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Impact of Abnormal Oral Microbiome on Obesity: Key Characteristics and Insights

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Bacteria in the oral cavity

Oral Bacteria (Blue) on Human Cheek Cells (Yellow) in Scanning Electron Micrograph

Steve Gschmeisner/Science Photo Library

Recent research has revealed that individuals with obesity exhibit unique oral microbiome characteristics. This finding could pave the way for early detection and prevention strategies for obesity.

The diverse community of microorganisms in our gut significantly impacts weight gain, being commonly linked to obesity and various metabolic conditions. Notably, up to 700 species of bacteria have been implicated in obesity and overall health.

“Given that the oral microbiome is the second largest microbial ecosystem in the human body, we aimed to investigate its association with systemic diseases,” says Ashish Jha, from New York University, Abu Dhabi.

Jha and his team analyzed saliva samples from 628 adults in the United Arab Emirates, 97 of whom were classified as obese. They compared these samples with a control group of 95 individuals of healthy weight, similar in age, gender, lifestyle, oral health, and tooth brushing habits.

The analysis showed that the oral microbiome of obese individuals has a higher abundance of inflammation-causing bacteria, such as Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinobacterium oris. Additionally, Oribacterium sinus produces lactic acid, which is linked to poor metabolic health.

Jha and his colleagues identified 94 distinct differences in metabolic pathways between the two groups. Obese participants demonstrated enhanced mechanisms for carbohydrate metabolism and the breakdown of histidine, while their capability to produce B vitamins and heme—crucial for oxygen transport—was reduced.

Metabolites notably generated in obese individuals include lactate, histidine derivatives, choline, uridine, and uracil, which are associated with metabolic dysfunction indicators such as elevated triglycerides, liver enzymes, and blood glucose levels.

“When we analyze these findings collectively, a metabolic pattern surfaces. Our data indicates that the oral environment in obesity is characterized by low pH, high carbohydrate levels, and pro-inflammatory conditions,” notes Lindsey Edwards from King’s College London. “This study offers compelling evidence that the oral microbiome may reflect and contribute to the metabolic changes associated with obesity.”

Currently, these findings suggest a correlation rather than causation. “While some associations are surprising, we cannot determine cause and effect as of now, which remains our next focus,” Jha states.

To explore whether the oral microbiome contributes to obesity or is modified by it, Jha and his team plan further experiments analyzing both saliva and gut microbiomes to investigate potential microbial and metabolic transfers.

Professor Jha believes this is plausible, as the mouth’s extensive blood vessel network facilitates nutrient absorption and taste sensing, potentially allowing metabolites direct access to the bloodstream, influencing other bodily systems.

Establishing a causal connection will also necessitate randomized controlled trials and detailed metabolic pathway analyses, according to Edwards.

As dietary patterns evolve, specific food components may become more readily metabolized by certain bacteria, leading to increased microbial activity that can influence cravings and potentially lead to obesity, Jha explains. For instance, uridine has been shown to promote higher calorie intake.

If oral bacteria are demonstrated to influence obesity, Edwards suggests it could lead to innovative interventions, such as introducing beneficial oral microbes through gels, using prebiotics to foster specific bacterial growth, or employing targeted antimicrobials. “Behavioral strategies, like reducing sugar intake, can also significantly contribute to obesity prevention,” she adds.

Even if the oral microbiome acts as a consequence rather than a cause of obesity, its assessment can still provide valuable insights. Saliva tests can easily detect distinct microbial changes, which Jha believes could be useful for early obesity detection and prevention strategies.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

NOvA and T2K Experiments Reveal Unexpected Characteristics of Neutrinos

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Both the NOvA (NuMI Off-Axis νe Emergence Experiment) and T2K experiments involve launching neutrinos from a particle accelerator and detecting them after they traverse extensive underground distances. The challenges are significant: out of trillions of particles, only a few leave a trace that can be detected. Advanced detectors and software are then employed to reconstruct these rare events, offering insights into how the “flavor” of neutrinos alters as they travel.

The world’s first neutrino observation inside a hydrogen bubble chamber, captured on November 13, 1970, in a 12-foot bubble chamber at a zero-gradient synchrotron. Here, an invisible neutrino collides with a proton, resulting in three particle tracks (bottom right). The neutrino changes into a muon, marked by a lengthy orbit extending up and to the left. The shorter track represents the proton, while the third track extending down and to the left is the pion formed by the collision. Image credit: Argonne National Laboratory.

Neutrinos are among the most prevalent particles in the universe.

With no charge and minimal mass, they are notoriously difficult to detect. Yet, this very elusiveness contributes to their scientific significance.

Understanding neutrinos may shed light on one of the greatest mysteries in cosmology: the reason the universe consists of matter.

Theoretically, the Big Bang should have resulted in equal parts matter and antimatter, which would have completely annihilated each other upon meeting, releasing energy in the process.

However, during the Big Bang, an imbalance occurred, producing a greater abundance of matter, which eventually led to the formation of stars, galaxies, and life as we know it.

Physicists theorize that neutrinos hold the key to this conundrum.

There are three types, or “flavors,” of neutrinos: electron, muon, and tau, which are different versions of the same fundamental particle.

They possess a unique ability to oscillate, changing from one flavor to another as they traverse space. Studying these oscillations and examining any differences between neutrinos and their antimatter counterparts could provide insights into why matter triumphed over antimatter in the nascent universe.

“Understanding these various identities could help scientists gain insight into neutrino masses and address significant questions regarding the universe’s evolution, including why matter became dominant over antimatter,” stated Dr. Zoya Valari, a physicist at Ohio State University.

“What makes neutrinos particularly intriguing is their ability to change their ‘taste.’”

“Consider this: you buy chocolate ice cream, stroll down the street, and suddenly it turns mint, only to change again with every step you take.”

To delve deeper into this shape-shifting behavior, the NOvA and T2K experiments partnered to direct neutrino particle beams over hundreds of kilometers.

NOvA projects a beam of neutrinos from a source at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago, traveling 500 miles to a 14,000-ton detector in Ash River, Minnesota.

On the other hand, Japan’s T2K sends a neutrino beam 295 km from the J-PARC accelerator in Tokai to the enormous Super-Kamiokande detector situated beneath Mt. Ikenoyama.

“While our objectives are aligned, the distinct experimental designs mean that synthesizing the data yields more comprehensive insights, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts,” Dr. Valari remarked.

This study builds upon earlier findings that noted minor yet significant variations in the masses of different types of neutrinos. Researchers sought deeper clues indicating that neutrinos might operate beyond the conventional laws of physics.

One such inquiry involves whether neutrinos and their antimatter counterparts exhibit different behaviors—a phenomenon referred to as charge parity violation.

“Our results indicate that additional data are needed to adequately address these fundamental questions,” Dr. Valari said.

“This underscores the importance of developing the next generation of experiments.”

Research indicates that employing two experiments with varying baselines and energies is more likely to yield answers than relying solely on a single experiment. Consequently, consolidating results from both experiments allowed scientists to explore these urgent physics questions from diverse perspectives.

“This research is extremely complex, involving hundreds of contributors in each collaborative effort,” said John Beacom, a professor at Ohio State University.

“Collaboration in science is typically competitive, but our work together here highlights the high stakes involved.”

For further details, see the new discovery published in the journal Nature.

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NOvA collaboration and T2K collaboration. 2025. Joint neutrino oscillation analysis using T2K and NOvA experiments. Nature 646, 818-824; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09599-3

Source: www.sci.news

Impact of Microbiota Composition, pH, and Temperature on Key Flavor Characteristics of Premium Chocolate

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Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) bean fermentation is a natural process characterized by various interactions that influence the flavor profile of high-quality chocolate. By grasping these intricate interactions, one can effectively reproduce the sought-after flavor characteristics in a controlled environment. Research utilizing bean samples fermented at Columbia Farm has demonstrated that pH, temperature, and the composition of microbiota—encompassing both bacteria and fungi—significantly impact the essential flavor qualities of premium chocolate. This discovery lays the groundwork for developing fermentation starters aimed at consistently recreating the attributes of fine chocolate.

Gopaulchan et al. We have confirmed the previously suggested role of pH and temperature variations as reliable indicators of chocolate flavor properties. Image credit: Sci.News.

The creation of fermented products like chocolate relies on the metabolic activities of microbial communities.

These communities transform raw cocoa beans into essential precursors for chocolate production.

Once harvested, cocoa beans undergo several processing stages before becoming chocolate, but fermentation remains a spontaneous process.

“The distinctive flavor of chocolate is shaped by the fermentation of cocoa beans,” stated a representative from University of Nottingham.

“In contrast to the fermentation of wine, cheese, or dough, where specific microorganisms are added to enhance flavor, cocoa bean fermentation occurs naturally, and the microorganisms involved are not well understood.”

“The flavor profile of the beans is closely tied to the geographical location of the farm, resulting in variations in chocolate quality and taste.”

In this research, Dr. Castrillo and co-authors performed DNA sequence-based analyses on fermented cocoa beans from three separate farms in Colombia.

They discovered that a unique microbial community underpins the distinctive fermentation processes at Antioch farms, yielding a superior flavor, as validated by professional tasters.

By analyzing sequencing data, the authors identified the microbial interactions and metabolic pathways involved in fermentation.

This allowed for the design of microbial communities that could mimic the exquisite flavor of chocolate in laboratory settings. This was confirmed through evaluations by the same expert tasters and chocolate metabolite analyses.

Further studies could inform the development of industrial fermentation starters, eliminating the geographical limitations on chocolate flavor.

“The findings from this study enhance our understanding of how the composition of microbial communities during fermentation is a crucial factor in determining chocolate flavor properties,” stated the researchers.

“We have created a reliable methodology to design fermentation starters that facilitate the controlled domestication of the unpredictable microbial fermentations that occur on cocoa farms.”

“This paves the way for the evolution of the modern chocolate industry, akin to the beer and cheese sectors, based on regulated cocoa fermentation utilizing synthetic microbial starters that can consistently replicate the unique flavor characteristics of cocoa beans and chocolate.”

The team’s study was published in the journal Nature Microbiology this week.

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D. Gopaulchan et al. The defined microbial community recreates the attributes of finely flavored chocolate fermentation. Nat Microbiol Published online on August 18th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41564-025-02077-6

Source: www.sci.news

Webb discovers Herbig Halo objects with tornado-like characteristics

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Using Nircam and Miri instruments installed in the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers created high-resolution images Herbig-Haro Object 49/50 (HH 49/50) is located approximately 630 light years away from the constellation of Chamaleon.

Webb observed Herbig Halo 49/50 in high resolution near-infrared light with Nircam and Miri Instruments. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI.

The Herbig-Haro object is a small bright patch of nebula associated with protostals in the star-forming region.

These structures were first observed in the 19th century by American astronomer Sherburn Wesley Burnham, but were not recognized as a distinct type of ejection nebula until the 1940s.

The first astronomers to study them in detail were George Harbigue and Guillermo Halo, and they were later named.

Herbig Halo objects are formed in very specific circumstances. Hot gas discharged by the newborn star collides with the gas, hitting it at a speed of up to 250,000 kmh (155,000 mph), creating a bright shock wave.

They come in a wide range of shapes. The basic configuration is usually the same. Twin jets of hot gases are ejected in the opposite direction from the forming stars and flow through interstellar space.

“When NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope observed it in 2006, scientists called the HH 49/50 The Cosmic Tornado because of its helical appearance, but they were unsure about the nature of the fuzzy object at the tip of the “tornado.”

“Because of the high resolution of imaging, Webb provides a different visual impression of HH 49/50 by revealing fine features of impacted regions during the runoff, revealing fuzzy objects as distant spiral galaxies and displaying the oceans of distant background galaxies.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BDZS0IHK7Y

The HH 49/50 is part of the Chamaeleon I Cloud Complex, one of the closest active star-forming regions.

“This cloud complex is likely to resemble the environment our Sun formed,” the astronomer said.

“Previous observations of the region show that HH 49/50 runoff is away from us at a rate of 100-300 km per second, and is just one feature of the larger runoff.”

“Webb’s Nircam and Miri’s HH 49/50 observations lash out on the area with the locations of shining hydrogen molecules, carbon monoxide molecules, and dust particles represented by orange and red.”

New Webb observations probe small spatial scale details that help astronomers model the properties of jets and understand how they affect the surrounding materials.

“The arc-shaped feature of the HH 49/50 refers to the source of this spill, similar to the water wake created by speeding boats,” the researchers said.

“Based on past observations, scientists suspect that the Protostal, known as the Cederblad 110 IRS4, is a plausible driver of jet activity.”

“The CED 110 IRS4 is a Class I Protostal, located about 1.5 light years from HH 49/50.”

“Class I Protostals are young objects (tens of thousands to a million years ago) at primetime when earning Mass.”

“They usually have an identifiable disc of the material surrounding it.

“Scientists have recently studied this protostal and used Webb’s Nilkah and Milli observations to obtain inventory of the ice composition of its environment.”

“Those detailed webb images of the HH 49/50 arcs can more accurately identify the orientation to the jet source, but not all arcs return in the same direction.”

“There is an interesting outcrop feature (in the top right of the main runoff) that could be another accidental accident of another runoff associated with slow precession of intermittent jet sources, for example.”

“Or alternatively, this feature could be the result of a major spill breaking apart.”

“The accidental galaxy at the tip of HH 49/50 is a much more distant, troublesome spiral galaxy.”

“There is a prominent central bulge, represented in blue, indicating the position of the old stars.”

“The bulge also gives hints from the sidelobes that suggest this could be a thin group.”

“The reddish masses within the spiral arm indicate a warm dust location and a group of formed stars.”

“The galaxies will show sheltered bubbles in these dusty areas, similar to the nearby galaxies Webb observed as part of the Phangs programme.”

“Webb captured these two unrelated objects with a lucky alignment.”

“For thousands of years, the edge of the HH 49/50 has moved outwards, eventually appearing to hide a distant galaxy.”

Source: www.sci.news

New research sheds light on the biological characteristics of megalodon

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Megatooth shark, Otodus Megalodonthe iconic shark is primarily represented by the enormous teeth of the Neogene fossil record, but the lack of well-preserved skeletal hampers an understanding of various aspects of its biology. In the new study, paleontologists reassessed some of their biological properties using a new approach, based on known vertebral specimens. Otodus Megalodon 165 species of extinction and 10 orders of living sharks. Their results show that Otodus Megalodon Their bodies were thin and could have reached about 24.3 m in length.

Otodus Megalodon It was extinct 3.6 million years ago. Image credit: Alex Boersma/PNAS.

Otodus MegalodonIt is also called Carcharocles MegalodonThis is a giant megatooth shark that lived in the oceans of the world from 23 to 3.6 million years ago.

This creature is usually portrayed as a super-sized monster in popular culture, with a recent example of science fiction films.

“Otodus Megalodon A professor, colleagues and colleagues at DePaul University said:

“Several vertebrae, pracoid scales, and tessellated cartilage fragments have also been reported to date.”

“However, the lack of a complete fossil specimen has led to uncertainty regarding the true size of this prehistoric shark.”

In their study, the authors examined incomplete vertebral specimens of Otodus MegalodonIt is composed primarily of trunk vertebrae, 11.1 m from the Miocene of Belgium. It was also a specimen of 165 species of extinction and living Neotheratia sharks.

“Assuming that Otodus Megalodon If there was a body plan that matched the majority of sharks, we determined that their head length and tail length accounted for about 16.6% and 32.6% of the total length, respectively,” they said.

“Because the Belgian specimen is 11.1 m, its head and tail were calculated to be about 1.8 m and 3.6 m in length, respectively, which specifically results in an estimated total length of 16.4 m. Otodus Megalodon Individual. “

“The largest vertebrae in a Belgian specimen is 15.5 cm in diameter, but estimated Otodus Megalodon Vertebrae with a diameter of 23 cm have been reported from Denmark. ”

“If a Danish vertebra represents the largest vertebra in the body, that individual could have measured approximately 24.3 m in length.”

Based on a comparison of their body proportions, they have a body shape Otodus Megalodon It probably looked like a modern lemon shark on the surface (Negaprion Brevillo Stris), has a slender body than the great white sharks of modern times.

They also have huge modern sharks, such as whale sharks.Rhincodon Types) And the shark was exposed (Cetorhinus Maximus), like many other giant aquatic vertebrates like whales, they have slender bodies, as their large stubborn bodies are hydrodynamically inefficient for swimming.

In contrast, dark white sharks that become even more severe as they grow can grow larger, but are not huge (below 7 m) due to hydrodynamic constraints.

“Our new research solidified that idea. Otodus Megalodon “We've been working hard to get the better of our team,” said Phillip Sternes, educator at SeaWorld San Diego.

“What distinguishes our research from all previous papers on body size and shape estimation Otodus Megalodon Jakewood, a doctoral student at Florida Atlantic University, added:

According to the team, it is 24.3 m long. Otodus Megalodon It weighs approximately 94 tons and estimates of cruising speeds of 2.1-3.5 km/h.

“The growth patterns recorded in Belgian vertebral specimens are Otodus Megalodon A newborn about 3.6-3.9 m long was given birth to a newborn, and the embryos were nourished through egg-eating behavior,” the author said.

“A known fossil record with newly inferred additional growth patterns Otodus Megalodon And the white shark lineage supports the idea that the rise of the great white shark likely played a role in the ultimate end mise about five million years ago. Otodus Megalodon For competition. ”

“Many interpretations we have made are still tentative, but they are data-driven and serve as a reasonable reference point for future research into the biology of Otodus MegalodonProfessor Shimada said.

study Published online in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.

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Shimada Mana et al. 2025. Reassessment of the size, shape, weight, cruising speed and growth parameters of extinct megatooth sharks; Otodus Megalodon (Lamniformes: Otodontidae), and new evolutionary insights into its giants, life history strategies, ecology, and extinction. Palaeontologia Electronica 28(1): A12; doi: 10.26879/1502

Source: www.sci.news

Investigation: Characteristics of GD-1 Stellar Streams Induced by Self-Interacting Dark Matter Subhaloes

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A self-collapsing, self-interacting dark matter subhalo is a unique spur observed in GD-1, a stellar stream within the Milky Way’s galactic halo, according to a new study led by astronomers at the University of California, Riverside, and is responsible for the gap characteristics.

GD-1 exhibits spur and gap structures that may be attributed to its proximity with a dense substructure. Image credit: University of California, Riverside.

A stellar stream is a group of stars that collectively move along a shared orbit.

A gap refers to a local under-density of stars along the stream, whereas a spur refers to an excess of star density extending outward from the main body of the stream.

Because dark matter governs the movement of star streams, astronomers can use it to track the invisible dark matter in galaxies.

The Milky Way’s halo is a roughly spherical region surrounding our galaxy that contains dark matter and extends beyond the visible edge of our galaxy.

Astronomers discovered that the fulcrum and gap features of the GD-1 star stream cannot easily be attributed to the gravitational influence of the Milky Way’s known globular clusters or satellite galaxies.

However, these features may be explained by unknown perturbing objects such as subhalos.

But the object’s density would need to be significantly higher than that predicted by conventional cold dark matter (CDM) subhalos.

“CDM subhalos typically lack the density necessary to produce the unique features observed in GD-1 streams,” said Haibo Yu, a professor at the University of California, Riverside.

“However, our study shows that a subhalo of collapsing self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) can achieve the required density.”

“Such a compact subhalo would be dense enough to exert the gravitational effects necessary to explain the observed perturbations in the GD-1 flow.”

The currently popular dark matter theory, CDM, assumes that dark matter particles have no collisions.

SIDM, a theoretical form of dark matter, proposes that dark matter particles self-interact through new dark forces.

In the study, Professor Yu and his colleagues used a numerical simulation called N-body simulation to model the behavior of a collapsing SIDM subhalo.

“Our team’s findings provide a new explanation for the lobes and gap features observed on GD-1, long thought to indicate close encounters with dense objects. ” said Professor Yu.

“In our scenario, the perturbation source is the SIDM subhalo, which perturbs the spatial and velocity distribution of stars within the star stream, producing the unique features seen in the GD-1 star stream.”

The discovery also provides insight into the nature of dark matter itself.

“This study opens a promising new avenue to study the self-interaction properties of dark matter through stellar streams,” Professor Yu said.

“This represents an exciting step forward in our understanding of dark matter and the dynamics of the Milky Way.”

The full study will appear in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Zhang Xingyu others. 2025. GD-1 Stellar Stream Parter Bar as a self-interacting dark matter halo with a collapsed core. APJL 978, L23; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ada02b

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists at CERN study the characteristics of enigmatic particles

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Physicists have been intrigued by χc1(3872), also known as X(3872), since its discovery two decades ago. They have been exploring whether it is a conventional charmonium state composed of two quarks or an exotic particle made up of four quarks. The LHCb collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) set out to find the answer.

Artist's impression of a tetraquark, made up of two charm quarks and an up and down antiquark. Image courtesy of CERN.

In the quark model of particle physics, there are heavy particles (composed of three quarks), mesons (consisting of quark-antiquark pairs), and exotic particles (comprising an unusual number of quarks).

To determine the composition of χc1(3872), physicists must measure properties like mass and quantum numbers.

According to theory, χc1(3872) could be a standard charmonium state made of a charm quark and an anticharm quark, or it could be an exotic particle consisting of four quarks.

These exotic particles could be tightly bound tetraquarks, molecular states, cc-gluon hybrid states, vector glueballs, or a combination of various possibilities.

Recent measurements by LHCb physicists revealed that its quantum number is 1++, and in 2020 they obtained precise data on the particle’s width (lifetime) and mass.

They also examined low-energy scattering parameters.

Their findings indicated that the mass of χc1(3872) is slightly less than the combined masses of the D0 and D*0 mesons.

These results have sparked debate within the theoretical community, with some proposing that χc1(3872) is a molecular state made up of spatially separated D0 and D*0 mesons.

However, this hypothesis faces challenges, as physicists anticipate molecular matter to be suppressed in hadron-hadron collisions, yet significant amounts of χc1(3872) are produced.

Other theorists suggest that the particle contains “compact” components, indicating a smaller size and potentially consisting of tightly bound charmonium or tetraquarks.

One method to uncover the composition of χc1(3872) is to calculate the branching ratio, which involves the probabilities of decay into different lighter particles.

By comparing the decay into a photon of the excited charmonium state, physicists can gain insights into the nature of the particle.

A key theoretical indicator is a non-zero ratio, suggesting the presence of compact components and countering a purely molecular model.

Using data from LHC Run 1 and Run 2, LHCb scientists found significant ratios beyond six standard deviations, ruling out a pure D0D*0 molecular hypothesis for χc1(3872).

Instead, the results support various predictions based on alternative hypotheses for the structure of χc1(3872, such as a mix of conventional (compact) charmonium, tetraquarks, light quarks, or molecules with a substantial compact core element.

Thus, the findings provide compelling evidence in favor of a χc1(3872) structure including a compact component.

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R. Aiji others (LHCb Collaboration). 2024. Probing the properties of the χc1(3872) state using radiative decay. arXiv: 2406.17006

This article is based on the original release from CERN.

Source: www.sci.news

New study finds solid wood surfaces exhibit natural antiviral characteristics

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In a recent study, researchers from the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Eastern Finland examined the antiviral properties of different types of wood, including coniferous and deciduous trees, against coronaviruses and enteroviruses.

Shroff othersScots pine and Norway spruce were found to have excellent antiviral activity, especially against enveloped viruses, with onset within 10-15 minutes. In contrast, other hardwoods showed mixed efficacy, and oak showed effectiveness against enteroviruses. Image courtesy of Schroff. others., doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c02156.

Since ancient times, wood has played a vital role in tools, utilities, and construction.

The 20th century witnessed a depletion of wood resources, prompting the emergence of alternatives like plastics and metals for interior surfaces and fixtures.

A growing concern for sustainability and the unique qualities of wood has led to a resurgence in its use across various applications.

The 21st century has brought new health challenges, including viral outbreaks like SARS and COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of surface hygiene.

Viruses can persist on surfaces as fomites, with enveloped viruses having shorter survival times compared to non-enveloped viruses.

Wood has been known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, but its antiviral capabilities were not thoroughly explored until this study.

Researchers investigated how different types of wood affect the infectivity of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.

The study found that certain types of wood could significantly reduce viral infectivity within hours, showcasing their potential as natural antiviral materials.

Their research paper was published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

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Reference: Sailey Shroff et al. (2024). Inactivation of coronaviruses and enteroviruses on solid wood surfaces depending on wood species. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16(23), 29621-29633. doi:10.1021/acsami.4c02156

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Discover Unique Characteristics of Rare Element Promethium

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Promethium is extremely rare, with only about 0.5 kg occurring naturally in the Earth’s crust at any one time.

Conceptual art depicts the rare earth element promethium in a vial surrounded by organic ligands. Image courtesy of Jacqueline DeMink / Thomas Dyke / ORNL.

[DiscoveredattheClintonLaboratoryin1945promethium is a lanthanide element with the symbol Pm and atomic number 61.

Named after the mythical Titan who brought fire to mankind, the name symbolizes human endeavor.

Despite their use in medical research and long-life nuclear batteries, some of their properties remain poorly understood.

“The aim of this project was to explore and gain new knowledge about this extremely rare element,” he said. Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Dr. Ivanov and his colleagues prepared a chemical complex of promethium, allowing them to characterize it in solution for the first time.

Thus, they uncovered the secrets of this element through a series of meticulous experiments.

“Promethium was the last lanthanide discovered and has been the most difficult to study because it has no stable isotopes,” said Dr. Ilya Popovs, also of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“There are thousands of papers on lanthanide chemistry without promethium. It was a glaring flaw in the science as a whole,” said Dr. Santa Giansone-Popova of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“Scientists could only guess at most of its properties. Now we can actually measure some of them.”

The researchers linked, or chelated, radioactive promethium with a special organic molecule called a diglycolamide ligand.

The researchers then used X-ray spectroscopy to determine the properties of the complex, including the lengths of the chemical bonds between promethium and neighboring atoms — a scientific first and a long-missing part of the periodic table of elements.

Unlike other rare earth elements, synthetic promethium has no stable isotopes and is therefore only available in very small quantities.

For their research, the scientists produced the isotope promethium-147, which has a half-life of 2.62 years, in sufficient quantity and purity to study its chemical properties.

Remarkably, they were the first to demonstrate the signature of lanthanide contraction in solution for the entire lanthanide series, including promethium, atomic number 61.

Lanthanide contraction is a phenomenon in which elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71 become smaller than expected.

As the atomic number of these lanthanides increases, the radius of their ions decreases.

This contraction results in unique chemical and electronic properties as the same electric charge is confined to a shrinking space.

The authors obtained a clear promethium signal, which allowed them to better define the shape of the trend across the series.

“It’s really amazing from a scientific point of view. When I got all the data I was blown away,” Dr Ivanov said.

“This contraction of chemical bonds accelerates along the atomic series, but slows down significantly from promethium onwards.”

“This is a major breakthrough in understanding the chemical bonding properties of these elements and their structural changes along the periodic table.”

“Among other things, this achievement will ease the difficult task of isolating these valuable elements,” said Dr. Jansonne Popova.

“Our team has been working for a long time to isolate the entire series of lanthanides, but promethium was the last puzzle piece. It’s been very challenging.”

“With today’s advanced technology, we can’t use all these lanthanides as a mixture, because we have to separate them first.”

“This is where shrinkage becomes really important. It basically allows you to separate them, which is still pretty difficult.”

“All of the technological marvels of our time contain these rare earth elements in some form,” Dr Popovs said.

“We’re adding the missing link.”

Team paper Published in today’s journal Nature.

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D.M. Driscoll othersObservation of promethium complexes in solution. NaturePublished online May 22, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07267-6

Source: www.sci.news

When will the current Bitcoin bull run peak based on its early characteristics? – Blockchain News, Opinion, TV, Jobs

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Mateo Greco, Research Analyst, Listed Digital Assets and FinTech Investment Business Finekia International (CSE:FNQ).

Bitcoin (BTC) ended the week at around $68,400, down just 0.8% from the previous week’s closing price of around $69,000. Throughout the week, BTC showed significant volatility, with a price range of 13.4%. The week started off strong with BTC surging to $72,000 on Monday. It then peaked above $73,000 on both Wednesday and Thursday, before reaching an all-time high of nearly $73,800 on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, BTC plummeted to $68,000 before rebounding to close around $71,400. Selling pressure continued on Friday and Saturday, with BTC falling to $64,700 before closing near $65,300 on Saturday. However, positive momentum returned on Sunday, nearly reversing weekly losses and closing at around $68,400.

Despite the volatility and price changes, the past week demonstrated continued strong momentum for the BTC Spot ETF, with net inflows recorded on every trading day. Net inflows for the week exceeded $2.5 billion, with net inflows exceeding $1 billion on Tuesday alone. Cumulative net inflows since its inception are currently approximately $12.2 billion.

BTC spot ETF trading volume is also on the rise, with total trading volume reaching $141.7 billion since inception, including around $28 billion in trades last week. This took his daily trading volume past his $5.5 billion mark last week, and his average daily trading volume has increased since its inception, now sitting at around $3.15 billion.

These numbers confirm that investment momentum from traditional finance to the digital asset space continues. Despite BTC price stabilization last week, demand is primarily coming from ETFs, while native digital asset investors are more active on the short side.

This trend is noticeable in the decline in BTC held by long-term holders, which refers to BTC that has not moved for at least 155 days. At the beginning of 2024, this supply was approximately 16.3 million BTC, but has gradually decreased and currently stands at approximately 15.1 million BTC. While this shift reflects traditional investors driving purchasing activity through ETFs, native digital asset investors who accumulated during the downtrend in 2022 and 2023 are now seeing higher profit-taking rates. The supply of long-term holders is decreasing.

Such behavior is characteristic of early bull phases, when long-term holders distribute assets to new investors. Analyzing past cycles, if the current market is trending up, this pattern is likely to continue until supply from long-term holders matches demand from new investors, which typically occurs at the peak of the cycle. coincides with the beginning of the downtrend phase.

Notably, BTC’s halving is approximately 1 month later, whereas previous cycles’ peaks have historically been 6 to 12 months later. If past patterns repeat, the peak of the current cycle could occur in late 2024 or early 2025.

Source: the-blockchain.com

Paper wasps with earthworm-like characteristics produce a special milk for their young

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Female American paper wasp and her offspring

carlos jared

These worm-like creatures secrete nutritious milk from their butts to nourish their hatchlings. This is the first known example of an amphibian feeding its young in this way.

American paper wasp (Siphonops anulatus) is a legless, egg-laying amphibian found on dark, moist forest floors throughout South America. It can reach up to 45 centimeters in length, with a deep blue cylindrical body surrounded by white grooves.

American paper wasps are born with spoon-shaped teeth. They use these to feed on their mother's skin, which is rich in lipids and proteins.

“But this skin nourishment only happens once a week,” he says carlos jared At the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, Brazil. That's not enough food to maintain the young's growth rate, he says, with some cubs growing 150 percent larger within the first week of life.

To find out where their extra nutrition is coming from, Jared and his colleagues filmed 16 female ringed wasps and their hatchlings.

The researchers observed the newly hatched chicks wriggling around the edges of their mother's body several times a day, often nibbling or sticking their heads into the rear opening known as the vent.

Closer examination of the footage showed that droplets of a milk-like substance were frequently spilled into the vent openings, suggesting that the chicks were actively feeding on it.

Analysis of the milk revealed that it contained fat and carbohydrates. “These carbohydrates are very important,” say team members Pedro Maillo-Fontanathe Butantan Research Institute also provides hatchlings with the energy they need to grow.

The researchers also discovered that touch and sound signals from hatchlings stimulate milk production in the mother's oviducts, or glands within the fallopian tubes.

Some paper wasps that give birth to live offspring secrete nutritious fluids for the fetus inside the mother's body, while amphibians produce fluids to nourish their offspring outside the body, Mailho-Fontana said. This is the first time that this has been found to be the case.

“The paper wasp is a real surprise box,” says Jared. “They are very secretive and live in an underground world that is different from the one above. They adapt to a world that is completely different from the one we know and invent some new behaviors to survive. There was a need.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com