Tag Archives: chemistry

3I/ATLAS Discovery: Interstellar Comets Reveal Unique Water Chemistry Unlike Our Solar System

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Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

3I/ATLAS: A Fascinating Discovery

Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/B. Bolin

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS showcases unprecedented levels of water and carbon compounds, hinting that it originated around a star vastly different from our Sun—likely billions of years older.

Astronomers have meticulously monitored 3I/ATLAS since its entry into our solar system last year, revealing an astonishing composition rich in carbon dioxide and water. Initial analyses estimate its age at about 8 billion years—almost double that of our Sun.

According to Martin Cordiner and his research team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the comet’s deuterium levels (a hydrogen isotope with additional neutrons) are at least ten times higher than any previously recorded comet.

Typically, deuterium exists in minor concentrations in Earth’s oceans, but 3I/ATLAS displays levels more than 40 times greater. “3I/ATLAS continues to amaze us with its revelations about the similarities and differences between its host system and our own,” Cordiner stated. His team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope for these groundbreaking observations.

“It’s truly extraordinary,” commented Paul Hartog from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. “The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in its water composition is highly unusual and unexpected.”

Such elevated deuterium levels are generally found in the coldest regions of the Milky Way, suggests Ewain van Dishus of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. “This indicates it likely resides in the outermost disk of the star it orbits, facilitating its ejection,” Dishus explained.

Cordiner and colleagues also identified relatively low levels of carbon-13, an isotope usually created during supernova explosions. The low carbon-13 concentrations found in 3I/ATLAS point to its formation during a time when supernovae contaminants were rare, implying the comet formed around a star system aged between 10 to 12 billion years—again, more than twice the age of our solar system, according to Cordiner.

However, Dishus cautions that the imprecise carbon data means we cannot conclusively determine its exact age.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Is Quantum Chemistry Still the ‘Killer App’ for Quantum Computers? Exploring the Future of Quantum Computing

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Quantum computer calculations

Quantum computers may revolutionize chemical property calculations

Credit: ETH Zurich

Recent analyses suggest quantum chemical calculations, which could enhance drug development and agricultural innovation, may not be the game-changer for quantum computers that many hoped.

As advancements in quantum computer technology progress rapidly, the most compelling applications for continued investment remain uncertain. One widely considered option is solving complex quantum chemistry problems, including energy level calculations for molecules critical to biomedicine and industry. This requires managing the behavior of numerous quantum particles (electrons in a molecule) simultaneously, aligning well with quantum computing’s strengths.

However, Xavier Weintal and his team at CEA Grenoble in France have demonstrated that the leading quantum algorithms for this purpose may be of limited utility.

“In my view, it’s likely doomed; it’s not definitively doomed, but it’s probably facing insurmountable challenges,” remarks Weintal on the feasibility of using quantum computers for molecular energy calculations.

The team categorized their analysis into two segments: one focused on current noisy quantum computers, and another on future fault-tolerant quantum systems.

Using error-prone quantum computers, energy levels can be computed via variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithms, yet the outcome’s accuracy is heavily influenced by noise levels.

According to their findings, for VQE to match the accuracy of chemical algorithms running on classical systems, noise levels in quantum computers would need significant reduction, essentially qualifying them as fault-tolerant. Notably, no practical fault-tolerant quantum computer yet exists.

Several firms are racing to develop fault-tolerant quantum systems within the next five years. These advanced devices aim to utilize quantum phase estimation (QPE) for calculating molecular energy levels. While the error issue may be largely addressed here, the study uncovers a daunting challenge dubbed the “orthogonality catastrophe.”

Simply stated, as molecular size increases, the likelihood of QPE accurately determining the lowest energy level diminishes exponentially. Consequently, Thibault Louve, from French quantum computing enterprise Quobly, states that even with superior quantum computers, instances where QPE is practically viable are extremely limited. He argues that the ability to execute this algorithm should be viewed as a benchmark for quantum computer maturity rather than a primary tool for chemists.

“There’s a tendency to overstate quantum computers’ potential in this area; many assume the arrival of quantum capabilities will render classical methods for quantum chemistry obsolete,” asserts George Booth, a professor at King’s College London, who wasn’t involved in this research. “This study calls attention to considerable challenges in achieving accurate molecular simulations that will persist even in the fault-tolerant era, raising doubts about the immediate success of quantum chemistry within quantum computing.”

Nevertheless, quantum computers hold promise for various chemistry applications. For instance, they can simulate the alterations in a chemical system when subjected to disruptions, such as exposure to laser beams.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unlocking Molecule Creation: Why Click Chemistry is the Century’s Most Innovative Concept

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Explore the latest science news and in-depth articles by expert journalists on developments in science, technology, health, and the environment.

Chemistry can often be a complex and slow process, typically involving intricate mixtures in round-bottomed flasks that require meticulous separation afterward. However, in 2001, K. Barry Sharpless and his team introduced a transformative concept known as click chemistry. This innovative approach revolutionizes the field, with a name coined by Sharpless’s wife, Janet Dueser, perfectly encapsulating its essence: a new set of rapid, clean, and reliable reactions.

Though the idea appears straightforward, its elegance lies in its simplicity. Sharpless, along with colleagues Hartmas C. Kolb and MG Finn, described their creation as “spring-loaded.” This concept hinges on applying these reactions to various starting materials, assembling them akin to Lego blocks, thereby enabling the swift construction of a vast array of novel and beneficial molecules. Sharpless’s primary focus? Pharmaceuticals.

The overarching principle guiding these reactions was to steer clear of forming carbon-carbon bonds, which was the norm among chemists at the time, and instead to create bonds between carbon and what are known as “heteroatoms,” primarily oxygen and nitrogen. The most recognized click reaction involves the fusion of two reactants to create a triazole, a cyclic structure of carbon and nitrogen atoms. This motif proves to be highly effective at binding to large biomolecules such as proteins, making it invaluable in drug development. Sharpless independently published this specific reaction concurrently with chemist Morten Meldal, who researched it at the University of Copenhagen. This reaction has since been instrumental, notably in the production of the anticonvulsant drug Rufinamide.

Chemists like Tom Brown from the University of Oxford describe this reaction as simple, highly specific, and versatile enough to work in almost any solvent. “I would say this was just a great idea,” he asserts.

Years later, chemist Carolyn Bertozzi and her team at Stanford University developed a click-type reaction that operates without toxic catalysts, enabling its application within living cells without risking cellular damage.

For chemist Alison Hulme at the University of Edinburgh, this research was pivotal in elevating click chemistry from a promising idea to a revolutionary advancement. It granted biologists the ability to assemble proteins and other biological components while labeling them with fluorescent tags for investigation. “It’s very straightforward and user-friendly,” Hulme explains. “We bridged small molecule chemistry to biologists without necessitating a chemistry degree.”

For their groundbreaking contributions, Bertozzi, Meldal, and Sharpless were awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry—an outcome that surprised no one.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Will 2026 Mark the Breakthrough of Quantum Computers in Chemistry?

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Quantum Computers: Solutions for Chemistry Challenges

Marijan Murat/DPA/Alamy

One of the critical questions in the quantum computing sector is whether these advanced machines can solve practical problems in fields like chemistry. Researchers in industrial and medical chemistry are poised to provide insights by 2026.

The complexity of determining the structure, reactivity, and other properties of molecules is inherently a quantum problem, primarily involving electrons. As molecular structures grow increasingly complex, these calculations become challenging, sometimes even surpassing the capabilities of traditional supercomputers.

Quantum computers, being inherently quantum, have a potential advantage in tackling these complex chemical calculations. As these computers develop and become more seamlessly integrated with conventional systems, they are gaining traction in the chemistry sector.

For instance, in 2025, IBM and the Japanese Institute of Scientific Research collaborated, employing quantum computers alongside supercomputers to model various molecules. Google researchers have also been innovating algorithms that unveil molecular structures. Additionally, RIKEN researchers are teaming up with Quantinuum to create efficient workflows, allowing quantum computers to calculate molecular energy with remarkable precision. Notably, the quantum computing software platform Kunova Computing introduced an algorithm that reportedly operates ten times more efficiently than traditional methods for energy calculations.

Progress is expected to expedite by 2026 as quantum computers become more advanced. “Future larger machines will allow us to create enhanced workflows, ultimately solving prevalent quantum chemistry problems,” states David Muñoz Ramo from Quantinuum. While his team currently focuses on hydrogen molecules, they foresee stepping into more intricate structures, such as catalysts for industrial reactions.

Other research entities are making strides in similar areas. In December, Microsoft announced a partnership with Algorithmiq, a quantum software startup, aimed at accelerating the development of quantum algorithms for chemistry. Furthermore, a study by Hyperion Research highlights chemistry as a focal area for advancement and investment in quantum computing, ranking it as one of the most promising applications in annual surveys.

However, meaningful progress in quantum chemical calculations depends on achieving error-free or fault-tolerant quantum computers, which will also unlock other potential applications for these devices. As Philip Schleich and Alan Aspuru-Guzik emphasized in a commentary for Science magazine, the ability of quantum computers to outperform classical computers hinges on the development of fault-tolerant algorithms. Thankfully, achieving fault tolerance is a widely accepted goal among quantum computer manufacturers worldwide.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Civet Coffee: Unveiling the Real Chemistry Behind This Unique Indulgence

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Palm civet

Krit Afshen/Shutterstock

Beans from civet cat droppings possess distinct chemical properties that help explain their gourmet status.

The palm civet (Paradoxulus hermaphroditus), resembling a mongoose, is indigenous to South and Southeast Asia. Civet coffee, or kopi luwak, stands out as one of the most extraordinary luxury drinks, fetching over $1,000 per kilogram of beans that have undergone digestion by a civet.

Kopi luwak is primarily produced in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with minor production in other nations like India and Timor-Leste. However, animal rights organizations are advocating for consumers to avoid this industry. They allege that many civets are kept in deplorable cage conditions.

To investigate how coffee beans transform during a civet’s digestive process, Parati Aresh Shinu and their research team from the Central University of Kerala in India gathered coffee samples from five farms near Kodagu in the Western Ghats of India.

These farms are home to civets that roam freely, and workers regularly collect beans from their droppings to blend with the harvest of tree-grown coffee beans. “At our site, civets and planters interacted harmoniously,” Sinu mentions. “We aim to educate farmers regarding the chemical composition.”

The researchers retrieved around 70 pieces of civet dung containing coffee beans and subsequently hand-harvested the coffee from the Robusta trees on the plantation, performing tests to analyze crucial chemical elements like fat and caffeine.

The fat content of civet beans was notably higher than that of beans directly from trees, while levels of caffeine, protein, and acid were marginally lower. This decrease in acidity is likely a result of fermentation during digestion.

Significant differences were also found in the volatile organic compounds present in civet coffee versus regular coffee beans. Some of these compounds can be found in conventional coffee, while civet beans either lack them altogether or possess only trace amounts.

The research team proposes that the elevated fat content in civet coffee may enhance its distinctive aroma and flavor, while reduced protein levels could lessen bitterness.

Sinu criticized the practice of confining civet cats for kopi luwak production, expressing hope that further studies could lead to the development of an artificial fermentation process mirroring the coffee’s natural chemical composition.

“We believe that the gut microbiome might play a role in the fermentation process,” Sinu explains. “Understanding the enzymes involved in digestion and fermentation could enable us to produce civet coffee artificially.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Breakthroughs in Molecular Architecture

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Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi are honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The 2025 Chemistry Award recognizes Beijing U, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their innovative work on materials featuring cavities that can absorb and release gases like carbon dioxide, also known as metal-organic frameworks.

Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee on Chemistry, stated, “A small sample of such material can function like Hermione’s bag from Harry Potter.”

Tens of thousands of metal frameworks are currently in exploration. These materials present various potential applications, from capturing CO2 emissions to permanently purifying chemicals and extracting water from the atmosphere.

In the late 1980s, Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne pioneered the first metal-organic framework, drawing inspiration from the structural organization of diamonds. He discovered the feasibility of using metal ions as junctions connected by carbon-based or organic molecules.

When metal ions and organic compounds combine, they naturally form an organized framework. While the cavity in the diamond structure is petite, metal framework cavities can be significantly larger.

Robson’s metal-organic framework was initially filled with water. Kitagawa from Kyoto University in Japan was the first to devise a framework robust enough to retain stability when dried, allowing for gas to occupy the empty cavities.

“He demonstrated that gas could be absorbed, retained, and released by the material,” remarked Olof Ramström of the Nobel Committee on Chemistry.

Kitagawa also developed an organic-metal framework that changes form depending on gas absorption and release.

Omar Yaghi, from the University of California, Berkeley, achieved a more stable framework using clusters of zinc and oxygen metal ions along with linkers featuring carboxylate groups.

“This framework was remarkable due to its stability, enduring temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius,” Ramström noted. “What’s even more impressive is that it possesses a vast surface area. Just a few grams of this porous material equate to the surface area of a large soccer field, similar to that of a small sugar cube.”

Yaghi also revealed that the cavities within these materials can be enlarged merely by extending their lengths.

Following these significant advancements, the field has seen rapid growth, as Ramström stated, “We are witnessing the development of new metal-organic frameworks almost on a daily basis.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ex-Michigan Student Claims He Developed Cancer After Using Chemistry Program Labeled “Harmless”

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A former Michigan graduate student is taking action against the university, claiming that her thyroid cancer is linked to her time there. She stated that her exposure to pesticides was deemed “harmless,” according to her and her legal team’s claims made on Monday.

Linglong Wei was diagnosed with thyroid cancer on June 26th of last year, attributing her condition to her experiences at MSU between 2008 and 2011 in a lawsuit filed in Ingham County Circuit Court.

According to the civil suit, “In Wei’s field studies, Michigan State University required her to apply excessive amounts of harmful pesticides and herbicides.”

Wei alleges exposure to several herbicides, such as dichloride, glyphosate, and oxyflufen, noting that they are linked to cancer.

The lawsuit claims Wei was not adequately trained and did not receive the necessary protective gear to handle such hazardous substances.

Looking back, Wei criticized the university for failing to implement stronger safety protocols.

“During my time as a student at MSU, I voiced my concerns, but no one listened,” Wei told reporters in Lansing.

“I felt afraid due to the department’s reactions. I didn’t strongly advocate for my safety, especially when I was told that exposure was safe.”

Wei, an international student from China, mentioned that the cancer left lasting marks on her throat, and she worries about her prospects of having children.

She speculated that MSU ignored her concerns.

“International students often feel overlooked, assuming their time here is temporary and their concerns go unheard,” Wei stated.

Maya Green, a former student lawyer, highlighted her client’s inadequate training and safety equipment provided by MSU.

“She was made to handle dangerous pesticides without proper gloves, protective equipment, breathing masks, or sufficient training,” Green said.

“Wei was placed in a position to handle these harmful substances without protection. She was a foreign student, navigating MSU’s system in a language that was not her own.”

The former Michigan student is seeking $100 million in damages.

“Wei was consistently assured that her activities posed no harm, and she relied on that assurance, only to suffer as a result,” her attorney noted.

Michigan State spokesperson Amber McCann declined to comment on the specifics of Wei’s case.

“While we cannot discuss ongoing litigation, we want to stress that Michigan State prioritizes the health and safety of the campus community,” McCann stated.

“We ensure that necessary training and personal protective equipment are provided in accordance with relevant university policies and state and federal regulations.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

How Super Heavy Chemistry Can Transform the Periodic Table

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The heaviest atoms that form the molecule were observed

David Dixon, Sarah Sprouse/University of Alabama; Jennifer Pore/Berkeley Lab

Scientists have observed the heaviest atoms participating in chemical reactions and forming molecules. This groundbreaking discovery could potentially reshape the periodic table, advancing “super heavy” chemistry, which encompasses large-scale radioactive elements.

Some rare chemical elements are challenging to study, complicating their placement in the periodic table. For instance, the radioactive element copernicium is situated among transition metals but behaves like elements from various groups.

This challenge also affects the lower elements of the table. Heavy radioactive atoms known as actinides can be examined by Jennifer Pore at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. To better understand the properties of actinides, she and her team initiated a chemical reaction to produce a molecule featuring Nobelium, the heaviest actinide and element 102.

The researchers employed a particle accelerator to bombard highly energetic calcium atom beams into lead clusters. The collision resulted in the formation of Nobelium atoms, which subsequently reacted with nitrogen and water molecules present in the air. A swiftly operating detector, akin to a mass spectrometer, more accurately identified the resulting molecules than any prior chemical attempts.

Next, the team replicated the experiment using thorium instead of lead, creating an actinide called actinium (element 89). By comparing the reactions of actinium and nobelium, the researchers confirmed that these two elements behave similarly as they reside in the same column of the periodic table.

Nobelium not only has a rightful place in the periodic table, but it has also become the heaviest element directly observed forming new molecules. However, the heaviest element ever synthesized remains Oganesson, element 118. The techniques used to synthesize molecules containing nobelium and accurately identify them may open new avenues in research.

According to Sofia Heinz from the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, this new experiment marks a significant technological leap in hyperheavy chemistry. Although molecules containing elements heavier than nobelium have been synthesized in the past, researchers were unable to directly identify them. “Being able to study a single molecule directly is a key advancement,” she states.

Peter Schwerdtfeger from Massey University in New Zealand remarked that this novel experiment “opens the door for future experiments involving a diverse range of superheavy elements.”

Even prior to conducting new experiments, the findings have already made an impact. Pore and her researchers originally believed that additional molecules were needed to facilitate reactions with actinium and nobelium. However, unexpectedly, the superheavy element reacted with substances already present. Anastasia Bolshevski at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands suggested that this could prompt scientists to reevaluate past experimental data that assumed they were examining single atoms. “This will keep theorists busy for some time,” Schwerdtfeger adds.

For Pore, the next hurdle involves studying even heavier elements like dubnium, which is element 105. To accomplish this, teams may need to accelerate the procedures to accommodate the heavier elements.

“If all goes well, I aim to explore larger elements at the end of the periodic table. We have yet to explore their heaviness limits with this methodology,” Pore remarks. Unlike nobelium, some of these larger elements may require a new positioning within the standard table.

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  • Nuclear Physics

Source: www.newscientist.com

Can Soil Microorganisms Alter Brain Chemistry and Enhance Mood?

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Is soil truly an antidepressant?

Cavan’s Image/Aramie

Numerous intriguing claims about gardening have circulated, especially one that insists, “The soil acts as an antidepressant.”

According to this notion, it’s been promoted through countless social media posts. Mycobacterium vaccae, microorganisms commonly found in soil, are said to improve your mood. Simply engaging with the earth can yield these benefits. It’s believed that these bacteria can be absorbed through your skin or inhaled, subsequently enhancing your brain chemistry. But is this as credible as it seems?

While these claims may appear peculiar at first glance, studies have indeed explored the effects of this microorganism on various health conditions, such as eczema and cancer. Interestingly, M. vaccae was first identified in Ugandan soil samples while scientists sought a non-lethal relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it has potential as a form of immunotherapy.

Researchers became intrigued by its possible benefits for depression when lung cancer patients treated with this bacteria reported improvements in their quality of life, which was an unexpected yet welcomed side effect. Current research, likely indicating an uplift in mood, has been replicated across numerous well-designed studies. Thus, the internet is rife with memes about this finding.

However, there is a caveat. All studies specifically examining this hypothesis have been conducted on mice rather than humans, which is significant because the outcomes of animal studies are often difficult to extrapolate to humans. For instance, one review of 76 animal studies found that only 37% were replicated in human trials.

Moreover, the mice used in the M. vaccae studies were male and from specific inbred strains. Researchers varied their methods for administering the bacteria, either by saturating the air in their cages or applying it directly to their skin. Most studies I found involved injecting the bacteria into the bloodstream of the mice or incorporating it into their food.

As someone captivated by the growing evidence that suggests spending time in green spaces improves mental health, I eagerly anticipate further research on M. vaccae. Nevertheless, despite the viral nature of the claim that “soil is an antidepressant,” it’s essential to acknowledge that it primarily stems from studies on male mice injected with purified bacteria.

James Wong is a botanist and science writer with a particular focus on food crops, conservation, and the environment. He trained at the Royal Botanic Garden in Kew, London, and shares a small flat with over 500 houseplants. Follow him on X and Instagram @BotanyGeek

For more projects, please visit newscientist.com/maker

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Quantum-Enhanced Supercomputers Are Set to Transform Chemistry

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Portion of the IBM quantum computer showcased

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Quantum computers and conventional supercomputers can serve as powerful tools for analyzing chemical processes. The ongoing collaboration between IBM and Riken, a Japanese scientific institute, is paving the way towards this goal.

Successful chemical analysis often hinges on comprehending how molecules behave during reactions, such as in therapies or industrial catalysts, frequently linked to the quantum state of electrons. Quantum computers can expedite the calculations of these states, yet they remain prone to errors in their current configurations. Traditional supercomputers can catch these discrepancies before they escalate into larger issues.

In a collective statement to New Scientist, Aoki Sei and Mitsui Sato from Riken noted that quantum computers can augment traditional computing capabilities. Currently, they and their team are modeling two distinct iron-sulfur compounds using IBM’s Heron quantum computer in conjunction with Riken’s Fugaku supercomputer.

The researchers divided the computation of the quantum states of the molecules among machines that leverage up to 77 qubits and utilize an algorithm known as SQD. The quantum computer performs the calculations while the supercomputer verifies and corrects errors. For instance, if Heron generates a mathematical representation indicating more electrons than actually present in the molecule, Fugaku discards some of the results, prompting Heron to adjust and retry the computation.

This hybrid approach has not yet surpassed the optimal scenarios achievable by standalone supercomputers, but it competes well against some standard methods, according to Jay Gambetta at IBM, who was not involved in the research. “It’s a matter of comparing calculators,” he remarked.

Recently, this integration is being recognized as the “secret sauce” for addressing the challenges posed by error-prone quantum computers, as articulated by Kenneth Meltz from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. His team is employing another IBM quantum computer, paired with a traditional system, to innovate variations of SQD algorithms that model molecules in solutions, offering a more accurate depiction of chemical experiments than past models.

In Meltz’s perspective, advancing the SQD algorithm will enable the combination of quantum and conventional computing to yield substantial benefits over the next year.

“The synergy between quantum and supercomputing is not merely useful; it is an inevitability,” stated Sam Stanwyck from Nvidia. He emphasizes that the future of quantum computing lies in its seamless integration with robust classical and quantum processors from supercomputing centers. Nvidia has already developed a software platform to facilitate such hybrid methodologies.

Aseem Data from Microsoft remarked that his organization is also venturing into groundbreaking possibilities that merge quantum computing, supercomputing, and AI to expedite developments in chemistry and materials science.

Despite these advancements, numerous challenges persist within the quantum computing sector. Markus Reiher from ETH Zurich acknowledged that while the outcomes of the Riken experiments look promising, it remains uncertain if this methodology will become the preferred technique for executing quantum chemical analyses. The precision of the computed results derived from Quantum and Supercomputing partnerships is still undetermined. Additionally, conventional methods for performing such calculations are already established and highly effective.

The potential of integrating quantum computers into computational processes is lauded for enabling the modeling of larger molecules and enhancing processing speed. However, Reiher expresses caution about the scalability of this emerging approach.

According to Gambetta, a new iteration of IBM’s Heron Quantum Computer was launched at Riken in June, boasting reduced error rates compared to its predecessors. He anticipates noteworthy hardware advancements in the near future.

Moreover, researchers have fine-tuned the SQD algorithm to bolster how Heron and Fugaku collaborate in parallel, making the process more efficient. Meltz compares the current status to that of traditional supercomputers from the 1980s, highlighting numerous unresolved issues. Nevertheless, the infusion of new technology promises significant returns.

Topics:

  • Chemistry /
  • Quantum Computing

Source: www.newscientist.com

Research on the various cloud layers, temperature hot spots, and shifting chemistry found in the extraterrestrial realm

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New observations from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope support the presence of three specific functions in the atmosphere (clouds, hot spots, and changes in carbon chemistry) of the rapidly rotating and free floating planetary mass object SIMP J013656.5+093347.

Impressions of the artist of SIMP 0136. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/J. Olmsted, Stsci.

SIMP J013656.5+093347 (SIMP 0136 for short) is a rapidly rotating, free-floating object located just 20 light years from Earth.

It may have a mass of 13 Jupiter masses, does not orbit the star, and instead may be a brown dwarf.

Because it is separated, SIMP 0136 can be directly observed and is not afraid of mild contamination or variability caused by the host star.

The short rotation period, only 2.4 hours, allows for very efficient investigation.

“We've been working hard to get into the world,” said Allison McCarthy, a doctoral student at Boston University.

“We also thought that it might have an effect on temperature fluctuations, chemical reactions, and perhaps the activity of the aurora affecting brightness, but we weren't sure.”

Webb's NirSpec Instruments We captured thousands to 5.3 micron spectra of SIMP 0136. The object completed one full rotation, so I captured it one at a time, one at a time, one at a time, one at a time, over 3 hours.

This led to immediate observation Webb's Milli Musical Instrumentshundreds of measurements of light between 5 and 14 microns were collected. One is one every 19.2 seconds, one in another rotation.

The results were hundreds of detailed rays, each showing a very accurate wavelength (color) brightness change, with different sides of the object rotating into view.

“It was incredible to see the entire range of this object change over a few minutes,” said Dr. Joanna Foss, an astronomer at Trinity College Dublin.

“Until now, we only had a small near-infrared spectrum from Hubble, but we had some brightness measurements from Spitzer.”

Astronomers almost immediately noticed that there were several distinct ray shapes.

At any time, some wavelengths were growing brightly, while others were either dimmed or not changing at all.

Many different factors must affect brightness variation.

“Imagine looking at the Earth from afar,” said Dr. Philip Muirhead, a former member of Boston University.

“Looking each color individually gives you a variety of patterns that tell you something about the surface and the atmosphere, even if you don't understand the individual features.”

“As the ocean rotates towards vision, blue increases. The brown and green changes tell us something about the soil and vegetation.”

To understand what could cause variability in SIMP 0136, the team used an atmospheric model to show where each wavelength of light is occurring in the atmosphere.

“The different wavelengths provide information about the different depths in the atmosphere,” McCarthy said.

“We began to realize that the wavelengths that had the most similar ray shapes also investigated the same depth and reinforced this idea that they must be caused by the same mechanism.”

For example, one group of wavelengths occurs deeply in the atmosphere where there may be patchy clouds made of iron particles.

The second group comes from high clouds, which are thought to be made from small grains of silicate minerals.

Both of these light curve variations are related to the patchiness of the cloud layers.

The third group of wavelengths appears to be occurring at very high altitudes far above the clouds and tracking temperatures.

Bright hotspots may be associated with previously detected auroras at radio wavelengths, or hot gas upwelling from deeper in the atmosphere.

Some light curves cannot be explained by clouds or temperature, but instead show variations related to atmospheric carbon chemistry.

There may be chemical reactions in which carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide pockets rotate within and outside of view, or alter the atmosphere.

“We still don't understand the chemical part of the puzzle yet,” Dr. Vos said.

“But these results are really exciting because they show that the richness of molecules like methane and carbon dioxide can change over time from location.”

“If you're looking at a deplanet and only have one measurement, you should assume that it may not be representative of the entire planet.”

Survey results It will be displayed in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

____

Allison M. McCarthy et al. 2025. JWST weather report from isolated exoplanet analog SIMP 0136+0933: pressure-dependent variability driven by multiple mechanisms. apjl 981, L22; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/AD9EAF

Source: www.sci.news

Chemistry expertise speeds up rocks’ ability to absorb CO2

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Olivine rock naturally reacts with carbon dioxide, but it’s a slow business

Renhour48 via Wikimedia/CC0 1.0 Universal

The new process will allow crushed rocks to capture carbon dioxide more quickly from the air by turbocharged with already widely adopted carbon removal techniques.

Natural silicate minerals such as basalt react with water and CO2 to form solid carbonic acid materials, a process known as reinforced lock weathering (ERW). Research suggests Spreading crushed silicate rocks on farmland increases the amount of carbon the soil can absorb, while improving farmer crop yields.

but Matthew Canan Stanford University in California believes that the carbon advantage of ERW is exaggerated as natural silicates do not reach the climate quickly enough to extract large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. “The data is very clear. They don’t weather at a useful speed,” he says.

Conversion of silicates into more reactive minerals increases weathering rates and makes ERW a viable climate solution, he says. Canaan and his colleagues Yuxuan Chen Stanford University also developed a method for producing magnesium oxide and calcium silicate using a process inspired by cement production.

“When you take calcium sources and magnesium silicate and heat it, you can make calcium silicate and magnesium oxide,” says Canaan. “The core reaction is what is called ion exchange, and it exchanges magnesium for calcium.”

“The reason it’s strong is because calcium silicate is reactive and so is magnesium oxide,” he says. “I put one reactive thing in and two come out.” The ingredients get the weather thousands of times faster than standard silicates, says Canaan.

The ki used in this process must be heated to 1400°C for the reaction, and energy may be provided by natural gas. This means that this method generates significant carbon emissions, but Canaan can capture these at sources or use several reactive minerals to capture the emissions at the site. It suggests that booking can offset it.

When the emissions associated with material production are taken into consideration, one ton of reactive material removes about one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Researchers can now create 15 kilograms of reactive rocks per day, but they hope to turn the idea into a commercial venture by selling the materials to farmers for use on farmland.

Rachel James The University of Southampton, UK, challenges Canaan’s claim that traditional ERWs do not work, pointing to many documented examples of intensified weathering tests. However, she welcomes attempts to accelerate the weathering rate of silicate.

“The climate crisis now requires action, so what you can do to speed up weathering rates is extremely beneficial,” she says. “Weathering is essentially a slow process and frankly, we want to see meaningful carbon dioxide removal on a timescale of 10 years or more than 50 years.”

However, she warns that the team is likely to face problems with expanding production and deployment. She says that using minerals in agricultural systems does not guarantee that all captured carbon is permanently trapped.

Phil Renforth At Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, UK, the proposal is said to be a smart idea, but it takes more research to understand how it should be unfolded. “They essentially produce cement minerals, which may not be an ideal candidate mineral in addition to agricultural soils,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

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The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to scientists David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper, as announced by the awarding body on Wednesday. protein structure.

This prestigious award, worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million), is bestowed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Baker received half of the prize for his work in “computational protein design,” while Hassabis and Jumper shared the other half for “protein structure prediction,” according to the academy.

Following the announcement of the Chemistry Award, this is the third of the awards given each year. Medicine and physics winners were revealed earlier this week.

Established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, and a wealthy businessman, the Nobel Prize is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions benefiting mankind the previous year.

Since its inception in 1901, the Nobel Prize has honored achievements in various fields including medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, and peace. The prize amount has been adjusted over the years, and the Economics Prize was later added by the Swedish Central Bank.

Chemistry, a field closely tied to Alfred Nobel’s work as an inventor, has seen notable recipients over the years, including pioneers like Ernest Rutherford and Marie Curie.

In the previous year, the chemistry prize was awarded to Mungi Bawendi, Luis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov for their discovery of quantum dots, tiny clusters of atoms widely used today in various technologies.

In addition to the monetary reward, the Nobel Prize winners will receive a medal from the King of Sweden on December 10th, followed by a grand banquet at Stockholm City Hall.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Influence of Chemistry on the Flavor of Alcohol

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Animals have been consuming alcohol for millions of years, and primates and humans have been digesting it for about 7 to 21 million years. Throughout human history, alcohol consumption and production has been a part of many different cultures. Experts on human societies, including anthropologists and indigenous peoples, have long known about the origins of rice wine (Miju) and beer (Lao Lee) has been part of ancient Chinese culture for 7,000 to 13,000 years. Similarly, people in the Andes region of South America have been brewing beer made from corn. Chicha It spans approximately 5,000 years.

Even though ancient methods of making alcohol have spread all over the world, people all brew drinks that contain the same amount of alcohol, a standard known as the “alcohol content.” Alcohol degree or ABV. Beverages can be brewed at a range of ABVs, but beer is preferred to be brewed at around 4% alcohol by volume, wine at 11%-16%, and stronger spirits at around 43%, 52%, 68%, and 75% alcohol by volume. However, scientists are yet to figure out the reason behind these universal ranges of ABV.

A team of Chinese researchers studied why people choose different alcohol strengths by looking at how water and ethanol molecules interact at different alcohol strengths. Alcoholic drinks contain a variety of molecules that add flavor, color and aroma, but the main molecules are water and ethanol. ethanolThese molecules are made of atoms such as hydrogen and oxygen. The atoms of the molecules are held together by electric forces, like two magnets, but the atoms between the two molecules also attract each other. Water and ethanol molecules are attracted to each other through their hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This process is called Hydrogen Bonding.

The team demonstrated how hydrogen bonds can hold water and ethanol in different orientations and Interaction AngleThey are devices that determine the structure of molecules, Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer or H NMR. H NMR The machine can detect hydrogen atoms and determine what they are bonded to and what angle they form.

The research team created mixtures of water and ethanol ranging from 0% to 100% alcohol content and used H NMR to detect the change in the interaction angle between the two molecules. They found that as the alcohol content increased, the interaction angle decreased. It dropped from a 90° angle at 1% alcohol content to a 10° angle at 99% alcohol content. They noticed that this change was not smooth, but that the interaction angle decreased in stages. For example, the interaction angle was about 70° between 11% and 13% alcohol content, but suddenly dropped to 60° when the alcohol content reached 14% alcohol content. The research team noticed that these abrupt changes occurred across the preferred alcohol content ranges of alcoholic beverages around the world, as shown above.

The most common type of hydrogen bond that occurs between a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom is Hydroxyl. Using 1 H NMR, the team found that these hydroxyl interactions produced a uniform 3D water molecular network at an interaction angle of 90°, forming tetrahedral structures. However, the hydroxyl interactions between ethanol molecules were nearly linear, and at an interaction angle of 0°, long chains were formed. As the alcohol content of the beverage increased, the tetrahedral structures and the long chain molecules competed with each other.

The team found that as the alcohol content increased, the number of hydroxyl interactions decreased stepwise, as did the interaction angle. The team concluded that alcoholic drinks with different alcohol content formed distinct mixtures of chain and tetrahedral interactions. Increasing the amount of ethanol molecules increased the number of chain interactions as the molecules found new preferred orientations.

Finally, the researchers investigated whether the amount of these chain and tetrahedral interactions altered the flavor when an alcoholic beverage was cooled or heated. When an 11% ABV beverage was cooled to 42°F (5°C), more hydroxyl interactions occurred. This cooling increased the number of chain interactions between water and ethanol molecules.

Next, the researchers hired professional and amateur beer tasters to test the flavor of cold and hot alcoholic beverages with 11% alcohol content. The tasters found that chilling low and high alcohol content beers produced even greater differences in the flavor of the alcohol, due to an increased number of chain reactions within these beverages.

On the other hand, when the researchers warmed the beverages to 104°F (40°C), the number of hydroxyl interactions remained consistently between 38% and 52% ABV. Professional and amateur beer tasters tasted the warmed alcoholic beverages at 38% and 52% ABV and could not detect any difference. The team concluded that warming these beverages resulted in similar amounts of chain interactions, so flavor was unaffected by the change in ABV. This difference in taste could explain why people prefer to drink warm sake and other alcoholic beverages at 38% ABV.

The team concluded that throughout human history, brewers and drinkers have relied on their tongues to find the right alcohol content and temperature needed to create beverages that involve water-ethanol polymer chain interactions. By learning the importance of hydrogen bonds and molecular interactions, the team hopes that future brewers and scientists will experiment with different ways to control these molecular interactions to create even more sophisticated and interesting flavors.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Study finds that Internet addiction alters brain chemistry in young people

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Studies indicate that adolescents with internet addiction exhibit alterations in brain chemistry that can contribute to further addictive behaviors.

In a study published in PLOS Mental Health, researchers analyzed fMRI studies to explore how brain regions interact in individuals with internet addiction.

The findings revealed changes in neural network activity in the brains of young individuals, with increased activity during rest and reduced connectivity in areas involved in cognitive functions like memory and decision-making.

These alterations were linked to addictive behaviors, mental health issues, cognitive abilities, and physical coordination in adolescents.

The study reviewed 12 prior studies involving 237 young individuals diagnosed with internet addiction from 2013 to 2023.

Recent surveys show that nearly half of British teens feel addicted to social media platforms.

Lead researcher Max Zhang from the University of London emphasized the vulnerability of adolescents to internet addiction due to developmental changes during this crucial stage.

The study suggests that early intervention for internet addiction is essential to mitigate negative impacts on adolescent behavior and development.

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Experts recommend targeted treatments focused on specific brain regions or therapies to combat internet addiction symptoms.

Parental education plays a crucial role in preventing internet addiction, enabling better management of screen time and impulsive online behaviors.

Lead author Eileen Li from GOS ICH emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries on internet usage and being mindful of its effects on mental and social well-being.

Source: www.theguardian.com