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Three Key Factors That Likely Shaped the Moon’s Formation in Earth’s Early History

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The moon may have had a more intricate formation than previously believed.

NASA/NOAA

Recent theories suggest that multiple collisions with Earth might better elucidate the Moon’s origin than the traditionally accepted single massive impact 4.5 billion years ago, potentially addressing one of its greatest enigmas.

Tracing the Moon’s origin has proven challenging. The prevailing theory is that it formed early in the solar system’s evolution due to a catastrophic collision between Earth and Theia, a Mars-sized body, and its formation likely originated closer to the sun than Earth’s current position. This impact would have expelled debris that ultimately coalesced into the large natural satellite we recognize today. At that period, matter around the sun was highly intermixed, making collisions frequent.

However, this prevailing model encounters complications, as the chemical compositions of Earth and the Moon are remarkably similar, suggesting that the Moon should retain more material from Theia than our planet does. “This presents a significant dilemma for the standard model,” comments Philip Carter, a researcher at the University of Bristol, UK.

Carter and his team propose a paradigm shift, suggesting that a series of impacts with Earth over millions of years may provide a more coherent explanation for the compositional similarities between Earth and the Moon. They propose that three or more significant impacts in the early solar system, involving bodies from the size of the modern Moon to those approaching Mars in size, could account for the Moon’s creation as we observe it today.

In this revised model, each impact creates smaller moons, known as microsatellites, orbiting Earth. Over eons, these smaller bodies would progressively merge under gravitational attraction, forming a singular large entity. “They will be drawn to one another and collide,” explains Carter. “The probability of sustaining a stable system with multiple large moonlets is exceedingly low.”

Previous models also posited multiple impacts as the origin of the Moon; however, they typically required a more rigorous series of impacts than this current framework. “After three significant collisions, we introduced sufficient mass into orbit to form a full Moon,” stated Carter.

Robert Citron, a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, suggests that fewer impacts might be more favorable since too many collisions could displace smaller satellites from Earth’s orbit and hinder Moon formation. However, as more impacts occur, the compositional alignment between Earth and the Moon increases, accurately reflecting their current similarities. “When multiple impacts are involved, you are averaging out more influencing factors,” Citron notes.

The unique relationship between Earth and the Moon underscores the necessity of understanding the Moon’s formation. “It is a remarkably distinctive satellite,” Citron emphasizes. “Its size relative to Earth is vast, whereas the moons of Mars appear minuscule in comparison to Mars, and the moons of gas giants are diminutive compared to their planets.”

Establishing which hypothesis is correct necessitates more intricate modeling to assess the impact’s intensity on Earth and the volume of material expelled. Carter remarks, “Calculating all these details remains exceedingly complex.” He adds, “Personally, I prefer the multi-impact model over the traditional single-impact theory.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Global Warming and Drought: The Factors Behind the Indus Civilization’s Collapse

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Indus Valley Civilization ruins in Moenjodaro, Pakistan

Sergey-73/Shutterstock

A changing climate and intense droughts significantly impacted the Indus Valley Civilization, a remarkable urban society that thrived approximately 4,000 years ago in present-day Pakistan and India.

This civilization established settlements along the Indus River and its tributaries, extending their reach beyond other prominent ancient cultures like those in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Known as the Harappan civilization, they constructed various cities, with Harappa being a notable hub housing around 35,000 residents.

While their writing system remains largely undeciphered, the Harappans excelled in water management, featuring extensive cisterns and a complex sewage system made of terracotta pipes and brick channels. Unfortunately, these advancements could not endure the prolonged hot and arid conditions over millennia.

“There were four significant droughts between the pre-Harappan and late Harappan periods,” says Vimal Mishra, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. “This led to ongoing migrations to regions with more reliable water sources.”

Prior studies indicated that a global drought 4,200 years ago weakened monsoon rains in the Indus Valley, contributing to the civilizations’ downfall. However, Mishra and his colleagues posit that the decline was a more gradual process.

Using three climate models, the researchers estimated rainfall patterns in the area, validating their conclusions with data from stalactites, stalagmites, and lake sediments.

The findings revealed that from 4,400 to 3,400 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization experienced four prolonged droughts, each lasting at least 85 years, accompanied by a temperature increase of about 0.5°C.

Additional modeling suggested a drop in the Indus River’s water levels. It is believed that the Harappans honored the river and relied on its annual floods for irrigation of crops such as wheat and barley, congregating around waterways. Continued droughts ultimately forced them to abandon their cities and resettle in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Ganges plains.

Research indicates that warming and drying trends may have been initiated by natural climate cycles such as El Niño and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, along with feedback mechanisms including vegetation loss and dust pollution.

This study stands out for its innovative integration of modeling and proxy measurements; however, it advocates for future research to consider evapotranspiration (the transfer of water from land to the atmosphere), particularly significant in hot climates. According to Sebastian Breitenbach from Northumbria University, UK, the current pace of climate change outstrips that of the Harappans, necessitating that policymakers explore adaptive strategies, including improved water storage systems and groundwater conservation.

“These studies serve as a cautionary tale,” Breitenbach remarks, “providing insights into potential future scenarios.”

Cairo and Alexandria: The Cradle of Ancient Science in Egypt

Embark on an extraordinary voyage through Cairo and Alexandria, two of Egypt’s most legendary cities, where ancient history intertwines with contemporary allure.

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  • climate change/
  • archeology

Source: www.newscientist.com

Evolutionary Factors Behind Women’s Longer Lifespans Compared to Men’s

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SEI 268503325

Women live longer than men in all countries on average

Peter Cabana/Aramie

The most extensive assessment of lifespan disparities between male and female mammals and birds has provided new insights
into why women generally outlive men.

The average global life expectancy for women is around 74 years, compared to 68 years for men. Various theories propose reasons for this difference, such as the tendency of younger men to suffer higher rates of accidents or conflicts, and the protection women have against dangerous mutations in sex chromosomes. However, the explanations remain incomplete.

In a search for answers from other species,
Johanna Stärk from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and her team examined data on average life expectancy across 1,176 species (528 mammals and 648 birds) observed in both zoos and in the wild.

They discovered that in 72% of mammal species, females live longer than males by an average of 12 to 13%. Conversely, in birds, males tend to outlive females in 68% of species, surviving approximately 5% longer.

Researchers posit that this trend supports the hypothesis that sex chromosomes may account for some lifespan differences.

In mammals, the presence of two X chromosomes in females grants individual genetic protection, unlike males who possess an X and a Y chromosome. This may provide women with a better safeguard against harmful mutations.

For birds, the sex determination system is reversed; females have one Z and one W chromosome while males carry two Z chromosomes. This discrepancy suggests that the gender on different chromosomes may incur different longevity costs.

“What’s particularly intriguing is when we identify exceptions,” says team member
Fernando Colcello,
also at the Max Planck Institute. “These exceptions prompt further testing of evolutionary theories regarding gender differences in lifespan.”

Diving deeper into the data, the researchers found that mating systems might influence these outcomes. In polygamous mammals, where competition is prevalent among males, those individuals usually have shorter lifespans than females.

“In the race for mating opportunities, males often invest in characteristics favored in sexual selections, such as size or ornate features,” explains
Nicole Riddle from the University of Alabama.
“These traits are costly to develop, and competition can lead to additional expenditures on aggressive behaviors.”

Such factors can result in reduced resources available for personal survival, she states.

Men who invest in expensive traits to acquire mates may have shorter lifespans

Rebius/Shutterstock

This phenomenon is also seen in polygamous birds. “Overall, this may explain the comparatively lower male dominance in bird species,” states
Pau Carazo from the University of Valencia in Spain.

He explains that in mammals, both genetic factors and sexual selection influence shorter male lifespans, while in birds, strong sexual selection pressures on males and the varied costs for females may counterbalance the effects.

Stärk and her colleagues additionally found that those who invest more in offspring care tend to live longer, which is predominantly the case for females in mammals. In long-lived species such as humans and primates, this trait may confer an evolutionary advantage by ensuring that mothers survive until their offspring reach sexual maturity.

However, exceptions exist. “In predatory species, the opposite pattern emerges,” notes Stärk. “Females are typically larger and often take on roles in territory defense, yet they still exhibit longer lifespans,” leaving this phenomenon an ongoing enigma.

Carazo remarks that gender lifespan differences can lead to smaller populations in zoos compared to the wild. This controlled environment may also be a factor in the reduced lifespan discrepancies observed among human genders, though these differences are unlikely to vanish completely.

“Significant physiological and genetic differences between men and women remain,” explains Colcello. “The future trajectory of medical science is uncertain, but we generally do not anticipate these differences to fully eliminate.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

What Factors Contributed to Solar Power Being the World’s Most Coveted Energy Source?

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“Today’s solar panels will inevitably reach the end of their lives and will require recycling or disposal.”

Jacques Hugo/Getty Images

By the mid-2020s, solar energy had become a major player. It emerged as the most affordable form of power generation and was also one of the fastest-growing sources of energy. The lifespan of solar panels had extended significantly, lasting around 30 to 40 years. However, eventually, these panels would need to be recycled or disposed of. By 2050, predictions indicated that there could be as much as 160 million tonnes of solar module waste. While this amount was considerably less than that produced by fossil fuel sources, it still posed a challenge.

Researchers began exploring how to create self-healing and even self-organizing solar panels.

By the mid-2030s, advancements had led to the creation of live solar panels, also known as biological solar power generation (BPV), which were deployed globally. The aesthetically pleasing, natural look of this technology made it popular, leading to the mantra of “yes, in my backyard,” and rapid adoption of living sunlight technology.

One of the first benefits was easily observed in off-grid rural areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where BPVs provided energy for mobile phones and computers without the need for batteries. As the technology progressed, older buildings were revamped into BPVs resembling green walls and roofs, while new structures incorporated living solar panels right from the design phase, allowing more people to become less dependent on traditional grid energy. This also helped boost local biodiversity and enhance overall happiness.

BPV operates like a fuel cell, where electrons move from the cathode to the anode, generating electricity. In biological contexts, electrons are produced by photosynthetic organisms and subsequently transferred to the anode.

Back in 2011, scientists became intrigued by the phenomenon of electrical leakage from cyanobacteria in sunlight. They discovered that by placing cyanobacteria on electrodes, they could harvest current to power small electronic devices.

However, the electrical output was weak due to insufficient electron leakage from the bacteria. Scientists like Chris Howe from Cambridge University worked on genetically modifying cyanobacteria to enhance electron leakage, allowing them to be connected to electronic devices.

In 2022, Howe’s team found that they could power computers solely using photosynthesis. Soon after, scientists made significant strides in their ability to scale up current harvesting and develop devices powered by biological energy sources worldwide.

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Members of Homo Photosyntheticus pledged to limit their electricity consumption strictly to that derived from photosynthesis.
“

One immediate benefit was a significant decrease in demand for small batteries that power many devices. By 2025, these batteries accounted for 3% of the global battery market, resulting in 10,000 tonnes of waste each year.

With the improvement in BPV technology, larger devices like mobile phones and refrigerators began operating on batteries charged by living solar cells. Electric vehicles could be charged using arrays of biological solar panels installed in garages and depots, leading to a reduced need for metals like lithium and manganese.

Remarkably, the devices continued to function in low light. At night, the cells metabolized compounds created during the day, producing a comparable amount of electrons to maintain power.

The rise of living solar technology had numerous implications. As buildings adopted a green aesthetic, urban planners started integrating more nature into streets and public areas. Even densely populated cities began to exhibit a vibrant green atmosphere, teeming with trees, plants, flowers, and wildlife.

The success of BPVs inspired a movement focused on integrating the organelles of plant cells responsible for photosynthesis. This enthusiastic group, identifying as members of Homo Photosyntheticus, drew inspiration from solar-powered sea slugs and incorporated chloroplasts sourced from plant leaves into their own biology.

Sea slugs have evolved methods to sustain and manage chloroplast functionality; however, they sometimes require additional chloroplasts. They possess a leaf-like structure that maximizes surface area, yet the energy obtained through photosynthesis only meets a small fraction of their energy requirements. For humans, without the cellular infrastructure to support chloroplast function or leaf-like shapes, this method could only yield negligible energy.

Nevertheless, for self-identified members of H. Photosyntheticus, the incorporation of chloroplasts held significant symbolic meaning. They engaged in what they referred to as “greening,” committing to utilize only electricity generated directly through photosynthesis—eschewing fossil fuels altogether! Additionally, they commonly tattooed chloroplasts on their skin as a visible testament to their dedication.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study Identifies Factors Behind Satellite Electrical Discharge Damage

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Based on data gathered by the sensors aboard the US Department of Defense Space Test Program Satellite 6 (STP-SAT6), we discovered a direct correlation between the frequency of electrical discharges on a spacecraft and the electron density in its environment.

STP-SAT6. Image credit: Northrop Grumman.

Spacecraft environmental discharges (SEDs) are short-lived electrical failures that may harm sensitive onboard electronics and communication systems.

While researchers have acknowledged the presence of SEDs for some time, the relationship between spatial environments and their electrons remains unclear.

“To explore this, we required two sensors on the same spacecraft: one to monitor electron quantity and activity, and another to detect radio frequency signals,” explained Dr. Amitabh Nag, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

SEDs arise from variations in surface charging, typically due to the accumulation of electrons on the surfaces of orbiting spacecraft.

This process differs from static electricity on Earth. For instance, when someone walks across a carpet and discharges static after touching a door handle, a buildup of energy occurs. Likewise, when a spacecraft’s energy storage reaches a critical voltage, it results in an electrical discharge in space.

The STP-SAT6 is fitted with both sensors, allowing a unique opportunity for researchers to analyze both radio frequency and electronic activity simultaneously.

“We managed to assess the speed of SEDs as reported by the radio frequency sensors and compare it with the electronic particle activity within specific voltage ranges,” Dr. Nag noted.

“Our findings indicated that the peak of SEDs coincides with the peak of electronic activity.”

The authors analyzed data from two sensors over a year-long period, identifying heightened electronic activity during 270 high-speed SED occurrences and numerous episodes.

In roughly three-quarters of instances, the peak in electronic activity occurred 24-45 minutes before the SED event.

This delay implies that the buildup of charge from low-energy electrons plays a crucial role in preparing the spacecraft for electrostatic discharge.

“We noted that as electronic activity increases, the spacecraft begins to gather charges, especially in the 7.9-12.2 keV range,” Dr. Nag added.

“This process continues until a tipping point is reached, resulting in an SED.”

“Such lead time presents an opportunity for potential forecasting tools to reduce risks.”

“Future missions could include real-time monitoring of low-energy electrons to predict and react to charging events before they disrupt operations.”

The results will be published in the journal Advances in Space Research.

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Amitabag et al. 2025. Radio frequency transients correlated with electronic flux installed in STP-SAT6. Advances in Space Research 76 (6): 3692-3699; doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2025.07.026

Source: www.sci.news

CDC Finds Risk Factors for Congenital Deficiency in Women Under 50 Can Be Mitigated

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In the United States, one in 33 infants is born with a birth defect. New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights methods to mitigate that risk.

The study identifies five risk factors that public health officials, and even the women themselves, can address: obesity, diabetes, tobacco exposure, food insecurity, and insufficient folic acid levels (a crucial vitamin for cell production).

The findings indicate that 66% of women aged 12 to 49 possess at least one of these risk factors, with 10% having three or more. The CDC’s discovery, published on Tuesday in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is based on data from 5,374 women surveyed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2020.

“It’s vital to raise awareness about these risk factors and encourage women to consult their healthcare providers if they have any concerns or questions before pregnancy,” stated Arick Wang, a CDC health scientist and lead author of the study.

She further noted, “The risk can be mitigated through measures such as daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, and managing blood glucose levels.”

Congenital abnormalities are significant causes of infant mortality, according to CDC statistics. Risks often begin before women even realize they are pregnant. While the causes of birth defects remain largely unknown, experts typically acknowledge that various combinations of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute.

“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us,” remarked Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer at March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization focusing on maternal and infant health.

“We aim to ensure that nutritious foods are accessible,” added Warren, who was not involved in the research. “We want to guarantee that individuals have a secure environment for physical activity.”

Individuals experiencing food insecurity may lack essential nutrients for the healthy development of their fetal organs, including folic acid. For instance, low blood levels of folic acid are linked to neural tube defects—issues impacting the brain or spine that occur during the first month of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals recommend that those who are pregnant or planning to conceive take folic acid, a synthetic version of the vitamin.

Since 1998, the Food and Drug Administration has mandated the fortification of enriched grain products with folic acid. CDC scientist Wang mentioned in a press release that this policy is likely to prevent over 1,300 annual cases of babies born with neural tube defects.

“The majority of birth defects still remain unexplained,” Nembhard stated. “Even when women make all the right choices—avoiding smoking, abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy, monitoring caffeine intake, and staying active—they may still face challenges.

Warren, who previously served as the pre-administrator of HHS’s Maternal and Child Health Department until June, highlighted that many women may not recognize obesity and food insecurity as risk factors.

Obesity, which impacted approximately one-third of the surveyed women, was identified as the most prevalent modifiable risk factor in CDC studies. While the reasons behind its association with birth defects are not entirely understood, it seems that altered metabolic processes (like how a woman’s body regulates insulin and glucose) can lead to abnormal fetal development.

“When our cells grow and develop into organs, they depend on precise conditions and functions. Disrupting these processes can lead to complications,” Warren explained.

He noted that elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes can also contribute to abnormal organ development. Additionally, certain chemicals found in tobacco smoke, including nicotine, can diminish oxygen supply to the fetus.

Warren emphasized the need for ongoing efforts. He referenced Mississippi’s recent declaration of a public health emergency, which aims to address the “Care Desert,” where women struggle to access obstetric services due to high infant mortality rates.

External researchers commended the release of the study amidst budget cuts and proposed reductions in funding for agencies.

“We are pleased to see this research continue, even amidst questions about its future,” remarked Wendy Nenberd, director of the Center for Research and Prevention at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

In March, the Department of Health and Human Services announced layoffs of 2,400 CDC employees. However, a federal judge issued a preliminary ruling on August 12, which blocked layoffs for specific CDC programs, including the National Center for Congenital Deficiency and Developmental Disorders, the team behind the current study. At least 600 CDC employees are still expected to receive permanent termination notices.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Factors That Truly Influence Your Prostate Cancer Risk

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Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men, with roughly one in eight men receiving a diagnosis in their lifetime. Nevertheless, not all prostate cancers are life-threatening; in fact, many develop slowly and remain harmless.

“There are essentially two categories of prostate cancer,” Dr. Haley Luxton, who studies the impact of prostate cancer in the UK, explains. “I refer to them as ‘pussycats’ and ‘tigers.’ Pussycats are the slow-growing types, which typically do not lead to death.”

“On the other hand, tigers are highly aggressive forms of prostate cancer, and these men require immediate treatment to prevent mortality.”

Autopsy research indicates that over 50% of men over 90 have prostate cancer cells, many of whom were never diagnosed during their lifetime.

“Most men will eventually have prostate cancer cells,” adds Dr. Cody Watling, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Cancer Institute. “However, whether it becomes clinically significant—causing symptoms or spreading—is an entirely different issue.”

Three Key Risk Factors

What really increases your risk of prostate cancer?

According to science, there are three major factors—sadly beyond your control:

  • Age – The risk increases significantly after age 50, with most diagnoses occurring in men over 70.
  • Ethnicity – Black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as their white counterparts. The reasons remain unclear, although genetics may play a role.
  • Family History – If your father, brother, or grandfather had prostate cancer, your risk is elevated—especially if the diagnosis occurred before age 60. The BRCA2 gene is a contributing factor.

Watling notes that these risk variables are generally linked with both prostate cancer and more aggressive forms of the disease. “Evidence suggests that age, family history, and being Black increase the overall risk of aggressive prostate cancer.”

More than 50% of men over 90 have prostate cancer cells, but many are benign. – Getty

Lifestyle Considerations

While some reports suggest that lifestyle choices can reduce risk, the situation is complex.

Watling, who researched diet and prostate cancer risk at Oxford University, stated, “To date, strong evidence has been elusive.”

Some studies indicate a potential link between high consumption of dairy, particularly milk, and slight increases in prostate cancer risk, likely due to a growth factor known as IGF-1. However, Watling emphasized, “The evidence remains ambiguous, and there is no robust connection.” More research is necessary to clarify these relationships.

One possible exception is obesity. “There is some evidence suggesting that being overweight correlates with a higher risk of aggressive or fatal prostate cancer,” says Watling. “However, it’s challenging to determine if this is biological or due to less frequent early screening in heavier individuals.”

Luxton concurs: “Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and engaging in some form of physical activity—even just a ten-minute walk—can be beneficial.”

Recommendations

If you are over 50, or over 45 with a higher risk (due to family history or being Black), Prostate Cancer UK advises initiating a conversation with your GP.

You can assess your risk in just one minute with the Prostate Cancer UK Online Risk Checker.

Your doctor may then conduct various screening tests, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, examinations, and MRI scans as necessary.

In Conclusion

Joe Biden’s diagnosis understandably alarmed many, but it also led to a surge of misleading or overly simplistic guidance. Here are the facts:

  • The risk of prostate cancer cannot be entirely eliminated.
  • Most risks are linked to age, family history, and ethnicity, rather than diet or lifestyle factors.
  • Nevertheless, healthy habits remain important for reducing the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and other diseases.
  • If you are at high risk, it’s crucial to speak with your doctor.

About Our Experts

Hailey Luxton is the Head of Research Impact and Engagement at Prostate Cancer UK, tasked with identifying initiatives that can significantly influence the charity’s research program and expedite research projects. Previously, he conducted research at University College London and Cancer Research UK.

Cody Watling is a postdoctoral researcher at the National Cancer Institute. His research has been featured in publications such as BMC Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, and British Journal of Cancer.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Genetic Factors Could Contribute to Your Dog’s Weight Struggle, Just Like in Humans

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Have you ever wondered why some dogs look naturally rounded, no matter how much they run around? After all, the same genes that contribute to human obesity are also found in our dogs.

in New genome researchscientists have identified several genes associated with obesity in dogs. This is a gene that we humans share. This means that our favorite furry friends (sorry, cats) will actually help researchers unlock new insights into weight gain, health and complex diseases.

Environmental factors such as Inexpensive availability of ultra-processed foods Scientists, commonly chosen for increased rates of obesity, emphasize that it is a complex condition with a large number of biological root causes. The main factor is hereditary Research from 2007 People estimate that there is 40-70% of people who develop obesity due to genes they inherit from their parents.

As Dr. Eleanor Rafansaid he will lead the academics with new research. BBC Science Focus, “If you're unlucky enough to get the genes that are prone to obesity, it manifests as a bigger appetite and makes it difficult to resist those drives. Slim people aren't morally good. You don't need to show that much willpower to maintain a healthy weight.”

To see if obesity in dogs is also hereditary, researcher Natalie Wallis and her team looked at the genes of a 241 pet Labrador retriever.

Oscar and Isla, and the Labrador used in this study. Photo credit: Natalie Wallis

Using a heterologous approach, they identified multiple obesity-inducing genes shared by dogs and humans. Among these, the gene dennd1b plays an important role in the way our cells process energy – has emerged as a particularly strong genetic association between human and dog obesity.

“By looking at just a few hundred Labrador retrievers, we discovered new biology about the associations of the whole species. We hope that more people will consider using dog genetic models for more scientific discoveries in the future, especially for complex diseases,” Wallis said. BBC Science Focus.

Not only does it provide scientists with new models to understand human diseases, but this study also helps to care for dogs. Pet obesity is on the rise, and at Royal Veterinary College in London Recently, we have reported 1 in 14 dogs It is recorded as overweight every year in the UK.

In the US, 2022 Pet Obesity Association (APOP) Survey It is found that 59% of dogs are overweight, indicating a wide range of issues in pet health. However, up until now, the genetic basis of dog obesity has not been extensively studied.

Dr. Eleanor Lafan takes chocolate Labrador retrievers. Photo credit: Dr. Eleanor Rafan

Understanding pet genetics may be a game changer for their care. “Our results underscore the importance of encouraging exercise and limiting food intake for pet dogs,” says Dr. Rafan.

“Many people still blame the owners of fat dogs, saying they are lazy or extravagant, and the same stereotypes are reflected on obese people. Our data shows that controlling food intake in high-risk dogs is much more difficult. It should actually change the way dogs deal with obesity. They should target high-risk dog owners and support effective management (rather than criticizing them).”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Factors Behind Hurricane Milton’s Powerful Tornadoes

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overview

  • Hurricane Milton’s tornado outbreak in Florida was the leading cause of death and damage from the storm.
  • On Wednesday, South Florida experienced one of the strongest tornadoes on record. Overall this year, the United States has seen an unusually high number of violent tornadoes associated with hurricanes.
  • Early research shows that in a warmer world, tropical cyclones can produce more tornadoes.

Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc earlier than expected before making landfall this week, as supercell thunderstorms featuring rotating updrafts and the potential to spawn tornadoes raced across the state.

The resulting twister caused the National Weather Service to issue 126 tornado warnings, and the agency The Storm Prediction Center has filed 45 preliminary reports of tornadoes..

In St. Lucie County, a tornado destroyed a retirement community and killed five people, accounting for nearly one-third of the 17 deaths reported so far in the aftermath of the hurricane.

As Florida begins the long process of recovering and recovering from Hurricane Milton, tornado outbreaks are causing deaths and damage in a state accustomed to tropical storms but less accustomed to powerful twisters. has emerged as the main cause.

One of the strongest tornadoes in South Florida history occurred on a day that will likely go down in Florida history as one of the worst tornado outbreaks ever observed in Florida during a cyclone.

Swirling winds reached 160 miles per hour in Palm Beach Gardens, tearing apart concrete walls and tearing off large sections of roofs from new homes. Breaking news from the National Weather Service.

“This is the first EF-3 on record for the South Florida area south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Donal Harrigan, NWS meteorologist in Miami. EF-3 refers to tornadoes with estimated wind speeds of 136 to 160 miles per hour (EF stands for Enhanced Fujita Scale; Started operation at the National Weather Service in 2007).

Harrigan added that several other observed twisters may be rated EF-3 after damage assessment.

“You can probably count on one hand how many EF-3s have been in this state historically, potentially multiple times a day,” he said.

Overall this year, the United States has seen an unusually high number of powerful tornadoes associated with hurricanes.

Tornadoes are common when hurricanes make landfall, but most are on the weaker end of the spectrum. Less than 1% of tornadoes associated with tropical systems that make landfall are rated EF-3 or higher. By contrast, four out of five hurricanes that made landfall in the United States this year produced tornadoes with EF-3 strength.

From 1995 to 2023, only five tornadoes caused by tropical cyclones received such high ratings.

A home is destroyed in Lakewood Park, Florida, on Thursday, a day after a tornado struck the area.Giorgio Vieira/AFP – Getty Images

Early research suggests that tropical cyclones could produce more tornadoes in a warmer world. In a study published in June, researchers modeled hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, Rita, and Harvey in a warmer future climate. Their results show that the number of potential tornado storms caused by a tropical cyclone is 56% to 299% increase by mid-century Assuming the pace of fossil fuel pollution remains steady.

It is not yet known whether climate change played a role in the twisters associated with this year’s storms. But Bill Gallus, an author of the June study and a professor of meteorology at Iowa State University, said “it was really unusual that conditions in South Florida were this volatile” during Milton.

A situation is considered unstable if, due to differences in density and temperature, a mass of air rises or falls rapidly, which means that thunderstorms can form.

“When I looked at the instability graph, I was shocked. It was about as high as you’d see in Kansas chasing storms,” ​​Gallus said. “Hurricanes have produced more tornadoes, but Florida alone has never produced so many tornadoes.”

He added that this type of instability is “expected to become more common” in a warming world.

One reason Milton produced so many tornadoes is that hurricane thunderstorms traveled far from the center.

“With the first tornado, it looked like a certain band of showers and storms from Milton were actually erupting well in front of the hurricane,” Gallus said.

The outer storm belt eventually became isolated and ended without interference from other systems. Those were thunderstorms that produced tornadoes. This is a reminder that hurricanes can become a threat long before landfall and even far from the storm’s center, experts said.

Another important factor for Milton’s tornadoes is heat. The hurricane approached the Florida coast in the afternoon and encountered particularly warm conditions, as the thunderstorms were quite far away at the edge of the hurricane, in addition to wind shear (changes in wind direction and speed with altitude). This allowed it to grow stronger than a typical hurricane setup.

“There was plenty of time to warm up the atmosphere,” Gallus said. “Most hurricanes get very little heat from the sun. Tornadoes form under heavy rain and cover.”

In hurricanes like Milton, where winds blow counterclockwise, tornadoes tend to form on the leading edge of the storm and to its right, sometimes called the dirty side. This region is also the windiest.

How it unfolded during Milton, Gallus said, noting that the twister “started in the exact place you see most tornadoes form.”

But in Milton’s case, he noted, the tornadoes were particularly concentrated.

Because Milton crossed the Florida peninsula for a short distance, “the tornado area was small, and I think it was one of the most concentrated tornadoes ever produced by a hurricane,” Gallus said.

More research is needed into exactly how climate change will affect tornadoes produced by hurricanes. However, the impact of global warming on extreme rainfall is more certain and clear.

A report released Friday by the World Weather Attribution Project, a consortium of scientists considered an authority on analyzing extreme weather events and determining the impact of climate change on specific events, says: It turned out. Rainfall amounts for single-day events like Milton are currently about 20% to 30% higher due to climate change.. The analysis found that Milton’s wind speeds were likely 10% stronger due to climate change.

The researchers also found that Hurricane Helen was wetter and windier because of climate change. Separate preliminary reports say climate change is likely to increase Helen’s rainfall by up to 50% over three days in some of the worst-hit areas.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Science uncovers the factors behind Hurricane Milton’s intense strength

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overview

  • Hurricane Milton strengthened at the fastest rate on record.
  • The storm's wind speeds exceeded 175 miles per hour, unprecedented for an October hurricane.
  • Record-breaking hydrothermal waters in the Gulf of Mexico helped intensify Milton, increasing its size through a process known as eyewall displacement.

Hurricane Milton has been a surprise at almost every turn.

What began as a small, well-scarred hurricane has grown into a vast monster that has grown in strength at the fastest rate in recorded history. The storm could cause dangerous flooding across parts of Florida's west and east coasts, particularly putting the flood-prone areas of Tampa Bay, home to more than 3 million people, at risk.

As the storm developed, record warmth in the Gulf of Mexico helped the storm intensify. He then underwent an eyewall replacement process to increase in size.

Explain how Milton developed into such a serious threat.

Pacific influence

Hurricanes approaching the United States typically follow similar paths. Tropical cyclones form off the west coast of Africa, gain strength as they cross the Atlantic Ocean and enter the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

But part of Milton's origin story lies in the eastern Pacific. This hurricane formed when the remnants of a tropical cyclone in the Pacific Ocean pushed eastward across the Yucatan Peninsula and encountered a stationary front in the Gulf of Mexico. The most recent storm to hit Florida after forming in the same area, Mexico's Bay of Campeche, occurred in 1867.

Follow live updates about Hurricane Milton

Chris Slocum, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Satellite Applications Center, said that when the tropical storm entered the Gulf Coast, it created “a little bit of a vortex, some rotation” in the thunderstorm system there.

Milton was then organized and kept away from other star systems.

“By being isolated from other thunderstorms, the pressure increases and the winds increase,” Slocum said. Milton began to draw air toward its center, drawing energy from the warm ocean.

small but strong

Milton started out as a very small storm, which conserved its angular momentum and rotated tightly and rapidly around a narrow eye.

The Gulf Coast experienced record high ocean temperatures and moist, warm air. These are the necessary elements to strengthen your power. On Monday, the central pressure in Milton's core decreased at a constant rate. A scientist was described as “crazy” As Milton grows stronger. The value of central pressure is closely related to storm strength and wind speed.

“This is absolutely terrifying,” NBC South Florida hurricane expert John Morales said, choking on the air as he talked about the importance of the pressure drop.

Milton's wind speed is 92 mph in about 24 hoursAccording to the nonprofit research organization Climate Central. This far exceeded a milestone that scientists consider rapid intensity: an increase of 35 mph in 24 hours.

“It's unusual that it went from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than two days,” said Kartik Balaguru, a climate scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Jonathan Lin, an atmospheric scientist at Cornell University who specializes in hurricane forecasting and modeling, called Milton “one of the fastest-strengthening hurricanes we've ever seen in the Atlantic.” There is.

The hurricane's wind speeds exceeded 175 miles per hour, unprecedented for an October storm. Milton is the strongest Gulf hurricane since Hurricane Rita in 2005.

new eyewall

In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes wrap counterclockwise around a central, mostly cloudless eye.

Bands of rain began falling outside of Milton Monday night into Tuesday. These storms merged to form a second ring, creating a replacement eyewall and tripling the radius where maximum wind speeds were recorded, Slocum said.

This phenomenon, known as eyewall displacement, typically causes storms to widen but reduce wind speeds somewhat, and it happened to Milton. As the storm develops, it may occur several times. Once this process is complete, and conditions permit, the hurricane may begin to gain strength again.

“You can think of it as molting. Once it molts, it can intensify again. That's exactly what we saw in Milton,” Lin said.

wobble

According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton “wobbled” Tuesday afternoon, changing its expected path and moving its expected landfall south.

Wobble results from instability due to complex mechanics inside the eyeball.

Lin explained the dynamics of a hurricane by comparing it to a top or a dreidel.

“Sometimes you'll see the top spinning. If you push it a little bit or give it a little push, it wobbles a little bit and then it starts spinning again,” Lin said. “It redirects itself.”

Large shakes can change the course of the storm and determine which locations receive the brunt of the hurricane.

Forecasters are expecting storm surge of up to 13 feet. If the storm were to change course slightly to the south, it could avoid the worst of the flooding in especially vulnerable Tampa Bay. In 2017, Hurricane Irma changed course to the east, helping Tampa Bay avoid a predicted storm surge of more than 12 feet.

Once the storm reaches the coast, areas south of Milton's Eye should experience strong wind gusts, pushing water onto shore and resulting in storm surge.

That's because of the angle at which the storm approaches the Florida peninsula and the counterclockwise rotation of the winds around its center.

what happens next

Milton weakened during her final approach to the Florida Peninsula. The main reason for this is that they encountered vertical wind shear, which refers to changes in wind speed and direction in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

But Lin said, “That doesn't make it any less dangerous.”

Even with weaker winds, Milton is expected to remain a major hurricane until it makes landfall Wednesday night.

After landing, it is expected to cross the peninsula and head out to sea. The time on land robs the storm of the energy it draws from the ocean's heat, and the storm will weaken rapidly, just as the coma slows down, Lin said.

break the eerie silence

A new report from the World Weather Attribution Group on Hurricane Helen, which made landfall in Florida on September 26, shows that climate change has caused the storm's wind speeds to increase by 11% and total precipitation to increase by approximately It was found that there was a high possibility of an increase of 10%.

Researchers said they expect Milton to behave similarly, but even worse because of climate change.

Warmer-than-normal ocean conditions in the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and the emergence of a hurricane-related La Niña weather pattern led forecasters to predict a very active hurricane season this spring.

But even in mid-September, the typical peak of hurricane activity, the season remained eerily quiet, leaving researchers perplexed, despite the ocean heat that fuels hurricanes. , making us wonder if their positive predictions were wrong.

The eerie calm was broken in late September as Hurricanes Helen and Milton roared into view. If Milton makes landfall, it will be the second-highest number of hurricane landfalls in a year on the Gulf Coast.

“This makes 2024 the second-highest number of Gulf hurricane landfalls on record, along with 2005 and 2020, after 1886,” meteorologist Philip Klotzbach said. I wrote to X.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Dementia risk factors identified: Poor vision and high cholesterol

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Vision loss linked to dementia

Drazen Žigic/Getty Images

A large-scale study has identified poor eyesight and high cholesterol as two new risk factors for dementia. The study claims that eliminating these factors, along with 12 other previously recognized factors, could prevent almost half of all dementia cases worldwide. However, some of these factors are difficult to eliminate, and genetics and advanced age remain the biggest risk factors for developing dementia.

“Dementia may be one of the most significant health threats facing the nation.” Gil Livingston “The possibility of changing this and significantly reducing the number of people suffering from depression is crucial,” said researchers from University College London. [this] disease.”

A 2020 study identified 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including hearing loss, depression, smoking, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, air pollution, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, social isolation, physical inactivity and lack of education.

Livingstone and 26 other dementia experts from around the world updated the list based on the latest evidence, retaining the 12 risk factors but adding two new ones: high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) “bad” cholesterol before age 65 and untreated vision loss in later life.

The researchers included high LDL cholesterol based on several new findings, including: Analysis of 17 studies The study followed around 1.2 million British participants under the age of 65 for over a year.

The results showed that for every 1 millimole per liter (mmol/L) increase in LDL cholesterol, the incidence of dementia increased by 8 percent. In another study of similar size, High LDL cholesterol (above 3 mmol/L) has been linked to a 33% increased risk of dementia, on average, and this risk is most pronounced in people who had high LDL cholesterol in midlife. “So it really does matter how long you have it,” Livingston says.

The researchers suggest that this association may mean that excess cholesterol in the brain increases the risk of stroke and contributes to dementia. Cholesterol has also been linked to the buildup of beta-amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Untreated vision loss can: Analysis of 14 studiesThe study, which involved more than 6.2 million older adults who were initially cognitively healthy, showed a 47% increased risk of developing dementia over 14.5 years. In another analysis, the risk The decline in vision was mainly due to cataracts and complications from diabetes. [loss] “There's a risk because you're reducing cognitive stimulation,” Livingston said, even though some research suggests that such stimulation may make the brain more resilient to dementia.

The researchers then used their model to estimate what percentage of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented if each of 14 modifiable risk factors were eliminated. They found that hearing loss and high cholesterol had the greatest impact, each contributing about 7 percent of dementia cases, while obesity and excessive alcohol consumption had the least impact, each contributing 1 percent. If all factors were eliminated, the team estimated that about 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented.

But just because these factors are associated with dementia doesn't mean they cause it, he said. Dylan Williams“So even if we target interventions at them, they may not prevent as much disease as we would hope,” said researcher David L. Schneider of University College London, who was not involved in the report.

These estimates are only population averages and don't capture individual-level risk, Williams says. So removing all factors from your life wouldn't necessarily halve your risk of dementia, which is heavily influenced by genetics and age. Eliminating many of these risk factors, like air pollution or lack of education, would also require public health interventions rather than individual changes, Williams says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Recent study provides insights into the factors influencing human evolution in East Africa

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East Africa contains the world’s most complete record of human evolution, yet scientists know little about how long-term biogeographic dynamics in the region have influenced human diversity and distribution.

An artist’s depiction of early human habitation in Tanzania 1.8 million years ago. Image courtesy of M. Lopez-Herrera / Enrique Baquedano / Olduvai Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Project.

In the new study, Dr. Ignacio Razaga-Baster from the National Center for Research on Human Evolution (CENIEH) and his colleagues focused on the mammal fossil record of the East African Rift Valley.

“The Late Cenozoic fossil beds of the East African Rift Valley provide the world’s richest, longest and most continuous record of human evolution and its environmental context,” the authors explained.

“As such, the human and faunal records of East Africa have been central to understanding the factors that shaped human evolutionary history.”

“Our study provides a new perspective on how climatic and environmental changes over the past six million years have influenced mammal and human evolution,” Dr Razaghabastar said.

“This study particularly highlights how biotic homogenization – the process by which the faunas of different regions become more similar in composition – has been an important factor in the evolution of ecosystems and the species that live in them.”

“Beta diversity analysis, which shows the relationships between regional and local biodiversity, allows us to trace how changes in vegetation and climate have driven patterns of dispersal and extinction over time.”

The team found that faunas from the Late Miocene and Pliocene (approximately 3 million to 6 million years ago) were primarily made up of endemic species.

The shift towards biotic homogenization, or faunal homogenization, began around 3 million years ago with the loss of endemic species within functional groups and an increase in the number of grazing species shared between regions.

This important biogeographic transition coincides closely with the regional expansion of ecosystems dominated by grasses and C4 grasslands that thrive better in warmer, drier climates.

These environmental changes directly affected the feeding and migration patterns of humans and animals that shared the habitat.

“We are certain that hominoids, like other East African mammals, were influenced by many factors. This study offers a new perspective on the link between environmental and human evolutionary change and, through an integrated approach, provides a framework for future research and to test the hypothesis that hominoids adapted to their environment,” Dr Razaghabastar said.

of study Published in the journal on July 15, 2024 Natural Ecology and Evolution.

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J. Rowan othersLong-term biotic homogenization in the East African Rift Valley during the past 6 million years of human evolution. Nat Ecol EvolPublished online July 15, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02462-0

Source: www.sci.news

7 Factors Affecting the Amount of Exercise You Require

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Individual exercise needs can vary based on a variety of factors, including:

Genetic mutations

Our genes play a significant role in how we respond to exercise. Genetic variations impact things like muscle fiber organization, metabolism, cardiovascular fitness, and more. Some individuals may be naturally inclined towards endurance activities, while others may have a genetic predisposition for strength training.

Metabolic rates can differ among individuals due to genetic and physiological factors. Some people have a higher basal metabolic rate, burning more calories at rest. This affects energy expenditure during exercise and determines the type and intensity of exercise necessary for weight management and overall fitness.

Body composition

Changes in body composition can impact how we respond to exercise: individuals with a higher percentage of lean muscle mass may have different strength and endurance levels compared to those with a higher percentage of body fat.

Age

Exercise requirements change throughout life. The growth and development needs of children and adolescents may differ from those of adults and older adults, who may focus more on bone density and functional capacity.

Personal goals

Everyone has their own fitness goals, which should guide their exercise routine. Personal preferences also play a role, with some individuals enjoying group workouts while others prefer solo training.

Activity Levels

What you do between workouts affects your exercise needs and dietary requirements. For instance, those with physically demanding jobs may not need as much exercise as sedentary individuals. Recovery is crucial for muscle growth, with everyone experiencing different recovery times even after the same workout.

Psychological factors

Motivation, stress levels, and mental health can impact exercise preferences and adherence.

Recognizing and embracing these differences is key to creating a tailored exercise program that is effective and sustainable for each individual.

This article addresses the question: “Why do people have such varied exercise needs?”

If you have any questions, please contact us via the email address below. For more information:or message us through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

Discover more fascinating science on our Fun Facts page.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New research reveals deeper insights into the genetic factors influencing coffee consumption

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Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages. In a new study, scientists from the University of California, San Diego and others conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coffee intake among US-based 23andMe participants. They investigated genetic correlations and conducted a phenotype-wide association study across hundreds of biomarkers, health, and lifestyle traits, and compared their results with the largest GWAS of coffee intake from UK Biobank.

Coffee drinking is an inherited habit and carries a certain amount of genetic load. Image courtesy of Sci.News.

“To create the GWAS, we collected genetic data and self-reported coffee consumption,” said lead author Dr. Hayley Thorpe, a researcher at Western University and the University of Guelph.

“Our goal was to identify associations between genes known to be associated with coffee consumption and health-related traits and conditions.”

“We used these data to identify regions in the genome that are associated with a higher or lower likelihood of drinking coffee.”

“And then we identify the genetics and biology that underlie coffee consumption.”

“Many people are surprised that coffee consumption has genetic effects,” said co-author Abraham Palmer, PhD, a research scientist at the University of California, San Diego.

“From previous papers, we had good reason to suspect that there was a gene that influenced coffee intake.”

“So it wasn’t a surprise to us that in both cohorts we looked at, there was statistical evidence that this is a genetic trait.”

“In other words, the specific genetic variants we inherit from our parents influence how much coffee we drink.”

“The genetic influence on coffee consumption was the first of two questions we wanted to answer,” said Sandra Sanchez Loij, PhD, a research scientist at the University of California, San Diego and senior author of the paper.

“The second thing is what coffee lovers really want to know: Is drinking coffee good or bad? Does drinking coffee have positive health consequences or not?”

The group’s genome-wide association study of 130,153 US-based 23andMe study participants, compared with a similar UK Biobank database (334,649 British individuals), found consistent positive genetic associations between coffee consumption and adverse health outcomes such as obesity and drug use.

A positive genetic association is a link between a particular gene variant (genotype) and a particular condition (phenotype).

Conversely, a negative genetic association would be a clear protective trait that would thwart the onset of the disease.

When it comes to mental illness, the findings are more mixed.

“For example, if you look at the genetics of anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and depression, in the 23andMe data, they tend to be positively correlated with the genetics of coffee consumption,” Dr. Thorpe said.

“However, in UK Biobank we see the opposite pattern of negative genetic correlation, which is not what we expected.”

“There were other instances where the 23andMe sets did not match the UK Biobank, but the biggest discrepancies were for psychiatric disorders.”

“It’s common in this field to combine similar datasets to increase research power. This information tells us pretty clearly that combining these two datasets was not a smart idea. And we ended up not doing so.”

“Mixing databases can mask effects, leading researchers to erroneous conclusions, or even cancel each other out.”

“There are a few ideas as to how the differences in results could have arisen. First, the studies were comparing apples with oranges,” Dr. Sánchez Loisi said.

“For example, the 23andMe survey asks, ‘How many 5-ounce (cup-sized) cups of caffeinated coffee do you drink per day?’ Compare this to UK Biobank’s, ‘How many cups of coffee do you drink per day (including decaffeinated coffee)?'”

“The study did not take into account the variety of ways coffee is presented, beyond serving size and whether it’s caffeinated or decaffeinated.”

“We know that in the UK instant coffee is generally preferred, whereas in the US ground coffee is more commonly preferred,” Dr Thorpe said.

“And then there’s the Frappuccino, the American fad of drinking coffee loaded with added sugar,” Dr. Sánchez Loij added.

“There are other caffeinated drinks out there and, particularly in the UK Biobank context, tea was not included in the GWAS that looked solely at coffee,” Dr Palmer said.

“GWAS shows that the genotype-phenotype relationship is more different than that between coffee and tea.”

“Genetics influences a lot of things. For example, it influences your height.”

“And these things would probably play out in the same way whether you lived in the US or the UK. But coffee is a decision people make.”

“Coffee comes in many forms, from instant to Frappuccino, and is consumed within different cultural norms in different places,” Dr Sánchez Loij said.

“Someone with one genotype may end up with a completely different phenotype if they live in the UK and the US.”

“And that’s exactly what the data tells us, because in the case of height, behavior doesn’t really matter, but behavior and selection in the environment affect it in different ways. So genotype-environment interactions complicate the picture.”

Team paper Published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

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HHA Soap othersGenome-wide association study of coffee consumption in UK/US participants of European descent revealed cohort-specific genetic associations. NeuropsychopharmacologyPublished online April 17, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41386-024-01870-x

Source: www.sci.news

Men outperform women in navigation skills, but it’s not due to evolutionary factors

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If men were encouraged to play outside as children, they may have better navigation skills than women

Colin Hawkins/Getty Images/Image Source

In fact, men tend to have a better sense of direction than women, but this is probably due to differences in upbringing rather than improved navigational skills being an evolutionary trait.

In previous research, Men slightly outperform women on spatial navigation tasks. Some researchers believe this is due to evolution, since in prehistoric times it was common for men to travel long distances to hunt, while women often stayed close to home. It suggests that it is. This may have resulted in selection pressure on men to develop advanced navigation skills.

But if that were the case, she says, those genes would be passed on to female offspring, as long as they're not on the Y chromosome. Justin Rose At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “The really obvious alternative is culture,” he says. “It plays a huge role in what men and women experience.”

For example, boys may be encouraged to play outside more than girls, which may help hone their navigation skills, he says.

To investigate this idea, Rose and his colleagues collected data from 21 species of animals, including humans. This data includes information about their spatial navigation skills and how far they travel on average from home.

If natural selection were at work, we would expect males and females that traveled farther from home to have better navigational abilities, and this is consistent across species.

Instead, the researchers found that males of all species are slightly better at navigating than females, although in some species, such as the rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) and the little devil poison dart frog (Uofaga Silvatica), females had a wider home range.

This finding suggests that differences in navigation between men and women may be cultural. It could also be a side effect of biological differences between males and females, as well as between male and female animals. For example, hormonal differences “can affect all kinds of traits,” Rose says. As long as those traits don't prevent reproduction, “evolution doesn't matter,” he says.

In previous spatial navigation research, There were no differences in these skills between men and women from similar backgrounds.

“The authors show in a very comprehensive way that sex differences in spatial ability are likely acquired, for example through culture.” Antoine Cutolo At the French National Center for Scientific Research. “Spatial skills are much like other cognitive skills: the more you use them, the better you become at them.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Innovate with Azure: 5 Key Factors to Ensure Your Business’ Cloud Platform is Future-Proof

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The world is on the brink of a productivity revolution

The world is on the brink of a productivity revolution, as artificial intelligence (AI) creates a new wave of opportunity for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s using chatbots, more advanced AI, uncovering deeper insights into customer needs, or speeding up product development, you’re missing out on the improved outcomes that AI can bring. No company wants that. For some organizations, generative AI tools are emerging, such as: Chat GPT and Daruiis increasingly making business cases for adopting AI strategies to generate content and images. But while business leaders want to maximize the benefits of technology, they also need to understand the broader responsibilities that come with it (including considerations around data privacy, unintentional bias, copyright infringement, etc.) and how to do so. You also need to. Most of the opportunities are rapidly evolving. To help board executives and IT leaders drive success with their AI strategies, Michael Wignall, director of infrastructure for Microsoft’s Azure Business Customer Success unit, recommends what leaders need to do before leveraging AI. Here are the first five steps you should take.

1. Make AI part of a broader cloud computing strategy

First and foremost, Wignall says companies should consider working with established technology providers. AI works best when it’s part of a broader cloud computing strategy. This means IT operations are outsourced to an outside company that operates the data center. Microsoft Azure he says. “AI is born in the cloud. To take advantage of this wave of innovation, you need to be in the cloud,” he added. He points to his three main components of AI: computing power, data, and algorithms, all of which are best provided through cloud services. He believes companies should adopt a “cloud-native” approach, where the entire AI infrastructure is built on a cloud platform. Such an approach offers many benefits, including: Reduce costs by paying only for the resources you use, rather than maintaining and updating expensive on-premises equipment. Flexibility and scalability. Customers can easily add or remove resources as needed. Access to enhanced security tools. This allows you to better detect, assess, and alert on threats to your customers’ data. As with cloud data, you can easily back up your data and quickly restore it in the event of a failure or disaster.

2. Find the data

Next, businesses need to have a solid understanding of where their data resides within their organization and move it to cloud platforms. The success of AI depends on analyzing relevant data at scale. To fine-tune AI for best performance, AI should be powered by your company’s own data from customer lists, inventory, sales information, financial data, and other key data. “It’s important to make sure your data platform and data strategy is the best it can be, and that you know where your data is and how to access it,” he said.

3. Protect your data

Once the cloud infrastructure is in place and the associated data has been migrated, the next critical step is to secure that data. With all of a company’s important data in one place (the cloud), it’s important to have peace of mind in the presence of multiple threats, such as hackers. “Make sure you’re protected with best-in-class security features, clearly defined policies and governance around who can access your data, and the ability to audit how your data is handled,” he said.

4. Decide which functions and tasks to use AI for

Once the infrastructure, data, and security are in place, companies can move on to determining the best uses for AI, such as automating office processes, extracting insights from data, and handling copywriting and a variety of other tasks. Masu. For the past five years, general AI has provided so-called “cognitive services” such as data analysis and product recommendations. Generative AI takes technology to a new level. With a few keystrokes, users can create content such as reports, ads, images, copy, automated emails, and personalized user connections. Generative AI can also analyze large volumes of documents, call center logs, and financial results and summarize information with short precision.

5. Implement a responsible AI policy

Once a company takes these steps, it is ready to deploy an AI strategy. However, before launching, companies should ensure they have responsible AI policies in place across the board. Businesses ensure that AI is free from embedded bias, that there is good governance around its use, that AI is used ethically, and that there are no unintended or undesirable consequences is needed. Microsoft provides responsible AI policy guidance and provides tools to check for bias, ensure inappropriate data is filtered out, and perform sentiment checks to scrutinize output. Ultimately, however, it is essential that companies ensure they have responsible AI policies in place. While many organizations are just beginning their AI journey, Wignall summarizes the mindset companies should adopt when considering AI: Partnership is key. Cloud is the key. Prioritize the business benefits that matter to your organization. And start today.


Source: www.theguardian.com

The Factors Behind the Dramatic Behavior of Killer Whales This Year

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It’s easy to be misunderstood if your name has the word “murderer” in it.

Still, it appears to have been a wild year for killer whales. From “attacking” and sinking several boats off the coast of southwest Europe to hunting great white sharks around South Africa and Australia, this black-and-white behemoth is living up to its name as of 2023. It looked like.

The whale’s surprising behavior has repeatedly put the spotlight on one of the ocean’s top predators since spring, spawning internet memes and wondering if the whale is just playing around or planning revenge. It’s fueling debate about what’s going on.

But for scientists, the recent orca antics are more fascinating than horrifying, with some saying they show how much there is still to learn about these highly intelligent marine animals.

Perhaps the biggest orca news of the year was a series of mysterious incidents in which killer whales appeared to ram boats off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. In May, three killer whales collided with the rudder and side of a sailing yacht in the area, causing the yacht to sink.

This “attack” comes amid an observed increase in encounters between killer whales and boats since 2020. Monica Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute, a nonprofit research institute in Washington, said hundreds of incidents have been reported during this time.

At least four ships have sunk in the past two years due to the damage, she said.

No injuries or deaths were reported, and in most cases the whales did not sink boats. However, the incident became so famous that it sparked a meme that heralded the beginning of the “Orca Rebellion” and the “Orca Wars.” Many social media users supported “Team Killer Whales” and claimed that whales had finally fought back against humans.

But Shields said the sinking evoked real fear as well as light-hearted fun.

“So many people have come to my state of Washington this year and asked, ‘Is it safe to see whales here? How big is our boat? Is it possible that a whale will attack this ship?” she said. “I’m worried that instead of people leaving with a sense of respect and fascination with whales, they’re leaving with a fear of whales that’s probably not warranted.”

Among experts, the incident off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula is puzzling and has sparked debate about the whale’s intentions.

Many scientists believe that killer whales do not attack at all.

“They’re not afraid of boats, and there’s nothing to eat there,” said Robert Pittman, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Research Institute. “They are intelligent, social animals, but they probably live in environments that are less stimulating for their mental abilities.”

So whales sometimes stumble upon something they find interesting and repeat the behavior for a while, he said.

Shields said videos of some of the incidents do not appear to show the killer whale intentionally aiming at the boat’s rudder or hull. Rather, she thought, the animals were likely acting out of curiosity and playfulness.

Josh McInnes, a behavioral ecologist at the University of British Columbia, agreed, noting that killer whales are known to engage in social learning by spreading and picking up behaviors within their pods. That could explain the series of boat encounters, he said.

Mr McInnes compared the behavior to roughhousing.

“Orcas are very athletic. They can grow up to 25 feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so when they come into physical contact with objects, they can get a little bit forceful,” he said.

Mr Shields said given the whale’s size, it would likely cause much more damage to ships and yachts if it carried out a coordinated attack.

Additionally, the idea that whales are standing up and fighting back doesn’t fit with what scientists know about killer whales.

“Orcas just want to have fun,” Pittman said. “Revenge is not inherently beneficial. Unless you are human, you have no adaptive capacity at all.”

But encounters between killer whales and boats weren’t the only stories making headlines this year. The whale also attracted attention for its ruthless hunting techniques.

In October, the carcass of a great white shark with its liver ripped out washed up on a beach near Portland, Australia. Researchers determined that killer whales were the culprit.

McInnes said killer whales do not normally prey on sharks, but they are capable of preying on sharks and have been previously observed preying on them in waters of Australia, Africa and even the Pacific Northwest. It is said that there is.

And why were sharks missing certain organs? Experts say this was purely practical.

“Sharks generally aren’t very nutritious for killer whales because they’re made of cartilage,” McInnes said. “But the liver is rich in fats and lipids, so it’s a very nutritious part to eat.”

In the past, killer whales have been known to target the liver when preying on sharks. Since 2017, scientists have been tracking the hunts of two killer whales, Port and Starboard, who killed at least eight great white sharks off the coast of South Africa and washed their liverless carcasses ashore.

In a video taken by a whale watching expedition off the coast of San Diego, a killer whale teaches its baby how to hunt by headbutting a dolphin. Erika Sacrison / Gone Whale Watching

However, orca behavior recorded in different parts of the world is generally unrelated. McInnes said different populations of killer whales are genetically distinct and do not normally socialize or interact.

But by studying all the observed events, scientists can gain broader insight into what killer whales are capable of and how they live.

Shields said she had “mixed feelings” about the attention that killer whales will receive in 2023. If anything, she said she hopes the headline will inspire people to get more involved in conservation efforts.

“I really hope that people take away from these stories a certain fascination and appreciation for killer whales,” Shields said. “They are found in every ocean and are present all over the planet. The ocean body closest to where you live is probably home to killer whales. So there’s a lot to learn. there is.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Can Natural Genetic Factors Lead to Having More Children in a Shorter Time?

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Scientific Evidence Backs Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory of Aging

Comprehensive studies have confirmed the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging, indicating a genetic correlation between high fertility and shortened lifespan. Nonetheless, environmental factors are highlighted as major influencers of modern human lifespan and reproductive behavior.

New research further supports the idea that genes promoting early reproduction can accelerate aging but emphasizes the overriding role of environmental factors in determining longevity and reproduction.

Originating in a 1957 theory proposed by evolutionary biologist George Williams, the antagonistic pleiotropy theory posits that genetic mutations favoring early reproduction could simultaneously contribute to aging, making life shorter.

The theory was tested in a new study led by the University of Michigan, involving over 276,000 individuals, reaffirming its validity. The researchers found distinct genome-wide evidence supporting the theory.

A novel breakthrough discovery showcased a strong negative genetic correlation between reproduction and longevity, suggesting that mutations promoting reproduction tend to shorten lifespan. However, this link is also influenced by environmental factors.

It was established that the number and timing of reproduction can impact lifespan. Remarkably, having two children was linked to the longest lifespan, according to this study, reinforcing previous research findings.

The concept of pleiotropy suggests that a single mutation can impact multiple traits, while antagonistic pleiotropy posits that mutations can be beneficial or harmful depending on various circumstances. The evolutionary basis of aging is seen through this lens.

In line with this, the study’s outcome points to significant environmental changes, such as lifestyle and technological advances, as opposed to genetic variants identified as drivers of human phenotypic changes.

Reference: “Evidence for the role of selection for reproductively advantageous alleles in human aging” by Erping Long and Jianzhi Zhang, December 8, 2023. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4990

Source: scitechdaily.com