Astronomers discover far-off galaxies using neural networks

It’s similar to how paleontologists use certain known fossils Indexed Fossil Until assessing rock formations and ancient environments so far, astronomers look for specific patterns of light emissions from space to mark the age of space history. For example, early galaxies give the UV rays that originate from electrons in hydrogen atoms to the type of ultraviolet rays that exert from the second lowest to the lowest energy state. Lyman Alpha or ly⍺ Emission.

For decades, astronomers have associated ly⍺ emissions with periods within billions of years of a big bang called the Big Bang. The era of reionizationwhen the average speed of star formation in galaxies was much higher than today. When they find a galaxy that emits light strongly, they classify it into ly⍺Emitter or Lae And we can be sure that it goes back to the era of reionization. Observing Laes, astronomers talk more about the history of the Milky Way and other galaxies like us.

However, researchers face confounding factors when looking for Laes. The expansion of the universe distorts light in a process called Cosmological redshift. However, more prominently Dustboth Intergalacticcovers the light. While astronomers can analyze the full light of light from the galaxy to find evidence of ly⍺ emissions, it would be much faster to develop tools to predict whether a galaxy is likely to be a LAE based on more readily available measurements.

One team of astronomers developed a model for this problem only Machine Learning A technique known as a Neural Networks. This technique replicates how neurons in the brain function, with several interconnected layers receiving and transmitting signals based on initial inputs and generating final outputs.. The trick is that the programmer knows what inputs to input and what output they expect in the end. The algorithm itself needs to know how best to set up a central connection, what to look for, and how to rank the importance of each input.

The team began with data from two surveys of light sources in space: 926 galaxies VanderOf these, only 520 are laes, starting from 507 Musethey were all laes. They trained the algorithm using 80% of this data to explicitly communicate which sources are actual LAES and which sources are not. They saved the remaining 20% ​​of the data for testing.

Through this initial test, the team identified six parameters of neural networks to focus on evaluating galaxies for LAE potential. These parameters were the rate of star formation, total star mass, UV brightness, UV emission patterns, age, and dust. They programmed the network to output an estimate of the probability that a particular galaxy is a LAE, and thought that what was above 70% meant that the algorithm classified it as an LAE.

When we created a neural network using training data, the team tested several additional rounds. Using early test data, their networks found that they correctly identified the network in 77% of the time, as there was only a 14% chance of false positives. When they looked at what their network prioritized to make these predictions, they found that the most important factors were the galaxy’s UV emission pattern, its UV brightness, and the mass of its star.

Following this initial success, the team applied the network to another investigation. cosmos2020and a subset of that raise, SC4Kwith fewer details than the training data survey. From these datasets, the team’s neural network identified true Laes for 72% of the time.

The team’s final results came when they applied neural networks to data from NASA’s new telescope. jwst. The ultimate goal in their model is to study the distant past of the universe, and JWST aims to see better-looking sources than ever before, so the success of the test is Already checking the results of LAE from JWST It will be a good sign of future success. They found a true positive rate of 91% in JWST data, showing the validity of their approach and illuminated the path to know more about the history of the universe.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Scientists discover that indulging in junk food can aid in weight loss

It is common to assume that individuals who are overweight derive more pleasure from food compared to those with smaller bodies, but this is not accurate. Instead, individuals tend to experience increased pleasure from their diet as they gain weight.

Researchers have now identified the reasons behind this phenomenon, as well as how restoring the pleasure response can be facilitated by adopting a healthier diet.

“Obesity is often associated with an excessive enjoyment of food. People believe they cannot resist unhealthy food options,” explained Professor Stephan Lammel, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley and the senior author of the study, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

“However, both our research and previous studies indicate the opposite: Over time, individuals may experience a decrease in food-related pleasure.”

These findings are linked to the role of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with rewards, motivation, and pleasure. Researchers have discovered that overweight mice have lower levels of a molecule called neurotensin, which impacts dopamine responses to food.

“Contrary to popular belief, individuals with obesity may not eat for pleasure. In reality, much of their eating habits are influenced by routines and emotional cues rather than pleasure or desire,” Lammel added.

To investigate this further, researchers fed a group of mice a high-fat, unhealthy diet and observed their eating behavior. The results showed that the mice preferred the high-fat diet over regular low-calorie foods, indicating a preference for unhealthy options.

However, when presented with high-calorie treats like butter, peanut butter, and chocolate, the mice showed less interest compared to those on a normal diet. This suggests that their food choices were driven by habits rather than pleasure.

Further experiments involving stimulating brain circuits connected to dopamine yielded interesting results. While normal weight mice responded positively to the treatment, overweight mice did not, indicating an issue with dopamine and neurotensin levels.

The researchers were able to correct this by switching some mice to a normal diet, resulting in a return to normal levels of neurotensin, dopamine function, and interest in high-calorie foods. Additionally, artificially restoring neurotensin levels in other mice led to weight loss and improved food motivation, mood, and mobility.

“Our findings suggest that targeting neurotensin signaling through genetic strategies could help rebalance food motivation and promote healthier eating habits,” Lammel stated.

It is important to note that this study was conducted on mice fed high-fat diets, so the results may not directly apply to obese individuals. Nevertheless, the implications for human health are promising.

When asked about the potential impact on people, Lammel commented, “It could potentially make it easier for individuals to maintain a healthy weight without solely relying on willpower or restrictive diets.”

About our experts

Stephen Lammel: Associate Professor of Neurobiology at the Department of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley. Investigator at Weil Neurohub with a focus on neural circuits mediating motivation and reward. Member of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists discover a mysterious new butterfly species in North America

Entomologists describe a new species of the Tiger swallow (genus genus) Papirio) From eastern North America.

Papilio Sorstian: (a) male, holotype and (b) female, arotype. Scale bar – 10 mm. Image credit: Derotler et al. , doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1228.142202.

Papirio It is a large genus of swallowtail butterflies within the family Papillonidae.

The only representative of the Papillionini family, the genus contains about 200 scientifically recognized species.

Newly identified members of the genus Papilio Sorstianbelongs to North America Papilio Glaucus Species group.

Papilio Glaucus The group is a model research system for insect evolutionary biology. ” Dr. B. Christian Schmidt Arknides, nematodes and colleagues wrote on paper from the Canadian National Insect Collection.

“Recognition and boundaries” Papilio Glaucus and Papilio canadensis Three decades of study in speciation, host plant adaptation, hybridization, and molecular evolution have been conducted as a pair of classical sibling species. ”

“Recently, we have discovered a third species. Papilio appalachiansisprovided unprecedented insights into speciation by hybridization. ”

Papilio Glaucus The group is primarily part of the clades of the subgenos of the New World clades on a large scale Pterourussometimes recognized as a distinct genus,” they added.

“The various within the group demonstrate adaptation to a variety of thermal niches that are warmly characterized (Papilio Glaucus), intermediate (Papilio appalachiansis), and cool (Papilio canadensis) Climate region; all have a wide larval host plant diet and are not limited by its distribution. ”

Papilio Sorstian It is closely related to these three species, but unlike all of the series of characters.

“The most important differences are evident in developmental biology and biology,” the researchers wrote.

Papilio Sorstian Compared to May for all other species, it is unique during long delays in appearance after adult escape, starting from late June to early July to late June to early July. ”

Papilio Sorstian'The geographical range is Papilio Glaucus The southern end of Papilio canadensis.

“Core Range Papilio Sorstian It includes eastern and south-central Ontario, northern and central New York, and adjacent Vermont, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.2The scientist wrote in his paper.

“In New York Papilio Sorstian He lives in most of the states except the Southeast and New York City metropolitan areas. ”

“In Canada, Papilio Sorstian It extends westward from Montreal, Quebec, to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario and south to the Niagara region. ”

“The western limits seem to be on the east coast of Lake Huron. We haven’t seen any verifiable specimens of the west there.”

“Current evidence is consistent with the possibility Papilio Sorstian There is a recombinant evolutionary origin of Papilio appalachiansisThey added.

“However, the evolutionary origin of this kind, Papilio Glaucus-complex, I still can’t answer. ”

“Recognizing and defining the taxonomic identity of this unique evolutionary lineage is our hope to provide a staging point on the fertile grounds for future research.”

paper Published in the journal Zookeys.

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CJ Derotler et al. 2025. A mysterious new species of the tiger swallow (Capidae, Papillonidae) in eastern North America. Zookeys 1228:69-97; doi:10.3897/zookeys.1228.142202

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists discover life components in NASA asteroid sample.

summary

  • The NASA spacecraft returned to Earth from the asteroid Bennu in 2023.
  • The first detailed analysis of the material reveals organic molecules, including components of life.
  • This strengthens the theory that asteroids colliding with Earth may have provided life’s ingredients.

Scientists have found many organic molecules, including major building blocks of life, in a sample collected from distant asteroids.

Surprising discoveries suggest that the chemical components required for life may have spread throughout the early solar system.

NASA’s OSIRIS-REX SPACECRAFT was launched in 2016, gathering material from asteroids, dust, soil, and rocks, and returned them to Earth in 2023.

Analysis of the asteroid materials revealed in a sample published in Journal Nature shows that Earth’s life contains key organic compounds and amino acids.

Researchers did not find evidence of life on Bennu, but the results reinforce the theory that asteroids colliding with Earth may have provided life’s necessary ingredients.

Asteroid Bennu seen from Osiris Lex spaceship.NASA

NASA’s Scientific Mission Bureau stated that the OSIRIS-REX mission has already reshaped our understanding of life’s building blocks in the solar system.

The untouched samples collected from asteroids provide unique insights into the early solar system, unlike meteorites that may be contaminated.

The Bennu sample contains surprising concentrations of ammonia, an essential ingredient in biological processes.

NASA scientists have collected data on September 24, 2023, right after a sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REX MISSION.Keegan barber / nasa via Getty Images file

Samples from Bennu also contain traces of minerals that are likely remnants of evaporated brine, suggesting complex compositions on the asteroid.

The microscope image of the sample collected from the asteroid Bennu indicates sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash.Rob Wardel, Tim Gooding, Tim McCoy /Smithsonian

These discoveries on Bennu provide valuable insights into the complex composition of minerals and organic compounds that may have influenced the development of life in the solar system.

Further research is needed to fully grasp the implications of the Bennu samples for our understanding of life’s origins on Earth and other celestial bodies.

“Exploring the unique composition of Bennu and its implications for the emergence of life is a fascinating field of study that could shed light on the mysteries of life on Earth and beyond,” said Jason Dworkin, an OSIS-REX project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists worldwide discover a substantial magma reservoir beneath the inactive volcano

The magma reservoir under the cascade range has a different depth, size, and complexity, but the upper magma body is spread, according to the Global Scientist’s team at Cornell University and Cascade Volcano Observatory.

Mountleinia. Image credit: Walter Siegmund / CC by-Sa 3.0.

The visible lava on the surface is an obvious indicator of the activity, but the long-standing beliefs are expelled during the eruption of active volcanoes, and there are large magma body that breaks down over time as the volcano becomes dormant. That is.

But A New study It is published in the journal Natural global science Challenge this assumption.

The study author has identified the magma chamber under the six volcanoes, six volcanoes of various sizes within the cascade range and six volcanoes.

They discovered that all of the volcanoes, including dormant state, have a sustainable and large magma body.

Given that some of these volcanoes, such as Lake Lake in Oregon, have not been active for thousands of years, the results are surprising.

“Regardless of the frequency of eruptions, you can see a large magma under a lot of volcanoes,” said Dr. Guaning Pan, a researcher at Cornel University.

“These magma bodies seem to be not only active, but also under volcanoes for a lifetime.”

The fact that more volcanoes maintain a magma body is an important consideration on how researchers monitor and predict future volcanic activities.

“We thought that if we found a large amount of magma, we thought it would increase the potential of eruptions, but now we change the perception that this is the baseline situation,” said Dr. Pan. Ta.

The result suggests that the eruption does not completely discharge the magma chamber, indicating that it eliminates excessive amounts and pressure instead.

The chamber can gradually solve the crust, so it can be slowly expanded and replenished over time.

“With a general understanding of where the magma is, I was able to do a good job rather than optimizing monitoring,” said Professor Jeffrey Aberters of Cornell University.

“There are many volcanoes that are sparse or not intensive research.”

______

G. bread et al。 Partial melting long life under the volcano in the cascade range. nut. GeosciReleased online on January 23, 2025. Doi: 10.1038/S41561-024-01630-Y

Source: www.sci.news

Only 1 in 100 fathers discover their child is not biologically related

Fundamental biological reality means that a birth mother can be certain that she is genetically related to her child (aside from the case of surrogacy or egg donor IVF).

On the other hand, paternity cannot be accurately known without genetic testing. This can lead to false paternity attribution, where a man unknowingly raises a child not genetically related to himself, or fraud regarding paternity if the man is deceived into such a situation.

In some cases, relationship conflicts may prompt men to have their children undergo genetic testing. Additionally, with the increase in consumer genetic testing for ancestry and health conditions, more men are incidentally testing today.

According to data from a paternity testing company in the United States in 2004, 28% of fathers were not biologically related to their children.

However, Australian academic Professor Michael Gilding argued that this data was biased as it only targeted men with doubts about their paternity. He suggested a more realistic figure of about 3%, based on accompanying data from genetic and medical studies.

It is difficult to accurately measure the proportion of children who are not biologically related to their fathers – Credit: Maskot

Recent data from a US study published in 2022 found that 7% of users discovered they had paternity inaccuracies.

Similarly, a genetic sampling study in the Netherlands in 2017 estimated that just under 1% of fathers were unknowingly genetically unrelated to their children. A recent Swedish study with over 2 million families suggested that this number is around 1.7% and decreasing.

While these recent numbers are lower than earlier claims, they still indicate a significant impact on some men and children.


This article addresses the question, “How many fathers are unknowingly raising children who are not biologically theirs?” (submitted via email by Dave Shaw).

To submit your questions, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or contact us via our Facebook, @sciencefocus, or Instagram pages (remember to include your name and location).

For more fascinating science content, visit our Ultimate Fun Facts page.


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Discover the hidden wonders of nature with a UV torch in your Country Diary | Plants

Credit for my newfound fascination with Ultraviolet (UV) light goes to fellow diarist Kate Blincoe. She recently expressed her excitement over the UV torch I gifted her, and now she sees the world in a whole new light.

UV light is a high-energy, short-wave light that is typically invisible to the naked eye but can be harmful to many organisms. Life on Earth thrived underwater during the late Proterozoic Era until the formation of the protective ozone layer 15 km to 30 km above us.

When a UV torch is pointed at a plant or animal at night, it triggers molecular interactions that result in the emission of lower-energy light within the visible spectrum. This fluorescence transforms ordinary parts of our environment into vibrant psychedelic scenes. For instance, a sandstone wall can appear as a red sheet (algae) intermingled with glowing lime (lichen).


Spiky sphagnum moss under UV light (left) and normal light. Photo: Mark Cocker

Photography capturing UV-induced transformations requires a comparison of before and after images to illustrate the remarkable changes. One such marvel is the metamorphosis of the golden saxifrage, which turns a lightwood embankment into a sparkling meadow of white and green, evolving into a pool of crimson confetti under the UV torch.

One of my favorite sights is the moss on an old quarry surface adorned with prickly foliage. By day, they present a lush bed of greenery, with central florets encircled by drooping side buds like oversized vegetative spiders. However, under UV light, these plants transform into a vibrant ensemble of lavender, aquamarine, turquoise, purple, and pink hues.

Upon receiving these UV-altered images, a friend questioned their significance, akin to how Henry David Thoreau pondered the beauty of a rainbow in December 1855. Thoreau believed that the world’s splendor far surpassed what meets the eye and that every raindrop had the potential to manifest as a rainbow. He asserted that beauty and music were not exceptions but integral aspects of life. The UV torch merely offers a fresh perspective on the divine enchantment surrounding us.

Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian’s Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber. Order with a 15% discount from guardianbookshop.com

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paleontologists discover potential record-breaking mesosaurus fossils

Paleontologists in Uruguay have discovered a large, poorly preserved and incomplete skull of an ancient aquatic reptile called a mesosaurus, along with some accompanying bones. These new specimens suggest gigantism exists in mature mesosaurs that reach more than twice the size of previously reported adult and typical specimens.


Mesosaurs are small to medium-sized aquatic or semi-aquatic amniotes that lived in Gondwana during the Early Permian Period. Image credit: Roman Yevseyev / Graciela Piñeiro.

mesosaurus A group of small aquatic reptiles that lived in South Africa and South America during the Permian Period, approximately 299 to 270 million years ago.
These creatures were the first known aquatic reptiles to return to aquatic life from apparently terrestrial ancestors.
“Mesosaurs are often described as small to medium-sized aquatic amniotes due to their elongated bodies and long tails that exceed the length of the rest of their bodies,” Graciela Pinheiro of the University of the Republic and colleagues. said.
“Additionally, their long-nosed skulls consist of very thin skulls with numerous needle-like marginal teeth.”
“Despite the fragility of some parts of the skull, mesosaur fossils are abundant in the Percarboniferous shales and silt deposits of Gondwana, including preserved bones with articulated skulls. This includes nearly complete skeletons in good condition, as well as partially preserved specimens that still have recognizable soft tissue.
“This exceptional preservation has led to the designation of the Mangrullo Formation in Uruguay and the Illati Formation in Brazil as part of the Conservat Lagerstätten of Gondwana,” they added.
“Furthermore, mesosaur fossils collected from these units include a variety of ontogenetic stages, from fetuses to juveniles to adults.”
“Thus, the ontogeny of mesoosaurs is well documented, with body length ranging from 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) in hatchlings to 80 to 90 centimeters (2.6 to 3 feet) in young adults. ”
“The average body length of the middle dragon is about 70 cm (2.3 feet),” the researchers said.
“Previous research suggested that mesosaurs were semi-aquatic amniotes, rather than fully aquatic amniotes.”


Mesosaurus ontogenetic cranial series documented from specimens discovered in the Conservato Lagerstätte, Mangrullo Formation, Uruguay. Scale bar – 1 cm. Image credit: Pinheiro others., doi: 10.3390/fossils3010001.

Dr. Pinheiro and his co-authors discovered and studied the largest known mesosaur fossil ever recorded.
The specimen includes two fragmentary skulls, a dorsal vertebrae, a tail fragment, an isolated rib, and several other bones.
They come from the regions of Picada de Cuero and El Baron. Mangrullo formation Located in northern Uruguay.
Paleontologists compared the new fossil to a larger sample of the same bone.
Mesosaurus tenuidens.
Their analysis revealed that the size of mesosaurs in the Mangrullo Formation exceeded the typical size distribution previously recorded. Mesosaurus tenuidens.
These individuals were four to five standard deviations larger than average, with skull lengths of 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 inches) and total body sizes of 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft).
“To explore the importance of such large mesoosaurs in the Mangrullo Formation population, we considered the potential effects of Bergmann dominance,” the researchers said.
“This is a study of isolated populations of the same species or different taxa whose body size may have been affected by changes in temperature or food availability, such as competition for nutrients. Although this is an important paleogeographical principle, it does not explain the presence of such large creatures.'' Mesosaurian specimens from the Mangurlo Formation. ”
“We therefore conclude that the large body size variations observed in mesosaurs correspond to their ontogenetic stages and growth patterns,” the researchers said.
“The smaller body size previously recognized may represent a population dominated by early juveniles, subadults, and young adults, and may be due to normal carcass wasting of animals that died from a variety of causes. It may reflect a catastrophic mass mortality event that impedes the increase.”
“The bentonite layers and gypsum crystals found in the Mangrullo Formation are the result of occasional inflows of ash fall onto the lagoon resulting from increased tectonic activity associated with the Pangea Formation.”
“These volcanic events, combined with the gradual drought and associated desertification observed in the Irati-Whitehill Sea, are the main triggers that may explain the extinction of mesosaurs, at least in the Uruguayan region of the Paraná Basin. It is suggested that
of findings Published in a magazine fossil research.
_____
Graciela Pinheiro others. 2025. Largest Mesosaurus Ever Known: Evidence from the Scanti Record. Phos. stud 3(1):1;doi: 10.3390/fossils3010001

Source: www.sci.news

Discover the unusual pathways microplastics can enter your body

Studies have shown the alarming extent of microplastics traveling through our bodies.

Scientists have discovered tiny plastic particles in various parts of the human body, such as the lungs, testicles, placenta, and even breast milk. The ingestion and inhalation of microplastics can lead to allergic reactions, inflammation, and an increased risk of certain diseases. You can find more information here.

There are concerns about the possibility of absorbing plastic through the skin when washing synthetic clothing, as it emits microplastics that are smaller than 5 mm. Research is ongoing to determine if there are any risks associated with skin contact with plastic fibers. While the skin is a natural barrier that protects us from the outside world, there is evidence suggesting that some chemical additives in certain products can be absorbed into the skin. Learn more here.

It is generally believed that microplastics cannot penetrate the outermost layer of the skin – Credit: Svetlozar Hristov

While microplastics can get trapped in hair follicles and wrinkles, they are not thought to be able to reach other parts of the body through the bloodstream. Some flame retardants in various products have been shown to pass through the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream, albeit in low levels. Find out more here.


This article addresses the question posed by Natalie Reid from London: Can plastics and chemicals be absorbed through the skin?

If you have any inquiries, please contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.comor reach out to us via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (remember to include your name and location).

Discover more fun facts and amazing science content on our site.


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Physicists discover proof of asymmetry between matter and antimatter in decay of baryons and beauty hadrons

The standard model of particle physics predicts an asymmetry between matter and antimatter known as charge parity (CP) violation. However, the size of this asymmetry in the Standard Model is not large enough to explain the disequilibrium, and so far the asymmetry has only been observed in certain decays of particles called mesons. In two new studies, LHCb collaboration CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has discovered evidence of CP violation in baryon decay and beauty hadron decay into charmonium particles, shedding light on these two pieces of the matter-antimatter puzzle.

Exterior view of the LHCb detector. Image credit: CERN.

Experiments involving LHCb have previously searched for baryon CP violation by looking for differences in the way matter and antimatter baryons decay into other particles.

However, these investigations have so far been essentially empty-handed.

One LHCb study provided evidence for a process in the specific collapse of the bottom lambda baryon, but subsequent studies analyzing larger samples of such collapses did not increase that evidence.

in first new studyLHCb physicists scrutinized proton-proton collision data obtained during the first and second runs of the LHC and discovered various decay modes of the bottom lambda baryon, including decay into a lambda baryon and two kaons. You have searched for

We then investigated the CP violation in each decay mode, essentially by counting the number of decays of the bottom lambdabaryon and its antimatter partner and taking the difference between the two.

In the case of the lambda baryon and its decay into two kaons, this difference showed evidence of a CP violation with a significance of 3.2 standard deviations.

in second studythe LHCb team focused on the decay of a beautiful charged meson into J/psi and a charged pion.

J/psi is a charmmonium particle, a meson consisting of a charm quark and a charm antiquark.

We performed an analysis similar to the lower lambda baryon study, also using data from the first and second runs of the LHC, and found evidence for CP violation in this decay mode of charged meons. Again, the significance is 3.2 standard. Deviation.

This finding represents evidence of CP violation in the decay of beauty hadrons to charmonium particles.

“Our study represents an important step toward establishing whether CP violations are present in these types of collapses,” the authors state.

“Data from the high-luminosity LHC, with its third experiment and planned collider upgrades, will shed further light on these and other parts of the matter-antimatter puzzle. .”

_____

LHCb collaboration. 2024. Study of Λ0b and Ξ0b decay to Λh+h'- and evidence of CP violation in Λ0b→ΛK+K- decay. arXiv: 2411.15441

LHCb collaboration. 2024. First evidence of direct CP violation to charmonium decay in cosmetology. arXiv: 2411.12178

Source: www.sci.news

Discover the worst Christmas game ever – and why I can’t get enough of it

IIf you own an Xbox and have some sense, you’ll probably be spending this Christmas playing the new Indiana Jones game. And perhaps feeling smug about the fact that it’s a timed exclusive, PlayStation owners will end up pressing their noses against frosted glass like Victorian orphans.

But, PS5 fans, please wipe your tears. Because I found the game that will save Christmas. And it’s only 79p. Let’s say “hello” and “hohoho” to Santa’s Speedy Quest.

I discovered this gem while scouring the PlayStation Store looking for cheap and awful games to laugh at on my Twitch stream. (This is also how I discovered the seminal classic Stroke the Beaver, but that’s another story.) SSQ fits the bill perfectly, and is incredibly cheap (if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription). It’s actually just 23p if you’re paying a fee), which on the face of it is terrible. But it’s also addictive, hilarious, and much more layered than it seems.

At one point during the stream, I might have described this as the pinnacle of the video game medium. It’s a lot like the three pints of Baileys I pre-consumed, maybe a little stronger. But I stand by the claim that Santa’s Speedy Quest is, in its own simple and diabolical way, a work of twisted genius.

As you might imagine, SSQ lacks the polish and high production values of blockbusters like Indiana Jones and The Great MacGuffin. It looks like it was made with Microsoft Paint. It also doesn’t contain any original gameplay ideas, unless you consider “Make Flappy Bird Santa” innovative.

Nothing innovative or original…Santa’s Speedy Quest. Photo: ERIK GAMES

Contains 8 mini games. It all looks familiar. None of them are attractive in and of themselves. Two of them are variations on the “dodge the snowball” concept, depending on whether the snowball comes vertically or horizontally. There are no collectibles, health potions, power-ups, etc. There is no multiplayer mode or online play. I can’t even pause. When you press start, the game continues in the background with a metaphysically challenging message: “You can’t stop this game.”

It feels like Christmas 2008 all over again. At the time, the Wii’s success flooded the market with minigame collections that ranged from poor to very poor quality. I was forced to review many of them just to put food on the table on Christmas Day. on the verge of extinction At Hasbro Family Game Night. I still don’t know if Vienetta was worth falling in love with.

However, here’s the twist. Santa’s Speedy Quest does not allow you to choose which mini-games to play. All must be played. In random order. Continuously without a break. Just for a few seconds at a time. increasing at an increasingly rapid pace and at seemingly arbitrary intervals.

“1.4x faster,” the game shouts. 2.6 times. 3.2 times. This poses a unique challenge for your brain, as it forces you to repeatedly switch between familiar gameplay mechanics that run at breakneck speeds without any notice. All the while, an electro-piano version of Jingle Bells loops endlessly in the background, picking up speed so that the sound becomes distorted and jumbled, like you’re in a horror movie set in an amusement park. I’ll put it away. You can’t stop this game.

And here’s the kicker, the devilish details that elevate Santa’s Speedy Quest from a below-average minigame collection to a diabolical Sisyphean masterpiece. The game takes a snapshot every time you launch another minigame, and when you come back, gameplay continues from that point.

This creates strategic choices. Are you always trying to make sure you’re in a good position so you can pick up where you left off? Mentally recording each state of play every time you get kicked out and knowing which buttons to press when you’re put back in? Do you remember? Or have you forgotten all about it and desperately relied on reflexes dulled by the fact that you were 47, near menopause, and had three pints of Baileys?

The leaderboard isn’t even real…Santa’s Speedy Quest. Photo: Eric Games

Each time you fail a minigame, you are removed from the roster until you run out of minigames, and the game ends. You’ll then see your score and a breakdown of your performance in five key areas: speed, coordination, timing, reflexes, and decision-making. There are leaderboards with seemingly plausible player names like SHADOWBLADE23, but they are fake. No online functionality.

I get this because SSQ has really taken off in my Twitch community, but our high scores don’t show up on each other’s leaderboards. Instead, we have to rely on sharing screenshots on Discord as proof of our efforts. But it doesn’t matter. I’m having a great time.

That’s because Santa’s Speedy Quest is exactly the game you need at this time of year. Easy to learn for non-gamers, difficult to master for serious players, and perfect for reigniting old feuds and creating hotly contested rivalries. It’s a vulgar, stupid, cynical money grab that relies on outdated ideas and sentimental nostalgia. But isn’t it all about this time of year?

Source: www.theguardian.com

Utilizing Neuroscience to Discover the Ideal Children’s Toy

“Lloyd,” he told me. “His name is Lloyd.” Of course. Why is the green Lego Ninjago called a different name? This plastic figurine has shot to the top of son Sam's Christmas list.

Anyone who knows young children will relate. While they covet the Barbie Color Reveal Deluxe Styling Head, which promises instant but fleeting joy, we want to buy a woodland activity kit that is sure to nourish the body and mind.

If you are despairing of such a choice, help is readily available. Thanks to our increased understanding of the cognitive benefits of specific toys, we now have a better understanding of the relative merits of different toys. This Christmas, I decided to use this research to identify the perfect toy, or at least get as close to it as possible.

If you dig deeper into this world, you'll quickly discover that some toys are really better for young brains than others, and that computer games aren't as evil as you think. Now you know the secret to buying toys without getting bored. Cupboard.

Although toys may seem like a relatively recent invention, they have been a part of our lives for thousands of years. Analysis of rock fragments dating back 60,000 to 80,000 years in South Africa's Western Cape suggests that children may have been tinkering with dull and functionally useless copies of adult stone tools. Ta. These ancient playthings are thought to have been key to the development of cognitive skills, such as the ability to imagine alternative scenarios and come up with new ideas.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Genetic Variation Decides Tooth Shape, Scientists Discover

According to a study led by researchers at University College London, one of these genetic variations was inherited from Neanderthals.

El Sidrón Neanderthals taste wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and forest moss. Image credit: Abel Grau, CSIC Communication.

“Teeth can tell us a lot about human evolution. Well-preserved ancient teeth are of particular interest to archaeologists, as we learned from the transition to cooked foods and when human teeth began to shrink in size.” We will highlight milestones such as when the , a researcher at University College London.

“However, little is known about the genetic basis of differences in tooth size and shape in modern humans, partly because teeth are difficult to measure.”

“We have now identified a large number of genes that influence tooth development, some of which are responsible for differences between ethnic groups.”

In the study, Dr. Adhikari and his colleagues used data from 882 Colombian volunteers of European, Native American, and African descent.

The dataset included crown measurements (dimensions of the part of the tooth visible above the gums) taken from 3D scans of dental plaster casts.

The researchers compared these measurements to participants' genetic information in genome-wide association studies, using an analytical approach called multi-omics that integrates numerous data sources.

They identified 18 genomic regions that influence the size and shape of different tooth groups, 17 of which had not previously been associated with tooth dimensions.

One of the new connections concerned genes thought to have been inherited from Neanderthals through interbreeding with ancient humans. homo sapiens.

This genetic variation, which contributes to the biological pathway of tooth development, is found only in people of European descent, and carriers of the mutation have thinner incisors (the eight teeth located at the front of the mouth). The thickness of the tooth was measured from back to front).

Generally speaking, people of European descent had smaller teeth.

Scientists also found a link between tooth dimensions and a gene already known to influence the shape of incisors in East Asians, but the new study shows that this gene, called EDAR, It turns out that it also determines the width of all teeth.

“Some of the genes that contribute to normal variations in tooth dimensions in healthy people may also contribute to pathogenic variations, such as tooth growth failure and other dental health conditions,” said a researcher at Fudan University. said researcher Dr. Chin Lee.

“We hope that our findings will have medical benefits, such as people with certain dental problems being able to undergo genetic testing to help diagnose them, and dental abnormalities one day being treated with gene therapy.” I hope.”

“Our findings did not reveal whether the genes that specify tooth shape were selected during evolution for special benefits for dental health. “Differences that occur as a side effect may have been selected for the shape of the area as well as its influence on other areas,” said Professor Andres Luis Linares, a researcher at University College London, Fudan University, and Aix-Marseille University. said.

a paper The findings were published in a magazine on December 12th. current biology.

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Chin Lee others. PITX2 Expression and Neanderthal gene introgression HS3ST3A1 Contributes to changes in tooth dimensions in modern humans. current biologypublished online on December 12, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.027

Source: www.sci.news

The Regretful Decision: Surrendering My DNA to 23andMe Only to Discover My British Heritage

23andMe is currently in crisis. The once-promising genetic testing company has experienced a significant downfall, with a 98% loss in its $6 billion value, the departure of all independent directors, a reduction in nearly half of its employees, and a decline in its customer base from 15 million. is urgently working to delete DNA data from its records. I am one of the affected individuals.

My journey with 23andMe began hesitantly in 2016 when I ordered their kit by mail. After some delay, I finally submitted my genetic sample for analysis. As a tech journalist, I am cautious about sharing data with companies, especially genetic information, which is immutable unlike passwords or credit card details.

The results revealed that I am 63% British and Irish, and 17% Danish, confirming my extensive northwestern European heritage. However, the absence of my supposed Czech lineage was surprising. With 23andMe’s uncertain future and concerns about the fate of user data, I reflect on the exchange of genetic privacy for such information.

Timothy Caulfield, a University of Alberta professor, notes that many individuals, like myself, experience ambivalence upon receiving genetic test results.

The concept of genetic testing to uncover ancestral roots and its implications on personal identity has always troubled me. Caulfield, who faced similar concerns with his own ancestry, argues that the notion of genetic influence on individual identity perpetuates racism.

Marketing strategies played a significant role in the success of companies like 23andMe. However, the impact of genetic testing results on one’s sense of identity can vary drastically, from affirming to challenging deeply held beliefs.

As 23andMe’s future remains uncertain, questions arise regarding the handling of existing user data. The ethical implications of genetic information extend beyond personal privacy to potentially compromising the privacy of relatives.

To safeguard my data, I opted to delete my account and requested a copy of my genetic information. However, concerns persist about the retention of such data by the company, especially in case of bankruptcy or ownership changes.

23andMe’s commitment to customer data protection is emphasized, with assurances of maintaining privacy standards even amidst financial instability.

Receiving my genetic data opened up new insights into my heritage, but the challenge lies in interpreting the vast amount of genomic information provided. Despite this, I have not taken any actions based on this data, as the complexity of genetic identity remains a source of ambivalence and uncertainty.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Japanese researchers discover a new species of pterosaur

Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new species of Quetzalcotorin azhdarchopterosaur. Nippotherus mifunensis from the Late Cretaceous of Japan.

Restoration of life in the giant azhdarchid group, Quetzalcoatlus nothropi foraging in the Cretaceous fern steppe. Image credit: Mark Witton / Darren Naish.

Pterosaurs were highly successful flying reptiles (not dinosaurs, as is commonly misunderstood) that lived between 210 and 65 million years ago.

They were the first flying vertebrates on Earth, with birds and bats appearing much later.

Some pterosaurs, like the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals in history, with wingspans exceeding 9 meters (30 feet) and a standing height comparable to modern giraffes.

“Pterosaurs, the earliest vertebrate group to achieve powered flight, exhibit remarkable morphological diversity, with a fossil record that spans from the Late Triassic to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. '' said Dr. Naoki Ikegami of the Mifune Dinosaur Museum and Dr. Naoki Ikegami of the University of São Paulo. Rodrigo Pegas and his friends.

“The pterosaur skeleton's fragile air bones make its fossil record particularly irregular and uneven.”

“Most well-preserved, relatively complete archaeological sites are confined to a few Lagerstätten around the world. In contrast, most other deposits that yield pterosaurs are typically fragments. generate a typical sample.

“For one thing, there are very few records of pterosaurs in Japan, so every artifact has special significance.”

“The first pterosaur specimen discovered in Japan came from the Ezo Group in Hokkaido, and is representative of an indeterminate pterosaur species consisting of a femur, metatarsals, foot phalanges, and part of the caudal vertebrae. It is.”

6th cervical vertebra Nippoterus mifunensis. Image credit: Zhou others., doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046.

The newly identified species is Quetzalcoatrinae a subfamily of the pterosaur family Azhdarchidae.

“Azhdarchids represent a very special clade of pterosaurs, particularly notorious for containing some of the largest flying creatures in history, with wingspans of 10 to 11 meters (33 to 36 feet).” Quetzalcoatlus nothropi, aramburgiania philadelphia and Hatzegopteryx tanbema'' said the paleontologists.

“The azhdarchid clade, most prominently characterized by elongated cervical vertebrae with reduced neural spines, is widely distributed in Turonian to Maastrichtian pterosaur communities around the world.”

“They represent the most diverse and widespread group of pterosaurs during the Late Cretaceous.”

named Nippoterus mifunensis the new species lived in what is now Japan about 90 million years ago (late Cretaceous period).

Nippoterus mifunensis “This is the first nominally Japanese pterosaur species,” the researchers said.

“This new species exhibits many Quetzalcoat line characteristics and bears a striking resemblance to the unnamed Burcant azhdarchid of Mongolia's Turonian-Coniacian.”

Part of the 6th cervical vertebra Nippotherus mifunensis It was produced from an outcrop of the Mifune Group near Amagi Dam in Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu.

“The specimen was found in a 30-centimeter (12-inch) thick layer of coarse lenticular sandstone, nestled between two tuff layers, in the middle of the upper formation of the Mifune Group,” the scientists said. said.

their paper Published in this month's magazine Cretaceous research.

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Zhou Xuanyu others. Re-evaluation of azhdarchoid pterosaur specimens from the Mifune Group, Late Cretaceous of Japan. Cretaceous researchpublished online on November 16, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists discover precise form of individual photon

New research from the University of Birmingham examines the properties of photons (individual particles of light) in more detail than ever before.



Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou define the precise shape of a single photon. Image credit: Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou.

Professor Angela Demetriadou from the University of Birmingham said: “The geometry and optical properties of the environment have a significant impact on how photons are emitted, including defining their shape, color, and even the likelihood of their existence.” said.

The team's new research shows how photons are emitted by atoms and molecules and how they are shaped by their environment.

The nature of this interaction creates endless possibilities for light to exist and propagate, or travel, through the surrounding environment.

However, this infinite possibility makes modeling interactions extremely difficult, a challenge that quantum physicists have been grappling with for decades.

By grouping these possibilities into distinct sets, the authors explain not only the interaction between the photon and the emitter, but also how the energy from that interaction is transmitted far into the far field. I was able to create a model.

At the same time, they were able to use calculations to visualize the photons themselves.

“Our calculations have enabled us to transform a seemingly unsolvable problem into a computable problem,” said Dr. Benjamin Yuen from the University of Birmingham.

“And almost as a byproduct of the model, we were able to generate this image of a photon that physics had never seen before.”

This research is important because it opens new research avenues for quantum physicists and materials scientists.

Being able to precisely define how photons interact with matter and other elements of its environment allows scientists to discover ways to communicate securely, detect pathogens, control chemical reactions at the molecular level, and more. We can design new nanophotonics technologies that have the potential to change the world.

“This research will help us better understand the energy exchange between light and matter, which in turn will help us better understand how light radiates into nearby and distant environments,” Yuen said. Ta.

“A lot of this information used to be thought of as just noise, but there is so much information in it that we can now understand and use. .”

“By understanding this, we have established a foundation from which we can engineer light-matter interactions for future applications such as better sensors, improved photovoltaic cells, and quantum computing.”

of work Published in a magazine physical review letter.

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Ben Yuen and Angela Demetriadou. 2024. Precise quantum electrodynamics of synchrotron radiation environments. Physics. pastor rhett 133, 203604; doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.203604

Source: www.sci.news

Discover the fascinating true story of Tetris in Tetris Forever

Believe me when I say that I thought I knew everything about the story of Tetris. The popular puzzle game’s journey from 1980s Moscow behind the Iron Curtain to becoming a multi-million selling video game has been extensively covered in numerous articles, a fun book, and recent movies. With over 30 years of experience playing Tetris across different platforms like Game Boy, Nintendo Switch, and even VR, I didn’t expect to learn anything new when I opened Tetris Forever, an interactive documentary by Digital Eclipse that delves into the 40-year history of Tetris.

Did you know about Hattoris, the 1990 sequel to Tetris where colorful hats are stacked on top of your head? Maybe vaguely. How about Spectrum Holobyte’s quirky twist on the game called Faces…Tris III, where players try to build a human face by stacking different facial features? Surprisingly, Henk Rogers, a key figure in Tetris’ global success, revealed interesting details about his past, including his days surfing in Hawaii and forging business friendships in Japan. Tetris Forever offers a treasure trove of images and videos documenting the game’s evolution and significant moments in its history.

The documentary is divided into five chapters, offering a comprehensive look at Tetris’ history post its codification by Alexei Pajitnov in the early days. It includes playable versions of games, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with key players in Tetris history. Tetris Forever sheds light on the game’s complete history, unlike the surface-level coverage seen in other media adaptations.

Tetris first appeared on Electronica 60 in 1985. Photo: Digital Eclipse/Tetris Company

While Tetris Forever may cater more to hardcore gaming enthusiasts, it offers a respectful reissue of the game’s history. The playable versions included are faithful to the originals, allowing anyone to experience Tetris’ evolution. Personally, I still believe Tetris Effect remains the pinnacle of the game’s adaptations, created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, known for his synesthetic music games.

Playing the first version of Tetris on Electronica 60 computers takes me back to the game’s humble beginnings. Despite the various iterations and controversies over the years, Tetris remains a timeless classic that has endured for four decades, largely unchanged.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists discover 16 different types of neurons responsible for human sense of touch

A new study led by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, Karolinska Institutet, and Linköping University has revealed a landscape view of the human sense of touch.

Somatosensory diversity arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, the cell body transcriptome, a key piece of information for deciphering the function of individual human (h)DRG neurons, is lacking due to technical difficulties. In a new study, Yu others. They isolated somatic cells from individual hDRG neurons and performed deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect an average of more than 9,000 unique genes per neuron, identifying 16 types of neurons.

Humans perceive touch, temperature, and pain through the somatosensory system.

The general understanding is that there are specific types of neurons for each type of emotion, such as pain, pleasant touch, or coldness.

But new research casts doubt on that notion and shows that bodily sensations are probably much more complex than that.

“Much of the knowledge we have today about how the nervous system works comes from studies of animals,” said Dr. Wenqing Luo of the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues.

“But how similar are mice and humans, for example?”

“Many discoveries made in animal studies have not been confirmed in human studies.”

“One reason for this may be a lack of understanding of how it works in the human body.”

“We wanted to create a detailed atlas of the different types of neurons involved in somatosensation in humans and compare it with neurons in mice and the primate macaque.”

The study involved a detailed analysis of the genes used by individual neurons, so-called deep RNA sequencing.

Neurons with similar gene expression profiles were grouped as one sensory neuron type.

In this way, the researchers identified 16 unique human neuron types.

This study is the first to link gene expression and actual function in different types of neurons.

To investigate the function of neurons, the scientists used microneurography techniques to listen to the signals of one neuron at a time.

Using this technique, skin neurons in awake participants are exposed to temperature, touch, or certain chemicals, and individual neurons are “listened in” to determine how those particular neurons respond and send signals to the brain. You can find out if it is.

During these experiments, the authors made discoveries that would not have been possible if mapping the cellular machinery of different types of neurons had not given them new ideas for experiments.

One such discovery concerns a type of neuron that responds to pleasant touch.

The researchers discovered that this cell type unexpectedly responded to heat and also to capsaicin, the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat.

Scientists were surprised that the touch-sensing neurons responded to such stimuli, since their response to capsaicin is typical of pain-sensing neurons.

Additionally, this type of neuron also responded to cooling, even though it does not produce the only protein known to date that signals the perception of cold.

This finding cannot be explained by what is known about cellular mechanisms and suggests that there are other mechanisms for detecting colds that have yet to be discovered.

The authors speculate that these neurons form an integrated sensory pathway that produces pleasurable sensations.

“We have been listening to the neural signals from these neurons for 10 years, but we knew nothing about their molecular characteristics,” said Dr. Håkan Ólausson from Linköping University.

“This study shows us what kinds of proteins these neurons express and what kinds of stimuli they can respond to, and we can now make connections between them. Moving forward.”

Another example is a type of pain-sensing neuron that conducts very rapidly and has been shown to respond to non-painful cooling and menthol.

“There is a common understanding that neurons are very specialized: one type of neuron detects cold, another type detects specific vibrational frequencies, a third type responds to pressure, and so on.” said Dr. Saad Nagy, also from Linköping University.

“That's how people often talk about it. But it turns out it's much more complicated than that.”

So how do mice, macaques, and humans compare? How similar are we? Many of the 16 types of neurons the researchers identified in their study are largely similar across species.

The biggest difference they found was that conduction in pain-sensing neurons was much faster in response to stimuli that could cause injury.

Compared to mice, humans have more pain neurons, a type of neuron that sends pain signals to the brain at high speeds.

“Our study doesn't answer why this is the case, but we have a theory,” Dr. Ólausson said.

“The fact that pain signals are emitted at a much faster rate in humans compared to mice is probably just a reflection of their body size.”

“Mice don't need such rapid neural signaling. But in humans, the distances are longer and the signals need to be sent to the brain more quickly, before reacting and withdrawing.” You will be injured.”

Regarding this research, paper in diary natural neuroscience.

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H. Yu others. Utilizing deep sequencing of single cell somatic RNA to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation. nut neurosipublished online on November 4, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41593-024-01794-1

Source: www.sci.news

Astrophysicists discover that black hole-hosting binary star V404 Cygnus is part of a triple system

V404 Cygnus, an X-ray binary star that hosts a low-mass black hole, has a wide echelon with a tertiary companion at least 3,500 astronomical units (AU) away from the inner binary, according to MIT astrophysicists. It is said to be part of a triple star.

V404 SIGNI. Image credit: Verge others., doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08120-6.

V404 Cygni is located approximately 7,800 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

This system first attracted attention more than 80 years ago, during the 1938 nova explosion.

Another eruption occurred in 1989 and was discovered by the Japanese X-ray satellite Ginga and high-energy instruments aboard the Mir space station.

The 1989 explosion, known as Nova Cygnus 1989, was pivotal in the study of black holes.

Until then, astronomers had known of only a handful of objects that could be black holes, and V404 Cygnus was one of the most likely candidates.

V404 Cygnus is known to host a central stellar-mass black hole in the act of consuming a small star that spirals very close to the black hole every 6.5 days. This is a configuration similar to most binary star systems.

But new research suggests there's a second star orbiting the black hole, albeit much further away.

“Most black holes are thought to be formed by violent explosions of stars, but this discovery helps cast doubt on that,” said Kevin Burge, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Ta.

“This system is very interesting for the evolution of black holes, and also raises the question of whether triples exist.”

Artist's impression of V404 Cygnus: The central black hole (black dot) is consuming a nearby star (orange object on the left), while the second star (white flash at the top) is far away orbiting a distance of Image credit: Jorge Lugo.

Burge and his colleagues estimate that the third companion star orbits the V404 Cygnus black hole every 70,000 years.

The fact that black holes appear to exert a gravitational pull on distant objects raises questions about the origins of black holes themselves.

Black holes are thought to be formed by violent explosions of dying stars. This is a process known as a supernova, in which a star releases a huge amount of energy and light in one final burst before collapsing into an invisible black hole.

But the team's findings suggest that if the newly observed black hole had originated from a typical supernova, the energy released before it collapsed would have kicked loosely bound objects around it. It suggests that it might have been.

So the second outer star shouldn't be hanging around yet.

Instead, the authors believe that the V404 Cygnus black hole formed through a more gentle process of direct collapse, in which the star simply collapsed and formed the black hole without a final, dramatic flash. I think it might be.

Such a benign origin poses little impediment to loosely bound, distant objects.

Because V404 Cygnus contains a very distant star, this suggests that the black holes in this system were born through a more gradual, direct collapse.

And while astronomers have observed more violent supernovae for centuries, this triple system may be the first evidence of a black hole formed from this more gentle process.

In addition to providing clues about the black hole's origin, the outer star also revealed the age of the system.

Astrophysicists observed that the outer star happened to be in the process of becoming a red giant, a stage that occurs at the end of a star's life.

Based on this star's evolution, they determined that the outer star was about 4 billion years old.

Considering that the neighboring stars were born at about the same time, they conclude that the components of the binary star are also 4 billion years old.

“This has never been done before with old black holes,” Dr. Burge says.

“Thanks to this discovery, we now know that V404 Cygnus is part of a triple star. It may have formed by direct collapse, and it formed about 4 billion years ago.”

of findings Published in this week's magazine nature.

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KB barge others. The black hole low-mass X-ray binary V404 Cygnus is part of a wide triple. naturepublished online October 23, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08120-6

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Discover Fewer Potentially Hazardous Asteroids Near Earth than Initially Predicted

astronomer using Zwicky Temporary Facility (ZTF) investigated. Taurus resonance groupa large interplanetary system containing Comet 2P/Encke, several meteor showers, and possibly numerous near-Earth asteroids.



This image taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows comet 2P/Encke running along a pebble trail of its debris. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Minnesota.

“We can take advantage of the unique opportunity that this asteroid swarm has to approach Earth to more efficiently search for celestial objects that may pose a threat to Earth,” said Dr. Kuanji Ye, an astronomer at the University of Maryland. ” he said.

“Our results suggest that the risk of impact from large asteroids in the Taurus group is much lower than we thought, which is good news for planetary defense.”

Prior to this study, astronomers had predicted that the Taurus resonance complex contained a significant number of large kilometer-sized space rocks, probably left behind by large objects up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) wide. I was guessing.

If a large object were to hit Earth, like the Chelyabinsk asteroid in 2013, it could cause regional damage.

Even larger objects can cause extinction-level events, like the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs more than 66 million years ago.

“Fortunately, we found that there are likely only a small number of asteroids in this large size class, perhaps only nine to 14, in this population,” Dr. Ye said.

“Judging by our findings, the parent object that first spawned the swarm was probably closer to 10 km (6.2 miles) in diameter, rather than a giant 100 km diameter object.”

“We still need to be cautious about asteroid impacts, but knowing this result will probably help us sleep better.”

The Taurus swarm holds important clues about planetary evolution, especially because of its association with Comet Encke.

This comet has the shortest orbital period of any known comet, at just 3.3 years.

It is also unusually large and dusty for a short-period comet that orbits the sun within 200 years.

Considering all available evidence, scientists believe that Encke has experienced significant fragmentation in the past and may continue to do so in the future.

“Studying the Taurus swarm helps us understand how small objects like comets and asteroids form and break up over time,” said Dr. Ye.

“Our research has implications not only for asteroid detection and planetary defense, but also for our broader understanding of the solar system's celestial bodies.”

The researchers presented their findings. findings this week's DPS56Annual Meeting of the Planetary Science Division of the American Astronomical Society.

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Yosenshi others. 2024. In search of potentially dangerous asteroids in the Taurus resonance group. DPS56

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists discover new exoplanet near Barnard Star that is smaller than Earth

An exoplanet with at least half the mass of Venus orbits Barnard's Star, the closest single star to the Sun, once every 3.15 days.

Artist's impression of Bernard B. Image credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser.

Barnard's Star is a 10 billion year old red dwarf star located in the constellation Ophiuchus.

At a distance of about 6 light years, it is the second closest star to the Sun after the Alpha Centauri triple star system.

The star, also known as Gliese 699 or GJ 699, is much smaller than the Sun and is classified as an M3.5 dwarf.

Despite the prospect of a “super-Earth” with a mass 3.2 times that of Earth in 2018, no planets have ever been confirmed to orbit this star.

The new exoplanet discovery is the result of five years of observations using the ESPRESSO instrument of ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile.

“We were always confident that we would find something, even if it took a long time,” said Dr. Jonay González Hernández, an astronomer at the Canarias Astronomical Institute.

The newly discovered planet, named Barnard b, is about 20 times closer to Barnard's star than Mercury is to the Sun.

It orbits its parent star in 3.15 Earth days and has a surface temperature of about 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit).

“Bernard B is one of the lowest-mass exoplanets known, and one of the few exoplanets known to have less mass than Earth,” said Dr. González-Hernández. Ta.

“But this planet is too close to its host star, closer than the habitable zone.”

“Even though this star is about 2,500 degrees cooler than the Sun, it's still too hot to support liquid water on its surface.”

In addition to the confirmed planet, astronomers also discovered hints of three more exoplanet candidates orbiting the same star.

However, additional observations are required to confirm these candidates.

“We need to continue observing this star to confirm other candidate signals,” said Dr. Alejandro Suárez Mascareño, also from the Canarias Astronomical Institute and co-author of the study.

“But the discovery of this planet, along with previous discoveries such as Proxima b and Proxima d, shows that our cosmic backyard is full of low-mass planets.”

Bernard B's findings were published in a. paper in diary astronomy and astrophysics.

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JI Gonzalez Hernandez others. 2024. A sub-Earth mass planet orbiting Barnard's star. A&A 690, A79; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451311

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists discover three new species of ancient thylacine fossils

Palaeontologists from the University of New South Wales have unearthed the fossils of three new species belonging to the thylacine genus. Basitinus, Nimbakinusand Ngamalasinas It inhabits upper Oligocene sediments in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwest Queensland, Australia. Bassinus timforkneri, Nimbasinus peterbridgeand Ngamalasinas NigermalbeniThese new species are among the oldest known thylacines and indicate an earlier diversification of the family Thylacidae. Thylacine More than previously understood.

Bassinus timforkneri Eating a corpse Silvavestius Michaelvirti.Image credit: Peter Schouten.

The three new species of Pectiniidae lived during the Late Oligocene epoch, between 25 and 23 million years ago.

The largest of these is Bassinus timforkneriThey weigh between 7 and 11 kg, roughly the same size as a large Tasmanian devil.

“Like the Tasmanian devil, Basisinas timforkneri “They could easily crush the bones and teeth of their prey,” said lead author Tim Churchill, a doctoral student at the University of New South Wales.

“But up until now, we've only seen much smaller Bassinus TurnbulliiWeighing in at around 2.7 kg, this dinosaur is the only thylacine relative found in the Late Oligocene.

“The lower jaw and teeth, including an isolated first molar, were found at the Hiatus site at Riversleigh, which is even older than the White Hunter site where B. turnbrii was previously found.”

“This will Basisinas timforkneri It is undoubtedly the oldest thylacine ever discovered.”

The second species is Nimbasinus peterbridgeIt was slightly larger than a long-eared quoll and weighed about 3.7kg.

The species was described from a nearly complete jawbone from the White Hunter site at Riversleigh.

Nimbasinus peterbridge “It was probably a more generalist predator, targeting small mammals and other prey in the ancient woodland of Riversleigh,” Professor Mike Archer, from the University of New South Wales, said.

“We think it may have been directly related to only one other species. Nimbakinus,big Nimbasinus dicksoni (5-7kg) was discovered in 15 million year old deposits at Riversleigh.”

“This group of thylacines, Thylacine.”

“The other two new species described here appear to represent distinctive side branches on the increasingly complex thylacine phylogenetic tree.”

“This means Nimbasinus peterbridge It is probably the oldest known direct ancestor of the Tasmanian tiger.”

The third new species, Ngamalasinas NigermalbeniIt weighed about 5.1kg and was about the size of a red fox. This one was also unearthed at the White Hunter site in Riversleigh.

“This was a highly carnivorous thylacine,” said Dr Sue Hand, from the University of New South Wales.

“We know this because the cutting edges of the lower molars are elongated and have deep, V-shaped meat-cutting notches.”

Ngamalasinas Nigermalbeni These notches were more developed than in any other thylacine species of similar size.”

The existence of three distinct lineages of specialized thylacines in the Late Oligocene highlights how rapidly this group of marsupials has diversified since they first appeared in the fossil record, the researchers say.

“These new species have very different dental adaptations, suggesting that several unique carnivore forest niches existed during this time,” Churchill said.

“All of these lineages became extinct by 8 million years ago, except for the lineage that gave rise to modern thylacines.”

“The previous idea that Australia was dominated by reptilian carnivores for the last 25 million years is steadily being disproved as each new discovery adds to the fossil record of these new thylacine-like marsupial carnivores,” Prof Archer said.

“The diversity of mammalian carnivores in Rivers Leaf during this period rivals any other ecosystem, including the large dispersal of mammalian carnivores that developed in South America,” Churchill added.

of study this month, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Timothy J. Churchill othersThree new opossum species (Marsupialia, Opossumidae) discovered from Late Oligocene deposits in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, north-west Queensland. Journal of Vertebrate PaleontologyPublished online September 6, 2024; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2384595

Source: www.sci.news

Monster Hunter Wild: Discover even fiercer and more intimidating creatures in this exciting action game

ohBut out in the desert, the skies begin to darken. You are here to hunt Dosha-gama – fearsome, scaly, lion-like, squashed-faced beasts that roam the dunes in small herds. But a looming storm suggests something much bigger is approaching. Soon, a giant shadow descends from the heavens: Lei Dau, a horned, gold-trimmed dragon who wields lightning. Are you strong enough to face it? Or is it time to flee to the hills?

Monster Hunter is one of Capcom’s most successful game series, but it wasn’t always that way. When I started playing it on the PlayStation Portable in 2006, very few people were interested. It was notoriously cumbersome, demanding, and difficult, and online play didn’t work well. On the other hand, when I moved to Japan in 2008, it was hard not to see someone playing Monster Hunter on the train or in a cafe. It was 2018’s Monster Hunter: World that really made the game a global hit. Technology finally allowed for vast natural settings worthy of gigantic, intimidating, and highly realistic monsters, and smooth online play became a reality.




Watch the trailer for Monster Hunter Wild

“It was a challenge to bring the series to a global level that hadn’t been there before,” recalls Ryozo Tsujimoto, who worked as a designer on the original Monster Hunter, which was released in Japan and North America in 2004, and has led the series ever since.
“In order to make it a global hit, there are some things we haven’t done before… It may not be so visible to players, but compared to the past, we are in much closer communication with our Western offices and staff around the world, so we’re in a much better position than before to listen to player feedback and reactions to the game and decide how to approach the next title.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Regulators discover that SpaceX has contaminated water in Texas multiple times

summary

  • Texas environmental officials notified the company last week that Elon Musk’s SpaceX had discharged pollutants into or near Texas waters, violating environmental regulations.
  • The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality report came five months after the Environmental Protection Agency notified SpaceX that it had violated the Clean Water Act.
  • The breach could threaten SpaceX’s ambitions to increase StartShip launches from its StarBase facility.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has repeatedly discharged pollutants into or near Texas waters, violating environmental regulations, state officials said in a notice of violation that focused on the water discharge system at the company’s StarBase launch facility.

The notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) last week came five months after the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 6, which oversees Texas and surrounding states, also notified SpaceX that it was violating the Clean Water Act through similar activities.

The notice and related investigative records obtained by CNBC have not been previously reported.

TCEQ said its office in the South Texas city of Harlingen, near Boca Chica Starbase, received a complaint on Aug. 6, 2023, alleging that SpaceX was “discharging floodwaters without TCEQ authorization.”

“The Harlingen area received a total of 14 complaints alleging environmental impacts from the facility’s water discharge system,” regulators said in a written statement.

Aerospace companies, including SpaceX, generally comply with state and federal laws. Federal Aviation Administration SpaceX had been seeking permission to conduct up to 25 launches and landings per year of its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket at the Boca Chica facility. The notice of violation could delay those approvals and lead to civil fines, further investigations and criminal charges against SpaceX.

in Long post about XAfter this article was published, SpaceX said regulators told it it could continue launch operations despite the violation notice.

“Through ongoing coordination with TCEQ and EPA, we have specifically asked whether we should cease operations of the Deluge system and have been informed that operations can continue,” SpaceX wrote to EPA.

Neither regulator responded to CNBC’s questions about SpaceX’s statements.

SpaceX’s Starship in Brownsville, Texas on June 5.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images file

Rushing to rebuild

On July 25, 2024, TCEQ environmental investigators “conducted an internal compliance records review” to determine SpaceX’s compliance with wastewater regulations. The investigation found that SpaceX had discharged industrial wastewater without a permit four times between March and July of this year.

A water system with flame deflectors would dissipate heat, sound and energy generated during orbital test flights and rocket launches, but SpaceX didn’t have one installed at its Boca Chica launch pad before it began test flights of Starship, the biggest rocket ever made.

The FAA did not give a reason for the delay and said a new date would be announced in the future.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Paleontologists discover significant discrepancies in growth patterns between ancient and modern mammals from the Jurassic era

In a new study, paleontologists used synchrotron X-ray tomography of annual growth in dental cementum from fossil mammals belonging to three Jurassic animal groups to elucidate the origin of mammalian growth patterns that are intrinsically linked to mammals being warm-blooded.

Jurassic forest mammals. Image courtesy of © Zhao Chuang.

“This is the first time we've been able to reconstruct the growth patterns of early mammals in such detail,” said Dr Elise Newnham, a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Bonn.

“By studying the spacing and texture of these growth rings, we can not only tell us how fast they grew at different stages of their life, but also make inferences about their metabolism and overall lifespan.”

The study calls into question previous assumptions about the growth patterns of our mammalian ancestors and the idea that these animals may have grown in a way similar to modern mammals.

Instead, the study answers a question raised by similar recent studies of early mammalian ancestors: when did modern mammalian life cycles evolve?

The researchers found that the first signs of modern mammalian growth patterns — high growth rates in young animals that stop at puberty — began in the earliest true mammals about 130 million years ago, compared with relatively little change throughout their lives in previously evolved mammalian forms.

However, like mammals, these animals grow slower and live much longer than modern small mammals such as mice and mice, with a maximum lifespan of 8 to 14 years.

The timing of this change in growth rate, combined with changes in tree-ring structure, indicates when these animals reached puberty and possibly sexual maturity.

“These data suggest that while all living small mammals reach sexual maturity within a few months of birth, the earliest mammals took several years to reach sexual maturity, supporting the results of a recent study on one of our study animals. Cruxatodon” Dr Pam Gill, a researcher at the Natural History Museum and University of Bristol, said:

“What's more, we find that this long, drawn-out life history was common to early mammals throughout the Jurassic Period.”

“Our results suggest that distinctive mammalian life history traits, such as high metabolic rate and extended parental care, evolved gradually over millions of years,” Dr Newnham said.

“The Jurassic period appears to have been a pivotal period in this evolution.”

The researchers used a technique called synchrotron X-ray tomography to image tiny growth rings in fossilized root cementum, the bone tissue that attaches teeth to the jaw. These rings are similar to those found in trees, but on a microscopic scale.

By counting the growth rings and analysing their thickness and texture, they were able to reconstruct the growth patterns and lifespan of the extinct animals.

“This work is a great example of how new technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the distant past,” said Professor Thomas Martin from the University of Bonn.

“By closely examining these fossilized teeth, we can gain valuable insight into the lives of organisms that lived millions of years ago.”

“We are incredibly excited to be involved in this project,” said researcher Dr Jen Bright, from the University of Hull.

“Putting Jurassic fossils in a particle accelerator (synchrotron) to reconstruct the past sounds like science fiction, but it's actually possible!”

of Investigation result Published in a journal Scientific advances.

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Ellis Newham others2024. Origin of mammalian growth patterns during the Jurassic mammalian radiation. Scientific advances 10(32); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado4555

Source: www.sci.news

Struggling to find the perfect gift for your teenager? Discover the top tech gifts for teens in 2024

When it comes to choosing gifts for teenagers, gift cards are often the go-to option. With new technology constantly emerging, it can be challenging to find products that are both worth buying and will be loved by your teen.

Our list features a variety of fantastic tech gifts for teenagers, from cutting-edge gadgets for amazing selfies to popular items that can transform a regular bedroom into the ultimate teen hideaway. These products cater to every budget and level of tech knowledge – you don’t have to be a tech expert to enjoy these innovative devices.

These tech gifts are truly inspiring.

If you know a teenager who’s into science, don’t miss out on these amazing science gifts for teens.

Best Tech Gifts for Teens

Adding a color-changing LED light strip can instantly elevate a dull bedroom into a vibrant, multi-colored space. Perfect for adding a touch of excitement to a sleepover, gaming session, or just a relaxing night at home. This LED light strip may be one of the best tech gifts for teenagers.

Philips Hue Series Tapo is a well-known name in smart LED strips, and this version of Tapo is a great budget-friendly choice.

Setting up is easy – simply stick the strips on shelves, screens, or other bedroom furniture. The strips are five meters long and can be cut to any desired size. Use the Tapo app to select preset lighting moods, effects, and timers to automatically control the multicolored LEDs. It works over standard home Wi-Fi and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.

For more gift ideas, check out our guide to the best sci-fi games.

Latest Philips Hue Lightstrip deals:

Tapo Light Strip Latest Deals:

Insta360 X3

At first glance, this small gadget may seem expensive, but its impressive features speak for themselves.

The Insta360 X3 features a 5.7K 360° camera with useful functions like image stabilization, horizon lock, and HDR mode. With the extended selfie stick, the camera intelligently edits your footage to provide a unique third-person perspective, almost like having your personal videographer.

Don’t miss out on the best instant cameras for more photo gift ideas.

While the camera captures the action in 360°, you have the freedom to choose the best angle for your video.

Additional features include:

  • 8K quality 360° time lapse video
  • Automatically saves 15 or 30 seconds of footage before hitting the shutter button
  • Convenient automated editing and live 360° streaming allow viewers to see from every angle
  • Focus on a single person, animal, or moving object and keep it centered in the frame.
  • Waterproof up to 10m, extendable to 50m with a diving case (sold separately)

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Crosley Voyager Portable Turntable

A portable record player like the Crosley Voyager makes a fun and unique gift for teenagers. Music enthusiasts will appreciate having a stylish turntable in their room.

This turntable’s portability is a standout feature – easily pack it up and take your music with you to parties, vacations, and other gatherings.

Despite its vintage look, the turntable is equipped with modern features: Built-in stereo speakers and Bluetooth for streaming music from your phone, plus a headphone jack for private listening. The turntable also offers three speed settings for playing traditional records.

The Crosley Voyager is an affordable turntable option. If you’re unsure about it, explore our top record players currently available.

While you’re here, check out the best sunrise alarm clocks too.

Mini projector

A portable projector is a must-have for sleepovers or movie nights at home. Whether your teen has a TV in their room or not, this gadget will enhance their viewing experience with a projection size of up to 210 inches.

This is also perfect for PlayStation and Xbox enthusiasts.

While projectors can be pricey, this one offers a balance of affordability and quality. Highly rated by customers, it supports Full HD with 7500 lumens and allows you to choose your preferred projection size from 35 inches to 210 inches, from a distance of 3.7 feet from the wall.

Featuring built-in Hi-Fi speakers, it also has an audio-out port for connecting external speakers or headphones. Once set up, you can connect your phone, tablet, laptop, or gaming console to enjoy TV shows, movies, and photos (some devices may require an HDMI cable).

Explore our guide for the best projectors for your home for more options.

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

There are few speakers that deliver both style and sound quality, but the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 manages to do just that. With its unique “unicorn” appearance, this speaker stands out from the crowd. It also boasts impressive technical specifications.

The Boom 3 is fully waterproof, allowing you to play music underwater for 30 minutes, and it floats to the surface when released, making pool parties even more enjoyable. Moreover, if your recipient or their friends own other Ultimate Ears speakers, you can link up to 150 of them to synchronize music in one location.

This speaker delivers 360° sound and is made with a highly elastic material used in motorcycle jackets and firefighting gear. Ultimate Ears has conducted over 25 durability tests, ensuring it can withstand even the most energetic users.

The rechargeable battery provides up to 15 hours of playtime on a full charge. Power Up Dock for a seamless charging experience. For speaker options, explore our selection of portable speakers, shower speakers, or noise-canceling headphones.

Auraglow LED USB Wall or Tabletop Word Clock

Looking for a great gift under £25? Consider this unique clock from Auraglow. Instead of traditional numbers, this clock displays the time in 5-minute intervals. LEDs light up the relevant letters on a black panel to indicate the time.

The clock comes with a USB cable for connecting to various power sources, and you can add an adapter for more flexibility. It can be wall-mounted with a hanging slot or propped up on a desk or shelf thanks to its flat base.

If black isn’t your style, the clock is also available in copper. Explore our guides for the best wireless phone chargers, power banks, portable chargers, and charging stations for more useful tech ideas.

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Apexel 10-in-1 Cell Phone Camera Lens Kit

For Instagrammers, photographers, or selfie enthusiasts, a smartphone lens attachment is an ideal choice if you want to enhance your phone’s camera capabilities without investing in a new camera. This set, with 10 different lens attachments stored in a convenient pouch, is compatible with most smartphones and tablets, including iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, and Sony models.

The kit includes macro, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, along with fun accessories like a fisheye lens, a star filter, a kaleidoscope attachment, and even a polarizing filter to reduce glare and reflections for sunny days.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Discover abandoned navigation aids that guided planes in the past

VOR NVS is located on the edge of the village of Navas del Rey in Spain

Ignacio Evangelista

These isolated structures were once vital pillars of aviation navigation, but are little known today due to their remote location. Ignacio Evangelista’s The stunning shot highlights these beacons, known as VORs (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Stations), and the role they play in charting routes in the skies for aircraft.

VOR CMA

Ignacio Evangelista

VORs are essentially giant antennas that send out radio signals from remote locations to help planes locate and stay on course by flying from VOR to VOR. You can think of the signals as “breadcrumbs,” Evangelista says. The separation is necessary to avoid broadcast interference between VORs.

Stations like the ones mentioned here are disappearing as they are increasingly being replaced by satellite-based GPS, but while GPS is a more accurate means of navigation, VORs provide a backup during events like solar storms and GPS interference that could wreak havoc without them, Evangelista said.

Vol Brai

Ignacio Evangelista

Their locations are public, so anyone can find the remaining VORs simply by using a GPS — “an interesting technical gyre,” in Evangelista’s words — which prompted him to document some of the more photogenic stations before they disappear forever.

Seen from above, the first two stations are in Spain: VOR NVS, located on the edge of the village of Navas del Rey, 50km from Madrid, VOR CMA, 1.5km from the village of Calamocha, and the last one, VOR BRY, located on the edge of the French village of Bray-sur-Seine.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists discover unknown species of armadillo

of Cricket Armadillo (Dasypus novemucinctus) There are actually four different species, including a previously undescribed endemic species. Guiana ShieldAccording to a new study.



Guiana Navajo Armadillo (Dasypus guianensisImage courtesy of Quentin Martinez, https://quentinmartinez.fr.

Armadillos are New World placental mammals. CingulataAlong with anteaters and sloths, they form part of a superclade that dates back 100 million years ago. Xenomorphs.

The cricket armadillo The most widely distributed xenarthropod species Across the Americas.

Recent studies suggest that it consists of four distinct lineages whose taxonomic status is unclear.

“It has been widely believed that the cricket armadillo ranges from northern Argentina to southern Illinois, but in recent years some scientists have presented evidence that it is in fact a complex of several different species,” said Dr. Frédéric Delschuk, research director at the CNRS.

“By studying the DNA of armadillos across their range, we were able to perform a very detailed genomic analysis and become convinced that there are in fact four different species of armadillos.”

“Under the new classification, armadillos found in the United States should be called Mexican long-legged armadillos,” added Dr Anderson Feijo, a researcher at the Field Museum.

“In addition, a new species of Guiana Navajo armadillo (Dasypus guianensis) is the first armadillo described in the past 30 years.

In this study, the researchers analyzed the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Dasypus Armadillos were sampled throughout their range.

A combination of genetic data and physical characteristics led them to conclude that cricket armadillos are actually four genetically distinct species.

Thus, some subspecies within this species have come to be recognized as species in their own right.

The armadillo found in Mexico and the United States was formerly a subspecies of Mexican wolfnow just Mexican wolf: Mexican long-legged armadillo.

Subspecies Window StratusThe species that inhabits the central part of its range is now a distinct species, and its original name was Novemucinctas Currently limited to South America.

Meanwhile, the data showed that another branch of the armadillo phylogenetic tree did not belong to any of these three existing groups.

The area of ​​northeastern South America known as the Guiana Shield is home to the newest armadillo species. Dasypus guianensis.

The new armadillo is slightly larger than the other three species, has a hairless shell, a robust domed skull and additional bones in its spine.

Overall, however, to the untrained eye, these four species appear very similar.

“It's nearly impossible to tell in the field,” Dr Delsac said.

a paper The findings were published in the journal. Systematic biology.

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Mathilde Barthes othersExon capture museomics deciphers a cricket armadillo species complex and identifies a new species endemic to the Guiana Shield. Systematic biologyPublished online June 22, 2024, doi: 10.1093/sysbio/syae027

Source: www.sci.news

The Power of Music to Discover the Universe’s Hidden Secrets

Music and physics are two disciplines that transcend mere study to become intertwined aspects of human creativity. This hidden harmony between music and physics has been acknowledged by luminaries such as Albert Einstein, who expressed a longing for music had he not pursued physics.

As someone who navigates both fields, I have uncovered deeper connections between them. My journey began in the Bronx, where the worlds of hip hop and science collided in unexpected ways. Later, while studying at Imperial College London, I witnessed the fusion of artistic expression and scientific inquiry in Brian Eno’s studio.

This intersection between art and science inspired me to explore further and led me to write the book “Physics Jazz.” Through this exploration, I delved into the commonalities between music and physics, from improvisation to quantum uncertainty.

My passion for sharing these discoveries prompted the creation of the course “Jazz in Modern Physics” at Brown University, bridging the gap between disciplines and offering students a new way to appreciate the symphony of the universe through mathematics and melody.

Believing in the transformative power of education, I founded the “Sound + Science” after-school program to provide underserved students with an opportunity to explore the fusion of music and physics through hands-on experimentation and collaboration.

This fusion of art and science celebrates human ingenuity and the interconnectedness of the universe. In embracing this harmonious blend, we can unlock the mysteries of the universe and delve into the depths of the human soul.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists Discover Unique Characteristics of Rare Element Promethium

Promethium is extremely rare, with only about 0.5 kg occurring naturally in the Earth’s crust at any one time.

Conceptual art depicts the rare earth element promethium in a vial surrounded by organic ligands. Image courtesy of Jacqueline DeMink / Thomas Dyke / ORNL.

[DiscoveredattheClintonLaboratoryin1945promethium is a lanthanide element with the symbol Pm and atomic number 61.

Named after the mythical Titan who brought fire to mankind, the name symbolizes human endeavor.

Despite their use in medical research and long-life nuclear batteries, some of their properties remain poorly understood.

“The aim of this project was to explore and gain new knowledge about this extremely rare element,” he said. Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Dr. Ivanov and his colleagues prepared a chemical complex of promethium, allowing them to characterize it in solution for the first time.

Thus, they uncovered the secrets of this element through a series of meticulous experiments.

“Promethium was the last lanthanide discovered and has been the most difficult to study because it has no stable isotopes,” said Dr. Ilya Popovs, also of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“There are thousands of papers on lanthanide chemistry without promethium. It was a glaring flaw in the science as a whole,” said Dr. Santa Giansone-Popova of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“Scientists could only guess at most of its properties. Now we can actually measure some of them.”

The researchers linked, or chelated, radioactive promethium with a special organic molecule called a diglycolamide ligand.

The researchers then used X-ray spectroscopy to determine the properties of the complex, including the lengths of the chemical bonds between promethium and neighboring atoms — a scientific first and a long-missing part of the periodic table of elements.

Unlike other rare earth elements, synthetic promethium has no stable isotopes and is therefore only available in very small quantities.

For their research, the scientists produced the isotope promethium-147, which has a half-life of 2.62 years, in sufficient quantity and purity to study its chemical properties.

Remarkably, they were the first to demonstrate the signature of lanthanide contraction in solution for the entire lanthanide series, including promethium, atomic number 61.

Lanthanide contraction is a phenomenon in which elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71 become smaller than expected.

As the atomic number of these lanthanides increases, the radius of their ions decreases.

This contraction results in unique chemical and electronic properties as the same electric charge is confined to a shrinking space.

The authors obtained a clear promethium signal, which allowed them to better define the shape of the trend across the series.

“It’s really amazing from a scientific point of view. When I got all the data I was blown away,” Dr Ivanov said.

“This contraction of chemical bonds accelerates along the atomic series, but slows down significantly from promethium onwards.”

“This is a major breakthrough in understanding the chemical bonding properties of these elements and their structural changes along the periodic table.”

“Among other things, this achievement will ease the difficult task of isolating these valuable elements,” said Dr. Jansonne Popova.

“Our team has been working for a long time to isolate the entire series of lanthanides, but promethium was the last puzzle piece. It’s been very challenging.”

“With today’s advanced technology, we can’t use all these lanthanides as a mixture, because we have to separate them first.”

“This is where shrinkage becomes really important. It basically allows you to separate them, which is still pretty difficult.”

“All of the technological marvels of our time contain these rare earth elements in some form,” Dr Popovs said.

“We’re adding the missing link.”

Team paper Published in today’s journal Nature.

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D.M. Driscoll othersObservation of promethium complexes in solution. NaturePublished online May 22, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07267-6

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists discover a previously unknown species of fake scorpion trapped in 50-million-year-old amber

Paleontologists have reported fossils of a new genus and species of pseudoscorpion from the Eocene Cambay amber of western India.



Geogaranya variensis. Image credit: Agnihotri other, doi: 10.26879/1276.

pseudo scorpion It is the earliest order of arthropods to colonize Earth’s land during the early Devonian period.

This diverse order accounts for more than 3% of all known arachnid species.

“Pseudoscorpions are an ancient lineage of terrestrial arachnids that are morphologically similar to real scorpions, but lack the tail and stinger,” said Dr. Priya Agnihotri of DST’s Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences and colleagues.

“Certain families have unique venom devices in the serrated digits of their palps, which evolved independently of the venom devices of scorpions and spiders.”

“Recent research also supports the inclusion of pseudoscorpions as a sister group to scorpions.”

“Due to their delicate bodies and small size, these fossils are mainly found in amber deposits around the world rather than in sediments,” they added.

“Forty-nine pseudoscorpion species have been recorded from Eocene Baltic amber and Rovno amber.”

Newly discovered pseudoscorpion species belongs to the small scorpion family Goridae.

named Geogaranya variensis showing strong similarities with extant genera. Geogalypus From Sri Lanka, India, and New Guinea.

“The Geogarypidae family is one of a group of bark-dwelling and leaf litter-dwelling species similar to the Geogarypidae family. Gallipidae It has a distinctive subtriangular carapace and eyes located near the leading edge,” the paleontologist said.

“This family includes more than 70 species with habitats suitable for tropical and subtropical regions, some of which have been reported from temperate biomes.”

“Geogarypidae are more common in Baltic and Rovno amber, and there are some records from Cretaceous Burmese amber.”

“Unlike the sparse record of fossils, their modern-day counterparts have been recorded in all major biogeographic regions, including Europe, Central Asia, North America, and North Africa.”

Amber from Cambay from 50 million years ago. Geogaranya variensis It was discovered in the open-pit Valia lignite mine, part of the Cambay Shale Formation, in the Cambay Basin of Gujarat, India.

“The Cambay Shale Formation overlies the Deccan Trap, and below it is the Paleocene to lower Eocene Vagadkol Formation,” the researchers said.

According to the team: Geogaranya variensis It is one of the smallest known adult pseudoscorpion fossils in amber from the Cambay Basin.

This discovery further strengthens the biodiversity of bark-dwelling arthropods identified in Eocene amber from western India.

“The discovery of the smallest known adult pseudoscorpion in Cambay Basin amber aligns it with fossil taxa recorded in Baltic Sea amber and Bitterfeld amber that survived the early Eocene. “This provides insight into similar bark-dwelling arthropod taxa,” the scientists concluded.

“Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed diagnostic features in the fossils, such as abnormally enlarged palps. This strengthened Foresy’s idea that species from non-arboreal habitats could be mistakenly This suggests that it may have been carried in amber and had a connection to a flying host.”

discovery of Geogaranya variensis is reported in paper in diary Old Trogia Electronica.

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priya agnihotri other. 2024. A new genus and species of fossil pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) discovered in Eocene amber from western India. Old Trogia Electronica 27 (2):a26; doi: 10.26879/1276

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers Discover Oldest Evidence of Earth’s Magnetic Field in Greenland

Recovering ancient records of the Earth's magnetic field is difficult because the magnetization of rocks is often reset by heating during burial due to tectonic movements over a long and complex geological history. Geoscientists from MIT and elsewhere have shown that rocks in West Greenland's Isua supercrustal zone have experienced three thermal events throughout their geological history. The first event was the most important, heating rocks to 550 degrees Celsius about 3.7 billion years ago. His two subsequent phenomena did not heat the region's northernmost rocks above 380 degrees Celsius. The authors use multiple lines of evidence to test this claim, including paleomagnetic field tests, metamorphic mineral assemblages across the region, and temperatures at which the radiometric ages of observed mineral assemblages are reset. They use this body of evidence to argue that an ancient record of Earth's magnetic field from 3.7 billion years ago may be preserved in the striated iron layer at the northernmost edge of the magnetic field. .

Earth's magnetic field lines. Image credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

In a new study, Professor Claire Nicholls from the University of Oxford and colleagues examined a range of ancient iron-bearing rocks from Isua, Greenland.

Once locked in place during the crystallization process, iron particles effectively act as tiny magnets that can record both the strength and direction of a magnetic field.

Researchers found that 3.7 billion-year-old rocks exhibited magnetic field strengths of at least 15 microteslas, comparable to modern magnetic fields (30 microteslas).

These results provide the oldest estimates of the strength of Earth's magnetic field derived from whole rock samples, providing a more accurate and reliable estimate than previous studies using individual crystals.

“It's very difficult to extract reliable records from rocks this old, so it was really exciting to see the primary magnetic signals start to emerge when we analyzed these samples in the lab,” Professor Nichols said. said.

“This is a very important step forward in our efforts to understand the role of ancient magnetic fields in the creation of life on Earth.”

Although the strength of the magnetic field appears to remain relatively constant, the solar wind is known to have been significantly stronger in the past.

This suggests that surface protection from the solar wind may have strengthened over time, thereby allowing life to leave the protection of the oceans and migrate to the continents.

The Earth's magnetic field is created by the mixing of molten iron within a fluid outer core, driven by buoyancy as the inner core solidifies, forming a dynamo.

During the early stages of Earth's formation, a solid inner core had not yet formed, leaving unanswered questions about how the initial magnetic field was maintained.

These new results suggest that the mechanisms driving Earth's early dynamo were as efficient as the solidification processes that generate Earth's magnetic field today.

Understanding how the strength of Earth's magnetic field has changed over time is also key to determining when Earth's interior solid core began to form.

This helps us understand how fast heat is escaping from the Earth's deep interior, which is key to understanding processes such as plate tectonics.

A key challenge in reconstructing Earth's magnetic field back in time is that any event that heats rocks can change the preserved signal.

Rocks in the Earth's crust often have long and complex geological histories that erase information about previous magnetic fields.

However, the Isua supercrustal zone has a unique geology, sitting on a thick continental crust and protected from extensive tectonic movements and deformation.

This allowed scientists to build clear evidence for the existence of magnetic fields 3.7 billion years ago.

The results may also provide new insights into the role of magnetic fields in shaping the development of Earth's atmosphere as we know it, particularly regarding the release of gases into the atmosphere.

“In the future, we hope to expand our knowledge of Earth's magnetic field before oxygen increased in the Earth's atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago by examining other ancient rock sequences in Canada, Australia, and South Africa. “We believe that this is the case,” the authors said.

“A better understanding of the strength and variability of ancient Earth's magnetic field will help determine whether the planet's magnetic field was important for harboring life on the planet's surface and its role in the evolution of the atmosphere. Masu.”

of study Published in Geophysical Research Journal.

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Claire IO Nichols other. 2024. Possible Archean record of geomagnetism preserved in the Isua supercrustal zone of southwestern Greenland. Geophysical Research Journal 129 (4): e2023JB027706; doi: 10.1029/2023JB027706

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers discover large ejection of dipolar material from NGC 4383

A large number of stars are born in the center NGC4383where a unique galaxy is located 74 million light years It is located beyond the constellation Coma. The largest lose mass through powerful winds over their lifetime, eventually exploding into violent supernovae. These stellar winds and supernovae drag away some of NGC 4383's gas reservoir. The bright red filaments indicate hydrogen gas ejected at least 20,000 light-years from the galaxy. This process controls the rate at which stars form within the galaxy, as this gas is carried away from the galactic center rather than remaining to form the next generation of stars.

watt other. We mapped the chemical composition and motion of NGC 4383's outflow in detail, providing insight into the mechanisms that caused the dramatic outflow seen in this image from ESO's Very Large Telescope.Image credit: ESO / Watts other.

Gas outflow is important for controlling the rate and duration at which galaxies continue to form stars.

The gas ejected by these explosions can pollute the space between stars within galaxies and even between galaxies, becoming permanently suspended in the intergalactic medium.

Dr Adam Watts, an astronomer at the University of Western Australia's node at the International Radio Center, said: “This outflow is the result of a powerful stellar explosion at the center of the galaxy, potentially spewing out huge amounts of hydrogen and heavy elements. There is a gender,” he said. Astronomical Research (ICAR).

“The mass of gas released is equivalent to more than 50 million suns.”

“Spills are very difficult to detect, so very little is known about the physics of spills and their properties.”

“The ejected gas is extremely rich in heavy elements, providing a unique insight into the complex process by which metals mix with hydrogen in the ejected gas.”

“In this particular case, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and many other chemical elements were detected.”

astronomers are muse (Multi-unit Spectroscopic Explorer) Turn on the instrument ESO's super large telescope (VLT) Created a high-resolution map of NGC 4383 in northern Chile.

Data were collected as part of VLT/MUSE's larger program MAUVE (MUSE and ALMA Unveiling the Virgo Environment).

“We designed MAUVE to investigate how physical processes, such as gas outflow, help stop star formation in galaxies,” said West, also at the International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). said Professor Barbara Catinella of the Australian University of Nord.

“NGC 4383 was our first target because we thought something very interesting might be happening, and the data exceeded all expectations.”

“In the future, we hope that MAUVE's observations will reveal in great detail the importance of gas outflow in the local universe.”

team's paper Published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Adam B. Watts other. 2024. Mauve: A 6 kpc bipolar outflow launched from NGC 4383, one of the most Hi-rich galaxies in the Virgo cluster. MNRAS 530 (2): 1968-1983; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae898

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Discover New Species of Massive Triassic Ichthyosaur

Ichthyotitan severnensis It lived in the Triassic seas around 202 million years ago and may have grown over 25 meters (82 feet) long.



Ichthyotitan severnensis. Image credit: Gabriel Uguet.

Ichthyosaurs are dolphin-like marine reptiles known from hundreds of fossils from the time of the dinosaurs.

These creatures ranged in size from less than a meter to over 20 meters (65 feet) in length.

All animals gave birth to live young in the sea, and some had giant eyes and so-called warm-blooded physiology, and some were fast swimmers and deep divers.

“Ichthyosaurs first evolved during the early Triassic period, about 250 million years ago,” said Dr Dean Lomax and colleagues from the Universities of Bristol and Manchester.

“Within a few million years, some ichthyosaurs evolved to reach lengths of 15 meters or more, and by the late Triassic period (about 200 million years ago), the largest fish, including the newly described ichthyosaurs. The dragon has evolved. Ichthyotitan severnensis

“But this reign didn’t necessarily last long. Some species of ichthyosaurs continued to roam the oceans for millions of years, but these ‘giant ichthyosaurs’ It is thought to have become extinct during the Tatami-Jurassic extinction event. And this unique group of marine reptiles never reached such a world again. Huge size.”

two fragmentary jaw bones Ichthyotitan severnensis Collected from the uppermost layer of the Triassic period Westbury Mudstone Formation Located in Somerset, England.

Based on the length of the fossil, the new species could have been a whopping 25 meters long, or twice as long as a city bus.

“In 2018, my team studied and described a giant jawbone, and we were hopeful that one day another jawbone would be revealed,” Dr. Lomax said.

“The new specimen is more complete and better preserved, showing that there are two large bones (called quadrilateral bones) with unique shapes and structures.”

“It’s quite amazing to think that gigantic ichthyosaurs, the size of blue whales, were swimming in the seas around Britain during the Triassic period.”

“These jaw bones provide intriguing evidence that perhaps someday the complete skull or skeleton of these giants may be discovered. You never know.”

discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis is explained in paper in diary PLoS ONE.

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DR Lomax other. 2024. The last giant: new evidence of a giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaur from Britain. PLoS ONE 19 (4): e0300289; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300289

Source: www.sci.news

Students Implicated in Cyber Fraud After Police Discover Involvement in Massive Phishing Site

Police have uncovered a disturbing trend among university students, who are resorting to cyber fraud to boost their income. They have managed to infiltrate a large phishing site on the dark web that has defrauded tens of thousands of individuals.

The site, known as LabHost, has been operational since 2021 and serves as a hub for cyber fraud, enabling users to create realistic-looking websites mimicking reputable companies like major banks. It has ensnared 70,000 users globally, including 70,000 individuals in the UK.

Victims unknowingly provided sensitive information, which was then used to siphon money from their accounts. The perpetrators behind the site profited by selling this stolen data on the dark web to other fraudsters.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the primary victims fall within the 25-44 age bracket, with a significant portion of their activities carried out online.

Law enforcement authorities have apprehended one of the alleged masterminds behind the site, along with 36 other suspects detained in the UK and abroad. The arrests were made at various airports in Manchester, Luton, Essex, and London.

British police are facing mounting pressure to demonstrate their effectiveness in combating the rising tide of cyber fraud.

Despite the relatively small impact of dismantling this particular site, the police intend to dismantle additional cyber fraud operations to undermine the confidence of criminals who believe they can act with impunity.

While fraud and cybercrime present considerable challenges for law enforcement agencies, they often compete for resources with other policing priorities, such as safeguarding children and enhancing women’s safety.

LabHost managed to amass significant amounts of sensitive data, including 480,000 debit or credit card numbers and 64,000 PIN numbers, generating over £1 million in membership fees from 2,000 individuals who paid in cryptocurrency.

The company lured users with tutorial videos on committing crimes using the site and on utilizing new consumer products. It promised quick installation of software in five minutes and offered “customer service” in case of any issues.

DI Oliver Richter noted the shift in cyber fraud from requiring technical skills like coding to now being accessible to individuals ranging from late teens to late 20s, many of whom are college students.

He expressed concern that these users may not fully grasp the risks and consequences of their actions, assuming anonymity and ease of operation.

Following the dismantling of the site, 800 users received warnings that the police were aware of their activities.

Detective Inspector Helen Rance, head of the Metropolitan Police’s cybercrime unit, described the LabHost bust as a sophisticated operation targeting those who have commercialized fraudulent activities. She highlighted collaboration with 17 factions globally, both in the public and private sectors.

She emphasized the success of penetrating the service, identifying the perpetrators, and understanding the scale of their illicit operations.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Astronomers discover colorful ‘glory’ in the atmosphere of WASP-76b

Using data from ESA's Extraterrestrial Planet Characterization Satellite (CHEOPS) and several other ESA and NASA missions, astronomers detected signs of extraterrestrial planets. Rainbow-like “glory effect” In the atmosphere of super-hot Jupiter WASP-76b. This effect occurs when light is reflected from a cloud composed of a completely homogeneous but so far unknown material. This “glory effect” is common on Earth, but it has only been discovered once on another planet, Venus. If confirmed, this first extrasolar glory would reveal more about the nature of this puzzling exoplanet and hold exciting lessons about how to better understand strange, distant worlds.

Artist's impression of WASP-76b's atmospheric rainbow-like “glory effect.” Image credit: ESA.

WASP-76b is the superhot planet Jupiter located 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces.

First discovered in 2016, this exoplanet orbits the F-type star WASP-76 once every 1.8 days.

WASP-76b is tidally locked to its star. It takes about the same amount of time to rotate around its axis as it does to orbit its parent star.

On the day side, the planet receives thousands of times more radiation from its star than Earth receives from the Sun.

Temperatures on the dayside can exceed 2,400 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit), high enough to vaporize metals. However, nighttime temperatures are much cooler at 1,316 degrees Celsius (2,400 degrees Fahrenheit).

Here, the elements that form Earth's rocks melt and evaporate, condensing on the slightly cooler night side and creating iron clouds that drip rain of molten iron.

But astronomers have been puzzled by the apparent asymmetry, or oddity, of WASP-76b's “limbs,” the outermost regions seen as it passes in front of its host star.

“WASP-76b is being 'inflated' by the intense radiation from its star,” said Dr. Monica Rendl, an astronomer at the University of Geneva.

“That means it's 10% less massive than our cousin Jupiter, but almost twice the size.”

“The important thing to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we are witnessing,” says ESA astronomer Dr Matthew Standing.

“WASP-76b is a very hot gas giant planet hundreds of light years away, likely raining molten iron. Despite the chaos, we detected potential signs of glory. It seems like it's an incredibly weak signal.''

In this study, the authors analyzed data from a variety of ESA and NASA missions, including CHEOPS, TESS, Hubble, and Spitzer.

CHEOPS intensively monitored WASP-76b as it passed in front of and around a Sun-like star. After making her 23 observations over three years, the data showed a surprising increase in the amount of light emanating from the planet's eastern “terminator,” the boundary where night and day meet. .

This allowed astronomers to disentangle the signal and constrain its origin.

“This is the first time that such a sudden change in the brightness of an exoplanet, its 'phase curve', has been detected,” said Dr. Olivier Demanjon, an astronomer at the Spanish Institute of Astronomical Sciences in Portugal.

“This discovery led to the hypothesis that this unexpected glow may be caused by a strong, locally anisotropic (direction-dependent) reflection, or glow effect.”

“Never before have we seen such colorful concentric rings on an extrasolar object,” said Dr Thomas Wilson, an astronomer at the University of Warwick.

“Therefore, if future studies confirm the glory of this first exoplanet, WASP-76b will be a truly unique object, providing insight into the atmospheres of distant exoplanets and how habitable they may be. It’s a beautiful tool for understanding.”

Confirmation of the glory effect means that the cloud, which is made up of perfectly spherical droplets, has lasted at least three years or is constantly replenished.

For these clouds to persist, the atmospheric temperature must also remain stable over time. This is an interesting and detailed insight into what's going on with WASP-76b.

Importantly, being able to detect such subtle wonders at great distances will teach scientists and engineers how to detect other less visible but important phenomena. For example, sunlight reflecting off liquid lakes and oceans is a requirement for habitability.

“More evidence is needed to say conclusively that this interesting 'extra light' is a rare glory,” said Dr Teresa Luftinger, project scientist for ESA's upcoming Ariel mission.

“Follow-up observations by the NIRSPEC instrument aboard the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope could do just that. Or perhaps ESA’s upcoming Ariel mission will prove its existence.” We may even discover brighter colors shining from other exoplanets.”

a paper The survey results were published in a magazine astronomy and astrophysics.

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ODS demansion other. 2024. Asymmetry in the atmosphere of superhot Jupiter WASP-76b. A&A 684, A27; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348270

Source: www.sci.news

Discover the message NASA is sending to Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon.

Illustration of NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft

NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

In October, NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will begin a journey to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa (imagined above).

NASA has asked METI International, the scientific organization I lead, to leverage our expertise in trying to make contact with extraterrestrial intelligence by creating a symbolic engraved tantalum plate on a spacecraft. We asked them to help us create a message, a greeting from one water world to another.

We helped create two parts of the message. First, we collected a globally representative sample of recordings of water words in 103 languages. Each language is displayed as a waveform on the outside of the panel (pictured above) that protects sensitive scientific equipment.

On the other, inward-looking side (see below), we designed the scientific part of the message. This refers to water in terms of the “water hole,” a frequency band between the hydrogen and hydroxyl (combining to form water) emission lines in the radio spectrum where many of the early searches for intelligence beyond Earth took place. I’m explaining.

Other parts of the internal message include: Drake equation to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the galaxy. Microchips containing the names of 2.6 million supporters will be added soon.and Poet Laureate of the United States Ada Limon’s Poem to Europa ends like this. “O second moon, we too / are made of water, of a vast, beckoning ocean… / of the need to call out in the darkness.” The European Clipper will fly to Jupiter in April 2030. We are planning to enter the orbit of

douglas vacochChairman of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry International

topic:

  • Jupiter/
  • space exploration

Source: www.newscientist.com

Physicists discover first natural unconventional superconductor

Solid state chemistry has led to the creation of numerous materials with unique properties not found in nature. For instance, the high-temperature superconductivity of copper oxide compounds known as cuprates is so distinct from the superconductivity of naturally occurring metals and alloys that it is often referred to as “unconventional.” Unconventional superconductivity is also present in other synthetic compounds like iron-based superconductors and heavy fermion superconductors. Physicists at Ames National Laboratory have uncovered strong evidence of unconventional superconductivity in synthetic samples of Rh17S15, a mineral that exists in nature as miassite.



Miasite is one of only four minerals found in nature that act as a superconductor when grown in the laboratory, and is the only mineral ever known to exhibit unconventional superconductivity in its clean synthetic form. It is the only mineral that exists. Image credit: Paul Canfield.

Superconductivity is the ability of a material to conduct electricity without any loss of energy.

Superconductors have various applications including medical MRI machines, power cables, and quantum computers.

Conventional superconductors are well understood but have low critical temperatures.

The critical temperature is the highest temperature at which a material displays superconductivity.

In the 1980s, scientists discovered unconventional superconductors with significantly higher critical temperatures, all of which were manufactured in a lab, challenging the notion that unconventional superconductivity is not a natural occurrence, as stated by Ruslan Prozorov, a researcher at Ames National Laboratory.

“Miasite is a fascinating mineral due to its intricate chemical composition,” he added.

Continued efforts to grow miasite crystals as part of a broader exploration into compounds combining elements with high melting points and volatile elements have led to the discovery of unconventional superconductors in the Rh-S system.

Professor Paul Canfield highlighted the unique process of growing crystals at low temperatures with minimal vapor pressure in elements like Rh, contrary to pure elements found in nature.

Further tests confirmed that miasite functions as an unconventional superconductor, enhancing the understanding of superconductors.

For more information on this discovery, refer to the article published in Communication Materials.

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H. Kim et al. 2024. Nodal superconductivity in miasite Rh17S15. Communication Materials 5, 17; doi: 10.1038/s43246-024-00456-w

Source: www.sci.news

Brain researchers discover cold sensors in mice

Neuroscientists at the University of Michigan have identified thermoreceptors that mediate the sensation of cold in somatosensory neurons.

GluK2 KO mice have a defect in cold sensing.Image credit: Kai other10.1038/s41593-024-01585-8.

“The field began elucidating such temperature sensors more than 20 years ago with the discovery of a heat-sensing protein called TRPV1,” said Professor Sean Hsu of the University of Michigan.

“While various studies have discovered proteins that sense hot, warm, and even cold temperatures, we have not identified any proteins that sense temperatures below about 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).”

In 2019, scientists discovered The world's first cold receptor protein Caenorhabditis elegans a millimeter-long nematode species that the lab is studying as a model system for understanding sensory responses.

Because the gene that codes for it is Caenorhabditis elegans This protein is evolutionarily conserved across many species, including mice and humans, and this discovery was a starting point for testing cold sensors in mammals. Glutamate ion channel receptor kainate type subunit 2 (GluK2).

In a new study, Professor Xu and colleagues tested that hypothesis in mice with the deficiency. GluK2 Because of the gene, the GluK2 protein could not be produced.

Through a series of experiments testing animals' behavioral responses to temperature and other mechanical stimuli, they found that mice responded normally to hot, warm, and cold temperatures, but not to harmful cold.

GluK2 is primarily found in neurons in the brain, where it receives chemical signals and facilitates communication between neurons.

However, it is also expressed by sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system (outside the brain and spinal cord).

“We found that this protein serves a completely different function in the peripheral nervous system, processing temperature cues instead of cold-sensing chemical signals,” said Dr. Bo Duan from the University of Michigan.

of GluK2 This gene has relatives across the evolutionary tree, going back to single-celled bacteria.

“Bacteria don't have brains, so why have they evolved a way to receive chemical signals from other neurons?” Professor Xu said.

“But the need to sense its environment, and perhaps both temperature and chemicals, will be very strong.”

“Thus, I suspect that temperature sensing is an ancient function, at least for some of these glutamate receptors, that was eventually adopted as organisms evolved more complex nervous systems. .”

of result appear in the diary natural neuroscience.

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W. Kai other. The kainate receptor GluK2 mediates cold sensing in mice. nut neurosi, published online on March 11, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41593-024-01585-8

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists at CERN Discover Intriguing New Decay Mode of Mesons

Physicists from LHCb collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have made the first observation of the collapse of the Bc+ meson. This results in a J/ψ charm-anticharm quark bound state (consisting of two heavy quarks, b and c) and a pair of pions π+π0. This new decay process shows a contribution from an intermediate particle, the ρ+ meson, which forms for a short time and then decays into π+π0 pairs.



September 2016, LHCb experimental cave at LHC IP8. Image courtesy of CERN.

The Bc+ is the heaviest meson and decays only through weak interactions due to the decay of one heavy constituent quark.

It decays into an odd number of optical hadrons, and J/ψ (or another attractive and anti-attractive quark-bound state called Charmonia) has been intensively studied and found to be in remarkable agreement with theoretical predictions.

The decay of Bc+ to J/ψ and π+π0 pairs is the simplest decay to charmonium and even-numbered optical hadrons.

This has never been observed before. The main reason for this is that in the LHC proton-proton collision environment, it is very difficult to accurately reconstruct low-energy π0 mesons through their decay into a pair of photons.

“Accurate measurements of the Bc+→J/ψπ+π0 decay will allow us to better understand its possible contribution as a background source for the study of other decays of Bc mesons and rare decays of B0 mesons,” said the LHCb physicist.

From a theoretical point of view, J/ψ and the decay of Bc into an even number of pions are closely related to the decay of the τ lepton into an even number of pions and the e+e- annihilation into an even number of pions.

Accurate measurements of e+e- annihilation into two pions in the ρ mass region (like the Bc decay discussed here) are possible using the Fermilab G-2 experiment, which measures the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of the muon and is important for interpreting the results. The annihilation of low-energy e+e- into hadrons is an important source of uncertainty in g-2 measurements.

The ratio of the probability of a new decay to the probability of a decay from Bc+ to J/ψπ+ has been calculated by various theorists over the past 30 years.

Now these predictions can finally be compared with experimental measurements. Most predictions agree with the new result 2.80±0.15±0.11±0.16.

The large number of b quarks produced in LHC collisions and the excellent detectors allow LHCb researchers to study the formation, decay, and other properties of Bc+ mesons in detail.

“Since the discovery of the meson by the Tevatron Collider’s CDF experiment, 18 new Bc+ decays (with more than 5 standard deviations) have been observed, all from the LHCb,” the researchers said.

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LHCb collaboration. 2024. Observation of B+c→J/ψπ+π0 collapse. arXiv: 2402.05523

Source: www.sci.news