Inouye Solar Telescope Reveals Unmatched Detail in Coronal Flare Loop

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing a visible broadband imager at NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope captured an extraordinary coronal loop strand during the attenuation phase of the X1.3 class flare on August 8, 2024. This discovery heralds a significant advancement in determining the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops, advancing flare modeling into a groundbreaking territory.

High-resolution image of flares from the Inouye Solar Telescope, taken at 8:12 UT on August 2024. The image shows approximately four earth diamonds on each side. Labels for various related regions of the image are added to clarify: flare ribbons (bright regions of energy emissions in the dense low solar atmosphere) and arcades of coronal loops (arcs of magnetic field lines that transport energy from the corona to the flare ribbons). Image credit: NSF/NSO/AURA.

Coronal loops are plasma arches that follow solar magnetic field lines and often precede solar flares, which release massive amounts of energy tied to some of these lines.

This energy burst ignites solar storms that can impact Earth’s vital infrastructure.

Inouye astronomers observe sunlight at the H-Alpha wavelength (656.28 nm) to reveal specific solar features that remain hidden in other forms of solar observation.

“A lot of effort has gone into understanding this domain,” noted Dr. Cole Tamburi, an astronomer from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

“These flares represent some of the most energetic occurrences in our stars, and we were fortunate to capture this under ideal observational conditions.”

Dr. Tamburi and his team concentrated on the thin magnetic field loops resembling razors, woven over the flared ribbons.

On average, the loops measured around 48 km in width, although some results were limited by the telescope’s resolution.

“Before Inouye, I could only envision what this scale might look like,” remarked Dr. Tamburi.

“Now we can witness it in reality. These are the tiniest coronal loops observed on the sun.”

Inouye’s Visible Broadband Imager (VBI) tuned to the H-Alpha filter can resolve features down to 24 km.

This resolution is more than twice as sharp as that of the next best solar telescope, making this discovery possible.

“It’s one thing to theorize about a telescope’s capabilities,” commented Dr. Maria Kazachenko, PhD, from the University of Colorado Boulder.

“It’s invigorating to see those theories validated in practice.”

Initially, the research plan involved investigating the dynamics of chromospheric spectral lines using Inouye’s Visible Spectrometer (VISP). However, VBI data uncovered an unexpected treasure: an intricate coronal structure that can directly enhance flare models built with complex radiative hydrodynamic codes.

“We set out to find one thing and stumbled upon something even more intriguing,” Dr. Kazachenko stated.

The prevailing theory suggested that coronal loops could range from 10 to 100 km in width, but verifying this observationally had been challenging.

“We are finally gaining insight into the spatial scales we have long speculated about,” Dr. Tamburi explained.

“This paves the way for examining not just size, but shape, evolution, and even the scales where magnetic reconnection—the engine behind flares—occurs.”

Perhaps the most exciting implication is that these loops might be fundamental structures, core components of flare architecture.

“In that scenario, we wouldn’t just be mapping out clusters of loops; for the first time, we’re analyzing individual loops,” Dr. Tamburi added.

“It’s akin to observing a forest and suddenly recognizing all the trees.”

The image itself is stunning. A radiant arcade crowned with dark, thread-like loops, vibrant flared ribbons marked with strikingly sharp contours—ascending triangular patterns near the center and arc-shaped formations at the top.

“Even casual observers will soon recognize its complexity,” Dr. Tamburi remarked.

“This represents a landmark moment in solar science.”

“We are finally observing the sun at a scale that makes sense.”

The team’s paper will be published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.

____

Cole A. Tumburi et al. 2025. Revealing unprecedented microstructure in coronal flare loops using DKIST. apjl in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADF95E

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Moon Reveals Uranus Has the Smallest Orbit of Its Kind

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have identified a new moon nestled among the 28 others near Uranus.

NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI, M. ELMOU

A recently discovered, faint moon orbits Uranus, bringing its total count to 29. Several of the other moons of this gas giant bear names from the works of William Shakespeare, and there are discussions among scientists about which character will inspire the new moon’s name.

The moon was uncovered by a team led by Maryame El Moutamid from the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, utilizing 10 long-exposure infrared images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on February 2 this year.

For now, the moon is temporarily designated as S/2025 U 1. However, it is likely to receive a name aligned with the tradition of naming Uranus’ moons after characters from Shakespeare’s plays, a convention established since the discovery of Titania and Oberon, the planet’s first two moons, in 1787.

All proposed names for newly discovered moons must receive approval from the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the authoritative body responsible for assigning names and designations to celestial objects. Mark Showalter from the Seti Institute, who is part of the research team and an avid theater enthusiast, mentioned that while there hasn’t been any discussion on candidates yet, it’s certainly an intriguing proposition.

Showalter described the challenge of detecting such a small, dim moon, comparing it to “trying to see a fly while staring directly at the headlights of a car.” He expressed admiration for the James Webb telescope’s sensitivity, which far exceeds that of any telescope that has come before it.

There is optimism for more moons to be discovered around Uranus, as Showalter remarked, “We certainly haven’t completed our observations.” He believes it’s reasonable to propose that additional satellites exist, particularly those that may influence the ring system.

El Moutamid pointed out that the clarity of Uranus’ rings suggests there could be more undiscovered moons associated with their formation. “Perhaps there are more waiting to be identified,” she added. Some could be uncovered by the JWST, while others may be detected by a proposed Uranus orbiter and probe mission targeted for 2044. “There likely are many very small moons that remain invisible due to the limitations of current observational methods,” she said.

The S/2025 U1 is estimated to measure around 10 km in diameter, rendering it too small to be captured by cameras on the Voyager 2 probe, which launched in 1977 and passed Uranus in 1986, coming within around 81,500 kilometers. To date, it remains the closest encounter with Uranus by any spacecraft from Earth.

The new moon resides at the inner edge of Uranus’ rings, situated approximately 56,250 kilometers from the center of the planet’s equatorial plane, fitting between the orbits of the moons Ophelia and Bianca.

NASA oversees the JWST’s “General Observer” program, which allows researchers worldwide to propose observation targets that require one of the telescope’s advanced sensors. El Moutamid dedicated time to studying Uranus’ rings using the JWST’s Nircam Instrument (a high-resolution infrared sensor), which ultimately led to the discovery of this new moon.

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James Webb Space Telescope

Source: www.newscientist.com

What Déjà Vu (or Its Absence) Reveals About Your Brain Health

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

If you think we’ve already asked, do you know precisely what Déjà Vu is? If you’re among the wise, you’ll say it’s a peculiar sensation that you’ve experienced something before.

However, many neuroscientists argue that this definition lacks a touch of the enigmatic. Experts like Dr. Akira O’Connor, a Senior Psychology Lecturer at St Andrews University, indicates that Déjà Vu (French for ‘already seen’) is not just a friendly notion but also a metacognitive perception where these feelings can be misleading.

“Déjà Vu essentially represents a conflict between the perception of familiarity and the realization that something feels incorrectly familiar. This deception makes Déjà Vu unique compared to other memory occurrences,” he explains.

“Most healthy individuals recognize a sense of familiarity but do not tend to alter their behavior, even when they know something feels logically off.”

So, what occurs in the brain during Déjà Vu? And why do some individuals experience this phenomenon more frequently than others? Dive into the complete guide below for more insight.

What Does Neuroscience Say About Déjà Vu?

Sadly, as far as we understand, 60% of individuals report having experienced Déjà Vu at least once in their lifetime, so there’s more to it than mere glitches in the matrix.

However, neuroscientists have determined that this memory illusion does not signify an unhealthy brain. Far from a memory error, it is more about the brain’s functions. According to O’Connor, Déjà Vu surfaces when the frontal lobe attempts to rectify inaccurate memories.

“For most individuals, experiencing Déjà Vu is likely a positive sign that the brain regions responsible for factual checks are functioning effectively and preventing misremembering events.

“In healthy individuals, such false memories can emerge daily due to the complexity of memory involving millions and billions of neurons. It’s quite intricate,” he states.

Regrettably, there isn’t a universally accepted model that clarifies what transpires in the brain during Déjà Vu. Nevertheless, most leading theories converge on the idea that Déjà Vu arises when a brain area (like the temporal lobe) provides the frontal region with signals that past experiences are being replayed.

“Afterward, the decision-making region at the front checks if this signal aligns with reality. It’s essentially asking, ‘Have I been here before?'”

“If you have actually been in that location before, you might strive to recall more memories. Otherwise, the realization of Déjà Vu kicks in.”

Why Do Some Individuals Experience Déjà Vu More Frequently?

O’Connor estimates that the average healthy person feels Déjà Vu around once a month, but certain factors can heighten the chances of feeling this sensation.

First, your level of fatigue and stress plays a significant role. “When your brain is exhausted, it hasn’t had the chance to recover and regulate itself. Consequently, your neurons may be slightly misaligned, making you more prone to experiencing Déjà Vu,” he explains.

Research also highlights the connection between dopamine (a well-known mood-enhancing neurotransmitter) and Déjà Vu.

“Dopamine is what we label as an excitatory neurotransmitter. When discussing brain areas that signal familiarity, there’s a dopaminergic influence on those neurons, indicating dopamine’s involvement,” O’Connor adds.

“This might explain why recreational drugs, which affect dopaminergic activity, frequently lead to experiences of Déjà Vu.”

©Getty

There are additional factors as well. Have you ever wondered why your Déjà Vu experiences have diminished? According to rigorous scientific studies, it could be because you’re inadvertently a step ahead.

“Unfortunately, like many memory phenomena, it is a natural consequence of aging, and you might not be capable of noticing the discrepancies,” O’Connor clarifies.

“It’s intriguing to observe that younger individuals frequently experience more Déjà Vu. Older adults are generally expected to have more memory issues; however, this generally results from them having heightened excitatory activity in their brains.

“When I embarked on my research into Déjà Vu nearly 20 years ago, I experienced it regularly, but now it’s much less frequent!”

Is Déjà Vu Ever Unhealthy?

Now that we know Déjà Vu is a healthy cognitive mechanism—far from dangerous—what if you find yourself experiencing it constantly? What could it mean if all new encounters feel familiar?

Interestingly, this can happen to some individuals. “In Finland, there are intriguing cases of individuals who have taken a combination of flu medications known to overly stimulate certain dopamine neurons.

“They found it particularly fascinating and continued taking those medications for a while.

However, not everyone can afford to step back from this existential déjà vu. Those who suffer from ‘Déjà vécu’ (French for ‘already experienced’) have an ongoing sensation of having already undergone their current situation. Essentially, nothing feels novel to them.

“What’s particularly captivating about individuals with Déjà vécu is that they often lose their ability to fact-check these feelings. Many cease watching television because they feel they’ve already seen every episode,” O’Connor observes.

“It sounds fascinating and innovative, but it’s genuinely distressing because it can often occur in individuals with dementia and may signal worsening degeneration.”

Explore More About Memory Science:

Déjà Vu: Jamais Vu is another curious phenomenon of similarity. It refers to the inability to recognize familiar scenarios logically. Though often linked with amnesia, it goes beyond mere memory lapses.

“This isn’t a typical form of forgetfulness,” O’Connor elaborates. “When you recognize a task at hand but are puzzled because you can’t identify something familiar. The crucial aspect is the perception element. You recognize that feeling as being fundamentally incorrect.”

“It occurs more frequently than Déjà Vu, yet likewise tends to happen when individuals are fatigued and is more common among younger people than older adults.”

Some laboratory experiments appear to induce Jamais Vu in participants. For instance, one study from the University of Leeds instructed 93 participants to write down the word ‘door’ as many times as possible within two minutes.

At the end of the interval, more than 70% of subjects questioned whether the word “door” was spelled correctly, even though it was entirely accurate.—despite their logical comprehension of it.

What’s particularly intriguing about this study is that it can be replicated anywhere. So, if you have two minutes and a pen handy, we encourage you to repeat after us: door, door, door, door, door…

About Our Expert – Dr. Akira O’Connor

Akira O’Connor is a senior lecturer at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at St. Andrews University. His primary focus is on how memories influence decision-making and how we perceive them.

Discover more about memory and the brain:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Hubble Space Telescope Reveals Stunning New Images of NGC 2835

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has unveiled a stunning new image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing the nearby Spiral Galaxy NGC 2835.

This Hubble image depicts NGC 2835, a spiral galaxy approximately 35 million light years away in the Hydra constellation. Image credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble/R. Chandar/J. Lee/Phangs-HST team.

NGC 2835 is a mid-spiral galaxy located about 35 million light years from Earth, situated in the southern Hydra constellation.

Commonly referred to as ESO 564-35, Leda 26259, and UGCA 157, this galaxy spans roughly 65,000 light years, which is just over half the size of our Milky Way.

Wilhelm Tempel, a German astronomer, discovered NGC 2835 on April 13, 1884.

This galaxy holds significance as the most prominent member of the NGC 2835 group, a small cluster that includes ESO 497-035 and ESO 565-001.

Notably, NGC 2835 harbors a supermassive black hole, estimated to have a mass between 3 to 10 million solar masses.

“The last Hubble image of this galaxy was published in 2020,” remarked Hubble astronomers in a statement.

“Is there any difference between today’s image of NGC 2835 and the earlier version?”

“Overall, NGC 2835 appears quite similar in both images, with the spiral arm showcasing young blue stars surrounding the oval core populated by older stars.”

“The new image stands out because it incorporates fresh data from Hubble, capturing red light at a specific wavelength known as H-Alpha.”

“The bright regions highlighted by H-alpha are visible along the spiral arm of NGC 2835, where a vibrant pink nebula gives an impression of blooming flowers.”

“H-Alpha light indicates the presence of various types of nebulae, each occurring at different phases of stellar evolution.”

“While massive, young stars create nebulae known as H II regions, a significant source of H-alpha light, dying stars can leave behind supernova remnants or planetary nebulae that can also be identified by H-alpha emissions.”

“Our goal is to identify over 50,000 nebulae using Hubble’s advanced equipment to explore 19 nearby galaxies.”

“These observations aid in understanding how stars influence their birth environments through intense starlight and stellar winds.”

Source: www.sci.news

The Unusual Microbial Alliance Reveals the Evolution of Complex Life

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Stromatolites are rock-like structures formed by bacteria in shallow water

Lkonya/Shutterstock

SEI 262018132 — Stromatolites are rock-like structures formed by bacteria in shallow water

Lkonya/Shutterstock

Microorganisms in the remote bays of Western Australia are interconnected through tiny tubes, suggesting early stages of complex life evolution.

In Shark Bay, known by the Indigenous name Gathaagudu, microbes create slimy, multi-layered assemblages called microbial mats. This challenging environment, buffeted by tidal shifts and temperature fluctuations, has fostered bacterial communities alongside another single-celled organism known as Archaea, which have thrived here for tens of thousands of years. These microorganisms often coexist symbiotically, forming layered sedimentary structures known as stromatolites.

“The mats develop under hypersaline conditions with elevated UV levels. It withstands cyclones. Despite facing numerous threats, they persist,” comments Brendan Burns from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

He posits that these contemporary microbial communities may resemble those that existed billions of years ago when complex life first emerged. This evolution might have been driven by a mutual dependence between bacteria and Archaea, leading to the formation of more complex cells known as eukaryotes.

Burns and his team returned some of these microbial mat communities to the lab to cultivate the organisms in high-salinity, low-oxygen conditions.

They successfully cultured only one type of bacterium, stromatodesulfovibrio nilemahensis, and a newly identified archaeon named Nearachaeum marumarumayae, a member of the Asgard Archaea group. These archaeal bacteria, named after the gods’ abode in Norse mythology, are regarded as the closest relatives to the eukaryotic cells that comprise the bodies of animals, plants, and humans.

According to team members, “These organisms seem to directly interact and share nutrients,” states Iain Duggin of the Sydney Institute of Technology. Although there is no direct evidence yet, the complete genomic sequence obtained allows for speculation regarding the metabolic processes of both organisms.

The genomic analysis indicated that bacteria synthesize amino acids and vitamins, while the Archaea produce hydrogen and various compounds, such as acetic and sulfuric acids. Both sets of products are unique, indicating a dependency on each other.

The researchers also observed indications of direct interaction between the two species. “We have observed what we refer to as nanotubes,” notes Duggin. “These microscopic tubes, seemingly produced by bacteria, establish direct connections to the surface of the Asgard cells.”

3D reconstruction based on electron microscope images showing cell membranes of Archaeon (blue) and bacteria (green), with nanotubes (pink) between them

Dr. Matthew D. Johnson, Bindusmita Paul, Durin C. Shepherd et al.

In addition to their interactions, the Archaeon cells generate vesicle chains that resemble SAC-like structures utilized for transporting molecules along extracellular fibers. Duggin notes that these nano-sized vesicles appear to engage with the nanotubes formed by the bacteria.

“While nanotubes may be too slender for conduits, they facilitate a type of multicellular binding that enhances resource sharing,” asserts Duggin.

The researchers identified a protein similar to human muscle proteins, a genomic sequence coding for a previously unknown protein, and a protein consisting of about 5,500 amino acids, which is substantial for ancient species. “While I can’t claim it’s directly connected to human muscle proteins, it suggests that their evolutionary origins may trace back much further,” says team member Kate Mischey from the University of New South Wales.

“What fascinates me most are the direct connections formed by nanotubes between bacteria and archaea,” comments purilópez-garcía from Parisa Clay University, France. “Such interactions have not been documented in prior cultures.”

However, discerning the exact behaviors of bacteria and Archaea is challenging, remarks Buzz Baum from the MRC Institute of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK. “It’s a complex relationship of conflict and cooperation,” he notes. “They interact, share, and sometimes clash, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of each other’s presence.”

Duggin believes the prevalent dynamic is more cooperative than combative. “These organisms coexisted in our culture for over four years, suggesting a level of harmony rather than contention,” he adds.

Burns and his colleagues propose that their findings may reflect an early stage in the evolution of eukaryotic cells within microbial mats. Roland Hatzenpichler at Montana State University aligns with this perspective.

“The study’s outcomes indicate that the newly identified Asgard Archaea engage directly with sulfate-reducing bacteria,” he remarks.

However, Lopez Garcia cautions that these interactions may not date back beyond 2 billion years. “While these archaeal and bacterial forms are modern, the microbial environments they inhabit may provide insights into ancient ecosystems,” he explains.

According to Hatzenpichler, we may be on the verge of better understanding the similarities between recent microorganisms and the cells they collaborate with to form primitive nucleated cells. “We’re now in an advantageous position to uncover deeper truths,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Research Reveals Larger Dinosaurs Don’t Have Stronger Bites Than Expected

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

It’s not that the enormous, carnivorous dinosaurs weren’t the terrifying, bone-crushing predators we envision.

A new study published in the journal Current Biology reveals that a variety of bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spinosaurus, and Allosaurus, have evolved to possess the necessary skull strength for powerful bites.

Utilizing 3D scanning and computer modeling, the researchers examined the skull biomechanics of 18 species of theropods.

The findings indicated that while T. Rex and other giants had skulls designed to deliver immense bite forces capable of breaking bones, they actually possessed relatively weak jaws and employed diverse hunting strategies.

“The skull of a T. Rex was specifically optimized for high bite force, which led to significant skull stress,” stated the lead author, Dr. Andrew Lowe from the University of Bristol, UK. “In contrast, stress patterns in other giants like Giganotosaurus suggested they had relatively mild bites. This implies a variety of evolutionary pathways for these carnivorous giants.”

Giganotosaurus is larger than T. rex, reaching 13m (43 feet) long and weighing almost 14 tons – Credit: Getty

Instead of adhering to a singular evolutionary path to apex status, large carnivorous dinosaurs evolved various skull shapes and feeding strategies. Some, like T. Rex, would bite down akin to a crocodile, while others, such as Allosaurus and Spinosaurus, employed thrashing or ripping techniques reminiscent of modern Komodo dragons and big cats.

“The Tyrannosaurus took a different approach,” remarked Steve Brusatte, a professor and paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not part of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “They developed immense bite strength, allowing them to crush the bones of their prey. This created a perilous lifestyle, subjecting the skull’s bones and muscles to significant stress.”

The results also challenge the belief that larger dinosaurs necessarily had stronger bites. Some smaller species may actually exert more stress on their skulls due to increased muscle mass, indicating that size alone isn’t the key factor in bite power.

The variability in bite strength and skull architecture hints at a more specialized ecological landscape in dinosaur ecosystems, offering multiple strategies for dominance in the prehistoric food chain.

“There wasn’t a singular ‘best’ skull design for being a predatory giant. Various designs proved effective,” noted Lowe. “This biomechanical diversity implies that dinosaur ecosystems supported a more extensive range of giant carnivorous ecological niches than we typically consider, with less competition and greater specialization.”

Read more:

About our experts

Steve Brusatte is a professor and paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, and author of the book Mammal Ascending and Governing (20 pounds, Picador), focusing on 325 million years of mammalian evolution and fossils.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Hubble Reveals Stunningly Detailed Image of Interstellar Comet 3i/Atlas

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent analysis of new images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals that the nucleus of 3i/Atlas measures between 320 m (1,000 ft) and 5.6 km (3.5 miles).

Hubble captured this image of 3i/Atlas, which was located 446 million km (277 million miles) from Earth on July 21, 2025. Image credits: NASA/ESA/David Jewitt, UCLA/Joseph Depasquale, Stsci.

3i/Atlas was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Land Impact Trastor Alt System (ATLAS) funded by NASA.

Its orbit is the most dynamically extreme among recorded solar system objects.

New observations from Hubble have provided astronomers with a more precise estimation of the comet’s solid icy nucleus size.

“The maximum diameter of the nucleus is 5.6 km, but it averages around 320 m,” stated David Jewitt, an astronomer from UCLA, along with his colleagues.

“Hubble’s images offer tighter constraints on the nucleus’s size compared to earlier ground-based measurements, although the solid core of the comet is not currently visible directly even with Hubble.”

“Data from other NASA missions, like Webb, TESS, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and WM Keck Observatory, will further enhance our understanding of comets, including their chemical composition.”

Hubble also detected indications of dust plumes ejected from the sun-warmed side of the comet, along with dust tails drifting away from the nucleus.

The new findings indicate a dust loss velocity that aligns with the first comet observed at roughly 480 million km (300 million miles) from the Sun.

This behavior closely resembles the characteristics of a previously seen sun-bound comet observed within our solar system.

A notable difference is that this interstellar visitor originates from planetary systems beyond our Milky Way galaxy.

3i/Atlas speeds through the solar system at an astonishing rate of 209,000 km (130,000 miles) per hour, marking the highest speed ever recorded for visitors to our solar system.

This remarkable velocity indicates that comets have been traversing interstellar space for billions of years.

The gravitational pull from countless stars and nebulae has contributed to its increased speed.

The longer 3i/Atlas journeys through space, the faster it moves.

“No one knows the origin of this comet; it’s like catching a glimpse of a bullet for a thousandth of a second,” Dr. Jewitt observed.

“You can’t accurately trace that back to determine where you commenced your path.”

“This latest interstellar traveler represents a previously undetected group of objects, enriching the narrative that has gradually unfolded.”

“This achievement is now possible due to the powerful Sky Survey capability we previously lacked. We’ve reached a new milestone.”

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

____

David Jewitt et al. 2025. Observations of the Hubble Space Telescope of Interstellar Interloper 3i/Atlas. apjl in press; Arxiv: 2508.02934

Source: www.sci.news

Female Gorillas Can Outpower Men Twice Their Size, Study Reveals

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Although they are about half the size of male gorillas, female gorillas can surpass their male counterparts in competitions for status and resources. A recent study highlights this intriguing finding.

This discovery upends the long-held belief that gorilla society is primarily patriarchal, emphasizing male dominance over females, and sheds light on the origins of human gender relations.

Researchers from the German Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of Torque in Finland examined 25 years of data gathered from observations of gorilla behaviors across four distinct groups.

Wild mountain gorillas have often been viewed as a prime example of strict male dominance in primate societies, largely due to the size disparity between males and females.

It is true that gorilla society has a hierarchical structure, with one alpha male reigning at the top, while other gorillas vie for status beneath him.

However, this new research suggests that gorilla hierarchies may be much more gender-equitable than previously thought.

“Female gorillas frequently outperform males,” stated author Reed Dr. Nikos Smitt, a researcher at Max Planck and Turku, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “This is crucial for understanding power dynamics; it’s not solely about size and strength.”

Indeed, 88% of female gorillas exhibited superior performance compared to at least one adult male in groups with multiple males, particularly against those who were young or old.

Additionally, when female gorillas faced off against males other than the alpha, they won more than a quarter of the time, even when significantly outmatched in size.

According to Dr. Martha Robbins, Director of the Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Research Project, this success is likely linked to the relationships between these high-ranking females and their alpha males. BBC Science Focus reported her insights: “Gorillas are aware of their group’s social status and dynamics. Though non-alpha males are typically larger and stronger, they often choose to hold back to avoid confrontations with alpha males. It’s advantageous for them to be compliant in a group setting.”

This image illustrates the size differences between women with toddlers in the non-invasive national park of Bwindi, Uganda, and male mountain gorillas – Credit: Marthalobins

Researchers have also found that the stakes in these conflicts often involve priority access to food, another finding that challenges previous assumptions.

Earlier studies suggested that female gorillas exclusively competed for food among themselves, with males primarily competing with females. However, this research reveals that both genders vie for food resources.

These observations could reshape our understanding of gender dynamics within human societies.

The researchers noted that male dominance over female counterparts is not a straightforward outcome of evolution, but rather reflects “human’s flexible social and mating frameworks.”

Furthermore, they argue that this is supported by observations among our close relatives, such as bonobos and chimpanzees, where males are larger than females, yet females hold more dominance.

As a result, scientists suggest that humans are unlikely to inherit patriarchal structures from their primate ancestors.

Read more:

About Our Experts

Dr. Nikos Smitt is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Torque in Finland and associated with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. His research delves into the evolution of social structures and mating systems, as well as the dynamics of conflict and cooperation.

Dr. Martha Robbins serves as the director of the Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Research Project and leads the Primate Behavior and Evolution group at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Her research is centered on the evolution of social behavior.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Trump Reveals Apple’s $100 Billion Investment Plan for U.S. Manufacturing

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Donald Trump praised Apple for its pledge to boost its investment in U.S. manufacturing by an additional $100 billion over the next four years.

Apple’s commitment to increasing its domestic investments comes as it seeks to circumvent the tariffs threatened by Trump. During a May revenue call, CEO Tim Cook cautioned that tariffs could lead to losses of up to $900 million in that fiscal quarter alone.

The president lauded the tech giant after Cook presented him with a U.S.-made souvenir featuring a 24-carat gold base in the Oval Office on Wednesday. He told reporters, “Companies like Apple, they’re home. This is a vital step toward ensuring that iPhones sold in the U.S. are also manufactured here.”

Cook mentioned that many components of the iPhone, such as glass, semiconductors, and Face ID modules, are already produced domestically. However, he noted that final assembly will remain overseas for the time being. Previously, he stated that this new investment would involve collaboration with ten companies across the U.S. that manufacture components for Apple products.

Apple previously announced a plan to invest $500 million domestically, which has now increased to $600 million. The company also intends to hire 20,000 workers in the U.S. over the next four years.

Recently, Trump has vocally criticized tech companies, with Cook pursuing a strategy to shift iPhone production to India to evade tariffs imposed by the Republican administration on China. On the same day the White House made its announcement, Trump raised U.S. tariffs on India from 25% to 50%.

While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump mentioned a “slight problem” with Apple during a conversation with Cook, indicating he didn’t want production to move to India.

India has incurred the president’s ire lately as he ordered an additional 25% tariff on the country, citing its use of Russian oil. This new import tax, set to be implemented over 21 days, could elevate total tariffs on Indian goods to 50%.

According to Reuters, Apple tried to preempt Indian tariffs in April by exporting as many as 1.5 million iPhones from the country to the U.S.

The iPhone is composed of parts sourced from multiple countries, with final assembly primarily taking place in China, making the company particularly vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs. A shift of production to the U.S. could significantly increase costs, as many analysts regard American-made iPhones as a pipe dream while Apple navigates the uncertain waters of Trump’s trade war.

Apple’s announcement of increased investment aims to enhance supply chains and advanced manufacturing capabilities within the United States.

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This latest pledge from Apple comes shortly after the company signed a $500 million contract with MP Materials, which operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S. This deal allows MP Materials to expand its Texas facility and utilize recycled materials to manufacture magnets vital for the iPhone.

During the recent investor call, Cook highlighted the various components produced in the U.S., such as glass displays and facial recognition modules, and indicated that there are plans to scale up production for additional components within the country.

“We’re doing more here, with about 1.9 billion chips now being produced in the U.S. We’re making progress,” Cook stated last week without going into further details.

Despite investors’ concerns regarding impending tariffs and a slowdown in adopting artificial intelligence, Apple’s latest revenue report indicates strong iPhone sales, surpassing Wall Street expectations year over year. Following news of Trump’s announcement, Apple’s stock, which had dropped significantly earlier this year, jumped over 5% on Wednesday.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Decam Reveals Hidden Cluster Light in Galaxy Cluster Abell 3667

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The glow within the cluster is the soft luminosity of stars that have been stripped from their galaxy amidst the layers of galaxy clusters.

Abell 3667 is depicted in this Decam image. Image credits: CTIO/NOIRLAB/NSF/AURA/ANTHONY ENGLERT, Brown University/TA Rector, Noirlab/M. Zamani & D of University of Alaska Anchorage & NSF. De Martin, NSF’s Noirlab.

Galaxy clusters comprise thousands of galaxies, varying widely in age, shape, and size.

Typically, they have a mass about 10 billion times that of the Sun.

Historically, galactic clusters were regarded as the largest structures in the universe, spanning hundreds of millions of light-years and including numerous galactic clusters and groups, until superclusters were discovered in the 1980s.

Nonetheless, galaxy clusters still hold the title of the largest gravitationally bound structure in the universe.

“The study of galaxy clusters not only informs us about the formation of the universe, but it also places constraints on the characteristics of dark matter,” stated Brown University astronomer Anthony Englat and his team.

One significant clue astronomers seek to grasp the history of galactic clusters is the light within the cluster. This faint glow is emitted by stars that have been stripped from their original galaxy due to the immense gravitational forces of the forming galaxy cluster.

These stars provide evidence of past galactic interactions, although most current telescopes and cameras face challenges in detecting them.

The subtle intra-cluster light from the galaxy cluster Abel 3667 shines vividly in new images created from a total of 28 hours of observation at 570 megapixels using the Dark Energy Camera (Decam) at NSF’s M. Blanco 4-M Telescope, a program of NSF’s Noirlab at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.

“Abell 3667 is located over 700 million light-years away from us,” the astronomer mentioned.

“Most of the faint light sources in this image are distant galaxies, not foreground stars from our own Milky Way.”

“In Abell 3667, two small galaxy clusters are currently merging, as evidenced by the luminous bridge (yellow) of stars extending toward the center of this image.”

“This bridge is formed from material stripped off from the merging galaxies, forming one massive conglomerate known as the brightest cluster galaxy.”

“Not only does this sparkling sky encompass distant galaxies, but it also highlights faint foreground features due to the prolonged exposure.”

“The Milky Way’s hair follicles, or integrated flux nebula, consist of faint clouds of interstellar dust that appear as soft bluish chains crossing the image.”

“These structures are patches of dust that are illuminated by the light of the stars within our own galaxy.”

“They present as diffuse, filamentous formations that can span extensive areas of the sky.”

Survey results will be published in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

____

Anthony M. Engrat et al. 2025. Announcing optical bridges in Abel 3667 in-cluster light: LSST precursor data. apjl 989, L2; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ade8f1

Source: www.sci.news

The Unique Galaxy Reveals Surprisingly Untouched Stars.

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Abell 2744, Amore6 Discovered Galaxy Cluster

NASA, ESA, Jennifer Lotz, Matt Mountain, Anton M. Koekemoer, HFF Team (STScI)

In the vast expanse of the universe, galaxies that exhibit peculiar contours are surprisingly filled with ancient stars. This offers astronomers an initial peek into a unique type of stellar body that emerged soon after the universe’s inception.

Although the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has allowed scientists to revisit regions of the early universe, pinpointing the first stars remains elusive. These primordial stars, termed Population III stars, are primarily colossal hydrogen spheres believed to have formed in the universe’s infancy. As the very first stars, they left behind an environment largely devoid of heavier elements following their demise.

While there have been theories hinting at the existence of such stars, definitively proving their existence in the early universe has been challenging, as galaxies appeared to have become tainted with heavier elements merely a few hundred million years post-Big Bang.

Recently, Morihara Highlands from the California Institute of Technology and his team found a galaxy almost entirely composed of hydrogen, indicating the presence of Population III stars. However, this galaxy emerged later than expected, approximately a billion years after the universe began.

Dubbed Amore6, it was initially identified within the Abell 2744 galaxy cluster. Upon measuring the light from Amore6 using the JWST, Morishita and his colleagues noted the complete absence of common oxygen ions. This suggests that the galaxy harbors less than 0.2% of the oxygen present in our sun, indicating a lack of contamination by heavier elements.

As the universe evolves, the likelihood of encountering such pristine galaxies diminishes. In images captured by the JWST, Amore6 appears somewhat isolated, which Morishita posits could be a factor in its untouched state. “This seclusion might mean that this galaxy has not yet encountered sufficient gas to trigger star formation, implying that it could evolve slowly,” he mentions.

“If these findings are validated, it would be truly astonishing, as we did not anticipate discovering such an untarnished galactic environment later in the universe’s development,” says Fabio Pacucci of the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysics Center in Massachusetts.

This discovery has implications for observing “direct collapse” black holes. Unlike the conventional pathway of collapsed stars, these black holes form from massive clouds of untainted gas. While astronomers had predicted their existence, they have never actually formed as it was believed that primitive gas was only available for a limited period, up to 100 million years after the Big Bang. However, if this untainted gas can persist for an extended duration, the potential for observing such phenomena increases, Pacucci argues.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Fossil Reveals Cambrian Nectocalid as an Early Ancestor of the Arrow Bug

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Nectakarizids are enigmatic Paleozoic creatures with a debatable classification. These beings evolved for aquatic life, boasting fins, camera-like eyes on stalks, and paired tentacles. Earlier theories proposed they belonged to a unique crustacean-like phylum, notochord, cephalopods, or even radioyoloons. However, new fossil discoveries from North Greenland indicate that Nectocalids are actually the early relatives of Arrow worms, also known as Chaetognaths. This discovery suggests that these relatively simplistic marine arrow worms had ancestors that played a significant predatory role within much more intricate anatomical structures and food webs.

Reconstructing the life of Nektognathus evasmithae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

“About 15 years ago, a study based on the notable Burgess Shale fossil suggested that Nectochalidosis is a type of cephalopod,” said Jacob Vincer, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.

“This argument seemed illogical to me as it contradicts much of what I understand about the taxonomy of these organisms.

In the recent research, Dr. Vinther and his team described Nektognathus evasmithae, a newly identified Nectocalid from the Sirius Passett Lagerstätte, dating back 519 million years in North Greenland.

By examining 25 fossil specimens of Nektognathus evasmithae, they successfully positioned the Nectocalid within the Tree of Life.

“We found that remnants of the nervous system manifested as paired mineralized structures, providing insight into these animals’ position in the evolutionary tree,” Dr. Winter remarked.

Nektognathus evasmithae holotype. Image credit: Vinther et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adu6990.

Recently, paleontologists found a fossil from Sirius Passett, which belongs to a different branch of the evolutionary tree—a small group of swimming organisms known as arrow bugs and Chaetognaths.

“These fossils exhibit distinctive traits that set them apart from arrow worms, particularly the abdominal ganglia,” explains Dr. Tae Yoon Park, a paleontologist at the Korean Institute of Polar Research.

The abdominal ganglia consist of large nerve clusters situated above the abdomen in living arrow bugs, typical for this type of creature.

The distinctive anatomical features, coupled with unique preservation conditions, indicate that they may be replaced by phosphate minerals during the decomposition process.

“We now have a compelling piece of evidence to resolve the Nectkalido debate,” Dr. Park stated.

“Nectocaridids share numerous features with other fossils that are also part of the arrow worm lineage.”

“Many of these characteristics may superficially resemble squid and demonstrate a simple adaptation of invertebrates to a more dynamic swimming lifestyle, paralleling how whales and ancient marine reptiles evolved similar traits for their aquatic lifestyles.”

“Nectakalids possess complex camera-like eyes akin to ours,” Dr. Vincer elaborated.

“Contemporary arrow worms have a limited ability to form images, primarily detecting movement in well-lit environments.”

“Thus, the ancestors of arrow worms were indeed sophisticated predators, much like squids that appeared around 400 million years later.”

“Consequently, we can illustrate how arrow worms have a more significant role in the food chain than previously thought.”

“Our fossils are notably larger than the average living arrow worm and likely feature various adaptations for swimming, such as eyes and elongated antennae.

“To further substantiate the carnivorous nature of Nectkalizids, we discovered several specimens containing the remains of a swimming arthropod known as Isoxys in their gastrointestinal tract.

This study was published this week in the journal Advances in Science.

____

Jacob Winter et al. 2025. Fossilized abdominal ganglia reveal the affinity of Chaetognaths for Cambrian calizids. Advances in science 11 (30); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu6990

Source: www.sci.news

Research Reveals That Lowering Pollution Might Not Compromise Deeper Climate Stability

Posted on July 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Improving the quality of the air we breathe is a significant achievement for public health, but paradoxically, it also accelerates global warming. This is highlighted in a recent study published in Communication Earth and the Environment, which connects the recent efforts to clean up air pollution in East Asia to the intensified climate crisis.

In the last 15 years, global warming has surged dramatically, and until now, the reasons behind this surge were unclear to scientists.

Co-author Dr. Robert Allen, a professor of climate studies at the University of California, Riverside, stated:

To address this, a large team of international scientists examined simulations from eight major climate models.

The majority of the accelerated warming seen since 2010 is believed to stem from efforts to reduce air pollution in East Asia.

During this same period, China was implementing a significant air quality policy that led to a reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 75%.

Dr. Bjørn Samset, the lead author of the research and a senior researcher at Norway’s International Climate Environmental Studies Centre, explained to BBC Science Focus that pollution has historically been effective in cooling the planet.

“Think back to a day when the air was polluted or hazy,” he mentioned. “Particles in the air block some sunlight from reaching the ground, effectively providing a cooling shade.

“For decades, air pollution has been helping to mitigate some of the warming caused by greenhouse gases.”

Samset elaborated that by eliminating air pollution, as China has done, some of that cooling effect has been lost.

However, simply allowing pollution to persist is not the answer. Allen noted that ₂ and methane must both be addressed together.

Before China’s 2010 air quality policy, pollution was a leading cause of premature deaths in the country – Credit: Jack-Enjo Photography via Getty

In addition to cutting greenhouse gases, some scientists have proposed unconventional measures to slow the climate crisis, such as reintroducing artificial pollution into the atmosphere.

Samset explained that this approach “involves releasing particles into the stratosphere or clouds, which can mirror the cooling effects of air pollution without the harmful health impacts.”

To do this, planes could disperse gas from altitudes of 20 km—significantly higher than typical passenger flights.

However, co-author Professor Laura Wilcox, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, advised in BBC Science Focus that such solutions do not resolve the core issues.

“Similar to air pollution, these methods merely mask atmospheric problems without addressing the root causes,” she stated.

“Another viable strategy is to actively remove CO.₂,” she added. “This process, known as carbon capture, is already underway but on a limited scale.”

Possible solutions include planting trees and seaweed, developing mechanical trees, and directly capturing CO₂ from the air for storage in rock formations.

Nevertheless, the key solution remains to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions primarily by transitioning away from fossil fuels,” said Samset.

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About our experts

Dr. Bjørn Samset is a senior researcher at the Norwegian Centre for International Climate Research. A physicist and science communicator, he possesses extensive expertise in atmospheric science and global climate modeling, focusing on the impacts of air pollution on climate change through climate modeling.

Professor Laura Wilcox is a professor specializing in aerosol climate interactions at the University of Reading, UK. Her research interests encompass the effects of air pollution on climate and the impacts of aviation on the climate.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Hubble Space Telescope Reveals Breathtaking Images of Ancient Spherical Clusters

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope highlight NGC 1786, a spherical cluster located in the constellation of Dorado.

This Hubble image depicts NGC 1786, a spherical cluster approximately 163,000 light-years away in the Dorado constellation. The color images were created from various exposures captured in visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Three filters sampled different wavelengths. Colors were assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image related to individual filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/M. Monelli/M Hözsaraç.

Spherical clusters are ancient star systems, bound together by gravity, typically spanning around 100-200 light-years.

These clusters host hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of stars. The significant masses at the cluster’s core attract stars inward, forming a spherical configuration.

Considered among the universe’s oldest known objects, spherical clusters are remnants from the early Galactic era. It’s believed that all galaxies harbor a population of these structures.

The Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring dwarf galaxy located about 163,000 light-years away, possesses roughly 60 spherical clusters, including NGC 1786.

This spherical cluster, also referred to as ESO 56-39, was discovered on December 20, 1835, by the British astronomer John Herschel.

“Data from the new image is derived from spherical clusters within Milky Way galaxies, including the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, as well as Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxies,” stated Hubble astronomers.

“Our galaxy contains over 150 of these extensively studied ancient spherical formations.

“Due to its stability and longevity, it acts as a galactic time capsule, preserving stars from the galaxy’s formative stages.”

“While it was once believed that all stars in spherical clusters formed nearly simultaneously, our research on ancient clusters within our galaxy has revealed multiple populations of stars of varying ages,” they further explained.

“To utilize spherical clusters as historical markers, it’s essential to comprehend their formation and the origins of stars from different ages.”

“This observational program analyzed older spherical clusters like NGC 1786 in external galaxies to determine whether they contained multiple star populations.”

“Such studies can provide insights into the original formation mechanisms of the Large Magellanic Cloud as well as the Milky Way galaxy.”

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals Your Brain’s Biological Age Can Forecast Your Lifespan

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have devised a technique to assess the biological age of the brain, revealing it to be a key indicator of future health and longevity.

A recent study involved an analysis of blood samples from 45,000 adults, with protein levels measured in over 3,000 individuals. Many of these proteins correlate with particular organs, including the brain, enabling the estimation of each organ system’s “biological age.”

If an organ’s protein profile significantly deviated from its expected age (based on birthday count), it was categorized as either “very matured” or “very youthful.”

Among the various organs assessed, the brain emerged as the most significant predictor of health outcomes, according to the research.

“The brain is the gatekeeper of longevity,” stated Professor Tony Wyss-Coray, a senior author of the newly published research in Natural Medicine. “An older brain correlates with a higher mortality rate, while a younger brain suggests a longer life expectancy.”

Participants exhibiting a biologically aged brain were found to be 12 times more likely to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis within a decade compared to peers with biologically youthful brains.

Additionally, older brains increased the risk of death from any cause by 182% over a 15-year span, whereas youthful brains were linked to a 40% decrease in mortality.

Wyss-Coray emphasized that evaluating the brain and other organs through the lens of biological age marks the dawn of a new preventive medicine era.

“This represents the future of medicine,” he remarked. “Currently, patients visit doctors only when they experience pain, where doctors address what’s malfunctioning. We are transitioning from illness care to wellness care, aiming to intervene before organ-specific diseases arise.”

The team is in the process of commercializing this test, which is anticipated to be available within the next 2-3 years, starting with major organs like the brain, heart, and immune system.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

VLT Reveals Stunning New Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The astronomer utilizing ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (VLT) has unveiled a new image of 3i/Atlas, marking it as the third interstellar object documented.

This VLT/FORS2 image, captured on July 3, 2025, depicts interstellar comet 3i/Atlas. Image credit: ESO/O. Hainaut.

3i/Atlas was identified a week ago by the NASA-supported Atlas Survey Telescope in Riojartad, Chile.

Commonly referred to as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and A11PL3Z, this comet is approaching from the direction of Sagittarius.

“In contrast to objects within the solar system, its highly eccentric hyperbolic orbit indicates its interstellar origin,” ESO astronomers stated.

Currently, 3i/Atlas is approximately 4.5 AU (670 million km, or 416 million miles) away from the Sun.

Interstellar objects pose no danger to Earth, maintaining a distance of at least 1.6 AU (240 million km, or 150 million miles).

Around October 30, 2025, it will make its closest approach to the Sun at a distance of 1.4 AU (210 million km, or 130 million miles).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixj221xxpvm

“In the VLT time-lapse, you can observe 3i/Atlas moving to the right over approximately 13 minutes,” the astronomer remarked.

“These observations were gathered using FORS2 equipment at the VLT on the night of July 3, 2025, just two days post-discovery of the comet.”

“At the conclusion of the video, all frames are compiled into a single image.

“However, this record will not endure as the comet approaches Earth and becomes less visible.”

“As it currently traverses more than 600 million km from the Sun, 3i/Atlas is heading towards the inner solar system, expected to reach its closest approach to Earth in October 2025,” they noted.

“During that time, 3i/Atlas will be obscured by the Sun, but observations should resume in December 2025.

“Telescopes globally, including the VLT, will persist in monitoring this extraordinary celestial visitor to gather more insights into its structure, composition, and origin.”

Source: www.sci.news

Text Therapy: Study Reveals Couples Use Emojis in Messaging to Enhance Relationships

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A key to nurturing a healthy relationship might involve gazing into the faces of those glued to their smartphones.

Recent research Published in Journal Plos One indicates that incorporating emojis in text messages strengthens personal connections and enhances satisfaction.

Researchers from the University of Texas conducted a study with 260 participants aged 23 to 67, asking them to review 15 text message exchanges differing solely by the presence of emojis.

Participants were prompted to envision themselves as the sender of each message while analyzing the recipient’s response, gauging aspects like responsiveness, likability, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction.

The findings showed that individuals who included emojis in their texts were perceived as more emotionally aware in their interactions compared to those who used text alone.

Moreover, emojis served as nonverbal indicators of attention and emotional investment.

Luke McGregor, 42, and Amy Thunig-McGregor, 37, shared their experiences with emoji use.

Luke recounted that he had to adapt to integrating emojis in his messages to Amy, as he hadn’t been a frequent emoji user at the relationship’s start.

“I traditionally didn’t use emojis much, but once I got together with Amy, I noticed she used them frequently. There were vulnerabilities and challenges I needed to overcome to start using them myself,” McGregor explained.

Emojis are significant for Amy Thunig-McGregor and her partner Luke McGregor.

“I wanted Amy to feel cherished, so regularly sending her emojis to express my affection was crucial for me, especially initially,” he mentioned.

Amy highlighted the effectiveness of emojis in enhancing communication.

“Both of us are autistic, which makes context essential… emojis help clarify tone and intention in ways that plain text can’t achieve,” they stated.

Dr. Raquel Peel, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Queensland and not involved in the study, noted that emojis can be a creative solution when face-to-face interactions aren’t possible with partners.

“I don’t believe emojis can replace direct interactions in intimate relationships. Yet, we must recognize that such interactions aren’t always viable,” Peel remarked.

“If meeting your partner isn’t feasible, using emojis becomes a valuable alternative.”

She advised not to undervalue communication in a relationship, emphasizing the need to stay connected in every possible way.

“Many forget that relationships benefit from humor and enjoyment,” Peel explained.

“If emojis can fulfill that role, they contribute to fun and connection through humor, which is incredibly important.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mathematics Reveals the Ideal Strategy for Winning the Lottery

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

How can mathematics help you win the lottery?

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

I’ve got a foolproof method that guarantees you’ll win the lottery you desire. Just follow my simple technique and you’ll capture the biggest jackpot imaginable. The only caveat? You need either millions yourself or a circle of wealthy friends.

Let’s use the US Powerball as an illustration. To participate, you must select five unique “white” numbers from 1 to 69, along with a sixth “red” number from 1 to 26. Notably, this last number can replace one of the white ones. How many unique lottery tickets can you create? To find out, we turn to a branch of mathematics known as Combinatorics, which helps calculate the number of potential combinations of items.

This situation is analogous to the “n choose k” problem in which n signifies the total number of objects available for selection (69 for the white Powerball numbers) and k refers to the number of objects you wish to pick. It’s essential to note that these selections occur without replacement—each winning number drawn removes it from the pool of available choices.

For this, mathematicians employ a useful formula for solving n choose k problems: n! /(k! ×(n – k)!). If this notation is unfamiliar, don’t worry! It’s simply a representation of the product of all whole numbers leading up to a given integer. For instance, 3! = 3×2×1 = 6.

Applying 69 for n and 5 for k results in a total of 11,238,513 combinations. While that sounds substantial, we’ll see shortly that it might not be enough. Enter the Red Powerball. Essentially, this means you’re effectively playing two lottery tickets at once, raising the stakes for winning the grand prize. Merely adding a sixth white ball, the combinations soar to 119,877,472 in total. However, since there are 26 possibilities for the red ball, you would multiply the white ball combinations by 26, yielding a grand total of 292,201,338 potential outcomes.

Now we’re talking about over 292 million possible Powerball tickets. The ultimate trick to guaranteed victory? Simply purchase every possible ticket. Of course, the logistics involved complicate this idea. Most importantly, you’d need over $5 billion on hand, as each ticket costs $2.

Is that enough to ensure a significant payout? It’s a bit complicated to answer. The Powerball jackpot accumulates weekly, often remaining unclaimed, which means the prizes can vary. However, there are about 15 instances of jackpots exceeding $584 million, which would not be worth pursuing under the buy-all-tickets approach. Profits are further diminished by the prospect of multiple winners choosing the same combination and approximately 30% of winnings being deducted for taxes.

It’s not surprising, really. If winning the lottery and making a profit were guaranteed, people would be doing this all the time, leading lottery operators to go bankrupt. Yet, surprisingly, poorly designed lotteries do appear, leaving savvy investors at a disadvantage.

One of the earliest noted incidents of this kind involved the writer and philosopher Voltaire, who collaborated with mathematician Charles Marie de la Codamine to create a syndicate aimed at buying all tickets in a lottery tied to French government debts. While the exact methods remain vague, there are suggestions of devious tactics employed that allowed them to circumvent the full ticket payment, resulting in the syndicate winning repeatedly before authorities shut down the lottery in 1730. In a letter to a colleague, Voltaire remarked, “The group that won the victory and purchased all the tickets triumphed over a million players.”

Modern lotteries have faced similar fates. A notable instance is the Irish National Lottery, which was taken over in 1992 by numerous syndicates. At the time, players had to select six numbers from 1 to 36. The n choose k formula indicates 1,947,792 possible tickets. With each ticket costing 50 Irishpense (the currency then), the conspirators managed to raise £973,896 and began acquiring tickets poised for an estimated £1.7 million prize pool.

Lottery organizers caught wind of this scheme and began restricting the number of tickets any one vendor could sell. This limitation meant the syndicate could only purchase roughly 80% of the possible combinations. The outcome was a shared jackpot with two other winners, leading to a loss of £568,682 for the syndicate. Thankfully, the lottery had introduced a £100 guaranteed prize for matching four numbers, bringing their total to £1,166,000.

In response to the incident, the Irish National Lottery quickly revised its rules. Players now must select six numbers from 47, elevating the total number of tickets to 10,737,573. Though the jackpot is capped at 18.9 million euros, the £2 price per ticket makes lottery investments unprofitable.

Despite ample awareness regarding the pitfalls of poorly structured lotteries, such phenomena may still arise. One extraordinary instance emerged in 2023, when a syndicate won a $95 million jackpot in the Texas lottery. Texas lottery tickets involved 54 choices, allowing for 25,827,165 possibilities, with each ticket priced at $1, making this a significant venture. However, there were speculations that the syndicate had possible support from the lottery organizers themselves. Fallout from this controversy is still ongoing, raising questions about legality. The syndicate may have collaborated through local retailers and acquired a ticket printing terminal from the Texas lottery, simplifying logistics. Organizers at the time deny any involvement in unlawful activities, and no criminal charges have been filed. As a lawyer representing the syndicate stated, “All applicable laws, rules, and regulations were adhered to.”

So there you have it. If you can secure an ample amount of upfront cash and the organizers fail to implement the n choose k formula effectively, you might just make a decent profit. Good luck!

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Google Takes Steps to Offset Its Carbon Footprint, Report Reveals

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In 2021, Google established an ambitious target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Nevertheless, since that time, the company has taken a contrary path by investing in energy-demanding artificial intelligence. According to its latest sustainability report, Google’s carbon emissions surged by 51% between 2019 and 2024.

The intent behind the new research is to challenge even the vast statistics, contextualizing Google’s sustainability report and presenting a more somber outlook. A report from nonprofit advocacy group Kairos Fellowship revealed that, between 2019 and 2024, Google’s carbon emissions increased by 65%. Additionally, from the first year public data on Google’s emissions became available in 2010 to 2024, the total greenhouse gas emissions soared by 1,515%, according to Kairos. The report noted that when Google upped its emissions by 26% from 2023 to 2024, this was the largest increase within that timeframe.

“Google’s own data supports this assertion. Companies are accelerating climate crises, and key metrics—including emissions and water usage—are trending in a concerning direction for both us and our planet.”

The authors of the report found that they discerned Google’s energy consumption and the bulk of the figures used to calculate rising carbon emissions within the appendix of Google’s Sustainability Report. Many of these figures were not prominently featured in the main body of Google’s report, they claim.

Google did not respond promptly to inquiries regarding these figures.

The authors of the report, titled Eco Fail, attribute the discrepancies between the calculated figures and Google’s sustainability report to several factors. Google employs market-based emissions metrics, while researchers use location-based emissions. Location-based emissions represent the average energy consumed from the local electricity grid, while market-based emissions include the energy procured to offset total emissions.

“[Location-based emissions] Franz Ressel, lead researcher and co-author of the report, stated. Businesses may pollute in one area while trying to ‘settle’ those emissions by purchasing energy contracts from elsewhere.”

According to a Kairos survey, the energy demand from Google’s data centers has surged by 820% since 2010. Emissions from electricity purchases for data centers increased by 121% between 2019 and 2024, according to the report’s authors.

“This increase is equivalent to adding 6.8 TWh of energy consumption, comparable to the total energy used by the state of Alaska over a year,” Sugerman explained.

Based on the current trajectory, the Kairos Report authors assert that it appears unlikely Google will meet the 2030 deadline without considerable public pressure. Since 2019, Google has tracked three categories of greenhouse gas emissions, referred to as Scopes 1, 2, and 3, and has made significant reductions in Scope 1 emissions. According to the report, Scope 1 emissions, which include emissions from Google’s own facilities and vehicles, represent merely 0.31% of its total emissions. Scope 2 emissions primarily consist of indirect emissions associated with the electricity purchased to power its facilities, while Scope 3 encompasses indirect emissions from various other sources, including suppliers, the usage of Google’s consumer devices, and employee business travel.

“Continuing to expand at current rates is unsustainable,” Sugerman added.

Thirsty, power-hungry data centers

Amid the construction of resource-intensive data centers across the country, experts are scrutinizing Google’s water usage as well. Google’s sustainability report reveals a 27% increase in water withdrawal to 1.1 billion gallons between 2023 and 2024.

Kairos indicates that this volume is “sufficient to meet the drinking water needs of 2.5 million residents and 5,500 industrial users in Boston and its surrounding areas.”

Tech companies are facing both internal and external pressures to enhance the sustainability of their data centers with clean energy. Recently, Amazon employees proposed a series of shareholder proposals which compelled the company to disclose its overall carbon emissions and assess the impact of its data centers on the climate. This proposal was ultimately voted on. Multiple organizations, including Amazon’s Employees for Climate Justice, the Conservation Voters Federation, Public Citizens, and the Sierra Club, published an Open Letter in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Seattle Times, urging the CEOs of Google, Amazon, and Microsoft to “refrain from committing to new gas and delaying coal plants to power their data centers.”

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“In just the last two years, your corporation has constructed data centers across the United States that could consume as much electricity as 4 million American households,” states the letter. “Within five years, these data centers alone will use enough electricity for more than 22 million households, comparable to the consumption of several medium-sized states.”

In its sustainability report, Google cautions that the company’s “future trajectory” may be influenced by the “evolving landscape” of the tech industry.

“We are at a significant inflection point due to the rapid growth of AI, which affects not just our company but the entire tech sector,” the report explains. “The unprecedented pace of development and potential nonlinear growth driven by the uncertain availability of clean energy and infrastructure needed to support this growth may affect our capacity to project future emissions and reduce them.”

The Kairos report criticized Google for its “heavy reliance on speculative technologies, especially nuclear power,” in pursuit of its 2030 zero carbon emissions goal.

“Google has concentrated on nuclear energy as a ‘clean energy solution’, despite the prevailing consensus among scientists and industry experts that achieving successful large-scale deployments will not happen in the near or medium term,” the report states.

Furthermore, the Kairos report contends that Google’s presentation of certain data can be misleading. For instance, in discussing data center emissions, Google claims a 50% improvement in energy efficiency over 13 years. The report’s authors argue that focusing on energy efficiency figures rather than sharing absolute emissions numbers obscures Google’s total emissions.

“Since 2010, the company’s overall energy consumption has increased by 1,282%,” the report concludes.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Report Reveals Over 25% of UK Companies Targeted by Cyberattacks Last Year | Job

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Reports indicate that numerous companies across four UK sectors have fallen prey to cyberattacks, putting the situation at risk unless they take immediate measures.

A survey of facilities conducted by facility managers, service providers, and chartered surveyors under RICS and shared with the Guardian revealed that many buildings experienced cyberattacks in the last year. This figure has risen from 16% the previous year.

Nearly three-quarters of over 8,000 business leaders (73%) anticipate that cybersecurity incidents will impact their operations in the next 12-24 months. RICS has recognized cybersecurity and digital risks as significant and rapidly evolving threats for building owners and occupants.

Marks & Spencer had to pause orders on its website for nearly seven weeks following a major attack in April, causing clothing sales to fall significantly until May 25th. They lost market share to competitors such as Next, Zara, and H&M.

As cybercriminal techniques advance, incidents targeting critical infrastructure and data breaches have become increasingly frequent, as noted by RICS. This trend will likely intensify with the enhanced capabilities of artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancements.

RICS cautioned that some buildings might be relying on dangerously outdated operating systems. For instance, a building that was opened in 2013 might still be using Windows 7, which has not received security updates from Microsoft for over five years.

Paul Bagust, head of the property practice at RICS, remarked: “Buildings have transformed from mere bricks and mortar into smart, interconnected digital environments that leverage continuously evolving technology to enhance the experience of occupancy.

This technology collects data to inform decision-making. At the levels of property management, building users, occupants, and owners, these advancements provide various benefits, including enhanced efficiency and reduced environmental impact. However, they also present multiple risks and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious entities.”

The report highlights operational technologies such as building management systems, CCTV networks, Internet of Things devices, and access control systems as potential risk areas. This encompasses everything from automated lighting and heating to building management systems and advanced security protocols.

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Bagust further commented: “It’s challenging to envision a scenario where technology does not continue to elevate the risks within building operations. Identifying these burgeoning digital challenges and implementing adequate security measures is essential but increasingly complex.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Canada’s Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt Contains Fragments of Earth’s Oldest Crust, Research Reveals

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Geologists have found significant evidence indicating the preservation of Hadean Rocks, with an age of 4.16 billion years. The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt offers a rare glimpse into the early Earth.

Canadian Nuvvuagittuq Green Stone Belt. Image credit: Jonathan O’Neill.

The earliest geological history of Earth remains largely unclear due to the scarcity of rocks and minerals from the Hadean period (over 4.3 billion years ago).

These ancient materials are often altered or destroyed as the planet’s crust undergoes continual recycling through various geological processes.

“One potential survivor of the Hadean era crustal rock is the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt,” stated Dr. Christian Saul, a senior author from the University of Ottawa and his colleagues.

“However, this perspective is contentious. Some researchers argue that the isotopic data backing these estimates might instead reflect later geological mixing rather than the true age of the layers.”

“If proven to be of Hadean origin, the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt would represent the oldest known preserved rock sequence on Earth.”

“This could yield critical insights into early geology and possible environments for the emergence of life.”

To refine the age of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, researchers concentrated on specific types of ancient rock intrusions known as metagabbro within the belt.

These intrusions intersect with ancient basaltic rocks, enabling the authors to utilize combined uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating to determine the minimum age limits of older layers, along with both short and long-lived samarium-neodymium (Sm-Nd) isotopic analysis.

Sm-Nd data yielded a consistent age of approximately 4.16 billion years, irrespective of the sample location or mineral composition.

The convergence of both isotope systems producing the same age in rocks with clear evidence of magma differentiation strongly supports their Hadean era crystallization.

This is in accordance with the Hadean Eon surviving within the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt.

“Studying these rocks allows us to trace back to the origins of our planet,” noted Dr. Jonathan O’Neill, a researcher at the University of Ottawa.

“This will enable us to gain a better understanding of how the first continent formed and help reconstruct the environment in which life emerged.”

Survey results published in the journal Science.

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C. Sole et al. 2025. Evidence of Hadean Mafic invasion in the Canadian Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt. Science 388 (6754): 1431-1435; doi: 10.1126/science.ads8461

Source: www.sci.news

Nature Memories Review: A New Book Reveals the Critical Shortcomings of Our Natural History Museum

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

What are you missing? Contemplating the exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City

Jeffrey Greenberg/Group via Getty Images via Universal Image Group

Nature’s Memory
Jack Ashby (Allen Lane)

In his intriguing new book, Nature’s Memories: Behind the Scenes of the World’s Natural History Museum, Jack Ashby, assistant director of the University Zoology Museum in Cambridge, UK, describes the museum as a peculiar space. It represents societal meanings and the natural chronicles of our ecosystems and environments. However, these records are often fundamentally flawed and misleading.

Ashby emphasizes the museum’s role, particularly in natural history, as an extensive catalog of past life on our planet. Its original purpose was to document everything from flora to fauna and enhance our understanding of the natural world.

Times have changed. As Ashby reveals in this captivating work, he critiques the shortcomings of museums, challenging our preconceived notions. Notably, much of our natural history remains hidden in poorly lit storage rather than publicly displayed.

Readers will soon discover the significance of the areas typically off-limits to the public. Ashby notes that there are approximately 70,000 flowering plant species worldwide that scientists have yet to fully describe.

The book delves into the preservation processes for animal skeletons, highlighting how flesh is removed for conservation, how insects are prepared for display, and how taxidermy is conducted. These behind-the-scenes insights are among the book’s most intriguing aspects. Ashby also points out the unrealistic representation of frogs due to shrinkage and features a segment on a renowned glassmaker recognized for creating lifelike floral reproductions.

Yet, the lack of representation extends beyond plants. Ashby highlights the biases in what we learned during school trips to such institutions. He cites a 2008 study indicating that merely 29% of mammal displays and 34% of bird exhibits in natural history museums feature females, resulting in a limited understanding of habitat contributions. This imbalance can be attributed to the more visually appealing male specimens and the fact that those who collect and exhibit are predominantly male and often white Westerners.

Ashby advocates for addressing the misrepresentation issue within museums, asserting that our education about nature is severely lacking due to the biases of past generations. Many male mammalian skeletons are misrepresented in museum displays due to curatorial choices that remove pelvic bones.

Though the book was published prior to the intentional dismantling of American scientific institutions, it reflects the prevailing anti-expert sentiment. This makes it all the more vital to read. We must reflect on what is excluded from museum exhibits as seriously as we do what is included.

As Ashby asserts, “The work that is being done at the Natural History Museum is more crucial than ever, and the role that must be played in order to safeguard the future of humanity is just beginning to unfold.”

Chris Stokell Walker is a science writer based in Newcastle, UK.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study Reveals Cambrian Explosions Happened Millions of Years Sooner Than Previously Believed

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have studied the body shapes of Ediacaran Cambrian organisms by utilizing trace fossils as a stand-in for body fossils.

Reconstruction of early Cambrian marine life in southern China. Image credit: Dongjing Fu.

The Cambrian explosion is often referred to as a pivotal period in Earth’s history when distinct animal body plans emerged.

Most researchers indicate that this event took place between 541 and 530 million years ago, marking the onset of the Cambrian period.

“The Cambrian explosion represents a significant era in the history of life that poses numerous unresolved questions,” stated Dr. Olmo Miguez Saras from the University of Barcelona at the Museum of Natural History in London, alongside Dr. Zekun Wang.

“In investigating biodiversity during this period, paleontological studies primarily concentrate on organisms with hard structures.”

“Nevertheless, microfossil investigations open avenues for understanding the activities of hard, soft-bodied, or skeletal-deficient organisms preserved in stratigraphic records.”

“The microfossil evidence is essential for shedding light on the evolutionary phases dominated by soft-bodied faunas.”

“Fossil traces mirror the behaviors of habitat-forming organisms, determined by their environment and reactions to ecological factors.”

“Consequently, these traces act as indicators of the paleoecological conditions experienced by the organisms that produced them.”

In their research, the authors concentrated on trace fossils from the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, a period of great paleobiological interest that represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of complex life on Earth.

This transition experienced substantial shifts in biodiversity as well as the structure of organisms and ecosystems.

“The Ediacaran fauna consisted mainly of complex, multicellular, flexible organisms,” noted Dr. Miguez Saras.

“The shift to the Cambrian era involved numerous extinctions within the Ediacaran fauna, accompanied by a rapid diversification of complex multicellular organisms possessing hard structures (e.g., exoskeletons).”

“This encapsulates the core of evolutionary development that led to the emergence of the most modern animal phyla, commonly referred to as the Cambrian Explosion.”

The research indicates that slender-bodied organisms thrived around 545 million years ago during the Ediacaran period.

“These organisms likely possessed a coelomic hydrostatic body with an anteroposterior axis, muscles, and perhaps segmented structures,” Dr. Miguez Saras explained.

“Additionally, these organisms may have exhibited directional movement and possessed sensory capabilities to navigate and feed on diverse substrates in environments dominated by microbial mats.”

“Thus, the so-called Cambrian explosion and its evolutionary significance could have arisen significantly earlier than previously thought.”

“These adaptations in body shape and mobility facilitated early animals in thriving within increasingly dynamic and complex environments, an ecological engineering process that could spur evolutionary innovation.”

The team’s study is slated for publication in the journal Geological.

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Zekun Wang & Olmo Miguez-Salas. Quantitative decoding of Ediacaran Motion Microfossil Morphology: Evidence for the appearance of elongated anteroposterior body profiles. Geological Published online on June 9th, 2025. doi: 10.1130/g53332.1

Source: www.sci.news

Second Study Reveals Uber’s Profits Surge Through Opaque Algorithms

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A prominent academic institution has accused Uber of utilizing opaque software algorithms to significantly boost profits while negatively impacting drivers and passengers using their ride-hailing platform.

Research conducted by scholars at Columbia Business School in New York determined that the Silicon Valley company has adopted a systematic and selective approach to “algorithmic price discrimination,” which “raises rider fares and severely diminishes driver earnings to the tune of billions.”

The Ivy League Business School’s findings are based on an analysis involving “tens of thousands of rides… amounting to over 2 million…” travel requests, and it builds upon a recent study from the University of Oxford concerning 1.5 million UK trips published the previous week.

The UK research revealed that many Uber drivers in the UK have reported “substantially reduced” earnings since the introduction of the “dynamic pricing” algorithm in 2023, correlating with the company capturing a significantly larger share of fare revenue.

The US report, authored by Len Sherman, highlights that as a passenger, acceptance appears less favorable, while he expresses amazement at what has been accomplished.

Sherman’s report remarked: Reducing driver payments while enhancing their take rate significantly contributes to improving cash flow during the study’s duration.

In 2024, Uber announced that it had generated $6.9 billion (£5 billion) in cash for the year, a stark contrast to their loss of $303 million in cash in 2022.

Sherman noted that the advanced pricing introduced in the U.S. in 2022 is akin to the UK dynamic pricing algorithm implemented in 2023, significantly affecting passenger fares.

Columbia’s study, which examined trips made by 24,532 U.S. Uber drivers, concluded that the new algorithm has “modified the distribution of net rider fares among driver incomes.”

The recent Oxford study found that following the rollout of dynamic pricing, Uber’s median take-rate per driver surged from 25% to 29%, with some trips exceeding 50%.

These findings contribute to a growing list of controversies surrounding technology companies, including a 2021 UK Supreme Court ruling affirming that Uber drivers are entitled to a minimum wage and paid leave, along with the 2022 disclosure of the Uber Files, a global investigation revealing the company’s efforts to bypass police and regulations while secretly lobbying governments worldwide.

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Following the release of the Uber Files, Jill Hazelbaker, Uber’s Vice President of Public Relations, stated:

An Uber spokesperson remarked, “Uber’s pricing structure aims to be transparent and equitable for both riders and drivers. The prepaid pricing is disclosed prior to booking, enabling drivers to make informed choices based on a full understanding of wages, distance, and expected duration.”

“Our dynamic pricing algorithms function to synchronize real-time supply and demand, enhancing the platform’s overall reliability. The prepaid pricing model is not personalized, and our pricing algorithms do not utilize personal information from individual riders or drivers.”

“Last week, the company reiterated: [the University of Oxford] Report. All drivers are guaranteed to earn at least the national living wage.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Study Reveals Two-Thirds of Cats Favor Sleeping on Their Left Side

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings from researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum, Ankara University at Prince Edward Island, and Bari Aldo Moro University reveal that two-thirds of domestic cats (Felis Catus) tend to sleep on their left side. This orientation provides them with a left field of vision, allowing the right hemisphere of their brain to have an unobstructed view of impending approach, while protecting their body.

Isparta et al. We propose that the significant left-side preference in cat sleep may have evolved alongside hemispheric asymmetry related to threat assessment. Image credits: Noah Dustin von Weissenfrue / Gleb Kuzmenko / Isparta et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043.

“Sleep represents one of the most vulnerable states for animals, particularly during deep sleep when vigilance to threats is notably diminished.”

“Domestic cats act as both predators and prey (to animals like coyotes), averaging 12-16 hours of sleep per day.”

“This implies they spend around 60-65% of their lives in highly susceptible states.”

“To minimize the risk of becoming prey, cats tend to rest in elevated locations, where they can better see approaching threats while remaining concealed.”

“In such elevated spots, predators can typically only approach from below.”

“Thus, resting at height affords cats a sense of safety, comfort, and a vantage point to observe their surroundings.”

The authors of this study examined 408 publicly available YouTube videos featuring individual cats lying on their sides in clear sleep positions, ensuring unbroken sleep durations of at least 10 seconds with full visibility from head to tail.

Only original, unedited videos were considered; those that were low resolution, obscured, duplicated, or altered (such as mirror images or selfies) were excluded.

The findings showed that 266 cats (65.1%) exhibited left-oriented sleep positions, while 142 demonstrated a significant left-sided bias as a population, compared to the 34.8% that slept on their right side.

“A cat that sleeps on its left side gains awareness of its environment upon waking with a left field of vision processed by the right hemisphere,” explained the researchers.

“This hemisphere is critical for spatial awareness, handling threats, and coordinating quick escape responses.”

“When a cat awakens after sleeping on its left side, visual cues regarding predators or prey are relayed directly to the right hemisphere of the brain.

“This suggests that favoring the left side while sleeping might be a strategic survival behavior.”

study published in the journal Current Biology.

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Sevim Isparta et al. 2025. Sleeping orientations of domestic cats on both sides. Current Biology 35 (12): R597-R598; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043

Source: www.sci.news

Australian Stingless Bee Honey Exhibits Unique Antibacterial Properties, Research Reveals

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Honey sourced from Australian stingless bees, often referred to as sugar bag honeybees, has long been a vital food source and a traditional remedy for ailments such as itching and pain among Indigenous Australian communities. A recent study has examined the antibacterial properties and chemical composition of honey from three species of Australian stingless bees: Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsii, and Austroplebeia australis. The results revealed these honeys possess strong antibacterial capabilities against various human pathogens, exhibiting efficacy on par with or superior to that of most European honeys derived from Apis mellifera.

Tetragonula carbonaria comb. Image credit: Tobias Smith.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health issue.

Numerous natural substances have developed complex defenses against microbial threats and may serve as potential therapeutic agents.

While the medicinal qualities of European honey have been extensively researched, the therapeutic potential of Australian stingless bee honey is still in its early stages.

Kenya Fernandez, a researcher from the University of Sydney, noted:

“Unlike honey from European honeybees, which predominantly depends on hydrogen peroxide for its antibacterial effects, the honey from Australian stingless bees demonstrates high levels of hydrogen peroxide along with non-peroxide activity, making it a robust and versatile candidate for therapy.”

The study found that the honey retained antibacterial properties even without hydrogen peroxide, indicating that these traits are inherent to the honey.

“Bee Manuka honey’s notable non-oxide antibacterial activity is a key factor behind its commercial success,” Dr. Fernandez added.

“However, it heavily relies on a specific nectar source from the Myrtle plant (Leptospermum).”

“In contrast, the consistent antibacterial effectiveness of heat-treated non-toxic honey from Australian bees—regardless of various locations and nectar sources—highlights the unique qualities of these bees.”

Professor Dee Carter at the University of Sydney remarked:

Researchers are hopeful that this reliability will enhance the potential for commercial health applications.

Nonetheless, challenges concerning scalability persist. Each stingless bee hive produces roughly 0.5 liters of honey annually, complicating large-scale production.

“Although the yields are modest, these hives require less upkeep than traditional bee hives, enabling beekeepers to manage a greater number of hives,” stated Dr. Ross Groag from the University of Sydney.

“Encouragingly, the commercial value of honey may foster the growth of more hives and pave the way for scalability in commerce.”

“In the past year, native stingless bee honey has made strides toward local and global commercialization, having received endorsements from Australian and New Zealand food safety authorities.”

“This regulatory backing is crucial in establishing a niche market for high-value, low-volume products.”

The survey results were published on May 21st in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

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Kenya E. Fernandez et al. 2025. Potent antibacterial activity and unique physicochemical properties of honey from Australian stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsii, and Austroplebeia australis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 91 (6); doi:10.1128/aem.02523-24

Source: www.sci.news

The Captivating First Image Reveals the Power of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Trifid (top right) and Lagoon (center) nebula view from Vera C. Rubin Observatory

NSF-DOEVERA C. Rubin Observatory

The stunning pink and blue regions of this stellar nursery, along with dense clusters of surrounding galaxies, mark the initial insights from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddz8piolnqc

These images were crafted from about 10 hours of observations atop Chile’s Celopachen Mountain, serving as tests to illustrate the types of captures Rubin can produce. The telescope’s extensive mission to monitor the night sky, recognized as a legacy study of space and time, is set to commence later this year.

The initial image (above) showcases the Trifid Nebula, a striking pink and blue formation located in the upper right corner, where numerous young stars emerge from a star-forming region. At the image’s center lies the Lagoon Nebula, a large expanse of interstellar gas and dust. To create this visual, astronomers amalgamated 678 individual photographs taken by Rubin over a span of seven hours.

A close-up of the full Virgo cluster as seen from Vera C. Rubin Observatory

NSF-DOEVERA C. Rubin Observatory

The subsequent image focuses on the Virgo cluster, a composition of thousands of galaxies recognized by astronomers for ages. While the brightest members are visible through a basic telescope, Rubin’s detailed capture presents the entire cluster and its surrounding galaxies. For a more comprehensive view, check out the full zoom-out image showcased in the video below, which reveals around 10 million galaxies.

These represent only 0.5% of the 20 billion galaxies that Rubin will observe throughout its lifespan, assisting in unraveling the enigmas of dark matter and exploring the potential for a mysterious ninth planet within our solar system.

Observatory photos will be unveiled during the live stream today at 4 PM (11 AM EDT).

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Study of 10,000 Individuals Reveals Strategies for Safeguarding Memory in Middle Age

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A favorable perspective on life may safeguard against memory loss during middle age, as indicated by a recent 16-year study conducted by researchers from the UK, the US, and Spain.

Published in Aging and Mental Health, this study posits that a sense of happiness—which encompasses joy, confidence, purpose, and control over one’s life—is closely linked to improved memory recall.

Participants who rated their happiness levels higher tended to excel in memory assessments, regardless of whether they reported experiencing symptoms of depression.

“This study marks a vital advance in comprehending the relationship between happiness and memory over time,” stated the co-authors. Professor Joshua Stott, a Professor of Aging and Clinical Psychology at University College London, added, “It sheds new light on how self-reported happiness correlates with memory and vice versa.”

Researchers monitored 10,760 men and women over the age of 50 in the UK. Beginning in 2002, participants convened with the research team every two years to undergo memory evaluations.

During each session, they also completed a well-being survey, responding to prompts such as “I can do what I want to do” and “I feel that life is filled with opportunities.”

After 16 years, this data was examined by a team of 15 specialists to establish connections between cognition and memory.

“In light of an aging population, it’s vital to understand the factors that may protect and sustain healthy cognitive functions for the betterment of public health and policy development,” said Dr. Amber John, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Liverpool.

She noted that the study implies that overall well-being is more beneficial than merely better memory. If future research can demonstrate that improved health leads to Enhanced Memory, then prioritizing health could shield the brain from future deterioration.

Dementia and anxiety are commonly considered to accelerate cognitive decline in individuals with dementia. – Credit: J Studio via Getty

This study received partial funding from Alzheimer’s Disease Research UK. “We’ve observed significant financial support,” stated Emma Taylor, information services manager for the charity.

“It’s never too late to take measures to maintain our brain health throughout our lives and mitigate the devastating impacts of dementia.”

The authors of the study suggested that a decrease in psychological well-being could serve as an early indicator of potential cognitive decline, recommending strategies such as mindfulness as interventions to avert this trajectory.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Research Reveals How This Easy Snack Habit Can Lower Your Cholesterol

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Consuming 50g of almonds (approximately 45 nuts) each day can boost your cholesterol levels and provides numerous metabolic advantages.

This information comes from a recent study conducted by Oregon State University (OSU). The findings were published in Nutritional research.

Researchers engaged 77 adults aged 35-60 in a 12-week clinical trial, where participants snacked daily on either 320 calories of almonds or crackers.

All subjects had metabolic syndrome, characterized by various risk factors for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This includes conditions like excess abdominal fat, elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, low “good” cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels.

Professor Emily Ho, a co-author of the study and director of the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, noted in BBC Science Focus that almond consumption reduces cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol), enhances gut health, decreases inflammation, and improves gut microbiota.

“The control group that consumed crackers didn’t show the same positive outcomes,” she stated. “Eating almonds did not lead to weight gain; in fact, there was a minor reduction in waist circumference and an improvement in vitamin E levels among participants, which is vital for the population.”

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient crucial for the proper functioning of various organs, nerves, and muscles, as well as for reducing blood clotting; however, many individuals in the UK and the US fail to consume sufficient amounts of vitamin E in their diets.

Participants who consumed almonds daily experienced numerous benefits for their metabolic health – Credit: Limpido via Getty

“Almonds are packed with various bioactive compounds, including essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium, along with fiber and numerous polyphenols that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are truly nutritious snacks.”

She emphasized that substituting your usual snack with a handful of almonds can yield substantial health benefits, especially when included in a balanced and varied diet.

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About our experts

Emily Ho is a prominent professor at Oregon State University and director of the Linus Pauling Institute. Her research focuses on antioxidants, gene expression, and dietary chemoprevention strategies, particularly investigating the role of antioxidant nutrients such as zinc in maintaining DNA integrity and the development of cancer.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Chilling Error: WhatsApp AI Helper Accidentally Reveals User Phone Numbers

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, labels it “the most intelligent AI assistant at his discretion.” However, Barry Smetherst, a 41-year-old record shop employee about to board a train from Saddleworth to Manchester Piccadilly, has a differing opinion.

While waiting on the platform for a morning train that had yet to arrive, he inquired with Meta’s WhatsApp AI assistant about the contact number for Transpennine Express. The chatbot confidently provided a customer service mobile number, which, upon further investigation, turned out to belong to a private WhatsApp user 170 miles away in Oxfordshire, completely unrelated to his query.

This marked the start of a peculiar interaction that many individuals are increasingly experiencing with AI systems. Chatbots can sometimes digress from their initial purpose, offer incorrect information, and create an illusion of prompt support.

Smetherst’s engagement with Meta’s AI began when it indicated that the helpline number it retrieved seemed to be private. When he pressed for specifics about this number, the AI chose not to divulge it immediately and stated, “Let’s concentrate on finding the right information related to the Transpennine Express inquiry!”

Nevertheless, Smetherst wanted clarification on why it shared a private number. It turned out to be the number of James Gray (44), a WhatsApp user listed as an executive in the Oxfordshire real estate sector, whose number is publicly accessible on his company’s website.

The AI promised to “strive to improve in the future” by vaguely explaining its generated responses “based on patterns” and acknowledging when it lacked the answer. However, it erroneously deemed the number “fictional” and could not clarify that it was “not associated with anyone.” When Smetherst challenged this, the AI conceded, saying, “You’re correct,” and noted the information was “erroneously extracted from the database.”

When pressed about which database, it stated, “We do not subtract numbers from the database. We generate numerical patterns that conform to the UK mobile phone number format, but they are not derived from any actual data from our contacts.”

Smetherst expressed his distrust in chatbots, stating, “Providing random numbers is absurd for an AI.”

“That’s alarming,” Smetherst remarked after lodging a complaint with Meta. “If they fabricate numbers, that’s somewhat understandable, but the sheer volume of incorrect numbers they can access is particularly troubling.”

Gray noted he hasn’t received many calls from people reaching out about Transpennine Express, but he quipped, “If it can generate my number, can it also create bank details?”

Gray was asked about Zuckerberg’s assertion that AI represents “the most intelligent.”

Developers recently utilizing OpenAI’s Chatbot technology have observed a trend of “systematic deception disguised as helpfulness” and “stating whatever is necessary to appear proficient,” as chatbots are programmed to minimize “user friction.”

In March, a Norwegian individual filed a complaint after asking OpenAI’s ChatGPT for information about himself and was mistakenly told he was incarcerated for the murder of two children.

Earlier this month, an author sought assistance from ChatGPT for pitching her work to literary agents. It was revealed that after a lengthy flattering description of her “splendid” and “intelligently agile” work, the chatbot lied by misrepresenting a sample of her writing that it hadn’t fully read, even fabricating a quote. She noted it was “not just a technical flaw but a serious ethical lapse.”

Referring to the Smetherst case, Mike Stanhope, managing director of law firm Caruthers and Jackson, commented, “This is an intriguing example of AI. If Meta’s engineers are designing a trend of ‘white lies’ for AI, they need to disclose this to the public. How predictable is the safeguarding and enforcement of AI behavior?”

Meta stated that AI may produce inaccurate outputs and is undertaking efforts to enhance the model.

“Meta AI is trained on a variety of licensed public datasets, not on phone numbers used for WhatsApp sign-ups or private conversations,” a spokesperson explained. “A quick online search shows that the phone number Meta AI inaccurately provided shares the first five digits with the Transpennine Express customer service number.”

An OpenAI representative remarked: “Managing inaccuracies in all models is an ongoing area of research. In addition to alerting users that ChatGPT might make mistakes, we are consistently working to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our models through various means.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Research Reveals the Ancient Origins of Fish Biofluorescence

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Biofluorescence, the process of absorbing high-energy light and re-emitting it as low-energy wavelengths, has been observed in various vertebrate and invertebrate lineages, particularly among fish. Research conducted by the American Museum of Natural History indicates that fish biofluorescence can be traced back at least 112 million years and has evolved over 100 times, predominantly in fish inhabiting coral reefs.

Phylogenesis of teleosts showing ancestral state reconstruction (absence/present) of biological fluorescence. Image credit: Carr et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59843-7.

“Researchers have long known that biological fluorescence is prevalent in marine creatures, including sea turtles and corals, particularly among fish,” stated PhD Emily Kerr, a student at the American Museum of Natural History.

“To truly grasp the reasons and methods behind this unique adaptation, we need to explore the evolutionary background and the variety of biofluorescence currently utilized for camouflage, predation, or reproduction.”

In a first study published in the journal Natural Communication, Carr and colleagues investigated all known biological fluorescent extents, focusing on a species of bony fish, which comprises the largest living vertebrate group today.

This research identified 459 biological fluorescent species, including 48 previously unrecognized as biologically fluorescent.

The researchers discovered that biological fluorescence has evolved over 100 times in marine teleost fish, dating back to approximately 112 million years ago, with the initial occurrence found in eels.

Furthermore, fish species residing in or near coral reefs developed biological fluorescence approximately ten times faster than their non-reef counterparts, leading to a surge in fluorescent species following the mass extinction event around 66 million years ago that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.

“This pattern coincides with the emergence of modern coral reefs and the rapid infiltration of fish into these environments, particularly after a significant loss of coral diversity due to the Cretaceous extinction,” Kerr explained.

“These relationships imply that the rise of contemporary coral reefs may have spurred the diversification of fluorescence in reef-associated teleost fish.”

Among the 459 documented biological fluorescent extents indicated in this study, the majority are linked to coral reefs.

In a second survey published in the journal PLOS 1, Kerr and co-authors employed a specialized photographic system with ultraviolet and blue excitation lights, alongside emission filters, to analyze the wavelengths emitted by fish from the ichthyology collection at the American Museum of Natural History.

These specimens, collected over the past 15 years during museum expeditions to locations like the Solomon Islands, Greenland, and Thailand, had shown fluorescence previously; however, the full spectrum of biological fluorescence emissions remained unexplored.

This study unveiled a broader diversity in the colors emitted by teleost fish, with some displaying at least six distinct fluorescence emission peaks across various wavelengths, surpassing prior reports.

“The unexpected variation observed among a wide array of these fluorescent fish suggests that they may utilize highly diverse and intricate signaling systems based on species-specific fluorescent emission patterns.”

“As these studies illustrate, biological fluorescence is extensive and remarkably phenotypically diverse among marine fish.”

“Our goal is to enhance our understanding of how fluorescence operates within these varied marine ecosystems and its role in evolutionary diversification.”

“The multitude of fluorescence emission wavelengths identified in this study could significantly impact the discovery of new fluorescent molecules that are routinely employed in biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of fluorescence-related ailments.”

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Carr et al. 2025. The extensive evolution of repeated biological fluorescence in marine fish. Nat Commun 16, 4826; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59843-7

Carr et al. 2025. Marine fish display exceptional variability in biological fluorescence emission spectra. PLOS 1 20 (6): E0316789; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316789

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Space Telescope Reveals New Images of NGC 4449

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured remarkable new images of the Dwarf Starburst Galaxy NGC 4449.

This Hubble image illustrates NGC 4449, a galaxy of dwarf stars located roughly 12.5 million light years away within the Canes constellation. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/E. Sabbi/D. Calzetti/A. Aloisi.

NGC 4449 is situated about 12.5 million light years away in the constellation of Canes.

Also known as Caldwell 21, Leda 40973, or UGC 7592, this galaxy is approximately 20,000 light-years in age.

NGC 4449 was first identified by German-born British astronomer William Herschel on April 27, 1788.

This galaxy is part of the M94 Galaxy group and is in close proximity to the local group that contains our Milky Way.

“NGC 4449 is a dwarf galaxy, meaning it is significantly smaller than our Milky Way and contains fewer stars,” a Hubble astronomer remarked.

“However, its small size is deceptive; NGC 4449 is prolific in star formation.”

“This galaxy is referred to as a Starburst galaxy because it produces new stars at a rate much higher than would be expected for its size.”

“While most Starburst Galaxies primarily produce stars in their centers, NGC 4449 is scattered with bright young stars throughout its structure.”

Astronomers believe this global surge in star formation has resulted from interactions between NGC 4449 and its neighboring galaxies.

“Due to its proximity, NGC 4449 offers a valuable opportunity for Hubble to investigate how intergalactic interactions influence new star formation,” they noted.

The new color image of NGC 4449 is derived from Hubble observations utilizing the Advanced Cameras for Surveys (ACS) and the Widefield Camera 3 (WFC3) across the UV, near-infrared, and optical segments of the spectrum.

Seven filters were employed to capture various wavelengths, assigning different hues to each monochrome image linked to the specific filters.

“The Hubble images of NGC 4449 were previously released in 2007,” the researchers stated.

“This updated version includes several additional wavelengths of light gathered by Hubble through multiple observational programs.”

“These programs encompass groundbreaking science, ranging from exploring the history of star formation in NGC 4449 to mapping galaxies with the brightest, hottest, and most extensive stellar structures.”

Source: www.sci.news

Liverpool Emerges as the UK’s Crypto Capital, Survey Reveals

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The city’s renowned musicians may have claimed that love can’t be bought with money, but that was before Bitcoin came onto the scene.

Recently, Liverpool has been recognized as the UK’s cryptocurrency capital, based on a study evaluating online behaviors among citizens nationwide.

A survey by telecommunications provider OpenReach revealed that 13% of participants from Liverpool regularly invest in cryptocurrency and stocks, more frequently than any other region in the UK.

Several cities across the UK have emerged as hotspots for various activities. London is identified as the UK’s online dating hub, with 24% of respondents stating they have engaged with dating apps for at least three days.

In contrast, only 4% of the national respondents indicated that they spend time on dating applications according to this survey.

The survey suggests that the average British citizen dedicates 3.5 hours a day to the internet, but 20% confessed to spending more than five hours daily online.

Although online activity varies, 64% of participants reported being active from 11 PM to 6 AM, with 19% saying it’s time to visit YouTube.

In the North, the analysis highlights the digital habits of three cities. Manchester residents utilize Instagram more than anywhere else, with 27% of the population engaging with the platform regularly.

Meanwhile, Sheffield stands out as the leading city for both TikTok engagement and music streaming, with 32% and 30% of its residents participating, respectively. It also ranks as the city where households spend the most time online, with 32% admitting to exceeding five hours each day on the internet.

In Leeds, residents seem to favor the older social media platforms, with 43% spending a significant portion of their time on Facebook.

This research was commissioned by OpenReach to mark the anniversary of the first broadband installation in a British home, which took place in Basildon, Essex, in April 2000.

The findings revealed that many participants expressed dissatisfaction with their internet usage; 43% reported wasting time online, 37% were concerned about “doom scrolling,” and 33% stated they felt more relaxed when they reduced their online activity.

Katie Milligan, Associate CEO of OpenReach, commented:

“At the same time, we encourage many people to recognize the importance of taking time away from devices and digital connections.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Study Reveals Potential Weight Gain from Certain ‘Healthy Fats’

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent studies indicate that the fats found in olive oil may contribute to weight gain more significantly than fats from other sources.

A recent report revealed that oleic acid, the primary fatty component in olive oil, can stimulate the formation of new fat cells.

Oleic acid is a type of monosaturated fat, often referred to as omega-9. While olive oil is the main source of oleic acid, this fatty acid is also present in other oils, such as canola and sunflower oil.

“You can think of fat cells as the army,” stated the study’s co-author, Dr. Michael Rudolph, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology at the University of Oklahoma. “Dried oleic acid initially boosts the number of ‘fat cell soldiers’ in the army, enhancing the capacity to store surplus dietary nutrients.”

“If excess nutrients surpass the number of fat cells over time, it can lead to obesity, and if left unaddressed, may result in cardiovascular disease or diabetes.”

Olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and is renowned for promoting longevity, healthy aging, as well as optimal brain, heart, and metabolic health – Credit: Elena Noviero via Getty

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Yale University, and New York conducted a study where mice were fed a variety of high-fat diets that included coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard, and soy oils.

They found that elevated levels of oleic acid influenced the activity of two proteins, AKT2 and LXR, leading to an accelerated growth of progenitor cells that develop into new adipocytes. This effect was not observed with other types of fats.

Nevertheless, Dr. Rudolph emphasized that completely eliminating olive oil is not the answer.

“The key takeaway is moderation and diversifying fat sources,” he advised. “While a balanced intake of oleic acid can be beneficial, excessive and prolonged consumption may pose risks. For individuals at risk for heart disease, high oleic acid levels could be unfavorable.”

In moderation, oleic acid is linked with numerous health benefits. Previous studies have shown that olive oil consumption is associated with longer lifespans, healthy aging, reduced inflammation, and a decreased risk of obesity and heart disease.

It’s important to note that since this study was conducted exclusively on mice, its findings may not directly apply to humans.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The 14,000-Year-Old “Tamat Puppy” from Siberian Permafrost: New Analysis Reveals It’s Not an Early Dog

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tamat puppies are believed to be littermates and early domesticated canines, as indicated by their physical connections to slain mammoth bones and two permafrost-preserved late Pleistocene canids. However, recent comprehensive analyses suggest that these puppies were likely wolves inhabiting a dry, relatively warm environment with variable vegetation, consuming a varied diet that included woolly rhinoceroses.

AI impression of a Tumat puppy. Image credit: Gemini AI.

The Tumat puppy remains consist of two exceptionally well-preserved specimens found in northern Siberia, approximately 40 km from the nearest village named Tumat.

One specimen was unearthed in 2011, while the other was located in 2015 at the Syalakh site.

This puppy was discovered within a layer of ice-preserved soil, alongside woolly mammoth remains.

This discovery prompted scientists to speculate whether the site was once a location for mammoth slaughter carried out by humans, and whether puppies had any relationships with humans similar to those of early dogs and domesticated wolves that scavenged for food.

With neither puppy displaying visible signs of injury or attack, it is conceivable that they were resting after meals inside a burrow until a landslide trapped them.

The new research utilizes animal intestinal content and genetic data as well as various chemical “fingerprints” found in the bones, teeth, and tissues to decipher their life, diet, and the surrounding environment.

Both puppies had consumed solid foods, including woolly rhinoceros meat and small birds known as wagtails.

However, their remains also indicated signs of nursing, suggesting they were still receiving milk from their mother.

Notably, despite being found near human-associated mammoth bones, there was no evidence that the puppies had eaten mammoths. Fragments of woolly rhinoceros skin in their stomachs were partially undigested, indicating they died shortly after their last meal.

It is believed that the woolly rhinoceros was a young calf rather than an adult, likely hunted by an adult pack to nourish the puppies. Nonetheless, even a young woolly rhinoceros would have been significantly larger than the typical prey of modern wolves.

This leads researchers to propose that these Pleistocene wolves were possibly larger than present-day wolves.

Prior DNA testing indicates that the puppies are likely from a wolf lineage that ultimately became extinct and did not contribute to the ancestry of modern pet dogs.

“It is remarkable that the two sisters from this era were so well-preserved, and even more impressive, we can narrate many facets of their existence up to their final meal,” stated Anne Catlin Range, a researcher from York University.

“The initial assumption that Tumat’s puppies were dogs was also grounded on the fact that their black fur was presumed to be a mutation exclusive to dogs. Yet, the Tumat puppies challenge this theory as they lack any relation to contemporary dogs.”

“While many may be disappointed that these creatures are overwhelmingly wolves and not early domesticated dogs, they enhance our understanding of the past environment, their way of life, and how strikingly similar they are to modern wolves.”

“Additionally, it implies that the clue of black fur—once thought significant—was misleading since it appears in wolf cubs from a population unrelated to household dogs, leaving the evolution of pet dogs a curious mystery.”

Fossilized plant remnants found in the puppies’ stomachs indicate they thrived in a diverse environment with various plants and animals, including grasslands and leaves from shrub genera like dryas and willow twigs.

This suggests that their habitat comprised a range of environments capable of supporting a rich and diverse ecosystem.

“Grey wolves have existed for hundreds of thousands of years based on skeletal remains discovered at paleontological sites, and researchers have performed DNA tests to assess population changes over time.”

“The soft tissue preserved in Tumat puppies provides new access to examine wolves and their evolutionary pathways.”

“Their diet encompassed both animal flesh and plant matter, which bears resemblance to contemporary wolves, offering insights into their reproductive behaviors.”

“The duo are sisters, presumably raised in dens and nurtured by their packs—a behavior commonly observed in modern wolf pup rearing.”

“Though they are frequently larger today, it remains possible that Tumat’s puppies had a brother who survived their fate.”

“There may be additional cubs hidden in permafrost or lost to erosion.”

Hunting large prey like woolly rhinoceroses suggests that these wolves, even as pups, were larger than today’s wolves, yet they may have also targeted easier prey.

Survey results will be published in the journal Quaternary Studies.

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Anne Katlin Wiborg Lange et al. Multifaceted analysis revealed diet and relatives of late Pleistocene “Tamat puppies.” Quaternary Studies Published online on June 12th, 2025. doi: 10.1017/qua.2025.10

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals TikTok Skincare Routines for Teens Offer Minimal Benefits

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study indicates that the skincare routines showcased by young TikTok influencers offer minimal benefits, and may even heighten the risk of skin irritation and allergies in children.

The research team notes a surge in young girls posting videos of intricate skincare regimens, which often feature moisturizers, toners, acne treatments, and anti-aging products.

In this pioneering study, researchers examined these TikTok videos and found that not only is the process complicated, but many girls rush to complete their routines, leading to practices that are costly, unnecessary, and potentially harmful.

“The hazards of utilizing these products, particularly among younger girls, greatly outweigh the minor benefits derived from active ingredients,” stated Dr. Molly Hales, the study’s lead author from Northwestern University.

Dr. Hales remarked that while social media can provide a platform for creativity and self-expression, young girls do not require such complicated routines.

“The risk arises when girls interpret this as an essential step for caring for their skin and safeguarding their health,” she warned.

“These products do not enhance skin health and are likely to degrade skin integrity over time.”

Instead, she suggests using a gentle cleanser once or twice daily and emphasizes that applying sunscreen suffices.

In the journal Paediatrics, Hales and her team describe how they set up two TikTok accounts for a 13-year-old, collecting a sample of 100 videos showcasing skincare routines created by young users.

They discovered that 81 of the 82 content creators were girls, aged between 7 and 18.

“Most of these creators displayed clear, healthy skin without visible blemishes,” the researchers observed, noting that the videos often alluded to beauty ideals linked to whiteness.

The study revealed an average of six products per skincare routine, typically from the same brand, with a total average cost of $168 (£124). However, factoring in additional products, the overall cost could exceed $500 (£369).

“Get Ready With Me” videos were the most prevalent, followed by “skincare routines” and “after-school” skincare clips.

The team found that many featured ingredients, like citric acid, could lead to skin irritation and heightened sun sensitivity, raising the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Only 26% of the 84 videos that included sunscreen featured it in their daytime routines.

Dr. Hales noted that using products with multiple active ingredients or layering identical actives could further elevate the risk of irritation.

The researchers found that 76% of the 25 most viewed videos featured at least one potential contact allergen, frequently in the form of fragrances.

Dr. Tess McPherson from the British Association of Dermatologists, who did not participate in the study, emphasized its importance, as it corroborates anecdotal evidence of a rise in young people seeking treatment for skin irritation.

“We are witnessing a significant increase in individuals desiring what they term perfect skin. This mindset is unproductive and fails to bring true happiness,” she commented.

Dr. McPherson further noted that many young people are requesting birthday money for costly skincare products.

Echoing the study’s findings, she pointed out that such videos perpetuate stigmas regarding conditions like acne and eczema, as well as fears surrounding aging.

“Younger children are seeking skincare items that they don’t need; these products are ineffective,” she remarked. “This reflects a troubling societal view of what one’s skin should ideally look like.”

A TikTok representative responded, stating: “This kind of content appears across all media, and while the author acknowledges not assessing the impact on teenage well-being, they recognize genuine benefits in teenage self-expression, parental bonding, and building a supportive TikTok community.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk’s Feud with Trump Mask Reveals the Consequences of Unregulated Money in Politics

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk has remarked on the loud and public nature of money’s role in American politics, pointing out that it’s typically a quieter affair.

“Without me, Trump would lose the election, the Democrats would control the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. That kind of dissatisfaction,” he stated on his X social media platform amid an ongoing feud with Donald Trump.

When right-wing commentator Laura Rumer mentioned Capitol Hill Republicans debating their allies in the intraparty conflict, Musk hinted at the extent of his influence. “Ah, food for thought, as they consider this: Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I’m over 40 years old…” Musk wrote on X.

US billionaires frequently wield significant influence in politics, using their wealth to sway government actions. However, few have been as overt and impactful as Musk in the past year, demonstrating the transactions and dysfunction within US governance.

The Trump Judicial War offers a united snapshot of American politics. As the world’s richest individual, Musk has played a notable role in a new governmental initiative targeting the dismantling of unfavorable agencies after financially backing his preferred candidates.

We find ourselves amidst a clash between a billionaire president and an even wealthier Republican donor, both vying over how to reduce aid to the impoverished. As one satirical website observed: “Yeah! These billionaires are arguing over how much money they can siphon from the poor.”

Fifteen years ago, the US Supreme Court determined that corporations and outside groups could spend unlimited amounts on elections, leading to a ruling by Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy:

Since then, it has become clear that such wealth injections are undermining democracy. Musk’s actions exemplify the already soaring levels of money’s influence in politics, with reports indicating he spent nearly $300 million to support Trump in 2024. We are now witnessing a government dominated by billionaires.

“Fifteen years post-decision, we observe the full consequences of living in a society where not just elections are for sale, but the entire government structure is for sale,” he told Bluwork earlier this year.

Musk is not alone in this arena. During election cycles, ultra-wealthy donors frequently fund candidates of their choice. This has become the standard landscape in current American politics across both parties. Bernie Sanders challenged the Democrats at last year’s convention, stating, “Billionaires in both parties cannot buy elections, even primaries.”

Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in Wisconsin’s judicial elections but lost to a Democratic opponent. He also donated a smaller amount to Republicans seeking to oppose a judge who resisted the Trump administration. Despite an inconsistent success record, his financial threats remain significant for both parties.

However, due to his unelected status, Musk has been somewhat restricted in his ability to block Trump’s key spending bill. Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” didn’t meet Musk’s stringent expectations for budget cuts or support, and once the administration ceased to fulfill his wishes, he publicly expressed his discontent.

This reflects the volatile alliance between Trump and Musk, which began with mutual affection and a central role for billionaires during Trump’s administration. The fact that Musk has such sway over the budget process is troubling. Trump indicated that Musk was aware of the bill’s contents, suggesting that the administration sought his approval before any public fallout.

Musk has adopted a bold approach to political spending, which is rare among the ultra-wealthy, who generally let their financial contributions do the talking. A charitable expert previously noted to the Guardian that Musk’s distinctiveness lies in his “permanent discretion as a mode of political engagement.”

Now, Musk rallies his followers on X to sway Congress and halt the bill. This could prove effective as Republican lawmakers grapple with the ideological pressures of a president and a mega-donor known for his vindictive tendencies.

Within right-wing media, these conflicts have created divisions. At Breitbart, one commentator remarked that Trump “pokes a finger in the eyes of his biggest donor and it never ends well.” Another piece in American Spectator claimed Musk hadn’t picked Trump. However, the Washington Examiner praised Musk’s opposition to the bill, suggesting that Trump’s budget plan “deserves to fail.”

“I don’t care if Elon disagrees with me, but he should have voiced that a few months ago,” Trump said as he wrapped up a series of critiques targeting Musk. The president also remarked that Musk had “lost his nerve” during a recent television interview.

So far, Republican figures have rallied behind Trump, with JD Vance proclaiming, “President Trump has done more than anyone else in my lifetime to gain the movement’s trust.”

If Musk ultimately falters, he could take his wealth and seek influence elsewhere. He has floated the idea of forming a third political party, a notion that has failed in the past, but his financial clout and forceful personality might invigorate this endeavor. The Democrats already rely heavily on wealthy benefactors and would welcome a potential shift from Musk. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna proposed that the party should reach out to him.

Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and encourages the left to embrace economic populism, faced significant backlash from his party for his comments but stood by them.

“If Biden criticized a major supporter, Trump would have embraced him the next day,” he posted on X.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk’s Feud with Trump Reveals the Risks of Concentrating Power in One Individual

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

After a year of mutual admiration and affection, Elon Musk and Donald Trump dramatically severed their political ties this week. This notable split featured the world’s wealthiest individual accusing the President of the United States of having connections with notorious sex offenders. Trump remarked that Musk had “lost his heart.”

The fallout from their disagreement poses real threats, with both Musk and Trump publicly shaming each other on their respective social platforms. Trump hinted that all of Musk’s government contracts and subsidies could be scrapped – labeling it “The Best Way to Save Money,” a move that could have disastrous implications not just for tech billionaires, but also for federal agencies relying on them. In response, Musk announced that NASA would start withdrawing the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft from transport missions, though he later backtracked on this decision.

While their feud plays out like a sensational reality show, the confrontation between Trump and Musk highlights the dangers of entrusting vital public services to private companies led by unpredictable billionaires. It showcases how something once seen as a proud national endeavor, like space travel, can become jeopardized by the emotional whims of a single individual.

The previously cordial relationship sparked months of concerns about potential corruption and calls for investigations into how Tesla’s CEO could leverage his government ties for personal gain. This division illustrates the hazards of Musk’s deep entanglements with the government, where his services could become collateral damage in personal conflicts. Millions of dollars hang in the balance as their rivalry unfolds.

The chaotic manner in which this dispute is transpiring reminds us of the unpredictability of their actions. Musk’s SpaceX spacecraft and its commitments, if disrupted, could prevent the United States from promptly reaching the International Space Station.

“In response to the President’s statement about canceling my government contract, @Spacex will soon begin to abolish the Dragon Spacecraft,” Musk tweeted unexpectedly on Thursday.

“Good advice. Ok, we won’t abolish the Dragon,” Musk replied the next day, responding to an anonymous user with approximately 5,000 followers who suggested “we’ll calm down for a few days and take a step back.”

Had the Musk-Trump feud disrupted governmental operations or used them as political leverage, it wouldn’t have been unforeseen. Since Musk declined in 2023 to allow Ukraine to utilize Starlink in Crimea, the government has faced the harsher reality of relying on Musk’s global infrastructure, a precarious position in case of an unexpected attack on Russian forces. Musk’s assertion that he could disable Starlink almost led to a diplomatic incident earlier this year. Meanwhile, European authorities have recently rushed to seek alternatives to Starlink amid concerns over Musk’s erratic behavior.

Musk has positioned himself as an unpredictable global power broker, yet the U.S. continues to grant him contracts, further entrenching his corporate influence. Specifically, space operations have become synonymous with Musk.

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Since winning its first NASA contract in 2006, SpaceX has been awarded approximately $15 billion in government contracts, tasked with transporting astronauts and cargo into orbit. NASA has also contracted SpaceX for a mission to explore one of Saturn’s moons with a planned crewed endeavor. Last year, SpaceX was called upon to rescue two astronauts stranded on the ISS.

The government’s dependence on Musk extends beyond NASA. The Department of Defense maintains extensive contracts with Musk for launching intelligence satellites through SpaceX. The company has also emerged as the front runner in the Trump administration’s initiative to establish a “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, a priority for U.S. defense. Musk’s Starlink communications system has become integral to government operations, reaching the White House this year.

Musk remains a powerful figure in the market and among investors, as illustrated by the nearly 14% drop in Tesla’s share price during his fallout with Trump. Musk has indicated readiness to incur losses for his principles, and his immense wealth provides a buffer against major downturns in his business. The decline in Tesla’s shares on Thursday erased about $34 billion from his net worth in a single day, yet he remains the world’s richest person, with a margin exceeding $90 billion.

The significant reliance on Musk and the privatization of government functions have long drawn scrutiny from ethical watchdogs and industry specialists, but the current climate seems particularly precarious now that Musk has hinted at holding certain services hostage. This situation also highlights the consequences of the privatization initiatives that Musk supported during his tenure in the Trump administration. While Musk has firmly criticized bureaucracy, courts, and regulators as barriers to progress, they also serve as safeguards against the type of personal power and instability displayed by both him and Trump amid their escalating conflict.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Study Reveals How Astrophysicists Can Utilize Black Holes as Superco-leaders of Particles

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study conducted by physicists at the University of Oxford, Johns Hopkins, and the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris reveals a natural process involving a gravitational particle charger that utilizes free-falling particles from infinity, matter collisions from the most stable circular orbit of rotating black holes, and a gravitational particle charger that repeatedly cycles mass energy—excluding heavy particles. In essence, this describes the Super Collider.

The artist’s concept depicts an ultra-high massive black hole in the heart of the Milky Way galaxy known as Sagittarius A*. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/RALF CRAWFORD, STSCI.

Particle corridors accelerate protons and other subatomic particles towards one another at nearly the speed of light, revealing the fundamental properties of matter.

A subtle energy flash occurs upon collision, with fragments potentially unveiling previously unknown particles that may serve as candidates for dark matter—a crucial, yet elusive, component of the universe that remains undetected by scientists.

Facilities like the Large Hadron Collider also contribute to advancements in areas such as the internet, cancer therapy, and high-performance computing.

“One of the great aspirations for a particle collider like the Large Hadron Collider is to produce dark matter particles, though we have yet to find any evidence,” commented Professor Joseph Silk, an astrophysicist from Johns Hopkins University and Oxford University.

“This is why there’s ongoing dialogue about the necessity of constructing a much more powerful version for the next generation of Super Collider.”

“However, we’ve been waiting for 40 years to invest $30 billion in building this Super Collider, allowing nature to give us a glimpse into the future with supermassive black holes.”

A black hole can rotate around its axis like a planet but possesses significantly greater strength due to its intense gravitational field.

Increasingly, scientists are discovering that massive black holes rapidly spinning at the center of galaxies release enormous explosions of plasma, potentially due to jets transporting energy from the spin and surrounding accretion disks.

These phenomena can yield similar results to those produced by engineered Super Colliders.

“If ultra-high energy black holes can generate these particles through high-energy proton collisions, we could receive signals on Earth. Some high-energy particles pass through the detectors rapidly,” Professor Silk explained.

“This indicates a new particle collider effect within one of the universe’s most mysterious entities, achieving energies unattainable by any accelerator on Earth.”

“We may observe something with a unique signature believed to indicate the presence of dark matter. While this is somewhat speculative, it remains a possibility.”

New research indicates that gas falling into a black hole can harness energy from its spin, resulting in more violent behavior than previously thought.

Near rapidly spinning black holes, these particles can collide in a coordinated manner.

While not identical, this process resembles the collisions created using strong magnetic fields, where particles are accelerated in a circular high-energy particle corridor.

“Some particles from these collisions are swallowed by the black hole and vanish forever,” stated Professor Silk.

“However, due to their energy and momentum, some particles emerge, achieving unprecedented high energies.”

“We have recognized the immense energy of these particle beams, rivaling what can be produced in a Super Collider.”

“Determining the limits of this energy is challenging, but these phenomena are certainly aligned with the energy levels of the latest Super Colliders we plan to construct, providing complementary results.”

To detect such high-energy particles, scientists can utilize observatories that are already monitoring supernovae, massive black hole eruptions, and other cosmic occurrences.

These include detectors like the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the Kilometer Cube Neutrino Telescope in Antarctica.

The difference between a Super Collider and a black hole is their vast distances from one another. Nevertheless, these particles still reach us.

The team’s paper was published this week in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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Andrew Mamalie and Joseph Silk. 2025. Black Hole Super Collider. Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 221401; doi:10.1103/physrevlett.134.221401

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals That Middle-Aged Women Who Drink Caffeinated Coffee May Experience Healthier Aging

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard Chan Public Health indicates that caffeine and regular coffee consumption during middle age are modestly and positively linked to various aspects of healthy aging in women. However, no notable correlation was found with tea or caffeinated coffee, whereas increased cola intake was associated with healthy aging and a lower likelihood of related health issues.

Mahdavi et al. Our aim was to explore the relationship between caffeine intake in middle age and the chances of healthy aging in older women participating in nurse health studies. Image credit: Sci.News.

“While earlier studies have linked coffee to specific health outcomes, this research is the first to evaluate coffee’s impact on multiple aspects of aging over three decades,” stated Dr. Sarah Mahadhabi, a researcher at Harvard Chan School of Public Health and the University of Toronto.

“The findings indicate that coffee may uniquely support aging processes that foster both mental and physical well-being.”

“Our study boasts several significant strengths, including a substantial sample size and three decades of follow-up. Moreover, we assessed various elements of longevity and healthy aging, in conjunction with comprehensive data on nutrition and lifestyle habits collected every four years after the study began.”

The research encompassed 47,513 women from the Nurses Health Survey, utilizing dietary and health data gathered since 1984.

Researchers evaluated caffeine consumption using a validated food frequency questionnaire, focusing on major caffeine sources like coffee, tea, cola, and caffeinated coffee.

Healthy aging was characterized as living to age 70 and above, free from 11 major chronic diseases, preserving physical abilities, maintaining mental health, exhibiting no cognitive impairment, and having no memory complaints.

Following 30 years of monitoring, researchers assessed how the probability of healthy aging varied with each additional 80 mg of caffeine consumed daily by the participants.

They also examined specific beverage types, including coffee, tea, caffeinated coffee (per 8-ounce cup), and cola (per 12-ounce glass).

The preliminary analyses identified other factors that might influence healthy aging, such as body weight, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, educational attainment, and protein intake.

By 2016, 3,706 women in the study met all criteria for being classified as healthy agers.

Women aged between 45-60 typically consumed an average of 315 mg of caffeine daily, with over 80% of that derived from regular coffee consumption.

For those in the Healthy Agers Group, each additional cup of coffee per day was linked to a 2% to 5% increased likelihood of aging well, up to about 5 small cups per day, or approximately 2.5 standard cups by today’s measurements.

Researchers discovered no significant correlation between the consumption of decaffeinated coffee or tea and an elevated likelihood of healthy aging.

Importantly, for each additional glass of soda with caffeine, the chances of healthy aging decreased by 20-26%, indicating that not all caffeine sources are beneficial.

“While these findings are preliminary, they suggest that small, consistent habits can profoundly influence long-term health,” Dr. Mahadhabi noted.

“Moderate coffee intake can provide a range of protective benefits when coupled with other healthy practices, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking.”

“This study expands on previous evidence linking coffee consumption to healthy aging, but the benefits of coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of an overall healthy lifestyle, warranting further investigation.”

The findings were presented at the Survey results on June 2nd during the Nutrition 2025 annual meeting hosted by the American Nutrition Association.

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Sarah Mahadabi et al. Caffeine intake and healthy aging in women. Nutrition 2025 Summary #P22-039-25

Source: www.sci.news