Solar eclipse sunglasses allows us to view the Sun during partial eclipse phases safely. Recently, we are warned by the American Astronomical Society that fake solar eclipse sunglasses entered the market, in which have straighter edges compared to the real ones. The real glasses also has reflective lenses in contrast to the phony ones, which have sunglass-like lenses.

2024-04-01

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Article: CBS News

Image: The Columbian

Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme conditions on Earth, such as Mariana Drench, Antarctica, and even outer space. Dr. Ivan Paulino-Lima, a Research Investigator at Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, and Co-Founder of Infinite Elements Inc., states: "The study of extremophiles represents...limits where life forms can live, withstand, or preserve their integrity and living potential." With the limits, scientists can narrow down the search for life beyond Earth, especially Europa and Enceladus, hypothesized that hydrothermal vents may exist under their oceans, potentially providing nutrients to support life.

2024-04-02

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Article & Image: Universe Today

The United States space Company SpaceX launched 23 more Starlink Satellites into space on March 30th, 9:30 PM Eastern Time. They were launched at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida by a Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites provide low-cost internet to remote locations. As of March of 2024, there are already 5504 Starlink Satellites in orbit, and they have a lifespan of around five years. Despite the amount of satellites already in orbit, SpaceX wishes to have a total of 42,000 launched one day.

2024-04-03

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Article: People’s Daily Online Space.com

Image: Mushroom Networks

A strain of avian influenza, H5N1, has been found in cows on farms in New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, and Idaho. Additionally, a person exposed to infected cattle in Texas tested positive for H5N1, becoming the second documented case in the US. The source of infection for the cows is uncertain, but contact with wild bird excrement is a possibility. While the risk to humans is currently considered low, precautions such as discarding milk from infected cows and pasteurization are recommended. H5N1 has caused the culling of millions of birds globally and has sporadically infected various animals, including seals, sea lions, foxes, raccoons, bears, and now cows. The unexpected jump of the virus to cows raises concerns, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and research.

2024-04-04

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Article & Image: Science News

A drug utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA) technology has shown promise in addressing the core deficiency of a rare genetic disorder, propionic acidaemia. Developed by Moderna, the therapy, mRNA-3927, aims to restore metabolic function by delivering mRNA sequences encoding parts of the faulty enzyme responsible for the disorder. Initial results from a small trial indicate a decrease in life-threatening episodes for some participants, though further studies are needed. While the treatment offers hope, challenges such as side effects and the transient nature of mRNA suggest the need for refinement before broader adoption. Despite uncertainties, families affected by the disorder remain cautiously optimistic about the potential of mRNA therapies.

2024-04-05

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Article & Image: Nature

Engineers at MIT have developed a spring-like device, called a flexure, designed to maximize the efficiency of muscle-powered robots. Unlike previous designs, this flexure enables muscle tissues to produce predictable and reliable movements, regardless of their placement on the skeleton. By focusing a muscle's contractions in a specific direction, the flexure magnifies the movement, allowing muscles to pull posts much closer together compared to previous designs. The researchers grew muscle fibers from mouse cells and wrapped them around the flexure, demonstrating its effectiveness in converting muscle contractions into motion. This innovation could lead to the development of precise, articulated, and reliable robots powered by natural muscles, with potential applications in fields such as surgery.

2024-04-06

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Article: Science Daily

Image: Securities.io

Loneliness impacts both physical and mental health, with effects such as disrupted sleep, increased stress hormones, and susceptibility to illness. Disadvantaged groups often experience higher rates of loneliness. Research suggests loneliness alters brain function, affecting how individuals perceive social situations and respond to rewards. Chronic loneliness is associated with elevated stress hormone levels and changes in brain connectivity, potentially contributing to conditions like dementia. Remedies include promoting social activities and exercise, which can improve mood and alleviate loneliness. Walking, for example, has been shown to boost mood and reduce feelings of loneliness by providing social interaction and support.

2024-04-07

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Article & Image: Nature

The media often depicts climate change with imagery of suffering ecosystems like bleached coral reefs, highlighting their crucial role in coastal protection and tourism. To combat reef degradation, a Chinese research team led by Yuntao Bai explored using carbon trading to incentivize change. Their study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, evaluated three models: reducing marine pollution, establishing protected areas, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Differential game theory revealed that reducing pollution was most effective for small-scale management, while larger reserves were crucial for conservation. Developed and developing countries showed differing benefits, but carbon credits from protected reefs could incentivize global cooperation in reef management. Protecting coral reefs not only restores marine biodiversity but also aids in carbon sequestration, suggesting that carbon trading could help mitigate climate change impacts on reefs.

2024-04-08

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Article: Phys.org

Image: Santa Barbara Independent

A total solar eclipse passed over Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with the final viewers in Newfoundland witnessing it. Cities like Mazatlan, Texas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland experienced totality, lasting around 3 ½ to 4 minutes. An estimated 32 million people in the US lived within the eclipse's path, though weather conditions varied across regions. Despite cloudy skies in Fredericksburg, Texas, viewers used them as filters to capture the eclipse. The event drew crowds in Texas and Cleveland, with celebrities like Bill Nye and appearances by Snoopy. Special phases, such as Baily’s beads and the diamond ring effect, preceded totality, while Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn were visible. Animal behavior and temperature drops marked the brief darkness. The next total solar eclipse in the US is expected in 2045.

2024-04-09

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Article: CNN

Image: NBC News

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered hundreds of free-floating planets, including pairs of Jupiter-size worlds known as Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs). These findings have puzzled astronomers as to how these objects form. One theory suggests they are pulled away from parent planetary systems by passing stars, but a new study suggests that the cloud-collapse model is more likely. Researchers created simulations showing that JuMBOs were more likely to form if the planets were close or more massive than Jupiter. The study provides insights into planetary system dynamics and may aid future observations by telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

2024-04-10

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Article & Image: Live Science

Delta-8, a form of THC, is increasingly available in gas stations and shops across the US, appealing particularly to teens due to its accessibility and packaging resembling candy. While it's less potent than delta-9, it still poses risks including vomiting, hallucinations, and anxiety. Delta-8 is not well-regulated, with unclear labeling and potential contaminants, raising concerns about its effects on teens' health and development. Government agencies like the FDA have issued warnings about delta-8, and researchers are calling for more regulation and monitoring to understand its impact and curb its use among adolescents.

2024-04-11

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Article: Science News

Image: TCTMD.com

Over the past two months, seven studies from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have been retracted due to allegations of image manipulation or duplication. The controversy arose after a scientist blogger, Sholto David, highlighted errors in papers primarily authored by Dana-Farber researchers. This has led to questions about scientific integrity and raised concerns about researcher Kenneth Anderson. While Dana-Farber has swiftly sought retractions and corrections, the situation underscores broader issues in science, including the pressure to publish high-impact papers and the need for better oversight. The retracted studies, originally published in journals such as the Journal of Immunology and Cancer Research, focus on multiple myeloma. Critics argue that errors in research are too common and that the process for addressing concerns is often slow. David has identified additional studies he believes contain errors, but Dana-Farber has not provided an updated tally. Despite the unusual nature of multiple retractions from a prestigious institution, the swift response is seen as necessary to maintain scientific integrity.

2024-04-12

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Article: NBC News

Image: Architect Magazine

Astronomers investigating the "Dragon's Egg" nebula found two large stars, one with a magnetic field akin to our sun and the other lacking such a feature. They propose that the magnetic star absorbed a smaller sibling, leading to the magnetic field's creation through a tumultuous process known as stellar fratricide. Observations from the Very Large Telescope in Chile back this theory. The nebula itself formed from a triple star system, with the merger happening relatively recently in cosmic terms. This discovery offers insight into the presence of magnetic fields in massive stars, crucial for phenomena like solar storms.

2024-04-13

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Article & Image: Reuters

In October 2022, a record-breaking gamma-ray burst dubbed BOAT dazzled astronomers with its intensity, striking Earth with unprecedented brightness. Using NASA's JWST observatory, researchers identified the source as a collapsar, a type of supernova resulting from the collapse of a massive, rapidly rotating star into a black hole. While scientists anticipated that collapsars would produce heavy elements like gold and platinum, no evidence of these elements was found in the aftermath of BOAT. This unexpected discovery has raised questions about the mechanisms responsible for the formation of heavy elements in the universe. Despite the lack of evidence in BOAT's case, collapsars remain a promising candidate for producing these elements. Further research and observations are needed to unravel the mystery surrounding the origin of heavy elements and the role of collapsars in their production.

2024-04-14

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Article: Science

Image: Yahoo News

Female Thomisus guangxicus spiders have evolved to blend with flowers to catch insects while avoiding predators. Scientists recently discovered male spiders joining this camouflage tactic, possibly the first known example of cooperative camouflage among spiders. In a tea garden in China, a researcher observed a male spider resembling flower parts on a vine, lying atop a larger female. This behavior challenges the solitary nature of most spiders, suggesting a unique survival strategy. Evolutionary ecologists propose that male spiders must blend with females to avoid predators while seeking mates. Further observations are needed to confirm the significance of this discovery.

2024-04-15

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Article: Science News

Image: Brisbane Insects

A recent study in Current Biology challenges the simplistic view of bonobos as peaceful and chimpanzees as aggressive. Researchers found that male bonobos display more aggression within their communities compared to male chimpanzees, contradicting common perceptions. The study, which compared behavior using the same field methods, focused on male aggression, often linked to mating opportunities. Surprisingly, more aggressive males in both species had greater mating success. While male bonobos were aggressive mainly toward other males, chimpanzees were more likely to target females, often forming coalitions. Despite bonobos' co-dominant social structure, aggression still influenced mating success, challenging existing hypotheses about primate behavior. The study highlights the complexity of aggression and social dynamics in these species and calls for further research to explore variations within and between communities.

2024-04-16

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Article: Science Daily

Image: One Earth

A recent study conducted by scientists from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) found that bumblebees exhibit significant resistance to common pesticides. The study, published in the journal Environment International, involved exposing bumblebee colonies to individual insecticides and fungicides as well as combinations of these chemicals. Despite exposure, the bumblebees showed no negative effects on learning ability or flight activity. This resilience suggests that bumblebees may be better equipped to handle pesticide exposure compared to other wild bee species. However, further research is needed to understand how different wild bee species respond to pesticide mixtures.

2024-04-17

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Article: Phys.org

Image: Britannica

An international team of scientists has produced the most comprehensive reference genome of Arabica coffee, uncovering its origins dating back over 600,000 years through natural hybridization between Coffea eugenioides and Coffea canephora. Using advanced DNA sequencing and computational modeling, they traced the species' history, revealing population fluctuations and geographical distributions. The research suggests that Yemeni coffee diversity may have laid the foundation for today's major Arabica varieties. This study sheds light on the ancient roots of coffee cultivation and its adaptation to changing climates, providing valuable insights into the beverage's global significance.

2024-04-18

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Article: Sci.News

Image: Veneziano Coffee Roasters

A recent study from the University of Iowa highlights the dual impact of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease treatment. While DBS effectively improves motor control by targeting the subthalamic nucleus, it also influences attention regulation. Parkinson's patients undergoing DBS showed difficulties in shifting attention away from visual stimuli when presented with auditory distractions. This finding underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of DBS's effects to fine-tune therapy and mitigate potential side effects while preserving its benefits for patients.

2024-04-19

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Article: SciTechDaily

Image: UF Health

The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera mission to investigate the effects of NASA's DART mission on the asteroid Dimorphos. DART aimed to test asteroid defense by impacting Dimorphos with a spacecraft. Hera will examine whether the impact left a crater or reshaped the asteroid, using a main spacecraft and two smaller satellites. This investigation will aid in understanding asteroid behavior and inform future asteroid deflection strategies. Additionally, it will provide insights into the role of collisions in shaping the solar system's history.

2024-04-20

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Article & Image: New Scientist

A report suggests a 70% chance that global climate pollution will start falling in 2024 if clean tech advances and countries cut methane emissions. Peak emissions in 2023 are crucial for the Paris Agreement's goals. Another analysis says oil and gas demand could peak before 2030, posing challenges for the fossil fuel industry. Achieving peak emissions before 2025 requires rapid adoption of renewables and halting new fossil fuel projects. Yet, sustained efforts are needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, demanding significant investments in clean energy and emission reduction measures.

2024-04-21

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Article: The Energy Mix

Image: SEB

Europe is on track to debut its inaugural exascale computer, Jupiter, in 2024 at Germany's Jülich Supercomputing Centre. With a hefty price tag of €500 million ($545 million), Jupiter will boast a remarkable processing power of one exaflop, enabling it to tackle complex scientific and industrial challenges. Funded by EuroHPC JU and other key partners, this cutting-edge supercomputer is poised to revolutionize AI applications, material science simulations, medical modeling such as digital twins, and climate research. Despite Europe's lag in supercomputing compared to North America and Asia, Jupiter signifies a significant stride towards innovation, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.

2024-04-22

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Article & Image: AI Business

Meteor showers like the ongoing Lyrids, originating from Comet Thatcher's debris and peaking on April 21-22, offer glimpses of cosmic beauty visible to the naked eye, though this year's display may be hindered by the brightness of the nearly full moon. These showers occur annually when Earth passes through debris left by comets or asteroids, creating glowing streaks in the atmosphere. To observe, simply find a dark location away from light pollution, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy the show without telescopes or binoculars. Dress warmly, bring a hot drink, and marvel at nature's celestial display.

2024-04-23

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Article & Image: The New York Times

Five large dinosaur footprints discovered in southeast China were identified as belonging to one of the largest raptors ever known. This predator, named Fujianipus, measured around 5 meters in length, about half the size of a school bus. It possessed massive "killing claws" on each foot for hunting prey. Unlike most raptors, which were smaller, Fujianipus belonged to a group that included Utahraptor and Dakotaraptor, known for their larger size. Although no skeletal remains have been found, the footprints indicate Fujianipus lived in East Asia around 96 million years ago. The discovery suggests that raptors had the potential to grow larger and compete with the largest predatory dinosaurs of the time, such as allosauroids. However, they likely faced competition from emerging tyrannosauroids, which were also fast and formidable predators.

2024-04-24

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Article: New Scientist

Image: Paleophilatelie

In 568 C.E., the Avars, nomadic horse riders from the Mongolian steppes, surged into modern-day Hungary, influencing the Byzantine Empire. Despite their lack of written history, recent DNA analysis of Avar burials reveals insights into their society. Studying over 400 skeletons across four cemeteries, researchers reconstructed nine-generation family trees, unveiling patrilocality, polygamy, and levirate unions. These practices likely prevented inbreeding, preserved through oral tradition. Changes in burial practices hinted at shifts in political power, while the Avars maintained patrilocal traditions despite transitioning to settled lifestyles, underscoring their adherence to steppe social norms amidst societal changes.

2024-04-25

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Article & Image: Science

Four solar flares erupted simultaneously on April 23, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, indicating complex magnetic interactions. This rare event, termed "sympathetic solar flares," involves multiple eruptions linked by magnetic field loops above the Sun's surface, potentially heralding the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. Such activity can lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and significant bursts of plasma, with implications for power grids, telecommunication networks, satellites, and even astronauts. This event, termed "super-sympathetic," stands out due to the emission of four flares at once, offering insights into the Sun's intricate life cycle.

2024-04-26

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Article: The Indian Express

Image: Youtube

Roscosmos astronauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub will conduct a spacewalk on April 25 outside the International Space Station. Their tasks include deploying a panel on the Nauka module and installing equipment to analyze corrosion levels. Commander Kononenko and flight engineer Chub will wear red-striped and blue-striped Orlan spacesuits, respectively. The spacewalk, part of Expedition 71, will be streamed by NASA and is expected to last up to seven hours.

2024-04-27

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Article: The Indian Express

Image: Youtube

Researchers have developed an AI-based model named WARN that predicts irregular heartbeat, or cardiac arrhythmia, with 80% accuracy about 30 minutes before its onset. The model, trained on data from 350 patients, can recognize different phases of cardiac rhythm and provide early warnings, potentially allowing patients to take preventive measures. Named "Warning of Atrial fibRillatioN," or WARN, the model could be integrated into smartphones and wearable devices for real-time monitoring.

2024-04-28

Sources:

Article: The Week

Image: Hindustan Times

Coconuts, known for over 4,500 years, offer numerous health benefits, being rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They control diabetes, strengthen bones and teeth, enhance beauty, aid digestion, boost energy, and improve immunity. Additionally, coconuts reduce hunger, abdominal fat, and aid oral hygiene. They are versatile, with various parts used in products like coir, coconut water, oil, milk, and meat, offering medicinal and nutritional advantages.

2024-04-29

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Article: Maldive Secrets

Image: Our World

India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, aimed at a soft-landing near the moon's south pole, faced a four-second delay in liftoff to avoid potential collision with space debris, as reported by ISRO. This decision was based on a Collision on Launch Avoidance (COLA) analysis, ensuring safe passage for the spacecraft. The Indian Situational Space Awareness Report (ISSAR) for 2023 highlights the need for such precautions due to the increasing presence of space debris, with ISRO conducting 23 collision avoidance maneuvers in the same year. Despite numerous close approaches, none warranted critical action.

2024-04-30

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Article: The Week

Image: Mint