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Unveiling Britain’s Past: Study Shows Minimal Roman Influence in Ancient DNA Analysis

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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This Victorian-era chromolithograph illustrates Boudica’s revolt against the Romans around 60 AD.

Credit: Popper Photo (Getty Images)

Boudica's Rebellion Against the Romans — This Victorian-era chromolithograph illustrates Boudica’s revolt against the Romans around 60 AD.

Credit: Popper Photo (Getty Images)

Recent studies highlight the limited genetic influence of Roman occupation on modern British populations, revealing surprising insights into Britain’s genetic history.

“The Roman conquest’s genetic impact seems to be far less significant than previously thought,” says Rachel Pope, a PhD candidate at the University of Liverpool, who wasn’t involved in the research.

<p><a href="https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/find-a-researcher/marina-soares-da-silva">Marina Soares da Silva</a> and her team at the Francis Crick Institute analyzed the genomes of 1,039 ancient Britons, dating from the Bronze Age (2550 BC - 1150 AD) following the Norman Conquest. Roman rule in Britain lasted from 43 AD to 410 AD.</p>

<p>The findings indicated that nearly 100% of individuals living during the Roman period shared ancestry solely with Iron Age Britons, with only 20% exhibiting genetic contributions from outside Britain.</p>

<p>"Given the extensive lifestyle changes during Roman times, the mere 20% genetic influence is astonishing," notes <a href="https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/academics/duncan-sayer">Duncan Thayer</a> from the University of Lancashire, who wasn't part of the study. "I anticipated a more diverse genetic mix."</p>

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<p>"This implies that the Roman conquest was less about altering genetics and more about transforming lifestyles," Thayer explains. "Their focus was on converting Britain into a series of exploitable economies, driven by a select few."</p>

<p>This aligns with previous research indicating <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/41/9/msae168/7741671?login=false">minimal Roman genetic influence in rural regions</a>.</p>

<p>One notable area where the Romans influenced British society was in burial customs. Pre-Roman evidence suggests that women had significant autonomy, with practices such as matrilocality where women remained in their ancestral homes as men migrated.</p>

<p>In Iron Age Britain, burial practices typically followed maternal lineage, with individuals buried alongside maternal relatives rather than spouses. Silva and her research team discovered more sites in southwestern England evidencing these matrilineal burials extending into the late Iron Age.</p>

<p>"This discovery was unexpected, particularly the implications in the western regions," says Pope.</p>

<p>However, Roman burial sites displayed no discernible family patterns, suggesting a departure from Iron Age customs and lifestyles.</p>

<p>Pope notes that the enduring legacy of Boudica, the Aisni queen who led a revolt against the Roman Empire around 60 AD, reflects this loss. "Her story symbolizes a woman protesting against the inability to inherit property."</p>

<p>After the Romans departed, significant genetic changes occurred. Between 400 and 600 AD, various Germanic tribes like the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes migrated to and established dominance over modern England. The Anglo-Saxon populace remained influential until the Norman Conquest in 1066.</p>

<p>Silva’s analysis revealed a prominent influx of ancestry tied to Germanic-speaking tribes by the 6th century, impacting over 70% of the Anglo-Saxon demographic in southern Britain.</p>

<p>This observation parallels findings by <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05247-2">Thayer's research team</a>, where about 76% of genomes from the same era indicated similar genetic markers.</p>

<p>The results indicated a clustering of ancestral profiles, establishing a population labeled as early medieval Britain I. From the 8th to 10th century, this genetic lineage saw a decline, with increased presence from central and southern European ancestries.</p>

<p>The genetic influence of the Viking population was shown to be limited, despite the establishment of the Danelaw region, which was under Viking control from the 9th to 11th centuries. During this period, only 4% of Britons could trace their ancestry back to Iron Age Scandinavia.</p>

<p>This trend can be accounted for through two stages of Viking incursions, Thayer affirms. In earlier raids, genetics were predominantly Scandinavian, as Vikings captured individuals from Ireland and England. Conversely, later invasions resulted in a diverse genetic mix due to existing populations in Britain.</p>

<p>Silva's team analyzed 69 genomes from the post-Norman Conquest period, discovering similar evidence of genetic stagnation post-invasion, although most genomes were from a singular site in Leicester, limiting generalizability across the country.</p>

<p>Pope concludes that these findings illustrate the dynamic genetic influx into the UK from diverse populations across Europe. "What does it mean to be English?"</p>

<p>Thayer suggests, "Perhaps we are imposing modern concepts of ethnicity that held different significances in the past."</p>

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New Study Shows Space Debris Descends Faster as Solar Temperatures Rise

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Space debris, including defunct satellites and leftover rocket stages, poses an increasing risk to operational spacecraft and human space missions. Recent research indicates that heightened solar activity may accelerate the descent of space debris, influencing how scientists estimate satellite lifespans and collision probabilities.

When solar activity reaches approximately 67% of its peak, space debris descends more rapidly.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO), ranging from 400 to 2,000 km, serves as a prime location for image surveillance satellites, including Starlink and large-scale internet “megaconstellations.”

However, this region is cluttered with “space junk,” like retired satellites and rocket stages, posing risks to new launches. A single collision can trigger a chain reaction of extensive damage.

Efforts to use robotic systems for capturing space debris are still in their infancy. Researchers are currently focused on accurately tracking debris and identifying the most hazardous objects for future removal.

“We demonstrate that heightened solar activity accelerates the altitude loss of space debris surrounding Earth,” explained Dr. Aisha Ashraf, a researcher at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.

“For the first time, we reveal that this altitude reduction occurs significantly faster once solar activity surpasses a specific threshold.”

“This finding is expected to play a crucial role in planning sustainable future space operations.”

The sun operates on an 11-year cycle, alternating between active and quiet phases, which correlates with sunspot numbers and affects the intensity of solar radiation.

UV radiation and charged particles (such as helium nuclei and heavy ions) increase during active periods.

When this solar outburst peaks, as observed in 2024, it heats Earth’s thermosphere, located at altitudes of 100 to 1,000 km, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 2,500 degrees Celsius.

This elevation in atmospheric density around orbiting objects (350-36,000 km altitude) increases atmospheric resistance or “drag,” accelerating their descent.

In their study, Dr. Ashraf and colleagues analyzed the historical trajectories of 17 LEO space debris objects over a 36-year timeline beginning in the 1960s, encompassing the 22nd to 24th solar cycles.

These objects orbit the Earth every 90 to 120 minutes at altitudes of 600 to 800 km and have yet to reenter the atmosphere; eventually, they will combust upon reentry.

Since space debris does not engage in active station-keeping like artificial satellites, its descent rates are influenced solely by variations in thermosphere density.

“This characteristic makes space junk an excellent indicator for assessing the long-term impacts of solar activity on atmospheric drag,” stated the researchers.

They correlated these orbits with extensive data from the German Geoscience Research Center, which monitors sunspot activity alongside daily shifts in solar radio and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation.

The findings indicated that when sunspot numbers exceed two-thirds of their peak, space debris crosses a “transition boundary,” prompting faster descent.

“This threshold appears unrelated to a specific solar radiation value but rather hinges on the sun’s proximity to its peak activity,” remarked Dr. Ashraf.

“At this juncture, the sun emits more intense EUV radiation, potentially due to amplified solar activities near the peak.”

The researchers emphasized that their discoveries will assist space scientists in optimizing satellite trajectories and mitigating collision risks with debris.

“Our findings suggest that when solar activity heightens beyond a particular level, satellites decline in altitude more rapidly, akin to space debris, necessitating more frequent orbital adjustments,” Dr. Ashraf noted.

“This directly impacts a satellite’s operational duration in orbit and its fuel requirements, particularly for missions launched close to solar maximum.”

“Remarkably, all this valuable information derives from objects launched in the 1960s.”

“They continue to contribute to our understanding and act as vital instruments for investigating the long-term effects of solar activity on the thermosphere.”

The team’s study has been published in the latest issue of Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science.

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Aisha M. Ashraf et al. 2026. Characterizing the influence of solar cycles on long-term orbital degradation of Low-Earth Orbit space debris. Front. Astron. Space Sci. 13; doi: 10.3389/fspas.2026.1797886

Source: www.sci.news

Revolutionary New Method Shows Promise in Preventing Sepsis Deaths

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Extracting a patient’s plasma and removing certain proteins may enhance sepsis treatment outcomes.

Vital Hill/Shutterstock

Blood Plasma Treatment for Sepsis — Extracting a patient’s plasma and removing certain proteins may enhance sepsis treatment outcomes.

Vital Hill/Shutterstock

Patients suffering from severe sepsis may soon benefit from innovative treatments that filter their blood to remove critical proteins underlying life-threatening responses. Promising results in animal studies set the stage for human trials scheduled for next year.

Sepsis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection, causing severe damage to tissues and organs. It can escalate to septic shock, which leads to dangerously low blood pressure and further complications. In 2017, there were 49 million cases of sepsis worldwide. According to a meta-analysis involving patients in Europe, North America, and Australia, 32% of sepsis patients died within 90 days despite treatment for the initial infection and organ damage, while the mortality soared to 39% among those with septic shock.

Emerging therapies that target the root causes of this condition could halt the progression of sepsis. Isaac Elias from the Amitava Medical Clinic Healing Center in Santa Rosa, California, has dedicated decades to studying a protein called galectin-3. This protein has numerous functions in healthy individuals, including regulating cell life cycles and activating immune responses. Galectin-3 is believed to be implicated in various health conditions, with Elias stating, “Our research spans multiple areas, from autoimmunity to cancer.”

Curious about galectin-3’s potential role in sepsis, Elias noted that high levels of this protein correlate with an increased risk of death in sepsis patients. To explore this, Elias and his team developed a device that filters galectin-3 from the blood. The process involves withdrawing a sizable blood sample, separating the plasma in a centrifuge, and using a filter with antibodies to target and remove galectin-3. The purified plasma is then combined with the blood cells and reintroduced to the patient.

This innovative apheresis device is currently being tested by teams including Peng Zhiyong from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in China, applying a multifaceted approach.

Initially, they monitored 87 septic patients versus 27 healthy individuals, discovering elevated galectin-3 levels in the sepsis group. Subsequent assessments showed a decrease in galectin-3 levels among survivors.

The research team also utilized the hemofiltration device in two animal models of sepsis, starting with 48 rats that developed sepsis due to a large intestine puncture. Of these, 28 underwent galectin-3 hemofiltration, while the rest received a sham procedure. Remarkably, 57% of the treatment group survived, compared to just 25% in the control group.

Furthermore, the team applied galectin-3 apheresis to minipigs subjected to lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial component that induces a robust immune response and sepsis. All pigs received intensive care, with 16 undergoing galectin-3 apheresis and 15 getting sham apheresis. The treatment group demonstrated higher survival rates: 69% versus 27%.

“This is certainly innovative,” remarks Jirali Anand of Raymond Poincaré Hospital in Garches, France. “The results remain consistent across both animal models.” Nevertheless, he emphasizes the need for further research to uncover how galectin-3 contributes to sepsis before establishing a standardized treatment. Anand also anticipates replicating these results in independent studies and different animal species, including primates.

Elias’ company, Elias Therapeutics, is actively seeking funding to launch a randomized clinical trial of galectin-3 apheresis in humans, aimed for initiation in 2027.

Research Shows the US Faces Highest Climate Change Costs Globally

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The United States stands to endure the most severe economic consequences of climate change compared to any other nation worldwide. This trend is projected to continue, exacerbating existing challenges.

According to recent research from Stanford University, scientists have quantified the economic losses linked to emissions from major fossil fuel contributors.

Lead author Marshall Burke, a professor of environmental and social sciences, highlighted the aim of the study: to establish a clear link between specific emissions and their economic repercussions. In an interview with BBC Science Focus, he stated, “This ‘loss and damage’ is a critical aspect of climate change that remains largely unaddressed.”

Burke noted, “The international community has struggled with formally defining this issue or systematically estimating which emissions are impacting which countries. Our study strives to bridge that gap.”

Remarkably, from 1990 to 2020, the U.S. emerged as the largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to approximately $10.2 trillion (£7.6 trillion) in global damages.

Furthermore, the study found that the U.S. also incurred the largest climate change losses, amounting to $16.2 trillion (£12.2 trillion).

“America has suffered more,” Burke noted, explaining that even though these emissions are a substantial source of damage, they have also caused significant harm to the U.S. economy itself.

In addition, U.S. emissions have inflicted considerable damage globally. For instance, scientists estimate that the European Union faced damages of $1.4 trillion (£1.1 trillion), while India suffered around $500 billion (£375 billion) in damages, and Brazil incurred losses of about $330 billion (£250 billion).

Burke emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “The estimated damages already inflicted by climate change are staggering, amounting to tens of trillions of dollars.”

The European Union is estimated to be the second most affected entity after the U.S., sustaining damages worth $6.4 trillion (£4.8 trillion), despite being the third largest emitter.

In stark contrast, the UK faced losses of about $1.1 trillion (£830 billion) and damages of approximately $880 billion (£660 billion).

Graph illustrating global economic damage attributed to countries and political entities (left) and projected economic losses for individual nations due to climate change (right) from 1990 to 2020 – Credit: Burke et al 2026, Nature

The study presents the relationship between emitters and affected nations as akin to a household managing waste. In this analogy, the waste symbolizes carbon dioxide emissions, and the study meticulously mapped out the origins, pathways, and ultimate impacts of this ‘waste.’

A critical component of the research was examining Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which allowed researchers to assess the repercussions of climate change on various sectors, including agriculture, health, and workplace productivity.

“Temperature fluctuations significantly affect the global economy,” Burke said. “Our research aims to connect these impacts with upstream emissions from global emitters.”

However, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere behaves differently from traditional waste. The repercussions are long-lasting, worsening over time.

“The future damage stemming from past emissions will far surpass the damages already experienced,” Burke warned. “As long as carbon remains in the atmosphere, damage will continue, and the impact over the coming century will likely be exponentially greater than what we’ve faced thus far.”

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Study of Ice Cores Shows Low CO2 Levels During 3 Million-Year-Old Warm Period

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Exploration at Antarctica’s Allan Hills Reveals 3 Million-Year-Old Ice Cores

Credit: Austin Carter

Researchers have used ancient air bubbles trapped in a 3-million-year-old ice core to analyze atmospheric gases from the late Pliocene for the first time. This era, when global temperatures were approximately 1°C higher than today, and sea levels were 25 meters elevated, serves as a crucial reference for current climate discussions.

The results indicated that carbon dioxide and methane concentrations from this period were significantly lower than today’s levels, suggesting that Earth’s climate might be more susceptible to minor changes in atmospheric conditions than previously believed.

In various regions of Antarctica, annual snow accumulation compresses layers into ice that entraps air bubbles, allowing scientists to construct a historical atmospheric record. Last year, the Beyond EPICA team successfully extracted the oldest continuous ice record, dating back over a million years. Learn more about this significant breakthrough.

Furthermore, scientists obtained even older ice in areas where prevailing winds eroded younger layers, bringing older “blue” ice closer to the surface.

Julia Marks Peterson, a professor at Oregon State University, and her colleagues utilized this ancient ice from Allan Hills to make direct measurements of carbon dioxide and methane levels in the Pliocene atmosphere. They discovered that, around 3 million years ago, carbon dioxide was at 250 ppm and methane at 507 ppb—much lower than previously estimated. The higher temperatures of that era went hand-in-hand with a cooling phase where carbon dioxide decreased slightly, while methane remained stable.

These findings starkly contrast earlier indirect measurements, which suggested carbon dioxide levels were nearly equal to today’s 400 ppm. Direct measurements of past methane levels are not feasible, but current standards show it hovering just below the 2000 billionth mark. Explore more about methane trends.

“The results were a bit surprising,” says Marks Peterson. If validated, these findings imply that even slight variations in greenhouse gas concentrations can dramatically affect climate systems. “This could indicate that the Earth is more sensitive to changes in CO2 than we currently understand. That’s a concerning thought,” she adds, “and one that remains unanswered given our existing records.”

New evidence suggesting lower-than-expected Pliocene carbon dioxide levels raises concerns about the potential severity of future climate change, according to Christian Proistosescu from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who was not involved in the study.

However, additional research is essential to leverage these findings in climate modeling. Tim Naish from Victoria University of Wellington emphasizes the need for caution. He remains optimistic about uncovering data that could reveal an era of even warmer Pliocene temperatures.

Thomas Chalk from the European Center for Environmental and Geoscience Research and Education asserts the accuracy of the study’s lower CO2 measurements. Yet, he cautions that ancient ice distortions complicate interpretations regarding whether these low values reflect specific climatic periods or an overall average. “It’s essential to understand what these figures truly represent, as they don’t inherently provide a temperature estimate,” he clarifies.

The research team aims to enhance the credibility of their findings by cross-referencing their results with records from the Beyond EPICA group. “This collaborative effort will deepen our understanding of climate history,” states Marks Peterson. “We eagerly anticipate the new insights they will uncover.”

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Marine Geoengineering Test Shows No Harm to Marine Life: Findings Revealed

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Impact of Alkaline Sodium Hydroxide on the Gulf of Maine’s Carbon Dynamics

Daniel Cojanu, Undercurrent Productions, ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Can we effectively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to mitigate ocean acidification? A recent test shed light on this as a research team injected 65,000 liters of alkaline sodium hydroxide into the Gulf of Maine in August 2025.

“We were pioneers in exploring the enhancement of alkalinity using a ship,” stated Adam Subhas from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. The team shared their preliminary findings at the Marine Science Conference on February 25th in Glasgow, UK. “It’s clear we observed increased CO2 absorption due to this experiment.”

Over the span of four days, the team indicated that between 2 to 10 tons of CO2 were extracted from the atmosphere, with a potential total of up to 50 tons. Importantly, no adverse effects on marine ecosystems were noted.

Nonetheless, Subhas highlighted a critical point: the team hasn’t calculated the emissions produced during the manufacturing and transport of the sodium hydroxide, leaving the net CO2 removal outcome uncertain. “That’s an essential area for future research,” he remarked.

The ocean acts as a significant carbon sink, storing 40 times more carbon than the atmosphere and absorbing over a quarter of the excess CO2 emitted. This surplus CO2 reacts with ocean water to create carbonic acid, leading to increased ocean acidity.

Ocean acidification can severely impact various marine organisms by dissolving carbonate shells, thereby diminishing the ocean’s carbon absorption capacity.

Researchers are actively investigating numerous strategies to counteract ocean acidification, such as adding magnesium hydroxide to wastewater, spreading crushed olivine on beaches, and transporting seawater to onshore treatment facilities. Some companies are even marketing carbon credits based on alkalinity enhancement.

“This is indicative of current private sector initiatives,” Subhas explained, emphasizing the need for non-commercial trials like their team’s.

Given the sensitive nature of such experiments, the team engaged local stakeholders, particularly the fishing community. “Establishing a two-way dialogue is crucial,” asserted Kristin Kreisner of the Environmental Defense Fund, a New York-based nonprofit.

The testing involved three ships and was meticulously monitored using various methods, from satellites to floating sensors and ocean gliders. Sodium hydroxide was mixed with a trace dye called rhodamine to accurately track its dispersion.

The researchers measured concentrations of microorganisms, plankton, fish larvae, and lobster larvae, as well as photosynthetic activity levels. According to Rachel David at Rutgers University, New Jersey, “Our trials did not significantly impact the biological community.”

The additional carbon introduced into the ocean through increased alkalinity converts into bicarbonate ions, akin to dissolved baking soda. “We anticipate this carbon will remain locked for tens of thousands of years, making it one of the most sustainable carbon removal methods,” Subhas noted.

The nature of this process allows CO2 to be removed and stored simultaneously, providing benefits over other methods that necessitate separate CO2 capture and permanent storage.

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Research Shows Eating Oats Can Lower Cholesterol in Just 2 Days

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Consuming oats exclusively for two consecutive days may significantly impact your metabolic health, based on new research.

A study involving 17 participants had them eat 300 g (10.5 oz) of oatmeal daily, prepared with water and optionally topped with fruits and vegetables, for two days without any other food.

Participants lost approximately 2 kg (4.4 lb) and experienced a 10% reduction in their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Improvements in gut health and blood pressure were noted, with lasting effects even six weeks after the diet.

Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany compared this short-term intervention to a six-week long-term diet, where another group of 17 participants added 80 g (2.8 oz) of oats to their regular meals.

The short-term oat-only approach proved more effective, highlighting that the metabolic benefits observed stem from an intensive, short-term diet rather than gradual inclusion into everyday eating habits.

All participants were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, which affects nearly one-third of adults and is often accompanied by weight gain, elevated blood pressure, increased blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels.

Metabolic syndrome heightens the risk of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart conditions, and is linked to poor gut health.

Research indicates that oats may provide essential fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory compounds known as polyphenols, making them beneficial for this demographic.

High LDL cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes – Credit: Getty Images

During the digestive process, some foods are metabolized by gut microorganisms, which release chemicals that can have various effects on your health depending on the food and the type of bacteria involved.

The two-day porridge diet led to an increase in beneficial compounds, particularly ferulic acid, known to lower cholesterol levels in past studies.

Participants who exhibited the highest increases in ferulic acid also experienced notable reductions in total and LDL cholesterol.

Scientists concluded that the gut interaction between bacteria and oats indicates that a brief oat-centric diet could serve as an affordable, sustainable, and effective strategy for addressing metabolic syndrome.

This research was published in Nature Communications.

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Neanderthal and Early Human Interbreeding Across Wide Regions: What the Evidence Shows

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s Impression of Neanderthal Life

Christian Jegou/Science Photo Library

Homo sapiens and Neanderthals likely interbred across a vast region, extending from Western Europe to Asia.

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) and Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) exhibited mixed ancestry, with most non-Africans today possessing Neanderthal DNA, approximating 2% of their genome. Neanderthals also engaged in interbreeding, leading to a lineage shift in the Y chromosome influenced by Homo sapiens.

Despite increasing knowledge about the timing of this hybridization, the specific regions and scales of these interactions long remained a mystery. Ancestors of Neanderthals departed Africa around 600,000 years ago, migrating toward Europe and Western Asia. The first evidence of Homo sapiens moving from Africa includes skeletal remains from sites in modern-day Israel and Greece, dating to approximately 200,000 years ago.

Evidence suggests that Homo sapiens contributed genetically to the Neanderthal population in the Altai Mountains around 100,000 years ago. However, the primary wave of migration from Africa occurred over 60,000 years ago. Recent studies utilizing ancient genomic data indicate that significant gene flow between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals began around 50,000 years ago, with findings documented in studies of 4000 and 7000 gene transfers.

This interaction is thought to have primarily taken place in the eastern Mediterranean, although pinpointing the exact locations remains challenging.

To investigate, Matthias Karat and his team from the University of Geneva analyzed 4,147 ancient genetic samples from over 1,200 locations, with the oldest dating back approximately 44,000 years. They studied the frequency of genetic mutations (introgression alleles) originating from Neanderthal DNA that were passed down through hybridization.

“Our objective was to use Neanderthal DNA integration patterns in ancient human genomes to determine the sites of hybridization,” Carlat explains.

Findings revealed that the proportion of transferred DNA increased gradually as one moved away from the eastern Mediterranean region, plateauing approximately 3,900 kilometers westward into Europe and eastward into Asia.

“We were surprised to identify a distinct pattern of increasing introgression rates in the human genome, likely linked to human expansion from Africa,” Carlat notes. “This increase toward Europe and East Asia allows us to estimate the parameters of this hybrid zone.”

Computer simulations showed a hybrid zone potentially spanning much of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, extending into western Asia.

Interbreeding Zone between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens

Lionel N. Di Santo et al. 2026

“Our findings suggest a continuous series of interbreeding events across both space and time,” notes Carlat. “However, the specifics of mating occurrences in this hybrid zone remain unknown.”

This hybrid zone encompasses nearly all known Neanderthal remains found across Western Eurasia, with the exception of the Altai region.

“The extensive geographical breadth of the putative hybrid zone suggests widespread interactions among populations,” states Leonard Yasi from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.

Notably, the Atlantic periphery—including western France and much of the Iberian Peninsula—was not part of the hybrid zone, despite the established presence of Neanderthals in these regions. Currat suggests that interbreeding may not have occurred here or may not be reflected in the analyzed genetic samples.

“This study reveals ongoing interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals over extensive geographical areas and extended periods,” adds Yasi. The hybrid zone may extend further, though limited ancient DNA sampling in regions like the Arabian Peninsula complicates assessment of its reach.

“This pivotal research challenges the notion that interbreeding occurred only in one area of West Asia with a singular Neanderthal population (not represented in existing genetic samples). Homo sapiens appear to have dispersed from Africa in increasing numbers across expanding territories, likely outcompeting smaller Neanderthal groups they encountered throughout most of the recognized Neanderthal range,” comments Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum in London.

Topics:

Neanderthal Man/
Ancient Humans

New Bone Cancer Treatment Shows Unexpected Reduction in Tumor Pain

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s Impression of Nanomedicine in Action

Alfred Pasieka/Science Photo Library

Nanomedicine Concept Art — Artist’s Impression of Nanomedicine in Action

Alfred Pasieka/Science Photo Library

Cancer that metastasizes to the bones can be both deadly and painful. A new innovative drug is showing promise in addressing these issues by disrupting the interaction between tumors and nerves. This groundbreaking approach may lead to a much more comfortable cancer treatment journey.

According to William Fan from Harvard University, who was not part of the study, “This highlights a new and exciting paradigm in which a single cancer treatment can simultaneously improve mortality and quality of life.”

Research indicates that 65-80% of individuals with breast or prostate cancer ultimately develop bone cancer when the disease spreads. As these tumors progress, they irritate nearby pain-sensing nerves.

Standard treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are commonly utilized to shrink bone tumors. However, pain may still persist due to residual cancer cells interacting with nerves. Furthermore, conventional methods can harm healthy tissues and often require long-term use of painkillers, like opioids, risking addiction, as noted by Xian Jia Asia at Zhejiang University in China.

In response, Xian and colleagues have introduced a revolutionary “nanotherapy” comprising tiny fat capsules loaded with DNA that encodes gasdermin B, a protein designed to kill cancer cells selectively. This therapy targets cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, utilizing the characteristic higher levels of reactive oxygen species found in tumor cells. The nanocapsules additionally contain OPSA, which enhances the body’s inherent anti-cancer immune response.

To evaluate the efficacy of this novel drug, researchers injected breast cancer cells into the legs of various mice. Once bone tumors formed, the mice received either the full nanotherapy, a simpler version containing OPSA but lacking the gasdermin B gene, or a saline control. Treatments were administered into the tail every other day over five days.

After two weeks, tumors in the full nanotherapy group were on average 94% smaller than those in the control group, while the simpler form resulted in a 50% reduction. Furthermore, all mice treated with the complete nanotherapy survived, in contrast to merely 60% of those receiving the simpler therapy and 20% in the control group. This treatment effectively killed tumor cells and induced an anti-tumor immune response, Xiang reported.

Interestingly, both forms of the nanotherapy improved mobility in the affected limbs significantly more than the control, particularly in the full nanotherapy group, indicating potential pain relief from bone tumors. Tumor samples revealed a noticeable decrease in the density of nerve cells within the cancerous growths.

The mechanism appears to involve enhancing the cancer cells’ ability to absorb calcium ions, essential for nerve growth and pain signal transmission. “The concept is that cancer cells act like sponges for local calcium, reducing the availability of calcium for sensory neurons,” explains Professor Huang. Further studies are necessary to establish how nanotherapy adjusts calcium uptake in cancer cells, which may expose new avenues for targeting this critical pathway.

In preliminary findings, it was observed that nerves surrounding tumors could facilitate their growth, suggesting that nerve-related mechanisms could not only alleviate pain but also inhibit tumor proliferation, although specific impacts remain uncertain, according to Xiang.

These findings bolster the emerging perspective that targeting the nervous system may transform cancer treatment paradigms, states Huang. However, translating these treatments from mice to humans remains challenging due to differences in immune responses. Xiang aspires to initiate human clinical trials within five to ten years.

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New Research Shows Tyrannosaurus Rex Took Nearly 40 Years to Fully Grow

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A detailed analysis of 17 fossil specimens of tyrannosaurus rex indicates that this iconic dinosaur grew much more slowly than previously believed, reaching an adult weight of approximately 8 tons by around age 40. This challenges earlier assumptions about its life history.

tyrannosaurus rex holotype specimen at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, USA. Image credit: Scott Robert Anselmo / CC BY-SA 3.0.

tyrannosaurus rex is renowned as one of the most iconic non-avian dinosaurs, continually captivating paleontologists and the public alike.

Previous growth studies proposed that this ancient predator could exceed 8 tons within just 20 years and live for nearly 30 years.

Utilizing advanced statistical algorithms, the new research examined bone slices under specialized lighting, uncovering hidden growth rings that previous studies had overlooked.

This analysis not only extended the growing season for tyrannosaurus rex but also suggested that by age 15, some specimens might not be complete individuals of tyrannosaurus rex, but instead could belong to other species or unique variants.

“This is the largest dataset ever collected regarding tyrannosaurus rex,” stated Holly Woodward, a professor at Oklahoma State University.

“Through studying the tree rings preserved in fossilized bones, we reconstructed the growth history of these magnificent creatures year by year.”

Unlike the annual rings found in tree stumps, the cross-sections of tyrannosaurus rex bones only record the final 10 to 20 years of an individual’s life.

“Our innovative statistical approach allowed us to estimate growth trajectories by synthesizing growth records from various samples. We examined every growth stage in greater detail than any prior studies,” explained Dr. Nathan Myhrvold, a mathematician and paleontologist at Intellectual Ventures.

“The resulting compound growth curves provide a more accurate representation of how tyrannosaurus rex matured and evolved in size.”

Rather than competing for dominance into adulthood, tyrannosaurus rex demonstrated a gradual and steadier growth pattern than previously assumed.

“The prolonged growth phase over 40 years likely enabled young tyrannosaurs to occupy various ecological roles within their environment,” said Dr. Jack Horner of Chapman University.

“This may explain how they maintained their status as apex carnivores at the end of the Cretaceous period.”

The team’s findings were published in the online journal Peer J.

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HN Woodward et al. 2026. Long-term growth and the extension of subadult development of the tyrannosaurus rex species complex revealed through expanded histological sampling and statistical modeling. Peer J 14: e20469; doi: 10.7717/peerj.20469

Source: www.sci.news

Top New Sci-Fi Shows of 2026: Must-Watch Titles Like ‘Fallout’ and ‘Neuromancer’

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) in Fallout Season 2

Amazon MGM Studios

As the new year unfolds, it brings exciting opportunities for change and reinvention. This is the perfect time to explore the best sci-fi and science-related television shows set to premiere in 2026, showcasing groundbreaking series that launched last year. Notably, the second season of Fallout on Amazon Prime Video, airing mid-December, stands out as a must-watch.

Set against a retro-futuristic America, the series dives into a world where generations of humanity live in radiation-resistant bunkers designed by the shadowy Vault-Tec corporation. In the previous season, former vault dweller Lucy (inhabited by Ella Purnell) navigates the surface in search of her missing father, encountering unexpected allies and adversaries. This season, she embarks on a new adventure accompanied by Ghoul (played by Walton Goggins), a visually striking radioactive gunman. What could be more entertaining?

The critically acclaimed Fallout is just one of many bunker-based dramas slated for 2026. On February 23, Hulu/Disney+ will launch the second season of Paradise, featuring Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent residing in an underground city built to safeguard the elite from impending apocalypse. After solving the murder of U.S. President Cal Bradford and discovering survivors, he sets off on a journey back to Chicago in search of his estranged wife.

Later this year, the much-anticipated third season of Silo (Apple TV+) will air, which delves into the dark mysteries surrounding the toxic surface world, leaving viewers wanting more. If you enjoy gripping and conspiratorial narratives, this series is not to be missed.

Another intriguing dystopian tale is Dreamland (BBC iPlayer). Set in 2039, it follows Chance, a resident of the British seaside town of Margate, who turns to crime amidst widespread climate change and social inequality. When her community becomes entangled in a government rejuvenation initiative, Chance finds herself in love with Frankie, a woman with connections to the powers that be, revealing a deeper conspiracy.

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In Star City, engineers and intelligence professionals work tirelessly to achieve the historic landing of the first humans on the moon.
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Fans can look forward to the highly anticipated television adaptation of The Testaments (Hulu/Disney+), a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, also penned by Margaret Atwood. Premiering in April, it follows a new generation of women navigating freedom while being trained by Gilead’s elite.

In addition to dramatic narratives, the sci-fi genre offers exciting new adventures. Premiering on January 15th, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+) takes us into the 32nd century, chronicling the experiences of a group of Starfleet cadets as they develop friendships and rivalries while training to become future officers. Featuring a talented Gen Z cast alongside stars like Holly Hunter, Tatiana Maslany, and Paul Giamatti, this series promises to be fun for families. Moreover, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to return for its penultimate fourth season early this year.

Following the success of Andor, which set high standards for live-action Star Wars storytelling, fans anticipate the release of season 2 of Star Wars: Ahsoka on Disney+. Though unconfirmed, more animated adventures will soon unfold, such as Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, focusing on the Sith Lord as he rebuilds his crime syndicate following events from The Clone Wars, and Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, continuing the journey of Jedi Ethan and Kara.

For Marvel enthusiasts, while Vision Quest is rumored to premiere at the end of 2026, the series will feature the resurrected android superhero Vision, aiming to regain his memory post-WandaVision, alongside familiar faces like Ultron.

If you prefer small-scale robot dramas, be sure to look for Ann Droid (BBC iPlayer), a comedy by Diane Morgan, where she portrays Linda, a social robot designed to partner with the elderly in healthcare. Unexpected friendships blossom as Linda helps solve problems for her reluctant companion, Sue (Sue Johnston). With an impressive cast, this series is expected in 2026.

Fans of sci-fi comedy will also eagerly await the second season of Murderbot (Apple TV+), anticipated to premiere by year-end.

Delving into different realms of artificial intelligence, the adaptation of William Gibson’s seminal cyberpunk novel Neuromancer (Apple TV+) is set to captivate audiences. Following hacker Case (Callum Turner) as he navigates a dangerous futuristic Tokyo after losing his ability to access the virtual reality world, the series is positioned to explore high-stakes conspiracies.

Neuromancer is one of two Cyberpunk-themed series on the horizon, the other being Blade Runner 2099 (Amazon Prime Video). While details remain scarce, we know that Michelle Yeoh will star as a replicant nearing the end of her life in this highly anticipated series.

For technology enthusiasts, check out Altruists and Boldness. Altruists (Netflix) is a limited series due in late 2026 that chronicles the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX alongside the complicated romance between its founder Sam Bankman-Fried and partner Caroline Ellison, while Boldness (AMC) follows CEO Duncan (Billy Magnussen) battling power struggles in Silicon Valley without any real-world parallels.

Let’s venture beyond Earth, with excitement building for Star City (Apple TV+), a spin-off of the acclaimed alternate history series For All Mankind, which returns for its fifth season in 2026. This new series will spotlight the Soviet perspective during the space race, depicting the efforts of astronauts, engineers, and secret agents striving to land the first Russians on the moon.

Other space-centric highlights include the potential launch of the second season of Doctor Who in December and Three-Body Problem, an ambitious adaptation of Cixin Liu’s epic series about humanity’s preparation for an alien invasion set 400 years in the future.

For those who seek gripping narratives, Beauty (FX/Disney+) features FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) as they become engrossed in the world of high fashion while investigating tragic deaths of supermodels. The series grapples with themes of transformation, premiering on January 22nd—a significant moment for physical reinvention.

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New Evidence Shows Humans Mastered Fire 400,000 Years Ago, Earlier Than Previously Believed

Posted on December 10, 2025 by

“This site, dating back 400,000 years, represents the earliest known evidence of fire not just in Britain and Europe but across the globe,” stated Nick Ashton, co-author of the study and curator at the British Museum. He noted that this discovery pushes back the timeline of when our ancestors might have first harnessed fire by approximately 350,000 years.

Researchers are uncertain about the uses of fire by these hominin ancestors. They may have roasted meat, crafted tools, or shared narratives under its glow.

Understanding when our ancestors mastered the use of fire is crucial to unraveling the complexities of human evolution and behavior.

One hypothesis suggests that the ability to start fire contributed to the increase in brain size among early humans, as cooking facilitates easier digestion and boosts caloric intake. Another theory posits that controlling fire may have fostered social gathering spots at night, boosting social behavior and cognitive evolution.

“We know brain size was increasing towards its current capacity during this period,” remarked Chris Stringer, research head in human evolution at London’s Natural History Museum and another author of the Nature study. “The brain is energetically costly, consuming about 20 percent of the body’s energy. Thus, the ability to use fire enhances nutrient absorption from food, provides energy for the brain, and allows for the evolution of larger brains.”

Stringer emphasized that this finding does not signify the beginning of fire usage among humans but is merely the earliest instance researchers can confidently point to. Other early indications of fire use have been found in regions of South Africa, Israel, and Kenya, though these are contentious and open to interpretation.

From an archaeological standpoint, it’s challenging to ascertain the cause of wildfires or whether they were initiated by humans.

“The key question is whether they collected it from a natural source, managed it, or created it themselves. On the surface, this appears to be a robust case suggesting that the group knew how to start fires,” noted Dennis Sandogyas, a senior lecturer in the archaeology department at Simon Fraser University in Canada, who was not part of the study.

In the recent Nature study, researchers highlight the presence of deposits with fire residue, fire-cracked stone tools including a flint hatchet, and two small fragments of pyrite likely brought to the site by humans for fire-making, as indicated by geological analysis.

The prehistoric hatchet stone tool was discovered near a 400,000-year-old fire site that researchers believe was frequently used by Neanderthals.
Road to Ancient Britain Project

Other outside researchers expressed skepticism.

Much of the evidence presented is “circumstantial,” wrote Will Loebloeks, a professor emeritus of paleolithic archaeology at Leiden University in the Netherlands, in an email.

Lowbrokes pointed out that later Neanderthal sites, dating to around 50,000 years ago, showed flint tools with wear signs indicating they had been struck against pyrite to produce sparks, an indication of humans creating fire. This evidence isn’t present in the current study.

“While the authors conducted thorough analysis of the Burnham data, they seem to be overstating claims by suggesting this is the ‘earliest evidence of a fire outbreak,'” Lobruks noted.

For our ancestors, fire was vital for warmth, nutrition, deterring predators, and even melting resins used in adhesives.

However, Sandgate emphasized that the evolution of fire-starting is not a straightforward path; it included sporadic adaptations and innovations. Evidence exists that early groups who learned to create fire sometimes lost that ability or ceased its use for cultural reasons.

“We must be cautious not to generalize any single instance … as proof that from this moment forward everyone will know how to start a fire,” Sandogyas remarked, referencing nearly 100 modern hunter-gatherer groups that have been meticulously observed. Some lacked the ability to generate fire.

“It’s probable that the art of fire-making was discovered, lost, rediscovered, and lost again across various groups over time. Its history is undoubtedly intricate.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Study Shows Humans Struggle to Accurately Interpret Dog Emotions

Posted on December 5, 2025 by

We often believe we can accurately gauge our dogs’ emotions, yet recent studies indicate that many of us may be misunderstanding their feelings.

Researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) discovered that when individuals are in a good mood, they are more prone to perceive their dog as looking sad. Conversely, when experiencing mild depression, they are likely to view the same dog as happy.

This contrasts with how we interpret human emotions. In social interactions, we generally perceive others’ feelings as mirroring our own.

“I am continually fascinated by how people interpret emotions in dogs,” stated the study’s co-author, Clive Wynn. “We have only begun to uncover what is shaping up to be a significant mystery.”

The researchers believe these findings could greatly influence how we care for our pets.

“By enhancing our understanding of how we recognize emotions in animals, we can improve their care,” explained the first author, Dr. Holly Molinaro, who was a doctoral student at ASU focused on animal behavior at the time.

Dogs involved in the study, from left to right: Canyon, a 1-year-old Catahoula; Henry, a 3-year-old French Bulldog; and Oliver, a 14-year-old mongrel. The video background was black, ensuring only the dogs were visible. – Credit: Arizona State University

The research stemmed from two experiments with about 300 undergraduate students.

Participants first viewed images designed to evoke positive, negative, or neutral moods. They then watched a brief video featuring an adorable dog to assess its emotional state.

Those who saw uplifting images rated the dog in the video as sadder, while participants who viewed more somber images rated it as happier.

The video included three dogs—Oliver, Canyon, and Henry—depicted in scenarios reflecting cheerful, anxious, or neutral moods. Factors like snacks, toys, and the promise of visiting “Grandma” elevated their spirits, while a vacuum cleaner and a photo of a cat were used to bring them down.

Scientists are still puzzled about why humans misinterpret dogs’ emotions. “Humans and dogs have coexisted closely for at least 14,000 years,” Wynn noted.

“Over this time, dogs have learned much about cohabitation with humans. However, our research indicates significant gaps in our understanding of how dogs truly feel.”

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Study Shows Nearly Two-Thirds of Dog Breeds Share Ancestry with Wolves

Posted on November 26, 2025 by

A dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and a wolf (canis lupus) can interbreed to create fertile offspring, but such occurrences are far less common than in domestic and wild populations of other species. In a recent study, researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the University of California, Davis, combined localized ancestry estimation with phylogenetic analysis of the genomes of 2,693 ancient and modern dogs and wolves. They discovered that 64.1% of contemporary purebred dogs possess wolf ancestry in their nuclear genomes, stemming from admixture that occurred nearly 1,000 generations ago, while all analyzed free-ranging dog genomes showed signs of ancient wolf ancestry.

German shepherd puppy. Image credit: Marilyn Peddle / CC BY 2.0.

“Modern dogs, especially those kept as pets, seem quite distant from the often vilified wolves,” states Dr. Audrey Lin, a postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History.

“However, certain wolf-derived traits are highly valued in our current dogs, and we have intentionally preserved them in this lineage.”

“While this research focuses on dogs, it reveals much about their wild relatives, the wolves.”

Dogs evolved from a gray wolf population that faced extinction due to human influence during the late Pleistocene, approximately 20,000 years ago.

Though wolves and dogs inhabit overlapping areas and produce fertile offspring, instances of interbreeding are infrequent.

Aside from rare cases of intentional interbreeding, there is limited evidence of genetic exchange between the two groups following dog domestication, which separated their gene pools.

“Prior to this study, prevailing theories posited that for a dog to be classified as such, it would need to have minimal or no wolf DNA,” remarked Dr. Lin.

“Yet, upon examining the modern dog genome closely, we found wolf DNA present.”

“This indicates that the dog’s genome can incorporate wolf DNA to varying extents without losing its identity as a dog.”

The researchers scrutinized historical gene flow between dogs and wolves utilizing 2,693 publicly accessible genomes from wolves, purebred dogs, village dogs, and other canids from the late Pleistocene to the present, sourced from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the European Nucleotide Archive.

The findings revealed that 64.1% of breed dogs possess wolf ancestry in their nuclear genomes, a result of crossbreeding occurring about 1,000 generations ago.

Moreover, all genomes from village dogs (free-ranging canines residing near human settlements) displayed detectable wolf ancestry.

The Czechoslovakian wolfdog and Saarlos wolfdog, which were purposefully crossbred with wolves, exhibited the highest levels of wolf ancestry, ranging from 23% to 40% of their genomes.

The breeds considered most “wolf-like” include the Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hound (4.7% to 5.7% wolf ancestry) and the Shiloh Shepherd (2.7% wolf ancestry).

The Shiloh Shepherd is the result of breeding efforts that included wolf-dog hybrids aimed at producing healthier, family-friendly sheepdogs in the U.S., while the origins of the significant wolf ancestry in the Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hound (the prevalent modern hunting dog in France) remain enigmatic.

The Tamaskan is another “wolf-like” breed that emerged in the UK during the 1980s by selectively breeding huskies, malamutes, and others to achieve a wolf-like appearance, containing roughly 3.7% wolf ancestry.

Researchers identified several patterns within the data. Larger dogs and those bred for specific tasks, such as arctic sled dogs, “pariah” breeds, and hunting dogs, exhibited higher levels of wolf ancestry.

Terriers, gundogs, and scent hounds typically have the least wolf ancestry on average.

While some large guardian breeds have wolf ancestry, others, such as the Neapolitan Mastiff, Bullmastiff, and St. Bernard, showed no signs of wolf ancestry.

Interestingly, wolf ancestry was also detected in a variety of dog breeds, including the miniature Chihuahua, which has around 0.2% wolf ancestry.

“This shouldn’t surprise anyone who owns a Chihuahua,” Dr. Lin noted.

“What we’ve discovered is that this is actually common. Most dogs have a hint of ‘wolfishness’ in them.”

The authors also analyzed the frequency with which personality traits were assigned to breeds labeled with high versus low levels of wolf ancestry by Kennel Clubs.

Breeds with lower wolf ancestry were often described as “friendly,” followed by terms like “eager to please,” “easy to train,” “courageous,” “active,” and “affectionate.”

Conversely, dogs exhibiting higher wolf ancestry were more frequently characterized as “independent,” “dignified,” “alert,” “loyal,” “discreet,” “territorial,” and “suspicious of strangers.”

Traits such as “smart,” “obedient,” “good with kids,” “dedicated,” “calm,” and “cheerful” appeared with relative consistency across both groups of dogs.

The researchers clarified that these traits reflect a biased assessment of behavior and that it’s uncertain whether wolf genes directly influence these characteristics, though their findings lay the groundwork for future explorations in canine behavioral science.

Additionally, significant adaptations inherited from wolves were uncovered. For instance, the wolf ancestry in village dogs enhances their olfactory receptor genes, crucial for locating human food waste, and distributions of Tibetan wolf-like genes assist Tibetan mastiffs in surviving low-oxygen conditions on the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas.

“Dogs are our companions, but it appears that wolves significantly influenced their evolution into the beloved partners we cherish today,” commented Dr. Logan Kistler from the National Museum of Natural History.

“Throughout history, dogs have tackled numerous evolutionary challenges that arise from living alongside humans, such as thriving at high altitudes, foraging for food around villages, and safeguarding their packs. They seem to leverage wolf genes as part of their adaptive toolkit for an ongoing evolutionary success story.”

For more details, check the findings published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Audrey T. Lin et al. 2025. The legacy of genetic intertwining with wolves has shaped the modern dog. PNAS 122 (48): e2421768122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2421768122

Source: www.sci.news

Research Shows Moss Can Endure 9 Months in Space

Posted on November 21, 2025 by

Mosses are believed to have evolved from ancestral plants that transitioned from aquatic environments to terrestrial habitats approximately 450 million years ago.

This organism is known for its remarkable hardiness, thriving in diverse locations, from the frigid Antarctic tundra to the lofty peaks of the Himalayas, as well as in volcanic lava fields and various aquatic settings.

Fujita expressed his admiration for its extraordinary resilience.

“It got me thinking: Could this resilient little plant endure the harsh conditions of space?” he remarked.

His research team focused on a specific type of moss known as Physcomitrium patent. They conducted experiments in a laboratory simulating a space environment, exposing the moss to extreme temperatures, vacuum conditions, and elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation.

They concluded that the moss’ sporophyte, which contains the encapsulated spores that act as reproductive structures, stands the best chance of survival in space due to its ability to endure high levels of ultraviolet light. The spores were able to germinate after enduring scorching conditions of 131 degrees Fahrenheit for a month and frigid temperatures of minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit for over a week.

In March 2022, researchers dispatched hundreds of moss sporophytes to the International Space Station using a cargo spacecraft from Northrop Grumman. Astronauts attached the sporophyte samples to the station’s exterior and left them exposed for 283 days.

The moss samples were subsequently returned to Earth on a SpaceX cargo mission in January 2023.

The team discovered that over 80% of the spores survived their nine-month journey outside the space station, with nearly 90% successfully re-germinating in their Earth-based laboratory.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

AI-Driven Electricity Usage Forecasting Shows Industry is Far from Achieving Net-Zero Goals

Posted on November 10, 2025 by

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Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia

Jim Roe Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock

As the artificial intelligence sector grows swiftly, concerns about the ecological effects of data centers are increasingly being discussed. New projections indicate that the industry may fall short of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Fenki Yu and researchers from Cornell University in New York have evaluated the potential energy, water, and carbon consumption of current leading AI servers by 2030, under various growth scenarios and specific U.S. data center locations. Their analysis integrates anticipated chip production, server energy demands, and cooling efficiency, coupled with state power grid data. While not all AI enterprises have declared net-zero objectives, major tech firms involved in AI, like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have set targets for 2030.

“The rapid expansion of AI computing is fundamentally altering everything,” says Yu. “We’re striving to understand the implications of this growth.”

The researchers estimate that establishing AI servers in the U.S. may require between 731 million to 1.125 billion cubic meters of additional water by 2030, along with greenhouse gas emissions ranging from 24 million to 44 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. These estimates hinge on the pace of AI demand growth, the actual number of advanced servers that can be produced, and the sites of new U.S. data centers.

To address these issues, the researchers modeled five scenarios based on varying growth rates and outlined potential measures to minimize the impact. “The top priority is location,” Yu explains. By situating data centers in Midwestern states with abundant water resources and a significant share of renewable energy in the power grid, the environmental fallout can be mitigated. The team also emphasizes that transitioning to decarbonized energy sources and enhancing efficiency in computing and cooling processes are essential strategies for minimizing environmental impact. Collectively, these three measures could potentially lower industry emissions by 73% and reduce water usage by 86%.

However, public resistance may disrupt these predictions, particularly regarding the environmental ramifications of establishing data centers. In Virginia, where 1/8 of the world’s data centers are located, residents have voiced opposition to upcoming construction plans, citing concerns over water resources and broader environmental impacts. Similar petitions against data centers have arisen in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, California, and Oregon. As per Data Center Watch, a firm that monitors data center developments, local opposition is stalling approximately $64 billion worth of projects. Even where certain locations successfully deny data center projects, questions remain regarding their potential power and water consumption.

This new research is viewed cautiously by those analyzing and quantifying AI’s environmental effects. “The AI field evolves so quickly that making accurate future predictions is incredibly challenging,” says Sasha Luccioni from the AI company Hugging Face. “As mentioned by the authors, breakthroughs in the industry can radically alter computing and energy needs, reminiscent of DeepSeek’s innovative techniques that reduced reliance on brute-force calculations.”

Chris Priest from the University of Bristol in the UK concurs, highlighting the necessity for increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure and the importance of data center placement. “I believe their projections for water usage in direct cooling of AI data centers are rather pessimistic,” he remarks, suggesting that the model’s “best case” scenario aligns more closely with “business as usual” for contemporary data centers.

Luccioni believes the paper underscores a vital missing element in the AI ecosystem: “greater transparency.” She notes that this issue can be addressed by “mandating model developers to track and disclose their computing and energy consumption, share this information with users and policymakers, and commit to reducing overall environmental impacts, including emissions.”

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New Footage Shows How Killer Whales Outsmart Great White Sharks.

Posted on November 3, 2025 by

Killer whales have increasingly been preying on dolphins in recent years. A recent report shows that now, new research indicates they have also devised a gruesome hunting strategy to target the livers of young great white sharks.

Hunting the world’s most formidable fish is no small feat, but the pod of killer whales in the Gulf of California has learned how to do it. They work together to flip the shark upside down, immobilizing it, and then extract its energy-rich liver for sharing.

Additionally, they have been captured on video executing this behavior.

Is this brutal behavior typical of killer whales? Yes, Professor Callum Roberts, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter not associated with the study, stated to BBC Science Focus.

“Orcas may be the most intelligent marine creatures, based on their innovative methods for hunting. Historically, killer whales targeted whales caught by industrial whalers and consumed their tongues.”

While killer whales have been observed preying on adult great white sharks in the past, these recent findings provide the first evidence of their strategic hunting techniques against them.

During their observations, the research team noted the pod killing not one, but two great white sharks in August 2020, and another pod consuming a third in 2022.

By pushing the shark to the surface and inverting it, the killer whales induce a state of tonic immobility in the shark due to the abrupt change in environment. In this vulnerable state, they can take what they want from the shark while leaving the rest behind.

Young sharks lack the experience to escape when a group is approaching. Researchers suggest that this implies killer whales may be hunting great whites more frequently than previously thought, as per findings in Frontiers of Marine Science.

“I believe that killer whales that target elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are capable of finding great whites whenever they choose,” said the study’s lead author, Eric Higuera Rivas.

“This behavior showcases the killer whales’ intelligence, strategic mindset, and advanced social learning, with hunting techniques evolving and being shared across generations within their pods.”

Climate change may play a significant role in this behavior. The intensification of the El Niño phenomenon, which results from warming in the Pacific Ocean, is expanding the habitat of great white sharks into killer whale territories. These regions are populated with young, inexperienced sharks, making them easy targets.

Experts worry that this behavior could be detrimental for the shark population.

“What benefits killer whales might not bode well for sharks. Both species are endangered,” Roberts noted. “Let’s hope they don’t spread these hunting strategies too widely.”

About our experts

Callum Roberts serves as Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter and previously held the position of Chief Scientific Advisor for BBC One. He has authored several books, including the “Blue Planet II” series and Oceans of Life: How our oceans are changing (Penguin Books, £22) and Coral Reef Life (Profile Book, £12.99).

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‘Enhanced’ CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Potential in Treating Solid Tumors

Posted on October 23, 2025 by

Illustration of CAR T cell therapy targeting tumor cells

Brainlight/Alamy

Illustration of CAR T cell therapy targeting tumor cells

Brainlight/Alamy

CAR T cells, which are immune cells modified to attack cancer, have transformed blood cancer treatments, particularly for leukemia. However, they have struggled against solid tumors. Recently, “weaponized” CAR T cells have successfully eliminated large prostate tumors in mice, providing optimism for similar therapies in humans.

“The tumor is completely gone,” states Jun Ishihara from Imperial College London, marking a unique achievement in animal research.

Our immune system typically identifies and destroys many cancers early on. Cancer cells often display mutated proteins recognized by T cells, which seek to eliminate these threats using surface receptor proteins, functioning similarly to antibodies.

However, not every cancer incites an immune response. In the 1980s, scientists found a way to engineer T cells to target cancer more effectively by incorporating genes for chimeric antigen receptors, hence the term CAR T.

While CAR T cells have shown remarkable success in treating some blood cancers, they also carry significant risks. They are effective for some but not all patients, and ongoing enhancements are needed. The development of CRISPR gene editing facilitates further improvements to these therapies.

Despite advancements, CAR T therapies remain ineffective for most solid tumors due to two primary challenges: the vast heterogeneity of solid tumors—where not all cells present the same mutated proteins—and the tumors’ ability to evade immune responses by emitting “do not attack” signals.

Researchers have attempted to enhance CAR T cells by incorporating immune-boosting proteins like interleukin-12, but this has sometimes resulted in overwhelming immune responses that damage healthy tissues.

Ishihara and colleagues have pioneered a method to localize interleukin-12 specifically to tumors. By fusing interleukin-12 to a protein that binds collagen, which is prevalent in tumors, they engineered it to target the exposed collagen found in both wounds and tumors. “Tumors are rich in collagen and are dense because of it,” Ishihara noted.

The modified CAR T cells produce this fusion protein when they bind to the mutated proteins present in certain prostate cancers. Once released, the fusion protein attaches to the tumor’s collagen, effectively signaling the immune system to launch an attack.

Trial results were promising, as the treatment eradicated 80% of large prostate tumors in the test mice. Additionally, when exposed to cancer cells afterward, no new tumors formed, indicating a robust immune response from the CAR T cells.

Remarkably, this approach did not necessitate preconditioning. Usually, chemotherapy is given to create space for new CAR T cells by depleting existing immune cells, risking side effects such as infertility. “We were surprised that no chemotherapy was required,” says Ishihara. His team aspires to commence human clinical trials within the next two years.

“This is a promising avenue that warrants clinical testing,” stated Stephen Albelda from the University of Pennsylvania. He noted that numerous research groups are also exploring similar methods for tumor-targeted localization of interleukin-12, with encouraging results being reported.

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Amazon Web Services Outage Disrupts Global Platforms, Shows “Signs of Recovery”

Posted on October 20, 2025 by

A significant internet disruption has impacted numerous websites and applications globally, with users experiencing difficulties connecting to the internet due to issues with Amazon’s cloud computing service.

The affected services include Snapchat, Roblox, Signal, and Duolingo, along with various Amazon-owned enterprises, including major retail platforms and the Ring doorbell company.

In the UK, Lloyds Bank and its associated brands, Halifax Bank and Bank of Scotland, were impacted, with HM Revenue & Customs also facing challenges accessing their website on Monday morning. Additionally, Ring users in the UK reported non-functioning doorbells on social media.

In the UK alone, there were tens of thousands of reports concerning issues with individual applications across various platforms. Other affected services include Wordle, Coinbase, Slack, Pokémon Go, Epic Games, PlayStation Network, and Peloton.

By 10:30am UK time, Amazon indicated that the issues, which began around 8am, were being addressed, as AWS showed “significant signs of recovery.” At 11 a.m., they confirmed that global services linked to US-EAST-1 had also been restored.

Amazon reported that the problems originated from Amazon Web Services on the East Coast of the U.S. AWS, which is a division providing essential web infrastructure and renting out server space, is the largest cloud computing platform worldwide.

Shortly after midnight (8am BST) in the U.S., Amazon acknowledged “increased error rates and latencies” for its AWS services in the East Coast region. This issue seems to have caused a worldwide ripple effect, as the Downdetector site logged problems from multiple continents.

Cisco’s Thousand Eyes service track internet outages reported a surge in problems on Monday morning, particularly in Virginia, where Amazon’s US-East-1 region is based, noting that AWS confirmed the start of the issues.

Leif Pilling, director of threat intelligence at cybersecurity firm Sophos, stated that the outage seems to be an IT-related issue rather than a cyberattack. The AWS Online Health Dashboard identified problems with DynamoDB, a database system facilitating data access for websites.

“During events like this, it’s natural for concerns of a cyber incident to arise,” he noted. “Given AWS’s extensive and complex footprint, any issue can trigger considerable disruption. It appears that this incident originates from an IT problem on the database side, which AWS prioritizes resolving promptly.”

Dr. Colin Cass Speth, head of digital at human rights organization Article 19, pointed out that the outage underscores the risks of concentrating digital infrastructure in the hands of a few providers.

“There is an urgent need to diversify cloud computing. The infrastructure supporting democratic discourse, independent journalism, and secure communication should not rely solely on a handful of companies,” she stated.

The British government reported that it was in touch with Amazon concerning the internet disruption on Monday.

A spokesperson remarked: “We are aware of an incident affecting Amazon Web Services and several online services dependent on its infrastructure. Through our established incident response structure, we are in communication and working to restore services as quickly as possible.”

New Study Shows Baker’s Yeast Can Endure Stress Conditions Similar to Mars

Posted on October 15, 2025 by

Investigating the potential for life to endure under extraterrestrial circumstances is a key aim of astrobiology. In this recent study, researchers utilized the robust model organism, baker’s yeast, to evaluate the impact of Mars-like environments. They discovered that the yeast can resist shock waves and perchlorate treatment, two stress factors linked to Mars. Furthermore, yeast adapt to Martian-like conditions by forming conserved RNA-protein complexes.

A model demonstrating the significance of RNP condensates in facilitating survival under Mars-like stress conditions. Image credit: Dhage et al., doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf300.

“With advancements in space science and astrobiology, examining Mars’s potential to harbor life forms is gaining considerable interest,” stated Dr. Purusharth Rajguru and his team at the Indian Institute of Science.

“Mars presents a range of extreme environmental challenges that any potential life forms would need to overcome.”

“Hence, it is essential to comprehend its unique and harsh environmental conditions.”

“The stressors on Mars include: (i) high-intensity shock waves from meteorite impacts, (ii) extreme fluctuations in temperature and pressure, (iii) ionizing radiation and solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from a thin atmosphere, and (iv) chaotropic agents such as perchlorates.”

“These factors create significant barriers to the survival of potential life.”

In this investigation, the researchers examined budding yeast, a well-known model organism for studying shock waves and perchlorate.

One reason for selecting this yeast is its previous studies conducted in space environments.

When subjected to stress, yeast, humans, and various other organisms form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates, structures composed of RNA and proteins that safeguard the RNA and influence the progression of mRNA.

When a stressor subsides, RNP condensates, which include stress granules and subtypes called P bodies, disassemble.

Yeast subjected to a shock wave with a Mach strength of 5.6 survived, exhibiting slower growth rates, similar to those observed in yeast exposed to 100 mM sodium perchlorate salt (NaClO₄)—a concentration akin to that found in Martian soil.

The yeast cells also endured the combined stress of shock waves and perchlorate exposure.

In both situations, the yeast accumulated RNP condensates, the researchers noted.

The shock wave triggered the formation of stress granules and P bodies, while perchlorate prompted the yeast to generate P bodies but not stress granules.

Mutants that were unable to assemble RNP condensates fared poorer under Martian stress conditions.

Transcriptome analysis uncovered specific RNA transcripts affected by the Mars-like scenarios.

“This finding highlights the significance of yeast and RNP condensates in understanding how Martian conditions affect life,” the scientists concluded.

For further details, refer to their paper published in today’s issue of PNAS Nexus.

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Riya Dage et al. 2025. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates regulate survival in response to Mars-like stress conditions. PNAS Nexus 4(10):pgaf300; doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf300

Source: www.sci.news

Research Shows Ice Dissolves Iron Minerals More Efficiently than Liquid Water

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ice at 10 degrees Celsius releases iron from more abundant minerals compared to liquid water at 4 degrees Celsius, according to researchers from Umeå University, Chimiques de Rennes, and CNRS. This discovery sheds light on why many Arctic rivers are taking on a rusty orange hue as permafrost begins to thaw in warmer climates.

Schematic diagram of the iron mineral dissolution reaction of ice. Image credit: Sebaaly et al. , doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122.

“It may seem counterintuitive, but ice is not merely a static frozen mass,” stated Professor Jean François Boyley from Umeå University.

“Frozen states create microscopic pockets of liquid water between ice crystals.”

“These pockets function like chemical reactors, where compounds become concentrated and highly acidic.”

“This implies that even at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius, they can engage with iron minerals.”

To investigate this phenomenon, Professor Boyley and his team examined goethite, a diverse array of iron oxide minerals, along with naturally occurring organic acids.

Through advanced microscopy and a series of experiments, they found that repeated freeze-thaw cycles enhance iron dissolution significantly.

When ice undergoes freezing and thawing, it releases organic compounds that were previously trapped, fostering additional chemical reactions.

Salt concentration also plays a critical role; fresh brackish waters promote iron dissolution, whereas seawater inhibits it.

The outcomes of this research are particularly relevant in acidic environments like mine drainage sites, frozen atmospheric dust, acid sulfate soils along the Baltic coast, or acidic freezing locales where iron minerals interact with organic matter.

“As global temperatures rise, the freeze-thaw cycles are becoming more frequent,” remarked Angelo Pio Severly, a doctoral candidate at Umeå University.

“Each cycle liberates iron from the soil and permafrost into the water, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems over vast areas.”

“These findings emphasize that ice is an active participant, rather than a passive medium for storage.”

“It is crucial to recognize the growing impact of freeze and thaw processes in polar and mountainous regions on ecosystems and elemental cycling.”

The research team’s paper was published on August 26, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Angelo P. Severly et al. 2025. Ice as a kinetic and mechanical driver for iron oxide dissolution of oxalate oxide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122 (35): E2507588122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122

Source: www.sci.news

UK Council Employs AI Tools to Minimize Women’s Health Concerns, Research Shows

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Research indicates that more than half of the Council of England’s use of artificial intelligence tools minimizes women’s physical and mental health issues, raising concerns about potential gender bias in care decisions. The study revealed that when generating and summarizing identical case notes using Google’s AI tool “Gemma,” terms like “invalid,” “impossible,” and “complex” appeared significantly more often in descriptions of males than females.

Conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the study found that comparable care needs in women were more likely to be overlooked or inadequately explained. Dr. Samurikman, the report’s lead author and a researcher at LSE’s Care Policy and Assessment Centre, emphasized that AI could result in “unequal care provision for women.” He noted, “These models are widely used, yet our findings reveal significant disparities regarding bias across different models. Specifically, Google’s models understate women’s physical and mental health needs compared to those for men.”

Furthermore, he pointed out that the care received is often determined by perceived needs, which could lead to women receiving inadequate care if a biased model is in use—although it remains unclear which model is currently being applied.

As AI tools grow in popularity among local authorities, the LSE study analyzed real case notes from 617 adult social care users. These notes were anonymized by gender and input multiple times into various major language models (LLM). Researchers examined a summary of 29,616 pairs to assess how male and female cases were treated differently by the AI model.

One example highlighted that the Gemma model summarized case notes as follows: “Mr. Smith is an 84-year-old man living alone with a complicated medical history, a care package, and poor mobility.” Conversely, when the gender was swapped, the summary read: “Mrs. Smith is an 84-year-old resident. Despite her limitations, she is independent and can maintain personal care.” In another instance, the summary stated that Mrs. Smith “has no access to the community,” while Mr. Smith “has managed to manage her daily activities.”

Among the AI models assessed, Google’s Gemma exhibited a more significant gender-based disparity compared to other models. The study noted that Meta’s Llama 3 model did not differentiate its language based on gender.

Dr. Rickman commented that although the tool “is already in use in the public sector, it should not compromise fairness.” He added, “My research sheds light on the issues posed by a single model, but with many models continuously being deployed, it is imperative that all AI systems are transparent, rigorously tested for bias, and subject to stringent legal oversight.”

The paper concludes that to prioritize “algorithm equity,” regulators should mandate measures of bias in LLMs used in long-term care. Concerns regarding racial and gender bias in AI tools have persisted for an extended period, as machine learning technology tends to absorb biases present in human languages. Our research analyzed 133 AI systems across various industries, revealing that approximately 44% exhibited gender bias, while 25% showed both gender and racial biases.

According to Google, the team is reviewing the report’s findings. The researcher assessed the initial generation of the GEMMA model, which is currently in its third generation and is expected to show improved performance; however, it should not be utilized for medical purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of7kql3lsam

Research Shows Cocoats Have a Repertoire of At Least 30 Distinct Dance Moves

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings suggest that captive parrots display dancing behaviors in response to music, which involves complex cognitive functions such as imitation, vocal learning, and rhythm. This dance behavior in parrots might be indicative of a positive welfare state, increasing the likelihood of using music as an environmental enrichment tool. In a recent study, researchers examined the dance movements of cockatoos through online video analysis and playback experiments, identifying a total of 30 distinct dance moves from 45 videos featuring five different cockatoo species. Notably, 17 of these moves had not been previously documented in scientific literature.

Cockatoos have been informally observed dancing to music in captivity.

This dance results from intricate brain processes, including imitation, learning, synchronization, and rhythmic movement.

While spontaneous dance has been exclusively reported in humans and parrots in sync with music, some wild birds also exhibit rhythmic movements during courtship displays.

However, it remains unclear what motivates these captive birds to dance.

In this new study, Dr. Natasha Loveke from Charles Sturt University and her team analyzed 45 videos shared on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

From their analysis, they identified a total of 30 unique dance movements, 17 of which had not been documented before.

Among these newly recognized moves were headbanging, side steps, and body rolls.

The researchers noted that some birds also executed their own unique dance sequences, often blending various movements creatively.

Interestingly, closely related species did not exhibit more similar dance styles, while a diverse range of dance moves appeared among the top 10 unique patterns.

Illustrations of the 10 most common recorded dance movements by Cockatoos. Image credit: Lubke et al. , doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328487.

Following this, the scientists investigated dance behavior in six cockatoos, representing three species, housed at Wagga Wagga Zoo in Australia.

They played music specifically designed for birds, as well as audio podcasts, and found that all birds engaged in dance movements, regardless of the type of audio played.

The study revealed that dancing behavior was present in at least 10 out of 21 cockatoos studied.

Cockatoos seem to display a broad repertoire of dance moves, many of which resemble the courtship rituals observed in wild parrots.

This suggests that their dance abilities may have evolved from courtship behaviors directed towards their human caretakers.

“By analyzing the dance behavior of cockatoos from 45 videos and at Wagga Wagga Zoo and Aviary, we demonstrated that dancing is more prevalent in cockatoos than previously recognized, with 10 out of the 21 cockatoos exhibiting such behavior,” stated Loveke.

“My analysis demonstrates that the spectrum of dances is much more complex and diverse than has been understood, documenting 30 different movements across multiple birds, with an additional 17 seen in other birds.”

“This study supports the notion of positive emotional states in birds and highlights dancing behavior as an effective model for exploring parrot emotions. It also implies that playing music for parrots may positively influence their welfare and serve as an excellent avenue for enhancing their lives in captivity.”

“The parallels to human dance make it challenging to overlook the development of cognitive and emotional processes in parrots, suggesting that musical interaction could enhance their wellbeing.”

“Further research is needed to explore whether music can stimulate dancing behavior in captive birds, making it a potential form of environmental enrichment.”

The findings are detailed in a study published in the journal PLOS 1.

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N. Loveke et al. 2025. Dance behavior in Cockatoos: impact on cognitive processes and welfare. PLOS 1 20(8): E0328487; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328487

Source: www.sci.news

Koalus Only Spends 1% of Its Life on the Ground, New Research Shows

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Koalas (phascolarctos cinereus) A recent study by scientists from the University of Queensland and Sunshine Coast found that while koalas spend about 10 minutes a day on the ground, this behavior is linked to two-thirds of the koala fatalities recorded.

The wild koala features a custom-built collar that includes a GPS logger and an accelerometer. Image credit: Ami Fadhillah Amir Abdul Nasir.

The koala population in Australia has diminished by 54% over the past three decades.

Annually, millions of dollars are invested in initiatives aimed at safeguarding koalas, preserving their habitats, and treating various diseases.

Tragically, two-thirds of koala deaths occur on the ground due to vehicle accidents or attacks by dogs.

Despite extensive research, the specifics of how koalas interact with the ground remain largely unknown.

Conventional GPS tracking methods offer limited insight, as they typically document locations only once or twice a day.

“Koalas primarily reside in trees, but increasing land development forces them to descend, significantly raising their risk of injury and death,” stated a student from the University of Queensland.

“Our goal was to gain a deeper understanding of their behaviors during ground movements.”

“Key questions remain regarding how frequently koalas climb down from their trees, the distance they cover, whether they remain on the ground, and what factors influence these choices.”

“Identifying high-risk areas and times, and developing mitigation strategies during these vulnerable moments, is critical to our understanding.”

To fill these knowledge gaps, researchers employed a biologger that captures three-dimensional movements at several hundred points, mapping the koala’s directional movements during specific actions.

They tracked 10 wild koalas using an accelerometer and high-resolution GPS device for an average duration of eight days.

The researchers found that the koalas descended to the ground around three times a day, totaling just 45 minutes.

During these visits, the koalas covered an average distance of 260 meters at a typical walking speed of 1.7 km/h, with occasional bursts of up to 10.4 km/h.

By integrating accelerometer and GPS data, researchers were able to pinpoint specific trees that the koalas traversed between.

“Combining GPS tracks with movement data provides us with an in-depth perspective on how koalas navigate their habitats,” Sparks explained.

“The study confirmed that koalas predominantly stay in trees for sleeping and feeding, yet the extent to which they engage with the ground was startling.”

“We were surprised at the frequency and brevity of their ground activities; they descended only 2-3 times nightly, averaging 10 minutes in total, which is less than 1% of their day.”

“The time they spent sitting and pausing on the ground was nearly equal to the time spent walking, with only about 7% of their ground time dedicated to movement.”

“This suggests that koalas carefully assess their environment while on the ground, possibly weighing the energetic costs of remaining on the ground before deciding to climb a tree.”

This study marks the first detailed documentation of ground movements in wild koalas, raising new inquiries about their navigation in increasingly fragmented habitats.

“Currently, we’re investigating how environmental characteristics influence the time koalas spend in trees,” Sparks noted.

“If we can identify the tree and habitat features that encourage extended periods in the trees, we may be able to manage landscapes in ways that minimize the need for ground travel.”

These findings aim to steer koala conservation efforts, prioritizing specific plant types, enhancing canopy connectivity, and minimizing gaps between safe trees.

This research sheds light on koala behavior and is essential for more effective habitat management, ultimately aiming to lower mortality risks in critical zones.

“This research is just one piece of a larger puzzle, but it significantly enhances our understanding of how koalas interact with an increasingly urbanized environment,” Sparkes added.

The scientists presented their findings on July 1, 2025, at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium.

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Gabriella R. Spark et al. “Ordinary” Watch: What do koalas do when they’re not sleeping? SEB 2025 Summary #A16.1

Source: www.sci.news

Research Shows Accurate Age Predictions Can Be Made with Just 50 DNA Molecules

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at Hebrew University leveraged a deep learning network to analyze DNA methylation patterns, achieving a time series age (defined as postnatal time) with median accuracy for individuals under 50 years, ranging from 1.36 to 1.7 years. result This work will be published in the journal Cell Report.

Utilizing ultra-depth sequences from over 300 blood samples of healthy individuals, the research indicates that age-dependent methylation changes happen in a probabilistic or coordinated block-like fashion across clusters of CPG sites. Image credit: Ochana et al., doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115958.

“We observe that our DNA leaves measurable marks over time,” commented Professor Tommy Kaplan from Hebrew University.

“Our model interprets these marks with remarkable precision.”

“The essence lies in how our DNA evolves through a process known as methylation – the chemical tagging of DNA by methyl groups (CH)₃.

“By focusing on two vital regions of the human genome, our team successfully decoded these changes at the level of individual molecules, employing deep learning to generate accurate age estimations.”

In this research, Professor Kaplan and his team examined blood samples from over 300 healthy subjects and analyzed data from a decade-long study of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study.

The model developed by the team showed consistent performance across various factors, including smoking, weight, gender, and diverse indicators of biological aging.

In addition to potential medical applications, this technique could transform forensic science by enabling experts to estimate the age of suspects based on DNA traces.

“This provides us with a new perspective on cellular aging,” stated Yuval Dor, a professor at Hebrew University.

“It’s a striking example of the intersection between biology and artificial intelligence.”

Researchers found new patterns in DNA alterations over time, suggesting that cells encode both mature and tuned bursts, akin to biological clocks.

“It’s not solely about knowing your age,” explained Professor Ruth Shemmer of Hebrew University.

“It’s about comprehending how cells and molecules keep track of time.”

“This research could redefine our approach to health, aging, and identity,” added the scientist.

“From assisting physicians in treatment based on an individual’s biological timeline to equipping forensic investigators with advanced tools for crime-solving, the capability to decipher age from DNA paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in science, medicine, and law.”

“Moreover, it enhances our understanding of the aging process and brings us closer to unraveling our body’s internal clock.”

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Bracha-Lea Ochana et al. Time is encoded by changes in methylation at clustered CPG sites. Cell Report Published online on July 14th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115958

Source: www.sci.news

Sauropod Dinosaur’s Last Meal Shows He Wasn’t Concerned With Chewing

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Artistic depiction of Diamantinasaurus matildae, a 94 million-year-old sauropod dinosaur

Travis Tischler

The study of fossilized intestinal contents belonging to sauropod dinosaurs marks the first significant finding that confirms the largest terrestrial animals were high-fiber herbivores with minimal chewing behavior.

The specimen, known as Judy of the Diamantinasaurus matildae, was discovered in May 2017 in Winton, Queensland, Australia.

Shortly after Judy’s death around 94 to 100 million years ago, scavengers disturbed her remains; however, most of her body remained intact, including a calcified patch of skin. Notably, her preserved intestinal contents revealed a diverse range of plant matter.

Previously, paleontologists inferred the vegetarian diet of sauropods mainly from their skull and jaw structures, but lacked direct evidence regarding their dietary habits.

“It’s impressive to see Judy, as she may not conform to the typical characteristics we expect of other sauropods,” stated Stephen Polopat, part of the excavation and analysis team from Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

Measuring approximately 11 meters long with a 4-meter neck and a 3.3-meter tail, Judy was likely still a juvenile when she died. Her skin and intestinal samples will be displayed at the Australian-era Dinosaur Museum in Winton starting June 9.

“This gives us a clearer understanding of Judy’s overall size and form, aspects that previous Australian sauropod fossils have not illustrated,” he pointed out.

Polopat noted that her belly was “full” of plant material, emphasizing that it appeared the plants were simply ingested without much processing. “It’s not a matter of bloating in the mouth; it’s a case of cut and swallow.”

He suggested that the substantial plant matter present in Judy’s digestive tract likely facilitated the release of significant methane by the massive creature.

“Uncovering tangible evidence of extinct species like giant dinosaurs is always thrilling,” remarked John Long, who was not affiliated with the study, from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. “If all we had was a panda bear skull, we might assume their diet is similar to other bears’ — not solely bamboo.”

“Speculation has been common regarding these titanic beings’ plant-based diets. Now we know they consumed a variety of vegetation from various levels, including both ground and tree branches,” Long concluded.

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Nostalgia Trends on TikTok: Fans Revisit Beloved Music and TV Shows

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This social media platform positions itself as a leader in youth culture, setting trends for others to follow. However, observations of music, television, and daily life in the UK suggest that TikTok is embracing a new wave of nostalgia.

The music and television of the 2000s have been rediscovered by Gen X and older Millennials, with Gen Z being the first to engage with this content.

“Sex and The City,” which aired from 1999 to 2004, now boasts 108,000 videos on the platform, doubling its count over the past year. “Gossip Girl,” running from 2007 to 2012, has 120,000 videos, while “Gilmore Girls,” from 2000 to 2007, has amassed 1 million related videos. “The Vampire Diaries,” which aired for eight years until 2017, has generated over 2 million discussions in video form.

Additionally, the revival of the British show “Skins,” a drama about Bristol teenagers that first aired in 2007, has gained significant attention.

Lily Hall, Programs and Insights Manager for TikTok UK, Ireland, and Nordics, remarked: “Fashion and beauty continue to be dominant themes, and we see a rise in interest for older music, television shows, and films as users seek comfort and authenticity from the past.”

“Currently, classic series are thriving on the platform. We’ve reintroduced this new generation to beloved old TV shows, while older users are sharing their favorites again.”

TikTok’s focus on “Britcore” content reflects the increasing demand for 2000s nostalgia, with creators sharing videos related to fashion and lifestyle, childhood toys, and discontinued snacks like pink and white mouse sweets and Cadbury animal crackers.

Crime dramas have also seen a significant impact, with a 70% increase in related videos over the past year.

The viral success of puberty content, which was collectively created in one take, has resulted in 76,000 associated videos. Other creators have revived themes from series like “Code of Silence” and “Kin.”

In music, nostalgic hits like “Headlock” by Imogen Heap (released in 2005) and “Price Tag” by Jessie J (released in 2011) are resurging in popularity.

Interestingly, a song recorded 64 years ago, initially seen as merely a B-side, found new life on the platform. “Who’s Sorry Now” by Connie Francis has captured the attention of a younger audience, especially after the 87-year-old artist joined TikTok herself.

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The track has gone viral on the platform, racking up video productions totaling over 20 million views. This resurgence occurs 65 years after Francis became the first woman to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. TikTok notes that the song has been used as a soundtrack for positive content featuring family and pets.

Celebrities joining this trend include Nara Smith, Kylie Jenner, and Kim Kardashian.

“This demonstrates that the TikTok community transcends genres and ages,” says Sheemashidiki, Artist Partnership Manager at TikTok. “Whether a song was released last month or decades ago, what matters is that the community can engage creatively with it.”

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/eaRKOs05tMQ?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Survival Kids – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch 2" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

Survival Kids Shows Nintendo Switch 2 is More than Just a Mario Kart Game | Games

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

tOne intriguing aspect of the console launch is the element of surprise in the first batch of games. Who could have guessed that the standout title for PlayStation would be Fireworks Simulation (Fantavision), or that the most entertaining offering in the inaugural GameCube lineup would involve racing with gigantic, transparent gloves (Super Monkey Balls)?

The most recent addition to this mix is Konami’s Survival Kids, the sole new third-party title in the Switch 2 Opening Wave. This latest entry in the cult series of Tropical Island Survival Sims by the publisher originates from Game Boy Color and was revised for the Nintendo DS under a new moniker, despite not achieving widespread international success. Players, in groups of up to four, find themselves marooned on a mystical archipelago, requiring them to gather resources, craft tools, locate food, and explore vibrant cartoon landscapes. While four players can join online, the game also supports game sharing on Switch 2, allowing one owner to connect wirelessly with others and play together.

A vibrant, manga-style setting… it’s still from Survival Kids.
Photo: Konami Digital Entertainment

Andrew Dennison, the head of game developer Unity, considers this feature to be one of the key highlights of Switch 2. “With Splitscreen, a single console renders two different game views,” he explains. “With GameShare, one view can be compressed and streamed. It renders everything three times and transmits it to the other consoles. As long as you understand the specifications of the technology, the advantages of GameShare are enjoyable. You don’t have to own the game to play.”

In contrast to survival games like Don’t Starve or Project Zomboid (or even Lost in Blue), Survival Kids does not impose lethal consequences. Although a shortage of food will slow your progress, you won’t actually starve to death. If you perish, you simply respawn nearby. “We wanted to ensure the game is enjoyable for players of all skill levels,” Dennison adds. “It’s a balancing act. I don’t want to bore experienced gamers, but I aim to streamline challenges without oversimplifying them to the point of being irrelevant.” Due to a strict NDA surrounding Switch 2 hardware, developers had limited access to external testers, resulting in Dennison testing the game within his niece and finance department.

Collaboration is key… Survival Kids
Photo: Konami Digital Entertainment

Crafting tools plays a vital role. By combining vines and sticks, players can create a fishing rod for useful items. Building an umbrella allows navigation across wide canyons. There’s no cumbersome item management; players can simply retrieve what they need from a magical spit bucket. All tools are organized in Basecamp rather than menus, allowing easy access to essentials.

Much like Overcooked, Survival Kids emphasizes streamlined cooperation and well-split tasks. It’s quicker for two individuals to chop wood and break rocks, thus establishing a labor team. Meanwhile, a culinary expert is essential for gathering plants and preparing food, which fuels the energy required for climbing cliffs and transporting heavy items. “We’ve put a lot of effort into enhancing our customer experience,” remarks Richard Jones, creative director at Konami Digital Entertainment. “This is how Basecamp functions as a communal spot. It’s essentially a shared kitchen.”

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Unlike many contemporary survival sims, Survival Kids is not entirely open-ended. The objective is to explore multiple islands, providing a sense of an escape room. Players can also revisit levels for extra attempts. Despite its family-friendly appearance, the game features intriguing, challenging physics-based puzzles with various solutions. Additionally, it maintains a playful tone and humor. This is likely due to the fact that many developers at Dennison and Unity’s Stratford-Upon-Avon office previously came from Codemasters and Rare.

Will Konami bring more classic titles to Switch 2? “I know there are other Konami teams that are keen on this platform, and we can support them,” says Jones. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for at least two more projects from Konami.” For now, Survival Kids appears to be an excellent pilot for family game sharing on the new console.

Sexting Sensation: Why Text Messaging is the Hottest Trend in TV Shows

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In the concluding episode of Ted Lasso’s second season, Ted sends a straightforward text to his ex-wife: “Knock, Knock.” It’s not particularly unusual, but the striking part is that this seems to be the very first message he ever sent to his son’s mother. Until now, she’s never texted him back. The empty spaces surrounding the message indicate that the characters have a history of communication.

This issue has been a thorn in the side of television. Why does Emily in Paris receive her boyfriend’s first text saying, “Hey, how about Paris?” Or when Rebecca mistakenly texts her crush using her eccentric ex-girlfriend’s best friend’s phone—why is their conversation history nonexistent when she sees a message about a house party several episodes later? In 2021, Wired journalist Zack Jason highlighted in a series of articles that these characters have no texting history, making it “not allowed and awkward to witness.”

It seems that studios and streamers have taken note. Nowadays, television writers strive to accurately portray their characters’ texting history.

In the dark comedy currently airing, friends and neighbors often text one another. When Jon Hamm’s character Coop wishes to meet up with his lover, we see a long history filled with previous booty calls, and even sexy snapshots. When his son texts his crush, it’s evident that she has previously replied with just “K.” Meanwhile, the newly released thriller series The Stolen Girl showcases text threads bursting with emojis between spouses and colleagues. Ted Lasso’s approach was revised in Season 3; viewers can now observe Ted’s interactions with various people, including a message to his upstairs neighbor stating, “I swear to you, I’m not playing music.”

“I swear to you, Mrs. Shipley, I’m not playing music”… A very unusual call in Ted Lasso’s Season 3. Photo: Amelia Tate

“It drives us all mad when there’s no text history. That’s something we’ve fought for years,” states Dave Henri, managing partner at Modern Motion, a California-based graphic design firm. The Magic Phone software can be installed on a set of prop devices. The app syncs with a Bluetooth keyboard that allows crews to trigger notifications, or a bubble that pops up when someone is typing, enabling actors to send past messages and display appropriate responses in real-time. Magic Phone allows productions to incorporate text message histories complete with convincing timestamps, and its realism is employed in several Apple TV+ productions, including morning shows, shrinks, and Ted Lasso.

“I believe studios and creatives are recognizing that viewers are accustomed to analyzing these devices,” Henri adds. “A lot of thought goes into this now because fans know to look for errors.”

A contemporary worker, Rodgers, collaborated on Ted’s extensive text history in Season 3. He notes that it went through 25 to 30 revisions before the visuals were perfected. “We engaged with the writers, directors, and showrunners, reflecting on what Ted had previously told his mother or what he said to his doctor three months back,” states Rogers. Several graphics were adjusted post-premiere to enhance viewer experience for those watching the show later. “If they realized that sending a message at 10:53 AM wasn’t feasible, they aimed to rectify it to ensure it was flawless.”

Ambika mod of The Stolen Girl. Photo: Matt Squire/Disney

An astonishing amount of effort goes into crafting what appears on the screen for just a moment. “You’re simply sending text messages, and there are 13 or 14 iterations. We think about what a character’s phone displays, what the contact image should be, or whether we even need that image,” Rogers explains. A unique gag for observant viewers shows that Ted’s mother had texted him previously, attaching a photo of a router without a plug and stating that her internet was down. “We loved the three or four different photos they provided of that router. That’s how detailed we get.”

While adding Easter eggs like this can be enjoyable, past texts must not distract from the central plot. This is because the audience tends to miss the “hero text” being sent or received during crucial moments. Script editor Charlie Neal faced this dilemma with The Stolen Girl. Important texts were written into scripts by head writers, but he filled in the conversation history, subsequently approved by writers and producers. “What’s needed is to keep the focus on what’s significant,” he emphasizes. Past texts must not be “quirky, attention-catching, or lengthy” as viewers’ attention can drift away. Conversely, overly mundane messages may also distract. If silence prevails, it becomes distracting too.

Neal even drew inspiration from his own real-life text exchanges. “What do you text your colleagues about?” might be something like, “I’m heading out for coffee, would you like something?” However, he had to ensure that nothing was added that could misrepresent the story or alter the audience’s perception of characters. Continuity is paramount—if a character receives a text on one day, it must be visible in the next day’s history, occasionally amidst random messages.

A booty call between friends and neighbors. Photo: Amelia Tate

In the end, Neal wrote 10-20 historical texts for each interaction, although only one or two appear on the screen. At one point in The Stolen Girl, a character scrolls through the DMs sent to a media outlet’s social media profiles, and Neal even had to “channel the voices of internet trolls” to craft these messages. He was also tasked with assigning names to the senders. All names displayed onscreen must receive approval from the legal department; for instance, if a journalist named Amelia Tait appears alongside another journalist named Amelia Tait, Neal named the troll after a fellow crew member.

Ultimately, while texting history may not make or break a show, it is certainly appreciated by the audience. “Today’s television viewers are so perceptive that they will notice if the minor text dated April 26th contradicts anything else in the script,” observes Neal. Actors enjoy interacting with these sound devices as well. “Helping an actor visualize and react to the message is truly one of the best experiences,” Henri remarks. Interestingly, Harrison Ford was reportedly a fan of the Magic Phone on a reduced set, and Kandy even notes how one actor’s typing appears like that of a skilled hacker due to the software, despite their actual method resembling “hunting and pecking with just two fingers.”

Nowadays, if a character’s text history is absent, viewers might feel confident that it was a deliberate choice. “When a typing bubble repeatedly appears and vanishes without any action, it’s a modern metaphor for unresolved communication,” Kandy points out—almost a sign that the text is meant to signify something. The team behind crafting these messages is pleased that their work is finally receiving recognition. “We often go unnoticed or are overshadowed in industry roles,” Rogers states. “But we’re continually evolving,” or to put it another way, people may not exclaim “OMG” at the moment, but if you know, you know (iykyk).

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2025/04/Monkey-call.mp4

New Camera Trap Survey Shows Predominance of Indian Snow Leopards

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The successful conservation of certain endangered species relies on a precise scientific evaluation of their presence and population dynamics. This data can often be volatile or lacking in scientific credibility, particularly for low-density carnivorous species like the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), which inhabit remote and challenging environments. In a recent study, a team of scientists from India’s Ladakh and Wildlife Institute employed a double sampling strategy to evaluate the population and distribution of snow leopards and their prey across the Trans-Himalaya region of Ladakh.

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Image credit: Union Territories, Wildlife Conservation Agency, Ladakh.

“Large carnivorous animals are among the most emblematic species, symbolizing robust ecosystems and conservation hope,” remarked Ladakh researcher Pankaj Reina alongside her colleagues from the Union Territory.

“Their position as apex predators plays a crucial role in regulating nutrition, nutrient cycling, and disease control.”

“Nevertheless, large carnivorous species face widespread extinction, significantly affecting the functionality of contemporary ecosystems.”

“Within the realm of elusive large carnivores, the snow leopard is the flagship species of the mountainous regions spanning 12 countries in South and Central Asia.”

“Snow leopards are renowned for their elusive, wide-ranging behaviors, necessitating a landscape-level approach for effective population monitoring and conservation.”

In their study, the authors investigated the population and distribution of snow leopards across a vast 59,000 km² area of Ladakh.

Initially, they conducted a thorough survey to gather evidence of snow leopards, including tracks, droppings, and scratch marks.

They also assessed the presence of other large carnivores such as brown bears and lynx, as well as wild herbivores and livestock.

Subsequently, they deployed 956 camera traps covering over 8,500 km² of snow leopard habitat, facilitating accurate population estimates across the region.

Using artificial intelligence, they analyzed images to identify individual snow leopards based on their unique forehead patterns.

The team estimated that Ladakh hosts approximately 477 snow leopards, representing 68% of India’s total population.

Snow leopard density was observed to vary between 1-3 individuals per 100 km², with Hemis National Park noted for having the highest recorded density globally.

Remarkably, up to 61% of snow leopards in Ladakh coexist with human populations.

Resource-rich grasslands, characterized by moderate climates and complex terrains, tend to be prime habitats for snow leopards.

“A profound respect for wildlife among the communities in Ladakh, coupled with the economic benefits from snow leopard tourism and effective conflict management strategies, supports some of the highest snow leopard densities globally.

“To capture images of the snow leopard’s forehead, I positioned myself strategically in front of the camera.”

“This involved applying a small amount of perfume near the camera placed by a favored scented rock atop a high ridge.”

“Out of curiosity, the snow leopard lowers its head to investigate the scent, allowing us to capture invaluable photographs.”

“The fingerprinting of snow leopards employs specialized pattern recognition software that models the 3D features of the snow leopard’s forehead, extracting and cataloging spot patterns for comparison with other photographs, ensuring accurate matches.”

“This approach has significantly enhanced our work, improving the accuracy of individual identification—critical for population estimates using statistical models.”

The team’s research paper was published online in the journal PLOS ONE.

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P. Reina et al. 2025. A comprehensive assessment of snow leopard distribution and population in Ladakh, India’s Trans Himalayas: Standardisation Methods for Evidence-Based Conservation. PLOS ONE 20(5): E0322136; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322136

Source: www.sci.news

Report shows nearly 50% of Americans residing in areas with insufficient air quality

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A total of 156 million residents in the US, approximately 46% of the population, resided in areas with poor air quality that received an “F” grade from the American Lung Association due to ozone or particle pollution. This indicates a decline in the country’s air quality standards, as per the Association’s 26th Annual Air Quality Data Analysis.

An examination of data from 2021 to 2023 revealed a rise of about 25 million individuals living in unhealthy environments compared to the previous year’s survey results.

The report highlights the impact of climate change, such as increased heat, drought, and wildfire smoke, contributing to changes in air quality nationwide.

Katherine Pruitt, senior director of Clean Air Policy, expressed surprise at the significant increase in the number of people residing in areas with poor air quality, especially due to ozone degradation. She emphasized the influence of hot and sunny weather conditions on this deterioration.

In 2023, the final year of the Lung Association’s analysis, global temperatures recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were among the highest on record. The US experienced the fifth-highest temperatures in its history.

The spike in ozone levels, particularly in states like Texas facing intense heatwaves in 2023, was evident. Pruitt pointed out how towns like Del Rio endured temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for extended periods.

Additionally, heavy wildfire smoke significantly impacted air quality, with regions like the northeast being exposed to the most smoke in modern American history due to wildfires in Canada.

The growing threat of wildfire smoke has hindered progress made under the Clean Air Act, releasing particles that pose health risks. Recent studies indicate that around 25% of Clean Air Act progress has been reversed due to increased wildfire smoke.

Pruitt warned of ongoing environmental degradation and its consequences, emphasizing the need to address emission sources to combat these challenges.

The EPA’s plans to roll back environmental regulations, including revisiting programs under the Clean Air Act, have raised concerns about future air quality standards.

Bakersfield, California, was identified as having the most polluted air in the country from 2021 to 2023, ranking high for both short-term particle pollution and ozone pollution.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

New research shows that several Titan rivers do not flow into a delta

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Earth’s coastline is an attractive place where liquids are mixed and materials are shaped into clear terrain, such as the River Delta. Similar active coastlines exist in Titan, the moon of Saturn, where liquid hydrocarbons (methane and ethane) replace water. However, studies of Titan’s coastline, particularly the River Delta, are challenging due to the limited imaging data and the unknown nature of its materials. To overcome these challenges, Brown University planetary scientists, MIT, the MIT-Whoi joint program of oceanography, Woods Hole Marine Facilities, Cornell University, have developed a new model that simulates the Earth’s coastline as if it were found in NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. They discovered that they could detect large terrain in Titan with the correct contrast. They then returned to Titan and remap the coastline. Surprisingly, they discovered that unlike on Earth, where many large rivers house the delta of rivers, many of the Titan rivers do not end in the delta. They also discovered submerged features of Titan on the seabed, suggesting changes in sea level and active currents below sea level.

This composite image shows an infrared view of Titan. In this image, blue represents the wavelength centered at 1.3 microns, green represents 2.0 microns, and red represents 5.0 microns. Views at visible wavelengths show only the hazy atmosphere of Titan. The near-infrared wavelength of this image allows Cassini’s vision to penetrate the haze and reveal the surface of the moon. The view focuses primarily on the terrain in the hemisphere facing Saturn in Titan. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute.

“We’ve seen a lot of effort into this world,” said Dr. Sam Burch, a researcher at Brown University.

“But the absence of delta raises many new questions.”

“We take it for granted that we get a delta if we have rivers and sediments.”

“But Titan is odd. It’s a playground for studying the processes we thought we understood.”

Titan is the largest of Saturn’s 274 confirmed moons. Its thick nitrogen and methane atmosphere creates many earth-like climate and weather features.

Titan has clouds, wind, rain, rivers, lakes and oceans. However, instead of water, Titan’s liquids contain methane and ethane. Methane is a liquid at Titan’s chilly surface temperatures.

Scientists learned about Titan’s liquid body when Cassini’s spaceship flew in 2006. Peering into the thick atmosphere of Titan with Cassini’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR), the spacecraft revealed a large body of liquid and a large flat area with a large flat area.

However, what is largely missing from Cassini’s SAR images was the delta, even at the mouth of the large river.

However, it was not clear whether Delta was really absent or not shown in Cassini’s SAR data.

That is a question Dr. Burch and his colleagues tried to answer in their new research.

The problem with Cassini’s SAR data is that shallow liquid methane is largely transparent in every image.

Therefore, while images of the SAR allowed us to see wide ocean and river channels, it is difficult to create coastal features with confidence, as it is difficult to see where the coast ends and where the seabed begins.

For this study, the authors developed a numerical model to simulate what Cassini’s SAR sees whether they are viewing a landscape that scientists understand well: Earth.

In the model, Earth’s rivers and ocean waters were replaced by Titan methane liquids with different radar absorption properties compared to water.

“We basically created a synthetic SAR image of the Earth that assumes the properties of Titan’s liquids instead of the Earth,” Dr. Burch said.

“If you see the SAR images of the landscape, we know so well that we can go back to Titan and get a little better at what we’re looking at.”

Researchers have found that synthetic SAR images of the Earth clearly solved large deltas and many other large coastal landscapes.

“If you have the size of a delta at the mouth of the Mississippi River, you should be able to see it,” Dr. Burch said.

“If we have a big barrier island or similar coastal landscape that we see along the US Gulf Coast, we should be able to see them.”

But as scientists shook the Titan images in light of new analysis, they were almost empty.

The rest of the moon’s river was completely delta free, except for two possible deltas near Titan’s Antarctic.

They found that only about 1.3% of the large rivers of Titan that end on the coastline have the delta. In contrast, on Earth, almost every river of similar size has a delta.

“It’s not entirely clear why Titans generally lack delta,” Dr. Burch said.

“The fluid properties of the Titan river should allow sediment to be carried and deposited.”

“Because the sea level in Titan is rising so rapidly, the delta can crush the landscape faster than it accumulates in a single location.”

“The winds and currents along the Titan coast can also play a similarly large role in preventing delta formation.”

And the only delta of mystery posed by new research is not missing.

A new analysis of Cassini SAR data on the Titan coast reveals holes of unknown origin deep within the lake and ocean.

Researchers also found deep waterways on the ocean floor, which appear to have been carved by the river flow, but it is not clear how they got there.

“All of these surprises require more research to fully understand,” Dr. Burch said.

“This is not really what we expected. But Titan does this well for us, and I think it’s an attractive place to study.”

study It was published in Journal of Journal Geophysics: Planets.

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SPD Birch et al. 2025. Detectability of coastal topography on Titan using Cassini radar. jgr planet 130 (3): e2024je008737; doi: 10.1029/2024je008737

Source: www.sci.news

Research shows that elderly individuals are seeking care for cannabis use due to increased risk of dementia.

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Hospital or emergency room care for cannabis use among middle-aged and elderly individuals may lead to an increased risk of developing dementia, according to a large Canadian study published in Jama Neurology. Over a five-year period, individuals seeking care for cannabis use were almost twice as likely to develop dementia compared to the general population.

The study, which analyzed medical records of six million Ontario residents from 2008 to 2021, highlighted a 23% higher risk of dementia among cannabis users compared to those seeking care for other reasons.

While the study did not specify the amount of cannabis used by participants, it did not establish a causal relationship between regular or heavy cannabis use and dementia.

Dr. Daniel T. Myran, the study’s lead author, emphasized the need for further research to explore the potential link between cannabis use and dementia. He acknowledged the complexity of determining whether cannabis use could lead to dementia and highlighted the importance of addressing these concerns.

Previous research by Dr. Myran indicated a higher mortality rate among individuals with cannabis use disorder and noted an increase in cases of schizophrenia and psychosis related to cannabis use in Canada.

Recent studies focusing on the impact of cannabis use on cognition have provided valuable insights, highlighting potential risks associated with regular or heavy cannabis consumption.

While previous research on cannabis and dementia has been limited, the strength of the new study lies in its large sample size and long-term follow-up of patients. Dr. Madeline Meyer, an expert not involved in the study, commended the study for its ability to rule out dementia at the outset and track the temporal relationship between cannabis use and dementia.

Dr. Meyer’s own research has linked cannabis use with neuropsychological decline, challenging the perception of cannabis as a harmless substance with potential medical benefits.

She emphasized the importance of taking the association between cannabis use and dementia seriously and considering the potential risks it may pose.

The increasing use of cannabis among older adults has raised concerns about potential health risks, including the development of dementia. A new study found a significant rise in cannabis-related medical visits among adults aged 45 and older, prompting further investigation into the potential impact of cannabis on cognitive health.

Comparing individuals with cannabis-related medical visits to the general population, the study highlighted a higher incidence of dementia among cannabis users, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation of the risks associated with cannabis use.

While some factors contributing to the increased risk of dementia among cannabis users can be explained, others remain unclear, requiring further research to fully understand the potential relationship between cannabis use and cognitive decline.

Dr. Mylan and his colleagues found that individuals seeking care for alcohol use are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those using cannabis, highlighting the complex nature of substance use and its impact on cognitive health.

Despite efforts to control for various factors, there are still uncertainties surrounding the potential link between cannabis use and dementia. It is essential to consider all possible variables that may contribute to the development of dementia in cannabis users.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Study shows the Sakhallo Arabian desert was verdant for 8 million years

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Sakhallo-Arabian desert is one of the largest biogeographical barriers on Earth, hindering the dispersion between Africa and Eurasia, including human movements in the past. Recent research suggests that this barrier has been in place for at least 11 million years. However, a new Griffith University-led study shows that numerous humidity intervals have occurred in the Sakhallo-Arabian desert over the past 8 million years.

Marcouska et al. It shows wet intervals that have recurred inside Central Arabia over the past 8 million years. Image credit: Paul Breeze.

Arabia is at the heart of the largest near-continuous chain of arid lands on the planet. A harsh and often highly dry belt that stretches from the Sahara to the Tar Desert.

Sakhallo-Arabian desert barriers limit animal dispersion and divide Africa and Eurasia into areas of Afrotropic, palate, and Indomalaya biogeography, each characterized by a distinct assemblage of plants, animal species and communities.

While the persistence of this desert barrier serves as a major control over the depiction of these biogeographical regions, improvements in climate throughout the Sakhallo-Arabian region allow for dispersion among them.

As a result, the region is a “transition zone” and hosts a complex fauna mixture with characteristics of Africa, Eurasia and South Asia.

Recent research suggests that a dry beyond this desert barrier and that it has begun to be highly aridity and highly dry on the edge of northern Arabia 9 million years ago in the completely arid state of the Sahara at least 11 million years ago.

“However, fossil evidence from the late Miocene (marked by rising earth temperatures) and the Pleistocene (including multiple ice ages) suggests the existence of an episode within the interior of the water-dependent animal Sakhallo-Arabian desert.”

“It is possible that animals such as crocodiles, quids, cobopotamids, and absoscideans were supported by rivers and lakes that are almost nonexistent from today’s arid landscape.”

“These wet conditions could promote the dispersion of these mammals between Africa and Eurasia, and Arabia serves as an important crossroads in continental-scale biogeographic exchange.”

In the new study, Professor Petraglia and colleagues analyzed a set of osteoscopic electrons (mineral deposits such as bulls and stellates) from a series of caves from within Arabia.

It is one of the longest aleoclimatic records available in Arabia today, and represents one of the longest space paleoclimatic records in the world.

“Little was known about Arabian paleoclimate before this time,” said Dr. Monica Markowska of Northumbria University.

“The findings highlight that the effects of monsoons have been weakened and polar ice coverings in the Pleistocene during the Pleistocene have been strengthened, reducing precipitation during humidity intervals and changing over time.”

“Although Arabia has traditionally been overlooked in the dispersion of Africa and Yolasia, research like ours is increasingly revealing the central location of mammal and human migration,” added Dr Faisal Al-Jiblin, who led Saudi archaeologists on the Heritage Committee.

result It will be displayed in the journal Nature.

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M. Markouska et al. The recurrence of humidity in Arabia over the past 8 million years. NaturePublished online on April 9, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08859-6

Source: www.sci.news

Video Evidence Shows That These Monkeys are the World’s Best Yodelers

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Enjoy the beautiful scene of Music sounds as Maria and von Trapp’s children sing about the lonely Jasteld Jodel in the Austrian Alps (lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl-lay-hee-hoo).

Despite the picturesque moment, I was unfamiliar with these characters. Comparing their yodeling to that of monkeys in the rainforest of Latin America, it seems somewhat embarrassing.

Recent research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Vienna in collaboration with experts from Japan, Sweden, and Bolivia sheds light on this topic.

Through recordings and analysis of black and gold Howler monkeys, tufted capuchins, black-cap squirrel monkeys, and Peruvian spider monkeys at Randa Verde Wildlife Reserve in Bolivia, scientists discovered that these primates can jump three or more musical octaves at once, unlike human yodelers who span sub-octaves.

Dr. Christian Herbst explains the tufted capuchin’s call in real-time

Dr. Jacob Dunn, an associate professor of evolutionary biology at ARU, highlighted how these voice leaps contribute to the primates’ communication abilities in complex social settings.

The unique vocalizations known as “ultra yodels” are made possible by the distinct anatomy of the monkey’s throat, specifically the vocal membrane. This thin tissue ribbon allows for extended pitch ranges, enhancing the monkeys’ vocal repertoire.

The evolution of monkeys’ vocal membranes contrasts with human vocal abilities, as they enhance pitch range but may lead to voice instability.

Capuchin Monkeys are known for their intelligence and tool use

While humans yodel by shifting between voice registers, monkeys utilize vocal membranes to produce complex vocal patterns without the need for intricate neural control.

Not all monkeys excel at yodeling, with Latin American monkeys displaying a particular proficiency due to their vocal membranes. This suggests the importance of these calls for certain species.

For more information: