Tag Archives: golden

Measuring Ice in a Fun New Way: The Equivalent of 109.5 Golden Retrievers

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New Scientist: Your source for the latest science, technology, health, and environmental news.

Feedback is New Scientist Your go-to source for the latest in science and technology news. To share feedback or suggest topics of interest to our readers, please email us at feedback@newscientist.com.

It Rains Cats and Dogs

A new measurement unit has been adopted, particularly relevant to recent weather events. Reader Alan Baker noted a freezing rain warning on CBS News in Austin, Texas. Meteorologist Avery Tomasko highlighted that central Texas could expect up to half an inch of freezing rain, which would freeze upon contact.

To emphasize the seriousness, Tomasko explained that “ice is heavy,” posing risks such as tree branches potentially falling onto power lines. Even a mere half inch of ice can accumulate to over 7,000 pounds, or roughly the weight of 109.5 full-grown golden retrievers on a 30-foot tree,” he elaborated.

While there are many adorable dogs around, the imagery of a hundred retrievers precariously perched does raise some concern about the effectiveness of conveying the dangers associated with freezing rain.

Moreover, I find the phrase “approximately 109.5” amusing; there’s little room for approximation when counting fluffy companions. It evokes an unsettling thought about an odd situation that might leave one dog counted as half.

AI’s Map Mishap

In the realm of AI blunders, one notable instance involved erasing Canada from the world map. When asked how many countries end with ‘nada,’ the AI inaccurately responded, claiming, “No countries have official English names ending with ‘nada,’” while erroneously qualifying Canada’s name as ending with ‘a.’

Furthermore, the error omitted Grenada, which also ends with ‘nada.’ There was a small disclaimer warning users of possible AI errors, but the mix-up was glaring.

This information stems from a screenshot circulating on social media. While it may be fabricated, it features a logo from Reddit’s AI tool, Reddit Answers, which prompted Feedback to question the AI again.

Feedback revealed: “No countries end in ‘nada.’ This mishap seems to underline the AI’s limitations rather than provide factual insights into country names.” While somewhat insightful, this response still lacked clarity.

An editor noted variations in phrasing, which led Feedback to ask the AI the original question again. The AI reiterated that “there are no countries that end in ‘nada,’” yet acknowledged countries ending in ‘anada’ or ‘ada,’ prompting contemplation over the discrepancies.

Further, the AI named Canada and Grenada correctly but misidentified Granada as a country instead of a Spanish city. Unfortunately, it also claimed Uganda as another ‘ada’ country and humorously mentioned a fictional “Wacanada,” possibly mixed up with Black Panther’s Wakanda.

This chaotic exchange serves as a reminder to remain skeptical of supposed “fun facts” shared by AI; they may be neither entertaining nor factual.

Reflections on Life and the Universe

The Feedback team experienced the viral “6-7” sensation that swept the globe during the 2025 outbreak. Children began chanting “six seven” joyfully whenever the numbers appeared. Now that the trend has dissipated, we can finally reflect on it.

The phrase “6-7” seems to originate from Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7),” yet its meaning remains unclear. Some speculate it was simply a placeholder of sorts. Discussions surrounding its use often leaned into absurdity, with Feedback Junior, our resident expert on youth culture, confirming that it holds no intrinsic meaning.

However, we may have unearthed the true essence of “6-7,” thanks to an Instagram screenshot that proposed: “The ultimate question about life, the universe, and everything is: ‘What on earth is 6 7?'” This prompts thoughts reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ famous quote from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where a supercomputer reveals that the answer to the ultimate question is simply 42, albeit with the challenge of discerning the actual question.

Thus, the Instagram post humorously yet aptly suggests that the AI miscalculated by interpreting space as a multiplication operation. This might very well be the most significant AI misstep documented.

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Email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. You can also find this week’s and past feedback on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

“Embracing Our JRPG Passion: How Nostalgia from Gaming’s Golden Age Shaped Their Latest Singles”

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IIf you were a fan of electropop in the early 2010s, there’s a good chance that Purity Ring holds a special place in your nostalgia playlist. Being a young adult during that time, it’s also likely you indulged in Japanese role-playing games as a teen. Their new single Many Lives aims to recapture the RPG vibes you embraced at 12, which became a defining part of your identity. Drawing inspiration from classics like Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online, and Secret of Mana, they are ready to resonate with fans from that era.

This marks a bold move for the band, who previously collaborated with Defoons, covering a Eurodance classic. Nonetheless, members Megan James and Corin Roddick possess the background needed to pull it off. “We are avid fans of the JRPG genre,” they share. Their recent tracks have drawn significant influence from titles like Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X. “Now, we’re navigating metaphorically, crafting an imaginative take on the Persona Formula.”

After five years since their last studio album and a decade honing their craft through remixes, Purity Ring operates independently under their own label, The Fellowship. Their forthcoming album, set for release in September, is described as the “soundtrack to an imaginary RPG… A narrative following two unfortunate characters striving to create a kinder world amidst the remnants of a broken man.”

The album didn’t initially start as a video game soundtrack, but as production progressed, the vision became clear. This realization gave birth to “Many Lives” and its B-side, Part II. “Many Lives serves as a gateway to this imaginary realm and its nucleus—akin to the beginnings of most JRPGs, where characters embark on their adventures.”

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/OcVFFpaVfck?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Purity Ring – Many Lives + Part II (Official Video)" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

The “Many Lives” video features cel-shaded graphics directed by Mike Sunday.

The narrative revolves around the authentic experiences of Purity Ring during the album’s development, intertwined with the duo’s “memories, fears, and comforts.” “This album,” they explain, “explores how gaming provides a journey that facilitates creative renaissance.”

Upon first listen, what captivates in “Many Lives” is the hauntingly beautiful choir, reminiscent of the iconic soundtrack from Ghost in the Shell. This chilling introduction transitions into an energetic breakbeat, delivering tracks perfect for revisiting classic anime while immersed in Jet Set Radio. Purity Ring expresses their fondness for this era: “The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack masterfully combined visuals. Experiencing it as a child was unforgettable.” For this project, the duo revisited the anime, creating music that embodies the world alongside the beloved game Nier: Automata.

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Canadian electropop duo Purity Ring. Photo: Yuniverse

Much like a Kawai soundtrack, “Many Lives” features unforgettable vocals alongside Bulgarian folk music, enriched by James’s vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring is unafraid to explore unconventional instruments for inspiration. They state they aren’t reliant on hardware synths and don’t consider themselves technical gearheads. “The Legend of Zelda series has consistently inspired us,” they mention. “Particularly, the Ocarina music from the N64 title.” A hint of the 1998 Ocarina of Time melody resonates throughout the tracks, akin to a half-remembered tune that lingers in your mind.

If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sound aren’t enough to transport you back to gaming’s golden days, the accompanying cel-shaded graphics in the video showcase the duo’s deep admiration for all RPGs. Directed by Mike Sunday, the visuals are inspired by GameCube’s Daydream, harking back to an era when game developers embraced style over realism. A blend of Shinjuku and Hyrule evokes the opening map of classic JRPGs. Purity Ring draws inspiration from their favorite titles from the PS2 and GameCube eras while also paying homage to the PlayStation Portable. The imaginary RPG UI seamlessly fits within some of the bestsellers of handheld gaming.

For me, “Many Lives” feels like the soundtrack to afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (a sequel is still on my wishlist). For Purity Ring, the track “evokes a blend of past, present, and future—nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced but somehow still recall.” They aim to position this upcoming album as a new chapter, capturing the essence of the era while evoking the sensation of experiencing a life-altering game for the first time.

Purity Ring will release their fourth self-titled album on September 26th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trump’s Golden Dome Defense Initiative May Ignite Space Force Rivalry

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US President Donald Trump (left) announces the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield, joined by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (right).

Chris Kleponis/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

US President Donald Trump has introduced the Golden Dome defense initiative, designed to intercept threats like polar sounds, ballistic missiles, and advanced cruise missiles.

“Once fully operational, the Golden Dome is engineered to intercept missiles launched from around the globe or even from outer space,” Trump stated during a White House announcement on May 20th. Watch here.

However, many experts express skepticism regarding the feasibility of such a comprehensive interception system. Concerns have been raised that, even if successful, the Golden Dome could require over a decade to implement and exceed $50 trillion in costs, potentially exacerbating global nuclear arms races and space militarization.

What is the Golden Dome?

The project is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system, which utilizes ground-based missiles to intercept incoming artillery and rockets launched from shorter ranges. In contrast, the Golden Dome aims to safeguard a significantly larger area, with the landmass of the contiguous US being over 350 times that of Israel.

According to Trump and his team, the system should be capable of targeting ballistic missiles fired from distant locations, advanced cruise missiles operating at lower altitudes, and hypersonic missiles traveling at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound. These could possess nuclear or conventional warheads.

To detect and neutralize threats, the Golden Dome is expected to employ a mix of “space-based sensors alongside air and missile defenses,” as noted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement. Essentially, the Golden Dome would represent an umbrella system integrating multiple technologies to combat various threats, as explained by David Berbach in an article with New Scientist.

Nevertheless, many of these defense capabilities are still in development or do not currently exist. For instance, the proposal mentions space-based interceptors in low Earth orbit, which remains a technological hurdle yet to be overcome. Thomas Gonzalez Roberts from Georgia Tech pointed this out.

A similar concept known as Star Wars was initially suggested by President Ronald Reagan as part of his strategic defense initiatives during the Cold War. Trump characterized the Golden Dome as an endeavor to complete “the mission President Reagan initiated 40 years ago.”

How does the Golden Dome function?

Experts in missile defense have likened the challenge of intercepting long-range nuclear missiles to “shooting bullets at bullets,” given that “the targets are minuscule, emit minimal signals, and move rapidly.” Even the most optimistic technical specialists acknowledge that achieving a 100% interception rate is unlikely.

The U.S. already possesses an array of ground-based interceptor missiles located predominantly in Alaska, capable of countering “dozens of oncoming warheads at best,” according to Burbach. He also highlighted that both Russia and China are working on countermeasures to complicate missile detection and interception.

“Interception of subsonic cruise or short-range ballistic missiles launched from just outside the U.S. borders employs established technology, yet effectively implementing those defenses across the nation can be cost-prohibitive,” said Burbach. He further emphasized the difficulty of the Golden Dome’s goal to thwart a significant volume of intercontinental missiles, particularly from China and Russia.

Trump’s vow to shield the Golden Dome against missile strikes from distant points, even from space, “requires a densely packed constellation of space-based missile interceptors in low-Earth orbit that could engage missiles within moments of their launch,” indicated Roberts.

“The number of satellites necessary far exceeds the current constellations launched,” he noted. Presently, the largest constellations consist of about 7,000 Starlink satellites managed by SpaceX.

What is the estimated cost of the Golden Dome?

Trump has suggested a budget of $175 billion for the Golden Dome, though this funding remains unapproved by Congress. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan agency, has estimated that space-based interceptor systems akin to the Golden Dome may cost upwards of $542 billion.

“It’s uncertain what expenses are incorporated in the $175 billion figure,” noted Patrycja Bazylczyk of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.

Trump also asserted that the Golden Dome would be “fully operational” by the conclusion of his second term, a claim that experts find dubious. “The three-year timetable is overly ambitious. Realistically, this initiative will take at least a decade or more,” Bazylczyk added.

The timelines could significantly depend on existing military system capabilities. “Notable advancements could arise in the short term, including the deployment of new interceptors, radar systems, space-based sensors, and technology demonstrations,” Bazylczyk mentioned.

Ultimately, considerable challenges exist regarding the rapid deployment of thousands of satellites required for the Golden Dome. Additionally, developing the necessary space-based interceptor technology remains a daunting task.

“Finding a launch schedule capable of supporting a massive satellite constellation emerging in just three years is extremely challenging,” Roberts pointed out. “SpaceX has launched more than any other entity in the history of space operations, raising the question of how to surpass that threshold even more.”

Burbach added, “It seems unlikely that the system will achieve a complete defense against missile attacks. We might attain some limited operational capabilities, but accomplishing this quickly is fraught with difficulties.”

Will the Golden Dome enhance U.S. security?

Currently, an arms race is underway among the U.S., China, and Russia, with each nation enhancing its space-based capabilities to modernize and grow their nuclear arsenals and military strength.

Should the Golden Dome effectively bolster U.S. air and missile defenses, it might lessen adversaries’ confidence in their missile capabilities, possibly altering strategic calculations and discouraging them from launching attacks, according to Bazylczyk.

In contrast, the Golden Dome could potentially “contribute to instability” by signaling distrust towards nuclear adversaries, indicated Roberts. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Trump’s announcement, arguing that the Golden Dome carries a “strongly offensive implication” and could spur an arms race in space. Likewise, a Kremlin spokesperson suggested that the Golden Dome might restart discussions on nuclear arms control between Russia and the U.S.

In response to the system, both China and Russia “may attempt to destroy or disrupt U.S. satellites,” posited Burbach. Both nations have already developed missiles capable of targeting satellites, and they have demonstrated the capacity to jam or hack into satellite systems. In February 2024, U.S. intelligence agencies alerted that they intended to develop space weapons capable of using nuclear detonations to incapacitate or obliterate satellites.

Moreover, these countries could increase their missile arsenals and create more versatile weapons equipped with decoys, Burbach noted. He pointed out that Russia is already advancing technologies like underwater intercontinental nuclear torpedoes designed to evade space-based interception.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Weapons Experts Warn That Trump’s $175 Billion “Golden Dome” Could Lead to Disaster

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On May 20, 2025, Donald Trump unveiled the Golden Dome, marking one of the most ambitious and contentious defense projects in US history.

The $175 billion initiative that Trump aims to implement before his term ends in January 2029 seeks to establish a comprehensive missile defense system designed to guard the United States against nuclear threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and advanced weaponry.

Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, the proposal envisions a global network of both terrestrial and space-based detectors and interceptors, enabling the destruction of enemy missiles in the atmosphere before they reach US soil.

While the administration has yet to clarify the operational details, critics argue that the concept is not only impractical but could also foster dangerous instability.

A New Era for Space

“The Golden Dome is reminiscent of a rebranded Strategic Defense Initiative,” says Dr. Michael Mulbihill, a researcher at Teesside University specializing in the geopolitical and technical ramifications of space weaponization. BBC Science Focus. “There are numerous political dynamics at play.”

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), proposed by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, aimed to create a US missile defense system using lasers, satellites, and other space-based technologies to intercept incoming Soviet missiles. Eventually, the project was abandoned due to concerns over its technical feasibility and astronomical costs.

Critics warn that the Golden Dome could revive similar flawed thinking, leading to severe ramifications for space security.

Although space has historically supported military operations through satellites for tracking, communication, and navigation, it hasn’t typically been viewed as a battlefield. In fact, the Outer Space Treaty explicitly prohibits the use of outer space for hostile purposes.

However, the Golden Dome might change that paradigm.

“This initiative could serve as a catalyst for the weaponization of space, prompting the development of various systems that have emerged in recent years,” warns Mulvihill.

The concern isn’t solely about US weapons in orbit; it extends to potential responses from other nations, such as Russia, raising the specter of an extensive orbital arms race.

Fueling an Arms Race

Critics like Mulvihill underscore that space-based missile shields could ultimately backfire, making the world less safe. The logic is straightforward: if one side creates a defense system capable of intercepting missiles, the opposing side is likely to retaliate by increasing its missile arsenal to overwhelm those defenses.

“This has been a consistent issue with anti-ballistic missile systems,” Mulvihill points out. “They can be overloaded, as seen in the 1960s and ’70s when both the US and USSR significantly increased their warhead counts.”

All defense systems come with inherent limitations. The Cold War taught us that the goal is often to amass enough warheads to ensure that at least some can reach their targets.

According to Mulbihill, the Golden Dome poses a risk of repeating this cycle on an even larger scale.

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Low Earth Orbit: A Crowded Space

Implementing the Golden Dome would require thousands of new satellites. This space component could involve Starlink-like megaconstellations equipped with interceptor missiles to target ICBMs during the initial launch phase.

That isn’t just ambitious—it’s hazardous.

A 2024 study published in Nature’s Sustainability estimated that there could be over 100,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by 2034. According to NASA, there are already more than 25,000 objects greater than 10cm in size, along with approximately 500,000 smaller fragments.

Even in the absence of weapons, navigation in space is becoming increasingly challenging. The addition of thousands of military satellites could dramatically heighten the risk of collisions and debris.

“If one of these interceptors malfunctions or detonates, it doesn’t just result in the loss of a single satellite; it can render entire orbits unusable for years,” warns Mulvihill.

He provides a stark analogy: “In naval warfare, when a ship sinks, the battlefield is abandoned. In space, the debris remains, circling the Earth at incredibly high speeds.”

A rocket launched from Gaza is intercepted on October 9, 2023, by the Israeli Iron Dome near Ashkelon, Israel.

Is the Golden Dome Feasible?

In addition to the geopolitical and environmental concerns, the Golden Dome faces fundamental operational challenges that could hinder its effectiveness.

While it may be capable of intercepting slower threats such as drones and short-range missiles, the difficulties presented by ICBMs are significantly greater.

“Interdicting an ICBM during its boost phase is extraordinarily challenging,” says Mulvihill. “Those missiles are launched from locations that could include central China or central Russia.”

To achieve global coverage within such a limited window, a tremendous number of space-based interceptors would be necessary.

According to a February 2025 Report from the American Physical Society (APS), over 1,000 orbital weapons would be essential to intercept even North Korean ICBMs during their boost phase. For 10 missiles launched in quick succession, around 10,000 interceptors would be required.

The costs entailed would be astronomical, and vulnerability to anti-satellite attacks from countries like Russia adds another layer of complexity. Reports suggest that such developments pose severe risks.

The APS report concludes with cautionary insight: “Even relatively modest numbers of nuclear-armed ICBMs present substantial challenges for creating reliable and effective defenses.”

“An extensive review of published literature highlights that many key challenges identified in developing and deploying efficient ballistic missile defenses are likely to remain unresolved beyond the 15-year timeframe we studied.”

Not Just Another Iron Dome

While the Golden Dome draws its name and inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, the comparison is misleading.

“People tend to focus on the success of the Israeli Iron Dome, but we must remember that it’s designed to protect against much lower-altitude projectiles and even some handheld rockets,” asserts Mulvihill. “ICBMs operate in an entirely different arena.”

Despite the ambitious plans for the Golden Dome, Mulvihill remains doubtful about its viability as a serious defense mechanism.

“It seems more like a spectacle fueled by political motives and opportunism from the aerospace industry,” he concludes.

About Our Experts

Michael Mulbihill is a researcher at Teesside University focused on sociotechnical and astrophysical phenomena stemming from nuclear deterrence and space technology. He also serves as the deputy convener for the Military War and Security Research Group and is a member of the Space Cooperative Working Group of the British Association for International Studies.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Review of Rise of the Golden Idol: A 1970s detective game with a dark, twisted, and captivating storyline

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a Brutal Scene: A shadowy figure forces someone into a high-voltage circuit box. The victim becomes unable to move at the moment of death, his body convulsing and sparks flying. Downstairs, everyone froze in shock the moment the lights went out. You must scrutinize this scene to determine who everyone is, where they are, why they are there, and, of course, who committed this murder. Examine faces and objects, search everyone’s pockets to see what’s inside, and read notes, signs, and letters for clues. Eventually you’ll piece it together and fill in the report with the missing words that describe exactly who, what, when, where, and why.

Rise of the Golden Idol is a 1970s alternate reality detective game where, when solved, individual scenes tell us something about a larger mystery. This is a sequel to The Case of the Golden Idol, set 300 years after the game’s Age of Exploration mystery, but following the trail of the same cursed object. Some of these scenes are relatively harmless and even funny, such as a drive-in cinema where an unexpected fire breaks out and cosplayed patrons rush for the exit. There are other scary things too. In the opening incident, the strangulation unfolds in an endless loop, like an Instagram boomerang story.

Intentionally grotesque art style…the rise of the Golden Idol. Photo: Color Gray Games

Solving these cases is very satisfying, but you better hope your memory for names and faces is good. Scenes could include 10 or more people and required a notebook to record them. There are more and more obvious hints offered when you get stuck, but as the game warns, using them takes away the fun of using deductive reasoning. Nevertheless, when I understood the gist of the case but couldn’t get someone’s last name correctly, I was glad that there was a button to show me which blanks in the report were incorrectly filled in. I thought.

The strangeness of Rise of the Golden Idol is what makes it so memorable. The art style is intentionally grotesque, with the characters’ asymmetrical faces and eyes moving like crazy, and the backgrounds filled with paint pens. The murders, robberies, and other crimes here are strange, and the picture becomes unsteady in its eternal two-second loop of movement. Until I solved the problem, the scene stuck in my head and I ended up staring at my phone screen for half an hour at a time, thinking, cross-referencing, and taking notes. Where is the character’s gaze leading me? Why is that rug in disarray? Where did that dirt come from?


The big story that comes from these details is worth all the effort. As the chapters change, the fill-in-the-blank incident report turns into a fill-in-the-blank summary of everything you’ve learned from several past cases, helping you draw connections that make the story full of intrigue. This is not a game you can play while thinking about something else. You have to pay close attention, focus your thoughts, and see what your brain can do. I was pleasantly surprised by my own reasoning skills.

The crime scenes are so bizarre that you never know where this game will take you, but there’s always something you need to solve.

“Rise of the Golden Idol” is currently in theaters. £16.75 or included with your Netflix subscription

Source: www.theguardian.com

Golden Rice, Genetically Modified, Poised for Success in the Philippines

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Golden rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A

Ili

Farmers in the Philippines may be able to continue growing golden rice, which has been genetically modified to fight malnutrition, despite a court ruling revoking permits to grow it.

Adrian Duboc, a member of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Committee that guided the production of Golden Rice, said the Philippine government would oppose the decision. “A challenge will be filed in the Court of Appeals and I think it will probably be successful,” he says.

Golden Rice was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. As a result, it is estimated as follows. Up to 500,000 children go blind every yearHalf of them die within a year.

This is completely preventable if the child eats sufficient amounts of vitamin A or foods containing vitamin A precursors such as beta-carotene. This orange pigment, found in vegetables such as carrots, is converted into vitamins in the body.

In the 1980s, a group of scientists set out to genetically modify rice to contain beta-carotene, and it became known as golden rice because of its color.

The project became a major target for campaigners against genetically modified crops, and adoption of Golden Rice was significantly delayed. “The suspicions raised by Greenpeace were very effective,” Dubock said.

In 2021, the Philippines became the first country to approve the cultivation of golden rice (locally known as Marsog or healthy rice). It was previously approved as safe to eat. It is also approved for human consumption in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Rice cultivation and consumption is promoted by the Philippine Rice Institute, a government corporation.

This means that over the past three years, those who could benefit from that rice have finally been able to eat it. For example, the city of San Mateo introduced golden rice this year to its school lunch program for severely underweight infants.a recent research One in six children under the age of five in the Philippines has been found to be vitamin A deficient.

However, on April 17, the Philippine Court of Appeals revoked Golden Rice's permit following a lawsuit filed by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and other groups.

“This decision is a monumental victory for Filipino farmers and Filipinos who have been fighting against genetically modified (GM) crops for decades,” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia activist Wilhelmina Peregrina. stated in a statement.

Dubock said it is his understanding that the court's decision was based on a specific technical error that occurred during the approval process. “We have to assume that the Philippine government will win the appeal,” he says.

in a statementthe Philippine Rice Research Institute said it is reviewing the impact of the court's decision to prepare a response.

Scientists have also applied for permission to grow golden rice in Bangladesh, but the country has been delaying a decision since 2017. “The need is greater than the Philippines,” Duboc said.

There is also significant vitamin A deficiency in many African countries, he says.

In his own research, Dubock compared the health outcomes of children eating golden rice to other types of rice, and hopes the results will encourage more countries to adopt golden rice.

topic:

  • Genetic recombination/
  • nutrition

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists develop ultra-thin gold ‘golden’ that is only one atom thick

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Golden in the form of gold monolayer sheets is prepared by etching away titanium carbide (Ti)3C2. Slabs of titanium gold carbide (Ti)3AuC2.

Golden preparation.Image provided by: Kashiwaya other., doi: 10.1038/s44160-024-00518-4.

“When you make a material extremely thin, something unusual happens, just as it did with graphene. The same thing happens with gold,” said Dr. Shun Kashiwaya, a researcher at Linköping University.

“As you know, gold is normally a metal, but if it's an atomic layer thick, it can become a semiconductor instead.”

To create Goldene, Dr. Kashiwaya and his colleagues used a three-dimensional substrate with gold embedded between layers of titanium and carbon. However, coming up with a golden turned out to be difficult.

“We created the basic material with a completely different application in mind,” said Professor Lars Hartmann from Linköping University.

“We started with a conductive ceramic called titanium silicon carbide, which has a thin layer of silicon.”

“Then the idea was to coat the material with gold to make the contacts. However, when the component was exposed to high temperatures, the silicon layer inside the substrate was replaced by gold.”

This phenomenon is called intercalation, and what the researchers discovered was titanium-gold carbide.

For several years, authors have been using titanium gold carbide without knowing how the gold could be exfoliated or panned out.

They accidentally discovered a method that has been used in Japanese forging for more than 100 years.

This is called Murakami's reagent, and it etches away carbon residues and changes the color of steel, such as in knife making. However, it was not possible to use exactly the same recipe as the blacksmith.

“We tried varying the concentration of Murakami's reagent and the etching time. One day, one week, one month, several months. What we noticed was that the lower the concentration and the longer the etching process, the better. But even that wasn't enough,” Dr. Kashiwaya said.

Etching must also be performed in the dark, as the reaction produces cyanide, which dissolves the gold when exposed to light. This step was to stabilize the gold sheet.

A surfactant was added to prevent the exposed two-dimensional sheet from curling up. In this case, it is a long molecule, a surfactant, that separates and stabilizes the sheets.

“The golden sheets sit in a solution, a bit like cornflakes in milk. We use a sort of 'sieve' to collect the gold and examine it under an electron microscope to see if we were successful.” We have that,” Dr. Kashiwaya said.

“Golden's new properties are due to the fact that gold has two free bonds when it is two-dimensional.”

“Thanks to this, future applications could include carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production catalysts, selective production of value-added chemicals, hydrogen production, water purification, communications, etc.”

“Additionally, the amount of gold used in today's applications can be significantly reduced.”

team's work It was published in the magazine natural synthesis.

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Shin Kashiwaya other. Golden synthesis consisting of a single atomic layer of gold. nut.synthesizer, published online March 18, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s44160-024-00518-4

Source: www.sci.news

NASA Scientists Reveal Plan for European Clipper’s ‘Golden Record’

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NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will be launched in October 2024 and will carry a triangular metal plate with a special message written on it as it heads towards Jupiter’s moon Europa.

This side of a commemorative plaque on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft features the handwriting of U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Mystery Praise: Poem to Europa. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Measuring approximately 18 x 28 cm (7 x 11 inches), the Europa Clipper’s metal plate, made from tantalum metal, features graphic elements on both sides.

At its center is a handwritten engraving of U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon. Mystery Praise: Poem to Europaalong with a silicon microchip stenciled with the names of more than 2.6 million people submitted by the public.

A microchip will be the centerpiece of an illustration of a bottle inside the Jupiter system, a reference to NASA’s Message in a Bottle campaign.

The outward-facing panels feature art that emphasizes Europe’s connection to the Earth.

Linguists gathered Recording of the word “water” It is spoken in 103 languages ​​from language families around the world.

The audio file was converted into a waveform (a visual representation of a sound wave) and etched into the plate.

The waveform radiates from the symbol for “water” in American Sign Language.

Based on the spirit of Voyager spacecraft golden recordconveys sounds and images that convey the richness and diversity of life on Earth, while Europa Clipper’s multi-layered message aims to stimulate the imagination and provide a unifying vision.

“The content and design of the European Clipper vault plate is imbued with meaning,” said Dr. Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters.

“This plate combines the best of what humanity has to offer to the entire universe: science, technology, education, art and mathematics.”

“The message of connection through water, which is essential to all forms of life as we know it, perfectly illustrates the connection between Earth and this mysterious ocean world that we seek to explore.”

In 2030, after a 2.6 billion km (1.6 billion mile) journey, Europa Clipper will begin orbiting Jupiter and make 49 close-bys to Europa.

To determine whether conditions are conducive to life, the spacecraft’s powerful suite of scientific instruments will collect data about the moon’s subsurface ocean, icy crust, thin atmosphere, and space environment.

The electronics of these devices are stored in giant metal vaults designed to protect them from Jupiter’s harsh radiation. A commemorative plate seals off the vault opening.

Because the mission is to find habitable conditions, drake equation It is also etched on the inside of the plate.

Astronomer Frank Drake developed a mathematical formulation in 1961 to estimate the possibility of advanced civilizations existing beyond Earth.

This equation has continued to inspire and guide research in astrobiology and related fields ever since.

In addition, the artwork on the inside of the plate includes references to radio frequencies that could be used for interstellar communications, symbolizing how humans use this radio band to listen to messages from space. Masu.

These particular frequencies correspond to radio waves emitted into space by water components and are known to astronomers as the “water hole.” On the plate, they are depicted as radio emission lines.

Finally, this plate includes a portrait of Ron Greeley, one of the founders of planetary science. Ron Greeley worked on the early efforts to develop the Europa mission 20 years ago, laying the foundation for the Europa Clipper.

“A lot of thought and inspiration went into the design of this plate, as did the mission itself,” said Robert Pappalardo, project scientist for Europa Clipper and a research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. says.

“It’s been a long journey over many decades, and I can’t wait to see what the European Clipper has to show us in this world of water.”

Source: www.sci.news