Coral Reefs Face a Critical Threshold Due to Climate Change

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Coral reefs are critically threatened by climate change

WaterFrame/Alamy

The recent surge in ocean temperatures has led to extensive bleaching and mortality of warm-water corals globally, marking the onset of the first climate tipping point in an ecosystem on Earth, as stated by scientists.

The deterioration of one of the planet’s most biodiverse and vulnerable ecosystems presents ‘risks to human health and safety’ for which governments are inadequately prepared, cautions Melanie McField, who oversees Florida’s “Healthy Reefs for Healthy People” conservation initiative under the Smithsonian Institution.

Warm-water coral reefs account for one-third of all known marine biodiversity and offer food, coastal protection, and livelihoods for approximately one billion individuals worldwide. Additionally, coral reefs contribute $9.9 trillion annually in goods and services globally.

However, corals are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in water temperature. Record-breaking global temperatures in 2023 have elevated ocean heat levels to unprecedented highs, resulting in significant bleaching events impacting over 80 percent of the world’s corals. Bleaching occurs when corals react to elevated water temperatures by expelling the algae residing within their tissues, leading them to bleach white. This process can make corals more prone to disease, and prolonged bleaching can deplete their primary food supply, ultimately leading to their death.

The most recent bleaching event represented “an order of magnitude” beyond what scientists had previously witnessed, according to McField. “We are at a tipping point,” she acknowledged. This is generally understood as a crucial threshold that, if crossed, can trigger dramatic and potentially irreversible changes in the climate system.

McField contributed to the chapter on corals in the Global Tipping Point Report 2025, which is now available for purchase. This report, the first update since 2023, was compiled by 160 scientists globally and coordinated by the University of Exeter and campaign organization WWF. It warns that warm-water corals are the initial component of the Earth system to reach a tipping point and are currently facing an “unprecedented crisis.”

Leading experts estimate that the thermal threshold for warm-water corals will be reached at a 1.2 degrees Celsius increase in global atmospheric temperatures above pre-industrial levels, with an upper limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. By 2024, the world’s average temperature is expected to surpass this 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold for the first time in human history, exceeding the limits within which coral reefs can survive, noted Tim Renton, who spearheaded the report at the University of Exeter.

“We assessed the world at a temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius and confirmed the results,” he stated during a press conference ahead of the report’s release. “Most coral reefs are at risk of large-scale mortality or bleaching and are transitioning into a different state dominated by seaweed and algae.”

The most promising chance to save the world’s warm-water corals from near-total extinction lies in rapidly reducing global average temperatures to 1.2 degrees Celsius below pre-industrial levels, Renton asserts. However, whether this ambitious goal, which exceeds even the targets set for 1.5°C, is attainable remains uncertain.

Terry Hughes, a researcher from Australia’s James Cook University, emphasizes that “few unbleached coral reefs remain worldwide”. Nonetheless, there is still potential for improvement. “If global greenhouse gas emissions are swiftly curtailed, we can influence the future of coral reefs over the next few decades,” he states.

Although the timing of climate tipping points is often uncertain, researchers caution that significant declines in the Amazon rainforest, melting of polar ice sheets, and collapse of the crucial AMOC current may all occur at warming levels below 2°C.

Moreover, humans can also instigate “positive tipping points” to mitigate these risks, Renton highlighted, pointing to the rapid advancements in renewable energy and the increased adoption of electric vehicles in the past decade. Fast-tracking cleaner technologies could significantly reduce emissions and help keep global warming well below 2°C, the report suggests.

Renton stated that immediate action is crucial from world leaders during the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil to expedite emissions reductions across the global economy and minimize the duration for which global temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius. “We are swiftly nearing tipping points in various Earth systems that could have catastrophic impacts on humanity and nature, fundamentally altering the planet. This necessitates immediate and unprecedented action from COP30 leaders and policymakers worldwide,” he urged.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Emergency Alert Issued as Heat Wave Endangers Two Southwestern Counties

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

LAS VEGAS — As spring temperatures began to climb in Phoenix, Dr. Jeffrey Johnston prepared for a grim summer trend featuring numerous fatalities.

In the past decade, Johnston, the chief medical examiner for Maricopa County, Arizona, has witnessed an alarming rise in deaths attributed to extreme heat. The heat-related fatalities in the county surged from several dozen in 2014 to 645 in 2023.

“The spike was so severe and prolonged that we approached it as a mass casualty incident,” he commented, referring to the recent summer.

However, Maricopa County—home to the most populated area in the desert southwest—has made significant investments in heat preparedness and mitigation strategies. Cooling centers in Phoenix are now operational every day of the week. The county has scaled up its heat safety communications efforts and appointed a full-time heat mitigation coordinator.

Consequently, there were fewer heat-related deaths last year compared to the previous year, despite experiencing record temperatures for the first time in a decade. With summer concluded, officials are reviewing the year’s achievements, and initial data indicates that the trend of decline is continuing: Maricopa County has reported 185 heat-related fatalities so far, significantly lower than the 284 reported at the same time last year.

Phoenix firefighters provide aid to a homeless individual during a heat wave in Phoenix on May 30, 2024.
Matt York/AP File

In contrast, a troubling situation is arising in Clark County, Nevada’s second most populous area, which includes Las Vegas. The fatalities from heatstroke here have more than tripled within three years, reaching a record high of 513 in 2024. While the current year’s death toll is still not finalized, it is expected that the number of heat-related deaths will be in the hundreds.

Ariel Choinard, a scientist at the Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas, noted that last summer’s extreme heat served as a major wake-up call.

“Seeing a 120-degree temperature in Las Vegas made people realize, ‘Oh my gosh, this is really serious,'” she said.

Choinard has been pivotal in local initiatives addressing heat-related fatalities in Clark County and is tracking advancements in Maricopa County. She recognizes there is still work to be done.

“They began tackling the heat issue earlier than we did here, so they have made more progress in several respects,” she remarked.

Heat causes more fatalities in the United States each year than other weather-related disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, as reported by the National Weather Service. As climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of heat waves, these two counties in one of the fastest-warming regions of the U.S. exemplify the urgent measures needed to preserve lives in light of this escalating threat and the severe consequences of inaction.

“All of these deaths are preventable.”

Heat disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Individuals lacking access to air conditioning, including those experiencing homelessness or residing in low-income areas or mobile homes, face heightened risks. Outdoor workers, people with pre-existing conditions, and the elderly are also at increased danger.

In Maricopa County last year, 49% of heat-related deaths were linked to homelessness, while 57% were due to substance use. Therefore, strategies aimed at preventing fatalities from extreme heat must prioritize these vulnerable groups.

Maricopa County sought to address this by expanding its network of cooling centers and hydration stations in 2023, especially after experiencing 31 consecutive days of record-breaking temperatures of 110 degrees or higher that led to a rapid increase in heat-related deaths.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Interstellar Objects Such as 3I/ATLAS May Trigger Planet Formation Around High-Mass Stars

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The findings of 1I/Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and 3I/ATLAS have revealed a substantial number of interstellar objects in the cosmos. Their widespread presence suggests that such objects are also found in protoplanetary disks, essential sites for planet formation. In these disks, interstellar objects could potentially bypass the 1-meter (3.3-foot) barrier in the traditional model of planet formation, initiating the creation of giant exoplanets.

This colorized image was taken by the CaSSIS instrument aboard ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter on October 3, 2025, and displays the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Image credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.

Interstellar objects, including asteroids and comets, are those that have been expelled from their original star systems and are now traversing interstellar space, occasionally intersecting with other star systems.

Since 2017, astronomers have identified three interstellar objects passing through our solar system: 1I/’Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and the latest, 3I/ATLAS.

“Nevertheless, interstellar objects may exert a more significant influence than it appears at first glance,” states Professor Susanne Falzner, an astronomer at Jülich National Park.

“Interstellar objects could potentially incite planet formation, particularly around high-mass stars.”

Planets are formed from dusty disks that surround young stars through a process known as accretion. This theory posits that smaller particles gradually coalesce into larger objects, culminating in the formation of planet-sized bodies.

However, researchers have faced challenges in explaining how accretion can create objects larger than a meter amidst the chaotic collisions of planet-forming disks surrounding young stars. In simulations, the rocks tend to either bounce off each other or break apart upon collision, rather than adhering together.

Interstellar objects might help circumvent this issue. The researchers’ model illustrates how the dust-laden disks surrounding young stars can gravitationally capture millions of interstellar objects akin to 1I/’Oumuamua, which is estimated to be around 100 meters (328 feet) long.

“Interstellar space will supply ready-made seeds for the next phase of planet formation,” said Professor Falzner.

If interstellar objects could act as seeds for planets, it would also resolve another enigma.

Gas giant planets like Jupiter are scarce around smaller and colder stars, referred to as M dwarfs, but are more frequently found around larger stars similar to the Sun.

However, the lifespan of a planet-forming disk around a Sun-like star lasts only about 2 million years before dissipating, complicating the formation of gas giant planets in such a brief time frame.

That said, if captured interstellar objects serve as seeds for accretion, the planet-forming process could hasten, allowing giant planets to form within the lifetime of the disk.

“The more massive a star is, the more effectively it can capture interstellar objects in its disk,” Professor Falzner explained.

“As a result, planet formation seeded with interstellar objects should proceed more efficiently around these stars, offering a rapid pathway to forming giant planets.”

“And their swift formation is precisely what we’ve observed.”

Professor Falzner presented her findings in September 2025 during the EPSC-DPS2025 joint meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

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S. Falzner. 2025. Interstellar objects primarily function as seeds for planet formation surrounding high-mass stars. EPSC abstract 18: EPSC-DPS2025-1927; doi: 10.5194/epsc-dps2025-1927

Source: www.sci.news

Two Greenish Comets Illuminate the Night Sky This Month.

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This autumn, two greenish comets are traversing the inner solar system, presenting a unique opportunity to view them in the coming weeks.

The comets, designated C/2025 A6 (Lemon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), are currently observable from the Northern Hemisphere as they journey through our cosmic vicinity.

It is quite uncommon for a comet to be visible twice within the same month.

Both comets can be observed with binoculars or small telescopes until the end of October. Comet Lemon may become visible to the naked eye around its closest approach to Earth and peak brightness on or about October 21st.

Several astronomy enthusiasts have already spotted this icy traveler.

Astrophotographer Julian de Winter, a junior lecturer at the University of Mons in Belgium, captured Comet Lemon’s striking emerald glow and elongated tail from Texas in late September.

The faint green hue arises from carbon in the gas cloud enveloping the comet’s nucleus.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Comet Lemon will appear near the Big Dipper before dawn from now until mid-month. According to EarthSky, a site focused on astronomy and skywatching, the best viewing time is in the northeast sky, just beneath the distinctive bowl and handle of the Big Dipper.

In about a week, the comet will rise in the western sky and can be seen in the evening sky. From then until the month’s end, visibility of these celestial objects may be challenging, although they might be seen with the naked eye.

Comet Swan is visible in the evening sky until the end of the month. The prime time to locate it is about 90 minutes post-sunset, directed towards the southwest. This comet may not be bright enough for naked-eye observation, so binoculars or a small telescope will be necessary.

In the coming days, Comet Swan will ascend higher in the horizon post-sunset and could brighten as it nears its closest approach to Earth around October 20th.

Under optimal conditions of clear, dark skies with minimal light pollution, it may even be possible to see both comets on the same night towards the month’s end.

Discovered in January by the Lemmon Mission, Comet Lemmon tracks near-Earth objects using telescopes located in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains.

Comet SWAN was identified more recently by amateur astronomers in early September while examining images from NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory’s SWAN instrument, which has been studying the Sun since its launch in 1995.

Additionally, this month, another type of comet—one originating from outside our solar system—is passing through. Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third identified interstellar visitor, was recently photographed by a spacecraft orbiting Mars and is set to make its closest approach to the Sun around October 30th.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Physicists Explore the Moments When Nature’s Strongest Forces Diminish

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

STAR detector of the relativistic heavy ion collider

Brookhaven National Laboratory

We are making strides toward comprehending when the powerful nuclear force weakens its influence on the most basic components of matter, causing quarks and gluons within particles to suddenly morph into a hot soup of particles.

There exist unique combinations of temperature and pressure where all three phases of water (liquid, ice, and vapor) coexist simultaneously. For years, scientists have sought similar “critical points” in matter impacted by the potent nuclear force that binds quarks and gluons into protons and neutrons.

In a particle collider, when ions collide, the strong force is disrupted, resulting in a state where quarks and gluons form a soup-like “quark-gluon plasma.” However, it remains uncertain if there is a tipping point preceding this transition. Shinto Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California are getting closer to unraveling this mystery.

They assessed the number and distribution of particles produced after the collision of two high-energy gold ions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. Dong mentioned they were essentially attempting to formulate a phase diagram for quarks and gluons, depicting what types of matter are generated by strong forces under varied conditions. Although the new experiment did not definitively locate the critical point on this diagram, it significantly narrowed the possible area for its existence.

The phase diagram indicates a region where the material gradually “melts” into plasma, akin to butter softening on a countertop, but a critical point would correspond to a more sudden transition, similar to a chunk of ice unexpectedly forming in liquid water. Agnieszka Sorensen from the Rare Isotope Beam Facility in Michigan, which was not part of the study, stated that this new experiment not only guides researchers in pinpointing this critical point but also uncovers which particle properties might best indicate its presence.

Claudia Ratti from the University of Houston in Texas emphasized that many researchers eagerly anticipated the new analysis due to its precision, which surpasses that of previous measurements, particularly in parts of phase diagrams difficult to theoretically compute. She noted that several predictions regarding the critical point’s location have recently converged, and the challenge for experimenters will now be to analyze data at even lower collision energies that align with these predictions.

Dong remarked that the clear detection of the tipping point would mark a generational milestone. This is significant as the only fundamental force suspected of possessing a critical point is the strong force, which has played a crucial role in the universe’s formation. It governs the characteristics of the hot, dense matter created shortly after the Big Bang and continues to influence the structure of neutron stars. Dong concluded that collider experiments like this one could deepen our understanding of these exotic celestial objects once the strong force phase diagram is finalized.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

This Chilling Snake Uses Its Spider-Like Tail as Lure in Captivating Photo

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The spider-tailed viper embodies the essence of two widely feared creatures: arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) and ophidiophobia (the fear of snakes).

Imagine the only scenario where you might confront both fears: donning a clown costume (a fear of heights) and dangling from a high ledge (another fear of heights).

Nevertheless, this scenario is improbable. The spider-tailed viper typically resides in the rocky crevices of the Zagros Mountains, straddling the borders of Iraq and Iran.

Its name derives from its extraordinary tail, which mimics a spider with a swollen tip adorned with elongated “leggy” scales.

The first documented specimen was captured in 1968 and preserved in formaldehyde. When researchers from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago examined it two years later, they initially mistook it for a Persian horned snake, which is prevalent in the Middle East.

Initially, the spider-like appendage on the snake’s tail was thought to be a spider that inadvertently ended up in the jar. However, further examination revealed that the peculiar ornament was actually part of the snake’s tail.

The significance of this unusual anatomical feature remained ambiguous, with speculation about it being a rare anomaly linked to a parasite or tumor.

Watch a snake hunt in this clip from the BBC documentary Seven Worlds, One Planet.

In 2003, a second specimen was discovered in a damaged state, yet still exhibiting the same tail’s adornment.

The snake was identified as a new species, Pseudocerastes uralachnoides, which translates to “false horn with a spider-like tail,” sparking curiosity among researchers about whether this reptile uses its tail as a lure.

While it may sound peculiar, numerous predators utilize parts of their bodies to draw in prey. For instance, monkfish develop bioluminescent lures protruding from their heads.

The tufted wobbegong shark boasts a caudal fin that resembles a fish. Additionally, over 50 snake species are known to employ a technique called caudal luring, where they wag their tails to entice prey.

The tail of the spider-tailed viper mimics a spider to lure its prey – Credit: reptiles4all via Getty

What makes the spider-tailed viper exceptional is that it is the only species known to have evolved a “caboose” that closely resembles a large arachnid.

It took thirty years for scientists to ultimately validate their hypothesis about its caudal luring technique. They set up camp in the arid mountains of Ilam province in western Iran and captured footage of six successful spider-tailed viper hunts, all occurring…

During these hunts, the snake wagged its spider-like tail, capturing the attention of nearby birds. As the birds approached, the snake struck and injected venom, resulting in the bird’s swift demise. Minutes later, the bird was consumed whole.

Spring marks peak hunting season, coinciding with birds nesting and feeding their young. However, juvenile spider-tailed vipers must adopt different hunting methods.

These young snakes hatch without their distinctive “spider butt” and develop it as they grow. Until reaching maturity, they are believed to prey on small mammals and amphibians.

The lesson here: if you’re trekking through the Zagros Mountains and spot a peculiar-looking spider, it’s best to keep your distance.

We don’t fully understand the effects of snake venom on humans, so you may want to avoid that curiosity altogether.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

RadioAstron Reveals Stunning Images of Two Orbiting Supermassive Black Holes

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers leveraged data from the Radio Astron satellite to generate radio images of two supermassive black holes located at the core of a distant quasar, OJ287. The secondary black hole follows a 12-year orbit around the primary black hole.

The RadioAstron will map two supermassive black holes at the center of galaxy OJ 287, located about 5 billion light-years away in the constellation Cancer. The middle component corresponds to a primary black hole, while the next higher component indicates a secondary black hole, and the highest component represents the knot of its jet. The apparent elongation of the individual components is not real but rather reflects the beam’s shape. Image credit: Valtonen et al., doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae057e.

Quasars are exceptionally luminous galactic nuclei whose brightness arises when a supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s center consumes surrounding cosmic gas and dust.

Previously, astronomers have successfully captured images of a black hole at the center of the Milky Way and another in the nearby galaxy known as Messier 87.

“Quasar OJ 287 is so luminous that even amateur astronomers using commercial telescopes can observe it,” remarked Dr. Mauri Valtonen, an astronomer from the University of Turku.

“What sets OJ 287 apart is that it is believed to have two black holes that orbit each other every 12 years, creating a distinct pattern of light fluctuations over the same interval.”

“The earliest observations of OJ 287 date back to the 19th century, captured through old photographs.”

“At that time, the concept of black holes, not to mention quasars, was unimaginable.”

“OJ 287 was inadvertently captured in photographs while astronomers were focused on other celestial objects.”

In 1982, Dr. Valtonen observed that the brightness of the object varied regularly over a 12-year cycle.

He continued his research as a university scholar and proposed that these brightness variations could be due to two black holes orbiting one another.

Numerous astronomers have been closely monitoring quasars to validate this theory and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the orbital motion of the black holes.

The mystery regarding this orbit was finally clarified four years ago by astronomer Lankeswar Dey from the University of Turku.

The only remaining question was whether both black holes could be detected simultaneously.

The solution came from NASA’s TESS satellite, which identified light emission from both black holes.

However, the images captured under normal light lacked the resolution to distinguish the black holes as separate entities, so they were still represented merely as single points.

What was necessary were images with a resolution 100,000 times greater than that attainable by standard radio telescopes.

In this research, Valtonen and his collaborators compared initial theoretical models with radio images.

The two black holes were precisely positioned in the images where they were anticipated to be.

This finding successfully addressed a question that had lingered for four decades: the existence of black hole pairs.

“For the first time, we were able to create images revealing two black holes in orbit around each other,” noted Dr. Valtonen.

“In the image, the black hole is marked by the powerful jets of particles it emits.”

“While the black hole itself is entirely black, it can be identified by the jets of particles and the luminous gas surrounding it.”

Researchers also discovered a completely new type of jet emanating from black holes.

The jet from the secondary black hole of OJ 287 is twisted, resembling the jet from a spinning garden hose.

“This is due to the smaller black hole moving more swiftly around the primary black hole, causing its jet to be deflected according to its current trajectory,” the authors explained.

Their paper was published in the Astrophysical Journal.

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Mauri J. Valtonen et al. 2025. Secondary jet identified in RadioAstron images of OJ 287. APJ 992, 110; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae057e

Source: www.sci.news

Plant Extract Serum Boosts Hair Growth in Just Weeks

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Hair growth significantly enhanced after 56 days of serum use

Tsong-Min Chang et al. 2025

A serum aimed at reversing hair loss has shown promising outcomes within a two-month period. This topical treatment, formulated with plant extracts and proteins that stimulate cellular activity, demonstrated notable enhancements in hair density compared to a placebo.

Hair loss affects approximately: 50% of men and 40% of women by the time they reach 50. Various treatments, such as finasteride and minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, may be effective; however, their success can vary based on genetics and the degree of hair loss.

Researchers are exploring innovative techniques for hair regeneration, including stem cell applications. Investigations into fibroblast manipulation, a cell type crucial for connective tissue formation, and a drug aimed at revitalizing dormant hair follicles are underway.

In a unique approach, researchers from Schweitzer Biotech in Taiwan have developed a serum enriched with caffeine, commonly found in health products, alongside two proteins known to enhance cellular growth: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), both displaying potential for hair follicle regeneration. Additionally, extracts from Centella asiatica, a tropical herb widely used in skincare, appear to support hair follicle health.

To evaluate efficacy, an international research team enlisted 60 adults aged 18 to 60 without severe hair loss. Participants were divided into five groups; the first group received a placebo serum devoid of active ingredients, while the second group was provided with a basic preparation of 0.1% caffeine and vitamin B5, known for its moisturizing properties. The remaining groups used this base formulation, with the third group incorporating IGF-1 and FGF-7, the fourth group including IGF-1 and FGF-7 with C. asiatica, and the fifth group receiving all components.

All participants were instructed to apply 1 milliliter of serum to their entire scalp nightly for 56 days. Improvements were observed in all groups across various measured outcomes, including hair density, thickness, and reduced hair loss. The most significant increase in hair density was found in Group 5, which saw nearly a 25% improvement—almost double that of the placebo group.

Researchers propose that C. asiatica extracts may enhance hair root strength and boost blood circulation around hair follicles. “This plant has been recognized for its anti-aging, reparative, and anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Christos Tziotsios from King’s College London. “It could be somewhat of a miracle plant. There’s stronger evidence for some of the other components in this study. For instance, IGF-1 and FGF-7 are both known to influence hair cycle dynamics.”

Participants in Group 5 demonstrated improved hair growth

Tsong-Min Chang et al. (2025)

Both Tziotsios and the research team emphasize that while the study’s scale is noteworthy, extended trials are essential before a treatment utilizing this formulation can be deemed available. “This doesn’t negate its potential interest, but it’s clear that further investigation is required,” says Tziotsios. “The more we comprehend the molecular mechanisms linked to hair loss and hair biology, the closer we will be to achieving a definitive treatment.”

Source: www.newscientist.com

Breathtaking Images Showcase the Battle to Safeguard Earth’s Diverse Biodiversity

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Malaysian tropical longhorn beetle

Kim Hee Yu

“It had an unusual expression, reminiscent of an alien, but it wasn’t hostile. It remained motionless on the branch throughout,” said Kim Hui Yu, the photographer of the long-eared longhorn beetle during a family visit to Gunung Jerai on Malaysia’s west coast.

A light bulb inside the mosquito net drew invertebrates during the night. In the morning, she selected the most vibrant ones for photographs. “I want to raise awareness that every creature, even the tiniest, has its place. So we must protect our forests.”

The image titled alien is one of eight featured in the Natural History Museum’s 2025 Biodiversity Exhibit. Visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, opening in London on October 17th. The collection includes images from past contests.

The exhibit also showcases a large map illustrating biodiversity levels based on the Biodiversity Intact Index developed by museum researchers.

4 month old black rhino calf

Hilary O’Leary

Hannah McCartney, who oversees the contest, emphasizes the significant influence of images. The aim is to motivate viewers to notice and act. A prime example includes Innocent Betrayed by Hilary O’Leary, showcasing a four-month-old black rhino calf interacting with an anti-poaching scout, captured while the calf was lost in the brush.

Berchtesgaden National Park in the German Alps

marc graff

high and wild, captured by Mark Graf, presents a different perspective on the potential losses of nature. This shot shows trees and rocks emerging from sunlit clouds within Berchtesgaden’s national park.

Intimate moments between harlequin toads

Jaime Culeblas

Jaime Culebras’ happy couple captures mating harlequin toads in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park, home to numerous endangered species.

Caitlin Woods, marine ranger off Lord Howe Island

Justin Gilligan

rich reflections by Justin Gilligan captures marine ranger Caitlin Woods snorkeling among the vibrant seaweed off Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand.

A close encounter between a pygmy rabbit and a stink bug, both found in rabbit burrows, was captured in burrow mate by Morgan Heim in the Columbia Basin, Washington.

Red kite takes off in the UK

owen hearn

flight path: Owen Hearn’s image juxtaposes the close-up of a red kite with a distant airplane silhouette. This pivotal photo was taken at a Bedfordshire site once selected as London’s third major airport, a project halted due to public opposition. Currently, this location offers a unique vantage point for wildlife photography. While the red kite population has dramatically recovered following its near extinction due to historical persecution, Britain remains one of the most depleted nations in terms of wildlife.

Life beneath the ice off the coast of Antarctica

Laurent Ballesta

Laurent Ballesta’s pyramid of life illustrates the biodiversity thriving beneath East Antarctica’s ice, featuring giant ribbon worms and starfish.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is celebrating its 61st year, with judges evaluating a record 60,000 entries, compared to just 341 in 1965. Winners will be revealed on October 14th.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Costs of Our Ancestors’ Evolving Intelligence

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Model of Homo heidelbergensis, potentially a direct ancestor of Homo sapiens.

WHPics / Alamy

A timeline tracking genetic alterations spanning millions of years of human evolution indicates that variants linked to elevated intelligence appeared most rapidly around 500,000 years ago, succeeded by mutations that heighten the risk of mental illness.

The findings point to a “trade-off” between intellect and mental health issues in brain evolution, according to Ilan Libedinsky from the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

“The genetic changes linked to mental disorders clearly involve regions of the genome associated with intelligence, indicating a significant overlap,” says Libedinsky. “[The progress in cognitive abilities] might have made our brains more susceptible to mental health issues.”

Humans branched away from our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, over 5 million years ago, with brain size tripling since then, exhibiting the fastest growth rate in the last 2 million years.

While fossils enable the examination of shifts in brain size and shape, they provide limited insights into the brain’s functional capacities.

Recently, genome-wide association studies have explored the DNA of diverse populations to identify mutations associated with traits like intelligence, brain size, height, and various diseases. Concurrently, other research teams are investigating specific mutation characteristics that imply age, facilitating the estimation of when those variants emerged.

Libedinsky and his team are pioneers in merging these methodologies to form an evolutionary chronology of genetics linked to the human brain.

“There’s no evidence that our ancestors were conscious of their behaviors or mental health issues; we can’t trace them in the paleontological record,” he notes. “We aimed to see if our genome could serve as a kind of ‘time machine’ to uncover this information.”

The research team analyzed the evolutionary roots of 33,000 genetic mutations identified in modern humans, linked to various traits such as brain structure, cognition measures, mental illnesses, and health-related characteristics like eye shape and cancer. While most genetic variations exhibit only a weak tie to traits, Libedinsky emphasizes that “these links offer a valuable starting point but are far from conclusive.”

The study revealed that most genetic variants emerged roughly between 3 million and 4,000 years ago, with a notable surge of new variants arising over the past 60,000 years. Homo sapiensexperienced significant migration out of Africa.

According to Libedinsky, mutations linked to higher cognitive skills evolved relatively recently compared to other traits. For instance, those associated with fluid intelligence (logical problem-solving in new situations) surfaced on average around 500,000 years ago, about 90,000 years after mutations related to cancer and 300,000 years later than mutations connected to metabolic functions. Following closely were the intelligence-related variants and those related to psychiatric disorders, appearing on average around 475,000 years ago.

This trend initiated approximately 300,000 years ago, continuing with the rise of numerous variants influencing cortical shape (the brain’s outer layer crucial for higher-level cognition). In the last 50,000 years, several variants associated with language have evolved, followed by variants linked to alcoholism and depression.

“Mutations influencing the fundamental structures of the nervous system emerged slightly earlier than those influencing cognition and intelligence, which is logical since a developed brain is necessary for advanced intelligence,” Libedinsky states. “Additionally, it makes sense that intelligence mutations precede mental health disorders, as these capabilities must exist before dysfunction occurs.”

These timelines align with evidence indicating that Homo sapiens obtained certain variants linked to alcohol use and mood disorders through interbreeding with Neanderthals, he added.

It remains uncertain why evolution has not eradicated variants that predispose individuals to mental health issues; however, Libedinsky suggests that their mild effects could be advantageous in certain situations.

“This area of research is thrilling because it enables scientists to revisit enduring questions in human evolution and empirically test hypotheses utilizing actual genomic data,” says Simon Fisher from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Nonetheless, this research can only assess genetic sites that vary among contemporary humans, potentially overlooking ancient, now widely shared changes pivotal to human evolution. Fisher emphasizes that developing tools to probe “fixed” genetic regions could lead to deeper understanding of our unique human characteristics.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The US Navy Trains Animals to Play Video Games: Here’s Why

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

You might be surprised to learn that there are many animal gamers out there. For instance, in California, U.S. Navy sea lions are trained to: manipulate a cursor on a screen using their noses to press four buttons (up, down, left, and right) to navigate through a maze.

The sea lions, utilized by the Navy for locating and retrieving underwater objects, earn real herrings as rewards for completing their tasks, as opposed to loot boxes or power-ups.

This game is specifically designed to assess the cognitive skills of the sea lions; however, they face tough competition from the Navy’s bottlenose dolphins, which have been trained to control a joystick with their mouths to play the same game.

On land, primates reign supreme as gamers. Chimpanzees and orangutans at zoos in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Leipzig, Germany, have recently been trained to forage for food in a virtual setting.

When one of them discovers a digital snack (with apples, grapes, and bananas scattered throughout the game), they are rewarded with a real-life equivalent of the food.

This game offers valuable insights into how these animals utilize landmarks, like trees, to navigate while searching for food.

Meanwhile, chimpanzees in the United States have showcased their ability to navigate virtual mazes. A 2014 survey conducted by the Language Research Center at Georgia State University revealed that they perform comparably to children aged 3 to 6 years old.

Chimpanzees in the United States demonstrating these remarkable skills – Illustration by Robin Boyden

However, like sea lions, primates also face strong competition. In 2021, four pigs in the United States were taught to operate a joystick using their noses to guide a cursor on the screen to a target, a task that requires a “conceptual understanding of the task and skilled motor skills.”

There are even digital mice and tablet apps for cats that let them “catch” fish with their paws.

Where will this all lead? A hedgehog playing Sonic Racing? A hamster playing Grand Theft Auto? Perhaps not, but these animal gamers reveal that we still have much to learn about their cognitive capabilities.

This article addresses the question posed by Guy Russell via email: “Can animals play video games?”

If you have further inquiries, feel free to email us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

Explore our ultimate fun facts for more amazing science insights!

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Robotic Underwater Glider Embarks on Global Journey

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Redwing glider during test launch

Teledyne Marine

A small robotic submarine embarks on its inaugural round-the-world journey. On October 11, New Jersey’s Teledyne Marine, in collaboration with Rutgers University-New Brunswick, will launch an underwater glider named Redwing from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as part of its Sentinel mission.

Researchers have utilized underwater gliders since the 1990s. Unlike traditional submarines, the glider employs a buoyancy engine, which utilizes a gas-filled piston to alter its buoyancy. An electric motor moves the piston, increasing the glider’s weight to allow it to sink gradually at a gentle angle. Once it reaches around 1000 meters deep, the piston retracts, enabling the glider to ascend. This method results in a slow and steady path as it navigates its intended route. Although there is an auxiliary propeller available for use, the objective is to rely on the buoyancy mechanism.

“Redwing will harness the currents rather than fight against them, maintaining an average speed of 0.75 knots, just shy of 1 mph,” says Shea Quinn, who heads the Sentinel missions at Teledyne Marine.

Measuring 2.57 meters in length—similar to a surfboard—and weighing 171 kilograms, the Redwing boasts a robust design featuring ample batteries that enhance its durability for prolonged missions.

“The ambitious Sentinel mission is projected to complete its orbit within approximately five years,” states Brian Maguire from Teledyne Marine. Throughout the journey, Redwing will operate independently, relaying information to engineers from Teledyne Webb Institute and students from Rutgers University via satellite. Mission Control will adjust the glider’s course bi-daily to ensure it adheres to its flight itinerary. Maguire mentioned that battery replacement may be necessary during the five-year expedition.

The Redwing follows the route of explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe from 1519 to 1522, which included stops in Gran Canaria, Cape Town, Western Australia, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, and possibly Brazil, ultimately returning to Cape Cod after covering 73,000 kilometers.

These gliders are invaluable for conducting long-distance research missions without requiring costly support vessels, thus playing a crucial role in gathering data essential for understanding climate change. Redwing is equipped with various instruments to monitor ocean currents and temperatures in lesser-known waters.

“We believe this to be the most sustained open-ocean sampling mission ever undertaken,” claims Maguire.

Past glider missions have achieved significant milestones, including crossing the Atlantic in 2009 and the Pacific in 2011, traversing regions like the Ross Ice Shelf that are typically unreachable. “Gliders are excellent tools for acquiring data in perilous conditions, such as during storms or hurricanes, or near melting glaciers,” explains Karen Heywood from the University of East Anglia, UK. The primary hazards to the mission include fishing nets and shipping routes rather than adverse weather; “Gliders are quite resilient and can endure harsh winds and tumultuous seas,” she added.

Alexander Phillips from the UK’s National Marine Center underscores that gliders also face challenges from marine life and biofouling—where algae and other organisms accumulate on their surfaces, which can impair functionality. “Biofouling may cause marine organisms to cling to the glider, making it non-operational. Additionally, these gliders have occasionally been lost to shark attacks or due to mishaps during transport or fishing.”

Data collected from the mission will be distributed to universities, schools, and other organizations worldwide, with the primary goal of showcasing the glider’s capabilities and inspiring future research endeavors.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Sword Dragon: The Ichthyosaur with Enormous Eyes and a Lethal Snout

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Reconstruction of Siphodracon it might have looked like

Bob Nicholls

Presenting the “sword dragon,” a recently identified species of ichthyosaur, a predatory ancient reptile that ruled the oceans during the reign of the dinosaurs on land.

This exquisitely preserved fossil skeleton was unearthed in 2001 near Golden Cap on England’s Jurassic Coast and remained in museum storage for many years. Royal Ontario Museum in Canada.

Dean Lomax of the University of Manchester, UK, stated: “They recognized it was something notable.” “They intended to study it, but ultimately did not.”

Lomax and his team have carefully examined and classified a specimen with large eye sockets and a sword-like elongated snout. The fossil contains “needle-like teeth,” adapted for consuming soft-bodied prey such as squid and fish. “This provides great insight into the lifestyle of this creature while it was alive. Essentially, it likely hunted in dim environments and depended on exceptional vision,” Lomax explained.

The creature measured approximately 3 meters in length, roughly the size of a bottlenose dolphin, and is believed to have existed during the Early Jurassic period, specifically the Pliensbachian epoch, around 193 to 184 million years ago.

Its anatomical features are unprecedented among ichthyosaurs, including a distinctive lacrimal bone with an unusual structure surrounding its nostrils. “The preservation quality, especially of delicate elements like cranial sutures and the lacrimal and prefrontal processes, is remarkable,” remarked Aubrey Roberts from the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway.

The black mass found between the ribs may represent its final meal, although the researchers were unable to identify it.

Fossilized *Xiphodracon Golden Capensis*

Dr. Dean Lomax

This ichthyosaur has been named for its menacing snout: Siphodracon Golden Capensis, known as the golden-capped sword dragon.

This specimen also provides valuable insight into the evolution of ichthyosaurs. “The greatest significance of this discovery lies in its age,” remarked Roberts. During the latter part of the Triassic, massive superpredator ichthyosaurs such as Ichthyotitan, reaching lengths of nearly 25 meters, existed alongside species as large as blue whales, but these titans vanished following a mass extinction event at the end of the Triassic, approximately 201.4 million years ago, marking the onset of the Jurassic period.

Fossils of various smaller ichthyosaurs have been discovered that date back to the Jurassic period, as Lomax pointed out. Many have been identified since the Pliensbachian period, but no common species exist, and there are two distinct types.

“Triassic ichthyosaurs were well-known for their uniqueness,” explains Neil Kelley of Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. “Their Jurassic successors are often perceived as somewhat more uniform, sharing a superficially dolphin-like appearance.”

“Siphodracon contributes another shade to the broad spectrum of ichthyosaurs,” he added, supporting evidence that Jurassic ichthyosaurs adopted a range of lifestyles, featuring diverse diets, swimming speeds, and habitat preferences.

Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert

Join an exciting expedition to uncover dinosaur fossils in the expansive wilderness of the Gobi Desert, one of the world’s renowned paleontological sites.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Southern Impact Reveals Magma Ocean in Moon’s Largest Crater: Study

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Approximately 4.3 billion years ago, during the early formation of our solar system, a massive asteroid collided with the far side of the moon, resulting in the creation of the South Pole-Aitken Basin—an enormous crater. This feature, the largest on the moon, spans over 1,200 miles in length and 1,000 miles in width. Its rectangular shape is attributed to a glancing impact rather than a direct hit. Challenging previous beliefs that the basin was formed by an asteroid coming from the south, recent research indicates that the narrowing shape of the basin towards the south suggests an impact from the north.

The South Pole-Aitken Impact Basin on the far side of the Moon was formed by a southward impact. Image credit: Jeff Andrews-Hanna / University of Arizona / NASA / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

“The downstream edge of the basin should have a thick layer of material that was excavated from the moon’s interior by the impact, while the upper edge should not,” explained Dr. Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona.

“This suggests that the Artemis mission will target the downrange rim of the basin, an ideal site to examine the moon’s largest and oldest impact basins, where most of the ejecta, consisting of material from deep within the moon, are likely to be gathered.”

Historically, it has been believed that early moons were molten due to the energy released during their formation, resulting in a magma ocean that enveloped the entire moon.

As this magma ocean solidified, heavy minerals settled to create the Moon’s mantle, while lighter minerals floated upwards to form the Earth’s crust.

Nevertheless, certain elements were not incorporated into the solid mantle and crust, but instead became concentrated in the last liquid remnants of the magma ocean.

These “residual” elements, including potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus, are collectively known as KREEP.

Dr. Andrews-Hanna and his team noted that these elements appear to be especially abundant on the moon’s near side.

“If you’ve ever frozen a can of soda, you might have noticed that high fructose corn syrup doesn’t freeze all the way through and instead accumulates at the bottom of the liquid,” remarked Dr. Andrews-Hanna.

“We believe a similar phenomenon occurred on the moon with KREEP.”

“Over millions of years, as it cooled, the magma ocean crystallized into the crust and mantle.”

“Eventually, only a small amount of liquid remained trapped between the mantle and the crust, which is this KREEP-rich material.”

“The abundance of KREEP’s heat-producing elements somehow concentrated on the moon’s near side, causing it to heat up and initiate intense volcanic activity, thus creating the dark volcanic plains visible from Earth.”

“However, the process by which this KREEP-rich material became concentrated on the near side and how it evolved remains an enigma.”

“The moon’s crust is considerably thicker on the far side compared to the near side that faces Earth, a discrepancy that continues to puzzle scientists.”

“This asymmetry influences various aspects of the moon’s development, including the final stages of the magma ocean.”

“Our hypothesis posits that as the far side’s crust thickened, the underlying magma ocean was forced outward, akin to squeezing toothpaste from a tube, causing most of it to accumulate on the near side.”

A recent investigation of the Antarctic Aitken Basin has uncovered unexpected asymmetries supporting this scenario. The western ejecta blanket is rich in radioactive thorium, while the eastern side is not.

This indicates that the rift left by the impact formed a conduit through the moon’s crust, near the boundary separating the “normal” crust from the underlying layers that contain the final remnants of the KREEP-rich magma ocean.

“Our research shows that the distribution and composition of these materials align with predictions derived from modeling the later stages of magma ocean evolution,” stated Dr. Andrews-Hanna.

“The last remnants of the Moon’s magma ocean have reached the near side, where the concentration of radioactive elements is at its peak.”

“However, prior to this, there may have been a thin, patchy layer of magma ocean beneath parts of the far side, explaining the presence of radioactive ejecta on one flank of the Antarctic Aitken Basin.”

For further information, refer to the study published in the journal Nature.

_____

JC Andrews-Hanna et al. 2025. The southern impact excavated a magma ocean in the Moon’s South Pole Aitken Basin. Nature 646, 297-302; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09582-y

Source: www.sci.news

Hannah Ritchie’s Latest Book on Net Zero Offers a Refreshing Perspective

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Geothermal power could become a crucial aspect of the UK’s future energy mix

Jim West/Alamy

purify the air
Hannah Ritchie, Chatto & Windus (UK); MIT Press (USA, published March 3, 2026)

A few weeks prior, while dining with friends, the conversation turned to renewable energy—quite fitting as we had a climate journalist, an activist, and two civil servants at the table.

As expected, my dinner companions were well-versed in the perils of climate change and the pressing necessity to transition to cleaner energy sources. However, a question lingered: Does the UK still require gas as a backup fuel for the electricity grid? Can we rely solely on wind, solar, and batteries during those dreary winter months?

In such discussions, it’s timely that data scientist Hannah Ritchie’s new book has been released. Clearing the Air: A hopeful guide to solving climate change with 50 questions and answers serves as an excellent resource. Thanks to my well-thumbed copy, I was able to guide a friend through various storage solutions that maintain grid power when wind and sunlight are scarce, highlighting the roles of pumped storage, geothermal energy, and hydrogen.

In her previous work, it’s not the end of the world, Ritchie provided a swift education on addressing the planet’s environmental challenges. purify the air, though it maintains the same optimistic outlook, functions more as a practical guide with data-driven answers regarding the journey to achieve net-zero emissions.

Topics are categorized, covering fossil fuels and renewable energy to electric vehicles and domestic heating. Reading through, it’s evident that Ritchie aims to counter the deluge of misinformation and misleading media narratives surrounding the net-zero transition. Her work dispels myths, such as the idea that electric cars will frequently run out of power on highways, heat pumps are ineffective in colder climates, and that there isn’t enough land available for solar energy installations.

purify the air wields the power of scientific research and solid data to combat this misinformation. For instance, one of her addressed questions is whether wind farms pose a threat to birds—a commonly cited criticism from figures like US President Donald Trump. The response is yes; while wind turbines do unfortunately kill some birds, the figure is minimal compared to annual deaths caused by cats, buildings, vehicles, and pesticides.

Nevertheless, wind turbines do threaten certain species, including bats, migratory birds, and birds of prey. Ritchie emphasizes that measures can be taken to mitigate these risks, such as repositioning wind farms, utilizing black paint on turbines, and deactivating blades during low wind conditions. Such nuances are often lost in headlines or political jests, yet they are key to comprehending the advantages and drawbacks of transitioning to clean energy.

The Q&A format of the book makes it approachable, although repetition may set in if read in one sitting. purify the air proves to be a handy reference when dealing with climate-change skeptics during family gatherings.

Throughout, Ritchie’s characteristic optimism shines prominently. She clarifies that viable decarbonization options are available in nearly every facet of the net-zero transition, all without shying away from real challenges or indulging in wishful thinking. The impact is profound; readers will depart informed, hopeful, and reassured that humanity can prevail in the face of the climate crisis. In a landscape rife with fake news and political deception, this book truly brings a breath of fresh air.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Treatment Could Be the Most Effective Solution for Easing Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Irritable bowel syndrome may be alleviated by techniques taught in various therapies

Sladic/Getty Images

A new approach that alters behaviors in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could prove to be more effective than traditional treatments. When offered digitally, these methods might also enhance the speed of relief.

IBS is often accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. While the underlying cause is not entirely understood, disruptions in gut-brain signaling are thought to play a pivotal role. Factors such as intestinal infections and certain foods can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, sending distress signals to the brain, while psychological stress can trigger the opposite response. Patients with IBS are advised to explore relaxation techniques.

While dietary recommendations and medications, like laxatives, provide relief for some, others continue to struggle with symptoms. Consequently, researchers are investigating innovative alternatives, including fecal transplants. Behavioral therapy, often seen as a last resort by physicians, may actually offer greater benefits than standard care according to a 2020 review. This approach may surpass regular treatment efficacy.

Among the methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which empowers individuals to modify their thoughts and behaviors to better cope with and accept their symptoms, and gut-directed hypnotherapy, which induces a trance-like state prior to signaling symptom improvement.

Following the release of more studies, Alexander Ford and his colleagues at the University of Leeds in the UK, some of whom contributed to earlier reviews, conducted a comprehensive review of 67 randomized controlled trials with over 7,000 participants. These trials compared behavioral interventions lasting 4 to 12 weeks against various control groups that received conventional treatments like dietary guidance and laxatives, or those on a waiting list for intervention.

“This represents the most extensive review of behavioral treatments for irritable bowel syndrome in terms of both the number of studies and participants,” stated Perjohan Lindfors from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

The findings indicate that CBT and gut-directed hypnotherapy, whether in-person or via apps and the internet, are more beneficial compared to standard treatments when participants evaluated their symptoms pre- and post-treatment.

Rather than typically being provided solely in-person after standard treatments fail, the results imply that behavioral therapies can be utilized much earlier in the process. Ford remarked, “Digital solutions can help expedite the delivery of these treatments.” He further mentioned that such approaches may allow for broader implementation of behavioral therapies. However, before any updates to guidelines can be made, further trials that directly compare digital therapies with traditional treatments are required, which Ford estimates could take another five years.

Additionally, as most participants were unaware of their assigned groups, a portion of the observed benefits may stem from a placebo effect, according to Lindfors. He proposed that trials involving full treatment versus partial treatment could assist in estimating the effect size, assuming all participants genuinely believed they were receiving effective behavioral therapy.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unveiling the Ovary’s Secret Ecosystem: Its Unexpected Impact on Fertility

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Neural networks (white) and eggs (green) in a mouse ovary (left) and a fragment of a human ovary (right). Growing follicles containing eggs are depicted in magenta

Eliza Gaylord and Diana Laird, UCSF Laird Laboratory

A novel imaging technique has uncovered an unexplored ecosystem within the ovaries that could affect the aging process of human eggs. This breakthrough may pave the way for strategies to slow ovarian aging, maintain fertility, and enhance health after menopause.

Women are born with millions of immature eggs, with one maturing each month post-puberty. However, after the late 20s, fertility declines sharply, typically attributed to diminishing egg quantity and quality.

To gain insights into this decline, Eliza Gaylord and her team at the University of California, San Francisco, developed a 3D imaging method that visualizes eggs without the need for slicing the ovaries, a traditional technique.

These newly captured images revealed that eggs cluster in pockets, rather than being uniformly distributed, indicating that the ovarian environment may significantly influence egg aging and maturation.

By integrating this imaging with single-cell transcriptomics, which identifies cells by their gene expression, researchers examined over 100,000 cells from both mouse and human ovaries. Samples were taken from mice aged 2 to 12 months and four women aged 23, 30, 37, and 58.

Through this approach, the team identified 11 major cell types and uncovered some surprises. One unexpected finding was the presence of glial cells—typically associated with the brain—that nourish and repair nerve cells, alongside sympathetic nerve cells that manage the fight-or-flight response. In mice lacking sympathetic nerves, fewer eggs matured, suggesting these nerves may influence when eggs develop.

Moreover, the researchers observed that fibroblasts, crucial for structural support, decrease with age, potentially leading to inflammation and scarring in the ovaries of women in their 50s.

This research indicates that ovarian aging is influenced beyond just the eggs; it involves the surrounding ecosystem, as noted by Diana Laird, also affiliated with UCSF. Importantly, she highlights the similarities discovered between aging ovaries in mice and humans.

“These similarities provide a basis for using laboratory mice to model human ovarian aging,” states Laird. “With this roadmap, we can start to explore the mechanisms that dictate the pace of ovarian aging to devise treatments that might slow or reverse the process.”

One potential avenue is to adjust sympathetic nerve activity to slow egg loss, thereby extending the reproductive time frame and delaying menopause.

Whole eggs (green) and a subset of developing eggs (magenta) in the ovaries of 2-month-old (left) and 12-month-old (right) mice.

Eliza Gaylord and Diana Laird, UCSF Laird Laboratory

Theoretically, this approach not only preserves fertility but may also diminish the risk of common postmenopausal conditions, including heart disease. “While later menopause could increase the risk for some reproductive cancers, this pales in comparison to the 20-fold higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease post-menopause,” explaines Laird.

However, such interventions are likely still far in the future. Evelyn Telfer, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh—known for being the first to successfully culture human eggs outside the ovary—points out that the limited age range and samples from just four women restrict the applicability of the findings. “Though intriguing, this study’s results are too preliminary to support treatment strategies aimed at altering follicle utilization or slowing egg loss,” she notes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Spiral Lasers Can Manage Their Unruly Magnetic Counterparts

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Materials resembling magnets exhibit internal spirals that can solely be controlled with circularly polarized lasers.

Andrew Ostrovsky/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Scientists have successfully regulated the behavior of a previously elusive material, akin to magnetism, which may eventually lead to improved hard drives.

When a bar magnet is introduced to a magnetic field, it rotates due to that influence. However, materials characterized by a property called strong axis remain stationary under all known magnetic fields. Recently, Zeng Zhiyang and his team at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Mechanics of Matter in Germany discovered a method to manipulate strong-axis properties using lasers.

A conventional magnetic material is often thought of as a collection of many small bar magnets. Zeng explains that for strong-axis materials, it is more accurate to envision a group of dipoles (two opposing charges separated by a small distance) swirling in a minor spiral. He and his team realized they could control these vortices with laser pulses containing a specific swirl.

The researchers adjusted the laser to emit circularly polarized light. Upon striking a strong-axis material (specifically a compound made of rubidium, iron, molybdenum, and oxygen), it induced rotation in the material’s atoms, altering the dipole’s direction of motion.

Team member Michael Forst from the Max Planck Institute for Structure and Mechanics of Matter remarked that while it has been established that light can effectively control materials—transforming conductors into insulators and vice versa—tailoring light’s properties for material control has presented a significant technical challenge.

“This serves as a strong proof of concept,” notes Theo Rasing at Radboud University in the Netherlands. He adds that this material adds to the growing array of options for constructing more efficient and stable memory devices, such as hard drives that store information in electromagnetic charge patterns.

However, the current experiments necessitate cooling the material to approximately -70°C.°C (-94°F). Additionally, because the team’s laser was relatively large, Forst indicates that more development is required before a practical device can realistically be constructed.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Uncovering a New Factor Behind the Longevity of Naked Mole Rats

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Investigation into naked mole rats may unveil novel anti-aging methods

Janissimo/Shutterstock

Naked mole rats can live for up to 37 years, significantly outliving other rodents of a similar size. So, what accounts for their remarkable lifespan? Research indicates that variations in immune proteins that enhance DNA repair may play a role, among other elements.

This discovery suggests the potential for developing treatments aimed at increasing human longevity, according to Mao Jiyong from Tongji University in Shanghai, China. This finding also supports the notion that the accumulation of mutations and the inability to repair damaged DNA are primary contributors to aging.

The immune protein in focus is called cGAS, found in many organisms. It is primarily thought to function as an alert mechanism in response to DNA detected outside the nucleus, which could indicate cancer or viral invaders.

Interestingly, cGAS is also found within the cell nucleus. In both humans and mice, it has been shown to hinder DNA repair while elevating mutation rates and cancer risk. The precise reasons for this are still unclear and might be an unintended consequence rather than a beneficial adaptation.

Mao and his team have demonstrated that the cGAS variant present in naked mole rats exhibits the opposite behavior in the nucleus, actively promoting DNA repair. This is linked to differences in four amino acids that constitute the cGAS protein. When these amino acids are altered in a mole rat’s cells, their cGAS loses its ability to facilitate DNA repair. Conversely, modifications to the human cGAS can remove its inhibitory effect on DNA repair.

Additionally, when the researchers genetically modified fruit flies to express the naked mole rat version of cGAS, those flies lived nearly 70 days, in contrast to the approximate 60 days lifespan of the unaltered flies.

So, could we enhance our lifespans by introducing naked mole rat cGAS into human cells? “Yes, employing gene editing and mRNA delivery might provide avenues to enhance DNA repair and increase human longevity,” Mao asserts. However, achieving sufficient levels of the crucial cells to produce the modified cGAS poses a challenge.

Alternatively, researchers could seek small-molecule drugs that can interact with the human cGAS protein, prompting it to act more like its mole rat counterpart, Mao suggests.

This study indicates that cGAS does have an impact on lifespan. Additionally, Vera Gorbunova and her research team at the University of Rochester in New York have discovered that a molecule known as hyaluronic acid also plays a role in the notable longevity of naked mole rats. “[Thus,] altering cGAS activity through pharmacological or genetic strategies could yield beneficial outcomes for health and longevity,” she concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

We’re Surprised to Discover That Not All Roses Have Thorns.

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Feedback is new scientist A popular person who watches the latest science and technology news sideways. To send feedback on items you think might be of interest to our readers, please send an email to feedback@newscientist.com.

There is a tingling sensation

We don’t want to overstate this in Feedback, but we believe we’ve uncovered a revelation that could transform vast areas of music and literature and compel us to reconsider one of our most cherished metaphors.

It all began when I wrote about an educator utilizing a Taylor Swift music video to introduce students to botany (September 27). Reader Gerald Legg reached out to highlight some errors. First, one of the topics mentioned was “Lightning Races,” which should obviously have been “lighting.” In our defense, the original academic paper we consulted also contained that mistake.

However, it was Gerald’s second point that sent the feedback into a spiral. As a side joke, I once remarked, “Botany is a rose garden full of thorns” (if you don’t get the reference, you’d assume there’s a blank space where Taylor Swift’s refrain fits).

Gerald responded, “I’m sorry, but botany isn’t merely a rose garden filled with thorns, unless you’re referring to shrubs like blackthorn. Roses don’t have true thorns; what they exhibit are superficial epidermal growths, while thorns are modified stems.”

Feedback was sent to selected search engines and consulted expert sources, including the New York Botanical Garden website. We ultimately conceded that roses do indeed lack thorns. Those sharp protrusions are thorny.

The issue lies in the fact that this distinction doesn’t only invalidate Feedback’s quips or Swift’s lyrics. For starters, William Shakespeare must be reinterpreted in two instances: in Sonnet 54, he cautions readers, “Canker flowers are full of dark dyes / Like rose-scented tinctures / Hold on to those thorns,” which is entirely inaccurate. Furthermore, in Sonnet 35, he states, “You needn’t grieve anymore for what you’ve done / There are thorns in roses and mud in silver fountains.”

Similarly, Henry Van Dyke should have titled his poem “Thorns and Roses,” as he asserts, “Far richer than a rose without thorns / Its branches of beauty never shine.”

Feedback is leading me to question whether literal representations of plants can effectively function in poetry or song. Nevertheless, there are silver linings. The works of Johann von Goethe will remain intact because he merely states that “a small rose stung in defense of itself,” without specifying the appendage involved.

And happily, a poignant power ballad, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Hair Metal Purveyor Poison, can be safely discarded. Every cloud contains a glimmer of hope.

Sperm tracking

Earlier this year, Feedback dedicated several columns to the Scunthorpe issue. Innocuous words and phrases often include character strings that can appear offensive when viewed out of context, complicating the development of automated tools to manage online conversations (April 26).

We thought the topic had been exhausted, but educator and researcher Bernd Wursig informed us otherwise. In the early 2000s, Wursig led a team studying sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico, and attentive readers may guess where this leads.

One of the researchers submitted daily reports via satellite phone, but only about half were received. Eventually, they discovered that many of these reports contained the word “sperm,” causing the university’s servers to delete them.

They circumvented this issue by crafting reports that read, “We photographed and tracked whale matriarchal societies.”

Just one letter

We continue to seek out the most inspiring or amusing scientific abbreviations.

Christina Cheers kicks things off by focusing on the Australian Center for Disease Control. She describes it as a biosafety laboratory that studies “highly contagious animal diseases.”

Over its 40-year history, the center has undergone several name changes. The current title was adopted in April 2020. Previously, it was known as the Australian Institute of Animal Health. However, Christina revealed that it had another name at its inception.

In its early development stages, it was called the Australian National Institute of Animal Health, until a few scientists raised concerns about how it was referred to by its acronym. Consequently, “National” was dropped.

Curiously, Feedback couldn’t find any mention of this little acronym mishap on the center’s website. However, after some digging, I found an article in the Australian Veterinary Journal, published since 1974, discussing the proposed laboratory and its benefits. The piece repeatedly refers to it as the Australian National Institute of Animal Health, even employing the unfortunate acronym.

For truly complex acronyms, consider Niall Leighton’s suggestion. This is a European research project that investigates “how online narratives containing conspiracy theories and misinformation spread and evolve, with a focus on individuals aged 45 to 65.” (You might not catch this in New Scientist.)

The project is titled “The Story of Social Media: Tackling Extremism in Midlife.” This should shorten to SMNAEM(A) but is inexplicably condensed to SMIDGE. Niall explains it works like this (“But I guess”): Social Media Narrative: Countering Extremism in mIDdle-aGE.

If anyone can top that, they are truly clever and humble.

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The Surprising Benefits of Some Ultra-Processed Foods

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been labeled as “poison,” “addictive,” and “junk,” sparking justified concerns due to their links with various health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Their rapid rise has transformed the food landscape so drastically that what we consume today would be unrecognizable to even recent generations. From an evolutionary perspective, our bodies certainly aren’t equipped to handle them.

It’s no surprise that UPFs are a primary focus in efforts to tackle diet-related chronic diseases in the UK and US. However, we believe that the prevailing panic surrounding UPFs needs to be replaced with more thoughtful discussions. Not all ultra-processed items, like flavored yogurt or whole grain bread, deserve the same cautionary approach as sweets or sugary cereals. Being ultra-processed doesn’t inherently equate to being unhealthy; our perspective should be informed by previous scientific research.

As people consume more UPFs, their intake of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar tends to rise, while their intake of fiber, protein, and vital micronutrients declines. This trend runs counter to a healthy diet. Kevin’s recent research indicates that UPFs are often overeaten when they are energy-dense (more calories per bite) or particularly palatable (often combining nutrients such as sugars and fats that rarely coexist in nature).

On the other hand, Kevin’s research demonstrates that consuming UPF-rich meals that are energy-dense but less palatable can prevent weight gain. In fact, you could potentially lose weight even without intending to follow such a diet.

These insights hold significant implications, not only for individual choices but also for nutrition policies and regulations. Instead of broadly targeting all UPFs, efforts should concentrate on those that don’t meet healthy food standards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already heading in this direction, having recently introduced a definition of “healthy” food. This approach mirrors the UK’s nutritional profiling system, which emphasizes increasing the consumption of ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while restricting sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. By honing in on UPFs with high-calorie or palatability-inducing combinations of nutrients, we can better tackle products that significantly contribute to obesity and related health concerns.

Addressing these specific foods requires implementing public health policies akin to those used in reducing tobacco usage, such as marketing limitations, compulsory labeling, and robust taxation. Furthermore, we must promote policies that improve the convenience, affordability, and accessibility of healthy foods, while also encouraging companies to reformulate UPFs to be healthier. For instance, envision a pizza made with a frozen whole-wheat crust topped with vegetables.

Some UPFs already align with FDA standards for healthy foods (such as whole grain bread and yogurt), and these items are today free from such regulations. Many people rely on UPF pasta sauces, hummus, frozen meals, canned beans, and bread, which can easily fit into a healthy diet. Therefore, it is crucial to pinpoint which UPFs pose the greatest risk.

While UPFs are not going away anytime soon, their narrative is still evolving. Let’s move past the fear and toward informed coexistence by recognizing how certain UPFs can be detrimental and taking appropriate action.

Co-authored by Julia Belluz and Kevin Hall. Food Intelligence: The science of how food nourishes and harms us.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How a Far-Fetched Conspiracy Diverts Attention from the Real Threat of Climate Change

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“Everyone knows that airplanes negatively impact the climate…”

Oversnap/Getty Images

Years ago, I attended a climate science conference at University College London. While the specifics of the meeting are lost to me, the day remains vivid. Upon arrival, I encountered demonstrators outside, a familiar sight at such events that typically draw both supporters and skeptics of climate change.

Initially, the protesters conducted themselves peacefully, and I chose to enter the conference. Around mid-morning, however, they disrupted the lecture hall, heckling the speaker before storming the stage with their slogans and signs.

The protesters were unlike any I had encountered. Instead of being traditional climate activists or skeptics, one was a proponent of a conspiracy theory called chemtrails. In essence, this theory posits that the condensation trails (contrails) left by aircraft contain harmful substances deliberately released to manipulate the weather, poison people, or serve other sinister purposes.

This is untrue. Contrails are simply long streaks of ice crystals created when water vapor in engine exhaust freezes in the cold air at cruising altitudes. While they typically dissipate quickly, under certain conditions they can linger for hours, forming what conspiracy theorists label as chemtrails.

Like many conspiracy theories, this one carries elements of truth. Although contrails may look stunning against a summer sky, they nevertheless contribute to environmental damage.

It’s well-established that airplanes have an adverse effect on the climate. Burning aviation fuel represents about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, contrails and contrail-induced clouds are categorized as “aeronautical non-carbon dioxide.” The climatic effects might be equally or even more severe.

This is attributable to basic physics. Similar to greenhouse gases, ice crystals in cirrus clouds trap infrared radiation escaping from Earth, generating a warming effect. They also reflect incoming sunlight, counteracting this effect. Ultimately, though, they contribute to global warming.

In reality, the impact of contrails on climate is not completely understood. Last year, NASA acknowledged this knowledge gap and asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to investigate the climatic repercussions of contrails and suggest research methodologies.

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Contrails may look eerily beautiful on a summer evening, but they are quietly harming the environment.
“

Recently published, the report states that contrails might contribute to warming potentially exceeding that of aviation fuel, though significant uncertainty remains. Fortunately, options exist to mitigate this impact, including altering fuel formulations, refining engine designs, and rerouting flights to avoid areas conducive to contrail formation.

The report does not mention chemtrails, which is sensible. While the panel might have considered debunking this unfounded conspiracy theory, they opted not to give it publicity. Regardless, the report is unlikely to effect change, especially under the current US administration. Donald Trump’s administration has shown a tendency towards anti-science and conspiracy-driven climate skepticism, making addressing contrails a low priority. Significant regulatory changes regarding the airline and fossil fuel industries are necessary, so don’t expect immediate action.

I suspect that the airline and fossil fuel sectors silently welcome chemtrail theorists; their distractions divert attention from the true implications of contrails on climate.

Instead, the report will likely collect dust, while another report on chemtrails gets commissioned. Reports associate President Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with the conspiracy as part of an unscientific initiative to make America healthy again. Despite the absence of credible evidence, the notion persists.

Earlier this year, while enjoying a sunny afternoon, I had a conversation with my neighbors. “Have a nice day,” I said. “If they weren’t here, they will be,” he replied, gesturing skyward at intersecting contrails. He, too, is a climate change skeptic.

The chemtrail conspiracy is inherently frustrating—wholly futile. Despite their lack of scientific understanding, conspiracy theorists seem to think their beliefs will yield results. They are intrinsically distrustful of corporate and governmental authority and care about both environmental and human welfare. Yet, their actions only draw attention away from genuine protests and misallocate it toward unfounded notions.

The UCL meeting ultimately succumbed to continuous protests. If the dissenters believed they had triumphed, they were mistaken. Climate change remains a grave threat—chemtrails do not exist.

What I Am Reading

What We Can Know By Ian McEwan.

What I See

ITV Hacking.

What I Am Working On

I recently underwent hernia surgery, so I am careful to avoid straining my stitches.

Topic:

Environment /
Climate Change

Source: www.newscientist.com

Richard III’s Oral Microbiome Indicates Severe Periodontal Disease

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Richard III’s skull

Carl Vivian/University of Leicester

The oral microbiome extracted from King Richard III, derived from analysis of his dental plaque, indicates he may have suffered from a condition that could lead to jaw deterioration.

In 2012, the skeletal remains of Richard III were found beneath a parking lot at the former Greyfriars Church in Leicester, England. Initially thought to be Richard III—who was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 and interred in Leicester—dental and skeletal evidence, including a head wound and spinal curvature, correlated with descriptions from his death. Subsequent genetic tests confirmed the identity of the remains.

Although Richard’s reign only lasted two years amid the Wars of the Roses, he significantly impacted English history, with allegations of plotting against his nephews while they were imprisoned in the Tower of London, alongside William Shakespeare’s portrayal of him as a malevolent figure in his famous play.

Nevertheless, details of Richard’s daily existence are scarce. To uncover more, Turi King and fellow researchers at the University of Bath, UK, collected samples of tartar—hardened dental plaque—from three of his well-preserved teeth.

Dental plaque is effectively a time capsule, retaining DNA from microorganisms and remnants of food. “The quantity of DNA obtained from Richard III’s tartar is among the highest recorded in archaeological contexts,” the researchers stated, noting the detection of over 400 million DNA sequences.

“No one has previously sequenced 400 million ancient DNA fragments; it’s an astonishing figure,” remarks Laura Weyrich from Pennsylvania State University. “This indicates that our capabilities with ancient DNA are likely more extensive than previously thought.”

Dr. King and his team identified almost 400 microbial species from the DNA, comparable in variety to samples from well-preserved dental tartar across Britain, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands over the last 7,000 years, spanning from the Neolithic to modern times. “It suggests that elite populations shared microbial strains akin to those of the broader populace, despite their affluent lifestyles and experiences,” Weyrich notes.

However, the research team could not collect adequate plant or animal DNA to determine Richard’s dietary habits. Nevertheless, previous studies on his bones from his last two years indicated he drank non-local wine and consumed large quantities of game, fish, and birds, including swans and herons.

Professor Weyrich indicated that results regarding the microbiome could vary if the team obtained samples from more than one tooth and compared them to similar teeth from groups in Germany or the Netherlands. She also mentioned that their limited sampling does not provide a comprehensive view of Richard’s oral microbiome, as distinct bacteria inhabit different areas of the mouth and different surfaces of the teeth.

The king’s well-preserved teeth may provide insights into his oral microbiome.

Carl Vivian/University of Leicester

One particularly prevalent bacterium identified is Tannerella forsythia, which is linked to periodontal disease, a serious gum infection that can lead to bone loss around the teeth. Given the poor oral hygiene of the 15th century, Richard had a cavity when he died at age 32, though this does not automatically indicate he had periodontal disease.

“Many individuals may harbor potentially harmful bacteria without becoming ill, while others could become infected,” explains Pierre Stollforth from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Products Research and Infection Biology in Germany. Weyrich adds that examining bone loss in the jaw could reveal if Richard suffered from periodontal disease.

“I’m particularly passionate about bridging social science, history, and genetics,” Stallforth states. “Having access to the dental tartar of historical figures is extraordinary as it enables us to gain deeper insights into their lives.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Top 250 Oil and Gas Companies Hold Just 1.5% of Global Renewable Electricity Ownership

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Oil corporations are making minimal investments in wind energy.

Associated Press/Alamy

SEI 269586650 — Oil corporations are making minimal investments in wind energy.

Associated Press/Alamy

Significant oil and gas firms hold under 1.5 percent of the global renewable electricity capacity, raising concerns about their dedication to green energy transition, despite their public assertions.

Marcel Llabero Pasquina and Antonio Bontempi, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, analyzed ownership data of over 53,000 renewable energy projects—including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal—tracked by the NGO Global Energy Monitor. They compiled this information to determine the proportion of these projects owned by the 250 largest oil and gas companies, which together dominate 88% of global hydrocarbon production.

As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, many chief energy companies have committed to investing in renewables, yet findings indicated that these top firms own merely 1.42% of operational renewable energy capacity worldwide. Notably, more than half (around 54%) of this capacity was acquired rather than developed by these companies. Their analysis of total energy output showed that just 0.13% of energy produced by these companies comes from renewable electricity.

“The findings were astonishing even to me,” remarks Llabero-Pasquina. “We understood they played a limited role in the energy transition. We thought it was merely for appearances. Yet, the numbers are even lower than we anticipated.”

Llavero Pasquina and Bontempi are associated with Environmental Justice, a collective dedicated to researching and advancing the global environmental justice movement. Llabero-Pasquina believes that the campaign’s stance bolsters his research. “It is crucial for us to maintain high rigor in our work so that we can effectively persuade others and demonstrate the truth.”

It is not surprising that major energy corporations, renowned for their oil and gas ventures, do not hold substantial stakes in renewable energy, says Thierry Bros from the Institute of Sciences in Paris. “Ultimately, [the energy transition] must be disruptive and not play into the hands of these companies.”

However, Bros argues that big energy firms are misleadingly portraying their efforts towards energy transition. “They represent themselves as incorporating methods like carbon capture for emissions from fossil fuels. Yet, I believe their actual engagement leans more towards carbon capture and sequestration, which may extend beyond their genuine expertise,” he states.

Offshore Energies UK, representing the UK’s offshore energy sector, including oil, gas, wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen, refrained from commenting directly on these findings. Nevertheless, it highlighted a previous statement from CEO David Whitehouse: “Rather than being in conflict, oil and gas, wind, and emerging low-carbon technologies form a unified system. The expertise of our workforce, the same individuals who developed the North Sea, is instrumental for achieving this transition,” he remarked.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Bird Flu Cases Surge Rapidly Despite Summer Season

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The summer was notably calm regarding bird flu. There was a slight decrease in egg prices, a reduction in the number of poultry flocks being culled, and authorities remained hopeful.

“It was remarkable,” mentioned Shauna Voss, the deputy director of the Minnesota Animal Health Commission.

However, this tranquility didn’t continue.

As wild waterfowl, including geese, ducks, and cranes, commenced their seasonal migration, avian influenza has begun to spread once more. The migrating birds interact in lakes and ponds, facilitating the exchange of viruses.

In the poultry sector, avian influenza cases are rising more rapidly than anticipated. In states like Minnesota and Iowa, over 4 million birds have been culled in the past month after tests confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus within their flocks. This increase coincides with a notable rise in infections observed in wild birds in northern regions.

State officials are preparing for a challenging fall, a season known for escalating case numbers.

“We confirmed our first positive case last week,” stated Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. This incident originated from a turkey farm in Calhoun County. “The real concern is how widespread this will become and what the fall season holds for us.”

Naig noted it’s still early to determine the outbreak’s impact on egg prices.

“The most honest answer is that we will have to wait and see. I wish I could provide more clarity,” Naig added.

This marks the fourth consecutive fall with rising bird flu infections, suggesting the virus is becoming endemic among wild birds and could continually threaten poultry.

“It’s not disappearing. It appears to be quite established,” Voss remarked.

The further the virus spreads, the higher the risk of it mutating to infect humans effectively. Some experts are concerned that budget cuts by the Trump administration on mRNA research could hinder scientists’ rapid development of new vaccines. Nevertheless, the current public health risk remains minimal.

As autumn progresses, authorities, wildlife specialists, and virologists are adopting a vigilant but patient stance.

“These times are intriguing,” noted Declan Schroeder, an associate professor of virology at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. “Everyone is watching closely to see the outcome.”

Avian influenza was initially spotted in U.S. commercial flocks in February 2022, following earlier outbreaks among wild birds. Nearly all infected poultry succumb, with over 175 million birds culled or killed by this summer. Two years ago, it was unexpectedly found that avian influenza had moved to dairy cows and was detected in unpasteurized raw milk, leading to significant changes in agricultural practices and milk testing.

At least 70 people have been infected, primarily farm workers who have close contact with birds and livestock. One fatality has occurred.

Researchers believe that wild birds spread the disease to poultry farms through multiple channels: direct contact, feed contamination, and workers inadvertently carrying the virus into barns. This makes the migration period a significant risk factor for outbreaks.

“If an infected bird migrates through a region and spreads the disease to others, our estimates indicate that the infection can spread rapidly,” explained Michael Ward, a professor focused on migration studies at the University of Illinois.

Ward added that the reduction of natural habitats is forcing birds to gather more closely, increasing the potential for the virus’s spread. In Illinois, wetland areas are declining due to drought conditions.

“This scenario is ideal for the virus to thrive,” Ward noted.

In response to inquiries regarding the uptick in avian influenza detections and the federal government’s course of action, the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted a five-pillar strategy announced in February, which allocates $100 million towards new biosecurity measures and vaccine development for poultry.

Countries like France are already vaccinating their poultry, but the Agriculture Department is still deliberating on whether the U.S. should follow suit. No vaccines have been approved yet, and their implementation could affect U.S. exports.

“While we believe an effective vaccination strategy would greatly help egg and turkey producers, we recognize the need for careful implementation to avoid negative impacts on other markets,” Naig explained. “The USDA is currently focused on this, and we are waiting to see what the vaccination strategy entails.”

Scientists have long expressed concerns that avian influenza viruses may eventually adapt to spread efficiently among humans. Although the risk remains low at present, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, specializing in infectious diseases, recommends that people take precautionary measures to prevent H5N1 and seasonal influenza infections.

“Get vaccinated against the flu. Avoid raw milk or unpasteurized cheese, especially during outbreaks. Don’t feed your cat outdoors during bird migration season,” Chin-Hong urges.

A scenario where humans contract both H5N1 and seasonal influenza simultaneously could pose challenges, as the avian influenza virus might easily mutate its genetic structure to adapt to humans.

The CDC halted H5N1 coordination meetings with healthcare providers earlier this spring. Chin-Hong is critical of this move, advocating for the agency to resume communications and opposing the administration’s decision to reduce funding for mRNA vaccine research. Biotechnology firm Moderna was in the process of creating an avian influenza vaccine utilizing an mRNA platform, but the Health and Human Services Department withdrew its grant.

The CDC has not responded to inquiries for comment.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Echoes of Rock: A Personal Exploration of Earth’s Geological History

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The rocks lining Britain’s Jurassic Coast are roughly 185 million years old

James Osmond/Alamy

Whispers of Rock
Anjana Khatwa, Bridge Street Press (UK). Basic Books (USA, releasing November 4th)

Stones are often overlooked. How frequently do we consider the materials beneath our feet, or the origins of the beach pebbles we idly collect?

And how often do we recognize the role of geology when discussing nature and our pressing discussions about climate change? Any efforts towards addressing climate change and the future of our planet must include our relationship with the elements that constitute our world.

We are fortunate to gain insights from geoscientist Anjana Khatwa through her latest book, Whispers of Rock: Stories from Earth. This work, described as “an exhilarating journey through deep time,” is a heartfelt tribute that is sure to resonate with readers. Khatwa has dedicated a significant part of her life to promoting an understanding of geology, providing the scientific detail that highlights her profound knowledge.

In this book, she methodically covers topics such as the formation of mountains, craters, and slate, interspersing fascinating anecdotes. For instance, the iconic Taj Mahal of India, a symbol of love, was constructed from ivory-white Makrana marble that dates back approximately 2 billion years, originating from ancient landmass collisions. This complex genesis involved tectonic shifts, cyanobacteria, photosynthesis, and calcium carbonate, all coming together to create the stones used in this magnificent structure.

Once the scientific framework is laid down, Khatwa breathes life into the narrative of rocks and minerals, transforming it into a sensory experience far removed from the geology classes of my past. She invites readers to appreciate the negative spaces carved in Petra, Jordan, which form breathtaking structures and the unexpected beauty found within. She describes the markings on the stone as remnants of an ancient river, illustrating her deep connection to these geological marvels, becoming a “keeper of the stories of time.”

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A recipe that involved tectonic movements, photosynthesis, and more resulted in the marble utilized in the Taj Mahal.
“

Khatwa’s passion for stones began in her childhood, walking on solidified lava flows in southeastern Kenya. Throughout her book, she takes readers on a global journey, including her hometown of Dorset, England, where she enjoyed 20 years of geological history at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

This adventure reveals how rocks have shaped her life and the lives of many others. We explore the colossal sarsen stones of Stonehenge in England, delve into the science and folklore of New Zealand’s Ponamu greenstone, and trace the socio-political history of the Black Belt, a fertile region in the American South shaped by cotton plantations after the removal of indigenous communities.

However, what truly distinguishes this book is Khatwa’s personal narrative. She openly addresses the lack of diversity in the environmental sector in the UK and shares her experiences as a mother, imparting a sense of vulnerability along the journey.

She reflects on how she was “transformed by the whiteness of my working environment” and came to realize that her cultural and spiritual identity often took a backseat to her scientific persona. This book is essential reading for anyone grappling with that duality or wishing to understand it better. We stand with Khatwa as she navigates the space between belonging and the feeling of being an outsider.

Whispers of Rock is packed with such insight that it requires contemplation after each chapter. Khatwa is also intentionally provocative, acknowledging that the intersection between science and spirituality may make some readers uncomfortable, as it challenges their preconceived notions. Yet, this provocative approach sparks a genuinely enlightening exploration.

Dhurti Shah is a freelance journalist based in London.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Transplanting Pig Livers into Living Humans Achieves Near-Normal Functionality

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Surgeons carry out a pig liver transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in China in May 2024.

Lu Xianfu

Transplants of organs from non-human animals to human recipients could transform medicine and potentially save countless lives each year as many die awaiting transplants. Past experiments have seen pig hearts and kidneys transplanted into humans, but this marks the first instance of an animal liver being transplanted into a living person.

“This is truly groundbreaking,” remarks Heiner Wedemeyer from Hannover Medical School in Germany, who was not involved in the procedure. “The patient was critically ill, but thanks to the transplant, he survived for six months.”

The complexities of the liver have prevented previous surgeries of this kind. Earlier studies were conducted on brain-dead individuals, but indications of success were observed. “The heart acts merely as a muscle for pumping blood,” Wedemeyer explains. “Kidneys are simpler as they filter waste. The liver, however, is unique as it synthesizes a variety of proteins essential for numerous metabolic functions.”

Similar early successes were noted in heart and kidney transplants, although subsequent complications arose. In the realm of heart transplantation, risks potentially include the spread of swine viruses.

Recently, Hokujo Taiyo and colleagues at Anhui Medical University reported a pig liver transplant performed on a 71-year-old man. His liver was deemed too damaged for a traditional transplant due to severe tumor growth and significant scarring from hepatitis B. Thousands perish annually awaiting liver transplants, so each surgical case must be meticulously justified, according to Sun.

However, Sun indicated that the man required some form of transplant as there was a risk of the tumor rupturing, which could be life-threatening. With the patient’s consent, Sun and his team replaced the affected portion of the liver with one harvested from an 11-month-old minipig in May 2024. During a five-hour procedure, they connected the blood vessels of the pig liver to those of the left side of the recipient’s own liver.

To mitigate the risk of rejection by the immune system, three pig genes were disabled while seven human genes were introduced, enhancing compatibility. The patient was also administered immunosuppressants while the team diligently examined his liver to ensure it was free from swine viruses.

Almost immediately post-surgery, the new liver began to produce bile. Bile is crucial for the digestion of fats. Within weeks, levels of bile and albumin (a protein that retains fluid within blood vessels) in the patient rose to healthy ranges, as reported by Sun.

Nevertheless, about a month post-transplant, a life-threatening blood clot formed in a blood vessel, necessitating the removal of the graft. This complication likely stemmed from an overactive immune response, leading to abnormal blood-clotting protein levels—a challenge that may be common in pig transplants given the biological differences between species.

The patient lived for roughly five additional months with only the left side of his liver remaining before succumbing to gastrointestinal bleeding, a frequent issue associated with liver scarring, according to Sun. Both Sun and Wedemeyer believe this bleeding was probably not related to the transplant.

Despite the outcome, the operation is seen as a partial success because the patient would likely have died very soon after the tumor’s removal, noted Wedemeyer. Furthermore, he added that the patient’s liver may have partially regenerated during the successful functioning of the transplant, enabling survival for several months after the graft removal.

Wedemeyer emphasized that this procedure enhanced the understanding of xenotransplantation and opened up the possibility of pig livers providing temporary solutions for patients awaiting human transplants. There may even be a chance that the remaining liver tissue could grow sufficiently to negate the need for further treatment, indicated Sun.

However, Sun cautioned that it may take at least ten years before pig livers can replace human livers permanently. He stressed the need to minimize potential complications through further genetic advancements.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trace Gas Orbiter Reveals New Images of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

During its closest encounter with Mars on October 3, 2025, comet 3I/ATLAS was situated 30 million km from the ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).

The image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was taken on October 3, 2025, by the CaSSIS instrument aboard the ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter. Image credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.

TGO acquired new images of 3I/ATLAS utilizing the Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS).

“This observation posed significant challenges for this instrument,” noted Dr. Nick Thomas, Principal Investigator of ESA’s CaSSIS instrument.

“3I/ATLAS appears as a slightly blurred white dot that descends toward the center of the image.”

“This point represents the nucleus of the comet, which comprises an icy, rocky core surrounded by a coma.”

“Due to the distance, CaSSIS couldn’t differentiate between a nuclear and a coma state.”

“The CaSSIS camera has an angular resolution of 11.36 microradians (equivalent to 2.34 arc seconds) per pixel,” explained Professor Avi Loeb from Harvard University.

“At a minimum distance of approximately 30 million km from 3I/ATLAS, this resolution translates to 340 km.”

“This pixel size is one to two orders of magnitude larger than the anticipated core diameters of 3I/ATLAS, which range from a minimum of 5 km to a maximum of 46 km.”

“Some of the expansion can be observed in CaSSIS images,” he mentioned.

“The passage of 3I/ATLAS across the Martian sky will be viewed by the Mars rover from an angle nearly perpendicular to the 3I/ATLAS-Sun axis, allowing for a side view of the glow surrounding 3I/ATLAS.”

“The width of the luminous glow around 3I/ATLAS in the CaSSIS image is approximately twice that of a bright star appearing as a background point source in the same image.”

“This span corresponds to a scale of 680 km, which is an order of magnitude smaller than the width seen in Hubble images.”

“Thus, it’s evident that CaSSIS only captures the brightest regions surrounding the core of 3I/ATLAS and cannot detect the low surface brightness envelope visible in Hubble images.”

From November 2 to 25, 2025, ESA’s Jupiter Icy Satellites probe will observe 3I/ATLAS with a range of instruments. Image credit: ESA.

“Our Mars rovers continue to contribute significantly to Mars science, and it’s always thrilling to see them respond to unforeseen scenarios like this,” remarked Dr. Colin Wilson, ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars project scientist.

“We eagerly await the insights the data will reveal following further analysis.”

Next month, ESA researchers are set to observe 3I/ATLAS with the Jupiter Icy Satellite Orbiter (JUICE).

While JUICE will be located further from 3I/ATLAS than last week’s Mars rover, the rover will detect the comet shortly after its closest approach to the Sun, indicating heightened activity.

“Observation data for JUICE is anticipated to be received by February 2026,” they noted.

Source: www.sci.news

The Surprising Truth About Your Understanding of the Immune System

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

You may have come across the idea that high vitamin C intake can ward off colds, or perhaps TikTok nudged you to try turmeric or other supplements for immune support. The truth is, many of these strong claims and quick fixes are unfounded. There exists a myriad of myths surrounding immunity. Daniel Davis, an immunologist at Imperial College London, addresses these in his new book.

In Self-Defense: A Guide to Busting Myths About Immune Health, Davis aims to debunk these erroneous beliefs. He illustrates how advancements in technology, such as super-resolution microscopy, uncover the astonishing complexity of the immune system, illustrating how immune cells engage with their targets.

However, instead of feeling overwhelmed, he asserts that New Scientist shows us that this complexity can be empowering. It heightens our understanding of the immune system’s role in mental well-being, alerts us to lifestyle factors that might diminish immunity, and enhances our ability to distinguish between factual information and fads.

Helen Thomson: Let’s dive into the notion of “immune health” and the claims that it can be enhanced. That seems like a misleading concept, doesn’t it?

Daniel Davis: Absolutely. Many products claim they can “boost” immunity, but that’s a misleading notion. The immune system is not about simply enhancing your body’s infection-fighting capacity. Aggressive increases can inadvertently attack healthy cells, leading to autoimmune issues and allergies. A measured response is crucial.

So are we aiming to make our immune systems “smarter”?

Conventional discussions about immune health often lack subtlety. Each person’s immune system is wholly unique, shaped by genetics. Thus, when discussing immune health, we can only refer to what has been generally found to be effective: while general improvements may aid people, predicting individual outcomes is challenging.

Recent findings indicate that the immune system doesn’t operate in isolation; it’s influenced by diet, exercise, and the microbiome. Can we pinpoint which lifestyle factors significantly affect immune health?

The most substantial known influence on immune health is chronic stress. Regarding the other factors you mentioned, evidence exists, but causation is hard to prove. However, with stress, emerging molecular insights offer clarity on what occurs.

Which one in particular?

When the body detects a threat, it triggers a fight-or-flight response. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. This prepares the body for action but quiets the immune response. For instance, short-term stress from parachuting only temporarily alters immune cell counts post-landing. However, sustained stress keeps cortisol levels elevated, which over time can undermine immunity, creating long-term challenges.

Orange juice is not the immune booster many believe

Marco Lissoni/Alamy

Our confidence in these findings stems from laboratory observations where elevated cortisol levels reduce the capacity of immune cells to eliminate virus-infected or cancerous cells. Coupled with observed correlations, such as individuals under long-term stress being less responsive to vaccines or more prone to infections, it’s evident that prolonged stress adversely impacts the immune system.

If you’re under stress and have adjusted your lifestyle, can your immunity be measured to see if these changes are effective?

It’s challenging to prove that lifestyle changes significantly mitigate long-term stress. While it’s a plausible assumption, demonstrating it empirically is difficult. Hospitals may track white blood cell counts as indicators of immune health, but given the vast range of immune cell types, simplifying measurements is a complex endeavor.

Experts, including well-known scientists, frequently claim that specific actions can bolster immunity. Should we take their word for it?

Consider orange juice as a prime example. During my upbringing, I believed that it was a cold remedy. However, that belief is misleading. This misconception stems from Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate famous for his work. In 1970, he published a bestseller entitled: Vitamin C and Colds, which inadvertently fueled a vitamin C craze based on selective data and anecdotal evidence, amplified by the media.

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The most clearly proven effect on our immune health is long-term stress.
“

Interestingly, high doses of vitamin C do not determine whether you’ll catch a cold. While research shows that such supplementation can shorten the duration of colds by approximately 8%, this finding is tricky to interpret. Those taking high vitamin C might engage in other positive health behaviors that truly account for the shorter duration. Yet, this myth persists, rooted in the influential narratives of key scientists.

This history reminds us to remain cautious about individual anecdotes of success or insight. We need credible experts, but we should maintain a healthy skepticism towards singular opinions. Therefore, relying on established scientific consensus should guide us.

Lately, interest has surged surrounding the links between our immune systems, inflammation, and mental health. It’s a captivating area of research.

The relationship between the immune system and mental health is indeed a thrilling frontier. Initially, a group of individuals taking anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid arthritis reported enhanced mental well-being prior to their physical improvements. These medications inhibit cytokine action, proteins produced by immune cells to facilitate communication.

Moreover, research indicates that individuals with certain mental health conditions exhibit elevated inflammatory markers in their blood. For instance, a study of nine-year-olds revealed that higher IL-6 cytokine levels predicted greater depression rates by age 18.

Animal studies present robust evidence as well. When injected with IL-6, animals demonstrated less exploratory behavior, paralleling signs of mental distress.

Yet, actionable strategies stemming from these insights remain elusive. Standard anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen aren’t effective in treating depression, as several small trials have indicated. The question of whether anti-cytokine treatments can aid those with mental health issues remains unanswered, with current trials yielding inconclusive results.

Gut microbiome is important for a healthy immune system

Simone Alexowski/Science Photo Library

Future research should focus on identifying individuals who may benefit from interventions: Could individuals with particular mental health disorders who exhibit elevated cytokine levels and possibly other yet-undiscovered symptoms find relief through anti-cytokine therapies? While it’s a thought-provoking hypothesis, the journey to actionable solutions is ongoing. Understanding that your mental health may be linked to immune function can itself be empowering, marking a significant area of exploration.

People frequently ask how they can enhance their immunity. What do you tell them?

I have some insights, but they aren’t straightforward. Long-term stress is a concern. Getting adequate sleep is vital. However, individual needs can vary significantly. While I understand the importance of the microbiome, I can’t provide specific advice guaranteed to enhance it. These answers may disappoint, but embracing the complexity of the immune system is crucial. The lessons inherent in studying its intricacies are profound.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Sure! Please provide the title you’d like me to rewrite.

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The likelihood of older fathers transmitting disease-causing mutations to their offspring is greater than previously believed. Genome sequencing indicates that, in men in their early 30s, approximately 1 in 50 sperm contain harmful mutations, escalating to nearly 1 in 20 by the age of 70.

Rahele Rabari

Matthew Neville, also affiliated with the Sanger Institute, states, “This is something families should consider when making their own choices.” For instance, younger men might want to consider freezing their sperm if they anticipate delays in having children until later in life, while older men aiming to start families could explore available testing methods.

Research indicates that each individual typically carries around 70 new mutations present in most body cells that their parents do not possess, with 80% of these mutations arising in the father’s testes (excluding large-scale chromosomal abnormalities that are more frequent in the mother’s eggs). It was previously thought that the number of mutations in sperm increased steadily with age due to random mutation, but certain genetic conditions, such as achondroplasia (dwarfism), are notably more prevalent than random mutation rates would suggest.

In 2003, Anne Goriely from the University of Oxford found that this phenomenon likely stems from specific stem cells that produce sperm becoming “selfish.” This behavior causes these particular stem cells to proliferate more than usual, leading to an exponential rise in the proportion of sperm exhibiting these mutations as a man ages, rather than a steady increase. Goriely demonstrated that mutations in various genes can induce this selfish behavior in sperm stem cells, suspecting that even more factors are at play.

To date, Rahbari, Neville, and their research team have sequenced over 100,000 sperm cells sourced from 81 men of differing ages, as well as blood cells. Utilizing a unique method to sequence both strands of the DNA double helix, they overcame the high error rates in standard sequencing techniques. Thus, if a mutation is present on both strands, it is extremely unlikely to be a sequencing error.

Despite these selfish mutations comprising only a small fraction of total mutations, their impact is significant.

Ruben Arslan from the University of Witten in Germany emphasizes the discovery that these selfish mutations increase in a non-linear fashion. He suggests that, in youth, adding a year to a father’s age has a lesser negative effect compared to adding a year during older age.

Another investigation, involving Ravari and Neville, employed new sequencing methods on skin cells in the mouth, uncovering a similar trend of growth-promoting mutations that raised the ratio of specific stem cell lineages.

“These patterns of selection appear to extend beyond sperm cells,” asserts Rahbari. Although growth-promoting mutations may progress toward malignancy, they can also lead to troubles and potentially accelerate aging, she explains.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Formation of the Moon’s Largest Crater Was Surprising

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Antarctic Aitken Basin (the predominantly blue region in the center of this topographic representation) is an impact feature roughly 2500 kilometers in diameter, covered by smaller craters.

NASA/GSFC/MIT

An in-depth investigation of its morphology reveals that the moon’s oldest and largest crater formed differently than previously believed, altering our understanding of lunar history.

The South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin emerged around 4.3 billion years ago, occurring hundreds of millions of years after the moon’s initial formation. Scientists theorize it was created when a colossal asteroid grazed the moon’s surface, producing a crater thousands of kilometers wide and 12 kilometers deep.

This crater, located on the moon’s far side, displays a substantial accumulation of ancient debris near its northern edge. This debris pattern aligns with what would be expected if an asteroid struck the Earth from a southerly trajectory, below the South Pole.

However, new findings indicate a different scenario. Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna from The University of Arizona and his team discovered that the crater narrows towards the south. Andrews-Hanna noted that this teardrop shape implies the asteroid originated from the north, with the cataclysmic impact occurring from the opposite direction.

Mapping the basin’s shape is challenging due to the erosion of its ancient boundaries from later impacts. “We traced the contours of the Antarctic Aitken Basin using every conceivable method,” states Andrews-Hanna. “Models of topography, gravity, and crustal thickness were employed. We explored various approaches for tracing the basin, but with every method, it consistently tapered to the south.”

The researchers then contrasted its shape to well-studied craters on other celestial bodies, such as Mars’ Hellas and Utopia Craters. This comparison has provided clearer geological evidence on how these craters formed, leading them to conclude that the SPA basin’s shape likely resulted from an asteroid impacting from the north.

This new understanding will significantly affect how the moon’s internal material is distributed, aiding scientists in comprehending the moon’s cooling process from a massive ocean of magma during its formative years. It also suggests that some rocks around the SPA basin’s perimeter originate from the moon’s deep interior, which remains otherwise inaccessible.

This insight will enhance NASA’s forthcoming Artemis III mission, which aims to deploy astronauts to the SPA basin’s edge in search of potential water ice, as highlighted by Mahesh Anand from the Open University, UK. “This will provide opportunities to learn more about the moon’s interior, despite the lack of available samples,” he adds. “It’s a significant advantage.”

Ultimately, however, the true nature of the crater’s formation will only be clarified when samples from the SPA basin are returned to Earth, according to Anand.

Total Solar Eclipse 2027 Cruise: Spain and Morocco

Join us for an incredible adventure aboard the cutting-edge exploration vessel Douglas Mawson to experience the longest total solar eclipse of the century on August 2, 2027.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Memory Chips Just 10 Atoms Thick Could Boost Capacity Significantly

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Current silicon chips are highly compact, but using ultrathin 2D materials could enhance their density even further.

Wu Kailiang/Alamy

A memory chip with a thickness of just 10 atoms could revolutionize the storage capacity of electronic gadgets like smartphones.

Despite decades of scaling down, modern computer chips often have very few components yet integrate tens of billions of transistors into an area comparable to a fingernail. Although the size of silicon components has significantly decreased, the thickness of the silicon wafers remains considerable, imposing limitations on increasing a chip’s complexity through stacking layers.

Researchers have been exploring the potential of thinner chips made from 2D materials like graphene. Graphene consists of a single layer of carbon atoms and represents the thinnest known material. However, until recently, only basic chip designs could be implemented with these materials, complicating their connection to traditional processors and integration into electrical devices.

Recently, Liu Chunsen and his team from Fudan University in Shanghai successfully integrated a 2D chip only 10 atoms thick with a CMOS chip currently utilized in computers. The manufacturing method for these chips yields a rough surface, making it challenging to layer a 2D sheet on top. The researchers addressed this issue by placing a glass layer between the 2D and CMOS chips, although this step is not yet part of the industrial process and requires further development for mass production.

The prototype memory module the team created achieved over 93% accuracy during testing. While this falls short of the reliability needed for consumer-grade devices, it serves as an encouraging proof of concept.

“This technology holds significant promise, but there’s still a considerable journey ahead before it can be commercialized,” says Steve Furber from the University of Manchester, UK.

Kai Shu, a researcher at King’s College London, mentions that further reducing current chip designs without utilizing 2D materials poses challenges due to signal leakage associated with traditional components made at very narrow widths. Thinner layers might mitigate this issue. Consequently, achieving greater thinness may facilitate additional reductions in width.

“Silicon is encountering hurdles,” said Xu. “2D materials might provide solutions. With their minimal thickness, gate control becomes more uniform and comprehensive, resulting in reduced leakage.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Electrons in Graphene Accelerate to Supersonic Speeds

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Hydraulic jumps occur when swift and slow streams of water intersect at a boundary.

Durk Gardenier / Alamy

SEI 269385847 — Hydraulic jumps occur when swift and slow streams of water intersect at a boundary.

Durk Gardenier / Alamy

Researchers have achieved an unprecedented feat: accelerating electrons to supersonic speeds, generating shock waves.

The flow of electricity through devices resembles the flow of a river, yet they differ greatly. Electrons collide with atoms as they traverse matter, while water droplets in a river frequently collide with one another. In 2016, scientists managed to make electrons flow like a viscous liquid in the ultrathin carbon material, graphene. Recently, Cory Dean and his team at Columbia University in New York have taken this further, introducing electrons into graphene, which resulted in a hydraulic jump due to the high speed of particle flow.

Picture a jump in water pressure while doing the dishes. When you turn on a faucet, you experience a similar phenomenon, with a chaotic ring-like border forming in the sink beneath, separating fast and slow flows. “In a way, it’s akin to a sonic boom happening in your kitchen sink,” remarks Doug Natelson from Rice University, who was not involved in the study.

Designing the electronic version was a complex task. The researchers crafted a microscopic nozzle using two layers of graphene, emulating the “de Laval nozzle,” a design from the 19th century often utilized in rocket engines. This nozzle is tapered in the center, allowing fluid to maintain acceleration and produce a shock wave upon exit if it reaches supersonic speeds within the constriction.

However, detecting the hydraulic jump posed a challenge, as it had never been observed with electrons before. Team member Abhay Pasupathy explains that instead of measuring electrons’ flow as usual, they utilized a specialized microscope to map the voltage at various points along the nozzle.

Natelson notes the intricate process of refining the graphene structure to ensure the electrons could “puff it in the cheek,” meaning they had to compress it sufficiently to enter this more dramatic phenomenon. The team’s achievement in resolving the hydraulic jump is technically remarkable, given the minuscule size of the graphene nozzle, according to Thomas Schmidt at the University of Luxembourg.

Now that they can accelerate electrons to such speeds, researchers aim to explore long-standing inquiries concerning charged shock waves. Dean mentions an ongoing debate about whether hydraulic jumps emit radiation that could potentially be harnessed for new infrared or radio generators. “Every experimenter we’re discussing with is figuring out how to detect this emission. Conversely, there’s a prevailing opinion among theorists that no emissions occur. There remains uncertainty about what is truly happening,” he concludes.

Topics:

Electricity/
Fluid Mechanics

Source: www.newscientist.com

Study Reveals: Dogs Can Truly Become Addicted to Their Toys

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Dogs have a passion for toys, but is it possible for them to become overly attached? A recent study suggests that their playful nature can take a darker turn, leading to an obsession with their toys.

This study was published in Nature Scientific Reports. Researchers found that certain dogs exhibited behaviors similar to those seen in behavioral addictions, akin to gambling and gaming.

The term “ball junkie” is often used in dog training circles, implying addiction. However, the study participants pointed out that it hasn’t been established whether the criteria for addiction apply to dogs, as Professor Stefanie Reimer from Vetmeduni Vienna noted in BBC Science Focus, “Being highly motivated or overly focused on toys doesn’t necessarily equate to addiction.”

The research team conducted a series of tests involving 105 toy-obsessed dogs to observe their interactions with toys.

Ultimately, 33 dogs displayed behaviors indicative of addiction. They fixated on the toys and sought to access them when they were placed in boxes or on high shelves, even when food was offered or when their owners engaged them in social activities like tug-of-war.

“Two dogs managed to destroy boxes containing toys, highlighting their intense motivation,” said the study’s lead, Alija Mazzini from the University of Bern, in BBC Science Focus. “This reaction exceeded our expectations and clearly demonstrated the lengths some dogs would go to reach their desired objects.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hdndtoibqs

Marinoa goes to great lengths to retrieve his toys, even destroying the box in the process.

Some dogs struggled to relax after their toys were removed, pacing the room in search for them, and their heart rate remained elevated even after 15 minutes.

An important finding was that when allowed to play with toys, there was no notable difference in mood between dogs displaying addiction-like behavior and other dogs.

“While most dogs enjoy playing with toys, only a few show excessive fixation,” Mazzini explained. “This behavioral pattern resembles that of people engaged in potentially addictive activities like gaming and gambling without experiencing negative consequences, yet developing a genuine addiction.”

Playing Tug of War strengthens social bonds and provides an ideal way to engage with your dog – Credit: Getty

However, this doesn’t mean you should rush to eliminate all of your dog’s toys.

“While many dog owners use balls and other toys during playtime, only a small percentage of dogs develop addictive behaviors,” Reimer noted. “From a practical perspective, toy play serves as a great reinforcement for dogs. For one of my dogs, the ball represents the ultimate reward, though I didn’t encourage this behavior.

“Still, I strongly recommend emphasizing collaborative play. So, while I’m not suggesting you should avoid playing ball with your dog, do so judiciously.”

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Breakthroughs in Molecular Architecture

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi are honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The 2025 Chemistry Award recognizes Beijing U, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their innovative work on materials featuring cavities that can absorb and release gases like carbon dioxide, also known as metal-organic frameworks.

Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee on Chemistry, stated, “A small sample of such material can function like Hermione’s bag from Harry Potter.”

Tens of thousands of metal frameworks are currently in exploration. These materials present various potential applications, from capturing CO₂ emissions to permanently purifying chemicals and extracting water from the atmosphere.

In the late 1980s, Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne pioneered the first metal-organic framework, drawing inspiration from the structural organization of diamonds. He discovered the feasibility of using metal ions as junctions connected by carbon-based or organic molecules.

When metal ions and organic compounds combine, they naturally form an organized framework. While the cavity in the diamond structure is petite, metal framework cavities can be significantly larger.

Robson’s metal-organic framework was initially filled with water. Kitagawa from Kyoto University in Japan was the first to devise a framework robust enough to retain stability when dried, allowing for gas to occupy the empty cavities.

“He demonstrated that gas could be absorbed, retained, and released by the material,” remarked Olof Ramström of the Nobel Committee on Chemistry.

Kitagawa also developed an organic-metal framework that changes form depending on gas absorption and release.

Omar Yaghi, from the University of California, Berkeley, achieved a more stable framework using clusters of zinc and oxygen metal ions along with linkers featuring carboxylate groups.

“This framework was remarkable due to its stability, enduring temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius,” Ramström noted. “What’s even more impressive is that it possesses a vast surface area. Just a few grams of this porous material equate to the surface area of a large soccer field, similar to that of a small sugar cube.”

Yaghi also revealed that the cavities within these materials can be enlarged merely by extending their lengths.

Following these significant advancements, the field has seen rapid growth, as Ramström stated, “We are witnessing the development of new metal-organic frameworks almost on a daily basis.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Might Have Unraveled the Secrets of Teotihuacan’s Written Language

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The civilization that thrived in Teotihuacan during the Classic period holds a distinctive position in Mesoamerican history. Today, it continues to represent Mexico’s rich heritage and is among the most frequented archaeological locations in the Americas. However, inquisitive tourists often find that the ethnic and linguistic connections of the Teotihuacanos are still a mystery. While the deciphering of other Mesoamerican writing systems has unveiled significant insights about dynasties and historical occurrences, researchers have yet to extract information about Teotihuacan society from their own written artifacts. The topic of writing in Teotihuacan indeed provokes several intriguing questions. Do the symbols depicted in the images of Teotihuacan represent a form of writing? If they do, what was their purpose? Were they created to be understood irrespective of language? If they indicated a specific language, which one was it? Researchers Magnus Pharaoh Hansen and Christopher Helmke from the University of Copenhagen suggest that Teotihuacan writing shares fundamental characteristics with other Mesoamerican writing systems, including the utilization of logograms based on rebus principles and a technique termed “double spelling.” They contend that it encapsulates a specific, identifiable language: Uto-Aztecan, the direct predecessor of Nahuatl, Chora, and Huichol, and they offer a new interpretation of certain Teotihuacan glyphs.

View of the small pyramid on the east side of the Plaza de la Luna from Piramide del Sol in Teotihuacan. Image credit: Daniel Case / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Teotihuacan is a revered pre-Columbian city established around 100 BC and thrived until 600 AD.

This ancient metropolis, situated in the northeastern area of the Basin of Mexico, expanded over 20 square kilometers and housed up to 125,000 residents while engaging with other Mesoamerican cultures.

The identities of Teotihuacan’s builders and their relationships to subsequent populations remain uncertain. The reasons behind the city’s abandonment also spark debate, with theories ranging from foreign invasion, civil strife, ecological disaster, or a combination of these factors.

“There are numerous distinct cultures in Mexico, some linked to specific archaeological traditions, while others remain ambiguous. Teotihuacan exemplifies such a case,” stated Dr. Pharaoh Hansen.

“The languages they spoke and their links to later cultures are still unknown.”

“One can easily identify the Teotihuacan culture when compared to modern cultures,” added Dr. Helmke.

“For instance, the remains of Teotihuacan suggest that parts of the city were occupied by the more widely recognized Maya civilization.”

The ancient inhabitants of Teotihuacan left a collection of symbols, primarily through wall murals and decorative ceramics.

For years, researchers have debated whether these symbols represent an actual written language.

The authors assert that the inscriptions on Teotihuacan’s walls indeed record a language that is a linguistic precursor to Cora, Huichol, and the Aztec language Nahuatl.

The Aztecs, well-known in Mexican history, were thought to have migrated to central Mexico following the decline of Teotihuacan.

However, researchers claim there are linguistic connections between Teotihuacan and the Aztecs, indicating that Nahuatl-speaking peoples might have settled in the region much earlier and are in fact direct descendants of Teotihuacan’s original population.

To elucidate the linguistic parallels between Teotihuacan’s language and other Mesoamerican tongues, scientists have been working to reconstruct a much older version of Nahuatl.

“Otherwise, it would be akin to interpreting the runes on a famous Danish runestone, like the Jellingstone, using contemporary Danish. That would be an anachronism. We must attempt to read the text with a more temporally appropriate language,” explains Dr. Helmke.

Examples of logograms that make up the Teotihuacan written language. Image credit: Christophe Helmke, University of Copenhagen.

The script of Teotihuacan presents significant challenges for decipherment due to multiple factors.

One challenge is that the logograms may possess a direct semantic meaning; for instance, an image depicting a coyote directly translates to “coyote.”

In other instances, symbols must be interpreted in a rebus format, wherein the sounds represented by the depicted objects are combined to form words; however, such words are often conceptual and difficult to express as single figurative logograms.

This complexity underscores the necessity for a solid understanding of both the Teotihuacan writing system and the Uto-Aztecan language that researchers believe is encoded in the inscriptions.

To unlock the Teotihuacan linguistic riddle, one must be aware of how words were pronounced at that time.

This is why the researchers are focusing on various aspects concurrently. They are reconstructing the Uto-Aztecan language, a formidable challenge in its own right, while applying this ancient language to interpret the Teotihuacan texts.

“In Teotihuacan, pottery with inscriptions continues to be unearthed, and we anticipate that many more wall paintings will be discovered in the future,” remarked Dr. Pharaoh Hansen.

“The scarcity of additional text clearly hampers our study.”

“It would be beneficial to find the same symbol used similarly in varied contexts.”

“This would further substantiate our hypothesis, but for now, we are limited to the documentation available to us.”

Dr. Pharaoh Hansen and Dr. Helmke are enthusiastic about their recent advancements.

“Prior to our work, no one had applied a linguistically appropriate approach to deciphering this written form,” stated Dr. Pharaoh Hansen.

“Moreover, no one had successfully established that a particular logogram could hold phonetic significance applicable in contexts beyond its primary meaning.”

“Through this process, we have developed a method that can serve as a foundation for others to broaden their comprehension of the texts.”

The team’s study has been published in the journal Current Anthropology.

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Magnus Pharaoh Hansen and Christoph Helmke. 2025. Language of Teotihuacan. Current Anthropology 66(5); doi: 10.1086/737863

Source: www.sci.news

Apollo 17 Moon Samples Reveal Uncommon Sulfur, New Analysis Indicates

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The prevailing theory regarding the origin of the Moon suggests it formed from a colossal impact event involving Earth and a body known as Theia. The degree to which materials from these two celestial objects mixed during this event is still debated. Poor mixing may leave traces of the original atomic and/or Theia composition. The sulfur isotopic makeup of the primordial materials that survived the impact can help establish parameters concerning the chemistry of the early solar nebula, the sulfur distribution in the early solar system, and the efficiency of mixing during this significant lunar impact event. In a recent study, researchers from Brown University and other institutions present intriguing sulfur isotope data derived from lunar rocks collected from the Taurus Littrow region during Apollo 17. Their analysis reveals that the volcanic material in the samples is significantly depleted in sulfur-33. This depletion sharply contrasts with sulfur isotope ratios found on Earth, suggesting the likelihood of:

Commander Eugene Cernan retrieves a drive tube from a lunar roving vehicle during Apollo 17 EVA. Image credit: NASA.

Some elements possess distinct “fingerprints” through specific isotopic ratios, revealing slight variations in atomic weights.

If two rocks share the same isotopic fingerprint, it strongly indicates a common origin.

In terms of the Moon and Earth, researchers have identified general similarities in the oxygen isotopes of both bodies.

Dr. James Dottin, a researcher from Brown University, stated:

“Previously, it was assumed that the Moon’s mantle shared the same sulfur isotope composition as Earth.”

“This was the anticipated outcome when we examined these samples, yet we observed values markedly different from those found on Earth.”

The sample under investigation was sourced from a double-drive tube—a hollow metal cylinder driven approximately 60 cm into the lunar soil by Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmidt.

Upon returning to Earth, NASA secured the tube in a helium chamber to preserve the sample for future studies under the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program.

In recent years, NASA has begun to make ANGSA samples accessible to academic researchers via a competitive application process.

Dr. Dottin and his team chose secondary ion mass spectrometry for sulfur isotopic analysis. This precise analytical method did not exist in 1972 when the samples were initially returned to Earth.

For their research, they targeted specific samples from drive tubes believed to originate from mantle-derived volcanic rocks.

“There are two possible explanations for the anomalous sulfur,” Dr. Dottin explained.

They may represent remnants of chemical processes that took place during the Moon’s early history.

When sulfur interacts with ultraviolet light in a thin atmosphere, a diminished sulfur-33 ratio can be observed.

It is theorized that the Moon had a transient atmosphere in its early history, which could have facilitated such photochemical reactions.

If this is indeed the case, it would have interesting implications for the Moon’s evolutionary history.

“This offers evidence of ancient material transfer from the lunar surface into the mantle,” Dr. Dottin said.

“On Earth, we rely on plate tectonics for this process, but the Moon lacks such tectonic activity.”

“Thus, the idea of some form of exchange mechanism on the early Moon is thrilling.”

Alternatively, the unusual sulfur signatures could be remnants from the Moon’s formation itself.

The prevailing theory states that a Mars-sized object named Theia collided with Earth early on, with debris from that impact eventually forming the Moon.

The sulfur signatures from Theia differ significantly from those of Earth, and these differences may be reflected in the Moon’s mantle.

This study does not definitively resolve which explanation is accurate.

“Investigating sulfur isotopes from Mars and other celestial bodies may someday provide insights,” Dr. Dottin remarked.

“Ultimately, a better understanding of isotopic distributions will enhance our comprehension of solar system formation.”

study Published in Journal of Geophysics: Planets.

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JW Dottin III et al. 2025. Endogenous yet exotic sulfur in the lunar mantle. JGR: Planet 130(9):e2024je008834; doi:10.1029/2024je008834

Source: www.sci.news

New Study Confirms ‘Walking’ Moai Hypothesis

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The transportation of the iconic Moai statues from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) has sparked debate for over a century. A thorough analysis of 962 moai, concentrating on 62 road statues, by Professor Carl Lipo from Binghamton University and Dr. Terry Hunt from the University of Arizona utilized 3D modeling and field experiments to reveal that small groups of ancient Rapa Nui individuals may have utilized ropes to “walk” the massive statues in a zigzag motion along purposefully constructed roads.

Carl P. Lipo and Terry L. Hunt employed 3D modeling and field tests to verify that the ancient inhabitants of Rapa Nui “walked” the moai statues. Image credit: Carl Lipo.

Previously, Professor Lipo and his team had provided experimental proof that the large statues were “walked” from the quarry to ceremonial platforms using an upright rocking motion, countering the notion that they were moved lying flat on wooden contraptions.

“Once you initiate movement, it’s quite manageable. People can pull it with one arm, conserving energy and moving quickly,” stated Professor Lipo.

“The challenging part is getting it rocking from the outset. The key question is, what does it take if the statue is exceptionally large?”

“Is our experimental evidence in line with expectations based on physics?”

To examine the movement of larger statues, Professor Lipo and Dr. Hunt created high-resolution 3D representations of the moai, identifying unique design elements, such as a broad D-shaped base and forward incline, which enhance the likelihood of wobbling or zigzagging.

To test their hypothesis, they constructed a replica moai weighing 4.35 tonnes featuring a special ‘forward leaning’ design.

Only 18 individuals managed to transport the moai 100 meters in just 40 minutes, a significant enhancement over earlier vertical transportation methods.

“The physics is sound,” Professor Lipo remarked.

“What we observe in experiments is effective. And as sizes increase, it remains applicable.”

“The characteristics of giant object movement only become more consistent as they grow larger, as that becomes the sole viable approach to relocating them.”

Further backing for this theory lies in the roads of Rapa Nui.

This road, measuring 4.5 meters in width and concave in shape, was well-suited for stabilizing the statue during its movement.

“Each time the statue is moved, it appears as if a road is being formed. The road plays a role in the statue’s movement,” Professor Lipo explained.

“We’re essentially observing them overlapping and many parallel paths being created.”

“What they likely did was clear one path, move the statue, then clear another, adjusting their route in a specific sequence.”

“Thus, they devoted considerable time to the road aspect.”

“Currently, no other explanation sufficiently accounts for how the moai were moved. The challenge for others is to disprove this hypothesis.”

“Provide evidence that contradicts the walking theory, since I have yet to encounter information that challenges it.”

“In fact, every finding and thought we have encountered thus far continues to reinforce this hypothesis.”

“Our research pays homage to the Rapa Nui people, who accomplished a remarkable engineering achievement with limited resources.”

“This illustrates the incredible intelligence of the Rapa Nui, as they comprehended this process.”

“They executed it in a manner that aligns with the resources at their disposal.”

“It is truly a privilege to showcase their achievements. We can learn a great deal from their methodologies.”

The team’s study was published in the archeology journal.

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Carl P. Lipo and Terry L. Hunt. 2025. The Walking Moai Hypothesis: Archaeological Evidence, Experimental Testing, and Responses to Critics. archeology journal 183: 106383; doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106383

Source: www.sci.news

Senate Approves NOAA Executives Linked to Sharpy Gate Scandal

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Neil Jacobs as the new director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This appointment marks a pivotal moment for NOAA, which is focused on selecting a leader with extensive expertise in atmospheric sciences. The agency is tasked with weather forecasting and climate record management, areas of contention during the Trump administration.

Nevertheless, Jacobs’ involvement in the 2019 Sharpy Gate controversy has drawn criticism, suggesting he may have yielded to political pressures.

Sharpy Gate originated from President Trump’s erroneous claim that Hurricane Dorian threatened Alabama. Despite local forecasters from the National Weather Service in Birmingham stating the area was not at risk, Trump intensified his assertions and showcased a hurricane forecast altered with a Black Sharpie.

Following this, NOAA leadership reprimanded local weather officials, and Jacobs, who was serving as NOAA’s assistant secretary for environmental observation at the time, was caught in the controversy.

The National Academy of Administrative Affairs conducted an investigation and concluded that Jacobs breached NOAA’s ethical standards.

At his confirmation hearing in July, Jacobs stated that he would approach a similar situation differently today.

Jacobs received bipartisan support in a committee vote last month, with five Democrats joining Republicans in favor of his nomination.

On Tuesday, he was confirmed as part of a broader package that included a dozen ambassador nominations.

Under President Trump’s second term, NOAA has already seen significant changes, including the announcement of hundreds of job cuts followed by the rehiring of many positions.

Additionally, the Trump administration has proposed substantial budget cuts for the agency and has also moved to suspend its climate change report, a crucial component of NOAA’s duties.

During the confirmation hearing, Jacobs emphasized that staffing should be a priority, recognizing that human factors play a vital role alongside natural changes in climate.

The hearing occurred shortly after severe flooding in Texas, prompting Jacobs to highlight the importance of providing timely warnings during such weather emergencies.

“Modernizing our monitoring and warning distribution systems will be my top priority,” he declared.

Jacobs also advocated for the establishment of a Natural Disaster Review Committee, inspired by the National Transportation Safety Board.

“We need increased data collection and post-storm evaluations,” he said. “Understanding what went right and wrong and whether warnings reached the public is essential.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Astronomers Discover Water Activity in Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have detected hydroxyl (OH) gas, a chemical indicator of water, from the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS using an ultraviolet/optical telescope on NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

Stacked images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS obtained with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory: the first was captured on July 31 and August 1, 2025 (visit 1, upper half), and the second was on August 19, 2025 (visit 2, lower half). Image credit: Xing et al., others, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae08ab.

The identification of the third interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, on July 1, 2025, initiated a comprehensive characterization effort globally.

Learning from prior discoveries of interstellar objects 1I/Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, an observation campaign was implemented to swiftly measure its initial brightness, morphology, light curve, color, and optical and near-infrared spectra.

Given the apparent brightness and early extension of the coma, there was suspicion of a gas outburst, yet none was detected.

Investigating the early activity of interstellar objects is crucial for understanding their chemical and physical evolution as they approach the Sun, as this may signify the first notable heating during their extensive dynamic lifetimes.

“The discovery of water marks a significant step in our grasp of how interstellar comets evolve,” stated Dennis Bordewitz, an astronomer from Auburn University.

“For solar system comets, water serves as a baseline for scientists to gauge their total activity and track how sunlight stimulates the release of other gases.”

“This is the chemical standard against which all assessments of volatile ice in cometary cores are made.”

“Detecting the same signal in an interstellar object means we can for the first time position 3I/ATLAS on the same scale employed to study comets indigenous to our Solar System. This is a progress toward juxtaposing the chemistry of planetary systems throughout our Milky Way galaxy.”

“What’s fascinating about 3I/ATLAS is the location of this water activity.”

Swift noticed the hydroxyl groups when the comet was nearly three times further from the Sun than Earth (well beyond the area where water ice on the surface could easily sublimate), recording a water loss rate of approximately 40 kg per second. At such distances, most solar system comets remain inactive.

The robust ultraviolet signal from 3I/ATLAS implies there might be additional mechanisms at play. Possibly, sunlight is warming small ice particles expelled from the core, causing them to vaporize and contribute to the surrounding gas cloud.

Such extensive water sources have only been detected on a limited number of far-off comets, suggesting intricate layered ice that holds clues regarding their formation.

Every interstellar comet discovered to date has unveiled a distinct aspect of planetary chemistry beyond our Sun.

Collectively, these observations illustrate that the composition of comets and the volatile ice that constitutes them can vary considerably from one system to another.

These variations imply the diversity of planet-forming environments and how factors like temperature, radiation, and composition ultimately influence planetary formation and, in some instances, the materials that lead to life.

Capturing the ultraviolet signals from 3I/ATLAS was a technological achievement in itself.

Swift employs a compact 30 cm telescope, yet from its orbit above Earth’s atmosphere, it can detect wavelengths of ultraviolet light that are largely absorbed by the atmosphere.

Free from sky glare or air interference, Swift’s ultraviolet/optical telescope achieves the sensitivity comparable to that of ground-based telescopes with 4-meter apertures for these wavelengths.

Its rapid targeting abilities allowed astronomers to analyze comets just weeks after their discovery, well before they become too faint or too close to the Sun for space study.

“When we observe water from an interstellar comet or its subtle ultraviolet signature (OH), we are interpreting notes from another planetary system,” Bordewitz notes.

“This indicates that the components essential for life’s chemical processes are not exclusive to us.”

“All interstellar comets we’ve observed thus far have been unexpectedly intriguing,” remarked Dr. Zexy Shin, a postdoctoral fellow at Auburn University.

“‘Oumuamua was dry, Borisov was rich in carbon monoxide, and now Atlas is revealing water at a distance we didn’t anticipate.”

“Each of these cases is transforming our understanding of how planets and comets form around stars.”

A study detailing the survey findings was published on September 30th in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Zexy Shin et al. 2025. Water production rate of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. APJL 991, L50; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae08ab

Source: www.sci.news