Many years ago, at that time david kipping When he lived in London, he would walk home through the city and look up at the moon. For astronomers, its dimly glowing presence was a nightly source of inspiration. “It reminded us that satellites are waiting for us around exoplanets,” he says. “It made sense that we should look for them.”
It would be exciting to discover an exomoon, a natural satellite of a world outside our solar system. First, the moon may play a key role in determining the habitability of its host planet by dampening its wobble and promoting a stable climate, in the same way it did for Earth. there is. There may also be strange and wonderful configurations, such as a lunar ring or a moon with its own moon. But the most interesting thing is that some of them may be more suitable for life than exoplanets.
Kipping, now at Cornell University in New York, is part of a small community of astronomers exploring solar moons. At least statistics are on your side. About 5,500 exoplanets have been discovered so far, some of which may have dozens of moons. The problem is that it’s not easy to prove its existence. Two previous sightings of Kipping have been hotly debated.
But now there’s hope on the horizon, with many new ways to explore these objects, from monitoring rogue planets that have abandoned their stars to monitoring exoplanets’ gravitational wobbles. Armed with these new technologies, and new telescopes also in development, the Moon will…
Supplements containing resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that takes time to digest, helped people moderately lose weight in a small trial.
Resistant starch is naturally found in beans, whole grains, raw oats, and green bananas, and is also formed when common starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, and rice cool after cooking.
Resistant starch comes in several different forms, but what they have in common is that the structure of the molecule means that it is not easily digested and absorbed in the small intestine.
Therefore, the starch reaches further into the intestine, into the large intestine, where it is digested by bacteria. This means that starch is classified as a prebiotic.
Although some previous studies have suggested that this starch can help with weight loss, Lihuatei Researchers from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China studied its effects on gut bacteria.
Researchers asked 37 overweight people to consume sachets of starch mixed with water twice a day before meals. For eight weeks they were given resistant starch, and for a further eight weeks they were given packets containing regular starch as a comparison. Participants were also provided with three balanced meals a day and various health indicators were measured.
After consuming resistant starch for eight weeks, people lost an average of 2.8 kilograms, while regular starch had no effect on weight. Resistant starch causes less rise in blood sugar levels after meals and is considered to be good for health.
Stool samples revealed that while people consumed resistant starch, the numbers of several bacterial species increased in their intestines. When these bacteria were transplanted into mice fed a high-fat diet, they appeared to have a weight-loss effect.
Rebecca McManamon A spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association said the trial was too small to be conclusive, but the results were plausible. “These outcomes are natural,” she says.
However, some people with irritable bowel syndrome may feel bloated and uncomfortable when they eat resistant starch, as the bacteria produce gas as they break down, she says.
A privately built spacecraft on the moon has sent back new photos from the lunar surface. The images captured the spacecraft’s much-lauded descent and the moment it rolled over shortly after landing.
The Odysseus lander, built by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, touched down on the moon on February 22, making it the first commercial ship to reach the moon’s surface and the first U.S. ship to reach the moon in more than 50 years. It made history as a spaceship.
The Odysseus Lunar Module took this image about 35 seconds after it rolled over on its approach to the landing site. Intuitive machine via AP
The next day, Intuitive Machines announced that Odysseus had rolled over as it landed near a crater called Malapart A near the moon’s south pole. Company officials said the 14-foot-tall lander was operational, but part of the rover’s antenna was pointing toward the ground, limiting its ability to communicate with flight controllers on Earth. Ta.
with updateMondayIntuitive Machines said it was continuing to communicate with the spacecraft, adding that flight controllers “will collect data until the lander’s solar panels are no longer exposed to light.”
Company officials said they expect to be able to communicate with Odysseus until Tuesday morning, based on the positions of the Earth and the moon. The lander was originally expected to spend about a week collecting data on the lunar surface before the lunar night begins and the spacecraft powers down.
In its latest update, the company announced that Odysseus’ instruments detected nine safe landing sites within the target zone near the moon’s south pole. The moon’s south pole region has long intrigued scientists because water ice is thought to be relatively abundant in permanently shadowed craters.
Artist’s impression of WD 0816-310. Astronomers have discovered scars imprinted on the surface left when a star swallows a planet.
ESO/L. Calzada
Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf star with strange metallic scars on its surface. The scar likely formed when the star tore apart and ate a small planet in its orbit.
Researchers often find white dwarfs with traces of metal in their atmospheres that came from planets that fell into the star. It has long been thought that metals should be evenly distributed across the surfaces of these so-called contaminated white dwarfs; Jay Farihi Researchers at University College London have discovered a strange concentration of metal debris.
Researchers monitored the star, called WD 0816-310, for two months using the Very Large Telescope in Chile. They discovered that the white dwarf had an opaque piece of metal on top of one of its magnetic poles, blocking some of the star’s light as it rotated. This position indicates that material may have been funneled into the star by its magnetic field. “This is the same process that causes auroras on Earth: charged particles follow magnetic fields to the surface,” Farihi said.
The planet that WD 0816-310 destroyed was small, probably about the same size as the solar system’s asteroid Vesta, which is about 525 kilometers in diameter. Its interior is now prominently displayed on its host star, which could make it relatively easy to study what its geochemistry was like before it was engulfed. Such studies may even be one of the best ways to observe small worlds outside our solar system, even after they disappear.
And there may be many other stars that have been similarly damaged. “When we find something outlandish, it’s often because they all looked that way and we just weren’t asking the right questions,” Farihi says. “This is the first, but it probably won’t be the last.” In fact, researchers have already discovered two white dwarfs that appear to have similar scars. If we go back and observe similar stars over and over again, we may discover even more stars.
we heard it all. Men's brains are larger and have better spatial awareness. Women's brains are adapted for multitasking and emotional intelligence. Stereotypes about how sex influences behavior abound, and as increasingly sophisticated brain-scanning technology emerges, claims about such inconsistencies are becoming more apparent.
But as we discovered in our feature on the human brain (“Your Amazing Brain: 10 Challenging Questions That Uncover Amazing New Discoveries About the Human Brain”), men's and women's behaviors, interests, We are trying to identify the biological reasons for population differences in . The issue of occupation is a delicate debate that includes not only sex but also gender, and has never been resolved.
Still, we should keep trying. In particular, if there really are gender-related brain differences, this would have a major impact on our health. That's because many pathologies related to the brain and neural branches affect men and women at different rates and in different ways. For example, women have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Men have higher rates of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
There are many possible reasons for this imbalance in the gender ratio. For example, autism may be underdiagnosed among girls, or typical behaviors may manifest differently. Similarly, biological factors may make women more susceptible to depression because they tend to have lower incomes or because men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems. .
However, brain differences between the sexes may also exist. If so, the photo is not yet complete. These may not be due to direct genetic or sex hormonal effects, but may be due to the way society generally treats men and women differently throughout their lives.
Elucidating all of this could shed light on the mechanisms behind these symptoms and lead to better treatment strategies. After all, this is not a competition between male and female brains, but an initiative that has the potential to help everyone.
A total solar eclipse is set to pass over North America in April, offering millions of skywatchers the rare chance to witness the afternoon sky briefly darken and a “ring of fire” appear overhead. The upcoming April 8 solar eclipse is expected to be a significant event, as its path will traverse parts of Mexico, the continental United States, and eastern Canada. Weather permitting, skywatchers in 15 states in the US will have the opportunity to see the moon almost completely block the sun, casting its shadow in a fiery circle and creating a halo effect in the sky. In all other states in the continental US, viewers will witness a partial solar eclipse where the moon appears to partially obscure the sun.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming total solar eclipse.
How to safely view a solar eclipse
It is crucial not to look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse, even if it is partially or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector are necessary to safely view the eclipse and prevent eye damage. Sky observers should never look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses without a solar filter installed. Using Eclipse glasses is essential, as failure to do so can result in serious eye damage. NASA advises taking proper precautions. During the total solar eclipse when the moon completely blocks the sun, it is safe to view with the naked eye, but at all other times, eclipse glasses are required.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth align, with the moon passing in front of the sun to temporarily block its light. The moon can either completely obscure the sun in a total solar eclipse or partially block its light in a partial solar eclipse.
Who can see it?
This eclipse is rare because it will cross populated areas of the United States compared to other recent total solar eclipses. NASA estimates that approximately 31.6 million people will live within the 160-mile-wide total path, with an additional 150 million living within 200 miles of the path. The eclipse will pass through various states in the US and enter Canada through provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
While the most spectacular views will be within the total eclipse path, there are still opportunities for people across the continent to witness the astronomical event. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in all 48 states of the continental US, and NASA will stream a live view of the total solar eclipse online.
When will it happen?
The timing and duration of totality will vary by location, with some areas experiencing darkness and the “ring of fire” for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Various resources online, including NASA, NationalEclipse.com, and timeanddate.com, provide information for planning and expectations on the day of the eclipse.
Specific timings for some populous cities along the path of totality are as follows:
Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:40 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:44 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:02 PM CT.
Little Rock, AR: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:51 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:54 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:11 PM CT.
Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:13 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:17 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:29 PM ET.
Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:18 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:22 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:32 PM ET.
Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:27 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:30 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:38 PM ET.
Currently, there is a high level of excitement in the quest for extraterrestrial life. This field, known as astrobiology, combines biology, chemistry, planetary science, and astronomy to explore the possibility of life beyond Earth.
While microbial life forms like bacteria are expected to be the most common in the Milky Way, there is a chance that some planets could support more complex life forms such as plants and animals. Recent advancements in extremophiles, exoplanets, and robotic exploration have increased optimism among astrobiologists for discovering signs of life beyond Earth.
List three reasons why astrobiologists are optimistic about finding extraterrestrial life.
1. Extremophile microorganisms
The adaptability of life on Earth, especially extremophiles, showcases the limits of life in extreme environments. These microorganisms thrive in harsh conditions like hydrothermal vents, glaciers, acidic volcanic water, and high radiation zones, offering insights into potential habitable extraterrestrial environments.
Image credit: Getty
2. Exoplanets
Discovery of exoplanets orbiting distant stars has expanded the search for potentially habitable worlds. Small, rocky, Earth-like planets orbiting within the habitable zone of their stars offer promising locations for extraterrestrial life. Future space telescopes are expected to detect biosignatures, such as oxygen, indicating potential life forms.
3. Exploration of the solar system by robots
Advances in robotic technology have enabled probes to explore planets and moons in our solar system, revealing environments that could support life. From Mars to Europa and Enceladus, these missions provide valuable data on habitable conditions and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Where in the solar system could extraterrestrial life exist?
Various celestial bodies within our solar system, including Venus, Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and Titan, offer potential environments for extraterrestrial life. Whether in subsurface oceans or unique atmospheres, these locations raise interesting questions about the existence of life beyond Earth.
Do aliens have intelligence?
While astrobiology primarily focuses on single-celled life and biosignatures, the possibility of more complex life forms and intelligent beings in the galaxy is still an intriguing topic. Despite efforts to detect signs of intelligent life, no definitive evidence has been found yet.
The upcoming full moon in February 2024, known as the snow moon, will be the second one of the year. Despite being a micromoon this month, it signifies the end of winter and the coming of spring.
Wondering when is the best time to witness this full snow moon in the UK? How close is the micromoon? And the current constellation of the moon? Here is everything you need to know about the full moon in February 2024.
If you want to enjoy a clear night sky, explore our beginner’s guide to astronomy. To get familiar with some unique constellations, this guide is the perfect starting point.
Interested in capturing beautiful moon photos? Check out our practical moon photography guide that is filled with expert advice from astrophotographers and even BBC Night Sky presenter Pete Lawrence. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, we have tutorials to suit your needs.
When will we see the snow moon in 2024?
If the skies are clear, the snow moon will be visible in the early morning and evening on February 24, 2024, across the UK, US, and other parts of the world.
The peak illumination of the full moon in February will happen at 12:30 PM GMT. For viewers in the UK, this means that the moon will be fully illuminated during the day when it is below the horizon. However, it will still appear “full” when it rises at night and for a few days after.
In London, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:27pm GMT and set in the west-northwest at 7:32 a.m. on February 25th.
In New York, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:55 pm ET and set in the western sky at 7:18 am on February 25th.
In Seattle, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 6:07 pm PST and set in the west at 7:40 a.m. on February 25th.
What’s unique about the 2024 Snow Moon?
This year’s Snow Moon is special for two reasons. First, it falls on the day before the moon reaches its apogee, making it the smallest full moon of the year. Secondly, it coincides with the Lunar New Year celebrations, including the Lantern Festival.
On February 24th, National Tortilla Day is also celebrated in the US, giving you another reason to toast the full moon with chips and dip.
When is the best time to view the 2024 Snow Moon?
The best time to observe the snow moon is in the evening of February 24th, just after sunrise, or before moonset on the morning of February 24th. The moon will be closest to full illumination and low on the horizon in both cases.
In London, the moon will set at 7:21 a.m. GMT on the morning of February 24th, offering a picturesque sight low on the horizon. And if you wait until evening, the moon will rise at 5:27pm GMT on February 24th, just after sunset.
The Earth’s counterclockwise rotation means that the moon will appear to move across the sky from left to right in the Northern Hemisphere and from right to left in the Southern Hemisphere at a rate of 15 degrees per hour.
Why is February’s full moon called the snow moon?
February is one of the coldest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the cooling effects of winter and the sun’s lower angle. The snow moon gets its name from the significant snowfall experienced in the US, Canada, and Europe during this time.
What constellation is the moon in?
On February 22nd, the Moon will be in Cancer, and by the full moon, it will have moved into Leo, situated between Regulus and Keltan. Three days later, the moon will shift to Virgo, followed by Libra from March 1st.
Is the snow moon a supermoon?
No, the February 2024 snow moon is not a supermoon, as it will be a micromoon. Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth, known as perigee, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky.
How far away is the moon?
During apogee on February 25, the moon will be 406,312 km (252,470 miles) away from Earth, making it the smallest full moon of 2024. The farthest point of the moon from Earth will be on October 2, 2024, at 406,516 km (252,597 miles) during a new moon.
What causes a full moon?
A full moon occurs when the side facing Earth is fully illuminated by the sun, as the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment, known as “syzygy,” only lasts for a moment but signifies a full moon in the lunar cycle.
The moon’s cycle lasts about 29.53 days, with the full moon marking the midpoint. The sun and moon balance each other during a full moon, with the moon appearing full all night but technically only being “full” for a brief moment.
Recent news about King Charles’ prostate issues and subsequent cancer diagnosis has raised awareness of such health issues nationwide. Although the king is not diagnosed with prostate cancer, his efforts to raise awareness among older men have been widely appreciated.
The charity Prostate UK is using billboards to encourage men across the country to assess their cancer risk and consult their GP if they experience symptoms like frequent or difficult urination. However, prostate cancer is a complex and subtle condition.
The prostate, located below the bladder, tends to enlarge with age. The urethra, the tube draining urine from the bladder to the outside, passes through it. When the prostate enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, causing symptoms like dribbling and increased frequency of urination. This condition is quite common.
Similarly, prostate cancer is also common. Autopsy studies show that 36% of whites and 51% of African Americans develop prostate cancer in their 70s. There are even cases of prostate cancer found in 5% of men under 30 in autopsy studies. However, not all forms of prostate cancer are equally dangerous, with some being harmless and others potentially fatal.
How dangerous is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer accounts for around 4% of male deaths in the UK, with approximately 12,000 people dying from it each year. The challenge lies in finding treatments that do not cause further harm, as treatments like surgery and radiation therapy can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence.
The lack of an accurate way to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors is a major problem. The PSA test, developed in the 90s, was introduced to monitor men’s response to prostate cancer treatment. However, the increasing number of diagnoses did not correspond to a reduction in mortality rates.
In the US, the Preventive Services Task Force has offered recommendations for or against PSA screening. While screening may slightly reduce prostate cancer deaths, it can also lead to unnecessary testing and treatments for non-fatal conditions.
To avoid unnecessary treatment, the “watchful waiting” approach has been effective in managing localized prostate cancer with low mortality rates. In the UK, the National Screening Committee does not recommend PSA screening for prostate cancer.
Research suggests that identifying harmful cancers through prostate screening MRI scans may be a viable solution, although more evidence is needed to assess its impact on reducing deaths without overtreatment.
The following is an excerpt from the Lost in Space-Time newsletter. Every month, we Give a keyboard to a physicist or mathematician and let them talk about some fascinating ideas from their corner of the universe. You can sign up for Lost in Space-Time for free here.
“Science is written in the language of mathematics,” Galileo declared in 1623. And over the past few centuries, science has become increasingly mathematical. Mathematics now seems to have complete supremacy, especially in the fields of quantum physics and relativity. Modern physics education seems to include deriving theories such as…
Sora introduces a groundbreaking artificial intelligence software that empowers users to produce remarkably lifelike videos based on simple verbal instructions.
OpenAI, the mastermind behind Dall-E and ChatGPT, is pushing boundaries with the soon-to-be-released service.
This innovation seemingly emerged out of nowhere. Previous attempts at AI-generated videos were less than impressive, to put it lightly. But with Sora, things are changing.
How did OpenAI achieve this feat? Can you use these tools today? And what does this mean for the future of video and content creation? Let’s dive deep into the modern tools and their implications.
What is Sora?
Sora is an AI tool capable of generating full videos up to 1 minute long. For instance, by simply entering a prompt like “a group of cats worshipping a giant dog,” Sora can potentially display videos matching that description.
Amidst the social media buzz and specialized computing communities, Sora’s unexpected rise may have gone unnoticed. There wasn’t any grand announcement or extensive advertising campaign; it just appeared abruptly.
OpenAI has showcased various sample videos where Sora impressively produces lifelike visuals. These videos feature mirror reflections, intricate liquid movements, and falling snow particles.
How does Sora work?
Sora operates similarly to previous AI image generators but with added complexity. It utilizes diffusion modeling to convert video frames into static images, which are then reconstructed into a cohesive video.
To train Sora, example videos and corresponding textual descriptions are provided to help the model understand the relationship between images and actions depicted in the videos.
This process challenges the model to understand intricate details like 3D models, motion, reflections, shadows, and other complex features to replicate accurately.
For transparency, OpenAI offers a detailed explanation of how the model functions on its website, although the sources of the training videos remain undisclosed.
How to use Sora AI
Currently, Sora is not available to the general public. OpenAI exercises caution in releasing such powerful tools, starting with a small “red team” of individuals who assess potential risks and harms of the technology.
Following this, a select group of visual artists, designers, and filmmakers will gain insight into how the tool functions for creative endeavors. Eventually, Sora may become accessible to the public, likely following OpenAI’s pay-as-you-go model.
Is Sora the best AI video generator?
Based on the videos unveiled so far, Sora appears to be a significant leap ahead of previous AI video generation attempts. Early endeavors in AI-generated videos, like Will Smith eating spaghetti or the ”Peppoloni Hug Spot” commercial, paled in comparison.
Contrasting those early attempts with Sora’s work reveals a stark contrast. Sora’s videos boast accurate lighting, reflections, and human-like features, even tackling complex scenarios like people entering and exiting the frame.
Despite its impressive capabilities, Sora is not without flaws. Glitches like disappearing body parts, sudden appearances, and floating feet are observable in its videos. As the public gains access, more videos will expose both strengths and weaknesses of the model.
Curious about what goes on inside a black hole? Wondering about the origins of the Big Bang and how the forces of the universe came together? These are some of the biggest questions humanity has about the universe, and new discoveries are bringing us closer to the answers than ever before.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in measuring gravity in the quantum world, with British, Dutch, and Italian teams utilizing new technology to detect weak gravity on small particles. By suspending particles weighing just 0.43 mg at ultra-low temperatures, they were able to isolate the vibrations of the particles using magnets and superconducting devices.
This groundbreaking technique allowed scientists to measure weak attractive forces of only 30 attonewtons (aN), a force smaller than that of a bacterium on a table’s surface. Previously, understanding how gravity worked at the microscopic level had eluded scientists, but this discovery has shed light on the interaction of forces with particles at a small scale.
Lead author of the study, Tim Hooks from the University of Southampton, noted that scientists have been struggling for a century to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics interact. This new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe and potentially paves the way for further advancements in measuring quantum gravity.
By continuing to refine the method used in this study, researchers hope to delve deeper into the forces that govern the universe, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the very structure of our cosmos.
“We are on the brink of new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world,” said Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, one of the study authors.
Some of the gas erupts from the supermassive black hole located at the center of galaxy cluster SDSS J1531+3414 (abbreviated SDSS J1531) until it reaches a temperature high enough to form numerous star clusters. Cooled down.
Multi-wavelength image of the massive galaxy cluster SDSS J1531+3414.Image credits: NASA / CXC / SAO / Omorui other. / STScI / Tremblay other. / Astron / Loafers / NASA / CXC / SAO / N. Walk.
SDSS J1531 is a huge galaxy cluster containing hundreds of individual galaxies and a huge reservoir of hot gas and dark matter.
At the center of SDSS J1531, two of the cluster's largest galaxies collide with each other.
Surrounding these merging giants are 19 large star clusters called superclusters, arranged in an “S” shape similar to beads on a string.
Dr. Osase Omoruyi and colleagues at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics are using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the LOFAR radio network, and other telescopes to discover how this chain of unusual star clusters formed. I found out what happened.
The discovery of evidence of an ancient mega-eruption in SDSS J1531 provided important clues.
The eruption may have occurred when a supermassive black hole at the center of one of the large galaxies produced a very powerful jet.
As the jet traveled through space, it pulled surrounding hot gas away from the black hole, creating a huge cavity.
“We're already observing this system as it existed 4 billion years ago, when the Earth was just forming,” Omoruyi said.
“This ancient cavity is a fossil of the black hole's influence on its host galaxy and its surroundings, and tells us about important events that occurred almost 200 million years ago in the history of this star cluster.”
Evidence for the cavity comes from bright X-ray emission “wings” seen on Chandra that track dense gas near the center of SDSS J1531.
These wings form the edges of the cavity, and the less dense gas between them is part of the cavity.
LOFAR shows radio waves from the remains of the jet's energetic particles filling a huge cavity.
Taken together, these data provide convincing evidence for an ancient great explosion.
Astronomers also discovered cold and warm gas near the cavity's opening, detected by the Atacama Large Millimeter and Submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Gemini North Telescope, respectively.
They argue that some of the hot gas pushed out of the black hole eventually cooled down to cold, warm gas.
They believe that the tidal effects of the two galaxies merging compressed the gas along a curved path, forming the star cluster in a “string-bead” pattern.
“We reconstructed the sequence of events that may have occurred within this cluster over a wide range of distances and times,” said Dr. Grant Tremblay, also of Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
“It started when a black hole, just one light-year in diameter, formed a cavity about 500,000 light-years wide.”
“This single event triggered the formation of young star clusters almost 200 million years later, each several thousand light-years in diameter.”
Although the authors only looked at the radio waves and cavity from one jet, black holes typically fire two jets in opposite directions.
They also observed radio emissions further out from the galaxy that could be the remains of a second jet, but it was unrelated to the detected cavity.
They speculate that radio and X-ray signals from other eruptions may have diminished to the point where they could no longer be detected.
“We believe the evidence for this large-scale eruption is strong, but further observations from Chandra and LOFAR will confirm the case,” Dr. Omoruyi said.
“We hope to learn more about the origins of the cavities we have already detected and find the cavities we expect to find on the other side of the black hole.”
Omase Omorui other. 2024. A “string bead” star formation associated with one of the most powerful she-AGN outbursts observed in the Cool Core Galaxy Cluster. APJ, in press. arXiv: 2312.06762
SN 1987A is the only supernova visible to the naked eye in the past 400 years and the most studied supernova in history. This event was a nuclear collapse supernova, meaning that the compressed remains of its core formed either a neutron star or a black hole. Evidence for such compact objects has long been sought, and while indirect evidence for the existence of neutron stars has been found before, most likely the effects of high-energy emissions from young neutron stars have not been detected. This is the first time I have done so.
Webb observed the best evidence to date for radiation from neutron stars in SN 1987A. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / C. Fransson, Stockholm University / M. Matsuura, Cardiff University / MJ Barlow, University College London / PJ Kavanagh, Maynooth University / J. Larsson, KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
SN 1987A was first observed on February 23, 1987 at the edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud, about 163,000 light-years away.
This was the first supernova to be observed with the naked eye since Johannes Kepler witnessed one more than 400 years ago.
About two hours before the first visible light observation of SN 1987A, three observatories around the world detected a burst of neutrinos that lasted just a few seconds.
The two different types of observations were associated with the same supernova event and provided important evidence that informs theories about how nuclear collapse supernovae occur.
This theory included the expectation that supernovae of this type would form neutron stars or black holes.
Since then, astronomers have been searching for evidence of these compact objects at the center of expanding debris.
Indirect evidence for the presence of neutron stars at the center of remnants has been discovered in recent years, with observations of much older supernova remnants such as the Crab Nebula showing that neutron stars have been found in many supernova remnants. has been confirmed.
However, until now no direct evidence of neutron star formation in the aftermath of SN 1987A has been observed.
“Theoretical models of SN 1987A suggest that the 10-second burst of neutrinos observed just before the supernova explosion led to the formation of a neutron star or black hole,” said lead author of the study. said Claes Fransson, an astronomer at Stockholm University.
“However, no convincing signs of such a newborn object due to a supernova explosion have been observed.”
“With this observatory, we found direct evidence of ejection caused by a newborn compact object, likely a neutron star.”
In the study, Dr. Franson et al. mm and NIR spec Instruments on NASA/ESA/CSA's James Webb Space Telescope observed SN 1987A at infrared wavelengths, showing that a heavy mass whose outer electrons have been stripped (i.e., atoms have become ionized) near where the star exploded occurred. They found evidence of argon and sulfur atoms. .
They modeled a variety of scenarios in which these atoms could be driven solely by ultraviolet or They discovered that it could have been ionized only by the wind. (Pulsar wind nebula).
If the former scenario were true, the neutron star's surface would be about 1 million degrees Celsius, cooling from about 100 billion degrees Celsius at the moment it formed at its collapse center more than 30 years ago.
Professor Mike Barlow of University College London said: “The detection of strong ionizing argon and sulfur emission lines from the very center of the nebula surrounding SN1987A using Webb's MIRI and NIRSpec spectrometers suggests a central source of ionizing radiation. This is direct evidence of the existence of .
“Our data can only match neutron stars as the power source of ionizing radiation.”
“This radiation is not only emitted from the multi-million-degree surface of a hot neutron star, but also from the pulsar winds that may be produced when a neutron star spins rapidly, dragging charged particles around it. It can also be emitted from nebulae.”
“The mystery surrounding whether neutron stars are hidden in dust has been going on for more than 30 years, so we are very happy to have solved it.”
“Supernovae are the main source of the chemical elements that make life possible, so we want to accurately derive the supernova model.”
“No other object like the neutron star SN 1987A is so close to us and formed so recently. The surrounding material is expanding, so we'll see more of it over time. It will be.”
“It was clear that there had to be a high-energy radiation source at the center of the SN 1987A debris to produce the ions observed in the ejecta,” Dr. Franson said.
“The paper discusses a variety of possibilities, but we found that only a few scenarios are likely, and all of them involve newly formed neutron stars.”
of paper Published in the February 22, 2024 edition of the Journal science.
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C. Franson other. 2024. Emission lines from ionizing radiation from a compact object in the remains of supernova 1987A. science 383 (6685): 898-903; doi: 10.1126/science.adj5796
The lunar lander, known as Odysseus, is in good condition but resting on its side a day after making history as the first civilian spacecraft to touch down on the moon’s surface and the first U.S. lunar landing since 1972, a company official confirmed on Friday.
The landing craft caught one of its six landing legs on a rock near the end of its final descent, causing it to tip over on its side, according to a data analysis by aeronautical engineers at Houston-based Intuitive Machines.
Despite the unexpected landing, Odysseus is believed to be stable and near its planned landing site near a crater called Malapart A in the moon’s south polar region, said Stephen Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines.
“We are in contact with the lander and are actively sending commands to it in order to capture the first images of the lunar surface from the landing site,” Altemus added.
An update on the mission’s status posted on the company’s website early Friday confirmed that Odysseus was still operational.
Although initial reports indicated that the lander had landed upright, company officials clarified that it had actually landed on its side due to telemetry errors, but most of the payloads onboard were still functional, allowing for communication.
While there are some challenges, such as certain antennas pointing towards the surface and solar panels facing in the wrong direction, the spacecraft’s battery is fully charged and the mission director remains optimistic about fulfilling all payload requirements.
Odysseus utilized liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants and performed well during its flight to the moon, making it the first of its kind in space exploration.
After overcoming navigation system issues during the final approach and descent to the moon, engineers successfully landed the spacecraft, reestablished communication, and are now monitoring its operation as it begins its mission on the lunar surface.
Following the news of the lander tipping over, Intuitive Machines’ stock experienced a 30% decline in extended trading on Friday, offsetting gains made earlier in the day.
Detailed explanations are provided by paleontologists from Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis a remarkable marine reptile from the Middle Triassic of China, based on seven beautifully preserved specimens.
repair of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It is depicted in a school of large predatory actinopterygian fishes. Saurictis. Image credit: Marlene Donnelly.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis They lived in what is now China during the Triassic period about 240 million years ago.
This aquatic reptile could reach up to 6 m (20 ft) in length and had an extremely long neck with 32 separate vertebrae.
the animal looked very similar Tanystropheus hydrides another strange marine reptile that lived during the Middle Triassic period of both Europe and China.
“Both reptiles were similar in size and had some common skull features, including a fish-catching type of dentition,” said Dr Nick Fraser, head of natural sciences at the National Museum of Scotland, and colleagues. Stated.
“but, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It is unique in having more vertebrae in both its neck and torso, giving it a more snake-like appearance. ”
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. Image credit: National Museums of Scotland.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis They are strictly marine reptiles and almost certainly gave birth at sea.
The exact function of its extraordinarily long neck is unknown, but it almost certainly helped catch fish, and in one specimen it is preserved in the stomach contents.
Despite superficial similarities, this reptile was not closely related to the famous long-necked plesiosaur, which evolved only about 40 million years later and inspired the Loch Ness Monster myth.
“This discovery allows us, for the first time, to see the entire body of this amazing long-necked animal,” Dr Fraser said.
“This is another example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle paleontologists.”
“With its striking appearance reminiscent of the long, serpentine dragon of Chinese mythology, we are confident it will capture imaginations around the world.”
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis First described in 2003, the discovery of additional, more complete specimens has allowed the authors to fully describe this strange long-necked creature for the first time.
“Among the amazing discoveries we made in the Triassic of Guizhou, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It probably stands out as the most remarkable,” said Professor Li Chun, a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
of findings Published in today's magazine Earth and Environmental Sciences: Papers of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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Stephen NF Speakman other. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003: A remarkable marine archosaur from the Middle Triassic of southwestern China. Earth and Environmental Sciences: Papers of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, published online on February 23, 2024. doi: 10.1017/S175569102400001X
Recent rains have accelerated land movement in the landslide-prone coastal city of Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County, altering previously uncharted landslide areas, as stated in a city news release.
The sedimentary rock layers in the area tilt toward the sea, causing clay layers to expand and become slippery when saturated with water due to minimal friction, explained Onderdonk.
Concerning areas are expanding due to heavy rains, with a decades-old plan to dewater slopes in the Avalon Cove landslide area significantly slowing down movement, but recent acceleration led to the closure of Wayfarer’s Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. in Avalon Cove.
The city of Rancho Palos Verdes, faced with risks to homes and roads, is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to proceed with state and federal emergency declarations for expedited emergency fixes through the permitting process, as mentioned here.
Many coastal cities in California are vulnerable to landslides.
A tarp covers the bluff behind the house overlooking Capistrano Beach in Dana Point, California. Several seaside areas are dealing with concerns of landslides and coastal erosion following recent storms that hit the state. NBC News
Drone footage of beach houses built on a landslide rubble in Dana Point made headlines recently. Scientists are studying how climate change affects landslides, expected to be detailed in a 2022 study in “Geophysical Research Letters.”
Research indicates that atmospheric river storms in the San Francisco Bay Area coincide with landslides about 76% of the time and are becoming more frequent and intense on the West Coast due to a warming atmosphere’s increased water vapor absorption and transport capacity.
Edward and Debbie Winston-Levin, residents of Dana Point, express concerns about coastal erosion impacting their property and affecting nearby amenities.
After recent storms in California, Edwards, who lives in Dana Point, looks out at his waterfront home amid concerns about landslides and coastal erosion. NBC News
Various coastal cities are making adaptations due to the changing landscape, with plans in motion to address potential risks and impacts.
Experts caution that protecting California’s iconic beaches while safeguarding cliffside homes poses a challenging dilemma for communities.
Uranus (left) and Neptune (right) have several more moons
NASA, ESA, Mark Showalter (SETI Institute), Amy Simon (NASA-GSFC), Andrew I. Hsu, Michael H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley)
Astronomers have discovered new moons around Uranus and Neptune for the first time in 10 years. These are the faintest moons ever discovered orbiting a planet, confirming a long-held idea about moons in the outer solar system.
Scott Shepherd from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C., discovered these moons using the Magellan Telescope in Chile and confirmed them using several other large telescopes around the world. “We looked about four times deeper than anyone has ever looked,” Shepherd said. “These satellites are at the edge of our capabilities. They’re just faint, faint points of light.”
Typically, when looking for the moon, you can only get a maximum exposure of about 5 minutes before it becomes overexposed and the moon’s movement renders it useless. Shepard and his team got around this problem by taking many of these five-minute images in quick succession, observing them for hours, and then combining the darker parts of the images. This allowed them to find dim points of light shining from the faintest moons ever discovered, as well as the smallest moons ever discovered around each planet.
The new moon around Uranus is tentatively named S/2023 U1, but will eventually be given the name of a Shakespearean character, along with the planet’s other moons. It is only about 8 kilometers in diameter and orbits once every 680 Earth days.
One of the new moons around Neptune is called S/2021 N1, and we await its official name from Greek mythology. With a diameter of about 14 kilometers, it takes about 27 Earth years to orbit the planet, making it the farthest moon from its host planet ever discovered. This is also the darkest moon ever discovered.
Discovery image of Uranus’ new moon S/2023 U1 with scattered light from Uranus and trails from background stars
Scott S. Shepherd/Carnegie Institution for Science
The brighter, larger moon discovered orbiting Neptune is called S/2002 N5. As its name suggests, this satellite was first discovered more than 20 years before, but was lost before astronomers could confirm its orbit. “The moon can get lost really easily,” Shepard says. “Basically, you need really good weather, your telescopes need to work perfectly, and everything needs to go well to detect these satellites.” If something goes wrong and a planned observation is lost, the satellite moves out of orbit and becomes very difficult to find again.
Each of the three new moons has an orbit similar to the other two moons in its planetary system, and these fellow travelers form small groups that orbit together. This means that each of these groups likely formed together when larger moons broke up during the early solar system chaos.
“Until now, it was unclear whether Uranus and Neptune had a group of exomoons like Jupiter and Saturn,” Shepard said. “We believe these are debris from satellites that were once much larger, but we’ll probably find many more smaller satellites.” Unfortunately, we’re reaching the limits of what we can discover with current technology, he says it may take even longer before these smaller moons are discovered around Uranus and Neptune.
A device that can measure the force of gravity on particles lighter than a single grain of pollen could help us understand how gravity works in the quantum world.
Despite being stuck to the ground, gravity is the weakest force known to us. Only very large objects, such as planets and stars, generate enough gravity to be easily measured. Doing the same for a very small object at a fraction of the distance and mass in the quantum realm is also possible because the size of the force is so small, but a nearby larger object could overwhelm the signal. It is very difficult because there is
now hendrik ulbricht and colleagues at the University of Southampton in the UK have developed a new way to measure gravity on a small scale, using tiny neodymium magnets weighing about 0.5 milligrams that are suspended in a magnetic field that opposes Earth's gravity.
Small changes in the magnetic field of a magnet caused by the gravitational influence of nearby objects can be converted into a measure of gravity. The whole thing is cooled to near absolute zero and suspended on a spring system to minimize external forces.
This probe can measure the gravitational pull of objects weighing just a few micrograms. “We can increase the sensitivity and push the study of gravity into a new regime,” Ulbricht says.
He and his team found that a 1-kilogram test mass rotating nearby could measure a force of 30 atton-Newtons on a particle. An atnewton is one billionth of a newton. One limitation is that the test mass must be moving at a suitable velocity to cause gravitational resonance with the magnet. Otherwise, it will not be strong enough to pick up the force.
The next stage of the experiment will reduce the test mass to the same size as the magnetic particles so that gravity can be tested while the particles exhibit quantum effects such as entanglement and superposition. Ulbricht said this would be difficult because with such a small mass, all other parts of the experiment would need to be incredibly precise, such as the exact distance between the two particles. Masu. It may take at least 10 years to reach this stage.
“The fact that they even attempted this measurement is appalling to me,” he says. julian starlingis a UK-based engineer, as it is difficult to separate other gravitational effects from the exploration mass. Professor Starling said that in this experiment, the anti-vibration system appeared to have had a small but significant effect on airborne particles, so researchers need to find ways to minimize the gravitational effects of the anti-vibration system. It states that there is.
2023 was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. This included oceans around the world, where records fell like dominoes. Last week, about 5,000 scientists gathered in New Orleans for the American Geophysical Union’s biennial marine science conference. Environmental reporter James Dineen was there to take the temperatures of researchers who have been observing changes occurring in the ocean. You can listen to his segment around 05:00 in the embedded player or read the transcript below.
transcript
James Dineen: There was one thing on everyone’s mind at the world’s largest gathering of marine scientists. It’s heat.
England: “Warming over the past few decades, especially in 2023, is sweeping the sector.”
James: Matthew England is an oceanographer at the University of New South Wales in Australia. He was one of thousands of marine scientists who gathered in New Orleans to discuss the latest research on what’s happening in the ocean.
There will be presentations on everything from new species of octopus to robot flying fish. However, rising temperatures are gaining attention.
England: “The burning of fossil fuels, the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we know that it is trapped heat, and we know that more than 90 per cent of it escapes into the ocean. I know.”
Last year’s average sea surface temperature broke previous records, rising about 0.2 degrees Celsius above 2022 levels. The amount of heat in the ocean at a depth of 2,000 meters also broke a new record. Then, an abnormal marine heat wave occurred from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sea of Japan.
England: “This was the first year on record where it was difficult to find waters that were not warmer than average.”
Researchers here are working to understand the causes and consequences of that fever.
Let’s consider the mystery of the extent of sea ice in Antarctica. It was surprisingly strong until 2016, but it declined sharply that year. The record low was set again in 2022, but then again in 2023 when the Antarctic winter ice did not recover.
But perhaps the most obvious victim of 2023 temperatures was coral reefs. Large areas of coral, especially around the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico, bleached and died.
Ian Enox of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration studies coral reefs in the Keys. He says seeing so many corals die was a painful experience, but it only drove home the urgency for action.
Enoch: “Some people will see this and feel downtrodden. And I’ve seen people come together and be motivated to actually do something meaningful and be able to confront this issue head on. I’ve seen the exact opposite situation.”
Amy Aprile of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts is working on different approaches to restoring coral ecosystems. There are many ideas. But one of her new approaches her team is working on is underwater use. sound.
Apryl: Sound is a basic signal used by coral reef organisms. We understand that it is part of their communication strategy and what they rely on to create a healthy environment. ”
In tests on coral reefs in the Virgin Islands, researchers found that broadcasting underwater recordings of healthy coral reef ecosystems increased the rate at which coral larvae attached to the reef. This could help make coral restoration more effective in the face of rising temperatures.
Apryl: This year has been unprecedented. But the thing that sticks with me and keeps me optimistic is that we’re just getting started and we’re just scratching the surface in putting these solutions into action.
This frigid landscape in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, is a sight to behold, but it may not stay like this for long, so enjoy it while you can.
When snow falls in these places, it hardens into thick ice that flows over the land, forming glaciers, and when it melts, it creates huge reservoirs of water that sustain life. These are ancient and important resources.
Photographing from a helicopter, Burtynsky was shocked to see that the glacier had retreated dramatically since his last visit 20 years ago. The history of glaciers in this range dates back 150,000 years, he said, but they are rapidly shrinking due to global warming caused by human activity.
“When it's gone, it's gone, and the whole ecosystem and the whole living system is changed forever,” Burtynsky says. His images, he says, are designed to remind us of what has been lost. New work It also focuses on soil erosion in Turkey and the impact of coal mining on Australia.
Burtynsky is currently exhibiting in another exhibition in London. extraction/abstraction. It also explores the impact humans have on the planet and is on display at Saatchi's gallery until May 6th.
“I was faced with an overflowing immensity.” An underwater river.
alamy stock photo
From the age of 10, I was allowed to swim alone in the Nieuwe Maas River. The cold water shocked me, calmed me down and stole my heart. I went into the water, lay on my back, closed my eyes, and floated away. Then I staggered back along the stony shore, my legs turning blue and numb from the cold. I wrapped a towel around her and put her head in my lap, shivering. I let the water drain from my ears and the sound of the car returned. It took me a long time to convince myself to stand up again because I didn’t want to go home. As I put my weight down, the stone pressed into the thin soles of my feet, and every time I left the beach I told myself that if I just put the same stone in my pocket and went out into the water, I would never have to go again. I’m going home again.
It was an effective illusion. I was able to continue because I knew I didn’t have to. Every time I swam a little, and every time I climbed ashore, the stones dug deeper into my feet. One afternoon in early fall, I felt particularly hopeless. I couldn’t see any realistic way to escape from Geat’s situation, and I lived in constant fear of him. Storm clouds were approaching and the beach was deserted. I felt a dangerous tremor, felt free to ignore my own safety, and grimaced as I continued into the water. The water burned me and an amazing energy coursed through my body. It was very cold. When I reached the point where my shoulders were submerged in the water, my chest began to spasm and I swallowed a mouthful of bitter water. Then, as if from far away, very faintly, I felt it trying to give way.
I opened my eyes and dove into the water, digging and kicking out. Although it was only a few meters deep, it felt like I was digging another tunnel, entering a crack and swimming through a new realm, my own secret chamber. The water was muddy with the movement of my limbs, but when I stopped I suddenly saw everything clearly. The large rocks on the riverbed were dotted with insects, sponges, limpets, and lichens. Beyond that, green and purple river grass floats. It didn’t make the slightest sound. No water pressure thuds in your ears, no competing voices in your head. I hung horizontally, staring at the scene floating below the water’s surface, there was no further movement clouding my vision, but suddenly, as if out of nowhere, everything around me came to life fully alive. As if he realized that it was happening.
There was no gap between my body and the living world. I was pressed against the teeming vastness, where every cubic millimeter of water was dense with living things. These creatures were so small that I couldn’t see them, but somehow I felt their presence, their camaraderie around me.I wasn’t looking out of the water. towards Life, I looked straight ahead. into the The vast patchwork of water life that supports my body flows into my nostrils, ears, tiny cracks and crevices in my skin, swirls through my hair, and enters the same eyes that observed it. In what felt like minutes but should have been just seconds, I found myself floating in a web of entirely different worlds, important and complex places, and an almost infinite number of independent life forms. , I saw it scoop up countless creatures with every slight change. And the undulation of the body.
extracted from Ascension in progress Written by Martin McInnes, published by Atlantic Books. Ascension in progress This is the latest recommended book from the New Scientist Book Club.Register here and read along
Bitcoin’s mysterious founder Satoshi Nakamoto dismissed early concerns about the cryptocurrency’s potential to consume large amounts of electricity and contribute to carbon emissions, according to newly released emails.
The true identity of Bitcoin’s creator was never revealed, but after Bitcoin’s creation in January 2009, Nakamoto (a pseudonym) remained active in online forums and emails until late 2010, after which he was removed from the project and stopped communicating with him. .
Casimir Funk, the Polish biochemist who coined the term “vitamin” to describe a group of important molecules that help keep us alive, is the subject of today’s Google Doodle.
There have been theories for thousands of years about how food affects health. In ancient Greece and Rome, early physicians invented the “humoral” theory. This theory states that food must have the right balance of wetness, dryness, hotness, and coldness to keep the four essential humors of the body in check (fire, earth, blood, and phlegm). Much later, doctors made clearer connections, such as the observation that consuming citrus fruits like lemons helped prevent scurvy in sailors during long voyages.
In the late 19th century, scientists were trying to understand the cause of beriberi. Beriberi can affect a person’s nervous and cardiovascular systems and is now known as vitamin B1 deficiency. In 1897, Christian Eikman published a study based on experiments with chickens, proposing that a diet containing brown rice was more effective in preventing beriberi than a diet consisting only of white rice.
Casimir Funk read Aikman’s paper and set himself the challenge of finding a compound that confers protective properties on brown rice. In 1912, Funk was able to isolate the chemical believed to be responsible, and discovered that it contained characteristic nitrogen compounds called amines, which he identified as important amines, or vitamins. I named it. Eventually, scientists realized that vitamins don’t necessarily have to contain an amine group, so they dropped the final “e.”
Funk suggests that similar compounds may be present in many other “deficiencies,” as he calls them, “talking about the beriberi and scurvy vitamins. It means a substance that prevents disease.” Funk also correctly suggested that there are vitamins that prevent pellagra and rickets.
The compound Funk isolated and named “anti-beriberi factor,” now called vitamin B3, or niacin, does not actually prevent beriberi. Two years ago, Japanese scientist Umetaro Suzuki isolated vitamin B1 from brown rice and pinpointed its role in preventing beriberi. However, his research was published in a Japanese magazine, and the first Western translation, written in German, did not describe it as a new discovery.
Thirty-five years after Funk’s initial discovery, scientists have discovered a total of 13 remaining vitamins, including eight B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. Funk continued his research into vitamins and continued his research into pharmaceuticals. For the rest of his career, he remained with the company. He produced the first widely used vitamin concentrate in the United States called his OSCODAL, which contained liquid vitamins A and D.
Although vitamins are recognized to help prevent certain diseases, the use of vitamins as supplements is still debated among scientists. A recent meta-analysis found that there is not enough evidence that supplements and vitamins prevent cancer or heart disease for most people.
“Humanity exists on a scale intermediate between elementary particles and the observable universe.” Milky Way Galaxy.
Shutterstock/Nednapa
When measured by orders of magnitude, it is sometimes argued that humanity lies somewhere between subatomic particles and the observable universe. (Put another way, we are somewhere between nothing and everything.) Whether or not this claim is strictly true, it commands attention and sympathy in all kinds of ways. I call. Each of our lives may feel like a whole universe, extremely important and infinite in scope, but from another perspective, each life is completely insignificant and fleeting. This is an impossible paradox, and this state of both surplus and surplus of value presents creative and moral opportunities. I love how these opportunities are explored in fiction, how scale makes human life, and indeed all life, unfamiliar, the infinite nature of its expanse, and I'm interested in what it can do to remind us of the improbability and wonder of its existence.
In each of my novels, especially At Ascension, I placed non-intuitive spatial and temporal perspectives next to the characters' more mundane concerns. Telescopes and microscopes explore deep time, evolution, and the life cycles of parasites and viruses alike. In addition to this, the characters eat, pace between rooms, have anxious, circular thoughts, worry about their families, and are bored. The lens zooms in and out from “domestic” to “foreign” scenes. I am not doing this to ridicule or belittle my characters, but rather that we are both infinite and infinitesimal, equal to the very big and the very small. I'm trying to evoke something in that paradoxical quality of closeness.
I've always been drawn to fiction that attempts this. When scenes with completely different perspectives collide, the effect is surprising, exhilarating and unforgettable. My favorite example is her 1927 novel by Virginia Woolf. To the lighthouse I first read it when I was a teenager. In the opening chapter, “The Window,'' page 134, Woolf gives us, through the character of Mrs. Ramsay, a consciousness so luminous that it seems impossible to define or limit it. In the next part, “Time Passes,” the perspective changes dramatically. The house is empty and the people have long left. Mrs. Ramsay, in her two short lines in parentheses, like an afterthought, we are informed that she has passed away.
I will never forget the shock and excitement I felt when I read this for the first time. I didn't know you could do something like this in fiction. Wolf's boldness and ambition took my breath away. She tragically demonstrated the power and danger of all her consciousness. This is a truism that cannot be repeated enough. Life feels endless, but it passes in the blink of an eye. Many of Woolf's novels are interested in this cacophony, as she lived through both world wars as well as the rapid advances in telescope power that changed all understanding of the size of the universe. This is no coincidence. And many believe that Woolf was not only an avid reader of astronomy books and his science fiction, but also that he had a lifelong commitment to writing that rivaled his most ambitious works. This seems obvious to people, but it's not surprising. SCIENCE FICTION.
main character of Ascension in progress, Lee Hasenbosch is a microbiologist who travels through deep space. Not only is she astonished to see the entire Earth, but she also experiences disappointment as she sees it disappear. Anthropocentrism – arguably the default perspective in English fiction – has never seemed so absurd. As she approaches the Oort Cloud, she becomes aware of other orders of life around her, ranging from algae food stocks to bacterial colonies that move between her and the rest of her crew. There is nothing beyond the ship's compound walls.
From an early age, Lee pursued the origins of life and became obsessed with the theory of life after an epiphany during a near-drowning experience. symbiosis And I was shocked at how impossible it was. It is almost impossible for life to exist, yet it is here. At the same time, she questions her own childhood and its influence on the person she became. Her life and work are centered around the pursuit of this ambiguous origin. So which scale is “correct”? Is she really interested in a universal story or a personal story? The answer, of course, is both. Neither answer alone is sufficient.
Martin McInnes Ascension in progress, published by Atlantic Books, is the New Scientist Book Club's latest pick.Register here and read along
Well, this is where Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's original story ends. sand dunes.
Abandoned into the wilds of the arid planet Arrakis by the invading forces of House Harkonnen, young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) learns the ways of the desert, accepts his genetic and political destiny, and quickly becomes the focus of fanaticism. (A third film, a sequel by author Frank Herbert, is in the works. dune messiah) Cosmic scourge.
Alejandro Jodorowsky's efforts in the mid-1970s never came to fruition (at least not to Swiss artist HR Giger). alien (made famous for his foray into film design), to David Lynch's four-hour-plus Farago, which was edited to nearly two hours before its release in 1984, approaching (but only getting closer to) coherence. The industry has assumed that: dunes This epic is too vast to be photographed easily. But the logic is that if you put enough resources into it, it will eventually collapse.
That this is exactly the wrong lesson was perfectly demonstrated by John Harrison's 2000 miniseries version for the Sci Fi Channel and its sequel. children of the dunes – both were absurdly under-resourced and satisfying stories that fans did, even if critics didn’t.
This time it's Villeneuve's effort.like him blade runner 2049 (which, by the way, is a much better movie), uses visual stimulation to cover up the gaping holes in the plot. Yes, the story is dunes It's spectacular. But it's also strange in the fullest sense of the word.
This is a story about a human empire that reached cosmic proportions without the aid of computers, thinking machines, or sentient robots, which were overthrown long ago in Earth's shadow phase. dunes A universe known as the “Butlerian Jihad”.
Throughout its rise, humanity has bred individuals, medicated them, and otherwise distorted them into beings more like God. As time passes, you teeter on the edge of gaining power as you conquer the universe. The drug-like “spice” mined on the planet Arrakis is not only a rare resource fought over by great rivals, but also the spiritual gateway that will allow humanity to survive in this distant future.
If any one of these elements is left unexplored (or, as here, ignored completely), you'll end up with a ton of fights, swordplay, explosions, crowd scenes, and giant sandworms. A desert is left behind. The unwritten rules of special effects cinematography come into play. Because I assert that the higher the cost of these wriglers, the stupider they are. Ears ring, heart races, and by morning the whole experience evaporates like a long (2 hours and 46 minutes) fever-filled dream.
Dave Bautista as Beast Laban is embarrassingly better than the rest of the cast. The beast is Harkonnen, the alpha predator in this harsh world, but Bautista is the only actor capable of expressing fear. Javier Bardem's desert leader Stilgar is played for laughs (but honestly, name one desert leader in the history of cinema that hasn't been). Chalamet stands still in front of the camera. His lover, played by Zendaya, grimaces and growls like Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion in the movie. wizard of oz.
Dune: Part 2 ' was an expensive ($190 million) film and had the good sense to spend much of its budget in front of the camera. This makes it easy to watch, fun, and sometimes even thrilling.make something good dunes However, movies need some kind of eccentricity. On the contrary, Villeneuve is that terrible thing, a “safe pair.”
A machine learning model figured out how to keep the robot stable on three legs while opening a door with one leg.
Philip Arm, Mayank Mittal, Hendrik Kolvenbach, Marco Hutter/Robot Systems Laboratory
The robot dog can open doors, press buttons, and pick up backpacks with one leg while balancing on its other three legs.
Quadruped robots like Spot, the star of Boston Dynamics' viral video, typically require arms attached to their bodies to open doors or lift objects, which adds significantly to their weight. This can make it difficult for the robot to maneuver through tight spaces. .
philip arm Researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland used a machine learning model to teach an off-the-shelf robotic dog to perform tasks using one of its legs while remaining stationary or moving with the other three. I taught you to do it.
“We can't do everything with our legs that we can do with our arms. We're much more dexterous with our hands at the moment. But what's really important is making this work in applications where there are mass constraints, or in robots. “The idea is to make this work in applications where you don’t want the added complexity, such as space exploration, where every kilogram counts,” Arm says.
To train the dog, the ANYmal robot from ANYbotics, Arm and his team gave the machine learning model the goal of finding a specific point in space on one of the robot's legs. The model then took control of his remaining three legs and independently worked out how to keep the robot balanced when standing and walking.
Arm and his team can now remotely control the robot to perform actions such as picking up backpacks and putting them in boxes, or collecting rocks. Currently, the robot can only perform these tasks when controlled by a human, but Arm hopes future improvements will allow the dog to autonomously manipulate objects with its paws.
genus mouse pseudosyndrome It is one of the few terrestrial placental mammals to have established itself in Australia without human intervention.
The delicate rat of the Pilbara (Pseudomys pyruvalensis). Image credit: Ian Boole.
of Native little mouse (Pseudomys delicaturus)The mouse, also known as the delicate mouse, was previously thought to be a single species that spread across a vast country, from the Pilbara in Western Australia, across parts of the Northern Territory, through Queensland to the New South Wales border. It was getting worse.
“Thanks to new genetic technology, we now identify not one but three species of these delicate mice.”
“Identifying undescribed species and giving them official names will go a long way in ensuring they are properly managed.”
“Although it may be difficult for amateurs to tell the species apart, this discovery is important for the future of this small mouse.”
“The two new species did not receive conservation or research attention because we did not know they were there.”
“For example, we don't know whether population declines were not detected as a result of all three species being assessed as a single unit.”
“This delicate rat was not a priority for conservation, but that's because the distribution of the rat was thought to be three times larger than it actually is. That would allow for a reassessment.”
“Sensitive mice differ from the mice you encounter in your home or backyard in several important ways.”
“Mus musculus, black rats and brown rats are non-native species that have been introduced to Australia since European colonization.”
“Evolutionarily and ecologically, they are very different from native rodents. They compete with our native species for resources.”
“Delicate mice are part of a group of native rodents that have evolved in Australia over the past five million years. They are an important part of Australia's natural environment and ecosystem.”
“The delicate mouse is Australia's smallest rodent. Weighing only 6 grams, it's really small.”
Researchers also discovered that the delicate mice were able to adapt well to their environment, whether it was an arid desert or a forest.
“These three species will now be referred to by common names that reflect their habitat: Western or Pilbara delicate mouse, Eastern delicate mouse and Northern delicate mouse,” they said. Stated.
The history of water on Mars is an interesting mystery not only to planetary scientists but also to the general public. The Red Planet currently has water in the form of ice at its poles, trace amounts of gas in its atmosphere, and an unknown amount of groundwater below the surface bound to minerals and ice. However, there is strong evidence that ancient Mars may have had long-lived streams, rivers, and lakes. There is still much to learn about what Mars was like and how it has changed over time. One approach is to examine water inventories at different points in time. This time, NASA's Perseverance spacecraft discovered hydrated magnesium sulfate (similar to Epsom salts) and dehydrated magnesium sulfate (similar to Epsom salts) formed by water flowing through cracks in the volcanic rock at the floor of the 3.8 billion-year-old Jezero Crater. Discovered calcium sulfate. These hydrated minerals trap water inside and record the history of when and how they were formed. Returning samples of these minerals to Earth will allow researchers to examine Mars' water and climate history, and perhaps evidence of ancient life, using the most sensitive instruments possible.
Jezero Crater on Mars. Image credit: NASA/Tim Goudge.
Planetary scientists believe that Mars may once have had long-lived rivers, lakes, and streams.
Currently, water on Mars exists in polar ice and is trapped beneath the planet's surface.
In a new study, Dr. Andy Zaja and his colleagues at the University of Cincinnati show that the hydrothermal system based on hydrated magnesium sulfate that the rover identified in volcanic rocks may have existed on this planet. revealed.
“When these rocks cool and break down, they become habitable for life,” Dr Chaya said.
“We have yet to find conclusive evidence of life in these deposits. But if fossil microbes were trapped within the rocks, they would be too small to be seen by spacecraft. ”
“These hydrated minerals trap water inside and record the history of how and when they formed.”
“Bringing samples of these minerals back to Earth will allow researchers to examine Mars' water and climate history, and possibly evidence of ancient life, using the most sensitive instruments possible.”
Perseverance began a systematic exploration from the bottom of the crater to the front of a delta formed by ancient rivers and drainage channels. There he encountered sedimentary rocks containing trapped minerals and another avenue for evidence of ancient life.
And last year, the rover reached the rim of the crater, once a huge lake, and is investigating deposits of magnesium carbonate, which can be formed geologically or biologically from bacteria.
“The decision to send Perseverance to Jezero Crater appears to be paying off,” Dr. Zaja said.
“There were other places I could have gone that could have been just as good.”
“We won't know until we investigate everything. But there was a good reason why Jezero was chosen, and it was completely justified.”
Next, the rover will leave Jezero Crater and explore a larger area.
“We are likely to find rocks that are more than 4 billion years old,” Dr. Zaya said.
“And Mars may have stromatolites and rocks that contain evidence of ancient layered bacterial mats that are visible to the naked eye.”
“On Earth, these rocks can be found in extreme environments such as geyser basins.”
“We hope Perseverance whets our appetite for further exploration of Mars.”
“And once we bring the samples back, we'll be able to study Mars for years to come with instruments that haven't been invented yet, looking for evidence of ancient life.”
of result ” Published in the January 2024 issue. Geophysical Research Journal: Planets.
_____
Sandra Siljestrom other. Evidence of alteration of sulfate-rich fluids at the floor of Jezero Crater on Mars. JGR: Planet 129 (1): e2023JE007989; doi: 10.1029/2023JE00798
In a new study, astronomers from Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology examined the coupled distribution of spin and orbital orbits of exoplanets in binary and triple star systems.
An artist's impression of a giant exoplanet and its two parent stars. Image credit: Sci.News.
An important subset of all known exoplanet systems include host stars with one or more bound stellar companions.
These multistar systems can span a vast range of relative configurations and provide rich insights into the processes by which stars and planets form.
“We showed for the first time that a system where everything is coordinated stacks up unexpectedly,” he said. Dr. Malena Ricean astronomer at Yale University.
“The planet orbits in exactly the same direction as the first star rotates, and the second star orbits its system in the same plane as the planet.”
Dr. Rice and his colleagues used a variety of sources, including the Gaia DR3 catalog of high-precision stellar astronomical measurements, the planetary system composite parameter table from the NASA Exoplanet Archive, and the TEPCat catalog of spin-orbit angle measurements of exoplanets. to create a 3D geometric shape. Number of planets in a binary star system.
Astronomers found that nine of the 40 star systems they studied were in “perfect” locations.
“This could indicate that planetary systems prefer to move toward ordered configurations,” Rice said.
“This is also good news for life forming in these systems.”
“A star's companion star with a different alignment can wreak havoc on a planetary system, overturning the planet or flash-heating the planet over time.”
“And what would the world look like on a warmer Tatooine?”
“During some seasons of the year, there would be continuous daylight, and one star would illuminate one side of the Earth, and another star would illuminate the other side.”
“But that sun's light isn't always scorching, because one of the stars is farther away.”
“At other times of the year, both stars will illuminate the same side of the Earth, and one star will appear much larger than the other.”
A robotic spacecraft made history Thursday by becoming the first civilian spacecraft to land on the moon and the first U.S. vehicle to accomplish the feat in more than 50 years.
The lander, built by Intuitive Machines, touched down on the moon around 6:23 p.m. ET after overcoming a late-stage malfunction with its onboard laser equipment. The Nova-C lander, nicknamed Odysseus, was the first American spacecraft to reach the moon’s surface since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
“Houston, Odysseus has found a new home,” Tim Crane, the company’s chief technology officer, radioed back from the control room as employees cheered and celebrated.
It took several minutes to confirm the landing. As expected, mission controllers lost contact with the spacecraft as it made its final descent.
The company said it was able to detect a weak signal from one of Odysseus’ antennas, but needed more data to determine how the spacecraft landed and in what conditions. About two hours later, the team received good news.
“After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers confirmed that Odysseus was upright and beginning to transmit data,” Intuitive Machines said. mentioned in the X update. “Currently, we are working on downlinking the first images from the lunar surface.”
Intuitive Machines CEO Stephen Altemus called the landing an “outstanding effort” and praised the entire team. “I know this was a blow, but we’re on the ground and communicating. Welcome to the moon,” Artemus said.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also congratulated Intuitive Machines on their landing, calling the milestone a “victory.”
“Odysseus took the moon,” Nelson said in a video message played during a live broadcast of the event. “This feat is a huge step forward for all humanity.”
Odysseus was launched into space on February 15th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The 14-foot-tall lander then traveled more than 620,000 miles over six days to reach the moon.
The landing time was adjusted several times on Thursday as Intuitive Machines adjusted the spacecraft’s orbit around the moon.
When Odysseus descended to the moon’s surface, he targeted a landing site near a crater called Malapart A, near the moon’s south pole. The moon’s south polar region has long intrigued scientists because water ice is thought to be relatively abundant in the region’s permanently shadowed craters. .
Odysseus travels with a combination of commercial cargo and NASA scientific equipment. The lander is expected to spend about a week collecting data on the lunar surface before lunar night begins and the spacecraft powers down.
About an hour before landing, the company also scrambled to resolve a problem with its laser equipment, which is designed to help the rover assess the lunar surface terrain and find a safe, non-hazardous landing site. . Odysseus’s laser rangefinder was inoperable, but a sensor from NASA’s scientific instruments aboard the lander was reused.
The mission is part of the Commercial Lunar Landing Services Program, established by NASA to help private companies develop lunar landers. NASA will eventually hire these companies to transport cargo and scientific equipment to the moon’s surface as part of the agency’s broader ambitions to return astronauts to the moon.
NASA awarded Intuitive Machines $118 million to perform the moon landing.
Last month, another company tried unsuccessfully to send a lander to the moon under the same NASA program. The spacecraft, built by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology, suffered a catastrophic failure shortly after launch, forcing the company to abort the entire mission.
In addition to being the first commercial spacecraft on the moon, Odysseus also joined an elite club. To date, only the space agencies of the United States, the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan have successfully made a controlled or “soft landing” on the moon. Moon.
Photo taken by the Odysseus spacecraft in lunar orbit
intuitive machine
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander has landed on the moon. This is the first time a private company has landed a spacecraft on the moon, a welcome success after a string of recent high-profile landing failures by other companies.
The Odysseus spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket on February 14 for the flight, called the IM-1 mission. It entered lunar orbit on February 21st and landed near the moon's south pole on February 22nd.
Live footage from air traffic controllers became tense as the scheduled landing time passed without any contact from the lander. Finally, minutes after Odysseus was scheduled to land, Tim Crane, mission director in Intuitive Machines' mission control room, said, “We're receiving a signal. It's faint, but it's definitely there.'' “I'm doing it.”
The signal indicated that the spacecraft had landed on the moon, but the state of the spacecraft is still unknown. However, the landing was successful. “We know this has been a pain, but we're on the surface,” said Stephen Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines. “Welcome to the moon”
Before this landing, three other companies attempted to send landers to the moon. SpaceIL's Beresheet spacecraft was launched in 2019, and ispace's Hakuto-R mission was launched in 2022, but both crash-landed and were destroyed.
Astrobotic's Peregrine lander didn't even get very far after launching in January. A fuel leak forced the operators to return to Earth to burn up in the atmosphere. The success of the IM-1 has brought Intuitive Machines into an elite club. To date, only the national space agencies of the Soviet Union, the United States, China, India, and Japan have successfully landed on the moon.
Now that we have landed safely, we can begin the second part of the IM-1 mission. Odysseus carried six NASA payloads and six commercial payloads to the Moon. Some of these already serve that purpose, such as landing aids and cameras to take pictures of the landing. Some people have succeeded simply by reaching the moon. Perhaps most notable is artist Jeff Koons' collection of his 125 small sculptures. Other instruments are also now beginning their missions, including instruments that will measure how the moon's surrounding environment affects its surface.
The IM-1 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, through which government contracts are awarded to private companies to build spaceflight capabilities through public-private partnerships. Three more moon landings are planned through CLPS in 2024, including an Intuitive Machines mission to harvest water ice from the moon's south pole.
What does this mean? McCann distills the answer into her 46-word sentence, which gains more meaning with each dozen readings. Or it doesn't make much sense.
The sentence is as follows: “Such a relationship is speculated to be based on a hypothesized but poorly understood genetic link between handedness, personality, and political beliefs and attitudes; genetic predisposition The effect of left-handedness in the population may have a much larger impact on the correlation. blatant left handed level. ”
Feedback points out that these 46 words, and the paper as a whole, leave a lot to the imagination.
in lonely splendor
A person's individuality shines more when they are alone than when they are with friends.
In particular, researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia and the University of Edinburgh in the UK say that “vocalization is rare when other sheep are present, suggesting that this behavior is a response to loneliness.”
when nothing is good
James Hodges writes: “In response to your segment about doctors waiting for patients to recover on their own, it's completely part of our job.
“I'm a pediatrician. We take doing nothing very seriously. “Cat-like observation and admirable inactivity” are firmly believed in our world. It's a belief. We often admit patients with viral illnesses for which there is no cure. We watch, we support, and the child gets better.
“There are certainly times when doing nothing is the best treatment. If you have a child who is quite unwell and unstable, getting excited will make the condition worse. We often use the 'minimum response' approach.” This is a categorical way of telling your child to leave you alone. If possible, let your child sleep with your parents so they don't bother you too much. Never force the needle or medicine into it. Experienced pediatric nurses are very good at this (it's truly an art of medicine).
“This is not just children who are acutely unwell. Babies with colic (most of the time) do not become adolescents with colic. There are countless childhood diseases that we do not treat. Depurative purpura is a great example. There are a lot of places where we're treating it, but there's pretty little evidence that it's changing anything.
“Children's physiology is really amazing, and I often feel like a passenger, watching them fix themselves, sometimes providing reassurance and distraction. It's such a great job. .”
(Feedback indicates that, with this letter being an exception, nearly all answers we receive on this question are from retired physicians.)
fresh as an onion
Dimple Devi and her colleagues have devised a way to use onions to extend the freshness of milk.
When used in this way, researchers say onions have almost endless benefits. “Addition of onion peel extract to biopolymers decreased water content, water solubility, swelling index, and transparency, and significantly increased antioxidant activity and total phenolic content.'' Utilized agricultural/food processing waste that is generated in large quantities.”
The report does not address the question of how consumers would react to the idea that milk is protected despite not being flavored. – onion.
keep carrying it
As Ken Taylor peruses the ever-growing list of trivial superpowers in his feedback, he asks questions about his abilities. As a teenager, I delivered milk and could manage 6 full pint milk bottles and 10 empty milk bottles. As an adult, I was able to impress my friends by carrying four pints of beer (beer without a handle) with my fingers spread wide and wrapped around the rim. It looks pretty cool as long as you don't drop it. Does this count as a superpower? It's your phone. ”
Ken's calm tenacity as he carries the container embodies the Carry On tradition.
Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.
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Micrograph of a cross-section of a mouse brain highlighting neural pathways (green)
Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute/Scientific Photo Library
By analyzing a mouse’s brain activity, scientists can tell where the animal is and the exact direction the mouse is looking. With further research, the findings could one day help robots navigate autonomously.
The mammalian brain uses two main types of neurons for navigation. “Head direction cells” indicate where the animal is facing, and “grid cells” help provide her two-dimensional brain map of where the animal is located.
To learn more about the firing of these neurons, Vasilios Marlas and colleagues at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, worked with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to analyze data from previous studies.
In this experiment, probes were inserted into the brains of several mice. They then combined data about their neural firing patterns with video footage showing their position and head position as they moved around their open environment.
Because of this, Marlas and his colleagues developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that can figure out where the mouse is looking and where it is.
In practice, it’s similar to the drop pins and directional arrows on your smartphone’s map app, except instead of connecting to GPS satellites, scientists analyze the subjects’ brain activity.
“This method eliminates the reliance on updating GPS coordinates based on preloaded maps, satellite data, etc.,” Marulas says. “In a sense, the algorithm ‘thinks’ and perceives space in the same way as a mammalian brain.”
AI could eventually allow intelligent systems to move autonomously, he says. “In other words, we are taking advantage of the way the mammalian brain processes data and incorporating it into the architecture of our algorithms.”
Adam Hines Researchers from Australia’s Queensland University of Technology say the smartphone app analogy is helpful. “The location information (drop pin) and the direction (blue arrow) match, and during navigation, as he moves, the two pieces of information are constantly updated. Grid cells are like GPS, heading cells are It’s like a compass.”
Some AIs may be able to hack websites without human assistance
Ole.CNX/Shutterstock
Researchers have discovered that OpenAI’s artificial intelligence model GPT-4 has the ability to hack websites and steal information from online databases without any human assistance. This suggests that individuals and organizations without hacking expertise could unleash AI agents to carry out cyberattacks.
“You literally don’t have to understand anything; you just let the agent hack your website on its own,” he says. Daniel Kang At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “We believe this will significantly reduce the required expertise…
Planting forests helps reduce further global warming by absorbing some of the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere. But the global climate benefit could be about 15 to 30 percent smaller than previously estimated, due to other influences such as sunlight absorption by trees.
“We're not saying don't plant trees,” he says. james webber at the University of Sheffield, UK. It's just that the climate benefits aren't as big as we thought, he says.
The impact of trees will depend in part on what other actions are taken to address climate change. Weber and his colleagues showed that the more forests are planted, the greater the benefits. “It’s more positive and efficient to do other things at the same time,” he says.
It has long been known that plants have both warming and cooling effects. In particular, dark foliage can have a warming effect by absorbing light that would otherwise be reflected into the space. This effect is strongest when trees are replaced by snow or ice, but can occur in other situations as well.
Plants also release volatile organic compounds into the air. “Those are the chemicals that create the smell of the forest,” team members say james king also at the University of Sheffield.
These biogenic compounds can affect the climate in a variety of ways. One important example is that it can react with chemicals in the atmosphere that react with methane. “So the methane stays around longer, and methane is a powerful greenhouse gas,” Weber said.
Compounds emitted by plants can also react with nitrogen oxides to form ozone, another greenhouse gas.
These effects will lead to further warming. However, compounds of biological origin can also form aerosol particles that reflect sunlight and have a cooling effect.
To understand the overall climate impact of afforestation, the researchers incorporated these and other processes into a climate model in which all available land is forested. This means, for example, trees that are located in areas that are currently grasslands, but not in farmland or urban areas.
“To our knowledge, this is the first time this has been done on a global scale and based on a plausible reforestation scenario,” King said.
The researchers modeled two scenarios. For one, little is being done to tackle climate change other than planting trees. In this case, the warming avoided by CO2-absorbing forests is reduced by 23 to 31 percent, once other forest impacts are taken into account.
In the second, more optimistic scenario, strong action is taken to limit further warming. In this case, avoided warming was reduced by 14 to 18 percent.
One reason for the difference is that reducing fossil fuel emissions reduces aerosols from air pollution. In a polluted world, adding more aerosols from forests won't make much of a difference, but in a cleaner world, the cooling effect will be greater.
The team acknowledges that the model is still incomplete and does not include all feedback effects. For example, it includes the greenhouse effect of ozone, but not its effects on vegetation. High levels of ozone can kill trees, meaning less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. The model also does not include the effects of wildfires.
“It's very complicated,” King says. “It's not really possible to consider all feedback in one study.”
“Importantly, this study shows that preventing deforestation is a much more efficient way to mitigate climate change compared to reforestation, and therefore should be prioritized. It’s a necessity,” he says. Stephanie Law Climate Scientist at WWF in Washington, DC.
Another feedback missing from the model is the cooling effect of water evaporating from leaves, which can be greater in tropical regions, Roe says. So the climate benefits of tree planting may be overestimated, she says, but the study doesn't yet tell the full story.
Additionally, tree planting has many other benefits for humans and wildlife, including reducing erosion, maintaining water supply and quality, providing food and jobs, and reducing extreme heat in the region. “Afforestation, especially reforestation in forest biomes with native species, is absolutely worth pursuing,” says Lo.
“We've always known that forests have a warming effect under certain conditions and a cooling effect under others. What this study shows is that forests have an overwhelming net The effect is a cooling effect.” thomas crouser in ETH Zurich Swiss.
“But most importantly, even if the effects of cooling were not as great, we still need to conserve our natural forests to support the planet's biodiversity and the billions of people who depend on it.” “There is,” he says.
Chemical reactions in volcanic pools may have contributed to the birth of life on Earth
Michael S. Nolan/Alamy
One of the most important molecules in living organisms is synthesized from scratch under everyday conditions. The discovery suggests that this chemical formed naturally early in Earth's history and may have played a role in the origin of life.
The substance in question is called pantetheine. It is not a well-known name at the DNA or protein level. However, pantetheine is an important component of a larger molecule called pantetheine. acetyl coenzyme A, A “cofactor” that helps enzymes work.
“Coenzyme A is present in every organism ever sequenced,” he says. Matthew Powner At University College London.
Powner has spent most of his career discovering ways to make biomolecules from simple chemicals in a way that can occur naturally. Over the past decade, he has shown that: aminonitrile can be used to make nucleotide – the building blocks of DNA – and peptide, Short version of protein.
His team has now shown that aminonitrile can be used to make pantetheine in a series of reactions starting with simple chemicals like formaldehyde. This was done in water, often at such dilute concentrations that the reaction mixture appeared like clear water. The team sometimes used heat to speed up their work, but otherwise did not need to intervene once the reaction started.
“We just put everything in one pot. We literally just throw everything in, we don't change anything, we don't do anything, and we have a 60% yield of product,” Powner says.
Acetyl coenzyme A is involved in the synthesis of several biologically important chemicals. Some of the oldest microbial groups use processes involving microorganisms to obtain carbon from the environment.
Importantly, pantetheine is the active portion of the acetyl-coenzyme A molecule. No more than one bit is “essential to its functionality,” Powner says.
“Obtaining key organic biological cofactors from scratch,” he says, is impressive, “not to mention one of such centrally important ones.” Zachary Adam from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was not involved in the study.
For Adam, the importance of this research extends beyond pantetheine and acetyl coenzyme A. “They report this particular part of the cofactor, but intermediates have been shown to be important as well,” he says. Other chemicals produced in the process have been shown to aid in the production of other biomolecules. “They're building a network of compounds.”
Many ideas about the origin of life have assumed that a small set of biomolecules formed long before other molecules. For example, the “RNA world” hypothesis states that first life was made solely of RNA, and other chemicals such as proteins and lipids were added after RNA was able to make them. .
Powner is one of several researchers pushing for an alternative scenario in which many important molecules form early and interact from the beginning. “These products can all be products of the same chemical reaction,” he says. Rather than starting with just RNA, or just peptides, “it might be easier to make them all together, so the chemical reactions they perform are integrated from the original state.”
Even if it's sweet, it's over
Most people die when they get old.
Roughly speaking, that short sentence can summarize the Dutch/Danish/British study called “.Coffee and tea sugar use and long-term mortality risk in older Danish adult men: 32 years of follow-up in a prospective cohort study”.
The study states: “A total of 2,923 men (mean age at participation: 63±5 years) were included, of whom 1,007 (34.5%) had added sugars. Over 32 years of follow-up, 2581 participants ( 88.3%) died, 1677 (87.5%) in the non-sugar group and 904 (89.9%) in the sugar group.
The nifty and parsimonious summary of the feedback is reminiscent of Yoshiro Nakamatsu's speech at the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. (Nakamatsu, also known as Dr. Nakamatsu, won the Ig Nobel Prize in Nutrition in 2005 for photographing and retrospectively analyzing every meal he consumed over a 34-year period; (This will continue into 2024.) Mr. Nakamatsu said: Speeches should be short. ”
shocking news
Practicing mindfulness allows you to focus on one thing at a time. A 10-year-old study called “The Role of Mindfulness-Based Psychological Support in the Process of ECT'' has been attracting attention and feedback has continued.
ECT is an acronym for electroconvulsive therapy. This study was one of the most successful attempts, and perhaps the only one, to intentionally combine mindfulness with this therapy.
The researchers reported that after receiving the electric shock, the patients “remained cognitively functional enough to participate in simple mindfulness-based psychotherapy, with no evidence of difficulty recalling new information.” are doing.
They (researchers), then at the Mid-Central District Health Board in Palmerston North, New Zealand, came to a multisyllabic conclusion.
They write: “This study confirms the benefits of Ultrabrief Pulsed ECT in reducing adverse cognitive effects…but also proves that psychological interventions and physical treatments are not mutually exclusive.”
take care of the dishes
Just one year later, American researchers published a study called “.Washing dishes to wash dishes: Brief instruction in informal mindfulness practices.”. They had a goal in mind. “We found that compared to a control condition, participants who received mindful dishwashing instruction reported higher levels of mindfulness, perceived attention, and positive We hypothesized that it would show emotion,” they wrote.
They tested their hypothesis on 51 college students and reported that the test was successful. Their study ended with the big-picture recognition that “the implications of these findings are wide-ranging.”
Be mindful of mindfulness
You can also become aware of mindfulness. Three researchers (two at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and one at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia) took a close look at the large body of research published on mindfulness and found out what they thought they saw. Published research. Their research isExploring the past, present, and future of the field of mindfulness: A multi-technique bibliographic review” and are more or less dissatisfied that many people are not paying attention to these studies.
The researchers explain why so few people are paying attention to mindfulness research: “Low citation rates may simply indicate that the document pertains to a narrow field of research. Therefore, it should not be misinterpreted as evidence of poor quality.”
resistance to antibiotics
David Gordon added his non-normative perspective to the collection of professional opinions on feedback on whether “medicine equals entertaining the patient while nature influences healing” .
“Every intervention comes with potential side effects, so it makes sense to avoid unnecessary interventions. As a retired family physician, I try to control the fear caused by symptoms and treat self-limiting and primarily viral infections.” By explaining the natural history of acute respiratory tract infections, we have significantly reduced antibiotic prescriptions, especially for mothers with young children.
“These principles can sensibly be applied to other medical scenarios. Unfortunately, this is not good for business, nor for doctors, nor for the pharmaceutical companies who unavoidably act as proxies.” The number of “re-examinations” to deal with undiagnosed anxiety is decreasing. More importantly, in the long run, patients are denied the belief that all illnesses require a prescription. ”
loss of power
Superpowers are not all permanent, even the little things readers add to their feedback summaries. Grainne Collins reveals: “I had a superpower: I could look at any list or table of numbers and immediately see that there was a mistake.” It might take him 10 minutes to figure out what was wrong. But I was always right. Unfortunately, since my dyslexia has been cured (I can now tell the difference between “shape'' and “kara'' without studying), my superpower has also been cured! ”
Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.
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You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please enter your home address. This week's and past feedback can be found on our website.
Crohn’s disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStockphoto/Getty Images/www.peopleimages.com
A one-year study of 386 people found that receiving advanced treatment soon after diagnosis of Crohn’s disease improves outcomes for patients.
This disease is a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease; impact millions of peopleIn the world. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss.
“These symptoms have a huge impact on people’s quality of life, education, relationships, and ability to work,” he says. Miles Parks at Cambridge University. “While there is no cure, there are ways to reduce some of these negative outcomes.”
Treatment often includes dietary changes, immunosuppressants, and steroids. In the UK, a drug called infliximab (an antibody that targets a specific protein in the body that is thought to contribute to intestinal inflammation) is given to people who regularly experience flare-ups of Crohn’s disease, or other mild symptoms. It can be prescribed to people who are not responding to. Treatment.
“This is a ‘step-up’ approach where treatment is progressively escalated in a reactive manner as the disease returns,” he says. Nurlaminnuralso at the University of Cambridge.
To see what happens if this more powerful treatment is used as early as possible, Parkes and Noor et al. studied 386 newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease patients aged 16 to 80 in the UK. Recruited people.
They were divided into two groups. One patient received infliximab immediately regardless of symptoms, and the other was treated with other Crohn’s disease drugs. If symptoms persist or continue to worsen, participants in the second group will also be prescribed infliximab, in line with a “step-up” approach.
After one year, 80 percent of patients who initially received infliximab had their symptoms under control over time, compared with only 15 percent of those who did not receive treatment immediately.
Additionally, only 0.5% of people in the group who received infliximab immediately required abdominal surgery for Crohn’s disease, compared to 4.5% in the second group.
The results of this study suggest that giving patients with Crohn’s disease intensive treatment as soon as they are diagnosed may be more effective in improving their lives, Dr. Noor said.
Parks said the extra money spent on medication would be balanced out by not having to pay for subsequent scans, colonoscopies and surgeries for people with repeated relapses.
“People with Crohn’s disease don’t want to be hospitalized or undergo surgery. They want to go out into the outside world and live their lives. Anything that speeds the path to remission. It can only be a good thing,” says Ruth Wakeman of the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
Intuitive Machines is preparing to create history as the first private company to land on the moon following last week’s launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Nova-C lander named Odysseus (affectionately nicknamed “Odie”) is scheduled to touch down at 5:30pm ET (10:30pm GMT) and everything is proceeding as planned. This will be the first instance of an American-led mission reaching the moon since the end of the Apollo program over 50 years ago.
The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative, aiming to return humans to the moon by the end of this decade, led by a private company.
Since NASA’s Apollo 11 landed in 1969, several countries including the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan have successfully placed equipment on the moon.
Today’s “space race” is different not only because more countries are involved but also due to the private sector having a central role on the forefront. It is now possible for an individual or company with sufficient funds to place something on the moon.
The mission includes all of NASA’s key experiments, with a total of six experiments collecting data critical to NASA’s crewed Artemis missions later this decade. This leaves room for additional unique additions.
1. Puffer jacket
Columbia Sportswear has developed a lining for the Omni-Heat Infinity Jacket, designed to keep explorers warm in harsh environments, to be used on the Odie during the mission to protect the lander’s equipment from extreme temperatures.
Image credit: Intuitive Machines
2. Photos for the gram
Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus challenged students back in 2019 to capture photos of the landing from a third-person perspective, leading to the creation of the EagleCam which is poised to capture snapshots of the lunar landing.
The EagleCam is the first third-person photo camera for a landing and also serves as the first moon landing project built by a college student, it also uses WiFi on the moon.
3. Miniature satellite
Renowned American artist Jeff Koons has created 125 stainless steel sculptures depicting the moon as seen from Earth, along with an array of scientific equipment to be placed on the moon.
4. (Almost) All Human Knowledge
The Arch Mission Foundation is sending a permanent archive of human information along with the lander, ensuring that human knowledge is safely stored for posterity.
According to Intuitive Machines, the repository includes archives like the Rosetta Project, Long Now Foundation content, Project Gutenberg content, and other cultural archive datasets, and an English version of Wikipedia.
5. A very stylish file cabinet
Lone Star Data Holdings has secured a location for the Independence data center within the IM-1 mission, allowing the safe storage and transmission of documents on the moon.
When can we see the moon landing?
Coverage of the Intuitive Machine’s moon landing can be followed live through NASA’s web services from 4pm ET (9pm GMT). Live videos and comments can be accessed through NASA TV, NASA+ streaming service, or the NASA app.
About our experts
Science writer and journalist Joel Renstrom and computer scientist and author Peter Bentley provided insights for this story.
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