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<p>Throughout human evolution, the presence of body and facial hair has diminished. Yet, eyelashes have remained a distinctive feature. </p>



<p>Traditionally, their role has been considered purely protective - catching dust, filtering air and water, and aiding in vision. However, the functional purpose of eyelashes has remained the subject of debate.</p>



<p>A recent study by Chinese researchers has unveiled fascinating insights into the role and structure of human eyelashes.</p>



<p>Conducted by Professor Jiang Lei and his team from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research highlights the hydrodynamic advantages of eyelashes in maintaining visual clarity.</p>



<p>The team examined the sophisticated design and functionality of these small yet vital features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-eyelashes-unique">What makes eyelashes unique?</h2>



<p>The study revealed that eyelashes consist of a hydrophobic, curved, and flexible fiber array. The fibers feature surface micro-ratchets and a macro-curvature resembling the Brachistochrone curve. </p>



<p>This unique structure enables eyelashes to expel liquid rapidly and directionally, ensuring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-could-protect-millions-of-people-from-vision-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clear vision</a> even in challenging conditions.</p>



<p>Eyelashes are not merely for aesthetic appeal or shielding the eyes from debris. The study highlighted that eyelashes actively repel water, a feature that has been largely overlooked in scientific literature.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyelashes-repel-water">Eyelashes repel water</h2>



<p>The team investigated the interaction between water and the flexible fiber array of eyelashes. The study carefully examined the unique design of human eyelashes, focusing on three main aspects:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Structure</strong>: the physical arrangement of the eyelash fibers, including their curvature and alignment.</li>



<li><strong>Wettability</strong>: how easily water interacts with or slides off the surface of eyelashes.</li>



<li><strong>Water Drainage</strong>: the process through which water is moved away from the eyes by the eyelashes.</li>
</ol>



<p>The researchers also investigated how the flexibility, shape (curvature), and elasticity (ability to stretch and return to shape) of eyelashes contribute to their effectiveness in repelling water. These features help eyelashes function as a natural barrier against liquid.</p>



<p>The results of the study led to some key conclusions:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrophobic-and-curved-design">Hydrophobic and curved design</h3>



<p>Eyelashes repel water because of their water-resistant surface and curved structure. This design directs water away from the eyes, keeping them dry.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asymmetric-structures-and-elasticity">Asymmetric structures and elasticity</h3>



<p>The varying shapes and elastic properties of the eyelashes control how liquid moves around. These properties determine the direction in which water flows and how long it stays in contact with the eyelashes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-computational-modeling">Computational modeling </h3>



<p>The team developed a mathematical model to measure the forces acting on the eyelashes. This helped explain why they quickly push water away.</p>



<p>These mechanisms ensure that during daily activities like washing your face or sweating, eyelashes prevent water from entering the eyes. This allows for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-pistachios-daily-proven-to-boost-eyes-vision-and-overall-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clear vision</a>, even in wet conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-applications-of-eyelash-research">Broader applications of eyelash research</h2>



<p>The implications of this research extend beyond understanding human anatomy. The findings have inspired the design of certain innovative technologies.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-repellent-false-eyelashes">Water repellent false eyelashes</h3>



<p>Water repellent false eyelashes are designed to replicate the natural properties of human eyelashes. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also provide a functional benefit by repelling water, similar to natural eyelashes. </p>



<p>This makes them practical for use in wet environments, enhancing both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laughter-may-help-dry-eyes-as-much-as-eye-drops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aesthetics and protection</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waterproof-imaging-devices">Waterproof imaging devices</h3>



<p>The study’s findings inspired the creation of imaging devices that mimic the structure of eyelashes. The devices use similar water-repelling designs that improve their functionality and performance in wet or humid conditions. </p>



<p>This innovation can benefit fields like underwater photography or outdoor surveillance.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ventilated-structures">Ventilated structures</h3>



<p>By applying the design principles of eyelashes, researchers have developed structures that manage air and liquid flow effectively. </p>



<p>These can be used in various applications, such as building ventilation systems or equipment that requires controlled airflow and moisture resistance, and ensures better efficiency and durability.</p>



<p>Professor Jiang’s team emphasized that their work bridges biological understanding with practical applications, showcasing how nature’s designs can inspire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-camera-technology-lets-us-see-colors-of-the-world-through-the-eyes-of-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced technologies</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-eye-hygiene-tips">Additional eye hygiene tips</h2>



<p>While eyelashes play a crucial role in protecting eyes from liquid and debris, maintaining proper eye hygiene is equally important. The NHS recommends:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>washing hands before and after touching the eyes,</li>



<li>cleaning glasses regularly, and</li>



<li>avoiding sleeping in contact lenses.</li>
</ul>



<p>These practices can prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the eyes, thus reducing the risk of infections.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-repelling-potential-of-eyelashes">Water-repelling potential of eyelashes</h2>



<p>In conclusion, eyelashes are more than just a facial feature; they are a sophisticated natural mechanism designed to protect and maintain visual clarity. </p>



<p>The study from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> sheds light on their unique structure and functionality, revealing a deeper appreciation for these seemingly simple fibers.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr2135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Eyelashes keep vision clear by actively repelling water

Throughout human evolution, the presence of body and facial hair...

<p>The universe is packed with intricate, carbon-based compounds, including organic molecules, that hold clues about life’s raw materials. Some of these compounds are found in space.</p>



<p>Over the past few years, robotic missions have taken samples from comets and asteroids to learn how these compounds formed and whether our planet might owe its biological chemistry to faraway dust clouds.</p>



<p>The findings hint that organic molecules appear in every corner of space, which suggests that our own evolution may fit into a larger cosmic narrative.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-molecules-in-space">Organic molecules in space</h2>



<p>Scientists studying bits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-undergoing-major-erosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interstellar</a> dust, comets, and asteroids keep finding the same theme: these objects contain a variety of organic molecules.<br><br>The story began in 1986 when the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Giotto_overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Giotto spacecraft </a>conducted the first in-situ analysis of a comet, <a href="https://www.space.unibe.ch/about_us/personen/dr_haenni_nora/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1P/</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eta-aquarids-see-up-to-50-shooting-stars-per-hour-this-weekend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halley</a>, during its apparition (when it was visible from Earth).<br><br>It revealed an unexpected abundance of organic species in the coma, but their exact origins -- whether from polymeric matter or smaller molecules -- remained unclear.<br><br>The small spacecraft followed the comet for two years, capturing the dust and gas it shed. Instruments recorded dozens of molecules that contained carbon, leading scientists to look deeper for connections to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-in-submarines-can-help-astronauts-prepare-for-future-space-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early solar system</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-records-of-organic-molecules-in-space">Past records of organic molecules in space</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.swri.org/press-release/rosetta-data-reveals-more-surprises-about-comet-67p">Rosetta</a> spacecraft was the first to orbit and land on a comet, namely 67P. In 2015, it detected simple organic compounds, including <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600285">glycine</a>, which is a building block of proteins. This discovery marked the first direct detection of this molecule on a comet.<br><br>By 2022, researchers analyzing high-resolution mass spectrometry data <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-31346-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identified</a> 44 organic compounds in just one day’s worth of Rosetta data, with some molecules weighing up to 140 Daltons (Da).<br><br>“Rosetta really changed the view,” said <a href="https://www.space.unibe.ch/about_us/personen/dr_haenni_nora/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Nora Hänni</a>, a chemist at the <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bern</a>. Soon after this, her team identified dimethyl sulfide, a gas that, on Earth, is generally produced by living organisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteroids-as-cosmic-sample-returns">Asteroids as cosmic sample returns</h2>



<p>Japan’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hayabusa-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hayabusa2</a> and NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSIRIS-REx</a> missions offered a similar look at ancient space rocks. They scooped material from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu and brought the samples back to Earth.<br><br>Early analyses suggested that both asteroids have a wide range of organics present. <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn7850" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientists</a> studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-ryugu-has-unexpected-family-ties-near-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryugu</a> found at least 20,000 varieties of carbon-based compounds, including 15 different amino acids.<br><br>“It’s just everything possible from which life could emerge,” said <a href="https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/bgc/pi/philippe-schmitt-kopplin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin</a>, an organic geoscientist at the Technical University of Munich.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-about-planetary-origins">Questions about planetary origins</h2>



<p>Those organic-rich rocks may date back to a time before planets fully formed. Scientists wonder if these compounds started in cold, dark clouds between stars, or if they originated in energetic zones near young suns.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Those of us interested in searching for life have to understand how planets could acquire organics in the absence of life,” said <a href="https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/directory/glein-christopher/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Glein</a>, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute. <br><br>Many experts ask whether the early Earth became <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expanding-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable</a> partly because of organic molecules that arrived from space.<br><br>“I would like to know where we come from as a planetary species,” said <a href="https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/karin-oberg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karin Öberg</a>, an astrochemist at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-chemistry-across-the-cosmos">Early chemistry across the cosmos</h2>



<p>Astronomers have traced certain hefty carbon structures called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05998-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PAHs</a>) back to about 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang.</p>



<p>Carbon atoms often form large, sturdy rings and chains in the outflows of dying stars.<br><br>“It’s actually not too different from combustion as we understand it here on Earth,” said Öberg, referring to the ways these molecules can build up in stellar winds. </p>



<p>Observations confirm that interstellar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> has more than 200 carbon-containing compounds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icy-labs-in-the-dark">Icy labs in the dark</h2>



<p>In molecular clouds, simple ingredients gather on cold dust grains. Once stuck together, atoms can combine to form key molecules like methane.<br><br>Over time, ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays split molecules into radical fragments, which recombine to form something new. Experiments hint that this can produce anything from methanol to glycine<br><br>“You can build complexity without much going on in just a cold, dark cloud,” said <a href="https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/people/alice-s-booth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alice Booth</a>, an astronomer at Harvard University.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-disks-and-newborn-worlds">Planetary disks and newborn worlds</h2>



<p>Observations of protoplanetary disks -- thick, spinning layers of dust and gas around baby stars -- show that methanol and other organics survive the intense heat of stellar births.<br><br>Recent modeling suggests these compounds may grow into even more sophisticated structures when disk materials cycle between hot surface zones and cooler midplane regions.<br><br>This process could be one reason comets and asteroids wind up so chemically rich by the time they form. “Comets are, I think, the best that we can do to go back in time,” said Hänni.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-organic-molecules-in-space">Origins of organic molecules in space</h2>



<p>When organic chemicals land on a planet, they might set the stage for the emergence of living systems. A few theories propose that meteorites or comets delivered certain amino acids or <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-03/documents/pahs_factsheet_cdc_2013.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PAHs</a> to early Earth.</p>



<p>Astrobiologists debate about which molecules represent a solid proof of life, and which might be possible false positives. </p>



<p>The presence of dimethyl sulfide from comet 67P, supports the idea that lifeless processes can make molecules that we tend to associate with living organisms.</p>



<p>In 2016, <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rosetta</a> concluded its mission with a controlled impact on comet 67P’s surface, which resulted in a rich legacy of data for further analysis.</p>



<p>Since then, scientists have connected these findings to other Solar System reservoirs of organics, such as Saturn’s ring rain and meteoritic material, revealing their shared prestellar origins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-organic-molecules-in-space">Future research on organic molecules in space</h2>



<p>Scientists will continue exploring these mysteries with missions like NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Clipper</a>, the European Space Agency’s <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juice</a>, and a future rotorcraft bound for Saturn’s moon Titan.</p>



<p>Researchers hope to spot organic compounds that might give hints about oceans hiding beneath icy crusts. </p>



<p>Such discoveries could bring us closer to answering one of humanity's oldest questions: are we alone in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-mission-set-to-search-for-life-on-jupiters-ocean-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>?</p>



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Organic molecules found throughout the universe hint that life began in deep space

The universe is packed with intricate, carbon-based compounds, including organic...

<p>In the relentless battle between parasites and their hosts, nature often finds innovative solutions. Sometimes, however, borrowing proven strategies can trump the invention of new ones. </p>



<p>This principle is exemplified by fruit flies, which have adopted a defense mechanism from bacteria to help them counter predatory wasps. The fascinating discovery highlights the dynamic strategies of evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parasitic-wasps-vs-fruit-flies">Parasitic wasps vs. fruit flies</h2>



<p>Parasitic wasps present a gruesome threat to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-can-walk-jump-and-dance-using-the-same-motor-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fruit flies</a>, as they transform fly larvae into hosts for wasp offspring. In some species, parasitism affects nearly half of all fly larvae, in a process that is eerily reminiscent of the 1979 movie&nbsp;<em>Alien</em>. </p>



<p>To survive this biological invasion, fruit flies have co-opted a bacterial defense mechanism, showcasing a remarkable example of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in animals.</p>



<p>Horizontal gene transfer, where genes jump between unrelated species, is common among bacteria and viruses. It plays a crucial role in spreading antibiotic resistance among microbes. </p>



<p>However, HGT is considered rare in multicellular organisms, such as insects and humans. This study challenges that notion, and demonstrates how animals might also leverage HGT for rapid adaptation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-borrowed-toxin-for-defense">Borrowed toxin for defense</h2>



<p>Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Noah Whiteman, have identified a bacterial gene that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-on-treadmills-video-shows-how-insects-walk-and-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fruit flies</a> use to fend off parasitic wasps.</p>



<p>This gene encodes a toxin that damages the DNA of wasp eggs, preventing them from developing. </p>



<p>According to Whiteman, the discovery provides a model for understanding how immune systems evolve, including our immune system, which also contains horizontally transferred genes. Whiteman.</p>



<p>The team previously showed that knocking out this gene in&nbsp;<em>Drosophila ananassae</em>&nbsp;resulted in nearly all fly larvae succumbing to wasp predation.</p>



<p>In their latest study, published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>, they successfully inserted the toxin-encoding gene into&nbsp;<em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>, a different species of fruit fly. This made the genetically modified lab flies resistant to predation by parasitic wasps. </p>



<p>The findings highlight the critical role of HGT in animal survival and adaptation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-of-fruit-flies-against-wasps">Strategies of fruit flies against wasps</h2>



<p>"This shows that horizontal gene transfer is an under-appreciated way that rapid evolution happens in animals," said Rebecca Tarnopol, a <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Berkeley</a> doctoral student and first author of the study. </p>



<p>While HGT is well-recognized in microbes, Tarnopol noted that it might occur more frequently in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-fruit-flies-smell-well-as-humans-with-much-less-nose-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> than previously thought.</p>



<p>The toxin gene, dubbed fusionB, originates from a bacteriophage - a virus that infects bacteria. This phage initially passed the gene to bacteria that lived inside aphids.</p>



<p>In turn, the bacteria used the gene to defend aphids against parasitic wasps. Flies, borrowing the same genetic tool, now use it to protect themselves from wasps, creating a fascinating chain of genetic borrowing across different species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precision-in-gene-expression">Precision in gene expression</h2>



<p>Expressing the toxin gene safely was a key challenge. When Tarnopol initially expressed the gene throughout the fly's body, all of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-are-more-vulnerable-to-climate-change-than-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flies</a> died.</p>



<p>However, targeting specific immune cells enabled the flies to utilize the toxin effectively without harming themselves. This delicate balance illustrates the complexities of HGT. </p>



<p>"If the gene is expressed in the wrong tissue, the fly is going to die. But if it lands in a favorable location, it can confer an amazing advantage," noted Whiteman.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-transfer-and-immune-defenses">Gene transfer and immune defenses</h2>



<p>The study reveals that horizontal gene transfer might drive immune defense evolution in animals. </p>



<p>"It gives us a picture of a new kind of dynamism," said Whiteman, highlighting how even animals with innate immune systems can adapt rapidly by borrowing genes from rapidly-evolving microbes.</p>



<p>This discovery also has implications for human health. Understanding how genes are co-opted and shared could inform therapies to combat parasitic infections, cancer, or other diseases. </p>



<p>By investigating how fruit flies utilize bacterial genes to defend against parasitic wasps, the researchers uncovered valuable insights into the evolutionary processes shaping immune systems in various species.</p>



<p>This research sheds light on the genetic mechanisms that animals may use to adapt and survive against evolving threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ingenious-strategy">An ingenious strategy </h2>



<p>The fruit flies' ingenious borrowing of bacterial defenses exemplifies nature's resourcefulness against relentless wasps and other threats.</p>



<p>This remarkable work sheds light on the hidden role of horizontal gene transfer in animal evolution and offers a glimpse into potential applications for human health. </p>



<p>"When you're a poor little fruit fly, borrowing genes from rapidly evolving bacteria and viruses is an ingenious strategy," Whiteman concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)01638-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a></em>.</p>



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Fruit flies have a new weapon to defend against parasitic wasps

In the relentless battle between parasites and their hosts, nature...

<p>The rugged landscape of Alaska often leaves people spellbound with its soaring peaks and dramatic valleys. </p>



<p>Many geologists believe that these mountains and valleys are more than scenic wonders. Interestingly, the Denali Fault plays a critical role in shaping this awe-inspiring Alaskan terrain.<br><br>Recent work has given a fresh perspective on how entire land masses may have drifted, collided, and fused, over long stretches of time, to form what we recognize today as the North American landscape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-denali-fault-in-alaska">The Denali Fault in Alaska</h2>



<p>Scientists have debated how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient fragments</a> of the western margin of North America joined together. The Denali Fault, a <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/denali" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive feature</a> that slices through Alaska, has been at the center of many investigations.</p>



<p>New <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/52/12/933/649182/Orogen-scale-inverted-metamorphism-during?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> suggest that three, seemingly separate geologic sites, spread along roughly 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), were once a smaller unit that signaled the final bonding of far-flung pieces of Earth's crust.</p>



<p>Geologists propose that these linked sites were torn apart again over millions of years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-tectonic-mysteries">Unraveling tectonic mysteries</h2>



<p>Experts have long focused on the northern <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329259890_The_Dynamic_History_of_220_Million_Years_of_Subduction_Below_Mexico_A_Correlation_Between_Slab_Geometry_and_Overriding_Plate_Deformation_Based_on_Geology_Paleomagnetism_and_Seismic_Tomography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North American Cordilleran margin</a>, which has been tectonically active for <a href="https://www.uvic.ca/science/seos/assets/docs/afgreadings13.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over 200 million years</a>.<br><br>Large fragments, known as exotic terranes, are present along the margin. They were once separate pieces of crust that occurred in locations far from the site where they now rest. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240674082_Wrangellia-A_displaced_terrane_in_northwestern_North_America" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wrangellia</a> is among the biggest of these terranes; it was an oceanic plate that formed far away before docking with North America, tens of millions of years ago.<br><br>Over time, complex strike-slip faults like the Denali Fault have shifted and displaced these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-crust-is-dripping-under-turkey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bits of crust</a>, masking the full story of how they first fused to the continent.</p>



<p>“We’re starting to recognize those primary features involved in the stitching, or the suturing, of once-distant land masses to the North American plate,” said <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Lrz_LL8AAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regan</a>, an associate professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' <a href="https://www.gi.alaska.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Institute</a> and the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics (<a href="https://www.uaf.edu/cnsm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNSM</a>). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-tectonic-history-of-alaska-and-yukon">Shared tectonic history of Alaska and Yukon</h2>



<p>A major clue in these findings is something called inverted metamorphism. </p>



<p>Typically, deeper rocks show higher temperatures and pressures, while shallower rocks show lower ones. Sometimes the order reverses, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rocks</a> formed in hotter conditions appear above the cooler layers.</p>



<p>According to researchers, this phenomenon appears in the Clearwater Mountains of Southcentral Alaska, the Kluane Lake area of Canada’s southwestern Yukon, and the Coast Mountains near Juneau. </p>



<p>It became clear that all three of these independent, inverted metamorphic belts formed at the same time under similar conditions.<br><br>Inverted metamorphic belts often point to <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70012246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intense thrusting events</a>, where layers of rock get shoved over one another in ways that defy the usual temperature and pressure patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-denali-fault-shook-things-up">How the Denali Fault shook things up</h2>



<p>Before this <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/52/12/933/649182/Orogen-scale-inverted-metamorphism-during?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, some geologists suspected that each region had its own separate story. </p>



<p>Regan’s analysis indicates that the three sites were once part of a single zone where the final merging of an ancient oceanic plate and the North American continent took place <a href="https://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/29785" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">between 72 million and 56 million years ago</a>.</p>



<p>The Denali Fault came into play when post-collision shifting rearranged these pieces, scattering what had been one geologic feature across hundreds of miles. </p>



<p>Researchers suggest that analyzing the movement along the fault reveals how these fractured pieces still fit together.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monazite-holds-the-key">Monazite holds the key</h2>



<p>Monazite is at the core of identifying the shared history of these three sites. This mineral contains lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and sometimes yttrium.<br><br>“It is just the most special little mineral; it can participate in a lot of reactions, so we can use it as a way to track the mineralogical evolution of a rock,” explained Sean Regan. </p>



<p>Specialists measure slight changes in <a href="https://pure.port.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/4085484/In_situ_LA_ICP_MS_dating_of_monazite_from_aluminous_gneisses_insights.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monazite’s composition</a> to determine the timing and conditions of its formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denali-fault-and-earth-s-tectonic-activity">Denali Fault and Earth’s tectonic activity</h2>



<p>Beyond their technical significance, these discoveries remind us that Earth’s surface is far from static. </p>



<p>North America’s western margin has lived through episodes of oceanic plates, volcanic arcs, and shifted terrains that continue to shape the mountains and valleys seen today.<br><br>Researchers see the Denali Fault as a record of long-distance transport of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-earth-has-six-continents-not-seven-north-america-europe-connected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustal fragments</a>, revealing the final act in the complicated docking of the Wrangellia Composite Terrane.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



<p>Many wonder how these findings will inform geological models of Alaska and Western Canada in future.</p>



<p>Geologists stress that further fieldwork, improved dating methods, and more collaborations are necessary to verify the timing and extent of major tectonic shifts.</p>



<p>Some plan to re-examine old mapping data or look at newly exposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-swot-satellite-mission-maps-earths-ocean-floors-from-space-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rocks</a> for additional clues. Even small details, like determining a rock’s age down to the nearest million years, may one day yield a clearer history of ancient movements.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Denali fault: Scientists finally learn how America's tallest mountain formed

The rugged landscape of Alaska often leaves people spellbound with...

3d,Abstract,Tech,Background.,Floating,Numbers,Hud,Background.,Matrix,Particles

<p>Northwestern University engineers made a remarkable advance in quantum computing and communication, demonstrating quantum teleportation over a standard fiber optic cable that already carries everyday Internet traffic.<br><br>This development shows that quantum communication might not require dedicated lines, which clears the path for easier and more widespread integration of quantum and classical data sharing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-path-for-quantum-networking">Path for quantum networking</h2>



<p>The news centers around the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum signals</a> -- information carried by delicate particles of light known as photons -- can travel alongside everyday Internet traffic without losing their integrity.<br><br>This breakthrough demonstrates quantum teleportation, a process where the state of a particle (like a photon) is transferred to another distant particle without the initial particle moving physically.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-quantum-teleportation">Science behind quantum teleportation</h2>



<p>By using entangled photons, this method enables secure, near-instantaneous data sharing and paves the way for future quantum networks.</p>



<p>The research team successfully tested a setup that allows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-time-observed-measured-tangible-in-new-quantum-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> information to weave through the bustling flow of regular Internet data without interference. </p>



<p>This achievement overcomes one of the biggest hurdles in making quantum networks a practical reality.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/research-faculty/directory/profiles/kumar-prem.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prem Kumar</a>, who oversaw the research, is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northwestern’s <a href="https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McCormick School of Engineering</a>. </p>



<p>He is known for his contributions to quantum communication and serves as the director of the Center for Photonic Communication and Computing.<br><br>In their recent work, Kumar and his collaborators introduce a new way of thinking about quantum signals alongside their classical counterparts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-entanglement-in-quantum-communication">Entanglement in quantum communication</h2>



<p>Quantum teleportation stands out because it uses entanglement as a way to exchange information without physically sending matter across a distance. The concept traces back to <a href="https://journals.aps.org/pr/abstract/10.1103/PhysRev.47.777" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Einstein,</a> <a href="https://journals.aps.org/pr/abstract/10.1103/PhysRev.47.777" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Podolsky</a>, and Rosen in 1935.<br><br>Scientists have since <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.1895" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tested</a> quantum entanglement in labs, culminating in the formal proposal for quantum teleportation in 1993.</p>



<p>One of the biggest appeals of quantum teleportation is that it can occur almost as fast as light travels. Photons can become entangled so that performing a measurement on one instantaneously affects its partner, no matter how far away it is.<br><br>“This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible; our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elusive-quantum-negative-entanglement-entropy-deciphered-in-the-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classical networks</a> sharing a unified fiberoptic infrastructure. Basically, it opens the door to pushing quantum communications to the next level,” enthused Kumar. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-delicate-photons">Protecting delicate photons</h2>



<p>Securing a clear route for single photons involves more than just adding them to an active cable. Ordinary Internet traffic typically relies on millions of light particles, so a handful of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> photons can easily get lost or overwhelmed.<br><br>The <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern</a> team performed detailed studies on how light scatters inside the cable to see if there was a specific wavelength that experiences less clutter. </p>



<p>They pinpointed that sweet spot and added special filters to reduce the noise generated by normal data traffic.</p>



<p>“Quantum teleportation has the ability to provide quantum connectivity securely between geographically distant nodes,” said Kumar.<br><br>Past work suggested that large-scale <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/functioning-quantum-internet-makes-giant-stride-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum networks</a> might need specialized systems. Now, his findings reveal that this might not be strictly necessary, if signals are positioned in just the right place in the spectrum.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-test-run-in-busy-channels">First test run in busy channels</h2>



<p>Earlier demonstrations of quantum teleportation typically involved pristine settings or dedicated fibers. </p>



<p>Some <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan3211">researchers</a> believed that real-world cables, teeming with signals, would smother the faint quantum light. That assumption has been proven wrong.</p>



<p>In tests at Northwestern, the researchers ran quantum signals and classical communications over the same fiber optic cable without them colliding. </p>



<p>They measured how well the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electrons-can-follow-neat-paths-even-in-chaotic-quantum-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum information</a> arrived at its destination and confirmed that it was still correct at the other end.<br><br>“Our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and classical networks,” Kumar summarized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-infrastructure">Real-world infrastructure</h2>



<p>The immediate plan is to scale the system to longer runs and then transition to underground fiber connections. </p>



<p>The group believes that an eventual shift to real-world cables could be next. Building on single-pair teleportation, they also want to experiment with multiple pairs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-dance-entangled-photons-wave-functions-captured-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entangled photons</a> to achieve another crucial step known as entanglement swapping.</p>



<p>If that milestone is reached, quantum networks could begin to take shape across regions rather than only between two points.<br><br>For critical operations in finance, defense, and data management, such networks could offer more secure connections thanks to the inherent secrecy of quantum methods, where any tampering is immediately noticeable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-applications">Broader applications</h2>



<p>The capacity to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum connections</a> without setting up special cables makes many new ideas more viable. </p>



<p>Distributed quantum computing, which relies on linking multiple quantum computers in different locations, would be simpler to establish. </p>



<p>Distance-sensing tasks and advanced metrology could also benefit from more stable quantum links.</p>



<p>Even beyond computing, quantum networks have the potential to spur new technologies in encryption, imaging, and fundamental physics experiments.<br><br>Researchers have also discussed using quantum entanglement to <a href="https://watermark.silverchair.com/020011_1_online.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAAzAwggMsBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggMdMIIDGQIBADCCAxIGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMxOCNBnzx99LUOAbXAgEQgIIC41_WikXKemGuhWdzU4OnkQXRNjdQ5jj8bK5la7lzZlWPVXgV6KM-mv4frQgdokiIKWhEiPaL2MBMicf8FXjC7C9DHm7cmfKlXHX0RsBGMmNFXIf3tnlSoygfD_3DsxoPrGUO5slXsAOpR2nNcOJqQMHxOtS2vZo885BZQmEF8j2Tdz7Eih6K3tmVzUTRmYwHJ4KtMk-RjD1JHXfFwUnnQ0B-Qk9VmP_s05zipejBq28CbQySyGw7Mi-SfxNEW7qC-VEEFHy__hVKeExMG4HmltzHbp-k_zPnwktK7eEojGWH17mX6qfBGSE_fSGYQYHh82x6TLx2HdMBx2RVuTZIxpClItEPUEuHXIn4ZM4QBHWUlhzFcnm5moZmsfIxN9II_S8v4fKN3hCeAp8QpjjhQyT3coqB4S80iIXBN3V1wpJMknK0WwKpuekyl7Tpcv1zPchLng2_lN8TuajzF8lyuBSRFWKGg4nKkdwtCV3OnUweAUfYwNrQdUgY769pFqspGxXh7VPhcgDe8hcdc9-EX2Y7uz7jMMmDyc9q7sJ0jW1tM2tUVkXYpOvSVkcuFN5Qa4ud5D8xdQ4UUL1nvGnhvJuTvT1kv2WiRlSy-3_uhi75BUEPppoyIv22JtpjkcAmQYEmLgcSdROYaB7LB5ySLLQ1rRZW7BFQvI5W7Zv0FX64VIvx1sNCubj1HvROm9OR026h8Kt-VuE8YZwoGgUP4DPycn_gwFHMguRZfU_bbMIBnLyufXePFSsPB0Nfv_gpwYN6lNzD3oyZPbo5BumjsspwgrOmvZADcEM6hyqkhAOGBm5gf5QiFtGWxvY9pYT2xSR9LI6C8cxxDNl8VMtRCK2pwJ_e2sg6h3sdILLYVzHuF4DO7SWTW0unBeit2cvJtDSN-PcPRtsTvI5eYgQkwouAfEZ3o4fKme-h8q4Ik1RVGvz3kMW2bnGOvgK0LeIer5Frkr3op85V1mpuWR1-l-Jjq6M">synchronize distant clocks</a> or to share random numbers for cryptography at unprecedented levels of security.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-quantum-teleportation">Significance of quantum teleportation </h2>



<p>Quantum teleportation has matured from a fascinating theory to a tool that is becoming more practical. </p>



<p>While it is never straightforward to integrate delicate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unbreakable-encryption-brings-quantum-internet-communication-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum signals</a>, the Northwestern group’s accomplishment raises confidence that such integration is within reach.</p>



<p>Many experts have believed that building specialized infrastructure was an unavoidable cost of quantum networking. </p>



<p>According to Kumar’s report, if wavelengths are picked carefully, classical signals and quantum information can coexist just fine. This line of thinking spares organizations from installing entire new grids of cables.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-work-on-quantum-teleportation">Future work on quantum teleportation</h2>



<p>In upcoming work, the researchers plan to expand the scope of their approach in longer segments to confirm that the method remains stable as cables stretch far past the lab. They will also design a multi-node demonstration to verify it can handle more than a single link.<br><br>There is much excitement that existing communication channels, once tuned just right, could <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-atoms-qkd-quantum-communication-revolutionizing-data-protection-privacy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carry quantum data</a> to distant points.</p>



<p>With such possibilities on the horizon, quantum teleportation may shift from a theoretical concept to a tool that transforms communication. </p>



<p>The future might see quantum and classical networks working side by side in ways that once sounded unlikely.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://opg.optica.org/optica/fulltext.cfm?uri=optica-11-12-1700&amp;id=565936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Optica</em></a>.</p>



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'Impossible' success: Quantum teleportation on the internet is set to change the world

Northwestern University engineers made a remarkable advance in quantum computing...

<p>Scientists and botanists are continuously exploring nature's vast variety, making tree and plant discoveries that highlight the richness of our planet's biodiversity. </p>



<p>These findings spark excitement and curiosity, offering fresh perspectives on the vast array of plant species still awaiting exploration. Most recently, experts have added to the world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-technology-will-accelerate-the-pace-of-plant-species-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">botanical discoveries</a> by naming six new tree species.</p>



<p>These species were identified during an exhaustive comparison of dried plant specimens gathered from across the Neotropics. </p>



<p>Among the six, three unique species - Matisia petaquillae, Matisia changuinolana, and Matisia aquilarum - were identified in Panama while the other three - Matisia genesiana, Matisia mutatana, and Matisia rufula - were discovered in Colombia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-specimens-and-new-tree-species">Plant specimens and new tree species</h2>



<p>The process of discovering these new species was a meticulous one, involving the careful collection, drying, and examination of plant samples. </p>



<p>These samples were pressed into pieces of cardboard, mounted onto specialized paper, and later filed into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-centinela-mass-extinction-really-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbaria</a> - dedicated repositories for dried plant specimens. </p>



<p>With digital advancements, curators have made a significant portion of these specimens available online, facilitating easier access and exchange of knowledge.</p>



<p>However, it's important to note that despite digital access, the task of identifying these plant specimens still hinges on expert plant taxonomists.</p>



<p>Scientists often grapple with unidentified specimens for years before they can conclusively establish whether these represent previously unknown species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-upon-previous-discoveries">Building upon previous discoveries </h2>



<p>Ernesto Campos, a research technician at the <a href="https://stri.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute</a> (STRI), noted that José Luis Fernández-Alonso played a pivotal role in confirming the identification of a new tree species, Matisia tinamastiana in 2022.</p>



<p>This discovery unfolded in the Altos de Campana Forest Reserve and National Park and laid the cornerstone for the current collaborative efforts.</p>



<p>To identify this intriguing set of species, Fernández-Alonso examined plant samples preserved in herbaria across Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States. </p>



<p>Campos provided crucial assistance in Panama, facilitating the review of herbarium collections at different institutions, including the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (UCH).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specimens-from-chagres-national-park">Specimens from Chagres National Park</h2>



<p>The discovery journey was further enriched with the collections made by senior botanists at STRI, Rolando Pérez and Salomón Aguilar, who extended the known distribution range of Matisia aquilarum.</p>



<p>This achievement was possible thanks to specimens found at a study site in Chagres National Park, a part of the ForestGEO-STRI forest monitoring network.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-window-into-the-world-of-plants">Window into the world of plants </h2>



<p>The exploration does not end here. With the help of Joana Sumich, a technician in the SCZ herbarium, the researchers are in the process of identifying other plant samples - including some that were collected decades ago. They anticipate uncovering more species previously unknown to science.</p>



<p>To aid non-specialists in identifying these new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-invasive-plant-species-are-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>, the authors have also included an updated dichotomous key of Matisia species for Panama in their manuscript. This represents the first such identification key published in over half a century.</p>



<p>David Mitre, the research manager for ForestGEO-STRI in Panama, aptly summed up the importance of these discoveries.</p>



<p>"Herbaria are not just collections of dried plants, they are a source of new information in the long term. Discoveries like this remind us how important it is to make sure that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-trees-are-critically-endangered-even-in-protected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected areas</a> are really well protected," said Mitre.</p>



<p>These findings elevate our understanding of our precious ecosystems, shedding light on the multitudes of plant species <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-tree-species-remain-undiscovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waiting to be discovered</a>.</p>



<p>“This window into the world of plants leads to discoveries of new pharmaceuticals and makes it possible for conservationists to justify protection for natural areas where rare species flourish," said Joshua Tewksbury, STRI Director.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reservoirs-of-preserved-plant-specimens">Reservoirs of preserved plant specimens</h2>



<p>Herbaria play a pivotal role in botanical research, serving as reservoirs of preserved plant specimens that hold invaluable information about the planet's biodiversity. </p>



<p>These collections, some dating back centuries, are meticulously maintained to ensure their scientific integrity. </p>



<p>Advances in digital technology have made many herbarium records accessible online, revolutionizing how researchers study plant species across the globe.</p>



<p>Despite this accessibility, the identification of new species remains a time-intensive process that relies heavily on skilled plant taxonomists. </p>



<p>By carefully analyzing physical traits, geographical data, and historical records, these experts uncover the stories behind each specimen. </p>



<p>The recent discoveries of the six <em>Matisia</em> tree species highlight the importance of herbaria in preserving the natural history of our planet and contributing to conservation efforts.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://raccefyn.co/index.php/raccefyn/article/view/malvaceae-neotropicae-novae-vel-minus-cognitae-nuevas-especies-d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales</a></em>.</p>



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Six new tree species identified in Columbia and Panama

Scientists and botanists are continuously exploring nature's vast variety, making...

<p>There's something both captivating and comforting about the rhythms and harmonies of a symphony orchestra, right? Well, did you know that something similar happens inside your brain while you're catching some sleep? It turns out, our brains have a maestro of their own - breathing. </p>



<p>Just as a conductor harmonizes an orchestra to create a symphony, breathing synchronizes the rhythm of brain waves during sleep. This phenomenon takes place in the hippocampus - a region of the brain that is critical for memory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-rhythms-during-sleep">Breathing rhythms during sleep</h2>



<p>This fascinating revelation comes from a recent study by <a href="https://www.nm.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern Medicine</a>. It marks the first time scientists have linked breathing rhythms during sleep to the hippocampal brain waves known as&nbsp;slow waves, spindles, and ripples. </p>



<p>Study senior author Christina Zelano is a professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.</p>



<p>“To strengthen memories, three special neural oscillations emerge and synchronize in the hippocampus during sleep, but they were thought to come and go at random times,” noted Professor Zelano. "We discovered that they are coordinated by breathing rhythms.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-memory-synchronization">Science behind memory synchronization</h2>



<p>The study shows that certain brain waves, called hippocampal oscillations, align with specific phases of the breathing cycle. These oscillations are critical for organizing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-coordinates-brain-waves-for-memory-storage-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strengthening memories</a>. </p>



<p>Andrew Sheriff is a postdoctoral student in Zelano's lab and the corresponding author of the study.</p>



<p>This means that the rhythm of your breathing during sleep plays an active role in helping your brain store and recall information effectively. </p>



<p>“Memory consolidation relies on the orchestration of brain waves during sleep, and we show that this process is closely timed by breathing,” explained Sheriff.</p>



<p>This research opens new doors for understanding the intricate relationship between breathing, brain activity, and memory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-sleep-and-memory-consolidation">Breathing, sleep, and memory consolidation </h2>



<p>The connection between sleep and improved memory is not a new discovery. The ancient Roman scholar Quintillion stated: "The interval of a single night will greatly increase the strength of the memory."</p>



<p>This phenomenon, now recognized as memory consolidation, involves the precise coordination of brain waves in the hippocampus.</p>



<p>Sheriff shared a personal example to explain how memory consolidation works. While attending a conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, he had to find his way around an unfamiliar city. </p>



<p>After sleeping, he realized his sense of direction and understanding of the city's layout had improved. This improvement happened because, during sleep, the brain replayed and reinforced the experiences and maps he had formed earlier. </p>



<p>His hippocampus, which is responsible for spatial memory, used specific brain waves to process and solidify this information overnight.</p>



<p>“The hippocampus plays a major role in forming a map of a new area,” Sheriff said. “I would wake up and feel I had a better representation of the city around me. That was facilitated by the oscillations that occurred during my sleep, which we found are coordinated by breathing.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-sleep-disorders">Implications for sleep disorders</h2>



<p>The study’s findings carry significant implications for individuals suffering from sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea. Poor memory consolidation is one of the many cognitive challenges associated with such conditions.</p>



<p>“When you don’t get sleep, your brain suffers, your cognition suffers, you get foggy,” Sheriff noted. He emphasized the connection between disrupted breathing during sleep and serious conditions such as stroke, dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.</p>



<p>Interestingly, the unique rhythm of breathing during sleep may serve a specific purpose. “If you listen to someone breathing, you might be able to tell when they are asleep, because breathing is paced differently when you’re sleeping,” Sheriff said. </p>



<p>“One reason for that may be that breathing is performing a careful task: coordinating brain waves that are related to memory.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-frontier-in-sleep-research">New frontier in sleep research</h2>



<p>The research highlights the importance of addressing sleep disorders to maintain cognitive health and memory. Sheriff emphasized the need for individuals with disrupted breathing to seek treatment, as improved sleep could have far-reaching benefits for overall brain function.</p>



<p>This study was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and a Ruth L. Kirchstein Institutional National Research Award.</p>



<p>This remarkable research adds a new layer of understanding to the intricate processes that occur during sleep. By uncovering the role of breathing in synchronizing brain waves, Northwestern scientists have paved the way for new interventions aimed at improving memory and cognitive health.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Breathing rhythms help strengthen memories during sleep

There's something both captivating and comforting about the rhythms and...

<p>New research suggests your daily coffee habit might do more than just wake you up - it could help protect against head and neck cancers.</p>



<p>A comprehensive analysis by scientists at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah sheds light on the potential benefits of coffee and tea in reducing cancer risks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-concern-head-and-neck-cancer">Rising concern: Head and neck cancer</h2>



<p>Head and neck cancer ranks as the seventh most common <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> worldwide, with cases increasing in low- and middle-income countries. </p>



<p>In the United States alone, the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cancer Institute</a> estimates that 71,100 individuals will be diagnosed with oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx cancer in 2024. </p>



<p>Tobacco and alcohol remain the leading risk factors, but experts are now exploring dietary influences, including coffee and tea.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-and-cancer-risk">Coffee and cancer risk</h2>



<p>The researchers evaluated data from 14 prior studies which involved a total of 25,331 participants, including 9,548 cancer patients and 15,783 cancer-free individuals. The goal was to uncover dietary patterns linked to head and neck cancer.</p>



<p>"While there has been prior research on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-drinking-coffee-can-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coffee and tea consumption</a> and reduced risk of cancer, this study highlighted their varying effects with different sub-sites of head and neck cancer, including the observation that even decaffeinated coffee had some positive impact," explained Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, senior author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-s-protective-potential-against-cancer">Coffee’s protective potential against cancer</h2>



<p>The study revealed strong evidence that drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of head and neck cancers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the findings:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overall-risk-reduction">Overall risk reduction</h3>



<p>Individuals who drank four or more cups of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-consumption-may-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coffee</a> daily experienced a 17% lower risk of head and neck cancers compared to those who didn’t drink coffee. This includes cancers affecting areas like the mouth, throat, and voice box.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specific-cancer-types">Specific cancer types</h3>



<p>The protective effects of coffee were even more pronounced for certain types of cancer:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Oral cavity cancer</strong>: Coffee drinkers had a 30% lower risk of developing cancer inside the mouth.</li>



<li><strong>Throat cancer</strong>: The risk of throat cancer was reduced by 22% among coffee drinkers.</li>



<li><strong>Hypopharyngeal cancer</strong>: Drinking 3–4 cups of coffee daily lowered the risk of cancer in the lower part of the throat by 41%.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-decaffeinated-coffee">Benefits of decaffeinated coffee</h3>



<p>Even without caffeine, coffee showed significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-coffee-good-for-you-it-may-depend-on-your-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protective effects</a>. People who drank decaffeinated coffee had a 25% lower risk of oral cavity cancer, suggesting that other compounds in coffee may contribute to its anticancer properties.</p>



<p>These findings from <a href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huntsman Cancer Institute</a> highlight the potential role of coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, in reducing the risk of specific cancers in the head and neck region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tea-a-mixed-brew-of-benefits">Tea: A mixed brew of benefits</h2>



<p>Tea consumption also showed protective effects in some cases. Drinking tea was associated with a 29% reduction in hypopharyngeal cancer risk. </p>



<p>However, consuming more than one cup daily was linked to a 38% increase in laryngeal cancer odds. This paradox suggests other factors, such as beverage temperature, may influence outcomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-coffee-beyond-cancer-protection">Benefits of coffee beyond cancer protection</h2>



<p>Coffee contains over 2,000 compounds, including anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants like chlorogenic acids. </p>



<p>These compounds have been linked to reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and inflammation-related conditions. Chlorogenic acid, in particular, shows potential in addressing anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</p>



<p>"Coffee should be enjoyed as a treasure trove of benefits tailored for the golden years," noted researchers from the <a href="https://www.uc.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Coimbra</a> in Portugal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-directions">Challenges and future directions</h2>



<p>While the findings are promising, the study acknowledges the complexity of coffee and tea habits. Variations in preparation methods, consumption levels, and other lifestyle factors influence outcomes. </p>



<p>Head and neck cancer rates are declining in wealthier nations due to improved healthcare and HPV vaccinations, but remain a significant burden in resource-limited regions.</p>



<p>"Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex, and these findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk," said Dr. Lee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-holistic-approach-to-prevention">A holistic approach to prevention</h2>



<p>Beyond dietary habits, public health initiatives should continue addressing tobacco and alcohol use, which significantly increase cancer risks. </p>



<p>Vaccination programs, early detection efforts, and awareness campaigns can further reduce the global burden of head and neck cancers.</p>



<p>Your morning coffee might offer more than just a caffeine kick - it could play a role in cancer prevention. As research progresses, understanding the relationship between dietary habits and cancer risks can empower individuals to make informed choices.</p>



<p>Whether you enjoy coffee for its flavor, energy boost, or potential health benefits, one thing is clear: this beloved beverage has layers worth exploring.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.35620" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cancer</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Drinking coffee reduces the risk of certain cancers

New research suggests your daily coffee habit might do more...

<p>It's not often we get to peek behind the curtain of our own minds and uncover the mysteries of how and why we behave the way we do. In a comprehensive interview, Professor Inga Neumann has unveiled her research into the role of oxytocin in shaping social behavior and emotional responses.</p>



<p>Professor Neumann is the Chair of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Regensburg.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxytocin-beyond-the-love-hormone">Oxytocin: Beyond the "love hormone"</h2>



<p>Published in the journal <em>Brain Medicine</em>, the interview provides a deep dive into her exploration of neuropeptides and their profound effects on social behavior and emotional responses.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vorklinische-medizin/neurobiologie-tierphysiologie/team-mitarbeiter/prof-dr-inga-d-neumann/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Neumann</a>’s work redefines oxytocin’s role, moving beyond its popular reputation as the “love hormone.” </p>



<p>"I am convinced that increasing our knowledge about the stimuli, dynamics, and consequences of their intracerebral release at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-rejection-teaches-us-valuable-lessons-about-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavioural</a>, physiological, cellular, and molecular levels will improve our understanding of general brain mechanisms," said Professor Neumann.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxytocin-s-role-in-social-anxiety">Oxytocin's role in social anxiety</h2>



<p>Professor Neumann’s team has created an advanced mouse model to study social fear conditioning, a process where individuals learn to associate social situations with fear or anxiety. </p>



<p>This model allows researchers to simulate and observe the effects of chronic stress and early life experiences on social behavior in a controlled environment. It provides valuable insights into how these factors influence brain function and behavior over time.</p>



<p>Her findings indicate that oxytocin plays a significant role in alleviating social fear. Additionally, other neuroactive molecules, such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which regulates the stress response, may also be critical in shaping these behaviors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treating-social-anxiety-disorders">Treating social anxiety disorders</h2>



<p>Together, these molecules could offer new therapeutic targets for addressing social anxiety disorders. By understanding how they work within the brain, researchers hope to develop treatments that effectively reduce social anxiety and improve overall mental health.</p>



<p>"We started to focus on the potential role of the brain's oxytocin and AVP systems as therapeutic targets for psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety disorders or autism," she notes.</p>



<p>Her research highlights the clinical promise of oxytocin-based therapies for treatment-resistant conditions, including social anxiety, autism, and schizophrenia. The findings inspire hope for more effective treatments that leverage the brain’s own neuropeptide systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-molecular-mechanisms-of-social-fear">Molecular mechanisms of social fear</h2>



<p>Professor Neumann’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind social fear, a condition where individuals experience anxiety in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-observation-our-decisions-shift-when-people-are-watching/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social situations</a>. </p>



<p>Her studies delve into how oxytocin and CRF, which is linked to the body’s stress response, work together to influence stress resilience and social behavior. </p>



<p>This interplay provides critical insights into how these molecules might be targeted to treat psychiatric conditions such as social anxiety, depression, and autism.</p>



<p>Going forward, the team from University of Regensburg aims to address important questions:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-oxytocin-delivery">Optimizing oxytocin delivery</h3>



<p>While oxytocin shows promise as a therapy, delivering it effectively to the brain remains a challenge. Researchers are exploring methods to ensure it reaches the intended brain regions without degrading or causing side effects.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-epigenetic-factors-in-social-disorders">Epigenetic factors in social disorders</h3>



<p>Epigenetic factors, which involve changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, may influence how individuals develop social behavior disorders. Understanding these factors could uncover why some people are more prone to these conditions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-translating-animal-studies-to-humans">Translating animal studies to humans</h3>



<p>Much of what we know about social behavior and treatments comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survival-of-the-friendliest-social-animals-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal models</a>. Bridging the gap between these studies and human applications is crucial for developing therapies that work effectively in clinical settings.</p>



<p>These lines of inquiry aim to advance both our understanding of brain mechanisms and the development of targeted treatments for psychiatric disorders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxytocin-s-role-in-social-behaviors">Oxytocin's role in social behaviors</h2>



<p>The interview with Professor Neumann not only explores her scientific contributions but also provides a glimpse into her personal journey and experiences. </p>



<p>The conversation blends Professor Neumann's research with stories of her challenges and triumphs, offering a more human perspective. By doing so, it highlights not just the technical aspects of her studies but also the broader implications of her findings for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-cuddle-hormone-fosters-love-boosts-memory-and-may-cure-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">society and mental health</a>.</p>



<p>This narrative approach connects readers to the person behind the research, making the science more relatable and impactful. </p>



<p>The series emphasizes how individual perseverance and innovation can drive meaningful advancements in understanding complex topics like brain function and social behavior. </p>



<p>Through this blend of professional and personal insights, the interview offers a holistic view of both the research and the researcher’s role in shaping the future of neuroscience.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/brainmed/aop/article-10.61373-bm024k.0139/article-10.61373-bm024k.0139.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brain Medicine</a>.</em></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Oxytocin is crucial beyond its role as the 'love hormone'

It's not often we get to peek behind the curtain...

<p>In a setback for environmental protection efforts, recent UN talks failed to produce a concrete plan for addressing worldwide drought concerns. </p>



<p>The extended discussions highlighted growing rifts between developed and developing nations on how to tackle the drought crisis.</p>



<p>At the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 meeting in Riyadh, delegates from 196 countries and the European Union worked through the night, pushing the talks a day beyond schedule. </p>



<p>Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, had expressed high hopes at the start, stating that the world expected negotiators "to adopt a bold decision that can help turn the tide on the most pervasive and the most disruptive environmental disaster: drought."</p>



<p>However, as dawn approached after the night's efforts, Thiaw acknowledged that "parties need more time to agree on the best way forward."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-pattern-of-failed-environmental-negotiations">A pattern of failed environmental negotiations</h2>



<p>This latest setback follows several recent disappointments that have arisen in global environmental talks, including unsuccessful biodiversity discussions in Colombia and failed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-can-we-combat-the-escalating-plastic-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic pollution</a> negotiations in South Korea.</p>



<p>Tom Mitchell from the <a href="https://www.iied.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Institute for Environment and Development</a> noted that these outcomes have "highlighted the challenges facing global negotiations."</p>



<p>"More than ever, the fractured geopolitical landscape is proving to be a stumbling block to the COP process and some voices are being squeezed out," he added. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-real-cost-of-drought-inaction">The real cost of drought inaction</h2>



<p>The stakes couldn't be higher. Droughts, already among the most devastating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-disasters-are-on-the-rise-but-hazard-plans-are-inadequate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural disasters</a>, are expected to intensify due to climate change - threatening both ecosystems and human livelihoods.</p>



<p>According to UN reports, drought-related economic losses currently exceed $300 billion annually, a figure that is likely to climb as water becomes more scarce.</p>



<p>Beyond financial tolls, the social and humanitarian impacts are staggering - droughts exacerbate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/late-rainy-season-signals-upcoming-food-insecurity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food insecurity</a>, force mass migrations, and heighten conflicts over dwindling resources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-growing-drought-crisis">The growing drought crisis</h2>



<p>Projections for the future are even grimmer. By 2050, up to three-quarters of the global population could face drought conditions, placing unprecedented pressure on agriculture, water management systems, and urban planning. </p>



<p>Regions already vulnerable will bear the brunt, but no part of the world will remain untouched. </p>



<p>Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and shrinking freshwater supplies are converging to create a perfect storm of challenges that require immediate and coordinated global action.</p>



<p>If no bold measures are taken, the ripple effects could jeopardize progress toward several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including ending poverty, ensuring food security, and promoting peace and justice. </p>



<p>Addressing the drought crisis is not merely a matter of environmental stewardship - it is a necessity for global stability and resilience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-african-nations-push-for-stronger-measures">African nations push for stronger measures</h2>



<p>African countries stood united in pushing for a binding agreement. </p>



<p>One African delegate, speaking anonymously, shared the hope for mandatory drought preparation plans, stating: "It's the first time I've seen Africa so united, with a strong united front, with respect to the drought protocol."</p>



<p>The divide between nations became clear as developed countries preferred a looser "framework" approach rather than binding commitments. </p>



<p>This position frustrated both African nations and Indigenous groups that were seeking stronger measures.</p>



<p>Praveena Sridhar of Save Soil suggested moving forward despite the lack of agreement.</p>



<p>"The absence of a protocol from COP16 shouldn't delay progress," said Sridhar, noting that governments can still support farmers through sustainable land management programs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-commitments-and-future-plans">Financial commitments and future plans</h2>



<p>The talks weren't without some progress. Various organizations, including the Arab Coordination Group and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, pledged over $12 billion toward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toilet-to-tap-california-approves-wastewater-recycling-amid-drought-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought resilience efforts</a>.</p>



<p>However, this falls short of the UN's estimated need of $2.6 trillion for land restoration by 2030.</p>



<p>Saudi Environment Minister Abdulrahman AlFadley emphasized his country's commitment, stating they are dedicated "to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-common-ground">Finding common ground</h2>



<p>The discussions revealed an interesting dynamic, as noted by Sridhar. Unlike climate talks that focus on controversial topics like fossil fuels, land preservation discussions offer more common ground.</p>



<p>"Attending to land, agriculture lands, farmers, livestock – it's not a contested subject. Nobody's going to say 'I don't want food.' The use of fossil fuels or not is a very polarizing subject. This is not," said Sridhar.</p>



<p>The next opportunity for progress will come at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, where nations again hope to finalize a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/formal-agreement-needed-to-define-the-current-level-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global drought agreement</a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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UN talks on the drought crisis end without agreement

In a setback for environmental protection efforts, recent UN talks...

<p>The world’s largest iceberg has astonished scientists by shaking free from a spinning ocean trap and continuing its trek across remote southern waters.</p>



<p>Its journey, marked by twists and turns since it separated from Antarctica, has become a focus for research on the changing ocean and the ice’s influence on life beneath the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a23a-iceberg-breaks-free">A23a iceberg breaks free</h2>



<p>The icy slab covers about 1,418 square miles, which makes it bigger than Rhode Island. </p>



<p>It originally broke away from <a href="https://eros.usgs.gov/earthshots/filchner-ice-shelf-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf</a> in 1986 and remained stuck close to the continent for decades. </p>



<p>Ocean currents and seafloor topography restricted its path. After finally regaining momentum last year, the towering block ran into a swirling formation of water near the <a href="https://www.ndsu.edu/subantarctic/southorkney.htm">South Orkney Islands</a>, where it ended up spinning in place for months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-iceberg-movements">Tracking iceberg movements</h2>



<p>“It’s exciting to see A23a on the move again after periods of being stuck,” said <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-breaks-free/">Dr Andrew Meijers</a>, an oceanographer at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>.</p>



<p>Ocean experts have been monitoring this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-undergoing-major-erosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iceberg’s</a> every move to understand how such massive blocks can influence sea circulation, temperature balance, and the distribution of nutrients.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-for-the-a23a-iceberg">New chapter for the A23a iceberg</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birth-of-an-iceberg-a-83-breaks-free-from-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iceberg’s</a> latest departure from its watery prison has stirred up fresh discussions about its fate. </p>



<p>As it progresses northward, warmer seas may take a toll on its bulk. Many large ice masses follow a similar route before gradually disintegrating.<br><br>Scientists emphasize that ice already afloat in the water does not raise sea levels when it melts. That does not mean these events should be dismissed, though, since Antarctica’s overall health is a concern in a warming world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a23a-iceberg-and-its-ocean-impacts-nbsp">A23a iceberg and its ocean impacts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Researchers have pointed out that although this particular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iceberg-that-weighs-more-than-the-eiffel-tower-is-floating-freely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iceberg</a> calved naturally, Antarctic ice shelves are showing other, more concerning changes.</p>



<p>Experts worry that accelerated ice loss in certain areas could have far-reaching effects. Even small changes along coastal regions of the continent can result in shifts in glacial flow, which might eventually lead to an uptick in sea-level rise. </p>



<p>Data gathered from icebergs like A23a helps build a clearer picture of these wider trends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-antarctic-ice-shelves">Importance of Antarctic ice shelves</h2>



<p>These massive floating ice platforms act as natural barriers, holding back glaciers from flowing too quickly into the ocean, while playing a crucial role in our planet's climate system.</p>



<p>By doing this, they help regulate sea levels and prevent dramatic rises that could flood coastal communities around the world. </p>



<p>Additionally, ice shelves influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-ice-shelves-melting-faster-due-to-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean currents</a> and the global climate by interacting with surrounding water and air, helping to maintain temperature and weather patterns. </p>



<p>Without these ice shelves, we could see much faster ice loss from the Antarctic, leading to significant changes in our global climate.</p>



<p>Beyond their impact on climate, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-fracturing-from-meltwater-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ice shelves</a> are vital indicators of environmental health. Scientists closely monitor these ice structures to understand the effects of global warming and to predict future changes in ice behavior. </p>



<p>When ice shelves start to thin or collapse, it signals shifts in climate trends, providing valuable data for researchers working on climate models and sea-level rise projections.</p>



<p>Moreover, the areas beneath and around ice shelves host unique marine ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife, contributing to Earth’s biodiversity. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystems-under-the-ice">Ecosystems under the ice</h2>



<p>Observations have shown that drifting ice blocks can stir the waters they pass through, sometimes generating short-lived plankton blooms. </p>



<p>These blooms support fish, krill, and other marine life in areas that might otherwise lack resources.<br><br>"These icebergs provide different sources of nutrients," explained Professor <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/profile/gant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geraint Tarling</a>, Biopole's principal investigator.<br><br>By sampling the water where the giant iceberg has traveled, scientists hope to gauge whether this berg’s size and origin play a notable part in shaping ocean communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-future-holds">What the future holds</h2>



<p>Many anticipate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a23a-worlds-largest-iceberg-is-moving-after-30-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A23a</a> will continue meandering through the Southern Ocean currents. As it ventures closer to milder latitudes, the ice is expected to weaken and break into smaller chunks. </p>



<p>Some fragments may persist for a while, but the main body of the iceberg will likely diminish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a23a-iceberg-research-enhances-ocean-circulation">A23a iceberg research enhances ocean circulation</h2>



<p>Ongoing research on these gargantuan ice blocks helps experts refine climate models, track ocean circulation patterns, and pinpoint areas most vulnerable to environmental changes. </p>



<p>Observations from ships, satellites, and on-site measurements all combine to offer a clearer view of what is happening far from major population centers.<br><br>The hope is that findings from the watery trails left by A23a will guide future decisions on how we manage and protect polar waters and fragile marine habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-lab-for-ocean-studies">Moving lab for ocean studies</h2>



<p>A23a’s odyssey is important because it shows how an individual iceberg can become a moving lab for oceanographers and climate scientists. </p>



<p>The iceberg's escape from a rotating water column this month hints at nature’s complexity, from shifting ocean currents to unseen underwater topography.</p>



<p>While it has been around for nearly four decades, its path in the coming months may reveal more about the chain reactions set in motion when a piece of Antarctica sets sail for open waters.</p>



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World’s largest iceberg breaks free from ocean cyclone

The world’s largest iceberg has astonished scientists by shaking free...

Parker,Solar,Probe,Near,The,Sun.,Elements,Of,This,Image

<p>NASA’s Parker Solar Probe touched the Sun's atmosphere, flying within 3.8 million miles (around 6.1 million kilometers) from the surface of the Sun on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 6:53 a.m. EST. </p>



<p>To approach the sun so closely, the Parker Solar Probe had to withstand extreme heat and intense radiation like no other spacecraft before it. </p>



<p>"It is breaking all of these records and it's a, just a total 'Yay! We did it!' moment," <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/nicola-fox/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nicola Fox</a>, the associate administrator for NASA Science Mission Directorate, said in a <a href="https://x.com/NASASun/status/1871524544306909200" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a> on Dec. 24.</p>



<p>During its closest approach, also called perihelion, mission operations will be out of contact with the spacecraft. </p>



<p>Scientists won’t know if Parker survived or what condition it’s in until Friday, when it's expected to send its first signal back to Earth since its close fly-by. Lots of fingers will remain crossed until then.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-going-where-no-human-made-object-has-gone">Going where no human-made object has gone</h2>



<p>This approach is unlike anything previously accomplished by a human-made spacecraft, marking a landmark in solar science that may rewrite much of what we know about our star.</p>



<p>Arik Posner, <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parker Solar Probe</a> program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, sees this effort as a new window into solar research.<br><br>“This is one example of NASA’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer longstanding questions about our universe,” said <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/dr-arik-posner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arik</a>.<br><br>The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>) in Laurel, Maryland, manages mission operations and is keeping a watchful eye on every step as Parker speeds by.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathtaking-pace-of-the-parker-solar-probe">Breathtaking pace of the Parker solar probe</h2>



<p>The spacecraft is moving at approximately <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/parker-solar-probe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">430,000 miles per hour</a>. At that velocity, Parker could zip from New York to Los Angeles in about 20 seconds. </p>



<p>By <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approaching the Sun</a> so closely, mission teams hope to retrieve data that no earlier craft could access.<br><br>Particles in the corona -- where temperatures can exceed a few million degrees -- tend to behave in puzzling ways. </p>



<p>Scientists aim to see how these intense conditions might shape <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a>, which jets out at more than one million miles per hour.</p>



<p>Engineers designed Parker’s trajectory with careful flybys of Venus to shrink its orbit gradually around the Sun. This path has taken years to perfect since launch in 2018. </p>



<p>Each loop demanded detailed calculations to ensure the craft can survive the approach, collect the right measurements, and keep sending updates back to Earth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-battling-extreme-heat">Solar probe battling extreme heat</h2>



<p>Because the Sun’s heat is punishing at such a short distance, Parker Solar Probe relies on a <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/Spacecraft/index.php#Extreme-Environments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon-composite shield</a> 4.5 inches thick.</p>



<p>This protective layer keeps sensitive instruments near room temperature while the shield’s front side can face extreme temperatures above 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>



<p>Sophisticated cooling systems also channel heat away from the core of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-the-fastest-human-made-object-ever-nasas-parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a>, helping to sustain the electronics that record measurements of plasma, magnetic fields, and solar wind particles.</p>



<p>Inside, the instruments are scanning for clues to explain the corona’s unusual temperatures, which skyrocket to levels far higher than the Sun’s visible surface. </p>



<p>Those same instruments are also watching for charged particle bursts and fluctuations in magnetic fields that might help answer big questions about what accelerates the solar wind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-timing-and-limited-contact">Crucial timing and limited contact</h2>



<p>Today’s perihelion means Parker is currently skimming the outer atmosphere of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-orbiter-spacecraft-sees-the-sun-through-three-different-lenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun</a> while in autonomous mode, out of immediate radio contact.</p>



<p>This window of silence is standard because powerful solar emissions prevent reliable communication. Mission operators anticipate a beacon tone on December 27, which should confirm Parker has survived.</p>



<p>Scientists believe that data from this flyby could provide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprecedented detail on solar activity</a>. Periods of heightened activity, known as solar maxima, produce more flares and coronal mass ejections.<br><br>These events can spawn auroras at unexpected latitudes and threaten satellites with bursts of charged particles. </p>



<p>By collecting data from close range, Parker might reveal new insights into how these explosive happenings form and evolve.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visionary-behind-the-parker-solar-probe">Visionary behind the Parker solar probe</h2>



<p>This trailblazer of solar research is named after <a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/eugene-parker-legendary-figure-solar-science-and-namesake-parker-solar-probe-1927-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Eugene N. Parker</a>, the late astrophysicist from the University of Chicago who proposed the existence of the solar wind back in the 1950s.</p>



<p>He changed our understanding of how stars interact with their surroundings. In 2018, he became the first person to witness the launch of a spacecraft bearing his name. </p>



<p>Though he passed away in 2022, his legacy lives on in every close pass the probe completes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-solar-wind">A closer look at solar wind</h2>



<p>One of the main motivations behind Parker Solar Probe mission is to figure out how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-solar-storm-warning-issued-as-two-cmes-will-hit-earth-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a>, that stream of charged particles racing from the Sun, accelerates to incredible speeds.<br><br>Scientists hope Parker will pinpoint where and how energy is transferred to these particles. Such information could refine space weather forecasts, which are critical for protecting satellites, power grids, and astronauts in orbit.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.plasmacoalition.org/plasma_writeups/solar_plasmas.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plasma</a> behavior at these altitudes can also inform theories about stellar physics beyond the Sun. </p>



<p>Many stars release similar particle streams, so unraveling the inner workings of the solar wind could offer a template for understanding events happening light-years away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-stakes-data-for-space-weather-predictions">High-stakes data for space weather predictions</h2>



<p>Operators know that space weather can have major effects here on Earth. Sudden geomagnetic storms have been known to disrupt radio signals, damage satellites, and even cause power outages.<br><br>By studying the Sun’s activity from the inside, Parker could lead to more accurate warnings for regions of the world vulnerable to blackouts. </p>



<p>Air traffic, GPS services, and communication infrastructure may all benefit from improved predictions of <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/space-weather/solar-flares/what-is-a-solar-flare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar flares</a> and <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-radiation-storm#:~:text=Solar%20radiation%20storms%20occur%20when,of%20the%20speed%20of%20light." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particle storms</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-milestone-for-parker-solar-probe">A milestone for Parker Solar Probe</h2>



<p>Now that the probe is at perihelion, mission managers will hold their breath for a few days.</p>



<p>“No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” explained <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/Show-Article.php?articleID=205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Pinkine</a>, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager at <a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>. </p>



<p>He added that the team is eager to see how Parker managed the flyby when the link reopens.</p>



<p>This moment is a milestone for solar science. If everything goes as planned, Parker will maintain its orbit for future close passes, each offering a renewed chance to investigate the corona’s strange properties.</p>



<p>Researchers anticipate more discoveries that will fill in knowledge gaps about the Sun’s extreme environment.</p>



<p>Far from being an isolated phenomenon, the Sun’s behavior plays a significant role in shaping conditions on Earth. </p>



<p>Today’s brush with solar fury signals the continuing progress of human exploration -- and the promise of deeper insight into the star that illuminates our world.</p>



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Solar Probe touched the Sun, now scientists wait for a signal and "proof of life"

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe touched the Sun's atmosphere, flying within...

<p>Scientists have long looked to oxygen when searching for signs of life beyond Earth. This gas sustains breathing and enables animals and plants to flourish. Now, researchers suggest that oxygen might also point to advanced technology. </p>



<p>If an exoplanet’s atmosphere holds enough oxygen, it may not only support organisms but also help them spark fire, build structures, and craft machinery.</p>



<p>A study in <em>Nature Astronomy</em> presents this view, highlighting oxygen’s value as more than just a sign of biology. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-civilization-and-technology">Oxygen, civilization, and technology</h2>



<p>Leading this research are <a href="https://www.pas.rochester.edu/people/faculty/frank_adam/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam Frank</a>, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester, and <a href="https://www-en.fisica.uniroma2.it/phone-directory/balbia_en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amedeo Balbi</a>, an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy.</p>



<p>Together with their team, they set out to explore whether oxygen is a key factor in allowing extraterrestrial civilizations to emerge and thrive through the development of technology.</p>



<p>“We are ready to find signatures of life on alien worlds,” Frank says. “But how do the [oxygen] conditions on a planet tell us about the possibilities for intelligent, technology-producing life?” </p>



<p>This question drives efforts to examine oxygen’s role beyond respiration and metabolism, especially in relation to large-scale industrial activities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-oxygen-matters-for-civilizations">Why oxygen matters for civilizations</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-cells-capable-of-photosynthesis-created-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photosynthesis</a> on Earth accounts for the bulk of our oxygen on our planet, thanks to countless organisms that use sunlight to make food. </p>



<p>Because this process produces so much oxygen, it has been considered a biosignature. A planet with significant oxygen levels hints that life may be present, but Frank and Balbi argue that oxygen also has a second function.</p>



<p>“<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02112-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In our paper</a>, we explore whether any atmospheric composition would be compatible with the presence of advanced technology,” Balbi says. “We found that the atmospheric requirements may be quite stringent.”</p>



<p>The link to technology comes from open-air combustion. Smelting metals, cooking food, and powering engines all rely on oxygen. </p>



<p>Any alien civilization that forges metals would need a certain percentage of oxygen in its air to keep fires burning reliably. That percentage, according to Earth’s history, appears to be around 18 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-and-the-18-threshold">Fire and the 18% threshold</h2>



<p>“You might be able to get biology -- you might even be able to get intelligent creatures -- in a world that doesn’t have oxygen,” Frank says, “but without a ready source of fire, you’re never going to develop higher technology because higher technology requires fuel and melting.” </p>



<p>He calls attention to fire’s role in shaping tools, infrastructure, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wellbeing-is-a-more-effective-focus-area-when-discussing-energy-solutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy production</a>. Metalworking, for instance, depends on sustaining flames hot enough to melt ore and craft refined structures.</p>



<p>Frank and Balbi refer to this requirement as an “oxygen bottleneck.” A planet might host life forms of various kinds, yet remain stuck without the combustion needed to fuel industrial breakthroughs. </p>



<p>“The presence of high degrees of oxygen in the atmosphere is like a bottleneck you have to get through in order to have a technological species,” Frank says. </p>



<p>“You can have everything else work out, but if you don’t have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/it-took-200-million-years-for-earth-to-get-its-oxygen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxygen in the atmosphere</a>, you’re not going to have a technological species.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-technology-create-technosignatures">Oxygen + technology create "technosignatures"</h2>



<p>Frank thinks that exoplanets with oxygen levels at or above 18 percent should be at the top of our search list. </p>



<p>“Targeting planets with high oxygen levels should be prioritized because the presence or absence of high oxygen levels in exoplanet atmospheres could be a major clue in finding potential technosignatures,” Frank says. </p>



<p>Planets that exceed this level may have the capacity for factories, infrastructure, or communication networks.</p>



<p>Balbi notes that interpreting any possible signal of intelligent life will be challenging. </p>



<p>“The implications of discovering intelligent, technological life on another planet would be huge,” adds Balbi. “Therefore, we need to be extremely cautious in interpreting possible detections. </p>



<p>Their study suggests that astronomers should be skeptical of potential technosignatures from a planet with insufficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ancient-breath-study-links-atmospheric-oxygen-and-mantle-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric oxygen</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technosphere-vs-biotechnosphere">Technosphere vs. biotechnosphere</h2>



<p>Frank and Balbi’s perspective also covers the idea of a technosphere, which is the collective output of an advanced civilization. </p>



<p>Factories, vehicles, and power grids all fit under this label. They rely on resources provided by the planet’s biosphere but stretch beyond purely natural processes. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bronze-age-technology-is-a-modern-solution-for-clean-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burning fuels in open air</a> has been central to every major industrial leap, from forging steel to generating electricity.</p>



<p>When these technologies reach a global scale, they form a biotechnosphere. This term applies to the interplay of living systems and technology -- essentially, how organisms and machines coexist. </p>



<p>On Earth, that includes everything from smartphones to farms, all running side by side. A well-established biotechnosphere might produce clear signals in the atmosphere: waste gases, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-2024s-record-heat-unveiling-earths-climate-danger-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual heat patterns</a>, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-found-in-tap-and-bottled-water-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals not normally found in nature</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-machines-and-ecosystems">Balancing machines and ecosystems</h2>



<p>History shows that as technology expands, it can sometimes damage or alter environments. Factories might pump pollutants into the air, while deforestation removes habitats that produce oxygen. </p>



<p>Yet there is an ongoing move toward cleaner energy and more efficient resource use. If any alien civilization follows a similar path, we might detect certain byproducts in the form of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banning-forever-chemicals-may-threaten-us-national-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engineered molecules</a>.</p>



<p>Though the focus is on oxygen, other factors matter too, such as temperature and access to metals or fuels. A planet may need stable conditions for life to progress to a point where industry becomes possible.</p>



<p>That said, Frank and Balbi’s findings highlight how oxygen stands out among these factors, because it directly enables combustion processes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-and-progress-in-earth-s-past">Fire and progress in Earth’s past</h2>



<p>Earth’s own development through advances in technology offers insight into how vital oxygen has been for technical achievements.</p>



<p>Once our atmosphere had enough of it, humans learned to manipulate fire for cooking and for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-wooden-structure-completely-rewrites-early-human-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">making stronger materials</a>. </p>



<p>From simple smithing to modern manufacturing, every stage of growth involved open-air combustion.</p>



<p>“You can have everything else work out, but if you don’t have oxygen in the atmosphere, you’re not going to have a technological species,” Frank says. </p>



<p>This idea underlines how a single factor -- oxygen -- can open or close the door to industrial progress, altering a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decarbonizing-worlds-industrial-emissions-possible-with-current-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet’s entire future path</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-technology-and-next-steps">Oxygen, technology, and next steps</h2>



<p>Observatories now in the works may soon gather data about exoplanet atmospheres in detail. Detecting a high oxygen content could mark a world that supports advanced living organisms. </p>



<p>The next task is to look for proof of industry or technology, sometimes called technosignatures. These might appear as chemical emissions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-radio-signal-reaches-earth-after-8-billion-years-frb-20220610a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radio signals</a>, or specific spectral lines.</p>



<p>If these two checks-- oxygen above 18 percent and evidence of artificial activity -- both yield results, we will have a strong indication that we share the universe with another technological civilization. </p>



<p>That reality could reshape how we see ourselves and our place among the stars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter-0">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



<p>Understanding the significance of atmospheric oxygen can also inspire reflection on our home planet. Human industries <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rely heavily on combustion</a>, from running cars to powering factories. This has changed Earth’s ecosystems. </p>



<p>As we learn more about how oxygen in an atmosphere enables or limits technology, we might gain new ideas on how to manage our own balance between growth and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-calls-for-global-change-to-stop-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental health</a>.</p>



<p>Ultimately, Frank and Balbi’s argument shows that oxygen may do far more than keep living cells alive. It might be the clearest signal of whether a planet can support the technologies that shape modern societies. </p>



<p>By recognizing the 18 percent threshold, scientists can refine their search for advanced life and possibly move closer to answering the age-old question: Are we alone, or is someone else using fire to reshape their world?</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02112-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Oxygen levels on exoplanets reveal presence of alien technology

Scientists have long looked to oxygen when searching for signs...

<p>Picture a landscape on Mars where frost covers the ground, and the crisp sound of icy surfaces breaking underfoot fills the air. Above, sunlight filters through clouds mixed with ice and dust, creating a warm, golden glow. This is the Australe Scopuli region, located at the southern pole of Mars.</p>



<p>It offers a striking contrast - its alien features are shaped by the Red Planet's unique environment, yet its serene beauty evokes scenes that feel almost Earth-like.</p>



<p>This blend of the otherworldly and the familiar makes it a captivating subject for scientific exploration and visual fascination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australe-scopuli-unique-polar-landscape-on-mars">Australe Scopuli: Unique polar landscape on Mars</h2>



<p>The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) aboard the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Express</a>&nbsp;captured stunning images of Australe Scopuli, displaying its distinctive polar deposits.</p>



<p>This region lies near the "cryptic terrain," a puzzling area previously explored by few scientists. Here, layers of carbon dioxide ice and dust swirl together, creating a white, frosty terrain that contrasts sharply with the iconic red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian soil</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_frost_ice_Mars-Express_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_frost_ice_Mars-Express_1s.webp" alt="Swirls of light and dark layers mark the boundaries between ice and dust layers exposed in this icy scene from the Australe Scopuli region of Mars. The right side of the image has a lot of ice coverage compared with the left hand side that has numerous dark fan-shaped deposits tracing the horizontal layers. Credit: Mars Express/ESA" class="wp-image-1954353"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Swirls of light and dark layers mark the boundaries between ice and dust layers exposed in this icy scene from the Australe Scopuli region of Mars. The right side of the image has a lot of ice coverage compared with the left hand side that has numerous dark fan-shaped deposits tracing the horizontal layers. Credit: Mars Express/ESA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>These layered polar deposits result from seasonal cycles, with ice forming and trapping varying amounts of dust. </p>



<p>The contrasting light and dark layers are particularly visible on hills and in valleys, painting the landscape with striking textures.</p>



<p>When viewed through 3D glasses, the region’s topography resembles Earthly ski resorts, with smooth slopes, sharp turns, and steep hillsides.</p>



<p>But skiing on Mars would require preparation for extreme cold: temperatures here plunge to a bone-chilling -125°C (-193°F).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-seasons-and-martian-spiders">Changing seasons and Martian "spiders"</h2>



<p>The images, taken on June 16, 2022, during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-water-found-on-mars-would-cover-the-planet-over-one-mile-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian</a> summer solstice, showcase how Mars’s southern pole transitions with the changing seasons.</p>



<p>Dark patches in the imagery reveal areas where carbon dioxide ice has sublimated, a process where the ice turns directly from solid to vapor without melting.</p>



<p>This sublimation is driven by sunlight, which warms the ice. As the ice evaporates, it leaves behind trails of dark dust spread across the surface. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_perspective_Mars-Express_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_perspective_Mars-Express_1s.webp" alt="Perspective view across undulating terrain at the Australe Scopuli region of Mars, with exposed layers of ice and dust. Numerous dark dusty fan-shaped features follow the pattern of the layers. Credit: Mars Express/ESA" class="wp-image-1954355"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Perspective view across undulating terrain at the Australe Scopuli region of Mars, with exposed layers of ice and dust. Numerous dark dusty fan-shaped features follow the pattern of the layers. Credit: Mars Express/ESA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>These fan-shaped patterns, sculpted by prevailing winds, provide a remarkable look at the seasonal dynamics in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-gravity-pulls-earth-closer-to-the-sun-warming-our-climate-scientists-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>'s polar regions.</p>



<p>As summer progresses, sunlight penetrates the translucent carbon dioxide ice, heating the ground beneath it. This leads to the formation of gas pockets as the underlying ice sublimates. </p>



<p>When the gas pressure becomes too high, the ice cracks, releasing bursts of gas and dust into the atmosphere. These jets create fan-shaped deposits that can stretch for hundreds of meters.</p>



<p>This process resembles the formation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marss-space-debris-should-be-regarded-as-historical-artifacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian</a> "spiders," another fascinating feature observed in recent&nbsp;Mars Express<em> </em>imagery, where similar sublimation mechanisms create spider-like patterns on the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-australe-scopuli-of-mars">Dynamic Australe Scopuli of Mars</h2>



<p>A detailed look at Australe Scopuli shows that the dust jets typically emerge along the edges of layered polar deposits. These boundaries may act as fragile zones, allowing the jets to break through with less resistance.</p>



<p>This phenomenon, shaped by seasonal temperature changes and the region’s topography, creates a dynamic and evolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-samples-from-mars-could-reveal-fascinating-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian</a> landscape. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_topography_Mars-Express_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mars_south-pole_Australe-Scopuli-region_topography_Mars-Express_1s.webp" alt="A topography map of Australe Scopuli region of Mars color-coded according to relative heights. The scale goes from red (highest terrain) through yellow, green, blue and purple (lowest terrain). Credit: Mars Express/ESA" class="wp-image-1954357"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A topography map of Australe Scopuli region of Mars color-coded according to relative heights. The scale goes from red (highest terrain) through yellow, green, blue and purple (lowest terrain). Credit: Mars Express/ESA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The interplay between the shifting ice and dust patterns highlights the complexity of Mars’s natural processes.</p>



<p>Although building a snowman on Mars might not be possible, the Australe Scopuli region captures the essence of the planet’s unique beauty. </p>



<p>It offers scientists and explorers a fascinating glimpse into the changing polar environment of the Red Planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-images">Science behind the images</h2>



<p>The HRSC on&nbsp;Mars Express&nbsp;is a remarkable piece of engineering, designed and developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).</p>



<p>After the camera captured detailed images of Mars, the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/pf/about-us/departments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DLR Institute for Planetary Research</a> in Berlin-Adlershof processed the data. </p>



<p>Using this data, the Planetary Science and Remote Sensing group at <a href="https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Freie Universität Berlin</a> created the stunning final images we see today.</p>



<p>In conclusion, the images of Australe Scopuli offer much more than just stunning visuals of the Martian southern pole. </p>



<p>They serve as powerful proof of the intricate and ever-changing processes that sculpt the Red Planet's icy polar regions.</p>



<p>Every layer of ice and dust preserved in these photographs tells a unique story about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-curiosity-rover-makes-surprising-find-under-martian-rock-sulfur-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>'s geological and climatic history. </p>



<p>By studying these features in detail, researchers can piece together the planet's evolving climate and uncover the mysteries of its geological past.</p>



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White Christmas on Mars with its changing polar landscapes

Picture a landscape on Mars where frost covers the ground,...

Geometry,Of,Space,Series.,Backdrop,Of,Conceptual,Grids,,Curves,And

<p>Dark energy has long been seen as the invisible force behind our Universe’s accelerating expansion. This mysterious component was thought to make up nearly 70 percent of the cosmic energy budget.<br><br>A new study, however, raises a different idea: maybe the Universe is expanding in a “lumpy” manner, which means dark energy might not be needed to explain those puzzling measurements of distant supernovae.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-energy-and-expansion">Dark energy and expansion</h2>



<p>For almost a century, scientists have assumed that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-suggests-that-dark-energy-comes-from-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmos</a> spreads out uniformly in every direction, with dark energy speeding up that expansion.<br><br>The notion was adopted after researchers saw exploding stars, known as supernovae, appearing farther away than expected. </p>



<p>When calculations showed that galaxies seemed to be drifting apart too quickly, dark energy became an easy placeholder for the unknown physics.</p>



<p>Professor <a href="https://profiles.canterbury.ac.nz/David-Wiltshire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Wiltshire</a> from the <a href="https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Canterbury</a> in Christchurch, New Zealand has been examining this challenge in more detail. </p>



<p>His research team’s <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/537/1/L55/7926647" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of supernova light curves suggests the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-the-universe-may-reveal-secrets-of-dark-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universe</a> may be more uneven than we assumed.</p>



<p>Their approach leads to a fresh explanation for the changes in light we see, one that focuses on how time passes differently in various gravitational conditions rather than appealing to an unseen substance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-many-have-relied-on-dark-energy">Why many have relied on dark energy</h2>



<p>Dark energy has been tied to the so-called Lambda Cold Dark Matter model, or <a href="https://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/graphic_history/univ_evol.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ΛCDM model</a>. </p>



<p>This model has served as the bedrock of modern cosmology for decades. Scientists had no direct means to detect or measure dark energy, so they relied on the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/aca5fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apparent acceleration</a> seen in distant supernovae.<br><br>They also looked to patterns in the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cosmic_Microwave_Background_CMB_radiation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cosmic Microwave Background</a>, which is often described as the faint afterglow of the Big Bang. </p>



<p>Over the years, more data have hinted that there could be tension between early and recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-could-explain-the-rapid-expansion-of-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion</a> rates, sparking serious questions about whether we are missing some major puzzle piece.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enter-the-timescape-model">Enter the timescape model</h2>



<p>The new work supports something called the timescape model, which does not need dark energy to explain cosmic acceleration. Instead, it notes that local physics can vary depending on how mass is distributed.<br><br>One clock drifting through a sparse region of the cosmos might tick faster than the same clock inside a galaxy packed with more gravitational pull. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dark-energy_doesnt-exist_history-of-universe-graphic_credit-NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dark-energy_doesnt-exist_history-of-universe-graphic_credit-NASA_1s.webp" alt="This graphic offers a glimpse of the history of the universe, as we currently understand it. The cosmos began expanding with the Big Bang but then around 10 billion years later it strangely began to accelerate thanks to a theoretical phenomenon termed dark energy. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1954661"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This graphic offers a glimpse of the history of the universe, as we currently understand it. The cosmos began expanding with the Big Bang but then around 10 billion years later it strangely began to accelerate thanks to a theoretical phenomenon termed dark energy. Credit: NASA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The team’s findings were featured in the journal <em>Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters</em>.</p>



<p>“Our findings show that we do not need dark energy to explain why the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universe</a> appears to expand at an accelerating rate,” noted Professor David Wiltshire, who led the study. </p>



<p>He sees this approach as an opportunity to rethink the way we average cosmic expansion. “The Universe’s biggest mystery could be settled by the end of the decade,” Professor Wiltshire claimed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-tension-and-the-lumpy-universe">Hubble tension and the lumpy Universe</h2>



<p>Part of the growing dispute involves something called the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-factors-are-accelerating-the-expansion-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble tension</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2020/09/aa33910-18/aa33910-18.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Measurements</a> of the early cosmos from the Cosmic Microwave Background suggest a certain rate of expansion, while observations of supernovae in the present day reveal a faster pace.<br><br>This inconsistency has triggered re-examinations of old assumptions. Adding to that, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/aca5fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DESI</a>) has discovered that the standard ΛCDM model may not line up perfectly with some of its new high-precision data.<br><br>Researchers are looking into models where dark energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">might change over time</a>, but the timescape idea takes a different path: it challenges the uniformity assumption at its core.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-dark-energy">Rethinking dark energy </h2>



<p>If the Universe is lumpy, with matter clumping in some regions and emptier voids in others, then local gravitational effects might skew the calculations that gave dark energy its place in cosmic theory.<br><br><a href="https://www.astro.uvic.ca/~jwillis/teaching/astr405/astr405_lecture6.pdf?utm_blank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Traditional equations</a> used to describe expansion were first introduced almost a hundred years ago, so some researchers argue that the Universe’s complex structures were overlooked.<br><br>This new study insists that a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universe-expansion-rate-dark-energy-measured-11-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uniform expansion</a> might not be the full story. When you allow for different gravitational influences, dark energy becomes optional.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-to-fresh-data">Looking ahead to fresh data</h2>



<p>Several upcoming projects are on the horizon. </p>



<p>The European Space Agency’s <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a> satellite launched in July 2023, and future missions like the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/roman-space-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</a> promise more comprehensive observations of supernovae.<br><br>The timescape team believes that at least 1,000 high-quality supernova measurements could be enough to show if their approach really works. </p>



<p>If timescape ideas pass these tests, the so-called “biggest mystery” might get resolved sooner than people think.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



<p>To sum it all up, the Universe is more intricate than any simple map might reveal. If the <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011MNRAS.413..367S/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">timescape model</a> holds up under further scrutiny, there could be wide-ranging effects on cosmic models, especially those that rely on dark energy as a key ingredient.<br><br>Astronomers, physicists, and cosmologists will be watching closely as more data come in from cutting-edge surveys and instruments. </p>



<p>These results might bring clarity to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-could-explain-the-rapid-expansion-of-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble tension</a> or uncover new clues about the structure and history of everything around us.</p>



<p>Dark energy has been the leading explanation for cosmic acceleration for decades. Yet, if local gravitational differences and variable clock speeds can account for what we see, the door may be open to a more nuanced story of cosmic growth.<br><br>There is no shortage of skepticism within the scientific community, but unexpected solutions to old puzzles are often how we expand our understanding of the Universe. </p>



<p>If the timescape approach stands the test of fresh observations, future textbooks might look a little different.</p>



<p>The full study is published in the <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/537/1/L55/7926647" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Wrong again? Dark energy doesn't exist and the universe is "lumpy"

Dark energy has long been seen as the invisible force...

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