Are Statins Really Causing Side Effects? Major Study Finds Clarity
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Recent investigations reveal that the numerous side effects attributed to statin medications have been significantly overstated. This emerging evidence prompts calls for modifications on drug packaging to mitigate unwarranted concerns that deter patients from essential lifesaving treatments.
“Our findings indicate that the majority of issues listed as potential statin side effects are unlikely caused by the medication,” stated Christine Reese during a press event at Oxford University on February 3rd.
Statins, known for their cholesterol-lowering capabilities, are affordable medications that robustly reduce heart attack and stroke risks. However, fears about side effects, notably muscle pain, have long plagued their use. A 2022 study confirmed that muscle pain is rarely, if ever, induced by statin use.
“Regrettably, both patients and many healthcare providers are confused about statin side effects, contributing to hesitance in initiating or continuing their use,” commented Reese.
In this study, Reese and her team scrutinized common side effects listed on statin labels—like dizziness, fatigue, and memory loss. These narratives stem largely from case reports and observational studies rather than concrete data. The investigation did not delve into muscle pain, weakness, or diabetes risks as previously analyzed in other studies.
Researchers evaluated 19 randomized controlled trials involving 120,000 participants over an average follow-up of 4.5 years, comparing the effects of five widely prescribed statins against a placebo.
Out of 66 observed side effects, most did not correlate with statin usage, and similar occurrences were noted in placebo participants, suggesting a nocebo effect—where fear or expectation of side effects leads to actual experiences. “We have seen that the risk of some side effects like elevated protein levels in urine, swelling in extremities, and liver function changes is legitimate,” mentioned Jeffrey Berger from New York University Langone Health. “However, these do not pose significant harm, allowing us to assert confidently that the benefits of statins overshadow their risks,” Reese concluded.
Drug regulators advocate for updates to statin labels as suggested by Karol Watson at UCLA, indicating clearer differentiation of actual side effects versus those equally occurring in placebo users.
Updating these labels can be a lengthy endeavor. Remarkably, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency only recommended in January 2026 the inclusion of muscle weakness and pain as possible side effects on statin labels.
In the interim, clinicians can utilize this research to reassure current and prospective statin users. “It’s essential to educate patients to adjust their expectations rather than dismissing their concerns,” emphasized Berger.
Watson hopes the findings will definitively settle the debates surrounding statins. “Future studies should pivot from whether statins typically induce these symptoms—we already know they do not. Instead, research should focus on identifying individuals who are genuinely more prone to certain statin-related side effects,” she remarked.
Different individuals may respond better to certain antidepressants based on their side effects.
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The side effects of antidepressants can differ significantly, ranging from weight fluctuations to alterations in blood pressure. Medical professionals need to consider these factors when selecting the most appropriate medication among the numerous options available.
About 10% of individuals in Europe and the US utilize antidepressants to address symptoms including depression and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms may not be as prevalent as assumed, yet some studies indicate physical side effects associated with these medications. The specific side effects linked to each drug, however, remain unclear.
Diving deeper into the research, Toby Pillinger and his team from King’s College London examined data from 151 randomized controlled trials and 17 reports from the US Food and Drug Administration. These studies encompassed 30 different antidepressants, assessing their efficacy and side effects relative to a placebo over roughly eight weeks for various mental health conditions.
“The strength of these studies lies in their placebo-controlled and randomized design, allowing us to confidently attribute the observed differences to the medications,” Pillinger states.
The analysis revealed that certain medications were linked to weight loss, while others caused weight gain. For instance, maprotiline was associated with an average weight gain of approximately 1.8 kg, whereas agomelatine was linked to an average weight loss of about 2.4 kg.
The research additionally indicated that fluvoxamine led to an average decrease in heart rate of 8 beats per minute (bpm), while nortriptyline raised it by 13 bpm. Notably, nortriptyline also lowered systolic blood pressure (the pressure during heart contractions) by 3 to 7 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), whereas doxepin elevated blood pressure by nearly 5 mmHg, which may have wider health implications. “For every 1 mmHg increase in blood pressure, the risk of stroke rises by 1%,” remarks Oliver Howes, also from King’s College London.
Other medications like paroxetine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine, and venlafaxine have been linked to increased cholesterol levels. It remains uncertain if these side effects intensify, diminish, or stabilize after the initial eight-week period.
Although observational studies have raised concerns regarding the potential impact of antidepressants on electrolyte levels, particularly sodium—as it may influence heart rhythms—”our study indicates that sodium isn’t an issue at all,” Pillinger comments.
“This information is immensely useful for both physicians and patients,” remarks Mahyar Etminan from Epilytics, an epidemiological consulting firm in Vancouver. “This data can be integrated into an application, enabling doctors to identify which medications to avoid for individuals with high cholesterol or cardiovascular issues. It provides physicians with greater flexibility in selecting the most suitable antidepressant for their patients.”
Pillinger mentions that his team is developing a digital tool that features a drop-down list of common side effects associated with antidepressants, assisting healthcare providers in determining which medications to avoid or whether reducing dosage could be advantageous. “The essential goal is to find the most appropriate drug for each individual and tailor prescriptions accordingly,” Pillinger explains.
However, John Ioannidis, a researcher at Stanford University, cautions that their findings could be skewed if only studies demonstrating side effects were included. Some research may not have reported any adverse effects, thus excluding pertinent data from the meta-analysis.
He also points out that patients typically remain on antidepressants for at least eight weeks, often for several years. “If such an impact exists over a more extended period, it necessitates different long-term studies to validate its relevance,” Ioannidis asserts.
Pillinger acknowledges the possibility of bias but believes they have compiled the majority of relevant data. He recognizes the need for long-term study analysis and is in the process of conducting it, mentioning that around 75% of trial participants have been white. Nonetheless, he believes the trends identified will likely become clearer over extended studies and may extend to other demographics.
Prior research has indicated that some antidepressants, such as venlafaxine, are associated with long-term blood pressure increases. He also notes that rapid weight gain might persist. “Once weight is gained, it becomes challenging to lose it again,” he states.
However, due to the effectiveness of antidepressants, those worried about side effects should not discontinue their medication, according to Howes. “This is a nuanced issue and an individual decision that considers your unique risk factors and benefits. If concerned, consulting with your physician is advisable.”
The stark differences in proximity and width between the moon’s near and far sides, along with their topography, volcanism, and crustal structures, offer crucial insights into the moon’s formation and evolution. However, investigations into the mechanisms behind this hemispherical asymmetry have been constrained by the absence of far-side samples. A recent study revealed fragments of rock and soil collected by China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft from a large crater on the moon last year. Researchers confirmed that these rock samples are approximately 2.8 billion years old, analyzed the chemical composition of the minerals, and estimated that they were formed from lava deep within the moon at temperatures around 1,100 degrees Celsius. Survey results were published in the journal Natural Earth Science.
A global map of Albedo from a 750 nm filter on a UV-VIS camera mounted on NASA’s Clementine spacecraft. This image shows the near and far side of Lambert’s moon, and is an equal area projection. Image credit: NASA.
“The near and far sides of the moon differ significantly, both on the surface and potentially in their internal structures,” said Professor Yang Lee, a researcher at the University of London.
“This is one of the moon’s great mysteries. We refer to it as the two-sided moon. While variations in temperature between the near and far sides have long been theorized, our research presents the first evidence derived from actual samples.”
“These discoveries bring us closer to understanding the moon’s dual nature,” stated PhD candidate Xuelin Zhu from Peking University.
“They indicate that the disparities between the two sides extend beyond the surface, reaching deep within the moon.”
In this research, the authors examined 300 grams of lunar soil assigned to the Beijing Institute of Uranium Geology.
“This sample represents the first collection by the Chang’e 6 mission from across the moon,” commented Dr. Sheng, a researcher at the same institute.
The researchers found the samples were primarily composed of basalt particles and utilized electron probes to map specific areas of the sample, determining their composition.
They analyzed variations in lead isotopes dating back 2.8 billion years.
Several techniques were employed to estimate the sample temperatures at different stages in the moon’s past.
The first method involved analyzing mineral composition and comparing it with computer simulations to estimate the formation temperatures of the rocks.
This was juxtaposed with similar estimates for rocks from the near side, revealing a temperature difference of approximately 100 degrees Celsius.
The second technique delved further into the sample’s history, inferring from its chemical composition to ascertain the heat of the “parent rock” and comparing it with estimates of lunar samples obtained during the Apollo missions.
Once again, a Celsius difference of about 100 degrees was identified.
Due to the limited samples returned, they estimated the parent rock temperature using satellite data from the Chang’e landing sites on both sides, comparing this with similar data from nearby areas, which revealed a difference of 70 degrees Celsius.
On the moon, thermogenic elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium are often found alongside phosphorus and rare earth elements within a material referred to as KREEP (an acronym for potassium (K), rare earth element (REE), and phosphorus (P)).
The leading theory regarding the moon’s origin posits that it formed from debris resulting from a large-scale collision between Earth and a Mars-sized protoplanet, developing from primarily molten rock.
This magma solidified as it cooled, but KREEP elements were compatible with the forming crystals and remained within the magma for extended periods.
Scientists anticipate that KREEP material would be evenly distributed across the moon. In reality, it appears to be concentrated in the near side’s mantle.
The distribution of these elements may explain why the near side exhibited more volcanic activity.
While the current mantle temperatures on the far and near sides of the moon remain unknown due to this study, the temperature imbalances are likely to persist for a considerable duration, as the moon cools very slowly since its formation from a catastrophic impact.
Scientists aim to provide definitive answers to these questions in ongoing research.
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she et al. Chang’e-6 basalt and relatively cool moon facid mantle inferred from remote sensing. nut. Geosci Published online on September 30th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41561-025-01815-z
Testing reveals that a higher weekly dosage of Wegovy is linked to an increased risk of side effects.
Prior research indicates that individuals receiving the standard weekly doses of Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, can lose up to 15% of their body weight over a year when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. This medication mimics the action of GLP-1, a hormone akin to glucagon, which aids in numerous ways such as delaying stomach emptying and signaling the brain to suppress appetite.
Produced by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is approved for use among individuals with obesity or those who are overweight and possess at least one weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes. “However, some patients may not experience the desired level of weight loss or may seek more than the average 10-15% reduction,” says Lora Heisler, who was not part of the research team from the University of Aberdeen in the UK.
To explore the potential benefits of increased dosage, Shawn Wharton and colleagues, including scientists from the University of Toronto and Novo Nordisk, studied over 1,000 obese adults across 11 countries, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Participants, all without diabetes, were randomly assigned to receive either a high dosage of 7.2 milligrams or the standard 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide, alongside a placebo injection mimicking Wegovy. Doses of semaglutide were gradually elevated over several weeks, and all participants were encouraged to maintain a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day and engage in physical activity for 150 minutes weekly.
After one year, those receiving the standard dosage lost an average of 16% of their body weight, while the high-dose group achieved about 19% weight loss. Conversely, the placebo group lost approximately 44% of their body weight.
One-third of participants in the standard dosage category experienced over 20% weight loss, compared to almost half in the high-dose group. Only 3% in the placebo group reached this threshold, indicating that higher dosages can significantly enhance weight loss outcomes, according to Heisler.
At the onset of the study, more than one-third of participants in each group had prediabetes, marked by elevated blood sugar levels without qualifying for type 2 diabetes. By the study’s conclusion, diabetes cases in the high-dose group decreased by 83%, while cases within the standard-dose group fell by 74%. “This is highly encouraging, as the main objective of weight loss is to enhance overall health,” Heisler remarks.
Nevertheless, there are noteworthy drawbacks. Bowel-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, were reported by 61% in the standard-dose group, while 71% in the high-dose category experienced similar issues. In comparison, 40% of those taking the placebo also faced these symptoms, which might not be directly related to the treatment, according to Heisler.
Moreover, over 20% of the high-dose group reported unpleasant skin sensations known as dysesthesia. As a result, four participants discontinued their treatment. By contrast, only 6% of the standard-dose recipients and just one in the placebo group reported this side effect, with no one ceasing treatment.
These findings indicate that the advantages of higher dosages may outweigh the associated risks for certain individuals, according to Heisler. “For those requiring substantial weight loss who don’t experience many side effects, the higher dose may facilitate their goals,” she states. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals achieving sufficient weight loss on standard doses or those enduring severe side effects. She emphasizes the need for additional trials to validate these results before clinical application.
In a separate trial, Wharton and his team suggest that higher dosages might yield greater weight loss and enhanced blood glucose levels in individuals with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the results were not statistically significant, indicating a need for further investigation, says Simon Cork from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.
IN 2017, ThinkTank, a game design initiative known as Project Horseshoe, convened a group of developers to explore the delightful concept of video games. Since the inception of the medium, games with non-violent themes have existed. Early life simulators like Little Computer People from 1985 represented low-stake interactions, allowing players to engage with ordinary characters in their homes. Following the 1996 Chibi Award harvest, social farming simulations gained popularity.
The report produced, Cozy Games: Exploring Safety, Softness, Satisfied Needs, may represent the first systematic effort to delineate the genre. The group identified three core components: safety, richness, and softness. Cozy games (with the American spelling) avoid high-stake scenarios. “There’s no looming threat of loss,” they noted. They are designed to evoke a rich experience: “Nothing is lacking, pressing against you, or imminent.” Additionally, a soft aesthetic wraps everything in a warm embrace.
Puzzle game… Unpacking a room. Photo: Witch Beam
For example, in Witch Beam’s puzzle game, players unpack items from boxes and arrange them in a new home. Although there are constraints on placement, unlike traditional puzzle games, there’s no punishment for incorrect placements—no timers or scoring systems to contend with. The colorful pixel art enhances the experience.
Project Horseshoe’s definition aligns with the rise of handheld consoles made for communal play on sofas, particularly around the Nintendo Switch’s 2017 launch, coinciding with substantial genre growth. By 2019, indie designer Matthew Taylor began a Twitter account called Wholesome Games to feature titles reflecting their criteria. Eventually, the wholesome games movement—led by Taylor with partners Jenny Wyndham, James Tillman, and Victoria Tran—developed into a collective that hosts showcases for charming, non-threatening games, later evolving into a publishing company.
The success of wholesome games illustrates the genre’s broader expansion. The inaugural Wholesome Direct aired in 2020, coinciding with a surge in cozy game popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, not least due to the massive success of Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons, drawing in 25,000 viewers. The latest Wholesome Direct in June achieved an impressive 5 million views.
The solace of sadness… Spiritfarer. Photo: Thunder Lotus Game
This trend is reflected on Steam, where the number of games categorized as “cozy” is on the rise. In 2020, only 15 games were launched with cozy tags on Steam, according to SteamDB. By 2021, this figure doubled to 39 releases, and in 2022, it doubled again to 85. By 2024, a staggering 373 cozy games were released—over one game per day. Each time the genre appears to peak, it continues to soar. Major commercial hits include Animal Crossing, which outperformed any Call of Duty title with nearly 50 million copies sold, while popular farming game Stardew Valley has over 41 million copies sold.
Kelly Baudlow, an associate professor and head of Game Research and Design Programs at Harrisburg University, posits that cozy games signify more than just a genre; they represent “ideological shifts in game design.” This is evident in the diverse experiences cozy games provide. For instance, Unpacking centers on organizing household items, while A Short Hike invites players to explore a mountainous summer getaway. Spiritfarer delivers a management simulation focused on consoling souls and dealing with grief, and Venba weaves an emotional narrative around nostalgia and Tamil cooking.
A darker theme… Strange Horticulture. Photo: Bad Viking
Recently, even darker-themed games have been classified as cozy. Strange Horticulture, for instance, involves players managing a shop selling toxic plants, while Dredge introduces horror elements within a low-stakes fishing and sailing premise. “At their core, these games are fun, hopeful, and nurturing,” remarks Windom, a partner in the wholesome gaming initiative. “We want players to feel warmth and security when engaging with them. However, this definition has likely broadened to encompass games dealing with offensive or uncomfortable topics, all while remaining within a safe environment.”
Rhea Gupte and Prateek Saxena from India-based Imissmyfriend studio didn’t intentionally set out to create a cozy game, yet their debut title, Fishbowl, fits the bill perfectly. The game follows Alo, a 21-year-old woman who relocates to a new city for her video editing job, only to grapple with grief over her grandmother’s passing amidst pandemic lockdowns. Despite the heavy themes, little cozy touches can be found throughout Fishbowl, from its carefully curated color palette to its detailed pixel art and soft audio design.
So many cozy… fish bowls. Photo: Imissmyfriends.studio
“We began with the theme and the narrative we wished to convey,” explains Gupte, who serves as the game’s author and art director. “When contemplating the design and overall mood of the game, it became clear that a cozy atmosphere was necessary. Otherwise, the themes could become overwhelmingly heavy and difficult to navigate. Our goal was to introduce a sense of lightness, despite the more serious subjects involved.”
As the cozy genre continues to evolve, there’s a growing recognition that comfort is subjective. Nonetheless, Baudlow reminds us that not all non-violent games warrant the cozy label. “It’s not appropriate to simply stick that tag on everything,” she emphasizes.
The countryside dream… Stardew Valley. Photo: Concerns
Fishbowl differs from Stardew Valley in its portrayal of farming. Gupte and Saxena highlighted the disparity between how agrarian life is romanticized in games versus the harsh realities many face. “In India, farming embodies significant challenges,” Saxena noted. Games like Palace on the Hill, where the protagonist must cultivate land to settle debts, oppose the cozy narrative. Yet in alternative contexts, farming is often romanticized as a leisurely lifestyle.
TOEM, a meditative photography game developed by Something We Made in 2021, represents another facet of the genre. Although it is unmistakably a cozy game, it deviates from typical visuals by utilizing a monochrome palette. Lucas Gullbo, one of Toem’s developers, explains that while the black and white aesthetic may appear harsh, “the game conveys an emotional resonance that counters the daunting notion of being monochromatic.”
The nostalgia of food… Venba. Photo: Visai Games
Where will the cozy genre go from here? Recently, idle games have emerged as a sub-genre, featuring low-stakes elements like fishing in CornerPond or relaxing with a frog on Idle Island. Games such as Ronderets set in a cozy laundromat also include classic cozy features—farming elements and resource management paired with delightful graphics—but importantly, player effort remains minimal. Players can engage in decorations and small mini-games, but the games can progress without active participation, which contributes to their appeal. Is there an inherent comfort associated with leisurely idleness? This is a question worth exploring as the genre continues to expand.
“In the realm of cozy and wholesome games, and games at large, it’s a particularly nascent medium in the process of unveiling genres and mechanics,” remarks Wyndham. “It’s uncommon to witness something truly groundbreaking. As the wholesome and cozy game movements blossomed, they felt like uncharted territory. Why settle for typical first-person perspectives when you could opt for something more innovative? Change is often slow to emerge.
Even decades after its initial proposition, a peculiar four-sided shape has been captured in mathematical intrigue, consistently resting on its desired side no matter how it lands.
The concept of self-righting shapes, particularly those with preferred resting positions on flat surfaces, has intrigued mathematicians for years. A notable example is the Gömböc—a curved object resembling a turtle shell, known for its unique weight distribution that allows it to rock back and forth until it finds its stable resting position.
In 1966, mathematician John Conway investigated the balance of geometric shapes. He established that four-sided shapes, or tetrahedrons, cannot achieve equilibrium through mass distribution. However, he speculated the existence of unevenly balanced tetrahedrons, though he did not provide concrete evidence.
Recently, Gábor Domokos from the Budapest Institute of Technology, along with his team, created a unique tetrahedral structure using carbon fiber struts and ultra-dense carbide plates. Its name, Viren, derives from Hungarian terminology.
Their journey began when Domokos tasked a student, Gerg Almádi, with using a high-powered computer to conduct a comprehensive search for Conway’s tetrahedron. “The goal was to examine all potential tetrahedrons. If we got lucky—or if computation power favored us—we might find something,” Domokos reflects.
True to Conway’s predictions, they didn’t locate a perfectly balanced tetrahedron but did identify several uneven candidates and confirmed their existence through mathematical proofs.
Determined to create a physical manifestation, Domokos found this task “significantly more complex.” Their calculations indicated that the density difference between the weighted and unweighted areas of the structure needed to be approximately 5000 times, essentially necessitating a material that’s predominantly air yet retains rigidity.
To fabricate their design, Domokos and his team collaborated with an engineering firm, investing thousands of euros to engineer carbon fiber struts with precision within a tenth of a millimeter and crafting a tungsten base plate with a variance of just a tenth of a gram.
When Domokos first witnessed a functioning prototype, he felt an overwhelming elation, remarking, “It was like rising a meter off the ground. The achievement was immensely satisfying, knowing it would bring joy to John Conway.”
“There was no blueprint, no prior example—essentially nothing suggesting to Conway that this form could exist,” Domokos adds. “This discovery was only possible with advanced computational power and considerable financial investment.”
The tetrahedron they’ve constructed follows a specific transition sequence between its sides, explaining that moving from B to A, C to A to C, and then to A can infer the necessary material distribution is indeed feasible.
Domokos envisions that their findings could inspire engineers to rethink the geometry of lunar landers, minimizing the risk of toppling, as has happened with some recent missions. “If we can achieve stability with four faces, similar principles could potentially apply to shapes with varying numbers of faces.”
Recent findings from researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum, Ankara University at Prince Edward Island, and Bari Aldo Moro University reveal that two-thirds of domestic cats (Felis Catus) tend to sleep on their left side. This orientation provides them with a left field of vision, allowing the right hemisphere of their brain to have an unobstructed view of impending approach, while protecting their body.
Isparta et al. We propose that the significant left-side preference in cat sleep may have evolved alongside hemispheric asymmetry related to threat assessment. Image credits: Noah Dustin von Weissenfrue / Gleb Kuzmenko / Isparta et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043.
“Sleep represents one of the most vulnerable states for animals, particularly during deep sleep when vigilance to threats is notably diminished.”
“Domestic cats act as both predators and prey (to animals like coyotes), averaging 12-16 hours of sleep per day.”
“This implies they spend around 60-65% of their lives in highly susceptible states.”
“To minimize the risk of becoming prey, cats tend to rest in elevated locations, where they can better see approaching threats while remaining concealed.”
“In such elevated spots, predators can typically only approach from below.”
“Thus, resting at height affords cats a sense of safety, comfort, and a vantage point to observe their surroundings.”
The authors of this study examined 408 publicly available YouTube videos featuring individual cats lying on their sides in clear sleep positions, ensuring unbroken sleep durations of at least 10 seconds with full visibility from head to tail.
Only original, unedited videos were considered; those that were low resolution, obscured, duplicated, or altered (such as mirror images or selfies) were excluded.
The findings showed that 266 cats (65.1%) exhibited left-oriented sleep positions, while 142 demonstrated a significant left-sided bias as a population, compared to the 34.8% that slept on their right side.
“A cat that sleeps on its left side gains awareness of its environment upon waking with a left field of vision processed by the right hemisphere,” explained the researchers.
“This hemisphere is critical for spatial awareness, handling threats, and coordinating quick escape responses.”
“When a cat awakens after sleeping on its left side, visual cues regarding predators or prey are relayed directly to the right hemisphere of the brain.
“This suggests that favoring the left side while sleeping might be a strategic survival behavior.”
The music industry is currently facing a struggle, particularly regarding the operations of streaming services, with unsuspecting indie artists caught in the crossfire.
Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are inundated with AI-generated tracks, which are cheap and easy to produce. In April, Deather estimated that 20,000 fully AI-created tracks—making up 18% of new releases—were being consumed daily, nearly double the number from January. Scammers often employ bots, AI, or even humans to loop these fake songs repeatedly to generate revenue, while some exploit upload services to place counterfeit songs on legitimate artist pages, siphoning off royalties.
Spotify has begun penalizing the most egregious offenders, with the statement that it is utilizing “significant engineering resources and investigations into the detection, mitigation, and removal of artificial streaming activities.” Meanwhile, Apple Music contends that “less than 1% of all streams are manipulated.” While this might sound reassuring, the global streaming business generated $20.4 billion (according to IFPI), indicating that hundreds of millions of dollars could be lost annually to fraudulent operators.
One significant issue arises from the drastically lowered entry barriers for musicians; uploading a song to streaming platforms is now much simpler than producing CDs and vinyl. However, this ease has similarly afforded fraudsters an easier path. Though the industry has declared war on this manipulation, the automatic detection systems can mistakenly flag innocent artists, leading to their music being taken down.
Spotify’s headquarters in New York. Photo: John Nacion Imaging/Shutterstock
Darren Owen, COO of music streaming service Fuga, identified a “surge in streaming scams” spreading throughout the industry since around 2021.
Utilizing AI and machine learning, FUGA assigns a “severity score” to streaming patterns and distinguishes “nonhuman listening habits” to uncover fraudulent activities. “I wouldn’t listen to the same song on different devices at once,” Owen states. Countries like India, Vietnam, Thailand, and certain areas in Eastern Europe have been flagged as hotspots for click-farm operations utilizing low-wage labor. “It’s also been revealed that organized crime is involved,” he adds.
It’s not just platforms like Germany’s Pimpyourfollower.de, which was taken down following a court order. Similar services in Canada and Brazil are also facing scrutiny from record industry trade organizations for inflating streaming numbers artificially. Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest record label, has allegedly conspired to boost play counts for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “None Like Us.”
The Guardian has spoken with several artists who find themselves in the firing line of this manipulation war.
Darren Hemmings, managing director and musician at the music marketing company Motive Unknown, reported that a recent EP saw a track’s plays spike over 1,000—an indication of manipulation. “I don’t blame them for concluding that,” he says, but adds, “it’s very much like being judged, tried, and executed all at once.” He insists he did not manipulate his streams but couldn’t identify the cause aside from climbing popularity among real listeners.
The Northern Irish rock band Final 13 experienced their music being removed from streaming services due to a sudden spike of tens of thousands of plays. They believe this surge resulted from airplay on Radio 1, yet concluded their distributors were caught up in automated manipulation. “It’s really tough for any artist to prove they didn’t [manipulate streams], but it’s even more challenging for Spotify to justify what they did,” remarks their drummer, Doubes. “[They] take it down, and that’s the end of it.”
Matthew Whiteside at night… Photo: Julie Houden
Indie artist Adam J. Morgan, known as Naked Burner, earned over 10,000 streams in a week, likely due to his music being featured in TikTok videos, but was flagged as suspicious by distributor Routenote. “I hadn’t done anything wrong, and they offered no evidence,” he states, suspecting that it was simply due to an overly sensitive algorithm. “I spent the weekend trying to understand the problem, but Spotify informed me that my music wasn’t flagged at all.” Routenote did not respond to a request for comment.
Such takedowns can disrupt musicians, hinder marketing efforts, and ultimately affect earnings. Matthew Whiteside, who heads TNW Music Label, has faced claims of artificial streaming for three different albums. He noted that TNW Music tracks had been included in a controlled playlist. “It didn’t make sense based on genre. My distributor said I could resubmit the album for $40 each time, but that’s not feasible without assurance of success.”
“Streaming generally favors smaller acts and niche genres,” he observes. “I’d be thrilled to get 1,000 streams a month with an album.” Consequently, paying to re-upload an album can be beyond the release budget.
Deezer claims to be leading the way in implementing fraud detection mechanisms. “We monitor various metrics to help our algorithms determine user authenticity,” says Thibault Roucou, reporting director at the company’s royalties department. “When we initiate a takedown, we manually review the situation to ensure it’s a serious issue.”
Regrettably, many systems that execute takedowns often presume guilt, and the appeal processes can be so complicated that many small acts, already struggling, simply give up. Levina, who represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, experienced her music being removed from streaming platforms without any warning. “Appealing against them is nearly impossible,” she sighs.
Levina is the chairman of the Artist Council in the Association of High-profile Artists. Photo: Sam Rockman
She is also the chair of the Artists Council within the Feature Artists Coalition, working to establish “minimum standards for what distributors should provide.” She suggests implementing a traffic light warning system, allowing artists the opportunity to present their defense or rectify issues.
Streaming platforms and distributors assert that the focus is on containment rather than complete removal. However, Owen notes that the current issue isn’t solely about scammers perpetrating large-scale manipulations but involves subtle adjustments to numerous tracks to avoid detection.
For Hemmings, this situation could result in a two-tier streaming landscape where smaller acts abandon mainstream platforms. “This might lead to the conclusion that focusing on alternative revenue streams is a wiser choice for many within the independent music community.”
A recent survey published in the journal Communication Physics reveals that eggs are more likely to crack when they fall on their sides.
What implications does this have for cracking eggs? Eggs for breakfast? It may not matter significantly. The middle section remains intact while the Golden Fork fills with escaping whites.
Scientists suggest that this knowledge could aid in cooking stubborn eggs: dropping them horizontally may prevent a destructive crack that leads to a messy, cloudy interior.
Common belief holds that eggs are strongest at their edges, as demonstrated by their packaging in cartons. It’s thought that the curved base of the egg helps distribute force and minimize impact.
However, during compression tests, scientists found that eggs cracked with the same force regardless of the direction of pressure.
“The fun started when I expected one outcome and got another,” remarked Hudson Borja da Rocha from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was involved in the experiment.
The researchers conducted simulations, releasing eggs from three heights in both horizontal and vertical orientations, ranging down to 0.4 inches (10 mm).
The outcome? Fewer eggs broke when dropped horizontally.
“Conventional wisdom holds that vertical eggs are stronger than they appear, but this research shows otherwise,” stated Mark Myers, a materials scientist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not part of the study.
The research found that the equator of the egg is more flexible and can absorb more energy from a fall before breaking.
Eggs are often used in at-home experiments for egg drop challenges, which has partly inspired this new research. It remains uncertain whether these findings will help safeguard these delicate eggs.
Tal Cohen, a co-author from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that it’s somewhat counterintuitive that the rectangular sides of the egg can better endure falls.
Countless broken eggs illustrate “the bravery to question these widely accepted notions.”
A recent study by the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland suggests that the rugged terrain of the moon may still be active in areas of current interest for future missions.
The small ridge on the other side of the moon (yellow) reveals evidence that the moon may not be as dormant as before. Image Credit: Smithsonian facility, Tomwattors
For decades, scientists have been studying the moon’s surface to better understand its complex geological and evolutionary history.
Evidence from the moon’s Maria, the dark and flat areas filled with solid lava, suggests that the moon underwent significant compression in its distant past.
Researchers initially believed that a large ridge near the moon was formed by shrinkage billions of years ago, leading to the conclusion that the moon’s Maria had been dormant since then.
However, new research indicates that there may be more dynamic activity beneath the moon’s surface.
Jaclyn Clark and her colleagues, researchers at the University of Maryland, discovered that the small ridge on the other side of the moon is significantly younger than previously studied ridges.
“Many scientists had previously thought that most of the moon’s geological activity occurred over two to three billion years ago,” Clark stated. “But it appears that these structural features have been active within the past billion years and may still be active today.”
“These small ridges formed within the last 200 million years, a relatively recent timeframe in lunar terms,” she added.
Using advanced mapping and modeling techniques, researchers uncovered a previously unknown small ridge on the far side of the moon.
The ridge consists of 10-40 volcanic groups likely formed 3.2 to 3.6 billion years ago in narrow areas with fundamental weaknesses on the moon’s surface.
To determine the age of these small ridges, researchers employed a crater count method and found them to be younger than surrounding features.
“The more craters present, the older the surface,” Dr. Clark explained. “Based on the number of craters, we estimate that these features have been structurally active within the last 160 million years.”
Scientists noted that the structure of the distant ridge resembles that seen near the moon, suggesting they were formed by similar forces.
A few decades ago, NASA’s Apollo Mission detected shallow moonquakes. Recent findings suggest that these small ridges may be related to similar seismic activity.
“I hope that future moon missions will include tools like terrestrial penetration radar to better understand the subsurface structure of the moon,” Clark expressed. “Knowing that the moon is still geologically active is crucial for planning human missions and infrastructure development on the lunar surface.”
The team’s paper was published this month in the Planetary Science Journal.
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Ca Nypaver et al. 2025. Moon Distant Ridges and Antartica – Recent Structural Deformation of an Incongruous Basin. Planet. Sci. J 6, 16; DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/AD9EAA
In today’s world, side jobs have become a central part of many people’s lives. Nearly 50% of British individuals are engaging in side hustles. Nine out of 10 individuals under the age of 34 who have a side hustle plan to turn it into a full-time business. Balancing a side hustle along with a full-time job can be challenging, even for the most skilled multitaskers. Here are some tips for managing multiple gigs without disrupting your work environment.
Separate and Support Each Other View your day job as a source of motivation and insight rather than a hindrance to your side hustle. This approach can make your life more coherent and less draining.
Surprisingly, finding inspiration in both roles can help you focus better on each gig.
Reshmi Bennett, an award-winning chef from Surrey, runs a bakery called Anges de Sucre alongside publishing a recipe book for children to promote creativity in the kitchen. Bennett’s bakery has been thriving since its establishment in 2011, and she successfully manages both ventures, especially during the pandemic. Bennett shared, “During the lockdown, I had some free time, so I started writing a novel and selling it on Amazon.”
“Balancing the two roles can be challenging, so I try to organize my schedule as efficiently as possible. When I’m at my day job, I focus on fulfilling bakery orders and meeting customer needs. I pour all my energy into this. I also try to apply the skills and experiences I gain at the bakery, like recipe testing, to my side hustle. This way, I can continue managing both roles at a realistic pace.”
Work Smarter Emma Thomson, hailing from Romford, Essex, founded a jewelry business while working as a medical secretary for the NHS. Thomson juggled both roles during her lunch breaks for six years before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. She shared, “I unintentionally started this business. It began as a coping mechanism for my anxiety and depression, and gradually, people started asking where they could purchase my jewelry.”
jeweler emma thomson
Her top advice? “Optimize the time you spend in your main job as much as possible. I worked 10 hours a day for 3 days straight at my NHS job instead of the standard 8-hour day. Although it was long, I had four full days to focus on my business and take a day off if needed. This significantly reduced fatigue and stress. Additionally, scheduling and automating social media content proved to be beneficial, as I didn’t have to personally oversee much of my social media presence.”
Enhance Your Visual Identity Develop a strong visual identity for both your day job and side hustle. Whether presenting internally to your team or creating social media content for your side gig, leveraging your design skills and adaptability can strengthen your personal brand. Improved design skills can benefit you in both roles and help you excel at both. Consider using apps like Adobe Express for creating high-quality content effortlessly.
Candace Mason runs an herbal tea business for women.
Outsource Whenever Possible Successfully managing a family bus and coach company alongside a women’s herbal tea business requires a diverse set of skills. Candace Mason from Tring, Hertfordshire, emphasizes the importance of good organization. She runs two very distinct and separate businesses, managing her life effectively using online tools like Trello for project management. Having a streamlined calendar and booking system is crucial for efficient operation. Mason acknowledges the value of outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping, recognizing the importance of accepting that one person cannot do everything.
Stick to Your Schedule Strictly Leanne Alston of Bradford, West Yorkshire, owns a private hotel while working full-time as a mental health team manager in the NHS. Alston attributes her success to strict scheduling in all areas of her life. “I create a weekly schedule, detailing my 9-to-5 job requirements and sleep routine. I then allocate time for meeting private clients, organizing social media, exercising, socializing, and personal projects. Some days require specific planning, while others are more relaxed, but having a written schedule eliminates mental clutter and provides visual clarity. Prioritizing health is crucial; neither your day job nor side hustle can thrive if your well-being is neglected.”
Psychotherapist Leanne Alston
“I meticulously plan my week to accommodate my 9-to-5 responsibilities, sleep, and personal activities, including meetings with clients, social media management, exercise, and socializing. Some days require specific planning, while others are more relaxed. Having everything written down eliminates mental clutter and provides visual clarity, making it easier to follow through on tasks. One important suggestion is to prioritize your health, as neither your day job nor side project will thrive if your well-being is neglected.”
Stay True to Yourself We often hear about bringing our “authentic selves” to work. While the wisdom of this approach is debatable, aligning your personal and professional personas can simplify your life, especially if you have a side hustle. This consistency reduces the energy spent on adapting between roles and opens up opportunities for cross-pollination.
Charlotte Walsh started a reusable straw business
Try Time Chunking Charlotte Walsh, an engineer from North Yorkshire, founded a silicone straw company to address the challenge of finding high-quality, reusable straws for her children. Walsh shared, “I launched the business in 2019 and now work full-time, handling everything from order dispatch to securing compliance for high street retail partners. By segmenting tasks into chunks through time chunking, you can prioritize urgent tasks and make significant daily progress without distractions from emails or new requests.”
Be Punctual Lastly, never compromise on punctuality, even if you’re working late nights. Losing your professionalism can lead to a loss of trust, which may require even more time and effort to regain.
Today, the moon is a cold, dead world, but it hasn’t always been that way. Early in its history, the Moon was host to volcanic activity.
Now, the latest results from the first-ever samples returned from the far side of the moon by China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft reveal this volcanic activity. It may have happened more recently More than previously suspected. But what remains unclear is how these eruptions were able to continue for so long.
The moon is tidally locked to the Earth, meaning the same side is always facing us. Throughout human history, the dark ocean on the moon’s near side (known as Mare) has been clearly visible.
However, the far side of the Moon was hidden from our view and remained a mystery until the advent of the Space Age. In 1959, the Soviet Union’s Luna 3 satellite returned the first-ever images of the far side of the Moon, revealing a completely different surface than the familiar near side. There are only a handful of small oceans on the moon. Instead, much of the opposite side is pocked with impact craters.
Why do we know so little about the far side of the moon?
The Moon is dual-faced, and each side has a markedly different appearance. In recent years, experiments such as NASA’s GRAIL satellite have revealed that this dual personality extends underground as well.
“There is a dichotomy of the crust between the near and far sides, and the crust on the far side is much thicker,” he says. Professor Clive Neal a planetary geologist at the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
The cause of this split is one of the biggest unanswered questions about the moon. To get to the bottom of it, researchers first need to investigate what causes the two different appearances in the first place.
In the ’60s and ’70s, the Luna and Apollo missions returned vast amounts of lunar rock, confirming what geologists had long suspected: that the lunar maria was formed primarily from basalt (cooled lava). We were able to confirm that it is made of minerals.
The moon’s oceans were actually ancient volcanic floodplains that formed between 4.3 billion and 3.1 billion years ago. This conclusively proved that there was volcanic activity on the surface.
A photo of the far side of the Moon taken and transmitted to Earth by the Soviet lunar probe Luna 3 in 1959. – Photo credit: Getty
The absence of maria on the moon may suggest that there are no signs of volcanic activity on the far side, but a closer look at the craters on the far side shows that this may not be the case. Over time, the rocky world develops the patina of impact craters from meteorite impacts.
If the planet is volcanically active, lava flooding the surface will fill these craters and erase them from the surface. This means that the more craters there are on a planet’s surface, the longer it has been volcanic.
Using orbital images of the moon’s surface, scientists have been able to count craters on the moon, and it appears that the far side of the moon has actually been carved clean by volcanic activity on roughly the same time scale as seen on the near side. I discovered that it looks like.
So what did the new mission find?
The only way to confirm this theory was to test for volcanic minerals on samples from the backside. Unfortunately, all early lunar exploration aimed at the easiest place to land: the brightly lit equator in front of the moon.
Things changed on June 1, 2024, when China’s Chang’e 6 lander touched down on the far side of an area known as the Antarctic Aitken Impact Basin. This was China’s second venture into the far side, after landing a spacecraft in 2019. Chang’e 6’s main purpose was to bring samples of the far side back to Earth, ultimately revealing how geologically different this region is from the far side. .
Immediately after landing, Chang’e 6 scooped up some of the moon’s soil, known as regolith. They also used a 2-meter (6.5-foot) long drill to collect samples from underground, where moon rocks are somewhat protected from the sun’s radiation.
In all, the mission collected 1,935 g (4.2 pounds) of lunar material, which was packaged into an ascent vehicle and returned to Earth on June 6.
The return capsule of the Chang’e 6 probe will land in Xiziwangban, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, on June 25, 2024. – Photo credit: Getty
The return capsule was immediately taken to a special facility, where it was opened and subjected to preliminary tests, which revealed that the sample contained grains of basalt, proving that there was indeed a volcanic past behind it. It was done.
To learn more about what this past was like, more than 100 basalt fragments were extracted and sent to two independent teams of researchers who published their findings. science and nature November of this year.
They found that the basalt is about 2.8 billion years old, younger than the samples collected by Luna and Apollo.
How volcanic activity became possible is a “mystery”
The new sample matched a similarly young sample taken by China’s previous sample return mission, Chang’e 5.
Neither sample contained a group of metals called KREEP (potassium, rare earth metals, and phosphorus with the element symbol K) that were abundant in the previous samples. There was also a clear shortage of radioactive metals. Also a sample of Chang’e.
“The mystery is that young basalts, less than 3 billion years old, do not contain large amounts of KREEP radioactive elements either in the foreground or in the background,” said one of the few Western scientists allowed to cooperate in this research. Mr. Neil, one of the Analysis at this time.
“This is a mystery, but it matches the young basalt of Chang’e 5, which is 2 billion years old.”
Heat from the decay of radioactive metals is one of the main mechanisms that sustains volcanic activity on our planet, but their apparent disappearance does not seem to have immediately stopped volcanic activity on the Moon. As it turns out, the samples are very similar in many other ways.
“They are similar in bulk composition to previous samples, which adds to the mystery: What was the heat source that produced such magmas?” says Neal.
Getting to the bottom of the mystery will almost certainly require more samples taken from different parts of the moon, as well as a closer look at what’s happening beneath the surface.
“The absence of creep elements in the basalts on the far side suggests that the Moon’s mantle is also bipartite. To understand the nature of the Moon’s interior, we need to use global geophysical networks to You need to explore what’s inside.”
It appears the other side still wants to keep some of its secrets hidden, at least for now.
About our experts
Professor Clive Neil is an expert in civil and environmental engineering and geosciences at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. His research is natural earth science, science and advances in space research.
One of the most astonishing scientific discoveries of the past decade is the abundance of black holes in the universe.
These black holes come in a range of sizes, from slightly larger than the Sun to billions of times more massive. They are detected through various methods, such as radio emissions from material falling into them, their impact on orbiting stars, gravitational waves from black hole mergers, and the unique distortions of light they create, like the “Einstein rings” seen in images of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
Our universe is not flat but filled with holes like a sieve. The physical characteristics of black holes are accurately described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Although Einstein’s theory aligns well with our current knowledge of black holes, it fails to address two crucial questions. First, what happens to matter once it crosses the event horizon of a black hole? Second, how does a black hole eventually disappear? Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking proposed that, over time, black holes shrink through a process called Hawking radiation, emitting high-temperature radiation until they become very small.
These unanswered questions are related to quantum aspects of space-time, specifically quantum gravity, for which we lack a comprehensive theory.
An attempt at an answer
Despite these challenges, there are evolving tentative theories that offer some insights into these mysteries. While these theories require further experimental support, they provide possible explanations for the fate of black holes.
One prominent theory in this realm is loop quantum gravity (LQG), a promising approach to understanding quantum space-time developed since the late 1980s. LQG proposes a novel scenario where black holes transition into white holes, where the interior evolves under quantum effects, causing a reversal of its collapse.
White holes, the hypothetical opposites of black holes, may hold the key to understanding the fate of evaporating black holes. These structures could potentially explain the enigmatic nature of dark matter, offering a compelling link between well-established principles of general relativity and quantum mechanics.
Same idea but in reverse
While the direct detection of white holes remains challenging due to their weak gravitational interactions, technological advancements may enable future observations. If dark matter indeed comprises remnants of evaporating black holes in the form of white holes, this hypothesis could shed light on the elusive nature of dark matter.
By reevaluating long-held assumptions about black holes and incorporating quantum gravity phenomena, we may uncover a more nuanced understanding of these cosmic phenomena. The evolving field of quantum gravity offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of black holes and the potential existence of white holes as remnants of their evaporation.
Next steps
Exploring the implications of white holes and their possible role in dark matter formation requires further research and technological advancements. As we continue to refine our understanding of black holes and quantum gravity, we may unlock new insights into the fundamental nature of our universe.
The Chang’e-6 probe is recovered in Xiziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia, China.
Xinhua/Shutterstock
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has returned to Earth, bringing back the first chunk of space rock from the far side of the moon.
The capsule separated from the orbital container at around 1:20 p.m. local time, 5,000 kilometers above the Atlantic Ocean, and landed in Xiziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China on June 25.
The sample, which should contain about 2 kilograms of lunar material, descended the final 10 kilometres by parachute, landing at 2:07pm and being retrieved by scientists from the China National Space Administration.
Landing on the far side of the moon is difficult because it always faces away from Earth and there is no direct communication line, and this area’s surface remained unexplored until a Chinese spacecraft landed there earlier this month.
The landing and recovery operations relied heavily on autonomous processes and robotic tools, but Chinese engineers were able to send messages to the spacecraft through the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was launched in March this year and is still orbiting the moon.
The samples include surface and two meters of material scooped up by Chang’e-6 drilling into its landing site in Apollo Crater, which is within the larger South Pole-Aitken Basin. Scientists hope that this material will help explain how and when these basins formed, and may enable understanding of the origins of other similar lunar craters.
The rocks may indicate the amount of water ice in the region, which could be a key resource for a manned mission that China hopes to send to the moon by 2030.
Before embarking on its crewed mission, China plans to send two more spacecraft, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8, to the lunar south pole to gather information on a potential site for a base to be called the International Lunar Research Station. China is leading the mission in collaboration with Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Illustration of the Chang’e 6 spacecraft landing on the moon
Source: cnsa.gov.cn
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has successfully landed on the far side of the moon and has begun taking lunar rock samples from that area for the first time.
After orbiting the Moon for three weeks, the probe landed on a relatively flat area of Apollo Crater within the South Pole-Aitken impact basin at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time on June 2.
The landing sequence was largely autonomous, as the far side of the moon has no direct communications link with Earth, but engineers were able to monitor the situation and send instructions using the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was launched in March this year and is currently in lunar orbit.
Footage from the spacecraft’s camera as it approaches the landing site
Source: cnsa.gov.cn
Once the lander and its attached ascent module separated from the orbital portion of the spacecraft, its engines began a controlled descent, using obstacle avoidance systems and cameras to detect rocks and stones and select a smooth landing area. About 100 meters above the lunar surface, laser scanners selected the final location, after which the engines were shut down and the craft made a cushioned landing.
The lander is currently collecting samples, using a robotic scoop to collect surface material and a drill to extract rocks from about two metres underground, in a process that will take 14 hours over two days, according to the China National Space Administration.
The collected samples will be loaded onto an ascent vehicle and sent through the lunar exosphere to the orbiter module, which will then return to Earth and release the sample-laden re-entry capsule on June 25, which will land at Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia.
Objects visible through glare-free materials are clear, but traditional anti-glare films (right) blur the view.
Mu Wang et al/Nanjing University
Glare-free windows can be made from materials studded with billions of tiny metal patches. This leaves the one-way window matte – it looks opaque and reflects only 1% of the light from outside – but it is still transparent, so it doesn’t blur your view or significantly reduce the amount of light it lets in. You may be able to secure the privacy of your car or office without having to worry about it. They let them in.
Mu Wan Nanjing University in China and his colleagues have created a glass-like material with a matte finish similar to frosted glass, called transparent material surface (TMS). Unlike existing anti-glare coatings and films, objects can be viewed and photographed through TMS without blur.
Wang notes that matte and transparent are typically mutually exclusive properties. To accomplish both at the same time, he and his team coated the material with nanosized patches that scatter and reflect light in just the right way. They make these parts from reflective metals like gold and materials like silicon that conduct electricity poorly, which reduces the amount of light reflected. They then placed billions of them onto glass wafers.
They tested it by shining a light on it and found that a camera with a TMS wafer over the lens could reflect just 1.3% of the light while transmitting enough light to take clear photos. . The researchers also asked the AI to identify a tennis ball on the other side, combined with a camera connected to the AI that labels the object. The AI was successful when viewing the ball through TMS, but labeled the ball as “unidentified” when viewing through the blur created by traditional anti-glare film.
“The most exciting part of the experiment for us was the interesting moment when we saw the freshly prepared 4-inch sample with our own eyes for the first time without any special equipment. The material became transparent when light passed through it. It was difficult to imagine that there would be no distortion in the image, but it would look dull when reflecting light,” says Wang.
Simon Horsley Researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK say the material is suitable for making “very large windows” and could help reduce light pollution. Reflections are a major source of light pollution, and this material helps minimize light pollution by reflecting soft, diffused light instead of annoying bright glare.
The lunar lander, known as Odysseus, is in good condition but resting on its side a day after making history as the first civilian spacecraft to touch down on the moon’s surface and the first U.S. lunar landing since 1972, a company official confirmed on Friday.
The landing craft caught one of its six landing legs on a rock near the end of its final descent, causing it to tip over on its side, according to a data analysis by aeronautical engineers at Houston-based Intuitive Machines.
Despite the unexpected landing, Odysseus is believed to be stable and near its planned landing site near a crater called Malapart A in the moon’s south polar region, said Stephen Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines.
“We are in contact with the lander and are actively sending commands to it in order to capture the first images of the lunar surface from the landing site,” Altemus added.
An update on the mission’s status posted on the company’s website early Friday confirmed that Odysseus was still operational.
Although initial reports indicated that the lander had landed upright, company officials clarified that it had actually landed on its side due to telemetry errors, but most of the payloads onboard were still functional, allowing for communication.
While there are some challenges, such as certain antennas pointing towards the surface and solar panels facing in the wrong direction, the spacecraft’s battery is fully charged and the mission director remains optimistic about fulfilling all payload requirements.
Odysseus utilized liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants and performed well during its flight to the moon, making it the first of its kind in space exploration.
After overcoming navigation system issues during the final approach and descent to the moon, engineers successfully landed the spacecraft, reestablished communication, and are now monitoring its operation as it begins its mission on the lunar surface.
Following the news of the lander tipping over, Intuitive Machines’ stock experienced a 30% decline in extended trading on Friday, offsetting gains made earlier in the day.
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