the atmosphere. As of December 19, flights to and from Iceland are unaffected, and international corridors remain open. According to Icelandic officials. Officials too I got it. The nearby town of Grindavik was evacuated on November 10 as a precaution, and the eruption is said to pose no threat to life.

NASA Earth Observatory imagery by Michala Garrison using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).

Source: scitechdaily.com

New Shocking Training Method Introduced by Johns Hopkins

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A study by Johns Hopkins University has demonstrated that applying a gentle electric current to the cerebellum increases an individual’s ability to transfer skills from virtual reality to real-world environments, particularly in robotic surgery. The technology showed significant improvements in dexterity and skill application in participants, even without prior surgical or robotics training, and was used in training in a variety of high-tech industries, including medical and robotics. It could revolutionize the way we do things. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that gentle electrical stimulation of the cerebellum significantly improves the transition from virtual reality training to real-world tasks in robotic surgery, and in medical and technical training. It shows potential advances in the method.

People who received a mild electrical current to the back of the head learned to operate a robotic surgical tool in virtual reality and subsequently operated the robotic surgical tool in a real environment much more easily than those who did not receive such stimulation. A new study shows that.

The study results provide the first glimpse of how stimulating a specific part of the brain, called the cerebellum, could help medical professionals apply what they learn in virtual reality to the real operating room. It’s a much-needed transition in a field that is increasingly reliant on digital simulation training. “It’s important to remember that this is the case,” said author Jeremy D. Brown, a robotics engineer at Johns Hopkins University.

“Training in virtual reality is not the same as training in a real environment. Previous research has shown that skills learned in simulation can be difficult to transfer to the real world.” , said Mr. Brown of John C. Kennedy. Malone Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering. “Although it is very difficult to claim statistical accuracy, the participants in the study concluded that when they received this stimulation, they were able to more easily transfer skills from virtual reality to the real world. ”

This work was published today (December 20th). Nature scientific report.

Participants drove surgical needles through three small holes, first in a virtual simulation and then in a real-life scenario using the da Vinci Research Kit, an open-source research robot. Researchers say the exercise mimics the movements required during surgery on abdominal organs.

Participants received a subtle flow of electricity through electrodes or small pads placed on their scalp to stimulate the cerebellum of the brain. Half of the group received a steady flow of electricity throughout the test, while the remaining participants received only a short stimulation at the beginning and nothing at all for the rest of the test.

Those who received steady flow showed significant improvements in dexterity. None of them had prior training in surgery or robotics.

“The unstimulated group had a little more trouble applying the skills they learned in virtual reality to the real robot, especially the most complex movements that involve rapid movements,” said Johns Hopkins University roboticist and former robotics engineer. , said Guido Caccianiga, now of Max. Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, which designed and led the experiment; “The group that received brain stimulation did better at those tasks.”

Non-invasive brain stimulation is a method of influencing specific parts of the brain from outside the body, and scientists say they have shown how it can aid motor learning in rehabilitation therapy. Ta. Co-author Gabriela Cantarello, a former assistant professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation, said the research team is looking at how surgeons can stimulate their brains to acquire skills they might need in real-world situations. He said he was taking research to a new level by testing whether it could help. at Johns Hopkins University.

“It’s really great to be able to use this setup to actually influence behavior and really quantify every little aspect of people’s movements, deviations, and errors,” Cantarello said.

Study participants undergoing non-invasive brain stimulation sit at the console of a surgical robot and use a virtual reality simulation of needle-stroke practice. Credit: Guido Caccianiga/Johns Hopkins University.

Robotic surgical systems offer significant benefits to clinicians by improving human skills. It helps surgeons minimize hand tremors and enhance vision for detailed and precise work.

In addition to impacting the way future surgeons learn new skills, this type of brain stimulation also holds promise for skill acquisition in other industries that rely on virtual reality training, particularly in the field of robotics.

Even outside of virtual reality, this stimulation is likely to help people learn more generally, the researchers said.

“What if we could prove that if you stimulate your brain, you can learn new skills in half the time?” Caccianiga said. “This will significantly reduce costs because we can train people more quickly. We will have more resources to train more surgeons and engineers who will be working frequently with these technologies in the future. You can save.”

Reference: “Anodal cerebellar t-DCS influences skill learning and transfer in robotic surgical training tasks” by Guido Caccianiga, Ronan A. Mooney, Pablo A. Celnik, Gabriela L. Cantarero, and Jeremy D. Brown, 2023 December 20th, scientific report.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47404-1

Other authors include Ronan A. Mooney of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Pablo A. Selnik of the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.

Source: scitechdaily.com