Tag Archives: compelling

Frostline Review: Why This Heartfelt Book Makes a Compelling Case for the North Pole

Posted on by
Reply

Caribou herd migration near Anaktubuk, Alaska

Caribou Herd Spring Migration at Anaktubuk Pass, Alaska

KATIE ORLINSKEY

Frostline
Neil Shea, Picador (UK, February 12) Ecco Publishing (US, available now)

The North Pole might seem like a vast, desolate place dominated by walruses and polar bears, but a new perspective emerges in Neil Shea’s compelling book. He highlights the importance of the Arctic as climate change accelerates, arguing that it demands our attention.

In Frostline: A Journey Through the Complexities of Life and Landscapes in the Warming Arctic, journalist Neil Shea gathers insights from twenty years of dedicated reporting for National Geographic. This profound narrative illuminating the North Pole’s realities resonates with readers, even those who have never set foot there.

Shea’s journey begins with breathtaking images from his inaugural trip to the North Pole in 2005, where he camped on the sea ice of Admiralty Bay, Canada. Witnessing a large gathering of narwhals was exhilarating, as the males exhibited their fangs in displays of dominance.

The sight of life converging in a fragile ecosystem inspired Shea’s deep fascination with the Arctic. He adeptly conveys his passion through vivid descriptions and memorable encounters with the wildlife of this remarkable region.

On Ellesmere Island, Shea connects with a pack of white wolves that exhibit no fear of humans, showcasing the intricate relationships within this ecosystem. In Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park, he camps amongst extensive caribou herds, coexisting with brown bears on their seasonal migrations.

“
Melting ice makes the Arctic attractive, as President Trump’s threats against Greenland prove
“

While Shea beautifully depicts the Arctic’s wildlife and landscapes, he also provides a more nuanced understanding of this complex region. The Arctic is not merely a snowy expanse; it consists of eight modern states and is home to 4 million people, including 400,000 Indigenous individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Through his vivid portrayals of the local communities, Shea highlights the unique challenges they face as they battle against climate change, which is impacting the Arctic much more rapidly than other regions on Earth. Some of his Inuit interviewees eagerly share their experiences with the changes they’ve witnessed, while others harbor reservations towards Western inquiries, seeking a more profound respect for their culture.

While reflecting on his time spent camping on frozen lakes, Shea realizes the importance of addressing climate change issues head-on. The implications of warming are becoming increasingly evident, threatening the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystems and exposing them to further risks.

As illustrated by geopolitical tensions, such as President Trump’s threats toward Greenland, melting ice opens new access routes in the Arctic. Shea’s journey culminates on the Norwegian-Russian border, where migrants traverse dangerous icy terrains seeking refuge, reminding readers of the interconnectedness of our world.

Elle Hunt is a writer based in Norwich, UK.

Topics:

This rewritten content is optimized for SEO while retaining the necessary HTML structure and format.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Compelling Evidence Links Epstein-Barr Virus to Lupus Development

Posted on by
Reply

Lupus can cause severe fatigue, rashes, and joint and muscle pain

Shahril Maulana/Alamy

The virus responsible for glandular fever, also referred to as mononucleosis or the kissing disease, has been shown to infect and modify the body’s immune cells, leading to the development of the autoimmune disease lupus in some individuals.

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, arises when the immune system becomes overly active, attacking healthy tissues due to the persistent activity of immune cells known as B cells and T cells. This can result in various symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, rashes, and profound fatigue. The exact cause of lupus remains unclear, though it likely involves a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, including infections and microbiome imbalances.

Among those with lupus—about 90% are women—there tends to be a higher prevalence of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus causing glandular fever. While EBV infects most adults globally and typically remains asymptomatic, lupus impacts roughly 5 million individuals worldwide.

To explore the connection, William Robinson and his team at Stanford University devised a single-cell RNA-seq technology called EBV-seq to identify which B cells (responsible for producing antibodies against pathogens) in lupus patients are infected with EBV and which genes are being expressed by those cells.

In their research, they found that in blood samples from 11 lupus patients, approximately 25 out of every 10,000 sequenced B cells were infected with EBV. Conversely, in 10 asymptomatic individuals, only up to 3 in every 10,000 sequenced B cells were found to carry the virus.

The majority of infected cells were identified as memory B cells, which retain information about previous pathogenic exposures to facilitate a quicker response upon re-exposure.

Robinson and his colleagues demonstrated that these infected memory B cells express genes such as ZEB2 and TBX21, initiating a chain reaction that activates another immune cell type known as helper T cells, subsequently recruiting uninfected B cells. This escalates immune activity in a harmful cycle, eventually beginning to target the body itself.

A significant finding affirming the causal role of EBV in lupus erythematosus was the observation that the virus seems to promote the activation of memory B cells via a protein called EBNA2. ZEB2 and TBX21 activate relevant genes and amplify their activity. “What we discovered essentially reveals how this very common virus, affecting 95% of us, the Epstein-Barr virus, leads to lupus,” says Robinson.

As for why most individuals infected with EBV do not go on to develop lupus, Robinson hypothesizes that some people have a genetic predisposition that causes their B cells to erroneously target healthy cells. “The genetic and environmental contexts of EBV infections predispose individuals to lupus, and these factors combine to provoke the disease,” he asserts.

“EBV may not be implicated in all lupus cases, due to the diverse mechanisms involved in the disease’s development. However, in specific patients, we maintain that EBV serves as a primary cause,” he explains. George Tsokos reports from Harvard Medical School: The virus instigated an abnormal T-cell response, noted in individuals with lupus over 40 years ago.

A strong correlation between EBV and multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disorder, was identified in 2022, and Robinson suggests that these new insights highlight how the virus can trigger such conditions more broadly.

This may also clarify why certain CAR T-cell therapies have yielded promising results in lupus clinical trials. These treatments, which genetically modify a patient’s T cells to target specific antigens, were originally designed for blood cancers that arise when B cells proliferate uncontrollably and are often reduced in number. “These CAR T-cell therapies seem to result in lasting remissions. [lupus] Patients have been able to discontinue all medications, implying that the therapy might potentially even cure some individuals. We believe they may achieve this by removing [B cells] or depleting EBV-infected B cells,” Robinson suggests.

Nonetheless, Tsokos cautions that the efficacy of this therapy for lupus remains uncertain, partly because while B cell levels in the blood of patients treated with CAR T cells appear diminished, these cells can often conceal themselves in the bone marrow, and there is currently no evidence confirming that all of them are being eliminated.

The research also underscores the potential for developing a vaccine to combat the saliva-transmitted Epstein-Barr virus, which may help avert various autoimmune diseases. “Such a vaccine could be pivotal in preventing EBV infections and thereby lupus in the future,” Professor Robinson states, though he notes it would not mitigate symptoms for individuals already infected with EBV, as B cell reprogramming appears to occur shortly after infection.

Tsokos believes the broad adoption of the EBV vaccine will hinge on weighing its costs against benefits and side effects. He notes that preventing a single case of lupus might necessitate vaccinating over 1,000 individuals.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Tim Spector’s Comprehensive and Compelling Fermentation Guide

Posted on by
Reply

Fermented foods like kimchi can support your body and brain

Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

fermentation
Tim Spector (Jonathan Cape (UK); US publication date TBC)

Humans are drawn to fermentation for two primary reasons: preservation and pleasure. Before the advent of refrigeration, fermentation allowed beverages like meads to be stored for months when untreated water could pose dangers. Additionally, milk that would spoil within a day could be transformed into yogurt or cheese, lasting for weeks. This evolution led us to develop a taste for these tangy flavors. The microorganisms responsible for creating these delights not only produced unique drinks but also offered numerous health advantages.

Today, foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are mostly solid. However, Dr. Tim Spector asserts in his upcoming book Fermentation: The Power of Microorganisms to Change Your Life that this trend is not novel; we have evolved to incorporate these items into our diets.

He begins with the fundamentals, explaining that fermentation is essentially the transformation of food by microorganisms. This process is complex, affecting not only the taste and durability of food but also our health. Even inactive microbes can influence our bodies and minds.

Fermentation closely ties to our microbiota. Fermented foods provide substrates for intestinal microorganisms, transforming into nutrients and active compounds like short-chain fatty acids that assist in regulating nutrition and immune responses. These foods bolster the beneficial microbes that uphold the gut’s mucosal barrier and reduce inflammation.

Fermented foods also introduce millions of probiotics to our bodies. Spector notes that a diverse microbiota correlates with better health, supported by numerous studies. He suggests that enhancing this diversity through fermented foods could even influence the efficacy of cancer treatments.

“
Improving gut microbiota diversity may even play a role in how well cancer treatments work
“

The most compelling aspect of Fermentation is its exploration of this “microbial pharmacy,” with preliminary studies indicating that fermented products are tied to improvements in everything from irritable bowel syndrome to anxiety and immune health.

Spector’s own investigations, reflecting trends in nutritional studies, suggest that those who consume fermented products regularly report approximately 14% less severe symptoms compared to individuals taking other supplements.

This book includes fascinating information. For instance, despite attempts to cultivate around 30 distinct microorganisms found in natural kefir grains (ideal for making kefir), laboratories haven’t successfully replicated them.

Throughout Fermentation, it becomes apparent how crucial microorganisms are to our lives, merely scratching the surface of their interactions with us. Access to Spector’s health data often supports further research, although his company’s gut supplements are mentioned, potentially hinting at marketing motivations.

At its best, the book strikes a balance between science, medical anecdotes, and Spector’s personal fermentation journey, offering practical advice. During these moments, the writing appears genuine and accessible, especially when guiding readers on food choices, like opting for kefir made from whole milk grains, which include numerous microorganisms and yeast.

Nevertheless, Fermentation can occasionally feel repetitive, and knowledge sometimes overshadows storytelling. Despite Spector’s caution against overgeneralizing animal studies, the infancy of research in this area means he often relies heavily on his own conclusions. Still, this is a compelling and meticulously researched work. The final chapter is particularly intriguing, and I eagerly anticipate a future rich with understanding individual microorganisms— for instance, how cheese or yogurt might aid in alleviating depression or managing menopause.

Initially hesitant to ferment at home, I was encouraged to embark on my own experiments by around page 40. By the book’s conclusion, I had a jar of kombucha and some sauerkraut stashed away in my pantry.

Helen Thomson is a London-based author

New Scientist Book Club

If you love reading, consider joining a welcoming community of fellow book enthusiasts. Every six weeks, we explore exciting new titles, giving members complimentary access to excerpts, author articles, and video interviews.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

CO2 Chronicles: A Compelling New Book Urging Action on Carbon Dioxide Narratives

Posted on by
Reply

Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images

A Shared Narrative2: It’s Everything
Peter Brunnen (Allen Lane)

Carbon dioxide influences our perceptions. Emissions from power stations, vehicle exhausts, and the burning of natural habitats contribute to our planet’s increasing warmth. These realities are compelling lawmakers and decision-makers to confront climate change earnestly.

CO2, comprised of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, is essential for life on Earth. However, the escalating levels of CO2 are now exacerbating global warming and threatening life itself. This contradiction is a central theme explored by Peter Brannen in A Shared Narrative2: Planetary Experiments, a meticulously researched and persuasive read.

Brunnen, a science journalist known for his previous work on the extinction events of Earth’s history, now tackles a monumental task: elucidating the carbon cycle (CO2) and its implications, a topic often overlooked in educational settings, while revealing the fascinating stories that span our planet’s history.

It’s easy to overlook the periodic table. It’s also simple to disengage readers with mundane discussions about air movement. Yet, Brunnen artfully revitalizes this narrative, emphasizing CO2‘s significance for all living beings. He vividly depicts events from millions of years ago, like the “Snowball Earth,” and the 56 million-year phase when the planet was “held captive by ice,” compelling readers to visualize these extraordinary, yet unimaginable, realities.

We learn in school that wood consists of carbon. However, Brunnen expands on this, discussing elements such as “mushroom psychedelics, pepper spices, and coffee caffeine.” While many authors might stop there, Brunnen elaborates: Carbon exists in “your eyeball, bougainvillea petals… blue whale baleen, fat, and brain… your tub scum, lion’s mane.”

These rhetorical flourishes may risk overwhelming the reader, yet Brunnen delivers a cogent and artful case. The highest praise I can offer this book is that it frequently inspires a childlike awe—a feeling we often take for granted, much like the subjects that permeate our daily lives.

However, this isn’t merely a children’s book. In addition to the planet and its inhabitants, Brunnen draws on historical insights to urge immediate action, advocating for a transition away from fossil fuels.

His analysis draws careful parallels between our current CO2 emissions and those that precipitated the last mass extinction, a theme he reiterates throughout his work, articulating a growing urgency as he approaches his conclusions. “We can’t escape this dilemma,” he asserts. He critiques the notion of carbon capture and storage as merely a stopgap, arguing that it serves only to mitigate our current lifestyle without addressing the root cause. “In summary, we’re in deep trouble,” he writes.

Assuming no actions are taken and trends continue, he warns that companies may only awaken to their environmental impact after it’s too late, likening such reactions to misguided efforts.

This prevailing attitude, he observes, is common in “some climate circles,” and demands correction. “Sticking to the current path will undoubtedly lead to severe climate disaster, and regardless of how successful changes may be, we must explore all options to avoid catastrophe,” he states.

Decision-makers aiming to steer society away from fossil fuels would benefit immensely from engaging with this book.

Chris Stokell Walker is a technology writer based in Newcastle, UK

New Scientist Book Club

Enjoy reading? Join a welcoming community of fellow book enthusiasts. Every six weeks, we explore exciting new titles, offering members exclusive access to excerpts, author articles, and video interviews.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How the World Works: A Compelling Case for Becoming an Engineer

Posted on by
Reply

Microfluids enable chips such as this to simulate biological organs

Wladimir Bulgar/Science Photo Library

How the World Flows

(Oxford University Press, by Albert Folch, now available)

What do rainbows, inkjet printers, human skin, pregnancy tests, and fish gills have in common?

To explore this, you must delve into what Albert Folch, a bioengineering professor at the University of Washington, terms the “liliptian fluid world.” Here, we encounter the fascinating realm of microfluidics, which manages liquids at a miniature scale—from tiny veins in the human body to microchannels etched into lab chips.

Folch’s new book, How the World Flows: Microfluids from Raindrops to COVID Tests, is an astonishing journey through the numerous ways microfluidics influence our world. He credits his neurobiologist wife in the acknowledgments for encouraging him to write about not just microfluidic chips, which have become crucial in chemistry, biology, and medical research, but also about the “device” of microfluidics found in nature.

This allows the book to paint broader pictures, examining both current technologies and historical examples, from handheld DNA sequencing devices to how the tallest trees draw nutrients from the soil. Folch also explains phenomena like capillarity in paper—enabling writing—and discusses the fundamental mechanics of a candle and the workings of an automobile engine.

Each of the 18 chapters is brief and introductory, starting with a personal story about a historical figure, such as inventors, athletes, and chefs, making the material more relatable.

Physics concepts in How the World Flows, like viscosity, surface tension, and gravity, are presented without complex equations but instead through straightforward explanations rooted in real-world contexts.

At times, I’ve yearned for deeper detail regarding the devices and processes Folch discusses. Additionally, the coverage of recent innovations, including chip-sized devices that replicate entire organs, feels somewhat limited compared to the wealth of historical context.

Nevertheless, as I read, I felt I was absorbing a wealth of knowledge about everyday phenomena. Microfluids have become essential in understanding our bipedalism due to sweat, why lakes don’t drain into the Earth, and how all vertebrates can perceive each other’s calls. There’s even a section on the complex engineering found in a mosquito’s proboscis!

Folch’s writing exudes enthusiasm and warmth, though he occasionally slips into the realm of popular science writing that can obscure the overall tone of the book. For instance, many scientific contributions are intertwined with childhood anecdotes, which can shift from relatable to hagiography.

I also found it remarkable that a book could make microfluidics accessible to those without rigorous educational backgrounds.

Despite this, the strength of How the World Flows lies in its diverse cast of characters and its emphasis on the significance of microfluidics in shaping our world.

Above all, this book has the potential to inspire young readers to consider a future in engineering. It also serves as a reminder of the intricate complexity and wonder of any object under a microscope, fueling our curiosity.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Detect Compelling Evidence of Supermassive Black Holes in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Posted on by
Reply

The mass of the ultra-large black hole in the heart of the large Magellan cloud, a small milky satellite galaxy, is approximately 600,000 solar mass.

Impressions of the Hyper Belt Lattist artist ejected from the large Magellan cloud (shown on the right). If the binary star system gets too close to an ultra-large number of black holes, intense gravity will tear the pair apart. One star is captured in tight orbits around a black hole, while the other is thrown outward at extreme speeds – often exceeding thousands of kilometers per second, making it a high-speed star. The inset diagram illustrates this process. The orbital path of the original binary is displayed as an interwoven line, one star is captured by a black hole (near the center of the inset), and the other is ejected into space (bottom right). Image credit: CFA/Melissa Weiss.

“Our Milky Way galaxy halo includes a few stars running faster than local escape speeds in orbit that carry them into intergalactic space,” said Dr. Jesse Han, Ph.D. of the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Colleagues.

“One mechanism for generating such ultrafast stars is the Hills mechanism. When a close binary star wanders near an ultrahigh Massive black hole, one star can be captured, while the other is ejected at a rate that reaches more than a second.”

In their new study, astronomers followed the path with ultrafine accuracy of 21 superfast stars in halos outside the Milky Way.

They confidently categorized these stars, finding that seven of them coincided with those born out of the center of the Milky Way.

However, the other nine stars coincided with those born from the centre of the large Magellan cloud, about 160,000 light years away from us.

“Cosmologically speaking, it's amazing to notice another super-large black hole just below the block,” Dr. Han said.

“Black holes are so stealthy that this has been under our noses this time.”

Researchers discovered a large Magellanic Cloud black hole using data from ESA's Gaia Mission.

They also used improved understanding of the orbital of the d-star galaxies around the Milky Way, which was recently obtained by other astronomers.

“We knew these superfast stars had been around for a while, but Gaia provided us with the data we needed to figure out where they actually came from,” says Dr. Kareem El-Badry, an astronomer at Caltech.

“Combining these data with a new theoretical model of how these stars move, we made this incredible discovery.”

“The only explanation we can come up with for these data is the presence of a monster black hole in the next Galaxy,” said Dr. Scott Lucchini, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

a paper Reporting this finding is published in Astrophysical Journal.

____

Ji Won Jesse Han et al. 2025. Hyper Belt Lattist tracks ultra-high Massive black holes in the large Magellan clouds. APJin press; Arxiv: 2502.00102

Source: www.sci.news

Evidence of Alien Life on Mars: Ancient Beach Discoveries Remain Compelling

Posted on by
Reply

New research suggests that Mars once was the perfect holiday destination (if they were willing to overlook radiation exposure or lack of food sources), but also had the right conditions for alien life. why? The discovery of ancient sandy beaches on the red planet suggests that once a large liquid ocean spread across the north of the planet.

The research team behind the research from China and the US is This ancient coastline is the clearest evidence yet The Red Planet was previously habitable.

“Looking back at the places where the earliest life on Earth developed, it was in the interaction between the ocean and the land, which paints a picture of an ancient habitable environment that can embrace the conditions for microbial life,” he said. Benjamin Cardenasassistant professor of geology at Penn State University in the United States and co-author of the study.

Four billion years ago, these beaches would have been the best variety. The waves are softly wrapped sandy and immersed in the sun.

“We found evidence of a lack of wind, waves and sand. It’s a proper vacation style beach,” says Cardenas, whose research was published. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (pnas).

To find this, researchers used a probe up to 80m (260 feet) below the Mars surface in a region of North Mars called the Utopian Plain, using radar imaging, using a probe up to 80m (260 feet) below the Mars surface.

We discovered 76 hidden structures at depths of 10-35m (33-115ft). Sadly, this turned out to be not a mysterious alien infrastructure (we can dream of it), but rather a sedimentary deposit similar to what is found around the Earth’s coastline.

3.6 billion years ago, the ocean may have covered almost half of the red planet. The Orange Star shows where China’s Roberzouron began its exploration. Meanwhile, the Yellow Star is where NASA’s patient rover landed. Both arrived on Mars in 2021. -Image credit: Robert Citron

The structure, thickness and length of Martian sediments showed that they were not formed by the melting of rivers, winds, lava or ice, but rather by stable ancient seas. In fact, they were roughly the same as 21 people on Earth, including the Bay of Bengal.

Specifically, a formation called “foreshore sediments” is formed by the tide and wind that descends the slope towards the ocean at a 15° angle and carries sediments like sand and gravel.

“This quickly stood out to us because it suggested there were waves, meaning there was a dynamic interface between air and water,” Cardenas said. This interaction, which also took place in the early history of the Earth, is important for the beginning of life.

The discovery suggests that Mars had a warm, humid climate for tens of millions of years.

“We tend to think of Mars as a static snapshot of the planet, but it was evolving. The rivers were flowing, the sediment was moving, the land was built and eroding,” Cardenas said.

“This type of sedimentary geology tells us how the landscape looks, how they evolved, and, importantly, helps us identify where we want to look for our past life.”

read more:

  • The strange “squeak” in space is baffling scientists
  • We finally know how life on Earth began, the incredible new asteroid discovery suggests
  • Here’s how aliens actually get in touch with humanity

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Craft a compelling startup name that leaves a lasting impact, sparks reflection, and intimidates your rivals.

Posted on by
Reply
david placek is the president and founder of lexicon branding. In developing category-changing names such as Sonos, Pentium, OnStar, Swiffer, Febreze, and BlackBerry, Lexicon is one of the world’s most influential brand agencies with more than 3,700 naming assignments in 22 countries. became.

while slowing down With the venture capital (VC) market in decline and funding for disruptive startups likely to decline, companies looking to attract capital need a strong brand now more than ever. A strong brand starts with its name. Nothing is used more often or for longer. Moreover, it’s the one thing your competitors can’t take away from you.

A brand name is the basis for an immediate impact on consumers and investors. In today’s digital and global economy, it can mean the difference between a brand being instantly remembered or completely forgotten.

A brand name is more than just a label or a clever description. They serve as powerful marketing tools for creating or changing consumer perceptions and as the first step in building entirely new markets.

Start-ups in particular need a name that indicates that the company and its products are about the future, not the past. You need a company name that creates a brand image, resonates with your target market, and supports your business plan.

A startup needs a name that indicates that the company and its products are about the future, not the past.

A brand name is usually the first thing a potential customer sees or hears about your software or other digital intangible product. In a brand new industry that is just emerging, brands need a distinct, breakthrough name to garner attention and generate early market share.

When we partner with a startup to develop a new name, we use an internal checklist to ask if our recommendations pass the test. Here are his five questions we ask ourselves to ensure the name we create for our startup is memorable, distinctive, and stands out from the crowd.

Was the name an original idea?

Don’t be fooled by the adage that a great brand name tells your story. It is impossible to do that with just one word. Instead, your brand name is the foundation on which your brand story is built. Do you want to build on a rock or sand foundation?

Source: techcrunch.com