Tag Archives: identifies

Webb Identifies Dense Atmosphere of Ultra-Hot Super-Earth TOI-561b

Posted on by
Reply

Recent findings from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope indicate that TOI-561b is enveloped by a dense gas blanket above its global magma ocean.

This artist’s concept illustrates TOI-561b and its stars. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Ralf Crawford, STScI.

TOI-561 is a luminous star located 280.5 light-years away in the constellation Sextant.

This star is approximately 10 billion years old and has about 80% of the Sun’s mass and size.

It is also known as TYC 243-1528-1 and belongs to a rare category of stars known as the galaxy’s thick disk stars.

TOI-561 hosts at least three exoplanets (TOI-561b, c, and d) and is among the oldest and most metal-poor planetary systems discovered in the Milky Way.

The inner planet, TOI-561b, is classified as a super-Earth with an orbital period of just 0.44 days.

Its mass and radius are 3.2 and 1.45 times that of Earth, with a density of 5.5 g/cm³, consistent with its rocky composition.

“What distinguishes this planet is its notably low density,” remarked Dr. Johanna Teske, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

“It is not significantly bloated, yet it is less dense than would be expected for an Earth-like composition.”

One potential reason for the low density, astronomers suggest, is that it may possess a relatively small iron core and a mantle composed of less dense rock compared to Earth’s.

“TOI-561b is exceptional among ultrashort-period planets as it orbits a substantially older (twice the age of the Sun), iron-poor star within the thick disk region of the Milky Way,” Teske added.

“It likely formed under a vastly different chemical environment than the planets in our solar system.”

Researchers also posit that TOI-561b is encircled by a thick atmosphere, possibly giving it an apparent size larger than its actual one.

Although small planets subjected to intense stellar radiation for billions of years are not anticipated to possess atmospheres, some are exhibiting characteristics beyond mere rocky surfaces or lava.

To investigate the possibility of TOI-561b having an atmosphere, they employed: Webb’s NIRSpec (near infrared spectrometer). This device measures the planet’s daytime temperature through near-infrared brightness.

The technique tracks the decrease in brightness of the star-planet system as the planet transits behind its star, similar to methods used for detecting atmospheres of rocky worlds like the TRAPPIST-1 system.

If TOI-561b were devoid of an atmosphere and comprised entirely of bare rock, daytime temperatures would approach 2,700 degrees Celsius (4,900 degrees Fahrenheit).

However, NIRSpec observations indicate that the planet’s dayside temperature is closer to 1,800 degrees Celsius (3,200 degrees Fahrenheit), indicating it remains extremely hot, but considerably cooler than anticipated.

Emission spectra captured by Webb in May 2024 illustrate the brightness of different wavelengths of near-infrared radiation emitted by the exoplanet TOI-561b. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Ralf Crawford, STScI / Johanna Teske, Carnegie Institute for Science, Earth and Planets / Anjali Piette, University of Birmingham / Tim Lichtenberg, Groningen / Nicole Wallack, Carnegie Institute for Science, Earth and Planets.

To interpret these findings, the researchers evaluated multiple scenarios.

A magma ocean could redistribute some heat; however, without an atmosphere, the night side is likely solid, limiting heat transfer from the day side.

There may be a thin layer of rock vapor above the magma ocean’s surface, but this alone could cause less significant cooling than observed.

Dr. Anjali Piette, an astronomer at the University of Birmingham, stated, “We truly require a thick atmosphere rich in volatiles to account for all observations.”

“Strong winds could transport heat to the night side while cooling the day side.”

“Gases such as water vapor absorb some wavelengths of near-infrared radiation emitted from the planet’s surface before reaching the atmosphere.”

“Bright silicate clouds might also reflect starlight and cool the atmosphere.”

Although Webb’s findings provide compelling evidence of an atmosphere, the question persists: How can such a small planet exposed to intense radiation maintain an atmosphere, especially one of such significance? Some gas is likely escaping into space, but possibly at a lower rate than expected.

“We believe there is a balance between the magma ocean and the atmosphere,” said Tim Lichtenberg, an astronomer at the University of Groningen.

“As gases escape from the Earth to form the atmosphere, the magma ocean simultaneously reabsorbs them.”

“To account for these observations, this planet would need to be far richer in volatile materials than Earth. It resembles a wet lava ball.”

Findings from this study will be published in today’s Astrophysics Journal Letter.

_____

Johanna K. Teske et al. 2025. A dense volatile atmosphere over the ultra-hot super-earth TOI-561b. APJL 995, L39; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae0a4c

Source: www.sci.news

Perseverance Identifies Triboelectric Discharges Between Martian Dust Devils and Storms

Posted on by
Reply

Over two years of data collected on Mars by the SuperCam microphone on NASA’s Perseverance rover has led planetary scientists to identify 55 triboelectric discharge events linked to dust devils and dust storms.

Detection of electrical discharges in dust devils by the SuperCam instrument aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars. Image credit: Nicholas Sarter.

Lightning and electrical phenomena have been observed on Earth, Saturn, and Jupiter within our solar system.

While the possibility of electrical activity on Mars has been hypothesized, it has never before been directly recorded.

The Martian surface, characterized by frequent dust activities and phenomena such as wind-driven dust, sandstorms, and dust devils, can lead to electrical charges similar to those seen on Earth.

Determining whether such electrification occurs on Mars is vital for understanding the planet’s surface chemistry and assessing the safety of future robotic and human exploration missions.

To investigate this, Baptiste Chide and colleagues from the University of Toulouse examined 28 hours of audio recordings from the Perseverance rover’s SuperCam microphone gathered over two years.

The researchers categorized 55 electrical events by detecting interference and acoustic signatures typical of lightning.

Notably, 54 of these events were linked to the strongest wind events recorded during the study, indicating that winds significantly contribute to Martian electrification.

In two encounters with dust devils alone, the spacecraft documented 16 events, suggesting the likelihood of additional, more distant discharges that may have escaped detection by the microphone.

These findings imply that the Martian atmosphere is particularly electrically active during localized dust activity, rather than during wider dusty seasons.

“On Earth, atmospheric electricity primarily results from charge accumulation in clouds and storms, which burst forth as lightning,” remarked Dr. Ricardo Hueso from the University of the Basque Country.

“Conversely, on Mars, atmospheric electricity is dry, generated through collisions between dust particles in whirlwinds and sandstorms, leading to much smaller electrical discharges compared to Earth.”

Dr. Agustín Sánchez Labega, also from the University of the Basque Country, noted: “Mars’ cold, dry, dusty environment features a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide and can generate very strong winds, creating gusts, whirlwinds, and dust clouds.”

“These phenomena can form extensive storm fronts that stretch hundreds of kilometers and sometimes envelop the entire planet in dust.”

“Thus, we anticipate these once-elusive discharges to be particularly prevalent under such conditions.”

The authors concluded, “Our study raises many questions regarding the impact of natural electricity on the Martian atmosphere.”

For more details, check their paper, published in the Journal on November 26, 2025, in Nature.

_____

B. Chide et al. 2025. Triboelectric discharges detected during Martian dust events. Nature 647, 865-869; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09736-y

Source: www.sci.news

Study identifies five distinct ‘eras’ of brain development throughout human life.

Posted on by
Reply

As we grow older, our brains undergo significant rewiring.

Recent studies indicate that this transformation takes place in various stages, or “epochs,” as our neural structures evolve, altering how we think and process information.

For the first time, scientists have pinpointed four key turning points in the typical aging brain: ages 9, 32, 66, and 83. During each of these phases, our brains display distinctly different structural characteristics.

The findings were Published Tuesday in Nature Communications, revealing that human cognitive ability does not merely peak and then decline with age. In reality, research suggests that the interval between 9 and 32 years old is the sole period in which our neural networks are increasingly efficient.

In adulthood, from 32 to 66 years, the structure of the average brain stabilizes without significant modifications, leading researchers to believe that intelligence and personality tend to plateau during this time.

Following another turning point, from age 83 and beyond, the brain increasingly relies on specific regions as connections between them slowly deteriorate.

“It’s not a linear progression,” comments lead author, Alexa Maudsley, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge. “This marks an initial step in understanding how brain changes differ with age.”

These insights could shed light on why certain mental health and neurological issues emerge during specific rewiring phases.

Rick Betzel, a neuroscience professor at the University of Minnesota and not a part of the study, remarked that while the findings are intriguing, further data is necessary to substantiate the conclusions. He cautioned that the theory might face challenges over time.

“They undertook a very ambitious effort,” Betzel said about the study. “We shall see where things stand in a few years.”

For their research, Maudsley and colleagues examined MRI diffusion scans (images illustrating water molecule movement in the brain) of around 3,800 individuals, ranging from newborns to 90 years old. Their objective was to map neural connections at varying life stages.

In the brain, bundles of nerve fibers that convey signals are encased in fatty tissue called myelin—analogous to wiring or plumbing. Water molecules diffusing into the brain typically travel along these fibers, allowing researchers to identify neural pathways.”

“We can’t open up the skull…we depend on non-invasive techniques,” Betzel mentioned, discussing this form of neuroscience research. “We aim to determine the location of these fiber bundles.”

A groundbreaking study utilized MRI scans to chart the neural networks of an average individual across their lifetime, pinpointing where connections strengthen or weaken. The five “eras” discussed in the paper reflect the neural connections observed by the researchers.

They propose that the initial stage lasts until age nine, during which both gray and white matter rapidly increases. This phase involves the removal of redundant synapses and self-reconstruction.

Between ages 9 and 32, there is an extensive period of rewiring. The brain is characterized by swift communication across its regions and efficient connections.

Most mental health disorders are diagnosed during this interval, Maudsley pointed out. “Is there something about this second phase of life that might predispose individuals to mental health issues?”

From ages 32 to 66, the brain reaches a plateau. It continues to rewire, but this process occurs at a slower and less dramatic pace.

Subsequently, from ages 66 to 83, the brain undergoes “modularization,” where neural networks split into highly interconnected subnetworks with diminished central integration. By age 83, connectivity further declines.

Betzel expressed that the theory presented in this study is likely reflective of people’s experiences with aging and cognition.

“It’s something we naturally resonate with. I have two young kids, and I often think, ‘They’re transitioning out of toddlerhood,'” Betzel remarked. “Science may eventually uncover the truth. But are they precisely at the correct age? I’m not sure.”

Ideally, researchers would gather MRI diffusion data on a large cohort, scanning each individual across their lifespan, but that was unfeasible decades ago due to technological constraints.

Instead, the team amalgamated nine diverse datasets containing neuroimaging from prior studies, striving to harmonize them.

Betzel noted that these datasets vary in quality and methodology, and attempts to align them may obscure essential variations and introduce bias into the findings.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the paper’s authors are “thoughtful” and proficient scientists who did their utmost to mitigate that risk.

“Brain networks evolve throughout life, that’s undeniable. But are there five precise moments of transition? I hope you’ll take note of this intriguing notion.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb Identifies Four Unique Dust Shells Surrounding Two Wolf-Rayet Stars

Posted on by
Reply

By utilizing data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope along with ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), two separate teams of astronomers have captured mid-infrared images of a system featuring four intricate spirals of dust encircling a pair of aging Wolf-Rayet stars located in a system known as Apep (2XMM J160050.7-514245).

Webb’s mid-infrared images reveal four coiled dust shells surrounding two Wolf-Rayet stars known as Apep. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / California Institute of Technology Yeahuo Han / Macquarie University Ryan White / Alyssa Pagan, STScI.

Wolf-Rayet stars represent a rare class of massive binary stars where the universe’s earliest carbon is formed.

There are estimated to be only around 1,000 of these stars in the Milky Way galaxy, which contains hundreds of billions of stars in total.

Among the multiple Wolf-Rayet binaries observed so far, the Apep system stands out as the sole example of having two such Wolf-Rayet stars within our galaxy.

In a recent study, astronomer Ryan White from Macquarie University and his team set out to refine the orbital characteristics of the Wolf-Rayet stars in the Apep system.

They integrated precise ring position measurements from the Webb images with the shell’s expansion rate obtained over eight years of VLT observations.

“This is a unique system with a very extended orbital period,” White mentioned.

“The next longest orbit for a dusty Wolf-Rayet binary is roughly 30 years, while most orbits tend to span between 2 and 10 years.”

One of the team’s papers was published concurrently in the Astrophysical Journal alongside another study led by astronomer Yinuo Han from the California Institute of Technology.

“Observing the new Webb data felt like stepping into a dark room and flipping on a light switch. Everything became visible,” Dr. Han remarked.

“Dust is abundant throughout the Webb image, and telescope observations indicate that much of it is fragmenting into repeating and predictable structures.”

Webb’s observations yielded unprecedented images. It produced a clear mid-infrared image revealing a system of four swirling spirals of dust, each expanding in a consistent pattern. Ground-based telescopes had only identified one shell prior to Webb’s discoveries.

By merging Webb imagery with several years of VLT data, they refined the orbital frequency of the star pairs to every 190 years.

Within this remarkably lengthy orbit, the star approaches closely for 25 years, enabling dust formation.

Additionally, Webb’s observations confirmed the existence of three stars that are gravitationally bound to each other in this system.

The dust expelled by the two Wolf-Rayet stars is being cleaved by a third star, a massive supergiant, which creates holes in the dust cloud emanating from its expansive orbit.

“Dr. Webb has provided us with the ‘smoking gun’ evidence to confirm that a third star is gravitationally linked to this system,” Dr. Han noted.

Researchers were aware of this third star since VLT observed its brightest inner shell in 2018, but Webb’s findings helped refine the geometric model and reinforced the connection.

“We unraveled several mysteries with Webb,” Dr. Han added.

“The lingering mystery remains the precise distance from Earth to the star, which will necessitate further observations.”

_____

Ryan MT White et al. 2025. Snake eating its own tail: Dust destruction of the Apep impact wind nebula. APJ 994, 121; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/adfbe1

Han Yinuo et al. 2025. JWST reveals the formation and evolution of dust in APEP, a binary star with colliding winds. APJ 994, 122; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae12e5

Source: www.sci.news

Study Identifies Factors Behind Satellite Electrical Discharge Damage

Posted on by
Reply

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.

____

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

Webb Identifies Potential Saturn-Mass Candidates Around Young Star Twa 7

Posted on by
Reply

Astronomers utilize the exceptional sensitivity of the Mid-infrared instrument (Miri) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to investigate exoplanets within the three-ring debris disks surrounding the 6.4 million-year-old star TWA 7.

This Webb/Miri image shows the exoplanet TWA 7b, comparable in mass to Saturn. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/WEBB/AM LAGRANGE/M. ZAMANI, ESA & WEBB.

Debris disks, comprised of dust and rocky materials, can exist around both young and evolved stars, but they are more luminous and detectable around younger celestial bodies.

These disks are often identified by their visible rings and gaps, which are believed to be shaped by planets that form within them.

The star TWA 7 is a low-mass (0.46 solar mass) M-type star situated approximately 111 light-years away in the constellation of Antlia.

Also referred to as Ce Antilae or Tyc 7190-2111-1, it is part of the TW Hydra Association.

The nearly edge-on three-ring fragmented disks make TWA 7 an optimal target for Webb’s highly sensitive mid-infrared observations.

“Our observations indicate a strong candidate for the planet that influences the structure of the TWA 7 debris disk, located precisely where we anticipated finding a planet of this mass,” states Dr. En Marie Lagrange, an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris-PSL.

On June 21, 2024, Dr. Lagrange and colleagues employed a coronagraph with Webb’s Miri instrument to effectively suppress the bright glare of the host star, uncovering faint nearby objects.

This method, known as high contrast imaging, enables astronomers to directly observe planets that would otherwise be obscured by the overwhelming light of their host stars.

After eliminating residual starlight through advanced image processing, a faint infrared source was detected near TWA 7, distinguishable from background galaxies or other solar system objects.

This source is located within one of the three dust rings previously identified around TWA 7 by earlier ground-based investigations.

Its brightness, color, distance from the star, and position within the ring align with theoretical expectations for a young, cold Saturn-mass planet that shapes the surrounding debris disks.

“They are also the most popular and highly skilled professionals,” remarked Dr. Matilde Marin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Space Telescope Science.

The team’s preliminary analysis suggests that the object known as TWA 7B has a mass approximately 0.3 times that of Jupiter (about 100 times that of Earth) and may be a young, cold exoplanet with a temperature of 320 K (around 47°C).

Its positioning (approximately 52 AU from the star) corresponds with a gap in the disk, indicating a dynamic interaction between the planet and its surroundings.

Once corroborated, this discovery marks the first direct link between a planet and the structure of debris, offering initial observational insights into the Trojan disk.

“These findings underscore Webb’s capability to probe previously unobservable low-mass planets orbiting nearby stars,” the astronomer commented.

“Ongoing and future observations will seek to more accurately characterize candidates, investigate the state of their atmospheres, and enhance our understanding of planet formation in young systems and the evolution of disks.”

“This preliminary result represents an exciting new frontier where Webb sheds light on the discovery and characterization of exoplanets.”

These findings are detailed in a publication in the journal Nature.

____

Lagrange et al. Evidence of sub-Jovian planets within the young TWA 7 disk. Nature Published online on June 25th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09150-4

Source: www.sci.news

Alma Identifies Molecular Activity in the Largest Known Oort Cloud Comet

Posted on by
Reply

Astronomers from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma) have made observations of comet C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein).

Artist depiction of Comet C/2014 UN271. Image credits: NSF/AUI/NSF/NRAO/M.WEISS.

C/2014 UN271 was identified by astronomers Pedro Berner Dinnelli and Gary Bernstein through images captured in 2014 as part of dark energy research.

The comet spans approximately 140 km (85 miles) in diameter, making it over ten times larger than any known comet.

To date, little has been understood about the behavior of such cold, remote celestial bodies.

Recent findings from Alma revealed the intricate and dynamic jets of carbon monoxide gas erupting from the comet’s nucleus, offering the first direct evidence of what drives its activity in relation to the sun.

“With these measurements, we can understand how this massive, icy world functions,” stated Dr. Nathan Ross, an astronomer affiliated with a U.S. university and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

“We are observing explosive outgassing patterns that raise new inquiries about the comet’s evolution as it journeys deeper into the inner solar system.”

Alma observed C/2014 UN271 by detecting light from carbon monoxide gas in its atmosphere and thermal radiation when the comet was still distant from the sun.

Thanks to Alma’s exceptional sensitivity and resolution, scientists were able to focus on the very faint signals emitted from such cold and far-off objects.

Building on previous Alma observations that characterized the comet’s substantial nucleus size, the new findings measured the thermal signal to accurately assess the size of the comet and the dust surrounding its nucleus.

Their measurements for the nucleus size and dust mass are in line with earlier Alma observations, affirming it as the largest cloud comet ever identified.

Alma’s precision in measuring these signals enabled this research, providing a clearer understanding of this distant, icy giant.

“This discovery not only represents the first detection of molecular outgassing in a record-setting comet but also offers a rare glimpse into the chemical and dynamic processes of objects from the farthest reaches of the solar system,” the astronomer added.

“As C/2014 UN271 approaches the sun, we anticipate more frozen gases will start to evaporate, revealing further insights into the comet’s primitive composition and the early solar system.”

“Such discoveries help address fundamental questions about the origins of Earth and its waters, as well as the formation of life-supporting environments elsewhere.”

The team’s research paper was published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.

____

Nathan X. Ross et al. 2025. Initial detection of molecular activity in the largest known OORT cloud comet: Alma Imaging of The Sun at C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein). apjl 986, L22; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/add526

Source: www.sci.news

Research lab identifies meteorites linked to specific asteroid with 75 main belts.

Posted on by
Reply

Astronomers from SETI Institute, NASA’s Ames Research Center, and Curtin University have tracked the impact orbits of 75 observed metstone waterfalls to previously unidentified source regions of several of the main asteroid belt.

Impressions of an artist on a rocky asteroid. Image credits: Mark A. Garlick, Space-Art.co.uk / Warwick University / Cambridge University.

“This is a 10-year detective story, with each recorded metstone waterfall providing new clues,” said Dr. Peter Jenniskens, an astronomer at Seti Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center.

“We currently have the first overview of the asteroid belt geological map.”

Ten years ago, Dr. Jenniskens and his colleagues were aiming to build a network of all ski cameras in California and Nevada.

“Others built similar networks that spanned the world, and together formed a fireball observatory around the world,” said Hadrian Devillepova, an astronomer at Curtin University.

“For many years, we have tracked the routes of 17 recovered metstone waterfalls.”

“More fireballs have been tracked by doorbells and dashcam video cameras from citizen scientists and other dedicated networks around the world.”

“Overall, this quest produced 75 laboratory classified metstones with impact trajectories tracked by video cameras and photo cameras,” Dr. Jennis Kens said.

“It has proven sufficient to start seeing some patterns in the direction of metstones approaching the Earth.”

Most metstones come from the asteroid belt, the region between Mars and Jupiter.

These rocks come from a few larger asteroids that have been broken in the collision.

Even today, asteroids collide and create remnant fields within these asteroid families known as clusters.

“We can see that the 12 metstones (h-cartilage) of ordinary chondrites, which are now rich in iron, come from a debris field called low colonies on the pristine main belt,” Dr. Jennis Kens said.

“These metstones arrived from low-coupled orbital periods that match this debris field.”

“By measuring the age of cosmic ray exposure in metstones, we can determine that three of these 12 metstones originate from kalin clasters of dynamic ages of 5.8 million years, and two come from Koronis2 clusters of dynamic ages of 100-15 million years.”

“Another metstone can measure the age of Koronis3 clusters, about 83 million years.”

The authors also discovered a group of H-chondrites on steep orbits that appear to originate from the Nere Asteroididae in the central main belt, with a dynamic age of approximately 6 million years.

The mean motion resonance with nearby 3:1 Jupiter can raise the slope to the observed people.

A third group of H cartilage with an exposure age of approximately 35 million years of age emerged from the medial main belt.

“In our opinion, these H-cartilages came from the low masalia asteroids on the inner main belt, as their families have clusters of that same dynamic era,” Dr. Jennis Kens said.

“Asteroid (20) Masalia, the asteroid that created the cluster, is a parent body of the H-chondrite type.”

Researchers have discovered that low iron (l cartilage) and very low iron (LL chondrite) metstones mainly come from the inner main belt.

“I propose that L cartilage comes from the Hertha Asteroid family, just above the Masalia family,” Dr. Jennis Kens said.

“The asteroid Elsa doesn’t look like its fragments. Hertha is covered in dark rocks of shock black, which exhibits unusually violent collisions. The L-chondrites experienced a very violent origin 468 million years ago, when these metstones bombarded the Earth with numbers found in geological records.”

Knowing from the remains of the asteroid belt, the birth of our metstones is important for our planetary defense efforts against asteroids on the near Earth.

The orbits of approaching asteroids can provide clues to the origin of the asteroid belt, just like the metstone orbit.

“Asteroids near Earth do not arrive in the same orbit as Metstones because it takes time for them to evolve into Earth,” Dr. Jennis Kens said.

“But they come from some of the same Astide family.”

Team’s paper Published in the journal Weather and Planetary Science.

____

Peter Jenniskens & Hadrien ar Devillepoix. Asteroids, meteors, and meteor-shaped link reviews. Weather and Planetary SciencePublished online on March 17th, 2025. doi:10.1111/maps.14321

Source: www.sci.news

JUNO identifies a significant hotspot indicating a large volcano near IO’s Antarctica

Posted on by
Reply

The newly discovered volcanic hot spot is larger than the Earth’s boss lake, and Beppo emits six times the eruption of the total energy of all worlds in the world.

On December 27, 2024, a huge hot spot is seen on the right side of the IO IO in this image taken by Jiram infrared imager on Jiram’s infrared image on December 27, 2024. Image credit: NASA / JPL-CALTECH / SWRI / ASI / INAF / Jiram.

“NASA’s Juno spacecraft had two very close frivaties in the extended mission,” said Dr. Scot Bolton, researcher of South West Research Institute.

“And each fly -alibi provided data on painful moon beyond our expectations, but this latest, farther, fry -drive data really blown out our hearts.”

“This is the most powerful volcanic event that has been recorded in the world of volcanoes in our solar system. It really says something.”

The IO, which is slightly larger than the moon on the earth, is the most active volcanic body in the solar system.

It is the most inner moon of Jupiter Gali Leans, including IO, EUROPA, GANYMEDE and CALLISTO.

IO has more than 400 active volcanoes, causing the tide heat, which is the result of gravity from Jupiter and other Jovian Moon.

During the extended mission, Juno’s trajectory passes through all other trajectory and flew every month.

Previously, the spacecraft created Flybys near IO in December 2023 and February 2024, and was within about 1,500 km (930 miles) from its surface.

The latest fly -ibai was held on December 27, 2024, and the spacecraft was within about 74,400 km (46,200 miles) of the month, and Ju -no Jovia’s infrared Auroral Mapper (Giram) instrument was trained in the IO Southern Hemisphere. Ta.

“Jiram detected an extremely infrared radiation luminance (huge hot spot) event in the Southern Hemisphere of IO, and saturated the detector,” said Dr. Alessandro Mura, a researcher at the Roman National Institute of Physics. I mentioned it.

“But what we detected was actually a hot spot with some close intervals that suggest a vast magma chamber system underground.”

“Data supports this is the most intense volcanic eruption recorded in IO.”

The team estimates that unknown functions will spans 100,000 km.2 (40,000 square miles).

The previous record holder was Loki Patera of IO, which is about 20,000 km of lava.2 (7,700 square miles).

The total power value of the new hot spot shine was much higher than 80 trillion watts.

This feature was also captured by the junocam Visible Light camera in the mission.

Researchers compared the junocam images of the previous two IO Flybys to the devices collected on December 27.

And these latest images have a low resolution due to JUNO far away, but the relative changes in the surface color around the newly discovered hot spot were clear.

Such changes on the IO surface are known to be related to hot spots and volcanic activities in the planetary science community.

The eruption of this size may leave a long life signature.

Other large eruptions of IO include thermal crushed sediment (a piece of rock exhaled in volcanic), small lava flows that can be supplied by cracks, volcanic plum sediments rich in sulfur and sulfur dioxide. We have created various characteristics.

JUNO uses IO’s Fly Bai on March 3 to look at the hot spot and search for changes in landscapes.

It is also possible to observe earth -based observations in this area of the moon.

“It’s always great to witness an event to rewrite a recordbook, but this new hot spot can potentially do much more,” said Dr. Bolton.

“Interesting features can improve the understanding of volcanism not only in IO but also in other worlds.”

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologist Identifies New Species of Predatory Dinosaur

Posted on by
Reply

Paleontologists have described a new genus and species of carcharodontosaurian theropod dinosaur based on descriptions of now-destroyed specimens from Egypt’s Bahariya Formation.

rebuilding the life of Tameriraptor Markography. Image credit: Joschua Knüppe.

The newly identified dinosaur lived in what is now Africa during the Cretaceous period about 95 million years ago.

dubbing Tameriraptor Markographyan ancient species, is a member of a group of carnivorous theropod dinosaurs. Carcharodontosauridae.

The fossilized remains of this dinosaur were discovered in 1914 about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Ein Gedid, at the western foot of Gebel Hara in the Bahariya Formation.

This fossil was first described as a carcharodontosaur species by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach in 1931. Carcharodontosaurus sahalix.

“In 1931, Stromer described the first partial skeleton of a carcharodontosaur from the Cretaceous period of North Africa,” said first author Dr. Maximilian Kellermann and Ludwig Maximilian of the Bavarian State Institute of Paleontology and Geology. said a university colleague.

“The specimens were excavated from the Bahariya Formation, a locality in the northern Bahariya Oasis of Egypt, and include skull fragments (maxilla, nasal bone, part of the brain shell), vertebrae, part of the pubic bone and ischium, femur, and fibula. It consisted of

“Recognizing the common features of the related teeth, Stromer referred to the specimen as: Dryptosaurus sahalixproposed a new genus name, but carcharodontosaurusfor this kind of case. ”

According to the authors, the original specimen was destroyed during World War II.

The only extant data consist of Stromer's description and depiction of the specimen and an endocast of the brain box, currently stored in Berlin.

“What we saw in the historic footage surprised all of us,” Dr. Kellerman said.

“The Egyptian dinosaur fossils depicted there are very different from more recent dinosaur fossils.” carcharodontosaurus Found in Morocco. ”

“Thus, Stromer's original classification was inaccurate. We have now identified and named a completely different and previously unknown species of predatory dinosaur. Tameriraptor Markography”

Tameriraptor Markography It was approximately 10 meters (33 feet) long and had symmetrical teeth and a prominent nasal horn.

“We found that this dinosaur was closely related to the carcharodontosaurs of North Africa and South America, and to the metricanthosaurids, a group of predatory dinosaurs in Asia,” said the study's senior author. said one Dr. Oliver Rauchat.

“The dinosaur fauna of North Africa was probably much more diverse than we previously thought.”

“This study shows that there is value for paleontologists to dig not only in the ground but also in old archives.”

“However, a more comprehensive assessment of the Cretaceous predatory dinosaur fauna of Bahariya Oasis will require the recovery of more fossils from the site.”

of the team work Published in a magazine PLoS ONE.

_____

M. Kellerman others. 2025. Reassessment of its implications for the phylogeny of Bahariya Formation carcharodontosaurids (dinosaurs: theropods) and allosaurids. PLoS ONE 20 (1): e0311096;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311096

Source: www.sci.news

Electronic tongue accurately identifies chemical makeup of alcoholic beverages

Posted on by
Reply

Molecular tests can be used to assess the quality of drinks

Evgeny Parilov/Alamy

Beverage manufacturers and consumers may soon have access to small, portable kits not unlike coronavirus tests to check the quality and safety of alcoholic beverages.

The device is called an “artificial tongue” because it can detect additives, toxins, and sweetness in drinks with just a few drops.

Shuo Fan Researchers at China’s Nanjing University say this first-generation new technology cannot yet test for date rape drugs or detect methanol contamination in spiked drinks. A recent incident occurred in Laos in which six backpackers were killed.In future versions,

Current methods for analyzing alcoholic beverages, such as liquid chromatography, require expensive and cumbersome laboratory equipment and require specialized technicians to manipulate and analyze the samples.

The artificial tongue relies on biological nanopore technology. It uses modified organisms, such as bacteria, that have tiny holes, or pores, in their cell membranes that are just a few nanometers in diameter. By charging the membrane with an electrical charge, small molecules of the substance being tested can be drawn into the pores and passed through them.

When these molecules pass through the nanopore, they generate unique electrical signatures that can be analyzed to identify the chemicals present in the sample. Nanopores have already revolutionized DNA sequencing, allowing genetic material to be tested almost instantly using easily portable equipment.

Huang and colleagues used nanopores made in bacteria, called micropores, that have already been introduced for DNA sequencing. Smegmatis bacterium.

The device uses artificial intelligence to identify molecules that pass through the nanopores, such as fragrance compounds and additives, Huang said. “The sensor tells you right away what type of alcoholic beverage it is,” he says. “It can provide a quantitative standard of the product and also easily identify counterfeit alcoholic beverage products.”

Nanopore detectors require only a power source to operate, he says. “This nanopore sensing assay can be performed at home, in the office, or on the street as easily as a COVID-19 test,” Huang said. “You just add a drop of alcoholic beverage to the sensor and wait for the results. The machine learning algorithm does the rest of the work.”

topic:

  • biotechnology /
  • Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Innovative Wearable Device Identifies Early Signs of Breast Cancer

Posted on by
Reply

The World Health Organization reported that in 2020, 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer. American Cancer Society states that early diagnosis of breast cancer leads to a 100% survival rate. During the initial diagnosis, images or scans of breast tissue are examined by the doctor to detect abnormalities.

Doctors commonly use ultrasound devices to diagnose breast cancer using sound waves. Ultrasound for diagnosing breast cancer. Scientists have identified limitations of ultrasound in the past, such as the need for proper skills and training, poor contact with skin during scanning, and maintenance challenges of large ultrasound machines in hospitals.

To address these limitations, a group of researchers developed a wearable, portable, and affordable device called cUSBr-Patch, which stands for Compatible Ultrasonic Chest Patch. To create this wearable patch, they used a 3D printer to design a honeycomb-shaped patch with holes that can be attached to a soft fabric bra.

Scientists attached a small scanning device to the patch that uses sound waves to acquire medical images similar to an ultrasound machine. This device, called phased array transducer, uses piezoelectric material and differs from traditional hospital ultrasound scanners, producing clear and high-resolution images.

The cUSBr-Patch is attached to a bra with magnets and allows the patch to directly touch the skin for scanning. A small tracker on the phased array transducer is moved and rotated using a handle to capture images of the entire breast.

Researchers tested cUSBr-Patch on female patients with breast abnormalities, scanning both breasts in six different locations using the phased array transducer connected to the patch. Computer programs were then used to generate images similar to those from standard hospital ultrasound machines.

The researchers concluded that cUSBr-Patch can detect breast cancer at a level comparable to traditional hospital ultrasound equipment. They are working on a smaller version of the device, aiming to make it accessible for home use by high-risk individuals and populations without regular testing facilities to improve breast cancer survival rates significantly.


Post views: 1,152

Source: sciworthy.com

New Study Identifies the Most Effective Diet for Reducing Loud Snoring

Posted on by
Reply

Dealing with snoring can be a bothersome experience for everyone involved, whether it’s falling asleep on a public bus or waking a loved one. Researchers may have found the best diet to combat this issue.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that puts people at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. This is because OSA causes multiple disruptions during sleep due to loud snoring and interruptions in breathing.

The solution may lie in a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as suggested by a new study published in the journal ERJ Open Research. This diet may help prevent or treat OSA.

In order to test this theory, researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, used data from 14,210 participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were asked to list everything they had consumed in the past 24 hours, and the research team categorized their responses into three dietary patterns: a healthy plant-based diet, an unhealthy plant-based diet, and a diet high in animal products.

The “unhealthy” plant-based diet included high amounts of refined carbohydrates, potatoes, sugary drinks, sweets, desserts, and salty foods.

Additionally, participants completed a sleep questionnaire to determine the likelihood of having OSA. The researchers found that people with diets high in plant foods were 19% less likely to suffer from snoring caused by OSA. On the other hand, those who consumed an unhealthy plant-based diet were 22% more likely to have OSA.

Researchers believe that a healthy plant-based diet may be important due to its anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants, which can impact fat mass, inflammation, and muscle tone, thereby affecting a person’s OSA risk.

Dr. Johannes Melak, the chief researcher, emphasized that diet quality is important in managing the risk of OSA, and that a healthy plant-based diet may reduce inflammation and obesity.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Artificial Intelligence identifies novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant bacteria

Posted on by
Reply

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Shutterstock / Katerina Conn

Artificial intelligence has contributed to the discovery of new classes of antibiotics that can treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This could help fight antibiotic resistance, which claimed more than 1.2 million lives in 2019, and that number is expected to increase in the coming decades.

A new antibiotic compound has proven to be a promising treatment for both methicillin resistance and tolerance in tests in mice. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistance Enterococcus – Bacteria that have developed resistance to drugs commonly used to treat MRSA infections.

“our [AI] The model not only tells us which compounds have selective antibiotic activity, but also why in terms of their chemical structure. ” Felix Wong at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Massachusetts.

Wong and colleagues aimed to show that AI-driven drug discovery can go beyond identifying specific targets to which drug molecules can bind to predicting the biological effects of entire classes of drug-like compounds.

First, we tested the effects of over 39,000 compounds. Staphylococcus aureus Three types of human cells: liver, skeletal muscle, and lung. The result was training data for the AI ​​model to learn the chemical atoms and bond patterns of each compound. This has enabled AI to predict both the antibacterial activity and potential toxicity of such compounds to human cells.

The trained AI model then analyzed 12 million compounds through computer simulations and found 3,646 compounds with ideal drug-like properties. Additional calculations identified chemical substructures that could explain the properties of each compound.

By comparing such substructures of different compounds, researchers identified a new class of potential antibiotics and ultimately two non-antibiotics that can kill both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. discovered a toxic compound Enterococcus.

Finally, researchers used mouse experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of these compounds in treating skin and thigh infections caused by MRSA.

Only a few new classes of antibiotics, such as oxazolidinones and lipopeptides, have been discovered to be effective against both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. Enterococcus – and says resistance to such compounds is increasing. james collins at the Broad Institute, where he co-authored the study.

“Our research has identified one of the few new classes of antibiotics in 60 years that complements other antibiotics,” he says.

Researchers are working to design entirely new antibiotics and discover other new drug classes, such as compounds that selectively kill aging and damaged cells involved in conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer. are starting to use this AI-driven approach.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

EU Identifies Three Porn Sites Subject to Stricter Online Content Regulations

Posted on by
Reply

Age verification technology could be heading to adult content sites after these three sites were added to the list of platforms subject to the most stringent level of regulation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Back in April, the EU announced an initial list of 17 so-called Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and two Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) designated under the DSA. The initial list did not include adult content sites. The addition of the three platforms specified today changes that.

According to Wikipedia — which, ironically, was already named VLOP in the first wave or commission designation — XVideos and Pornhub are the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 most-visited adult content sites. Stripchat, on the other hand, is an adult webcam platform that live streams nude performers.

None of the three services currently require visitors to undergo a strict age check (i.e. age verification rather than self-declaration) before accessing their content, but all three services As a result, this area is subject to change.

As the EU points out in its report, pan-EU regulations require designated (large) platforms with an average monthly user base of more than 45 million people in the region to have a number of restrictions, including obligations to protect minors. It imposes additional obligations. press release Today — writing [emphasis ours]: “VLOPs must design services, including interfaces, recommendation systems, and terms of use, to address and prevent risks to child welfare. Relax measures to protect children’s rights and prevent minors from accessing pornographic content online (such as age verification tools)”

The European Commission, which is responsible for overseeing VLOPs’ compliance with the DSA, today reiterated that creating a safer online environment for children is an enforcement priority.

Other DSA obligations for VLOPs include:They are required to produce a risk assessment report on the “specific systemic risks” that their services may pose in relation to the dissemination of illegal content and content that threatens fundamental rights. It must first be shared with the committee and then published.

and to address the risks associated with the online dissemination of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and content that affects fundamental rights, such as human dignity and the right to private life in the absence of consent. , mitigation measures must also be applied. Sharing intimate content or deepfake pornography online.

“These measures may include, among other things, adaptations to terms of use, interfaces, moderation processes, algorithms, etc.,” the Commission notes.

The three adult platforms designated as VLOPs have four months to bring their services into compliance with additional DSA requirements. That means we need time until late April to make the necessary changes, such as rolling out age verification technology.

“The European Commission’s services will closely monitor compliance with the DSA obligations by these platforms, in particular with regard to measures to protect minors from harmful content and to combat the spread of illegal content,” the EU said. , further added: Please work closely with your newly designated platforms to ensure these are addressed appropriately. ”

The DSA also contains a set of more broadly applicable general obligations that apply not only to small-scale digital services but also to VLOPs. For example, ensuring that systems are designed to ensure high levels of privacy, safety and child protection. Promptly notify law enforcement authorities if they become aware of information that gives rise to suspicion of a criminal offense involving a threat to the life or safety of a person, including in cases of child sexual abuse, and compliance with these requirements; Notice deadline will start slightly earlier on February 17, 2024.

The DSA applies across the EU and EEA (European Economic Area), but post-Brexit this region will not include the UK. However, this autumn the UK government passed its own Online Safety Act (OSA), establishing communications regulator Ofcom as the country’s internet content watchdog and introducing a system of harsher penalties for breaches than the EU’s (OSA fines). (can amount to up to 10%) of global annual sales versus up to 6% based on the EU DSA).

UK law also focuses on child protection. And recent Ofcom guidance for porn sites, aimed at helping them comply with new legal obligations to prevent minors from encountering adult content online, says they are “highly effective”. It states that age checks must be conducted, and further specifies that such checks cannot include age gates that simply ask users to self-declarate that they are 18 years of age or older. .

Ofcom’s list of age verification technologies approved in the UK includes provisions such as asking porn site users to upload a copy of their passport to verify their age. Show your face to the webcam to receive an AI age assessment. Alternatively, there are methods that regulators deem acceptable, such as signing into Open Banking and proving that you are not a minor.

Source: techcrunch.com