Imagine 50,000-year-old ancient viruses coming back to haunt us, the modern humans. This may soon be a reality, as scientists attempt to recreate viruses that used to plague our Neanderthal ancestors.

<h2>Why recreate dangerous ancient viruses?</h2>

Scientists want to recreate the viruses to study them.

Marcelo Briones, the lead author of the study, said they plan to try to synthesise the "Jurassic Park-like viruses" to see how they compare to modern ones.

They found the ancient viruses locked within the approximately 50,000-year-old bones of two male Neanderthals unearthed in a cave in Russia’s Altai mountains.

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<h2>Were they able to identify the viruses?</h2>

As per reports, the ancient viruses scientists found were remnants of herpesvirus (responsible for cold sores), the sexually transmitted papillomavirus, and the adenovirus (commonly causing colds).

The discovery was made in the Chagyrskaya cave, where a group of nine related Neanderthal&nbsp;remains were found in 2022. This group included a daughter and her father, as well as other relatives. Their DNA has provided insights into their genetic makeup and potential causes of their extinction. Experts have long believed that Neanderthals may have gone extinct due to viruses.

Talking to NewScientist, lead author Briones said that he was "sceptical that this (the recreation) could be achieved given the lack of full understanding of how the viruses' DNA is damaged and how to reconstruct the recovered pieces into a full viral genome."

"Also, the host-virus interaction, especially in a completely different environment, is something to consider," he added.

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The findings suggest that herpesviruses might have played a significant role in the extinction of Neanderthals, although further testing is required to confirm this hypothesis.&nbsp;

"Herpesviruses, in particular, might have been a major cause for Neanderthal extinction," said scientists.

The presence of these viruses in Neanderthal DNA, free from contamination by animals or modern humans, supports the idea that "these viruses might represent viruses that really infected Neanderthals."

This research could potentially shed more light on the factors that contributed to the extinction of Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago.

(With inputs from agencies)

Imagine 50,000-year-old ancient viruses coming back to haunt us, the modern humans. This may soon be a reality, as scientists attempt to recreate viruses that used to plague our Neanderthal ancestors.

Imagine 50,000-year-old ancient viruses coming back to haunt us, the modern humans. This may soon be a reality, as scientists attempt to recreate viruses that used to plague our Neanderthal ancestors. Why recreate dangerous ancient viruses? Scientists want to recreate the viruses to study them. Marcelo Briones, the lead author of the study, said they plan to try to synthesise the "Jurassic Park-like viruses" to see how they compare to modern ones. They found the ancient viruses locked within the approximately 50,000-year-old bones of two male Neanderthals unearthed in a cave in Russia’s Altai mountains. Also read | Elon Musk cites simple proof to assert his belief that aliens don't exist Were they able to identify the viruses? As per reports, the ancient viruses scientists found were remnants of herpesvirus (responsible for cold sores), the sexually transmitted papillomavirus, and the adenovirus (commonly causing colds). The discovery was made in the Chagyrskaya cave, where a group of nine related Neanderthal remains were found in 2022. This group included a daughter and her father, as well as other relatives. Their DNA has provided insights into their genetic makeup and potential causes of their extinction. Experts have long believed that Neanderthals may have gone extinct due to viruses. Talking to NewScientist, lead author Briones said that he was "sceptical that this (the recreation) could be achieved given the lack of full understanding of how the viruses' DNA is damaged and how to reconstruct the recovered pieces into a full viral genome." "Also, the host-virus interaction, especially in a completely different environment, is something to consider," he added. Also read | Face of Stone Age man thought to have drowned 4,000 years ago reconstructed The findings suggest that herpesviruses might have played a significant role in the extinction of Neanderthals, although further testing is required to confirm this hypothesis. "Herpesviruses, in particular, might have been a major cause for Neanderthal extinction," said scientists. The presence of these viruses in Neanderthal DNA, free from contamination by animals or modern humans, supports the idea that "these viruses might represent viruses that really infected Neanderthals." This research could potentially shed more light on the factors that contributed to the extinction of Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists attempt to recreate 50,000-year-old ancient 'herpes' viruses

NASA's Juno mission&nbsp;clicked captivating views of Jupiter during its 59th close flyby of the planet on March 7, 2024, according to an official readout along with images captured by the mission. The images show a good look of Jupiter's remarkably colourful belts and swirling storms.

The images also provide a good view of the Great Red Spot, the most recognisable feature of Jupiter due to its red-orange colour whose origin is still unknown. The Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure region in the atmosphere of Jupiter that produces an anticyclonic storm, the largest of its kind in the Solar System.

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A close examination of the Juno mission reveals something more: two glimpses of the tiny moon Amalthea.

<h2>What is Amalthea?</h2>

Amalthea is a potato-like natural satellite of Jupiter. With a radius of just 52 miles (84 kilometres), it lacks the mass to pull itself into a spherical shape. In 2000, NASA’s Galileo spacecraft revealed some surface features of this Jovial Moon, including impact craters, hills, and valleys.&nbsp;

Amalthea circles Jupiter inside Io’s orbit, the innermost of the planet’s four largest moons. It takes about 12 Earth hours for Amalthea to complete one orbit.

<h2>What makes Amalthea unique?&nbsp;</h2>

Amalthea is the reddest object in the solar system, according to an official NASA readout.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon

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Observations indicate that it gives out more heat than it receives from the Sun. This is because, as it orbits within Jupiter’s powerful magnetic field, electric currents are induced in its core. Alternatively, the heat could be from tidal stresses caused by Jupiter’s gravity, the NASA readout adds.&nbsp;

<h2>How Juno spacecraft clicked Amalthea?&nbsp;</h2>

The Juno spacecraft was about 165,000 miles (265,000 kilometres) above Jupiter’s cloud, at a latitude of about 5 degrees north of the equator, when these images were taken.&nbsp;

Citizen scientist Gerald Eichstädt made these images using raw data from the JunoCam instrument, applying processing techniques to enhance the clarity of the images, NASA readout added.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Juno mission clicked captivating views of Jupiter during its 59th close flyby of the planet on March 7, 2024, according to an official readout along with images captured by the mission.

NASA's Juno mission clicked captivating views of Jupiter during its 59th close flyby of the planet on March 7, 2024, according to an official readout along with images captured by the mission. The images show a good look of Jupiter's remarkably colourful belts and swirling storms. The images also provide a good view of the Great Red Spot, the most recognisable feature of Jupiter due to its red-orange colour whose origin is still unknown. The Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure region in the atmosphere of Jupiter that produces an anticyclonic storm, the largest of its kind in the Solar System. Also read | NASA's Juno spacecraft spots glass-smooth lava lake and a mountain on a moon A close examination of the Juno mission reveals something more: two glimpses of the tiny moon Amalthea. What is Amalthea? Amalthea is a potato-like natural satellite of Jupiter. With a radius of just 52 miles (84 kilometres), it lacks the mass to pull itself into a spherical shape. In 2000, NASA’s Galileo spacecraft revealed some surface features of this Jovial Moon, including impact craters, hills, and valleys. Amalthea circles Jupiter inside Io’s orbit, the innermost of the planet’s four largest moons. It takes about 12 Earth hours for Amalthea to complete one orbit. What makes Amalthea unique? Amalthea is the reddest object in the solar system, according to an official NASA readout. Also watch | Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon × Observations indicate that it gives out more heat than it receives from the Sun. This is because, as it orbits within Jupiter’s powerful magnetic field, electric currents are induced in its core. Alternatively, the heat could be from tidal stresses caused by Jupiter’s gravity, the NASA readout adds. How Juno spacecraft clicked Amalthea? The Juno spacecraft was about 165,000 miles (265,000 kilometres) above Jupiter’s cloud, at a latitude of about 5 degrees north of the equator, when these images were taken. Citizen scientist Gerald Eichstädt made these images using raw data from the JunoCam instrument, applying processing techniques to enhance the clarity of the images, NASA readout added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s Juno mission captures reddest object in solar system

A good night's sleep is commonly known as having a restorative effect, with the prevalent scientific explanation being that the brain washes off toxins during sleeping.

Though it has grown to be a widely accepted hypothesis in neuroscience, a new study raises the possibility that this could be wrong. The study discovered that fluid clearance and mobility in mice's brains were significantly decreased during sleep and anaesthesia.

“If you are sleep-deprived, countless things go wrong – you don’t remember things clearly, hand-eye coordination is poor. The idea that your brain is doing this basic housekeeping during sleep just seems to make sense,” Prof Nick Franks, a professor of biophysics and anaesthesia at Imperial College London and the study's co-lead said. However, they found only indirect evidence that the brain's waste-removal mechanism increases activity during sleep.

The newest study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, employed a fluorescent dye to investigate mice's brains. This made it possible for scientists to assess the dye's rate of clearance from the brain directly and to see how rapidly the dye migrated from fluid-filled cavities, called the ventricles, to other parts of the brain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/science/scientists-find-ultimate-solution-for-all-sleep-disorders-gardening-720442" hreflang="en">Scientists find ultimate solution for all sleep disorders:&nbsp;Gardening</a>

The study found that dye clearance was lowered by roughly 30% in sleeping mice and 50% in animals under anaesthesia when compared to the mice who were awake.

“The field has been so focused on the clearance idea as one of the key reasons why we sleep, and we were of course very surprised to observe the opposite in our results. We found that the rate of clearance of dye from the brain was significantly reduced in animals that were asleep, or under anaesthetic,” said Franks.

The researchers expect that the findings will apply to humans because sleep is a basic requirement shared by all mammals. Prof Bill Wisden, interim head of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and co-lead author, stated, "There are many theories as to why we sleep, and although we have shown that clearing toxins may not be a key reason, it cannot be disputed that sleep is important."

The findings are relevant to dementia research since there is growing evidence of a relationship between poor sleep and Alzheimer's risk. It's unclear if sleep deprivation is an early sign of Alzheimer's or if it causes the disease. There was a theory that the brain couldn't remove poisons efficiently if it didn't get enough sleep, but the most recent findings cast doubt on this theory.

“Disrupted sleep is a common symptom experienced by people living with dementia. However, we still do not know if this is a consequence or a driving factor in the disease progression. It may well be that having good sleep does help to reduce dementia risk for reasons other than clearing toxins,” Wisden said.

The study also showed&nbsp;that brain clearance is particularly efficient during the awake state. In general, being awake, active, and exercising may aid in the removal of toxins from the brain.

A good night's sleep is commonly known as having a restorative effect, with the prevalent scientific explanation being that the brain washes off toxins during sleeping.

A good night's sleep is commonly known as having a restorative effect, with the prevalent scientific explanation being that the brain washes off toxins during sleeping. Though it has grown to be a widely accepted hypothesis in neuroscience, a new study raises the possibility that this could be wrong. The study discovered that fluid clearance and mobility in mice's brains were significantly decreased during sleep and anaesthesia. “If you are sleep-deprived, countless things go wrong – you don’t remember things clearly, hand-eye coordination is poor. The idea that your brain is doing this basic housekeeping during sleep just seems to make sense,” Prof Nick Franks, a professor of biophysics and anaesthesia at Imperial College London and the study's co-lead said. However, they found only indirect evidence that the brain's waste-removal mechanism increases activity during sleep. The newest study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, employed a fluorescent dye to investigate mice's brains. This made it possible for scientists to assess the dye's rate of clearance from the brain directly and to see how rapidly the dye migrated from fluid-filled cavities, called the ventricles, to other parts of the brain. Also read: Scientists find ultimate solution for all sleep disorders: Gardening The study found that dye clearance was lowered by roughly 30% in sleeping mice and 50% in animals under anaesthesia when compared to the mice who were awake. “The field has been so focused on the clearance idea as one of the key reasons why we sleep, and we were of course very surprised to observe the opposite in our results. We found that the rate of clearance of dye from the brain was significantly reduced in animals that were asleep, or under anaesthetic,” said Franks. The researchers expect that the findings will apply to humans because sleep is a basic requirement shared by all mammals. Prof Bill Wisden, interim head of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and co-lead author, stated, "There are many theories as to why we sleep, and although we have shown that clearing toxins may not be a key reason, it cannot be disputed that sleep is important." The findings are relevant to dementia research since there is growing evidence of a relationship between poor sleep and Alzheimer's risk. It's unclear if sleep deprivation is an early sign of Alzheimer's or if it causes the disease. There was a theory that the brain couldn't remove poisons efficiently if it didn't get enough sleep, but the most recent findings cast doubt on this theory. “Disrupted sleep is a common symptom experienced by people living with dementia. However, we still do not know if this is a consequence or a driving factor in the disease progression. It may well be that having good sleep does help to reduce dementia risk for reasons other than clearing toxins,” Wisden said. The study also showed that brain clearance is particularly efficient during the awake state. In general, being awake, active, and exercising may aid in the removal of toxins from the brain.

Rethinking the brain's cleanup crew: Sleep does not detox brain as previously thought. Here's what does

The flathead catfish, a large North American fish that can reach up to 120 pounds, has established itself in waterways beyond its native range, including parts of Canada.&nbsp;

The conservationists are sounding the alarm about their expansion across the country from their original habitat in the Gulf of Mexico basin.

'These fishes are going to be one of the apex predators around every system once they establish those populations,' said biologist Joel Fleming.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-exoplanet-toi-671301-glows-red-hot-with-volcanic-fury-it-is-jupiters-moon-io-on-steroids-720887">New exoplanet TOI-6713.01 glows red-hot with volcanic fury. It is Jupiter's moon 'Io on steroids'</a>

The catfish that lays around 10,000 eggs at a time, was once restricted to the rivers of the south, but now has spread across the country. This expansion is attributed to two factors, intentional introduction into new waterways and the fish's natural tendency to move from crowded habitats.

The flathead catfish were detected in California in 1962, Virginia in 1965 and the Potomac in DC in 2003. 
Notably, they get heavier the longer they are established with a 66lb example breaking the state record in Pennsylvania in June last year.

According to scientists, global warning has contributed to their stretch which has now reached the Thames River in southern Ontario.

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Scientists are concerned that flathead catfish may have formed a self-sustaining population within the river. This is particularly concerning as the river already supports 25 fish and mussel species classified as at-risk.

According to biology professor Nicholas Mandrak of the University of Toronto who is an expert in invasive fish species, “Any one fish is going to be eating kilograms and kilograms of fish every day.”

“I think that very likely climate change is part of it,” he told CBC and added, “As our waters warm, they become a more appropriate temperature for these southern catfishes to survive in Canada.”

Mandrake further said, “They get very large and they eat a lot of fishes, so they're likely to have a substantial negative impact if we do not do anything to control their populations.”

Conservationists in Georgia caught and removed 64,000 in nine years after they established themselves in the state's Satilla River, but admit they are fighting a losing battle.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/internet-use-linked-to-global-wellbeing-boost-reveals-research-720715">Internet use linked to global wellbeing boost, reveals research</a>

Scientists in Ontario are now considering how to deal with the southern invasion, but Tim Barrett of the Department of Natural Resources fears they may be wasting their time.

'It's just physically impossible to take them all out,' he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The flathead catfish, a large North American fish that can reach up to 120 pounds, has established itself in waterways beyond its native range, including parts of Canada.

The flathead catfish, a large North American fish that can reach up to 120 pounds, has established itself in waterways beyond its native range, including parts of Canada. The conservationists are sounding the alarm about their expansion across the country from their original habitat in the Gulf of Mexico basin. 'These fishes are going to be one of the apex predators around every system once they establish those populations,' said biologist Joel Fleming. Also read: New exoplanet TOI-6713.01 glows red-hot with volcanic fury. It is Jupiter's moon 'Io on steroids' The catfish that lays around 10,000 eggs at a time, was once restricted to the rivers of the south, but now has spread across the country. This expansion is attributed to two factors, intentional introduction into new waterways and the fish's natural tendency to move from crowded habitats. The flathead catfish were detected in California in 1962, Virginia in 1965 and the Potomac in DC in 2003. Notably, they get heavier the longer they are established with a 66lb example breaking the state record in Pennsylvania in June last year. According to scientists, global warning has contributed to their stretch which has now reached the Thames River in southern Ontario. Also read: NASA will do THIS when 'God of Destruction' asteroid Apophis comes near Earth in 2029 Scientists are concerned that flathead catfish may have formed a self-sustaining population within the river. This is particularly concerning as the river already supports 25 fish and mussel species classified as at-risk. According to biology professor Nicholas Mandrak of the University of Toronto who is an expert in invasive fish species, “Any one fish is going to be eating kilograms and kilograms of fish every day.” “I think that very likely climate change is part of it,” he told CBC and added, “As our waters warm, they become a more appropriate temperature for these southern catfishes to survive in Canada.” Mandrake further said, “They get very large and they eat a lot of fishes, so they're likely to have a substantial negative impact if we do not do anything to control their populations.” Conservationists in Georgia caught and removed 64,000 in nine years after they established themselves in the state's Satilla River, but admit they are fighting a losing battle. Also read: Internet use linked to global wellbeing boost, reveals research Scientists in Ontario are now considering how to deal with the southern invasion, but Tim Barrett of the Department of Natural Resources fears they may be wasting their time. 'It's just physically impossible to take them all out,' he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Large catfish establishing presence in new waterways, experts issue warning

Scientists have identified a new sort of porous material that is distinct in its molecular structure and has the potential to be utilised to trap carbon dioxide and another, more potent greenhouse gas. They call this substance a "cage of cages."

The material was created in two phases by scientists in the UK and China using reactions to assemble triangular prism-building pieces into bigger, more symmetrical tetrahedral cages. According to the team, this is the first molecular structure of its sort.

The resultant material has a high affinity for attracting and holding greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) due to its abundance of polar molecules. Additionally, it demonstrated outstanding stability in water, which is essential for its application in the industrial context to extract carbon from humid or wet gas streams.

"We need new porous materials to help solve society's biggest challenges, like capturing and storing greenhouse gasses," says Marc Little, a materials scientist at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and senior author of the paper. "This is an exciting discovery."

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidaqvhR8vJAcau" /><a href="http://wionews.com/business-economy/red-sea-shipping-diversions-boost-carbon-emissions-equivalent-to-9-mn-cars-716173" target="_blank">Red Sea shipping diversions boost carbon emissions equivalent to 9 mn cars</a>

The novel cage-like material was also shown to have a high absorption of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the most powerful greenhouse gas according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in lab testing, albeit these tests were not conducted at scale.&nbsp;

Researchers are working on new materials to make direct air capture more efficient and less energy-intensive, and this new substance might be one of them.&nbsp;

Even though the precursor molecules may theoretically assemble themselves, it wasn't a simple task to create a material with such tremendous structural complexity. Researchers refer to this method as supramolecular self-assembly. It requires some fine-tuning since "the best reaction conditions are often not intuitively obvious," as Little and colleagues describe in their published research. However, it can create chemically linked structures from simpler building pieces.

The difficulty of synthesis increases with the final molecule's complexity, and those processes may result in more molecular "scrambling."

In addition to its ability to absorb greenhouse gases, the researchers propose that their new material may also be employed for the elimination of other airborne pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds.

Scientists have identified a new sort of porous material that is distinct in its molecular structure and has the potential to be utilised to trap carbon dioxide and another, more potent greenhouse gas.

Scientists have identified a new sort of porous material that is distinct in its molecular structure and has the potential to be utilised to trap carbon dioxide and another, more potent greenhouse gas. They call this substance a "cage of cages." The material was created in two phases by scientists in the UK and China using reactions to assemble triangular prism-building pieces into bigger, more symmetrical tetrahedral cages. According to the team, this is the first molecular structure of its sort. The resultant material has a high affinity for attracting and holding greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) due to its abundance of polar molecules. Additionally, it demonstrated outstanding stability in water, which is essential for its application in the industrial context to extract carbon from humid or wet gas streams. "We need new porous materials to help solve society's biggest challenges, like capturing and storing greenhouse gasses," says Marc Little, a materials scientist at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and senior author of the paper. "This is an exciting discovery." Also read: Red Sea shipping diversions boost carbon emissions equivalent to 9 mn cars The novel cage-like material was also shown to have a high absorption of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the most powerful greenhouse gas according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in lab testing, albeit these tests were not conducted at scale. Researchers are working on new materials to make direct air capture more efficient and less energy-intensive, and this new substance might be one of them. Even though the precursor molecules may theoretically assemble themselves, it wasn't a simple task to create a material with such tremendous structural complexity. Researchers refer to this method as supramolecular self-assembly. It requires some fine-tuning since "the best reaction conditions are often not intuitively obvious," as Little and colleagues describe in their published research. However, it can create chemically linked structures from simpler building pieces. The difficulty of synthesis increases with the final molecule's complexity, and those processes may result in more molecular "scrambling." In addition to its ability to absorb greenhouse gases, the researchers propose that their new material may also be employed for the elimination of other airborne pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds.

Scientists discover new 'cages of cages' molecule that can trap greenhouse gases

'Deadbots' or digital recreations of lost loved ones are fast becoming a reality, with many companies offering services that can bring back the dead digitally. As amazing as it may sound, AI ethicists have warned that such services would do more harm than good and can even "haunt" users.

<h2>What are 'deadbots'?</h2>

Deadbots or 'griefbots' are AI chatbots trained to simulate the personality and speech patterns of a dead loved one using the digital footprints&nbsp;— messages, etc&nbsp;— they've left behind.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-attempts-to-bring-dead-back-to-life-give-people-closure-601951">AI attempts to bring dead back to life, give people closure</a>

<h2>The ethical dilemma</h2>

As per the University of Cambridge researchers, "Artificial intelligence that allows users to hold text and voice conversations with lost loved ones runs the risk of causing psychological harm and even digitally 'haunting' those left behind, without design safety standards."

Researchers from Cambridge University's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence in a paper published in the journal Philosophy and Technology have highlighted how these deadbots can cause psychological harm or be misused.

<h2>'Overwhelming emotional weight'</h2>

As per the researchers, such deadbots can distress users, especially children, by insisting their dead parent is still "with you". They contend that while initially, these digital recreations may offer some semblance of comfort, in the losing term, they can cause psychological distress.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-chatbot-therapists-can-change-the-future-of-psychotherapy-but-how-reliable-are-they-708811">AI chatbot therapists can change the future of psychotherapy, but how reliable are they?</a>

Users may feel drained by daily interactions that become an "overwhelming emotional weight", argue researchers. They also say that the emotional crutch can impede mourning, which is a natural process of dealing with grief.

<h2>An ethical minefield</h2>

As per study co-author Dr Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, "Rapid advancements in generative AI mean that nearly anyone with Internet access and some basic know-how can revive a deceased loved one", it is an "ethical minefield".

"It's important to prioritise the dignity of the deceased, and ensure that this isn't encroached on by financial motives of digital afterlife services, for example."

One potential scenario the researchers propose is the misuse of the "data donor" or the digitally recreated dead loved one, to push products and advertising.

"People might develop strong emotional bonds with such simulations, which will make them particularly vulnerable to manipulation," said co-author Dr Tomasz Hollanek.

They suggest that deadbots should be retired in a "dignified way".

"Methods and even rituals for retiring deadbots in a dignified way should be considered. This may mean a form of digital funeral, for example, or other types of ceremony depending on the social context."

"We recommend design protocols that prevent deadbots being utilised in disrespectful ways, such as for advertising or having an active presence on social media," added Hollanek.

They also call for age restrictions for users and "meaningful transparency" to ensure users are consistently aware that they are interacting with an AI.

"These services run the risk of causing huge distress to people if they are subjected to unwanted digital hauntings from alarmingly accurate AI recreations of those they have lost. The potential psychological effect, particularly at an already difficult time, could be devastating," they reason.

(With inputs from agencies)

'Deadbots' or digital recreations of lost loved ones are fast becoming a reality, with many companies offering services that can bring back the dead digitally. As amazing as it may sound, AI ethicists have warned that such services would do more harm than good and can even "haunt" users.

'Deadbots' or digital recreations of lost loved ones are fast becoming a reality, with many companies offering services that can bring back the dead digitally. As amazing as it may sound, AI ethicists have warned that such services would do more harm than good and can even "haunt" users. What are 'deadbots'? Deadbots or 'griefbots' are AI chatbots trained to simulate the personality and speech patterns of a dead loved one using the digital footprints — messages, etc — they've left behind. Also read | AI attempts to bring dead back to life, give people closure The ethical dilemma As per the University of Cambridge researchers, "Artificial intelligence that allows users to hold text and voice conversations with lost loved ones runs the risk of causing psychological harm and even digitally 'haunting' those left behind, without design safety standards." Researchers from Cambridge University's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence in a paper published in the journal Philosophy and Technology have highlighted how these deadbots can cause psychological harm or be misused. 'Overwhelming emotional weight' As per the researchers, such deadbots can distress users, especially children, by insisting their dead parent is still "with you". They contend that while initially, these digital recreations may offer some semblance of comfort, in the losing term, they can cause psychological distress. Also read | AI chatbot therapists can change the future of psychotherapy, but how reliable are they? Users may feel drained by daily interactions that become an "overwhelming emotional weight", argue researchers. They also say that the emotional crutch can impede mourning, which is a natural process of dealing with grief. An ethical minefield As per study co-author Dr Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, "Rapid advancements in generative AI mean that nearly anyone with Internet access and some basic know-how can revive a deceased loved one", it is an "ethical minefield". "It's important to prioritise the dignity of the deceased, and ensure that this isn't encroached on by financial motives of digital afterlife services, for example." One potential scenario the researchers propose is the misuse of the "data donor" or the digitally recreated dead loved one, to push products and advertising. "People might develop strong emotional bonds with such simulations, which will make them particularly vulnerable to manipulation," said co-author Dr Tomasz Hollanek. They suggest that deadbots should be retired in a "dignified way". "Methods and even rituals for retiring deadbots in a dignified way should be considered. This may mean a form of digital funeral, for example, or other types of ceremony depending on the social context." "We recommend design protocols that prevent deadbots being utilised in disrespectful ways, such as for advertising or having an active presence on social media," added Hollanek. They also call for age restrictions for users and "meaningful transparency" to ensure users are consistently aware that they are interacting with an AI. "These services run the risk of causing huge distress to people if they are subjected to unwanted digital hauntings from alarmingly accurate AI recreations of those they have lost. The potential psychological effect, particularly at an already difficult time, could be devastating," they reason. (With inputs from agencies)

Advances in artificial intelligence mean 'deadbots' can 'haunt' the living, warn experts. Here's what it means

In a bizarre new finding, a study published in the journal Biology Letters found that dice snakes go to extreme lengths to save themselves from predators, including faking their own deaths.&nbsp;

<h2>About the study</h2>

The study finds that the species of snake also known as Natrix tessellata, can fake their own death when attacked by predators by putting on a theatrical display which includes oozing&nbsp;“mouthfuls” of blood, smearing themselves with faeces, and even releasing foul-smelling musk from their butts.

Notably, dice snakes are not the only ones in the animal kingdom who fake their own death to avoid being eaten by predators, as it is a good tactic for the prey to create a distraction and escape.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gateway-to-the-underworld-in-siberia-is-growing-at-a-staggering-rate-every-year-719019">‘Gateway to the underworld’ in Siberia is growing at a staggering rate every year: Study</a>

Dice snakes are non-venomous snakes native to Europe and parts of Asia. The study also noted that not all dice snakes put up a theatrical display as some might even just lie still.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the researchers find?</h2>

The researchers observed that out of the 263 dice snakes they studied, 124 smeared themselves with faeces and around 28 leaked blood from their mouths.

Overall, dice snakes spent&nbsp;about six and 24 seconds playing dead.&nbsp;

This behaviour depended on various factors like the sex of the individual, &nbsp;injuries, body temperature, size, age, presence of food in the stomach, presence of eggs in females, and previous experience with a predator, Vukašin Bjelica, one of the study’s authors, told CNN.&nbsp;

“When captured, they will vigorously struggle and hiss while expelling and coating themselves in musk and faeces,” the researchers wrote. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-we-already-lost-the-battle-april-continues-damning-11-month-trend-emerges-as-hottest-since-1940-719261">Have we 'already lost climate battle'?: April continues damning 11-month trend, emerges as hottest since 1940</a>

Eventually, the snake becomes immobile, opens its mouth, sticks out its tongue and fills its mouth with blood, according to the study.&nbsp;

Researchers also believe that the snake smears itself in faeces to make itself less appetising for its predators.&nbsp;

The study also found that the snakes that used the blood and faeces approach spent two seconds less faking their own deaths than the ones who did not.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bizarre new finding, a study published in the journal Biology Letters found that dice snakes go to extreme lengths to save themselves from predators, including faking their own deaths.

In a bizarre new finding, a study published in the journal Biology Letters found that dice snakes go to extreme lengths to save themselves from predators, including faking their own deaths. About the study The study finds that the species of snake also known as Natrix tessellata, can fake their own death when attacked by predators by putting on a theatrical display which includes oozing “mouthfuls” of blood, smearing themselves with faeces, and even releasing foul-smelling musk from their butts. Notably, dice snakes are not the only ones in the animal kingdom who fake their own death to avoid being eaten by predators, as it is a good tactic for the prey to create a distraction and escape. Also Read | ‘Gateway to the underworld’ in Siberia is growing at a staggering rate every year: Study Dice snakes are non-venomous snakes native to Europe and parts of Asia. The study also noted that not all dice snakes put up a theatrical display as some might even just lie still. What did the researchers find? The researchers observed that out of the 263 dice snakes they studied, 124 smeared themselves with faeces and around 28 leaked blood from their mouths. Overall, dice snakes spent about six and 24 seconds playing dead. This behaviour depended on various factors like the sex of the individual, injuries, body temperature, size, age, presence of food in the stomach, presence of eggs in females, and previous experience with a predator, Vukašin Bjelica, one of the study’s authors, told CNN. “When captured, they will vigorously struggle and hiss while expelling and coating themselves in musk and faeces,” the researchers wrote. Also Read | Have we 'already lost climate battle'?: April continues damning 11-month trend, emerges as hottest since 1940 Eventually, the snake becomes immobile, opens its mouth, sticks out its tongue and fills its mouth with blood, according to the study. Researchers also believe that the snake smears itself in faeces to make itself less appetising for its predators. The study also found that the snakes that used the blood and faeces approach spent two seconds less faking their own deaths than the ones who did not. (With inputs from agencies)

This snake gets all bloody and smelly and fakes its own death to save itself from predators

The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an underwater volcano in the South Pacific Ocean, erupted on January 15, 2022, releasing the most powerful lightning storm ever recorded and also the first known mega-tsunami since ancient times.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/heartbreaking-reality-over-321000-children-left-orphaned-due-to-americas-drug-epidemic-between-2011-2021-719636">Heartbreaking reality: Over 321,000 children left orphaned due to America's drug epidemic between 2011-2021</a>

While previous research signified that the underwater eruption was due to the two merging magma chambers, exactly what sparked the blast was unclear.&nbsp;

"Past explanations focused on magma meeting seawater," the researchers wrote in a new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research on April 21. However, they found this unlikely due to limitations in heat transfer and a lack of clear satellite evidence.

Instead, they wrote, water depth and satellite observations point to a massive buildup of gas underneath a seal inside the volcano that unexpectedly broke on Jan&nbsp;15 after a series of smaller eruptions between Dec&nbsp;19, 2021, and Jan&nbsp;13, 2022.&nbsp;

"What we saw during this event was a Plinian eruption," lead author Richard Henley, an honorary professor of material physics at the Australian National University, said. "These are the common kind most people think of when picturing an erupting volcano."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-super-earth-exoplanet-has-its-own-atmosphere-scientists-now-hunt-for-life-719532">Is an ocean of magma creating atmosphere on this 'Super Earth'? The possibility has scientists excited</a>

However, Henley and his team propose a new factor behind the intense explosiveness of Plinian eruptions, including the record-breaking Tonga event. Their findings challenge past theories that blamed the violence on magma-seawater interaction. Notably, this suggests the immense power of the Tonga eruption wasn't dependent on its underwater location.

"The eruption at Hunga has opened our eyes," co-author Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited in New Zealand, said in the statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit.

The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit. The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an underwater volcano in the South Pacific Ocean, erupted on January 15, 2022, releasing the most powerful lightning storm ever recorded and also the first known mega-tsunami since ancient times. Also read: Heartbreaking reality: Over 321,000 children left orphaned due to America's drug epidemic between 2011-2021 While previous research signified that the underwater eruption was due to the two merging magma chambers, exactly what sparked the blast was unclear. "Past explanations focused on magma meeting seawater," the researchers wrote in a new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research on April 21. However, they found this unlikely due to limitations in heat transfer and a lack of clear satellite evidence. Instead, they wrote, water depth and satellite observations point to a massive buildup of gas underneath a seal inside the volcano that unexpectedly broke on Jan 15 after a series of smaller eruptions between Dec 19, 2021, and Jan 13, 2022. "What we saw during this event was a Plinian eruption," lead author Richard Henley, an honorary professor of material physics at the Australian National University, said. "These are the common kind most people think of when picturing an erupting volcano." Also read: Is an ocean of magma creating atmosphere on this 'Super Earth'? The possibility has scientists excited However, Henley and his team propose a new factor behind the intense explosiveness of Plinian eruptions, including the record-breaking Tonga event. Their findings challenge past theories that blamed the violence on magma-seawater interaction. Notably, this suggests the immense power of the Tonga eruption wasn't dependent on its underwater location. "The eruption at Hunga has opened our eyes," co-author Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited in New Zealand, said in the statement. (With inputs from agencies)

The 2022 underwater Tonga eruption likely happened because of THIS reason

Drug abuse is increasingly claiming the lives of numerous parents, leaving hundreds of thousands of children orphan, revealed a new study. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 2011 and 2021, over 321,000 children lost a parent to drug overdose in the United States.

<h2>First of its kind&nbsp;study on loss</h2>

The study is the first of its kind to shine a light on the number of children affected by the overdose crisis in America.&nbsp;

Between 2011 and 2021, 649,599 people aged 18 to 64 died from a drug overdose. This translates to an estimated 321,566 children losing a parent.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/advances-in-artificial-intelligence-mean-deadbots-can-haunt-users-warn-ai-experts-heres-what-it-means-719542">Advances in artificial intelligence mean 'deadbots' can 'haunt' the living, warn experts. Here's what it means</a>

Despite these tragic numbers, no national study had previously estimated the number of children who lost a parent to drug overdose.&nbsp;

"This first-of-its-kind study allows us to better understand the tragic magnitude of the overdose crisis and the reverberations it has among children and families," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, the leader of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

As per the study published in JAMA Psychiatry, the rate of children who experienced this momentous loss more than doubled between 2011 and 2021 — from 27 to 63 children per 100,000.

<h2>The communities affected</h2>

Of this, the highest numbers were of children with non-Hispanic white parents. However, communities of colour and tribal communities were also found to be disproportionately affected.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-we-already-lost-the-battle-april-continues-damning-11-month-trend-emerges-as-hottest-since-1940-719261">Have we 'already lost climate battle'?: April continues damning 11-month trend, emerges as hottest since 1940</a>

According to a press release, American Indian/Alaska Native children have the highest rate of parent loss due to overdose (187/100,000) from 2011 to 2021, twice that of White and Black children (76.5/100,000 and 73/100,000 respectively).

"It is devastating to see that almost half of the people who died of a drug overdose had a child. No family should lose their loved one to an overdose, and each of these deaths represents a tragic loss that could have been prevented," said Nora Volkow, MD, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) director.&nbsp;

"These findings emphasise the need to better support parents in accessing prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition, any child who loses a parent to overdose must receive the care and support they need to navigate this painful and traumatic experience."

(With inputs from agencies)

Drug abuse is increasingly claiming the lives of numerous parents, leaving hundreds of thousands of children orphan, revealed a new study. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 2011 and 2021, over 321,000 children lost a parent to drug overdose in the United States.

Drug abuse is increasingly claiming the lives of numerous parents, leaving hundreds of thousands of children orphan, revealed a new study. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 2011 and 2021, over 321,000 children lost a parent to drug overdose in the United States. First of its kind study on loss The study is the first of its kind to shine a light on the number of children affected by the overdose crisis in America. Between 2011 and 2021, 649,599 people aged 18 to 64 died from a drug overdose. This translates to an estimated 321,566 children losing a parent. Also read | Advances in artificial intelligence mean 'deadbots' can 'haunt' the living, warn experts. Here's what it means Despite these tragic numbers, no national study had previously estimated the number of children who lost a parent to drug overdose. "This first-of-its-kind study allows us to better understand the tragic magnitude of the overdose crisis and the reverberations it has among children and families," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, the leader of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). As per the study published in JAMA Psychiatry, the rate of children who experienced this momentous loss more than doubled between 2011 and 2021 — from 27 to 63 children per 100,000. The communities affected Of this, the highest numbers were of children with non-Hispanic white parents. However, communities of colour and tribal communities were also found to be disproportionately affected. Also read | Have we 'already lost climate battle'?: April continues damning 11-month trend, emerges as hottest since 1940 According to a press release, American Indian/Alaska Native children have the highest rate of parent loss due to overdose (187/100,000) from 2011 to 2021, twice that of White and Black children (76.5/100,000 and 73/100,000 respectively). "It is devastating to see that almost half of the people who died of a drug overdose had a child. No family should lose their loved one to an overdose, and each of these deaths represents a tragic loss that could have been prevented," said Nora Volkow, MD, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) director. "These findings emphasise the need to better support parents in accessing prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition, any child who loses a parent to overdose must receive the care and support they need to navigate this painful and traumatic experience." (With inputs from agencies)

Heartbreaking! Over 321,000 children lost a parent to America's drug epidemic between 2011-2021

The connection between a poor diet or poorly controlled metabolic conditions such as diabetes and higher cancer risk is partly elucidated by a previously unidentified mechanism that deactivates genes inhibiting tumour formation.

The connection between a poor diet or poorly controlled metabolic conditions such as diabetes and higher cancer risk is partly elucidated by a previously unidentified mechanism that deactivates genes inhibiting tumour formation. Using mouse models, human tissue, and in vitro-produced human breast organoids, researchers from Singapore and the UK discovered that disruptions in glucose metabolism may promote the growth of cancer by momentarily blocking the BRCA2 gene, which guards against tumours. Cancer pharmacologist Li Ren Kong of the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore), who is the study's primary author, states that "these findings raise awareness of the impact of diet and weight control in the management of cancer risks." "We started the study aiming to understand what factors elevate risk in families susceptible to cancer, but ended up discovering a deeper mechanism linking an essential energy consumption pathway to cancer development," he added. The study also calls into question a long-standing idea concerning cancer-protective genes. Recent research has discovered that a mutation in one of a cell's two BRCA2 genes is associated with a variety of cancers. Interestingly, mice and human cells with this mutation do not exhibit the typical symptoms of genetic instability observed in cells with both copies of the gene altered. Also read: Accelerated ageing is heightening cancer risk in younger population: Study In mice, having only one copy of BRCA2 impacted does not appear to create significant difficulties with organ development or DNA repair in most tissues. However, cells with this mutation tend to be more prone to stress, such as exposure to environmental pollutants like formaldehyde or acetaldehyde, which can lower BRCA2 protein levels and cause functional issues. How do disruptions in glucose metabolism affect BRCA2 function? The researchers initially looked at persons who had inherited one defective copy of BRCA2. They discovered that these people's cells were more susceptible to methylglyoxal (MGO), which is created when cells break down glucose for energy during glycolysis. The researchers observed that MGO can temporarily block the BRCA2 protein's tumor-suppressing capabilities, causing mutations associated with cancer development. Overall, their findings imply that alterations in glucose metabolism can affect BRCA2 function via MGO, leading to cancer genesis and progression. This new knowledge may help to develop cancer prevention or early detection measures.

Study uncovers mechanism linking diet, diabetes, and cancer risk

Chinese scientists claim to have discovered an anti-ageing component in the blood of young mice, with the longest surviving mouse in their research living for up to 1,266 days which are almost 120-130 years in human age.

According to a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Nature Ageing, male mice aged 20 months, with a median lifetime of 840 days, received weekly injections of the blood component. The researchers reported a 22.7 per cent rise to a median of 1,031 days.

The injections also significantly reduced age-related functional deterioration in old mice, according to Zhang Chenyu, co-leader of the study.

Zhang claimed that public fears about other ethical issues, such as the possibility that young people's blood will be used immorally, were "exaggerated misconceptions." He stated that if the treatment is ever established, it will be given via medications and not via direct plasma exchange. This knowledge can help the development of simplified and targeted treatments.

According to corresponding author Chen Xi, who is also from Nanjing University, "what we are doing is showing at the cellular level what is actually working in the blood, what are the most potent rejuvenating factors."

According to the Chinese team, previous study has mostly focussed on the possible anti-aging capabilities of soluble protein components found in youthful blood.

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuideh9WpNBTnM51" /><a href="http://wionews.com/science/accelerated-aging-heightens-cancer-risk-in-younger-population-study-709980" target="_blank">Accelerated ageing is heightening cancer risk in younger population: Study</a>

The study lasted seven years and involved data collecting from hundreds of mice. According to the researchers, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which are actively released by virtually all cell types and found in many bodily fluids, including blood, played an important role in correcting age-related degenerative alterations in older mice.

It is commonly established that sEVs transport nucleic acids and proteins across cells, hence enabling information transmission. The scientists reported that by recognising and using this process, they were able to observe greater survival periods than in previous studies on animals.

"[The 22.7 per cent increase in lifespan] is one of the longest records in the world," Chen said,&nbsp;adding that the mice in the most recent study were reasonably active at the end of their lives.

Chen stated that the research was only the beginning, with many scientific issues still to be solved before the discoveries can be clinically evaluated and developed into a medicine. Before any prospective cure is developed, trials must be conducted in large primates that are more similar to humans, he added. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese scientists claim to have discovered an anti-ageing component in the blood of young mice, with the longest surviving mouse in their research living for up to 1,266 days which are almost 120-130 years in human age.

Chinese scientists claim to have discovered an anti-ageing component in the blood of young mice, with the longest surviving mouse in their research living for up to 1,266 days which are almost 120-130 years in human age. According to a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Nature Ageing, male mice aged 20 months, with a median lifetime of 840 days, received weekly injections of the blood component. The researchers reported a 22.7 per cent rise to a median of 1,031 days. The injections also significantly reduced age-related functional deterioration in old mice, according to Zhang Chenyu, co-leader of the study. Zhang claimed that public fears about other ethical issues, such as the possibility that young people's blood will be used immorally, were "exaggerated misconceptions." He stated that if the treatment is ever established, it will be given via medications and not via direct plasma exchange. This knowledge can help the development of simplified and targeted treatments. According to corresponding author Chen Xi, who is also from Nanjing University, "what we are doing is showing at the cellular level what is actually working in the blood, what are the most potent rejuvenating factors." According to the Chinese team, previous study has mostly focussed on the possible anti-aging capabilities of soluble protein components found in youthful blood. Also read: Accelerated ageing is heightening cancer risk in younger population: Study The study lasted seven years and involved data collecting from hundreds of mice. According to the researchers, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which are actively released by virtually all cell types and found in many bodily fluids, including blood, played an important role in correcting age-related degenerative alterations in older mice. It is commonly established that sEVs transport nucleic acids and proteins across cells, hence enabling information transmission. The scientists reported that by recognising and using this process, they were able to observe greater survival periods than in previous studies on animals. "[The 22.7 per cent increase in lifespan] is one of the longest records in the world," Chen said, adding that the mice in the most recent study were reasonably active at the end of their lives. Chen stated that the research was only the beginning, with many scientific issues still to be solved before the discoveries can be clinically evaluated and developed into a medicine. Before any prospective cure is developed, trials must be conducted in large primates that are more similar to humans, he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese scientists find 'fountain of youth' in blood of young that can extend life up to 130 years

To return to past, one might need a Time Machine, and that as of now, is the subject of science fiction. But scientists have now managed to find out something from the depth of time for real. They have discovered something 'really surprising' from billions of years ago that could change the way we understand the grand infinite universe.&nbsp;

The findings came from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) deployed on it. The technology allows scientists to study the earliest known galaxies in our universe.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-official-maisies-galaxy-is-one-of-the-earliest-known-galaxies-confirm-scientists-625852">It’s official! Maisie's Galaxy is one of the earliest known galaxies</a>

A team of researchers from Durham University have dissected data from just a few billion years after the universe was formed. For reference, our universe is about 13.7 billion years old.

This is even further back than the previous earliest-known conditions of universe observed for the period about nine billion years ago.&nbsp;

The team’s findings have been published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The findings point to the presence of more settled forms of environments. They occurred despite the more chaotic nature of galaxies in their earlier gestation period.

"Galaxies in the early universe are maturing much faster than we thought," said Zoe Le Conte, a PhD researcher in the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy within the Department of Physics at Durham University, who is also the lead author on the research.

"This is a real surprise because you would expect the universe at that stage to be very turbulent with lots of collisions between galaxies and a lot of gas that hasn’t yet transformed into stars."

Also watch |&nbsp;The Big Space: James Webb Telescope makes shocking discovery, shows extreme promise early on

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"However, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope we are seeing a lot of these bars much earlier in the life of the Universe which means that galaxies were at a more settled stage in their evolution than previously thought."

"This means we will have to adjust our views on early galaxy evolution."

(With inputs from agencies)

To return to past, one might need a Time Machine, and that as of now, is the subject of science fiction. But scientists have now managed to find out something from the depth of time for real.

To return to past, one might need a Time Machine, and that as of now, is the subject of science fiction. But scientists have now managed to find out something from the depth of time for real. They have discovered something 'really surprising' from billions of years ago that could change the way we understand the grand infinite universe. The findings came from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) deployed on it. The technology allows scientists to study the earliest known galaxies in our universe. Also read | It’s official! Maisie's Galaxy is one of the earliest known galaxies A team of researchers from Durham University have dissected data from just a few billion years after the universe was formed. For reference, our universe is about 13.7 billion years old. This is even further back than the previous earliest-known conditions of universe observed for the period about nine billion years ago. The team’s findings have been published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. What does it mean? The findings point to the presence of more settled forms of environments. They occurred despite the more chaotic nature of galaxies in their earlier gestation period. "Galaxies in the early universe are maturing much faster than we thought," said Zoe Le Conte, a PhD researcher in the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy within the Department of Physics at Durham University, who is also the lead author on the research. "This is a real surprise because you would expect the universe at that stage to be very turbulent with lots of collisions between galaxies and a lot of gas that hasn’t yet transformed into stars." Also watch | The Big Space: James Webb Telescope makes shocking discovery, shows extreme promise early on × "However, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope we are seeing a lot of these bars much earlier in the life of the Universe which means that galaxies were at a more settled stage in their evolution than previously thought." "This means we will have to adjust our views on early galaxy evolution." (With inputs from agencies)

'Surprise'! Scientists discover earliest known galaxies since about beginning of time

UK archaeologists have unveiled the face of a Neanderthal woman who lived 75,000 years ago. The reconstructed face&nbsp;can potentially shift long-standing perceptions of the Neanderthal species, usually considered brutish and primitive beings.&nbsp;

The research, conducted by a team from Cambridge and Liverpool John Moores universities, aimed to more accurately date burials found in Shanidar Cave, located in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. It also endeavoured to contribute to the broader discussion about why Neanderthals disappeared about 40,000 years ago.&nbsp;

<h2>How was her face reconstructed?</h2>

The woman whose&nbsp;remains were discovered in 2018 in Shanidar Cave was named Shanidar Z.

Shanidar Z, as per estimates, was 40-something at the time of her death and was found laid to rest in a sleeping position.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-court-case-rare-side-effects-admission-of-guilt-and-more-all-you-need-to-know-716604">AstraZeneca Covid vaccine: Court case, rare side effects, admission of guilt, and more. All you need to know</a>

The discovery of Shanidar Z was particularly notable for the condition of her skull, which, was found flattened, compressed to a thickness of just two centimetres, possibly flattened by a rockfall relatively soon after her death, reports AFP.

In spite of that, it is considered one of the best-preserved Neanderthal skulls found this century.

The final reconstruction of Shanidar Z’s face was achieved through 3D printing and detailed paleoartistry by Dutch twin artists Adrie and Alfons Kennis. It&nbsp;highlights less pronounced differences between Neanderthals and modern humans than previously thought.&nbsp;

Emma Pomeroy, the Cambridge palaeo-anthropologist who uncovered Shanidar Z, highlighted the interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans "to the extent that almost everyone alive today still has Neanderthal DNA."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-over-27500-previously-unnoticed-asteroids-near-earth-were-they-a-threat-716926">Over 27,500 previously unnoticed asteroids near Earth identified. Were they a threat?</a>

This was&nbsp;the fifth body identified in a cluster buried for several hundred years in the cave.

The positioning of the bodies in the cluster in the same spot, in the same position and facing in the same direction implied "tradition" and the "passing of knowledge between&nbsp;generations,"&nbsp;suggests Professor Chris Hunt of John Moores.

"It looks much more like purposeful behaviour that you wouldn’t associate with the textbook stories about Neanderthals, which is that their lives were nasty, brutish, and short," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK archaeologists have unveiled the face of a Neanderthal woman who lived 75,000 years ago. The reconstructed face can potentially shift long-standing perceptions of the Neanderthal species, usually considered brutish and primitive beings.

UK archaeologists have unveiled the face of a Neanderthal woman who lived 75,000 years ago. The reconstructed face can potentially shift long-standing perceptions of the Neanderthal species, usually considered brutish and primitive beings. The research, conducted by a team from Cambridge and Liverpool John Moores universities, aimed to more accurately date burials found in Shanidar Cave, located in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. It also endeavoured to contribute to the broader discussion about why Neanderthals disappeared about 40,000 years ago. How was her face reconstructed? The woman whose remains were discovered in 2018 in Shanidar Cave was named Shanidar Z. Shanidar Z, as per estimates, was 40-something at the time of her death and was found laid to rest in a sleeping position. Also read | AstraZeneca Covid vaccine: Court case, rare side effects, admission of guilt, and more. All you need to know The discovery of Shanidar Z was particularly notable for the condition of her skull, which, was found flattened, compressed to a thickness of just two centimetres, possibly flattened by a rockfall relatively soon after her death, reports AFP. In spite of that, it is considered one of the best-preserved Neanderthal skulls found this century. The final reconstruction of Shanidar Z’s face was achieved through 3D printing and detailed paleoartistry by Dutch twin artists Adrie and Alfons Kennis. It highlights less pronounced differences between Neanderthals and modern humans than previously thought. Emma Pomeroy, the Cambridge palaeo-anthropologist who uncovered Shanidar Z, highlighted the interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans "to the extent that almost everyone alive today still has Neanderthal DNA." Also read | Over 27,500 previously unnoticed asteroids near Earth identified. Were they a threat? This was the fifth body identified in a cluster buried for several hundred years in the cave. The positioning of the bodies in the cluster in the same spot, in the same position and facing in the same direction implied "tradition" and the "passing of knowledge between generations," suggests Professor Chris Hunt of John Moores. "It looks much more like purposeful behaviour that you wouldn’t associate with the textbook stories about Neanderthals, which is that their lives were nasty, brutish, and short," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists unveil what 75,000 year-old Neanderthal woman 'Shanidar Z' looked like

A global gender health gap analysis has found that women experience more years in poor health than men. Researchers found that illness and disability-causing conditions such as musculoskeletal problems, mental health issues and headache disorders, particularly affect women.&nbsp;

The findings of the study were published in the Lancet Public Health journal.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-lesbian-and-bisexual-women-at-higher-mortality-risk-due-to-toxic-social-stigma-715343">Study: Lesbian and bisexual women at higher mortality risk due to 'toxic' social stigma</a>

The study examined the impact of the world's 20 leading causes of diseases. It found that globally there has been limited progress in bridging health gaps over the past three decades.

<h2>Men are affected by conditions that cause premature death</h2>

The study found that men are disproportionately affected by conditions that cause premature death such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and liver diseases, Covid and road injuries.

<h2>But don't women live longer than men?</h2>

Yes. That's true. Women live about seven years longer than men&nbsp;on average. But most of them live with higher levels of illness and disability throughout their lives. The health differences, the study found, between women and men continue to grow with age.&nbsp;

The study’s senior author, Dr Luisa Sorio Flor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, said in a statement: "This report clearly shows that over the past 30 years global progress on health has been uneven."

"Females have longer lives but live more years in poor health, with limited progress made in reducing the burden of conditions leading to illness and disability, underscoring the urgent need for greater attention to non-fatal consequences that limit women’s physical and mental function, especially at older ages. Similarly, males are experiencing a much higher and growing burden of disease with fatal consequences."

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Big tech firms promote toxic health cures for women

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The study is also a call for countries to expand their health data classified on the basis of sex and gender data, said Sorio Flor. "The timing is right for this study and call to action – not only because of where the evidence is now, but because COVID-19 has starkly reminded us that sex differences can profoundly impact health outcomes."

“One key point the study highlights is how females and males differ in many biological and social factors that fluctuate and, sometimes, accumulate over time, resulting in them experiencing health and disease differently at each stage of life and across world regions.

"The challenge now is to design, implement and evaluate sex- and gender-informed ways of preventing and treating the major causes of morbidity and premature mortality from an early age and across diverse populations."

Among the conditions studied, the findings suggested that women are put at a disadvantage by conditions such as back pain, depressive disorders, headache disorders, anxiety disorders, bone and muscle disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and HIV and Aids.

The study found that these conditions contribute to illness and disability throughout life as opposed to leading to premature death.

A global gender health gap analysis has found that women experience more years in poor health than men. Researchers found that illness and disability-causing conditions such as musculoskeletal problems, mental health issues and headache disorders, particularly affect women.

A global gender health gap analysis has found that women experience more years in poor health than men. Researchers found that illness and disability-causing conditions such as musculoskeletal problems, mental health issues and headache disorders, particularly affect women. The findings of the study were published in the Lancet Public Health journal. Also read | Study: Lesbian and bisexual women at higher mortality risk due to 'toxic' social stigma The study examined the impact of the world's 20 leading causes of diseases. It found that globally there has been limited progress in bridging health gaps over the past three decades. Men are affected by conditions that cause premature death The study found that men are disproportionately affected by conditions that cause premature death such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and liver diseases, Covid and road injuries. But don't women live longer than men? Yes. That's true. Women live about seven years longer than men on average. But most of them live with higher levels of illness and disability throughout their lives. The health differences, the study found, between women and men continue to grow with age. The study’s senior author, Dr Luisa Sorio Flor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, said in a statement: "This report clearly shows that over the past 30 years global progress on health has been uneven." "Females have longer lives but live more years in poor health, with limited progress made in reducing the burden of conditions leading to illness and disability, underscoring the urgent need for greater attention to non-fatal consequences that limit women’s physical and mental function, especially at older ages. Similarly, males are experiencing a much higher and growing burden of disease with fatal consequences." Also watch | Gravitas: Big tech firms promote toxic health cures for women × The study is also a call for countries to expand their health data classified on the basis of sex and gender data, said Sorio Flor. "The timing is right for this study and call to action – not only because of where the evidence is now, but because COVID-19 has starkly reminded us that sex differences can profoundly impact health outcomes." “One key point the study highlights is how females and males differ in many biological and social factors that fluctuate and, sometimes, accumulate over time, resulting in them experiencing health and disease differently at each stage of life and across world regions. "The challenge now is to design, implement and evaluate sex- and gender-informed ways of preventing and treating the major causes of morbidity and premature mortality from an early age and across diverse populations." Among the conditions studied, the findings suggested that women are put at a disadvantage by conditions such as back pain, depressive disorders, headache disorders, anxiety disorders, bone and muscle disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and HIV and Aids. The study found that these conditions contribute to illness and disability throughout life as opposed to leading to premature death.

Women experience more years in poor health than men, key study finds

British visual artists collaborated with plant scientists to create steel structures of important plants. London's light into life exhibition showcases sculptures of medicinal plants & the ones that generate high amounts of oxygen. Take a look...

London's 'light into life' exhibition inspired by nature and science

A striking image of the La Cumbre volcano located on Fernandina Island – the third largest island in the Galápagos Islands – garnered a lot of attention when it first erupted last month. But as of late April, the lava is still flowing and making its way down the iguana-covered mountain which is affecting their habitat.&nbsp;

<h2>About the volcano and its eruption</h2>

The La Cumbre volcano is located around 1,125 kilometres off mainland Ecuador and erupted for the first time since 2020, on March 2, according to Live Science.&nbsp;

The images taken by NASA’s Earth Observatory&nbsp;last month, showed the lava slowly making its way out of a fissure near the summit of the volcano and into the mountain’s tree-covered slopes.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bodies-in-this-colombian-town-dont-decay-after-death-as-expected-heres-how-716316">Bodies in this Colombian town don’t decay after death as expected, and nobody knows why</a>

As of early April, a report by the Galápagos Conservancy, a United States-based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and restoration of the islands, said that the lava had made its way to the ocean.&nbsp;

Notably, after more than a month of continuous activity the lava reached the sea after covering a distance of nearly 10 kilometres, said the organisation.&nbsp;

An image posted by the Galápagos Conservancy shows plumes of white smoke rising&nbsp;from the water as the lava falls into the ocean.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

<h2>Impact on Galápagos land iguanas</h2>

Since Fernandina – the most volcanically active island among the Galápagos Islands – is uninhabited, there is no risk to people or infrastructure, but the lava flow reportedly has proven to be a spectacle for people on passing ships.

The island is also home to a large population of rare land iguanas which nest and lay eggs on the rim of the volcano’s large crater or caldera and deep within it.&nbsp;

According to NASA, these yellow reptiles, which can grow to over one metre (3 feet) in length and weigh over 14 kilograms, mostly eat the fruit and leaves of the prickly pear cactus.

Since the eruption, the Galápagos National Park rangers and Geophysical Institute (IG) have been in touch to monitor this spectacle closely, reported the Galápagos Conservancy.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-artificial-brain-cell-using-mix-of-salt-and-water-716336">Scientists develop artificial brain cell using mix of salt and water</a>

Researchers who are monitoring this volcanic eruption, according to the US-based organisation, said that the lava flow has damaged the island’s endemic vegetation, including the habitat of the land iguanas.&nbsp;

They also reportedly warned that as the lava flows into the ocean, it could potentially damage marine life.&nbsp;

A report by Live Science citing data from the Smithsonian Institute’s Global Volcanism Program said that as of April 25, the lava is still flowing with no end in sight.&nbsp;

“Our mission at Galápagos Conservancy is to safeguard the distinctive wildlife of the Galápagos archipelago,” said Dr. Jorge Carrión, Director of Galápagos Conservancy, in a statement.&nbsp;

He added, “We are watchful and prepared to offer assistance if required, but we also comprehend that this is a natural occurrence, and our primary responsibility is to observe the alterations.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A striking image of the La Cumbre volcano located on Fernandina Island – the third largest island in the Galápagos Islands – garnered a lot of attention when it first erupted last month.

A striking image of the La Cumbre volcano located on Fernandina Island – the third largest island in the Galápagos Islands – garnered a lot of attention when it first erupted last month. But as of late April, the lava is still flowing and making its way down the iguana-covered mountain which is affecting their habitat. About the volcano and its eruption The La Cumbre volcano is located around 1,125 kilometres off mainland Ecuador and erupted for the first time since 2020, on March 2, according to Live Science. The images taken by NASA’s Earth Observatory last month, showed the lava slowly making its way out of a fissure near the summit of the volcano and into the mountain’s tree-covered slopes. Also Read | Bodies in this Colombian town don’t decay after death as expected, and nobody knows why As of early April, a report by the Galápagos Conservancy, a United States-based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and restoration of the islands, said that the lava had made its way to the ocean. Notably, after more than a month of continuous activity the lava reached the sea after covering a distance of nearly 10 kilometres, said the organisation. An image posted by the Galápagos Conservancy shows plumes of white smoke rising from the water as the lava falls into the ocean. × Impact on Galápagos land iguanas Since Fernandina – the most volcanically active island among the Galápagos Islands – is uninhabited, there is no risk to people or infrastructure, but the lava flow reportedly has proven to be a spectacle for people on passing ships. The island is also home to a large population of rare land iguanas which nest and lay eggs on the rim of the volcano’s large crater or caldera and deep within it. According to NASA, these yellow reptiles, which can grow to over one metre (3 feet) in length and weigh over 14 kilograms, mostly eat the fruit and leaves of the prickly pear cactus. Since the eruption, the Galápagos National Park rangers and Geophysical Institute (IG) have been in touch to monitor this spectacle closely, reported the Galápagos Conservancy. Also Read | Scientists develop artificial brain cell using mix of salt and water Researchers who are monitoring this volcanic eruption, according to the US-based organisation, said that the lava flow has damaged the island’s endemic vegetation, including the habitat of the land iguanas. They also reportedly warned that as the lava flows into the ocean, it could potentially damage marine life. A report by Live Science citing data from the Smithsonian Institute’s Global Volcanism Program said that as of April 25, the lava is still flowing with no end in sight. “Our mission at Galápagos Conservancy is to safeguard the distinctive wildlife of the Galápagos archipelago,” said Dr. Jorge Carrión, Director of Galápagos Conservancy, in a statement. He added, “We are watchful and prepared to offer assistance if required, but we also comprehend that this is a natural occurrence, and our primary responsibility is to observe the alterations.” (With inputs from agencies)

Lava spewing from volcano on Galápagos Islands destroying habitat of rare land iguanas

Over eight decades of epigenetics – the study of changes in the expression of genes over generations – scientists are now coming to terms with the notion that what your grandparents ate is affecting you and your kids. Quite precisely, the dietary preferences and expressions run in the family. The nutritional aspects of epigenetics is called nutritional epigenetics.

<h2>How our grandparents are affecting our dietary choices?</h2>

According to Nathaniel Johnson, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Dakota; Hasan Khatib, Associate Chair and Professor of Genetics and Epigenetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Thomas D Crenshaw, Professor of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — the dietary choices a person makes today affects the genetics of their future children.&nbsp;

The roots of epigenetics are in the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during the second World War. The Dutch were forced to live on the rations of 400 to 800 kilocalories against the typical diet of about 2,000 kilocalories. Some 20,000 people died and about 4.5 million were malnourished.

Also watch |&nbsp;Indian President Droupadi Murmu launches gene therapy for cancer

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It was found that dietary shifts in the Netherlands caused changes to a gene called IGF2 that is related to growth and development. This suppressed muscle growth in both the children and grandchildren of Dutch women who survived the dietary challenges posed by the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/genes-from-extinct-human-cousins-increase-risk-for-severe-covid-19-study-331670">Genes from extinct human cousins increase risk for severe COVID-19: Study</a>

Due to this exact reason, an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and low birth weight was reported in the post World War-2 generations of the Netherlands, according to the findings of the&nbsp;'Dutch Hunger Winter'.&nbsp;

<h2>Scientific evidence for genetic effects of dietary choice</h2>

Human body, within the limits of its survival instinct, attempts to withstand the impact of external challenges.&nbsp;

The traits gained during these periods of challenge, are sometimes inherited to the future generations.

Recently a study in sheep showed that a paternal diet supplemented with the amino acid methionine given from birth to weaning affected the growth and reproductive traits of the next three generations.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Over eight decades of epigenetics – the study of changes in the expression of genes over generations – scientists are now coming to terms with the notion that what your grandparents ate is affecting you and your kids.

Over eight decades of epigenetics – the study of changes in the expression of genes over generations – scientists are now coming to terms with the notion that what your grandparents ate is affecting you and your kids. Quite precisely, the dietary preferences and expressions run in the family. The nutritional aspects of epigenetics is called nutritional epigenetics. How our grandparents are affecting our dietary choices? According to Nathaniel Johnson, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Dakota; Hasan Khatib, Associate Chair and Professor of Genetics and Epigenetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Thomas D Crenshaw, Professor of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — the dietary choices a person makes today affects the genetics of their future children. The roots of epigenetics are in the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during the second World War. The Dutch were forced to live on the rations of 400 to 800 kilocalories against the typical diet of about 2,000 kilocalories. Some 20,000 people died and about 4.5 million were malnourished. Also watch | Indian President Droupadi Murmu launches gene therapy for cancer × It was found that dietary shifts in the Netherlands caused changes to a gene called IGF2 that is related to growth and development. This suppressed muscle growth in both the children and grandchildren of Dutch women who survived the dietary challenges posed by the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Also read | Genes from extinct human cousins increase risk for severe COVID-19: Study Due to this exact reason, an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and low birth weight was reported in the post World War-2 generations of the Netherlands, according to the findings of the 'Dutch Hunger Winter'. Scientific evidence for genetic effects of dietary choice Human body, within the limits of its survival instinct, attempts to withstand the impact of external challenges. The traits gained during these periods of challenge, are sometimes inherited to the future generations. Recently a study in sheep showed that a paternal diet supplemented with the amino acid methionine given from birth to weaning affected the growth and reproductive traits of the next three generations. (With inputs from agencies)

What your grandparents ate is affecting you; what you are eating will affect your grandkids: Research

According to research published in the journal Nature, every time we create a memory, it harms our brain sells. This is because each memory creation causes inflammation in the brain and DNA damage in nerve cells as the memories are 'fused' into neurons and preserved.

According to research published in the journal Nature, every time we create a memory, it harms our brain sells. This is because each memory creation causes inflammation in the brain and DNA damage in nerve cells as the memories are 'fused' into neurons and preserved. The memory formation process includes creating and fortifying connections between neurons, which allows information to be stored and retrieved later. However, this process harms the brain cells involved. According to the latest research, the act of remembering something for an extended period causes brain inflammation and DNA damage in nerve cells. Researchers conducted experiments on mice for the study and concluded that memory formation occurs within the hippocampus, a portion of the brain that is the major storage store for human memories and is essential to the process of remembering. "Inflammation of brain neurons is usually considered to be a bad thing since it can lead to neurological problems such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. But our findings suggest that inflammation in certain neurons in the brain's hippocampal region is essential for making long-lasting memories," neuroscientist Jelena Radulovic from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York told Science Alert. To stimulate their memory, the mice were given brief moderate electric shocks. A closer examination of the hippocampus neurons revealed gene activity in receptor pathways critical for inflammatory signalling. Also read: Spiders on Mars? ESA's Mars Express captures unique phenomenon on the red planet Furthermore, that pathway was exclusively active in neuron clusters that had DNA damage. While DNA breaks in the brain occur often, they are typically repaired relatively fast. However, in this case, the changes were bigger. The brain seemed to use processes usually used for making new cells to group neurons together for making memories, without actually making new cells. "This is noteworthy because we're constantly flooded by information, and the neurons that encode memories need to preserve the information they've already acquired and not be distracted by new inputs," said Jelena Radulovic.

Study finds every new memory you make harms brain cells

As per a new study, a massive prehistoric salmon that went extinct millions of years ago had tusk-like teeth that protruded from either side of its face.

The study published in the journal PLOS One shows that the fish had teeth that projected sideways and resembled the tusks of a warthog.

<h2>Oncorhynchus rastrosus aka massive 'sabre-toothed salmon'</h2>

The fish called 'Oncorhynchus rastrosus' as per scientists, was the largest ever to live on Earth. By some estimates, it could reach enormous lengths of up to 8.8 feet (2.68 metres).&nbsp;

This is more than double the size of the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), the largest salmon alive today — it typically grows around three feet (0.9 meters) long.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/from-gibberish-to-clarity-voyager-1-ends-radio-silence-thanks-to-nasa-engineers-ingenious-repair-714089">Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA's software repair 15 billion miles away from Earth</a>

It stalked the seas and streams of the Micone epoch — a time interval of global warmth, relative to today — about five million years ago.

<h2>Exceptional chompers</h2>

Oncorhynchus rastrosus had exceptional teeth, which have long intrigued scientists.&nbsp;

The fish was first discovered in 1972. Based on the anatomy of fossilised skulls, researchers back then believed that the salmon's teeth curved downward, similar to that of sabre-toothed cats. This led to the fish commonly being called the "sabre-toothed salmon".

However, CT scans of some newer fossils confirmed that the around two-inch long curved teeth were more like spikes or a warthog's tusks.

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-lifeforms-merge-into-one-organism-in-a-phenomenon-that-occurs-once-in-a-billion-years-714121">Two life forms merge into one organism in a phenomenon that occurs once in a billion years</a>

While the scientists are not sure what these tusks were used for, they believe that these were used to fight off other salmons or predators. Other theories suggest that females of the species might have used them to dig nests for their eggs, or possibly to help both sexes swim upstream to reproduce.

In a conversation with PopSci, study co-author and University of Oregon palaeobiologist Edward Davis speculated that when swimming upstream, "they could maybe hook the spikes on something and take a rest without having to use any energy."

"It's sort of like if you're holding on to the side of the swimming pool."

As the Earth cooled in the late Miocene, Oncorhynchus rastrosus went extinct. Climate change probably led to a decrease in resources, making it difficult for them to maintain their large bodies.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As per a new study, a massive prehistoric salmon that went extinct millions of years ago had tusk-like teeth that protruded from either side of its face. The study published in the journal PLOS One shows that the fish had teeth that projected sideways and resembled the tusks of a warthog.

As per a new study, a massive prehistoric salmon that went extinct millions of years ago had tusk-like teeth that protruded from either side of its face. The study published in the journal PLOS One shows that the fish had teeth that projected sideways and resembled the tusks of a warthog. Oncorhynchus rastrosus aka massive 'sabre-toothed salmon' The fish called 'Oncorhynchus rastrosus' as per scientists, was the largest ever to live on Earth. By some estimates, it could reach enormous lengths of up to 8.8 feet (2.68 metres). This is more than double the size of the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), the largest salmon alive today — it typically grows around three feet (0.9 meters) long. Also read | Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA's software repair 15 billion miles away from Earth It stalked the seas and streams of the Micone epoch — a time interval of global warmth, relative to today — about five million years ago. Exceptional chompers Oncorhynchus rastrosus had exceptional teeth, which have long intrigued scientists. The fish was first discovered in 1972. Based on the anatomy of fossilised skulls, researchers back then believed that the salmon's teeth curved downward, similar to that of sabre-toothed cats. This led to the fish commonly being called the "sabre-toothed salmon". However, CT scans of some newer fossils confirmed that the around two-inch long curved teeth were more like spikes or a warthog's tusks. Also read | Two life forms merge into one organism in a phenomenon that occurs once in a billion years While the scientists are not sure what these tusks were used for, they believe that these were used to fight off other salmons or predators. Other theories suggest that females of the species might have used them to dig nests for their eggs, or possibly to help both sexes swim upstream to reproduce. In a conversation with PopSci, study co-author and University of Oregon palaeobiologist Edward Davis speculated that when swimming upstream, "they could maybe hook the spikes on something and take a rest without having to use any energy." "It's sort of like if you're holding on to the side of the swimming pool." As the Earth cooled in the late Miocene, Oncorhynchus rastrosus went extinct. Climate change probably led to a decrease in resources, making it difficult for them to maintain their large bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

THIS prehistoric fish was nearly 9 feet long and had giant sabres for teeth

Hindu deity Shiva 'the destroyer' has inspired the name of a titan dinosaur that roamed Argentina more than 90 million years ago. A fossil of the colossal creature named Bustingorrytitan Shiva was discovered late last year in western Argentina.

This newly discovered dinosaur, B. Shiva, is among the largest sauropods, and as per a study published December 18, 2023, in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, stretched an impressive 98 feet (29.87 metres) in length and is thought to have weighed about 74 tonnes.

This is what it looked like:

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<h2>Mega-Titanosaurs</h2>

Found in the North Patagonia region of southern South America, the discovery of B. shiva adds to the family of "megatitanosaurs"– enormous titanosaurs that exceeded 55 tonnes (50 metric tons). This finding indicates that such giant sauropods evolved separately within their lineage titanosaurs, said the study lead author María Edith Simón, a palaeontologist who ran the B. shiva excavation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-believe-uranus-and-neptune-are-ice-giants-but-a-new-study-hints-at-something-else-712635">Scientists believe Uranus and Neptune are 'ice giants,' but a new study hints at something else</a>

The remains of B. shiva were initially unearthed by a local farmer named Manuel Bustingorry in 2000, and subsequent excavations led by palaeontologist María Edith Simón have revealed at least four individual dinosaurs from this species.&nbsp;

These include a relatively complete skeleton alongside three other partial specimens, all dating back to the Huincul Formation, the same geological formation where the famous Argentinosaurus was discovered.

<h2>Bustingorrytitan Shiva</h2>

Unlike other known sauropods, B. shiva exhibits unique characteristics such as distinctively shaped crests on the humerus and femur, reports Live Science.&nbsp;

This differentiation suggests the presence of at least two gigantic titanosaur lineages — B. Shiva's saltasauroids and Argentinosaurus' lognkosaurs — coexisting in North Patagonia during the middle of the Cretaceous period(145 million to 66 million years ago).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/when-small-dinosaurs-roamed-earth-scientists-discover-smallest-ever-titanosaur-species-712164">A 6-foot-tall dinosaur? Smallest-ever Titanosaurs to have walked the Earth discovered in Argentina</a>

"Ecologically, each of the sauropods were distinct from one another, with different teeth, heads and bodies," Simón told Live Science.&nbsp;

"This shows that they were all able to find a form where they could live without competing with one another."

The name "Bustingorrytitan" combines the surname of the farmer who found the fossils with "titan," a nod to the giants of Greek mythology.&nbsp;The species name "Shiva" as per&nbsp;Simón, references the supreme deity of Shaivism, who destroys and transforms the universe. &nbsp;

The cretaceous period, as per the study, saw the extinction of certain dinosaur groups such as early diplodocoid sauropods and certain titanosaurs and the rise of others, with B. Shiva's lineage surviving until the end of the Cretaceous period.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hindu deity Shiva 'the destroyer' has inspired the name of a titan dinosaur that roamed Argentina more than 90 million years ago. A fossil of the colossal creature named Bustingorrytitan Shiva was discovered late last year in western Argentina.

Hindu deity Shiva 'the destroyer' has inspired the name of a titan dinosaur that roamed Argentina more than 90 million years ago. A fossil of the colossal creature named Bustingorrytitan Shiva was discovered late last year in western Argentina. This newly discovered dinosaur, B. Shiva, is among the largest sauropods, and as per a study published December 18, 2023, in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, stretched an impressive 98 feet (29.87 metres) in length and is thought to have weighed about 74 tonnes. This is what it looked like: × Mega-Titanosaurs Found in the North Patagonia region of southern South America, the discovery of B. shiva adds to the family of "megatitanosaurs"– enormous titanosaurs that exceeded 55 tonnes (50 metric tons). This finding indicates that such giant sauropods evolved separately within their lineage titanosaurs, said the study lead author María Edith Simón, a palaeontologist who ran the B. shiva excavation. Also read | Scientists believe Uranus and Neptune are 'ice giants,' but a new study hints at something else The remains of B. shiva were initially unearthed by a local farmer named Manuel Bustingorry in 2000, and subsequent excavations led by palaeontologist María Edith Simón have revealed at least four individual dinosaurs from this species. These include a relatively complete skeleton alongside three other partial specimens, all dating back to the Huincul Formation, the same geological formation where the famous Argentinosaurus was discovered. Bustingorrytitan Shiva Unlike other known sauropods, B. shiva exhibits unique characteristics such as distinctively shaped crests on the humerus and femur, reports Live Science. This differentiation suggests the presence of at least two gigantic titanosaur lineages — B. Shiva's saltasauroids and Argentinosaurus' lognkosaurs — coexisting in North Patagonia during the middle of the Cretaceous period(145 million to 66 million years ago). Also read | A 6-foot-tall dinosaur? Smallest-ever Titanosaurs to have walked the Earth discovered in Argentina "Ecologically, each of the sauropods were distinct from one another, with different teeth, heads and bodies," Simón told Live Science. "This shows that they were all able to find a form where they could live without competing with one another." The name "Bustingorrytitan" combines the surname of the farmer who found the fossils with "titan," a nod to the giants of Greek mythology. The species name "Shiva" as per Simón, references the supreme deity of Shaivism, who destroys and transforms the universe. The cretaceous period, as per the study, saw the extinction of certain dinosaur groups such as early diplodocoid sauropods and certain titanosaurs and the rise of others, with B. Shiva's lineage surviving until the end of the Cretaceous period. (With inputs from agencies)

Megatitanosaur 'Shiva the destroyer' discovered in Argentina. This is what it looked like. Watch!

According to a research by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), released on Thursday (April 18), "human-induced" climate change caused the heatwave that swept over Africa's Sahel area in early April and claimed multiple lives.

According to a research by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), released on Thursday (April 18), "human-induced" climate change caused the heatwave that swept over Africa's Sahel area in early April and claimed multiple lives. Human-induced heatwave From April 1 to April 5, the West African countries of Mali and Burkina Faso experienced a heatwave that resulted in several deaths due to temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius. Researchers at the WWA found that "heatwaves with the magnitude observed in March and April 2024 in the region would have been impossible to occur without the global warming of 1.2C to date" and connected this finding to "human-induced climate change" based on observations and climate models. “Even minimum temperatures, overnight, remained relatively high, making it so that people did not get a break from the heat,” the study added. Once-in-a-200-year event According to the paper, the Sahel experiences high temperatures frequently during this time of year, but the heatwave in April would have been 1.4C colder "if humans had not warmed the planet by burning fossil fuels". Although the five days of intense heat were a once-in-a-200-year happening, "these trends will continue with future warming". Also read: Climate change could lead to losses worth $38 trillion every year by 2050, study warns Even though the people of the two nations were accustomed to high temperatures, the duration and intensity of the heat caused a rise in hospital admissions and casualties, according to the WWA. A lack of data in the affected countries made it impossible to know the exact number of deaths, the WWA said, adding there were likely hundreds, if not thousands, of other heat-related casualties. Countries in the Sahel region have had to contend with drought since the 1970s, as well as periods of intense rainfall from the 1990s.

'Human-induced' climate change sparked deadly heatwave in West Africa: Study

In the 1980s, NASA's Voyager made a flyby past Uranus and Neptune and helped scientists conclude that the two planets are rich in frozen water.

Now, a new study has suggested that these planets may also contain substantial amounts of methane ice, which could help solve the puzzle of how they were formed.

<h2>Mystery in space</h2>

Uranus and Neptune have been a source of mystery due to their remote locations and the limited data available

Astronomers have developed models based on these observations, proposing that the planets have a thin hydrogen and helium envelope, a layer of compressed superionic water and ammonia, and a rocky core, with the water component giving them their "ice giant" designation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-juno-captures-erupting-volcanoes-on-jupiters-moon-io-watch-712172">NASA's Juno captures closest views of erupting volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. Watch!</a>

However, the new study challenges this view by considering the formation process of Uranus and Neptune. As these planets took shape from the primordial dust cloud around the young sun, they would have gobbled up planetesimals — objects similar to present-day comets, reports space.com.&nbsp;

These planetesimals are believed to be carbon-rich, unlike the assumed water-rich building blocks in current models.

So "How is it possible to form an icy giant from ice-poor building blocks?" asks planetary scientist at Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Uri Malamud, the study's lead author.

To address this discrepancy, the researchers constructed hundreds of thousands of models of Uranus and Neptune's interiors, considering various compositions including iron, water, and methane. They found that models incorporating methane, either as solid chunks or in a mushy state under extreme pressure, best matched the planets' observed traits.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tiny-moon-big-ocean-this-is-how-a-huge-ocean-was-created-on-saturns-death-star-moon-mimas-712562">Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas</a>

The presence of methane could help resolve the paradox of how these "ice giants" formed. The scientists propose that the methane ice formed when hydrogen in the growing planets reacted chemically with the carbon in the accreted planetesimals, under the intense heat and pressure that would have been prevalent in the developing planets.

While the study sheds light on the potential composition of Uranus and Neptune, verifying the presence of methane would be challenging, said Malamud. They hope that future missions, such as those proposed by NASA, could provide further insights into these enigmatic planets and help confirm the findings of this study.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the 1980s, NASA's Voyager made a flyby past Uranus and Neptune and helped scientists conclude that the two planets are rich in frozen water. Now, a new study has suggested that these planets may also contain substantial amounts of methane ice, which could help solve the puzzle of how they were formed.

In the 1980s, NASA's Voyager made a flyby past Uranus and Neptune and helped scientists conclude that the two planets are rich in frozen water. Now, a new study has suggested that these planets may also contain substantial amounts of methane ice, which could help solve the puzzle of how they were formed. Mystery in space Uranus and Neptune have been a source of mystery due to their remote locations and the limited data available Astronomers have developed models based on these observations, proposing that the planets have a thin hydrogen and helium envelope, a layer of compressed superionic water and ammonia, and a rocky core, with the water component giving them their "ice giant" designation. Also read | NASA's Juno captures closest views of erupting volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. Watch! However, the new study challenges this view by considering the formation process of Uranus and Neptune. As these planets took shape from the primordial dust cloud around the young sun, they would have gobbled up planetesimals — objects similar to present-day comets, reports space.com. These planetesimals are believed to be carbon-rich, unlike the assumed water-rich building blocks in current models. So "How is it possible to form an icy giant from ice-poor building blocks?" asks planetary scientist at Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Uri Malamud, the study's lead author. To address this discrepancy, the researchers constructed hundreds of thousands of models of Uranus and Neptune's interiors, considering various compositions including iron, water, and methane. They found that models incorporating methane, either as solid chunks or in a mushy state under extreme pressure, best matched the planets' observed traits. Also read | Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas The presence of methane could help resolve the paradox of how these "ice giants" formed. The scientists propose that the methane ice formed when hydrogen in the growing planets reacted chemically with the carbon in the accreted planetesimals, under the intense heat and pressure that would have been prevalent in the developing planets. While the study sheds light on the potential composition of Uranus and Neptune, verifying the presence of methane would be challenging, said Malamud. They hope that future missions, such as those proposed by NASA, could provide further insights into these enigmatic planets and help confirm the findings of this study. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists believe Uranus and Neptune are 'ice giants,' but a new study hints at something else

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.

This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021.

"A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X.

"Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote.

Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations.

Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tiny-moon-big-ocean-this-is-how-a-huge-ocean-was-created-on-saturns-death-star-moon-mimas-712562">Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas</a>

Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today.

Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols.

NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-humans-lived-in-this-vast-lava-tube-in-saudi-arabia-7000-years-ago-712474">Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago</a>.&nbsp;

The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet. This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021. "A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X. "Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote. Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations. Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions. Also read: Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today. Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols. NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget. Also read: Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago. The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter sends last message to Earth

Electronic sensors, prosthetic limbs as well as wearables could be made from a special material that toughens up as it is hit or stretched, a property known as 'adaptive durability', research from the University of California has found.&nbsp;

<h2>What is this new material like?</h2>

The new material is inspired by the corn starch used in cooking, which can be stirred when water is added. The slurry nature of the corn starch acts like a solid when stirred or when&nbsp;punched quickly.&nbsp;

<h2>Understanding the science of adaptive durability</h2>

When you squish cornstarch, the tiny particles or its basic building blocks repel each other due to which they act like a fluid.&nbsp;

But if the surface is hit fast, the friction makes it act like a solid.&nbsp;

Researchers used two positively charged and two negatively charged polymers to create a material with super-small structures like miniature meatballs.

These 'meatballs' do not break apart, and the conductivity of the material is withheld right.

Scientists incorporated long molecules of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), short polyaniline molecules, and a highly efficient conductor – poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS).&nbsp;

<h2>Complex names, aren't they?</h2>

Well, all you need to know is that this combination created a material that deformed or stretched out when it was hit by rapid impacts.

The faster the impacts, the tougher the material became and added 10 per cent more to the adaptive durability and the conductivity of the material.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breakthrough-chinese-scientists-invent-new-porous-ceramic-that-can-be-used-in-making-hypersonic-aircraft-682833">Breakthrough: Chinese scientists invent new porous ceramic that can be used in making hypersonic aircraft</a>

There are applications for such material if it can be manufactured at scale.&nbsp;

Researchers have proposed smartwatch bands, wearable sensors and health monitors to be made with such material.&nbsp;

Eventually, artificial limbs could be 3D printed from this material.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Chinese scientists develop smart fibre | How does it work?

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"There are a number of potential applications, and we're excited to see where this new, unconventional property will take us," materials scientist Yue Wang was quoted as saying by Science Alert.

The research has been presented at the Spring 2024 meeting of the American Chemical Society.

(With inputs from agencies)

Electronic sensors, prosthetic limbs as well as wearables could be made from a special material that toughens up as it is hit or stretched, a property known as 'adaptive durability', research from the University of California has found.

Electronic sensors, prosthetic limbs as well as wearables could be made from a special material that toughens up as it is hit or stretched, a property known as 'adaptive durability', research from the University of California has found. What is this new material like? The new material is inspired by the corn starch used in cooking, which can be stirred when water is added. The slurry nature of the corn starch acts like a solid when stirred or when punched quickly. Understanding the science of adaptive durability When you squish cornstarch, the tiny particles or its basic building blocks repel each other due to which they act like a fluid. But if the surface is hit fast, the friction makes it act like a solid. Researchers used two positively charged and two negatively charged polymers to create a material with super-small structures like miniature meatballs. These 'meatballs' do not break apart, and the conductivity of the material is withheld right. Scientists incorporated long molecules of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), short polyaniline molecules, and a highly efficient conductor – poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Complex names, aren't they? Well, all you need to know is that this combination created a material that deformed or stretched out when it was hit by rapid impacts. The faster the impacts, the tougher the material became and added 10 per cent more to the adaptive durability and the conductivity of the material. Also read | Breakthrough: Chinese scientists invent new porous ceramic that can be used in making hypersonic aircraft There are applications for such material if it can be manufactured at scale. Researchers have proposed smartwatch bands, wearable sensors and health monitors to be made with such material. Eventually, artificial limbs could be 3D printed from this material. Also watch | Chinese scientists develop smart fibre | How does it work? × "There are a number of potential applications, and we're excited to see where this new, unconventional property will take us," materials scientist Yue Wang was quoted as saying by Science Alert. The research has been presented at the Spring 2024 meeting of the American Chemical Society. (With inputs from agencies)

Hit me baby one more time: Scientists invent new material that toughens up with rapid impacts

In a breakthrough that is set to ensure a definitive revision of Science textbooks across the world, scientists have now identified how our tongue's taste buds are activated at the molecular level to make us taste the bitter one.&nbsp;

According to a team of scientists from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, the bitter taste receptor — scientifically named TAS2R14 — has a defining role in helping our tongue identify one of the five different tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (or savoury).

The study was published in the journal Nature.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;COVID-19 Symptoms: Is loss of smell &amp; taste permanent?

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"Scientists know very little about the structural make-up of sweet, bitter, and umami taste receptors," pharmacologist Yoojoong Kim, from the UNC School of Medicine, said in an official statement.&nbsp;

"Using a combination of biochemical and computational methods, we now know the structure of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 and the mechanisms that initialize the sensation of bitter taste in our tongues."

<h2>The 'bitter' science</h2>

Scientists said that when bitter substances (or tastants) hit TAS2R14, they are wedged into a regulatory region called the allosteric site. This allows molecules to bind to a protein and influence its functional activity.

The mechanism hasn't been discovered before.&nbsp;

The subsequent connection of the tastant with the allosteric site changes the shape of the receptor and activates its &nbsp;G protein which sets off a chain reaction of signaling further down the line.

This is how the message gets sent to a part of the brain called the gustatory cortex, where we process and perceive the signals as the taste of bitterness.

<h2>How did scientists identify the science behind bitter taste?</h2>

Scientists deployed methods including cryogenic electron microscopy, which allows ultra-precise imaging of the 3D structural biology of molecules in their active state by rapidly preserving them at ultra-cold temperatures.&nbsp;

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

Separately, this can also help medical professionals worldwide to study the function of molecules like proteins and viruses which can lead to more targeted treatments for conditions where molecules play a role.

In a breakthrough that is set to ensure a definitive revision of Science textbooks across the world, scientists have now identified how our tongue's taste buds are activated at the molecular level to make us taste the bitter one.

In a breakthrough that is set to ensure a definitive revision of Science textbooks across the world, scientists have now identified how our tongue's taste buds are activated at the molecular level to make us taste the bitter one. According to a team of scientists from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, the bitter taste receptor — scientifically named TAS2R14 — has a defining role in helping our tongue identify one of the five different tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (or savoury). The study was published in the journal Nature. Also watch | COVID-19 Symptoms: Is loss of smell & taste permanent? × "Scientists know very little about the structural make-up of sweet, bitter, and umami taste receptors," pharmacologist Yoojoong Kim, from the UNC School of Medicine, said in an official statement. "Using a combination of biochemical and computational methods, we now know the structure of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 and the mechanisms that initialize the sensation of bitter taste in our tongues." The 'bitter' science Scientists said that when bitter substances (or tastants) hit TAS2R14, they are wedged into a regulatory region called the allosteric site. This allows molecules to bind to a protein and influence its functional activity. The mechanism hasn't been discovered before. The subsequent connection of the tastant with the allosteric site changes the shape of the receptor and activates its G protein which sets off a chain reaction of signaling further down the line. This is how the message gets sent to a part of the brain called the gustatory cortex, where we process and perceive the signals as the taste of bitterness. How did scientists identify the science behind bitter taste? Scientists deployed methods including cryogenic electron microscopy, which allows ultra-precise imaging of the 3D structural biology of molecules in their active state by rapidly preserving them at ultra-cold temperatures. What does it mean? Separately, this can also help medical professionals worldwide to study the function of molecules like proteins and viruses which can lead to more targeted treatments for conditions where molecules play a role.

Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter

Scientists have just disclosed a built-in garbage disposal system in our brain that becomes super-active when we are asleep and pushes out all the junk, and debris from our brain tissues. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed how this system works in a new study, emphasising the need to get sleep at least eight hours every day.

<h2>Why do we need this system?</h2>

According to scientists, our brain tissues use energy, and fuel to help us solve problems and memorising things. As the process takes place, some sort of debris is left behind.

When we sleep, a process is triggered which ends up removing the debris from brain tissues. The neurons use rhythmic waves to help move cerebrospinal fluid through brain tissue, thus flushing away the debris with it. This process is called the glymphatic system. The debris is flushed away through channels located near blood vessels.

Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report

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So, if we want to take out the trash from our brains on regular basis, we must ensure we are sleeping for at least eight hours daily.

“Neurons serve as master organisers for brain clearance,” the WUSTL research team said in a study recently published in Nature.

<h2>How was the study conducted?</h2>

The scientists used engineered mice to experiment. The mice were engineered to eliminate neuronal activity so that no brain junk is formed in the tissues.

It was observed that slow brain waves were seen before being undetectable in these engineered mice. The fluid was not pushed to clear the metabolic waste as the glymphatic system didn’t start. It made clear that neurons had to be active in order for the brain’s self-cleaning cycle to work.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiQh_WTzsSFAxWXzzgGHeAEAKcQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-two-great-techniques-to-overcome-past-negative-events-710861" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-two-great-techniques-to-overcome-past-negative-events-710861&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQh_WTzsSFAxWXzzgGHeAEAKcQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Scientists discover two great techniques to overcome past negative events</a>

On the other hand, non-engineered mice exhibited faster waves, in order to move the fluid to remove the metabolic waste.

The team also highlighted why previous studies on the same matter didn’t show the same results.

“The experimental methodologies we used here largely avoid acute damage to the brain parenchyma, thereby providing valuable strategies for further investigations into neural dynamics and brain clearance,” the team said in the same study.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have just disclosed a built-in garbage disposal system in our brain that becomes super-active when we are asleep and pushes out all the junk, and debris from our brain tissues.

Scientists have just disclosed a built-in garbage disposal system in our brain that becomes super-active when we are asleep and pushes out all the junk, and debris from our brain tissues. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed how this system works in a new study, emphasising the need to get sleep at least eight hours every day. Why do we need this system? According to scientists, our brain tissues use energy, and fuel to help us solve problems and memorising things. As the process takes place, some sort of debris is left behind. When we sleep, a process is triggered which ends up removing the debris from brain tissues. The neurons use rhythmic waves to help move cerebrospinal fluid through brain tissue, thus flushing away the debris with it. This process is called the glymphatic system. The debris is flushed away through channels located near blood vessels. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report × So, if we want to take out the trash from our brains on regular basis, we must ensure we are sleeping for at least eight hours daily. “Neurons serve as master organisers for brain clearance,” the WUSTL research team said in a study recently published in Nature. How was the study conducted? The scientists used engineered mice to experiment. The mice were engineered to eliminate neuronal activity so that no brain junk is formed in the tissues. It was observed that slow brain waves were seen before being undetectable in these engineered mice. The fluid was not pushed to clear the metabolic waste as the glymphatic system didn’t start. It made clear that neurons had to be active in order for the brain’s self-cleaning cycle to work. Also read: Scientists discover two great techniques to overcome past negative events On the other hand, non-engineered mice exhibited faster waves, in order to move the fluid to remove the metabolic waste. The team also highlighted why previous studies on the same matter didn’t show the same results. “The experimental methodologies we used here largely avoid acute damage to the brain parenchyma, thereby providing valuable strategies for further investigations into neural dynamics and brain clearance,” the team said in the same study. (With inputs from agencies)

Sleep triggers built-in garbage disposal system in our brains, startling study shows

If you like to indulge in lobsters, shrimp, tuna, and other seafood then you need to be more careful. According to a recent study, there can be potential downsides to eating seafood.

If you like to indulge in lobsters, shrimp, tuna, and other seafood then you need to be more careful. According to a recent study, there can be potential downsides to eating seafood. Scientists from Dartmouth College in the UK revealed that frequent consumption of seafood could expose you to "forever chemicals" or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The study noted that while guidelines for safe seafood consumption exist for mercury and other contaminants it doesn't exist for "forever chemicals". "Our recommendation isn't to eat seafood -- seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids. But it also is a potentially underestimated source of PFAS exposure in humans," Megan Romano, corresponding author and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine in the UK explained. How did they reach this conclusion? The study analysed 26 different types of PFAS in popular marine spices such as cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallop, shrimp, and tuna and noted that shrimp and lobster contained the highest concentrations of PFAS. Also read: Changes in eyesight linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia: Study Their study, published in the journal Exposure and Health, discovered that particular PFAS chemicals were present at average amounts of 1.74 and 3.30 nanograms per gram of meat in shrimp and lobster, respectively. These compounds, known for their gradual disintegration over time, represent a substantial hazard to both human health and the environment. "Understanding this risk-benefit trade-off for seafood consumption is important for people making decisions about diet, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children," Romano added. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to various health issues, including cancer, fetal abnormalities, high cholesterol, and thyroid, liver, and reproductive disorders. Despite the potential risks, there are currently no established guidelines for safe seafood consumption concerning PFAS. (With inputs from agencies)

Seafood consumption linked to ‘forever chemicals’, scientists warn

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient Stone Age rituals. The analysis of bones discovered in a tomb in France's Rhone Valley uncovers evidence of ritualistic killings reaching back over 2,000 years.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient Stone Age rituals. The analysis of bones discovered in a tomb in France's Rhone Valley uncovers evidence of ritualistic killings reaching back over 2,000 years. These findings, which were published in Science Advances on April 10, give insight into our predecessors' activities. The tomb, located in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux in Avignon in southern France, was discovered more than two decades ago. The tomb, which resembled the structure of a grain silo, held the bones of three women who were interred around 5,500 years ago. What is incaprettamento? What distinguishes this find is the women's sad fate. According to analysis, they were buried alive, demonstrating the traditions of the time. The skeletons were discovered with their necks connected to their legs behind their backs, a kind of self-strangulation known as incaprettamento. Also read: Dancing in trance: Ancient humans possibly danced under hallucinogenic influence, archaeologists suggest Eric Crubrezy, a biological anthropologist at Paul Sabatier University, suggests a relationship between these ceremonies and agriculture. "You have the alignment, you have the silo, you have the broken stones - so it seems that it was a rite related to agriculture," he added. Similar tombs around Europe, spanning from 5,400 to 3,500 BC, suggest a widespread practice. When did this practice begin? According to Crubrezy's team, incaprettamento most likely began as a sacrificial tradition in the Mesolithic period before evolving into human sacrifices related to agriculture in the Neolithic. Penny Bickle, an archaeologist at the University of York, supports this theory, citing a link between fertility rituals and human sacrifice. Also read: Archaeologists find well-preserved fresco paintings replete with Trojan War characters in Pompeii Why is this research important? This finding provides insight into our ancient predecessors' religious and cultural practices. While disturbing to us now, it highlights the intricacies of early cultures and the important role rituals played in their lives.

Study unearths practice of women sacrifices across Europe during Stone Age

All of us go through ups and downs in our lives. Some negative experiences, illnesses, injuries and breakups might even have long-term effects on our behaviour and thought process. But is there any way to neutralise past negative experiences and turn them into meaningful life lessons so that they could have a positive effect on our future decisions?&nbsp; A new research published by VanEpps and Truncellito in Current Opinion in Psychology has revealed two methods through which individuals can be prepared to view past negative events through a positive lens.

<h2>First method: Cognitive reappraisal</h2>

One way to do this is to completely reframe the negative event and put more emphasis on the positive aspect. Known as ‘Cognitive Reappraisal,’ the method involves rewriting the past event and changing your assumptions and interpretations.

For example, if you went through a heart-breaking break-up with your partner and you believe you might never recover from that.

Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report

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Through cognitive reappraisal, you would get the opportunity to learn more about the positive aspects of your negative event. In this case, more emphasis can be placed on aspects like self-discovery, growth, and a more committed and fulfilling romantic relationship in the future.

This is the first way to reduce the negative emotional impact of a stressful past event.

<h2>Second method: Redeeming the past with storytelling</h2>

The other method to neutralise a negative past event is through the art of storytelling. This method involves repackaging the unfavourable experiences and “redeem the past.”

Well, if you incorporate your negative events in a wider story, it can help you build a larger, more positive narrative overall.

After all, not all stories are pleasant, without pain and embarrassment. But all of them carry a great story-telling value. A good story involves tension and conflicts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi-7fusjL-FAxWuklYBHWX6Cx4QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/shocking-revelation-no-gold-and-platinum-formed-by-brightest-supernova-710617" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/shocking-revelation-no-gold-and-platinum-formed-by-brightest-supernova-710617&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-7fusjL-FAxWuklYBHWX6Cx4QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Shocking revelation! No Gold and Platinum formed by brightest supernova</a>

Some stories inform people while some warn or persuade. All of them have some value, whether negative or positive.

In storytelling, one can consider the past negative events as a small section in the large positive story.

The above two methods can help people overcome the trauma of the past and move ahead in future with a more positive attitude towards life.

(With inputs from agencies)

All of us go through ups and downs in our lives. Some negative experiences, illnesses, injuries and breakups might even have long-term effects on our behaviour and thought process.

All of us go through ups and downs in our lives. Some negative experiences, illnesses, injuries and breakups might even have long-term effects on our behaviour and thought process. But is there any way to neutralise past negative experiences and turn them into meaningful life lessons so that they could have a positive effect on our future decisions? A new research published by VanEpps and Truncellito in Current Opinion in Psychology has revealed two methods through which individuals can be prepared to view past negative events through a positive lens. First method: Cognitive reappraisal One way to do this is to completely reframe the negative event and put more emphasis on the positive aspect. Known as ‘Cognitive Reappraisal,’ the method involves rewriting the past event and changing your assumptions and interpretations. For example, if you went through a heart-breaking break-up with your partner and you believe you might never recover from that. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report × Through cognitive reappraisal, you would get the opportunity to learn more about the positive aspects of your negative event. In this case, more emphasis can be placed on aspects like self-discovery, growth, and a more committed and fulfilling romantic relationship in the future. This is the first way to reduce the negative emotional impact of a stressful past event. Second method: Redeeming the past with storytelling The other method to neutralise a negative past event is through the art of storytelling. This method involves repackaging the unfavourable experiences and “redeem the past.” Well, if you incorporate your negative events in a wider story, it can help you build a larger, more positive narrative overall. After all, not all stories are pleasant, without pain and embarrassment. But all of them carry a great story-telling value. A good story involves tension and conflicts. Also read: Shocking revelation! No Gold and Platinum formed by brightest supernova Some stories inform people while some warn or persuade. All of them have some value, whether negative or positive. In storytelling, one can consider the past negative events as a small section in the large positive story. The above two methods can help people overcome the trauma of the past and move ahead in future with a more positive attitude towards life. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover two great techniques to overcome past negative events

Children addicted to technological gadgets such as mobile phones and iPads are at risk of suffering psychotic episodes later in life, according to new research published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

Children addicted to technological gadgets such as mobile phones and iPads are at risk of suffering psychotic episodes later in life, according to new research published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Researchers discovered that excessive use of smartphones and social media in adolescence could make the brain more susceptible to delusions, hallucinations, and 'bizarre ideas' by the time one reaches the age of 23. Researchers believe that the technology itself might not be the cause of the issue but a child's addiction to the devices could be a sign that they are susceptible to mental illness. "Higher media use and mental health problems appear to share risk factors, such as parental mental health problems, loneliness, bullying and parent-child relational problems," the team behind the study said. How did the researchers reach this conclusion? Researchers at McGill University in Canada collected and analysed data from 1,226 participants born between 1997 and 1998. The participants were asked multiple questions to discern if they had undergone periods of persecutory ideations, bizarre experiences, and perceptual abnormalities Here are some of the questions asked by the researchers: Have you ever felt as if people seem to drop hints about you or say things with a double meaning? Have you ever felt as if the thoughts in your head are not your own? Have you ever heard voices when you are alone? Video games linked to higher levels of psychotic experiences The researchers noticed that playing video games during adolescence could cause 3-7% higher levels of psychotic experiences. "Trajectories of higher video gaming and increasing-then-decreasing (curved) computer use during adolescence were associated with higher levels of psychotic experiences at age 23 years," the study read. They also found that internet use is more strongly associated with depression than video gaming or television viewing. Also read: Using smartphone for over 4 hours a day linked to high stress, suicidal thoughts: Study What is the solution? The research team said that suddenly restricting screen time could be more harmful than helpful. Instead, parents should understand why children are addicted to devices and find activities to replace screen time.

Video game, smartphone addiction in children could lead to psychotic episodes

Neuroscientists have discovered that the spinal cord can make its memories independent of the brain. This new revelation can be a game-changer for treating patients' spinal cord injuries.

Neuroscientists have discovered that the spinal cord can make its memories independent of the brain. This new revelation can be a game-changer for treating patients' spinal cord injuries. Earlier studies have shown that the spinal cord can initiate reflex movements without the brain's involvement and it appears to learn and adjust movements based on previous experiences. The mechanism behind this has been unknown. "Learning and memory is often attributed as functions of the brain exclusively. Although scientists knew for more than a century that the spinal cord could learn and adapt movements in the absence of brain input, we did not know how the spinal cord learns and memorises what is has learned," Aya Takeoka, the author of the study, told Newsweek. "Gaining insights into the underlying mechanism is essential if we want to understand the foundations of movement automaticity in healthy people and use this knowledge to improve recovery after spinal cord injury," she added. How did the researchers derive the conclusion? To understand the roles of neurons in reflexive learning, the researchers first tested whether spinal cord cells could adapt to sensory inputs in the absence of brain impulses. Once they tested that with the help of a pair of mice, they learned that the spinal cord could learn and remember independently of the brain. Next, they tried to find the neuronal circuitry that was helping the spinal cord to store memory. They discovered that the spinal cord does not need learning cells or memory cells for recalling and learning what it has experienced. "The two groups of nerve cells have distinct functions; learning cells are not needed for recalling what the spinal cord had learned, and memory cells were not needed for learning," researchers derived. "Not only do these results challenge the prevailing notion that motor learning and memory are solely confined to brain circuits, but we showed that we could manipulate spinal cord motor recall, which has implications for therapies designed to improve recovery after spinal cord damage," Takeoka added.

Spinal cords can make their own memories, neuroscientists reveal

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