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

Understanding the 5 Types of Sleep and Their Impact on Your Health

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sleep experiences can vary remarkably from one person to another

PeopleImages/Shutterstock

Individuals can undergo one of five different sleep types, each showcasing the diverse ways our rest impacts health.

Previous research has identified links between sleep and aspects like sleep cognition, mental health, and physical issues including heart disease. Nonetheless, these studies typically examined only one dimension of sleep, like its duration or quality.

To adopt a more integrated perspective, Valeria Quevette from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, along with her team, explored the connections among seven sleep-related factors (like sleep satisfaction and the use of sleep aids) and 118 other variables, including cognition, substance use, and mental health. They gathered data encompassing cognitive evaluations, sleep studies, and brain imaging from 770 adults aged 22 to 36 in the United States with no reported health issues.

This analysis led to the identification of five distinct sleep profiles. The first profile represented a general trend of sleep deprivation, distinguished by heightened sleep disruptions, diminished sleep satisfaction, prolonged time to fall asleep, and worsening mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as issues like anger, fear, and stress.

Brain imaging of individuals in this category revealed decreased connectivity among networks linked to self-reflection, such as the temporolateral network, and those responsible for attention and tasks, like the somatomotor and dorsal attention networks. Researchers suggest this may indicate a disruption in the brain’s ability to alternate between internal thoughts and the external environment. For instance, individuals in this group might dwell on personal feelings and thoughts rather than focusing on their surroundings.

The second sleep profile also indicated declining mental health, particularly relating to inattention, yet not to sleep disorders. Essentially, these individuals generally had good quality sleep. “We interpreted this as the restorative capacity of sleep,” Kebets notes. “They experience poor mental health, which does not necessarily have repercussions on their sleep.” People in this category similarly showed differing brain connectivity patterns than those observed in the first group, suggesting that such connectivity issues are directly linked to sleep disturbances rather than overarching mental health.

The third profile illustrated a connection between the use of sleep medications, including prescription drugs and herbal teas aimed at improving sleep. These individuals often exhibited poor memory and emotional insights—perhaps explaining the reduced connectivity in brain areas associated with vision, memory, and emotion.

The fourth profile was marked by obtaining less than 7 hours of sleep per night, which is the recommended minimum. This inadequacy correlated with slower accuracy and reaction times in cognitive tasks assessing emotional processing, language, and social skills. Additionally, this profile was linked to increased aggressive behaviors and heightened connectivity across brain networks. Previous studies on sleep deprivation have shown similar connectivity enhancements, pointing to sleep debt implications.

The fifth profile was distinguished by frequent sleep interruptions, such as waking multiple times during the night. These disruptions were linked with poorer language processing capabilities and working memory, alongside indications of deteriorating mental health, including anxiety symptoms and issues with substance use.

These findings enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between sleep and health, according to Kebets. “Sleep is essential to your well-being and connects to cognition, physical health, mental health, substance use, and many other functioning spheres.”

However, not all individuals conformed precisely to a single profile, Kebets explains. The researchers found no causal ties but rather associations between sleep profiles and traits. It’s also crucial to acknowledge that a substantial number of individuals attain consistently high-quality sleep. Moreover, as the participants were predominantly Caucasian, this study may have overlooked sleep profiles prevalent in other ethnic groups.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Images from Mars Capture Interstellar Comet 3i/Atlas

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The bright area represents the comet’s core, which consists of a dense mixture of ice, rock, and dust. Typically, the nucleus is enveloped in a cloud of gas and dust known as a coma.

Since being discovered in July, Comet 3i/Atlas has captivated both astronomers and space enthusiasts. There have been intriguing theories suggesting it could be alien technology or a spacecraft, though no scientific backing exists for these ideas.

The comet is not stationary.

Researchers tracking its trajectory project that the comet will make its closest approach to the sun around October 30, as its orbit navigates through the inner solar system in the following weeks.

NASA has stated that 3i/Atlas poses no risk to Earth, maintaining a distance of about 170 million miles during its pass.

However, its near pass of Mars provided a unique observational opportunity.

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, jointly run by the ESA and Russia’s Federal Space Agency, directed its cameras at the comet for approximately a week starting October 1, officials from ESA noted. At that point, 3i/Atlas was roughly 18.6 million miles from the spacecraft.

Despite this, the orbiter’s instruments are primarily designed for imaging the Martian surface rather than distant objects, as explained by Nick Thomas, principal investigator for the imaging system.

“This posed a significant challenge for our instruments,” he stated in a statement. “Comets are approximately 10,000 to 100,000 times less dense than typical targets.”

Other interstellar visitors to our solar system include Oumuamua in 2017 and 2i/Borisov in 2019.

ESA emphasized, “All celestial bodies in our solar system share a common origin, but interstellar comets are unique outsiders, providing insights into the formation of distant worlds.”

As 3i/Atlas travels through our solar system, astronomers are eager to analyze its size and physical characteristics. Earlier this year, it was visible through ground-based telescopes, but it’s currently too close to the sun for observation. It is expected to reappear on the opposite side of the sun by early December, according to NASA.

NASA is tracking 3i/Atlas with the Hubble Space Telescope and plans additional observations in the upcoming months. The James Webb Space Telescope, Spherex Space Observatory, Parker Solar Probe, and the Exoplanet Survey Satellite are among the instruments hoping to catch a glimpse of the comet.

A photo taken recently by the Saturday camera captured streaks of light, leading to speculation online that it could be Comet 3i/Atlas. However, NASA has not confirmed this, and their public information office is currently closed due to the government shutdown.

ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft did focus its camera on the comet as it passed, although further analysis will be required to distinguish interstellar objects from the gathered data.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Durable and Easily Recyclable: Biodegradable Plastic Crafted from Bamboo

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Bamboo is a quickly renewable resource

James Freeman / Alamy

Bamboo-derived hard plastics exhibit similar strength and durability to conventional plastics found in household appliances and car interiors, all while being recyclable and biodegradable in soil.

While bioplastics are gaining traction, they still represent only about 0.5% of the more than 400 million tonnes of plastic manufactured annually. This limitation is largely because bioplastics often lack the mechanical strength of many petroleum-based varieties and are not easily accommodated in standard production methods.

Recently, Dr. Dawei Zhao from Shenyang University of Chemical Technology in China has pioneered a technique for creating plastics from cellulose extracted from bamboo. This innovative approach can match or even exceed the properties of many commonly used plastics.

“Bamboo grows quickly, making it an exceptionally renewable resource and a viable substitute for traditional wood, yet its current applications are mostly confined to woven products,” Zhao noted.

Zhao’s team initially treated bamboo with zinc chloride and simple acid to dismantle strong chemical bonds, resulting in a mixture of smaller cellulose molecules. These molecules are then reorganized into a robust, hardened plastic.

The resulting material’s toughness is on par with standard engineering plastics (the strong varieties used in automotive, household, and construction applications). Dr. Andrew Dove from the University of Birmingham, UK, commented on the study.

Plastic sheet made from bamboo

Dawei Zhao

However, its strength means potential applications remain underutilized. “This doesn’t compete with primary plastics used in packaging like polyethylene or polypropylene,” Dove remarked. “Nevertheless, while it primarily targets smaller engineering plastics, it could ease some concerns regarding the sourcing of existing materials in that field.”

Although it is not as economical as the most common plastics, Zhao and his group found that the bamboo-based plastic can be fully recycled while retaining 90% of its original strength, offering a more appealing economic proposition. It’s also noteworthy that while it doesn’t quite match the scrutiny that other biodegradable plastics endure, it decomposes within 50 days.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Is the Universe Just One Massive Black Hole?

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Is this an example of the entire universe?

alamy

Here’s a glimpse from the elusive newsletter of space-time. Each month, we let physicists and mathematicians share intriguing ideas stemming from the universe’s far corners. To join this exploration, Sign up for Losing Space and Time here.

“So you have written a book on black holes?”

The stranger sips their cocktail. We are mingling at a gathering, showcasing our conversations. I nodded slightly, mixing my piña colada.

“Well then,” the stranger continues, their gaze fixed intently on me. Is it truly the case that the entire universe resembles a black hole?”

It’s a familiar inquiry. This question often arises when I mention my years spent at observatories, engaging with scientists about our understanding of these cosmic giants.

People are naturally curious. The media frequently reports on distant galaxies coming into view as we gaze out into space. Videos sharing these concepts amass millions of views on platforms like YouTube. Though it seems like fiction, the scientific exploration of this notion began as early as 1972, when physicist Raj Kumar Pathria submitted a letter to Nature titled “The Universe as a Black Hole.” This topic has surfaced repeatedly since then.

So, is it feasible?

How to create a black hole

In simple terms, black holes are regions in space where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.

These enigmatic entities were first mathematically described by astronomer Karl Schwarzschild during World War I. Amidst the sounds of battle on the Western Front, he was intrigued by how Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking general relativity predicted planetary dynamics and stellar structures.

Schwarzschild derived a formula detailing how space and time behave in ways that defy common experience, creating areas that would be termed black holes.

This discovery provided profound insights into black hole dynamics. It requires a particular mass, like that of a human, planet, or star, compressed within a volume determined by Schwarzschild’s formula, et voilà! A black hole emerges.

The critical volume varies with the object’s mass. For a human being, this volume is minuscule, a hundred times smaller than a proton. For Earth, it’s akin to a golf ball, while for the Sun, the volume resembles the size of downtown Los Angeles (approximately 6 km, or just under 4 miles).

Creating black holes is challenging. Under typical conditions, materials tend not to compress to incredibly high densities. Only extreme cosmic events, like the supernova explosion of a massive star, can compel matter to collapse into a black hole.

Interestingly, the black holes formed from dying stars come from extremely dense matter, whereas the much larger supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies possess much lower densities. According to Schwarzschild’s equation, bigger black holes actually have less average density than air!

So what about the universe itself? Given that it consists largely of empty space, can such density relate to that of black holes?

Polarized light from the cosmic microwave background

ESA/Planck Collaboration

Measuring Space

With the help of Schwarzschild’s formula, astronomers can ascertain whether an object is a black hole. First, determine its mass. Next, ascertain the volume. If the object’s mass is contained within a volume smaller than that specified by Schwarzschild’s equation, it qualifies as a black hole.

Now, applying this concept to the entire universe requires knowledge of its mass and volume. However, determining the universe’s total size is impossible, as wandering with a cosmic ruler isn’t feasible. Instead, we can observe light and particles that come to us from the cosmos.

The oldest light we detect originates from the cosmic microwave background, which was produced a mere 380,000 years after the Big Bang. As the universe expands, the origin of this light is now astronomically distant. In fact, the total distance light has traveled since the Big Bang allows us to see an observable universe with a diameter of about 93 billion light years.

Through rigorous measurements over many years, astronomers estimate the mass contained within this volume to be approximately 10⁵⁴ kg (that’s a 1 followed by 54 zeros).

Next, let’s calculate the hypothetical size of a black hole with this mass using Schwarzschild’s formula. After some calculations, it turns out that such a black hole would be roughly three times larger than the observable universe, measuring around 300 billion light years across. Thus, simply from the observed mass and size of the universe, it seems to satisfy the criteria of being a black hole.

“Wow,” exclaimed the curious stranger at the cocktail party, “Does this mean the universe is indeed a black hole?”

“Not so fast, my friend,” I replied. To grasp this question fully, we must delve deeper into the nature of black holes.

Into the Void

Black holes are peculiar. One of their odd characteristics is that while they appear to be fixed sizes externally, they are continuously evolving internally. According to Schwarzschild’s formula, the internal space elongates in one dimension while compressing in the other two simultaneously. (If a black hole spins, its interior behaves differently, but that’s a tale for another time.)

Cosmologists refer to this structure as anisotropy. The term derives from tropos, meaning “direction,” and iso, meaning “equal,” alongside an, denoting negation. The dynamics of anisotropy within a black hole leads to one spatial direction expanding while the other two contract. This phenomenon, along with the infamous spaghettification, relates to the tidal forces experienced by any object drawn in.

In contrast, the universe expands isotropically (uniformly in all directions). Doesn’t that sound akin to the interior of a black hole?

However, this doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a “universe as a black hole.” Both structures share two pivotal features: the event horizon and singularity.

The event horizon marks a boundary beyond which light cannot escape. For a black hole, this signifies a point of no return for anything crossing this threshold. In the universe, space expands so swiftly that light from exceedingly distant galaxies cannot reach us.

The event horizon of our universe can be thought of as an inverted version of a black hole’s event horizon. The former limits our observation from the furthest reaches of space, while the latter confines us from seeing beyond its depths.

This reciprocal relationship is also observable in the singularity—the point where density and curvature of spacetime become infinite. According to Schwarzschild’s formula, the singularity is a destination for unfortunate astronauts crossing a black hole’s event horizon. Conversely, our cosmological models indicate that singularities exist in the past—backtracking the universe’s expansion leads every space point closer together, intensifying density. In this context, the beginnings of the Big Bang culminate in a singularity. So, for black holes, this mathematical singularity lies in the future; for our expanding universe, it exists in the past. In both instances, the complexity indicated signifies just how little we understand about these dense, enigmatic points.

Sum it all up—the disparities in expansion, event horizon, and singularity—paint a convincing picture of our universe: it’s not a black hole. It just doesn’t fit that label!

“But wait,” the stranger interjects, feeling disheartened, “I thought we calculated that the universe met the criteria for a black hole.”

“While the computations are indeed accurate,” I explain, “we observe that mathematical relationships akin to Schwarzschild’s also align within the context of an expanding universe. This isn’t exclusively characteristic of black holes.”

It suggests that strange phenomena exist at the largest cosmic scales, beyond our observational reach with telescopes. However, according to models of non-rotating, expanding black holes, our universe lacks the definitive traits that categorize it as a black hole. What to make of it? Personally, I view it as a testament to gravity’s versatility, crafting magnificent structures that encapsulate the essence of time and space.

Jonas Enander is a Swedish science writer with a PhD in physics. His newly released book Infinites Faced: Black Holes and Our Places on Earth (Atlantic Books/The Experiment, 2025) examines the impact of black holes both universally and on humanity. To delve further into these ideas, he created a video narrating the story using light blue illustrations.

The Mystery of the Universe: Cheshire, England

Spend a weekend with some of the brightest minds in science, exploring the mysteries of the universe all while visiting the iconic Lovell telescope.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Cassini Discovers Organic Molecules in Newly Released Ice Grains from Enceladus’ Ocean

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Enceladus, Saturn’s moon, constantly emits ice grains and gas plumes from its subterranean seas through fissures near the Antarctic region. A research team from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Berlin Fly utilized data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft to chemically analyze newly emitted particles originating from Enceladus’ ocean. They successfully identified intermediates of organic molecules that may have biological significance (including aliphatic and (hetero)cyclic esters/alkenes, ethers/ethyl, and tentatively, nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds), marking the first discovery of such compounds among ice particles in extraterrestrial oceans.

Artist’s impression of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft navigating through the plumes erupting from Enceladus’ Antarctic region. These plumes resemble geysers and release a mix of water vapor, ice grains, salt, methane, and various organic molecules. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Enceladus has a diameter of approximately 500 km, and its surface is covered by ice shells that are about 25-30 km thick on average.

Cassini made the first revelation of a hidden ocean beneath Enceladus’ surface back in 2005.

A current emerges from a fissure near the moon’s Antarctic, sending ice grains into space.

Some ice particles, smaller than grains of sand, settle on the moon’s surface, while others escape, forming a ring that orbits Enceladus around Saturn.

“Cassini consistently detected samples from Enceladus while passing through Saturn’s E ring,” noted Nozail Kawaja, a researcher at the Free University of Berlin and the lead author of the study.

“Many organic molecules have already been identified within these ice grains, including precursors to amino acids.”

The ice grains in the ring may be hundreds of years old and could have undergone changes due to strong cosmic radiation.

Scientists aimed to analyze the recently released grains to enhance their understanding of the dynamics within Enceladus’ seas.

Fortunately, they already had the relevant data. In 2008, Cassini flew directly through the ice sprays. The released primitive particles were emitted just minutes before they interacted with the spacecraft’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) at speeds of approximately 18 km/sec. These represented not only the most recent ice grains Cassini has detected but also the fastest.

“Ice grains encompass not just frozen water, but also other molecules containing organic matter,” Dr. Kawaja stated.

“Lower impact speeds can break the ice, leading to signals from water molecule clusters that may obscure signals from certain organic molecules.”

“However, when ice grains strike the CDA at high speeds, the water molecules do not cluster, allowing previously hidden signals to emerge.”

Years of data from previous flybys were necessary to interpret this information.

This time, the authors successfully identified the molecules contained in the freshly released ice grains.

The analysis showed that certain organic molecules known to be present in the E rings were also found in the fresh ice grains, affirming their formation within Enceladus’ seas.

Furthermore, they discovered a completely new molecule that had never before been observed in Enceladus’ ice grains.

Chemical analyses revealed that the newly detected molecular fragments consisted of aliphatic, (hetero)cyclic esters/alkenes, ethers/ethyl, and potentially nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds.

On Earth, these same compounds participate in a series of chemical reactions that ultimately yield more complex molecules essential for life.

“Numerous pathways from the organic molecules detected in Cassini’s data to potentially biologically relevant compounds exist, enhancing the possibility of habitability on the moon,” Dr. Kawaja mentioned.

“We have more data currently under review, so we anticipate further discoveries soon.”

“The molecules we identified in the newly released materials indicate that the complex organic molecules Cassini detected within Saturn’s E ring are not merely a result of prolonged exposure to space; they are readily found within Enceladus’ ocean,” added co-author Dr. Frank Postberg, also from the Free University of Berlin.

For more details, refer to the study featured in this month’s edition of Natural Astronomy.

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N. Kawaja et al. Detection of organic compounds in newly released ice grains from the Enceladus ocean. Nat Astron Published online on October 1, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02655-y

Source: www.sci.news

Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Trio Pioneering Quantum Computing Chips

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

John Clarke, Michel Devolette and John Martinis awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The prestigious 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devolette, and John Martinis. Their research elucidates how quantum particles can delve through matter, a critical process that underpins the superconducting quantum technology integral to modern quantum computers.

“I was completely caught off guard,” Clarke remarked upon hearing the news from the Nobel Committee. “This outcome was unimaginable; it felt like a dream to be considered for the Nobel Prize.”

Quantum particles exhibit numerous peculiar behaviors, including their stochastic nature and the restriction to specific energy levels instead of a continuous range. This phenomenon sometimes leads to unforeseen occurrences, such as tunneling through solid barriers. Such unusual characteristics were first revealed by pioneers like Erwin Schrödinger during the early years of quantum mechanics.

The implications of these discoveries are profound, particularly supporting theories like nuclear decay; however, earlier research was limited to individual particles and basic systems. It remained uncertain whether more intricate systems such as electronic circuits, conventionally described by classical physics, also adhered to these principles. For instance, the quantum tunneling effect seemed to vanish when observing larger systems.

In 1985, the trio from the University of California, Berkeley—Clarke, Martinis, and Devolette—sought to change this narrative. They investigated the properties of charged particles traversing a superconducting circuit known as the Josephson Junction, a device that earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 for British physicist Brian Josephson. These junctions comprise wires exhibiting zero electrical resistance, separated by an insulating barrier.

The researchers demonstrated that particles navigating through these junctions behaved as individual entities, adopting distinct energy levels, clear quantum attributes, and registering voltages beyond expected limits without breaching the adiabatic barrier.

This groundbreaking discovery significantly deepened our understanding of how to harness similar superconducting quantum systems, transforming the landscape of quantum science and enabling other scientists to conduct precise quantum physics experiments on silicon chips.

Moreover, superconducting quantum circuits became foundational to the essential components of quantum computers, known as qubits. Developed by companies like Google and IBM, the most advanced quantum computers today consist of hundreds of superconducting qubits, a result of the insights gained from Clarke, Martinis, and Devolette’s research. “In many respects, our findings serve as the cornerstone of quantum computing,” stated Clarke.

Both Martinis and Devolette are currently affiliated with Google Quantum AI, where they pioneered the first superconducting quantum computer in 2019 that demonstrated quantum advantage over traditional machines. However, Clarke noted to the Nobel Committee that it was surprising to consider the extent of impact their 1985 study has had. “Who could have imagined that this discovery would hold such immense significance?”

Topics:

Nobel Prize/
Quantum Computing

Source: www.newscientist.com

Hubble Space Telescope Unveils New Images of NGC 6951

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Nasa has unveiled a stunning close-up image of NGC 6951, the Barred Spiral Galaxy, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

This Hubble image portrays NGC 6951, a barred spiral galaxy situated around 70 million light years away in the constellation of Cepheus. The color images were derived from separate exposures in the visible and near-infrared spectrum using Hubble’s Advanced Camera (ACS). Two different filters were utilized to capture various wavelengths. Colors were assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image linked to an individual filter. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/LC HO/G. Brammer/A. Filippenko/C. Kilpatrick.

NGC 6951 is located approximately 70 million light years from Earth in the constellation of Cepheus.

Also cataloged as NGC 6952, LEDA 65086, IRAS 20366+6555, and UGC 11604, the galaxy spans about 75,000 light years.

This remarkable galaxy was first discovered independently in 1877 by French astronomer Jerome Kogier and later in 1878 by American astronomer Louis Swift.

Astronomers categorize it as a barred spiral galaxy, classified as a type II Seyfert galaxy and a low ionization nuclear emission line region (LINER) galaxy.

“As this Hubble image reveals, NGC 6951 is a spiral galaxy filled with fascinating structures,” noted a Hubble astronomer.

“The most striking features are the spiral arms adorned with shimmering red nebulae, bright blue stars, and wispy dust clouds.”

“The spiral arm encircling the center of the galaxy emits a golden glow, a hallmark of the older star population.”

“The central region of the galaxy appears extended, indicating the presence of a slowly rotating bar of stars.”

At the core of NGC 6951 lies an ultra-massive black hole surrounded by what is termed an annular nuclear ring.

“The bar structure in NGC 6951 may be responsible for another notable characteristic: a blue-white ring encircling the center of the galaxy,” the astronomer stated.

“This is known as the nuclear starburst ring, which acts as a strengthened circle for star formation around the galaxy’s nucleus.”

“The bars funnel gas toward the center, gathering into a ring that spans about 3,800 light years.”

“Two dark dust trails parallel to the bar signify the entry points where gas from the bar transitions into the ring.”

“The dense gas within the nuclear starburst ring creates an ideal environment for initiating a substantial number of stars.”

Utilizing Hubble data, astronomers have identified over 80 potential star clusters within the NGC 6951 ring.

“Many of these stars formed within the last 100 million years, yet the ring itself has an extended lifespan, potentially persisting for 1 to 1.5 billion years,” the researchers elaborated.

Source: www.sci.news

Planetary Scientists Uncover New Minerals on Mars

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The recently identified mineral, Phalic Hydroxysullate, sheds light on the environmental conditions and history of Mars, hinting at potential past volcanic, ash, or hydrothermal activities.

A distinct spectral unit on the Juventue Plateau on Mars. Image credit: Bishop et al, doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2.

The compact reconnaissance imaging spectrometer (CRISM) on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has gathered hyperspectral data, enabling the mapping of numerous minerals that enhance our understanding of Mars’ ancient geochemical history.

Various sulfate minerals have been identified both from orbit and during landing missions, utilizing spectral parameters, X-ray diffraction, and elemental composition to compare with minerals found on Earth.

In 2010, a unique spectral band was detected in the CRISM data from Mars, specifically on the plateau near Juvento Chasma and within the eroded impact crater Arum Chaos.

This spectral band did not match any known minerals, presenting challenges in mineral identification for over 15 years.

Initial laboratory studies suggested that dehydrated iron sulfate could be the source of this unidentified material.

“The data obtained from spectrometers can’t be utilized in that manner,” explains Dr. Mario Parent, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“Data adjustments are necessary to account for atmospheric effects.”

“The sunlight reflecting off the minerals and CRISM passes through the Martian atmosphere twice,” he continues. “There are scattering molecules and gases that absorb light.” For instance, Mars has a high concentration of carbon dioxide, which can distort the data.

By employing a deep learning artificial intelligence method, researchers can map both known and unknown minerals, automatically identifying anomalies in individual image pixels.

This technique has revealed additional locations with similar spectral bands and clarified other spectral features.

With refined properties, researchers were able to replicate the minerals in the lab and identify the enigmatic compound as hydroxysulfate.

“Materials formed in laboratory conditions may represent new minerals due to their unique crystal structure and thermal durability,” states Dr. Janice Bishop, a researcher at the SETI Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center.

“However, it is imperative to find them on Earth to officially classify them as new minerals.”

Hydroxyacids are formed at elevated temperatures (50-100 degrees Celsius) in the presence of oxygen and water under acidic conditions.

“When will we observe this material once we develop a mineral attribution and obtain the necessary indicators of a specific material?” Dr. Parente questions.

Scientists deduced that it formed in Arum Chaos due to geothermal heat, while the same minerals likely originated in Juvento from volcanic activity involving ash or lava.

They speculate this may have occurred during the Amazonian era, which is estimated to be under 3 billion years ago.

“Factors such as temperature, pressure, and pH are critical indicators of what the paleoclimate was like,” states Dr. Parente.

“The existence of this mineral adds depth to our understanding of Martian processes.”

“Some regions of Mars have been chemically and thermally altered more recently than previously thought, providing new insights into the planet’s dynamic surface and its potential to support life.”

Study published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Jl Bishop et al. 2025. The properties of iron hydroxythrusa acid on Mars and the implications of the geochemical environment that supports its formation. Nat commun 16, 7020; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Reveal Multiple Instances of Marine Fish Migrating to Freshwater

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The fish supergroup earball, recognized for its superior hearing abilities, includes two-thirds of freshwater fish species. They were previously believed to have originated in freshwater prior to the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. This suggests an almost 80 million-year span from their inception to the earliest known fossils. However, the discovery of Acronichthys MacCognoi—a newly identified freshwater ear fish species from the late Cretaceous period—challenges this assumption.

Reconstruction of the Weberian apparatus in Acronichthys MacCognoi. The central golden bone arises from the rib bones (indicated in grey) that connect the fish’s air bladder (left) to the inner ear (right). Image credit: University of California, Berkeley Ken Chronicle.

Underwater ears require a distinct anatomy compared to those that sense airborne sounds.

Many terrestrial vertebrates have evolved eardrum-like structures that vibrate in response to sound waves.

These eardrums amplify sounds, moving bone arrays, similar to the malleus, incus, and stapes found in human middle ears, which then stimulate the fluid-filled inner ear.

In contrast, sound waves travel through fish, which have a density similar to that of the surrounding water.

Consequently, fish have developed an air-filled bladder that vibrates in response to sound passing through it.

These vibrations are then transferred to the fish’s inner ear in a basic manner in most saltwater species.

However, specialized fish have developed bony structures known as “bones” between the air bladder and inner ear (a system called Weberian apparatus), enhancing the amplification and range of frequencies detectable by their ears. For instance, zebrafish can detect frequencies of up to 15,000 Hz, nearing the human limit of 20,000 Hz.

The reason for these fish’s need to hear high frequencies remains unclear, though it may relate to their existence in varied and complex environments, from swift currents to still lakes.

“reason Acronichthys Maccagnoi Professor Neil Banerjee, a researcher at Western University, noted:

“This represents the oldest known North American member of the group and offers invaluable data for documenting the origins and early evolution of numerous freshwater fish species existing today.”

Acronichthys Maccagnoi thrived in the late Cretaceous period roughly 67 million years ago.

The authors utilized microCT scans of 4 cm long fossils to investigate their Weber structure.

They also studied the genomes and morphology of contemporary fish to refine the evolutionary lineage of freshwater species and simulate frequency responses of the middle ear structures of fossil fish.

Their model indicates that even 67 million years ago, Otophysan fish may have possessed hearing sensitivity on par with today’s zebrafish.

“We were uncertain if this constituted a fully functional Weberian device, but the simulation proved effective,” stated Dr. Juan Liu, a paleontologist at the University of California, Berkeley.

“The Weberian apparatus suggests it’s less sensitive than that of zebrafish.”

“However, the peak sensitivity frequency is not as low as that of zebrafish (500-1,000 Hz). This is not an insignificant finding, and it’s conceivable that this ancient Otophysan fish achieved a higher hearing frequency.”

This discovery indicates that at least two transitions from marine to freshwater species occurred during the evolution of otolaryngology.

Researchers estimate the divergence times for ear plants migrating from ocean to freshwater habitats occurred around 154 million years ago (late Jurassic period), following the fragmentation of Pangaea around 200 million years ago.

“Dinosaurs are fascinating, attracting significant attention, which means we know a lot about them. However, there’s still much to uncover regarding the diversity of prehistoric freshwater fish.”

“Many keys to understanding the origins of the groups that currently dominate rivers and lakes worldwide can be found in Canadian fossil sites.”

A paper detailing these findings was published in the journal Science on October 2nd.

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Juan Liu et al. 2025. Marine origin and freshwater radiation of ENT. Science 390 (6768): 65-69; doi: 10.1126/science.adr4494

Source: www.sci.news

Galaxies Prove to Be More Intense and Significant Than We Realized

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Black Holes Are Exceptionally Potent Matter Distributors

NASA Image Collection/Alamy

SEI 269239193 — Black Holes Are Exceptionally Potent Matter Distributors

NASA Image Collection/Alamy

A surprisingly violent black hole may have triggered the enigma of the elusive cosmic material.

Mysterious dark matter fills much of the universe, but ordinary matter continues to puzzle cosmologists. Some of this ordinary matter, known as baryons, has seemed to vanish for quite some time. Recently, researchers uncovered its hiding place, and Boryana Hadzhiyska from the University of California, Berkeley and her colleagues discovered how black holes influence its distribution, leaving it concealed.

“Materials consist of essential components, dark matter, and baryonic matter, which is essentially gas. The shape of a star represents a certain percentage, while the remaining is diffuse gas,” she explains. The diffuse gas is faint and hard to detect, but her team has integrated various observations to locate it.

One dataset they utilized illustrates how baryon matter creates shadows against the residual radiation from the Big Bang, the microwave background of the universe. Another crucial part of the investigation involved analyzing how afterglow gets distorted by the gravitational fields of massive objects. By combining these observations, the team identified where dark matter and baryonic matter would cluster and spread.

Hadzhiyska finds it thrilling to discover that baryonic matter is considerably more widespread than dark matter. This indicates that the ultra-massive black hole residing in the galaxy ejects it in an unexpectedly dynamic manner.

“We have a precise understanding of how this process occurs and how powerful it is, which allows us to gauge the number of problems being expelled from a particular galaxy. Up to now, this has remained quite uncertain,” says Colin Hill at Columbia University in New York. Researchers can perform computer simulations to model galaxies and their evolution, but to get such a detail right, this type of analysis is absolutely vital, he adds. “It provides us with a supplementary probe to comprehend the role of ultra-massive black holes in redistributing gas within galaxies,” notes Alex Krolevsky from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

Hadzhiyska asserts that this analysis will also help address ongoing debates about the universe’s mass. This encompasses both ordinary and unseen dark matter frameworks of the universe, driven by gravity. Her team is currently seeking to integrate more types of observations into their analysis, such as the way brief bursts of cosmic radio waves traverse the diffuse baryon gas. They emphasize the need for an improved “Baryon Census” with reduced uncertainty, as stated by Michael Shull from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Does this exposition unveil the oddities of matter distribution in the universe, prompting theorists and modelers to return to their sketches? “We anticipate a breakthrough. My wish is that dark matter will begin to show deviations from the standard cosmological model,” states Hadzhiyska.

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Paleontologists Discover New Species of Flat-Headed Herbivorous Dinosaur

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists from the United States and the Slovak Republic have identified and named a new genus and species of hadrosaur dinosaur that roamed what is now New Mexico during the Cretaceous period.

Reconstructing the life of Acisresaurus wimani based on the holotype and related species. Image credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.

“Hadrosauridae“, a family of large herbivorous dinosaurs, were once among the most prevalent dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems of the Western Interior Basin of North America for nearly 20 million years,” stated paleontologist Sebastian Dalman from Montana State University, along with colleagues from Harrisburg University, Pennsylvania State University, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and Pavol Josef Shafarik University.

“Known commonly as ‘duck-billed’ dinosaurs, this group displayed remarkable taxonomic diversity and success during the Cretaceous period.”

“In the final 20 million years of the Cretaceous, hadrosaurids spread across the globe, appearing in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.”

The newly identified species, Acisresaurus wimani, lived during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 75 million years ago.

Fossilized dinosaur bones were uncovered in the geological formations of the Kirtland Formation, located in the A Si Sle Pa Wilderness, situated between Chaco Canyon and the De Na Gin Wilderness in San Juan County, New Mexico.

“The holotype specimen includes a diagnostically incomplete skull, several isolated cranial elements such as the right zygoma, quadrate, and dentary, along with a series of articulated cervical vertebrae,” the researchers noted.

“Besides the holotype, additional specimens from the same layer could also belong to this newly described species, including a well-preserved left dentary, a partial skeleton, and two humeri—one from a large adult and the other from a juvenile.”

In prior research, Acisresaurus wimani was linked to Kritosaurus, an early genus of saurolophine hadrosaurids found in the Kirtland Formation.

Both species share a close relationship within the subfamily Hadrosaurinae, specifically the Saurolophinae.

However, phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are distinct groups existing during the Campanian period of the Cretaceous in southern Laramidia.

“The younger species, Kritosaurus, belongs to the Critosaurini clade, comprising various species from northern Laramidia,” the scientists explained.

“Furthermore, phylogenetic results indicate the existence of a clade that includes Acisresaurus and Naashoibitosaurus, having diverged from Critosaurini in the late Campanian (75 million years ago), alongside two unnamed species in southern Laramidia.”

According to the research team, Naashoibitosaurus and Acisresaurus represent flat-headed saurolophines that could form a new category of hadrosaurids.

“This clade points to the considerable taxonomic diversity of saurolophines, which were prominent herbivorous dinosaurs in southern Laramidia during the final 20 million years of the Cretaceous,” the authors remarked.

“The discovery of a new hadrosaur species in New Mexico reinforces the evidence of latitudinal variation in hadrosaur faunas across Laramidia during the Late Cretaceous.”

The team’s study will be published in the Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

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Sebastian Dalman et al. 2025. A new saurolophine hadrosaurid (Ornithischian: Hadrosauridae) discovered in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Hunter Wash Member, Kirtland Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 101

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Indicates the Far Side of the Moon is Colder than Its Near Side

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The stark differences in proximity and width between the moon’s near and far sides, along with their topography, volcanism, and crustal structures, offer crucial insights into the moon’s formation and evolution. However, investigations into the mechanisms behind this hemispherical asymmetry have been constrained by the absence of far-side samples. A recent study revealed fragments of rock and soil collected by China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft from a large crater on the moon last year. Researchers confirmed that these rock samples are approximately 2.8 billion years old, analyzed the chemical composition of the minerals, and estimated that they were formed from lava deep within the moon at temperatures around 1,100 degrees Celsius. Survey results were published in the journal Natural Earth Science.

A global map of Albedo from a 750 nm filter on a UV-VIS camera mounted on NASA’s Clementine spacecraft. This image shows the near and far side of Lambert’s moon, and is an equal area projection. Image credit: NASA.

“The near and far sides of the moon differ significantly, both on the surface and potentially in their internal structures,” said Professor Yang Lee, a researcher at the University of London.

“This is one of the moon’s great mysteries. We refer to it as the two-sided moon. While variations in temperature between the near and far sides have long been theorized, our research presents the first evidence derived from actual samples.”

“These discoveries bring us closer to understanding the moon’s dual nature,” stated PhD candidate Xuelin Zhu from Peking University.

“They indicate that the disparities between the two sides extend beyond the surface, reaching deep within the moon.”

In this research, the authors examined 300 grams of lunar soil assigned to the Beijing Institute of Uranium Geology.

“This sample represents the first collection by the Chang’e 6 mission from across the moon,” commented Dr. Sheng, a researcher at the same institute.

The researchers found the samples were primarily composed of basalt particles and utilized electron probes to map specific areas of the sample, determining their composition.

They analyzed variations in lead isotopes dating back 2.8 billion years.

Several techniques were employed to estimate the sample temperatures at different stages in the moon’s past.

The first method involved analyzing mineral composition and comparing it with computer simulations to estimate the formation temperatures of the rocks.

This was juxtaposed with similar estimates for rocks from the near side, revealing a temperature difference of approximately 100 degrees Celsius.

The second technique delved further into the sample’s history, inferring from its chemical composition to ascertain the heat of the “parent rock” and comparing it with estimates of lunar samples obtained during the Apollo missions.

Once again, a Celsius difference of about 100 degrees was identified.

Due to the limited samples returned, they estimated the parent rock temperature using satellite data from the Chang’e landing sites on both sides, comparing this with similar data from nearby areas, which revealed a difference of 70 degrees Celsius.

On the moon, thermogenic elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium are often found alongside phosphorus and rare earth elements within a material referred to as KREEP (an acronym for potassium (K), rare earth element (REE), and phosphorus (P)).

The leading theory regarding the moon’s origin posits that it formed from debris resulting from a large-scale collision between Earth and a Mars-sized protoplanet, developing from primarily molten rock.

This magma solidified as it cooled, but KREEP elements were compatible with the forming crystals and remained within the magma for extended periods.

Scientists anticipate that KREEP material would be evenly distributed across the moon. In reality, it appears to be concentrated in the near side’s mantle.

The distribution of these elements may explain why the near side exhibited more volcanic activity.

While the current mantle temperatures on the far and near sides of the moon remain unknown due to this study, the temperature imbalances are likely to persist for a considerable duration, as the moon cools very slowly since its formation from a catastrophic impact.

Scientists aim to provide definitive answers to these questions in ongoing research.

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she et al. Chang’e-6 basalt and relatively cool moon facid mantle inferred from remote sensing. nut. Geosci Published online on September 30th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41561-025-01815-z

Source: www.sci.news

General Relativity Could Rescue Some Planets from Oblivion

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of two planets circling white dwarf stars

Julian Baum/Science Photo Library

SEI 269244855 — Illustration of two planets circling white dwarf stars

Julian Baum/Science Photo Library

Planets in orbit around white dwarf stars may have the potential to remain habitable due to subtle movements dictated by the general theory of relativity.

As sun-like stars deplete their fuel, they expand into red giants, shedding their outer layers, ultimately leaving behind a dense, hot core called a white dwarf. Evidence shows that giant planets can continue orbiting these remnants, indicating that life may withstand the stars’ expansion.

Moreover, rocky planets could potentially orbit close to these stars within a compact habitable zone. This zone is the region around the star where liquid water can exist on a planet’s surface, though it has yet to be observed. White dwarfs can remain hospitable for immense periods, as they cool down very gradually, possibly for trillions of years.

The habitable zone is located million kilometers away from the stars and is significantly narrower than Earth’s orbit of 150 million kilometers. Previous studies indicated that a massive orbiting planet makes survival untenable due to tidal heating effects: the gravitational pull of a larger planet generates internal friction, leading to a runaway greenhouse effect akin to that of Venus.

However, modeling conducted by Eva Stafne suggests this might not necessarily be the case. Juliet Becker, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that, under certain conditions, Einstein’s general theory of relativity can provide a lifeline for the inner planet.

According to general relativity, massive objects warp space-time, which can be visualized as a dip or “well” on a flat surface. Essentially, the gravity wells of the host star become detached from the orbiting planet, slowly rotating and interacting inconsistently as the planet moves in and out of these wells.

“There’s a precession that separates the outer planet from the inner planet,” says Stafne, which prevents extreme tidal effects on the inner planet. “Past simulations did not consider general relativity, but this highlights the importance of including it in these close systems.”

Without considering general relativity, the outer planet, which would need to be at least 18 times more massive than the innermost planet, could provoke this runaway greenhouse effect, Becker explains. Yet, “factoring in general relativity changes the outcome dramatically,” she states. The inner planet can remain hospitable to similar distances, even with an outer planet as large as Neptune.

Mary Anne Limbach from the University of Michigan is uncertain about the likelihood of discovering such systems. “I’m not even sure if any habitable planets exist around white dwarfs,” she states. Telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope are actively on the lookout for rocky worlds in the vicinity of white dwarfs.

Nevertheless, this research reveals a unique series of plausible scenarios where inhabitants of distant worlds may thrive under suitable conditions, thanks to the bending of space-time.

“We might have a better understanding of how common relativity can be than we think,” Limbach observes.

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Steam World Lifecycle – Sci-Worthy Insights

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The primary goal of contemporary astronomy is to search for extraterrestrial life. All organisms on Earth require water, prompting scientists to postulate that locating water in space is essential for finding Earth-like life elsewhere. Discoveries indicate that substantial amounts of water exist in space, often in surprising locations. For example, researchers have identified frosty Calderas on Mars and water geysers on Saturn’s Moon Enceladus, among other sites, including the worlds of water surrounding other stars.

Nonetheless, water-rich exoplanets do not necessarily mimic Earth. A prevalent category of exoplanets known as Sub-Neptunes can be 2-4 times Earth’s radius, typically composed of more gas and ice. Researchers have determined the density of these sub-Neptunes, suggesting they may possess a substantial inner layer rich in water, encased in hydrogen layers. This structure diverges from Earth’s, which features thin surface oceans and expansive underground water reserves.

Additionally, scientists have found numerous sub-Neptunes in close orbit to their stars, revealing that they maintain elevated equilibrium temperatures. Consequently, these exoplanets are unable to sustain liquid water layers; instead, they exhibit a vapor atmosphere above a water layer in a state between liquid and gas, referred to as supercritical.

Gas and supercritical fluids dominate over liquids, resulting in Steam Worlds that are inflated compared to colder sub-Neptunes. Their larger radius is sensitive to temperature changes, causing them to expand as they move away from their host star and contract as they approach it. Although scientists have developed computer models of steam worlds previously, outcomes varied as they overlooked either contraction effects or aged deformation.

In pursuit of a clearer understanding of these steam worlds, a collaboration between US and UK scientists generated dynamic simulations of the known exoplanet GJ 1214B to assess its transformations over 20 billion years. Their model featured planets orbiting a red star with a mass less than seven times that of Earth and a radius exceeding 3.3 times Earth’s, with equilibrium temperatures around 540°F (280°C). They structured the model planet across five distinct layers: an inner iron core, varying upper and lower mantle compositions, a high-pressure ice layer, and an external fluid water envelope.

To monitor the temperature changes within their steam world over time, the research team focused on its interior rather than the outermost layer. For planets with vaporous outer layers subjected to solar evaporation, internal temperatures can exceed expectations since atmospheric gases can trap more heat than escape to space. This explains why Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is hotter than Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun.

The team found that their model exoplanet generally cooled and contracted over its lifespan. Starting with a radius over 3.3 times Earth’s and internal temperatures near 1,300°F (700°C), within less than 10 million years, its radius reduced to 2.9 times Earth’s with an internal temperature of 260°F (130°C). After 100 million years, it measured 2.7 times Earth’s radius, while internal temperatures dropped to -190°F (-120°C). Ultimately, after 20 billion years, the model planet’s radius was 2.6 times that of Earth, with a frigid interior temperature of -400°F (-230°C).

The final findings revealed a cooler interior exoplanet, smaller than earlier models of water-rich sub-Neptunes, indicating that it remained tightly compressed and did not lose mass. A denser planet holds less steam in its outer layers. Additionally, its inner ice layer was influenced by chemical transformations between ice and cold plasma, exhibiting properties of both liquid and solid forms, termed superion ice.

The researchers conceded that their model may not accurately reflect real sub-Neptunes, as they assumed pure water layers within the steam world. In reality, these layers likely contain chemical impurities, accompanied by an outer hydrogen and helium gas shell. Nonetheless, they posited that these outcomes could aid international researchers in better deciphering the entirety of Sub-Neptunes, as they indicate a potential relationship between a sub-Neptune’s radius, its density, and the age of its host system. All three characteristics are currently under examination in ongoing missions like JWST and Gaia.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Americans Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine for Advancements in Understanding the Human Immune System

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Three distinguished scientists (two from the U.S. and one from Japan) have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their pivotal discovery related to peripheral immune resistance.

Mary E. Blankku, Fred Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi Shiko were jointly recognized for their breakthrough that “has invigorated the field of peripheral tolerance and contributed to the advancement of medical treatments for cancer and autoimmune disorders,” as stated in a news release by the Nobel Committee. The three recipients will share a prize of 11 million Swedish Kronor (approximately $1.2 million).

“This could also enhance the success rates of organ transplants. Several of these therapies are currently in clinical trials,” he noted.

Autoimmune diseases may arise when T cells, which serve as the body’s main defense against harmful pathogens, malfunction.

Their collective discovery establishes an essential foundation for understanding alternative methods by which the immune system, known as peripheral resistance, functions.

To mitigate damage, our bodies attempt to eliminate malfunctioning T cells within the thymus, a lymphoid organ, through a mechanism termed central resistance. Associated Press.

The groundbreaking research began in 1995 when Sakaguchi, a prominent professor at the Center for Immunology Frontier Research at Osaka University in Japan, uncovered a previously unknown class of immune cells that defend against autoimmune diseases.

Six years later, in 2001, Mary Blankku, who now serves as a senior program manager at the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle, along with Ramsdell, a scientific advisor to Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, identified a specific genetic mutation responsible for a severe autoimmune disease known as IPEX.

They designated this gene as foxp3.

By 2003, Sakaguchi confirmed that the FOXP3 gene he had identified nearly a decade prior was crucial for cell development. These cells are now referred to as regulatory T cells, which are essential in monitoring other T cells to prevent their malfunction.

“Their discoveries were vital for understanding the immune system’s functioning and why serious autoimmune diseases don’t affect everyone,” remarked All Kampe, Chairman of the Nobel Committee.

Nobel Committee Executive Director Thomas Perman announced the award on Monday morning, stating that he was only able to reach Sakaguchi.

“I hugged him in his lab, and he expressed immense gratitude, stating it was a tremendous honor. He was quite moved by the news,” Perman mentioned.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 10th, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, a Swedish industrialist who founded the award to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to humanity. The inaugural award was revealed in 1901, marking the fifth anniversary of his passing.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine will be announced in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute on Monday, followed by the prizes for Physics, Chemistry, and Literature on the ensuing days.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Shackleton Acknowledged His Ship’s Limitations Before Setting Sail

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Wreckage of the Endurance, which sank in 1915

Science History Images / Alamy

Over a century has passed since the Endurance, reputedly the strongest wooden ship ever constructed, met its fate in Antarctic ice. Recent evaluations of historical evidence indicate that it might not have been as resilient as other polar vessels of its era, casting doubt on expedition leader Ernest Shackleton’s awareness of its limitations.

Shackleton aimed to journey across Antarctica from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea, making stops along the way. However, the Endurance never reached the Antarctic coastline. In 1915, it became trapped in ice in the Weddell Sea, leading to its sinking.

Jukka Tukuri, who was part of a significant expedition at Aalto University in Finland, discovered a shipwreck on the seabed in 2022. Upon researching the polar vessels of that time, he found that the narrative surrounding the Endurance was misleading; it lacked the structural strength attributed to it.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several ships were engineered specifically to navigate sea ice. Many featured an oval hull shape and shallow keels, which helped prevent ice from creating strong hold on the side, allowing it to slide beneath. Additionally, the internal structure of these vessels included a continuous deck spanning the hull’s entire length, which enhanced their rigidity.

In contrast, the Endurance was longer and had taller keels. Tukuri’s calculations indicated that other contemporary polar ships could withstand 1.7 to 2.7 times more compressive force than the Endurance. Furthermore, the ship’s large engine restricted the lower deck to only part of the vessel, creating structural weaknesses due to the absence of a reinforced box-like configuration.

In his review of Shackleton’s letters, Tukuri found evidence that Shackleton was aware of these design flaws. Just before departing for Antarctica, Shackleton noted in a letter to his wife that Nimrod, his previous ship, was more robust. Yet, he pressed on with his journey: “He was willing to embrace the risk,” Tukuri commented.

As predicted, the Endurance could not withstand the immense pressure of the sea ice. The vessel was compressed and distorted until its keel was ultimately torn apart and submerged.

Despite this, a myth arose portraying the Endurance as the world’s most resilient wooden ship, potentially fueled by an article in The Era. According to Tukuri, Shackleton perpetuated this narrative; the reasons remain unclear, but it seems to add an element of drama to his ill-fated expedition. “Endurance may have symbolized strength and heroism poetically,” he said. “Regrettably, that was not the case from an engineering perspective.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Prepare to Enjoy the Four Epic Supermoons Ahead!

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

2024 Colorado Springs Supermoon

Parker Seibold/The Gazette AP Photo/Alamy

Moon enthusiasts are in for a treat in the coming months, as four supermoons will be appearing. These remarkable full moons are named for the colder months in the Northern Hemisphere: the October Hunter Moon, the November Beaver Moon, and the December and January Wolf Moons. What sets a supermoon apart is its larger and brighter appearance compared to an ordinary full moon.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the point in its elliptical orbit around Earth where it is closest to our planet. This results in a moon that is 8% larger and 15% brighter than the typical full moon, a sight that skywatchers everywhere can appreciate.

The next full moon will rise in November, but the difference between this supermoon and the usual ones may not be easily noticed. To fully experience the supermoon, it’s best to observe it when it is on the horizon, as this can create an illusion of it being even larger alongside nearby objects.

The first supermoon is set to appear on October 7th. If conditions are clear, you will be able to view the fully illuminated moon as soon as the sun sets, no matter where you are.

Even if you miss this one, it’s still a splendid time to gaze at the moon. After the full moon, it will travel through the sky toward the constellation Taurus, offering plenty of celestial sights.

By October 10th, the moon will dim, yet more than 75% will still shine brightly, located near the Pleiades, known as the seven sisters—a cluster of young stars about 440 light years away that formed simultaneously.

Only the brightest stars of this group can be seen with the naked eye, which is why they are referred to as the seven sisters. They appear in a roughly square shape with lines extending from one corner, reminiscent of the Plow or the Big Dipper.

On October 14th, the moon will be illuminated at less than 50% and will be positioned next to the planet Jupiter. If you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to spot some of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its largest satellites.

If you’re interested in studying the moon closely, take a look through a telescope on October 30th, when it will be in its first quarter phase. Throughout the months, you’ll have the chance to see fascinating optical phenomena on the moon’s surface known as the X and V shapes.

By early November, it will be time for the next supermoon.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Will a Ban on Genetic Engineering in Wildlife Hinder Conservation Efforts?

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The concept of genetically modifying wild lions sparks debate

Andrewfel/Shutterstock

Is there a need to genetically modify wild lions? While it may seem unnecessary, it provokes a quick reaction. Consider a scenario where a devastating disease, introduced by humans, threatens their survival. What if genetic alterations could boost immunity against this disease, providing a natural evolution path through time as more lions perish?

This debate is fracturing the environmentalist community, with discussions set to intensify. Next week, at a meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—the leading conservation organization—delegates will vote on a proposal to “suspend” genetic engineering in wildlife, including the introduction of modified microorganisms.

“I’m uncertain how the voting will unfold,” says Piero Genovesi from the Italian Institute of Environmental Protection, who backs an open letter opposing the proposal.

While the IUCN’s moratorium on synthetic biology carries no legal weight, it may still have significant repercussions. Various conservation organizations might halt projects involving genetic engineering, and some nations could incorporate such restrictions into their laws.

“Moratoriums would undoubtedly pose challenges on various fronts,” states Ben Novak, of the US-based nonprofit Revive & Restore, which aims to leverage biotechnology for the recovery of endangered and extinct species.

Why is this issue gaining attention now? The answer lies in CRISPR. In 2014, the potential for gene drives using CRISPR technology was demonstrated. Gene drives allow specific DNA segments to be passed down through generations, enabling them to spread even if detrimental. This technology could theoretically eliminate invasive species or spread beneficial traits like disease resistance.

Discussions emerged at a 2016 conference in Hawaii regarding employing gene drives to eradicate invasive mosquitoes that have decimated Hawaii’s native bird species, according to Genovesi. Reactions were mixed; some were enthusiastic, while others expressed deep concern.

This tension led to the proposed moratorium. “Gene drives are being promoted by some as a one-size-fits-all solution to environmental issues,” mentions Ricarda Steinbrecher from Econex, an organization also advocating for the moratorium.

However, the broad language of the proposed motion could affect much more than just gene drives. It might unintentionally restrict passive conservation efforts and the use of live vaccines.

Steinbrecher suggests the moratorium is a temporary halt, indicating another vote may take place later “when more data becomes available.” However, with many proponents of the ban being staunchly against genetic engineering, changing their perspectives may be challenging. “I’m concerned it could lead to an extended pause,” Genovesi states.

Imagine the prospect of using gene editing to make wild animals disease-resistant. While Steinbrecher raises concerns about unintended consequences, current evidence suggests the risks remain low. This is why some genetically edited foods are already being consumed, and the first CRISPR therapy received approval last year.

The same considerations regarding benefits and risks are applicable to conservation efforts. For instance, is it preferable to witness global warming decimating coral reefs rather than releasing genetically engineered symbiotic algae to enhance coral heat tolerance?

The scalability of such endeavors is crucial, asserts Novak. Manual transplanting of corals will not be enough to salvage the reefs. “Synthetic biology tools are essential for achieving the broad objective of restoring 30% of land and saving seed varieties,” he emphasizes.

Ultimately, this discourse revolves around conflicting visions of nature. Some regard it as a pristine entity, wary of genetic modification. Nonetheless, humans have already altered nature significantly. Our actions have unintentionally interfered with genetic selection through practices like hunting, pollution, pesticide use, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases.

These actions necessitate adaptations among many species for their survival; for instance, specific elephant populations are now nearly devoid of tusks.

However, this does not imply that further interference will yield positive outcomes. The release of gene drives carries significant risks, such as their potential spread beyond intended targets.

Researchers are cognizant of these hazards. Methods like self-limiting gene drives can be implemented to prevent unrestrained gene dispersion.

“We are confronted with a severe biodiversity crisis,” Genovesi argues. “We shouldn’t close ourselves off to innovative tools that could assist us in combatting substantial threats.”

Conservation and Rewilding in the Central Apennines: Italy

A journey through Italy’s central Apennines introduces the practical realities and philosophy behind rewilding.

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Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Trio for Contributions to Immune Resistance

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mary Blankku, Fred Ramsdell, and Sato Shimajimajima have been announced as winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine by Committee Executive Director Thomas Perman.

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to three groundbreaking researchers: Mary Blank, Fred Ramsdel, and Shimon Sakaguchi. They have made significant discoveries regarding a unique type of immune cell that prevents the immune system from attacking its own body.

“We have opened up an entirely new area in immunology,” stated Marie Warren Hellenius from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

T cells, a type of immune cell, are crucial for detecting and neutralizing harmful viruses and bacteria. These cells are continuously produced throughout a person’s life.

At times, newly formed T cell receptors may mistakenly target the body’s own proteins instead of those from viruses or bacteria, resulting in autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

The body possesses mechanisms to eliminate autoreactive T cells, with newly generated ones migrating to the thymus for evaluation. This has long been believed to be the sole process for the removal of self-targeting T cells.

Yet in 1995, Sakaguchi, now at Osaka University, demonstrated through a mouse study that other circulating cells in the bloodstream must provide some form of protection against autoreactive T cells. When the thymus is removed post-birth, mice develop autoimmune conditions; however, this outcome is averted when healthy T cells are introduced. His research identified that these particular T cells feature the CD25 protein on their surface, thereby classifying them as CD25-regulated T cells.

Meanwhile, Blankku, currently affiliated with the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle, and Ramsdell, who advises Sonoma Bitherapeutics in San Francisco, studied mouse strains predisposed to autoimmune diseases. In 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell identified that these mice possess mutations in a gene located on the X chromosome, specifically FOXP3.

Individuals with mutations in this gene are particularly susceptible to autoimmune disorders due to a condition known as IPEX syndrome. In 2003, Sakaguchi connected these findings, showing that the FOXP3 gene is integral to the development of the CD25-regulated cells his team had identified. Many researchers previously remained skeptical of Sakaguchi’s assertions, according to Warren Hellenius. However, the findings from Brunkow and Ramsdell solidified the case.

The discovery of regulatory T cells could pave the way for improved treatments across a variety of conditions. Increasing the presence of regulatory T cells may help mitigate autoimmune responses that lead to diseases like type 1 diabetes. Conversely, reducing these cells can amplify the immune system’s response against cancer. Numerous clinical trials are currently being conducted.

“Their discoveries have been fundamental in understanding the workings of the immune system and explaining why serious autoimmune diseases don’t universally develop,” remarked Orkenpe, the chairman of the Nobel Committee, in a statement.

Topics:

Immune system/
Nobel Prize

Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Methods to Detect Parkinson’s Disease Years Earlier

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Parkinson’s disease is currently the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the United States; currently, 90,000 individuals have been diagnosed—a staggering 50% increase since the mid-1980s. The situation mirrors global trends, with an expected 25 million diagnoses by 2050, effectively doubled compared to today’s figures.

In summary, this is a significant issue. However, these numbers aren’t entirely surprising, considering longer life spans and growing populations. What is truly alarming, and frankly, unsettling, is how unprepared we are for this impending wave.

The available treatments are limited. Diagnostic tools are inadequate. Honestly, we still don’t really understand what causes Parkinson’s disease.

Yet, before you plunge into the depths of neurodegenerative despair, there is hope. Scientists worldwide are actively working to change the narrative surrounding Parkinson’s.

In particular, researchers are revolutionizing how we can detect Parkinson’s disease. Armed with cutting-edge technologies, AI, and a fundamentally evolving understanding of disease manifestation throughout the body, they’re aiming to detect it decades before any symptoms present themselves, rather than years.

Presently, there is no single definitive test for Parkinson’s disease. Instead, doctors diagnose it based on physical symptoms like tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness, often requiring assessments of tasks such as writing and speaking.

“Today’s neurodegenerative disease is what cancer used to be 50 years ago,” states Professor Hermona Solek, a leading researcher in next-generation diagnostic tools. “We often finalize a diagnosis only when all involved nerve cells are already dead, leaving us unable to properly treat the patient.”

But what if there were a way to diagnose Parkinson’s disease before it could do any significant harm? What if it could be caught on its way, before brain cells face irreversible damage?

This is no longer just a theory. In fact, there are multiple methods emerging.

AI Desk Accessories

Not all breakthroughs in diagnostics require a blood sample; some new innovations could be found right on your desk.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, Professor Junchen‘s lab claims to have developed a diagnostic pen that detects Parkinson’s disease by analyzing your writing.

This unique pen’s soft tip is crafted from an innovative magnetoelastic material that alters the magnetic field in response to pressure or bending—a phenomenon previously known in rigid metals but now applied to soft polymers, creating a new type of highly sensitive and user-friendly sensor.

“Utilizing magnetoelastic effects with soft materials represents a new operational mechanism,” Chen explains. “It can translate small biomechanical pressures, like arterial vibrations, into high-fidelity electrical signals.”

The pen, filled with magnetized ink, captures movements occurring both on paper and in the air, subsequently sending this data to a computer. Here, AI models analyze specific patterns linked to Parkinson’s motor symptoms.

Smart pens can be especially beneficial in countries where affordable diagnostic tools are needed—UCLA Jun Chen Lab

In a pilot study, the system successfully distinguished individuals with Parkinson’s disease from healthy controls with over 96% accuracy. Even better, Chen believes this pen can be mass-produced for merely $5 (£3.70).

“We have already filed for a patent and aim to commercialize this pen,” Chen states. “Simultaneously, we are working on optimizing it to improve our diagnostics’ accuracy.”

If handwriting isn’t your preferred method, Chen’s team has you covered. They’ve also created a Smart Keyboard utilizing the same principles.

This keyboard tracks subtle changes in pressure and rhythm as users type—often imperceptible to the naked eye—and relays that information to machine learning algorithms.

Initial tests indicate that it can identify characteristic motor abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease, and the team is combining this technology with a mobile app for continuous remote monitoring.

Together, these intelligent desk tools offer a glimpse into what Chen describes as the “personalized, predictive, preventive, participatory” future of Parkinson’s healthcare; a future where diagnosis is as simple as taking notes or sending emails.

This portable, soft keyboard employs magnetic elasticity to detect Parkinson’s disease and sends results to your smartphone—UCLA Jun Chen Lab

Parkinson’s Eye Test Detects Changes Two Decades in Advance

Picture diagnosing Parkinson’s disease during a routine eye exam, potentially decades before symptoms manifest. This is the promise of new non-invasive techniques developed by Victoria Soto Linan and her colleague at Laval University in Canada, using an established eye test known as electroretinography (ERG).

According to Soto Linan, this eye test serves as a “window to the brain,” as it’s part of the central nervous system. Issues like blurred vision and diminished contrast sensitivity manifest long before the well-known symptoms of tremors and stiffness.

The Soto Linan team collected data on how the retina responds to light flashes from both mice engineered to develop Parkinson-like symptoms and newly diagnosed human patients.

They identified unique retinal signals demonstrating “sick signatures,” particularly in women. Crucially, this weakened signal appeared in the mice prior to any behavioral disease signs.

This leads Soto Linan to believe that this eye test could detect Parkinson’s as much as 20 years before symptoms arise.

Read more:

And unlike other early diagnostic methods, this one is already well ahead of the game.

“ERGs are now employed in clinics to diagnose eye diseases,” she explains. “They also have the major advantage of being non-invasive.”

The patient sits before a dome that flashes lights, capturing how the retina responds. This could easily be integrated into a few minutes of your annual vision test.

The team is currently focusing on enhancing the testing process, with hopes of linking it to machine learning algorithms that will accelerate results, perhaps even making them portable to smartphones.

While the research is still in its early stages, its potential ramifications are enormous. As Soto Linan states, “This tool could identify at-risk individuals up to 20 years before symptoms emerge. Imagine how much less damage could be done by then.”

“Even if there is no treatment available, early intervention can often improve the quality of life in the long run.”

Detecting Parkinson’s Through Vocal Patterns

Can your voice indicate Parkinson’s disease before your physical body does? Recently, preprint research has explored whether AI can identify Parkinson’s simply by analyzing a person’s speech.

Around 90% of individuals with Parkinson’s develop motor speech disorders known as dysarthria, which can lead to issues like irregular pitch and breath control.

Globally, over 8.5 million individuals live with Parkinson’s disease—Getty

These vocal changes often arise earlier than more noticeable motor symptoms like tremors, thus serving as promising early indicators.

The research team collected brief audio recordings from 31 to 195 individuals, which included 33 individuals with the disease. Their data served to train four different AI models to recognize disease-related vocal patterns. When tested on new recordings from the same participants, the models identified Parkinson’s with an accuracy exceeding 90%.

These changes are subtle and occur early, and researchers suggest that speech-based assessments could provide low-cost, non-invasive diagnostic options.

Blood Tests for Diagnosing Parkinson’s

In April 2025, SOREQ and her colleagues—including her son—announced a groundbreaking new study.

The findings were surprising; they revealed a simple and inexpensive blood test utilizing PCR technology (remember this from COVID-19?) that can accurately detect Parkinson’s disease a few years prior to symptom onset.

This test functions by measuring the ratio between two markers that SOREQ and her team discovered in human blood.

Specifically, individuals with Parkinson’s exhibit abnormally high levels of certain molecules known as transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments, identifiable by a specific repeating pattern called conserved sequence motifs.

A new blood test can detect early Parkinson’s by analyzing the unique imbalance of small RNA molecules in your blood—Credit: Getty

Simultaneously, the team uncovered reduced levels of tRNA associated with mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of cells, responsible for producing most of your body’s energy) in the blood of Parkinson’s patients.

“We proposed that if there’s an increase in one sequence and a decrease in another, we could calculate the ratio and identify a probable diagnosis,” says Soreq.

If this ratio exceeds a specific threshold, it strongly indicates a diagnosis.

According to SOREQ, a traditional diagnosis of Parkinson’s can cost up to $6,000 (£4,400). The two PCR tests required for their method? Only $80 (£60).

“This is monumental. It makes a substantial difference,” she states. With some luck, the team anticipates this will become widely available within the next decade, potentially providing a crucial lifeline for patients globally.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Just 1% of the Global Population Follows Healthy and Sustainable Eating Habits, Major Report Reveals

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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Recent global assessments of the food system reveal that fewer than 1% of individuals consume diets beneficial to both the planet and human health.

Nevertheless, adopting a healthier dietary approach could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths annually and could decrease global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20%.

The findings are part of a 2025 Report by the Eat-Lancet Committee, which consolidates insights from nutritionists, climate experts, economists, physicians, social scientists, and agricultural scholars from over 35 countries.

The research team evaluated the effects of current food systems on human health and the environment, concluding that food production poses risks to five crucial Earth systems that are essential for human survival.

These five critical threats include climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and human-induced contaminants like pesticides and microplastics.

However, transforming the food system to ensure healthy diets for everyone could restore these systems to a safe state and enhance human well-being.

“If everyone adopts a healthy diet, by 2050, 100 billion people could sustain themselves on 7% less land than what is currently utilized,” stated Dr. Fabrice Declerck, EAT’s Chief Science Officer, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “This has never happened in the history of food production. We have very few resources needed to feed more individuals.”

Justice was a significant aspect of the report, emphasizing the need for equitable wages for food workers and fairer access to food resources – Credit: Anuchasiribisanwan via Getty

Scientists have estimated that 6.9 billion individuals consume excessive amounts of food, particularly meat, dairy, sugar, and ultra-processed items, while 3.7 billion struggle to find access to nutritious food.

As a result, the report advocates for adherence to a planetary health diet (PhD), which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.

In a PhD, half of your plate should consist of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while 30% should be dedicated to whole grains. The remaining portion should be a protein source, with a focus on legumes like beans and lentils.

Meat, fish, and dairy are optional within the PhD framework, with established limits, but the diet allows for flexibility. For instance, one can remain within guidelines even with a weekly intake of up to 200g of beef.

Declerck notes that the diet is adaptable to individual tastes, encouraging people to incorporate their cultural preferences.

“In fact, I believe traditional diets often more accurately reflect health,” he mentioned.

The planet’s healthy food guidelines aim to enhance human health while also benefiting the environment, as stated in the report – Credit: Carl Hendon

Currently, only 1% of individuals meet the report’s dietary suggestions. Declerck emphasized that scientists are not ready to pinpoint the locations of these individuals, given the numerous variations among countries.

“But these individuals reside in societies where they can access healthy diets and earn a livable wage,” he added.

Declerck further remarked that the best examples of healthy eating are often found in middle-income countries, particularly within the Mediterranean basin, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.

For middle-income nations, the challenge lies in avoiding a shift toward a Western diet while maintaining cultural dietary traditions.

Amidst concerns regarding the climate crisis, Declerck stated that the report presents a “surprising” opportunity to enhance both human health and environmental well-being simultaneously.

“We encourage individuals to consume a wider variety of foods, celebrate their own cultural contributions, explore diverse culinary traditions, and enjoy the richness of food diversity,” he asserted. “This is beneficial not only for your personal health but also contributes significantly to the health of our planet as a whole,” Declerck concluded.

The research’s co-author, Professor Johann Lockstrom, co-chair of the committee and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, stated: “The evidence is irrefutable. It is not only feasible to transform the food system, but it is crucial for ensuring a safe, fair, and sustainable future for all.”

Justice formed another key component of the report, highlighting the fact that the wealthiest 30% of the population accounts for over 70% of food-related environmental impacts.

“Those of us who are unhealthy and walk blocking others’ rights to a secure environment must take action,” the report emphasized.

The findings call for immediate measures to reform the global food system for the benefit of human health, justice, and environmental sustainability.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Abelisaurid Dinosaur Species Found in Argentina

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers from Argentina, Brazil, and the UK have identified a new genus and species of Abelisaurid Theropod Dinosaur.

Geological map indicating the location of Vitosaura Colozacani in the Los Lanos Formation, La Rioja, Argentina. Image credit: Jiménez Velandia et al., doi: 10.5710/amgh.24.09.2025.3653.

The newly identified dinosaur, Vitosaura Colozacani, existed approximately 80 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period.

This ancient species is part of the Abelisaurid family, a group of carnivorous dinosaurs that predominantly thrived in Gondwana throughout the Cretaceous.

Fossil evidence of this family currently comprises over 25 species, with the most comprehensive and well-preserved findings located in Patagonia, Argentina.

“The Abelisauridae is a clade first established in 1985, known for its distinctive features such as a robust and tall skull, well-protected maxillary and frontal areas, a highly compressed axial skeleton, and reduced forelimbs.”

“The discovery of numerous Abelisaurus species over recent decades, mainly on Gondwana’s landmasses, has significantly enhanced our understanding of this theropod lineage.”

“The Abelisauridae represented the predominant clade of theropod dinosaurs during the Cretaceous in Gondwana, with extensive records found in North Africa, India, and Madagascar, extending even into Laurasia, present-day Central Europe.”

“Beyond these findings, this group was remarkably successful in South America, boasting a rich fossil record.”

Fossilized remains of Vitosaura Colozacani were collected during field excursions in 2009 and 2010 at the Los Llanos Formation in La Rioja, northwest Argentina.

“The theropod remains include the first dorsal center, the second dorsal vertebra, a partial sacrum, left ilium, pubic bone, and other uncertain elements,” the paleontologist noted.

“These specimens were found alongside some post-titanosaur remains.”

Vitosaura Colozacani was a medium-sized Abelisaur measuring approximately 4.5-5.5 m (15-18 feet) in length.

The species inhabited a seasonally semi-arid environment where annual rainfall varied between 230 and 450 mm.

“The discovery of Vitosaura Colozacani expands the geographical range of Abelisaurus within the Campania Formation of the Los Lanos Formation in La Rioja; however, the implications of this new species are limited due to its incompleteness and the state of analysis reflected in various phylogenetic studies focusing on Abelisaurus interactions.”

“We believe further research is necessary to enhance the topological robustness of Abelisauridae phylogeny and to discover new materials that could be allocated to Vitosaura Colozacani to more thoroughly test the phylogenetic hypotheses discussed in our study.”

Research findings were published on October 2, 2025, in the journal Ameguinea.

____

Harold Zimenez Verandia et al. 2025. A new late Cretaceous species of Abelisaurus from the province of La Rioja in northwestern Argentina. Ameguinea 62(5): 1-23; doi: 10.5710/amgh.24.09.2025.3653.

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring PMS: A Great Idea Made Simple for Today’s Mindset

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The menstrual cycle and aspects of women’s health have historically been underexplored

Romi Arroyo Fernandez/Nur Photo via Getty Images

The Period Brain
Sarahil Vermillion (UK); Harvest (US)

While living with my parents, my mother claimed she could always sense when my period was imminent. I vividly recall the chaos that ensued when she mistakenly purchased chicken breast instead of thighs on the evening I was tasked with cooking.

Such dramatic reactions are typical of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is a central topic in the book The Brain of the Times: The New Science of How We Understand PMS. The author, Sarahill, who has previously examined the impact of birth control on the brain, outlines methods for managing PMS symptoms with a focus on lifestyle adjustments.

Women’s health has been largely overlooked in the scientific arena for years. Hill, who possesses a PhD in evolutionary psychology and leads a health and relationship lab at Texas Christian University, is in a good position to address these gaps. Unfortunately, her arguments can sometimes feel superficial.

At one point, she links PMS to the notion that women are told to burn an average of 2,000 calories. This implies that researchers should consider an additional 140 calories during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Hill posits that adherence to these guidelines leads to cravings and misconceptions about food, which can exacerbate the issue.

Any woman paying such close attention to her caloric intake is unlikely to dismiss a 140-calorie snack for the sake of anecdotes. To me, Hill’s reasoning appears to overly simplify the onset of PMS.

Although she references plenty of scientific studies, Hill seldom shares details regarding participant numbers or the duration of interventions, which are critical since small studies often overlook various genetic factors.

The potential genetic influence on PMS is another topic that Hill only lightly touches on. While no specific genes linked to PMS have been identified, the condition is reported to occur more frequently in identical twins compared to fraternal twins. Given this, it’s not surprising that genetic factors could also play a role in different menstrual cycle aspects.

Hill frequently suggests symptom relief through inadequately tested supplements, increased sun exposure, and varying exercise routines throughout the menstrual cycle (though the last point may hold some merit). However, acknowledging that severe symptoms could stem from genetic factors rather than merely lifestyle choices would be beneficial.

One thing I concur with Hill about is the need for further research at various menstrual cycle stages to understand how these phases affect responses to psychological treatments like drug metabolism. I also agree that it may be easier to cope with mood swings by recognizing them as natural reactions to hormonal changes, potentially alleviating my anxiety about chicken.

I didn’t finish The Brain of the Times with any groundbreaking insights on reducing PMS. Nevertheless, every book on women’s health contributes to destigmatizing issues like PMS and could encourage more extensive research.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Wayward Review: An Intrusive Netflix Mystery Delving into the Challenges of Adolescence

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Abby (Sydney Topriff, left) and Leila (Aribia Allin Lind)

Netflix

Whimper
May Martin, Netflix

Like many, I prefer not to revisit my teenage years. However, despite the persistent embarrassment they cause, I’ve never viewed adolescence as a mistake to be eradicated.

This perspective doesn’t hold for many characters in Whimper, a mystery series authored by comedian May Martin. The story unfolds in a fictional small-town academy in Vermont, aiming to tame unruly teens and tame the chaos of adolescence. Evelyn Wade (Toni Collett), a commanding figure, oversees the “progressive and intentional community” nestled among saccharine pines, embodying New Age ideals. Yet beneath the surface, there’s a darker undertone to this seemingly blissful place.

Through the eyes of Abby (Sydney Topriff), a Canadian stoner tomboy struggling to meet her father’s expectations, we explore Tall Pines Academy. After sneaking out to meet her best friend Leila (Arivia Allin Lind), Abby is portrayed as a troubled influence, leading to her enforced enrollment under Evelyn’s watchful eye. Upon her arrival, she is stripped of her belongings and encouraged to spy on fellow students for any offenses.

Meanwhile, newcomer police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sara Gadon) navigate their new town, with Laura being a cherished alum of the academy, gifted their home by Evelyn. When Alex encounters a frantic runaway student in the woods, he begins to suspect something is amiss with the school.

“
The most frightening part is Therapis Peak, with cruelty disguised as a way to protect mental health
“

Tall Pines Academy, surrounded by eerie forests, seems to harbor an unsettling interest in Alex and Laura’s unborn child. Mysterious elements emerge, including a peculiar door hidden underground and Laura’s fixation on an odd toad. A former student, now an employee under Evelyn, breathlessly speaks of the academy’s transformative effects.

However, the core terror of Whimper lies in its therapy culture. The series examines how weaponized mental health jargon disguises real cruelty, cloaked as concern for well-being.

Poor Abby is the subject of attempts to reshape her into someone else, with accusations of harm and efforts to suppress her identity separating her from supportive friends like Leila.

Everyone at the academy is a skilled manipulator, but none compare to Evelyn. She turns the adage “integrity is the best policy” into a twisted form of “treatment,” where students are subjected to peer scrutiny armed with harsh “truths,” ultimately breaking them down. “It’s a way to hold yourself accountable,” Evelyn insists at dinner.

While Whimper presents many intriguing concepts, it evokes more thought than engagement. Unfortunately, after an enticing pilot, it devolves into mediocrity, leaving only fleeting moments of brilliance in character revelations.

If you’re brave enough to relive adolescence, Whimper may be worth a watch. Otherwise, your time might be better spent elsewhere.

I also recommend…

Hereditary
Ali Aster

Toni Collette delivers a standout performance in this haunting tale of intergenerational trauma, where uncanny events unfold after the family’s matriarch passes away.

Abolish the Family
Sophie Lewis

This book traces the 200-year movement to dismantle familial structures, urging alternative child-rearing methods beyond privatized units, offering insightful perspectives whether or not you fully embrace its arguments.

Bethan Ackerley is an assistant culture editor for New Scientist. She has a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and unsettling stories. x Follow her at @‌inkerley

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Scientist Book Club Review: “Forbidden” – A Challenging Yet Rewarding Read

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

New Scientist Book Club just read Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed

Gollancz; Benjamin Brink/Oregonian/AP/Alamy

Alex Foster’s reading experience, after shifting our perspectives in a circular motion, led the New Scientist Book Club into two contrasting worlds in Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed. This authentic sci-fi classic from 1974 oscillates between two timelines. One follows physicist Chebek as he departs from the barren moon Anar to study at the university on Uras, a more prosperous planet, while he simultaneously grows within the anarchist society of Anar.

I first encountered The Dispossessed during my second year of university. At that time, I was captivated by the novel’s structure and the anarchist principles shaping Chebek’s hometown. After all, what better time to dive into radical fiction than as a budding student? On this subsequent reading, however, I found myself more attuned to the human aspects of the narrative. I now have a deeper understanding of Chebek’s character, albeit one I didn’t always sympathize with.

Many club members expressed excitement when we announced The Dispossessed as our next reading. “This is my favorite Le Guin book, though it’s truly hard to choose,” remarked Kelly Jensen. In Rachel Hand’s corners of reading on our Facebook Group, it had been a long-awaited selection for some. For others, it marked their first encounter with Le Guin’s work. New Scientist describes it as a “dive into the deep end.”

Despite its daunting reputation, some readers relished how The Dispossessed brims with concepts surrounding politics, physics, and language. “It’s absolutely spectacular that Le Guin tackles physics on the ‘time’ side of the space-time continuum,” said Laura Akers. Elizabeth Drummond Young appreciated the exploration of “sudden engagement,” examining linguistic and behavioral references, such as how individuals name themselves, paralleling notions introduced by Einstein in the novel.

However, a consensus emerged: few would wish to inhabit Anar, despite its egalitarian ideals. As Laura noted, “They can’t genuinely evaluate life as we do on Earth.” They hold a profound awareness of their ecosystems, yet remain focused on their operational realities.

Gosia Furmanik expressed ambivalence: “On one hand, it’s tremendous that there’s no exploitation, and they can, in principle, do as they please.

This notion came up during a conversation with Marcus Gipps, editor at Le Guin’s publisher, Gollancz. “Everything really comes down to perspective,” he told me. “I’m fascinated to learn about East Germany’s depiction prior to its fall in relation to this book, and I will continue to explore this!”

Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the novel is its portrayal of women. Some readers found the book’s gender ratios frustratingly outdated, feeling that our views of Anar and Uras are filtered through a biased human lens. “I perceived the book’s viewpoint as an internalized bias from the author, which is perhaps expected given its time of writing,” Gothia remarked. “The portrayal of relationships, such as Chebek’s interactions in the planting camp, presents a significant distortion of cis-heteromonogamy—despite the absence of marriage!”

Conversely, others interpreted the novel’s gender politics as more deliberate. “Le Guin aimed to provoke thought about the status of women within Anar’s framework,” Neil Leighton stated. “I don’t agree that we should assume she’s advocating a particular vision of utopia based on the characteristics of Anar’s society.”

With so many intricate ideas woven throughout, it’s no surprise not everyone found the book easy to digest. Phil Gurski had to stop reading around 160 pages in due to confusion, while Steve Swan remarked on needing patience during the initial chapters. Judith Lazelle echoed this sentiment.

I resonate with Phil, Steve, and Judith’s experiences. There are indeed peculiar moments where the book overwhelms with ideas. However, “Ursula Le Guin is an absolute literary master, and I’m a tremendous admirer. I understand why this work has garnered so many accolades.” Yet, I question whether the extensive philosophical deliberations detract from the narrative itself—though as usual, the maestro concludes in a deeply satisfying fashion.”

Fortunately, many members of the book club genuinely enjoyed The Dispossessed. “I adored this book,” exclaimed Neal. “I read it as a teenager and believe it to be one of the most influential texts in my thinking.” Rachel shared, “The ending was my favorite part,” while Terry James found the final 50 pages to be a “fantastic imaginative ride.”

We are now transitioning from a fantastical science fiction realm to the intricate world of neuroscience with our next book club selection: an award-winning nonfiction work. We are thrilled to explore the winners of this year’s Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Award, Our Brains, Ourselves by neuroscientist and clinician Mazood Hussain. Through seven captivating case studies, Hussain illustrates how various neurological conditions impact identity and belonging. This book is sure to engage fans of Oliver Sacks, as Grace Wade termed it “engaging and informative” earlier this February for those eager to delve into neuroscience.

You can find excerpts from this book as well. Additionally, Sandra Knapp, a plant taxonomist at the Museum of Natural History in London and head of the Jury Committee, offers unique insights into the award selection process. She shares what makes Our Brains, Ourselves stand out among other exceptional entries and highlights learnings from this “incredibly compassionate” work. Share your thoughts with us in our Facebook Group, and let us know if you’re excited for our next read.

Topics:

science fiction/
New Scientist Book Club

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exceptional stars: the universe’s most pristine objects.

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Large Magellanic Cloud, Milky Way Satellite Galaxy, nearby star SDSS J0715-7334 discovered

Josh Lake/NASA/ESA

A star relatively close to us appears to be almost devoid of heavy elements produced by supernovae and may be a direct descendant of the universe’s first star.

Astronomers postulate that the initial stars consisted solely of hydrogen and helium, remnants from the Big Bang. It was only after these stars exhausted their fuel and exploded as supernovae that heavier elements could disperse beyond helium. The gas enriched with these new elements formed the subsequent generation of stars, with this cycle continuing, ultimately producing the elements we see in today’s stars and planets.

Most stars observed in our galaxy belong to multiple generations and are excluded from this early star population. However, “star archaeologists” have discovered nearly untouched stars believed to be from the “second generation,” born from the remnants of the early stellar explosions.

Recently, Alexander Z from the University of Chicago and his team identified the star with the lowest total amount of “metals,” referring to all elements besides hydrogen or helium, in the known universe. Named SDSS J0715-7334, this star resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, and has a metal content approximately 0.8 times that of our Sun, making it about 20,000 times less metallic.

After initially detecting the star in data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, due to its notably low metallicity, JI and his colleagues conducted observations with the Magellan telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. They confirmed that while the star has minimal iron, comparable to other nearly untouched stars, it also exhibits very low carbon levels, which are not typical for Milky Way stars.

“It’s quite an exciting discovery regarding iron levels. This is even more extreme than some of the other examples we have previously found,” said Anke Ardern-Arentsen from Cambridge University. “However, most interestingly, this star has significantly less carbon compared to natural stars we know about.” This observation might imply that it formed in a distinctly different manner than stars found in the Milky Way, according to Anna Frebel from MIT.

To form a star like SDSS J0715-7334, a relatively small and cool gas mass is required. Typically, this process necessitates heavier elements with high-energy electrons, such as carbon, which aid in cooling the gas effectively. The scarcity of carbon in this star complicates this process.

One potential alternative explanation is the presence of a cloud of cosmic dust made up of heavier elements. This dust may contribute to cooling, a mechanism not observed early in the universe’s history, at least within our own galaxies.

“There’s an issue here. Do varying environments across different regions of the universe cool gas at different rates during the early formation epochs?” Frebel questions. “We can raise the question of why different cooling rates occur, but we lack a satisfactory answer.”

World Capital of Astronomy: Chile

Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile. Visit some of the globe’s most advanced observatories and gaze upon the stars in one of the clearest night skies on Earth.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Mysterious Streak in the Universe: The Enigma Remains Unsolved

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The asymmetry in the average temperature of the cosmic microwave background is inconsistent with the standard model of cosmology

ESA/Planck Collaboration

Cosmic anomalies have puzzled scientists for years, and recent examinations of data from various radio telescopes further complicate the understanding of their origins.

This peculiar fluctuation appears in the afterglow of the Big Bang, representing radiation that has journeyed toward us since the dawn of time, referred to as the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Physicists generally expect this radiation to be uniform in all directions; therefore, significant deviations are perplexing. Current measurements indicate a gradient in CMB temperatures, resulting in colder and hotter areas known as a dipole, as explained by Lucas Behme. His team at Bielefeld University in Germany utilized data from radio telescopes to delve deeply into these anomalies.

Böhme notes that while the presence of the CMB dipole isn’t surprising, its magnitude defies the expectations of our prevailing cosmological models. Radiation emitted from moving sources—and perceived by observers who are also in motion—appears warmer or colder due to the Doppler effect and other relativistic effects. Yet, the dipole observed is approximately ten times more intense than anticipated.

To analyze this discrepancy, Böhme and his colleagues examined data from six radio telescopes and meticulously narrowed their focus to the three most precise measurements. Böhme describes their method as dividing the sky into pixels to determine the number of radiation sources within each. Nevertheless, despite their exhaustive adjustments, the dipole mystery endured.

Dragan Huterer from the University of Michigan finds the team’s thorough analysis noteworthy. He emphasizes that this is crucial for establishing the dipole as an undeniable feature of the CMB. “This is a significant insight, indicating that we fundamentally misunderstand our spatial context within the universe, or that our most accurate theories fail to align with the evidence,” he states. However, Huterer also points out the challenges inherent in accurately measuring radio astronomical data, which may result in systematic errors.

Part of the difficulty lies in the faintness of the radio signals collected, Böhme explains. “We aim to measure extremely subtle phenomena. Fine-tuning this measurement is challenging,” he notes. Yet, this is not the only evidence supporting the existence of the dipole. Infrared radiation from quasars tends to reinforce the findings from radio wave measurements, and forthcoming telescopes may enhance precision in observations, potentially resolving some of the dipole’s enigmas.

Reference: Physical Review Letter, available here

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Your Happiness in Life May Not Follow a U-Shaped Curve—Here’s How It Can Shift

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Our happiness levels vary throughout life

Ippei & Janine Photography/Getty Images

The widely accepted notion that happiness follows a U-shaped trajectory—with peaks in early and late life—may be misleading.

This idea gained traction from an original study by researchers David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald, based on data from 500,000 individuals in 2008. Since then, it has permeated popular culture through mainstream literature.

However, researchers Fabian Kratz and Josef Brüderl at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich argue that this belief may not hold true.

Kratz feels compelled to reevaluate the U-curve claim. The researchers analyzed self-reported happiness data from 70,922 adults who took part in the Socio-Economic Panel Survey in Germany from 1984 to 2017, modeling how happiness evolved over individuals’ lifetimes.

Contrary to the U-shaped model, they discovered that happiness typically declines during adulthood, only beginning to rise again in the late 50s.

Kratz believes that prior research may have drawn erroneous conclusions by oversimplifying the happiness trajectory and neglecting deaths due to suicide or illness. “It can seem that happiness increases after a certain age simply because those who are unhappy have already passed away,” Kratz explains.

“In the social sciences, there’s been considerable debate over conflicting findings—results often evaporate with new data collection,” says Julia Roller at the University of Leipzig. “Yet, another overlooked issue is that researchers may analyze data in ways that are systematically flawed. This can yield replicable findings, but still mislead.”

Others posit that these findings raise important questions. “This study provides an excellent opportunity to reconsider our understanding in this field,” remarks Philip Cohen at the University of Maryland, highlighting the need to explore why our happiness shifts throughout life and how we can ameliorate low points. Both Kratz and Brüderl express a desire to avoid speculation on the reasons behind these observed changes.

Oswald notes that the study presents “interesting results” worthy of consideration, but he emphasizes that factors such as marriage and income are beyond his control.

Furthermore, he points out that the study focuses on a single country, leaving it unclear whether these results are applicable elsewhere. Kratz suggests this may provide a useful foundation for future research. Notably, the findings could inform policy. “Previous scholars argued for the importance of proactive policies to help individuals navigate mid-life crises,” Kratz mentions. “While we do not dismiss this urgency, our results indicate that addressing declining well-being in older adults should be a priority.”

Do you need someone to talk to? In the UK, contact Samaritans at 116123 (Samaritans.org); in the US, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For services in other countries, visit bit.ly/suicidehelplines.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Explore Excerpts from “Our Award-Winning Brain: Ourselves” by Neurologist Mazood Hussain

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Marcel Proust, photographed in 1905

Photo 12 / Alamy

As dawn broke, a peaceful calm enveloped the city. The shadows along the roads gradually receded, leading us into a radiant morning. It was June, and the few early risers setting up market stalls relished the serene, gentle light, even with the enemy only 50 miles away. Many who had fled the metropolitan area clung to the hope that the defense line would hold after nearly four years. Hope remained alive.

On Houseman Street, a handful of cars headed east, but otherwise, the street was quiet as most residents lingered in wakefulness. However, the inhabitants of the second-floor apartment at No. 102 had been awake for quite some time—indeed, all night. The window shutters remained tightly drawn, as they had been for months. A green bedside lamp glowed in the otherwise darkened room, amidst furniture shrouded in shadows and filled with stramonium steam for asthma, creating a stifling atmosphere. The sounds from the street, coupled with the soundproof cork-lined walls, contributed to a sense of suffocating confinement that visitors undoubtedly felt.

Sitting on a bed in a beautifully adorned Japanese courtyard, propped up by large cushions, he usually lost himself in his manuscript. But today felt different. Overwhelming fear consumed him. One side of his face seemed to sag. When addressing Celeste, his housekeeper, he worried his words lacked clarity, turning his speech into an almost incomprehensible ramble. Convinced he was on the brink of a major stroke—the same fate that plagued both his parents—he found no alternative explanation. It was a hereditary concern. And had his beloved mother, Jeanne, escaped complete frailty? Her stroke had robbed her of language, rendering her unable to communicate with her cherished sons.

In the summer of 1918, as the Germans initiated their final offensives of World War I towards Paris, the renowned novelist Marcel Proust sat on a blue satin chair, engulfed in fear of potential brain damage. Now in his late 40s, he was all too familiar with aphasia; his mother had suffered from it, and his father, Dr. Adrian Proust, had authored an entire book on the subject prior to his own stroke.

Young Marcel had also befriended many of the city’s most distinguished neurologists. At that time, Paris stood as a prominent hub for neurology, with pioneering experts making significant advancements in understanding language disorders following strokes. Without such insights, where would Proust find himself?

On that June morning in 1918, he anticipated a meeting with Joseph Babinsky, a well-known neurologist. Babinsky, unaware of the reasons behind Proust’s visit, simply inquired, “Do you have any symptoms?”

Proust’s intention was to persuade Babinsky to perform a trepanation—drilling holes in his skull—driven by his profound belief that such a drastic step was necessary to halt the looming stroke. However, Babinsky, an expert in his field, reassured Proust that there was no evidence suggesting he was experiencing a stroke and declined to proceed with the operation. It’s difficult to imagine how the trajectory of Proust’s monumental novel would have shifted had he suffered a stroke. While Marcel Proust never experienced a stroke, the shadow of that fear haunted him throughout his life, lingering long after, even when he was near death from pneumonia, it was Babinsky he called upon.

Proust’s anxieties surrounding brain-related illnesses resonate with many. While diseases can afflict anyone in various ways, our deepest fears often lie in disorders that impact our minds. Why is that? Because neurological conditions can transform individuals dramatically. Some may struggle with communication, as Proust feared, while others could experience memory loss, distorted perceptions, or hallucinations. Some might exhibit socially inappropriate behavior, a lack of empathy, or rudeness. Others could become impulsive or withdrawn, developing new addictions or suffering from pathological indifference.

Such behavioral shifts can be distressing and terrifying for both individuals and their loved ones. Yet, they reveal profound insights into our very nature. By examining the consequences of certain brain functions being impaired, we glean understanding about our own normality, how cognitive functions shape our identities—personal and social, formed through our connections with others.

For someone like Marcel Proust, losing the ability to communicate would be devastating. Not only would he lose his gift for writing, but he would also risk dismantling his carefully crafted social presence. The social identity he had labored to cultivate would effectively disintegrate. Proust had invested years nurturing relationships with key figures in French society and possessed remarkable perceptions regarding his connections with influential individuals. As a gay man from a Jewish background, He adeptly navigated the complexities of prejudice and societal expectations in Paris.

Through keen observation and emulation, he became an integral part of the circles he thought he belonged to. Some observers suggested that Proust was a master manipulator, indicating that even while isolated in his dimly lit bedroom, he was unwilling to relinquish control over those around him. However, without language, the intricate web he had worked to weave would no longer be accessible; he would no longer “belong.”

This excerpt is from Massoud Hussain’s work Our Brains, Ourselves (Canong’s publication), recipient of The Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize and the latest selection from the New Scientist Book Club. Join us to read together.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Our Brain Won the 2025 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Award

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The human brain is one of the most intricate entities ever to exist.

Andriy Onofriyenko/Getty Images

Science literature, particularly those authored by scientists, is often perceived as monotonous and challenging. They are sometimes regarded as mere textbooks meant for structured learning. However, the book featuring the finalists for the Royal Society’s Trivite Science Award proves this perception wrong and showcases the judges’ selection for this year: Our Brains, Ourselves by neurologist Masd Hussain.

I was fortunate to serve as a panel chair among six dedicated readers and book enthusiasts, including New Scientist‘s Jacob Aron, who faced the daunting challenge of curating a list of nominees. Our discussions, led by passionate advocates for science, were diverse and engaging, reflecting the love we all share for both literature and science.

We frequently engaged in respectful debates, as I was usually in the company of individuals willing to consider opposing viewpoints. Our varied backgrounds and experiences enriched our understanding of the privileges associated with reading and the act of reading itself.

This year’s submissions featured numerous outstanding scientific works, yet Our Brains, Ourselves notably blended exquisite storytelling with rigorous, cutting-edge science, particularly evidenced in its humanistic approach. Hussain is a neuroscientist and a clinician; seven personal narratives from his patients are highlighted throughout the book.

The experiences shared are diverse. One individual feels an overwhelming apathy post-stroke, while another believes she has a connection with her husband. Each story illustrates profound transformations. This book is a poignant exploration of how neurological disorders can radically alter one’s identity and breed societal alienation.

A recurring theme in the book is the concept of “self” and how our brains shape our identities. It is conveyed empathetically and personally. The scientific elements are firmly grounded in Hussain’s own research, presented in an easily digestible manner, while acknowledging the unknowns. I appreciate this transparency; real science encourages the pursuit of further questions.

While case studies in clinical practices might seem commonplace, the unique personal touch here makes a significant difference. Have you ever felt a disconnect from personal attributes? The narratives of patients with brain disorders provoke thought regarding identity, selfhood, and our social roles.

This notion resonated strongly with our panel. What constitutes belonging? Some individuals encountered in the book are members of immigrant communities, facing prejudice and violence to carve out their place in society. It would seem that as our world becomes increasingly interconnected, our fear of differences should diminish—but this isn’t always the case.

Our Brains, Ourselves encourages readers to reflect on how neurological disorders can profoundly disrupt one’s sense of belonging while illustrating how cognitive function influences one’s identity. Ultimately, our brains substantially define who we are. This compassionate narrative not only educates readers about science but also showcases extraordinary human kindness.

Sandra Knapp is a plant taxonomist at the Museum of Natural History in London and chaired this year’s Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Award judging committee. The winner of the award is Our Brains, Ourselves, the latest addition to the New Scientist Book Club.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Young Children Develop Problem-Solving Skills with a Sorting Algorithm from Birth

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Complex problem solving can arise sooner in child development than previously believed

PlusOnevector/Alamy

Research reveals that four-year-olds can devise efficient strategies for complex challenges, such as independently creating sorting methods akin to those used by computer scientists. The researchers assert that these abilities appear much earlier than once thought, warranting a reevaluation of developmental psychology.

Past experiments led by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget popular in the 1960s, required children to physically arrange sticks by length. His findings indicated that structured strategies didn’t emerge until around age seven, as children tended to experiment haphazardly through trial and error.

Contrarily, recent work by Huiwen Alex Yang and his team at the University of California, Berkeley, shows that a notable fraction of four-year-olds can create algorithmic solutions for the same task, with more than a quarter exhibiting these skills by age five.

“Perhaps we haven’t given our children enough credit,” Yang states. “We must delve deeper into their reasoning capabilities.”

In a study involving 123 children aged 4-9, researchers asked them to sort digital images of bunnies by height. Initially, they could view groups of bunnies and directly compare their heights, allowing all children to sort them aptly using straightforward methods.

However, once the heights were obscured, the children had to compare only two bunnies at a time while being informed whether their order was correct. This approach necessitated the development of new strategies, as they couldn’t see the entire group simultaneously.

The researchers examined the children’s application of these new strategies, looking for evidence of known solutions and demonstrated instances where children utilized established algorithms. It was found that overall, children frequently outperformed random chance. Remarkably, they independently identified at least two efficient sorting algorithms recognized in computer science: Selection Sort and Shaker Sort.

In 34% of trials, children employed various comparisons, signaling their use of known sorting algorithms for a portion of the time. Out of a total of 667 tests run, the children utilized selection and shaker sorting in 141 instances, with some employing combinations of both strategies. Notably, 67 out of 123 children demonstrated at least one recognizable algorithm, and 30 children used both at different stages in the experiment.

Nonetheless, the age of the children directly influenced how many used algorithms. Only 2.9% of four-year-olds applied identifiable methods, while this rose to 25.5% among five-year-olds and 30.7% for six-year-olds. By age nine, over 54% were using identifiable algorithms.

“This has long been a challenge to Piaget,” remarks Andrew Bremner from the University of Birmingham, UK. He acknowledges Piaget’s groundbreaking contributions to developmental psychology in setting stages for learning but emphasizes that Piaget often designed experiments without proper controls. “Critics have been eager to illustrate that children can achieve more than Piaget claimed.

Essentially, while Piaget initially had a correct understanding of child development, his assessments of the ages at which children achieve certain milestones were overly pessimistic. This latest study strengthens the evidence supporting earlier development stages. Interestingly, it revolves around sorting. Bremner indicates this as the last bastion of Piaget’s work, proving applicable to younger children than once believed.

“Children can successfully navigate this particular problem much sooner than we anticipated,” states Bremner. “They do not approach the world as mere blank slates, but rather implement strategic techniques in problem-solving.”

Sam Wass from the University of East London points out that Piaget contended that children needed a comprehensive grasp of complex systems before they could devise strategies to engage with them, a notion he is finding increasingly unnecessary.

“This research signifies a significant trend in psychology that contests the assumption that intricate thoughts and understanding are prerequisites for executing complex behaviors,” notes Wass. “The study illustrates that complex behaviors may emerge from a far simpler array of rules.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

20 Bird Species Can Comprehend Each Other’s Alarm Calls

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A splendid fairy (left) attempts to evade the cuckoo

David Ongley

More than 20 bird species globally utilize similar “whining” alarm calls to alert others about the presence of cuckoos. These calls seem to resonate across species, shedding light on their evolutionary significance.

Cuckoos are among the numerous 100 species recognized as brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds and relying on them to raise their young as if they were their own.

Will Feeney and his team at biological stations in Spain and Doñana identified 21 species that last shared a common ancestor around 53 million years ago. These species exhibit structurally similar “whimper” calls when they detect a breeding parasite.

Examples include the splendid fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) in Australia, the yellow-brown prinia (Prinia subflava) in Africa, Hume’s leaf warbler (Phylloscopus humei) in Asia, and the green warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides) in Europe.

“It seems these diverse bird species worldwide have converged on the same vocalization to alert against their respective brood parasites,” observes Feeney.

Researchers often observe that species producing this alarm call tend to inhabit areas rich in brood parasites, which exploit various host species. When a potential host detects the whining, they often resort to aggressive defense behaviors.

“Brood parasites present a unique threat. They pose significant risks to offspring while largely being non-threatening to adult birds,” says Feeney. “Our findings suggest that [the call] plays a crucial role in promptly alerting fellow birds and potentially securing their protection.”

“In the case of the splendid fairy-wren, they are cooperative breeders, which likely means that the mobbing call is intended to attract additional individuals for support,” explains Rose Thorogood from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

To deepen their investigation, Feeney and colleagues recorded calls from brood-parasite hosts across continents and played them to potential host birds in Australia and China. They discovered that hearing foreign alarm calls prompted just as quick a response as calls from their own species.

“This indicates that the function of this vocalization is geared towards fostering interspecies communication rather than merely internal signaling,” highlights Feeney.

Thorogood cautions: “The ancestral alarm calls shared by our forebears may not have solely targeted brood parasites. Instead, they likely feature specific acoustic properties that are effective in repelling these threats.”

The research team also conducted similar experiments with yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia) in North America, which serve as egg hosts for brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) yet do not produce the distinctive whining alarm call. When exposed to the splendid fairy-wren’s alarm, warblers responded promptly by returning to their nests, demonstrating distress through various calls in addition to mobbing.

Feeney suggests that numerous bird species respond to innate components in alarm calls, while local birds in areas where brood parasites are prevalent adapt their calls and responses to convey information about local dangers.

“These birds have adapted distress calls for new contexts related to offspring threats,” he explains. “This provides insights into why birds across the globe utilize similar sounds.”

Charles Darwin proposed in his 1871 work, The Descent of Man, that spoken language’s origins could be traced back to imitation and adaptation of instinctual sounds made by humans and other animals. These instances may not only involve cries of fear but can also reflect pain. “A bird adapting these instinctual calls for different purposes might represent a foundational step towards language,” concludes Feeney.

Rob Magrath of the Australian National University notes, “Calls often convey specific meanings, sometimes referring to external objects or incidents, rather than merely indicating internal states like fear or traits such as gender or species.”

“This referential quality suggests that such vocalizations bear resemblance to human language, frequently referencing the external world,” he adds. “Thus, animal communication and human language may exist on a continuum rather than being distinct attributes of humans.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

This ‘Outlaw’ Planet is the Fastest-Growing World We’ve Ever Encountered

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent explosive growth has led to the “erroneous” planet achieving the title of the fastest-growing planet ever observed.

Several months ago, this planet started to rumble within the gaseous envelope surrounding it, and it is now consuming 6 billion tonnes (2.2 trillion pounds) per second. New research reveals it as the most voracious world recorded to date.

Known as Cha 1107-7626, this celestial body is 5-10 times larger than Jupiter and located 620 light-years away. As a “rogue” planet, it does not orbit a star but instead moves freely in its own path.

While the origins of these rogue planets remain a mystery, this finding suggests they may form more like stars than traditional planets.

“People often envision planets as tranquil, stable environments, but this discovery indicates that objects on planets drifting freely in space can lead to an exhilarating landscape,” said Dr. Victor Almendros-Abad, an astronomer at the National Institute of Astrophysics in Italy and the lead researcher on this study.

CHA 1107-7626 is enveloped by a disc of gas and dust, which is spiraling onto its surface and facilitating its growth through a process called accretion.

Last year, astronomers observed the planet’s increasing appetite for gas, leading to a situation where, by August 2025, it had ingested eight times more gas than it had just months prior.

“This represents the most intense accretion event ever documented for planetary mass objects,” stated Almendros-Abad.

Astronomers have uncovered hundreds of rogue planets, yet their origins remain elusive – Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The exact characteristics of these drifting worlds have puzzled astronomers for years. There are currently two primary theories: they may have originally formed around stars but were ejected, or they emerged from a collapsing gas and dust cloud like stars.

To gather insights, astronomers captured light from the planet both before and during its recent growth spurt. They detected indications of a robust magnetic field influencing the gas accretion onto the planet. Additionally, they noticed signs of water vapor present during the growth phase but absent before it. Both phenomena are typically associated with growing stars and have not been observed on young planets.

“The concept that planetary objects can function like stars is awe-inspiring, prompting speculation about what an early stage of such worlds might entail,” remarked Dr. Amelia Bayo, an astronomer at the Southern Observatory in Europe, who contributed to this study.

Learn more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Make This Easy Diet Change to Shed Pounds Effortlessly.

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Shedding pounds might be as straightforward as swapping out some sausages, beef, and bacon in your meals for legumes. Recent research highlights this find.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki directed 51 Finnish men, aged 20-65, to cut back on their red and processed meat intake by just 200g (7oz) a week.

Simultaneously, these men incorporated more legumes, particularly peas and fava beans, into their diets, constituting 20% of their protein sources, while still consuming chicken, fish, eggs, and other proteins.

Apart from this substitution, participants were not advised to eat less or restrict calories. Remarkably, just six weeks later, they experienced an average weight loss of 1 kilo (2.2 pounds).

“This was astonishing because we didn’t set out to encourage weight loss,” said Professor Anne Maria Pajari, a molecular dietitian and senior author of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “We encouraged volunteers to maintain their daily eating habits while monitoring their red and processed meat and legume consumption.”

Pajari noted that while legumes are associated with healthy weight, the degree of change observed in just six weeks was unexpected. This was just the beginning.

By the study’s conclusion, participants consuming legumes had lower total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, indicating that this dietary switch could lower heart disease risk.

Moreover, the men’s iron levels improved, an outcome surprising since lean meat is typically regarded as a primary source of dietary iron.

According to Pajari, the food exchange was well-received by participants; only one volunteer chose to leave the study.

“I’m very satisfied with the results,” Pajari remarked. “This is something everyone can do. By cutting back on red and processed meat and incorporating more plant-based foods, individuals can make a meaningful impact on their health.”

“Even small adjustments can lead to significant benefits for both personal health and the environment,” she added.

The focus on men specifically was intentional, as they generally consume more meat compared to women.

Pajari observed that in Finland, the average man consumes double the amount of meat than the average woman, making men a “more vulnerable group” in terms of red and processed meat intake.

Lean meats include beef, pork, and lamb, while processed meats consist of cold cuts, sausages, and bacon – Credit: via Guido Mieth

The study also involved control groups, with another 51 men consuming 760g (27oz) of red and processed meats weekly—making up a quarter of their total protein intake, without any legumes.

This group showed no notable improvement in their blood cholesterol or iron levels and lost only 300g (0.6 pounds) on average. Pajari suggested this was merely a byproduct of participating in dietary trials.

“Participation in a diet trial often raises awareness about one’s eating habits,” she explained. “It’s quite sensitive, leading individuals to make healthier choices even when not instructed to.”

Overall, Pajari hopes that men will consider substituting some red and processed meats in their diets with peas, beans, and lentils for the sake of their health and the planet.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Webb Discovers Biosignature Gas Phosphine in the Atmospheres of Ancient Brown Dwarfs

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have identified phosphine (PH)₃ in the atmosphere of the brown dwarf Wolf 1130c, part of the triple system 1130ABC.

Schematic diagram of the Wolf 1130ABC triple system, featuring red dwarf star Wolf 1130a (left), compact white dwarf companion 1130b (center), and distant brown dwarf Wolf 1130c (right); each component scaled according to its relative size. Image credit: Adam Burgasser.

Wolf 1130ABC is located approximately 54 light years away in the constellation Cygnus.

The system is also known for LHS 482, Gliese 781, and Ross 1069b. It consists of three components: the Cool Red Star Wolf 1130a, the massive white dwarf Wolf 1130b, and the brown dwarf Wolf 1130c.

Initially discovered in 2013, Wolf 1130c orbits the closely bound systems of Wolf 1130a and Wolf 1130b on a wide trajectory.

“The astronomical initiative known as the Ancient Arcana concentrates on ancient, metal-rich brown dwarfs to enhance our understanding of atmospheric chemistry,” stated Adam Burgasser, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.

“Identifying phosphine was one of our primary objectives.”

Phosphine naturally emerges in the hydrogen-dominated atmospheres of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn.

This has led scientists to theorize that phosphine should exist in the atmospheres of exoplanetary gas giants as well.

Nevertheless, previous Webb observations often failed to detect phosphines, pointing to an incomplete understanding of phosphorus chemistry.

“Before Webb, the expectation was that phosphine would be plentiful in planetary and brown dwarf atmospheres, according to theoretical models based on the turbulent mixing in these environments.”

Wolf 1130c is of particular interest to brown dwarf astronomers due to its lower concentration of “metals” (elements beyond hydrogen and helium) compared to the Sun.

In contrast to other brown dwarfs, the team successfully detected phosphines in the infrared spectral data collected by Webb from Wolf 1130c.

To accurately interpret their findings, researchers needed to ascertain the abundance of this gas within the atmosphere of Wolf 1130c.

“We employed a modeling approach called atmospheric recovery to quantify the molecular constituents of Wolf 1130c,” explained Dr. Irene Gonzalez from San Francisco State University.

“This technique leverages Webb’s data to validate the expected presence of various molecular gas species in the atmosphere.”

“It’s akin to reverse-engineering a delicious cookie when a chef remains committed to a recipe.”

“Typically, phosphorus may bond with other molecules, such as phosphorus trioxide,” remarked Dr. Baylor.

“In the metal-poor atmosphere of Wolf 1130c, insufficient oxygen prevents phosphorus from forming this way, allowing it to arise from phosphine-rich hydrogen.”

Alternatively, the phosphine could have been synthesized locally within the Wolf 1130ABC system, particularly from the white dwarf Wolf 1130b.

“The white dwarf represents the remnant shell of a star that has completed hydrogen fusion,” Professor Burgasser explained.

“These stars are incredibly dense and can accumulate material on their surfaces, potentially spurring runaway nuclear reactions.”

While astronomers have not observed such phenomena in the Wolf 1130ABC system in recent history, nova events usually cycle every thousands to tens of thousands of years.

This system has been recognized for just a century, and earlier invisible explosions may have contributed to a legacy of phosphorus contamination.

Gaining insights into why this particular brown dwarf exhibits a distinct signature of phosphine could shed new light on phosphorus synthesis in the Milky Way and atmospheric chemistry on exoplanets.

“If we aim to use this molecule in the quest for life in terrestrial worlds outside our solar system, understanding the atmospheric phosphine chemistry of brown dwarfs becomes crucial,” Professor Burgasser commented.

This study will be published in the journal Science.

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Adam J. Burgasser et al. Observation of unexpected phosphines in the atmosphere of the cold brown dwarf. Science. Released online on October 2, 2025. doi:10.1126/science.adu0401

Source: www.sci.news

Free-Floating Exoplanets Are Growing at Unprecedented Rates

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Cha J11070768-7626326 (shortened to Cha 1107-7626), a young and isolated exfoliating planet five to ten times the mass of Jupiter, has undergone a remarkable “growth spurt,” accumulating approximately 600 million tons of gas and dust within just a few months in the new sulse.

Artists’ impressions of Xplanet CHA 1107-7626 floating freely. Image credits: ESO/L. Kalsada/M. Kornmesser.

Located approximately 620 light years from the constellation Chamaeleon, Cha 1107-7626 is a free-floating exoplanet still in formation, drawing material from a gas and dust surrounding disc.

This material consistently falls onto planets, a process known as acquisition.

By August 2025, CHA 1107-7626 had increased its accretion rate to about eight times faster than just a few months prior, reaching an astonishing 6 billion tons per second.

“While it is often thought that planets are quiet and stable, this discovery shows that planetary mass objects drifting in space can be incredibly dynamic,” says Dr. Víctor Almendros-Abad.

“We have observed this newly forming illicit planet devouring material at a fierce pace,” remarked Ray Jayawardana, a professor at Johns Hopkins University.

“Our ongoing monitoring over recent months, utilizing two of the most powerful telescopes on Earth and in space, has provided us with rare insight into the infant stages of isolated objects not much larger than Jupiter.”

“Their early existence appears to be significantly more turbulent than previously conceived.”

“This represents the most intense accretion episode ever documented for planetary mass objects,” added Dr. Almendros-Abad.

The discovery was made using the X-Shooter spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) operated by ESO in the Atacama Desert, Chile.

Astronomers also employed data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, as well as archived data from the SINFONI Spectrograph of the VLT.

“The origins of illicit planets remain an open question: are they the lowest mass objects that form like stars, or are they giant planets ejected from their birth systems?” queried Dr. Alex Scholz, an astronomer at St. Andrews University.

Results suggest that at least some illicit planets may follow formation pathways similar to stars, as analogous bursts have been previously observed in younger stellar bodies.

“This finding blurs the line between stars and planets, offering a glimpse into the earliest formation periods of these objects,” states Dr. Belinda Damien, an astronomer at St. Andrews University.

By comparing the light emitted before and after the burst, astronomers gathered insights into the nature of the accretion process.

Interestingly, magnetic activity seems to contribute to driving this intense process.

This indicates that even low-mass objects can possess strong magnetic fields capable of fueling such accretion events.

The team also discovered that the chemistry of the surrounding discs changes during accretion episodes, with water vapor detected in the steam.

This phenomenon has been noted in stars but not previously observed in any type of planet.

“We are beginning to understand how the early life of a free-floating planetary mass object resembles that of a sun-like star,” stated Professor Jayawardana.

“Our recent discoveries emphasize this similarity, suggesting that some giant planet-like objects may form in a manner akin to stars and experience growth episodes similar to newborn stars as they accumulate gas and dust with their own discs.”

The team’s paper was published today in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Victor Almendros-Abad et al. 2025. Discovery of accretion bursts on free-floating planetary mass objects. apjl 992, L2; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae09a8

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Bring Pleistocene Microorganisms Back to Life | Sci.News

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have brought ancient microorganisms back to life from permafrost cores dating back up to 40,000 years, extracted from four sites within the permafrost research tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska. They found that as underground permafrost melts, microbial activity begins with a slow “awakening”, but significant transformations in the microbial community occur within six months.

Archaeal abundance in whole samples collected from a permafrost research tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska. Image credits: Caro et al., doi: 10.1029/2025jg008759.

Currently, permafrost across the globe is melting at an alarming pace due to climate change driven by human activities.

Scientists are concerned that this could initiate a dangerous feedback loop. When permafrost thaws, the microorganisms within the soil begin to decompose organic matter and release it into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane, both potent greenhouse gases.

“This is one of the biggest uncertainties in climate response,” stated Professor Sebastian Copp from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“How does the thawing of this frozen ground, which contains significant amounts of stored carbon, impact the ecology and climate change rate in these areas?”

To investigate these uncertainties, researchers visited the US Army Corps of Engineers’ permafrost tunnels, a distinctive research setting.

The facility has been extended over 107 meters (350 feet) and continues toward the frozen ground below central Alaska.

Scientists have gathered permafrost samples ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of years old from the tunnel walls.

The samples were then treated with water and incubated at temperatures of 4°C and 12°C (39°F and 54°F).

“We aimed to replicate scenarios that would occur during Alaska’s summers under projected future climatic conditions that allow these temperatures to penetrate deeper into permafrost,” explained Dr. Tristan Caro, a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech.

The researchers utilized water containing unusually heavy hydrogen atoms, referred to as deuterium, to track how microorganisms absorbed water and used hydrogen to construct lipid membranes surrounding all living cells.

In the initial months, these colonies grew slowly, with some even replacing only one cell for every 100,000 daily.

In laboratory settings, most bacterial colonies can be entirely replenished in a matter of hours.

However, by the six-month mark, everything had transformed. Some bacterial colonies even developed visible biofilms.

“These microorganisms likely pose no threat to human health, but they were kept in sealed environments nonetheless,” remarked Dr. Karo.

“The colonies don’t seem to wake up quickly in warmer temperatures.”

“These findings may provide insights regarding thawing permafrost in real-world conditions. It appears that after a warm period, microorganisms can take several months to start emitting significant quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”

“This means that a longer Arctic summer increases risks for the planet.”

“While a single hot day might occur during an Alaskan summer, the primary concern is the prolonged summer season, with warm temperatures extending into autumn and spring.”

“Many questions remain unresolved about these microorganisms, such as whether ancient organisms exhibit similar behavior in different global locations.”

“There is an abundance of permafrost worldwide. In Alaska, Siberia, and other northern cold regions, our sampling covered only a small fraction of that.”

The findings were published on September 23rd in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.

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Takaro et al. 2025. Microbial resuscitation and growth rates in deep permafrost: Lipid-stable isotope probing results from the permafrost research tunnel in Fox, Alaska. JGR Biogeosciences 130 (9): e2025jg008759; doi: 10.1029/2025jg008759

Source: www.sci.news

Should We Be Concerned About AI Developing Lethal Biological Weapons? Not Now, But Eventually.

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

AI can be utilized to synthesize the toxin lysine, which is also sourced from castor beans found in many gardens.

American Photo Archives/Alamy

Artificial intelligence holds the potential to revolutionize biology, enhancing the development of advanced drugs, vaccines, and even synthetic organisms that can, for instance, consume waste plastic. Nonetheless, there are concerns about its potential misuse in creating biological weapons that might evade traditional detection methods until it is too late. So, what level of concern is warranted?

“AI advancements are catalyzing breakthroughs in biology and medicine,” states Eric Horvitz, Chief Science Officer at Microsoft. “With these new capabilities comes the responsibility to remain vigilant.”

His research team explored whether AI could be utilized to design proteins that mimic the functions of known hazardous proteins while being distinct enough to avoid detection as dangerous. The specific proteins they attempted to redesign were not disclosed, although some research details were withheld, including toxins such as lysine, infamous for its role in a 1978 assassination, and botulinum, a potent neurotoxin known as Botox.

Creating numerous proteins akin to Botulinum requires a blueprint—the DNA that encodes it. Typically, if biologists need a specific DNA sequence, they order it from specialized companies.

Due to anxieties about bioterrorism, the option to order recipes for biological weapons exists through this method. Some DNA synthesis companies have voluntarily implemented screening processes to detect potentially hazardous orders. Proteins are essentially sequences of amino acids, and the screening examines whether the amino acid sequences correspond to a “sequence of concern,” meaning a biological threat.

However, AI theoretically enables the design of protein versions with altered amino acid sequences that still perform the same functions. Horvitz and his colleagues applied this approach to 72 potentially hazardous proteins and found that existing screening methods frequently overlooked these alternative variations.

This isn’t entirely unexpected. For a variety of reasons, the team did not physically create the redesigned proteins. Additionally, in a previous study conducted earlier this year, they tested a redesigned version of a non-toxic protein and determined that it did not function as intended, as detailed in their findings.

Moreover, while bioterrorist attacks have occurred, the frequency is low, and there’s limited reason to attribute this to a failed voluntary screening system. Numerous methods to circumvent regulations exist without resorting to AI redesign. For example, lysine can be harvested from castor oil plants found in many gardens. This study serves as a cautionary tale that great sophistication is not required to exploit gaps in security—much like in a scene from Mission Impossible, when a vault door remains wide open.

Lastly, apart from government-sponsored actions, historical records show that bioterrorists have rarely leveraged protein-based biological weapons effectively. For instance, the Aum Shinrikyo cult attempted to employ Botulinum for mass harm but ultimately relied on chemical agents. Letters laced with lysin sent to the White House failed to result in any fatalities. Based on casualty statistics, firearms and explosives pose significantly greater risks than biological toxins.

Does this imply we should cease our concerns over AI-generated biological weapons? Not at all. While Horvitz’s research focused strictly on proteins, viruses present a substantial threat. AI is already being leveraged to redesign entire viruses.

Recently, a team from Stanford University unveiled their attempt to redesign a virus that infects bacteria like E. coli. Consistent with findings from the protein redesign efforts, the results were underwhelming with respect to E. coli, but this is merely the beginning.

In discussions regarding AI-created viruses, James Diggans from DNA manufacturer Twist Bioscience, a member of Horvitz’s team, remarked that detecting viruses encoded with DNA is generally easier than finding proteins of concern. “Synthetic screening functions best with abundant data. Therefore, at the genomic level, it proves exceedingly beneficial.”

Nevertheless, not all DNA manufacturers are conducting such screening, and desktop DNA synthesis options are now accessible to the public. There are narratives of developers allegedly refusing to create harmful viruses or attempting to discern malicious intentions, yet individuals have discovered numerous ways to circumvent safeguards against creating bioweapons.

To clarify, history indicates that the threat posed by “wild” viruses is significantly higher than that of bioterrorism. Contrary to assertions from the current U.S. administration, evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 emerged as a result of a bat virus crossing over to other wildlife.

Moreover, the act of becoming a bioterrorist could inflict massive damage by merely releasing known viruses such as naturally occurring pathogens. There are substantial gaps in the Bioweapon Control efforts, thus reducing the need to rely on advanced AI techniques.

For all of these reasons, the risk of AI-engineered viruses being deployed is likely minimal at present. However, this risk increases as various technologies continue to improve. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the chaos a new virus can unleash, even when it is not particularly harmful. Thus, there are justified reasons for concern.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Treasure Hunter Claims Recovery of $1 Million in Coins from Spanish Shipwreck off Florida Coast

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Over 1,000 gold and silver coins, valued at roughly $1 million, have been retrieved from an 18th-century shipwreck located off the coast of Florida, as reported by the Shipwreck Salvage Company.

The company, 1715 Fleet Queens Jewels, LLC, stated in a news release that it recovered the coins in July from the renowned Treasure Coast region in southeastern Florida.

This discovery is part of an estimated $400 million worth of gold, silver, and gems that were lost by the Spanish fleet during the hurricane of 1715.

“The find represents more than just treasure; it tells a story,” said Sal Guttuso, the company’s operations director, in a statement. “Every coin connects us to the lives and work of those who navigated the seas during the Spanish Empire’s Golden Age.”

Over 1,000 silver coins have been discovered from a shipwreck site in Vero Beach, Florida.
1715 Fleet – Queen’s Jewels, LLC

“Finding over 1,000 coins in one excavation is indeed rare and remarkable,” he noted.

The prized assets of the 1715 fleet included coins from Spanish colonies in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Many of these coins still exhibit clear dates and mint marks, making them significant to historians and collectors alike.

“The condition of these coins indicates they likely originated from a single chest or a portion of the ship that dispersed when the hurricane struck,” the news release clarified.

During a call on Thursday, Guttuso mentioned that he discovered coins concentrated in various areas beneath the sand, indicating they were likely housed in some kind of container.

“I believe they were probably stored in wooden boxes,” he theorized.

He also revealed that he found a Royal Lead Seal inscribed with the impression of King Philip II of Spain, who reigned during the mid- to late-1500s.

“We can reasonably speculate that this lead seal may have belonged to a prominent family,” he noted. “It likely associated with important documents that may have granted ownership of land or rights.”

Fragments and gems from a golden chain were also retrieved.
1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC

Gold artifacts were also found in Vero Beach, Florida.
1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC

The Queen’s Jewels of the 1715 Fleet claims exclusive salvage rights to the wreck of the Treasure Fleet but stated that the recovered coins will undergo meticulous conservation before being publicly displayed, with plans for exhibition at a local museum.

“Each discovery contributes to piecing together the narratives of those connected to the 1715 fleet,” Guttuso remarked. “We are dedicated to preserving and researching these artifacts, enabling future generations to recognize their historical importance.”

Requests for comments on the findings were not immediately returned by the US District Court of Florida or by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s office.

Matt Raviet

Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News.

Christian Santana I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com