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In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition.&nbsp;The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world.&nbsp;"This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," &nbsp;said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT.&nbsp;Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago.&nbsp;4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived.&nbsp;"We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution."The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.&nbsp;

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition. The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world. "This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT. Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago. 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived. "We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution." The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

Scientists discover remnants of 4.5 billion-year-old proto-earth in the depths of earth

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building.&nbsp;The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere.The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space.Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.&nbsp;

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2024 PT5 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building. The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere. The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space. Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2025  PN7 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

Earth has two moons? NASA confirms asteroid becomes earth's second moon until 2083

For the first time, mosquitoes have been spotted in Iceland, a country previously known for its mosquito-free status. The discovery came after an unusually warm spring, which saw temperatures break several records. Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason made the find during an observation session, where he was using wine-soaked ropes to attract moths. Over the course of several nights, he encountered two female mosquitoes and one male, which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata—a species capable of surviving colder winters.&nbsp;Until now, Iceland, along with Antarctica, had been one of the few places on Earth without mosquitoes, thanks to its cold climate and lack of stagnant water where the insects typically breed. However, recent temperature spikes, including the hottest day ever recorded in May, have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the delicate ecosystems of the island.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-photographers-capture-once-in-a-lifetime-rare-red-lightning-over-new-zealand-s-skies-1761106853609">WATCH | Photographers capture 'once-in-a-lifetime' rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies</a>&nbsp;Hjaltason shared the discovery on social media, describing his surprise at finding "a strange fly on a red wine ribbon" and later speculating that the mosquitoes may have arrived via shipping containers from the nearby Grundartangi industrial area. The insects were sent to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification, where entomologist Matthias Alfredsson confirmed they were Culiseta annulata.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/eerie-glow-at-the-centre-of-milky-way-could-reveal-a-cosmic-giant-never-seen-before-1760700098843">Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before</a>&nbsp;While it's still unclear how the mosquitoes made their way to Iceland, scientists will continue to monitor the situation, particularly as warmer temperatures could become more frequent in the coming years. The shift in climate could significantly affect local wildlife, which has long been adapted to colder conditions. Hjaltason's discovery marks a possible turning point for Iceland, with further investigation needed to determine whether these mosquitoes have become permanently established on the island.

For the first time, mosquitoes are found in THIS country following record heat

For the first time, mosquitoes have been spotted in Iceland, a country previously known for its mosquito-free status. The discovery came after an unusually warm spring, which saw temperatures break several records. Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason made the find during an observation session, where he was using wine-soaked ropes to attract moths. Over the course of several nights, he encountered two female mosquitoes and one male, which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata—a species capable of surviving colder winters. Until now, Iceland, along with Antarctica, had been one of the few places on Earth without mosquitoes, thanks to its cold climate and lack of stagnant water where the insects typically breed. However, recent temperature spikes, including the hottest day ever recorded in May, have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the delicate ecosystems of the island. Also Read: WATCH | Photographers capture 'once-in-a-lifetime' rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies Hjaltason shared the discovery on social media, describing his surprise at finding "a strange fly on a red wine ribbon" and later speculating that the mosquitoes may have arrived via shipping containers from the nearby Grundartangi industrial area. The insects were sent to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification, where entomologist Matthias Alfredsson confirmed they were Culiseta annulata. Also Read: Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before While it's still unclear how the mosquitoes made their way to Iceland, scientists will continue to monitor the situation, particularly as warmer temperatures could become more frequent in the coming years. The shift in climate could significantly affect local wildlife, which has long been adapted to colder conditions. Hjaltason's discovery marks a possible turning point for Iceland, with further investigation needed to determine whether these mosquitoes have become permanently established on the island.

For the first time, mosquitoes have appeared in Iceland, once known for being mosquito-free, after experiencing a record-breaking heatwave this spring

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars.&nbsp;In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth.<h3>How results show life on Mars?</h3>When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State.&nbsp;Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage.&nbsp;“While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars.&nbsp;Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment.&nbsp;At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work.&nbsp;The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures.&nbsp;The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.&nbsp;Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars. In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth. How results show life on Mars? When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State. Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage. “While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars. Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment. At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work. The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures. The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it. Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

Life on Mars? Study finds traces of life may still lie beneath the planet's frozen surface

A team of scientists thinks they might have finally seen dark matter after all these years of speculation about whether it is real or not. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics have found a way to locate dark matter in the Milky Way. According to their study, the mysterious gamma–ray glow coming from inside our galaxy is nothing but dark matter. This is because a collision between dark matter particles produces a burst of gamma–ray radiation. If their theory proves to be true, then this would be the first solid proof of the existence of dark matter. Professor Joseph Silk, co–author of the study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, said, "Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together," and they are constantly thinking of ways to detect this elusive matter. "Gamma rays, and specifically the excess light we're observing at the centre of our galaxy, could be our first clue," he added.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sun-chops-off-1-396-year-comet-lemmon-s-tail-in-rare-occurrence-video-1760603283771">Sun chops off 1,396-year Comet Lemmon's tail in rare occurrence - Video</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-could-release-tiny-probes-that-may-self-replicate-technological-mothership-could-reveal-itself-1760106824868">3I/Atlas could release tiny probes that may 'self-replicate' - 'Technological mothership' could reveal itself</a> &nbsp;<h2>What is dark matter?</h2>Dark matter is believed to be the reason for the expansion of the universe and is the glue between various cosmic objects. It has never been observed since it doesn't give off any energy of its own. However, scientists have long believed that something is driving the various cosmic objects in the universe and occupies the majority of the space. The study authors scanned the data collected by NASA's Fermi satellite, which has been creating an image of the Milky Way using gamma rays since 2008. They stumbled upon a diffused glow of gamma radiation at the centre of the galaxy. It was unusual since it wasn't being emitted by a specific source. They theorised that it could only happen from one of two reasons - &nbsp;either it was being released by the spinning cores of dying stars, or it was a result of dark matter collision.&nbsp;To deduce which one it is, they created a map of the possible locations of dark matter in the galaxy using a supercomputer. Professor Silk said that the Milky Way was formed from a vast cloud of dark matter. "The ordinary matter cooled down and fell into the central regions, dragging along some dark matter for the ride," he said. The dark matter from other systems moved to the dense galactic core, because of which the number of collisions increased. Upon comparison, the simulations and the real pictures of the galaxy taken by Fermi matched. However, he has not dismissed the possibility of dead stars releasing the gamma rays. He hopes the world's most powerful gamma ray telescope, the Cerenkov Telescope Array, to be built in Chile will finally settle the debate.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scientists think they have finally found evidence for the existence of a cosmic object that has only existed in theory. Dark matter has never been seen, but some researchers think its proof lies at the centre of the Milky Way.

A team of scientists thinks they might have finally seen dark matter after all these years of speculation about whether it is real or not. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics have found a way to locate dark matter in the Milky Way. According to their study, the mysterious gamma–ray glow coming from inside our galaxy is nothing but dark matter. This is because a collision between dark matter particles produces a burst of gamma–ray radiation. If their theory proves to be true, then this would be the first solid proof of the existence of dark matter. Professor Joseph Silk, co–author of the study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, said, "Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together," and they are constantly thinking of ways to detect this elusive matter. "Gamma rays, and specifically the excess light we're observing at the centre of our galaxy, could be our first clue," he added. Also Read: Sun chops off 1,396-year Comet Lemmon's tail in rare occurrence - Video Also Read: 3I/Atlas could release tiny probes that may 'self-replicate' - 'Technological mothership' could reveal itself What is dark matter? Dark matter is believed to be the reason for the expansion of the universe and is the glue between various cosmic objects. It has never been observed since it doesn't give off any energy of its own. However, scientists have long believed that something is driving the various cosmic objects in the universe and occupies the majority of the space. The study authors scanned the data collected by NASA's Fermi satellite, which has been creating an image of the Milky Way using gamma rays since 2008. They stumbled upon a diffused glow of gamma radiation at the centre of the galaxy. It was unusual since it wasn't being emitted by a specific source. They theorised that it could only happen from one of two reasons - either it was being released by the spinning cores of dying stars, or it was a result of dark matter collision. To deduce which one it is, they created a map of the possible locations of dark matter in the galaxy using a supercomputer. Professor Silk said that the Milky Way was formed from a vast cloud of dark matter. "The ordinary matter cooled down and fell into the central regions, dragging along some dark matter for the ride," he said. The dark matter from other systems moved to the dense galactic core, because of which the number of collisions increased. Upon comparison, the simulations and the real pictures of the galaxy taken by Fermi matched. However, he has not dismissed the possibility of dead stars releasing the gamma rays. He hopes the world's most powerful gamma ray telescope, the Cerenkov Telescope Array, to be built in Chile will finally settle the debate.

Scientists think they have finally found evidence for the existence of a cosmic object that has only existed in theory. Dark matter has never been seen, but some researchers think its proof lies at the centre of the Milky Way.

Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before

A team of scientists got together to identify 14 new marine creatures and came across something they had never seen before. During the analysis, they found a tusk shell, or tooth shell, giving a ride to a sea anemone 5,000 metres (16,404 feet) below the surface. This is the first time they have observed anything like this has been observed in the mollusc genus Laevidentalium. A tusk shell is a type of marine mollusc that uses a long, tapering outer structure to protect itself. Scientists say a sea anemone is hitching a ride on the anterior (concave) side of the tusk shell, BBC Wildlife reported. The discovery was published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. Besides the tusk shell and the sea anemone, scientists also identified 13 other marine worms, molluscs and crustaceans from across the world.&nbsp;The researchers were analysing a large group of marine species as part of the Ocean Species Discoveries project, which aims to officially identify a new species in a shorter time span. One of the discoveries includes a new species of mollusc known as Veleropilina gretchenae that lives at a depth of 6,465 metres (21,210 feet). The creature inhabits the Aleutian Trench, a deep canyon inside the ocean along the southern coastline of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. However, the most weird creature was found in the Australian intertidal zone with the female's back covered with weird protrusions that resembled popcorn. It was identified as a species of parasitic isopod (Zeaione everta). Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/26-dead-orcas-wash-ashore-in-argentina-as-scientists-struggle-to-pinpoint-what-killed-them-1760615302176">26 dead orcas wash ashore in Argentina as scientists struggle to pinpoint what killed them</a> &nbsp;<h2>Other marine discoveries made by the team</h2>Another discovery includes a new species of carnivorous bivalve (Myonera aleutiana) at a depth of between 5,170–5,280 metres. They studied the creature in detail using a non-invasive micro-CT scanning technique. Over 2,000 detailed images of the bivalve's internal tissues and soft-body parts were captured, only the second time in history. In the Galápagos Rift hydrothermal vent in the Pacific Ocean, they found a shrimp-like crustacean at a depth of 2,602 metres. It was identified as a new species of amphipod.

A project to identify new marine species led scientists to find a creature taking a ride through the ocean on top of a mollusc. This was never seen before, proving that the ocean is still hiding several secrets.

A team of scientists got together to identify 14 new marine creatures and came across something they had never seen before. During the analysis, they found a tusk shell, or tooth shell, giving a ride to a sea anemone 5,000 metres (16,404 feet) below the surface. This is the first time they have observed anything like this has been observed in the mollusc genus Laevidentalium. A tusk shell is a type of marine mollusc that uses a long, tapering outer structure to protect itself. Scientists say a sea anemone is hitching a ride on the anterior (concave) side of the tusk shell, BBC Wildlife reported. The discovery was published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. Besides the tusk shell and the sea anemone, scientists also identified 13 other marine worms, molluscs and crustaceans from across the world. The researchers were analysing a large group of marine species as part of the Ocean Species Discoveries project, which aims to officially identify a new species in a shorter time span. One of the discoveries includes a new species of mollusc known as Veleropilina gretchenae that lives at a depth of 6,465 metres (21,210 feet). The creature inhabits the Aleutian Trench, a deep canyon inside the ocean along the southern coastline of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. However, the most weird creature was found in the Australian intertidal zone with the female's back covered with weird protrusions that resembled popcorn. It was identified as a species of parasitic isopod (Zeaione everta). Also Read: 26 dead orcas wash ashore in Argentina as scientists struggle to pinpoint what killed them Other marine discoveries made by the team Another discovery includes a new species of carnivorous bivalve (Myonera aleutiana) at a depth of between 5,170–5,280 metres. They studied the creature in detail using a non-invasive micro-CT scanning technique. Over 2,000 detailed images of the bivalve's internal tissues and soft-body parts were captured, only the second time in history. In the Galápagos Rift hydrothermal vent in the Pacific Ocean, they found a shrimp-like crustacean at a depth of 2,602 metres. It was identified as a new species of amphipod.

A project to identify new marine species led scientists to find a creature taking a ride through the ocean on top of a mollusc. This was never seen before, proving that the ocean is still hiding several secrets.

At 16,404 feet, tentacles on a tusked marine animal stunned scientists. Turns out, it was...

Scientists are close to a major breakthrough in organ transplantation. Researchers from Canada and China collaborated to develop the Universal Kideny, which is theoretically compatible with any blood type. The test organ survived and functioned properly in the body of a brain-dead person.They achieved this by converting a type A kidney to a type O kidney. They employed enzymes to remove the sugar molecules or antigens that define a type of Kidney. This essentially removed the markers that trigger an immune response for different blood groups. However, the modification did not entirely give stable results. As the Type A antigen began to reappear by the third day, it triggered an immune response. Though the reaction was contained as it was less severe, and there were signs that the body was trying to adjust the kidneys. &nbsp;"It's like removing the red paint from a car and uncovering the neutral primer…Once that's done, the immune system no longer sees the organ as foreign," said biochemist Stephen Withers, from the University of British Columbia in Canada.However, there remain a lot of challenges before a human trial could be commenced. As the study was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Antigen began to reappear in the host body. For a clinical study, it has to stay stable long-term. Similarly, other parts of the immune system, like T cells and antigens, might also attack the graft. The study does not specify if there were any side effects of the enzyme. However, if the theoretical success can be implemented clinically, it might reduce donor shortages, wait time and perhaps the inequality in organ transplantation.

In a groundbreaking medical advance, researchers have created a universal kidney that can match any blood type. Using special enzymes to remove antigens, this innovation could revolutionise organ transplants and reduce global kidney donor shortages.

Scientists are close to a major breakthrough in organ transplantation. Researchers from Canada and China collaborated to develop the Universal Kideny, which is theoretically compatible with any blood type. The test organ survived and functioned properly in the body of a brain-dead person. They achieved this by converting a type A kidney to a type O kidney. They employed enzymes to remove the sugar molecules or antigens that define a type of Kidney. This essentially removed the markers that trigger an immune response for different blood groups. However, the modification did not entirely give stable results. As the Type A antigen began to reappear by the third day, it triggered an immune response. Though the reaction was contained as it was less severe, and there were signs that the body was trying to adjust the kidneys. "It's like removing the red paint from a car and uncovering the neutral primer…Once that's done, the immune system no longer sees the organ as foreign," said biochemist Stephen Withers, from the University of British Columbia in Canada. However, there remain a lot of challenges before a human trial could be commenced. As the study was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Antigen began to reappear in the host body. For a clinical study, it has to stay stable long-term. Similarly, other parts of the immune system, like T cells and antigens, might also attack the graft. The study does not specify if there were any side effects of the enzyme. However, if the theoretical success can be implemented clinically, it might reduce donor shortages, wait time and perhaps the inequality in organ transplantation.

In a groundbreaking medical advance, researchers have created a universal kidney that can match any blood type. Using special enzymes to remove antigens, this innovation could revolutionise organ transplants and reduce global kidney donor shortages.

Scientists just created a 'Universal' Kidney: One organ fits every blood type

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, till recently was on a mission to cure cancer—or at least that’s the headline goal. But apparently, curing cancer can wait, because on Tuesday (Oct 14) he signed off on another high-priority initiative: letting OpenAI's ChatGPT make porn. Yes, you read that right. Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that ChatGPT will now “treat adult users like adults.”<h2>What did Sam Altman say?</h2>In an X post, OpenAI CEO Altman said that they had made ChatGPT "pretty restrictive" to make sure they were "being careful with mental health issues". However, now they've apparently "realised" that staying sensitive to mental health issues made the platform "less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems". Insisting that "given the seriousness of the issue," the AI maker "wanted to get this right". How? By allowing users to generate porn on the popular chatbot.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-scientists-revive-40-000-year-old-ancient-virus-with-pandemic-potential-from-arctic-ice-1759812221224">Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice</a>By December, he promised, the platform will allow even more risqué creations, including erotica for verified adults. Because apparently nothing says responsible AI innovation quite like giving adults the green light to generate digital fantasies. "In December, as we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our 'treat adult users like adults' principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults," said Altman.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues. We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right. Now that we have…&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1978129344598827128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why were ChatGPT restrictions put in place?</h2>ChatGPT was made to wear a figurative chastity belt after a teenage user tragically took his own life with alleged guidance from the AI. Erotica writers, predictably, were not thrilled—arguing that the AI had been a perfectly safe tool for penning steamy scenes.Now, according to Altman, the mental health risks have been "mitigated," so adults can once again let the AI do their dirty work.Altman framed the move as a logical next step. "Now that we have been able to mitigate the serious mental health issues and have new tools, we are going to be able to safely relax the restrictions in most cases," he said. Translation: yes, we figured out how to stop ChatGPT from being dangerous, so let’s make it fun again.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ex-journalist-pete-hegseth-mocks-press-as-us-media-revolts-against-pentagon-s-gag-order-press-no-longer-roams-free-1760402303105">Ex-journalist Pete Hegseth mocks press as US media revolts against Pentagon’s gag order: ‘Press no longer roams free’</a>This update follows another statement by Sam Altman, where he suggested that AI could be used to "cure cancer". Thanks to the new risqué rollout announcement, critics, of course, are having a field day. "Why do age-gates always have to lead to erotica? Like, I just want to be able to be treated like an adult and not a toddler, that doesn't mean I want perv-mode activated," commented one X user on Altman's post.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Why do age-gates always have to lead to erotica? Like, I just want to be able to be treated like an adult and not a toddler, that doesn&#39;t mean I want perv-mode activated.&mdash; cate bligh (@catebligh) <a href="https://twitter.com/catebligh/status/1978130471318921225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"When you say ‘Adult Mode’ and erotica will be allowed in ChatGPT, how do you define the ethical boundaries of digital intimacy?," asked another.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">When you say “Adult Mode” and erotica will be allowed in ChatGPT, how do you define the ethical boundaries of digital intimacy?&mdash; VraserX e/acc (@VraserX) <a href="https://twitter.com/VraserX/status/1978155429893967935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Others just posted satire and memes trolling him.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/V7kn1gHOFB">pic.twitter.com/V7kn1gHOFB</a>&mdash; Jared Davidson (@Archetapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/Archetapp/status/1978138446364287322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2023: AI will cure cancer 2025: soon we will achieve AI erotica for verified adults&mdash; Dr J Rould (@jrouldz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jrouldz/status/1978143401951297721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Chatgpt to users <a href="https://t.co/RiiLSLWiq8">pic.twitter.com/RiiLSLWiq8</a>&mdash; Monkey (@y1ssh) <a href="https://twitter.com/y1ssh/status/1978130852073668642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced ChatGPT will now allow adult content for verified users, saying the AI can safely “treat adult users like adults.” His announcement has led to mixed reactions, with netizens both trolling him and applauding the move. All you need to know.

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, till recently was on a mission to cure cancer—or at least that’s the headline goal. But apparently, curing cancer can wait, because on Tuesday (Oct 14) he signed off on another high-priority initiative: letting OpenAI's ChatGPT make porn. Yes, you read that right. Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that ChatGPT will now “treat adult users like adults.” What did Sam Altman say? In an X post, OpenAI CEO Altman said that they had made ChatGPT "pretty restrictive" to make sure they were "being careful with mental health issues". However, now they've apparently "realised" that staying sensitive to mental health issues made the platform "less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems". Insisting that "given the seriousness of the issue," the AI maker "wanted to get this right". How? By allowing users to generate porn on the popular chatbot. Also read | Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice By December, he promised, the platform will allow even more risqué creations, including erotica for verified adults. Because apparently nothing says responsible AI innovation quite like giving adults the green light to generate digital fantasies. "In December, as we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our 'treat adult users like adults' principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults," said Altman.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced ChatGPT will now allow adult content for verified users, saying the AI can safely “treat adult users like adults.” His announcement has led to mixed reactions, with netizens both trolling him and applauding the move. All you need to know.

Sam Altman okays AI porn on ChatGPT, says OpenAI chatbot's current version 'less enjoyable'

Around the time the Harappan civilisation thrived along the Indus River, humans were also wandering across the continent of North America. A portion of a human skull was discovered on June 2, 2025, on the bank of Whitewater River, Fayette County, Indiana. Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson on Monday announced the discovery on indigenous day. Preliminary radiocarbon dating confirmed the remains are roughly 4,270 years old, at about 2300 BC. The Coroner called the discovery ‘remarkable’ and signified that people had inhabited these lands so long ago.This discovery underscores the importance of our community's vigilance and the necessity of professional collaboration,” Richardson said in a statement. “I want to commend the landowner for their responsible action in immediately reporting the finding.”&nbsp;

The discovery is exciting as DNA analysis of the bone can give a window to the genetic lineage, such as whether they are native american or even earlier, &nbsp;pre-Clovis group. Comparing them with the genome record of the area, they can reveal migration routes, whether they moved from northern ice-free corridors, coastal routes, or other early settlement pathways across North America. According to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, during those times large population of Native Americans were concentrated in smaller areas, and they were shifting to a plant-based dietThe genetic makeup will also reveal biological context like sex, hair, eye, skin pigmentation, etc.&nbsp;Comparing these to modern Native American tribes will also help in studying the genetic continuity or divergence.&nbsp; The University of Indianapolis helped in the initial identification of the portion of the human skull to confirm if the remains were from a human. The University of Georgia is handling a sample for more precise dating. However, specific details about the disposition of skull remains are &nbsp;unclear, whether it was brought in by river flow and or it was from the same place of discovery.

A portion of a 4,000-year-old human skull was discovered on the Whitewater River bank in Fayette County, Indiana. Preliminary dating suggests the remains date back to 2300 B.C., offering insights into early human migration in North America.

Around the time the Harappan civilisation thrived along the Indus River, humans were also wandering across the continent of North America. A portion of a human skull was discovered on June 2, 2025, on the bank of Whitewater River, Fayette County, Indiana. Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson on Monday announced the discovery on indigenous day. Preliminary radiocarbon dating confirmed the remains are roughly 4,270 years old, at about 2300 BC. The Coroner called the discovery ‘remarkable’ and signified that people had inhabited these lands so long ago. This discovery underscores the importance of our community's vigilance and the necessity of professional collaboration,” Richardson said in a statement. “I want to commend the landowner for their responsible action in immediately reporting the finding.”

A portion of a 4,000-year-old human skull was discovered on the Whitewater River bank in Fayette County, Indiana. Preliminary dating suggests the remains date back to 2300 B.C., offering insights into early human migration in North America.

4000-year-old human skull dating back to 2300 BC discovered on Indiana Riverbank

Have you ever wondered what happens when you are closest to death? A new study has found that the human body experiences vivid perceptions such as floating outside one’s body, moving through a tunnel toward a bright light, or feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.Scientists at UVA’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences surveyed 167 individuals who claimed to have undergone an NDE. The findings of the research were published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice. It said that such moments can leave a permanent mark on a human's life.It has also been reported that around 70 per cent of people experience a shift in their &nbsp;religious or spiritual beliefs after their experience of death. Also, they fear less of death.Around 64% of participants sought professional or spiritual support, while 78% found it helpful; many said they struggled to find understanding.“The research on how to support these patients and their specific needs is still limited. We hope to begin addressing this gap and inspire clinicians to devote time and care in pursuing these questions," Marieta Pehlivanova said as per New York Post.&nbsp;

The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you are closest to death? A new study has found that the human body experiences vivid perceptions such as floating outside one’s body, moving through a tunnel toward a bright light, or feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon. Scientists at UVA’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences surveyed 167 individuals who claimed to have undergone an NDE. The findings of the research were published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice. It said that such moments can leave a permanent mark on a human's life. It has also been reported that around 70 per cent of people experience a shift in their religious or spiritual beliefs after their experience of death. Also, they fear less of death. Around 64% of participants sought professional or spiritual support, while 78% found it helpful; many said they struggled to find understanding. “The research on how to support these patients and their specific needs is still limited. We hope to begin addressing this gap and inspire clinicians to devote time and care in pursuing these questions," Marieta Pehlivanova said as per New York Post.

The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.

What happens when you die? New study finds you see a bright tunnel

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Monday (Oct 14) achieved another milestone with the 11th flight test of its Starship Super Heavy rocket. This launch highlights the company’s commitment to making the rocket fully reusable. Shortly after liftoff, the Starship’s booster and upper stage separated through a “hot staging” process. The booster then began its controlled descent back towards the Gulf of Mexico but eventually ended with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. A loud explosion was heard as the Starship crashed into the Indian Ocean as planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the launch was livestreamed, Space X CEO Elon Musk unexpectedly appeared on the webcast to check in on the launch, surprising the hosts. This flight marks the second successful return of the Version 2 Starship prototypes, following a series of failed attempts earlier this year. Achieving controlled reentry and safe landing remains a critical step toward SpaceX’s goal of flying the rocket multiple times.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Watch Starship&#39;s eleventh flight test → <a href="https://t.co/YmvmGZTV8o">https://t.co/YmvmGZTV8o</a> <a href="https://t.co/zIRMX5mh9K">https://t.co/zIRMX5mh9K</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1972798064403357887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite hearing a loud explosion during the mission, SpaceX confirmed that the Raptor engines ignited correctly at separation, prompting the booster to attempt a landing burn. Cheers erupted from the webcast hosts as the booster safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, and the upper stage completed its descent in the Indian Ocean, performing final landing maneuvers smoothly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Thank you, 15-2! <a href="https://t.co/H2GNVk85BL">pic.twitter.com/H2GNVk85BL</a>&mdash; NSF - NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1977880658543341800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy hailed today’s test flight as “another major step toward landing Americans on the Moon’s south pole.” Earlier this year, this test ended in failure. In this test, a batch of mock Starlink satellites are deployed, briefly re-lighting its engines in space and testing new heat shield tiles during its blazing hot return from space before splashing down west of Australia, according to Reuters. SpaceX, in future tests, expects to launch a more advanced Starship prototype tailored with upgrades essential for long-duration missions in space. That includes docking adapters and other hardware changes key to orbital refueling, a complex process involving two Starships docking in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.&nbsp;

SpaceX's 11th Starship test flight achieved a major milestone with successful booster splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico and upper stage descent in the Indian Ocean. The mission tested reusability, heat shields, and deployed mock Starlink satellites.

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Monday (Oct 14) achieved another milestone with the 11th flight test of its Starship Super Heavy rocket. This launch highlights the company’s commitment to making the rocket fully reusable. Shortly after liftoff, the Starship’s booster and upper stage separated through a “hot staging” process. The booster then began its controlled descent back towards the Gulf of Mexico but eventually ended with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. A loud explosion was heard as the Starship crashed into the Indian Ocean as planned. As the launch was livestreamed, Space X CEO Elon Musk unexpectedly appeared on the webcast to check in on the launch, surprising the hosts. This flight marks the second successful return of the Version 2 Starship prototypes, following a series of failed attempts earlier this year. Achieving controlled reentry and safe landing remains a critical step toward SpaceX’s goal of flying the rocket multiple times.

SpaceX's 11th Starship test flight achieved a major milestone with successful booster splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico and upper stage descent in the Indian Ocean. The mission tested reusability, heat shields, and deployed mock Starlink satellites.

SpaceX launches Starship for 11th test flight - It lifts off, separates and crashes into Indian Ocean...

A NASA astronaut has captured the majestic Mount Everest from space. A photo of the highest mountain on Earth, taken from the International Space Station (ISS), was shared by Don Pettit, known for his remarkable pictures from space. The image shows the snow-covered summit of Mount Everest with tough Nepalese terrain around it. Sharing the photo, he wrote, "Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well." The ISS was above the Himalayas at the time he took the photo. Pettit added in another comment that the lower left region in the photo "is a cloudy lower Nepal and India, China is above the range in this photo." Another user wrote, "This photo makes you realise going to space is way cooler than climbing Mount Everest."&nbsp;Meanwhile, others got to deciphering which peak in the photo is Everest. The photo shows the Himalayan range, and the Everest is right there, but hard to locate. Several people calculated using maps which peak exactly is Mount Everest. Another user pointed out how the Himalayas look completely different from space as compared to on Google. "Wow, what a view. Totally different from what we see on Google maps!" the user wrote.<h2> See Himalayas from space</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well. <a href="https://t.co/oXqyf9ah8m">pic.twitter.com/oXqyf9ah8m</a>&mdash; Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_Pettit/status/1977020383590334968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Can you see the trash on Everest? X user asks</h2>One user joked about whether he could also see all the trash on Everest. Notably, Mount Everest has a huge garbage problem. Years of summitting the peak have led to all kinds of waste getting accumulated on the mountain. According to data, an estimated 50 tons of waste, such as discarded tents, oxygen canisters, and human waste sit on the world's tallest peak.A few days ago, Pettit also shared a photo of Mount Etna taken from space. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with smoke billowing from it and visible from orbit.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo of the Himalayas, with Mount Everest visible among the several peaks. The photo also shows India and Nepal with cloud cover. Netizens are having a tough time locating Everest in the photo. Can you spot it?

A NASA astronaut has captured the majestic Mount Everest from space. A photo of the highest mountain on Earth, taken from the International Space Station (ISS), was shared by Don Pettit, known for his remarkable pictures from space. The image shows the snow-covered summit of Mount Everest with tough Nepalese terrain around it. Sharing the photo, he wrote, "Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well." The ISS was above the Himalayas at the time he took the photo. Pettit added in another comment that the lower left region in the photo "is a cloudy lower Nepal and India, China is above the range in this photo." Another user wrote, "This photo makes you realise going to space is way cooler than climbing Mount Everest." Meanwhile, others got to deciphering which peak in the photo is Everest. The photo shows the Himalayan range, and the Everest is right there, but hard to locate. Several people calculated using maps which peak exactly is Mount Everest. Another user pointed out how the Himalayas look completely different from space as compared to on Google. "Wow, what a view. Totally different from what we see on Google maps!" the user wrote. See Himalayas from space

NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo of the Himalayas, with Mount Everest visible among the several peaks. The photo also shows India and Nepal with cloud cover. Netizens are having a tough time locating Everest in the photo. Can you spot it?

NASA astronaut shares photo of Himalayas and 'cloudy' India from space. Can you spot Everest?

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily.&nbsp;<h2>What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it?</h2>&nbsp;Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw).&nbsp;Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete.&nbsp;"This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process."&nbsp;<h2>How does the discovery help in research?</h2>&nbsp;Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily. What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it? Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw). Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete. "This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process." How does the discovery help in research? Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientists successfully unlock secret how plants twist molecules into anti-cancer substance

AI is here, where are you? Learn these 10 essential AI terms like Uncanny Valley, LLM, hallucination, and AGI to better understand artificial intelligence’s impact on technology and everyday life.



From Uncanny Valley to LLM, Hallucination and prompt engineering: 10 AI terms you should know about, now

India is losing sunshine hours, and this trend has greatly increased in the past three decades. A study done by Indian scientists shows that since 1988, the Sun's date with India has been on a downward trend, thanks to the cloud cover and the increasing number of aerosols in the air. The Banaras Hindu University, Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) collaborated on a study that studied data from 1988 to 2018. The monthly sunshine hours (SSH) analysis from 20 meteorological stations and from nine regions showed that the annual sunshine hours in India have been consistently declining. The research was published in the journal Nature on October 2.&nbsp;The study noted that there was a "persistent decline of SSH in the Indian subcontinent on all temporal scales, excluding the north eastern region, where mild seasonal levelling off was found." Meanwhile, there was a "significant increment from October to May followed by significant drops from June to July in six regions, except the northern inland and Himalayan region that showed comparatively opposite monthly trends." &nbsp;Previous studies have found decreasing trends in solar radiation across India and a persistent solar dimming in the 21st century. The researchers blame this on the rising aerosol levels, which went up because of urbanisation in the early 1990s.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mount-everest-himalaya-range-visible-from-jainagar-madhubani-in-bihar-video-1759944315194">WATCH | Mount Everest and Himalayan range visible from Bihar town in stunning occurrence</a> &nbsp;<h2>India did not take timely steps to control aerosols in environment</h2>The study notes that during the 1990s, "India’s economic growth drove urbanisation, land-use changes, and industrialisation, leading to increased fossil fuel consumption, vehicular emissions, and biomass burning." As a result, aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere rose, consequently reducing solar radiation. India was not the only country to undergo changes in the early 90s, with China and Japan also witnessing similar changes. However, the two countries implemented policies to control aerosol pollution. Beijing cracked down with the Clean Air Action Plan, while Japan successfully implemented clean technologies and emission controls. This lowered aerosol levels and caused a brightening trend, the study authors wrote.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-mission-will-uncover-relics-of-a-civilisation-that-lived-on-the-moon-50-000-years-ago-scientist-claims-1759744011780">Indian mission will uncover relics of a civilisation that lived on the Moon 50,000 years ago, scientist claims</a>&nbsp;<h2>Cloud cover increasing because of aerosols</h2>They added that weather conditions have also driven this change, with clouds obstructing sunlight and reducing solar radiation and sunshine hours. Aerosols are responsible for the increasing cloud cover, the study states. "As per the theory of condensation for warm cloud systems, bigger cloud droplets are formed when the natural balance of aerosols and humidity persists, and formation of perceptible clouds is achieved." However, when the number of aerosols goes up in the same amount of humidity, "a greater number of smaller-sized cloud droplets are developed and the cloud lifetime is prolonged." As a result, the hours during which the solar radiation can reach the surface would also be impacted. &nbsp;

India has been experiencing a decline in sunlight since 1988. This has largely been due to uncontrolled air pollution, with aerosols jumping up, triggering the cloud cover to become unbalanced and prolonged. So India has been bereft of enough sunshine for nearly 40 years now. 

India is losing sunshine hours, and this trend has greatly increased in the past three decades. A study done by Indian scientists shows that since 1988, the Sun's date with India has been on a downward trend, thanks to the cloud cover and the increasing number of aerosols in the air. The Banaras Hindu University, Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) collaborated on a study that studied data from 1988 to 2018. The monthly sunshine hours (SSH) analysis from 20 meteorological stations and from nine regions showed that the annual sunshine hours in India have been consistently declining. The research was published in the journal Nature on October 2. The study noted that there was a "persistent decline of SSH in the Indian subcontinent on all temporal scales, excluding the north eastern region, where mild seasonal levelling off was found." Meanwhile, there was a "significant increment from October to May followed by significant drops from June to July in six regions, except the northern inland and Himalayan region that showed comparatively opposite monthly trends." Previous studies have found decreasing trends in solar radiation across India and a persistent solar dimming in the 21st century. The researchers blame this on the rising aerosol levels, which went up because of urbanisation in the early 1990s. Also Read: WATCH | Mount Everest and Himalayan range visible from Bihar town in stunning occurrence India did not take timely steps to control aerosols in environment The study notes that during the 1990s, "India’s economic growth drove urbanisation, land-use changes, and industrialisation, leading to increased fossil fuel consumption, vehicular emissions, and biomass burning." As a result, aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere rose, consequently reducing solar radiation. India was not the only country to undergo changes in the early 90s, with China and Japan also witnessing similar changes. However, the two countries implemented policies to control aerosol pollution. Beijing cracked down with the Clean Air Action Plan, while Japan successfully implemented clean technologies and emission controls. This lowered aerosol levels and caused a brightening trend, the study authors wrote. Also Read: Indian mission will uncover relics of a civilisation that lived on the Moon 50,000 years ago, scientist claims Cloud cover increasing because of aerosols They added that weather conditions have also driven this change, with clouds obstructing sunlight and reducing solar radiation and sunshine hours. Aerosols are responsible for the increasing cloud cover, the study states. "As per the theory of condensation for warm cloud systems, bigger cloud droplets are formed when the natural balance of aerosols and humidity persists, and formation of perceptible clouds is achieved." However, when the number of aerosols goes up in the same amount of humidity, "a greater number of smaller-sized cloud droplets are developed and the cloud lifetime is prolonged." As a result, the hours during which the solar radiation can reach the surface would also be impacted.

India has been experiencing a decline in sunlight since 1988. This has largely been due to uncontrolled air pollution, with aerosols jumping up, triggering the cloud cover to become unbalanced and prolonged. So India has been bereft of enough sunshine for nearly 40 years now.&nbsp;

Sun has not been shining much on India for nearly 40 years. Blame the government

Scientists have been warning against rising sea levels for a long but now the threat has become even bigger. If the studies are to be believed, then nearly 100 million buildings could be under threat in the global south by the end of the current century. The researchers say even if the countries around the world cut their greenhouse emissions as per the Paris Agreement, it won't be enough to save nearly five million buildings in the southern part of the world.<h2>Which areas would be most impacted?</h2>&nbsp;The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. The study, published in Urban Sustainability, explored various scenarios where sea level rose between 0.5 metre to 20 metres. A rise of five metres of more in the sea level will put nearly 100 million buildings at risk. If the water level rises at its lowest level of 0.5 metres, it would still be enough to flood nearly three million building in the explored area of the study.“We were surprised at the large number of buildings at risk from relatively modest long-term sea level rise,” said Professor Jeff Cardile, co-author and professor at McGill University.&nbsp;“Sea level rise is a slow, but unstoppable consequence of warming that is already impacting coastal populations and will continue for centuries," Professor Natalya Gomez said, co-author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Ice Sheet–Sea Level Interactions at McGill University.&nbsp;<h2>How will India be impacted?</h2>&nbsp;The study only took Southeast Asia's islands into consideration for the study as data on water-level rising in seas around the mainland in Southeast Asia was incomplete. This means that his research did not include India, which, doesn't come in Southeast Asia but in South Asia, could still be at risk given it is surrounded by water on three sides.

The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. 

Scientists have been warning against rising sea levels for a long but now the threat has become even bigger. If the studies are to be believed, then nearly 100 million buildings could be under threat in the global south by the end of the current century. The researchers say even if the countries around the world cut their greenhouse emissions as per the Paris Agreement, it won't be enough to save nearly five million buildings in the southern part of the world. Which areas would be most impacted? The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. The study, published in Urban Sustainability, explored various scenarios where sea level rose between 0.5 metre to 20 metres. A rise of five metres of more in the sea level will put nearly 100 million buildings at risk. If the water level rises at its lowest level of 0.5 metres, it would still be enough to flood nearly three million building in the explored area of the study. “We were surprised at the large number of buildings at risk from relatively modest long-term sea level rise,” said Professor Jeff Cardile, co-author and professor at McGill University. “Sea level rise is a slow, but unstoppable consequence of warming that is already impacting coastal populations and will continue for centuries," Professor Natalya Gomez said, co-author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Ice Sheet–Sea Level Interactions at McGill University. How will India be impacted? The study only took Southeast Asia's islands into consideration for the study as data on water-level rising in seas around the mainland in Southeast Asia was incomplete. This means that his research did not include India, which, doesn't come in Southeast Asia but in South Asia, could still be at risk given it is surrounded by water on three sides.

The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.&nbsp;

Sea level rising has put 100 million buildings at risk in global south, warn scientists. Does India face danger too?

There's a new ocean in making in the world as Africa - one of the largest continents in the world is splitting apart at its East coast. The process, despite being slower in general sense, could change the Earth's geography drastically in comparison to what is visible today. The process would also make Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet with the new ocean in a rare tri-junction of large water bodies. The event, when occurs, would be similar to how the early Atlantic ocean was created when South America drifted from Africa millions of years ago.&nbsp;<h2>Where is the new ocean being made up?</h2>&nbsp;The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated. The process is being carried out underneath the Earth surface on the above mentioned area where East African Rift lies. It starts from Ethiopia's Afar region and stretches to Tanzania and Mozambique in South East of the continent while passing through Kenya.&nbsp;The African plate in the region divides into the Nubian block on the west side and Somali block on the east. The crack in the rift are widening each year and eventually would pave the way for a new ocean which would also meet Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;<h2>How a ocean is created?</h2>&nbsp;The process of making of a new ocean starts lava underneath the rift comes up due to various reasons including earthquake. The Afar region lies on a fault line which means frequent earthquakes. Once the lava flows, magma opens up the intrusions called dikes. These dikes push the rocks made by cooled down lava to the side and the fault line deepens. The Earth crust above becomes thin and eventually seawater flows in to make the narrow basin a spreading ridge.&nbsp;<h2>What is the timeline of making a new ocean in Africa?</h2>&nbsp;The rate of cracks widening is a few millimeters per year. While this number may seem too small in general, it is shape-changing in terms of Earth's geography. The current East African Rift may take about 5 to 10 million years to tear apart and an ocean to run through it at the current rate as per the scientists.

The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated.

There's a new ocean in making in the world as Africa - one of the largest continents in the world is splitting apart at its East coast. The process, despite being slower in general sense, could change the Earth's geography drastically in comparison to what is visible today. The process would also make Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet with the new ocean in a rare tri-junction of large water bodies. The event, when occurs, would be similar to how the early Atlantic ocean was created when South America drifted from Africa millions of years ago. Where is the new ocean being made up? The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated. The process is being carried out underneath the Earth surface on the above mentioned area where East African Rift lies. It starts from Ethiopia's Afar region and stretches to Tanzania and Mozambique in South East of the continent while passing through Kenya. The African plate in the region divides into the Nubian block on the west side and Somali block on the east. The crack in the rift are widening each year and eventually would pave the way for a new ocean which would also meet Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. How a ocean is created? The process of making of a new ocean starts lava underneath the rift comes up due to various reasons including earthquake. The Afar region lies on a fault line which means frequent earthquakes. Once the lava flows, magma opens up the intrusions called dikes. These dikes push the rocks made by cooled down lava to the side and the fault line deepens. The Earth crust above becomes thin and eventually seawater flows in to make the narrow basin a spreading ridge. What is the timeline of making a new ocean in Africa? The rate of cracks widening is a few millimeters per year. While this number may seem too small in general, it is shape-changing in terms of Earth's geography. The current East African Rift may take about 5 to 10 million years to tear apart and an ocean to run through it at the current rate as per the scientists.

The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated.

A new ocean in the making: This as Africa continues to split into two on east coast

In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now,&nbsp;researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-turns-arrest-into-meme-mocks-detainee-in-bizarre-ride-of-shame-video-outrage-erupts-as-white-house-reposts-video-watch-1759732361629">ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch!</a><h2>How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life?</h2>At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail.“These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer.Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-living-nostradamus-warns-of-imminent-crisis-makes-chilling-prophecy-about-trump-s-plans-for-us-military-1759738646707">‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military</a><h2>Can these ancient viruses infect humans?</h2>While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.”The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts.Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace.Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this. 

In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life. Also read | ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch! How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life? At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail. “These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer. Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate. Also read | ‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military Can these ancient viruses infect humans? While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change. However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.” The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts. Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace. Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this.&nbsp;

Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities.&nbsp;The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system.&nbsp;The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site.&nbsp;<h2>AI to power space communication</h2>What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.”&nbsp;To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system.&nbsp;<h2>Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions</h2>The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury.&nbsp;The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined.&nbsp;The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances.&nbsp;<h2>Expanding Europe’s space network</h2>When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil.&nbsp;The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners.&nbsp;Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities. The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system. The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site. AI to power space communication What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.” To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system. Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury. The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances. Expanding Europe’s space network When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil. The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners. Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

AI in space: How ESA’s new antenna will track missions across the solar system

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING NEWS The 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPrize</a> in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” <a href="https://t.co/nhjxJSoZEr">pic.twitter.com/nhjxJSoZEr</a>&mdash; The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) <a href="https://twitter.com/NobelPrize/status/1975131786448699467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Mary E. Brunkow</h2>Mary E. Brunkow, born in 1961, earned her Ph.D. from Princeton University and currently serves as senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. In 2001, Brunkow, alongside Fred Ramsdell, identified a mutation in the Foxp3 gene in scurfy mice that leads to severe autoimmune disorders. This discovery was pivotal in understanding the genetic basis of regulatory T cells and their role in maintaining immune tolerance.<h2>Fred Ramsdell: From Discovery to Therapeutic Applications</h2>Fred Ramsdell, born in 1960, completed his Ph.D. in immunology at UCLA and has held senior positions in several biotech companies, including Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco. His work, particularly the identification of the Foxp3 gene mutation, established the link between genetic defects and autoimmune diseases. Ramsdell’s research has provided the foundation for developing targeted therapies for conditions such as IPEX syndrome.<h2>Shimon Sakaguchi: The Pioneer of Regulatory T Cells</h2>Shimon Sakaguchi, born in 1951 in Japan, earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from Kyoto University and is a distinguished professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University. In 1995, Sakaguchi discovered regulatory T cells, revealing a mechanism of immune tolerance beyond the thymus’s central system. His work has been instrumental in advancing immunotherapy approaches for autoimmune diseases and cancer.&nbsp;

How regulatory T cells protect us

&nbsp;The discoveries by Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi have reshaped immunology and opened avenues for practical medical applications. By uncovering regulatory T cells, they revealed how the immune system prevents self-attacks, offering hope for treatments of autoimmune diseases, safer stem cell transplants, and enhanced cancer therapies. Their work underscores that the immune system is both a defensive network and a tightly regulated system capable of maintaining internal balance, demonstrating the profound impact of basic science on modern medicine.&nbsp;The laureates’ discoveries have far-reaching implications. Understanding peripheral immune tolerance has enabled therapies that modulate the immune system to treat autoimmune disorders, prevent transplant rejection, and improve cancer immunotherapy. Their work exemplifies how fundamental scientific research can lead to transformative clinical applications, benefiting millions worldwide.&nbsp;Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi’s contributions to immunology have not only advanced scientific understanding but also opened new avenues for treating complex diseases, marking a major milestone in medical science.

Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

Nobel Prize medicine winners 2025: Who are Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi?

&nbsp;Astronomers have long relied on broad morphological categories, spiral, elliptical, lenticular, to sort galaxies into tidy boxes. But the recent Hubble image of NGC 2775 upends such simplicity. At roughly 67 million light-years distant in the constellation Cancer, this galaxy combines features from disparate classes in a way that resists easy classification. Its smooth, gas-poor central bulge looks like an elliptical galaxy, yet it is encircled by a dusty ring containing pockets of star formation, akin to a spiral.&nbsp;<h2>A Galaxy of Two Worlds</h2>At its core, NGC 2775 presents itself as deceptively simple. The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars. Surrounding this core, however, lies a ring of dust and gas, punctuated by clusters of young stars and hints of faint, flocculent spiral arms.&nbsp;Many astronomers lean toward classifying it as a flocculent spiral galaxy, a type of spiral galaxy whose arms are loosely defined and patchy. Yet it also shows features reminiscent of a lenticular galaxy, a class that bridges spirals and ellipticals and is often thought to form when spirals exhaust their gas and lose their distinct structure.<h2>Clues from Past Encounters</h2>NGC 2775’s odd structure may be a fossil record of past mergers or close encounters. Observations have revealed a hydrogen gas tail stretching nearly 1,00,000 light-years, likely the remnant of a disrupted companion galaxy. The nearby irregular galaxy NGC 2777 appears to have a tidal hydrogen tail tracing back to NGC 2775, suggesting they may have interacted in the past. Such encounters could strip gas from the galaxy’s interior, weaken spiral arms, or gradually transform its shape. The shell-like structures in the outskirts and faint tidal debris support the idea that NGC 2775 is in an intermediate evolutionary phase.<h2>Why This Galaxy Matters</h2>This unusual system offers astronomers a rare laboratory for studying morphological transformation. Because we see it from only one angle, the classification remains uncertain, but that ambiguity is precisely what makes it valuable. It may reveal how spiral galaxies fade into lenticular or elliptical forms, or how mergers and interactions sculpt galactic structure.

The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars.

Astronomers have long relied on broad morphological categories, spiral, elliptical, lenticular, to sort galaxies into tidy boxes. But the recent Hubble image of NGC 2775 upends such simplicity. At roughly 67 million light-years distant in the constellation Cancer, this galaxy combines features from disparate classes in a way that resists easy classification. Its smooth, gas-poor central bulge looks like an elliptical galaxy, yet it is encircled by a dusty ring containing pockets of star formation, akin to a spiral. A Galaxy of Two Worlds At its core, NGC 2775 presents itself as deceptively simple. The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars. Surrounding this core, however, lies a ring of dust and gas, punctuated by clusters of young stars and hints of faint, flocculent spiral arms. Many astronomers lean toward classifying it as a flocculent spiral galaxy, a type of spiral galaxy whose arms are loosely defined and patchy. Yet it also shows features reminiscent of a lenticular galaxy, a class that bridges spirals and ellipticals and is often thought to form when spirals exhaust their gas and lose their distinct structure. Clues from Past Encounters NGC 2775’s odd structure may be a fossil record of past mergers or close encounters. Observations have revealed a hydrogen gas tail stretching nearly 1,00,000 light-years, likely the remnant of a disrupted companion galaxy. The nearby irregular galaxy NGC 2777 appears to have a tidal hydrogen tail tracing back to NGC 2775, suggesting they may have interacted in the past. Such encounters could strip gas from the galaxy’s interior, weaken spiral arms, or gradually transform its shape. The shell-like structures in the outskirts and faint tidal debris support the idea that NGC 2775 is in an intermediate evolutionary phase. Why This Galaxy Matters This unusual system offers astronomers a rare laboratory for studying morphological transformation. Because we see it from only one angle, the classification remains uncertain, but that ambiguity is precisely what makes it valuable. It may reveal how spiral galaxies fade into lenticular or elliptical forms, or how mergers and interactions sculpt galactic structure.

The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars.

'Not spiral, not elliptical': Hubble spots a bizarre galaxy 67 million light-years away defying all known categories

For the last 15 years, a massive belt of algae has been growing, from space it looks like a giant brown ‘ribbon’ connecting the West Coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. Once confined only to the Sargasso Sea, satellite images captured in May indicated that the massive brown ‘ribbon’ weighing 37.5 million tonnes of sargassum was spreading over 8,850 km. The phenomenon is termed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB). First major bloom observed in 2011, it has been growing ever since, and now almost double the width of the continent of America.<h2>Key Driver behind the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt</h2>Sargassum generally inhabits oligotrophic or nutrient-poor, warm, and saline waters of the Sargasso Sea. But because of its explosive nutrient-driven growth, it is now found in nutrient-rich waters that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. This is directly linked to the nutrient-driven algae boom. This can be traced back to the increased nutrient runoff from major rivers and other anthropogenic sources, such as agricultural runoff, wastewater, and airborne nutrients. A scientific study named Harmful Algae, by the Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, reveals that between 1980 and 2020, the nitrogen content within the Sargassum tissue increased by 55 per cent, and the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased by 50 per cent. The Amazon River specifically contributes to the large nutrient loads. Natural ocean currents like the Gluf stream, Loop Current, transport the algae across the continent.&nbsp;<h2>Major ecological and economic impacts of the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt</h2>The Sargassum Belt provide a diverse and complex ecosystem for many species, like fish, crab, shrimps, &nbsp;invertebrates like spiders, &nbsp;eels, turtles, etc. However, the rapid proliferation of it has raised a series of concerns among scientists. They block sunlight for coral reefs, which is necessary for photosynthesis. They can damage massive carbon sinks. Its decomposition releases hydrogen sulfide, methane and other greenhouse gases. When it washes up on shore, it causes Coastal damage, disruption to tourism, fisheries, and local economies. The cleanup process is costly and potentially damaging to infrastructure. In 1991, the accumulation of Sargassum across the Florida coast led to the temporary closure of a nuclear power plant. As oceans warm up, these will also provide an optimal temperature range for the growth of the Belt. Scientists predict a massive bloom of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt; climate variability change in wind and currents could lead to the spread of the Sargassum Belt far north of the Sargasso Sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For 15 years, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has grown into a massive 8,800 km seaweed bloom, weighing 37.5 million tonnes. Scientists link it to nutrient runoff, warming oceans, and climate change—raising ecological and economic concerns across the Atlantic.

For the last 15 years, a massive belt of algae has been growing, from space it looks like a giant brown ‘ribbon’ connecting the West Coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. Once confined only to the Sargasso Sea, satellite images captured in May indicated that the massive brown ‘ribbon’ weighing 37.5 million tonnes of sargassum was spreading over 8,850 km. The phenomenon is termed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB). First major bloom observed in 2011, it has been growing ever since, and now almost double the width of the continent of America. Key Driver behind the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt Sargassum generally inhabits oligotrophic or nutrient-poor, warm, and saline waters of the Sargasso Sea. But because of its explosive nutrient-driven growth, it is now found in nutrient-rich waters that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. This is directly linked to the nutrient-driven algae boom. This can be traced back to the increased nutrient runoff from major rivers and other anthropogenic sources, such as agricultural runoff, wastewater, and airborne nutrients. A scientific study named Harmful Algae, by the Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, reveals that between 1980 and 2020, the nitrogen content within the Sargassum tissue increased by 55 per cent, and the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased by 50 per cent. The Amazon River specifically contributes to the large nutrient loads. Natural ocean currents like the Gluf stream, Loop Current, transport the algae across the continent. Major ecological and economic impacts of the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt The Sargassum Belt provide a diverse and complex ecosystem for many species, like fish, crab, shrimps, invertebrates like spiders, eels, turtles, etc. However, the rapid proliferation of it has raised a series of concerns among scientists. They block sunlight for coral reefs, which is necessary for photosynthesis. They can damage massive carbon sinks. Its decomposition releases hydrogen sulfide, methane and other greenhouse gases. When it washes up on shore, it causes Coastal damage, disruption to tourism, fisheries, and local economies. The cleanup process is costly and potentially damaging to infrastructure. In 1991, the accumulation of Sargassum across the Florida coast led to the temporary closure of a nuclear power plant. As oceans warm up, these will also provide an optimal temperature range for the growth of the Belt. Scientists predict a massive bloom of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt; climate variability change in wind and currents could lead to the spread of the Sargassum Belt far north of the Sargasso Sea.

For 15 years, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has grown into a massive 8,800 km seaweed bloom, weighing 37.5 million tonnes. Scientists link it to nutrient runoff, warming oceans, and climate change—raising ecological and economic concerns across the Atlantic.

Shocking 8,850 km long brown 'ribbon' spreading from Atlantic Ocean to Gulf of Mexico alarms scientists

Dark matter and dark energy are two things that scientists strongly believe exist in the universe, yet they have never been able to find them. They are believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, Professor Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa has given a simple reason why dark matter has remained elusive till now - because it simply doesn't exist. His theory has raised eyebrows in the astronomy community, but Gupta claims the effects that have been attributed to dark matter till now have another explanation. He says that as the fundamental forces of the universe change over time, the cosmos witnesses things that scientists assume are happening because of dark matter. But that isn't the case. Gupta offers an alternate reason for why everything that we think is happening because of dark matter is actually happening. He says that constants, such as the speed of light and the force of gravity, govern the laws of physics. But some physicists think that they are not "constant" in reality, and in fact, evolve and change as the universe ages.&nbsp;Gupta wrote in the study, "Dark matter and dark energy...may be considered emerging from the weakening of the forces of nature in an expanding Universe." In his paper, he tried to explain everything that dark matter currently does, without assuming that these particles exist. He says the varying "covarying coupling constants" can be taken and put into Einstein's equations for cosmic expansion. This results in two mathematical terms - alpha–matter and alpha–energy. Both these behave just like dark matter and dark energy. What makes this theory really interesting is that the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on how much matter is concentrated in one place. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-nasa-is-currently-closed-nasa-shutters-down-its-website-indefinitely-details-1759506204419">'NASA is currently closed' - Space agency shuts down its website indefinitely | Details</a>&nbsp;<h2>Theory explains why outer stars are moving faster</h2>Under Gupta's theory, the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on the concentration of matter in one place. It states that at the centre of a galaxy, lots of normal matter is present and so physics acts just like it should. But in far-off regions, the matter reduces, the constants become weaker and alpha–matter and alpha–energy effects start becoming visible. Gupta says this explains why the outer regions of galaxies and the universe seem to be moving faster compared to stars in the inner core.&nbsp;Scientists seriously started considering the possibility that dark matter is real in the 1970s. Astronomer Vera Rubin noticed that galaxies' outermost stars were rotating a lot faster than they should. This led to the hypothesis that galaxies had a lot more mass than the visible matter could account for. This led to the assumption that dark matter occupied the space between cosmic bodies in the universe. However, no proof of its existence has ever been found. &nbsp;

Why haven't scientists found dark matter? One scientist thinks it is probably because it doesn't exist at all. Dark matter remains merely an assumption to date, and there has never been any proof that it is real.

Dark matter and dark energy are two things that scientists strongly believe exist in the universe, yet they have never been able to find them. They are believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, Professor Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa has given a simple reason why dark matter has remained elusive till now - because it simply doesn't exist. His theory has raised eyebrows in the astronomy community, but Gupta claims the effects that have been attributed to dark matter till now have another explanation. He says that as the fundamental forces of the universe change over time, the cosmos witnesses things that scientists assume are happening because of dark matter. But that isn't the case. Gupta offers an alternate reason for why everything that we think is happening because of dark matter is actually happening. He says that constants, such as the speed of light and the force of gravity, govern the laws of physics. But some physicists think that they are not "constant" in reality, and in fact, evolve and change as the universe ages. Gupta wrote in the study, "Dark matter and dark energy...may be considered emerging from the weakening of the forces of nature in an expanding Universe." In his paper, he tried to explain everything that dark matter currently does, without assuming that these particles exist. He says the varying "covarying coupling constants" can be taken and put into Einstein's equations for cosmic expansion. This results in two mathematical terms - alpha–matter and alpha–energy. Both these behave just like dark matter and dark energy. What makes this theory really interesting is that the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on how much matter is concentrated in one place. Also Read: 'NASA is currently closed' - Space agency shuts down its website indefinitely | Details Theory explains why outer stars are moving faster Under Gupta's theory, the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on the concentration of matter in one place. It states that at the centre of a galaxy, lots of normal matter is present and so physics acts just like it should. But in far-off regions, the matter reduces, the constants become weaker and alpha–matter and alpha–energy effects start becoming visible. Gupta says this explains why the outer regions of galaxies and the universe seem to be moving faster compared to stars in the inner core. Scientists seriously started considering the possibility that dark matter is real in the 1970s. Astronomer Vera Rubin noticed that galaxies' outermost stars were rotating a lot faster than they should. This led to the hypothesis that galaxies had a lot more mass than the visible matter could account for. This led to the assumption that dark matter occupied the space between cosmic bodies in the universe. However, no proof of its existence has ever been found.

Why haven't scientists found dark matter? One scientist thinks it is probably because it doesn't exist at all. Dark matter remains merely an assumption to date, and there has never been any proof that it is real.

Why haven't we found dark matter yet? Because it doesn't exist, one scientist claims

Scientists are shocked to see a planet chowing on six billion tons of gas and dust each second, an event that has been going on for a couple of months. The so-called rogue planet is witnessing an extreme and unprecedented "growth spurt", proving that planets are not docile cosmic objects. The new observations were made by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT). This free-floating planet is eating up gas and dust from its surroundings at an astounding rate, providing new insights into the formation of planets. Cha 1107-7626 is around five to 10 times the mass of Jupiter, and lives 620 light-years away in the constellation of Chamaeleon. The planet is being fed by a circumplanetary disk of gas and dust, which constantly falls into it. The process, known as accretion, witnessed a sudden acceleration by August 2025 in Cha 1107-7626. It sped up by eight times within a few months, leading it to its current rate of six billion tons per second. The discovery was published today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.&nbsp;This planet is still forming, giving scientists a peek into how such large bodies develop. "We’ve caught this newborn rogue planet in the act of gobbling up stuff at a furious pace,” said Johns Hopkins University’s Professor Ray Jayawardhana. Lead author of the study, &nbsp;Víctor Almendros-Abad, said that this discovery proves that "planets are not quiet and stable worlds". An astronomer at the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Italy, Almendros-Abad added, “This is the strongest accretion episode ever recorded for a planetary-mass object."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-nasa-nuking-an-asteroid-real-life-armageddon-could-happen-by-2031-details-1759238690934">Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details</a> But this accretion is not stable. As pointed out above, the researchers noted that the speed of gulping down material changed vastly over a few months. "We have captured a rare glimpse into the baby phase of isolated objects not much heftier than Jupiter. Their infancy appears to be much more tumultuous than we had realised," Jayawardhana said. Besides ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the team also used data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and archival data from the SINFONI spectrograph on VLT.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/october-29-the-day-of-reckoning-for-3i-atlas-scientist-warns-of-historic-shift-1759390829002">October 29: The day of reckoning for 3I/ATLAS - Scientist warns of historic shift</a><h2>Rogue planet acting like a star</h2>Witnessing a rogue planet acting like a star has raised questions about how they are different from each other. "The origin of rogue planets remains an open question: are they the lowest-mass objects formed like stars, or giant planets ejected from their birth systems?" co-author Aleks Scholz, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, said. The findings prove that some rogue planets are formed in a similar manner as stars, since both witness bursts of accretion.&nbsp;“This discovery blurs the line between stars and planets and gives us a sneak peek into the earliest formation periods of rogue planets,” said Dr Belinda Damian, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews. Another thing that stumped researchers was the presence of water vapour in the disk around the planet during the accretion episode, but not after it. This phenomenon had been spotted in stars but never in a planet. “We’re struck by quite how much the infancy of free-floating planetary-mass objects resembles that of stars like the Sun,” Professor Jayawardhana said.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A planet located 620 light-years away in the constellation Chamaeleon is acting like a young star, chomping down on matter at the rate of six billion tons per second. Scientists are amazed to see the infant planet going through such a growth spurt.

Scientists are shocked to see a planet chowing on six billion tons of gas and dust each second, an event that has been going on for a couple of months. The so-called rogue planet is witnessing an extreme and unprecedented "growth spurt", proving that planets are not docile cosmic objects. The new observations were made by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT). This free-floating planet is eating up gas and dust from its surroundings at an astounding rate, providing new insights into the formation of planets. Cha 1107-7626 is around five to 10 times the mass of Jupiter, and lives 620 light-years away in the constellation of Chamaeleon. The planet is being fed by a circumplanetary disk of gas and dust, which constantly falls into it. The process, known as accretion, witnessed a sudden acceleration by August 2025 in Cha 1107-7626. It sped up by eight times within a few months, leading it to its current rate of six billion tons per second. The discovery was published today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. This planet is still forming, giving scientists a peek into how such large bodies develop. "We’ve caught this newborn rogue planet in the act of gobbling up stuff at a furious pace,” said Johns Hopkins University’s Professor Ray Jayawardhana. Lead author of the study, Víctor Almendros-Abad, said that this discovery proves that "planets are not quiet and stable worlds". An astronomer at the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Italy, Almendros-Abad added, “This is the strongest accretion episode ever recorded for a planetary-mass object." Also Read: Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details But this accretion is not stable. As pointed out above, the researchers noted that the speed of gulping down material changed vastly over a few months. "We have captured a rare glimpse into the baby phase of isolated objects not much heftier than Jupiter. Their infancy appears to be much more tumultuous than we had realised," Jayawardhana said. Besides ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the team also used data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and archival data from the SINFONI spectrograph on VLT. Also Read: October 29: The day of reckoning for 3I/ATLAS - Scientist warns of historic shift Rogue planet acting like a star Witnessing a rogue planet acting like a star has raised questions about how they are different from each other. "The origin of rogue planets remains an open question: are they the lowest-mass objects formed like stars, or giant planets ejected from their birth systems?" co-author Aleks Scholz, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, said. The findings prove that some rogue planets are formed in a similar manner as stars, since both witness bursts of accretion. “This discovery blurs the line between stars and planets and gives us a sneak peek into the earliest formation periods of rogue planets,” said Dr Belinda Damian, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews. Another thing that stumped researchers was the presence of water vapour in the disk around the planet during the accretion episode, but not after it. This phenomenon had been spotted in stars but never in a planet. “We’re struck by quite how much the infancy of free-floating planetary-mass objects resembles that of stars like the Sun,” Professor Jayawardhana said.

A planet located 620 light-years away in the constellation Chamaeleon is acting like a young star, chomping down on matter at the rate of six billion tons per second. Scientists are amazed to see the infant planet going through such a growth spurt.

Infant rogue planet 620 light-years away growing by 6 billion tonnes per second

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket.Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out.Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before.As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government.<h2>AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. &nbsp;They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.<h2>Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch</h2>As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025.In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed.In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026.Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out. Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before. As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government. AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum. Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025. In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed. In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026. Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

US firm's BlueBird satellite to reach India in mid-Oct; Launch could take place by December

Russian Noah’s Ark satellite, Bion-M No.2 mission, Russian space experiment animals, mice in space 2025, flies in space, biological payload Russia, space biosatellite landing, Roscosmos animal experiment, spacecraft reentry fire, space biology research

Russia’s ‘Noah’s Ark’ satellite carrying 75 Mice and 1,500 flies lands after fiery reentry

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Hubble captures a mind-bending galaxy 67 million light-years away

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Why haven't we found dark matter? Because it doesn't exist, one scientist claims

Infant rogue planet 620 light-years away growing by 6 billion tonnes per second

US firm's BlueBird satellite to reach India in mid-Oct

Russia’s ‘Noah’s Ark’ satellite with 75 Mice and 1,500 flies makes fiery landing