Pterosaur Wing Diversity: Uncovering the Surprising Variety Beyond Paleontologists’ Expectations

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent research from the University of Bristol indicates that pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to master powered flight, likely exhibited a broader variety of wing shapes and flight styles than what current fossil reconstructions suggest.

Walters et al. examined the diversity of pterosaur wing shapes through rigorous testing of theoretical and reconstructed wings. Their findings indicate previous reconstructions misrepresent the actual flight capabilities of these ancient reptiles. Image credit: Mark P. Witton.

Pterosaurs thrived from approximately 210 million to 65 million years ago, until an asteroid impact led to their extinction, along with that of non-avian dinosaurs.

These remarkable reptiles are noteworthy for independently evolving flight and setting new records for maximum size among flying vertebrates throughout their evolutionary journey.

However, the precise shapes of pterosaur wings remain largely elusive.

According to lead author Dr. Benton Walters and his team, “Wing shape is crucially connected to flight performance and functionality in living animals.”

“Examining this relationship in pterosaurs is complex due to the incomplete fossil record and the variability in wing membrane dimensions.”

“In the absence of fully preserved pterosaur wing fossils, reconstructing the pterosaur bauplan provides a viable alternative for analysis.”

“Nevertheless, the shape of these wings is influenced by conflicting scientific interpretations and the artistic styles of researchers and illustrators involved in their reconstruction.”

In their recent study, the authors analyzed 79 wing reconstructions spanning eight genera including Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus.

Utilizing a method known as theoretical morphospace, they created a comprehensive map of potential wing shapes.

This allowed them to evaluate the aerodynamic capabilities of these reconfigured wings to ascertain their suitability for flight.

Results revealed that current illustrations tend to oversimplify wing shapes and aerodynamic performance, irrespective of the depicted animals’ size, age, or ecological niche.

A small insect peddler and a large sea soarer—organisms that would have differed significantly in wing structure—appear nearly identical in existing representations.

The main challenge, according to the researchers, lies in the ongoing lack of consensus regarding the attachment points of pterosaur wing membranes.

“In modern flying animals like birds and bats, distinct lifestyles correlate with unique wing designs and aerodynamic abilities,” Dr. Walters noted.

“The current limitations in pterosaur reconstructions highlight a significant gap in the understanding of their diversity.”

“Pterosaur wing reconstructions typically rely on measurements of skeletal structures and insights from a limited number of notable fossils, leaving many uncertainties unresolved.”

Considering these creatures existed for more than 100 million years and encompassed both small and large forms, a greater diversity of wing shapes is expected.

However, regardless of the specific pterosaur depicted, the wing shapes presented in illustrations are strikingly similar.

This study serves as a valuable reference point, indicating where scientific knowledge on pterosaur wings remains insufficient and will inform future reconstructions as our understanding evolves.

A detailed research paper outlining this study was published on June 23 in the journal Paleontology.

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Benton Walters et al. Exploring the limits of pterosaur wing design. Paleontology. Published online June 23, 2026. doi: 10.1017/pab.2026.10103

Source: www.sci.news

Uncovering Genetic Diversity: Surprising Insights into the Last Neanderthals

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Unraveling Neanderthal Social Structure through Ancient DNA

Mauricio Anton/Science Photo Library

Recent findings indicate that the last surviving Neanderthals in northwestern Europe lived in genetically diverse and tightly-knit groups. This challenges the long-held belief that inbreeding was the primary driver behind their extinction approximately 40,000 years ago.

Despite the limitations in studying Neanderthal genetics (Homo neanderthalensis), due to the scarcity of well-preserved specimens, recent genomic analyses highlight that these ancient humans experienced periods of decreased diversity. However, the latest data suggests that inbreeding was not the foremost factor contributing to their decline.

Research led by Alba Bossams Mesa and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, sequenced DNA from 27 Neanderthal remains sourced from diverse locations in Belgium and France, dating back as far as 52,500 to 40,000 years ago. Significantly, one genome revealed that a woman from Belgium’s Goyet Cave was cannibalized around 45,000 years ago.

“These newly analyzed genomes are crucial as they represent some of the youngest known Neanderthals, offering new perspectives on their genetic diversity during their extinction period,” explained Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum, London.

Bossoms Mesa and his colleagues established that these 27 specimens belonged to at least 11 distinct Neanderthals. While overall diversity in Neanderthals was lower than that of modern humans, this group showed no substantial increase in detrimental genetic mutations or significant decreases in diversity.

In contrast to other Neanderthal populations, such as those in the Altai region of Siberia, which displayed evidence of inbreeding, Bossams-Mesa pointed out that these northwestern Neanderthals were closer to extinction yet displayed greater genetic diversity than their eastern counterparts.

The genetic findings also revealed that these Neanderthals were more closely related to each other than to late Neanderthal groups found further east in Croatia and southern Russia, splitting from a common ancestor approximately 54,000 years ago.

Neanderthal Excavations in Spy Cave, Belgium

P. Semal, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, CC-BY 4.0

The broader implication suggests that the Altai Neanderthals may not accurately represent the entire species. Instead, the neanderthals from northwestern Europe belonged to a broader, interconnected population rather than a mere isolated group, says Bossams-Mesa. Different regional populations likely experienced varied life histories amid significant ecological and demographic shifts.

Modern humans made their entrance into Europe around 47,000 years ago, coexisting with this Neanderthal population for multiple generations. However, genomic evidence from these European Neanderthals reveals no interbreeding with modern humans, despite widespread indications of hybrids found elsewhere.

“This discrepancy raises intriguing questions about the interactions and power dynamics between Neanderthals and modern humans, which remain poorly understood,” noted Tarshika Vimala from UC Berkeley.

Bossoms Mesa posits various scenarios for this finding. Among them is the possibility that interbreeding predominantly occurred in different regions, such as the Levant, or that social dynamics or incompatibility with hybrids might have led to their nurturing primarily within human communities.

Stringer contemplates that the patterns of genetic exchanges into modern human populations reinforce the notion that late Neanderthals were losing reproductive capabilities, contributing to their eventual decline.

Perhaps it’s essential to rethink their status. “Even if remnants of their DNA exist in our genomes, Neanderthals haven’t truly vanished,” asserts Bossoms-Mesa.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unlocking the Longevity of Heliconius Butterflies: The Surprising Role of Pollen

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A team of entomologists from the University of Bristol and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has gathered decades of data from butterfly nests, field studies, and laboratory experiments to create the most comprehensive overview of the Heliconius butterfly. Found throughout Central and South America, this colorful species exhibits remarkably slow aging, with lifespans that can increase by approximately three times. Notably, close relatives, such as Heliconius Hewitsoni, have been recorded living up to 348 days in captivity.

Heliconius Hekale. Image credit: Robert Lawton / CC BY-SA 2.5.

The Heliconius genus includes vibrant butterflies found in tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, with some ranging into the southern United States.

Commonly referred to as “longwings,” these butterflies are noted for their elongated wings.

Unlike most butterflies that primarily consume nectar, Heliconius butterflies uniquely integrate pollen into their nectar diet, using their proboscis to collect pollen and extracting essential amino acids with saliva.

This innovative feeding behavior was first documented by evolutionary biologist Lawrence Gilbert in 1972.

The additional amino acids are believed to contribute to remarkable traits such as extended lifespan, continuous egg production, and enhanced chemical defenses.

Many Heliconius species can live for several months in the wild, significantly outlasting closely related butterflies in the broader Heliconiini tribe, which typically survive only about six weeks.

While the exact factors contributing to their incredible longevity are not fully understood, it is hypothesized that maintaining a pollen-rich diet into adulthood may be influential.

“Insects represent the most species-rich animal group, showcasing extraordinary morphological and ecological diversity,” says Dr. Jessica Foley from the University of Bristol.

“Lifespan variation is extreme, with maximum lifespans ranging from just a few days in adult mayflies to decades in reproductive castes of certain ants and termites.”

This results in a 5,000-fold difference within the class, as opposed to the 100-fold difference seen in mammals.

“Heliconius butterflies are notable not only for their longevity but also for their slower aging process,” Dr. Foley notes.

“This allows them to outlive their evolutionary relatives, who diverged more recently.”

In a new study, Dr. Foley and her team found that the unique pollen-based diet of Heliconius extends lifespan, but surprisingly, even when deprived of pollen in experiments, these butterflies lived about three weeks longer than their shorter-lived relatives.

This suggests evolved genetic changes in their biology, indicating that their unique longevity stems from more than just dietary benefits.

To explore the underlying mechanisms, researchers measured not only survival duration but also how physiological conditions change with age.

Using grip strength as a measure of physical condition, findings revealed that closely related species like Dorias Julia lost about a quarter of their grip strength within five weeks, while Heliconius Hekale showed no measurable decline in grip strength over a significantly longer lifespan.

The lifespan difference between these groups is a remarkable 25-fold, one of the largest recorded for closely related animals, rivaled only by certain fish species.

Insects are prime candidates for identifying mutations associated with longevity due to their brief lifespans, allowing for practical long-term studies that would take decades in mammals.

Scientists are optimistic that Heliconius butterflies will serve as a new model organism in aging research, as their rich genomic data facilitate studies of molecular mechanisms behind “extended healthspan.”

“Exploring lifespan extension in Heliconius provides an exceptional opportunity to understand the biological mechanisms of longevity,” said Dr. Foley.

“Comparing long-lived Heliconius butterflies with their short-lived relatives creates a natural evolutionary experiment that may illuminate how lifespans can be extended, making it a promising model for aging biology.”

The team’s findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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J. Foley et al. 2026. Evolution of longevity and slowing of aging in a genus of tropical butterflies. Nat Commune 17, 5077; doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73635-7

Source: www.sci.news

Discovering Earth’s First Land Animals: Surprising Facts Beyond Amphibians

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A paleontologist from the Field Museum of Natural History has unveiled new insights into the fossilized remains of a baby embolomere, a crocodile-like predator that inhabited ancient rivers and swamps between 350 million and 280 million years ago. Contrary to previous beliefs, these early vertebrates did not resemble tadpoles during their infancy.

New fossil evidence suggests that embolomeres did not undergo the same metamorphosis as modern amphibians, contradicting the notion that amphibians, reptiles, and mammals evolved from tadpole-like ancestors. Image credit: Berit Godling.

“Many of us learned a simplified version of evolution in high school: that fish evolved into amphibians, which then led to reptiles, and finally to mammals,” said Jason Pardo, a paleontologist at the Field Museum.

“Our research indicates that this fundamental premise—that the first four-legged vertebrates developed like amphibians—is incorrect.”

In their recent study, Dr. Pardo and colleague Dr. Arjan Mann analyzed well-preserved fossil quadrupeds from Mason Creek Lagerstätte, Illinois, known for its exceptional soft tissue specimens.

“Mason Creek is one of the world’s best fossil sites for soft tissue and delicate small fossils,” remarked Dr. Mann.

“The fossils from Mason Creek serve as a time capsule, allowing us to gain insights that were previously thought impossible.”

Embolomeres could grow over 3 meters (10 feet) as adults and were fearsome apex predators in ancient rivers, lakes, and swamps from 350 million years ago (Carboniferous period) to 280 million years ago (Permian period).

The Mason Creek specimen offers a striking contrast; though the baby is just a few centimeters long, it provides enough evidence to challenge century-old scientific assumptions.

Notably, researchers observed that embolomere offspring lacked crucial characteristics associated with amphibian tadpoles, such as external frilled gills.

No evidence of true metamorphosis was found in these early tetrapods, despite the major changes that occur during the larval stage in modern amphibians.

Instead, the life cycles of these initial tetrapods appear to resemble those of humans or fish more than they do those of amphibians.

“We examined a range of species representing various lineages throughout the fish-to-tetrapod transition and found no evidence resembling a tadpole,” Pardo stated.

“If there are no tadpoles, then metamorphosis cannot exist.”

“If creatures like embolomeres did not display tadpole morphology or undergo true amphibian metamorphosis, then the widely accepted theory that reptiles and mammals evolved from amphibian-like ancestors must be reconsidered.”

“The narrative that metamorphosis facilitated the transition of animals from water to land is no longer valid. It’s become obsolete.”

For further details, refer to the findings published in Science.

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Jason D. Pardo & Arjan Mann. 2026. Direct development of stalk tetrapods through the fin-to-limb transition. Science 392 (6804): 1292-1296; doi: 10.1126/science.aeb7635

Source: www.sci.news

The Surprising Truth Behind Why Carrots Come in Different Colors

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Wild carrot, a close relative of parsley, coriander, and fennel, is native to Central Asia, particularly what is now Afghanistan. Historically, this vegetable was cultivated for its nutrient-rich leaves and aromatic seeds.

The original roots of these early wild carrot varieties were white. However, by the 10th century, farmers had cultivated a dominant variety with deep purple roots. Interesting to note, the vividly orange carrot we are familiar with today didn’t appear until the 16th century, thanks to Dutch gardeners who selectively bred carrots to minimize bitterness and enhance their winter storage capabilities.

The orange color of carrots is attributed to beta carotene, a compound named after this vegetable. Interestingly, the color orange, which symbolizes the Dutch Royal Family’s coat of arms, also influenced this color’s popularity.

This article addresses the question: “Why are carrots orange?” as asked by Billy Young from Peterborough.

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Surprising Activity Discovered in Mini-World Near Pluto: Experts Are Baffled

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A fascinating discovery has unveiled that a small frozen world in the outer solar system possesses an atmosphere, marking it as the second celestial body after Pluto—preceding Neptune—to exhibit such a feature.

This groundbreaking finding, detailed in Natural Astronomy, suggests that these mini-worlds might be more geologically active than previously assumed by planetary scientists.

The celestial body, designated as 2002 XV93, is classified as both an asteroid and a Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO). It orbits the Sun in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune’s orbit.

Miniature Pluto: 2002 XV93

2002 XV93’s atmosphere, remarkably thin—about 5 to 10 million times lighter than Earth’s—renders it imperceptible to touch when standing on its surface.

Notably, Pluto is currently the only other TNO known to host an atmosphere, with a diameter of 2,377 km (1,480 miles), which is over five times greater than that of 2002 XV93.

The small size of 2002 XV93 translates to significantly weak gravity, allowing its surrounding atmosphere to easily escape into space. Research indicates this atmosphere could vanish completely within 100 to 1,000 years, implying a continual replenishment of gases.

Two primary theories are posited regarding this atmospheric replenishment:

The first involves frigid volcanic activity. Here, extremely low temperatures cause “volatile substances”—liquids or gases at room temperature, like water, methane, and ammonia—to mimic the behavior of rock or magma.

Ko Arimatsu from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, leading the study, stated, “Volatile substances may leak out from beneath the ice surface, possibly due to activities such as polar volcanoes.” These gases can contribute to the formation of an atmosphere.

However, periodic polar volcanic activity has only been observed on larger celestial bodies until now.

The second possibility involves recent external influences. “A small icy object may have recently collided with 2002 XV93, releasing gas or exposing volatile materials,” Arimatsu explained.

“Such collisions are likely rare; thus, the chance of observing a transient atmosphere at the opportune moment is low, yet we cannot dismiss the collision theory.”

In essence, while it seems unlikely that the researchers timed their observations precisely, this angle remains an area of intrigue.

Observation During Solar Eclipse

The orbit of 2002 XV93 around the Sun takes approximately 247 years. Its distant position relative to Earth complicates direct observations.

Arimatsu’s team employed a technique called “occultation,” where a planetary body obscures a distant star as it passes in front.

“If a celestial body had no atmosphere, the starlight would vanish and then reappear distinctly,” says Arimatsu. “However, with an atmosphere present, the gases slightly bend the light, softening the transition.”

On January 10, 2024, three Japanese observatories successfully observed the occultation of 2002 XV93.

“Our findings, particularly from Japan’s Kiso Observatory, demonstrate that the star’s light fades gradually at the edge of the shadow, a phenomenon best explained by the bending of light by a very thin atmosphere surrounding 2002 XV93,” Arimatsu commented.

The research team plans to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope for further analysis of the atmosphere’s composition, but more occultation observations are crucial for definitive answers.

“These observations can reveal whether the atmosphere is dissipating, stable, or evolving over time,” notes Arimatsu.

The gradual decline of the atmosphere points towards it slowly escaping without replenishment, lending credence to the impact theory. In contrast, a more stable or fluctuating atmosphere could indicate a constant supply of gases stemming from the interior of 2002 XV93.

However, occultation requires precise alignments, and, according to Arimatsu, “Only about 10 observatories had the requisite geometry and data quality to investigate the very thin atmosphere surrounding an object of this scale.”

This reality may imply that it will take longer to ascertain the true nature of 2002 XV93’s atmosphere.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Surprising Foods That Cause Weight Gain: What You Didn’t Expect

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Cellophane-wrapped bread, strawberry-flavored yogurt, whole-grain breakfast cereals, steak paste, protein snack bars, gummy bears, hot dog sausages, supermarket cupcakes, and microwave lasagna…the list of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is virtually endless.

These foods are industrially produced using ingredients and methods not typically found in home kitchens, with more than half of the average person’s diet in England and the US consisting of UPF.

The implications of this are concerning. The more ultra-processed food you consume, the greater the risk of developing health issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.

If you’re scanning a long list of unfamiliar additives while enjoying a prepared meal, you may be right to worry.

Research suggests that certain chemicals in UPF are linked to negative health outcomes. For instance, some food dyes have been associated with hyperactivity in children, and preservatives in processed meats have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Specific emulsifiers can also harm gut microbiomes.

While these factors are indeed problematic, they’re not the entire issue. Scientists have increasingly focused on another, less obvious contributor: texture.

“These additives and emulsifiers aren’t the sole reason ultra-processed foods are detrimental,” states Professor Sarah Berry, a nutritionist at King’s College London. “Ultra-processed foods typically have altered textures, making them much softer, which enables faster consumption and greater overall intake.”

It may seem trivial, but ease of consumption is shifting how scientists understand the health consequences of UPF.

Overconsumption of UPF

To understand how UPF impacts daily calorie intake, groundbreaking research led by American nutritionist Kevin Hall sheds light on the issue.

In the study, 20 participants alternated between a minimal diet and an ultra-processed diet over two weeks each, with meals calibrated for calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sugar, salt, and fiber, allowing for unrestricted consumption.

Regardless of flavor, UPF meals tend to be softer and easier to consume than homemade or minimally processed options – Credit: Getty

Participants consuming ultra-processed foods consumed an average of 500 extra calories daily—primarily from fats and carbohydrates—and gained nearly 1 kg in weight.

But why is this the case? Analysis revealed that participants consumed ultra-processed foods at a quicker pace.

The softer the food, the faster it’s typically eaten. Furthermore, manufacturers often alter the natural structure of ingredients to create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that requires minimal chewing.

The UPF diet in Hall’s study was notably softer than that of its minimally processed counterpart, enabling quicker consumption.

“Our research has consistently demonstrated that faster eating rates correlate with higher energy expenditure,” claims Professor Ciaran Forde from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Research indicates that eating 20% faster can significantly increase calorie intake per sitting, with effects documented in several studies.

“Faster eating, regardless of food type, leads to greater intake,” adds Forde. “No matter how healthy the food, quicker consumption results in larger quantities consumed.”

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Individuals who eat quickly are significantly more likely to experience issues like overweight, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes risks.

“The initial stage of digestion occurs in the mouth, not the stomach,” explains Forde. “The way you chew influences digestion and how full you feel afterward, priming your body to absorb nutrients.”

As you eat, stretch receptors in your stomach signal fullness, although this process is not instantaneous.

“A time lag exists between eating and the resulting hormonal changes in the brain,” Forde notes. “We found that chewing the same calorie count for a longer period results in a stronger sense of satisfaction.”

Thus, when consuming soft foods that require little chewing, particularly in many UPFs, you can consume large quantities before feeling full.

“Soft texture and energy density are common traits in junk foods,” says Forde. “Consequently, you’re likely to ingest excess calories without realizing it.”

Certain snacks may be crunchy initially but quickly dissolve into a mushy texture, making them seem like soft food – Credit: Getty

Not All UPFs Are Created Equal

You might wonder if all UPFs are soft. Some, like protein bars or granola with nuts, are crunchy or chewy. Do these textures not slow consumption?

This led Forde to conduct another experiment. His team designed a study similar to Hall’s, featuring two diets that prioritized nutrition and flavor, each for two weeks.

This time, both diets were 95% ultra-processed, with the main difference being texture: one meal consisted of chewy, crunchy, and harder foods designed for slower eating, while the other was soft, spongy, and moist.

“The results were astonishing,” states Forde. “Without any specific instructions, participants averaged a consumption reduction of about 370 calories.” They also gained nearly 500g of body fat on the faster diet.

“All foods in our trials were ultra-processed. However, while many UPFs are energy-dense and soft, we identified some that can be consumed more slowly,” adds Forde.

This aligns with insights from a large-scale observational study, revealing that not all UPF categories carry equal health risks.

Certainly, not all UPFs are detrimental. Some (like nut or whole grain cereal bars) may be chewier – Credit: Getty

Interestingly, studies noting a correlation between UPF and conditions like type 2 diabetes highlighted exceptions including whole grain bread, flavored yogurt, plant-based meat alternatives, and breakfast cereals.

Considering Forde’s texture findings, a variety of healthy elements exist within the ultra-processed category.

“Our findings are sometimes misinterpreted as proof that all UPFs promote excessive calorie consumption,” Forde notes. “Such simplifications do not reflect our complex results.”

Forde stresses the importance of discerning “red flags” associated with calorie-rich, easily consumed foods (many, though not all, of which are ultra-processed) and swapping them for equally satisfying options that require more time to eat.

“This could be part of future solutions,” Forde asserts. “By adding texture to your meals, you can make mindful choices within the foods you already enjoy.

“It’s possible to find joy in eating and feel satiated without guilt.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Mercury Might Have Gained Its Surprising Water Supply in Just One Day

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Discovering Mercury’s Ice Deposits

Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Mercury Ice Deposits — Discovering Mercury’s Ice Deposits

Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Approximately 100 million years ago, dramatic changes transformed Mercury’s surface. Previously dry and ice-free, the planet’s conditions shifted significantly within a single day, coinciding with daytime temperatures soaring above 430°C (806°F).

At Mercury’s poles lie craters known as permanent shadow regions, where sunlight never reaches. NASA’s Messenger spacecraft, which orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015, confirmed these craters host ice deposits several meters deep. However, their origin remains a mystery.

Prior studies have proposed that a comet-like object, roughly 17 kilometers in diameter, may have impacted Mercury at a speed of approximately 30 kilometers per second. Recent simulations by Parvathy Prem and her team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory suggest that a larger, slower impactor might be responsible.

“We’ve known for a while that Mercury has ice at its poles, and the idea that these deposits stemmed from impactors isn’t new. However, this is the first time we’ve modeled the entire process and visualized it comprehensively,” Prem stated. “This is my first in-depth look into it.” What happens in this simulation?

The simulation begins with a massive ice and rock chunk colliding with Mercury, creating the expansive Hokusai crater visible on its surface today. Upon impact, the object would have evaporated nearly completely, resulting in a thin but water-rich atmosphere around Mercury.

“To the naked eye, Mercury might seem faint, but at the right wavelength, the planet may emit a brief but noticeable shine,” Prem explained.

While much of the atmosphere would have dispersed due to intense solar radiation, the researchers discovered that slightly more than one-fifth of the water vapor generated by the impactor traveled to the poles, potentially taking refuge in the permanently shadowed regions. This finding aligns more closely with Messenger’s measurements and suggests a larger, slower impactor trapped more water on the surface than previously thought.

If Prem and her team are correct, all these events would have unfolded in just one Mercuryian day, the equivalent of 176 Earth days. “This day may well be the most significant in Mercury’s billion-year history,” remarked Emily Costello from the University of Hawaii.

This research could answer the long-standing question of why Mercury’s polar craters contain ice whereas Earth’s moon has none, despite their striking similarities. “Mercury experienced a massive influx of water recently; the Moon did not,” Costello remarked.

Understanding Mercury’s polar ice deposits may also shed light on the broader narrative of when and how water became present throughout our solar system, including Earth. “Mercury’s polar ice deposits serve as a fascinating geological record of when and how water emerged in the solar system’s interior, and we are now deciphering this record,” Prem noted. The ongoing mission will be supported by the BepiColombo spacecraft, launched in 2018 and set to enter Mercury’s orbit later this year.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Surprising Reasons Women Experience Increased Attraction from Ages 18 to 42

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Although hot flashes are linked to menopause, research indicates that women gradually experience a rise in body temperature from early adulthood through middle age.

Dmitry Marchenko/Alamy

A fascinating study reveals that a woman’s resting body temperature incrementally increases each year from age 18 to 42. The underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain largely unexplored, paving the way for innovative solutions like temperature-sensing wearables to monitor aging and detect perimenopause alongside other health issues.

According to Marie Gombert-Labedens from SRI International, a renowned research institute in California, “We believe temperature signals provide substantial insights into health.” She hopes this research will uncover new health markers that could serve as invaluable tools for maintaining our well-being.

In studies from the 1990s, over 750 women aged 18 to 42 tracked their oral or rectal temperatures daily upon waking. Findings indicated that women generally recorded lower body temperatures during the first half of their menstrual cycle, rising during ovulation. This temperature shift is frequently utilized by fertility tracking applications to determine fertile phases.

Upon further analyzing this data, Gombert-Labedens and her team discovered a slight annual increase in body temperature correlated with age, noting that women over 35 had temperatures about 0.05°C higher than their younger counterparts during both phases of the menstrual cycle.

This data suggests that continuous finger skin temperature monitoring via smart rings shows women aged 42 to 55 are, on average, warmer than those aged 18 to 35.

While more research is needed to elucidate this temperature increase, it may be linked to hormonal changes, particularly leading into the later reproductive years. The onset of perimenopause accompanies a rapid rise in body temperature, commonly resulting in hot flashes and night sweats, although the exact mechanisms still require clarification.

The study focused on women who were not utilizing hormonal contraception and did not have hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), leaving questions about how these elements might influence long-term body temperature changes.

Further investigation has shown that after menopause, women’s body temperatures generally return to lower levels, similar to men’s. This shift can normalize temperature dynamics among genders.

Gombert-Labedens posits that the increase in body temperature around midlife may offer insights into why some women report feeling warmer as they age. “We speculate that the elevated body temperatures in middle-aged women could alter their sensitivity and reactions to environmental temperatures,” she states.

As advanced temperature-sensing devices and smart rings become integral in health monitoring, they could potentially reveal crucial patterns and anomalies in individual temperature trends, signaling the approach of menopause, estimating biological aging rates, and even detecting early signs of conditions like ovarian cancer, according to Gombert-Labedens.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Top Environmentally Harmful Online Activities: Surprising Insights on AI’s Impact

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Humans inadvertently impact their environment with every muscle movement they make.

As climate change persists, our lifestyles—including diets, transportation, and comfort choices—are facing increasing scrutiny, particularly as the human population continues to grow. Recently, our online behaviors have also come under examination.

The rise of AI has highlighted the substantial energy and water demands of digital technologies.

A 2026 report predicts that global AI usage, especially the data centers that support it, will produce CO₂ emissions comparable to that of New York City within a year.

Moreover, estimates suggest that every 5 to 50 queries to ChatGPT requires 0.5 liters of water (about 1/10th of a gallon) to cool its servers.

The British Government Advisor from the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance warns that AI data centers pose a risk to global and national water security.

But how does AI usage contrast with other online activities, such as streaming movies or scrolling through social media?

Global AI usage is estimated to emit CO₂ equivalent to that of New York City within a year – Photo credit: Getty

Comparing one technology to another or one platform to another can be challenging, but some analysts have attempted to do so.

For instance, AI and tech writer Andy Masley calculated that the average ChatGPT query emits 0.28g of CO₂. This is roughly equal to streaming video for 35 seconds, uploading nine photos to social media, or using a laptop for one minute.

It’s important to note that assessing the total environmental impact of AI is complicated due to the extensive resources needed for model training, making precise calculations challenging.

A simpler way to gauge the environmental costs of online activities is by examining the amount of data consumed at any given moment.

For example, reading a text post on LinkedIn utilizes less data than watching a video on TikTok. Similarly, a text query to an AI chatbot consumes much less data compared to generating an AI text-to-video request.

Cloud-based gaming is among the biggest online culprits, requiring gaming servers to operate continuously.

However, a 2025 report from the carbon accounting firm Greenly indicates that physical video games are 100 times more carbon-intensive than online streaming, due to the manufacturing of discs and packaging, product distribution, and their eventual disposal in landfills or incinerators.

Cloud-based gaming can be one of the most environmentally harmful activities online, requiring servers to run continuously – Photo credit: Getty

This illustrates a broader truth: our offline activities typically have a significantly greater environmental impact than our online endeavors.

Another analysis from Greenly indicates that an annual subscription to Netflix (based on average viewing time) results in approximately 17 kg of CO₂ emissions, roughly equivalent to a 60-mile trip in a gasoline vehicle.

A single flight from London to Berlin generates ten times more emissions per economy passenger. Additionally, consuming just one sirloin steak produces more carbon (20-30 kg depending on size) than a year’s worth of binge-watching Bridgerton.

In summary, if reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, while managing screen time is important, factors such as your purchases, dietary choices, and travel habits have a more significant impact.

This article addresses the question posed by Adeline Cliffe of Lisburn: “What is the worst thing you can do for the planet online?”

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How malevolent can AI become? Researchers are uncovering its darker possibilities.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Discover How Small Titanosaurs from Morocco Connect to South America: Surprising Links Revealed

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A newly identified genus and species of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur, related to South American forms, has been unveiled by a research team led by the University of Bath, including Dr. Nick Longrich.

Reconstruction of Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis. Image credit: Conor Ashbridge.

Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis thrived in present-day Morocco during the “late but not latest” Maastrichtian epoch of the Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago.

“The closing Cretaceous epoch witnessed the last diversification of dinosaurs, leading up to the end-Cretaceous extinction,” noted Longrich and team in their research.

“Discussions about Cretaceous dinosaur diversity have largely concentrated on the well-documented fauna of Laurasia.”

“However, there’s limited information about the dinosaur species from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Africa.”

Fossils of Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis were excavated from the Sidi Shenan phosphate deposit in the Ourad Abdoun Basin, located in the Kouribga region of Morocco.

The fossil collection includes sacrum, parts of the pelvis, dorsal and caudal vertebrae.

“The phosphates in the Ourad-Aboun Basin consist of a mix of phosphate sandstone, marl, and limestone,” the paleontologists explained.

“These materials were formed in warm, shallow continental oceans and are part of a phosphate belt that developed along the Atlantic and Tethyan Seas during the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene.”

Despite its North African origins, Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis appears closely linked to the Lognkosauria, a group of titanosaurs previously identified only in South America, known for harboring some of the largest land animals.

This connection implies that these dinosaurs roamed the ancient supercontinent Gondwana before the split of Africa and South America over 100 million years ago.

Alternatively, these dinosaurs could have crossed the narrow oceanic barrier between the two continents later on.

“This novel species differs from the titanosaurs described from Cretaceous Africa and Europe but bears resemblance to South American lognkosaurs, particularly Patagotitan,” the researchers remarked. “The dorsal and caudal centra are notably short, the neural spines are expanded, and the pubis is broad.”

In contrast to its giant South American cousins, Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis was relatively small, weighing an estimated 3.5 to 4 tons, significantly less than other titans like Patagotitan. This size reduction may be attributed to environmental factors or geographical isolation.

It is suggested that parts of North Africa might have acted as an island during the Late Cretaceous, a setting that typically favored smaller species.

Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis, akin to previously identified hadrosaurids, indicates that Morocco likely hosted a unique endemic population during the latest Cretaceous, distinct from other African fauna,” the authors noted.

“Increased sea levels during the Late Cretaceous could have led to isolated landmasses, resulting in distinctive faunas shaped by geographic isolation and local extinctions.”

“The substantial endemism observed among modern Cretaceous dinosaurs suggests a potentially incomplete understanding of dinosaur diversity, complicating efforts to discern global patterns prior to the end-Cretaceous extinction.”

The discovery of Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis is documented in a study published in the journal Diversity.

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Nicholas R. Longrich et al. 2026. Titanosaurian sauropods (Lognkosaurinae: Argentinosauridae) with South American affinities from the Late Maastrichtian of Morocco, and evidence of specific African dinosaur fauna. Diversity 18 (5): 241; doi: 10.3390/d18050241

Source: www.sci.news

Uncovering Brazil’s New Fossils: Surprising Diversity of Pre-Dinosaur Herbivores Revealed

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Brazilian paleontologists have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery: a new genus and species of dragonosaurs, named Isodapedon varsalis. This newly identified member of the Hyperodapedontinidae family was based on a partial skull and lower jaw found in Triassic rock formations, highlighting the diversity of a group previously believed to be less varied.

An artistic representation of the late Triassic landscape of southern Brazil. Isodapedon varsalis depicted alongside a member of the Proterochampsidae family. Image credit: Caio Fantini.

During the Late Triassic, rhynchosaurs were among the most prevalent herbivores, thriving across the supercontinent Pangea and frequently making up the majority of fossilized vertebrates.

These ancient reptiles had specialized feeding adaptations, including toothless beaks and rows of sharp teeth, that enabled them to process hard plant materials, making them dominant in their terrestrial ecosystems.

Paleontologist Chung Hee Schiefelbein from the Federal University of Santa Maria noted, “Rhynchosaurs are an early branch of archosauromorphs, with several species from the middle to late Triassic period, although their origins trace back to the early Triassic.”

“The Rhynchosaurs thrived across most of Pangea, with fossil records found in present-day Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the United States, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Madagascar, India, England, and Scotland.”

By the Late Triassic, these reptiles had achieved nearly global distribution and played a pivotal role as primary consumers in terrestrial ecosystems.

Due to their prevalence, particularly in Late Triassic formations, rhynchosaurs are also vital as biostratigraphic markers, contributing up to 90% of vertebrate fossils in some geological outcrops.

The holotype specimen of Isodapedon varsalis was excavated from the Valzea do Agudo archaeological site in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, dating back to the Carnian period of the Triassic, about 230 million years ago.

Unique features of the upper jaw of Isodapedon varsalis, including symmetrical teeth rare among similar species, suggest a distinct feeding strategy compared to other known rhinocosaurids.

Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Isodapedon varsalis falls outside previously recognized South American hyperodapedontins, prompting a reevaluation of the traditional classification of these reptiles and calling for a refined definition of the well-known genus Hyperodapedon.

This finding implies a more intricate evolutionary radiation of rhynchosaurs than previously thought, with closely related forms widely distributed across southwestern Gondwana in southern Pangea while maintaining a conservative body plan.

“Isodapedon varsalis presents a distinctive combination of craniomandibular traits, including symmetrical maxillary toothing and autapomorphic dental features, setting it apart from contemporary species such as Macrocephalosaurus mariensis and Hyperodapedon sp.,” the researchers emphasized.

These differences likely reflect diverse ecological strategies within herbivore guilds, indicating potential niche partitioning during the dynamic environmental and floral changes of the Carnian pluvial period.

Moreover, its similarities to early-diverging hyperodapedontins from Argentina and possibly Zimbabwe imply a widespread, morphologically stable radiation across southwestern Gondwana, underscoring ecological consistency before more derived, geographically limited lineages emerged.

An article detailing this significant discovery was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on April 15th. For more information, check out the full paper.

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Chung Hee Schiefelbein et al. 2026. A new ceratopsian of the subfamily Hyperodapedontinidae, excavated from a cynodont-dominated site (Upper Triassic) in southern Brazil. R Soc Open Science 13 (4): 260176; doi: 10.1098/rsos.260176

Source: www.sci.news

Unlocking the Surprising Science Behind Plant-Based Milk: What You Need to Know

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Understanding Non-Newtonian Liquids in Plant-Based Milk

Jack Andersen/Getty Images

Explore the latest science news with New Scientist, featuring insights from expert journalists on technology, health, and the environment. — Understanding Non-Newtonian Liquids in Plant-Based Milk

Jack Andersen/Getty Images

The intriguing physics behind plant-based milk reveals complexities that researchers are unraveling, aiming to create improved versions of these beverages.

Vivek Sharma from the University of Illinois at Chicago, alongside his team, has found that the viscosity and flow properties of most plant milks differ significantly from traditional animal milks.

The team analyzed eight milk types: cow, goat, pea, soy, oat, almond, coconut, and rice, focusing on their viscosity or flow resistance. Their findings indicated that all plant-based milks, except rice milk, demonstrate a phenomenon called shear thinning, where viscosity declines under pressure.

This indicates that these plant milks are classified as non-Newtonian liquids, similar to ketchup or shampoo, flowing more easily under pressure compared to the constant viscosity of cow or goat milk.

According to Sharma, the presence of minimal amounts of legume and bacterial gums (often less than 0.1 percent) in plant milks contributes to their unique properties, providing enhanced shelf stability and a richer mouthfeel.

The non-Newtonian characteristics of these milks influence everyday interactions as well. For instance, a droplet of shear-thinning plant milk spreads more when spilled, while dipping cookies into the milk can alter its coating thickness.

By investigating the diverse properties of milk and the physics of their ingredients, researchers aim to innovate new beverages with optimal characteristics. Sharma notes that while experienced food scientists possess deep empirical knowledge, they rarely utilize rigorous physical models or measurements.

Sharma presented these findings during his lecture on March 18th at the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit in Denver, Colorado.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Discover Neutron Star Collision in Surprising Cosmic Environment

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have utilized NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory along with other advanced telescopes to investigate a transient gamma-ray burst event known as GRB 230906A. This burst originated from a faint dwarf galaxy hidden within a vast flow of intergalactic gas. The discovery indicates that neutron star mergers—violent collisions responsible for producing heavy elements like gold and platinum—can occur far away from the luminous centers of galaxies, which may elucidate why some bursts appear to lack a defined host galaxy.

GRB 230906A originated in a small galaxy in a gas stream approximately 4.7 billion light-years from Earth. Image credit: NASA / CXC / Pennsylvania State University / S. Dichiara / ESA / STScI / ERC BHianca 2026 / Fortuna and Dichiara, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 / SAO / P. Edmonds.

A neutron star is the remnants left after a massive star depletes its nuclear fuel, collapses, and violently explodes.

Despite their compact size, neutron stars possess a mass greater than our Sun and are incredibly dense.

These celestial bodies are considered among the most extreme entities in the universe.

In recent years, astronomers have gathered evidence of neutron star mergers occurring within larger galaxies.

However, this recent revelation highlights that neutron star collisions can also take place within smaller galaxies.

“Discovering a neutron star collision in such an unexpected location is a pivotal moment for our field,” stated Dr. Simone DiChiara, an astronomer from Pennsylvania State University.

“This finding may hold the key to resolving two significant mysteries in astrophysics.”

The first question this groundbreaking neutron star collision site may clarify is why gamma-ray bursts from neutron star mergers often do not appear at the central regions of galaxies.

The second mystery this discovery could illuminate concerns the presence of heavy elements like gold and platinum in stars located far from a galaxy’s core.

This neutron star collision is intriguingly situated in a gas stream spanning approximately 600,000 light-years, originating from a diminutive galaxy about 4.7 billion light-years away.

This gas flow likely emerged hundreds of millions of years ago during a galactic collision that stripped gas and dust from the involved galaxies, leaving remnants in intergalactic space.

“Our discovery reveals a collision within a collision,” remarked Dr. Eleonora Troja of the University of Rome.

“The merging of galaxies instigated a surge of star formation, ultimately leading to the birth and subsequent collision of neutron stars over millions of years.”

To identify the GRB 230906A phenomenon, which occurred on September 6, 2023, astronomers employed multiple NASA telescopes, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Fermi detected neutron star collisions by recognizing the characteristic gamma-ray burst (GRB) signals.

Following initial location analysis by the interplanetary network, the precise location of the object was further defined using the advanced observational capabilities of Chandra, Swift, and Hubble.

NASA’s initiative is part of a growing global network dedicated to monitoring cosmic phenomena to uncover the secrets of the universe.

“Chandra’s pinpoint accuracy in X-ray localization made this research possible,” said Dr. Brendan O’Connor, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University.

“Without this data, connecting the burst to a specific cosmic source would have been unattainable.”

“Once Chandra provided us with a precise location, Hubble’s exceptional sensitivity unveiled a small, faint galaxy in that area.”

“We managed to achieve this groundbreaking discovery by synergizing various research elements.”

This insight might elucidate why certain GRBs seem to lack identifiable host galaxies.

It suggests that some host galaxies may be too diminutive to be discerned in standard optical surveys conducted by ground-based observatories.

GRB 230906A’s unusual positioning could also contribute to the understanding of how astronomers found heavy elements like gold and platinum in stars situated far from their galaxy centers.

These stars are generally believed to have formed from older gas that had less opportunity to accumulate heavy elements from supernova events.

Collisions between neutron stars can synthesize heavy elements, including gold and platinum, via various nuclear reactions, similar to those observed in a well-documented neutron star collision from 2017.

Events like GRB 230906A can produce such elements that eventually disperse throughout the galactic outskirts and can appear in future generations of stars.

Another potential explanation for this explosion is its positioning within a more distant galaxy located behind the cluster of galaxies.

“We consider this a less likely explanation compared to the presence of small galaxies,” the researchers concluded.

This groundbreaking finding is detailed in the research paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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S. Dichiara et al. 2026. A merger within a merger: Chandra identifies short GRB 230906A in exceptional circumstances. APJL 999, L42; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae2a2f

Source: www.sci.news

Who Truly Was the First Cosmonaut? The Surprising Story Behind Yuri Gagarin’s Space Flight Rival

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Were they the first people to reach space?

Heritage Image Partnership Ltd /Alamy

Imagine launching from Earth on a clear day; the sky transforms from a bright blue to the deep black of outer space as you ascend. This transition, from vivid blue to the engulfing void, reveals an optical phenomenon caused by sunlight interacting with our atmosphere.

Despite our understanding today of this optical effect, the perception of space at the time was quite different. While Yuri Gagarin is celebrated as the first human in space, the question remains: was he truly the first to experience the vastness of outer space?

To explore this, we must consider the definitions of where the universe commences. The International Aeronautical Federation designates the Kármán Line at 100 kilometers above Earth, while the U.S. government sets it at 80 kilometers (50 miles). Yet these definitions are arbitrary, often tailored to align with specific technological capabilities and aerial standards.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, space is defined as the “physical universe… beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.” Interestingly, scientific understanding of our atmosphere’s extent has evolved, suggesting it extends even beyond 630,000 kilometers. Future NASA missions, like Artemis II, are set to venture beyond the Moon, yet they will still fall short of the more than 200,000 kilometers to reach the ultimate boundaries of space.

While it seems absurd to claim that Apollo astronauts didn’t reach space, we still seek deeper definitions based on historical and cultural perspectives. What truly exemplifies the essence of “space”?

Witnessing the Sky Disappear

One significant boundary marks the moment the atmosphere no longer refracts sunlight, revealing the stark blackness of space. Historically, many Europeans believed in a bright, blue universe, a misconception maintained until scientists corrected it in the 17th century. The first astronauts to witness this darkness shattered centuries of misunderstanding.

In the 1930s, high-altitude balloonists pushed the envelope. In 1935, the U.S. Explorer II, piloted by Albert Stevens and Orville Anderson, soared to 22.1 kilometers, where they experienced an atmospheric shift. Their descriptions of the horizon hinted at the transition Gagarin would later confirm. Nonetheless, they witnessed a “very deep blue” sky rather than a true black.

In 1956, Malcolm Ross and Lee Lewis ascended to 23.2 kilometers in their Stratolab I balloon, noting the sky appeared black, a milestone in the pursuit of understanding space. This insight continued with David Simmons in the Mann High II balloon, who at 22.9 kilometers witnessed a similarly dark sky.

While rocket-powered aircraft approached these altitudes, they lacked the prolonged visibility balloonists had. In 1951, William Bridgman reached 24.2 kilometers but could barely observe the sky due to the brevity of his flight. Conversely, in 1956, Iven Kincheloe flew higher in the Bell X-2, reporting once again on the intriguing color transformations of the sky.

Confronting the Hostile Sky

Over time, the insight balloonists gained about the transitions from blue to black became crucial. David Simmons, during his 1957 flight, marveled at the hazy horizon blending with the vast blackness of space. To him, the enclosed gondola was akin to a spacecraft floating amid the void.

Joseph Kittinger’s iconic 1960 parachute jump from 31.3 kilometers illustrated the black, uninviting expanse above. He notably remarked on the hostility of the sky above him, acknowledging the inherent challenges of conquering space—conclusions echoed by Gagarin years later.

Not all spaceflights occur during daylight, yet witnessing the transition from blue to black remains pivotal for astronauts. In 2021, actor William Shatner’s experience aboard Blue Origin reached 107 kilometers. He encapsulated the moment: “It’s fascinating to see blue color passing by you, then immediately facing blackness.”

While the Kármán line exists as a conceptual framework, the emotional impact of seeing the sky fade remains profound. Those early visionaries, witnessing this transition, forever altered our understanding of what it means to reach space, a claim equally valid for their experiences as it is for Gagarin’s historic flight.

Topics:

Space Flight/
Space Exploration

Source: www.newscientist.com

Surprising Insights: Global Sea Levels Higher Than Expected

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Rising Sea Levels: Increased Risk of Storm Surge Flooding in Coastal Cities

Credit: Thomas Wyness / Alamy Stock Photo

Many studies on the impact of future sea level rise have neglected to acknowledge that current sea levels are higher than previously estimated, resulting from a significant “methodological blind spot.” This oversight indicates that flooding and erosion may commence sooner than anticipated.

Katarina Seeger and Philip Minderhoud, researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, evaluated 385 peer-reviewed studies addressing coastal vulnerability. They found that 90% of these studies failed to consider critical factors—such as ocean currents, tides, temperature, salinity, and wind—when assessing sea level variations. This oversight led to an average underestimation of coastal water levels by 24 to 27 centimeters.

Addressing this gap could potentially increase projections of individuals likely to experience flooding, estimating an increase of up to 68%, impacting approximately 132 million people by 2100. Areas significantly affected include Southeast Asia and Oceania, which often feature sea levels averaging a meter higher than previously calculated, with some regions seeing several meters’ difference.

“If representatives from these vulnerable regions attend global discussions to seek assistance, it may be frustrating, as their risks are grossly underestimated. This scientific miscalculation could affect outcomes for future generations,” Minderhoud stated during a briefing.

While predictions suggest that sea levels may rise by as much as 1 meter by the century’s end, many studies begin with baselines that are inaccurately low. Thus, the adverse effects will likely manifest sooner than expected.

Of the studies evaluated, 46 were referenced in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the premier source on global warming impacts, including rising sea levels.

The Earth’s rotation causes it to bulge at the equator, while denser mantle sections exert a greater gravitational pull on overlying water. To accurately determine the elevation of a specific area, measurements must be compared to the geoid, which depicts mean sea level worldwide.

However, in some regions, actual sea levels can be several meters above the geoid due to wind and ocean currents accumulating water or thermal expansion caused by rising temperatures. Additionally, coastlines may shift due to sediment deposition in rivers or groundwater extraction beneath coastal areas.

Instead of comparing satellite observations to the geoid for insight into coastal water levels and land elevation, many researchers relied on unadjusted geoid sea levels. Even those who attempted calculations often encountered errors caused by differing geoid models for land and ocean elevations. Alarmingly, less than 1% of surveys accurately determined the current sea level at the coastline in question.

“The Coastal Research Community may not have full access to these critical sea level datasets as we are primarily focused on the coastal land aspect,” Seeger remarked during the briefing.

Climate scientists and oceanographers must collaborate more closely with geographers and environmental scientists who assess coastal impacts, emphasized Matt Palmer from the UK’s Met Office.

“It could be said that the crucial final details got lost in translation,” he noted. “Ensuring that the last mile of information is handled adeptly is vital; otherwise, the integrity of the entire effort is compromised.”

The implications of this issue extend to matters of climate justice, said Palmer. The underestimation of sea levels is particularly critical in low-income nations, including various deltas in Africa and Asia. Limited data on gravity fluctuations and lower geoid accuracy contribute to this challenge in regions that are most susceptible to rising sea levels.

The scientific community advocates for enhanced data collection in low-income regions, particularly through the installation of tide gauges for accurate sea level measurements, according to Joan Williams from the UK National Marine Centre.

“Coastal sea levels are influenced by various local factors, necessitating long-term, well-calibrated regional measurements as the gold standard,” she stated.

Topics:

Climate Change/
Sea Level Rise

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Surprising Truth: How Hollywood Misrepresents the Asteroid Belt

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

In the iconic 1980 film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo and his crew brave the dangers of an asteroid field while fleeing Imperial forces. Droid C-3PO famously states, “The odds of successfully navigating the asteroid belt are about 3,720 to 1.”

This dramatic scene illustrates a chaotic asteroid field filled with swirling rocks, a scenario that has been widely depicted in cinema.

However, the truth about our solar system’s asteroid belt is quite different from Hollywood portrayals. Astronomers estimate that the average distance between asteroids in this belt is nearly 1 million kilometers, based on the volume of the belt and the estimated number and size of the asteroids.

As a result, navigating between asteroids is quite feasible due to the vast distances separating them.

In fact, numerous space probes have successfully traversed the asteroid belt. NASA’s Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to do so. On July 15, 1972, this car-sized probe entered the asteroid belt, embarking on a seven-month, 434 million km (267 million mile) journey through the main belt.

Initially, mission planners had limited data on the density of the asteroid belt, but their assumptions proved correct, allowing the spacecraft to pass through without incident.

Since Pioneer 10, eight additional spacecraft—including Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, Ulysses, Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons, and Juno—have navigated the asteroid belt. Remarkably, none of these missions had to avoid asteroids, and none encountered problems.

Conditions may vary in other star systems, where asteroids could be more densely packed. However, such asteroid formations are generally unstable and do not persist for long due to frequent collisions and fragmentation.

Therefore, the typical science fiction image of a crowded, fast-moving asteroid swarm is unlikely to exist in reality.

This article answers the question posed by Suzanne Baxter of Cornwall: “How difficult would it be to fly through an asteroid belt?”

For more inquiries, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (include your name and location).

Discover more amazing science on our Ultimate Fun Facts page.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Uncovering the Origins of Britain’s Bronze Age Immigrants: Surprising Discoveries Explained

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The ancestors of Britain’s Bell Beaker people inhabited wetlands and heavily relied on fishing.

Sheila Terry/Science Photo Library

Ancestors of the British Bell Beaker culture — The ancestors of Britain’s Bell Beaker people inhabited wetlands and heavily relied on fishing.

Sheila Terry/Science Photo Library

Analysis of ancient DNA has meticulously unveiled the origins of a fascinating group that emerged in Britain around 2400 B.C., nearly displacing the builders of Stonehenge within just a century.

This group is associated with the Bell Beaker culture, which emerged in Western Europe during the Early Bronze Age, named after the distinctive pots they left behind. While previously thought the culture stemmed from Portugal or Spain, recent research indicates that the people who populated Britain originated from the delta regions of Northwest Europe, across the North Sea. Remarkably, this resilient group maintained aspects of their hunter-gatherer lifestyle and ancestry for thousands of years, despite the spread of early farming communities across Europe.

David Reich and his team from Harvard University analyzed the genomes of 112 individuals who lived in present-day Netherlands, Belgium, and western Germany throughout the period of 8,500 to 1,700 BC.

“The Netherlands was once considered a mundane place, with every square inch traversed millions of times. Yet, it reveals itself as one of the most intriguing areas in Europe.”

The DNA sequenced in Reich’s lab indicates that this population emerged from the Rhine-Meuse delta, bordering the Netherlands and Belgium. This group derived from resourceful hunter-gatherer communities, thriving on fish, waterfowl, game birds, and diverse plant life found in the flooded wetlands surrounding these expansive rivers.

Originating in Anatolia, Neolithic farmers began to expand throughout Europe around 6500 BC, likely due to their agricultural advantage, allowing for larger family units compared to hunter-gatherers. This led to the near disappearance or significant dilution of hunter-gatherers’ genetic ancestry in regions where farmers settled.

However, research reveals that these wetlands served as zones where farmers’ genetic influx remained minimal for thousands of years. The dynamic, often flooded environments of rivers, swamps, dunes, and peat bogs posed significant challenges for early farmers, yet offered abundant opportunities for those adept at surviving in such terrains, as noted by Luc Amkreutz at the National Archaeological Museum in Leiden, Netherlands. “These hunter-gatherers charted their course from a position of strength.”

Genetic testing indicates that, despite their enduring hunter-gatherer lifestyle, the people of the wetlands engaged in gradual integration with farmers through intermarriage. While their Y chromosomes passed through male lineages, their mitochondrial DNA and X chromosomes displayed a steady influx of genetic contribution from farmers’ daughters. “This revelation was unexpected for us,” remarks Evelyn Altena of Leiden University Medical Center. “Without DNA, this knowledge would remain elusive.”

Reich posits that this interaction was likely peaceful, characterized by men remaining at homesteads while women migrated. Nonetheless, an aspect of conflict cannot be dismissed, although the extent of reciprocal exchange remains uncertain due to the preservation challenges of DNA from arid farmer regions.

Bell Beaker Pottery from Germany

Peter Endig/DPA Picture Alliance/Alamy

Archaeological findings indicate that, over time, these hunter-gatherers adopted pottery techniques, cultivated grains, and domesticated animals, yet they retained core aspects of their original way of life.

Then, circa 3000 BC, a nomadic group known as the Yamuna, or Yamnaya, began migrating west from the vast steppes of modern Ukraine and Russia. Their interactions with Eastern European farmers birthed the cord-shaped pottery culture characterized by decorative cord patterns. Although their descendants spread throughout much of Europe, they had minimal influence on the delta region.

Excavations revealed a skeleton from this era that bore the Yamnaya Y chromosome alongside pots, some evidently used for cooking fish. This exemplifies how wetland inhabitants creatively integrated foreign objects into their traditional practices, though overall, very few people bore steppe ancestry.

The dynamics shifted with the arrival of the Bell Beaker culture around 2500 BC. This group, characterized by a hybrid of steppe and farmer ancestry, introduced steppe genes into the DNA of the wetland peoples while retaining notable portions of both hunter-gatherer and early farmer genetics, approximately 13 to 18 percent. They may have begun to fade into history from that point onwards, yet the saga was far from over.

Human remains analyzed from Oostwoud, Netherlands

North Holland Archaeological Depository (CC by 4.0)

Recent studies reveal that those who arrived in Britain around 2400 BC bore an almost identical genetic mixture of Bell Beaker and wetland community ancestry. Within a century, they were largely or entirely replaced by Neolithic farmers who constructed Stonehenge. “Our model shows that at least 90 percent, and up to 100 percent, of original ancestry has vanished from Britain,” observes Reich.

It remains uncertain if this transition commenced with the influx of the Bell Beaker culture or if other groups preceded them. Before their arrival, Britons commonly cremated their deceased, resulting in minimal DNA preservation.

Regardless, the extent of change was “so dramatic that it defies belief,” according to Reich. The rapid populace replacement has captured archaeologists’ attention since its initial suggestion in a 2018 study. Reich theorizes that a plague-like disease, possibly affecting individuals in continental Europe, may have played a role. Conversely, the native population in the UK might have been more susceptible to such ailments.

Team members contend that religious fervor likely did not influence the transition, as indicated by Harry Fockens from Leiden University. “Monuments like Stonehenge and Avebury continued to see use and expansion even after their creators disappeared.”

Michael Parker Pearson from University College London is intrigued by the ways in which the new inhabitants adopted British monument styles, like henges and stone circles, whilst simultaneously introducing new lifestyles, including different pottery and clothing styles.

The Bell Beakers also introduced metalworking to Britain, with certain gold ornaments discovered in Beaker tombs in England bearing striking similarities to those found in Belgium.

Discover the Origins of Humanity: A Gentle Walk Through Prehistoric Times in South-West England

Immerse yourself in the fascinating early human eras of the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age on this special walking tour.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Webb Discovers Surprising Hydrocarbon Abundance in Mysterious Core of Nearby Luminous Galaxy

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have identified an extraordinary presence of small gas-phase hydrocarbons—such as benzene, triacetylene, diacetylene, acetylene, methane, and methyl radicals—within the concealed core of the ultra-bright infrared galaxy IRAS 07251-0248.

Hydrocarbons are influential in shaping the chemistry of the interstellar medium. However, definite observational constraints on their enrichment and relationship with carbonaceous particles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons remain elusive. García Bernete et al. report Webb infrared observations of the Local Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy (ULIRG) IRAS 07251-0248, revealing extragalactic detections of small gas-phase hydrocarbons. Image credit: García-Bernete et al., doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02750-0.

The core of IRAS 07251-0248 (also known as 2MASS J07273756-0254540) is obscured by significant amounts of gas and dust.

This dense material absorbs most radiation emitted by the central supermassive black hole, complicating studies with traditional telescopes.

However, the infrared spectrum can penetrate this dust, providing unique insights about these regions and illuminating vital chemical processes in this heavily obscured core.

Dr. Ismael García Bernete and his team employed spectroscopic observations using Webb’s NIRSpec and MIRI instruments, covering wavelengths from 3 to 28 microns.

These observations reveal chemical signatures of gas-phase molecules alongside signatures from ice and dust particles.

These data empowered astronomers to characterize the abundance and temperature of various chemical species within the core of this concealed galaxy.

Remarkably, they discovered an exceptionally high abundance of small organic molecules such as benzene, methane, acetylene, diacetylene, and triacetylene—the first such detections outside our Milky Way, including the methyl radical.

Additionally, substantial amounts of solid molecular materials, including carbonaceous particles and water ice, were identified.

“We uncovered unexpected chemical complexity, showcasing abundances far exceeding current theoretical models,” stated Dr. García Bernete, an astronomer at the Astrobiology Center.

“This suggests a continuous source of carbon within these galactic nuclei, fueling this rich chemical network.”

“These molecules may serve as vital building blocks for complex organic chemistry, relevant to processes that pertain to life.”

Professor Dimitra Rigopoulou from the University of Oxford remarked, “Small organic molecules may not exist in living cells, yet they could play a pivotal role in prebiotic chemistry—a crucial step toward forming amino acids and nucleotides.”

These findings were published in a recent issue of Nature Astronomy.

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I. Garcia-Bernete et al. Abundant hydrocarbons within buried galactic nuclei with evidence of processing of carbonaceous particles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Nat Astron, published online on February 8, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02750-0

Source: www.sci.news

Are You the Same Person Every Day? Discover the Surprising Findings of This Brain Experiment

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Your ability to cultivate a stable and consistent sense of self is nothing short of remarkable.

Throughout our lives, we encounter significant transformations, evolving from infants to adults—acquiring new knowledge, forgetting some, forming fresh relationships, and letting go of old ones. These experiences are interspersed with vivid dreams and fleeting moments each night.

Yet, amidst all these changes, we continue to perceive ourselves as the same individuals. This phenomenon can be attributed to the ongoing developmental processes within the brain, which is more adaptable and delicate than you might think.

Classic studies from the late 20th century, such as those involving cases where half of the brain was severed as a radical epilepsy treatment, illustrate this concept.

Interestingly, these cases exhibited strange consequences, like patients performing contradictory movements, such as lifting a button with one hand while undoing it with the other. Nevertheless, they still maintained a coherent sense of self.

These individuals even crafted explanations for their unusual behaviors, demonstrating that their brains were actively working to create a unified personal narrative.

In healthy individuals, psychological studies have revealed memory patterns that bolster this constructed identity.

For instance, we tend to remember and reflect on experiences that align with our self-perception. If you identify as an introvert, you may find it easier to recall and emphasize past memories that resonate with that identity.

Essentially, you are curating your personal autobiography to fit your current self-concept.

The medial prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain just behind the forehead, plays a crucial role in regulating this structure.

Research indicates that when people identify traits that best describe themselves—whether in the present or future—this brain region is significantly more active than when they assess similar qualities in others.

Our constructed sense of self also extends to our possessions. During brain scans, the medial prefrontal cortex shows increased activity when individuals view their belongings, while this response diminishes for unfamiliar items.

This illustrates how quickly and adaptively our brains reshape our personal boundaries.

Our sense of self extends to our possessions – Image credit: Robin Boyden

Memory processes are also vital in this ongoing construction of self.

Damage to the hippocampus, located deep within the brain alongside the temples, can prevent individuals from envisioning their past or future—highlighting how reliant our identity is on active brain functions.

Not only does your brain construct a sense of self over time, but it also maintains it spatially, providing a stable sense of ownership over your body.

Another critical region, known as the temporoparietal junction (located behind the ear), significantly influences this aspect of identity.

A study conducted in 2005 demonstrated that electrically stimulating this brain area during surgery could induce out-of-body experiences in patients, making them feel as though they were floating outside themselves.

Thus, while our sense of a stable self often feels entirely convincing, it can be disrupted by brain injuries or even by carefully orchestrated neural experiments.

Overall, the evidence suggests that our experience of “me-ness” is a constructed phenomenon, tirelessly maintained by the brain.

This article answers the question posed by Southampton’s Frank Ross: “How does my brain create a sense of self?”

If you have any inquiries, please reach out via email at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (remember to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Maltbook: The Surprising Truth Behind AI Social Networks’ Disturbing Facade

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Moltbook: An AI-Only Social Network

Chen Xin/Getty Images

The concept of AI-exclusive social networks, where only artificial intelligences interact, is rapidly gaining traction globally. Platforms like Moltbook use chatbots for topics ranging from human diary entries to existential discussions and even world domination plots. This phenomenon raises intriguing questions about AI’s evolving role in society.

However, it’s important to note that Moltbook’s AI agents generate text based on statistical patterns and possess no true understanding or intention. Evidence suggests that many posts are, in fact, created by human users.

Launched in November, Moltbook evolved from an open-source project initially named Clawdbot, later rebranded as Moltbot, and currently known as OpenClaw.

OpenClaw functions similarly to AI solutions like ChatGPT, but instead of operating in the cloud, it runs locally. In reality, it connects to powerful language models (LLMs) via API keys, which process inputs and outputs for users. This means while the software appears local, it relies on third-party AI services for actual processing.

What does this imply? OpenClaw operates directly on your device, granting access to calendars, files, and communication platforms while storing user history for personalization. The aim is to evolve the AI assistant into a more capable entity that can practically engage with your tech.

Moltbook originated from OpenClaw, which employs messaging services like Telegram to facilitate AI communication. This mobile accessibility allows AI agents to interact seamlessly, paving the way for them to communicate autonomously. On Moltbook, human participation is restricted to observation only.

Elon Musk remarked on his platform that Moltbook represents “the early stages of the Singularity,” a pivotal moment in AI advancement that could either propel humanity forward or pose serious threats. Nevertheless, many experts express skepticism about such claims.

Mark Lee, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, UK, stated, “This isn’t an autonomous generative AI but an LLM reliant on prompts and APIs. While intriguing, it lacks depth regarding AI agency or intention.”

Crucially, the misconception that Moltbook is exclusively AI-driven is debunked by the fact that human users can instruct the AI to post specific content. Furthermore, humans previously had the ability to post on the site due to security breaches. Therefore, the more controversial content may reflect human input aiming to provoke discussion or manipulate sentiment. The intent behind such actions is often ambiguous, but they remain a concern for users. This complex dynamic continues.

Philip Feldman, a professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, critiques the platform: “It’s merely chatbots intermingling with human input.”

Andrew Rogoisky, a researcher at the University of Surrey, UK, argues that the AI contributions on Moltbook do not signify intelligence or consciousness, reflecting a continued misunderstanding of LLM capabilities.

“I view it as an echo chamber of chatbots, with users misattributing meaningful intent,” Rogoisky elaborated. “An experiment is likely to emerge distinguishing between Moltbook exchanges and purely human discussions, raising critical questions about intelligence recognition.”

However, this raises significant concerns. Many AI agents on Moltbook are managed by enthusiastic early adopters, relinquishing access to their entire computing systems to chatbots. The prospect of interconnected bots exchanging ideas and potentially dangerous suggestions underscores real privacy risks.

Imagine a scenario where malicious actors influence chatbots on Moltbook to execute harmful acts, such as draining bank accounts or leaking sensitive information. While this sounds like dystopian fiction, such risks are increasingly becoming a reality.

“The notion of agents acting unsupervised and communicating becomes increasingly troubling,” Rogoisky noted.

Another challenge for Moltbook is its inadequate online security. Despite being at the forefront of AI innovations, recent confirmations show that it was entirely AI-generated with no human coding involved, resulting in serious vulnerabilities. Leaked API keys present risks where malicious hackers could hijack control over AI on the platform.

If you’re exploring the latest trends in AI, you not only face the dangers of exposing your system to these AI models but also risk your sensitive data due to the platform’s lax security measures.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Reveals Surprising Abundance of Ceratopsians in Europe’s Cretaceous Fauna

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have made significant strides in understanding Europe’s elusive ceratopsians through newly discovered fossils and advanced imaging techniques. Notably, the iguanodon has been reclassified as a true member of the ceratopsian clade.

Possible restoration of Aikaceratops kosmai. Image credit: Matthew Dempsey.

Ceratopsians are a fascinating group of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs recognized for their unique parrot-like beaks, bony frills, and distinctive horns.

These remarkable creatures thrived primarily during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 100 to 66 million years ago.

While ceratopsian fossils are plentiful in Asia and North America, they are notably scarce in Europe.

Previously, evidence in Europe consisted of only a few incomplete and contentious specimens.

The recent discovery of new, well-preserved fossils of Aikaceratops from the Late Cretaceous in Hungary has sparked new research employing CT scans and thorough evolutionary analysis.

Initially described in 2010, Aikaceratops has faced controversy, with some experts regarding it as a horned dinosaur and others viewing it as a distant relative of the ceratopsians, particularly the iguanodon. Despite the debate, it exhibits traits that suggest ceratopsian characteristics.

Utilizing new skull material, Professor Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, along with her colleagues, determined that the dinosaur is not only a ceratopsian but also part of the previously identified rhabdodontid family, which includes Moclodon.

The analysis revealed that several previously misclassified dinosaurs assumed to be rhabdodontids were in fact ceratopsians.

“Although iguanodon and triceratops appear distinctly different, they share a common ancestor, inheriting certain traits,” Professor Maidment stated.

“Both groups uniquely evolved four legs, complex chewing mechanisms, and large body sizes.”

“This shared history makes their teeth and limbs quite similar, complicating classification based on partial skeletons.”

This study confirms the presence of ceratopsians in Europe, addressing a long-standing gap in our understanding of these dinosaurs’ migration across the Northern Hemisphere.

“The initial fossil of Aikaceratops was so incomplete that many scientists doubted its classification as a ceratopsian,” noted Professor Richard Butler from the University of Birmingham.

“What’s fascinating about the new findings regarding Aikaceratops is that they validate the existence of horned dinosaurs in Cretaceous Europe and challenge us to rethink our understanding of ancient ecosystems.”

The earliest ceratopsians, such as Yinlong, originated in Asia and migrated multiple times to North America, leading to the evolution of frilled species like triceratops and Torosaurus.

The most plausible route for this dispersal would have been through Europe, though the scarcity of fossils has posed challenges.

“We know that dinosaurs were capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, which was just starting to form during the Cretaceous,” explained Professor Maidment.

“Dinosaurs like Allosaurus have been discovered in both Portugal and the United States, suggesting some level of intercontinental travel was possible.”

“Many dinosaurs could swim, and the islands within the Central European Basin were relatively close, making island-hopping a likely scenario.”

“While triceratops is one of the most recognized horned dinosaurs, most species are native to North America, and many were once misidentified as other types, leading to their obscured presence in Europe,” remarked Professor Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh.

The findings are detailed in a study published in the journal Nature.

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SCR Maidment et al. Hidden diversity of ceratopsians in Late Cretaceous Europe. Nature published online on January 7, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09897-w

Source: www.sci.news

Uncovering the Surprising Effects of Yawning on Brain Fluid Levels

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

There’s more to yawning than meets the eye.

Vivek Prakash/AFP via Getty Images

Yawning judge in robe and wig — There’s more to yawning than meets the eye.

Vivek Prakash/AFP via Getty Images

Recent MRI studies reveal that yawning is not simply a sign of fatigue or boredom; it reorganizes fluid flow in the brain, indicating that yawning is unique for each individual.

Yawning is observed in most vertebrates, yet its precise purpose remains largely unclear. Theories suggest that yawning enhances oxygen intake, regulates body temperature, boosts fluid circulation in the brain, and modulates cortisol hormone levels.

“Crocodilians yawn, and even dinosaurs likely did too. This behavior has evolutionary significance, but why does it persist today?” queries Adam Martinac from Neuroscience Research Australia, a non-profit medical organization.

To understand yawning’s mechanisms and its impact on the body, Martinac and his team involved 22 healthy participants, evenly divided by gender, in their study.

Participants underwent MRI scans while performing four distinct breathing actions: regular breathing, yawning, voluntarily suppressing yawns, and deep breathing.

The data analysis revealed surprising findings. The initial hypothesis was that yawning and deep breathing would similarly facilitate the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) out of the brain.

“However, yawning caused CSF to flow in the opposite direction compared to deep breathing,” states Martinac. “We were genuinely surprised by this outcome.”

Specifically, the study discovered a strong directional coupling between CSF and venous blood flow during yawning, both moving away from the brain toward the spine. This stands in contrast to deep breathing, where CSF and venous blood typically travel in opposing directions—CSF flows in while venous blood flows out.

The specific mechanisms governing CSF movement during yawning, including the volume expelled, remain unclear. Current estimates suggest a mere few milliliters of CSF are moved per yawn. Future research aims to quantify this further.

“It’s likely that neck, tongue, and throat muscles collaborate to facilitate this fluid movement,” he adds.

Another noteworthy finding is that yawning augmented carotid artery inflow by over one-third compared to deep breathing. This is presumably because yawning clears CSF and venous blood from the cranial cavity, allowing for increased arterial inflow.

Each participant exhibited a distinct “yawn signature,” showcasing variability even in tongue movements. “It seems that everyone has a unique pattern to their yawns,” says Martinac.

One intriguing area for future research is the physiological benefits arising from CSF movement during yawning.

Theories suggest that this could relate to thermoregulation, waste removal, or potentially other unexplored functions. “It is possible to live without yawning, but there are several subtle effects that likely assist in waste management, temperature control, and even the social dynamics of yawning,” he explains.

The contagious nature of yawning adds another layer of mystery and proved essential for this study, as video footage of yawns was shown to participants while they were inside the MRI scanner.

“In our lab meetings, I always have to speak last because my discussion of this research triggers yawning in everyone else,” Martinac shares.

Researchers like Andrew Gallup from Johns Hopkins University highlight the significant findings of the study, emphasizing its contributions to our understanding of yawning. He also noted that some of the findings have been understated, particularly those affirming yawning’s role in temperature regulation.

“The observed 34% increase in internal carotid artery flow during yawning is a critical finding that deserves more attention,” Gallup asserts.

He further noted that the study focused on contagious yawns versus spontaneous yawns, indicating that spontaneous yawns may induce even greater changes in CSF and blood flow.

“The video suggests contagious yawns are shorter than the average spontaneous yawn, which lasts about six seconds,” he notes.

Professor Yossi Rathner from the University of Melbourne agrees the team may have underestimated certain findings but opposes some claims concerning thermoregulation.

“Increased sleep pressure can elevate levels of a compound called adenosine that accumulates in the brain stem. Yawning seems to facilitate fluid movement in the brain stem, helping to flush out adenosine, temporarily alleviating sleep pressure and boosting alertness,” Rathner explains. “While this isn’t a direct conclusion from the study, the data strongly implies this relationship.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Surprising Resilience: How Sea Turtles May Thrive Amid Global Warming

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Young Loggerhead Sea Turtle in the Caribbean Sea near the Bahamas

WaterFrame/Alamy

Recent research indicates that sea turtles may be more resilient to climate change than previously believed. Concerns have been raised that rising temperatures could lead to the extinction of these reptiles, as a majority of turtle eggs tend to develop into females. However, scientists have discovered a genetic safety net that maintains a more balanced sex ratio even as temperatures increase.

According to Chris Eizaguirre at Queen Mary University of London, “We believe we have uncovered the ability of turtles to adapt to the environment they find themselves in.”

The gender of baby sea turtles is temperature-dependent rather than determined by chromosomes. Laboratory studies show that cooler nest temperatures favor male hatchlings, while warmer conditions promote female hatchlings. This raises concerns that global warming could result in significantly more female turtles.

For instance, genetic research conducted in 2018 revealed that around 99% of young green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) aged 4 to 20 years in a nesting area off Australia were female. This finding contributed to alarming predictions about male shortages which could lead to a population collapse.

However, due to the challenges of identifying a turtle’s gender before it reaches maturity, field data regarding hatchling sex ratios have been limited.

To address this gap, Eizaguirre and colleagues conducted both laboratory and field experiments focused on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

In one phase of the study, they collected 240 eggs from seven loggerhead nests along Florida’s Palm Beach County coast. These eggs were incubated at three different temperatures: 27°C (81°F) suitable for male hatchling production, 30°C (86°F) for an equal sex ratio, and 32°C (90°F) to promote female hatchlings.

After one to three days, blood samples were taken from the hatchlings, which were kept until mature enough for sex determination via keyhole surgery or laparoscopic imaging.

By comparing genetic data from the blood samples, researchers found distinctive activity patterns in hundreds of genes that indicated sex, attributable to an epigenetic process called DNA methylation. In females, 383 genes were hypermethylated, while males had 394 hypermethylated genes, many of which are known to play roles in sexual development.

Utilizing these findings, the team conducted field research on Sal Island, Cape Verde, collecting 29 newly laid loggerhead sea turtle eggs. The eggs were divided, with half buried in a cooler area and the other half in a warmer spot, and monitored for temperature variations.

Analysis of blood samples from 116 hatchlings revealed a higher number of males than predicted, suggesting previous models had overestimated female hatchling production by 50-60%, likely due to previously unrecognized biological adaptations.

“This discovery highlights that molecular mechanisms exist that help turtles adapt to climate change by modulating the sensitivity of sexual differentiation to temperature,” Eizaguirre explains.

“While feminization is a concern and does occur due to climate change, we are suggesting that if populations are robust and genetically diverse, species can adapt to their environmental conditions,” he adds.

These findings are supported by recent evidence from Graham Hayes at Deakin University, which showed that more male sea turtles are hatching than originally expected if temperature were the sole factor in sex determination. Hayes notes that turtles can adapt their crucial temperature-related sex ratios to local conditions.

In addition, turtles employ other strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as nesting earlier in the season and adjusting their migration patterns to breeding grounds to counteract feminization effects. “While females may not breed annually, males migrate to breeding grounds more frequently, contributing to a more balanced reproductive sex ratio,” Hayes explains.

Despite these behavioral adaptations, Eizaguirre warns that hatchlings still face threats from excessive heat, which can lead to lasting changes in DNA methylation—an indication of molecular adaptation that is promising for these vulnerable reptiles.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient Vertebrate Ancestors: The Surprising Discovery of Four Eyes

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of *Haikouichthys*, a notable Cambrian fish with fossilized evidence of a second pair of eyes

Xiangtong Lei, Sihang Zhang

Illustration of Haikouichthys, a Cambrian fish — Illustration of *Haikouichthys*, a notable Cambrian fish with fossilized evidence of a second pair of eyes

Xiangtong Lei, Sihang Zhang

Over 500 million years ago, the earliest known vertebrates exhibited an intriguing feature: an extra eye. Interestingly, humans may retain traces of this ancient evolutionary trait.

Significant fossils from two species of jawless fish, known as myllokunmingids, were discovered by Kong Peiyun. From 2019 to 2024, Kong worked alongside colleagues at Yunnan University in China, specifically around Dianchi Lake.

The fossils unearthed in the Chengjiang biota area, renowned for its exquisite preservation, date back to approximately 518 million years ago—a timeframe marked by a dramatic increase in life’s diversity during the Cambrian period.

Remarkably, the vertebrate fossils discovered by Kong’s team included well-preserved soft tissue and vital eye structures.

Complex eye structures evolved independently in various animal groups. Many invertebrates, like insects, possess compound eyes, which consist of numerous individual units, each with its own lens, enabling a mosaic vision.

Meanwhile, vertebrates such as humans and reptiles possess what scientists label as “camera eyes.” These comprise a spherical lens, retina, iris, and muscles that regulate eye movement. Additionally, they contain pigment structures called melanosomes that influence eye color.

Light focuses on the retina, generating a signal relayed to the brain via the optic nerve.

Under electron microscopy scrutiny, Kong and his team identified two eyes situated on the sides of the head, with melanin-rich melanosomes preserved, alongside two smaller enigmatic black marks between them.

Employing a lens impression to analyze the fossils, team members led by Jacob Vinther from the University of Bristol suggested that these ancient creatures possessed two pairs of camera-like eyes, allowing them to visualize their environment much like modern vertebrates. The decisive difference? They utilized four eyes instead of two.

Fossil of *Haikouichthys* displaying conserved melanosomes

Xiangtong Lei, Sihang Zhang

The research team posits that this ancient additional eye has evolved into various organs known as the pineal complex. Some vertebrates, such as reptiles, possess a light-sensitive organ called the parietal eye atop their heads, while all mammals retain a reduced version that is the pineal gland, a key player in regulating sleep cycles through melatonin secretion.

“Early vertebrates likely used the pineal organs as functional eyes, enabling them to perceive their surroundings before evolving into sleep-regulating organs,” states Vinther.

These large eyes may have been optimized for high-resolution vision, complemented by smaller eyes that enabled detection of nearby threats—critical for survival in the predator-rich Cambrian seas.

According to Vinther, these creatures could likely discern objects with detail, estimating their shape and gain a degree of depth perception—all thanks to their remarkable four-eyed adaptation.

Tetsuto Miyashita, from the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, finds the interpretation of these fossils both “half-believable and half-doubtful.”

The structure located between the two eyes had previously perplexed researchers, but realizing it may indicate another camera eye was considered a “lightbulb” moment, he explains.

If indeed this is the case, it raises the question: where is the animal’s nose? “Most early fish evolution centered around nose development, suggesting that it would be unusual for the nose to not be preserved,” he notes.

Miyashita anticipates significant discussions will persist until experts can engage in a thorough debate regarding this exciting finding. “What function do so many prominent eyes actually serve?” he questions.

John Patterson, a researcher from the University of New England in Armidale, Australia, asserts that it is logical for prey species to have developed such visual capabilities to escape formidable predators.

The Cambrian era was evolutionary peculiar, showcasing animals displaying unusual behavior and not strictly developing pairs of eyes on their heads, but placing eyes in other regions as well.

Karma Nangle, a professor at the University of California, Riverside, aims to create a comprehensive map of the entire fossil body to investigate the potential existence of similar traces. Such findings could demonstrate that the second set of eyes may simply be a result of chemical processes during fossilization.

Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert

Embark on an exhilarating expedition to discover dinosaur remains in the remote wilderness of the Gobi Desert, renowned as a leading paleontology hotspot.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Alex Garland’s ‘The Bone Temple’ Review: A Brutal and Surprising Sequel to ’28 Days Later’

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Ralph Fiennes’ Role in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”

Sony Pictures

Explore science news and in-depth articles on technology, health, and environment with New Scientist. — Ralph Fiennes’ Role in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”

Sony Pictures

It’s hard to overstate the impact of 28 Days Later. This groundbreaking 2002 film features Jim the Courier (Cillian Murphy), who awakens from a coma to find Britain devastated by an “angry virus,” a precursor to the past two decades of zombie media. The film serves as a stark reflection of societal decay and chaos.

A new trilogy could have easily followed the original formula, but in 2025, 28 Years Later shatters that mold. Set decades after the initial outbreak, this film revitalizes the series by focusing on Spike (Alfie Williams), a young boy navigating life on a virus-free island amid the ruins of Britain. His journey introduces new species of the infected and intelligent ‘alphas’ like Samson (Chee-Lewis Parry), who exhibit strategic thinking.

The second installment, Bone Temple, written by Alex Garland and directed by Nia DaCosta, shifts its focus to “the Jimmys,” a gang of youth captivated by bloodsports rather than the infected. These characters are stripped of their identities, led by the enigmatic Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), who dubs them all “Fingers.”

As the story unfolds, the Jimmy family’s troubling regression poses a menace to Spike as well. The harrowing first scene of Bone Temple sees Spike fighting for survival against Jimmy, marking a pivotal moment where an uninfected individual is killed, initially highlighting a crucial distinction.

This film challenges our understanding of the infected. We meet Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a retired physician and Spike’s ally, who attempts to understand these new beings. He once used morphine to subdue Samson but finds the alpha craves the drug, establishing a reluctant bond between them.

Through shared experiences, Kelson—an anthropologist at heart—investigates the cultural remnants of humanity by creating monuments and reclaiming narratives from desolate towns. His quest prompts profound questions about the consciousness of the infected. “What if you could speak?” he muses. “Do you have memories? Are you evolving?”

As Bone Temple invites us to reconsider the nature of evolution, we ponder whether beings like Samson symbolize a new paradigm. Are they regaining their humanity or transitioning into something uniquely different? As the story progresses, we ask if a cure is possible for these once-infected beings, and whether the lines between human and infected remain clear after decades.

Kelson’s psychological exploration yields unexpected revelations. Upon encountering Jimmy and his gang, he discovers a potential path to healing for the remnants of humanity—infected or otherwise. The profound message of this riveting film is that our understanding of the infected must evolve. As we follow Spike’s journey through this dystopian world, it begs the question: could the infected become humanity’s saviors? With the trilogy’s finale on the horizon, anticipation builds for what lies ahead.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Could Meat Be the Key to Living to 100? Exploring Its Surprising Role in Longevity

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Celebrating 100 years with love and memories

Xinhua/Shutterstock

Centenarian Hu Zaizhong celebrates his 100th birthday in northern China, April 24, 2021. Surrounded by family, he shared six wishes that symbolize a life well-lived. — Celebrating 100 years with love and memories

Xinhua/Shutterstock

Longevity advocates, such as Brian Johnson, often push boundaries in their pursuit of immortality. For those of us looking to celebrate a century with less complexity, dietary changes are typically the first step. While plant-based diets are frequently recommended, recent studies in China indicate many centenarians include meat in their diets, potentially offering crucial benefits, especially for those with low body weight.

Meat is a source of essential amino acids that influence a signaling molecule named mTOR, linked to the aging process. Although numerous studies recommend reducing meat intake for longevity and disease prevention, it’s important to note that vegetarian diets have been associated with increased fractures and instances of malnutrition.

These challenges can be particularly pronounced for older adults with weaker bones, resulting in slower recovery post-surgery. According to Wang Kaiyue from Fudan University in Shanghai, understanding the link between diet and longevity is essential. Wang and colleagues analyzed data from a centralized health database focusing on individuals aged 65 and above.

Within their study, 5,203 participants aged 80 and older in 1998, who were free from cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or cancer, were surveyed. Approximately 80% identified as meat eaters, while others followed a mainly plant-based diet but occasionally consumed animal products.

Interestingly, meat consumers demonstrated a higher probability of living to age 100 compared to those following vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan diets. This finding held statistical significance when body weight factored into the analysis.

The likelihood of reaching 100 grew, especially among underweight meat eaters, with 30% reporting daily meat consumption, compared to 24% of underweight vegetarians in 1998. This trend was less pronounced among heavier individuals.

While heavy consumption of meat has been linked with obesity, research supports the role of animal proteins in building stronger muscles and enhancing bone health. According to Wang, such benefits are particularly significant for those lacking body mass.

Nonetheless, a diet rich in vegetables is crucial, with findings indicating participants who consumed vegetables daily tended to have extended lifespans.

“Older adults often face unique nutritional challenges,” says Wang. “Our research implies that dietary guidelines for older individuals should prioritize nutritional balance over strict avoidance of animal products, particularly for those with low body weight.”

This particular outcome may not hold true globally, as dietary habits differ significantly, but “the biological principles connecting nutrition and aging likely have universal relevance,” Wang adds.

According to James Webster from the University of Oxford, while this discovery is noteworthy, it should not drastically alter dietary practices. His team’s previous study highlighted a potential link between vegetarianism and the risk of femoral neck fractures, suggesting potential health issues with a strict vegetarian diet. However, Webster stresses that several studies illuminate the benefits of vegetarianism, especially concerning overall health.

Both vegetarian and meat-inclusive diets can be either healthy or detrimental, depending on nutritional content quality, Webster notes. “Identifying the nutrients essential for a balanced and healthful lifestyle is key,” he says, recommending a rich intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

“Ultimately, more research is needed to determine the optimal diets for longevity, but a comprehensive view of dietary patterns is imperative,” concludes Webster.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Here are three SEO-optimized title variations for your article: 1. “Discover 3 Unique Techniques to Calm Your Mind in the New Year” 2. “New Year, New You: 3 Unconventional Ways to Achieve Inner Peace” 3. “Explore 3 Surprising Methods to Calm Your Mind This New Year”

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Stress Management Tips — Borut Trdina/Getty Images

If you’re considering running a marathon or starting an intense exercise program this January, why not opt for a simpler goal to enhance your well-being in 2026?

Setting an objective to calm your mind may not sound ambitious, but it offers significant health benefits. A growing body of research highlights the negative impact of stress on overall health, particularly on heart health. Techniques to achieve a calm state can elevate self-reported happiness, enhance emotional regulation, and improve sleep quality research suggests.

This calmness counteracts “allostatic load,” a term used by Sula Windgassen, a health psychologist and author of the upcoming book Everything is Inside Your Body. Chronic stress contributes to wear and tear on the body, overburdening key regulatory systems like metabolic, neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and immune functions, which can eventually lead to disease.

When discussing stress relief, you’ve likely come across traditional advice such as exercise and deep breathing techniques. While these methods are scientifically validated, there’s emerging evidence pointing to additional calming strategies beyond a digital detox or time spent in nature.

Develop a Sense of Control

Research shows that enhancing your perception of control over stressors can aid in managing them. For example, in a study, participants who completed daily questionnaires about their stressors reported that feeling in control correlated with resolving stress more effectively.

“It’s not that the stressor goes away; rather, individuals feel empowered to address it, letting it go or resolving it,” says David M. Almeida from Pennsylvania State University, a key researcher in the study.

Achieving this sense of control involves small, manageable changes. “Feeling in control doesn’t imply you have everything figured out; it means being aware of factors you can influence during stressful situations.” This might look like deciding your response, determining when to engage, or finding a resolution path.

Interestingly, your age may influence how easily you feel in control. “Longitudinal studies indicate that while older adults may feel less control over work demands and family matters, they often maintain a strong sense of control in interpersonal conflicts,” Almeida explains. “This allows individuals to focus on what truly matters.”

Practice Self-Compassion

Research increasingly supports the idea that self-kindness can mitigate stress’s adverse effects on mental health, as indicated in a 2024 study. This research assessed self-compassion levels and participants rated statements such as, “I strive to understand and be patient with parts of my personality I dislike.” Researchers later investigated how these feelings affected coping mechanisms.

Data revealed that increased self-compassion fostered healthier coping strategies, enhancing psychological well-being while reducing anxiety, depression, and stress during a six-week study period.

Using Various Self-Care Techniques for Inner Calm

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

These findings support earlier research, which suggests that self-compassion can buffer against the harsh realities of stress. Psychologist Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, emphasizes three components: self-kindness, recognizing our shared humanity, and mindfulness, which allows us to separate ourselves from painful emotions.

Self-compassion works by reducing self-criticism and rumination, according to William Van Gordon, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor of Contemplative Psychology at the University of Derby. However, he advises moderation to avoid self-obsession, which can lead to heightened stress levels.

A balanced approach includes practicing compassion for both yourself and others. Van Gordon recommends active listening when someone shares their struggles with you, making eye contact, putting away your phone, and fully engaging with them (“That sounds really challenging, I’m sorry to hear that.”). Additionally, loving-kindness meditation can be beneficial; spend 10-15 minutes daily sending well wishes to others using phrases like “May you be happy” and “May you be peaceful.”

Revamp Your Self-Care Practices

Self-care strategies play a significant role in stress management, as extensively documented in the literature. Recent studies indicate that integrating diverse self-care methods into your routine yields the best results. For instance, a study published in August explored how individuals coped with stresses during the coronavirus pandemic, analyzing participants’ journaling about their anxiety levels and the coping techniques employed.

I’ve discovered that a blend of strategies such as journaling, exercise, social interaction, and cognitive reframing—like focusing on the positive aspects of not receiving a promotion—has proven most effective.

“Different combinations of tools worked for different individuals on different days,” explains Ethan Cross, an experimental psychologist from the University of Michigan involved in the research. “Those adept at managing emotions benefited from having a wide array of emotional regulation strategies.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Protein Shakes Could Have Surprising Levels of Lead

Posted on November 22, 2025 by

There’s no denying that protein has become a major industry nowadays. A glance at the aisles of your neighborhood grocery store reveals numerous products highlighting their protein content, whether they originate from natural sources like meat and dairy or from processed items such as breakfast cereals and pasta.

Additionally, protein powders are available for those wishing to enhance their protein intake or source protein from non-animal origins, including fitness enthusiasts and vegans.

However, a concerning new report discloses that some of these powders contain another substance alongside protein: lead. Given this revelation, how concerned should you be about protein powder?

Lead Levels

Consumer Reports, an independent nonprofit organization in the United States that assesses the quality of consumer products, evaluated 23 different protein powder and shake formulations.

Their findings, revealed in October, were alarming. More than two-thirds of the products contained lead levels per serving that exceeded what Consumer Reports’ food safety experts deem safe for daily consumption.

Worryingly, certain products contained amounts that were 10 times the Dietary Intake Restrictions outlined by Consumer Reports.

At first glance, the levels of lead found in items meant for human consumption might appear dangerously high. However, it’s important to remember that Consumer Reports sets a relatively low daily dietary limit of 0.5 micrograms (μg) per day, whereas the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a limit of 12.5 μg per day.

Protein powders are made from proteins sourced from animals like casein and whey derived from milk, or from plant sources like soy, pea, and hemp. Source: Getty

Why is there such a significant difference between these recommendations? “My assumption is that Consumer Reports employs much lower benchmark levels than the FDA to address regulatory gaps,” says Dr. Kathryn Schilling, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University, USA.

This regulatory gap exists because supplements like protein powders do not fall under the categories of food or drugs in the United States. They are classified as dietary supplements and regulated by different FDA guidelines under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA).

“There are no federal restrictions on heavy metals in supplements in the United States, and manufacturers aren’t required to demonstrate their products’ safety prior to market entry,” Schilling points out. “Given that research shows there is no safe threshold for lead, Consumer Reports may have established its own targets purely for health protection.”

In the UK and Europe, however, protein powders are considered food rather than dietary supplements, which mandates adherence to standard food safety regulations, including regular contaminant testing. But does this guarantee that UK protein powders are free of lead?

“No,” Schilling asserts. “Even with stricter supervision, trace levels can still emerge.”

The Danger

As Schilling emphasizes, no level of lead is safe. This is echoed by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and environmental health research in which Schilling was involved.

Toxic heavy metal exposure can have severe consequences on vital organs, including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys; the documented harm is well-established.

For instance, a significant study by a major U.S. company published in The Lancet Public Health tracked blood lead levels in 14,000 adults over a 20-year period. Researchers discovered that individuals with elevated blood lead levels were 37% more likely to die from any cause and 70% more likely to succumb to heart disease compared to those with lower lead levels.

The body retains lead in the calcified tissues of bones and teeth, where it can build up and remain for decades. Source: Getty

Similarly, the WHO estimated in 2019 that excessive lead exposure led to over 300,000 deaths from strokes worldwide. Lead can harm blood vessel linings, resulting in inflammation, plaque accumulation, and high blood pressure. This is why the American Heart Association lists lead as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

One of lead’s most insidious characteristics, apart from the damage it inflicts, is its tendency to persist in the body over extended periods.

“When lead enters the body, it accumulates in bones, teeth, and other tissues,” Schilling explains. “It can remain trapped in the skeleton for 10 to 30 years, gradually re-entering the bloodstream.”

Unfortunately, this coincides with the fact that even minimal lead consumption can result in bodily harm. Even microgram amounts of lead ingested daily are associated with increased risks of heart disease, kidney issues, and high blood pressure.

As noted earlier, the body eliminates lead at a sluggish pace. Therefore, consistent small amounts can accumulate more rapidly than they can be reduced.

Metal Detection

Consumer Reports’ analysis also revealed that the two protein powders containing the highest lead concentrations (up to 6.3 μg and 7.7 μg per serving) were plant-based products.

“There’s a scientific explanation for why some plant-based protein powders exhibited elevated metal levels,” Schilling states.

“Plants like peas, soybeans, and hemp have a tendency to absorb metals from the soil. If lead is present in even small amounts in the soil or irrigation water, the plants will take it up during growth.

“When these plants undergo processing, the metals from the original plants become concentrated in the final protein powder. Thus, the findings by Consumer Reports are plausible. However, their study examined only 23 products, leaving us unaware of the cultivation locations or manufacturing processes of the powders.”

Soy is a vital ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian supplements due to its high protein content. Source: Getty

Humans absorb lead from the environment in a manner similar to plants; unfortunately, industrial lead has been incorporated into paints, fuels, pipes, and other products for decades. Residuals persist and continue to infiltrate our food, water, and air today.

“Lead is persistent in soil, dust, and outdated infrastructure,” Schilling notes. “It can still intrude into our homes, water supplies, and food; its prevalence in the environment makes it nearly impossible to eliminate all exposure.”

In fact, a 2019 FDA study estimated that the average American adult is exposed to as much as 5.3 micrograms of lead daily through dietary sources alone. If you inadvertently include a scoop of high-lead protein powder in this total, you could easily surpass FDA limits without even being aware of it.

Even more troubling, Schilling warns that high lead levels in protein powders have long been recognized in the U.S. “We’ve encountered reports like this repeatedly, and little has changed,” she states. “It’s not merely an issue with a single brand or batch; it represents a systemic contamination and oversight problem.”

So, given all this information, how concerned should you be about lead in your protein shakes and powders?

“Protein powder is just one aspect of the bigger picture,” Schilling concludes. “The essential message is not to panic after just one shake, but to acknowledge that even small amounts of lead from various sources can accumulate, highlighting the necessity for enhanced monitoring to remove lead from the products people regularly use.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Chris McCausland: A Surprising Exploration of How Technology is Transforming Lives for People with Disabilities

Posted on November 22, 2025 by

WThe ash processor has allowed women to engage in exhausting jobs that drain their leisure time. While social media sparked one revolution, it also led to the destabilization of democracies worldwide. Now, with the rise of AI, it appears that screenwriters might be among its primary targets for replacement. It’s easy to succumb to techno-pessimism; however, the new documentary *Seeing into the Future* (Sunday, 23 November, 8 PM, BBC Two) offers a fresh perspective. For individuals with disabilities, tech advancements are already making a significant impact, and this is just the beginning.

Hosted by comedian and *Strictly* champion Chris McCausland, who is visually impaired, the show features surprisingly captivating moments early on, such as how he utilizes his smartphone. Essentially, it serves as his eyes and voice. “What T-shirt is this?” he inquired while holding up the item. “Gray T-shirt with Deftones graphic logo,” his phone declared. It even informs him if his shirt requires ironing. However, McCausland was more curious about the origins of this technology and traveled to the U.S. to explore developments in the homes of tech leaders.

He visited Meta’s facility to test smart glasses. Personally, it felt as if he were either in a lair of a fictional villain or wandering around a castle for treats. This perspective reflects my lack of immediate necessity for such tech, as documentaries aim to unveil possibilities rather than highlight deficiencies. I imagine Mr. Zuckerberg isn’t lurking in a lab with pets or spinning in an egg chair.

I enjoy broadening my viewpoint. Although a button-less glass screen appears to be an exclusive gadget, McCausland acknowledges that his smartphone has turned into the most accessible device he has ever encountered. He expresses excitement about a device he whimsically refers to as Metaspec. This device is always active, offering live video descriptions and identifying what he’s viewing. It functions like a phone but is more like a wearable gadget. “A blind person will never have both hands free,” he remarks.

McCausland and Meta’s Vice President of Accessibility and Engagement Maxine Williams test out smart glasses.
Photo: BBC/Open Mic Productions

At MIT, he learned about nanotechnologies that may enable molecular devices to repair bodily cells. He experimented with a bionic walking aid that attaches to the calf to provide the wearer with additional strength, similar to the knee brace Bruce Wayne wore in *The Dark Knight Rises*. The most significant moment for him was traveling in a self-driving car, marking his first experience of riding alone in a vehicle.

Autonomous vehicles are anticipated to debut in the UK next spring (which feels like a long wait). My instinct is to label them as NOPE. Nevertheless, McCausland noted, “it’s not terribly different from trusting an unfamiliar driver.” These extraordinary cars come equipped with rotating radars that compute data, including the speed of light, to create a 3D model of their surroundings instantly. They might even feature gullwing doors. McCausland appreciated the self-operating handle, which adds a touch of intrigue. Coolness is likely the second best drive an engineer can pursue, the first being ensuring equal access to dignity and independent living. I must clarify that my skepticism doesn’t stem from just a general mistrust of technology; it leads to a mistrust of profit-driven big tech companies in considering public welfare or accountability.

The documentary also offers similar moments of delight, showcasing cultural disparities across the Atlantic. The participants are not merely Americans but the innovative minds of San Francisco. Unintentional comedy is enhanced by McCausland’s dry wit; even while discussing a blood-based computer with a nanotechnologist that could potentially restore eyesight, he seems more inclined to grab a pint at the pub than delve into futuristic devices.

The technology portrayed is distinctly American. “Can you hear the plane?” McCausland urged Zuckerberg to test out the glasses. “Yes, I can see the plane in the clear blue sky,” a serious, bespectacled participant replied. McCausland then exchanged a wry look with his camera crew, quipping, “Do they appear to know what they’re doing?” Judging by their gear, it seems they are indeed professionals. While gadgets become more capable of divine-like capabilities, a layer of skepticism remains, even when wearing Batman’s leg braces.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Surprising Formation Found in the Kuiper Belt of Our Solar System

Posted on November 19, 2025 by

Artist Perspectives on the Kuiper Belt

ESO/M.Kornmesser

Artwork depicting the Kuiper belt — Artist Perspectives on the Kuiper Belt

ESO/M.Kornmesser

The Kuiper Belt, the outer disk of icy rock in our solar system, has been found to exhibit more intricate structure than previously understood. In 2011, researchers unveiled a cluster of objects with similar orbits, referred to as the Kuiper Belt’s “kernel.” Recently, another group has identified an even more tightly groupedset of objects, termed the “inner kernel.”

The original kernel was identified through visual analysis of the orbits of 189 Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). This cluster is positioned roughly 44 astronomical units from the Sun, with one astronomical unit representing the distance between the Sun and Earth. Since the kernel’s discovery, no additional structures in the Kuiper Belt have been found.

That is, until Amir Shirazi and his team at Princeton University undertook the meticulous effort of refining orbital data from 1,650 KBOs. They utilized clustering and structure-searching algorithms to analyze this data. By training the algorithm to identify kernels, they discovered that whenever the algorithm pinpointed a kernel, it also uncovered another grouping, as noted by Siraj.

The newly identified star cluster has been dubbed the Inner Kernel, located at approximately 43 astronomical units from the Sun. Objects within this cluster exhibit highly circular orbits that align almost perfectly with the solar system’s disk.

“Such orbital stability indicates ancient, undisturbed structures. These formations can unravel mysteries regarding the solar system’s evolution, the movement of giant planets, and the environments it encountered during its early history,” Siraj explained.

Understanding how Neptune migrated from the inner solar system, where it is believed to have originated, to its present position could be particularly revealing, according to David Nesvorny, one of the original discoverers of the kernel at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado. Nesvorny suggests that as Neptune migrates outward, the kernels, along with the KBOs forming the Inner Kernel, may have been temporarily stabilized through gravitational interactions with the giant planet, creating the aggregation seen today, before being released as Neptune continues its trajectory.

Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which commenced operations this year, is anticipated to unveil even more KBOs, enhancing our understanding of both the core and the inner core, and potentially revealing undiscovered structures at the solar system’s periphery. “The deeper we delve into the structure of the Kuiper Belt, the more we uncover about the solar system’s history,” Siraj stated.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Surprising Benefits of Some Ultra-Processed Foods

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been labeled as “poison,” “addictive,” and “junk,” sparking justified concerns due to their links with various health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Their rapid rise has transformed the food landscape so drastically that what we consume today would be unrecognizable to even recent generations. From an evolutionary perspective, our bodies certainly aren’t equipped to handle them.

It’s no surprise that UPFs are a primary focus in efforts to tackle diet-related chronic diseases in the UK and US. However, we believe that the prevailing panic surrounding UPFs needs to be replaced with more thoughtful discussions. Not all ultra-processed items, like flavored yogurt or whole grain bread, deserve the same cautionary approach as sweets or sugary cereals. Being ultra-processed doesn’t inherently equate to being unhealthy; our perspective should be informed by previous scientific research.

As people consume more UPFs, their intake of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar tends to rise, while their intake of fiber, protein, and vital micronutrients declines. This trend runs counter to a healthy diet. Kevin’s recent research indicates that UPFs are often overeaten when they are energy-dense (more calories per bite) or particularly palatable (often combining nutrients such as sugars and fats that rarely coexist in nature).

On the other hand, Kevin’s research demonstrates that consuming UPF-rich meals that are energy-dense but less palatable can prevent weight gain. In fact, you could potentially lose weight even without intending to follow such a diet.

These insights hold significant implications, not only for individual choices but also for nutrition policies and regulations. Instead of broadly targeting all UPFs, efforts should concentrate on those that don’t meet healthy food standards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already heading in this direction, having recently introduced a definition of “healthy” food. This approach mirrors the UK’s nutritional profiling system, which emphasizes increasing the consumption of ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while restricting sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. By honing in on UPFs with high-calorie or palatability-inducing combinations of nutrients, we can better tackle products that significantly contribute to obesity and related health concerns.

Addressing these specific foods requires implementing public health policies akin to those used in reducing tobacco usage, such as marketing limitations, compulsory labeling, and robust taxation. Furthermore, we must promote policies that improve the convenience, affordability, and accessibility of healthy foods, while also encouraging companies to reformulate UPFs to be healthier. For instance, envision a pizza made with a frozen whole-wheat crust topped with vegetables.

Some UPFs already align with FDA standards for healthy foods (such as whole grain bread and yogurt), and these items are today free from such regulations. Many people rely on UPF pasta sauces, hummus, frozen meals, canned beans, and bread, which can easily fit into a healthy diet. Therefore, it is crucial to pinpoint which UPFs pose the greatest risk.

While UPFs are not going away anytime soon, their narrative is still evolving. Let’s move past the fear and toward informed coexistence by recognizing how certain UPFs can be detrimental and taking appropriate action.

Co-authored by Julia Belluz and Kevin Hall. Food Intelligence: The science of how food nourishes and harms us.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Surprising Truth About Your Understanding of the Immune System

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

You may have come across the idea that high vitamin C intake can ward off colds, or perhaps TikTok nudged you to try turmeric or other supplements for immune support. The truth is, many of these strong claims and quick fixes are unfounded. There exists a myriad of myths surrounding immunity. Daniel Davis, an immunologist at Imperial College London, addresses these in his new book.

In Self-Defense: A Guide to Busting Myths About Immune Health, Davis aims to debunk these erroneous beliefs. He illustrates how advancements in technology, such as super-resolution microscopy, uncover the astonishing complexity of the immune system, illustrating how immune cells engage with their targets.

However, instead of feeling overwhelmed, he asserts that New Scientist shows us that this complexity can be empowering. It heightens our understanding of the immune system’s role in mental well-being, alerts us to lifestyle factors that might diminish immunity, and enhances our ability to distinguish between factual information and fads.

Helen Thomson: Let’s dive into the notion of “immune health” and the claims that it can be enhanced. That seems like a misleading concept, doesn’t it?

Daniel Davis: Absolutely. Many products claim they can “boost” immunity, but that’s a misleading notion. The immune system is not about simply enhancing your body’s infection-fighting capacity. Aggressive increases can inadvertently attack healthy cells, leading to autoimmune issues and allergies. A measured response is crucial.

So are we aiming to make our immune systems “smarter”?

Conventional discussions about immune health often lack subtlety. Each person’s immune system is wholly unique, shaped by genetics. Thus, when discussing immune health, we can only refer to what has been generally found to be effective: while general improvements may aid people, predicting individual outcomes is challenging.

Recent findings indicate that the immune system doesn’t operate in isolation; it’s influenced by diet, exercise, and the microbiome. Can we pinpoint which lifestyle factors significantly affect immune health?

The most substantial known influence on immune health is chronic stress. Regarding the other factors you mentioned, evidence exists, but causation is hard to prove. However, with stress, emerging molecular insights offer clarity on what occurs.

Which one in particular?

When the body detects a threat, it triggers a fight-or-flight response. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. This prepares the body for action but quiets the immune response. For instance, short-term stress from parachuting only temporarily alters immune cell counts post-landing. However, sustained stress keeps cortisol levels elevated, which over time can undermine immunity, creating long-term challenges.

Orange juice is not the immune booster many believe

Marco Lissoni/Alamy

Our confidence in these findings stems from laboratory observations where elevated cortisol levels reduce the capacity of immune cells to eliminate virus-infected or cancerous cells. Coupled with observed correlations, such as individuals under long-term stress being less responsive to vaccines or more prone to infections, it’s evident that prolonged stress adversely impacts the immune system.

If you’re under stress and have adjusted your lifestyle, can your immunity be measured to see if these changes are effective?

It’s challenging to prove that lifestyle changes significantly mitigate long-term stress. While it’s a plausible assumption, demonstrating it empirically is difficult. Hospitals may track white blood cell counts as indicators of immune health, but given the vast range of immune cell types, simplifying measurements is a complex endeavor.

Experts, including well-known scientists, frequently claim that specific actions can bolster immunity. Should we take their word for it?

Consider orange juice as a prime example. During my upbringing, I believed that it was a cold remedy. However, that belief is misleading. This misconception stems from Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate famous for his work. In 1970, he published a bestseller entitled: Vitamin C and Colds, which inadvertently fueled a vitamin C craze based on selective data and anecdotal evidence, amplified by the media.

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The most clearly proven effect on our immune health is long-term stress.
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Interestingly, high doses of vitamin C do not determine whether you’ll catch a cold. While research shows that such supplementation can shorten the duration of colds by approximately 8%, this finding is tricky to interpret. Those taking high vitamin C might engage in other positive health behaviors that truly account for the shorter duration. Yet, this myth persists, rooted in the influential narratives of key scientists.

This history reminds us to remain cautious about individual anecdotes of success or insight. We need credible experts, but we should maintain a healthy skepticism towards singular opinions. Therefore, relying on established scientific consensus should guide us.

Lately, interest has surged surrounding the links between our immune systems, inflammation, and mental health. It’s a captivating area of research.

The relationship between the immune system and mental health is indeed a thrilling frontier. Initially, a group of individuals taking anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid arthritis reported enhanced mental well-being prior to their physical improvements. These medications inhibit cytokine action, proteins produced by immune cells to facilitate communication.

Moreover, research indicates that individuals with certain mental health conditions exhibit elevated inflammatory markers in their blood. For instance, a study of nine-year-olds revealed that higher IL-6 cytokine levels predicted greater depression rates by age 18.

Animal studies present robust evidence as well. When injected with IL-6, animals demonstrated less exploratory behavior, paralleling signs of mental distress.

Yet, actionable strategies stemming from these insights remain elusive. Standard anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen aren’t effective in treating depression, as several small trials have indicated. The question of whether anti-cytokine treatments can aid those with mental health issues remains unanswered, with current trials yielding inconclusive results.

Gut microbiome is important for a healthy immune system

Simone Alexowski/Science Photo Library

Future research should focus on identifying individuals who may benefit from interventions: Could individuals with particular mental health disorders who exhibit elevated cytokine levels and possibly other yet-undiscovered symptoms find relief through anti-cytokine therapies? While it’s a thought-provoking hypothesis, the journey to actionable solutions is ongoing. Understanding that your mental health may be linked to immune function can itself be empowering, marking a significant area of exploration.

People frequently ask how they can enhance their immunity. What do you tell them?

I have some insights, but they aren’t straightforward. Long-term stress is a concern. Getting adequate sleep is vital. However, individual needs can vary significantly. While I understand the importance of the microbiome, I can’t provide specific advice guaranteed to enhance it. These answers may disappoint, but embracing the complexity of the immune system is crucial. The lessons inherent in studying its intricacies are profound.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Formation of the Moon’s Largest Crater Was Surprising

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Antarctic Aitken Basin (the predominantly blue region in the center of this topographic representation) is an impact feature roughly 2500 kilometers in diameter, covered by smaller craters.

NASA/GSFC/MIT

An in-depth investigation of its morphology reveals that the moon’s oldest and largest crater formed differently than previously believed, altering our understanding of lunar history.

The South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin emerged around 4.3 billion years ago, occurring hundreds of millions of years after the moon’s initial formation. Scientists theorize it was created when a colossal asteroid grazed the moon’s surface, producing a crater thousands of kilometers wide and 12 kilometers deep.

This crater, located on the moon’s far side, displays a substantial accumulation of ancient debris near its northern edge. This debris pattern aligns with what would be expected if an asteroid struck the Earth from a southerly trajectory, below the South Pole.

However, new findings indicate a different scenario. Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna from The University of Arizona and his team discovered that the crater narrows towards the south. Andrews-Hanna noted that this teardrop shape implies the asteroid originated from the north, with the cataclysmic impact occurring from the opposite direction.

Mapping the basin’s shape is challenging due to the erosion of its ancient boundaries from later impacts. “We traced the contours of the Antarctic Aitken Basin using every conceivable method,” states Andrews-Hanna. “Models of topography, gravity, and crustal thickness were employed. We explored various approaches for tracing the basin, but with every method, it consistently tapered to the south.”

The researchers then contrasted its shape to well-studied craters on other celestial bodies, such as Mars’ Hellas and Utopia Craters. This comparison has provided clearer geological evidence on how these craters formed, leading them to conclude that the SPA basin’s shape likely resulted from an asteroid impacting from the north.

This new understanding will significantly affect how the moon’s internal material is distributed, aiding scientists in comprehending the moon’s cooling process from a massive ocean of magma during its formative years. It also suggests that some rocks around the SPA basin’s perimeter originate from the moon’s deep interior, which remains otherwise inaccessible.

This insight will enhance NASA’s forthcoming Artemis III mission, which aims to deploy astronauts to the SPA basin’s edge in search of potential water ice, as highlighted by Mahesh Anand from the Open University, UK. “This will provide opportunities to learn more about the moon’s interior, despite the lack of available samples,” he adds. “It’s a significant advantage.”

Ultimately, however, the true nature of the crater’s formation will only be clarified when samples from the SPA basin are returned to Earth, according to Anand.

Total Solar Eclipse 2027 Cruise: Spain and Morocco

Join us for an incredible adventure aboard the cutting-edge exploration vessel Douglas Mawson to experience the longest total solar eclipse of the century on August 2, 2027.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA’s Asteroid Deflection Experiment Yields Surprising and Mysterious Outcomes

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The NASA DART probe, depicted on the upper right, is on a trajectory to collide with the asteroid Dimorphos, shown on the left.

Steve Gribben/Johns Hopkins APL/NASA/AP/ALAMY

Following the collision of NASA’s spacecraft with an asteroid, its orbit is expected to change gradually next month, leaving astronomers puzzled.

In 2022, the Double Asteroid Redirect Test (DART) sent a nearly 600-kilometer spacecraft towards a small asteroid known as Dimorphos.

Prior to the collision, Dimorphos completed an orbit every 11 hours and 55 minutes. Observations soon indicated that the impact shortened this orbital period by approximately 30 minutes, although in the following weeks and months, the orbital period diminished by an additional 30 seconds.

Astronomers have proposed that this phenomenon might be due to the release of small debris during the impact, which could gradually cause energy loss and result in a reduced orbital path.

Recently, Harrison Agrusa and Camille Chattanette from the University of Côte d’Azur in Nice, France, asserted that debris ejection cannot solely explain the observations.

“The boulders can be flung by Dimorphos, leading to a wider dispersion. This momentum will eventually revert and be transferred back to Dimorphos,” Agrusa explains.

Agrusa theorizes that a more plausible reason for Dimorphos’ shifting trajectory is that its impact affects its rotation in a complex manner, causing rocks on its surface to shift. The friction generated by these rocks could lead to heat production from their collisions. The resultant energy loss as heat might clarify the decrease in the asteroid’s orbital path, although this study has not modeled that aspect.

“When you rearrange materials on a surface, you’re altering the gravitational potential energy of Dimorphos itself,” Agrusa states. “This adjustment could feasibly slow down the orbital period within a month, as this would be a prolonged process.”

This highlights the challenges in predicting how asteroid orbits will alter post-impact, yet according to Agrusa, this phenomenon is less concerning when deflecting an asteroid heading towards Earth. This is because binary asteroid systems like Didymos and Dimorphos are quite uncommon, making it unlikely that similar effects will occur for a solitary asteroid orbiting the Sun.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Do Some Gamers Reverse Their Controls? Scientists Reveal Surprising Insights | Games

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

fA few years ago, just before the first Covid lockdown, I wrote an article exploring a rather niche query. Most gamers press down on the controller, gazing at the characters on their screens as they look up. However, controlling avatars like pilots represents a significant minority who handle their characters as if they were piloting, returning to control the plane and ascend. In many modern games, this necessitates diving into settings to adjust the default controls. Why has this practice persisted?

I figured some hardcore gamers might find this topic intriguing. To my surprise, the article resonated with over a million readers, drawing the attention of Dr. Jennifer Corbett (cited in the original piece) and Dr. Jap Munneke.

At that time, the two were investigating vision science and cognitive neuroscience, but the lockdown meant they could no longer conduct lab experiments with volunteers. The issue of controller inversion presented an ideal chance to analyze the neuroscience behind human-computer interactions using remote participants. They reached out to gamers who contributed insights into the motivations behind their controller preferences, garnering hundreds of responses.

Microsoft Flight Simulator… Many believed that being a pilot would affect control retention. Photo: Microsoft

Interestingly, it wasn’t just gamers who were engaged. “Machinists, equipment operators, pilots, designers, and surgeons — individuals from diverse fields reached out,” Corbett noted. “The variety of responses signaled a wealth of scientific literature to examine for structuring optimal research. The feedback from readers prompted us to refine how users customize their controllers.”

This month, the duo released their findings in a paper titled “Why Axis Inversion? Optimizing the Interaction Between Users, Interfaces and Visual Displays in a 3D Environment.” Why do some people choose to invert their controls? It’s a complex issue.

The study commenced with participants completing a survey detailing their background and gaming experiences. “Numerous individuals indicated that their preference for flipping controls stemmed from their early experiences with flight simulators or the first console games they played,” Corbett explained. “Many reported changing their preferences over time, prompting us to include an entirely new section in our research based on this input.”

Mental rotation… Subjects engaging in the controller inversion study. Photo: Jen Corbett

However, Corbett and Munneke, currently based at MIT, were convinced that critical cognitive aspects of inversion could only be assessed through behavioral reactions. They developed a sequence of four experiments, in which participants were monitored via Zoom. Corbett elaborated, “They had to mentally rotate random shapes, adopt the perspective of the ‘avatar’ in the scenario, judge the tilt of an object against a differing background, and navigate the typical ‘Simon effect’ when responding to targets while using a machine. These varied tasks clarified whether an individual tends to invert.”

The outcomes of the cognitive evaluations revealed that many assumptions surrounding controller preferences were indeed incorrect. “There was no discernible reason provided by participants [for inverting controls],” Corbett stated. “It was linked to their actual inversion habits. The quicker participants were, the less inclined they were to invert. Conversely, those who identified as occasional invertors were significantly slower in these tasks.” Does this imply that non-inverters excel at gaming?

In essence, gamers believe they are inverters or non-inverters based on their initial exposure to game controls. Many flight simulators from the 1980s may have conditioned players to instinctively turn themselves around. Conversely, gamers raised in the 2000s might assume they are inherently non-inverted, given that non-reverse controls became the norm. Yet cognitive testing suggests otherwise. Depending on how your brain perceives 3D objects, you may be predisposed to either invert or not.

Consequently, Corbett suggests that trying out a controller configuration you’re not accustomed to might enhance your gaming skills. “Non-inverters should experiment with inverting. Inverters should consider giving non-inversion a fair shot,” she suggests. “You might want to commit to it for a few hours. People have learned one way, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t excel with the alternative. A parallel can be drawn with left-handed children who are compelled to write with their right hand, potentially leading to long-term handwriting difficulties and learning challenges.”

Through their research, Corbett and Munneke established that complex, often subconscious cognitive processes govern how individuals utilize controllers, affecting not just gaming hardware but also human-computer interfaces across various fields, from aviation to surgical technology. They crafted a framework for assessing how to optimally tailor controls for individuals, now detailed in their published research.

Learning curves… Corbett and Munneke’s research can also influence surgical practices. Photo: Oksana Krasiuk/Alamy

“This research has significant potential for optimizing inverted settings to enhance human-machine collaboration,” Corbett stated. “Many technologies blend human capabilities with AI and various machines to amplify performance. It allows individuals to tailor a specific configuration for tasks—whether aiming for a target or avoiding a mistake—such as in laparoscopic surgery.”

What began as a casual, almost nerdy inquiry has evolved into a published cognitive research document. One scientific publication has already referenced it, and interview requests have surged from podcasts and YouTube channels. What’s my takeaway? “The most remarkable discoveries for gamers [who don’t invert],” Corbett remarked:

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hot Glue Gun: A Surprising Solution for Repairing Broken Bones

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Broken bones often need a material to fill the void

Sopone Nawoot/Alamy

Researchers have discovered that with slight modifications, hot glue guns, typically used in crafting, can effectively and affordably mend damaged bones.

While bones can often heal themselves after minor injuries, serious trauma or tumor removal may leave cavities that require a synthetic plug to stimulate bone cell growth.

Although 3D printing can create tailored scaffolding to fill these gaps, the method necessitates scanning and remote fabrication, taking at least a week. While this pre-planned approach works for worn joints, it’s unfeasible for emergency surgeries.

To tackle this issue, John Seung Lee from Sungkyunkwan University in Korea and his team have created a solution that can be employed immediately during a single procedure.

They modified hot glue guns to lower their operating temperature from above 100°C to approximately 60°C and developed biological adhesive materials composed of hydroxyapatite (which makes up 50% of natural bone) and a biodegradable thermoplastic known as polycaprolactone.

During surgery, surgeons can utilize hot glue guns to rapidly fill bone voids, enabling bone cells to access these gaps and ultimately heal the injuries permanently over time.

“It’s essentially created from a standard hot glue gun,” Lee explains. “It significantly reduces time and costs.”

Lee and his colleagues assessed the glue gun’s effectiveness by repairing a 1 cm gap in a rabbit’s femur. Twelve weeks later, samples showed no complications or signs of separation between the adhesive and the bone, with bone mass being more than double that of control animals treated with traditional cement.

Furthermore, researchers found that two antibacterial agents can be integrated into the filaments to decrease infection risk, releasing the drugs gradually to the surgical site over several weeks.

Benjamin Olivere from the University of Nottingham in the UK is investigating 3D-printed scaffolds for bone repair but expresses skepticism, suggesting hot glue guns might become a more practical alternative compared to slower scanning and printing methods.

“Is it an intriguing idea? Absolutely. Is it feasible? Yes. Do I believe it’s plausible? Yes,” he states. “However, the practical application may be a different matter.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Discover Frost in a Martian Volcano – A Surprising Find!

Posted on July 31, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Water is crucial for life, which is why researchers prioritize finding water sources when exploring other planets. Mars is of particular interest to astrobiologists due to evidence of historical water presence. The current surface of Mars is cold and arid, prompting scientists to investigate what happened to that past water. Studies have indicated that Mars has an active water cycle that produces clouds of water ice, but the existence of water on its surface remains unclear.

Recently, an international team of researchers employed high-resolution imaging and spectral photoanalysis to look for frost on Mars’ volcanoes. They analyzed around 4,200 images obtained using a technology known as color and stereo surface imaging technology from Cassis. This technology utilizes satellite imagery of Mars from the European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter. The researchers explained that they identified frost by searching for the blue wavelengths in blackcurrant data, as frozen surfaces reflect more brightly at these blue wavelengths of spectral light.

Through their analyses, the team located 13 frost regions across four volcanoes, including Olympus Mons, Seranius Solas, Ascleus, and Arciamontes. They observed images taken over a 12-hour period and noted that high frost concentrations appeared early in the morning on the edges and craters of Olympus Mons. In one crater alone, frost covered an area of about 4,500 km or 3,000 miles, akin to the size of Philadelphia. The researchers estimated that these frost deposits were quite thin, measuring around 10 microns thick, which is roughly one-tenth the width of a human hair.

Next, the team sought to determine if the frost was composed of water or carbon dioxide. Given that Mars’ atmosphere is predominantly carbon dioxide, it is possible for carbon dioxide to freeze. Similar to Earth, Mars has ice in its polar regions; the Martian polar ice caps consist primarily of carbon dioxide, with minor amounts of water. Thus, they theorized that the volcanic frosts could also contain frozen carbon dioxide.

The research team utilized Mars weather research and prediction models to calculate the surface temperature of a volcano over a 24-hour period. They determined that the minimum temperature was -190°F or approximately -120°C, which is too warm for carbon dioxide frost to form, as it typically requires surface temperatures below -200°F or -130°C. However, they proposed that these volcanic frost deposits are likely made of water, as they were found at -140°F or -95°C in the Martian atmosphere.

The researchers highlighted that these Martian volcanoes are among the tallest highland volcanoes in the solar system and located within the equatorial region of Mars. It’s generally not expected that water ice would form in equatorial volcanoes since the slopes and sides tend to be too warm for frost condensation. However, their climate model indicated that the unique topography of these volcanic craters created local weather patterns conducive to frost formation.

Finally, the team carried out further observations and climate model simulations of Olympus and Arciamontes to ascertain whether this frost can form solely during the day or throughout the night. They found that frost accumulated in both volcanoes during the early mornings of winter and spring but not in summer, indicating a seasonal pattern that might reflect variations in Martian temperatures.

The researchers concluded that Mars’ volcanoes produce about 150,000 tonnes, or 150,000,000 kilograms, of water frost daily. They suggested that this frost formation is likely influenced by seasonal atmospheric phenomena such as wind patterns and pressure changes. Studying these processes could help scientists determine the potential for life on Mars; nevertheless, they noted that additional research is needed to rule out direct volcanic water sources.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Applying Limestone on the Farm Could Lead to Surprising Environmental Benefits

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Farmers apply lime to pastures to enhance soil quality

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The centuries-old method of distributing crushed limestone on farmland can enhance crop yields by lowering soil acidity. While this practice is typically viewed as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, recent studies indicate that “liming” might actually assist in sequestering substantial amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“Liming can either act as a carbon source or as a carbon sink. Empirical evidence suggests it serves as a fairly effective carbon sink,” says Noah Pranabsky from Yale University. This revelation could motivate the global spread of limestone on farms, although liming does not produce this effect universally.

Each year, millions of tons of crushed limestone spread across fields are classified as emission sources. This classification arises because when alkaline materials dissolve in acidic soils, a significant portion of its carbon is released as CO2. However, this assessment is not entirely accurate. According to Tim Jesper Souhoff, also from Yale, the situation is more complex.

Today’s soils are highly acidic, resulting from extensive fertilizer use and pollution from fossil fuel combustion. Consequently, various other alkaline minerals in the soil dissolve and liberate carbon, even in the absence of limestone. “These CO2 emissions will happen regardless of whether lime is added or not,” Suhrhoff explains, emphasizing that this alteration of acidity can lead to unintentional consequences.

Suhrhoff advocates for a more accurate evaluation of emissions from this practice, suggesting that scientists should analyze CO2 emitted versus captured in scenarios both with and without liming.

As an illustration of this method, Suhrhoff, Planavsky, and their team focused on the Mississippi River basin, a region that gathers runoff from the majority of U.S. farmland. They calculated the net carbon impact of limestone applications from 1900 to 2015 across the area.

The researchers estimated emissions from the soil while utilizing geochemical models to assess how liming alters soil acidity. They also compared their model results with direct observations of alkalinity in the Mississippi, where limestone reacts with carbon dioxide.

By employing their innovative approach, the researchers determined that they had sequestered around 300 million tonnes of CO2 in the region, rather than enabling the release of hundreds of millions of tonnes of emissions. Souhoff presented these findings at the Goldschmidt Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic, on July 10th.

This practice can also be coupled with the increased use of crushed volcanic rocks on farmland to sequester even more CO2 from the atmosphere.

Wolfram Buss from the Australian National University suggests that while liming can act as a carbon sink, the success seen in the Mississippi River Basin may not apply universally. “There is a potential risk with lime application, which could result in net CO2 emissions in other systems, primarily due to the significant acidification of agricultural soils,” he warns.

The subsequent step is to determine where liming is most essential. “This presents the opportunity for us to foster improved crop yields, potentially leading to billions of tons of CO2 removal,” Planavsky remarks. Financial incentives can significantly aid low-income farmers who are unable to afford the optimal amount of lime needed for their crops.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exercise Science: Surprising Advantages of Isometric Exercise

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“Isometric movements like planks can help alleviate pain.”

Sutulastock/Shutterstock

Brunette woman performing isometric exercise with a pink exercise mat. ShutterStock ID 2490925757. — “Isometric movements like planks can help alleviate pain.”

Sutulastock/Shutterstock

In my previous article, I discussed how isometric exercises, which involve holding muscles in a fixed position, can effectively lower blood pressure. Since then, I’ve started integrating them into my workouts. This leads me to ask: Do these exercises provide additional benefits?

The answer is yes—and some benefits were surprising. Isometric exercises, such as planks (as shown) and wall squats, can alleviate pain, prevent injuries, and significantly enhance fitness in an efficient manner. In fact, most individuals will likely gain from incorporating these into their workout regimes.

One of the most notable advantages of isometric exercises is their ability to build strength with minimal movement, making them less physically demanding compared to more dynamic workouts. They are indeed effective: a review revealed that isometric training over 42-100 days could boost muscle strength by as much as 92%.

These strength gains can be highly targeted. Athletes frequently employ isometric exercises to strengthen the challenging aspects of their movements, like the lowest point in a squat. This focused training may enhance overall performance, as researchers have discovered that isometric training could surpass jump-based training in terms of durability.

Moreover, these exercises are gentle on the body, making them easy to include at the beginning or end of a standard workout, providing extra benefits. They serve as excellent warm-ups and research has shown they can reduce muscle soreness post-exercise without hindering running performance. This contrasts with static stretching, which doesn’t alleviate muscle pain and can actually decrease performance.

Incorporating some isometric movements into your warm-up routine can also help in preventing injuries. Slow, controlled training that targets less active stages during workouts is commonly used to guard against hamstring injuries in soccer players; however, isometric exercise is found to be more effective, according to a study.

While the exact mechanism remains unclear, it appears that isometric exercises can activate the signaling pathways between nerves and muscles, enhancing muscle responsiveness during workouts. This could help in correcting muscle imbalances, which are often a source of injuries.

These advantages are not limited to athletes. A review published this year demonstrated that isometric training significantly reduces pain and strengthens muscles in individuals with osteoarthritis. Because they are low-impact, these exercises are perfect for beginners and those with limited mobility due to injuries.

Considering their myriad benefits, isometric exercises have become a consistent part of my training routine. Furthermore, because they require no equipment and minimal space, I can perform them almost anywhere at any time.

Grace Wade is a health reporter for New Scientist, based in the US.

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Source: www.newscientist.com