Significant Reductions in Hurricane Data May Leave Predictors in the Dark

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Forecasters are about to lose a vital source of satellite data just months ahead of the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, as the Department of Defense prepares to shut down a more critical data stream than cybersecurity issues.

The data is generated by microwave sensors on three aging polar orbit satellites that serve both military and civilian functions. These sensors are crucial for hurricane forecasting, as they can analyze cloud layers and the storm’s core, providing insights even at night without relying on visible light.

Experts are concerned that this loss of data will hinder forecasters during a period when the National Weather Service is deploying fewer weather balloons due to budget cuts and insufficient meteorological staff. The absence of this data affects meteorologists’ ability to assess storm threats effectively and prepare emergency managers accordingly. Microwave data offers some of the earliest signs that wind speeds are intensifying in storms.

“It’s a tool that enables deeper insight. Losing it will significantly impair hurricane forecasts. It can detect the formation of eye walls in tropical storms, indicating whether these storms are intensifying,” an expert commented.

Researchers suggest that as ocean temperatures rise due to human-induced climate change, rapid intensification in tropical storms may become more common.

The three satellites operate through a collaborative initiative involving the Defense Weather Satellite Program, NOAA, and the Department of Defense.

While hurricane experts expressed concern about the loss of this tool, NOAA’s communications director, Kim Doster, minimized the potential impact of the National Weather Service’s decision on hurricane forecasting.

In a message, Doster described the military’s microwave data as “one dataset in a robust suite of hurricane prediction and modeling tools” within the NWS.

According to Doster, these forecasting models integrate data from various satellites located around 22,300 miles away from Earth, providing a synchronized view that follows the planet’s rotation.

They also incorporate measurements from Hurricane Hunter planes, buoys, weather balloons, land radars, and additional polar orbit satellites, including NOAA’s joint polar satellite system.

A U.S. Space Force representative confirmed that the satellites and their equipment are operational, and data will continue to be sent directly to satellite readout terminals across the DOD. However, the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Weather and Oceanography Center has opted to cease public data processing and sharing, officials reported.

The visible and infrared images show Hurricane Eric, which has intensified since the June 18th Category 2 storm.CIMSS

The Navy did not respond promptly to requests for comments.

Earlier this week, a Navy division informed researchers that it would halt data processing and sharing by June 30. Some researchers received notifications from the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Weather and Oceanography Center regarding their reliance on outdated and insecure operating systems.

“We cannot upgrade our systems; it raises cybersecurity risks and jeopardizes our DOD network,” stated an email reviewed by NBC News.

This decision could lead to forecasters losing up to half of the available microwave data, according to McNoldy.

Additionally, this microwave data is crucial for snow and ice researchers tracking polar sea ice levels, which helps understand long-term climate patterns. Sea ice, formed from frozen seawater, expands in winter and melts in summer. Tracking sea ice is essential as it reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the planet. This metric is vital to monitor over time, especially since summer Arctic sea ice levels are showing declining trends due to global warming.

Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, mentioned that his program learned about the Navy’s decision earlier this week.

Meier noted the satellites and sensors have been operational for approximately 16 years. While researchers anticipated their eventual failure, they did not expect the military to abruptly discontinue data sharing with little notice.

Meier stated that the National Snow and Ice Data Center has depended on military satellites for sea ice coverage data since 1987 but will adapt by utilizing similar microwave data from Japanese satellites known as AMSR-2.

“Integrating that data into our system could take several weeks,” said Meier. “While it may not undermine the integrity of sea ice climate records, it will pose additional challenges.”

Polar orbit satellites, part of the Defense Weather Satellite Program, offer intermittent coverage of regions prone to hurricanes.

These satellites generally circle the Earth in a north-south path every 90 to 100 minutes at relatively low altitudes, according to Meier. The microwave sensors scan narrow bands of the Earth, estimated to be around 1,500 miles wide.

As the Earth rotates, these polar orbit satellites capture images that can help researchers analyze storm structure and potential strength when they are within range.

“Often, great passes provide extensive data beyond just the hurricane,” said McNoldy, who added that the loss will decrease the frequency of scans for areas covered by microwave scans and specific storms.

Hurricane modeler Andy Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami Ocean and Atmospheric Research Institute, mentioned that microwave data is still utilized in some hurricane models and by forecasters with access to real-time visualizations.

Hazelton highlighted that forecasters always look for visual cues from microwave data, which typically provides early indications of rapidly strengthening storms.

The National Hurricane Center defines rapid intensification as a 35 mph or greater increase in sustained winds in tropical storms within a 24-hour period. The loss of microwave data is particularly concerning as scientists have observed a rise in rapid intensification linked to climate change due to warmer seawater.

A 2023 scientific report indicated that tropical cyclones in the Atlantic have about a 29% higher likelihood of rapid intensification from 2001 to 2020 compared to the period from 1971 to 1990. For instance, Hurricane Milton was strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane just 36 hours after being classified as a tropical storm, with part of this intensification occurring overnight when other satellite equipment offered less information.

From the International Space Station, Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, was captured on October 8th in the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula.NASA/Getty Images

This trend poses significant risks, particularly when storms like Hurricane Idria intensify just before approaching the coast.

“We’ve definitely observed numerous instances of rapid intensification right before landfall recently, something we cannot afford to overlook,” McNoldy remarked.

Brian Lamare, a dedicated forecaster at the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, noted that this data is crucial for predicting flood impacts when hurricanes make landfall.

“These scans are key for predicting the areas of heaviest rainfall and the rates of rainfall,” said Lamarre. “This data is vital for public safety.”

Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, peaking at the end of summer and early fall. NOAA forecasters anticipate a busier hurricane season in 2025, with expectations of 6-10 hurricanes.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Nature Memories Review: A New Book Reveals the Critical Shortcomings of Our Natural History Museum

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

What are you missing? Contemplating the exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City

Jeffrey Greenberg/Group via Getty Images via Universal Image Group

Nature’s Memory
Jack Ashby (Allen Lane)

In his intriguing new book, Nature’s Memories: Behind the Scenes of the World’s Natural History Museum, Jack Ashby, assistant director of the University Zoology Museum in Cambridge, UK, describes the museum as a peculiar space. It represents societal meanings and the natural chronicles of our ecosystems and environments. However, these records are often fundamentally flawed and misleading.

Ashby emphasizes the museum’s role, particularly in natural history, as an extensive catalog of past life on our planet. Its original purpose was to document everything from flora to fauna and enhance our understanding of the natural world.

Times have changed. As Ashby reveals in this captivating work, he critiques the shortcomings of museums, challenging our preconceived notions. Notably, much of our natural history remains hidden in poorly lit storage rather than publicly displayed.

Readers will soon discover the significance of the areas typically off-limits to the public. Ashby notes that there are approximately 70,000 flowering plant species worldwide that scientists have yet to fully describe.

The book delves into the preservation processes for animal skeletons, highlighting how flesh is removed for conservation, how insects are prepared for display, and how taxidermy is conducted. These behind-the-scenes insights are among the book’s most intriguing aspects. Ashby also points out the unrealistic representation of frogs due to shrinkage and features a segment on a renowned glassmaker recognized for creating lifelike floral reproductions.

Yet, the lack of representation extends beyond plants. Ashby highlights the biases in what we learned during school trips to such institutions. He cites a 2008 study indicating that merely 29% of mammal displays and 34% of bird exhibits in natural history museums feature females, resulting in a limited understanding of habitat contributions. This imbalance can be attributed to the more visually appealing male specimens and the fact that those who collect and exhibit are predominantly male and often white Westerners.

Ashby advocates for addressing the misrepresentation issue within museums, asserting that our education about nature is severely lacking due to the biases of past generations. Many male mammalian skeletons are misrepresented in museum displays due to curatorial choices that remove pelvic bones.

Though the book was published prior to the intentional dismantling of American scientific institutions, it reflects the prevailing anti-expert sentiment. This makes it all the more vital to read. We must reflect on what is excluded from museum exhibits as seriously as we do what is included.

As Ashby asserts, “The work that is being done at the Natural History Museum is more crucial than ever, and the role that must be played in order to safeguard the future of humanity is just beginning to unfold.”

Chris Stokell Walker is a science writer based in Newcastle, UK.

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X-ray Enhanced Fabric Potentially Alleviates Mammogram Discomfort

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mammograms can be painful,

Dahlia Artemenko/Alamie

Getting X-rays can be quite uncomfortable. You might need to lie still while experiencing discomfort or as a part of your body is compressed. However, innovative flexible fabrics that enhance X-ray detection could alleviate this issue.

“Picture scanning your child for injuries and conducting a painless breast examination without requiring the child to stay still,” says Li Xu from the Hong Kong Institute of Technology. She and her team have developed a fabric known as X-Wear, which emits light when exposed to X-rays.

X-rays typically utilize scintillation components, which are harder to detect than visible light, in both medical and industrial applications. For example, they can convert rays that penetrate your limbs into visible light, allowing for the creation of images that reveal internal details like fractures. However, the current scintillators are usually rigid, which makes them uncomfortable for use in devices where they are embedded.

To tackle this issue, researchers have reformulated scintillating materials, like reshaping gadolinium oxide sprinkled with europium into fine fibers, which are then integrated into fabrics.

Xu mentions that crafting these fibers to be flexible while ensuring they emit sufficient light for producing high-resolution images when exposed to X-rays poses a technical challenge. Her team has demonstrated that fabrics can be utilized for dental X-rays – in tests, X-Wear adapted to the shape of a clay mouth model and teeth. It has also been used for mammography, where an X-Wear bra was created to eliminate the need for compressing a person’s breasts during imaging, a common current practice.

Imalka Jayawardena from the University of Surrey in the UK emphasizes that X-Wear’s body-compliant nature is a significant advantage over other flexible scintillator designs, which tend to be film-like and inflexible. However, he notes that the light detectors paired with X-Wear are still flat, limiting the fabric’s potential applications.

Currently, researchers can produce about a quarter of a square meter of X-Wear samples, meaning production must be scaled up and adapted for industrial-grade equipment before it can be used widely, according to Xu.

The team is also exploring X-Wear’s potential for industrial use, envisioning small, flexible devices for inspecting electronics and identifying defects in pipelines. Xu also notes that first responders in disaster zones could utilize X-Wear, equipped with smartphones and compact X-ray sources, for conducting on-site scans.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Lake of the Lake: Why Did Adam Roberts Opt for Utopia Over Dystopia in His Novel?

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Two spacecraft explore the black hole, highlighted in Adam Roberts’ novel.

Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

The foundation of this novel stemmed from my desire to craft utopian fiction, a first for me, as my earlier works primarily revolved around traditional science fiction. The concept of utopia—portraying an improved or ideal world—predates science fiction itself, famously introduced by Thomas More in his 1516 work, Utopia.

Intrigued by the evolution of this genre, I noted that More’s Utopia inspired numerous copies. Over the subsequent 17th and 18th centuries, a multitude of utopian literature emerged. It flourished in the 19th century and continued into the 20th with notable works like Samuel Butler’s Erewhon (1872), William Morris’s News from Nowhere (1892), H.G. Wells’s A Modern Utopia (1905), and B.F. Skinner’s Walden Two (1948). Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward (1888) stands out as a significant American bestseller, catalyzing the establishment of numerous “Bellamy Clubs” and a nationalist movement aimed at realizing his vision of utopia.

But what about our contemporary landscape? Utopian narratives seem largely relegated, replaced by an overwhelming prevalence of dystopian themes—the dark antithesis. Think of titles like The Hunger Games, Road, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, alongside numerous cyberpunk realms, Battle Royale, and Oryx and Crake. This raises an intriguing question: why has utopia fallen out of favor while dystopia thrives?

One potential explanation is that utopia inherently lacks conflict. When aspiring writers present their imaginative worlds, I often query, “Where’s the conflict?” Without conflict, there’s no drama or narrative. Crafting a perfect utopia is challenging because, by its nature, a flawless realm might lack the tension necessary for storytelling. I’ve often contended that no one truly writes a utopia, to which some might counter with Iain M. Banks’s Culture series as an example. Yet, Banks seldom delves into the euphoria of cultural existence, focusing instead on the dangers surrounding its covert agencies. In my own narrative, the characters are extricated from their utopian comforts, thrust into peril, monstrosities, and adventure.

However, I aspired to delve deeper and scrutinize the very essence of utopia itself. Is the ideal world even attainable? “Can we make the world a little better?”—this is certainly achievable, but can we fully reorganize society to achieve a flawless utopia?

Some years back, I was invited to deliver a keynote address at the Utopialess Conference, an annual event across Europe. During my visit to Tarragona, Spain, I presented my ideas, which can be summarized as follows: Utopia, as a concept, cannot elude the nuances of human nature. Some utopias manifest in authoritarian structures (as seen in More’s original vision), where the authority must reconcile power with utopian ideals. Conversely, others are grassroots endeavors, suggesting that with the removal of material or psychological ailments, humanity can coexist blissfully. I must express my skepticism; as literary critic John Carrey posits, all utopias share a fundamental desire to sanitize reality, simplifying the existence of actual human beings.

In my Utopial speech, I proposed that the most compelling representation of utopia in modern culture is a television series: Teletubbies. These entities—whether genetically modified posthumans, or simply whimsical beings—embody utopian principles, existing in a bubble of childlike simplicity where their needs are easily met, leading to constant joy. Yet, it’s unlikely that adults would perceive Teletubbyland as desirable. This suggests that the concept of utopia is somewhat infantilized. Following my lecture, I mingled at the reception, engaging with attendees. Some were dismissive and turned away when approached, a reaction clarified later by organizers. The conference attracted both literary scholars and true Utopians—those genuinely seeking to realize their visions. They felt I was mocking their aspirations.

I regret they felt insulted, but I stand by my interpretations in Lake of Darkness, where I intertwine social theory, imaginative technological elements, and distinct characters to explore utopian ideals.

Adam Roberts’ Lake of Darkness (Gollancz) is the latest selection for the New Scientist Book Club. Join us and read together here.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

AMOC: An Ambitious Strategy to Preserve Vital Ocean Currents Using Giant Parachutes

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Strategies to uphold the current involve oversized versions of parachute-like ocean anchors

Ed Darnen (2.0 by CC)

As part of an ambitious initiative to avert severe climate change, large parachutes could be deployed into Atlantic waters using transport tankers, drones, and fishing vessels.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) moves warm water from the tropics northward and helps stabilize temperatures in Northern Europe.

Nevertheless, the swift melting of Arctic ice and rising sea temperatures have hampered these currents, prompting some scientists to warn that they could falter entirely within this century. Such an event would disrupt marine ecosystems and exacerbate the cooling of the European climate.

Experts emphasize the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the risk of AMOC collapse and other catastrophic climate “tipping points.” However, some are exploring alternative, more fundamental methods to preserve the current.

Stuart Haszeldine from the University of Edinburgh, along with David Sevier, introduced a concept from the British water treatment firm Strengite during a recent meeting in Cambridge, UK. They propose utilizing just 35 ocean tugs, each capable of pulling underwater parachutes roughly half the size of a soccer pitch, which could effectively move enough water to maintain the current. “A modest amount of energy and equipment can yield a significant impact,” Haszeldine remarks.

These parachutes, designed similarly to existing ocean anchors, stabilize containers in rough weather while also aiding in water movement across the sea surface. Each parachute features a central hole 12 meters wide to allow marine creatures to escape.

The operation would run 365 days a year in a rotating schedule, using drones, transport tankers, tugs, or wind kits. “It’s a small but consistent intervention,” notes Haszeldine.

Sevier refers to this proposal as “any Mary,” indicating a solution to stave off the severe consequences of AMOC collapse. “This is about buying time,” he asserts, emphasizing the need for the world to reduce emissions sufficiently to stabilize global temperatures at safe levels.

However, leading AMOC researchers express skepticism about the idea. Rene van Westen from the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, highlights that the density differences between cold, salty water and warm, fresh water play a crucial role in the descent and upwelling movements that sustain AMOC.

“If this idea is to work,” Van Westen argues, “you can only use surface wind to influence the top layer of water.

Stephen Rahmstoef from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research concurs. “The challenge lies not in moving surface water horizontally but in sinking it to depths of 2,000 to 3,000 meters and returning it south as a cold, deep current,” he states.

Meric Srokosz of the UK National Oceanography Centre believes the proposal is “unlikely to succeed,” given the variable weather conditions that complicate equipment deployment in the oceans.

Haszeldine welcomes feedback from fellow scientists regarding the proposal and hopes it will inspire ocean and climate modelers to assess the ecological and environmental ramifications of the plan. “I believe this warrants further investigation,” he asserts.

More generally, Haszeldine argues for increased research focused on climate intervention strategies to sustain ocean circulation: “I don’t see anyone else working on ocean currents.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Mathematicians Consistently Produce Tetrahedrons That Settle on the Same Side

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Self-correcting tetrahedron

Gergő Almádi et al.

SEI 257070964 — Self-correcting tetrahedron

Gergő Almádi et al.

Even decades after its initial proposition, a peculiar four-sided shape has been captured in mathematical intrigue, consistently resting on its desired side no matter how it lands.

The concept of self-righting shapes, particularly those with preferred resting positions on flat surfaces, has intrigued mathematicians for years. A notable example is the Gömböc—a curved object resembling a turtle shell, known for its unique weight distribution that allows it to rock back and forth until it finds its stable resting position.

In 1966, mathematician John Conway investigated the balance of geometric shapes. He established that four-sided shapes, or tetrahedrons, cannot achieve equilibrium through mass distribution. However, he speculated the existence of unevenly balanced tetrahedrons, though he did not provide concrete evidence.

Recently, Gábor Domokos from the Budapest Institute of Technology, along with his team, created a unique tetrahedral structure using carbon fiber struts and ultra-dense carbide plates. Its name, Viren, derives from Hungarian terminology.

Their journey began when Domokos tasked a student, Gerg Almádi, with using a high-powered computer to conduct a comprehensive search for Conway’s tetrahedron. “The goal was to examine all potential tetrahedrons. If we got lucky—or if computation power favored us—we might find something,” Domokos reflects.

True to Conway’s predictions, they didn’t locate a perfectly balanced tetrahedron but did identify several uneven candidates and confirmed their existence through mathematical proofs.

Determined to create a physical manifestation, Domokos found this task “significantly more complex.” Their calculations indicated that the density difference between the weighted and unweighted areas of the structure needed to be approximately 5000 times, essentially necessitating a material that’s predominantly air yet retains rigidity.

To fabricate their design, Domokos and his team collaborated with an engineering firm, investing thousands of euros to engineer carbon fiber struts with precision within a tenth of a millimeter and crafting a tungsten base plate with a variance of just a tenth of a gram.

When Domokos first witnessed a functioning prototype, he felt an overwhelming elation, remarking, “It was like rising a meter off the ground. The achievement was immensely satisfying, knowing it would bring joy to John Conway.”

“There was no blueprint, no prior example—essentially nothing suggesting to Conway that this form could exist,” Domokos adds. “This discovery was only possible with advanced computational power and considerable financial investment.”

The tetrahedron they’ve constructed follows a specific transition sequence between its sides, explaining that moving from B to A, C to A to C, and then to A can infer the necessary material distribution is indeed feasible.

Domokos envisions that their findings could inspire engineers to rethink the geometry of lunar landers, minimizing the risk of toppling, as has happened with some recent missions. “If we can achieve stability with four faces, similar principles could potentially apply to shapes with varying numbers of faces.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Kaliane Bradley’s Verdict on Time of Timeistry for the New Scientist Book Club: Thumbs Up!

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time awarded mixed reviews at the New Scientist Book Club

One of the wonderful elements of science fiction is its vastness, a notion emphasized by our two recent readings. The New Scientist Book Club has transitioned from Larry Niven’s classic hard sci-fi piece, Ring World, to Kalian Bradley’s Time Saving, which we’ll delve into this June. The former rigorously engages with scientific principles, while the latter takes a more relaxed approach.

The narrative revolves around an obscure civil servant tasked with assisting historical figures—specifically, the Victorian explorer Commander Graham Gore from 1847. Time Saving intertwines elements of thrillers, romance, and touches of climate fiction, making it an engaging read. Although I adored it, the conclusion left something to be desired, which I’ll elaborate on later. For now, let’s explore the sci-fi elements of the book.

In Bradley’s interpretation, time travel serves as a plot device; it facilitates the transition of characters from the past to contemporary settings. As she notes, “Once you start contemplating the physics of time travel, you’ve entered a tricky realm.” I don’t necessarily view her reluctance to clarify time travel as a weakness—after all, even our greatest physicists have yet to fully understand it, a sentiment shared by many.

“I accepted time travel as a given and shaped the primary plot around it. In the end, it’s approached similarly to numerous other sci-fi narratives.” Facebook Group. “Ultimately, this emphasis on plot and character development made me feel that the novel transcended mere science fiction, transforming into a story set against a sci-fi backdrop.”

Pauline Moncrief, who previously engaged with Time Saving, praised Bradley’s portrayal of time travel as “spot-on” due to its exploration of the paradoxes surrounding it—questions like, “What happens if you travel back and eliminate your grandfather?” This intriguing concern worked well. “Thus, I appreciated the author’s decision to smoothly bypass the technical hurdles typically associated with time travel,” she remarked.

Kristen Millard Shore expressed similar sentiments: “I appreciated the author’s casual handling of time travel—’Let’s not overthink this’ was refreshing.” However, Gosia Furmanik felt differently. While she enjoyed the prose’s creativity and vividness, she found the main plot confusing and felt it lacked urgency until the very end. For someone looking for a focused sci-fi exploration, she wondered if the romance and themes of immigration and identity overshadowed the genre elements.

Gosia might have a point, but I found the romance to be a highlight of the novel, even developing an affection for Commander Gore (which Bradley seemed to share—check out my interview with her for more on this historical crush). As a fan of romantic narratives, I found this aspect delightful. Others echoed my feelings, too.

“I usually don’t gravitate towards romance in books, but I found it well-executed here. Nevertheless, I felt the story encompassed more than just romance; it was enriching overall.”

Phil Gurski, however, took a different stance: “While I enjoyed the concept, it leaned more toward romance than sci-fi,” he noted. “The lengthy sex scene felt unnecessary.” Despite this divergence of opinions, I cherished many aspects of Time Saving, particularly Bradley’s subtle yet brilliant humor. The contrast of a character from the 19th century grappling with modernity—whether it’s Spotify or dishwashers—provided a delightful layer to the storytelling.

“I found myself laughing aloud numerous times,” Kristen concurred. “Especially during the conversations among the female characters about chicken wallets!” The chicken wallet scene was memorable and the interactions among the characters stood out. I found myself smitten, much like Margaret Kemble and Graham Gore did in 1665.

Gosia nodded in agreement regarding the humor: “Initial moments were quite amusing, like the EastEnders reference, but at times, that tone was overshadowed, leading to inconsistencies that detracted from my enjoyment.”

Now, let’s discuss the ending. Provision. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t finished yet! The revelation that Adela was a future version of our narrator caught me off guard, adding an engaging twist that prompted me to revisit earlier elements of the story with this new perspective. I believed these elements held up, though the rapid pace towards the conclusion felt a bit jumbled, especially since I was invested in the romance. I recognize the inherent “time travel” aspect of the story, but I still hoped for more closure.

David Jones echoed my feelings: “I finished and felt disappointed. I loved the characters and believed they deserved a more satisfying ending.” Alan pondered, “Does the author’s craftsmanship with engaging, thoughtful narratives get compromised by editorial constraints?” He felt the conclusion appeared forced and disconnected from the author’s original vision.

“By the 80% mark, I was questioning, ‘Where is this going?’ The narrative seemed too precious until the end, without sufficient payoff.”

Phil shared his thoughts in a Facebook group, stating that the next session’s readings should return to genuine science (fiction), with Lake of Darkness—a paper edition exploring black holes and their mysterious signals—on the horizon. Adam has penned brilliantly insightful essays for our readers, while Emily H. Wilson, a reviewer for New Scientist, expressed her fondness for Lake of Darkness upon its hardcover release, calling it “smart, experimental, and full of imaginative ideas,” eagerly anticipating the journey into an advanced future.

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Scientists Uncover Mars’ Unexpected Shape and Its Mysterious Origins

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mars may appear spherical, yet it is actually a triaxial ellipsoid. Unlike the other rocky planets in our solar system, which resemble rugby balls, Mars varies in size along all three axes.

This is most apparent in the notable bulge of the Tharsis rise region and the contrasting region known as Sirtis Major.

Astronomer Dr. Michael Efroysky of the US Navy Observatory recently proposed that this peculiar shape may be attributed to the absence of an ancient moon on Mars.

The moon, named Nerio after the Roman goddess of war, who was associated with Mars, influenced the shape of the planet through tidal forces, similar to the oceans here on Earth.

However, once Mars cooled down, its deformed shape became permanently fixed.

Mars is roughly half the size of Earth, with a diameter of 6,790km (4,219 miles) compared to Earth’s 12,750km (7,922 miles) – Credit: Mark Garlic via Getty/Science Photo Library

Nerio’s tidal stress weakened the elevated regions of Mars, facilitating the impact of geological processes such as internal convection, structural shifts, and volcanic activity, all of which contributed to Mars’ asymmetrical shape.

Researchers propose that, in synchronous orbit around Mars, Nerio—being less than a third of Earth’s mass—could easily have formed the planet’s initial triaxial shape. The equatorial bulge would have been even more pronounced if Nerio had existed during the planet’s magma ocean phase.

Currently, Mars lacks such a moon, having only the small moons Deimos and Phobos. At some point, Nerio was either destroyed by another large body or pulled away by gravitational forces.

This article answers the question posed by Otto Sykes in an email: “Why does Mars have such a strange shape?”

Please email us to submit your questions at Question@sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Webb Identifies Potential Saturn-Mass Candidates Around Young Star Twa 7

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilize the exceptional sensitivity of the Mid-infrared instrument (Miri) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to investigate exoplanets within the three-ring debris disks surrounding the 6.4 million-year-old star TWA 7.

This Webb/Miri image shows the exoplanet TWA 7b, comparable in mass to Saturn. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/WEBB/AM LAGRANGE/M. ZAMANI, ESA & WEBB.

Debris disks, comprised of dust and rocky materials, can exist around both young and evolved stars, but they are more luminous and detectable around younger celestial bodies.

These disks are often identified by their visible rings and gaps, which are believed to be shaped by planets that form within them.

The star TWA 7 is a low-mass (0.46 solar mass) M-type star situated approximately 111 light-years away in the constellation of Antlia.

Also referred to as Ce Antilae or Tyc 7190-2111-1, it is part of the TW Hydra Association.

The nearly edge-on three-ring fragmented disks make TWA 7 an optimal target for Webb’s highly sensitive mid-infrared observations.

“Our observations indicate a strong candidate for the planet that influences the structure of the TWA 7 debris disk, located precisely where we anticipated finding a planet of this mass,” states Dr. En Marie Lagrange, an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris-PSL.

On June 21, 2024, Dr. Lagrange and colleagues employed a coronagraph with Webb’s Miri instrument to effectively suppress the bright glare of the host star, uncovering faint nearby objects.

This method, known as high contrast imaging, enables astronomers to directly observe planets that would otherwise be obscured by the overwhelming light of their host stars.

After eliminating residual starlight through advanced image processing, a faint infrared source was detected near TWA 7, distinguishable from background galaxies or other solar system objects.

This source is located within one of the three dust rings previously identified around TWA 7 by earlier ground-based investigations.

Its brightness, color, distance from the star, and position within the ring align with theoretical expectations for a young, cold Saturn-mass planet that shapes the surrounding debris disks.

“They are also the most popular and highly skilled professionals,” remarked Dr. Matilde Marin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Space Telescope Science.

The team’s preliminary analysis suggests that the object known as TWA 7B has a mass approximately 0.3 times that of Jupiter (about 100 times that of Earth) and may be a young, cold exoplanet with a temperature of 320 K (around 47°C).

Its positioning (approximately 52 AU from the star) corresponds with a gap in the disk, indicating a dynamic interaction between the planet and its surroundings.

Once corroborated, this discovery marks the first direct link between a planet and the structure of debris, offering initial observational insights into the Trojan disk.

“These findings underscore Webb’s capability to probe previously unobservable low-mass planets orbiting nearby stars,” the astronomer commented.

“Ongoing and future observations will seek to more accurately characterize candidates, investigate the state of their atmospheres, and enhance our understanding of planet formation in young systems and the evolution of disks.”

“This preliminary result represents an exciting new frontier where Webb sheds light on the discovery and characterization of exoplanets.”

These findings are detailed in a publication in the journal Nature.

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Lagrange et al. Evidence of sub-Jovian planets within the young TWA 7 disk. Nature Published online on June 25th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09150-4

Source: www.sci.news

Dog-Sized Neon Cyan Dinosaur Unearthed in Colorado

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Exciting discovery of a new genus and species of neornithischian dinosaur named Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae. This dinosaur is recognized from its three-dimensionally preserved postcranial skeleton unearthed in the Morrison Formation in Colorado, USA.

Life reconstruction of Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae inhabited our planet during the late Jurassic period, approximately 150-145 million years ago.

This dinosaur was a bipedal herbivore standing about 0.5 m (1.6 feet) tall and measuring over 1 m (3.3 feet) in length.

It would have navigated the floodplains of the western United States alongside giants like diplodocus and Stegosaurus.

“There are indications that these dinosaurs are not fully mature. The upper vertebrae (neuronal arch) are formed separately and fused at the lower section, suggesting incomplete fusion,” noted Paul Barrett, a paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History in London, alongside Susannah Maidment.

The partial but well-preserved skeletons, along with several associated teeth, were excavated in 2021 and 2022 from a commercial quarry in Moffat County, Colorado, within the Morrison Formation.

Initially, this specimen was classified as Nanosaurus, a lesser-known herbivorous dinosaur first named in the 1870s.

However, upon thorough examination, paleontologists determined that the original Nanosaurus specimen was too poorly preserved to serve as a reliable reference for identification.

As a result, they set aside the name until higher quality fossils of Nanosaurus could ensure taxonomic stability.

The differences between the original and newly found specimens confirmed the classification as a new genus and species.

“The discovery of Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae enhances our understanding of the diversity of ornithischian dinosaurs from the Morrison Formation and provides new insights into their anatomy,” researchers explained.

“Moreover, it highlights a previously unrecognized diversity among the small Morrisonian dinosaurs, suggesting they represent a more diverse component of these late Jurassic ecosystems than previously acknowledged.”

A paper detailing Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae was published this week in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Susanna CR Maid & Paul M. Barrett. 2025. Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae, a neornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation in the western United States. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12(6): 242195; doi: 10.1098/rsos.242195

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals Cambrian Explosions Happened Millions of Years Sooner Than Previously Believed

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have studied the body shapes of Ediacaran Cambrian organisms by utilizing trace fossils as a stand-in for body fossils.

Reconstruction of early Cambrian marine life in southern China. Image credit: Dongjing Fu.

The Cambrian explosion is often referred to as a pivotal period in Earth’s history when distinct animal body plans emerged.

Most researchers indicate that this event took place between 541 and 530 million years ago, marking the onset of the Cambrian period.

“The Cambrian explosion represents a significant era in the history of life that poses numerous unresolved questions,” stated Dr. Olmo Miguez Saras from the University of Barcelona at the Museum of Natural History in London, alongside Dr. Zekun Wang.

“In investigating biodiversity during this period, paleontological studies primarily concentrate on organisms with hard structures.”

“Nevertheless, microfossil investigations open avenues for understanding the activities of hard, soft-bodied, or skeletal-deficient organisms preserved in stratigraphic records.”

“The microfossil evidence is essential for shedding light on the evolutionary phases dominated by soft-bodied faunas.”

“Fossil traces mirror the behaviors of habitat-forming organisms, determined by their environment and reactions to ecological factors.”

“Consequently, these traces act as indicators of the paleoecological conditions experienced by the organisms that produced them.”

In their research, the authors concentrated on trace fossils from the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, a period of great paleobiological interest that represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of complex life on Earth.

This transition experienced substantial shifts in biodiversity as well as the structure of organisms and ecosystems.

“The Ediacaran fauna consisted mainly of complex, multicellular, flexible organisms,” noted Dr. Miguez Saras.

“The shift to the Cambrian era involved numerous extinctions within the Ediacaran fauna, accompanied by a rapid diversification of complex multicellular organisms possessing hard structures (e.g., exoskeletons).”

“This encapsulates the core of evolutionary development that led to the emergence of the most modern animal phyla, commonly referred to as the Cambrian Explosion.”

The research indicates that slender-bodied organisms thrived around 545 million years ago during the Ediacaran period.

“These organisms likely possessed a coelomic hydrostatic body with an anteroposterior axis, muscles, and perhaps segmented structures,” Dr. Miguez Saras explained.

“Additionally, these organisms may have exhibited directional movement and possessed sensory capabilities to navigate and feed on diverse substrates in environments dominated by microbial mats.”

“Thus, the so-called Cambrian explosion and its evolutionary significance could have arisen significantly earlier than previously thought.”

“These adaptations in body shape and mobility facilitated early animals in thriving within increasingly dynamic and complex environments, an ecological engineering process that could spur evolutionary innovation.”

The team’s study is slated for publication in the journal Geological.

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Zekun Wang & Olmo Miguez-Salas. Quantitative decoding of Ediacaran Motion Microfossil Morphology: Evidence for the appearance of elongated anteroposterior body profiles. Geological Published online on June 9th, 2025. doi: 10.1130/g53332.1

Source: www.sci.news

Fireball Captures Spectacular Meteor Shower Lighting Up the Southeastern US Sky

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A fireball was spotted soaring through the sky in the southeastern United States on Thursday afternoon, coinciding with reports of a meteor shower in the region, according to officials.

A representative from Forsyth County Emergency Management in Georgia stated that the meteor shower, validated by the National Weather Service, was still visible hours after the initial sighting.

The representative noted that there have been no reports of impacts or injuries, and monitoring of the showers is ongoing.

Earlier, the National Weather Service office in Charleston indicated that just before noon, there were “numerous reports of fireballs” across the area.

“While it’s not confirmed, satellite-based lightning detection indicated markings in the clear sky above the NC/VA border in Gasbury, Virginia,” reported between 11:51 am and 11:56 am the weather service noted at the time.

A video circulating on social media displays a fireball descending into a wooded area in South Carolina.

Kathryn Far posted a dashcam video taken while driving south on Interstate 85 toward Anderson, South Carolina, around 12:25 pm.

A video shared on social media shows a fireball being shot down into a wooded area of South Carolina.
Kathryn Rose Fur via Facebook

“It’s not something you witness every day.” She mentioned on Facebook.

Another perspective from Andrew Colley Road in Lexington, South Carolina depicted suspected meteor stones blazing bright white with an orange flame tail before vanishing into a wooded area.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia reported that the weather department has informed them that the fireball is likely a meteor.

“Currently, there is no information on where the meteor may have landed.” The sheriff’s office stated, noting that fireballs have been reported by residents in Covington and nearby areas.

Marlene Lenthang

Marlene Lenthang is a news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Rebecca Cohen I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

These Rocks May Be the Final Remnants of Earth’s Early Crust

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Canadian Nuvvuagittuq Green Stone Belt may contain the world’s oldest rock

Jonathan O’Neill

About four billion years ago, magma from Earth’s mantle intruded the primitive crust of a nascent planet. Over the next period, nearly all of the planet’s early crust melted back into the mantle, leaving behind a small remnant near the site of this intrusion that still exists today.

This remnant is part of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt along Hudson Bay’s coast in Canada. Recent analyses of the rock’s radioisotope signatures have sparked debates among geologists about whether it is indeed the oldest rock on Earth or simply very ancient.

In a study published in 2008, Jonathan O’Neill from the University of Ottawa and his team posited that the surrounding rocks could be as old as 4.3 billion years, dating back to the Hadean eon—just a few hundred million years after Earth’s formation.

While there have been discoveries of older mineral grains, these ancient Hadean rocks provide critical insights into Earth’s formative years, possibly shedding light on geological enigmas like the onset of plate tectonics and early ocean compositions.

The method used for dating the rocks has drawn controversy, particularly regarding the claimed age of 4.3 billion years. Traditionally, old rocks are dated utilizing a robust mineral known as zircon, but these volcanic rocks lack zircon. “No one can date these rocks using the popular techniques,” O’Neill remarks.

Instead, researchers analyzed the isotopes of neodymium and samarium within the rock. As samarium decays, it generates different isotopes of neodymium at predictable rates, allowing the ratio of isotopes to serve as a “clock” marking the time since the rock crystallized from magma. Interestingly, two isotopes of samarium can decay at differing rates, acting as two parallel chronometers. Disagreement arose among researchers about whether the rock was genuinely Hadean, as the two clocks provided inconsistent age estimates.

“I’m not convinced that most of the early Earth research community agrees,” states Richard Walker at the University of Maryland.

Currently, O’Neill’s team is assessing the neodymium and samarium isotopes in the rock formations dating back 4.3 billion years. By definition, such intrusions are younger than the surrounding rock layers, implying that dating an intrusion yields the minimum age for the enclosing rocks.

Detailed view of the Canada Nuvvuagittuq Green Stone Belt

David Hutt/Alamy

In the findings, the two chronological indicators tell the same tale, indicating the rocks’ age to be approximately 4.16 billion years. “Both clocks yield identical results,” O’Neill states. This consistency bolsters the theory that the surrounding rocks were indeed solidified during the Hadean eon, making them potentially the only known remnants of Earth’s ancient crust.

“I believe they present the strongest argument possible,” asserts Graham Pierson from the University of Alberta, Canada.

“The simplest interpretation of this data is that these represent the oldest rocks on Earth,” says Jesse Reimink at Pennsylvania State University. Nevertheless, he cautions that this may not be the final word on the subject, stating, “When it comes to the oldest rocks and minerals, absolute certainty is hard to come by.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Deep Sleep Appears to Foster More Eureka Moments

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A nap may enhance problem-solving abilities

Pavel Mary / Alamy

A deep nap could improve one’s capacity for creative problem-solving.

A recent study revealed that individuals are more likely to experience a “Eureka” moment after entering the second stage of sleep—characterized by slower brain activity and bursts of electrical discharges known as sleep spindles—compared to those who have light sleep.

The results suggest that brief, deep naps can lead to valuable insights. Annika Rowe from the Max Planck Institute in Berlin notes, “We are uncovering what actually occurs during sleep, which I believe is quite beneficial.” She added, “During deep sleep, our brains may process irrelevant information related to the problem, enabling us to have these insightful moments upon waking.”

While previous research highlights that naps can enhance creativity and problem-solving, opinions vary regarding which sleep stages are most beneficial. Some argue that the lightest non-REM stage, N1, is best—citing how Thomas Edison embraced ideas while holding a steel ball that would audibly drop, waking him from deeper slumber. In contrast, some studies advocate that deeper N2 sleep (even lighter N3) fosters greater innovation.

To explore this further, Löwe and her team engaged 90 healthy participants aged 18-35 in a task where they classified the movement direction of rapidly flashing dot patterns on a screen, without informing them that the dot colors would gradually hint at correct answers.

Fifteen participants chose shortcuts in the first 25 minutes, while the remaining 75 were invited to take a 20-minute nap in a quiet setting, monitoring their brain activity with an EEG.

After napping, participants revisited the task. This time, most recognized color-based shortcuts, although the likelihood of a “Eureka” moment appeared to hinge on having napped. Among the 68 participants yielding quality EEG data, 85.7% who entered deeper N2 sleep recognized shortcuts.

This research distinctly illustrates that deeper sleep can trigger “Eureka” moments—at least for the specific task used. Itamar Rana from the University of Texas, San Antonio states, “The task type heavily influences whether sleep enhances performance.” ”

Delphine Oudiette from the Paris Brain Institute mentions that varying task designs might explain their findings of significant problem-solving post N1 sleep. “Both sleep stages could be significant, but different cognitive processes may necessitate isolation for a clearer understanding,” she points out.

Björn Rasch at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland notes that the findings support the notion that deeper sleep aids problem-solving, but cautions that the study’s design complicates distinguishing between causation and coincidence. Participants were not randomly assigned to sleep stages and were not studied across various sleep scenarios; thus, those who napped comfortably might simply possess a higher insight capacity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ash Trees Are Adapting Quickly and Showing Some Resistance to Ash Blight

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Certain ash trees exhibit genetic variations that offer partial resistance to ash dieback

FLPA/Alamy

SEI 256924453 — Certain ash trees exhibit genetic variations that offer partial resistance to ash dieback

FLPA/Alamy

British ash trees are evolving resistant traits to combat ash dieback, evident from DNA sequences found in numerous specimens.

This discovery is promising, according to Richard Buggs at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, although complete resistance in ash trees is not anticipated soon. “A breeding program may be necessary to assist nature in this process,” he states.

Ash dieback, caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, progressively impairs the tree’s capacity to transport water. It began its spread across Europe in the 1990s and made its way to the UK in 2012.

The demise of ash trees leads to increased carbon dioxide release and threatens various species that depend on these trees for their ecosystem. Additionally, fallen trees pose risks to people and property. “There are numerous ash trees close to footpaths and roads, creating significant hazards,” Buggs notes.

Buggs’ team compared genomes of 128 adult European ash trees. Since fungi take considerably longer to kill mature trees than younger ones (Fraxinus excelsior), this also included 458 seedlings at a location called Marden Park in Surrey. They discovered thousands of variations previously linked to resistance were more prevalent in younger trees, likely because those without such variations perished.

This study provides the most comprehensive genetic insight into evolutionary responses observed in nature. “The significance of this research is its ability to characterize the genetic foundation and demonstrate the changes occurring within a single generation,” Buggs explains.

However, each gene variant offers only a marginal effect, failing to provide complete resistance. As the older ash trees diminish and fungal spores decrease, the rate of evolutionary change may also slow in the future. This indicates that younger ash trees might have better survival prospects, Buggs suggests.

“It poses a major challenge, but these trees won’t vanish entirely,” he remarks. “Our findings inspire hope that some of these younger ash trees may mature and undergo natural selection for subsequent generations, if feasible.”

Ash dieback has yet to invade North America; however, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has been introduced, actively decimating ash tree populations there. The outcome of both ash dieback and the emerald ash borer coexisting in the same region remains uncertain but might exacerbate the issue.

“Globalization is mixing insects and pathogens across the globe, leading to increasing challenges for these trees, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to adapt,” Buggs states. “Trees now face threats they have never experienced before, and at unprecedented speeds.”

He believes interventions are essential to help trees withstand these pressures, such as creating resistant hybrids between resilient species and native trees.

“One potential solution is to enhance the genetic diversity of trees globally, keeping pace with the array of pests and pathogens we are spreading,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Nearly one-third of Tuvaluans Seek Climate Transfer Visas

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tuvalu is highly susceptible to rising sea levels

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

What does it mean to lose your home because of climate change? About 10,000 residents of Tuvalu will soon find out.

With an average elevation of less than 3 meters, Tuvalu is on the brink of becoming uninhabitable due to floods, storm surges, and erosion. By 2100, a predicted rise in sea levels of 72 centimeters could result in one-third of the Coral Atoll Archipelago being submerged annually.

Yet, there are escape options for the people of Tuvalu. In late 2023, the Australian government revealed plans for the world’s first organized migration program.

Under the Australian-Tuvalu-Falapilli Union Treaty, 280 Tuvaluans will be granted residency in Australia each year through a lottery system. The inaugural lottery opened on June 16 and received applications from 3,125 citizens—nearly a third of Tuvalu’s population. Registration for this year’s lottery closes on July 18.

In a statement to New Scientist, the Australian government acknowledged the “devastating effects of climate change, especially in the Pacific, which faces challenges related to climate, security, and wellbeing.”

“This is the first agreement of its kind globally, offering a dignified migration pathway as climate conditions worsen,” the government commented.

Successful lottery applicants will learn their results by the end of July, with the first migrants likely to arrive in Australia by year-end.

Bateteba Aselu, a PhD student at the University of Melbourne, examines the climate challenges facing her people. On a student visa in Australia, Aselu is considering applying for the lottery to join her husband, while her son, a recent high school graduate, has already submitted his application.

Aselu notes that the impacts of climate change are visible, as the freshwater aquifers critical for agriculture and drinking water are becoming saline due to rising sea levels. This forces residents to uproot crops in an attempt to mitigate saltwater intrusion.

Stephen Howes from the Australian National University in Canberra describes the new visa as “very progressive,” providing successful applicants access to nearly all Australian health and welfare benefits without discrimination based on chronic health conditions, disabilities, age, or other factors.

While ostensibly aimed at aiding Tuvalu in the face of a climate crisis, Howes asserts that Australia’s initiative also serves to counteract China’s influence in the Pacific. The treaty outlines that Australia and Tuvalu “must collaborate on security and defense matters pertaining to the island nations and external countries.”

“I view it as a security transition agreement,” Howes explains. “Climate change serves as a backdrop, but the arrangement essentially provides Australia with enhanced security cooperation in return for offering Tuvalu a unique migration pathway.”

Tuvaluans engaging in traditional fishing

Mick Tsikas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jane McAdam at the University of New South Wales in Sydney reports varied perspectives on the future among Tuvaluans. Some believe the island will soon be submerged, while others hold hope. She notes that elderly residents express a desire to remain there until their last days.

However, McAdam considers the new migration program to be a “fair and constructive” initiative. A key feature is that once Tuvaluans secure a visa, they can return home whenever they wish or even live there until conditions become unbearable.

It’s “like having an oxygen mask on an airplane,” McAdam adds. “Ideally, you won’t need it, but you’ll be grateful it exists.”

Wesley Morgan, also at the University of New South Wales, remarked that, should conditions worsen, Tuvaluans face limited escape routes. This agreement could pave the way for similar opportunities for other at-risk nations like Kiribati.

“This could set a precedent as the first instance where migration pathways are explicitly linked to climate change and rising sea levels,” Morgan states. “Given these unique circumstances, Australia might explore comparable arrangements with Kiribati in the future.”

A remaining concern for the Tuvaluan population is how they will navigate their identity and sovereignty once they leave the island. Will they be considered a Tuvaluan diaspora or a nation in climate exile?

“If you had to leave your childhood home due to circumstances beyond your control, how would it feel?” Aselu asks. “Would you feel lost? Absolutely. It’s that sentiment of losing a cherished place that defines who you are, regardless of where you are in the world.”

“You grow up there; your history resides there. It’s where your identity is rooted, no matter where you go afterwards.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Forget Terminator: Our Robotic Future Could Be Soft and Playful

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“When I think about the future of robots and society, I don’t see machine overlords.”

Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images

Are you concerned that AI-driven robots might take our jobs or even pose a threat? You’re not alone. Yet, this fear invites a critical examination of whether the opposite might be true.

In my upcoming novel, Automatic Noodles, set to release later this year, I introduce four robots battling to secure jobs in a country where laws prevent them from unionizing, securing bank accounts, voting, or owning businesses. Although it’s a work of science fiction, it’s grounded in existing technology and delves into our fundamental anxieties about robots.

For years, I have written non-fiction on actual robotics, interviewing engineers and industry professionals to understand future advancements. Recently, I visited Yale University’s groundbreaking lab, the Faboratory, led by Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio, where her team is developing soft robots. These include flexible, squishy creatures with circuits made of liquid metal. One such robot can swim like a turtle, aiding in environmental monitoring of wetlands. Another, named Tensegrity, resembles a cluster of plastic sticks connected by elastic bands, bouncing back when dropped to explore its surroundings.

Medha Goyal and researchers in the Faboratory showcased a tiny liquid ball that expands when warmed. These “Granular actuators” can be incorporated into robots to create varying rigidity and softness in their limbs. They also hold significant medical potential, enabling small robots to deliver medication or diagnose health issues.

Kramer-Bottiglio and her team are challenging traditional notions of robotics. Tomorrow’s bots may not resemble towering humanoids; instead, they could be softer, using air pressure instead of metal mechanics. Notably, one of my book’s characters is an octopus-like soft robot designed for underwater searches and rescues, aptly named Cayenne, equipped with sensors on its arms that allow it to interpret flavors.

Tomorrow’s bots probably won’t resemble gigantic humanoids; they might instead be soft little beings.

When you envision the future of robotics, you might picture something akin to Cayenne. All they and their robotic companions aspire to is to operate a noodle restaurant in San Francisco. Their crew includes Sweety, a three-legged wheeled bot, alongside a basic mixer with two arms and Staybehind, a humanoid soldier bot more interested in decorating the restaurant than fighting.

This makeshift family inhabits a remarkable era of human history. In the 2060s, California’s government decided that certain AI-powered robots should be regarded as individuals. However, officials worry that granting robots the same rights as humans could lead to an uncontrollable influx of robots dominating society. Thus, they have restricted essential rights “for their own good,” assuring the public that a vote could eventually expand robot rights.

Despite what their human counterparts fear, Cayenne and its companions do not seek dominance. They simply wish to pursue their passions. Rather than producing mediocre meals for distant human masters, they aspire to create what they genuinely care about. They symbolize immigrants in a new land, often viewed with skepticism, and at worst, they struggle to survive in a society that wishes them ill.

I’m intentionally drawing this parallel because it’s disconcerting how the fears surrounding immigration resonate with our anxieties about robots. We worry they will usurp our jobs, rise up against us, or disrupt cultural norms. Amazingly, those who voice such concerns about immigration often have never taken the time to understand the immigrants. Similarly, society projects those fears onto robots that do not yet exist. This reflects a troubling pattern: fearing those we don’t know or understand, and in the case of robots, not recognizing their potential.

This is why I do not envision a dystopian future dominated by machines when I think about robots and our society. Instead, I see a reality clouded by terrifying fantasies and restrictive laws. Rather than fearsome terminators, I imagine gentle, soft-bodied creatures like turtles and pneumatic arms. I’m observing Cayenne, apprehensive about human animosity and the vigilance against robot “threats.”

Humans craft narratives to brace for an unlikely future while often ignoring the realities unfolding right before us. Yet, we don’t have to follow this trend. We can develop our understanding based on empirical evidence and science, rather than indulging in surreal nightmares that will likely never materialize.

Annaly’s Week

What I’m reading

Torchon Ebuchi Racebook: A Personal History of the Internet, An engaging compilation of essays exploring cosplay, video games, and social media.

What I’m watching

Murder Bot, for sure.

What I’m working on

I’m wandering with an archaeologist through the Roman town of Talos in Sardinia, Italy. More details to come!

Annalee Newitz is a science journalist and author of the latest book, *Automatic Noodles*. They co-host the Hugo Award-winning podcast, *We Are Right*. Follow them @annaleen or visit their website at techsploitation.com.

The Arts and Science of Writing Science Fiction

Explore the realm of science fiction and discover the art of crafting your own captivating stories during this immersive weekend workshop.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

After Mating, Noisy Spiders Have a Taste for Their Peers—You’ll Be Surprised!

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Feedback provides the latest science and technology news from New Scientist, highlighting interesting items. You can reach out to Feedback@newscientist.com with stories that might intrigue readers.

Curious Connections

Earlier this year, feedback sought an example of “No kidding, Sherlock.” Reader Roger Eldem requested evidence supporting the claim that inadequate rest increases the risk of injury during prolonged tasks.

Roger hasn’t yet finished his research but continues to share examples of self-evident truths. Here are two more while we await further contributions. First, a paper published in June in Demographics presented findings concerning political preferences in relationships: Couples with opposing political views are more likely to separate. Phys.org has summarized this effectively: Research shows couples with conflicting political views face higher separation risks.

Feedback acknowledges that political differences can create tension in relationships. When did we start selecting partners solely by looks and style?

On the theme of problematic relationships, Roger shares another notable discovery from the 2016 Journal PLOS 1 titled Sexually cannibalistic behavior in colonial spider species. It discusses the dynamics of these spiders, where females often consume males post-mating. Research highlights that males may be choosy about their partners, preferring younger, more robust females.

As Phys.org aptly noted: Male orb-weaving spiders are often cannibalized by females.

No apologies here; feedback maintains its critical stance. The complexities are not as straightforward as they seem. Researchers indicate that males in solitary species may not be selected for, as they rarely encounter females, thus opting not to risk decapitation during mating. This contrasts with social species that carefully select males before sacrificing them for reproduction.

Clearly, many instances of “No kidding, Sherlock” exist. Can others find more examples? New insights are always welcome.

Disproven Fiction

As a long-time science fiction reader, Feedback enjoys revisiting stories that are now outdated. These narratives often held plausible premises that have since become unlikely or completely impossible.

Sometimes, what was once considered a “prediction” has been surpassed by time. For instance, Blade Runner was released in 1982 and set in 2019. Now, well over six years have passed since that date, with flying cars still absent. However, the film accurately portrayed the pitfalls of tech billionaires. Depending on your perspective, whether you subscribe to Star Trek or Terminator, the late 1990s were supposed to be defined by either superhumans born from eugenics or nuclear devastation.

We would like to highlight another phenomenon: groundbreaking scientific findings that undermine significant story premises. For example, World War discoveries previously attributed to the apparent absence of life on Mars.

A similar scenario unfolds in Revelation Space, a book by Alastair Reynolds. Feedback still cherishes these novels, and anyone who hasn’t delved into them should stop reading now.

The narrative revolves around the eventual clash between our galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy billions of years from now. Consequently, humanity is perceived to be limited by Inhibitors that restrict intellectual life until the crisis resolves.

However, on June 2nd, Natural Astronomy published a paper under an unexciting title: Uncertainty in Milky Way and Andromeda Collision. Researchers simulated the movements of galaxies within the local cluster and concluded that the current positioning and mass of galaxies leave room for dramatically different potential outcomes. They assert that “the fate of our galaxy remains completely open.”

Readers are encouraged to share other recent discoveries that have subverted plausible science fiction narratives.

More from GS

In the London Centric Newsletter, readers will uncover “The Real 5G Conspiracy: How Londoners Misrepresent Their Phone Signals“. The article addresses how, despite high mobile coverage signals, functional data download capabilities are absent. Londoners may claim to be connected to modern 5G networks, yet they lead lives devoid of 4G awareness.

The article was inspired by an app creator named SignalTracker, who tests various networks while roaming around London “with five different mobile phones.”

Capitalism continues to evolve. Reader Brian Darvel has drawn our attention to this mobile detective, Martin Sims.

Have you shared your feedback?

You can send your stories to feedback@newscientist.com, including your home address. Previous and current feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Extreme Winter Weather Not Caused by Wavy Jet Streams

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Wavy polar jet streams can lead to icy storms extending further south

Images of the history of science / Alamy Stock Photos

SEI 256798260 — Wavy polar jet streams can lead to icy storms extending further south

Images of the history of science / Alamy Stock Photos

Recent studies indicate that the increasingly erratic winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere is not solely due to more pronounced wavy polar jet streams.

The Arctic jet stream functions as a wind current that helps to maintain the balance between temperate and cold air in the Arctic region.

For over a decade, some researchers have engaged in discussions regarding the effects of the warm Arctic on the jet stream. This warming has reportedly intensified in winter, leading to severe storms that carry snow and ice much further south than usual.
However, doubts persist about this theory.

Testing this hypothesis has proven challenging due to limited satellite data and the natural fluctuations of the jet stream during winter.

Researchers like Erich Osterberg from Dartmouth University have sought to determine whether the recent behavior of the jet stream deviates from the long-term average.

Since satellite observations of the jet stream began only in 1979, researchers leveraged temperature and atmospheric pressure data extending back to 1901 to reconstruct the movement of polar jets across the United States throughout the 20th century.

They discovered that polar jets exhibited wave-like patterns during various periods, indicating that the current erratic behavior may not be unprecedented. In fact, at times, the winter jet stream was even more undulating than it is today. “What we’re observing with the jet stream now is not particularly unusual when you consider the broader context of the 20th century,” Osterberg states.

The winters in the Northern Hemisphere are becoming warmer and wetter, a trend emphasized by Osterberg even as climate change continues to provoke more severe storms and precipitation. “It’s evident that climate change is influencing extreme weather events significantly,” he remarks. “However, in the context of winter jet streams, these changes don’t appear to be a fundamental factor.”

Similarly, Tim Woolling from Oxford University highlights the importance of long-term data in identifying shifts in polar jet stream behavior, noting its significant variability in the short to medium term. “Utilizing extensive data records and diverse methodologies reveals that today’s North American winter jet patterns are not necessarily worse than in previous decades,” he explains.

Contrastingly, during the Northern Hemisphere summer, emerging evidence suggests that climate change has elevated tropical temperatures, leading to broader polar waves in warmer months. “In summer, it seems that the jet stream undergoes a fundamental shift in behavior, with larger waves leading to intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires,” Osterberg adds. “This phenomenon appears to be linked to climate change.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Dying Star Gives Birth to a New Element

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Enthusiasts of Marvel movies and comics might recognize the tale of Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir. This metal was crafted from the core of a dying star. While the power of the God of Thunder is not accessible to anyone, some of the heavy metals around us might originate from a long-dormant planet.

Similar to living beings, stars experience a life cycle. For stars with less than about 10 times the mass of the sun, the concluding phase is a White Dwarf. At this point, stars are compressed to the density of Earth and reach temperatures of around 100,000 Kelvin, approximately 100,000°C or 180,000°F. Unlike other stars, they cease to fuse elements in their cores for energy. Instead, they maintain their structure through Quantum mechanical principles and slowly release heat. This is why scientists often refer to white dwarfs as The dead star.

Nevertheless, under certain conditions, a white dwarf can experience one last surge of energy. There exists a limit to a white dwarf’s size, specifically 1.4 times the mass of the sun. If a star exceeds this threshold, gravitational forces can overpower its structural support, caused either by accumulating surrounding gas and dust or by merging with another white dwarf. This rapid compression ignites a chain reaction of fusion, culminating in an explosion known as a Type IA Supernova. Researchers estimate that such an explosion occurs in the Milky Way every 100-700 years.

A group of astrophysicists aimed to explore this phenomenon along with a rarer alternative. If a star is spinning while accumulating material, it can collapse into something even denser, a Neutron Star, and eject excess material without undergoing an explosion. The team simulated the aftermath of six different scenarios where the white dwarf collapsed after surpassing the size limit, known as Post Bounce. In these simulations, they adjusted various parameters, such as speed, width, temperature, and size thresholds of the white dwarfs.

They then controlled the initial conditions, including the mass of the white dwarf. Alkar simulated the behavior of low-energy particles referred to as liquid physics Neutrino 2D. Given the computational demands, astrophysicists typically simulate only a fraction of a second of post-bounce behavior. However, this team extended their simulation to 4.5-7 seconds to gain a deeper understanding of how ejected layers from white dwarfs behave.

The simulated white dwarf quickly collapsed, transitioning from a slower rate of 0.8 seconds to a rapid 0.04 seconds. The scenario diverged, with the unspinning white dwarf erupting into a supernova, while the spinning white dwarf transformed into a neutron star. In this latter case, the remnants of the stars were so densely packed that neutrinos collided with them, heating them up and ejecting them from the star.

The focus then shifted to the ejected material. The mass of material expelled ranged from 0.005 times to 0.05 times the mass of the sun, equivalent to about 1,700 to 17,000 Earth masses. Heavier elements like nickel can form during this process.

The researchers concluded that the outer layers ejected from collapsing white dwarfs could change rapidly during these events. They discovered that the material released was initially rich in protons and formed lighter elements but later became enriched in neutrons and heavier elements.

The team recommended developing more advanced 3D models of white dwarfs prior to their collapse for future studies. They suggested that astrophysicists could utilize these models to estimate the contribution of elements in the solar system originating from white dwarf collapses.

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Source: sciworthy.com

What is a Heat Dome? Understanding Hot and Humid Weather Conditions

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sweltering and humid conditions have impacted nearly the entire eastern U.S. this week, triggered by “heat domes” settling over various regions.

On Wednesday, a heat advisory impacted approximately 150 million individuals, with temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit spreading through the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast. The National Weather Service predicts that “extremely dangerous heat” will persist until Thursday.

But what exactly is a heat dome, and how does it contribute to extreme heat?

Heat domes form when a strong high-pressure system remains stationary over an area, trapping warm air underneath like a lid on a pot.

These thermal domes are typically influenced by the jet stream’s behavior. The jet stream is a fast-moving ribbon of air that flows from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere, impacting weather patterns.

The jet stream is powered by the temperature disparity between the chilly polar regions and warm southern air masses. As it travels around the globe, it can create ripples that form troughs and ridges, leading to unusual weather phenomena.

For instance, certain ripples can intensify cold snaps, while others can move and amplify heat, resulting in higher humidity levels.

Heat domes can persist for days or even weeks, contributing to prolonged heat waves that can be deadly. Heat-related illnesses and fatalities can impact individuals of all ages, but children, those with pre-existing health conditions, and older adults are especially vulnerable to sudden temperature spikes.

Research indicates that climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves globally. The hottest years on record since 1850 have all occurred within the last decade, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Some respite is anticipated later this week across the Midwest and East Coast, although temperatures are expected to remain high in the days ahead.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Why Climate Change Is Overlooked and How to Address It

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

For many years, climate scientists and advocates have held onto a sense of optimism. They believe that once the impacts of global warming become undeniable, both individuals and governments will take significant action. The hope is that a major disaster—whether it be a fierce hurricane, extreme heat, or widespread flooding—will force a collective recognition of the gravity of the issue and lead to meaningful change. However, despite the increasing frequency of such disasters, climate change continues to rank low on voters’ agendas, and effective policy responses remain elusive.

This widespread inaction is often attributed to various political or structural barriers. Yet, decades of psychological studies indicate that more profound factors may be at play. The human brain often fails to recognize gradual changes.

Many areas are experiencing severe climate-related issues, but for the majority of the world, the changes manifest as slow and subtle shifts in daily weather.

This gradual nature of change presents challenges. People primarily assess climate issues based on personal experiences: there’s a heightened concern for an unusually hot day than when the weather feels typical. However, as conditions quietly worsen, the perception of “normalcy” shifts. This is often referred to as the boiling frog effect, where subtle and gradual changes fail to trigger alarm bells, leading to a state of indifference: akin to a frog in a pot of water that is gradually heated.

In 2020, we researched climate impacts in Princeton, New Jersey. This area is not burdened by wildfires or droughts, but it has seen a loss of something significant: winter ice skating. For many years, Carnegie Lake would freeze enough for skating, but now it seldom does.

Conversations with long-time residents and a review of local newspaper archives revealed a marked decline in ice skating on the lake over the last century, evoking a sense of loss. This disruption to winter traditions made Princeton’s experience with climate change feel more immediate, tangible, and personal.

We then posed the question: could binary climate indicators—such as “Lake Frozen” vs. “Lake Not Frozen”—serve as more effective alerts than graphs depicting gradual temperature increases?

I explored this concept through a series of experiments. Participants were presented with one of two graphs. One illustrated rising winter temperatures in a fictional town, while the other depicted whether the lake froze each year. Notably, both graphs represented the same underlying climate trends, but reactions varied significantly.

Those who viewed the binary “freeze or not” graphs consistently acknowledged that climate change had a more substantial impact compared to those who saw the temperature graphs. Follow-up studies analyzing data from North American and European lakes corroborated these findings. When climate impacts were communicated in stark terms, individuals responded more seriously.

What motivated this difference? We discovered that binary data creates an impression of sudden shifts. When people observed a series of winters where the lake froze juxtaposed with years it didn’t, they perceived a distinct “before” and “after,” despite the gradual nature of change.

Climate change transcends mere physical challenges; it also encompasses psychological dimensions. As long as we convey it in ways that resonate, we risk desensitizing our warning signals until it’s too late.

We encourage policymakers, journalists, and educators to leverage these insights. Highlighting specific losses that resonate—such as winters without ice skating, drought-damaged harvests, and summers plagued by wildfires—can be impactful. Utilize visuals that contrast “what we had” with “what we’ve lost.”

Allow people to witness the changes—it’s not merely about the slope of the line.

Grace Lew is affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, while Lachitt Dubay is affiliated with UCLA.

Topic:

Climate change/
Global warming

Source: www.newscientist.com

Mind Electric Review: Purianand’s Enchanting Debut Unveils the Marvels of the Human Brain

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Pria Anand sees “a vast marginal space” between health and illness

David Degner

Electric of the Heart
Pria Anand (Virago) (UK); Washington Square Press (US)

As articulated in Gray’s Anatomy, it’s no surprise that healthcare professionals have inspired numerous popular narratives. The journey of a patient through the healthcare system mirrors the structure of classic storytelling, featuring beginnings, conflicts, and resolutions, often accompanied by various tensions.

Although medicine is often perceived as grounded in hard science (blood tests, medical imaging, treatment protocols), it fundamentally involves storytelling, a theme that Pria Anand explores in her debut book, Electric of the Mind: A Tale of the Strangeness and Wonders of Our Brains.

During her time at medical school in California, Anand was concerned that her aversion to storytelling might hinder her. Yet, she found that how individuals narrate their experiences could convey as much insight as any clinical test.

Anand pays homage to her predecessor, neurologist Oliver Sacks, drawing from his personal anecdotes while diagnosing and empathizing with patients. In Electric of the Heart, she acknowledges the influence of Sacks’s iconic work, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

While it’s unrealistic to expect anyone to reach Sacks’s level of ingenuity, Anand embodies his empathy, curiosity, and intellectual breadth. Her writing is both polished and insightful as she navigates complex neurological concepts, addressing the narratives of individual patients with similar finesse.

However, Electric of the Heart transcends mere “clinical anecdotes.” Anand’s core message emphasizes the vital role of storytelling in medical practice. The human craving for narratives is ancient, universal, and remarkably resilient, often thriving even in the aftermath of severe brain injuries, as she notes.

Regardless of health status, how individuals articulate their condition may diverge significantly from a physician’s evaluation or observable metrics. Anand recounts the story of a patient who entered a coma following a cerebral hemorrhage but appeared to recover fully, often mistaking Anand and her colleagues for her former medical team as she made her rounds among fellow patients.

No one can match the brilliance of Sacks, but Anand embodies the writer’s humanity and broad intellect.

Anand delves into the way our brains can mislead us, highlighting both the hurdles and the character of medical practice. However, it’s not just the patients’ misconceptions that warrant attention; doctors can exhibit similar biases and errors.

The evolution of her own health conditions has profoundly informed Anand’s work ethic—from sleep deprivation during her training to the “phantom noises” she began experiencing that prompted her concern. It was later discovered that these sounds stemmed from a vascular malformation connecting her brain to her heart.

The inherent “imbalance of power” in medicine signifies an ongoing struggle between empirical evidence and narrative, as well as between objective truths and subjective experiences—this dynamic exists not only in the realm of physicians but also among the false dichotomies pervasive in healthcare. Historically, many confidently given diagnoses have been based solely on “scientific” definitions. One can reflect on the notion of a “wandering uterus.”

Although comparisons between Anand and early reviewers might not be misleading, Electric of the Heart invites parallels with Glass Body, a personal narrative by Caroline Crampton that also explores hypochondria. Like Crampton’s insightful account, Anand elucidates “a vast liminal spread between health and illness” from her perspective as a physician.

Both works suggest a growing openness in mainstream media to not only drama but the complexities of medical intricacies, challenging the traditional notion that the divides between “healthy brains and failing brains” or illnesses and wellness are as clear-cut as they seem.

In Electric of the Heart, Anand exhibits empathy, humility, and a profound interest in humanity—qualities that define outstanding doctors and ideally should be prevalent throughout the medical profession.

Elle Hunt is an author based in Norwich, UK

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tips from Sleep Scientists for Falling Asleep More Easily

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A restless mind is a prevalent obstacle to achieving sleep

Andrii Lysenko/Getty Images

It might be due to age and warmer temperatures, but sleep is becoming increasingly elusive in my household. Between my husband’s insomnia, my child’s energy, and my own racing thoughts, our nights are filled with as much activity as our days. My social media feed has begun presenting videos featuring a technique known as “cognitive shuffle” for inducing sleep, prompting me to explore whether it actually works or if there are other mental tricks that could prove beneficial.

One major hindrance to restful sleep is a restless mind, the very challenge that cognitive shuffle aims to alleviate. Luc Beaudoin from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, has devised methods to help you divert your attention from spiraling thoughts and worries before drifting off.

How to Practice Cognitive Shuffling

The concept is straightforward. Pick a random word, such as “plonk,” and think of all the words you can generate from each letter. Examples include Primsol, Puma, Awards…lion, lemon, levitation, and more. As each word surfaces, spend some time visualizing it. This process creates a transitional phase between wakefulness and slumber, mirroring the spontaneous imagery seen in a “hypnotic state.”

Individuals who are good sleepers often report experiencing vivid images just before sleep, while poor sleepers tend to find themselves planning and problem-solving, as noted by Sophie Bostock, a doctor and sleep consultant. “It’s not that we need to empty our minds (which can actually be counterproductive), but rather we should steer our thoughts away from overly logical thinking,” she explains.

Cognitive shuffling seems to foster more fluid thinking. In a small study involving 154 students, those who reported struggling with “pre-sleep wakefulness” benefited from this technique, which shortened their time to sleep.

However, there lacks a gold-standard study on cognitive shuffling. Beaudoin himself conceded that there is no direct comparison between various cognitive techniques utilized at bedtime within the scientific literature.

Consequently, I turned to some of the world’s leading sleep scientists to inquire about their recommendations for anyone hoping to calm their minds at night.

Strategies for Insomnia Relief

Kevin Morgan from the Clinical Sleep Research Unit at Loughborough University in the UK directed me towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). “CBTI is internationally recognized as the first evidence-based treatment for insomnia disorders,” he asserts.

This therapy focuses on training individuals to manage intrusive thoughts, which can otherwise lead to cognitive arousal (mental alertness), elevate hormones like adrenaline, and disrupt the normal sleep process. CBTI also tackles other facets of insomnia by assisting individuals in overcoming anxieties about sleeplessness and teaches meditation techniques.

While effective, acquiring CBTI techniques typically takes about 6–8 weeks, leading to a high dropout rate.

Nonetheless, various elements of CBTI may be beneficial on their own. A 2021 randomized controlled trial indicated that meditation apps may alleviate depression and anxiety in individuals with sleep disorders, potentially contributing to better pre-sleep relaxation.

Morgan mentions that the component of CBTI that appears to yield the greatest benefits is sleep restriction therapy. This counterintuitive method “has proven to be extremely effective” by reinforcing the idea of spending limited time in bed without sleeping.

This echoes the advice I received from Colin S.P., a professor of sleep medicine at Oxford University. He emphasized that “you cannot force sleep. It doesn’t exist in a tangible sense,” he notes. “You can only encourage sleep. It’s an involuntary process that occurs naturally, not something you can will into being. So rather than trying to sleep when you feel ‘slept and tired,’ focus on creating a conducive environment.”

Designing a Sleep Sanctuary

Another straightforward suggestion from several experts is to cultivate a sleep sanctuary in your bedroom. “Sleep-friendly environments are crucial,” advises Joseph Zielzevsky, Senior Vice President of Research and Science Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. Others concur. “The top recommendation is to create a bedroom that promotes sleep—dark, cool, quiet, and uncluttered,” states Emerson Wickwire, Head of Sleep Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Many experts also highlighted the importance of avoiding screens before bedtime. The blue light emitted can inhibit melatonin production, disrupt circadian rhythms, complicate the process of falling asleep, and prompt unnecessary thoughts. However, Dzierzewski points out that many people engage with emotionally stimulating content, such as news and social media, right before bed. “Regrettably, over half of Americans admit to using screens within an hour of bedtime,” she mentions.

What I might implement with my children is a gratitude practice, as suggested by Bostock, backed by research indicating its efficacy in alleviating pre-sleep anxiety. “It’s remarkably difficult to feel grateful and stressed simultaneously,” she notes.

Perhaps the most significant advice I received wasn’t a trick or hint to quiet our racing thoughts at night but rather a prompt to genuinely prioritize sleep. Numerous specialists, including Aparajitha Verma, a sleep medicine neurologist in Houston, Texas, emphasized the necessity of treating sleep as a priority. Morgan reiterates that anyone dealing with insomnia should “seek expert help and engage in recommended treatment strategies as soon as possible.”

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased risks of dementia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and even cancer. This reality alone is enough to keep anyone awake at night. Additionally, thoughts of “organizing” my child’s room linger in my mind. Yet, I am resolved to place it at the top of my to-do list as an immediate concern—hopefully, that will serve as a positive first step towards achieving a restful night for all.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Archaeologists Discover 3,500-Year-Old Rice Remnants in Guam

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Rice served as a fundamental crop in the Austronesian region, which includes the ancestors of Taiwan and the islands of Southeast Asia. However, it was largely unknown in the Pacific Islands during their initial encounters with Europeans, with the exceptions of Guam and the Mariana Islands. A recent study conducted by scientists from Guam, China, and Australia highlights the discovery of abundant rice husks and leafy plant oils associated with red melted pottery found in the Litidian Beach Caves in Guam, dating back between 3,500 and 3,100 years ago.

Ritidian Beach Cave, Guam. Image credit: Hsiao-Chun Hung.

The presence of early rice in Pacific Island settlements is part of a broader narrative about rice as a staple in the diet of ancient Austronesian speakers, who formed the world’s most extensive language family prior to the onset of global colonial expansions.

Austronesian communities cultivated rice in Taiwan no less than 4,800 years ago, but cultivation of rice among populations in eastern Indonesia seems to have been carried over into the more remote Pacific Islands. The Austronesian ancestors migrated from Taiwan across the Asia-Pacific region approximately 4,200 years ago.

These early islanders introduced domesticated rice from Taiwan and returned to the Yangtze River Basin in mainland China, the source of these resources.

In this context, rice’s significance in the Mariana Islands in Guam and western Micronesia has garnered significant interest, as it was the sole island in the distant Pacific where rice cultivation occurred, as evidenced by historical records from the 1500s and 1600s.

“These findings provide fresh insights into ancient migration and culture,” states Dr. Hsiao-Chun Hung, an archaeologist at the Australian National University.

“To this point, archaeological records only showed traces of rare rice in the remote Pacific Ocean, dating back perhaps 1,000 to 700 years ago. The evidence we have found pushes that timeline significantly forward.”

Rice cultivation from excavations at Litidian Beach Cave in Guam. Scale bar – 10μm. Image credits: Carson et al. , doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw3591.

Dr. Hung and her team discovered ancient rice remnants in a cave at Ritidian Beach in northern Guam.

“Rice served as a daily staple in many ancient Asian societies, yet this discovery reveals that, in the remote Pacific Ocean, it was regarded as a valuable item reserved for rituals rather than regular consumption,” Dr. Hung remarked.

“Our investigations found no signs of ancient rice paddies, irrigation systems, or harvesting tools in Guam.”

“Our findings bolster the hypothesis that the first Pacific Islanders transported rice from the Philippines over 2,300 km of open ocean.

“This indicates not just their exceptional navigation abilities but also their foresight in storing and carrying essential resources across vast distances.

“The caves at Ritidian Beach offer unique insights into the lives of early inhabitants in the region, especially given that most other cave sites in Guam were affected during World War II.”

“Despite extensive exploration of outdoor sites, evidence of early rice usage had not been uncovered until this point.”

“This discovery highlights a profound and enduring connection between our ancestral heritage and our Asian roots.”

“Rice husks were found in the oldest cultural layer of this site, dated through a range of advanced methods including radiocarbon analyses of nearby human waste deposits.

“It is likely that rice was prepared and cooked elsewhere, as the grain processing would have left different kinds of evidence.”

“The humid cave conditions were not suitable for storing raw rice in a pot.”

“Ancient residues were only located on ceramic surfaces, ruling out conventional food storage options.”

Details of these findings are documented in a study published in the journal Advances in Science.

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Mike T. Carson et al. 2025. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation in remote Oceania: ritual use by the first islanders of the Marianas 3,500 years ago. Advances in Science 11 (26); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adw3591

Source: www.sci.news

Gastric Bypass Surgery Potentially Lowers Intestinal Cancer Risk

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Gastric bypass surgery is primarily utilized for weight loss, but it may provide other advantages

Portra/Getty Images

A widely recognized form of weight loss surgery may lower the risk of colorectal cancer by changing the levels of bile acids in the bloodstream. These findings could pave the way for new bowel cancer treatments.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is surgically altered to create a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. The small intestine is then connected to the upper pouch, allowing food and digestive juices to bypass most of the upper stomach and small intestine. Post-surgery, patients often feel fuller and experience quicker weight loss.

Earlier research indicated that this procedure is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer; however, the underlying reasons remained unclear. To investigate further, Rebecca Kesselling of the University of Freiburg, Germany, and her team fed mice a high-fat diet until they reached approximately 50% of their starting weight. They then performed a partial gastric bypass on some of the mice, while the remaining mice underwent a sham surgery that did not alter their digestive systems.

To isolate the weight-loss effects of gastric bypass surgery, the team grouped the gastric bypass mice alongside half of the sham-operated mice. Over six weeks, the gastric bypass mice lost about 20% of their body weight on average.

Subsequently, the researchers implanted colorectal cancer cells into the colons of the mice. After an additional six weeks, it was observed that colon tumors in the gastric bypass mice were two-thirds smaller than those in the mice that either continued gaining weight or lost weight solely through diet.

Additionally, cancer spread to the liver was seen in only one out of twenty gastric bypass mice, while it occurred in most of the sham-operated mice.

“Both sham groups exhibited similar tumor levels, but weight loss alone could not account for the lower cancer risk, suggesting that gastric bypass involves additional factors,” Kesselling explains.

The researchers speculated that this might be attributed to alterations in bile acids, which are compounds that aid in fat digestion. These molecules are typically produced by the liver, move through the gallbladder, stomach, and small intestine, and then return to the liver via the bloodstream.

“Bile acids are reintroduced into the small intestine during bypass surgery,” Kesselling states, implying that this process may lead to variations in intestinal bacteria that chemically modify these molecules.

The mice that underwent gastric bypass surgery displayed lower levels of specific bile acids, known as primary bile acids, in both their colon and bloodstream compared to the sham group.

To further explore whether changes in bile acids influenced cancer risk, the team conducted a similar experiment with another group of mice. Instead of gastric bypass, these mice had surgery that redirected bile acids to the latter part of the small intestine without altering the stomach.

Significantly, the team noted that this surgery also lowered primary bile acid levels in the bloodstream and decreased the size and spread of colorectal tumors as effectively as gastric bypass surgery. This was supported by an additional experiment, where they identified that primary bile acids promote the growth of colorectal cancer cells in laboratory settings.

The results indicate that focusing on primary bile acids may hold promise for cancer treatment. “We might be able to leverage various oral medications designed to reduce these bile acids to replicate some of the advantageous effects of gastric bypass surgery,” notes Vance Albaf from Louisiana State University.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Ancient Mammoth Task Boomerang is Twice as Old as Previously Believed

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ancient artifacts crafted from mammoth tusks are the earliest recognized boomerangs

Talamo et al., 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0

The earliest known boomerang could be over 22,000 years older than previously believed, indicating it was crafted during a time when early humans exhibited a rise in artistic expression.

In 1985, archaeologists discovered a 72-centimeter ivory boomerang buried beneath six layers of sediment within the Obwazwa Cave in Poland. Further analysis of sediment revealed bone beads from Homo sapiens, made from nearby thumb bones, antlers, fox teeth, and pendants. In the 1990s, radiocarbon dating estimated the thumbs to be 31,000 years old, while surprisingly, the boomerang dated only to 18,000 years ago—thousands of years younger than the associated crafts.

Sarataramo at the University of Bologna suspects contamination. “Even minor amounts of modern carbon from adhesives and maintenance can skew radiocarbon dates by tens of thousands of years,” she explains. The analysis of carbon-nitrogen ratios in the thumbs indicated collagen changes, suggesting that the samples were not suitable for reliable radiocarbon dating.

Redoing the dating on the contaminated boomerang would have wasted resources and unnecessarily harmed significant artifacts, according to Taramo. Instead, she and her team re-dated the human thumb bones and 13 nearby animal bones, using statistical modeling to reconstruct the timeline. Their findings indicated that the entire sediment layer—along with the boomerangs and thumb bones—dated to approximately 39,000 to 42,000 years ago.

“In a way, this serves as a reminder for museums; if you discover something extraordinary, avoid covering it with glue or any repair materials prior to completing thorough analysis,” she asserts.

This new timeline suggests that the ivory boomerang predates the second oldest known wooden boomerang created by Australian Indigenous peoples. Unlike other simpler throwing tools, like the 300,000-year-old wooden artifact found in Schoningen, Germany, the boomerang has a curved, aerodynamic design, although it may not always return when thrown, according to Taramo.

While it’s likely that these ancient boomerangs could fly, their size and construction likely meant they did not return to the thrower. They may have held symbolic or ritual significance, potentially related to their placement alongside the thumb bones within a decorative stone ring, which featured intricate carvings and reddish pigments, along with a smooth polished surface.

This discovery provides insight into the cognitive abilities and craftsmanship of early humans during a remarkable period of artistic growth, known as the early Aulignacian, which began around 40,000 years ago. This era saw the emergence of iconic artifacts, including mammoth ivory figurines, rock art, and aesthetically refined tools in Europe, notes Taramo.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Independent Estimates of Gaza’s Death Toll Exceed Official Figures

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Buildings destroyed in Gaza, February 2025

Imago/Alamy

SEI 256827338 — Buildings destroyed in Gaza, February 2025

Imago/Alamy

According to an independent survey derived from household interviews, about 75,000 individuals (3.6% of the population) in the Gaza Strip lost their lives due to violence between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025. This figure exceeds the Gaza Health Ministry’s estimate of 46,000 violent deaths in the same timeframe.

The research also indicated that approximately 9,000 additional non-violent deaths occurred during this period compared to expected norms in the Gaza Strip. This marks the first estimate of indirect deaths stemming from the conflict that began in October 2023.

The survey involved interviews with 2,000 randomly selected households, which detailed the current and prewar conditions for all household members. “We were present on-site and gathered data directly from the population,” says Debarati Guha-Sapir at Louban Catholic University in Belgium.

The research team encountered restrictions in several locations due to ongoing combat and Israeli evacuation orders, but they believe these limitations likely understate the actual figures rather than exaggerate them.

Guha-Sapir notes that Gaza’s Ministry of Health maintains strict death counting standards. For instance, deaths of unidentified bodies, such as those buried in tunnels, are excluded from the counts. This leads her to conclude that their estimates may closely reflect the true numbers.

Another independent study published in February determined that the death toll up to June 24, 2024, surpassed the official count. However, this study relied on online research and social media obituaries, making Guha-Sapir regard the current research approach as more credible.

Francesco Checchi from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which conducted the February research, disagrees, stating, “The findings aren’t necessarily more accurate than ours.” Nonetheless, he acknowledges that Guha-Sapir’s research is more recent and includes indirect deaths, providing a more comprehensive mortality picture.

The estimated 9,000 indirect deaths from the conflict is lower than previous estimates. For example, a letter in The Lancet in 2024 suggested that for every direct death, there could be four indirect deaths in Gaza, projecting a death toll of around 186,000.

However, Guha-Sapir points out that the direct death rates observed in countries like Sudan, where extreme poverty and inadequate healthcare predate the conflict, do not apply to Gaza’s context prior to the war. This distinction is crucial in interpreting the current situation.

Nevertheless, changes may occur if conditions continue to deteriorate. “As the situation worsens, the rate of non-violent deaths could escalate quickly,” warns team member Michael Spagat from Royal Holloway University in London.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Discovery of Hemifusomes: Biologists Unveil New Organelle Complexes in Human Cells

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A team of biologists from the University of Virginia and the National Institutes of Health has found that half of certain organelles can make up to 10% of vesicle organelles present in cells, yet they do not follow the typical endocytotic pathway.

Cutting-edge Cryo-Electron microscope images of rat-1 cells cultured on Cryo-EM grids. The lamellipodia and filopodia in the upper right corner illustrate the cell boundary, distinguishing the cytoplasm from the extracellular space (ext). Various vesicle organelles are highlighted, including early endosomal-like vesicles (EN, pink), multinuclear bodies (MVB, blue), hemispores (HF, yellow), and inverted hemifusomes (FHF, green). Scale bar – 0.5 µm. Image credit: Tavakoli et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59887-9.

“It’s like uncovering a new recycling center within a cell,” remarked Dr. Seham Ebrahim, a researcher at the University of Virginia.

“Many believe it plays a role in how cells manage their packaging and processing of materials. If this process fails, it can lead to diseases affecting multiple systems in the body.”

“One such condition is Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that may result in albinism, visual impairments, lung issues, and problems with blood clotting.”

“The challenges related to how cells manage their cargo are central to many of these issues.”

“We’re just beginning to grasp how these new organelles fit into the broader context of cellular health and disease.”

“This discovery is thrilling because finding a genuinely new internal cell is rare, and it opens up avenues for exploring entirely new paths.”

Utilizing Cryo-Electron tomography (Cryo-ET), the researchers managed to capture a significant number of images.

They propose that these organelles facilitate the creation of vesicle-based organelles, which function like mixing bowls, small blister-like sacs, and multiple vesicles.

This process plays a critical role in cellular sorting, recycling, and debris management.

Dr. Ebrahim stated, “You can think of vesicles as small delivery trucks within a cell.”

“Part of it functions like a loading dock where cargo is connected and transferred. It’s a step in the process we were unaware of.”

Many of these organelles have gone unnoticed but are surprisingly prevalent in certain areas of the cell.

Researchers aim to enhance their understanding of their significance in proper cell functioning and how issues with them can lead to diseases.

Such findings may contribute to targeted treatments for a range of serious genetic disorders.

“This is only the beginning,” Dr. Ebrahim noted.

“Now that we’ve confirmed the existence of hemifusomes, we can explore their behavior in healthy cells and investigate what occurs when problems arise.”

“It could pave the way for new strategies to address complex genetic disorders.”

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

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A. Cigarette et al. 2025. Proteolipid nanosap interacting with half of hemifusomes mediates polyspore formation. Nat Commun 16, 4609; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59887-9

Source: www.sci.news

How Does Society Respond to Babies with Two Genetic Fathers?

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

James Watson, a Nobel Prize-winning co-discussor of the DNA double helix, remarked in 1974, “All hell is unleashed politically and morally around the globe” regarding the potential of human in vitro fertilization.

Today, more than 12 million individuals are expecting through IVF, and the world seems relatively calm. Many of us may not have fully grasped this procedure.

Yet, what about our perceptions of future reproductive technologies? This question is sparked by the recent birth of a fertile mouse with two genetic fathers. While similar experiments have previously led to the creation of both motherless and fatherless mice, this new method is notable as it does not involve genetic alterations. Typically, this could also be applicable for human use.

Various obstacles, including low success rates and the removal of DNA from numerous human eggs, explain why such advancements aren’t imminent. Nonetheless, it is essential to begin contemplating the societal implications.

For some, the notion of a child having two genetic fathers may never be accepted, just as there remains criticism towards gay couples expanding their families. Changing such perspectives may prove challenging, if not impossible.

Like IVF, what used to be front-page news could eventually become routine.

However, one can expect a broader public to exhibit a strict moral opposition to this idea, along with a general sense of unease. The inaugural child born from this method is, in many ways, distinct from all previous human beings. IVF-born children come into existence through a process unimaginable to our ancestors but continue to carry the genetic lineage from one male and one female ancestor.

Is this significant? Just like IVF, what was once front-page news may soon be commonplace. In a time when reproductive and trans rights are being restricted in the U.S., engaging in objective discourse about emerging technologies presents a greater challenge. Fortunately, these questions do not require immediate answers.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Vagus Nerve: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

What is the vagus nerve?

Your brain communicates with your body through a network of 12 critical neural pathways that travel down your spine and extend throughout the body. Among these, the vagus nerve stands out as perhaps the most vital. This nerve influences digestion, heart rate, reflexes, and respiration.

This is why researchers are particularly fascinated by the vagus nerve’s functions, especially regarding how these bodily activities can influence your mood. Consider it a superhighway linking our brains and bodies.

Vagus nerve function

Unlike the quick “fight or flight” reactions managed by the sympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve triggers a slower, restful, and digestive response associated with the parasympathetic nervous system. This nerve comprises two thick cords of neurons (nerve cells) that originate from the brain.

The majority of the neurons in the vagus nerve are sensory (around 100,000 on each side of the body), relaying information from the organs to the brain, activated by sensory stimuli from the surrounding environment. The remaining neurons are motor neurons, transmitting signals from the brain to various organs, directly influencing muscle activity.

Why is the vagus nerve so important?

The vagus nerve is a vital component of the parasympathetic nervous system, influencing various bodily functions including respiration, heart rate, swallowing, sneezing, digestion, appetite, immune responses, and even orgasm.

This wide-ranging capability results from its diverse neuronal cell types that enable the detection of various sensory signals from different organs. Some neurons respond to chemical signals like blood oxygen levels or bacterial secretions in the gut, while others pick up mechanical signals from blood vessels and the stretching of intestines.

Consequently, vagus nerve neurons mainly relay information to the brain about the body’s status, enabling the brain to process this information and respond to maintain balance. However, some neurons transmit signals in reverse, facilitating communication between the brain and intestines, as well as controlling certain mouth and throat muscles involved in speech and gag reflexes.

The vagus nerve’s roles are numerous, and there may be functions we’re yet to discover. However, we know some ways to leverage its activity. For instance, doctors sometimes recommend “Valsalva Maneuvers” to activate the vagus nerve and decelerate rapid heart rates. Activities like coughing, bearing down as if on the toilet, or even handstands can be effective.

Read more about stress:

Long, twisty nerves

The term “vagus” translates to “wandering” in Latin, which aptly describes the vagus nerve. It extends from the brain down to the base of the spine and colon, branching out to critical organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines along its path.

As the longest cranial nerve in the human body, it plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating automatic functions like digestion while the body is at rest. Historically, it was termed the pneumonia nerve, due to its connections to both the lungs and stomach.

How is the vagus nerve connected to our happiness?

In stressful situations, our sympathetic nervous system triggers “fight or flight” responses for quick reactions, whereas the parasympathetic system operates more gradually to foster relaxation. It’s crucial for recovering calmness following stress.

Thanks to the vagus nerve, our brains can detect changes in breathing and heart rate, facilitating a balancing act between the two nervous systems. Although the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems don’t always sync perfectly, they can operate independently or in harmony. Disruptions in their balance may lead to digestive issues or mental health disorders. Chronic stress is linked to an overactive sympathetic response, a phenomenon noted in individuals suffering from depression.

Vagus nerve and heart

A key metric often utilized is heart rate variability, which measures the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Healthy heart rhythms typically exhibit slight variations; low variability may indicate an overactive sympathetic nervous system, indicating the body remains in a persistent state of combat or flight, while the vagus and parasympathetic responses struggle to keep pace.

Despite being a popular tool, questions regarding the true effectiveness of heart rate variability as an indicator of balance between the two systems continue to emerge. Heart rate monitors can supply this data, yet it’s best not to become overly fixated on the figures.

What happens if my vagus nerve is damaged?

Historically, stomach ulcers were often treated by severing the vagus fibers beneath the ribcage, based on the belief that the vagus nerve significantly contributes to acid production in the stomach, resulting in pain. Today, with advancements in medication, such surgical procedures are less common, yet they illustrate the repercussions of damaging a nerve with extensive branches.

Cutting the vagus nerve can eliminate its supply to the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, and portions of the colon. Without further surgical intervention, patients may find it difficult to pass solid waste. Those with gastroparesis face similar challenges, generally due to vagus nerve damage caused by diabetes, medications, or infections.

Moreover, more severe damage higher up the vagus nerve may lead to different consequences. For example, the chickenpox virus can attack the nervous system and rarely cause vagus nerve lesions, resulting in the inability to swallow, headaches, and ear inflammation. Preliminary research from Spain indicates that some of the symptoms associated with long COVID may also relate to vagus nerve damage, encompassing respiratory, vocal, and gastrointestinal issues.

Should I get a vagus nerve stimulator?

Current evidence indicates that devices designed for vagus nerve stimulation are generally safe. However, researchers express concerns about the rising tendency for home use of neurostimulators.

Individuals seeking alternatives to technology may opt for activities like yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and deep breathing exercises, believed to enhance the parasympathetic nervous system’s function and bolster vagus nerve activity. Additionally, there’s evidence suggesting that cold exposure through swimming or bathing can stimulate the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic system. Splashing cold water on your face may also have a similar effect.

While using an inexpensive device or signing up for a yoga retreat may appear to be a convenient fix when you’re not feeling well, consulting with your doctor for serious health concerns is always a wise approach.

Read more about how to relax:

What is vagus nerve stimulation?

The vagus nerve stimulation concept originated in the late 19th century when neurologist James Leonard Corning created an electrical stimulation device for treating epilepsy. Although it was initially set aside, it has evolved to help over 100,000 patients with epilepsy via implants or adjustments for brain lesions.

Several studies suggest that some individuals can reduce seizure frequency by as much as 75% with implants, with longer use amplifying benefits. Devices developed by US medical company Cyberonics are also approved for severe depression and chronic headaches.

However, surgical implantation isn’t the only form of nerve stimulation. You can access the vagus nerve via ear and neck branches, using devices like TENS machines commonly utilized for labor pain relief. Ear clips, such as those developed by Nurosym, offer stylish neuromodulators intended for individuals seeking relief from anxiety, depression, or fatigue.

Research on vagus nerve stimulation is rapidly growing, with ongoing trials exploring its efficacy in conditions like burns, obesity, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and tinnitus. The well-documented link between the vagus nerve and gut function also suggests potential therapeutic applications for common gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. However, accumulating evidence to support these treatments must take time.

How is the vagus nerve connected to our happiness? ©Myriam Products

5 Facts You Need to Know About the Vagus Nerve

It is the longest cranial nerve that extends from the brain to the large intestine, transmitting signals bidirectionally through neurotransmitters and gut hormones.
The vagus nerve fibers harbor 200,000 sensory nerve cells, with the ears being the sole area where these fibers reach the body’s surface.
The vagus nerve’s “bypass,” which enables direct impulses between the uterus and brain, may allow women with spinal injury to achieve orgasm.
Vagus nerve stimulation influences gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters associated with ADHD, hinting at potential therapeutic applications.
The medical term for fainting is vasovagal syncope, occurring when the vagus nerve is overstimulated, leading to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure.

Read more about the human body:

To submit your question, please email Questions@sciencefocus.com (don’t forget to include your name and location)

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Some NOAA Employees Rehired After Dismissal Now Receive Letters Demanding Repayment

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Some former employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who were dismissed, re-hired, and then let go again this spring report having received debt notices from the federal government requiring repayment for medical compensation which they assert they never received.

These workers describe this as the latest chapter in a firing process marked by confusion, inadequate communication, and insufficient documentation, leaving them grappling with fundamental workplace concerns.

Three NOAA employees provided a letter to NBC News labeled “Notice of Payment Request.” Dated June 16, the letter claimed the employee owed money (sometimes several hundred dollars) with potential interest on the amount. It also warned that any unpaid debt would be reported to the Credit Bureau.

“The language is very ominous and threatening,” remarked Salakoury, who was dismissed in late February from his role as director of the agency’s marine acidification program.

It remains unclear how many dismissed employees received this notice; two former NOAA staff members informed NBC News that they did not get such letters.

The notice indicates that the debt pertains to healthcare premiums for the eighth and ninth months of the year, during which the health insurance plan had already lapsed.

“After my termination, they attempted to file a claim related to their health insurance, of which I had no reports,” noted Ya’el Seid-Green, a former special assistant at NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research. “It’s just rubbing salt in the wound regarding how incompetent this is.”

NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster stated the agency could not comment on ongoing personnel issues and was unable to forward inquiries to the HR Administration, which did not respond initially. The Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA, also did not reply.

Following NBC News’s inquiry about the problems at NOAA’s Media Affairs group, probationary employees received an acknowledgment from their representatives about potential errors.

“Our office is aware that you may have received a debt notice from the National Finance Center (NFC),” read an email sent to a probationary employee. “Please be assured that we are collaborating with the NFC to address this matter. No action is required from you at this moment. We will provide further information and updates.”

In February, the Department of Commerce terminated over 600 probationary employees at NOAA, including hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers. Probationary employees typically serve their first or second year in a new position at the agency.

In mid-March, a judge ordered many of these employees reinstated, prompting NOAA to place them on administrative leave. However, in early April, the Supreme Court temporarily halted some of these reinstatements, leading to a second dismissal of the employees.

A former employee stated that the chaotic process of hiring and firing has resulted in documentation errors and confusion, leaving them unable to obtain answers from the agency.

Sabrina Valenti, a former budget analyst at NOAA, expressed concern that she has not yet received her separation paperwork from the agency.

“It has been four months since my termination, and there is no record acknowledging it,” she stated.

Additionally, the employees reported not having access to the health benefits that should have been available during their reinstatement period. Seid-Green underwent surgery in April while on administrative leave.

“We were receiving salaries during administrative leave, and our health insurance contributions were deducted,” she mentioned.

After her surgery, Seid-Green discovered that her health insurance had lapsed.

She subsequently applied to continue her temporary compensation, a program that allows government employees to retroactively cover their health benefits. However, that has also not been successful.

Seid-Green remarked that this effectively means she has been billed twice for health insurance she has not received.

“I’ve received letters demanding over $14,000 for the surgery,” she shared. “Not only did they fail to provide the compensation we were owed, but now they are sending us debt notices for benefits we never received.”

Tim White House, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting environmental workers and monitoring administrative issues, stated that these errors reflect deeper leadership failures within the agency.

“They are inflicting emotional and financial burdens on these employees. The Department of Commerce is at fault. Other agencies have resolved these issues, while they remain persistent in this department,” he concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Cancer Cells Hijack Mitochondria from Neurons to Fuel Their Growth

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Neurons Growing Among Cancer Cell Cultures (Stained Green)

Simon Grelet and Gustavo Ayala

Cancer cells are known to hijack energy-generating components from neurons, facilitating their spread to remote locations. This groundbreaking discovery may enhance treatments for the most aggressive tumors.

“This marks the first instance of mitochondrial transfer from nerves to cancer cells,” states Elizabeth Lepasky, who is not directly linked to the study conducted at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. “This signifies a pivotal advancement in cancer neuroscience, a rapidly evolving field.”

Prior knowledge indicated that both intratumor and adjacent tumors produce proteins and electrical impulses that promote cancer growth and dissemination. “A higher density of nerves within tumors correlates with a poorer prognosis,” says Simone Grelet from the University of Southern Alabama.

Earlier investigations have demonstrated that brain tumor cells can absorb mitochondria (the energy-producing organelles) from non-neuronal brain cells. However, the potential for tumor cells to extract mitochondria from neurons remained unclear, according to Grelet.

To explore this, Grelet and his team genetically modified breast cancer cells derived from mice to contain red fluorescent molecules and combined them with mouse neurons that had mitochondria labeled with green pigments in laboratory conditions. Imaging revealed that cancer cells can seize mitochondria from neurons within a matter of hours.

“Cancer cells extend their membranes to absorb mitochondria from neurons,” explains Grelet. “It’s akin to a lineup of mitochondria filtering through a narrow passage, entering the cancer cells sequentially.”

To assess whether this phenomenon occurs in vivo, the researchers injected red breast cancer cells into the mammary glands of female mice to induce tumor growth. They also genetically engineered the surrounding nerves to carry green mitochondria. Approximately one month later, 2% of the cancer cells in these tumors had taken up mitochondria from neurons.

Conversely, 14% of tumor cells that metastasized to the brain exhibited neuronal-derived mitochondria. This suggests that cancer cells acquiring mitochondria from nerves have a significant advantage over other cancer types. Further tests indicate that these mitochondria contribute to greater resilience against the physical and chemical challenges encountered in the bloodstream.

“Cancer cells face numerous hurdles in their migration,” remarks Repasky. “They must escape the primary tumor, navigate barriers to blood vessels, exit the bloodstream, and secure sufficient oxygen and nutrients at secondary sites. By appropriating mitochondria, it appears cancer cells can endure this tumultuous journey,” she adds.

To determine if this process also occurs in humans, researchers examined tumor samples from eight women with metastatic breast cancer. They discovered that tumor cells from distant sites contained, on average, 17% more mitochondria compared to those from breast tumors, suggesting that similar mechanisms are at play in patients, according to Grelet.

Moreover, the team analyzed human prostate tumor samples and observed that cancer cells near nerves contained significantly more mitochondria than those situated further away. “I believe this represents a common mechanism utilized by various tumor types,” asserts team member Gustavo Ayala from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

The findings indicate that inhibiting mitochondrial transfer could potentially curtail the spread of the deadliest tumors. “We are optimistic that this is achievable, at least for certain tumor types,” Repasky suggests. Ayala mentions that they are working towards developing a drug to facilitate this approach.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Generation Alpha’s Secret Language Hides Online Bullying from Detection

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Teenager language may make online bullying difficult to detect

Vitapix/Getty Images

The terminology of Generation Alpha is evolving faster than educators, parents, and AI can keep up with.

Manisha Meta, a 14-year-old student from Warren E Hyde Middle School in Cupertino, California, alongside Fausto Giunchiglia from the University of Trent in Italy, examined 100 expressions popular among Generation Alpha, those born from 2010 to 2025, sourced from gaming, social media, and video platforms.

The researchers then asked 24 classmates of Mehta, aged between 11 and 14, to evaluate these phrases along with contextual screenshots. The volunteers assessed their understanding of the phrases, the contexts in which they were used, and if they carried potential safety risks or harmful interpretations. They also consulted their parents, professional moderators, and four AI models (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and Llama 3) for the same analysis.

“I’ve always been intrigued by Generation Alpha’s language because it’s so distinctive; relevance shifts rapidly, and trends become outdated just as quickly,” says Mehta.

Among the Alpha generation volunteers, 98% grasped the basic meaning of a given phrase, 96% understood the context of its use, and 92% recognized instances of harmful intent. In contrast, the AI model could identify harmful usage only around 40% of the time, with Claude stumbling from 32.5% to 42.3%. Parents and moderators also fell short, detecting harmful usages in just one-third of instances.

“We expected a broader comprehension than we observed,” Mehta reflects. “Much of the feedback from my parents was speculative.”

Common phrases from Generation Alpha often have double meanings based on context. For instance, “Let’s Cook His” can signify genuine praise in gaming but may also mockingly refer to someone rambling incoherently. “Kys,” once short for “know yourself,” has now been repurposed to mean “kill yourself.” Another phrase that could hide malicious intent is, “Is it acoustic?”

“Generation Alpha is exceedingly vulnerable online,” says Meta. “As AI increasingly dominates content moderation, understanding the language used by LLMs is crucial.”

“It’s evident that LLMs are transforming the landscape,” asserts Giunchiglia. “This presents fundamental questions that need addressing.”

The results were published this week at the Computing Machinery Conference Association on Equity, Accountability and Transparency in Athens, Greece.

“Empirical evidence from this research highlights significant shortcomings in content moderation systems, especially concerning the analysis and protection of young individuals,” notes Michael Veal from University College London. “Companies and regulators must heed this and adapt as regulations evolve in jurisdictions where platform laws are designed to safeguard the youth.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Heart Attacks No Longer Hold the Top Spot as Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Training in Bystander CPR may have played a key role in decreasing heart attack fatalities over the last 50 years

Piyamas Dulmunsumphun / Alamy stock photos

Heart attack fatalities in the US have dramatically decreased over the last five decades, while deaths from chronic heart diseases have surged, potentially due to increased longevity.

“Significant strides have been made in reducing cardiac mortality, and we’re witnessing this transformation,” says Sarah King from Stanford University in California.

She and her team analyzed heart disease mortality data from 1970 to 2022, utilizing the American disease control and prevention database to monitor all recorded deaths nationwide.

In 2022, they discovered that heart disease constituted 24% of all US deaths, a decrease from 41% in 1970, significantly aided by nearly a 90% drop in heart attack fatalities, previously the deadliest form of heart disease.

“We’ve made remarkable progress in reducing heart attack deaths over the past half-century,” remarks King. This includes innovations such as cardiac stents, coronary artery bypass surgery, and cholesterol-lowering therapies. King also believes that public health initiatives, including Bystander CPR training and efforts to decrease smoking rates, have contributed to these improvements.

Nonetheless, the rise in mortality from other types of cardiac ailments has surged by 81%, indicating that many chronic conditions are leading to increased deaths. For instance, fatalities from heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease have surged by 146%, 106%, and 450%, respectively.

“Many of these issues are related to aging,” explains King. “Those who survive heart attacks seem to live longer, giving them more time to develop these chronic heart conditions.”

However, the statistics might overstate changes in cardiac mortality. “Various factors can lead to a person’s death, resulting in potential misclassification and oversimplification,” King warns. For instance, many patients succumb to heart failure following a heart attack. “It’s not a straightforward issue because the underlying reason for that heart failure is often a blockage in the coronary arteries,” she adds.

Still, the majority of heart disease fatalities aren’t directly caused by heart attacks. “Addressing these other causes of increased mortality will be crucial,” King states. “Discovering healthier aging methods will be the next frontier for heart disease.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

“Here’s the Interrupted Animation: Not What You’d Anticipate”

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Are there any forms of suspended animation? If you consider how animals hibernate during winter, that’s a natural example. However, if we reference the science fiction concept of stasis—where an individual is placed in a pod and frozen to endure an interstellar voyage—then it’s more of a fantasy.

That said, there are several realistic applications, particularly if we can address the challenges of preserving human tissues through freezing.

For decades, the possibility of employing cold temperatures to slow down biological processes has been recognized, and we’ve recently started using this method as a critical life-saving intervention.

For instance, patients experiencing a heart attack can undergo what is formally termed “suspended animation for delayed resuscitation,” wherein they are rapidly cooled to induce hypothermia. This process slows bodily functions and safeguards vital organs, especially the brain, albeit at the cost of disrupting blood circulation.

This approach significantly reduces the chances of brain damage and proves incredibly effective, allowing individuals to survive without treatment for up to 90 minutes.

This form of suspended animation entails dropping body temperature to approximately 59°F (15°C), compared to the usual 98°F (37°C). Temperatures below this threshold can result in cellular death.

Once the temperature dips below freezing, the large volume of water within cells turns problematic. Ice forms and expands, creating sharp crystals that can damage delicate cells and blood vessels.

Those who have suffered frostbite can attest to the harmful effects of extreme cold on body tissues. Completely freezing a person would be fatal.

Nevertheless, we successfully freeze human embryos, which can remain frozen for as long as 19 years before being thawed and developing into healthy infants.

The suspended animation envisioned in science fiction remains a distant reality – Illustration credits: Daniel Bright

Embryos typically freeze at an early stage when they consist of only a few cells, and they survive thanks to prior preparation. Protective agents are used to draw out water and prevent the formation of ice crystals.

These embryos are then rapidly frozen in a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196°C (-320°F), allowing for prolonged storage in suspended animation.

North American Wood Frog employs a similar strategy to survive winter. As the temperature drops, it can inundate its cells with glucose (a natural antifreeze), effectively freezing itself until both heart and brain functions cease.

The frog’s organs are encased in ice, yet the glucose inhibits ice crystals from forming within its tissues.

As temperatures rise, it gradually thaws and resumes normal activity. This process is a complex challenge for humans; every body part would necessitate risky water extraction and chemical solutions.

Hibernation represents a different strategy. Small rodents, such as mice and hedgehogs, permit their body temperatures to drop significantly, leading to a marked decrease in breathing and heart rate.

Larger mammals don’t need to reduce their body temperatures as drastically. For example, American black bears may drop from 36°C to 30°C (96°F to 86°F), reducing their metabolic rate by about 25%. This is usually sufficient to avert bone and muscle loss resulting from prolonged inactivity.

Being frozen is far from ideal, and for large mammals, it may be more advantageous than suspended animation through a hibernation-like state.

This article responds to the inquiry (from Safia Hall via email) regarding whether suspended animation has ever been realized.

Please feel free to email your questions to Question @sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Could Hidden Dehydration Be the Cause of Your Daytime Fatigue?

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Thirst is something we all encounter, and it can be quite uncomfortable. It’s also an early indicator of dehydration, which can escalate rapidly. Depending on factors like age, health, and environment, even mild to moderate dehydration can occur within just a few hours, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. If left unaddressed for 24 hours, severe dehydration can lead to critical issues such as shock and seizures.

Hidden dehydration (or hypochronic dehydration) is a more subtle condition that may arise from prolonged mild dehydration, affecting both physical and mental well-being.

Could this be the reason behind that frightening afternoon slump?

The Impact of Hidden Dehydration

As the name implies, hidden dehydration can be an insidious state, and you might be experiencing its effects without realizing the cause.

According to NHS guidelines, fatigue is one of the primary symptoms associated with hidden dehydration.

Symptoms include:
Dark urine
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Headaches
Lack of concentration

The human body is composed of around 60% water. The brain and heart contain about 73% water, while muscle tissues are made up of 75% water. Dehydration leads to lower blood volume and blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain, which contributes to fatigue. After lunch, many individuals naturally feel a drop in energy. However, inadequate hydration throughout the day can amplify this slump.

The NHS advises that adults should drink 6-8 glasses of water (1.2-2 liters) daily. Although staying hydrated is key, how much do we know about the quality of the water we consume?

Why Water Quality Matters

In the UK, we are fortunate to have high standards for drinking water recognized globally. Nonetheless, it still contains hard minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are harmless but may affect the taste for some individuals.

A consistent supply of fresh water can indeed help you meet your hydration goals as advised by the NHS.

“Installing a water filter is one of the simplest methods to enhance your tap water quality,” states Waterdrop Filter. “A filter can eliminate impurities and improve taste.”

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a purification method used by Waterdrop filters. Water is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane to remove various impurities, including:

Lead, arsenic, and mercury
Chlorine and fluoride
Microorganisms
Dissolved salts and minerals

The Waterdrop filter offers two reverse osmosis systems: the X16 and the A2. The X16 features an 11-step process with a 0.0001μm RO membrane that effectively reduces TDS, PFOA, PFOS, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, lead, and more. With a flow rate of 1,600 gallons per day, it is ideal for larger households. Note that it requires electrical installation under the sink, and it comes equipped with LED lights and energy-saving modes for water safety.

Check it out here for the Water Drop X16.

The A2 is a compact countertop system ideal for individuals or smaller households. This system includes a five-stage process with a 0.0001 μm RO membrane to minimize TDS, PFOA, PFOS, chlorine, fluoride, lead, and arsenic. It features temperature controls ranging from 10°C to 95°C, along with a touch control screen for customizable temperature and volume settings.

Check it out here for the Water Drop A2.

One Drop at a Time

Elevate your hydration habits by maintaining consistent water intake throughout the day, especially if you struggle with brain fog and fatigue during the afternoon.

For additional information about Waterdrop Filter products, visit this link.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Mysterious First Photograph of Killer Whale Raises Questions Among Scientists

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have found that endangered species of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest utilize tools crafted from kelp for mutual care.

A new study published in Current Biology reveals that scientists observed the Southern resident whales producing tools by tearing bull kelp and rolling it between each other during social interactions.

Drone footage captured the kelp being pushed against a companion, revealing a whale engaged in an extended grooming session.

“What’s particularly remarkable is that although this behavior appears to be common, despite the regular drone observations over these whales for nearly 50 years, it has never been documented.” stated Lead author Dr. Michael Weiss from the Whale Research Center in Friday Harbor, Washington.

The endangered Southern resident population has fewer than 80 individuals residing in the Salish Sea, situated between British Columbia and Washington.

While tool use is well recognized among primates, elephants, and birds, it remains scarce in marine species.

Weiss and her team observed this behavior across various age groups and social units, noting that whales are more inclined to groom relatives or older companions.

Two whales interact by rubbing against each other. These scrubs may serve hygienic functions. – Whale Research Center, NMFS NOAA permit 27038

Whales with greater amounts of dead skin participated more frequently in this behavior, suggesting a connection to hygiene.

The findings underscore the cultural identity of Southern residents and emphasize the necessity of conservation efforts. It remains uncertain whether this tool-assisted grooming is exclusive to this group or if it occurs in other whale populations.

Weiss remarked, “It was incredibly thrilling to discover that whales are not just utilizing tools but employing them in ways previously unreported in marine mammals.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Mosquitoes Are Poised to Become More Hazardous in the UK and US: Here’s Why

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

I woke up with a multitude of itchy red bites. And? Most likely, it’s those pesky mosquitoes that are causing the irritation. While they aren’t the sole culprits for the marks left behind, the redness is actually a reaction to the saliva from those tiny, blood-sucking insects.

Globally, there are around 3,500 mosquito species, including 36 in the UK and over 200 in the US, with only the females being the notorious bloodsuckers.

Mosquitoes are widely recognized as nuisances. Even in regions like the UK and the US, where concerns over diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika are minimal, it’s important to be aware of their potential threats.

However, Professor James Logan urges us to take these creatures seriously. He is the Dean of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s (LSHTM) School of Disease Control and the CEO of Arctech.

“As climate change progresses, more mosquitoes capable of transmitting diseases are encroaching closer to the UK and the US, including not just malaria-carrying mosquitoes but those that spread dengue as well,” he states.

“Currently, there are no active disease outbreaks, but that won’t be the case for long. It’s not a question of ‘if,’ but rather ‘when.’”

According to Logan, the US is “even further ahead” in this regard, with cases of dengue, malaria, and the West Nile virus on the rise.

In May 2025, the UK Health Security Agency reported the first detection of the West Nile virus within British mosquitoes.

Regardless of potential disease threats, mosquito bites tend to be a common nuisance every summer, with scant scientific evidence to support any immediate concerns.

In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has noted an uptick in visits to pages about “insect bites and stings,” indicating a rise in the number of people reporting bites in recent years.

“The warmer weather might encourage mosquito reproduction and activity, leading to more of them being around,” Logan mentions.

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Physical barriers like mosquito nets, window screens, and appropriate clothing can help protect against bites. – Credit: Holly Wilmes

Why do mosquito bites itch?

As the weather heats up, the mosquito population rises—so what makes their bites so bothersome?

It all boils down to the mosquito’s mouthparts, slender and needle-like, designed for sucking.

“Mosquitoes are drawn to your scent, warmth, and moisture. When they alight on you, they insert their mouthparts into your skin,” Logan explains. “The tip of the mouthpart navigates around, seeking a blood vessel, and once it finds one, it feeds from there.”

In the process of feeding, these unwelcome intruders inject saliva into your bloodstream to prevent clotting and numb pain, allowing them to go undetected.

However, the chemicals they inject can trigger an allergic response, resulting in those itchy red welts.

“When bitten by a particular mosquito species for the first time, the reaction is generally mild,” states Logan. “With repeated bites, your body becomes sensitized, and the reactions may become stronger. Continuous exposure can further adapt your immune system.”

Your immune system treats substances like mosquito saliva as threats, prompting white blood cells to produce antibodies. Consequently, your body reacts with redness or swelling during subsequent encounters.

This process is known as sensitization, akin to how allergies develop. Fortunately, regular exposure—termed desensitization—can reduce your response over time.

In seasonal regions, the intermittent summer exposure to mosquitoes means our bodies take longer to acclimatize.

How to keep mosquitoes at bay

Now that we’ve identified the problem, how can we prevent mosquito bites? While closing windows and donning long clothing are effective strategies, they may not be appealing during hot summer days.

You might consider installing insect screens or mosquito nets in your sleeping areas.

“Removing breeding grounds is also crucial,” Logan advises, as mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water—anything deeper than a bottle cap can serve as ideal breeding conditions. Ensure to cover water sources such as flowerpots, buckets, and bird baths, and eliminate any trash or recyclables that might gather water.

In addition, wearing insect repellents is advisable. Logan praises DEET (N,N-diethyl-M-toluamide) as “one of the best repellents available,” affirming its safety when applied according to product instructions.

If you prefer a natural alternative, consider using Lemon Eucalyptus oil, noted also as OLE or PMD. Other options include IR3535 and picaridin.

Some essential oils have shown promise; a 2023 study found that clove, cinnamon, and geraniol oils can be effective.

Despite this, Logan cautions, “reliance solely on natural solutions may not be sufficient.”

If you’re willing to invest further, consider “impregnated” clothing—this doesn’t refer to anything sensational but involves fabric treated with insect repellents or insecticides, typically permethrin.

“We also have plug-in devices that distribute pesticides throughout our homes,” Logan adds, “which can eliminate pests like spiders and flies that venture inside.”

Since mosquitoes are attracted to our body odor, changing our scent can deter them – Credit: Jaromir via Jetty

What to do if bitten

If you’ve already fallen victim to a mosquito bite, here are some tips to manage the situation.

“The first rule is not to scratch,” Logan advises, acknowledging the challenge. “Scratching only risks infection.”

In severe cases, mosquito bites could lead to serious infections, sepsis, or even limb amputation, Logan warns.

If a bite is particularly bothersome, you may consider over-the-counter antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams, although their effectiveness can vary.

“They may work wonders for some, while others experience little relief,” he notes. “Antihistamine creams need to be applied immediately after being bitten due to the rapid production of histamine.”

“Unfortunately, many people delay addressing the bite, making timely intervention essential.”

In summary, Logan emphasizes:

Read more:

About our experts

Professor James Logan serves as the Director and Head of Disease Management at the London School of Hygiene (LSHTM). He is associated with Arctech, a spinout from LSHTM. His research focuses on using sensors, insects, and other wildlife as biosensors for disease diagnostics and developing nature-inspired tools for disease surveillance. His team was the first to identify the connection between body odor and malaria infection.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study Reveals Two-Thirds of Cats Favor Sleeping on Their Left Side

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings from researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum, Ankara University at Prince Edward Island, and Bari Aldo Moro University reveal that two-thirds of domestic cats (Felis Catus) tend to sleep on their left side. This orientation provides them with a left field of vision, allowing the right hemisphere of their brain to have an unobstructed view of impending approach, while protecting their body.

Isparta et al. We propose that the significant left-side preference in cat sleep may have evolved alongside hemispheric asymmetry related to threat assessment. Image credits: Noah Dustin von Weissenfrue / Gleb Kuzmenko / Isparta et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043.

“Sleep represents one of the most vulnerable states for animals, particularly during deep sleep when vigilance to threats is notably diminished.”

“Domestic cats act as both predators and prey (to animals like coyotes), averaging 12-16 hours of sleep per day.”

“This implies they spend around 60-65% of their lives in highly susceptible states.”

“To minimize the risk of becoming prey, cats tend to rest in elevated locations, where they can better see approaching threats while remaining concealed.”

“In such elevated spots, predators can typically only approach from below.”

“Thus, resting at height affords cats a sense of safety, comfort, and a vantage point to observe their surroundings.”

The authors of this study examined 408 publicly available YouTube videos featuring individual cats lying on their sides in clear sleep positions, ensuring unbroken sleep durations of at least 10 seconds with full visibility from head to tail.

Only original, unedited videos were considered; those that were low resolution, obscured, duplicated, or altered (such as mirror images or selfies) were excluded.

The findings showed that 266 cats (65.1%) exhibited left-oriented sleep positions, while 142 demonstrated a significant left-sided bias as a population, compared to the 34.8% that slept on their right side.

“A cat that sleeps on its left side gains awareness of its environment upon waking with a left field of vision processed by the right hemisphere,” explained the researchers.

“This hemisphere is critical for spatial awareness, handling threats, and coordinating quick escape responses.”

“When a cat awakens after sleeping on its left side, visual cues regarding predators or prey are relayed directly to the right hemisphere of the brain.

“This suggests that favoring the left side while sleeping might be a strategic survival behavior.”

study published in the journal Current Biology.

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Sevim Isparta et al. 2025. Sleeping orientations of domestic cats on both sides. Current Biology 35 (12): R597-R598; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043

Source: www.sci.news