Jewelry that Tracks Movement? The Issue Lies in Unpredictability

Feedback brings the latest science and technology updates from New Scientist, covering cutting-edge developments. To share items that might captivate our readers, email Feedback@newscientist.com.

Ring of Power

Feedback often seeks the perfect gift for Mrs. Feedback, a challenging endeavor considering her penchant for ordering books before discovering they even exist.

This is why I found myself momentarily fascinated by what’s referred to as “smart jewelry.” Picture wearable tech like Fitbit or Apple Watch that tracks heart rates and more.

Recently, South China Morning Post noted: luxury brands such as Gucci, Hermès, Tag Heuer, and Vertu are merging Silicon Valley technology with exquisite European craftsmanship. For instance, there’s the Gucci×Ouura Ring, which elegantly incorporates health-monitoring tech to track sleep, heart rate, temperature, activity, and more. However, it’s a limited edition, with used items on eBay starting at £390 and going up from there.

Feedback might suggest that at least one method is misdirected. As blue sky user Zack Pizzaz highlighted on social media, wedding rings that monitor every emotion and movement of their wearers could very well belong in the realm of dystopian fiction—something reminiscent of a Margaret Atwood story. However, is there really a business proposing that couples exchange smart rings to keep tabs on each other?

Ah, perhaps it’s not a mistake; a company is indeed suggesting just that. Based on your relationship dynamics, you may or may not have heard of the dating app RAW, which encourages users to send only unfiltered photos to fend off catfishing. Now, they are launching a spinoff called Raw Ring, which features AI with a heart rate and temperature sensor, plus audio tracking.

According to co-founder Marina Anderson, the ring “functions like a fingertip vest, tracking heart rate, temperature, and connection levels with your partner. When something happens, you’re in the know.” As reported on her profile, she believes that such emotional surveillance could enrich relationships.

Or as the Raw Ring website boldly states, “Marriage will evolve, and so will loyalty. Sacred vows will become digital. Raw’s mission? To make true love traceable.”

We mentioned this to Mrs. Feedback, who firmly stated that purchasing one of these items would lead to divorce and leave you to seek comfort elsewhere—perhaps a book token will suffice.

Think Big

Here’s another headline, this time from the UK talk radio station LBC: ‘Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski admitted to using hypnosis in the past to “enhance” women’s breasts. Apparently, back in 2013, Polanski worked at a hypnotherapy clinic in London where hypnosis was employed to assist women in acquiring larger breasts, as reported by the Sun under their sensational headlines: Tit-Notised. Polanski has since apologized for this portion of his career.

Aside from tackling the ethics of this practice, neuroscientist Dean Burnett expressed his intrigue on the matter, wondering if there are potential mechanisms within the psyche—akin to how drivers can’t help but be fascinated by accidents. After all, the link between mind and body is so profound that our mental state can influence our immune response and gut health. Burnett referenced cases such as pseudocyesis, where a woman genuinely believes she is pregnant, displaying symptoms without being so.

If you think Polanski might be onto something, think again. Burnett points out that this reasoning is a prime example of “how easy it is to construct a compelling claim through selective cherry-picking of data.” He continues to explain that hypnosis is not powerful enough to serve as a reliable method for breast augmentation.

Additionally, if hypnosis were genuinely so effective, wouldn’t women with new breasts also produce milk?

Heroin and Chips

On the theme of dubious correlations (as discussed in Feedback, July 5th), Martin Kautchmann has spotlighted Tyler Bigen’s entertaining site, tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations, which catalogues correlations that lack real significance. For instance, UFO sightings in Rhode Island correlate beautifully with the success rates of climbing Mount Everest, while Iowa City’s air quality saw a decrease in lockstep with the number of library technicians.

Such correlations may seem absurd, but they can be amusing. Barry Dexter recalls a statement he used in his teaching: “All heroin addicts started with milk.”

Lastly, Dan Salmons shares his experience working with a “well-known credit card company” during the introduction of Chip and Pin technology, stating, “I demonstrated to my colleagues that the quantity of cards in circulation correlated strongly with the prices of potatoes and steel,” says Dan. “Naturally, this is precisely what one would anticipate.”

Have you something to share with Feedback?

You can send your stories to feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week and earlier feedback is available on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Massive Untapped Energy Resource Lies Beneath the United States

Sure! Here’s the rewritten content while retaining the HTML tags:

Below the western United States lies a significant, untapped source of clean energy. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this potential is substantial.

This research is part of a long-term initiative to chart the nation’s geothermal capabilities, particularly focusing on the expansive basin regions that encompass Nevada, Utah, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming.

USGS projects that these geologically active states hold the potential to generate reliable and consistent geothermal energy of up to 135 gigawatts, provided new technologies can harness this underground resource. To put this in perspective, the typical U.S. household consumes about 1 kilowatt of electricity continuously, meaning that 135 gigawatts can fulfill the stable energy demands of nearly 135 million homes.

“The evaluation of USGS energy resources is geared towards the future,” stated Dr. Sarah Ryker, the acting director of USGS. “We emphasize undiscovered resources that have yet to be fully explored and developed, starting our work in the Great Basin due to its geothermal activity history.”

Currently, geothermal energy comprises less than 1% of the electricity in the U.S., predominantly sourced from conventional hydrothermal systems, where naturally heated water rises through permeable rocks.

Nonetheless, USGS findings suggest a much richer energy reservoir exists. This indicates that heat is trapped in dense, impermeable rock formations buried deep underground.

Geothermal systems generate electricity by circulating and heating liquids – USGS

To access these “enhanced geothermal systems” (EGS), engineers must drill deeper, sometimes reaching depths over 6 km (3.7 miles), fracturing the rock to allow water to circulate and capture heat.

This heated water can then be raised back to the surface to produce electricity, offering a constant, weather-independent energy source.

To estimate the potential energy available, USGS researchers have combined underground temperature maps, heat flow data, and sophisticated techniques for measuring extraction efficiency and energy conversion. They collaborated with the US Department of Energy (DOE), state geological surveys, and academic institutions nationwide.

Dr. Ryker stressed that this research offers a multitude of benefits beyond just energy generation. “Natural resources play a vital role in sustaining the national economy, and historically, we have advanced the technology for mapping and characterizing these resources.”

The large basins of Nevada and surrounding states showcase potential geothermal energy, indicated by colors ranging from green to red – USGS

However, advancing EGS technology presents substantial challenges. Although pilot projects have shown promise within the Great Basin, commercial-scale fortified geothermal plants are not yet operational in the U.S.

One of the primary hurdles is cost, which the U.S. Department of Energy aims to address through the Enhanced Geothermal Shot™, a program targeting a 90% reduction in technological costs by 2035.

The USGS’s efforts are not limited to the Great Basin. The agency plans to shift its focus to the Williston Basin in North Dakota, another region that may hold geothermal potential.

Should these efforts succeed, geothermal energy could emerge as a crucial component of America’s low-carbon future.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Top FDA Vaccine Official Resigns, Cites Kennedy’s Accusations of ‘Misinformation and Lies’

Dr. Peter Marks, a top Food and Drug Administration vaccine official, resigned under pressure on Friday, stating that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s aggressive attitude towards vaccines was irresponsible and posed a risk to public health.

“It became clear that truth and transparency are not valued by the secretary, but instead he desires blind confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Dr. Marks wrote to Sarah Brenner, the agency’s representative. He reiterated his sentiments in an interview, stating, “This individual does not prioritize truth. He prioritizes followership.”

Dr. Marks resigned after being called to the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday afternoon, where he was given the ultimatum of resigning or being terminated, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Dr. Marks headed the Biologics Evaluation and Research Center responsible for approving and monitoring vaccine safety, as well as a variety of other therapies including cell and gene therapy. He was viewed as a steady and reliable presence by many during the pandemic, despite facing criticism for being overly accommodating to businesses seeking approval for treatments with complex evidence of effectiveness.

Ongoing scrutiny of the FDA’s vaccine program clearly placed Dr. Marks at odds with the new health secretary. Since Kennedy took office on February 13th, he has issued a series of directives on vaccine policy. He has alarmed those concerned about his potential to leverage his government authority to advance his long-standing campaign asserting vaccines are highly detrimental despite overwhelming evidence of their life-saving impact worldwide.

“Undermining trust in a well-established vaccine that has met the FDA’s rigorous standards of quality, safety, and efficacy for decades is irresponsible and poses a significant risk to public health and our nation’s well-being and security,” Dr. Marks wrote.

For instance, Kennedy promoted the use of vitamin A as a treatment during a major measles outbreak in Texas, downplaying the importance of vaccination. He has surrounded himself with analysts tied to the anti-vaccine movement and is pursuing studies examining long-debunked theories linking vaccines to autism.

On Thursday, Kennedy announced plans to establish a vaccine injury agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He emphasized that this initiative was a top priority and would bring the “gold standard of science” to the federal government.

An HHS spokesperson stated on Friday night that Dr. Marks would no longer have a place at the FDA if he did not commit to transparency.

In his resignation letter, Dr. Marks highlighted the tragic toll of measles amid Kennedy’s lukewarm approach to the urgent vaccination needs among many unvaccinated individuals in Texas and other states.

Dr. Marks pointed out that through widespread vaccine availability, “over 100,000 children who received vaccinations last year in Africa and Asia were saved.”

Dr. Marks expressed his willingness to address Kennedy’s vaccine safety and transparency concerns in public forums and through collaboration with national experts in science, engineering, and medicine, which he was rebuffed.

“I have exhausted all efforts to work with them to restore confidence in vaccines,” Dr. Marks stated in an interview. “It became evident that this was not their goal.”

With that, Dr. Marks bid farewell to the FDA.

“His leadership has been instrumental in driving medical innovation and ensuring life-saving treatments reach those in need,” stated Ellen V. Sigal, founder of the cancer research advocacy group Friends and a close associate of Dr. Marks. His departure, she noted, “will leave significant gaps.”

Dr. Marks guided the agency and its external advisors on the type of evidence required to pilot the FDA’s vaccine program amid the tumultuous year of the coronavirus pandemic and expedite emergency authorizations for vaccines developed under the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed.

In June 2022, he urged an external expert panel to consider the risks the virus posed to children under five years old, leading the panel to recommend the vaccine for that age group later that day.

“We must be cautious not to be paralyzed by the number of pediatric deaths due to the overwhelming number of fatalities we are facing here,” Dr. Marks cautioned at the time.

Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine expert at Baylor College of Medicine, spoke highly of his regular interactions with Dr. Marks during the pandemic, describing him as deeply committed to leveraging science to aid the American populace. “He was a pandemic hero, and it’s truly unfortunate to see him go,” Hotez remarked.

Dr. Marks faced skepticism from some within the FDA, including former members of his own vaccine team. Two senior regulators in the agency’s vaccine office resigned in 2021 over the Biden administration’s efforts to push for the approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot.

Kennedy’s call for further investigation into vaccine injuries was met with reservations by Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, who noted that such research had been a focal point for decades. “I fear this is an attempt to magnify vaccine harm out of proportion to the actual risk,” Osterholm cautioned.

Dr. Marks shared these concerns, expressing his desire in his letter to mitigate the harm inflicted by the current administration.

“My hope,” he penned, “is that the unprecedented assault on scientific truths that has detrimentally impacted our nation’s public health will cease in the coming years, allowing our citizens to fully benefit from the wide array of medical advancements.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

The New Science of Lie Detection: Uncovering the Truth about Spotting Lies

We are constantly detecting lies in our daily interactions. This could be a change in our partner’s tone of voice indicating hidden emotions, a child repeatedly looking at a forbidden present, or a colleague’s implausible story about missing petty cash at work.

Despite our ability to detect some lies, there are still instances where we fail to see through deception. Researchers have been investigating this phenomenon for over a century, with the latest studies offering new insights into the complexities of deception.

One recent significant study conducted by Associate Professor Timothy Luke and his team at the University of Gothenburg focused on analyzing the behaviors associated with lying. By delving into the nuances of deceit, they aimed to uncover the underlying processes of deception.

One key aspect highlighted by Luke is the distinction between “white” lies and deception, emphasizing that not all lies are equal. Deception involves deliberate attempts to mislead others, with various psychological factors influencing the complexity of deceit. Factors like communication style and length play crucial roles in distinguishing lies from truth.

While conventional beliefs suggest that liars exhibit behaviors like avoiding eye contact and nervousness, research findings from the Gothenburg study challenge these assumptions. Experts in the field of lie detection agree that gaze aversion and nervousness are not reliable indicators of deception.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.

Instead, experts suggest that the level of detail in the information provided can be a more reliable indicator of deception. People who lie tend to offer less detailed explanations compared to truth-tellers. Linguistic cues, such as inconsistencies in statements and evidence, also play a significant role in detecting deception.

When it comes to distinguishing truth from lies, researchers recommend employing a strategic approach that challenges inconsistencies in suspects’ narratives without direct accusations of lying. By presenting contradictory evidence and observing the suspect’s responses, investigators can uncover potential deception.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.

While traditional approaches to lie detection based on behavioral cues may be unreliable, focusing on individual characteristics and personal deceit patterns can offer more effective ways of uncovering lies. By examining linguistic patterns and analyzing personal deception models, researchers are improving their ability to detect deception effectively.

Ultimately, trust in one’s own investigative skills and evidence-based analysis is crucial in detecting lies. Fixed cues and generalizations may not always be accurate, emphasizing the importance of caution and critical thinking when assessing deceptive behaviors.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

As tech companies spread more lies, why is the BBC reporting less truth?

On August 4, 2024, the riots and unrest following the murder of three children in Southport, Merseyside, escalated further. That day, violence struck Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Bolton, where people tried to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers, amid chaos amid far-right misinformation and rumors. Elon Musk showed a renewed interest in British affairs, posting a photo of the violence in Liverpool on X with the characteristically cautious caption: “Civil war is inevitable.” And 24 hours later, a wave of unrest reached the city of Plymouth.

It struck the city center throughout the evening of August 5th. To quote the Guardian, “150 police officers in riot gear and with dogs tried to separate the far-right mob and anti-racism demonstrators.” Others defended the mosque. Bricks, bottles and fireworks were thrown. Six people were arrested, several police officers were injured, and two civilians were taken to hospital. local civil servant He said the events were “unprecedented.”

Where should the city's 260,000 residents turn for reliable information? As ever, people's social media feeds are filled with falsehoods and provocations, making more traditional media the obvious choice. But if you had been listening to your local BBC radio station while the riots were going on, you might not have known anything about them. BBC Radio Devon ran reports of the violence on the 6 o'clock news, but Plymouth was not mentioned at all on the 7pm and 9pm news. Other breaking news stories mentioned what was happening but failed to make it into a major story. The violence was horrifying and very important, but the attention of the city's supposedly most reliable news sources was clearly elsewhere.

We now know all this thanks to BBC reaction to Complaint by David LloydHe is a radio veteran who has worked in both corporate and commercial stations. The relevant official document written by the company's complaints manager is very easy to read. It included an admission that “there was little evidence that the BBC was present at the scene” and that some of the content related to “some logistical issues” on the day. . Issues include “securing journalists with the necessary riot training'' and “technical problems with broadcasting kits.''

there were, The report says:“Elements of System Failure.” Even online, where modern businesses say they need to focus most of their efforts, there is no dedicated live coverage of the Plymouth riots, and as the report suggests, major social media platforms lack sufficient updates. Not posted. Regarding the latter point, he said, “If it weren’t for staff vacations, we could have done more.”

A spokesperson said: The BBC accepted the findings of its complaints department and had “already made adjustments to its working practices” before the Plymouth complaint was investigated. But the mix of excuses and admitted shortcomings remains mind-boggling. And the larger story of this corporate degradation of local broadcasting and how it fits into similar changes in commercial radio and the dire state of Britain’s local press is left untouched. As Mark Zuckerberg abandons meta fact-checking and Musk becomes endlessly radicalized by his platform, the result is a growing vacuum in local news. There is a growing susceptibility to online lies that may soon surpass people’s ability to fully understand what is going on in their immediate lives. someone's control.

The story of Plymouth is a case study in the impact of change, which still appears to be chronically overlooked. These include the forced cuts to BBC Radio’s broadcasts in 2023, and the fact that many local stations now only broadcast regionally specific programs until the afternoon. Share produce locally or nationally until breakfast time the next day. Number of spectators This drastic cut has further diminished an already fragile part of the national media landscape, further reduced listeners and hastened the decline of local radio, while our nation’s public broadcasters have The obvious question is whether the survival of such a major broadcasting station can be guaranteed. Grassroots news, who will do it?

It’s certainly not commercial radio. Eight years ago, broadcasting regulator Ofcom announced a relaxation of rules allowing commercial station owners to reduce the minimum hours of daytime local programming from seven hours a day to three. In 2019, radio giant Global consolidated more than 40 independent breakfast shows featuring local news and takeaways into three nationally broadcast programs, exposing its newsroom to fluctuations in efficiency. Since then, a single reporting team has been assigned to cover an area stretching from Cornwall to Gloucester.

And then there is the terrible fate of local newspapers that may have successfully transitioned into the online world, but have been repeatedly mismanaged, cut and wiped out, especially by online giants. Between 2009 and 2019, more than 320 such titles closed in the UK. Just over a year ago, Reach, the owner of Mirror, Express and a number of local titles grouped online under the “Live” banner, announced its third job cuts in a year. This reduced the total number of roles lost. The company's local and regional news websites drew a healthy audience of about 35 million people per month, but its reliance on siphoning digital advertising revenue put its long-term survival at risk. As one anonymous Reach official stated, the results were clear. “Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool, Cardiff and many other major cities will soon no longer have a local newspaper, and it is increasingly likely that they will no longer have a well-known local newspaper.”Local authorities and others Accountable news website. ”

In some areas, nimble local news outlets are beginning to fill the gap. In Hull, a start-up company called story of the hull It was founded in 2020 as an online operation by two former Hull Daily Mail employees and expanded into print last year. Last week's headlines reflected the city's experience with the 2024 riots: “Shame, Resilience, Justice.” won an award On this year’s cover. Bristol Cable has long pioneered a new kind of investigative and political reporting, driven by the fact that its titles are owned by its readers. Manchester has a Substack newsletter The Millis currently setting up branches in Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield and London. Former Guardian staffer Jim Waterson has also started up to fill the void left by the retrenchment of the Evening Standard. central london. All of these projects highlight one stark point: a place not only needs its own journalism, but can provide an audience to support it.

The problem is that they still outnumber some parts of the country, let alone the world, where the worst kinds of news cycles are unfortunately a reality. Something happens, but what do people read or hear about it? Is it nothing at all, plucked from the corners of the internet by some foreign billionaire, or amplified by an algorithm, true or false? It’s such a bad version that the question of whether or not is gone and the deceptive narrative creates its own shockwaves. If that is the future we all need to avoid, then local reporting should be our first antidote.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The hidden radioactive waste problem lies at the core of achieving net zero emissions

A dog chased a ball past me at full speed across the open fields of Seascale Beach, Cumbria. The beach is surrounded by a small park, rows of shops, and houses, with tall chimneys and large rectangular buildings visible on a vast industrial site as you walk north.

Close to Seascale Beach is the Sellafield complex, a 2 square mile nuclear facility located 5 km away. Sellafield is home to most of the UK’s radioactive nuclear waste and the world’s largest store of plutonium.

I visited Sellafield earlier this year to learn about the management of Britain’s nuclear waste. It was an eye-opening and expensive lesson in dealing with hazardous material with no clear plan.

Sellafield played a crucial role in producing plutonium during the Cold War. The current cleanup operation involves processing and storing spent nuclear fuel, cooling and stabilizing it, then storing it in silos covered with steel and concrete.

Initially, safe long-term storage was not a priority, leading to waste being disposed of from decades ago. The process of moving waste from dilapidated silos to more modern stores is ongoing.

Read More:

  • Meet the rebels building fusion reactors in your neighborhood
  • Where next for nuclear energy?
  • Why do nuclear fission and fusion both release energy?

A recent report by the National Board of Audit highlighted that Sellafield is still in the early stages of the cleanup mission, expected to last until 2125 with an estimated cost of £136bn, showcasing uncertainty about the exact tasks and timeline.

The plan for the most dangerous nuclear waste is to bury it deep underground in a geological disposal facility (GDF). Finding a suitable location involves not just solid rock but also a willing community.

Three communities are currently in discussion about building a GDF facility, with experts believing it to be the best option. Several countries are also working on similar facilities.

The complexity of site selection may delay the facility’s opening until the 2040s or 2050s, amidst a push for new nuclear power to reduce emissions and reach net zero.

As we navigate through the challenges of nuclear waste management, experts like Professor Claire Corkhill from the University of Bristol play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of radioactive waste.


About our expert Professor Claire Corkhill

Claire is Professor of Mineralogy and Radioactive Waste Management in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol.

Her work has been published in magazines material, nature, and ceramics.

Read More:

  • Nuclear fusion: Inside the construction of the world’s largest tokamak
  • Instant Genius Podcast: The race to bury nuclear waste in hidden bunkers
  • Sticky atoms and devastating iron: The strange science behind nuclear fusion

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New findings suggest that the key to stress tolerance lies in the microbiome

Recent studies have revealed the significant role of the gut microbiome, a vast community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract, in influencing the body’s response to stress.

A new investigation published in Cell Metabolism proposes that gut microbes greatly impact the body’s circadian rhythm, particularly in managing stress levels throughout the day.

The research indicates that the activity and composition of gut microbes naturally vary, affecting the release of stress-regulating hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

This breakthrough has sparked hopes among researchers of utilizing microbes as potential remedies for mental health conditions. According to Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland, this study represents a significant advancement in comprehending the microbiome’s impact on mental well-being.

A disturbance in the microbiome balance can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances, immune system issues, and metabolic changes, affecting stress hormone release.

One particular microorganism, Lactobacillus, is believed to play a crucial role in regulating stress hormones.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Gabriel Tofani, emphasized the gut microbiota’s role in sustaining the body’s natural stress regulation processes.

To demonstrate the connection, researchers administered antibiotics to mice to reduce their microbiome, observing alterations in the release rhythm of the stress hormone corticosterone.

This research lays the groundwork for potential treatments targeting mental health conditions by understanding the intricate relationship between the gut and the brain and its impact on the body’s stress response.

Professor Ross highlighted the potential of microbiome-based interventions in enhancing mental health, noting that this study brings us closer to achieving that objective.

Read More:

About the Experts:

Dr. Gabriel Tofani: A researcher at Cork University in Ireland, focusing on circadian rhythms, stress, and gut microbiota.

Professor Paul Ross: Director of APC Microbiome Ireland, conducting research on the human microbiome, bacterial competition, physiology, and genetics.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

What lies on the other side of a black hole? (Speculation included)

One of the most astonishing scientific discoveries of the past decade is the abundance of black holes in the universe.

These black holes come in a range of sizes, from slightly larger than the Sun to billions of times more massive. They are detected through various methods, such as radio emissions from material falling into them, their impact on orbiting stars, gravitational waves from black hole mergers, and the unique distortions of light they create, like the “Einstein rings” seen in images of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

Our universe is not flat but filled with holes like a sieve. The physical characteristics of black holes are accurately described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Although Einstein’s theory aligns well with our current knowledge of black holes, it fails to address two crucial questions. First, what happens to matter once it crosses the event horizon of a black hole? Second, how does a black hole eventually disappear? Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking proposed that, over time, black holes shrink through a process called Hawking radiation, emitting high-temperature radiation until they become very small.

These unanswered questions are related to quantum aspects of space-time, specifically quantum gravity, for which we lack a comprehensive theory.

An attempt at an answer

Despite these challenges, there are evolving tentative theories that offer some insights into these mysteries. While these theories require further experimental support, they provide possible explanations for the fate of black holes.

One prominent theory in this realm is loop quantum gravity (LQG), a promising approach to understanding quantum space-time developed since the late 1980s. LQG proposes a novel scenario where black holes transition into white holes, where the interior evolves under quantum effects, causing a reversal of its collapse.

White holes, the hypothetical opposites of black holes, may hold the key to understanding the fate of evaporating black holes. These structures could potentially explain the enigmatic nature of dark matter, offering a compelling link between well-established principles of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

Same idea but in reverse

While the direct detection of white holes remains challenging due to their weak gravitational interactions, technological advancements may enable future observations. If dark matter indeed comprises remnants of evaporating black holes in the form of white holes, this hypothesis could shed light on the elusive nature of dark matter.

By reevaluating long-held assumptions about black holes and incorporating quantum gravity phenomena, we may uncover a more nuanced understanding of these cosmic phenomena. The evolving field of quantum gravity offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of black holes and the potential existence of white holes as remnants of their evaporation.

Next steps

Exploring the implications of white holes and their possible role in dark matter formation requires further research and technological advancements. As we continue to refine our understanding of black holes and quantum gravity, we may unlock new insights into the fundamental nature of our universe.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com