Rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal cities.
Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images
A recent review of the latest scientific data indicates that capping global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels won’t halt sea level rise for centuries to come.
“There seems to be a widespread belief that reaching 1.5°C will solve all our problems,” explained Chris Stokes from Durham University, UK. “While it should certainly be our goal, it won’t prevent sea level rise caused by the melting ice sheets.”
At present, global warming is on track for approximately 2.9°C by 2100, noted Jonathan Bamber from the University of Bristol, UK. “In terms of long-term impacts, we’re looking at a potential sea level rise of over 12 meters,” he stated.
Stokes, Bamber, and their colleagues have compiled data from satellite observations of ice loss and rising sea levels over the last three decades, historical data from warm periods, and satellite insights from models of ice sheets.
Older models that fail to incorporate crucial processes suggest that ice sheets take a significant amount of time to respond to warming, according to Bamber. However, satellite data indicates that the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets are reacting much more swiftly.
“The data presents a very different narrative,” Bamber remarked. “The mass loss observed in Greenland is astonishing and truly unprecedented compared to model predictions.”
Both Greenland and West Antarctica are not only losing ice, but their rates of loss are increasing, said Stokes. “And this is occurring with just 1.2 degrees of warming,” he pointed out. “The notion that limiting warming to 1.5°C would resolve this is misleading.”
Research on previous warm spells over the past three million years reveals that sea levels were significantly higher during those times, as stated by Stokes.
The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in 2021, forecasts a sea level rise of 1 to 2 meters over the coming centuries if global temperature rise is curtailed to 1.5°C, according to Stokes.
“We are pushing these projections forward,” he said. “It’s becoming evident that we are witnessing some of the worst-case scenarios manifesting right before us, based on mass balance satellite data.”
The team estimates that merely mitigating the pace of sea level rise from melting ice sheets to manageable levels will require the average global temperature to remain below 1°C above pre-industrial levels.
While wealthier nations may bolster their coastlines against rising seas, as ocean levels continue to escalate, this becomes more challenging and costly, Bamber warned. “Certain countries simply lack the financial resources for such measures.”
This highlights the urgency of taking action, according to Stokes. “Every fraction of a degree is crucial to the ice sheet,” he stated. “While I may alter certain points and thresholds, it’s vital to recognize that all degrees matter.”
Joe Biden’s recent prostate cancer diagnosis has brought awareness to these health issues within the public discourse.
Prostate cancer charities are urging men across the country to assess their cancer risk through signs and to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms like frequent and uncontrollable urination. Nevertheless, prostate cancer remains a nuanced and intricate condition.
The prostate gland is located beneath the bladder and typically enlarges with age. The urethra, which drains urine from the bladder, passes through the prostate. Consequently, when the prostate enlarges, it can compress the urethra, impeding urine flow and leading to symptoms such as dribbling and increased urgency to urinate. Overall, this is a prevalent condition.
Likewise, the incidence of cancers originating in the prostate is quite common. Autopsy studies indicate that 36% of white individuals and 51% of African Americans had unreported prostate cancer. In the 1970s, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This presents a significant challenge concerning prostate cancer. It can manifest in a form that causes minimal harm while also possessing a variant that is potentially lethal and can metastasize to nearby organs and bones.
The key to addressing this issue lies in identifying which cases pose a threat, as treatments like surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy may have side effects such as long-term erectile dysfunction and incontinence.
It is essential that patients avoid unnecessary treatments that do not benefit them.
Unfortunately, there is currently no straightforward method to differentiate between aggressive tumors and those that are indolent. A blood test known as the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test was created in the 1990s to monitor men’s responses to prostate cancer treatments.
This led Richard Alvin, the researcher who developed the PSA test, to remark, “The widespread use has resulted in a costly public health crisis.” This is due to the PSA test potentially generating false positives caused by factors aside from prostate cancer, including infections and benign prostate enlargement.
In the U.S., the Preventive Services Task Force reviews research independently and issues recommendations regarding screening.
In short, increased screening rates in the U.S. may have contributed to deteriorating health outcomes for men, as they pursued treatments for conditions detected through positive test results that were not life-threatening.
Despite a reduction in testing rates since their peak in the ’90s, prostate cancer mortality rates in the U.S. have gradually decreased over the years. This might be attributed to improved treatment protocols, rather than indicating benign prostate enlargement. Limiting trials to men who exhibit symptoms of prostate enlargement could prevent unnecessary cancer treatments.
To mitigate this issue and avoid unnecessary treatments, a “watchful waiting” approach has shown efficacy. A recent 15-year British study indicated that localized prostate cancer with low mortality rates whether treatment included radiation, prostate removal, hormone therapy, or observation. This underscores the futility of invasive treatments offering no significant benefits.
So, what steps can we take? In the UK, the National Screening Committee regularly reviews the recommendation for PSA screening for prostate cancer. Recent research has identified harmful cancers through MRI screenings, but there is still insufficient evidence regarding whether this can reduce death rates while minimizing excessive treatments.
Meanwhile, straightforward messages regarding the benefits of screening are being communicated to men without adequately addressing the potential drawbacks. Numerous screening events are organized by well-meaning charities during sports events. Advocates argue that informed consent is critical; otherwise, we risk offering false promises and ensuring minimal progress in men’s health.
The Hubble Team has unveiled a stunning new image of the intermediate Spiral Galaxy NGC 3511.
This Hubble image depicts NGC 3511, a mid-spiral galaxy located about 43 million light years away in the crater constellations. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Thilker.
NGC 3511 is situated approximately 43 million light years away from Earth, in the crater’s constellation.
Also referred to as ESO 502-13, Leda 33385, IRAS 11009-2248, or UGCA 223, this spiral galaxy spans a diameter of 107,000 light years.
NGC 3511 was discovered by the German and British astronomer William Herschel on December 21, 1786.
This galaxy is part of the NGC 3511 group, a small collection of galaxies that includes NGC 3513 and ESO 502-024.
“From Hubble’s perspective in orbit around Earth, NGC 3511 is tilted about 70 degrees, sitting in between galaxies that display edge-on features and those that exhibit dense flat discs, ideal for visualization,” Hubble astronomers stated.
Color images of NGC 3511 were created from individual exposures using UV light with the Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
Six filters were employed to capture different wavelengths. Colors are assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image tied to a specific filter.
“We are examining NGC 3511 as part of our research into the star formation cycle in nearby galaxies,” stated the astronomers.
“This observational program involves Hubble recording the properties of 55 local galaxies using five filters that permit light of varying wavelengths or colors.”
“One of these filters specifically transmits red light at a particular wavelength.”
“This vast cloud of hydrogen gas glows red when stimulated by the ultraviolet rays of a hot young star.”
“As illustrated in this image, NGC 3511 is filled with numerous bright red gas clouds, some of which encircle clusters of vibrant blue stars.”
“Hubble plays a crucial role in cataloging and determining the ages of these stars, which are generally a few million years old and several times larger than the Sun.”
A recent investigation by researchers at Binghamton University reveals that the wrinkle patterns on terrain caused by prolonged human hand immersion in water remain consistent and repetitive over time.
Images of skin wrinkles on topography were overlaid with each other from two different time points 24 hours apart, with opacity levels (a) 0%, (b) 50%, (c) 100%. Image credit: Guy German.
Several years ago, Guy K. Germany from Binghamton University conducted research into the reasons behind the wrinkling of human skin after prolonged exposure to water.
It was commonly assumed that water causes the skin to swell and wrinkle, yet substantial research to validate this was limited.
The finding revealed that the contraction of blood vessels beneath the skin leads to the formation of these wrinkles.
Recent research indicates that the topographical patterns of these wrinkles are consistent across multiple instances of immersion.
“The blood vessels maintain a relatively static position. They may shift slightly, but in relation to each other, they remain largely unchanged,” stated Dr. Deutsche.
“This suggests that wrinkles will form in a consistent manner, and we have confirmed this through our study.”
The researchers submerged subjects’ fingers in water for 30 minutes, captured images, and repeated the process under identical conditions at least 24 hours later.
By analyzing the photographs, Dr. Deutsche and his colleague Rachel Raytin observed identical patterns of raised loops and ridges after both immersion events.
“We also uncovered some fascinating aspects during our study,” Dr. Deutsche remarked.
“I learned that individuals with median nerve damage in their fingers do not exhibit wrinkles.”
“One of my students revealed, ‘I have median nerve damage in my finger.’ We tested this hypothesis—no wrinkles!”
While it was amusing to explore these inquiries, this new research may have significant applications in forensic medicine, such as in fingerprinting at crime scenes or identifying remains found after extended exposure to water.
“My father, a retired British police officer, encountered such challenges during his career in law enforcement,” Dr. Deutsche shared.
“Biometrics and fingerprinting are ingrained in my thinking. I constantly ponder these topics due to their compelling nature.”
Survey results will be published in Journal of Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials.
____
Rachel Raytin & Guy K. Germany. 2025. For reproducibility of the topographical pattern of water finger wrinkles, soak in human skin. Journal of Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 165, 106935; doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.106935
Mars exhibits various aurora processes despite its thin atmosphere and absence of global magnetic fields. Previously, all aurora observations have been conducted in ultraviolet wavelengths from orbit. In a recent study, planetary scientists reported the observation of a green visible wavelength aurora, generated from the atomic oxygen line at 557.7 nanometers (nm), detected by NASA’s Perseverance rover using the Supercam and Mastcam-Z instruments.
The first visible image of the green aurora on Mars (left) taken by the NASA Perseverance rover’s Mastcam-Z instrument. On the right is a comparison image of the night sky on Mars without aurora, featuring the Moon Deimos on Mars. The moonlit Mars night sky, primarily illuminated by the larger moon Phobos (outside the frame), has a reddish-brown tint due to atmospheric dust. Consequently, the addition of green aurora light results in a green-yellow tone in the left image. Image credits: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/ASU/MSSS/SSI.
On Earth, auroras occur when solar particles interact with the magnetic field, colliding with atmospheric gases at the poles and emitting light.
Green, the most frequently observed color, results from excited oxygen atoms emitting light at a wavelength of 557.7 nm.
Researchers have theorized for years that green auroras could also manifest on Mars, but noted they would likely be more diffuse and harder to capture than those on Earth.
Due to the absence of a global magnetic field, Mars experiences a distinct type of aurora compared to Earth.
One such type is the Solar Energy Particle (SEP) Aurorae, identified by NASA’s Maven mission in 2014.
These auroras occur when high-energy particles from the sun impact the Martian atmosphere, leading to a luminous display in the night sky.
“Our findings open up new avenues for aurora research and affirm that future astronauts on Mars could witness these phenomena,” stated Dr. Ellis Knutsen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo.
On March 15, 2024, the Sun’s solar flare production and the accompanying coronal mass ejection prompted auroras across the solar system, including Mars, with Perseverance capturing them for the first time from another planet’s surface.
Dr. Knutsen and his team utilized data from SEP instruments on NASA’s Maven spacecraft and ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft to verify the detection.
“They’re actively tracking this,” remarked Dr. Shannon Curry, a researcher at Maven and at the Institute of Atmospheric Astronomy at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
“We are thrilled to rapidly advance this observation and look forward to revealing what astronauts might see there.”
By correlating Perseverance’s observations with data from Maven’s SEP instrument, researchers can better analyze the detected 557.7 nm radiation from solar energy particles.
This emission line is identical to the green aurora on Earth, implying that future Mars astronauts may witness this type of aurora.
“The visibility of auroras from Perseverance enables new methods to study these phenomena, complementing orbital observations of Mars,” noted Dr. Katie Stack Morgan, the project scientist for Perseverance at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“A deeper understanding of auroras and the conditions on Mars that facilitate their formation is crucial for preparing to send human explorers there safely.”
The team’s study was published in the journal Advances in Science.
____
Elise W. Knutsen et al. 2025. Detection of the visible wavelength aurora on Mars. Advances in Science 11 (20); doi:10.1126/sciadv.ads1563
The recently identified species are part of the rare subgenus Bee Austrothil (genus) Megachil. These bees construct cells from skin within clusters of resin or tree bark, which are meticulously packed into twigs. Consequently, the author suggests “Pot Bee of Resin” as the common name for the bees in this subgenus.
Resin pot bee species Megachil (Austrothil) Tartoni. Image credit: David Pike.
Pot bees of resin are native to Australia, found across all states and territories except for Tasmania.
Dr. Remcoleis, a researcher at the Museum of South Australia, stated, “This group was previously believed to include seven species, with an additional 18 named in 1992.”
“Throughout the years, 23 more species were uncovered during field studies, including newly identified invertebrates and plant species found during various bushblitz investigations,” he added.
“Bush Blitz is a collaboration between the Australian Government, BHP Billiton, and Earthwatch Australia, aimed at recording the fauna and flora of select national reserves.”
“It also supports the identification of new species, allowing us to correlate newly collected specimens with existing species in Australia’s entomological collections.”
“This effort unveiled 20 more unidentified species residing in the collection, highlighting the significance of entomological collections as a source of discoveries.”
Dr. Katja Hogendoorn, a researcher at the University of Adelaide, remarked, “There is still much to learn about Australia’s critical role in honey production and pollination.”
“Despite the environmental and economic significance of native plants and crops as pollinators, the Australian bee fauna remains poorly understood.”
“An estimated one-third of bee species are yet to be documented scientifically, and insufficient funding for taxonomic research hinders the ability to assess conservation issues and take protective measures for native honeybees.”
“We may still lose a species we are unaware of.”
Currently, about 1,700 native bee species are recognized in Australia.
The research team discovered that there are 78 known species of resin pot bees, with almost half identified from a solitary location.
Dr. James Doley, a researcher at the University of Wollongong, stated, “We are diligently working to better our understanding of these species.”
“While the distribution of these species may be confined, there is a lack of sufficient information regarding their prevalence or population size.”
The findings appear in a new paper published in Australian Taxonomy.
____
R. Rays et al. 2025. Australian resin pot honeybees, Megachil (Austrothil) (Megachilidae), description of a new species of 71. Australian Taxonomy 90:1-119; doi:10.54102/ajt.ek0f9
Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new genus and species of Balacromian Ikuchosaur, based on a fossilized skull found in the Agua de Maderos Formation in Portugal.
Gadusaurus Aqualigneus. Image credit: Pratas e Sousa et al., doi: 10.4202/app.01199.2024.
The newly identified species thrived in the early Jurassic oceans around 193 million years ago.
It has been scientifically designated as Gadusaurus Aqualigneus; this marine reptile is a small Ikchosaur, measuring approximately 2 m (6.6 feet) in length.
“Iktiosaurus was a group of Mesozoic reptiles renowned for their adaptation back to marine life,” explained Dr. Joan Platas et Sousa, a researcher from Nova de Lisboa University.
“These creatures existed from the early Triassic to the late Cretaceous, but early Jurassic fish fauna is most commonly found in the European fossil record.”
“While some western regions are rich in marine deposits, southern areas like the Iberian Peninsula (encompassing Portugal and Spain) have very few and fragmented records.”
The nearly complete skull of Gadusaurus Aqualigneus was found in a planarized state, measuring about 35.2 cm (13.9 inches) in length, in the Agua de Madeiros Formation in 2021.
“The specimens we analyzed were collected in mainland Portugal, specifically in the San Pedro de Moel area,” the paleontologist stated.
“The fossil block was located in the sands of Agua de Maderos Beach, at a stream marking the boundary between Marinha Grande and Alcobaza municipalities.”
“This region lies within the Lusitania Basin, which is situated on the passive margin of Western Iberia in the Atlantic, providing exceptional marine records from the Lower Jurassic,” they added.
“The Lusitania Basin is a long, narrow structure bordered to the east by the Iberia Massif and to the west by the Valiskan Berrenga Horst.”
“The basin’s development coincided with the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, displaying various sedimentary facies from the upper Triassic to the upper Cretaceous.”
Phylogenetic analysis places Gadusaurus Aqualigneus within the Ichthyosaur Clade Baracromia, part of the Neoichthyosaur and Parvipelvia Clades.
“This specimen represents the most complete and well-preserved remains of Uoshima described so far on the Iberian Peninsula,” the researchers noted.
“Moreover, it is the first new species of this marine reptile group documented in Iberia.”
“This specimen predates the Toarcian Marine Anoxia Event, which is believed to have affected the lifestyle of later Ichthiosaurus species.”
“It’s reasonable to assume that ecological events during this period may have similarly influenced the lifestyle of this type, though further studies are essential.”
The discovery of Gadusaurus Aqualigneus will be detailed in a new paper published online in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
____
J. Platas E. Sousa et al. 2025. A new Ichaosaurus from the lower Jurassic of Portugal (Iberian Peninsula). Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 70(1):179-192; doi:10.4202/app.01199.2024
Astronomers affectionately name planets discovered around other stars after those in our solar system. For instance, the sun is referred to when a giant gas giant orbits a star, known as a Hot Jupiter. On the other hand, planets that are massive icy and gaseous entities located further from their star system are called Cold Neptune. Scientists have a keen interest in exoplanets that are several times larger than Earth, referred to as Super Earth.
Super Earths do not necessarily bear a resemblance to our planet. They do not have to reside in the habitable zone of their respective planetary systems, nor must they support life similar to Earth. Rather, they are defined by their dimensions; these super-Earths are larger than our planet yet smaller than Neptune, which is the smallest gas giant in our solar system. They can generally be rocky or icy, but may also possess gaseous characteristics.
In 2020, a group of scientists observed a star, dubbed TOI512, which is roughly twice as old and massive as our sun and appears slightly red. Their observations were conducted using the TESS satellite, which indicated that it contained two exoplanets. TESS works by monitoring selected stars over extended periods to analyze variations in their brightness. Scientists plot this brightness against time, analyzing the light curve to interpret periodic dips in brightness, indicating that an object passes in front of the star. By measuring the time between dips, astronomers can determine how quickly a planet orbits its star and how much light from the star is obscured.
Recently, an international team of scientists argued that TESS’s observations of TOI512 support different interpretations. They confirmed the existence and characteristics of a single Super Earth in the TOI-512 system instead of two exoplanets. Their interpretation of the light curve indicates that the exoplanet is located at approximately 7% the distance the Sun is from Earth. They suggested that regular dips in the TESS data for TOI512 occur about seven days apart, implying that the light blockage corresponds to a super-Earth about 1.5 times the size of our planet.
However, the light curve provides limited information about the exoplanet. To gather more details regarding its mass and composition, scientists examine how it exerts gravitational influence on its host star, observing the effect on the star’s emitted light through radial velocity measurements. They noted that the stronger the gravitational pull on the star, the larger the exoplanet. Consequently, this team followed TESS observations with radial velocity measurements from the ESPRESSO echelle spectrograph for rocky exoplanets.
By combining data from TESS and ESPRESSO, astronomers determined that the exoplanet orbiting TOI512 is approximately 3.6 times the size of Earth, with a similar density and an almost circular orbit. They estimated its surface temperature to be around 1,000 Kelvin, which is 736°C or 1357°F!
The team then modeled the composition of planets with these characteristics using statistical simulation techniques. In their model, scientists posited that the planets consist of four layers of varying sizes, including an outer gas envelope, an iron core, a silicate mantle, and water shells made of hydrogen and helium. They tested the model by generating 5,000 simulated stars that matched the properties of TOI-512, along with 2,000 simulated planets around each star.
Their findings revealed that the model could not replicate the properties of the TOI-512 exoplanet unless it featured a significant amount of surface water and a deep steam atmosphere. They suggested that this discovery challenges previous models of planetary layers, which assumed that rocky planets near stars lose both their atmospheres and water.
They proposed that this contradiction might imply that the planet is still actively shedding water, as earlier researchers have indicated that rocky planets can retain up to 20% of their original water for as long as a billion years. The team concluded that TOI512 is an excellent candidate for follow-up observations to determine if it is a steam planet or a model for future exoplanet studies.
New information regarding former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis indicates that while his case is not common, it is not entirely unheard of, according to the healthcare professionals who treated him.
At 82, Biden received a diagnosis of aggressive cancer on Friday after a nodule was found in his prostate, his personal staff announced. The cancer has spread to his bones, but his office stated that he is likely to respond well to treatment.
Most prostate cancer diagnoses occur at an early stage through routine screenings, which may include blood tests or rectal exams.
However, approximately 8% of cases have already metastasized to other organs by the time of diagnosis. In such instances, oncologists believe the patient may have had prostate cancer for several years, possibly up to a decade.
“We’ve encountered numerous patients facing significant health challenges,” stated Dr. William Dahoot, chief science officer at the American Cancer Society.
That said, exceptions exist.
“While most prostate cancers are slow-growing, some can develop rapidly and pose a high risk of metastasis,” explained Dr. Aron Weiser, a urologist and chief medical officer. “Is it common? No. But it can occur, dependent on the unique biology of that cancer.”
Screening facilitates early detection, yet there is disagreement among healthcare professionals regarding who should be screened for prostate cancer.
Many physicians refrain from screening men in their late 70s or 80s, as these individuals are generally more likely to die from other medical issues than prostate cancer. Nevertheless, with increasing life expectancies, some doctors consider screening appropriate for healthier older men.
According to the American Cancer Society’s recommendations, men in their 50s and 60s should be screened every two years. Men with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigens—a protein made by the prostate—should undergo annual screenings. Additionally, men at higher risk for prostate cancer, such as African Americans or those with a family history of the disease, should begin screening in their 40s.
However, current guidelines from the U.S. Task Force on Preventive Services, an independent panel that advises on practices often covered by insurance, state that men aged 55 to 69 should only consider discussing blood tests with their physicians. The task force is currently reviewing new screening guidelines for prostate cancer, with many healthcare providers advocating for a broader recommendation.
Weiser noted that there was a broader screening approach in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leading to premature diagnoses and treatments that may not have impacted patients’ lives. The 2012-2018 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended blood tests to help identify prostate cancer, resulting in decreased screening rates.
“Prostate cancer behaves differently; many cases are benign, not causing issues for individuals,” Weiser remarked. “The goal should be to identify aggressive cancers.”
In recent years, there has been a shift back toward increased screening as doctors have improved their understanding of which cases require treatment versus those that should be monitored.
Nevertheless, Dahut expressed ongoing concerns among patients and physicians about whether the benefits of screening outweigh the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Screening rates have declined steadily since 2012, and Dahut notes that this trend has led to a 5% increase in diagnoses of more advanced prostate cancer.
It remains unclear whether Biden has undergone prostate cancer screenings in recent years. His annual physical examination in February 2024 did not indicate a screening was performed, which is not unusual for someone of his age. A physical exam in 2019 revealed an enlarged prostate but did not lead to a cancer diagnosis at that time.
Dr. David Shusterman, a urologist based in New York, stated that Biden’s advanced diagnosis is atypical among patients who are screened regularly.
“It is rare for metastasis to have occurred in someone who regularly sees a urologist,” he said.
Diagnosis is often more prevalent in individuals who do not maintain regular medical consultations. Rick Gum is one such case; he was never screened before his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2018. Gum, a 73-year-old trucking company owner from Big Rock, Illinois, initially sought care for a hernia but was found to have aggressive cancer that had spread to his bones.
“I learned the hard way,” he remarked. “I should have visited the doctor.”
Gum noted that his cancer was too advanced for standard treatment, prompting his participation in various clinical trials at Northwest Medicine, which included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and treatments involving radioisotopes.
“I’ve enjoyed seven excellent years since my diagnosis,” he reflected. “They’ve been quality years. I ride motorcycles, travel a bit, and love my work. I’ve been able to do it all.”
Dr. Peter Nelson, vice president of precision oncology at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, mentioned that patients like Biden could have over a 90% response rate to treatments that lower testosterone—a hormone that can promote cancer growth. These hormonal therapies are typically administered through injections or tablets.
“He may start with multiple medications and anticipate several years of effective treatment before any resistance develops,” Nelson noted. Some patients also receive chemotherapy or radiation in conjunction with hormone therapy, he added.
According to sources familiar with the family’s perspective, Biden and his family are exploring “multiple treatment options,” including hormone therapy.
A significant storm is forecasted to impact Alabama this week, as the National Weather Service has halted radio services that deliver vital weather updates for the area.
The Birmingham NWS office announced it will conduct “mandatory scheduled updates” to the advanced weather interactive processing system, which is essential for displaying and integrating weather and water information and disseminating critical alerts like weather and water warnings to the public.
These updates are set to take place from May 19th to May 21st. During this period, the Birmingham office will manage the NOAA weather radio transmitter. The NWS states.
Despite the software updates, the NWS assures that weather forecasts, advisories, clocks, and warnings will still be available. However, radio outages are expected to affect transmitters in northern and central Alabama, including areas like Winfield, Wannta, Birmingham, Aniston, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, Auburn, and Texasville.
The NWS did not provide immediate comments, but the agency stated online that the Birmingham forecast office will remain operational while the software updates proceed. Additionally, forecasting duties will also be carried out at the backup office in Peachtree City, Georgia.
NOAA Weather Radio forms a nationwide network of stations that relay official forecasts, weather alerts, and other information from the National Weather Service. This continuous service covers warnings about various threats, including earthquakes, avalanches, oil spills, and public safety announcements.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which supervises the National Weather Service, indicated that NOAA weather radio stations nationwide will undergo necessary updates on a rolling basis for two to three days leading up to June.
“The NWS Local Office intends to inform listeners both on-air and through the website when updates are scheduled,” agency officials noted. According to the NOAA Weather Radio website.
Alabama is among several states facing the threat of severe storms this week, with thunderstorms on Tuesday predicted to produce damaging hail and tornadoes, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph across northwest and central Alabama.
This week’s radio service disruption aligns with Alabama’s severe weather forecast, but it is not the only state bracing for harsh conditions.
An estimated 31 million people are susceptible to severe storms on Monday, stretching from northern Texas to Iowa. Potential hazards include strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes from Monday afternoon into the evening.
On Tuesday, the severe storm outlook will slightly shift, affecting areas from northern Louisiana to Indiana, with risks of large hail, winds, and strong tornadoes re-emerging.
In the meantime, a heat wave has driven temperatures into the late 90s in parts of Texas and Florida, reaching triple digits earlier this week.
These alerts follow a weekend of violent storms, leading to reports of tornadoes in at least 10 states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, with a confirmed toll of at least 28 weather-related fatalities.
This deadly storm arrives as NOAA strives to fill critical forecasting positions nationwide following significant budget cuts to the National Weather Service during the Trump administration. Critics warn that the current staffing shortages in the NWS could pose a serious public safety risk, particularly with hurricane season on the horizon, increasing wildfire threats, and persisting extreme heat this summer.
Are teenagers at risk of harm from their smartphones? Experts disagree
Drazen Zigic/Getty Images
Efforts to achieve a scientific agreement concerning the potential risks associated with smartphones and social media among youth have sparked ongoing debates among researchers. This lack of consensus highlights the challenges policymakers face in relying on current evidence to regulate these technologies.
Valerio Capraro from Italy’s University of Milano Bicocca, alongside over 100 colleagues from various disciplines, has launched a “consensus statement” addressing the adverse effects of smartphone usage on teenagers. “Instead of prolonging the debate, we aimed to find common ground among different viewpoints,” Capraro explains.
The team evaluated 26 specific assertions concerning the impact of smartphone use on teens’ mental health. These included concerns that extensive mobile phone use may result in sleep deprivation and behavioral addiction, drawn from the book Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. While this work has significantly shaped discussions surrounding smartphones at New York University, it has also faced substantial criticism. Haidt is a co-author of the statement.
Researchers individually rated their agreement with each assertion and evaluated the robustness of the supporting evidence. Notably, 99% concurred that adolescent mental health has worsened significantly in the US, with similar trends observed in other Western nations. Additionally, 98% acknowledged a strong correlation between heavy smartphone use and sleep disorders. Over 94% identified specific challenges faced by young girls, such as peer comparison, pressure to appear perfect, and exposure to online sexual harassment.
Despite high agreement on these points, experts noted that the evidence merely indicates correlation and not causation. Many believe that further rigorous research, including longitudinal studies tracking smartphone users over time, is necessary to establish causality. In total, over 90% affirmed that there are issues affecting young people, yet only 52% supported implementing policy measures like age restrictions or limitations in schools.
Nevertheless, researchers argue that this does not justify inaction from policymakers. “While obtaining high-quality causal evidence for effective policymaking may take years, decision-makers often need to act quickly in a rapidly evolving landscape with limited data,” they emphasize.
However, scholars not involved in the consensus statement are challenging its findings. It has also drawn backlash over its stance on social media. For instance, Pete Etchells from Bath Spa University in the UK highlighted that out of the 288 invited experts, only approximately 120 engaged in the process. He suggests that those inclined to believe in the negative impact of smartphones are more likely to participate, potentially skewing the results. “I want to clarify the biases present in the expert dataset,” he notes. “I don’t believe this is intentional.”
Etchells, who has also authored a book on the topic, questions the selection process for the invited experts. Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics criticizes the chosen researchers for the consensus. “The extensive list was meant to ensure balance, but it predominantly reflects one side of the debate. If science lacks balance, it loses its integrity,” she argues.
Capraro defended the diversity of the panel, stating that “countless individuals are researching these topics worldwide,” making it impractical to reach out to all of them.
Concerns regarding participation have also arisen from Livingstone’s critiques. “The problem lies in the biased nature of the questions posed. They don’t consider,” she points out, “[whether] social media can enhance mental health, friendships, or a sense of belonging?” Capraro maintains that the study aimed to present as many perspectives as possible on this “highly debated topic.”
Capuchin monkey with white face of a man carrying a baby howler monkey
Brendan Barrett/Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior
Capuchin monkeys on a remote island in Panama are gaining attention as they acquire infants from the Howler monkey species.
A wild group of white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator) residing on Zikaron Island has been under observation with 86 motion cameras since 2017. Researchers are studying their complex use of stone tools to open hard fruits, nuts, and shellfish. By 2022, five years into their study, they observed one young male capuchin, nicknamed Joker, frequently carrying a baby howler monkey (Alouatta coibensis) for over four months, sometimes for weeks at a time.
Initially, researchers speculated this might be an unusual behavior. According to Zoë Goldsborough from the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, “I didn’t think we would find this.”
Months later, after observing Joker with the baby, four other young capuchins were spotted carrying howler infants as well. Over a span of 15 months, the capuchin group acquired 11 howler babies under four weeks old.
Researchers believe this behavior may spread through social learning, likening it to “primates and fashion,” notes Andrew Whiten, who was not involved in the study, from St Andrews University in the UK.
Baby Howler Monkey and two white-faced capuchins
Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Mature female monkeys might adopt abandoned infants from other species as a way to practice nurturing. However, in this case, it’s immature male capuchins engaging in the behavior. Instead of merely adopting abandoned young, they appear to be actively taking howler infants from their families. Although there is no direct footage of theft, researchers documented a capuchin preventing a howler baby from escaping, while howler parents called out to find their infants, showcasing the capuchins’ defensive behavior.
The abducted infants are likely too young to survive without maternal care, leading to their eventual death from malnutrition. Investigators have observed at least three howler infants being carried even after they have died.
Learning from peers can be advantageous. Even if the behavior does not yield any tangible benefits, Whiten suggests it may simply be an expression of curiosity.
The capuchins on Jikarón Island face little competition and lack natural predators, allowing them to explore new behaviors, perhaps as a response to ennui. Goldsborough notes that Joker, who is frequently seen utilizing tools, may embody this trend. “If a tradition exists, individuals are likely to imitate other behaviors as well.”
A baby Howler Monkey clings to the back of an older male monkey, whose small fingers grip the fur. However, they are not related and belong to different species.
Researchers have uncovered unexpected evidence of what they refer to as a monkey temptation while analyzing video recordings from a small island in Panama. Between 2022 and 2023, at least 11 baby Howler Monkeys were observed being carried by Capuchin Monkeys.
“This discovery was quite shocking,” remarked Zoe Goldsborough, a behavioral ecologist at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany. “Nothing like this has been documented in the animal kingdom.”
The motivation behind the monkeys’ actions is currently being studied. Capuchins are cat-sized monkeys indigenous to South and Central America. They are intelligent, long-lived, and observed to learn new behaviors from one another. One group in Panama has even learned to use stones as tools to crack nuts and open seafood.
Goldsborough and her colleagues from both the Max Planck Institute and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have set up over 80 cameras to investigate Capuchin tool usage, yet were surprised to witness the first baby Howler appearing in early 2022.
The footage revealed Capuchin Monkeys walking while using a stone tool, with a Howler baby secured on the back of one. However, the cameras failed to capture the abduction event. Scientists believe it likely occurred in the trees, where Howlers typically reside.
A baby Howler monkey clings to a young adult male Capuchin monkey on Zikaron Island, Panama in February 2023. Brendan Barrett/Max Planck Animal Behavior Research Institute via AP
“Our perspective on this story is limited,” stated Margaret Crofoot, co-author from Max Planck and Smithsonian. The findings were published in the journal Current Biology on Monday. In most instances, including all recorded cases, the baby Howler Monkey did not survive, researchers said. Infant Howler monkeys are typically carried by their mothers while nursing, and all the babies featured in the videos were mere weeks to months old—far too young to be weaned.
“I hope that perhaps some have escaped and returned to their mothers, but we truly do not know,” Crofoot added.
The footage documented numerous occasions of young male Capuchins carrying a baby Howler, which likely succumbed to starvation. Many species, including gorillas and Orcas, have also been observed carrying their deceased offspring, but the reasons remain unclear to scientists.
What prompted the Capuchin to do this? There were no indications of an intentional attack on the baby, nor were there signs of predation.
“We spent countless hours trying to understand the motivation behind this behavior,” Goldsborough explained.
The first Capuchin to carry the baby may have acted out of confused “compassionate motivation” or parental instinct, showing gentleness towards the infant. Other males then replicated this behavior.
Researchers believe that the Capuchins did not purposefully harm the baby. So far, only a single group of Capuchins is known to exhibit this behavior.
This study highlights “significant behavioral variations among social groups of the same species.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tasked the Food and Drug Administration with conducting a safety assessment of Mifepristone, the primary medication used in most abortions in the U.S. This week, Kennedy indicated that the review was prompted by a “surprising” report on significant adverse events that was released last month.
“At the very least, it clearly indicates that we need to modify the labeling,” he stated during the Senate budget hearing on Wednesday, addressing Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo). “We requested FDA Director Marty McCurry to carry out a comprehensive review and provide a report.”
The report suggests that neither peer-reviewed studies nor medical journals have identified a higher rate of serious complications from Mifepristone than that reported by the FDA. It calls for “further investigation into the harm Mifepristone may cause to women” and urges a “reconsideration of its approval entirely.”
Published online in April by the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, a conservative think tank that endorses Jewish and Christian values, the center is associated with the Advisory Committee for Project 2025, which pushes right-wing policy initiatives allegedly influencing many recent actions by President Donald Trump.
Conversely, data shows that fewer than 0.5% of women taking Mifepristone experience serious side effects, while the report claims the actual figure is about 11%.
Researchers studying reproductive health have criticized the report as junk science, exaggerating the medication’s risks.
Dr. Ushima Upadyyay, a public health scientist from the University of California, San Francisco, expressed on Thursday, “We should be cautious about public health officials demanding a review of science.”
“A rigorous study, which involved my own consultation with a clinician, ensured that the medication is safe for use at home,” she added.
The report claims its analysis is based on 865,727 insurance claims for women prescribed abortion medications, yet it does not disclose the database used, failing to adhere to standard scientific research protocols. Multiple external researchers have noted that the definition of a “serious adverse event” is broad enough to capture minor side effects like daily bleeding. However, the report’s authors assert that they excluded mild or moderate events.
Regardless, complications after medication abortions were categorized as “serious” in contradiction to medical consensus. The Mifepristone label already indicates that the treatment fails in roughly 2.6% of cases, with the physician community suggesting the failure rate may reach up to 5%. Additionally, the report classified ectopic pregnancies as serious incidents, even in the context of Mifepristone use.
Alina Salganicoff, the director of the Women’s Health Policy Program at KFF—a health policy research and news organization—asserted that the report “does not meet generally accepted research standards,” noting that using insurance claims to evaluate abortion outcomes is ineffective as “many abortions, especially early ones, are not covered by insurance.”
Rachel Jones, a leading research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, an organization advocating for abortion access, remarked that the report seems to stem from ideology rather than science.
“The FDA typically relies on clinical trials and studies, but this isn’t the case here. It should not influence current policies,” she stated.
The authors of the report responded to these criticisms in a post on the Center’s website, claiming the peer review system is biased against anti-abortion groups, leaving “no opportunity to publish peer-reviewed analyses that provide critical views on abortion medications.”
“As the largest ever study on abortion drugs reveals they are neither safe nor effective, the abortion industry has opted to misrepresent our findings to protect their financial interests, jeopardizing women’s health,” said the report.
Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Pro-Life Physicians Association, indicated that the report sends a message for the FDA to conduct a thorough reassessment of Mifepristone’s safety.
“We have long urged the FDA to conduct a more detailed review of the real-world complication rates,” she explained. “In my view, this report is timely and much needed.”
HHS, which handles media inquiries for the FDA, did not provide comments upon request.
Reproductive health researchers argue that disseminating flawed research represents one of the many strategies employed by anti-abortion groups to restrict access to Mifepristone, alongside litigation and lobbying federal officials.
“Organizations wishing to ban abortions often produce these types of studies,” said Jones.
Misleading research has previously contributed to legal challenges against Mifepristone access, which were ultimately withdrawn by the Supreme Court. In a 2023 decision temporarily revoking Mifepristone’s approval, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kakusmalik cited a study from an anti-abortion group that was later retracted by a medical publisher.
Attorneys General from Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri sought to revive a lawsuit in October against Mifepristone in the same Texas federal court. However, earlier this month, the Trump administration requested the judge dismiss the case.
Julia Kaye, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, indicated at a press conference that this might complicate the administration’s legal arguments in other ongoing cases. Other legal experts view this as a strategy to sidestep taking a definitive stance on abortion.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy pledged to align with Trump on abortion issues, proposing on Wednesday that Trump would ultimately determine how Mifepristone is managed in the U.S.
“We believe that policy shifts will ultimately pass through President Trump,” he stated.
When you picture dinosaur fossils, you might envision a parched desert or rugged terrain. Yet, one of the richest dinosaur graveyards in the world lies hidden in an unexpectedly serene forest in northern Alberta, Canada.
This site is known as the Pipestone Creek bone bed, home to tens of thousands of bones from Pachyrhinosaurus.
The mystery surrounding the simultaneous demise of many of these creatures is explored in a new episode of Walking with the Dinosaurs. This landmark BBC series returns to screens after more than two decades.
We spoke with Professor Emily Bamforth, a paleontologist and curator at the Philip J. Curry Dinosaur Museum in Alberta. Her research on Pachyrhinosaurus is featured in the new series, employing advanced technology to uncover what transpired during the catastrophic event that decimated the herd.
Dinosaur with a Boss
Pachyrhinosaurus may not be a well-known name—yet—it is among the most distinctive members of the Ceratopsian family, which includes the more familiar Triceratops.
“They are like their smaller, older cousins,” Bamforth explains. “Instead of having prominent horns on their noses like Triceratops, they possessed a large mass of bone known as the ‘boss’. They are the only horned dinosaurs with this feature.”
Emily Bamforth examines fossil leaves with her colleague. -BBC Studios/Sam Wigfield
To date, three species of Pachyrhinosaurus have been identified, all originating from northern latitudes like Alaska and Canada.
These dinosaurs could grow over 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weigh more than two tons, traversing vast distances in massive herds. Bamforth likens their movement to that of modern-day caribou, albeit on a much grander scale.
The fossil beds they left behind are enormous.
“Over 10,000 individuals are preserved here,” Bamforth states. “It’s one of the densest bone beds in North America, with 100-300 bones per square meter. The site covers a hill of at least one square kilometer. It’s a significant and very thick bone bed, making it incredibly valuable for research.”
The Mystery of the Mud
Given such high fossil concentrations, one question arises: How did so many dinosaurs die in one location at the same time?
“The tale of this particular herd of Pachyrhinosaurus is ultimately a tragic one,” Bamforth notes. “They all perished simultaneously due to some catastrophic event.”
This massive death occurred around 72 million years ago—well before the asteroid impact widely known for the extinction of the dinosaurs.
A young Pachyrhinosaurus wandering among the herd, as depicted in Walking with Dinosaurs. -BBC Studio/Laura Post Production
“I suspect it was a devastating flood event,” Bamforth posits. “Possibly from monsoon rains in nearby mountains or inland hurricane-like storms that caused massive flash floods similar to those witnessed today.”
While a disaster befell the dinosaurs, it became a scientific treasure trove. The rapid burial provided a snapshot of a remarkably intact herd, comprising individuals of varying ages.
Interestingly, it wasn’t just paleontologists who had the upper hand. “There’s evidence that theropods like Albertosaurus, along with smaller predatory birds, scavenged the remains after the flood,” Bamforth adds.
Read more:
Lessons from the Pipestone Creek Bonebed
Finding a dinosaur skeleton is rare enough. Discovering thousands in a single layer? That’s virtually unheard of. This presents scientists a unique opportunity to tackle inquiries that are usually impossible in dinosaur paleontology.
“Typically, we uncover one or two dinosaurs, or, if lucky, perhaps a dozen,” Bamforth explains. “However, the vast quantities of fossils from a single herd at Pipestone Creek provide a rare insight into intraspecies variation—the natural differences among individuals of the same species.”
Just as no two people are identical, Pachyrhinosaurus exhibited variations in size, decoration, and behavior. Bamforth and her team are particularly focused on the frills embellishing the skulls, which vary slightly among individuals.
“We are starting to understand almost everything about Pachyrhinosaurus,” she elaborates.
The bosses on their nasal bones were also distinct. Whether these served purposes in combat, attracting mates, recognizing individuals, or a combination of these functions remains under investigation.
Fast Forward Field
Since the original airing of Walking with the Dinosaurs in 1999, paleontology has evolved significantly, with Pipestone Creek serving as just one of many glimpses into the world of prehistoric life.
“Previously, the focus was primarily on discovering and cataloging dinosaurs,” Bamforth reflects. “Now, we delve into understanding their relationships with the environment they inhabited.”
This shift has been propelled by technological advancements as well as heightened public fascination. “Dinosaurs are more popular than ever, which is driving the field of paleontology at an extraordinary pace,” Bamforth asserts.
If Pipestone Creek demonstrates anything, it’s that dinosaurs still harbor many secrets even after 72 million years.
About Our Experts
Emily Bamforth is a paleontologist and curator at the Philip J. Curry Dinosaur Museum in Alberta, Canada. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alberta.
Prostate cancer specialists assert that former President Joseph R. Biden’s diagnosis is grave. Announced by his team on Sunday, it was revealed that the cancer has metastasized to his bones and is classified as Stage 4, the most severe stage of the illness. This condition is currently incurable.
However, prostate cancer professionals highlight that advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer have significantly improved the outlook for men facing advanced disease, primarily based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
“We’ve explored numerous avenues for intervention,” remarked Daniel W. Lynn, a prostate cancer specialist at the University of Washington.
Dr. Judd Mull, a prostate cancer expert at Duke University, noted that men experiencing prostate cancer that has spread to the bones can now “survive five, seven, ten years or even longer” with current treatments. In the 1980s, men like Biden might “wish to pass away from natural causes rather than from prostate cancer,” he pointed out.
Biden’s office indicated that he experienced urinary symptoms, which prompted him to seek medical evaluation.
However, Dr. Lin expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t believe his symptoms were related to the cancer.”
Instead, he suggested that the most plausible sequence was that doctors had examined Biden, discovered a nodule in his prostate, and conducted blood tests and prostate-specific antigen tests. PSA tests detect proteins produced by cancer cells and can follow blood tests and MRIs that indicate cancer.
Currently, Biden and other patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer are in a better situation than past patients. There are approximately ten novel treatments available for the disease that have significantly altered the prognosis.
The primary strategy is to inhibit the testosterone that fuels prostate cancer. When Dr. Muru began his practice as a urologist in the 1980s, this was achieved by surgically removing the testicles. Today, men have the option of two medications administered via injection that prevent testosterone production, alongside oral pills that achieve the same result.
However, these medications alone are insufficient. Therefore, physicians typically add one of several androgen blockers that further suppress testosterone.
Some men receive supplementary treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, depending on the extent to which the cancer might spread within the bones.
There have also been advancements in diagnostic procedures.
Previously, doctors assessed the degree of cancer in the bones through scans that detected inflammation. Now, they utilize a more precise scan known as the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET scan. This scan employs a radioactive tracer that binds to markers on the surface of prostate cells, allowing for faster cancer detection. Consequently, men with prostate cancer cells in their bones now often have a considerably better prognosis compared to those who underwent bone scans just a few years ago.
Additionally, there are medications available that block testosterone and others that can target cancer if chemotherapy and radiation therapy become ineffective.
Dr. Lynn pointed out that increased federal research funding, alongside Biden’s initiative to prioritize cancer research, has contributed to these advancements. He noted that Biden was “one of the first presidents to elevate cancer awareness.”
Regarding Dr. Muru, he remarked that men who develop stage 4 prostate cancer are now often filled with a sense of hope.
“There are now even more resources at our disposal,” Dr. Moul added. “The survival rate has nearly tripled in the last decade. The extent of change is truly remarkable.”
Absolutely, you possess beauty in every form. It shines through in your attractiveness, charm, intelligence, grace, and charisma (at least when you’re not in the midst of a nose-picking session).
However, there may be times when you don’t feel wonderful. For those trapped in that “ugly duckling” phase, numerous trends and products—from skin-taping to turmeric gargling—might seem to provide a way forward. Regrettably, many of these beauty hacks lack substantial evidence to support them.
So, what actually enhances your allure? And which myths should we ignore? Here’s what scientific research reveals: and spoiler alert—it fundamentally revolves around not being a jerk.
1. Charm is Truly Relative
The science behind charm is a bit complex. It’s become trendy for certain “podcast men” to either misuse or twist “scientific facts” regarding what people consider attractive.
Yet, beneath the chatter, there is an established scientific discipline that investigates appeal—delving into the characteristics that psychologists deem attractive to romantic and sexual partners.
Dr. Ed Morrison, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Portsmouth, elucidates that many charming traits often mirror a person’s underlying biology. “That’s evolution,” he notes. “When selecting your peers, you assess their biological markers: hormones, health, and genes.”
However, it’s essential to highlight that charm isn’t always that straightforward. As Dr. Veronica Lamart, a senior lecturer in psychology at Essex University, points out, isolating biology from culture can be challenging.
“Attractiveness is a somewhat subjective experience,” she shares. “At any given moment, certain physical traits deemed attractive might simply reflect advantageous characteristics or indicate social desirability.”
Across culture and history, concepts of beauty have varied widely, ranging from traditional Chinese foot binding and Japanese blackened teeth to the elongated skulls appreciated by ancient Mayans, along with practices among certain Tajikistani women emphasizing integration. Although these customs may seem foreign to outsiders, they represent culturally specific ideals of beauty and identity.
To sum up, beauty is not universal, objective, or static. It is profoundly shaped by culture—and some individuals may find themselves attractive while others are left bewildered.
Nonetheless, countless studies, primarily targeting white heterosexual individuals in Europe and North America, have attempted to uncover what traits people generally find appealing. The findings may come as a surprise to many…
2. You’re More Attractive on a Roller Coaster
Riding roller coasters can enhance attractiveness as adrenaline tricks the brain, misinterpreting fear as romantic attraction—Credit: Skynesher via Getty
There’s an abundance of tips for creating the ideal date, but Lamarch argues that incorporating healthy elements of fear and danger can amplify your emotions.
“Classic research was conducted on unstable bridges,” states Lamarche—research from 1974. “On unstable bridges, individuals rated others as more attractive due to the misattribution of fear stemming from their precarious situation.”
This phenomenon is termed the “misattribution of arousal” theory. Thus, LaMarch advises taking your date to an amusement park or watching a horror film (but maybe not both).
3. Attraction Isn’t About Income
The so-called “Manosphere” often perpetuates the idea that women are gold diggers, solely valuing men for their financial assets. However, Lamarche contends that much of the research leading to this conclusion is outdated and mirrors the patriarchal norms of its time.
“Fifty or sixty years ago, seeking someone who could provide financially meant something entirely different,” she explains. “In that era, when physical safety and happiness were at stake, it wasn’t as shallow as it may appear.”
In today’s context, there’s no compelling evidence that wealth is inherently attractive. Your efforts would likely be better invested elsewhere.
Money may be nice, but it doesn’t mean others will find you attractive. – Credit: westend61 via Getty
4. Vegetables Can Make You Shine
Though it may seem peculiar, consuming orange-hued vegetables can indeed enhance one’s appearance, as studies have demonstrated that specific plant pigments can improve skin quality.
Carotenoids—antioxidants found in yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, mangoes, and oranges—are key players here.
“When you observe someone’s skin, you’re essentially gauging their underlying health,” Morrison states. The study involved manipulating skin tone in photographs and asking individuals to rate the attractiveness of each image.
“In all instances, softening the skin tone tended to enhance appeal.”
You are what you consume, and if you indulge in plenty of orange vegetables, expect a hint of that vibrant hue to emerge. – Credit: Science Photo Library via Getty
5. Physical Appearance Matters Less Than You Think (Especially for Men)
Regardless of what Jim’s brother might insist, physical appearance isn’t the sole determinant of charm, especially concerning heterosexual men, as noted by Morrison.
Conversely, women tend to prioritize personality traits over mere physical attraction.
Lamarche notes, “People aren’t simply focused on who looks the hottest,” emphasizing that they often pursue those they view as most physically appealing.
6. Be a Good Person
All the most crucial captivating traits that both Lamarch and Morrison identify as universally appealing are interestingly simple.
Cross-culturally, individuals value kindness, dependability, intelligence, and honesty, while traits like aggression are generally viewed as unattractive.
Also, honor those close to you. According to the principle of proximity, “We tend to be more drawn to people who are in close proximity to us,” says LaMarch.
Morrison adds:
“The primary factor you can modify is how you present yourself. If your goal is to become appealing, cultivating an attractive, engaging, and interesting persona is likely the best approach.”
Read more:
About Our Experts
Dr. Ed Morrison serves as a senior lecturer and doctoral supervisor at the University of Portsmouth. As a member of the Center for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, he focuses on evolutionary models of behavior. Morrison’s research interests lie within the realm of human partnership initiation, particularly regarding movement and facial attractiveness.
Dr. Veronica Lamart is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Essex. She completed her PhD in Working Psychology at the University of Buffalo, New York, in 2017. Lamart’s research involves understanding how individuals manage trust and dependence in romantic engagements, as well as how feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability impact relationship stability.
Don’t panic if you step on the scale one morning and notice a sudden increase in numbers. For many, daily weight fluctuations of 0.5kg-2kg (1-5 pounds) are completely normal.
Instead of focusing on daily weight changes, observe trends over weeks or months, as various factors can influence your weight.
Some key factors that contribute to daily weight fluctuations include:
1. Water
Given that around 60% of your body is composed of water, consuming salty meals or a diet high in carbohydrates can lead to water retention, impacting your weight.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menstruation, can also cause fluid retention. These changes are typically temporary and should resolve within a day or two.
When considering your weight, keep the larger picture in mind. – Illustration credits: James Clapham
2. Food
After consuming food, it travels through your digestive system, temporarily adding weight until it is fully processed. Consequently, if you have a large meal late at night, the scale may reflect that the following morning.
Remember, this isn’t an increase in fat; rather, it’s a natural part of digestion.
3. Exercise
You might notice weight loss after a rigorous workout. However, this is likely due to water loss rather than fat loss. Conversely, if your muscles are recovering from exercise, they may retain water, adding temporary weight.
Over time, remember that the scale might not reflect fat loss accurately, as increasing muscle mass can result in weight gain even while losing fat.
4. Intestines
Constipation or weighing yourself around bowel movements can also result in scale fluctuations.
Staying hydrated and ensuring your diet is fiber-rich can help promote regular digestion and minimize variability.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can lead to dehydration, which may result in temporary weight loss. However, your body might compensate by retaining water the following day.
Read more:
The best way to weigh yourself
Be Consistent
Try to weigh yourself wearing minimal clothing, ideally after using the bathroom and before eating or drinking.
Check the Scale
Placing the scale on a soft surface like a carpet can lead to inaccurate readings. For reliable results, position it on a flat, hard surface like tile or hardwood flooring.
Bathroom scales provide inaccurate measurements on carpets; soft surfaces hinder proper weight distribution – Photo credit: Getty
Focus on the Big Picture
Don’t let daily fluctuations discourage you. Track your weight over weeks and months to identify significant trends.
Consider Other Measures
If you are regularly exercising or building muscle, don’t be alarmed if your weight doesn’t drop as quickly as anticipated.
Assessing other metrics, such as waist measurements and how clothes fit, can offer a more holistic view of your progress.
Consider taking photos of yourself over time to visually track changes in body shape as motivation during your weight loss journey.
Keep Your Perspective
Remember, weight is just one factor of overall health. Aspects like energy levels, strength, and general health are equally important.
This article addresses a question (asked via email by Jake Vitel): “Is the weight variation normal?”
Please email us to submit your questions:Question @sciencefocus.com or MessageFacebook,Twitter or InstagramPage (don’t forget to include your name and location).
Check out our ultimateFun Facts and more amazing science pages.
You can enjoy a healthy and sustainable diet without completely eliminating meat. Recent research.
Scientists at the Denmark Institute of Technology have analyzed 2,500 foods and concluded that consuming less than 255g of pork or chicken weekly is beneficial for both the environment and your health.
“We understand that the planet faces significant environmental challenges, while millions are dealing with hunger and malnutrition,” stated Dr. Caroline Helev Guevara from the University of Technology, Denmark, who led the research. BBC Science Focus.
“While there’s a strong emphasis on increasing plant-based food consumption, it’s still uncertain how much of it is necessary and whether these changes can truly have a positive impact.”
Agriculture utilizes 70% of the world’s freshwater – Credit: Getty Images/Pete Starman
The team led by Guevara examined 11 different diets, including options with red or white meat, pescetarian, vegetarian, vegan, and various flexible diets, to determine if they were “sufficient.”
They formulated thousands of food combinations within these dietary patterns, evaluating both their nutritional value and environmental impact.
Environmental effects were assessed in five key areas: carbon dioxide emissions, land use, water consumption, biodiversity loss, and fertilizer-contaminated water.
The findings revealed that it is possible to nourish the global population healthily without excessively harming the planet, with a variety of dietary choices available.
“We possess enough resources to provide healthy, nutritious foods to the global populace without surpassing environmental limits,” said Guevara. “This is promising news.”
The research identified around 100,000 healthy and sustainable food combinations. While vegan and vegetarian diets showed the greatest benefits, those including less than 255g of pork and chicken were also feasible—equivalent to two chicken breasts or one large pork chop.
The only option that was entirely off the table was lean meat, as it was deemed less viable due to its higher environmental impact relative to the nutrition it delivers.
“Producing lean meat generates more greenhouse gas emissions (mainly methane) than poultry and pork, mainly due to how ruminants digest their food.”
However, although such diets are feasible, their practical implementation may pose challenges.
“A significant shift in our food consumption habits is essential right now,” Guevara noted. “Our research focuses on what can physically be done, not what is socially or economically accessible. Structural changes are necessary to turn these sustainable diets into reality.”
About our experts
Caroline Helev Guevara is a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Environmental Resources Engineering, University of Technology, Denmark. She investigates the impact of human activities and industries on the environment.
When an unavoidable tragedy occurs and astronauts lose their lives in space, the astroforensics team is summoned to identify the perpetrator. But how does one investigate a murder in an environment devoid of gravity?
The Yo-yo Diet Phenomenon
Our fat cells possess memories, which may explain why so many diets fail. If the weight you shed continues to resurface, you may find yourself caught in a “yo-yo diet” cycle. Here are effective strategies to maintain your weight.
The Mysterious Galaxy
Six red dots identified by the James Webb Space Telescope are causing significant challenges for astrophysicists. These elusive points are so uncommon that they jeopardize our understanding of the universe.
The Intelligence of Fungi
New findings suggest that fungi may exhibit signs of intelligence… but does this imply they possess consciousness? While some experts believe they do, others remain skeptical. Here’s what we know.
plus
“Natural” Cosmetics: Why the once praised “natural” cosmetics could be more harmful to the planet than their lab-engineered counterparts.
Dark Oxygen: Researchers in the deep sea hypothesize that “dark oxygen” is generated on the ocean floor. Meanwhile, deep-sea miners dispute this notion, sparking a heated debate.
Q&A: Your queries answered! This month: Is suspended animation a reality? Does the deep sea have seasons? Why does Mars seem so peculiar? Is AI producing false memories? Can tumors cultivate their own organs? Is it possible to avoid “Ozempic Face”? Have you ever intercepted messages from aliens? And more…
It doesn’t matter if you average 8 hours of sleep or if you’re just six and a half years old. That largely depends on new research conducted by scientists from the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia in Canada.
This study suggests that cultural norms significantly influence sleep needs, indicating that instead of adhering to the universal eight-hour guideline, recommendations should be customized to fit specific countries.
“Sleep is influenced by more than biology alone. It is shaped by cultural expectations, work schedules, climate, light exposure, social standards, and various other aspects,” noted Dr. Christine Ou, an assistant professor at the Victoria School of Nursing, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “What is deemed ‘good’ sleep in one culture may feel excessive or insufficient in another.”
The OU team studied sleep patterns and health data from nearly 5,000 individuals who participated in an online survey across 20 countries, including regions from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Combining this data with findings from 14 prior studies, researchers investigated the connections between life expectancy, heart disease rates, obesity, diabetes, and the hours individuals slept.
Survey participants in Japan reported an average sleep duration of 6 hours and 18 minutes the night before – Credits: UBC Media Relations, PNAS
The findings revealed that sleep durations varied significantly across the 20 countries studied. French respondents had the longest sleep, averaging 7 hours and 52 minutes per night, while Japanese participants reported the least, with an average of 6 hours and 18 minutes.
The global average for sleep was found to be 7 hours and 15 minutes. Participants from the UK reported an average of 7 hours and 33 minutes, whereas those from the US averaged 7 hours and 2 minutes.
Interestingly, the OU team made some notable discoveries. They found no universal “ideal” amount of sleep that correlated positively with health across all countries. In fact, there was no evidence to suggest that individuals in countries with shorter sleep durations experienced worse health than those in nations where longer sleep is standard.
However, a consistent trend emerged. When asked for their ideal sleep duration for optimal health, participants from Costa Rica suggested an average of 8 hours and 3 minutes while those from Korea indicated 7 hours and 16 minutes. In every country, most respondents felt their desired target was about 1 hour to 1 hour and 40 minutes longer than what they typically achieved.
I may not know much about sleep, but some individuals indeed require more than others – Image credit: Getty
Those who maintained sleep patterns that aligned closely with their country’s cultural norms were generally healthier. For instance, in the US, sleeping around 7 hours and 2 minutes nightly correlated with better health outcomes.
“Our research revealed that when sleep aligns with cultural norms, individuals tend to be healthier,” said OU. “Understanding the cultural context allows for a focus on what genuinely supports health rather than fixating on a specific number.”
Throughout every country examined, significant deviations from culturally accepted sleep norms were linked to worsening health outcomes, whether those deviations meant sleeping too little or too much.
The threshold for excessive sleep where health outcomes began to decline varied, highest in the UK at over 10 hours and lowest in the US at 8 hours and 13 minutes.
Sleep psychologist Dr. Daljinder Chalmers from Kiel University remarked in BBC Science Focus, “Sleep is complex, and there is no evidence to suggest that everyone needs to sleep eight hours a day.”
Dr. Chalmers, who was not involved in the study, noted that in countries where sleep durations are shorter, people might take more naps during the day or have different sleeping habits altogether.
She continued, “When analyzing sleep and health, you must consider cultural factors.”
The researchers controlled for variables such as nutrition, wealth, inequality, and geography, but it’s essential to note this was an observational study and could not establish direct cause-and-effect relationships between sleep and health outcomes.
Read more:
About our experts
Dr. Christine Ou is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Victoria in Canada. Having begun her career as a registered pediatric nurse, she focuses on sleep and psychosocial health in families with young children through her research programs. Dr. Ou is also a member of Canada’s Active Perinatal Mental Health Joint Committee and recognized as a public scholar and rising star in applied science at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Daljinder Chalmers is a lecturer in health psychology at Kiel University specializing in sleep. She boasts extensive experience in academia, public service, and the NHS. Dr. Chalmers holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bedfordshire University, a Master of Science in Health Psychology from Derby University, and a PhD from the University of Portsmouth.
While creative thinking may seem entirely novel, recent studies indicate that our imagination is intricately linked to memory more than we realize.
The latest research reveals that individuals who can recall small, seemingly trivial details excel in generating creative ideas.
“This indicates that creative thinkers perceive and interpret the world in a unique way,” stated Dr. Felix Chan, an assistant professor at the University of Birmingham. BBC Science Focus. Chan was not part of this study.
“They might follow the same narrative, but they retain elements that most people overlook as insignificant.”
In this investigation, 220 participants listened to one of four audio narratives, which varied from Hitchcock’s thrillers to true crime, romance, and fantasy. Throughout the listening process, researchers monitored participants’ brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Afterwards, participants were prompted to recall the story and devise their own alternative endings. These creative outcomes were evaluated by four independent judges trained in storytelling.
Ultimately, researchers found that certain participants (those who remembered details not central to the plot) received higher ratings for their original, imaginative story endings.
Brain scans supported these findings. Specifically, creative thinkers exhibited distinctive activity in the emotionally engaged region of the brain (the anterior cingulate cortex), along with robust and sustained activity in the hippocampus, the brain’s center for memory, particularly during the less pivotal segments of the story.
This suggests that creativity may stem from reconfiguring memories, implying that new ideas are often built upon previous recollections.
“This is an exceptionally creative exploration of creativity,” Chan concluded. “Researchers aimed to uncover how our brains are capable of producing original thoughts. Essentially, what elements in our brains fuel our imagination.”
Read more:
About our experts
Dr. Felix Chan is a neuroscientist specializing in training to comprehend brain activity and function. His expertise lies in understanding what energizes our brains and how this translates into cognitive activity. He figuratively understands “food for thought.” Currently, he serves as an associate professor of pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Pharmacy, University of Birmingham.
Mars once boasted a sprawling ocean across its surface. Over time, the magnetic field diminished, the atmosphere thinned, and the water vanished. Yet, the total isn’t accounted for. This water must have disappeared somewhere as the red planet transitioned from a watery haven to the dusty landscape we recognize today. So, what happened to it?
A recent study published in National Science Review by researchers from China, Australia, and Italy has uncovered potential vast reservoirs of water located deep beneath the planet’s surface, providing answers about its fate. Unlike the icy reservoirs found elsewhere on Mars, this water is believed to remain in liquid form, making it a promising candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Around 4 billion years ago, liquid water covered much of Mars’s surface. If evenly distributed, this water would have created a global ocean approximately 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) deep, comparable to the volume of the Indian Ocean on Earth today.
While exact figures are still under debate, this estimation highlights a significant discrepancy.
“Estimated losses of liquid water due to atmospheric escape and crust hydration are predicted to be between 10-200 meters (33-656 feet) and 550 meters (1,800 feet) respectively,” stated Waijia Sun, a geophysics professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and lead author of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
“Current estimates suggest a total of 20-40 meters (66-131 feet) of water exists in Mars’s atmosphere and as ice in polar or subsurface deposits.”
The “missing water” on Mars, estimated at a range between 710 and 920 meters (2,330 and 3,020 feet), remains unaccounted for, according to Sun and colleagues.
Marsquakes and Meteorites
With NASA’s InSight lander landing on Mars on November 26, 2018, a new perspective of the planet’s interior became available. Equipped with a dome housing a seismometer, it measures seismic activity similar to how earthquakes are monitored on Earth, dubbed “pulsing” by NASA.
The research team utilized measurements from two meteor impacts and seismic waves generated by a “Marsquake.” BBC Science Focus co-author Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić compared this technique to medical ultrasound, allowing glimpses into the Martian interior.
“In essence, earthquake waves generated from distant events travel through the Earth’s crust beneath the seismometer,” explained Tkalčić. “By analyzing their reverberations, we can deduce the thickness of these layers and the depth of boundaries.”
Scientists set up solar arrays for NASA’s InSight Lander in 2015 – Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Lockheed Martin
Seismic waves travel faster through rock that contains water. By measuring the velocity of waves resulting from impacts or quakes, scientists can investigate the presence of deep underground water without the need for excavation.
This innovative method, known as the “receiver function,” enabled the team to identify layers approximately 5.4-8 km (3.4-5 miles) below the Martian surface where seismic waves slow down, indicating water’s presence.
At these depths, temperatures are sufficient for liquid water to exist. Researchers estimate that the water present ranges between 520-780 meters (1,700-2,560 feet) beneath the surface.
Could There Be Life on Mars?
If substantial aquifers lie below the Martian surface, it could be an ideal location to search for alien life. Water is a crucial element for life on Earth, sustaining even deep subterranean microorganisms like bacteria and archaea, which constitute around 15% of Earth’s total biomass.
While finding complex life forms is unlikely at such depths on Mars, microbial life remains a distinct possibility.
“The availability of liquid water is viewed as a key factor in our search for life, as it is essential for existence,” noted Tkalčić. “Consequently, pinpointing locations with liquid water on Mars is vital for identifying potential life.”
Additionally, if humanity establishes a presence on Mars, water becomes a critical resource. Excavating kilometers below the surface presents significant engineering challenges, but such obstacles are to be expected in pioneering a human settlement on another planet.
However, before rushing to buy tickets to Mars, Sun and Tkalčić caution that the aquifer’s existence is not yet confirmed. They emphasize the necessity for additional data before reaching any conclusions.
Liquid water is the most plausible explanation supported by current data, but other viable explanations for the observed seismic waves, such as layers of sediment, exist.
Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić oversees seismology and mathematics in geophysics and heads the Warramunga Seismic & Infrasound Facility at the Australian National University – Photo credit: Jamie Kidston/ANU
On Earth, seismic measurements are taken from numerous seismometers worldwide that cross-validate data points. The situation is different on Mars.
“We must remember that we are limited to data from a single seismometer on a faraway planet. It’s a challenging observational environment, and we are maximizing the quality and quantity of our data,” Tkalčić added.
Researchers aspire that upcoming Mars missions equipped with more seismometers will facilitate more comprehensive studies across the planet. Eventually, we may even analyze the crust for direct chemical evidence of water, and potentially signs of life.
For now, this research offers a hopeful glimpse into what future missions may reveal. Sun remarked: “These findings shed light on the evolution of Mars’s water cycle and its potential habitability, laying a solid groundwork for future inquiries into Martian life and the planet’s climatic history.”
Read more:
About Our Experts
Weijia Sun is a professor of geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recognized for his work in Earth and Planetary Physics. His research has appeared in prominent journals such as Nature, Geophysical Research Letters, and Journal of Geophysical Research.
Hrvoje Tkalčić heads the Geophysics Department and directs the Warramunga Seismic & Infrasound Facility at the Australian National University. His research focuses on observational seismology, particularly the Earth’s deep structure and dynamics, appearing in journals like Science, Geophysical Research Letters, and Journal of Geophysical Research.
The ginger cat results from a unique genetic variation that, as far as scientists can tell, isn’t found in other species.
A recent survey published in Current Biology reveals that this variation is linked to the faulty expression of a gene called Arhgap36, which has never been associated with the development of mammalian ginger fur.
Interestingly, this gene resides on the X chromosome, which helps explain why most orange cats are male.
Similar to other male animals, including humans, cats possess one X and one Y chromosome. The gene for orange fur is on the X chromosome; therefore, if a male inherits an X chromosome with the orange gene, he will display an entirely orange coat.
Conversely, female cats have two X chromosomes. To display complete orange fur, they must inherit the orange gene from both of their X chromosomes. If they inherit it on only one, the other X may carry a non-orange gene.
This results in a mix of colors in their fur—like the patchy orange, black, and white patterns observed in Calico and Tortoiseshell cats.
Female cats with one copy of the orange gene often have partially orange fur, like this calico cat. – Credit: Jacobi’s Nils via Getty
The relationship between orange fur and sex applies to cats but not to other orange mammals, such as tigers, orangutans, or red-haired humans.
According to Dr. Christopher Kaelin, Senior Scientist and Lead Author at Stanford Medicine Genetics and Research, the orange mutations in those animals occur due to one of two genes, neither of which are sex-linked.
As a result, orange cats appear to be “genetic exceptions.”
The study confirms that ginger cats exhibit genetic anomalies, but the evidence is still inconclusive regarding whether this unique trait contributes to their reputation for being a mischievous bunch.
To determine if the ARHGAP36 mutation has any impact beyond fur color, researchers have examined various organs, including the kidneys, heart, brain, and adrenal glands, in both orange and non-orange cats, finding no significant differences.
Kaelin remarked, “I don’t think we can exclude the possibility of gene expression changes in untested tissues that might influence behavior.”
He also mentioned that the prevalent notion of orange cats causing chaos could largely be attributed to their male predominance, noting that there is limited scientific research on the personalities of orange cats.
A recent study by NASA has uncovered an unexpected and curious fact about the moon’s deep interior.
Utilizing data from the Grail Spacecraft, researchers found that the side of the moon facing Earth is “bending” more than the far side, indicating a remarkably unstable internal structure between the two hemispheres.
“We have long believed the moon to be spherically symmetrical deep down, so encountering clear evidence to the contrary was both surprising and challenging,” said Dr. Ryan Park, the study’s lead author and head of the Solar System Dynamics Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
Published in Nature, the study reveals that the moon visible from Earth deforms more significantly under the gravitational influence of Earth than on its far side, measured using ultra-precision gravity techniques.
This finding relies on a metric known as the “Love number,” which quantifies the extent to which a celestial body deforms due to tidal forces. After nearly a decade of intricate calculations involving millions of parameters, the team found that the Love number was approximately 72% greater than what would be expected for a symmetrically spherical moon.
“When we first calculated higher Love numbers than anticipated, our team was genuinely perplexed,” Park noted. However, the calculations confirmed it: the moon exhibits instability both internally and externally.
These views of the near and far side of the moon are compiled from observations by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. -NASA/JPL-Caltech
The cause? The mantle on the near side is warmer and less rigid compared to the far side, attributed to radioactive heating early in the moon’s history.
This phenomenon is likely due to ancient geological activities. The near side contains a significantly higher concentration of radioactive materials, including up to 10 times more thorium. These elements emit heat as they decay.
Billion years ago, this heat led to the formation of pockets of partially melted rock, sparking massive volcanic eruptions. These eruptions resurfaced the near side with dark plains known as “Mare,” while the far side remained rugged and cratered.
This study generates the most comprehensive gravity map of the moon to date. Future missions, such as NASA’s Artemis program, aim to enhance navigation on the lunar surface and aid in developing lunar navigation systems.
Looking to other regions of the solar system, Park plans to apply a similar methodology to investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche and the icy moons of Jupiter, particularly Europa.
“The most astonishing aspect was how pronounced the asymmetry was,” Park added. “This compelled us to examine the intricacies of the moon’s thermal and structural evolution, ultimately yielding new insights into how the moon—and potentially other celestial bodies—develop internal disparities over billions of years.”
Read more:
About our experts
Ryan Park is the supervisor of the Solar System Dynamics Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. His research has been featured in prestigious journals, including Science, Journal of Astrophysics, and Nature.
This mutation is associated with Rho GtPase Activated Protein 36 (ARHGAP36). Research conducted by a team from Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that this anomaly occurs in genes of various mammals.
The orange mutation linked to sex in domestic cats results in various reddish/yellow patches in their fur, clearly demonstrating random X inactivation in female turtles and calico cats. Unlike most coat color genes, other mammals lack evident homologs for the orange associated with gender. Research by Kaelin et al. shows that this mutation results from a 5 kb deletion leading to ectopic and melanocyte-specific expression of the ARHGAP36 gene. Image credit: Kaelin et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.055.
Various mammals exhibit orange shades—like tigers, golden retrievers, orangutans, and red-headed humans—but this is particularly prevalent in domestic cats (Felis catus). The orange coloration is sex-linked and is observed more frequently in males.
“In many species with yellow or orange pigments, these mutations almost exclusively occur in one of two genes, neither of which is sex-linked,” states Christopher Kaelin, PhD, a researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.
Scientists have pinpointed typical mutations that stimulate skin pigment cells to generate yellow or orange pigments instead of the default brown or black; however, they only had vague notions about locating corresponding mutations in cats.
They were aware that the mutation, termed sex-linked orange, was located on the X chromosome due to the predominance of male orange cats.
Male cats with this sex-linked orange will exhibit a complete orange coat, while females must inherit the mutation from both X chromosomes to appear fully orange.
A female cat possessing one copy of the sex-linked orange will showcase a partially orange coat with a pattern known as Tortoiseshell, or with patches of orange, black, and white known as Calico.
This variability arises from a phenomenon in females called random X inactivation, where one X chromosome becomes inactive in each cell.
Consequently, a mosaic pattern of pigment cells develops, some expressing the sex-linked-orange and others not.
“I observed this genetic anomaly over 100 years ago,” Dr. Kaelin recalled.
“It was the genetic puzzles that sparked my interest in Sex Link Orange.”
Building on prior research that dissected segments of the X chromosome housing mutations, Dr. Kaelin and his team methodically concentrated on the sex-linked orange mutation.
“Our ability to do this was facilitated by the development of genomic resources for cats made available in the last five to ten years,” Dr. Kaelin explained.
“This includes a fully sequenced genome along with various cat breeds.”
The researchers also obtained DNA samples from cats at neutering and spaying clinics.
Initially, they searched for a variant of the X chromosome common among orange cats and identified 51 candidates.
They excluded 48 of the candidates as they were also present in several non-orange cats.
Among the remaining three variants, one was speculated to play a significant role in gene regulation: ARHGAP36.
“When we identified it, ARHGAP36 had no association with pigmentation,” Dr. Kaelin stated.
This gene, well-conserved across mammalian species, has drawn attention from cancer and developmental biology researchers.
ARHGAP36 is typically expressed in neuroendocrine tissues, where its overexpression can lead to tumors; however, its association with pigment cells remained unknown.
Notably, it was discovered in a pumpkin-colored cat by Dr. Kaelin and his colleagues.
“ARHGAP36 is not present in mouse, human, or non-orange cat pigment cells,” Dr. Kaelin noted.
“The orange cat mutation appears to induce ARHGAP36 expression within pigment cells, where it is normally not present.”
This irregular expression in pigment cells disrupts intermediate steps in known molecular pathways governing coat color.
In other species, typical orange mutations interrupt earlier stages in that pathway; however, in cats, sex-linked oranges confuse the latter stages.
“It’s certainly an unusual mechanism for gene alteration in specific cell types,” said Dr. Kaelin.
The team’s findings are detailed in a study published this week in the journal Current Biology.
____
Christopher B. Kaelin et al. Molecular and genetic properties of sex-linked orange coat colors in domestic cats. Current Biology Published online on May 15th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.055
Trilobites were a varied group of ancient marine arthropods. While many inhabited the seabed, some took to more mobile lifestyles. Recent research has clarified the evolutionary lineage of a peculiar group of trilobites known as cyclopizids, named after the legendary one-eyed creature, Cyclops.
Cyclopygid Trilobite Symphysops Stevaninae. Image credit: Francisco J. López-Soriano & Joan Corbacho, https://www.elfosil.com via Bataleria.
Mirobiaceae was an ancient aquatic creature (arthropod) that existed from 521 million years ago (MA) until around 252 MA.
Approximately 21,000 species are known, representing numerous ecological niches. Most thrived on the seabed (benthic), while some ventured into the open ocean (pelagic).
Despite their diversity, our understanding of their comprehensive evolutionary history remains limited.
Strange groups of Ordovician trilobites (485-444 MA) are referred to as Cyclopizids. They possess 5-7 body (thoracic) segments, and the cephalon lacks typical spines.
The name Cyclopizid is derived from the mythical Greek cyclops, as their eyes evolved to merge into a single large visual surface, enhancing their field of vision.
Cyclopygids inhabited the deep, dark zones of the ocean (mesopelagic), swimming at the lower edge of the illuminated region, known as the Twilight Zone, where they actively hunted small organisms (zooplankton).
Some Cyclopygids, such as Pricyclopyge, may have swum upside down and featured bioluminescent structures on their third thoracic segment.
Recent research has elucidated the evolutionary history of the 47 cyclopygid genera through cladistic analysis, a method that categorizes organisms based on shared derived traits.
The family predominantly found in China, Tai Hungshaniidae, is connected to the Nileidae and Cyclopidiidae families. Illaenopsis is expected to be included.
As cyclopizids evolved, they adapted to a more transparent lifestyle, which included larger eyes shifting towards the edges of the thorax, a reduction in the number of thoracic segments, size decrease, and enhanced streamlining.
These cyclopizids, which occupy higher positions in the water column, usually reside closer to the coasts.
Mapping the depths they are interpreted to inhabit on our evolutionary trees reveals that cyclopizids positioned near the base tend to inhabit shallow waters.
Consequently, cyclopizids gradually transitioned into deeper waters, adapting more to a pelagic lifestyle.
This paper will be published in the journal Historical Biology.
____
SJ Braddy, La Dale & H. Wang. 2025. Phylogenesis of cyclopide trilobites. Historical Biology. doi:10.1080/08912963.2025.2501330
As some weather forecast offices discontinue overnight staffing, the National Weather Service is swiftly reassigning personnel internally, working to fill over 150 vacancies and address critical staffing gaps.
On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration considered initiating a “reallocation period” to fill key positions that have remained unstaffed since the Trump administration’s decisions to dismiss probationary employees and incentivize veteran federal workers to retire early within the National Weather Service (NWS).
The agency is actively recruiting to fill five pivotal meteorologist roles overseeing field offices, including locations in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; and Wilmington, Ohio.
Meanwhile, at least eight out of 122 weather forecasting offices nationwide—including those in Sacramento, California; Goodland, Kansas; and Jackson, Kentucky—have announced no plans to operate overnight or reduce overnight services in the coming six weeks, according to Tom Fahy, legislative director of the National Weather Service Employees Organization, which monitors staffing levels for the agency.
Critics of the recent cuts argue that the efforts to reassign meteorologists and other staff indicate severe reductions in services, negatively impacting vital public safety operations.
“This has never occurred before. We have always been an agency dedicated to providing 24/7 service to American citizens,” Fahy stated. “The potential risk is extremely high. If these cuts continue within the National Weather Service, lives could be lost.”
The National Weather Service acknowledged adjustments to its service levels and staffing but asserted that it continues to fulfill its mission and maintain the accuracy of forecasts.
“NOAA and NWS are dedicated to minimizing the impact of recent staffing changes to ensure that core mission functions persist,” the agency stated. “These efforts encompass temporary modifications to service levels and both temporary and permanent internal reallocations of meteorologists to offices with urgent needs.”
Fahy revealed that 52 of the nation’s 122 weather forecasting offices currently have staffing vacancy rates exceeding 20%.
The latest update on field office leadership, published on Wednesday, highlighted vacancy challenges, with 35 meteorologist positions at forecast offices remaining unfilled.
Since the new administration assumed power, the National Weather Service has reduced its workforce by more than 500 employees through voluntary early retirement packages for senior staff and the dismissal of probationary hires.
“Our greatest fear is that the weather offices will remain extremely understaffed, prompting unnecessary loss of life,” the director expressed earlier this month.
Recently retired NWS employees have voiced concerns that staffing levels have dropped below critical thresholds amid service freezes and the dismissal of many early-career professionals in probationary roles.
Alan Gerald, a former director at NOAA’s National Intensive Storm Institute who accepted early retirement in March, likened the NWS’s reassignment strategies to “deck chair relocation,” arguing that they fail to solve fundamental issues.
“They are merely shifting personnel from one office to another, which might address short-term crises, but that’s no sustainable solution,” Gerald remarked. “There’s no real influx of new staff.”
Brian Lamare, who recently retired from the Tampa Bay Area Weather Office in Florida, understands the desire to modernize and streamline services.
In fact, Lamare was involved in efforts to reorganize certain aspects of the service prior to the Trump administration.
The agency had plans to modernize its staffing structures by launching a “mutual assistance” system, allowing local forecast offices to request and offer aid during severe weather events or periods of understaffing.
“Many of these initiatives are now being expedited due to urgency,” Lamare commented. “When rearranging your living room furniture, you don’t set the house on fire—that’s the situation we are facing.”
Lamarre emphasized the necessity for the NWS to resume hiring as numerous forecasters in their 50s and 60s opted for voluntary retirement, leading to the loss of extensive experience. Concurrently, the agency has reduced its cohort of probationary employees, many of whom are just starting their careers.
“Eliminating probationary positions severely limits the agency’s future potential,” Lamare stated. “That’s where fresh, innovative talent is cultivated, making recruitment essential.”
AMOC is a system of ocean currents that circulates water in the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
The decline in significant Atlantic currents is contributing to flooding linked to rising sea levels in the northeastern United States, which are already affected by climate change. As global temperatures increase, a total collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could exacerbate sea level rise.
“If AMOC collapses, this will greatly increase flood frequency along the US coastline, independent of major storms,” states Liping Chan from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in New Jersey. “Even a partial reduction in current strength can have significant consequences.”
The warm waters melting ice sheets and rising sea levels are influenced by climate change, which leads to uneven rates of sea level rise across different regions. For instance, some coastal areas have subsided, increasing the relative rate of sea level rise there. Local sea levels are also affected by the circulation of heat, water, and salt in the ocean, with warm, fresh water occupying more volume than cold, salty water.
Over the past few decades, sea levels along the northeastern US coast have risen 3-4 times faster than the global average. The slowing of AMOC—responsible for transporting warm water from lower latitudes to the North Atlantic, where it cools and sinks—has long been considered a potential cause of this phenomenon. As this circulation weakens, warm deep water expands, pushing more water onto the shallow continental shelf.
AMOC strength varies naturally over different timescales, and climate change has contributed to its slowdown as the North Atlantic and its waters have become warmer and clearer in recent decades. However, it remained uncertain whether this decrease significantly affected sea levels.
Chang and her team utilized tidal gauge measurements from the New England coast to reconstruct local sea levels dating back over a century. Alongside a steady rise due to climate change, they identified significant fluctuations between low and high sea levels every few decades. Low sea levels correlated with periods of weak AMOC, while high sea levels were also aligned with these intervals, which brought more frequent coastal flooding.
The researchers then employed two distinct ocean models to quantify the impact of AMOC intensity variations on local sea levels. While the primary driver of change was the steady rise due to climate change, they discovered that weakened AMOCs significantly increased sea-level-related flooding. In multiple coastal regions, they noted that the slowdown in AMOC has contributed to delaying flooding by 20-50% since 2005.
Given that the natural cycle of AMOC strength is largely predictable, Zhang asserts that these findings enable researchers to forecast potential flooding events up to three years in advance. This foresight can guide long-term infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness.
“This highlights the critical role of AMOC in [sea level rise],” remarks Chris Hughes, who was not involved in the research, from the University of Liverpool in the UK. “It’s not merely theoretical; it’s evident in the real world.”
It remains unclear how much of the recent AMOC weakening is attributable to climate change versus natural variability. Nevertheless, the findings bolster predictions that if AMOC were to completely collapse due to climate change, significant portions of the US East Coast could experience a surge in sea levels.
Hughes warns that if AMOC nearly collapses, sea levels could rise by around 24 centimeters. “While it may not seem dramatic, even a small increase can have a substantial effect.”
Suspended Blessing: Sleeping Sperm Whale and Her Calf
Paul Nicklen
A full belly—if you look closely, you can see the tentacles of the deep-sea squid she recently devoured hanging from her mouth.
This photo, titled The Interrupted Bounty, is one of many captured by photographer Paul Nicklen and showcased at the Photo Fair. It exudes a sense of peace, yet Nicklen experienced a whirlwind of emotions while filming it in Dominica in 2019.
“Even while my lungs ached and my mind screamed to surface just 5 meters away, I had to calm myself,” he reflects. “In that moment, my focus shifted to breathing, framing, and floating. The fear was present, but I remained centered.”
As he grounded himself, a feeling of “quiet adoration” washed over him. “It brought a certain joy, aligned with their rhythm for a while,” Nicklen recalls. “Over time, that joy has shifted into a heavier contemplation. I’m reflecting on the risks that whales now face—ocean pollution, ship strikes, entrapment in nets, and rising sea temperatures. Looking back at these images reveals lines that may not endure unless changes occur. Still, I feel fortunate. I’m honored to share their stories.”
Photo London will take place at Somerset House from May 15th to 18th. Nicklen’s work is presented by Hilton Contemporary, which also features a photograph by marine biologist Christina Mittermeyer, showcasing her striking image from Madagascar in 2008: Mandare’s Washing. It depicts brightly colored clothing drying on cracked earth, with two emaciated cows nearby on a dry stretch of the Mandare River.
Mandare Washing: Dried Beds on the Mandare River in Madagascar
Christina Mittermeier
Seventeen years later, Mittermeier reflects on the tumultuous feelings she experienced while taking those shots. “It wasn’t just the illness, but also the tropical fever, combined with a sense of guilt. Not guilt for being there, but for leaving,” she recounts. “The village families had no escape from the drought; they lacked alternatives, no backup resources, no taps to turn on.
Today, that guilt has evolved into a profound respect for the resilience of the locals.
“I think of the elasticity of that fabric, the dust, and how survival here is stitched together with each piece of clothing, meal, and glass of water,” Mittermeier shares. “It’s a testament to drought, but also to the overarching decisions that determine who suffers and who survives.”
Below is another stunning photograph by Nicklen titled Ephemeral Palace. Captured in 2012 on the Antarctic Peninsula, it depicts a vast iceberg adrift, destined to melt as it approaches the sea.
Ephemeral Palace: Iceberg on the Antarctic Peninsula in 2012
Paul Nicklen
The final shot from Nicklen, titled Meet Face to Face, features an unexpected visitor, photographed in Svalbard, Norway in 2008. He labels the encounter with “the bear in question” as a significant highlight of his career, noting he has rarely encountered the approximately 2,000 polar bears he has documented, yet he has never succumbed to panic.
Face to Face: A Close Encounter with a Norwegian Polar Bear
Larry Niven is a towering figure in the realm of science fiction, and I felt honored to interview him via Zoom from his home in Los Angeles. His seminal 1970 novel, Ringworld, is this month’s selection for the New Scientist Book Club. However, his literary contributions span numerous novels and short stories, including one of my personal favorites, An outdated world. At 87, he continues to write, and we discussed his insights on Ringworld, the projects he’s currently working on, and his thoughts on humanity’s potential to venture beyond our solar system. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.
Emily H. Wilson: Larry, thank you for participating in this interview and for being part of the New Scientist Book Club. It is a tremendous honor to speak with someone so central to the evolution of this genre.
Larry Niven: Thank you.
EHW: What inspired you to become a science fiction writer?
LN: I was immersed in science fiction during my early adulthood, but I only discovered the fandom when I started selling my stories. That connection was invaluable for me.
EHW: What was the genesis of the idea behind Ringworld?
LN: The concept of the Dyson sphere—hypothetical megastructures in space—was introduced to me by another writer, possibly Paul Anderson. Intrigued by the idea, I realized we could observe other civilizations based on their energy usage. But to harness that energy, one needs a way to block sunlight. I envisioned using rotational gravity for the Dyson sphere, focusing on its equatorial regions, and thus conceptualized the “poor man’s Dyson sphere.”
EHW: A book club member noted that Ringworld evokes a sense of awe and wonder.
LN: My choice to depict a grand structure, despite the risk of ridicule, contributed to my success. Ringworld serves as a knowledge playground where readers can engage with its complexities and even rediscover my oversights.
EHW: Reflecting back from 2025, it seems like it was an immediate success, altering your career trajectory.
LN: That’s absolutely true.
EHW: You mentioned in your writings that New Scientist highlighted how students and scholars engaged with physics concepts in Ringworld post-publication. How did that affect you? Do you think we will see such global interaction today?
LN: Science fiction permeates various media like film and comics. While Ringworld remains significant, capturing the attention of mathematicians isn’t straightforward.
LN: It’s about envisioning the future. Things are in flux, and science fiction highlights the notion that minds can think similarly but are fundamentally different.
EHW: Why did you write Ringworld Engineers as a sequel? One book club member mentioned that it was their first introduction to your work.
LN: I aimed to improve upon Ringworld since its inhabitants were not fleshed out enough. Robert Heinlein told me that the two books together formed a significant narrative.
EHW: The universe in Ringworld set in known space led to extensive narrative weaving. How did that come about?
LN: It seemed logical to create interlinked stories within the universe I had built. This web of narrative has been evolving for over 60 years.
EHW: If you were to rewrite Ringworld today, would it differ from the original?
LN: I’ve often thought that if I were to begin anew, I would focus on the barriers of interstellar travel. Building a ring world implies challenges in reaching other stars.
EHW: At what point in your career did you become a full-time science writer? Did you ever balance it with other jobs?
LN: I was a science enthusiast, particularly in astrophysics and astronomy. At 24, I realized my options were limited, which led me to start writing.
EHW: How is science fiction perceived today?
LN: I’m not as engaged with the field nowadays. I often buy books online for my Kindle, but that doesn’t mean I make the most of the current offerings.
EHW: One of my favorites of yours, An outdated world, isn’t widely read despite being a fantastic story told concisely. What can you share about writing that book?
LN: Initially, it was a dystopian tale about people frozen for the future, struggling with their wishes when they were revived—without civil rights. I encapsulated that in a short story called Rammer, which turned into the first chapter of An outdated world. I eventually continued that narrative as I became comfortable exploring the future.
EHW: You were known for your collaboration on The Mote in God’s Eye with Jerry Pournelle. How do two authors co-write a novel?
LN: Jerry and I collaborated on roughly nine novels. When he proposed the idea to co-write, I accepted without knowing where it would lead, and it turned out to be both fun and challenging. Our involvement with the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Association helped shape the narrative over three years and even earned us an award for the best unfinished novel.
EHW: Before this interview, you mentioned your book Draco’s Izakaya, a collection of short stories. I approached it hesitantly, as I’m not a short story person. It uniquely merges narratives, introducing readers to aliens through the bartender’s character. It felt more like a novel than a traditional collection. What was your aim in writing it?
LN: I started writing short stories knowing they needed substance beyond mere glimpses. My goal for Draco’s Izakaya was to convey wisdom within a lean structure, crafting a narrative that felt unified despite its brevity.
EHW: If you were to recommend four other books alongside Draco’s Izakaya, which would you choose?
LN: Depending on the individual asking, I might suggest: Lucifer’s Hammer for casual readers, Scaffold for military personnel, Ringworld for true fans, and Destiny’s Road for general audiences as well.
LN: I’m collaborating with Stephen Burns on a space novel featuring Gil “Arm” Hamilton. We’ve begun an anthology project, and our short story, The Sacred Cow, which features Gil, won an award from Analog Magazine. Now, we’re encouraged to produce more content.
EHW: A few quick questions: What is your favorite science fiction book that you didn’t write?
LN: I truly enjoy Nova by Samuel R. Delany.
EHW: What is a favorite book in a genre you haven’t ventured into?
LN: I believe it must be The Wizard of Oz.
EHW: What is your favorite science fiction television show?
LN: Star Trek, but I’m not as caught up with it.
EHW: What is your all-time favorite sci-fi film?
LN: I have a fondness for Destination Moon and admire ambitious works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rollerball for their ambition.
EHW: What advice would you give to aspiring science fiction writers today?
LN: I think I’m prepared to encounter the puppeteers from my works or the Mediator.
EHW: And do you think humanity will eventually leave this solar system?
LN: We’re making advancements, though not as quickly as we imagined. Initially, we thought reaching the moon would be simple, and it has proven quite challenging.
Larry, thank you for this enlightening conversation. It has truly been a privilege.
LN: You’re welcome. I always enjoy speaking with New Scientist. Be sure to read and savor!
Larry Niven’sRingworld is the latest selection for the New Scientist Book Club. Join us to read along!
Brazil Takes the Lead in Funding Forest Conservation
Luiz Claudio Marigo/Nature Picture Library/Alamy
During the COP30 Climate Summit in November, a coalition of countries led by Brazil introduces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at compensating tropical nations for sustaining their forest ecosystems.
The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) secures funding through investments rather than relying solely on donations or the sale of carbon credits.
“We need to explore new fundraising avenues for tropical forests. This innovative fund has the potential to play a vital role in complementing traditional grant-based funding and, more importantly, reducing our dependency on carbon trading,” states Kate Dooley, from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
The fund is positioned as a substitute for the carbon market, offering businesses a means to offset their emissions by financing forest protection. While it was once seen as a promising strategy for generating funds from the private sector, it has faced significant backlash for favoring corporate profits over environmental benefits.
A major benefit of TFFF is its straightforward approach. Rather than estimating how much carbon is stored in forests or assessing their vulnerability, the initiative compensates for the intact forest canopy each year, monitored through satellite technology.
“Our team approached the Brazilian government in 2023,” explains Pedro Moura Costa, an expert in environmental finance.
Unlike government donations that can be inconsistent and withdrawable at any moment, this fund is designed for sustainability.
The project’s planners aim to secure a $25 billion sovereignty loan from the government along with an additional $100 billion from private investors. These funds will be directed towards corporate bonds and green energy initiatives, particularly avoiding industries tied to deforestation.
After ensuring a fixed return for investors, any profits generated will flow directly to tropical nations for forest conservation efforts. This includes expanding conservation agencies. Crucially, 20% of the resources must be allocated to Indigenous communities, with TFFF collaborating closely with the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, advocating for Indigenous rights.
The funds projected can generate $4 billion annually, which is sufficient to offer $4 every year per hectare of tropical forest preserved. Conversely, for every hectare lost, $100 will be deducted from government payments. Moura states it takes 100 years for primary tropical forests to regenerate, demanding a high level of responsibility.
However, the current proposal defines an undisturbed forest as having only 20% canopy cover, raising concerns of potential overexploitation. Dooley warns that “fires often indicate degradation rather than being its cause,” pointing out flaws in using fire metrics for monitoring.
Several environmental organizations and climate finance analysts have expressed strong disapproval of this concept. They argue that wealthier nations should provide direct financial support to poorer countries rather than investing in uncertain ventures. Frederick Hash from the Green Finance Observatory, which evaluates private investments in green opportunities, states, “Conservation funds are vulnerable to future economic shifts, interest rates, and fund management capabilities. This differs markedly from grants, and may not meet the expectations of a fund aimed at addressing our critical ecological challenges.” He adds that the promised 20% for Indigenous peoples “seems insufficient and fails to acknowledge their valuable contributions.”
Despite insufficient donor funding for conservation and the looming threat of surpassing the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming limit, advocates argue there is an urgent need for practical alternatives to grant-based support.
“To initiate substantial change, we must devise new, innovative strategies where environmental protection becomes self-funding and is no longer dependent on grants or handouts. Without this, we may face failure,” remarks Moura.
“There must be a mechanism to compensate those safeguarding nature and preserving forests.” Simon Zadeck, a climate adaptation consultant and investment platform expert, adds, “Funding sources might include domestic finances and philanthropy, alongside income from natural products like nuts and timber, but these are insufficient alone. Thus, we need to promote creative funding solutions.”
If TFFF can achieve its $125 billion goal, it will represent the most significant single funding source in history for forest conservation. It may even surpass Brazil’s current environmental budget.
However, the success of this initiative hinges on attracting enough capital during what international experts identify as a particularly challenging economic landscape.
“This geoeconomic environment presents significant obstacles for such an ambitious project,” says Zadek. “Public finances are strained, and private investment is currently focused on short- to medium-term returns.”
Vegetarians have a similar reaction to meat as they do to eating feces or human flesh, according to recent research from Oxford University.
A study involving 252 vegetarians and 57 meat eaters examined whether this aversion was influenced by the source of the food being plant or animal-based.
Initially, participants were shown a range of vegetables commonly disliked, including raw onions, green olives, sprouts, beetroot, and overripe fruit, and were asked to envision eating them. Both groups expressed “disgust” towards these vegetables. Essentially, the flavors and textures were perceived negatively.
Next, participants looked at pre-cooked chicken, bacon, and steak. Here, the vegetarians reacted quite differently. They experienced feelings of nausea, voiced ideological objections, and stated they found anything that had been in contact with meat unappealing.
All the meat is clean and cooked.
The reactions of aversion were similar to those elicited when participants were asked to imagine consuming human feces or the flesh of humans or dogs (the meat was actually just plain meat labeled accordingly—no harm came to any dogs, although a few humans faced bad treatment).
“Disgust is an ancient evolutionary mechanism observed in various species and acts as a straightforward response to ‘bad’ preferences, primarily linked to bitter and sour tastes,” stated Elisa Becker, the lead researcher from Oxford University, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
“Aversion, in contrast, is likely a uniquely human response stemming from more complex thoughts about food and its meanings.”
The distinction between these reactions may lie in evolutionary history. Aversion enabled early humans to avoid toxic plants with unpleasant flavors, while disgust developed as a more sophisticated reaction to the unseen risks associated with meat, which can harbor pathogens and parasites.
“Disgust does not arise solely from taste but is triggered by animal products, including meat and our own bodily substances. These are prime carriers for pathogens,” Becker explained. “The purpose of disgust is to protect us from toxins and diseases.”
This insight may assist initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable diets by altering perceptions of certain foods.
“It could be beneficial for people seeking to reduce their meat consumption or increase vegetable intake,” Becker remarked. “Novel, more sustainable protein sources (like insects or lab-grown meat) can often invoke disgust. Understanding this instinct can help us overcome it.”
About our experts
Elisa Becker is a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Primary Care Health Sciences at Oxford University. She investigates behavioral change interventions that assist individuals in reducing meat consumption, focusing on the emotional processing of meat and the effectiveness of various strategies.
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope capture breathtaking views of a significant section of the nebula within the Large Magellanic Cloud, the largest of several small satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way.
This Hubble image illustrates a segment of the vivid nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy situated 160,000 light-years away in the constellations Dorado and Mensa. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/C. Murray.
This latest image was created using individual exposures captured across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) was instrumental in this achievement.
“This portrayal of the dust-laden gas clouds within the Large Magellanic Cloud is made possible by Hubble’s advanced cameras, particularly the WFC3, which collected these observations,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“The WFC3 features an array of filters, each allowing light of a specific wavelength or color to pass through.”
“The image is a composite from five different filters, including one designed to capture ultraviolet and infrared radiation, which is invisible to the human eye.”
“The delicate gas clouds depicted resemble colorful cotton candy,” remarked the researchers.
“When encountering a cosmic scene with such vivid hues, it’s only natural to question the authenticity of these colors.”
“After all, the Hubble is equipped with a 2.4m diameter mirror and sophisticated scientific instruments, unlike typical cameras!”
“As image processing experts merge the raw filtered data into these multi-colored representations, they assign distinct colors to each filter.”
“Observations in visible light correspond to the colors passed through the respective filter.”
“Shorter light wavelengths, like ultraviolet rays, typically appear blue or purple, whereas longer wavelengths, such as infrared rays, are usually depicted as red.”
“This color scheme closely mirrors reality, revealing new insights from parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are invisible to human eyes.”
“Nevertheless, countless color combinations can be employed to create images that are not only aesthetically striking but also scientifically valuable.”
Collisions involving high-energy lead nuclei at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider generate a powerful electromagnetic field capable of displacing protons and converting lead into ephemeral gold nuclei.
The lead ions (208Pb) in the LHC pass by one another without direct collision. During electromagnetic dissociation, photons interact with the nucleus, causing internal vibrations that result in the ejection of a small number of neutrons (2) and protons (3), leaving behind the nucleus of gold (before gold 203Au). Image credit: CERN.
The transformation of base metal lead into the precious metal gold was a long-held aspiration of medieval alchemists.
This enduring pursuit, known as Chrysopia, may have been spurred by the recognition that the relatively common lead, with its dull gray color, bears resemblance to gold.
It has since been established that lead and gold are fundamentally different chemical elements, and that chemical means cannot facilitate their conversion.
The advent of nuclear physics in the 20th century uncovered the possibility of transforming heavy elements into others through processes such as radioactive decay or in laboratory settings involving bombardment by neutrons or protons.
Gold has been artificially generated through such means previously, but physicists from the Alice Collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have recently measured lead’s conversion into gold using a novel mechanism that relies on close interactions between lead nuclei at the LHC.
High-energy collisions between lead nuclei can lead to the formation of quark-gluon plasma, a state of high temperature and density believed to represent conditions shortly after the Big Bang, initiating phenomena we now recognize.
Simultaneously, in more frequent instances where nuclei narrowly miss each other without direct contact, the strong electromagnetic fields they generate can provoke photon-nucleus interactions, potentially uncovering more exploration avenues.
The electromagnetic field produced by the nucleus is particularly potent due to its 82 protons, each carrying a fundamental charge.
Additionally, when lead nuclei are accelerated to extreme speeds at the LHC, the electromagnetic field lines become compressed into thin layers, extending laterally in the motion direction, generating transient pulses of photons.
This phenomenon often triggers electromagnetic dissociation, where photons interact with the nucleus, causing vibrations in its internal structure and leading to the release of a limited number of neutrons and protons.
To fabricate gold (with 79 protons), three protons must be removed from the lead nuclei in the LHC beam.
“It is remarkable to witness our detectors managing direct collisions that produce thousands of particles, while being sensitive to scenarios where merely a few particles are generated,” said a researcher.
The Alice team employed a zero degree calorimeter (ZDC) to quantify the number of photon-nucleus interactions, correlating them to the emission of zero, one, two, and three protons related to the production of lead, thallium, mercury, and gold, respectively.
While the creation of thallium and mercury occurs more frequently, results indicate that the LHC currently generates gold at a rate of approximately 89,000 nuclei from lead collisions at the Alice collision point.
These gold nuclei emerge from collisions at extremely high energies, colliding with LHC beam pipes or collimators at various downstream points and swiftly fragmenting into individual protons, neutrons, and other particles, lasting mere seconds.
The analysis from Alice shows that roughly 86 billion gold nuclei were produced during four significant experiments across two runs of the LHC, equating to only 29 picograms (2.9*10-11 g) in mass.
With ongoing upgrades to the LHC enhancing its brightness, Run 3 yielded almost double the amount of gold as observed in Run 2, although the overall quantity remains trillions of times less than what is necessary for jewelry production.
Though the technological aspirations of medieval alchemists have been partially fulfilled, their dreams of acquiring wealth have yet again been dashed.
“Thanks to the distinctive capabilities of Alice’s ZDC, our current analysis marks the inaugural systematic detection and examination of gold production signatures at the LHC,” states Dr. Uliana Dmitrieva, a member of the Alice Collaboration.
“These results extend beyond fundamental physics interests and serve to test and refine theoretical models of electromagnetic dissociation, improving our understanding of beam loss— a significant factor influencing the performance limitations of the LHC and future colliders,” adds Dr. John Jowett, also of the Alice Collaboration.
A new study will be published in the journal Physical Review C.
____
S. Acharya et al. (Alice Collaboration). √sNN= 5.02 Proton emission in ultra-fine Pb-Pb collisions at TeV. Phys. Rev. C 111, 054906; doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.111.054906
Paleontologists have uncovered fossilized tracks of reptile-like creatures from the early Carboniferous Tonan period, approximately 355 million years ago, within the snow plain formation in Victoria, Australia. This discovery indicates that such animals originated from Gondwana, where Australia was centrally located.
Artist’s impression of early reptile track makers from 355 million years ago. Image credit: Martin Ambrozik.
Tetrapods evolved from a group of fish that transitioned from aquatic to terrestrial life around 390 million years ago during the Devonian period.
These ancestral beings are the forebears of all modern vertebrates inhabiting land, including amphibians and various mammals, reptiles, and birds.
The oldest known amniotic fossils previously discovered date back to the late Carboniferous period, roughly 320 million years ago.
The findings from this 355 million-year-old snow plains slab, found by two amateur paleontologists, reveal that reptiles were already present 35 million years earlier than previously thought, at the dawn of the Carboniferous.
“Upon recognizing this, I understood that we had the oldest evidence globally of animals akin to reptiles, pushing back the evolutionary record by at least 35 million years beyond prior findings in the Northern Hemisphere,” stated Professor John Long from Flinders University.
“The fossilized tracks uncovered in the Mansfield region of northern Victoria, Australia, were created by creatures resembling small, agile, Goanna-like animals.”
A slab containing 355 million-year-old tracks from Australia’s Snowy Plains formation. Image credit: Long et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5.
“When I initially encountered this specimen, I was astounded. Just seconds later, I noticed that the nail impressions were remarkably preserved,” said Dr. Grzegorz Niedwiedzki, a researcher at Uppsala University.
“Nails are characteristic of all early amniotic species but are absent in other quadruped lineages,” added Per Erik Ahlberg, a professor at Uppsala University.
“The combination of nail marks and foot shapes suggests that the track maker was a primitive reptile.”
According to the research team, this discovery profoundly impacts the understanding of early tetrapod evolution.
Although all stem tetrapods and stem amniotes must have emerged during the Devonian period, evidence suggests that tetrapod evolution progressed significantly faster than previously believed, with far fewer Devonian tetrapods than assumed.
“Skeletons can reveal much about an animal’s capabilities, but trackways capture behavior and illustrate how the animal functioned,” explained Dr. Alice Clement from Flinders University.
“This new fossilized trackway we examined dates from the early Carboniferous, making accurate age identification crucial. We achieved this by comparing the various fish fauna in these rocks to similar morphotypes found in well-dated sedimentary layers from across the globe, providing a timeline constraint of approximately 10 million years.”
“This finding redefines a segment of evolutionary history,” remarked Dr. Gillian Garvey from La Trobe University.
“Much has occurred in Australia and Gondwana, indicating that the narrative is still unfolding.”
The findings are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature.
____
Ja Long et al. Early amniote tracks revise the timeline of tetrapod evolution. Nature published online on May 14th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5
Solar particle events from the sun are infrequent but powerful, significantly influencing the creation of cosmic genic isotopes. For instance, radiocarbon (14c) in the terrestrial environment leaves a distinct mark on natural archives, such as dating artifacts. Over the last 12,000 years, eight such events have been identified, the most notable occurring in 775 AD. Recently, a candidate for a new extreme solar particle event was discovered, marked by the largest known radiocarbon peak dating back to 12350 BC. A recent study indicates this event was 18% more intense than the 775 CE event and likely transpired between January and April of that year, with early March being the most probable time frame.
Illustration of the artist of Solar Storm. Image credit: NASA.
“Solar particle storms significantly enhance the natural production of cosmic isotopes, such as radiocarbon, in the atmosphere due to cosmic rays from galaxies,” stated Kseniia Golubenko, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu, along with her colleagues.
“Such enhancements, preserved in annual tree rings, act as clear timestamps in the universe, enabling absolute dating of tree samples.”
“These dramatic spikes, referred to as Miyake Events, are named after the Japanese researcher who first identified them. They provide crucial data for scientists examining solar activity, ancient Earth systems, and space climate.”
“Miyake events help us pinpoint the exact calendar year of floating archaeological timelines,” added Professor Ilya Usoskin from Oulu University.
“The radiocarbon signals from such events have enabled researchers to accurately date Viking settlements in Newfoundland and Neolithic communities in Greece.”
For the reconstruction of solar particle storms under ancient glacial climate conditions, the authors developed and utilized a new chemical climate model called SOCOL:14C-EX.
This model was successfully validated using tree ring data from the 775 CE event and applied to ice age conditions to analyze the event from 12350 BC.
“The ancient events of 12350 BC are the only known extreme solar particle occurrences aside from the stable warm climate of the last 12,000 years,” Dr. Golubenko stated.
“Our estimates reveal that, compared to the largest events of the modern satellite era, the Particle Storm of 2005 was over 500 times weaker.”
“Other documented solar particle storms took place in 994 BC, 663 BC, 5259 BC, and 7176 BC, with several more candidates currently under investigation.”
“The 12350 BCE occurrence also establishes new worst-case scenarios,” she added.
“Understanding its magnitude is vital for assessing the risks posed by future solar storms.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Earth and Planet Science Letters.
____
Kseniia Golubenko et al. 2025. The new SOCOL:14C-EX model reveals that radiocarbon spikes from the late glacial age of 12350 BC were caused by record extreme solar storms. Earth and Planet Science Letters 661:119383; doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119383
The latest fossil, named Chicago Archeopteryx, is the 14th known specimen of this remarkable Jurassic species.
Chicago Archeopteryx. Image credit: Delaney Drummond/Field Museum.
The Archeopteryx inhabited the Jurassic period around 150 million years ago.
The Chicago specimen is the smallest known, roughly the size of a pigeon. Its fragile hollow bones are embedded in exceptionally hard limestone.
As with other Archeopteryx fossils, this new find was located in limestone deposits near Solnhofen, Germany.
This particular fossil was uncovered by a private collector before 1990 and has remained privately held since then.
A coalition of supporters assisted the Field Museum in acquiring it, and it arrived there in August 2022.
“When we initially obtained the specimen of Archeopteryx,” remarked Dr. Jinmaio Connor, the Field Museum’s Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles.
“Despite the fact that Archeopteryx has been known for over 160 years, we were uncertain about the new insights we might gain.”
“However, our specimens are exceptionally well preserved and prepared, so we are uncovering a wealth of new information, from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail.”
Thanks to the outstanding preservation of the specimens, paleontologists conducted high-resolution CT scans and digital 3D reconstructions.
The findings reveal an almost entirely intact skull, featuring a well-preserved palate region.
“The bones in the roof of the mouth provide valuable insights into the evolution of what is known as a skull, a feature of modern birds that allows them to move their beaks independently from the braincase,” Dr. O’Connor explained.
“While it may not seem thrilling, for those studying bird evolution, it’s quite significant, as it is thought that specialized skulls may have evolved for varying ecological niches.”
“Additionally, the soft tissues preserved in Chicago Archeopteryx‘s hands and feet support the idea that Archeopteryx likely spent considerable time on the ground and may have even climbed trees.”
An illustration of Archeopteryx depicting its characteristic feathers that would have assisted flight. Image credit: Michael Rothman.
The wing feathers of the Chicago Archeopteryx raise an enduring scientific question regarding the origins of flight in dinosaurs.
“Archeopteryx is not the first dinosaur with wings, nor the first to possess ‘wings’,” Dr. O’Connor explained.
“However, it is considered the earliest known dinosaur that managed to achieve powered flight using its wings.”
“This section of the paper is particularly intriguing to me, as it provides evidence that Archeopteryx employed feathered wings for flight.”
Key to Archeopteryx‘s flight may be a set of feathers previously unrecognized in the species—a group of long upper arm feathers known as Tertials.
“In comparison to most modern birds, Archeopteryx has an exceptionally long upper arm bone,” noted Dr. O’Connor.
“If you are flying, having an elongated upper arm bone can create a gap between your long primary and secondary wings and the rest of your body.”
“If air flows through that gap, it can disturb the lift being generated, making flight impossible.”
Nevertheless, modern birds have developed solutions to this issue, employing a series of tertial feathers to bridge the gap between their bodies and wings.
“Our specimen is the first Archeopteryx to be preserved and studied for its long feather structure,” Dr. O’Connor said.
“These feathers share similarities with those of birds, yet are absent in non-avian feathered dinosaurs.”
“Their wing feathers terminate at their elbows, indicating that these non-bird dinosaurs could not fly, whereas Archeopteryx could.”
“This also supports the idea that flight in dinosaurs may have evolved multiple times, which I find very exciting.”
The team’s research findings were published in the journal Nature this week.
____
J. O’Connor et al. Chicago Archeopteryx offers insights into early avian evolution. Nature Published online May 14, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08912-4
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled plans to roll back restrictions on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water, roughly a year after the Biden administration implemented its first-ever national standards.
Last year, the Biden administration introduced regulations that could reduce PFA exposure for millions. This initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance drinking water quality by creating rules to mandate the removal of toxic lead pipes and tackle the forever chemical issue following years of activism.
During President Donald Trump’s administration, there were fewer environmental regulations and increased development in the oil and gas sectors. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has actioned the agenda by announcing a significant rollback of regulations.
We have learned about plans to eliminate certain PFA restrictions and extend deadlines for two of the most prevalent types. Here are some key points about PFAS chemicals and the EPA’s role.
What is PFA?
PFAS, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, have existed for decades and are a group of chemicals that have contaminated the air, water, and soil across the country.
Manufactured by companies like 3M and Chemours, they have made eggs slide out of non-stick pans, helped firefighting foams extinguish flames, and allowed textiles to repel water.
However, these chemicals do not break down easily, leading to enduring environmental presence.
Why are they harmful to humans?
Activists have long warned about the health risks associated with PFAS before the dangers were acknowledged publicly. The same properties that make PFAS valuable—such as their resistance to degradation—pose significant health risks.
PFAS can accumulate in the human body. Consequently, the Biden administration has established limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, which continue to be found in the environment despite being phased out of production.
Exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to various health issues, including kidney disease, low birth weight, elevated cholesterol levels, and even certain cancers, according to the EPA.
Guidelines for PFOA and PFOS have significantly evolved in recent years, reflecting new scientific discoveries. For instance, the 2016 EPA recommended that combined levels of these two substances should not exceed 70 parts per trillion, while the Biden administration later deemed this amount unsafe.
Understanding the EPA’s actions
The EPA is planning to roll back restrictions on three types of PFAS, including less commonly known substances like GenX found predominantly in North Carolina, as well as PFHXS and PFNA. Furthermore, limits regarding PFAS mixtures are also set to be withdrawn.
Few utilities currently would be impacted by the easing of restrictions on these specific types of PFAS. Recent sampling showed that nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities exceed the Biden administration’s limits. However, many utilities are still addressing PFOA and PFOS challenges.
For the more commonly found types, PFOA and PFOS, the EPA will maintain existing restrictions but will provide an additional two years—until 2031—for utilities to comply.
Reactions to the announcement
Environmental groups argue that the EPA’s move to weaken regulations may be illegal. The Safe Drinking Water Act empowers the EPA to limit water contaminants and ensures that new rules do not loosen previous standards.
“The law clearly states that the EPA cannot abolish or weaken drinking water standards,” noted Eric Olson, a senior strategist with the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.
Activists are largely critical of the EPA for not upholding Biden-era standards, warning that this could worsen public health issues.
Industry responses have varied. The American Chemistry Council questioned the scientific foundation of the Biden administration’s stricter rules, asserting that the Trump administration had prioritized cost considerations and scientific foundations.
“EPA actions only partially address this issue and are necessary to prevent significant community impacts and unintended consequences,” the industry group stated.
The American Water Works Association, representing two major utility industry groups, expressed support for the EPA’s decision to withdraw the new approach to limiting chemical mixtures, though they cautioned that this change would not significantly alleviate compliance costs associated with PFAS regulations.
Some utilities expressed a desire for stricter PFOA and PFOS limits, according to Mark White, a drinking water expert at engineering firm CDM Smith.
However, they received the extension instead.
“This will require additional time to handle the current knowledge, demanding more resources. Some utilities are still determining their existing situation.”
Some areas in Texas will experience temperatures hotter than the Sahara desert this Thursday. Intense heat domes are driving temperatures sharply up to triple digits.
In the central and southern regions of Texas, the combined measurement of temperature and humidity is expected to reach “feel-like” temperatures between 105 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. These temperatures are hotter than parts of the Sahara Desert, where several cities in Morocco are forecasted to hit the high ’90s F.
Cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Austin in Texas have a chance of breaking daily temperature records on Thursday, with minimal relief anticipated from the Heat Dome in the coming days.
The oppressive heat and humidity are projected to persist through the weekend and into next week, as noted by the National Weather Service.
While Texans are accustomed to high heat and humidity, the current conditions are more typical of summer rather than May.
Heat advisories are in effect for Atascosa, Bexar, Frio, Medina, Uvalde, and Wilson counties until 8 PM local time. The National Weather Service warns that high temperatures combined with humidity “can lead to heat-related illnesses.”
As reported earlier this week on X, the weather authorities stated that people “will not adapt to this level of heat within a year, increasing the risk of heat-related health issues.”
This early heatwave has already set multiple records, with new daily highs reported in Austin and Del Rio, San Antonio, on Wednesday. Austin Bergstrom International Airport hit a record high of 100 F, surpassing the previous May 14 record of 96 F set in 2003. San Antonio recorded 102 F, breaking its previous record of 97 F from 2022.
Although it’s challenging to link specific extreme weather events to climate change, research indicates that global warming is increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves globally. Every decade since 1850 has seen its hottest years within the last ten years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the last two years setting new global temperature records.
The extreme heat is expected to continue affecting parts of Texas and the southern and central regions through Friday and the weekend. The National Weather Service predicts that heat index values in Texas will range from 100 F to 110 F over Saturday and Sunday.
“Whatever way you look at it, this weekend is set to be extremely hot in southern Texas,” according to the long-term forecast.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
