Tag Archives: forms

A Remote Comet Forms a New Ring As We Watch in Real Time

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Chiron’s Ring Illustration

Dan Durda

For the first time, astronomers have witnessed the real-time formation of a ring system. This particular ring encircles Chiron, a comet-like entity that orbits the sun between Saturn and Uranus. Each time you observe Chiron, its rings will appear slightly varied.

While Chiron is not the first small celestial body to display rings, it joins the ranks of the asteroid Chariklo and the dwarf planets Haumea and Quaor, which also possess small ring systems. These rings were identified using a technique called stellar occultation, where observations are made as an object passes in front of a distant star, allowing scientists to create a map of how that star’s light is obstructed by the surrounding material.

“Only about 20 objects have been observed through stellar occultations, so having four of them identified with rings represents a robust statistic,” says Bruno Sicardi from the Paris Observatory in France. “Given the countless bodies in existence, it stands to reason that hundreds of ring systems should be out there.” He anticipates that more will be discovered in the years ahead.

Sicardi and his team analyzed the 2023 occultation of a star to decode the structure of the ring surrounding Chiron. While earlier findings hinted at the existence of three rings, the new observations reveal an extra disk of material encircling those rings, extending farther from Chiron’s surface, along with an entirely new ring previously unseen.

“Nature presents us with rings in their developmental stages, which is a fortunate scenario for us. Unlike the rings of Saturn, Uranus, or even Chariklo, which generally stay consistent, we are witnessing something dynamic,” Sicardi remarks.

Rings can form through various processes, and observing their formation can deepen our understanding significantly. As Christian Pereira from the National Astronomical Observatory of Brazil notes, “[This could] unveil the specific conditions that facilitate the formation, persistence, and eventual disappearance of rings, which may ultimately elucidate why such systems are typically found only in the frigid, icy areas of the solar system.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Vitamin D Supplements May Reduce Levels of Certain Vitamin D Forms

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Vitamin D supplements are advised in many countries for the darker months

Olga Pankova/Getty Images

Consuming one variety of vitamin D supplement may lower levels of other forms that your body utilizes better, potentially impacting your immune response.

Our skin generates vitamin D when sunlight’s ultraviolet rays convert a protein known as 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3. With diminishing sunlight in autumn and winter, nations like the UK recommend taking supplements.

There are two primary types of these supplements: Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, derived from lanolin—a waxy substance found in sheep’s wool—and vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, primarily sourced from mushrooms. It was previously believed that the choice between the two wasn’t critical.

However, Emily Brown from the University of Surrey, UK, along with her team, carried out a meta-analysis encompassing 11 previously conducted randomized controlled trials involving vitamin D supplements, with 655 participants overall.

They discovered that taking vitamin D2 could diminish your body’s concentration of vitamin D3. The reasons behind this phenomenon remain unclear, as does whether vitamin D3 supplements might lower vitamin D2 levels.

Moreover, several studies revealed that individuals taking vitamin D2 had reduced levels of vitamin D3 when compared to those not supplementing. “This is an unprecedented finding,” states Brown.

A 2022 study indicates that D2 and D3 have overlapping functions but distinct roles in immune support. For instance, vitamin D3 is seen to activate the Type I interferon signaling pathway, which acts as an initial defense against pathogens.

Brown suggests that vitamin D3 supplements could be more advantageous for most individuals than vitamin D2, yet personal factors like ingredient preferences should be considered, especially for those avoiding animal products.

She also emphasizes that individuals shouldn’t discontinue vitamin D2. “If you’re taking vitamin D2 supplements, your overall vitamin D levels should be adequate, but they are less effective and may result in a reduction of their extra functions concerning immune support.”

Ouliana Ziouzenkova at Ohio State University is studying this in older adults. The conversion of vitamin D3 to its active form, calcitriol, can reduce its efficacy, indicating that D2 supplementation may be especially beneficial for this demographic.

“If no adverse effects are evident, a vegan individual with vitamin D deficiency would be wise to opt for a D2 supplement,” explains Bernadette Moore from the University of Liverpool, UK.

Fortunately, plant-based vitamin D3 is becoming more widely available. For instance, a recent development involves gene-edited tomatoes capable of producing vitamin D3, although examinations are still ongoing.

Team member Susan Ranham New from the University of Surrey hopes the findings will highlight the importance of vitamin D supplements. “Many individuals in the UK, especially in northern areas, suffer from mild osteomalacia during winter, a condition linked to vitamin D deficiency, resulting in lethargy, bone pain, muscle issues, and increased sensitivity to infections and fatigue.”

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Saltwater Pool in an Underwater Volcano: Habitat for Extraterrestrial Life Forms?

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Creatures uncovered near the Mabahismon volcano in the Red Sea, such as amphipods and polychaete worms

Dr. Katrin Linse

Ultra-salty lakes rich in carbon dioxide can support extreme life forms that differ from those found in other environments.

Dense saline water, laden with minerals, sinks to the ocean floor, where it can pool in depressions, creating unique brine lakes distinct from the upper waters. These brine pools, identified in various oceans, feature a unique chemical makeup—low in oxygen yet rich in particular minerals—allowing extreme microorganisms to thrive and evolve.

Recently, Froukje van der Zwan from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and her team have identified a novel brine pool that is warm, carbon-rich, and possibly nourished by underwater volcanic activity.

On a recent expedition to two underwater volcanoes in the Red Sea, Haty Bamons and Mabahismons, Van der Zwan and her colleagues found several brine pools located near the summit of the volcano, about five kilometers from mineral deposits where salt concentration increases. They also discovered regions with numerous hydrothermal vents releasing mineral-rich water at temperatures around 60°C (140°F).

Using a robotic vehicle for sampling revealed that the pool was warmer than the surrounding water and exhibited elevated levels of metallic elements like zinc and manganese.

The hot water vents also contained rich gas. “They show relatively high CO2 levels, similar to methane… however, unlike other hot water vents where liquids mix with seawater, this might function as a trap for these gases, being sequestered in the salt water here.”

Researchers are currently examining microbial samples collected from these pools to understand how life adapts to such extreme environments. Nearby hydrothermal vents revealed thick mats and diverse lifeforms, including polychaete worms and amphipods, featuring microorganisms considerably larger than known marine counterparts.

Living within a saline pool may offer insights into how life might thrive in harsh extraterrestrial environments, such as the salty, iron-rich oceans beneath the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon Europa. If hydrothermal activities exist beneath this surface, it could present scenarios similar to the iron-rich brine pool discovered by Van der Zwan and her research team.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unexpected forms of gamma-ray emissions observed in tropical thunderstorms

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Thunderclouds include more than just rain and lightning. In addition to visible light radiation, thunderclouds can produce powerful bursts of gamma rays that last one millionth of a second. Clouds can also glow steadily with gamma rays for seconds to minutes at a time. Using a battery of detectors onboard NASA’s ER-2 research aircraft, scientists have discovered a new type of gamma-ray radiation whose duration is shorter than steady light but longer than microsecond bursts. They call it a flickering gamma ray flash.

NASA’s high-flying ER-2 plane is equipped with the Fly’s Eye Stationary Lightning Mapper Simulator, which records gamma rays (purple in the illustration) from thunderclouds, and instruments in this artist’s impression of the Airborne Lightning Observatory for the Ground Gamma Ray Flash (ALOFT) mission. is installed. Image credit: NASA/ALOFT team.

Previous studies have reported two types of gamma-ray emissions from thunderclouds. One is a high-intensity burst known as a terrestrial gamma-ray flash, and the other is a moderate-intensity, long-duration gamma-ray glow.

However, the characteristics of these emissions and how they are produced are not completely understood.

Researchers used data collected by the aircraft during 10 flights in July 2023 to investigate gamma-ray emissions that occurred during marine and coastal thunderstorms in the Caribbean and Central America.

“The ER-2 aircraft will be the ultimate platform for observing gamma rays from thunderclouds,” said Professor Nikolai Ostgaard of the University of Bergen.

“Flying at 20 km (12.4 miles) allows us to fly directly above the clouds, as close as possible to the gamma-ray source.”

“There’s a lot more going on in thunderstorms than we imagined,” added Professor Steve Comer of Duke University.

“At the end of the day, basically all large thunderstorms produce gamma rays in different forms throughout the day.”

“Several aircraft operations have attempted to determine whether these phenomena are common, but results have been mixed, and some operations over the United States have not found gamma rays at all.”

“This project was designed to answer these questions once and for all.”

Professor Ostgaard, Professor Comer and their colleagues. identified Another type of gamma-ray radiation, called flicker gamma-ray flashes, consists of pulses of longer duration than terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.

A total of 24 flickering gamma-ray flashes were observed as the spacecraft passed over gamma-ray thunderclouds on five of its 10 flights. Seventeen of these flickering gamma-ray flashes resulted in lightning.

The researchers suggested that flickering gamma-ray flashes, which can begin as the emission of gamma rays and then suddenly increase in intensity into a series of pulses, may also be involved in the formation of lightning. are.

Because flickering gamma-ray flashes share similar characteristics with gamma-ray glows and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, they propose that flickering gamma-ray flashes could provide evidence of a link between the two phenomena.

In another study, Dr. Martino Marisardi from the University of Bergen and colleagues investigated Characteristics of gamma ray glow detected by aircraft.

These included thundercloud systems covering an area of ​​more than 9,000 km.2 Luminescence was observed for at least 3 hours.

They found that the emission was general and not uniform across the emission region.

During nine of the 10 flights, more than 500 individual gamma-ray glows were observed across the study area, each lasting between 1 and 10 seconds.

These findings contradict the results of previous studies that reported that the gamma-ray glow can last up to several hundred seconds and is emitted uniformly over a range of up to 20 km.

Taken together, these findings improve our understanding of gamma-ray emissions from thunderclouds and suggest a causal relationship between glows and flashes and the possible role of these emissions in the subsequent development of lightning.

“These two new forms of gamma rays are what I find most interesting,” Professor Comer said.

“They don’t seem to be related to the occurrence of lightning. They somehow appear naturally.”

“There are hints in the data that they may actually be related to the process that causes lightning, but it’s still a mystery to scientists.”

The results are published in two papers: journal nature.

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N. Ostgard others. 2024. Gamma ray flashing, the missing link between gamma rays and TGF. nature 634, 53-56; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07893-0

M. Marisardi others. 2024. Highly dynamic gamma-ray emissions are common in tropical thunderclouds. nature 634, 57-60; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07936-6

Source: www.sci.news

Different Forms and Varieties of Eating Disorders

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Eating Disorders: The Basics debunks the stereotype that eating disorders only affect a certain group of people and emphasizes their universal impact and the need for comprehensive, early treatment and support. I am.

According to eating disorder experts, eating disorders affect everyone, regardless of race, gender, or age.

Medical experts say the myth that only thin, white, wealthy girls develop eating disorders is preventing other patients from receiving diagnosis and treatment.

Psychiatrist Janet Treasure, general practitioner Dr Elizabeth McNaught and therapist Jess Griffiths (all survivors of eating disorders) agree that this stereotype is not true for other people, including black women and men. She says it means she has a hard time asking for help.

They urge clinicians to treat all eating disorders as serious, even those that don’t involve weight loss, such as purging.

The importance of early intervention and comprehensiveness in treatment

Professor Treasure, Dr McNaught and Jess from King’s College London also highlight the importance of early intervention to save lives and the important role of fathers in helping girls recover.

their books Eating disorders: the basics – TV presenter Strictly Winner Stacey Dooley – For schools, health care workers, and families.

This guide details common risk factors, different types of eating disorders, the latest treatments, and provides advice for families on how to support their loved one’s recovery.

“Eating disorders are often thought of as affecting thin, white, affluent girls. But they lack true discrimination about who they affect,” the authors write. states.

“Other groups, such as men, racial minorities, transgender people, and people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, can remain in our communities struggling with eating disorders for years untreated. There is a gender.

“It is also important to recognize that all eating disorders are serious and all eating disorders deserve treatment and support.

“It doesn’t have to be a lifelong or fatal disease, but it can often be due to lack of preparedness and lack of awareness of symptoms in people who are underweight.”

Recognize the universal impact of eating disorders

Problematic behaviors related to eating food are common around the world. These can occur at any stage of life and affect everyone, regardless of race, gender, or age.

eating disorder Based on the latest evidence on anorexia, bulimia, bulimia, and other conditions.

The guide also features real-life stories from people who have developed eating disorders, as well as letters of hope to support those still suffering.

These stories include those of patients who were told they were not sick enough to need help.

Despite the risks and pain associated with her condition, Carla Lisette said her purging disorder would only be taken seriously if it met the criteria for anorexia.

Furthermore, she added: “Although most people with purge disorder do not become underweight, that does not mean they are at a healthy weight for their bodies or that they are not harming themselves. It doesn’t even mean it. The purge could be deadly.”

In the letter, Christina Taylor was told she was “too healthy” to be helped, even though she drank excessively and felt sick 10 times a day.

“This (receiving the letter) was one of the most invalidating experiences of my life. I truly felt that there was no point in continuing this way.”

Professor Treasure and his co-authors say other challenges remain when it comes to eating disorders, including:

  • Food poverty, ultra-processed foods, and less sharing of home-cooked meals. These are among the environmental factors behind eating disorders.
  • Men often face societal pressure to “be manly.” This can create further secrecy about one’s disorder and create barriers to receiving treatment.
  • Body mass index (BMI) may not be useful in many situations. The authors state that the risk of poor health is related to the degree of weight loss, not absolute body weight. Some people may have a “normal” BMI but still be at risk for serious physical harm.
  • Fathers and partners may feel left out, as if eating disorders are “women’s work”, or siblings may be seen as too young to be involved. However, the authors say it plays an important role in supporting your loved one’s recovery.

References: Eating Disorders: The Basics, by Elizabeth McNaught, Janet Treasure, and Jess Griffiths.
DOI: 10.4324/9781003342762

Source: scitechdaily.com