Revolutionary Viral Injections Stop Pancreatic Cancer Progression in Three Patients

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Scanning Electron Micrograph of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Anne Weston, EM STP, Francis Crick Institute/Science Photo Library

Scanning electron micrograph of pancreatic cancer cells — Scanning Electron Micrograph of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Anne Weston, EM STP, Francis Crick Institute/Science Photo Library

In a groundbreaking clinical trial in the United States, researchers have found that a novel viral treatment halted the progression of pancreatic cancer in three patients. While further assessments in larger trials are necessary, these early results are promising, particularly given that only minimal quantities of the virus were administered during initial safety tests.

According to Masato Yamamoto, who spearheaded the research at the University of Minnesota, “The efficacy exceeded our expectations, particularly considering we injected merely one-tenth of the targeted dose for pancreatic cancer.”

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously known as one of the deadliest cancers. This is due in part to the fact that symptoms often emerge late, when the cancer has typically advanced beyond the point of surgical removal. For patients diagnosed with this illness, the prognosis is grim: they usually survive for only about 3 to 6 months.

The stiffness of pancreatic tumors presents another significant challenge, inhibiting chemotherapy drugs from penetrating effectively. As Dr. Yamamoto aptly notes, “Pancreatic tumors are as hard as a hockey puck.” Additionally, these tumors can evade detection by the immune system, rendering immunotherapy treatments that boost immune activity against cancer cells largely ineffective.

One of the trial participants had a pancreatic tumor measuring 7 centimeters in diameter and underwent treatment about a year ago, with the other two patients treated subsequently. Fortunately, their tumors have not grown since treatment began. “They are all alive and exhibit clinically stable disease,” Dr. Yamamoto shared at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy held earlier this month in Boston, Massachusetts. An additional 15 patients are now set to receive higher doses to determine the optimal treatment level.

Dr. Kai Brown, a pancreatic surgeon at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, cautioned, “While this shows intriguing early promise, we must maintain a cautious optimism. The history of oncology is riddled with initially encouraging signals that have vanished by the time rigorous phase III [late-stage] testing was completed. Thus, these initial results ought to be viewed as hypothesis-generating.” Notably, the trial currently lacks a control group, making it difficult to ascertain if the cancer-killing virus is more effective than existing treatments.

The virus being tested is a genetically modified adenovirus designed to proliferate specifically within tumors while avoiding healthy tissues. Its replication is activated by cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), an enzyme found in much higher levels in cancer cells than in normal cells. Upon infecting cancer cells, the virus can rupture and lead to their death, thereby releasing more virus to infect adjacent cancer cells.

During this trial, the virus was injected directly into the tumor via a thin tube guided down the patient’s throat, reaching the pancreas. An ultrasound probe at the tube’s end assisted in visualizing the tumor’s location.

Dr. Yamamoto speculated that the tumor’s growth has halted without regression likely due to the low treatment dosage. He believes that as the virus replicates, the number of infected tumor cells may diminish over time.

As tumor cells begin to break apart, the immune system may identify the cancer and initiate its attack. “The patient’s immune system may recognize that something is wrong and start targeting the tumor,” he explained. If successful, this treatment could potentially combat metastatic pancreatic cancer as well.

To enhance this innate immune response, Yamamoto and his team plan to combine viral therapies with immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors—drugs that block proteins preventing the immune system from attacking cancer cells—in future clinical studies.

Historically, adenoviruses have caused cold and flu-like symptoms in their unmodified form, but they have shown promise as cancer treatments. In the 1950s, for example, women with cervical cancer were treated with unmodified adenovirus, witnessing some success in clinical trials. However, safety and efficacy issues highlighted the need for genetic engineering to tailor adenoviruses to specifically target cancer cells.

The only FDA-approved cancer-killing virus, T-VEC, is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus injected directly into melanoma tumors, inducing cell rupture and death.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Melting Glaciers on the ‘Roof of the World’: What You Need to Know

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Kongur Shan Mountains: A Part of the Pamir Plateau, China

Mark Andrews/Alamy

Kongur Shan Mountains in China — Kongur Shan Mountains: A Part of the Pamir Plateau, China

Mark Andrews/Alamy

Recent research has unveiled alarming ice loss in Asia’s Pamir Mountains, raising concerns about the stability of one of the world’s last remaining glacier regions amid global warming.

Historically, glaciers worldwide have experienced retreat due to rising temperatures. However, the “roof of the world” in Central Asia has shown resilience. From the 1970s to the early 21st century, glaciers in the Western Kunlun, Karakoram, and Eastern Pamir Mountains remained stable or slightly expanded.

Fan Yu and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have closely monitored the three-kilometre-long Kangxiyan Glacier in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, located at an altitude of 5,350 meters within the eastern Pamir Plateau.

Prior to 2022, the glacier exhibited minor fluctuations but maintained a stable pattern of moderate ice mass loss, sometimes even slightly increasing in volume.

However, a notable shift occurred post-2022, with researchers recording an unprecedented ice loss of 1.5 meters in 2025 alone, representing over four times the average loss from 2011 to 2024.

This record melt at Kangxiyan has been mirrored across other glaciers in the Pamir Plateau, primarily driven by extreme heat. Unlike previous years where high temperatures were limited to short periods, 2025 saw prolonged heat enduring throughout the entire snowmelt season.

The findings suggest that the glaciers in the Pamir-Karakorum region are no longer exceptions to global melting trends. Researchers predict that extreme weather events will likely exacerbate glacier melt in this crucial region.

Sean Eaves and researchers from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, assert that these results correlate with predictions indicating that human-induced climate change heightens the likelihood of severe warming events that contribute to glacier melting. However, they caution against definitive conclusions about future trends at this early stage.

Since the ice mass of the Kangxihe Glacier was only first measured in 2011, the events of 2025 are not extreme when viewed within a broader historical context.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Webb Telescope Uncovers Supermassive Black Hole Older than Its Host Galaxy

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope have made a groundbreaking discovery of a massive black hole in the early universe, which intriguingly appears to be older than its host galaxy. This revelation raises significant questions about the formation of the universe’s first supermassive black holes.

This Webb/NIRCam image captures the small red dot Abell2744-QSO1, magnified and triple-imaged by the galaxy cluster Abell 2744. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Lukas Furtak, Ben-Gurion University / Alyssa Pagan, STScI.

Abel 2744-QSO1 (commonly referred to as QSO1) is a typical “little red dot” existing just 700 million years post-Big Bang.

Though QSO1 spans only 1,300 light-years and its light has traveled over 13 billion years, it offers a more accessible study compared to other small red dots due to its gravitational lensing by the galaxy cluster Abel 2744.

QSO1 is uniquely magnified and appears in three locations in the sky, thanks to this lensing effect.

Dr. Roberto Maiorino from the University of Cambridge stated, “This is a remarkable discovery that represents a paradigm shift in understanding black hole formation and growth.”

Initial studies suggest QSO1 may consist of a cloud of glowing hydrogen and helium gas orbiting a supermassive black hole approximately 40 million times the mass of our Sun.

However, uncertainty lingered regarding the true scale of this black hole, similar to other early black holes discovered by Webb.

Dr. Francesco Deugenio of the University of Cambridge remarked, “Until now, measurements of black hole masses in the early universe have been indirect, based on established knowledge of local black holes.”

Researchers have employed the Integral Field Unit (IFU) of Webb’s NIRSpec instrument to effectively map the movement of hydrogen gas around this black hole.

They observed that gas exhibited Keplerian motion, indicating it orbits a central point much like planets orbit the Sun in our solar system.

Ignas Giouojuvaris, a graduate student at the University of Cambridge, added, “This finding indicates that most of QSO1’s mass is concentrated in the central black hole.” If the mass were dispersed like many stars, the gas wouldn’t exhibit such precise Keplerian rotation.

Using these gravity-driven Keplerian motions, researchers could directly calculate the black hole’s mass through gas velocity measurements, a feat previously unattainable.

The black hole was found to be around 50 million solar masses, astonishingly accounting for two-thirds of QSO1’s total mass—thousands of times larger than proportions found in nearby galaxies, where supermassive black holes typically comprise only a small fraction of their host galaxies.

The IFU configuration map supported these observations, revealing that QSO1’s gas is primarily hydrogen and helium, with minimal heavy elements like oxygen, expected in a star-rich galaxy.

With less than 0.5% of the Sun’s metallicity, QSO1 stands as one of the most pristine galactic environments ever analyzed.

Dr. Cosimo Marconcini, an astronomer at the University of Florence, proclaimed, “This is an extraordinary result—marking the first direct measurement of a black hole’s mass within the first billion years post-Big Bang, aligning with prior indirect measurements.”

The extraordinary mass of QSO1 relative to its host galaxy implies it could not have formed gradually through the merging and feeding of smaller stellar-mass black holes.

Giouojuvaris noted, “We might be witnessing a black hole that lacks a substantial host galaxy and predates stellar processes.” This offers compelling evidence for the existence of primordial black holes and direct collapse black holes, concepts previously theorized but not substantiated.

Whether the black hole in QSO1 originated as a massive seed shortly after the Big Bang or emerged later from the collapse of a giant gas cloud, it likely formed large and may be in the initial stages of cultivating a galaxy around it.

These findings are documented in two research papers: the journal Nature and Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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I. Juojubaris et al. 2026. Direct measurements of black hole masses in small red dots at high redshifts. Nature 653, 1017-1021; doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10579-4

Roberto Maiorino et al. 2026. A black hole in a nearly primordial galaxy 700 million years post-Big Bang. MNRAS 548 (1): staf2109;doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf2109

Source: www.sci.news

Vulture Discovers Hidden Medieval Treasure in Its Nest

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Understanding Animal Hoarding Behaviors

Hoarding is a fascinating and common behavior observed in many animal species. Various creatures store food in preparation for potential food shortages.

While you might already know that squirrels hide nuts and wall mice stash seeds, fire ants exhibit a unique hoarding strategy by storing excess food in the warmest areas of their nests to create what is sometimes referred to as “insect jerky.” This behavior is present in many animals, including humans.

Several other animals hoard materials for their homes. For example, decorator crabs gather seaweed, sea anemones, and sponges to adorn and camouflage their shells. Meanwhile, bonehouse hornets accumulate dead ants to fortify the entrances of their nests.

However, these examples pale in comparison to the impressive hoarding abilities of the bearded vulture (Gyphaetus barbatus).

With a wingspan reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet), bearded vultures rank among the largest birds of prey in Europe. These majestic raptors typically form lifelong pair bonds and return to the same cliffside nesting site annually.

During each breeding season, bearded vultures add new materials to their nests, creating layered structures. Often, these sites are reused across generations, transforming them into natural time capsules.

In 2025, a remarkable study revealed what scientists discovered when they examined 12 ancient, abandoned bearded vulture nests in southern Spain.

Alongside traditional nesting materials like sticks and feathers, researchers uncovered a staggering 2,483 “rich and well-preserved” artifacts. Most of these items were undigested remnants of prey, including hooves and eggshells, but about 10% were human-made objects.

Image credit: Ann-Sophie De Steur

Among the artifacts were 72 pieces of leather, 129 pieces of cloth, an unusual basket, a crossbow bolt, and parts of a slingshot.

Notably, one completed sandal and two unfinished examples known as Agovias were found. These sandals were traditionally woven from fibrous esparto grass and required regular maintenance.

Many of these artifacts, including sandals, date back to the Middle Ages, a period that spanned from the 5th to the late 15th century.

The precise reason for the bearded vultures’ collection of objects remains uncertain. One theory suggests they might be selecting materials to enhance their nests, while another posits an interest in preserving local history, potentially for their chicks.

Historically, the bearded vulture was prevalent in southern Spain; however, its population drastically declined in the 19th and 20th centuries due to severe persecution. Fortunately, conservation efforts have led to some recovery, and the species is now classified as near-threatened.

Thanks to the strategic locations of these ancient nests, the artifacts have been remarkably preserved over time.

A study detailing these findings noted: “The structural integrity of western Mediterranean bearded vulture nests, located in protected areas like caves and rock shelters, has allowed them to function as natural museums.”

Therefore, the bearded vulture not only stands out as one of nature’s most intriguing animals but also serves as a custodian of an extraordinary array of historical artifacts.

This article addresses the question (by Jackie Bryce from Chichester): “Are there any animals that hoard treasures?”

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

Explore our ultimate fun facts! Discover more amazing science pages.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Revolutionizing Research: How Mathematics AI is Solving Decades-Old Problems

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paul Erdős’s Contributions to Mathematics

Photo by Oliver Helbig/Getty Images

Paul Erdős's Conjectures in Mathematics — Paul Erdős’s Contributions to Mathematics

Photo by Oliver Helbig/Getty Images

In an astonishing development, just a week after an AI system disproved a long-standing mathematical conjecture, another enduring conjecture—one that is over fifty years old—has also fallen, this time due to entirely human effort.

Recently, OpenAI’s advanced model refuted the significant unit distance problem, originally posed by Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdős. This problem, regarded by Erdős as his “most important contribution to geometry,” explores the maximum number of equal-distance connections that can be drawn between points in a plane.

Erdős proposed a maximum limit for this value, which many scholars believed to be accurate. However, AI’s findings suggested that this figure could be significantly higher. By employing intricate methods from algebraic number theory, mathematicians could devise high-dimensional structures that differ from previous human designs, resulting in unprecedented surprises within the mathematical community.

Less than a week later, Professor Thomas Bloom and his team at the University of Manchester leveraged a similar approach to invalidate the well-known sum-product conjecture, first introduced by Erdős in 1976.

“I was amazed because I had been pondering this issue for a while,” Bloom stated. His team recognized the algebraic techniques employed by OpenAI’s AI and applied them to the sum-product conjecture. “Once you see a possibility, it drives you to make it happen,” he explained.

Erdős’s Wasumi conjecture posits that when summing or multiplying a set of numbers, at least one of the resulting sets must vastly exceed the original in size, while simultaneously, both cannot be minimized equally. For example, the multiplication of numbers from 1 to 5 yields a larger set than their sum due to overlaps like 2 + 3 and 1 + 4. If we analyze a set like 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., the summed set is larger since the product simply yields different powers of 2.

Erdős established a standard for the minimal size of the larger set generated from summation and multiplication, which he believed would hold true for all numerical sets. However, Bloom and his team adapted the high-dimensional method to find instances where both the summation and multiplication were smaller than Erdős anticipated. Rather than using a geometric progression, such as powers of 2, they discovered that various dimensional progressions could yield startling results with fewer unique totals than previously thought.

“What astonished me was how straightforward it was,” Bloom remarked. “The underlying structure is simple, yet now I better grasp the underlying reasons.” He believes [Erdős’s conjecture] has indeed failed, but also sees potential implications for multiple related mathematical issues.

“Mathematics is competitive,” said Mischa Rudnev from the University of Bristol. “As soon as a fresh idea materializes, many rush to find further applications, and these enthusiasts are typically brilliant and swift.”

Rudnev noted that Erdős’ initial belief was that this conjecture mainly applies to integers, a notion that still holds as the new sets Bloom’s team created utilized increasingly complex number systems. Bloom concurs that while it remains valid for integers, “significant work is yet to come, and the intricacies are not fully understood.”

Bloom highlights the key takeaway from this proof: problems traditionally viewed as geometric, such as powers of two, can be approached with number theory tools. “This opens these problems to a new audience. The algebraic number theorists hadn’t shown much interest in these issues previously.”

Topics:

Artificial Intelligence/
Mathematics

Source: www.newscientist.com

Fungi Thrived Twice: A Look at Their Resurgence During and After the Cretaceous Mass Extinction

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Microbiologists at Johns Hopkins University have determined that the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs triggered a significant global fungal takeover. This conclusion stems from the analysis of 66-million-year-old rock samples from Colorado’s Denver Basin, revealing a second, previously unrecognized ecological crisis.

The end-Cretaceous mass extinction was characterized by both the Chicxulub asteroid impact and the ongoing eruption of the Deccan Traps volcanoes.

“The surge in fungal growth observed in geological samples indicates significant disruptions to ecosystems,” said Johns Hopkins researchers Rosanna Baker and Arturo Casadevall.

“While global spikes in fungal proliferation have been documented during the Permian-Triassic extinction, previous findings for the end-Cretaceous extinction were limited to New Zealand,” they added.

“Our study reevaluated whether fungi proliferated globally post the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event, using samples from North America,” the researchers explained.

Focusing on rock samples collected from various paleontological sites in Colorado’s Denver Basin and North Dakota’s Williston Basin, the team processed and analyzed the material to quantify fungal microfossils, differentiating them from pollen and other plant-derived microfossils.

The results from Colorado indicated a noticeable increase in fungal microfossils compared to plant-based ones in geological layers associated with asteroid impacts.

This marks the first direct confirmation of findings from New Zealand, reinforcing the idea that the Cretaceous period concluded not just with a catastrophic explosion, but also with a global surge in fungi.

Interestingly, the samples revealed signs of fungal uplift spanning roughly 30,000 to 10,000 years before the asteroid impact.

This fluctuation coincided with a notable period of relatively low temperatures at this site, following intense volcanic activity in what is now western India.

“Fossil records indicate that some species became extinct during this timeframe,” Baker noted.

She continued, “The volcanic activity in Asia may have stressed ecosystems worldwide, effectively setting the stage for the impending asteroid impact.”

According to the analysis, early Paleocene samples (about 10,000 years post-asteroid impact) demonstrated that fungi of unknown origins thrived for approximately 2,000 years.

“Fungi are organisms that often exploit environmental hazards to flourish,” Professor Casadevall stated.

Although the North Dakota sample did not exhibit fungal overgrowth at the time of the asteroid impact, researchers suggest that this may result from differences in geological composition compared to the Colorado sample.

Their examination of North Dakota samples reaffirmed previous findings concerning late Cretaceous epochs and early Paleocene epochs, tens of thousands of years before, and roughly 10,000 years after the asteroid event.

“Our results align with the hypothesis that the growth of fungi since the Cretaceous period provided mammals with a significant advantage over reptiles, ultimately enabling them to dominate the planet,” concluded the scientists.

The detailed findings will be published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Rosanna P. Baker and Arturo Casadevall. 2026. Fungal proliferation before and after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event in North America. PNAS 123 (20): e2536899123; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2536899123

Source: www.sci.news

Is Dark Energy Essential? Mathematicians Question the Standard Cosmological Model

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Mathematicians from University College London and the University of California, Davis, have unveiled a groundbreaking mathematical proof demonstrating that the accelerating expansion of the universe can be explained without dark energy. This finding poses a significant challenge to the lambda cold dark matter model, the predominant cosmological framework that has prevailed for nearly three decades.

C. Alexander and collaborators provide proof that the inherent instability of the Einstein-Euler equation renders current expanding universe models infeasible. Image credit: M. Weiss / Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Nearly 30 years ago, dark energy was proposed as the force driving the accelerating expansion of the universe.

This concept mirrors Albert Einstein’s 1915 gravity equation within his general relativity framework.

To create a static universe, Einstein initially introduced an antigravitational factor, known as the cosmological constant.

After Edwin Hubble’s discovery in 1929 of the universe’s expansion, Einstein famously deemed the cosmological constant his “greatest failure” as it was unnecessary for predicting the expansion.

However, in the 1990s, the cosmological constant concept was revived to explain the universe’s accelerating expansion linked to dark energy.

Blake Temple, a professor at the University of California, Davis, stated, “The Friedman family of spacetime has served as a cornerstone of contemporary cosmology since Lemaître and Hubble first articulated the theory of an expanding universe stemming from an early Big Bang singularity.”

This theory is grounded in a specific solution to Einstein’s field equations discovered by Alexander Friedman in the early 1920s.

Friedman initially sent his solution to Einstein in 1922, who dismissed it, believing the universe to be static. However, following Friedman’s appeal, the solution gained acceptance.

By 1931, Einstein recognized that static models were unstable, acknowledging Hubble’s 1929 findings of an expanding universe, and praising Lemaître’s cosmology based on Friedmann spacetime as the most elegant explanation of creation.

Temple and his co-authors propose a theorem suggesting that all Friedmann spacetimes are unstable to any form of radial perturbations.

“At first, we considered that the universe’s acceleration might be due to a shock wave, with the anomalous acceleration resulting from an expansion wave following that shock,” Professor Temple noted.

“Later, we realized that during the radiation epoch of the Big Bang, there existed self-similar solutions that could model an expanding wave.”

Self-similar equations depict phenomena that retain their structure regardless of scale.

In their paper, the mathematicians utilize a self-similar version of the Einstein equations, previously derived, to characterize the Standard Model of cosmology as the stationary point of their equations.

This establishes a comprehensive mathematical framework for assessing the stability of the Standard Model and, more broadly, the stability of all Friedmann spacetimes in the matter-dominated epoch of the Big Bang.

“We demonstrated that, akin to Einstein’s static model, all Friedmann spacetimes are unstable to radial perturbations on large scales,” Professor Temple affirmed.

“This finding largely discounts the lambda cold dark matter model, with or without dark energy, as a stable solution to Einstein’s equations of general relativity.”

“In essence, the Big Bang should resemble Friedmann spacetime near the center of symmetry, while we should observe an acceleration away from Friedmann further from the center.”

Recent research indicates that the accelerating universe expansion is a direct result of the Einstein-Euler equation, without requiring a cosmological constant or dark energy.

This mathematics raises questions about the Copernican principle, which posits that Earth’s position is not special within the universe.

“Both the lambda cold dark matter model and spherically symmetric spacetime demand that the model occupies a specific position to remain physically valid,” Professor Temple explained.

“If this principle excludes one model, it must also exclude the other.”

Visit the research paper published in this week’s Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

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C. Alexander et al. 2026. The instability of critical and crowded Friedmann spacetime in the Big Bang as an alternative to dark energy. Proceedings A 482 (2338): 20250912; doi: 10.1098/rspa.2025.0912

Source: www.sci.news

Discover Cretaceous Birds in China with Tail Feathers Twice the Length of Their Bodies

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Plumadraco Bangkoolam, a newly identified enantiornithine bird species, inhabited what is now northeastern China during the Cretaceous period approximately 121 million years ago.

Plumadraco Bangkoolam is a novel enantiornithid bird distinguished by its very long legs. Image credit: Vir Shinkonen.

Plumadraco Bangkoolam belongs to the Enantiornithine clade, which represents the most diverse group of birds during the Cretaceous and is now extinct alongside non-avian dinosaurs.

While many enantiornithines are documented with elongated tail feathers, the proportions of this bird’s tail are unparalleled.

“Enantiornithines are the most specialized Mesozoic birds, with over 100 genera described so far, with specimens discovered on every continent except Antarctica,” stated lead author Dr. Alex Clarke, a candidate at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago.

“The extraordinary preservation of enantiornithine fossils from the Early Cretaceous Jehor biota (130 to 120 million years ago) in northeastern China typically includes soft tissue structures, predominantly feathers.”

“Contour feathers are the most abundant, followed by remiges, while tail feathers (rectrices) are relatively rare.”

Most enantiornithine specimens that preserve soft tissue lack tail feathers, only exhibiting contour feathers covering the tail—a condition not found in all extant neornithines.

Plumadraco Bangkoolam measures 14.9 cm (6 in) from beak to tail, yet its twin tail feathers extend to 29.3 cm (11.5 in).

In contrast, its closest rival, Oba junonis, achieves only about 1.6 times its body length.

“Plumadraco Bangkoolam is comparable in size to an American robin, but its tail feathers measure nearly a foot long, doubling its body length,” Clark added.

“It boasts some of the longest proportionate tail feathers among all discovered fossil birds.”

Holotype specimen of Plumadraco Bangkoolam. Image credit: Clark et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347641.

Paleontologists suggest that Plumadraco Bangkoolam is likely male, with its ornate plumage evolving due to female mate choice, a phenomenon well-observed in modern avian species.

The ground-nesting behavior characteristic of enantiornithines may have promoted the inconspicuous plumage of nurturing females, allowing males to develop more extravagant traits.

“While many modern birds exhibit long, elaborate plumage in both sexes, there seems to be a tipping point beyond which elongated plumage tends to be a male characteristic aimed at attracting females,” Clark noted.

“Additionally, fossils of other enantiornithines reveal remnants of musculature along the tail, and based on these features, the tail movements of Plumadraco Bangkoolam would have been significantly restricted.”

“However, they could move their tail feathers up and down, a behavior observed in modern birds during courtship displays directed at females.”

Researchers conducted a chemical analysis of Plumadraco Bangkoolam tail feathers using a handheld mass spectrometer.

The analysis revealed that the feathers were likely dark brown or black based on the detected chemical composition.

It’s also plausible that the tips of the tail feathers boasted eye-catching colors—potentially iridescent or blue-like hues—resulting from cellular structures rather than the chemical pigments analyzed in the study.

These findings regarding Plumadraco Bangkoolam offer insights into avian physiology and behavior, enhancing our understanding of contemporary birds.

“This fossil, perhaps more than any other bird fossil discovered to date, illustrates that birds have evolved intricate, elongated, specialized traits to attract mates over an extensive timespan,” Clark emphasized.

“These fossils indicate that female preference for adorned males has significantly influenced avian appearance and behavior for over 120 million years.”

The discovery of Plumadraco Bangkoolam is detailed in a paper published in the online journal PLoS ONE.

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AD Clark et al. 2026. Ultra-slender ornamental tail feathers of a new enantiornithine bird from the Early Cretaceous. PLoS ONE 21 (5): e0347641; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347641

Source: www.sci.news

Helen Phillips: Climate Fiction Prize Winner Explores Our Present Through a Futuristic Lens

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Exploring Climate Fiction: Helen Phillips’ Award-Winning Novel “Hum”

“Hum”, set in an overheated futuristic metropolis, tells the compelling story of a mother’s struggle to protect her small family amidst relentless technological surveillance and climate change challenges. This year, Helen Phillips’ work won the prestigious Climate Fiction Award, a recognition supported by Climate Spring and valued at £10,000.

About the Award

The Climate Fiction Award, established to spotlight storytelling that engages with the realities of climate change, was previously awarded in 2025 to Abi Dalle for her novel And That’s Why I Roar. Phillips’ novel outshone other shortlisted titles, including Susanna Kwan’s tale of a flooded San Francisco in Wake Up in a Floating City and Maria Leva’s journey with a highly endangered snail in End Ring.

Judges’ Insights

Judge Friederike Otto, a professor of climate science at Imperial College London, praised “Hum” for addressing the core issues of privilege related to the climate crisis. Fellow judge and novelist Jesse Greengrass acknowledged the book’s exploration of existential anxiety, saying, “A book about how to deal with anxiety when nothing is right, or when every choice you make ends up making things worse.”

Story Overview

Set in a near-future city where super-intelligent robots known as Hams coexist with humans, the narrative centers around Mae, a mother fighting to keep her children away from addictive technology. Desperate for a natural escape, she embarks on a journey to a hidden oasis within the city, highlighting the struggles of parenthood in a technologically dominated environment.

Inspiration behind “Hum”

In a conversation with Alison Flood, Helen Phillips shared her inspirations, noting that every novel emerges from myriad small seeds. A personal incident involving targeted advertising sparked her contemplation of extreme algorithmic surveillance, subsequently shaping the central conflict faced by Mae.

Thematic Reflections

Phillips acknowledges her anxieties surrounding climate change, surveillance, and economic inequality as key influences in her writing process. A poignant quote from the book, delivered by a wise machine, states, “We know the world is damaged, but we don’t know what that means for our children’s lives.” This sentiment captures the collective fear many parents feel today.

Art Reflecting Reality

The themes in “Hum” are deeply rooted in current societal realities. Phillips reflects on Margaret Atwood’s famous quote from The Handmaid’s Tale, suggesting that many fictional narratives are extrapolations of real-life situations. This connection between reality and fiction serves to remind readers of the pressing issues at hand while allowing room for hope.

Looking Ahead

The emotional core of “Hum” resonates with the primary goal of nurturing connections—with family, the environment, and oneself. Phillips hopes that her work inspires readers to cherish what remains of nature, emphasizing the need to protect it for future generations.

The Impact of Storytelling

Phillips believes storytelling has the potential to spark meaningful discussions on climate change and human resilience. She asserts that while her writing stems from personal anxieties, it is not meant to provide direct solutions but rather to evoke curiosity and contemplation among readers.

A Commitment to Climate Fiction

Writing about climate issues has consistently been a priority for Phillips, evident even in her earlier works. Although she doesn’t set out to write a climate novel explicitly, themes of climate anxiety and environmental degradation remain central to her storytelling.

Hope for the Future

When asked about the future of her characters and humanity, Phillips emphasizes the necessity of connection, urging collective efforts to value and care for our planet. She believes that recognizing each other’s humanity is crucial in facing the climate crisis.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Revolutionizing CAR T Cell Therapy: How 3D Printed Lymph Nodes Could Enhance Patient Access

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: CAR-T Cell Therapy

Image Credit: Nemeth Laszlo/Shutterstock

CAR T-cell therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment by genetically engineering a patient’s immune cells to target and eliminate cancer cells. Despite its effectiveness, high costs have limited its availability worldwide. However, innovative techniques like 3D printing could enable the production of these engineered cells at a reduced cost and increased speed, enhancing accessibility to this vital treatment.

According to David Coe, who is affiliated with CoED Biosciences in Cardiff, England, “For critically ill patients, delays in receiving CAR T therapy can lead to deterioration in their condition during the long wait.”

The process of CAR T-cell therapy involves extracting T cells from a patient’s blood, genetically modifying them to recognize cancer antigens, and then expanding these cells in a lab environment. Traditionally, this involves activating the cells using beads and a harmless virus, which introduces the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene into the T cells. Generally, 30 to 70 percent of T cells are successfully reprogrammed, with higher success rates linked to improved patient outcomes according to research.

This entire procedure takes about a month, and the costs can exceed £280,000 per treatment, making it primarily accessible to wealthier countries. Gillian Griffiths from the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in this recent study, highlights these concerns about availability and costs.

To overcome these challenges, Judith Guasch Camel and her team at the Barcelona Institute of Materials Science have developed a 3D printed gel that mimics the structure of human lymph nodes, where T cells are typically activated during immune responses. This model provides essential physical cues that support T cell activation and proliferation.

Historically, T cells have been activated on flat plastic surfaces, which lack the tactile feedback necessary for optimal interaction and proliferation. Guasch Camel presented these findings at the Biophysical Immunoengineering Conference hosted by the Royal Society in London.

In experiments, human T cells mixed with CAR-encoding virus and activation beads were placed into these lymph node-like structures. The results indicated that 75 percent of T cells proliferated successfully using this method, compared to only 50 percent with traditional approaches. This implies a reduction in the expensive materials required for CAR engineering, as noted by researcher Koh.

Furthermore, T cells in the new environment proliferated nearly twice as fast, potentially reducing labor costs and ensuring timely treatment for patients.

Such advancements signal progress toward democratizing access to CAR T-cell therapy globally, as Griffiths noted, “The goal is to develop immunotherapies that are accessible worldwide, even in low- and middle-income countries.” Comprehensive research is essential to assess the scalability and associated costs of this promising technique.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Startups Are Transforming Mathematics with AI: A Revolutionary Race

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

OpenAI is one of the companies testing how well its technology performs on mathematical tests

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

OpenAI Testing its Mathematical AI Capabilities — OpenAI is one of the companies testing how well its technology performs on mathematical tests

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

In an unprecedented trend, mathematicians are becoming highly sought after by the world’s wealthiest individuals. Across universities globally, many academics observe colleagues leaving their positions for lucrative opportunities in private companies, ranging from renowned entities like OpenAI and Google to newly established startups looking to leverage mathematics as a key tool in enhancing artificial intelligence.

“Last May, I questioned my scientific identity,” says Ken Ono, who took a leave from his professorship at the University of Virginia in 2025 to join Axiom Math, a startup focusing on integrating mathematics with AI technology.

Ono was previously recruited by Epoch AI to develop challenging math problems to assess AI’s problem-solving prowess. However, testing these AIs revealed their unexpected capabilities. “I felt like peasants witnessing the advent of combustion engines, realizing the potential of these technologies,” Ono reflects.

This sentiment is shared by many, as Axiom Math is one of several startups formed in recent years aiming to create AI systems capable of performing mathematical tasks and validating their solutions. In April, I explored these companies in California’s Silicon Valley to uncover their confidence in mathematics as a guide towards a future dominated by AI.

Axiom Math’s offices are located in Palo Alto, near Stanford University. Its founder, Karina Hong, a former student of Mr. Ono, shares the space with another startup, Harmonic, which aims to develop a “mathematical superintelligence” delivering verifiable results. Though both startups operate from unremarkable buildings, they have attracted hundreds of millions in investments to achieve their ambitious objectives.

In this simple office, named after notable mathematicians like Carl Friedrich Gauss and Ada Lovelace, I asked Ono why startups like his are necessary amidst established giants like OpenAI and Google.

“ChatGPT functions as a librarian. It can’t provide information that hasn’t been inputted. Would you trust a librarian as a brain surgeon?” Ono states. He emphasized that despite the success of massive language models like ChatGPT, their accuracy requires human oversight, highlighting an opportunity for mathematical validation.

Mathematical verification is not a novel concept. Over the decades, mathematicians have developed robust systems for verifying that proofs are correct. One of the leading systems is the programming language Lean, which allows researchers to convert handwritten proofs into a format for instant digital verification, saving immense time in the research process.

The Challenge of Verification

Similar issues arise in the realm of computer programming. Large language models can generate extensive amounts of code, often riddled with subtle errors, causing human programmers to spend considerable time correcting AI outputs.

This challenge is precisely what Axiom Math and Harmonic are targeting for revenue generation, especially as there is limited funding available for solving intricate math problems. Just like Lean allows verification of mathematical proofs, software can also be mathematically validated as accurate and free of bugs. “As AI increasingly writes code, the need for verification grows—humans become the bottleneck,” explains Harmonic CEO Tudor Achim.

While software verification stands as a primary revenue stream for these startups, they also possess AI tools adept at solving mathematical problems in active research areas. Axiom Math has successfully facilitated five papers, entirely crafted using its AI tools, published in mathematical journals. Although Ono refrained from discussing specific future projects, he expressed ambitions to produce dozens of papers by the following year, condensing years of labor into mere weeks.

Given the stiff competition, particularly from tech giants increasingly directing resources toward AI in mathematics, a sense of urgency exists within these startups. “Mathematics is ideal for developing AI due to its measurable nature,” states OpenAI’s lead scientist, Jakub Pachocchi. “Initially, language models struggled with quantifiable tasks, but they’ve significantly improved.”

Modern AI capabilities have progressed impressively since large-scale language models fought to tackle even simple mathematical challenges, culminating in significant achievements such as winning gold at the International Mathematics Olympiad and refuting an 80-year-old prediction that many believed would remain unchallenged in their lifetimes.

“Six months ago, we could easily identify weaknesses,” says Sebastian Bubeck from OpenAI. “Previously naive fields of mathematics now showcase improved AI competence.”

Unlike startups like Axiom Math and Harmonic that specifically hire mathematicians to guide AI’s mathematical proficiency, Bubeck emphasizes that OpenAI’s focus remains on developing general intelligence, indirectly benefiting mathematical capabilities. “We’re enhancing overall AI capacity, leading to unexpected advancements in mathematics,” says Bubeck.

Across the field, uncertainties loom. Mathematicians fear that the future may become monopolized by a select few well-funded tech corporations. This sudden surge of interest could dissipate as quickly as it rose.

“The current investment influx is exorbitant, and we’ll certainly miss it once it wanes,” says Rabbi Bakir from Stanford University. “AI models are evolving toward superior mathematical reasoning, but this will be a temporary phenomenon; challenges like the Riemann hypothesis won’t benefit much over time.”

Possible Futures in Mathematics

There is a looming concern that mathematics could become a paywalled realm, with access to solutions contingent on adequate funding or the appropriate AI models. Currently, many of Axiom Math’s resources are available for free, though the company has not dismissed the potential for future costs.

“Certain fields of math are already behind paywalls,” mentions Shubo Sengupta, discussing axiomatic mathematics. “[Hedge funds] leverage mathematical models that remain inaccessible to others due to proprietary concerns, as this is how they generate profit.”

Nonetheless, Sengupta insists, “We must remain committed to expanding the boundaries of mathematical knowledge.”

Achim of Harmonic echoes this sentiment. “While tools that aid mathematicians come at a cost, we remain dedicated to supporting mathematicians in meaningful ways. It’s imperative for us that mathematics is prioritized in the tech landscape.”

As predicting the future is fraught with difficulty—especially amidst AI’s rapid evolution—mathematicians will likely retain a central role in this journey. Upon my departure from Axiom, Ono drew a parallel to the emergence of math-driven AI systems akin to the arrival of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a self-educated mathematician whose intuitive insights revolutionized the mathematical landscape in the early 20th century.

Ono’s father, a Japanese mathematician inspired by Ramanujan, had passed away earlier this year. Ono reminisces about their final conversation: “Maybe we are witnessing a Ramanujan-like moment. People may not yet grasp its importance. But when you see a computer producing something extraordinary, it’s essential to embrace it, as it’s already happening around us.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Millions of Planets Could Form Around Supermassive Black Holes: Exploring Cosmic Possibilities

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A disk of matter swirling around a supermassive black hole could give rise to many planets

NASA and M. Weiss/Chandra X-ray Center

The active centers of galaxies might be unique locales for planet formation, where millions of new worlds could potentially emerge.

Most galaxies, including the Milky Way, harbor supermassive black holes at their cores. Typically, these black holes remain dormant, awaiting the influx of dust and gas. However, they can become active galactic nuclei by consuming large amounts of material, particularly during galaxy mergers, and remain active for extended periods.

Barry McKernan and his research team from the City University of New York have modeled a dust and gas disk surrounding a typical active galactic nucleus, finding it to be an ideal environment for planet formation. Dust tends to aggregate into larger bodies, leading to the formation of unique planetary systems.

“This discovery unveils a surprising pathway to forming diverse planetary bodies,” says McKernan. “These planets could be unlike anything we’ve encountered before.”

Active galactic nuclei contain significantly more dust than the protoplanetary disks surrounding young stars that lead to systems like our solar system. This abundance of material could give rise to massive rocky planets comparable to or larger than Jupiter, which are otherwise unheard of in the universe and may exhibit lava-covered surfaces due to frequent collisions.

McKernan mentions that some of these planets could grow so massive they might initiate nuclear fusion in their cores, resulting in “very strange aliens” made of rock or perhaps absorb enough gas to collapse into intermediate-mass black holes.

The extensive dust disks surrounding active galactic nuclei can stretch over tens of light years, indicating that this planetary formation process operates on a grand scale. “There could potentially be millions of planets orbiting a supermassive black hole,” McKernan observes.

While it’s known that stars and planets can form around black holes, the prospect of such large-scale planet formation remained largely unexplored until now. Sean Raymond from the University of Bordeaux, France, comments that active supermassive black holes might be among the best sites in the universe for cultivating new planetary worlds.

“What other phenomena unfold in the presence of so much matter surrounding a supermassive black hole?” Raymond adds. “It seems almost inevitable.”

Many of these planets could interact significantly, leading either to their capture by the black hole or ejection into surrounding galaxies. The remnant planets may be detected by observing how their gravitational fields distort the light of distant stars, employing a technique known as microlensing.

Upcoming telescopes, like NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launching in September, are poised to make such discoveries feasible. “We are stepping into an era where microlensing represents a crucial tool,” states Benne Holwerda from the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

McKernan also notes that many active galactic nuclei exhibit flickering, likely caused by “swarms of smaller objects passing in front of them,” potentially indicating the presence of these intriguing planets. “These formations should exist,” McKernan asserts. “So, the real question is: Can we observe them?”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Surprising Activity Discovered in Mini-World Near Pluto: Experts Are Baffled

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A fascinating discovery has unveiled that a small frozen world in the outer solar system possesses an atmosphere, marking it as the second celestial body after Pluto—preceding Neptune—to exhibit such a feature.

This groundbreaking finding, detailed in Natural Astronomy, suggests that these mini-worlds might be more geologically active than previously assumed by planetary scientists.

The celestial body, designated as 2002 XV93, is classified as both an asteroid and a Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO). It orbits the Sun in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune’s orbit.

Miniature Pluto: 2002 XV93

2002 XV93’s atmosphere, remarkably thin—about 5 to 10 million times lighter than Earth’s—renders it imperceptible to touch when standing on its surface.

Notably, Pluto is currently the only other TNO known to host an atmosphere, with a diameter of 2,377 km (1,480 miles), which is over five times greater than that of 2002 XV93.

The small size of 2002 XV93 translates to significantly weak gravity, allowing its surrounding atmosphere to easily escape into space. Research indicates this atmosphere could vanish completely within 100 to 1,000 years, implying a continual replenishment of gases.

Two primary theories are posited regarding this atmospheric replenishment:

The first involves frigid volcanic activity. Here, extremely low temperatures cause “volatile substances”—liquids or gases at room temperature, like water, methane, and ammonia—to mimic the behavior of rock or magma.

Ko Arimatsu from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, leading the study, stated, “Volatile substances may leak out from beneath the ice surface, possibly due to activities such as polar volcanoes.” These gases can contribute to the formation of an atmosphere.

However, periodic polar volcanic activity has only been observed on larger celestial bodies until now.

The second possibility involves recent external influences. “A small icy object may have recently collided with 2002 XV93, releasing gas or exposing volatile materials,” Arimatsu explained.

“Such collisions are likely rare; thus, the chance of observing a transient atmosphere at the opportune moment is low, yet we cannot dismiss the collision theory.”

In essence, while it seems unlikely that the researchers timed their observations precisely, this angle remains an area of intrigue.

Observation During Solar Eclipse

The orbit of 2002 XV93 around the Sun takes approximately 247 years. Its distant position relative to Earth complicates direct observations.

Arimatsu’s team employed a technique called “occultation,” where a planetary body obscures a distant star as it passes in front.

“If a celestial body had no atmosphere, the starlight would vanish and then reappear distinctly,” says Arimatsu. “However, with an atmosphere present, the gases slightly bend the light, softening the transition.”

On January 10, 2024, three Japanese observatories successfully observed the occultation of 2002 XV93.

“Our findings, particularly from Japan’s Kiso Observatory, demonstrate that the star’s light fades gradually at the edge of the shadow, a phenomenon best explained by the bending of light by a very thin atmosphere surrounding 2002 XV93,” Arimatsu commented.

The research team plans to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope for further analysis of the atmosphere’s composition, but more occultation observations are crucial for definitive answers.

“These observations can reveal whether the atmosphere is dissipating, stable, or evolving over time,” notes Arimatsu.

The gradual decline of the atmosphere points towards it slowly escaping without replenishment, lending credence to the impact theory. In contrast, a more stable or fluctuating atmosphere could indicate a constant supply of gases stemming from the interior of 2002 XV93.

However, occultation requires precise alignments, and, according to Arimatsu, “Only about 10 observatories had the requisite geometry and data quality to investigate the very thin atmosphere surrounding an object of this scale.”

This reality may imply that it will take longer to ascertain the true nature of 2002 XV93’s atmosphere.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Discovering Toothless Bipedal Crocodile Relatives from 212 Million Years Ago in New Mexico

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery: a new bipedal shubosaur archosaur, Rubble Jascus Expetatus, found in New Mexico. This finding enriches our understanding of the diverse prehistoric creatures that inhabited North America over 200 million years ago during the Triassic period.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus traversed its prehistoric environment on two legs, equipped with tiny arms and a beak-like structure devoid of teeth. Image credit: Jorge Gonzalez / NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus belongs to the newly classified Shubosauridae family, which consists of ancient crocodilian relatives resembling bipedal theropod dinosaurs.

“Shubosauridae represents a unique group of Triassic poposauriforms found in western North America and Argentina,” explained Dr. Alan Turner of Stony Brook University and his team.

“These agile, bipedal, toothless creatures demonstrate a remarkable convergence with the ornithomimid theropod dinosaurs that thrived in the Cretaceous period.”

Currently, three recognized species of shubosaurs include Shubosaurus inexpectatus from the Cooper Canyon Formation in Texas, Ephigia ochiferae from the Coelophysis Quarry at the Chinle Formation in northern New Mexico, and Syrossuchus longiservicus found in the Lower Ischigualasto Formation of western Argentina.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus effectively bridges the fossil timeline between Shubosaurus inexpectatus and Ephigia ochiferae.

This fossil, estimated at around 212 million years old, was excavated from the Hayden Quarry in the Chinle Formation fossil forest of northern New Mexico, USA, yielding significant partial skeletons and other fossilized remains.

Paleontologists note that Rubble Jascus Expetatus exhibits minimal differences compared to its relatives, reinforcing a trend of remarkable skeletal conservatism within the Shubosauridae family.

“The anatomical similarities between the skeletal remains of these species suggest that this morphological consistency has persisted within the Shubosauridae of western North America for at least 10 million years,” the researchers stated.

“Rubble Jascus Expetatus aligns well with the hypothesis of morphological conservatism and fits within the known stratigraphic range of North American shubosaurs.”

This discovery further supports the hypothesis that shubosaurs were primarily endemic to western North America, suggesting a unique pattern distinguishing them from many other rare Triassic reptile groups.

“Our phylogenetic analysis positions this shubosaur within the same clade as two other North American shubosaurs, reinforcing the concept of an endemic group of small, bipedal, toothless forms in the southwestern United States,” the researchers concluded.

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the May 26th edition of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Alan H. Turner et al. New Shubosaurid (Archosaur, Poposauridae) unearthed from the Late Triassic (Norian) Hayden Quarry in New Mexico, USA Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Published online on May 26, 2026. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2026.2618182

Source: www.sci.news

How the Great Pyramid of Giza’s Design Naturally Protects It from Earthquakes, According to Archaeologists

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The Pyramid of Khufu has stood majestically on the Giza Plateau for over 4,500 years, enduring countless earthquakes with minimal structural damage. A recent study from Egypt’s National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics uncovers a quantitative explanation for this astonishing durability. The research reveals a significant discrepancy between the natural vibration frequency of the pyramid and that of the surrounding ground. This difference may have protected the monument from destructive resonance during seismic events.

Pyramid of Khufu. Image credit: Douwe C. van der Zee / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Great Pyramid, commonly referred to as the Pyramid of Khufu, was commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops) over approximately 26 years around 2600 BC. It holds the title of the oldest among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Originally towering at about 147 meters, it was the tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years until surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1311 AD.

Today, its height stands at approximately 137 meters, reflecting the loss of its original smooth limestone casing over the centuries.

Since its completion, the Pyramid of Khufu has withstood numerous earthquakes, including significant events with estimated magnitudes of 6.8 in 1847 and 5.8 in 1992, without suffering major damage.

However, evidence supporting theories on its structural resilience remains scarce.

According to lead author Dr. Asem Salama and fellow researchers from Egypt and Japan, “The Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest pyramid constructed during the Old Kingdom on the northwestern Giza Plateau in Cairo.”

“Originally, the pyramid reached a height of 146.59 meters, with a base length of approximately 230.33 meters on each side and an inclination angle of 51 degrees.”

“Current measurements reflect a height of about 137 meters, indicating the loss of its outer casing stone and pinnacle over time.”

The pyramid’s structure features a central core and a horizontal stone casing, interspersed with support blocks.

It is estimated to contain approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each meticulously placed to achieve its monumental scale and stability.

Internally, the pyramid comprises eight main elements: the primary entrance with a descending passage, the entrance created by the workers of Caliph al-Ma’mun, the crypt, the grand gallery, the queen’s chamber, the king’s chamber, the aid chamber, and the shaft.

This intricate arrangement exemplifies the advanced engineering and architectural prowess characteristic of Old Kingdom pyramid construction.

In the recent study, researchers recorded seismic noise from 37 locations, including the king’s chamber, queen’s chamber, pressure relief chamber, construction blocks, and surrounding soil.

Most sections of the pyramid exhibited a surprisingly consistent fundamental frequency between 2 and 2.6 hertz, while the surrounding soil vibrated at roughly 0.6 hertz.

This frequency separation likely reduced the risk of earthquakes amplifying internal vibrations within the structure.

The researchers also observed that vibration amplification tends to increase with height inside the pyramid, but decreases in the pressure relief chamber above the King’s Chamber, indicating these spaces may help dissipate seismic stress.

However, researchers caution against overemphasizing these findings. While frequency mismatch may account for some of the pyramid’s durability, there is no direct evidence that ancient Egyptian builders intentionally designed their structures for earthquake resistance.

The team noted, “The suggestion of deliberate seismic optimization by ancient Egyptian architects remains speculative and cannot be substantiated by geophysical measurements alone.”

The study’s findings were published in the Journal on May 21, 2026, in a report by Scientific Reports.

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M. Elgabri et al. 2026. Architectural and geotechnical aspects affecting the earthquake resistance of the Pyramid of Khufu in ancient Egypt. Scientific Reports 16, 14032; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-49962-6

Source: www.sci.news

Tomato-Soy Drink: A Potential Solution for Chronic Inflammation in Obese Adults

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings from Ohio State University indicate that tomato juice, rich in lycopene and soy isoflavones, significantly lowers proteins linked to chronic inflammation, opening avenues for effective food-based treatments.

Tomato-soybean juice is packed with lycopene and soy isoflavones.

“The goal is to explore whether we can utilize food-based interventions to modulate inflammation,” states Jessica Cooperstone, Ph.D., from Ohio State University.

“Moreover, we aim to test this rigorously to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects rather than simply making claims,” she added.

Lycopene, a carotenoid responsible for the red hue in tomatoes, along with soy isoflavones—flavonoids that mimic estrogen—are both phytochemicals aiding plant growth.

Several years ago, researchers created a beverage high in lycopene from tomatoes, infused with soy isoflavone extract, inspired by studies linking diets rich in these foods with a lowered risk of prostate cancer.

Ongoing research has shown that increased intake of this beverage correlates with reduced prostate-specific antigen levels in some prostate cancer patients, while other studies suggest that consuming tomatoes and soy may influence inflammatory and metabolic pathways associated with obesity and various chronic ailments.

“The findings indicate enough evidence that compounds in tomato and soy can modulate inflammation, prompting us to conduct human trials,” Dr. Cooperstone explained.

In a recent study, 12 healthy obese adults consumed two 6-ounce (177 ml) cans of tomato-soy juice daily for four weeks.

Following a washout period, participants drank a low-carotenoid control tomato juice for an additional four weeks.

“Our hypothesis is that lycopene in tomatoes and isoflavones in soybeans are the drivers of these effects, justifying the use of control other than plain water,” Cooperstone noted.

The research team collected blood samples before and after the study, analyzing them for cytokines (pro-inflammatory proteins produced by the immune system).

Significant reductions were observed in three cytokines: interleukin (IL)-5, IL-12p70, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), with a notable trend toward reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), which did not reach statistical significance.

They also assessed urine samples before and after each trial phase for changes in metabolites, which represent biochemical reactions necessary for energy production and body functions.

Results indicated that both tomato-soy juice and the control tomato juice triggered common alterations in metabolite profiles, suggesting that tomato-driven effects can occur even without lycopene.

Particularly distinct changes in soy isoflavone metabolites were noted with the consumption of tomato and soybean juices.

While more research is essential, these findings bolster the notion that food-based interventions can influence human biology.

“This likely stems from the fact that our intervention contains more than just these two compounds,” Dr. Cooperstone mentioned.

“Ultimately, our aim is to deepen our understanding of how diet impacts health.”

“To ensure validity, clinical trial testing is necessary. That’s precisely what we are conducting here.”

Animal model studies have also indicated that soy-tomato juice may mitigate inflammation and severity in chronic pancreatitis, aligning with projections from current clinical trials suggesting improved outcomes for pancreatitis patients.

“Patient care for pancreatitis primarily focuses on alleviating pain and gastrointestinal symptoms,” Dr. Cooperstone stated.

“Our hypothesis posits that tomato and soybean juice could serve as an intervention to diminish inflammation and enhance life quality for patients.”

Findings of this study are published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

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Maria J. Chorolla et al. 2026. Tomato-soy juice reduces inflammation and modulates urinary metabolome in obese adults. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 70 (5): e70420; doi: 10.1002/mnfr.70420

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Exploring the Origins of Complex Life: Benthic Organisms as the Earliest Forms

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have studied 1.75 billion-year-old microfossils from the ancient ocean floor of Australia, revealing that early eukaryotes—the ancestors of all plants, animals, and fungi—thrived in patches of oxygen-rich ocean floor for over a billion years before they ventured into the open ocean.

Eukaryotic fossils from Northern Territory, Australia. Image credit: Lechte et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10533-4.

Eukaryotes encompass a wide range of life forms, including humans, plants, animals, fungi, and various microorganisms.

Understanding their origins is crucial for grasping the evolution of life’s diversity and complexity on Earth.

“Our goal was to uncover the environments in which early eukaryotes existed, particularly to determine if these early fossils had acquired mitochondria, enabling them to thrive in aerobic conditions,” stated Professor Galen Halverson from McGill University.

“Interestingly, the earliest eukaryotes we studied already demonstrated some level of dependence on oxygen,” remarked Dr. Leigh-Anne Readman, a paleontologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“The distribution of these fossils indicated they lived on or within the ocean floor,” she added.

In this groundbreaking study, paleontologists examined microscopic fossils preserved within fine-grained rocks found in the Macarthur and Billindudu basins of Australia’s Northern Territory.

Today, this area features diverse landscapes, from outback terrains and savannas to the lush environments of Kakadu National Park.

However, between 1.75 billion and 1.4 billion years ago, it was a shallow inland sea with lagoons, tidal flats, and calm coastal waters.

To decode the habitat of these ancient eukaryotes, researchers analyzed the rocks’ chemistry.

By examining oxygen-sensitive elements like iron, they confirmed that the seawater inhabited by these early eukaryotes was oxygen-rich, despite most oceans lacking oxygen during that time.

“We now understand that the earliest known eukaryotes lived predominantly in oxygen-abundant benthic (seafloor) environments near the coast,” Professor Halverson explained.

“This compelling evidence suggests that oxygen availability was a significant factor in the early evolution of eukaryotes,” Dr. Readman noted.

Historically, many scientists believed early eukaryotes existed without oxygen or floated within water columns.

The revelation that oxygen was integral to early life on Earth overturns longstanding assumptions.

The location of these fossils provided additional insights into how these primitive organisms existed.

Dr. Maxwell Lechte, a paleontologist from the University of Sydney, stated: “The fossil distribution implies that eukaryotes likely inhabited the ocean floor and didn’t venture into the open ocean until about a billion years later, when significant environmental changes occurred.”

This discovery aligns with recent studies on microorganisms closely related to eukaryotic ancestors, indicating their ability to utilize oxygen.

“Eukaryotes constitute most of the visible life around us,” Professor Halverson remarked.

“Understanding their origin remains a pivotal scientific challenge, key to comprehending the biodiversity we see on Earth and the potential for life on other habitable planets.”

A recent research paper detailing this study was published in Nature this month.

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MA Lechte et al. Early fossil eukaryotes were benthic aerobic organisms. Nature published online on May 20, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10533-4

Source: www.sci.news

Bioluminescent Deep-Sea Fish Harness Crystal Prisms to Recycle Their Own Glow

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Marine biologists have made a groundbreaking discovery while studying the light-emitting organs of bioluminescent fish species. They identified needle-shaped guanine crystals that scatter and redirect light, providing potential inspiration for developing more efficient biomedical and optical devices.

Sigmapus gracilis. Image credit: Wu Quancheng / Taiwan Agriculture Commission Fisheries Research Institute.

Approximately 75% of marine organisms exhibit bioluminescence, featuring specialized light-emitting organs known as photophores.

These luminous organisms utilize emitted light for various purposes, including mate attraction, prey luring, and predator evasion.

Notably, bioluminescent fish possess unique crystal structures called guanine platelets that significantly contribute to their light emission.

While all bioluminescent fish have luminescent vacuoles and platelets, the quantity, placement, and shape of these biological structures differ across species.

In a recent study led by researchers from Hiroshima University, including Masakazu Iwasaka, the light control mechanisms within the luminescent vesicles of the deep-sea fish Sigmapus gracilis were investigated.

The team found that localized layers of guanine platelets not only reflect light but also scatter it in intricate patterns.

“During our deep-sea fish studies aboard a research vessel, we realized traditional lab materials might not yield the insights we needed,” Dr. Iwasaka noted.

“This epiphany led me to explore biomimetics, inspired by the unique phenomena observed in the field.”

“Both my own observations and prior research indicate that guanine crystals can form surface layers on luminescent vacuoles in select fish species.”

“Our findings confirmed significant anisotropic reflection, meaning the reflected light varies considerably based on the incident angle.”

“This suggests that guanine crystals have a previously unrecognized role in light directionality control.”

Guanine platelets in Sigmapus gracilis exhibit needle-like structures that cluster around the light organ.

Upon light interaction, the unique shape of the guanine crystals results in scattering effects.

“In previous research, I demonstrated that guanine crystals in goldfish function as tiny mirrors, where their slightly tilted orientation causes anisotropic reflections,” Dr. Iwasaka explained.

“Conversely, the elongated crystals in this study act more like prisms, redirecting light instead of merely reflecting it.”

“Their layered configuration exhibits qualities reminiscent of photonic crystals.”

The layered crystalline structures of guanine platelets reveal insights for highly efficient biomimetic designs aimed at maximizing and reusing leaked light rather than allowing mere reflection.

The researchers tested various orientations of the guanine crystals with an electromagnet and analyzed the scattering patterns generated by an external light source at different angles.

Given that these small structures operate underwater, the findings could significantly enhance the design of implantable biomedical devices.

Professor Iwasaka remarked, “While deep-sea fish are challenging to obtain for research, their value is immeasurable.”

“Examining guanine in diverse fish species will yield valuable knowledge in biomimetics.”

The results are published in this week’s issue of Biointerphases here.

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Masakazu Iwasaka et al. 2026. Biomimetic illumination enhancement inspired by guanine platelets on luminophoric surfaces of deep-sea bristle mice Sigmapus gracilis. Biointerphases 21, 031003;doi: 10.1116/6.0005382

Source: www.sci.news

NASA Unveils Plans for Extensive Lunar Base Covering Hundreds of Square Kilometers

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman discusses plans for a lunar base during a press conference on May 26 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announcing plans for a permanent lunar presence at a press conference. — NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman discusses plans for a lunar base during a press conference on May 26 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

NASA has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a permanent base on the moon. The initiative kicks off with autonomous rovers and drones surveying the lunar landscape. Future astronauts will work on constructing a lunar habitat covering hundreds of square kilometers.

This lunar base project is integral to NASA’s Artemis program, which focuses on long-term human presence on the moon, following its last astronaut landing in the 1970s. The Artemis II mission successfully returned four astronauts from lunar orbit in April this year, yet specific timelines for the lunar base have remained sparse until now.

On May 26, NASA announced its first three lunar base missions slated for this year, with nine additional missions expected by 2027. The entire program will unfold in three phases, beginning with the first phase aimed at ensuring “reliable access” to the lunar surface through 2029. The second phase will include initial lunar base operations until 2032, while the final phase involves constructing the base near the moon’s south pole, projected to conclude by 2036.

Artist’s illustration of astronauts, rovers, and power systems at the planned lunar base

NASA

The missions this year will be unmanned, focusing on detailed studies of the lunar surface to mitigate risks for future missions. Lunar Base I will launch this year using a lander developed by Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, which has yet to perform a lunar landing.

Also scheduled for launch this year are Moonbase II and III, though their exact launch windows are still to be confirmed. Each will involve landers from different companies; Astrobotic’s Griffin lander and autonomous rover, along with Intuitive Machines, which has previously attempted moon landings with limited success.

In addition to the aforementioned missions, NASA has awarded over $200 million each to two firms, Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, for the development of lunar probes under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program. Astrolab will create a larger human-operated rover with a 1000-kilogram capacity capable of traveling at approximately 10 km/h. Conversely, Lunar Outpost’s agile design can autonomously navigate at over 14 km/h.

NASA is also preparing for its 2028 Moonfall mission, which will employ four unmanned vehicles for close-range lunar surveying, producing high-resolution imagery to identify potential landing zones for subsequent Artemis missions. These drones are set to be built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, while Firefly Aerospace will construct the transport vehicle to ferry them to the moon.

However, key aspects of the future moon base, including its power sources, construction methods, and protection from space radiation, remain largely undisclosed. Former NASA administrator Sean Duffy mentioned plans for a nuclear fission reactor on the moon by 2030, but the latest updates from NASA, under Jared Isaacman’s leadership, have not clarified this point.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Wealthy Individuals with Eco-Friendly Values Are Among the Highest Emission Contributors

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Private Jets: The Most Carbon-Intensive Form of Travel

Steve Allen / Alamy

Private jets are the most carbon-intensive means of transportation — Private Jets: The Most Carbon-Intensive Form of Travel

Steve Allen / Alamy

The individuals who are most concerned about environmental issues—particularly among higher-income and well-educated demographics—are paradoxically responsible for significant ecological damage due to their frequent travel habits.

However, rather than pointing fingers at personal choices, research suggests that transformative policy adjustments are more crucial than altering individual beliefs to effectively address climate and biodiversity challenges, according to scientists.

“I don’t suggest that individuals alone are accountable for their carbon emissions,” notes Malte Duce, one of the study’s researchers from the University of Cambridge. This is particularly due to the limited availability of low-carbon alternatives for activities such as flying.

Interestingly, the term “carbon footprint,” popularized by companies like BP, shifts the burden of responsibility onto consumers.

It’s well-documented that as a person’s income rises, so does their carbon footprint. This study takes it further by incorporating personal values into the analysis. Researchers surveyed 5,000 individuals from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the US, assessing their income, wealth, education, and professional status.

They also gathered opinions on nature, climate, and environmental waste. In terms of a broader “ecological footprint,” respondents answered questions regarding meat and dairy consumption, housing size, waste generation, vehicle usage, and travel habits.

For many, increased conservation values correlate with a decreased ecological footprint. However, among the top 30% of socio-economic earners, those passionate about environmental conservation displayed even higher footprints.

The primary reason? Affluent individuals committed to nature frequently opt for flying—one of the most carbon-heavy forms of personal transport. They may justify their travel by emphasizing activities like recycling, which have minimal impact on overall footprint reduction, according to Duce.

Environmentalism is often viewed as a universal value. These individuals tend to be open-minded, eager to engage across cultures, and consequently, they are also some of the most frequent fliers, notes Felix Kreuzig, a researcher from the University of Sussex, who was not involved in this study.

Previous studies suggesting that as countries accrue wealth and invest in sustainable practices, environmental impacts initially rise but eventually decline—a trend known as the Environmental Kuznets Curve—may not be applicable here, according to Duce and his team.

“Merely targeting individual environmental awareness through campaigns will not yield significant emissions reductions,” states Meeka Kaiser from Cambridge University. “Stronger policy actions are essential.”

Countries like the UK and Germany have increased aviation taxes, and airfare has risen due to an energy crisis stemming from the Iran war, with a reported 24% increase. However, researchers argue these hikes may not deter high-income travelers.

While France banned short-haul flights in 2023, loopholes exist, and the ban was subsequently lifted due to logistical challenges—reported by CBS News.

According to Carlo Aall from the Western Norway Institute, effective policy changes are necessary to prevent climatic catastrophes, promoting the concept of “degrowth.” This entails reducing energy and resource consumption, even at the expense of economic growth. “Even environmentally conscious individuals cannot escape the cycle of consumerism,” he emphasizes.

The findings may reinforce the notion that environmentalists are hypocritical, potentially undermining climate action efforts. Figures like Bill Gates have faced criticism for using private jets, especially as air travel continues to grow rapidly, partly due to landmark events like the Paris Climate Summit in 2015.

However, Kreuzig notes that grassroots movements like the Fridays for Future protests, inspired by Greta Thunberg, have influenced governmental climate policies, despite some demonstrators not committing to avoid flying. “Active citizenship is critical,” he asserts, emphasizing the importance of tangible actions in addressing climate change.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Revolutionary First Quantum Grandfather Clock: Unlocking the Origins of Gravity

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Pendulum Clocks: Pioneering Accuracy in Timekeeping

Panumas Nikhomkhai / Alamy

Quantum Grand Clock Design — Pendulum Clocks: Pioneering Accuracy in Timekeeping

Panumas Nikhomkhai / Alamy

The pioneering design of a quantum grand clock integrates a single atom, a micro mirror, and light. This innovative architecture seeks to enhance our comprehension of timekeeping in the quantum realm and delve into avant-garde physics concepts.

At its core, time can be measured using simple methods like sand falling in an hourglass. However, the emergence of mechanical timepieces such as grand clocks and pendulum clocks in the 17th century revolutionized accuracy in timekeeping. Researchers at Collège de France have now unveiled the quantum equivalent of these timepieces.

“We questioned if pendulum clocks conform to the principles of quantum mechanics,” explains Matteo Brunelli, one of the lead researchers.

A pendulum clock comprises three essential components: the pendulum, which regulates the ticking; a weight using gravity’s pull to swing the pendulum; and an “escapement mechanism,” which transforms the pendulum’s motion into clock arm movement while also supplying energy to counteract friction-related slowdown. For consistent oscillation, the escapement must manage the vertical movement of the weight precisely.

The research team has created a mathematical model that replicates these clock characteristics within quantum systems. Their quantum clock design showcases a cavity between two mirrors—one stationary and the other oscillating. Within this cavity, atoms exist at three distinct energy levels. Minor temperature variations spark atomic transitions, some resulting in photon emissions. These photons bounce between the mirrors, triggering vibrations akin to a pendulum’s motion.

The atom in this setup functions as the escapement mechanism, cycling through energy levels to maintain a tick-tock rhythm. Brunelli comments that this represents the most minimal form of an escapement mechanism. Mathematical evaluations indicated that proper tuning would allow the quantum clock to achieve a stable and consistent ticking, paralleling a pendulum clock’s functionality.

Unlike the premier atomic clocks that require laser precision for control, this new clock is envisioned to operate autonomously as a self-sufficient thermodynamic device. While prior designs of autonomous quantum clocks existed, their precision suffered due to inadequate escapement mechanisms for maintaining uniform oscillation.

Notably, this new clock overcomes the “thermodynamic uncertainty relation,” a barrier that previously impaired many autonomous clocks. Its accuracy is now linked to the energy required for backward movement, thus demonstrating a significant advantage in timekeeping.

Sreenath Manikandan from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Hyderabad emphasizes that comprehending autonomous clocks is essential for efficient time management. As these clocks do not rely on external sources for accuracy, they provide insight into fundamental processes. Enhanced knowledge of quantum clocks at a basic level could further unravel new physics phenomena, including gravitational interactions in the quantum framework. “A deeper understanding of clock mechanisms is critical, and our research marks a notable advancement in this direction,” states Manikandan.

Experiments with diminutive cavities and photons are prevalent, suggesting that the necessary materials for constructing these clocks are readily available in labs. Yet, Brunelli acknowledges that the groundbreaking escapement mechanism presents significant technical challenges. “While it is complex, it remains feasible,” he asserts.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Plants Alter Magma Chemistry: Insights from Sciworthy

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Approximately 400 million years ago, vascular land plants emerged with a groundbreaking venous system for transporting water and nutrients. This development significantly altered our planet’s geological and chemical landscape. Following this, remarkable changes were noted in the chemical composition of rocks derived from magma across various continents. While geologists propose that these magmatic changes were global phenomena, some argue that the data may reflect geographical sampling biases. Recently, a cutting-edge research team sought to determine whether these magma transformations were indeed global or confined to specific mountain ranges or volcanic islands.

Geologists analyze the chemistry of magmatic rocks to unravel Earth’s history. They focus on specific minerals known as
zircon
, which forms as magma cools and retains essential chemical clues about its origin and interactions. To assess whether magma changes were global or localized, researchers needed data that spanned from the equator to the poles. Since Earth’s continents have shifted over the past 400 million years, scientists relied on the latitude where the rocks were formed, a method known as
paleolatitude
, to compare ancient Earth samples from various locations. The team utilized publicly available chemical data from zircons found in magmatic rocks across diverse
paleolatitudes
.

Scientists identify isotopes as chemical elements with the same number of protons but differing neutron counts. To assess how plants influenced magmatic processes, researchers analyzed two distinct isotopic signals embedded in the zircon. The first signal originates from the ratio of heavy to light oxygen isotopes, which rises as sediments blend into magma. This measure is denoted as
δ
¹⁸
O
, pronounced “delta-18-O.”

The second isotopic signal involves the element
hafnium
, represented as Hf. Geologists utilize hafnium isotopes to approximate when magma melted and differentiated from the mantle. Zircon contains two Hf isotopes—one stable and the other generated through radioactive decay. Given that this decay transpires over billions of years, the ratio of the two Hf isotopes shifts slightly over time, which geologists express using the notation
εHf
, pronounced “epsilon hafnium.” This notation indicates how much the Hf signature of magma diverged from the original mantle composition. Lower εHf values signify magma incorporating older crustal materials, whereas higher εHf values reflect a mantle source.

The researchers observed that δ
¹⁸
O values in the zircons increased as εHf values decreased. This trend indicates a significant rise in land-derived sediment within magma, a response to the evolution of land plants. The implication is that terrestrial plants transformed ancient landscapes, drastically altering sediment weathering and transportation processes across the land.

To further scrutinize this pattern, the research team concentrated on the Andes Mountains, a region abundant in preserved magmatic activity throughout history. They accessed a comprehensive database for isotopic data on zircon samples collected in the Andes by various research teams. These samples encompass 32 degrees of modern-day latitude and 520 million years of Earth’s geological history, offering vital insights into how magmatic chemistry transformed over time.

Their findings indicated no correlation between εHf and δ
¹⁸
O values for zircons older than 450 million years. However, for those younger than this threshold, researchers identified a trend: as εHf decreased, δ
¹⁸
O values increased. This pattern emerged in magma formed along continental edges, particularly in regions where one tectonic plate subducts beneath another, known as a
subduction zone
. Similar patterns were noted in magmas formed inland during the breakup of the Pangea supercontinent about 200 million years ago.

The research team found analogous results in publicly available zircon isotope data from igneous rocks in diverse regions including China, the Caribbean, Antarctica, Madagascar, and Tasmania. Zircons from these areas exhibited similar relationships to those from the Andes. To further investigate ancient climate influences on magma chemistry, the researchers compared the ratio of εHf to δ
¹⁸
O, expressed as εHf/δ
¹⁸
O, alongside paleolatitude. They found no significant association between paleolatitude and εHf/δ
¹⁸
O.

With these insights, researchers concluded that the relationship between εHf and δ
¹⁸
O evolved on a global scale following the emergence of vascular land plants. They posited that as these plants spread across continents, their root systems accelerated the breakdown of rocks, a process that increased weathering and sediment movement into ocean basins, ultimately impacting magma chemistry deep within the Earth’s mantle. This sequence of events demonstrates how biological processes on Earth’s surface can induce profound changes deep within the planet.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Unveiling the Secret: Why Gold Continues to Shine Brightly in Today’s Market

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Gold Does Not Tarnish Like Other Metals

Mauritius Images GmbH/Alamy

While silver dulls, copper turns green, and iron rusts, gold remains lustrous and untarnished. The mystery of why this occurs has intrigued researchers, and recent studies may have uncovered the reasons behind gold’s remarkable resistance to tarnishing.

Gold is chemically inert, meaning it does not readily react with surrounding elements, such as oxygen in the air. This characteristic is beneficial for jewelry but limits gold’s potential applications in chemistry. Interestingly, scientists believe that by gradually altering gold’s inertness, it could transform into a valuable catalyst.

Research led by Matthew Montemore and Santu Biswas at Tulane University in Louisiana focused on a phenomenon known as restructuring, which occurs when gold is cut to form a new surface.

According to Montemore, “Atoms prefer not to remain on the surface, prompting them to rearrange into a stable, hexagonal pattern.” This arrangement has lower energy, preventing further shuffling. Since such atomic rearrangements are rare in metals, the research team speculated that they could be a factor in gold’s unique inertness.

Utilizing a supercomputer, the researchers simulated quantum states of atoms while analyzing the interactions with oxygen in various rearrangements. For a reconstructed gold surface to lose its shine, it must split upon colliding with an oxygen molecule. Their simulations indicated that achieving this split requires significant energy in a hexagonal atomic pattern, making discoloration unlikely, whereas a rectangular arrangement requires much less energy.

Gold’s tendency to maintain its luster is linked to the prevalence of hexagonal patterns. Biswas emphasized that this connection between atomic structure and oxidation is a novel concept in the field.

Understanding this phenomenon opens avenues for enhancing gold’s catalytic capabilities, according to researchers. Shin Hongliang from Virginia Tech notes, “We may control gold’s catalytic activity by manipulating the surface structure.” Montemore suggests that applying a voltage in an electrical circuit could reconfigure the atoms into a less inert rectangular pattern, enhancing reactivity with oxygen.

“This research highlights aspects that may have been overlooked previously. It presents opportunities for experimental exploration,” stated Andrew Beer from University College London. He mentioned that while using gold as a catalyst has been successfully demonstrated with nano-sized particles, linking this analysis to curved nanoparticle surfaces remains a challenge.

In the future, the team aims to expand their studies beyond pure gold to include reactions involving other molecules and gold alloys, further unlocking the potential of this precious metal.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA Unveils Three Unmanned Moon Exploration Missions in 2023 to Lay Groundwork for Lunar Base Construction

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has unveiled plans for three unmanned lunar missions set to launch later this year, marking a significant step towards its long-term objective of establishing a permanent lunar base.

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These robotic lunar missions will focus on scouting potential sites at the moon’s south pole, gathering scientific data, testing advanced technologies, and laying the groundwork for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface.

“We’re not going to jump into a glass dome moon base right away,” stated NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during Tuesday’s press briefing. “Our approach will be iterative, signaling industry demand for an array of landers, rovers, technology demonstrations, and scientific payloads these missions can accommodate.”

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will speak in Washington on May 19th.
Kevin Dietch/Getty Images

The upcoming lunar missions have been designated Moonbase 1, Moonbase 2, and Moonbase 3, all expected to launch by year-end. Isaacman announced that the inaugural mission is slated for this fall.

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin will be instrumental in the first mission, having secured a NASA contract to transport two science and technology payloads to the moon using its Lunar Lander.

These three flights represent the initial phase of NASA’s comprehensive strategy to establish a moon base, which is projected to continue until 2029. Following this, between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to develop semi-permanent infrastructure conducive to early lunar habitation.

The agency aspires to establish a sustained lunar presence by the third phase commencing in 2032. Carlos García Galán, NASA’s Moonbase program manager, remarked that the base could encompass “hundreds of square miles,” with crew rotations on the lunar surface planned for regular intervals and continuous operations.

NASA’s lunar base initiative is designed to parallel the Artemis return program. Recently, the Artemis II mission successfully sent four astronauts on a 10-day journey around Earth and the moon, the first U.S. mission to the moon in over 50 years.

Next on NASA’s agenda is the Artemis III mission, targeted for 2027, utilizing one or both lunar landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX to validate technologies in low Earth orbit. If all goes according to plan, NASA anticipates launching the Artemis IV mission to put astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

How Space Storms Could Disrupt Train Signals and Trigger Serious Accidents

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Trains Entering and Exiting Clapham Junction Station in London

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Electrical systems in railways across various countries, including the UK, are vulnerable to space weather phenomena. The most alarming possibility is a signal malfunction where a red light could inadvertently turn green, potentially leading to tragic train accidents, warns Cameron Patterson from Lancaster University, UK.

“This can disrupt the signaling systems which are vital for railway safety,” he states. “Proactive measures are essential to mitigate these risks, and it’s critical to communicate this urgently.”

The sun continually releases light and charged particles. This solar wind creates auroras. During solar storms, the sun can emit larger quantities of particles, which may impact the Earth’s magnetic field.

While satellites are particularly at risk, solar storms can also disrupt electrical systems on Earth, inducing unexpected currents in railway tracks due to shifting magnetic fields. This is particularly concerning as many rail systems utilize direct current to determine the presence of trains.

“When geomagnetically induced currents are introduced, they can create anomalies, leading to erroneous signals, such as green lights turning red,” Patterson explained at a recent European Geosciences Union meeting in Vienna, Austria. “Trains travel at high speeds, making it crucial to have advance warning to prevent accidents.”

Patterson cited a notable case from July 1982 in Sweden, where a signal was impacted by solar storm activities, and geomagnetically induced currents were correlated with the signal errors.

He believes more incidents may be overlooked as engineers rarely attribute these anomalies to space weather. Often, by the time they investigate, the solar storm has passed, leaving them unable to find clear causes. Studies in Russia have indicated similar correlations between solar storms and signal irregularities.

A red light erroneously turning green poses the greatest threat, but the reverse scenario can also create significant disruptions, especially if a train is immobilized and its electrical systems fail, potentially endangering passengers who leave the train.

Fortunately, the likelihood of these incidents is low. Such potent solar storms capable of causing these issues are estimated to occur once every 30 years, although a significant storm could strike at any moment, potentially leading to widespread power outages and chaos.

Certain countries have adopted alternative signaling systems using magnetic sensors to monitor train wheels; however, their susceptibility to geomagnetically induced currents remains uncertain.

Many railway systems may also be exposed to disruptions from solar storms, impacting transformers, systems aiding train tilting around curves at high speeds, radio communications, and satellite navigation critical for precise train positioning.

Patterson is collaborating with Network Rail, the Railway Safety Standards Board, and a British engineering firm to enhance system resilience. Initiating dialogue around this issue has been challenging, but their commitment is strong.

Magnus Wike from the Swedish Institute for Astrophysics shares concerns that solar storm-related signal anomalies might go unnoticed. “There may be brief disruptions, but without clear cause analysis, the system returns to normal,” he explains.

Wik mentioned that Sweden modernized its railway system in the 1950s after signal anomalies during geomagnetic storms in the 1930s. He emphasized that the 1982 instance of signals fluctuating between green and red was less severe in impact.

“The Swedish Transport Agency likely lacks insights into whether such events could reoccur,” he states. “We discussed the possibility of researching historical geomagnetic disturbances alongside error logs, though it’s not an official undertaking.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Space Storms Can Disrupt Train Signals and Lead to Serious Accidents

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Trains entering and exiting Clapham Junction station in London

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Electrical systems on railways worldwide, including the UK, are vulnerable to solar weather events. In extreme cases, faults in the system could result in a red signal mistakenly displaying green, raising the risk of serious train accidents. Cameron Patterson, an expert from Lancaster University, UK, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue.

“Solar storms can disrupt signaling systems, which are essential for railway safety,” Patterson warns. “It’s vital to enhance our preparedness for these phenomena.”

The sun continually emits light along with charged particles known as solar wind, which can create auroras. However, during a solar storm, the sun can release excess material that impacts Earth’s magnetic field.

While satellites are primarily at risk, solar storms also pose threats to ground-based electrical systems. Changes in magnetic fields can generate unintended currents, particularly in railroad tracks.

This phenomenon is problematic since many railway systems depend on direct current flowing through specific track sections to detect train presence. When a train passes by, it alters the current flow.

“Geomagnetically induced currents can create various anomalies, causing signals to misbehave — for instance, a green signal turning red,” Patterson explained at a recent European Geosciences Union meeting in Vienna, Austria. “Trains travel at high speeds; if there’s no warning, it may be too late to stop.”

Remarkably, Patterson is aware of only one documented case of a signal being affected during a solar storm, which occurred in Sweden in July 1982. “They observed the signal altering and correlated it with geomagnetically induced currents on the tracks,” Patterson stated.

He suspects there are numerous instances yet to be identified, as engineers typically overlook space weather as a possible cause. By the time they investigate, the storm has usually diminished, leaving them unable to pinpoint any anomalies. Research in Russia has also found links between solar storms and signaling irregularities.

While a red signal mistakenly turning green presents a significant risk, the reverse — a green light changing to red — can also lead to serious disruptions. In the event of an electrical failure, passengers may have to evacuate a stalled train, which poses additional dangers,” Patterson noted.

Fortunately, the overall risk remains low. Severe solar storms capable of inducing such disruptions are estimated to occur roughly every 30 years. “However, a once-in-a-hundred-year event could happen anytime,” Patterson cautions. Large storms can result in widespread power outages and significant chaos.

Some countries operate on different signaling systems that use magnetic sensors to count train wheels. It’s unclear whether these systems would fall prey to geomagnetically induced currents.

A variety of other rail systems are also susceptible to solar storm-related disruptions, including transformers linked to overhead wires, systems designed for tilting trains on curves, radio communications, and satellite navigation systems that detect a train’s location.

Patterson is currently collaborating with Network Rail, the Railway Safety Standards Board, and a UK engineering firm to enhance system resilience. He notes that starting this dialogue has been challenging, but they’re committed to making meaningful progress.

Magnus Wike, a researcher at the Swedish Institute for Astrophysics, agrees with Patterson regarding the possibility of unnoticed solar storm signals. “There could be temporary disruptions that resolve quickly, leaving us unaware of their cause,” he said.

Wik informed that in the 1950s, Sweden upgraded its railway system after traffic lights switched from red to green during geomagnetic storms in the 1930s. He indicated that the 1982 incident was less serious, involving a switch from green to red.

“The Swedish Transport Agency likely doesn’t know whether these occurrences could happen again or how frequently they might have happened,” he explained. “We have considered researching past geomagnetic disturbances to match them with error logs, but this remains unofficial.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient Anesthetics Unearthed: Groundbreaking Discovery in Chinese Doctor’s Tomb

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Surgical scissors and tweezers excavated from Xia Quan’s grave, containing remnants of the anesthetic aconitine.

Image credit: Xue Ling et al.

Ancient surgical instruments — Surgical scissors and tweezers excavated from Xia Quan’s grave, containing remnants of the anesthetic aconitine.

Image credit: Xue Ling et al.

The discovery of two medical instruments from a 15th-century Chinese surgeon’s tomb reveals traces of anesthetic compounds, marking the earliest evidence of efforts to alleviate pain during medical procedures.

Excavated in 1974 from the tomb of renowned surgeon Xia Quan (1348-1411), located in Jiangsu province, these surgical scissors and tweezers shed light on ancient medical practices.

Researchers from Northwest University in Xi’an, China utilized advanced laser technology to analyze the residue on these tools and detected significant traces of aconitine, a compound derived from the aconite genus, commonly known as Wolfsbane. This substance frequently appears in historical Chinese medicine formulations.

Aconitine functions by interacting with sodium channels within the neuronal cell membrane, producing an anesthetic effect when administered in precise doses. However, its high toxicity limits its contemporary medical use due to the associated risk of poisoning.

The significant presence of residue on the scissor blades and tweezers’ tips suggests the aconitine was intentionally applied, not merely a result of contamination, according to researchers.

According to Carnie Matheson, a professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, the findings offer compelling, direct evidence of anesthetic application in ancient surgery.

“This indicates that early surgeons had a more advanced understanding of pain management than we previously recognized,” Matheson stated. “Now, we can better appreciate why surgeries were performed in historical contexts and how they were manageable,” he added.

Historical texts reveal that Ming Dynasty medical practitioners developed various methods to lessen aconitine’s toxicity, including utilizing techniques such as “processing it with boy’s urine, soaking it in black bean decoction, boiling it in vinegar, detoxifying it using mung beans, and removing the outer skin of aconite tubers,” noted Zhao et al.

Matheson elaborated that refining aconitine from these toxic plants required significant scientific knowledge to ensure safe application for patients. “Surgeons had to extract the benefits of these compounds without endangering themselves or their patients, all while ensuring the methods were effective,” he explained.

Topics:

Medical Drugs /
Archaeology

Source: www.newscientist.com

Iranian Oil Spill Emitted Pollution Comparable to a Volcano: Environmental Impact Analysis

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility during the March 7 attack in Iran.

Image credit: Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA/AP/Alamy

Flames and smoke rise from an attacked oil storage facility in Iran — Flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility during the March 7 attack in Iran.

Image credit: Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA/AP/Alamy

Israeli airstrikes on oil facilities in Tehran on March 7 released an unprecedented amount of sulfur dioxide, equivalent to a small volcanic eruption. This alarming event has the potential to affect air quality and cause acid rain as far away as China.

In a coordinated effort between the US and Israel, fighter jets targeted oil facilities, igniting massive fires at various depots and refineries. Firestorms illuminated the night sky while soot-laden rain fell for days, causing health hazards, including eye and skin irritation among residents.

Recent data from advanced Chinese satellites indicates that the sulfur dioxide plumes from these explosions and fires spread over an area of about 300,000 square kilometers, passing over several countries including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China.

The rapid attack led to a surge in emissions, releasing a total of 29,800 tonnes of sulfur dioxide, as reported by Yin Jianping from Wuhan University. For context, this volume is significantly higher than the 20,000 tons of sulfur dioxide expelled daily by Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano during its 2010 eruption, which caused widespread disruptions in air travel.

Measurements from satellites indicated that sulfur dioxide levels reached concentrations that can hinder lung function, irritate the eyes and throat, and exacerbate asthma and bronchitis, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

The brief emissions event underscores the need to consider the long-term impact of such occurrences, as contaminants can deposit on water sources and agricultural land, leading to potential health risks from contaminated drinking water and food.

Sulfur dioxide can react with atmospheric chemicals to form sulfuric acid, contributing to smog and acid rain. Historical events like the Great Smog of 1952, which saw an estimated 12,000 deaths in London, serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of such pollution.

The sulfur dioxide produced by the attacks is reported to be 20 times greater than the annual emissions from some coal-fired power plants in developed countries, illustrating the severity of the situation.

In addition to sulfur dioxide, the destruction of oil facilities released soot and heavy metals into the environment. According to Lucy Carpenter from the University of York, the substantial sulfur dioxide emissions suggest the plume also contained harmful levels of pollutants like nitrogen oxides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have been linked to cancer.

“The significant release of sulfur dioxide from a single incident has serious implications for human health… across vast distances,” Carpenter stated.

The pollutants carried by wind can linger in the atmosphere for several days. The study’s ability to track the plume’s journey over such a large area was impressive, shedding light on the potential for far-reaching health impacts.

Although the plume lasted only three days—possibly insufficient for long-term cancer risk—satellite data is crucial for assessing pollution levels in the atmosphere. Carpenter warns that these pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, strokes, and heart attacks, especially among vulnerable groups.

The Fengyun-3 satellite constellation utilized in this research could provide real-time atmospheric data on sulfur dioxide and other critical pollutants, enhancing disaster response capabilities, Yin asserted. “Satellite observations can significantly improve pollution assessments and offer early warnings to affected areas.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Can Lab-Grown Sperm Help Infertile Men Become Fathers?

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Color scanning electron micrograph of human sperm cells

PDC/Science Photo Library

Color scanning electron micrograph of human sperm cells

PDC/Science Photo Library

Male infertility is a sensitive subject, yet it’s a prevalent issue affecting about 1 in 10 couples trying to conceive. Notably, half of infertility cases are linked to sperm quality. Traditional fertility solutions often fall short, but a pioneering U.S. startup, Paterna Biosciences, aims to revolutionize the field.

Paterna proposes that stem cells can be extracted from the testicles and transformed into viable sperm cells in a laboratory setting. This breakthrough could potentially enable almost all men who face infertility challenges to achieve fatherhood.

However, some experts express skepticism, suggesting that the method’s viability may hinge on the integration of CRISPR gene editing—essentially enabling the creation of gene-edited offspring.

Let’s delve deeper. Male infertility can stem from various issues, including low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or sperm failing to penetrate the egg. In such cases, direct injection of sperm into the egg, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), can often yield successful results.

Approximately 1 in 100 men may face a complete absence of sperm in their semen. This might be due to blockages preventing sperm from reaching the prostate, which can often be corrected through medical procedures to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles.

In instances where no sperm is found, it’s frequently due to the testicles producing little or none. According to Alex Pastuzak, Co-founder and President of Paterna, the process begins with a small testicular tissue sample, which can yield anywhere from a few to tens of thousands of sperm cells.

Pastuzak claims they identified signals that stimulate sperm stem cells to differentiate into sperm within about a month in the lab.

The question of validity arises. Paterna has yet to release conclusive evidence to back their claims, citing the need to protect their intellectual property. Pastuzak states, “I won’t disclose anything to the public until our protections are established.”

Previous efforts, such as those by French biotech firm Callistem, made similar announcements but did not deliver substantial outcomes.

Paterna asserts that the sperm produced successfully fertilized human eggs, leading to early embryonic development.

While acknowledging Paterna’s scientific team’s qualifications, independent researchers await more evidence before drawing conclusions. “If they can achieve this, it represents a significant advancement,” remarks Helt Hammer from the Amsterdam Institute of Reproductive Development.

Potential Genetic Risks

If Paterna’s claims hold true, the next critical inquiry is their safety. Sperm originate from stem cells in the testes, which undergo a complex meiotic process to develop into spermatozoa. Any disruption during meiosis may lead to genetic abnormalities—a potential risk heightened in laboratory environments.

Moreover, imprinting errors during sperm development can lead to serious developmental issues. Although Paterna believes its approach minimizes these risks, past research indicates common errors in mouse sperm derived from stem cells.

Pastuzak asserts, “Molecular studies show our in-vitro sperm is identical to natural sperm produced in the testes. In some cases, it even surpasses natural quality.”

Paterna envisions implanting embryos fertilized with laboratory-grown sperm into women as early as next year. “Our inaugural clinical trial will likely occur outside the U.S., still awaiting regulatory approvals,” Pastuzak adds.

However, it’s unclear what evidence regulators require before sanctioning the use of lab-grown sperm in fertility treatments. Historically, fertility specialists have employed techniques like IVF and micromanipulation without comprehensive safety validations.

If deemed safe, it remains to be seen how many men can benefit from this technique. A small segment may not possess functional sperm stem cells, confining this approach’s applicability.

For others, infertility could stem from genetic mutations, complicating treatment efficacy. Professor Hammer suggests that if a mutation hampers spermatogenesis, lab methods are likely to replicate the same issues. The most likely beneficiaries may be men who became infertile due to childhood cancer treatments and had testicular tissue preserved prior to that.

“We could provide hope for young boys rendered infertile by chemotherapy,” he asserts, though this demographic is limited.

Wilkinson notes that another potential group could be men with restricted spermatogenesis, who currently undergo invasive procedures like microdissecting testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). “Avoiding such invasive techniques would be a significant improvement,” he claims.

Lab-Grown Sperm and Future Generations

Lab-grown sperm could help men have children, but additional genetic techniques may be required

Maite Torres/Getty Images

Pastuzak claims that their lab successfully harvested sperm from men whose testicles do not naturally produce it. “Most of these germ cells exhibit maturation potential. The defect seems linked to the signaling from supportive cells,” he states.

Despite skepticism, the possibility that lab-grown sperm could offer solutions to infertility is encouraging. However, it raises the concern that boys born from such sperm may inherit genetic mutations associated with fertility issues—paralleling concerns raised with ICSI techniques.

“I do ponder this,” Pastuzak admits, noting that there are various stages in the process where harmful mutations can be screened out during testing.

If lab-grown sperm extraction fails for most men with infertility-causing mutations, an alternative solution may arise through CRISPR gene editing to rectify such mutations, potentially resulting in gene-edited children.

This approach, while promising, comes with challenges, mainly due to limited knowledge about potential infertility mutations and their complexities. “Evidence remains scarce,” Wilkinson warns.

Nonetheless, if precise mutations are identified, utilizing gene editing might be justified. Pre-implantation genetic screening could also mitigate unintended modifications during the process.

Paterna is open to exploring these avenues, with Pastuzak stating, “I’m not ruling anything out. Advancements in science should benefit as many people as possible.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Southern California Chemical Tank Scandal: Key Insights and Unanswered Questions

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A serious incident occurred at a chemical storage tank in Garden Grove, California, where overheating caused by a malfunctioning valve raised alarms about a potential disaster. This event poses risks of toxic plume exposure for residents and potential damage to nearby structures.

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Since Thursday, Southern California officials have united with state and federal agencies to prevent what could be one of the gravest chemical accidents in California’s history. A state of emergency was declared, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents in this city southeast of Los Angeles, with an uncertain timeline for their return.

By Monday evening, the threat of a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) was successfully averted, according to Orange County fire officials.

Here’s an essential overview of the situation.

What is Methyl Methacrylate?

The incident centers around a storage tank at the GKN Aerospace Facility, holding approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate.

Methyl methacrylate is a toxic substance utilized in the production of resins and plastics like plexiglass.

Exposure to this chemical may cause skin and eye irritation, along with symptoms such as coughing, dizziness, headaches, and respiratory issues.

What Were the Risks?

Last week, the Orange County Fire Department reported the tank was heating up and expanding.

This scenario presented two dire outcomes: either the tank develops a crack leading to chemical leakage, or it ruptures and explodes, posing risks to nearby methyl methacrylate tanks.

Fire Chief Craig Covey, the incident commander, highlighted the severity of the situation: “What we were told indicated a potential leaking or exploding tank.”

Fire officials resolved the BLEVE risk by Monday morning, a condition where the temperature of a flammable liquid in the tank increases to the point of catastrophic explosion.

Andrew Welton, a Purdue University engineering professor, likened the risk to leaving a soda can in a hot car—high pressure leads to explosive potential.

On Monday, officials confirmed that a crack allowed pressure to escape, although no chemicals leaked, and the internal temperature was decreasing. Firefighters used sprinklers and hoses to cool the tank.

Initially, around 60,000 residents were evacuated due to their safety concerns; by Monday evening, this was reduced to approximately 16,000.

Why Did the Tank Overheat?

Authorities reported a faulty valve in the tank’s cooling system initiated a dangerous sequence of events.

“The overheating was due to a valve freeze within the recirculating cooling system, which was supposed to maintain a target temperature of 50 degrees,” Chief Covey explained.

This malfunction led to a significant heating of the tank contents.

Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein assured residents of a transparent investigation into the incident on Monday night.

Has the Risk Been Eliminated?

The temperature peaked at at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while the boiling point of methyl methacrylate is around 212 degrees. By Monday, temperatures decreased to 93 degrees.

Welton noted the cooling trend is promising; it indicates no ongoing heat generation within the tank.

Despite this, risks of a minor explosion or chemical spill remain due to uncertainties regarding the chemical’s state within the tank. Some specialists suggest solidification might be occurring.

“If solidification occurs, the threat diminishes significantly,” Welton mentioned.

By Monday, cooler temperatures and solidified materials signaled good news for emergency responders.

Orange County Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern remarked that while the threat of a major explosion has subsided, additional precautions are still necessary.

He emphasized the need to address potential fire hazards, minor explosions, or chemical spills.

Do You Have Environmental Concerns?

Chris Myers from the Environmental Protection Agency stated that extensive air monitoring revealed no hazardous exceedances during the incident.

According to Welton, the crack in the tank could theoretically allow for some vapor or gas escape.

In response to the incident, President Trump approved a presidential emergency declaration to allocate more resources, including personnel and equipment from FEMA. Governor Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in Orange County.

FEMA has teams assisting in state emergency operations, and air monitoring has been established at 20 locations around the affected area.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has initiated an investigation, while two local residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace, the facility’s owner.

In an official comment, a GKN Aerospace spokesperson referred to their online statement, conveying their collaboration with fire officials to stabilize the tank.

“We safely removed the tank’s external insulation to assist in cooling its contents,” they stated. “We regret the disruption this incident has caused and are focused on ensuring a safe resolution so residents can return home.”

Covey reported that a nearby tank was neutralized with a chemical compound, although a similar approach was not viable for the threatening tank due to a malfunctioning valve.

Judith Enck, former EPA official, remarked on the necessity of regulatory inspections: “When was the last inspection of this tank, and what were the findings?”

Experts like Welton suggest investigating the maintenance frequency and possible clogging within the tank.

“We hope this incident remains a major alert rather than leading to uncontrolled chemical release or structural damage,” he concluded. “This remains a situation to monitor closely.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb Telescope Identifies Methane in Exoplanet Saturn TOI-199b’s Atmosphere

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have harnessed spectral data from the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) on board the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to investigate the atmosphere of TOI-199b, a distant Saturn-mass exoplanet that is neither frigid nor scorching.

Artist’s impression of a gas giant exoplanet. Image credit: Sci.News.

TOI-199, a G-type star situated approximately 330 light-years away in the constellation Sera, hosts at least two massive planets: TOI-199b and TOI-199c.

The inner planet, TOI-199b, orbits its host star, receiving 2.5 times more radiation than Earth every 105 days, resulting in an estimated temperature of 352 K (79 degrees Celsius, or 174 degrees Fahrenheit).

With a mass of 0.17 times that of Jupiter and a radius of 0.81 times that of Jupiter, TOI-199b is inferred to have a Saturn-like internal structure and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

“TOI-199b is one of the most promising cold giant planets for atmospheric characterization,” stated Penn State astronomer Renyu Hu and colleagues.

Astronomers employed transmission spectroscopy to scrutinize light emitted from the star as it traversed the planet’s atmosphere, enabling the characterization of TOI-199b’s atmospheric composition.

“Our analysis revealed that the wavelengths of starlight absorbed by methane were blocked by the atmosphere,” explained Dr. Aaron Bello Alfe, a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“Compositional models for temperate gas giant exoplanets indicated the likely presence of methane, so confirming this theory is a significant milestone.”

Webb’s observations also indicated that TOI-199b’s atmosphere contains ammonia and carbon dioxide in addition to methane.

“Further observations will enhance our understanding of the relative abundances of these gases,” noted Dr. Hu.

A comprehensive examination of temperate gas giants could refine our models and deepen our understanding of planetary formation and atmospheric evolution, including that of Earth.

“The success of this preliminary investigation encourages us to allocate more observational resources to study similar planets,” added the team.

This will enable us to determine whether TOI-199b is unique or if shared characteristics exist among planets of this type.

The team’s results were published in the May 20th issue of astronomy magazine.

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Aaron Bello-Alfe et al. 2026. Methane from the temperate exoplanet Saturn TOI-199b. A.J. 171,354; doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/ae4fba

Source: www.sci.news

Rare Ostrich-Like Dinosaur Fossil Unearthed on Canada Island

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings by Canadian paleontologists reveal a remarkable discovery: a dinosaur caudal vertebra dating back 75 to 80 million years, discovered within ancient sea rock on a small island off British Columbia’s coast. This discovery provides significant evidence that bird-like ornithomimosaurs inhabited North America’s prehistoric Pacific coastline.

Cyparon henanensis—an ornithomimosaur that existed during the Maastrichtian period (72 to 67 million years ago) in what is now China. Image credit: PaleoNeolitic / Sci.News.

The Ornithomimosaurus is a fascinating group of swift, bird-like theropod dinosaurs that thrived during the Cretaceous period. These dinosaurs are characterized by their long legs, elongated necks, streamlined bodies, toothless beaks, and relatively small heads, bearing a striking resemblance to modern ostriches.

Certain species, such as Gallimimus and Ornithomimus, can reach lengths exceeding 4 meters (13 feet). Interestingly, despite being part of the theropod family, ornithomimosaurs are believed to have been either omnivorous or opportunistic feeders, consuming plants, small animals, and potentially eggs.

Known for their impressive speed, some estimates suggest they could achieve top speeds of approximately 50-60 km/h (31-37 mph), making them some of the fastest dinosaurs of their era.

In a recent publication, Dr. David Evans, a paleontologist from the University of Toronto and the Royal Ontario Museum, and his team detailed their findings on fossilized vertebrae extracted from an ornithomimosaur’s tail. This fossil dates back to the Campanian period of the Late Cretaceous, between 80 and 75 million years ago.

The specimen was uncovered in August 1999 from the marine sediments of the Cedar District Formation on Denman Island, which is part of the Nanaimo Group in western Canada. According to the research team, “This fossil marks the second instance of dinosaur skeletal material discovered in the Nanaimo Group and is the first from an outcrop within Canada.”

The paleontologists propose that the ornithomimosaur bones may have been washed into the ocean from the western margin of ancient North America, potentially transported by ocean currents, shoreline movements, or even scavengers. Another hypothesis suggests that the bones could have originated from a floating carcass that drifted offshore before eventual separation.

The research team also noted, “Given the current interpretations regarding the paleolatitude of the Nanaimo Basin, this specimen likely corresponds with locations at a similar latitude to the outcrops of the Two Medicine River and Judith River formations to the east, which are recognized as part of the northern faunal region of Campanian-Laramidian dinosaurs along the Western Interior Seaway.”

“To date, no ornithomimosaur fossils identifiable at lower taxonomic levels have been described from the Judith River and Two Medicine Formations. However, a rich assemblage of ornithomimosaur fauna, with several genera and species represented by complete skeletons, has been documented from the Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta.”

“Questions concerning whether Pacific coast dinosaurs exhibited a latitudinal diversity gradient, and the role of intervening mountain ranges in influencing dinosaur biogeography through promoting allopatric diversification during the Campanian, can only be addressed through further fossil discoveries.”

The team’s research paper was published in the journal Facet on April 17th.

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Victoria M. Arbor et al. 2026. An ornithomimosaur excavated from the Campania Cedar District Formation (Nanaimo Group) on Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada. Facet 11; doi: 10.1139/facets-2023-0079

Source: www.sci.news

CERN Physicists Discover New Exotic Particles: Key Breakthrough in Particle Physics

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Physicists have made significant advancements with the ATLAS Collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), observing the excited state of the B_c^*+ Meson. This unique meson consists of a charm quark paired with a bottom antiquark.

Bc*+ Artist’s impression of the meson. Image credit: Daniel Dominguez / CERN.

Protons and neutrons, fundamental components of matter, belong to a larger class of particles known as hadrons. Hadrons are composite particles formed from quarks held together by the strong force.

These particles are classified into two main groups: baryons, which are composed of three quarks (e.g., protons and neutrons), and mesons, which consist of a quark-antiquark pair.

Despite years of research, many phenomena associated with the strong force still remain elusive, particularly the interactions among quarks in hadrons.

Heavy quark mesons, such as those containing charm and bottom quarks, serve as essential testbeds for evaluating theoretical models regarding these interactions.

Particularly noteworthy is the B_c⁺ meson, which contains both charm quarks and bottom antiquarks.

ATLAS physicists created an excited form of the B_c⁺ meson through high-energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC.

Following these collisions, the B_c^*+ quickly decays into B_c⁺ mesons accompanied by photons.

Detecting these photons, along with the decay products of B_c⁺, provides critical evidence confirming the existence of the B_c^*+ meson.

However, researchers face a challenge as the expected mass of B_c⁺ mesons is only marginally greater than that of B_c⁺ mesons, resulting in photons with very low energy that are challenging to detect using traditional methods.

Instead of standard photon identification techniques, scientists looked for photons that transformed into electron-positron pairs in the ATLAS tracking detector, leaving behind a trail of densely charged particles emerging from a common origin distinct from the initial proton-proton collision.

The lateral momentum of these tracks is around 100 MeV, significantly lower than typical values analyzed in ATLAS studies.

Consequently, the team had to implement a specialized trajectory reconstruction method to successfully identify the photons and confirm the existence of the B_c^*+ meson.

The measured mass difference between the B_c^*+ meson and the B_c⁺ meson stands at 64.5 ± 1.4 MeV.

According to the physicists, “This is within the range of available theoretical predictions, though it slightly diverges from the latest high-precision calculations.”

These findings will significantly contribute to theoretical models explaining the mass of particles with heavier quarks and enhance our understanding of the strong nuclear force.

The team’s research will soon be published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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Collaboration with ATLAS. 2026. Observation of B_c^*+ Mesons using the ATLAS detector. Physical Review Letters, in press. arXiv: 2605.16228

Source: www.sci.news

New Deep-Sea Octopus Species Discovered Near Galapagos Islands

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A newly identified deep-sea octopus species, discovered 1,773 meters below the surface near Darwin Island, challenges existing classifications within the Megaleredoniidae family, necessitating updates to traditional scientific definitions.

Microeredon galapagensis. Image credit: Voight et al., doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5.

Traditionally, Megaleredoniidae octopuses were defined as large-bodied species native to the frigid, isolated waters of Antarctica.

However, the newly classified species Microeredon galapagensis defies this characterization.

Dr. Janet Voigt, curator emeritus of invertebrates at the Field Museum of Natural History, noted, “Spinous octopods of the deep eastern tropical Pacific remain largely unexplored.”

“Advanced underwater vehicles have provided rare glimpses of these elusive animals, revealing unexpected taxa,” she added.

“Among these discoveries are the small tropical octopods belonging to the family Megaleredoniidae.”

“This family was originally recognized for its substantial Antarctic presence, including species such as Megaleredone Setebos, known for its distinctive adaptations to the cold depths of the Southern Ocean.”

The single female specimen of Microeredon galapagensis was collected during a 2015 research cruise near Darwin Island, an area rich in biodiversity closely associated with Charles Darwin’s scientific work.

Given the difficulty of securing additional specimens, researchers employed micro-CT imaging to study the octopus’s anatomy non-destructively.

“To accurately describe a new octopus species, we need to observe every anatomical part, including the mouth and beak. We were careful not to destroy our only specimen,” Dr. Voigt explained.

“CT imaging is vital for examining rare specimens like this one, as it allows us to gather detailed information without compromising the specimen’s integrity.”

Dr. Stephanie Smith, also from the Field Museum, emphasized the significance of these finds, stating, “It’s exhilarating to showcase these extraordinarily rare and stunning specimens to the public.”

“It’s unparalleled to witness something that few, if any, others have seen.”

The CT scan offered remarkable insights into Microeredon galapagensis, revealing its bifurcated stomach and dormant eggs with unparalleled detail.

Dr. Alexander Ziegler from the University of Bonn remarked, “The depth of detail obtained from the scan of such a small octopus was astonishing. Typically, soft-tissue imaging necessitates contrast agents, which aren’t suitable for such precious specimens.”

This precision facilitates the 3D modeling of its vital organs.

During the same exploration, two additional octopuses believed to belong to the same species were observed, hinting at a possible local population.

“These small deep-sea octopuses are among the rarest creatures on Earth. We are fortunate to study them,” commented Dr. Voigt.

“Even if all land masses were connected, it would be impossible to map the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, leaving much of its depths unexplored.”

The discovery of Microeredon galapagensis is detailed in a research paper published in the journal Zootaxa.

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Janet R. Voight et al. 2026. A new species of Microeredon from the Galapagos Islands and a revised diagnosis of the Megaleredoniidae (Octopoda: Incirrata). Zootaxa 5814 (4): 533-549; doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5

Source: www.sci.news

Incredible Footage: Jesus Christ Lizard Running on Water Captured!

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this captivating video of the basilisk, famously known as the “Jesus Christ Lizard,” effortlessly running on water.

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2026/04/GettyImages-1B02254_0010.mp4

The scene is mesmerizing, reminiscent of Looney Tunes, showcasing a lizard that appears to defy the laws of physics just like the Road Runner.

The common basilisk is native to Central and South America, thriving near rivers and streams in lush rainforests. These relatively small lizards boast tails that exceed their body length by more than two times.

Males typically reach about 75 cm (approximately 30 inches) in total length, featuring three distinct sail-like crests—one on the head, one on the back, and one on the tail.

Territorial by nature, males employ these impressive crests not only to assert dominance but also to attract smaller females.

One of their most remarkable traits is their ability to run on water, a skill intrinsic to their survival against predators. Hatchlings are born with this innate ability.

Over short bursts of up to 20 m (66 ft), adults can reach speeds of about 5 km/h (3 mph), while younger, lighter basilisks might surpass that speed.

Researchers have noted that they run on their hind legs, flapping their front legs reminiscent of Kermit the Frog.

Biologist Tonia Shea made a significant discovery. In 2003, while pursuing her Ph.D. at Harvard University, she utilized a high-speed camera to analyze 30 videos of basilisks running on water in a 4.6 m (15 ft) aquarium, comparing their movement speed with terrestrial lizards.

The common basilisk’s locomotion on water is quite unique.

When traversing water, they swing their legs outward and stretch them backward, keeping their feet relatively stiff and plunging them into the water with a piston-like motion.

Basilisks predominantly inhabit regions near rivers and streams in Central and South America – Credit: Getty

A follow-up survey conducted the following year revealed that each step generates enough force to support the basilisk’s weight while propelling it forward.

The strongest force occurs during the initial half of each stride when the foot plunges straight down into the water, forcing water down and creating an air pocket around the temporarily submerged foot, significantly reducing drag.

This mechanism enables the basilisk to pull its feet out of the water with ease while maintaining forward momentum.

Basilisks are not only adept at hydrodynamics, but through evolution, they have developed both locomotor and physical adaptations.

Their hind legs are long and muscular, and their large hind feet feature scaly fringes along the sides of the third, fourth, and fifth toes.

When basking on land, these flaps fold against the toes; however, when on water, they expand, providing additional surface area for propulsion.

In summary, the basilisk, often referred to as the Jesus Christ Lizard, is a truly fascinating creature.

While a few other animals like pond skaters, fishing spiders, and certain grebes can walk and run on water, none do so with the same remarkable flair as the basilisk.

If you have any questions, please email us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study Reveals Cows Can Identify Familiar Human Faces

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study from France’s National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) reveals that cattle (Bos taurus) can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people and are capable of matching a recognized voice to the correct face.

Research shows that cows can recognize human faces and associate them with familiar voices. Image credit: NeiFo.

“Cows are inherently social animals, having been domesticated 10,500 years ago,” explain researchers from INRAE, including Ocean Amishaw.

“They possess exceptional eyesight and a remarkably wide field of vision (330 degrees).”

“While the social cognitive abilities of cows regarding humans have remained largely unexplored, dairy cows, in particular, are often in close proximity to humans from birth, being bottle-fed and milked daily.”

“Emerging evidence indicates that domestic animals can recognize human faces, yet such abilities in cattle had not been previously validated.”

“Considering the variety of species capable of human recognition, it would be surprising if cows lacked this ability, warranting further investigation.”

To explore if cows can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces, the research team studied 32 Prim Holstein cows.

The researchers presented the cows with silent videos of known and unknown male faces while tracking how long the cows gazed at each.

They conducted tests on cross-modal recognition, showing videos of familiar and unfamiliar faces while playing corresponding audio from two men, both reciting the same sentence.

Additionally, they monitored the cows’ heart rates during the video sessions to assess emotional responses.

The cows displayed less fear during silent videos, gazing longer at the images of unfamiliar faces, indicating their ability to differentiate between known and unknown individuals.

When combining visual and audio stimuli, cows spent more time observing videos when the audio matched the visual face, suggesting they could pair faces with familiar voices from their herd.

However, none of the familiar faces or voices appeared to significantly influence the cows’ emotional responses, as indicated by stable heart rates.

“Our findings indicate that cows can indeed differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals and construct cross-modal representations of these individuals,” stated the authors.

“Future studies should investigate whether cows adjust their behavior based on the individual they are interacting with, reflecting their agency in human-animal relationships.”

These findings were published this month in the online journal PLoS ONE.

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O. Amishaw et al. 2026. Cows visually identify and cross-modally recognize familiar human faces in videos. PLoS One 21 (5): e0329529; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329529

Source: www.sci.news

Impact of Land Plants on River Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Analysis – Cyworthy

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The emergence of land plants around 450 million years ago significantly influenced Earth’s geological processes, particularly weathering and erosion. While earlier scientists speculated that plants might have caused straight rivers to meander—due to a lack of evidence showing naturally meandering rivers—recent studies have challenged this perspective. Researchers now propose that vegetation altered rivers without leading to their meandering.

To investigate how vegetation affected ancient rivers, researchers analyzed 49 modern meandering rivers. They categorized these rivers into three distinct types: vegetated, non-vegetated, and semi-vegetated. Their study revealed 18 vegetated rivers in South America, 24 non-vegetated rivers in the western United States, and seven semi-vegetated rivers in areas of China and the eastern United States.

To evaluate the influence of vegetation on curvature, the researchers quantified the degree of each river’s bends. They determined the curves by using the opposite bank of each bend to establish a center point and then drew equidistant lines along the river’s path. This method enabled them to calculate the angle between the curves and the central point, termed the transition angle. This angle illustrates the river bend’s relationship to its downstream direction, providing insights into how vegetation impacts the vertical or horizontal development of the river and the steepness of its bends.

The researchers analyzed the migration angles of each river to assess differences in bends between vegetated and non-vegetated systems. Their findings indicated that vegetated rivers tended to deposit sediment within bends, promoting wider and more horizontally developed curves over time. In contrast, non-vegetated rivers deposited sediment downstream, resulting in fewer bends and more variation in bend widths.

A key question remained: were these differences mainly due to vegetation or influenced by other factors? To address this, the researchers explored three additional variables. The first was the natural variation in water flow across river systems, known as flow rate fluctuation. They found that during storms, flow fluctuations shifted bends downstream in non-vegetated rivers but had no effect on vegetated ones, suggesting that while flow fluctuations can influence vegetation, they don’t necessarily lead to downstream migration.

The second variable analyzed was the river’s sediment capacity or sediment flux. The study concluded that rivers carrying more sediment did erode their banks more, influencing bends. However, rivers with similar vegetation cover and higher sediment levels demonstrated statistically similar tortuosity angles, indicating that sediment flow alone doesn’t drive bend development; instead, that changes are contingent upon vegetation cover.

The final variable studied was the strength of riverbanks. Researchers noted differences between strong banks made of rocks and compact sediments versus weak banks of loose sediment. Findings showed no significant differences in bends among rivers with varying bank strengths but similar vegetation, ruling out bank strength as a primary factor influencing bend movement.

Among the four examined variables—flow variability, sediment flux, bank strength, and vegetation cover—vegetation cover emerged as having the most substantial impact on the characteristics of meandering rivers. The researchers speculated that while winding rivers may have existed prior to the advent of plants, their appearance would have been markedly different. Like today’s non-vegetated rivers, ancient meandering rivers likely had gentler bends. As plants evolved and established themselves along riverbanks, the bends transformed to resemble modern vegetated rivers. This understanding could shed light on life on Earth 450 million years before the evolution of land plants.

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Source: sciworthy.com

21 Gray Whale Deaths in 3 Months: Discover Why Carcasses are Appearing on Pacific Beaches

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Whales generally feed for four to six months in the Arctic, according to Stewart. After this feeding period, they fast for the next 6-8 months, making these Arctic feeding grounds their primary source of nutrition.

The factors influencing food availability in the Arctic are complex, and scientists continue to investigate them. However, Stewart explains that the historical process was as follows: Algae grows on the underside of sea ice and descends to the ocean floor when the ice melts. This decomposition fertilizes the seafloor, nourishing the amphipods in the sediment, which in turn supports the whales as they consume the nutrient-rich soil.

Recent research indicates that sea ice is melting earlier each year, which allows for more sunlight to penetrate the water column sooner. This stimulates the growth of phytoplankton and other organisms, absorbing nutrients that were once available to the ocean floor. Scientists believe this reduction in nutrient availability is contributing to a decrease in prey for whales.

For gray whales, misfortunes experienced in summer often manifest the following spring, as their northern migration consumes more energy than they were able to regenerate through feeding in the previous year.

“During their migration north, they are at their leanest. This is the longest duration they’ve gone without food, making them highly vulnerable to starvation,” says Stewart.

Kalambokidis noted that some whales have been appearing in unusual locations this season, including one that tragically died in the Willapa River, possibly in search of food to sustain its journey.

“Malnourished whales tend to become desperate, which can weaken their awareness of their environment and impair their navigation,” Karambokidis observed.

NOAA’s latest data suggests that the gray whale population has plummeted from 27,430 a decade ago to approximately 12,950 last summer. However, Stewart cautions that these models may not accurately reflect the population decline.

Interestingly, not all Pacific gray whales rely solely on Arctic feeding grounds. A small group, known as a sounder, located north of Seattle, diverges from the typical migration route to hunt for ghost shrimp in the northern Puget Sound, heading north toward the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Another group, the Pacific Feeding Group, includes over 200 whales thriving in coastal waters off Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and southern Canada. These small populations display resilience against broader decline trends.

“This indicates that some gray whales may develop alternative foraging strategies to navigate environmental challenges in the long term,” states Elliot Hazen, a research ecologist at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

Historically, gray whale populations in the eastern North Pacific faced severe declines due to commercial whaling during the 19th and early 20th centuries, possibly dropping to around 1,000 individuals. Nonetheless, with the implementation of whaling restrictions and protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, gray whales emerged as one of the fastest recovering whale species, ultimately being removed from the endangered species list in 1994.

Stewart expresses cautious optimism, noting that while he is not particularly worried about the whales approaching extinction, he is concerned about the diminishing progress in their recovery.

“We are entering uncharted territory in terms of recovery since the population is significantly lower than when the species was delisted from the Endangered Species Act,” he concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

PMOS Explains the Need for Renaming Scientific Terms: A Path to Clarity and Understanding

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

CT42A4 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — Cavallini James/BSIP/Alamy

What do research fields like artificial intelligence (AI), medicine, and climate change share? They could all benefit from an understanding akin to the story of Rumpelstiltskin. As fairy tales suggest, knowing the “true name” of a concept—an age-old idea in folklore—grants us power over it.

While it might not seem scientific, psychologists reveal that a person’s name can significantly influence perceptions. The same may hold true for scientific terminology. Take “artificial intelligence” as an example: despite its groundbreaking potential, a simpler label like “machine learning” might have mitigated much of the controversy surrounding it.

There’s no definitive “real name” in the folklore sense, but some labels undoubtedly resonate better than others. Recent years have seen a shift away from stigmatizing disease names, exemplified by the World Health Organization (WHO) quickly rebranding the Wuhan coronavirus to COVID-19 and renaming monkeypox to mpox in 2022.

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‘Net Zero’ is a term that has drifted from its original definition.
“

Some renamings correct inaccuracies, such as the recent shift from polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome. However, renaming isn’t always effective. For instance, earlier references to “greenhouse effect” or “global warming” have evolved into “climate change,” a broader term that now reflects various effects beyond just rising temperatures. Meanwhile, the technical phrase “net zero” has lost clarity and is often misappropriated by those opposing environmental policies.

What factors contribute to successful renaming? Terms like “artificial intelligence” generate vivid associations compared to “machine learning.” A directive approach from reputable institutions like the WHO can also facilitate this process. Ultimately, some names simply stick better due to being more memorable; even if it’s a tongue twister, I won’t forget Rumpelstiltskin anytime soon.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Discover the Most Underrated Science Fiction Film Series of the 21st Century

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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Caesar (Andy Serkis) leads the battle in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’

20th Century Fox/Everett/Shutterstock

Genesis of the Planet of the Apes and its sequel
available on demand

<p>If you're a fan of sci-fi, you know not to dwell on films that never came to fruition. From Alejandro Jodorowsky's infamous *Dune* to Guillermo del Toro's unrealized *At the Mountains of Madness*, it's better to focus on what actually exists rather than lament the lost possibilities.</p>

<p>For a time, I lost hope for a new entry in the 21st century's most underrated sci-fi franchise. Despite its critical acclaim, none of the four films in the series has won an Oscar or made a significant pop culture impact. However, I’m thrilled to report that a fifth installment is officially in development.</p>

<p>Of course, I'm referencing the rebooted *Planet of the Apes* series. We're all familiar with the iconic 1968 Charlton Heston classic based on Pierre Boulle's original novel. This film, where astronauts awaken after centuries of stasis to find themselves on a planet ruled by intelligent apes, is timeless, revealing the despair of a lost human civilization upon their return to Earth. Given the classic's legacy, it’s surprising Hollywood hasn’t spurred new interest sooner.</p>

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<p>Thankfully, the franchise was revitalized with *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*, a stunning reimagining that examines the roots of the conflict between humans and apes. The protagonist, Caesar (Andy Serkis), a young chimpanzee, gains heightened intelligence through experimental prenatal treatment for Alzheimer's disease.</p>

<p>After being abandoned by his human family and witnessing violence against his fellow creatures, Caesar awakens and unites the apes in rebellion. *Rise* successfully fused visual spectacle with deep thematic content, utilizing innovative motion-capture technology that set new industry standards.</p>

<p>Following this, *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* takes place a decade later, showcasing a burgeoning ape society in California's Muir Woods where humanity has largely been decimated by the virus that gifted the apes their intellect.</p>

<p>Like many remarkable sequels, *Dawn* weaves an intricate narrative, introducing Koba (Toby Kebbell), a complex antagonist whose manipulations and tragic backstory echo Shakespearean themes. This film masterfully combines elements of Cold War tension and Greek tragedy with stunning visuals.</p>

<p>Ending the saga, *War for the Planet of the Apes* presents a harrowing revenge narrative (full of fierce action). The latest installment, *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, is slated for 2024 and set 300 years after Caesar’s reign, tracking Noah (Owen Teague), a novice chimp, as he discovers humanity's remnants and lost technology.</p>

<p>While details including the title and release date for the new project remain under wraps, it’s expected to align closely with the original timeline of the *Planet of the Apes* (by the year 3978). If you haven't yet experienced the original film, I urge you to invest the time—it's a viewing worth making.</p>

<p><i>Bethan Ackerley serves as an associate editor at <i>New Scientist</i>. With a penchant for sci-fi, sitcoms, and anything eerie, you can follow her on Twitter @inkerley.</i></p>

<h2><em>I also recommend...</em></h2>
<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/hangingwithdoctorz">Hanging out with Dr. Z</a></strong></em><br/><em>by Dana Gould</em><br/><b>YouTube</b></p>
<p>Comedian Dana Gould takes on the role of Dr. Zaius from the *Planet of the Apes* franchise, reimagining him as a renowned old-school talk show host. Expect entertaining anecdotes, dark humor, and impressive makeup work.</p>

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Source: www.newscientist.com