Scientists might soon be able to create disease-resistant orange hybrids that taste as good as the originals. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, chemical analysis has revealed 26 compounds responsible for the distinctive flavour of oranges.

Scientists might soon be able to create disease-resistant orange hybrids that taste as good as the originals. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, chemical analysis has revealed 26 compounds responsible for the distinctive flavour of oranges. In the last few decades, huanglongbing, a citrus greening disease, has heavily impacted the global production of citrus fruits. The HLB bacteria which causes this disease infects most citrus cultivars, species, hybrids and even some citrus relatives. Due to this, the fruit bears no value as they have a poor size and quality. Moreover, there's no cure for the disease, and rapid tree removal is the only prevention. Anne Plotto of the United States Horticultural Research Laboratory in Florida told the New Scientist that this disease has particularly affected the production of oranges. "Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) exhibits limited genetic diversity and high susceptibility to Huanglongbing (HLB)," the study said. Plotto and her team wanted to find out whether it was possible to generate orange hybrids resistant to the citrus greening disease while maintaining the signature flavour of oranges. ALSO READ | 7,300-year-old underwater volcano eruption emerges as largest in history, reveals new study The research team analysed 179 juice specimens from a range of citruses. These included oranges, mandarins (Citrus reticulata), trifoliate oranges (Citrus trifoliata) and other hybrids. Moreover, trained citrus testers also tried each juice sample and ranked these on how they tasted like orange juice. The study revealed that juices with the most prominent orange flavour contained all 26 specific compounds. Seven of these compounds are known as esters. They appeared to be the prime components in differentiating the taste of oranges and mandarins. When Plotto and her colleagues conducted a genetic analysis of the citrus fruits, they found a gene responsible for producing these seven esters. They dubbed it C. sinensis alcohol acyltransferase 1. The study mentioned, "Its activity was validated through overexpression assays. Phylogeny revealed the functional allele was inherited from pummelo. A SNP-based DNA marker in the coding region accurately predicted phenotypes." "This gene is expressed much more in the cultivars that produce a lot of esters," said team member Zhen Fan. According to Plotto, the study could eventually help create disease-tolerant hybrids with a rich orange flavour. "The findings could be used to screen citrus hybrid seedlings for desired orange flavour at an early stage, instead of waiting 10 to 15 years for the tree to bear fruits," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Why do oranges taste the way they do? Researchers have finally broken it down

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period. 
 
According to scientists, the creature is around 240 million years old and has been called a "dragon" since it has an extremely long neck. It is also known as Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, which is a species that was originally identified in 2003. 
 
This newly found fossil has permitted scientists to analyse the full anatomy of the bizarre prehistoric beast. An international team discovered the fossil from Guizhou Province in southern China, which was then displayed at the National Museums Scotland. 
 
Dr Nick Fraser, who was part of the international team which closely studied the fossil, said that for the first time, scientists have been able to locate the fossil in full. He said that it was "a very strange animal".

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"It had flipper-like limbs and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined," Dr Fraser said. 
 
The researcher said that the animal's "long, bendy and flexible neck", which has 32 separate vertebrae, might have given a hunting advantage and allowed Dinocephalosaurus orientalis to search for food present in crevices under the water.

<h2 lang="en-US">Fossil discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China</h2>

The scientists discovered the fossil in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. 
 
"This discovery just adds to the weirdness of the Triassic," said Dr Fraser, while speaking to BBC News. "And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new,” he added. 
 
Scientists claimed that the animal appeared similar to Tanystropheus hydroides which is a marine reptile from the Middle Triassic period.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart

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"Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition. However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing many more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance," the research team said, as reported by ABC News. 
 
The international team added that the reptile was "clearly very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle," as indicated by the flippered limbs and "exquisitely preserved" fishes in its stomach region. 
 
The team had experts from different countries including Scotland, Germany, the United States and China. The paper, which described a set of new fossils of the animal, has been published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period.

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period. According to scientists, the creature is around 240 million years old and has been called a "dragon" since it has an extremely long neck. It is also known as Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, which is a species that was originally identified in 2003. This newly found fossil has permitted scientists to analyse the full anatomy of the bizarre prehistoric beast. An international team discovered the fossil from Guizhou Province in southern China, which was then displayed at the National Museums Scotland. Dr Nick Fraser, who was part of the international team which closely studied the fossil, said that for the first time, scientists have been able to locate the fossil in full. He said that it was "a very strange animal". Also Read: Scientists discover ‘absolutely unique’ 350-million-year-old ‘alien’ tree in Canada "It had flipper-like limbs and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined," Dr Fraser said. The researcher said that the animal's "long, bendy and flexible neck", which has 32 separate vertebrae, might have given a hunting advantage and allowed Dinocephalosaurus orientalis to search for food present in crevices under the water. Fossil discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China The scientists discovered the fossil in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. "This discovery just adds to the weirdness of the Triassic," said Dr Fraser, while speaking to BBC News. "And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new,” he added. Scientists claimed that the animal appeared similar to Tanystropheus hydroides which is a marine reptile from the Middle Triassic period. Watch: Gravitas | Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart "Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition. However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing many more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance," the research team said, as reported by ABC News. The international team added that the reptile was "clearly very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle," as indicated by the flippered limbs and "exquisitely preserved" fishes in its stomach region. The team had experts from different countries including Scotland, Germany, the United States and China. The paper, which described a set of new fossils of the animal, has been published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists make stunning discovery of fossil belonging to 240 million-year-old 'dragon'

In a significant move set to reshape the financial landscape, Capital One, backed by Warren Buffett, has announced plans to acquire Discover Financial Services in a landmark all-stock transaction valued at $35.3 billion. <o:p></o:p>

The merger aims to create a formidable global payments entity, positioning the combined company as the sixth-largest bank by assets in the United States and a major player in the credit card market.<o:p></o:p>

The deal, subject to rigorous antitrust scrutiny, highlights Capital One's strategic expansion ambitions and its endeavour to bolster competitiveness in the payments domain. <o:p></o:p>

With Discover's extensive network spanning 200 countries and territories, the acquisition presents an opportunity for Capital One to enhance its global footprint and vie with industry giants such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. <o:p></o:p>

Highlighting the rationale behind the acquisition, the companies emphasised the necessity of scale and investment to fortify the Discover network's competitiveness. <o:p></o:p>

As part of the transaction, Discover shareholders are set to receive 1.0192 Capital One shares for each Discover share.<o:p></o:p>

Upon completion, Capital One shareholders will hold a 60 per cent stake in the combined entity.<o:p></o:p>

Anticipating regulatory approval in late 2024 or early 2025, Capital One acknowledged the heightened scrutiny expected from regulators, particularly in light of President Joe Biden's administration's focus on bolstering competition across sectors. <o:p></o:p>

Analysts predict significant pushback and regulatory scrutiny, citing the deal's implications for market concentration and systemic risk. <o:p></o:p>

The Biden administration's executive order aimed at promoting competition underscores the regulatory landscape's evolving dynamics.<o:p></o:p>

The proposed merger also comes amid increased regulatory focus on credit card fees and competition concerns in the US credit card market. <o:p></o:p>

Led by merger sceptic Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has flagged issues pertaining to credit card fees and rates, signalling potential regulatory headwinds for the combined entity. <o:p></o:p>

Analysts anticipate a Justice Department investigation, focusing on market positions and barriers to entry for new entrants.<o:p></o:p>

While Capital One and Discover navigate regulatory complexities, both companies have encountered supervisory challenges in recent times. <o:p></o:p>

Discover's regulatory review over misclassified credit card accounts and its consent order with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp underscore supervisory concerns, albeit with potential resolution paths. <o:p></o:p>

Despite profitability declines in the fourth quarter attributed to rising interest rates and increased provisions for bad loans, both companies remain poised to address regulatory hurdles and pursue strategic growth initiatives.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

In a significant move set to reshape the financial landscape, Capital One, backed by Warren Buffett, has announced plans to acquire Discover Financial Services in a landmark all-stock transaction valued at $35.

In a significant move set to reshape the financial landscape, Capital One, backed by Warren Buffett, has announced plans to acquire Discover Financial Services in a landmark all-stock transaction valued at $35.3 billion. The merger aims to create a formidable global payments entity, positioning the combined company as the sixth-largest bank by assets in the United States and a major player in the credit card market. The deal, subject to rigorous antitrust scrutiny, highlights Capital One's strategic expansion ambitions and its endeavour to bolster competitiveness in the payments domain. With Discover's extensive network spanning 200 countries and territories, the acquisition presents an opportunity for Capital One to enhance its global footprint and vie with industry giants such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Highlighting the rationale behind the acquisition, the companies emphasised the necessity of scale and investment to fortify the Discover network's competitiveness. As part of the transaction, Discover shareholders are set to receive 1.0192 Capital One shares for each Discover share. Upon completion, Capital One shareholders will hold a 60 per cent stake in the combined entity. Anticipating regulatory approval in late 2024 or early 2025, Capital One acknowledged the heightened scrutiny expected from regulators, particularly in light of President Joe Biden's administration's focus on bolstering competition across sectors. Analysts predict significant pushback and regulatory scrutiny, citing the deal's implications for market concentration and systemic risk. The Biden administration's executive order aimed at promoting competition underscores the regulatory landscape's evolving dynamics. The proposed merger also comes amid increased regulatory focus on credit card fees and competition concerns in the US credit card market. Led by merger sceptic Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has flagged issues pertaining to credit card fees and rates, signalling potential regulatory headwinds for the combined entity. Analysts anticipate a Justice Department investigation, focusing on market positions and barriers to entry for new entrants. While Capital One and Discover navigate regulatory complexities, both companies have encountered supervisory challenges in recent times. Discover's regulatory review over misclassified credit card accounts and its consent order with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp underscore supervisory concerns, albeit with potential resolution paths. Despite profitability declines in the fourth quarter attributed to rising interest rates and increased provisions for bad loans, both companies remain poised to address regulatory hurdles and pursue strategic growth initiatives. (With inputs from Reuters)

Capital One to acquire Discover Financial in $35.3 billion all-stock deal, creating payment giant

Scientists have discovered a 350 million-year-old tree species that looks straight out of “Dr Seuss’s imagination” and appears different from any of those found on Earth today. The unique 3D crown-shaped tree was discovered during research on a fossilised tree species called Sanfordiacaulis from New Brunswick, Canada. It is believed that the species thrived under the taller members of the forest canopy.

“The way in which this tree produced hugely long leaves around its spindly trunk, and the sheer number over a short length of trunk, is startling,” Robert Gastaldo of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, was quoted as saying by the Independent.

“The fossil on which we report is unique and a strange growth form in the history of life. It is one of evolution’s experiments during a time when forest plants underwent biodiversification, and it is a form that seems to be short-lived,” he added.

<h2>‘Absolutely unique’</h2>

One specimen showcased a startling departure of leaves from the tree's top, making it "absolutely unique." Researchers note it's among the rare instances, spanning over 400 million years of fossil records, where a trunk is preserved around which the crown leaves are still attached.

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Another remarkable aspect is the preservation of the crown leaf in these ancient tree fossils. "Any fossil tree with an intact crown is a rarity in the history of life," remarked Gastaldo.

<h2>The tree optimised itself for light capture</h2>

The researchers propose that the tree likely employed its distinctive growth pattern to optimise light capture and minimise competition with ground-level plants. They suggest it represents the earliest evidence of smaller trees growing beneath a taller forest canopy, indicating a more complex plant life during the Early Carboniferous period.

Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report

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This finding suggests that Sanfordiacaulis existed during a time when plants were exploring various forms or architectures. Scientists note these fossils serve as a reminder of the unconventional trees that existed millions of years ago.

“Rare and unusual fossils, such as the New Brunswick tree, is but one example of what colonised our planet but was an unsuccessful experiment,” Gastaldo concluded.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered a 350 million-year-old tree species that looks straight out of “Dr Seuss’s imagination” and appears different from any of those found on Earth today.

Scientists have discovered a 350 million-year-old tree species that looks straight out of “Dr Seuss’s imagination” and appears different from any of those found on Earth today. The unique 3D crown-shaped tree was discovered during research on a fossilised tree species called Sanfordiacaulis from New Brunswick, Canada. It is believed that the species thrived under the taller members of the forest canopy. “The way in which this tree produced hugely long leaves around its spindly trunk, and the sheer number over a short length of trunk, is startling,” Robert Gastaldo of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, was quoted as saying by the Independent. “The fossil on which we report is unique and a strange growth form in the history of life. It is one of evolution’s experiments during a time when forest plants underwent biodiversification, and it is a form that seems to be short-lived,” he added. ‘Absolutely unique’ One specimen showcased a startling departure of leaves from the tree's top, making it "absolutely unique." Researchers note it's among the rare instances, spanning over 400 million years of fossil records, where a trunk is preserved around which the crown leaves are still attached. Also read: Scientists identify first telescope that may find alien life on exoplanets Another remarkable aspect is the preservation of the crown leaf in these ancient tree fossils. "Any fossil tree with an intact crown is a rarity in the history of life," remarked Gastaldo. The tree optimised itself for light capture The researchers propose that the tree likely employed its distinctive growth pattern to optimise light capture and minimise competition with ground-level plants. They suggest it represents the earliest evidence of smaller trees growing beneath a taller forest canopy, indicating a more complex plant life during the Early Carboniferous period. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report × This finding suggests that Sanfordiacaulis existed during a time when plants were exploring various forms or architectures. Scientists note these fossils serve as a reminder of the unconventional trees that existed millions of years ago. “Rare and unusual fossils, such as the New Brunswick tree, is but one example of what colonised our planet but was an unsuccessful experiment,” Gastaldo concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover ‘absolutely unique’ 350-million-year-old ‘alien’ tree in Canada

In a new discovery, the archaeologists have now claimed that the bedbugs were brought to the United Kingdom by the Romans. 
 
Fresh evidence, which proved that the bedbugs were brought by the Romans, was unearthed by the archaeologists working at Vindolanda, which is a Roman garrison site located in the south of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, reported&nbsp;The Guardian. 
 
In the study, the head of the Vindolanda archaeological team Dr Andrew Birley said, “It is incredibly rare to find them in any ancient context.”

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The discovery was made by 24-year-old Katie Wyse Jackson, who is a student at University College Dublin (UCD). She was investigating the excavated material as part of her research in archaeoentomology (the study of insects present at archaeological sites).

<h2 lang="en-US">Two thoraces dating around AD100 discovered</h2>

Jackson discovered two thoraces – which dated back to around AD100 – and was said to have come from the common bedbug, which is known as Cimex lectularius. The thoraces were found in the lowest layers of Vindolanda. 
 
“Finding this kind of thing helps humanise the people of the past,” said Wyse Jackson, in her research. 
 
Emphasising how Roman philosopher Pliny mentioned the bedbugs' medicinal value in the treatment of certain ailments like ear infections, she said, “People then had all sorts of notions of what insects could do.”

Watch:&nbsp;UK household budgets will get worse, says union | Britons exposed to skyrocketing bills&nbsp;

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Lecturer in environmental archaeology at UCD Dr Stephen Davis was part of the specialist team. 
 
He claimed that these thoraces were earlier found in Alcester in Warwickshire, another Roman site in England, and added that the ones found in Vindolanda would be “the earliest found in Britain so far”. 
 
While analysing soil samples, Wyse Jackson also found beetles can provide further insights: “I can learn about trade, food storage, hygiene, waste disposal from what species are present and in what numbers. At the moment, I’m finding a large amount of grain and dung beetles,” she said. 
 
“So we’re really not looking at a clean space here. Most importantly, a large proportion of the insects I’m finding are what we call synanthropic. They live in close proximity to humans. The Romans do have that reputation as being extremely clean and so it’s interesting to find all of these insects that are contrary to that,” she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new discovery, the archaeologists have now claimed that the bedbugs were brought to the United Kingdom by the Romans. Fresh evidence, which proved that the bedbugs were brought by the Romans, was unearthed by the archaeologists working at Vindolanda, which is a Roman garrison site located in the south of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, reported The Guardian.

In a new discovery, the archaeologists have now claimed that the bedbugs were brought to the United Kingdom by the Romans. Fresh evidence, which proved that the bedbugs were brought by the Romans, was unearthed by the archaeologists working at Vindolanda, which is a Roman garrison site located in the south of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, reported The Guardian. In the study, the head of the Vindolanda archaeological team Dr Andrew Birley said, “It is incredibly rare to find them in any ancient context.” Also read: UK government to ban disposable vapes amid concerns over children’s health The discovery was made by 24-year-old Katie Wyse Jackson, who is a student at University College Dublin (UCD). She was investigating the excavated material as part of her research in archaeoentomology (the study of insects present at archaeological sites). Two thoraces dating around AD100 discovered Jackson discovered two thoraces – which dated back to around AD100 – and was said to have come from the common bedbug, which is known as Cimex lectularius. The thoraces were found in the lowest layers of Vindolanda. “Finding this kind of thing helps humanise the people of the past,” said Wyse Jackson, in her research. Emphasising how Roman philosopher Pliny mentioned the bedbugs' medicinal value in the treatment of certain ailments like ear infections, she said, “People then had all sorts of notions of what insects could do.” Watch: UK household budgets will get worse, says union | Britons exposed to skyrocketing bills Lecturer in environmental archaeology at UCD Dr Stephen Davis was part of the specialist team. He claimed that these thoraces were earlier found in Alcester in Warwickshire, another Roman site in England, and added that the ones found in Vindolanda would be “the earliest found in Britain so far”. While analysing soil samples, Wyse Jackson also found beetles can provide further insights: “I can learn about trade, food storage, hygiene, waste disposal from what species are present and in what numbers. At the moment, I’m finding a large amount of grain and dung beetles,” she said. “So we’re really not looking at a clean space here. Most importantly, a large proportion of the insects I’m finding are what we call synanthropic. They live in close proximity to humans. The Romans do have that reputation as being extremely clean and so it’s interesting to find all of these insects that are contrary to that,” she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Archaeological team's 'rare' discovery blames Romans for bedbugs in UK

A debate has sparked among astronomers about the existence of exomoons, the natural satellites revolving around exoplanets that orbit a star outside the solar system.

A debate has sparked among astronomers about the existence of exomoons, the natural satellites revolving around exoplanets that orbit a star outside the solar system. In 2018, David Kipping, an assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, and his team thought they had detected the first exomoon around the exoplanet Kepler-1625b and named it Kepler-1625b I. In 2022, another team, including Kipping, appeared to have discovered a second such non-stellar extrasolar body around Kepler-1708b and aptly dubbed it Kepler-1708b I. However, Rene Heller, a scientist at Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, and Michael Hippke of Sonneberg Observatory wrote in a paper published in Nature Astronomy, "The probability of a moon orbiting Kepler-1708b is clearly lower than previously reported. The data do not suggest the existence of an exomoon around Kepler-1708b." They said the same thing about Kepler 1625b. David Kipping, Alex Teachey and a group of researchers from previous studies have responded to Heller and Hippke's claim. They wrote, "Recently, Heller & Hippke argued that the exomoon candidates Kepler-1625 b I and Kepler-1708 b I were allegedly 'refuted.'" According to them, Hellen and Hippke neglected data, eliminating the exomoon-supporting signal in the Hubble light curves for Kepler-1625b I. The two exoplanets at issue, Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708 b are around 8,000 and 5,500 light years away from Earth, which is an extreme distance. Researchers used a technique similar to the transit method to detect these two exoplanets, initially captured by the Kepler Space Telescope. ALSO READ | A bacteria-murdering virus may come in handy to kill superbugs Exomoons are hard to detect, and the only evidence is light curves. However, these curves around exomoons are fainter than those around exoplanets. Different researchers employ different techniques, methods, models, and algorithms for the structural analysis of these faint exomoon light curves. Kipping and Teachey claim that Heller and Hippke made errors in their analysis and excluded critical information in their study. "We demonstrate that their Hubble light curve exhibits ~20 per cent higher noise and discards 11% of the useful data, which compromises its ability to recover the subtle signal of Kepler-1625 b I," write Kipping and Teachey. However, they added, "We begin by clearly stating, both exomoon candidates may not be real. Our original and continued claim is modest: these objects are candidates for which the data exhibits substantial but not entirely conclusive evidence in favour of exomoons." Both studies show how challenging the detection of exomoons can be until there are major advancements in telescope technology. Kipping believes this debate between the two research teams is an opportunity to compare methods and conclude on the best approach to discover more about these exomoons. (With inputs from agencies)

Do moons exist outside our solar systems? Researchers argue on discovery of exomoons

The earliest known cases of sex-chromosome syndromes, identified by researchers, suggest that people with extra or missing chromosomes existed 5,000 years ago. According to a study published in Communications Biology, people with genetic syndromes have existed throughout human history and have been a part of human societies.

The earliest known cases of sex-chromosome syndromes, identified by researchers, suggest that people with extra or missing chromosomes existed 5,000 years ago. According to a study published in Communications Biology, people with genetic syndromes have existed throughout human history and have been a part of human societies. They often have distinct looks and demeanours compared to the rest of the population. Researchers can learn more about how ancient societies treated people with these differences by finding out about prehistoric people who had such genetic syndromes. Kyriaki Anastasiadou of the Francis Crick Institute in London, the co-author of the study, and his team used DNA sequencing to find that ancient people with an atypical number of chromosomes, including an infant with Down syndrome (caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21), lived around 5,000 years ago. ALSO READ | Astronauts reveal what space smells like, and it’s stinkier than you’d expect The research team also discovered the first prehistoric person to have Turner syndrome was a female, who had only one complete copy of the X chromosome instead of two copies, generally found in females. She lived in Somerset in the United Kingdom during the Iron Age, roughly around 2,500 years ago. Anastasiadou and the team also found a male with an extra Y chromosome, called Jacob's syndrome. While a person with Turner's syndrome is shorter and has infertility problems, people with Jacob's syndrome are taller than average. The identified male live during the early Medieval Period, around 1,100 years ago. ALSO READ | Once nearly extinct, world’s ‘rarest insect’ now thrives in thousands in US Furthermore, researchers identified three ancient males from different periods with an extra X chromosome, a condition called Klinefelter syndrome, linked to growing taller than average and having broader hips and larger breasts. According to Anastasiadou, no evidence indicated that these people experienced different treatment. "There didn't seem to be anything different about how they died or how they were buried at first glance," she said. The authors derived DNA samples from the teeth, skull, jaw and ear bones for the study. They used a computation tool for each individual to calculate the number of DNA fragments derived from the X and Y sex chromosomes. Then, they compared it to the amount of DNA fragments derived from non-sex chromosomes. With the help of this, they deduced the presence and ratio of X and Y chromosomes in each person. (With inputs from agencies)

Sex-chromosome syndromes existed even 5,000 years ago, ancient DNA study reveals

Researchers have rediscovered a 22-million-year-old mangrove forest that was swept away by a massive volcanic eruption. The forest that once thrived with huge trees and lush green grasses on an island in the Panama Canal fell prey to natural disasters that triggered complete destruction.

The rediscovery was made by the scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, who found the fossilised remains of trees on the Barro Colorado Island. Not just one or a dozen, but a total of 112 preserved fossilised pieces of wood were unearthed.&nbsp;

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<h2>Scientists rediscover&nbsp;long-lost forest&nbsp;</h2>

The fossils found indicated that some huge volcanic eruption triggered a lahar that eventually swept away the entire forest land. A lahar is a violent flow of water with mud, ash, and rocks. When it flows it almost flows like wet concrete at lighting speeds that can instantly cover an area into a whirlwind.

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A lahar leaves plants and animals no opportunity to rot or decompose and instantly destroys the entire land. What is more destructive is that lahar comes with silica-rich waters that seep deep into living matter and expunge their tissues, which results in well-preserved fossils locked in a moment in time.

<h2>How did such a huge mangrove forest originate in ancient times?</h2>

As per the scientists, this old mangrove forest would have originated in the early Miocene Epoch, which existed about 23 million years ago. The great land masses of South America and the Caribbean plate collided with each other forming the landscape of Panama and the rest of Central America.

This was when the hill that would eventually become Barro Colorado Island rose from the ocean. Around its edges grew a mangrove forest, whose trees rose as high as 130 feet into the air, wrote the study's authors.

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Sediment samples show that the forest grew in the brackish zone where salty and fresh waters meet, ideal conditions for mangroves. But the brackish water wasn't the only thing that made the conditions ideal for a massive mangrove forest.&nbsp;

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were much higher during the Miocene than now - over 500 parts per million (ppm) as compared to about 419 ppm today.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/storm-on-mars-uae-probe-detects-significant-dust-mobilisation-676267">Storm on Mars: UAE probe detects significant dust mobilisation</a>

Since trees consume carbon dioxide to grow, the scientists concluded that these ancient species would have been able to reach heights much greater than current-day mangrove trees.&nbsp;

These ancient remains revealed a lot about the forgone forest but the study is still in its incipient stage. &nbsp;The findings of the study will be published in the March 2024 issue of the Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology journal.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Researchers have rediscovered a 22-million-year-old mangrove forest that was swept away by a massive volcanic eruption. The forest that once thrived with huge trees and lush green grasses on an island in the Panama Canal fell prey to natural disasters that triggered complete destruction.

Researchers have rediscovered a 22-million-year-old mangrove forest that was swept away by a massive volcanic eruption. The forest that once thrived with huge trees and lush green grasses on an island in the Panama Canal fell prey to natural disasters that triggered complete destruction. The rediscovery was made by the scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, who found the fossilised remains of trees on the Barro Colorado Island. Not just one or a dozen, but a total of 112 preserved fossilised pieces of wood were unearthed. Also Read | Debate settled: Teenage T. Rex skulls unearthed in 1942 belonged to a different dinosaur species Scientists rediscover long-lost forest The fossils found indicated that some huge volcanic eruption triggered a lahar that eventually swept away the entire forest land. A lahar is a violent flow of water with mud, ash, and rocks. When it flows it almost flows like wet concrete at lighting speeds that can instantly cover an area into a whirlwind. Also Read | These closest-ever photos of Jupiter's moon blasting lava will give you cold shivers A lahar leaves plants and animals no opportunity to rot or decompose and instantly destroys the entire land. What is more destructive is that lahar comes with silica-rich waters that seep deep into living matter and expunge their tissues, which results in well-preserved fossils locked in a moment in time. How did such a huge mangrove forest originate in ancient times? As per the scientists, this old mangrove forest would have originated in the early Miocene Epoch, which existed about 23 million years ago. The great land masses of South America and the Caribbean plate collided with each other forming the landscape of Panama and the rest of Central America. This was when the hill that would eventually become Barro Colorado Island rose from the ocean. Around its edges grew a mangrove forest, whose trees rose as high as 130 feet into the air, wrote the study's authors. Also Read | ISRO to tie-up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch satellite Sediment samples show that the forest grew in the brackish zone where salty and fresh waters meet, ideal conditions for mangroves. But the brackish water wasn't the only thing that made the conditions ideal for a massive mangrove forest. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were much higher during the Miocene than now - over 500 parts per million (ppm) as compared to about 419 ppm today. Also Read | Storm on Mars: UAE probe detects significant dust mobilisation Since trees consume carbon dioxide to grow, the scientists concluded that these ancient species would have been able to reach heights much greater than current-day mangrove trees. These ancient remains revealed a lot about the forgone forest but the study is still in its incipient stage. The findings of the study will be published in the March 2024 issue of the Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology journal. (With inputs from agencies)

Volcano destroyed this forest 22-million-years ago. It has now been rediscovered

Discovery of Lithium in India's J&K. About 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium deposits found in J&K. The discovery makes India 7th largest Lithium resource-rich country. Watch the video to know more!

Discovery of Lithium in India's Jammu and Kashmir

As per reports, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global have held talks about a potential merger of the two media companies.

Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global in merger talks

Could a black hole be lurking inside our sun? Well if it does then what is its impact well our next report tells you what scientists make of this new interesting discovery on black holes.

There maybe small black hole inside some stars

Humans from time immemorial have been looking for clues in the universe. Our search for life beyond earth has expanded in recent times. Our planetary system is the only one officially called “solar system,” but astronomers have discovered more than 3,200 other stars with planets orbiting them. But now researchers think that they have found the perfect solar system. Watch this story to know more.

Why are scientists calling it a perfect world?

NASA astronomers have found their own it is a rare in-sync solar system with six planets moving like a grand Cosmic Orchestra untouched by outside forces since the birth billions of years ago. Watch this report to know more about this new world and where it is located.

NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system

The scientists, in a spectacular discovery, have spotted the presence of aurora-like emission in the atmosphere of the Sun.&nbsp;

A team of astronomers, headed by Sijie Yu of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, recorded a never-before-seen kind of long-lasting radio emission at an altitude of some 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) above the sunspot.&nbsp;

The team stated that the Sun is known to emit all types of radiation, however, nothing resembles an aurora.&nbsp;

"We've detected a peculiar type of long-lasting polarised radio bursts emanating from a sunspot, persisting for over a week," stated Yu, Science Alert reported.

"This is quite unlike the typical, transient solar radio bursts typically lasting minutes or hours. It's an exciting discovery that has the potential to alter our comprehension of stellar magnetic processes," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-marks-halloween-with-a-scary-canyon-of-fire-display-nasa-captures-video-watch-654176">Sun marks Halloween with a scary 'canyon of fire' display; NASA captures video.&nbsp;</a>

The glowing aurorae are among the most spectacular sights spotted from Earth, however, they are not unique to our home planet and have been detected on many planets in the Solar System, and also the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Scientists suggest ECM emission led to aurora</h2>

The auroras get formed when solar particles get caught up in magnetic field lines which increases the energy of the particles before they get deposited, usually in an atmosphere where they interact with molecules and atoms and produce a glow. &nbsp;

The aurora includes radio components also and the visible light is only part of its emission spectrum. Although, a lot of radio emission is emitted by the Sun through other processes which include bursts of radioactivity, the emission spotted over the sunspot was similar to radio aurorae.

Yu stated that spatially and temporally resolved analysis of the team "suggests that [the emissions] are due to the electron-cyclotron maser (ECM) emission, involving energetic electrons trapped within converging magnetic field geometries."

WATCH |&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report | World News | WION

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"The cooler and intensely magnetic areas of sunspots provide a favourable environment for the ECM emission to occur," she stated, adding, "Drawing parallels with the magnetic polar caps of planets and other stars and potentially providing a local solar analogue to study these phenomena."

The team has been planning to go through archival data to see if they can discover evidence of the aurora in bursts of solar activity.

"We're beginning to piece together the puzzle of how energetic particles and magnetic fields interact in a system with the presence of long-lasting starspots," stated solar physicist Surajit Mondal of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, adding, "Not just on our own Sun but also on stars far beyond our solar system."

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists, in a spectacular discovery, have spotted the presence of aurora-like emission in the atmosphere of the Sun. A team of astronomers, headed by Sijie Yu of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, recorded a never-before-seen kind of long-lasting radio emission at an altitude of some 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) above the sunspot.

The scientists, in a spectacular discovery, have spotted the presence of aurora-like emission in the atmosphere of the Sun. A team of astronomers, headed by Sijie Yu of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, recorded a never-before-seen kind of long-lasting radio emission at an altitude of some 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) above the sunspot. The team stated that the Sun is known to emit all types of radiation, however, nothing resembles an aurora. "We've detected a peculiar type of long-lasting polarised radio bursts emanating from a sunspot, persisting for over a week," stated Yu, Science Alert reported. "This is quite unlike the typical, transient solar radio bursts typically lasting minutes or hours. It's an exciting discovery that has the potential to alter our comprehension of stellar magnetic processes," he added. ALSO READ | Sun marks Halloween with a scary 'canyon of fire' display; NASA captures video. The glowing aurorae are among the most spectacular sights spotted from Earth, however, they are not unique to our home planet and have been detected on many planets in the Solar System, and also the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. Scientists suggest ECM emission led to aurora The auroras get formed when solar particles get caught up in magnetic field lines which increases the energy of the particles before they get deposited, usually in an atmosphere where they interact with molecules and atoms and produce a glow. The aurora includes radio components also and the visible light is only part of its emission spectrum. Although, a lot of radio emission is emitted by the Sun through other processes which include bursts of radioactivity, the emission spotted over the sunspot was similar to radio aurorae. Yu stated that spatially and temporally resolved analysis of the team "suggests that [the emissions] are due to the electron-cyclotron maser (ECM) emission, involving energetic electrons trapped within converging magnetic field geometries." WATCH | New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report | World News | WION "The cooler and intensely magnetic areas of sunspots provide a favourable environment for the ECM emission to occur," she stated, adding, "Drawing parallels with the magnetic polar caps of planets and other stars and potentially providing a local solar analogue to study these phenomena." The team has been planning to go through archival data to see if they can discover evidence of the aurora in bursts of solar activity. "We're beginning to piece together the puzzle of how energetic particles and magnetic fields interact in a system with the presence of long-lasting starspots," stated solar physicist Surajit Mondal of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, adding, "Not just on our own Sun but also on stars far beyond our solar system." (With inputs from agencies)

Dazzling discovery: Scientists spot aurora-like emission in Sun's atmosphere

A rare discovery of an ovarian tumour was made by archaeologists while excavating an ancient Egyptian cemetery. The tumour was present in the pelvis of an Egyptian woman who was buried more than three millennia ago. 
 
The tumour, which was a bony mass and included two teeth, is being seen as teratoma's oldest known example. Teratoma is a rare type of tumour which typically grows in testicles or ovaries. 
 
As per the Cleveland Clinic, a teratoma can be malignant or benign, and usually, it is filled with various tissues like hair, teeth, muscle or bone. 
 
Teratomas can lead to swelling and cause pain and can even trigger infection if ruptured. In today's time, the mass gets removed through a typical treatment.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-known-burial-site-was-not-created-by-humans-but-654809">World's oldest known burial site was not created by humans but...</a>

Till now, archaeologists have found only four archaeological examples of teratomas, out of which three were in Europe and one was found in Peru. The latest teratoma discovered in the New Kingdom period cemetery in Amarna, Egypt, is the fifth archaeological case published so far.

<h2>Oldest-ever teratoma found in Africa, first such case for the continent</h2>

This is also the oldest known example of a teratoma and the first such case discovered in Africa. The archaeologists investigated four large cemeteries, related to Amarna. 
 
In one of the tombs present in the North Desert Cemetery, which consisted of a burial chamber and a shaft, the skeleton of a young woman was found by the researchers. 
 
The skeleton was wrapped in a plant fibre mat and it was buried along with various grave goods, which included a deity related to childbirth, a ring decorated with the figure of Bes, fertility and protection. 
 
While excavating, the archaeologists came across a bony mass in the woman's pelvis which had deformed teeth in two depressions. 
 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale's bioarchaeologist Gretchen Dabbs published the tumour's discovery in the International Journal of Paleopathology.

WATCH |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine War: Dozens buried in a mass grave in Gaza city

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After ruling out other diagnoses, the bioarchaeologist and his team suggested that the presence of teeth within the pelvic region of the woman suggested that it was an ovarian teratoma. 
 
The Bes ring hinted at the teratoma being symptomatic since the "magico-medical" object was kept in the left hand of the woman, which was folded across the woman's lap above the teratoma. 
 
This meant that the woman "was attempting to invoke Bes to protect her from pain or other symptoms, or aid in her attempts to conceive and birth a child," the researchers wrote in their study. 
 
"By 18-21 years, this individual probably would have been someone's wife," said Dabbs, while speaking to Live Science, but added that there is also "little doubt she was working in some fashion."

(With inputs from agencies)

A rare discovery of an ovarian tumour was made by archaeologists while excavating an ancient Egyptian cemetery. The tumour was present in the pelvis of an Egyptian woman who was buried more than three millennia ago.

A rare discovery of an ovarian tumour was made by archaeologists while excavating an ancient Egyptian cemetery. The tumour was present in the pelvis of an Egyptian woman who was buried more than three millennia ago. The tumour, which was a bony mass and included two teeth, is being seen as teratoma's oldest known example. Teratoma is a rare type of tumour which typically grows in testicles or ovaries. As per the Cleveland Clinic, a teratoma can be malignant or benign, and usually, it is filled with various tissues like hair, teeth, muscle or bone. Teratomas can lead to swelling and cause pain and can even trigger infection if ruptured. In today's time, the mass gets removed through a typical treatment. ALSO READ | World's oldest known burial site was not created by humans but... Till now, archaeologists have found only four archaeological examples of teratomas, out of which three were in Europe and one was found in Peru. The latest teratoma discovered in the New Kingdom period cemetery in Amarna, Egypt, is the fifth archaeological case published so far. Oldest-ever teratoma found in Africa, first such case for the continent This is also the oldest known example of a teratoma and the first such case discovered in Africa. The archaeologists investigated four large cemeteries, related to Amarna. In one of the tombs present in the North Desert Cemetery, which consisted of a burial chamber and a shaft, the skeleton of a young woman was found by the researchers. The skeleton was wrapped in a plant fibre mat and it was buried along with various grave goods, which included a deity related to childbirth, a ring decorated with the figure of Bes, fertility and protection. While excavating, the archaeologists came across a bony mass in the woman's pelvis which had deformed teeth in two depressions. Southern Illinois University Carbondale's bioarchaeologist Gretchen Dabbs published the tumour's discovery in the International Journal of Paleopathology. WATCH | Israel-Palestine War: Dozens buried in a mass grave in Gaza city After ruling out other diagnoses, the bioarchaeologist and his team suggested that the presence of teeth within the pelvic region of the woman suggested that it was an ovarian teratoma. The Bes ring hinted at the teratoma being symptomatic since the "magico-medical" object was kept in the left hand of the woman, which was folded across the woman's lap above the teratoma. This meant that the woman "was attempting to invoke Bes to protect her from pain or other symptoms, or aid in her attempts to conceive and birth a child," the researchers wrote in their study. "By 18-21 years, this individual probably would have been someone's wife," said Dabbs, while speaking to Live Science, but added that there is also "little doubt she was working in some fashion." (With inputs from agencies)

Rare discovery: Tumour with teeth found in 3,000-year-old Egyptian burial

Scientists have been baffled after discovering mysterious elements in ancient lava which led to the conclusion that the core of the Earth is leaking. A study was carried out on a 62-million-year-old lava which flows on Baffin Island in Canada's Arctic Archipelago. Watch this story to know how the discovery also holds clues for our planet's origin.

Troubling discovery baffles scientists

A letter was written by Christopher Columbus in 1493 which changed the modern world's landscape. 
 
“I sailed to the Indies with the fleet that the illustrious King and Queen, our sovereigns, gave me, where I discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people,” Columbus wrote to royal treasurer Luis de Santángel, after writing back to Europe. “Of all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses,” he said. 
 
The events mentioned in the letter of Columbus were “the first report of a voyage that really did change the world," said his biographer Professor Felipe Fernández-Armesto, while speaking to The Observer.

<h2>Letter likely to fetch $1.5 million at Christie’s auction</h2>

The rare 1493 Latin translation of Columbus' letter, which was printed on an early printing press to narrate the news of “discoveries” of the travellers to elite Europeans, is likely to fetch up to £1.2 million ($1.5 million) at a Christie’s auction this month. 
 
“[In current times] Columbus has lost his former status as an honorary all-American hero and quasi-founding father, but notoriety rarely hurts one’s market value, especially in the US. Witness Donald Trump,” stated Fernández-Armesto.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/appetizing-attire-donair-sandwich-costume-up-for-auction-fetches-whopping-11900-626060">Appetising Attire: Donair sandwich costume up for auction fetches $11,900</a>

For the first time, the voyage of Columbus created “a viable, commercially exploitable route” across the Atlantic and started communications between long-sundered cultures on both sides of the ocean, said Fernández-Armesto. 
 
In the letter, the rich natural assets which were found by Columbus on the islands were praised in the letter. The traveller also portrayed the “extraordinarily timid” native people he encountered there as “so unsuspicious and so generous” they are “like fools”. 
 
“Like him or not, you can’t deny Columbus’s importance,” said Fernandez-Armesto, as reported by The Observer.

WATCH |&nbsp;Titanic: Kate Winslet's iconic coat made of pink wool up for auction | WION Newspoint

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For almost a century, the document was kept in a private Swiss collection and has been described by Christie’s as “the earliest obtainable edition of Columbus’s letter”, whose international publication led to one of the first “media frenzies” for the printed word. 
 
“The significance of the letter is its wide diffusion, thanks to the printing press,” stated Professor Geoffrey Symcox from the University of California, Los Angeles, while speaking to The Observer. 
 
Symcox said that the experts used cutting-edge technology of that era after which copies of the letter were sent to the Spanish crown to the courts of Europe to stake Spain’s claim. “The news circulated rapidly, not just through diplomatic channels but mercantile channels as well,” he added.&nbsp;

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A letter was written by Christopher Columbus in 1493 which changed the modern world's landscape. “I sailed to the Indies with the fleet that the illustrious King and Queen, our sovereigns, gave me, where I discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people,” Columbus wrote to royal treasurer Luis de Santángel, after writing back to Europe.

A letter was written by Christopher Columbus in 1493 which changed the modern world's landscape. “I sailed to the Indies with the fleet that the illustrious King and Queen, our sovereigns, gave me, where I discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people,” Columbus wrote to royal treasurer Luis de Santángel, after writing back to Europe. “Of all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses,” he said. The events mentioned in the letter of Columbus were “the first report of a voyage that really did change the world," said his biographer Professor Felipe Fernández-Armesto, while speaking to The Observer. Letter likely to fetch $1.5 million at Christie’s auction The rare 1493 Latin translation of Columbus' letter, which was printed on an early printing press to narrate the news of “discoveries” of the travellers to elite Europeans, is likely to fetch up to £1.2 million ($1.5 million) at a Christie’s auction this month. “[In current times] Columbus has lost his former status as an honorary all-American hero and quasi-founding father, but notoriety rarely hurts one’s market value, especially in the US. Witness Donald Trump,” stated Fernández-Armesto. ALSO READ | Appetising Attire: Donair sandwich costume up for auction fetches $11,900 For the first time, the voyage of Columbus created “a viable, commercially exploitable route” across the Atlantic and started communications between long-sundered cultures on both sides of the ocean, said Fernández-Armesto. In the letter, the rich natural assets which were found by Columbus on the islands were praised in the letter. The traveller also portrayed the “extraordinarily timid” native people he encountered there as “so unsuspicious and so generous” they are “like fools”. “Like him or not, you can’t deny Columbus’s importance,” said Fernandez-Armesto, as reported by The Observer. WATCH | Titanic: Kate Winslet's iconic coat made of pink wool up for auction | WION Newspoint For almost a century, the document was kept in a private Swiss collection and has been described by Christie’s as “the earliest obtainable edition of Columbus’s letter”, whose international publication led to one of the first “media frenzies” for the printed word. “The significance of the letter is its wide diffusion, thanks to the printing press,” stated Professor Geoffrey Symcox from the University of California, Los Angeles, while speaking to The Observer. Symcox said that the experts used cutting-edge technology of that era after which copies of the letter were sent to the Spanish crown to the courts of Europe to stake Spain’s claim. “The news circulated rapidly, not just through diplomatic channels but mercantile channels as well,” he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Columbus' original letter announcing ‘discovery’ of America to go under the hammer

A fascinating discovery that could change our understanding of modern science is underway. There are at least four fundamental forces in Nature: Gravity, the electromagnetic force, the strong force, in the weak force. But, scientists are now on the cusp of discovering the existence of a new force of nature. The curiosity in the scientific community has risen due to a peculiar wobble of a subatomic particle.

Scientists on the brink of discovering the fifth force of nature

An ancient cargo ship wreckage was discovered on a seabed off the port in Civitavecchia, which is around 50 miles northwest of the capital city of Rome, said&nbsp;the country’s Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. 
 
The vessel, which belongs to the 1st or 2nd century BC, contains&nbsp;hundreds of ancient Roman jars which are called amphorae, many of which were found still intact in the wreckage which was discovered using a remotely operated robot, said the authorities. 
 
“The exceptional discovery is an important example of the shipwreck of a Roman ship facing the perils of the sea in an attempt to reach the coast, and bears witness to old maritime trading routes,” said the police unit in a statement.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investigation-into-greek-shipwreck-suggests-coastguard-responsible-for-sinking-report-613990">Investigation into Greek shipwreck suggests coastguard responsible for sinking: Report</a>

The authorities are now working to ensure that the site is protected as hundreds of amphorae are illegally taken each year and discovered in the homes of art dealers by Italian police. 
 
Hundreds of illegally obtained archaeological articles were seized by the Italian authorities in June 2021 from a Belgian collector which included commemorative slabs known as stelae, amphorae, and other items worth nearly $10 million, reported the Guardian.

<h2>Underwater treasures on Italy's coastline</h2>

Meanwhile, the coastline of Italy is teeming with underwater treasures which are regularly patrolled by police scuba divers to protect them from looters.

WATCH |&nbsp;Wreckage of Titan brought ashore: presumed human remains found in Titan

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Two ancient Roman ships were discovered by Sicilian archaeologists in 2021 – one was discovered near the island of Ustica and the other off the coast of Palermo. Large amounts of wine jugs were being carried out by both vessels. 
 
An almost intact ship, which belonged to the 2nd century BC, was discovered by the police off the coast of Genoa in 2013 after they were tipped off regarding the ship's wreckage following a year-long investigation into the artefacts which were stolen.

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An ancient cargo ship wreckage was discovered on a seabed off the port in Civitavecchia, which is around 50 miles northwest of the capital city of Rome, said the country’s Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.

An ancient cargo ship wreckage was discovered on a seabed off the port in Civitavecchia, which is around 50 miles northwest of the capital city of Rome, said the country’s Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The vessel, which belongs to the 1st or 2nd century BC, contains hundreds of ancient Roman jars which are called amphorae, many of which were found still intact in the wreckage which was discovered using a remotely operated robot, said the authorities. “The exceptional discovery is an important example of the shipwreck of a Roman ship facing the perils of the sea in an attempt to reach the coast, and bears witness to old maritime trading routes,” said the police unit in a statement. ALSO READ | Investigation into Greek shipwreck suggests coastguard responsible for sinking: Report The authorities are now working to ensure that the site is protected as hundreds of amphorae are illegally taken each year and discovered in the homes of art dealers by Italian police. Hundreds of illegally obtained archaeological articles were seized by the Italian authorities in June 2021 from a Belgian collector which included commemorative slabs known as stelae, amphorae, and other items worth nearly $10 million, reported the Guardian. Underwater treasures on Italy's coastline Meanwhile, the coastline of Italy is teeming with underwater treasures which are regularly patrolled by police scuba divers to protect them from looters. WATCH | Wreckage of Titan brought ashore: presumed human remains found in Titan Two ancient Roman ships were discovered by Sicilian archaeologists in 2021 – one was discovered near the island of Ustica and the other off the coast of Palermo. Large amounts of wine jugs were being carried out by both vessels. An almost intact ship, which belonged to the 2nd century BC, was discovered by the police off the coast of Genoa in 2013 after they were tipped off regarding the ship's wreckage following a year-long investigation into the artefacts which were stolen. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Over two millennia old ancient Roman ship's wreckage found near Italian coast

Galaxies have always been characterised by dark matter. Dark matter is the mysterious stuff that fills the universe. Over 80% of matter in the universe is made up of material scientists have never seen. But wait! There is a galaxy out there that is devoid of any dark matter. A distant galaxy has baffled astronomers.

A galaxy without dark matter? The discovery leaves scientists baffled

A team of scientists has made an astonishing discovery, uncovering a new octopus nursery in the seamounts off the coast of Costa Rica. Additionally, they have confirmed the activity of a previously known nursery in the same area, bringing the total number of documented octopus nurseries worldwide to three, according to Science Alert.&nbsp;

During a recent expedition aboard the Falkor research ship, operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, 18 international scientists captured remarkable footage using an underwater camera on a remotely operated vehicle.

The footage showcases the hatching of baby octopuses, mothers protecting their young from predators, and potentially even a new species of octopus.

<h2>Significance of the discovery</h2>

Jyotika Virmani, a physical oceanographer from the Schmidt Ocean Institute who spoke to Science Alert,&nbsp;highlighted&nbsp;the significance of this discovery, stating that it emphasises the vast amount "we still have to learn about the ocean".

The newly found nursery is situated at an unnamed outcrop in previously unexplored territory, with brooding octopuses observed near low-temperature hydrothermal vents at approximately 7°C (44.6°F).

The researchers suspect that they may have encountered nursing octopuses belonging to a new species within the Muusocotpus genus, which notably lacks ink sacs.

While the brooding behaviour of deep-sea octopuses&nbsp;remains largely enigmatic, previous studies have revealed that one species (Graneledone boreopacifica) broods its eggs for approximately 53 months.

Although the newly observed species falls within the Muusoctopus genus, the size of its eggs is similar to those of G. boreopacifica.

Beth Orcutt, a geomicrobiologist from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, explains that the discovery of these low-temperature vent sites was a challenging task that required the use of submersible vehicles like the Schmidt Ocean Institute's advanced ROV SuBastian.

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The initial revelation of the Dorado Outcrop nursery had already garnered considerable attention.

The sighting of around one hundred female octopuses brooding near hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica marked the first time scientists had observed such behaviour.

In 2018, it was confirmed that the Davidson Seamount off the coast of California held the largest known deep-sea octopus nursery.

Initially, no developing embryos were found at the Dorado Outcrop, leading researchers to believe that the environment might be too warm for viable offspring. However, their doubts were dispelled when they were fortunate enough to witness the hatching of the octopus babies.

The expedition did not conclude with the nurseries' discovery; the team also explored five previously unknown seamounts in Costa Rican waters. Seamounts, which are shallow areas with steep slopes protruding from the seafloor, are often rich in marine life.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-dead-fish-wash-ashore-in-drought-hit-iraq-probe-on-611670">&nbsp;Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in drought-hit Iraq, probe on</a>

These "underwater mountains" influence tides and chemical fluxes between the ocean and the Earth's crust.

While some seamounts off the coast of Costa Rica have been protected by the government, others, particularly those along the northwest edge of the Pacific Ocean, have received less attention.

The team discovered an abundance of life surrounding these seamounts, with hundreds of animals, including potentially new species like the peculiar tripod fish, awaiting classification. It was as if the scientists had stumbled upon a hidden treasure trove of biodiversity.

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A team of scientists has made an astonishing discovery, uncovering a new octopus nursery in the seamounts off the coast of Costa Rica. Additionally, they have confirmed the activity of a previously known nursery in the same area, bringing the total number of documented octopus nurseries worldwide to three, according to Science Alert.

A team of scientists has made an astonishing discovery, uncovering a new octopus nursery in the seamounts off the coast of Costa Rica. Additionally, they have confirmed the activity of a previously known nursery in the same area, bringing the total number of documented octopus nurseries worldwide to three, according to Science Alert. During a recent expedition aboard the Falkor research ship, operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, 18 international scientists captured remarkable footage using an underwater camera on a remotely operated vehicle. The footage showcases the hatching of baby octopuses, mothers protecting their young from predators, and potentially even a new species of octopus. Significance of the discovery Jyotika Virmani, a physical oceanographer from the Schmidt Ocean Institute who spoke to Science Alert, highlighted the significance of this discovery, stating that it emphasises the vast amount "we still have to learn about the ocean". The newly found nursery is situated at an unnamed outcrop in previously unexplored territory, with brooding octopuses observed near low-temperature hydrothermal vents at approximately 7°C (44.6°F). The researchers suspect that they may have encountered nursing octopuses belonging to a new species within the Muusocotpus genus, which notably lacks ink sacs. While the brooding behaviour of deep-sea octopuses remains largely enigmatic, previous studies have revealed that one species (Graneledone boreopacifica) broods its eggs for approximately 53 months. Although the newly observed species falls within the Muusoctopus genus, the size of its eggs is similar to those of G. boreopacifica. Beth Orcutt, a geomicrobiologist from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, explains that the discovery of these low-temperature vent sites was a challenging task that required the use of submersible vehicles like the Schmidt Ocean Institute's advanced ROV SuBastian. Also read | Climate activists plug up holes in golf courses across Spain amid massive drought The initial revelation of the Dorado Outcrop nursery had already garnered considerable attention. The sighting of around one hundred female octopuses brooding near hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica marked the first time scientists had observed such behaviour. In 2018, it was confirmed that the Davidson Seamount off the coast of California held the largest known deep-sea octopus nursery. Initially, no developing embryos were found at the Dorado Outcrop, leading researchers to believe that the environment might be too warm for viable offspring. However, their doubts were dispelled when they were fortunate enough to witness the hatching of the octopus babies. The expedition did not conclude with the nurseries' discovery; the team also explored five previously unknown seamounts in Costa Rican waters. Seamounts, which are shallow areas with steep slopes protruding from the seafloor, are often rich in marine life. Also read | Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in drought-hit Iraq, probe on These "underwater mountains" influence tides and chemical fluxes between the ocean and the Earth's crust. While some seamounts off the coast of Costa Rica have been protected by the government, others, particularly those along the northwest edge of the Pacific Ocean, have received less attention. The team discovered an abundance of life surrounding these seamounts, with hundreds of animals, including potentially new species like the peculiar tripod fish, awaiting classification. It was as if the scientists had stumbled upon a hidden treasure trove of biodiversity. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Deep-sea marvel: Extraordinary octopus nursery found in Costa Rica's waters

Norge Mining, a prominent mining company, has announced the discovery of an enormous phosphate rock deposit in southwestern Norway. According to the company, this deposit is estimated to contain up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource, making it a game-changer for the global demand for batteries and solar panels up to 100 years, as reported by the Independent.

The site also holds deposits of strategic minerals such as titanium and vanadium, further bolstering its significance.

Phosphate rock, renowned for its high phosphorus concentration, is a vital component in the production of green technologies.

<h2>Why is this a groundbreaking find?</h2>

Despite huge demand, phosphorus&nbsp;availability has been limited, resulting in significant supply challenges. With this groundbreaking find, Norge Mining aims to alleviate these concerns and potentially revolutionise the renewable energy industry.

Previously, Russia held control over the world's largest ultra-pure phosphate rock deposits, raising concerns about the high supply risk associated with these "critical raw materials."

The European Union, heavily reliant on phosphate rock imports, including from China, Iraq, and Syria, expressed apprehension about potential shortages. The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies published a report highlighting the EU's dependence on imports and the urgent need for alternative sources.

Scientific journal Nature warned of impending supply disruptions, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions as factors that could lead to market volatility. As the global economy consumes approximately 50 million tonnes of phosphorus annually, experts have raised the alarm about a potential "phosphogeddon" if supply trends persist.

Also watch |&nbsp;Orkney could leave UK to become self-governing territory of Norway

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Recognising the significance of the discovery, Norway's minister of trade and industry, Jan Christian Vestre, announced the government's consideration of expediting the development of a massive mine in Helleland. The completion of the analysis on 47 miles of drill cores will determine whether the project receives approval, with the first major mine potentially commencing operations by 2028.

The European Raw Materials Alliance has already voiced its support for the mining plans, highlighting the importance of securing sustainable raw material sources. The European Commission has welcomed the discovery, recognising its potential to support the Commission's objectives regarding raw materials. Norge Mining predicts that the projected ore body, reaching an impressive depth of 4,500 metres, could theoretically satisfy global demand for the next century.

The enormous phosphate rock deposit in Norway represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. With the potential to meet the global demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, this discovery offers hope for a future powered by green technologies.

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Norge Mining, a prominent mining company, has announced the discovery of an enormous phosphate rock deposit in southwestern Norway. According to the company, this deposit is estimated to contain up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource, making it a game-changer for the global demand for batteries and solar panels up to 100 years, as reported by the Independent.

Norge Mining, a prominent mining company, has announced the discovery of an enormous phosphate rock deposit in southwestern Norway. According to the company, this deposit is estimated to contain up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource, making it a game-changer for the global demand for batteries and solar panels up to 100 years, as reported by the Independent. The site also holds deposits of strategic minerals such as titanium and vanadium, further bolstering its significance. Phosphate rock, renowned for its high phosphorus concentration, is a vital component in the production of green technologies. Why is this a groundbreaking find? Despite huge demand, phosphorus availability has been limited, resulting in significant supply challenges. With this groundbreaking find, Norge Mining aims to alleviate these concerns and potentially revolutionise the renewable energy industry. Previously, Russia held control over the world's largest ultra-pure phosphate rock deposits, raising concerns about the high supply risk associated with these "critical raw materials." The European Union, heavily reliant on phosphate rock imports, including from China, Iraq, and Syria, expressed apprehension about potential shortages. The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies published a report highlighting the EU's dependence on imports and the urgent need for alternative sources. Scientific journal Nature warned of impending supply disruptions, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions as factors that could lead to market volatility. As the global economy consumes approximately 50 million tonnes of phosphorus annually, experts have raised the alarm about a potential "phosphogeddon" if supply trends persist. Also watch | Orkney could leave UK to become self-governing territory of Norway Recognising the significance of the discovery, Norway's minister of trade and industry, Jan Christian Vestre, announced the government's consideration of expediting the development of a massive mine in Helleland. The completion of the analysis on 47 miles of drill cores will determine whether the project receives approval, with the first major mine potentially commencing operations by 2028. The European Raw Materials Alliance has already voiced its support for the mining plans, highlighting the importance of securing sustainable raw material sources. The European Commission has welcomed the discovery, recognising its potential to support the Commission's objectives regarding raw materials. Norge Mining predicts that the projected ore body, reaching an impressive depth of 4,500 metres, could theoretically satisfy global demand for the next century. The enormous phosphate rock deposit in Norway represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. With the potential to meet the global demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, this discovery offers hope for a future powered by green technologies. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

A paradigm shift? Massive phosphate deposit found in Norway, could meet global battery demand for 100 years

Unlike myriad modern-day marine reptiles, Earth once was home to a 20 feet (6 metres) long reptile. About 240 million years ago, such long-necked creatures used to roam around the blue planet, but their population was short-lived as they would often fall prey to their predators.

Tanystropheus’s first appearance was recorded during the Triassic Period when the Earth was witnessing its worst mass extinction. It used to thrive across the northern hemisphere for 10 million years.

It is said that Tanystropheus was a distant relative of the dinosaurs and feasted on fish and squid in what was a tropical lagoon during the Middle Triassic (247 to 237 million years ago).&nbsp;

For two centuries, scientists had suspected that such prehistoric marine reptiles possessing long necks were highly vulnerable to ambush attacks.

Recently, they unearthed fossils of Tanystropheus in a Switzerland mountain called Monte San Giorgio and found that their life was suddenly and violently ended after being decapitated by a powerful predator.

In a new study published on Monday (June 19) in Current Biology, the researchers said that the discovery of fossils provides the first concrete evidence that their necks had been severed, with clear bite marks on some of the vertebrates.

"We found two tooth punctures exactly where the neck is broken, and the neck is broken in a single, diagonal plain," the author of the study, Stephan Spiekman, told Live Science.

<h2>Bitten off in a single bite</h2>

Stephan Spiekman, a vertebrate palaeontologist at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, in Germany, was studying two Tanystropheus specimens as part of his doctoral work at Switzerland's Paleontological Museum of the University of Zurich.&nbsp;

"This suggests that the neck was bitten off in a single bite," he said.

He added there may have been a few preliminary bites that did not hit the bone, but "it is very plausible that a large predator bit [off] the neck in one go, especially considering the large predators that were around in that environment."

Though Tanystropheus' long necks were a weak point, the researchers said that these reptiles persisted with stiff, long necks for around 175 million years, suggesting it played an important role during the Triassic period.

But what creature could have killed a 20-foot-long ambush predator? Spiekman said the huge diversity at Monte San Giorgio means the list of potential killers is substantial.

These include&nbsp;Cymbospondylus buchseri&nbsp;— a large, early ichthyosaur that could grow up to around 18 feet (5.5 m) — and&nbsp;Nothosaurus giganteus&nbsp;— an enormous reptile that grew up to 23 feet (7 m). The third possibility is&nbsp;Helveticosaurus zollingeri, a "very enigmatic" 12-foot-long (3.6 m) predator with powerful forelimbs, a flexible tail and a strong, toothy snout, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Unlike myriad modern-day marine reptiles, Earth once was home to a 20 feet (6 metres) long reptile. About 240 million years ago, such long-necked creatures used to roam around the blue planet, but their population was short-lived as they would often fall prey to their predators.

Unlike myriad modern-day marine reptiles, Earth once was home to a 20 feet (6 metres) long reptile. About 240 million years ago, such long-necked creatures used to roam around the blue planet, but their population was short-lived as they would often fall prey to their predators. Tanystropheus’s first appearance was recorded during the Triassic Period when the Earth was witnessing its worst mass extinction. It used to thrive across the northern hemisphere for 10 million years. It is said that Tanystropheus was a distant relative of the dinosaurs and feasted on fish and squid in what was a tropical lagoon during the Middle Triassic (247 to 237 million years ago). For two centuries, scientists had suspected that such prehistoric marine reptiles possessing long necks were highly vulnerable to ambush attacks. Recently, they unearthed fossils of Tanystropheus in a Switzerland mountain called Monte San Giorgio and found that their life was suddenly and violently ended after being decapitated by a powerful predator. In a new study published on Monday (June 19) in Current Biology, the researchers said that the discovery of fossils provides the first concrete evidence that their necks had been severed, with clear bite marks on some of the vertebrates. "We found two tooth punctures exactly where the neck is broken, and the neck is broken in a single, diagonal plain," the author of the study, Stephan Spiekman, told Live Science. Bitten off in a single bite Stephan Spiekman, a vertebrate palaeontologist at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, in Germany, was studying two Tanystropheus specimens as part of his doctoral work at Switzerland's Paleontological Museum of the University of Zurich. "This suggests that the neck was bitten off in a single bite," he said. He added there may have been a few preliminary bites that did not hit the bone, but "it is very plausible that a large predator bit [off] the neck in one go, especially considering the large predators that were around in that environment." Though Tanystropheus' long necks were a weak point, the researchers said that these reptiles persisted with stiff, long necks for around 175 million years, suggesting it played an important role during the Triassic period. But what creature could have killed a 20-foot-long ambush predator? Spiekman said the huge diversity at Monte San Giorgio means the list of potential killers is substantial. These include Cymbospondylus buchseri — a large, early ichthyosaur that could grow up to around 18 feet (5.5 m) — and Nothosaurus giganteus — an enormous reptile that grew up to 23 feet (7 m). The third possibility is Helveticosaurus zollingeri, a "very enigmatic" 12-foot-long (3.6 m) predator with powerful forelimbs, a flexible tail and a strong, toothy snout, he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Discovery of fossils shows humongous sea creature decapitated by dinosaur predator

Scientists have successfully demonstrated the potential of using nasal drops containing a specific molecule to aid in the recovery of mice from the detrimental effects of a stroke.

The promising aspect of this treatment is that it can be administered seven days after the stroke occurs, offering hope that individuals who cannot receive immediate assistance can still benefit from protection against the severe consequences of the condition, according to Science Alert.

<h2>Research replicates positive results</h2>

The crucial component of these drops is a complement peptide called C3a, consisting of a sequence of amino acids, which has been recognised for its significant role in the immune system and the brain's development and adaptability. The ultimate goal is to transfer this treatment to humans, potentially revolutionizing stroke recovery methods.

"With this method, there's no need to race against the clock,"&nbsp;neuro-immunologist Marcela Pekna from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden told Science Alert.

"If the treatment is used in clinical practice, all stroke patients could receive it, even those who arrive at the hospital too late for thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Those who have remaining disability after the clot is removed could improve with this treatment too," he added.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-cause-of-morning-sickness-in-pregnant-women-605503">Scientists find cause of 'morning sickness' in pregnant women</a>

The intentional delay in the administration of the C3a peptide is crucial due to its potential to amplify the presence of inflammatory cells in the brain, which can have detrimental effects instead of beneficial ones if applied too early.

To investigate its effectiveness, scientists simulated an artificial ischemic stroke, the most prevalent type of stroke, in mice. After a week, the mice treated with nasal drops exhibited significantly improved motor function recovery compared to a control group that received a placebo.

This finding highlights the promising potential of the nasal drops in facilitating faster and more comprehensive recovery from strokes.

The recent study provides valuable insights into the impact of C3a on the brain. Utilizing MRI scans, researchers discovered that the peptide effectively enhanced the formation of neural connections among nerve cells in the mice's brains. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the neurological effects of C3a and its potential role in promoting neural connectivity.

"Our results show that the C3a peptide affects the function of astrocytes – that is, cells that control many of the nerve cells' functions in both the healthy and the diseased brain – and which signals astrocytes send to nerve cells,"&nbsp;neuroscientist Milos Pekny from the University of Gothenburg said.

The current study builds upon previous research conducted by the same group of scientists, which investigated the protective and restorative effects of the C3a peptide in relation to stroke damage. The successful replication of their findings underscores the potential of this specific approach.

Ischemic strokes affect a significant number of individuals each year, with a considerable portion experiencing physical or cognitive impairments such as loss of voluntary movement, speech difficulties, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

The utilization of nasal drops containing the C3a peptide holds the potential to make a substantial impact on these statistics. However, further investigation is necessary to ensure the viability of this treatment in humans, as it has thus far been demonstrated in mice. This approach adds to the growing list of potential options that researchers are exploring to address the effects of strokes.

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Scientists have successfully demonstrated the potential of using nasal drops containing a specific molecule to aid in the recovery of mice from the detrimental effects of a stroke.

Scientists have successfully demonstrated the potential of using nasal drops containing a specific molecule to aid in the recovery of mice from the detrimental effects of a stroke. The promising aspect of this treatment is that it can be administered seven days after the stroke occurs, offering hope that individuals who cannot receive immediate assistance can still benefit from protection against the severe consequences of the condition, according to Science Alert. Research replicates positive results The crucial component of these drops is a complement peptide called C3a, consisting of a sequence of amino acids, which has been recognised for its significant role in the immune system and the brain's development and adaptability. The ultimate goal is to transfer this treatment to humans, potentially revolutionizing stroke recovery methods. "With this method, there's no need to race against the clock," neuro-immunologist Marcela Pekna from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden told Science Alert. "If the treatment is used in clinical practice, all stroke patients could receive it, even those who arrive at the hospital too late for thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Those who have remaining disability after the clot is removed could improve with this treatment too," he added. Also read | Scientists find cause of 'morning sickness' in pregnant women The intentional delay in the administration of the C3a peptide is crucial due to its potential to amplify the presence of inflammatory cells in the brain, which can have detrimental effects instead of beneficial ones if applied too early. To investigate its effectiveness, scientists simulated an artificial ischemic stroke, the most prevalent type of stroke, in mice. After a week, the mice treated with nasal drops exhibited significantly improved motor function recovery compared to a control group that received a placebo. This finding highlights the promising potential of the nasal drops in facilitating faster and more comprehensive recovery from strokes. The recent study provides valuable insights into the impact of C3a on the brain. Utilizing MRI scans, researchers discovered that the peptide effectively enhanced the formation of neural connections among nerve cells in the mice's brains. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the neurological effects of C3a and its potential role in promoting neural connectivity. "Our results show that the C3a peptide affects the function of astrocytes – that is, cells that control many of the nerve cells' functions in both the healthy and the diseased brain – and which signals astrocytes send to nerve cells," neuroscientist Milos Pekny from the University of Gothenburg said. The current study builds upon previous research conducted by the same group of scientists, which investigated the protective and restorative effects of the C3a peptide in relation to stroke damage. The successful replication of their findings underscores the potential of this specific approach. Ischemic strokes affect a significant number of individuals each year, with a considerable portion experiencing physical or cognitive impairments such as loss of voluntary movement, speech difficulties, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The utilization of nasal drops containing the C3a peptide holds the potential to make a substantial impact on these statistics. However, further investigation is necessary to ensure the viability of this treatment in humans, as it has thus far been demonstrated in mice. This approach adds to the growing list of potential options that researchers are exploring to address the effects of strokes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nasal drops show remarkable promise in stroke recovery, study finds

A report published on Tuesday (June 13)&nbsp;revealed that a big new trial of the chikungunya vaccine candidate from French-Austrian pharmaceutical company Valneva had shown promising&nbsp;results. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that periodically breaks out throughout the world.

Even though the trial was conducted on participants in the United States, where the disease is incredibly uncommon, experts said additional research was required despite the positive outcomes in the battle against Chikungunya, reported AFP.&nbsp;

The virus results in fever and at times incapacitating joint pain, although it seldom results in death. Neither vaccinations nor treatments are presently available for the virus.

After submitting an application for clearance in the US and Canada, Valneva claims that their vaccine candidate, known as VLA1553, is the first to be evaluated by health authorities.

The new randomised, placebo-controlled phase three experiment sought to determine how frequently the live-attenuated vaccine, which employs a weakened version of the virus, elicited an immune response.

According to research that was published in the journal The Lancet, 263 out of a subset of 266 patients who received the vaccination -- or 99 per cent -- had antibodies that could neutralise the chikungunya virus.

The single-shot vaccination was declared "generally safe" with adverse effects that were comparable to previous vaccines in a larger experiment involving 4,100 healthy individuals.

The study found that just two individuals experienced major adverse reactions related to the immunisation, and both made full recovery.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/majority-early-stage-breast-cancer-patients-to-be-long-term-survivors-study-603905">Majority early-stage breast cancer patients to be long-term survivors: Study</a>

<h2>'Crucial' trials</h2>

The study's principal author and clinical strategy manager for Valneva, Martina Schneider, characterised the findings as "promising".

"This could be the first chikungunya vaccine available for people living in endemic regions, as well as for travellers to endemic areas or areas at risk for an upcoming outbreak," she said in a statement.

Public health professionals are concerned that chikungunya might pose a threat to a pandemic in the future as climate change drives the insects that transmit it into new areas.

An expert in infectious diseases at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in the US named Kathryn Stephenson called the new study "good news for chikungunya virus pandemic preparedness".

Also watch | Gravitas | Study: Yoga cuts the risk of Cancer spreading in the body

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She said, "However, the vaccine might be less effective in areas with a built-up immunity to chikungunya." This is possible with such live-attenuated doses.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 110 nations have reported cases of chikungunya since it was first discovered in Tanzania in 1952.

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A report published on Tuesday (June 13) revealed that a big new trial of the chikungunya vaccine candidate from French-Austrian pharmaceutical company Valneva had shown promising results.

A report published on Tuesday (June 13) revealed that a big new trial of the chikungunya vaccine candidate from French-Austrian pharmaceutical company Valneva had shown promising results. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that periodically breaks out throughout the world. Even though the trial was conducted on participants in the United States, where the disease is incredibly uncommon, experts said additional research was required despite the positive outcomes in the battle against Chikungunya, reported AFP. The virus results in fever and at times incapacitating joint pain, although it seldom results in death. Neither vaccinations nor treatments are presently available for the virus. After submitting an application for clearance in the US and Canada, Valneva claims that their vaccine candidate, known as VLA1553, is the first to be evaluated by health authorities. The new randomised, placebo-controlled phase three experiment sought to determine how frequently the live-attenuated vaccine, which employs a weakened version of the virus, elicited an immune response. According to research that was published in the journal The Lancet, 263 out of a subset of 266 patients who received the vaccination -- or 99 per cent -- had antibodies that could neutralise the chikungunya virus. The single-shot vaccination was declared "generally safe" with adverse effects that were comparable to previous vaccines in a larger experiment involving 4,100 healthy individuals. The study found that just two individuals experienced major adverse reactions related to the immunisation, and both made full recovery. Also read | Majority early-stage breast cancer patients to be long-term survivors: Study 'Crucial' trials The study's principal author and clinical strategy manager for Valneva, Martina Schneider, characterised the findings as "promising". "This could be the first chikungunya vaccine available for people living in endemic regions, as well as for travellers to endemic areas or areas at risk for an upcoming outbreak," she said in a statement. Public health professionals are concerned that chikungunya might pose a threat to a pandemic in the future as climate change drives the insects that transmit it into new areas. An expert in infectious diseases at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in the US named Kathryn Stephenson called the new study "good news for chikungunya virus pandemic preparedness". Also watch | Gravitas | Study: Yoga cuts the risk of Cancer spreading in the body She said, "However, the vaccine might be less effective in areas with a built-up immunity to chikungunya." This is possible with such live-attenuated doses. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 110 nations have reported cases of chikungunya since it was first discovered in Tanzania in 1952. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

First-ever, single-shot Chikungunya vaccine shows positive results: Study

The first fry in space has been made by researchers of&nbsp;the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can&nbsp;be cooked to an edible level. Despite the fact that buoyancy—the phenomenon that causes oil bubbles to exit a potato's surface—is known to not occur in space due to the absence of gravity, ESA teams were nonetheless able to cook fries in a laboratory setting.

The scientists clarified that without buoyancy, the bubbles wouldn't be drawn upward and adhere to the surface of the potato. As a result, the potato would be undercooked and "undesirable," and a film of steam would form around it.

<h2>How was this achieved?</h2>

The fried space food is being made as part of a study to examine how culinary methods like frying are affected by microgravity. ESA carried out two flying campaigns using a plane that flew in arcs to provide fleeting experiences of weightlessness for this study. The process through which the aircraft ascends from a height of at least 20,000 feet is known as "parabolic flight".&nbsp;It ascends to a specific altitude and then plummets back to the starting point, providing 22 seconds of weightlessness.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/french-fries-may-drive-anxiety-depression-new-research-suggests-585831">&nbsp;French fries may drive anxiety, depression, new research suggests</a>

During the time that potatoes were being cooked in microgravity, a high-speed, high-resolution camera captured the dynamics of the bubbles, including their growth rate, size, distribution, and escape velocity from the potato's surface. The internal potato temperatures and the oil's boiling point were also measured.&nbsp;

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🍳 What a better way to start your Sunday than with a fry-up? 
 
But have you ever tried frying in zero-g? 
 
As we prepare for missions to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Moon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Moon</a> and on to Mars, you will be happy to hear that one staple comfort food, fries, is not out of reach 🍟 
 
🔗 <a href="https://t.co/h55cTMO36w">https://t.co/h55cTMO36w</a> <a href="https://t.co/ukK4NWXTzT">pic.twitter.com/ukK4NWXTzT</a>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1665463438338928645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"It is seen that even in the absence of buoyancy i.e., during parabolas, vapour bubbles still detach and depart from the surface of potato permitting hot oil to maintain contact with the potato surface and leading eventually to a fried product."

"The results of the present study provide primary experimental evidence that frying can occur in space," the paper further read.

Once this technology is completely perfected, astronauts will continue to eat like people on Earth do and will eat fried foods as a mainstay. Currently, astronauts can spend up to six months or even a year on the International Space Station (ISS), which is 400 kilometres above the Earth. They would have more alternatives and better food security when they set out on lengthy trips to the Moon and Mars if cooking skills had advanced.&nbsp;

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The first fry in space has been made by researchers of the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can be cooked to an edible level.

The first fry in space has been made by researchers of the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can be cooked to an edible level. Despite the fact that buoyancy—the phenomenon that causes oil bubbles to exit a potato's surface—is known to not occur in space due to the absence of gravity, ESA teams were nonetheless able to cook fries in a laboratory setting. The scientists clarified that without buoyancy, the bubbles wouldn't be drawn upward and adhere to the surface of the potato. As a result, the potato would be undercooked and "undesirable," and a film of steam would form around it. How was this achieved? The fried space food is being made as part of a study to examine how culinary methods like frying are affected by microgravity. ESA carried out two flying campaigns using a plane that flew in arcs to provide fleeting experiences of weightlessness for this study. The process through which the aircraft ascends from a height of at least 20,000 feet is known as "parabolic flight". It ascends to a specific altitude and then plummets back to the starting point, providing 22 seconds of weightlessness. Also read | French fries may drive anxiety, depression, new research suggests During the time that potatoes were being cooked in microgravity, a high-speed, high-resolution camera captured the dynamics of the bubbles, including their growth rate, size, distribution, and escape velocity from the potato's surface. The internal potato temperatures and the oil's boiling point were also measured. 🍳 What a better way to start your Sunday than with a fry-up? But have you ever tried frying in zero-g? As we prepare for missions to the #Moon and on to Mars, you will be happy to hear that one staple comfort food, fries, is not out of reach 🍟 🔗 https://t.co/h55cTMO36w pic.twitter.com/ukK4NWXTzT — ESA (@esa) June 4, 2023 × "It is seen that even in the absence of buoyancy i.e., during parabolas, vapour bubbles still detach and depart from the surface of potato permitting hot oil to maintain contact with the potato surface and leading eventually to a fried product." "The results of the present study provide primary experimental evidence that frying can occur in space," the paper further read. Once this technology is completely perfected, astronauts will continue to eat like people on Earth do and will eat fried foods as a mainstay. Currently, astronauts can spend up to six months or even a year on the International Space Station (ISS), which is 400 kilometres above the Earth. They would have more alternatives and better food security when they set out on lengthy trips to the Moon and Mars if cooking skills had advanced. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French fries in space: Astronauts puff up menu as ESA learns to fry food

Scientists have discovered one of Australia's first long-distance walkers,&nbsp;a 250kg marsupial with "heeled hands" that explored the continent's parched interior 3.5 million years ago.

Flinders University palaeontologists used 3D scanning to describe a new group of ancient marsupials called Ambulator - meaning walker or wanderer - for its distinctive leg and foot characteristics that allowed it to easily move large distances.

The classification is based on the finding of an incomplete skeleton in 2017 at the Kalamurina Sanctuary of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in north-eastern South Australia.&nbsp;

According to Jacob van Zoelen, the study's primary author and a PhD student at Flinders University, the specimen, now known as Ambulator keanei, was unusual for the quantity of bones it contained that originated from a single species.

“What was really cool about this specimen is that the foot was encased in concretion, this rock that formed shortly after death,” he told The Guardian.

Soft tissue imprints inside the rock were revealed by CT scanning, providing researchers with knowledge into the nature of the animal's footpad.

Many huge contemporary herbivores, such as elephants and rhinoceroses, are digitigrades, which means they walk on the tips of their toes rather than their heels.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/microrobots-smaller-than-human-hair-could-soon-be-used-to-treat-humans-598444">Microrobots, smaller than human hair, could soon be used to treat humans</a>

<h2>What are&nbsp;Ambulators?</h2>

Ambulator, on the other hand, was a plantigrade that walked with its heels on the ground to distribute weight, much like humans.

These adaptations occurred at a period when the Australian climate got drier and grasslands and open habitat increased.

“These animals were needing methods of evolving efficient locomotion,” Van Zoelen told the Guardian.

Ambulator is a member of the diprotodontids, a family of giant marsupial herbivores that played an important role in Australian ecosystems until the final species became extinct some 40,000 years ago.

Diprotodontids were an incredibly diverse family of animals, Van Zoelen said. “You’ve got ones that are capable of climbing … you have ones with insanely large cheekbones like Euryzygoma, you’ve got ones with really gnarly teeth.”

“The largest herbivores we have today are kangaroos, but some of these animals grew up to 2.7 tonnes,” he added.

The rhinoceros-sized Diprotodon, the biggest marsupial known to live, was one prominent diprotodontid.

Ambulator keanei was originally placed in the genus Zygomaturus, but researchers determined that "while the teeth are very similar, the skull is much more slender, with much smaller cheek muscles than Zygomaturus," according to Van Zoelen.

The findings have been published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Scientists have discovered one of Australia's first long-distance walkers, a 250kg marsupial with "heeled hands" that explored the continent's parched interior 3.

Scientists have discovered one of Australia's first long-distance walkers, a 250kg marsupial with "heeled hands" that explored the continent's parched interior 3.5 million years ago. Flinders University palaeontologists used 3D scanning to describe a new group of ancient marsupials called Ambulator - meaning walker or wanderer - for its distinctive leg and foot characteristics that allowed it to easily move large distances. The classification is based on the finding of an incomplete skeleton in 2017 at the Kalamurina Sanctuary of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in north-eastern South Australia. According to Jacob van Zoelen, the study's primary author and a PhD student at Flinders University, the specimen, now known as Ambulator keanei, was unusual for the quantity of bones it contained that originated from a single species. “What was really cool about this specimen is that the foot was encased in concretion, this rock that formed shortly after death,” he told The Guardian. Soft tissue imprints inside the rock were revealed by CT scanning, providing researchers with knowledge into the nature of the animal's footpad. Many huge contemporary herbivores, such as elephants and rhinoceroses, are digitigrades, which means they walk on the tips of their toes rather than their heels. ALSO READ | Microrobots, smaller than human hair, could soon be used to treat humans What are Ambulators? Ambulator, on the other hand, was a plantigrade that walked with its heels on the ground to distribute weight, much like humans. These adaptations occurred at a period when the Australian climate got drier and grasslands and open habitat increased. “These animals were needing methods of evolving efficient locomotion,” Van Zoelen told the Guardian. Ambulator is a member of the diprotodontids, a family of giant marsupial herbivores that played an important role in Australian ecosystems until the final species became extinct some 40,000 years ago. Diprotodontids were an incredibly diverse family of animals, Van Zoelen said. “You’ve got ones that are capable of climbing … you have ones with insanely large cheekbones like Euryzygoma, you’ve got ones with really gnarly teeth.” “The largest herbivores we have today are kangaroos, but some of these animals grew up to 2.7 tonnes,” he added. The rhinoceros-sized Diprotodon, the biggest marsupial known to live, was one prominent diprotodontid. Ambulator keanei was originally placed in the genus Zygomaturus, but researchers determined that "while the teeth are very similar, the skull is much more slender, with much smaller cheek muscles than Zygomaturus," according to Van Zoelen. The findings have been published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Australian scientists identify first long-distance walkers using 3D scanning

A new planet outside the solar system was discovered using &nbsp;Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, in what can be called as a major success achieved by AI, which has been making headlines these days.&nbsp;

The technology was put into use by the astronomers to discover the new planet, which gave a major boost to machine learning.&nbsp;

Researchers, working at the University of Georgia, said that the discovery of a previously unknown planet which was present outside our solar system took place using the technology.&nbsp;

These are the first few steps that AI has taken in the world of astronomy and planet discovery, hinting at the amount of success it may achieve in the near future. With the discovery, the AI proved itself to be a tool which can be potentially used across a range of fields.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/russia-enters-ai-race-with-chatgpt-contender-called-gigachat-585806">Russia enters AI race with ChatGPT contender called GigaChat</a>

“We confirmed the planet using traditional techniques, but our models directed us to run those simulations and showed us exactly where the planet might be,” said Jason Terry, who has been enrolled as a doctoral student at the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, in a statement.&nbsp;

The discovery of a new planet has made a new addition to the ever-increasing catalogue of more than 5,000 exoplanets which have been discovered outside the solar system.

The planet's discovery has been detailed in a study which was published in The Astrophysical Journal, which has been detected around a star named HD 142666.&nbsp;

Researchers stated that machine learning and AI have revealed new processes which underline the evolution and formation of planetary systems.

The newly-discovered planet's signal was detected by AI from the data which the astronomers had previously analysed, but the planet remained unnoticed.&nbsp;

WATCH | Snapchat under fire for releasing AI chatbot

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It took just around an hour for the AI to go through the data and point out the strong evidence which confirms the presence of a new planet in a specific spot.&nbsp;

“When we applied our models to a set of older observations, they identified a disk that wasn’t known to have a planet despite having already been analysed. Like previous discoveries, we ran simulations of the disk and found that a planet could re-create the observation,” added Jason.&nbsp;

The model which was processed using AI technology suggested that the planet is present in a particular region of the disk.

“This is an incredibly exciting proof of concept. We knew from our previous work that we could use machine learning to find known forming exoplanets. Now, we know for sure that we can use it to make brand new discoveries,” stated Cassandra Hall, principal investigator of the Exoplanet and Planet Formation Research Group at UGA.&nbsp;

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A new planet outside the solar system was discovered using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, in what can be called as a major success achieved by AI, which has been making headlines these days.

A new planet outside the solar system was discovered using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, in what can be called as a major success achieved by AI, which has been making headlines these days. The technology was put into use by the astronomers to discover the new planet, which gave a major boost to machine learning. Researchers, working at the University of Georgia, said that the discovery of a previously unknown planet which was present outside our solar system took place using the technology. These are the first few steps that AI has taken in the world of astronomy and planet discovery, hinting at the amount of success it may achieve in the near future. With the discovery, the AI proved itself to be a tool which can be potentially used across a range of fields. ALSO READ | Russia enters AI race with ChatGPT contender called GigaChat “We confirmed the planet using traditional techniques, but our models directed us to run those simulations and showed us exactly where the planet might be,” said Jason Terry, who has been enrolled as a doctoral student at the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, in a statement. The discovery of a new planet has made a new addition to the ever-increasing catalogue of more than 5,000 exoplanets which have been discovered outside the solar system. The planet's discovery has been detailed in a study which was published in The Astrophysical Journal, which has been detected around a star named HD 142666. Researchers stated that machine learning and AI have revealed new processes which underline the evolution and formation of planetary systems. The newly-discovered planet's signal was detected by AI from the data which the astronomers had previously analysed, but the planet remained unnoticed. WATCH | Snapchat under fire for releasing AI chatbot It took just around an hour for the AI to go through the data and point out the strong evidence which confirms the presence of a new planet in a specific spot. “When we applied our models to a set of older observations, they identified a disk that wasn’t known to have a planet despite having already been analysed. Like previous discoveries, we ran simulations of the disk and found that a planet could re-create the observation,” added Jason. The model which was processed using AI technology suggested that the planet is present in a particular region of the disk. “This is an incredibly exciting proof of concept. We knew from our previous work that we could use machine learning to find known forming exoplanets. Now, we know for sure that we can use it to make brand new discoveries,” stated Cassandra Hall, principal investigator of the Exoplanet and Planet Formation Research Group at UGA. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Astronomical intelligence? AI discovers new planet beyond our solar system

In a major breakthrough after discovering a new species, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have named it after Texas's favourite rest stop, Buc-ee's. The new species will be called "Anchitheriomys buceei," or "A. buceei." Steve May of the UT Jackson of Geosciences, also the research associate in conversation with UT News said that the nave was inspired by the beaver's Texas connection and with a chance that Buc-ee's billboard read, "This is Beaver country."

May added, "I though, 'Yeah, it is beaver country, and it has been for millions of years."

Steve's paper was published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica where his paper describes the new species as well as a smaller species of fossil beaver. It stated that bones and archival records suggest that the animal lived long along the Texas Gulf Coast between 15 and 22 million years ago.&nbsp;

According to Fox News, the fossil also shows that A. buceei were 30 per cent larger than modern beavers roaming today in the area.&nbsp;

Most of the fossils have been reconstructed with a help of a partial skull found in Burkeville. These fossils are a fusion of a bone and brain cast created when sediment seeped into the beaver's brain cavity, creating a rock replica of the brain as the species fossilised.

Co-authors, May and Mathew Brown added that they used high-resolution X-ray images of the skull to form new anatomical details that could help in confirming that it is a new species.&nbsp;

Following the news of the species' name, Buc-ee's CEO and founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin III quipped, "Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982, but we may need to rethink our beginnings."&nbsp;

Buc-ee's is&nbsp;so relevant in Texas that even its official Twitter account gave it a shout-out.&nbsp;

In a major breakthrough after discovering a new species, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have named it after Texas's favourite rest stop, Buc-ee's.

In a major breakthrough after discovering a new species, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have named it after Texas's favourite rest stop, Buc-ee's. The new species will be called "Anchitheriomys buceei," or "A. buceei." Steve May of the UT Jackson of Geosciences, also the research associate in conversation with UT News said that the nave was inspired by the beaver's Texas connection and with a chance that Buc-ee's billboard read, "This is Beaver country." May added, "I though, 'Yeah, it is beaver country, and it has been for millions of years." Steve's paper was published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica where his paper describes the new species as well as a smaller species of fossil beaver. It stated that bones and archival records suggest that the animal lived long along the Texas Gulf Coast between 15 and 22 million years ago. According to Fox News, the fossil also shows that A. buceei were 30 per cent larger than modern beavers roaming today in the area. Most of the fossils have been reconstructed with a help of a partial skull found in Burkeville. These fossils are a fusion of a bone and brain cast created when sediment seeped into the beaver's brain cavity, creating a rock replica of the brain as the species fossilised. Co-authors, May and Mathew Brown added that they used high-resolution X-ray images of the skull to form new anatomical details that could help in confirming that it is a new species. Following the news of the species' name, Buc-ee's CEO and founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin III quipped, "Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982, but we may need to rethink our beginnings." Buc-ee's is so relevant in Texas that even its official Twitter account gave it a shout-out.

Researchers name newly discovered beaver fossil after Buc-ee’s, Texas favourite rest stop

A visitor discovered a diamond at an Arkansas state park and dubbed it "Bud". "That's for 'Big, Ugly Diamond,'" stated David Anderson, who was the lucky tourist to discover the gem in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The 3.29-carat brown diamond was discovered by Anderson at Crater of Diamonds State Park on March 4. Every day, one or two diamonds are discovered by visitors in the park which the authorities allow them to keep.

The man found the gem on a Saturday trip when he was visiting the park's 37.5-acre diamond searching zone, said the park officials in a press release on Wednesday.

"At first I thought it was quartz but wondered why it was so shiny. Once I picked it up, I realised it was a diamond,” Anderson said.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-near-perfect-crime-diamonds-still-remain-missing-in-brussels-heist-as-four-more-acquitted-570048">A near-perfect crime? Diamonds still missing in Brussels heist as four more acquitted</a>

Anderson added that he has been visiting the park since the first time he heard about it on TV in 2007. "After I found my first diamond, a 1.5-carat white, I was hooked," he stated, adding that since then he has been able to find more than 400 diamonds.

Among his diamond collections are a 3.83-carat yellow diamond which he found in 2011 and a 6.19-carat white diamond which was discovered by him in 2014.

Like other visitors, Anderson said that he also plans to sell the diamond he has recently found to the jewellers in his area.

Park Interpreter Tayler Markham said that the rare stone was "about the size of an English pea, with a light brown colour and octahedron shape".

The rounded and smooth edges of the recent diamond discovered by Anderson are typical, considering the "resorption" during the eruption because the diamonds of the park came to the surface.

This is the largest diamond found in the park since September 2021, when a visitor discovered a 4.38-carat yellow diamond. This year, visitors have so far found 124 diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Visitors in the park are allowed to rent sifting and digging tools, and free identification for minerals and rocks discovered in the park is offered by the park rangers.

WATCH | Koh-i-noor diamond a 'symbol of conquest' in new display of Crown Jewels

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Since 1906, people have found more than 75,000 diamonds in the park. Among those, around 35,000 were discovered by the people after the region was converted into a state park in 1972.

The site is also the same place where researchers discovered the largest diamond ever found in the country. Experts had unearthed a white diamond with a pink cast, which weighed around 40.23 carats, in 1924 from the site.

The diamond, dubbed the "Uncle Sam", has been put on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC.

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A visitor discovered a diamond at an Arkansas state park and dubbed it "Bud". "That's for 'Big, Ugly Diamond,'" stated David Anderson, who was the lucky tourist to discover the gem in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

A visitor discovered a diamond at an Arkansas state park and dubbed it "Bud". "That's for 'Big, Ugly Diamond,'" stated David Anderson, who was the lucky tourist to discover the gem in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The 3.29-carat brown diamond was discovered by Anderson at Crater of Diamonds State Park on March 4. Every day, one or two diamonds are discovered by visitors in the park which the authorities allow them to keep. The man found the gem on a Saturday trip when he was visiting the park's 37.5-acre diamond searching zone, said the park officials in a press release on Wednesday. "At first I thought it was quartz but wondered why it was so shiny. Once I picked it up, I realised it was a diamond,” Anderson said. ALSO READ | A near-perfect crime? Diamonds still missing in Brussels heist as four more acquitted Anderson added that he has been visiting the park since the first time he heard about it on TV in 2007. "After I found my first diamond, a 1.5-carat white, I was hooked," he stated, adding that since then he has been able to find more than 400 diamonds. Among his diamond collections are a 3.83-carat yellow diamond which he found in 2011 and a 6.19-carat white diamond which was discovered by him in 2014. Like other visitors, Anderson said that he also plans to sell the diamond he has recently found to the jewellers in his area. Park Interpreter Tayler Markham said that the rare stone was "about the size of an English pea, with a light brown colour and octahedron shape". The rounded and smooth edges of the recent diamond discovered by Anderson are typical, considering the "resorption" during the eruption because the diamonds of the park came to the surface. This is the largest diamond found in the park since September 2021, when a visitor discovered a 4.38-carat yellow diamond. This year, visitors have so far found 124 diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Visitors in the park are allowed to rent sifting and digging tools, and free identification for minerals and rocks discovered in the park is offered by the park rangers. WATCH | Koh-i-noor diamond a 'symbol of conquest' in new display of Crown Jewels Since 1906, people have found more than 75,000 diamonds in the park. Among those, around 35,000 were discovered by the people after the region was converted into a state park in 1972. The site is also the same place where researchers discovered the largest diamond ever found in the country. Experts had unearthed a white diamond with a pink cast, which weighed around 40.23 carats, in 1924 from the site. The diamond, dubbed the "Uncle Sam", has been put on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Visitor discovers 'Big Ugly Diamond' in US state park

India's dependence on the import of EV batteries, laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices would be significantly reduced since the discovery of a 5.9 million tonnes lithium reserve in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi District. The reserve can help meet India's expanding EV industry's lithium demand.&nbsp;Since the commercialisation of lithium-ion batteries in the 1990s, significant technological advancements have put lithium at the forefront, according to Austrade, The Australian Trade and Investment Commission.&nbsp;Australian government's trade, investment and education promotion agency.&nbsp;It is the driving force behind the revolution in smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices.

<h2>What is lithium used for?</h2>

Lithium is an extremely reactive, alkaline, and light metal. It is mostly employed in the manufacturing&nbsp;of ceramics and glassware, greases, medicinal compounds, air conditioners, and aluminium, among other things. Due to its maximum energy storage capacity per kilogramme,&nbsp;It is an ideal option for electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla due to its enormous energy storage capacity and incredibly low weight.

<h2>India's 'white gold'</h2>

The Geological Survey of India, which also evaluates India's mineral resources, discovered 5.9 million tonnes of lithium resources - a first for the nation - in the Salal-Haimana region of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, according to a report released on February 9 by the Indian Ministry of Mines. During the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board meeting that day, the Ministry of Mines presented a report on this, 15 additional resource-bearing geological reports, and 35 geological memoranda to the relevant state governments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-discovers-huge-deposits-of-lithium-critical-for-electric-mobility-560432">India discovers huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility</a>

“For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir,” the news agency&nbsp;PTI&nbsp;quoted mines secretary Vivek Bharadwaj as saying.

The soft, shining grey metal is one that is crucial in the modern world. Among other things, it's utilised to construct the essential batteries for electric vehicles. Hence, "white gold" was given. If India had its own lithium reserves, it wouldn't need to rely as heavily on imports as it does now to meet its demands. Given the push for electric vehicles, India's needs for lithium are also probably going to increase, said Bharadwaj.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

Reserves of ithium are also rare. According to Rishabh Jain, senior programme director for the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, who spoke to the Wire,&nbsp;there are 98 million tonnes of lithium in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;India has now discovered around 5.5 per cent of these resources.

<h2>India's Lithium reserve vs Lithium reserves in other countries</h2>

The lithium deposit in Jammu and Kashmir may contain a significant amount of lithium, however it is currently insufficient to compare to the top lithium reserves in the world. Australia has 6.3 million tonnes of lithium, Bolivia has 21 million tonnes, and Argentina has 17 million tonnes, as reported by the Mint.&nbsp;China, however, is the source of 4.5 million tonnes of the light metal. In 2020, China will be the third-largest provider of lithium in the world, owning a total of 7.9% of the world's lithium reserves.

Since South America is a particularly rich supply of the metal, the three nations of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina are collectively referred to as the "Lithium Triangle."

A US-based committee claims that between 2018 and 2020, China spent $16 billion on mining operations abroad to explore for lithium. It also made investments in the "lithium triangle" region of South America.

Furthermore, China is the world's leader in the manufacture of electric vehicles. According to a research by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, mostly because of its early investment in Australia's main mining output activities.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India discovers 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits

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Beijing currently has 55% of the chemical lithium supply needed for battery-powered electric vehicles. It is currently increasing its power in the lithium triangle as well. The principal owner of the Cauchar-Olaroz facility in Argentina, thought to be one of the world's top lithium producing mines, is China's Ganfeng Lithium.

Additionally, it is one of the largest EV battery suppliers to India. Given India's fraught relationship with the dragon over territorial disputes, this is a matter of concern.

Owning more of these lithium sources and strengthening India's position in foreign lithium mines are crucial if India is to become self-sufficient in the field of EV production and stop depending on China for EV battery supplies.

<h2>Amount of lithium in&nbsp;EV batteries</h2>

EV batteries contain a few grammes of lithium, which is best described as being comparable to half a teaspoon of sugar. 5,000 battery cells and 10 kg of lithium are both potential requirements for an EV. 90 electric cars' worth of demand can be supplied by one tonne of lithium, as reported by Money Control.&nbsp;

These batteries are lithium-ion and contain numerous distinct cells. One million electric automobiles require around 60,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, stated in a recent tweet that 30 million electric cars must be created by 2027, which would require 1.8 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. This would require a 473 percent increase in output of lithium carbon equivalent to 1.8 million tonnes from levels in 2019.

By 2030, Tesla itself plans to boost its capacity for producing batteries by at least 50 times, to three terawatt hours. This would take $7 billion (Rs 51,025 crore) in investments, but that amount is significantly less when taking batteries and auto production into account.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are favoured and accounted for 54 per cent&nbsp;of the metal's demand in 2019. In addition to having a higher energy density and a longer life cycle with less maintenance, they are scalable.

<h2>Game changer for India</h2>

India, which has mostly relied on imports for the mineral, now has hope with the finding of a large reserve. The fact that the majority of the global reserve is located in regions with severe water stress makes this discovery even more important. India is a potential replacement because the mineral requires a large amount of water for extraction and the majority of the reserves are in nations with water shortages.

EVs aren't the only thing that use lithium; it's also used in the medical field, in electronics that run our phones, in solar panels, and in other renewable technologies essential for the switch to clean energy. The discovery might mark the start of a new era for the entire world as well as India.

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India's dependence on the import of EV batteries, laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices would be significantly reduced since the discovery of a 5.

India's dependence on the import of EV batteries, laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices would be significantly reduced since the discovery of a 5.9 million tonnes lithium reserve in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi District. The reserve can help meet India's expanding EV industry's lithium demand. Since the commercialisation of lithium-ion batteries in the 1990s, significant technological advancements have put lithium at the forefront, according to Austrade, The Australian Trade and Investment Commission. Australian government's trade, investment and education promotion agency. It is the driving force behind the revolution in smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. What is lithium used for? Lithium is an extremely reactive, alkaline, and light metal. It is mostly employed in the manufacturing of ceramics and glassware, greases, medicinal compounds, air conditioners, and aluminium, among other things. Due to its maximum energy storage capacity per kilogramme, It is an ideal option for electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla due to its enormous energy storage capacity and incredibly low weight. India's 'white gold' The Geological Survey of India, which also evaluates India's mineral resources, discovered 5.9 million tonnes of lithium resources - a first for the nation - in the Salal-Haimana region of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, according to a report released on February 9 by the Indian Ministry of Mines. During the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board meeting that day, the Ministry of Mines presented a report on this, 15 additional resource-bearing geological reports, and 35 geological memoranda to the relevant state governments. Also read | India discovers huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility “For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir,” the news agency PTI quoted mines secretary Vivek Bharadwaj as saying. The soft, shining grey metal is one that is crucial in the modern world. Among other things, it's utilised to construct the essential batteries for electric vehicles. Hence, "white gold" was given. If India had its own lithium reserves, it wouldn't need to rely as heavily on imports as it does now to meet its demands. Given the push for electric vehicles, India's needs for lithium are also probably going to increase, said Bharadwaj. Reserves of ithium are also rare. According to Rishabh Jain, senior programme director for the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, who spoke to the Wire, there are 98 million tonnes of lithium in the world. India has now discovered around 5.5 per cent of these resources. India's Lithium reserve vs Lithium reserves in other countries The lithium deposit in Jammu and Kashmir may contain a significant amount of lithium, however it is currently insufficient to compare to the top lithium reserves in the world. Australia has 6.3 million tonnes of lithium, Bolivia has 21 million tonnes, and Argentina has 17 million tonnes, as reported by the Mint. China, however, is the source of 4.5 million tonnes of the light metal. In 2020, China will be the third-largest provider of lithium in the world, owning a total of 7.9% of the world's lithium reserves. Since South America is a particularly rich supply of the metal, the three nations of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina are collectively referred to as the "Lithium Triangle." A US-based committee claims that between 2018 and 2020, China spent $16 billion on mining operations abroad to explore for lithium. It also made investments in the "lithium triangle" region of South America. Furthermore, China is the world's leader in the manufacture of electric vehicles. According to a research by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, mostly because of its early investment in Australia's main mining output activities. Also watch | Gravitas: India discovers 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits Beijing currently has 55% of the chemical lithium supply needed for battery-powered electric vehicles. It is currently increasing its power in the lithium triangle as well. The principal owner of the Cauchar-Olaroz facility in Argentina, thought to be one of the world's top lithium producing mines, is China's Ganfeng Lithium. Additionally, it is one of the largest EV battery suppliers to India. Given India's fraught relationship with the dragon over territorial disputes, this is a matter of concern. Owning more of these lithium sources and strengthening India's position in foreign lithium mines are crucial if India is to become self-sufficient in the field of EV production and stop depending on China for EV battery supplies. Amount of lithium in EV batteries EV batteries contain a few grammes of lithium, which is best described as being comparable to half a teaspoon of sugar. 5,000 battery cells and 10 kg of lithium are both potential requirements for an EV. 90 electric cars' worth of demand can be supplied by one tonne of lithium, as reported by Money Control. These batteries are lithium-ion and contain numerous distinct cells. One million electric automobiles require around 60,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, stated in a recent tweet that 30 million electric cars must be created by 2027, which would require 1.8 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. This would require a 473 percent increase in output of lithium carbon equivalent to 1.8 million tonnes from levels in 2019. By 2030, Tesla itself plans to boost its capacity for producing batteries by at least 50 times, to three terawatt hours. This would take $7 billion (Rs 51,025 crore) in investments, but that amount is significantly less when taking batteries and auto production into account. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are favoured and accounted for 54 per cent of the metal's demand in 2019. In addition to having a higher energy density and a longer life cycle with less maintenance, they are scalable. Game changer for India India, which has mostly relied on imports for the mineral, now has hope with the finding of a large reserve. The fact that the majority of the global reserve is located in regions with severe water stress makes this discovery even more important. India is a potential replacement because the mineral requires a large amount of water for extraction and the majority of the reserves are in nations with water shortages. EVs aren't the only thing that use lithium; it's also used in the medical field, in electronics that run our phones, in solar panels, and in other renewable technologies essential for the switch to clean energy. The discovery might mark the start of a new era for the entire world as well as India. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: What does the discovery of lithium in J&K mean for India?

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