One of the most immense singular formations observed in the cosmos, these expansive hydrogen gas clouds, have been found surprisingly close to Earth.
Naming it EOS, after the Greek goddess of dawn, the cloud was discovered through the faint ultraviolet light emitted by hydrogen molecules.
Referred to as molecular clouds, these colossal structures of gas and dust serve as nurseries for new stars.
Historically, astronomers have depended on radio and infrared telescopes to locate these clouds, detecting the carbon monoxide signature. However, scientists took a distinct approach to uncover EOS.
“This marks the first molecular cloud identified through the direct search for distant ultraviolet emissions of molecular hydrogen,” stated Professor Blakesley Burkhart, the leading researcher on the project.
“The data revealed glowing hydrogen molecules detected through fluorescence in distant ultraviolet rays. This cloud truly shines in the dark.”
https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2025/04/eos.mp4Scientists have identified potential star-forming clouds, designated EO. It ranks among the largest single structures in the sky and is one of the nearest formations to the sun and earth ever observed.
Situated just 300 light years from Earth at the confines of a gas-rich area known as the local bubble, EOS spans a region of sky comparable to a full moon width of 40 and possesses approximately 3,400 times the sun’s mass.
Despite its size and proximity, it remained concealed due to being “co-dark,” which indicates a deficiency of carbon monoxide that traditional detection methods rely on.
“The discovery of EOS is thrilling because it allows us to directly observe the formation and dissociation of molecular clouds and how galaxies transform interstellar gases and dust into stars and planets,” Burkhart commented.
Dr. Thavisha Dharmawardena noted, “During my graduate studies, I was informed that observing molecular hydrogen wasn’t straightforward.”
The data was acquired using a Faltraviolet spectrometer installed on the Korean satellite STSAT-1. Published in 2023, Burkhart quickly unearthed a concealed structure.
“The story of the cosmos is one of billions of years of atomic transformation,” Burkhart explained.
“The hydrogen found in the EOS cloud dates back to the Big Bang and eventually fell into our galaxy, merging near the sun. Thus, these hydrogen atoms have traveled a remarkable 13.6 billion-year journey.”
While the exact reason remains uncertain, that “fast stomach” sensation you feel on a roller coaster, during a sudden drop on a lift, or when hitting a large bump in a car highlights how your body reacts to rapid shifts in movement and gravity.
Your organs are generally anchored by a network of tissues and muscles, with gravity constantly pulling everything downward. However, when you encounter a dip or bump, the sudden changes in speed and direction—especially a quick descent—can create a distinct experience.
In that instant, your organs do not descend at the same rate as the rest of your body, resulting in a brief moment of weightlessness akin to what astronauts experience in space.
The sharp turns and swift drops of a roller coaster can induce a bit of dizziness. – Illustration credits: James Clapham
Your stomach and intestines are relatively mobile, which is why these areas are more prone to the sensation. Since they are loosely suspended, they lag slightly behind when your body moves downward rapidly.
Nerves surrounding these organs react to their displacement, sending signals to your brain that create those peculiar, stomach-flipping feelings. This sensation is enhanced by the vestibular system in your inner ear.
The vestibular system struggles to adapt to the unexpected drops and shifts in direction, intensifying that disorienting feeling of “falling.” This explains why the quick curves and steep descents of roller coasters can also leave you feeling a bit dizzy.
So, the next time you experience that exhilarating rush, take a moment to appreciate the physics at play: gravity, acceleration, and the intricate balance of your internal organs contributing to the thrill.
This article answers a question sent to Lori Schafer: “Why does my stomach drop on a roller coaster or when I hit a bump?”
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When individuals develop solid tumors in the stomach, esophagus, or rectum, oncologists have established treatment strategies. Yet, these treatments can significantly affect quality of life, leading to outcomes such as stomach and bladder removal, permanent colostomy bags, radiation exposure, infertility from chemotherapy, and lasting bodily harm.
In response, a research team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center utilized drugs from GSK to explore a novel approach.
They initiated the study with 103 participants, who represent a small fraction (2-3%) of cancer patients with tumors ideally suited for immunotherapy—drugs designed to bypass obstacles that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells.
Notably, clinical trials do not generally expect immunotherapy to replace standard treatments. Researchers, led by Dr. Lewis A. Diaz Jr. and Andrea Cerseck, opted to administer dostarlimab, an immunotherapeutic agent.
The outcomes were unexpected and offered hope for a select group of patients faced with these cancers.
In 49 patients with rectal cancer, tumors vanished and did not return after five years. Among 54 patients with other cancers—including esophageal, liver, endometrial, urinary tract, and prostate cancers—35 experienced total tumor disappearance.
Out of the 103 patients, only five experienced a recurrence of cancer. Three were given three doses of immunotherapy, while one was discontinued after the tumor reappeared in the lymph nodes. Currently, the four patients show no signs of disease, while the fifth received further immunotherapy to reduce the tumor size.
On Sunday, investigators presented their findings at the American Cancer Research Association’s Annual Meeting, with a paper featured in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Bert Vogelstein, an oncologist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, termed the results “groundbreaking.”
The drug development’s early stages were conducted in his lab, where he expressed surprise at the advancements.
“The concept of treating large tumors from various organs without surgery seemed like science fiction 20 or 30 years ago,” he noted. However, he emphasized that these discoveries stemmed from decades of foundational research.
The reason immunotherapy succeeded for these significant tumors lies in their gene incompatible repair mutations, which obstruct the correction of DNA damage. This leads to tumors accumulating abnormal proteins that signal the immune system for destruction. Nevertheless, the tumors deploy a shield to fend off immune attacks, which immunotherapy can stimulate, enabling the immune system to target the tumors effectively.
For patients like those in this study, Dr. Michael Oberman, a gastrointestinal cancer specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, suggests the results point towards immunotherapy as an option free of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
However, obstacles remain. The drug is priced around $11,000 per dose, requiring patients to undergo nine infusions over six months. To qualify for insurance coverage, it needs inclusion in clinical guidelines established by professional organizations.
The drug is approved for treating uterine cancer with mismatch repair mutations and is also listed in clinical guidelines for rectal cancer, based on previous small-scale studies. Yet, Dr. Diaz indicated that other cancer patients may face challenges in taking the medication. Nonetheless, Memorial Sloan Kettering continues to recruit participants for clinical trials, meaning those with eligible tumors can access the drug at no cost.
For some individuals, immunotherapy is life-transforming. Side effects can occur, with the study noting fatigue, rashes, and itching as the most common. Rare side effects included pulmonary infections and encephalitis.
Maureen Sidris, a 71-year-old from Amenia, New York, discovered she had cancer after struggling to eat a burger.
“It wouldn’t go down,” she recounted, realizing there was some blockage. Ultimately, it was identified as a tumor at the junction of her stomach and esophagus.
In 2019, she visited Sloan Kettering, where her surgeon advised that surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were mandatory and that surgery would be complex.
However, due to her tumor’s mismatch repair mutation, she was able to join a clinical trial. Her first injection occurred on October 14 of that year, and by January, her tumor had disappeared. While Sidris experienced one side effect from the treatment requiring medication to support her kidney function, she considers it worthwhile to avoid the challenging treatments initially suggested.
“It was indeed a journey,” she remarked. However, she reasoned that she had everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying immunotherapy.
“If it didn’t succeed, I still had surgery as a backup,” she concluded.
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life when the ovaries cease hormone production, but the journey leading up to this milestone can span several years. This extended phase is known as perimenopause.
On average, menopause occurs around age 51, meaning many women begin noticing symptoms of perimenopause in their mid-40s. These symptoms can vary greatly from one individual to another. While hot flashes and irregular heavy periods are commonly cited, not everyone experiences them.
Additionally, even within the same person, symptoms can differ in type, frequency, and intensity.
More than 75% of women report experiencing a range of symptoms, with about 25% indicating that these symptoms significantly impact their quality of life. Common issues include sleep disturbances, anxiety, and weight gain.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are often overlooked or dismissed by professionals as resulting from other medical conditions.
Symptoms and Treatment
Insomnia is often one of the earliest symptoms, potentially starting in one’s late 30s or early 40s. Research shows up to 60% of women over 40 are affected by sleep problems.
Changes in mood are also common, with women experiencing feelings of anger, irritability, sadness, and depression.
Other possible symptoms include brain fog, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, joint and muscle pain, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and discomfort.
Many women hesitate to seek medical help due to embarrassment or a desire to avoid making a fuss. While consulting a healthcare provider is crucial, currently, there are no official menopause or perimenopause tests for women older than 45.
This highlights the importance of tracking symptoms and noting when they occur. By discussing these experiences with your doctor, women can collaboratively determine the best treatment options.
For instance, there is robust evidence supporting the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, particularly for alleviating hot flashes and night sweats.
HRT has also been shown to help some women achieve better sleep and may alleviate negative cognitive symptoms. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist with management and stabilize mood and sleep patterns.
However, prescribing clonidine and antidepressants as first-line treatments is considered outdated.
Other studies indicate that HRT may also help maintain bone mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
HRT encompasses various medications, including estrogen, combinations of estrogen and progestogen (another female hormone), and testosterone. These can be administered through patches or gels.
The type and dosage of HRT depend on the specific condition being managed, individual risks, and personal preferences. There is no definitive cutoff for starting HRT; the benefits must outweigh perceived risks.
New Research
Women undergoing HRT also experience a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes. Studies have indicated that starting estrogens as part of HRT early in the perimenopausal phase may further lower the risk of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Specifically, the cardiovascular disease prevention benefits are notable for women who begin HRT in their 50s as compared to those who start after age 60.
However, initiating HRT solely for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia is not recommended. There are known risks associated with certain types of HRT, including an elevated risk of uterine cancer when estrogen-only HRT is used without progestogens, as well as an increased risk of blood clots.
Osteoporosis generally affects older adults and postmenopausal women. HRT can help treat it. – Image credits: Science Photo Library
The primary concern remains breast cancer. This area is complex due to variable risks linked to historical clinical trial data, along with personal and family health histories, and lifestyle factors such as alcohol intake and obesity.
This variability can impact the clinical significance of the data for each individual.
Current evidence suggests that estrogen-only HRTs have little to no correlation with breast cancer risk, while combined HRTs may increase the risk by 3-4 cases per 1,000 women.
Alternative Treatment
Local estrogen HRT, applied topically, has proven very effective for managing vulvar and vaginal pain and dryness, as well as recurrent urinary tract infections.
Moreover, testosterone treatments paired with estrogens may benefit some women with low sexual desire.
Unfortunately, HRT isn’t a panacea. A review of current clinical trials shows no significant improvements in cognitive function, bone density, body composition, strength, or psychological health for women undergoing treatment.
Many women may opt against HRT, particularly those with a history of breast cancer.
Previously, alternative treatments were limited, primarily focusing on antidepressants and clonidine. These options have shown limited effectiveness and significant side effects. Recently, the new non-hormonal medication Fezolinetant has received approval for managing blood flow issues.
Natural Relief
In addition to medication, lifestyle and behavioral modifications—like improving sleep, increasing physical activity, and adopting better nutrition—carry no associated risks and can yield significant benefits.
Starting with sleep is often beneficial. When well-rested, focusing on enhancing activity and diet becomes more manageable.
Implementing good sleep hygiene practices, avoiding screens before bedtime, maintaining a consistent sleep routine, and utilizing CBT have all been shown to mitigate insomnia and other sleep disorders in women undergoing menopause.
Increasing activity levels can also be incredibly beneficial. Strength training exercises help build and maintain muscle and bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis, enhances flexibility, and reduces insulin resistance.
Aerobic activities such as running, swimming, and cycling can improve long-term heart and brain health. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fresh foods while limiting ultra-processed items is advantageous at any life stage.
Although menopause can be challenging, various proven interventions can assist in making this transition smoother.
For decades, insulin, cardiac treatments, and antibiotics have crossed numerous borders without restrictions. Customs duty exemptions have helped make medications affordable. However, this could soon change.
President Trump has been voicing plans for high tariffs on pharmaceuticals as part of a strategy to revamp the global trading landscape and stimulate domestic manufacturing. This month, he mentioned drug tariffs could be expected “in the near future.”
If implemented, this decision could lead to significant and unpredictable repercussions for medicines produced in the European Union.
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals are the top export to the US. This includes various profitable products such as popular weight-loss drugs, cancer therapies, cardiovascular treatments, and flu vaccines.
“These are vital items that ensure lives,” remarked Léa Auffret, head of international affairs at Beuc, a European consumer organization. “It’s alarming to potentially involve them in a trade conflict.”
European firms may respond to Trump’s tariffs in several ways. Some pharmaceutical companies, eager to avoid tariffs, have already announced plans to boost production in the US, aligning with Trump’s vision. Others might consider shifting their production there later.
Alternatively, some firms may choose to remain but increase prices to offset the tariffs, consequently raising patient costs. Rising prices could impact both European and American patients. Certain companies have begun arguing that Europe must create more business-friendly terms by easing regulations that keep drug prices low.
There might also be a middle ground where companies adjust their financial interests to the US for accounting reasons to dodge import fees.
Auffret’s organization has cautioned European officials against retaliating with tariffs on American medicines in response.
Navigating the pharmaceutical sector is intricate. Insurance contracts and government regulations can complicate abrupt pricing adjustments for branded drugs, making long-term commitments challenging. Consequently, no one can predict outcomes with confidence.
“We haven’t encountered tariffs on medicines for quite some time,” noted Brad W. Sesser, an economist with the Council on Foreign Relations, who has researched the tax regulations encouraging overseas production.
Even if Trump postpones the so-called “mutual” tariffs for a full 10% rate during the transition, he has indicated that specific industry tariffs are forthcoming, revealing that computer chips and pharmaceuticals are next in line. Recently, the US initiated an investigation into both sectors, marking the initial step toward imposing tariffs.
Many industry analysts predict that new tariffs could reach 25%, similar to those already imposed on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
Potential tariffs are particularly concerning for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, especially in Ireland, where pharmaceuticals account for 80% of exports to the US.
Many pharmaceutical firms relocated to Ireland due to its low corporate tax rates. However, they also benefit from a robust workforce skilled in pharmaceutical development.
The sector has grown swiftly in recent years, with over 90 pharmaceutical companies currently operating there, as reported by the Foreign Direct Investment Agency. Many major US drug manufacturers also have a significant presence in the country. Last year, the Irish pharmaceutical sector exported 58 billion euros, or about $66 billion, worth of drugs and chemicals to the US.
“The Irish population is intelligent,” Trump remarked during a March visit from Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin to the White House. “You trained at our pharmaceutical companies and other firms,” he continued, referencing “this beautiful island of 5 million people, where the entire US pharmaceutical industry keeps an eye.”
Currently, tariffs could diminish the manufacturing advantages in Ireland, aligning with Trump’s intentions.
“In the US, we no longer produce our own medications,” Trump stated from the Oval Office last week. “Pharmaceutical companies are based in Ireland,” he added.
Companies are already expanding their operations. Firms are hurrying to export medications from Ireland to the US before potential barriers arise, as statistics indicate.
Ireland stands out as the only unaffected nation, while Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Slovenia serve as key exporters.
“This poses a significant issue for Europe,” observed Penny Nurse, who directed the competitiveness program at the German Marshall Fund think tank and has extensive experience in European public policy and corporate relations.
European leaders are reaching out to both American officials and industry members. Following his visit with the Irish Prime Minister, the Irish Foreign Minister also traveled to Washington to confer with the Secretary of Commerce.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, convened in Brussels with the European Pharmaceutical Industry Association, the lobbying group representing Europe’s largest pharmaceutical firms.
The industry is seizing opportunities to advocate for reduced regulatory burdens.
European pharmaceutical lobbyists conveyed to von der Leyen that companies might relocate production or investment to the US in response to Trump’s tariffs, particularly if they encounter expedited approvals and improved access to capital.
At least 18 members of this group, including Bayer, Pfizer, and Merck, plan to invest nearly 165 billion euros in the European Union over the next five years, with half of that potentially relocating to the United States. However, this forecast may not encompass all potential shifts.
“Pharmaceutical companies require more favorable conditions to produce in Europe,” stated Dorothy Blackman, head of Pharma Germany, the country’s largest pharmaceutical association.
Such warnings appear to carry weight as companies begin to strategize increased spending in the US. Recently, Roche announced a $50 billion investment plan, marking the latest in a series of similar announcements.
In a recent commentary, the CEOs of Novartis and Sanofi suggested that reduced regulations alone won’t suffice to prevent the current downturn. They asserted that “European price control and austerity measures will diminish market appeal,” and urged the bloc to pave the way for higher pricing.
Executives in the industry are also cautioning that tariffs could disrupt supply chains, impair patient access, and weaken research and development efforts.
“There’s a reason” drug tariffs remain at zero, stated Joaquin Duatto, CEO of Johnson & Johnson. During a recent earnings call, he added, “Tariffs create disruption in the supply chain and lead to shortages.”
Von der Leyen emphasized similar worries, noting that tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector could impact “globally interconnected supply chains and the availability of medications for both European and American patients.”
Pharmaceutical tariffs also threaten the European Union with another risk.
Many generics are typically manufactured in Asia, where efforts are underway to bolster the production of essential but less profitable medications.
Yet, if US tariffs prompt Chinese and Indian generic manufacturers to seek non-US markets, this could inundate Europe with cheaper drugs.
This influx might complicate the EU’s efforts to establish a domestic base for generics, even as it entices the US to produce well-known brand-name medications.
“We anticipate this may result in increased investment in the US,” indicated Diederik Stadig, a sector economist at ING. “The European Commission must act urgently.”
Archaeologists have unveiled the first tangible evidence that Roman gladiators confronted lions, following the identification of bite marks on skeletons unearthed in York, England, attributed to a large feline.
The remains discovered on Driffield Terrace, one of the best-preserved gladiator burial sites in Rome, date back around 1,800 years and belong to a man who likely faced a gruesome death at the jaws of a lion.
A recent analysis of the skeleton, excavated over two decades ago, indicates that he probably succumbed to a lion’s attack. The research team compared three-dimensional scans of bite marks on the warrior’s hip bones with lion bite samples from a zoo, confirming a match.
The puncture on the gladiator’s bones provides the first direct evidence of Roman battles involving lions. -Thompson et al
“This is a very exciting discovery,” said Marine Horst, a lecturer in osteophytes at York University and managing director of York Bone Artisans.
“We can now start to paint a clearer picture of what these gladiators experienced in life. We also observe that in urban arenas like York, the existence of big cats and possibly other exotic animals posed a threat they had to defend against.”
The skeletons belonged to men aged between 26 and 35, buried alongside two others and covered with horse bones, indicating a burial practice.
In life, he likely faced malnutrition as a child and exhibited signs of spinal injury, inflammation, and physical stress.
Unhealed lion bites are believed to be the cause of death, after which he seems to have been beheaded—a practice noted in Roman burials, although its significance remains unclear.
Driffield Terrace has long drawn interest, with excavations that began in 2004 revealing over 80 young, robust male skeletons.
While depictions of gladiators battling lions are common, concrete evidence of such encounters is rare. – Councillor of the British Museum
Dental enamel analysis confirmed that these individuals originated from the Roman Empire, and many experienced atypical funerals.
The latest findings bolster the theory that these men were gladiators, referred to as Bestiarius: a class of fighters who faced wild animals often stemming from enslaved backgrounds.
“For years, our comprehension of Roman gladiator combat and animal spectacles relied heavily on historical texts and artistic illustrations,” remarked Professor Tim Thompson from Maynooth University, Ireland.
“This discovery offers the first direct physical evidence proving such events took place during that era, reshaping our understanding of the entertainment culture in the region during Roman times.”
Though no amphitheater has yet been found in York, historical documentation suggests the city hosted arena events from the fourth century onward.
During this period, York served as a pivotal center of the empire, home to prominent Roman generals, including Constantine the Great, who was declared emperor in 306 AD.
David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeology commented on the gladiators: “You may never know that this man fought in an arena for the entertainment of others, but it’s noteworthy that the first osteological evidence of this type of gladiator combat has emerged far from the Colosseum in Rome.”
The study documenting these findings is published in the journal PLOS 1.
A recent study brings hope for adults living with severe peanut allergies, revealing that they can develop tolerance in just a few weeks.
Researchers gradually introduced 21 adults with severe allergies to peanut products.
By the conclusion of the trial, 14 participants could safely consume a handful of peanuts without experiencing any allergic reactions.
This method, known as oral immunotherapy, has shown success in previous studies involving children and infants, marking the first instance it has been tested in adults.
Chief Investigator Professor Stephen Till, a leading adult allergy expert from King’s College London, expressed satisfaction with the results, stating he was “very pleased.”
“The constant fear of potentially life-threatening reactions places a significant burden on individuals with peanut allergies,” he commented. “Currently, the only management strategy for these allergies is strict avoidance and the treatment of reactions, including the use of adrenaline.”
Peanut allergies affect around 2% of the population in Western countries. According to a 2021 survey, this condition appears to be on the rise.
The trial indicated “preliminary evidence” that adults with severe allergies could achieve desensitization, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
Participants in the study were aged 18 to 40 and diagnosed with severe peanut allergies through the Guy and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
They began with small amounts of peanut flour mixed into food, monitored closely. The initial dose was 0.8 mg, equivalent to less than 0.3% of a peanut.
If tolerated, the participants moved on to 1.5 mg after 30 minutes, and then 3 mg after another 30 minutes, representing 1% of a peanut.
Those who could handle 1.5 or 3 mg continued consuming that amount daily for two weeks before returning to the clinic for supervision while attempting higher doses.
Participants prepared peanut flour each day, gradually increasing the dosage until they could tolerate 50 mg to 1 g of peanut protein, which translates to 2-4 peanuts.
Once they reached this level, they transitioned to real peanuts, peanut butter, or other peanut products.
Participants in this study gradually increased their intake, under strict clinical supervision, from a small portion of peanut flour to full peanuts. – Credit: Helen Camacaro via Getty
Chris, a 28-year-old participant in the study, remarked: “My entire life was consumed by the fear associated with peanuts. I started with a little peanut flour in yogurt. By the end of the trial, I could sit down and eat four peanuts.”
Chris now includes four peanuts in his breakfast daily to maintain his immunity, stating: “Although minor mistakes can have grave consequences, I no longer fear collapsing or dying during takeout.”
Professor Adam Fox, chairman of the National Allergy Research Group and professor of pediatric allergy at King’s College London, called the study “important evidence of the principle,” which could be beneficial in treating adult allergies, although he was not involved in the research.
He cautioned, however: “This treatment must be conducted under careful medical supervision and should never be attempted independently.”
This study was published in the scientific journal Allergy.
A newly identified species of caterpillar has been found climbing the spider webs on Oahu, Hawaii, presenting an unprecedented sight for scientists.
This caterpillar not only thrives in a peculiar and precarious environment but also resides in tree hollows, rock crevices, and within the nets of curled logs. Interestingly, it is carnivorous and uses parts of its prey as camouflage after consuming them.
This unusual insect, recognized by researchers, is a rare outlier in the insect kingdom. Out of roughly 200,000 known species of moths and butterflies, only about 0.1% are carnivorous.
“Carthymen are extremely uncommon among caterpillars,” stated Professor Adam Hart, an ecologist, conservation scientist, and entomologist at the University of Gloucestershire who was not part of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “In fact, it’s only found in Hawaiian species groups.”
Bone collector caterpillars share webs with spiders and consume their prey. -Rubinoff Lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa
This newly discovered species is adept at scavenging. It consumes weak or deceased insects that become ensnared in spider webs and can even chew through silk to access its food source if needed.
Dragging a silk case (the protective outer layer before transforming into a moth), it accumulates adhesive threads, exoskeletons, and insect limbs, creating a creepy yet effective disguise.
Researchers uncovered body parts from over six different insect species attached to these caterpillars. This is not a random assortment but a carefully curated collection.
“Before caterpillars weave their collection, the body parts are meticulously sized,” explained the authors of the published study in Science.
The parts are arranged optimally, with oversized pieces being bitten down to size before being incorporated, resulting in a creepy yet intentional suit of armor fashioned from the remains of their prey.
“Many caterpillars possess incredible camouflage, typically integrated into their form and behavior,” Hart noted. “It’s rare for them to utilize their environment as camouflage in this manner, but it’s not unheard of in moths; for instance, bagworms use environmental materials to construct their cases.”
To further explore this species, researchers raised some caterpillars in captivity, where they soon observed another unsettling behavior: cannibalism. The solitary nature of these caterpillars in the wild may explain their isolation, as only one is found per web.
Large bone collector caterpillars share smaller specimens in captivity.
The researchers also tested whether bone collectors would use other types of debris for decoration, finding they only decorated with insect remnants.
Despite its peculiar lifestyle, this species has existed for a lengthy period, potentially six million years, which is more than twice the age of Oahu itself.
However, its current range is limited to just 15km² (5.8 square miles) and is at significant risk of extinction. Without immediate conservation efforts, researchers warn that “the last living representative of this lineage of carnivorous, body-adorned caterpillars will vanish, adapted to the precarious existence within spider webs.”
“There are countless extraordinary invertebrates out there, with much more yet to be discovered,” Hart remarked. “Moth caterpillars disguised as the remains of insect prey, living predatory lives on spider webs, is certainly one of the strangest and most fascinating things I’ve heard in quite a while.”
About our experts
Adam Hart is an entomologist and professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Besides his research and educational efforts, he frequently appears on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, participating in documentaries on various topics from trophy hunting to tree diseases. He also hosts a weekly science program, Science Behaviour for BBC World Services. On television, Adam has co-presented several documentary series, including BBC Four’s Planet Ant and BBC Two’s Living Hive.
Concerns are escalating among actors and experts after video evidence obtained by BBC Science Focus revealed that a New York City poultry market is neglecting essential safety measures to protect both staff and the public amid rising bird flu cases in the state.
The footage showcases employees at various locations in Queens handling birds without the minimal recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
This revelation comes shortly after city officials ordered a temporary closure of over 80 poultry markets following the identification of avian flu cases in February.
Despite efforts by the New York State Department of Agricultural Markets to test birds for the virus before entering the live markets, conditions have raised alarms among advocates, as not adhering to biosecurity protocols could lead to further spread.
Taken from a video at the entrance to the live poultry market in Queens, New York, on April 13, 2025, this shows workers without masks and insufficient PPE. They are seen wearing only one glove, and possibly touching their faces with uncovered hands. – Crystal Heath
Doctor Crystal Heath, the veterinarian who filmed the footage, indicated that “These live poultry markets do not adhere to basic biosecurity protocols.” He emphasized the role of official negligence in allowing these sites to compromise public health.
Edita Birnkrant, executive director of Animal Rights New Yorker, a nonprofit organization, has inspected numerous markets, declaring that conditions within them pose risks to both workers and customers.
“Anyone walking by could be exposed to pathogens,” she noted in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
Both Heath and Birnkrant have urged public health officials to take decisive actions to mitigate the risk of avian flu in New York’s poultry markets, warning that locations in densely populated areas pose significant public health threats.
Heath explained that these markets bring together multiple bird species, creating an optimal setting for the virus to interact with other strains of influenza, potentially leading to new variants that could spread between humans.
Footage captured by Heath highlights clear violations of biosecurity recommendations. The New York Ministry of Agriculture Markets indicated to BBC Science Focus on April 15 that best practices for live poultry markets should include:
Discouraging unnecessary visitors
Utilizing biosecurity signs to prevent unauthorized entry
Ensuring footwear is covered and disinfected for visitors
Screening visitors for recent bird contact
Reporting any abnormal, sick, or deceased birds to authorities.
Captured from a video taken outside another live poultry market in Queens, New York, on April 13, 2025, this shows individuals leaving the market without any protective gear. The facility’s doors are wide open, allowing public access. – Crystal Heath
In response to inquiries from BBC Science Focus, New York State Health Department Director Dr. James MacDonald stated there is “no immediate threat to public health” and that no confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported among humans in New York. However, he advised those regularly in contact with livestock and wild birds to exercise caution by wearing PPE.
Despite these warnings, the Health Department has confirmed that there are currently no plans to mandate PPE use in New York’s live poultry markets.
While no human cases have been documented in New York thus far, over 70 infections have occurred nationwide, with some leading to fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that there is no confirmed human-to-human transmission, asserting that the general public remains at low risk.
Nonetheless, experts caution that each time a virus successfully infects a person, it presents potential for evolution. Research indicates that single mutations in the H5N1 strain responsible for ongoing outbreaks could facilitate easier human transmission.
Professor Jarra Jagne, a poultry expert and veterinarian affiliated with the US Department of Agriculture’s Livebird Market Working Group, stated that while PPE usage is highly encouraged, there are currently no legal mandates for its use.
This was taken from a video captured at the third live poultry market in Queens, New York, on April 13, 2025, showing individuals without masks or other PPE. The entrance to this market was also open to the public. – Crystal Heath
“We advise that these viruses can infect humans, and we recommend wearing masks and changing clothes when visiting the market,” she stated. “Ultimately, it’s a personal choice.”
Jagne emphasized the concern of irregular PPE use, but noted that New York’s live bird markets are better regulated than they were in the past. Regulations now dictate bird sourcing, handling, and testing procedures.
“Conditions used to be dire,” she remarked. “New York has more markets than any other state, and we had to lead the charge. For many years, flu cases in these markets have been minimal.”
Currently, flocks must be tested 72 hours prior to their market entry, with additional testing conducted upon arrival. However, Jagne pointed out that even rigorous testing cannot eliminate the wide array of risks, particularly as wild birds continue to circulate the virus across the nation.
The presence of unprotected customers in these markets poses a significant vulnerability. “Perhaps markets should provide masks at the entrance, similar to what we did during Covid,” Jagne suggested.
The poultry market featured in Heath’s video has not responded to requests for comment from BBC Science Focus.
About our experts
Crystal Heath: A veterinarian specializing in shelter medicine and high-quality castration neutrality (HQHVSN), and co-founder of Our Honor, a nonprofit organization focused on animal rights.
Edita Birnkrant: Executive director of Animal Rights New Yorker, a nonprofit established in 2008 with a mission to advocate for animal rights, including saving NYC carriage horses and promoting the Animal Rights Act.
James MacDonald MD, MPH: A health committee member of the New York State Department of Health. Before joining the department in July 2022, MacDonald worked with the Rhode Island Department of Health since 2012.
Jarra Jagne: A Practical Professor in the Public and Ecosystem Health Department at Cornell University’s Veterinary Medicine Department, with research published in journals like International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Avian Diseases, and Avian Pathology.
Editor’s Notes
This article is based on footage and information gathered during an independent investigation into live poultry market practices. All content is sourced legally and reviewed to adhere to editorial standards. To protect privacy, identifying details have been removed or obscured. The footage was filmed in a public setting; individuals or businesses depicted are not meant to be misrepresented, and every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular approach to enhance health and boost metabolism. However, recent research indicates that its advantages may be diminished by body fat due to inconspicuous disruptions in the liver’s hunger adaptation.
In a study, researchers assessed liver modifications in both healthy and obese mice that lacked leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, during food deprivation periods. Intermittent fasting entails extended calorie restriction followed by a regular eating window.
Both mouse groups exhibited similar metabolic networks, comprising liver molecules that collaboratively manage energy; however, significant differences in timing were observed.
“In a healthy liver, energy-centric molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) quickly respond to starvation and modulate various metabolic reactions,” stated Professor Shinya Kuroda in BBC Science Focus.
“This mechanism appears to be deficient and confused in obese individuals.”
To put it differently, in healthy mice, energy-related molecules like ATP and AMP operate as primary hubs, swiftly adapting metabolic responses to conserve and redistribute energy. Conversely, in obese mice, these molecules did not exhibit a quick response, resulting in a sluggish and disoriented reaction to starvation.
A rapid response from ATP and AMP during periods of food scarcity enables the liver to utilize energy from stored reserves. This process is believed to facilitate several benefits of intermittent fasting, such as weight reduction and better glycemic control.
Through a combination of structural and temporal metabolic analyses, the research team elucidates how obesity induces metabolic “jet lag,” complicating not just the timing but also the manner in which crucial molecular events transpire.
“Our findings could have significant implications for enhancing the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in humans,” Kuroda remarked.
“Next, we aim to identify easily detectable blood-based biomarkers in humans,” Kuroda added. “Ultimately, clinical research is necessary to assess our findings. The journey is lengthy, but every thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.”
Shinya Kuroda is a professor at the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan, focusing on Systems Biology. His research includes publications in Cell, Journal of Biochemistry, and Natural Cell Biology.
As it emerged, it was yet another journey into the abyss, cloaked in darkness: mid-water, a delicate, ethereal shape transitioning into another realm.
A remotely operated vehicle, Subathian, recorded the first footage of a giant squid stable in its natural habitat in the southern ocean near Antarctica. The giant squid can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length, making it the heaviest invertebrate on the planet, yet until now, it remained elusive.
This remarkable discovery occurred during a 35-day expedition to the Southern Sandwich Islands, a secluded volcanic arc in the Southern Ocean, aboard the Folcole (too).
The expedition aimed to expedite the discovery of deep-sea species, but nobody anticipated encountering one of the ocean’s most elusive giants.
“We were operating Subathian at a depth of about 2,000 meters that day for trench work,” stated Dr. Michelle Taylor, Chief Scientist of the Expedition and Senior Lecturer at Essex University, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
While Subathian navigated through the cerulean waters, we remained in the control room, surrounded by high-resolution cameras and screens displaying sensor data from the vehicle. A group of scientists observed intently as we monitored the water column.
On March 9th, at a depth of approximately 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet), the pilot spotted something and began to hover.
“None of us aboard were squid specialists, but we quickly recognized it as a stunning glass squid,” Taylor recounted. “We documented it for about three minutes before resuming our mission to explore the ocean floor.”
The giant squid is among the planet’s most enigmatic creatures. Until now, they had only been seen as dead specimens—either accidentally caught by fishing boats or found in a whale’s stomach. Documenting a living specimen is akin to discovering a unicorn in marine biology.
Furthermore, the squid was not yet fully grown. “It was a juvenile,” Taylor explained. “It lacked some physical features of adult squid, but it was definitely not fully developed. Its size was quite modest for a giant squid.”
Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Subathian is recovered by research vessel Folcole after another successful mission to explore the depths of the ocean – Alex Ingle/Schmidt Ocean Institute
The footage streamed live on YouTube during the dive was initially flagged by audience members.
Taylor consulted with Dr. Kat Bolstad, a cephalopod expert at Auckland Institute of Technology, along with other colleagues, who confirmed their identification with the aid of the 4K video footage captured during the dive.
Telltale clues included a distinctive hook along the squid’s arm.
“[Knowing it’s a colossal squid], I find it both beautiful and extraordinary,” Taylor remarked.
While the giant squid garnered headlines, it was not the singular highlight of the Folcole (too) expedition. About a month ago, researchers also captured the first in situ footage of a glacial glass squid.
Both sightings resulted from lengthy, meticulous dives conducted by Subathian, which can descend up to 4,500 meters (3 miles), enhancing the role of “telepresence” in scientific exploration.
This is the first confirmed footage of a glacier glass squid captured in January – Rov Subathian/Schmidt Ocean Institute
“It’s a new milestone, bringing the world into the deep sea in ways that were once impossible,” Taylor states. “Science enthusiasts and the general public can engage directly with our findings, often possessing extensive knowledge about what we observe.”
Taylor emphasizes that the mission’s deeper purpose transcends mere discovery; it aims to enhance the understanding and protection of deep-sea life.
“This is the last frontier,” she emphasizes. “It’s perplexing why we pursue other planets when we barely comprehend our own oceans.”
The Ocean Census seeks to expedite the discovery of new species, yet this process remains painstakingly slow. Often, it takes over a decade from specimen collection to formal recognition.
In its initial years, the project has already documented more than 800 new species, focusing on uncharted areas and fostering collaboration with a global network of taxonomists.
The sighting of the giant squid may have been serendipitous, but for Taylor, it marks merely the beginning.
“There is still much left to discover,” she asserts.
About our experts
Michelle Taylor is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Essex. Her research focuses on the deep sea and its diverse habitats. As the lead investigator of the Ocean Census, she headed the Japan Foundation-Necton Marine Census team on the South Sandwich Islands expedition.
Menopause marks a pivotal moment in a woman’s life when the ovaries cease hormone production, but the transition leading up to this significant event can span several years, known as perimenopause.
On average, women experience menopause around age 51, resulting in most women starting to notice perimenopause symptoms in their mid-40s. These symptoms can differ greatly among women, with hot flashes and irregular heavy periods often recognized as indicators, although not everyone experiences the same symptoms.
Additionally, even within the same individual, symptoms can vary in type, frequency, and intensity.
Over 75% of women report experiencing a range of symptoms, with about 25% stating that their symptoms significantly impact their quality of life. Symptoms can include sleep disturbances, anxiety, and weight gain.
It’s worth noting that these symptoms have historically been overlooked and often attributed to other health conditions by experts.
Symptoms and Treatment
Insomnia is frequently one of the first symptoms, which can begin in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s. Research indicates that as many as 60% of women over 40 experience insomnia.
Other symptoms may encompass mood swings, with women often feeling persistent anger, irritability, sadness, and depression.
In addition, symptoms may include cognitive issues like brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, joint and muscle pain, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, gender dyscomfort, and pain.
Despite this, many women delay seeking medical attention due to feelings of embarrassment or a desire not to “make a fuss.” While it’s crucial to obtain medical guidance, there are currently no specific menopause tests for women over 45.
This underscores the importance of tracking and documenting symptoms to share with healthcare providers, aiding in the determination of the best treatment options.
For instance, there is substantial evidence supporting the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in accordance with the guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, particularly for alleviating hot flashes and night sweats.
HRT has also been shown to assist some women in achieving better sleep and can sometimes ease negative cognitive symptoms. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help manage blood flow issues, stabilizing mood and sleep patterns.
It is now considered outdated to use medications like clonidine and antidepressants as first-line treatments.
Other studies suggest that HRT can also be beneficial in maintaining bone mineral density and reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
HRT encompasses various types of medications, including estrogen, combinations of estrogen and progestogen, and testosterone, which can be administered through patches or gels.
The appropriate type and dosage of HRT depend on the specific condition being treated, individual risk factors, and personal preferences. There is no strict age cut-off for starting HRT; rather, it should be guided by the benefits outweighing perceived risks.
Read more:
New Research
Women undergoing HRT may also benefit from a decreased risk of colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes. Research indicates that initiating estrogens as part of HRT early in the perimenopausal phase could further lower the risk of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Notably, the cardiovascular disease prevention benefits are most pronounced among women who commence HRT in their 50s, compared to those who start after 60.
However, HRT is not recommended solely for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and dementia due to known risks associated with certain HRT treatments, including the possibility of uterine cancer when estrogen-only HRT is used without protective progestogens, which does not elevate blood clot risks.
Osteoporosis generally affects older adults and postmenopausal women. HRT can help treat it. – Image credits: Science Photo Library
The primary concern remains breast cancer prevalence, a complex issue influenced by varying risks outlined in clinical trial data, individual and family history, as well as lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and obesity.
This directly impacts the clinical relevance of the data for individual patients.
Current evidence suggests that estrogen-only HRTs have little to no association with increased breast cancer risk, while combined HRTs may correlate with an increased risk of 3-4 additional cases per 1,000 women.
Alternative Treatments
Topical local estrogen HRT has proven highly effective in managing and preventing significant vulvar and vaginal pain and dryness, as well as recurrent urinary tract infections.
Moreover, testosterone treatments alongside estrogens may assist women experiencing low sexual desire.
Nonetheless, HRT cannot serve as a one-size-fits-all solution. A review of current clinical trials reveals no significant enhancements in cognitive function, bone density, body composition, strength, or psychological health among women undergoing treatment.
Additionally, many women may prefer to avoid HRT, particularly those with a history of breast cancer.
Previously, alternative treatments were sparse, primarily revolving around antidepressants and clonidine, both of which have demonstrated limited effectiveness and notable side effects. However, a new non-hormonal medication, Fezolinetant, has recently been approved to manage blood flow issues.
Natural Relief
In addition to medication, lifestyle and behavioral modifications—such as sleep, physical activity, and nutrition—carry no associated risks and can yield significant benefits.
Improving sleep is often an excellent starting point, as restorative sleep makes it easier to enhance activity levels and diet.
Establishing good sleep hygiene, avoiding screens before bedtime, maintaining a consistent sleep routine, and practicing CBT have been shown effective in addressing insomnia and other sleep disorders affecting women in the menopause transition.
Elevating physical activity levels can also be tremendously beneficial. Engaging in strength training exercises helps build and maintain muscle and bone density, aiding in the prevention of osteoporosis, while promoting flexibility and reducing insulin resistance.
Aerobic exercises such as running, swimming, and cycling can further enhance heart and brain health. At any stage in life, adhering to a balanced diet rich in fresh foods while limiting ultra-processed products is advantageous.
Although menopause can be challenging, a range of effective interventions can ease this transitional period.
A research team from Penn State has developed a novel hybrid device that integrates distinct sensors with a flexible wireless power supply and an emotional recognition transmission module.
Wearable patches can accurately track multiple emotional signals at the same time. Image credit: Yangbo Yuan/Penn State.
“This represents a new and enhanced method for understanding our emotions by observing various body signals simultaneously,” stated Dr. Hua New Larry’Chen of Pennsylvania.
“Relying solely on facial expressions for emotional understanding can often be misleading.”
“Many people do not always express how they truly feel, so combining analyses of expression with other significant physiological signals can ultimately enhance mental health monitoring and support.”
The sticker-like patches monitor various physiological responses, including skin temperature, humidity, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels linked to emotional states.
Crucially, the device’s sensors are designed to function independently, reducing interference among different measurements.
The system integrates the analysis of physiological signals with facial data to better differentiate between authentic and behavioral emotions.
It wirelessly transmits real-time measurement data to your mobile device and cloud, where it could potentially assist clinicians in effectively evaluating patients.
The device does not store personal data; it only records signals, ensuring privacy is safeguarded through its design.
“This technology has the potential to aid individuals facing mental health challenges, especially when they may not be entirely forthcoming about their struggles,” remarked Yambo Yuan, a doctoral student in Pennsylvania.
“The collected data could also help bridge cultural or social divides, which can manifest as a disparity between stoic or expressive presentations to healthcare providers.”
“Tracking these signals could enable early detection of issues like anxiety and depression as they develop.”
Researchers have crafted a flexible device by folding a thin layer of materials such as platinum or gold into a wave-like shape that maintains its sensitivity, even when stretched or twisted.
A layer of material incorporated into a hollow tube made of carbon atoms adjusts current flow with temperature, absorbing moisture and monitoring humidity levels.
Multiple sensors have been designed and positioned on the device to avoid interference with each other’s readings.
For instance, scientists placed a rigid layer underneath the temperature and humidity sensors to protect it from the stretching experienced by the expression sensor.
A waterproof layer was also utilized to shield temperature and strain sensors from humidity.
Dr. Libo Gao, a researcher at Xiamen University, stated:
The authors subsequently trained artificial intelligence (AI) models to interpret and recognize the signs of human emotions exhibited.
They enlisted eight participants, a typical sample size for pilot studies, who expressed six fundamental emotions: happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust.
Participants showcased each emotional expression 100 times while the device monitored movements.
The researchers then input the data into AI models, training them to link specific facial movements with distinct emotions.
Three additional participants were recruited to further evaluate the model’s effectiveness.
It categorized facial expressions with an impressive accuracy of 96.28%.
In testing the device’s capacity to monitor actual emotions, the scientists assessed how well it recorded the psychological responses of the same participants while viewing video clips designed to evoke emotions.
The device successfully identified emotions with an accuracy of 88.83%, confirming that the psychological responses corresponded with established links between emotions, such as rising skin temperatures and increased heart rates associated with surprise and anger.
“The capability to transmit data wirelessly allows healthcare professionals to remotely monitor individuals and offer timely emotional support through telehealth,” Dr. Chen emphasized.
“The sensor could play a vital role in enhancing access to care.”
“Given the increasing stress levels in contemporary society, monitoring emotions could provide early indicators of debilitating conditions and enable proactive support.”
The device’s development is documented in a paper published in the journal Nano Letters.
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Yanbo Yuan et al. 2025. Stretchable, rechargeable, multimodal hybrid electronics for isolated sensing for emotional detection. Nano Letters 25 (13): 5220-5230; doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c06392
The recently identified planet orbits a binary system comprising two equal brown dwarf stars positioned at a 90-degree angle from 2mass J15104786-2818174 (hereafter referred to as 2M1510).
This diagram illustrates exoplanets orbiting two brown dwarfs. Image credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser.
Cardiovascular planets represent the realm of diabetes found within a binary star system.
These planets generally have orbits aligned with the planes in which their host stars revolve around one another.
Previously, there were indications that planets might exist in vertical or polar orbits. Theoretically, these orbits were stable, and disc formations observed suggested potential planets around polar orbits of stars.
However, astronomers have now obtained clear evidence of the existence of these polar planets.
“We are thrilled to have played a role in finding robust evidence for this configuration,” stated PhD candidate Thomas Beycroft from the University of Birmingham.
The newly discovered exoplanet, 2M1510B, orbits a unique pair of young brown dwarfs.
These brown dwarfs undergo mutual solar eclipses as viewed from Earth, a characteristic that qualifies them within what astronomers refer to as a binary system.
This configuration is exceptionally rare, marking only the second identified pair of brown dwarfs and the first solar system discovered at a right angle relative to the orbit of its two host stars.
Artist’s impression of the unusual trajectory of 2M1510B around the brown dwarf. Image credit: ESO/L. Calsada.
“The planet revolving around the binary brown dwarfs in a polar orbit is remarkably thrilling,” commented Amalie Triaudo, a professor at the University of Birmingham.
Astronomers discovered 2M1510B by refining the trajectories and physical characteristics of the two brown dwarfs using UV and Visual Echelle Spectroscopy (UVES) at ESO’s Very Large Telescope.
The researchers observed strange forces acting on the trajectory of the brown dwarf, leading to speculation about a unique formation with an unusual orbital angle.
“After considering all plausible scenarios, the only explanation consistent with our data is that the planet within this binary is in polar orbit,” Beycroft noted.
“This discovery was fortuitous, as our observations weren’t initially aimed at studying the composition or orbit of such a planet, making it an exciting surprise,” Professor Triaud explained.
“Overall, I believe this not only showcases our astronomers’ capabilities but also illuminates the possibilities within the intriguing universe we inhabit.”
This image depicts the triple system 2M1510. Image credits: Centre Donna Astromyk destrasbourg/Sinbad/Panstars.
This discovery was made possible due to innovative data analysis developed by Dr. Larita Sylum of Cambridge University.
“We can derive their physical and orbital parameters from the variation in speed between the two brown dwarfs, although these measurements were previously uncertain,” Dr. Sairam remarked.
“This improvement has revealed that the interactions between the two brown dwarfs are intricately influenced.”
Study published in the journal Advances in Science.
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Thomas A. Baicroft et al. 2025. Evidence of polar drainage bulges orbiting a pair of brown dwarfs. Advances in Science 11 (16); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu0627
Electrically conductive cable bacteria are a group of multicellular prokaryotes enabling electron transfer across centimeter-scale distances in both marine and freshwater sediments. Biologists have successfully isolated and characterized new species of cable bacteria from the Mudflat at the intertidal estuary mouth in Yaquina Bay, Oregon, USA.
Microscopic investigation of cable bacteria Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, yb6 strain. Image credit: Hiral et al., doi: 10.1128/aem.02502-24.
“Cable bacteria are filamentous prokaryotes that engage in electrosulfide oxidation in the upper layers of aquatic sediments,” states Dr. Chen Lee, a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, along with her team.
“Their electrogenetic metabolism features a unique division among cells in multicellular filaments, facilitating the migration of electrons from deeper sediment layers to the surface, where sulfide oxidation occurs.
“This long-range electron transport is enabled by a specialized network of conductive fibers, which run in parallel ridges from one end of the filament to the other.”
“These fibers connect through conductive contoured structures at the cell interfaces, ensuring redundancy within the electrical network.”
The new species is referred to as Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, isolated from the mudflat of Yaquina Bay, Oregon.
“This new species represents a bridge and appears to be an early branch of the Ca. Electrothrix clades, suggesting it offers new insights into the evolution and functionality of these bacteria across various environments,” remarks Dr. Li.
“It differentiates itself from other known cable bacterial species through its significant metabolic potential and distinctive structural traits, including surface ridges that are three times more pronounced than those in other species.
“These bacteria have the capacity to transport electrons for environmental cleanup, potentially aiding in the removal of harmful substances from sediments.”
“Moreover, the highly conductive nickel proteins they produce can lead to advancements in bioelectronics.”
Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis derives its name from the Jacona people, whose ancestral lands span the Bay of Yaquina.
“Following the tribe’s recognition of its historical connection to the land, it has honored these ecologically significant bacteria and acknowledged their ongoing contributions to sustainability and ecological wisdom,” said Dr. Li.
The team’s study was published this week in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
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Anwar Hyalal et al. A new cable bacterial species with distinct morphology and genomic potential. Appl Environ Microbiol Published online on April 22, 2025. doi:10.1128/aem.02502-24
The treasure jewels discovered in Tetford Forest, East Anglia, indicate that Tetford maintained pagan practices until the 5th century A.D.
A ring from the Sitford storage on display at the British Museum. Image credit: Geni/CC by-sa 4.0.
The Thetford treasure was unearthed in 1979 by a metal detectorist trespassing at a construction site on Fison’s Way, Gallows Hill, Thetford.
This treasure comprised 81 items, including 22 gold rings, various gold gems, and 36 silver spoons or strainers.
Several gems were found alongside the shalebox, with additional objects nearby.
The retrieved items included coins, presenting researchers with dating challenges.
The collection is now part of the British Museum and is currently on display.
Professor Ellen Swift, an archaeologist from the University of Kent, remarked:
“The extensive evidence uncovered at this site substantiates the religious context previously indicated by inscriptions found among the spoons in the reservoir, suggesting that the dating of the Thetford reservoir extends into the fifth century.”
“The economic significance of the site—evidenced by the value and variety of its contents—indicates that it likely held considerable power and influence in the area.”
This revised chronology is bolstered by a thorough comparison of multiple artifacts (both spoons and jewelry), alongside discoveries of contextual dates from Continental Europe and objects from the 5th-century Hoxne Reservoir housed in the British Museum.
Professor Swift also found that England was less isolated than previously thought, and the treasured items were influenced by the Roman Empire.
“The Sitford gems display remarkable stylistic diversity, hinting at various artisans producing works from different regions,” Professor Swift explained.
“Some of the latest rings in the collection may have originated from Northern Italy or nearby regions, including necklaces adorned with conical beads from Balkan tribes in Europe.”
“Most of the jewelry reflects a ‘Rome of the Mediterranean’ aesthetic, suggesting a shared cultural heritage among elite circles across a broad geographic area.”
This research was published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology.
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Ellen Swift. 2024. Rethinking the dates and interpretations of Thetford treasures: the fifth c. A storage of gold jewels and silver spoons. Journal of Roman Archaeology 37(2): 409-448; doi: 10.1017/s104759424000278
Do we truly possess free will in our dietary choices? This perplexing question lies at the core of why so many struggle to adhere to their diets.
To explore this, neuroscientist Harvey J. Grill from the University of Pennsylvania turned to rats, investigating what would occur if all brains except the brainstem were removed. The brainstem regulates essential functions like heart rate and breathing, yet these animals lost their ability to smell, see, and remember.
Did they burn enough calories?
To assess this, Dr. Grill administered liquid food directly into their mouths.
“Once they reached a certain point, they allowed the food to flow out,” he explained.
Beginning decades ago, these studies laid the groundwork for ongoing research that continuously astonished scientists, challenging the notion that perfect animals are linked to consciousness. This is particularly relevant considering the GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, which complicate our understanding of how weight-loss medications impact the brain’s feeding control system.
Emerging narratives do not clarify why some individuals become obese while others do not. Rather, they hint at when we begin eating and when we cease.
Obesity researcher Dr. Jeffrey Friedman from Rockefeller University in New York noted that although most studies involve rodents, it is a misconception to assume that humans are fundamentally different. We are shaped by billions of years of evolution, he stated.
As researchers delved into dietary control, they discovered that the brain receives consistent signals indicating that the body is adequately supplied with food. The body requires a specific calorie intake, and these signals ensure that it is fulfilled.
This process initiates even before an animal consumes its first bite. Light exposure from potential food prompts predictions regarding the caloric density of what is being offered. Neurons react more vigorously to high-calorie foods like peanut butter than to low-calorie options such as mouse chow.
Ultimately, as food enters the intestines, a new wave of signals reaches the brain, allowing neurons to reassess the calorie content.
Zachary Knight, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco, found that the gut’s evaluation revolves around calorie content.
He observed this phenomenon when three distinct foods were injected directly into a mouse’s stomach—one being fatty food, another carbohydrate, and the third protein—each infusion containing the same caloric value.
In all cases, the brain received a uniform message regarding calorie levels, indicating that neurons registered energy in calorie terms rather than by food source.
When the brain concludes that sufficient calories have been consumed, neurons relay signals to halt feeding.
Dr. Knight expressed his surprise at these findings, having previously believed that satiety signals emanated from a “gut-brain communication” process, reflecting fullness and a conscious decision to stop eating.
Based on this understanding, some diets suggest drinking a large glass of water before meals or focusing on low-calorie foods like celery.
Nonetheless, these strategies often fail for many since they don’t address how the brain governs dietary habits. Dr. Knight found that mice do not send satiety signals to the brain; they only receive water.
It remains true that individuals can choose to eat even when satiated or refrain from eating while trying to lose weight. Dr. Grill noted exerting control not only on the brainstem but also on other areas of the brain.
However, Dr. Friedman ultimately suggested that brain control often overrides a person’s conscious choice regarding their feelings of hunger or fullness. He likened this to holding one’s breath—possible, but only for a limited duration—or suppressing a cough until unavoidable.
Scott Sternson, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Diego, echoed this sentiment.
“We’re eager to help people initiate change,” said Dr. Sternson, co-founder of Penguin Bio, a startup focused on developing obesity treatments. While individuals can choose whether or not to eat in given moments, maintaining that control demands considerable mental resources.
“Ultimately, other things often overshadow these conscious decisions,” he remarked.
Researchers continuously uncover surprising insights into the brain’s dietary control system.
They gained knowledge about the brain’s rapid reactions to food stimuli, for instance.
Neuroscientists unearthed thousands of neurons within the hypothalamus of mice that respond to hunger. Yet how are these neurons regulated? Previous work confirmed that fasting activated these hunger neurons while neuronal activity was diminished post-feeding.
Their hypothesis posited that neurons reacted to existing fat storage in the body. For instance, low fat storage, as seen during fasting—accompanied by decreased leptin levels, a hormone released from fat—would activate hunger neurons. The assumption was that fat replenishment during eating would raise leptin levels and quiet neuronal activity.
The entire system was expected to respond gradually based on the body’s energy reserves.
However, three research groups, led by Dr. Knight, Dr. Sternson, and Mark Anderman of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, investigated the immediate activity of hunger neurons.
Starting with hungry mice, they noted rapid firing of hunger neurons, signaling a need for food.
Surprisingly, when food was presented, those neurons ceased activation.
“Even before the first bite, those neurons powered down,” Dr. Knight observed. “Neurons were forecasting. Mice anticipate how many calories they would consume.”
The more calorie-dense the food presented, the more neurons silenced.
“All three laboratories were astonished,” recalled Dr. Bradford B. Lowell, who collaborated with Andermann at Beth Israel Deaconess. “It was remarkably unexpected.”
Dr. Lowell then investigated the outcome of intentionally deactivating hunger neurons, even when mice had limited food access. This was done using genetic modifications that allow for neuron activation and deactivation via drugs or blue light.
The mice refrained from eating for hours, despite the food present.
Dr. Lowell and Dr. Sternson independently executed opposite studies, activating neurons in mice post-meal, akin to a Thanksgiving feast. The animals were relaxed and satisfied.
However, Dr. Andermann, who replicated the experiment, noted “mice would rise and consume an additional 10-15% of their body weight” when their hunger neurons were activated, emphasizing that “these neurons compel focus on food.”
Researchers continue to be amazed by their findings. The complexities of brain control ensure meticulous regulation of dietary intake, leading to insights for developing new diet-controlling medications.
One notable discovery was made by Amber Aradeff, a neuroscientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the University of Pennsylvania. She recently identified two distinct groups of neurons in the brainstem that respond to GLP-1 obesity medications.
One neuronal group indicated satiety, while the other triggered nausea in the rodents. Current obesity treatments target both neuronal groups, she notes. She proposes that drug development could focus on activating satiety neurons rather than those inducing nausea.
Columbia University’s Alexander Nectow made another surprising finding, identifying a distinct group of neurons in the brainstem that regulate meal volume based on bite size. “I am unsure how this functions,” he stated.
“I have spent over ten years studying this area of the brain,” Dr. Nectow shared.
He is currently exploring whether these neurons could become targets for a new class of weight loss drugs that may involve GLP-1.
On page 36 of the official national strategy document, signed by the president, 10 federal agencies are involved.
This is not a governmental policy related to tariffs or border control. It is part of President Trump’s Master Plan to Eradicate Paper Straws, leading us back to plastic.
The document states, “My administration is dedicated to clarifying the confusion that many citizens face when using paper straws.”
Critics argue this is a culture war shot, whether targeting paper straws, wind turbines, or low-flow showerheads, reflecting Trump’s erratic administration policies.
However, there’s an unexpected twist. This document complicates a larger public health issue with its intent to deregulate.
Focusing on paper straws, it dedicates eight pages to discussing health and environmental risks, particularly highlighting PFA—a group of synthetic chemicals linked to severe health problems—found in tap water nationwide.
Last year, the Biden administration implemented strict federal PFA standards, known as “forever chemicals,” which resist environmental breakdown. Yet, the industry and utility sectors challenged this, calling it “impossible” and “absurd”; they urged Trump to reverse these regulations.
It remains unclear if EPA leader Lee Zeldin will enforce these measures. A court decision is pending about whether to continue adhering to regulations ahead of a May 12 deadline.
“Will Zeldin reverse the PFAS drinking water standards given this anti-PFA rhetoric from the White House?” asked Matthew Tehada, head of environmental health policy at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “If there’s concern about straw-related PFA, can Zeldin ignore drinking water issues?”
Under Zeldin’s leadership, the agency pushes for deregulation, aiming to eliminate numerous environmental rules limiting toxic pollution. He also has strong ties as a lobbyist and lawyer against environmental laws.
During a news briefing, Zeldin commented that the science surrounding PFA “is still under debate.”
“We have more questions regarding PFA, and it’s crucial to continue research,” he stated, claiming regulations should rely more on “factual evidence rather than assumptions.”
Yet, Trump’s strategy document directly addresses chemical concerns.
“For decades, scientists and regulators have expressed concern over PFAS chemicals,” the White House document notes. “PFA poses risks to human health and is associated with reproductive harm, developmental delays in children, cancer, hormonal disturbances, obesity, and other serious health issues.”
This week, the White House reiterated these warnings. “Paper straws contain harmful PFAS chemicals that infiltrate our water supply,” as stated by the administration in an Earth Day announcement on Monday.
Another variable is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who participated in a forum on Wednesday discussing the health and environmental impacts of plastics, including PFA, which he advocates removing from the food system. “We have substantial justification for eliminating this entire chemical category from our food due to its health risks,” he stated.
Both the White House and the EPA affirmed their unified approach to PFA.
“President Trump and Zeldin are collaboratively working to eliminate harmful toxins from our environment,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers declared. “The Trump administration, including Zeldin, acknowledges that PFA is detrimental to human health. More research on PFA’s risks is essential for improving the health of Americans.”
EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou refrained from commenting on the potential rollback of PFAS drinking water standards but highlighted Zeldin’s significant experience with PFA issues.
Before joining the Trump administration, Zeldin served four terms as a lawmaker in Long Island and was among 23 House Republicans who supported the PFAS Act in 2020—a comprehensive bill to regulate chemicals in drinking water and hold polluters accountable.
“He stands as a strong advocate for protecting the drinking water of Long Islanders and all Americans,” Vaselio remarked.
Zeldin is correct that further investigation is crucial to understand the health effects of PFA exposure. However, evidence increasingly indicates harm from these chemicals, particularly the most studied types. Trump’s White House strategy includes references supporting this evidence.
“The EPA examined current peer-reviewed scientific studies and concluded that PFA exposure is linked to various health risks,” the document states.
This comprises lower birth rates, hypertension in pregnant women, low birth weight, early onset of puberty, behavioral changes in children, weakened immune response, and heightened cholesterol levels, according to the White House.
Plastic also contains harmful chemicals. Microplastics pervade our ecosystems and pose health risks. Critics emphasize the fossil fuel industry’s role in promoting plastics through production.
Nonetheless, Linda Billumbaum, a toxicologist and former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, who has long warned about PFAs, acknowledged some points from the White House document. “Their claims regarding these adverse effects are well-founded,” she expressed.
However, if the Trump administration is genuinely concerned about PFA’s health impacts, they should also address the presence of these chemicals in our surroundings, including food packaging and drinking water. “Instead, they focus efforts on rallying support around straws,” she remarked.
The controversy over plastic straws began around the mid-2010s, as they became scapegoated for the plastic waste crisis. Numerous cities and retailers have instituted bans on plastic straws, while some states enacted restrictions. (Disability rights organizations have raised concerns about these bans, citing the need for straws for safe drinking.)
Alternatives to plastic include stainless steel or glass straws and lids with spouts. However, paper straws quickly gained traction as replacements, only to be criticized for collapsing when used.
During this period, scientists also began finding PFA on various paper and plant-based straws, raising alarms about exposure to harmful chemicals and their potential to contaminate water supplies.
The president has labeled Biden-era measures a “paper straw mandate,” although these initiatives did not specifically enforce a shift to paper straws.
His animosity toward paper straws dates back years, notably during the 2020 campaign, where he offered packs of 10 branded plastic straws for $15.
In his comprehensive strategy, Trump instructs federal agencies to “be innovative and utilize all available policy tools to eliminate the use of paper straws nationwide.” Moreover, “taxpayer dollars should never be squandered, so federal contracts and grants should not support paper straws or entities that prohibit plastic straws.”
Christine Figgener, a Marine Conservation Biologist (known for a viral video showing a plastic straw being removed from a turtle’s nostril), counters the argument that switching to paper is a solution, suggesting a less complex answer: avoid using straws altogether.
She criticizes straws as “a symbol of unnecessary convenience in society.” “Why is America so fixated on straws? Most people do not require them.”
Melting Arctic ice. Record-breaking wildfires across multiple states. Countries experiencing average warming are warming at a twice the rate of other regions worldwide.
Yet, when Canadians head to the polls on Monday, climate change isn’t even among the top ten issues for voters. Recent surveys indicate this shift.
“That’s not the focus of this election,” remarked Jessica Green, a political scientist at the University of Toronto specializing in climate-related topics.
The election revolves around a collective desire to choose a leader capable of standing up to Donald J. Trump, who poses a threat to Canada amidst a trade war, if not a full annexation as the “51st state.”
Leading the polls is liberal Mark Carney, who boasts decades of experience in climate policy. He served for five years as a UN envoy on climate action and finance, orchestrating a coalition of banks committed to halting carbon dioxide emissions through financing practices by 2050.
Despite his impressive background, Carney hasn’t prioritized climate change in his campaign. Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, one of Carney’s initial actions was to eliminate fuel taxes based on emission levels, including gasoline taxes.
While many Canadians have redirected the resulting funds into rebate checks, Mr. Carney appears to misunderstand the policy, labeling it as “too divided.”
This decision, coupled with similarities between his Conservative opponents, Pierre Poilievre and Trump, has contributed to Carney’s rise in the polls.
“Carney made a clever move by abolishing the consumer carbon tax, which was widely unpopular and essentially formed the basis of Poilievre’s campaign against him,” said Dr. Green. “It took the wind out of the Conservative Party’s sails.”
Mr. Carney is acutely aware of political dynamics. In a recent television discussion, he mentioned to Poilievre, “I spent years advocating for Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax.”
Poilievre is a staunch supporter of Canada’s vast oil and gas industry, making Canada the fourth-largest oil producer and the fifth-largest gas producer globally. Yet, unlike Trump, he recognizes the necessity of reducing greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change.
“Canadian oil and clean natural gas must replace coal globally, allowing countries like India and others in Asia to utilize gas instead of dirty coal,” he stated at a recent press conference during his campaign.
However, Carney’s proposals don’t significantly differ. He envisions Canada as a “superpower of both traditional and clean energy.” His platform suggests reforms like bolstering the carbon market and expediting approvals for clean energy initiatives.
Perhaps the most significant distinction between the candidates lies in their views on Canada’s oil and gas emission caps and the tax on industrial emissions, both defended by Trudeau.
Poilievre aims to eliminate these in accordance with industry demands, whereas Carney intends to maintain them. The Canadian Climate Research Institute states that the Industrial Carbon Tax reduces emissions by at least three times more than the consumer tax, making it the most effective policy deployed to decrease emissions leading up to 2030.
Canada ranks among the world’s highest per capita greenhouse gas emitters and is not on track to meet its commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. By 2030, the aim is to achieve a minimum of 40-45% reductions from 2005 levels, but the latest national emissions Inventory Report indicates just an 8.5% decrease through 2023.
Extinct Kangaroos from the genus Protemnodon A recent study by paleontologists from the University of Adelaide, Queensland Museum, and Monash University discovered that these creatures were not adventurous wanderers traversing the plains, but rather homebodies that remained close to their habitats throughout their lives. This finding aligns with behaviors observed in modern kangaroo species, yet it was surprising to the researchers.
Protemnodon. Image credits: Andrey Atuchin / Rochelle Lawrence / Scott Hocknull.
Among large herbivorous mammals, greater body sizes are often associated with broader foraging ranges; however, it remains uncertain if this trend applies to extinct Australian megafauna.
In this study, paleontologist Christopher Laurikainen Gaete and colleagues investigated protemnodon fossils found in the Etna Cave, located north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland, Australia.
They examined strontium isotopes from kangaroo teeth, revealing matches only with local limestone rather than distant rock formations.
“The strontium isotopes in the fossilized teeth indicate the geology of the region where food was sourced,” they noted.
The findings suggest that Protemnodon had a significantly smaller foraging range than anticipated for its size, which is estimated at up to 170 kilograms.
Prior research indicates that Protemnodon likely lacked the capacity for long-distance travel due to its large size, thereby restricting its movement.
Additionally, this new study suggests that the stable, lush rainforest habitat provided sufficient food sources, negating the need for Protemnodon to wander far.
When climate change and increasing aridity disrupted this rainforest ecosystem about 280,000 years ago, the reduced foraging area may have left Protemnodon unable to find sufficient food, ultimately leading to the local extinction of these giant kangaroos.
Further investigations are needed to ascertain whether the limited range of Australia’s gigantic marsupials is a widespread pattern attributable to habitat rather than body size.
“We utilized data from contemporary kangaroos to predict a much broader foraging range for these giant extinct kangaroos,” explained Laurikainen Gaete.
“We were astonished to find they didn’t roam at all.”
“These innovative isotopic techniques have significantly advanced our field,” remarked Dr. Scott Hocknall, a senior scientist and curator at the Queensland Museum and paleontologist at Monash University.
“Think of it as an ancient GPS tracker. Fossils allow us to monitor individual movement, dietary habits, social interactions, and causes of death.”
“The ongoing debate regarding the extinction of Australia’s megafauna has persisted for decades, and now we can analyze it from an individual and species-specific standpoint,” stated Professor Anthony Doset, a paleontologist at the University of Wollongong.
“These precise methodologies enable us to examine each site and individual, facilitating more accurate extinction models.”
Researchers are currently planning to apply these methods to reconstruct the past behaviors and diets of MT ETNA and other extinct kangaroo species in the Capricorn Cave region.
“Many of the kangaroo species on Kangaroo Island, such as those found in Capricorn Caves, include tree kangaroos, pademelons, and rock wallabies, with descendants inhabiting the wet tropics and Papua New Guinea,” noted Professor Doset.
“We will employ these same techniques to explore how these surviving kangaroo species adapted to the environmental changes that contributed to the massive extinctions.”
The study will be published in the journal PLOS 1.
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C. Laurikainen Gaete et al. 2025. Megafauna Mobility: An assessment of the foraging range of extinct macropodids from central Queensland, Australia. PLOS 1 20(4): E0319712; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319712
Malus is a genus comprising over 35 species that thrive in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, spanning regions from East Asia to Europe and North America. This genus includes the cultivated apple, Malus domestica, along with its wild relatives. Recent research has unveiled the evolutionary connections among Malus species and traced their genetic development over the past 60 million years.
Malus evolutionary landscape informed by phylogenetics. Image credits: Li et al., doi: 10.1038/s41588-025-02166-6.
“There are around 35 species within the Malus genus; however, despite the significance of apples as a fruit crop, comprehensive research on the evolution of this group’s genome has been lacking.”
“This study provided insights into the Malus genome, established the apple family tree, documented genomic events including whole-genome overlap and hybridization among species, and identified genomic regions linked to specific traits, such as resistance to apple scab disease.”
Professor Ma and his team compiled the genomes of 30 species by sequencing their DNA, focusing on the Malus genus known for its delicious golden apple varieties.
Among the 30 species, 20 are diploid, meaning they possess two chromosome copies per set, similar to humans, while 10 are polyploid, indicating they have three or four chromosome copies, likely resulting from recent hybridization with diploid relatives of Malus.
By scrutinizing nearly 1,000 gene sequences across these species, researchers constructed a phylogenetic tree for the genus and employed biogeographical analysis to trace its origins back to Asia approximately 56 million years ago.
“The evolutionary narrative of the genus is intricate, showcasing numerous instances of hybridization among species and shared whole-genome events that complicate comparisons,” stated Professor Ma.
“Access to high-quality genomes for a large number of species within the genus has enabled us to explore how Malus evolved and the interrelationships among these species.”
Further research into the evolutionary history of Malus genomes utilized analytical techniques called pan-genomics.
This methodology encompasses a thorough comparison of conserved genes and so-called ‘jumping genes’ that can move within the genome across the 30 species, along with genes found only in a subset of the genomes.
The analysis of pan-gene dynamics benefited greatly from the use of a pangenome graph tool, which amalgamates genomic data from closely related groups to elucidate evolutionary conservation and divergence.
“Utilizing 30 pangenomes significantly aided in identifying structural variations, gene duplications, and rearrangements among species that could have been missed with fewer genome comparisons,” remarked Professor Ma.
“Notably, one structural variant uncovered allowed us to pinpoint genomic segments related to apple scab resistance, a fungal disease impacting apples globally.”
The researchers also developed a pangenome analysis tool designed to detect evidence of selective sweeps, a process whereby advantageous traits rapidly increase in frequency within a population.
With this approach, they pinpointed genomic regions linked to cold and disease resistance in wild Malus species, which might also correlate with undesirable fruit taste.
“Attempts to cultivate the best flavor in fruit may have inadvertently diminished the hardiness of cultivated apple varieties,” noted Professor Ma.
Understanding structural variations in Malus, including hybridization histories, interspecies relationships, and pangenomic insights can inform future breeding strategies aimed at retaining both flavor and disease-resistant traits in apples.
W. Li et al. Pangenome analysis reveals evolution and diversity in Malus. Nat Genet. Published online on April 16th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41588-025-02166-6
Neotropical crocodiles inhabit a broad geographical area, with populations found in coastal, inland, and island settings. Recent research has uncovered significant genetic diversity within this group and identified two new island species: one residing on Cozumel Island and the other on the Bancochinchoro atoll off the Yucatan Peninsula.
Adult American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico. Image credit: Tomás Castelazo.
Crocodiles made their way from Africa to the neotropics approximately 5 million years ago, evolving into four recognized living species today.
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) thrives in various environments, including brackish and freshwater areas on mainlands, islands, and coral and diatomaceous atolls along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of the neotropics, coexisting with three other species.
Meanwhile, Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) is classified as a species of least concern, while American crocodiles are listed as vulnerable, along with the other two species, which are considered critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
“Biodiversity is vanishing more quickly than we can comprehend what we are losing,” stated Professor Hans Larson, a researcher at McGill University.
“Many crocodile species are already endangered, and rapid coastal development poses a threat to nearly all populations.”
“Our research seeks to uncover the true diversity of alligators on these remote islands.”
Professor Larson and his team conducted a genetic analysis of the crocodile populations on Cozumel and Banco Chinchoro.
By comparing these genetic sequences to those from crocodiles in the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, they uncovered significant genetic differentiation, concluding that these populations are not simply variations of the American crocodile.
“These findings were entirely surprising,” remarked Dr. José Avila-Cervantes of McGill University.
“We believed Crocodylus acutus was a single species extending from Baja California to Venezuela and the Caribbean.”
“Our study is the first to thoroughly investigate the genome and anatomical differences of these animals.”
The two newly identified species are found in small, isolated populations, each consisting of fewer than 1,000 breeding individuals.
Both populations seem stable, yet are at risk due to their small numbers and habitat limitations.
“The rapid decline in biodiversity can only be mitigated if we identify which species are most at risk,” Professor Larson noted.
“Recognizing these crocodiles as separate species emphasizes the need to safeguard their habitats.”
“Limiting land development and implementing careful conservation measures in Cozumel and Banco Chinchoro will be crucial for their survival.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution.
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Jose Avila Acervantes et al. 2025. New island species elucidate neotropical crocodile species complexes. Molecular phylogeny and evolution 207:108341; doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108341
Paleontologists have unearthed fossil footprints from both invertebrates and vertebrates, dating back between 500,000 and 25 million years, including a faux Saber Tooth cat (Nimravid).
Nimravid footprints from the John Day Formation in Oregon, USA. Image credit: NP.
Paleontologists indicate that these specimens provide a nearly continuous 50 million-year record of mammalian evolution.
Within the Joda, four geological layers are identified: Clarno (50-39 million years), John Day (31-25 million years), Muscoll (16-12 million years), and rattlesnakes (8-6 million years).
The recently uncovered footprints belong to the Clarno and John Day layers.
“These footprints reveal intriguing behaviors and species previously undocumented in the extensive fossil records of the monument,” the researchers stated.
The series of footprints in the 29 million-year-old volcanic ash layer of the John Day Formation may have been created by Nimravid, a saber-toothed predator comparable in size to a bobcat, Hoplophoneus.
The absence of nail marks supports the notion of retractable nails, akin to modern-day felines.
Additionally, three round hoof prints of the same age likely belong to large herbivores, such as ancient tapirs and rhinoceroses.
Two small bird impressions, as well as a beak mark and an invertebrate trail, were found in the Clarno Formation.
These findings suggest ancient shorebirds were foraging for food in shallow waters.
Connor Bennett, a paleontologist at Utah Institute of Technology, remarked:
“It’s captivating; such a long duration for a species to maintain foraging patterns as seen in its ancestors.”
Within the same layer, scientists discovered an unusual fossil track featuring scattered toe impressions.
This indicates that lizards breaking through the lakebed represent one of the few known reptile trajectories from this period in North America.
“These tracks provide a unique window into ancient ecosystems,” stated Dr. Nicholas Famoso, Joda’s paleontology program manager.
“They add behavioral context to the body fossils amassed over the years, enhancing our understanding of prehistoric Oregon’s climate and environmental conditions.”
“Fossil tracks not only confirm the presence of these animals but also reveal their lifestyles,” Bennett added.
The team’s survey results will be published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.
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Connor J. Bennett et al. 2025. Following their footsteps: Reports of vertebrate fossil tracks from John Day Fossil Bed National Monument, Oregon, USA. Palaeontologia Electronica 28(1): A11; doi: 10.26879/1502
Officials from federal health agencies have decided to reverse the ruling that led to the dismissal of numerous scientists at the Food Safety Labs. They are also reviewing whether other critical positions have been affected.
A representative from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the reinstatement of these employees and mentioned that several individuals will also be returned to the office responsible for handling freedom of information requests.
In recent months, approximately 20% of FDA positions have been cut, marking one of the most significant workforce reductions among all agencies impacted by the Trump administration.
An HHS spokesperson stated that the departures were misleading due to erroneous employment codes.
In light of contradictory statements from FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty McCurry during a recent media interview, the decision to rehire scientists researching food-related illnesses and product safety—such as infant milk powder—will follow shortly.
“You could argue that no cuts were made to scientists and inspectors,” Dr. McCurry stated during Wednesday’s CNN broadcast.
Contrarily, many scientists were laid off from food and drug safety labs nationwide, including Puerto Rico, and from the veterinary unit working on avian flu safety. Employees on leave indicated that scientists in the tobacco sector, who were let go in February, including those examining the health implications of vaping, have not been considered for paid leave and reinstatement.
It remains uncertain how many dismissed employees will be permitted to return.
According to a department spokesperson, about 40 employees from Chicago’s Moffett Lab and a lab in the San Francisco area are being offered positions. Researchers in these facilities investigate various facets of food safety, including how chemicals and bacteria permeate food packaging and methods to ensure safety for infant formula. Some scientists in Chicago have also analyzed the findings of other labs to ensure the safety of milk and seafood.
Dr. Robert Caliph, the FDA commissioner under President Joseph R. Biden, described the term “decapitation and visceral withdrawal” as fitting for the abrupt loss of agency expertise. He noted that the FDA is already behind in meetings designed to assist businesses in developing safe products.
“Much of that involves routine daily tasks that significantly affect overall safety, though they’re not particularly controversial,” he commented. “It just requires effort, and they need personnel present to carry out their duties.”
Dr. McCurry also mentioned that the layoffs do not impact product reviewers or inspectors. However, their responsibilities are being hindered by voluntary departures, the reduction of support staff, and widespread disruptions at agencies, as many are looking to exit, according to former employees.
Hundreds of drug and medical device reviewers, representing about a quarter of the agency’s workforce, have opted out of major projects. As discussed on CNBC. Under FDA Ethics Rules, staff participating in employment interviews are prohibited from conducting agency reviews on products from firms seeking employment.
Dr. Gottlieb characterized the job cuts as “deep,” impacting the Bureau of Policy’s ability to process which drug brands can be offered as low-cost generics. Approvals for generic drugs could potentially save consumers billions.
The reduction in support staff overseeing inspections at food and drug facilities abroad has raised security concerns. Many of those who lost their positions were responsible for surveillance, ensuring inspectors’ safety, especially in hostile regions.
Life beneath the Pacific Ocean is characterized by slowness, darkness, and tranquility. Unusual creatures shine and glimmer, while oxygen seeps mysteriously through rugged mineral rocks. The residents of these deep waters seldom interfere with one another.
“This area hosts an extraordinary form of life,” noted Bethany Orcutt, a geobiologist at the Bigelow Institute for Marine Science.
Given the harsh conditions, conducting deep-sea research is both challenging and infrequent due to its high costs.
On Thursday, President Trump endorsed a Presidential Order aimed at permitting industrial mining in underwater areas for the first time. Scientists have voiced strong concerns that such mining could irreversibly damage deep-sea ecosystems before their value and functions are fully understood.
What’s down there?
Undersea mining can target three types of metal-rich sediments: nodules, crusts, and mounds, with current focus on nodules. Nodules are particularly valuable as they contain metals essential for the production of electronic devices, advanced weaponry, electric vehicle batteries, and other technologies crucial for human advancement. Nodules are also the simplest type of underwater mineral deposits to extract.
Economically viable nodules have been forming over millions of years, resting on the seabed indefinitely. They develop when small pieces of material, such as shark teeth, become embedded in the seabed. Minerals containing iron, manganese, and other metals gradually accumulate, resembling snowmen. Some can grow as large as grapefruit.
Life also thrives among these nodules. Microbial organisms, invertebrates, corals, and sponges inhabit them.
Lisa Levin, an oceanographer at the Institute of Oceanography, states that approximately half of the known marine life inhabiting the vast Abyssal Plains exists in these nodules. However, she explained, “I am unsure about the distribution of these species and whether individuals from mined sites can recolonize other areas.” “That’s a significant unknown.”
How is ocean mining conducted?
Two primary methods have been developed for harvesting nodules. One resembles a claw that drags along the seabed collecting nodules, while the other acts as a vacuum used in underwater operations.
In both methods, nodules are lifted to surface ships several miles above the seabed, with any remaining water, rocks, and debris released back into the sea.
Both approaches are invasive and can harm the underwater habitat itself. The extraction of nodules equates to the removal of essential ecosystem components, according to scientific consensus.
Mining operations introduce light and sound pollution, affecting not only the seabed but also the sea surface around the extraction vessels.
A major concern is the sediment plume generated by mining activities, described by Jeffrey Drazen, an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as “the clearest seawater” at about 1,000 meters, which contributes to obscured environments. Sediment plumes can travel significant distances and harm marine life unpredictably.
The sediment can suffocate shrimp and sponge-like fish, obstructing filter feeders. It can also block essential light, impacting lantern fishes and making it difficult for them to find mates or prey. Furthermore, it may lead to contamination of seafood for human consumption.
“What are the chances of contaminating food supplies?” Dr. Drazen questioned. He expressed a desire for answers regarding this issue before mining commences, as the information is currently lacking.
What do mining companies assert?
The mining industry claims to be adopting a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to deep-sea mining through research and collaboration with the scientific community.
Their research includes fundamental studies in seabed geology, biology, and chemistry, documenting thousands of species and providing valuable imagery and footage from the deep sea. Dr. Drazen noted that interest in undersea mining could promote research efforts that might otherwise be hard to fund.
Initial tests of recovery equipment have revealed some insights into the anticipated effects related to sediment plumes, yet modeling is limited in forecasting outcomes at a commercial scale.
Impossible Metals, a California-based underwater mining firm, utilizes artificial intelligence to create a transport container-sized underwater robot designed to harvest large, free-living nodules. In 2022, the Metals Company, a Canadian deep-sea mining entity, extracted approximately 3,000 tons of nodules from the ocean floor and gathered data regarding the sediment plume generated during the process.
In March, the Metals Company indicated plans to bypass international regulatory bodies associated with the United Nations overseeing submarine mining, instead seeking authorization through NOAA.
During an interview on Thursday, CEO Gerald Baron stated that the executive order “does not serve as a shortcut” for previous environmental assessments, emphasizing that the company has “conducted over a decade of environmental research.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly affirmed that the United States would adhere to two domestic laws governing deep-sea exploration and commercial endeavors within U.S. waters. “Both laws mandate extensive environmental impact assessments and compliance with stringent environmental standards,” she noted.
What are the long-term risks?
Many scientists harbor skepticism regarding the well-understood environmental consequences of underwater mining, as viable predictions about long-term results remain elusive.
Disturbing the base of the food chain can have cascading effects on the entire marine ecosystem. For instance, if sediments dilute the food supply for plankton, they could face starvation due to an inability to extract sufficient organic matter from the clouds of sea dust.
Small plankton serve as a fundamental food source, whether directly or indirectly, for nearly every marine organism, including whales.
Understanding potential impacts poses challenges due to the slow life processes at the seabed. Deep-sea fish can live for hundreds of years, while corals can endure for millennia.
“The timeline of life here is significantly different,” Dr. Levin explained. “It raises numerous uncertainties regarding responses to environmental disturbances.” Conducting 500-year experiments to ascertain whether these ecosystems can recover or adapt is a daunting task for humans.
Additionally, there’s no assurance that damaged habitats will be restored or that harm to the seabed will be mitigated. Unlike terrestrial mining, “a strategy for deep-sea mining is absent,” Dr. Oucht remarked. “There is currently no scientific evidence supporting the restoration of ecosystems post-damage.”
Some experts have raised concerns about the necessity of undersea mining, arguing that land-based mining could meet the growing metal demands.
Proponents of deep-sea mining assert that the environmental or carbon footprint is less significant compared to traditional mining practices for those same minerals.
“To date, there has been no actual recovery of minerals,” stated Amy Gartman, a marine researcher leading the U.S. Geological Survey’s Undersea Minerals Team, referring to commercial-scale mining. “We are comparing theoretical scenarios with actual land mining methods. Once someone initiates extraction in any of these ventures, we will gain a clearer understanding.”
At least three medical journals have received correspondence from the U.S. Department of Justice, raising questions about their editing practices and urging them to maintain their independence.
The Lancet, a prominent British medical journal that did not receive one of these letters, published an editorial condemning the inquiries as “harassment” and threats, stating that American science has been “harshly detached” under the Trump administration.
Recently, Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin for the District of Columbia contacted the Chest Journal, which focuses on chest medicine, suggesting it has a partisan bias. The letter included inquiries about measures needed to combat misinformation, incorporating various perspectives.
This communication sparked outrage from the First Amendment group and several scientists, who expressed concerns that such law enforcement actions could undermine academic freedom and free speech. The letter encouraged the journal to clarify that its publisher, the American College of Chest Physicians, “supports the journal’s editorial independence.”
This week, the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed to NBC News that it had also received a similar letter from an interim U.S. attorney.
In a response shared with NBC News, the journal’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Eric Rubin, defended its rights as an independent publisher, emphasizing their strict peer review and editing process to ensure the objectivity and reliability of the research published. “We uphold their First Amendment rights to editorial independence and free expression in medical journals,” Rubin stated. “The journal remains committed to fostering academic scientific dialogue and supporting authors, readers, and patients.”
The third journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, also confirmed receiving a letter from Martin.
“Obstetrics and Gynecology editorially operates independently from ACOG, although we share the mission of improving outcomes for individuals needing obstetric and gynecological care,” a representative from the American University of Obstetrics and Gynecology remarked in an emailed statement. “We take pride in our journal’s focus on scientific data and patient-centered, respectful, evidence-based care.”
The DC office of the Department of Justice did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Meanwhile, The Lancet, which has been publishing for over 200 years, adopted a more assertive tone. In a scathing editorial in solidarity with other journals, it described the letter from the Justice Department as “harassment” within the broader context of the Trump administration’s “systematic dismantling of U.S. scientific infrastructure.”
“This is a blatant attempt to intimidate journals and infringe upon their rights to independent editorial oversight. The Lancet and other medical journals are being targeted by the Trump administration,” the editor remarked. “Medical journals should not expect to be spared from the administration’s attacks on science, as institutions like the NIH, CDC, and academic medical centers are also being affected.”
Scientific journals are essential for disseminating new discoveries and insights among colleagues. Some journals are managed by specialized experts, while others are published by organizations with a focus on science. A reputable journal ensures that research undergoes thorough peer review, where external experts appraise it for errors and research quality.
The scrutiny of scientific journals occurs as the Trump administration has faced reductions in funding and staffing.
NBC News inquired with several major scientific and medical journal groups regarding whether they received similar letters from the Department of Justice.
Representatives from Science, Elsevier, Nature, and JAMA, the medical journal of the American Medical Association, did not reply to requests for comment.
Wiley Publishing Company acknowledged receipt of the letter from an interim U.S. attorney but did not provide further details.
“We remain committed to the highest standards of editorial independence, academic rigor, and publication ethics,” a Wiley spokesperson stated. “Our journal evaluates submissions based on their scientific merits and collaborates closely with social partners to ensure a wider perspective contributes to the advancement of knowledge.”
Dr. Paul Uribe, a former military pathologist who consulted nationwide and assisted in solving a series of insulin-related murders at a veteran hospital in West Virginia, noted to NBC News that there are insufficient protocols to guide pathologists and emergency room doctors in effectively managing such cases.
“You’re not going to accidentally stumble upon an insulin murder,” Uribe remarked. “You must have a suspect and actively search for it; if you’re not investigating, you won’t discover it.”
For more information on the West Virginia case, tune in to “Devil’s in the Detailing” on “Dateline” tonight at 9 ET/8 CT on April 25th.
While these crimes are uncommon, Uribe highlighted an alarming increase in related incidents across the U.S. In Pennsylvania, several nurses confessed to attempting to murder 19 patients using insulin across five facilities between 2020 and 2023, resulting in 17 fatalities. Additionally, at the West Virginia Veterans Hospital, nurses confessed to killing seven patients with insulin in 2021.
Uribe pointed out that no state has officially established protocols for emergency room physicians and medical inspectors regarding insulin-related cases, noting that only West Virginia has attempted to address this significant oversight. Legislation introduced this year aims to obligate emergency rooms to test for insulin in patients exhibiting symptoms of insulin poisoning.
Jonathan Jones, former president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, expressed concerns regarding insulin overdoses but asserted that health care should not be legislated.
“The best medical care is delivered by well-educated, trained, and board-certified physicians, not legislators,” he stated in an email to NBC News. “We are committed to continuous medical education regarding this issue and support the standards for specialist physicians, but we oppose mandatory treatment directives.”
He declined to comment on whether emergency rooms should adopt stricter guidelines.
When asked if forensic pathologists need improved protocols, Reade Quinton, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners, replied, “I’m not sure that’s the right question. What medical examiners require is access to field information, witness statements, and medical records without obstruction.”
Michael and Natalie Cochran.Dateline
The chief sponsor of the West Virginia bill did not respond to requests for comment. Nevertheless, the parents of Michael Cochran, after whom the bill is named, believe this legislation could serve as a model for the nation and help others avoid the painful search for answers they endured for years.
“They shouldn’t have to wait for answers as we did,” remarked Cochran’s mother, Donna Bolt, to Dateline. “Six years.”
Seven deceased patients at VA Hospital
Uribe’s investigation into insulin-related murders began at the Veterans Hospital in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he was tasked with examining a series of mysterious deaths among elderly patients in late 2018.
These occurrences can result from excessive insulin doses, which regulate blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
Some veterans were diabetic, Uribe recalled, while others were not. He was requested to uncover a definitive piece of evidence that could confirm insulin as the murder weapon.
For emergency room doctors and pathologists, he noted, identifying such cases is complicated due to insulin’s rapid metabolism. The “C-peptide” test referenced in West Virginia law can detect insulin, but timing is crucial. It must be conducted before any treatment interventions for hypoglycemia are started.
“If glucose is administered, it triggers the body’s natural insulin release, negating the C-peptide measurement,” he explained.
Furthermore, many small hospitals lack access to these specific tests.
Uribe described two primary methods for pathologists to detect insulin. One prevalent method involves injection, which may leave temporary traces in body tissues at the injection site. Insulin can also be found in postmortem vitreous fluid from the eye, he noted.
In West Virginia, testing of tissue samples from seven veterans’ remains revealed trace amounts of insulin in some victims, including those without diabetes or any prior prescriptions for the drug.
“This provided conclusive evidence that they had been injected with insulin,” he stated.
W.VA.West Virginia Regional Prisons and Correctional Facility Authority via AP Files
Nursing assistant Letta Mays was later identified as the prime suspect in this case. She confessed to administering a lethal dose of insulin, pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to murder concerning the death of an eighth man. Mays was sentenced to seven life terms.
Deadly dose from a pharmacist
In Uribe’s subsequent case, pharmacist Natalie Cochran was convicted in January for giving her husband a lethal dose of drugs amid a conspiracy to cover up millions in fraudulent activities involving friends and relatives.
Resolving this case took several years.
In February 2019, Michael Cochran was found unresponsive and later transitioned from a ventilator to hospice care at the age of 38. His death certificate classified his cause of death as “natural.”
Michael and Natalie Cochran.Dateline
Michael Cochran’s hospital records indicated that upon admission, his blood sugar levels were dangerously low, despite his lack of any diabetes history, Uribe informed. Unfortunately, insulin testing was not conducted at that time.
Still, West Virginia State Police detective Tim Bledsoe suspected Natalie Cochran’s involvement in her husband’s demise. During a search of her home, a partially used vial of insulin was discovered in the refrigerator.
When Bledsoe questioned Natalie about the vial, she claimed it was meant for her neighbor’s diabetic son. However, the neighbor, Jennifer Davis, contradicted this, stating that Natalie had asked for insulin for herself to aid recovery from a fake cancer diagnosis that prosecutors argued she later fabricated.
Davis recalled that Natalie requested insulin the same morning Michael first became ill.
Two years after Michael Cochran’s death, his wife was charged with murder. An autopsy commenced seven months after his passing, but by then, his body was significantly decomposed, leading medical inspectors to classify the cause of death as undetermined, according to Bledsoe.
The timeline regarding the autopsy’s delay and whether insulin testing was conducted post-mortem remains unclear. The West Virginia Department of Health and the Office of Personnel, which oversees medical examinations, did not respond to inquiries.
Uribe expressed skepticism that any post-mortem evidence of insulin could have been retrieved given the elapsed time between Michael’s drug administration and his death.
The inconclusive findings, combined with the absence of concrete evidence, led the Raleigh County District Attorney to lower the charges, according to Tom Truman, the current prosecutor.
“If you lack a medical examiner advocating murder, that’s a significant concern,” he remarked to Dateline.
Re-examination yields clarity
However, two years later, the fees were re-evaluated after Uribe was invited to investigate further. During the new autopsy and examination, Uribe searched for potential injection marks, but by this time, Michael’s body had severely deteriorated, preventing any tests from being taken.
Nonetheless, Uribe noted that potential explanations for Michael Cochran’s hypoglycemia, such as infections and severe sepsis, were not documented in his medical records. Considering the circumstances surrounding his death, Uribe classified it as an insulin murder.
During the trial, the endocrinologist who testified for the prosecution conceded that there was no clear explanation for Michael Cochran’s low blood sugar levels.
Michael and Natalie Cochran.Dateline
Natalie Cochran’s defense attorneys acknowledged her involvement in fraudulent activities with various associates, whereby she also pleaded guilty to a separate federal fraud and money laundering case; however, they insisted that she was innocent of her husband’s death.
On January 29th, following two hours of deliberation, the jury found Natalie Cochran guilty of first-degree murder. She received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
For Uribe, this case, alongside others at the Veterans Hospital, underscores an urgent need for improved insulin overdose protocols.
Such protocols could assist physicians in recognizing red flags like unexplained hypokalemia, which arises from critically low blood sugar levels in non-diabetic patients or from fatal excessive insulin use.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for C-peptide testing to be done prior to any treatment.
Pathologists should look for potential injection sites and conduct vitreous humor tests, he advised.
“If insulin can be detected in the vitreous fluid of someone with no history of diabetes or prior prescriptions, it could substantiate a case,” he concluded.
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<img class="Image" alt="A new scientist. Science News and Long reads from expert journalists, covering science, technology, health, and environmental developments in various publications." width="1350" height="899" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24195333/sei248660585.jpg?width=2006 2006w" loading="eager" fetchpriority="high" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2477989" data-caption="Disinformation is particularly prevalent on social media platforms." data-credit="Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images"/>
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<p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">Disinformation is particularly prevalent on social media platforms.</p>
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<p>The National Science Foundation (NSF) has terminated a government research grant aimed at examining misinformation and disinformation. This decision comes amid a surge of propaganda and deceit proliferated by the latest AI technologies, coinciding with tech companies scaling back their content moderation efforts and disbanding fact-checking teams.</p>
<p>The grant was canceled on April 18, as stated by the NSF in a <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/updates-on-priorities">public announcement</a>. The statement asserts that it no longer backs research on misinformation or disinformation, citing potential conflicts with constitutionally protected free speech rights...</p>
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David Patong, an innovative and ideal ophthalmologist, initiated Project Orvis, where he transformed United Airlines jets into flying hospitals, transported surgeons to developing nations, trained local doctors, and passed away on April 3 at his residence in Reno, Nevada.
His son Townlee confirmed his demise.
Dr. Patong (pronounced Pay-Ton), the son of a renowned New York ophthalmologist and descendant of Iranian Shah and financier J. Pierpont Morgan, taught at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in the early 1970s. He was disheartened by the rising number of preventable blindness cases in remote regions.
In his memoir “Second Sight: A View from The Anay Doctor’s Odyssey” (2011), he wrote, “We needed more ophthalmologists… but also needed to enhance medical education for existing physicians.”
Considering various options like shipping equipment trunks and using medical ships similar to Project Hope, he ultimately founded Project Orvis in 1973 with the support of wealthy individuals like Texas oilmen Leonard F. McCollum and Betsy Trippe Wainwright.
After the moon landing in 1969, Dr. Patong believed that the concept of Moonshot was feasible. He envisioned converting large aircraft into operating rooms, educational classrooms, or any required facility.
He relentlessly sought ways to obtain an airplane, approaching the military and universities without success. Dr. Patong, described by Bruce Spivey as charming and unrelenting, eventually raised the necessary funds himself.
In 1980, with the help of Betsy Trippe, he secured a donated DC-8 Jet from United Airlines to create a flying hospital. This marked the beginning of life-changing missions to various countries where local health workers witnessed surgeries in specially-equipped classrooms onboard.
The Flying Eye Hospital facilitated surgeries in multiple nations like Peru, Jordan, and Nepal, receiving visits from prominent figures like Mother Teresa and Fidel Castro. Their impactful work caught the attention of media outlets like the Sunday Times, sharing stories of patients like Julia.
Julia’s transformative surgery showcased the effectiveness of their efforts in restoring vision to the visually impaired. Despite challenges, the procedure led to profound moments of discovery for Julia as she regained her sight gradually.
Born on August 16, 1930, in Baltimore, David Paton hailed from a family with a rich medical background. His upbringing in Manhattan and exposure to eminent personalities shaped his journey towards medical innovation.
His formative years were filled with experiences among intellectuals and socialites, leading to his academic pursuits at Hill School and Princeton University. He maintained close ties with lifelong friend James A. Baker III while excelling in his medical career.
In addition to his contributions to Project Orvis, Dr. Paton served as a distinguished medical director in institutions like King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. His dedication to providing eye care to royalty in Saudi Arabia reflected his commitment to improving global healthcare.
Although his formal ties with Project Orvis ended in 1987, Dr. Patong continued to offer guidance informally. The organization, now known as Orbis International, has expanded its operations with a fleet of planes and a robust track record of surgeries and training sessions.
Orbis International’s enduring impact is a testament to Dr. Patong’s visionary approach to healthcare. The organization’s innovative use of airplanes as a platform for medical missions has revolutionized the way eye care is delivered globally.
During the warm Antarctic season, a refined Norwegian passenger ship is known as Ms Fridtjof NansenDeparting regularly from Argentina, head south along the turbulent drake passageway to the Antarctic Peninsula. The cruise is home to more and more wealthy adventurers, bucket listers, and increasingly polar scientists seeking to collect data as public funds for research in Antarctica under the Trump administration.
The National Science Foundation is one of the world’s largest funders of scientific research and has an annual budget. Approximately $9 billion This supports most of the research in the United States Antarctic. Over the past few months, the Trump administration has ordered agencies to cut deeper, making scientists wonder how they will study everything, from melting glaciers and ice sheets to the effects of pollution from power plants and wildfires.
On Thursday, National Science Foundation director Seturaman Panchanashan resigned after the White House directed him to cut the agency’s budget and staff by more than half. According to an exclusive report from Science.
Panchanathan’s resignation follows Elon Musk’s previous orders from government efficiency Freeze fund All new research grants from the National Science Foundation, and the announcement that Doge will be over last week Over $200 million “Wild” research grants given by the agency.
Some experts are concerned that the Trump administration continues its National Science Foundation It may inform you of the end For research into the United States of Antarctica.
Leopard seals along the Antarctic Peninsula. Chase Cain / NBC News
James Burns, co-founder of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, is an international alliance for environmental and non-governmental organizations focusing on Antarctic conservation and research, and says the National Science Foundation has become “wicked language” within much of the Trump administration. “For whatever reason, there’s so much to learn in Antarctica, that’s not good on many levels for us.”
Antarctica-based research projects have already declined for several years – disrupted decades of robust fieldwork; Never recovered from Covid-19 restrictions. Currently, research on the world’s southernmost continent has been facing several years under Trump’s slash and burning policies.
However, I’m riding on Fridjov Nansen.And its sister ship, Ms. Roald Amundsen, Polar Scientist, has reliable funds for their research. HX Expeditions, which operates two Antarctic ships, hosts researchers from institutions such as West Washington University. University of California, Santa Cruz. National Snow and Ice Data Center. Their rooms and boards are covered by the purchase of tickets from tourists sailing to Antarctica for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
“If we can’t pay customers to allow our ship to go south, we can’t support the research we are helping out,” said Verena Meraldi, chief scientist on the HX Expedition. “It’s not easy [to get there]. There are not many flights coming down here, and fewer research vessels. ”
Gentleman penguins along the Antarctic Peninsula. Chase Cain / NBC News
Tourists traveling on the HX expedition are part of the explosive ecotourism industry, focusing on experiencing nature while helping to preserve the local area. The number of visitors to Antarctica has increased from about 8,000 each year in the 1990s to over 120,000 per year. International Antarctic Tour Operators Association. By 2035, the ecotourism market will be like that projection It will grow to over $550 billion. Ms Fridtjof Nansen on a late March expedition to the Antarctic PeninsulaIt was home to over 400 ecotourists and several researchers, including Freia Aardred, a doctoral student at Durham University in the UK.
Alldred moved along with sterilized bags to collect samples of seaweed grown in Antarctica waters and snow algae. She has studied how climate change affects the carbon content of these Antarctic species, and Cruises has provided a unique opportunity to collect new samples.
“We’ve never been anywhere with a research foundation,” says Alldred. “Instead, if I went to a base in the Antarctic in England, I could only sample within my area. Here I have gone to five different sites throughout the peninsula that may not have been previously studied.”
The boat was housed nearby scientists and ecotourists, giving scientists the unusual opportunity to explain their work directly to non-scientists through interactive sessions in an onboard lab. For ten days, enthusiastic passengers attended lectures from resident researchers, ate with them at the ship’s restaurant, sharing their first steps in the vast polar deserts of Antarctica.
“It’s incredible to share these experiences with people, explain why we do research, what kind of questions we answer, and they see them firsthand,” said Chloe Lou, a researcher who works with the California Ocean Alliance to capture the impact of tourist boats on Antarctica whales. “It fires me for my passion for my work.”
Federal prosecutors in Washington reached out to the New England Journal of Medicine with unsubstantiated inquiries that implied the journal, considered one of the most prestigious in the world, may be biased towards certain viewpoints and influenced by external pressures.
NEJM editor Dr. Eric Rubin described the letter as “blatantly threatening” in an interview with the New York Times.
Republican activist Edward Martin Jr., serving as interim U.S. attorney in Washington, sent similar letters to at least three journals. Martin has faced criticism for using his position to target opponents of the administration.
The letter accused the journal of taking sides in scientific debates and posed accusatory questions about bias and the selection of research articles.
Will they consider submissions from scientists with differing perspectives? How will they handle authors whose work they have published that may have misled readers? Are they transparent about the influence of supporters, funders, advertisers, etc.?
Martin also raised questions about the role of the National Institutes of Health, which funds some of the research published by the journal, and its involvement in the development of submitted articles.
Amanda Shanor, a First Amendment expert at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasized that information published in reputable medical journals like NEJM is widely protected by the Constitution.
She explained that journals have the same rights as newspapers in most cases, with the Constitution providing the strongest legal protection.
“There is no legal basis to suggest that medical journals are not afforded the strictest First Amendment protections,” she stated. “It seems to be an attempt to instill a sense of fear and censorship that impacts people’s freedom of expression. This raises constitutional concerns.”
It is unclear how many journals received these letters or the criteria Martin used to target publications. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.
“Our role is to assess and evaluate science in an impartial manner,” Dr. Rubin stated. The questions raised seem to insinuate biases in our operations – it is quite vagueThis introduces a threatening element. ”
Former editor of Science magazine, Jeremy Berg, believed the letter was an attempt to coerce journals into publishing papers aligning with the administration’s views on climate change and vaccines, even if the research quality is lacking.
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. mentioned in an interview with the “Dr. Hyman Show” podcast last year that NEJM was involved in disseminating misinformation and distorting scientific facts.
Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon declined to comment on Kennedy’s involvement in the letter.
Kennedy expressed his intention to possibly take legal action against medical journals under the Federal Anti-Corruption Act.
“I plan to file a lawsuit against you under general tort laws and the Assault Act,” he stated. “Unless you have a plan to demonstrate how you will begin publishing genuine scientific work, I will find a way to pursue legal action against you.”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the new head of NIH, has criticized mainstream science journals and recently co-founded a new journal that offers alternative perspectives on Covid.
The UK-based Lancet showed support by editing Editor Skas’s response, calling it “an obvious attempt to intimidate and stifle editorial independence.”
“American science and medicine are being closely watched worldwide,” the editor stated.
One of Martin’s letters was directed at the journal Chest, a publication focused on technical research in areas like lung cancer and pneumonia. It was reported by The New York Times that at least two other publishers received similar letters.
These publishers chose not to speak publicly for fear of repercussions from the Trump administration.
Dr. Rubin also expressed concerns about potential political backlash. Science journals often rely on public funding indirectly, with universities using federal grants to pay for subscriptions.
“Are we concerned? Absolutely,” he said. “But we are committed to doing what is right.”
Martin gave the magazines until May 2nd to respond to his inquiries. NEJM has already issued a statement refuting the accusations made against their journal.
“We maintain strict peer review and editing processes to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of published research,” the statement affirmed. “We uphold the editorial independence of medical journals and their inherent right to protect their freedom of expression.”
This is not NEJM’s first run-in with the Trump administration.
In 2020, the Journal dismissed an editor who criticized the president’s pandemic response. This marked the first time in its 208-year history that the Journal took a stance on a political figure.
Dr. Rubin speculated that Martin’s letter may be related to this editorial decision. While the Journal Chest did not publish on Trump’s first term, the connection was noted.
On March 11, approximately 50 judges gathered in Washington for a six-month meeting of the Judicial Council, which oversees the administration of federal courts. This meeting marked the first gathering since President Trump assumed office.
Discussions during the meeting focused on staffing levels, long-term planning, and the increasing threats to judges and their safety, according to attendees.
At one session, Judge Richard J. Sullivan, chairman of the conference’s Judicial Security Committee, raised concerns about potential threats to the safety of judges. He highlighted the authority that the US Marshals Service, overseen by the Justice Department, has in judicial security matters. Given the history of former officials like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton having their security stripped by Trump, Judge Sullivan wondered if federal judges could be the next target.
Judge Sullivan, who was appointed by President George W. Bush and later elevated to appeals judge by Trump, emphasized the importance of trusting the head of judicial security amidst uncertainties about potential threats to the federal bench.
While there is no evidence that Trump is considering revoking judges’ security, Judge Sullivan’s remarks highlighted the unease among judges about the agency responsible for their safety ultimately answering to the President through the Attorney General, without sufficient funding to address rising threats.
In a statement, the Marshall Services affirmed their commitment to following all legal orders from federal courts to ensure the protection of judges, jurors, and witnesses. However, concerns have been raised about the frozen court security funds at a time when threats to federal judges are on the rise.
Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr., in a letter to Congress, expressed disappointment that court security funds remain stagnant despite the escalating threats. The total amount spent has seen minimal increase, despite inflation and higher staff salaries.
The former US S’s responsibilities have expanded to include protecting the Supreme Court’s residence in response to growing threats. Concerns about the oversight of Marshall Services have led some to propose transferring control of the agency to the judiciary for better protection of judges.
As the threats to judges continue to increase, some members of Congress are considering legislation to make judicial security more independent. The former US S’s response to court orders and the potential interference from political branches remain critical issues to address for the safety of judges.
Despite the challenges, efforts to reduce Marshall Services to increase efficiency may impact the agency’s ability to fulfill its crucial mission of protecting judges and upholding court orders.
Late yesterday, Seturaman Panchanathan, whom President Trump hired to run the National Science Foundation five years ago, left. He didn’t say why, but it was clear enough. Last weekend, Trump cut more than 400 active research awards from the NSF, and he is pressing Congress to halve Congress’ $9 billion budget.
The Trump administration has targeted American scientific companies, an engine of research and innovation that has been inducted for decades. The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and NASA are cutting or frozen budgets. Thousands of researchers have been fired or paid back.
The confusion is confusing. Isn’t science an eternal power? Does it contain disease? Would it help you compete with China? Why not attract the kind of immigrants the president says he wants? In this edition of the newsletter, you will break the huge thing to understand the fuss.
investment
American research thrives under a sponsorship system that highlights dollars that Congress has approved to universities, national labs and labs. The Knowledge Factory employs tens of thousands of researchers, bringing talent from around the world, creating scientific breakthroughs and Nobel Prizes.
Science moves slowly, so it’s a slow moving system. Discoveries are often indirect and repetitive, and include collaboration between researchers who require years of granted education to become experts. Startups and businesses that need quick returns on investments are usually unable to wait long for long money or risk.
Science is capital. With some measures, all dollars spent on research will return at least $5 to the economy.
President Trump is not patient. He reimbursed university research into AIDS, pediatric cancer and solar physics. (Two well-known researchers compiled the list Lost NIH grants and NSF Awards. ) The administration has also fired thousands of federal scientists, including meteorologists from the National Weather Service. CDC’s pandemic preparation expert. A black researcher at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Already built for $3.5 billion over a decade, the next generation space observatory is waiting for a launch that could never happen now.
Alienate scientists
Administrative authorities provide various reasons for the crackdown: cost reduction, government efficiency, and “protecting women from gender ideological extremism.” Many grants have been eliminated because they include terms such as climate, diversity, disability, trans, or women. Some portrayed the administration’s rage, as the application included a DEI statement requested by the previous administration.
You don’t need a telescope to see where this leads. American leaders have historically seen science as an investment in the future. Will this administration seize it? One third of American Nobel Prize winners were foreign-born, but immigration crackdowns wiped out scientists like Xenia Petrova, a Russian who ages at Harvard University and is now sitting in a detention center in Louisiana. Australian scholars have stopped attending conferences in the US for fear of being detained, The Guardian reported.
Now, some American scientists are looking for an exit. France, Canada and other countries are courting our researchers. A recent poll by Nature magazine found that more than 1,200 American scientists were considering working abroad. Journal recruitment platforms were seen 32% of overseas positions more applications Between January and March 2025, this was higher than the same period last year.
Paleontologists describe the oldest known members of Haidomyrmecinae – An extinct subfamily of ants that were only during the Cretaceous period – preserved as an impression of limestone rocks in the Krato Formation in northeastern Brazil.
Vulcanidris cratensisholotype. Scale bar – 2 mm. Image credit: Lepeco et al. , doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023.
It has been named Vulcanidris cratensisthe new ant species lived 113 million years ago (early Cretaceous period).
This species represents the oldest and most definitive ant known in science, and is also the most complete evidence of the early evolution of ants in the fossil record.
“Vulcanidris cratensis The author, Dr. Anson Lepeco, a paleontologist at Dr. Zloria da Universad de Sao Paulo, stated:
“What makes this discovery particularly interesting is its belong to an extinct “hell ant”, known for its strange predatory adaptation. ”
“Even though it is part of an ancient lineage, the species already exhibits highly specialized anatomical features, suggesting unique hunting behaviors.”
The oldest previous ants were found in France and Myanmar and were preserved in amber instead of limestone.
The presence of hell ants in Brazil indicates that ants are already widely distributed and diversified early in their evolution.
“There was an hell ants explained by Amber, and this was the first time I could visualize them in a rock fossil,” Dr. Lepeco said.
Dr. Lepeco and his colleagues discovered a very well-preserved Ant specimen and systematically examined one of the world’s largest collections of fossil insects from. Krato Layera deposit known for its exceptional fossil preservation.
“When we encountered this extraordinary specimen, we quickly recognized its importance not only as a new species, but also as a potentially conclusive evidence of ants in the Krato Formation,” Dr. Lepeco said.
“The finding highlights the importance of a thorough investigation of existing collections either privately or in museums, and highlights the fauna of Brazilian paleontology and the country’s unexposed fossil insects.”
Using microcomputed tomography imaging, paleontologists discovered it Vulcanidris cratensis It was previously closely related to hell ants, known only from specimens preserved in Burma mber, Myanmar.
This finding shows that ants must have been widely distributed worldwide and repeatedly crossed Cretaceous lands.
But what surprised them most was the professional traits of Hell’s Ants.
“We were hoping to find the features of the hellish ant, but we were shocked by the features of the feeding device,” Dr. Lepeco said.
“Unlike modern ants with laterally moving mandibles, this species had a mandible with face and face projections running forward in front of their head and eyes.”
“Finding such anatomically specialized ants for 113 million years ago challenges our assumptions about how quickly and complex adaptations these insects have developed.”
“The complex forms suggest that even these early ants had evolved sophisticated plundering strategies that were already very different from their modern counterparts.”
“The discovery of this new ant specimen raises broader questions about the evolutionary pressures that have led to the unique adaptation of hell’s ants.”
“Advanced imaging tools allow us to explore these fossil specimens in greater detail than ever before.”
Discovery of Vulcanidris cratensis Reported in a paper It’s published in the journal today Current Biology.
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Anderson Repeco et al. Ants from Hell from the Lower Cretaceous period in Brazil. Current BiologyPublished online on April 24, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023
High-energy photons produced deep within gamma-ray burst jets emerge from decayed stars can dissolve the outer stellar layer into free neutrons, causing a series of physical processes that lead to the formation of heavy elements. paper It is published on Astrophysical Journal.
The high-energy photonic jet (white and blue) passes through a collapse with a black hole at its center. The red space around the jet represents a coco where free neutrons can be captured and caused the R process. Image credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The formation of the heaviest elements relies on astrophysical environments with large amounts of neutrons.
Neutrons are found in the medium under extreme pressure, either bound to the nucleus.
Free neutrons are rare because they have a half-life of less than 15 minutes.
“The creation of heavy elements such as uranium and plutonium requires extreme conditions,” says Dr. Matthew Mumpoir, a physicist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
“There are several viable yet rare scenarios in the universe where these elements can form, and all such locations require a large number of neutrons. We propose a new phenomenon where these neutrons are not present and dynamically generated by stars.”
The key to generating the heaviest elements in the periodic table is known as the rapid neutron capture process or R process, and is believed to be responsible for the production of all thorium, uranium and plutonium that occur naturally in the universe.
The team’s framework takes on the challenging physics of the R process and solves them by proposing reactions and processes around the collapse of the stars.
In addition to understanding the formation of heavy elements, the proposed framework will help address key issues regarding neutron transport, multi-objective simulations, and observation of rare events. All of these are interesting for national security applications, which can gather insights from research.
In the scenario proposed by researchers, when nuclear fuel is exhausted, a large star begins to die.
It is no longer able to push its own gravity up, and a black hole forms in the center of the star.
If the black hole is spinning fast enough, the framedrazing effect from the very powerful gravity near the black hole will wind up the magnetic field and fire a powerful jet.
Subsequent reactions create a wide range of photons, some of which are high-energy.
“The jet blows stars before it, creating a hot coco of material around the jet, like a freight train plowing through the snow,” said Dr. Mumpower.
At the interface of jets with star materials, high-energy photons (i.e. light) can interact with the nucleus and convert protons into neutrons.
Existing nuclei can also be dissolved in individual nuclei, creating more free neutrons to power the R process.
Team calculations suggest that interactions with light can create neutrons very quickly in nanosecond order.
For charging, a strong magnetic field traps the protons in the jet.
The merciless neutrons are ploughed from the jet to the coco.
After experiencing relativistic shock, neutrons are very dense compared to the surrounding star material, which can lead to the R process, forging heavy elements and isotopes, and banished into space when the stars are torn apart.
The process of protons converted into neutrons and the free neutrons that escape to the surrounding coco to form heavy elements, encompasses all four basic forces of nature, accompanied by a wide range of physics principles. It combines the real multiword problems, the fields of nuclear and nuclear physics, with fluid mechanics and general relationships.
Despite the team’s efforts, more challenges remain as the heavy isotopes created during the R process have never been done on Earth.
Researchers know little about their properties, including atomic weights, half-life, and more.
The high energy jet framework proposed by the team may help explain the origin of kilonovas (the glow of optical and infrared electromagnetic radiation) associated with long gamma-ray bursts.
“Star melting via high-energy photon jets provides an alternative origin for gravity and the production of kilonova that can be produced. This may not have previously been thought to be related to star collapse,” the scientist said.
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Matthew R. Mumpoir et al. 2025. Make sure there are neutrons! Hadronic optical production from large fluxes of high energy photons. APJ 982, 81; doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ADB1E3
Every day, over a billion cups of coffee are consumed, including French presses, espresso, and cold brewing.
Physicist Arnold Mattissen from the University of Pennsylvania has a bias towards the art of pouring coffee. He manually pours hot water over ground beans, filters it into a pot or mug, and believes that applying fluid dynamics principles could improve the process even further.
Dr. Mathijssen, along with two like-minded students, conducted research on optimizing the pouring method. Their scientifically-backed advice is to pour water in high, slow, and steady streams to maximize extraction and enhance the flavor of the coffee without any additional costs.
Results from a recent survey published in the Journal Physics of Fluids show how the coffee pouring process in the kitchen can lead to new scientific directions in different culinary techniques. This demonstrates how science can improve the art of cooking.
Dr. Mathijssen, who primarily studies biological flow physics, began experimenting with food during the Covid-19 shutdown when he lost access to his lab. This led to exploring the physics involved in various cooking techniques, including pasta stickiness and whipped cream structures. His interest in kitchen physics remains high.
While Dr. Mathijssen has returned to the lab, his passion for kitchen physics continues. The coffee research was inspired by scientists in his group who kept detailed notes on daily coffee brewing experiments in the lab, noting details such as bean origin, extraction time, and flavor profiles.
Graduate student Ernest Park designed a formal experiment using silica gel beads in glass cones to simulate pouring water into coffee grounds from different heights, capturing the dynamics with a high-speed camera.
And there is the evolutionary rarity of carnivorous caterpillars. And now, scientists have discovered not only a food for other insects, but also a very hungry caterpillar.
Called The Bone Collector, this scary taste in Caterpillar and Couture was explained in the Journal on Thursday Science. “The behavior was completely unknown,” said Daniel Rubinoff, an entomologist and research author at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His team initially compared caterpillars to raw crime scenes.
Bone collector’s caterpillar is found only within the six-square miles of a single mountain range on Oahu. So it only exists in co-necks spun by spiders in logs and rock caves. When caterpillars almost slip about the web, they clean dead insects and other arthropods that have been soaked in sticky silk.
According to David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut, Caterpillar’s reliance on Spiders presents one of nature’s most unlikely connections, as he was not involved in new research. “It’s amazing how caterpillars tie their fate to spiders. It’s clear and current danger for both caterpillars and moth,” Dr. Wagner said. He only knows one other species that frequently visits spider nets. But the species are vegetarians who snack on plant ingredients caught in the web.
Dr. Rubinoff first encountered the bone collector’s caterpillar in 2008 while examining the inner web of a hollow tree. Caterpillars are extremely rare. Over 150 field studies in the area produced only 62 bone collector specimens.
Scientists determined that bone collectors belong to hyposporoma, a diverse genus of small moth species found only in Hawaii. The larva stage rotates silk protective cases that resemble everything from Kandi wrappers to cigars.
Like hermit crabs, these caterpillars carry their cases before moving before appearing as fully grown moth. Some species decorate mobile homes with wood, algae and shells to blend into the environment.
Bone collector Caterpillar gives an eerie spin on his practice. Using silk, caterpillars weave small pieces of dead insects they encounter on the spider web. Researchers have identified parts from six families of insects attached to caterpillars, including the heads of weevils and the abdomen of beetles. Caterpillar also incorporates fragments of the exoskeleton molted by Arachnid’s neighbors.
Dr. Rubinoff and his colleagues brought some bone collectors back to the lab. They were surprised at how loud the caterpillars were when they were to decorate their lawsuit. “These caterpillars can identify differences in the objects of their environment,” Dr. Rubinov said. The larvae chose to avoid other available debris and harvest only from insect corpses.
But the ruins are not. Caterpillar uses the lower jaw to carefully rotate and investigate future body parts. Something too large will bite you in a more comfortable size.
The caterpillars gathering bones are too noisy about their diet. The team discovered that caterpillars, including one another, eat insect prey that can catch.
But they have to fight against an eight-legged landowner. The team observed bone collector caterpillars that frequently and frequently visit the web of at least four introduced spider species. The team assumes that Caterpillar’s horrifying outfits will help disguise them among insects trapped in the web. Dr. Wagner suspects caterpillars will undermine the appeal of their culinary culinary by disguising them as “a pile of garbage” of objects that the spiders didn’t scarf down.
The bone collector approach appears to be working. Researchers never observed spiders consuming bone collectors or engulfing them in silk.
The team studied bone collector genetics and determined that it was likely that it diverged from other carnivorous hypofluvium caterpillars more than 5 million years ago. This may be millions of years before Oahu emerged from beneath the sea, and the ancestors of bone collectors once lived on other islands.
Bone collector’s current paradise slices may be at risk. Caterpillars have adapted to thrive in nets spun by non-native spider species, but their habitat is threatened by invasive ants and parasitic wasps. According to Dr. Rubinoff, conservation attention is desperately needed to save endemic arthropods in Hawaii.
Some argue that male domination is the natural order of things. However, our genetic relatives, bonobos, who share nearly 99% of our DNA, challenge this notion.
Bonobos are great apes living in a society where women dominate, a rarity among mammals, especially those where males typically hold more power. Despite being smaller in size, female bonobos are the leaders in their society.
A recent study published in the Journal Communications Biology sheds light on how female bonobos acquire and maintain power within their communities. Researchers found that females form coalitions with males, creating a favorable power balance.
When a male bonobo challenges the status quo, nearby females band together to confront or intimidate him. This results in the male losing social rank, which is then transferred to the female aggressor, providing better access to resources and protection for her offspring.
Bonobos and chimpanzees are our closest living relatives. Initially believed to be a subspecies of chimpanzees, they were recognized as a separate species over a century ago. These endangered apes are primarily found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are challenging to study in their natural habitat.
To conduct their research, scientists like Harvard University’s Martin Surbeck spent thousands of hours navigating the dense jungle to observe these apes.
Contrary to the peaceful image often associated with bonobos, researchers have noted instances of aggressive behavior within their communities. These findings challenge previous stereotypes about these primates.
Gender conflicts are not uncommon among bonobos. Observations from researchers who tracked conflicts between males and females between 1993 and 2021 show that females often collaborate to assert dominance.
These conflicts can turn violent, resulting in severe injuries and even death for the males involved. The power dynamics within bonobo society have been a subject of interest for scientists for decades.
By studying data collected over years, researchers have found evidence supporting the “female coalition hypothesis,” shedding light on how female bonobos maintain power and influence in their communities.
As research continues to unveil the complexities of bonobo behavior, it becomes increasingly crucial to protect these endangered species.
Bonobos serve as a mirror to humanity, offering insights into our evolutionary past. Preserving these remarkable creatures is essential for understanding our own origins.
The study challenges the notion of male domination as an intrinsic biological trait, highlighting the unique social structures observed in bonobo communities.
Dr. Sarbeck emphasizes that patriarchy and male dominance are not evolutionary imperatives, as exemplified by the social dynamics of bonobos.
After protests from scientists and health experts, federal health officials said Thursday it would restore funding for the Women’s Health Initiative, one of the largest and longest research into women’s health to date.
The discovery of WHI and its randomized controlled trials has helped to change medical practices, form clinical guidelines, and prevent hundreds of thousands of cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.
“These studies represent important contributions to our better understanding of women’s health,” said Emily G. Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We are currently working to fully recover funding for these important research efforts,” she added. The National Institutes of Health is deeply committed to advancing public health through rigorous gold standard research and is taking immediate steps to ensure the continuity of these studies.”
Researchers hope to use the findings to learn more about how to maintain mobility and cognitive function and slower memory loss, detect cancer faster, and predict risks for other diseases.
HHS notified research team leaders that it would end the contract for WHI’s regional center in September, but the clinical coordination center based at Fred Hatch Cancer Center in Seattle will be funded until at least January 2026.
Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, said shutting down the trial would be “a catastrophic loss for women’s health research.”
Not only has the initiative led to significant advances in women’s health, it also “paved the way for a generation of researchers focused on women’s health. This has been overlooked for a long time and underfunded,” Murray said.
WHI includes many randomized controlled trials, contributing to over 2,000 research papers. However, it is perhaps best known in a study of hormone replacement therapy that suddenly stopped in 2002 after researchers discovered that older women who collected estrogen-progestin combinations experienced a small but significant increase in their risk of breast cancer.
Until then, there was a widespread belief that hormone replacement therapy would protect women from cardiovascular disease. However, the trial found that women were at increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and clots, despite the combination of hormones reducing colorectal cancer and hip fractures.
Dr. Joan Manson, one of the long-term lead researchers in the study and one of the medical professors at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals, called the announcement of the funding cuts “sadly.”
She was given a statement by National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the importance of reducing chronic illnesses in America, and the original decision to cut funds is baffling, she said.
“There is no good example of the scientific impact of research on chronic disease prevention than WHI,” Dr. Manson said.
Lessons learned Hormonal research has resulted in huge savings Researchers discovered this at medical expenses. One study found that between 2003 and 2012, roughly $35 billion was the number of cases of cancer and cardiovascular disease that were avoided. For every dollar spent on WHI, I saved $140.
One randomized trial conducted by WHI saw the effects of a low-fat diet high in fruit and vegetables. Researchers initially found a reduction in ovarian cancer alone, but long-term follow-up showed that this diet also reduces deaths from breast cancer.
Another study of calcium and vitamin D found that supplements provided slight benefits to maintain bone mass and prevent hip fractures in older women, but did not prevent other fractures or colorectal cancer.
Although the findings have affected medical guidelines, we do not currently recommend that all women take supplements regularly.
Participants in the initiative are currently between 78 and 108 years old, and some scientists have acknowledged that there could be discussions to end the trial. However, careful planning is usually given to shut down such a large-scale wide range of research.
“There’s still a lot to learn,” said Garnet Anderson, senior vice president and director of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Fred Hatch Cancer Center and lead researcher at the initiative.
“Studying 13,000 women at age 90, what are your health needs? How do you live such a long, healthy life?” she said. “I want to know the secrets of success for healthy aging.”
Part of the reasons research began in the 1990s was the lack of information and research on women’s health and there was little evidence underlying clinical recommendations, says Marian Neuhauser, who heads the cancer prevention program at the Fred Hatch Cancer Center and chairs the WHI steering committee.
“Women are half the population,” Dr. Neuhouser said. “However, they were not included in the study. It was mostly male and the results were extrapolated to women.”
President Trump has ordered the US government to take a major step towards mining vast areas below the sea. This is a move opposed by almost every other country, taking into account international waters from international waters for this type of industrial activity.
The executive order, signed Thursday, will circumvent a decades-old treaty ratified by all major coastal states except the United States. This is the latest example of the Trump administration’s willingness to ignore international institutions, and is likely to spark protests from American rivals and allies.
The order “establishes the United States as a global leader in submarine mineral exploration and development within and outside the national jurisdiction.” Text released by the White House.
Trump’s order directs the promotion of mining permits in both the National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration’s international waters and US territory.
Part of the seabed is covered with potato-sized nodules containing valuable minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese. These are essential to advanced technologies that the United States considers to be important to economic and military security, but its supply chain is increasingly controlled by China.
No commercial scale submarine mining has been carried out to date. The technical hurdles were high and there were serious concerns about the environmental impact.
As a result, in the 1990s, most countries agreed to join independent international submarine authorities that dominate the seabed mining of international waters. The Trump administration is relying on the US as it is not a signator The vague 1980 law This allows the federal government to issue submarine mining permits in international waters.
Many countries want to see undersea mining become a reality. But so far, it has been that economic orders should not take priority over the risk that mining could damage fisheries and marine food chains, or that it could affect the essential role of the ocean in absorbing carbon dioxide that warms the planet from the atmosphere.
Trump’s order comes after years of delays at the ISA in setting up a regulatory framework for undersea mining. Authorities have not yet agreed to the set of rules.
The executive order paves the way for metal companies, a well-known undersea mining company, to receive the first permission from NOAA to actively mine. A public company based in Vancouver, British Columbia It was disclosed in March It would ask the Trump administration to approve it through a US subsidiary to mine in international waters. The company has already spent more than $500 million on exploratory work.
“We have production-ready boats,” Gerald Baron, the company’s chief executive, said in an interview Thursday. “We have the means to process materials in friendly partner nations of the Alliance. We are missing out on permission to allow us to start.”
In anticipation of mining as a final allowance, companies like him have invested heavily in developing technologies to mine the seabed. They include a ship with huge claws that stretch to the seabed, and a self-driving vehicle mounted on a giant vacuum cleaner that scrutinizes the bottom of the ocean.
Some analysts have questioned the need to rush towards submarine mining, given the current excess of nickel and cobalt from traditional mining. Furthermore, manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries, one of the main markets in metals, are heading towards battery designs that rely on other factors.
Nevertheless, the projection of future demand for metals generally remains high. And Trump’s escalating trade war with China threatens to limit America’s access to some of these important minerals. These include rare earth elements that can also be found in trace amounts of submarine nodules.
US Geological Survey It is estimated Nodules in a single belt of the Eastern Pacific, known as the Clarion Kriparton Zone, contain more nickel, cobalt and manganese than all ground reserves combined. The area in the open ocean between Mexico and Hawaii is about half the size of the continent of the United States.
The Metals Company’s contract site is located in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, with the oceans averaged around 2.5 miles deep. The company will first apply for exploitation permission under the 1980 law.
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