The inaugural study of a well-preserved nasal cavity in human fossils uncovers that the large noses of Neanderthals were not primarily adaptations for cold environments, as previously assumed.
Nevertheless, the existing structures are largely damaged, leaving a gap in the fossil record that hampers a comprehensive understanding of the Neanderthal nose’s internal morphology.
Altamura skull: A Neanderthal fossil embedded in rock
KARST Pudding Project
Costantino Busi and his team at the University of Perugia in Italy gathered this evidence from a specimen known as Altamura man, which dates between 172,000 and 130,000 years old. This skeleton is encased in rock within the Lalunga cave, near Altamura, southern Italy, and features small calcite deposits called popcorn stones, resembling a coral reef.
“This may be the most comprehensive hominin fossil ever uncovered,” Busi stated. However, due to its fragile state, the specimen couldn’t be removed. Instead, Busi and his team brought their equipment into a tight section of the cave and utilized an endoscope to explore the interior of the skull, allowing them to digitally visualize the preserved internal nasal bones.
This is certainly the first instance of such structures being clearly observed in a hominin fossil,” Busi noted.
Unexpectedly, they found no evidence of the typical features believed to characterize Neanderthals’ nasal cavities, such as the vertical medial process (a bony protrusion), a ridge on the nasal cavity wall, or the absence of a bony roof over the lacrimal trough.
Nevertheless, according to Busi, the Altamura man is certainly a Neanderthal. Morphology, dating, genetics suggests this, indicating that the structures in question should no longer be classified as defining traits of Neanderthals. He posits that the prominent noses and protruding upper jaws were unlikely to represent the evolutionary adaptations of Neanderthals. “We can finally acknowledge that certain features once thought diagnostic are absent in Neanderthal skulls,” Busi added.
According to Busi, the large nasal cavities of Neanderthals were simply a reflection of their larger cranial features. However, the team discovered that the nasal turbinates (the scroll-like structures within the nasal cavities) were quite large, aiding in the warming of inhaled air.
“These findings suggest that the distinctive face shape of Neanderthals was shaped more by developmental factors and overall body size than by adaptations for breathing in cold conditions,” said Ludovic Slimak from the University of Toulouse, France. “This research challenges previously held notions regarding Neanderthal evolution and offers the first concrete evidence regarding the structure and function of their respiratory systems.”
This research also suggests that unique adaptations in the neck, driven by the selective pressures of the glacial environment, may have influenced the evolution of Neanderthal facial characteristics, including their protruding jaws.
“The common belief that Neanderthals were specially adapted to colder climates is completely unfounded,” stated Todd Rae from the University of Sussex, UK. “In fact, it’s likely they were more vulnerable to the cold, especially when compared to those in tropical regions. While they managed before, they were likely pushed to extinction by the last glacial maximum.”
Origins of Humanity: Ancient Caves in Northern Spain
Explore some of the planet’s oldest cave art in this picturesque area of northern Spain. Journey back 40,000 years and uncover how our ancestors lived, played, and labored. Each cave, rich with ancient Paleolithic artistry and spectacular geological formations, narrates a unique and timeless tale.
A 12,000-year-old clay figurine and artistic restoration showcasing a woman with a goose from Nahal Ein Geb II
Laurent Davin
A diminutive 12,000-year-old clay figure featuring a goose on the back of a woman might illustrate an animistic ritual linked to mating between a gander and a human.
Measuring just 3.7 centimeters tall, this sculpture was uncovered in 2019 at the archaeological site of Nahal Ein Geb II in Israel, though its importance wasn’t fully appreciated until 2024.
The site was inhabited by the Natufians, a group of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers who established settlements in the region. Known as the direct ancestors of the Neolithic farming communities, the Natufians are credited with early agriculture throughout the Middle East.
To the casual observer, it might be challenging to discern the figure’s components; Laurent Davin, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, expressed certainty, stating it clearly depicts a goose on the woman’s back.
“Upon extracting this small clay form from its packaging, I instantly recognized a human figure with a bird resting atop,” Davin recalls. “What I held was an extraordinary artifact, 12,000 years old, notable for both its subject and craftsmanship.”
There are ancient sculptures and paintings illustrating human-animal interactions, in addition to even older hybrid sculptures dating back 40,000 years, like the “Lion Man” discovered in Germany. Davin asserts this elegant piece is “the earliest figurine representing human-animal interaction” ever found.
Geochemical analyses indicated the statuette was heated to around 400 degrees Celsius. Davin notes the artist skillfully modeled the clay, showcasing a keen awareness of anatomy and how light and shadow play into the scene.
He and his team do not propose that the figure represents a literal event, such as a female hunter with a captured goose. Instead, Davin believes the goose was artistically rendered in a mating position.
“We view this portrayal as an imaginative interaction between animal spirits and humans,” he explains. “Such themes are prevalent in animistic cultures globally, particularly reflecting erotic dreams, shamanistic visions, and mythology.”
Researchers also found fingerprints on the figurine, likely made by its creator. Due to its small dimensions, it likely belonged to a young adult or an adult female of any gender.
Paul Tacon, a professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, not involved in the research, presents an alternative interpretation of the statue. “Having grown up in Canada and recalling Canada geese, [it] “It reminds me of their aggressive behavior. They often charge and leap onto one’s back, pecking at the head or neck,” he observes.
“The tale of a woman being pursued by a goose could represent an altercation rather than an intimate union, though the exact significance may remain elusive.”
Ancient caves, the origins of humanity: northern Spain
Explore the world’s oldest cave paintings in this picturesque region of northern Spain. Journey back 40,000 years and learn about the lives, play, and work of our ancestors. Every cave, filled with ancient Paleolithic art and awe-inspiring geological wonders, narrates a unique and timeless tale.
When posed with the question of the greatest episode in TV history (a regular discussion among my patient friends), “Ozymandias,” from Breaking Bad, often comes to mind. This episode, a pinnacle in storytelling, acting, and direction, encapsulates the harrowing tale of a chemistry teacher turned meth producer after a cancer diagnosis.
Being part of a flawlessly executed episode is a substantial legacy. Creating two monumental series like Breaking Bad and its companion Better Call Saul has entirely revolutionized television. Vince Gilligan, the brilliant showrunner, has proven his mettle and with Pluribus, his intriguing new sci-fi series for Apple TV, there’s little left for him to prove.
Having viewed the first six episodes of this nine-part season, I can affirm that the series is crafted with remarkable confidence, maintaining an engaging grip through its intricate plot twists and immersive world.
Carol (Rhea Seehorn, veteran of Better Call Saul) is the writer behind Waikalo Wind, a popular series of pirate-themed novels. While her successes afford her a comfortable living, she’s plagued by creative stagnation. However, her life is about to take a darker turn.
During a book tour with her agent and partner Helen (Miriam Shor), a strange incident occurs—everyone around Carol suddenly experiences a seizure. Once the episode subsides, they find themselves in an entirely different reality, leaving her as one of the few unaffected. This anomaly may be connected to a peculiar radio signal that was detected 439 days earlier, pulsating a base-4 rhythm every 78 seconds from 600 light-years away.
“
Can a society become utopian without the consent of its citizens? Even if one person feels trapped, is it still a utopia? “
Unbeknownst to Carol, the rest of humanity revels in liberation from trivial grievances and desperately wishes for her to join them.
I understand their obsession with her. Even prior to her becoming the world’s unhappiest individual, her cantankerous demeanor is captivating. She reminds me of Paul Sheldon in the film Misery, though disturbed by adoring fans, Carol is scrutinized by billions. Her fellow humans serve her unwaveringly as they seek to decipher her differences and remedy her situation. Eventually, she begins to navigate the rules of this new world and discovers she possesses more agency than she initially believed.
Pluribus poses many compelling questions. Can a utopian society exist without the agreement of its members? Is it still utopia if one feels isolated? Besides Seehorn’s stellar performance, the series is commendably character-focused, noticeably dedicating time to moments like a character attempting to conceal a body. There’s an organic pacing to the story development, leading to unexpected turns.
Despite having seen the majority of the first season, the direction of Pluribus remains enigmatic. Some viewers may find this ambiguity off-putting, and its deliberate pace could polarize opinions. However, I find it exhilarating, as it subverts typical big-budget sci-fi conventions.
With a second season assured, it’s certain to cultivate its own “Ozymandias” moment if it gains traction.
I also suggest:
Breaking Bad Vince Gilligan
Need more proof of Vince Gilligan’s prowess? Check out his debut masterpiece. The tale of a chemistry teacher turned meth manufacturer is a gripping five-act tragedy, illustrating one of television’s most remarkable antiheroes.
Outlander Adapted by Ronald D. Moore
There are significant moments in Pluribus reminiscent of character dynamics in Outlander, where rearranging a bookstore serves to provide characters interaction through literature. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander may not be as visually depicted in the books, but the TV rendition is exceptional.
Bethan Ackerley is an associate editor at New Scientist. She enjoys science fiction, comedy, and anything creepy. Follow her at @inkerley
The parasitic ant queen Lasius orientalis (left) invading the nest of Lasius flavus and approaching the queen (right)
Keizo Takasuka/Kyushu University
Some parasitic ants usurp colonies of related species by prompting worker ants to eliminate and replace the resident queen.
Approximately 230 species of ants are classified as parasitic, depositing eggs within the nests of other species or pilfering larvae and pupae. Certain species eliminate the host queen before laying their eggs and manipulate the worker ants to care for these eggs instead.
Professors Keizo Takasuka and his colleagues at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, observed this behavior when the queen of the parasitic species Lasius orientalis inadvertently invaded a relative’s nest, Lasius flavus. The workers proceeded to kill their own queen.
While many parasitic queens face elimination by worker ants upon discovery, some manage to camouflage themselves with the colony’s scent and evade detection.
To gauge the effectiveness of the parasitic queens, the researchers aided the intruders by disguising them with the scent of worker ants before placing them into the colony.
“It reminds me of the TV series The Walking Dead, where characters pass through hordes of zombies with walker blood smeared on them, operating under a disguise that often fails, leading to brutal deaths for those exposed,” Takasuga remarks.
Once the parasite breaches a colony, it emits a chemical, likely formic acid, through a gland at the end of its abdomen to target a rival queen.
Worker ants perceive this chemical as a threat and attack the rival queen upon detecting it. However, the process is gradual, necessitating multiple sprays and numerous assaults before the queen is ultimately killed. The parasitic queen can then lay her eggs, which are nurtured by the worker ants.
“If the parasitic strategy succeeds, the new queen can navigate the delicate establishment phase much more securely than if she were to start a colony independently,” Takasuga comments. “This approach might be more prevalent than we currently acknowledge.”
Researchers at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, including Chris Reid, assert that the intricate behaviors of ants are challenging to observe due to their subterranean nests.
“This form of natural history detective work is crucial for enhancing our understanding of these immensely significant insects,” Reid notes. “Further investigations may even pave the way for novel methods to target invasive ant queens, a major challenge facing ecosystems globally.”
Gray hair might represent the marks left by our bodies in the battle against cancer, according to a new study.
The recently released Natural Cell Biology explores how the cells that provide pigment in our hair and skin “self-destruct” upon damage, as part of the body’s protective measures against cancer.
Researchers have found that when these pigment-producing cells experience certain types of damage, they cease to function on their own instead of continuing to divide.
This selection process helps to prevent the spread of faulty cells that can cause harmful mutations, but it ultimately leads to a decline in pigment-producing cells over time, resulting in gray hair.
While scientists have been examining methods to prevent the self-destruction of pigment cells to combat gray hair, recent findings indicate that gray hair may indicate a significant anti-cancer defensive mechanism.
Damaged DNA can lead to mutations and cause cancer – Credit: Getty
“[This study] indicates that gray hair and melanoma are not unrelated occurrences but are framed as varied outcomes of stem cell stress responses,” stated Professor Emi Nishimura of the University of Tokyo, who spearheaded the research.
The Tokyo team made this revelation while examining mouse melanocyte stem cells, which are responsible for producing hair pigment. They found that these melanocyte cells only sacrificed themselves when their DNA faced a “double-strand break,” or a precise cut on both sides of the DNA helix.
However, when the cells encountered different stressors, like ultraviolet light or carcinogens, they did not undergo self-destruction. Instead, they survived and continued to divide, allowing mutations to accumulate and potentially paving the way for cancer.
These two distinct responses—cells opting for self-sacrifice in some situations but persisting in others—may help clarify why gray hair and skin cancer become increasingly prevalent as we age.
Researchers suggest that gaining a deeper understanding and ultimately controlling this response could lead to innovative methods for eliminating high-risk cells before they turn cancerous.
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured astonishing new images of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 4535.
This Hubble image depicts spiral galaxy NGC 4535, situated approximately 52.6 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / F. Belfiore / J. Lee / PHANGS-HST team.
NGC4535 is located in the Virgo constellation, roughly 52.6 million light-years distant.
This galaxy, also referred to as LEDA 41812 and UGC 7727, spans about 115,000 light-years.
First observed by German-British astronomer William Herschel on December 28, 1785.
When viewed through smaller telescopes, NGC 4535 appears hazy and ethereal, prompting prominent amateur astronomer Leland S. Copeland to name it the “Lost Galaxy” in the 1950s.
“This galaxy is so faint when seen through small telescopes that it has been nicknamed the ‘Lost Galaxy,'” noted Hubble astronomers.
“With its 2.4-meter-diameter mirror, Hubble is ideally equipped to observe faint galaxies like NGC 4535 and reveal features such as its magnificent spiral arms and central bar of stars.”
NGC 4535 ranks among the largest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, a massive assembly of 2,000 galaxies located near the prominent elliptical galaxy Messier 87.
The nearly circular shape of the galaxy suggests that we are viewing it almost face-on.
Its center features a distinct bar structure with a dust lane that sharply curves before branching into the spiral arm.
“The young star clusters of NGC 4535 are vividly visible in the Hubble images, scattered throughout the galaxy’s spiral arms,” the astronomers stated.
“Many clusters of bright blue stars are enveloped by glowing pink clouds.”
“These clouds, known as H II regions, indicate that this galaxy is home to particularly young, hot, and massive stars emitting high-energy radiation.”
“Massive stars significantly impact their environment by heating the clouds they are born from, producing powerful stellar winds, and ultimately exploding as supernovae.”
The new Hubble images include data from an observational program cataloging around 50,000 H II regions in nearby star-forming galaxies.
“Previous images of NGC 4535 were released in 2021,” the researchers mentioned.
“Both the 2021 images and the latest ones include observations from around the globe. The PHANGS program aims to understand the relationship between young stars and cold gas.”
“Today’s images provide a new perspective on NGC 4535 by highlighting the bright red glow of the nebula surrounding the massive star during its initial few million years of existence.”
Bufftail Bumblebee (Western bumblebee): A recent study reveals that humans can determine foraging locations by analyzing variations in the length of visual cues.
The ability to process temporal information is essential for animal behaviors like foraging, mating, and avoiding predators. Although circadian rhythms are well-studied, there’s limited knowledge on how insects perceive durations in the second to subsecond range. Davidson and colleagues sought to assess the buff-tailed bumblebee’s (Western bumblebee) ability to distinguish between light flash durations in free-foraging tasks. Image credit: Miriam.
In Morse code, a brief flash or “dot” signifies the letter “E,” while a prolonged flash or “dash” indicates the letter “T.”
Previously, the capability to differentiate between “dots” and “dashes” was recognized solely in humans and certain vertebrates like macaques and pigeons.
Alex Davidson, a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, and his team examined this ability in the Western bumblebee.
They designed a specialized maze to train the bumblebees to identify a sugar reward among two flashing circles, marked by long and short flashing intervals.
For instance, if a short flash, or “dot,” was linked with sugar, a long flash, or “dash,” would be associated with a bitter substance that bumblebees typically avoid.
Within each section of the maze, the locations of the “dot” and “dash” stimuli were altered, preventing the bumblebees from relying on spatial cues for their choices.
After mastering the task of approaching the flashing circles paired with sugar, the bumblebees were tested with flashing lights devoid of sugar, to determine if their selections were driven by visual cues instead of olfactory ones associated with sugar.
The results indicated that the bumblebees effectively learned to distinguish between light durations, as the majority headed straight to the “correct” blinking light duration that had been previously linked to sugar, irrespective of its spatial location.
“We aimed to investigate if bumblebees could distinguish among these various durations, and it was thrilling to observe them succeed,” Davidson noted.
“It’s astonishing that they excelled in this task, given that bumblebees encounter no blinking stimuli in their natural habitats.”
“The ability to track the duration of visual stimuli might imply enhanced temporal processing capabilities that have evolved for various functions, including spatial movement tracking or communication.”
“Alternatively, this impressive skill for encoding and processing time could be a fundamental feature of the nervous system, reflective of neuronal properties. Only further research can clarify this.”
The neural mechanisms that facilitate the tracking of these durations are still largely unclear. Current mechanisms known to align with solar cycles and seasonal changes are too slow to account for the distinction between dashes and dots of varying durations.
Numerous theories suggest the existence of either a singular or multiple biological clocks.
The revelation of insects’ capacity to differentiate between light flash durations will enable researchers to test various models using these “miniature brains” that measure less than a cubic millimeter.
“Numerous complex animal behaviors, including navigation and communication, rely on temporal processing capabilities,” comments researcher Elisabetta Versace from Queen Mary University of London.
“To explore the evolution of such abilities, adopting a comprehensive comparative approach across a range of species, including insects, is crucial.”
“Insect processing times highlight their utilization of minimal neural resources to accomplish complex tasks.”
“This insight holds implications for characteristics such as complex cognition in artificial neural networks, which should take cues from biological intelligence while striving for efficiency and scalability.”
This result was published in the Journal on November 12, 2025 in Biology Letters.
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Alexander Davidson et al. 2025. Bumblebee duration identification in the Western bumblebee. Biol. Let 21(11):20250440; doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0440
The universe has undergone significant changes. Examining the contrasts between the universe as we perceive it today and its origin nearly 14 billion years ago is a crucial area of study for astrophysicists and cosmologists. Their focus is primarily on the first billion years following the Big Bang, when the first stars and galaxies began to emerge, marking the dawn of the universe. This was the initial phase when celestial objects began to emit light on their own rather than merely reflecting the remnants of the Big Bang, and it was also the first occurrence when elements heavier than helium started forming via nuclear fusion in stars.
In a recent study, a group of scientists utilized computer simulations to explore what star clusters looked like during the dawn of the universe. Their objective was to create models of star and galaxy formation that could be confirmed by new observations made by the JWST. This approach will enhance astronomers’ understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe, particularly the influence of galaxies on dark matter, which remains enigmatic, during the birth of the first stars from cosmic dust.
The research employed a cosmological simulation code called Arepo to recreate the dawn of the universe within a three-dimensional box measuring 1.9 megaparsecs on each side. This size converts to 60 quintillion kilometers or 40 quintillion miles. Within this box, the simulation contained 450 million particles representing early elemental matter, including hydrogen, helium, various isotopes, ions, and molecules that formed together. Additionally, it incorporated particles simulating known dark matter, which is affected by gravity but does not interact with other forces. When these aggregates of particles coalesced and surpassed a specific mass threshold known as jeans mass, the code indicated the formation of a star.
The team aimed to identify where the simulated stars and particles formed structures like star clusters, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. They implemented a method to group particles that were sufficiently adjacent to be considered connected, utilizing a friend of friends algorithm. By executing multiple iterations of this algorithm in the simulated universe—some focused on dark matter and others on ordinary matter such as stars, dust, and gas—the researchers sought to ascertain the arrangement of matter in the early universe.
The resulting simulated clusters were found to have dimensions comparable to actual clusters observed by astronomers in the early universe. However, no real clusters with metal-rich stars matching those in the simulations have yet been identified. Furthermore, the number of stars present in the simulated cluster was consistent with previous observations of distant star clusters recorded by the JWST. Many simulated star clusters were unstable, indicating they were not fully bound by their internal gravity. The team also found that as stable star clusters began merging into larger structures, such as galaxies, they became unstable once more.
An unexpected finding emerged from the study. The friend-of-a-friend algorithm produced varying results when assessing dark matter versus ordinary matter. The discrepancy reached up to 50%, implying that an algorithm targeting dark matter might detect only half the objects identified by an algorithm focused on regular matter. This variance depended on the mass of the identified star clusters or galaxies, particularly evident for objects within a moderate size range of 10,000 to 100,000 solar masses and very low masses around 1,000 solar masses.
The researchers could not ascertain the reasons behind this phenomenon, suggesting their simulations might be overly simplistic for accurately representing all conditions present during the universe’s dawn. Notably, they mentioned the absence of newly formed stars ejecting materials into space in their simulations. Consequently, they proposed treating their discovery as an upper limit on the frequency of star-like and, by extension, star-containing objects forming in the early universe. Their results might illustrate instances in nature where star formation occurs extremely efficiently, yet sorting out the roles of all involved processes remains necessary.
The conclusion drawn was that cosmic dawn clusters could have coalesced to create the foundations of modern galaxies or possibly evolved into the luminous cores of later galaxies. Additionally, the simulated clusters appeared to be strong candidates for forming medium-sizedblack holes, the remnants of which may be detectable with deep-space telescopes.
You may have heard from biohacking podcasters, flashy social media ads, nutrition experts, or radiant influencers that effectively managing your blood sugar is crucial for maintaining good health.
Blood sugar management is no longer solely a diabetic concern; it’s now heralded as essential for achieving an ideal diet, endless energy, and decreased inflammation.
It’s no wonder that online searches for “blood sugar” have surged by over 30% in the last five years, leading to a booming global market for continuous blood glucose monitors, which are expected to grow tenfold within the next decade.
Yet, amidst all this excitement, there’s a crucial message that many doctors want to convey: Most people don’t need to worry about their blood sugar levels at all. Health proponents often misinterpret this aspect.
As Dr. Nicola Guess, a clinical and academic nutritionist at the University of Oxford, puts it: “These individuals are misinformed.”
Don’t Fear the Roller Coasters
You’ve likely learned to be wary of the “peaks and troughs” in blood sugar levels—but what does that actually entail?
Picture consuming a slice of soft, airy white bread. When you digest carbohydrates, they break down into glucose, a simple sugar that enters your bloodstream.
In a healthy metabolism, your body responds by releasing insulin—a hormone that facilitates glucose transport from the blood into cells for energy. When insulin functions properly, blood sugar levels begin to decline.
As white bread is a refined carbohydrate, it converts to glucose rapidly, causing a swift spike in blood sugar levels followed by an equally quick insulin response to bring it back down.
The outcome? A notable blood sugar peak accompanied by a swift drop.
A slice of white bread can spike your blood sugar more quickly than sugar – Image credit: Getty Images
At first glance, this may sound concerning. Health influencers often warn that such blood sugar fluctuations can lead to inflammation, fatigue, cravings, and, in the long run, decreased metabolic health.
This leads to recommendations against foods that trigger rapid blood sugar changes, including white bread, pasta, white rice, potatoes, cookies, cakes, and pastries.
Instead, they advocate for low-glycemic foods like vegetables, legumes, meats, fish, and healthy fats, believed to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
While this advice holds some truth—eating protein, fiber, and fat alongside carbohydrates can moderate your blood sugar response—it’s important to reconsider the bread scenario.
Applying a generous layer of butter can slow glucose absorption, thereby controlling the blood sugar rise.
Switching to whole wheat bread increases dietary fiber, making it denser. Adding some oily peanut butter can further balance the fat and protein intake.
However, for good health, it’s not necessary to meticulously monitor the balance of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber in every meal. Despite common fears, most fluctuations in blood sugar levels are normal and not something to stress over.
“Blood sugar levels should rise after consuming a carb-heavy meal. This is a standard physiological reaction,” explains Sarah Berry, Professor of Nutritional Science at King’s College London and Chief Scientist at the nutrition company ZOE.
“Blood sugar levels fluctuate, but our bodies are adept at managing this.”
read more:
Peaks and Valleys Are Normal
One of the most enduring but misleading beliefs about blood sugar is that daily fluctuations lead to harmful inflammation.
You may have encountered a TikTok video showcasing a blood sugar monitor graph or read a caption under a photo of avocado toast promising an “anti-inflammatory” blood sugar hack.
However, inflammation isn’t inherently negative.
“Postprandial glucose fluctuations stimulate inflammation, as it’s a natural response to eating,” asserts Dr. Guess.
She clarifies that our immune systems get a small boost with every meal to defend against potential threats like bacteria and pathogens.
This mild, short-lived inflammation is not only typical but often beneficial.
“The issue arises when blood sugar levels soar and then plummet,” Berry states. “If this pattern occurs repeatedly over time, it can heighten the risk of chronic diseases.”
Individuals without diabetes are tracking their blood sugar levels – Image courtesy of Getty Images
In essence, a consistently high intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary foods can result in frequent blood sugar spikes, increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders over time.
Nonetheless, for most individuals, occasional peaks and dips in blood sugar after meals are completely normal and harmless.
“Moderate spikes and dips in blood sugar are not detrimental,” Berry asserts.
The Afternoon Slump Mystery
You’ve likely heard that blood sugar fluctuations contribute to energy variations, and that peaks and troughs are responsible for your mid-afternoon slump. While there’s some truth to this, scientists still understand only part of the puzzle.
Though the science in this domain remains relatively nascent, recent research, including studies led by Berry, suggests that some individuals may feel fatigued and anxious when their blood sugar levels dip. However, blood sugar might be just one element contributing to this fatigue.
Factors like sleep quality, stress levels, and individual biological differences might equally or more significantly influence energy levels.
“There’s much we don’t know,” admits Guess. “Understanding how people feel is challenging to measure objectively.”
Afternoon slumps aren’t solely due to blood sugar levels; lack of sleep, stress, and your body’s circadian rhythms all contribute – Image credit: Getty Images
While the precise cause of fatigue and sudden energy changes remains unclear, a slight drop in blood sugar levels is typically not hazardous, particularly for those without diabetes.
An afternoon slump doesn’t pose a life-threatening risk nor will it likely affect your long-term health.
This is because the body doesn’t rely exclusively on glucose for energy; it operates on multiple fuel types. If humans were vehicles, we would be hybrids capable of utilizing different energy sources to function efficiently.
“Glucose serves as gasoline; it’s just one type of energy source for the body,” explains Guess. “Our bodies can alternate between using stored fat for energy and energy derived from food intake.”
A temporary drop in blood sugar might make you feel slightly unwell, but it doesn’t imply you’re running on empty; your body simply adapts and taps into other energy reserves.
It’s not on the brink of failure; it’s merely switching fuel sources.
No Blood Sugar Hacks Needed
You might have come across tips, tricks, and hacks designed to prevent those annoying peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels (which are usually benign).
For instance, there are suggestions to sprinkle cheese on grapes, dip apple slices in peanut butter, and start meals with vegetables to moderate your blood sugar response.
These hacks can be beneficial for individuals who are prediabetic, diabetic, or insulin resistant. As we’ve explored, including fat, protein, and fiber with your carbohydrates can help stabilize blood sugar responses.
However, for the majority of us, Guess asserts that these tips are largely unnecessary.
Blood sugar hacks may be trending, but for most people, they’re unnecessary – Image courtesy of Alamy
Even for individuals facing metabolic issues, adding extra fats can lead to unnecessary caloric intake, according to her.
“Weight gain is the primary contributor to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes; the solution for all these conditions is weight loss,” she clarifies. “Adding fat to carbohydrates only obstructs weight loss.”
Berry underscored that the route to better blood sugar levels isn’t through simple tricks but a balanced diet incorporating protein, fat, and fiber.
Blood Sugar Monitor Concerns
Some individuals amplify their blood sugar apprehensions. In recent times, it has become more common for non-diabetics to utilize continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Originally deemed medical devices for type 1 diabetes patients, these sensors attach to the arm and track blood sugar levels in real time.
Dr. David Unwin, a general practitioner with a focus on nutrition, mentions that CGMs can be advantageous for patients with diabetes, prediabetes, or excessive junk food consumption, as they provide “like having a police officer on your arm,” offering instant feedback about hidden sugars in food.
Many CGM providers suggest wearing the device briefly, such as for two weeks, to observe how blood sugar levels react to various meals.
However, Berry argues that constant CGM use is “neither necessary nor beneficial for healthy individuals.” Guess cautions that it could lead to “profound anxiety and negative impacts on mental health” surrounding food choices.
In extreme cases, this anxiety can spiral into dangerously obsessive eating behaviors, like orthorexia. Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with perfect health.
While evidence suggesting CGM use can escalate to orthorexia is scarce, Unwin notes that those who monitored their blood sugar levels did not exhibit signs of developing eating disorders.
Still, any eating behavior can evolve into an obsession, and relying on blood sugar levels as a measure of food quality is a “false flag,” according to Guess.
Over 2 million people in the United States use continuous blood glucose monitors – Image courtesy of Getty Images
Berry added: “Some may opt for cookies over bananas after learning that bananas spike blood sugar levels more than cookies. Clearly, that’s absurd.”
Similarly, orange juice can cause a notable increase in blood sugar levels, whereas sodas with artificial sweeteners may not. However, while orange juice is a source of vitamin C and other nutrients, soda often contains artificial additives that provide minimal to no nutritional value.
Likewise, lard impacts blood sugar levels minimally, yet as a saturated fat, it can adversely affect heart health.
Ultimately, Berry asserts that blood sugar levels represent only “one piece of the puzzle,” and dietary guidance should consider aspects like cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and gut health—not solely blood sugar.
When addressing significant health threats, particularly heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol are “far more critical than glucose,” Guess emphasizes.
In contrast, “the influence of food on blood sugar levels is likely to have a minimal effect on overall health,” she adds.
In essence, refrain from fixating too much on blood sugar levels; even an awareness of them might not lead to substantial improvements. And if that focus dictates your meal choices, you may be overlooking the broader picture.
“As a nutritional scientist, I don’t want to overshadow the essence of food: It is meant to be enjoyed!” Berry concludes.
Researchers have revealed the development of a microrobot capable of utilizing magnets to deliver medications precisely where they are needed, as detailed in recent studies from the Swiss Zurich University of Technology.
This innovative technology has the potential to assist medical professionals in removing clots that lead to strokes, combat infections with antibiotics, and deliver cancer treatments directly to tumors without affecting other areas of the body.
The robot features a small spherical capsule made of a dissolvable gel, with iron oxide nanoparticles added to impart magnetic properties. The researchers can monitor the robots via X-ray technology.
“The blood vessels in the human brain are quite narrow, which limits the capsule’s size,” stated the lead researcher, Dr. Fabian Landers, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Multiscale Robotics, ETH Zurich.
“The technical challenge lies in ensuring that such a tiny capsule possesses adequate magnetic properties.”
Watch microrobots dissolve blood clots, which are obstructions in blood vessels that can lead to strokes.
The following challenge was maneuvering the robot through a complex network of blood vessels, navigating turns, junctions, and rapid blood flow.
“It’s astonishing how much blood travels through our vessels at such high speeds,” Landers remarks. “Our navigation systems must endure all of this.”
They then devised three methods to maneuver microrobots using electromagnets. Depending on the type of magnetic force applied, the scientists could roll the robot along the container’s walls or direct it towards a specific location.
Three distinct modes utilize specific magnetic forces to navigate blood flow, rolling along vessel walls, countering currents, and moving through confluences. – Credit: ETH Zürich
Employing these strategies, microrobots are capable of traveling along or against the current at speeds of up to 4 mm per second (or 1 inch every 6 seconds).
“Magnetic fields and gradients are optimal for minimally invasive approaches as they penetrate deeply into the body without adverse effects, at least at the intensities and frequencies we apply,” noted the last author, Professor Bradley Nelson, a microrobot researcher at ETH Zurich.
Upon reaching their destination, scientists employed a high-frequency magnetic field to heat the microrobot, causing it to melt its shell and release the drug contained within.
This invention was tested using silicon models that mimicked human and animal blood vessels, as well as the brains of pigs and sheep.
The scientists’ next objective is to initiate human clinical trials, paving the way for this technology to be utilized in hospital operating rooms shortly.
VPN providers are experiencing significant growth, offering virtual private networks that create encrypted paths for Internet data, effectively masking a user’s location.
Previously, VPNs were of interest mainly to a niche audience. Nowadays, they are increasingly utilized by individuals frustrated with the age verification requirements imposed by the Online Safety Act.
It’s understandable that users overwhelmed by the demand for personal information turn to VPNs, though there are other ways to maintain safety online.
Want to go incognito?
Many users instinctively turn to the “Incognito” or “Private Browsing” mode available in their browsers. However, be cautious of misleading terminology.
“Private browsing isn’t as private as it seems,” warns Jake Moore, a cybersecurity expert at ESET. “It merely prevents your browser from saving your search history, cookies, and autofill information on your device.”
This feature is handy for avoiding traces on shared computers (e.g., when purchasing gifts online) but does little to conceal your identity from external parties.
“Your identity remains visible to websites, ISPs, and advertisers,” Moore emphasizes. “They can still see your IP address and track you if desired.”
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Steer clear of major players
Search engines are the primary doorway to countless websites, yet many users are uneasy about the extensive data tech companies gather about them for advertising purposes.
“Google collects vast amounts of user data for profiling and targeted advertising, which is their main revenue source,” says Moore.
“This level of data analysis can be very invasive, and many users are unaware of it. [Tech companies] track their online behavior extensively.”
As an alternative, consider privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo. “I always recommend DuckDuckGo,” says Alan Woodward, a Professor of Cybersecurity at the University of Surrey.
Beyond being a search engine, DuckDuckGo also features a web browser as an alternative to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Apple’s Safari, both of which are endorsed by Moore and Woodward.
Email also plays a crucial role in our online lives.
While “Big Tech” isn’t scrutinizing every detail of your holiday emails, it does analyze your data for advertising purposes—something they’ve been doing for years, Moore notes.
This data analysis allows Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and others to provide free services.
For many, myself included, the balance between cost and convenience seems acceptable. However, alternatives exist.
ProtonMail, a well-known option available for over ten years, features end-to-end encryption and built-in anonymity.
With 1 GB of free storage and an additional 5 GB from their Proton Drive cloud service, users get ample space, even if it’s less than what Google offers.
Increased social media usage compromises your identity security – Image courtesy of Alamy
Many web users have concerns about online payments, yet they are becoming increasingly unavoidable. PayPal is a reliable option.
“PayPal offers great convenience, and I’ve never encountered issues with them selling my data,” says Woodward.
Moore adds that PayPal can be a safer choice than directly entering your credit card information on websites.
For those apprehensive about credit card details being stolen, many banks provide virtual cards that can be utilized for one-time or occasional use through their apps.
Apple vs. Android
The debate between Apple and Android enthusiasts is as intense as sports rivalries, leading to divided opinions among experts.
Apps in the Apple App Store undergo more rigorous vetting, making them a potentially safer choice.
Nonetheless, “Both Apple and Android are vying to gather information on their users,” Moore points out. “Both seek user data, which translates to power.”
Avoid social media
The same applies to social media. Although it has become integral to modern life, there’s no perfect middle ground between engaging in online discussions and protecting your identity or controlling how platforms manage your data.
“For data-heavy social media, the best privacy strategy is simply to avoid it altogether,” Moore advises. “Keep in mind: If the service is free, you’re probably the product.”
Named Bakirib Waliza, this newly identified species is the first filter-feeding pterosaur documented to inhabit the tropics.
Artistic reconstruction of the filter-feeding pterosaur Bakirib Waliza in an Early Cretaceous Romualdo Formation environment. The spinosaurid dinosaur in the background represents a potential predator of Bakirib Waliza. Image credit: Julio Lacerda.
Bakirib Waliza thrived in the tropical latitudes of the Gondwana supercontinent during the Early Cretaceous, approximately 113 million years ago.
This ancient flying reptile belongs to the pterosaur group Pterosaurini, part of the clade Ctenochasmatidae.
“Ctenochasmatidae is a clade of pterosaurs that thrived from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous period,” stated Dr. Aline Ghirardi from the University Nordic of the Rio Grande and her colleagues.
“Recent findings have illuminated the diversity and ecological adaptations of this group, especially through analysis of new fossil specimens from various geographic areas and geological epochs.”
“These pterosaurs exhibit a remarkable evolutionary path, showcasing diverse morphological adaptations and extensive geographic distribution.”
“Recent revelations in China, South America, and Europe have significantly enhanced our understanding of their ecology, revealing the dynamic evolutionary history of this lineage.”
“Ctenochasmatids predominantly flourished from the Late Jurassic to the Barremian, but their numbers gradually waned towards the late Early Cretaceous,” the researchers noted.
“There remains limited knowledge about later species and how their lineages evolved and dispersed between Laurasia and Gondwana.”
The researchers suggested that Bakirib Waliza had an elongated jaw and dense, brush-like teeth, akin to the Ctenokasmatine pterosaurs like Pterodaustro, though the teeth’s cross-section and spacing differ significantly.
“Within the Ctenochasmatidae, the subfamily is recognized for its elongated snouts and numerous fine teeth, traits linked to a distinct feeding strategy,” the researchers stated.
“The evolutionary path of this group has been clarified by discoveries such as Riodactylus primus from the Late Jurassic of Liaoning Province, China, which indicates a significant ecological transition from fishing to filter-feeding within this clade.”
“Extreme examples can be noted in Pterodaustro ginazui, which features a lower jaw outfitted with 1,000 elongated, whisker-like teeth.”
“The extreme morphology of Pterodaustro illustrates a high degree of specialization for filter feeding.”
The two fossil specimens of Bakirib Waliza were uncovered in calcareous concretions within the Romualdo Formation in Brazil’s Araripe Basin.
This sedimentary matrix also contained remains of four fish, likely teleosts from the Early Cretaceous period, such as Thalias.
“Pterosaurs and fish were preserved in wackestone deposits, known for their abundant oriented ostracods and foraminifera, typical of other Romualdo Formation deposits,” the scientists remarked.
“The presence of densely packed, semi-articulated, fragmented pterosaur bones (mainly in subparallel orientation) alongside similarly arranged fish schools suggests that this collection is a regurgitalite—a mass of indigestible material expelled from a predator’s mouth.”
Bakirib Waliza possessed a mosaic of traits found in both its South American and European relatives.
“Its distinctive anatomical features, especially the highly elongated jaws and densely packed dentition with elongated teeth, tooth crowns that are nearly quadrangular in cross-section, along with acrodont-like tooth implants in both jaws, provide new insights into the evolutionary trajectory of filter-feeding pterosaurs,” the authors noted.
“The exceptional preservation of this specimen within the regurgitalite, alongside a fully intact fish, offers scarce direct evidence of trophic interactions in the Early Cretaceous Araripe paleoecosystem.”
“This finding not only bridges a paleobiogeographic gap in Ctenochasmatinae distribution but also emphasizes the significance of understudied and long-held museum specimens in uncovering important evolutionary and paleoecological insights.”
“Evidence is accumulating that the Araripe Basin acted as a crucial window into Early Cretaceous biodiversity, ecological intricacies, and continental-scale faunal interactions.”
The research team’s paper was published in the journal on November 10, 2025, in Scientific Reports.
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RV Pegas et al. 2025. Regurgitalites reveal a new filter-feeding pterosaur of the Santana group. Scientific Reports 15, 37336; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-22983-3
“Textbooks indicate that RNA is highly unstable and generally degrades within minutes of exiting a living cell,” remarked Marc Friedlaender, a computational biologist at Stockholm University and one of the study authors. “It’s truly remarkable that we discovered RNA dating back 40,000 years. No one thought this was feasible.”
This research may open up new avenues into historical understanding. Erez Eiden, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who was not involved in the study, noted that scientists will continue to refine the techniques used to analyze ancient RNA, similar to how they have done for years with ancient DNA.
Incorporating RNA analysis into the study of ancient genetics could fundamentally alter our perception of the biological history of the Earth, Eiden stated.
“We will be able to construct a more comprehensive and quantitative narrative of life’s history on our planet,” he added. “Suddenly, the Rosetta Stone appeared.…This is like an ancient hieroglyph of life.”
The discovery of RNA was facilitated by the find of Yuka in 2010, when members of the Yukagir community unearthed a mammoth in melting permafrost near the Arctic Ocean. Yuka was found resting on a cliff, partially mummified, and encased in a mat of strawberry blonde hair and flesh that remained pink until her discovery.
Paleontologists believe Yuka was pursued to death. Some evidence points to the creature being chased by a cave lion or possibly killed by modern humans. There are indications supporting both theories, with each species potentially playing a role in the extinction of this ancient animal.
In a world populated by cave lions, this creature experienced significant stress prior to its death.
Indeed, recent RNA analyses indicate that the profiled RNA displayed signs of physiological stress. The researchers utilized samples taken from the animal’s slow-twitch muscle fibers.
“We discovered that stress genes were activated,” Friedlander stated.
Laboratory work in an ultra-clean environment at the Paleogenetics Center in Stockholm where ancient RNA was extracted. Provided by: Jens Olof Razin
RNA is synthesized from its DNA template through a process known as transcription. During transcription, certain genes are activated while others remain dormant.
This process is dynamic, and the genes expressed can fluctuate from day to night, according to Marmol Sanchez.
The researchers also identified a novel form of microRNA (a type of RNA governing gene expression) in mammoths that is unknown in modern elephants.
The RNA technology being developed may assist efforts to revive the woolly mammoth, as noted by Eiden, who is a member of the scientific advisory board for Colossal Biosciences, the company aiming to “resurrect” the woolly mammoth.
Professor Friedlander remarked that further research could also shed light on how some ancient viruses, which lack DNA, evolved over time.
“To understand the history of RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, we must detect these RNA molecules in historical and ancient samples to comprehend their evolution,” Friedlander explained.
Viruses such as Ebola, HIV, and influenza possess RNA genomes.
More research is required. In this study, the scientists investigated 10 mammoths but only obtained reliable RNA signals from three, including Yuka, the best-preserved specimen.
Since 2010, Yuka has been thought to be a female mammoth, but RNA and DNA analyses have revealed that she is, in fact, male.
Eiden highlighted that the RNA study underscores how little is understood about death and the varying rates of molecular breakdown after an organism’s demise.
“Our theories about what occurs to the physical matter of an organism post-mortem are still inadequate,” Eiden said. “What information is retained, and how legible can it remain over time? These are some intriguing questions.”
Rollin Justin can navigate obstacles and serve beverages.
Henrik Sporer/laif/CameraPress
Human fascination with our own likeness is longstanding. The term “robot” was introduced by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his 1920s play Rossum’s Universal Robots, depicting human-like beings made to work in factories. Since then, numerous humanoid robots have been designed to interact with their environment in human-like manners.
Henrik Sporer, an acclaimed photographer with the agency Leif, investigates such themes in his project Tomorrow is the Problem. The main image above showcases the metal craftsmanship from the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Center, featuring a 200-kilogram robot named Rollin’ Justin. It can traverse extensive distances on wheels, capture images, navigate around obstacles, and serve drinks. Its potential applications include assisting astronauts and aiding individuals with disabilities.
Lola is the ideal robot for challenging terrains and new surroundings
Henrik Sporer/laif/CameraPress
The image above depicts Lola, a 1.8-meter tall robot developed by the Technical University of Munich. It can navigate new and unstable surfaces with ease.
Next up is Amar-6, a robot standing at 1.9 meters tall, designed by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. This machine can converse with people and assist in carrying heavy loads.
Amar-6 is designed to assist with heavy lifting
Henrik Sporer/laif/CameraPress
The final image below features ZAR5, a dual-armed robot engineered at the Technical University of Berlin, equipped to pick and place items with finesse.
ZAR5 is capable of lifting and placing items manually
In the beginning, God created man in His own image, granting him authority over all living things on Earth. While many do not turn to the Bible for insight into human existence, the belief in human superiority over nature and other beings lingers.
Characteristics often claimed to distinguish humans—such as reasoning, tool use, experiencing pain, and moral judgment—are not exclusive to us. Other species like chimpanzees and crows exhibit advanced intelligence, hold complex social structures, and utilize tools. Fish and crustaceans experience pain, while bees demonstrate cultural behaviors, and plants may possess senses akin to ours.
Primatologist Christine Webb posits that the so-called “human dominance complex” may be the root of nature’s hierarchies. In The Arrogant Monkey: And a New Look at Humanity, she seeks to dismantle this perceived superiority through a compelling and meticulously researched examination based on a course she taught at Harvard. Webb traces this notion back to religious traditions and other human constructs, revealing how it misrepresents scientific understanding and accelerates ecological decline.
The belief in human uniqueness contradicts Darwin’s vision of species continuity, and emphasizing differences among species is problematic. As Webb writes, “the degree of kindness,” reflects a hidden bias in research.
This bias is apparent in our fascination with primates and “charismatic” mammals, which we tend to view as more relatable, while disregarding plants, fish, and the vast majority of Earth’s life. It also reveals itself in our inconsistent standards for evaluating animals. For instance, comparisons between human and chimpanzee intelligence often pit captive chimps against their wild counterparts, ignoring the limitations that captivity imposes.
Concerned about ethical issues surrounding captivity and its potential to skew research findings, Webb focuses exclusively on great apes in their natural and protected habitats. These profound interactions have shaped her belief that many non-human species likely possess some form of consciousness or “conscious life.”
Webb anticipates that critics may dismiss her views as anthropomorphism, labeling it a “serious scientific error.” However, she argues that the reluctance to acknowledge similarities between humans and other species complicates scientific inquiry and undermines its conclusions. She questions the certainty with which humans claim to understand consciousness beyond their own.
Dismantling these beliefs is crucial for appreciating the wonder and diversity of life, marking the first step towards a “radically humble approach.” By recognizing ourselves as fellow animals and integral to nature, we can confront the destructive forces of capitalism that fuel zoonotic diseases, mass extinctions, climate change, and ecosystem collapse.
Webb advocates for broadening the concept of “good science” to incorporate indigenous knowledge about the uniqueness and interconnection of all life forms. She acknowledges the immense challenge this poses, declaring that human exceptionalism is “the most pervasive implicit belief of our era.” Yet, she believes that unlearning this can foster a deeper connection to nature, spark awe, and inspire advocacy for both animal welfare and environmental protection. In The Arrogant Monkey, she highlights this “stubborn ideology” and its detrimental impacts, modeling the humility, curiosity, and compassion essential for countering it.
The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is predicted to hinder or disrupt the Atlantic current that helps keep Europe warm; however, meltwater from West Antarctica might help maintain this essential flow.
That said, it won’t be sufficient to prevent significant climate changes. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is already down by 60% and could take up to 3,000 years to recover fully.
“I suggest caution in predicting an AMOC collapse,” states Sasha Sinnett from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. “However, my findings don’t alter what is forecasted for the next century. We may never see if West Antarctica successfully stabilizes the AMOC.”
The AMOC is a system of ocean currents that transports warm surface water from the tropics to northern Europe. Here, the water cools and sinks, then flows back south to Antarctica. This current carries an enormous amount of heat—1.2 petawatts—equivalent to the output of one million power plants, keeping Europe notably warmer than regions like Labrador or Siberia at similar latitudes. Lighter, fresher meltwater from Greenland is expected to obstruct the sinking of the denser, saltier AMOC water, thereby slowing its flow.
If the AMOC were to collapse, winter temperatures in Northern Europe could drop to almost -50℃ (-58°F). Recently, Iceland declared the closure of the AMOC as an “existing” security threat. Additionally, rising sea levels are threatening the U.S. East Coast, while Africa may face even more severe drought conditions.
A recent study indicates that even if we achieve net zero emissions by 2075 and begin reducing CO2 from the atmosphere, there is still a 25% risk of AMOC collapse. One study forecasts its closure in the coming decades, while another suggests that it will remain weakened due to Antarctic winds.
Currently, the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet has accelerated, with some research indicating a probable complete collapse. However, the impact on AMOC remains uncertain.
The timing of the melting is crucial, according to simulations by Sinet and his team. If pulses of ancient Antarctic meltwater coincide with substantial meltwater from Greenland, the AMOC’s closure will be expedited.
Conversely, if the Antarctic water arrives about 1,000 years prior to the peak melting of Greenland, the AMOC may weaken for a few centuries but then recover over the next 3,000 years. While AMOC shows eventual recovery in all scenarios, early Antarctic melting prevents total collapse and accelerates its resurgence.
This phenomenon could be due to the relocation of the sinking, salty AMOC water moving south as lighter, fresher meltwater accumulates around Greenland, with the flow regaining strength as Antarctic melting decreases.
Though it’s improbable that West Antarctica melts at such a rapid pace while Greenland melts more slowly, these results illuminate a significant connection between AMOC and Antarctic ice melt, notes Louise Sim from the British Antarctic Survey.
“Prior to this study, the extent to which Antarctic changes could significantly influence the effects of Greenland’s ice sheet melting on the AMOC was largely unknown,” she remarks.
However, the study does not address potential feedback effects, such as shifts in wind patterns that might increase Antarctic sea ice, so this relationship needs to be explored in more complex models moving forward, she adds.
Even if rapid melting in West Antarctica prevents the AMOC from collapsing, it could still lead to sea-level rises of up to 3 meters, inundating coastal cities.
“Unfortunately, while one potential disaster may lessen the danger of another, this is little consolation,” concludes Stefan Rahmstorf from the University of Potsdam, Germany.
The galaxy NGC 6789 viewed through a 2-meter twin telescope
Ignacio Trujillo et al. 2025
Approximately 12 million light years from Earth lies an unusual galaxy. Its center has consistently formed new stars over the past 600 million years, yet the exact source of the fuel driving this star formation remains elusive.
The galaxy known as NGC 6789 was first identified in 1883, but it has only been in recent years that evidence of ongoing star formation has emerged. NGC 6789 is situated in a region dubbed the Local Void, located towards the Draco constellation, which is notably sparse in cosmic matter. It stands out as one of the few galaxies existing within this void, making it highly isolated compared to the majority of galaxies in the universe.
This isolation contributes to the enigma surrounding its star creation. Galaxies typically require gas to produce new stars, yet local voids contain very little gas. Being at least a billion years old, NGC 6789 should have depleted its initial reserves of gas; however, it has managed to generate approximately 100 million solar masses, equating to about 4% of its total mass, over the last 600 million years.
Ignacio Trujillo and researchers from the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics utilized the 2-meter twin telescope at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife to capture deeper images of galaxies than previously possible, aiming to uncover signs of events that might have introduced gas. If a merger with another galaxy or a previously undetected gas flow had occurred, it might have distorted the shape of NGC 6789.
However, the new images did not reveal any distortions. It is possible that NGC 6789’s formation left behind a substantial amount of gas or that there exists a faint gas pocket nearby that did not alter the galaxy’s shape at all. For now, the mystery remains unsolved.
The skin and muscles of Yuka’s left front leg are remarkably intact.
love darren
The oldest known RNA has been obtained from a woolly mammoth preserved in Siberian permafrost for close to 40,000 years.
This specimen, named Yuka and found in 2010, is regarded as the best-preserved woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) identified to date. Initially believed to be a young female that perished between the ages of 6 and 8—likely due to an attack by a cave lion.
Researchers have successfully extracted DNA from various woolly mammoths, including some over a million years old. Advances in genome reconstruction have sparked hopes of potentially reviving this species through genetic engineering.
DNA carries the genetic blueprint for protein production in animals. When a specific gene is activated, the code is transcribed into another molecule known as RNA, which is far less stable than DNA and typically breaks down within hours after death.
The oldest RNA previously retrieved was from a wolf preserved in Siberian permafrost over 14,000 years ago. Recently, love darren from Stockholm University has extracted nearly three times the RNA amount from Yuka’s leg than had been recorded before.
The research team employed techniques similar to those used to extract RNA from contemporary samples, fine-tuning them to target smaller and older molecules.
“Yuka is exceptionally well preserved,” remarks Darren. “The specimen likely experienced deep freezing and prolonged burial in permafrost, evidenced by the preservation of both muscle tissue and wool-like fur. This significantly boosts the chance of RNA preservation.”
However, Yuka’s temporary thawing during transport from northeastern Siberia to Yakutsk posed a challenge. “We assumed that any truly ancient RNA still present in the sample would have degraded into smaller fragments,” says Darren.
The team exercised extreme caution to prevent sample deterioration and avoid contamination. “We utilized liquid nitrogen for grinding, along with sterile materials, filtered air, protective clothing, and controlled lab conditions to eliminate modern contamination in sequencing data,” he explains.
RNA sequencing reveals which genes were active at the time of the animal’s death. In the RNA extracted from Yuka’s muscle and skin, the researchers identified signs of gene activity associated with muscle metabolism and cellular stress, aligning with the hypothesis of Yuka’s death resulting from a cave lion’s attack.
A surprising finding was that a combination of DNA and RNA analysis led the research team to conclude that Yuka was actually male. “I’ve anticipated something like this for a long time,” shares Darren. “Even though Yuka is remarkably preserved for being 40,000 years old, it’s not entirely intact, making it difficult to determine an organism’s morphological sex.”
Researchers also probed for RNA viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses but found no significant results. “Yet I believe we will see future studies on Ice Age RNA viruses,” Darren mentions. “For instance, we possess some Pleistocene bird carcasses that would be intriguing to investigate concerning avian influenza.”
Darren, a scientific advisor to Colossal Biosciences, the company claiming to have revived the dire wolf earlier this year, stated that the RNA sequences retrieved in this study do not directly contribute to the revival of the mammoth. However, the study may offer valuable insights into genes responsible for certain traits. “In the future, mammoth RNA profiles might uncover how specific traits, such as wool, were genetically regulated in these animals.”
Merlin Crossley, a researcher at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, noted that while acquiring such ancient RNA is an impressive feat, it doesn’t reveal much about mammoth ecology. “It’s akin to maneuvering a light airplane under the Sydney Harbor Bridge,” he explained. “It’s a remarkable technical accomplishment, but we gain little insight from it.”
Crossley believes that while older RNA samples may be unearthed in the future, the limits of RNA’s longevity are close at hand. Given the rarity of specimens like Yuka’s, he concludes that it’s unlikely that additional mammoths will yield significant information.
Dinosaur hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi desert
Join an exciting and unique expedition to uncover dinosaur fossils in the expansive wilderness of the Gobi Desert, renowned as one of the world’s premier sites for paleontological discoveries.
Our hair color seems to influence wound healing in unexpected ways
Stock Enjoy/Shutterstock
Red-haired individuals might experience slower wound healing compared to those with blonde, brunette, or dark hair. Research conducted on mice indicated that genetic differences related to hair color may affect the speed at which wounds heal, insights that could lead to improved treatment strategies for various hair colors.
The genes responsible for our hair color play a significant role. The gene MC1R is critical as it produces a protein determining the balance of black-brown and red-yellow pigments within hair follicles.
Individuals with brown or black hair typically have an MC1R variant encoding the active version of this protein. In contrast, nearly all redheads possess a less active or entirely inactive variant due to MC1R mutations. The genetics of hair pigmentation is complex for blondes, too, as they can display either active or inactive protein forms.
This protein is also present in the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect. This led Jenna Cash from the University of Edinburgh to explore its influence on wound healing. The healing process requires an initial inflammatory response to clear out pathogens and dead cells from the injury site; however, if this response is too intense or prolonged, it can hinder proper healing.
To examine this, she and her team surgically created 4-millimeter wounds on the backs of black and red-haired mice, the latter having completely inactive MC1R protein.
After a week, red-haired mice exhibited an average scar contraction of 73%, while dark-haired mice showed a 93% contraction.
With these results in mind, the researchers hypothesized that an experimental topical agent, which enhances the activity of the active protein form (without impacting the inactive form), could aid in healing chronic wounds. This is particularly relevant for diabetics, in whom persistent high blood sugar can lead to excessive inflammation and delayed healing.
To test this hypothesis, the researchers inflicted wounds on black-haired mice and treated them with medication and bandages, while other black-haired mice with similar wounds received saline and bandages instead.
After one week, wounds of the treated mice had closed by an average of 63%, significantly larger than those of control group mice. “Patients would likely be pleased if their scars were visibly smaller, especially in a short timeframe,” noted Cash. Further analyses revealed the drug’s mechanism: it reduces the number of inflammatory immune cells.
This approach offers potential for treating humans, including redheads, as healing processes show remarkable similarities between mice and humans, most of whom have the MC1R protein functioning to some extent, Cash notes. However, patients with completely inactive forms may not see benefits.
Drugs targeting this protein are currently used for conditions like erythropoietic protoporphyria, making the researchers optimistic about the safety profile of this approach, according to Cash. Nonetheless, further studies are necessary to confirm this, as highlighted by Cas Bogey from Case Western Reserve University. Plans for human trials will commence shortly.
Future studies should also investigate the drug’s safety and efficacy on infected wounds, as Bogey pointed out. “The medication might interfere with the infection response or cause unintended side effects,” she cautioned.
This news may not be received well by some redheads. Prior studies indicate that red-haired individuals might also experience heightened sensitivity to pain. However, Cash reassures, “There’s no cause for alarm. We currently lack human data. Even if individuals with red hair heal somewhat more slowly, the difference may be negligible and hardly noticeable.”
According to a researcher, thousands of synthetic chemicals could be disrupting the genetic makeup of birds before they hatch, as highlighted in recent research on ducklings.
Scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) injected small doses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into mallard duck eggs to investigate their effects.
The findings revealed that these chemicals could alter the ducklings’ DNA, switching genes on and off in various organs, ultimately reducing their chances of survival.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a category of synthetic substances that are notably resistant to environmental degradation.
In this experiment, researchers injected three different persistent chemicals into the duck eggs to evaluate their impacts. The eggs were then sealed in wax and incubated until they hatched.
Although the study was conducted in a controlled lab setting, the aim was to replicate the type of exposure these eggs might naturally receive from their mothers.
Immediately after hatching, scientists collected samples from the ducklings’ livers, hearts, and a unique organ known as the bursa of Fabricius, which plays a crucial role in the immune system.
Mother ducks exposed to PFAS in their environment can transfer the contamination to their offspring through their eggs – Credit: Getty Images
Results indicated that in the liver, two of the three persistent chemicals triggered genetic modifications in the ducklings, affecting genes related to fat metabolism.
The study’s lead author, En Fleur Brand, emphasized, “Mallards need to regulate fat storage and consumption precisely during both breeding and migration seasons.”
“Alterations in fat metabolism may hinder survival or reproductive success.”
Meanwhile, scientists were surprised to find no significant changes in the hearts of the ducklings, although bursa of Fabricius showed effects in all PFAS-exposed individuals.
Brand remarked, “We observed increased activity in genes typically involved in viral infection detection. However, the implications for the birds remain unclear.”
The researchers concluded that PFAS could be detrimental to young wildlife, such as ducklings, and advocated for stricter regulations on these chemicals.
While some PFAS have been permanently banned, thousands remain in use, and their impacts on animals, humans, and the environment are still not completely understood.
In their study, scientists assessed one widely regulated or banned permanent chemical, applicable in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with two others still in circulation.
Brand stated, “These substances are prevalent in a multitude of products, ranging from frying pans and waterproof clothing to fire extinguishers, food packaging, and antifouling coatings.”
A survey indicates that young Japanese individuals are engaging in sexual activity less frequently. Recent reviews explore this trend – and the reasons remain unclear.
The survey estimates that approximately half of Japanese individuals enter their mid-20s without any sexual experience, with around 10% reaching their 30s before becoming sexually active.
Even those who have had sexual experiences are reportedly engaging in sex infrequently. Online surveys from the 2020s reveal that about half of Japanese adults aged 20 to 49 are sexually inactive, meaning they have not engaged in sexual activity over the past year.
This national decline appears to have worsened in recent decades, with both sexual inexperience and inactivity rates increasing since 2000.
In contrast, by 2002, just over one-third of Japanese adults aged 20 to 24 reported never having had sex. By the 2020s, this figure could rise to 60% for men and 51% for women in that same age group, according to recent survey data.
These findings emerge from a review of Japanese sexual attitudes and behaviors published in the Journal of Sex Research.
The authors of the study analyzed 38 publications based on 43 studies regarding sexual trends in Japan from 1974 to 2024, most of which were conducted within a heterosexual context.
Among their discoveries were notable increases in sexlessness within marriages, alongside the rise of pornography and the use of sex workers, especially among men.
For instance, surveys from 2008 to 2024 noted that up to 60% of Japanese men reported having paid for sex at some point.
Globally, young individuals in high-income countries are also having less sex. A 2019 survey highlighted that nearly one-third of British respondents hadn’t engaged in sexual activity in the previous month, a rise from about one-quarter in 2001.
However, the authors emphasize that Japan has a unique context, where “sexual behavior is often depicted as perplexing and contradictory, blending expectations of permissiveness with those of prudence.”
While the authors were uncertain about the reasons behind the declining sexual frequency among Japanese adults, they proposed several potential explanations.
One possibility is that many simply lack interest. A 2020 online survey discovered that 20 to 30 percent of men aged 20 to 39 expressed a disinterest in sex, as did approximately 40 percent of women in the same age range.
The authors speculated that unmarried individuals in their 20s and 30s might be reluctant to invest time and money in dating someone they might not marry.
According to the study’s authors, Japanese society remains predominantly heteronormative, with limited acceptance and recognition of non-heterosexual identities. In some surveys, as few as 1.5 percent identified as gay – Credit: Getty Images
Furthermore, for women, cultural expectations to handle most household responsibilities may diminish the appeal of marriage.
Additionally, the authors noted that Japanese adults seem less embarrassed about being virgin or celibate compared to their counterparts in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
Alternative sexual outlets have also grown more acceptable; for example, romantic feelings directed towards fictional characters.
A 2017 survey of Japanese students aged 16 to 22 found that 14 to 17 percent admitted to having romantic feelings for video game and anime characters.
Simultaneously, the authors observed that a demanding work culture, characterized by long hours and commutes, may hinder young individuals from forming and maintaining sexual relationships. In Japan, about 30 percent of men and 15 percent of women work over 50 hours per week.
Sex education in Japan is limited, with few women utilizing hormonal contraception and a lack of acceptance for non-heterosexual identities.
Dr. Vanessa Appea, a consultant in sexual health at Barts Health NHS Trust, who was not involved in the study, expressed that the findings are “shocking” regarding the evolving priorities of young people in Japan.
“Instead of a waning desire, the evidence suggests broader social and economic influences at play, including long working hours, job insecurity, shifting gender roles, and a cultural emphasis on stability over partnership,” Appiah said.
“Though declining sexual frequency is noted in the UK and the US, the trend in Japan is more pronounced. This may signal an early indication of a global shift where technology, work culture, and modern expectations are reshaping how we connect and experience intimacy.”
However, Apea urged caution regarding the study’s conclusions since the data stem from a broader survey, and participants may have differing interpretations of their sexual experiences.
The Pleiades star cluster, also referred to as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is an open star cluster situated around 440 light-years away from Earth in the Taurus constellation. It forms the central core of a larger network that includes several known star clusters scattered over 600 parsecs (1,950 light-years). This network is known as the Greater Pleiades Complex and comprises at least 3,091 stars.
Pleiades star cluster. Image credit: NASA / ESA / AURA / California Institute of Technology / Palomar Observatory.
Stars originate from clouds of dust and gas. Clumps of this material come together and eventually collapse under their gravity, creating the hot core that becomes a star.
Star formation typically occurs in bursts, with numerous stars being born in rapid succession.
A collection of stars that form from the same molecular cloud is known as a star cluster.
These stars remain gravitationally bound to one another for thousands of years.
Over tens to hundreds of millions of years, the materials that birthed them are expelled by cosmic winds, radiation, and various astrophysical phenomena.
As this occurs, individual stars can merge into their host galaxies, making it complex to ascertain their relationships and trace their origins, especially after more than 100 million years have elapsed.
In a recent study, Dr. Luke Buuma from the Carnegie Institution for Science Observatory and his colleagues concentrated on the Pleiades star cluster.
Utilizing data from NASA’s TESS mission, ESA’s Gaia spacecraft, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), they discovered that this cluster is the core of a broader structure of related stars spanning over 1,950 light-years.
“We refer to this as the Greater Pleiades Complex,” Dr. Bouma stated.
“It includes at least three known groups of stars, and likely two additional ones.”
“We confirmed that most members of this structure have origins in the same gigantic stellar nursery.”
A key aspect of their methodology is that a star’s rotation rate decreases with age.
The study utilized a combination of TESS’s stellar rotation data (made to detect exoplanets) and Gaia’s stellar motion observations (designed for mapping the Milky Way).
With this information, they developed a new method based on rotation to identify stars that share common origins.
“For the first time, by amalgamating data from Gaia, TESS, and SDSS, we confidently identified a new member of the Pleiades cluster,” reported Dr. Buma.
“Data from each mission alone was not enough to reveal the full scope of the structure.”
“However, when we integrated stellar motions from Gaia, rotations from TESS, and chemical data from SDSS, a coherent picture took shape.”
“It’s akin to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, where every dataset provides a different piece of a larger whole.”
Besides their comparable ages, the authors highlighted that the stars in the Greater Pleiades cluster share similar chemical compositions and were once much closer to one another.
The fifth generation of SDSS data was employed for the chemical abundance analysis.
“The Pleiades star cluster has been pivotal in human observations of stars since ancient times,” Dr. Buma remarked.
“This research marks a significant advancement in understanding the changes in the Pleiades star cluster since its formation 100 million years ago.”
The researchers believe their findings carry broad implications.
The Pleiades is not merely an astrophysical benchmark for young stars and exoplanets but also a significant cultural symbol, referenced in the Old Testament and Talmud, celebrated as Matariki in New Zealand, and represented on the Subaru logo in Japan.
Professor Andrew Mann of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stated, “We are starting to understand that many stars near the Sun belong to extensive star clusters with intricate structures.”
“Our study provides a novel method to uncover these hidden connections.”
A paper detailing the survey results has been published this week in the Astrophysical Journal.
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Andrew W. Boyle et al. 2025. Missing Sister Found: TESS and Gaia Reveal Dissolving Pleiades Complex. APJ 994, 24; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae0724
Taingraqaskus Bellator inhabited the area now known as Brazil during the Triassic period around 240 million years ago.
This ancient predator measured about 2.4 m (8 ft) in length and weighed approximately 60 kg.
The back of this species featured bony plates called osteoderms, a characteristic also seen in modern crocodilians.
Utilizing their long necks and agile movements, these predators quickly captured prey with swift, precise actions, employing their slender jaws filled with sharply curved teeth to secure their catch and prevent escape.
Dr. Rodrigo Temp Muller, a paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria, stated, “This creature was an active predator, but despite its considerable size, it was not the largest hunter within its ecosystem, which included giants reaching up to 7 meters (23 feet) long.”
Taingraqaskus Bellator was part of the pseudostia — ancestors of modern crocodiles and alligators.
According to Dr. Temp-Müller, “Pseudostia were a diverse group capable of tackling tough prey, along with smaller hunters adept at catching swift animals.”
“It may resemble a dinosaur, yet Taingraqaskus Bellator does not belong to that classification.”
“One of the most evident distinctions from dinosaurs lies in its pelvic structure, where the hip and femoral joints exhibit significantly different characteristics.”
“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator highlights the intricate ecosystem of the time, showcasing various pseudospecies with distinct sizes and hunting methods filling specific ecological roles.”
“This find uncovers crucial phases in life’s history that predate the arrival of dinosaurs.”
A partial skeleton of Taingraqaskus Bellator was located in Dona Francisca, southern Brazil, in May 2025, with its lower jaw, spinal column, and pelvic girdle preserved.
Although the limbs were not found, experts speculate that, like its relatives, it moved on all fours.
“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator provides further evidence of an ancient link between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic period, a time when the continents were fused into the supercontinent Pangea,” said Dr. Temp Muller.
“Despite the variety of pseudonesters, some lineages are extremely rare in the fossil record, leading to a limited understanding of them.”
“The fossils underwent meticulous preparation in the lab, carefully removing surrounding rock.”
“Upon revealing the anatomical details, it became apparent that the specimen represented a previously unknown species, which was incredibly exciting for us.”
“We found a species closely related to a predator, Mandasucus Tanyauchen, discovered in Tanzania.”
“This link between South American and African fauna can be contextualized within Triassic paleogeography.”
“During this period, continents were still connected, allowing life to disperse freely across regions that are now separated by oceans.”
“Consequently, the Brazilian and African faunas share numerous commonalities, reflecting intertwined evolutionary and ecological narratives.”
Taingraqaskus Bellator would have thrived in the same environment where the first dinosaurs arose, in areas adjacent to vast arid deserts.
“Our findings indicate that southern Brazil’s reptiles had already developed diverse communities adapted to various survival strategies.”
“Moreover, this discovery unveils that such diversity is not an isolated phenomenon.”
This research is detailed in the following article: paper published in Journal of Systematic Paleontology.
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Rodrigo Temp Muller and others. Osteology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships of a new pseudoarchosaur from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil. Journal of Systematic Paleontology, published online on November 12, 2025. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2573750
Scientists have identified an impact crater formed in a granite mountain, which is covered by a dense weathered crust in southern China. The Jinlin Crater, situated in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, is among approximately 200 craters recognized worldwide and is estimated to be less than 11,700 years old.
Panoramic aerial drone image of Jinlin Crater taken on May 12, 2025. Image credit: Chen et al., doi: 10.1063/5.0301625.
Throughout Earth’s geological history, a variety of impact craters have emerged.
Nevertheless, due to tectonic movements and significant surface weathering, many ancient craters have been eroded, distorted, or covered.
Currently, around 200 impact craters have been documented globally.
Only four of these impact craters have been reported in China, all of which are in the northeastern region.
In contrast, southern China experiences a tropical to subtropical monsoon climate, with high rainfall, humidity, and temperatures that promote substantial chemical weathering.
The newly found impact structure, referred to as Jinlin Crater, is located in the low mountains and hills of northwestern Guangdong province, adjacent to Jinlin Waterside Village in Deqing County, Zhaoqing City.
With a diameter of 900 m, it stands as the largest known impact crater of the modern Holocene, significantly surpassing the 300 m Maka crater, which was previously the largest identified Holocene impact structure.
“This discovery indicates that the scale of small extraterrestrial object impacts on Earth during the Holocene is much greater than previously known,” remarked Dr. Ming Chen, a researcher at the Hyperbaric Science and Technology Center.
In this instance, the “small” impactor is believed to be a meteorite, rather than a comet, which would have resulted in a crater no less than 10 km wide.
However, Chen and his team have not yet established if the meteorite was composed of iron or stone.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this crater is its remarkable preservation, especially given the monsoons, heavy rainfall, and high humidity conditions of the region, which are typically conducive to erosion.
Within the granite layers that shield and conserve that impact structure, researchers uncovered numerous quartz fragments that exhibit distinctive microscopic characteristics known as planar deformation features. Geologists utilize these as indicators of some form of impact.
“On Earth, quartz planar deformation features can only be formed by intense shock waves generated from celestial body collisions, with formation pressures between 10 to 35 gigapascals. This shock effect cannot be replicated by geological processes on Earth,” explained Dr. Chen.
“It is widely accepted that over Earth’s history, every point on the Earth’s surface has experienced impacts from extraterrestrial objects with roughly equal probability.”
“However, geological variations have led to different erosion rates of these historical impact markers, with some vanishing completely.”
“This underscores the significance of the Jinlin Crater discovery.”
“Impact craters serve as genuine records of Earth’s impact history.”
Uncovering Earth impact craters can furnish us with a more objective basis for comprehending the distribution, geological evolution, and impact history and regulation of small extraterrestrial objects.
For more details, refer to the team’s paper published in the Journal on October 15, 2025, titled Matter and radiation at the limit.
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Ming Chen et al. 2026. Jinlin Crater, Guangdong, China: Impact origin confirmed. Matarajith. extreme 11, 013001; doi: 10.1063/5.0301625
“The U.S. government is depriving universities of billions in federal funding…”
Robin Beck/AFP via Getty Images
In 1907, American historian Henry Adams commenced the distribution of his memoirs, which gained immense popularity in 1919 through The Education of Henry Adams. Given Adams’ notable lineage—his grandfather and great-grandfather were both U.S. presidents—one might anticipate a self-praising narrative about the virtues of American education.
However, Adams captivated audiences with his audacious assertion that the teachings of 19th-century schools were largely irrelevant. Committed to religious studies and classical literature, he felt ill-prepared for the reality of mass electrification and the advent of the automobile. He contended that if education was intended to equip individuals for the future, it was failing miserably.
Fast forward nearly 120 years, Adams’ critique is once again pertinent, particularly in the U.S. New technologies are altering traditional educational paradigms. The emergence of AI models represents just one facet of an ideological struggle. The federal government is stripping universities of billions in funding while asserting more control over curricula and admissions. Although the landscape of education is chaotic, it is not vanishing; it is evolving with the times.
When I attended my first college lecture in over two decades, I was reminded of Adams. The course “Race, Media, and International Affairs,” taught by journalist and international studies professor Karen Attiah, presented a refreshing approach. In 2024, Attiah covered political affairs for Washington Post and previously taught at Columbia University. However, earlier this year, Columbia canceled her course unexpectedly. Shortly afterward, Attiah reported she was dismissed by the Post due to her social media remarks concerning racism and right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. The newspaper refrained from commenting on her termination.
Yet, as Attiah states, “this is not the moment for media literacy and historical understanding to be constrained by institutions bent on authoritarianism and fear.” Therefore, she conducted Columbia’s classes through her Resistance Summer School, livestreaming them to anyone who paid tuition. The response was overwhelming; within 48 hours, 500 students enrolled, leaving a long waiting list. Currently, she manages two courses this fall, including mine.
In many ways, Attiah’s class recalls a course I took in college over 25 years ago. Engaged at my desk, I listened as Attiah discussed topics such as the depiction of colonial wars in 1600s newspapers and why the media neglected Japan’s racial equality proposals in light of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Blending U.S. media history with international race relations, she informed me of numerous insights I had overlooked, despite my lengthy career as a journalist and occasional media studies educator. It genuinely felt like a return to college—in a positive sense.
“
I’m concerned about academic institutions, but not the future of education. The quest for knowledge never ceases “
Attiah’s straightforward approach sharply contrasts with other educators who virtualize their research. For instance, Philosophy Tube is a well-established lecture series on YouTube by philosopher Abigail Thorne, who employs visual effects, costumes, and clever scripts to impart contemporary philosophical concepts. However, both Thorne and Attiah share a common goal: to enhance educational accessibility while challenging authority beyond academic limitations.
Thorne and Attiah are influenced by scholar and activist Stuart Hall. After teaching cultural studies at Birmingham University in the UK during the ’60s and ’70s, Hall sought to exit the academic bubble and educate the public about media racism. He directed the 1979 BBC documentary “It Ain’t Half Racist, Mum.”, highlighting racial bias in news reports and media portrayals of Black immigrants.
Mr. Hall advocated for making higher education accessible to citizens lacking access. This is the direction educators are presently taking: some utilize crowdfunding to offer free education, while others, like Attiah, implement a subscription model. Regardless of the method, they are committed to facilitating learning.
But what about students who prefer not to spend hours in front of a screen? An emerging movement seeks to accommodate these individuals as well. Hackerspaces and makerspaces—community hubs for learning science and engineering—are appearing globally. These venues offer classes ranging from electronics to 3D printing to welding.
As Adams asserted, education must equip us for the future. I contend that the forthcoming landscape may witness academic freedom flourishing outside of traditional institutions. While I harbor concerns for academic establishments, I hold hope for education’s future. As long as we champion rebel professors and hackerspace educators, the pursuit of knowledge will persist.
Annalee’s Week
What I’m Reading: Keeper of Magical Things—A cozy fantasy about an archivist magician by Julie Leong.
What I See: Frankenhooker— The most extreme adaptation of Frankenstein ever made.
What I’m Working On: I’m completing assignments for Karen Attiah’s class!
Annalee Newitz is a science journalist and author. Their latest book is Automatic Noodles. They co-host the Hugo Award-winning podcast Our Opinion Is Correct. Follow @annaleen and visit their website: techsploitation.com
Selfish behavior is alarmingly prevalent in biological contexts. A recent study underscores this, illustrating how genetic mutations accumulate in the sperm of older men. Research indicates that as men age, new stem cells increase the likelihood of carrying disease-related mutations, potentially affecting up to 5% of their sperm by the time they reach 70.
This discovery highlights not only the advantages of having children at a younger age but also the indifferent nature of mutated stem cells, which do not consider the consequences for future offspring as long as their genetic material is passed on. This serves as a potent reminder that the notion of “selfish genes” remains a foundational concept in evolutionary biology. Genes prioritize their own survival over any altruistic intentions, continually bringing discussions back to genetic selection, contrary to the idea of “survival of the fittest.”
The ongoing debate is weary and centers around whether evolution through natural selection favors cooperation or promotes competitive and ruthless organisms that prioritize reproduction above all else. Over the past century, numerous biologists have debated this issue, labeling differing perspectives on group versus individual selection. These distinctions fundamentally shape our understanding of the natural world and our role within it.
The divide between these views has consistently straddled ideological lines. Earlier animal behaviorists believed that organisms act for the benefit of their species. The idea was that individual survival is advantageous for the entire group, creating a potential contributor to the continuation of humanity. Homo sapiens can achieve this common goal through mutual assistance.
However, as highlighted by key biologists from Ronald Fisher to contemporary thinkers like Richard Dawkins, organisms that accept help from others without reciprocating consistently outperform those that give help. Those that disrupt group dynamics tend to position themselves for greater success—as long as their impact isn’t so destructive that it eliminates all competition.
From an evolutionary standpoint, the optimal strategy for individuals is to encourage cooperation while withholding it from others—ideally, without detection. Instead of fostering good and altruistic qualities, cooperation can create an environment where competitive and exploitative behaviors thrive unnoticed.
The issue of destruction undermines populations, whether they are gametes, bacteria, animals, or humans. Stem cells, which reproduce at the expense of a host’s descendants, are indifferent to whether their proliferation harms future generations. The welfare of both the host and its species is irrelevant.
This logic extends to human societies, both ancient and modern. Individuals in power—often older men—tend to monopolize resources and frequently choose younger women as partners. Given the adverse effects of older men on fertility, it’s challenging to take the group selection model seriously in light of new findings regarding sperm.
Crucially, these unsettling realities about our biological roots do not dictate our behavior today. We should strive for mutual aid and not take it for granted. Recognizing our inherent selfish tendencies at every biological level is the initial step toward overcoming them.
Feedback is New Scientist A popular figure who keeps up with the latest in science and technology. To provide feedback on topics you think may interest our readers, please reach out via email at feedback@newscientist.com.
NASA Surveillance
Some stories elude my interest in feedback. With over 8 billion people on the planet, many hold on to misguided beliefs, and countless individuals have internet access, phones, and mailboxes. I simply cannot engage with the flood of unrefined ideas that arise. Feedback— I refuse to become the person depicted in the XKCD comic who loses sleep over the phrase, “someone on the internet is wrong.”
Recently, it barely grazed the news that Kim Kardashian seems to think NASA staged the moon landing in 1969. She mentioned the same on her reality TV show The Kardashian Family, which features her mother and sisters.
Kardashian allegedly misinterpreted her chat with Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon. At one point, Aldrin remarked: “That never happened.” He meant there was no frightening incident during the mission, but Kardashian seemed to conclude that it implied the entire mission was faked. This is a quite audacious assertion, especially given Aldrin’s previous criticisms of moon landing conspiracy theories.
Instead of spouting mockery at the Kardashians’ misunderstanding, let’s focus on what lies ahead. According to the BBC, NASA’s Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has “invited Ms. Kardashian to the Kennedy Space Center for the Artemis moon mission launch.”
Duffy might soon wish he hadn’t set that precedent—publicizing nonsensical conspiracy theories through mainstream media appears to yield exclusive tours of NASA. Feedback has desired to visit Mission Control for ages, and we think we could propose better theories than “faking the moon landing.”
Do you know why it took 9 years for the New Horizons spacecraft to reach Pluto? Because NASA was secretly moving the planet further away from Earth to make it seem smaller, enabling the downgrade from planet status to dwarf planet.
Similarly, have you pondered the realism of Martian? Deep NASA (akin to the Deep State, but more effective) would have you believe it’s due to author Andy Weir’s research. In truth, they clandestinely left astronauts stranded on Mars during the ’90s. The premise is based on a video diary he recorded before being terminated by a robot with a heat ray.
We eagerly await the invitation from NASA.
Middle of Saturday
Previously, we delved into the concept of Scunthorpe problems. Harmless words may encompass strings that seemingly offend automated moderation systems lacking context (October 11). We thought we had concluded this matter, but Peter Lloyd has informed us about an earlier iteration of this issue.
On a Saturday afternoon in the ’70s, he recounts: Grandstand begins. ” For younger audiences and those outside the UK, Grandstand was a sports show aired every Saturday afternoon. Depending on your stance on televised sports, it was either a delight or a nuisance in an era with limited television options.
“Suddenly, one word flashed across the screen,” Peter recalls. “I was taken aback! Why would the BBC display TURD on my television? After a brief delay, the image zoomed out to reveal ‘SATURDAY ON BBC1’.”
Just Imagine!
If you haven’t heard yet, submit your work for the upcoming issue by Friday, December 5th. Check out the Imagination Research Journal.
Feedback was previously unaware of this publication, but we’ve taken some time to discover its essence. “We publish imaginary research abstracts, which are short fictive pieces that mimic the format of traditional academic work,” the editors express. An abstract serves as a synopsis of scholarly articles, offering a brief overview of prior research.
If we understand this correctly, the aim is to craft short fiction that is formatted as a mock summary of a research paper. We reviewed the ten most recent volumes. Some of the summaries/stories are quite amusing and effectively parody academic literature.
We particularly enjoyed Edward Loveman’s piece, “Being In-Between: A Sensory Autoethnography of Otherworldly Life,” which recounts “scholars capable of traversing dimensions (hyperdimensionality).” Unfortunately, Loveman notes, “Such research is often met with skepticism, cruelty, and disdain within both academia and the wider public.”
However, he argues that it symbolizes a “unique, ever-evolving, fluid connection to existence that surpasses temporality.”
Similarly, Soyoung Park’s submission queries: “Can research succeed without a research question?” in which a “group of doctoral students” engages in “an intensive coffee session,” disclosing that “their challenge was not the questions themselves, but the essence of questioning, a process that fundamentally implies and necessitates an answer.”
Feedback suspects that Imagination Research Journal could become a staple feature here. It’s a pity it’s only published once a year.
Have a story for Feedback?
You can submit your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and past feedback can be found on our website.
Adolf Hitler’s genome sequenced for TV documentary
Roger Violet (via Getty Images)
Some argue that discussing Adolf Hitler can lead to losing an argument. Resorting to having his DNA sequenced to attract media attention indicates a clear defeat in the debate.
Yet, Channel 4 in the UK is doing just that with Hitler’s DNA: The Dictator’s Blueprint, airing this Saturday. I plan to watch it, so feel free to skip it.
DNA is a piece of cloth soaked in blood. It’s a remnant from the sofa where Hitler took his life in 1945, now displayed in a US museum. Despite some gaps due to age, the Y chromosome reportedly aligns with a male relative of Hitler, suggesting authenticity.
Had this been an academic pursuit aiming for knowledge, such as investigating rumors of a Jewish grandfather (which DNA disproves), it might have been acceptable. However, the documentary sensationalizes the findings, claiming this DNA will “change how we perceive Hitler.”
This implication leans towards genetic determinism, suggesting Hitler was fated to commit atrocities due to his genetics. While the documentary stops short of making this assertion, the term “dictator’s blueprint” carries that connotation.
This logic suggests that cloning Hitler would likely yield more tyrants. While impractical, identical twins—sharing the same DNA—exist as natural experiments. Twin studies estimate how much traits and conditions stem from genes rather than environment.
However, twin research has its issues. It’s challenging to disentangle genetic and environmental factors, especially as twins share upbringing. Nevertheless, estimates suggest less than 50% heritability for criminal behavior, aligning with genocidal dictators. Thus, we shouldn’t assume that a majority of hypothetical Hitler clones would become tyrants.
Moreover, our grasp of the human genome is still developing. We can’t accurately predict simple things like eye color, let alone the complex traits influenced by the brain and the environment.
Current methods can identify genetic variants linked to higher disease risks, like autism. Individuals are assigned a “polygenic score,” but these scores don’t definitively predict conditions. Various factors matter, potential associations might be coincidental, and important variants may be unidentified.
“It’s essential to stress that autism polygenic scores lack clinical utility due to inconsistent correlations and limited applicability,” stated a meta-analysis this year.
The documentary claims that Hitler’s genome shows a high propensity for autism and mental health issues like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While historical accounts suggest Hitler displayed troubling behaviors, genetic data cannot confirm psychological diagnoses.
Hitler’s DNA was obtained from a blood-stained piece of cloth on the couch on which Hitler committed suicide, collected by U.S. Army Colonel Roswell P. Rosengren, and is now on display at the Gettysburg Historical Museum in Pennsylvania.
Gettysburg Historical Museum
But more crucially, what if he exhibited these traits? Are there underlying explanations for these classifications? As Simon Baron-Cohen from Cambridge University states in the documentary, the adverse effects of Hitler’s abusive father play a significant role in explaining his hatred and aggression.
He learned that characteristics tied to schizophrenia may correlate with creativity and unconventional thinking, possibly elucidating Hitler’s political and military achievements. Really? This is mere conjecture.
This is the core issue with analyzing Hitler’s genome. While we draw plausible connections with his actions, these links could easily be erroneous. Moreover, such narratives further stigmatize conditions like autism and schizophrenia.
The documentary contradicts its claims, mainly reiterating existing knowledge about Hitler. The only assertion of novelty is that Hitler may have suffered from Kallmann syndrome, impacting sexual maturation. Yet, evidence already exists that Hitler faced anatomical issues as noted in past research—history often provides more clarity than genetics.
Additionally, the documentary tackles a broader question: Was Hitler singularly wicked and solely responsible for World War II and the Holocaust? There’s no shortage of genocidal dictators, many of whom rely on a supportive network.
Millions elected Hitler, and various officials upheld the legal measures enabling his rise, with numerous individuals enforcing the discriminatory laws resulting in the Holocaust. We don’t need genetic narratives to explain the emergence of dictators; the more pressing inquiry is why we permit them to rise to power.
Francis Crick (right) and James Watson modeling DNA in 1953
A. Barrington Brown, Gonville, Caius College/Scientific Photography Library
Click: The Moving Mind – From DNA to the Brain Matthew Cobb profile book, England. Basic Books
Francis Crick missed a crucial seminar in 1951, likely because he was occupied with his partner. James Watson attended but failed to take proper notes, leading to inaccuracies in their initial DNA model.
This anecdote is just one of many compelling elements in Click: The Moving Mind – From DNA to the Brain, a biography by zoologist and author Matthew Cobb. If you’re curious about the discovery of DNA’s structure and subsequent developments, this is the must-read book.
Crick, raised as a shopkeeper’s son, struggled academically at first and didn’t gain admission to Oxbridge. He eventually earned a second-class degree and a rather dull PhD on the viscosity of water. After serving in WWII, he entered civil service, but his marriage faltered and his son lived with relatives. However, his readings nurtured a passion for the molecular foundations of life and consciousness. He re-entered research, working in an independent lab in Cambridge.
In 1949, he began exploring biomolecule structures through X-ray diffraction. His notes detail various mishaps: spills, misplaced films, and sample errors. Crick once flooded his boss’s hallway twice and incessantly conversed with Watson, irritating their co-workers. The two were ultimately separated to different rooms.
By 1952, Crick had a new family but faced bankruptcy and potential job loss under his boss, Lawrence Bragg. Competing biochemist Linus Pauling falsely claimed to have deduced DNA’s structure—this drove Bragg to allow Crick and Watson to pursue the DNA research unhindered. By March 1953, they had successfully unraveled it.
“
Part of Crick’s success lay in his willingness to fail, proposing multiple ideas that eventually proved incorrect. “
While chemist Rosalind Franklin’s data was indeed significant, Cobb asserts that Crick and Watson did not misappropriate it. He also highlights that Franklin, Watson, and Wilkins collaborated more than previously recognized.
It’s often overlooked that Crick and Watson acknowledged Franklin and Wilkins in their renowned publication, Nature. A paper by Franklin and Wilkins coincided with their work, and she developed a friendship with Crick and his second wife, Odile, often staying with them during her recovery from cancer surgery, which ultimately claimed her life. This untimely death is why she wasn’t a recipient of the 1962 Nobel Prize.
Crick later played an instrumental role in decoding how DNA encodes proteins, contributing many vital insights to the process. While the biography remains engaging at this point, it loses some momentum as it shifts focus to Crick’s life, rather than Cobb’s narrative. Following the genetic code’s unveiling in the 1960s, Crick published several poorly received papers and likely faced depression in 1971.
In 1977, he relocated to California and shifted his focus to consciousness research. Cobb posits that his contributions in this field were as groundbreaking as his molecular biology achievements, including efforts to define the brain’s connectome.
This biography paints Crick as a multifaceted individual. He was anti-religious and anti-monarchy, celebrated his remarriage openly, championed cannabis legalization, experimented with acid, and occasionally hosted wild gatherings where adult films were shown. There are also allegations of unwanted advances towards several women.
Moreover, Crick corresponded with individuals expressing racist views regarding IQ and genetics but ultimately recognized that the matters were more nuanced than he once believed. Since the 1970s, he notably refrained from discussing this topic, especially in stark contrast to Watson, who passed away last week at 97.
It’s evident that Crick’s triumph stemmed not only from his brilliance but also from his readiness to fail and his willingness to propose and publish many ideas that did not pan out. For instance, one Saturday, after reviewing a paper outlining X-ray results for proteins, he, with a colleague’s assistance, was able to determine its structure by noon.
As I read, I reflected that perhaps Crick’s qualifications might not align with the current scientific standards. Today’s researchers might be astonished to learn that he had no formal education and only submitted one grant proposal. The legacy of geniuses like Crick may be struggling to thrive in a system that hasn’t nurtured their kind.
A silver chalice dating back 4,300 years, found in Palestine’s West Bank, displays a depiction of the universe’s formation from primordial chaos, marking it as the oldest recorded visual interpretation of a creation myth.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind design,” says Eberhard Sanger from the Lewisian Research Foundation in Switzerland. “It conveys a complex narrative using a minimal number of lines.”
Measuring about 8 cm in height, the “Ain Samiya” goblet was uncovered 55 years ago in an ancient tomb located a few miles northeast of Ramallah, on the western edge of the Fertile Crescent, an area where early civilizations thrived.
The goblet features two distinctive scenes. The first shows a large serpent confronting a chimera with a human upper body and animal legs, positioned on a small flower-like circle. The second scene depicts a smiling serpent lying on the ground beneath a much larger flower-like circle, supported by two humanoid figures—of which only one is currently visible due to the goblet’s damage.
Archaeologists of the 1970s proposed that these scenes could represent Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation myth in which the primordial entity Tiamat is overcome by the god Marduk, resulting in Tiamat’s body transforming into heaven and earth. However, Zanger notes that this interpretation has its shortcomings; notably, there are no battle representations on the goblet, and it is approximately 1,000 years older than Enuma Elish itself.
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<p>This has led other scholars to suggest alternative meanings. For instance, they propose that the goblet might represent the cyclical rebirth of a year and the passing of another.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Zanger and his associates, including independent researcher <a href="https://utoronto.academia.edu/DanielSarlo">Daniel Sarlo</a> from Toronto, and <a href="https://fabiennehaasdantes.academia.edu/">Fabienne Haas Dantes</a> from the University of Zurich, argue that the original interpretation remains the most accurate. They contend that the scenes depict the creation of the universe, drawing from ancient creation stories that predate even <em>Enuma Elish</em>.</p>
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<img class="Image" alt="This scene illustrates cosmic order emerging from chaos, featuring figures such as serpents and deities (Credit: ? Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Florica Weiner)." width="1350" height="901" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12150512/SEI_274075982.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2504118" data-caption="The images engraved on the goblet portray deities, serpents, and the sun" data-credit="Israel Museum, Jerusalem/Florika Weiner"/>
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<p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">The engravings on the goblet depict a deity, a serpent, and the sun.</p>
<p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Israel Museum, Jerusalem/Florica Weiner</p>
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<p>Zanger's research team views the first scene as ambiguous. The chimera signifies a weaker god combined with an animal. The small flower-like circles beneath its legs symbolize the powerless sun. A colossal serpent dominates this chaos. In contrast, the second scene reveals that order has emerged from chaos, with gods distinguished from animals, transforming into potent humanoid figures. They raise the powerful sun atop a "vessel of heaven," indicating the separation of heaven from earth, while the chaotic serpent lies defeated beneath the sun.</p>
<p>Zanger also mentions that cuneiform texts from another area of the Fertile Crescent, dating similarly to the goblet, discuss how deities divided heaven and earth. This indicates that by the time of the goblet's creation, the locals had already contemplated the theme of world creation. "The remarkable aspect of this artifact is that it allows us to glimpse their conception of this narrative," he states.</p>
<p><a href="https://independent.academia.edu/JLisman">Jan Lisman</a>, an independent researcher from the Netherlands, remains skeptical of this interpretation. "What it depicts is the daily journey of the sun," he argues. "But it certainly does not reflect 'origin' or 'chaos.'"</p>
<p><a href="https://www.altestestament.unibe.ch/about_us/people/prof_em_dr_schroer_silvia/index_eng.html">Sylvia Schroer</a>, a professor at the University of Bern, Switzerland, shows some willingness to entertain the notion that the goblet signifies world creation. However, she believes a different aspect of the new analysis is problematic.</p>
<p>According to Zanger, some images on the Ain Samiyah goblet, notably the giant snake, resonate with ancient cosmological tales from the Fertile Crescent and adjacent areas. They posit that this implies a profound connection among various creation myths which may trace back to a singular, more ancient narrative. Illustrating this, they cite a celestial vessel resembling that in the goblet, which is carved on a pillar at Göbekli Tepe in modern-day Turkey, a location dating back 11,500 years—7,000 years prior to the goblet's creation. "This is astonishing," Zanger remarks.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Schroer argues that it might be too speculative to assert that all creation narratives in the region are tightly intertwined. "Even with similarities, it doesn't necessitate clear influence," she maintains.</p>
<div class="JournalReference" data-title="JEOL – Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society “Ex Oriente Luxˮ" data-title_link="https://www.exorientelux.nl/jeol/" data-reference_type_overwrite="Journal reference:" data-doi="in press" data-method="shortcode" data-component-name="journal-reference">
<p class="JournalReference__Title"><i>JEOL – Journal of Ancient Near East Studies “Ex Oriente Luxˮ</i> <a class="JournalReference__Link" href="https://www.exorientelux.nl/jeol/">DOI: In print</a></p>
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<img class="Image SpecialArticleUnit__Image" alt="Caravan in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt" width="2560" height="1441" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=375 375w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=750 750w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07111001/shutterstock_2429800603-scaled.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1277px) 375px, (min-width: 1040px) 26.36vw, 99.44vw" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Special Article Unit" data-caption="Caravan in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt" data-credit="Shutterstock"/>
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<h3 class="SpecialArticleUnit__Heading">Cairo and Alexandria, pioneers of science in the ancient world: Egypt</h3>
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<p>Take an unforgettable journey through Cairo and Alexandria, where the rich tapestry of ancient history meets modern allure.</p>
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Numerous factors are contributing to the decrease in sexual activity among young individuals.
Frazao Studio Latino/Getty Images
The comedy film No sex please – we’re British. debuted in 1973, featuring a predominantly young cast and a plethora of double entendres. Fast forward fifty years, and the title seems more relevant than ever, especially among younger generations. A notable decline in sexual activity among teenagers and young adults has been observed over recent decades. For more insights, check out what’s happening in the UK.
According to the General Social Survey, a longstanding sociological project, 12 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds in the United States reported not engaging in sexual activity in 2010. By 2024, this figure has doubled.
Similar trends are apparent in high-income nations such as Australia and Germany. Japan stands out in this trend, with recent reviews indicating that about half of its populace has limited sexual experience until their mid-20s. This phenomenon could contribute to Japan witnessing more deaths than births, as projected by then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who labeled 2024 a “quiet emergency.” So, what’s triggering this situation, and is it genuinely an emergency?
Kay Wellings of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine notes that the frequency of sexual activity is always in flux. In the 1950s, many people postponed sexual relations until marriage, but the introduction of contraceptives in the 1960s spurred a “buzz” around guilt-free sexual experiences. The AIDS crisis in the 1980s shifted attitudes once again, leading to more cautious behaviors, but the 1990s seemed to herald a return to a more open approach.
A definitive cause for the current decrease in sexual activity remains elusive. Some experts suggest that today’s challenging economic landscape hinders young people’s independence. By 2023, 18% of individuals aged 25 to 34 in the U.S. lived with their parents—up from 9% in 2000. “Living at home doesn’t typically create the ideal setting for sexual activities,” states Luke Branning from the University of Leeds, UK.
High youth unemployment rates, especially in regions like the UK, could partly elucidate why many young individuals seem to be experiencing increased sexual inactivity. This relative decline is notably pronounced among men, with studies indicating that unemployment or low income elevates the chances of sexual inactivity. “A man’s financial situation shouldn’t enhance his attractiveness, yet research shows this trend is prevalent,” remarks Peter Ueda from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
Rising alcohol consumption could also render young people more inhibited. A study by Gallup revealed that the percentage of Americans aged 18 to 34 who consume alcohol has dropped from 72% to 62% in the last two decades. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 55 and older who drink surged from 49% to 59%. “This change is seen as ‘generationally sensitive’,” Wellings explains. “Young people drinking less correlates with less sexual activity.”
Additionally, technological advancements may have led to a shift in interactions. A study indicated that younger individuals might prioritize digital communication over face-to-face interactions. While digital encounters facilitate connections, sexual activity typically necessitates physical closeness. “Gen Z is often dubbed the most connected yet loneliest generation, as they engage primarily through screens,” states Natasha McKeever from the University of Leeds. “Such circumstances may exacerbate anxieties regarding personal interactions.”
While dating apps have simplified the process of connection, they have existed since the early 2010s and haven’t necessarily driven up sexual activity among young individuals. “These applications don’t inherently promote sexual encounters; their design often encourages repeated engagement with the app,” says Andrus Colt from the University of Galway, Ireland. Presently, an increasing number of users are choosing to log off, with studies hinting at a link between dating app usage and rising levels of depression and anxiety .
Mental health issues may also be a significant factor in declining sexual activity, as noted in a report by The Lancet Psychiatry, which cautions that young people might be entering a perilous phase regarding these challenges. “If individuals are feeling low, they may lack the motivation for sexual encounters,” Branning asserts. This anxiety can become self-perpetuating—”the less sexual experience one has, the more daunting the act may become,” McKeever adds. “So, for those who haven’t engaged in sexual activity for an extended period, the desire might still be there, combined with anxiety about the experience.”
For many, this decline raises concerns, given that sexual activity is linked to improved health and enhanced quality of life, with roughly half of women and two-thirds of men expressing a desire for more sexual encounters . “A decline in sexual activity suggests that increasing numbers of people are struggling to find meaning and value in their lives,” asserts Lyman Stone of the Virginia Family Institute.
Conversely, some individuals argue that young people aren’t adversely affected by this trend, as many appear content with their circumstances. A study surveying straight Japanese men aged 18 to 39 showed that approximately half of unattached individuals are disinterested in romantic relationships. “Today’s youth are likely more engaged in work opportunities than ever before,” McKeever observes. “There’s an expanded array of travel possibilities and career paths available. Sex is just one of many fulfilling aspects of life.”
Shifts in societal attitudes may also account for the decreasing stigma surrounding those who choose not to engage in sexual activity. McKeever notes that rising awareness around consent, influenced perhaps by the #MeToo movement, could lead to more young people feeling comfortable identifying as asexual. “In the past, many felt that having sex was a necessary milestone or something to prove one’s worth. Now, I believe youth today possess a greater understanding of personal choices.”
Understanding how sexual behaviors have evolved among youth is limited by data challenges. Responses may vary significantly based on question formats—be it verbal, online surveys, or influenced by societal taboos. “In environments with a lot of stigma, individuals tend to underreport their experiences. Conversely, if sexual activity is viewed positively, there’s a likelihood of overreporting,” explains Wellings. Additionally, study outcomes often vary in how they define gender and the youth demographic.
Moreover, volunteer bias complicates the reliability of findings. Certain demographic groups are more inclined to participate in research, resulting in findings that may not accurately represent the general population. “The online demographic often skews towards younger, childless individuals,” adds Stone.
Regardless of precise statistics, researchers agree that young people today engage in sexual activity less frequently compared to older generations at the same age, similar to trends observed in Japan, where this has occurred alongside historically low birth rates in places like England and the U.S..
As the number of births declines, can we classify this phenomenon as a societal emergency? “No, historical patterns suggest that activity levels will rebound as conditions evolve,” states Colt. “The decline in youth sexual activity isn’t an endpoint for humanity,” he concludes.
“I find no convincing evidence that this situation signifies a crisis,” McKeever remarks. However, if policymakers are genuinely concerned about declining sexual activity, they should consider solutions. “Engaging in less sexual activity than previous generations may demonstrate a broader issue of alienation. Politicians ought to address these challenges—sexual activity tends to follow as a natural consequence,” Colt asserts.
Many individuals find it challenging to discuss Adolf Hitler without losing the argument. If you feel the need to sequence Hitler’s DNA to grab attention for your TV program, you’ve likely lost the plot.
Yet, this is precisely what Britain’s Channel 4 has undertaken. The documentary Hitler’s DNA: The Dictator’s Blueprint is set to air this Saturday. While I’m reluctantly preparing to watch it, feel free to skip it.
DNA comes from a piece of cloth soaked in blood, cut from the sofa where Hitler shot himself in 1945 and now housed in a museum in the United States. Although the resulting genome contains gaps due to the sample’s age, the Y chromosome reportedly matches that of a male relative of Hitler, suggesting its authenticity.
If this endeavor had been purely academic, aimed at expanding our knowledge—perhaps to verify if Hitler had a rumored Jewish grandfather (he didn’t, according to DNA)—it might have been acceptable. Instead, we are presented with a sensational two-part documentary claiming this DNA evidence “will change the way we perceive Hitler.”
The issue lies in the implication of genetic determinism, suggesting Hitler was predestined to commit horrific acts due to his genes. While this documentary does not directly assert this claim, it comes perilously close. What else could the phrase “dictator’s blueprint” imply?
This line of reasoning is akin to arguing that cloning Hitler would lead to the emergence of numerous murderers. While ethically we disdain such an experiment, the world contains clones in the form of identical twins sharing the same DNA. Studies on twins have been used to assess the degree to which various traits and conditions arise from genetics instead of the environment.
Now, there are numerous challenges with twin research. It’s impossible to entirely disentangle genetic influences from environmental ones, especially as twins generally grow up in similar surroundings. Nonetheless, the best estimates indicate that the heritability of criminal behavior, which likely aligns closely with that of genocidal dictators, is less than 50%. Thus, there is no basis to expect that most clones of Hitler would be tyrants.
Additionally, our grasp of the human genome remains primitive. We still lack the ability to predict straightforward traits like eye color with absolute certainty, let alone more complex characteristics arising from brain and environmental interactions.
What we can do is identify genetic variations statistically associated with higher risk for conditions like autism. Individuals receive a “polygenic score” for each condition. However, possessing a high polygenic score for autism does not guarantee a diagnosis. This situation arises from various factors, including the importance of environmental influences, potential misleading associations, and incomplete identification of significant variants.
“It is crucial to emphasize that, in their current form, autism polygenic scores have no clinical applicability due to inconsistent associations and restricted generalizability,” as concluded in a recent meta-analysis.
The documentary claims that Hitler’s genome rates exceptionally high for autism, alongside mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and antisocial behavior or psychopathy. His ADHD score is also reported to be above average. However, historical accounts have long suggested that Hitler exhibited such characteristics based on his actions. Genetic data does not yield definitive proof, and established diagnostic criteria do not incorporate genetic information.
More critically, what if he did display these symptoms? Are there alternative explanations for these classifications? As Simon Baron-Cohen from Cambridge University argues in the documentary, the neglect and abuse Hitler faced from his alcoholic father make it “crucial to comprehend why he developed such hatred and anger.”
He further pointed out that traits often linked to schizophrenia might connect with creativity and unconventional thought, possibly accounting for Hitler’s political and military achievements. Is this mere speculation?
For me, this represents the core issue with analyzing Hitler’s genome. We can speculate about potentially valid connections to his personality and behavior, but these could all be entirely incorrect. Moreover, this could worsen the stigma around conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
This documentary undermines its assertions as it largely reiterates established information about Hitler. The main novelty lies in the assertion that Hitler suffered from Kallmann syndrome, a condition affecting sexual development. Yet, this condition’s physical effects are extensive, and there is already documentary evidence suggesting Hitler had undescended testicles. Thus, history proves more enlightening than genetics.
Additionally, the broader question this documentary raises is whether Hitler was uniquely evil or entirely accountable for World War II and the Holocaust. Unfortunately, history reveals that genocidal dictators do not operate in isolation; they need the backing of numerous individuals.
Millions supported Hitler, other politicians enacted laws enabling his rise, and many authorities aided in enforcing the racist legislations that resulted in the Holocaust. We shouldn’t search within our genes for reasons why so many opt to become dictators; the pressing issue lies in why we allow them to do so.
Global emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025, hitting a record high as hydrocarbon consumption accelerates, as per the annual Global Carbon Budget report.
On a more optimistic note, emissions from China, the leading emitter globally, seem to be stabilizing and may have peaked, offering hope that worldwide emissions may soon follow the same trend.
“We are not yet in a situation where emissions are decreasing at the pace required to combat climate change,” states Corinne Le Quéré, a researcher at the University of East Anglia. “However, it is encouraging to see emissions growth in China and India beginning to slow.”
The report estimates that humanity will emit 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO2 this year, comparable to the emissions from driving 9 billion gasoline cars annually. While renewable energy sources are replacing hydrocarbons in several regions, they remain insufficient to meet the rising energy demands, most of which continue to be fulfilled by fossil fuels. The consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas is still on the rise this year.
As noted in the report, the Earth is now 1.36 degrees Celsius warmer than before the industrial era. The current emissions trajectory makes it nearly impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, according to the report’s authors. Exceeding this limit substantially increases the risks of severe climate impacts, including irreversible changes like ice sheet collapses.
Last month, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders at the COP30 climate summit that surpassing 1.5°C of warming seems likely, urging humanity to reduce emissions and minimize this overshoot.
While global CO2 emissions are expected to decline slightly in 2025 when factoring in carbon absorption by oceans and land ecosystems, this is primarily attributed to the conclusion of the warm El Niño event, which hindered photosynthesis in major carbon sinks like tropical forests.
As the climate continues to warm, these sinks are becoming less effective at absorbing CO2, as highlighted in a separate study conducted by the team behind the Global Carbon Budget Report.
Nonetheless, the overall rise in emissions over the past decade has been slower compared to the previous decade, notes Pierre Friedlingstein from the University of Exeter, one of the report’s authors. “There are positive trends,” he asserts. “When looking at the growth rate, it’s significantly lower now.”
The report projects a 0.4% increase in emissions from China in 2025. An analysis by Carbon Brief illustrates that emissions have remained flat through the third quarter of this year. Solar power generation in the country has surged by 46% year-on-year, which has helped to mitigate the increased electricity demand. Meanwhile, rising electric vehicle sales have contributed to reduced pollution in the transport sector, although a spike in the production of oil-heavy chemicals and plastics has led to an uptick in static electricity emissions overall.
The think tank “Ember” mentions in another report that, thanks to the solar power boom, China’s fossil fuel electricity generation declined by 1.1% in the first three quarters of 2025, indicating “structural changes within the country’s electricity system.” India is also experiencing a significant increase in solar and wind energy installations, which fell by 3.3% during this period.
Enver stated that for the first time since the onset of COVID-19, global fossil electricity generation, excluding transportation, industry, and other sectors, will see no increase in 2025.
Known as Wakaorisus Godterupi, this eggshell type belongs to the mecostine crocodile, which represents the oldest crocodile eggshell ever discovered in Australia.
Mecostine crocodile. Image credit: Armin Reindl / CC BY-SA 4.0.
The now-extinct Mecostinae (Mecostinae) represented a distinctive local branch of Australia’s crocodilian family.
These creatures dominated the continent’s inland waters approximately 55 million years ago during the early Eocene epoch.
They were part of a broader group that included true crocodiles, gharials, and caimans.
However, mecostins represent an older lineage than the saltwater and freshwater crocodiles currently found in Australia.
Modern species arrived much later, migrating to the continent from Southeast Asia about 5 million years ago.
Unlike contemporary crocodiles, mecostins occupied a rather unusual ecological niche.
“It’s a peculiar notion, but evidence suggests that some of them were terrestrial hunters in forested areas,” remarked Professor Michael Archer from the University of New South Wales.
“This is indicated by a wide range of juvenile mecostin fossils previously found in 25-million-year-old deposits in the Riverslea World Heritage Area, Boojamulla National Park, Wahnee Country, in north-west Queensland.”
“Some species living in those rivers reached lengths of over five meters, including ‘drop crocodiles’ that were likely partially arboreal.”
“They might have hunted similarly to leopards, dropping unsuspecting prey from trees.”
The eggshells of Wakaorisus Godterupi are among the oldest known members of the Mecostinidae clade.
“These eggshells offer a glimpse into the life history of Mecostine,” said paleontologist Dr. Panades y Blas.
“We can now explore not only the unique anatomy of these crocodiles but also their reproductive behaviors and adaptations to environmental changes.”
The researchers examined Wakaorisus Godterupi shell fragments using both optical and electron microscopes.
The microstructure indicates that these crocodiles laid eggs at the water’s edge, employing a reproductive strategy suited to variable conditions.
“The Mecostine crocodile may have lost extensive inland territory to dryland encroachments, ultimately competing with new arrivals in Australia, dwindling megafauna-sized prey, and diminishing waterways,” noted University of New South Wales palaeontologist Dr. Michael Stein.
“Lake Murgon was surrounded by lush forests. I was at home too where fossils of the world’s oldest songbird, Australia’s oldest frog and snake, various small mammals connected to South America, and even one of the oldest bats have been found.”
The researchers assert that fossil eggshells are an underutilized asset in vertebrate paleontology.
“They retain microstructural and geochemical evidence that reveals not only the type of animal that laid them but also where they nested and how they bred,” said Dr. Panades y Blas.
“Our research demonstrates the significance of these fragments.”
“Eggshells should be a standard element of paleontological investigations, collected, categorized, and analyzed alongside bones and teeth.”
These findings are published this week in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
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Xavier Panades Brass et al. Australia’s oldest crocodile eggshell: insights into the reproductive paleoecology of mecostin. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology published online on November 11, 2025. Doi: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2560010
Lupus can cause severe fatigue, rashes, and joint and muscle pain
Shahril Maulana/Alamy
The virus responsible for glandular fever, also referred to as mononucleosis or the kissing disease, has been shown to infect and modify the body’s immune cells, leading to the development of the autoimmune disease lupus in some individuals.
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, arises when the immune system becomes overly active, attacking healthy tissues due to the persistent activity of immune cells known as B cells and T cells. This can result in various symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, rashes, and profound fatigue. The exact cause of lupus remains unclear, though it likely involves a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, including infections and microbiome imbalances.
To explore the connection, William Robinson and his team at Stanford University devised a single-cell RNA-seq technology called EBV-seq to identify which B cells (responsible for producing antibodies against pathogens) in lupus patients are infected with EBV and which genes are being expressed by those cells.
In their research, they found that in blood samples from 11 lupus patients, approximately 25 out of every 10,000 sequenced B cells were infected with EBV. Conversely, in 10 asymptomatic individuals, only up to 3 in every 10,000 sequenced B cells were found to carry the virus.
The majority of infected cells were identified as memory B cells, which retain information about previous pathogenic exposures to facilitate a quicker response upon re-exposure.
Robinson and his colleagues demonstrated that these infected memory B cells express genes such as ZEB2 and TBX21, initiating a chain reaction that activates another immune cell type known as helper T cells, subsequently recruiting uninfected B cells. This escalates immune activity in a harmful cycle, eventually beginning to target the body itself.
A significant finding affirming the causal role of EBV in lupus erythematosus was the observation that the virus seems to promote the activation of memory B cells via a protein called EBNA2. ZEB2 and TBX21 activate relevant genes and amplify their activity. “What we discovered essentially reveals how this very common virus, affecting 95% of us, the Epstein-Barr virus, leads to lupus,” says Robinson.
As for why most individuals infected with EBV do not go on to develop lupus, Robinson hypothesizes that some people have a genetic predisposition that causes their B cells to erroneously target healthy cells. “The genetic and environmental contexts of EBV infections predispose individuals to lupus, and these factors combine to provoke the disease,” he asserts.
“EBV may not be implicated in all lupus cases, due to the diverse mechanisms involved in the disease’s development. However, in specific patients, we maintain that EBV serves as a primary cause,” he explains. George Tsokos reports from Harvard Medical School: The virus instigated an abnormal T-cell response, noted in individuals with lupus over 40 years ago.
A strong correlation between EBV and multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disorder, was identified in 2022, and Robinson suggests that these new insights highlight how the virus can trigger such conditions more broadly.
This may also clarify why certain CAR T-cell therapies have yielded promising results in lupus clinical trials. These treatments, which genetically modify a patient’s T cells to target specific antigens, were originally designed for blood cancers that arise when B cells proliferate uncontrollably and are often reduced in number. “These CAR T-cell therapies seem to result in lasting remissions. [lupus] Patients have been able to discontinue all medications, implying that the therapy might potentially even cure some individuals. We believe they may achieve this by removing [B cells] or depleting EBV-infected B cells,” Robinson suggests.
Nonetheless, Tsokos cautions that the efficacy of this therapy for lupus remains uncertain, partly because while B cell levels in the blood of patients treated with CAR T cells appear diminished, these cells can often conceal themselves in the bone marrow, and there is currently no evidence confirming that all of them are being eliminated.
The research also underscores the potential for developing a vaccine to combat the saliva-transmitted Epstein-Barr virus, which may help avert various autoimmune diseases. “Such a vaccine could be pivotal in preventing EBV infections and thereby lupus in the future,” Professor Robinson states, though he notes it would not mitigate symptoms for individuals already infected with EBV, as B cell reprogramming appears to occur shortly after infection.
Tsokos believes the broad adoption of the EBV vaccine will hinge on weighing its costs against benefits and side effects. He notes that preventing a single case of lupus might necessitate vaccinating over 1,000 individuals.
Cholesterol management may be achievable by altering just one switch in an individual’s genetic code—potentially for a lifetime.
A pilot study featured in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated a novel gene therapy that decreased patients’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, by nearly 50%, while also reducing triglycerides by an average of 55%.
If forthcoming trials yield similar results, this one-time therapy could serve as an alternative to the combination of medications that millions currently rely on to manage their cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids produced by the liver; however, excessive accumulation in the bloodstream can lead to fat deposits that may result in cardiovascular diseases, which account for about one-third of deaths in the United States.
“Both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are linked to severe cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks, strokes, and mortality,” remarked Steven Nissen, a professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine. BBC Science Focus.
Nissen was part of a research team focusing on lowering cholesterol levels by targeting the ANGPTL3 gene, associated with LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
About 1 in 250 individuals possess a mutation that deactivates this gene, leading to lower lipid levels in their blood. Nissen noted, “Importantly, the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in these individuals is also minimal.”
Thanks to CRISPR gene-editing technology, identifying individuals who might benefit from this mutation is no longer just a matter of chance.
CRISPR selectively modifies DNA by targeting specific genes. – Credit: Getty
Utilizing CRISPR, Nissen and his team developed a treatment to deactivate the ANGPTL3 gene in the liver, which was then infused into 15 patients during an initial safety study.
The treatment significantly reduced participants’ LDL and triglyceride levels within two weeks, and these reductions remained stable after 60 days. Nissen stated, “These changes are anticipated to be permanent.”
Healthcare professionals recommend maintaining LDL cholesterol levels below 100mg/dL to promote heart health. While lifestyle changes can assist, many individuals, particularly those with genetic tendencies to high cholesterol, find it challenging to reach this target.
While existing medications are effective, no drugs simultaneously lower both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, often requiring patients to take multiple medications daily for life to manage their cholesterol.
“The next phase of the trial is set to commence in the coming months, involving more patients with elevated LDL cholesterol or triglycerides,” Nissen stated.
If the trials continue to succeed, this therapy could serve as a lasting solution against some of the most significant health threats globally.
Ryan Wills. Barry Hetherington. ESA; NASA; Adobe Stock
For over five decades, Richard Binzel has been studying the skies for potentially hazardous asteroids. In 1995, he introduced the Near-Earth Object Hazard Index, which was later renamed the Torino Scale. This scale evaluates asteroids on a scale from 0 to 10, determined by both the probability of an impact with Earth and the potential destruction that impact could cause.
This year, Binzel’s scale gained attention when asteroid 2024 YR4 briefly reached a level 3 status, marking the first time an asteroid had achieved this level in two decades. Although the immediate risks have since diminished, this event highlighted the continued necessity of the Torino Scale. Binzel, who is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reassured us that such peak levels are unlikely to be reached during our lifetimes or even those of our grandchildren. He discussed with New Scientist the nuances of asteroid hunting, the risk of catastrophic collisions, and the trajectory of planetary defense.
Alex Wilkins: How was the asteroid impact risk perceived when you began your career?
Richard Binzel: I published my first paper in the 1970s. [Geologist] Eugene Shoemaker was aware that the craters on Earth were the result of impacts. Hence, I grew up understanding that asteroid impacts are a natural phenomenon still occurring today within our solar system.
Public perception was dismissive at best. While Shoemaker focused on serious scientific inquiry without much regard for public opinion, others, including astronomers Clark Chapman, David Morrison, and Don Yeomans, began acknowledging the importance of public communication. In 1989, Chapman and Morrison published Space Catastrophe, which offered one of the first serious examinations of this subject for the general public. The discovery of the KT boundary layer by Alvarez, associated with the Chicxulub asteroid that may have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, served as a pivotal wake-up call regarding modern geological history’s potential impacts.
What prompted you to create the Near-Earth Object Hazard Index?
In 1997, an object designated XF11 exhibited a non-zero collision probability based on its initial orbit. Email was just starting to gain traction, and I was part of a small email communication group consisting of Brian Marsden, Yeomans, Chapman, and Morrison discussing how to handle this information. I was eager to publish findings but wanted to ensure accuracy regarding the risk. As further measurements of its orbit were conducted, the probability of collision was expected to fade. Why raise the alarm if the risk would likely disappear?
Marsden decided to draft a press release just as he was uncovering early observations that allowed him to conclude the collision probability was zero. I recall Yeomans sending an email stating, “Hey everyone, it’s zero.” Marsden believed it was crucial to communicate this to the public, though most of us felt we weren’t ‘crying wolf.’
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I first presented this idea at a United Nations conference, but it was not well received. “
This experience underscored the necessity of having a method of communication when an asteroid is discovered—even if small—with a non-zero collision probability. It’s crucial to be patient and acquire sufficient data to resolve uncertainties. It’s vital not to suppress information when similar objects are found elsewhere, as secrecy breeds distrust. We unanimously agreed that transparency was paramount, allowing people to understand what we knew as early as possible. This philosophy gave birth to what was initially termed the Near-Earth Object Hazard Index.
A diagram showing what the Chicxulub crater on the Yucatán Peninsula looked like immediately after the asteroid impact that may have wiped out the dinosaurs.
D. Van Ravenswaay/Science Photo Library
How was your idea received initially?
Coincidentally, I attended a United Nations conference focused on near-Earth asteroids where I first presented this concept, but it met with skepticism. Some attendees argued it was unnecessary since details about an orbit could be explained through longitude, latitude, and ascending node. They deemed a straightforward 0 to 10 scale superfluous. Arrogantly, some astronomers insisted they need not depend on it, believing they were knowledgeable enough to interpret complex three-dimensional orbital properties.
Nevertheless, I persisted. After bringing it back to the Turin conference, I decided to name it the Turin Scale. I aimed to avoid personal attribution to maintain humility; it was for collective benefit.
The Turin Scale assigns an asteroid a score from 0 to 10 based on its size and risk of hitting Earth.
Was the outcome as you expected?
I anticipated more activity than what we’ve observed, likely due to the effective tracking methods in place for objects. If there’s a non-zero probability associated with an object, it typically gets sorted out quickly.
Over a dozen objects have achieved a score of 1 on the Turin scale with minimal publicity, but that’s precisely as intended. It’s akin to the Richter scale; when Californians learn they might experience a magnitude 1 or 2 earthquake, it doesn’t disrupt their day.
What does the future hold for asteroid tracking?
The pace of near-Earth asteroid discovery is set to surge with the operational launch of the Vera C. Rubin Telescope and the Near-Earth Object (NEO) survey telescope. We’ll identify these objects at an unprecedented rate. Some will possess highly uncertain initial trajectories that require extensive extrapolation, resulting in non-zero collision probabilities. It will take time to gather ample orbital data and assert where these objects will be decades into the future, fully ruling out any collision risks.
We may encounter objects that reach levels like 4 or 5 on the Turin scale, but the true threat level remains out of the ‘red zone.’ I doubt we’ll see such instances in anyone’s lifetime, or even our great-grandchildren’s. These events are incredibly rare. However, there are mechanisms for the public to recognize what to monitor and what to disregard.
As for lower scores on the Turin scale, they will become so routine that they will no longer garner public attention. People can trust astronomers to track interesting objects and ensure their eventual disappearance. The Turin Scale has fulfilled its purpose.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 reached a value of 3 on the Turin scale and then dropped to 0.
NASA/Magdalena Ridge 2.4m Telescope/NMT
Was the Torino system effective during the incident with asteroid 2024 YR4 reaching level 3?
My colleague articulated the message effectively, reiterating that as we collected more data, we anticipated the object would become less concerning. This was our constant reassurance. The descriptions of the categories on the Turin Scale offer insights valuable to astronomers. We were highly confident that further data would eliminate Earth impact possibilities.
The confusion among the media and the public stemmed from misunderstanding the impact probability, which was consistently low. (At its peak, 2024 YR4 had a 3.1 percent impact probability.) As more data came in, the probability fluctuated—this is a natural outcome based on expanding our understanding. Initially, we observed an asteroid over a short trajectory, but extrapolating that trajectory significantly into the future could sometimes indicate higher projections. This increase was more of an adjustment process than a sign of danger.
What can you tell us about Apophis? It’s a 340-meter asteroid expected to come remarkably close to Earth in 2029 but is projected to miss. What gives us such confidence?
When discussing Apophis, I provide three key reassurances: Apophis will safely pass Earth. Apophis will safely pass Earth. Apophis will safely pass Earth. The confidence stems from over two decades of precise tracking, including radar signals reflecting off the asteroid to pinpoint its position within a meter. The margin of uncertainty regarding its close pass is a mere plus or minus 3 kilometers.
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If we need to take action to mitigate an incoming asteroid, we possess the ability, provided we have sufficient time. “
Astronomers have been taking this object very seriously for the last 20 years. Initially, when it was discovered, it had a rating of 4 on the Turin scale, a unique occurrence for any object. However, it was only for a brief duration, maybe just a week, around Christmas 2004 when the asteroid attracted significant attention. I wanted to nickname it “The Grinch” since I was up late on Christmas Eve scrutinizing asteroid orbits until my family pulled me away.
NASA’s DART mission, which aimed to change an asteroid’s orbit, signifies a new chapter for planetary defense. How crucial was this mission?
DART represents a leap forward in our evolution as a species. No longer are we entirely at the mercy of the cosmos. DART illustrated our capacity to target and alter an object’s trajectory. This is a defining moment for humanity, asserting that if we need to counter an asteroid’s approach, we have the capabilities to do so—given we have the time.
Many still voice concerns about the threat of a giant asteroid potentially eradicating humanity. How has this perception evolved since your early involvement in the field?
We are making strides. It’s not an overwhelming concern; rather, it’s a manageable risk that we’ve come to better understand. Personally, after dedicating 50 years of my life as a scientist mostly funded by public resources, I feel a moral duty to advocate for the necessity of detecting serious asteroid threats, thereby fulfilling our responsibilities as scientists.
To illustrate, if we were unexpectedly surprised by an asteroid that we could have detected had we invested in telescopes a decade ago, it would signify a monumental oversight in scientific history. This is the primary frustration I harbor regarding asteroids: the idea that we haven’t fully done our jobs.
As Vera Rubin and the NEO surveyors become operational, it marks a significant advancement. We’re finally in a position to conduct thorough assessments and determine the potential threats posed by asteroids in the coming epochs. With our capacity to seek answers, it’s our responsibility to pursue them.
Artist’s impression of a coronal mass ejection in a star
Olena Shumahalo/Collingham et al.
Astronomers have successfully identified the first clear evidence of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from a star outside of our solar system. This CME, a plasma cloud from a star located 130 light-years away, was observed using radio telescopes here on Earth.
Coronal mass ejections happen when solar storms propel bubbles of magnetized plasma into space. While such eruptions from our Sun can create auroras on Earth, they can also be powerful enough to disrupt the atmosphere of Venus, which lacks a protective magnetic field.
For decades, scientists have detected signs of CMEs in far-off stars, but until now, they were unable to confirm that this material truly escapes the star’s gravitational and magnetic grip, rather than simply being temporarily displaced and then drawn back in.
Joseph Cullingham and his team at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy discovered these emissions utilizing the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope. The bursts, or radio waves, emitted by CMEs can only be captured when the ejection travels fully away from its origin, which is StKM 1-1262.
This research group also employed the XMM-Newton space-based X-ray telescope to assess the temperature, rotation, and luminosity of the host star.
Cullingham emphasized that this new evidence conclusively affirms prior speculations that CMEs indeed occur in distant stars. “Some will say we’ve seen indications for the last 30 years, and they’re right, but we’ve never been able to prove it definitively,” he remarked. “We are discussing mass being expelled and lost from the star, which has been a topic of ongoing debate.”
The radiation from these ejecta could pose a significant threat to potential life forms nearby. According to researcher Anthony Yates from Durham University in the UK, it is crucial to integrate insights on the frequency and intensity of CMEs from distant stars into models assessing the habitability of exoplanets. “If exoplanets were to exist, the repercussions for life there could be devastating,” he added.
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Engagement in sexual activity or even simple intimate contact might accelerate wound healing, especially when paired with oxytocin nasal spray.
Oxytocin, often dubbed the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” is known for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth and aiding breastfeeding. It’s also linked to social connections and intimacy. Previous studies suggest it can facilitate healing of conditions like oral ulcers, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Furthermore, a contentious relationship between partners may contribute to slower healing of blisters. Researchers, including Beate Ditzen from the University of Zurich, speculated whether a lack of oxytocin during these strained interactions could be a mediating factor.
To explore this, the team conducted a study involving 80 healthy heterosexual couples, averaging 27 years of age, all of whom had four small wounds created on their forearms through a suction device.
The couples were split into four groups, each assigned different interventions for the following week. One group received oxytocin nasal spray twice daily while engaging in a 10-minute Partner Appreciation Task (PAT) — a structured activity focusing on expressing gratitude and compliments up to three times a week.
The second group also used oxytocin but did not participate in PAT. The third group carried out PAT with a placebo spray, while the fourth group used a placebo without any PAT intervention.
Neither using oxytocin alone nor engaging in PAT with a placebo led to faster wound healing compared to the control group without spray and PAT. However, the combination of oxytocin and PAT showed some effectiveness in reducing scars’ size and depth, especially among couples who reported increased physical affection or sexual activity during the study week. This was also linked to lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone known to hinder immune function, observed in saliva samples.
“We observe enhanced wound healing in groups that incorporate PAT; however, the effects are significantly more pronounced when oxytocin is combined with spontaneous contact or intimate behaviors,”
Darryl O’Connor from the University of Leeds noted, “Our findings are intriguing as they imply that pairing oxytocin administration with positive interpersonal interactions might bolster physical recovery, opening promising avenues for future psychosocial interventions in healthcare settings.”
According to Anna Whitaker, researchers at the University of Stirling in the UK suggest that increased doses of oxytocin may yield similar benefits, particularly for older adults with generally weakened immune systems.
Astronomers have identified a faint planetary nebula during a spectroscopic examination of stars in NGC 1866, a vast young globular cluster within the Milky Way satellite galaxy, known as the Large Magellanic Cloud. This nebula, designated Ka LMC 1, is situated near the core of NGC 1866.
This image shows NGC 1866 overlaid with a false-color representation from the MUSE data cube, highlighting the ionized shell of planetary nebula Ka LMC 1 as a red ring. The grayscale inset details the sizes of the ionization shells of singly ionized nitrogen. [N II] and doubly ionized oxygen [O III]. A magnified Hubble image reveals a pale blue star at the center, likely the hot central star of Ka LMC 1. Image credit: AIP / MM Roth / NASA / ESA / Hubble.
NGC 1866 is located at the edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud, approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth.
This cluster, also referred to as ESO 85-52 and LW 163, was discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop on August 3, 1826.
Surprisingly, NGC 1866 is a young globular cluster positioned close enough for individual star studies.
In a recent spectroscopic investigation of NGC 1866, astronomers analyzed spectra captured by the MUSE Integral Field Spectrometer on ESO’s Very Large Telescope.
They made an unexpected and intriguing discovery: the ionized shell of a planetary nebula.
A subsequent study utilized images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to explore the nature of the object, which has been named Ka LMC 1.
“Planetary nebulae signify a late phase in a star’s evolution, during which the star consumes hydrogen for nucleosynthesis, expands as a red giant in a shell-burning phase, and eventually sheds most of its mass into a large, expanding shell. The remaining core then contracts and heats up, eventually cooling to become a white dwarf,” explained lead author Dr. Howard Bond, an astronomer at Pennsylvania State University and the Space Telescope Science Institute, along with his colleagues.
“Once the core surpasses 35,000 degrees, the shell ionizes and becomes visible through emission lines at specific wavelengths.”
The research team noted that Hubble images depict the hot central star of the Ka LMC 1 nebula.
“Ka LMC 1 is a genuine enigma. A young star cluster aged 200 million years implies that its progenitor star must be significantly massive,” noted astronomer Professor Martin Roth from the Potsdam Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, the Institute for Physics and Astronomy at the University of Potsdam, and the German Center for Astrophysics.
“However, such a star would quickly evolve towards a cooling white dwarf stage.”
“Reconciling the age of the planetary nebula’s expanding shell with the theoretical evolutionary trajectory of its central star has been challenging.”
“This object undoubtedly demands further detailed observations to clarify its characteristics.”
“It presents a rare opportunity to observe star evolution over a timeframe that usually spans millions, if not billions, of years.”
“Yet, the evolution of massive central stars occurs in merely a few thousand years, making it possible to align with the timeline of the nebula’s expansion.”
According to a study published on November 7, 2025, in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
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Howard E. Bond et al. 2025. A faint planetary nebula was accidentally discovered in the massive young LMC star cluster NGC 1866. pasp 137, 114202; doi: 10.1088/1538-3873/ae1664
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