Tag Archives: Unidentified

Lava Tubes Hold Secrets of Unidentified ‘Microbial Dark Matter’ – Sciworthy

Posted on by
Reply

Mars’ surface is not currently conducive to human life. It presents extreme challenges, including a tenuous atmosphere, freezing temperatures, and heightened radiation levels. While Earth’s extremophiles can tackle some obstacles, they can’t handle them all simultaneously. If Martian life exists, how do these microbes manage to survive in such an environment?

The answer might lie within caves. Many researchers believe that ancient lava tubes on Mars formed billions of years ago when the planet was warmer and had liquid water. Caves serve as shelters against radiation and severe temperatures found on the Martian surface. They also host the nutrients and minerals necessary for sustaining life. Although scientists cannot yet explore Martian caves directly, they are examining analogous sites on Earth to establish parameters for searching for life on Mars.

A research team, led by C.B. Fishman from Georgetown University, investigated the microorganisms inhabiting the lava tubes of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, to learn about their survival mechanisms. Thanks to careful conservation efforts by Native Hawaiians, these lava tubes remain undisturbed by human activity. Researchers believe that both the rock structures in Mauna Loa Cave and the minerals formed from sulfur-rich gases bear similarities to Martian cave formations.

The team analyzed five samples from well-lit areas near the cave entrance, two from dimly lit zones with natural openings known as skylights, and five from the cave’s darkest recesses. Samples were chosen based on rock characteristics, including secondary minerals like calcite and gypsum, and primary iron-bearing minerals such as olivine and hematite.

Findings revealed significant variation in mineralogy within the cave, even over small distances. The bright samples were predominantly gypsum, while the dark samples lacked these key minerals. Instead, one dark sample was rich in iron-bearing minerals, while another contained mainly calcite, gypsum, and thenardite.

To identify the microorganisms within the samples, the team employed the 16S rRNA gene to recognize known microbes and understand their relationships. They also reconstructed complete genomes from cave samples using a method called metagenomic analysis. This technique is akin to following instructions to assemble various models from mixed DNA fragments. Such insights help researchers grasp how both known and unknown microorganisms thrive in their respective environments.

The team discovered that approximately 15% of the microbial genomes were unique to specific locations, with about 57% appearing in less than a quarter of the samples. Furthermore, microbial communities in dark regions exhibited less diversity and were more specialized compared to those in well-lit areas. While dark sites were not as varied as bright ones, each supported its own distinct microbial community.

To explain this difference, the researchers proposed that dark microbes have limited survival strategies since photosynthesis is impossible without light. Instead, these microbes extract chemical energy from rocks and decaying organic matter, much like how humans derive energy from breaking down food.

The findings from metagenomic data indicated that even though sulfur minerals were abundant, very few microorganisms specialized in sulfur consumption were present. This aligns with expectations in oxygen-rich environments, as oxygen tends to react with sulfur, making it unavailable to microorganisms. The researchers suggested that sulfur-metabolizing microbes may be more commonly found in low-oxygen environments, such as Mars.

Additionally, the study revealed that a majority of the microorganisms found in these caves were previously undescribed by science, contributing to what is referred to as microbial dark matter. The existence of such unknown microorganisms hints at novel survival strategies.

The research team concluded that lava tube caves could be a crucial source of new microorganisms, aiding astrobiologists in their quest to understand potential life forms on Mars. They recommended that future investigations into Martian caves should focus on detecting small-scale microbes in various mineral contexts. Over time, the interplay between cave conditions and Martian microorganisms may be unveiled as Mars becomes less habitable.


Post views: 76

Source: sciworthy.com

Denisovans Might Have Mated with an Unidentified Ancient Human Species

Posted on by
Reply

Depiction of a teenage girl with a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father

John Bavaro Fine Art/Science Photo Library

This marks the second occasion researchers have successfully retrieved the complete genome of Denisovans, an ancient human lineage that inhabited Asia. The DNA was sourced from a tooth estimated to be 200,000 years old, discovered in a Siberian cave.

The genome indicates that there were at least three distinct groups of Denisovans, each with unique histories. It also suggests that early Denisovans intermixed with an unidentified ancient human group as well as a previously unknown Neanderthal population.

“This research is groundbreaking,” asserts David Reich from Harvard University.

“This study significantly broadened my perspective on the Denisovan ecosystem,” states Samantha Brown from the National Center for Human Evolution Research in Spain.

Denisovans were first described solely via their DNA. Finger bones retrieved from Denisova Cave in Siberia exhibited DNA distinct from both modern humans and Neanderthals found in western Eurasia. Genomic analysis indicates Denisovans mated with modern humans, with populations in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, carrying Denisovan DNA.

Since their initial discovery in 2010, researchers have found that: a small number of Denisovans also originated from East Asia. In June, a skull unearthed in Harbin, China, was confirmed as Denisovan through molecular evidence, providing the first insight into their physical appearance. However, despite DNA fragments being recovered from various specimens, only the original specimen yielded a high-quality genome.

Researchers led by Stéphane Pèregne from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has introduced an additional researcher. (Pèregne declined to comment as the study is pending peer review.)

In 2020, a team of researchers discovered a male Denisovan molar tooth and sequenced its entire genome from the preserved DNA.

The researchers estimated this individual lived around 205,000 years ago, judging by the number of genetic mutations and comparing them with other ancient human genomes. This timeframe aligns with findings that the deposits containing the teeth are dated between 170,000 to 200,000 years old. In contrast, the other high-quality genome belongs to Denisovans who lived between 55,000 and 75,000 years ago, revealing an earlier chapter in Denisovan history.

The researchers suggest that at least three distinct Denisovan populations likely existed, based on comparisons from various Denisovan cave sites. The oldest group comprised the individuals whose teeth were analyzed. Many millennia later, a second group supplanted this earlier population in Denisova Cave.

“Comprehending how early Denisovans were supplanted by subsequent groups underscores pivotal events in human history,” says Qiao Meifu from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in China.

A third group, absent from the cave, still interbred with modern humans as suggested by genetic testing. Thus, all Denisovan DNA present in modern humans derives from a Denisovan group about which little is known.

The new genome illuminates the fact that Denisovans mated repeatedly with Neanderthals, who resided in and around the Denisovan Cave. Notably, this genome also contained traces of Neanderthals who lived between 7,000 and 13,000 years prior to Denisovan individuals. These traces do not align with any known Neanderthal genomes, indicating that the Denisovans interbred with a Neanderthal group yet to be sequenced.

Moreover, it’s probable that Denisovans also mated with an as-yet unidentified ancient human group that evolved independently of both Denisovans and modern humans for hundreds of thousands of years. One possibility is Homo erectus, the earliest known human species to migrate out of Africa and inhabit regions as far as Java, Indonesia. However, no DNA has been retrieved to confirm this.”H. erectus, so certainty remains elusive.

“It’s endlessly fascinating to uncover these new populations,” Brown remarked.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The mystery of the unidentified drone soaring over America

Posted on by
Reply

Unidentified drone flies over US military facility

US Navy/Ensign Drew Barbis

A mysterious drone has been flying over New Jersey and neighboring states for a month. they were discovered some us military facility. They are filmed on video from the top of residential and apartment buildings. A swarm was seen chasing a U.S. Coast Guard rescue vessel at the same time New Jersey State Police reported 50 drones arrived on land from the sea. But no one seems to know who's behind the wheel or whether it's an organized effort.

The case has attracted the attention of state governors, legislators and even members of the U.S. Congress, and the FBI has launched an investigation. investigationis asking the public to report sightings.

Witnesses say the drones are as noisy as lawnmowers, some are the size of a small car, and are much louder than the typical quadcopter and multicopter drones that anyone can buy. “These are not necessarily just hobbyist small unmanned aircraft systems that you can buy for $2,000,” he says. Daniel Gerstein at the RAND Corporation, a think tank in California. “These feel like they have longer range and are more sophisticated than what you can get at a hobby shop.”

Blurry nighttime videos are popping up all over social media sharing drone sightings in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, including videos of drones in the sky. It is. Verrazzano Narrows Bridge in New York City. Federal Aviation Administration Drone flight restrictions issued following reports of drone activity over both the Trump National Golf Club and the Picatinny Arsenal military base in New Jersey. This sighting coincides with other drone swarms that have recently appeared near British military bases where US Air Force squadrons operate.

On December 10th, the House Homeland Security Committee held a meeting. hearing He met with officials from the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Justice about the drone threat. Officials said recent sightings may include a mix of rotary-wing and fixed-wing drones, but they aren't sure what the drones are doing or who is piloting them. Little information was available. However, he said drones are not yet a serious threat. Separately Briefing session According to information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the agency told lawmakers some sightings may have mistaken the aircraft for a drone.

Mayor Ryan Hurd, from New Jersey, said: said ABC News Live Officials said they confirmed that these were not U.S. military drones and were not operated by a U.S. tech company.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Defense Secretary Vernon Coker told parliament last month that authorities: Under investigation Since November 20th, multiple drone intrusions have occurred near several military bases in the UK. These bases support U.S. Air Force squadrons that fly fighters, bombers, and support aircraft.

“The common theme in all of these incidents is that no one has completely cracked the code on how to spot, track, and, if necessary, shoot down small drones,” he said. arthur holland michelJournalist and author who writes about drones. “The second common theme is that the challenge of countering a drone is through the roof when the person operating the drone is actively trying to avoid being identified.”

Although drones can be tracked with radar and other sensors, “it is still not practical to cover every corner of the country with detection and tracking systems,” and officials say “most of our country's airspace does not allow drones at all.” Michel says that they are often “unrecognizable.” “Typically, by the time a citizen spots a drone and reports it or photographs it with a cell phone, it is too late.” [to take early action]” he says.

Gerstein said there is uncertainty about who has the primary authority and responsibility to take action against these drones, between local law enforcement and state and federal agencies. Even if they are resolved, finding the best way to deal with them is not easy.

Either directly shoot down the drone using missiles, lasers, bullets, or even other drones, or take control of the suspicious drone and use electronic warfare signals to force it to land, Gerstein said. There are many countermeasures against drones. Such techniques have been commonly used during the drone-heavy war in Ukraine, while U.S. Navy warships and other naval vessels shot down dozens of drones threatening shipping in the Red Sea region.

“When shooting down a drone, the most effective method is often the most dangerous,” Michel said. “There is no way law enforcement could fire a sophisticated projectile into the air or activate a military signal jammer every time a drone is spotted flying overhead.” [New Jersey]”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Research shows that the majority of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) sightings occur in the western United States.

Posted on by
Reply

Sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), formerly known as unidentified flying objects (UFOs), have been reported throughout history. There is growing interest in understanding what these sighting reports mean, given the potential security and safety risks they pose, as well as scientific curiosity. Scientists at the University of Utah and the U.S. Department of Defense see this problem as a key question of human experience and can be examined through a geographic lens: what local factors might increase or decrease the number of reported sightings. I wondered if there was a gender. They used data from the National UFO Research Center and included a total of 98,000 sighting reports over a 20-year period from 2001 to 2020. For each county in the continental United States, they analyzed his two conditions. Light pollution, cloud cover, and canopy cover. And the possibility of an object in the sky, which means near an airport or military installation. Most of the sightings took place in the western United States due to the physical geography of the area: wide open spaces and dark skies.

UAP from declassified video taken by a US Navy aircraft. Image credit: U.S. Navy.

“The idea is that if you have a chance to see something, you're likely to see an unexplained phenomenon in the sky,” said Dr. Richard Medina, a geographer at the University of Utah.

“There's more technology in the sky than ever before, so the question is: what are people actually seeing?”

“This is a difficult question to answer, but an important one because any uncertainty could be a potential threat to national security.”

“Understanding the environmental context of these sightings will help us find explanations for their occurrence and help identify truly anomalous objects that are legitimate threats.”

Dr. Medina and his colleagues looked at the number of sightings per 10,000 people per county and identified significant clusters of low numbers (cold spots) and high numbers of reports (hot spots).

Far more sightings have been reported in the west, northeast, and some isolated areas. Cold spots were in the Central Plains and Southeast.

All results except cloud cover support the general hypothesis that people will see things if they have the chance.

“We have historical ties to the UAP in the West, with military operations at Area 51 in Nevada, Roswell in New Mexico, and here in Utah at the Skinwalker Ranch in the Uinta Basin and the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground.” Dr. Medina said.

“Additionally, we have a strong outdoor community that recreates on public lands year-round. People get outside and look at the sky.”

NUFORC reported sightings for the spatial distribution of the continental United States from 2001 to 2020. Image courtesy of Medina other., doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-49527-x.

In July 2022, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, directed the establishment of the All Area Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as a single authoritative UAP agency to lead and synchronize a whole-of-government approach. problem.

Previous UAP tracking efforts include the project blue booka U.S. Air Force-led project that investigated UFO sightings from 1947 to 1969.

blue bookThe most famous account is the Roswell, New Mexico incident, which claimed that a flying saucer crashed into a desert town on July 8, 1947, and the alien occupants were recovered by government agents.

Many Roswell residents witnessed this mysterious event, which may have led to a surge in flying saucer sightings that swept the United States.

Silence from government officials led to wild speculation and subsequent cover-up regarding the otherworldly visitors.

The US Air Force later revealed that the incident was caused by a secret multi-balloon project to detect Soviet nuclear tests.

Many UAP sightings have natural explanations. For example, the planet Venus is the usual culprit.

We've seen an increase in UAP reports in recent years, likely related to the rapid increase in spacecraft launches and orbiting satellites, including the Starlink satellite train and the proliferation of personal drones across the night sky. It is considered. The challenge is to parse which reports indicate the real threat.

The authors investigate whether there are temporal considerations for variation in sightings based on sociocultural factors.

For example, were there more reports after the Congressional hearings in July 2023 or after the SpaceX launch?

They are also investigating whether sociocultural factors influence UAP sightings. Whether there is a spike in reports after shows like: X files Will it become popular? Are some cultures more likely to see UAPs because of their beliefs?

“The U.S. government, military, intelligence community, and civilian agencies need to understand what is in their operational domain to ensure the safety and security of our nation and its people,” said Physicist Sean, AARO's first director.・Kirkpatrick said. University of Georgia.

“In this age of ubiquitous sensors and data availability, the unknown is unacceptable. The scientific community has a responsibility to investigate and educate.”

team's paper It was published in the magazine scientific report.

_____

RM Medina other. 2023. Environmental analysis of the likelihood of public UAP sightings and sky views. science officer 13, 22213; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-49527-x

Source: www.sci.news