Paleoanthropologists have discovered and analyzed a partial hominin skeleton consisting of limb bones that are unmistakably linked to human skull components. Paranthropus boisei, an early hominin species that existed in East Africa between 2.3 and 1.2 million years ago, exhibits characteristics of manipulation and bipedal adaptations similar to those found in the genus homo. Furthermore, the hand morphology of this species shows convergence with gorillas in a way that supports manual food processing, potentially enabling strong gripping abilities akin to those required for climbing trees.
The earliest members of the genus homo were known to have manufactured and utilized stone tools.
However, stone tools dating back 3.3 million years and Oldowan artifacts from 3 million years ago were found at Lomekwi. These discoveries at two locations in Nyayanga, Kenya, have reignited discussions surrounding the potential use of tools by other species.
“When Mary Leakey uncovered the OH 5 skull, Paranthropus boisei was discovered alongside Oldowan stone tools, leading this stone tool to be labeled the ‘oldest stone tool maker yet found,'” stated Dr. Carrie Mongul from Stony Brook University and her team.
“The debate over whether Paranthropus made and used tools has continued since, largely due to the absence of definitive hand bones that can be assigned to this genus.”
In a recent study, the researchers investigated partial human skeletons uncovered between 2019 and 2021 at Koobi Fora, east of Lake Turkana in Kenya.
The specimen, designated KNM-ER 101000, is estimated to be slightly over 1.52 million years old.
The teeth and skull of this specimen align with previous records of Paranthropus boisei fossils.
“KNM-ER 101000 provides the first hand and foot bones definitively linked to human teeth and skull of Paranthropus boisei,” reported the researchers.
Characteristics of KNM-ER 101000’s hands resemble both modern humans and African apes.
For instance, the ratio of thumb to finger length indicates that Paranthropus boisei likely had grip strength and dexterity comparable to that of humans, although they probably did not possess a precise pinch grip.
In contrast, some hand bones bear similarity to those of gorillas, suggesting that Paranthropus boisei may have had a strong grip beneficial for climbing.
“The findings imply that Paranthropus boisei could create and utilize tools to some extent, while also supporting the proposed distinction in dietary adaptations between Paranthropus and homo,” noted the scientists.
“Besides shedding light on less recognized aspects of postcranial functional anatomy in Paranthropus, this discovery highlights broader trends in the evolution of human hands and tool usage.”
The results of this research were published in a new paper in the journal Nature on October 15th. Read the article here.
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CS Mongul et al. A new fossil reveals aspects of the human hand in Paranthropus boisei. Nature published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09594-8
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Spinning ultracold atoms could uncover the limits of Einstein’s relativity
Shutterstock / Dmitriy Rybin
Small Ferris wheels made from light and extremely chilled particles could enable scientists to investigate elements of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity on an extraordinary level.
Einstein’s special and general theories of relativity, established in the early 20th century, transformed our comprehension of time by illustrating that a moving clock can tick slower than a stationary one. If one moves rapidly or accelerates significantly, time measured will also increase. The same applies when an object moves in a circular path. While these effects have been noted in relatively large celestial entities, Vassilis Rembesis and his team at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia have developed a method to test these principles on a diminutive scale.
By examining rotation and time at the molecular level (atoms and molecules), they explored ultracold regions, just a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero. In this domain, the quantum behavior and movement of atoms and molecules can be meticulously controlled with laser beams and electromagnetic fields. In 2007, Rembesis and his colleagues formulated a technique to tune a laser beam to trap atoms in a cylindrical form, allowing them to spin. They refer to this as an “optical Ferris wheel,” and Rembesis asserts that their new findings propose that it can be used to observe relativistic time dilation in ultracold particles.
Their predictions indicate that nitrogen molecules are optimal candidates for investigating rotational time delays at the quantum level. By considering the movement of electrons within them as the ticks of an internal timer, the researchers detected frequency changes as minuscule as 1/10 quintillion.
Simultaneously, Rembesis noted that experiments utilizing optical Ferris wheels have been sparse up until now. This new proposal opens avenues for examining relativity theory in uncharted conditions where new or surprising phenomena may emerge. For instance, the quantum characteristics of ultracold particles may challenge the “clock hypothesis,” which states how a clock’s acceleration influences its ticking.
“It’s crucial to validate our interpretations of physical phenomena within nature. It’s often during unexpected occurrences that we need to reevaluate our understanding for a deeper insight into the universe. This research offers an alternative approach to examining relativistic systems, providing distinct advantages over traditional mechanical setups,” says Patrick Oberg from Heriot-Watt University, UK.
Relativistic phenomena, such as time dilation, generally necessitate exceedingly high velocities; however, optical Ferris wheels enable access to them without the need for impractically high speeds, he explains. Aidan Arnold from the University of Strathclyde, UK adds, “With the remarkable accuracy of atomic clocks, the time difference ‘experienced’ by the atoms in the Ferris wheel should be significant. Because the accelerated atoms remain in close proximity, there is ample opportunity to measure this difference,” he states.
By adjusting the focus of the laser beam, it may also become feasible to manipulate the dimensions of the Ferris wheel that confines the particles, allowing researchers to explore time-delay effects for various rotations, as noted by Rembesis. Nevertheless, technical challenges persist, including the need to ensure that atoms and molecules do not heat up and become uncontrollable during rotation.
On average, do you feel happier than 2.7 out of 10?? And does your country’s population score high as well? Good news! According to a new study, your community is happy enough to enjoy significant health advantages.
The study, published in Medical Frontier, found that countries with a Life Ladder score exceeding 2.7 out of 10—a global indicator of well-being—experienced markedly lower mortality rates from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, asthma, and diabetes.
These findings indicate that while happiness and health are interconnected, nations need to progress beyond this well-being threshold for citizens to fully realize these benefits.
For each 1% rise in well-being above the 2.7 threshold, deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) declined by an average of 0.43%. This implies that even slight increases in happiness can result in tangible health improvements.
In the United States, where the average happiness score stands at 6.96, such an increase could translate to nearly 11,500 fewer NCD-related deaths annually.
“Happiness is not merely a personal feeling; it serves as a measurable public health resource,” stated Yulia Iuga, a professor at the University of Alba Iulia in Romania and the study’s lead author.
The research analyzed well-being data from 123 countries collected between 2006 and 2021, comparing NCD mortality rates among adults aged 30 to 70.
Researchers employed the Life Ladder, a global tool for assessing subjective well-being that asks individuals to rate their lives on a scale of 0 to 10, where higher scores represent greater satisfaction.
“You can think of the life ladder as a straightforward happiness scale from zero to 10, with zero indicating the worst life and 10 the best,” Iuga clarified. “An appropriate descriptor for the 2.7 threshold could be ‘barely coping.'” Currently, only one nation falls below this benchmark: Afghanistan, with a happiness score of 1.36. Meanwhile, Finland leads the world ranking with a Life Ladder score of 7.74, followed by Denmark (7.52) and Iceland (7.51).
Many studies link health and happiness – Credit: Getty
Iuga noted that the findings suggest the benefits of happiness are likely to continue expanding indefinitely. “There’s no downside to being excessively happy,” she emphasized. “This study found no point at which the health benefits began to taper off or reverse.”
Iuga further indicated that policies aimed at enhancing population well-being can foster self-sustaining cycles of health improvement. In essence, better health boosts happiness, which in turn encourages further health gains.
The Orionid meteor shower will soon light up the night sky once again.
This year’s event is anticipated to be particularly stunning, as the peak of the Orionid meteor shower in 2025 aligns with the new moon night, making the sky notably darker.
You don’t require any special gear to observe meteor showers, making it an excellent introduction to stargazing. All you need are your eyes and a clear, dark sky.
Here’s all the essential information to enhance your viewing experience.
When is the Orionid meteor shower tonight?
The 2025 Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak during the night of October 21-22 in the US and UK, but you can catch glimpses of it from October to November.
This meteor shower is relatively prominent. Under optimal conditions, you might see 10 to 20 meteors each hour, though realistically you may spot one roughly every 10 minutes.
What makes the 2025 Orionids especially remarkable is the coincidence with the new moon, allowing for darker skies and visibility of fainter meteors.
Meteors can be seen throughout the night, but many fade below the horizon in the evening. For a better view, wait until after midnight when they will be higher in the sky.
However, the key factor in your viewing experience will be the weather. Keep an eye on the forecast for any breaks in the cloud cover. Even if conditions aren’t ideal, you might catch some meteors if the sky is partly clear.
Don’t fret if the weather doesn’t seem promising on the peak night. You should still see plenty of meteors around October 21st.
How can you see the Orionid meteor shower in 2025?
Meteor showers provide a wonderful shared experience—invite your friends and family! – Credit: Getty
The ideal way to observe a meteor shower is to venture to the darkest location available. Escaping the light pollution of urban areas is your best bet (ensure you have permission and stay in a safe area after dark).
If you can’t get out of the city, try to avoid any direct light sources, whether that’s at your local park or a corner of your garden shielded from streetlights by a fence.
Instead of focusing on one specific direction, aim to take in as much of the sky as possible. Sun loungers make it comfortable to lie back and gaze upwards without straining your neck. Remember to dress warmly and bring along some snacks.
Leave your telescope at home; for meteor watching, your eyes are the best tool you have.
Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Be cautious—any brief exposure to bright light, including your phone, can reset this adjustment.
Now, keep looking up and be patient. Eventually, you should start to see meteors streaking across the sky.
What is a meteor shower?
The Orionid meteor shower is a result of Halley’s Comet, which orbits the inner Solar System approximately every 75 years (its next visit is slated for 2061). As the comet passes, it leaves behind a trail of dust and debris.
Every year, Earth passes through this debris stream, causing tiny particles to collide with our atmosphere at incredible speeds of 70 km (41 miles) per second. This collision heats up the air, creating bright flashes of light known as meteors or shooting stars.
Why are they called the Orionid meteor shower?
Orion is one of the brightest constellations visible in the northern sky – Credit: Getty
The shower derives its name from the fact that all meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion.
If you track an Orionid meteor’s path, you’ll find it leads back to this particular constellation.
Orion can be easily recognized by the three bright stars that form its well-known belt in the southern sky. If you’re unsure of what to look for, consider downloading a stargazing or astronomy app to assist you.
Additionally, you might spot meteors that do not originate from the Orion constellation. If so, congratulations! You’ve encountered a stray meteor that coincidentally entered Earth’s atmosphere during the shower.
A recent study reveals that certain optical illusions can deceive some animals, though not all. This emerging research may offer fresh insights into how perception influences survival and evolution in different species.
The optical illusion examined in this research is known as the Ebbinghaus illusion, where two identical circles appear different in size because one is encircled by a larger circle, while the other is surrounded by a smaller one.
When observing the illusion overall, the outer circle misleads our brain into perceiving the inner circle as a different size. However, focusing solely on the inner circles reveals that they are indeed the same.
Our susceptibility to this illusion hinges on how our brains interpret visual information, whether as a cohesive whole or detailed parts.
To investigate how various animals perceive their surroundings, scientists at the University of Vienna in Austria recreated the Ebbinghaus illusion using bait, arranging circles of differing sizes around a central bait area.
The two orange circles are identical, yet the left one seems smaller due to the larger circle surrounding it. Conversely, the right circle appears larger – Credit: Getty Images
Next, they observed the responses of two fish species: guppies (Poecilia reticulata) and ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).
The findings indicated that guppies are reliably deceived by optical illusions, similar to humans; they often preferred to consume fish flakes within a smaller circle, perceiving them as larger food items.
In contrast, ring doves exhibited varying responses; some birds chose millet seeds surrounded by a smaller circle, while others opted for those within a larger circle.
The researchers concluded that these choices highlight how each species is uniquely equipped to interact with its environment and tackle its challenges.
For instance, guppies inhabit shallow tropical rivers, where they encounter flickering lights, thick vegetation, swift predators, and numerous other guppies.
Guppies might be influenced by an illusion, suggesting they perceive their environment contextually rather than focusing on minute details – Credit: Getty Images
Researchers believe that for guppies, quick judgment of which fish are safe in a visually cluttered environment is crucial for survival. Thus, making rapid decisions could be advantageous.
Conversely, wood pigeons spend their lives on the ground, foraging for seeds. For them, noticing fine details could be more beneficial than analyzing the broader scene.
Nevertheless, scientists have observed that some pigeons react as if they are misled by a hallucination, indicating variability within species, much like humans.
Overall, the team concluded that optical illusions can provide a valuable lens through which to explore the diverse perceptions across species.
You might be surprised to discover that diabetes encompasses more than just two types. While Type 1 and Type 2 are well-known, you may have come across Type 1.5, which has recently gained attention.
Type 1.5 diabetes, formally known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), is not a new variant of diabetes but is relatively uncommon. It has been recognized as a distinct type since 1993; comprising 3 to 12 percent of all adult diabetes cases.
Like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, LADA is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, or glucose, in the blood.
Regardless of the diabetes type, symptoms remain consistent. These include intense thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and unexpected weight loss. The UK’s leading charity against diabetes notes these include the “four T’s”: thirst, toileting, tiredness, and thinness. diabetes uk
If you experience these symptoms, prompt diagnosis is crucial. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe complications affecting the kidneys, eyes, feet, and even nerves.
So, if the symptoms are similar across diabetes types, how can healthcare experts discern which type you have? And how does this differentiation influence treatment?
Comparing Type 1.5 Diabetes to Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes, in its various forms, has affected humans throughout history. Ancient healers in Greece, India, and Egypt frequently mentioned a peculiar symptom: sweet-smelling urine. Thus, the term diabetes derives from the Greek word “diabetes,” meaning to pass, and the Latin word “mellitus,” meaning sweet.
This sweet-smelling symptom arises from the buildup of glucose in the body. Glucose is processed by a hormone called insulin, produced by the pancreas, which converts it into a usable energy source for cells.
Glucose buildup occurs when the body either:
Fails to produce sufficient insulin (as in type 1 diabetes)
Or does not respond effectively to insulin (as seen in type 2 diabetes)
In both scenarios, the kidneys struggle to reabsorb excess glucose in the bloodstream. When they cannot eliminate glucose effectively, surplus sugar spills into the urine, indicating the presence of disease.
LADA shares numerous traits with these two predominant diabetes types, leaning closer to type 1 than type 2.
Finger prick test provides an immediate overview of blood sugar levels.
One significant reason individuals with type 1 diabetes have insufficient insulin is that their immune system attacks pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production. As these cells decline, the body struggles to maintain glucose levels.
The same is true for LADA. An influx of immune cells targets the pancreas, leading to decreased insulin production and gradually rising blood sugar levels. However, the timeline for the onset of the disease differs.
Type 1 diabetes typically has a rapid onset, often diagnosed in childhood or during a clinical emergency. In contrast, LADA progresses slowly and usually occurs in adults over 30.
As we age, a protective layer known as the periislet basement membrane (BM) develops around insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Current understanding suggests that this layer shields these cells from immune system attacks.
Thus, LADA’s onset resembles type 2 diabetes, which typically manifests in adults. Due to this similarity, up to 14% of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may actually have LADA.
Significance of Misdiagnosis
The primary treatment for type 2 diabetes is a medication called metformin. Administered in pill form, metformin works in two ways: it not only restricts the liver from absorbing excessive glucose but also enhances the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
However, a clear management strategy for LADA is still not established. While metformin may be prescribed, insulin replacement therapy could also be necessary. If someone has LADA misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, they might receive metformin when insulin is the actual requirement.
Taking inappropriate medication over extended periods can elevate blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, eye issues (retinopathy), foot problems (ranging from increased susceptibility to infections and ulcers to sensory loss), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve disorders (neuropathy).
LADA can also invoke damage to small blood vessels, termed microvascular disease. A 2020 study indicated that strict glycemic control from the onset of LADA significantly decreases the risk of subsequent microvascular disease.
Consequently, minimizing misdiagnosis rates is vital for individuals with LADA. Fortunately, there are effective methods to distinguish LADA from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The first and foremost step a doctor can take is to check for antibodies. These antibodies incorrectly signal the immune system to attack insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Finding at least one antibody suggests the presence of autoimmune diabetes. Elevated antibody levels may indicate a more rapid progression of LADA.
This principle also applies when multiple antibodies are present. In such cases, immediate insulin treatment becomes crucial to help manage blood sugar levels more effectively.
Practitioners may also assess a person’s insulin output. This can be done by measuring a blood protein known as c-peptide, which is produced during insulin synthesis in the pancreas. Elevated c-peptide levels may respond well to metformin. However, if the levels are significantly low or undetectable, immediate insulin therapy should be initiated. In LADA, c-peptide levels tend to diminish over time, and it is recommended to conduct tests every six months.
A person’s body composition can further indicate LADA. Individuals exhibiting symptoms of the “four T’s” (thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss) who maintain relatively low fat levels or body weight are generally more inclined to have LADA than type 2 diabetes. Additionally, LADA patients typically possess favorable cholesterol levels, which can aid in refining the diagnosis.
Once an accurate diagnosis is established, LADA can be treated appropriately. It’s critical to reach this point with guidance from healthcare professionals.
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured new images of the nearly face-on spiral galaxy NGC 3370.
This Hubble image illustrates spiral galaxy NGC 3370, located approximately 90 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / A. Riess / K. Noll.
NGC 3370 is situated in the constellation Leo, roughly 90 million light-years from Earth.
This galaxy, also known as the Silverado Galaxy, IRAS 10444+1732, LEDA 32207, and UGC 5887, is nearly comparable to our Milky Way in both diameter and mass.
Discovered on March 21, 1784, by German-British astronomer William Herschel, NGC 3370 was the first of its kind to be identified.
Together with NGC 3447 and NGC 3455, it forms part of the NGC 3370 galaxy group.
NGC 3370 contains two types of celestial objects that astronomers find valuable for measuring distances to far-off galaxies: Cepheid variable stars and Type Ia supernovae.
“Cepheid variable stars undergo changes in both size and temperature during their pulsations,” Hubble astronomers explained in a statement.
“Consequently, the brightness of these stars fluctuates over timescales of days to months.”
“This variation reveals a key relationship: the brighter a Cepheid variable star, the slower its pulsation.”
“By timing the pulsation cycle of a Cepheid variable star, we can ascertain its true brightness.”
“When combined with observations of its apparent brightness from Earth, this data enables us to calculate the distance to the star and its galaxy.”
“Type Ia supernovae allow for distance measurements through a single explosive event, as opposed to periodic brightness changes.”
“These explosions occur when a star’s dead core reignites due to a sudden surge of nuclear fusion.”
“They reach similar peak brightness levels, akin to those of Cepheid variable stars, and knowing the intrinsic brightness of a supernova allows us to determine its distance.”
“The observation of both Cepheid variable stars and Type Ia supernovae is crucial for accurately gauging how quickly our universe is expanding.”
A recent investigation conducted by paleoanthropologists from the United States and Canada has focused on the morphology of the hominid talus, a significant bone in the ankle that connects to the tibia and calcaneus of the foot. Ardipithecus ramidus, a hominid species that existed in eastern Africa approximately 4.4 million years ago, was at the center of this study. The researchers discovered that the fossil exhibits similarities to the talus of chimpanzees and gorillas, which are adapted for vertical climbing and terrestrial quadrupedal locomotion—a form of movement where animals traverse on all fours with the entire sole of the foot touching the ground, including the heel. Additionally, the authors confirmed the presence of derived features in the specimen that align with earlier suggestions for improved extrusion mechanisms in the legs of Ardipithecus ramidus.
Ardipithecus ramidus, a hominid that existed in Africa over 4 million years ago. Illustration by Arturo Asensio, from Quo.es.
Partial skeleton from 4.4 million years ago, Ardipithecus ramidus, affectionately dubbed “Aldi,” was uncovered in 1994.
This species featured an ape-sized brain and had grasping big toes adapted for climbing trees.
It walked on two legs, and its upper canine teeth were diamond-shaped as opposed to the V-shape commonly found in chimpanzees.
“Aldi represents one of the oldest and most complete skeletons discovered,” remarked Dr. Thomas (Cody) Plan, a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.
“Aldi is roughly a million years older than ‘Lucy’, another renowned early human ancestor, and signifies an early phase in human evolution.”
“Oneof the surprising aspects of this find was that, despite walking upright, Aldi retained many monkey-like characteristics, such as its grasping feet.”
“Great apes, including chimpanzees and gorillas, possess forked big toes that facilitate gripping tree branches while climbing.”
“However, it also exhibited traits consistent with our lineage. Ardipithecus truly represents a transitional species.”
Initially, scientists speculated that Ardi’s locomotion resembled a common form rather than being typical of African apes, leading them to conclude that this early human ancestor was not particularly ape-like, which startled the paleoanthropology community.
“From their analysis, they inferred that contemporary African apes, like chimpanzees and gorillas, represent a dead end, or a kind of evolutionary cul-de-sac. Dead end underscores the evolutionary process rather than the point at which humans emerged,” stated Dr. Puran.
“Instead, they posited that Ardi offered evidence of a more generalized ancestry that was less akin to chimpanzees and gorillas.”
By examining the ankles of chimpanzees and gorillas, researchers can gain insights into their movement, especially regarding their vertical tree climbing techniques.
This crucial bone also sheds light on how early species transitioned to bipedalism.
For the recent study, Dr. Plan and his team compared Ardi’s ankles to those of great apes, monkeys, and early humans.
Their findings indicated that Ardi’s ankle is the only one within the primate fossil record that shares similarities with African apes.
These apes are recognized for their adaptations to vertical climbing and terrestrial quadrupedal locomotion, suggesting that Ardi might have utilized their feet similarly.
Alongside these primitive traits, Ardi’s talus exhibited signs of an enhanced foot extrusion mechanism.
This complexity points to a blend of climbing and locomotor behaviors in this early human species, which is crucial in understanding the evolution of bipedalism.
“This discovery is both controversial and aligns with earlier theories,” Mr. Pran noted.
“While there is no disagreement regarding the significance of Aldi’s find, many in the field would argue that the initial interpretation was likely flawed.”
“Thus, this paper represents a reevaluation of the original views that distanced Aldi from chimpanzees and gorillas.”
“It’s vital to understand that our paper does not claim that humans evolved from chimpanzees.”
“However, this study further supports the hypothesis that the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees was likely very similar to today’s chimpanzees.”
For more details, refer to the paper published in the journal Communication Biology.
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TC Plan et al. 2025. Ardipithecus ramidus Ankle provides evidence of African ape-like vertical climbing in early humans. Commun. Biol. August 1454. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08711-7
The galactic center excess refers to an unexpected intensity of gamma rays emerging from the core of the Milky Way galaxy.
This view displays the entire sky at energies exceeding 1 GeV, derived from five years of data from the LAT instrument on NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The most striking aspect is a luminous band of diffuse light along the center of the map, indicating the central plane of the Milky Way galaxy. Image credit: NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT collaboration.
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation characterized by the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy.
The intriguing gamma-ray signal from the Milky Way’s center was initially observed in 2009 by the Large Area Telescope, the primary instrument of NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.
The source of this signal remains under discussion, with main hypotheses involving self-annihilating dark matter and undetected populations of millisecond pulsars.
“When Fermi directed its gaze toward the galaxy’s center, the outcome was unexpected,” remarked Dr. Noam Libeskind, an astrophysicist at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics in Potsdam.
“The telescope detected an excessive number of gamma rays, the most energetic form of light in the universe.”
“Astronomers worldwide were baffled, and numerous competing theories emerged to clarify the so-called gamma-ray excess.”
“After extensive discussion, two primary theories surfaced: either these gamma rays stem from millisecond pulsars (highly dense neutron stars rotating thousands of times per second) or from dark matter particles colliding and annihilating. Both theories, however, have their limitations.”
“Nonetheless, our findings strongly support the notion that the gamma-ray excess arises from dark matter annihilation.”
In their study, Dr. Libeskind and his team simulated the formation of the Milky Way galaxy under conditions akin to those in Earth’s neighboring universe.
They discovered that dark matter does not radiate outward from the galaxy’s core but is organized similarly to stars, suggesting that it could also contribute to the excess gamma rays.
“The Milky Way has long been recognized as existing within a spherical region filled with dark matter, often referred to as a dark matter halo,” explained Dr. Mourits Mikkel Mur, an astrophysicist at the Potsdam Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics and the University of Tartu.
“However, the degree to which this halo is aspheric or ellipsoidal remains unclear.”
“We analyzed simulations of the Milky Way and its dark matter halo and found that the flattening of this region sufficiently accounts for the gamma-ray excess due to self-annihilation of dark matter particles.”
“These calculations indicate that the search for dark matter particles capable of self-annihilation should be emphasized, bringing us closer to uncovering the enigmatic properties of these particles.”
A study of the survey results was published in this month’s edition of Physical Review Letters.
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Mikel Mur the Moor et al. 2025. Excess forms of dark matter in Fermi LAT galactic center Milky Way simulations. Physics. Pastore Rhett 135, 161005; doi: 10.1103/g9qz-h8wd
Several hominid species — Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, early homo varieties, Gigantopithecus brachy, Pongo, papio, homo neanderthalensis, and homo sapiens — have undergone significant lead exposure over two million years, as revealed by a new analysis of fossilized teeth collected from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. This finding challenges the notion that lead exposure is merely a contemporary issue.
Lead exposure affecting modern humans and their ancestors. Image credit: J. Gregory/Mount Sinai Health System.
Professor Renaud Joannes Boyau from Southern Cross University remarked: “Our findings indicate that lead exposure has been integral to human evolution, not just a byproduct of the industrial revolution.”
“This suggests that our ancestors’ brain development was influenced by toxic metals, potentially shaping their social dynamics and cognitive functions over millennia.”
The team analyzed 51 fossil samples globally utilizing a carefully validated laser ablation microspatial sampling technique, encompassing species like Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, early homo variants, Gigantopithecus brachy, Pongo, papio, homo neanderthalensis, and homo sapiens.
Signs of transient lead exposure were evident in 73% of the specimens analyzed (compared to 71% in humans). This included findings on Australopithecus, Paranthropus, and homo species.
Some of the earliest geological samples from Gigantopithecus brachy, believed to be around 1.8 million years old from the early Pleistocene and 1 million years old from the mid-Pleistocene, displayed recurrent lead exposure events interspersed with periods of little to no lead uptake.
To further explore the impact of ancient lead exposure on brain development, researchers also conducted laboratory studies.
Australopithecus africanus. Image credit: JM Salas / CC BY-SA 3.0.” width=”580″ height=”627″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2015/01/image_2428-Australopithecus-africanus.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2015/01/image_2428-Australopithecus-africanus-277×300.jpg 277w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>
Australopithecus africanus. Image credit: JM Salas / CC BY-SA 3.0.
Using human brain organoids (miniature brain models grown in the lab), researchers examined the effects of lead on a crucial developmental gene named NOVA1, recognized for modulating gene expression during neurodevelopment in response to lead exposure.
The modern iteration of NOVA1 has undergone changes distinct from those seen in Neanderthals and other extinct hominins, with the reasons for this evolution remaining unclear until now.
In organoids with ancestral versions of NOVA1, exposure to lead significantly altered neural activity in relation to Fox P2 — a gene involved in the functionality of brain regions critical for language and speech development.
This effect was less pronounced in modern organoids with NOVA1 mutations.
“These findings indicate that our variant of NOVA1 might have conferred a protective advantage against the detrimental neurological effects of lead,” stated Alison Muotri, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.
“This exemplifies how environmental pressures, such as lead toxicity, can drive genetic evolution, enhancing our capacity for survival and verbal communication while also affecting our susceptibility to contemporary lead exposure.”
An artistic rendition of a Gigantopithecus brachy herd in the forests of southern China. Image credit: Garcia / Joannes-Boyau, Southern Cross University.
Genetic and proteomic analyses in this study revealed that lead exposure in archaic variant organoids disrupts pathways vital for neurodevelopment, social behavior, and communication.
Alterations in Fox P2 activity indicate a possible correlation between ancient lead exposure and the advanced language abilities found in modern humans.
“This research highlights the role environmental exposures have played in human evolution,” stated Professor Manish Arora from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
“The insight that exposure to toxic substances may conjure survival advantages in the context of interspecific competition introduces a fresh perspective in environmental medicine, prompting investigations into the evolutionary origins of disorders linked to such exposures.”
For more information, refer to the study published in the journal Science Advances.
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Renaud Joannes Boyau et al. 2025. Effects of intermittent lead exposure on hominid brain evolution. Science Advances 11(42); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr1524
A new genus and species of pachycephalosaur dinosaur has been identified by paleontologists from five fossil specimens found in the Late Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation in Montana, USA.
Reconstructing the life of Brontothorus harmony. Image credit: Connor Ashbridge / CC BY 4.0.
This newly identified dinosaur roamed North America during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 million years ago.
Named Brontothorus harmony, this ancient herbivore measured around 3 meters (10 feet) in length.
It is classified within the Pachycephalosauridae, a family of bipedal, dome-headed dinosaurs belonging to the ornithischian clade Pachycephalosauria.
“Pachycephalosaurs are a unique ornithischian clade characterized by distinct morphological features,” stated paleontologist D. Carey Woodruff, Ph.D., from the Philip Patricia Frost Museum of Science and the Museum of the Rocky Mountains, along with colleagues.
“These traits include bipedalism, heterodentary dentition, ossification of the caudal muscular septum, as well as the distinctive thickened frontoparietal dome and decorated skull.”
“Most pachycephalosaurid species are primarily known from cranial remains, making the anatomy, functional morphology, and phylogenetic significance of the frontoparietal dome particularly intriguing for paleontologists.”
“This clade is exclusively identified from Late Cretaceous Asia and western North America, with the latter showcasing a more diverse assemblage of pachycephalosaur species.”
“The oldest North American species is the Santonian variant, Acrotorus odeti, and this group evidently diversified during the middle to late Campanian period, resulting in a wealth of presently recognized species.”
A total of 5 specimens attributed to Brontothorus harmony were unearthed in the Two Medicine Formation located in Glacier County, Montana.
“This new species represents the first pachycephalosaur discovered from the Two Medicine Formation,” the paleontologists noted.
The notable dome structure of Brontothorus harmony positions it as the third largest pachycephalosaur in North America.
“Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this new species is significantly distinct from both Stegoceras and Pachycephalosaurus,” the researchers remarked.
“Thus, this species is not closely related to Stegoceras or Pachycephalosaurus.”
“This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the morphology and diversity of pachycephalosaurs but also highlights that this clade included relatively large species sizes during the early Middle Campanian.”
The finding of Brontothorus harmony is detailed in a paper published on October 9, 2025, in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
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D. Cary Woodruff et al. 2025. The first pachycephalosaurs from the Late Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation: Influence of the Western Interior Seaway on the evolution of North American pachycephalosaurs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205 (2): zlaf087; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf087
A significant piece of what seems to be space debris has been found in a secluded area of the Australian desert, as confirmed by the nation’s space agency on Monday.
The burnt, smoldering object was located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, according to the Australian Space Agency. While its exact nature and origin remain unclear, officials suspect it is likely a decommissioned rocket component.
The Australian Space Agency stated, “The debris is probably a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a launch vehicle.” This was mentioned in a post on X.
Details regarding the size or weight of the object were not disclosed, but the agency is collaborating with local authorities and other space organizations to investigate and ascertain “the precise nature of the debris and its origin.”
NBC News reached out for additional information, but the agency did not respond immediately.
Workers from a nearby mine stumbled upon the object on Saturday along a remote access road. As reported by Sky News, local officials do not believe the debris poses any risk to public safety. NBC News has yet to verify these details independently. (Sky News is a division of Comcast, the parent organization of NBC News.)
Various government space agencies and private companies frequently incinerate malfunctioning rocket parts or satellites in the atmosphere as a method of disposal. However, some debris can withstand the intense conditions of reentry. Despite this, it’s relatively uncommon for space debris to land on land, and even rarer for it to fall in populated regions, given that much of Earth is ocean.
Recently, however, experts have voiced concerns regarding the escalating issue of space debris, particularly with the increase in orbital launches.
Last summer, a 90-pound piece of space debris was found on a hiking trail in North Carolina and was later identified as part of the service module of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which returned four astronauts to Earth from the International Space Station earlier that year.
In March 2024, a 1.6-pound metal fragment crashed through a home in Naples, Florida. Follow-up investigations determined that the debris originated from a cargo pallet that was released from the International Space Station to burn up in the atmosphere.
There are tens of thousands of pieces of space junk, along with millions of smaller fragments, cluttering Earth’s low orbit, the critical area where many telecommunications and GPS satellites operate. These objects can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 miles per hour, jeopardizing spacecraft functionality and endangering astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Due to these concerns, experts have long cautioned against the overcrowding of space. NASA and other space agencies are investing in research and technology demonstrations aimed at cleaning up substantial amounts of debris in orbit.
The Australian Space Agency reiterated its commitment in a statement to the long-term sustainability of space activities, which includes debris mitigation, and continues to advocate for this issue on the international stage.
Immune-related changes occur in the breast after breastfeeding
Svetlana Repnitskaya/Getty Images
Breastfeeding has long been linked to lowering the risk of breast cancer. However, the precise mechanisms behind this effect remain elusive. Recent studies reveal that women who breastfeed possess a higher presence of specialized immune cells in their breasts that might inhibit malignant immune cells.
The exact reasons remain partially understood, but are believed to involve alterations in breast tissue and hormonal exposure. To investigate further, Shereen Roy and colleagues at the Peter McCallum Cancer Center in Victoria, Australia, examined breast tissue from 260 women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, aged 20 to 70. These women varied in their maternal status and breastfeeding experiences, with none having previously been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“We discovered that breastfeeding mothers have a greater quantity of specialized immune cells known as CD8+ T cells, which can persist in breast tissue for decades after childbirth,” says Roy. “These cells serve as local defenders, poised to combat abnormal cells that may lead to cancer.” In certain instances, these cells remained present for up to 50 years.
The researchers also investigated mice, some of which underwent a complete cycle of pregnancy, lactation, and breast recovery during the weaning of their pups. Their mammary tissue was analyzed 28 days later, by which point the mammary glands had reverted to their pre-pregnancy state. Other mice had their pups taken away shortly after birth, or they were not pregnant at all.
The study revealed that completing a full lactation cycle significantly increased the accumulation of specialized T cells in mammary tissue, a phenomenon not observed in the other mice. When triple-negative breast cancer cells, known for their aggressive nature, were transplanted into the mammary gland tissue, tumors developed much more slowly in mice that had experienced lactation. However, depleting these T cells led to rapid tumor growth.
The researchers also analyzed clinical data from over 1,000 women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer post at least one full-term pregnancy. They found that women who breastfed exhibited tumors with a higher density of CD8+ T cells. “This indicates that the body’s immune response against breast cancer is active and ongoing,” notes Roy.
After considering other risk factors linked to breast cancer mortality, such as age, the researchers noted that women who breastfed had substantially longer overall survival. However, the variability in the data made it challenging to determine whether the duration of breastfeeding impacted this outcome.
“These findings have significant implications for understanding why certain women possess a more inherent protection against aggressive breast cancer and how we might develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies in the future,” Roy explains. However, she emphasizes that the choice to breastfeed is personal, not feasible for everyone, and may not always prevent breast cancer development.
Daniel Gray, along with researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Research Institute in Victoria, highlighted that one of the study’s strengths was the analysis of multiple groups of women. “This lays the groundwork for future research that may elucidate how CD8+ T cells retain ‘memory’ of breastfeeding,” he comments.
For the first time, astronomers have witnessed the real-time formation of a ring system. This particular ring encircles Chiron, a comet-like entity that orbits the sun between Saturn and Uranus. Each time you observe Chiron, its rings will appear slightly varied.
While Chiron is not the first small celestial body to display rings, it joins the ranks of the asteroid Chariklo and the dwarf planets Haumea and Quaor, which also possess small ring systems. These rings were identified using a technique called stellar occultation, where observations are made as an object passes in front of a distant star, allowing scientists to create a map of how that star’s light is obstructed by the surrounding material.
“Only about 20 objects have been observed through stellar occultations, so having four of them identified with rings represents a robust statistic,” says Bruno Sicardi from the Paris Observatory in France. “Given the countless bodies in existence, it stands to reason that hundreds of ring systems should be out there.” He anticipates that more will be discovered in the years ahead.
Sicardi and his team analyzed the 2023 occultation of a star to decode the structure of the ring surrounding Chiron. While earlier findings hinted at the existence of three rings, the new observations reveal an extra disk of material encircling those rings, extending farther from Chiron’s surface, along with an entirely new ring previously unseen.
“Nature presents us with rings in their developmental stages, which is a fortunate scenario for us. Unlike the rings of Saturn, Uranus, or even Chariklo, which generally stay consistent, we are witnessing something dynamic,” Sicardi remarks.
Rings can form through various processes, and observing their formation can deepen our understanding significantly. As Christian Pereira from the National Astronomical Observatory of Brazil notes, “[This could] unveil the specific conditions that facilitate the formation, persistence, and eventual disappearance of rings, which may ultimately elucidate why such systems are typically found only in the frigid, icy areas of the solar system.”
Study participant measuring reading capacity post-retinal implant
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Individuals experiencing significant vision impairment can regain the ability to read, thanks to a compact wireless chip implanted in one eye along with advanced glasses.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent condition that impacts central vision and tends to progress over time. While the precise cause remains unknown, this condition arises from damage to the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells and neurons located in the central retina, leading to difficulties in facial recognition and reading. Available treatments are primarily designed to slow down the progression.
An advanced form of AMD referred to as geographic atrophy typically allows individuals to retain some photoreceptor cells that facilitate peripheral vision, along with sufficient retinal neurons to relay visual information to the brain.
Leveraging this capability, Daniel Palanker and his team at Stanford University in California created the PRIMA device. This system includes a small camera mounted on the glasses, which captures images and projects them through infrared light onto a 2-by-2-millimeter solar-powered wireless chip implanted at the rear of the eye.
The chip then transforms the image data into electrical signals, which the retinal neurons transmit to the brain. Infrared light is employed for this process as it is invisible to the human eye, thereby ensuring it does not interfere with any remaining vision. “This allows patients to utilize both the prosthesis and their peripheral vision simultaneously,” explains Palanker.
To evaluate its efficacy, researchers enlisted 32 participants aged 60 and above, all suffering from geographic atrophy. Their visual acuity in at least one eye was below 20/320—meaning they could see what a person with 20/20 vision could see at 320 feet (97.5 meters) only at 20 feet (6 meters).
The team initially implanted a chip in one of the participant’s eyes. After a waiting period of four to five weeks, the volunteers began using the glasses in their everyday activities. The glasses enabled them to magnify their view up to 12 times and adjust brightness and contrast as needed.
After a year of using the device, 27 of the participants managed to read again and recognize shapes and patterns. They also noted an average improvement of five lines on a standard eye chart compared to their initial findings. Some participants were able to achieve 20/42 vision.
“Witnessing them progress from reading letters to full words brought immense joy to both sides. One patient expressed, ‘I believed my eyes were irreparably damaged, but now they’re revitalizing,'” shares Jose Alan Sahel from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
While stem cell therapy and gene therapy may potentially restore vision lost due to AMD, these approaches are still in early experimental trials. PRIMA stands out as the first artificial eye designed to restore functional vision in individuals with the condition, allowing them to perceive shapes and patterns.
Approximately two-thirds of the volunteers experienced temporary side effects, such as increased intraocular pressure, as a result of the implants; however, this did not hinder their vision improvement.
Comparison of a trial participant’s eye (left) and eye with retinal implant (right)
Science Co., Ltd.
“This research is both exciting and significant,” remarks Francesca Cordeiro from Imperial College London. “It provides hope for delivering vision improvements that have previously seemed more like science fiction.”
The improved visibility experienced by participants is limited to black and white. “Our next objective is to develop software to provide grayscale resolution and enhance facial recognition,” states Palanker. Nevertheless, researchers do not anticipate achieving color vision in the near future.
Palanker also aims to increase PRIMA’s resolution, which is currently constrained by pixel size and the total count that can be included on a chip. Testing a more advanced version in rats is underway. “This current version equates to human vision of 20/80, but electronic zoom can enable vision as sharp as 20/20,” he explains.
Nearly two years ago, during the COP28 climate summit in the heart of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, nations committed to begin “transitioning our energy systems away from fossil fuels” to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the global share of energy sourced from fossil fuels has stubbornly remained over 80 percent, consistent with trends from previous decades.
Due to our inability to decarbonize, researchers now believe we have set off Earth’s first “tipping point,” a significant shift in climate that cannot be easily reversed. Current ocean temperatures are alarmingly high, putting coral reefs at risk of widespread death (see page 9).
What obstacles are impeding the energy transition? While there isn’t a straightforward answer, it is often noted that a select few companies, predominantly fossil fuel corporations, are responsible for the majority of emissions. Criticism of such statements is easy, as they deflect responsibility away from consumers who utilize this energy.
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Major tech companies are minimizing earlier promises to achieve net zero “
However, it is reasonable to critique oil and gas firms that tout their ecological initiatives yet fail to follow through. Many of these companies promote their renewable energy investments, but in reality, their contributions to future energy production remain minimal (see page 16).
Regrettably, the situation appears poised to worsen before it improves. Encouraged by the Trump administration, numerous oil and gas companies have vowed to boost production, while significant players in other sectors, like tech, are downplaying their net-zero commitments.
Next month, governments are set to convene once more to deliberate on climate policy at COP30 in Brazil. While military action is unlikely from the United States, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to confirm his participation. At this juncture, it’s reasonable to question whether any politicians or business leaders genuinely regard the climate change threat seriously. If they do, they must start demonstrating that urgency through action.
Although modern humans are thought to have driven Neanderthals extinct, it was not simply through conflict or violence. New research indicates that the genetic incompatibility from interbreeding between the two species may have led to increased chances of pregnancy failure in hybrid mothers. This genetic mismatch could also provide insights into some contemporary pregnancy failures.
Studies in genetics reveal that there was ongoing interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals around 50,000 to 45,000 years ago. While Neanderthals became extinct approximately 41,000 years ago, remnants of their DNA endure in modern humans of non-African ancestry, accounting for about 1 to 2 percent of their genetic makeup.
Interestingly, no mitochondrial DNA from Neanderthals is found in modern humans. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother, as it is carried only in the egg cell, not in sperm.
Patrick Eppenberger and his team at the University of Zurich in Switzerland propose a possible reason for this phenomenon. They suggest that mothers with Neanderthal and Homo sapiens ancestry faced a higher probability of pregnancy loss due to genetic mismatches between their genes and those of the developing fetus.
Variations of the gene Piezo 1, crucial for oxygen transport in the bloodstream, existed among Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The researchers conducted analyses on DNA from both groups and constructed models of how the PIEZO1 protein interacted based on these differences. They also experimented with human red blood cells in laboratory settings, simulating effects caused by Neanderthal genes.
The findings revealed that the Neanderthal variant V1 of red blood cells exhibited a stronger binding affinity for oxygen compared to the V2 variant of Homo sapiens. The dominance of V1 implies that individuals inheriting both V1 and V2 would have red blood cells highly efficient at oxygen transport.
This suggests that a fetus conceived from a Neanderthal and a Homo sapiens mother could have been healthy, but complications might have arisen in the subsequent generations. A hybrid mother carrying a fetus with two copies of V2 would struggle to deliver sufficient oxygen through the placenta, potentially stunting fetal development and heightening miscarriage risks.
In their study, Eppenberger and colleagues assert that such incompatibilities could have led to lower fertility rates among Neanderthals. They wrote, “Over thousands of years of cohabitation, even minimal gene flow from modern humans into Neanderthal populations may have gradually introduced reproductive disadvantages that intensified over generations.”
This situation was likely less problematic for Homo sapiens, as their population numbers were significantly greater. Even though Neanderthal DNA could likely integrate through paternal lines, V1 variants would be swiftly purged by natural selection. This could clarify why Neanderthal nuclear DNA has persisted in some humans, while their mitochondrial DNA has not.
Researchers also pointed out that, while modern human mitochondrial DNA does not come from Neanderthals, instances of similar mutations in the Piezo 1 gene can still result in unexplained miscarriages today due to gene incompatibilities between mothers and fetuses.
Sally Wassef from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, remarked that the newfound understanding of second-generation incompatibilities offers valuable insights. “Even minor reproductive disadvantages can lead small populations below their replacement levels, triggering declines and potentially leading to extinction in vulnerable environments,” she notes.
“However, I view this finding as merely one piece of a larger puzzle,” she adds. “While its impacts are subtle, there are likely other ecological and social factors at play.”
Laurits Skov at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark shared that multiple elements likely contributed to the extinction of Neanderthals, including climate change, the emergence of modern humans, small Neanderthal populations, new disease introductions, and genetic incompatibility.
Skov further expressed skepticism about the notion that this disparity in oxygen affinity stems from a singular mutation within the Piezo 1 gene, as proposed by the researchers.
“Further research is essential to accurately evaluate the implications of this mutation and the effects of differing maternal and fetal gene profiles,” he emphasizes, “as well as to determine its potential role in Neanderthal extinction.”
Neanderthals, Ancient Humans, and Cave Art: France
Join New Scientist’s Kate Douglas on a captivating journey through time, exploring significant Neanderthal and Upper Paleolithic sites in Southern France, from Bordeaux to Montpellier.
Access to clean water can be challenging in isolated areas
Kornienko Alexander/Alamy
A hand-cranked bottle could transform the availability of safe drinking water in areas affected by disasters and in off-grid communities.
Xudeng professors at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu are committed to developing a straightforward approach to eliminate bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens, as well as parasites from water.
“We often faced the same challenges in decentralized water treatment,” says Deng. “Most point-of-source (POS) solutions need electricity or ample sunlight and are labor-intensive.”
In areas without grid access and during emergencies when standard systems fail, an invention was required to disinfect water using a simple one-minute manual action.
Their method utilizes spherical silica nanoparticles coated with amine-based compounds that acquire a positive charge in water, along with gold nanoparticles that become negatively charged when agitated.
“Imagine a hand-cranked bottle filled with a small quantity of a synthetically made sand-like powder,” Deng explains. “A few turns of the handle induce a gentle shear in the water, activating the nanoparticles.”
As water flows over the gold and amine nanoparticles, it generates an electric charge that produces oxidizing agents known as reactive oxygen species.
“These reactive oxygen species puncture the membranes of microorganisms, rendering the pathogens incapable of survival or reproduction,” Deng states. “When agitation ceases, the powder naturally separates from the water, allowing clean water to flow out of the outlet.”
The research team evaluated the device against 16 highly infectious pathogens known to pose significant public health threats, achieving a reduction rate of 99.9999%. A similar level of reduction was noted for Escherichia coli in just 15 seconds of stirring at 50°C and for cholera bacteria in one minute. In total, it inactivated over 95 percent of all tested microorganisms.
Deng mentioned that the device is still in the proof-of-concept phase, so researchers haven’t yet established how many liters of water it can purify.
“What we do know is that after each cycle, the same set of particles can be collected and reused,” he adds. “Moreover, once charged, this system provides prolonged defense against recontamination for several hours.”
Since the quantity of gold nanoparticles used is minimal, their expense is negligible, with the primary cost attributed to the silica powder and plastic casing.
Chiara Neto from the University of Sydney in Australia expressed her admiration for the scientific advancement and novel applications of nanoparticles in disrupting pathogen cell membranes. “It’s a brilliant and impressive piece of work.”
If you’ve ever stepped outside to find your newly planted flower bed overturned or your vegetable garden ravaged, you can relate to my frustration. From inquisitive foxes to hungry squirrels, garden mammals wreaking havoc on your carefully nurtured plants can challenge the patience of any gardener.
This is why garden centers are filled with all sorts of deterrents, from motion-activated ultrasound devices to intimidating steel traps and even bags of dried lion dung to safeguard your precious plants. But what if a simpler, more affordable, and gentler solution lies within your spice rack: chili powder? Is this popular gardening hack truly effective?
The concept is straightforward. Like humans, garden mammals respond to capsaicin, the spicy component found in chili peppers. When it binds to receptors in your mouth and skin, it elicits the familiar burning sensation, making you steer clear of the treated area.
You may wonder why chili pepper plants are adorned with bright, attractive fruits filled with aromatic compounds, while this unpalatable molecule is part of the mix. That’s because birds lack these specific receptors. They are immune to capsaicin. Researchers suggest that chili pepper plants have evolved to produce capsaicin as a selective deterrent to keep mammals from damaging chili seeds during digestion, while allowing birds, which help disperse the seeds, to consume them without issue.
Capsaicin is so effective that it is added to birdseed to prevent squirrels from consuming it. It also deters rats and mice from raiding poultry feed, having effects on rodents that consume and destroy wildflower seeds and nests of rare ground-nesting birds.
For larger animals such as deer and badgers, the results appear less definitive. A 2005 UK field trial revealed that European badgers favored food without capsaicin but couldn’t entirely avoid it over time, nor did they learn to steer clear of it like they do with other deterrents. Given that badgers are known to dig up and consume wasp and ant nests, it’s not surprising that a little chili pepper doesn’t phase them too much, considering.
Now, regarding the complexities. These trials can be hard to compare due to the varying forms of capsaicin utilized, including pure chili powder, chemical coatings, or purified extracts. Moreover, capsaicin is not water-soluble, meaning it doesn’t wash away easily with rain. However, it biodegrades readily, so multiple applications may be necessary, especially for those with low tolerance to its effects. Recurrent exposure can increase sensitivity.
The bottom line? Chili powder serves as a safe, natural, and cost-effective method to deter mammals from your garden. By employing the hottest types of chili powder and rotating them, you can avoid habituation and apply them as needed, while keeping the rest for culinary uses.
James Wong is a botanist and science writer with a keen focus on food crops, conservation, and the environment. Educated at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, he hosts over 500 houseplants in his compact apartment. You can follow him on X and Instagram @botanygeek.
Ken Liu’s newest novel, everything we see and feel, explores the enigmatic disappearance of a professional dream weaver named Ellie in a near-future setting, framed as a cyberpunk thriller.
Full disclosure: I typically don’t seek out thrillers or cyberpunk, so I might not be in the book’s target demographic. However, I was drawn to this story since Liu is renowned not only for his writing but also for his exceptional translation of works such as memories of earth’s past Trilogy by Liu Cixin.
In Liu’s portrayal of the near future, where personal AI is omnipresent, Ellie thrives as she employs AI to craft collaborative dream experiences for a legion of enthusiasts. To her, this work constitutes art, and she’s immensely proud of it.
Then, without forewarning, Ellie awakens one night and leaves her beloved husband. She vanishes, only to be claimed by a gang that asserts they are holding her captive. Did Ellie uncover something perilous during a dream session that jeopardized her safety? Could it be that the gang is simply manipulating AI to fabricate a deepfake of her?
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Ellie utilizes personal AI to orchestrate a communal dream experience for thousands of devoted followers. “
Ellie’s husband Piers, a mild-mannered lawyer with hidden depths, is resolved to win her back. He seeks assistance from a once-renowned hacker known as Julia Z, convinced that Ellie wouldn’t have merely vanished without a word, unless it was to safeguard him.
Together they embark on a quest as Julia and Piers attempt to uncover the truth surrounding the missing Dreamweaver. Meanwhile, various antagonists threaten their safety. While the adventure unfolds, much of the action revolves around detailed portrayals of online activities. I must say, the sequence in which Julia and her AI helper decode the clues about Ellie’s fate is genuinely thrilling.
Julia’s intricate online operations are vividly envisioned, providing a realistic glimpse into how AI might be utilized in the not-so-distant future. I particularly enjoyed how she cleverly employs minor environmental details to solve puzzles or conceal her movements.
The biography accompanying my edition of the novel notes Liu as a consultant on futurism and technology, and his expertise clearly shines through in these sections. Anyone deeply invested in AI will likely appreciate this book.
However, personally, everything we see and feel didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped. The thriller elements lacked the expected excitement; the criminals often felt overly cartoonish. Furthermore, the offline portions of the plot came off as implausible, particularly in the lengthy conclusion.
There may also be an underlying challenge in setting a book so close to present events, making it difficult for general readers to discern what is feasible now. Constantly wondering, “Is this even possible?” can dim the enjoyment of speculative fiction. This might just be my perspective.
Nonetheless, regarding dandelion dynasty, let’s not overlook Liu’s considerable talent. I eagerly anticipate what he will produce next.
The connection may be tenuous, but reading Ken Liu’s book reminded me of this exceptional 1998 film featuring Gene Hackman and Will Smith. It was remarkably prescient in its portrayal of technology-driven surveillance methods, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
Emily H. Wilson is a former editor of New Scientist magazine and the author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The latest entry in the series, Ninshubar, has been published. You can find her at emilywilson.com or follow her on X @emilyhwilson and Instagram @emilyhwilson1
mRNA vaccines show growing potential to revolutionize healthcare
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
The mRNA COVID-19 vaccination seems to offer an unexpected advantage: it may extend the lives of cancer patients by enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness.
A study analyzing about 1,000 individuals undergoing treatment for advanced skin and lung cancer revealed that those who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days of starting treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor had nearly double the survival time compared to those who did not receive the vaccine during this period. Clinical trials to validate these findings are set to commence by year-end.
“The outcomes were astonishing,” states Elias Sayur, a researcher at the University of Florida. They speculate about the potential to develop an mRNA vaccine that enhances this immune response. “Could we craft a universal mRNA vaccine that activates the immune system across all cancer patients?” he muses. “The possibilities are extensive.”
However, is it advisable for someone just commencing checkpoint inhibitors to get a COVID-19 vaccine to improve treatment efficacy? “I am hesitant to provide clinical recommendations without concrete proof,” Sayur cautions. “Attempting to harness your immune system against cancer also carries risks,” he adds, urging adherence to established vaccine guidelines.
The rationale behind this finding lies in the immune system’s capacity to eliminate many cancers even before they escalate. Yet, some tumors evolve to obstruct this response. They achieve this by manipulating the “off switch” of T cells, which are responsible for destroying cancer cells. A well-known off switch is the protein PD-1 found on T cell surfaces.
PD-1 becomes inactive when it binds to a protein called PD-L1 on certain cell surfaces. This serves as a safety mechanism for cells to signal, “cease the attack, I am benign.”
Numerous cancers hijack PD-L1 by producing it in excessive amounts. Checkpoint inhibitors function by preventing PD-1 and other off switches from becoming activated. These treatments have significantly increased survival rates for conditions like lung cancer and melanoma, earning a Nobel Prize for their developers in 2018.
However, the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors varies significantly. When an individual’s immune system fails to react to the tumor by dispatching T cells for an attack, these drugs offer limited benefit.
Consequently, combining checkpoint inhibitors with vaccines that bolster the immune system’s tumor combat capabilities could prove to be more effective than either strategy used in isolation. Cancer vaccines are generally tailored to elicit a response to mutated proteins in cancer cells and are often personalized. “We are attempting to discern the unique aspects of their tumors,” Sayur explains. “It demands substantial time, funding, and complexity.”
During cancer vaccine trials, his team observed that the non-specific mRNA vaccine used as a control also exhibited remarkable effectiveness. “It was an absolute surprise,” Sayur remarks.
In July, Sayur and colleagues published findings indicating that mRNA vaccines enhance anti-tumor responses, even when not aimed at cancer-specific proteins, as revealed in studies in mice. Vaccines can initiate an innate immune response that acts like an alarm, energizing the immune system and prompting T cells to move from tumors to lymph nodes, where they rally other immune cells for a focused attack.
Recognizing this potential, Sayur and his team examined the medical records of patients treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Out of 884 advanced lung cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors, 180 had received mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations within 100 days of initiating treatment. Those vaccinated survived for approximately 37 months, contrasting with roughly 20 months for those unvaccinated.
Furthermore, among 210 individuals with melanoma that had metastasized, 43 had been vaccinated within 100 days of starting checkpoint inhibitors. They had a survival time of around 30 to 40 months, compared to around 27 months for individuals who were not vaccinated in that time frame. Some vaccinated individuals remained alive at the time of analysis, indicating their survival may extend even longer. The research findings were shared at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin, Germany.
Previous reports have suggested that after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, a proportion of tumors exhibited shrinkage, indicating potential anti-tumor effects in certain cases even without checkpoint inhibitors. “It’s certainly a possibility, but further investigations are essential to fully understand,” comments Sayur.
The United States recently declared significant cuts in funding for mRNA vaccine development, despite the substantial benefits they have provided during the pandemic and the vast potential they hold for treatments beyond vaccines.
A group of ornithologists from the National University of Singapore, Bird Tours Asia Ltd., and the University of Queensland has identified a new and enigmatic species of the northern cuckoo, known as Hiero cock. Borneo is a substantial island that is divided among the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the Indonesian state of Kalimantan, and the Sultanate of Brunei.
Breeding range map of Hierokokbokki from Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, Hiero cock sp. from Borneo, and Hierococcus sparbeliodes. Image credit: Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok / Robert O. Hutchinson / James A. Eaton.
This genus was first recognized in 1845 and currently comprises nine scientifically acknowledged species.
Commonly referred to as hawk cuckoos, they reside in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.
“Within the genus A. Hiero cock, the two species maintain strong pair bonds in tropical and subtropical Asia,” stated the lead author, Dr. Frank Reindt from the National University of Singapore and collaborators.
“These hawk-cuckoos inhabit forests that stretch from the Himalayas to China and Southeast Asia.”
“Hierococcus sparbelioides is a more prevalent taxon, extensively breeding across tropical, subtropical, and even temperate mountainous areas of the Asian continent, migrating southward during winter.”
“Hierokokbokki has a range typical of montane forests in Sundaland.”
“Historically, the species boundaries of Hiero cock have largely depended on variations in plumage,” the researchers mentioned.
“Nonetheless, there are only minor differences in the plumage between these two species.”
“Since the 1990s, the taxonomy of numerous tropical and subtropical bird groupings has transformed, driven by a growing understanding of the role of bioacoustic traits in defining species.”
“Species limits for many tropical and subtropical Asian bird complexes have been revisited based on bioacoustic data.”
In a fresh study, Dr. Reindt and co-authors studied the interactions between Hierococcus sparbelioides and Hierokokbokki, unearthing evidence for a newly identified species.
Utilizing an integrated approach that included bioacoustic, plumage, and morphometric data, they analyzed 107 audio recordings of the two species sourced from an online audio library.
They also evaluated differences in plumage and morphometric features by using various museum specimens.
Their findings indicated a previously unnamed population of Hierokokbokki that resides on Borneo, distinguishable primarily by its unique three-syllable main call.
Considering the significant role of vocalizations in cuckoo classification, this population was formally described as a new species: Hierococcyx tiganada.
“The new species from Borneo closely resembles its sibling species, Hierokokbokki, native to Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia,” the researchers noted.
“Though visually alike, adults of the new species exhibit a slightly grayer mantle, particularly on the upper mantle near the crown, leading to a more subtle contrast between the gray crown and the brownish back relative to Hierokokbokki.”
“The most distinguishing characteristic of these two species lies in the structure of their vocalizations: the new species consistently produces a three-syllable call, while Hierokokbokki produces a two-syllable call.”
“The differences between the new species and Hierococcus sparbelioides reflect the same features that set it apart from Hierokokbokki,” they elaborated.
“Hierococcus sparbelioides also has two-syllable vocalizations.”
“Adult Hierococcus sparbelioides are generally larger, with less dark gray shading near the eyes, a more brownish mantle that contrasts less with the crown, and a pronounced dark red stripe visible against the whitish background of the upper thorax (contrastingly, the new species exhibits a solid red-purple color without stripes).
According to the scientists, Hierococcyx tiganada inhabits mountainous rainforests above 1,000 meters elevation.
“Despite the troubling conservation status of many Southeast Asian avian species reliant on rainforest habitats, the researchers concluded that Hierococcyx tiganada is likely not threatened.”
“Borneo’s lowland rainforests have experienced substantial degradation over the last three decades; however, many montane forests in central Borneo have endured as they remain remote and inaccessible to logging and other extractive practices.”
“Hierococcyx tiganada is relatively well-documented with three known locations in Sabah and an additional site in Sarawak.”
“Records from Kalimantan are notably sparse, and the species does not seem to inhabit the Meratus Mountains of South Kalimantan.”
“Nonetheless, this species likely exists widely across extensive mountainous regions of northern Borneo, often near the borders of Kalimantan, Sarawak, and Sabah; the scarcity of records may indicate insufficient observational coverage beyond established birdwatching locales.”
Hierococcyx tiganada is the first Hiero cock species described in the 20th/21st century.
“This discovery underscores the profound significance of bioacoustic research in biodiversity exploration and further amplifies Borneo’s biogeographical significance,” the authors concluded.
Certain problems remain insurmountable for quantum computers.
Jaroslav Kushta/Getty Images
Researchers have uncovered a “nightmare scenario” computation tied to a rare form of quantum material that remains unsolvable, even with the most advanced quantum computers.
In contrast to the simpler task of determining the phase of standard matter, such as identifying whether water is in a solid or liquid state, the quantum equivalent can prove exceedingly challenging. Thomas Schuster and his team at the California Institute of Technology have demonstrated that identifying the quantum phase of matter can be notably difficult, even for quantum machines.
They mathematically examined a scenario in which a quantum computer receives a set of measurements regarding the quantum state of an object and must determine its phase. Schuster mentioned that this is not necessarily an impossible task, but his team has shown that a considerable number of quantum phases of matter—such as the complex interactions between liquid water and ice, including unusual “topological” phases that exhibit strange electrical currents—might necessitate quantum computers to perform computations over extremely protracted periods. This situation mirrors a worst-case scenario in laboratory settings, where instruments may need to operate for billions or even trillions of years to discern the characteristics of a sample.
This doesn’t imply that quantum computers are rendered obsolete for this analysis. As Schuster noted, these phases are unlikely to manifest in actual experiments involving materials or quantum systems, serving more as an indicator of our current limitations in understanding quantum computers than posing an immediate practical concern. “They’re like nightmare scenarios. It would be quite unfortunate if such a case arose. It probably won’t happen, but we need to improve our comprehension,” he stated.
Bill Fefferman from the University of Chicago raised intriguing questions regarding the overall capabilities of computers. “This might illuminate the broader limits of computation: while substantial speed improvements have been realized for specific tasks, there will inevitably be challenges that remain too daunting, even for efficient quantum computers,” he asserted.
Mathematically, he explained, this new research merges concepts from quantum information science employed in quantum cryptography with foundational principles from materials physics, potentially aiding progress in both domains.
Looking ahead, the researchers aspire to broaden their analysis to encompass more energetic or excited quantum phases of matter, which are recognized as challenging for wider calculations.
An astronomer utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) has discovered double deuterated water (D2O), commonly known as “heavy water,” in the protoplanetary disk surrounding the protostar V883 Orionis, situated 1,300 light-years away in the Orion constellation. This finding indicates that some of the water found in comets—and even on Earth—might predate the stars themselves, offering transformative insights into the history of water in our solar system.
This artist’s impression illustrates the evolution of heavy water molecules, previously detected in giant molecular clouds, planet-forming disks, and comets, before ultimately reaching Earth. Image credit: NSF / AUI / NRAO of NSF / P. Vosteen / B. Saxton.
Investigating the primordial material from the protoplanetary disk that gave rise to our solar system suggests that water may have been transported to Earth via comet or asteroid impacts.
However, it remains uncertain whether the water ice present on these celestial objects formed primarily during the protoplanetary disk phase or if it is considerably older, originating from parent molecular clouds.
“This detection clearly demonstrates that the water found in the planet-forming disk around V883 Orionis predates the central star and must have formed during the early phases of star and planet formation,” stated Dr. Margot Rehmker, an astronomer at the University of Milan.
“This marks a significant leap in our understanding of the journey of water throughout planet formation and how this water potentially reached the solar system, including Earth, through similar mechanisms.”
The chemical fingerprinting of heavy water indicates that these molecules have withstood the turbulent processes of star and planet formation, traversing billions of kilometers through the cosmos and ending up in planetary systems like ours.
Rather than being completely destroyed and reformed within the disk, a significant portion of this water is inherited from the earliest, most frigid stages of star formation, serving as a cosmic remnant that may still exist on Earth today.
“Until now, it was uncertain whether most of the water in comets and planets was newly formed in young disks such as Orionis V883 or whether it was ‘pure’ from ancient interstellar clouds,” remarked Dr. John Tobin, an astronomer at the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
“The detection of heavy water using sensitive isotopic isomer ratios (D2oh2O) validates that this water is an ancient relic, forming a crucial link between clouds, disks, comets, and planets.”
“This finding is the first direct evidence that water can traverse through stars unaltered and intact, moving from clouds to the materials that constitute planetary systems.”
The team’s paper is published in this week’s edition of Nature Astronomy.
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M. Riemker et al. Primitive ice within a planet-forming disk identified by heavy water. Nat Astron published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02663-y
A thin crystalline film of table sugar, or sucrose, captured using a polarized light microscope.
Carl Gough/Science Photo Library
Researchers have developed a novel method to probe dark matter utilizing expansive crystals of sucrose, or table sugar, yet their findings thus far yield nothing more than a bittersweet outcome.
Dark matter is believed to exist due to its elusive gravitational pull on galaxies; however, despite decades of exploration for potential dark matter particles, little evidence has surfaced. Historically, many searches focused on weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), considered leading candidates for dark matter. Yet, even the most meticulous searches have proven fruitless.
Conventional WIMP detectors aim to identify light flashes produced by interactions between dark matter particles and regular matter, assuming that these particles are relatively sizable, around 2 to 10,000 times the mass of a proton. Although this explanation is the most straightforward, the possibility exists that WIMPs are lighter, albeit creating challenges with the theory.
Recently, Federica Petricca and her team at the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich, Germany, have sought these lighter WIMPs utilizing a detector constructed from sugar crystals chilled to extremely low temperatures.
Very light WIMPs are expected to predominantly interact with extremely light atoms like hydrogen; however, utilizing pure hydrogen as a detector is challenging due to its low density, which diminishes interaction probabilities. On the other hand, sucrose comprises 22 hydrogen atoms in each molecule, leading to a significantly higher density than pure hydrogen.
Petricca and her colleagues initially cultivated sucrose crystals from a concentrated sugar solution over the span of a week before reducing the temperature of the crystals to 7 thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. They monitored potential dark matter interactions by employing highly sensitive thermometers to detect minimal heat increases and photon sensors to register flashes of light.
Following 19 hours of experimentation, the sugar crystals did emit light at levels comparable to interactions with larger particles; however, they did not capture the weaker signals that might indicate the presence of WIMPs.
Scientists assert that sugar crystals offer surprising sensitivity for detecting potential dark matter interactions. Carlos Blanco of Penn State notes that researchers may be able to identify subtle recoils from lightweight WIMPs. However, it remains uncertain if this experiment can effectively exclude other potential sources of crystal formation, like radioactive carbon-14, commonly present in various sugars.
CERN and Mont Blanc: Dark Matter and Frozen Matter in Switzerland and France
Get ready to be inspired by CERN, the heart of particle physics in Europe, situated near the lovely Swiss city of Geneva, where researchers manage the well-known Large Hadron Collider.
Artificial sweeteners might support gut microbiome health
Robert K. Chin/Alamy
Using low-calorie sweeteners instead of sugar may stimulate beneficial gut bacteria and aid in weight loss maintenance. This conclusion emerges from one of the longest studies on sweeteners, suggesting these alternatives might not be as detrimental as some previous reports indicate.
Several recent analyses have cast doubt on the health benefits of various low-calorie sweeteners. Although they are widely favored by those wishing to shed pounds, research indicates they may increase hunger, elevate blood sugar, and heighten the risk of heart-related illnesses. In 2023, the World Health Organization issued recommendations against using low-calorie sweeteners for weight management.
Nonetheless, there is a deficit of extensive research on sweeteners, particularly within the framework of a healthy diet. To investigate further, Ellen Black from Maastricht University in the Netherlands monitored their effects in individuals who substituted them for sugar. She and her team enlisted 341 overweight or obese adults in Europe and provided them with a low-calorie regimen for two months, resulting in an average weight loss of 10 kilograms.
Participants then adapted to a balanced diet with less than 10% of their caloric intake from sugar. During this weight maintenance phase, 171 participants were advised to completely forgo sweeteners, while the rest were motivated to swap sugary foods and beverages for lower-calorie sweetener options. Each participant had the option to use at least 16 different sweeteners, with no limit on their usage.
After 10 months, the group utilizing low-calorie sweeteners managed an average of 1.6 kilograms more weight loss compared to the sugar group. They also exhibited a higher presence of gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids—beneficial compounds previously linked to blood sugar regulation, heart health support, and weight loss maintenance.
“This indicates that replacing sugar with non-caloric sweeteners in the diet may aid in weight maintenance,” says Braak. The outcomes of this study may vary from earlier research due to its extended duration and the examination of sweeteners alongside a healthy diet, she notes. Furthermore, prior studies often focused on just a few low-calorie sweeteners, many of which were not concurrently consumed.
Regarding the differences in gut bacteria, our grasp of the microbiome is still developing, according to Elan Elinav at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Thus, it remains challenging to decipher how the changes observed in the sweetener-consuming group will influence their health. He added that it is uncertain whether these transformations stemmed from weight loss, the intake of low-calorie sweeteners, or a combination of both.
“The technology has arrived and is currently unfolding,” stated Susan Lieberman, vice president of international policy at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “There may be instances where genetically modified organisms can be cautiously and ethically tested and introduced into natural environments.”
He remarked that the new framework represents a “transformative advancement” that may enable conservationists to explore innovative solutions to climate change challenges and to assess new methods for disease control.
The IUCN consists of a vast coalition of conservation organizations, governments, and indigenous communities, boasting over 1,400 members from roughly 160 nations, convening once every four years. It stands as the globe’s largest network of environmental organizations and is responsible for the Red List, which monitors endangered species and global biodiversity.
This year’s conference took place in Abu Dhabi, where the vote favoring “synthetic biology” established a new framework for assessing genetic engineering initiatives and their potential implementation. This measure mandates that scientists evaluate such projects on an individual basis, maintain transparency regarding the associated risks and benefits, and adhere to precautionary principles relating to genetic engineering. This applies to a spectrum of organisms, including animals, plants, yeast, and bacteria.
Another proposal, which aimed to suspend the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, failed by a narrow margin of one vote.
Jessica Owley, a professor and director of the environmental law program at the University of Miami, noted that while the IUCN decision lacks legal force, it carries symbolic importance and could influence international policy.
“IUCN is a powerful and recognized entity in the conservation field. Their word holds weight, and governments pay attention. They play a significant role in various treaties,” she commented. “This can be viewed as groundwork for future legal language.”
Organizations advocating for a moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms into the wild argue that there is insufficient evidence to prove it can be done safely and responsibly.
“We’re disappointed,” stated Dana Perls, senior food and agriculture program manager at the nonprofit Friends of the Earth. “Our focus should be on confined research that doesn’t turn our environment into a live experimental lab.”
As a potential example, she cited: genetically modifying mosquitoes to combat the malaria-causing parasite. The disease claims over 500,000 lives annually, prompting scientists to propose spreading this malaria resistance across broader mosquito populations through a method known as genetic drive.
One weekend, I observed one of my family’s cats, a Byronic fellow named Solomon, playfully swat his sister, regurgitate on her bed linens right before my father, who loves birds, and finish off her gold crest. Yet we couldn’t hold it against Solomon. After all, I harbor no ill feelings toward him or his sister. This paradox defines the experience of cat enthusiasts.
The domesticated house cat (Felice Catus) stands as one of the world’s favorite pets. However, there remains uncertainty over whether they can genuinely be classified as domesticated and why anyone sought to do so in the first place. How did we come to cherish them in their various forms, particularly given that numerous species throughout history counted humans as prey?
In his book, archaeologist Jerry D. Moore delves into the origins of that inquiry, Cat tales: history. More noteworthy than its subtitle “History” is the cover’s text: “How we learned to coexist with them.” It’s ambiguous whether this reflects a human viewpoint or a disgruntled feline’s perspective. Regardless, this book is more about our evolving bonds with cats than a mere study of the creatures themselves.
The narrative of cat domestication narrates how, once humans formed settlements and began hoarding grain, rats descended to feast on their hard-won resources, leading them to the African wildcat (Felice Ribica). Thus, a mutually beneficial arrangement formed: humans stored the grain, and the cats enjoyed a free meal.
Yet, the reality is more nuanced, according to Moore. Domestication, typically involving breeding for specific traits, has only become prevalent with cats in the last century, as humans have aimed for particular appearances and unique characteristics. The humorous notion about cats comes to mind, but another frequent catalyst for domestication is herding.
Moore posits that understanding commensalism offers valuable insight into our bond with cats. Nevertheless, cats can exhibit fickle and aloof behavior, and mice often outmaneuver other species, such as terrier dogs. Cats seem to have confidently established themselves within human homes, suggesting an admirable sense of self-assurance. In essence, they have self-domesticated.
Moore effectively links the depictions of big cats in ancient cave art to their visibility in contemporary conservation campaigns. A 2018 study revealed that big cats consistently rank as among the most charismatic animals.
He also positions cats among history’s elite seafarers, traversing trade routes to Asia and the Mediterranean alongside African and Arab navigators. Their later journeys aboard European colonial vessels wreaked havoc in regions like Australia and New Zealand, where local fauna fell victim to feral cats.
While Moore’s writing occasionally flows gracefully, there are also meandering sections that detract from the book’s overall impact. A notable instance involves an early discussion on 20th-century human tool use. Initially puzzling, he later contends that portraying ancient humans as adept hunters minimizes the influence of ancient cats—the primary predators of our ancestors who shaped our physiology and cognition.
Moore indicates that the dynamics between cats and humans may have been more varied than those with other animals. “Cats have existed as agents of fear, subjects of veneration, deities in religious rites, and have been brutally exploited for amusement.”
For me, Cat tales may not present a wealth of groundbreaking information, but it serves as an excellent collection of archaeological insights paired with stunning photography. Even if our understanding of cats remains shrouded in some mystery after reading this book, perhaps that’s exactly how they prefer it.
Stacking semiconductor transistors could aid in overcoming Moore’s law
Kaust
As semiconductor manufacturers make their products smaller, they encounter limitations on the computing power that can be integrated into a single chip. A groundbreaking chip may offer a solution to this dilemma and advance the creation of sustainable electronics.
Since the 1960s, enhancing electronic capabilities has revolved around miniaturizing their fundamental components, transistors, and packing them more densely onto chips. This trend was encapsulated by Moore’s Law, which posited that the number of components on a microchip doubles every year. However, this phenomenon began to falter around 2010. Li Xiaohan and colleagues at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have suggested that the answer to this challenge might be to build upwards instead of inwards.
They engineered a chip featuring 41 vertical layers of two distinct semiconductor types, separated by insulating material. This stack of transistors is approximately ten times taller than any previously created. To evaluate its efficiency, the team produced 600 duplicates, all demonstrating consistent performance. Some of these stacked chips were utilized to execute various fundamental operations required by computers or sensing devices, showing performance levels comparable to traditional non-stacked counterparts.
Li mentions that producing these stacks necessitates a manufacturing method that requires less energy compared to standard chip production. Team members, including Thomas Anthopoulos from the University of Manchester in the UK indicates that while the new chip may not lead to advanced supercomputers, its application in everyday devices like smart home gadgets and wearable health monitors could significantly lower the carbon footprint of the electronics industry while enhancing functionality with each additional layer.
How high will the stack rise? “The possibilities are endless; we can keep pushing the limits. It’s just a journey of determination,” Anthopoulos states.
However, he notes that engineering hurdles persist regarding the temperature tolerance of the chip before it fails. Muhammad Alam from Purdue University in Indiana comments that it’s analogous to trying to keep cool by layering on multiple hoodies; each additional layer raises the heat. Alam asserts that the chip’s current thermal threshold of 50 degrees Celsius would need to rise by over 30 degrees Celsius to become practical for real-world application. Nonetheless, he believes that for electronics to progress in the near future, pursuing vertical growth is the only viable strategy.
Individuals facing significant adversity in their early years show elevated levels of specific proteins in their brains, a discovery that may shed light on the connection between childhood difficulties and persistent mental health issues. Moreover, medications targeting this protein could potentially mitigate these effects in the future.
About 1 in 5 adolescents in the U.S. report having experienced at least four potentially traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, homelessness, or losing a parent. Studies indicate that these experiences can hinder brain development, leading to an increased risk of mental health conditions, including depression, persisting into adulthood.
“The mechanisms through which early life stress and adversity exert lasting effects are still not fully understood,” states Christoph Anacker from Columbia University, New York. “Individuals who have endured childhood trauma usually exhibit lesser responsiveness to current antidepressant treatments.”
Prior studies have indicated that individuals with depression show elevated symptoms such as heightened levels of the protein SGK1 (serum and blood glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1). While little is known about this protein’s exact role, it seems to affect brain cell processing and information dissemination .
To investigate its effects further, Anacker and colleagues examined SGK1 levels in the postmortem brains of 50 men, 36 of whom had died by suicide. Each participant had completed a questionnaire detailing experiences of physical or sexual abuse before the age of 16.
The research revealed that in the hippocampus—a brain region linked to memory and stress—the levels of genetic material for SGK1 were approximately 33 percent higher in men who had died by suicide compared to those who had not, with even higher levels in those who faced childhood adversity.
In another segment of the study, over 8,500 children aged 9-10 were analyzed, revealing that those diagnosed with depression were more likely to exhibit heightened activity of the SGK1-encoding gene, which was also connected to instances of childhood adversity.
Finally, the researchers conducted an experiment injecting 10 adult male mice daily for 10 days with a novel drug designed to inhibit SGK1. After each injection, the mice were placed in a cage with aggressive counterparts for 5 minutes to elevate stress levels.
At the conclusion of the 10-day study, the treated mice exhibited fewer signs of anxiety and depression than a control group that received saline injections. Notably, the treated group spent more than double the time in the center of a vacant cage rather than cowering in a corner, compared to the control subjects.
“Lowering SGK1 levels in the hippocampus enhances resilience to stress in mice,” states Anacker. A similar biological pathway appears to exist in humans, suggesting that targeting SGK1 may alleviate depression in those who faced early hardships. Although the exact mechanism by which SGK1 contributes to mental health issues remains unclear, one theory is that it inhibits the formation of brain cells in the hippocampus.
While the drug utilized in this study is not yet approved for human use, other SGK1 inhibitors are undergoing clinical trials for specific heart conditions. If proven safe, these could potentially be repurposed for treating mental health disorders, according to Anacker. However, “this fundamental research in rodents is still far from providing the conclusive evidence needed to identify practical drug targets for humans,” notes Katie McLoughlin at Harvard University.
If you need someone to talk to, reach out to the British Samaritans at 116123; the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; or find hotlines in other countries.
In September, Mexican officials confirmed an outbreak of the lethal flesh-eating parasite in Nuevo Leon, located less than 70 miles (113 kilometers) from the Texas border.
The outbreak was identified in an 8-month-old cow along the busy Monterrey to Laredo highway. Cocliomia hominivorax – the New World screwworm – has resurfaced for the first time in decades, threatening its eradication status achieved in the United States over fifty years ago.
This discovery raised concerns among U.S. ranchers and veterinarians who vividly recall the destruction this voracious insect once wreaked. The screwworm fly, a metallic blue-gray, appears relatively ordinary until its larvae begin to burrow into the living flesh of animals.
“The adults resemble the blowflies commonly found in my lab in North Carolina,” remarks Professor Max Scott, an entomologist at North Carolina State University who has dedicated his career to pest research. “The difference is that this blowfly is an obligate parasite. The female must lay her eggs in a living host.”
Within hours of being laid in a wound or natural opening, the eggs hatch into maggots that burrow deep into the tissue. After several days of feeding, the larvae drop to the ground and pupate, often leaving the host deformed or dead.
Each female can lay hundreds of eggs, and untreated infestations often attract other species of flies, exacerbating the host’s decline.
In livestock, screwworms can result in significant weight loss, skin damage, and even fatalities, representing a multibillion-dollar challenge for the livestock industry in South America.
A Terrible Past
The New World screwworm once plagued regions in the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that an unexpected mix of genetics, radiation, and air transport helped regain control over the species.
Post-World War II, scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pioneered germ-free insect technology, a groundbreaking method for genetic control. The approach was both simple and radical—breed millions of screwworm flies in captivity, sterilize them using gamma rays, and release them into the wild.
Females mate only once, so even if they pair with a sterile male, they won’t produce offspring, leading to a population collapse.
In the 1950s, experiments on Curaçao confirmed the method’s effectiveness. By the early 1960s, screwworms had been eradicated from Florida. The initiative spread west and south, ultimately eliminating the fly from the continental United States, Mexico, and much of Central America by the early 2000s.
The eradication campaign was costly, reportedly exceeding $750 million. However, it saved the livestock industry billions in losses annually and allowed U.S. cattle production to thrive in the following years.
A small production facility in Panama, jointly managed by the U.S. and Panamanian governments, maintained permanent barriers, releasing 100 million sterile flies weekly along the Panama-Colombia border and regularly developing new strains for longevity.
This system functioned effectively for two decades until it faltered. By 2023, infection cases began to re-emerge in Panama. Within two years, the parasite spread to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras, now reaching northern Mexico.
New World screwworm larvae feed on infected animal wounds for about seven days, then fall to the ground, burrow into the soil, and pupate. – Credit: COPEG
What Went Wrong?
The specific reasons behind the barrier’s collapse remain unclear, but Scott noted “warning signs indicating trouble along the border.”
Farmers failing to adhere to protocols when transporting livestock may have further facilitated the spread of infection, explaining the surge in cases beyond the natural movement of fly populations.
Scott pointed out that the Panama facility is currently overburdened, producing around 110 million sterile flies weekly. In contrast, during the initial eradication efforts in Mexico, local facilities generated between 500 million and 700 million units weekly. “We needed that volume,” he noted.
This shortfall means an insufficient supply of sterile flies to manage the ongoing outbreak.
Read More:
The Enemy at the Gate
As of now, there is no evidence that the screwworms have crossed into the U.S. The USDA has deployed approximately 8,000 traps in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico but has not detected any flies. Nevertheless, vigilance is high.
“The risks are substantial,” Scott cautions. “The best chance to curb the outbreak was further south, near the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Reports of cases further north complicate containment given the current production capacities.”
In response, the U.S. government initiated a “five-pillar plan,” which includes constructing two new fly dispersal facilities in Texas. One facility at Moore Air Force Base can spray 100 million sterile flies weekly, while plans for a larger production plant in southern Texas aim to triple that capacity.
The USDA is also investing $100 million into innovative pest control technologies, exploring options from electron beam and X-ray sterilization to genetically modified flies.
A significant resurgence of screwworms could be catastrophic for U.S. livestock producers. An outbreak may incur billions in animal losses, quarantines, and trade restrictions. When the parasite re-emerged in Florida in 2016 from Caribbean-imported deer, it infected 145 animals, taking nearly a year to eradicate.
Human infections are rare but can be severe. The parasite’s scientific name, Cocliomia hominivorax, translates to “man-eating fly.” Most cases affect travelers to infested regions, leading to infections from wounds and nasal passages.
“This is not a major public health issue,” Scott explained. “However, caution is advised when visiting affected areas.”
The bulges on the larva’s body are the origin of the name “screw maggot.” – Credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service
Modern Genetic Upgrades
Scott believes that the old sterile fly method remains viable, especially when enhanced by new biotechnology. His lab at North Carolina State University has spent years developing genetically engineered screwworm strains that produce only males, significantly increasing efficiency.
Traditional sterile insect techniques require releasing both males and females, resulting in many males mating with sterile females.
This means that very high doses of radiation are needed to fully sterilize females, Scott noted. In contrast, his team’s method yields only males. They can then focus on sterilizing these males specifically, allowing researchers to maintain a higher quantity of healthier flies unlikely to reproduce.
These male-only stocks were field-tested in Panama in 2018 but were not deployed because existing methods were deemed sufficient. As the parasite moves northward, regulatory approval for genetically modified screwworms might become essential.
Moreover, researchers are investigating “gene drive systems” utilizing CRISPR technology to bias genetics, ensuring that most offspring carry infertile or male-only genes. In theory, this could drastically reduce the number of flies needed for suppression.
“We hope funding will be available to develop more effective technologies,” Scott stated. “The goal is to reduce releases from 100 million sterile flies to potentially just 10 million. This would make genetic control far more feasible.”
For the time being, strategies remain focused on aerial dispersal, targeted capture, and cross-border collaboration. Yet, scientists are increasingly concerned about the screwworm’s capability to migrate northward faster than anticipated.
“Given the current fly population, we sincerely hope to prevent them from entering the United States,” Scott warned. “But uncertainties remain.”
At present, the border remains intact. With each new case emerging towards the north, the focus shifts from whether the screwworms will invade the U.S. to whether they will be prepared upon their arrival.
Paleontologists have discovered a new collection of Triassic fossils at the Quebrada Santo Domingo site in the northern Pre-Cordillera Basin of northwestern Argentina. Among their findings are nearly complete skeletons of a previously unknown sauropod dinosaur species, along with several cynodonts, rhinocosaurs, and aetosaurs.
The newly identified species existed in what is now Argentina during the Carnian period of the late Triassic, approximately 230 million years ago.
Known as Huayracursor jaguensis, this dinosaur was an early and primitive member of the clade sauropodomorpha.
The ancient creature featured a relatively long neck and was larger than many of its contemporaries.
“The Carnian period (237 to 227 million years ago) is significant in the evolution of tetrapods, holding the earliest records of several major clades, including dinosaurs,” stated paleontologist Dr. Martin Hechenleitner of the La Rioja Regional Research Center and CONICET, along with colleagues.
“Following the Carnian pluvial period, dinosaurs faced unprecedented radiation levels and quickly established dominance for the remainder of the Mesozoic era.”
“Most of the earliest records originate from a few well-researched regions in South America, specifically the Izquiguarasto-Villa Union Basin in western Argentina and the Paraná Basin in southern Brazil.”
“These locales have produced a variety of early dinosaurs, encompassing ornithischians, herrerasaurs, theropods, and sauropods.”
“While sauropods are the most taxonomically diverse, the majority (with a few fragmentary exceptions) were small, bipedal, and short-necked.”
“Despite the advances in our understanding of the quadrupedal fauna from the Carnian, no dinosaur-containing groups have arisen outside of traditional classifications.”
Selected bone of the Huayracursor jaguensis holotype. Image credit: Hechenleitner et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3.
Dr. Hechenleitner and his co-authors uncovered fossilized remains of Huayracursor jaguensis and other Triassic animals in the Santo Domingo formation at Quebrada Santo Domingo, a remote region of the Andes Mountains in La Rioja, northwestern Argentina.
“This newly discovered fauna is the first from the newly characterized northern Pre-Cordillera Basin,” the paleontologists remarked.
“Current findings encompass ceratopsians of the hyperodapedontid family, cynodonts from the traversodontid and probynognathic families, a eurysaurian, and at least two sauropod dinosaurs, indicating a Carnian age.”
“Among the sauropods, Huayracursor jaguensis provides the earliest evidence of concurrent weight gain and neck elongation in sauropods, suggesting that these crucial traits emerged at the dawn of dinosaurs.”
“This discovery enhances our understanding of the diversity and geographic distribution of early dinosaur faunas and illuminates the evolution of sauropods during the Carnian period.”
The findings regarding Huayracursor jaguensis are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature.
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EM Hechenleitner et al. A newly discovered long-necked early dinosaur from the Upper Triassic basin of the Andes. Nature, published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3
Intricate and sophisticated sequences depend on several untested technologies. A crucial aspect is the refueling of starships in space. Dreyer noted that it remains uncertain how many launches will be required to supply the necessary fuel, but they must occur rapidly.
“It might take between 12 and 20 refueling missions within a month to replenish Starship’s tanks with enough fuel for a mission to the moon and back,” he stated. “Such a scenario has never been realized.”
Refueling only in space would necessitate a “significant advancement” from Starship’s current capabilities, he remarked.
“This poses a tremendous challenge,” Dreyer emphasized. “Without these advancements, our lunar aspirations won’t be achievable.”
The Starship lander is projected to stand approximately 150 feet taller than the rugged, spider-like lunar lander NASA utilized during the Apollo missions. Such a taller design could enable Starship to transport more passengers and cargo; however, it may also be less stable than the Apollo spacecraft.
Nevertheless, Dreyer argued that it wouldn’t have been practical for NASA to depend on outdated technology, especially considering financial constraints. A single Saturn V rocket launch from the Apollo era costs around $2 billion today. In contrast, SpaceX aims to develop Starship as fully reusable, which could lower costs and speed up launch times.
The next phase for the company involves revealing an upgraded Starship prototype. This model is approximately five feet taller and incorporates an enhanced docking mechanism, increased energy storage, and software improvements to facilitate long-duration flights.
This new version will be employed for Starship’s inaugural orbital flight, testing essential SpaceX procedures such as fuel transfer and payload transportation into space, as per SpaceX officials. I discussed this in my previous post following Monday’s test.
Future missions, like this week’s, will also be under scrutiny as China moves toward its 2030 objectives.
“Four years is a short time frame in space,” Dreyer remarked. “These endeavors are exceptionally complex and challenging because the universe is perpetually testing you.”
Over 20 states have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), contesting the agency’s decision to terminate a $7 billion initiative designed to enhance access to solar power for low-income households.
The initiative, known as “Solar For All,” was launched in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated subsidies for building rooftop and community solar projects. This action was part of the Biden administration’s commitment to decreasing carbon emissions and aimed to make solar energy available to around 1 million additional American households.
However, in August, the EPA announced the program’s cancellation, with states withdrawing approximately 90% of the grant funds from the awarded accounts, according to the legal complaint.
The EPA has been working to reinstate clean energy funding sanctioned by the Biden administration. This new lawsuit will assess whether the agency overstepped its bounds in this instance. The states involved in the legal challenge had expected the funding to boost solar power availability, lower greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, and decrease energy costs.
“Congress established a solar energy program to make electricity more affordable, but the administration is ignoring the law, focusing instead on conspiracy theories about climate change,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown stated in a news release. The EPA’s action “places about $156 million in jeopardy” for Washington state, as mentioned in the release.
Earlier this month, a coalition of nonprofit organizations and solar installers lodged a complaint, which resembles a similar lawsuit against the program’s cancellation.
When asked about the recent lawsuit, the White House referred NBC News to the EPA, which typically remains silent on ongoing litigation.
The states involved in the lawsuits are all governed by Democratic officials. Notably, Washington, Arizona, and Minnesota are leading this legal action, which was filed in the Western District of Washington.
The lawsuit contends that the EPA “illegally and unilaterally terminated” the program, breaching the Administrative Procedure Act that regulates federal agencies’ operations. It also claims that the EPA overstepped its “constitutional authority” by attempting to revoke programs and funds approved by Congress.
This latest suit is part of a dual strategy employed by states to counteract the Trump administration’s cuts to clean energy initiatives established under President Joe Biden.
On Wednesday, another group, including states and state energy agencies, filed a separate complaint in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims regarding the cancellation of individual subsidy agreements.
The lawsuit argues that the EPA’s retraction of funds violated distinct subsidy contracts with states and state energy authorities.
It further claims the EPA relied on a “false and malicious interpretation” of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which was enacted during the Trump administration, to support its actions.
While acknowledging that the law granted the administration certain powers to retract Inflation Control Act funds, the complaint asserts that this authority only extended to funds not yet distributed to grant recipients.
A third lawsuit was filed this month in Rhode Island District Court. Solar companies, homeowners, nonprofits, and labor unions are making similar claims. It contends that the EPA’s actions could deny nearly 1 million people access to affordable solar energy and jeopardize “hundreds of thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs.”
“Governments might resort to utilizing digital identities in more intrusive manners than initially assured…”
Dakuku/Getty Images
My first ID card was a flimsy laminated driver’s license. In the U.S., it includes a photo, biometric data (like eye color and height), and date of birth. This spurred its increased use beyond just driving; bars began issuing “cards” to minors attempting to purchase alcohol, interpreting the data as proof of being 21, the legal drinking age. I must admit, it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I learned to use a pencil to edit my birth date to enjoy some cheap cocktails.
This tale may seem like a dull 20th-century anecdote, yet it holds significant relevance in today’s ongoing discussion about the implementation of digital identity cards in the UK and elsewhere. While the cards themselves may differ vastly, the core issue remains the same. Firstly, the use of ID cards tends to escalate over time, and secondly, they are exceedingly easy to compromise.
The British government isn’t the first to suggest that citizens should carry a compact ID application on their smartphones for accessing government and public services. Countries such as China, Singapore, India, and Estonia already mandate digital IDs. Advocates argue that digital IDs help reduce fraud, simplify travel and purchases, and verify identity without the need to carry multiple physical documents.
“This digital ID will enhance your security,” the government might claim. “You can use it for shopping, obtaining medical care, and better yet, it will prevent any confusion about your immigration status, sparing you from unjust detention.” Apologies for the specificity, but the point is clear: these cards are touted as solutions to non-issues (like carrying a health insurance card) or problems that can’t be resolved by merely having an ID (immigration is complex and multifaceted).
Returning to the topic of usage expansion. What transpires when authorities implement digital IDs on mobile devices to authenticate citizenship during job applications or for social services? Fundamentally, they reside alongside other apps which, in certain instances, can share data with them. Some of these applications access sensitive data, including bank information, medical schedules, personal messages, and photos.
As journalist Byron Tau observes in his brilliant book: control means. Many applications gather information about you, often without your awareness, such as your location, purchasing behaviors, and even details from other apps on your device. There are businesses focused on extracting this data from applications like dating services and selling it to third parties, including government entities.
“
Governments may begin using digital IDs in far more intrusive ways than originally intended. “
This practice is largely permissible in the U.S., albeit unsettling. The UK and Europe have regulations that curb rampant data sharing, yet the technology exists. The only shield you have against government ID applications monitoring your location via unrelated apps is the government itself—and that, too, may evolve. Regulations can shift. However, once you start using that digital ID for employment, entering bars, tipping, or taking public transport, it’s unlikely you would discard it.
Consider the potential of this creepiness: Governments may resort to using digital identities in much more invasive manners than initially promised. Conversely, the public might find it beneficial for so many tasks that they deem the trade-off worthwhile. If buying a candy bar is effortless without a credit card, who cares if the government tracks your daily whereabouts? That perspective holds until the government decides you’re the enemy.
And let’s not overlook the hacking angle. Even if governments refrain from spying using your digital ID, malicious actors might not. A hacker could exploit vulnerabilities to access your identity or harvest personal information through a compromised app. Security experts have warned the UK government regarding the threats posed by digital IDs, and even the notorious U.S. surveillance firm Palantir has backed away from support for digital IDs. As one of their executives recently put it, digital identity is:very controversial.
It’s crucial to recognize that concern shouldn’t center merely around identity theft. One must also consider the potential for location tracking, message monitoring, unauthorized bank access, and even phone tapping. Comparatively, a traditional ID card, while it can be lost or altered, only results in the loss of that card—not a comprehensive loss of other personal data.
Annalee’s Week
What I’ve Been Hearing
Our Ancestors were Messy, is a podcast exploring African American celebrity scandals from a century ago, drawn from the pages of black newspapers.
What I’m Reading
Thief’s PhilosophyWritten by Fran Wilde, this futuristic narrative involves a wealthy individual hiring a thief for entertainment at a party.
What I’m Working On
I’m delving into the history of “review bombing,” a phenomenon where media and products are inundated with one-star reviews driven by political motives.
Feedback is New Scientist A well-known figure who observes the latest news in science and technology with a critical eye. To share feedback about topics you believe may interest our readers, please contact us at feedback@newscientist.com.
Our Expiry Date
Unfortunately, we have some bad news. Humanity’s time is marked; experts predict our extinction by 2339, leaving us only a few centuries (as of now).
News Editor Jacob Aaron presented this startling information. A paper not yet peer-reviewed was shared on the social science preprint server SocArXiv. In their work, demographers David Swanson and Jeff Tayman discuss how the human population could decline from the current 8.1 billion to zero.
Their reasoning is straightforward: “Considering the decrease in birth rates from 2019 to 2024 and applying probabilistic forecasting methods, by 2139, the world’s population will fall between 1.55 billion and 1.81 billion… By 2339, humanity will be extinct,” they assert.
Swanson and Tayman highlight that this extinction timeline is “only 314 years away.” One might think the estimate could have been rounded to 300 to incorporate some necessary uncertainty in the predictions, but the confidence displayed is noteworthy.
This may seem evident, but we cannot base projections for the next three centuries on just five years of data — especially from 2019 to 2024, a period marked by significant global events that likely impacted birth rates.
They employed three different methodologies: the Cohort Component Method, the Hamilton-Perry Method, and even the notable Espenshade-Tiemann Method. Despite this, the prediction remains flawed. However, it’s likely our audience has already deduced this.
For a moment, we questioned if the paper was intended as satire, aiming to mislead unsuspecting science journalists into reckless reporting. However, this seems unlikely as Mr. Swanson shared it at a conference in September. Following his presentation, “a robust discussion unfolded.“Oh, I can’t believe I was heading straight for that wall.
This might hint at a precursor to a new belief system, positioning the apocalypse conveniently three centuries away to avoid embarrassment if it doesn’t come to pass.
Oh, No More
The feedback reveals that US President Donald Trump referred to climate change as “a scam, deeming renewable energy sources like wind power as “pathetic.”
This came in the wake of a government report published in July, generated by “independent researchers,” attempting to justify ceasing climate change mitigation efforts. Carbon Brief reviewed the report and identified over 100 misleading statements. Across the pond, the British Conservative Party has pledged to repeal climate change legislation upon regaining power.
The feedback notes that renewable energy has surpassed coal to become the leading source of electricity by mid-2025, which doesn’t seem particularly pathetic. Meanwhile, we’re reminded of that memorable scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where monks beat their heads in a rhythmic fashion. We can only assume that these individuals read Swanson and Tayman’s paper and concluded that 2339 was too far off.
A Simple Thank You
One of the hallmarks of being an excellent researcher is to explore questions that others haven’t considered. Consequently, a study was published in the journal Socius in September: “‘This Task Would Have Been Impossible‘… A study examining the length of acknowledgments in sociology books.” Yes, that’s correct. This is an entire sociology paper dedicated to the acknowledgments section of sociology literature.
The first takeaway, as noted by the authors, is that they are not the first to pose this question. Back in 1972, Kenneth Henry Mackintosh published a study titled Approval Patterns in Sociology. When I searched for feedback online, I was disappointed to find that it was over 300 pages long and, even if the table of contents was accurate, it lacked an acknowledgments section.
What of the new research? The researchers evaluated 411 books written by 317 sociologists and examined the acknowledgments (excluding 7 percent for rudeness). A significant statistical trend revealed that female authors wrote longer acknowledgments than their male counterparts.
Similarly, books released by university presses contained longer acknowledgments compared to those from other publishers. It remains unclear whether this means they were thanking more individuals or simply elaborating more extensively.
Naturally, I was curious about the acknowledgments section of this very paper, so I scrolled down. We were pleased to see it consisted of 218 words and included a heartfelt mention of “steadfast love and support.”
I would like to acknowledge the cats who prevented me from stepping on my laptop keyboard while writing this article.
Have a story for feedback?
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Gamma rays are detected in unusually high amounts at the center of the Milky Way galaxy
The center of our galaxy is exhibiting unusual behavior, potentially linked to dark matter. In 2009, observations from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope uncovered unexpectedly high levels of gamma ray emissions from the Milky Way’s center, a phenomenon termed galactic central gamma-ray excess (GCE). Simulations suggest these gamma rays could arise from the annihilation of dark matter particles.
The discussion surrounding the origins of GCE has intensified since its initial discovery, leading to two main theories. The first posits that it may stem from a previously unobserved population of pulsars, rapidly spinning neutron stars that emit considerable radiation.
Alternatively, it could be linked to weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), long considered primary candidates for dark matter. These particles seldom interact with normal matter, but a collision between two can lead to annihilation and consequently, a burst of gamma rays.
However, the dark matter explanation has lost traction recently, especially after searches for WIMPs yielded no results. “The dark matter interpretation demands greater proof due to insufficient direct evidence of its existence despite thorough investigations,” notes Jeff Grube from King’s College London.
Another factor contributing to this skepticism is that dark matter in galaxies is expected to be evenly distributed, while GCEs display a flattened distribution. Yet, new simulations by Joseph Silk and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland indicate that this discrepancy may not be significant.
These new simulations carefully considered the Milky Way’s history in relation to GCEs. “We know from history that our galaxy merged with smaller galaxies billions of years ago, which contributed to the formation of dark matter,” noted Silk. “No one would have anticipated that the galaxy’s center would exhibit spherical symmetry due to this history.”
The results confirmed this notion, resulting in a distorted dark matter distribution aligned with the shape of GCE, reviving the dark matter theory. However, the mystery remains unresolved, as pulsars continue to be a viable explanation. “At best, the situation is still ambiguous,” added Grube.
The current gamma-ray observatories do not possess the capability to distinguish between these two theories; however, the Cherenkov Telescope Array observatories, under construction in the Canary Islands and Chile and expected to begin operations in 2026, could provide clarity.
“In many ways, there’s a 50 percent chance that we may have discovered significant dark matter, but we require new telescopes to confirm this,” stated Silk. If GCE is indeed the result of dark matter, it could offer the best insight yet into this enigmatic substance that underpins the universe.
Individuals engage in wrongdoing and face consequences. They begin to collaborate. This fundamental belief that humans act rationally and alter their behavior in response to consequences lies at the core of Western legal frameworks, criminal behavior, and economic theories. The evolution of cooperation. However, extensive research over several decades indicates that punishment may not be as effective as thought.
Analysis has consistently shown that harsher penalties, including the three strikes law, do not reliably deter crime. The U.S. National Research Council’s report could not establish the death penalty’s effectiveness. Meanwhile, the U.S. possesses the most punitive criminal justice system globally, with notable rates of imprisonment and recidivism.
These real-world observations stand in stark contrast to much of the controlled experimental literature. In notable research, economists Ernst Fehr and Simon Gechter designed a game where participants could allocate money to a communal pool, which would then be doubled and redistributed, maximizing benefits for all contributors. Yet, individuals found it more advantageous to withhold contributions while others carried the load. While cooperation diminished in scenarios lacking punishment for free riders, the introduction of penalties significantly boosted contributions to the pool.
What explains the gap between experimental results and real-world dynamics? We explored this question in a recent study published in PNAS. We noted that individuals tasked with enforcing penalties often have conflicting incentives that can erode their credibility and diminish the public’s trust in them. In Ferguson, Missouri, authorities relied on fines to fund city services, disproportionately impacting Black communities. Across the U.S., billions are confiscated through civil asset forfeiture, permitting law enforcement to seize property from individuals suspected of criminal activity.
We hypothesized that self-serving motives behind punishment could undermine cooperation by clouding the ethical implications associated with collaborative behavior. Unlike other species, humans possess a “theory of mind” and are acutely aware of others’ intentions and motives. Punishment carries a message of disapproval necessitating behavioral change; however, this only holds weight if individuals perceive the punisher’s motives as justifiable. Humans, inherently social beings, ask, “What’s your reasoning for this?” If the answer appears self-serving, the deterrent effects of punishment diminish.
To validate our hypothesis, we conducted a series of experiments utilizing the same game that demonstrated punishment’s role in enhancing cooperation. Here, one player (the dictator) decides on potential monetary sharing with another player (the receiver), while a third player (the punisher) can revoke funds from the dictator. A twist emerged where punishers were incentivized financially; akin to police utilizing ticket quotas to boost revenue, our punishers received bonuses each time they issued a penalty. This change reversed the expected outcome; rather than improving cooperation, the incentivized punishment led to decreased collaboration, as trust in the punisher waned.
Our results indicate a need to reassess crime management methodologies. When punitive actions are perceived as self-serving, they foster distrust and hinder the cooperation that such measures are intended to reinforce. To cultivate safer, more cohesive communities, it is essential to eliminate policies that compromise the ethical underpinnings of punishment. This includes abolishing speed trap quotas and profit-driven incarceration, practices implying that punishment is motivated by financial gain rather than justice.
Raihan Alam and Tage Rai are students at the Rady School of Business at the University of California, San Diego.
Certainly. Plants convert sunlight into food (stored energy), so transforming that food into fuel seems like it should yield a sustainable biofuel with zero carbon emissions, right? Wrong. In reality, the surge in biofuels is driving up emissions and harming both people and wildlife. Yet, production is ramping up rapidly. What gives?
If you believe biofuels are beneficial, you may be misled by the pervasive greenwashing. Evidence suggests that biofuels generally do more harm than good. A recent report by the campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E) reveals that the shift to biofuels has resulted in a 16% increase in carbon dioxide emissions on average, as compared to sticking with fossil fuels.
Why is this? Because agricultural cultivation is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gases. To be fair, the 16% figure is a global average according to the T&E report. Some regions, like Europe, argue that biofuels marginally reduce emissions overall, but only by a slight amount. We are making substantial sacrifices for minimal emissions reductions, given the numerous adverse effects of biofuels.
For starters, rising food costs are a significant consequence we’re all experiencing. Converting wheat and corn into bioethanol and vegetable oil into biodiesel escalates demand, leading to soaring prices. It’s difficult to quantify, but experts I’ve consulted over the years generally agree this is a major factor in food price inflation.
Moreover, biofuel crops frequently necessitate irrigation, worsening water scarcity in various areas. According to the T&E report, producing enough biofuel for a vehicle to travel just 100 kilometers (62 miles) consumes 3,000 liters of water. In contrast, a solar-powered electric car only requires 20 liters for the same distance.
We also need land. Agricultural land continues to expand globally to accommodate growing populations that are consuming more meat. As biofuel production rises, more land is needed. This often results in deforestation, such as clearing rainforests in Indonesia to establish new palm oil plantations. In essence, biofuels are exacerbating another global crisis: the loss of wildlife and biodiversity.
What’s particularly concerning is the inefficiency of biofuel production. A report from T&E suggests that if solar panels were installed on the same land, the equivalent amount of energy could be generated using just 3% of the space. In other words, solar energy can mitigate emissions with a significantly lower environmental footprint. It appears we can outperform nature when it comes to harnessing the sun’s energy.
In contrast, biofuels contend with all the same pollution problems as traditional agriculture, from pesticides detrimental to humans and wildlife to nutrient runoff that devastates rivers, lakes, and seas. Utilizing non-food biofuel sources like waste could help address some of these challenges. However, by 2030, over 90% of biofuel production is still expected to rely on food crops, according to the T&E report.
So why are numerous countries incentivizing the production of more biofuels than ever? A financial interest in biofuels drives influential lobby groups to advocate for more government support. Simultaneously, some nations and organizations look to meet emissions targets without confronting the inconvenient truths.
For instance, politicians across the American political spectrum have aimed to maintain favor with Corn Belt farmers growing corn for bioethanol. Earlier this year, tax incentives for biofuels were introduced in the U.S. in 2022 and further extended.
Additionally, the shipping and aviation sectors claim they are reducing emissions but view biofuels as a means to maintain their traditional operations. Aviation industry standards for “sustainable aviation fuels” at least consider emissions linked to increased land use and impose limits on biofuels, which are the highest emitters. The shipping industry could be facing even greater repercussions, as it has yet to decide whether to account for land use. The usage of biofuels for maritime purposes alone could double by the 2030s, as warned by the T&E report—this could be catastrophic for all the reasons discussed.
For years, it has been evident that producing biofuels to minimize emissions is counterproductive, and continuing on this path is sheer madness.
AI relies on data centers that consume a significant amount of energy
Jason Alden/Bloomberg/Getty
Optimizing the choice of AI models for various tasks could lead to an energy saving of 31.9 terawatt-hours this year alone, equivalent to the output of five nuclear reactors.
Thiago da Silva Barros from France’s Cote d’Azur University examined 14 distinct tasks where generative AI tools are utilized, including text generation, speech recognition, and image classification.
We investigated public leaderboards, such as those provided by the machine learning platform Hugging Face, to analyze the performance of various models. The energy efficiency during inference—when an AI model generates a response—was assessed using a tool named CarbonTracker, and total energy consumption was estimated by tracking user downloads.
“We estimated the energy consumption based on the model size, which allows us to make better predictions,” states da Silva Barros.
The findings indicate that by switching from the highest performing model to the most energy-efficient option for each of the 14 tasks, energy usage could be decreased by 65.8%, with only a 3.9% reduction in output quality. The researchers believe this tradeoff may be acceptable to most users.
Some individuals are already utilizing the most energy-efficient models, suggesting that if users transitioned from high-performance models to the more economical alternatives, overall energy consumption could drop by approximately 27.8%. “We were taken aback by the extent of savings we uncovered,” remarks team member Frédéric Giroir from the French National Center for Scientific Research.
However, da Silva Barros emphasizes that changes are necessary from both users and AI companies. “It’s essential to consider implementing smaller models, even if some performance is sacrificed,” he asserts. “As companies develop new models, it is crucial that they provide information regarding their energy consumption patterns to help users assess their impact.”
Some AI firms are mitigating energy usage through a method known as model distillation, where a more extensive model trains a smaller, more efficient one. This approach is already showing significant benefits. Chris Priest from the University of Bristol, UK notes that Google recently claimed an advance in energy efficiency: 33 times more efficient measures with their Gemini model within the past year.
However, allowing users the option to select the most efficient models “is unlikely to significantly curb the energy consumption of data centers, as the authors suggest, particularly within the current AI landscape,” contends Priest. “By reducing energy per request, we can support a larger customer base more rapidly with enhanced inference capabilities,” he adds.
“Utilizing smaller models will undoubtedly decrease energy consumption in the short term, but various additional factors need consideration for any significant long-term predictions,” cautions Sasha Luccioni from Hugging Face. She highlights the importance of considering rebound effects, such as increased usage, alongside broader social and economic ramifications.
Luccioni points out that due to limited transparency from individual companies, research in this field often relies on external estimates and analyses. “What we need for more in-depth evaluations is greater transparency from AI firms, data center operators, and even governmental bodies,” she insists. “This will enable researchers and policymakers to make well-informed predictions and decisions.”
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