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Scientists Express Concern Over Emerging Type of Acid Rain

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Researchers have raised concerns about a novel type of acid rain that is becoming increasingly prevalent, complicating efforts to mitigate its impact; I did it poses a hazard to all forms of life on Earth.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) — a type of persistent “forever chemical” — is now found in rain and snow globally, in concentrations significantly higher than in past decades.

While the exact implications of TFA for human health and the environment remain unclear, some scientists are suggesting that these chemicals I did it may present an existential risk.

“Recent findings indicate that TFA can interfere with critical Earth system processes, such as mammalian embryo development and diminished soil respiration,” stated Professor Hans Peter Alp, a chemist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in BBC Science Focus.

Professor Alp’s latest research categorized TFA as a planetary threat comparable to global warming and ozone depletion.

“We are uncertain about the long-term consequences,” he continued. “Due to the global accumulation of TFA, any long-term effects may manifest on a worldwide scale.”

“Moreover, when TFA impacts the environment, it does not break down naturally, making intervention too late. Existing technologies for TFA removal are prohibitively expensive and only applicable in limited scenarios.”

The ARP paper emphasized the necessity of taking proactive measures to curb the rapid buildup of TFA before it is officially deemed an emergency threat.

“In the heating and cooling sectors, this means we must avoid gases that lead to TFA formation,” Alp added.

“Another necessary step is to phase out pesticides and pharmaceuticals that produce TFA during degradation.”

Some nations have already begun taking action. Denmark is leading the charge, having banned 23 pesticide products in July 2025 due to their association with TFA contamination.

TFA is merely one of countless forever chemicals. Other PFAs are linked to health issues such as reproductive problems, fetal deformities, and various cancers – Credit: Chris Macrolin via Getty

TFA belongs to a category of “Forever Chemicals,” more formally known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which are notably resistant to degradation.

Among these persistent chemicals, TFA is one of the smallest. It can infiltrate the environment from sources such as refrigerants, aerosols, pesticides, air conditioning units, landfills, and sewage systems. When larger PFAs degrade, they often convert into TFA.

Because of its small size, TFA readily dissolves in water. This property contributes to its prevalence as a persistent chemical, as it is rapidly increasing not only in rain but also in rivers, lakes, groundwater, oceans, vegetation, food, and urine.

The ARP indicated that finding TFA in “previously untouched water resources” could be alarming. This is particularly troubling as TFA is considered nearly impossible to remove from drinking water.

Some scientists suggest that TFA may not pose significant risks to humans because it does not linger or accumulate in our bodies but is quickly excreted through urine.

However, the ARP maintains that new evidence shows an increasing presence of TFA in humans, animals, and ecosystems.

“We observe that TFA can penetrate cells, becoming integral components of lipids, proteins, and cellular structures. This may explain noticed alterations in microbial activity within soil,” stated ARP.

Researchers, including Alp, are exploring methods to eliminate TFA from the environment, such as cultivating crops that can absorb TFA.

Nonetheless, Alp emphasizes that further research is essential to assess the true level of threat posed by TFA. In the meantime, he urges that “the foremost priority is to curtail emissions before irreversible global consequences unfold.”

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About our experts

Professor Hans Peter Alp is a chemist at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on how pollutants behave in environments that include microplastics, everlasting chemicals, metals, and more.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Maryland’s Sewage Sludge Fertilizer: Virginians Express Discontent.

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In 2023, Maryland sewage treatment facilities began uncovering alarming issues. Hazardous “forever chemicals” were detected in the state’s wastewater, with many being converted into fertilizers and distributed across agricultural land.

To safeguard its food and drinking water, Maryland has started to limit the application of fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. Meanwhile, Synagro, a prominent manufacturer of sludge fertilizers, is seeking approval to expand their usage across state lines in Virginia.

Environmentalists, fishing associations, and some farmers are opposing this movement, arguing that the pollution poses a significant risk to farmland and delicate waterways that nourish the Potomac River.

“These sewage sludge fertilizers are coming to Virginia because they’re deemed unsafe for Maryland farms,” stated Dean Naujox from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, who advocates for clean water. “This is unacceptable.”

Virginia is finding itself entangled in a rising national trend as it scrambles to address the spiraling farmland pollution crisis.

In Virginia, Synagro, a key player in providing sludge for fertilizer, is requesting permission to increase its sludge applications in rural areas, based on local accounts. Synagro operates under the Goldman Sachs Investment Fund.

In a statement, Kip Cleverley, Synagro’s Chief Sustainability Officer, noted that the presence of trace levels of PFAS does not necessarily indicate contamination. He emphasized that the company’s expansion into Virginia is independent of Maryland’s guidelines.

According to industry reports, over 2 million tons of dry sewage sludge were utilized on 4.6 million acres of farmland in 2018. Farmers estimate they have secured permission to apply sewage sludge on nearly 70 million acres, or about one-fifth of U.S. agricultural land.

However, increasing research indicates that this black sludge, also known as biosolids, may contain perfluoroalkyl substances or substantial levels of harmful PFAs, resulting from wastewater from homes and industries. These chemicals are believed to heighten the risk for certain cancers and lead to birth defects and developmental delays in children.

For residents in areas like Virginia Gardens, the historical birthplace of George Washington, the threat feels doubly unjust. Much of the biosolids delivered across state lines originate from major urban areas like Baltimore.

The pollution that locals fear flows off farmlands into nearby rivers and streams, endangering farmers and watermen who rely on these resources.

“Water runs off the farms into the waterways,” explained Leedale, a seventh-generation waterman and owner of the Northern Neck Oyster Company, as he navigated his oyster boat through the winding tributaries of the Potomac. “And we’re experiencing substantial rainfall this season.”

His concerns are substantiated. New research published in Nature indicates that PFAS in sludge used as fertilizer can contaminate both farmland and adjacent rivers and streams.

“That stream could be part of your drinking water supply, and downstream, contaminants could accumulate in fish,” remarked Diana Oviedo Vargas, a researcher at the nonpartisan Stroud Water Research Center, who led the federally funded study. “There’s a lot we are yet to understand, but these pollutants are unquestionably reaching our surface waters.”

This presents a complex issue. While sludge fertilizers are nutrient-rich and significantly reduce the need for incineration or landfill disposal, they also counterbalance the use of synthetic fertilizers derived from fossil fuels.

Nevertheless, studies have shown that sludge can harbor pathogens and chemicals like PFAs. Synthetic PFAS compounds are commonly found in everyday items such as non-stick cookware and stain-resistant carpets, and are associated with various diseases.

The EPA regulates several pathogens and heavy metals in sludge used as fertilizers but has not established regulations for PFAs. This year, the EPA issued its first warning regarding health risks linked to PFAs in sludge fertilizers. The Biden administration also introduced the first federal drinking water standard for PFAS, asserting that virtually no safe level of these substances exists.

The absence of federal regulations regarding PFAs in sludge has shifted responsibility to states, leading to a jumble of regulations and the transfer of contaminated sludge into areas with less stringent oversight.

Maine banned the use of sludge fertilizers in 2022, resulting in some sludge being shipped out of state as local landfills could not accommodate it.

Maryland has temporarily halted new permits for sludge use as fertilizer. The Maryland Department of the Environment has also mandated PFAS testing at all sewage treatment facilities statewide. Despite treatment processes, contaminants have been detected in both wastewater and sludge, and while protocols are in place, guidelines are being established to report and dispose of high-PFAS sludge amounts.

In Virginia, groups against the importation of Maryland’s sewage are advocating for state-level PFAS regulation in sludge.

Meanwhile, data from Virginia shows that sludge from Maryland is already being transferred. An analysis by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network indicates that biosolids from 22 Maryland wastewater treatment plants have been approved for use as fertilizer in Virginia, all reporting PFAS contamination.

In Westmoreland County, Synagro is dealing with sludge from 16 plants in Maryland, all indicating PFAS contamination.

In December, Synagro applied for a permit expansion to use sludge on an additional 2,000 acres of farmland in Westmoreland. Following local feedback prompting a hearing, Synagro withdrew the application but is expected to reapply.

In Essex County, Synagro seeks to increase sludge applications over another 6,000 acres, raising this area by a third, according to their permit application.

Cleverley from Synagro assured that the biosolids applied in Virginia comply with Maryland’s PFAS standards.

Irina Karos, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, mentioned that Virginia hasn’t seen a significant increase in the amount of Maryland biosolids applied. The state is still evaluating the request for Synagro’s expansion.

Karos also stated that Virginia is unaware of any biosolids from Maryland exceeding the recommended PFAS levels. Environmental organizations counter that verifying this is challenging.

Maryland spokesman Jay Apperson emphasized that the state’s guidelines and testing protocols aim to assist utilities and farmers while prioritizing public health.

Rob Hinton, a fourth-generation farmer at Cedar Plains Farm in Heathsville, Virginia, has cultivated corn, soybeans, and other crops for 45 years. He worries that farmers in the Northern Neck are not receiving fair treatment.

“It’s tempting when people offer something for free or nearly free. I don’t blame farmers for considering it,” he remarked. “But it’s these large cities that are sending their waste to us.”

“I learned about PFAS only after discussing it with friends in the waterman community,” he shared. “I’m unsure whether Virginia has conducted adequate testing.”

Synagro actively engages with farmers and local residents. During a presentation in March, Synagro representatives, alongside Virginia Tech researchers, shared data suggesting that the PFAS levels from sludge fertilizers were significantly lower than the levels indicated in previous studies, similar to slides reviewed by The New York Times.

Synagro stated it cannot provide comprehensive research verifications since the company isn’t directly involved. The Virginia Tech researchers mentioned did not respond to requests for comments.

At a Virginia Water Management Board meeting in March, Bryant Thomas, the state’s Environmental Quality director, reported receiving 27 public comments on Synagro’s proposal to expand sludge use in Essex County. Of these, 26 expressed concerns regarding the impact of sludge on public health and wildlife, particularly shellfish.

The board subsequently requested further investigation and a report from the agency.

“I find it interesting that while Maryland is revising its regulations, they are still sending biosolids to us in Virginia,” remarked Waterboard Chair Lou Anne Jesse Wallas in an interview. “We in Virginia must remain vigilant to protect our water and our citizens.”

Experts believe Maryland’s approach is a constructive first step. However, a bill introduced to further restrict PFAs in biosolids failed at the last moment. “We are concerned about the regulatory patchwork between states,” expressed Jean Zhuang, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, an environmental nonprofit. “The federal government needs to step up.”

President Biden was poised to propose regulations limiting the discharges of PFAS by industrial facilities into wastewater. The Trump administration had previously rolled back this proposal but has recently indicated it may establish its own wastewater restrictions.

In the southern regions, the center is actively urging wastewater treatment facilities to demand local factories and industries clean up their wastewater before it reaches treatment plants. This would compel industries to manage contaminants at their sources or potentially eliminate the use of PFAs altogether, according to Zhuang.

“If a wastewater treatment plant takes action, then the industry will bear the costs of its pollution,” she noted.

On a recent evening, waterman Michael Lightfoot checked on a wire mesh cage of oysters raised in Jackson. He resides with his wife, Phyllis, in the creek. After nearly three decades in federal service, he retired in 2012 and has dedicated himself to waterman activities ever since.

Lightfoot is part of the ongoing oyster cultivation surge in Virginia, recognized as the top oyster producer on the East Coast and one of the largest in the nation. However, his proximity to the polluted farmland raises considerable concern for him. “There aren’t any farms in our waterways that aren’t discharging runoff,” he stated.

Source: www.nytimes.com

How Do Cats Express Themselves? – Sciworthy

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If you’ve ever had a pet cat, you know they are masters of communication. Cats were domesticated over 10,000 years ago, learning to mix body language with an assortment of meows, purrs, and chirps to express their needs to humans. I also have a cat colony with complex social relationships based on factors like rank, age, sexual status, and genetics. So how do they “speak” to each other?

Researchers have indicated that other mammals, including primates, communicate using facial signals. For example, gorillas often mirror each other’s facial expressions while playing; this phenomenon is known as rapid imitation of faces. Scientists correlate emotional perception with this rapid facial imitation, which may have evolved as a precursor to human empathy. Veterinarians are particularly aware of how cats exhibit different facial expressions when experiencing fear, irritation, relaxation, or pain. They often display certain behaviors when scared, and lick their noses and hiss when annoyed. However, it’s unclear whether cats in colonies and multi-cat households use imitation of facial signals.

Researchers in Israel and the United States have recently developed a new automated approach to determine if domestic cats utilize facial mimicry. Historically, researchers have compared animal facial expressions by manually recording specific movements based on standardized facial action coding systems.FACS. Other scientists tracked changes in facial shape by observing particular reference points.Landmarks on the faces of animals. Since both methods are time-intensive and subjective, the research team suggested machine learning could expedite the process and reduce bias.

The team analyzed 186 videos of 53 adult short-haired cats. Catcafe Lounge in Los Angeles, California, recorded between August 2021 and June 2022. Related to social interaction, they classified neutral or antagonistic interactions such as staring and hissing as non-intimate interactions. The hypothesis was that cats would mirror each other’s faces more frequently during interactions compared to those who are not acquainted, similar to other mammals that use facial mimicry to bond.

Initially, researchers tested whether machine learning models could accurately classify cat interactions in the videos. They utilized a model known as a tree-based pipeline optimization tool.TPOT, previously used for sorting genetic data. Starting from a manually assembled CATFACS dataset, they tracked 48 different movements involving the lips, ears, and eyes in the videos. They trained TPOT on 147 videos using the CATFACS dataset and tested its accuracy on another 37. The model successfully identified interactions based on the leaders’ facial movements in 74% of the videos.

Following that, the researchers examined how well TPOT characterized cat interactions based on facial landmarks, including 48 reference points covering the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. They began with anautomatic landmark system that quantified cat facial signals from the video footage. The benefit of automating this approach is that it can capture rapid, subtle movements that humans might overlook. They trained TPOT with over 87,000 video frames using the automated landmark data and tested it on 22,000 frames. They found that TPOT’s ability to classify landmark-based facial signals was not more accurate than that of CATFACS-based signals, suggesting that fully automated landmarks could actually be more prone to error than manual tracking.

Finally, the researchers analyzed the comprehensive CATFACS dataset using TPOT to determine when one cat mimics some or all of another cat’s facial expressions. Supporting their hypothesis, they discovered that cats statistically mimicked each other more during social interactions than during unrelated ones. They also found that cats commonly mimic each other’s ear movements. Their results affirm previous claims that cats use their ears for communication, but they acknowledged that cats might also respond to external sounds instead of each other.

The team concluded that, much like other mammals, cats utilize rapid facial mimics to communicate. They suggested that these facial cues help cats within colonies navigate their intricate social environments and coexist peacefully. However, they also recognized that improving automated landmark-based facial tracking could involve using more cameras or conducting tests in controlled environments to minimize external influences. Regardless, they proposed that automated tracking of cat facial signals could someday enhance the success of living arrangements in shelters and among veterinarians.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Meta UK Staff Express Concerns Over Abolishing Fact Checkers and DEI Programs

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The union representing tech workers in the UK expresses concerns on behalf of British staff at Meta about the company’s decision to eliminate fact-checkers and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. They feel disappointed and worried about the future direction of the company.

Prospect union, which represents a growing number of UK Meta employees, has written to express these concerns to the company, highlighting the disappointment among long-time employees. They fear this change in approach may impact Meta’s ability to attract and retain talent, affecting both employees and the company’s reputation.

In a letter to Meta’s human resources director for EMEA, the union warns about potential challenges in recruiting and retaining staff following the recent announcements of job cuts and performance management system changes at Meta.

The union also seeks assurances that employees with protected characteristics, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, will not be disadvantaged by the policy changes. They call for Meta to collaborate with unions to create a safe and inclusive workplace.

Employees are concerned about the removal of fact-checkers and increased political content on Meta’s platform, fearing it may lead to a hostile work environment. They highlight the importance of maintaining a culture of respect and achievement at Meta.

Referencing the government’s Employment Rights Bill, the union questions Meta’s efforts to prevent sexual harassment and ensure that employees with protected characteristics are not negatively impacted by the changes.

The letter from the union follows Zuckerberg’s recent comments on a podcast, where he discussed the need for more “masculine energy” in the workplace. Meta has been approached for comment on these concerns.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Growing concerns over online beauty filters: Teenage girls express vulnerability on social media

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JJust by clicking on the “shiny babe” filter, the teenager’s face was subtly elongated, her nose was streamlined, and her cheeks were sprinkled with freckles. Then, she used the Glow Makeup filter to remove blemishes from her skin, make her lips look like rosebuds, and extend her eyelashes in a way that makeup can’t. On the third click, her face returned to reality.

Today, hundreds of millions of people use beauty filters to change the way they look on apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. This week TikTok announced new global restrictions on children’s access to products that mimic the effects of cosmetic surgery.


The publication researched the feelings of around 200 teens and their parents in the UK, US, and several other countries and found that girls reported “feelings of low self-esteem” as a result of their online experiences. The announcement was made after it was discovered that the patient was sensitive to

There are growing concerns about the impact of rapidly advancing technology on health, with generative artificial intelligence enabling what has been called a new generation of “micropersonality cults.” This is no small thing. TikTok has around 1 billion users.

Upcoming research by Professor Sonia Livingstone, Professor of Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, will show that the pressures and social comparisons that result from the use of increasingly image-manipulated social media are more psychologically traumatic than viewing violence. They would argue that it can have major health implications. .




TikTok effect filters (left to right): Original image without filter, Bold Glamor, BW x Drama Rush by jrm, and Roblox Face Makeup. Synthesis: Tiktok

Hundreds of millions of people use alternate reality filters on social media every day, from cartoon dog ears to beauty filters that change the shape of your nose, whiten your teeth, and enlarge your eyes.

Dr Claire Pescot, an educationist at the University of South Wales who has studied children aged 10 and 11, agreed that the impact of online social comparisons is being underestimated. In one study, children who were dissatisfied with their appearance said, “I wish I had put on a filter right now.”

“There is a lot of education going on about internet safety, about protecting yourself from pedophiles and catfish. [using a fake online persona to enable romance or fraud]” she said. “But in reality, the dangers are mutual. Comparing yourself to others has more of an emotional impact.”

But some people resist restrictions on the influence they feel is a fundamental part of their online identity. Olga Isupova, a Russian digital artist living in Greece who designs beauty filters, called such a move “ridiculous.” She added that having an adapted face is a necessary part of being “multiple people” in the digital age.

“People live normal lives, but it’s not the same as their online lives,” she said. “That’s why you need a straightened face for your social media life. For many people, [online] It’s a very competitive field and it’s about Darwinism. Many people use social media not just for fun, but also as a place to make money and improve their lives and futures. ”

In any case, age restrictions on some of TikTok’s filters are unlikely to solve the problem anytime soon. 1 in 5 8 to 16-year-olds lie about being over 18 on a social media app. the study Rules tightening age verification will not come into force until next year, Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom has found.

A growing body of research shows that some beauty filters are dangerous for teenagers. Last month, a small survey was conducted among female students in Delhi who use Snapchat. Found Most people report “lower self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy when juxtaposing their natural appearance with filtered images.” A study conducted in 2022 found that the opinions of more than 300 Belgian adolescents who were found to use face filters were associated with the likelihood of accepting the idea of cosmetic surgery.

“Kids who are more resilient look at these images and say, oh, this is a filter, but kids who are more vulnerable tend to feel bad when they see it,” Livingstone said. “There is growing evidence that teenage girls feel vulnerable about their appearance.”

When TikTok’s research partner Internet Matters asked a 17-year-old in Sweden about beauty filters, she replied: The effect should be more similar. ”

Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Laboratory, said more experimental research is needed into the social and psychological effects of the most extreme beauty filters.

In 2007, he helped coin the term “Proteus Effect.” This is a term that describes how people’s behavior changes to match their online avatar. People wearing more attractive virtual selves disclosed more about themselves than those wearing less attractive virtual selves.

“We need to strike a careful balance between regulation and welfare concerns,” he said. “Small changes to our virtual selves can quickly become tools we rely on, such as the ‘touch-up’ feature in Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. ”

In response, Snapchat said it doesn’t typically receive feedback about the negative impact its “beauty lenses” have on self-esteem.

Meta, the company behind Instagram, said it walks a fine line between safety and expression through augmented reality effects. The company said it consulted with mental health experts and banned filters that directly encourage cosmetic surgery, such as mapping surgical lines on a user’s face or promoting the procedure.

TikTok has made a clear distinction between effects such as animal ear filters and effects designed to change one’s physical appearance, with teens and parents voicing concerns about “appearance” effects. said. In addition to the restrictions, it said it would raise awareness among those making filters about “some of the unintended consequences that certain effects can cause.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Astronomers express worries over deployment of five new high-luminosity satellites

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AST SpaceMobile satellite illustration

AST Space Mobile

Five more are due to join the unusually reflective prototype satellites later this week, which shine brighter than nearly any star in the sky. Astronomers warn that an increasing number of bright objects in the night sky could seriously hinder their research and even limit their ability to spot asteroids heading toward Earth.

Texas-based AST SpaceMobile launched the first Blue Walker 3 satellite in 2022, but it drew immediate criticism from astronomers who discovered that the satellite was brighter than all but seven stars in the night sky.

AST SpaceMobile plans to launch a total constellation of around 100 satellites to provide mobile phone connectivity around the world. The satellites’ unusual reflectivity — much higher than most communications satellites — comes from the fact that they are equipped with a 64-square-meter reflector antenna that inadvertently acts like a mirror for visible light.

The company press release The company was scheduled to launch its first five commercial satellites, called Bluebirds, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on September 12. The company said last year that it was exploring options to reduce its impact on astronomy, but did not respond to a request for an interview. New Scientist About the latest release.

Grant Tremblay The growing constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit “is really an existential issue for astronomy,” said the researcher at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts, who is also vice president of the American Astronomical Society. AST SpaceMobile is a concern for astronomers because of its incredibly reflective design, but it’s by no means the only one, he said. Internet company Starlink is another company whose satellites are causing concern.

“In astronomy, things are clearly getting worse,” Tremblay said. “I worry that we’re in danger of losing the sky.”

Tremblay said projects such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction in Chile and set to begin observing the sky in 2025, would see bright streaks marring images as the satellite crosses the field of view.

“If a frame is contaminated by, say, a Starlink flight, it becomes useless; it has to be thrown away,” he says. “The observatories will continue to function; great science will continue to be done. But as we start heading towards a regime with hundreds or thousands of reflective satellites of this size or larger in orbit, efficiency can fall off exponentially. We’re entering a completely unsustainable regime with no regulatory structure whatsoever.”

Tremblay sees this as a loss not just for science, but for the wider society: “We have got back this incredibly magical image of the universe on an unimaginable scale. There’s something about it that brings people together and inspires them. If we were to lose that, I think it would be a social catastrophe.”

To solve the problem, astronomers may need to place more telescopes in space beyond crowded orbits, but the cost and complexity of doing that makes that impossible in most cases, he says.

Some warn that losing our astronomical capabilities could put humanity at risk. Ian Carneri Researchers at the European Space Agency say that projects like NASA’s DART spacecraft have improved our ability over the decades to spot Earth-bound asteroids and divert them. “In the future, asteroids may become harder to find,” they say. [because of reflective satellite constellations]”That’s true,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Venus Express discovers surprising rise in deuterium to hydrogen ratio in Venus’ mesosphere

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Venus is often called Earth's twin, but its current surface conditions are very different from Earth's and are not suitable for life to exist: not only cannot liquid water exist due to the extreme temperatures and pressures beneath the thick cloud layer, but more importantly, there is almost no water in Venus' atmosphere. Solar Occultation Observatory in Infrared (SOIR) On ESA's Venus Express spacecraftPlanetary researchers have discovered an unexpected increase in the abundance of two variants of the water molecule.2O and HDO, and their ratio HDO/H2O in Venus' mesosphere. This phenomenon calls into question our understanding of Venus' water history and its possible past habitability.

Venus in true colors, processed from Mariner 10 images. Image credit: Mattias Malmer / NASA.

Currently, the temperature on Venus is about 460 degrees Celsius and the pressure is almost 100 times that of Earth.

The atmosphere is extremely dry, covered with thick clouds of sulfuric acid and water droplets, and most of the water resides beneath and within these cloud layers.

However, it is possible that Venus once contained as much water as Earth does.

“Venus is often called Earth's twin planet because its size is similar to Earth's,” says Dr. Hiroki Kario of Tohoku University.

“Despite the similarities between the two planets, their evolutionary processes are different. Unlike Earth, the surface conditions on Venus are extreme.”

Survey of H abundance2O and its deuterated isotope HDO (isotope) reveal insights into the history of water on Venus.

It is generally accepted that Venus and Earth originally had similar HDO/H2O ratio.

However, the ratio observed in Venus' entire atmosphere (below altitude 70 km) was 120 times higher, indicating a significant increase in deuterium over time.

This enrichment occurs primarily when solar radiation breaks down isotopes of water in the upper atmosphere, producing hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) atoms.

Hydrogen atoms have a small mass and are therefore prone to escaping into space, so HDO/H2The O ratio gradually increases.

To understand how much hydrogen and deuterium has been released into space, it is important to measure the amount of isotopes in water at altitudes where hydrogen and deuterium are broken down by sunlight (above the clouds at altitudes of 70 km or more).

Dr. Caryu et al.2O and HDO increase between 70 and 110 km altitude, and HDO/H2In this range, the O ratio increases by an order of magnitude, reaching levels more than 1,500 times higher than in Earth's oceans.

“The proposed mechanism to explain these findings is the reaction of hydrated sulfuric acid (H2So4) aerosols,” the researchers said.

“These aerosols form just above the clouds, where temperatures drop below the dew point of sulfuric acid water, leading to the formation of deuterium-rich aerosols.”

“These particles rise to high altitudes and evaporate due to rising temperatures, releasing a much higher proportion of HDO compared to non-HDO.2“oh.”

“The steam is then conveyed downwards and the cycle begins again.”

“This study highlights two important points,” they added.

“First, altitude changes play an important role in pinpointing the location of deuterium and hydrogen reservoirs.”

“Second, the increase in HDO/H2The O ratio ultimately increases the release of deuterium, influencing the long-term change in the D/H ratio.”

“These findings encourage us to incorporate highly dependent processes into models to make accurate predictions about the evolution of D/H.”

“Understanding the evolution of Venus' habitability and water history can help us understand what makes a planet habitable and inform how to ensure Earth doesn't follow in its twin's footsteps.”

of result Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Arnaud Mahieu others2024. Unexpected increase in deuterium to hydrogen ratio in the Venus mesosphere. PNAS 121 (34): e2401638121; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2401638121

Source: www.sci.news

Mars Express uncovers mysterious ‘spider’ near ‘Inca City’ on Martian outskirts

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ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft found obvious traces of spider. They are scattered in the south pole region of Mars.

This image of an Inca city on Mars was taken on February 27, 2024 by the high-resolution stereo camera on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

“The Martian ‘spiders’ are not actual spiders, but form when spring sunlight falls on layers of carbon dioxide deposited during the dark winter,” said a member of the Mars Express team.

“Sunlight turns the carbon dioxide ice at the bottom of the layer into gas, which then accumulates and breaks through the ice sheet above.”

“During Mars’ spring, the gas explodes, dragging black material down to the surface as it progresses and shattering layers of ice up to a meter thick.”

“The resulting gas, laden with black dust, erupts through cracks in the ice in the form of tall fountains and geysers, before falling down and sinking to the surface.”

This creates a dark spot 45 m to 1 km (148 to 3,280 ft) in diameter.

This same process carves a distinctive “spider-shaped” pattern beneath the ice. Therefore, these black spots are evidence that a spider may be lurking underneath.

“Dark spots can be seen throughout the Mars Express image. But most of them can be seen as small specks in the dark region on the left, located just on the outskirts of a part of Mars called Inca City.” said the researchers.

“The reason for this name is no mystery: the network of linear, almost geometric ridges recalls Inca ruins.”

More formally known as Angustus Labyrinth. Inca City was discovered in 1972 by NASA’s Mariner 9 spacecraft.

“We still don’t know exactly how Inca cities formed. Sand dunes may have turned to stone over time,” the scientists said.

“Perhaps materials such as magma or sand are seeping through fractured sheets of Martian rock. Alternatively, the ridges could be ‘eskers,’ tortuous structures associated with glaciers.”

“The ‘walls’ of Inca cities appear to be part of a larger circle, 86 km (53.5 miles) in diameter.”

Scientists suspect that Inca City is located inside a large crater formed when rocks from space collided with the planet’s surface.

“This impact may have caused the fault to ripple in the surrounding plains, which was then filled with rising lava and then worn away over time,” the researchers said.

Source: www.sci.news

Sand dunes and ice formations found in Mars’s north pole by Mars Express

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new images from high resolution stereo camera (HRSC) On ESA's Mars Express spacecraft It shows the terrain surrounding Mars's permanent ice cap at its north pole.

This image from ESA's Mars Express shows an area close to Mars' north pole. This image consists of data collected by Mars Express' High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on April 14, 2023. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

Mars' permanent north polar ice cap is a stack of water ice and dust layers up to 3 km thick and approximately 1,000 km in diameter.

These are divided into four stacked “packets” of different thicknesses, which are further composed of finer layers.

These layers contain information about the climate going back millions of years in Mars' history.

The deposits were formed by precipitation of dust and water ice in the atmosphere and by direct frost formation.

These consist primarily of water ice, with fine dust deposits accounting for 10-15% of the total.

These likely reflect changes in Mars' orbit and the tilt of Mars' axis of rotation, which is much more unstable than Earth's orientation.

It changes in several cycles with periods ranging from thousands of years to millions of years.

Changes in solar radiation cause significant changes in climate, especially in the polar regions. The Arctic ice sheet is currently thought to be growing.

“The landforms surrounding Mars' north pole, known as pranum boriumfascinating,” said a member of the Mars Express team.

“The poles themselves are covered with a layer of fine dust and water ice. These stack up several kilometers thick and extend for about 1,000 kilometers.”

“Most of this material is not visible here, but you can see the beginning of the planum boreum on the right side of the frame. There are some subtle wrinkles that indicate where layers of material are starting to accumulate.”

“The ground has also become more distinctly stepped, as most clearly seen in the topographical map of the area below.”

“The lowest elevation areas are blue/green, and the highest elevation areas are red/white/brown.”

“These layers formed as a mixture of dust, water ice, and frost that accumulated on the Martian ground over a long period of time.”

“Each layer contains valuable information about Mars' history, telling us how the planet's climate has changed over the past millions of years.”

“During the Martian winter, a thin cap of carbon dioxide ice several meters thick rests on top of that layer. This cap completely disappears into the atmosphere each year during the Martian summer.”

The left side of the image is dominated by a vast strip of undulating sand dunes, extending over 150 km within this frame alone.

This wrinkled, turbulent appearance is very different from the smoother, more primitive terrain seen on the right.

This smooth area shows no obvious signs of erosion and has been spared from being hit by rocks from space. This indicates that the surface is very young and is probably getting younger every year.

“Between these two extremes are two semicircular cliffs, the larger of which is approximately 20 km wide,” the researchers said.

“Within the curves of these cliffs are frost-covered dunes.”

“The sheer scale of the cliffs is evident from the dark shadow they cast on the ground below. Sheer walls of ice can reach up to a kilometer in height.”

“These two cliffs are located in what's called a polar trough, a landform formed when wind pushes and wears down the earth's surface.”

“These appear as wavy ridges in the landscape and are common in this region, creating the characteristic spiral pattern of the polar plateau.”

Source: www.sci.news

New Evidence of Ice-Rich Layered Deposits Found at Medusae Fossai by Mars Express

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Over 15 years ago ESA's Mars Express spacecraft studied the Fossae Formation of Medusae and revealed mysterious deposits up to 2.5 km deep. These early observations left it unclear what the sediment was made of, but a new study provides an answer.

This image shows a height map of the surface of Mars, with the lowest land areas shown in blue and the highest land areas shown in white. Image credit: ESA.

of Formation of medusae fossa (MFF) – a huge and unusual soft rock deposit near Mars' equator – is about one-fifth the size of the continental United States and 100 times the mass of the largest explosive volcanic deposits on Earth.

It consists of several wind-carved features hundreds of kilometers in diameter and several kilometers high.

This feature, discovered at the boundary between highlands and lowlands on Mars, is probably the largest single source of dust on Mars.

Initial observations from ESA's Mars Express spacecraft show that the MFF is relatively transparent to radar and has low density, both characteristics seen in ice deposits.

But planetary scientists couldn't rule out the possibility that the terrain is actually drier, a huge accumulation of windblown dust, volcanic ash, or sediment.

“When we reexamined the MFF using new data from Mars Express's MARSIS radar, we found that the deposits were even thicker than we thought,” said Dr. Thomas Watters, a planetary researcher at the Smithsonian Institution. It's up to 3.7 kilometers thick,” said Dr. Thomas Watters, a planetary researcher at the Smithsonian Institution.

“Interestingly, the radar signal is consistent with what we would expect to see from layered ice, and is similar to the signal seen from the polar caps of Mars, which we know are very ice-rich.”

“If it were to melt, the ice trapped in the MFF would cover the entire planet in a layer of water 1.5 to 2.7 meters deep. This would be the largest amount of water ever discovered in this region of Mars. That's enough to fill Earth's Red Sea.”

“This is where the new radar data comes in. Given its depth, if the MFF is just a huge dust pile, we would expect it to be compressed under its own weight,” says the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics. said researcher Dr. Andrea Cicchetti.

“This will produce something much denser than what we're actually seeing with MARSIS.”

“And when we modeled how different materials behave without ice, nothing reproduced the properties of MFF. We need ice.”

“The new results suggest that there is instead a layer of dust and ice, topped by a protective layer of dry dust or ash hundreds of meters thick.”

In this image, the white line on Mars' surface (top) indicates the stretch of land scanned by Mars Express's MARSIS radar. The graph below shows the topography and subsurface structure of the land, with layers of dry sediment (likely dust or volcanic ash) shown in brown and layers of likely ice-rich sediment shown in blue. I am. The graph shows that the ice deposits are thousands of meters high and hundreds of kilometers wide. Once all the suspected water ice in the MFF melts, Mars will be covered by an ocean of water up to 2.7 meters deep. Image credit: CReSIS / KU / Smithsonian Institution.

“This latest analysis challenges our understanding of the MFF and raises as many questions as it answers,” said ESA Project Scientist for Mars Express and the ESA ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. said Dr. Colin Wilson.

“How long ago did these ice deposits form? What was Mars like at that time?”

“If confirmed to be water ice, these giant deposits could change our understanding of Mars' climate history.”

“Any ancient water reservoir would be an attractive target for human or robotic exploration.”

Result is, journal Geophysical Research Letters.

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thomas watters other. 2024. Evidence for ice-rich layered deposits in the Medusa Fossa Formation on Mars. Geophysical Research Lettersin press.

Source: www.sci.news

Technology companies express concerns over potential “irreparable harm” due to White House-backed sales suspension of Apple Watch | Science and Technology News

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Apple expressed concerns about potential “irreparable harm” after the White House backed a ban on imports of certain watches due to a dispute over blood oxygen technology.

The tech giant has submitted an emergency motion to the court, seeking permission to continue selling two popular models, the Series 9 and Ultra 2, until the patent dispute with medical monitoring tech company Masimo is resolved.

Apple has requested the ban to be temporarily lifted until U.S. Customs determines whether a redesigned version of its watch infringes Masimo’s patents, with a decision expected on January 12th.

Masimo has accused Apple of stealing pulse oximetry technology for monitoring blood oxygen levels and incorporating it into their watch, as well as luring some of its employees to switch to Apple.

The US ITC has ordered a ban on the import and sale of models utilizing blood oxygen level reading technology.

Wealth management analyst Dan Ives stated that the halt in watch sales before the holiday season could cost Apple $300-400 million, but the company is still expected to make nearly $120 billion in sales for the quarter, including the holiday period.

Read more:
– Have an old iPhone? You could be entitled to compensation in a UK court case
– Apple updates iPhone 12 software after radiation test

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai upheld the ITC’s decision, but previously purchased Apple Watches with blood oxygen measurement capabilities are not affected by the ban.

Apple contests the ITC’s decision, claiming it is based on factual errors and that Masimo does not sell significant quantities of competing products in the U.S., and would not be harmed by a ban on orders.

Source: news.sky.com

African American Congressional members express concerns about how tech sector layoffs may affect minority workers

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su expressing concerns about the disproportionate impact high-tech layoffs could have on Black workers, according to a letter obtained by TechCrunch. expressed.

It was first reported The GrioThe letter includes steps the Department of Labor has taken to monitor the impact of technology layoffs on African Americans, regulations regarding business practices, and recent Supreme Court precedents to ensure that they are not treated unfairly. Contains a list of questions regarding Used to undermine a company’s DEI practices and budgets.

The technology industry has cut more than 240,000 jobs this year due to layoffs. The concern here is that the “last-in, first-out” approach to layoffs commonly adopted by companies may not be effective for new employees and less senior “non-essentials”, who are most likely to be in the minority. This could potentially affect employees in an emergency.

“Laying off the most recent hires directly impacts a group of people who have benefited from new diversity policies introduced in response to heightened race-based conversations in 2020,” the letter said. “have a significant impact.”

“While corporations reap billions in profits, Black, brown, and women tech workers bear the brunt of layoffs,” said Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, co-chair of the CBC. We’ve seen it happen,” Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, co-chair of the CBC, told TechCrunch. “Member of Parliament [Barbara] Lee and I as co-chairs CBC TECH2025is calling on governments to take steps to address this harmful and troubling trend. ”

The Ministry of Labor has not yet responded to the letter dated December 15th. A Ministry of Labor representative said, “We can confirm that we have received the letter and are considering it.”

The technology and venture industries have been facing a recession in recent years. In response to the 2020 killing of George Floyd, many companies pledged to support the Black community.But as the market slumps, the diversity pledge lack of fundsDEI jobs are being cut, and venture capital funding to Black founders continues to decline every quarter.

CBC is also being strengthened.Last week, it was I have written It called on Sam Altman and the OpenAI board to “quickly diversify the board to include subject matter expertise with perspectives from the African American community.” OpenAI Board of Directors I don’t have it at the moment Whether it’s women or people of color.

Updated to add comment from DoL. The headline has been updated to reflect that they are representatives, not senators.

Source: techcrunch.com