A supernova may have directed cosmic rays towards Earth
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Approximately 10 million years ago, a volatile star might have unleashed cosmic rays toward Earth, and astronomers are currently narrowing down the potential culprits behind this cosmic event.
Earlier this year, Dominique Koll of Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and his colleagues in Germany discovered a spike in radioactive beryllium trapped in five kilometers of sediment in the Pacific Ocean, dating back over 10 million years. This form of beryllium is generated exclusively when cosmic rays collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, leading Koll and his team to hypothesize that a supernova explosion might be the origin of this event.
Nonetheless, alternative explanations cannot be dismissed. These include the Sun’s magnetic influence on Earth at that time and the possibility of ocean currents from Earth’s poles contributing to beryllium deposition, areas where cosmic rays and beryllium production are typically more intense.
Now, Efrem Maconi from the University of Vienna and his team have pinpointed two likely supernova candidates using data obtained from the Gaia space telescope.
By examining the trajectories of roughly 2,700 stars near our Sun over the past 20 million years and assessing their potential to produce supernovae, Macconi and his colleagues determined that there is a 70% probability of such events occurring among these star clusters.
Researchers have identified two possible progenitors for the explosion. The most probable one, located about 200 light years away, is a relatively young cluster named ASCC 20, while the cluster OCSN 61, situated further away, is also a potential source.
Additional support for the supernova theory is that 10 million years ago, our solar system was engulfed in a bustling region of the galaxy, surrounded by extensive clouds of gas, dust, and stars known as the Radcliffe waves.
“This is a promising indication that warrants further investigation,” says Koll. “If [Maconi] were to claim we could fully eliminate this possibility, I would happily accept that as a solid conclusion. However, in this instance, it certainly remains intriguing.”
Further modeling of stellar movements will be necessary to ascertain whether these stars indeed played a role, yet this hypothesis aligns well with other findings in Earth’s geological history. Unlike cosmic rays that travel close to the speed of light, dust moves much slower, making it plausible that beryllium spikes resulted from cosmic rays from a supernova initially impacting Earth.
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A new genus and species of sailed Iguanodontian dinosaurs has been discovered from a partial skeleton unearthed in the Wessex Formation on the Isle of Wight, England.
Restoration of Istiorachis macarthurae. Image credit: James Brown.
Named Istiorachis macarthurae, this new dinosaur species thrived in what is now England during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago.
These ancient creatures were part of a large, widely distributed group of herbivorous dinosaurs known as iguanodontians.
“Iguanodontia represented a highly successful clade of Ornithischian dinosaurs,” said Jeremy Lockwood, a paleontologist from the University of Portsmouth and the Museum of Natural History in London.
“By the end of the Cretaceous, they dominated the dinosaur fauna of Laurasia, alongside the hadrosaurid family, including Edmontosaurus legatus and Parasaurolophus walkeri.”
“While diversity among iguanodonts was low during the late Jurassic, it surged in the early Cretaceous.”
The most notable characteristic of Istiorachis macarthurae is a series of elongated spines along its back and tail, which formed a large sail-like structure.
“Evolution often favors the extravagant over the practical,” Lockwood commented.
“The precise function of such structures has been debated for years; however, while they may serve purposes from heat regulation to fat storage, visual signaling—perhaps for sexual display—seems the most plausible explanation in this context.”
“In modern reptiles, such sail structures are often more pronounced in males, indicating that these traits may have evolved to attract mates or intimidate rivals.”
“We hypothesize that Istiorachis macarthurae may have done something similar.”
Paleontologists closely examined the fossilized bones to determine the purpose of the sails.
By creating a comprehensive database of similar dinosaur backbones through direct observations, photographs, scientific illustrations, and reconstructions, they were able to investigate the evolutionary history of the back structure in this new Iguanodontian family tree.
This helped identify broader trends in the evolution of these sails.
“These methods allow us not only to explain the fossil evidence but also to test hypotheses about their function,” Lockwood noted.
“We demonstrated that Istiorachis macarthurae‘s spines were not only taller but also more exaggerated compared to typical Iguanodon features, making it an ideal candidate for traits arising through sexual selection.”
Istiorachis macarthurae illustrates a broader evolutionary pattern.
Research indicates that the lengthening of neural spines in the Iguanodon lineage began in the late Jurassic period, becoming more common in the early Cretaceous.
However, true hyperelongation, which surpasses four times the height of the spine body, remains rare.
Similar displays can be observed in present-day reptiles, such as various lizard species, where elaborate crests and sails often communicate health and strength to potential mates.
“Istiorachis macarthurae is a prime example,” Lockwood said.
The findings were published in the journal Paleontology Papers this week.
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Jeremy A. F. Lockwood et al. 2025. The origin of neural spine elongation in Iguanodontian dinosaurs and the osteology of the new sail-backed dinosaur (Dinosaur, Ornithischia) from the Cretaceous Wealden group in England. Paleontology Papers 11(4): E70034; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70034
The Cascadia subduction zone, a vast fault line extending from Northern California to British Columbia, has remained unsettlingly silent for 300 years. Should it finally rupture, a substantial earthquake is anticipated to shake the Pacific Northwest for several minutes.
Even more alarming, the resulting tsunami could generate waves reaching up to 100 feet (30 meters), wreaking havoc along the coast.
New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that this event would only mark the onset of Cascadia’s cataclysm.
As if waves equivalent in size to those of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami weren’t frightening enough, the latest analysis reveals land along the coast could subside by more than 2.5 meters (8 feet) almost instantaneously.
“We often discuss climate-induced sea level rises at a rate of 3-4 millimeters annually,” noted Professor Tina Dura, the lead author of the study, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “But here, we could witness a 2-meter sea level rise in just a few minutes. Why aren’t we talking about that more?”
What Happens When Cascadia Erupts?
The Cascadia subduction zone represents the boundary where the oceanic Juan de Fuca plate descends beneath the North American plate. However, these tectonic plates tend to get stuck rather than moving freely. When they finally lock in place, immense pressure builds over centuries.
Once this pressure is released, it results in a formidable earthquake.
Cascadia is capable of producing earthquakes reaching magnitudes of 9.0 or higher, historically experienced once every 450-500 years. The last event occurred on January 26, 1700, with estimates suggesting its magnitude was likely between 8.7 and 9.2.
According to the US National Earthquake Hazard Model, there is a 15% chance of experiencing earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or greater in this zone over the next 50 years.
Planning exercises conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2022 predicted that these tremors could directly result in 5,800 fatalities, with an additional 8,000 lives lost to the tsunami.
Over 100,000 individuals could be injured, and more than 618,000 buildings could be damaged or destroyed, impacting over 2,000 schools and 100 critical facilities. The estimated economic impact: $134 billion.
“This will definitely be a catastrophic event for the United States,” Dura stated.
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Aftershocks That Will Last for Decades
While the earthquake and tsunami will be devastating on their own, Dura and her colleagues warn that the long-term consequences could be equally destructive.
By integrating historical records of past Cascadia earthquakes with geological data from numerical models, the researchers assessed how coastal landscapes may be altered due to subsidence from the sudden sinking of land during an earthquake.
If a Cascadia earthquake were to occur today, land at 24 estuaries stretching from southern Washington to northern California could drop anywhere from 0.23 to 2.67 meters (0.76 to 8.76 feet) in minutes.
This could significantly expand the 100-year flood plain by 300 square kilometers (115 square miles), meaning more homes, roads, and infrastructure would fall into at-risk areas. In a severe subsidence scenario, flood exposure could more than double.
“It’s a dual threat,” Dura explained. “The tsunami will be catastrophic, but we also know that some locations will face extreme impacts, while others will experience serious repercussions due to the geographic layout of the coast.”
Located in the US Pacific Northwest and southwest British Columbia, the Cascadia subduction zone last shifted in 1700, resulting in a major earthquake. – John Wesley Powell Analysis and Synthesis/Center for USGS
In 1700, the infrastructure suffered minimal damage. Today, the region is filled with critical systems that remain vulnerable to inundation. These include five airports, 18 emergency facilities (such as schools, hospitals, fire stations), eight wastewater treatment plants, one current, and 57 potential contamination sources like gas stations and chemical storages.
Submerged roads and flooded emergency hubs could severely impede recovery, while saltwater intrusion could damage farmland, resulting in long-term economic repercussions.
Furthermore, natural flood defenses like intertidal wetlands could be inundated or eroded, weakening protection against future storm surges. Rising tidal ranges could compound high-water flooding and may exacerbate the erosion of sandy coastlines.
“Once the tsunami hits and eventually recedes, the land will remain at a lower level,” Dura noted. “The flood plain footprint will evolve over decades, and even centuries.”
The Sooner It Hits, The Better
While the occurrence of an earthquake is inherently negative, the longer Cascadia remains quiet, the worse the ultimate disaster may be.
Researchers simulated what would occur if an earthquake were to strike in 2100 instead of today. With climate change, rising sea levels could exacerbate the consequences.
The global average sea level has already seen an increase of 21-24 cm (8-9 inches) since 1880, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Projections suggest an increase of at least 20 cm (2 feet) by 2100.
However, the situation in Cascadia is somewhat complex. As the Juan de Fuca plate slides beneath the North American plates, the land on the continent is gradually uplifted, temporarily masking the implications of global sea level rise.
This slow upward thrust won’t last indefinitely. Eventually, climate change will catch up, leading to a rise in sea levels in the Pacific Northwest on par with other areas. Consequently, the two challenges—tectonic and climatic—are converging.
“You can imagine that when the land subsides during the next earthquake, you suddenly have to contend with centuries of comparable sea level rise,” Dura remarked.
By 2100, even without earthquakes, researchers estimate that flood plains could expand by 100 square kilometers (40 square miles). This, combined with subsidence from a potential earthquake, could triple flood exposure compared to today, resulting in a flood plain enlargement of up to 370 square kilometers (145 square miles).
How Can You Prepare?
What steps can communities take to prepare for this complex threat that combines earthquakes, tsunamis, subsidence, and sea level rise?
Dura admitted that there is no straightforward solution.
“Cascadia presents a unique challenge due to its prolonged quietude,” she said. “It’s tough to keep residents informed about the risks without inciting undue panic. How do you prepare without instilling fear?”
As an initial measure, Dura’s team suggests incorporating their findings into flood hazard and tsunami maps and collaborating across agencies to enhance preparedness.
Key actions include identifying critical infrastructure in future flood zones, planning for relocation or adaptation, promoting nature-based solutions by raising public awareness, restoring wetlands, and carefully considering new developments in high-risk areas.
Is all hope lost? Dura insists that time is of the essence.
“There are certainly individuals actively working on this. I don’t want to undermine their efforts,” she said. “But we need more people engaged in the issue. Perhaps we lack adequate resources, funding, or personnel, but collective efforts are being made, and significant new research is emerging.”
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About Our Experts
Tina Dura is an assistant professor of natural disasters at Virginia Tech in the United States. She specializes in subduction zone paleogeography, integrating methodologies from coastal stratigraphy, sedimentology, microbiology, paleoconservation, geophysics, and sediment transport modeling, as well as sea level research to reconstruct the extensive history of subsidence along the coastal region.
CCenter staff at some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Netflix, have all accused the employer of retaliating against union organizers, constantly monitoring staff and denying them even bathroom breaks.
In the United States or Europe, if you're looking for technical or customer support from a major technology company, you might end up talking to an employee at Tele Performance's call center in Greece.
Teleperformance, the world's largest call center operator, Approximately 12,000 workers Based in Greece, we serve over 140 markets around the world in 43 different languages and dialects. The company is 7 multilingual hubs In Greece, it takes place in Athens, Chania and Thessaloniki.
Workers in Greece who have been seeking a collective agreement with Teleperformance say that the company has recently retaliated Targeted firings of union leaders, etc.
they say wages have increased unchanged Since 2010, Greece has been hit by creditor austerity measures despite high inflation and rising costs of living in recent years.
Mr. Nikos Spilleris, a call center worker at Teleperformance, Setep, The union representing teleperformance workers in Greece explained that its efforts began in early 2024 in response to years of no wage increases and increased production pressures placed on workers.
Setep Teleperformance call center employees go on strike in Greece. Photo: SETEP/Courtesy of SETEP
“They judge you on dozens of productivity metrics, and depending on the project, you have to be on the phone multiple times. Not being allowed to go to the bathroom even if you want to. is common,” Spilleris said. “If an employee is sick or absent for any reason, that is considered counterproductive and is grounds for renewing or not renewing the employee’s contract.”
Hollywood video game performers have voted to go on strike, bringing parts of the entertainment industry back into strike action after new contract negotiations with major game studios collapsed over protections for artificial intelligence.
The walkout, the second by video game voice and motion-capture performers affiliated with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Entertainers (Sag-Aftra), is set to begin on Friday at 12:01 a.m. This move comes after almost two years of negotiations over a new interactive media contract with gaming giants like Activision, Warner Bros., and divisions of The Walt Disney Co.
SAG-AFTRA negotiators state that while video game contracts cover wages and job security, studios are not willing to agree to regulate generative AI. Without safeguards, game companies could train AI to mimic actors’ voices or create digital replicas of their likenesses without their consent or fair compensation, as per the union.
In a prepared statement, union president Fran Drescher mentioned that members will not accept contracts that permit companies to misuse AI.
Company representatives did not immediately respond to email requests for comment.
According to game market forecasters, the global video game industry generates over $100 billion in revenue annually. New Zoo Sag-Aftola emphasized that the individuals who design and bring these games to life are what drives their success.
“Eighteen months of negotiations have shown that our employers are not interested in fair and reasonable AI protections, but rather in exploitative behavior,” stated Sarah Elmaleh, chair of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee.
Last month, a union negotiator informed The Associated Press that game studios had declined to provide the same level of protection from AI risks for all members, especially motion picture performers.
Last year, union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize leadership to strike. Fears about how studios might utilize AI in a strike were intensified by AI. Last year, labor unions staged a four-month strike in the film and television industry.
The final interactive contract, expiring in November 2022, did not include protections for AI but established a bonus compensation structure for voice actors and performance capture artists following an 11-month strike that commenced in October 2016. This strike marked SAG-AFTRA’s first significant labor dispute since the merger of Hollywood’s two major actors unions in 2012.
According to the union, the video game contract covers more than 2,500 “off-camera (voice-over) performers, on-camera (motion capture, stunt) performers, stunt coordinators, singers, dancers, puppeteers, and background performers.”
Amidst tense interactive negotiations, SAG-AFTRA entered into a separate deal in February aimed at indie and low-budget video game projects. The Tiered Budget Independent Interactive Media deal consists of some of the AI protections that have been rejected by larger companies in the video game industry.
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