Consuming This Breakfast Essential Daily May Help Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more:

About our experts

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

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Certain university courses, such as language, have oral assessments

ShutterStock/PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

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

ShutterStock/PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The results will be published in the journal Communication Biology.

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

The Deadliest Extreme Weather Events May Surprise You

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: www.nbcnews.com

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

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Volkerpreusser/Alamy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring How Homona Lady’s Burial Practices Redefine Humanity

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Secret Behind What Enchants the Dazzling Songbirds

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon): Remarkably Colorful

Daniel Field

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rosalyn Price-Waldman, Allison Schultz

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

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

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

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

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Truck Collection Implies Different Dinosaurs Grazing Together

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Julius Csotonyi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Technician inspecting tracks at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada

Dr. Brian Pickles, University of Reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

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

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Research Institute

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: www.newscientist.com

Majestic Triassic Reptiles Boasted Primitive Wings

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of the Triassic reptile Mirasaura grauvogeli

Rick Stikkelorum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fossils preserving the bony structure of *Mirasaura grauvogeli*

Stephen Speakman

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

AI Aids in Restoring Damaged Latin Inscriptions from the Roman Empire

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Roman Temple in Ankara, Turkey

PE Forsberg / Alamy Stock Photos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Simple Skincare Routine Can Prevent Eczema in Babies

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Nattrass/Getty Images

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

Nattrass/Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

AI Outwits Goalkeepers by Anticipating Penalty Takers’ Shots

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Goalkeepers have difficulty predicting the direction of penalty shots

Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Neurological Disorders May Be Linked to Neanderthal DNA

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It could offer insights into current health challenges.”

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

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

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

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

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Julian Bayona Becerra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

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

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____

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

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

Source: www.sci.news

Discovery of a New Blue-Spotted Mussel Species in Fiji

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Aluminum Isotope: Aluminum-20

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Suggests Arknid Originated in the Cambrian Seas

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The results will appear in the journal Current Biology.

____

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

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Fossilized Brains Prompt a Reevaluation of Spider Evolution

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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

Junnn11 @ni075 CC BY-SA 4.0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

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

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Changes in brain structure over time

Temet/Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

DeepMind and OpenAI Achieve Victory in the International Mathematics Olympiad

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

AIs are improving at solving mathematics challenges

Andresr/ Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Improved Air Quality Linked to Rise in Urban Heat Waves

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Heatwaves are increasing in frequency as global smog diminishes

Claudio Reyes/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Rediscovery of a Tiny Elusive Gecko in the Galapagos Islands

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Leaf-toed Gecko from Rabida Island

Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Species of Stocky Dinosaurs Linked to Velociraptor Unveiled

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sri Lapax fossil

Royal Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

New species of Velociraptor – Similar to the dinosaurs found in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, they boasted large claws and sturdy hands, enabling them to conquer larger prey.

The species is named Sri Lapax, inspired by the “intense characteristics we observe in our own hands,” explained Andrea Cow, a paleontologist from Italy.

Sri Lapax stretches approximately 2 meters in length and originates from the Judokta Formation, an expansive landscape of sand dunes and intermittent lakes dating back 75 million years.

Excavated in 2010, this fossil was illicitly transported into private collections in Japan and the UK before being returned to Mongolia. A collaborative study by CAU and colleagues uncovered bones that had been buried within rock layers, revealing remarkably preserved hands.

“The structure of the hand is notably robust, with particularly long and narrow claws,” remarked Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig from North Carolina State University. “This adaptation may have facilitated grasping and subduing relatively large prey.”

The primary claw measures 79.5 mm, nearly double the length of the corresponding claw in its closest relative, Velociraptor mongoliensis.

“When compared to Velociraptor – which is approximately the same size – the hands are 150% more robust, and the claws are elongated,” noted Cau. “[It] appears to have been adapted to pursue prey that was more formidable than what its relatives typically targeted.”

Strong nails of *Sri Lapax*

Royal Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

Despite the loss of the skull and some vertebrae prior to the repatriation, CAU and colleagues managed to reconstruct the missing parts digitally, utilizing CT scans of the fossils conducted in 2016. The findings suggest that the skull is likely short and robust, indicating a stronger bite compared to many of its contemporaries.

James Napoli from Stony Brook University in New York noted the significance of recovering the missing skull and vertebrae. “The skull is particularly crucial for understanding this animal’s lifestyle and its evolutionary significance among theropod dinosaurs,” he stated.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How a 4-Day Work Week Benefits Your Health and the Environment

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A four-day workweek can significantly enhance both your mental and physical well-being, which in turn boosts your performance. This is supported by a recent study conducted by researchers from the US and Ireland.

The most exciting part? Research published in the journal Natural Human Behavior ensured that participants did not experience any wage cuts during the trial. This is crucial, as pay reductions can lead to increased stress. Participants managed to maintain their typical productivity levels while experiencing fewer sleep disturbances and reduced fatigue, thanks to an improved work environment.

“Globally, we observe trends of burnout, long hours, and inadequate personal time for employees and their families—this issue is prevalent not only in high-income countries but also in many low- and middle-income nations,” noted study author Wenfang, an associate professor of sociology at Boston University in the United States, as stated in BBC Science Focus.

“Our four-day workweek could serve as a potential solution for rethinking work structures that not only benefit employees but society at large.”

The sociologists from Boston College and University College Dublin conducted a six-month study involving approximately 3,000 employees from 141 organizations across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Participants were offered reduced working hours ranging from 1-4 hours, 5-7 hours, or 8 hours.

Over the six-month period, employee wellness was evaluated across four categories: burnout, job satisfaction, overall psychological health, and physical health—key indicators of mortality risk.

Concurrently, they compared the outcomes for 285 employees from 12 companies that implemented reduced work hours with those who maintained the traditional workweek.

Significant health advantages were noted for employees in all three reduced-hour groups, particularly in terms of burnout and job satisfaction. Those who cut their working hours by eight saw the most substantial benefits. Furthermore, 90% of the companies that participated continued their four-day workweek after the trial concluded.

Globally, initiatives are underway to assess the effects of shorter workweeks on employee health and organizational productivity. One notable program is the 4DWG initiative, which has seen participation from 375 companies worldwide, advocating for a six-hour workday or a 20% reduction in total hours.

A potential limitation of this study is that it relied on companies volunteering to take part, primarily involving small businesses in English-speaking countries. Future studies aim to include government-sponsored trials for more randomized assessments.

Additionally, the researchers are exploring the environmental impact of a four-day workweek, as some employees have volunteered to monitor their carbon footprints.

Wen posits that both workers and employers could benefit environmentally, particularly with decreased pollution from commuting. She stated: “Countries adopting shorter working hours often report improved environmental outcomes.”

Read more:

About our experts

Wen Huang is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Boston College, USA. Her research has been published in journals such as Natural Human Behavior, Social Forces, Jobs and Occupations, and Advances in Life Course Research.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

This New Experiment Could Bridge the Gaps in Our Theories

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Humanity is now closer to developing an inclusive “all theories” framework to explain the physical universe. A new paper has been published in PRX Quantum.

Three scientists from the US have designed an experiment they believe can bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and Einstein’s general theory of relativity.

Quantum Mechanics elucidates the physics of the subatomic realm, while General Relativity addresses the large-scale universe, encompassing the physics of space, time, and gravity. Unfortunately, the two theories do not align.

“Both quantum theory and Einstein’s gravity theory have undergone rigorous testing and perform exceptionally well,” stated Dr. Igor Pikovsky, an assistant professor of physics at the Stevens Institute in New Jersey, as reported by BBC Science Focus.

“However, one of the greatest challenges in modern physics is to unify these two theories into a single coherent framework. So far, such a joint theory remains elusive.”

Pikovsky, along with Dr. Jacob Coby from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Dr. Johannes Borlegaard from Harvard University, has conceived an experiment to elucidate how these two theories can coexist—an achievement that has never been accomplished before.

The goal? To uncover how quantum effects respond to the curvature of space-time.

The curvature of space-time, as described by Einstein, posits that gravity results from the bending of space and time around massive objects (like planets), causing time to pass more slowly closer to these objects.

Scientists have engineered atomic clock systems interconnected within quantum networks, demonstrating how they are influenced by curved space-time.

Atomic clocks are capable of measuring time with remarkable precision. Through a phenomenon known as entanglement, these quantum states can be interconnected, and the superposition principle allows clocks to experience multiple timeframes simultaneously, due to the unique property of existing in various states at once.

By situating these clocks in diverse locations, the quantum network can identify minute variations in time movement caused by the gravitational distortion of space-time.

“If successful, such a test would represent the inaugural assessment of the ‘quantum theory of curved space-time,’ shedding light on how quantum systems behave within the framework of Einstein’s gravity,” Pikovsky remarked.

Scientists are racing to develop quantum networks to enable future quantum internets that can connect quantum computers globally – credit: via Sakkmesterke

This experiment marks a crucial initial step in testing how these theories might be unified, relying on existing technology.

Pikovsky expressed hope that the paper would kindle “interest and excitement about the numerous mysteries that nature still holds.”

He added:

“Our findings indicate that quantum technology can be harnessed to address some of these questions through real-world experiments for the first time.”

Read more:

About our experts

Dr. Igor Pikovsky is an assistant professor of physics at the Stevens Institute in New Jersey, USA. He earned his PhD in Quantum Mechanics from the University of Vienna in 2014. His current research focuses on quantum phenomena, quantum fundamentals, and quantum information science.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Hubble Space Telescope Captures a Mesmerizing Spiral Galaxy Spin

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning image of the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 3285b.

This Hubble image reveals NGC 3285B, a spiral galaxy approximately 137 million light years away in the Hydra constellation. The color images were generated from separate exposures in the ultraviolet and infrared regions using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), based on data collected through seven filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/RJ Foley, UC Santa Cruz.

NGC 3285b is situated around 137 million light years from the Hydra constellation.

It is also referred to as Leda 31293, ESO 501-18, or IRAS 10322-2723, with a diameter of 100,000 light years.

NGC 3285B boasts a disc and multiple swirling arms, characterized by a large, bright, golden nucleus, while its spiral arms exhibit a light, faint reddish hue.

It is part of the NGC 3312 Galaxy Group (LGG 210) and is a member of the Hydra I Galaxy Cluster.

“NGC 3285B is a component of the Hydra I Cluster, one of the largest galactic clusters in the nearby universe,” stated Hubble astronomers.

“Galactic clusters consist of hundreds to thousands of galaxies held together by gravity.”

“The Hydra I cluster is centered around two massive elliptical galaxies.”

“Each of these galaxies spans about 150,000 light years, roughly 50% larger than our Milky Way.”

NGC 3285B lies on the outskirts of the Hydra I cluster, distanced from the colossal central galaxy.

“This galaxy captured Hubble’s interest as it hosted a Type Ia supernova in 2023,” the astronomer noted.

“Type Ia supernovae produce a condensed star core known as white dwarf explosives, igniting a sudden fusion burst approximately five billion times brighter than the sun.”

The supernova, labeled SN 2023XQM, appears as a blue dot on the far left side of the galaxy’s disc.

“Hubble observed NGC 3285B as part of a campaign focused on Type Ia supernovae.”

“We aim to address the effects of distance and dust by examining each of these supernovae in ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light.”

“This initiative will enhance cosmic distance measurements that depend on observations of Type Ia supernovae.”

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists Uncover Unusual Quantum Echoes in Niobium Superconductors

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers from Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State University have unveiled the emergence of Higgs echoes in niobium superconductors. These findings shed light on quantum behavior that could influence the development of next-generation quantum sensing and computing technologies.

Using Higgs Echo Spectroscopy, Huang et al reveal unconventional echo formation due to non-uniform expansion and soft quasiparticle bands, dynamically evolving under THZ drive. Image credit: Ames National Laboratory.

Superconductors are materials known for conducting electricity without resistance.

These superconducting materials exhibit collective oscillations referred to as the Higgs mode.

The Higgs mode represents a quantum phenomenon that occurs when the electronic potential fluctuates similarly to a Higgs boson.

Such modes manifest when the material experiences a superconducting phase transition.

Monitoring these vibrations has posed challenges for scientists for many years.

Additionally, they interact complexly with quasiparticles, which are electron-like excitations arising from superconducting dynamics.

By utilizing advanced terahertz (THZ) spectroscopy, the researchers identified a new type of quantum echo known as Higgs echo in superconductive niobium materials utilized in quantum computing circuits.

“Unlike traditional echoes seen in atoms and semiconductors, Higgs echoes result from intricate interactions between Higgs modes and quasiparticles, generating anomalous signals with unique properties.”

“Higgs echoes can uncover and reveal hidden quantum pathways within a material.”

By employing precisely-timed THZ radiation pulses, the authors were able to detect these echoes.

These THZ radiation pulses can also facilitate the encoding, storage, and retrieval of quantum information embedded in the superconducting material via echoes.

This study illustrates the ability to manipulate and observe the quantum coherence of superconductors, paving the way for innovative methods of storing and processing quantum information.

“Grasping and controlling these distinctive quantum echoes brings us closer to practical quantum computing and advanced quantum sensing technologies,” stated Dr. Wang.

a paper detailing these findings was published in the journal on June 25th in Advances in Science.

____

Chuankun Huang et al. 2025. Discovery of unconventional quantum echoes due to Higgs coherence interference. Advances in Science 11 (26); doi:10.1126/sciadv.ads8740

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Capture Direct Image of Betelgeuse’s Stellar Companion

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Utilizing the speckle imager Alopeke from the Gemini North Telescope, part of the NSF’s International Gemini Observatory, astronomers captured direct images of Betelgeuse.

Betelgeuse (right) and its remarkable companions (left). Image credits: International Gemini Observatory/Noirlab/NSF/Aura/M. Zamani, Noirlab of NSF.

Betelgeuse is an 8-million-year-old red supergiant located about 724 light years away on the shoulder of the Orion constellation.

It ranks among the largest known stars, with a radius approximately 1,400 times greater than that of the Sun.

Also referred to as Alpha Orionis or Alpha Ori, Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in the sky, radiating more light than 100,000 suns.

The star is nearing the end of its life cycle, and when it eventually explodes, the event will shine brightly, becoming visible for weeks even during daylight.

Betelgeuse experiences a major variability period of roughly 400 days, accompanied by a longer secondary period of about six years.

In 2019 and 2020, a significant drop in Betelgeuse’s brightness occurred, known as the “big dimming” event.

This led to speculation about an imminent supernova explosion, but astronomers later found that a large cloud of dust ejected during the dimming was the true cause.

Although the “big dim” mystery has been resolved, it rekindled interest in studying the red supergiant, prompting new analyses of existing archival data.

One analysis suggested that the presence of companion stars might be responsible for Betelgeuse’s six-year brightness fluctuations.

However, searches conducted by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory did not detect these companions.

Dr. Steve Howell and his colleagues at NASA’s Ames Research Center investigated potential companions of Betelgeuse, referred to as Alpha Ori B or The Betelbuddy, using the Speckle Imager ‘Alopeke at the Gemini North Telescope.

“Speckle Imaging is an astronomical technique that employs very short exposure times to mitigate image distortion caused by Earth’s atmosphere,” they explained.

“This method allows for high resolution, and when combined with the light-gathering power of Gemini North’s 8.1m mirror, it enables the direct detection of faint companions of Betelgeuse.”

Analyzing the light from the companion stars allowed astronomers to identify their characteristics.

The companions appear to be A or B-type main-sequence stars, approximately six magnitudes fainter than Betelgeuse, with an estimated mass of around 1.5 solar masses.

The companion is situated relatively close to Betelgeuse, at about four times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.

This discovery marks the first detection of a close stellar companion orbiting a supergiant star.

Even more remarkably, the companions are within the extensive outer atmosphere of Betelgeuse, demonstrating the exceptional resolution capabilities of “Alopeke.”

“The speckle capabilities provided by the International Gemini Observatory prove to be a vital tool for astronomers across a wide range of applications,” stated Dr. Martin, NSF Program Director at the International Gemini Observatory.

“Providing solutions to the Betelgeuse mystery, which has persisted for centuries, is an exciting achievement.”

Survey results will appear today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

____

Steve Howell et al. 2025. Possibility of direct imaging discovery of the stellar companion to Betelgeuse. apjl in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adeaaf

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers Document Submarine Canyons in Antarctica

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Submarine canyons are vast, deep formations located on the majority of the world’s continental margins. Antarctica plays a pivotal role in marine processes that significantly influence global climate and ocean circulation. The understanding of oceanographic, climatic, geological, and ecological importance is often hindered by the limitations in Canyon data. In a recent study, researchers from University College Cork and the University of Barcelona aimed to develop the most comprehensive catalogue of Antarctic submarine canyons and gullies. They discovered 332 drainage networks consisting of 3,291 river segments, which is nearly five times the number of canyons recorded in earlier research.

This map shows a network of 332 submarine canyons on the seabed of Antarctica. Image credits: Riccardo Arosio & David Amblas, doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2025.107608.

Submarine canyons are prevalent features found along all continental margins.

These canyons are typically V-shaped valleys with narrow, flexible morphology, beginning at the edge of the continental shelf or continental slope and extending into either the continental rise or abyssal plains.

Short channels less than 10 km in length are referred to as submarine gullies, and they are commonly found within canyon systems on continental slopes.

Submarine canyons are crucial for transporting sediments and nutrients from coastal areas to deeper waters, establishing biodiverse habitats by linking shallow and deep marine environments.

While approximately 10,000 submarine canyons exist globally, only 27% of the ocean floor is mapped at high resolution, indicating a likely higher total number of canyons.

Despite their ecological, oceanographic, and geological significance, submarine canyons are often underrepresented, especially in polar regions.

“Similar to the submarine canyons in the Arctic, those in Antarctica mirror canyons found elsewhere in the world,” stated Dr. David Amblàs, a researcher at the University of Barcelona.

“Yet, they tend to be larger and deeper due to the prolonged effects of polar ice and the considerable volume of sediment that glaciers deposit onto the continental shelf.”

For their research, the authors utilized version 2 of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO V2), the most comprehensive and detailed seabed map for the region.

They employed new high-resolution seabed data alongside semi-automated methods to identify and analyze these canyons.

Overall, they described 15 morphometric parameters that displayed notable differences between the southeastern and western canyons.

“Some of the submarine canyons we examined exceed depths of 4,000 meters,” remarked Dr. Amblàs.

“The most impressive among them is located in East Antarctica and consists of a complex, divergent canyon system.”

“It originates from multiple canyons near the edge of the continental shelf and converges into a single main channel that descends steeply into deep water.”

Dr. Ricardo Arosio from Cork University commented:

“The canyons in East Antarctica exhibit more complexity and branching patterns, forming varied canyon channel systems characterized by the often typical U-shaped cross sections.”

“This indicates a significant influence of long-term development under persistent glacial activity alongside erosion and sediment deposition processes.”

“On the contrary, West Antarctic canyons are short and steep, featuring a V-shaped cross section.”

“This morphological distinction supports the hypothesis that the East Antarctic ice sheet developed earlier and underwent a longer maturation process,” explained Dr. Amblàs.

“This was previously suggested by studies of sedimentary records but lacked explanation through large-scale seabed geomorphology.”

“Thanks to the high resolution of the new seabed measurement database—500 m per pixel, compared to 1-2 km per pixel in earlier maps—we can effectively apply semi-automated technology for canyon identification, profiling, and analysis,” Dr. Arosio stated.

“The strength of our research lies in the integration of various methods previously used but now brought together into robust and systematic protocols.”

“We’ve also developed a GIS software script that enables the calculation of numerous canyon-specific morphometric parameters with just a few clicks.”

The team’s research will be featured in the journal Marine Geology.

____

Riccardo Arosio & David Amblas. 2025. Topographic measurements of the Antarctic Submarine Canyon. Marine Geology 488:107608; doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2025.107608

Source: www.sci.news

Triassic Sauropod Dinosaur Fossils Unearthed in Switzerland

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed the skeletal remains of a completely new and unnamed Masopodan Sauropodmorph dinosaur in the Cretgau Formation of Canton Aargau, Switzerland.

Clear skull of a new Masopodian sauropod dinosaur in view on the right. Scale bar – 5 cm. Image credits: Lanier et al., doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00373-6.

The newly found fossil is estimated to be from the late Triassic Epoch Norian period, around 206 million years ago.

This dinosaur was previously associated with an unidentified member of Masopoda, a vast group of Sauropodmorph dinosaurs that existed during the late Triassic to late Cretaceous epochs.

“Among Mesozoic terrestrial vertebrates, Sauropodomorpha stands out as one of the most successful dinosaur clades, becoming a dominant herbivore component in both Late Triassic and Jurassic paleoecosystems, with a wide global distribution from Antarctica to Greenland,” stated Dr. Alessandro Lania from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and his Swiss colleagues.

“The origin of Sauropodmorph can be traced back to the early late Triassic on the Gondwanan continent, with the oldest examples found in Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and North America.”

“Based on the South American fossil record, we offer a detailed understanding of the early evolution of sauropods, moving away from a limited number of strains characterized by small size, bipedal locomotion, and a carnivorous diet. This heralds a shift to medium and large body plans, quadrupedal dynamics, and a transition to herbivorous habits in the Norian-Flyzia period.”

Moreover, this notable increase in the diversity of Sauropodmorph in South Pangea during the Norian period is evident through the emergence of new major lineages like Masopoda and Sauropodiformo, marking a significant morphological divergence.

The partially complete skeleton of the new Masopodan Sauropodmorph was discovered in 2013 at the top of the fossil horizon within the Gruharde members of the Kretgau Formation in Flick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland.

“The Kretgau Formation represents one of the most extensive stratigraphic sequences of the Late Triassic in Europe, consisting of a diverse, petrologically heterogeneous series of deposits spanning approximately 26 to 30 million years, from early Karnians to late Lechan,” explained the paleontologist.

“The Kretgau Formation can be seen in various locations across Switzerland, documenting discontinuous sequences of varied Playa deposits influenced by river and oceanic processes, reflecting several lateral paleoenvironmental shifts throughout the stratigraphy.”

This new specimen signifies the first den Plate Saurus of the Canton Aargau sauropods and Swiss sauropods from the 4th Triassic, distinguishing them from non-Sauropodian Sauropodmorph.

“Osteologic investigations combined with morphological comparisons have clarified the anatomy of mosaic cranial cephalogenesis, integrating typical features of non-masopodian plasal aurians and Masopodian sauropods, like Coloradisaurus Brevis from Argentina,” the researcher commented.

According to the authors, this dinosaur represents the first non-Sauropod-type masopodian from Laurasia.

“Interestingly, this scenario raises the hypothesis of the European origins of early Jurassic Masopodans from late Triassic Asia, though more evidence is needed to substantiate this,” they stated.

“Additionally, these fossils enhance our understanding of cranial variability and body diversity in Norian sauropodomorphs in Laurasia, paralleling those in Gondwana, particularly in South America and Africa.”

The team’s paper was published this month in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

____

A. Rania et al. 2025. Cranial osteology of the new Masopodan Sauropodmorph (dinosaurs: saury) from the late Triassic period (latest Norian) of Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 144, 39; doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00373-6

Source: www.sci.news

Gluten May Not Be the Culprit Behind Many Cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Gluten is a protein found in most types of bread.

Tono Balaguer/Getty Images

Some individuals believe that gluten can aggravate IBS symptoms, even though they consume proteins from wheat, barley, and rye without experiencing any discomfort.

IBS typically leads to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, many affected individuals claim that gluten and its sources, which include wheat, can worsen their symptoms.

To determine the true triggers of these symptoms, Premysl Bercik and his team at McMaster University in Canada enlisted 28 participants with IBS who reported relief on a gluten-free diet.

Participants followed a gluten-free regimen for three weeks and then assessed their symptoms based on a scale from 0 to 500, averaging a score of 183.

They were then randomly given one of three types of cereal bars: one containing wheat, another with gluten alone, and a third that was free of both. The first two bars included a gluten dose similar to that found in four slices of bread, according to Bercik.

Although participants were informed that the bars may worsen their symptoms, they were unaware of the specific ingredients they contained.

After one week, participants rated the severity of their symptoms again and returned to a gluten-free diet for two weeks to reverse the effects of the bars. The experiment was repeated twice, ensuring each participant tried all three types of bars.

Following the exposure to the placebo bar, participants indicated a symptom increase of 50 points. Conversely, 11 participants reported worsening after consuming the wheat bars compared to 10 after the gluten-only bars.

Bercik notes, “All three challenges elicited symptoms in a comparable proportion of patients.”

While gluten and wheat may trigger IBS for some individuals, the findings indicate that others might be experiencing a nocebo effect.

Commentary accompanying the study by Sigrid Elsenbruch from the University of Duisburg-Essen, noted that participants were cautioned that the bars could worsen their symptoms.

Analysis of stool samples revealed that participants often did not adhere to the bar consumption as instructed. This raises the possibility that they may not have ingested sufficient gluten or wheat to specifically impact their IBS symptoms.

Bercik added that the research team is exploring how gluten and wheat might trigger IBS symptoms in some individuals, potentially by altering gut microbiota.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA Faces Another Leadership Departure Amidst Growing Tensions About Its Future

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The head of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center announced her resignation on Monday.

Makenzie Lystrup, who has been at the helm of the Maryland facility since April 2023, will depart the agency on August 1st. As indicated in a statement from NASA, Goddard is responsible for many major missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Osiris Rex mission that retrieved samples from asteroids.

Lystrup’s resignation comes shortly after Laurie Leshin stepped down as the director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Institute in Pasadena, California.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Director, McKenzie Lystrup, at a panel discussion during the 2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference in Washington, DC
Joel Kovsky / NASA

These departures come as NASA and other federal agencies face significant funding challenges and personnel reductions as part of a larger effort to streamline the federal workforce. Inside NASA, there are rising concerns on Capitol Hill regarding how space agencies can manage their duties with a reduced staffing structure and the rationale for implementing cuts before Congressional budget approval.

At the same time, more than 2,000 senior-level staff members are expected to exit NASA as part of workforce reduction initiatives. First reported by Politico, this group includes senior management and specialists, raising concerns about a “brain drain” within the agency.

NASA staff will need to make decisions on accepting “deferred resignation,” voluntary departures, or early retirement by the end of the week.

President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget aims to cut approximately 25% from NASA’s budget, totaling over $6 billion. The most substantial reductions will impact the Space Science, Earth Science, and Mission Support divisions. As per budget outlines.

If passed by Congress, this budget could lead to the discontinuation of NASA’s space launch system rockets and the Orion spacecraft.

In reaction to the budget proposal, over 280 current and former NASA employees have signed a letter addressed to NASA’s interim administrator Sean Duffy, expressing that recent policies from the Trump administration “endanger public resources, compromise human safety, weaken national security, and undermine NASA’s essential mission.”

The letter, known as the Voyager declaration, states that these changes have had “devastating impacts” on the agency’s personnel and prioritize political goals over human safety, scientific progress, and the prudent use of public funds.

An internal communication obtained by NBC News indicates that before Duffy replaced Janet Petro, the former NASA deputy manager, she was compelled to justify how budget cutbacks and restructuring were in the agency’s best interests.

It remains unclear if the resignations of Lystrup and Leshin are connected to the ongoing turmoil at NASA and other federal institutions. NASA’s announcement about Leshin’s resignation stated her departure was “for personal reasons.”

NASA did not disclose any specifics regarding Lystrup’s resignation. In an internal message obtained by NBC News, Lystrup expressed confidence in Goddard’s leadership team and the future direction of the center.

“I feel privileged to have been part of this remarkable journey with you,” she mentioned in an email. “That was an honor.”

NASA announced on Monday that Cynthia Simmons, the assistant director, will step in as the acting director of Goddard starting in August.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

An Octopus Embraces the Fantasy of Rubber Hands, Just Like Us

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Plain-body octopus can be misled into believing false arms are their own

Kawashima and Yuzuku Ishima/Lucys University

Similar to humans, octopuses can be deceived by an illusion that leads them to believe that artificial arms are genuinely theirs.

This phenomenon, known as the rubber hand illusion, was first identified in the late 1990s, wherein a person’s hidden real hand is stroked alongside a fake hand placed before them. This trick was later found to impact other mammals, such as mice.

Recently, Kawashima and Samia, alongside Yuzuru Ikeda at the University of Ryukyu in Okinawa, Japan, discovered that octopuses are likewise susceptible to this illusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8ajppo0qyy

The experiment involved the plains of octopuses (Callistoctopus aspilosomatis) placed in a test tank. Soft gel fake arms, set atop an opaque partition, were placed over one of the octopus’s real arms, obscuring it from view. A researcher then stroked both the actual and fake arms simultaneously with a plastic caliper.

About eight seconds later, the researchers pinched the fake arm with tweezers. All six octopus subjects exhibited defensive behaviors, including color changes, arm retraction, and attempts to escape, across 24 trials.

The illusory effect diminished when the test was conducted without synchronized stroking, used non-synchronized stroking, or when the fake arm’s position didn’t align with the real arm.

During the experiment, the octopus could see false arms resting over a partition that obscured their actual arms

Kawashima and Yuzuku Ishima/Lucys University

According to Ikeda, the experiments reveal both advantages and disadvantages in the neural wiring of both octopuses and humans. “The illusion indicates an octopus’s ability to predict and anticipate, critical for survival,” he states. “Conversely, this capacity arises from neural conflicts and processing errors, suggesting a flaw.”

Kawashima asserts that this investigation will contribute to the understanding of octopus capabilities related to human experiences. “Our results imply that octopuses could serve as a vital model for studying the evolution of body ownership,” she mentions.

Peter Godfrey-Smith at the University of Sydney in Australia found the findings surprising. “This indicates that octopuses possess a complex body image,” he comments. “I was intrigued that the ‘positional mismatch’ scenario indeed worked—showing that the octopus didn’t perceive the rubber arm as its own in that specific situation.”

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Applying Limestone on the Farm Could Lead to Surprising Environmental Benefits

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Farmers apply lime to pastures to enhance soil quality

Wayne Hutchinson/Alamy

The centuries-old method of distributing crushed limestone on farmland can enhance crop yields by lowering soil acidity. While this practice is typically viewed as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, recent studies indicate that “liming” might actually assist in sequestering substantial amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“Liming can either act as a carbon source or as a carbon sink. Empirical evidence suggests it serves as a fairly effective carbon sink,” says Noah Pranabsky from Yale University. This revelation could motivate the global spread of limestone on farms, although liming does not produce this effect universally.

Each year, millions of tons of crushed limestone spread across fields are classified as emission sources. This classification arises because when alkaline materials dissolve in acidic soils, a significant portion of its carbon is released as CO2. However, this assessment is not entirely accurate. According to Tim Jesper Souhoff, also from Yale, the situation is more complex.

Today’s soils are highly acidic, resulting from extensive fertilizer use and pollution from fossil fuel combustion. Consequently, various other alkaline minerals in the soil dissolve and liberate carbon, even in the absence of limestone. “These CO2 emissions will happen regardless of whether lime is added or not,” Suhrhoff explains, emphasizing that this alteration of acidity can lead to unintentional consequences.

Suhrhoff advocates for a more accurate evaluation of emissions from this practice, suggesting that scientists should analyze CO2 emitted versus captured in scenarios both with and without liming.

As an illustration of this method, Suhrhoff, Planavsky, and their team focused on the Mississippi River basin, a region that gathers runoff from the majority of U.S. farmland. They calculated the net carbon impact of limestone applications from 1900 to 2015 across the area.

The researchers estimated emissions from the soil while utilizing geochemical models to assess how liming alters soil acidity. They also compared their model results with direct observations of alkalinity in the Mississippi, where limestone reacts with carbon dioxide.

By employing their innovative approach, the researchers determined that they had sequestered around 300 million tonnes of CO2 in the region, rather than enabling the release of hundreds of millions of tonnes of emissions. Souhoff presented these findings at the Goldschmidt Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic, on July 10th.

This practice can also be coupled with the increased use of crushed volcanic rocks on farmland to sequester even more CO2 from the atmosphere.

Wolfram Buss from the Australian National University suggests that while liming can act as a carbon sink, the success seen in the Mississippi River Basin may not apply universally. “There is a potential risk with lime application, which could result in net CO2 emissions in other systems, primarily due to the significant acidification of agricultural soils,” he warns.

The subsequent step is to determine where liming is most essential. “This presents the opportunity for us to foster improved crop yields, potentially leading to billions of tons of CO2 removal,” Planavsky remarks. Financial incentives can significantly aid low-income farmers who are unable to afford the optimal amount of lime needed for their crops.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Four-Day Workweek Could Boost Your Health and Job Performance

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Reduced commuting days appear to reflect some workers’ sentiments

2024 Getty Images

Shifting to a four-day workweek without impacting salaries seems to enhance employee wellness and job satisfaction.

The Covid-19 pandemic changed workforce dynamics. With a transition to remote or hybrid work environments, some companies have adopted a four-day work schedule while maintaining pay.

To explore these changes, Wenfang from Boston College, Massachusetts, and her colleagues examined data from 141 companies across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland that took part in a pilot initiative by the nonprofit 4 Day Global.

Prior to the trial, companies collaborated with external consultants to streamline their workflows and eliminate inefficiencies like unnecessary meetings.

After a six-month program, researchers compared self-reported productivity, health, and job satisfaction from approximately 3,000 employees at participating companies against 12 workers who were involved but opposed the trial.

Employees at companies that adopted a four-day work week reported lower rates of burnout and higher job satisfaction, alongside improvements in overall mental and physical health. These benefits were linked to better sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and enhanced work performance.

“Many individuals are concerned about a phenomenon called job intensification. If you’re required to complete all your work in four days instead of five, it might increase stress,” notes Fan. “Our findings indicate the opposite. When employees can reduce hours, they feel positive about themselves, contributing to greater happiness.”

The results were consistent across various employee demographics, including age and gender, regardless of whether they worked remotely or in-office. However, positions within the company appeared to impact results. Supervisors reported notable enhancements in overall well-being compared to non-supervisors.

The researchers indicated that participants did not clarify which specific aspects of the trial contributed to their perceived benefits, suggesting that the improvements might stem from reduced unnecessary meetings rather than merely switching to a four-day schedule, according to Ronnie Golden from Penn State University in Abington.

“If employees report higher happiness, could it be due to better treatment from their employer? They might trust their company more, benefit from fewer commuting days, or enjoy a few extended days for leisure,” states Golden. “Or is it simply a matter of increased productivity per hour with fewer distractions?”

Regardless, over 90% of firms that transitioned to a four-day work week chose to continue this model after the program ended, according to Fan.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com