Tag Archives: clock

Why Your Body Clock Miscalculates Your True Age: How AI Can Provide Accurate Insights

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Biological Age Representation

You May Be Historically Older Than Your “Real Age”

Reuters/Toru Hanai

Years ago, when I began discussing the concept of aging, the “biological clock” emerged as a key topic. This term, synonymous with the aging clock and “true age” measurement, highlights the difference between chronological age—the number of years since birth—and biological age, which indicates the actual aging process within our bodies.

Generally, biological aging follows a predictable pattern: a gradual decline in physical and mental functions throughout adulthood. Our intuitive judgments of age often incorporate visible signs like wrinkles, gray hair, and variations in posture, gait, mental sharpness, and voice.

The goal of determining biological age is to encapsulate this aging process into a single measurable figure. This provides insight into an individual’s health trajectory, emphasizing that some people age significantly faster than others.

Most individuals find their biological age within a few years of their chronological age. However, discrepancies can be stark: one 56-year-old may exhibit a biological age akin to someone in their 30s, while another may resemble a person in their 70s. Notably, biological age can increase or decrease at a different rate than chronological age.

Understanding biological age serves as a valuable tool, offering individuals clear, understandable insights into their health. This information can motivate lifestyle modifications and help assess the effectiveness of interventions like diet and exercise. The demand for biological age assessments is evident, as numerous companies now offer testing services, albeit often at a premium.

For scientists investigating anti-aging strategies, biological age measurements serve as immediate indicators of intervention success, eliminating the need for long-term studies involving human or animal subjects. Furthermore, tracking biological age enables us to comprehend the inner workings of our bodies as they age.

Despite its advantages, the concept of biological age requires refinement. The initial biological clocks were based on epigenetic markers—molecular indicators that alter gene expression. Innovators like Steve Horvath from UCLA discovered that these markers change predictably throughout life, allowing for the estimation of biological age through complex algorithms.

Yet, epigenetics isn’t the sole estimation approach. Various other biological markers—such as blood proteins, telomeres, urine metabolites, facial imagery, and even X-rays—can also inform biological age assessments. However, the inconsistency between these different measurement methods raises concerns about their reliability.

For instance, according to a recent analysis of the CALERIE trial, which examined caloric restriction as an anti-aging intervention, five different aging clocks were applied to a cohort of 220 adults. Only two showed a significant decline in biological age among calorie-restricted participants, leaving questions about which clock to trust—a dilemma faced by both individuals and researchers utilizing aging assessments.

Another challenge is the misleading perception of accuracy. Most companies report a single biological age figure without indicating a margin of error, leading to potential misinterpretations. A recent study published in npj Aging pointed out that many existing biological clocks do not perform as anticipated, which could lead to unnecessary anxiety regarding health outcomes.

But does this imply that biological clocks are without value? Not entirely. Research indicates that many limitations associated with these methods could be addressed. According to Dmitri Kulikov and fellow researchers from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, overcoming these challenges is feasible, although determining whether it is worth pursuing these improvements remains an open question.

Meanwhile, innovative solutions are on the horizon. Emerging methodologies that utilize artificial intelligence, particularly large-scale health models (LHM), hold promise. These AI-driven models, akin to those powering systems like ChatGPT, analyze vast datasets to assess individual risks related to mortality and the development of age-related conditions. A recent study in Natural Medicine suggests these modern methods may outperform traditional biological clocks.

As LHM continues to evolve, it may address many current limitations of biological age assessments. Thus, if you are contemplating determining your biological age, proceed with caution. If you’ve already done so, take the outcomes with a degree of skepticism. In future reflections on aging, I promise to approach this subject with a more critical perspective, blending newfound knowledge with experience.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Collision Clock Indicates Satellite in Orbit Faces Disaster in 3 Days

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An artistic representation of a satellite in Earth’s orbit

Yusery Yilmaz/Shutterstock

In the event that all satellites ceased their ability to maneuver, a collision would likely happen in just 2.8 days, underscoring the dense nature of Earth’s orbital space.

Over the past seven years, the number of satellites has more than tripled, soaring from 4,000 to nearly 14,000. A significant factor driving this surge is SpaceX’s Starlink program, which currently includes over 9,000 satellites situated in low Earth orbit between 340 and 550 kilometers above our planet.

This dramatic rise necessitates that satellites frequently adjust their positions to avoid collisions, which could create thousands of metal fragments and make parts of Earth’s orbit unusable. This process is referred to as a collision avoidance maneuver.

Between Dec. 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, SpaceX executed 144,404 collision avoidance maneuvers within the constellation, averaging one every 1.8 minutes, per company reports. Notably, there has only been one documented orbital collision. In 2009, a functioning satellite from Iridium Communications collided with a defunct Russian Cosmos satellite, leaving hundreds of debris scattered in orbit.

Sarah Thiele and researchers from Princeton University utilized publicly available satellite tracking data to simulate the impact of increasing satellite numbers on collision risk. They introduced a novel measure named the Collision Realization And Significant Harm (CRASH) Clock to evaluate this risk. The title draws parallels to the well-known Doomsday Clock, which symbolizes the imminent threat of nuclear warfare. “We discussed it extensively,” he notes. Samantha Lawler, another team member from the University of Regina in Canada, contributed to this effort.

Their findings revealed that if all satellites in orbit as of 2018 (prior to the inaugural Starlink launch in 2019) suddenly lost control, a collision would have been imminent within 121 days. Presently, due to the surge in operational satellites, this timeframe has drastically reduced to a mere 2.8 days.

“We were astonished by how short it was,” Thiele comments.

The 2.8 days assumes a scenario where an event—such as a severe solar storm—renders all satellites incapable of altering their trajectories. In May 2024, a significant solar storm caused some Starlink satellites to react dramatically. A recurrence of the Carrington Event, the strongest solar storm on record from 1859, might bring serious challenges; Wind Vatapally from Luxembourg’s SES Satellites believes not all satellites would be incapacitated at once. “It would be implausible for all of them to fail simultaneously,” he states.

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Indicators like the crash clocks serve to emphasize the congested state of Earth’s orbit, he remarks. Hugh Lewis from the University of Birmingham in the UK questions, “Can we keep piling on this precarious structure?” He adds, “The more elements you introduce, the greater the risk of a collapse when problems arise.”

With plans for tens of thousands more satellites to be launched in the coming years by SpaceX, Amazon, and various Chinese enterprises for their extensive constellations, it’s plausible that the CRASH clock will indicate an even shorter timeframe, raising the potential for collisions. “It’s quite frightening to consider,” Thiele adds.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Aligning Anticancer Drug Administration with the Body Clock Could Enhance Survival Rates

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Timing chemotherapy properly can reduce side effects.

Paul Springett/Alamy

It is often said that timing plays a crucial role, and cancer treatment might be no exception. Researchers have discovered that adjusting the timing of immunotherapy drugs administered to cancer patients can enhance survival rates, adding to the evidence that our body’s internal clock affects cancer treatment efficacy.

The activities of cells and tissues within our bodies follow a 24-hour cycle termed the circadian rhythm, which governs everything from hormone release to cell division and repair timing. These rhythms are frequently disrupted in cancer cells, which tend to divide uncontrollably rather than at set intervals.

This has led to efforts aimed at alleviating chemotherapy side effects by targeting quickly dividing cells while the healthy tissue is less active. However, researchers are also exploring whether administering cancer drugs at particular times can enhance their efficacy.

One class of drugs under scrutiny is immune checkpoint inhibitors, which enable immune T cells to more effectively identify and target tumors. “T cells and other immune agents are naturally more active in the morning, making them more responsive,” explains Dr. Celine Ismail Sutton at Easbeatty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor, England, who was not part of the study. “Administering immune checkpoint inhibitors during this window may bolster antitumor effects and enhance effectiveness.”

Earlier this year, ze fan and colleagues from Central South University in Changsha, China, documented that giving the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab before 11:30 a.m. alongside chemotherapy to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resulted in a survival rate that nearly doubles compared to those receiving treatment primarily in the afternoon.

To assess whether timing treatments in accordance with circadian rhythms, termed chronotherapy, could benefit patients with rapidly dividing, aggressive small cell lung cancer, the same team analyzed data from 397 individuals treated with the checkpoint inhibitors atezolizumab or durvalumab alongside chemotherapy from 2019 to 2023.

“Patients treated before 3 p.m. exhibited significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival in comparison to those treated later in the day,” reported team members. Zhang Yongchang, also at Central South University, noted.

After accounting for numerous confounding variables, early treatment appeared to be associated with a 52% reduced risk of cancer progression and a 63% decreased risk of mortality.

Zhang suspects that this effect may manifest in additional tumor types, referencing evidence from studies on renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Research on NSCLC trials illustrated that morning dosing boosts circulating T cell levels and activation, while later dosing does the opposite. Mouse studies have shown that the behavior of tumor-infiltrating T cells fluctuates throughout the 24-hour cycle and that circadian clocks in adjacent endothelial cells influence when immune cells migrate into tumors.

While larger randomized controlled trials are essential, this investigation “adds further support to a growing number of studies globally that indicate improved outcomes when immunotherapy drugs are administered earlier in the day,” states Pasquale Innominato from the University of Warwick, UK.

But is it feasible for hospitals to implement this? When it comes to modifying treatment schedules, “adjusting infusion times is a straightforward clinical decision that incurs minimal costs,” asserts Zhang.

Nevertheless, treating everyone early in the day isn’t practical. According to Robert Dalman, also at the University of Warwick, each person’s body clock varies. “For instance, the biological time discrepancy between an ‘early bird’ and a ‘night owl’ can span several hours.”

Nonetheless, biomarkers that accurately assess individuals’ chronotypes are currently in development. Once established and validated, chronotherapy could emerge as a “cost-effective, resource-efficient innovation with the capability to significantly enhance treatment outcomes. A simple shift in timing can unveil a new facet of precision medicine,” concludes Ismail Sutton in a recently published perspective on this innovative strategy.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ultracold Clock Sheds Light on Quantum Physics’ Impact on Time

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What is the quantum nature of time? We may be on the verge of discovering it

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How does time manifest for a genuine quantum entity? The most advanced clocks can rapidly address this query, enabling us to test various ways to manipulate and alter the quantum realm, thereby delving into the uncharted territories of physics.

The notion that time can shift originates from Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity. As an object approaches the speed of light, it appears to experience time more slowly compared to a stationary observer. He expands upon this with a general theory of relativity, which demonstrates a similar temporal distortion in the presence of a gravitational field. Igor Pikovsky from the Stevens Institute in New Jersey and his team aim to uncover whether a similar effect occurs within the microscopic quantum landscape, utilizing ultra-cold clocks constructed from ions.

“The experiments we’ve performed until now have always focused on classical time, disregarding quantum mechanics,” says Pikovsky. “We’ve observed a regime where conventional explanations falter with an ion clock,” he continues.

These clocks consist of thousands of ions cooled to temperatures nearing absolute zero via laser manipulation. At such low temperatures, the quantum state of an ion and its embedded electrons can be precisely controlled through electromagnetic forces. Thus, the ticks of an ion clock are governed by the electrons oscillating between two distinct quantum states.

Since their behavior is dictated by quantum mechanics, these instruments provided an ideal platform for Pikovsky and his colleagues to investigate the interplay between relativistic and quantum phenomena on timekeeping. Pikovski mentions that they’ve identified several scenarios where this blending is evident.

One example arises from the intrinsic fluctuations inherent in quantum physics. Even at ultra-low temperatures, quantum objects cannot be completely static and instead must oscillate, randomly gaining or losing energy. Team calculations indicated that these fluctuations could lead to extended clock time measurements. Although the effect is minute, it is detectable in current ion clock experiments.

The researchers also mathematically analyzed the behavior of ions in a clock when “compressed,” resulting in “superpositions” of multiple quantum states. They found that these states are closely linked to the motion of the ions, influenced by their internal electrons. The states of ions and electrons are interconnected at a quantum level. “Typically, experiments necessitate creative methods to establish entanglements. The intriguing aspect here is that it arises organically,” explains team member Christian Sanner from Colorado State University.

Pikovski asserts that it is intuitive to think that quantum objects existing in superposition cannot simply perceive time linearly, though this effect has yet to be experimentally confirmed. He believes it should be achievable in the near future.

Team member Gabriel Solch from the Stevens Institute of Technology mentions that the next step is incorporating another crucial aspect of modern physics: gravity. Ultra-cold clocks can currently detect temporal extensions caused by significant variations in the Earth’s gravitational pull, such as when elevated by a few millimeters, but the exact integration of these effects with the intrinsic quantum characteristics of the clock remains an unresolved question.

“I believe it is quite feasible with our existing technology,” adds David Hume from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Colorado. He highlights that the primary challenge is to mitigate ambient disturbances affecting the clock to ensure it doesn’t overshadow the effects suggested by Pikovsky’s team. Successful experiments could pave the way for exploring unprecedented physical phenomena.

“Such experiments are thrilling because they create a platform for theories to interact in a domain where they could yield fresh insights,” remarks Alexander Smith at St. Anselm College, New Hampshire.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Breakthroughs in Body Clock Measurement Help Reduce Shift Work-Related Illnesses

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EMS's ambulance team delivers medical aid to injured individuals and transports them on stretchers. Emergency medical personnel arrived at the traffic accident site.

Cemetery shifts earn their name for a reason. Individuals working night shifts face heightened health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. The World Health Organization has identified shift work as a potential carcinogen, given the increased likelihood of cancer.

While the rest of us are asleep, these night workers often go unnoticed, yet their efforts are vital to the medical and emergency services on which we rely. Though we depend on them for our very survival, the irony lies in how their work impacts their own health.

This situation could evolve with the advent of a test that accurately measures one’s internal biological clock in relation to external time (see “How innovative new tests can unleash the power of your body clock”). Such advancements in medicine promise to benefit a larger population.

Research indicates that many frequently used medications affect the body’s system, which operates on a 24-hour cycle, and are more effective when administered in harmony with this rhythm. Surgeries and vaccinations also yield better results at specific times of the day. Initial strategies often rely on standardized biological clocks, but for those whose circadian rhythms are misaligned, this approach may prove ineffective or even detrimental. This is where the new tests come into play.

Night workers may remain in the shadows, yet they are the backbone of essential services we all rely on.

Fortunately, these tests are expected to become more affordable and widely accessible. However, there is a concern that they could be misused by those anxiously trying to optimize their health, perhaps alongside other fitness metrics like step counts (refer to page 16).

The genuine potential lies in using these tests to gain insights into the biological processes of those in challenging situations, ensuring that in the future, the effects of nighttime work and improved strategies for managing shift patterns are addressed. One day, your biological clock may finally align with the external clock.

This could mitigate the health repercussions associated with night shifts and provide these employees with a chance to revitalize their lives. Employers must recognize this opportunity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Discover the First Image from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory: Why You Can’t Miss the Clock Party!

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Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/A. Pizzaro D

I’ve never attended a watch party, unless you include a gathering with my two friends for the Taylor Swift: ERAS Tour (which featured themed snacks). But now, it seems watch parties are evolving beyond just movie releases. In fact, I’m gearing up to join a watch party for my new telescope in just a few days.

I was fortunate enough to be part of one of the first public groups to tour the Bella C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, a visit organized by New Scientist. Now, just two years later, I’m eagerly anticipating the first image that will be captured by this colossal telescope, scheduled for release on June 23rd.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory stands as a marvel of engineering. It’s set to perform sky scans across the Southern Hemisphere within merely three nights. Over a decade, the observatory will conduct scans for ten nights as part of its legacy survey of space-time known as the LSST. This project promises to revolutionize our understanding of astronomy, unraveling longstanding mysteries, including those related to dark matter, and revealing new enigmas.

Clearly, the images and videos produced by the telescope will be breathtaking. To fully appreciate their detail, watching on a phone screen won’t suffice. Even a desktop display falls short. To capture the full glory of a single image, one would need to utilize 400 Ultra HD TVs, as per the LSST UK consortium. Consequently, the team is encouraging partner institutions worldwide to organize watch parties for a more immersive viewing experience.

The specifics of each watch party vary depending on the hosting institution, which may include planetariums, museums, or universities. For instance, events will take place at the Perth Observatory in Australia and at City University in Hong Kong. Numerous locations across the United States, including the Detroit Observatory in Michigan, will host watch parties where attendees can enjoy science demos and hear from local experts. A common thread across all these events is the live release of the first images and videos captured by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory at 11 AM EDT (11 PM GMT), with everyone tuning in to the live stream.

Processing the intricate details of each image can be a time-consuming endeavor. Not only is there the requirement to zoom out and appreciate the telescope’s expansive field of view, but also to zoom in on galaxies in unprecedented detail. Images produced by Rubin will offer greater resolution than those from the James Webb Space Telescope, covering similar sky areas with 45 moon-like objects while JWST operates with roughly three years of data. Additionally, a time-lapse video capturing how the sky evolves over time has been recorded by Rubin.

You’ll indeed be able to view the images online, as well as in issues of New Scientist once they’re published or shared on social media. However, if you want to celebrate this moment in a community setting, consider visiting this interactive map to discover a watch party near you—or, why not host one yourself? While you may miss the full definition on your home screen, you can still experience some of the thrill of witnessing the unveiling of these images and videos alongside others.

I’m excited to attend a local event, hoping to capture the sense of wonder I felt when I first stood inside the observatory and marveled at its grandeur. It’s a scale that helps us better understand our place in the cosmos, even when contrasted with the vastness of the universe.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Start-Up Space Clock: Precision Countdown to Catastrophe

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Canadarm2, ISS robot arm built by the Canadian Space Agency

ESA/NASA

The most accurate clock in space will start within a few days and start building highly synced networks from the best clocks on the planet. However, the project will only work for a few decades, and only a few years before it burns out as hair removal for the International Space Station at the end of the decade.

Atomic Clock in Space (ACES) is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission that generates time signals with unprecedented accuracy and transmits them to nine ground stations via lasers as they pass over the overhead at 27,000 km/h. This watch network is very closely synchronized and provides extremely accurate timekeeping around the world.

As a result, ACES can test Einstein’s theory of general relativity. This states that the passage of time is influenced by the strength of gravity and is very accurately affected. It also supports all research, from dark matter to string theory.

ACES is scheduled to be released on April 21st for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Upon reaching the ISS, the Canadarm2, the Canadian Space Agency’s robotic arm, attaches it to the outside of ESA’s Columbus Laboratory, where it remains in a vacuum in the space.

The package actually consists of two clocks. One is called SHM, which can be kept stable for a short period of time. Together, these watches are extremely accurate, losing less than a second for over 300 million years. It is 10 times more accurate than a GPS satellite clock.

Pharaohs are basically modeled on Paris’ atomic clocks that occupy the entire room. Its technology was no more than a cubic meter, miniaturization to something that could allow rocket launches and survive the harshness of living in space was by no means a feat.

To generate an accurate clock signal, the pharaoh expels a fountain of cesium atoms cooled to absolute zero and observes its interaction with the microwave field. On Earth, devices of 3 meters are required, but at microgravity, these atoms move slowly and are sprayed into smaller fountains, making them much smaller.

Simon Weinberg The ESA says that simply placing a teaspoon close can create an electromagnetic field strong enough to destroy the watch. “Just putting it in context, it’s better than the 100 million seconds we’re trying to measure here,” says Weinberg. “So it’s one hell of challenging work.”

The ACES concept dates back to the 1990s and was originally scheduled to be released at the Space Shuttle, which retired in 2011. Once you reach space, the first signal will not reach the Earth-bound clock for a year and a half. It takes about six months to outsource the device.

The ACES then operates until 2030, after which the ISS intentionally crashes into the Earth’s atmosphere and burns out. By that point, the new ultra-precision watch known as optical watches likely have created an atomic clock that has become obsolete on Earth, but by then it may not be small or robust enough to be used in space.

At one point, Weinberg says the ESA is aiming to launch a new generation of ACEs to replace what was lost in the ISS, whatever the technology was most appropriate back then. “We’ll go a long way from doing it, and we have to gather support, fundraising and more to make sure that happens.”

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  • time/
  • International Space Station

Source: www.newscientist.com

When will the clock change to UK 2025 and why is the move forward happening?

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British Summer Time (BST) is back in England, meaning the clocks are about to move forward by one hour. But when exactly will this change happen in the UK in 2025? And why do we shift time twice a year?

When will the clocks change in 2025?

In the UK, the clocks will spring forward on Sunday, March 30th, 2025 at 1am, meaning the official time will instantly become 2am.

What does this mean practically? Evening sunlight will last longer – London’s sunset will shift from around 6:29pm on Saturday to 7:30pm on Sunday.

Then, in a different direction, the clocks will fall back on October 27, 2024, giving us an extra hour in bed. However, on this occasion, that extra hour will not be granted.

British Summer Time will remain until Sunday, October 26th, 2025, when we will revert back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Most devices nowadays automatically adjust for daylight saving time, but you might need to manually change older clocks and appliances.

Will the clocks go forward in March or will they fall back?

In March, the clocks will move forward – we lose an hour of sleep but gain longer evenings.

In October, the clocks will fall back, giving us extra time in bed and marking the return to shorter daylight hours. The phrase “Spring forward, fall back” is a handy way to remember this.

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Why do we move the clocks forward?

While the concept may not have scientific roots, daylight saving time serves a practical purpose of maximizing the use of daylight during the summer months.

By moving the clocks forward, we extend daylight into the evening, which is beneficial for activities like evening walks, sports, and finishing work in daylight. This system is also used in parts of the Southern Hemisphere to align with the summer season.

Where did daylight saving time originate?

This idea is often credited to George Hudson, an insect enthusiast from New Zealand. He proposed the idea in 1895 to shift the clocks for more evening sunlight.

Germany was the first country to officially implement daylight saving time in 1916 during World War I. The UK followed suit shortly after, along with other countries involved in the conflict.

Why do some people want to stop changing the clocks?

Critics argue that daylight saving time can have negative effects including sleep disruptions, increased risk of heart attacks, and confusion in daily routines, especially for teenagers.

Disrupting morning sunlight can interfere with the body’s internal clock, affecting mood and alertness. Some believe that with more flexible working patterns and 24-hour lifestyles, daylight saving time is becoming less relevant.

Do all countries follow daylight saving time?

Of the 195 countries worldwide, only about 70 observe daylight saving time, and many are reconsidering its necessity. Equatorial countries tend to skip daylight saving time as they receive consistent sunlight throughout the year.

In Europe, the European Parliament proposed abolishing biannual clock changes in 2019, but the decision has yet to be finalized. For now, European countries continue to align their clocks with the UK.

Some research stations in Antarctica alternate between GMT and Central European Summer Time, making their timekeeping quite unusual.

How to adjust to clock changes?

To minimize the impact of losing an hour, consider adjusting your bedtime gradually leading up to the time change. Getting natural light early in the morning and staying active can help reset your internal clock.

If you have young children or pets, be prepared for disruptions in their routines. To learn more about minimizing the health impact of daylight saving time changes, check out expert tips on how to cope.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Daylight Saving Time in the US in 2025: A Guide to Clock Changes

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As the sun returns and the winter blues float away, it’s almost time to adjust the American clock. Daylight Saving Time (DST), a practice of changing your clock twice a year, has a long history full of controversy, diplomacy, and some unique quirks depending on where you live.

Despite its routine nature, DST means longer evenings to enjoy the sun in the end. So, as the date approaches, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know, including when to change the clocks, why it happens, and why some want to do away with DST altogether.

When will the clocks change in March 2025?

For Americans, the time changes on Sunday, March 9th. It will happen at 2 am local time, moving forward by one hour.

This marks the start of DST, but the transition may vary depending on your location. Here’s how it looks in major cities:

  • Los Angeles: Along with other West Coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco, will shift from standard Pacific time to daylight Pacific time. The sunrise will move from 6:15 am to 7:15 am, and the sunset from 5:54 pm to 6:54 pm.
  • Chicago: Will transition from Central Standard Time to Central Daylight Time. The sunrise will change from 6:17 am to 7:17 am, and the sunset from 5:47 pm to 6:47 pm.
  • New York and Washington DC: Will switch from Eastern Standard Time to Eastern Daylight Time. This will shift the sunrise from 6:22 am to 7:22 am, and the sunset from 5:53 pm to 6:53 pm.

How does daylight saving time work?

The concept of Daylight Saving Time is fairly simple. Every year, we adjust our clocks by adding or subtracting an hour. This occurs twice a year and alternates between the two.

These time changes are known as Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time. DST begins in March, moving us forward an hour, ends in November, and then moves back an hour.

On the surface, this may seem strange, but it serves a purpose. DST aims to make better use of sunlight and save energy by providing more daylight in the evening, allowing for more time to enjoy the sun and reducing electricity demands at home.

What is the history of daylight saving time?

The history of Daylight Saving Time dates back quite a long time. While often attributed to Benjamin Franklin in 1784, the actual origins can be traced back before 1907.

William Willett, an advocate for more daylight hours, proposed changing how we view time. This proposal, involving moving the clock forward by 80 minutes in four increments of 20 minutes each Sunday at 2 am, eventually led to the establishment of Daylight Saving Time.

Since then, the system has been refined and simplified. Despite initial resistance, DST eventually became a standard practice in 1966.

Why do some people want to abolish daylight saving time?

Aside from the inconvenience of changing the clock annually, there are reasons why some advocate for the abolishment of DST.

Studies suggest that clock changes can have a negative impact on health, with an increased risk of heart attacks following the spring time change. Additionally, the economic cost of DST changes is estimated to be significant, affecting productivity.

Another important reason is the impact on pets. It’s recommended to gradually adjust your pet to the time change to avoid disruptions to their routines.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Atomic scientists set the ‘Doomsday Clock’ closer to midnight than ever before

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WASHINGTON – Atomic scientists on Tuesday pushed the “Doomsday Clock” closer to midnight than ever before, warning Russia's nuclear weapons actions amid the invasion of Ukraine, nuclear-armed Israel's war in Gaza, and worsening climate change on a global scale. cited as a factor causing the crisis. A disaster.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, as it did last year, set the clock to 90 seconds to midnight, the theoretical extinction point. Scientists set the clock based on “existential” risks to the planet and its people, such as nuclear threats, climate change, and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and new biotechnologies.

“Conflict hotspots around the world threaten nuclear escalation, climate change is already causing death and destruction,” Rachel Bronson, the magazine's president and CEO, told Reuters. “Disruptive technologies such as AI and biological research are advancing faster than safeguards.” He added that the fact that there is no change from the previous year “does not indicate that the world is stable.”

A staff member shows the position of the minute hand of the “Doomsday Clock” in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2024. Jacqueline Martin/Associated Press

The Chicago-based nonprofit created the clock in 1947 to warn the public of how close humanity was to global destruction.

Russian massive invasion of Ukraine is set to celebrate its second anniversary next month, and tensions with the West have escalated to the most dangerous levels since the Cold War.

“A permanent end to Russia’s war in Ukraine seems far away, and the possibility that Russia will use nuclear weapons in that conflict remains serious. Over the past year, Russia has sent a number of alarming nuclear signals. '' Bronson said.

Bronson quoted the Russians President Vladimir Putin To be determined in February 2023 Suspend Russia's participation In the New START Treaty with the United States, which limits both countries' strategic nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia possess nearly 90% of the world's nuclear warheads, enough to destroy the Earth multiple times.

Bronson also referenced President Putin's March 2023 announcement regarding Russia's weapons deployment. tactical nuclear weapons Belarusian and Russian parliaments pass laws in October 2023 withdraw ratification A global treaty banning nuclear weapons testing. Russian analyst Sergei Karaganov also spoke last year about the need to threaten nuclear strikes in Europe to intimidate and “calm down” Moscow's enemies.

Israel has so far at war with Hamas According to an Israeli tally, about 1,200 people have been killed since the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic extremist group launched attacks in southern Israel in October 2023. More than 25,000 people have been killed in the Israeli military offensive, according to Gaza health authorities.

“As a nuclear-armed state, Israel's actions are clearly relevant to the Doomsday debate. Of particular concern is the possibility of a broader escalation of conflict in the region, leading to larger conventional wars and more “It could draw in nuclear or near-nuclear states,” Bronson said.

When watches were first made, the greatest danger came from nuclear weapons. climate change It was first considered as a factor in 2007.

“The world in 2023 has been hit by a major disaster and has entered uncharted territory. hottest year on record And global greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise,” Bronson said. “Global and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures both broke records, and Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest daily area since the advent of satellite data.”

Bronson said 2023 was also a record year for clean energy, with $1.7 trillion in new investment. But this was offset by nearly $1 trillion in fossil fuel investments, Bronson added.

“This shows that current efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while promising, are far from sufficient to avoid the dangerous human and economic impacts of climate change, and that Changes disproportionately affect the world's poorest people,” Bronson said.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by scientists such as Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer. It relies on a panel of experts in nuclear technology and climate science to set the clock each year. This watch was first introduced during the Cold War tensions following World War II.

Source: www.nbcnews.com