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Study finds Liches are resilient to simulated Mars atmosphere exposure

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According to a new study from the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, certain lichen species can withstand a 50 Gy (gray) Mars-like condition expected at a 50 Gy (gray) X-ray radiation dose of strong solar activity over a year on the surface of Mars.

Morphological and anatomical properties of Setoria Acleatta (a,d,g,j) and diploschistes muscorum (B, C, E, F, H, I, K, L).

Liches live in a wide variety of ecosystems around the world, but are especially important in extreme environments such as hot deserts and cold polar regions.

They are known as extremes and can survive under extreme temperatures, intense radiation, and prolonged water shortages.

The prominent ability of lichens to withstand harsh conditions led to the suggestion that it is suitable for survival in extreme environments of outer space.

The successful life strategy of lichen depends on the symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, allowing them to colonize extreme terrestrial habitats where other multicellular organisms cannot survive.

The key to understanding their impressive resistance lies in the “stress tolerant” organisms, namely the characteristics of low nutritional requirements for metabolic rates and extended lifespans. These are further supported by radiation screening, heat dissipation and antioxidant protection.

Moreover, they can even deal with long periods of water shortage and total lack of liquid water.

This is associated with a lack of ability to regulate moisture content, allowing long-term, severe dryness without damage from dormant states, but can withstand high levels of UV/photosynthetic active radiation and extreme temperatures associated with drought conditions.

Mars is the main focus of interest in astrobiology due to the presence of water and the related possibilities of life.

The current atmospheric conditions on Mars keep people at bay, and the potential habitat for existing living is limited.

Nevertheless, during more favorable climate times, habitable environments may be present below or on the surface.

These niches can serve as isolated habitats that protect against harsh conditions.

The atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide (95%), but the effectiveness of greenhouse warming is limited.

Mars’ temperature is mainly below the freezing point of water, with atmospheric pressure of 6 mbar.

As a result, a significant portion of Mars’ existing water is ice and atmospheric water vapor. However, certain amounts of water may be present temporarily as liquid water.

Both ionizing radiation and deindependence always reach the surface of Mars and pass through the Mars atmosphere much easier than Earth.

This factor is most restrictive in the Martian habitability context, as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation are very harmful to living things.

“In our study, lichen symbiotic fungal partners remained metabolically active when exposed to atmospheric conditions like Mars in the dark, including the expected X-ray radiation levels on Mars, which are expected to have strong solar activity over a year.”

In their study, the authors focused on two lichen species, diploschistes muscorum and Setoria Acleattaselected for different properties and exposed to Mars-like conditions for 5 hours in simulations of planetary atmosphere composition, pressure, temperature variation, and X-ray radiation.

The findings suggest particularly lichens diploschistes muscorumdespite the high doses of X-ray radiation associated with solar flares and energy particles reaching the surface of the planet, it can survive on Mars.

These results challenge the assumption that ionizing radiation is an insurmountable barrier to Mars’ life and set the stages of further research into the possibilities of extraterrestrial microorganisms and symbiotic survival.

“Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of fungal partners in lichen symbiosis remains active while in an environment similar to the Martian surface,” Dr. Sukibauwa said.

“We found it diploschistes muscorum It was able to carry out metabolic processes and effectively activate the defense mechanism. ”

“These findings expand our understanding of biological processes under simulated Mars conditions and reveal how hydrates respond to ionized radiation.

“Ultimately, this study will deepen our knowledge of the adaptation of lichens and the possibility of colonizing the extraterrestrial environment.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal IMA bacteria.

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K.Skubała et al. 2025. Ionized Radiation Resilience: How metabolically active lichens endure simulated exposure to the Martian atmosphere. IMA bacteria 16:E145477; doi:10.3897/imafungus.16.145477

Source: www.sci.news

Resilient bacteria discovered thriving in microwave ovens

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Microwaves heat food but don't necessarily kill bacteria

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Microwaves in homes, offices, and laboratories harbor a surprising variety of bacteria.

Microwaves are widely used to heat food and sterilize samples, but the radiation they emit is non-ionizing and does not damage biological molecules. Microwaves heat objects by vibrating water molecules, but bacteria are only killed if a high enough temperature is reached.

However, repeated heating and drying processes meant that microwaves were considered to be a difficult environment for microorganisms to survive.

Alba Iglesias Researchers from the University of Valencia in Spain sampled 30 microwaves: 10 from private kitchens, 10 from shared kitchens such as corporate centers, scientific laboratories and cafeterias, and 10 from molecular biology and microbiology laboratories.

In total, the researchers found 747 different genera of bacteria within 25 bacterial phyla, with diversity lowest in domestic microwave ovens and highest in laboratory devices.

Many of the bacteria found in shared and single-family home microwaves overlapped and were similar to bacteria commonly found on people's hands and elsewhere in the kitchen, but the bacteria found in the lab, where no food is cooked, were more unique, resembling the microbiomes found in extremely dry, hot and irradiated environments, such as solar panels.

The researchers found that some of the bacteria found in household microwave ovens include: Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Aeromonaswhich could pose a risk to human health. But the microbial populations found on microwaves do not pose any unique or increased risk compared with other common kitchen surfaces, the researchers said. The researchers did not respond to requests for an interview.

Belinda Ferrari A researcher from the University of New South Wales in Australia says she's not at all surprised that researchers found bacteria that can live in microwaves. “Bacteria can survive almost any extreme exposure and can adapt to anything,” she says.

Ferrari recommends regularly cleaning your microwave with a disinfectant: “Some microwaves in workplaces are filthy and no one cleans them,” she says.

She would like to see more detailed information about when microwaves were last cleaned in her research: “If we were to do this experiment, we would also like to study the biome before and after cleaning,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Is the climate resilient enough to handle the escalating energy needs of the AI arms race?

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The rise of artificial intelligence has propelled the stock prices of major tech companies to new heights, but this growth has come at the expense of the industry’s environmental efforts.

Google recently admitted that AI technology poses a challenge to its sustainability objectives. The company disclosed that its data centers, crucial for its AI infrastructure, have caused a 48% increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. Google cited “significant uncertainties” in achieving its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030, particularly due to the complex and unpredictable environmental impacts of AI.

As the tech industry races ahead with AI advancements, the question arises: can technology mitigate the environmental impact of AI, or will the pursuit of cutting-edge innovation overshadow these concerns?

Why is AI a threat to tech companies’ environmental goals?

Data centers play a critical role in developing and operating AI models like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT-4. These centers house complex computing equipment that require substantial electricity, leading to CO2 emissions both from energy sources and the manufacturing processes involved. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers are projected to double their electricity consumption by 2026, equivalent to Japan’s energy demand. Additionally, studies suggest that AI’s water consumption could reach significant levels by 2027, potentially straining resources equivalent to England’s annual consumption.

What do experts say about the environmental impact?

Government-sponsored reports in the UK have highlighted the importance of energy sources in determining the environmental cost of technology. Some experts caution that the reliance on fossil-fuel-powered energy sources for training AI models remains a significant challenge. While tech companies are increasing their use of renewable energy to meet sustainability goals, concerns persist that the lack of clean energy may push other users towards fossil fuels.

Alex de Vries, founder of Digiconomist, notes the dual challenge of rising energy consumption in AI and the struggle to secure sustainable energy sources.

Will there be enough renewable energy?

Global efforts to triple renewable energy resources by the end of the decade face challenges due to surging energy demands from AI data centers. The International Energy Agency warns that current plans may only double renewable energy capacity by 2030, potentially impacting climate goals.

Technology companies may need to invest heavily in new renewable energy projects to meet the escalating electricity needs driven by AI.

How quickly can new renewable energy projects be built?

While renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms can be developed relatively quickly, bureaucratic hurdles and grid connectivity issues can delay the process for years. The pace of building offshore wind and hydroelectric schemes faces similar challenges, posing concerns about whether renewable energy can keep up with the expansion of AI.

The reliance on existing low-carbon sources by tech companies may divert clean energy away from other users, potentially increasing fossil fuel consumption to meet growing demands.

Will AI’s power demands keep growing?

The escalating energy needs of AI systems could lead to higher energy costs, prompting cost-saving measures in the industry. However, the competitive landscape and the push for cutting-edge AI technologies may result in excessive electricity consumption despite rising costs.

The pursuit of state-of-the-art AI systems has fueled a “winner takes all” mentality among tech giants, compelling heavy investments in the development of advanced AI. The pressure to remain at the forefront of AI innovation, including the race towards achieving AGI, threatens to escalate energy consumption and costs.

Despite advancements in AI efficiency, the industry’s drive for innovation may offset potential energy savings, akin to the economic concept known as “Jevons’ Paradox.”

Won’t AI companies learn to use less electricity?

While AI breakthroughs continue to enhance efficiency, the industry’s relentless pursuit of cutting-edge models may counteract potential energy savings. The growth in AI capabilities does not necessarily translate to reduced energy consumption, leading to a paradox similar to historical instances of technological advancements increasing use rather than conserving resources.

Source: www.theguardian.com

English oaks are resilient to warming temperatures, whereas other trees may falter

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English oak trees may be more tolerant of warm climates than other species

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English oak trees are expected to form the basis of future reforestation projects and timber plantations in Europe, as one of the only native species flexible enough to withstand the rapid climate change expected in the next century. It will be done.

European forests are a mix of different tree species, all of which have been able to withstand local climate fluctuations for hundreds of years.

But climate change means that trees planted today, for example for tree plantations and timber plantations, must be able to withstand both current conditions and those of a warmer world in 2100.

Johannes Wessely Professors at the University of Vienna in Austria studied 69 of Europe's most common tree species to assess how well they meet this challenge.

English oak (Quercus serrata) is one of the only species assessed as suitable to thrive under current and future conditions across many regions, Wesley says. Importantly, he says, English oak is “very important for timber production, carbon storage and biodiversity” and is suitable for all types of reforestation projects across Europe.

However, European beech (Beech), you will have a hard time. Many places where European beech was planted and would grow today will be unsuitable later this century, but many areas where beech could grow later this century would be climatically unsuitable today. Research has revealed this.

Overall, the researchers found that depending on the rate of climate change, the average number of tree species per square kilometer that can survive continuously until 2100 could fall by a third to half. discovered.

This means that some forests in Europe consist of only a few tree species and may lack the diversity and resilience of mixed forests.

Wessely said the discovery means “we should be very careful about what we plant today, because it will shape our future forests and their future.”

He suggests that conservationists may even need to replant woodlands with fresh species later this century to ensure that forests can thrive beyond 2100.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Black British entrepreneurs face challenges but remain resilient

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Black founders in the UK are also seeing the effects of winter on their ventures.

According to one study, black founders in the UK have raised just 0.95% of all venture funding allocated in the country so far this year (or just $165 million out of about $17.3 billion). new report Written by Extend Ventures. 2023 would then be a year in the making, compared to 2022, when such founders raised 1.02% of all domestic venture investments ($316 million out of $30.88 billion), and 2022, when such founders raised 1.13% ($40 billion) of all domestic venture investments. This will be later than in 2021, when $454 million of the $30 million was allocated.

There has been a clear and consistent decline since 2020, when George Floyd was murdered, and global support and pressure to support Black communities has increased. The downward trend in the proportion of investments allocated to black founders is likely due to the venture recession of the past two years.

George Windsor, a data and research strategist who worked on the report, said black people make up 2.5% of the UK population and being properly represented in the venture ecosystem means they receive at least 2.5% of funding. will go to black-led businesses, he said.

Still, the achievement rate is 0.95% compared to 10 years ago, showing that progress is being made.

For example, just 0.28% of black UK founders raised venture funding in 2019, 0.23% in 2018 and 0.38% in 2017. According to Extend Ventures, between 2009 and 2019, only 38 Black founders were able to raise venture funding. In Japan. That number is now 80.

Even black women are doing better. Between 2009 and 2019, Extend discovered only the following: One Black women have raised more than $1 million in venture funding. Between 2019 and 2023, eight women did so.

Windsor said this progress is due to a myriad of factors, including “the growing awareness of racism, discrimination and inequality sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement and the killing of George Floyd.”

Extend co-founder Tom Adeyoola told TechCrunch that it also helps that there is less backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the UK compared to the US.

“The UK values ​​slow and steady reform, rather than consequential, hollow, haphazard action. The desire for change here is deep-rooted and focused on systemic action. ” he said. “That said, if you look for anti-DEI rhetoric, you can find it in discussions and newspaper headlines about removing these roles from the civil service. I don’t know if it’s getting the public’s attention as we continue to highlight how much loss of growth is hurting the economy due to bias.”

The Extend report also found that although women of color still face challenges entering the industry, there has been a 100% increase in the rate of people from minority backgrounds becoming investors. It was also revealed that

Earlier this year, the UK Treasury Select Committee acknowledged the lack of investment in minorities and women in technology and looked at ways to increase investment.

Maintaining this momentum will require new initiatives and strengthening of existing ones, Adeyola said. “The data shows that it is very important to track cohorts and understand which companies receive funding beyond the early stages,” he said. “We need to make sure that appropriate measures are in place at the level of following companies.”

Source: techcrunch.com