Surgical Robots Advance Closer to Complete Autonomy in Operations

Surgical Robot Operating on Deceased Pigs

Juo-Tung Chen/Johns Hopkins University

The AI-driven robot successfully extracted the gallbladder from a deceased pig, marking a pivotal achievement in machine-assisted surgery with minimal human involvement.

This sophisticated robot features a dual-layer AI system trained using 17 hours of surgical video, which encompasses 16,000 movements performed by human surgeons. During operation, the first layer of the AI observes the endoscopic video and generates clear verbal instructions like “clip the second duct,” while the second layer translates these directives into precise three-dimensional tool movements.

In total, the gallbladder procedure involved 17 distinct tasks, of which the robotic system executed 8 with a flawless success rate.

“While current surgical robotics technology has indeed made certain procedures less invasive, the complication rate hasn’t actually decreased compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery performed by humans,” states Axel Krieger from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “This research paves the way for the next generation of robotic systems beneficial to both patients and surgeons.”

“This investigation shines a light on the vast potential of AI and surgical robotics,” adds Danail Stoyanov from University College London. “Remarkable strides in computer vision for surgical footage, alongside accessible robotic platforms for research, will empower us to advance surgical automation.”

Nonetheless, Stoyanov points out that significant challenges remain before the system can be applied in clinical settings.

For instance, although the robot achieved a 100% success rate in completing its tasks, it needed to self-correct six times per procedure. This could involve a gripper that initially missed the artery during its attempt.

“There were numerous instances where self-corrections were necessary, all autonomously executed,” remarks Krieger. “It effectively identifies initial errors and rectifies them.” The robot also requested a human operator to swap one of its surgical instruments for another, indicating that some human intervention was still required.

Ferdinand Rodriguez Y. Baena from Imperial College London emphasizes the promising future of robotic surgery. “The horizon looks bright—and tantalizingly close,” he asserts. “To ensure the safety of human applications, regulatory measures must also evolve.”

The next phase involves enabling the robot to operate autonomously on living animals, where factors like respiration and bleeding could introduce complexities.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Vegan Cheese Could Be Closer to the Real Deal Than Ever Before

Vegan cheese faces challenges against dairy products

Aamulya/Getty Images

If you’re passionate about cheese but concerned about its significant environmental effects, there’s promising news. The key milk proteins used in cheese and yogurt production can be synthesized directly from non-animal sources, beginning with bacteria and utilizing plant-based materials.

“This will considerably lower the carbon footprint,” says Suvasini Balasbramanian from the Institute of Technology Denmark.

While dairy products consist of intricate chemical combinations, the primary component in cheese is casein, a protein that forms micelles, enclosed in calcium structures.

Initially produced in mammary cells, casein undergoes phosphorylation, adding phosphate to its base, which interacts with calcium and is crucial for micelle formation.

Creating casein proteins without genetic alteration in bacteria is straightforward; however, achieving effective phosphorylation has been a challenge. “We have not yet succeeded in adapting cow enzymes for bacteria,” Balasbramanian indicates. “It has been a longstanding challenge among startups and businesses.”

Her team has now successfully produced a specific type of phosphorylated casein using E. coli bacteria and bacterial enzymes. Although this variant has additional phosphates, Balasbramanian believes the phosphorylation process might differ by cow species. “I don’t think it will hinder protein function,” she assures.

Researchers are extending their work to develop cheese and other dairy alternatives from protein sources. As Balasbramanian points out, there’s potential for success; however, other types of casein may also be required. Notably, kappacasein can be modified through sugar addition rather than phosphate.

Currently, they are in the process of producing several kilograms of cheese. Approximately 24 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are associated with traditional production, a stark contrast to under 2 kilograms from most plant-based foods. The vision is to significantly diminish emissions and environmental effects through techniques like precision fermentation or cellular agriculture, addressing both ecological and animal welfare concerns.

The carbon footprint of cellular agriculture varies based on the feedstock for the microorganisms and the energy consumed in production. Balasbramanian mentions that her team is experimenting with ingredients derived from alfalfa grass.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New research suggests WASP-121B may have originally formed much closer to its parent star than previously thought.

Astronomer using Immersed lattice infrared flash device (IGRINS) Gemini South Telescope devices looked at Wasp-121B, one of the most widely studied Ultra Hot Jupiter.

The artist's illustration indicates Wasp-121B, an alien world that has lost magnesium and iron gas from the atmosphere. Image credit: NASA / ESA / J. OLMSTED, STSCI.

WASP-121B, discovered by astronomers using Wasp-South Survece in 2016, is 1.87 times that of Jupiter, 1.18 times large.

The host star, WASP-121 (TYC 7630-352-1) is an active F6 main sequence star about 1.5 times the size of the sun.

The WASP-121 system is about 881 light-years away to the puppy constellation.

WASP-121B is a so-called “hot jupiter” and takes only 1 for three days to get on WASP-121 on track. As it is very close to the parent's star, as it approaches, the gravity of the star begins to tear.

Astronomers estimate that the temperature of the planet is about 2,500 degrees (Hana 4,600 degrees), which is enough to boil some metals.

The new Iglin observation results have revealed something unexpected about the WASP-121B formation history.

With these observations, Peter Smith and his colleagues at the Arizona State University, for the first time, measured the ratio of passenger rocks and ice using a single instrument.

“Gemini South using IGRINS has actually measured individual chemical existence more accurately than even achieving a space -based telescope,” said Smith.

The spectroscopic data indicates that the WASP-121B has a high ratio of rock and ice, and indicates that excessive rocky materials have been accumulated during the formation.

This suggests a planet formed in the area of ​​the protranetary disk that is too hot for the ice to condense.

“Our measurement means that this typical view must be reconsidered and the planetary formation model needs to be revisited,” Smith said.

Astronomers also discovered a remarkable feature of the WASP-121B atmosphere.

“The climate of this planet is extreme, not the earth's climate,” Smith said.

Since the planet daySide is very hot, elements that are generally considered “metal” evaporate in the atmosphere and can be detected by the spectroscopic method.

The strong wind blows these metals into the permanent night side of the planet. There, it is cool enough to condense and rain. This is an effect observed on Wasp-121B in the form of calcium rain.

“The sensitivity of our device can be used to examine the subtle wind speed by examining various areas, altitude, and long terms using these elements, revealing how dynamic this planet is. You can do it, “said Smith.

Survey results Will be displayed in Astronomy Journal

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Peter CB Smith et al。 2025. Roasted marshmallow program with Gemini South Igulin. II. WASP-121 B has a ratio of superstar C/O and impact resistance and volatility. AJ 168, 293; DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/AD8574

Source: www.sci.news

Brain implants for treatment of epilepsy, arthritis, and incontinence: A closer reality than you think | Healthcare

ohRan Knowles, a British teenager with a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, became the first person to try the new brain implant last October, with astonishing results: his daytime seizures reduced by 80 percent.

“The device has had a huge impact on my son's life as he no longer falls and injures himself like he used to,” said his mother, a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (Gosh), who implanted the device. She added that there has been a huge improvement in her son's quality of life as well as his cognitive abilities. He is more alert and outgoing.”

Oran's neurostimulator is implanted under the skull and sends constant electrical signals deep into the brain with the aim of blocking the abnormal impulses that cause seizures. The implant, called Picostim, is about the size of a cell phone battery, is charged through headphones and works differently during the day and at night.

“The device has the ability to record from the brain, to measure brain activity, and we can use that information to think about how to improve the effectiveness of the stimulation that children are receiving,” says Tisdall. “What we'd really like to do is to make this treatment available on the NHS.”

As part of the trial, three children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome will be fitted with the implant in the coming weeks, with a full trial planned for 22 children early next year. If the trial is successful, academic sponsors Ghosh and University College London plan to apply for regulatory approval.

Tim Denison, a professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford and co-founder and chief engineer at Amber Therapeutics, a London-based company that developed the implant in collaboration with the university, hopes that the device will be available on the NHS and around the world within the next four to five years.

The technology is one of a number of neural implants being developed to treat a range of conditions, including brain tumors, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, incontinence and tinnitus. These devices are more sophisticated than traditional implants in that they not only decode the brain's electrical activity but also control it, and this is where Europe is racing against the US to develop life-changing technology.

The latest generation of brain implants can not only detect brain activity but also control it. Photo: UCL

Amber isn't the only company working on brain implants to treat epilepsy. California-based Neuropace has developed a device that responds to abnormal brain activity and has been cleared by US regulators for use by people aged 18 and over. But the battery is not rechargeable and must be surgically replaced after a few years. Other devices are implanted in the chest with wires running to the brain that must be reinserted as the child grows.

When most people think of brain chips, they think of Neuralink, another California-based startup from Elon Musk that just implanted a brain chip in a second patient with a spinal cord injury. The device uses tiny wires thinner than a human hair to capture signals from the brain and translate them into actions.

The first recipient, Noland Arbaugh, was in January and is paralyzed from the neck down. Some of the wires had shifted and the implant needed to be adjusted. The implant allows Arbaugh to control a mouse cursor on a computer screen with his mind, as if he were watching a movie. Star Wars A Jedi who “uses the Force.”

Other US companies, such as Syncron, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, have also recently implanted brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in people who cannot move or speak.

But scientists say these implants simply decode electrical signals. In contrast, a number of companies in the U.S., Britain and Europe, like Amber, are working on so-called “BCI therapy,” or modulating signals in deep brain stimulation to treat disease. Amber's implants are also being used in academic trials for Parkinson's disease, chronic pain and multiple system atrophy, a condition that gradually damages nerve cells in the brain. The company is also sponsoring an early trial in Belgium to treat incontinence, with promising results.

Professor Martin Tisdall led the team that gave Oran Noorsson, who suffers from severe epilepsy, the implant last October. Photo: UCL

A different kind of technology will be tested in humans in clinical trials starting in a few weeks, using the first brain implant made from graphene, a “miracle material” discovered 20 years ago at the University of Manchester.

Medical teams at Salford Royal Infirmary will implant a device with 64 graphene electrodes into the brains of patients with glioblastoma, a fast-growing form of brain cancer. The device will stimulate and read neural activity with high precision, to spare other parts of the brain while removing the cancer. The implant will be removed after surgery.

“We use this interface to map out where the glioblastoma is and then remove it. [cut it out] “Without affecting areas of function such as language or cognition,” says Carolina Aguilar, co-founder and CEO of InBrain Neuroelectronics, the Barcelona-based company that developed the implant in collaboration with the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and the University of Manchester.

Traditionally, platinum and iridium have been used in implants, but graphene, made from carbon, is ultra-thin, harmless to human tissue, and can be decoded and modulated very selectively.

InBrain plans to conduct clinical trials of similar artificial intelligence-powered implants in people with speech disorders caused by Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and stroke.

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Professor Costas Kostarellos, head of nanomedicine at the University of Manchester, co-founder of InBrain and principal investigator on the glioblastoma trial, says the company's goal is to “develop more intelligent implantable systems”.

Equipped with AI, the device, with 1,024 electrical contacts, “will help provide optimal treatment for each patient without the neurologist having to program all those contacts individually, as they do today,” he says.

InBrain has partnered with German pharmaceutical company Merck to use its graphene device to stimulate the vagus nerve, which controls many bodily functions including digestion, heart rate and breathing, to treat severe chronic inflammatory, metabolic and endocrine diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Galvani Bioelectronics, founded in 2016 by the UK's second-largest pharmaceutical company GSK and Alphabet's Verily Life Sciences, has a pioneering treatment that treats rheumatoid arthritis by stimulating the splenic nerve. Galvani has begun clinical trials with patients in the UK, US and the Netherlands, with first results expected within the next 6-12 months.

Bioelectronics, which combines biological sciences and electrical engineering, is a market worth $8.7 billion today and is predicted to reach more than $20 billion (£15 billion) by 2031. According to Verified Market Research:The field focuses on the peripheral nervous system, which transmits signals from the brain to organs and from organs to the brain. When brain-focused neuromodulation and BCIs are added, Aguilar believes the overall market could be worth more than $25 billion.

While U.S. neuromodulation companies are making waves with devices targeting chronic pain and sleep apnea, a growing number of European startups are also working on the technology. MintNeuro, a spinout from Imperial College London, Working on developing next-generation chips The company is developing an implant that can be combined into a smaller implant and has partnered with Amber. With the support of an Innovate UK grant, its first project will be to develop an implant to treat mixed urinary incontinence.

Geneva-based Neurosoft has developed a device that uses a thin metal film attached to stretchy silicon – soft enough to put less pressure on the brain and blood vessels – to target severe tinnitus, which affects 120 million people worldwide.

“Tinnitus begins with ear damage, typically caused by loud noise, but it can also cause changes in the wiring of the brain, making it effectively a neurological disorder,” said Nicholas Batsikouras, the company's chief executive officer.

Founded in 2009 by 13 neurosurgeons, neurologists, engineers and other scientists from the Policlinico Research Center and the University of Milan, Neuronica has developed a rechargeable deep brain neurostimulator that can be used to treat Parkinson's disease. The device provides closed-loop stimulation and adapts moment-to-moment to the patient's condition, and is currently being tested on patients.

“Europe and the UK can compete head-to-head with the US when it comes to getting treatments onto the NHS and distributing them around the world,” Denison said. “It's a fair competition and we're going to give it our all.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Impact of Alcohol on Biological Age: A Closer Look

It is widely known that excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to health, a fact that has been established by scientific research over many years.

Despite this, there is still much to learn about the effects of alcohol on the body and whether consuming small amounts of certain types of alcohol may have potential benefits.

New research is shedding light on how alcohol impacts the body and accelerates the aging process, particularly at a cellular level that determines biological age.

Unlike chronological age, which simply counts the number of years someone has lived, biological age assesses cellular function and disease risk. Two key indicators of biological age, telomere length, and epigenetic age, provide evidence of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on the body.


Drinking alcohol increases the risk of DNA damage

Telomeres are essential components of our genetic structure, protecting chromosomes from damage during cell replication. Over time, telomeres naturally shorten as cells divide. Shortened telomeres are associated with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease.

Research conducted by Anya Topiwala and her team at Oxford University in 2022 found that excessive alcohol consumption leads to a reduction in telomere length, accelerating the biological aging process.

Observational studies have shown that consuming 29 or more units of alcohol per week can result in a 1-2 year change in telomere length compared to drinking less than six units per week. Individuals with alcohol use disorders were found to have even shorter telomeres.

The exact mechanism by which alcohol shortens telomeres is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.

Certain types of alcohol are bad for you

Epigenetic age, which assesses DNA methylation linked to aging using multiple biomarkers, indicates the impact of lifestyle choices on biological age. Studies have shown that cumulative alcohol exposure increases biological age, with liquor drinkers being at a higher risk of premature aging compared to beer or wine drinkers.

Further research is being conducted to better understand the connection between alcohol consumption and biological aging, as the specific reasons behind these effects are not fully clear.

Can biological age be reversed?

While biological aging is theoretically reversible, the practical methods to achieve this reversal are not yet established. Scientists believe that by addressing environmental factors and lifestyle choices that impact DNA function, it may be possible to slow down the aging process.

Quitting or reducing alcohol consumption has been shown to slow down biological aging. Both studies emphasize that moderate drinking does not have any protective effects and that increased alcohol consumption accelerates the aging process.

About our experts

Anya Topiwala: A psychiatrist at Oxford University, Topiwala’s research focuses on the impact of alcohol consumption on brain health using large datasets and advanced imaging techniques.

Hou Li-Fan: A Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, Dr. Hou’s research integrates epidemiological methods with molecular technologies to identify molecular markers and understand their role in disease prevention.


Source: www.sciencefocus.com

We are closer than ever to proving the existence of the multiverse.

Shutterstock/Dr. Norbert Lange

We think of this universe as containing everything that exists, has existed in the past, and will exist in the future, but that may not be the case – there are many ways in which other universes exist.

One is that we may be part of a branch of an infinite number of universes collectively known as the multiverse. These universes could have emerged shortly after the Big Bang, could be hiding in extra dimensions, or could suddenly appear whenever quantum properties shift from different states into a single reality.

The idea of a multiverse rose to scientific prominence in the 1980s with the invention of inflation, a period when the early universe suddenly expanded. Inflation explains why the universe is so flat and smooth, but it also predicts the creation of many independent bubble universes.

Cyclic Universe

But inflation is only one path to a multiverse, and critics say it has some merit. In recent years, many cosmologists have turned to alternative theories, such as cyclical universe theory, which claims that the universe is expanding and compressing endlessly. These theories still claim multiple universes, but at different times.

“What I don’t like about inflation is that there is very little true prediction. You never get back more than you put in.” Neil Tulloch Physicist at the University of Edinburgh in the UK. Model of a cyclical universe In my 2001 book Inflation Rivals, I argued that there must be a better explanation for inflation.

In a cyclical universe…

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Effects of Nuclear Fallout on Life: A Closer Look

When it comes to apocalypse scenarios, nuclear destruction stands out as both fascinating to viewers and alarmingly realistic. From the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima, humanity has witnessed the devastating consequences of our current nuclear power usage.

But what impact does radiation actually have on the environment where it is released? Recent reports of thriving life at Chernobyl present a different perspective on the post-apocalyptic wasteland depicted in many fallout series.

“We live in an increasingly radioactive world,” says biologist Professor Timothy Mousseau, who has studied ecosystems in nuclear disaster sites for 25 years, as reported by BBC Science Focus.

“So, what we learn from places like Chernobyl, Fukushima, and atomic bomb test sites will ultimately have implications for humanity,” Mousseau adds.


The effects of radiation are usually dire

One thing that movies get right is that you definitely don’t want to be involved in a nuclear disaster if you can avoid it.

Mousseau explains that when radioactive events like Chernobyl happen, ionizing radiation is released into the environment, potentially damaging or altering DNA in exposed organisms. These genetic changes can lead to mutations, with some causing no harm, others resulting in severe issues like cancer or juvenile cataracts.

“Between these extremes, there are many mutations with small or partial effects, such as asymmetric individuals or odd growths,” Mousseau elaborates.

The effects of radiation are not limited to animals. Plants also feel the brunt of nuclear disaster impacts, with radioactive materials often being absorbed by the soil. The International Atomic Energy Agency notes that leaves around Chernobyl changed shape post-explosion, and the once green pine forest turned red, eventually being cleared due to the risk of radioactive clouds in case of a fire.

Though the original trees of the Red Forest have been cut down, the area remains highly radioactive. – Image credit: Getty

In conclusion, living in highly radioactive areas is not ideal, as Mousseau points out.

Superpowers are (probably) unlikely

While radiation-induced mutations can have negative impacts, some may also be advantageous. Mousseau mentions that scientists have found certain crops benefiting from mutations, resulting in increased yields and pest resistance. Even coffee trees resistant to fungal diseases have been developed using nuclear mutation breeding methods.

Naturally occurring beneficial mutations can also arise, as seen in Chernobyl’s tree frogs, which developed darker skin to protect against radiation-induced oxidative stress.

Despite the energy released in the Chernobyl disaster, tree frogs adapted with darker skin. – Image credits: German Orizaola and Pablo Burraco

However, Mousseau emphasizes that beneficial mutations are rare, and the chances of gaining any form of superpowers from radiation exposure are slim.

About our experts:

Timothy Mousseau, a professor at the University of South Carolina, has extensive research experience in genetic adaptations to environmental stresses, including radiation effects on organisms in nuclear disaster zones. His work has shed light on the implications for these environments on various species and their evolutionary responses. Mousseau has authored numerous scientific papers related to Chernobyl and Fukushima research.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NASA’s Ongoing Efforts to Save Voyager 1: A Closer Look

Voyager 1 faced a critical issue when it was first discovered in November. NASA acknowledged that while the spacecraft was still in communication with Earth, the signals being received were indecipherable. This led to a concentrated effort over a month to identify and rectify the problem, saving the Voyager 1 mission.

Despite the challenges faced by the team, including the difficulty of troubleshooting a spacecraft over 15 billion miles away in interstellar space, there remained hope and determination to overcome the obstacles.

The main culprit was found to be a hardware failure in one of Voyager 1’s three computers, resulting in corrupted code that hindered the transmission of crucial updates and data. Unfortunately, the chip containing the problematic software was deemed irreparable.

However, a solution was devised by splitting and storing the code in different memory locations of the computer. This allowed for the affected sections to be reprogrammed, ensuring the continued functionality of the system.

Following meticulous verification and testing processes, Voyager 1 gradually resumed its normal operations, as confirmed by NASA’s recent update.

The Voyager missions, launched in 1977, have been instrumental in exploring the outer regions of our solar system. Voyager 1, now in interstellar space, continues to transmit valuable data and may well do so until the 2030s, serving as an enduring reminder of human exploration.

Both Voyager probes carry time capsules containing images and sounds representing Earth and its inhabitants, intended to be discovered by extraterrestrial beings in the distant future.

“Our silent ambassadors,” as Voyager 1 and 2 are affectionately known, will continue their journey for millennia, potentially reaching other stars and civilizations,” remarked Spilker.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists edge closer to creating genuine one-way glass

Scientists from Aalto University have proposed a three-dimensional metamaterial with isotropic effects in the visible spectral range.



The new metamaterial is formed by randomly oriented bimaterial nanocylinders in the host medium. Image credit: Ihar Faniayeu / Aalto University.

Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties. This means scientists can create materials with desirable functionality for industrial applications.

A newly proposed metamaterial takes advantage of nonreciprocal magnetoelectric (NME) effects.

“The NME effect implies a link between specific properties of materials (magnetization and polarization) and various field components of light and other electromagnetic waves,” lead author Shadi Safaei Jaji et al. said.

Although this effect is negligible in natural materials, scientists are looking to enhance it using metamaterials and metasurfaces because of the technological possibilities it unlocks.

“So far, the NME effect has not translated into practical industrial applications,” Jazio said.

“Most of the proposed approaches only work for microwaves, not visible light, and could not be manufactured with available technology.”

“We used conventional materials and nanofabrication techniques to design an optical NME metamaterial that can be created with existing technology.”

This new material enables applications that previously required strong external magnetic fields. For example, creating a truly one-way glass.

“Glass currently sold as 'one-way' is translucent and transmits light in both directions,” says Jayge.

“If the brightness is different on both sides (for example, inside and outside the window), it acts like one-way glass.”

“However, with NME-based unidirectional glass, light can only pass in one direction, so there is no need for differences in brightness.”

“Imagine having that glass in your home, office, and car window.”

“Regardless of the brightness outside, you can't see anything inside and have a perfect view from the window.”

“If the technology is successful, this unidirectional glass could also increase the efficiency of solar cells by blocking the thermal radiation that existing cells emit toward the sun, thereby reducing the amount of energy that the cells capture. It will be done.”

of work It was published in the magazine nature communications.

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S. Safaei Jazz other. 2024. Optical Telegen metamaterial with spontaneous magnetization. Nat Commune 15, 1293; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45225-y

Source: www.sci.news

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

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