Meet Holly, a dedicated staff writer at BBC Science Focus, where she expertly manages the engaging Q&A section. With an MSc (Special Award) in Earth Sciences (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, Holly specializes in Astronomy and Earth Sciences. Before her journey with Our Media, she gained valuable experience as a geo-environmental consultant and engineer, passionately exploring exoplanets in her free time while advising on ground risk and remediation projects in Northern England.
With nearly a decade of experience as a regional editor for a popular theater website, Holly excels in curating and developing digital content. She is also a talented artist and illustrator, regularly contributing to the craft website Gathered. Her impressive portfolio includes collaborations with notable organizations such as RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot, and Brother, in addition to her work with BBC Good Food Magazine, Home Style Magazine, and Papercraft Inspiration Magazine.
Holly’s interests extend to photography and a fascination with antiques, showcasing her diverse artistic talents and love for culture.
Researchers have uncovered the most ancient and well-preserved fossils of Pachycephalosaur, a category of dinosaurs distinguished by their domed skulls in Mongolia. A new study was released in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
The fossils, estimated to be between 108 and 105 million years old, belong to a juvenile of an unidentified species, referred to by scientists as Zavasepharelinpoche.
This discovery took place in the Klen Duk Formation in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, located between China and Russia, and was led by paleontologist Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
There is limited knowledge about these two-legged herbivores from the Cretaceous period, particularly in North America, but they are considered one of the “most enigmatic” dinosaur groups, according to the study. Their unique bone structures and representations in media like Jurassic Park have made them quite popular.
Previous finds of Pachycephalosaur fossils were largely restricted to skulls.
“You could fit all Pachycephalosaurus [fossils] known worldwide into two bathtubs, more or less. There are very few fossil examples,” remarked Michael Pittman, a paleontologist at China University in Hong Kong, in an interview with NBC News.
Fossilized skull of a dome-headed dinosaur from the Cretaceous period. Alessandro Chiarenza / Via Reuters
The Mongolian discoveries are considered “most skeletally complete,” providing greater insight into the anatomy of Pachycephalosaurus than previously available.
The individuals identified as Zavasephale were at least two years old and measured approximately three feet in length. More than half of its skeleton has been recovered, featuring long legs, short arms, small hands, and gastroliths, or stones ingested to aid in digesting vegetation.
Though these animals were not fully grown, their skeletons showed already thickened bones above the skull.
The integrity of the fossils “will be a key specimen for understanding how the cranial dome of Pachycephalosaurus evolved,” said Chinzorig, based on insights from the National Museum of History in London.
Scientists have proposed that Pachycephalosaurus may have engaged in head-butting behavior or used their domes to attract mates, though the precise function of the dome is still undetermined.
These fossils are approximately 15 million years older than previously found Pachycephalosaurus specimens, enhancing our understanding of dinosaur evolution.
“This is the oldest variety we’ve encountered, thus providing insight into what earlier species looked like and how they evolved over time,” stated Pittman. “The discovery of earlier specimens indicates that they have possessed this dome for quite a while.”
Zavasephale was smaller than later species of Pachycephalosaurs, growing to an estimated length of about 14 feet.
A spokesman for Greene stated that lawmakers have been “discussing this matter for quite some time” and asserted that the bill is unrelated to the floods in Texas.
In a follow-up email, Greene communicated with Zeldin and expressed encouragement over his actions.
“This is an uncontrolled experiment conducted in the atmosphere without consent. It’s reckless, dangerous, and must be halted,” she stated in an email.
Burchett’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment.
Following Milton and Helen, NOAA issued a factsheet in October 2024, aiming to debunk “weather modification claims” that emerged after two storms impacted Florida and North Carolina. The agency declared it would not “fund or engage in cloud seeding or any weather modification projects.”
Zeldin’s reference to more fringe theories regarding extreme weather coincides with the Trump administration’s reduction in climate change research funding and the removal of a website hosting the government’s climate assessment. President Donald Trump referred to climate change as a hoax, despite scientists uncovering stronger evidence linking the intensity and frequency of extreme weather to global warming.
Decades of research on weather modification have often fueled conspiracy theories.
From 1962 to 1982, NOAA participated in a project called Storm Fury, which aimed to investigate whether hurricane intensity could be altered. This study did not achieve its goals and was ultimately discontinued. NOAA has not undertaken similar research since. According to the factsheet.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technology currently utilized. This practice has existed since the 1950s and typically involves dispersing silver iodide into clouds to extract moisture from the atmosphere, resulting in additional precipitation. Presently, cloud seeding programs are mainly focused on enhancing water supplies in western states. Companies are required to notify authorities before implementing such measures.
“Cloud seeding doesn’t generate water; it aids surrounding clouds in releasing 5-15% of their moisture. However, Texas was already experiencing 100% humidity, extreme moisture, and storms. The clouds didn’t require assistance,” Cappucci stated.
The proliferation of these claims coincides with escalating threats directed at meteorologists.
Geoengineering is a legitimate scientific field; however, assertions regarding its capability to control significant weather patterns and generate adverse weather are unfounded. Most geoengineering techniques remain theoretical and untested, with federal researchers making only tentative steps to evaluate their viability. Atmospheric scientists report no evidence of any large-scale programs.
Last year, in Alameda, California, a small test project in geoengineering, referred to as Marine Cloud Brightening, was disrupted by community protestors, despite researchers demonstrating its safety.
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert described how conspiracy theories tend to surge, particularly during moments of weather events that leave individuals feeling powerless.
“Conspiracy theories offer emotionally gratifying narratives. They restore a sense of control by framing phenomena as intentional actions by powerful entities rather than unpredictable chaotic events,” Alpert told NBC News. “In this context, believing ‘someone is doing this to us’ is more bearable than facing the idea that ‘no one is in charge.'”
While some interpret the EPA’s actions as a sign of transparency, others view it merely as a recent political maneuver to sidestep critical environmental issues.
“Some individuals question whether the bird is real or not. Will that become your next focus?” Congressman Don Beyer D-Va remarked in response to Zeldin’s comments on Thursday morning. He went on to comment on X regarding the EPA guidelines, “How much taxpayer money will be expended on this?”
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.
Donald Trump announced plans to begin discussions with China regarding the TikTok deal on either Monday or Tuesday.
The US President indicated that the US has “mostly” finalized a deal to sell the TikTok short-video application.
“I think we’ll start on Monday or Tuesday… I may talk to President Xi or one of his representatives, but we’re mostly set with the deal,” Trump shared with reporters on Air Force One last Friday.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of visiting Xi Jinping in China, or that Chinese officials might come to the US.
Last month, both leaders exchanged invitations to visit each other’s countries.
Last month, Trump extended the deadline for the China-based ordinance to September 17th, concerning the sale of TikTok’s US assets, which is a popular social media platform with 170 million users in the United States.
Earlier this spring, there was a deal in motion to create a new US-based company for TikTok, predominantly owned by American investors, but it was stalled after China indicated disapproval, coinciding with the announcement of high tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump stated on Friday that the US needs to secure a transaction that has likely been authorized by China.
When asked about his confidence in Beijing’s willingness to finalize the deal, he responded: “I’m not confident, but I think so. President Xi and I have a good relationship. I believe that benefits them.”
Trump’s June extension marks his third executive order aimed at delaying the ban or sale of TikTok, providing an additional 90 days to identify potential buyers or risk the app being banned in the US.
His first executive order, which granted TikTok a temporary respite, was issued on his first day in office, just three days after the Supreme Court upheld the ban. He issued a second executive order in April, with deadlines for sale or ban initially set for June 19th. TikTok will now be available until September.
In a statement released on the same day, TikTok expressed gratitude towards Trump and J.D. Vance, saying, “We appreciate President Trump’s leadership,” and noted that TikTok seeks to reach an agreement to “continue collaborating with Vice President Vance’s office.”
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Trump of sidestepping the law in an effort to enforce it.
A global consortium of researchers has successfully sequenced the complete genome of adult male Egyptians from over four millennia ago, predating the unification of Egypt and enriching our understanding of the early dynastic period and prior kingdoms.
The Nevamun hunt in the swamp with his wife and daughter is part of a mural from Chapelle, the tomb of Nevamun in the New Kingdom, in 1350 BC. Image credit: Werner Forman Archive/Bridgeman Images.
Dr. Pontus Skoglund from the Francis Crick Institute stated:
“While Ancient Egypt offers a rich tapestry of history and archaeology, the challenges of DNA preservation have rendered the genomic records of early Egyptian ancestors largely unparalleled.”
“Recent advances in genetic technology have enabled us to transcend these barriers and mitigate DNA contamination, giving us the first genetic insights into potential migrations of Egyptian populations during this era.”
In this research, scientists obtained and sequenced DNA from individual teeth belonging to Nuway rats from a village located 265 km south of Cairo.
Through analysis of the genetic code, they discovered that a significant portion of the individual’s ancestry traced back to ancient populations in North Africa.
The remaining 20% of ancestry linked to ancient peoples from the fertile crescent, particularly from a region known as Mesopotamia (roughly corresponding to modern Iraq).
These findings provide genetic proof that populations migrated to Egypt, intermingling with the local populace—previously revealed only through archaeological artifacts.
However, researchers caution that additional genomic sequences are required to fully comprehend the variations among Egyptian ancestors during this period.
By examining the chemical markers found in teeth related to diet and environmental factors, they concluded that these individuals likely grew up in Egypt.
They also analyzed skeletal remains to estimate age, gender, height, and gather insights into their ancestry and way of life.
These markers indicated that the skeleton exhibited muscle markings suggestive of prolonged occupations, such as pottery or other trades requiring similar movements.
“By piecing together the evidence from this individual’s DNA, bones, and teeth, we were able to construct a detailed portrait,” remarked Dr. Adeline Mores Jacobs from Liverpool John Moores University.
“We anticipate that future DNA samples from ancient Egypt will enhance our understanding of this migration from West Asia.”
“This individual’s life story is remarkable,” noted Dr. Linus Girdland Flink, co-author from Liverpool John Moores University.
“He lived and died during a pivotal moment in ancient Egypt, with his skeleton excavated in 1902 and subsequently donated to the World Museum in Liverpool.”
“We are beginning to uncover this individual’s story, revealing ancestral connections to the fertile crescent and illustrating the intermingling of diverse groups during this time.”
“The skeletal markings provide significant clues about his personal life and lifestyle. His pelvic bones are enlarged, showing extensive activity, and his arms exhibit signs of repetitive motion, while his right foot displays notable arthritis.”
“These findings suggest a connection to ceramics, possibly involving the use of ceramic wheels in ancient Egypt.”
“Nonetheless, the elevated burial status associated with his remains is not typically expected for potters, indicating he may have achieved a higher social standing.”
Paleontologists discovered dinosaur skull fragments within the Upper Jurassic Villard Alzobispo layer in Teruel, Spain, and confidently identified them as belonging to the species Centegosaurus dacentrurus armatus.
Skull of dacentrurus armatus from the Villard Alzobispo Formation in Teruel, Spain. Image credit: S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos, doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e146618.
The name Stegosauria was first introduced in 1877, with the initial reference to dacentrurus armatus occurring two years later.
Stegosauria constitutes a small clade of theropod dinosaurs, featuring iconic and recognizable representatives such as the genus Stegosaurus.
These dinosaurs were characterized by two rows of bony skin (plates and spines), extending principally from the neck to the tail’s edge.
Stegosaur fossils date from the Middle Jurassic through the Late Cretaceous, and they are generally represented by a limited number of partial skeletons worldwide.
Skull remains of stegosaurs are often fragmentary and infrequently found in the fossil record.
Nearly half of today’s scientifically recognized stegosaur species lack preserved skull material.
A recent study by Fundación Dinópolis paleontologists Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa and Alberto Cobos focused on the skull of dacentrurus armatus, a type of stegosaurus that roamed Europe approximately 150 million years ago.
Life reconstruction of dacentrurus armatus. Image credit: Sci.News.
“A comprehensive study of this extraordinary fossil has revealed anatomical features previously unknown in dacentrurus armatus, a typical European stegosaurus,” noted Dr. Sanchez Fenollosa.
“Dinosaur skulls are seldom preserved due to their extreme fragility.”
“This discovery is crucial for understanding the evolution of stegosaur skulls.”
Additionally, alongside detailed anatomical studies, we proposed a new hypothesis that redefines evolutionary relationships among stegosaurs worldwide.”
“This research has established a new grouping termed Neostegosauria.”
According to the team, Neostegosauria includes moderate to large stegosaur species that existed in Africa and Europe during the Middle to Late Jurassic, as well as Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous Asia.
“This dual outcome represents both a remarkable fossil study and the proposal of new evolutionary theories, positioning our work as a key reference in stegosaur research,” remarked Dr. Cobos.
“The fossil site at Riodeva remains a subject of ongoing research and holds many related fossils, including additional postcranial elements from the same adult specimen, particularly rare combinations of this dinosaur type.”
“These findings are significantly enhancing the paleontological heritage of Teruel, making it a central region for understanding life’s evolution on Earth.”
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology on May 26, 2025.
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S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos. 2025. New insights into the phylogeny and skull evolution of the stegosaur dinosaur: an extraordinary skull from the late Jurassic (Dinosaur: Stegosauria) in Europe. Vertebrate Zoology 75:165-189; doi:10.3897/vz.75.e146618
A significant breakthrough has been made in the field of cultured meat, with scientists successfully growing nugget-sized chicken using a new method that enables the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to artificial tissues.
In the past, lab-produced tissues were limited to cell spheres less than a millimeter thick, making it challenging to replicate the texture of real muscle. However, a team of Japanese researchers has now managed to grow a chicken measuring 2.7 inches wide and 0.7 inches thick using a new lab tool, marking a major step forward in this technology. Biotechnology trends.
The development of bioreactors that mimic the circulation system has played a crucial role in this breakthrough, with 50 hollow fibers distributing nutrients and oxygen into the meat to allow cells to grow in a specific direction.
This lab-grown chicken, although not made from food-grade ingredients and not yet tasted by scientists, showcases the potential of this technology for various applications beyond food production.
As the technology advances, challenges such as replicating the texture and flavor of traditional meat and improving oxygen delivery for larger pieces still need to be addressed. Automation of the process and the use of food-grade ingredients are crucial steps towards making lab-grown meat commercially viable.
Consumer attitudes towards cultured meat vary, with some expressing concerns about its safety and perceived unnaturalness. Despite these challenges, cultured meat is already available in some markets and holds promise for a more sustainable future.
The future of cultured meat holds potential for significant advancements in food production, regenerative medicine, drug testing, and biohybrid robotics, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.
Einstein rings (also known as Einstein – Chuworson rings or Chuworson rings) pass through very large masses such as galaxy clusters and giant galaxies as light from distant objects, such as galaxies.
Close-up of Einstein rings around NGC 6505. Image credits: ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA/J.-C. Cuillandre / G. Anselmi / T. Li.
This is the first powerful gravitational lens discovered in Euclidean, and the first powerful lens in the NGC object of investigation.
In the Galaxy-Galaxy's strong gravitational lens, light from the distant source galaxy is distorted and enlarged by the gravitational field of the foreground lens galaxy, forming multiple images of the source galaxy.
When the source is resolved, that is, not like a point, but close to the projection center of the lens of the source plane, a so-called Einstein ring is formed.
Both Einstein rings and lensed sources have enormous scientific value and are used in a variety of applications.
“The Einstein ring is an example of a strong gravity lens,” says Dr. Conor O'Riordan, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics.
“All powerful lenses are special because they are very rare and very scientifically useful.”
“This is especially special because it's very close to the Earth and makes the alignment very beautiful.”
The ring of light surrounding the NGC 6505, captured by ESA's Euclidean telescope, is a stunning example of the Einstein ring. Image credits: ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA/J.-C. Cuillandre / G. Anselmi / T. Li.
Not only are you on the ESA's Euclidean spacecraft using deep imaging data from visible cameras (VIS) and near-infrared spectrometers and photometers (NISP) equipment, but also Keck Cosmic Web Imager (kcwi) At the Wm Keck Observatory, astronomers discovered Einstein rings around the center NGC 6505An oval galaxy about 590 million light years from Earth.
The ring around the foreground NGC 6505 is made up of light from even brighter galaxies.
The galaxy in the background is 4.42 billion light years away, and the light is distorted by the force of gravity on its way towards us.
“I think it's very interesting to see this ring within the famous galaxy, first discovered in 1884,” says Dr. Valeria Pettorino, scientist of the ESA Euclid project.
“The galaxy has been known to astronomers for a very long time. Still, this ring has not been observed before.”
“This shows how powerful Euclidean is and we're finding new things in places we thought we knew well.”
“This discovery is extremely encouraging and demonstrates its incredible capabilities for the future of the Euclidean Mission.”
The discovery of the Einstein ring on the NGC 6505 is paper Published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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CM Orioludan et al. 2025. Euclid: Complete Einstein Ring for NGC 6505. A&A 694, A145; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202453014
A research team led by scientists at the John Innes Center sequenced and annotated the chromosome-scale genome assembly. Grass peas (Latilus sativus)is a promising legume crop that is tolerant to a wide range of stress factors and has potential for climate resilient agriculture.
Grass peas (Latilus sativus). Image credit: William Curtis / The Botanical Magazine.
Grass peas are legume crops valued for their resilience in the face of environmental stresses such as drought, flooding, and salinity.
This crop has been cultivated for at least 8,000 years. widely distributed It is cultivated in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but most current cultivation occurs in southern Asia and the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Widespread cultivation of peas has been hampered by toxins in the seeds and shoots. The toxin can cause a disease called neurolatyrism, which causes irreversible paralysis in malnourished people.
Another major barrier to improved crop breeding has been the lack of genomic references for the crop.
The availability of new genome sequences means researchers can use gene editing and modern breeding methods to develop grass pea varieties with improved agronomic properties and low or no toxin content. means.
This means that grass peas may be poised to make an important contribution to a more diverse and climate-resilient food system in the future.
“We hope to establish this new genome sequence as a reference genome for grass pea communities, and we are pleased to share this valuable resource for other scientists to use and learn about grass pea.” says researcher Dr. Peter Emrich. Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development and the John Innes Centre.
“As climate shocks increase, this genome allows us to unlock the secrets of grass pea's resilience, further improve this crop for farmers, and inform the development of other crops such as pea. ”
The sugar bean genome sequence, which is nearly twice the size of the human genome, was assembled from scratch and is an improvement on an earlier draft assembly of the active sugar bean line LS007.
Dr Ann Edwards, a researcher at the John Innes Center, said: “As we prepare for a future with even more climate change, we will need crops that can cope with drought, flooding and saltwater inundation.”
“This new genome sequence means we are even closer to adding grass beans to the list of future climate-smart crops.”
“This is a very exciting time to be joining the grass pea research community.”
of findings Published in a magazine scientific data.
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M. Vigroux others. 2024. Chromosome-scale reference genome of Poaceae (Latilus sativus). scientific data 11, 1035; doi: 10.1038/s41597-024-03868-y
The possum, or Tasmanian tiger, became extinct in 1936
huge life science
The genome of the extinct possum has been almost completely sequenced, the company that brought it back from extinction, Colossal, has announced. The group says the genome is more than 99.9 percent complete and that just 45 gaps will soon be filled, but it has not provided any evidence to support that claim.
“It's quite difficult to obtain the complete genome of almost any organism,” says Emilio Marmol Sánchez of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, whose team first extracted RNA from preserved quolls. For example, the last few holdouts of the human genome have only been fully sequenced in the past few years.
Quosos, also known as Tasmanian tigers, were once carnivorous marsupials found throughout Australia, but by the time European explorers arrived they were restricted to Tasmania. The last known possum died in a zoo in 1936.
The conserved quoll genome is First sequenced in 2017 The tissue used was from a 108-year-old bag of quolls that had been preserved in alcohol. However, this genome was far from complete and had many gaps. Colossal, which is also currently aiming to recreate the woolly mammoth, says it has nearly completed the genome with the help of additional DNA from a 120-year-old tooth.
“While our genome is not as complete as the most complete human genome, we were able to take advantage of some of the same technologies,” said Andrew of the University of Melbourne in Australia, a member of Colossal's scientific advisory board. Pask said.
Completely deciphering the genomes of plants and animals is difficult because they contain large sections of the same sequence that repeat over and over again. Standard techniques for sequencing small segments of DNA at a time do not work for these parts. This is like trying to reconstruct a book from a list of words in the book.
New, long-read techniques can sequence much larger segments of DNA, equivalent to entire pages of a book. However, these methods are not very useful because old DNA is usually split into many small pieces.
“Most ancient samples preserve DNA fragments that are a few dozen or, if we're lucky, a few hundred bases long,” Pask says. “The samples we had access to were so well preserved that we were able to recover DNA fragments several thousand bases long.”
There is no direct way to know how complete it is, given that there are no other possum genomes to compare it to. Instead, Pask says Colossal uses other closely related species in the same family to make this estimate.
But even if the genome were as complete as Colossal thinks and could indeed fill in the remaining gaps, there is currently no feasible way to generate living cells containing this genome. Instead, Colossal plans to genetically modify a living marsupial called a fat-tailed dunnart to resemble a possum.
“This is rather a reproduction of some characteristics,” says Marmol Sánchez. “It would not be an extinct animal, but a very strange and modified version of a modern animal, similar to our image of an extinct animal.”
Colossal announces record 300 gene editsIt affects the genome of Dunnart cells growing in culture. So far, the changes have been small, but Pask says the team plans to swap out tens of thousands of base pairs of thylacine DNA in the near future. He says it's not yet clear how much editing will be needed to achieve the company's goal of recreating the sugar glider.
When asked why Colossal did not provide any evidence to support its claims, the company's CEO, Ben Lamb, said that the company's sole focus was eradicating extinction and that the scientific literature He said it was not writing. “We are not an academic lab whose primary focus is papers,” Lamb said. “We will continue to make progress much faster than the process of writing a scientific paper.”
aWith school starting back up, the pressure is on for parents to get their kids their first mobile phone, and when you decide the time has come, there are plenty of options: a smartphone, a basic phone, or upgrading to something new.
From the phone to the mobile services that come with it, key parental controls, to how well the phone fits with the devices you already use, here are some things you need to know before you buy, including which model is best for you.
Your best option might be the phone you already have, especially if you plan on replacing it in the near future. As long as it’s given a thorough cleaning, a new battery, a new case, and the software support is still there, a hand-me-down might be the best way to give your child a phone, while also being kind to the planet and your wallet.
A battery replacement will usually cost between £50 and £150 depending on the model and the shop. If you know how to use your mobile phone well, it will be easier to wipe the battery and set it up for your child.
The Nokia 3210 is one of HMD’s latest retro revival phones. Photo: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Mobile operator EE recently advised parents not to give smartphones to primary school-aged children. So if your only purpose is to make and receive calls and texts, or to arrange a pick-up or make an emergency call, a basic “dumb” phone would be the solution. However, be aware that these phones only support SMS, not messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.
The downside is that many lower spec phones still have limited access to the internet, and only a handful have basic parental controls that lock the camera, browser and picture messaging (MMS). The lack of restrictions on things like calls and text contacts may also be a turn off, so check the manufacturer’s help documentation to see what’s possible before you buy.
Nokia makes a range of feature phones for around £30 to £60, such as the 110 4G and 225. For more fun there are nostalgic models such as the remake of the Nokia 3210, or film tie-in models such as the recently released HMD Barbie phone. Whatever model you choose, make sure it’s 4G compatible with most 3G services in the UK. Shutdown by the end of 2024.
Nokia 110 4G, £39.99 Argos
Nokia 225, £59.99 Argos Home page
Nokia 3210, £59.99 Argos Home page
The Moto G34 comes with 5G, Android 14, and will support security updates until January 2027. Photo: Motorola
Affordable Android phones are a good starting point; there are a variety of models available in the £80 to £180 price range. They usually have large screens and good battery life, although the cameras aren’t the best and apps can be slow to open and use.
Avoid models with Android Go or without access to the Play Store or Google services. Check the remaining time for software support; phones at this level usually only get updates for 2-3 years from the initial release, not at the time of purchase. Kids drop their phones more than adults, so a sturdy case with some water resistance is a good idea.
HMD sells a range of Android devices, either under its own brand or the Nokia brand, and offers longer software support than many others: the HMD Pulse costs under £100, runs Android 14 with security updates until May 2027, and if anything breaks you can fix it at home.
Motorola offers some great value products. Moto G34 Equipped with 5G, large battery, large screen, Android 14, and security updates Until January 2027.
If you’re in the Samsung family, the Galaxy A15 might be a better choice: it costs around £170, runs Android 14 with security updates until January 2029, and has a range of first- and third-party case options to ensure protection.
Rochester researchers have reported a strategy for understanding how molecules in completely chemically complex solvents lose their quantum coherence. This discovery opens the door to rational tuning of quantum coherence through chemical design and functionalization.
Credit: Annie Ostau de Lafon
This discovery can be used to design molecules with custom quantum coherence properties, laying the chemical basis for new quantum technologies.
In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states at the same time, which defies the logic of everyday experience. This property, known as quantum superposition, is the basis for new quantum technologies that promise to transform computing, communications, and sensing. However, quantum superposition faces a serious challenge: quantum decoherence. During this process, interaction with the surrounding environment disrupts the delicate superposition of quantum states.
Quantum decoherence challenges
To unlock the power of chemistry and build complex molecular architectures for practical quantum applications, scientists need to understand and control quantum decoherence so they can engineer molecules with specific quantum coherence properties. must be. To do so, we need to know how to rationally modify the chemical structure of molecules to modulate or alleviate quantum decoherence. To do this, scientists need to know the “spectral density,” a quantity that summarizes the speed at which the environment moves and the strength of its interactions with the quantum system.
A breakthrough in spectral density measurement
Until now, quantifying this spectral density in a way that accurately reflects molecular complexity has remained difficult in theory and experiment. However, a team of scientists has developed a way to extract the spectral density of molecules in a solvent using a simple resonance Raman experiment, a method that fully captures the complexity of the chemical environment.
A team led by Ignacio Franco, an associate professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Rochester, published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Relationship between molecular structure and quantum decoherence
Using the extracted spectral density, we can not only understand how quickly decoherence occurs, but also determine which parts of the chemical environment are primarily responsible for decoherence. As a result, scientists can now map decoherence pathways and link molecular structure to quantum decoherence.
“Chemistry is built on the idea that molecular structure determines the chemical and physical properties of matter. This principle guides the modern design of molecules for medical, agricultural, and energy applications.” Using our strategy, we can finally begin to develop chemical design principles for emerging quantum technologies,” said Ignacio Gustin, a chemistry graduate student at the University of Rochester and lead author of the study.
Resonant Raman experiments: an important tool
The breakthrough came when the team realized that resonance Raman experiments provided all the information needed to study decoherence in its full chemical complexity. Although such experiments are routinely used to study photophysics and photochemistry, their usefulness for quantum decoherence had not been evaluated. The key insight was shared by David McCamant, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Rochester and an expert in Raman spectroscopy, and Jang Woo Kim, currently on the faculty at Chonnam National University in South Korea and an expert in quantum decoherence. This became clear from the discussion. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester.
Case study: Thymine decoherence
The researchers used their method to show for the first time how the superposition of electrons in thymine, one of the building blocks of humans, occurs. DNA, it takes only 30 femtoseconds (one femtosecond is one billionth of a billionth of a second) after absorbing ultraviolet light. They found that some vibrations within the molecule were dominant in the early stages of the decoherence process, while the solvent was dominant in the later stages. Furthermore, they found that chemical modifications to thymine significantly altered the decoherence rate, with hydrogen bonding interactions near the thymine ring resulting in more rapid decoherence.
Future implications and applications
Ultimately, the team’s research paves the way to understanding the chemical principles governing quantum decoherence. “We are excited to use this strategy to finally understand quantum decoherence in molecules of full chemical complexity and use it to develop molecules with robust coherence properties.” Franco said.
Reference: “Mapping the intramolecular electron decoherence pathway” by Ignacio Gustin, Chan Woo Kim, David W. McCamant, and Ignacio Franco, November 28, 2023. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309987120
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