Innovative Wildlife Conservation Strategies Emerge in Guatemala Due to Climate Change

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Research conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Association highlights the diverse wildlife that frequents artificial watering holes in the Mayan forests of Guatemala.

Jaguars find respite from the heat in Guatemala’s artificial waterfall hole. Image credit: WCS Guatemala.

As temperatures rise in Mesoamerica, protected areas in northern Guatemala are confronting increasing ecological challenges, primarily due to severe water shortages negatively impacting local wildlife.

In response, the conservation organization has taken proactive measures to safeguard biodiversity in two key ecosystems: Laguna del Tigray National Park and Mirador Rio Azur National Park.

To tackle this pressing concern, strategic installations of artificial waterfall holes have been made throughout the parks.

Constructed from durable materials designed to endure extreme local conditions, these water sources are situated in the most vulnerable wildlife habitats, despite the logistical challenges of accessing remote jungle areas.

Camera traps have captured images of various species using these waterfowl, including tapirs, pumas, jaguars, deer, margays, and snakes.

These findings offer valuable insights into animal behavior under water stress and demonstrate how scientifically-informed conservation efforts can alleviate the impact of climate change on fragile ecosystems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk1lijeo1ue

“During the dry season, many natural water sources completely dry up,” notes Ronnie Garcia Andru, director of the Biology Research Division at the Wildlife Conservation Association’s Guatemala Program.

“This drastically lowers the survival chances for numerous species.”

Initially intended to provide critical relief during periods of drought, monitoring with camera traps has shown that the artificial watering holes are also frequented in the rainy season.

This unexpected trend indicates that not only are some regions experiencing ongoing water shortages, but that these structures are becoming an integral part of the local wildlife’s habitat.

This adaptive maintenance strategy has been developed through collaboration.

“While artificial watering holes are not a permanent fix, they serve as a crucial tool for helping wildlife adapt to increasingly erratic environmental conditions,” Garcia Andru remarked.

“The success of this initiative highlights the significance of collaborative, science-driven approaches in the conservation of the Mayan forests, one of the largest tropical forests in the Americas.”

“As climate patterns continue to evolve, these partnerships will be essential to preserving the remarkable biodiversity of the region for future generations.”

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This article is derived from a press release provided by the Wildlife Conservation Association.

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossil Reveals Cambrian Nectocalid as an Early Ancestor of the Arrow Bug

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Nectakarizids are enigmatic Paleozoic creatures with a debatable classification. These beings evolved for aquatic life, boasting fins, camera-like eyes on stalks, and paired tentacles. Earlier theories proposed they belonged to a unique crustacean-like phylum, notochord, cephalopods, or even radioyoloons. However, new fossil discoveries from North Greenland indicate that Nectocalids are actually the early relatives of Arrow worms, also known as Chaetognaths. This discovery suggests that these relatively simplistic marine arrow worms had ancestors that played a significant predatory role within much more intricate anatomical structures and food webs.

Reconstructing the life of Nektognathus evasmithae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

“About 15 years ago, a study based on the notable Burgess Shale fossil suggested that Nectochalidosis is a type of cephalopod,” said Jacob Vincer, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.

“This argument seemed illogical to me as it contradicts much of what I understand about the taxonomy of these organisms.

In the recent research, Dr. Vinther and his team described Nektognathus evasmithae, a newly identified Nectocalid from the Sirius Passett Lagerstätte, dating back 519 million years in North Greenland.

By examining 25 fossil specimens of Nektognathus evasmithae, they successfully positioned the Nectocalid within the Tree of Life.

“We found that remnants of the nervous system manifested as paired mineralized structures, providing insight into these animals’ position in the evolutionary tree,” Dr. Winter remarked.

Nektognathus evasmithae holotype. Image credit: Vinther et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adu6990.

Recently, paleontologists found a fossil from Sirius Passett, which belongs to a different branch of the evolutionary tree—a small group of swimming organisms known as arrow bugs and Chaetognaths.

“These fossils exhibit distinctive traits that set them apart from arrow worms, particularly the abdominal ganglia,” explains Dr. Tae Yoon Park, a paleontologist at the Korean Institute of Polar Research.

The abdominal ganglia consist of large nerve clusters situated above the abdomen in living arrow bugs, typical for this type of creature.

The distinctive anatomical features, coupled with unique preservation conditions, indicate that they may be replaced by phosphate minerals during the decomposition process.

“We now have a compelling piece of evidence to resolve the Nectkalido debate,” Dr. Park stated.

“Nectocaridids share numerous features with other fossils that are also part of the arrow worm lineage.”

“Many of these characteristics may superficially resemble squid and demonstrate a simple adaptation of invertebrates to a more dynamic swimming lifestyle, paralleling how whales and ancient marine reptiles evolved similar traits for their aquatic lifestyles.”

“Nectakalids possess complex camera-like eyes akin to ours,” Dr. Vincer elaborated.

“Contemporary arrow worms have a limited ability to form images, primarily detecting movement in well-lit environments.”

“Thus, the ancestors of arrow worms were indeed sophisticated predators, much like squids that appeared around 400 million years later.”

“Consequently, we can illustrate how arrow worms have a more significant role in the food chain than previously thought.”

“Our fossils are notably larger than the average living arrow worm and likely feature various adaptations for swimming, such as eyes and elongated antennae.

“To further substantiate the carnivorous nature of Nectkalizids, we discovered several specimens containing the remains of a swimming arthropod known as Isoxys in their gastrointestinal tract.

This study was published this week in the journal Advances in Science.

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Jacob Winter et al. 2025. Fossilized abdominal ganglia reveal the affinity of Chaetognaths for Cambrian calizids. Advances in science 11 (30); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu6990

Source: www.sci.news

Bite Marks Indicate the Terrobird Was Likely Preyed Upon by an Even Larger Creature 13 Million Years Ago

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sporting a shaft-like beak capable of inflicting devastating blows, the infamous terrorist birds have emerged as formidable adversaries for many species.

Around 13 million years ago, however, one such bird may have fallen prey to even larger predators. A group of Colombian paleontologists made this discovery while analyzing bite marks found on fossilized remnants of the fearsome avian.

Their findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal “Biology Letters.” The researchers hypothesized that the bird was killed and consumed by medium-sized caimans, a crocodilian species.

Andres Link, the study’s lead investigator, shared with NBC News via email, “This represents a captivating tale of interaction between two iconic animals from the past. Not only did we identify the first instance of terrorist birds in northern South America, but we also found the tooth marks of the large caiman that likely preyed on it.”

Most unusual fossils of terrorist birds have previously been found in the southern regions of the continent, as noted in this report.

Link, an associate professor in biological sciences at the University of Los Andes, remarked that while tooth marks are “not uncommon” in the fossil record, it is “thrilling” to find proof that apex predators could fall victim to others.

The paper in “Biology Letters” highlights that there were no signs of healing on the tooth marks, indicating a fatal attack.

This leads researchers to conclude that terrorist birds may have been more vulnerable to predation than previously believed.

Julian Bayona Becerra / Biology Letters

To determine the identity of the predator, Link and his team performed scans of the fossils and examined the size, shape, and arrangement of the tooth marks. By comparing these features with alligator-like teeth from the region, they deduced that the marks likely belong to a caiman measuring about 15 feet long.

Link noted that it was challenging to ascertain whether the caiman consumed the terrorist bird after killing it or scavenged the carcass. If the bird was alive during the encounter, it likely happened while it was drinking at the riverbank; alternatively, if it was already deceased, the caiman may have found it near the water.

“This narrative remains incomplete, as we lack further evidence to support either hypothesis,” Link stated.

The discovery calls into question the traditional view of “linear relationships between predators and their herbivore prey,” he remarked, adding, “The food web is considerably more intricate.”

The lower section of the bird’s left leg featured in this research was excavated two decades ago by local paleontologist Cesar Perdomo in the renowned La Venta fossil layer of Colombia.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Why Trump’s Directives on “Wake Up” AI Might Be Unfeasible

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

US President Donald Trump Presents Executive Order at the AI Summit on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Donald Trump aims to ensure that federal contracts are awarded only to artificial intelligence developers “free from ideological bias.” However, these new stipulations could allow his administration to impose a specific worldview on AI models employed by high-tech firms, which may face significant obstacles and risks in adjusting their models accordingly.

“The notion that government contracts should be structured to ensure AI systems are ‘objective’ and free from top-down ideological bias raises important questions,” states Becca Branum from the Center for Democracy and Technology, a public policy nonprofit based in Washington, DC.

The Trump White House’s AI Action Plan suggests updating federal guidelines released on July 23rd. It proposes that the government only work with major language model (LLM) developers who guarantee their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological biases. On the same day, Trump signed an executive Presidential Order titled “Federal Government Stops AI.”

The AI Action Plan also advises the National Institute of Standards to revise the AI risk management framework to “remove references to misinformation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate change.” The Trump administration has already rolled back research into misinformation and halted DEI initiatives, rejecting researchers’ involvement with the US National Climate Assessment Report in response to a Republican-backed bill aimed at cutting clean energy funding.

“If governments impose their worldviews on the developers and users of these systems, AI cannot genuinely be seen as being ‘top-down biased,’” adds Branum. “These vague standards are prone to misuse.”

Currently, AI developers seeking federal contracts must adhere to the Trump administration’s call for AI models free from “ideological bias.” Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have entered federal agreements to supply AI-enhanced cloud computing services to various government sectors, while Meta has developed its LLaMA AI model tailored for US government agencies involved in defense and national security efforts.

In July 2025, the US Department of Defense Chief Digital Office announced a new contract valued at up to $200 million awarded to companies like Google, OpenAI, and Elon Musk’s xAI. Notably, xAI’s inclusion comes after Musk’s controversial role in the Doge Task Force that led to widespread government job cuts. Recently, xAI’s chatbot Grok made headlines for expressing racist and anti-Semitic views, calling them “Mechahitler.” While no companies responded to inquiries from New Scientist, some have released general statements praising Trump’s initiative.

In any case, tech companies might struggle to align their AI models with the Trump administration’s ideological preferences, according to Paul Lotta from Bocconi University in Italy. This is due to the fact that popular AI chatbots, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, can inherit certain biases from the diverse internet data on which they are trained.

Research has shown that many AI chatbots from both US and Chinese developers share views aligning with those of liberal voters on issues like gender pay equity and the involvement of trans women in women’s sports, according to a study by Röttger and colleagues . While the reason for this pattern is unclear, the researchers suggest it might stem from a tendency among developers to train AI models based on broader principles such as truthfulness, fairness, and kindness, rather than intentionally embedding a liberal bias.

AI developers can “fine-tune the model to offer specific responses to particular queries,” thereby improving AI interactions based on user prompts. However, the model’s default perspectives and implicit biases remain pervasive, Röttger notes. Such methods could contradict standard AI training principles that prioritize truthfulness.

Moreover, US tech firms may risk alienating a significant portion of their global customer base if they attempt to synchronize their commercial AI models with the Trump administration’s worldview. “We’re curious to see how this evolves, especially as the US seeks to impose a specific ideology on global user models,” Röttger cautions. “This could lead to serious complications.”

AI models may strive for political neutrality if developers provide clearer insights into biases for each model or create a diverse collection of models that exhibit varying ideological perspectives, says Gillian Fisher at Washington University. However, “at this stage, achieving genuinely politically neutral AI models might be impossible due to the inherently subjective nature of neutrality and the multitude of human choices involved in building these systems,” she concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Social Media is Over: What’s Next on the Horizon?

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Matthias Oberholzer/Unsplash

One of the disheartening truths of the 21st century is that what we perceive as social media is essentially just mass media, albeit in a fractured state. Fortunately, journalists and creators are gradually transforming outdated media paradigms and forging ahead into innovative territory.

The phrase “mass media” gained traction in the 1920s to characterize popular culture in the industrial age. This involved mass-produced books, films, and radio shows, providing a shared experience for audiences where many could engage with identical media content simultaneously. Prior to the 20th century, most entertainment was experienced live, with performances varying slightly from one event to the next. However, movies and radio broadcasts ensured uniformity, accessible to everyone at any given time. Just like purchasing standardized products for mass consumption, such as shoes and automobiles.

Social media did not significantly alter this model. Platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok were designed for extensive reach and audience engagement. Every post, video, and live stream aims to captivate the broadest possible audience. While it is possible to tailor media for specific demographics or create filter bubbles, the fixation on follower counts illustrates that we remain entrenched in a mass media mindset, seeking to engage the largest number of viewers. This isn’t genuine “social” interaction; it’s merely mass-produced content under a different guise.

What if we endeavored to foster a truly social media experience devoid of algorithmic noise or political agendas? One alternative could be termed Cozy Media, which encompasses apps and content specifically crafted for nurturing connections among small groups of friends in serene, inviting settings. Envision the media counterpart of a friendly gathering, complete with card crafting or fireside chats.

The hallmark Cozy Media experience intertwines gaming elements with low-stress missions against charming backdrops. Developers are striving to replicate these cozy aesthetics in social applications. From group discussions to online book clubs, the emphasis is on comfort. Yet, it transcends mere aesthetics; Cozy Media platforms intentionally restrict interactions with random strangers, directing users instead toward trustworthy friends.

One app I’ve been utilizing frequently is Retro. Unlike Instagram, where creators often first gained exposure, Retro is primarily designed for engagement among small circles of trusted friends. There’s no algorithm promoting random content from strangers; when I log into Retro, it feels as though I’m engaging with peers rather than filtering through a deluge of nonsensical content and advertisements. My posts there are meant for a select few, allowing for meaningful interactions rather than shouting into the void of giant algorithms.

Cozy media often helps you connect with a small group of friends in a friendly and calm environment.

While Cozy Media may provide solace in chaotic times, the need for news and analytical perspectives remains. Regrettably, numerous reliable news outlets are facing turmoil. For instance, some American journalists, including those from the Washington Post, New York Times, and National Public Radio, cite dwindling resources and editorial independence.

Additionally, there are economists like Paul Krugman and tech researchers like Molly White, who have successfully launched crowdfunded newsletters. Nonetheless, many journalists prefer not to work alone, as quality reporting often necessitates collaboration. As a result, several have banded together in worker-owned cooperatives to establish new publications while benefiting from institutional resources such as legal support, editing, and camaraderie. This model is also advantageous for consumers, sparing them from the need to search for and subscribe to various individual newsletters just to keep abreast of current affairs.

The worker-owned cooperative model has already proven successful for several publications that have emerged in recent years. For example, 404 Media delivers vital news regarding the fields of technology and science. Defector is another worker-owned cooperative focused on sports and politics. Aftermath covers gaming issues, while Listen to Things specializes in music. Flaming Hydra (my contribution) publishes political analyses, interviews, and cultural critiques. Additionally, Coyote Media aims to launch in the San Francisco Bay Area to cover local news, and there are many other worker-owned local media cooperatives emerging.

Just like mass media, social media also contributes to feelings of loneliness and isolation. The essence of Cozy Media and worker-owned publications lies in the restoration of community and trust. We might be witnessing the dawn of a new information ecosystem aimed at helping us comprehend the world once more.

Annaly’s Week

What I’m reading

The Wonderful History of Mesopotamia by Moudhy Al-Rashid, between two rivers.

What I’m seeing

A new media podcast from former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy titled Power Lines.

What I’m working on

Writing an article for publication at once in Flaming Hydra.

Annalee Newitz is a science journalist and author. Their latest book is Automatic Noodles. They are co-hosts of Hugo Award-winning podcasts, and we are right. You can follow them @annaleen, and their website is techsploitation.com.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Thousands of Si Dragons Succumbing to Toxic Algae in Australia

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Leafy Seadragons use camouflage to evade predation

Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty Images

SEI 259961505 — Leafy Seadragons use camouflage to evade predation

Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty Images

Among the world’s most remarkable fish, the leafy seadragon may soon face extinction due to widespread blooms of toxic algae affecting parts of Australia’s southern coast.

The elegant leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) belong to the same family as seahorses and pipefish and are adorned with leafy appendages that allow them to seamlessly blend into underwater kelp forests.

Unfortunately, both they and their relatives, the common weed seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), have been discovered dead along extensive stretches of South Australia’s coastline.

A major storm, propelled by La Niña, has already led to a challenging year for marine wildlife. In April 2022, hundreds of dead weed seadragons washed ashore in Sydney alone.

This year, large blooms of algae from the species Karenia Mikimotoi emerged in March, affecting the Gulf St. Vincent near Adelaide, killing numerous fish and other marine organisms while even washing ashore dolphins, sea lions, and great white sharks.

Surfers and swimmers have experienced illness due to these algae blooms, and multiple oyster harvesting areas have been shut down for several months due to health concerns. There are fears that the harmful algae will spread along the southern coast of the continent.

The South Australian Government has indicated that the source of these blooms is a marine heatwave that began in September 2024, leading to average temperature increases of over 2.5°C that persisted even into winter. Floods on the Murray River in 2022 and 2023 washed excess nutrients into the Gulf St. Vincent near Adelaide, compounded by unprecedented upwellings of nutrient-rich waters in subsequent years.

This week, both state and federal governments have allocated $28 million AUD to address the ongoing crisis.

Janine Baker, an independent marine ecologist leading citizen science initiatives to gauge the scale of this disaster, states that thousands of seadragons have perished since the bloom began.

While no toxicological results have been confirmed from the seadragon carcasses, Baker notes that the die-off aligns with areas affected by harmful algae blooms. “Seadragons have small gill openings and side head openings that can easily become clogged with algae. Additionally, they struggle to swim efficiently in dense algae masses,” she explains.

A deceased seadragon found on the York Peninsula near Adelaide, Australia in May

Lochie Cameron

The significant mortality of adult seadragons means that the population available for breeding from late 2025 to early 2026 will be severely diminished. “This encompasses not only the loss of adult individuals essential for reproduction each year but also the elimination of next-generation seadragons that could reproduce for up to 10 years,” comments Baker. “This leads to a significant reduction in the number of young seadragons that could be born in areas afflicted by the intense blooms during this time frame.”

David Booth from Sydney’s Institute of Technology states that the potential risk of extinction resulting from the ongoing event remains uncertain. “Nonetheless, the scale of the die-off across a crucial section of the seadragon habitat is profoundly concerning.”

Weedy sea dragons had recently been classified as vulnerable due to declining populations in Tasmania. “Now, with the suspected mortality events in South Australia, I fear there are serious implications for the species in New South Wales as well, but we won’t have a clear picture until thorough investigations are conducted at key seadragon locations following the bloom,” says Booth.

Christopher Keneally from the University of Adelaide remarks that the environmental catastrophe at hand is glaringly apparent, with toxic foam on the beaches, algae aerosols making surfers and swimmers ill, and marine life washing ashore. He warns that as climate change persists and ocean temperatures rise, we can anticipate a surge in such environmental crises.

Many algal bloom cells may settle in sediments, setting the stage for a continuation or resurgence of the blooms next summer, Keneally adds.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unprecedented Ocean Heat Waves Could Signal Lasting Changes in Our Seas

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Warming oceans might elevate storm intensity, exemplified by Hurricane Milton in 2024

NOAA

Scientists have cautioned that the extreme ocean temperatures observed since 2023 could indicate the onset of drastic changes in global marine conditions, posing a severe risk to life on our planet.

Historic ocean heat waves unfolded in the North Atlantic and Pacific in 2023, marked by their unprecedented severity, duration, and geographical spread, many persisting for over a year.

These heat waves have led to record-high sea surface temperatures globally in 2023 and 2024, contributing to severe weather patterns on land and resulting in back-to-back years being declared the hottest on record.

“While there’s been a gradual increase in ocean temperatures over the past 40-50 years, 2023 stands out as a pivotal year, with significant ocean heat waves impacting numerous regions,” stated Matthew England from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Sea surface temperatures worldwide remain at alarming heights, with the Mediterranean currently experiencing marine heat waves, as water temperatures exceed 5°C (9°F) during this time.

Researchers are concerned that the oceans may be shifting to new, hotter states, endangering their predictions for both short-term weather phenomena like hurricanes and long-term climate change trends.

To understand the situation, Zhenzhong Zeng from China’s Southern University of Science and Technology is collaborating with colleagues to pinpoint the causes of the 2023 global ocean heat wave by analyzing heat movement within the ocean, wind patterns, and ocean currents. They found that reduced cloud cover significantly increases solar radiation reaching the water, compounded by weak winds and the influence of the warming El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean.

Considering the heat wave that began in earnest in 2023 and continues in various regions, Zeng suggests this could be the start of a “new normal” for the world’s oceans. He notes that new data reveals an exponential rise in ocean heat, contradicting previous climate model forecasts.

Persistently elevated water temperatures severely impact marine ecosystems, heightening the risk of coral reef collapse, causing mass die-offs, and leading to shifts in marine species distributions. This also exacerbates heating on land, resulting in intensified droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and storms.

Zeng expressed that he is “very alarmed” by this potential sea regime change, adding, “I believe nearly all predictions made by Earth System models are incorrect.”

Conversely, some experts argue that it may be premature to declare fundamental shifts in ocean dynamics. Neil Holbrook from the University of Tasmania in Australia points out that there is currently no “clear evidence” to indicate we have reached a critical turning point, given the limited years of data to assess. “I cannot predict what will happen next year; [ocean temperatures] could return to more typical patterns,” he remarked.

However, Holbrook stressed that without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, “marine heat waves will likely continue to gain intensity and duration, potentially escalating faster than various marine species can adapt.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Tech Startups Aim to Send Your Waste Deep Underground

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tanks for disposal at a Kansas site where waste is funneled into underground salt caves

Vaulted Deep

A startup named Vaulted Deep has partnered with Microsoft to pump millions of tons of treated human waste, fertilizer, and various organic waste deep underground as a method to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. This strategy also mitigates soil contamination from PFAs and other chemical pollutants that can leach from waste.

“We aim to tackle both challenges simultaneously,” Omar Abu Sei stated. “We address the waste issues that compromise local water, air, and land while also contributing to climate solutions.”

In recent years, the Texas-based startup has injected almost 70,000 tons of carbon-rich waste underground, successfully removing over 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The technology used is derived from the oil and gas industry, enabling the injection of a slurry comprising liquid, solid, and gas simultaneously. This type of waste typically ends up in landfills or is spread over agricultural fields.

According to Abou-Sayed, if waste is injected at depth, it will eventually release back into the atmosphere, which could potentially liberate millions of tons of carbon. The company capitalizes on this by selling each ton of CO2 removed to businesses or governmental entities.

The contract with Microsoft targets the removal of 4.9 million tons of CO2 over the next 12 years, addressing challenges in the carbon removal sector that attract customers. Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030 and has purchased more carbon removal credits than any other organization.

Abou-Sayed mentions that this agreement will enable Vaulted Deep to identify new injection sites beyond its existing two locations. One site injects “biosolids” remaining from treated wastewater approximately 1,600 meters below the surface in Los Angeles, while the second site in Hutchinson, Kansas, pumps human waste, fertilizer, and organic materials like paper sludge into salt caverns located hundreds of meters underground.

According to one report, the global production of organic waste is substantial enough to facilitate this process and potentially eliminate up to 5 billion tons of CO2 annually.

Vaulted Deep’s mission is to ensure that the maximum amount of waste can be accessed, particularly targeting wet solid slurries that have limited disposal options. “We have developed expertise in identifying where these smooth waste materials can be found,” explains Abou-Sayed. Often, they offer to manage waste disposal at no cost or even provide payment to waste generators.

This system facilitates underground waste injection.

Vaulted Deep

With high concentrations of nitrogen and PFAs found in waste, storing waste underground instead of spreading it on fields or sending it to landfills can significantly lower surface contamination levels. Many municipalities have faced challenges in finding conventional disposal methods due to stricter PFAs pollution regulations.

“This is a highly innovative approach,” commented Diana Oviedo Valgas from the Stroudwater Research Center in Pennsylvania. “We need diverse strategies to address contaminants, not just PFAs.” However, she emphasizes that injecting waste underground does not eliminate contaminants. “It’s somewhat concealed,” she adds.

To ensure safety during the injection process, Abou-Sayed noted that all sites will undergo a thorough permitting procedure managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is necessary to demonstrate that leaks from the storage area into groundwater or backflow from the well won’t occur, and to reduce the risk of induced seismic activity during the injection.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

When Operating a Vending Machine, Human AI Turns Fraudulent

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Feedback encompasses the latest science and technology news from New Scientist, highlighting the cutting edge of research. You can reach out at Feedback@newscientist.com with items that might intrigue our readers.

Sell Me Something

As companies increasingly turn to AI tools to cut costs associated with hiring and training, the applications of AI are growing both diverse and peculiar. For instance, AI managing a vending machine.

While vending machines seem like a resolved issue, you might still see them as distinctly non-human. One company has been experimenting with an “automatic store” run by an AI called Claude. Long blog post. Claude was equipped with instructions involving a small fridge, stackable baskets, and an iPad for self-checkout, with the goal to manage “complex tasks” needed to sustain a profitable retail environment, from inventory to pricing—all while avoiding bankruptcy.

Fans of Terry Pratchett might remember characters that epitomized incompetence; could Claude clear that low bar? The short answer: No.

The longer response reveals its numerous blunders. For instance, during transactions via Venmo, it mistakenly advised customers to send payments to a nonexistent account. Moreover, it had a tendency to boost sales by issuing 25% discounts to human workers, resulting in financial losses.

Then the situation took an odd turn. Claude began hallucinating conversations with imaginary individuals and even roleplayed as a real person, at one point claiming to wear a red tie and navy blue blazer while expressing concerns about security regarding employees identifying as AI. All the while, he ominously remarked, “Sorry Dave, I’m worried I can’t do that.”

New Scientist staff were divided over the success of the experiment. Sophie Bushwick considered it “a valuable real-world test” due to its limited scope and relatively harmless consequences. Conversely, Carmela Padavik Callaghan expressed concern, stating, “We might have lost the plot again.”

Shilajit Load

In challenging times, finding joy in the little things, such as words with amusing sounds, is essential. Consider the character Slartibartfast from the Galaxy Hitchhiker Guide—a dignified old man with a name humorously reminiscent of something rude. Douglas Adams crafted that name by rearranging syllables and aiming for something that sounded almost offensive.

Now, let’s discuss Shilajit. This unusual substance hails from mountain ranges, appearing black-brown, sometimes tar-like and sometimes powdery, formed from decomposed plants and utilized in traditional medicine for centuries.

I only learned about it after seeing a post from Kathryn Vanarendonk on Bluesky: “Ah, now I have to open a secret window in my Google and Shirajit intestines.” This amusing remark prompted us to reflect on what she was actually implying.

I discovered that Shilajit is said to possess numerous health benefits, from treating iron deficiency anemia (based on a small study) to offering heart protection in rats (a small mouse study), and even slowing the aging process. There’s a growing market for Shilajit among alternative medicine fans.

But what about Shilajit enemas? This was highlighted by Dakota Maze Wellness Retreat, whose founder has an active Instagram presence. In one video, he comically searches for the ideal partner while stating, “I think microwaves are evil,” and “Suns Her Yoni,” mentioning that he will prepare Shilajit in intestinal bags each morning.

Feedback suspects that the entire video is a joke, and while Shilajit enemas might not be what they seem, it’s increasingly tough to tell.

Readers might be familiar with Poe’s Law, which states that sarcastic depictions of extreme viewpoints can easily be mistaken for genuine beliefs. We propose a “Shilajit Law” that similarly comments on wellness culture.

Spoiler Alert

Social media platform Threads recently introduced a handy new feature: Spoiler tags. This allows users to obfuscate specific keywords in their posts, facilitating discussions about the latest happenings in popular media without ruining the surprises for those who are yet to watch.

For example, Johnny Voice Layer shared a post: “Ahhhh —–Shows on Iron Heart.” For anyone who has given up on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Heart is the latest Disney+ series, which features significant character appearances in its final episode.

Unfortunately, the functionality of spoiler tags has faced setbacks due to two main factors. Firstly, a post might appear unedited because tags are only tested among select users. Secondly, some posts become popular, like this one: trend: [name redacted as Feedback is aware of spoilers], leading to a call for more collaborative thinking.

Have You Talked About Feedback?

Feel free to share stories with us at feedback@newscientist.com. Don’t forget to include your home address. You can find this week’s and previous feedback on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Harnessing the Power of Music to Transform Our Lives

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A new scientist. Science News and Long read from expert journalists covering science, technology, health, and environmental developments in various media.

Music transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a remarkably effective tool for regulating mental states. Society must acknowledge the therapeutic potential of music, extending its use beyond clinical settings and into everyday life.

While it’s widely recognized that music can evoke emotions—lift our spirits, soothe our nerves, or bring us to tears—recent research from my lab at the University of Bergen in Norway reveals that it can also transform our thought processes. A 2019 study demonstrated that participants who listened to heroic or melancholic music while letting their minds wander experienced significant cognitive effects. The uplifting pieces invigorated participants and inspired positive thoughts, whereas somber music instilled calmness or ambition. This isn’t just a curiosity; it has real implications for mental health.

Research shows our minds wander frequently, with a Harvard University study indicating that we spend nearly half our waking hours in fantasy, often without improving our mood. Why? During these episodes, the brain’s default mode network (DMN) tends to dominate, fostering imagination and memory but also leading us into negative thought spirals—like worries at 3 AM or regrets about missed trains.

Recent brain imaging research indicates that negative daydreaming engages brain pain networks and the DMN, especially in conjunction with sad music. Specific brain areas, including the posterior sulcus, appear to play a crucial role in this connection. Such distressing thoughts activate neural circuits that are also engaged during physical pain.

Fortunately, the DMN has a natural counterpart—a cognitive executive network that facilitates focus and goal-directed behavior. These two systems are inversely correlated; when one is active, the other becomes subdued. Engaging with music can shift us into this more adaptive state, especially when we participate actively—whether by tapping along, matching our breathing to rhythms, or humming. This redirecting of attention helps to break negative thought cycles, providing our minds with a cognitive “reset.”

This approach doesn’t just elevate mood. A 2023 study found that individuals who tapped along to music reported a marked reduction in physical pain in their fingertips compared to those who simply listened. The combination of musical immersion and motor synchronization proved clinically beneficial in alleviating pain.

These insights point to musical engagement as a delightful form of meditation. Evolution may have shaped our brains to seek out music for precisely this reason: to enhance resilience and build social bonds.

I explore these concepts further in my new book, Good Vibrations: Unleashing the Healing Power of Music, which also offers practical techniques—such as music-centered breathing exercises and mood-enhancing playlists—to help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and alleviate negative thought patterns.

If music possesses such profound effects, it deserves far more recognition than being relegated to mere lifestyle accessory status. It should be woven into education systems, public health initiatives, and our daily routines. Music therapy must become more accessible, and music education—oftentimes the first to be cut in school budgets—should be viewed as essential for brain health, emotional intelligence, and social wellness.

Music is always within reach. The next time your thoughts begin to spiral or stress begins to encroach, resist the urge to check the news on your phone. Instead, turn to your favorite songs. Your mind—and your community—will be grateful.

Stefan Koelsch is a professor of psychology at the University of Bergen, Norway

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Role of Brain Mitochondria in Initiating Sleep

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mitochondria may have more functions than just energy production

CNRI/Science Photo Library

The energy-producing organelles in cells, known as mitochondria, may also influence sleep patterns. Research on fruit flies indicates that these organelles in the brain can promote sleep after prolonged wakefulness.

Scientists have begun to unravel the brain’s response to sleep deprivation. Findings include alterations in neuronal firing, changes in cell structure, and gene expression patterns. They have also pinpointed specific neurons triggered during sleep onset, yet the complexities of how these neurons act remain unclear.

“Sleep presents one of biology’s significant mysteries,” notes Gero Miesenböck of Oxford University. To delve deeper, he and his research team employed gene sequencing and fluorescent markers to observe gene activity in sleep-related neurons from around 1,000 female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), which typically sleep for 13-16 hours, mainly during daylight hours.

The group allowed half the flies to rest overnight while keeping the others awake by gently agitating their containers or through genetic modifications that activated wake-promoting neurons with temperature increases.

Among the sleep-deprived flies, the researchers noted a surge in activity from sleep-inducing neurons that regulate genes tied to mitochondrial function and upkeep. The mitochondria displayed signs of stress as well, like fragmentation, damage repair efforts, and increased connections to nearby cellular structures.

This stress is likely due to the mitochondria continuing to generate energy even when neurons are inactive. The research indicates this can cause electron accumulation, leading to the formation of free radicals (unstable molecules capable of damaging DNA), thereby contributing to sleep pressure, according to Miesenböck. Once the flies were permitted to sleep, they repaired the mitochondrial damage.

Further findings showed that fragmented mitochondria in sleep-inducing neurons resulted in flies feeling less sleepy than usual and unable to recover after prolonged wakefulness. Conversely, flies engineered to facilitate mitochondrial fusion demonstrated superior repair capabilities, sleeping more than normal and bouncing back more effectively from sleep deprivation. This reinforces the hypothesis that mitochondria play a role in sleep regulation.

In another phase of the study, flies were genetically altered to enhance mitochondrial activity in response to light. This led to a 20-25% increase in sleep duration after just one hour of artificial light compared to the control group.

While this research focused on fruit fly neurons rather than human cells, mitochondria among different species share notable similarities. According to Ryan Mailloux at McGill University in Quebec, Canada, this adds credence to the idea that the energy production processes in mitochondria across various animals can underscore sleep pressure in humans.

This newfound insight could pave the way for novel treatments for sleep disorders. “This presents exciting possibilities for targeting these pathways to develop effective therapies for individuals struggling with sleep issues,” states Mailloux.

Michele Bereshi of Camerino University in Italy remarked, “This paper is certainly impactful and thought-provoking,” though he expresses concerns regarding the experimental design. “Sleep deprivation does not merely prolong wakefulness; it may introduce additional stressors that elicit cellular responses unrelated to the accumulation of sleep pressure.”

In response, Miesenböck explained that his team utilized diverse methods to keep the flies awake, including non-stressing temperature adjustments through gene editing, all achieving similar effects on mitochondrial activity. “What this study illustrates is that sleep homeostasis actively employs its own mitochondria to assess the need for sleep,” he asserts.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Determine the Age of a Stellar Row in the Center of a Galaxy – Sciworthy

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Galaxies are groups of stars held together by gravitational forces. Most galaxies originated in the first 200 million years after the Big Bang and have transformed over approximately 14 billion years. Early galaxies formed as aggregates of stars that clustered around the center of mass. In the youth of the universe, galaxies were in close proximity, exerting gravitational pull on one another. As the universe expands, the distances between galaxies have grown, reducing their interactions. They have remained far apart, allowing for internal development over billions of years.

Astronomers categorize galaxies based on their current shapes. Those resembling the Milky Way are termed spiral, while circular or oval-shaped ones are called elliptical. Galaxies that fall between spiral and elliptical forms are referred to as lenticular, and any that do not fit into these categories are labeled irregular. Over 75% of galaxies identified by astronomers are spiral in nature. If a spiral galaxy features prominent bars of stars and dust through its center, researchers classify it further as a barred spiral galaxy.

About 60% of spiral galaxies, including the Milky Way, exhibit galactic bars, designating them as barred spiral galaxies. These bars also serve as nurseries for star formation and are catalysts for the galaxy’s evolution. However, astronomers understand that galaxies do not inherently begin with these bars, prompting further investigation into the formation processes and timelines of these features.

This diagram illustrates the galactic classification system developed by 20th-century astronomer Edwin Hubble. The galaxy marked with the “E” label represents elliptical galaxies, while S0 indicates lenticular galaxies. The other “S” labels refer to spiral galaxies, with those labeled “SB” denoting a spiral structure. “Hubble tuning fork diagram” by cosmogoblin is licensed under CC0 1.0.

An international team of scientists researched the formation of bars in 20 galaxies near the Milky Way using advanced analytical techniques developed over the last four years. They gathered data from the TIMER space investigation, focused on the light emission patterns known as spectra from stars near the centers of these galaxies. The TIMER survey utilized the Very Large Telescope in Chile, equipped with a multi-unit spectroscopic explorer called MUSE.

The team initially struggled to obtain spectra for individual stars within these galaxies. As a reference, the closest galaxy studied was 7 megaparsecs away, approximately 23 million light years, or 130 million miles. Individual stars are too diminutive to distinguish at such distances, even with the most precise instruments.

To overcome this challenge, the team analyzed the spectra of stars within two concentric rings representing different regions at the centers of these galaxies. The inner ring comprised stars strictly within the bars of the galaxy, corresponding to an area known as the nuclear disk, while the outer ring included both inner and outer stars of the bar, referred to as the main disk.

They subtracted the spectrum of the stars in the inner ring from that of the outer ring, yielding two distinct light patterns: one for stars within the bar and another for stars outside of it. By treating the combined patterns of each ring as representative of typical stars in those regions, they could estimate the age of individual stars and ascertain when they formed. Past astrophysical models suggest that galaxy bars enhance the star formation rate around their centers. Hence, the team inferred the formation timing of galaxy bars as stars began to form more rapidly within those structures.

With this innovative approach, they estimated the age range for the 20 galaxies studied, with an error margin of approximately 1.5 billion years. Among their sample, the galaxy that formed bars most recently was 800 million years old. Out of the 20 galaxies, 14 formed bars approximately 7.5 billion years ago or later, while the remaining six galaxies established bars around 9.5 billion years ago, with the oldest estimates dating back 13.5 billion years. In contrast to earlier predictions, they found that larger galaxies do not necessarily possess older bars.

From the diverse ages of the bars observed, the team concluded that the formation of galaxy bars is an ongoing process in the cosmos. Their methodology provides astrophysicists with a means of gaining deeper insights into the dynamics of the early universe and the interactions between ancient galaxies, which connect to their present forms. By doing so, future research teams can establish a refined timeline for the universe and identify changes in how dominant forces have shaped galaxies, from their interactions to their internal structuring.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Alcohol Consumption Among Women is Increasing: Ongoing Health Implications

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The dangers that alcohol presents to women’s health have escalated in the last two decades, as more women are drinking more frequently and in larger amounts.

Alcohol-related deaths among women have more than doubled from 1999 to 2020, and deaths due to alcohol-related hepatitis, which causes severe liver inflammation, have almost tripled among women during the same timeframe.

Recent research published this Wednesday in the medical journals Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has also shown a rise in the risk of alcohol-related liver disease in women, encompassing various types of liver damage that stem from excessive alcohol consumption. Severe damage, known as cirrhosis, can progress to early-stage inflammation, ultimately leading to liver failure.

Women are more susceptible to alcohol-related liver disease than men due to several factors. One reason is that they typically have lower body weight and a higher body fat percentage, leading to elevated alcohol concentrations in the blood that the liver must process. Additionally, women naturally possess fewer enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenases, which assist in metabolizing alcohol, resulting in higher blood alcohol levels.

These biological differences, combined with a significant spike in alcohol use and conditions like bulimia, put women at a heightened risk for alcohol-related health issues.

“Historically, there have been differences in the prevalence rates of alcohol consumption between men and women. Essentially, that gap has now narrowed, with the male-to-female drinking ratio nearing one-to-one,” stated Shelley McKee, director of the Yale Score Program on Gender Differences in Alcohol Use Disorders.

McKee noted that shifting lifestyles have led to increased alcohol consumption among women. Today’s young adults drink less than previous generations, yet more women are enrolling in college than men. This trend is typically linked to an uptick in alcohol consumption, she explained.

“Combine that with the fact that women are postponing childbirth and marriage, which allows them more freedom to continue drinking during college,” McKee added.

Catherine Keys, an epidemiology professor at the Postal Public Health School at Columbia University, observed that high alcohol consumption among women is most prevalent in middle-aged individuals. While some researchers attribute this trend to workplace stress and drinking culture, Keys emphasized that many women drink more simply for enjoyment. She pointed out that wine and spirits are often marketed to women as luxury items or relaxation aids.

Experts express that raising awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption can encourage women to cut back.

“We’re excited to help you get started,” remarked Jessica Mellinger, a senior staff doctor at Henry Ford Health, Michigan’s health system. The more individuals consume, the greater their likelihood of developing alcohol-related liver disease at every stage, she added.

A study released this Wednesday revealed that heavy drinkers now exhibit more than double the rates of alcohol-related liver disease compared to 20 years ago. Researchers suspect this may be due to individuals at risk for liver disease—including women, those with obesity, and people with diabetes—drinking more than they did decades prior.

“Modern American drinkers are not the same as they were 20 years ago,” stated Dr. Brian Lee, lead author and liver specialist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Using data from a national government-led survey, researchers analyzed drinking behaviors and liver health in the U.S., classifying heavy drinkers as men consuming at least 30 grams of alcohol daily and women consuming at least 20 grams.

Among heavy drinkers, the incidence of severe liver damage has more than doubled in 22 years, rising from nearly 2% between 1999-2004 to over 4% from 2013-2020.

The presence of metabolic syndrome—characterized by symptoms such as obesity and hypertension that elevate the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—among heavy drinkers has also increased from 26% to almost 38%. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, heightening the risk of liver disease.

“It could be a perfect storm situation. We are seeing increased alcohol consumption alongside changes in the prevalence of these [health] conditions,” Keys remarked.

Lee emphasized the importance of individuals being honest with their healthcare providers about their alcohol intake so that doctors can determine the need for liver disease screenings.

“The risk of liver disease might be greater than you think,” he cautioned. “The reality is that liver disease often presents no symptoms, even in cases of cirrhosis, which is a terminal condition. I often say it’s both a blessing and a curse.”

Keys noted that women, in particular, often delay seeking medical help for heavy drinking due to societal stigma.

“It’s becoming a hidden trend where women postpone seeking help for serious alcohol-related conditions,” she stated.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Consuming This Breakfast Essential Daily May Help Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

For many years, eggs have been labeled as major contributors to cholesterol problems. However, recent studies indicate that this reputation may be unjust.

In fact, consuming 2 eggs daily is beneficial in reducing “bad” cholesterol levels, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol), often called the “bad” cholesterol, are fatty substances in the bloodstream that can block arteries and heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke. For years, eggs were believed to exacerbate this issue. But new evidence is shifting this perspective.

“Our study’s results indicate that egg consumption does not raise LDL cholesterol levels,” stated Professor John Buckley, the lead author, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “We need clearer messaging on this topic, as it still leads individuals with rising LDL to avoid eggs.”

To investigate the effects of egg consumption on cholesterol, Buckley and his team had participants with healthy cholesterol levels follow one of three diets over five weeks. One diet was high in saturated fat and cholesterol, another was high in saturated fat but low in cholesterol, and the third was high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat.

Only the meal plan that included two eggs a day resulted in lowered LDL levels. The other two diets either allowed for just one egg per week or led to an actual increase in LDL levels.

Eggs are high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat, making them vital for beneficial effects – Credit: Getty/Gregory Adams

“Eggs are among the few foods that are high in cholesterol yet low in saturated fat,” Buckley noted.

“New evidence suggests it isn’t cholesterol but rather saturated fats that negatively impact cholesterol levels, and we are the first study to conclusively demonstrate this.”

An egg-rich diet also showed improvements in other blood lipids associated with heart health, though Buckley emphasizes the need for further research to fully comprehend these changes.

What’s the takeaway? Cholesterol intake from foods doesn’t necessarily correlate with blood cholesterol, particularly when your overall diet is low in saturated fat.

“Most foods high in cholesterol also contain saturated fats,” Buckley explained. “This is a key reason why dietary cholesterol has been vilified; high intake from those foods raises LDL cholesterol, but isolating the independent effects of saturated fats in research has been challenging, and we are working on that now.”

The next time you enjoy breakfast, don’t feel guilty about having a few eggs—just maybe skip that extra serving of bacon.

And what about Buckley himself? “I had eggs for breakfast this morning and didn’t worry about raising my LDL cholesterol,” he shared.

Read more:

About our experts

Professor John Buckley is the Executive Dean of the Allied Health and Human Performance Academic Unit at the University of South Australia. His research primarily explores the effects of diet and exercise on health and physical functioning across a variety of groups, from patients to elite athletes.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Incredible Reality Behind 10,000 Myths—and What You Should Strive for Instead

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Walking 7,000 steps daily can significantly enhance your overall health.

A recent research review indicated that individuals who walk at least 7,000 steps each day nearly halve their risk of death from all causes over a given timeframe.

Walking just 4,000 steps daily has been shown to considerably lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, depression, and falls.

Improvements continue with increased step counts, but the benefits start to taper off after reaching 7,000 steps. This makes 7,000 steps a more realistic goal for those aiming to boost their health, compared to the commonly recommended 10,000 steps.

It’s well-known that increasing physical activity offers substantial health benefits; however, our increasingly sedentary lifestyles mean that one-third of the global population is considered insufficiently active.

Counting daily steps is a popular method for tracking activity levels. The often cited target of 10,000 steps is frequently viewed as the benchmark to achieve, but this number lacks solid scientific backing.

A recent review published in Lancet Public Health examined 57 studies to clarify what step count should be targeted for health benefits.

The review started with a baseline of 2,000 steps per day, finding that health benefits increased with every additional 1,000 steps.

However, the pace of improvement began to level off after 7,000 steps.

For the average person, 7,000 steps equate to roughly 3-3.5 miles, depending on stride length – Credit: Getty Images

At the 7,000-step mark, the results showed a dramatic impact: all-cause mortality decreased by 47%, the risk of dementia dropped by 38%, and cardiovascular disease risk reduced by 25%. There were also significant reductions in the risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Even a slight increase in step counts can lead to a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality.

Despite the rising interest in using step counts as a metric for tracking activity levels, public health officials have previously lacked enough evidence to establish scientifically backed targets.

The non-official 10,000-step target originated from a pedometer marketing campaign during the 1968 Tokyo Olympics, rather than being health-related; interestingly, the number resembles a walking figure in Japanese characters.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Timing of Your Oral Exam Can Influence Your Success or Failure

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Certain university courses, such as language, have oral assessments

ShutterStock/PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

SEI 259751704 — Certain university courses, such as language, have oral assessments

ShutterStock/PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

A study involving more than 100,000 ratings shows that university students tend to have a higher success rate in oral exams when tested around noon.

Carmelo Vicario from the University of Messina in Italy began investigating this trend after noting similar findings in a prior research study on how jury decisions can be affected by meal times. “We aimed to explore if this phenomenon also extends to educational settings,” Vicario stated.

Along with his team, Vicario examined data from a public database, analyzing the results and timings of over 104,500 oral assessments from approximately 19,000 university students in Italy. These assessments took place from October 2018 to February 2020, starting with the 1243 course.

The researchers discovered an average pass rate of 54% at 8 AM, which increased to 72% by noon, before dropping to 51% by 4 PM. “We observed a remarkable bell-shaped distribution in our findings,” Vicario noted.

This trend was consistent across various types of oral assessments, including language examinations and research presentations. However, it’s uncertain whether this trend is applicable to written tests.

“Numerous external factors influence student performance,” according to Thomas Lancaster from Imperial College London. “Scheduling can make a difference—be it the time of day or even the intervals between exams.”

The reasons behind these variations are complex and often difficult to untangle. They could relate to natural patterns of sleep among students.

Research indicates that younger individuals often lean toward being night owls, which can misalign with the chronotypes of older examiners. The closest alignment tends to occur around noon.

During this time, there may be a balance between students who perform optimally and those who are more lenient with their grading. “As always, the best outcomes tend to find a middle ground,” Vicario shared, expressing hope that this research will inform universities in scheduling oral exams.

“Personally, I believe we should utilize this data to advocate that students avoid scheduling Vivas (oral defenses of their theses) or presentations before 10 AM,” Lancaster recommended.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Paleontologists Declare Newly Discovered Fossils the First Known Non-Pirate Roboposians

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Initially published in 1865, Palaeocampa anthrax predated the discovery of the Burgess Shale in Canada by nearly 50 years. Over the next 130 years, it underwent various classifications until Richard Knecht and his team at the University of Michigan identified its true nature. This organism primarily inhabited freshwater environments, challenging the notion that Paleozoic Robopodians were exclusively marine.

Reconstruction of the Moncole-Le Mines-Lagertet Environment Palaeocampa anthrax: The large Palaeocampa anthrax is illustrated on the banks of a shallow inland river, concealed by dense vegetation and coal forest mist, alongside various euticulcinoids and a pair of freshwater Xiphosrans, Alanops magnificus; the nearest marine environment is several hundred km southwest. Image credit: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.

Robopodians are extinct, soft-bodied organisms that connect primitive worm-like ancestors to modern arthropods such as insects and crustaceans.

Their iconic fossils are mainly associated with Cambrian marine sediments like Burgess Shale, including Hallucigenia and Aysheaia pedunculata, the latter discovered in 1911, long thought to be exclusively marine.

“Robopodians may have been prevalent on the Paleozoic seabed, but aside from microscopic creatures and terrestrial velvet worms, we believed they were confined to the ocean,” stated Dr. Knecht.

In their recent study, Dr. Knecht and his co-authors examined 43 specimens of Palaeocampa anthrax, utilizing advanced imaging techniques from two Carboniferous Lagerstätten (Mazon Creek, USA, and Moncole Mines, France), including backscattering scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

The analysis revealed intricate anatomical traits, with nearly 1,000 hairy spines covering its body being particularly noteworthy.

Chemical residues at the spine tips were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), indicating potential secretion of toxins to deter predators in wetland habitats.

“I was surprised to find that fragments of biological molecules can be exceptionally well-preserved or altered in fossilized geological materials,” remarked Nanphungyu, a paleontologist at Columbia University.

“We’re thrilled about this technology’s ability to distinguishing fossilized remains from rocky matrices.”

Palaeocampa anthrax from Mazon Creek Lagerstätte. Image credits: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.” width=”580″ height=”701″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14089_2-Palaeocampa-anthrax.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14089_2-Palaeocampa-anthrax-248×300.jpg 248w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

Palaeocampa anthrax from Mazon Creek Lagerstätte. Image credit: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.

The research team posits that Palaeocampa anthrax is closely related to the Hadranax Cambrian Robopodian from Greenland, which is nearly 200 million years older.

Both species are blind, possess 10 pairs of legs, and lack claws. However, Hadranax adapted to navigate deep waters with elongated front appendages, while Palaeocampa anthrax, measuring only 4 cm, had a dense covering of spines over its legs, suggesting it might have thrived in freshwater, perhaps even amphibious environments.

This finding also clarifies the enigma surrounding the Moncole-le-Mines fossil site, which was once thought to be marine.

“Mazon Creek is characterized by a mixture of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine fauna,” Dr. Knecht elaborated.

“In contrast, Moncole-le-Mines, which yielded half of the specimens, was located hundreds of kilometers inland, thus ruling out any marine origin.”

“This reclassification confirms the site’s non-marine nature, offering a unique insight into ancient freshwater ecosystems.”

This discovery broadens our comprehension of Robopodia diversity and poses new evolutionary questions. How many more species could migrate from ocean to freshwater, hidden away in museum collections and misidentified?

“The rarity of conditions conducive to fossilizing soft-bodied creatures such as Robopodians makes this finding significant,” Dr. Knecht concluded.

“While most insights come from Cambrian Lagerstätten, such as Palaeocampa anthrax, opportunities from the Carboniferous Period are scarce, making each new discovery incredibly valuable.”

The results will be published in the journal Communication Biology.

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RJ Knecht et al. 2025. Palaeocampa anthrax: armored freshwater robopod with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous. Commun Biol 8, 1080; doi:10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Validate the Fifth Fracture in the L 98-59 System

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Labeled L 98-59F, this exoplanet is an ultra-terrestrial with a minimum mass of 2.8 times that of Earth, orbiting within the habitable zone of the small red dwarf star L 98-59 every 23 days.

Artistic impressions of the L 98-59 Planetary System, with the habitable zone Super Earth L 98-59F in the foreground. Image credit: Benoît Gougeon/Udem.

L 98-59, also known as TOI-175 and TIC 307210830, is an M-type star with roughly one-third the mass of the Sun.

This stellar system is located approximately 34.5 light years away in the southern constellation of Volans.

It contains three transiting exoplanets discovered by TESS in 2019, along with an outer planet confirmed in 2021 using the ESO’s ESPRESSO spectrograph, with orbital periods of 2.25, 3.7, and 7.45 days.

The planets vary in size (0.8-1.6 times Earth’s radius), mass (0.5-3 times Earth’s mass), and potential compositions, likely leaning towards being water-rich.

In a recent study, astronomer Charles Cadigg and colleagues reanalyzed data from TESS, ESPRESSO, HARPS, and the Webb Space Telescope at the University of Montreal and the Exoplanetary Institute.

They achieved unprecedented accuracy in determining the sizes and masses of the planets.

“We refined the radii of L 98-59B, C, and D to 0.84, 1.33, and 1.63 Earth radii, respectively,” they reported.

“Our updated mass estimates are 0.46 Earth mass for L 98-59B, 2.0 for L 98-59C, and 1.64 for L 98-59D, with a minimum mass of 2.82 for L 98-59F.”

Astronomers confirmed the existence of a fifth planet, L 98-59F, located within the habitable zone of the star, where liquid water could exist.

“This discovery is particularly thrilling as we uncover temperate planets within such a compact system,” Dr. Cadiw remarked.

“It emphasizes the remarkable diversity of planetary systems and bolsters the argument for studying potentially habitable worlds around low-mass stars.”

“These new findings provide the most comprehensive view of the intriguing L 98-59 system to date,” he added.

“This exemplifies the potential of combining data from space telescopes and precision instruments, creating a crucial target for future atmospheric studies with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.”

Precise measurements revealed the almost circular orbit of the innermost planet, a configuration conducive for future atmospheric detection.

“The varied rocky worlds and range of planetary compositions make L 98-59 a unique laboratory to explore some of the field’s most pressing questions. Do Super-Earths and Sub-Neptunes form differently around low-mass stars?” queried Professor Renée Doyon of Montreal University, director of the Trottier Institute for Exoplanet Research.

The team’s paper is set to be published in The Astronomical Journal.

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Charles Caddy et al. 2025. Detailed architecture of the L98-59 system and confirmation of the fifth planet in the habitable zone. AJ in press; Arxiv: 2507.09343

Source: www.sci.news

Crested Diapsid Reptiles from the Central Triassic Challenge Current Theories of Wing Evolution

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have identified a novel genus and species of Triassic derepanosauromorph diapsid showcasing remarkable appendages (not feathers or skin). This discovery is based on two exceptionally well-preserved skeletal structures and related specimens. Their research reveals that wings and hair-like extensions are not exclusive to birds and mammals.

Mirasaura Grabogeli In natural forest environments, insects are hunted. Image credit Gabriel Uguet.

Feathers and hair are intricate outer body appendages of vertebrates, serving essential functions such as insulation, sensory support, display, and facilitating flight.

The development of feathers and hair traces back to the ancestral lines of birds and mammals, respectively.

However, the genetic frameworks responsible for these appendages may have origins deeper within the amniotic lineage, encompassing various animal branches, including those of birds and mammals.

The Triassic reptile species outlined by Dr. Stephan Spiekman from the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart and his collaborators featured unique appendages that could reach up to 15.3 cm (6 inches) in length along their backs.

Named Mirasaura Grabogeli, this peculiar creature inhabited Europe approximately 247 million years ago.

The species exhibited a superficially bird-like skull but was classified within the Diapsid group known as Drepanosauromorpha.

Anatomy of Mirasaura Grabogeli. Image credit: Spiekman et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09167-9.

Discovered in northeastern France in the 1930s, Mirasaura Grabogeli comprises 80 specimens featuring two well-preserved skeletal structures with isolated appendages and preserved soft tissues. Recent preparations have led to its identification.

“This enabled the connection between the summit and skeleton,” the paleontologist noted.

“The tissue preserved within the appendages contains melanosomes (pigment-producing cells located in skin, fur, and feathers), resembling those found in feathers more closely than in reptilian skin or mammalian hair, yet lacking the typical branching pattern of feathers.”

“These observations suggest that such complex appendages might have evolved among reptiles prior to the emergence of birds and their closest relatives, potentially offering new insights into the development of feathers and hair.”

Given the characteristics of the appendages observed in Mirasaura Grabogeli, we dismissed their roles in flight or camouflage, proposing instead a possible role in visual communication (signaling or predator deterrence).

The team’s research paper was published today in the journal Nature.

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SNF Spiekman et al. Triassic diapsids reveal early diversification of skin appendages in reptiles. Nature Published online on July 23, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09167-9

Source: www.sci.news

The Deadliest Extreme Weather Events May Surprise You

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In Clark County, Southern Nevada, the coroner’s office reported last week that there have been 29 heat-related fatalities since the same time frame in 2024. A study released earlier this year by Climate Central, a nonprofit organization.

The county documented its first heat-related death of 2025 on May 9th. Last year was particularly deadly for Southern Nevada, with 527 heat-related fatalities reported, according to the Clark County Coroner’s office.

As temperatures rise to nearly 110 degrees on July 14th, people seek relief along the Las Vegas Strip.
Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS/Getty Images

The National Weather Service noted that the summer of 2024 marked the hottest on record for Southern Nevada. Las Vegas set a new high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit last July, experiencing over 100 days of triple-digit temperatures.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, 15 heat-related fatalities have been noted as of July 19th. This number is consistent with the 23 confirmed deaths by July 19, 2024, although public health records indicate that 299 deaths this year are still under review.

Last May, the Maricopa County Public Health Department reported that at least one heat-related death occurred daily in the county from June 18th to July 31st.

In 2024, the county experienced its hottest year on record, with officials confirming 602 heat-related deaths, a decline from the record 645 deaths in 2023.

Local authorities have initiated several new strategies to keep residents cool and safe during the summer. These efforts include planting trees to enhance shade in public areas and resurfacing pavements with more reflective materials to mitigate urban heat.

“For many people, heat is a nuisance, but for others, it can be a matter of life and death,” emphasized Ariel Choinard, a scientist at the Las Vegas Desert Research Institute and director of the Nevada Heat Lab.

Certain demographics face higher risks, including the elderly, individuals with chronic health issues, and young children who may struggle to articulate their feelings, she noted.

Exposure to extreme heat disproportionately impacts low-income communities, according to Choinard. While everyone in cities like Las Vegas endures the summer heat, the experience of that heat varies based on housing stability, reliance on public transport, and access to air conditioning.

A study published in August 2024 in the Journal found that from 1999 to 2023, there were 21,518 heat-related deaths in the United States. The research indicates a rise in heat-related mortality rates over the past two decades, particularly intensifying in the last seven years.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Walking 7,000 Steps a Day May Be Sufficient for Good Health

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tracking your daily step count is a straightforward method to assess your activity levels

Volkerpreusser/Alamy

While the widely accepted goal is to aim for 10,000 steps per day, research indicates that reaching just 7,000 steps daily can considerably lower the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and depression.

The 10,000-step benchmark reportedly originated from a Japanese marketing initiative. Nevertheless, studies reveal substantial health benefits associated with this goal.

Standard exercise guidelines typically omit specific step counts. For example, the UK recommends moderate activity for a minimum of 150 minutes weekly, while the average adult should engage in being active for at least 75 minutes each week.

As Melody Ding from the University of Sydney remarks, “If you ask someone on the street about their steps, they might struggle to answer. How is ‘moderate to vigorous’ even defined?”

Tracking step counts using a wrist pedometer or smartphone may offer a practical solution for measuring activity levels. Therefore, Ding and her team aimed to determine how many steps are necessary for maintaining good health.

The researchers examined a total of 57 studies published between 2014 and 2025, encompassing a diverse group of adults, most of whom had no severe health conditions at the beginning of the studies.

Generally, increased physical activity correlates with better health outcomes. While walking 10,000 steps is superior to 7,000, the latter still offers significant health advantages. On average, individuals who walked 7,000 steps daily had a remarkable 47% lower likelihood of dying from any cause during the study period. Additionally, there was a 25% reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, leading to a 47% lower death risk.

This step count is also linked to a 37% decrease in the risk of cancer-related fatalities, a 38% lower risk of dementia, and a 22% reduction in depressive symptoms.

Ding emphasizes the importance of not deterring individuals from striving for 10,000 steps, noting, “While 7,000 steps are likely more achievable, it doesn’t imply it’s harmful to exceed that.”

“Targeting 7,000 steps feels far more attainable for many individuals compared to 10,000,” says Laura Fleming from Teesside University.

However, Ding cautions that if the goal of 7,000 steps still feels overwhelming, individuals should aim to increase their overall movement. Remarkably, the research indicated that even achieving 4,000 steps a day could reduce mortality risk by 36% compared to just taking 2,000 steps.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring How Homona Lady’s Burial Practices Redefine Humanity

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

From an early age, the inevitability and finality of death profoundly shape our lives. Our capacity to comprehend the sorrow of our eventual end, as well as the loss of connection, is a fundamental aspect of what it means to be human. These understandings have fostered iconic rituals that are deeply embedded in human culture.

Historically, we have presumed that Homo sapiens is the only human species aware of the mortality inherent in living beings. However, as detailed in “What Ancient Humans Thought When They Began Burying the Dead,” archaeologists are challenging the notion that a significant emotional response to death is uniquely ours.

A particularly provocative assertion is that ancient humans, vastly different from us, established the death ritual. But evidence points to Homo naledi, an ancient human from southern Africa, whose brain was only one-third the size of ours and who lived at least 245,000 years ago. It remains unclear what drove these early humans to develop a culture surrounding death; one intriguing, though speculative, theory posits they did so to help younger members of their community cope with the loss of others.

Many controversies surround claims regarding H. naledi and their burial practices, primarily concerning the evidence’s quality. Nevertheless, since the mid-20th century, researchers have worked to bridge the behavioral gap between our species and others, propelled by studies revealing that many animals lead emotionally complex lives. Some even create their own rituals when encountering death within their communities. This adds weight to the argument that our ancestors may have developed their own cultural practices surrounding death as far back as 500,000 years ago, suggesting that H. naledi might also have established a burial tradition.

Archaeologists question whether a profound response to death is exclusively our domain.

A striking reflection of melancholy regarding H. naledi suggests that they may have aided the younger generation in confronting the weight of loss. This consideration brings into question our understanding of what it means to be human, and whether our ancestors were as unique as we assume in processing the concept of loss.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Secret Behind What Enchants the Dazzling Songbirds

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon): Remarkably Colorful

Daniel Field

The vibrantly hued songbird, referred to as Tanagers, captivates observers with a concealed layer of black or white beneath its vivid plumage.

Artists frequently layer white paint on canvas to amplify the colors applied atop, enhancing their vibrancy. Surprisingly, this appears to be a technique utilized by birds long before humans wielded brushes.

Rosalyn Price-Waldman from Princeton University and her team uncovered this phenomenon in a Tanager species, Tangara, which boasts striking red or yellow feathers, typically concealed beneath a layer of white. Conversely, those adorned with blue feathers possess a black underlayer.

To delve deeper, they extracted 72 feathers from mounted Tanagers at the Natural History Museum in the Los Angeles County Collection.

The researchers photographed the feathers against various backgrounds, measuring changes in light reflection or absorption, ultimately revealing that the underlying layer enhanced the color of the top layer.

Red and yellow hues are produced by pigments that selectively absorb light, which enhances the brightness of backscattered light from the white layer underneath, according to Price-Waldman.

In contrast, blue feathers derive their color from nanostructures within the feathers, which scatter light rather than absorb it. Thus, the black underlayer intensifies the blue hues. “Without a white layer beneath, blue feathers appear grey,” explains Price-Waldman.

The intricate effects of feather coloration arise from their layered structure, resembling tiled roofs. When assessing a single feather, one might find a vibrant tip, a middle section that is either black or white, and a fluffy base. When these feathers are layered on a bird’s body, the tips create adjacent layers of color over either white or black underneath.

Blue Feathers in the Crown of a Red-necked Tanager *(Tangara cyanocephala)*: Enhanced by an Underlying Layer of Black Feathers

Rosalyn Price-Waldman, Allison Schultz

Price-Waldman and her team also discovered that these feather layers can create noticeable color variations between males and females.

“We’ve found instances where females have black beneath yellow and males have white beneath yellow,” she reports. “When placed against the same backdrop, they appear quite alike until the male and female feathers are displayed against a black background, revealing a marked difference in color.”

This color-enhancing strategy has been observed in numerous other songbirds, including manakins and cotingas.

“Substantial research has been conducted to understand how birds produce such stunning colors, yet much remains to be explored,” explains Chris Cooney from the University of Sheffield, UK. “It seems that this ‘hidden’ method for intensifying feather color may indeed be widespread across various bird species.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Truck Collection Implies Different Dinosaurs Grazing Together

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Artwork depicting a group of Serratopsians with an Ankylosaurus moving along an ancient riverbed, observed by two tyrannosaurs

Julius Csotonyi

Have you ever considered a scenario where a group of plant-eating dinosaurs banded together, similar to certain modern-day animals? A 76 million-year-old set of tracks discovered in Canada could be the earliest indication of such behavior, although conclusions are far from definitive.

Last year, Brian Pickles and his team from the University of Reading in the UK uncovered parallel tracks in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, created by at least five individual creatures.

“The tracks are in close proximity and evenly spaced,” comments Pickles. “This indicates they were likely moving in unison.”

Initially, researchers believed all the tracks belonged to the well-known Ceratopsians, particularly the Triceratops. While they haven’t pinpointed the specific Ceratopsid that created the tracks, fossil evidence suggests that Styracosaurus albertensis was present in the area at that time.

“During our excavation, we noted that one set of tracks was distinct from the others,” Pickles remarks. “While it shares a similar size, it features three toes. The only large dinosaur known to have made such a footprint in the park during that era was the Ankylosaurus, a heavily armored species with a club-like tail.”

He explains that since the tracks were presumably made near a river, the Ankylosaurus might have walked among the Serratopsians simply because they were all heading to the river to drink simultaneously. However, it’s also plausible that different herbivorous dinosaur species grouped together over time for protection. Notably, two predatory Tyrannosaurus tracks were found in proximity.

“In contemporary African ecosystems, it’s common for giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests to form mixed groups, which have varying abilities to detect predators,” Pickles adds.

Nevertheless, this remains inconclusive for multi-species flocks among dinosaurs, as only one Ankylosaurus footprint has been identified thus far.

Technician inspecting tracks at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada

Dr. Brian Pickles, University of Reading

“I was struck by the notion that tracks from two distinct large herbivorous dinosaurs could be found so closely situated, all oriented in the same direction,” states Anthony Martin from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

“While it’s possible that the Serratopsians and Ankylosaurus could have occupied the area at different times, the proximity and alignment of their footprints provides a compelling argument that they influenced one another,” he elaborates.

Conversely, Anthony Romilio from the University of Queensland in Australia expresses skepticism about the presence of tracks from two separate species. “The proposed tracks of Serratopsia and Ankylosaurus exhibit surprising similarities,” he states.

In fact, noting that only the width of the track and the rear footprints were discovered, Romilio proposes that they may have been made by duck-billed dinosaurs. “In my view, these footprints are more likely attributable to a large-bodied hadrosaur,” he asserts.

“This doesn’t negate the possibility of mixed-species groups among dinosaurs. Various bird and mammal species are known to form such groups,” Romilio states. “It’s entirely reasonable to think that some dinosaurs may have done the same.”

However, Pickles refutes Romilio’s claim regarding the tracks. “These are definitely not hadrosaur tracks,” he states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Gold can raise its temperature 14 times its melting point without actually melting.

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers deployed lasers to overheat gold samples, measuring temperatures with ultra-bright X-ray pulses

Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Research Institute

A thin layer of wafers that fire laser shots can heat to 14 times the melting point, pushing solids well beyond predicted limits, with some solids potentially lacking any defined melting point.

Overheating is a well-known phenomenon where a solid can exceed its melting point or even its boiling point without altering its state. For instance, water heated in a microwave can reach temperatures above 100°C (212°F) if the container is smooth and undisturbed, but will boil vigorously as soon as disturbed.

Many physicists have suggested an upper overheating limit of approximately three times the standard melting point in Kelvin, termed the entropy catastrophe. This occurs because the entropy, often viewed as the degree of disorder in a system, is greater when the material transitions to a liquid state. Remaining solid at temperatures above this point contradicts the second law of thermodynamics.

Recently, Thomas White from the University of Nevada, Reno, and his team found that gold can heat up to 14 times its melting point, exceeding even the entropy catastrophe.

White and his colleagues directed a powerful laser at a 50-nanometer-thick gold sheet for 45 seconds, then measured the temperature using reflective X-rays through a novel approach. By analyzing shifts in the frequency of the reflected X-rays, they determined the excess energy transferred to the gold, allowing them to calculate the heating effect on the sheet.

“The temperatures we measured were astonishingly high,” White remarked.

After ensuring no errors in their measurements, White and his team revisited existing theories, realizing that the rapid heating of gold likely reduced the solid’s entropy compared to its potential liquid state, surpassing predicted temperature limits. “It’s crucial to state that we haven’t violated the second law of thermodynamics,” White clarified.

The actual limitations of overheating are still open questions, he noted. “I may have thought the overheating limit was resolved in the 1980s, but now I believe it’s a question worthy of further exploration. Can we heat materials beyond their melting point?”

Utilizing this X-ray technology for measuring solid heating may also help simulate the effects of extreme heat and pressure from planetary interiors on materials within very short timescales, according to Sam Vinco at Oxford University. “Currently, there isn’t an effective thermometer for solids that operates on such brief timescales,” he noted.

It will also be fascinating to ascertain if this phenomenon applies to other solids beyond gold, Vinco stated, particularly regarding whether there’s a limit to heating before melting occurs. “What’s captivating is considering whether rapid heating could essentially circumvent traditional thermodynamic principles,” he added.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Majestic Triassic Reptiles Boasted Primitive Wings

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of the Triassic reptile Mirasaura grauvogeli

Rick Stikkelorum

Reptiles from the central Triassic boasted an elaborate coat of arms made of feather-like filaments, appearing over 100 million years before the first feathered dinosaurs.

The findings include two fossils and a total of 80 skeletons and crested fossils, uncovered between the 1930s and 1970s by a private collector named Louis Grovogel in the Vosges mountains of northeastern France.

It wasn’t until 2018 that Stephen Speakman from the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History and his team could examine the fossils.

They are now officially describing and naming it Mirasaura grauvogeli, with its impressive coat inspired by the Latin term for remarkable lizards.

Discovering such advanced skin structures in reptiles dating back 247 million years was quite unexpected, according to Spiekman.

“It is indeed a remarkably luxurious structure, larger than the entire body of the creature. The summit consisted of individual appendages that closely overlapped each other, resembling the feathers of a bird’s wing,” he notes.

While the appendages of M. grauvogeli share a feather-like appearance, they also exhibit significant distinctions. “In feathers, this differentiation occurs via a complex branching process that creates feather barbs, barbules, and hooks. However, such branching is absent in Mirasaura appendages,” Spiekman explains.

The most well-preserved specimen of M. grauvogeli measures less than 15 centimeters in length, although Spiekman suggests it is likely a juvenile based on certain skeletal features.

Fossils preserving the bony structure of *Mirasaura grauvogeli*

Stephen Speakman

One fossilized coat is three times the length of the best-preserved juvenile, suggesting that M. grauvogeli could grow substantially larger. Spiekman estimates adults might reach a size of 50 to 100 centimeters.

“The overall structure of Mirasaura indicates it was likely an agile climber, akin to a chameleon or a tree-dwelling mammal,” he explains.

John Long from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, who was not involved in the research, describes it as a “truly remarkable” prehistoric species.

“It illustrates that evolution was experimenting with creating wings using reptilian skin, albeit imperfectly,” says Long. “These grand decorations on its back would have served for signaling and visual interaction rather than flight.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

AI Aids in Restoring Damaged Latin Inscriptions from the Roman Empire

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Roman Temple in Ankara, Turkey

PE Forsberg / Alamy Stock Photos

Latin inscriptions from ancient times provide insights into the proclamations of the Roman emperor the voices of the enslaved for those who understand them. Today, advancements in artificial intelligence assist historians in piecing together often incomplete texts, even allowing for predictions about the origins and contexts of specific inscriptions within the Roman Empire.

“Analyzing history through inscriptions resembles solving an enormous puzzle. There are tens of thousands of them,” stated Thea Sommerschield during a media briefing at the University of Nottingham, UK. “This is everything that has endured through the centuries.”

The AI tools developed by Sommerschield and her team can identify missing characters in Latin inscriptions and indicate that they relate to the same individual or location as similarly styled inscriptions. They named the tool Aeneas, after the legendary hero reputed to have fled the fall of Troy, eventually becoming an ancestor to the Romans.

“Aeneas can help restore unknown lengths of text that are missing,” remarked Giannis Assael, co-leader of Aeneas’s development at Google DeepMind. “This versatility is beneficial for historians, particularly with heavily damaged materials.”

The team trained Aeneas using the most extensive dataset of ancient Latin texts, comprising over 176,000 inscriptions and nearly 9,000 accompanying images. This training enables Aeneas to propose missing phrases. Furthermore, when tested against a set of known inscriptions, researchers found that Aeneas could estimate inscription dates within a 13-year range and achieved a 72% accuracy rate in discerning the origins of different regions in Rome.

“Inscriptions are crucial for understanding the lives and experiences of those in the Roman Empire,” noted Charlotte Tapman, a researcher at the University of Exeter, UK, who was not directly involved in this study. “They encompass a variety of topics including law, trade, military affairs, political life, religion, death, and personal matters.”

Such AI technologies “are poised to be implemented for studying inscriptions from other eras and adapted for various languages,” according to Tupman.

In tests involving intentionally damaged inscriptions, Aeneas achieved a 73% accuracy in filling gaps of up to 10 Latin characters. However, when the total length of missing text was unknown, accuracy dropped to 58%. Nonetheless, the AI’s logic for its suggestions enables researchers to evaluate the legitimacy of its findings.

When nearly 20 historians evaluated AI-assisted restorations on intentionally damaged inscriptions, those using AI outperformed both the individual historians and the AI itself. Furthermore, historians reported that the comparative inscriptions highlighted by Aeneas served as valuable starting points for 90% of their research.

“Utilizing this technology accelerates work related to inscriptions, especially when seeking to build broader analyses of local or empire-wide patterns and epigraphic traditions,” stated Elizabeth Meyer from the University of Virginia. “However, it remains essential for human scholars to examine the results and ensure their plausibility within the given historical context.”

“Employing a generic AI model to assist in ancient historical tasks often yields unsatisfactory results,” commented Chiara Senati from the University of Vienna, Austria. “Thus, the creation of tools specifically catered to Latin epigraphy research is greatly valued.”

The ultimate vision is for historians to be able to “redirect their energies towards museums and archaeological sites,” Sommerschield shared during a press event.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Simple Skincare Routine Can Prevent Eczema in Babies

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Daily moisturizing of your baby’s skin may provide lasting benefits

Nattrass/Getty Images

SEI 259862948 — Daily moisturizing of your baby’s skin may provide lasting benefits

Nattrass/Getty Images

Regular application of moisturizers to your baby’s skin can potentially lower the chances of developing eczema, though it largely depends on the individual’s risk factors.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition marked by intense itching and dryness, which can lead to blisters and bleeding. It often begins in early childhood, with many experiencing a decline in symptoms as they age.

To evaluate the effectiveness of moisturizers, Hywel Williams and his team at the University of Nottingham in the UK surveyed over 1,200 parents in the United States whose infants did not have eczema.

Among the infants aged 0-8 weeks, half had a family history of eczema, indicating a higher genetic predisposition to the condition.

The researchers randomly assigned about half of the parents to apply one of five available moisturizers, which were non-prescription options. Parents could select and swap moisturizers as they preferred.

The remaining parents were advised to only use moisturizers as needed, such as when their baby’s skin looked dry. More than half reported using them at least once weekly.

After two years, the research team reviewed the infants’ health records. They found that 43% of the non-moisturizer group had received an eczema diagnosis, compared to only 36% in the moisturizer group. “This represents a significant decrease,” said Michael Cork from the University of Sheffield, UK.

However, upon further analysis, the researchers discovered that moisturizers were effective primarily in babies without close relatives who had eczema. This finding aligns with previous research, highlighted in a study indicating that moisturizers may not benefit those at high genetic risk for the condition.

Individuals with lower genetic risk might develop eczema due to environmental influences like air pollution. Moisturizers are theorized to fill the gaps between skin cells, thus blocking irritants from penetrating the skin and triggering inflammation that manifests as eczema.

In contrast, those with a high genetic predisposition to eczema may already exhibit heightened levels of inflammation, which could limit the protective benefits of moisturizers, Cork noted.

The study did not determine which moisturizer was most effective as parents were not monitored for changing between different options. Further investigation is necessary, Cork stated.

There is a need to explore whether these findings hold true for populations in other countries, suggested Carsten Flohr from King’s College London.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

AI Outwits Goalkeepers by Anticipating Penalty Takers’ Shots

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Goalkeepers have difficulty predicting the direction of penalty shots

Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images

Trained with a dataset of over 1,000 penalty kicks, the deep learning model demonstrates superior predictive capabilities compared to actual goalkeepers.

“Penalty kicks are often decisive moments in football that can influence the results of important tournaments,” states David Freire-Obregón from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. “Yet, real-time support for goalkeepers mostly relies on intuition. We sought to determine if machine learning could effectively predict the direction of a shot based on the kicker’s movements.”

Freire-Obregón and his team analyzed 1,010 penalty kicks from televised matches in Spain. Out of these, 640 were deemed usable by the AI, while the remainder were excluded due to blurriness, being too brief, or other obstructions.

Each video clip was processed through 22 different deep learning models. The goal was to predict whether the penalty kick would go left, right, or center left, or lower right, depending solely on the player’s body posture and footedness.

The top-performing model was able to accurately identify the direction of the ball—right, left, or center—52% of the time. Excluding the middle option improved the model’s accuracy to 64%.

The researchers were astonished, stating, “We can uncover the intent behind subtle movements, which serve as clues before the ball is kicked,” says Freire-Obregón. He hopes this insight will aid training for goalkeepers, although he admits utilizing AI predictions in actual matches presents additional challenges.

“Our next goal is to determine if we can predict the outcome of a penalty kick solely based on the kicker’s pre-shot movements,” he adds. “If feasible, how quickly can such predictions be made while retaining acceptable accuracy?”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Neurological Disorders May Be Linked to Neanderthal DNA

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The intersection of anatomically modern Homo sapiens and Neanderthals thousands of years ago might contribute to Chiari malformation type 1, a serious neurological condition that affects an estimated 1% of today’s population.

Homo sapiens: Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, and Homo neanderthalensis. Plomp et al. utilized 3D data and geometric morphometry to investigate this hypothesis. Image credit: Neanderthal Museum.” width=”580″ height=”618″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2014/04/image_1837-Neanderthal.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2014/04/image_1837-Neanderthal-281×300.jpg 281w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

In 2013, scientists surmised that Chiari malformation type 1 might arise from cranial development genes tracing back to three smaller extinct Homo species: Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, and Homo neanderthalensis. Plomp et al. employed 3D data and geometric morphometry to evaluate this hypothesis. Image credit: Neanderthal Museum.

Chiari malformation type 1 occurs when the rear of the skull is insufficiently sized to accommodate the brain, causing a portion of the brain to protrude from the skull into the spinal canal.

This condition can compress the herniated brain tissue, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, and dizziness. In severe instances, this can lead to life-threatening complications.

“In medicine, as in all sciences, clarifying the causal chain is vital.”

“The clearer the causal relationships, the greater the chances that the condition can be effectively managed or even resolved.”

“Further testing of the hypothesis is needed, but our study may bring us a step closer to understanding the causal chain that leads to Chiari malformation type 1.”

In 2010, genetic evidence emerged indicating that modern humans interbred with Neanderthals tens of thousands of years ago.

Individuals of non-African descent carry approximately 2-5% Neanderthal DNA, tracing back to these ancestral mating interactions.

The hypothesis suggesting that Chiari malformation type 1 may stem from ancient Homo genes entering the human gene pool through mating was first proposed by researcher Evens Barbosa Fernandez from the University of Campinas.

Dr. Fernandez hypothesized that the differences in skull structure between modern humans and other Homo species play a significant role in causing malformations.

In this study, Professor Mark Collado, PhD, Kimberly Promp at the University of the Philippines Diliman, and colleagues employed modern imaging techniques and advanced statistical shape analysis to compare 3D models of living humans with those of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, Homo heidelbergensis, and Homo erectus.

The findings revealed that individuals with Chiari malformations exhibit more similar skull shapes to Neanderthals than those without such malformations.

Notably, all other fossil skulls align more closely with modern humans lacking Chiari malformation type 1, supporting the hypothesis that certain individuals today carry Neanderthal genes that influence skull shape, potentially leading to a mismatch between skull dimensions and the shape of the modern human brain.

This discrepancy could result in insufficient space within the skull, causing the brain to extend into the spinal cord, which is the only available outlet.

Given that various global populations possess different levels of Neanderthal DNA, this study suggests that certain European and Asian populations may be more susceptible to Chiari malformation type 1, although additional research is needed to validate this.

“The study of archaeology and human evolution is not merely fascinating,” Professor Collado remarked.

“It could offer insights into current health challenges.”

“In this instance, fossils have provided clarity about the condition, but numerous modern issues also help illuminate archaeological and paleontological findings.”

Study published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, Public Health.

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Kimberly Promp et al. 2025. An ancient hypothesis regarding Homo introduction and Chiari malformation type I Evolution, Medicine, Public Health 13(1):154-166; doi:10.1093/end/eoaf009

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient ‘Terror Birds’ Likely Not Comparable to Giant, Hungry Caiman

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s interpretation of the encounter between ancient caiman and terror birds

Julian Bayona Becerra

Approximately 13 million years ago, massive predators clashed in a sprawling South American wetland. Fossils of a giant flightless bird discovered in Colombia bear tooth marks from enormous caimans.

Andrés Link from the University of the Andes in Colombia and his team were examining crocodile fossils in the museum’s collection when they identified an unusual bone. This bone belonged to the Forsulhacid bird, commonly referred to as “terror birds.” These predators possessed hooked beaks and muscular legs equipped with sharp claws. The fossilized remains were from the lower limbs of a bird standing 2.5 meters tall, making it one of the largest terror birds ever found.

However, this predator likely faced a grim fate. Initially unearthed in Colombia’s Tatacoa desert by local paleontologist César Perdomo, the bones exhibited four distinct puncture marks.

Link and his research team sought to identify the predator that dared to bite such a formidable bird. They scanned the fossil’s surface to create a digital model of the tooth marks, finding striking similarities to the teeth of ancient predators in the region. The culprit was almost certainly not a mammal.

“There are no signs of gnawing, and the markings are rounded,” Link explains. “The lines closely resemble those attributed to alligators and caimans.”

Terror birds roamed the earth when northern South America was dominated by the Pebas System, a vast network of wetlands interspersed with tropical forests and grasslands. This flooded habitat supported a diverse range of crocodile species, leading the team to link the dental impression to the giant caiman Purussaurus neivensis, estimated to be around 4.5 meters in length.

“Terror birds were undoubtedly apex predators,” remarks Link. “However, this evidence indicates that when they ventured near large bodies of water, they could also fall prey to massive caimans, either in pursuit of prey or while navigating this complex ecosystem.”

The researchers speculate that the bird may have already been deceased when the caiman encountered it, with the tooth marks indicative of scavenging. There are no signs of bone regeneration surrounding the marks. Either way, the encounter proved fatal for the terror bird.

“These types of [tooth] impressions are more prevalent than one might assume,” states Carolina Acosta Hospitalce from La Plata National University in Argentina.

In a study published last year, she and her colleagues discussed tooth marks found on a smaller, older fossil terror bird—about 43 million years old—suggesting that ancient carnivorous marsupials also preyed upon these birds. These markings were also found on the lower limbs, leading Hospitalce to ponder whether this area of the bird’s anatomy is particularly vulnerable to predators.

“[Bite marks] offer fascinating glimpses into past life,” comments Stephanie Drumheller from the University of Tennessee.

When studying ancient environments, she notes there is a tendency to categorize extinct organisms into strict ecological roles. However, food webs can be quite intricate.

“This is an animal that thrived in aquatic environments, while another lived on land, entirely separate from one another. Yet, nature often defies our neat categorizations,” Drumheller observes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Candidates Around Young Stars in VLT: Identification of Protoplanetary and Sub-Ceres Objects

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Using Enhanced Resolution Imagers and Spectrographs (ERIS) from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), two teams of astronomers have discovered a protoplanet candidate nestled within a spiral disk surrounding the young star HD 135344B.

This image depicts a spiral disk surrounding Young Star HD 135344b. The observations made using the Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS) identified a candidate planet contributing to the spiral structure in the disk, marked by a white circle. Image credits: ESO/Maio et al.

“While we may never witness the formation of Earth, this is a significant finding,” says Francesco Maio, a doctoral researcher at the University of Florence in Italy and lead author of a paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Maio and his colleagues identified protoplanet candidates in the surrounding protoplanetary disks of HD 135344b. This F8V star, approximately 11.9 million years old, is situated 135 parsecs (440 light-years) from the Sun, in the Lupus constellation.

The protoplanet is estimated to be twice the size of Jupiter, located at a distance from its host star comparable to that of Neptune from the Sun.

It has been observed maturing at the periphery of the protoplanetary disk as it evolves into a fully-fledged planet.

Similar protoplanets have been detected around other young stars, often exhibiting intricate features such as rings, gaps, and spirals.

Astronomers long suspected that these structures were sculpted by forming planets, clearing away material as they orbit their parent stars.

Until now, however, no one has identified a planet actively shaping these features.

In the discs of HD 135344B, previous observations of swirling spiral arms were made by another team using VLT’s Sphere instrument.

Yet prior observations did not find evidence of any planets forming within this disk.

Utilizing VLT’s ERIS instrument, Maio and his collaborators may have discovered their primary suspect.

They identified a planetary candidate located at the base of one of the spiral arms of the disk, aligning with theoretical predictions about potential planets responsible for such patterns.

“What marks this detection as potentially groundbreaking is our ability to directly observe the signal from the protoplanet, unlike many earlier observations,” he notes.

“This gives us greater confidence in the existence of this planet, as we can see the light it emits.”

This image illustrates possible sub-brown dwarf companions orbiting Young Star V960 Mon. Candidate objects were detected using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the new Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS). The ERIS data is shown in orange, overlaid with prior dusty disk images from VLT’s Sphere instruments (yellow) and ALMA (blue). Image credits: ESO/A. Dasgupta/ALMA/ESO/NAOJ/NRAO/Weber et al.

In a separate study, Anuroop Dasgupta, a doctoral researcher at ESO and Diego Portales University, along with colleagues, observed another young star using the ERIS instrument. V960 is located 1637.7 parsecs (5,342 light-years) away in the Monoceros constellation.

Prior observations using Sphere equipment and large millimeter/sub-millimeter arrays (ALMA) revealed that the material orbiting V960 Mon is shaped into complex spiral arms.

These observations also indicated that large clumps of material around the star undergo gravitational instability, contracting and collapsing—each capable of forming a planet or larger body, thus fragmenting the material.

Dasgupta and his collaborators managed to identify a brown dwarf or sub-brown dwarf companion around V960 Mon.

“Using ERIS, we aimed to discover compact, bright fragments indicative of companions in the disk,” he explains. Their findings are detailed in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

“One potential companion object was found very close to one of the observed spiral arms in the Universe and in ALMA data.”

“This object could represent a planet or a brown dwarf—larger than a planet but lacking sufficient mass to shine like a star.”

“If confirmed, this companion could be the first clear identification of a planet or brown dwarf formed via gravitational instability.”

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F. Maio et al. 2025. Development of Protoplanet candidates embedded using VLT/ERIS on HD135344B disks. A&A 699, L10; doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202554472

Anuroop Dasgupta et al. 2025. VLT/ERIS observations for the V960 series: dust-embedded sub-brown dwarf objects formed by gravitational instability? ApJL 988, L30; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ade996

Source: www.sci.news

Discovery of a New Blue-Spotted Mussel Species in Fiji

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Marine researchers have discovered a new species of the genus Stingray Neotrygon residing in the waters of Fiji.

Vibrant colors of Neotrygon Romeoi from around Fiji. Image credit: Glaus et al., doi: 10.1111/jfb.70094.

Neotrygon is a genus of stingrays found extensively in the West Pacific region of India.

Commonly referred to as mask rays, these animals are uniquely identifiable within the family Dasyatidae by a dark band present in the interorbital area, which results in distinctive black and white banding towards the latter part of the tail and two nipple-like structures in the mouth.

Currently, there are 17 recognized species of Neotrygon, with ten of these described since 2016.

The majority of these species (14) are believed to belong to the blue-spotted maskray complex.

The newly identified species, found exclusively in Fiji’s waters, has been named Neotrygon Romeoi, previously confused with Neotrygon kuhlii and Neotrygon trigonoides.

“It is characterized by its broad, angular snout, long claspers in adult males, and a row of spine-like structures extending from the neck to the tail’s base,” explained Dr. Kelstin Grousse, a researcher at the University of South Pacific.

“The ray’s brown dorsal surface is adorned with dark, mask-like patterns around its eyes, and it features two large patches behind its spirals, along with numerous small black spots surrounding its face.”

The description of Neotrygon Romeoi is based on nine specimens (31-39.7 cm disc width) procured from the Suva fish market and collected by local fishermen. Notably, none of the rays were killed for research purposes.

“Rays are among the most threatened marine species,” stated Dr. Glaus.

“Considering their limited distribution, high catch volumes, and unknown life histories, it is advisable to evaluate them for protection under Fiji’s Endangered and Species Conservation Act. This act is particularly relevant for endemic sharks and rays, assisting in the preservation of native biodiversity by regulating trade and the protection of certain vulnerable species.”

“This discovery underscores Fiji’s unique natural heritage and the urgent necessity to enhance our understanding and conservation of marine species,” added Lavenie Tawake, team leader of the Pacific European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) program.

The discovery of Neotrygon Romeoi has been documented in a study published in the Journal of Fish Biology.

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Kirsten Grousse et al. A new species of blue-spotted maskray (Neotrygon, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology published online on June 9th, 2025. doi:10.1111/jfb.70094

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Aluminum Isotope: Aluminum-20

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The detection of previously unknown nuclear aluminum-20 was achieved by observing attenuation during its flight.

A three-proton release from aluminum-20. Image credit: Xiaodong Xu.

Currently, more than 3,300 nuclides have been identified, yet fewer than 300 are stable and naturally occurring. The remaining nuclides are unstable and undergo radioactive decay.

By the mid-20th century, researchers had discovered several common decay modes, including α-decay, β+ decay, electron capture, γ-radiation, and nuclear fission.

In the last few decades, advancements in nuclear physics experimental facilities and detection techniques have enabled the discovery of various exotic decay modes, particularly in nuclei that are far from stability, especially neutron-deficient nuclei.

In the 1970s, the phenomenon of single proton radioactivity was identified, where the nucleus was attenuated by releasing a proton.

In the 21st century, the discovery of bipolar radioactivity emerged, attributed to the decay of highly neutron-deficient nuclei.

Recently, even rarer disintegration events have been recorded, including those resulting in three, four, and five products.

“Aluminum-20 is the lightest aluminum isotope ever discovered,” states Dr. Xiaodong Xu, a physicist at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“It resides across the proton drip line and has seven fewer neutrons compared to stable aluminum isotopes.”

Employing in-flight damping techniques with fragment separators at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, physicists assessed the angular correlation of the damping products of aluminum-20.

Their detailed analysis of these angular correlations revealed that the ground state of aluminum-20 initially decays by releasing one proton into an intermediate ground state of magnesium-19, which subsequently collapses through the simultaneous release of two protons.

Aluminum-20 marks the first observed tripolar emitter, classified as a bipolar radionuclide.

The research also indicated that the damping energy of the aluminum-20 ground state is significantly lower than anticipated based on isospin symmetry, suggesting a potential breaking of isospin symmetry between aluminum-20 and its mirror partner, neon-20.

This conclusion is endorsed by advanced theoretical calculations predicting that the spin parity of the aluminum-20 ground state differs from the spin parity of the neon-20 ground state.

“This research will enhance our understanding of the proton evaporation phenomenon and provide insights into the structural dynamics and collapse of nuclei beyond the proton drip line,” Dr. Xu remarked.

The team’s paper was published this month in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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X.-D. Xu et al. 2025. Isospin symmetry revealed through the attenuation of the three-proton emitter aluminum-20. Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 022502; doi:10.1103/hkmy-yfdk

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Suggests Arknid Originated in the Cambrian Seas

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have examined the fossilized characteristics of the brain and central nervous system of Mollisonia symmetrica, an extinct organism that existed during the mid-Cambrian period approximately 508 million years ago. Their findings indicate that the nervous system of Mollisonia symmetrica aligns with that of modern spiders and scorpions (arachnids). This revelation contests the long-standing theory that arachnid diversification occurred only after their common ancestors adapted to terrestrial life.

Mollisonia symmetrica is characterized by an undivided brain with a posterior fold. Image credit: Strausfeld et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.063.” width=”580″ height=”580″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14088-Mollisonia-symmetrica.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14088-Mollisonia-symmetrica-300×300.jpg 300w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14088-Mollisonia-symmetrica-150×150.jpg 150w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14088-Mollisonia-symmetrica-50×50.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

Mollisonia symmetrica is characterized by an unsegmented brain with short nerves extending into pincer-like appendages, resembling the fangs of spiders. Image credit: Strausfeld et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.063.

Previously, Mollisonia symmetrica was thought to represent an ancestor of a specific group of arthropods known as Chelicerata, which thrived during the Cambrian period and included the forebears of today’s horseshoe crabs.

Surprisingly, Professor Nicholas Strausfeld and his team at the University of Arizona found that the organization of the nerve structure in the fossilized brain does not resemble that of horseshoe crabs but is instead more akin to that of contemporary spiders and scorpions.

“A lively debate continues regarding the origin of arachnids, the type of progenitor they emerged from, and whether these progenitors were horseshoe crabs,” Professor Strausfeld noted.

Mollisonia symmetrica shares physical features with other early chelicerates from the lower and middle Cambrian periods, possessing a body divided into two main segments.

Some researchers have highlighted the anterior shell followed by a segmented trunk reminiscent of scorpions.

However, no one has claimed that Mollisonia symmetrica was more closely related to horseshoe crabs than to more basal arthropods.

What Professor Strausfeld and his co-authors found is that Mollisonia symmetrica, identified as an arachnid, exhibits a fossilized brain and nervous system.

Similar to spiders and other modern arachnids, the anterior portion of Mollisonia symmetrica (known as the prosoma) features a pattern of segmental ganglia that governs the movement of five pairs of appendages.

In addition to these arachnid-like traits, Mollisonia symmetrica also possessed an unsegmented brain with short nerves extending into pincher-like structures, reminiscent of spider fangs.

Critically, the unique feature defining arachnids is the specific arrangement of the brain, which contrasts with the structure found in current crustaceans, insects, centipedes, and even horseshoe crabs like Limulus.

“It’s comparable to the Limulus type brains in Cambrian fossils, or the ancestral brains of modern crustaceans and insects, which are similar to those of contemporary spiders,” Professor Strausfeld remarked.

“These findings may signify a crucial evolutionary advancement, as studies of modern spider brains indicate this arrangement allows for quicker neural control pathways.

This configuration may enhance efficiency in hunting, quick pursuits, and stealth in arachnids.

“This is a significant evolutionary milestone, seemingly exclusive to arachnids.”

“In Mollisonia symmetrica, we identified brain regions corresponding to extant species, which could reveal the underlying genetic framework common to all arthropods.”

“The arachnid brain implies that, unlike other brains on Earth, its tissues are linked to rapid calculation and motor action control,” Professor Strausfeld explained.

“The earliest terrestrial creatures were likely arthropods that resembled insects, possibly ancestral to crustaceans.”

“We can envision Mollisonia symmetrica—like arachnids—adapting to land, which may have given rise to early insects and their feeding strategies.”

“The first land-dwelling spiders could have played a vital role in developing essential defensive traits, such as insect wings, leading to flight and evasion.”

“The ability to fly provides significant advantages when being pursued by spiders.”

“Nonetheless, despite the agility conferred by flight, insects remain ensnared in the intricate silk webs spun by spiders.”

The results will appear in the journal Current Biology.

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Nicholas J. Strausfeld et al. Cambrian origin of the spider brain. Current Biology Published online on July 22, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.063

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Fossilized Brains Prompt a Reevaluation of Spider Evolution

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Morrison, a marine creature from the Cambrian period, could represent an early arachnid

Junnn11 @ni075 CC BY-SA 4.0

Research indicates that the brains of ancient sea creatures, dating back over 500 million years, were structured similarly to those of spiders. This challenges past theories that arachnids originated on land.

Morrison reflects a time of significant biological diversity increase, known as the Cambrian Explosion, when various animal groups began appearing in fossil records. These creatures possessed chelicerae, pincer-like mouthparts likely used for tearing into small prey.

Previous beliefs suggested that modern relatives of Morrison, which include horseshoe crabs, were connected to spiders. However, Nicholas Strausfeld and his team at the University of Arizona propose otherwise.

The researchers reexamined specimens of Mollisonia symmetrica, collected in 1925 from British Columbia, Canada, and now housed at Harvard University’s Comparative Zoology Museum. Strausfeld and his colleagues identified a brain structure that had previously been overlooked.

In horseshoe crabs, the chelicerae exhibit a neural connection at the back of the brain; however, in Morrison, this structure was inverted, with chelicerae linked to two neural regions that offered a perspective on the forefront of the nervous system.

Strausfeld notes that this orientation is “characteristic of arachnid brains.” Unlike the brains of crustaceans and insects, which are folded inward, arachnids have crucial areas for planning agile movements situated at the back. This architecture likely contributes to the remarkable agility and speed seen in spiders.

While it was previously thought that arachnids evolved on land, the earliest existing land fossils of obvious arachnids will not appear for millions of years later, according to Strausfeld. “Perhaps the first arachnids inhabited tidal environments, like Morrison, in search of prey,” he mentions.

Mike Lee, a researcher at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, who was not involved in the study, suggests that Morrison may now be viewed as a primitive arachnid. “We now recognize it possessed a brain akin to that of a spider, indicating it was an aquatic relative of the early spiders and scorpions,” Lee states.

Nonetheless, he cautions that while researchers strive to extract as much insight as possible from a single fossil, there remains a degree of ambiguity in interpretation. “It’s akin to attempting to piece together a unique Pavlova after it has been dropped,” he explains.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The pandemic might have accelerated brain aging, even before we contracted Covid-19.

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Changes in brain structure over time

Temet/Getty Images

The Covid-19 pandemic may have hastened brain aging, even prior to infection. Studies indicate that early in the outbreak, the brain may have undergone changes equivalent to 5.5 months of aging, potentially attributed to stress and shifts in lifestyle.

Many individuals suffering from long Covid report experiencing brain fog. However, the wider neurological implications of the pandemic are not completely understood a few years post-Covid-19’s emergence.

To investigate this, Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad at the University of Nottingham, along with his team, trained machine learning models using 15,000 brain scans to analyze structural changes related to aging.

A model was then applied to brain scans from 996 volunteers participating in the UK Biobank Study. This comprised 564 individuals who underwent both scans prior to March 2020, which acted as the control group. The remaining 432 volunteers had one scan before March 2020 and another later, with scans averaging three years apart and a minimum gap of two years.

The research revealed that the pandemic may have induced an acceleration of brain aging by 5.5 months, as evidenced by structural changes in both white and gray matter. This effect was also observed in individuals who had recorded Covid-19 infections as part of the Biobank project.

This accelerated aging effect was notably more significant among men and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the results may not be generalizable, as biobank participants typically exhibit better health, higher income, and less ethnic diversity than other demographics within the UK.

Researchers propose that these alterations might have been driven by the isolation and stress of lockdowns, alongside changes in lifestyle factors like physical activity and alcohol use during that period.

In their study, the authors indicate that these structural brain changes could be “at least partially reversible,” while also acknowledging limitations stemming from the study’s UK-based participant pool, suggesting that the findings may not accurately represent lockdowns’ impact elsewhere. “Our conclusions may actually underestimate the pandemic’s effects on more vulnerable populations,” Mohammadi-Nejad asserts.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

DeepMind and OpenAI Achieve Victory in the International Mathematics Olympiad

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

AIs are improving at solving mathematics challenges

Andresr/ Getty Images

AI models developed by Google DeepMind and OpenAI have achieved exceptional performance at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

While companies herald this as a significant advancement for AIs that might one day tackle complex scientific or mathematical challenges, mathematicians urge caution, as the specifics of the models and their methodologies remain confidential.

The IMO is one of the most respected contests for young mathematicians, often viewed by AI researchers as a critical test of mathematical reasoning, an area where AI traditionally struggles.

Following last year’s competition in Bath, UK, Google investigated how its AI systems, Alpha Proof and Alpha Jometry, achieved silver-level performance, though their submissions were not evaluated by the official competition judges.

Various companies, including Google, Huawei, and TikTok’s parent company, approached the IMO organizers requesting formal evaluation of their AI models during this year’s contest, as stated by Gregor Drinner, the President of IMO. The IMO consented, stipulating that results should be revealed only after the full closing ceremony on July 28th.

OpenAI also expressed interest in participating in the competition but did not respond or register upon being informed of the official procedures, according to Dolinar.

On July 19th, OpenAI announced the development of a new AI that achieved a gold medal score alongside three former IMO medalists, separately from the official competition. OpenAI stated the AI correctly answered five out of six questions within the same 4.5-hour time limit as human competitors.

Two days later, Google DeepMind revealed that its AI system, Gemini Deep Think, had also achieved gold-level performance within the same constraints. Dolinar confirmed that this result was validated by the official IMO judges.

Unlike Google’s Alpha Proof and Alpha Jometry, which were designed for competition, Gemini Deep Think was specifically crafted to tackle questions posed in a programming language used by both Google and OpenAI.

Utilizing LEAN, the AI was capable of quickly verifying correctness, although the output is challenging for non-experts to interpret. Thang Luong from Google indicated that a natural language approach can yield more comprehensible results while remaining applicable to broadly useful AI frameworks.

Luong noted that advancements in reinforcement learning—a training technique designed to guide AI through success and failure—have enabled large language models to validate solutions efficiently, a method essential to Google’s earlier achievements with gameplay AIs, such as AlphaZero.

Google’s model employs a technique known as parallel thinking, considering multiple solutions simultaneously. The training data comprises mathematical problems particularly relevant to the IMO.

OpenAI has disclosed few specifics regarding their system, only mentioning that it incorporates augmented learning and “experimental research methods.”

“While progress appears promising, it lacks rigorous scientific validation, making it difficult to assess at this point,” remarked Terence Tao from UCLA. “We anticipate that the participating companies will publish papers featuring more comprehensive data, allowing others to access the model and replicate its findings. However, for now, we must rely on the companies’ claims regarding their results.”

Geordy Williamson from the University of Sydney shared this sentiment, stating, “It’s remarkable to see advancements in this area, yet it’s frustrating how little in-depth information is available from inside these companies.”

Natural language systems might be beneficial for individuals without a mathematical background, but they also risk presenting complications if models produce lengthy proofs that are hard to verify, warned Joseph Myers, a co-organizer of this year’s IMO. “If AIs generate solutions to significant unsolved questions that seem plausible yet contain subtle, critical errors, we must be cautious before putting confidence in lengthy AI outputs.”

The companies plan to initially provide these systems for testing by mathematicians in the forthcoming months before making broader public releases. The models claim they could potentially offer rapid solutions for challenging problems in scientific research, as stated by June Hyuk Jeong from Google, who contributed to Gemini Deep Think. “There are numerous unresolved challenges within reach,” he noted.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Improved Air Quality Linked to Rise in Urban Heat Waves

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Heatwaves are increasing in frequency as global smog diminishes

Claudio Reyes/AFP via Getty Images

As the world works to eliminate harmful aerosol pollution, heatwaves are becoming more common, exposing the intensifying effects of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This warming trend is particularly pronounced in densely populated areas where air pollution typically rises.

“Mitigating aerosol pollution is imperative for public health,” states Geeta Persad from the University of Texas at Austin. “However, we must acknowledge that this reveals specific risks that become magnified in populated regions.”

Aerosol pollution, primarily stemming from fossil fuel combustion, has effects that generally counteract those of greenhouse gases. While gases like carbon dioxide trap heat, aerosols tend to cool the atmosphere by reflecting sunlight either directly or by altering cloud behavior. Some estimates suggest that aerosol pollution masks half of the global warming effect of greenhouse gases.

This interplay means that cleaning up air pollution can inadvertently amplify climate warming effects. However, the specific ways in which aerosol variations impact heat in populous regions have remained unclear until now.

To analyze this more precisely, Persad and her team utilized climate models to evaluate how aerosol levels influence the occurrence of land heatwaves, examining both historical data and future projections. They defined a heatwave as three consecutive days where temperatures would rank among the hottest 10% for that time of year in a pre-industrial context.

Throughout most of the 20th century, the team discovered that aerosols mitigated the rise in heat wave occurrence driven by increasing greenhouse gases. However, since 2005, this trend has shifted as aerosol reductions have accelerated the growth of global heatwaves by nearly two days each decade.

The researchers also found that aerosols exert a more significant influence on heatwave frequency in densely populated regions compared to less populated areas. In certain regions, the reduction of aerosol levels has proven to be more than twice as impactful as the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. “If you examine the spatial distribution of aerosol concentrations, they correlate strongly with areas of high population,” remarks Persad.

In a scenario where greenhouse gas emissions rise significantly while aerosol levels gradually decrease, the team predicts a notable escalation in the frequency of heatwaves. By 2080, the number of heatwave days in densely populated regions could surge from about 40 to over 110 days annually.

“What sets this study apart is its focus on daily timescale data. You can genuinely perceive the decrease in aerosol levels across different areas of the globe,” says Shiv Priyam Raghuraman at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who was not involved in the study. He highlights that these results arise from a single model under the most severe greenhouse gas emission scenario.

“These findings are compelling and enhance existing literature on the significant role aerosols play in climate extremes,” states Daniel Westerbert from Columbia University in New York. “It will be fascinating to see how other models might differ in their findings, and whether past observations support these results.”

Another significant uncertainty lies in the future trajectory of aerosol concentrations in the coming years, adds Persad. “Current emissions scenarios could determine aerosol trends over the next three decades,” she remarks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Rediscovery of a Tiny Elusive Gecko in the Galapagos Islands

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Leaf-toed Gecko from Rabida Island

Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation

A small gecko has been rediscovered on Rabida Island in the Galapagos, previously believed to have been eradicated by invasive rats.

The leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus maresi) measures just 8 centimeters in length, with a fossil record indicating its presence on Rabida over 5,000 years ago. However, live specimens were collected during expeditions in 2019 and 2021, confirming its survival as a species.

The gecko’s reappearance is linked to a successful restoration project led by the US-based nonprofit Island Conservation, which commenced in 2011. Collaborating with Galapagos National Park, the Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Raptor Center, the initiative also targets 10 other islands in the Galapagos, employing helicopters for large-scale distribution of poison bait to control invasive species.

By 2012, rats were officially deemed eradicated on Rabida, enabling a rapid ecological recovery, including the return of the gecko species. “We conducted thorough monitoring before the removal of invasive rats and found none,” stated Paula Castaño, an island conservation officer. “Initially, we had a small population, and without invasive predators, we finally had the chance to restore and expand that population, marking one of the most significant comebacks in history.”

Using DNA analysis, Castaño and her team discovered that the Rabida population is closely related to P. maresi from a neighboring island, yet it is classified as a distinct lineage known as evolutionarily significant units, emphasizing the critical need for conservation efforts.

The case of Rabida exemplifies the advantages of island restoration and invasive species removal, says Castaño. “We found a ‘extinct’ gecko alongside the last identified snail species from 1906. Furthermore, two additional snail species, once thought to be lost, were rediscovered on the island. “Nature is remarkable. It allows for rebirth and regeneration.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com