Study Reveals Night Owls Eat Less at Breakfast and More at Midnight: Key Insights on Eating Habits

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

New research reveals that night owls may face a higher risk of obesity and slower metabolism due to their tendency to consume a significant portion of daily calories late at night. This study focused on women of European and Pacific descent living in New Zealand.

Research by van der Merwe et al. examined the link between chronotype and dietary habits, meal timing, body composition, and metabolic indicators in healthy women of European and Pacific descent in New Zealand. Image credit: RitaE.

Humans generally organize their sleep and wake patterns within a 24-hour cycle based on personal preferences.

These preferences are known as chronotypes, impacting not only sleep and wake times but also meal timing.

Morning people typically wake and sleep several hours earlier than night owls.

Understanding your chronotype can provide insight into your eating habits.

“Are you an early riser or a night owl? An early riser is classified as a morning chronotype, while a night owl prefers later bedtimes and wake-up times,” says Professor Roseanne Kruger from Massey University and Griffith University.

“Chronotype has significant effects on our food preferences, behaviors, and metabolic health.”

The study monitored 287 healthy women from European and Pacific Islander backgrounds in New Zealand.

Participants completed extensive questionnaires on sleep patterns, maintained a 5-day food diary, underwent body composition scans, and provided fasting blood samples for metabolic analysis.

Results showed over half the participants were classified as intermediate chronotypes, 34% as night owls, and 12% as morning owls.

The average BMI for night owls was 31.4 compared to 26.1 for morning and intermediate chronotypes.

Night owls displayed higher total body fat and a higher android-to-gynoid fat ratio, which is linked to abdominal fat accumulation.

Although total daily food intake was similar, meal timings were significantly different.

Morning types consumed most of their energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fats before 10 a.m., whereas night owls ingested more nutrients after 8 p.m.

This trend was most pronounced among night owls with higher body fat percentages.

Night owls tended to eat less in the morning but compensated by consuming more energy and fats during late-night hours.

Compared to morning types, night owls had lower intakes of various nutrients essential for a healthy diet, including fiber, vitamins A and E, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iodine.

While night owls consumed less caffeine and alcohol, their overall energy and carbohydrate intake was slightly higher.

Metabolic health assessments indicated these dietary habits were linked to poorer health outcomes.

Evening chronotypes exhibited elevated levels of triglycerides, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and leptin, alongside lower levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin.

Correlation analysis further suggested that increased energy intake during the morning was associated with higher HDL cholesterol and lower insulin and glycated hemoglobin levels.

Conversely, higher energy consumption in the evening correlated with elevated triglyceride, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin levels.

“The total energy intake was consistent across both morning and night owls,” the researchers noted.

“However, night owls ate significantly less between 3 a.m. and 9:59 a.m. but consumed more between 8 p.m. and 2:59 a.m., which was the reverse for morning owls.”

“This night-time eating pattern correlates with increased body fat percentage, abdominal fat, and elevated blood sugar and lipid levels.”

“Eating during night hours, when the body is naturally inclined to fast, contributes to food storage rather than consumption, heightening the risk of obesity and associated health issues.”

For more details, refer to the study published on July 7, 2026, in Frontiers in Nutrition.

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Karlian van der Merwe et al. 2026. Associations Between Chronotype and Dietary Intake, Meal Timing, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers. Frontiers in Nutrition 13; doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1862060.

Source: www.sci.news

Understanding America’s Unpreparedness for Deadly Storm Season: Key Factors and Solutions

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

On a Monday night in April 2026, five tornadoes, including one particularly devastating touched down in the Kansas City area, wreaking havoc on buildings in Ottawa, Kansas.

While tornadoes are common in Kansas, the National Weather Service (NWS) seemed unprepared, issuing a forecast that afternoon that predicted no tornado activity.

The reasons behind such inaccurate predictions are complex.

Early weather balloon launches in the area experienced delays, potentially contributing to erroneous forecasts, which some blame on staffing shortages linked to budget cuts by the Trump administration affecting U.S. weather agencies.

In 2025, over 1,000 employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including many senior meteorologists at NWS, were laid off or accepted buyouts.

Since then, the administration has attempted to rectify this damage, scrambling to rehire hundreds of employees. Despite assurances from a NWS spokesperson that there is “no evidence of deterioration in NOAA’s weather model performance,” there remains concern.

Meteorologists utilize complex simulations for accurate weather predictions, requiring real-time updates – Credit: Getty

However, independent meteorologists have voiced concerns about chronic understaffing at critical times following the budget cuts.

“Many who monitor severe weather closely find Storm Prediction Center forecasts less reliable than usual,” states William Gallus, a University of Iowa meteorologist.

This issue extends beyond minor inconveniences; accurate forecasts are essential to mitigate damage from extreme weather events, including intensifying hurricanes and record heat waves, both of which are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.

Moreover, the looming threat of a “Super El Niño” in the Pacific could lead to flooding along the West Coast and warmer global temperatures.

“Kansasans should never doubt the functionality of systems designed to protect them from severe weather,” declared Democratic Rep. Sharice David, representing the state affected by the tornadoes, in a statement.

This April, her office reached out to the Trump administration for information on the unexplained delays in weather balloon launches and their potential role in forecast errors. A month later, there has still been no response.

Clouds Gather

On paper, it may seem like weather agencies are on the mend. Congress largely disregarded requests for budget cuts, and an NWS spokesperson noted that they have hired 280 new employees since resuming hiring.

However, this hiring surge still leaves the agency with hundreds fewer employees than pre-cuts.

Even if the workforce is restored, replacing knowledgeable senior meteorologists will take time, according to Brian Tan, a meteorologist from the University at Albany, New York. “We’ve lost a wealth of organizational experience and expertise,” he says.

Replacing personnel is easy; replacing expertise is substantially more challenging – Credit: Getty

Craig McLean, former NOAA acting chief scientist, concurs: “This level of hiring highlights the detrimental impact of the Trump administration’s actions on the agency,” as reported by BBC Science Focus.

The missing staff collectively represent thousands of years of expertise in weather forecasting and climate modeling. “Losing 27,000 years of experience fundamentally changes the agency,” McLean states.

While experts do not anticipate these disruptions will cripple U.S. weather operations, they do believe the pace of improvements in forecast accuracy may decline. “We’re not heading into the dark ages,” Tan assures, pointing out that current models will likely continue to provide reliable predictions.

However, layoffs may hinder the speed at which forecasts become accurate, as this relies on research at NOAA labs and academic institutions, many of which experienced significant budget cuts last year, particularly at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute in Princeton, New Jersey.

Other researchers are concerned about plans to “dismantle” the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, a pivotal hub for climate and weather research; a consortium of over 100 universities currently manages the center. They plan to file a lawsuit to block this action by the Trump administration.

Into the Storm

Compounding uncertainties in weather forecasting is the emergence of AI. Several AI weather forecasting models introduced in recent years have shown superior performance compared to traditional models.

Traditional forecasting relies on supercomputers that simulate atmospheric behavior through complex equations. In contrast, AI models, developed from decades of historical data, learn to recognize patterns that predict specific weather conditions.

This shift promises greater efficiency, with some AI systems capable of operating on standard laptops rather than costly supercomputers. This advancement could enhance prediction accuracy and provide more localized information.

Weather forecasters globally, including the Met Office, are leveraging AI to enhance predictions – Credit: Getty

The Trump administration prioritized advancements at NOAA, enabling the integration of AI into predictive models. Nonetheless, officials clarify that this technology is intended to complement, not replace, existing forecasting tools.

NWS representatives note that the agency’s new AI model is “an addition to its suite of weather models, not a substitution,” as highlighted by BBC Science Focus.

Nevertheless, there’s growing apprehension about the potential for AI to dilute human input in forecasting, raising concerns about future report accuracy. Concerns persist regarding this trend.

“Humans play a crucial role, even just in terms of managing raw data,” asserts Jeffrey Schrader, a researcher studying weather forecasting at Columbia University.

His research indicates that forecasts derived from human meteorologists are typically 20% more accurate than those generated by statistical models. This discrepancy arises from meteorologists’ intimate understanding of local weather phenomena.

Forecasters familiar with their regions can, for instance, predict how local topography affects wind patterns and where rainfall may be underestimated by models. This nuanced understanding is something algorithms have yet to fully achieve.

“Experienced meteorologists bring immense value,” Schrader argues, noting that their role extends beyond mere interpretation of data and includes fostering relationships and trust within their communities, pivotal for community safety during severe weather.

Additionally, current AI models face limitations in predicting extreme weather, as they depend on datasets that may not encompass rare events. Research from a team of German and Swiss scientists found AI predictions underperformed relative to physics-based models when forecasting record-breaking conditions.

Notably, their accuracy declined as events intensified, highlighting the risks of relying solely on AI for predictions.

Inaccurate forecasts can have significant consequences, particularly as climate change exacerbates extreme weather events. Studies indicate that underestimating temperatures by even 1 degree can lead to increased mortality during heatwaves, with similar effects from underestimating cold waves.

“Without human oversight, AI predictions can become distorted and unreliable,” asserts Schrader.

Moreover, AI models cannot replace the necessity for basic weather observations, as even the most advanced AI systems require data from weather balloons and reconnaissance missions to function effectively.

“Technology is not a substitute for human involvement,” Tan emphasizes. “We need skilled professionals to interpret and act upon the data.”

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Perseverance Rover Uncovers Complex Organic Matter on Mars: Key Findings for Astrobiology

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA’s Perseverance spacecraft has made a groundbreaking discovery: polymeric carbon detected in rocks from Jezero Crater’s Bright Angel Formation. This finding provides the most extensive evidence yet of complex organic molecules present on Mars. While this does not confirm extraterrestrial life, it bolsters the idea that the essential building blocks of life may have been prevalent on Mars billions of years ago.

Artist’s concept of NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance on the surface of Mars. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Utilizing the SHERLOC instrument on the spacecraft’s robotic arm, the Perseverance team has identified hundreds of organic detections across various rocks in the Bright Angel outcrop, a light-toned geological feature in the Neretva Gorge, an ancient river channel that once fed Jezero’s paleo-lake.

The detected substance is polymeric carbon (MMC), a vast network of carbon atoms that can be found in rocks and meteorites on Earth and may originate from either biological or abiotic sources.

Due to its resilience, MMC can endure the harsh conditions on Mars that would typically degrade simpler organic molecules.

“The Martian surface is subjected to harmful radiation and chemical oxidants that affect organic matter, and laboratory simulations suggest that the longevity of organic materials in Mars-like environments, especially near the surface, depends on factors such as organic molecule type and surrounding mineral composition,” explained Dr. Ashley Murphy, a postdoctoral fellow at the Planetary Science Institute.

“The MMC identified in the Bright Angel mudstone is either resistant to degradation or shielded by minerals like clay and iron-rich Martian soils, or perhaps both.”

Some rocks show MMC associated with secondary carbonate and sulfate minerals that form due to fluid alteration after rock deposition.

In other instances, the material is found within the silicate-rich primary matrix of the mudstone itself.

These various relationships imply that organic matter could have been incorporated through multiple methods at different times in the rock’s geological history.

“Although the specific formation process of the MMC discovered in the Bright Angel mudstone remains uncertain, this is among the most intriguing discoveries to date,” Dr. Murphy noted.

These findings also indicate the presence of organic-bearing mudstones located more than 3,500 km from where NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected similar materials at Gale Crater. This suggests that Mars’ potential for habitability and organic material availability may have been widespread billions of years ago.

“This is promising for the habitability of Mars,” Murphy stated.

“It indicates that billions of years ago, organic matter was not just locally present, but may have been more broadly available in the ancient lakes and rivers of Mars.”

The researchers have proposed several potential sources for the organic matter: it may have come from carbon-rich meteorites or interplanetary dust, formed through abiotic geochemical reactions involving water and rocks, or resulted from biological processes.

“Biological, geological, and meteorite origins of the observed organic matter are all plausible,” the researchers mentioned.

“A deeper understanding of the origins, distribution, and historical changes of organic carbon will require high-resolution analyses in ground-based laboratories, which could be achieved by returning these samples to Earth.”

These findings were published in the journal Scientific Progress.

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Ashley E. Murphy et al. 2026. Complex spatially distributed organic matter detected in an ancient river valley in Jezero Crater on Mars. Scientific Progress 12(26); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx00

Source: www.sci.news

Understanding Venezuela’s ‘Double’ Earthquake: Key Facts You Need to Know About the Series of Quakes

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A second powerful earthquake shook Venezuela on Wednesday, striking just 39 seconds after the first quake subsided. The two earthquakes registered magnitudes of 7.1 and 7.5, causing significant concern among residents and seismologists alike.

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According to the U.S. Geological Survey, these two earthquakes are classified as a doublet array, which refers to the occurrence of two earthquakes with similar magnitudes that strike the same geographic area almost simultaneously.

Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and a professor at the University of Washington, stated, “The first seismic wave had not yet dissipated when the second quake occurred.”

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Severely damaged apartment complex in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, observed on Thursday.Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images

It’s not unusual for two earthquakes to occur in rapid succession; however, this particular sequence of tremors led to extensive damage, with reports indicating at least 188 fatalities, over 1,520 injuries, and more than 150 individuals still unaccounted for.

According to Tobin, “The first quake likely compromised the structural integrity of several buildings. If they survived the initial earthquake, the subsequent quake could lead to their collapse.”

The Richter scale is logarithmic, indicating that a 7.5 magnitude earthquake releases approximately three times the energy of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Each integer on the scale represents a tenfold increase in amplitude.

This doublet earthquake pattern occurred in a complex fault system near San Felipe, Venezuela. The intricacies of this zone will likely prolong the researchers’ efforts to fully comprehend which faults were involved.

Maria Beatriz Magnani, a seismology professor at Southern Methodist University who studied Venezuela’s fault lines in the early 2000s, noted that the rupture transpired along the boundary of the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, which are moving laterally past each other. The USGS estimates this eastward movement occurs at roughly 20 millimeters (approximately three-quarters of an inch) annually, compounded by compression forces as the plates interact.

Early assessments suggest that both earthquakes were of the strike-slip variety, characterized by one plate shifting past another. However, further data is still needed to clarify the mechanisms of these seismic events.

Magnani remarked, “It will take time to fully decipher the history of this fault. This is an exceedingly intricate plate boundary.”

Rescue teams searching through the debris of a collapsed house in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, on Thursday.Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

Tobin indicated that the first earthquake likely instigated the second.

He stated, “This region is characterized by a complex arrangement of faults and fractures rather than a singular fault line, adding to the complexity of this earthquake sequence.”

A 1999 study in the Bulletin of Atmospheric Sciences reviewed 70 earthquakes over a year, finding that 22% of earthquakes greater than magnitude 7.5 were part of doublets. Venezuela had also experienced doublet earthquakes of magnitudes 6.2 and 6.3 in 2025, but they occurred southwest of Wednesday’s quake, resulting in one death and over 110 injuries according to the USGS.

In 2023, a pair of earthquakes measuring 7.8 and 7.5 struck southern Turkey and Syria, leading to over 3,000 fatalities.

In North America, two magnitude 6.2 earthquakes near the British Columbia-Alaska border were recorded within a two-hour window in May 2017, while a double earthquake in Klamath Falls, Oregon, featured a magnitude 5.9 tremor followed by a magnitude 6.0 event two hours later in September 1993.

Tobin noted that experts are still evaluating whether the events on Wednesday should be classified as a doublet, although the USGS currently characterizes them as such.

The classification remains a topic of debate among seismologists, creating discussions about whether this represents two separate earthquakes or one event with multiple stages.

A woman walking past an earthquake-damaged building in La Guaira, Venezuela, on June 25, 2026.Pedro Mattei/AP

Venezuela has recorded five earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater since 1900, but none occurred along the fault line where Wednesday’s events transpired. This indicates that stress may have been building in this region for over 200 years.

Tobin added that no earthquake measuring 7.0 or higher has occurred along the fault since around 1812.

According to Magnani, the recent twin earthquakes will offer invaluable data for researchers aimed at uncovering fault structures concealed beneath the Earth’s surface.

“This event provides new insights into how the fault behaves and aids in comprehending the complexities of this region,” Magnani concluded. “Each earthquake and aftershock enriches our understanding of this intricate geological area.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Exploring the Ancient and Universal Bond Between Humans and Dogs: Key Findings from Recent Study

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent research spanning five continents, from the steppes of Mongolia to the rainforests of the Pacific, reveals that hunting dogs and their owners share a remarkable bond. This study suggests that their cooperative relationship dates back approximately 30,000 years, highlighting deep evolutionary ties.

Examples of hunting dogs and human interaction across four non-WEIRD societies: (a) pointing in Mongolia, (b) problem-solving in Vanuatu, (c) demonstration in Mongolia, and (d) scenarios from Madagascar and Peru. Image credit: Bräuer et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-57657-1.

Over the last 25 years, domestic dogs have increasingly become a significant focus of scientific research.

Throughout domestication, dogs have developed human-like communication skills essential for thriving in human environments.

Specifically, dogs excel in social communication, responding adeptly to human gestures and language. Their selection as cooperative partners during domestication has played a vital role in this evolution.

Extensive studies have examined dogs’ communication proficiency, including their response to human pointing, social referencing, and problem-solving abilities.

However, most findings have predominantly emerged from studies involving dogs from “WEIRD” (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Wealthy, Democratic) societies.

Dr. Julian Breuer, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Jena, emphasized the focus of their field study on hunting dogs, which necessitate deep collaboration between humans and their furry companions.

“This cooperation might have been critical in the domestication of dogs, marking them as the first domesticated animals in history,” noted Dr. Breuer.

To explore whether the dog-human bond is universal or influenced by culture, Dr. Breuer and his team assessed 164 dog-human pairs across culturally rich regions: Germany, Madagascar, Mongolia, Peru, and Vanuatu.

Standardized behavioral tests were performed to evaluate communication and cooperation between dogs and humans.

Remarkably, the findings revealed a strikingly similar relationship worldwide, indicating its roots in shared evolutionary history rather than cultural differences.

Across all regions, dogs demonstrated an understanding of human gestures, communicated actively with their owners, and relied significantly on their owners’ guidance in challenging situations.

Additionally, dog owners consistently described their pets as trusted companions, valuing their presence beyond mere working animals.

“While we anticipated notable cultural differences, we found the human-dog relationship to be surprisingly universal,” stated Dr. Breuer.

Despite these similarities, variations emerged, primarily influenced by environmental conditions and hunting methodologies.

For instance, hunters in Vanuatu displayed superior skills in interpreting dog signals compared to their counterparts in other regions.

In the South Pacific islands, dogs play a crucial role in tracking wild boars through thick underbrush, necessitating high levels of human-animal coordination.

Conversely, in Germany, dogs appear to be more reliant on their owners, responding consistently to signals likely due to more focused training approaches.

“Despite significant cultural and environmental contrasts, the relationship between dogs and humans is notably similar,” concluded the researchers.

Residual differences may arise from variations in hunting techniques and distinctions between queer and non-queer societies.

The findings of this research were published in a paper in the journal Scientific Reports.

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J. Breuer et al. 2026. Global similarities in dog-human interactions. Scientific Reports 16, 18527; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-57657-1

Source: www.sci.news

New Study Shows Domestic Cats Age Similarly to Humans: Key Insights Revealed

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Domestic cats (Felis catus) exhibit brain atrophy and neurological decline patterns similar to those seen in aging humans, providing an excellent model for studying dementia and the aging process.

Januel et al. utilized 3,754 data points from age-related brain fluctuations and blood chemistry profiles to align human and cat ages throughout their lifespan. Image credits: Sci.News / Makieni777 / Rise-a-mui / Alexas_Fotos / Dorothe / Vaclav Zavada / Artem Makarov / Daga Roszkowska / Birgit / Pasi Mammela.

Cats have a relatively long lifespan, with evidence suggesting that their aging patterns may mirror those of humans.

According to AnAge, the maximum human lifespan (122.5 years) is nearly double that of great apes, such as chimpanzees (68 years).

Domestic cats can live up to a maximum of 30 years, significantly outliving their wild relatives, like the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), which averages around 19 years.

With an estimated 600 million cats globally, these findings emphasize the relevance of studying their aging processes.

“Given the longevity and abundance of domestic cats, we concentrated on interspecific age concordance between humans and cats, focusing on the aging process,” stated Christine Charbet and her team from Auburn University.

The research examined 3,754 data points derived from humans, cats, and other mammal species.

This data encompassed brain imaging, blood chemistry, disease markers, and behavioral milestones like eye opening and play initiation.

MRI scans revealed that cats and humans undergo comparable age-related changes in brain structure, including shrinkage and ventricular enlargement—changes typically associated with neurodegenerative conditions in both species.

“The similarities in age-related brain atrophy between cats and humans were surprising,” remarked PhD candidate Briar Rigby Dames from the University of Bath.

“These findings underscore the potential of companion animals to provide critical insights into the aging process.”

Instead of using basic age ratios, the researchers employed a complex biological model based on quantifiable age-related changes.

This method showed that aging in both species does not happen at a uniform rate; instead, it accelerates and decelerates at various life stages.

According to the model, late-life aging patterns align closely—80 years in humans equals approximately 15 years in cats. While not all animals reach old age equivalents in humans, domestic cats certainly do.

Dr. Ryan Gibson, a veterinary neurologist at Auburn University, added, “An increasing number of cat owners are seeking advanced brain imaging to identify illnesses in their pets, creating a unique avenue for studying aging animals alongside humans in real-world contexts.”

“This expanded clinical access opens valuable opportunities for translational research—bridging scientific knowledge with healthcare—to deepen our understanding of aging and neurological diseases that benefit both cats and humans.”

Rigby-Dames noted, “There is potential to establish extensive veterinary health databases for companion animals, akin to human health databases like the UK Biobank.”

“Such resources could significantly enhance our ability to investigate aging and diseases using real-world clinical and owner-reported data across species.”

These findings are published in the journal Biology Open.

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Capucine Januel et al. illustrate that cat brains age similarly to humans: Revealing that pet cats live long enough to serve as a natural model for human aging. Biology Open 15 (6): bio062604; doi: 10.1242/bio.062604

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossil Discoveries from China Illuminate Key Insights into Gigantopithecus Black History

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed 13 fossilized teeth deep within a limestone cave in southern China, belonging to the species Gigantopithecus brachy, the largest known primate species in history. This groundbreaking discovery provides crucial insights into the species’ adaptability during significant climate changes between 1.2 million and 700,000 years ago, thereby filling important gaps in the fossil record.

Artist’s impression of a herd of Gigantopithecus brachy in the forests of southern China. Image credit: Garcia / Joannes-Boyau, Southern Cross University.

Gigantopithecus brachy was an extinct great ape inhabiting the jungles of Southeast Asia.

This impressive primate surpassed modern gorillas, standing up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall and weighing as much as 540 kg.

This species existed from approximately 2.3 million years ago until its extinction roughly between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago.

First described in 1935 by German-Dutch anthropologist Gustav von Königswald, the species was based on an isolated tooth discovered in a Hong Kong pharmacy.

The fossil record for Gigantopithecus brachy includes several thousand teeth and a limited number of jawbones.

“Gigantopithecus brachy is hypothesized to have been the largest primate species,” stated paleontologist Dr. Yanyang Yao from Shandong University, Nanning Normal University, and Guangxi Museum of Anthropology, alongside colleagues in China.

“Their fossil record primarily dates back to the Early Pleistocene and continues into the Middle Pleistocene, but material from the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition (1.2 million to 700,000 years ago) remains relatively rare.”

Yanli Dong, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Province, China. Image credit: Yao et al., doi: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2026.0010.

Paleontologists successfully uncovered 13 teeth of Gigantopithecus brachy, including both upper and lower canines, premolars, and molars, at Yanli Cave 1 in Chongzuo City, Guangxi Province, China.

This significant find dates accurately to the Early Middle Pleistocene Transition (EMPT), a period characterized by cooler, drier climates and increasing glacial influence.

Estimated ages of the fossils are derived from associated animal fossils rather than direct dating of the teeth.

Researchers identified specimens from 30 species across six orders, including relatives of orangutans, tigers, clouded leopards, tapirs, Javan rhinos, stegodons, and Asian elephants.

Notably, two species in this assemblage provided valuable information for dating. The Airuropoda oolinshanensis represents a giant panda characteristic of the late Early Pleistocene, while Airuropoda melanoluca bakoni typifies a panda subspecies of the Middle Pleistocene.

The co-occurrence of both species strongly indicates that this deposit was formed during the transition between these two epochs.

“This faunal assemblage is indicative of the biostratigraphic age of EMPT,” the researchers stated.

The fossils of Gigantopithecus brachy found in Yanli Cave 1 appear to showcase ongoing evolutionary changes.

Some specimens exhibit the relatively small tooth sizes typical of early populations, while others approach the larger dimensions found in later populations, likely reflecting dietary adaptations.

“Comparative analyses of tooth dimensions of Gigantopithecus fossils from other sites indicated that some specimens from Yanli Cave 1 retain the smaller size characteristics prevalent in early Early Pleistocene populations,” the scientists noted.

“Conversely, other specimens approach the larger tooth sizes common in late Early Pleistocene populations and the extensive size ranges recorded in Middle Pleistocene populations.”

“These findings align with our biochronological assessments.”

“Following discoveries at Queque Cave and Zhanwang Cave, both located in nearby Chongzuo, Yanli Cave 1 represents the third significant EMPT site. This regional focus is likely to provide essential evidence for understanding dental evolutionary patterns and adaptive strategies in response to climate change during the EMPT.”

The survey results are published in the journal Chinese Anthropology Methods.

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Yanyang Yao et al. 2026. Discovery of Gigantopithecus brachy in Yanli Cave 1, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, during the transition period between the Early and Middle Pleistocene. Chinese Anthropology Methods 45 (02): 199-209; doi: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2026.0010

Source: www.sci.news

Moon Meteorite Captures Key Evidence of Massive Asteroid Impact

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Planetary scientists are examining a lunar meteorite known as North West Africa (NWA) 12593, uncovering crucial evidence of an asteroid impact on the moon dating back 3.5 billion years. This discovery aids in reconstructing the era of catastrophic impacts that significantly shaped the inner solar system.

XRF map of a 7.53 g slice of NWA 12593: Calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) depicting crust location and diversity. Sulfur (S) indicates cracks and surface weathering. Image credit: Crow et al., doi: 10.1130/G54386.1.

The early billions of years in Earth’s history were pivotal, giving rise to life, an atmosphere, and oceans. However, this period remains largely enigmatic, as few rocks survive that chronicle the early history of our planet.

Dynamic geological processes such as erosion, subduction, and burial continually reform surfaces, rendering older rocks increasingly rare.

This ancient era is essential for understanding our origins and the impact of catastrophic events, like asteroid collisions, on early life on Earth.

“The oldest fossil evidence of life on Earth is about 3.5 billion years old, implying that life must have appeared and evolved prior to that,” stated Dr. Carolyn Crowe, a planetary scientist from the University of Colorado Boulder.

“A critical question we explore is what kind of shock record existed when life began?”

“Understanding how life establishes itself and how it emerges is vital. The cycle of these catastrophic events is a key component of this equation.”

Through their analysis of the NWA 12593 meteorite, Dr. Crowe and colleagues identified three distinct impact events.

The first event, radiometrically dated to approximately 3.5 billion years ago, was large enough to transform the moon’s surface into a molten layer akin to a lava flow, leading to the formation of a mineral known as cubic zirconia, which forms only at extremely high temperatures.

“Cubic zirconia is typically synthesized for jewelry but cannot endure the low temperatures found on Earth and the Moon unless its cooling is meticulously controlled in a laboratory,” the researchers explained.

“Nevertheless, we managed to find traces of a cubic zirconia phase in our samples.”

The second impact event is recorded within the meteorite itself.

This event produced a type of rock called breccia, which formed after a smaller impact disrupted the molten layer from the initial event.

“Breccia resembles what you might see if you chipped away at a block of concrete,” Dr. Crowe explained.

“You can observe all these small stones fused together by cement — akin to how meteorites fusion occurs during impacts.”

“The impact led to a variety of rock fragments blending together like a concrete sidewalk.”

Evidence of the third impact is represented by meteorites found on Earth.

A more recent impact likely dislodged chunks of breccia from the Moon, setting them on a trajectory toward our planet.

The timing of the first major impact documented by NWA 12593 aligns with known impacts between Earth and Vesta, the fourth largest asteroid in the asteroid belt.

It is extraordinary for three events of similar age to be recorded, and this new discovery serves as a crucial link to a period when the solar system transitioned from frequent collisions during planet formation to sporadic impacts resulting from asteroid fragmentation.

“Such occurrences are rare, which is why we’re so enthusiastic,” Dr. Crowe remarked.

“It’s uncommon to find three records coinciding like this.”

The study was published in the journal Geology on May 12, 2026.

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Carolyn A. Crowe et al. Three pieces of evidence of approximately 3.7 Ga to 3.2 Ga impact events in the inner solar system. Geology published online on May 12, 2026. doi: 10.1130/G54386.1

Source: www.sci.news

How Robots Will Soon Surpass Armed Soldiers as Key Decision-Makers in Warfare

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

“Legit” Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Ukraine

Oleksandr Klimenko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The prevailing notion among military strategists globally is that despite the advent of new technologies, the infantry remains crucial. As British Army officer Field Marshal Archibald Wavell noted after World War II: “Every battle, every war, is ultimately won by the infantry.” However, this perspective is beginning to evolve.

In Ukraine, the integration of robots into combat scenarios is nearing a pivotal moment. The company recently commenced mass production of an affordable robot dubbed *Legit*, capable of supporting a machine gun. This development follows their announcement to exchange one third of the infantry with unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in specific sectors.

“Even an imperfect system can be valuable if it absorbs risk on behalf of soldiers,” states Oleksandra Molloy from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

<p>The frontlines in Ukraine serve as a critical testing ground for robotic warfare. Casualties are most prevalent there, underscoring the necessity of machines in tasks traditionally performed by humans. Yet, frontline positions often have few soldiers, primarily monitoring ditches and minefields. Drones handle most intelligence-gathering tasks, leading one Ukrainian soldier to remark that their presence was only at the behest of the “old general” seeking personnel on the ground.</p>
<p>Can robots defend the line independently? Ukrainian military commander Mykola Zinkevich asserts they are already doing so. He revealed that UGVs, resembling quad bikes, are remotely operated at speeds of about 6 kilometers per hour, holding down front-line positions for up to 45 days while engaging Russian forces.</p>
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<p>With no soldiers stationed at combat positions, the *DevDroid* periodically returns for battery changes and magazine refills, marking a shift from their previous use of merely transporting supplies to now being outfitted with remote-controlled machine gun turrets.</p>
<p>The upcoming challenge for UGVs involves offensive tactics, complicated by their limited maneuverability. A milestone in 2024 will be Ukraine's first-ever assault executed entirely by robots. Although two machines became stuck while navigating obstacles, the operation effectively captured Russian positions.</p>
<p>Since then, Ukraine has maintained limited UGV operations, refining military strategies around robotic deployment. Reports indicate that these robotic assaults have substantially reduced casualties.<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/30/europe/ukraine-robots-drones-russia-war-intl">Estimates suggest</a> significant lives saved in the process.</p>
<p>In April, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced an ambitious plan to ramp up UGV production to 50,000 units by 2026, a 50% increase from the previous year, stating: "Everyone must understand: This is about saving lives."</p>
<p>No groundbreaking technological innovations have precipitated this moment; UGVs are straightforward robots managed by human operators. The US has deployed, though not actively used, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1559521/Armed-robots-to-go-to-war-in-Iraq.html">similar armed robots</a>. However, the pressure on Ukraine to effectively test these robots heightens due to its superior troop numbers compared to Russian forces, which also limits Russian automation experiments.</p>
<p>The financial aspect is manageable; the *Legit* robot costs around $11,400, leveraging components from hoverboards and electric scooters. This affordability enables the use of these risk-resistant machines for offensive operations or last-ditch defense efforts.</p>

<p>“Grace is rarely rewarded on the battlefield,” claims Molloy. “Victory favors survivability, redundancy, low cost, and mass production.”</p>
<p>Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine's III Corps, envisions an era where robots constitute 80% of Ukraine's combat strength.</p>
<p>Current wheeled and tracked UGV models struggle in urban terrains or building interiors, a challenge that might evolve with technological advances. The US military is exploring humanoid robots for “infiltration operations,” employing explosives for breaches. While today's humanoid robots are somewhat cumbersome, manufacturers, including Elon Musk's Tesla, anticipate the viability of agile, AI-driven humanoids.<a href="https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-shares-big-tesla-optimus-3-production-update/">Mass production might be viable within two years</a>.</p>
<p>“UGVs won't replace military personnel; they’ll assist in their deployment, redeployment, and enhance their skills,” states Molloy.</p>
<p>While advances toward AI-powered autonomous machines could present operational efficiencies, they also pose ethical challenges.</p>
<p>The future success of Ukraine's UGVs remains uncertain, with some arguing that trench warfare provides an easier environment for robots than other conflict types. Nonetheless, the rise of robotic soldiers in Ukraine could herald a transformative era in modern warfare.</p>

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Milky Way’s Missing Black Hole Wind Discovered by Astronomers: Key Findings Revealed

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

After five decades of extensive research, astronomers have discovered compelling evidence that Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole with 4.3 million solar masses at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, is emitting hot cosmic winds. These winds are shaping a vast cavity close to the galaxy’s center.

This image illustrates the winds emanating from Sagittarius A*. The central white dot marks a supermassive black hole. The orange data from ALMA indicates the position of cold carbon monoxide gas, while the blue data from Chandra shows hot, X-ray-emitting gas. The large conical cavity represents a region devoid of cold gas with intense hot gas emissions. Image credits: NASA / CXC / UMass / Wang et al. / ALMA / ESO / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan / NRAO / Longmore et al. / Miniti et al.

Theoretical physics suggests that as black holes devour matter, they generate winds or jets. Even minimal amounts of gas falling into a black hole can produce enough energy to expel matter outward.

Until recent observations, the winds from Sagittarius A*, our galaxy’s central black hole, had never been distinctly identified.

Astronomers utilized years of detailed observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) to analyze the cold gas within several light-years of the black hole.

By eliminating the bright radio emissions from the black hole, researchers unveiled a vast cone-shaped void in the cold gas, directly aligned with the black hole. This phenomenon serves as clear evidence of substantial, hot winds expelled from Sagittarius A*.

“Unless a black hole exists in a complete vacuum, some form of wind should be present,” stated Dr. Mark Gorsky, an astronomer at Northwestern University.

“However, there is no absolute vacuum in space.”

“These observations represent the first time we can distinctly identify wind signatures,” Dr. Gorsky added.

“As we analyzed the data, we realized, ‘This is it. This is what scientists have been searching for over the past 50 years.’”

Over five years, Dr. Gorski and colleague Dr. Lena Murchikova mapped radiation from carbon monoxide, a key indicator of cold molecular gases, within approximately 1 parsec (or 3 light-years) of Sagittarius A*.

The careful modeling and subtraction of the black hole’s rapidly varying radio emissions allowed researchers to discern faint and complex structures in the surrounding gas.

“For the first time, we’ve confirmed that a black hole is being fed molecular gas very close to it,” explained Dr. Murchikova from Northwestern University.

“The winds are moderate, and their direction may fluctuate over time.”

“This discovery indicates that our black hole is not an isolated phenomenon, nor is our position in the universe unique.”

Data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory confirmed the presence of hot gas in the same vicinity, verifying that this outflow was indeed from a black hole and not from a neighboring star.

“Exceptional claims necessitate exceptional evidence,” Dr. Gorski noted.

“We were cautious to ensure we weren’t misinterpreting an image artifact, and the X-ray images from Chandra corroborated our findings. The molecular signatures aligned perfectly.”

The ALMA map boasts approximately 100 times greater depth and 80 times sharper resolution than previous carbon monoxide images in the region, making it the most sensitive and highest-resolution map of cold gas surrounding Sagittarius A* to date.

Researchers estimate that these winds have been active for at least 20,000 years, though they are relatively calm in comparison to the dramatic jets observed in other galaxies.

“Most galaxies remain relatively dormant throughout their lifetimes,” Dr. Murchikova commented.

“However, we only observe them during these explosive episodes.”

“While it’s captivating to study black holes during these outburst phases, they represent a brief segment of their overall existence.”

“Sagittarius A* has finally opened a window into the life of this otherwise silent black hole.”

The team’s findings will be published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Mark D. Gorski and Lena Murchikova. 2026. Discovery of active winds from the central black hole of the Milky Way Galaxy. APJL 1004, L7; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae63cf

Source: www.sci.news

Jupiter’s Electron Acceleration Near-Light Speed: Key Insights into Cosmic Ray Origins

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent analysis of data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft reveals that Jupiter’s bow shocks not only deflect the solar wind but also serve as potent particle accelerators, propelling electrons to relativistic energies of at least 1 MeV.

As celestial bodies traverse streams of charged particles, their magnetic fields act as barriers. This interaction results in incoming particles being slowed and redirected, creating a ‘bow shock.’ Just beyond this boundary lies the foreshock, a dynamic area where magnetic forces can accelerate particles to speeds approaching that of light. Image credit: Ben C. Smith, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

A shock is a disturbance caused by an object moving faster than the local speed of sound through a medium, leading to a sudden change in pressure at the interface.

Jupiter’s bow shock, for instance, arises where the planet’s magnetic field interacts with the solar wind, similar to how a ship’s bow creates waves in the water.

Most shocks in space plasma are collisionless due to low particle density, which prevents direct collisions and energy transfer through heat. Instead, electromagnetic forces govern these interactions.

Collisionless shocks are believed to be key sites where cosmic rays are accelerated to near-light speeds in a process termed relativistic electron acceleration.

Despite this understanding, scientists have faced challenges in directly observing and confirming the mechanisms behind these structures.

“Since the discovery of cosmic rays over a century ago, astronomers have been tracing their origins,” stated Dr. Savas Raptis from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and his colleagues.

“These high-energy particles originate from various sources, including supernovae and solar eruptions.”

“When solar cosmic rays interact with Earth, they can induce space weather impacts that disrupt satellites, communications, and electricity grids.”

“The NASA mission illustrated how some electrons attain high energy levels in regions near Earth known as foreshocks, where solar particles first encounter Earth’s magnetic field.”

“Scientists have long suspected that this same acceleration process occurs in the foreshocks of other planetary bodies and astrophysical systems, but confirmation has been elusive until now.”

The research team analyzed data gathered by Juno during its approach to Jupiter on October 1, 2023.

Before passing through the bow shock, Juno traversed a foreshock, a turbulent area where the solar wind initially senses the planet’s magnetic field.

Over approximately 20 minutes, Juno detected a significant bubble-like disturbance identified as a foreshock transient.

The spacecraft employed three onboard instruments to measure electrons accelerated to energies reaching up to 1 MeV within this transient structure.

“By utilizing these observations and supplementary data from our solar system, we propose a universal scaling law for the Hyras limit, empirically linking the size of observable transients to maximum particle energy,” the authors concluded.

“Applying this model across diverse environments, from planetary bow shocks to protostellar jets and supernova remnants, suggests a range for maximum achievable particle energies from the MeV scale to tens of GeV and TeV, offering a method for constraining maximum cosmic ray energies in astrophysical shocks.”

The team’s paper was published in the journal Nature on June 3, 2026.

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S. Raptis et al. 2026. Relativistic electron acceleration in Jupiter’s bow shock and beyond. Nature 654, 47-51; doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10473-z

Source: www.sci.news

What’s Next for Blue Origin Following the Rocket Explosion? Key Developments to Watch

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

For years, Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, Blue Origin, has operated under the radar, overshadowed by the achievements of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Recently, however, momentum has surged, with the giant rocket New Glenn approaching a crucial launch date that promises to enhance the space industry’s capacity to deploy satellites and essential equipment into orbit.

In a significant move, NASA recently endorsed New Glenn for a larger role in the Artemis moon return program. Additionally, Amazon is set to launch 48 of its satellites into orbit, entering into direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.

On Thursday evening, however, a test of New Glenn led to a dramatic blaze on the launch pad, raising concerns throughout the industry.

“This is a major collective setback,” stated Chad Anderson, a startup investor at Space Capital.

The explosion has derailed Blue Origin and its partners, including Amazon and NASA, just as SpaceX prepares for a highly anticipated initial public offering, potentially valuing the company at over $1.25 trillion.

Had the rocket exploded in mid-air, it might have been viewed as a common failure. However, the significant launch pad damage has raised serious questions regarding the complex hydraulic and fuel systems surrounding the aging concrete structure.

Blue Origin has yet to respond to inquiries. A government social media post labeled the incident an “extraordinary situation,” assuring that all personnel were safe. Amazon hasn’t provided immediate commentary.

Only one launch pad exists for New Glenn at Launch Complex 36, located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Blue Origin has invested over $1 billion to refurbish this 1960s-era facility.

Consequently, Blue Origin faces the dual challenge of identifying the cause of the explosion and repairing its launch infrastructure, which may lead to significant delays in ongoing New Glenn testing.

According to Carissa Christensen, CEO of the aerospace analysis firm Blytech, this delay will affect Blue Origin’s upward trajectory. “While this setback is disappointing, I don’t see it as the end of the line,” she commented.

Industry experts believe that Bezos will remain committed to his ambitions, as he values Blue Origin as a key component of his legacy, with a net worth exceeding $290 billion. The company’s resources are limited only by his willingness to invest.

“It’s a challenging day, but we will rebuild everything essential and return to flight,” he stated on social media. “It’s worth the effort.”

Delays at Blue Origin could impede Amazon’s plans for its Amazon Leo satellite constellation, which is set to compete directly with Starlink.

Amazon’s launch strategy heavily depends on next-gen rockets capable of deploying multiple satellites simultaneously. Notably, New Glenn can carry up to 48 Amazon satellites, while other rockets have capacities ranging from 24 to 32 satellites.

As highlighted by research firm Quilty Space, Amazon is encountering a crisis in launch capacity exacerbated by the New Glenn explosion.

“The space economy is interlinked, so if one rocket fails, everyone feels the consequences,” stated Kim Burke, Director of Government Affairs at Quilty Space.

Roughly one-third of the 3,500 satellites Amazon plans to launch were slated to ride aboard New Glenn, as per Quilty Space’s analysis. The upcoming Vulcan Centaur rocket, a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is also in development, but faces its own set of challenges.

If the issues lie with Blue Origin’s engines, the Vulcan Centaur, which uses the same technology, might also be at risk.

Amazon Leo aimed to catch up with Starlink, which has successfully launched over 300 satellites in just a year, compared to Starlink’s fleet of over 10,000, according to tracker data from astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.

Amazon’s satellites have been deployed using small rockets from SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and the French company Arianespace. The company has also secured deals with prominent clients, including Delta Air Lines and Apple, for satellite services for its devices.

“Our commercial service will embody the cutting-edge technology available today,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last month.

Amazon plans to conduct three upcoming small rocket launches, including one on Friday night. Amazon Leo aims for a commercial launch this fall, with the goal of recouping the substantial investment made to develop the network.

However, the delay of New Glenn could hinder its progress.

Kenneth Chan Contributed to the report.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Southern California Chemical Tank Scandal: Key Insights and Unanswered Questions

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A serious incident occurred at a chemical storage tank in Garden Grove, California, where overheating caused by a malfunctioning valve raised alarms about a potential disaster. This event poses risks of toxic plume exposure for residents and potential damage to nearby structures.

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Since Thursday, Southern California officials have united with state and federal agencies to prevent what could be one of the gravest chemical accidents in California’s history. A state of emergency was declared, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents in this city southeast of Los Angeles, with an uncertain timeline for their return.

By Monday evening, the threat of a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) was successfully averted, according to Orange County fire officials.

Here’s an essential overview of the situation.

What is Methyl Methacrylate?

The incident centers around a storage tank at the GKN Aerospace Facility, holding approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate.

Methyl methacrylate is a toxic substance utilized in the production of resins and plastics like plexiglass.

Exposure to this chemical may cause skin and eye irritation, along with symptoms such as coughing, dizziness, headaches, and respiratory issues.

What Were the Risks?

Last week, the Orange County Fire Department reported the tank was heating up and expanding.

This scenario presented two dire outcomes: either the tank develops a crack leading to chemical leakage, or it ruptures and explodes, posing risks to nearby methyl methacrylate tanks.

Fire Chief Craig Covey, the incident commander, highlighted the severity of the situation: “What we were told indicated a potential leaking or exploding tank.”

Fire officials resolved the BLEVE risk by Monday morning, a condition where the temperature of a flammable liquid in the tank increases to the point of catastrophic explosion.

Andrew Welton, a Purdue University engineering professor, likened the risk to leaving a soda can in a hot car—high pressure leads to explosive potential.

On Monday, officials confirmed that a crack allowed pressure to escape, although no chemicals leaked, and the internal temperature was decreasing. Firefighters used sprinklers and hoses to cool the tank.

Initially, around 60,000 residents were evacuated due to their safety concerns; by Monday evening, this was reduced to approximately 16,000.

Why Did the Tank Overheat?

Authorities reported a faulty valve in the tank’s cooling system initiated a dangerous sequence of events.

“The overheating was due to a valve freeze within the recirculating cooling system, which was supposed to maintain a target temperature of 50 degrees,” Chief Covey explained.

This malfunction led to a significant heating of the tank contents.

Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein assured residents of a transparent investigation into the incident on Monday night.

Has the Risk Been Eliminated?

The temperature peaked at at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while the boiling point of methyl methacrylate is around 212 degrees. By Monday, temperatures decreased to 93 degrees.

Welton noted the cooling trend is promising; it indicates no ongoing heat generation within the tank.

Despite this, risks of a minor explosion or chemical spill remain due to uncertainties regarding the chemical’s state within the tank. Some specialists suggest solidification might be occurring.

“If solidification occurs, the threat diminishes significantly,” Welton mentioned.

By Monday, cooler temperatures and solidified materials signaled good news for emergency responders.

Orange County Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern remarked that while the threat of a major explosion has subsided, additional precautions are still necessary.

He emphasized the need to address potential fire hazards, minor explosions, or chemical spills.

Do You Have Environmental Concerns?

Chris Myers from the Environmental Protection Agency stated that extensive air monitoring revealed no hazardous exceedances during the incident.

According to Welton, the crack in the tank could theoretically allow for some vapor or gas escape.

In response to the incident, President Trump approved a presidential emergency declaration to allocate more resources, including personnel and equipment from FEMA. Governor Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in Orange County.

FEMA has teams assisting in state emergency operations, and air monitoring has been established at 20 locations around the affected area.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has initiated an investigation, while two local residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace, the facility’s owner.

In an official comment, a GKN Aerospace spokesperson referred to their online statement, conveying their collaboration with fire officials to stabilize the tank.

“We safely removed the tank’s external insulation to assist in cooling its contents,” they stated. “We regret the disruption this incident has caused and are focused on ensuring a safe resolution so residents can return home.”

Covey reported that a nearby tank was neutralized with a chemical compound, although a similar approach was not viable for the threatening tank due to a malfunctioning valve.

Judith Enck, former EPA official, remarked on the necessity of regulatory inspections: “When was the last inspection of this tank, and what were the findings?”

Experts like Welton suggest investigating the maintenance frequency and possible clogging within the tank.

“We hope this incident remains a major alert rather than leading to uncontrolled chemical release or structural damage,” he concluded. “This remains a situation to monitor closely.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

CERN Physicists Discover New Exotic Particles: Key Breakthrough in Particle Physics

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Physicists have made significant advancements with the ATLAS Collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), observing the excited state of the B_c^*+ Meson. This unique meson consists of a charm quark paired with a bottom antiquark.

Bc*+ Artist’s impression of the meson. Image credit: Daniel Dominguez / CERN.

Protons and neutrons, fundamental components of matter, belong to a larger class of particles known as hadrons. Hadrons are composite particles formed from quarks held together by the strong force.

These particles are classified into two main groups: baryons, which are composed of three quarks (e.g., protons and neutrons), and mesons, which consist of a quark-antiquark pair.

Despite years of research, many phenomena associated with the strong force still remain elusive, particularly the interactions among quarks in hadrons.

Heavy quark mesons, such as those containing charm and bottom quarks, serve as essential testbeds for evaluating theoretical models regarding these interactions.

Particularly noteworthy is the B_c⁺ meson, which contains both charm quarks and bottom antiquarks.

ATLAS physicists created an excited form of the B_c⁺ meson through high-energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC.

Following these collisions, the B_c^*+ quickly decays into B_c⁺ mesons accompanied by photons.

Detecting these photons, along with the decay products of B_c⁺, provides critical evidence confirming the existence of the B_c^*+ meson.

However, researchers face a challenge as the expected mass of B_c⁺ mesons is only marginally greater than that of B_c⁺ mesons, resulting in photons with very low energy that are challenging to detect using traditional methods.

Instead of standard photon identification techniques, scientists looked for photons that transformed into electron-positron pairs in the ATLAS tracking detector, leaving behind a trail of densely charged particles emerging from a common origin distinct from the initial proton-proton collision.

The lateral momentum of these tracks is around 100 MeV, significantly lower than typical values analyzed in ATLAS studies.

Consequently, the team had to implement a specialized trajectory reconstruction method to successfully identify the photons and confirm the existence of the B_c^*+ meson.

The measured mass difference between the B_c^*+ meson and the B_c⁺ meson stands at 64.5 ± 1.4 MeV.

According to the physicists, “This is within the range of available theoretical predictions, though it slightly diverges from the latest high-precision calculations.”

These findings will significantly contribute to theoretical models explaining the mass of particles with heavier quarks and enhance our understanding of the strong nuclear force.

The team’s research will soon be published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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Collaboration with ATLAS. 2026. Observation of B_c^*+ Mesons using the ATLAS detector. Physical Review Letters, in press. arXiv: 2605.16228

Source: www.sci.news

Boosting Memory in Women: A Key to Delaying Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis by Years

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Exploring Gender Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

Mascot/Alamy

Research on Alzheimer's disease in men and women — Exploring Gender Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

Mascot/Alamy

New research highlights that women often exhibit stronger verbal memory compared to men, which can obscure early indications of Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study raises concerns that existing memory assessments may fail to identify symptoms in women, potentially hindering timely diagnosis and treatment.

“Recognizing gender discrepancies in Alzheimer’s disease is critical,” says Ralph Martins, director at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, who was not directly involved in the study.

Researchers, including Sasha Novozilova from McGill University in Montreal, examined data from extensive, long-term studies of older adults in the U.S. and Canada. Participants, some diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, underwent regular cognitive evaluations and brain imaging.

Their cognitive skills were tested by having participants learn a list of 15 words, recalling them immediately after distractions and later on. This form of verbal memory testing is a staple in Alzheimer’s research and clinical settings.

Findings revealed that many female participants continued to achieve “normal” test scores even after severe Alzheimer’s-related brain changes occurred. On average, women maintained their cognitive function for an additional 2.7 years compared to similarly affected men.

This disparity may be linked to women having a higher baseline of verbal memory throughout their lives, providing them with a “cognitive reserve” to tap into as the disease progresses. “Women generally exhibit superior brain connectivity,” Novozilova explains. “Therefore, if one brain region deteriorates, other areas can sometimes compensate.”

However, once this cognitive reserve diminishes, mental decline can accelerate, often too late to intervene effectively, researchers warn. Lewis Collins, also at McGill University, notes that new medications like lecanemab and donanemab can moderately slow Alzheimer’s progression, but require early intervention for maximum efficacy. This timing discrepancy might explain why women’s responses to these drugs are less optimal, as they are frequently diagnosed at later stages in clinical trials.

Another recommendation includes annual blood tests for women of a certain age to detect early Alzheimer’s signs before cognitive issues arise, suggests Martins. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as cognitive training, physical exercise, and adherence to a mind diet, may also help mitigate disease progression.

Interestingly, while men typically excel in spatial memory, women, on average, are more proficient in verbal tasks – possibly rooted in evolutionary behaviors. Historically, while men hunted, women may have developed language skills essential for community communication and child-rearing. Today, careers in writing, nursing, teaching, and administration further enhance women’s verbal memory, Novozilova remarks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Suggests Insects Experience Pain: Key Findings and Implications

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The antenna of House cricket (Acheta domesticus) exhibits fascinating behavior when contacted with a heated probe. Insects show heightened attention to the burned area, grooming it much more significantly than if there were either innocuous contact or no contact at all. This phenomenon, observed by entomologists from the University of Sydney, may provide evidence for a condition akin to pain in insects, a topic that has sparked considerable scientific debate.

Manzi et al. explored house crickets (Acheta domesticus), a key species in insect farming, emphasizing the importance of flexible, site-specific self-defense as a pain-related behavioral feature. Image credit: Matthew Lindsey / CC BY 2.0.

“Once thought to possess brains too simple for complex experiences, insects are now recognized for their ability to perform intricate tasks like associative learning and situational decision-making,” said Dr. Thomas White, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Sydney.

“Recent studies have pinpointed brain regions such as the mushroom body and central complex that seem to facilitate evaluative processing similar to mechanisms found in vertebrates.”

“However, understanding pain in insects cannot be resolved solely by examining neural structures.”

“Considering the variety of nervous systems across different species, behavioral observation remains the clearest path to inferring subjective experiences.”

“Thus, rather than questioning whether insects share the same neural structures, it is more pertinent to investigate whether they display similar behaviors under comparable conditions.”

In their research, the authors assessed 80 adult house crickets under strictly controlled experimental conditions designed to dismiss simple reflex actions.

Each cricket underwent exposure to three specific conditions: the tip of a soldering iron heated to 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) was briefly applied to one antenna, followed by a non-heated probe application, alongside a no-contact scenario.

Cameras recorded the crickets’ movements for ten minutes, while three observers, blinded to the treatment each insect underwent, analyzed the grooming behavior frame by frame.

Results showed that crickets exposed to heat stimulation were significantly more prone to groom the affected antennae, dedicating considerably more time to this behavior—about four times longer than their counterparts in the no-contact group.

On average, the duration of grooming for damaged antennae reached approximately 13 seconds post-exposure, contrasted with around 3 seconds in the control condition.

“The increased grooming intensity in crickets followed a clear temporal pattern; those subjected to noxious heat displayed a heightened and sustained response, which later declined. This behavior mirrors findings in bees and rodents,” the researchers noted.

What makes this discovery particularly significant is not merely that the crickets responded, but how they did so.

Reflexes—often automatic responses that even the simplest nervous systems exhibit—typically cease once the stimulus is removed.

In contrast, the crickets continued returning to the impacted area long after the heated probe was taken away, indicating they were likely tracking an internal signal of damage.

“Pain represents one of the most enigmatic and crucial aspects of animal cognition, positioning insects as a challenging case study,” the authors remarked.

“Behavioral indicators, particularly flexible and localized responses to harm, offer the most straightforward method to deduce pain-like states in these creatures.”

“Our findings showcase such a response in a crucial organism: Acheta domesticus. Crickets exhibited more frequent grooming, prolonged duration, and a distinct temporal profile in response to noxious stimulation compared to tactile or non-contact controls.”

“These responses were specific to the injury site and persistent, indicating that crickets monitor the vicinity of the harm and adjust their behavior beyond mere reflex actions.”

Findings are detailed in a study published this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

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Oscar Manzi et al. 2026. Flexible self-defense as evidence of a pain-like state in house crickets. Proc Biol Sci 293 (2070): 20260609; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2026.0609

Source: www.sci.news

How Reducing Air Pollution May Impact Key AMOC Currents

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Smog Contains Particles That Reflect Sunlight and Cool Earth’s Surface

Credit: Dennis McDonald/Alamy

Smog particles reflecting sunlight — Smog Contains Particles That Reflect Sunlight and Cool Earth’s Surface

Credit: Dennis McDonald/Alamy

Addressing air pollution in Europe and North America could inadvertently weaken the Atlantic Meridional Circulation (AMOC), a crucial ocean current influencing Europe’s climate.

Air pollution, including smog and soot, claims approximately 7 million lives annually and contributes to widespread health issues. Interestingly, aerosols, which are tiny particulate pollutants like sulfur dioxide, can reflect sunlight, making clouds brighter and reducing surface heat absorption.

Recent research indicates that reducing air pollution from maritime sources and other sectors could accelerate global temperature increases. “If we cut back on aerosols, we will start to see the extent of warming,” says Michael Diamond from Florida State University.

Historically, scientists’ insights into aerosols’ climatic impact have relied on global simulations akin to those used for examining the greenhouse effect. These models suggest that “higher aerosol levels cool the North Atlantic surface and strengthen the AMOC,” according to Robert Allen from the University of California, Riverside. Conversely, if global aerosol emissions are reduced, the Earth’s surface may warm, weakening the AMOC.

Nonetheless, these simulations often overlook the regional characteristics of air pollution. Unlike greenhouse gases, which linger in the atmosphere for years, most aerosols dissipate within a week, meaning their climatic effects typically manifest close to their source, revealing the complex consequences of pollution reductions.

To gain deeper insights into the impacts of clean air initiatives, Allen and his team employed eight distinct climate models to assess how changes in regional aerosol emissions impact both local and global climates. The models evaluated AMOC strength under high-emission scenarios established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and reformulated these scenarios with enhanced air quality regulations.

The findings indicate that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise but aerosol pollutants decrease, the AMOC could weaken by a third by mid-century compared to scenarios where aerosol levels remain elevated.

While Allen’s research does not delve into the regional weather implications of AMOC weakening, previous studies suggest that such a decline could lead to adverse outcomes, including increased droughts across Europe, exacerbated sea level rise in northeastern North America, and disruption of global monsoons and rising temperatures in Northern Europe.

Allen’s analysis revealed that the most significant impact on AMOC would stem from reduced aerosol levels in Europe and North America. However, he noted that air quality improvement initiatives in East Asia are also proving impactful. Cleaner air in East Asia is affecting global temperatures—despite their short lifespan, aerosols can travel long distances and mask warming effects wherever they reach, potentially leading to further weakening of the AMOC.

“To improve air quality, we must acknowledge that there will be associated climate changes,” Allen states. “To achieve clean air while minimizing our climate impact, we must simultaneously reduce other greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.”

Diamond echoes this sentiment, stating, “When considering clean air policies, it’s vital to concurrently address decarbonization strategies.”

Topics:

Climate Change/
Air Pollution

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers Uncover Key Molecular Insights into the Health Benefits of Coffee

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University researchers sheds light on why coffee drinkers tend to live longer and experience fewer chronic diseases. The findings indicate that brewed coffee is rich in compounds that interact with little-understood proteins in the body, potentially affecting inflammation, aging, and cancer processes.

Hailemariam et al. revealed that brewed coffee and its principal polyphenolic and polyhydroxy components act as NR4A1 ligands, suggesting NR4A1’s vital role in the health benefits associated with coffee. Image credit: Sci.News.

“Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage globally,” stated Texas A&M University professor Steven Safe and his team.

“Coffee drinkers comprise a vast demographic that enjoys an aqueous extract from roasted and ground coffee berries.”

“The health benefits of coffee mirror those seen in vegetarian groups and various ‘blue zone’ populations known for lower mortality rates and age-related diseases.”

“Despite variations in coffee bean types and brewing techniques, consensus indicates that coffee drinkers enjoy longer lifespans.”

“They also face a decreased risk of age-related conditions, including metabolic disorders, certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and cardiovascular issues.”

In their investigation, researchers concentrated on NR4A1, a receptor that responds to dietary compounds and is essential for maintaining health in aging individuals.

This receptor activates during inflammation and cellular damage, and it has been shown to protect tissues.

“When tissue is damaged, NR4A1 activates to help mitigate that damage,” Professor Safe explained.

“Removing this receptor results in even greater tissue damage.”

Through biochemical experiments, the team discovered that freshly brewed coffee and several of its key components bind to NR4A1.

Identified compounds included common coffee polyphenols like caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid, along with diterpenes such as kahweol and cafestrol.

“Our findings suggest that at least some of coffee’s health benefits stem from their ability to bind to and activate this receptor,” Professor Safe noted.

Experiments on cancer cell lines indicated that coffee extract and its constituents slowed cell proliferation.

When NR4A1 levels were reduced, the effects waned, implying that this receptor mediates the biological activities of coffee.

Many of these compounds served as inverse agonists, reducing NR4A1 activity in a way that may counteract tumor-promoting signals.

“Coffee consists of a highly complex array of compounds, creating a powerful blend,” Professor Safe remarked.

Notably, not all components yield the same effects. While caffeine is often seen as the primary component of coffee, it has been shown to exert more diverse and relatively weaker effects on receptors compared to polyphenols.

The research supports the notion that coffee’s benefits are likely due not just to caffeine, but to a complex mixture of bioactive compounds.

Brewed coffee contains over 1,000 chemicals, many of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

“Caffeine binds to the receptor but doesn’t significantly aid in our model,” Safe emphasized.

“Polyhydroxy and polyphenolic compounds demonstrate much more activity.”

“This could explain why both regular and decaffeinated coffee link to similar health benefits in extensive population studies.”

For more details, refer to the study results published in the journal nutrients.

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Amanuel Hailemariam et al. 2026. Brewed coffee and its components act through orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1). nutrients 18 (6): 877; doi: 10.3390/nu18060877

Source: www.sci.news

New Scientist Book Club Review: ‘Red Mars’ by Kim Stanley Robinson – Strong Praise with a Few Key Concerns

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

What did the New Scientist Book Club think of Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson?

I set an engaging challenge for the New Scientist Book Club this April: reading through Kim Stanley Robinson’s epic novel Red Mars, a detailed 600-page journey into the complexities of colonizing Mars. In just 30 days, our members shared their thoughts on this literary masterpiece during our vibrant discussions on Discord.

There’s a personal element to this as well; Red Mars is one of my all-time favorites. After reading a compelling article by critic George Bass about the story’s beginning in 2026, I was motivated to revisit this captivating world with our passionate community of 25,000 readers. Robinson masterfully captures the vast, alien beauty of Mars, and I loved experiencing the narrative from multiple perspectives, particularly the character Anne — a passionate advocate for preserving Mars’s natural state — and Sacks, who is determined to terraform the planet swiftly. I found the perspective of Nadia, a pragmatic engineer, especially engaging, though I admit the love triangle between John, Frank, and Maya felt somewhat repetitive.

Some members returned to Red Mars for a second read, while others picked it up for the first time, and some were inspired to finally dive into a book they had long overlooked. DavidC reflected on his initial draw to the book, stating, “I found the phrase ‘but it all happened in the mineral unconscious’ really appealing right on the first page. Now I’m ready for the next 600 pages!”

However, Zagosia expressed dissatisfaction with the dramatic opening that resulted in an important character’s demise, stating, “I don’t like the concept of spoiling the ending in the first chapter. You don’t want to know where this is going?” I, along with other members, reassured her to continue reading.

My conversation with Robinson during a video interview shed light on his intriguing narrative choice: “This is a flash-forward. It creates a sense of tension as we learn that John is dead, but we don’t yet understand why. This adds depth to every seemingly mundane detail of the town’s development.” The suspense enriches the story.

Robinson recently reread Red Mars and found it resonated well, apart from some “laughable gaps” in his knowledge of 2026 and beyond. He discussed the current misguided dreams of colonizing Mars, critically stating, “These people don’t think through the implications.” He dismissed Elon Musk’s notion that colonizing Mars would “save Earth” as unrealistic.

Reactions from our readers varied; many praised Robinson’s beautifully crafted writing about Mars while some found it hard to connect with the characters. Zagosia noted, “The portrayal of nature and scale was remarkable, yet I struggled to empathize with the characters and often felt situations lacked logic.”

Annie Greenwood enjoyed the book but craved something more relationship-driven afterward, saying, “I wanted an injection of character complexity after ‘Red Mars.’ I felt the narrative leaned heavily on ideas more than deep interpersonal dynamics.” The high-quality writing is undeniable, yet it lacked the emotional engagement she sought.

Discussions arose about the fragile state of affairs on Mars and whether a better selection of astronauts could have prevented chaos. Barbara Howe noted, “I anticipated a tale of scientific triumph over adversity, but what I encountered was a melodrama rife with human politics and flaws.” Despite personal frustrations with the plot dynamics, she appreciated the vivid descriptions of the Martian environment and found a few characters, like Nadia and Arkady, compelling.

Overall, our book club members enjoyed the rich experience of reading, discussing, and analyzing this classic sci-fi novel. Personally, I was thrilled to rediscover Red Mars as one of my enduring favorites.

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Top 5 Secret Locations Kept Under Lock and Key by Governments and Scientists

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Curiosity often leads us to explore places deemed off-limits, yet these areas have compelling reasons for their restricted access.

From hazardous materials to priceless artifacts, uncover the science behind some of the world’s most restricted zones.

Elephant’s Foot

The Elephant’s Foot is a two-ton mass of molten material under reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Known as one of the most radioactive substances in history, the Elephant’s Foot is a two-ton mass of molten material found beneath reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine.

Composed of a rare mixture known as corium, it combines molten reactor core and nuclear fuel.

When discovered in 1986, its extreme radioactivity posed a lethal threat, with exposure times less than three minutes dangerous.

Although radioactive decay reduces its risk over time, it remains hazardous. Large-scale steel and concrete barriers have been erected to contain radiation, and access to the site is strictly controlled.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

This secure underground facility protects some of the world’s most vital biological samples.

Located beneath permafrost on a mountainside in Spitsbergen, the Global Seed Vault safeguards over one million seeds.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic contains 1.4 million seeds from over 6,000 species. Very few seeds are removed. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Its mission is to preserve the genetic material of crops and wild species, providing a backup in case other seed banks globally suffer damage from disasters, wars, or diseases.

Lascaux Cave

Located in southern France, access to the Lascaux Cave is restricted to a select few authorized individuals, due to its archaeological significance.

This cave network was initially open to the public, attracting thousands daily. However, the influx of visitors caused significant damage to the prehistoric art.

The rise in carbon dioxide levels and heat from visitors created an ideal environment for fungi and lichens, further threatening the artwork.

In 1963, the caves were closed to protect the delicate rock art, and air conditioning was installed for preservation.

Zone Rouge

Covering over 1,200 km² in northeastern France (Zone Rouge), this region has been closed since World War I.

These former battlefields are filled with unexploded ordnance, and the soil is contaminated with heavy metals like mercury and arsenic from discarded weaponry.

The ‘Zone Rouge’ still bears the scars of World War I, filled with unexploded ordnance. Image courtesy of Alamy.

In the most affected regions, the soil contains up to 300 shells per hectare, and cleanup crews estimate it will take at least 300 years for complete remediation.

Surtsey Island

Access to this uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean is exclusive to a select number of scientists.

Formed during an undersea volcanic eruption in 1963, Surtsey has been carefully studied for its unique ecological significance.

Scientists continue to document the colonization of hundreds of species of plants, providing valuable insights into natural processes.

This article answers the question from Reba Ranka of Birmingham: “What is the most secret place that scientists have sealed off?”

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Artemis II Mission: Key Insights for Designing Future Moon Bases

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

In a groundbreaking announcement, Isaacman revealed that NASA has decided to abandon its plans for a lunar orbit space station. Instead, the agency will invest $20 billion in constructing a base on the moon’s surface, utilizing components from the now-canceled space station.

This revelation follows a major update to NASA’s Artemis moon return program made in February, aiming to expedite the timeline for launches as the agency targets a lunar landing in 2028.

The revised strategy includes introducing the Artemis III mission in mid-2027. This mission will test critical rendezvous and docking technologies with lunar landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin within low Earth orbit. If successful, the Artemis IV mission is set to follow, marking the return of astronauts to the moon. The mission will involve a commercially-developed vehicle docking with the Orion spacecraft to facilitate the lunar landing.

“If any issues arise, our goal is to return to sea within hours rather than days,” said Isaacman regarding the Artemis III test flight. “The insights we gain will be invaluable for Artemis IV in 2028, where we aim to land astronauts on the moon while concurrently constructing a lunar base.”

Williams, who is set to retire from NASA in December 2025, emphasized the importance of the International Space Station (ISS) as a vital testing ground for future long-duration lunar missions.

“Since humans have been aboard the ISS since 2000, we’ve gained extensive knowledge,” Williams stated. She noted that long-term stays in these orbiting laboratories have taught NASA how to combat the adverse effects of microgravity on the human body through exercise and nutrition.

“Our research aboard the space station spans stem cell studies, DNA sequencing, and innovations in engineering, manufacturing, and biomedical engineering,” she added. “The ISS has equipped us with numerous technologies that will be crucial for our extended presence on the moon.”

With a wealth of experience in long-term space missions, Williams has completed three trips to the ISS, totaling 608 days in space. Her most recent journey occurred last year when she and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore unexpectedly spent over nine months at the ISS due to complications during a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

When asked about their willingness to participate in a lunar trip if the opportunity arose, both Williams and Isaacman expressed enthusiasm.

“I believe our response would be unanimous,” Isaacman said with excitement. “Yes!”

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Unlocking Quantum Computing: The Key to Revolutionizing AI Development

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Quantum Computing and AI: A Future Collaboration

Nespix/Shutterstock

Quantum computers are on the brink of revolutionizing AI applications that currently rely on extensive traditional computing resources. This groundbreaking technology could substantially accelerate advancements in machine learning and various artificial intelligence algorithms.

These advanced quantum systems promise capabilities to perform certain calculations unattainable by classical computers. However, researchers continue to explore whether these advantages extend to data-intensive tasks, like those involving machine learning—an essential component of modern AI.

Now, Fan Xinyuan of Oratomic, along with other research teams, advocates that the answer is indeed affirmative. Their innovative mathematical studies are paving the way for a future where quantum computing significantly enhances AI functionality.

“Machine learning permeates not only science and technology but also our daily lives. In an optimized quantum ecosystem, I believe this architecture will be applicable whenever large datasets are deployed,” he states.

The research from Huang and his team addresses the pivotal concern of how non-quantum data (like restaurant reviews or RNA sequencing results) can efficiently integrate with quantum systems, allowing these computers to utilize their unique properties for superior data processing and learning.

This integration necessitates the process of “overlaying” data—a mathematical combination that classical machines struggle to create. Previously, it was deemed impractical since all data in the superposition state was thought to require immense storage in dedicated memory devices. However, as Zhao Haimeng at the California Institute of Technology points out, that assumption has been challenged.

Huang’s team has explored a novel method that allows data input in smaller batches without the need for extensive memory, akin to streaming a movie rather than downloading it entirely before viewing.

This method not only demonstrates efficacy but also showcases that quantum computers can manage larger data sets with a reduced memory footprint compared to traditional systems.

Remarkably, the memory efficiency is so pronounced that a quantum computer utilizing approximately 300 error-correct qubits could outperform a classical computer constructed from every atom in the observable universe, according to Zhao.

While it may take years to build a quantum computer with 300 logical qubits, Huang anticipates that a 60-qubit model could be feasible by decade’s end. Their analysis indicates significant quantum advantages over classical computers for tasks involving large data sets already in AI applications.

“Quantum machines are indeed formidable, but they require innovative feeding methods,” notes Adrian Perez Salinas from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of gradual data integration.

Nevertheless, challenges remain in applying this new research to tangible devices and real-world datasets. Past quantum machine learning algorithms often proved amenable to “inverse quantization,” a technique allowing algorithms to function without quantum hardware but still deliver effective outcomes. Furthermore, the importance of quantum properties in their new algorithm warrants further investigation, according to Perez-Salinas.

Researchers like Vedran Duniko from Leiden University in the Netherlands believe their findings are applicable to large-scale scientific endeavors, such as the Large Hadron Collider, where immense volumes of data are continually generated yet often discarded due to memory limitations.

While quantum computers are predicted to handle only specific AI applications and similar data-processing tasks, Duniko suggests, “This may not significantly disrupt today’s GPU-driven data centers, but its implications could still be substantial.”

The research teams continue to explore expanding the range of algorithms suitable for this methodology and devising innovative configurations for quantum computers to process data efficiently, with minimal memory, within practical time limits.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Historic Success of NASA’s Artemis II Mission: Key Highlights and Impacts

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

New Scientist: Explore cutting-edge science news, technology updates, health insights, and environmental developments.

Astronauts from NASA’s **Artemis II mission** returned triumphantly after a groundbreaking journey that began on April 1, departing from **Cape Canaveral, Florida**. Traveling farther from Earth and orbiting the Moon like no human race before, the crew landed safely on April 10 off the coast of California. Mission commander **Reed Wiseman** celebrated the occasion, noting that all four crew members—including NASA astronauts **Victor Glover** and **Christina Koch**, along with Canadian astronaut **Jeremy Hansen**—were feeling well after their re-entry.

This historic mission marked humanity’s return to lunar exploration since **Apollo 18** in 1972. The **Orion capsule** reached an astonishing distance of **406,771 kilometers** from Earth, setting a new record previously held by the **Apollo 13 mission**.

Artemis II had dual objectives: to successfully test systems for upcoming lunar missions and to conduct scientific observations. Despite the Moon’s gray appearance from afar, astronauts noted rich shades of green, brown, and even orange on its surface, enhancing our understanding of the Moon’s composition and history. The crew observed previously unseen lunar areas, gaining insights especially into the far side of the Moon.

Yet when Earth and the Moon were visible simultaneously, the bright sunlight reflecting off Earth—termed **geoshine**—obscured these nuanced colors. Koch remarked, “As soon as Earth entered my field of vision, the Moon transformed into a dull and spongy surface.” In fact, the glare was so pronounced that the crew had to cover the window with spare shirts, suggesting the need for special window shades on future missions.

The astronauts captured stunning photos of the lunar landscape and recorded audio descriptions of the terrain below. “These subtle observations could ultimately inform future lunar landing missions and enhance our understanding of solar system chronologies,” stated **Kelsey Young**, NASA’s Artemis science director.

While hidden behind the Moon, the Artemis crew witnessed a unique solar eclipse unseen from Earth, with the Sun appearing smaller than the Moon. Wiseman described the emotional impact of this sight, saying, “Right after that, someone on the plane said, ‘Look for impact flashes.’ Immediately, we saw one, two, three impact flashes.”

Observing these impact flashes—brief sparks of light caused by meteorite collisions with the Moon’s surface—was a key scientific goal, as such findings will inform future lunar missions about meteorite threat levels.

The next leg of the **Artemis program**, **Artemis III**, will focus on training for future lunar landings but will not involve a Moon visit due to recent adjustments meant to streamline the program. Set for 2027, it will primarily test the **Orion capsule’s** docking capabilities with the lunar lander. The anticipated Moon landing will take place during the **Artemis IV mission** in 2028.

All these missions contribute to the ultimate goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon. NASA has announced a shift towards building a **lunar base** on the surface rather than a station in lunar orbit, a goal echoed by China’s ambitious space program. The vision is to normalize Moon trips as common as visits to the **International Space Station** and potentially as routine as transcontinental flights in the future.

Regardless of the outcome, the captivating images from Artemis II have captured the public’s imagination and reinvigorated our perspectives on the Moon.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Your Vitamin D Levels Influence Dementia Risk: Key Insights

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent research indicates that individuals with high vitamin D levels in their late 30s experienced a notable decrease in a critical Alzheimer’s disease protein in their brains 16 years later, as highlighted in the study.

Results from this neurology open access survey suggest that continuing vitamin D supplementation during midlife may serve as an effective strategy to lower dementia risk.

This correlation is attributed to elevated blood levels of vitamin D being linked to reduced levels of tau protein in the brain, a recognized biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the first author, Dr. Martin Mulligan, professor at Galway University, “Previous studies indicate that vitamin D may help by reducing inflammation and enhancing antioxidant defenses and cell signaling, potentially preventing tau protein accumulation.” This insight was shared with BBC Science Focus.

Importantly, no association was observed with amyloid plaques, another hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers suggest that this may reflect the earlier accumulation of tau compared to amyloid, making it more detectable in younger individuals.

Vitamin D synthesis occurs in the body upon sun exposure and can also be sourced from foods like oily fish and eggs.

In the study, nearly 800 participants without dementia, averaging 39 years of age, had their vitamin D levels tested initially, followed by PET brain scans conducted an average of 16 years later.

The robust association between higher vitamin D levels and lower tau levels persisted after accounting for variables such as age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression.

Vitamin D is produced during summer; in winter, dietary sources and supplements are essential – Photo credit: Getty.

Dr. Mulligan noted that approximately one-third of participants had low vitamin D levels, consistent with global trends.

This study is observational and does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Vitamin D was measured only once within a predominantly white cohort, limiting the findings’ generalizability.

Dr. Mulligan emphasized the necessity for further validation in diverse cohorts before revising clinical guidelines.

“This hypothesis requires additional testing through clinical trials, and based on these results alone, we cannot formally recommend discontinuing supplements as a preventive measure for dementia,” he stated.

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How Early Humans Revolutionized Their Toolkits 200,000 Years Ago: Key Changes and Innovations

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Changes in predator populations may have driven early humans to develop innovative tools

Raul Martin/MSF/Science Photo Library

Approximately 200,000 years ago, a decline in megafauna may have compelled early humans to transition from heavy stone tools to more lightweight hunting kits designed for smaller prey. A recent study supports the notion that this change in hunting strategy could have sparked a rise in cognitive capabilities among our ancestors.

For over a million years, various early human species relied on heavy stone tools such as axes, kitchen knives, scrapers, and stone balls. These robust tools were essential for hunting and butchering large herbivores, including extinct relatives of modern elephants, hippos, and rhinos.

Between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago, archaeological evidence shows a notable increase in smaller, sophisticated tools alongside the fading of traditional heavier tools. Our species, Homo sapiens, emerged during this timeframe.

Circa 200,000 years ago, heavy stone tools vanished from the archaeological record of the Levant, while the presence of diverse, lightweight masonry toolkits—like blades and precision scrapers—increased.

Research led by Vlad Litov, a professor at Tel Aviv University, revealed a correlation between these technological advancements and a significant decline in large herbivores, potentially due to overhunting.

The researchers analyzed archaeological findings from 47 sites across the Levant, spanning the Paleolithic period, which lasted from around 3.3 million years ago to 12,000 years ago. Their analysis of dated stone artifacts in relation to animal remains uncovered a compelling trend.

Findings indicate a drastic reduction in the biomass and specimen count of giant herbivores exceeding 1,000 kilograms correlating with the disappearance of heavy tools 200,000 years ago. Conversely, the availability of smaller prey increased alongside more sophisticated small tools.

Supporting the connection between tool technology and prey type, the researchers noted that sturdy stone tools were still in use in regions with abundant large game, such as southern China, until about 50,000 years ago.

Heavy-duty tools and their evolution to lightweight alternatives used by early humans

Vlad Litov et al., Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University

Previous theories suggested that advancements in technology stemmed from increasing intelligence and creativity due to evolutionary pressures. However, Litov and his research team propose a different perspective: reliance on smaller prey may have catalyzed the evolutionary growth of larger brains in modern humans.

“As large herbivores dwindled, humans increasingly depended on smaller prey, necessitating varied hunting strategies, advanced planning, and the implementation of lightweight, intricate toolsets,” states Litov. “This cognitive evolution was a byproduct of adapting to new prey types, rather than the initial driver of this adaptive transformation.”

“There is more to this adaptation than merely prey size,” says Seri Shipton from University College London. He notes preliminary evidence indicating mass hunting of medium-sized ungulates like horses and bison, with signs of enhanced cognitive abilities and planning emerging during the Middle Paleolithic.

Nicolas Tessandier from the French National Center for Scientific Research also maintains some reservations. “Human adaptation to new fauna underscores adaptability rather than mere intelligence,” he posits. “Producing powerful tools for hunting large herbivores was equally astute.”

Litov recognizes that prior research has shown advanced cognitive functions present early in human evolution, notably in the development of Homo erectus around two million years ago. However, he emphasizes that switching from large to smaller prey had major consequences for human society. A single ancient elephant carcass could sustain a group of about 35 hunter-gatherers for months. As these high-calorie resources vanished, reliance on smaller prey reduced the yield per animal.

“Energetically, we had to gather numerous smaller ungulates, such as fallow deer, to replace the loss of one elephant,” explains Litov. This shift likely stimulated diverse cognitive and behavioral changes, including cooperative hunting strategies, advanced techniques, and enhanced social collaboration and organization. “Such adaptations may have contributed to the evolution of larger brains in later species, including Neanderthals and Homo sapiens,” he adds.

“In my view, the decline in large prey familiar to hominins likely intensified competition among groups,” asserts Shipton. “It was probably an iterative process where the reduction of larger prey prompted cognitive shifts that facilitated access to smaller prey.”

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Slowdown of Major Ocean Currents in the Atlantic: Key Insights and Implications

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Visualization of the Western Boundary Current in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

The latest buoy measurements indicate that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating Europe’s climate, is weakening across four distinct latitudes. This represents the strongest evidence yet that this pivotal ocean current system is slowing and may be nearing collapse.

The AMOC is part of a global oceanic conveyor belt that transports warm, salty water from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, helping maintain milder temperatures in Western Europe compared to those in Canada or Russia. As this water cools and sinks, it continues south along the ocean floor on the western side of the Atlantic.

Analysis of historical ocean temperature data suggests a 15% decline in the AMOC since 1950, with computer models predicting a potential closure within decades. However, direct measurements have only been reliable for roughly 20 years, making definitive conclusions difficult.

Recent research in the Western Atlantic has provided compelling evidence of an AMOC slowdown.

“Our findings indicate that Atlantic circulation is indeed weakening at the western boundary, and data from multiple latitudes supports this consistent signal across the broader North Atlantic,” said Qianjiang Xing from the University of Miami, Florida, who led the study.

In 2004, a collaborative effort led by the University of Miami established a series of moorings named RAPID-MOCHA from the Bahamas to the Canary Islands. These measurements, encompassing temperature, salinity, and velocity, allow scientists to estimate pressure changes across the Atlantic, providing insight into how much water is being effectively stored, according to team member Shane Elipot, also from the University of Miami.

Water moves from areas of high pressure to those of low pressure, but the Earth’s counterclockwise rotation causes deflection to the right, leading to reverse circulation. Thus, pressure changes can be indicative of AMOC strength variations.

The latest analysis of RAPID-MOCHA data reveals that AMOC flow is decreasing at a rate of approximately 90,000 cubic meters per second each year—a faster decline than previously observed. This indicates that the AMOC weakened by about 10% from 2004 to 2023.

However, the variation in certainty surrounding this reported change is quite significant. To address this, the study also examined pressure dynamics from three mooring arrays installed along the western Atlantic coast—near the West Indies, the U.S. East Coast, and Nova Scotia, Canada. Results show considerably lower uncertainty and a more pronounced weakening of the AMOC.

“This represents the strongest direct observational evidence to date of AMOC weakening, aligning with long-held model predictions,” commented Stefan Rahmstorf from the University of Potsdam in Germany, who was not involved in the study.

Scientists speculate that freshwater from the melting Greenland ice sheet is diluting the AMOC’s intensely salted waters, impeding their sinking action and thus weakening the southward flow along the ocean floor of the western Atlantic. The observed declining trends across four latitudes in the Western Atlantic point to this phenomenon.

“We anticipate these changes to be evident deep within the western boundary,” team members assert, including David Smeed from the UK National Marine Centre. “This strengthens our confidence in that interpretation.”

“They provide the first robust evidence of a consistent weakening of overturning across various latitudes in the Deep West,” claims René van Westen, a professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, who did not participate in the study.

Elipot emphasized the need for ongoing observations to clarify whether the AMOC is on the brink of collapse, a scenario that could lead to significantly colder winters in Europe and disrupt monsoon patterns in Asia and Africa.

“This trend suggests we might be approaching a tipping point,” he notes.

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Two Protoplanets Forming in Dusty Disk Around Nearby Young Star: Key Discoveries in Planet Formation

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and VLT Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile have made groundbreaking discoveries by directly observing two giant gas planets forming within a planet-forming disk around the star Whispit 2. This research offers one of the most detailed insights into planetary system formation to date, highlighted by distinctive gaps and rings of surrounding material, which suggest the likelihood of additional alien worlds in the vicinity.

Images captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope illustrate a young planetary system orbiting the star WISPIT 2. Image credit: ESO / Lawlor and colleagues.

“WISPIT 2 represents our clearest glimpse into the early stages of planetary formation,” stated Dr. Chloe Lawler, a researcher from Galway University.

“This discovery enables us to study entire planetary systems, rather than just individual planets in isolation,” noted Dr. Christian Ginski, also associated with the University of Galway.

“Such observations are crucial for enhancing our understanding of how nascent planetary systems evolve into mature systems like our own,” he added.

The first protoplanet found in the WISPIT 2 system, designated WISPIT 2b, was identified last year and has a mass nearly five times that of Jupiter, orbiting at a distance approximately 60 times that between the Earth and the Sun.

“Discovering this new world in formation showcases the remarkable capabilities of our current astronomical instruments,” commented Dr. Richelle van Capelveen from the Leiden Observatory.

Subsequent observations detected additional objects near WISPIT 2, with measurements from the VLT and VLTI confirming their planetary nature.

The newly identified planet, WISPIT 2c, is located four times closer to its host star and is twice as massive as WISPIT 2b.

Both planets are gas giants, akin to the outer planets in our solar system.

To validate WISPIT 2c, astronomers employed the SPHERE instrument on the VLT, followed by VLTI’s GRAVITY+ instrument to confirm it as a planet.

“Our study leveraged recent enhancements to GRAVITY+, which were essential for detecting such a clear planet in proximity to its star,” stated Dr. Guillaume Bourdaro from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.

Both planets orbiting WISPIT 2 manifest in distinct gaps within the surrounding dust and gas disk, a phenomenon caused by each planet’s gravitational influence.

The material remaining around each gap forms unique dust rings within the disk composition.

In addition to the gaps hosting the two planets, at least one smaller gap exists further out in the WISPIT 2 disk.

“This narrower and shallower gap may indicate the presence of a third planet, possibly with a mass akin to Saturn,” Lawler speculated.

The findings are set to be detailed in an upcoming article in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Chloe Lawler and colleagues. 2026. Direct spectroscopy confirmation of the young embedded protoplanet WISPIT 2c. APJL 1000, L38; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae4b3b

Source: www.sci.news

Enhancing the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Key to Preventing Brain Damage in Athletes

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Repeated Heading of a Soccer Ball Linked to Brain Damage

René Nijhuis/MB Media

Soccer heading associated with brain injury — Repeated Heading of a Soccer Ball Linked to Brain Damage

René Nijhuis/MB Media

Consistent head impacts in sports can compromise the blood-brain barrier and lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disorder affecting numerous retired athletes from soccer, rugby, and boxing. This crucial finding raises hopes for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as CTE is typically diagnosed only post-mortem.

“Numerous drugs are being developed to restore the blood-brain barrier for neurological treatment, which may offer promising futures if they receive approval,” notes Matthew Campbell from Trinity College, Dublin.

Campbell and his team conducted brain scans on 47 former athletes from contact sports, retired an average of 12 years ago, and compared them with those from non-contact sports like rowing and individuals without sports backgrounds.

Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), utilizing a contrast agent that reveals blood-brain barrier breaches. Results showed that 17 athletes experienced significant contrast dye leakage, indicating severe damage, while non-contact athletes exhibited minimal leakage.

Those former athletes displaying greater blood-brain barrier impairment performed worse on cognitive assessments, pointing to a potential early link to CTE characterized by memory difficulties, emotional instability, and depression. “Previous evidence has shown that breaches in the blood-brain barrier correlate with CTE, and this supports that notion,” says Michael Buckland from the University of Sydney.

Mechanics of head impacts and whiplash during contact sports can physically damage the blood-brain barrier, explains Chris Greene from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. “It’s better to view the blood-brain barrier as a dynamic system rather than a rigid wall,” he states, noting that impact forces can disrupt the cellular seal within the barrier, leading to increased permeability.

Once compromised, proteins, immune cells, and inflammatory mediators may invade the brain, causing inflammation and cell damage. Their study also analyzed brain tissue from individuals who succumbed to CTE, revealing prominent immune and blood protein infiltration within affected regions. The characteristics of CTE resemble those of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting similar underlying mechanisms involving blood-brain barrier degradation with age.

Like in Alzheimer’s, CTE is marked by abnormal tau protein accumulation in the brain, with head trauma potentially triggering incorrect tau folding and aggregation.

If a head injury concurrently endangers the blood-brain barrier, blood proteins and inflammatory agents may enter the brain, exacerbating tau misfolding, further complicating the cognitive issues associated with CTE, according to Greene. His previous findings suggested that patients who died from CTE displayed a genetic signature linked to breaches in the blood-brain barrier, corroborating recent research.

Currently, CTE diagnosis is limited to post-mortem examinations revealing tau abnormalities. Nevertheless, Campbell and Greene assert that their MRI advancements could facilitate earlier diagnosis for individuals exhibiting cognitive or mood-related changes. In the future, this imaging technique might also evaluate CTE risk among active athletes, pending further research confirmation.

If deterioration of the blood-brain barrier signifies an initial CTE risk factor, adapting existing or developing new medications aimed at reinforcing the barrier could help prevent or slow its progression, suggests Greene. A compound like bevacizumab, known for diminishing blood vessel permeability, could be explored further. Additionally, other anti-inflammatory medications like minocycline are gaining traction amid ongoing developments.

“By focusing on strengthening vascular integrity and suppressing harmful signals before tau pathology solidifies, we may shift towards preventive measures,” concludes Professor Greene.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Drug Overdose Deaths Have Dropped Dramatically in the U.S.: Key Insights and Trends

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Rapid Decline in Opioid Fentanyl-Related Deaths in the US

Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Declining Opioid Deaths in the US — Rapid Decline in Opioid Fentanyl-Related Deaths in the US

Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The United States has witnessed a significant drop in drug overdose deaths, likely attributed to a decrease in the purity and potency of illegally supplied fentanyl. But the pressing question remains: Are we witnessing a pivotal moment in the opioid epidemic, or just a transient dip?

Since 1999, the US has recorded over 1 million drug overdose fatalities. Despite a slight decline in 2018, fatalities escalated almost annually until 2023. Notably, there has been a 3% decrease in deaths, followed by a steep 26% drop in the subsequent year.

To analyze this trend, Joseph Friedman and researchers at the University of California, San Diego, examined overdose statistics from 1999 to 2024. Their findings were based on data sourced from the National Vital Statistics System and the CDC’s WONDER database.

The analysis revealed that fentanyl-related fatalities fell from approximately 73,000 in 2023 to under 48,000 in 2024, marking a 34% reduction. Meanwhile, deaths from non-fentanyl stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine saw a 4% increase, rising from about 18,000 to 19,000.

This indicates that the decline in fentanyl potency may be driving this favorable trend. “If we aim to enhance access to harm reduction and treatment services, we might observe more success with non-fentanyl drugs,” stated Chelsea Shover, a researcher at UCLA.

Fentanyl-related deaths have diminished across various demographics, including race, gender, and age. “A decline concentrated in particular demographic groups might suggest policy influences,” Shober noted. “However, the broad reduction implies it could be linked to the drug’s characteristics itself.”

Daniel Bush, a Northwestern University professor, arrived at similar conclusions in a recent study. Their analysis of overdose fatalities characterized the most significant drop in deaths involving both fentanyl and other drugs across five categories: cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription opioids, heroin, and methadone. For instance, fatalities associated with both cocaine and fentanyl fell by over 35% during this time, while cocaine-related deaths alone increased by nearly 5%.

Moreover, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported that seized fentanyl powder exhibited a significant purity level of approximately 25%, indicating that additives like flour and baking soda accounted for the remaining 75%. This figure has since decreased to around 11% by late 2024.

This decline may stem from a crackdown by China, a major source of fentanyl precursors, which began enforcement in November 2023 after discussions with U.S. authorities. However, skepticism remains. “The timing of these restrictions doesn’t align neatly with the observed reduction in overdose deaths,” cautioned Shober.

This transformation might signal a critical juncture in the opioid crisis. Researchers perceive the epidemic as evolving in four distinct waves: the initial two waves consisted of fatalities from prescription opioids and heroin, tapering around ten years ago. The third wave, marked by fentanyl, peaked only in 2020. The current fourth wave, involving both fentanyl and meth, appears to be declining. “All the unique waves we encountered in the past are now dissipating,” remarked Friedman.

Nonetheless, it’s still too early to ascertain if this is a genuine turning point in the crisis. “The evidence indicating the permanence of these supply changes from 2023 to 2024 remains insufficient,” Shober cautioned. “Early overdose data suggests that the decline may be plateauing.”

Other substances, like xylazine—an animal sedative often mixed with cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl—are also seeing increased presence in the illicit drug market, highlighting the need for continued vigilance. As Friedman noted, “This is not a cause for celebration; we must remain alert to evolving trends.”

Sam Stern of Temple University Hospital emphasized that overdose deaths are merely one aspect of the broader drug crisis. Another animal sedative, medetomidine—which first appeared in the U.S. drug supply in 2022—induces more severe withdrawal symptoms than traditional opioids, leading to a rise in patients requiring intensive care for withdrawal in 2024. “Historically, this wasn’t common practice, but now it happens daily,” he claimed.

While overdose fatalities may be trending downward, they are projected to still claim nearly 80,000 lives in the U.S. in 2024. “The decline doesn’t signify the end of the crisis,” Bush warned. “We are still experiencing substantial loss of life.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

TikTok Bans Unpublished Ads and Protects Minors: Key Policy Changes Explained

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

European Union Legislation on TikTok Advertising Aimed at Minors

Sipa US / Alamy

The European Union has enacted rigorous regulations that ban social media platforms from delivering targeted advertising to children. Nevertheless, a recent investigation into TikTok has uncovered a significant loophole: teens are still subjected to targeted commercial content misleadingly presented as ordinary posts.

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) strictly forbids profiling minors for advertising. However, the law restrictively defines “advertising,” only addressing “official” ads directly purchased through the platform’s advertising network. Consequently, influencer marketing and unlisted promotional videos largely escape scrutiny.

To investigate this issue, Sarah Sojalova and researchers from Slovakia’s Kempelen Institute for Intelligent Technology created automated accounts that simulated teenagers aged 16-17 and adults aged 20-21. The bots, programmed with specific interests such as beauty, fitness, and gaming, were tasked to browse TikTok’s algorithmically-generated For You feed for one hour a day over the course of ten days.

“Understanding social media behaviorally is essential for our society, and this is how we achieve it,” Sojalova states.

Throughout the simulation, the bot viewed a total of 7,095 videos, 19% of which contained some form of advertisement. Notably, around 56% of these ads were unreleased, where creators and brands promoted products without adhering to the platform’s mandated disclosure labels.

Official ads delivered to minor accounts were minimal or entirely absent, with no sign of personalized targeting. However, most commercial content encountered by the simulated teens categorized as undisclosed advertising.

These hidden ads were actively customized to align with the presumed interests of teenagers. For instance, if a simulated 16-year-old girl expressed a preference for beauty, 92.1% of the unpublished ads presented to her by the algorithm resonated with those interests.

Overall, the study indicated that covert profiling of minors was five to eight times more effective than the extent of targeting permitted in formal adult advertising, as measured by the disparity between how often ads aligned with a user’s interests and how frequently they were shown to the average user. Crucially, the majority of ads viewed by minors were unpublished: 84% of ads seen by minors fell into this category, in contrast to 49% for adults.

“Though TikTok technically complies with the law by not officially advertising to minors, it still allows an overwhelming amount of non-disclosed commercial content,” Sojalova remarked. “TikTok is doing its utmost in this respect. However, published ads account for only a small segment of the overall content on the app.” TikTok opted not to comment for this piece.

“These unpublished ads signify a novel form of targeted advertising. By analyzing consumer preferences to determine the content they will be exposed to, platforms can effortlessly deliver more commercial material,” asserts Catalina Goanta, a researcher at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Goanta emphasizes the need for responsibility to be shared among a broader set of stakeholders, including regulatory bodies. “Influencer marketing is often narrowly interpreted by regulators, leading to consumer harm,” she noted. Sojalova concurs: “We must broaden the definition of what constitutes advertising.”

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Bridging the Shocking Knowledge Gap in Women’s Health: Key Insights and Solutions

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Investing in women’s health is investing in life.

Gates Archive

mDoc health coaches provide health check-ups at Balogun market, Lagos, Nigeria - September 14, 2023 — Investing in women’s health is investing in life.

Gates Archive

As a former pediatrician in Karachi, Pakistan, I cared for countless premature infants born due to pre-eclampsia. These tiny lives often rested in the palm of my hand, struggling for breath. Unfortunately, not all of them survived.

The complexities of pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia remain poorly understood. We lack clarity on the root causes and preventive measures for premature births, contributing to the global maternal and infant mortality crisis. Every day, over 700 women and 6,500 newborns lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth complications. The highest rates are in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, exacerbated by weak healthcare systems, inequitable access to care, extreme poverty, and inadequate infrastructure.

Astonishing knowledge gaps exist across women’s health issues, including menopause. The norm of women suffering for a decade seems acceptable, yet is scarcely recognized as a significant issue. This oversight stems not from scientific challenges but from a pervasive apathy. Women’s experiences have been largely overlooked, impacting what is researched and what remains unaddressed.

Currently, less than 1 percent of healthcare research focuses on women’s health outcomes outside of cancer. This underinvestment and the lack of female participation in clinical trials leave fundamental questions in women’s health unanswered. For instance, while we know the symptoms of heart disease—the leading cause of death for women globally—differ by individual, the reasons remain a mystery. Moreover, the pathways for drugs into the brain are known, yet how they affect the female reproductive system is largely unexplored, unlike the extensive knowledge we possess about men’s health, such as the effects of Viagra.

A Ray of Hope

Progress is being made, and I’ve observed a shift towards serious discussions on investing in women’s health at global health and medical innovation conferences. Decision-makers and investors are beginning to acknowledge the severity of the issue and the potential benefits of addressing it following decades of neglect.

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When a problem is treated as unnoticeable rather than unacceptable, finding a solution is never a priority.
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Recognizing the challenges is only the first step; we must actively allocate resources and focus on the multifaceted issues surrounding women’s health.

I am particularly excited about the transformative potential of innovative research and tools. For example, the vaginal microbiome—a balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria—has only recently gained attention. Understanding its role in pregnancy outcomes, like preterm birth, and women’s vulnerability to infections like HIV is crucial.

My team at the Gates Foundation is funding research to uncover how the vaginal microbiome affects pregnancy outcomes and women’s susceptibility to STIs. Although we’re in early stages, promising innovations are emerging that could benefit millions of women.

For instance, interventions promoting healthy bacteria dominance in the vagina might help prevent STIs. Conditions like bacterial vaginosis, while mild, can lead to severe pregnancy complications, including premature birth and an increased risk of postnatal issues such as chronic pain and infertility.

Last year, the Gates Foundation committed to $2.5 billion for women’s health innovation. However, this amount is insufficient. We need to bolster collaboration with public and private sector entities globally. The UK has a unique opportunity to build on its health innovation reputation, enhancing lives both domestically and internationally while advancing its vital economic sectors.

Investing in women’s health equates to investing in their lives and well-being. A healthy woman fosters creativity, is more engaged with her family, and is an active participant in her community. This is a fundamental truth. On this International Women’s Day, let’s turn this truth into action by urging leaders to prioritize and resource women’s health initiatives now.

Anita Zaidi is Chair of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation

Source: www.newscientist.com

How an Intern Played a Key Role in Developing the World-Changing AI

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

AlphaGo’s Historic Victory Broadcast

Im Hoon-jeong/Yonhap/AP Photo (via Getty Images)

In March 2016, Google DeepMind’s revolutionary artificial intelligence, AlphaGo, captivated the global audience by defeating world champion Lee Sedol in a historic five-game match of Go, an ancient Chinese board game. This milestone was viewed by millions, marking a pivotal advancement in AI technology.

Chris Madison, now a distinguished professor at the University of Toronto, played a critical role in AlphaGo’s creation while he was a master’s student. His journey began with a call from Ilya Sutskever, who later co-founded OpenAI.

Alex Wilkins: What inspired the AlphaGo project?

Elijah: Chris Madison and Ilya presented compelling arguments on why Go was a suitable challenge for AI, stating, “Do you think a skilled player can analyze a Go board and determine the optimal move in half a second?” This notion suggested the possibility of training neural networks to develop effective strategies for selecting the best moves.

Half a second reflects the rapid processing time of the visual cortex—a crucial insight from our previous work with ImageNET, an influential AI image-recognition competition.

Embracing this challenge, I joined the Google Brain team as an intern in summer 2014.

How did AlphaGo evolve from its inception?

Upon joining, I collaborated with a dedicated team at DeepMind, including Aja Huang and David Silver, who were already focused on Go. My primary task was to build the neural network, which felt like a dream come true.

We experimented with various approaches; many initial methods failed, leading to frustration. Eventually, I resorted to a straightforward strategy—training the network on a vast dataset of expert Go games to predict the next best move. This approach proved successful, laying the foundation for our project.

By the end of summer, we conducted a test match where my network outperformed DeepMind’s Thore Graepel, a competent Go player. This success sparked greater interest and investment in the project, allowing us to expand our team significantly.

How daunting was the challenge of defeating Lee Sedol?

I vividly recall the pressure of summer 2014, with a photo of Lee Sedol visible nearby. While I lacked Go expertise, my confidence grew with each network iteration. However, Aja kept reminding me, “Chris, Lee Sedol is an extraordinary player.”

Why did you depart from the AlphaGo team before the match?

David Silver expressed a desire for me to remain and further elevate the project, but I chose to focus on completing my PhD instead. I continued to advise on the project intermittently and take pride in my contributions, even though it took significant collaboration to create the version that ultimately faced Lee Sedol.

What was the atmosphere like during AlphaGo’s victory in Seoul?

The experience in Seoul during the match was indescribable—intense, emotional, and nerve-wracking. It felt reminiscent of a high-stakes sports event, where the outcome was uncertain despite our statistical advantage. From my hotel window, I witnessed crowds transfixed on giant screens showing our game, underscoring the massive impact this event had on East Asia.

What significance does AlphaGo hold for AI?

Though large-scale language models (LLMs) differ greatly from AlphaGo, the underlying technical principles remain unchanged. Initially, neural networks are trained to predict subsequent moves; similarly, today’s LLMs utilize pre-training to forecast the next word using vast amounts of text data.

AlphaGo’s advancement came from integrating human input into the neural network and refining its strategies through reinforcement learning—all focused on the objective of winning games.

As with LLMs, post-preparation reinforcement learning is essential for aligning networks with our intended applications.

In many aspects, the foundational principles of AI development remain consistent.

What areas in AI do you see as flourishing?

Our progress hinges on the availability of comprehensive data for training and reinforcement signals. Without these critical components, no algorithm, no matter how expertly designed, can make meaningful advances.

Did you empathize with Lee Sedol?

Throughout the summer of 2014, Lee Sedol became an idol, making the stakes incredibly high during the match. The immense pressure he faced was palpable, and while watching him realize the gravity of the competition, my heart went out to him. After losing, he apologized, claiming, “This is my failure, not yours,” which was truly heartbreaking.

In Go, players typically review matches to reflect on their performance. Lee Sedol couldn’t do that with AlphaGo and instead sought a friend for analysis, yet it lacked the same reflective quality. Despite the narrative often framing the match as human vs. machine, it was important to recognize the collaboration behind creating AlphaGo, showcasing the dedication of everyone involved in developing this groundbreaking technology.

As AI takes on more human-like tasks, is there still a role for humans?

The game of Go, which we find beautiful, can still teach us more through AI’s insights. The ultimate goal of Go may be to win, but it is also about enjoyment. Thus, the advent of AI doesn’t diminish board games; industries like chess continue to thrive with human appreciation.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Understanding How Psychopaths Lie: Insights and Key Findings

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

When we think about infamous fictional psychopaths, like the chillingly calculating Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, they often embody the image of a scammer. But what about real-life psychopaths?

Research indicates that psychopaths are more inclined to lie to achieve their goals, exhibiting remarkable fearlessness, almost as if they have ice in their veins.

You might assume that their cold demeanor makes it hard to detect their deceit. Surprisingly, studies suggest that psychopaths are not significantly better at lying than others.

For instance, a study from the 1980s revealed that convicted psychopaths were easily identifiable, much like non-psychopaths using lie detectors. However, it’s important to note that while lie detector tests are commonly employed, they are notoriously unreliable.

In a more recent 2016 study, researchers found that criminals tend to lie frequently. Notably, psychopaths often exhibit a heightened tendency to lie during psychological tasks. Yet, they still encounter cognitive costs from lying, such as making more errors and responding more slowly.

Though psychopaths lack the moral and emotional barriers that typically hinder lying for most people, they cannot escape the psychological challenges associated with creating believable lies.

Interestingly, while psychopaths may not have a natural talent for lying, there is emerging evidence that they can learn to become more effective liars.

A 2017 study discovered that students with high psychopathic traits demonstrated significant improvement during tasks that required them to lie convincingly. They could lie faster than others, indicating that the mental strain of lying decreases along with reduced neural activity related to deceit.

In summary, psychopaths may not excel at lying initially, but they have a propensity to lie more frequently and improve at it more swiftly than others.

This article addresses the question posed by Lyle Morse via email: “Are psychopaths really good at lying?”

To submit your own questions, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out via social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. (Don’t forget to include your name and location.)

For more fascinating scientific insights, visit our Ultimate Fun Facts page.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NASA Unveils Comprehensive Revamp of Artemis Moon Program: Key Updates & Future Plans

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA officially announced a significant transformation of its Artemis moon program on Friday. This “course correction” aims to enhance mission frequency and include additional launches in preparation for the anticipated 2028 lunar landing.

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, these adjustments will bolster safety, minimize delays, and ultimately facilitate President Donald Trump’s vision of returning astronauts to the moon while establishing a sustained presence there.

“Consensus indicates this is the only viable path forward,” Isaacman stated during a press conference on Friday. “I have had similar discussions with all Congressional stakeholders, and they are fully aligned with NASA’s approach. This is how NASA has historically transformed the world, and it’s how we’ll do it again.”

Mobile Launcher 1, equipped with the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center at dusk on February 25, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Greg Newton/AFP – Getty Images

Isaacman revealed that the Artemis III mission, which was initially planned for a lunar landing in 2028, will now focus on technology demonstrations in low Earth orbit instead. The aim is to launch Artemis III by mid-2027 for essential rendezvous and docking tests with commercial lunar landers from both SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Subsequently, Artemis IV is slated for a moon landing in 2028.

This new direction could rejuvenate the nearly decade-old Artemis program, which has faced numerous challenges, including significant cost overruns and delays—most recently, a one-month postponement of the Artemis II mission intended to send astronauts on a 10-day lunar orbit.

Isaacman noted that insights gained from Artemis II led to the recognition that the progression from lunar orbit to landing in Artemis III was “too vast,” particularly given the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft’s infrequent launches, currently no more than once every three years.

“As crucial as rocket launches are, conducting them every three years is not a recipe for success,” he noted. “Frequent launches are essential, as extended intervals result in skill degradation and lost operational experience.”

Administrators highlighted similar issues with hydrogen and helium encountered during both Artemis I (an unmanned test flight launched around the moon in 2022) and Artemis II, stressing the difficulty of identifying root causes, likely exacerbated by extended mission gaps.

Two commercial space firms, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, are competing to build lunar landers for the Artemis program. In a recent statement on X, SpaceX affirmed its shared goal with NASA: to return to the Moon safely and efficiently.

“Regular human exploration flights are key for establishing a sustainable human presence in space,” the company stated.

Blue Origin also expressed enthusiastic support for the revisions. “Let’s move forward! Everyone plays a role!” Companies discussing on X.

Among its mission revisions, NASA indicated it would standardize the manufacturing of Space Launch System rockets and strive for booster launches every 10 months, instead of the previous three-year interval.

While other rocket configurations were planned for later Artemis missions, NASA Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya noted that those configurations were deemed “unnecessarily complex.”

“Too much learning and testing potential has been left unexplored, leading to excessive risks in both development and production,” Kshatriya stated in a press release. “Our focus now is to continue testing as though we are in production.”

Isaacman concluded that while these changes represent a significant shift for NASA, they should not be unexpected to contractors or stakeholders within Congress and the Trump administration.

“President Trump is passionate about space and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Artemis program,” he remarked. “This initiative is a priority for his administration.”

This overhaul follows additional delays to the Artemis II mission. A hydrogen leak discovered during a critical refueling test prompted NASA to forfeit all possible launch opportunities this month. Though a subsequent refueling test proceeded smoothly, engineers later identified a blockage affecting helium flow to the booster’s upper stage, thwarting plans for a March launch.

NASA has since transported the rocket from its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida back to its hangar for necessary repairs. Officials anticipate that if the repairs proceed as planned, Artemis II could launch as early as April.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

90-Million-Year-Old Patagonian Fossils Uncover Key Insights into Alvarezauroid Dinosaur Evolution

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Discover the fascinating skeleton of the Alvarezauroid dinosaur species Arunachetri seropolisiensis. This groundbreaking find includes two specimens from Patagonia, Argentina, along with two from the Northern Hemisphere, providing insights into how this enigmatic lineage of theropod dinosaurs evolved and dispersed before the separation of continents, challenging established beliefs regarding its origins.

Arunachetri seropolisiensis. Image credit: Gabriel Díaz Yanten, Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro.

Learn more about Arunachetri seropolisiensis, which thrived in Argentina during the Cenomanian period of the Late Cretaceous, approximately 90 million years ago.

This species was initially described from partial remains in 2012 and is categorized under Alvarez Sauroidea.

These unique small dinosaurs are noted for their tiny teeth and short arms, each ending in a prominent thumb claw.

“The Alvarezauroidea represents a mysterious clade of mainly small theropod dinosaurs, primarily found in the Jurassic to Cretaceous periods of Asia and South America,” states paleontologist Peter Makowiecki from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, along with his research team.

“Late Cretaceous Alvarezauroids are believed to have been carnivorous, primarily consuming ants, and possessing specialized forelimbs suitable for digging, microscopic supernumerary teeth, and heightened sensory abilities.”

“They are thought to have undergone evolutionary miniaturization alongside dietary specialization.”

The almost complete skeleton of Arunachetri seropolisiensis was discovered in the La Buitrera fossil site in Rio Negro, northern Patagonia.

Microscopic examination confirmed that this specimen was an adult, estimated to be at least four years old.

Weighing less than 0.9 kg (2 lb), it ranks as one of the smallest-known dinosaurs from South America.

In contrast to its later relatives, Arunachetri seropolisiensis featured longer arms and larger teeth.

Paleontologists conclude this indicates that some alvaresaurids transitioned into smaller forms well before they developed adaptations for an ant-based diet.

Researchers, by analyzing previously discovered alvaresaurid fossils housed in museums across North America and Europe, further demonstrate that these dinosaurs originated earlier than previously presumed, existing during the period when the continents were still part of the supercontinent Pangaea.

Their distribution appears to have resulted from the fragmentation of Earth’s landmass, making ocean crossings unlikely.

“Our biogeographical study suggests a Pangean ancestral distribution for Alvarezsauroroidea, indicating that the clade’s early history was primarily influenced by surrogates,” the scientists remarked.

Read their groundbreaking research in the paper published in Nature.

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PJ Makowiecki et al.. Discovery in Argentina reshapes the evolutionary narrative of a fascinating dinosaur clade. Nature published online on February 25, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10194-3

Source: www.sci.news

Enhancing Identification of Postnatal Depression in Fathers: Key Strategies and Insights

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, serves as a pivotal occasion within the “Awareness Calendar”—a framework for raising awareness about diverse global issues. Nevertheless, a common male response to IWD is, “When is International Men’s Day?” The answer, November 19, aims to highlight men’s challenges, including abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence.

This dismissal of IWD underscores the persistent stigma surrounding men’s mental health. While societal attitudes towards mental health have evolved positively, men still struggle to express their issues openly. Statistics indicate that women are significantly more likely to discuss their mental health challenges.

A major reason for this disparity is the widespread misunderstanding about men’s mental health. Research shows that approximately 40% of people are unaware that men can experience postpartum depression. This is hardly surprising given prevailing societal norms surrounding parenting, which tend to prioritize the mother’s experience, often neglecting the father’s emotional state despite their increasing presence during delivery.

“ 40% of individuals are unaware that men can also experience postpartum depression “

Viewing mental health through a zero-sum lens is erroneous; extensive efforts are still required to comprehend how depression can manifest differently in men. Frequently, symptoms are characterized by withdrawal and risk-taking rather than overt sadness. While International Men’s Day aims to raise awareness, mere acknowledgment is insufficient. It is crucial for healthcare systems to prioritize mental health equally alongside physical health.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Discover How Elephant Trunks Use Touch Beyond Muscles and Nerves: Key Findings from Recent Study

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Keratin composites enable animals to walk with hooves, fly with wings, and sense their environment through their skin. Mammalian whiskers consist of elongated keratin rods attached to specialized tactile structures, enhancing the animal’s sensory perception. A recent study conducted by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems aims to explore the structure, porosity, and stiffness of the whiskers found in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

Schulz et al. investigated the whiskers of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to determine their geometric and mechanical adaptations for enhanced tactile sensitivity, which encodes contact location through vibrotactile signals. Image credit: Schulz et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adx8981.

Whiskers in mammals, resembling elongated keratin rods, serve as sophisticated sensory tools.

While the keratin material itself does not directly sense touch, whiskers are housed within hair follicles, surrounded by dense sensory neurons that translate subtle mechanical vibrations into nerve signals.

Previous research primarily focused on the shape and movement of whiskers, often assuming a uniform mechanical structure along their length.

However, emerging evidence suggests that the stiffness and internal composition of whiskers can differ from root to tip, highlighting the importance of material properties in tactile sensation.

Unlike many other mammals, elephants possess numerous immobile whiskers distributed over the thick skin of their highly skilled trunks.

Though these whiskers cannot move independently, they frequently interact with objects, enabling elephants to perform precise tasks, from delicate manipulations to food handling.

Given the immobility of their whiskers, Dr. Andrew Schultz and colleagues hypothesized that elephants rely on variations in the shape and material structure of their whiskers to enhance tactile perception.

The researchers employed techniques such as micro-CT imaging, electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and functional modeling to examine the shape, porosity, and stiffness of whiskers in both juvenile and adult Asian elephants.

Findings reveal that the material properties of elephant whiskers transition from thick, porous, and rigid roots to thin, dense, and soft tips.

Dr. Schultz noted, “Tapping the handrail with different parts of the whisker wand felt soft at the tip and sharp at the base. I could easily feel where contact occurred without even looking.”

These functional gradients significantly influence how mechanical vibrations are relayed to sensory neurons, enhancing the clarity and strength of tactile signals.

Specifically, the transition from a firm base to a softer tip amplifies signal power, aiding elephants in accurately determining contact locations along the whisker, which is crucial for navigation and fine manipulation.

In this manner, elephant whiskers exhibit a type of built-in or “physical” intelligence, optimizing sensation through intelligent material design without needing active movement.

This exciting discovery is driving the authors’ efforts to apply natural insights into advancements in robotics and intelligent systems.

“Bio-inspired sensors that replicate elephant-like stiffness gradients could provide precise information with minimal computational cost, simply by leveraging intelligent material design,” Dr. Schultz stated.

The team’s groundbreaking research was published in the Journal on February 12, 2026, in Science.

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Andrew K. Schultz et al. 2026. Functional gradients drive tactile sensation in elephant whiskers. Science 391 (6786): 712-718; doi: 10.1126/science.adx8981

Source: www.sci.news

Why Elon Musk Misinterprets the Essence of Star Trek: Key Insights You Need to Know

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

“While space travel serves as a backdrop, it is not central to the Star Trek narrative.” A scene from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - A scene featuring Avery Brooks, Nana Visitor, and René Auberjonois, 1993-1999 — “While space travel serves as a backdrop, it is not central to the Star Trek narrative.” A scene from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

The current socio-political landscape in America is filled with contrasts. As I reflect on my day, thoughts arise concerning the potential call of construction workers to government projects. Meanwhile, dinner plans loom, prompting me to suggest to my partner that he pick up some fresh vegetables, all while he frets about being intercepted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way home. I am meant to engage in scientific inquiry and broadcast the marvels of the universe, yet my focus often shifts to grim realities like children in detention camps. Despite attempts to slash NASA’s funding, it has managed to withstand the cuts, though the workforce has significantly dwindled over the years.

The very week this article circulates, NASA is poised to launch astronauts on an unprecedented mission around the Moon, part of the Artemis program leading to potential human landings on the Moon and beyond. This program is widely viewed as a crucial milestone towards sending humans to Mars. At a SpaceX event, with U.S. Department of Defense officials present, Elon Musk expressed his vision of sending humans to new planets, closely aligning with the aspirational themes found in the Star Trek universe. Enthusiasm is high, as we anticipate that these missions will propel us towards a utopia in space exploration.

What a captivating idea! However, the reality may be starkly different. In the realm of Star Trek, one might argue that many fans attending conventions deeply misunderstand the series, revealing an apparent disconnect with its core messages. If they truly grasped the themes of the Star Trek universe, they would recognize that the 2020s parallel a disheartening chapter in human history. The fictional 2024 Bell Riot reflects a rebellion against oppressive governance amid staggering wealth inequality, while the Trekkian outlook foresees humanity surviving another world war, where soldiers are coerced into committing atrocities.

Strikingly, the parallels between past fiction and current events resonate. In this narrative, the figures promoting militarized space endeavors are not the heroes, but rather the villains. Misplacing their roles, these proponents fail to understand that the core essence of Star Trek is not about reaching distant planets but about humanity’s journey towards self-improvement through collaboration, grappling with substantial ethical dilemmas, and fostering a society nurtured by principles similar to socialism, where the needs of all are attended to.

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In Star Trek, the individuals advocating for militarized corporate strategies are depicted as the antagonists.
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Could venturing to Mars pave the way for this enlightenment? Perhaps, in another dimension, such endeavors would embody a quest to embrace “the infinite variety in infinite combinations,” a concept that resonates with the Vulcan philosophy. We have successfully dispatched numerous unmanned missions to Mars, unveiling a wealth of astonishing discoveries about the planet’s past and the potential for other life forms.

Nonetheless, Mars presents challenges as a habitat for humans. It is inhospitable, cold, and dry, which poses formidable obstacles should we aim to establish a presence there. Even amidst the hopeful vision of a peaceful human expedition, it’s vital to acknowledge the harsh reality—Mars is fraught with dangers. The thin atmosphere makes breathing impossible, and any attempts to alter it could still prove hazardous. Dust and silica in Martian soil can inflict severe damage to human lungs, mirroring the afflictions experienced by miners.

Many might dismiss this, thinking, “I won’t be inhaling dirt!” However, Mars is notorious for its colossal dust storms that would infiltrate any human habitat. Such conditions would make it increasingly difficult to maintain a livable environment. The sheer volume of resources required to create a sustainable habitat on Mars is staggering, as launching these supplies into space is a monumental task.

In conclusion, the pursuit of colonizing Mars may not be a practical endeavor. Instead, let us cherish our own remarkable planet, Earth. While we may not have treated it with the respect it deserves, there is still time for change. This vision is at the heart of Star Trek: not about fleeing to a technologically advanced future, but about cultivating the capacity to honor the extraordinary vessel we call home.

What I’m Reading
I found Farah Daboiwala’s “What is Free Speech? A History of Dangerous Ideas” fascinating.

What I See
I admire Gina Yashea and Kelis Brooks’ work titled “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.”

What I’m Working On
Currently, we’re navigating the complexities of daily life amidst governmental turbulence.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Hampshire, and the author of Turbulent Universe as well as the upcoming book The Ends of Space and Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Boogie of Cosmic Dreams.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Clinical Research Often Fails in Underserved Communities: Key Insights and Solutions

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Explore New Scientist for the latest in science and technology, featuring expert analyses and in-depth articles on health, the environment, and more.

How can I ensure my data is protected? As a young Black physician engaged in clinical research, this question arises frequently in discussions with Black communities in Africa and the Caribbean regarding genetic research participation. The roots of mistrust are not hard to find.

Consider the notorious Tuskegee syphilis study where Black men were left untreated to observe disease progression, even after effective treatments were available. Additionally, Henrietta Lacks’ cells were taken without her consent, fueling extensive research worldwide and generating profit without compensating her family for healthcare needs. This historical context has contributed to the perception of Black individuals as mere research subjects.

In research, it’s understood that quality data is crucial for effective medicine. Unfortunately, Black individuals, along with other underrepresented populations, including non-Europeans and older adults, are often underrepresented in clinical studies. Comprehensive disease understanding requires research across all affected groups to develop inclusive tests and treatments.

Looking ahead, the medical system is shifting towards a genetics-centered approach in patient care. This precision medicine paradigm opts for individualized treatment based on genetic information to enhance prevention and therapeutic efficacy.

However, institutional initiatives from institutions like the University of Exeter and Queen Mary University of London reveal significant gaps in our genetic understanding, particularly in relation to non-European populations. Their findings suggest certain genetic traits in Black people could hinder the accuracy of standard diabetes diagnostic tests, potentially delaying treatment. To bridge this gap, it’s essential to foster trust and increase Black participation in research.

Current research frameworks often unintentionally exclude certain demographics. For instance, if recruitment materials are only available in English or if hiring occurs solely during conventional business hours, valuable contributors may be overlooked. Additionally, relying exclusively on hospitals and universities ignores community hubs like churches and barbershops where people congregate. Recognizing social contexts is vital for effective outreach.

Academic institutions now acknowledge that varying communities necessitate tailored approaches that merge cultural proficiency with scientific rigor. This balance empowers communities and enables research to translate into actionable changes through informed policy and accessible healthcare. It’s essential for researchers to resonate with the communities they serve, fostering trust and relevance through shared experiences.

To address these challenges, researchers must prioritize community involvement from inception rather than merely soliciting input at the end of the process. Funding organizations should integrate community engagement into their budgets, ensuring that incorporating patients and communities becomes a staple in research. This participatory approach can enhance representation among underrepresented groups and ultimately benefit public health. Moreover, researchers must demonstrate reciprocity by contributing to community wellbeing through shared resources and programs.

If you’re interested in participating in research, there are many ways to get involved, from clinical trials to surveys. Every contribution counts.

Dr. Drews Adade – Clinical researcher based in London.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Comparing the Western Infant Microbiome to Global Infant Microbiomes: Key Differences Explained

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Scanning Electron Micrograph of Bifidobacteria – Key Genera Found in Infant Colon

Dr. Gary Gaugler/Science Photo Library

Bifidobacteria bacteria under a scanning electron microscope — Scanning Electron Micrograph of Bifidobacteria – Key Genera Found in Infant Colon

Dr. Gary Gaugler/Science Photo Library

A groundbreaking study has uncovered significant variations in the gut microbiome among infants globally. Notably, Western infants tend to lack specific microbes that are prevalent in infants from other regions. This finding could enhance the development of probiotics tailored for premature babies to help ensure effective colonization with beneficial bacteria.

The first 1,000 days are critical for a child’s microbiome development, impacting immune function, mental health, and long-term disease risk. Historically, our knowledge has been limited to Western populations, but a new global atlas of the infant microbiome is now expanding our understanding.

The research, led by Yang Xiao and researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in South Cambridgeshire, England, identified Bifidobacterium longum as a key player in establishing a stable gut microbiota.

The study analyzed stool samples from the UK, Sweden, the US, and seven countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kenya, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

The focus was on two variants: B. longum longum and B. longum infantis, which have been the subject of most infant gut microbiome research to date. By integrating this data with previously sequenced genomes, the team discovered that about 70% of infants in African and South Asian countries carried B. longum infantis, while less than 2% of infants in the UK, US, and Sweden exhibited the same by two months of age.

“The infantis strain is fundamentally lacking in Western environments,” notes Xiao.

In stark contrast, around one-third of infants in Western countries are colonized by B. longum longum by two months, compared to fewer than 10% in the other regions studied.

This indicates diverse roles of B. longum longum and B. longum infantis in immune system development and protection against infections, which appear to thrive in different geographical environments.

Diet may play a significant role, as Bifidobacterium helps digest nutrients from breast milk, with its composition influenced by maternal diet. “B. longum longum adapts better to Western diets, while B. longum infantis is optimized for other regional diets,” Xiao explains. Other bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium breve, may also contribute to gut colonization.

This research significantly expands our understanding of gut microbiomes, particularly in underrepresented populations. Lindsay Hall at the University of Birmingham, UK, emphasizes the importance of this advancement.

While probiotics are not usually recommended for full-term infants, they can be beneficial for premature ones, as noted in health guidelines. Combining this research’s insights allows for tailored probiotics based on an infant’s region. For instance, B. longum infantis may be advantageous for infants in Africa and Asia but may not persist in Western infants’ guts as effectively. “Understanding bacterial diversity across regions is crucial for identifying the most beneficial probiotics for infants,” Hall concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com