Odysseus Makes Historic Landing on the Moon as First Commercial Lander

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Houston-based company successfully launched a private lunar lander into space on its second attempt early Thursday morning. The spacecraft, developed by Intuitive Machines, took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1:05 a.m. ET atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The original launch was scheduled for Wednesday but was canceled due to a problem with the rocket’s methane fuel. Intuitive Machines aims to land the first commercially built spacecraft on the moon, which would be the first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years. The lander, named Odysseus, will spend a week in space before attempting to settle on the moon’s surface on February 22nd. This mission comes after another company, Astrobotic Technology, attempted but failed to send a lander to the moon’s surface due to a severe fuel leak shortly after liftoff. Both Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic Technology are part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Lander Services Program, designed to accelerate the development of lunar landers by private companies to deliver cargo to the lunar surface and transport scientific equipment. On its next flight, Odysseus will carry a combination of commercial cargo and NASA scientific equipment and is expected to land near the moon’s south pole. NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in the next few years. The timeline for upcoming Artemis missions has been delayed, and NASA eventually hopes to begin regular missions to the moon and build a base camp there.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Use of School Uniforms May Restrict Children’s Exercise Opportunities

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

School uniforms can restrict movement and make children less active

Dan Kenyon/Getty Images

Wearing a uniform to school is associated with a lack of physical activity in young children, especially girls.

While many children are missing World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, Mairead Ryan Researchers at the University of Cambridge decided to investigate why.

They analyzed existing data on the physical activity levels of more than 1 million children aged 5 to 17 in 135 countries and territories, and conducted an original online survey on the prevalence of school uniforms in these regions. compared with the results.

Overall, boys were 1.5 times more likely to meet WHO recommendations for physical activity than girls. But among younger children who live in areas where uniforms are the norm, the difference is nearly twice as large, Ryan said.

Among middle school students (generally 11 to 17 years old), uniforms did not appear to be associated with gender differences in physical activity. However, in primary school (ages 5 to 10), the difference between girls and boys was 9.8 percentage points in areas where at least 50 percent of schools required uniforms, compared to 5.5 percentage points in areas with low uniform requirements. was.

According to the researchers, the difference in results between older and younger children is that elementary school children get more physical activity from sporadic exercise throughout the day, whereas adolescents get most of their total physical activity. This may be due to the fact that they get this from structured activities.

“If girls wear skirts or dresses, they may feel less confident doing things like doing cartwheels and falls on the playground or riding their bikes on windy days,” the team members say. esther van slicealso at the University of Cambridge.

Although this finding does not show that school uniforms are the cause of lower physical activity rates, it is consistent with other research that suggests that children, especially girls, find uniforms restrictive. We are doing so.

Research in ChileFor example, it has been found that children's cardiovascular fitness improves when they wear sports-appropriate uniforms to school rather than traditional clothing such as skirts, blouses, ties, and blazers.Ireland's former sports minister worries that uniforms are hindering children's athletic activities jack chambers mentioned the issue In a December 2022 report on youth sports.

While the findings do not support a “total ban” on uniforms, they do suggest that further research is needed, particularly on whether changes to uniforms would help. “For example, we don't know if it's the design of the uniform, the fabric, or the shoes, but that could be a factor,” Ryan said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The unsettling reality of cannibalism in human history

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of at least six people at Gough's Cave in the Cheddar Valley in southwest England. Many of the bones were intentionally broken, and the fragments are covered in cut marks, the result of people using stone tools to separate the bones and remove the flesh.Additionally, 42 percent of bone fragments traces of human teeth. There is little doubt that the people who lived in this cave 14,700 years ago practiced cannibalism.

Today, cannibalism is considered taboo in many societies. We think that's an anomaly, as evidenced by films like . texas chainsaw massacre. We associate it with zombies, psychopaths, and serial killers like the fictional Hannibal Lecter. There are very few positive stories about cannibals. But despite our preconceptions, evidence is accumulating that cannibalism was a common human behavior, so perhaps it's time to reconsider.

Our ancestors have been eating each other for over a million years. In fact, it seems that about one-fifth of society has practiced cannibalism since ancient times. While some of this cannibalism may have been done simply to survive, in many cases the reasons appear to be more complex. For example, in places like Gough's Cave, eating the bodies of the dead appears to have been part of the funerary ritual. Some archaeologists say cannibalism may be a way to show respect and love for the dead, rather than a horrific insult to nature.

Stories of cannibals can be found throughout human history.At Homer's Odyssey,…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Confirmation of the existence of a new form of magnetism

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

AC magnetism works differently than standard magnetism

Libor Chemeikal and Anna Birk Hellenes

A new type of magnetism has been measured for the first time. Alternative magnets that combine the properties of different types of existing magnets could be used to make high-capacity, high-speed memory devices and new types of magnetic computers.

Until the 20th century, permanent magnets were thought to consist of only one type of ferromagnetic material. Ferromagnetic effects are seen in objects with relatively strong external magnetic fields, such as refrigerator magnets and compass needles.

These fields are caused by the magnetic spins of the magnet’s electrons aligned in one direction.

But in the 1930s, French physicist Louis Niel discovered another type of magnetism called antiferromagnetism, in which the spin of the electrons alternates up and down. Although antiferromagnets do not have the external magnetic field of ferromagnets, they exhibit interesting internal magnetic properties because of their alternating spins.

And in 2019, researchers Complex currents in the crystal structure of certain antiferromagnets, called the anomalous Hall effect, which could not be explained using the conventional alternating spin theory. Current flowed without an external magnetic field.

When we looked at the crystal from the perspective of a sheet of spins, it seemed to us that: A third type of permanent magnetism, called vicarious magnetism, may be responsible. Alternating magnets look like antiferromagnets, but the sheets of spin look the same no matter what angle they are rotated from. This explains the Hall effect, but no one had seen the electronic signature of the structure itself, so scientists weren’t sure if it was definitely a new kind of magnetism.

now, Juraj Krempaski and his colleagues at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Billigen, Switzerland, and his colleagues have discovered that by measuring the electronic structure within the crystals of magnesium telluride, previously thought to be antiferromagnetic, they were able to create an alternating magnet. confirmed the existence of

To do this, they measured how light reflected off magnesium telluride and found the energy and speed of the electrons in the crystal. After mapping these electrons, they found that they matched almost exactly the predictions given by simulations of alternating current magnetic materials.

The electrons appear to be split into two groups, which allows them to move more within the crystal and is the source of the unusual magnetic properties. “This gave us direct evidence that we can talk about metamorphic magnets and that they behave as predicted by theory,” Krempasky says.

This grouping of electrons appears to originate from the nonmagnetic tellurium atoms in the crystal structure, which separates the magnesium’s magnetic charge into each plane, allowing for its unusual rotational symmetry.

“It’s really amazing to prove that these substances actually exist,” he says. Richard Evans At York University, UK. Not only can electrons in alternating magnets move more freely than electrons in antiferromagnets, but this new type of magnet has no external magnetic fields like ferromagnets, so it could be used to create non-interfering magnetic devices. Evans says. each other.

This characteristic can increase the storage capacity of your computer’s hard drive. This is because commercially available devices are packed with ferromagnetic materials so tightly that external magnetic fields in the material begin to interfere. AC magnets can be packed more densely.

They say this magnet could even lead to spintronic computers that use magnetic spins instead of electrical current to perform measurements and calculations. joseph barker At the University of Leeds in the UK, memory and computer chips have been combined into a single device. “This may give more hope to the idea that spintronic devices can become a reality,” Barker says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Bovine cell-infused rice may offer a sustainable dietary option

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Rice and beef finally come together

Yonsei University

It's the ultimate fusion food. Two key ingredients come together in a lab-created hybrid format for ready-to-eat rice and beef meals.

A number of research groups and companies are developing meat products grown from cells in the laboratory to address issues such as the heavy environmental impact of animal agriculture.

Rather than coaxing animal cells to grow into large structures that replicate the texture of meat (which has proven difficult) Hong Jin-ki Doctors from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, wanted to create a “new complete food” by fusing rice grains with cultured animal cells.

They first coated the rice grains with fish gelatin so that the cow muscle cells could attach to the rice grains, and then allowed the cells to grow throughout the rice grains for about five to seven days. The rice was then placed in a culture medium to encourage the growth of bovine cells within the grain.

The resulting beef-rice hybrid can be boiled or steamed just like regular rice. Hong said its texture is harder, more brittle and less sticky than regular rice, and it has a nutty taste.

“It's not like beef in the traditional sense, but it offers a new gastronomic experience that combines the familiarity of rice with the richness of meat's flavor,” he says.

Researchers found that hybrid rice contained 7% more protein and 8% more fat than regular rice. Researchers estimate that beef production releases about 50 kilograms of carbon dioxide per 100 grams of protein, compared to about 6 kilograms of carbon dioxide released per 100 grams of protein.

Hong said that unlike other types of cultured meat, all the ingredients used to make beef rice are well-known, cheap and highly nutritious. Additionally, this process does not involve genetic modification.

“These benefits…offer a more sustainable way to produce meat, reduce the environmental footprint associated with traditional livestock farming, and create new food sources that can meet the growing global demand for protein. We provide that,” Hong said.

“Not only is it a great gimmick, but it can also be very useful,” he says. Johannes Le Coutre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. “The key is whether these products can be scaled up. The challenge is growing meat cells on rice at scale.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

By 2050, Half of the Amazon Rainforest May be Reaching a Climate Tipping Point

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Forest fires in the Amazon in October 2023

Gustavo Basso/Null Photography via Getty Images

Large parts of the Amazon rainforest are threatened by the combined effects of drought, heat and deforestation, and some ecosystems may be pushed past tipping points. But the likelihood of a larger collapse remains uncertain.

“Forests as a whole are very resilient, so we still have room to act,” he says. Marina Hirota at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Researchers have warned for decades that rising temperatures and deforestation could push the Amazon past a tipping point, leading to runaway feedbacks that could lead to a rapid transition from forest to savannah. The drought and heat caused by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, as well as the warming temperatures caused by climate change, are once again on the rise.

But climate and ecological models that describe the Amazon's highly complex structure disagree on when and where such a tipping point would occur.

To understand which regions of the Amazon are most at risk, Hirota and his colleagues looked at satellite data to see how several different ecosystem stressors might change in the coming decades. evaluated. These include dry season temperatures, exposure to drought, and the risk of fire and deforestation.

They estimate that 10 percent of the Amazon basin is at risk of being exposed to at least two of these stressors by 2050 and is therefore likely to transition to degraded forest- or savanna-like ecosystems. I discovered that. 47% of this watershed is predicted to be exposed to at least one stressor, meaning it is also exposed to some hazard.

“Due to ongoing changes, we will lose some forest, but there are things we can do to prevent it from reaching 47%,” Hirota says. She said the majority of forests that are not exposed to stressors are located within protected areas; indigenous territory, which is associated with low deforestation rates. Brazil's deforestation rate also fell sharply under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration. Increased in other areas as well Amazon's.

dominique spracklen Researchers from the University of Leeds in the UK say the study is a powerful investigation into the range of threats facing the Amazon. But he says the discrepancies between models predicting potential tipping points remain unresolved.

For example, models predict that some of the negative effects of warming could be offset by increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere, which could boost plant growth. . However, other factors such as nutrients and water availability vary widely across the basin and influence the strength of this impact, creating considerable uncertainty in modeling the future of the Amazon. .

“It's a very scary place for such an important ecosystem,” he says.

Nature
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06970-0

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ultrasound treatment activates sluggish sperm movement

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Sperm that don't move fast enough have a hard time reaching the egg and can cause fertility problems.

Alexei Kotelnikov / Alamy

Laboratory research has revealed that applying ultrasound to immobile sperm causes it to move. If sperm does not move properly, it becomes difficult for them to reach the egg, which is a major cause of infertility. With further research, this technology could help improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Previous research suggests that: High frequency ultrasound increases sperm motility. However, the study did not involve isolating the sperm to assess which individual cells would be beneficial, allowing doctors to find the best cells to use in fertility treatments.

In the latest research, Ali Vafaie The researchers, from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, classified 50 semen samples into three groups (fast, slow, and stationary) according to sperm motility, based on guidelines for assessing swimming speed.

After separating individual sperm cells from semen samples, the researchers measured the motility of the cells before and after exposure to ultrasound waves with a power of 800 megawatts and a frequency of 40 megahertz.

After 20 seconds of ultrasound, 59 percent of the immobile sperm slowed down, and some started swimming rapidly. Changes in sperm motility peaked at an increase of 266%.

Overall, immotile sperm made up 36% of the samples at the start of the study, but this decreased to just 10% after treatment. It is unclear how long the increase in migration lasted.

Researchers believe that exposure to ultrasound improves dysfunction in sperm's mitochondria, the cells' powerhouses, contributing to increased motility.

This approach could increase the success rate of in vitro fertilization, which requires motile sperm for conception, and could avoid the need for multiple costly surgeries.

But first, Vafai says, the research group will need to test the effectiveness of the approach on sperm, particularly in people experiencing infertility due to reduced sperm mobility. Scientists also need to assess whether it is safe to create embryos from sperm exposed to ultrasound, he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The impact of age, gender, and nationality on the interpretation of emojis

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Emojis are often used in digital communications such as text messages and social media.

mixtape/shutterstock

Think twice before replying to a message with just emojis. Emojis may be interpreted differently by different people.

Previous research suggests that Men and women perceive facial expressions differently. ruth fillick Researchers from the University of Nottingham in the UK thought that a person's gender and other factors might also influence how they interpret emojis.

To find out more, they asked 253 Chinese and 270 British people (about an equal number of men and women) aged 18 to 84 to take part in an online survey.

Researchers selected 24 emojis to represent one of six emotions: happiness, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise, and anger based on the suggestions that appeared when you typed the word. There are four emojis for each emotion, representing different designs used by Apple, Windows, Android, and WeChat.

Each participant then assigned an emoji to the emotion they thought best matched.

Women were more likely than men to match emojis to the same emotions selected by researchers. The researchers say women may be better at recognizing facial expressions, perhaps because they make more eye contact.

Younger participants also matched emojis better than older participants, probably because they used them more frequently.

On the other hand, British participants agreed better with emojis than Chinese participants, although this may be because the latter group uses emojis differently. “For example, it has been suggested that: [people in China] According to the researchers, people rarely use the happy emoji to express happiness, but instead use it in negative connotations, such as sarcasm.

“When you send someone a message that includes emojis, you can't just assume that they see the emojis the same way you see them,” says Fillick.

Isabel Butet Researchers at the University of Ottawa in Canada say matching 24 emojis to six emotions is extremely restrictive. Nevertheless, “assigning emojis specific emotional labels is problematic when you don't know how they will be interpreted in various online communities,” she says. “For example, it would never have been considered to use eggplant as an allusion if that meaning had not developed in a particular community.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Iron Age people may have buried their beloved pets, such as dogs and horses along with them

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Remains of dog and baby girl buried in Seminario Vescoville near Verona, Italy

Laffranchi et al. (CC-BY 4.0)

Late Iron Age people in northern Italy were sometimes buried with dogs and horses. Probably because they loved dogs and horses.

Archaeologists often suspect that the ancient worldwide custom of placing animals in human graves is associated with higher socio-economic status, beliefs about the afterlife, or certain family traditions. I was there. However, after thorough investigation, researchers say they are now beginning to suspect that such “community burials” may have simply been expressions of love for devoted non-human family members. Marco Mirella At the University of Bern, Switzerland.

He and his colleagues reexamined bones excavated from the 2,200-year-old Seminario Vescoville cemetery just east of Verona, Italy. There, the Cenomani lived in metal-making communities before and during the Roman conquest.

Most of the 161 graves discovered at the site contained only human remains, but 16 graves also contained whole or partial animal remains. Twelve of the items were pork or beef products, apparently food offerings to the deceased. Zita Laffranchialso at the University of Bern.

However, the remaining four were buried with dogs and/or horses, which were not used for food by the group. Among them were a middle-aged man with a small dog, a young man with part of a horse, a 9-month-old baby girl alongside the dog, and, most unexpectedly, a pony. She was a middle-aged woman. She had a dog’s head placed above her and a dog’s head placed above her head.

“At first, the excavators were surprised to find human legs under the horses, and their first idea was that there were horsemen here, there were warriors.” LaFranch says. However, the woman was buried unarmed, suggesting that her association with the 1.3 meter tall pony had nothing to do with the war.

The researchers found no particular trends in the age of the people buried with the animals, and DNA analysis suggested they were not genetically related to each other. Chemical analysis of these corpses Dietary differences related to socio-economic status were also not revealed compared to human-only graves.

The findings suggest that ancient people may have felt a strong connection to their animals and therefore chose to bury their loved ones with them, the researchers said. “And why not?” says Mirella. “You can never rule that out.”

Another explanation, the researchers added, is that the animals may have had symbolic meaning for the afterlife. For example, in Gallo-Roman religion, The Celtic horse goddess Epona was believed to protect individuals after death..And what about Gallo Romance? Sometimes dogs are associated with the afterlife.. In fact, burying dogs with infants may even have had a purpose: Protecting parents from future baby loss.

Still, the animals in the graves appear to have benefited from careful human care, rather than as disposable livestock. The dog in particular appears to have been fed human food and is showing signs of wound treatment and healing.

So it’s also possible that people were buried with animals for both symbolic and affectionate reasons, Mirella said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Drug-loaded nanoparticles may reduce arthritis pain when injected

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Osteoarthritis affects 530 million people worldwide

Puwadol Jaturautchai/Shutterstock

Drug delivery nanoparticles may be useful in treating osteoarthritis. In mice with signs of symptoms, a single injection of the particles relieved pain for several months.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is approximately 530 million people worldwide. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions bones breaks down, causing joint stiffness and pain. Treatment options for this condition are limited, and there is no treatment to prevent cartilage degeneration.

Previous research has shown that a drug called pazopanib may help reduce osteoarthritis pain. However, the effect only lasts for a few days.So Heejeong Im Sampeng University of Illinois at Chicago and colleagues have developed a method of administration that extends release.

The researchers encapsulated pazopanib within nanoparticles that have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to deliver other drugs. They then injected the nanoparticles into the knees of 16 mice, and found that half of them had early signs of osteoarthritis, and half had advanced signs. The same number of animals received a dummy injection of nanoparticles without pazopanib.

Because it is difficult to assess joint pain in animals, the researchers used the widely accepted idea that individuals experiencing pain, such as joint pain, also become more sensitive to physical touch. and instead focused on rodent sensitivities.

Immediately after treatment, the researchers assessed how quickly the mice removed one paw from the uncomfortable hot plate. Mice with early or advanced osteoarthritis took significantly longer to remove their paws when given pazopanib rather than a dummy injection, suggesting that pazopanib nanoparticles rapidly reduced joint pain. I did. The researchers then repeated the hot plate test and found similar effects after two months in the advanced osteoarthritis group and after three months in the early osteoarthritis group. This means that pazopanib nanoparticles provide effective pain relief over several weeks. Animals treated with pazopanib also had less cartilage degeneration, indicating that nanoparticles may slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

But just because a treatment works in mice doesn't mean it will work in humans, Sampen says. The researchers plan to explore other ways to assess pazopanib's analgesic properties in animals. One approach, the researchers say, is to analyze how people walk and use their limbs to make sure the drug reduces joint pain.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The origin of humor in great apes: teasing each other.

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Chimpanzees enjoy teasing each other

apple2499/Shutterstock

Bonobos, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees all poke, tickle, and even steal from their companions as a form of teasing. Understanding the mischievous behavior of these apes could help biologists uncover the origins of the human sense of humor.

Previous research They found that chimpanzees can use painful teasing, or harassment, to reinforce their hierarchical position. But he says teasing can also be a form of play and fun when the right balance of fun and aggression is struck. Isabel Romer at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany.

“So far, the playful nature of teasing has not been systematically studied,” she says. “Therefore, our goal was to identify and create standards for play that teases great apes.”

To do so, Romer and her colleagues studied five species of great apes, bonobos (Pampan Niscus), Sumatran orangutan (pongo abeli), Western Gorilla and Eastern Gorilla (gorilla gorilla and gorilla beringay) and chimpanzees (pan-troglodytes). There were a total of 34 great apes, all housed in the zoo.

The researchers recorded 504 social interactions between individuals from 75 hours of video footage. Of these, 142 were classified as playful teasing, and included 18 acts such as pecking, hitting, hair pulling, impeding movement, and stealing.

“Teasing is characterized by an element of provocation,” Romer says. “It usually starts with a teaser, is often one-sided, and repeats itself over and over again.”

Researchers found that teasers tended to stare at the target's face immediately after the action. This suggests that the teaser was anticipating the reaction. If there is no response from the target, the teaser will usually escalate the teasing by poking the target further.

One of the most important signs that the teasing is playful rather than hostile is that it usually takes place in a calm and comfortable environment. “During the interaction, participants tended to relax,” Romer says.

Cases of theft were considered to be play if the item provided no obvious benefit to the teaser or if the teaser lost interest in the item shortly after pinching it.

“We found that playful teasing is present in all four species of great apes,” Romer said. Like play in general, this behavior can also help build relationships between groupmates and test social boundaries, she says.

Romer added that the last common ancestor between humans and other great apes likely also playfully teased, which may have been a precursor to our love of jokes. Ta.

“Studying great apes is important for understanding which cognitive and behavioral traits humans share and likely evolved in a common ancestor millions of years ago.” says the doctor. Christopher Krupenier at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “This study provides exciting evidence that all great apes appear to engage in playful teasing behavior, and also points the way for future research in other species.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How to easily make your pancakes even more delicious

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Shrove Tuesday, the traditional holiday celebrated the day before the Christian Lent, is now almost exclusively associated with pancakes by many people around the world.

Pancakes come in many shapes and sizes and are eaten in cultures around the world. From French crepes to American griddle cakes to Indian dosas, these versatile rings of fried dough provide endless sweet and savory indulgences.

But no matter how you enjoy it, a little science can go a long way in making this Pancake Day a huge success (as long as you don't get carried away and end up flipping pancakes on the floor).We collaborated with materials chemists and food scientists. Professor Matt Hartings and professor of fluid mechanics. Ian Eames Add scientific rigor to your favorite pancake recipes.

1. Swap regular milk for buttermilk

Most pancake recipes use some type of milk. But if you want the perfect layer of American fluffy pancakes, pancakes with a little bit of butter slowly melting on the surface, you should replace regular milk with fermented buttermilk.

You can substitute the same amount of buttermilk for milk in most recipes. “For me, the best pancakes have to be made with buttermilk,” Hartings explains. “This ingredient provides an irreplaceable punch of flavor and I never make pancakes without it.

“Key molecules found in buttermilk include diacetyl, which has a buttery aroma; many aldehydes and ketones, some floral and fruity; amino acids, which have a umami flavor; acids – Especially lactic acid and citric acid.

“These acids are doubly important in that they not only add flavor but are part of the one-two punch that makes pancakes rise. These acids react with the baking soda in the batter to produce carbon dioxide. This will cause the pancakes to become fluffy while cooking.

Don't have buttermilk at home today? Squeezing lemon juice into the batter (we recommend 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of milk) has the same effect as the acid in buttermilk, giving the pancakes the perfect frothy texture.

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2. Add melted butter to the dough.

If you want to give your stack of American pancakes that classic golden-brown color, this step is non-negotiable. why? Mr Hartings said: “A buttered batter will ensure that your pancakes are perfectly golden brown from edge to edge.

“However, this brown color is not entirely due to butter. That beautiful brown color and accompanying flavor are the product of the Maillard reaction.”

The Maillard reaction is a complex process that occurs when sugars and proteins are exposed to heat, producing compounds known as melanoidins. These compounds are what give food its brown color and distinctive flavor when cooked.

Grilled steak, bread, toasted marshmallows, and pancakes all have these reactions when cooked.

“Butter may play a role in producing the chemical components that are part of Maillard, but butter is most important here, ensuring consistent thermal contact between the pancake batter and the hot skillet. ” says Hartings.

Try melting about a quarter of the flour by weight and adding melted butter to the mixture at the same time as milk.

Pro tip: Maillard reactions favor non-acidic environments. That said, if you're using buttermilk, adding a little more baking soda than called for in the recipe will help you achieve the desired browning.

3. Use the golden ratio

Unlike fluffy American pancakes, British pancakes are much thinner and wider. According to Eames, wrote an entire scientific paper All about making perfect pancakes, the secret to delicious pancakes lies in knowing how to get the perfect balance of ingredients.

“The characteristics of a pancake are determined by the baker's ratio,” he says. This is approximately equal to the amount of milk (in milliliters) in the dough divided by the mass of flour (in grams).

“This ratio indicates how much liquid is in the pancake mix and how thin the pancakes are. Compared to other countries, British pancakes tend to be very thin and wide, resulting in The mix contains a lot of dairy ingredients.”

Eames' research concluded that the correct Baker ratio is approximately:

1 American style pancakes
2 British pancakes
3 for French crepes

Sounds like too much math? If you're trying to make English pancakes, Eames recommends using 200 ml of milk, 100 g of flour, and 1 or 2 eggs.

4. Please rest!

We know what pancake day is like. All you want to do is dash home and lose weight with fried batter in as little time as possible. You may want to rush things. But please don't let that happen.

why? If you want to make thin pancakes, an important step is to let the dough rest for about 30 minutes.

The reason for this is the protein “glutenin” contained in wheat flour. This protein is initially inactive, but when mixed with water it stretches and bonds with other gluten molecules. This forms a network that traps the air bubbles. This is great if you want thick, fluffy pancakes, but less ideal for traditional thin pancakes.

Letting the mix rest for a while allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid, making the pancakes lighter, and giving the gluten time to relax, making the pancakes less prone to pesky bubbles.

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About our experts

matt hartings He is an associate professor of chemistry at American University in Washington. His research aims to develop new materials for 3D printing and environmental monitoring, and to explore how biology creates materials. Hartings is also an expert in food and cooking chemistry and has written a book on the subject. kitchen chemistry.

Ian Eames Professor of Fluid Mechanics at University College London. His research interests include fundamental fluid mechanics and extreme environment engineering. His entertaining scientific paper on how to make the perfect pancake formed part of a more serious study of biological membranes in the eye.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists use innovative method to hunt for signs of extraterrestrial technology

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

techno signature Any measurable property that could provide evidence of extraterrestrial technology. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is a branch of astrobiology that focuses on the discovery of technosignatures, which provide evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Traditionally, targeted wireless surveys have been the mainstay of his SETI research, and many of his ongoing SETI projects are still conducted in the radio band. SETI Ellipsoid, a newly proposed technology, suggests that an extraterrestrial civilization observing a galactic-scale event such as supernova SN 1987A could use it as a point to broadcast a synchronization signal indicating its presence. This is a strategy for selecting techno signature candidates based on the assumption that .

Gaia Early Data Release 3, using Cabrales' improved star 3D positions other. identified 32 SN 1987A SETI ellipsoidal targets with uncertainties better than 0.5 light-years within the TESS continuum. Image credits: ALMA/ESO/NAOJ/NRAO/Alexandra Angelich, NRAO/AUI/NSF.

Barbara Cabrales, Ph.D., of the SETI Institute and the Berkeley SETI Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley, and her colleagues demonstrate that the SETI ellipsoid method leverages continuous, wide-field surveys of the sky and demonstrates its ability to detect potential technosignatures. We have shown that it can be significantly improved.

By using up to a year of observations to correct for uncertainties in the estimated time of arrival of such signals, we implement the SETI ellipsoid strategy in an innovative way using state-of-the-art technology.

“The new survey of the sky provides a groundbreaking opportunity to search for technosignatures in concert with supernovae,” Dr. Cabrales said.

“Typical timing uncertainty takes months, so we want to cover the bases by finding well-documented goals over about a year.”

“In addition to that, it's important to make as many observations as possible about each target of interest, so you can see what looks like normal behavior and what looks like potential techno-signatures.” You will be able to judge.”

In examining data from the Continuous Display Zone of NASA's TESS mission, which covers 5% of all TESS data during the first three years of the mission, the authors leveraged advanced 3D position data from Gaia Early Data Release 3. Did.

This analysis identified 32 major targets within the SETI ellipsoid in the southern part of the TESS continuum, with all uncertainties adjusted to better than 0.5 light-years.

Although initial inspection of TESS light curves during ellipsoid-crossing events did not find any anomalies, the foundation laid by this effort lends itself to other investigations, a broader range of targets, and a variety of potential signal types. Paving the way for expansion into research.

Applying SETI Ellipsoid technology to scour large archival databases represents a breakthrough in the search for technosignatures.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of leveraging Gaia's highly accurate distance estimates and cross-matching these distances with other time-domain surveys such as TESS to enhance monitoring and anomaly detection capabilities in SETI research. doing.

Combining the SETI Ellipsoid method with Gaia's distance measurements provides a robust and adaptable framework for future SETI searches.

Astronomers can apply it retrospectively to sift through archived data for potential signals, proactively select targets, and schedule future monitoring campaigns.

“The SETI Ellipsoid method, in collaboration with Gaia distances, provides an easy and flexible method for SETI searches that can be adapted to suit a variety of current surveys and source events,” the researchers said. I am.

“This can not only be applied retrospectively to look for signals in archived data, but also propagated in time to select targets and schedule surveillance campaigns.”

Their paper will appear in astronomy magazine.

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Barbara Cabrales other. 2024. Find the SN 1987A SETI ellipsoid using TESS. A.J. 167, 101; doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad2064

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers find five previously unknown species of eyelash pit vipers in South America

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists have identified five mysterious species of the genus Viper Botrykiss They live in the jungles and cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador.

Botrykis Rahimi. Image credit: Lucas Bustamante.

The eyelash viper is distinguished by a unique feature: a set of huge spine-like scales above the eyes.

These eyelashes give the snake a frightening and ferocious appearance, but the true purpose of this feature is still unknown.

However, what is certain is that certain populations exhibit longer and more stylized eyelashes compared to others.

The changes in the condition of the eyelashes led researchers to hypothesize that an undiscovered species existed.

Eyelash vipers are also famous for another characteristic: they are multicolored. The same patch of rainforest may contain individuals of the turquoise morph, moss morph, or gold morph. They all belong to the same species, even though they have completely different attire.

Alejandro Arteaga, a researcher with the Carmai Foundation and Tropical Helping SA, said: “No two individuals have the same color, even if they belong to the same litter (giving birth to live offspring).”

“Some species have a ‘Christmas’ form, a ghost form, and even a purple form, and different varieties can coexist and even breed with each other.”

“The reasons behind these incredible color changes are still unclear, but it is likely that the pit vipers are able to occupy a wide range of ambush perches, from mossy branches to bright yellow heliconias. is.”

Distribution of palm beetles botry extract schlegeli Species complex including 5 new species.Image credit: Arteaga other., doi: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.114527.

The newly identified species of eyelash viper is Botry extract lasix morum, Botrychus crebai, botry extract kwargi, Botrykis Rahimiand botry extract fusaini.

The first three species are endemic to the eastern Columbia Mountains and live in cloud forests and coffee plantations.

Botrykis Rahimi It stands out because it occurs in the remote and pristine Chocó rainforest on the border of Colombia and Ecuador.

botry extract fusaini It lives in the forests of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru.

“The venom of some (perhaps all) of the new viper species is much less lethal and hemorrhagic than the venom of typical vipers. Central American eyelash viper (botry extract schlegeli)” said Tropical Helping SA and Savia Foundation researcher Lucas Bustamante, who was bitten on the finger. Botrykis Rahimi When the photo was taken during a research expedition in 2013.

“There was intermittent localized pain, dizziness and swelling, but after three doses of antivenom within two hours of the sting, it quickly resolved and no scarring remained.”

“One of the key conclusions of the study is that four species in the group face high risk of extinction,” the researchers said.

“Their geographic range is very limited, and 50% to 80% of their habitat has already been destroyed.”

“Therefore, rapid response measures are urgently needed to save remaining habitat.”

of study It was published in the magazine evolutionary systematics.

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A. Arteaga other. 2024. Systematic revision of Eyelash Palm-Pitviper botry extract schlegeli (Serpentes, Viperidae), 5 new species descriptions and 3 revalidations. evolutionary systematics 8 (1): 15-64; doi: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.114527

Source: www.sci.news

Is the Brazilian flea toad the world’s smallest vertebrate?

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Flea frog perching on 1 Brazilian Real (coin diameter is 27 mm)

Renato Gaiga

The tiny Brazilian frog, about the size of a pea, could threaten the current record holder for the world's smallest vertebrate.

flea toad Brachycephalus purex (actually a species of frog) was first described by scientists in 2011. Immediately after that, Mirko Sole Researchers at Brazil's Santa Cruz State University thought this species might be the smallest amphibian ever discovered. But only a few specimens have been collected from the frog's only known habitat, a forested hilltop in southern Bahia, Brazil. Also, the necessary gonad tests to determine whether they were adults were not performed.

Solé and his colleagues measured the lengths of 46 flea toads, examined their gonads, and checked for the presence of throat clefts, which only males have, to determine the frogs' maturity and gender.

adult B. Purex Males have an average body length of over 7 millimeters and are slightly smaller than females. Therefore, they are smaller than males. Phaedophryn amauensisa frog from Papua New Guinea that was previously considered both the smallest amphibian and the smallest vertebrate.

Say “It's perfectly clear.” mark schartz At the Danish Natural History Museum in Copenhagen. “These may actually be the world's smallest living frogs, which is amazing.”

It's not just the average size that's shocking, the smallest specimens in the study show just how small these flea frogs are compared to other minifrogs. “It's 6.45 mm.” [long]That's 30 percent smaller than any adult male frog I've ever seen,” Schertz said. “It's almost a millimeter smaller than the next smallest frog.”

At such small scales, frogs develop strange anatomical peculiarities, such as missing toes and underdeveloped ears. they cannot hear their suitor's song. Some species have very weak balance organs and are barely able to jump.

But Solé says there may also be smaller vertebrates that have yet to be discovered. Perhaps the next record holder could be another small frog or a parasitic male deep-sea anglerfish.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New study reveals hundreds of thousands of young stars in Sagittarius C region with solar mass

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Sagittarius C is located just 300 light-years from Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

This image of the Sagittarius C region from ESO's Very Large Telescope includes hundreds of thousands of stars. Image credit: ESO/F. Nogueras-Lara.

The center of the Milky Way is the most prolific star-forming region in the entire galaxy.

But astronomers have discovered only a fraction of the young stars they had expected. There is “fossil” evidence that many more stars than we actually see were born recently.

This is because heading to the center of the Milky Way is not an easy task. Clouds of dust and gas block the light from the star, obscuring visibility.

“On average by volume, the galactic center stands out as the most prolific star-forming environment in the galaxy,” said ESO astronomer Francisco Nogueras Lara.

“Over the past 30 million years, we have witnessed the formation of about 1 million stars.”

“But crowding and high extinction rates have hampered their discovery, and so far only a fraction of the young star's expected mass has been confirmed.”

By studying the stellar population of Sagittarius C, Dr. Lara aimed to detect young stars hidden in the galactic center.

In his research, he analyzed the following data: HAWK-I infrared measuring instrument ESO's Very Large Telescope.

He found that Sagittarius C is much richer in young stars than other regions of the galactic center.

“We found that Sagittarius C contains the solar mass of hundreds of thousands of young stars,” Dr. Lara said.

“We compared our results to a recently discovered population of young stars in Sagittarius B1, located at the opposite end of the nuclear star disk.”

“The young stars in Sagittarius C are estimated to be about 20 million years old and likely represent the next evolutionary step for the slightly younger stars in Sagittarius B1.”

“Our discovery contributes to addressing the discrepancy between the expected number of young stars at the center of galaxies and the number of detected stars, and sheds light on their evolution in this extreme environment.”

“As a secondary result, we discovered that Sagittarius C has a population of intermediate-aged stars (approximately 50% of the mass of stars between 2 billion and 7 billion years old), which is composed of a nuclear stellar disk. It does not exist in the innermost region of the world (which is dominated by stars older than 7 billion years).

“This confirms the existence of an age gradient, driving the formation of an inside-out nuclear star disk.”

of findings appear in the diary astronomy and astrophysics.

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F. Nogueras-Lara other. 2024. Hunt young stars at the center of the galaxy. Solar masses of hundreds of thousands of young stars in the Sagittarius C region. A&A 681, L21; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348712

Source: www.sci.news

New research on Zinc sheds light on the link between loud noise and hearing loss

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Exposure to loud noises, such as at music festivals, can worsen your hearing

Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Exposure to loud noises can disrupt zinc levels in the inner ear, potentially affecting hearing, a study in mice suggests. Treatments that reduce this could be used to treat or prevent such damage, for example, if taken before a rock concert.

Loud noises can cause cells in the inner ear die. Although it has long been known that this affects hearing, the mechanisms behind it are less clear.

Thanos Tsonopoulos Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thought it might have something to do with free-moving zinc, which plays an important role in the neurotransmission of our senses.

Most of the zinc in the body is bound to proteins, but the rest acts as communication signals between organs, especially the brain, Tsonopoulos says. The highest concentration of free zinc in the body is in the cochlea, the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that converts vibrations into electrical signals, which are then interpreted as sound.

To learn more, Tzounopoulos and colleagues tested free zinc levels in young mice that had been genetically engineered to produce biological markers that indicate the transport of free zinc throughout the body.

Tsonopoulos said mice exposed to 100 decibels of noise, about the same level as a bulldozer or motorcycle, for two hours straight developed significant hearing loss within the next 24 hours.

The researchers found that these mice had higher amounts of free zinc between and around the cells of the cochlea after the blast compared to before the blast and compared to a group of control mice that did not hear the loud noise. I discovered that

“There is a very strong upregulation of zinc, not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of regional spatial extent,” he says. “It goes everywhere.”

Tsonopoulos said the zinc appears to be released from specific cells in the cochlea after it is separated from the proteins to which it is normally bound. Free zinc ultimately causes cell damage and disrupts normal communication between cells, he says.

To see if lowering free zinc levels could protect hearing, Tsonopoulos and his team injected another group of mice with a compound that scavenged zinc into their abdomens or administered a slow-release drug into the inner ear. It was treated by placing an implant. The mice then listened to the same loud sound for two hours. Both groups experienced significant reductions in hearing loss.

With further research, zinc-capturing tablets, IV drugs, or slow-release implants could one day help prevent or treat inner ear damage caused by noise trauma, Tsonopoulos says.

“You can go to concerts, you can go to battle, you can take drugs,” he says. “Or, if you have an accident, you might have these compounds in your ER. [emergency room] We will give it to you to reduce the damage. ”

Future research should also determine how long after exposure to noise people can benefit from such zinc trap therapy, team members say. Amantha Satyaalso at the University of Pittsburgh.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Intuitive Machines to Launch Spaceship Odysseus on Moon Mission

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Odysseus spacecraft scheduled to launch to the moon on February 14th

space x

US company Intuitive Machines is soon to become the first private company to land a spacecraft on the moon. Three previous efforts by other companies have failed, highlighting the perilous path ahead for Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander.

The spacecraft, nicknamed Odysseus, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 14. It will fly aboard a Falcon 9 rocket manufactured by SpaceX. If the mission, called IM-1, goes well, Odysseus should land near the moon's south pole on February 22.

The goal of the IM-1 mission, in addition to proving that private companies can land on the moon, is to deliver six NASA payloads and five commercial payloads to the lunar surface. NASA's equipment includes tools to study how the landing itself blows away plumes of lunar dust, several instruments to help the aircraft land safely, and to measure radio waves and make sure they are on the moon's surface. Contains equipment to measure how it affects Commercial payloads include a camera that will be dumped from the lander before landing to take photos of the landing, and 125 small sculptures by artist Jeff Koons, designed to establish an archive of human knowledge on the lunar surface. Includes tip.

IM-1 is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, a series of government and private sector contracts designed to accelerate exploration and develop the lunar economy. This is his second mission in CLPS. The first mission, Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, suffered a fuel leak shortly after liftoff in January and failed to reach the moon.

There have been two attempts by private companies to land on the moon, SpaceIL's Beresheet spacecraft and iSpace's Hakuto-R, but both crash-landed and were destroyed. If Odysseus succeeds where other landers have failed, Intuitive Machines' next step will be to send another Nova-C lander to the moon's south pole, equipped with a drill to harvest subsurface ice. That mission is planned for March 2024.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New research indicates that early Mars experienced both tectonic and volcanic activity.

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Mars' relatively well-preserved ancient crust provides a natural window into early planetary evolution not visible on Earth. Mars has generally been thought to be a monolithic basaltic planet, but recent evidence suggests that magmatic evolution leading to a felsic crust may have occurred sporadically. A new study shows multiple lines of evidence for diverse volcanic activity and complex volcanic tectonics in Mars' southern highlands in and around the Eridanian basin 3.5 to 4 billion years ago.

Topographic map of the Eridanian region of Mars. The volcanic structure described by Michalski et al. Classified by morphology and morphometrics. Image credit: Michalski other., doi: 10.1038/s41550-023-02191-7.

In contrast to Earth, Mars today has little volcanic or tectonic activity.

Additionally, nearly half of Earth's surface is more than 3.5 billion years old, and since then it has undergone extensive tectonic recycling (a phenomenon typically caused by Earth-like tectonic movements, in which surface material is recycled into the mantle). This shows that there is no such phenomenon.

Recent discoveries suggest that this is not always the case, but geological activity during the first billions of years after Mars' formation is still unknown.

“Geological exploration of other rocky planets provides clues to early crustal evolution and volcanic tectonic processes,” said Dr. Joseph Michalski of the University of Hong Kong. “This is an example of an equivalent Earth system with a changing composition.”

“Looking through the lens of different gravitational fields, bulk planetary compositions, and heat flows allows us to test models of crustal resurfacing and discover the steps that led to plate tectonics and other forms of crustal recycling.” It will be possible to do so.”

“Mars represents a particularly valuable piece of the puzzle in this regard.”

The authors studied the morphology and mineralogy of the Eridanian region in Mars' southern hemisphere.

They analyzed remote sensing data from a variety of orbiting satellites, including NASA's Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The Eridanian region contains the most powerful crustal remains of Mars' ancient magnetic field and various traces of volcanic activity.

The researchers identified 63 examples of four different types of volcanoes (volcanic domes, stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic shields, and caldera complexes), and there are likely hundreds more in the Eridanian region alone. , these are probably the remnants of a period of active geological activity about 3.5 billion years ago.

This set of observations is consistent with the existence of early Martian tectonic cycles driven by vertical tectonics, a type of tectonic process precursor to full plate tectonics on Earth.

Such diverse volcanic structures may be more widespread on ancient Mars than previously thought.

“The observed remnants of this activity may be the closest analog on Earth to the proposed hydrothermal origin of life scenario for Earth,” the scientists said.

Their paper Published in an online journal today natural astronomy.

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JR Michalski other. Diverse volcanic activity and crustal circulation on early Mars. Nat Astron, published online on February 12, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41550-023-02191-7

Source: www.sci.news

New Study Reveals the Superfast Spin of the Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Sagittarius A*, the 4.3 million solar mass black hole at the center of the Milky Way, spins so fast that space-time around it is warped into the shape of a soccer ball, according to an analysis. Data collected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and NSF's Carl G. Jansky Very Large Array.

daily other. Sagittarius A* was found to be rotating at 60% of its maximum rotational speed, which is set by matter that cannot travel faster than the speed of light. This image shows Sagittarius A* in X-ray light from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Image credit: NASA / CXC / University of Wisconsin / Bai other.

Black holes have two fundamental properties: mass (weight) and spin (rotational speed).

Determining either of these two values can tell astrophysicists a lot about black holes and their behavior.

Dr. Ruth Daly of Pennsylvania State University and colleagues applied a new method using X-ray and radio data to predict Sagittarius A*'s rotation rate based on how matter moves toward or away from the black hole. Decided.

They discovered that Sagittarius A* rotates at an angular velocity (rotations per second). Its angular velocity is about 60% of its maximum possible value, a limit set by the inability of matter to travel faster than the speed of light.

In the past, different astronomers have used different techniques to estimate the rate of rotation of Sagittarius A*, ranging from not rotating at all to rotating at near maximum speed, with mixed results.

“Our research may help answer the question of how fast our galaxy's supermassive black holes rotate,” said Dr. Daly.

“Our results show that Sagittarius A* is rotating very rapidly, which is interesting and has far-reaching implications.”

A rotating black hole pulls space-time and nearby matter into its surroundings as it rotates. Spacetime around a rotating black hole is also crushed.

If you look down at a black hole from above and follow the barrel of the jet it produces, spacetime is circular.

However, if you look at a rotating black hole from the side, spacetime looks like a soccer ball. The faster the spin, the flatter the football.

The spin of a black hole acts as an important source of energy. When a supermassive black hole rotates, its spin energy can be extracted to produce a parallel outflow, a thin beam of matter such as a jet, but this requires at least some material near the black hole. must exist.

Because of the limited fuel surrounding Sagittarius A*, the black hole has been relatively quiet for the last several thousand years, with a relatively weak jet stream.

But new research shows that this could change as the amount of material increases near Sagittarius A*.

“A collimated jet powered by a galaxy's rotating central black hole could have a significant impact on the galaxy's entire gas supply,” said Michigan State University astronomer Megan Donahue. “This also influences the rate and uniformity with which stars form.”

“Fermi bubbles seen in X-rays and gamma rays around the Milky Way's black hole indicate that the black hole was probably active in the past. Measuring the black hole's rotation is important in this scenario. It's a test.”

To determine Sagittarius A*'s spin, astronomers looked at the black hole's spin and its mass, the nature of the matter near the black hole, and its outflow properties.

The parallel outflow produces radio waves, and the disk of gas surrounding the black hole is responsible for emitting X-rays.

Using this method, the researchers combined data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and NSF's Carl G. Jansky Very Large Array with independent estimates of the black hole's mass from other telescopes. to limit the rotation of the black hole.

“Sagittarius A* offers a special perspective because it is the closest supermassive black hole to us,” said Dr. Anand Lu, an astronomer at McGill University.

“Although it is quiet now, our research shows that in the future it will have an incredibly powerful impact on the matter around it.”

“It could happen in a thousand or million years, or it could happen in our lifetime.”

of study Published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Ruth A. Daly et al. 2024. New black hole spin values for Sagittarius A* obtained using the outflow method. MNRAS 527 (1): 428-436; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad3228

Source: www.sci.news

Stunning Lunar New Year Festivities from Across the Globe: Year of the Dragon in Photos

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world, and the phases of the moon, not the calendar, mark the beginning of 2024. This year's Chinese New Year was on his February 10th.

Chinese New Year is based on the lunisolar calendar, and the year begins when the second new moon (following the winter solstice) marks the beginning of the new year. This day is considered one of the most important days in Chinese culture, and families gather together to celebrate and eat together.

This year is the Year of the Dragon, the fifth of the 12-year animal cycle in the Chinese calendar. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to have more power, luck, and success than other animals, so China tends to have more lunar birthdays.

However, Lunar New Year is not only celebrated in China. Here's how people around the world rated this event.

Wuhan, China

Children touch a traditional dragon head to pray for blessings after a performance on the second night of the Spring Festival in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, February 11, 2024.Photo courtesy: Getty Images

Seoul, South Korea

Korean performers wearing traditional costumes participate in traditional games to pray for good luck during the Lunar New Year at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, on February 11, 2024. Korean people travel from big cities to their hometowns during the Lunar New Year holiday to pay respects to the spirits of their ancestors.Photo provided by: Jung Sung-joon/Getty Images

london, united kingdom

Costumed performers entertain the audience at the 2024 Chinese New Year Dragon Parade in London, England. Photo credit: Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Hong Kong

Undefined

Yen Bai, Vietnam

A couple in traditional costumes dance to celebrate Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, in Yen Bai province, northern Vietnam, February 12, 2024. Photo by Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images

Read more:

bangkok, thailand

Thai and Chinese people pray for good luck with incense sticks at a Chinese temple during Lunar New Year celebrations on February 10, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo credit: Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto/Getty Images

madrid, spain

Singapore

Gauteng, South Africa

Children in traditional costumes celebrate the Lunar New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Dragon at the South Chinese Buddhist Temple in Bronkhorstspruit, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, February 11, 2024. Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu/Getty Images

Beijing, China

Qingdao, China

Front view of tourists enjoying colorful lanterns at the Golden Beach Beer City Lantern Fair in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on February 11, 2024. Photo credit: Zhang Jingang/VCG/Getty Images

toronto, canada

Performers dance during the Lunar New Year celebration at Chinatown Center in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 11, 2024. Photo by Mike Campbell/NurPhoto/Getty Images

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Unique Needle-Like Fangs Found in Teeth of Extinct Shark

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have described a new species of extinct ramid shark Paleohypotodus Based on 17 fossilized teeth found in Alabama, USA.

Fossilized teeth are Paleohypotodus bizocoi.Image credit: Eversole other., doi: 10.3897/fr.27.e112800.

“Paleohypotodus “Sharks are an extinct genus of sheep-like sharks that range in time from the late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) to the late Eocene (Priabonian), with isolated teeth scattered over large areas around the world. It has been reported from different sources,” said Dr. June Ebersole. McWane Science Center Collections Director and his colleagues.

“There are three recognized species in this genus, including the Cretaceous. Palaeohypotodus bronniand Paleogene Paleohypotodus borgensis and Palaeohypotodus rutoti”

“These species have an upright to strongly hooked distal crown, a smooth cutting edge, one or more pairs of lateral cusps, and a unique combination of folds along the labial crown foot. It is characterized by sturdy teeth.

“Paleohypotodus Although known primarily by solitary teeth, at least one partially associated skeleton has been reported. ”

The newly identified species is Paleohypotodus bizocoilived about 65 million years ago (Paleocene epoch).

A collection of 17 teeth belonging to this species was recently discovered in the historical collections of the Alabama Geological Survey in Tuscaloosa.

The specimen is Porter's Creek Formation Originally from Wilcox County, Alabama.

“A few years ago, while looking through our historic fossil collection at the Alabama Geological Survey, we came across a small box containing a shark tooth collected in Wilcox County over 100 years ago,” Eversole said. the doctor said.

“We've been documenting fossilized remains of hundreds of fish species over the past decade, but it was puzzling that these teeth belonged to sharks we didn't recognize.”

Paleohypotodus bizocoi It was a major predator when the ocean was recovering from the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.

“In Alabama, during the Paleocene, much of the southern half of the state was covered by shallow tropical to subtropical oceans,” says T. Lynn, a paleontologist and curator of fossil collections at the Alabama Geological Survey. Dr. Harrell Jr. says. .

“This era is less well studied, which makes the discovery of this new species of shark all the more important.”

“Shark discoveries like this one give us tremendous insight into how marine life recovers after large-scale extinction events. We also know that global events such as climate change are changing the way our oceans are today. We may also be able to predict how this will affect living organisms.”

As part of their study, the authors compared fossil teeth. Paleohypotodus bizocoi to sharks from a variety of modern sharks, including great whites and shortfin mako sharks.

“By studying the jaws and teeth of extant sharks, we were able to reconstruct the dentition of this ancient species and found that it has a tooth arrangement unlike any other living shark.” said Curator of History Dr. David Sisimuri. Carolina State Museum.

a paper A description of the discovery was published in a magazine fossil record.

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JA Eversole other. 2024.new species Paleohypotodus Glickman, 1964 (chondrichthyes, oligidae), collected from the Lower Paleocene (Danian) Porters Creek Formation, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA. fossil record 27 (1): 111-134; doi: 10.3897/fr.27.e112800

Source: www.sci.news

Surprising Images of Nearby Star-Forming Regions Captured by Hubble

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

astronomer using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope We captured a vivid image of IRAS 16562-3959, a beautiful star-forming region in the constellation Scorpius.

This Hubble image shows IRAS 16562-3959, a star-forming region about 5,900 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / R. Fedriani / J. Tan.

IRAS 16562-3959The star, also known as 2MASX J16594225-4003451, is located 5,900 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius.

“At the center of the image, IRAS 16562-3959 is thought to contain a massive star with a mass approximately 30 times that of the Sun, which is still in the process of formation,” Hubble team members said in a statement. Ta.

“At the near-infrared wavelengths that Hubble detects, the central region appears dark because there is so much dust in the way.”

“Near-infrared light, however, primarily leaks out from two sides, the top left and bottom right, where powerful jets from massive protostars are removing dust.”

“The multi-wavelength images containing this amazing Hubble scene will help us better understand how the largest and brightest stars in the Milky Way are born.”

The new image of IRAS 16562-3959 was created from separate exposures taken in the near-infrared region of the spectrum. Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).

Four filters were used to sample different wavelengths. Color is obtained by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.

“A filter is a thin piece of highly specialized material that only allows light at very specific wavelengths to pass through,” the astronomer explained.

“We can slide them in front of the light-sensing part of the telescope, allowing us to control which wavelengths of light the telescope collects for each observation.”

“This is useful not only for certain scientific studies, but also for creating images like this.”

“Regardless of which filter was used, raw telescopic observations are always monochrome,” they added.

“However, specially trained artists and image professionals can choose colors that match the wavelength range covered by individual filters.”

“Alternatively, if a direct match is not possible, for example the data used in this image is all in the infrared range, to which the human eye is not sensitive, so the artist has chosen colors that are wisely representative of what they are trying to represent.” You can. It’s happening.”

“For example, shorter wavelengths might be assigned a bluer color and longer wavelengths a redder color, as is the case with the visible light range.”

“The data from multiple filters can then be combined to build multicolor images that look beautiful and have scientific meaning.”

Source: www.sci.news

Britain’s new space minister explores the solar system, including Mars

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

space politics

The UK has managed to catch up with the US in terms of backing politicians who speak out knowing the vast and almost empty depths of space.

Britain’s new Space Minister Andrew Griffiths – his official title is Minister of Science, Research and Innovation – granted interview To Tali Fraser the house magazine.

Griffiths appears to have demonstrated to her how education is done. “He pointed to a hanging sphere in the science museum that changed its appearance from planet to planet and declared, 'This is Mars!'” An employee gently informed him that it was actually the sun. All I had to do was give it to you. Still, Griffith exclaimed, “That's Saturn!” As the Earth changes. The employee interjected. “No, no, that’s Jupiter.”

Back in 1991, one of the first Ig Nobel Prizes was awarded to then-U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. Quayle was given additional duties, and he became the chairman of something called the National Space Council. He was often in the news for educating the masses. statement Something like:

“[It’s] The time has come for humanity to enter the solar system. ”

“We saw the pictures [of Mars] We believe that where there are canals, there is water. ”

“Really, very strange people can get into sensitive positions and have a huge impact on history.”

Ig Nobel Prize Quote explained He praised Quayle for being a “consumer of time and occupier of space” who “demonstrated the need for science education better than anyone else.”

As we watch Vim for Education spread from country to country, the feedback is encouraging. No matter where the sky is, the sky is the limit.

base notes

Andy Howe celebrates a somewhat musical discovery about fish that spend much of their time on the muddy ocean floor. Does Andy Howe delight in details? And how! He said: nature communications) This concerns the apparently suspicious noises of the Plainfin Midshipman, a species also known as `california singing fish'`. They are endowed with a “sonic swim bladder” that allows them to communicate through modulated, trumpet-like hums and growls. There is a double resonance here as the lead author is his A Bass. ”

“Bass” is Andrew Bass, a professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University in New York. When Bass isn't out at sea chasing fish, he spends his time at the office. mud hole. I can't help but notice that Bass's feedback is imbued with nominative determinism.

light entertainment

Retired internist John Innes rallies in Call for Feedback (December 9, 2023) to refute the old adage that “Medicine is primarily about entertaining the patient; nature cures disease.” or asked for first-hand testimony in the affirmative.

He sets the scene first. “In the 1890s, Faroese and Danish physician Niels Finsen showed that ultraviolet light could treat tuberculosis (TB) in the skin. This work earned Finsen the Nobel Prize in 1903. The first studies used artificial ultraviolet light, which was widely used to treat tuberculosis in the 1920s and 1930s.

“However, it was already known that natural ultraviolet light was present in sunlight. This was one of the factors that encouraged the development of sanatoriums for the treatment of tuberculosis. In the 1950s, antibiotics were introduced. After its introduction changed the treatment of tuberculosis, ultraviolet light therapy was lost to history.

John then describes his experiences as a physician specializing in infectious diseases in Birmingham, England in the 1980s: At that time, all new entrants to nurse training were to be offered the tuberculosis vaccine if they had not already done so. In her case, an ulcer appeared at the injection site and gradually enlarged over two months to about 8 centimeters in width. I recommended antibiotics. However, she did not have time to pick up her prescription because she was scheduled to go on vacation the next morning. So I told her to postpone her treatment and come back in 4 weeks.

“She came back after spending two weeks sunbathing on the beach near Tangier. The ulcer had healed and she didn't need anything more. So she left it alone while nature healed her illness. was enjoying it.”

loop soup

What is loop soup? It's hard to say. It's difficult to say succinctly.

Wojtek Furmanski and Adam Kolawa of the California Institute of Technology appear to have injected the phrase into the world of physics in 1987 in the middle of a 35-page paper called `Yang-Mills vacuum: an attempt at lattice loop calculus`Published in the magazine Nuclear Physics B.

Loop soup is only mentioned once. This is their word. “This medium is still far from an asymptotic ‘loop soup’ and is beyond our reach.”

This text may be incomprehensible to those without a deep education in nuclear physics. Still, the phrase stuck. Just 33 years later, Valentino Voigt and Matthew Kleban of New York University `New recipe for Brownian Loop Soup`This may definitely whet your appetite.

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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Source: www.newscientist.com

Overcoming Plastic Pollution: Recycling Alone Is Not Enough

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

I recently came across a photo that I can only describe as “post-apocalyptic cute.” It depicted a small, beady-eyed, purple hermit crab with its fragile abdomen neatly tucked within a bright red object.

This “shell” provided the small crustacean with armor that kept it perfectly balanced and easily manipulated. However, it was not a traditional seashell, but rather a discarded plastic bottle cap. This image is a moving depiction of the serious global problem of plastic pollution we currently face.

Hermit crabs scavenge for things from the ocean floor and use them for protection. This habit of finding their home and carrying it on their backs earned them their delightful name.

However, instead of finding beautiful coiled snail shells to nestle in, many hermit crabs today pick up pieces of trash that we throw away and hide inside them.

A group of Polish researchers based at Warsaw University and Poznań University conducted an “Internet Ecology Study,” during which they scoured social media for photos of hermit crabs decorated with human trash. They found 386 photos in total from every tropical coast in the world.

According to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) 2021 report, plastic production has increased by an almost unimaginable 18,300% in 65 years, leading to a current oversupply of plastic waste that we are struggling to dispose of responsibly.

Recycling may seem like an obvious solution, but as of 2015, only 9% of generated plastic waste was being recycled, according to a major study on the fate of plastic.

Examples of plastic reuse

Mark Miodnik, Professor of Materials and Society at University College London, has stated that reusing is the best solution to the plastic waste problem. One major effort in bringing reuse into the mainstream is Loop, which operates a “global reverse supply chain” in partnership with major brands, collecting used packaging from consumers and retailers through a deposit return scheme.

Despite the devastating increase in plastic production, there is hope for significant change in the near future. A commitment to a binding treaty to end plastic pollution has already been signed by 175 countries, setting the stage for a pivotal year in rewriting the plastic waste rulebook.

In the meantime, reusing as much of the materials we already have in abundance can help alleviate the plastic waste problem. As a lead researcher on hermit crab research in Poland, Zusanna Jagiello notes that the animals are simply taking advantage of what’s available to them.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

3D Printed Ice Blood Vessels Could Enhance the Quality of Artificial Organs

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

3D printed blood vessel ice template

Philip LeDuc and others/Carnegie Mellon University

Complex artificial organs can be created by 3D printing molds of veins, arteries, and capillaries in ice, casting them in organic materials, and melting the ice to form delicate, hollow networks. This leaves space for the complex vascular grafts required for the development of laboratory-cultured internal organs.

Researchers have been working for decades to develop artificial organs to meet the high global demand for transplants such as hearts, kidneys and livers. However, creating the vascular network necessary to keep them alive remains a challenge.

Existing technology can grow artificial skin and ears, but the meat and organ materials disappear when they are more than 200 micrometers away from blood vessels. Philippe Leduc at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania.

“It's about twice the width of a hair. Once you get through that, and you can't access nutrients anymore, your cells start dying,” he says. Therefore, new processes will be needed to produce internal organs cheaply and quickly.

LeDuc and his colleagues experimented with printing blood vessels with meltable wax, which requires fairly high temperatures and can leave behind residue. “One day, out of the blue, a student of mine said, 'What if we tried using water, the most biologically compatible substance in the world?'” he says. “And I'm like, 'Oh, yeah.' It still makes me laugh. It's that simple.”

They developed a technique that uses a 3D printer to create a mold of the inside of an organ's blood vessels in ice. In the test, they embedded them in a gelatin material that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light before the ice melts away.

The researchers used a platform cooled to -35°C and a printer nozzle that ejected hundreds of drops of water per second, allowing them to print structures as small as 50 micrometers in diameter.

LeDuc says the process is conceptually simple, but requires complete coordination. If the droplet is ejected too quickly, the droplet will not solidify quickly enough to create the desired shape, but if it prints too slowly, it will just form a clump.

The system is also affected by weather and humidity, so researchers are looking into using artificial intelligence to adjust the printer to different conditions.

They also used a version of water in which all the hydrogen was replaced with deuterium, a stable isotope of the element. This so-called heavy water has a high freezing point and helps create a smooth structure by avoiding unwanted crystallization. Deuterium is not radioactive, unlike some isotopes, and tests have shown it to be safe for creating artificial organs, LeDuc said.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Is Stanley’s Craving for Cups Bringing Sustainability of Stainless Steel Water Bottles into Question?

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Many people are passionate about reusable water bottles, from wide-mouth Nalgene bottles popular with Millennials to stainless steel containers like Hydro Flask, S’well, and Yeti tumblers. The latest trend is the giant 40 oz. Stanley tumblers, available in a variety of colors to match personal style and mood.

While these products are designed to offer an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles, some people question whether these trendy, reusable tumblers are actually part of the problem. This debate ties into the broader environmental conflict about individual contributions versus larger, systemic issues.

In the case of the 40 oz. Stanley tumblers, the popularity has surged in recent years, with social media influencers and collectors showcasing the cups. This popularity has propelled the company’s annual sales from $70 million to $750 million in the span of just a few years.

At first glance, Stanley tumblers appear to be environmentally responsible, known for their durability and long-lasting design. However, they have also become a symbol of overconsumption, raising questions about the true environmental benefits of these products.

According to experts, while the use of reusable water bottles can be sustainable when used properly, overconsumption of these products contributes to climate change and environmental degradation. The potential impacts of unnecessary consumption include greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, land use issues, pollution, and human health impacts.

Ultimately, experts emphasize the importance of using products like reusable tumblers thoughtfully and regularly to have a positive environmental impact. Additionally, companies are encouraged to prioritize sustainability and recycling initiatives to mitigate the environmental burden of their products.

Understanding the psychological and social factors that influence consumer behavior is also crucial in addressing overconsumption. Advocates urge individuals to make informed, mindful choices and to feel a sense of agency in contributing to environmental solutions without becoming discouraged or overwhelmed by global issues like climate change.

“We don’t want to get to the point where we’re completely discouraged about climate change,” said one expert. “We need to determine our real choices from the details. We can look at our own choices and find ways to help and encourage others, but we can’t shame or blame. But I don’t think we’re going anywhere.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The World’s 10 Biggest Rainforests in 2024

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Tropical rainforests are crucial to the planet’s health as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and release oxygen. These forests are characterized by a dense tree canopy and high annual rainfall.

There are different types of rainforests, including tropical, dry, and temperate rainforests. Tropical rainforests are near the equator and have warm, humid climates. On the other hand, temperate rainforests experience more seasonal changes in weather and are distributed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Dry rainforests receive less precipitation and have more distinct seasons compared to tropical rainforests.

Tropical rainforests host a wide variety of unique plant and animal species, with over half of the world’s species found in these areas around the world.

Here are the top 10 biggest forests on the planet by land area, along with some information about each:

10. Westland Temperate Forest – 11,880km²

Weststand temperate forest in Westland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island.Photo credit: Alamy

Westland Temperate Forest is located on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island and receives significant annual rainfall, supporting a variety of bird species and endangered species.

9. Bosawas Biosphere Reserve – 20,000km²

A landscape of the cloud forest canopy with mountains peeking out from behind the clouds in northern Nicaragua.Photo credit: Getty Images

Bosawas Biosphere Reserve covers 15 percent of Nicaragua’s land area and is home to vast biodiversity, including many endangered species.

1. Amazon rainforest – 6.7 million km²

Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest and river in northeastern Pará state, Sao Caetano de Odivelas, Brazil.Photo credit: Getty Images

The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest, covering an area of 6.7 million km² across 8 countries. It is home to an astonishing diversity of plant and animal species, with significant deforestation posing a major threat to its existence.

Rainforest	Size KM²
Westland temperate forest	11,880

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Understanding the sensation of dying: Insights from medical professionals

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Similar to childbirth, death is a bodily process that progresses through stages and is recognizable. The speed of the process varies from person to person, and medical support may be necessary to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

As death nears, most people lose interest in eating and drinking, which is normal. Even if they are unable to manage full meals, a small taste may still be welcomed.

Dying individuals typically experience a lack of energy, similar to the extreme fatigue associated with severe illness or surgery recovery. While sleep normally recharges energy, it gradually diminishes as the body weakens towards death.

Waking hours decrease, and periods of unconsciousness become more frequent. People report feeling like they were peacefully asleep during these periods of unconsciousness.

If the dying person relies on regular medications, it may be necessary to switch to medications that do not require swallowing. Skin patches, syringe pumps, and suppositories can be used, as unconsciousness is usually caused by the dying process, not medication.

What happens in your last moments

As death progresses, the heartbeat slows, blood pressure drops, the skin cools, and the nails dull. Restlessness, confusion, and periods of deepening unconsciousness may occur.

There is no proven method to investigate what people experience near death, but recent research suggests that the unconscious brain responds to noise in the room. Breathing becomes automatic and may involve heavy, noisy breaths or breathing through saliva in the back of the throat without signs of distress.

Breathing cycles from deep to shallow, fast to slow, until it becomes slow and very shallow, eventually pausing and stopping altogether due to lack of oxygen.

Understanding common patterns of death and its stages can help companions feel less fearful and manage symptoms. Seeking medical attention when necessary is important. For more information, you can watch the BBC short film about death: BBC short film about death.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

2024 New Moon: When is the next full moon?

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new moon may not be all that remarkable (literally) astronomically speaking, but it does mark the beginning of a new lunar cycle. And this month, the new moon in February also opens the Chinese New Year.

In China, Lunar New Year is a time to let go of the negative energy from the previous year and welcome good fortune and prosperity in the new year. It’s a time for family celebrations and to exorcise evil spirits.

For those who believe in astrology (spoiler: it doesn’t make much scientific sense), a new moon generally represents a fresh start. It’s a time to set intentions, start projects, and focus on personal growth. Astrologers believe that the energy of the new moon will help you plan for the future and sow seeds.

It is often associated with opportunities for self-reflection, goal setting, and personal renewal in various aspects of life. Various astrological signs are believed to influence how this energy manifests in individuals.

Of course, astrology is subjective to some extent, so it’s best to take it with a grain of salt.

But the new moon is exciting for another reason. It’s a more “visible” reason. Solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun. Similarly, a new moon occurs when it is on the same side of the Earth as the sun, so a solar eclipse is: only It occurs at the new moon.

When is the next new moon?

The next new moon will be on February 9, 2024.

Like full moons, new moons are also named according to the season. These usually coincide with full moons that accompany the same lunar cycle.

The beginning of each lunar cycle is marked by a new moon. A new moon occurs every 29.53 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds to be exact).

Here are all the new moons in 2024 as seen from London:

January 11th 11:57am: new wolf moon
February 9th, 10:59pm: new snow moon
March 10th 9am: new worm moon
April 8th, 6:21pm: New pink moon*
May 8th 3:22am: new flower moon
June 6th, 12:38pm: new strawberry moon
July 5th, 10:57pm: new back moon
August 4th 11:13am: new sturgeon moon
September 3rd, 1:56am: New Corn/Harvest Moon
October 2nd, 6:49pm: new hunter’s moon
November 1st, 12:47pm: new beaver moon
December 1st 6:21am: new cold moon
December 30th, 10:27pm: black Moon

*Includes solar eclipse

When is Chinese New Year?

Lunar New Year (also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) is the second new moon after the winter solstice. The date of the Lunar New Year varies between January 21st and February 20th according to the Gregorian calendar.

This year, in 2024, Chinese New Year begins on February 10, 2024.

In China (and other countries in East Asia), this is one of the most important times of the year and festivals are held. May last up to 16 days. The first seven days of his life are designated as official holidays, and the celebration culminates in a lantern festival. full Mon – February 24, 2024.

…
As the lunar cycle progresses, it becomes increasingly visible as more sunlight is reflected and moved away from the Sun. If you really want to see the new moon, the first visible phase of the moon is the very thin, sliver-like waxing crescent that occurs just after the new moon. It appears in the western sky after sunset.

The new moon can be seen soon

During a solar eclipse, if you have proper eye protection, you can see the shape of the moon passing in front of the sun, but you can’t actually see it. . You can see every detail.

There is also a phenomenon called “Earth Shine”. This is where the moon is at its thinnest crescent stage, where the unlit parts of the moon become visible. This occurs when sunlight reflects off the Earth and gently illuminates the night side of the moon. This in turn is reflected back to us. This creates the effect of a ghostly glow in the unlit areas, giving it the illusion of a full moon even though it’s not in its full moon phase.

Earthshine typically occurs during the spring for a few days on either side of a new moon.So it’s not very It’s a new moon, but if you really want to see it, you can see it as close as possible.

new moon and solar eclipse

The relationship between solar eclipses and new moons is intertwined. Without a new moon, there will be no solar eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. Block out all (total solar eclipse) or some (partial solar eclipse) of the sun’s light. With this adjustment, only This phenomenon occurs during the new moon phase, when the moon is directly between the Earth and the sun.

The next solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, and the total solar eclipse will cross Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the westernmost parts of the UK and Ireland.

However, not all new moons cause solar eclipses. This is because the moon’s orbit is slightly different from the Earth’s orbit around the sun. There is a difference of about 5 degrees. This small difference is usually enough for the new moon to pass above or below the Sun without blocking it. In other words, no solar eclipse will occur.

What is a black moon?

The term “black moon” is used to describe the new moon, which is the equivalent of a blue moon. There are several different definitions of a black moon, but it usually refers to two new moons in one calendar month. This simply depends on the number of days in the month and how the calendar is determined.

Some people call a calendar month without a new moon a black moon. This can occur in his February, when there is no new moon about once every 19 years, due to the short length of the moon compared to the lunar cycle.

The next black moon (using the definition of two new moons in a month) will be on December 30, 2024 at 10:27 PM (GMT).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Storms in California contribute to the creation and maintenance of lakes in Death Valley.

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Following the recent historic heavy rains in California, an unusual event continues to unfold at the lakes of the famous Death Valley.

Officials from the park confirmed that a lake formed in the Badwater Basin in August, typically a salt flat, after heavy rains and flash flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Hillary in Death Valley National Park.

Thanks to atmospheric river events over the past two weeks, heavy rain across much of California has caused the lake to last longer than it would have under normal conditions. According to the park’s statement on Thursday, “Most of us thought the lake would be gone by October,” park ranger Abby Wines said in a statement. “We were shocked to see it still here after almost six months. Rain this week will extend the length of time the lake is here. It’s too shallow for kayaking, but It gives us great reflections of the mountains.”

People walk along Lake Manly, a temporary shallow lake in Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California, on December 24.Abbey Wines/NPS Photo

Death Valley typically only receives about 2 inches of precipitation a year, but in the past six months it has seen just under 5 inches of rain, almost entirely due to Hillary and recent atmospheric river events. This was announced on Thursday.

During Hurricane Hillary, about 2.2 inches of rain fell per day, hitting California as a rare tropical storm, resulting in floods that damaged roads and other infrastructure.

The lake, which at one point was 11 miles long, 4 miles wide and 2 feet deep, spilled out following the heavy rainfall, as reported by the National Park Service.

Death Valley received 1.66 inches of rain earlier this week, according to the National Weather Service said earlier Wednesday. With a 72 hour precipitation report.

Park officials say temporary lakes in Badwater Basin are rare. Once an inland lake named Lake Manly, the basin has long since dried up. The park states that it has existed in the geologic past, and the most recent one dried out approximately 10,000 years ago.

Known for having some of the hottest, if not record-setting, scorching summer temperatures ever recorded on Earth, this week’s highs in Death Valley are in the 50s to 60s. The average high temperature in Furnace Creek usually begins to reach 90 degrees in April. According to the park.

The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was July 10, 1913, at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, reaching 134 degrees, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Stunning Images of Jupiter’s Moon Io Captured by NASA’s Juno Orbiter

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

On February 3, 2024, NASA's Juno spacecraft made its second close approach to Io, the fifth and third largest of Jupiter's moons. Like the previous flyby on December 30, 2023, this second pass was approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away. During the twins' flyby, the spacecraft's JunoCam instrument returned stunning high-resolution images and raw data. The flyby is designed to provide new insights into how Io's volcanic engines work and whether a global magma ocean exists beneath the volcanic moon's rocky, mountainous surface. has been done.

The JunoCam instrument aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft imaged Io, the most geologically active object in the solar system, on February 3, 2024, from a distance of approximately 7,904 km (4,911 miles) . Image credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS.

Io is the innermost of Jupiter's four Galilean moons and the fourth largest moon in the solar system.

Its diameter is about 3,630 km (2,556 miles), making it only slightly larger than our moon.

It is the only place in the solar system other than Earth that is known to have volcanoes spewing hot lava like those on Earth.

Io has over 400 active volcanoes, which are caused by tidal heating. This is the result of a gravitational tug of war between Jupiter's gravity and the small but precisely timed gravitational pulls from Europa and Ganymede.

The moon's yellow, white, orange, and red colors are produced by sulfur dioxide, frost on its surface, elemental sulfur, and various sulfur allotropes.

The volcano was first discovered on the island of Io in 1979, and since then studies using NASA's Galileo spacecraft and ground-based telescopes have shown that eruptions and lava fountains occur constantly, forming rivers and lakes of lava. Masu.

Only 13 large eruptions were observed between 1978 and 2006, in part because fewer astronomers were scanning the moon on a regular basis.

The JunoCam instrument aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft imaged Io on December 30, 2023, from a distance of approximately 5,857 km (3,639 miles). Image credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS.

NASA's Juno spacecraft has been monitoring Io's volcanic activity from distances ranging from about 11,000 km (6,830 miles) to more than 100,000 km (62,100 miles), providing the first view of the moon's north and south poles .

On December 30, 2023, Juno came within approximately 1,500 km of Io's surface. The orbiter made her second close flyby of the Moon on February 3, 2024.

The second flyby mainly flew over Io's southern hemisphere, but previous flybys flew over Io's northern hemisphere.

Juno captured two plumes rising above Io's horizon on February 3, 2024. These plumes were emitted from two vents from one giant volcano, or from two volcanoes located close to each other. The JunoCam instrument photographed the plume from a distance of approximately 3,800 km (2,400 miles). Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Andrea Luck.

“We investigate the source of Io's massive volcanic activity, whether there is a magma ocean beneath its crust, and the importance of tidal forces from Jupiter that are relentlessly squeezing this beleaguered moon. doing.”

“There are active plumes, high mountain peaks with distinct shadows, and evidence of lava lakes, some of which look like islands.”

Starting in April 2024, Juno will conduct a series of occultation experiments that will use Juno's gravity science experiments to investigate the composition of Jupiter's upper atmosphere. This provides important information about the planet's shape and internal structure.

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Found Fossil Remains in France Offer Valuable Information on Ordovician Polar Ecosystems

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

in new paper in diary natural ecology and evolution, paleontologists described the diversity of the Cabrières biota, a new Early Ordovician site in the Montagne Noire in southern France. During the Early Ordovician, this region was an open marine environment located in the southern hemisphere at high polar latitudes, on the margin of the Gondwana supercontinent.

Artistic reconstruction of Cabrière Biota: in the foreground, Unpix (trilobites) and various ostracods including brachiopods and cryoliths (bottom left corner). Behind the trilobites are lobopods, chelicerates, cnidarians (blue), sponges (green), thin branched algae (red and green), hemichordates (purple), and some soft bodies. There are animals. Bivalve arthropods live in the water column along with graptolites. Image credit: Christian McCall, Prehistorya Art.

“Early Paleozoic sites with preserved soft tissues provide a wealth of information about the evolution of past life and improve our understanding of earlier ecosystems, but they are unevenly distributed in time and space. ,” said paleontologist Farid Saleh of the University of Lausanne and his colleagues.

“About 100 soft-tissue preserved assemblages have been recorded from the Cambrian, while about 30 are known from the Ordovician, and only a few have been discovered in early Ordovician rocks. .”

“The distribution of early Paleozoic remains is also paleogeographically biased, as approximately 97% of the biota discovered represents tropical and temperate ecosystems within 65 degrees north and south of the paleoequator.”

“This pattern is especially true for the Ordovician, where very few sites are known to have polar environments.”

“Among the most famous Ordovician sites, Sumchere in South Africa, Big Hill in the United States, and Winneshiek exhibit tropical ecosystems.”

“Given the rarity of Ordovician sites and their lopsided paleogeographical distribution, discovering new biota with preserved soft tissues across the aforementioned paleogeographic zones and environments will deepen our understanding of this period and This is crucial for gaining better insight into the factors driving increases in animal diversity on Earth. ”

Biomineralized species of the Cabriere biota: (a) Trilobites of the genus Unpix(b) gastropods with tubular structures, probably conuraids Sphenothalas(c) biomineralized canine cnidarians; (d) Arthrobrachiopod attached to a spongiosa, probably of the leptomid family. (e) Assemblage formed by an articulated brachiopod (center), a flattened carapace of a probably bivalve arthropod (left and right of center), and the skull of a calimenin trilobite (left). (f) Possibly visceral cyst. Scale bars – (a) and (e) 4 mm, (b) and (d) 1 cm, (c) 5 mm, (f) 2 mm.Image credit: Saleh other., doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w.

In a new paper, paleontologists describe a group of 470-million-year-old (early Ordovician) fossils, named Cabrière Biota, discovered in southern France's Montagne Noire.

The fossil site was discovered by two French amateurs, Eric Montseret and Sylvie Montseret Goujon.

Saleh and his co-authors examined about 400 extremely well-preserved soft tissue fossils taken from the site.

Fossils typically exhibit shades of brown, red, or orange and are embedded within a siliciclastic matrix of mudstone and siltstone, and their colors range from blue to green to yellow.

The Cabriere biota is characterized by a prevalence of sponges and branched algae, which constitute 26% of all identified fossils.

Also included are molluscs (14%), trilobites (12%), brachiopods (9%), cystoliths (7%), and cnidarians (6%).

An interesting feature of this biota is its rarity, with echinoderms being represented by only three specimens.

The Cabrières biota also exhibits the shells of various bivalve arthropods, which constitute 16% of the fossils identified.

Some wormlike organisms are also present in the biota (approximately 1% of identified fossils).

“The Cabrière biota was once located in close proximity to Antarctica and reveals the composition of the southernmost Ordovician ecosystem,” Dr Saleh said.

“The high biodiversity of this site suggests that the area served as a refuge for species fleeing the high temperatures that were prevalent further north at the time.”

“During this period of global warming, animals were certainly living in high-latitude refuges, escaping the extreme temperatures at the equator.”

Dr Jonathan Antcliffe, a paleontologist at the University of Lausanne, said: “The distant past gives us a glimpse of the near future that could happen to us.''

_____

F. Saleh other. Cabrières Biota (France) provides insight into Ordovician polar ecosystems. Nat Ecole Evol, published online on February 9, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w

Source: www.sci.news

Türk, İtalyan ve İsveçli astronotlar özel uzay istasyonu seyahatini sonlandırarak Dünya’ya dönüş yaptı

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts from Turkey, Italy and Sweden completed their return to Earth on Friday. 3 week private mission To the International Space Station.

The trio was accompanied by a former NASA astronaut who now works for NASA. axiomatic space, the Houston company that arranged the charter flight. The crew returned aboard a SpaceX capsule and parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.

Last month, Turkey celebrated the launch of Alpel Gezeravci from Cape Canaveral. A former fighter pilot and captain of Turkish Airlines, he became the first person in his home country to fly into space.

A SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida on Friday. Astronauts from Turkey, Italy and Sweden returned to Earth on Friday, ending a three-week commercial mission aboard the International Space Station. Axiomatic space via AP

Geselavci was accompanied on the trip by Colonel Walter Villaday of the Italian Air Force, Markus Vandt of Sweden, a former fighter pilot who was selected as a reserve astronaut by the European Space Agency in 2022, and his companion Michael Mr. López-Alegría accompanied him.

Turkey, Italy and Sweden funded the mission, each paying about $55 million. This was his third civilian mission to the Axiom space station. A fourth is planned for later this year.

Before departing from the space station, Gezeravci thanked his country for its “bold and decisive decision” to send its citizens into space as part of the republic's 100th anniversary celebrations.

While in orbit, the astronauts conducted science experiments and spoke with elementary school students and government officials from their home countries. They spent several more days on the space station, waiting for the weather to improve in the landing zone.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Ed Dwight, the first black astronaut, finally receives recognition.

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Ed Dwight spent his childhood on a farm on the outskirts of Kansas back in the 1930s. The airfield was nearby, and as a young child, he would often visit to watch the planes and the pilots. Most of the planes were returning from hunting trips, and the inside was stained with blood and empty beer cans on the floor.

“They would say to me, ‘Hey, can you clean my plane? I’ll give you a dime,’” Dwight, 90, recalls. But when he was eight or nine years old, he wanted more than a dime. He wanted to fly.

“My first flight was the most exciting thing in the world,” Dwight says with a laugh. “There were no roads or stop signs. You were free as a bird.”

It took years for Dwight to entertain the thought of becoming a pilot himself. “It was white people’s territory,” he says. But when he saw an image of a black pilot shot down in South Korea on the front page of a newspaper, he immediately decided that he wanted to fly.

With that decision, Dwight set in motion a chain of events that would nearly lead him to become one of the first astronauts. Dwight was hand-picked by President John F. Kennedy’s White House to join Chuck Yeager’s test pilot program at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert as he rose through the ranks in the Air Force.

US Air Force Colonel Ed Dwight.
Provided by Ed Dwight/National Geographic, via AP

However, after Kennedy’s assassination, Dwight’s path to NASA disappeared and he was not selected for the space program. In recent years, Dwight has finally begun to receive recognition with the release of the new National Geographic Documentary “Space Race,” which tells the story of Dwight, a pioneer who was nearly one of the first black astronauts.

When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit in 1957, it influenced the formation of NASA. Dwight was not initially thinking about becoming an astronaut, but political leaders became conscious of the image that American astronauts could project about American democracy, and then Dwight got an unexpected invitation to train to become an astronaut. He received acclaim for appearing on the covers of black magazines such as Jet and Sepia, but faced hostility by police officers and other developments during his training. Dwight was the only one selected by the White House to train at that time, yet eventually was not among the 14 selected in 1963, following Kennedy’s assassination.

Air Force Col. Ed Dwight sits in the cockpit at the beginning of flight training in 1954.
Provided by Ed Dwight/National Geographic, via AP

Despite not becoming an astronaut, Dwight accomplished many things, including founding a construction company and earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture. He has created sculptures of notable black historical figures and had some of his sculptures flown into space aboard the Orion spacecraft. NASA even named an asteroid after him. For subsequent black astronauts, Dwight serves as an influential figure and is honored to be considered a pioneering black astronaut.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, from left, Ed Dwight and Leland Melvin, on Thursday in Pasadena, California.
Chris Pizzello/AP

Dwight is filled with gratitude for the experiences he had and the opportunity to meet many influential figures throughout his life. He envisions that astronauts and influential leaders should have the chance to view the Earth from above to understand the futility of racism. “We’re flying around the galaxy in this little ball,” Dwight says.

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Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Possible Collapse of AMOC: Simulations Highlight Real Danger of Stopping Atlantic Currents

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Ocean currents flowing from the tropics to the North Atlantic have a major influence on Europe's climate.

jens carsten roseman

As the planet warms, is there a serious risk that the Atlantic Current that warms Europe will slow down and stop? Yes, according to the most detailed computer simulation ever performed. The likelihood of this scenario remains highly uncertain.

“We have demonstrated that it is indeed possible with our current setup,” he says. René van Westen At Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Now, warm water, made more salty by evaporation, flows north from the tropics along the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, keeping Europe much warmer than it would otherwise be. When this water cools, it sinks because it becomes more salty and denser. It then returns to the tropics and flows along the ocean floor into the southern hemisphere.

This is known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Studies of past climate suggest that the dramatic cooling episodes that have occurred around Europe over the past 100,000 years or so have been associated with so-called tipping points, when reverse currents slow down or stop completely, and small changes in may convert one system to another. state.

The cause is thought to be melting ice sheets. The influx of large amounts of fresh water into the North Atlantic reduces salinity, which in turn reduces surface water density and reduces the amount of water that sinks.

However, this has proven difficult to model. Most shutdown simulations require adding unrealistically large amounts of fresh water at once. Some also question whether this is a potential tipping point, since recent simulations using more advanced models have not shown any shutdowns.

Now, van Westen's team has run the most sophisticated simulation to date, which took a total of six months to run on the Dutch state-run supercomputer Sunellius. It was very expensive, he says.

Unlike previous simulations, the team added fresh water gradually rather than all at once. This created a positive feedback that amplified the effect. The decrease in salinity reduced the amount of water sinking, which reduced the amount of brine flowing north, further reducing salinity.

This eventually broke the overturning circulation, causing temperatures to rise in the Southern Hemisphere but plummet in Europe. For example, in this model, London would be 10°C (18°F) cooler on average, and Bergen, Norway would be 15°C (27°F) cooler on average. Other impacts include localized sea level rise in areas such as the East Coast of the United States.

Additionally, some of the changes seen in the model before the collapse are consistent with changes seen in the real Atlantic Ocean in recent decades.

But to cause this collapse, the researchers had to run the model for 2,500 years. And they needed to add huge amounts of fresh water. Although less than previous simulations, it is still about 80 times the amount that is currently flowing into the ocean from the melting Greenland ice sheet. “So it's absurd and not very realistic,” Van Westen said.

Furthermore, this simulation did not include global warming. The team now plans to rerun the simulation with that in mind.

“This is the most cutting-edge model in which such experiments have been performed,” he says. Peter Ditlefsen He is a co-author of a 2023 study predicting that the Atlantic overturning current could break up between 2025 and 2095, based on changes in sea surface temperatures.

The model suggests it will take large amounts of fresh water and centuries to stop the circulation from reversing, but why do we think climate models are underestimating the risk of nonlinear changes like the Atlantic tipping point? There are several, Ditlefsen said.

Climate models need to divide the world into large cubes to make their calculations workable, he says, and this has a smoothing effect. Additionally, the model has been calibrated based on how well it simulates the 20th century climate, although there was a linear relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting changes. may not be applicable in the future.

“We should expect the model to be less sensitive than the real world,” Ditlevsen says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Uncovering the Unseen Rules that Shape Our Most Meaningful Friendships

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

FACEBOOK users used to have more friends. Social networking sites pursue a commercial strategy of trying to “friend” as many people as possible. However, at some point around 2007, users began to wonder who the people they had befriended were. Then someone pointed out to us that he can only manage about 150 relationships at any given time. A series of cullings of “friends” followed, and the number 150 has since become known as “Dunbar's number.” Thank you, Facebook!

Modern technology may have given it some notoriety, but Dunbar's number has roots in evolutionary biology. Humans are a highly social species, but we don't easily manage relationships, and like other primates, the size of our social networks is limited by the size of our brains. My research 20 years ago revealed that this means we are unable to meaningfully interact with more than about 150 other people. No matter how social you are, that's your limit. In this respect we are all the same. However, recent research on friendship has revealed some interesting individual differences.

My colleagues and I explore how much time people spend cultivating different members of their social networks, how friendships form and disappear, and what we look for in a friend. I have made some eye-opening discoveries about it. What really surprised us was that each person has a unique “social fingerprint,” or idiosyncratic way of allocating social effort. This pattern is completely independent of who is in your friendship circle at any given time. But it can reveal a lot about your own identity and even affect how well you can cope with social restrictions…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Prosthetic leg sensitivity triggers feeling of hot and cold in amputated hand

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Fabrizio Fidati tests temperature-sensitive prosthetic arm

EPFL Cahiers

A man who had his right arm amputated below the elbow can now feel heat and cold in his missing hand through an improved prosthetic hand equipped with a heat sensor.

After amputation, some people may still have a sense of touch or pain in the missing arm or leg, known as a phantom limb. In some cases, these sensations may be caused by nerve endings in the remaining upper limbs.

This prosthetic hand works by applying heat or cold to specific areas of the skin on the upper arm, inducing a thermal sensation in the phantom hand.

“Previous studies have shown that these spots are present in the majority of amputee patients we treat,” he says. Solaiman Shokur at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

First, Shokur and his colleagues mapped spots on study participant Fabrizio Fidati's upper arm that triggered sensations in different parts of the phantom hand. They then outfitted his existing prosthetic arm and socket with a sensor and device called a thermodes that can make it hot or cold.

Tests showed that Fidati was able to identify hot, cold, or ambient temperature bottles with 100% accuracy by touching the bottle with the modified prosthesis. When the thermal sensors in his prosthetic limbs went off, his accuracy dropped to a third of his.

The prosthetic hand also allowed Fidati to distinguish between glass, copper, and plastic by touch, while blindfolded, with just over two-thirds of the accuracy of his uninjured left hand.

In another recently published study, Shokur and his colleagues showed that amputees use temperature-sensitive prostheses. Can detect whether an object is wet or dry.

“We were able to give amputees the sensation of moisture, and they were able to detect different levels of moisture, just like a healthy hand,” Shokul says.

Omid Kabehei Researchers at Australia's University of Sydney say their work could one day have applications beyond prosthetic limbs, such as giving robots a wider range of bodily sensations.

“This is very important work,” he says. But he cautions that this is not a clinical trial and questions how well the technology will work in the real world, where warm and cold climates are extremely different.

“We would like to see how this device performs in a hot and humid place like Singapore,” says Kavehei.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New NASA Satellite Launches to Study Warming Oceans and Atmosphere

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The newest weather satellite of NASA was launched into orbit on Thursday, providing unprecedented details of the world’s oceans and atmosphere.

SpaceX launched its $948 million Pace satellite before dawn, sending its Falcon rocket south across the Atlantic Ocean to achieve a rare polar orbit.

The satellite will spend at least three years studying the ocean and atmosphere 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth. Two scientific instruments scan the Earth every day. The third instrument takes monthly measurements.

The PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, Marine Ecosystems) satellite will separate from a SpaceX rocket in orbit on Thursday.NASA (via AP)

“It will be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” said project scientist Jeremy Wardell.

The observations will help scientists better forecast hurricanes and other severe weather, better understand how the Earth is changing as temperatures rise, and better predict when harmful algae blooms will occur.

NASA already has more than 20 Earth observation satellites and instruments in orbit. But Pace's findings should provide better insight into how atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, interact with marine life such as algae and plankton.

“The pace will give us another dimension” to what other satellites observe, said Karen St. Germain, NASA's director of Earth Sciences.

PACE (short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) is the most advanced mission ever launched to study marine biology.

NASA and SpaceX engineers launched NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystems) spacecraft into SpaceX's Falcon 9 spacecraft on January 30 at the AstroTech Space Operations Facility near Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is encapsulated in the payload fairing. Denny Henry/NASA (via AP)

Current Earth observation satellites can see in seven or eight colors, Werdel said. Pace displays 200 colors, allowing scientists to identify types of algae in the ocean and particles in the air.

Scientists expect to start collecting data within a month or two.

NASA is working with India to develop another advanced Earth observation satellite scheduled to launch this year. The project, named Nisar, will use radar to measure the effects of rising temperatures on the surfaces of glaciers and other melting ice.

NASA's Pace program survived despite efforts by the Trump administration to cancel it.

“It's been a long and strange journey, as they say,” Werdel said before the launch.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Potential of Minecraft for Developing Adaptive AI

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Minecraft is a game for humans, but it can also be useful for AI

Mine Craft

Mine Craft Not only is it the best-selling video game of all time, it could be the key to creating adaptive artificial intelligence models that can handle a variety of tasks just like humans.

stephen james and colleagues at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa developed a benchmark test in which. Mine Craft Measure the general intelligence of your AI model. MinePlanner evaluates AI's ability to ignore unimportant details when solving complex problems in multiple steps.

According to James, much AI training is “cheating” by giving the model all the data it needs to learn how to do a job, and nothing irrelevant. While this is a useful approach if you're writing software to perform a specific task, such as predicting the weather or folding proteins, it's not useful if you're trying to create artificial general intelligence (AGI).

James says that future AI models will need to tackle wicked problems, and he hopes MinePlanner will guide that research. The AI working to solve in-game problems recognizes scenery, extraneous objects, and other details that are not necessarily needed to solve the problem and should be ignored. You need to investigate your surroundings and decide for yourself what is necessary and what is not.

MinePlanner consists of 15 construction problems, each with easy, medium, and hard settings, for a total of 45 tasks. The AI may need to perform intermediate steps to complete each task. For example, building a series of stairs to place blocks at a certain height. This requires AI to narrow down the problem and plan ahead to achieve the goal.

Experiments with state-of-the-art planning AI models ENHSP and Fast Downward, open-source programs designed to process sequential operations in pursuit of an overall goal, show that both models successfully complete difficult problems. I couldn't do it. Fast Downward was only able to complete one medium problem and five easy problems, while ENHSP completed all but one easy problem and all but two medium problems. By completing all of the above tasks, they achieved slightly better results.

“You can't step in and tell a human designer exactly what to care about and what not to care about for every task that an AI needs to solve,” James said. say. “That's the problem we're trying to address.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

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