Tag Archives: Indicators

NASA Hasn’t Discovered Life on Mars Yet, But Indicators Are Hopeful

Posted on by
Reply

NASA’s Perseverance Rover on Mars

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Has NASA Discovered Life on Mars?

In summary, no. However, last year, NASA’s diligent rover uncovered indications in ancient rocks that may suggest life existed on the Red Planet billions of years ago. Now, new evidence points to the unique structure of certain clay-rich minerals that might indicate biological origins.

Despite the excitement surrounding these findings, caution is essential: Astrobiologists Trust in detecting life employs strict criteria to evaluate evidence quality. Even the previous discoveries combined with today’s findings remain at initial stages.

What Did NASA Actually Discover?

Perseverance explored a lakebed known as Bright Angel in Jezero Crater last year when it encountered a rock displaying unusual markings referred to as “leopard spots” and “poppy seeds.” On Earth, these patterns are indicative of ancient microbial activity. Leopard spots are small, round dark marks, while poppy seeds are even tinier, darker particles.

Both types of markings are found in a rock named Chayaba Falls, after the Grand Canyon Falls, sandwiched between white layers of calcium sulfate—a mineral typically formed in the presence of water, crucial for life.

Today, NASA announced further intriguing discoveries. Clay-rich samples were found at two locations (one named Sapphire Canyon) along with those previously identified in Bright Angel, including small green spots of chemically reduced iron phosphate and iron sulfide minerals.

Map of Perseverance’s Course on Mars

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

How Are These Findings Related to Life?

On Earth, both leopard spots and poppy seeds are linked to signs of microbial activity. These redox reactions that produce energy during life processes leave colored deposits of iron and sulfur in their “reduced forms,” effectively indicating electron acquisition.

The markings found at Chayaba Falls may have resulted from either microbial actions or high-temperature reactions unrelated to life. Yet, the onboard instrument aboard Perseverance was used earlier this year to analyze the chemical composition of these markings, revealing that they contain a reduced form of mineral, suggesting a higher likelihood of biological activity.

Additionally, the newly identified rocks featuring green spots of chemically reduced materials, akin to earlier samples, may signal the presence of life. Their heterogeneous distribution is also directly related to organic compound concentrations, bolstering the hypothesis that they were produced by living organisms.

Joel Hurowitz from Stony Brook University, along with collaborators, commented in a newly published paper in the journal Nature: “The Bright Angel formation encompasses textures and chemical properties alongside organic signatures that warrant consideration as ‘potential biosignatures.’ However, definitive proof of life on Mars remains unestablished.”

How Can I View the Results?

Analyzing Chayaba Falls and the current samples on Mars is challenging. The best way to gain insight is by returning them to Earth for thorough examination.

Perseverance is tasked with storing these intriguing samples to be handed over to future missions that will physically return them to Earth, but this plan has faced setbacks. Proposals to reduce NASA’s budget during the Trump administration raised concerns about the fate of the Mars sample return mission, leaving collected samples on the Martian surface.

Team member Sanjeev Gupta from Imperial College, London stated that the new findings strengthen the case for funding the sample return mission. He added, “This is the first time we’ve observed evidence suggesting a biological process, and that fuels the excitement surrounding these samples, which we need to bring back.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmw7uogdce

“Ultimately, retrieving samples from Mars, including those from Sapphire Canyon collected near Bright Angel formations, will offer the best opportunity to understand the processes that formed these unique features,” the team remarked.

Is There Anything I Can Explore on Mars?

When life emerged on Earth, it proliferated rapidly. Thus, a viable approach without a sample return mission is to look for similar formations. Can we find additional rocks with analogous characteristics?

“We are currently investigating ancient rocks outside Jezero Crater to see if they exhibit similar processes and characteristics. There’s always a chance we could revisit the same site to explore further,” Gupta explained. “However, realistically, we aim to return the sample to Earth for analysis in our laboratories, which remains our primary objective.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Unlocking Emotions: Uncovering Hidden Indicators of Brain Aging

Posted on by
Reply

As we age, it’s common to perceive others as more content, as revealed by a recent study.

Researchers have discovered that older adults often exhibit a “positive bias” in interpreting facial expressions. This suggests they are more inclined to classify neutral or negative faces as happy rather than sad or angry.

“This indicates they tend to interpret vague or ambiguous expressions as ‘happy’ instead of ‘sad’ or ‘angry,'” noted Dr. Noham Wolpe in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “Crucially, this bias correlates with subtle cognitive decline and alterations in the specific brain circuits responsible for emotional processing and decision-making.”

Using data from over 600 adults, the research team examined this phenomenon through emotion recognition tasks along with brain imaging techniques.

They found structural variations in the hippocampus and amygdala—key regions for memory and emotion—and changes in connectivity with the orbitofrontal cortex, which plays a role in weighing emotional information and guiding decisions.

“These regions form crucial networks that aid in interpreting emotional signals and informing decisions,” Wolpe explained, highlighting how the relationship between the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala strengthens in adults facing cognitive decline.

“This enhancement may lead them to perceive ambiguous or neutral emotional signals as positive, a phenomenon known as positive bias,” he remarked, noting that the reason behind this increased connectivity associated with cognitive decline is still unknown.

Researchers remain uncertain why the interamygdala connectivity and orbitofrontal cortex, highlighted in red, strengthen in individuals with cognitive decline – Trust: Getty

Although this research is in its nascent stages, its implications are significant. Positive biases might one day serve as early indicators of dementia, as changes in emotional processing frequently precede memory impairment.

“While emotion recognition tests are not yet ready to replace current cognitive assessments, in the future they could be combined with standard screening methods to enhance early detection,” Wolpe stated.

Wolpe and his team are already investigating innovative approaches, such as immersive virtual reality tasks, to better understand how people instinctively respond to emotional signals.

The next objective is to determine if this positive bias can actually forecast cognitive decline. The team has recently concluded a follow-up evaluation of participants in the Cambridge Aging and Neuroscience Research, approximately 12 years after the original assessments. Participant data is also being linked to GP records to monitor dementia diagnoses.

“A crucial takeaway,” Wolpe mentioned, “is that subtle biases in how we perceive others’ expressions can signal early brain changes, long before the typical signs of dementia manifest.”

“Grasping these connections could pave the way for quicker detection and ultimately more effective interventions.”

read more:

About our experts

Noham Wolpe is a senior lecturer at the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University. His research focuses on understanding the interplay between cognition, mental health, and behavior, both in health and disease.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Indicators of Alien Life on Exoplanet K2-18b Have Nearly Vanished

Posted on by
Reply

Artistic Depictions of K2-18b

A. Smith/N. Mandhusudhan

Hope for discovering alien life on K2-18B is diminishing. Recent observations have not revealed clear evidence of biomolecules suggested by earlier studies. While many scientists concur that this casts doubt on past claims, one researcher involved in those earlier findings argues that the new data may actually bolster their conclusions.

In April, Nick Madhusudan at Cambridge University and his team proposed that K2-18B, a rocky planet larger than Earth and located around 124 light years away, shows signs of atmospheric molecules dimethyldimethylsulfide (DMS) and dimethyldisulfide (DMD). On Earth, these compounds are exclusively produced by living organisms. At the time, Madhusudhan described these as “the first hints we see about this alien world, possibly a home for life.”

However, subsequent analyses of the same JWST data by other researchers using different statistical methods found no substantial evidence for these molecules. Madhusudhan later stated that his team conducted a more in-depth reanalysis of their data. In an interview with New Scientist, he expressed “increased confidence” that DMS could be the best explanation for the findings. Without further observations of K2-18B, astronomers remain divided on the potential for life on the planet.

Recently, Renyu Hu from Caltech and his colleagues collaborated with Madhusudhan’s team to examine new JWST observations of K2-18B. They found no statistical evidence supporting the detection of DMS. “This paper does not present conclusive evidence regarding the presence of this molecule in the atmosphere,” remarked Hu.

Madhusudhan, Hu, and their teams utilized JWST’s near-infrared camera to observe the light from K2-18B’s star. This camera captured light at wavelengths differing from the mid-infrared measurements used in the earlier analysis conducted in April. The researchers then assessed their findings using various atmospheric models for K2-18B. Each model had different assumptions regarding the molecular composition and the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere.

Some models incorporating DMS provided slightly better explanations for the data than those without, but this does not necessarily indicate a firm detection, falling short of the threshold for statistical evidence. “The models suggest that if there is a signal, it is quite weak,” stated Hu. “I remain cautious.”

Madhusudhan acknowledged the lack of strong evidence for detection, but contended that it is more reasonable to compare this data with recent observations from JWST’s near-infrared cameras taken in 2023, as opposed to April’s mid-infrared results. “Statistically, the data does seem to show slightly stronger evidence for DMS than what we discussed in our paper,” said Madhusudhan.

“There could still be other molecules mimicking DMS,” he added, but he believes that signals produced by unknown compounds exhibit specific traits best accounted for by DMS. “However, we cannot make confident assertions.”

“This study clearly states that there is no evidence of dimethyl sulfide. No statistical support exists for these gases,” stated Lewis Wellbanks of Arizona State University. Sarah Seager from MIT remarked that her team views the statistical significance presented by the researchers as “not enough to be considered a detection.”

“It seems we may be nearing the end of the discussion regarding whether DMS can be detected at viable levels. [K2-18b] conditions are not conducive enough for more critical detection,” remarked Jake Taylor from Oxford University.

In a further setback for biosignature proponents, Hu and his team discovered that specific hydrogen-rich atmospheres in planets like K2-18b can generate DMS through chemical pathways devoid of biological influence. “This helps narrow down which molecules may serve as biosignatures in exoplanetary atmospheres, implying that DMS is not exclusively indicative of life,” noted Taylor.

However, he emphasized that additional mid-infrared observations with JWST, akin to those undertaken in April, could yield more specific data, as DMS characteristics and other intricate molecules target distinct light regions that are detectable.

What is widely accepted by astronomers is that K2-18B is rich in water. Hu and his team have gathered robust evidence for the existence of methane and carbon dioxide, suggesting the presence of water. However, it remains unclear whether this water exists as oceans, atmospheric vapor, or is confined inside the planet.

World Capital of Astronomy: Chile

Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile. Explore some of the world’s most advanced observatories and gaze at the stars beneath some of the clearest skies on Earth.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Study: Bean Consumption Enhances Metabolic and Inflammatory Indicators in Prediabetic Adults

Posted on by
Reply

A 12-week study involving 72 pre-diabetic adults revealed that the consumption of either chickpeas or black beans positively influences inflammation markers in diabetic patients. Additionally, chickpea intake helps in cholesterol regulation.

Incorporating one bean daily can yield significant benefits for both heart and metabolic health. Image credit: PDPICS.

“Pre-diabetic individuals often exhibit poor lipid metabolism and persistent low-grade inflammation, both of which can lead to diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”

“Our findings indicated that levels of tofu remained constant, yet they may aid in lowering cholesterol within pre-tofu individuals while also diminishing inflammation.”

While black beans and chickpeas are widely consumed, they are frequently neglected in extensive studies examining their effects on cholesterol and inflammation in those at risk for heart disease and diabetes.

This research forms part of a broader project investigating how the intake of black beans and chickpeas influences inflammation and insulin response mediated by intestinal microbiome activity.

“Our study highlights the advantages of bean consumption for pre-diabetic adults, but these legumes are excellent choices for everyone,” stated Smith.

“These insights can help shape dietary recommendations, clinical practices, and public health initiatives aimed at preventing heart disease and diabetes.”

To enhance the practical relevance of the research, the study was conducted with participants in their natural living environments.

Participants were randomly assigned to consume either 1 cup of black beans, chickpeas, or rice (the control group) over the span of 12 weeks.

Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks to monitor cholesterol levels, inflammation, blood glucose, and glucose tolerance tests were administered at both the beginning and conclusion of the study.

The group consuming chickpeas saw a significant drop in total cholesterol, from an average of 200.4 milligrams per deciliter at the start to 185.8 milligrams per deciliter after 12 weeks.

In the black bean group, the average level of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, which is a marker for inflammation, decreased from 2.57 picograms per milliliter at baseline to 1.88 picograms per milliliter after 12 weeks.

No noteworthy changes were noted in markers of glucose metabolism.

“Switching to healthier alternatives, like canned, dried, or frozen beans, is an excellent starting point for those looking to increase their bean intake,” explained the scientist.

“However, it’s crucial to watch for extra ingredients like salt and sugar based on your selections.”

“There are numerous ways to include beans in your regular diet as a budget-friendly method to enhance your overall health and lower the risk of chronic ailments,” Smith added.

“You can blend them to thicken soups, use them as salad toppings, or combine them with other grains like rice or quinoa.”

The findings were reported in a presentation on June 3rd during the Nutrition 2025 annual meeting held by the American Nutrition Association.

____

Morgan M. Smith et al. Effects of chronic intake of black beans and chickpeas on metabolism and inflammatory markers in prediabetic adults. Nutrition 2025 Summary #or18-01-25

Source: www.sci.news

Study: Eating Methyladaptogen-Rich Foods May Lower Epigenetic Aging Indicators

Posted on by
Reply

As we age, the likelihood of developing chronic non-infectious diseases increases, necessitating interventions that target the aging process. One of the measures used to assess biological aging in these interventions is an algorithm that analyzes DNA methylation patterns, referred to as epigenetic clocks. This new research focuses on identifying beneficial nutritional components such as green tea, oolong tea, turmeric, rosemary, garlic, and berries.

Villanueva et al. suggest that targeted food choices may help slow the aging process. Image credit: Sci.News.

“We have observed numerous individuals struggling with their health,” stated Dr. Jamie L. Villanueva, a researcher at Washington University and the National University of Natural Medicine.

“The DNA methylation pattern, which acts as a chemical marker in DNA, can reveal whether a person is aging faster or slower than anticipated.”

“This research employed Horvath’s epigenetic clock, a widely recognized method, to assess changes in epigenetic age.”

Researchers studied healthy men aged 50-72 who had previously undertaken an 8-week program featuring a plant-based, nutritious diet, complemented by guidance on exercise, sleep, and stress management.

The team investigated individual dietary variations to understand why some participants exhibited greater improvements in their epigenetic age compared to others.

The findings showed that participants consuming higher amounts of methyladaptogenic foods—like turmeric, rosemary, garlic, berries, green tea, and oolong tea—experienced a notable reduction in their epigenetic age.

These positive effects remained significant even after accounting for weight changes and initial epigenetic ages, indicating a direct impact of the foods on aging markers.

“In hierarchical linear regression analyses, foods assessed as polyphenol modulators of DNA methylation, previously categorized as methyladaptogens, demonstrated a significant linear association with changes in epigenetic age after controlling for baseline epigenetic age acceleration and alterations in body weight,” the researchers explained.

The natural compounds in methyladaptogenic foods are known to influence gene behavior through their effects on DNA methylation.

Prior research has indicated that these compounds may support healthy aging and lower the risk of conditions like heart disease and cognitive decline.

Though this study involved a relatively small cohort of middle-aged men, it contributes to the expanding body of global research suggesting that diets rich in polyphenols found in vegetables, fruits, and tea are linked to slower aging.

The results reinforce previous studies on Mediterranean and traditional Japanese diets, renowned for their health benefits.

“Future studies should involve a larger and more diverse population and explore these findings using updated tools for measuring epigenetic aging,” the author noted.

“Based on current findings, this study underscores practical, food-based strategies that can help mitigate epigenetic aging and promote long-term health.”

Study published in the journal aging.

____

Jamie L. Villanueva et al. 2025. Dietary relationships with epigenetic age decline: secondary data analysis of methylated diet and lifestyle studies. aging 17(4):994-1010; doi:10.18632/aging.206240

Source: www.sci.news

Questioning Our Understanding of Autism: Reevaluating Important Indicators

Posted on by
Reply

Characters portrayed on-screen with autism, from Sheldon Cooper to Sherlock Holmes, have traditionally been characterized by their unique social skills.

While experts often focus on social skills when diagnosing individuals with autism, recent research suggests that other traits may be better indicators of the condition. These traits include repetitive behaviors, special interests, and differences in sensation.

Recent research has shown that special interests may play a more significant role in diagnosing autism.

Special interest may be more important to obtain an autism diagnosis – Credit: Mikset via Getty

“Our research has the potential to have a significant impact,” says Jack Stanley, a doctoral student in biochemistry and machine learning at McGill University in Montreal. BBC Science Focus.

From the perspective of the autism community, this study could lead to a reevaluation of longstanding clinical standards for diagnosing autism.

Diagnosing individuals with autism typically involves clinical observations where healthcare professionals assess potential autism traits. However, this process relies heavily on subjective judgment and intuition.

McGill researchers utilized a large-scale language model (LLM) to quantitatively understand how clinicians diagnose autism based on over 4,000 reports from clinicians assessing patients with the condition.

“Our goal was not to replace clinicians with LLM, but to better understand the key factors in diagnosing autism,” explains Stanley.

The study revealed that repetitive behaviors and special interests were more crucial in predicting autism diagnoses than social skills, which contrasts with current clinical guidelines.

As the study did not differentiate between genders, the findings may vary for individuals of different genders.

Researchers hope that this study will prompt healthcare professionals to reassess the most relevant factors in diagnosing autism.

read more:

About our experts:

Jack Stanley is a doctoral student at the Mira AI Institute in Montreal, specializing in applying machine learning to biological and medical challenges. He completed an Honors BSC in Statistics and Biochemistry at the University of Toronto before joining McGill.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Simple indicators of elevated cortisol levels

Posted on by
Reply

Cortisol, a hormone produced by adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys, plays a crucial role in various body functions such as metabolism regulation, inflammation reduction, and stress response promotion. While essential for health, chronically elevated cortisol levels can lead to numerous problems.

Increased cortisol levels can occur due to factors like Cushing’s syndrome from long-term use of synthetic cortisol-containing steroid drugs or tumors in the brain or adrenal glands causing excessive cortisol production.

There are several indicators of elevated cortisol levels:

Weight Gain

High cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Cortisol influences fat storage, causing more fat to accumulate in that area. While this is true for both genders, hormonal variations can affect distribution.

Other factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and hormonal imbalances such as insulin resistance also contribute to increased abdominal fat. Signs may include fat accumulation in the neck and shoulders (buffalo hump) and a rounded, swollen face.

Fatigue and Insomnia

Despite feeling tired, individuals with high cortisol levels often experience sleep disturbances, leading to chronic fatigue. Disrupted cortisol circadian rhythm affects sleep patterns negatively.

Man fighting fatigue while lying on the sofa – Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial

High Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels

Elevated cortisol levels can increase blood pressure and blood sugar levels over time, raising the risk of hypertension and diabetes.

Mood Changes

Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, can induce anxiety, depression, and irritability by affecting brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Bone Weakness

Prolonged high cortisol levels can cause muscle atrophy, loss of bone density, and increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.

Other Symptoms

Additional symptoms may include bruising-prone skin, large purple stretch marks, low sex drive, and fertility issues.

This article addresses the query (sent by Stephen Donnelly): “How do I know if my cortisol levels are high?”

To submit questions, email questions@sciencefocus.com or message us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (include name and location).

For more fascinating science facts, visit our Ultimate Fun Facts page.

Read More:


Source: www.sciencefocus.com