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Rate the Incoming Aliens from Space Rock: On a Scale of 1 to 10!

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A new scientist. Science News and Long read from expert journalists and cover the science, technology, health and environmental development of websites and magazines.

Feedback is New Scientist Popular Sideways monitors the latest in science and technology news. You can contact Feedback@newscientist.com to share items you think might intrigue our readers.

In the Name of Science…

One of the highest honors in science is to have an object named in your memory. An example is geographer Alexander von Humboldt, remembered by various geographic landmarks including Humboldt Penguins and Humboldt Mountains.

Congratulations to Harvard astronomer Abraham “Avi” Loeb. A regular contributor to New Scientist over the past decade, Loeb has focused on the nature of interstellar objects traversing our solar system, starting with “Oumuamua” in 2017 and continuing with Comet 3i/Atlas this year.

Loeb has garnered significant attention by suggesting that these objects might be artificial in origin, a claim that has stirred skepticism among many peers. This skepticism intensified in 2023 when he allegedly identified fragments of interstellar meteors on the ocean floor. It turns out the signal he referenced was likely generated by “vehicles moving across the road beside the seismometer.”

Nevertheless, there are now efforts to classify interstellar objects, as detailed in a preprint. The classification will assess such objects based on their potential artificiality and whether they might impact Earth, ranging from 0 (consistent with known natural phenomena) to 10 (confirmed extraterrestrial artificial origin poses global threats).

Feedback is somewhat muddled as the scale seems to evaluate two variables simultaneously. Ignoring the most alarming cases, a rating of 8 or higher indicates definite extraterrestrial origins. The intriguing scores lie between 2 and 7, indicating varying degrees of potential artificial origins, from “non-gravitational acceleration” and “unusual shapes” to “operational signs” and “responsive behaviors.”

Feedback isn’t just about how you gauge some of these. Consider the odd structure of a space object, such as Mimas, Saturn’s moon, which resembles the Star Wars Death Star, though it is not a space station. There have also been numerous alerts regarding possible alien radio signals, as distinguishing artificial electromagnetic waves from natural ones proves challenging.

Everything seems a bit vague, so I decided to delve into the creators of the Loeb scale. Two are sports psychologists from Reichmann University in Israel, clearly at odds. The third one is Loeb himself.

Utility Vehicle for Dogs

Feedback frequently considers units of measurement, such as whether data transfer velocity can be assessed using a DVD-equipped snail.

Reader William Dockendorf introduces something entirely new. There’s a new vehicle in the U.S. called the Slate, described as a “two-door electric pickup truck” that can be customized endlessly, even as an SUV. Dockendorf humorously notes that “probably no one will buy it.”

The company website, slate.auto, features an extensive FAQ section, addressing questions like “How much junk can you fit in the bed?” Interestingly, “Frunk” is not a typo, as many electric vehicles have a front storage compartment often referred to as a “front trunk.”

In any case, measurements are provided in feet and cubic feet, detailing what William terms “fairly typical” items, like how a “55-inch flat screen TV (in a box)” fits in the cargo area. However, he also whimsically mentioned that “about 30 dachshunds” would also fit there.

William feels that it’s essential to “measure everything by an approximate count of dachshunds.” Feedback wonders if these are living dachshunds, or if they are non-living—possibly deceased and preserved like sardines.

The Latest Fart

After discovering Flavor Analysis and Recognition Transformers (FART), I sought more examples of clever acronyms, or at least some that are hopelessly entertaining. Below are your options from the Email Flood. This is destined to be a repeated topic, at least until morale picks up.

Firstly, Thomas Cleger writes about a regional bus and railway company in Ticino, the only Swiss canton where Italian is the sole official language. Its name in Italian is Ferovie Autoline Regional Ticinensis. Feedback confirms its authenticity, and its official website is entertaining: fartiamo.ch.

A few years back, physicist Paul Davis mentioned attending the launch of the “Australian and Japanese Space Ray Experimental Setup” near Uomera, Australia. This collaborative project also known as CANGAROO is an Outback gamma-ray observatory. “The perfect blend of creativity,” Davis remarked.

However, the final word should go to paleontologist John Hawks, who wrote about a paper he found in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The study discusses “How to estimate mutation rates and recent demographic histories from exceptionally large samples.” “Very large” refers to a dataset of 1 million genomes. Naturally, they deployed their resources to Diffusion of Rare Elements but ended up calling it “Dr. Evil.”

“I had quite a lot of fun,” Hawks noted. To which Feedback can only add: “Yeah, baby!”

Have you had a feedback moment?

You can submit stories to feedback via email at feedback@newscientist.com. Don’t forget to include your home address. This week’s and previous feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Research Reveals Alarming Rate of Seawater-Induced Corrosion on Shark Teeth

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The rising acidity of the Earth’s oceans is leading to the corrosion and deterioration of shark teeth.

As apex predators, shark teeth serve as essential tools, but recent studies reveal that climate change is adversely affecting their strength and durability.

“They are highly specialized instruments designed for slicing through flesh without withstanding ocean acidity,” explained Maximilian Baum from Heinrich Heine University (HHU) in Düsseldorf. “Our findings underscore how even the most finely tuned weapons in nature are not immune to vulnerability.”

Sharks continuously regenerate their teeth, yet the deteriorating conditions of our oceans can compromise them more swiftly than they can heal.

With the oceans increasingly absorbing carbon dioxide due to climate change, their acidity levels are rising.

Currently, ocean water sits at a pH of 8.1, but it could drop to as low as 7.3 by 2300.

This research is part of the undergraduate project Frontier, where Baum sought to assess the impact of these changes on marine organisms.

By acquiring hundreds of black-tip reef shark teeth from an aquarium housing the study’s subjects, Baum was able to conduct his experiments.

Approximately 50 intact teeth were then placed in tanks with varying pH levels and left there for 8 weeks.

Upon evaluation at the conclusion of the study, it was evident that teeth exposed to acidic water exhibited considerably greater damage compared to those in 8.1 pH conditions.

Microscopic view of teeth held in water at pH 7.3 for 8 weeks – Credit: Steffen Köhler

“We noted visible surface defects such as cracks and holes, heightened root corrosion, and structural degradation,” remarked Professor Sebastian Fraun, who supervised the project at HHU.

The acidic conditions also rendered the tooth surfaces rough and uneven. While this may enhance the shark’s cutting efficiency, it simultaneously compromised the structural integrity of the teeth, increasing their likelihood of breaking.

“Maintaining a marine pH close to the current average of 8.1 is crucial for preserving the physical strength of this predatory tool,” Baum noted. “This highlights the broad impacts climate change has across the food web and entire ecosystems.”

About Our Experts

Maximilian Baum | I am a student at the Faculty of Biology at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf.

Professor Sebastian Fraun | He is the head of the Institute for Zoology and Biology Interactions at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

In 2024, Birth Rate Holds Steady Near Record Lows

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Amidst the Trump administration’s focus on declining US fertility rates, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that births remained relatively stable in 2024, increasing by 1% compared to the previous year.

In the United States last year, there were 3,622,673 births, according to a CDC report published on Wednesday. From 2015 to 2020, births experienced an average annual decline of 2%, with fluctuations in subsequent years.

The report also outlines the birth rates for women aged 15 to 44, known specifically as the birth rate. This rate declined between 2014 and 2020, fluctuating until 2024, where it reached 54.6 births per 1,000 individuals—an increase of 0.2% from 2023.

Brady Hamilton, the primary author of the report and a CDC statistician, noted that the data continues the ongoing downward trend in teenage births and the upward trend in births among older women observed in the past three decades. However, the CDC refrained from offering specific explanations for this trend.

An analysis of CDC data by a sociologist suggests that this trend largely reflects women delaying childbearing in their 20s and opting to do so in their 30s and 40s. Birth rates increased last year among women aged 25 to 44, while declining in teenagers and individuals under 25.

“There are various factors at play,” explained Karen Benjamin Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. These factors include considerations about partners, financial stability, job security, and overall expenses.

According to a CDC report, the average woman in 2024 had one or two biological children compared to three or more in 1960. Since 2007, overall birth rates in the US have been decreasing, with sociologists anticipating this trend to persist despite a slight increase last year.

Sarah Hayford, director of Ohio State’s Institute of Population, highlighted that economic improvements post-Great Recession have not necessarily translated into enhanced financial conditions for many individuals, impacting decisions around childbearing.

Guzzo noted that the Trump administration’s policies, including tariffs and federal programs supporting women and children, could impact the environment for childbearing decisions. The administration has expressed concerns over declining fertility rates, with Vice President JD Vance advocating for increased births in the US.

President Donald Trump himself has championed family formation, signing an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization. The administration is reportedly considering incentives, such as a $5,000 cash bonus after birth, to encourage more births, although experts suggest these efforts may not reverse declining fertility rates.

Sociologists opine that low fertility rates are not inherently problematic, and the decline in teenage birth rates is viewed as a positive trend. Guzzo expressed optimism that individuals today have more autonomy in deciding the right time for childbearing.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Carbon emissions are rising at a quicker rate than pre-pandemic levels

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Greenhouse gas emissions are still on the rise

Weisen Hayashi/Getty Images

As the world emerges from lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are seeking climate-friendly solutions as recovery efforts are expected to accelerate global progress towards net-zero emissions. He promised to rebuild the economy. In fact, the opposite is happening.

Instead of a “green recovery”, global greenhouse gas emissions are now increasing at a much faster pace than in the decade before the global pandemic. Emissions increased by 1.3 percent in 2023, reaching 57.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is a much faster annual growth rate than the decade from 2010 to 2019, when emissions increased by an average of 0.8 percent per year. In fact, global greenhouse gas emissions are currently just below the peak of 59.1 gigatonnes recorded in 2019.

According to one report, all sources of greenhouse gas emissions except land use are increasing. report Support from the United Nations Global Environment Program (UNEP) as the economy continues to recover from COVID-19. Emissions from road transport, leaks from oil and gas infrastructure such as pipelines, and industrial emissions all rose rapidly in 2023, with emissions from aviation increasing by 19.5%, according to UNEP.

Rising emissions mean the world’s opportunities to avoid catastrophic climate change are shrinking. inger anderson UNEP said in a statement. “The climate crisis is here,” she said. “I ask all citizens, please stop the heat.”

Since 2015, countries have jointly pledged to limit global warming to as close to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as possible, but current national targets are far from meeting that goal. Given countries’ current commitments, the world is on track for 2.6°C to 2.8°C of warming, and this situation will remain largely unchanged from 2022.

Countries are expected to submit new national climate plans by February ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November. Plans must spell out in detail how countries will reduce emissions between now and 2035.

Mr Anderson said it was important for countries to develop bolder plans to reduce emissions and they needed to start now. He added that while the 1.5°C target is still technically achievable, it is becoming increasingly likely to be achieved. “Even if global temperatures rise above 1.5°C, and the possibility of that happening increases every day, we must continue to strive for a net-zero, sustainable and prosperous world. “No,” Anderson said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Mpox: Understanding the Fatality Rate and Treatment Options of the Virus

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Health workers assess a suspected case of MPOX in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Arlette Basij/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is currently in the midst of an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, with the surge in cases being blamed in part on a new variant that is thought to be more deadly than the variant of the Mpox virus that caused a global outbreak in 2022. But there are treatments that may help.

How deadly is MPOX?

Studies have shown that the mortality rate among people infected with the currently circulating lineage I variant of MPOX is approximately 1-2%. 11 percentThe variation in reported mortality rates is probably due to differences in affected populations and problems with disease surveillance, Lilith Whittles At Imperial College London.

For example, infants and children with underdeveloped immune systems may be more likely than adults to develop serious, even fatal, infections, and people with suppressed immune systems, such as those with HIV, may also be more susceptible, she says.

Additionally, some areas have little access to health care and limited surveillance for MPOX. As a result, health care providers only catch the most severe cases and miss milder cases, making the death rate appear higher than it actually is. If MPOX symptoms are increasingly misdiagnosed as other illnesses, like measles or chickenpox, more cases will go undetected, Whittles says.

In fact, most deaths from MPOX occur due to complications such as sepsis, where infection enters the bloodstream and causes organ failure, and inflammation caused by the MPOX virus that damages the lungs, he said. Piero Oriaro At Oxford University.

What are the MPOX treatment options?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries where the current outbreak is occurring, there are few treatments specific to MPOX. Instead, doctors focus on treating symptoms, which usually last two to four weeks, such as reducing fever and headaches with paracetamol (acetaminophen) and cleaning skin lesions to prevent bacterial infections, he said. Jean-Claude Udahemka At the University of Rwanda.

In the UK and US, doctors can use the antiviral drug Tecovirimat to treat people with severe smallpox. Originally developed to treat smallpox, its use against the disease was based on animal studies in which it improved survival rates compared to a placebo. Tecovirimat works by binding to a protein on the surface of both variola and smallpox that the virus uses to attack. Freeing itself from infected cells spreads to other cells.

Doctors in the United States and the United Kingdom can also treat MPOX with other antiviral drugs, such as brincidofovir and cidofovir. Protecting mice from lethal doses of the mpox virus. Both brincidofivir and cidofovir Interfering with enzymes Used by viruses to replicate their genome.

Another treatment, known as VIGIV, involves injecting people with smallpox with antibodies against smallpox taken from people who have had the smallpox vaccine, thus strengthening their immune response to the virus.

How effective is mpox treatment in humans?

Animal studies suggest that these treatments may be effective against MPOX, but their effectiveness in humans is unknown. Early results from a recent randomized controlled trial (best medical evidence) in the Democratic Republic of Congo suggest that tecovirimat does not accelerate the progression of MPOX. Healing of painful lesions in children and adults infected with lineage I variants of MPOX.

Nonetheless, the researchers found that the MPOX mortality rate for participants who received the antiviral drug was 1.7 percent, an improvement over the 3.6 percent mortality rate typically seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But this can be partly explained by the fact that participants in the trial received close care in hospital, Oriaro says.

Ultimately, better treatments and a better understanding of MPOX's lethality will be essential to protect people, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from the ongoing epidemic. Lucille Blumberg She is a researcher at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. “There's a lot of work to be done,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The “doomsday glacier” is melting at an alarming rate, putting Earth’s largest city in danger of flooding

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Considered one of West Antarctica’s most infamous glaciers, the “doomsday glacier” has earned its nickname due to the potentially significant rise in sea levels it could cause, ultimately reshaping coastlines. This glacier, known as Thwaites Glacier, is massive, the size of England and spanning 120km wide. It extends from the peak of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to the Amundsen Sea, where it reaches out onto an ice shelf.

Unfortunately, Thwaites Glacier is experiencing troubling changes, with a notable increase in ice loss over recent years as a consequence of climate change. The rate of ice loss has doubled in the past 30 years due to rising ocean temperatures, which lead to the melting of the ocean floor beneath the glacier. Warm water is being transported towards Thwaites, particularly deep below the ocean surface, contributing to this rapid ice loss. The land beneath West Antarctic glaciers is below sea level, and the sloping ocean floor means warmer waters can intrude underneath, eroding the glaciers and making them less stable.

A recent study revealed that Thwaites Glacier may be more susceptible than previously believed, with seawater surging beneath it for kilometers. The melting of glaciers, including Thwaites, could result in a significant rise in sea levels, potentially impacting coastal areas worldwide. Additionally, the collapse of Thwaites could trigger nearby glaciers to follow suit, further elevating global sea levels by more than three meters. This irreversible loss on human timescales would mark a critical “tipping point.”

Scientists are concerned about the potential collapse of Thwaites Glacier, as it could have disastrous consequences for sea levels and climate. Researchers are exploring strategies to adapt to these expected changes and protect coastal regions at risk of submersion. The costs of preparing for rising sea levels are substantial, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and adaptation. While sea level rise is inevitable, proactive measures can help mitigate its impact and protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems.

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Despite the impending challenges, scientists and experts emphasize the importance of courage and adaptation in the face of climate change. Dr. Caitlen Norton from the British Antarctic Survey stresses the need for resilience and preparedness to address the growing threat of rising sea levels. Adapting defenses, protecting coastal areas, and planning for future changes are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of climate change on coastal regions.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study finds that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate

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Earth’s Speed It’s getting warmer 2023 is the highest on record, beating last year’s astonishing 92%. Record-breaking heatwave Leading scientists have calculated that the cause is human.

A group of 57 scientists from around the world used UN-approved methods to investigate what’s behind it. Last year’s heatwaveThey said that even if the rate of warming has increased, they found no evidence of a significant acceleration of human-induced climate change beyond increased burning of fossil fuels.

Last year’s record temperatures were so extraordinary that scientists have been debating what’s behind the spike, whether climate change is accelerating or if other factors are at play.

“When we see the world accelerating or going through a major tipping point, things aren’t happening,” said Piers Forster, a climate scientist at the University of Leeds and lead author of the study. “Temperatures are rising and things are getting worse exactly as we predicted.”

A person sprays water at passersby on a hot summer day in Karachi, Pakistan on May 30, 2024.
Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images

This can mostly be explained by the buildup of carbon dioxide from increased fossil fuel use, he and his co-authors said.

Last year’s warming rate was 0.26C (0.47F) per decade, up from 0.25C (0.45F) the year before. Forster said that’s not a huge difference, but this year’s rate is the highest on record.

Still, outside scientists said the report paints a more alarming picture than ever before.

“While whether or not to tackle climate is a politically contentious issue, this report should remind people that it is actually a fundamentally life-saving choice,” said Andrea Dutton, a climate scientist at the University of Wisconsin who was not part of the international research team. “To me, that’s something worth fighting for.”

Ocean Beach in San Francisco during a heat wave warning in California on June 4, 2024.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The authors, who formed to provide an annual scientific update between major UN scientific assessments every seven to eight years, concluded that last year’s temperature was 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than the 1850-1900 average, of which 1.31 degrees was due to human activities. The remaining 8 percent of warming was Mainly due to El NiñoThese include natural, temporary warming in the central Pacific Ocean that changes weather around the world, as well as unusual warming along the Atlantic Ocean and other weather randomness.

Looking at longer time frames — decade-by-decade, which scientists prefer over annual periods — the world has warmed about 1.19 degrees Celsius (2.14 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, the report said. Earth System Science Data Journal found.

The report also says that if the world continues to burn coal, oil and natural gas, the planet is likely to reach a point within four and a half years where it will become unavoidable to cross internationally accepted warming thresholds. 1.5℃ (2.7℃) ).

Students experience extreme heat at an elementary school in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on May 7, 2024.
Chaidir Mahyudin/AFP via Getty Images

This is consistent with previous studies that project that if emissions trajectory remains unchanged, the planet will reach at least 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming by early 2029. While reaching 1.5 degrees may be years away, it seems inevitable once all the carbon is used, Forster said.

Scientists say that going over 1.5 degrees won’t mean the end of the world or humanity, but it will be pretty dire. Past UN Studies Large-scale changes to Earth’s ecosystems are expected to become more likely with a warming of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, ultimately resulting in the loss of the planet’s coral reefs, Arctic sea ice, plant and animal species, as well as more extreme and life-threatening weather events.

Last year’s temperature rise wasn’t just a minor spike — September was particularly unusual, said study co-author Sonia Seneviratne, head of the land climate dynamics department at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

A caged howler monkey receives treatment during a heatwave in Cunduacan, Mexico, on May 24, 2024. The heat was so severe that the monkey fell from a tree and died.
Jose Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images

Seneviratne said this year was at the higher end of the range but within expectations.

“If there was an acceleration, it would be even worse, perhaps a worst-case scenario, where the world would reach a tipping point,” Seneviratne said. “But what’s happening now is already very bad, and we’re already seeing big impacts. We’re in the middle of a crisis.”

Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Environmental Studies, and Zeke Hausfather, a global climate scientist at the University of Berkeley, neither of whom worked on the study, said they still see an acceleration in warming, which Hausfather noted is much faster than the 0.18 degrees Celsius (0.32 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade that occurred from 1970 to 2010.

Medical workers treat a dehydrated patient in Austin, Texas, 2023.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images file

The scientists Big increase in SeptemberHausfather called that “staggering.” Wednesday’s report didn’t find enough warming from other potential causes. It said that while reduced sulfur pollution from ships had some cooling effect on the atmosphere, that was offset last year by carbon particles released into the atmosphere by Canadian wildfires.

The report also noted that undersea volcanoes, which released huge amounts of heat-trapping water vapor into the atmosphere, also spewed cooling particles, with the two forces roughly cancelling each other out.

“The future is in our hands,” said Katherine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University and chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy. “It’s up to us, humans, not physicists, to decide how fast and how much the Earth will warm.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Report states Europe is experiencing the greatest rate of warming among all continents

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Europe is the continent experiencing the most rapid increase in temperature, with its temperatures rising at approximately twice the global average, as reported by two top climate watchdogs on Monday. This raises concerns about human health, glacier melting, and the impact on economic activity.

The World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations and the European Union’s climate change agency Copernicus jointly reported that the African continent has the potential to transition to renewable resources like wind, solar, and hydropower in response to the effects of climate change. There is an opportunity to develop specific strategies to accelerate action on climate change.

Last year, the European Climate Report stated that the continent generated 43% of its electricity from renewable sources, up from 36% the previous year. In Europe, more energy was produced from renewables than fossil fuels for the second consecutive year.

According to the report, the latest five-year average temperature shows Europe to be currently 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, compared to the global temperature being 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer. This is just below the target set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Firefighters and volunteers extinguish a burning field during a forest fire in Salonida, Greece, July 17, 2023.
Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg from Getty Images File

“Europe has continued to face rising temperatures and extreme weather events this year, including heat stress from record temperatures, wildfires, heatwaves, glacier ice loss, and inadequate snowfall,” said Elisabeth Hamdoush, Deputy Division Chief of the EU Executive Director Copernicus.

This report complements the World Meteorological Organization’s flagship State of the World Climate Report, which has been published annually for 30 years and this year issued a “Red Alert” warning that the world is not taking sufficient action to combat the effects of global warming.

In March, Copernicus reported achieving a record for 10 consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures. According to a European report, the average sea surface temperature across oceans in Europe is expected to reach its highest annual level in 2023.

This year’s European report focuses on the impact of high temperatures on human health, noting a rise in heat-related deaths across the continent. Over 150 lives were directly lost due to storms, floods, and wildfires last year.

Economic losses related to weather and climate in 2023 are estimated to exceed 13.4 billion euros (around $14.3 billion).

Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus, stated, “In 2023, hundreds of thousands of people will be affected by extreme weather events causing significant damage at a continental level, with an estimated cost of at least tens of billions of euros.” “It’s been done,” he said.

The report highlights that extreme weather conditions have led to heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods. High temperatures are causing the reduction of glaciers on continents, including the Alps, where about 10% of glaciers have been lost over the past two years. Glacier ice has been declining.

Nevertheless, the authors of the report pointed out some exceptions, such as Scandinavia and Iceland, where temperatures were below average despite above-average mercury concentrations across much of the continent.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Giant Sequoia Trees are Thriving at an Exceptional Rate in the UK

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Giant Sequoia, Wakehurst, West Sussex, UK

Visual Air/RBG Cue

Giant sequoia trees are thriving in the UK, growing at a similar rate to the tree’s homeland of California.

Giant sequoias that can reach up to 90 meters in height (Sequoiadendron giganteum), also known as the Giant Sequoia, is one of the tallest trees in the world. This coniferous species is endemic to California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, but only 80,000 individuals remain there, largely due to frequent and destructive wildfires.

Approximately 500,000 giant sequoias have been planted in Britain since the 19th century. “Giant sequoias are widely cultivated in the UK” matthias disney At University College London. “They’re incredibly majestic and obviously very attractive to people.”

To understand how trees grow on this side of the pond, Disney and his colleagues analyzed 97 trees taken from groves in Scotland and southeastern England.

The team used a laser scanner to map each tree in 3D to precisely determine its height and width and estimate its weight.

The tallest tree was in Scotland and was just under 55 meters tall. Disney says this is not surprising as the earliest record of giant sequoias being planted in the UK is in Scotland.

The trees also appear to be growing as fast as California trees, absorbing an average of 85 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

“It’s very fast,” Disney says. “Instead of oak trees having to wait 150 years to reach maturity, giant sequoias can grow in less than 50 years.”

He says the healthy growth rate may be due to Britain’s relatively stable climate. “We’re not threatened by a lack of rainfall or an increase in fires like California is.”

Giant sequoias grow quickly and absorb carbon, but Disney warns against planting them en masse to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

“Of course trees can help absorb a little bit of carbon dioxide, but that process takes time and requires a lot of wood,” he says. “It is better to protect what already exists and rapidly reduce fossil fuel consumption now.”

Disney and his colleagues want to study how the invasive redwoods are affecting local trees and other wildlife. “At the moment, all the sequoias here are planted, so we’re also very interested in seeing if they can propagate here.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Pregnancy Strap that Monitors Heart Rate Could Forecast Preterm Birth

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Scientists used fitness tracker WHOOP to monitor heart rate during pregnancy

Oops

Wearing a wrist-strap heart rate tracker during pregnancy may help doctors predict who is at risk for premature birth.

In previous research, shon rowan Researchers at West Virginia University recruited 18 women to wear heart-tracking wrist straps from the brand WHOOP throughout their pregnancies.

They were all born at term, and tracking data showed that heart rate variability (the variation in the time interval between heartbeats) decreased clearly during the first 33 weeks of pregnancy, and then steadily increased until birth. It became clear.

Rowan was curious to see if the same pattern occurred in people who give birth prematurely. Emily Capodilupo A larger study is being conducted at WHOOP in Boston, Massachusetts. They and colleagues analyzed tracker data provided by 241 pregnant women between the ages of 23 and 47 in the United States and 15 other countries. It is unclear whether this data includes data for transgender men.

All participants were pregnant with one child born between March 2021 and October 2022. In total, more than 24,000 heart rate variability records were provided.

Similar to the previous study, those who gave birth at term showed an obvious switch in heart rate variability around 33 weeks of gestation, or an average of seven weeks before delivery.

However, the 8.7% who were born prematurely had much less consistent patterns of heart rate variability, Rowan said. This change from decrease to increase in variability occurred at different times during pregnancy, but similar to those born at term, the change occurred on average about 7 weeks before birth, although the birth was premature. It seemed like there was.

In the future, the device could identify pregnancies that require closer monitoring or benefit from administering drugs such as steroids to help the fetus' lungs develop, Rowan said.

You can also plan to stay near hospitals that provide specialized care, which can be especially helpful for people who live in remote areas, he says.

“Once we are able to remotely monitor some of their health using things like the WHOOP tracker, and we start to see changes in that. [in heart rate variability]Then you might be able to be a little more proactive,” says Rowan.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Major Banks Foresee Significant Interest Rate Reductions – Stay Updated with Blockchain News, Expert Opinions, and Job Opportunities in the Financial Sector.

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Strategists at UBS investment bank expect a significant interest rate cut by the US central bank, which is seen as bullish for Bitcoin. UBS said falling inflation could prompt the U.S. central bank (Federal Reserve) to start cutting interest rates as early as March. This development is perceived as very positive for Bitcoin, especially considering recent economic indicators.

US inflation slows significantly, eliminating bets on further Fed rate hikes

Recent data reveals slowing U.S. inflation, extinguishing hopes for further rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. The consumer price index stalled in October, with the core index rising 0.2%. Those numbers have led traders to push back when they expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to make its first move to cut interest rates.

This change in expectations is consistent with UBS’s prediction of a significant interest rate cut, creating a supportive backdrop for Bitcoin in the following ways:

Reduced opportunity cost: As traditional interest rates decline and expectations of further rate hikes fade, the opportunity cost of holding Bitcoin also decreases. This could make Bitcoin more attractive to investors looking for alternative assets.

Inflation hedge: As inflation slows, investors could turn to assets like Bitcoin, which some see as a hedge against inflation. The scarcity and decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies could make them an attractive store of value in an environment of reduced inflationary pressures.

Market speculation: Revisions to the Fed’s rate hike outlook could spark speculative activity in financial markets. Bitcoin’s higher return potential and its characteristic volatility may attract traders looking for opportunities in a changing interest rate landscape.

Macroeconomic uncertainty: Recent economic data, coupled with revised Fed rate hike expectations, may signal broader economic uncertainty. In times like these, Bitcoin’s role as a decentralized and non-traditional asset is likely to become more prominent as investors seek to escape market volatility.

This combination of factors, with the potential for increased demand and favorable market sentiment, is reinforcing Bitcoin’s positive outlook.

Source: the-blockchain.com