Shorebirds serve as important indicators of coastal and wetland ecosystems, and their widespread distribution highlights their ecological significance. Although wading shorebirds are infrequently found in the fossil record, a remarkable collection of shorebird fossils has emerged from Pleistocene deposits at the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site in South Australia. Recent studies on these fossils provide insights into the evolution of wetland environments, revealing that flourishing habitats vanished with climate shifts as far back as 60,000 years ago. The research links a drying phase around 17,000 years ago to the decline of many of the nine or more shorebird species discovered in one of the Naracoorte Caves.
Red knot (Calidris canutus), near Grinet, Brittany, France. Image credit: Stephan Sprinz / CC BY 4.0.
“Shorebirds are rare in the fossil record, making the discovery of numerous shorebird fossils in Blanche Cave surprising,” stated PhD candidate Karl Lenser from Flinders University.
“This finding suggests that wetlands and tidal flats—vital feeding grounds for plovers, sandpipers, and other shorebirds—were more prevalent during the last Ice Age.”
Currently, climate change and habitat loss are contributing to the decline of Australia’s shorebird populations.
Gaining insights into how these species adapted to historical climate changes may be essential for forecasting their future.
Lenser and his team were particularly intrigued by the remains of the Plains Wanderer, an endangered bird found mostly in Victoria and New South Wales, which was among the most common fossils identified in this study.
Out of approximately 300 examined bones, more than half were identified as those of Plains Wanderers.
“Today’s Plains Wanderers are selective about their habitats; however, other fossils from Naracoorte indicate that the area once featured wooded environments—starkly different from the treeless grassland they inhabit today,” Lenser explained.
Naracoorte represents the only fossil site in Australia with such a substantial population of Plains Wanderers, indicating a significant decline in their numbers over the last 14,000 years due to habitat restriction.
Dr. Trevor Worthy from Flinders University highlighted the uniqueness of this sandpiper fossil sample, noting its representation of migratory species that travel from the Northern Hemisphere to spend winters in Australia.
“This includes three species from the Calidris genus and the Latham Sandpiper (Galinago hardwickii),” he added.
“Fossil assemblages also include blue-bellied plovers that migrate from Australia to New Zealand for breeding.”
“Fossil evidence shows that two young birds flew approximately 2,000 km from New Zealand and were captured by owls near Blanche Cave in Naracoorte,” Dr. Worthy explained.
“There remains much to uncover about Australia’s bird species from the last Ice Age, and fossils from sites like Naracoorte are crucial for filling in these knowledge gaps,” Lenser noted.
“Naracoorte Caves holds a 500,000-year record of biodiversity in Southeast South Australia,” stated Dr. Liz Reid from the University of Adelaide.
“As this study clearly demonstrates, caves offer a glimpse into pre-European landscapes, providing valuable information for the conservation of endangered species today.”
Visitors to Naracoorte Caves can explore the excavation site and delve into the science behind South Australia’s only World Heritage Site.
Findings have been published in the online journal Old Trogia Electronica about the study.
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Karl M. Lenser et al. 2026. Fossil shorebirds (order: Charadriidae) revealing a Pleistocene wetland trend at Naracoorte Caves, South Australia. Old Trogia Electronica 29 (1): a2; doi: 10.26879/1608
Astronomers unveiled a remarkable giant galaxy cluster known as RM J130558.9+263048.4 on December 31, 2020. Due to its bubble-like appearance and superheated gas, they aptly named it the Champagne Cluster. The stunning new composite image of this galaxy cluster features X-ray data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory combined with optical information from the Legacy Survey.
The Champagne Cluster appears as a luminous array of galaxies amidst a vibrant neon purple cloud. The cluster reveals over 100 galaxies split into two groups, with notable variations among them. Foreground stars display diffraction spikes surrounded by a subtle haze. Many small galaxies showcase blue, orange, or red tones and exhibit varied shapes. This indicates a multifaceted nature, while the central purple gas cloud emitted by Chandra signals a high-temperature region, indicative of two colliding clusters. Image credit: NASA / CXC / UCDavis / Bouhrik others. / Legacy Survey / DECaLS / BASS / MzLS / SAO / P. Edmonds / L. Frattare.
Recent research led by astronomer Faik Bourik from the University of California, Davis, utilized instruments from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA’s XMM Newton Observatory to investigate the Champagne Cluster.
The team also analyzed data from the DEIMOS multi-object spectrometer located at the W. M. Keck Observatory.
“Our new composite image indicates that the Champagne Galaxy Cluster consists of two galaxy clusters merging to form a larger cluster,” the astronomers stated.
“In typical observations, multimillion-degree gas is roughly circular, but in the Champagne Cluster, it spans from top to bottom, highlighting the collision of two clusters.”
“Distinct clusters of individual galaxies are prominently visible above and below the center,” they added.
“Remarkably, the mass of this hot gas exceeds that of all 100 or more individual galaxies within the newly formed cluster.”
“This cluster is also abundant in invisible dark matter, a mysterious substance that pervades the universe.”
The Champagne Cluster is part of a rare category of merging galaxy clusters, akin to the well-known Bullet Cluster, where the hot gas from each cluster collides, slows, and creates a clear separation from the heaviest galaxies.
By comparing this data with computer simulations, researchers propose two potential histories for the Champagne Cluster.
One theory suggests that the two star clusters collided over 2 billion years ago, followed by an outward movement due to gravity, leading them to a subsequent collision.
Alternatively, another link posits a single collision about 400 million years ago, after which the clusters have begun moving apart.
“Further studies on the Champagne Cluster could illuminate how dark matter reacts during high-velocity collisions,” the scientists concluded.
For more insights, refer to their published paper in July 2025, featured in the Astrophysical Journal.
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Faik Bourik others. 2025. New dissociated galaxy cluster merger: discovery and multiwavelength analysis of the Champagne Cluster. APJ 988, 166;doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ade67c
Inside a drawstring bag, you’ll find equipment like bug nets, tweezers, and small plastic vials. This may seem unusual for a photographer, but for Michael Benson, it’s just part of his routine. He dedicated over six years to gathering specimens for his latest publication, Nanocosmos: A Journey Through Electronic Space, a collection showcasing the microscopic realm in exquisite detail.
“I’m fascinated by the boundary between known and unknown territories—an area often linked to science,” he shares. “However, I approach it as an artist, not a scientist.”
That didn’t deter Benson from utilizing tools typically reserved for physicists and biologists. He produced all images for Nanocosmos using a formidable scanning electron microscope (SEM). This advanced technique employs a highly focused electron beam to intricately map surface contours. The resulting images portray submillimeter objects with such clarity that they appear almost extraterrestrial.
Take, for instance, the Acilidae musbifolia (as seen in the main image) alongside a flowering plant in Alberta, Canada. Even together, they span only slightly more than 1 cm. But with SEM technology, we can observe nearly every hair on the fly’s body, each claw on its legs, and even some of the countless individual receptors forming its bulging eyes.
Benson first utilized SEM in 2013 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab. “Learning to master SEM was challenging, requiring several years of practice,” he notes. Every specimen must be coated with “a molecularly thin layer of platinum to prevent charging by the electron beam,” and meticulously dried to maintain surface details.
Wing of the Erythemis simplicicollis dragonfly, approximately 3 mm wide, seen from the tip.
The image above showcases the wing feathers of the eastern pontaka dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis), captured from beneath at the wing tip. This species is found across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, as well as in southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The wings are about 3 mm wide.
Below are images of single-celled marine organisms, specifically Hexalonche philosophica, collected from the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, measuring just 0.2 millimeters from tip to tip.
Marine organism Hexalonche philosophica, about 0.2 mm in length
Another marine specimen, Ornithocercus magnificus (featured below), is a type of plankton discovered in the Gulf Stream off Florida’s coast, measuring approximately 0.1 mm in width.
Ornithocercus magnificus, with a width of about 0.1 mm.
Astronomers have identified a peculiar “moon” that casts a shadow on Earth as it navigates through space. Dubbed quasi-moons, these entities don’t orbit our planet in a traditional manner, yet they maintain proximity as they travel around the sun.
According to a new study published in the American Astronomical Society Research Notes, this space rock may have been a companion to Earth for as long as 60 years.
The object, identified as 2025 PN7, is small enough that it might have evaded earlier detections. While its exact dimensions remain uncertain, researchers estimate it to be around 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter—approximately the wingspan of a typical short-haul airliner—making it the tiniest known quasi-moon associated with Earth.
“With rapid technological progress, we’re identifying near-Earth objects faster than ever,” said Dr. Darren Baskill, an astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex, in BBC Science Focus. “The sensitivity of digital cameras has improved, allowing us to detect these faint objects, and computers can effectively process vast data sets.”
At its closest approach, this object comes within 300,000 km (186,400 miles) of Earth. Usually, it remains about 384,000 km (238,600 miles) away, but its horseshoe-shaped orbit can take it as far as 297 million km (185 million miles) from our planet.
Consequently, it’s only detectable when nearby, as occurred in August 2025, when researchers from Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid spotted it from the PanSTARRS Observatory in Hawaii.
Upon reviewing historical records, scientists identified it as a potential Earth companion for decades.
“The primary question is, where did 2025 PN7 originate?” Baskill noted. “At its closest, 2025 PN7 will be roughly the same distance from Earth as the Moon, providing insights into the Moon’s possible origin.
“Another clue can be observed on a clear night: the Moon is full of craters. Each impact casts debris into the atmosphere, and some material may escape the Moon’s gravity and be launched into space.”
Moon’s craters offer clues to the origin of space rocks – Photo credit: Getty
Another hypothesis suggests that the space rock originated in the asteroid belt, but Baskill states, “It’s challenging to gather sufficient light from such a moving object to determine its chemical composition and origin.”
He further added, “Astronomers must be patient and wait to observe PN7 when it’s at its brightest, closest to Earth.”
2025 PN7 is just one of seven quasi-satellites currently orbiting near Earth. The other is the space rock Kamooarewa, which is the target of China’s Tianwen-2 mission. Launched in May 2025, Tianwen-2 aims to collect samples from asteroids to understand more about Earth’s origins and asteroid formation.
“These near-Earth objects, due to their occasional close passes, might become prime targets for the inaugural mining operations beyond Earth, or even enter Earth’s atmosphere,” Baskill remarked.
PN7 will remain in existence until 2085 when it will be pulled from orbit by gravitational forces.
Jets erupting from the black hole at the heart of the Galaxy M87
Jan Röder; Maciek Wielgus et al. (2025)
Over a hundred years ago, Heber Curtis identified the inaugural black hole jet, a tremendous stream of heated plasma emerging from the supermassive black hole located in the core of the Galaxy M87. The James Webb Space Telescope is currently scrutinizing this jet with remarkable precision.
Since its initial observation in 1918, the M87 jet gained fame for being connected to the first imaged black hole in 2019; however, it has been analyzed by various telescopes and is arguably the most extensively studied black hole jet. Yet, many aspects of its behavior, like some intensely luminous regions and darker spiral-shaped sections, still lack thorough explanation. Astronomers suspect these may be the result of jet beam refocusing or varying chains that form upon interacting with new materials like the dense gaseous regions. Nonetheless, the fundamental mechanisms remain elusive.
Recently, Maciek Wielgus from the Institute of Astrophysics in Andalusia, Spain, along with his colleagues, utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to further unveil the famous luminous features of the M87 jets. They also succeeded in capturing a striking and less frequently observed counterjet that shoots out in the opposite direction from the other side of the black hole.
Wielgus and his team analyzed data retrieved from another project examining the M87 star, where JWST’s infrared sensors proved particularly effective. The overwhelming starlight complicated the jet analysis, necessitating the data to be re-evaluated to filter out the extraneous light. “This is a classic example of what astronomers often describe as using another’s discarded data,” notes Wielgus.
The first bright region identified in the jet is termed Hubble Space Telescope 1, in acknowledgment of the discovering telescope, and is believed to result from the jet’s compression entering a higher pressure environment. This phenomenon resembles the bright diamond-shaped patterns seen in rocket engine exhausts.
Researchers can also observe the far end of the jet on the opposite side of M87. As it propels away from us at speeds nearing the speed of light, Einstein’s theory of special relativity renders it much dimmer than it inherently is. However, when this beam encounters another area of gas with varying pressures, it expands and becomes perceptible.
This indicates the end of the material foam surrounding M87, alongside the visible termination of the jet nearest to us. With the imaging of the other end of the jet in such detail in infrared, astronomers can commence modeling the gas structures present within this bubble, states Wielgus.
The Mystery of the Universe: Cheshire, England
Join some of the leading scientific minds for a weekend exploring the enigmas of the universe. Engage in an exciting agenda that includes a visit to the renowned Lovell telescope.
Researchers from MIT and the University of Texas at Arlington suggest that supercooling radioactive atoms may enable the creation of laser-like neutrino beams. They illustrate this by calculating the potential for a neutrino laser using one million rubidium-83 atoms. Generally, the half-life of a radioactive atom like this is approximately 82 days, indicating that half of the atoms will decay and emit an equal number of neutrinos within that timeframe. Their findings indicate that cooling rubidium-83 to a stable quantum state could allow for radioactive decay to occur in only a few minutes.
BJP Jones & Ja Formaggio devises the concept of a laser that emits neutrinos. Image credit: Gemini AI.
“In this neutrino laser scenario, neutrinos would be released at a significantly accelerated rate, similar to how lasers emit photons rapidly.”
“This offers a groundbreaking method to enhance radioactive decay and neutrino output. To my knowledge, this has never been attempted before,” remarked MIT Professor Joseph Formaggio.
A few years ago, Professor Formaggio and Dr. Jones were each considering unique opportunities in this field. They pondered: could we amplify the natural process of neutrino generation through quantum consistency?
Their preliminary research highlighted several fundamental challenges to achieving this goal.
Years later, during discussions regarding the properties of ultra-cold tritium, they asked: could enhancing qualitatively the quantum state of radioactive atoms like tritium lead to improved neutrino production?
The duo speculated that transitioning radioactive atoms into Bose-Einstein condensates might promote neutrino generation. However, during quantum mechanical calculations, they initially concluded that such effects might not be feasible.
“It was a misleading assumption; merely creating a Bose-Einstein condensate does not speed up radioactive decay or neutrino production,” explained Professor Formaggio.
Years later, Dr. Jones revisited the concept, incorporating the phenomenon of Superradiance. This principle from quantum optics occurs when groups of luminescent atoms are synchronously stimulated.
It is anticipated that in this coherent state, the atoms will emit a burst of superradiant or more radioactive photons than they would if they were not synchronized.
Physicists suggest that analogous superradiant effects may be achievable with radioactive Bose-Einstein condensates, potentially leading to similar bursts of neutrinos.
They turned to the equations governing quantum mechanics to analyze how light-emitting atoms transition from a coherent state to a superradiant state.
Using the same equations, they explored the behavior of radioactive atoms in a coherent Bose-Einstein condensed state.
“Our findings indicate that by producing photons more rapidly and applying that principle to neutrinos, we can significantly increase their emission rate,” noted Professor Formaggio.
“When all the components align, the superradiation of the radioactive condensate facilitates this accelerated, laser-like neutrino emission.”
To theoretically validate their idea, the researchers calculated the neutrino generation from a cloud of 1 million supercooled rubidium-83 atoms.
The results showed that in the coherent Bose-Einstein condensate state, atoms can reduce radioactivity at an accelerated rate, releasing a laser-like stream of neutrinos within minutes.
Having demonstrated that neutrino lasers are theoretically feasible, they plan to experiment with a compact tabletop setup.
“This should involve obtaining the radioactive material, evaporating, laser-trapping, cooling, and converting it into a Bose-Einstein condensate,” said Jones.
“Subsequently, we must instigate this superradiance.”
The pair recognizes that such experiments will require extensive precautions and precise manipulation.
“If we can demonstrate this in the lab, it opens up possibilities for future applications. Could this serve as a neutrino detector? Or perhaps as a new form of communication?”
Their paper has been published today in the journal Physical Review Letters.
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BJP Jones & Ja Formaggio. 2025. Super radioactive neutrino lasers from radioactive condensate. Phys. Pastor Rett 135, 111801; doi:10.1103/l3c1-yg2l
Paleontologists have uncovered a remarkable new genus and species of early extinct plesioaurooid plesiosaurs from a nearly complete skeleton discovered in the Jurassic Posidonian shale of Holzmaden, Germany.
Reconstruction of Plesionectes longicollum‘s life. Image credit: Peter Nicolaus.
The newly identified species, Plesionectes longicollum, thrived in the early Jurassic seas approximately 183 million years ago.
This marine reptile reached lengths of about 3.2 m, with a body length of 1.25 m and a tail measuring 81 cm.
The skeleton, complete with fossilized soft tissue remnants, was excavated in 1978 from a Posidonia Shale quarry in Holzmaden, Germany, and its distinct anatomical features are now fully recognized through thorough scientific examination.
“The specimen has been part of our collection for decades, yet prior studies never fully explored its unique anatomy,” remarked Dr. Sven Sachs, paleontologist at Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld.
“Our in-depth analysis uncovered a rare combination of skeletal traits that distinctly separate them from all previously recognized plesiosaurs.”
Skeleton of Plesionectes longicollum. Scale bar – 30 cm. Image credit: S. Sachs & D. Madzia, doi: 10.7717/Peerj.19665.
Plesionectes longicollum is particularly significant as it represents the oldest known plesiosaur from the Holzmadden area.
“This discovery contributes another piece to the evolutionary puzzle of marine ecosystems during a pivotal period in Earth’s history,” stated Dr. Daniel Magia, a paleontologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“The early Toarcian epoch, when this creature existed, was marked by substantial environmental changes, including major marine anoxic events that impacted life in oceans globally.”
This finding illustrates that the Posidonian shales, well-known for their remarkably preserved fossils, harbor an even greater diversity of marine reptiles than previously acknowledged.
“The Posidonian Shale of Holzmaden has already yielded five other plesiosaur species, encompassing representatives from three major plesiosaur lineages,” the authors noted.
“This new addition provides one of the most vital insights into Jurassic marine life, enhancing our understanding of this era.”
Survey results will be available online in the journal Peerj.
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S. Sachs & D. Madzia. 2025. An unusual early fledgling plesiosauroid from the Lower Jurassic Posidonian Shale in Holzmaden, Germany. Peerj 13:E19665; doi:10.7717/peerj.19665
Astronomers have, for the first time, been able to witness the early stages of solar system formation, discovering small entities that would eventually evolve into planets orbiting a distant young star.
This represents the earliest phase of planetary formation ever documented, giving us insight into our own solar system’s appearance shortly after the Sun ignited.
“We observe signs of planetary development – the transformation of tiny dust particles into slightly larger grains – and in some systems, this provides insight into earlier phases. Professor Merel Van ‘T Hoff, a co-author of the new study, elaborated on these findings. BBC Science Focus.
“This can be likened to researchers studying human evolution who, for the first time, can observe infants by examining young children.”
The Baby Planetary System is coming to life around a young star known as Hops-315, located 1,300 light years from Earth.
Stars in this early stage are thought to closely resemble our Sun, making them ideal subjects for uncovering the secrets of our solar system’s inception and Earth’s genesis.
Young stars like Hops-315 are enveloped by hot disks of gas and dust termed “protoplanetary discs.” Initially, these disks are extremely hot, causing silicon and iron – crucial planetary components – to be in gaseous form. However, as the disk cools, these elements begin to solidify.
Evidence from ancient meteorites in our solar system suggests that the first solid materials were formed from these discs, specifically crystalline minerals containing silicon monoxide (SiO).
These images illustrate how hot gas condenses into solid minerals around Baby Star Hops-315. The left image captures Hops-315 and its surroundings as seen by the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma). Two insets depict an artist’s representation of silicon monoxide molecules condensing into solid silicates – credit: ESO/L. Calsada/Alma (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma), international teams identified SiO in its gaseous form and as a newly formed crystalline mineral surrounding Hops-315, strongly indicating that solidification is just beginning.
“The first tiny minerals we observe clump together to form ‘pebbles,’ roughly the size of thumbnails,” Professor Melissa McClure, who led the research, stated. BBC Science Focus. “If they cluster closely enough, they can naturally collapse under their own gravity, forming bodies similar in size to kilometer-sized asteroids.
“Eventually, these will collide and merge, creating a planetary embryo, a full-sized rocky planet, or even the core of a gas giant like Jupiter.”
The research team plans to continue its observations of Hops-315 while also looking for other systems at this nascent stage of planetary evolution.
However, don’t expect to witness planetary formations in real-time. As Van’T Hoff remarked, “The timescale for disk evolution spans hundreds of thousands of years.”
Merrell van T. Hoff is an assistant professor at Purdue University in the United States. His research aims to understand how planets form and how frequently Earth-like planets exist in the Milky Way and other galaxies. Before joining Purdue, Professor Van’T Hoff was a postdoctoral researcher with the Michigan Fellows Association at the University of Michigan.
Melissa McClure is an assistant professor at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands and a Beni Prize laureate. Her research employs observations and models to trace how solid building blocks of life (such as “dust” grains like ice and rocks) are incorporated from the formation of dense molecular clouds to the evolution of planets within protoplanetary discs and young exoplanets.
IN 2017, ThinkTank, a game design initiative known as Project Horseshoe, convened a group of developers to explore the delightful concept of video games. Since the inception of the medium, games with non-violent themes have existed. Early life simulators like Little Computer People from 1985 represented low-stake interactions, allowing players to engage with ordinary characters in their homes. Following the 1996 Chibi Award harvest, social farming simulations gained popularity.
The report produced, Cozy Games: Exploring Safety, Softness, Satisfied Needs, may represent the first systematic effort to delineate the genre. The group identified three core components: safety, richness, and softness. Cozy games (with the American spelling) avoid high-stake scenarios. “There’s no looming threat of loss,” they noted. They are designed to evoke a rich experience: “Nothing is lacking, pressing against you, or imminent.” Additionally, a soft aesthetic wraps everything in a warm embrace.
Puzzle game… Unpacking a room. Photo: Witch Beam
For example, in Witch Beam’s puzzle game, players unpack items from boxes and arrange them in a new home. Although there are constraints on placement, unlike traditional puzzle games, there’s no punishment for incorrect placements—no timers or scoring systems to contend with. The colorful pixel art enhances the experience.
Project Horseshoe’s definition aligns with the rise of handheld consoles made for communal play on sofas, particularly around the Nintendo Switch’s 2017 launch, coinciding with substantial genre growth. By 2019, indie designer Matthew Taylor began a Twitter account called Wholesome Games to feature titles reflecting their criteria. Eventually, the wholesome games movement—led by Taylor with partners Jenny Wyndham, James Tillman, and Victoria Tran—developed into a collective that hosts showcases for charming, non-threatening games, later evolving into a publishing company.
The success of wholesome games illustrates the genre’s broader expansion. The inaugural Wholesome Direct aired in 2020, coinciding with a surge in cozy game popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, not least due to the massive success of Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons, drawing in 25,000 viewers. The latest Wholesome Direct in June achieved an impressive 5 million views.
The solace of sadness… Spiritfarer. Photo: Thunder Lotus Game
This trend is reflected on Steam, where the number of games categorized as “cozy” is on the rise. In 2020, only 15 games were launched with cozy tags on Steam, according to SteamDB. By 2021, this figure doubled to 39 releases, and in 2022, it doubled again to 85. By 2024, a staggering 373 cozy games were released—over one game per day. Each time the genre appears to peak, it continues to soar. Major commercial hits include Animal Crossing, which outperformed any Call of Duty title with nearly 50 million copies sold, while popular farming game Stardew Valley has over 41 million copies sold.
Kelly Baudlow, an associate professor and head of Game Research and Design Programs at Harrisburg University, posits that cozy games signify more than just a genre; they represent “ideological shifts in game design.” This is evident in the diverse experiences cozy games provide. For instance, Unpacking centers on organizing household items, while A Short Hike invites players to explore a mountainous summer getaway. Spiritfarer delivers a management simulation focused on consoling souls and dealing with grief, and Venba weaves an emotional narrative around nostalgia and Tamil cooking.
A darker theme… Strange Horticulture. Photo: Bad Viking
Recently, even darker-themed games have been classified as cozy. Strange Horticulture, for instance, involves players managing a shop selling toxic plants, while Dredge introduces horror elements within a low-stakes fishing and sailing premise. “At their core, these games are fun, hopeful, and nurturing,” remarks Windom, a partner in the wholesome gaming initiative. “We want players to feel warmth and security when engaging with them. However, this definition has likely broadened to encompass games dealing with offensive or uncomfortable topics, all while remaining within a safe environment.”
Rhea Gupte and Prateek Saxena from India-based Imissmyfriend studio didn’t intentionally set out to create a cozy game, yet their debut title, Fishbowl, fits the bill perfectly. The game follows Alo, a 21-year-old woman who relocates to a new city for her video editing job, only to grapple with grief over her grandmother’s passing amidst pandemic lockdowns. Despite the heavy themes, little cozy touches can be found throughout Fishbowl, from its carefully curated color palette to its detailed pixel art and soft audio design.
So many cozy… fish bowls. Photo: Imissmyfriends.studio
“We began with the theme and the narrative we wished to convey,” explains Gupte, who serves as the game’s author and art director. “When contemplating the design and overall mood of the game, it became clear that a cozy atmosphere was necessary. Otherwise, the themes could become overwhelmingly heavy and difficult to navigate. Our goal was to introduce a sense of lightness, despite the more serious subjects involved.”
As the cozy genre continues to evolve, there’s a growing recognition that comfort is subjective. Nonetheless, Baudlow reminds us that not all non-violent games warrant the cozy label. “It’s not appropriate to simply stick that tag on everything,” she emphasizes.
The countryside dream… Stardew Valley. Photo: Concerns
Fishbowl differs from Stardew Valley in its portrayal of farming. Gupte and Saxena highlighted the disparity between how agrarian life is romanticized in games versus the harsh realities many face. “In India, farming embodies significant challenges,” Saxena noted. Games like Palace on the Hill, where the protagonist must cultivate land to settle debts, oppose the cozy narrative. Yet in alternative contexts, farming is often romanticized as a leisurely lifestyle.
TOEM, a meditative photography game developed by Something We Made in 2021, represents another facet of the genre. Although it is unmistakably a cozy game, it deviates from typical visuals by utilizing a monochrome palette. Lucas Gullbo, one of Toem’s developers, explains that while the black and white aesthetic may appear harsh, “the game conveys an emotional resonance that counters the daunting notion of being monochromatic.”
The nostalgia of food… Venba. Photo: Visai Games
Where will the cozy genre go from here? Recently, idle games have emerged as a sub-genre, featuring low-stakes elements like fishing in CornerPond or relaxing with a frog on Idle Island. Games such as Ronderets set in a cozy laundromat also include classic cozy features—farming elements and resource management paired with delightful graphics—but importantly, player effort remains minimal. Players can engage in decorations and small mini-games, but the games can progress without active participation, which contributes to their appeal. Is there an inherent comfort associated with leisurely idleness? This is a question worth exploring as the genre continues to expand.
“In the realm of cozy and wholesome games, and games at large, it’s a particularly nascent medium in the process of unveiling genres and mechanics,” remarks Wyndham. “It’s uncommon to witness something truly groundbreaking. As the wholesome and cozy game movements blossomed, they felt like uncharted territory. Why settle for typical first-person perspectives when you could opt for something more innovative? Change is often slow to emerge.
A team of biologists from the University of Virginia and the National Institutes of Health has found that half of certain organelles can make up to 10% of vesicle organelles present in cells, yet they do not follow the typical endocytotic pathway.
Cutting-edge Cryo-Electron microscope images of rat-1 cells cultured on Cryo-EM grids. The lamellipodia and filopodia in the upper right corner illustrate the cell boundary, distinguishing the cytoplasm from the extracellular space (ext). Various vesicle organelles are highlighted, including early endosomal-like vesicles (EN, pink), multinuclear bodies (MVB, blue), hemispores (HF, yellow), and inverted hemifusomes (FHF, green). Scale bar – 0.5 µm. Image credit: Tavakoli et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59887-9.
“It’s like uncovering a new recycling center within a cell,” remarked Dr. Seham Ebrahim, a researcher at the University of Virginia.
“Many believe it plays a role in how cells manage their packaging and processing of materials. If this process fails, it can lead to diseases affecting multiple systems in the body.”
“One such condition is Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that may result in albinism, visual impairments, lung issues, and problems with blood clotting.”
“The challenges related to how cells manage their cargo are central to many of these issues.”
“We’re just beginning to grasp how these new organelles fit into the broader context of cellular health and disease.”
“This discovery is thrilling because finding a genuinely new internal cell is rare, and it opens up avenues for exploring entirely new paths.”
Utilizing Cryo-Electron tomography (Cryo-ET), the researchers managed to capture a significant number of images.
They propose that these organelles facilitate the creation of vesicle-based organelles, which function like mixing bowls, small blister-like sacs, and multiple vesicles.
This process plays a critical role in cellular sorting, recycling, and debris management.
Dr. Ebrahim stated, “You can think of vesicles as small delivery trucks within a cell.”
“Part of it functions like a loading dock where cargo is connected and transferred. It’s a step in the process we were unaware of.”
Many of these organelles have gone unnoticed but are surprisingly prevalent in certain areas of the cell.
Researchers aim to enhance their understanding of their significance in proper cell functioning and how issues with them can lead to diseases.
Such findings may contribute to targeted treatments for a range of serious genetic disorders.
“This is only the beginning,” Dr. Ebrahim noted.
“Now that we’ve confirmed the existence of hemifusomes, we can explore their behavior in healthy cells and investigate what occurs when problems arise.”
“It could pave the way for new strategies to address complex genetic disorders.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Nature Communications.
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A. Cigarette et al. 2025. Proteolipid nanosap interacting with half of hemifusomes mediates polyspore formation. Nat Commun 16, 4609; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59887-9
At the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Zibaskira in Finland, physicists utilized a gas-filled recoil separator focal plane spectrometer to observe two attenuation events of the newly discovered isotope astatin-188 (188At), which is composed of 85 protons and 103 neutrons.
Kokkonen et al. Report the discovery of the new nucleus 188At, which is the heaviest proton-emitting isotope known to date.
“Proton emission is a rare type of radioactive decay where the nucleus releases protons, moving toward stability,” explained Henna Kokkonen, a doctoral researcher at Zibaskira University.
“This new nucleus is currently the lightest known isotope of astatin, 188At, containing 85 protons and 103 neutrons.”
“Studying this type of exotic nucleus is exceedingly challenging due to its brief lifespan and low production cross-section. Therefore, precise techniques are essential.”
“The nuclei were produced through fusion deposition reactions by irradiating natural silver targets with a 84Sr ion beam,” added Dr. Kare Auranen of Zibaskira University.
“The detection of the new isotopes was made possible using the Ritu Recoil separator’s detector setup.”
In addition to the experimental findings, the physicists expanded theoretical models to interpret the collected data.
According to the team, 188At can be likened to a strong explosion, resembling “the shape of a watermelon.”
“The nuclear properties suggest a shift in the behavior of the binding energy of valence protons,” Kokkonen stated.
“This is attributed to unprecedented interactions with heavy nuclei.”
“Isotopes are rare globally, and this marks the second occasion I’ve had the chance to make history.”
“All experiments pose challenges, and it is rewarding to conduct research that enhances our understanding of the fundamental limits of matter and nuclear structure.”
The authors intend to refine the current uncertainties and half-life of the attenuation energy by further theoretical exploration of charged particle-damped heavy nuclei, observing the evolution of their shapes, and examining additional decay events of 188At.
“Equally intriguing is the study of the collapse of a currently unknown nuclear isotope 189At, which could be a proton-emitting nucleus, an aspect we have yet to explore in future experiments,” they concluded.
Their paper was published in the journal Nature Communications.
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H. Kokkonen et al. 2025. New Proton Emitter 188At signifies unprecedented interactions in heavy nuclei. Nat Commun 16, 4985; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60259-6
Paleontologists discovered dinosaur skull fragments within the Upper Jurassic Villard Alzobispo layer in Teruel, Spain, and confidently identified them as belonging to the species Centegosaurus dacentrurus armatus.
Skull of dacentrurus armatus from the Villard Alzobispo Formation in Teruel, Spain. Image credit: S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos, doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e146618.
The name Stegosauria was first introduced in 1877, with the initial reference to dacentrurus armatus occurring two years later.
Stegosauria constitutes a small clade of theropod dinosaurs, featuring iconic and recognizable representatives such as the genus Stegosaurus.
These dinosaurs were characterized by two rows of bony skin (plates and spines), extending principally from the neck to the tail’s edge.
Stegosaur fossils date from the Middle Jurassic through the Late Cretaceous, and they are generally represented by a limited number of partial skeletons worldwide.
Skull remains of stegosaurs are often fragmentary and infrequently found in the fossil record.
Nearly half of today’s scientifically recognized stegosaur species lack preserved skull material.
A recent study by Fundación Dinópolis paleontologists Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa and Alberto Cobos focused on the skull of dacentrurus armatus, a type of stegosaurus that roamed Europe approximately 150 million years ago.
Life reconstruction of dacentrurus armatus. Image credit: Sci.News.
“A comprehensive study of this extraordinary fossil has revealed anatomical features previously unknown in dacentrurus armatus, a typical European stegosaurus,” noted Dr. Sanchez Fenollosa.
“Dinosaur skulls are seldom preserved due to their extreme fragility.”
“This discovery is crucial for understanding the evolution of stegosaur skulls.”
Additionally, alongside detailed anatomical studies, we proposed a new hypothesis that redefines evolutionary relationships among stegosaurs worldwide.”
“This research has established a new grouping termed Neostegosauria.”
According to the team, Neostegosauria includes moderate to large stegosaur species that existed in Africa and Europe during the Middle to Late Jurassic, as well as Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous Asia.
“This dual outcome represents both a remarkable fossil study and the proposal of new evolutionary theories, positioning our work as a key reference in stegosaur research,” remarked Dr. Cobos.
“The fossil site at Riodeva remains a subject of ongoing research and holds many related fossils, including additional postcranial elements from the same adult specimen, particularly rare combinations of this dinosaur type.”
“These findings are significantly enhancing the paleontological heritage of Teruel, making it a central region for understanding life’s evolution on Earth.”
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology on May 26, 2025.
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S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos. 2025. New insights into the phylogeny and skull evolution of the stegosaur dinosaur: an extraordinary skull from the late Jurassic (Dinosaur: Stegosauria) in Europe. Vertebrate Zoology 75:165-189; doi:10.3897/vz.75.e146618
A novel theory formulated by physicists at Aalto University provides a new perspective on gravity that aligns with established particle physics models, paving the way to understanding the universe’s origins.
The standard model of particle physics delineates the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions among three of the four fundamental forces of nature. The challenge in unifying these with gravity has persisted due to the incompatibility of the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory. While quantum field theory employs compact, finite-dimensional symmetry linked to the quantum fields’ internal degrees of freedom, general relativity is grounded in non-competitive, infinite external space-time symmetry. Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki aim to construct a gauge theory of gravity using compact twin symmetry, similar to the formulation of basic interactions in standard models. Image credit: Desy/Science Communication Lab.
“If this research leads to a comprehensive quantum field theory of gravity, it will ultimately address the challenging question of understanding the singularities in black holes and the Big Bang,” stated Dr. Mikko Partanen from Aalto University.
“Theories that effectively unify all fundamental natural forces are often referred to as ‘theory of everything.’
“Several fundamental questions in physics remain unresolved. Current theories do not elucidate why the observable universe exhibits a greater abundance of matter than antimatter.”
The breakthrough lay in formulating gravity through the appropriate gauge theory, which describes how particles interact via fields.
“The most recognized gauge field is the electromagnetic field,” remarked Dr. Jukka Tulkki from Aalto University.
“When charged particles interact, they do so through electromagnetic fields. This represents the proper gauge field.”
“Therefore, if particles possess energy, their interactions will occur through the gravitational field simply because energy exists.”
One of the significant challenges physicists have encountered is discovering a theory of gravity that aligns with the gauge theories governing the three fundamental forces: electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.
The standard model of particle physics serves as a gauge theory that describes these three forces, characterized by specific symmetries.
“The core concept is to avoid basing your theory on the fundamentally distinct space-time symmetries of general relativity, but rather to establish a gravity gauge theory with symmetry that resembles the standard model’s symmetry,” Dr. Partanen explained.
Without such a theoretical framework, physicists cannot reconcile the two most potent theories at our disposal: quantum field theory and general relativity.
Quantum theory provides insights into the behavior of small particles in a stochastic manner, while general relativity describes the gravitational interactions of massive, familiar objects.
Both theories offer unique perspectives on our universe and have been validated with remarkable accuracy, yet they remain mutually exclusive.
Moreover, due to the weak interactions of gravity, enhanced precision is required to investigate genuine quantum gravity effects beyond the classical theory of general relativity.
“Understanding the quantum theory of gravity is crucial for deciphering phenomena occurring in high-energy gravitational fields,” noted Dr. Partanen.
“These phenomena are particularly relevant in the vicinity of black holes, during the moments following the Big Bang, and in the early universe, areas where existing physical theories fail to apply.”
“I’ve always been captivated by such a grand problem in physics, which inspired me to explore a new symmetry-based approach to gravity theory and begin developing ideas,” he added.
“The resulting work promises to usher in a new era of scientific comprehension, akin to how understanding gravity enabled the creation of GPS technology.”
The theory holds great promise, but the researchers caution that their evidence collection is still ongoing.
This theory employs a technical method known as renormalization, a mathematical technique employed to manage the infinities that arise in calculations.
Currently, Dr. Partanen and Dr. Tulkki have demonstrated its effectiveness to a certain degree for the so-called “first-order” term, but they need to ensure that these infinities can be navigated throughout the calculations.
“If the renormalization process falters under higher-order conditions, the results become endlessly divergent,” Dr. Tulkki explained.
“Hence, demonstrating the continuation of this process is critical.”
“While we still need to gather comprehensive evidence, we are optimistic about our chances for success,” he remarked.
“Challenges remain, but with time and perseverance, I hope they will be surmountable,” Dr. Partanen reflected.
“I cannot predict when, but I expect to gain more insights in the coming years.”
The team’s paper has been published in the journal Report on Progress in Physics.
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Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki. 2025. Gravity generated by four 1-dimensional single-gauge symmetry and the standard model. Legislator prog. Phys 88, 057802; doi:10.1088/1361-6633/ADC82E
The species has been named obelignathus septimanicus. This new addition lived in the European archipelago around 72 million years ago during the Cretaceous period and is classified within the Ornitopod dinosaur family of Iguanodon Island, specifically in the Rabdodidae family.
Reconstructing obelignathus septimanicus in its Late Cretaceous environment, as depicted in the “Grès à Reptiles” layer, with a Dromaeosaurus in the background. Image credit: Edyta Felcyn-Kowalska.
The Rhabdodontids were medium-sized dinosaurs, potentially bipedal herbivores measuring between 2 and 6 meters (6.6 to 20 feet).
These dinosaurs exhibited stocky builds, characterized by thick limbs, short bodies, long tails, and relatively large triangular skulls.
They thrived in the late Cretaceous European archipelago, a vast collection of small islands located in shallow tropical waters.
This family currently comprises fewer than 10 species, distributed across southern France, northern Spain, eastern Austria, western Hungary, and western Romania.
“Rhabdodontids are typically recognized as endemic groups of leaf-eating dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous European archipelago,” stated Ukaszepians and Dr. Daniel Magia from the Institute of Paleontology at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“At present, eight to nine different species have been identified based on specimens unearthed from eastern Austria, southern France, western Hungary, western Romania, and northern Spain.”
“However, our understanding of the diversity within Rhabdodontidae and their evolutionary relationships remains incomplete.”
Fossils of obelignathus septimanicus were discovered, with a notable tooth located in the Gresèrepilles layer in southern France.
This specimen has been associated with a previously identified species, “Rhabdodon septimanicus”.
“Rhabdodon septimanicus is recognized as a basal species from the lower part of the Maastrichtian in southern France during the Campanian period,” remarked the paleontologist.
“It was classified based on particularly robust dental remains, which have drawn varying taxonomic interpretations.”
“Our analyses, which include multivariate and phylogenetic evaluations, indicate that this species represents a distinct morphological anomaly among European Rhabdodontomorphs, justifying its categorization into a new genus, obelignathus.”
“While further extensive research, especially in-depth osteological studies, is essential to clarify the taxonomic significance of specific European Rhabdomorphs, our findings suggest that several co-existing sympatric species, particularly in southern France and possibly Romania, display greater diversity than is currently acknowledged,” he added.
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports this week.
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Czepiński & D. Madzia. 2025. A study of the diversity and disparity of Rhabdodontid ornithopods from Late Cretaceous European archipelagos. Sci Rep 15, 15209; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-98083-z
Italian scientists have figured out how to achieve a flawlessly creamy pasta sauce each time by delving into the physics of cooking Cacio E Pepe.
Cacio E Pepe translates to “cheese and pepper” and is a classic Italian dish made with pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper.
Despite its simplicity, this recipe can easily be mishandled. Combining warm pasta water with cheese can lead to a sticky clump of cheese and watery pasta instead of a smooth, creamy sauce.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona in Spain, the Max Planck Institute for Complex Systems Physics in Germany, the University of Padova in Italy, and the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria collaborated to analyze the science behind a creamy Cacio E Pepe sauce.
To achieve a completely creamy pasta sauce like Cacio E Pepe, the starch in pasta water serves as a crucial stabilizer when mixed with cheese – Photo Credit: Getty
“We are Italians living abroad,” said Dr. Ivan di Terlizzi from the Max Planck Institute. “We often gather for dinner and enjoy traditional dishes.
“While cooking Cacio E Pepe, I thought this would be an intriguing physical system to investigate and explain. Plus, it served a practical purpose to avoid wasting good Pecorino.
A recent study, published in Liquid Physics by the American Institute of Physics, revealed that the secret to a creamy, cheesy sauce lies in the water.
Typically, fats like oils and cheese should not mix with water. However, the starch in the pasta water, when added to the cheese, acts as a stabilizer to create creamy emulsions.
Research author Dr. Daniel Busiello explained to BBC Science Focus that when cheese is heated, its proteins “change composition” and stick together.
“But starch mitigates this effect by binding to cheese proteins, reducing their direct interactions and thereby limiting aggregation,” he detailed.
According to scientists, the ideal pasta water for a creamy Cacio E Pepe sauce contains about 2-3% starch, and they advise against accidentally leaving starch in your water.
“Starch is a critical ingredient, and its quantity can be precisely measured. Therefore, we recommend using accurately measured amounts of starch,” Da Terlizzi said. “This can only be achieved if you have the correct amount of powdered starch in proportion to the cheese you are using.”
As a result, the researchers suggest adding a measured amount of potato starch or corn flour to the water, rather than pouring raw pasta water directly into the pan.
They also recommend allowing the water to cool before incorporating the cheese.
For perfect creaminess, scientists advise first mixing the water and starch, then combining this starch-water mixture with the cheese, adding it all to the pan, and slowly heating it. Finally, add the black pepper and pasta.
Busiello noted that the scientists’ recipe “remains faithful to Italian traditions,” with the only alteration being the use of powdered starch to maintain control over the amount used.
“An experienced chef probably does not require our recipe,” he remarked. “However, we offer a method to ensure that traditional Cacio E Pepe can be prepared even in challenging situations, like cooking large amounts of pasta, effortlessly.”
“Of course, we tested this method with over two kilograms of pasta, and all our guests enjoyed it!”
Busiello added that measuring starch could also benefit other Italian pasta dishes, such as spaghetti Aglio e olio and Carbonara, which also rely on pasta water and cheese sauce.
Read more:
About our experts
Dr. Daniel M. Busiello is a distinguished PKS fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, Germany, and works as an independent researcher. He previously studied at the University of Salerno and Pisa before completing his PhD in Entropy Production in Non-equilibrium Systems at Padova University.
Three layers of the atmosphere of a giant tyro gas
ESO/m. Cone Messer
The atmosphere of a distant world is mapped in detail for the first time, revealing a strange, dizzy weather system, and the fastest winds ever blew inexplicably around the Earth's stratosphere.
Astronomers have been studying the WASP-121B, also known as Tylos, since 2015. A planet 900 light years away is a vast ball of gas twice the size of Jupiter, and the stars orbit very closely and complete their perfect orbit. Only 30 Earth Time. This close orbit heats the planet's atmosphere to a temperature of 2500°C, and is hot enough to boil iron.
now, Julia Seidel Chile and her colleagues' observatory in southern Europe use a very large telescope at the observatory to see in the burnt, hot atmosphere of Tyros, with at least three different layers of gas in different directions around the planet. I found out there. I've seen it before. “It's absolutely crazy, it's a science fiction-like pattern and behavior,” Seidel says.
The atmosphere of our solar system planets is driven by the internal temperature difference, whereas the winds in the upper layers are more affected by the temperature difference, and the strong wind flows are more affected by the temperature difference. shares a similar structure to Created by the heat of the sun, it warms the daylight side of the planet, while the other warms.
However, in the atmosphere of Tyros, it is driven by heat from the planetary stars, and it is the lower wind that moves away from the warm surface, but the jetstream is primarily in the middle layer of the atmosphere, surrounding the equator of Tyros. It looks like it's moving. In the direction of the planet's rotation. The upper layer also exhibits jetstream-like characteristics, but hydrogen gas floats outward from the planet. This is difficult to explain using current models, Seidel says. “What we're looking at now is actually the opposite of what comes out of theory.”
Furthermore, Tylos' jetstream is the most powerful ever, blasting at about 70,000 km/h on half the planet. This is almost twice as much as the previous record holder. It is unknown what exactly drives this velocity, but researchers believe it is caused by the planet's strong magnetic field or by ultraviolet rays from the stars. “This could change the flow pattern, but this is all very speculative,” Seidel says.
Openai has released a new artificial intelligence model for free after stating that it will accelerate its product release in response to the emergence of Chinese competitors.
The company behind Chatgpt has introduced an AI called O3-MINI following the unexpected success of a rival product by DeepSeek in China. Users of Openai’s free chatbot version face some restrictions but can use it for free.
Deepseek has caused a stir among US high-tech investors with the release of an inference model that supports the company’s chatbot. The news that it bypassed Apple’s free App Store and claimed to have been developed at minimal cost caused a $1 trillion drop in the Tech Heavy Nasdaq index on Monday.
Openai’s CEO Sam Altman responded to Deepseek’s challenge by promising to provide a superior model and speeding up the product release. He announced the upcoming release of O3-Mini, a more powerful version of the full O3 model, on January 23.
“Today’s launch marks the introduction of a reasoning function for free users, a crucial step in expanding AI accessibility for practical applications,” Openai stated.
R1, the technology behind Deepseek’s chatbot, not only matches Openai’s performance but also requires fewer resources. Investors questioned whether US companies would maintain control of the AI market despite billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and products.
OPENAI mentioned that the O3-mini model is on par with O1 in terms of mathematics, coding, and science but is more cost-effective and faster. The $200 PRO package provides unlimited access to O3-mini, while lower-tier users have more usage than free users.
The capabilities of the full O3 model were highlighted in the international AI safety report released on Tuesday. The study’s lead, Yoshua Bengio, emphasized that its potential impact on AI risk could be significant. He noted that O3’s performance in major abstract tests marked a surprising breakthrough, outperforming many human experts in some cases.
Recently, archaeologists uncovered the ancient city of Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash for around 2,000 years.
The discovery of a massive private bathhouse, believed to be the largest in the city, by an international team of experts has shed new light on Pompeii’s reputation for innovation and wealth.
The baths included hot and cold rooms, intricate artworks, a large pool, and the capacity for up to 30 people, along with workers on site.
Within a small room, the remains of two individuals – a male slave and a high-status woman – were found.
Dr. Sophie Hay, an archaeologist working at the excavation site, stated, “This site truly brings the past to life, revealing the stark disparities in Roman lifestyles within these ruins.”
One of the excavation sites discovered during the work – Credit: BBC / Lion TV
In addition to the baths, a complete block of Pompeii was unveiled, featuring a grand house with direct access to a laundry, bakery, and bathhouse, all likely belonging to wealthy politician Aulus Rustius Verus.
The direct connection between the bathhouse and the house suggests it was a venue for private gatherings, a luxury reserved for the affluent in Pompeii.
Skeleton discovered next to set of coins during excavation – Credit: BBC/Lion TV
The discovery also revealed advanced technological features in the city, like a boiler room with a system of pipes distributing water from the road, highlighting Pompeii’s engineering progress.
The contrast between the affluent luxuries of the bathhouse and the toil of slaves in the boiler room is a poignant reminder of social inequality in Roman society.
These earrings discovered during excavations are thought to belong to wealthy individuals – Credit: BBC/Lion TV
The bodies of two individuals in a room exemplify this inequality, with valuable items found with the high-status woman but signs of labor on the young man’s body, suggesting different social statuses. The woman likely perished in the volcanic eruption, while the man died from a collapsing wall.
Despite nearing the end of the excavation, the possibility of further discoveries remains open as the team delves deeper into the site.
For more insights, tune in to BBC Two’s documentary, “Pompeii: New excavations – House of Treasures,” airing on Monday, January 20th at 9pm.
Feeling exhausted from writing dating profiles or swiping endlessly on dating apps? Wondering if dating apps are even worth it? Let a digital buddy handle the work for you.
As user fatigue becomes apparent with a noticeable decline in user numbers, the world’s largest online dating company is fighting back with artificial intelligence that promises to “revolutionize” online dating. Introducing an intelligent assistant.
Match Group, the tech company holding the biggest dating platform portfolio globally, recently announced a heightened investment in AI for new products launching in March 2025.
The upcoming AI assistant will take on essential dating tasks like selecting photos to maximize responses, suggesting prompts and profile information, and assisting users in finding their ideal match.
Through audio interviews, the AI will understand users’ dating objectives and recommend messages to send to matches based on shared interests.
Additionally, the AI will offer coaching for struggling users and provide tips on how to enhance profile visibility for those facing challenges in getting attention from matches.
Match Group CEO Bernard Kim expressed to investors that the company’s focus on AI signifies the start of a new phase known as the “AI transformation.”
Last month’s Ofcom report suggested a decrease in subscribers for Tinder and Hinge, the primary apps under Match Group, indicating a drop in app usage compared to the previous year.
Gary Swidler, Match Group’s president and CFO, emphasized the ongoing investment in AI technology to streamline the dating experience and highlighted the forthcoming benefits for investors and users.
However, critics like Anastasia Babas raise concerns about the potential negative impact of increased reliance on AI in dating, highlighting issues around personal agency, data privacy, and bias elimination.
Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno acknowledged the cautious approach towards AI data processing while committed to integrating it into the mainstream to transform user interactions thoughtfully.
Officials at CERN, the world’s leading particle physics research institute, have announced plans to build the world’s largest particle accelerator. The machine is designed to smash molecules at near the speed of light, marking a significant step forward.
The proposed super collider, called the Future Circular Collider (FCC), will be a massive 91 km in length, three times the size of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This new machine will allow scientists to collide particles with greater precision and energy than ever before, potentially unraveling some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. These include the existence of more matter than antimatter, the nature of dark matter and energy, the presence of hidden extra dimensions, and the existence of the universe as a whole.
This step forward is significant because scientists hope the FCC will deepen their understanding of particle physics, aiming to explain why particles have specific masses and forces, and to uncover the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which account for 95% of the mass-energy of the universe. If approved, construction is expected to start by the mid-2030s, with the first stage operating around 2045, followed by a second phase extending research into the 2070s, establishing the FCC as a multigenerational scientific research effort.
Is bigger always better?
The importance of building larger particle accelerators lies in the fact that they can achieve higher collision energies. The goal is to put in enough energy to create new particles, such as the Higgs boson. The FCC aims to eventually reach seven times the collision energy of the LHC, offering a new and more complete understanding of physics.
The FCC will be capable of creating millions of Higgs particles, providing scientists with the opportunity to study them in great detail to understand how they interact with other particles. The Higgs boson is a carrier particle of the Higgs field that permeates space and gives mass to other particles, challenging previously held concepts about matter and mass.
CERN’s proposed super collider would be 91 km long and would be the largest particle collider ever built. The hope is that its increased precision and higher collision energies will eventually allow physicists to understand the nature of the Higgs boson, and perhaps even reality itself. – Image credit: CERN
god particle
In addition to providing deeper insight into the Higgs boson, the FCC will also aim to uncover the mechanisms by which the Higgs boson interacts and its significance in the universe. It is thought to have played a crucial role in the very beginning of the universe, nanoseconds after the big bang, by giving mass to matter as the universe grew and cooled. The influence of the Higgs boson is also relevant in understanding how the universe will end, as it affects the stability of the universe itself.
The FCC is expected to contribute to our understanding of whether the universe is in a stable or unstable state, providing the key to answering fundamental questions about the universe’s fate.
the beginning and end of the universe
The FCC will play a crucial role in answering questions about the beginning and the end of the universe, with the expertise of notable scientists like Marcus Chown, professor Andy Parker, and Matthew McCullough. The expectation is that this new accelerator will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the fundamental physics that govern the universe and our place within it.
About our experts
Marcus Chown is an award-winning author, broadcaster, and former radio astronomer. He is the author of Breakthrough: The Spectacle of Scientific Discovery His Story from the Higgs Boson to the Black Hole (Faber & Faber, 2021). Professor Andy Parker is a British physicist and professor of high-energy physics at the University of Cambridge. He is a member and chair of the CERN Science Policy Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Future Circular Colliders, among other notable positions. Matthew McCullough is a theoretical physicist and researcher at CERN, focused on areas of interest including collisional physics, cosmology, astroparticle physics, and quantum field theory, involved in FCC feasibility studies.
French military and cybersecurity experts have identified a Moscow-based network that is spreading propaganda and disinformation across Western Europe.
France’s Agency Viguinum, established in 2021 to detect digital interference from foreign groups influencing public opinion, stated that it was unclear whether Russia was involved online in the lead-up to the European elections and other important votes this year, paving the way for a new wave of operations.
The online network, named Portal Combat, consists of at least 193 sites spreading pro-Russian propaganda supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticizing the Kiev government. The disinformation is spread through social media sites and messaging apps targeting people who propagate conspiracy theories.
Researchers at Biginum identified and analyzed the network between September and December last year, tracing the massive disinformation campaign back to Moscow. One pro-Russian channel on the French Telegram app publishes up to nine articles an hour almost continuously.
The European Commission, NATO, and UN agencies have classified disinformation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in 2024, recognizing it as a national security issue.
UN Information Secretary-General Melissa Fleming stated that disinformation was being used to create more suspicion and hatred, weakening peacekeeping forces.
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell described this new war as being about words and ideas that can colonize minds, not about bombs that can kill people.
Vera Yulova, the EU’s vice-president for values and transparency, expressed the EU’s determination to fight back against Kremlin’s actions to spread propaganda and interfere in democracy, welcoming the strong determination of France, Germany, and Poland.
French defense experts noted that sites linked to disinformation networks do not produce original material, instead flooding the internet with materials from pro-Russian sources since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Biginum report revealed that the disinformation network is directly contributing to the polarization of digital public debate in the Francophone world and is targeting Russian communities in Ukraine and several Western countries.
Furthermore, Biginum identified three “ecosystems” involved in the propaganda campaign.
Another network of websites primarily targets Russian-speaking audiences in Ukraine and began operating just over a month after the Russian invasion, delivering propaganda focused on the Ukraine conflict.
Despite the massive propaganda and disinformation campaign, security experts believe it has had limited success, with the average traffic for the five portals in November 2023 reaching 31,000 visits.
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