Recent discoveries by archaeologists in Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, home to significant Middle to Late Paleolithic sites like Starosele, include a 5-centimeter-long bone fragment from a Neanderthal man, dating between 46,000 and 44,000 years ago. Genetic analysis shows this individual to be closely related to Altai Neanderthals through mitochondrial DNA, indicating that Neanderthal populations traveled great distances across Eurasia. Under favorable climatic conditions, these migrations likely involved the spread of the Micocchia stone tool industry, highlighting cultural continuity and regional adaptability during the Late Pleistocene.
A group of Neanderthals in a cave. Image credit: Tyler B. Tretsven.
Crimea is rich in well-preserved layered Paleolithic sites, many reflecting the biocultural and human occupation transition that occurred approximately 47,000 to 42,000 years ago.
According to earlier radiocarbon dating studies, the peninsula has been recognized as a refuge for late Neanderthals who survived just before their extinction.
Starosele, a rock shelter located in a steep valley, features four distinct cultural layers and has been researched since 1952.
“The archaeological layers of this site are rich in cultural artifacts,” stated Emily Piggott, a PhD student at the University of Vienna, along with her colleagues.
“Levels 1, 2, and 4 are linked to stone tools from the Crimean Mikokian stone tool industry, associated with Neanderthals.”
This study aimed to identify potential human remains from the thousands of fragmented bones excavated from the Starosele site.
From the 150 bone fragments analyzed, 97.3% contained sufficient collagen for taxonomic identification.
Approximately 93% of the remains belonged to horses and deer, with fewer found from mammoths and wolves, indicating that Paleolithic humans in Crimea heavily relied on horse hunting.
Notably, one bone fragment, measuring 49.8 mm in length and 18.8 mm in width, was classified as hominin.
Radiocarbon dating indicated an age range of 46,000 to 45,000 years, coinciding with the transitional period before the extinction of Neanderthals and the emergence of Homo sapiens in Western Europe.
“Particularly the remains of humans before Starosele are from a much later era of Homo sapiens,” Piggott remarked.
“Upon receiving the radiocarbon results, we realized we had uncovered a true Paleolithic hominin.”
“Neanderthals went extinct across Eurasia, replaced by Homo sapiens, yet genetic information about these earlier human populations is scarce.”
Researchers then sequenced the mitochondrial genome from this bone, confirming the individual was part of the Neanderthal lineage.
The mitogenome of this individual aligns with other Neanderthal mitogenomes previously documented in the Altai region of Siberia.
“Surprisingly, this individual shared the closest genetic ties with Neanderthals from Altai, over 3,000 kilometers to the east, as well as with Neanderthals that once roamed areas of Europe such as Croatia,” highlighted the researchers.
“This finding reaffirms previous studies suggesting that Neanderthals migrated extensively across Eurasia, traversing from central Europe to central Eurasia during the late Pleistocene.”
“This research highlights Crimea as a crucial junction in the Neanderthal migration routes.”
The findings of this study will be published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Emily M. Piggott et al. 2025. A new late Neanderthal from Crimea reveals long-distance connections across Eurasia. PNAS 122 (45): e2518974122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2518974122
Researchers at the University of Sydney, in collaboration with Dewpoint Innovations, have engineered a porous polymer coating that can reflect as much as 97% of sunlight, dissipate heat into the atmosphere, and maintain surface temperatures up to 6 degrees cooler than the ambient air—even in direct sunlight. This mechanism fosters ideal conditions for atmospheric water vapor to transform into water droplets on these cooler surfaces, much like the condensation seen on a bathroom mirror.
Experimental equipment installed on the roof of the Sydney Nanoscience Hub. Image credit: University of Sydney.
Professor Chiara Neto from the University of Sydney stated: “This innovation not only advances cool roof coating technology, but also paves the way for sustainable, low-cost, decentralized freshwater sources—an essential requirement given the challenges of climate change and rising water scarcity.”
A six-month field study conducted on the roof of the Sydney Nanoscience Hub demonstrated that dew was collected for 32% of the year, enabling a sustainable and reliable water source even during dry spells.
Under optimal conditions, this coating can yield up to 390 mL of water per square meter daily—sufficient for a 12-square-meter home, meeting one person’s daily hydration needs.
This research illustrates the integration of passive cooling techniques and atmospheric moisture collection into scalable paint-like solutions.
The extensive collection area suggests that this coating could have diverse applications in various industries, including water supply for livestock, horticulture for premium crops, cooling through spraying, and hydrogen production.
Contrary to conventional white paints, the porous coatings utilizing polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene (PVDF-HFP) do not depend on UV-reflective pigments like titanium dioxide.
Dr. Ming Chiu, Chief Technology Officer of Dewpoint Innovations, remarked, “Our design achieves superior reflectiveness through an internal porous structure, ensuring longevity without the environmental downsides of pigment-based coatings.”
“By eliminating UV-absorbing materials, we have surmounted traditional limitations of solar reflectance while avoiding glare from diffuse reflection.”
“This equilibrium between performance and visual comfort enhances its ease of integration and appeal for real-world applications.”
Throughout six months of outdoor examination, researchers documented minute-by-minute data on cooling and water collection, confirming solid performance that remained stable under the harsh Australian sun—unlike similar technologies that often degrade quickly.
In addition to water harvesting, these coatings could help mitigate urban heat islands, lower energy needs for air conditioning, and provide climate-resilient water sources for regions facing heightened heat and water stress.
“This research also challenges the notion that dew collection is confined to humid environments,” noted Professor Neto.
“While humid conditions are optimal, condensation can also occur in arid and semi-arid areas where humidity increases during the night.”
“It isn’t a substitute for rainfall; rather, it serves as a water source when other supplies are scarce.”
The team’s work was published in the October 30th issue of Advanced Functional Materials.
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Ming Chiu et al. A passive cooling paint-like coating to capture water from the atmosphere. Advanced Functional Materials published online October 30, 2025. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202519108
Paleontologists have identified a new early Miocene species of rhinoceros from the genus Epiaceratherium, based on fossilized remains uncovered in the Canadian Highlands Arctic.
Reconstruction of Epiaceratherium ijirik in a forested lake habitat on Devon Island. The flora and fauna depicted are based on fossils found locally, including the transitional seal species Puigila dalwini. Image credit: Julius Csotony.
This new rhinoceros existed in present-day Canada around 23 million years ago during the early Miocene epoch.
Named Epiaceratherium ijirik, it is most closely related to other rhinoceros species that thrived in Europe millions of years ago.
“Currently, there are only five species of rhinos found in Africa and Asia, but they were once widespread in Europe and North America, with over 50 species documented in the fossil record,” stated Dr. Daniel Fraser, a researcher from the Canadian Museum of Nature, Carleton University, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
“The inclusion of this Arctic species enriches our understanding of the evolutionary history of rhinoceroses.”
Epiaceratherium ijirik was relatively small and slender, comparable in size to a modern Indian rhinoceros, but notably lacked a horn.
The fossilized remains were excavated from the sediments of a fossil-abundant lake in Horton Crater on Devon Island, Nunavut.
“What’s impressive about this Arctic rhinoceros is the excellent condition of the fossilized bones,” remarked Dr. Marisa Gilbert, also from the Canadian Museum of Nature.
“They are three-dimensionally preserved and only partially mineralized.”
“Approximately 75 percent of the skeleton has been recovered, which is remarkably complete for a fossil.”
By analyzing the occurrences of 57 other now-extinct rhino species, researchers traced the family tree of Epiaceratherium ijirik.
The findings were derived from visits to museum collections, reviews of scientific literature, and database analyses.
The researchers were also able to geographically categorize each rhino species across five continental regions.
This exhaustive process employed mathematical modeling techniques to gauge dispersal rates among different continents within the Rhinocerotidae family, with scoring based on their locations.
The analysis sheds light on how rhinoceroses utilized the North Atlantic land bridge for migration between North America and Europe (via Greenland) over millions of years.
Previous studies indicated that the land bridge may have served solely as a migration route until about 56 million years ago.
However, the new analysis implies that Epiaceratherium ijirik and its relatives suggest that these migrations from Europe to North America could have occurred much more recently, potentially as late as the Miocene.
“Discovering and describing new species is always thrilling and enlightening,” noted Dr. Fraser.
“But there is more to be gleaned from this identification: Epiaceratherium ijirik reveals that the North Atlantic played a more significant role in rhinoceros evolution than previously acknowledged.”
“Overall, this study reaffirms that the Arctic continues to unveil new insights and discoveries, enhancing our understanding of mammalian diversification across epochs.”
Results of this research are published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
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D. Fraser et al. Dispersal of rhinos through the North Atlantic during the mid-Cenozoic Era. Nat Ecol Evol published online October 28, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02872-8
It’s fair to state that the ancient human family tree has always been subject to revision. Take the Denisovans, for instance. These enigmatic ancient hominins were once primarily identified through mere bone fragments. However, in June, molecular analysis revealed that a peculiar skull from China belonged to the Denisovans, thus giving them a more defined identity.
Yet, not everyone is convinced. Anthropologist Christopher Bay, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, contests this finding, asserting that the skull is more likely associated with a species named Homolonghi. Bay has been foundational in ongoing discussions regarding our ancestral lineage. For over five years, he, alongside colleagues, has advocated for the recognition of two ancient human species: Homo bodoensis and Homo juruensis.
These proposals have stirred debate, especially since Bay and his team have intentionally disregarded traditional naming conventions. He argues that such rules have become outdated, failing to accommodate the removal of names that are now considered offensive or unpronounceable. In a conversation with New Scientist, he elaborated on how his personal quest for identity fueled his passion for human evolution.
Michael Marshall: What initially encouraged you to explore the study of ancient humans?
Christopher Bay: The ultimate aim of paleoanthropology is to piece together historical narratives, even when all elements are not available. This field resonates with me personally as I was adopted and spent my first year without any concrete memory. I was born in South Korea, abandoned around one year of age, spent six months in an orphanage, and was later taken in by an American family.
During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to visit Korea for the first time as an exchange student. On this trip, I visited an adoption center in my hometown, inquiring if there was any possibility of locating my birth parents. Unfortunately, I was informed that my Korean name and birth date were not legitimate, and there was virtually no chance of finding them. That was a moment of resignation for me.
Although I was intrigued by my origins, I didn’t know how to pursue them. Then, I enrolled in an introductory biological anthropology course, which allowed me to navigate my curiosity about origins—almost like constructing my own foundation.
Two species frequently debated regarding our direct ancestry are Homo heidelbergensis and Homo rhodesiensis. In 2021, you joined a team proposing the substitution of these names with a new species, H. bodoensis. Could you elaborate on this?
My colleague, Mirjana Roksandic from the University of Winnipeg and I discussed H. heidelbergensis at the 2019 Anthropology Conference. It became apparent that this species had been labelled a “trash can taxon,” becoming an easy classification for fossils that didn’t belong to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, or Homo sapiens.
What are the implications?
If we aim to discard H. heidelbergensis, the next valid name based on priority is H. rhodesiensis. However, this name honors Northern Rhodesia—renamed Zambia—an area linked to the controversial Cecil Rhodes. Are we comfortable naming a potential ancestor of modern humans after a historical figure associated with colonialism? So, in compiling that paper, we decided to introduce a fresh name paying tribute to Bodo, a 600,000-year-old skull discovered in Ethiopia.
What response did your paper receive?
Upon peer review submission, half of the reviewers contended the argument had to be published for its significance, while the other half deemed it entirely flawed. Unsurprisingly, the paper was met with polarized reactions once it was released.
Have any workable agreements emerged from this debate?
We held a workshop in Novi Sad, Serbia in 2023, with approximately 16 to 17 paleoanthropologists participating. A consensus emerged around the notion that H. heidelbergensis is indeed an inappropriate taxonomic category. Another significant finding was that H. rhodesiensis should be excluded due to its colonial implications—remarkably, only one paleoanthropologist present believed otherwise.
The ICZN published a statement in 2023, indicating it “does not involve itself in removing names that may be ethically problematic.” This direction prompted us to challenge the ICZN. Editor’s note: The ICZN’s 2023 announcement recognized that some scientific names might be offensive but asserted it’s beyond their remit to weigh the morality of individuals honored in eponyms. Moreover, it stressed the necessity for zoologists to adhere to its ethical code while naming new species.
Are the names of species significant enough to merit conflict?
Yes and no. For instance, several beetles from Slovenian caves were named after Adolf Hitler in the 1930s by an Austrian entomologist, Oskar Scheibel. One species, Anophthalmus hitleri, has gained popularity as a collector’s item among neo-Nazis, which could lead to this innocent beetle’s extinction.
What alternatives do you propose?
I advocate working with local collaborators to choose species names that they find acceptable since they live with and experience these species regularly. Ideally, I believe we should refrain from using personal names for species, as this could lead to ongoing issues. Change is on the horizon; the ICZN is re-evaluating the inclusion of members from the Global South to provide them a stronger say. Recently, the American Ornithological Society voted to remove names with negative connotations associated with historical figures from their species designations.
Last year, you again disputed ICZN regulations concerning ancient human fossils excavated at a site, Xujiayao, in northern China. What occurred there?
In the 1970s, researchers uncovered multiple hominin fossils representing over ten individuals at the site, though they were found as separate pieces. Together with my colleagues, Wu Xiujie from the Chinese Academy of Sciences worked extensively on these fossils. Wu has virtually reconstructed part of one skull, and upon seeing this, we noted it appeared distinctly different from other hominins of a comparable age.
What differentiates these specimens?
The variations lie in size and shape; our average cranial capacity is around 1300 to 1500 cubic centimeters, whereas these fossils have cranial volumes between 1700 cm³ and 1800 cm³, significantly larger than typical humans. Shape analysis similarly indicated that the Xujiayao fossils correlated differently compared to those from a nearby site called Xuchang, leading us to propose a new species name.
Mr. Bae studies human fossils discovered in Serbia, potentially linked to Homo bodoensis
Christopher J. Bay
The name you ultimately selected has been met with criticism. Can you clarify the rationale behind it?
The origin of the species name is intriguing; in this case, we could have opted for Homo suziayaoensis, named after Xujiayao, aligning with ICZN guidelines.
In Latin, it translates to “homo“, but you found that option unsatisfactory?
The challenge lies in the fact that only fluent Chinese speakers can pronounce it, and even spelling it correctly can be an issue. Names must be both pronounceable and memorable. Thus, we came up with “julu,” which translates directly to “big head.” However, adhering to ICZN guidelines, we would need to modify the name to “Homo juui”. In our view, since non-Chinese speakers struggle to pronounce it correctly, we ultimately decided upon Homo juruensis.
How does your new species intersect with the enigmatic Denisovans, who inhabited what is now East Asia during the Stone Age?
If you compare the second molars from Denisova Cave with those from Xujiabao, they appear strikingly similar. It’s even plausible to interlink Xujiayao’s and Denisova’s molars, as the distinction is often so subtle.
This year, another research team suggested a link between the same Denisovan fossils and another ancient species, Homolonghi, which has garnered a positive reception among numerous researchers.
Most ancient hominin experts in China tend to side with our argument for H. juruensis, while many Western scholars familiar with China’s historical records also find it agreeable.
Concerning the June-discovered skull, researchers managed to extract ancient proteins associated with H. longhi that corresponded with known Denisovan fossils. What are your thoughts?
Most geneticists argue that protein analysis isn’t robust enough for accurate species identification. While it can differentiate between broader categories—like cats and dogs—its utility in distinguishing more nuanced levels is quite limited.
Replica of Denisova molars discovered in Denisova Cave in 2000
Tilo Parg CC BY-SA 3.0
Do you still consider H. longhi a legitimate species?
I personally appreciate H. longhi and the fossils associated with it. The debate revolves around which other fossils should be allocated to longhi or juruensis. It’s interesting to note that advocates for longhi are attempting to consolidate all fossils under that designation, despite the evident morphological diversity present in Chinese fossils.
Many paleoanthropologists have expressed strong criticism of your research. How do you and your colleagues respond to this?
Over time, we’ve developed resilient skin regarding our work.
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Hectoria Glacier’s terminus in February 2024 after an unprecedented fast retreat
Naomi Ochiwat
Researchers have observed what is thought to be the quickest retreat of Antarctic glaciers recorded in contemporary times.
The Hectoria Glacier, located in the Antarctic Peninsula, has receded by 25 km in just 15 months, resulting in a collapse rate that could be up to ten times faster than current documentation suggests.
Naomi Ochiwat, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, and her team attribute this rapid decline to structural weaknesses within Hectoria, particularly as its slender trunk retreated across a flat section of the ocean floor, referred to as an ice plain. This situation has led to uncontrolled iceberg formation.
Scientists express concerns that this collapse mechanism could endanger other Antarctic glaciers, potentially leading to significant effects on sea level rise.
“The pressing question is: Was the situation with Hectoria an isolated incident resulting from a unique set of circumstances, or could it indicate a broader disaster waiting to occur in other areas?” Ochiwat comments.
The issues facing Hectoria began in early 2022 when a section of sea ice detached from the front of the glacier, leading to the collapse of its floating ice tongue. The loss of this stabilizing ice subjected the glacier to new pressures, accelerating its flow and thinning.
However, the most striking alteration took place on the ice field, where the trunk of Hectoria, which had been secured on stable bedrock, appeared to thin considerably, leaving most of it barely resting on the ocean floor.
Researchers noted that the entire section lifted almost instantly, revealing vulnerabilities within the trunk and initiating destruction. The buoyant force fragmented the iceberg, resulting in what was termed a “glacial earthquake,” which was detected by seismic instruments. The glacier lost 8 km in length during November and December of 2022.
Satellite imagery showing Hectoria Glacier’s terminus on October 26, 2022 (left) and February 23, 2023
Copernicus/ESA
Team members, including Ted Scambos, another professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, described the rapid deterioration as “astonishing,” cautioning that this retreat could alter the dynamics of significant glaciers across the continent.
Nonetheless, this viewpoint has sparked debate. Fraser Christie from Airbus Defense and Space remarked on the “substantial disagreements” among glaciologists regarding whether Hectoria was fully contacting the bedrock, citing a lack of precise satellite data.
Anna Hogg, a researcher from the University of Leeds in the UK, stated that their findings indicated the ice in the claimed ice field was consistently “entirely floating,” thus rejecting the notion of collapse due to buoyancy.
Christine Batchelor, a professor at Newcastle University in the UK, also expressed skepticism about the team’s explanation. “If this ice was genuinely floating, as has been widely discussed, the news would simply be ‘Ice shelf calves iceberg,’ which is relatively common,” she noted.
Gentle exercises, like walking, can enhance brain health
Gordon Scammell/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Older adults, particularly those at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease, might slow cognitive decline by walking just 3,000 steps daily. The underlying reasons for this effect remain unclear; however, it could be linked to how regular exercise influences inflammation and blood circulation in the brain.
Earlier studies connecting regular physical activity to reduced cognitive decline often depended on individuals recalling their activity levels, with limited exploration into why staying active might offer such benefits.
To overcome these constraints, Wai Ying Wendy Yau and colleagues at Harvard University objectively tracked the physical activity of 296 cognitively healthy adults aged 50 to 90 through step-counting devices over a week.
Most participants also underwent brain imaging to assess baseline levels of misfolded proteins known as tau and beta-amyloid, which are believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. These levels were typically evaluated every 2 to 3 years over a follow-up duration spanning 3 to 14 years. Participants took annual cognitive tests measuring memory and processing speed.
The research team estimated exercise’s impact on cognitive decline by feeding data from step counts, brain imaging, and cognitive evaluations into a statistical model. They discovered that participants with elevated levels of misfolded beta-amyloid who walked between 3,000 to 5,000 steps daily considerably slowed tau accumulation, but not beta-amyloid.
“[Exercise is] somehow hindering the spread of tau protein, which is more closely linked to symptom onset in individuals with [Alzheimer’s disease] than amyloid beta,” remarked Charles Marshall at Queen Mary University of London.
This was associated with an approximate 40 percent reduction in cognitive decline over a nine-year average follow-up, compared to participants taking fewer than 3,000 steps daily, categorized as inactive. Researchers, however, did not have data on whether any participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during the follow-up.
Conversely, walking between 5,000 and 7,500 steps daily further slowed tau buildup, leading to a 54 percent reduction in cognitive decline compared to inactivity. However, exceeding 7,500 steps daily did not result in additional cognitive improvements. “The benefits with tau and cognition eventually reach a plateau,” Yau noted.
While the exact mechanisms through which regular exercise yields these effects remain uninvestigated, potential causes may include: Physical activity that diminishes inflammation purportedly caused by beta-amyloid and tau misfolding, disrupting neural connections, and damaging cells. Moreover, exercise could enhance blood flow or boost levels of protective hormones in the brain.
Nonetheless, this study does not conclusively establish that walking 5,000 steps daily directly contributes to slowing cognitive decline. Unidentified or unnoticed pre-existing conditions might impact individuals’ capacity and enthusiasm for exercising, according to Marshall. Various lifestyle and socio-economic factors that the research team considered may also affect activity levels and tau counts.
Nevertheless, given that regular exercise offers numerous health advantages, is inexpensive, and generally has few side effects, individuals should be encouraged to aim for at least 3,000 steps daily, even if the exact impact on cognitive function remains uncertain. “I always advise people not to obsess over numeric goals for step counts. It’s merely a target,” said Marshall. “What truly matters is maintaining regular physical activity, which doesn’t have to be at large volumes or high intensity.”
Prior research suggests that consistent lifestyle alterations, including exercise, can reverse cognitive decline. However, Yau emphasizes the necessity for further studies that randomly assign participants to distinct daily step counts to differentiate the effects of exercise from other lifestyle modifications and determine whether it genuinely slows tau accumulation.
Prolonged sitting can lead to a temporary decline in blood vessel function and blood pressure. Implementing specific eating strategies while in a sitting position may either alleviate or exacerbate these effects on vascular health. Recent research indicates that dietary cocoa flavanols, consumed prior to two hours of uninterrupted sitting, effectively counteract the deterioration in vascular function seen in young, healthy men. The beneficial effects of flavanols were consistent across individuals with varying levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, suggesting that even those with high fitness do not escape the decline in vascular function or blood pressure associated with sitting.
Consuming flavanol-rich foods during sedentary periods can be an effective method, used alone or alongside other strategies (such as reducing sedentary time), to mitigate the adverse effects of inactivity on the vascular system. Image credit: Daniele et al., doi: 10.1113/JP289038.
Sedentary behavior has become exceedingly common in contemporary society.
Over the past two decades, it has been reported that the time spent sitting among young Americans has escalated from an average of 5.5 to 6.5 hours per day (an increase of 18.2%).
Sitting encompasses not only professional or commuting scenarios but also leisure activities like watching television or playing video games.
Previous studies indicate that a 1% decrease in vascular function (measured via brachial flow-mediated dilatation, which reflects arterial elasticity) correlates to a 13% rise in the risk for cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Researchers, including Catarina Rendeiro and her team at the University of Birmingham, sought to determine if diet—as specifically influenced by flavanol-rich foods—could mitigate the vascular risks associated with extended sitting.
Flavanols are polyphenolic compounds naturally found in certain fruits, teas, nuts, and cocoa beans.
Research has shown they provide cardiovascular benefits, notably in protecting vascular health during mental stress.
“We spend significant amounts of time seated, whether at a desk, driving, traveling, or relaxing on the couch,” Dr. Rendeiro notes.
“Even while inactive, our bodies can experience stress.”
“Identifying methods to alleviate the impacts of prolonged sitting on vascular function might significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk.”
To investigate this, researchers assessed whether ingesting flavanols shortly before two hours of sitting could preserve blood vessel function in the arms and legs.
A total of forty healthy young men (20 with high fitness and 20 with low fitness) were given either a high-flavanol (695 mg total flavanols per beverage) or low-flavanol cocoa beverage (5.6 mg total flavanols per beverage) before undergoing a two-hour sitting test.
This study focused solely on men due to potential fluctuations of estrogen during women’s menstrual cycles, which might impact how flavanols affect vascular health while sitting. Future trials will address this aspect.
The research team conducted various vascular measurements pre- and post-sitting, including (i) superficial femoral and brachial artery FMD, (ii) arterial resting shear rate and blood flow, (iii) systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and (iv) leg muscle oxygenation.
For both groups that consumed low-flavanol cocoa before sitting, there was a decrease in FMD in arm and leg arteries.
This indicates that even high fitness levels do not shield individuals from the effects of seated inactivity.
Both groups also exhibited a significant rise in diastolic blood pressure, reduced shear rate and blood flow in both arteries, and lower muscle oxygenation.
However, participants who consumed the high-flavanol cocoa drink retained their FMD levels in both the arm and leg arteries, demonstrating the protective effects of flavanols across various fitness levels.
This is the first instance where flavanols have been recognized for their ability to prevent vascular dysfunction linked to prolonged sitting in healthy young men.
Professor Sam Lucas remarked: “Our findings reveal that even those with high fitness levels are not immune to the temporary vascular impairments caused by sitting and consuming only low-flavanol cocoa.”
“Remarkably, after consuming the high-flavanol beverage, both fit and unfit participants maintained their FMD levels, unaffected by two hours of sitting.”
This study also uniquely demonstrated that pre-existing cardiorespiratory fitness levels do not influence how flavanol intake affects vascular function.
This means everyone, irrespective of fitness levels, can reap the rewards of flavanol consumption.
“Integrating flavanol-rich foods into your diet is quite simple,” asserts Alessio Daniele, a PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham.
“Cacao products that retain flavanol levels are readily found in supermarkets and health stores.”
“If cocoa isn’t your preference, consider incorporating apples, plums, berries, nuts, or black and green teas, which are common in kitchens.”
“Our findings suggest that consuming flavanol-rich foods and beverages during sedentary periods is an effective strategy to mitigate the impacts of inactivity on vascular health,” Dr. Rendeiro indicates.
“Given the upward trend in sedentary lifestyles and the associated risks to vascular health, integrating flavanol-rich foods and beverages with short breaks for walking or standing can promote long-term well-being, regardless of physical fitness levels.”
The study was published in October 2025 in the Journal of Physiology.
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Alessio Daniele et al.. Dietary flavanols maintain endothelial function in the upper and lower extremities during sitting in healthy men with high or low physical fitness. Journal of Physiology published online October 29, 2025. doi: 10.1113/JP289038
The proliferation of satellites in orbit is accelerating rapidly, yet their vulnerability to solar storms remains poorly understood. This issue is expected to intensify.
Since May 2019, SpaceX has deployed over 10,000 satellites as part of its Starlink internet megaconstellation, with approximately 1,000 currently re-entering Earth’s atmosphere at a rate of one or two daily. These satellites form a vast network surrounding the Earth, which suggests that solar and related geomagnetic storms could impact at least some satellites at any given time.
To assess the implications of these storms on Starlink, Kang Eun Joo and researchers at the University of California, Irvine, analyzed publicly available satellite tracking data collected during the solar storm of May 2024.
The findings indicated that during the storm’s peak, Starlink satellites on the sun-facing side experienced an altitude reduction of up to half a kilometer. While this drop is minor compared to their 550-kilometer orbit, it is significant because solar radiation can generate atmospheric drag on the satellites.
Satellites in other locations, particularly those near the Earth’s poles where the magnetic field attracts more solar particles, and those over the South Atlantic Anomaly, where the magnetic field has weakened, also experienced substantial effects.
According to the data reviewed by the research team, an unusual phenomenon occurred among the constellations. “When one satellite descends, neighboring satellites must adjust accordingly,” Kang explained, utilizing onboard ion thrusters to recalibrate the affected satellites. This is necessary since the satellites communicate via line-of-sight lasers to maintain the network, which creates a cascading effect as adjacent satellites follow suit. “It’s like a wave,” remarked Sangeeta Abdu Jyoti, another researcher at UC Irvine.
This could lead to challenges for other satellites maneuvering around the Starlink constellation to prevent collisions. “Unpredictable paths heighten collision risks,” Abdu Jyoti cautioned.
Additional publicly accessible data also reveals the repercussions of solar storms. Some Starlink users utilize an online service called RIPE Atlas to monitor their connection status. By analyzing this information, Kang and her team noted that satellites experienced disruptions and reported network outages during the May 2024 storm. “Packet loss surged immediately,” Kang stated, resulting in data failing to reach its intended targets.
This study emphasizes the challenges faced by satellite constellations such as Starlink, as well as those in development like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and various projects in China, due to solar activity jeopardizing communication and potentially leading to drastic positional changes that could result in collisions with other satellites.
In February 2022, a significant solar storm caused 40 newly launched Starlink satellites to return to the atmosphere, where they incinerated. Recent studies have also indicated that heightened solar activity is accelerating the decline of certain Starlink satellites.
The May 2024 solar storm was roughly three times weaker than the Carrington event of 1859—the strongest solar storm on record. Such records are likely to be repeated, potentially creating significant challenges for satellite operators. “If an exceptionally strong storm occurs, the situation will worsen,” Abdu Jyoti said. “But the extent of that worsening remains uncertain.”
For now, I hope to have adequate preparation time. The May 2024 storm happened at the peak of the sun’s 22-year activity cycle. A powerful storm could strike at any moment, with a higher likelihood expected in the 2040s when solar activity intensifies again. By that time, it’s anticipated that tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, more satellites will be in orbit compared to the current approximate count of 13,000. “The more satellites you have, the greater the issue,” stated Scott Shambaugh, founder of Leonid Space, a US company tracking the impact of space weather on satellites.
“Currently, we lack reliable predictive models to assess how solar storms impact drag over short timescales,” Shambaugh explained. “Consequently, satellites may not be where anticipated for hours or days following a storm.”
Matthew Owens identified another area needing further understanding: substorms—minor fluctuations in the atmosphere caused by solar heating that disproportionately affect satellites in varied orbits, according to researchers from Britain’s University of Reading. “Geomagnetic storms consist of numerous substorms,” he noted, “but these are extraordinarily challenging to forecast.”
Satellite constellations like Starlink provide a unique perspective on this activity, effectively serving as a massive research network in orbit around Earth. “These satellites may very well be our first data probes for analyzing local variations in atmospheric drag,” Abdu Jyoti concluded.
Artist’s rendition of a Population III star that existed 100 million years after the Big Bang
Noir Lab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Space Engine/M. Zamani
We may have finally observed the first generation of stars. After decades of searching for these pristine giants, known as Population III stars, astronomers have found their most promising candidate yet.
Population III stars are anticipated to be markedly distinct from today’s stars, or Population I stars. They are believed to have formed from pure hydrogen and helium gases before supernovae and powerful stellar winds dispersed heavier elements across the universe. These stars are also predicted to be larger and hotter than modern counterparts.
That’s precisely the case, according to Eli Visbal. Researchers from the University of Toledo in Ohio made this discovery through a detailed examination of prior James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of a distant galaxy known as LAP1-B. With a redshift of 6.6, this galaxy is visible approximately 800 million years after the Big Bang. Its discovery was facilitated by the magnification of its light due to gravitational lensing by nearby galaxy clusters.
“There’s likely much more to discover in the universe, but we can only see it illuminated by this expanding star cluster,” Visbal noted. When his team estimated how many Population III clusters could exist at this redshift, they figured there should be only one—exactly what they observed. “Our abundance calculations aligned perfectly with those of the previous research team,” he added.
Another advantage of LAP1-B is that it contains only enough stars to comprise several thousand times the mass of the Sun. In contrast, other Population III galaxy candidates usually have significantly larger stellar masses, which do not align with simulations of Population III cluster formation. “This is the most robust candidate we’ve encountered,” says Visbal.
Most Population III stars are thought to have existed and perished between about 100 million and 400 million years after the Big Bang, at which point there were enough heavy elements in the universe to create stars similar to those we observe today. “This object meets many criteria, but I remain somewhat skeptical because these stars emerge later in the timeline, and there may be other viable explanations,” remarks Ralph Cressen from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. “Discovering Population III clusters would be fascinating, but statistically, this would surely be an anomaly.”
However, primordial pockets of hydrogen and helium could linger longer, potentially leading to the formation of Population III stars, as Visbal suggested.
“LAP-B1 is a particularly intriguing candidate, but we are still far from the clear and undeniable indications we would need for definite identification of Population III,” comments Roberto Maiorino at Cambridge University. “[For these to truly be Population III stars] it requires an extremely fortunate combination of factors, each of which is quite rare on its own, and even rarer when they occur together. Further observations and in-depth simulations are essential to ascertain whether LAP1-B represents the first detection of these enigmatic stars.
Understanding Population III stars is crucial, as they offer insights into the formation of the universe’s first heavy elements. “They reveal how the universe’s chemistry evolved from being solely hydrogen and helium to the diverse range of chemicals, life, and entities that exist today,” Visbal states. The stars of Population III were the pioneering building blocks of the complexity encompassing us now.
Super 8 film captured a close-up of a silvery fritillary butterfly
Nature Hunter Films Limited
super nature Ed Sayers hitting UK cinemas in 2026
Ed Sayers, a director of commercials and music videos, has an affinity for Super 8, a film format introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1965, and he’s not alone. This delicate film cassette continues to thrive thanks to a dedicated community of filmmakers worldwide.
What distinguishes Sayers is his organizational skill. His project, super nature, which premiered last month at the London Film Festival, showcases Super 8 footage from 25 countries, contributed by 40 filmmakers and local advocates for nature in their regions.
I must confess that as I looked over the concept of this film, I endured scenes with a sparrow and a household cat for 82 minutes, which I regret.
While the film’s distributor, BFI, boasts of its “green” credentials, the pitch feels a bit lacking despite the feature being a globally-focused documentary with zero air miles. It’s worth noting how uniquely different everything appears through this handheld, low-fidelity medium.
Super 8 resembles, as Sayers puts it in the narration, “someone painted your memories.” This becomes apparent as you adjust to the glare, flare, rocking movements, and shifts in color and tone inherent in this format. The Super 8 world reflects our own—not polished or curated, with imperfect lighting, much like real life.
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Among the film’s many charming moments is the delightful observation that puffins “have the kindest eyes.” “
However, the film is often breathtakingly beautiful, and this production is no exception. Some ambitious shots featuring elusive and wary creatures are challenging to interpret. Just because we catch a fleeting glimpse of them doesn’t imply their value is diminished. One sequence that didn’t resonate with me was the goose migration, which, despite being exquisitely filmed and edited, felt overly clever and “staged” with its setup involving microlights and two cameras. In contrast, lying in a puddle with a plastic bag over my head to shoot snails would make for a great idea.
Contrasting with high-budget nature documentaries, this film seeks to uncover hidden worlds, and while the thirst for new discoveries is compelling, I can’t help but ponder whether viewers will become weary of impeccably-lit, framed, and timed images found in productions like walking with dinosaurs.
super nature offers a refreshing take on the genre. Its structure revolves around its production journey. Each segment (from flamingos to earthworms to corals) comes with a voiceover by each filmmaker, sharing the significance of their footage. Among many delightful moments are descriptions of the sounds puffins make while running (humorous, reminiscent of oversized slippers) and the remark that “puffins have very kind eyes.”
The creators are genuinely inspiring. Some embarked on Super 8 journeys seeking a new perspective after experiencing personal hardships. Others advocate for environmental consciousness, while a few may even brave a cold water faucet (as ibex seem to understand the wisdom of the mountains).
Then we have Sayers’ own narrative. Act 1: The director dreams of documenting the natural world using retro technology and local filmmakers. Act 2: He faces disillusionment, piecing together footage of floods, fires, marshes in Ukraine, and plastic waste. Act 3: The director finds renewed hope, and the playful antics of seals turn the project into a triumph.
It’s a narrative arc as compelling as any, yet entirely predictable in contrast to the footage’s unpredictability.
Simon tooRecommends… Film silent world
Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle While not the first to depict the deep ocean in color, Cousteau and Malle’s 1956 documentary transformed our perception of two-thirds of Earth.
TV Series walk together dinosaur
Tim Haynes First aired in 1999, this six-part BBC documentary (rebooted in 2025) introduced scientific rigor into its thrilling portrayal of the Mesozoic era.
Killer whales execute skilled hunting techniques to bring juvenile great white sharks to the water’s surface.
Marco Villegas
Killer whales in the Gulf of California have adopted a sophisticated hunting method to target juvenile great white sharks: they turn them upside down to immobilize them. This finding implies there may be a previously unnoticed pod of orcas in the area that specialize in hunting sharks.
Only a limited number of killer whale populations are documented to consume sharks, and even fewer have been observed preying on great white sharks (carcharodon carcharius). Historically, killer whales (Orcinus orca) off the coast of San Francisco have been linked to a recorded incident involving a great white shark in 1997, and a carcass recovered near Australia revealed signs of an orca attack, documented in 2023. Until recently, only one instance of a killer whale preying on a young great white shark had been noted, and that was in South Africa.
Jesus Eric Higuera-Rivas, an independent marine biologist from Mexico, along with colleagues, captured video footage of killer whales hunting juvenile great white sharks on two occasions in the Gulf of California. The initial footage, taken in August 2020, depicted five female killer whales collaboratively pushing a juvenile great white to the surface. “The killer whale was attempting to ram the great white and flip it over,” Higuera-Rivas remarked.
This tactic induced a temporary state of paralysis in the shark, known as tonic immobility. The orcas also managed to consume the energy-rich liver of the shark, sharing it among themselves. Shortly thereafter, the pod repeated their attack on another young great white shark. In August 2022, another group of five killer whales exhibited the same hunting strategy against juvenile great whites in the identical location.
Some of the killer whales involved in the first incident were identified as those previously seen hunting whale sharks and bull sharks. However, the video from the second incident was insufficiently clear to confirm if those were the same orcas. “But it’s highly probable,” says Higuera-Rivas.
The hunting behaviors of killer whale populations differ significantly based on their habitat. “Orcas are like hunting machines, akin to snipers. They employ specific strategies tailored to their prey,” Higuera-Rivas explains. These observations indicate that the killer whales in question may be part of an unrecognized group of shark hunters.
“This provides another example of a distinct feeding strategy, likely not shared by other orca groups globally,” states Andrew Trites from the University of British Columbia, Canada. However, further research is necessary for conclusive evidence, as these killer whales might descend from Pacific Northwest populations that hunt different shark species.
Killer whales have increasingly been preying on dolphins in recent years. A recent report shows that now, new research indicates they have also devised a gruesome hunting strategy to target the livers of young great white sharks.
Hunting the world’s most formidable fish is no small feat, but the pod of killer whales in the Gulf of California has learned how to do it. They work together to flip the shark upside down, immobilizing it, and then extract its energy-rich liver for sharing.
Additionally, they have been captured on video executing this behavior.
Is this brutal behavior typical of killer whales? Yes, Professor Callum Roberts, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter not associated with the study, stated to BBC Science Focus.
“Orcas may be the most intelligent marine creatures, based on their innovative methods for hunting. Historically, killer whales targeted whales caught by industrial whalers and consumed their tongues.”
While killer whales have been observed preying on adult great white sharks in the past, these recent findings provide the first evidence of their strategic hunting techniques against them.
During their observations, the research team noted the pod killing not one, but two great white sharks in August 2020, and another pod consuming a third in 2022.
By pushing the shark to the surface and inverting it, the killer whales induce a state of tonic immobility in the shark due to the abrupt change in environment. In this vulnerable state, they can take what they want from the shark while leaving the rest behind.
Young sharks lack the experience to escape when a group is approaching. Researchers suggest that this implies killer whales may be hunting great whites more frequently than previously thought, as per findings in Frontiers of Marine Science.
“I believe that killer whales that target elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are capable of finding great whites whenever they choose,” said the study’s lead author, Eric Higuera Rivas.
“This behavior showcases the killer whales’ intelligence, strategic mindset, and advanced social learning, with hunting techniques evolving and being shared across generations within their pods.”
Climate change may play a significant role in this behavior. The intensification of the El Niño phenomenon, which results from warming in the Pacific Ocean, is expanding the habitat of great white sharks into killer whale territories. These regions are populated with young, inexperienced sharks, making them easy targets.
Experts worry that this behavior could be detrimental for the shark population.
“What benefits killer whales might not bode well for sharks. Both species are endangered,” Roberts noted. “Let’s hope they don’t spread these hunting strategies too widely.”
About our experts
Callum Roberts serves as Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter and previously held the position of Chief Scientific Advisor for BBC One. He has authored several books, including the “Blue Planet II” series and Oceans of Life: How our oceans are changing (Penguin Books, £22) and Coral Reef Life (Profile Book, £12.99).
Certain killer whales have a preference for liver, particularly that of great white sharks.
A video captured by Mexican scientists demonstrates how an astute whale targets the apex predator’s fatty organs.
Researchers documented two killer whale hunts in the Gulf of California, one in 2020 and the other in 2022. The footage reveals a group of great white sharks flipping a young shark onto its back, disorienting it, before slicing open its side to extract its liver. The findings from this video study were published on Monday in Frontiers in Marine Science.
In one notable scene, all members of the shark clan feasted on the pink liver fat while the remainder of the shark’s body remained submerged in the ocean depths. A sea lion was seen lurking nearby, seemingly hoping to steal a meal, but orcas released bubbles to ward it off.
Marine biologist and documentarian Eric Higuera Rivas, who filmed the hunt from a nearby boat, initially did not grasp the significance of the footage until he began editing.
“On the monitor, we noticed the shark’s liver hanging out, already dislodged. Moments later, the shark emerged with the liver in its mouth,” recounted Higuera Rivas, a co-author of the study. “I was astonished to learn it was a great white shark. I could hardly believe it.”
Heather Bowlby, a researcher from Fisheries and Oceans Canada not involved in the study, noted that the footage serves as a strong reminder that even apex predators need to stay vigilant.
“We typically view great white sharks as the pinnacle of the food chain,” she stated. “It’s always beneficial to remind them that they can also be prey.”
Higuera Rivas and his team indicated that the hunt appeared to involve members of the same group of killer whales, which they have designated as Moctezuma pods. This pod regularly patrols the Baja California coast, primarily hunting elasmobranchs, including sharks and whales. Higuera Rivas has been monitoring these pods and recording their behaviors for over a decade, noting their adaptations based on the species they target.
Previously, evidence of killer whales preying on great white sharks was limited to South Africa, where they have been known to extract livers and wash the remains ashore.
Alison Towner, a marine biologist at Rhodes University specializing in the South African phenomenon, stated that while behaviors in Mexico and South Africa are similar, they are not identical; Mexican killer whales typically target younger sharks, whereas their South African counterparts focus on adults.
Towner indicated that individual killer whale pods likely learned their hunting strategies independently.
“Observing this behavior in Mexico implies that specific groups of killer whales have developed distinct methods for hunting sharks,” she mentioned via email. “Even though the same organs are the target, the manner in which they are approached varies from what we have documented in South Africa, indicating group-specific learning.”
A new study reveals that Mexican killer whales have discovered a vulnerability in great white sharks.
“When flipped over, a shark enters a state known as tonic immobility,” explained study co-author Francesca Pancaldi, a shark researcher at the National Institute of Marine Sciences. “They become immobilized, akin to a catatonic state. They simply freeze.”
The liver, a nutrient-rich and fatty organ, comprises about a quarter of a shark’s body, delivering “a substantial amount of energy,” he added.
Researchers from both South Africa and Mexico concurred that this hunting behavior is likely not new to killer whales. What has changed for scientists is the advancement of drone technology, which has enhanced the ability to observe and document these hunting events.
“I believe this has been occurring for centuries, but it’s challenging to witness such events,” Pancaldi remarked.
However, she also mentioned that climate changes may have heightened interactions between great white sharks and the octopus pods.
“In fact, we have noticed a growing presence of great white sharks in the Gulf of California over the past decade,” Pancaldi noted, explaining that the species is particularly sensitive to changes in ocean temperatures linked to weather patterns such as El Niño.
According to Towner, scientists in South Africa began observing attacks by killer whales on great white sharks nearly a decade ago. Such predatory behavior has caused great whites to abandon their usual feeding, resting, and breeding spots, referred to as assemblages.
“As a result of repeated predation, great whites have entirely vacated their traditional core gathering sites,” Towner explained. “Many sharks may have relocated offshore or to less monitored regions, which is reshaping coastal ecosystems.”
Following the exodus of the sharks, populations of Cape fur seals and sevengill sharks have surged, leading to conflicts with the primary prey species, such as small fish and smaller sharks, according to the report. This study was published in Frontiers in Marine Science earlier this year.
Mr. Towner noted that only two adult male killer whales, referred to as Port and Starboard, were responsible for the frequent attacks on great white sharks in South Africa. This predation puts pressure on great whites, which have slow growth and reproductive rates, and a similar situation could develop in Mexico if this behavior becomes more prevalent.
Have you ever turned to Wikipedia for information? If so, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve come across contributions from Stephen Pruitt. Under his elaborate pen name “Ser Amantio di Nicolao,” Pruitt has amassed over 6 million edits and authored more than 33,000 articles – the highest number for any individual in the almost 25-year lifespan of the site.
Since initiating his editing journey in 2004, Pruitt has subtly emerged as one of the most significant figures on the internet. He is responsible for at least one edit on a third of all English entries, tackling a wide range of topics from historical figures to refining grammar, citations, and formatting.
In 2017, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 25 most impactful people online, sharing the honor with figures like Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian.
Mr. Pruitt holds such a pivotal role in Wikipedia that the platform’s founder, Jimmy Wales, has personally met him and referred to him as “a very prolific editor.”
Wales emphasized that Wikipedia’s strength relies not only on its most active contributors but also on the variety of editorial styles that keep the site thriving.
“We aim to move away from the notion of ‘edit count’ as a measure of activity,” Wales commented to BBC Science Focus.
“Clearly, if someone has six million edits, they are an extremely active Wikipedian. However, there are others who edit less frequently, taking time to do research before returning to contribute thoughtfully, which is equally crucial, unlike merely performing maintenance with scripts and tools.”
“We require all types of contributors to compile this body of knowledge.”
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales hailed Stephen Pruitt’s contributions as “absolutely incredible.” – Credit: Getty
Pruitt was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1984, raised in Virginia, and earned a degree in art history from the College of William & Mary. His inaugural Wikipedia entry focused on his distant relative, Peter Francisco, a Revolutionary War hero known as “Virginia Hercules.”
Now, Pruitt dedicates several hours each day to editing, often utilizing software tools to automate repetitive tasks. He is also an active participant in the Women in Red project, which strives to bridge the gender gap on Wikipedia by creating entries for notable women who lack representation.
“Sometimes it’s odd to think that a third of Wikipedia was contributed by one individual,” says Wales. “Well, in reality, one person has contributed to a third of it, which is astounding. But his contributions largely consist of refining grammar, ensuring accurate spelling, and fixing references – the technical aspects that enhance its quality, which is crucial.”
When questioned by CBS Morning in 2019 about his dedication to Wikipedia, Pruitt simply stated, “I’m captivated by the idea of providing free access to all information. My mother grew up in the Soviet Union, making me acutely aware of what it means to make knowledge and information freely available.”
Here at BBC Science Focus, we have a deep appreciation for inventive creations – particularly those that are bizarre, imaginative, and exceptionally cool (extra credit if they’re genuinely practical).
During our time at GITEX Global and Expand North Star, two of the largest conferences focusing on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in Dubai, we set out to uncover the most astonishing innovations poised to enter the market soon.
From tangible holograms to intelligent contact lenses and airborne taxis, here is a glimpse into some of the most groundbreaking technologies showcased.
1. The Fusion of Flying Taxis and Autonomous Vehicles
Since the days of Blade Runner and Futurama, the concept of flying cars has occupied our imagination. With advancements in drone technology, we may finally be approaching the reality of soaring over urban landscapes in our own aerial pods.
However, the idea of a flying car that interacts with standard vehicles is unprecedented. Yet, this is exactly what the Guangzhou Automobile Group is unveiling with its new GOVY AirCab concept.
Indeed, GOVY is capable of taking off and landing vertically from an autonomous ground chassis, thus functioning both as a conventional taxi and an aerial transport.
GAC GOVY exhibited at GITEX Global – Credit: Tom Howarth/BBC Science Focus
What does this unusual combination signify? According to Hanxuan Liu, a product specialist involved with GOVY, it embodies the “ultimate vision of the future of mobility.” The blend of drone technology and vehicle chassis enables “one-click journeys” without the hassle of vehicle transitions. Essentially, you can call it, board it, fly where feasible, and drive where necessary.
The company has conducted test flights and is in pursuit of safety certification. Liu anticipates public demonstrations by next year and a rollout across China in two years. As for the U.S. and Europe? Liu believes we might see GOVY operational both on the roads and in the skies within five years.
2. Sports Enhanced by Augmented Reality
Participants in HADO evade and defend using mixed reality that merges physical movement with digital gameplay – Credit: Hado
Imagine if dodgeball and Pokemon GO had a child; it would likely be something akin to HADO. This augmented reality sport is gaining traction globally.
Players wear headsets and wrist sensors to launch virtual energy balls, create shimmering shields, and avoid incoming attacks, all while standing on a real-world court. The experience feels part video game, part high-energy exercise.
Devised in Japan in 2014, HADO has matured into a legitimate technosport with professional leagues, educational programs, and even a World Cup. Its creators champion it as “a means to encourage physical activity through technology, and a powerful way to engage younger audiences.”
3. Healing Hearts with Spider Silk
PrintyMed’s biomimetic spider silk could revolutionize healthcare, from artificial organs to advanced wound dressings – Credit: PrintyMed
Spider silk, when weighed against steel, exhibits superior strength. Its production is also sustainable and adaptable. So, why not harness these extraordinary natural materials for our use?
Latvian biotech firm PrintyMed has manufactured synthetic spider silk that imitates the natural spinning process, yielding fibers that are remarkably strong, flexible, and compatible with living tissue.
The research team partnered with the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis to devise a protein that can be spun into silk using a biomimetic approach similar to that utilized by spiders to craft webs. The outcome is a sustainable material that can be produced at scale and applied in innovative ways.
The company plans to utilize its lab-created silk to transform healthcare, from creating hyper-realistic “organs on chips” for drug trials to developing long-lasting, clot-resistant heart valves and advanced wound dressings that enhance healing.
But that’s just the beginning. PrintyWeb is also exploring the use of silk to fabricate artificial organs and tissue scaffolds, which might one day alleviate the global shortage of transplantable organs.
4. Revolutionary Smart Lenses Aiming to Replace All Screens
XPANCEO’s experimental contact lenses aspire to replace mobile phones and wearables with invisible, AI-powered interfaces – Credit: XPANCEO
Resembling something from a spy thriller, XPANCEO aims to develop the world’s first truly smart contact lenses, a cutting-edge gadget that could eventually replace mobile phones, smartwatches, and glasses.
“Today’s computers are bulky and disposable. They’re detrimental to your health, harmful to the environment, and inefficient. We require the ultimate interface,” stated Roman Axelrod, co-founder of XPANCEO to BBC Science Focus.
“Everyone can agree that the next frontier of computing is AI. Then comes augmented reality (XR) computing powered by AI. AI serves as the brain; XR as the interface, whether through glasses, helmets, or contact lenses. We believe contact lenses could become the ultimate interface.”
It’s an ambitious vision: an invisible lens in zero gravity, unifying all your devices into one, featuring capabilities like real-time liveness detection, health tracking, night vision, and zoom.
However, it’s still in the nascent phase. Co-founder Dr. Valentin S. Volkov indicates that XPANCEO intends to have a fully integrated prototype ready by the end of next year, a simple monochrome display capable of yielding basic data and gathering biosignals from the eye.
Smart lenses, categorized as medical devices, will advance gradually under strict regulation. However, if XPANCEO succeeds, smart glasses may soon become obsolete.
5. Actual Holograms
Voxon VX2 operates by projecting volumetric holograms visible from 360 degrees without the need for headgear – Credit: Voxon/Gavin Smith
Participating in a morning meeting styled like the Jedi Council may no longer belong solely to a galaxy far, far away. Australian firm Voxon is pioneering science fiction with its VLED technology, producing live, three-dimensional images that appear to float in mid-air.
Differing from standard flat 3D projections, Voxon’s volumetric displays consist of millions of floating points of light, creating 360-degree visuals that can be navigated and viewed from any angle.
For instance, the Voxon VX2 is a tabletop apparatus that employs a rapidly spinning LED array to generate a hologram within a cylinder measuring around 25 cm in diameter and height.
Within its illuminated columns, you can observe everything from medical scans and molecular structures to game avatars and architectural models in full three dimensions.
6. High-Tech Doghouse for Safe Shopping
Leaving your dog unattended outside a store or in your vehicle might soon become outdated. Serbian startup Smartsy has designed an innovative dog kennel that offers pets a secure, climate-controlled environment while their owners shop at supermarkets or dine in cafes.
Smartsy’s sleek pods include automatic safety locks, real-time video monitoring (perfect for dogs with separation anxiety), and soundproof, insulated walls to ensure your furry friend stays calm and cozy.
A silent airflow system guarantees ventilation, and an integrated heater maintains optimal temperatures whatever the weather. Each cabin is disinfected with a UV lamp after every use, preparing it for the next furry visitor.
Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger has long emphasized the significance of sleep. “People grow when they sleep, not when they train,” he asserts. Professional athletes often adhere to meticulous sleep regimens tailored to their chronotypes (natural sleep-wake preferences) and synced with their training schedules.
For amateur athletes, the emphasis tends to be on nutrition and training protocols for optimal results. Elite coach Nick Littlehales was among the first to champion sleep as a crucial component of success, stating, “You can train as hard as you want, but without sleep, you can’t adapt. No adaptation means no progress.”
Let’s delve deeper into what occurs in your body during sleep and why it’s a vital aspect of your training regimen and performance strategy.
What occurs in your body during sleep?
Photo credit: Getty
Sleep is not merely a passive phase of training. When you exercise vigorously, your body engages in recovery during sleep. Deep (slow-wave) sleep enables your body to reset, repair, and regenerate. Cellular repair takes place as microtears from your workout are fixed through protein synthesis. If you’ve ever dealt with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), you understand the significance of quality sleep for recovery.
During this sleep phase, human growth hormone (HGH) is released. The pituitary gland generates HGH, which facilitates muscle growth and healing. Furthermore, deep sleep enhances immune system function, reducing the risk of illness—an evident concern for anyone in the midst of a training routine.
What else is happening in our bodies while we sleep?
Glycogen levels are restored, and anti-inflammatory cytokines assist in muscle recovery.
Your heart rate decreases, blood pressure falls, allowing your cardiovascular system a chance to recuperate.
Quality sleep has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity. Improved glucose metabolism boosts energy levels and aids body composition.
Sleep also regulates significant hormones like testosterone, which is crucial for endurance and recovery.
Brain recovery process during sleep
Photo credit: Getty
Not only does physical recovery occur during sleep, but mental rejuvenation takes place as well. During REM sleep, typically experienced in the latter half of the night, your brain engages in “housework,” organizing, filing, and tidying up. Motor memory consolidation reinforces neural pathways established during training. Did you execute the perfect tennis serve today? It’ll be etched in your mind tonight.
Additionally, emotional regulation contributes to managing stress, enhancing focus, and boosting motivation—key components for achieving peak performance.
Optimize your sleep quality
Swedish bed manufacturer Hästens recognizes the significance of quality sleep. This luxury brand has been handcrafting beds since 1852, with each piece meticulously created in the Swedish town of Köning and taking up to 600 hours to complete using only natural materials.
Hästens has launched the collaborative campaign “Sleep to Perform,” teaming up with champions from both creative fields and sports, including five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova. She acknowledges that success begins with prioritizing rest, stating, “No matter where you are in your career, sleep is vital for your performance. It’s not just about rest; it’s about being able to present the best version of yourself every day.”
To explore our full range of beds and accessories, and to discover the benefits of a restful night’s sleep, please visit: here.
To schedule a bed test at a sleep spa near you, use the following resources: www.hastens.com or contact your nearest authorized retailer.
Astronomers using ESO’s VLT Survey Telescope have captured a stunning image of a large nebula that strikingly resembles the silhouette of a bat.
This VST image reveals a gaseous cloud formed like a space bat. The vibrant red glow is produced by hydrogen atoms energized by the powerful radiation from young stars within the cloud. Notable features include RCW 94, which makes up the right wing, and RCW 95, which forms the body, though the remaining bat elements lack official designations. Image credit: ESO / VPHAS+ Team / VVV Team.
“Located about 10,000 light-years away, this ‘space bat’ navigates between the southern constellations Circinus and Norma,” ESO astronomers stated.
“It spans an area of the sky equivalent to four full moons, seemingly foraging in the illuminated spots above.”
“This nebula acts as a stellar nursery, a vast area of gas and dust where new stars are born.”
“The young stars emit sufficient energy to excite surrounding hydrogen atoms, causing them to produce the striking red hue evident in this captivating image.”
“The dark filaments of the nebula resemble the skeletal structure of our space bat.”
“These formations accumulate cooler, denser gas compared to their surroundings, with dust particles obstructing visible light from the stars behind.”
“Named for its extensive catalog of bright star-forming regions in the southern sky, the most prominent clouds are RCW94, representing the right side of the bat, and RCW95, forming the body; however, the other parts of the bat remain unnamed.”
This remarkable image was captured by ESO’s VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
“VST is ideally suited for capturing these large, eerie entities,” astronomers remarked.
“It features OmegaCAM, a cutting-edge 268-megapixel camera, enabling VST to photograph vast sections of the sky.”
“The image is a composite made from observations through various filters that capture different colors and wavelengths of light.”
“Most bat shapes, including the vivid red glow, were recorded in visible light as part of the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the South Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+).”
“Additional infrared data enhance the coloration of the densest regions within the nebula, obtained with ESO’s Visible Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) as part of the VISTA Variable of the Vía Láctea (VVV) survey.”
“Both surveys are accessible to anyone eager to delve into this limitless expanse of astrophotography.”
Paleontologists investigated a remarkably preserved and nearly mature Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton found in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. Their findings suggest that this specimen exhibits traits similar to the holotype of Nanotyrannus and confirm that this lineage is distinct from tyrannosaurus.
A pack of Nanotyrannus daringly attacks a young tyrannosaurus rex. Image credit: Anthony Hutchings.
“This fossil turns decades of research on its head,” stated Dr. Lindsay Zanno, a researcher at North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
The researchers utilized tree ring data, spinal fixation, and developmental anatomy to show that the new specimen reached physical maturity at around 20 years.
Skeletal characteristics like larger forelimbs, more teeth, fewer caudal vertebrae, and distinctive skull neural patterns are established early in development and are biologically incompatible with tyrannosaurus rex.
“For Nanotyrannus to develop into a tyrannosaurus rex would contradict everything we know about vertebrate growth. That’s not just unlikely; it’s impossible,” remarked Dr. James Napoli, a researcher at Stony Brook University.
For years, paleontologists have incorrectly modeled tyrannosaurus growth and behavior using Nanotyrannus fossils.
This new evidence indicates that those studies were based on two entirely different species, suggesting that multiple tyrannosaurus species coexisted in the same ecosystem during the last million years before the asteroid impact.
As part of their study, Dr. Zanno and Dr. Napoli analyzed over 200 Tyrannosaurus fossils.
They found one skeleton, previously thought to represent a juvenile tyrannosaurus rex, that differed from the documented species Nanotyrannus lansensis, which is part of the renowned dueling dinosaur fossil.
The authors concluded that this specimen is a new species of Nanotyrannus, named Nanotyrannus letaeus.
The confirmation of Nanotyrannus implies that predator diversity during the final million years of the Cretaceous was far greater than previously understood, indicating that other small dinosaur species may also have been misidentified.
“This discovery provides a more complex and competitive view of the last days of the dinosaurs,” Dr. Zanno mentioned.
“With its massive physique, powerful bite, and stereoscopic vision, tyrannosaurus rex was indeed a fierce predator, but it did not dominate its environment without competition.”
“Darting together were Nanotyrannus — a slimmer, faster, more agile hunter.”
These findings were published in today’s edition of Nature.
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LE Zanno and JG Napoli. Nanotyrannus and tyrannosaurus coexisted at the end of the Cretaceous period. Nature published online October 30, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09801-6
“Enshittification,” much like “shrinkflation” and “greenwashing,” is a newly coined term that feels familiar, perfectly expressing a widespread yet subtle issue.
We’re acutely aware that websites and apps often deteriorate or become worse over time as their owners exploit users for profit. This is visible everywhere, from Instagram swapping your chronological feed for a mashup of influencer content to Apple compelling users to upgrade by limiting repair options.
Cory Doctorow introduced the term in 2022 and elaborated on it in his recent book. More information: Why everything suddenly went bad and what to do about it serves as both an analysis and a call to action.
The strategy behind enshittification is for platforms like Facebook to establish and provide excellent services. Users flock to them for convenience and enjoyment. The company then waits until we are deeply connected—friends, local groups, schools, etc.—making it cumbersome to leave.
Once the user base becomes substantial, advertisers get locked in as well. The company then shifts focus to profits, inundating services with ads and algorithms, leading to a decline in user experience. This creates pressure on advertisers. The platform then becomes toxic, primarily benefitting shareholders, and users find it difficult to quit. As Doctorow states, we are trapped in a decaying entity.
In the past, poor businesses would have faced market consequences. If a café serves bad coffee, we’d simply find another. Today, however, tech companies have formed monopolies, making substantial profits that allow them to sustain their dominance. They purchase competitors merely to shut them down, lobby for lenient regulations, and secure exclusive contracts. (For instance, Google pays Apple $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine in Apple’s Safari browser.)
Enshifted Companies that seemingly harvest excessive personal data expose industry secrets, knowing they’ll charge more for goods during paydays since consumers are less likely to negotiate. Or companies deploy algorithms to suppress gig economy wages or implement keystroke monitoring systems that alert supervisors when we pause typing.
Although these negative aspects aren’t entirely new to readers, consuming them in large quantities can leave a sour taste. They can even lead intelligent individuals to resent themselves for being misunderstood in various ways.
Indeed, the goal is simply to do what the company was designed to do: maximize profit. However, with advances in computers, algorithms, and the Internet, things have spiraled out of control, allowing for techniques far more sophisticated than those available just a decade ago.
Doctorow cautions that regulators meant to protect us are often outmatched by the companies they monitor. Yet, he firmly believes they are part of the solution.
While there have been favorable developments in the European Union and under President Joe Biden in the U.S., substantial work remains to be done, as tech companies may innovate ways to harm us more quickly than can be counteracted. We can demand more accountability from politicians, and well-crafted legislation supported by effective regulators can help.
However, the potential power of boycotts remains largely unaddressed—tech companies need us more than we need them. It’s feasible to abandon social media, favor local businesses, and utilize ethical search engines. The more individuals take such actions, the likelier others will follow.
Whether it pertains to travel, clothing, or food, many of us attempt to “vote” with our wallets. Perhaps it’s time we extend this practice to our online choices.
Claire North’s ‘Slow Gods’ tracks deep space pilots
Shutterstock/Vadim Sadovski
If you aim to stay updated on the fresh wave of science fiction hitting bookstores this November, you’ll need to be quick. New Scientist columnist Emily H. Wilson emphasizes the necessity of reading Claire North’s Slow Gods, and I’m inclined to trust her judgment (look for her review in next week’s edition). Additionally, I’m bracing myself for Rebecca Thorne’s chilling tale of a zombie-like virus aboard a submarine (talk about claustrophobia!). Grace Walker’s Merge has a central theme that terrifies me. This feels like a spooky month in the sci-fi realm. Yet, I also anticipate a poignant read about the extinct Great Sea Cow titled Sea Beasts, described as heart-wrenching and beautiful, devoid of any supernatural terror.
Emily H. Wilson has expressed her strong appreciation for this sci-fi novel. In my experience, it’s rare to encounter a science fiction columnist advocate for a book so passionately. This story illustrates the death and rebirth of deep space pilot Maukana na Vdnadze, exploring a supernova that “obliterated planets and devastated civilizations.” As Emily notes in her upcoming column, “Read this book. If you enjoy science fiction, it’s essential.” She consistently emphasizes value, and so do I.
Sea Beasts Written by Iida Turpeinen, translated by David Huxton
While not precisely science fiction, this tale delves into fictional interpretations of science. My fascination with sea cows began in childhood through Willard Price’s Adventure. The narrative kicks off in 1741, with naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller embarking on an expedition to identify a sea route between Asia and America, where he discovers the Steller’s sea cow. Then, in 1859, the governor of Alaska dispatched men to unearth the skeleton of a massive marine mammal that vanished a century earlier, with restoration efforts beginning in 1952.
Illustration of an extinct giant sea cow
FLPA/Alamy
Though it may seem to tiptoe into the realm of fantasy, the publisher has likened it to a novel by Karian Bradley known for its time travel elements. The narrative unfolds within a library named “Jikoku,” filled with books containing the memories of individuals traversing the timelines between the post-war and Cold War periods in the U.S. At just 11, Lisavette finds herself trapped there, maturing into a world learned solely through the memories of the deceased. It becomes clear that government agents are infiltrating these times to eradicate memories that counter the official narrative…
We previously covered this novel during its self-publication in 2022, when our then-sci-fi columnist Sally Addie expressed enjoyment. Now endorsed by a major publisher, it seems laden with thrilling prospects and just the right amount of scare for the Halloween season, prompting me to finally dive in. A force known as the Anti-Meme preys on the book’s characters’ most treasured memories, covertly robbing them of their experiences while they remain unaware of the looming conflict.
Ice Written by Jacek Dukaj, translated by Ursula Phillips
Following the asteroid Tunguska’s 1908 impact, Russia unravels in a deadly winter. As the land succumbs to freezing temperatures, inhabitants flock to cities for survival. This extreme cold catalyzes a transformation of natural elements into bizarre new forms, spawning unique laws of physics.
Frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia
Shutterstock/Mura Tart
Amelia’s mother, Laurie, is battling Alzheimer’s disease. As her condition deteriorates, Amelia opts into the world’s first experimental fusion treatment designed for Alzheimer’s patients. Laurie’s consciousness merges with Amelia’s, creating a singular identity. Together with other participants, they are placed in a luxurious rehabilitation facility known as The Village…yet all is not as it appears. Frankly, the notion of treatment options alone is unsettling.
Featuring themes of zombies, submarines, and maritime horror, Nix and Kessandra delve into a massacre in an underwater city. As they descend, Kessandra unveils the truth: a disease has triggered the massacre, transforming individuals into mindless killers, and it’s on the rise…
Within this narrative lies an interdimensional conflict described as “one of the most savage the multiverse has confronted” (and it indeed is brutal). We follow Beth, a teacher-turned-rebel, alongside a keen gun-slinging hero, Wakeful Slim. Unlike prior tales in Pandominion’s universe, this story stands alone, crafted by the author of The Girl with All the Gifts (a must-read zombie novel).
An extradimensional war is occurring on Outlaw Planet by MR Carey
Shutterstock/Framestock footage
This monumental sci-fi narrative, Sun Eater, follows Hadrian Marlowe as he navigates life on the run from the Extrasolarians and the Soran Empire, whom he betrayed.
While not a new release, this 10th anniversary edition of humanity’s struggle for survival on a terraformed planet includes a special short story by Tchaikovsky, providing both enjoyment for fans and a perfect refresher for those new to the tale.
Described as an online cult phenomenon, this marks its inaugural English print edition. The narrative examines “the potential and pitfalls of human evolution,” delving into the author’s insights on genetic manipulation and the effect of colonizing Mars, accompanied by illustrations from Kosemen. Tchaikovsky himself described it as “a remarkable blend of scientific acumen and creativity.” Quite intriguing.
This thrilling high-concept story promises excitement. In a world governed by AI, everything comes to a halt right after your loved ones reveal their darkest secrets.
This compilation of Shusterman’s short stories boasts a stunningly surreal cover and introduces readers to a realm where bats block the sun and a glacial life force resurrects the dead.
The innovative material is remarkably strong, capable of stopping bullets with a 1.8-millimeter-thick sheet, surpassing Kevlar and potentially setting a new standard for fabric strength.
Bulletproof vests functionality relies on dissipating the energy of projectiles through an intricate network of interconnected fibers. Kevlar’s composition consists of aramid fibers, which are polymers recognized for their exceptional strength. However, under extreme pressure, these chains can slip, which limits their protective capabilities.
For the last six years, Jin Chang and researchers from Peking University in China have focused on creating materials that outperform Kevlar and Dyneema, another renowned polyethylene fiber claimed to be the strongest fabric in the world.
“Extremely high dynamic strength and toughness are essential for textile materials used in impact protection applications,” notes Zhang. “This includes ballistic armor, vehicles, and aircraft.”
His team has pioneered a technique to align carbon nanotubes with aramid polymer chains to prevent molecular slippage. “Our new fiber surpasses all previously noted high-performance polymer fibers,” asserts Zhang. “Our fabric is entirely superior to Kevlar.”
The new invention is described as an “engineered carbon nanotube/heterocyclic aramid composite,” according to Zhang, who aims to create a catchy name similar to Kevlar in the future.
This material outperforms Kevlar, achieving the same ballistic protection with significantly less fabric. Zhang explains that each layer is roughly 0.6 millimeters thick and can slow a bullet’s speed from 300 meters per second to 220 meters per second. “Based on energy absorption calculations, about three fabric layers can halt a bullet,” resulting in a total thickness of 1.8 mm. In contrast, Kevlar would need to be at least 4 mm thick for equivalent protection.
Julie Cairney and her team at the University of Sydney in Australia have called the combination of aramid fibers and aligned carbon nanotubes revolutionary.
“This strategy could lead to the development of other innovative composite materials,” Cairney states, also highlighting that this manufacturing approach is compatible with existing industrial methods, indicating promise for scalable production and practical implementation.
“For personal and military protection, these materials have the potential to create lighter and more effective body armor, enhancing safety while maintaining mobility,” she adds.
Depiction of a teenage girl with a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father
John Bavaro Fine Art/Science Photo Library
This marks the second occasion researchers have successfully retrieved the complete genome of Denisovans, an ancient human lineage that inhabited Asia. The DNA was sourced from a tooth estimated to be 200,000 years old, discovered in a Siberian cave.
The genome indicates that there were at least three distinct groups of Denisovans, each with unique histories. It also suggests that early Denisovans intermixed with an unidentified ancient human group as well as a previously unknown Neanderthal population.
“This research is groundbreaking,” asserts David Reich from Harvard University.
“This study significantly broadened my perspective on the Denisovan ecosystem,” states Samantha Brown from the National Center for Human Evolution Research in Spain.
Denisovans were first described solely via their DNA. Finger bones retrieved from Denisova Cave in Siberia exhibited DNA distinct from both modern humans and Neanderthals found in western Eurasia. Genomic analysis indicates Denisovans mated with modern humans, with populations in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, carrying Denisovan DNA.
Since their initial discovery in 2010, researchers have found that: a small number of Denisovans also originated from East Asia. In June, a skull unearthed in Harbin, China, was confirmed as Denisovan through molecular evidence, providing the first insight into their physical appearance. However, despite DNA fragments being recovered from various specimens, only the original specimen yielded a high-quality genome.
Researchers led by Stéphane Pèregne from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has introduced an additional researcher. (Pèregne declined to comment as the study is pending peer review.)
In 2020, a team of researchers discovered a male Denisovan molar tooth and sequenced its entire genome from the preserved DNA.
The researchers estimated this individual lived around 205,000 years ago, judging by the number of genetic mutations and comparing them with other ancient human genomes. This timeframe aligns with findings that the deposits containing the teeth are dated between 170,000 to 200,000 years old. In contrast, the other high-quality genome belongs to Denisovans who lived between 55,000 and 75,000 years ago, revealing an earlier chapter in Denisovan history.
The researchers suggest that at least three distinct Denisovan populations likely existed, based on comparisons from various Denisovan cave sites. The oldest group comprised the individuals whose teeth were analyzed. Many millennia later, a second group supplanted this earlier population in Denisova Cave.
“Comprehending how early Denisovans were supplanted by subsequent groups underscores pivotal events in human history,” says Qiao Meifu from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in China.
A third group, absent from the cave, still interbred with modern humans as suggested by genetic testing. Thus, all Denisovan DNA present in modern humans derives from a Denisovan group about which little is known.
The new genome illuminates the fact that Denisovans mated repeatedly with Neanderthals, who resided in and around the Denisovan Cave. Notably, this genome also contained traces of Neanderthals who lived between 7,000 and 13,000 years prior to Denisovan individuals. These traces do not align with any known Neanderthal genomes, indicating that the Denisovans interbred with a Neanderthal group yet to be sequenced.
Moreover, it’s probable that Denisovans also mated with an as-yet unidentified ancient human group that evolved independently of both Denisovans and modern humans for hundreds of thousands of years. One possibility is Homo erectus, the earliest known human species to migrate out of Africa and inhabit regions as far as Java, Indonesia. However, no DNA has been retrieved to confirm this.”H. erectus, so certainty remains elusive.
“It’s endlessly fascinating to uncover these new populations,” Brown remarked.
The wave function of a quantum object might extend beyond mere mathematical representation
Povitov/Getty Images
Does quantum mechanics accurately depict reality, or is it merely our flawed method of interpreting the peculiar characteristics of minuscule entities? A notable experiment aimed at addressing this inquiry has been conducted using quantum computers, yielding unexpectedly solid results. Quantum mechanics genuinely represents reality, at least in the context of small quantum systems. These findings could lead to the development of more efficient and dependable quantum devices.
Since the discovery of quantum mechanics over a hundred years ago, its uncertain and probabilistic traits have confounded scientists. For instance, take superposition. Are particles truly existing in multiple locations simultaneously, or do the calculations of their positions merely provide varying probabilities of their actual whereabouts? If it’s the latter, then there are hidden aspects of reality within quantum mechanics that may be restricting our certainty. These elusive aspects are termed “hidden variables,” and theories based on this premise are classified as hidden variable theories.
In the 1960s, physicist John Bell devised an experiment intended to disprove such theories. The Bell test explores quantum mechanics by evaluating the connections, or entanglement, between distant quantum particles. If these particles exhibit quantum qualities surpassing a certain threshold, indicating that their entanglement is nonlocal and spans any distance, hidden variable theories can be dismissed. The Bell test has since been performed on various quantum systems, consistently affirming the intrinsic nonlocality of the quantum realm.
In 2012, physicists Matthew Pusey, Jonathan Barrett, and Terry Rudolph developed a more comprehensive test (dubbed PBR in their honor) that enables researchers to differentiate between various interpretations of quantum systems. Among these are the ontic perspective, asserting that measurements of a quantum system and its wavefunction (a mathematical representation of a quantum state) correspond to reality. Conversely, the epistemological view suggests that this wavefunction is an illusion, concealing a richer reality beneath.
If we operate under the assumption that quantum systems possess no ulterior hidden features that impact the system beyond the wave function, the mathematics of PBR indicates we ought to comprehend phenomena ontically. This implies that quantum behavior is genuine, no matter how peculiar it appears. PBR tests function by comparing different quantum elements, such as qubits in a quantum computer, assessing how frequently they register consistent values for specific properties, like spin. If the epistemological perspective is accurate, the qubits will report identical values more often than quantum mechanics would suggest, implying that additional factors are at play.
Yang Songqinghao and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge have created a method to perform PBR tests on a functioning IBM Heron quantum computer. The findings reveal that if the number of qubits is minimal, it’s possible to assert that a quantum system is ontic. In essence, quantum mechanics appears to operate as anticipated, as consistently demonstrated by the Bell test.
Yang and his team executed this validation by evaluating the overall output from a pair or group of five qubits, such as a sequence of 1s and 0s, and determined the frequency at which this outcome aligned with predictions regarding the behavior of the quantum system, factoring in inherent errors.
“Currently, all quantum hardware is noisy and every operation introduces errors, so if we add this noise to the PBR threshold, what is the interpretation? [of our system]? ” remarks Yang. “We discovered that if we conduct the experiment on a small scale, we can fulfill the original PBR test and eliminate the epistemological interpretation.” The existence of hidden variables vanishes.
While they successfully demonstrated this for a limited number of qubits, they encountered difficulties replicating the same results for a larger set of qubits on a 156-qubit IBM machine. The error or noise present in the system becomes excessive, preventing researchers from distinguishing between the two scenarios in a PBR test.
This implies that the test cannot definitively determine whether the world is entirely quantum. At certain scales, the ontic view may dominate, yet at larger scales, the precise actions of quantum effects remain obscured.
Utilizing this test to validate the “quantum nature” of quantum computers could provide assurance that these machines not only function as intended but also enhance their potential for achieving quantum advantage: the capability to carry out tasks that would be impractically time-consuming for classical computers. “To obtain a quantum advantage, you must have quantum characteristics within your quantum computer. If not, you can discover a corresponding classical algorithm,” asserts team member Haom Yuan from Cambridge University.
“The concept of employing PBR as a benchmark for device efficacy is captivating,” he notes. Matthew Pusey PhD from York University, UK, one of the original PBR authors. However, Pusey remains uncertain about its implications for reality. “The primary purpose of conducting experiments rather than relying solely on theory is to ascertain whether quantum theory can be erroneous. Yet, if quantum theory is indeed flawed, what questions does that raise? The entire framework of ontic and epistemic states presupposes quantum theory.”
Understanding Reality To successfully conduct a PBR test, it’s essential to devise a method of performing the test without presuming that quantum theory is accurate. “A minority of individuals contend that quantum physics fundamentally fails at mesoscopic scales,” states Terry Rudolph, one of the PBR test’s founders from Imperial College London. “This experiment might not pertain to dismissing certain proposals, but let me be straightforward: I am uncertain! – Investigating fundamental aspects of quantum theory in progressively larger systems will always contribute to refining the search for alternative theories.”
Fecal bacteria observed through an electron microscope
Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo
Rats that received gut microbiomes from energetic human infants seem more inclined to explore their surroundings. This research suggests that the bacteria present in our guts during childhood may influence our personalities.
“This indicates that our microbes play an active role in emotional development, rather than merely being passive presence,” explains Harriet Scherekens from University College Cork, Ireland, who was not involved in the study.
Increasing research identifies a link between the microbial communities in our guts and various aspects of our well-being, emotions, and mood. For instance, individuals lacking certain gut bacteria types seem to face a higher risk of depression and anxiety.
While it remains uncertain whether bacteria are the cause of these emotional shifts or if the microbial communities alter in response to user actions, some evidence suggests that changes in the microbiome can influence an individual’s mood. For example, fecal transplants from depressed individuals to rats appear to induce depressive behavior. Conversely, depressed rodents receiving fecal transplants have shown improved symptoms upon preliminary examination.
To delve deeper into how the gut microbiome relates to temperament, Anna Artshinki and colleagues at the University of Turku in Finland conducted fecal transplants from infants into young rats.
Initially, the team evaluated the personalities of 27 toddlers aged 2.5 years using standard temperament assessments and an activity that encouraged play with bubble guns.
“Although we couldn’t study anxiety in 2-year-olds directly, we anticipated assessing behavioral differences, such as levels of inhibition versus sociability,” notes Artosinki.
From their evaluations, researchers classified 10 infants as energetic and 8 as inhibited and withdrawn. They then selected four energetic and four restrained infants (split evenly between genders) for fecal sample collection.
Fecal samples spiked with glycerol, alongside control samples, were transplanted into 53 22- or 23-day-old rats whose intestines had been pre-cleaned.
Artshinki’s team then subjected the rats to a variety of behavioral tests. They discovered that rats with microbiomes from energetic infants displayed a greater exploratory tendency compared to those receiving control implants or feces from inhibited infants.
To investigate how gut bacteria might influence the brain, the researchers also examined rat brain tissues for gene activity changes. This analysis indicated that rats receiving microbiomes from inhibited infants showed reduced activity in dopamine-producing neurons, a neurotransmitter linked to rewarding risk-taking behavior.
“This study effectively illustrates how the early childhood gut microbiome contributes to shaping behavioral tendencies,” Scherekens remarks. “By transferring microbiomes from children to rodents, researchers have created a valuable translation between microbes, human temperament, and brain function.”
This indicates a gut-brain pathway that impacts curiosity, reward, and motivation through the dopamine system, Scherekens adds.
Nonetheless, Artshinki cautions against overstating the implications. “Overall, adult temperament traits are strongly correlated with genetics, yet environmental factors—potentially including the microbiome—may play a role in certain behavioral distinctions.”
Artosinki emphasizes that whether microbes drive the differences in children’s behaviors remains an open question. It’s possible that children exhibiting more active traits interact with their environment and new foods in unique ways, thereby developing distinct microbiomes as a result.
Contrails from aircraft may amplify the warming effects of air travel
Image Professionals GmbH/Alamy
If you’re using a carbon footprint calculator to assess your flight’s environmental impact, prepare for some surprises. The true effect of air travel can be significantly higher than what most CO₂ calculators indicate.
“These figures are quite alarming,” states Juma Sadukhan from the University of Surrey, UK. She and her team assessed four popular calculators against the one they developed.
For instance, consider a first-class flight on a B777 from Singapore to Zurich. At the time of this research, calculators from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated the emissions to be around 3000 kilograms of CO₂. In contrast, the Google Travel Impact Model (TIM) places the estimate around 5,000 kg, while MyClimate suggests about 8,000 kg. However, the in-flight emissions calculator developed by Sadukhan and her team estimates the actual emissions exceed 14,000 kg.
“The implications are substantial,” adds team member Eduardo Goan, in collaboration with the Austria-based Therme Group.
The new tool, called the Airline Passenger Dynamic Emissions Calculator (ATP-DEC), diverges from existing calculators in two main ways. Firstly, instead of assuming flights take a perfect route, it utilizes historical data to ascertain the most probable route, actual flight duration, and the time spent taxiing before takeoff and after landing, including the typical occupancy of the aircraft.
Unlike other calculators, this one is dynamic, as past flight data is continuously updated according to Goan. For example, many flights are now taking longer paths due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a change that other calculators fail to recognize.
The second key difference is that ATP-DEC accounts for all the known factors influencing flight’s climate impact, such as contrail formation, nitrogen dioxide emissions, and water vapor. Notably, contrails can exert a greater warming influence than CO₂ emissions alone.
Other flight calculators often omit these factors or use generalized data. “They don’t adjust according to the type of aircraft, fuel efficiency, or environmental conditions,” says Sadukhan. “Our tool is far more comprehensive.”
Goan mentions that the team plans to make this calculator publicly accessible and is working on an app slated for release early next year. “If an airline wishes to incorporate ATP-DEC, they could start immediately,” he says, though establishing the necessary data connections might take weeks or even months.
Current flight emissions calculators may allow travelers to voluntarily contribute a modest fee to “offset” their carbon footprint. Nonetheless, several studies indicate that many offset programs fail to fulfill their claims.
An ICAO representative stated that the methodology for ICAO’s carbon emissions calculations can be accessed at: its website. “This calculator does not consider the climate change impacts of aircraft emissions using radiative forcing indices.” They noted that “Such multipliers need to be factored in, given the lack of a scientific consensus.”
“TIM is a free, precise, and transparent resource that assists consumers in selecting flights with lower emissions,” affirmed Dan Rutherford from the International Clean Transportation Council, a nonprofit organization that guides Google on enhancing its CO₂ calculator. “We will keep refining the model, including the integration of short-lived climate pollutants like contrails, to enhance its utility for the flying public.”
“We find this study to be a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue,” stated Kai Landwehr from MyClimate. Landwehr emphasized that no single method is foolproof due to the uncertainties surrounding the impacts of global warming, such as those resulting from contrails. However, utilizing improved and current data can boost accuracy. “We intend to update the calculator in the upcoming months to integrate best practices and insights from this research.”
Cats are truly distinctive creatures. Throughout history, they have held a complex place in human society, admired for their beauty and yet sometimes feared. Breeders have tailored them to align with our tastes. In his latest book, feline, celebrated animal photographer Tim Flach delves into the captivating world of felines.
“The core of this undertaking was to reveal the genuine nature of cats,” Flach explains. Featuring over 170 stunning images, feline also presents insights from neuroscientist Morten Klingelbach about why cats enchant us, alongside evolutionary biologist Jonathan Losos’s examination of felines and their development.
The image above showcases Stella, a Cornish Rex from Montreal, Canada. Her striking appearance arises from unique genetic characteristics during her embryonic development. Interestingly, cats with heterochromia often have one blue eye, a trait frequently observed in all-white breeds.
Flach further captures images of cats who have achieved online fame. Acchom (below) is a long-haired Persian cat who suffers from a rare condition known as hirsutism, leading to abnormal hair growth. Currently, Acchom boasts over 900,000 Instagram followers.
Acchom, a Persian cat with hypertrichosis
Tim Flach
In another example, the exotic shorthair named Zoo embodies cuteness in its purest form. It’s a perfectly round, fluffy bundle of joy (below).
Exotic shorthair cat “Zu”
Tim Flach
Cuteness, as Klingelbach notes, is fundamental. As outlined in feline, the traits that make young mammals and birds appealing help them gain care from their parents, compensating for their vulnerability. Features like large eyes and round faces activate the orbitofrontal cortex, the area of our brain responsible for emotional responses. Such mechanisms ensure the survival of our species. Interestingly, this pleasing response extends beyond our own kind; cats elicit the same reaction in humans.
Oriental shorthair kitten
Tim Flach
By scanning his own brain while interacting with his long-haired cat Loki, Flach illustrates the impact of cuteness, showing how the orbitofrontal cortex activates within a mere 130 milliseconds, faster than conscious thought. “In some ways, you’re observing the fundamental effects of cuteness,” he notes.
Cuteness isn’t the sole evolutionary asset for cats. Valentine, an 8-week-old Sphynx cat, demonstrates exceptional hunting agility as he leaps for an inconspicuous toy.
Sphynx cat jumping on prey (toy)
Tim Flach
Cats possess 40 times the number of scent-sensing cells in their noses compared to humans. Their uniquely designed whiskers are finely tuned to detect slight vibrations, aiding in navigation and close-range hunting in the darkness. Moreover, their tongues, featuring small papillae made of keratin, serve multiple purposes, including grooming and sensory tasks. This structure also enhances their sense of smell by transmitting pheromonal scents to the vomeronasal organ, located at the top of their mouths.
Poppy the domestic cat shows off her tongue
Tim Flach
However, one of the most striking features of cats is their mesmerizing eyes. Ancient myths claimed that a cat’s glowing gaze indicated a connection to the devil. In reality, the luminous effect seen when a light hits a cat’s eyes in the dark is caused by a special reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which bounces back unavailable light to the photoreceptors (rods and cones) in their retinas. Cats possess a far greater density of rods than humans, enabling them to see in one-sixth of the light that humans require, as Losos discusses in his book.
Russian blue cat with Smirnoff eyes
In exploring the mesmerizing quality of a cat’s gaze, Flach and his team employed specialized lenses and high-speed flashes, presenting the cats’ eyes in an unprecedented manner that evokes the imagery of shining mirrors, akin to lighthouse beams.
“What does it mean to upload consciousness to intangible space?”
Francesco Carta/Getty
In every version of you, characters grapple with a daunting choice: Upload your consciousness to a digital paradise or succumb to a forsaken physical reality.
Mind uploading, a familiar theme in science fiction, often serves as the backdrop for relationship dilemmas or philosophical inquiries. But what does it really entail to transfer consciousness into formless space? Can we decipher its mechanisms based on current science? And if we could, would we really want to?
At the core of my novel, amid romantic tenderness and innovative technology, is a theoretical and philosophical question: the Ship of Theseus paradox. Plutarch’s version, dating back to the 1st century AD, challenges whether a ship, meticulously replaced part by part, still qualifies as the same vessel. Philosophers have debated this thought experiment for centuries. What if we were to reconstruct the original ship from its components—planks, oars, masts, and sails? Is either constructed ship the authentic Theseus’ ship? This dilemma compels us to differentiate between the material essence of an entity (wood, neural pathways, molecules, etc.) and our perceptions of its completeness and authenticity.
In every version of you, my character Navin opts to upload himself to Gaia, a digital utopia. Navin represents a pivotal moment. At the moment of uploading, his physical and uploaded selves are theoretically identical. However, they begin to diverge thereafter. The virtual Navin would not be the same as the corporeal Navin had he continued to exist.
I had to reverse engineer the concept of uploading to create a plausible narrative. Some tales intentionally obscure the science to highlight themes such as relationships, philosophy, or satire. In certain narratives, characters connect devices to their heads or receive intravenous injections to magically extract their consciousness into a “cloud.” Other works contemplate science rigorously, depicting a brain systematically deconstructed via laser scanning, leaving no doubt about the destruction of the physical entity.
Exercising my rights as a writer, I ventured beyond the fundamentals of neuroscience, boldly speculating within the realm of science fiction. While crafting this novel, I was working in various neuropsychiatric wards and preparing for my psychiatric examinations. A recent edition of New Scientist‘s what to think series, which delves into theories about consciousness, would have undoubtedly aided my research!
After studying neural networks and connectomes, I began to envision consciousness as an incredibly intricate network of activity, with unique activation patterns varying from individual to individual. If we could duplicate these connections and their activation sequences using a sufficiently advanced computer, might we be able to replicate our minds without being tethered to our physical forms? However, the question persists: will we ever have computers capable of preserving human consciousness without loss or distortion of information?
Upon sharing my early manuscript of every version of you, I was struck by the array of reactions to the concept of uploading. Some experienced fear, exclaiming, “You mean you eradicated all the originals?!” Others adopted a more detached, philosophical stance. If there exists continuity between substance and subjectivity, how can we claim that the uploaded entity is not the original person?
Should I upload myself to Gaia? My answer is far from straightforward. In an intellectual society, we often overlook that we are not merely distinct minds controlling our physical forms. We forget the intricate interplay between our minds and bodies, with the latter often leading the way. Our gut, heart, skin, glands, and blood vessels engage in perpetual dialogue with our brain.
Moreover, we are molded by our surroundings, our connections with others, and our relationship with nature. Psychoanalyst Esther Bick has discussed the concept of “psychic skin,” which serves as a vessel for our inner selves, arising from early childhood sensory experiences. Severing the link between mind and body results in loss.
In every version of you, uploading compels us to scrutinize the subtle ways technology can undermine our essence. We integrate technology into our lives and the intimate spaces of our homes and bodies, drawn to its utility, brilliance, and excitement. But who owns the data we transfer to technology? Who possesses our uploaded minds? I would endure uploading for an extended period in search of an alternative way to exist on Earth. However, I cannot definitively predict my ultimate decision. If all my loved ones resided on Gaia, resisting that allure would be incredibly challenging.
Grace Chan is the author of every version of you (Verve Books), featured as New Scientist Book Club’s Reads for November 2025. Join us to read together here.
New Year’s Eve will be celebrated in a virtual utopia as “Every Version of You” begins
Akin Bostansi/Getty
The sky this evening is utterly dismal, with vibrant blues merging into streaks resembling turbulent sea water on the horizon, the sun setting against its distorted reflections. The tide rhythmically rolls onto the shore—1, 2, 3 splashes of sand. 1, 2, 3, 4—leaving bubbles in its wake.
Tao Yi sits cross-legged, toying with a nearly empty beer bottle. Long shadows stretch from the sandstone cliffs surrounding her. In this hidden cove, shielded by crimson-hued cliffs, the others remain unseen but their laughter and chatter resonating as they gather driftwood for a bonfire.
She reluctantly allowed Navin to convince her to come here—a mix of obligation and familiarity. This routine unfolds every New Year’s Eve: Zack hosts a party, and missing it would feel wrong.
The bottle feels chillingly cold against her hand, unaffected by her warmth. She brings it to her lips, the last sip burning her throat. The sea’s surface is rippled and opaque, resembling a silken dress blowing in the wind. Awaiting a gust to tousle her hair, she finds only stillness; Gaia’s air isn’t stagnant like a subway tunnel.
The sound of grass rustling in the sand indicates Navin’s approach. He seems almost a stranger now—tall and lean in a short-sleeved shirt and khaki pants, with a messy fringe cascading across his forehead, flashing a charming smile. He extends a fresh beer bottle toward her.
“It tastes awful,” she replies, shaking her head. “Though better than last year.”
She manages a grin, recalling Zack’s experimental brew.
“Come back,” he urges, fingers brushing her hairline. “Help me with the fire.”
Tao Yi lets him assist her to stand. She follows him out of the cove and along the shoreline, carefully sidestepping the rocky formations. His shirt hangs loosely, catching on the edges of his shoulder blades. She longs to touch that downward curve, to confirm it’s real.
Others are filling shallow pits between the dunes and the ocean with driftwood. A dozen or so well-educated twenty-somethings like her and Navin, all lively and engaged in clever banter. They belong to a fortunate generation—born into movement, brimming with opportunities, navigating waves of transformation.
Zack glides effortlessly through the group, drawing others to him like moths to a flame. He appears particularly youthful in his orange shirt and sarong. Leaning over the driftwood, he holds a lit match between his long fingers, like a conductor with a baton. Joyous cries erupt as the flames ignite. If you follow the method, a second attempt won’t be necessary.
Tao Yi activates the live interface. A neon countdown in her peripheral vision reads: December 31, 2087, 9 p.m. Just 3 hours to go! A steady stream of status updates overlays the beach scene, mostly brief four-second video snippets that vanish as soon as she focuses on them. Friends dancing at an open-air concert, racing go-karts beneath digital fireworks, and the exhilarating sound of Stimshots pulsating through a heavy beat.
Evelyn approaches. Tao Yi closes the countdown and snippets. Tonight, her petite friend appears slightly transformed. Clad in a pastel dress typical of her, her dark hair woven into a braid adorned with gothic decals on her cheeks. It’s charming, like a puppy striving for attention.
Evelyn nudges her hip against Tao Yi’s waist. “Flash?” “I’m alright. Why?”
“You seem a bit distant.”
Tao Yi wraps her hand around her elbow, feeling the symmetrical dip behind the joint. “Yeah, just taking a breather. It’s been an eventful day at work.”
“Oh, right. You’re the featured authenticity consultant now,” Evelyn chuckles, elongating the syllables.
Even after six months in this role, the title still sounds peculiar to Tao Yi. She aims to transition from marketing strategies driving consumerism to organizations like True You that steer lost souls towards their genuine selves.
“People are infatuated with their avatars. They want to ensure they’re as distinctive as everyone else.”
“Come on, Tao Yi, don’t play the cynic. I know you’re kind at heart,” Evelyn teases. “Just wait a few more months, and you’ll be spreading the mantra that’ll have you feeling as good as your boss. What’s his name again? Andy? Gary?”
“Griffin. Not even close.”
“That’s it! You know what he told me at the party you took me to last month? With his wide eyes and serious expression: ‘You need to find your own path.’”
“Oh, yeah. He repeats that daily. It’s just my brain filtering him out right now.”
“I told him I was using Google Maps. He didn’t even crack a smile.”
Tao Yi chuckles. “But he’s effective at his job. Want to set up an appointment?”
“No thanks – you all should steer clear of my virtual stuff.”
Tao Yi laughs again, then turns her gaze toward the fire. Evelyn’s attention lingers on Zack. The bonfire’s glow warms his tanned skin, illuminating his sparkling dark eyes and expressive mouth.
For a moment, Tao Yi observes Evelyn fixated on him. Then she soon slips away.
every version of you Written by Grace Chan (Verve Books) is the New Scientist Book Club’s November 2025 read. Sign up to read together here.
The New Scientist Book Club took a departure from science fiction in October, focusing instead on the winners of the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize. This timely announcement aligned perfectly with our next literary venture.
Among the award nominees were six works by Daniel Levitin, including music as medicine and Vanished: The History of Unnatural Extinction. The jury ultimately selected Masud Hussain’s Our Brains, Ourselves: What a Neurologist’s Patients Tell Us About the Brain. They praised the book as a “poetic exploration of how neurological conditions affect one’s identity,” noting that Hussain cleverly weaves his immigrant experience in 1960s Britain into his medical narratives.
It’s worth mentioning that our book club members tend to be more critical than the Royal Society judges. While there was enthusiasm for exploring non-fiction, several issues emerged throughout our discussions.
Starting with the positives, many of us found the later chapters, where Hussain contemplates the concept of self, particularly thought-provoking regarding the historical evolution of identity and how various brain conditions influence a patient’s self-perception.
Katherine Sarah echoed this sentiment, remarking, “This offers an engaging insight into brain function and the essence of ‘self,’ along with the crucial social skills that enable our integration into society.” Her perspective resonates with those in our Facebook group. As someone who relocated to a new country without knowing the local language, she felt particularly connected to the text.
She reflected, “It struck me how language is integral to our identity, and the challenges of expressing ourselves without it can be profound,” noting parallels to a patient in the book with suppressed motivation due to language barriers. “I, too, felt shy and hesitant when I couldn’t communicate effectively.” She found it fascinating to read about patients with selective cognitive impairments, emphasizing how interconnected our mental faculties truly are.
Gosia Furmanik also appreciated this exploration of identity and migration. “Overall, I enjoyed the book’s engaging style and insightful examples. The reflections on identity toward the end really resonated with me, especially as someone who has migrated multiple times,” she noted.
Judith Lazell enjoyed the humor and readability of the text, calling it a “fantastic choice.” Jennifer Marano valued the chapter about Wahid, a bus driver with Lewy body dementia who begins experiencing hallucinations. “This shifted my understanding of perception and hallucinations,” she remarked. “The world feels solid, but it’s amazing to think that our brains construct the visual stimuli we perceive. I wonder what others might be experiencing.”
When I spoke with Hussain, I was curious about his narrative approach, especially moments that felt a bit contrived. For instance, when he notices a monument to Samuel Johnson while thinking about a patient: “That irony made me smile,” he said, as he connects the great lexicographer with a patient struggling with word recall, diving into a lengthy discussion about lexicography.
Hussain explained he felt it necessary to fictionalize some scenarios to protect patient identities, a technique that makes narrative sense. However, I found some instances a bit forced.
Niall Leighton shared similar criticisms, focusing on the perceived stiffness in Hussain’s patient interactions. “I couldn’t help but think these encounters seemed overly scripted, which became increasingly frustrating,” he noted.
Gosia expressed relief that she wasn’t alone in feeling these aspects detracted from the narrative. She pointed out that Hussain’s admission in interviews about substantial fictionalization might explain some discrepancies. “Perhaps a significant amount was imagined,” she suggested.
Some members expressed irritation with Hussain’s ornate language at times. Jennifer commented, “It felt as if he was attempting to craft a ‘great British novel’ with descriptions ill-fitting for a science book.”
Judith and Niall found Hussain’s habit of defining terms like “vertebrate (animal with a backbone)” redundant. “Everyone reading this book likely understands these concepts,” Judith remarked.
Niall added, “It feels patronizing to repeatedly define terms like ‘atrophy’ and ‘neuron.’ It made me question who the author perceived his audience to be.”
This raises a valid dilemma. While our book club consists of well-informed readers, balancing helpfulness with potential condescension is a challenging line to navigate.
A significant concern for some members was Hussain’s use of the term “normal” in relation to brain function. For instance, he mentioned a patient’s behavior, stating, “Like any normal person, he began to take risks.”
Gosia expressed frustration with phrases labeling healthy individuals as “normal,” questioning, “Who determines what ‘normal’ is? It’s crucial to recognize that illness is also a standard part of our human experience. For a book steeped in philosophy, this viewpoint seemed surprisingly simplistic.”
Niall voiced similar sentiments, stating, “As a neurodivergent individual, the label ‘normal’ irks me. The ambiguity surrounding it is quite bothersome,” he said.
Jennifer, despite her critical views on Our Brains, Ourselves, mentioned she felt more understanding after watching an interview with Hussain in New Scientist magazine. “While some aspects were challenging, I have to commend him for his dedication to his work and the effort it took to bring this book to fruition,” she reflected. “I can appreciate that passion, given I’ve never written nor published a book myself.”
Never say never, Jennifer! Perhaps one day, we’ll see your book featured in the New Scientist Book Club! For now, I’m excited to dive into another read in November that examines the intricacies of the brain through the lens of science fiction. Join us for Grace Chan’s Every Version of You, set in a ravaged world where humanity has migrated to a digital utopia in search of solace from a dying Earth. How do these virtual minds contrast with what remains of our physical selves?
The mummified remains of a boy buried in a copper box between 1617 and 1814
Annamaria Arabiso
An adolescent boy, interred in a copper coffin almost three centuries ago in northern Italy, stands out as the only nearly fully preserved green mummy known to exist.
While other ancient remains have shown partial mummification or green coloration from burial alongside copper or bronze items, a green mummified hand of a newborn clutching a copper coin was discovered in medieval Hungary within pottery vessels.
In contrast, this Italian mummy is largely intact, save for its feet, showcasing an almost entirely green complexion from skin to bone, with the exception of its left leg.
The mummy emerged from the basement of an old villa in Bologna in 1987, where it underwent forensic analysis at the University of Bologna. Experts determined it belonged to a boy aged 12 to 14, and it has been preserved at the university since.
Annamaria Arabiso, a conservation scientist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, took part in the examination alongside a myriad of specialists including geneticists, anthropologists, radiologists, mathematicians, physicists, and computer scientists. “It was an impressive interdisciplinary effort,” she remarks.
The researchers conducted an extensive series of chemical and physical analyses on the mummy. Radiocarbon dating assigned the boy’s death to between 1617 and 1814, with Arabiso noting that the remains exhibited no apparent signs of trauma or disease.
Copper played a crucial role in preserving both hard and soft tissues, owing to its known antimicrobial characteristics, Arabiso states. However, the copper box reacted with acid from the body, leading to corrosion that created copper byproducts interacting with the chemicals in the bone. Gradually, copper ions replaced calcium in the boy’s skeleton, imparting a green hue and simultaneously enhancing the structural integrity of his bones over time.
The skin developed a rough layer of copper corrosion products referred to as patina, a pale green film typical on bronze items. Arabiso explained that this patina formed as a result of copper’s reaction with water and carbon dioxide during decomposition.
“This fundamentally shifts our understanding of heavy metals, revealing a more intricate relationship regarding their effects on conservation than previously assumed,” she states.
Possibly due to acidic interactions, the bottom of the copper box eventually cracked, leading to liquid spillage that left the remains in a cool, arid environment with limited oxygen, which mitigated decomposition. Arabiso suggests the boy may have become disoriented and lost his footing during this process.
“Engaging with these extraordinary human remains was profoundly emotional for me,” she shares.
Julia Gallo, having seen images of mummies for the first time at the Collège de France in Paris, expressed her awe. “Oh, how beautiful!” she exclaims. “This entire case study is utterly captivating.”
Gallo offered praise for the researchers’ efforts in meticulously investigating the physical and chemical processes leading to the mummification and subsequent color changes. “The evidence robustly supports their conclusions regarding both the preservation of tissues and bones and the variations in coloration.”
Historic Herculaneum – discover Vesuvius, Pompeii and ancient Naples
Embark on a captivating journey through the historical sites of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculaneum, where history and archaeology intertwine.
Paleontologists have discovered a specimen dating back 410 million years: cavernous cavernosa nanum. This lichen is one of the oldest and most extensively distributed in the fossil record and was found in Brazil’s Paraná Basin, specifically within the Ponta Grossa Formation.
Artistically reconstructed cavernous cavernosa nanum from the Early Devonian, depicting high-latitude sedimentary systems of the Paraná Basin. Image credit: J. Lacerda.
The colonization of land and the evolution of complex terrestrial ecosystems rank among the most significant evolutionary milestones in the history of life.
This phenomenon greatly affected terrestrial and marine ecosystems, leading to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced weathering, nutrient absorption in oceans, soil formation, and the emergence of major groups of terrestrial animals.
It is well-established that early plants played a crucial role in land colonization, particularly in establishing the first plant communities.
The earliest records of ancient land plants appear in the form of cryptospores from the Middle Ordovician, around 460 million years ago. The first macrofossils of vascular plants are found in Silurian deposits dating from approximately 443 to 420 million years ago.
Despite this, the specific role and presence of lichens during various stages of terrestrialization remain uncertain.
“cavernous cavernosa nanum displays a partnership of fungi and algae akin to modern lichens,” noted Dr. Bruno Becker Kerber from Harvard University.
“Our research illustrates that lichens are not merely peripheral organisms; they were vital pioneers in reshaping Earth’s terrain.”
“They contributed to the soil formation that enabled the colonization and diversification of plants and animals on land.”
Morphology and internal structure of cavernous cavernosa nanum. Image credit: Becker-Kerber et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879.
Findings indicate that ancient lichens originated in the cold polar regions of the Gondwana supercontinent, now known as parts of modern-day South America and Africa.
“cavernous cavernosa nanum is a remarkable fossil, preserved in an incredible state. Essentially, they are mummified with their organic matter intact,” remarked Professor Jochen Brocks from the Australian National University.
“In simple plants, the tough component is cellulose. In contrast, lichens are unique; they consist of chitin, the same material that gives insects like beetles their strength.”
“Chitin contains nitrogen. In our analyses, cavernous cavernosa nanum yielded an unprecedented nitrogen signal.”
“Such clear results are rare. It was a true Eureka moment.”
“Today, lichens continue to be vital in soil creation, nutrient recycling, and carbon capture in extreme environments spanning from deserts to the polar regions.”
“Yet, due to their delicate structure and infrequent fossil records, their origins remain elusive.”
“This research underscores the necessity of blending traditional techniques with innovative technology,” explained Dr. Nathalie L. Alchira, a researcher at the Synchrotron Light Institute in Brazil.
“Preliminary measurements enabled us to identify crucial areas of interest and collect 3D nanometer imaging for the first time, unveiling the intricate fungal and algal networks that define cavernous cavernosa nanum as a true lichen.”
The team’s study was published in this week’s edition of Scientific Advances.
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Bruno Becker-Kerber et al. 2025. The role of lichens in the colonization of terrestrial environments. Scientific Advances 11(44); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879
A collaborative team of physicists from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy has mathematically demonstrated that our universe operates on a fundamental understanding unattainable by any algorithm.
Faizal et al. The fundamental nature of reality indicates it operates beyond the capabilities of computer simulations. Image credit: Gemini AI.
“The concept of simulating the universe has been suggested,” remarked Dr. Mir Faizal, a physicist at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
“If such simulations were possible, then a simulated universe could potentially give rise to life and create its own simulations.”
“This recursive concept raises doubts about whether our universe is the original one or merely a simulation nested within another.”
“Previously, this notion was deemed outside the realm of scientific inquiry.”
“However, our recent findings demonstrate that it can indeed be addressed through scientific methods.”
“Our investigation hinges on the intriguing nature of reality itself.”
“Modern physics has evolved beyond Newton’s tangible ‘objects’ moving through space. With Einstein’s theory of relativity superseding Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics has reshaped our understanding yet again.”
The leading-edge theory today, quantum gravity, proposes that even space and time may not be fundamental; rather, they emerge from a deeper source: pure information.
“This information exists in what physicists refer to as the Platonic realm, a more fundamental mathematical basis than our physical universe. Space and time arise from this realm.”
The authors have shown that despite this information-centric foundation, reality cannot be encapsulated solely through calculations.
Utilizing powerful mathematical theorems, including Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, they established that a full and consistent account of all phenomena demands what they call non-algorithmic understanding.
“To illustrate: Computers follow recipes step by step, regardless of complexity. Yet, certain truths can only be comprehended through non-algorithmic understanding, which does not adhere to a predetermined sequence of logical steps,” they explained.
“These Gödel truths are genuine, yet they cannot be validated through computation.”
“Consider this straightforward statement: This statement cannot be proven true.”
“If it’s provable, then it’s false, rendering the logic inconsistent. If it’s not provable, then it is true. Nevertheless, any system that attempts to prove it will be incomplete. Hence, pure computation will fail.”
“Our study confirms that it’s impossible to describe the entirety of physical reality using the computational theory of quantum gravity,” stated Dr. Faizal.
“Thus, a physically complete and consistent theory cannot emerge solely from calculations.”
“Instead, we require a non-algorithmic understanding, which is more fundamental than the computational laws of quantum gravity, and thus more fundamental than spacetime itself.”
“Could the computational rules of the Platonic realm resemble those of a computer simulation? Might that realm itself not be subject to simulation?”
“No. Yet our findings unveil something more profound.”
“Through mathematical theorems associated with incompleteness and indefinability, we demonstrate that a consistently complete portrayal of reality cannot be achieved through mere calculation.”
“It necessitates a non-algorithmic understanding, which by its nature transcends algorithmic computation and cannot be simulated. Therefore, this universe cannot be a simulation.”
The research team asserts this discovery has significant implications.
“The fundamental laws of physics cannot be confined within space and time, as they are derived from them,” asserted Dr. Lawrence M. Kraus, a researcher at the Origin Project Foundation.
“For a long time, it has been hoped that a truly fundamental theory of everything would eventually describe all physical phenomena through calculations grounded in these laws.”
“However, we have demonstrated that this is not feasible. A more profound approach is required to coherently explain reality: a form of understanding referred to as non-algorithmic understanding.”
“All simulations are inherently algorithmic and must adhere to programmed instructions,” Dr. Faizal remarked.
“However, the universe cannot be and never will be a simulation, as the core level of reality is rooted in non-algorithmic understanding.”
For more information, refer to the study published in the June 2025 issue of Journal of Holography Applications in Physics.
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Mir Faizal et al. 2025. The consequences of undecidability in physics for the theory of everything. Journal of Holography Applications in Physics 5(2):10-21; doi: 10.22128/jap.2025.1024.1118
Feedback is New Scientist A popular source for those seeking the latest in science and technology news. To share your thoughts on topics that may interest our readers, please send an email to feedback@newscientist.com.
Speaking Our Truth
Expert science journalists often learn to skim specific sections of scientific papers, particularly those asserting that the research signifies a “significant advancement” or “broadens understanding.” This isn’t because they are inaccurate, but because nearly any research yielding results can make these assertions, and academics are motivated (as we all are) to amplify the significance of their work.
But sometimes, it isn’t a hassle. Following a chain of events initiated by reporter Matthew Sparks and shared on the social platform Bluesky, Feedback uncovered a 2018 paper on the arXiv preprint server that would have claimed the prize for “most honest” research effort. Absolute refusal to make grand claims.
In this study, authors Joseph Redmon and Ali Farhadi detailed the latest iteration of YOLO, an AI framework designed to recognize objects in images. YOLO has even outperformed CAPTCHA tests requiring users to identify all squares containing bicycles and has been utilized to detect smuggling vessels. All said, these achievements are truly impressive (though perhaps alarming), but by 2018, the duo had evidently been coasting.
The title of their paper itself—”YOLOv3: Incremental Improvements”—is telling. The brief summary echoes this sentiment, stating, “we’ve implemented several minor design adjustments to enhance performance.” The essence can be distilled to: ‘You’ve contacted me year-round, yet my research efforts this year were sparse; much of my time was spent on Twitter.’ This line is, in fact, the date noted in the paper.
The authors further admit that the “improvements” largely stemmed from “good ideas taken from others.” They dive into details, first confessing that their tweaks are “not particularly exciting—just a collection of minor updates to enhance functionality.”
They then transition to Section 4, titled “Things I Tried That Didn’t Work.” This section, Feedback argues, should be a standard inclusion in all scientific publications, potentially saving others considerable time.
Despite acknowledging that they only recounted “what we recall,” they do remember an attempt involving something called “focal loss,” which ended up diminishing the model’s accuracy. “YOLOv3 might already be resilient to the focal loss problem, as it differentiates objectness prediction and conditional class prediction, resulting in minimal accuracy loss in most cases. Or maybe not? I’m not entirely sure,” they commented.
Feedback: I must have overlooked this in 2018, or I can’t believe I missed it when the article was spotlighted. Aggregator site Reddit played a role, but thanks to sociologist Per Angel, who mentioned in Bluesky:the restrictions section is a space for academics to practice radical honesty in just one paragraph. Data scientist Johan Ugander remarked that the YOLOv3 paper “deserves an accolade.” A truly candid piece.
Surely, there’s an academic somewhere known for their radical honesty regarding their minimal accomplishments. I’ll send an email to the usual address.
A Touch of Longevity
Clare Boyes once stated: “I understand you steer clear of prescriptive determinism, but I felt compelled to forward you this email I received today from the British Wildlife Newsletter.” It mentioned a book titled Tree Hunting: 1,000 Trees to Find in Towns and Cities Across the UK and Ireland, authored by Paul Wood.
In a similar vein, Robert Master pointed out that a recent special issue titled “How to Live to 100” (TL;DR: Don’t Die) featured a longevity researcher named Paul Lazarus.
Sleep on This
A while back (in July), Feedback reported on receiving a press release staunchly defending the environmental sustainability of avocados, only to find it originated from the World Avocado Organization. We concluded that while these individuals may be correct, they surely operate under a peculiar incentive structure.
We received no additional information from the avocado vendor, but we were inundated with press releases emphasizing the significance of sleep. “Struggling to find a solution? Science confirms that sleeping on it genuinely resolves your issues,” the first message proclaimed. It highlighted “exciting new research” and asserted that “the traditional advice to sleep on things may actually be one of the most effective problem-solving strategies available.”
This is attributed to the brain’s ability to continue processing memories and forging new connections while we sleep, occasionally leading to innovative insights through the amalgamation of new and old concepts. There was talk of memory consolidation, the prefrontal cortex (often seen as the brain’s inner critic), and associative thinking.
The follow-up email delved even further with a dramatic, albeit grammatically questionable, title: “New Study Indicates Rising Mortality Among Young Adults, Experts Warn Continued Sleep Deprivation Could Aggravate This.” The press release linked sleep deprivation with chronic health issues. There was also a quote from a “certified sleep coach”—possibly real?—but our minds conjured an image of a sweaty man in a tracksuit, whistle in hand, shouting, “Give me seven [hours]!” Yet the message remained clear: “Prioritize sleep.”
While it may have been foreshadowing, if you weren’t prepared for it, both emails, of course, came from mattress supplier Amerisleep.
Have a story for Feedback?
You can send your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and previous feedback can be accessed on our website.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by the Gemini South Telescope in Chile
International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist; J. Miller & M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), TA President (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is acting oddly once more. This foreign visitor from another star is now obscured by the sun’s shadow, leading some to speculate about its secretive nature. The only likely explanation, they whisper, is that it’s an alien spacecraft.
This notion, however, is utterly baseless. It simply doesn’t hold up that a spacecraft would choose to stay hidden for just a few days while previously visible and likely to be so again. If this were actually a stealthy spacecraft, then the aliens piloting it would either be incredibly foolish or believe us to be.
How can we assert this? As an astronomer recently explained to me, if 3I/ATLAS is indeed a spacecraft, it’s doing a remarkable job of masquerading as a comet. This is what fuels the sensational discussions surrounding 3I/ATLAS (named after the eagle’s eye). planetary defense equipment (I first noticed it in July), which was both amusingly frustrating and clearly ridiculous. The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that it is a comet.
Let’s explore why. It possesses a coma, a shell of vaporized ice. It exhibits a luminous tail. Its trajectory can best be described as that of an icy projectile entering our solar system from beyond. So, why is it “hiding” behind the sun? It just reached perihelion, the closest point to our solar star in its voyage through our cosmic neighborhood. Every celestial voyager, from comets to asteroids, experiences perihelion. 3I/ATLAS happens to be behind the Sun, yet closest to it from Earth’s viewpoint.
There are certainly some intriguing aspects of 3I/ATLAS that excite astronomers. For instance, it contains a higher concentration of carbon dioxide ice compared to water ice. Nevertheless, it remains a comet, not a space probe. Some materials are composed of – hold on, aren’t those metals? Spaceships are built from metal! So, could 3I/ATLAS actually be a spacecraft? Absolutely not; we routinely observe metals in the rocky, icy cores of comets. In truth, numerous comet types exist in our solar system, many of which are indeed peculiar.
It was also somewhat unusual that at one point 3I/ATLAS had its dusty tail oriented toward the Sun instead of the opposite direction. Some speculated it was not the tail but rather a spacecraft’s exhaust plume attempting to decelerate. However, the issue is that 3I/ATLAS’s orbit is consistent with that of an interstellar comet; it’s not as if someone applied brakes to an interstellar probe. The unique orientation of its tail resulted from the specific icy, powdery particles released from its surface. This transient object would typically be pushed away from the sun by solar radiation pressure, but some of this comet’s material was so dense that it couldn’t be redirected and consequently rolled toward the sun.
3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object ever documented, so investigating its small population is likely to uncover some remarkable characteristics. ‘Oumuamua, the first identified interstellar visitor, was significantly stranger. Its shape was likely cigar-like, rapidly accelerating as it left the solar system. Yet even this oddity can be perfectly rationalized: it was a flashy comet-like entity. The next two interstellar objects, 2I/Borisov and 3I/ATLAS, also showcase interesting features. But to propose they are spacecraft rather than comets is equivalent to calling ice in the freezer a pineapple. You can certainly say that, but if you aim to convince me, you must present more substantial proof.
Many among us, myself included, eagerly anticipate the day we learn we’re not alone in the universe. Thus, it’s no wonder that people jump to the unfounded conclusion that 3I/ATLAS might signal that this long-awaited day has finally come. However, in an age rife with misinformation, to suggest, against overwhelming evidence, that this comet could be alien is not just misguided; it’s profoundly irresponsible.
Horror fans have been painted with the same broad, bloody brush for decades: labeled as cold, emotionless thrill-seekers who delight in the suffering of others. Movie critics describe the movie’s fans and creators as follows: Friday the 13th and Saw as “very sick people.” Flat among scholars, a common explanation for why some people love horror is that they lack empathy or are simply adrenaline junkies. In my new book, I argue that all of these assumptions are wrong.
One of the most persistent misconceptions about horror fans is that they must lack empathy to enjoy a movie this painful. This claim is intuitive and, until recently, was ostensibly supported by evidence presented in a meta-analysis. But a meta-analysis is only as powerful as the studies it summarizes. In this case, the variables were poorly defined. For example, the two studies that showed the strongest associations with low empathy examined whether participants enjoyed short clips that ended in torture or brutal murder and had no satisfying resolution. These measures probably don’t tell us much about horror fans, but they may tell us something about sadists. Deep in the discussion section, the authors of the meta-analysis acknowledged that if these studies were removed, the link between empathy and the enjoyment of fear disappeared. Unfortunately, that warning wasn’t mentioned in the summary.
In 2024, a series of research studies directly addressed issues of horror fandom and empathy. The results were amazing. Using standardized ratings measuring empathy and compassion, we found no evidence that horror fans were lower on either scale. In fact, they scored higher on empathy and compassion on several measures.
Even if they don’t consider empathy, conventional wisdom suggests that horror fans are just looking for an adrenaline rush. Some old research will even show you the proof. However, the truth is more complex.
My colleagues and I looked into it. When we investigated the motivations of horror fans who visit haunted attractions, we found that “adrenaline junkies” are only a subset of horror enthusiasts. We also discovered a group we call “white knucklers.” They find horror really scary and hate feeling scared. Our research shows that horror offers these fans an opportunity to overcome their fears and learn something about themselves. We also found a group called “Dark Copers” who use horror as a way to process difficult emotions and experiences. They find a sense of catharsis in imaginary horror. These three types of models make it clear that many horror fans are not motivated solely by adrenaline. However, they have one thing in common.
My research has identified the following personality traits: morbid curiosity as the most powerful predictor of horror fandom. The tendency to seek information about dangerous, threatening, or death-related phenomena leads to a fascination with horror media. And that may be good for you. Research shows that people with high levels of morbid curiosity are better prepared for real crises and demonstrate increased resilience during stressful life events. Horror fans may practice emotional regulation—a time to toy with fear through terrifying entertainment.
This evidence paints a picture of horror fans as empathetic, curious, and psychologically sophisticated. Horror is a testament to human adaptability and our uncanny ability to find meaning, connection, and even growth in the face of our deepest fears. Recognizing this not only helps us understand horror fans more accurately but also reveals something deep about human nature itself.
Coltan Scribner is the author of Morbidly Curious: Scientists Explain Why You Shouldn’t Look Away.
Artist’s interpretation of the pack Nanotyrannus assailing a young tyrannosaurus
Anthony Hutchings
Fossils previously thought to belong to a juvenile tyrannosaurus rex have been identified as a fully mature carnivore of a distinct species, resolving a long-standing debate in paleontology.
This controversy originated from a skull unearthed in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana during the 1940s, which was initially identified as gorgosaurus. It was later proposed to be a juvenile tyrannosaurus. In 1988, other researchers posited that the fossil represented an adult of a smaller related species, which they designated Nanotyrannus lansensis.
Since then, a number of additional fossils classified as Nanotyrannus have been discovered, although many paleontologists contend that they are merely tyrannosaurus juveniles.
Now, researchers have examined a complete skeleton for the first time, providing compelling evidence that Nanotyrannus is indeed a separate species.
The skeleton is among a pair of specimens known as “Dueling Dinosaurs,” found by private fossil hunters in 2006, which includes a triceratops and what was initially believed to be a juvenile T. rex buried approximately 67 million years ago.
It was only in 2020, when the fossil came into the possession of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, that paleontologists could conduct a thorough analysis of it.
“Upon receiving the specimen, we recognized it was extraordinary,” remarks Lindsey Zanno from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science. “We had no inkling it would radically alter decades of research concerning the world’s most renowned dinosaur.”
Mr. Zanno collaborated with his colleagues, including James Naples, a postdoctoral researcher at Stony Brook University in New York. She had initially supported the juvenile tyrannosaurus theory but was compelled to reevaluate her stance based on the findings.
“Nanotyrannus displays unique nerve and sinus patterns, a greater number of teeth, larger hands, and shorter tails. These traits remain consistent as the species develops from juvenile to adult,” she notes.
Lindsay Zanno with the proposed Nanotyrannuslansensis skeleton
North Carolina State University
Zanno and Napoli’s examination of the dinosaur’s limb bones confirmed that it was a fully mature specimen, approximately 20 years old, weighing around 700 kilograms and measuring about 5.5 meters in length. “This is roughly one-tenth the weight of an adult human and half the length of a tyrannosaurus,” Zanno explains.
Additionally, Zanno and Napoli reanalyzed 200 tyrannosaur fossils and concluded that another nearly complete skeleton, known as Jane from the Hell Creek Formation, is misclassified as a tyrannosaurid fossil. They propose that Jane is actually a new species within this genus, designated Nanotyrannus letaeus.
“Although we possess only one skeleton of N. Retheus, its anatomy suggests it was part of a larger species,” remarks Zanno. “The configuration of the palatal sinuses and the shape of the bone behind the eye are distinctive.”
Proposed Nanotyrannus lansensis skull features more teeth than the tyrannosaurus skull.
Matt Zeher/North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
Scott Parsons, a researcher at the South Carolina State Museum, asserts that this latest study clarifies the debate surrounding Nanotyrannus being its own genus and species.
“In my opinion, Nanotyrannus was among the most formidable dinosaur predators, and being pursued by one would be quite a terrifying experience,” Parsons remarks, noting its long legs and fearsome thumb claws.
“In essence, we can compare Nanotyrannus and tyrannosaurus to modern-day cheetahs and lions. While they shared a similar overall anatomy, they had distinct hunting strategies.”
Thomas Carr from Carthage College in Wisconsin has expressed that the new findings are “quite definitive” that the dueling dinosaur specimen represents an almost adult species, one that differs from tyrannosaurus.
Additionally, Holly Ballard from Oklahoma State University, who led the 2020 research, stated that there is “no contention” regarding the team’s conclusion that the fossil belonged to an individual nearing adult size.
However, neither Ballard nor Carr are fully convinced that the other fossil, Jane, constitutes a new species of Nanotyrannus. “Jane is still maturing and large,” emphasizes Ballard, suggesting it may be a new taxon rather than a juvenile tyrannosaurus. “We’re returning to the old debates,” Ballard laments.
“Moreover, in the Hell Creek Formation, if there are numerous small tyrannosaurs in circulation, where are the juvenile tyrannosaurus? ” Kerr questions, stating that it complicates the fossil record. “We simply haven’t uncovered enough tyrannosaurs to fully elucidate what was occurring during the growth phases of the tyrannosaurids in the Hell Creek Formation.”
Dinosaur hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi desert
Embark on an exhilarating and unique expedition to discover dinosaur ruins in the vast wilderness of the Gobi Desert, one of the world’s most renowned paleontology hotspots.
President Donald Trump made this announcement prior to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to recommence nuclear weapons testing after a ban lasting decades. However, researchers from New Scientist contend that these tests bear no scientific relevance, are largely symbolic, pose a threat to global tranquility, and are likely to provoke public backlash in America. Ultimately, while the chances of these tests occurring seem slim, the announcement itself carries potential risks.
In a recent statement, President Trump revealed a new policy, stating in a post on Truth Social, “It’s in response to actions by other nations.” [sic] He further directed the War Department to initiate nuclear weapon tests on an equivalent basis, set to commence immediately.
The announcement lacked clarity, leaving experts puzzled as no other nation has conducted nuclear bomb tests recently. While Russia has experimented with nuclear underwater drones and nuclear-capable missiles, none of these actions involved actual nuclear detonations.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, indications have surfaced that several nations are preparing their historic nuclear testing sites, whether genuinely intending to test again or merely using it as a political display. Significant upgrades are underway at a Chinese testing site in Xinjiang, a Russian site in the Arctic, and a US site in Nevada.
However, restarting nuclear tests would contravene decades of effective yet uneasy bans. The Limited Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1963 by the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union, prohibits testing these weapons in the atmosphere, on water, or in space, yet allows for underground tests. Subsequently, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was drafted in 1996, effectively halting underground nuclear tests, albeit without formal ratification.
[Since the first Trinity explosion in 1945 in the United States, over 2000 tests have been conducted until the CTBT’s drafting. India and Pakistan conducted several nuclear tests in 1998, while North Korea remains the sole nation to have tested nuclear weapons in the 21st century, with its last test occurring in 2017. The United States has refrained from nuclear testing since 1992.]
Considering this context, many experts express skepticism towards President Trump’s remarks. There is speculation regarding a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as the United States would be the first global superpower to restart nuclear testing.
John Preston, a researcher at the University of Essex, suggests the president’s declaration may merely be “Trump rhetoric,” lacking any genuine intention of conducting a nuclear test, though warns that even such statements can have perilous implications. Historically, the Soviet Union and Russia have aimed to exert pressure that compels their adversaries to de-escalate activities.
Preston notes that during the Cold War, nuclear powers invested considerable time and resources in bringing in diverse experts to thoroughly comprehend how nuclear testing and proliferation could heighten conflict. Recently, however, this issue has drawn less attention and has become increasingly secretive.
“I’m concerned that the escalation ladder may not be fully understood within the policy and nuclear strategy communities,” Preston commented. “Science has already grasped the effects of nuclear weapons; there’s nothing new to discover. Thus, these tests are strictly symbolic and could lead us into an escalation we no longer effectively understand.”
Indeed, the likelihood of generating significant scientific findings from such tests seems remote. Current nuclear testing relies on highly accurate physical simulations conducted via massive supercomputers. The two most powerful public supercomputers globally are operated by the US government and are utilized to affirm the effectiveness of the US nuclear deterrent without actual testing.
Christoph Laucht, a professor at Swansea University in the UK, asserts that restarting tests would signify a regressive step at a precarious juncture in history. The New START Treaty is set to lapse on February 4, 2026. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty puts the US and Russia in a situation where a formal nuclear treaty remains months away, with minimal prospects for a new agreement amidst the current tense global climate.
“There are genuine concerns that this could trigger a new form of nuclear arms race,” Laucht remarked. “We already possess a vast inventory of nuclear warheads, but we are reverting to a treaty environment reminiscent of the early Cold War, a time without arms limitation treaties.”
Laucht further warned that if one nation resumes testing, others may feel pressured to follow suit. Such testing could prompt protests from environmental activists, peace advocates, and communities near the Nevada test site, further straining an already divided United States.
Sarah Pozzi, a professor at the University of Michigan, argues that restarting nuclear testing would be illogical for the US. “Such actions would destabilize global affairs, incentivize other nations to resume their nuclear testing programs, and jeopardize decades of progress in nuclear arms control,” she stated. “Instead, the US should aspire to lead by example and bolster international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.”
Of course, there are various perspectives on the matter. In his typical style, President Trump has become fixated on cryptic, ambiguous social media posts that fail to convey the entire narrative.
Nick Ritchie, a researcher at the University of York in the UK, suggests that President Trump might merely be referring to testing nuclear delivery systems, such as missiles, rather than nuclear warheads themselves. Resuming warhead testing would likely necessitate years of planning, engineering, and political maneuvering beyond a single presidential term. However, if that is the case, it raises confusion because these delivery technologies are routinely tested alongside NATO allies.
“This is a quintessentially Trumpian method of discussing a variety of political matters, including potentially destabilizing and perilous issues like US nuclear weapons policy,” Ritchie observes. “While there remains a small chance of resuming actual testing preparations, I certainly have not seen any indications that this is on the horizon.”
Devices utilizing magnets may offer a more efficient method for removing kidney stones compared to traditional techniques, potentially reducing the necessity for repeated surgeries.
Kidney stones form when minerals in urine crystallize. If they become lodged in the kidneys or move into the ureters, the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder, they can lead to significant discomfort.
Current treatments often involve breaking the stones into smaller pieces through methods such as guiding a thin tube with a laser through the bladder into the ureters and kidneys, or applying ultrasound waves externally.
Surgeons typically extract these fragments individually using a wire basket that passes in and out of the urethra. This repetitive retrieval process can result in tissue damage. About 40% of the time, residual debris is left behind, particularly if small particles evade the basket, increasing the risk of additional stones.
Seeking alternatives, Joseph Liao and his team at Stanford University in California previously engineered a magnetic gel designed to coat stone debris and a magnetic wire to capture it in lab settings.
Recently, they implemented this method in a study involving four pigs. They introduced various fragments of human kidney stones into the pigs’ kidneys before injecting the magnetic gel. By utilizing a magnetic wire inserted through the urethra, the researchers managed to extract multiple stone fragments simultaneously, unlike the traditional wire basket method that retrieves them one at a time. “It’s like using a stick to fish out a snot filled with stone debris, allowing for the removal of significant amounts of stone fragments at once,” explained Liao.
This technique appears to cause less tissue damage than conventional methods since fewer invasive procedures are necessary. Unlike wire baskets, the magnetic device effectively captures debris of varying sizes, permitting thorough removal of all remnants from the kidney, as noted by Rio. This not only decreases the chance of new stones forming but also curtails the need for additional surgeries.
“This is a very promising method,” states Veronica Magdanz from the University of Waterloo, Canada, who was not involved in the research. “Any advancement that enhances the success rate of stone collection and facilitates the removal of more pieces at once is advantageous.”
None of the pigs exhibited any adverse reactions to the gel. “This is excellent news. It is non-toxic and harmless,” Magdanz remarked. After refining the technique through further pig studies, Rio and his team aim to begin human trials within approximately a year.
South Pole telescope. CMB-S4 was meant to explore temperature and polarization changes in microwave light across vast areas of the sky.
Brad Benson, University of Chicago Fermilab
In the words of Robert Frost from The Road Not Taken, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both.”
This sentiment resonates as I reflect on the U.S. government’s July 9 announcement: CMB-S4 projects will no longer receive support. CMB-S4 (Cosmic Microwave Background Stage 4) was set to be the next groundbreaking multicontinental telescope system, promising unparalleled insights into the oldest light traversing the universe.
Initially, the universe was a turbulent mix of dense particles and plasma, so thick that photons (light particles) could scarcely move without colliding with something. This primordial environment was also extremely hot, hindering the formation of atoms. It wasn’t until cosmic inflation—a rapid expansion of spacetime lasting an imperceptibly short period—that temperatures fell sufficiently to allow the first hydrogen atoms to form, providing photons the freedom to zip across space.
Sixty-one years ago, we discovered the existence of these photons, known as cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). What began as mere background noise in radio signals has been recognized as a link to the early universe, leading us to meticulously analyze the wavelengths, intensities, and variations of these photons.
The CMB offers a trove of information regarding the origins of all matter we observe, including stars that later create gold through supernovae. By surveying the entire sky for changes in photon temperatures, we can identify minute fluctuations in temperature. While their positions appear random, the magnitude of these variations is consistent across the board.
Our prevailing theory posits that these fluctuations arise from tiny quantum variations in matter density at the time the photons were released. Greater concentrations of matter served as the seeds for gas accumulation, which ultimately merged into protostars, leading to the formation of stars and galaxies. Thus, these CMB fluctuations mark our cosmic genesis.
“
The withdrawal from this project signifies a reckless retreat by the U.S. from global scientific cooperation. “
One of the most significant measurements we’ve derived from the CMB is how its temperature fluctuations correlate with various physical scales. Understanding the distances over which particular phenomena manifest allows us to analyze the variation’s origins—whether from larger or smaller scales. Essentially, different epochs in cosmological history are imprinted within the CMB.
For instance, we can “detect” when the universe became transparent to matter and when hydrogen first formed, an epoch referred to as recombination. Although these events are beyond our visual perception, we can gauge the presence of dark matter and dark energy based on their influence on the CMB.
CMB-S4 aimed to advance our understanding of the lessons the CMB has to offer. An important objective was to seek evidence of primordial gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime associated with cosmic inflation. Although different inflationary models propose plausible physical descriptions of our universe, specific details remain elusive. The signatures of gravitational waves on the CMB may provide the most effective means of distinguishing among these models.
The cessation of government backing for CMB-S4 is akin to jamming a bike’s wheel, abruptly halting our exploration of the cosmos. The repercussions will be felt globally. Historically, the U.S. has made significant investments in cosmological science, which attracts students internationally to its educational institutions. U.S.-sourced experimental data typically serves as a critical global resource. The retreat from the project, which seemed likely under the former administration, is now part of a broader trend of the U.S. distancing itself from global collaboration.
Frost concludes his poem by reflecting on the implications of his chosen path. It is indeed regrettable that the United States has opted not to explore the less traveled road in scientific pursuits. It undoubtedly makes an impact, but unfortunately, not for the better.
A week in Chanda
What I am reading
I find the works of Niaesh Afsholdi and Phil Halper captivating. Their book, The Battle of the Big Bang: A New Story About the Origins of Our Universe, is particularly intriguing.
What I see
I keep rewatching DC Universe movies, especially those featuring my favorite character, Harley Quinn.
What I am working on
I’ve been attempting to capture stunning images of the Andromeda Galaxy from my backyard.
Feedback is New Scientist A well-known individual who keeps an eye on the latest developments in science and technology. To share insights on topics that may interest our readers, please reach out via email at feedback@newscientist.com.
Dig Into
Very few individuals value feedback as much as a true enthusiast. Such a person may spend months or even years exploring and engaging with something that seems utterly purposeless.
For example, let’s look into the world of Minecraft. For those who might be unfamiliar, Minecraft is an open-world game constructed entirely of cubic blocks. Players delve underground to gather useful mineral cubes to create various structures, like building a house to protect themselves from nocturnal monsters.
Or it could be even more expansive. The community is vast. There’s a feedback group known as Minecraft Middle Earth, which encompasses locations like Minas Tirith and the Mines of Moria. According to this group, the map of Middle-earth stretches across 29,000 x 30,000 blocks.
In terms of sheer size, Minecraft showcases a distinct project by YouTuber Samyuri. Relative to the expansive map, their project, measuring only 1020 x 260 x 1656 blocks, is smaller yet impressive in its own right. It’s known as Craft GPT, where large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are utilized.
This innovative CraftGPT was constructed using redstone, a mineral in the game that functions like an electrical circuit. While most players utilize redstone for basic mechanisms like monster traps, Samyuri crafted something extraordinary. In a meta twist, they even produced a rough version of Minecraft within Minecraft.
The new structure features a keyboard and screen, permitting players to input prompts and view the model’s responses. Behind this setup, redstone blocks rise prominently, mimicking components of LLMs such as the tokenizer, KV cache, and modified linear unit (ReLU).
This design allows CraftGPT to engage in simple conversations like, “Hello, how are you today?” with responses such as, “I’m feeling quite cheerful today, thank you for asking.” It can accurately inform you that the sky is blue and that consuming fruit is beneficial for your health. When Samyuri inquires, “Did you know you’re a machine?”, CraftGPT responds, “Yes, I find it intriguing, particularly in relation to emerging technologies.” This led Samyuri to humorously deduce that CraftGPT “probably” doesn’t grasp that it’s an AI.
No one, however, can accuse Samyuri of lacking humility here. Their CraftGPT video opens with a text disclaimer warning: “Some viewers may experience mind-blowing effects.” Nevertheless, they clarify that CraftGPT is “technically a ‘small language model’ with only 5 million parameters, about as many as my outdated laptop can handle.”
Feedback found itself fixated on a vast array of necessarily repetitive redstone mechanisms. Unbelievably repetitive. It’s hard to envision the tedium involved in constructing them.
That’s Me!
Shifting gears to video games, Feedback recently noticed a significant development in the gaming industry. The president of Nintendo of America is stepping down at the year’s end after nearly ten years in the position. That’s a decade spent overseeing new Mario games, where a frantic plumber battles the grand villain Bowser and his army to safeguard Princess Peach and the ever-vulnerable Mushroom Kingdom.
But given that the president’s name is Doug Bowser, perhaps that was always the underlying plan.
Reinventing Paper
Feedback is quite bemused by the technology hype at present. Before you cast a skeptical eye, it’s unusual to witness a claim of a “disruptive” startup that is “revolutionizing” a particular economic sector.
One truly groundbreaking new product is the Minimalist Paper-Based To-Do Manager, gaining acclaim from both The New York Times and Wired last year. Known as Analog, created by Ugmonk, it’s meant to help you manage tasks offline without the distractions of social media. It consists of a wooden block on your desk, accompanied by several white cards for jotting down your tasks.
In essence, it’s a few index cards and a piece of wood. One reviewer from The New York Times labeled it “old-fashioned,” anticipating the inevitable question: “Why not just use a notebook?” However, she noted that such a method has “never worked” for her, while “the analog system resonates with my Gemini spirit and provides a sense of professional seriousness and unexpected freedom.”
The Analog starter kit retails for £75, but subsequent card purchases are necessary. An annual refill typically costs £141. Yet, Ugmonk also offers a monthly subscription for consistent supply. Yes, yet another example of a company seeking to monetize a service you might forget to cancel.
By the way, I acknowledge the irony in making this point while Feedback is part of a subscription-based magazine. No need to send us an email about it.
Have a story for Feedback?
You can send your submissions to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and previous feedback can be accessed on our website.
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