Scientists have long been looking for 'glueballs', which are bonded states of subatomic gluon particles without any quarks, and they may have discovered them in a particle accelerator experiment.

It seems like a really big step forward in physics, but why? Let's comprehend. Gluons play a major role in maintaining the stability of atoms by holding quarks in place, which are the building blocks of protons and neutrons.

About this function, the gluon is a component of the strong nuclear force, which, together with gravity, electromagnetism, and the weak nuclear force, is one of the four basic forces of nature that sustain the rules of physics. Until now, glueballs have just been propositions that physicists believe ought to be real since gluons should be able to bind to one another.

Individual gluons possess no matter and only convey force, nonetheless, glueballs have mass due to gluon interactions. If they can be identified, it's yet another proof that the Standard Model of particle physics, which represents our current knowledge of how the Universe functions, is correct.

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The experiment was conducted via China's Beijing Electron-Positron Collider II. The collider was used to smash together mesons, which are particles composed of a quark and an antiquark that are locked together by a strong nuclear force.

When researchers sifted through the subatomic debris from these particle-smashing sessions, they discovered particles with an average mass of 2,395 MeV/c. That is the anticipated mass of glueballs.

The particle is known as X(2370), and while some of the other calculations involved do not precisely match what the researchers were searching for, they come close. More measurements and observations will be required to provide a definitive response.

Although the evidence for glueballs is not yet conclusive, it is mounting. Back in 2015, scientists believed they had seen glueballs. It could not be too long until another particle transitions from the theoretical to the real. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have long been looking for 'glueballs', which are bonded states of subatomic gluon particles without any quarks, and they may have discovered them in a particle accelerator experiment.

Scientists have long been looking for 'glueballs', which are bonded states of subatomic gluon particles without any quarks, and they may have discovered them in a particle accelerator experiment. It seems like a really big step forward in physics, but why? Let's comprehend. Gluons play a major role in maintaining the stability of atoms by holding quarks in place, which are the building blocks of protons and neutrons. About this function, the gluon is a component of the strong nuclear force, which, together with gravity, electromagnetism, and the weak nuclear force, is one of the four basic forces of nature that sustain the rules of physics. Until now, glueballs have just been propositions that physicists believe ought to be real since gluons should be able to bind to one another. Individual gluons possess no matter and only convey force, nonetheless, glueballs have mass due to gluon interactions. If they can be identified, it's yet another proof that the Standard Model of particle physics, which represents our current knowledge of how the Universe functions, is correct. Also read: NASA releases stunning images of solar explosions that triggered solar flares The experiment was conducted via China's Beijing Electron-Positron Collider II. The collider was used to smash together mesons, which are particles composed of a quark and an antiquark that are locked together by a strong nuclear force. When researchers sifted through the subatomic debris from these particle-smashing sessions, they discovered particles with an average mass of 2,395 MeV/c. That is the anticipated mass of glueballs. The particle is known as X(2370), and while some of the other calculations involved do not precisely match what the researchers were searching for, they come close. More measurements and observations will be required to provide a definitive response. Although the evidence for glueballs is not yet conclusive, it is mounting. Back in 2015, scientists believed they had seen glueballs. It could not be too long until another particle transitions from the theoretical to the real. (With inputs from agencies)

Possible discovery of a ‘glueball’ shakes up particle physics

Adenomyosis is a chronic uterine illness that affects around one in five women, yet not many people are aware of it. Adenomyosis can cause symptoms such as irregular and excessive menstrual flow and pelvic discomfort. Patients differ in the degree of their symptoms; up to one-third of women with adenomyosis may experience none at all or very mild symptoms.

Fertility may also be affected by the condition. When adenomyosis-afflicted women do get pregnant, their chances of miscarrying, giving birth before term, developing pre-eclampsia, and bleeding after delivery are higher.

<h2>What causes adenomyosis?</h2>

The uterus has two main layers. Embryos&nbsp;implant in the endometrium, which is the inner layer. If there is no pregnancy, this layer sheds during your period. The myometrium is the uterus' muscular layer. It expands during pregnancy and causes contractions. Endometrium-like cells&nbsp;are detected&nbsp;in the myometrium place in adenomyosis patients.

It&nbsp;is believed&nbsp;that either medical operations or the normal processes of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and&nbsp;delivery,&nbsp;cause damage to the area between the endometrium and myometrium.

When endometrial tissue layer injury&nbsp;is not&nbsp;properly repaired&nbsp;in&nbsp;certain&nbsp;women, aberrant growth and penetration of endometrial-like cells into the myometrium occurs. They cause discomfort and bleeding by interfering with the myometrium's regular processes. There could be several contributing pathways and no single common disease-causing cause for adenomyosis.

<h2>How to&nbsp;diagnose adenomyosis?</h2>

Adenomyosis is a&nbsp;difficult&nbsp;condition to diagnose. Historically, the presence of endometrium-like cells in the myometrium could only&nbsp;be verified&nbsp;by pathology&nbsp;assessment&nbsp;where the myometrium&nbsp;is examined&nbsp;under a microscope after a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus).

Recent years have seen increased diagnoses with the development of imaging technologies such as MRI and detailed pelvic ultrasound. Although adenomyosis is now commonly identified without&nbsp;the need for&nbsp;a hysterectomy, doctors are still working towards developing a standardized method for non-surgical diagnosis.

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As a result, it remains uncertain exactly how many women have adenomyosis.&nbsp;Although&nbsp;we know that around 20 per cent of women having hysterectomies for reasons other than suspected adenomyosis&nbsp;are found&nbsp;to have evidence of the condition on pathology assessment.

Adenomyosis is a&nbsp;tough&nbsp;disorder to detect. Because of this, the precise number of women who have adenomyosis is yet unknown. Although data indicates that the condition is more common in older women, the exact cause of adenomyosis remains unknown.

<h2>How can you treat&nbsp;adenomyosis?</h2>

Hormonal treatments include progesterone-containing tablets and oral contraceptives. Tranexamic acid is one of several non-hormonal therapies. The goal of these therapies is to reduce menstrual bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications&nbsp;are commonly used&nbsp;to relieve pain. If medication therapies do not provide significant relief from symptoms, surgical alternatives include excision of the focal lesions or a hysterectomy. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Adenomyosis is a chronic uterine illness that affects around one in five women, yet not many people are aware of it. Adenomyosis can cause symptoms such as irregular and excessive menstrual flow and pelvic discomfort.

Adenomyosis is a chronic uterine illness that affects around one in five women, yet not many people are aware of it. Adenomyosis can cause symptoms such as irregular and excessive menstrual flow and pelvic discomfort. Patients differ in the degree of their symptoms; up to one-third of women with adenomyosis may experience none at all or very mild symptoms. Fertility may also be affected by the condition. When adenomyosis-afflicted women do get pregnant, their chances of miscarrying, giving birth before term, developing pre-eclampsia, and bleeding after delivery are higher. What causes adenomyosis? The uterus has two main layers. Embryos implant in the endometrium, which is the inner layer. If there is no pregnancy, this layer sheds during your period. The myometrium is the uterus' muscular layer. It expands during pregnancy and causes contractions. Endometrium-like cells are detected in the myometrium place in adenomyosis patients. It is believed that either medical operations or the normal processes of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and delivery, cause damage to the area between the endometrium and myometrium. When endometrial tissue layer injury is not properly repaired in certain women, aberrant growth and penetration of endometrial-like cells into the myometrium occurs. They cause discomfort and bleeding by interfering with the myometrium's regular processes. There could be several contributing pathways and no single common disease-causing cause for adenomyosis. How to diagnose adenomyosis? Adenomyosis is a difficult condition to diagnose. Historically, the presence of endometrium-like cells in the myometrium could only be verified by pathology assessment where the myometrium is examined under a microscope after a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Recent years have seen increased diagnoses with the development of imaging technologies such as MRI and detailed pelvic ultrasound. Although adenomyosis is now commonly identified without the need for a hysterectomy, doctors are still working towards developing a standardized method for non-surgical diagnosis. Also read: Internet use linked to global wellbeing boost, reveals research As a result, it remains uncertain exactly how many women have adenomyosis. Although we know that around 20 per cent of women having hysterectomies for reasons other than suspected adenomyosis are found to have evidence of the condition on pathology assessment. Adenomyosis is a tough disorder to detect. Because of this, the precise number of women who have adenomyosis is yet unknown. Although data indicates that the condition is more common in older women, the exact cause of adenomyosis remains unknown. How can you treat adenomyosis? Hormonal treatments include progesterone-containing tablets and oral contraceptives. Tranexamic acid is one of several non-hormonal therapies. The goal of these therapies is to reduce menstrual bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used to relieve pain. If medication therapies do not provide significant relief from symptoms, surgical alternatives include excision of the focal lesions or a hysterectomy. (With inputs from agencies)

What is Adenomyosis? Understanding the hidden condition affecting 1 in 5 women

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."

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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

Researchers recently found that calculating the biological age of our cells and tissue by adding up epigenetic modifications might not be the correct way.

Our cells carry a genetic code that guides the production of proteins vital for survival. Over time and through challenges, small changes are made, acting as 'genetic switches' that influence how cells follow these instructions without altering the code itself.

The biological age of our cells and tissues is frequently ascertained by adding up these changes. However, researchers have recently proven that the changes might fluctuate throughout the day, meaning that tests based on a single tissue sample are less exact than they could be.

Over 72 hours, the researchers examined several blood samples from a 52-year-old man, examining 17 distinct epigenetic clocks inside each specimen's collection of white blood cells.

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They noticed a significant variation in 13 out of the 17 epigenetic clocks throughout the day, looking 'younger' in the early morning and 'older' around midday, with relative variations equal to approximately 5.5 years' worth of changes. This implies that a single epigenetic test at a specific time of day may not provide the correct biological age.

"The majority of the aging studies investigating epigenetic clocks use whole blood as the tissue of interest. However, experiments in our lab and from other groups have shown that white blood cell subtype counts and their proportions oscillate with a 24 hour periodicity," statistician Karolis Koncevičius from Vilnius University and colleagues wrote in their published paper.

Relying on a single individual's samples allowed the team to focus on a specific set of changes. However, age changes were also observed by further analysing several blood samples collected from a small group over five hours.

<h2>What could be the reason behind&nbsp;variations&nbsp;in epigenetic clocks?</h2>

Some of these cellular age variations might be attributed to the fact that human blood includes various types of white blood cells at different times of the day. Even with a single kind of white blood cell as the focus, some metrics still showed age variation.

The findings imply that to acquire the most accurate picture of how old your cells are, scientists may need to collect many samples at different times of day in the future. A full estimate of the epigenetic age range may also enable for more accurate projections of the risk of age-related disorders in people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers recently found that calculating the biological age of our cells and tissue by adding up epigenetic modifications might not be the correct way. Our cells carry a genetic code that guides the production of proteins vital for survival.

Researchers recently found that calculating the biological age of our cells and tissue by adding up epigenetic modifications might not be the correct way. Our cells carry a genetic code that guides the production of proteins vital for survival. Over time and through challenges, small changes are made, acting as 'genetic switches' that influence how cells follow these instructions without altering the code itself. The biological age of our cells and tissues is frequently ascertained by adding up these changes. However, researchers have recently proven that the changes might fluctuate throughout the day, meaning that tests based on a single tissue sample are less exact than they could be. Over 72 hours, the researchers examined several blood samples from a 52-year-old man, examining 17 distinct epigenetic clocks inside each specimen's collection of white blood cells. Also read: With ultra-processed foods, one is at higher risk of premature death, reveals 30-year study They noticed a significant variation in 13 out of the 17 epigenetic clocks throughout the day, looking 'younger' in the early morning and 'older' around midday, with relative variations equal to approximately 5.5 years' worth of changes. This implies that a single epigenetic test at a specific time of day may not provide the correct biological age. "The majority of the aging studies investigating epigenetic clocks use whole blood as the tissue of interest. However, experiments in our lab and from other groups have shown that white blood cell subtype counts and their proportions oscillate with a 24 hour periodicity," statistician Karolis Koncevičius from Vilnius University and colleagues wrote in their published paper. Relying on a single individual's samples allowed the team to focus on a specific set of changes. However, age changes were also observed by further analysing several blood samples collected from a small group over five hours. What could be the reason behind variations in epigenetic clocks? Some of these cellular age variations might be attributed to the fact that human blood includes various types of white blood cells at different times of the day. Even with a single kind of white blood cell as the focus, some metrics still showed age variation. The findings imply that to acquire the most accurate picture of how old your cells are, scientists may need to collect many samples at different times of day in the future. A full estimate of the epigenetic age range may also enable for more accurate projections of the risk of age-related disorders in people. (With inputs from agencies)

New study reveals that your body's cells age rapidly within a day

A recent study has confirmed that the average size of men's penis is increasing over the past 30 years. However, there is nothing to boast about it as doctors say it could be 'concerning'.&nbsp;

The study, conducted by Stanford University researchers, gathered data about&nbsp;length&nbsp;of over 55,000 penises over the period from 1992 to 2021. The data was also sourced from different studies over the period.

The study revealed that over the last three decades, the average length of&nbsp;erect&nbsp;penis increased by a startling 25 per cent, from 4.8 inches to 6 inches. The length of flaccid penis&nbsp;also increased, from 3.4 inches to 5.1, during the same period.

<h2>A concerning matter</h2>

While many may think of it as a positive development, experts warn this could&nbsp;a&nbsp;concerning sign and hardly something that we can call an 'evolution.'

Dr Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine, said the&nbsp;increase in&nbsp; average&nbsp;length of penis&nbsp;could be blamed on increased exposure to harmful chemicals.

"Any overall change in development is concerning, because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology," the expert warned.

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He also warned that scientists and researchers should immediately detect the causes that are driving this massive change in human bodies.

"If we're seeing this fast of a change, it means that something powerful is happening to our bodies. We should try to confirm these findings and if confirmed, we must determine the cause of these changes," he said.

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"There could be a number of factors at play, such as chemical exposure, like pesticides or hygiene products, interacting with our hormonal systems," he warned.

The doctor said that chemical exposure was previously linked to boys and girls hitting puberty early.

"Chemical exposure has also been posited as a cause for boys and girls going into puberty earlier, which can affect genital development," he recalled.

(With inputs from agencies)

A recent study has confirmed that the average size of men's penis is increasing over the past 30 years. However, there is nothing to boast about it as doctors say it could be 'concerning'.

A recent study has confirmed that the average size of men's penis is increasing over the past 30 years. However, there is nothing to boast about it as doctors say it could be 'concerning'. The study, conducted by Stanford University researchers, gathered data about length of over 55,000 penises over the period from 1992 to 2021. The data was also sourced from different studies over the period. The study revealed that over the last three decades, the average length of erect penis increased by a startling 25 per cent, from 4.8 inches to 6 inches. The length of flaccid penis also increased, from 3.4 inches to 5.1, during the same period. A concerning matter While many may think of it as a positive development, experts warn this could a concerning sign and hardly something that we can call an 'evolution.' Dr Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine, said the increase in average length of penis could be blamed on increased exposure to harmful chemicals. "Any overall change in development is concerning, because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology," the expert warned. Also read: Scientists develop `all-in-one` vaccine that may protect against broad range of coronaviruses He also warned that scientists and researchers should immediately detect the causes that are driving this massive change in human bodies. "If we're seeing this fast of a change, it means that something powerful is happening to our bodies. We should try to confirm these findings and if confirmed, we must determine the cause of these changes," he said. Also read: Scientists finally know why Venus is leaking water into space even today "There could be a number of factors at play, such as chemical exposure, like pesticides or hygiene products, interacting with our hormonal systems," he warned. The doctor said that chemical exposure was previously linked to boys and girls hitting puberty early. "Chemical exposure has also been posited as a cause for boys and girls going into puberty earlier, which can affect genital development," he recalled. (With inputs from agencies)

Human penis growing larger with time and doctors are concerned

Even if you are exercising late in life, several health benefits will follow, according to a large study. Research published in PLOS Medicine analysed data from over 11,000 Australian women and found that achieving physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week throughout midlife is critical.

Even if you are exercising late in life, several health benefits will follow, according to a large study. Research published in PLOS Medicine analysed data from over 11,000 Australian women and found that achieving physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week throughout midlife is critical. This suggests that women in their 40s and 50s still have ample opportunity to improve their health through exercise. The study found that women who followed these recommendations over the next 15 years had better physical health than those who did not. Even individuals who were not regular exercisers before middle age saw benefits from starting a new exercise routine. In fact, in the last follow-up research, this group's physical test results were remarkably similar to those of women who exercised consistently before the age of 50, and three percentage points higher than those who never or rarely fulfilled the exercise criteria. How did researchers collected the data? From 1998 to 2019, the study followed 47 to 52-year-old women in Australia, with three-year intervals for mental and physical health checks. The study found that women who began regularly exercising only in their 60s did not see the same benefits as those who began in their 50s. This might be because there "had not been sufficient accumulation of physical activity for the health benefits to be evident by around age 70." Also read: Study finds every new memory you make harms brain cells "Our findings suggest that to maintain good physical health-related quality of life at around age 70, one may be able to "make up" for not being active earlier by becoming active in the mid-50s," wrote the research team. "This finding supports public health initiatives for messaging around "turning back the clock" in midlife through lifestyle changes such as physical activity," they added. "Combined with existing evidence, this study contributes to growing evidence of the benefits of maintaining or adopting an active lifestyle in mid-age," the researchers said. While further research is needed to determine if these physical benefits also apply to males in midlife, there is reason to believe they do. (With inputs from agencies)

Late to exercise? No worries: Study shows starting in your 40s still boosts health

Many natural phenomena on Earth also occur on other planets in the solar system under the right conditions. Scientists have recently found evidence indicating the presence of something close to a rainbow on a strange exoplanet.

Many natural phenomena on Earth also occur on other planets in the solar system under the right conditions. Scientists have recently found evidence indicating the presence of something close to a rainbow on a strange exoplanet. "Glory" is a phenomenon which occurs when light hits clouds made up of homogeneous substances in the form of spherical droplets. This phenomenon is a possible explanation for a mystery regarding observations of exoplanet WASP-76B. WASP-76B is a scorching gas giant where molten iron rains. Researchers from ESA and the University of Bern in Switzerland have observed more light on its eastern terminator than its western terminator with the CHEOPS space telescope. CHEOPS has made 23 observations of WASP-76B in visible and infrared light, including phase curves, transits, and secondary eclipses. Phase curves are continuous observations that track a planet's complete revolution. When a host star eclipses its planet, a secondary eclipse occurs. Later, researchers compare the light seen during such an eclipse with the total light. Usually, they use secondary eclipses to observe planets like WASP-76B. ALSO READ | Sun fires massive solar flares directly at Earth; Australia, Japan and China witness radio blackouts Observations of the phase curve of WASP-76B can continue even when the planet is eclipsing its star. During such observations, CHEOPS detected excess light on the planet's night side before the eclipse. Since WASP-76B is a super hot exoplanet, clouds do not obscure the atmosphere during the day, making it easier to detect atmospheric detections. According to a previous study, researchers observed an asymmetry in iron content between the day-side and night-side terminators, making the planet unique. Moreover, there was not much gaseous iron in the upper atmosphere of the day-side limb compared to the night-side limb. Hubble observations suggest thermal inversion on the night side of a planet causes iron to rain down on the day side and form liquid iron clouds. These clouds are crucial as light from the star can create the effect of glory when it reflects off them. The research paper published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, "Explaining the observation with the glory effect would require spherical droplets of highly reflective, spherically shaped aerosols and clouds on the planet's eastern hemisphere." Glories have been seen off on Earth and in clouds of Venus. Similar to WASP-76B, researchers have observed more pre-eclipse light on Venus. Thus, future observations with more powerful telescopes can help determine how similar the phenomenon on WASP-76 is to that on Venus. These phenomena could reveal more about the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, including the presence of water and habitability. While the glory of WASP-76b is not yet proven, it is far from a simple rainbow. (With inputs from agencies)

Rainbow on exoplanet? Scientists discover glow coming from starlight reflecting off liquid iron

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

The Sun has released two powerful solar flares over the past one week, causing radio blackouts in some regions.&nbsp;A newly emerged sunspot region,&nbsp;named&nbsp;AR3663, is understood to be behind these solar flares, which&nbsp;were fired off&nbsp;within&nbsp;just&nbsp;six hours of each other.&nbsp;The Sun is experiencing heightened flare activity in its 11-year period in which its magnetic field goes through a cycle. During this cycle, the&nbsp;Sun’s&nbsp;north and south poles switch places, a process during which solar flares&nbsp;are released. Some flares are so&nbsp;strong&nbsp;that they&nbsp;end up affecting&nbsp;life here on Earth.

<h2>All about the two eruptions</h2>

The first eruption occurred on May 2, when the most&nbsp;powerful&nbsp;category flare, an X-class solar flare, was fired off AR3663. It was so powerful that it caused blackouts across Australia, Japan and much of China.

"X&nbsp;FLARE! Sunspot region AR3663 just produced an X1.7 flare, the 11th largest flare so far this cycle. It was an impulsive flare lasting a total of about 25 minutes and peaking at 02:22 U.T,"&nbsp;solar physicist Keith Strong wrote on X.

The second eruption came on May 3, which was an M-class flare.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiM26HgsvmFAxVtUWwGHdhcCDkQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-scientists-manage-to-capture-suns-closest-video-yet-esa-cautions-dont-be-fooled-because-717591" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-scientists-manage-to-capture-suns-closest-video-yet-esa-cautions-dont-be-fooled-because-717591&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiM26HgsvmFAxVtUWwGHdhcCDkQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Watch: Scientists manage to capture Sun`s closest video yet; ESA cautions `don`t be fooled` because...</a>

At the time of the eruption, the sunspot was facing our home planet, bringing Earth into direct firing line. It&nbsp;is speculated&nbsp;that at least one of the solar flares carried a coronal mass ejection (CME)&nbsp;with it. CME is a&nbsp;large&nbsp;expulsion of plasma and magnetic field.

Space.com website reports that powerful CMEs, that&nbsp;are&nbsp;directed&nbsp;towards Earth,&nbsp;can cause disruptions with power grids, telecommunication networks and orbiting satellites.&nbsp;They can also expose our astronauts in space to harmful doses of radiation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiM26HgsvmFAxVtUWwGHdhcCDkQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chaos-on-sun-dazzles-mars-with-invisible-auroras-717353" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/chaos-on-sun-dazzles-mars-with-invisible-auroras-717353&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiM26HgsvmFAxVtUWwGHdhcCDkQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Chaos on Sun dazzles Mars with invisible Auroras</a>

<h2>What are solar flares?</h2>

Solar flares are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when magnetic fields within the&nbsp;Sun's&nbsp;atmosphere reconnect, releasing&nbsp;a&nbsp;massive&nbsp;amount of&nbsp;energy.&nbsp;This process&nbsp;is similar to&nbsp;a rubber band snapping back into place after being stretched too far. The energy released during a solar flare is immense, and NASA categorises these flares based on their strength. At the top of the scale are the X-class flares, the most powerful&nbsp;of the bunch. Next come the M-class flares, which are a tenth as powerful as the X-class.&nbsp;Following these are the C-class&nbsp;flares,&nbsp;and&nbsp;finally,&nbsp;the B-class flares, the weakest of the bunch.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Sun has released two powerful solar flares over the past one week, causing radio blackouts in some regions. A newly emerged sunspot region, named AR3663, is understood to be behind these solar flares, which were fired off within just six hours of each other.

The Sun has released two powerful solar flares over the past one week, causing radio blackouts in some regions. A newly emerged sunspot region, named AR3663, is understood to be behind these solar flares, which were fired off within just six hours of each other. The Sun is experiencing heightened flare activity in its 11-year period in which its magnetic field goes through a cycle. During this cycle, the Sun’s north and south poles switch places, a process during which solar flares are released. Some flares are so strong that they end up affecting life here on Earth. All about the two eruptions The first eruption occurred on May 2, when the most powerful category flare, an X-class solar flare, was fired off AR3663. It was so powerful that it caused blackouts across Australia, Japan and much of China. "X FLARE! Sunspot region AR3663 just produced an X1.7 flare, the 11th largest flare so far this cycle. It was an impulsive flare lasting a total of about 25 minutes and peaking at 02:22 U.T," solar physicist Keith Strong wrote on X. The second eruption came on May 3, which was an M-class flare. Also read: Watch: Scientists manage to capture Sun`s closest video yet; ESA cautions `don`t be fooled` because... At the time of the eruption, the sunspot was facing our home planet, bringing Earth into direct firing line. It is speculated that at least one of the solar flares carried a coronal mass ejection (CME) with it. CME is a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field. Space.com website reports that powerful CMEs, that are directed towards Earth, can cause disruptions with power grids, telecommunication networks and orbiting satellites. They can also expose our astronauts in space to harmful doses of radiation. Also read: Chaos on Sun dazzles Mars with invisible Auroras What are solar flares? Solar flares are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when magnetic fields within the Sun's atmosphere reconnect, releasing a massive amount of energy. This process is similar to a rubber band snapping back into place after being stretched too far. The energy released during a solar flare is immense, and NASA categorises these flares based on their strength. At the top of the scale are the X-class flares, the most powerful of the bunch. Next come the M-class flares, which are a tenth as powerful as the X-class. Following these are the C-class flares, and finally, the B-class flares, the weakest of the bunch. (With inputs from agencies)

Sun fires massive solar flares directly at Earth; Australia, Japan and China witness radio blackouts

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

People are typically counselled to keep a healthy weight in order to lower their risk of dementia. However, other research indicates that obesity may potentially offer a defence against dementia.

People are typically counselled to keep a healthy weight in order to lower their risk of dementia. However, other research indicates that obesity may potentially offer a defence against dementia. What is the truth behind it? Understanding the link At first glance, the research that links obesity to dementia seems solid. It is generally accepted that obesity throughout middle age raises the risk of dementia in later life. Obesity harms the brain's small blood arteries and is a key contributor to diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation—all conditions that have been repeatedly associated with an increased risk of dementia. Exploring the 'obesity paradox' However, if dementia is indeed caused by obesity, then why have dementia rates declined in the west in recent decades while the number of obese individuals has increased? An "obesity paradox" wherein being fat seems to be related with a lower risk of dementia, has been shown in a number of studies. Due to data constraints, scientists find it difficult to establish a cause-and-effect link. While a randomised experiment would be ideal, but assigning people to be obese is unethical. The majority of research is based on observational studies, which include long-term follow-up on large populations. However, these studies may be biased. "Reverse causation" is an issue, especially when researching elderly persons. People in the early stages of dementia may lose weight as a result of the condition, rather than the reverse. This may explain the obesity paradox. Also read: Changes in eyesight linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia: Study Another issue is called "confounding bias." A third factor associated with both obesity and dementia might explain the apparent relationship between the two. One example is childhood intelligence, which is rarely assessed in these research. Researchers found that although there was a clear association between higher levels of obesity and lower cognitive skills in midlife, this probably wasn't because one was causing the other. Researchers discovered that, while there was a strong link between greater levels of obesity and decreased cognitive skills in midlife, it was unlikely that one caused the other. Instead, it was probably because a third component (childhood intelligence) was linked to both. To summarise, the research of obesity and dementia is complicated. While maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial to general health, the relationship to dementia risk is uncertain. (With inputs from agencies)

Does obesity really increase risk of dementia or is it the opposite?

Earth's magnetic field is essentially the great protector of the planet, shielding it from the Sun’s intense cosmic radiation. However, a new research has claimed that the Earth’s magnetic field had vanished some 590 million years ago, and it actually created the best conditions for early life to flourish.

Earth's magnetic field is essentially the great protector of the planet, shielding it from the Sun’s intense cosmic radiation. However, a new research has claimed that the Earth’s magnetic field had vanished some 590 million years ago, and it actually created the best conditions for early life to flourish. University of Rochester Earth scientist Wentao Huang and colleagues in their new paper write: “Earth's magnetic field was in a highly unusual state when macroscopic animals of the Ediacara fauna diversified and thrived." In previous studies, it has been established that multi-cellular life evolved on the Earth some 565 million years ago (Ediacaran period). This period surprisingly coincides with the time when our planet’s magnetic field has collapsed to its lowest levels. But we know, the magnetic field is there to protect us from solar winds. Then, how come its absence actually fuelled life on Earth? Scientists excavated igneous rocks from South Africa that formed billions of years ago and observed crystals in them and other 591 million-year-old rocks previously sampled from Brazil. It’s significant because as these rocks form, they preserve the intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field. The researchers found that the level of magnetic field had dropped to the lowest levels 500 million years ago, 30 times weaker than it is today. The period of low magnetic field lasted for nearly 26 million years, during which an explosion of biodiversity took place on our home planet. "The new data confirming and extending the UL-TAFI strengthen a potential linkage with the Ediacaran evolution of macroscopic animals," Huang and colleagues write. The scientists speculate that the lower magnetic field may have allowed more hydrogen ions to escape from Earth's atmosphere into space, which could have resulted in higher oxygen levels in the seas and skies. Higher oxygen levels then led to the explosion of biodiversity, claimed the researchers. Also read: Chinese scientists find fountain of youth in blood of young, can extend life up to 130 years "A complex animal ecosystem involving long food chains and predators requires still greater amounts of oxygen, as indicated by the exclusion of such complex ecosystems from the modern oxygen minimum zone," Huang and colleagues explain. But how did the organisms escape the wrath of solar winds? Also read: Melting ice, burning skin: Antarctic wildlife is getting sunburnt, scientists warn Scientists say the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans may have acted as a shield for early life forms. However, those massive organisms who roamed on land, without the protective shield of oceans, may have run into an evolutionary dead end during this phase. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth’s ‘life-saver’ magnetic field collapsed 590 million years ago, for all good reasons

New research published in the journal Nature has revealed that our brain weakens new connections between cells, or neurons&nbsp;when awake during the first half of a night's sleep.&nbsp;

The study carried out on zebrafish, discovered that while awake, the connections between neurons get stronger and more complex, but if the activity continued without interruptions, it would be 'energetically unsustainable.'&nbsp;

<h2>What did the study reveal?</h2>

"Too many active connections between brain cells could prevent new connections from being made the following day. While the function of sleep remains mysterious, it may be serving as an ‘off-line’ period when those connections can be weakened across the brain, in preparation for us to learn new things the following day," Jason Rihel the lead author of the study from the University College London, UK, said.

<h2>How did the&nbsp;researchers conduct this study?</h2>

The researchers reached the result by studying optically transparent zebrafish over multiple sleep-wake cycles.

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidbjdIwWrmjd0W" /><a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/cocaine-and-morphine-trump-food-and-water-in-brains-reward-hierarchy-study-715966" target="_blank">Cocaine and morphine trump food and water in brain’s reward hierarchy: Study</a>

<h2>Why&nbsp;Zebrafish?</h2>

Zebrafish&nbsp;contained genes that allowed the connections between neurons known as synapses, to be easily seen. The researchers observed that connections between brain cells were formed during awake hours and subsequently destroyed during sleep.&nbsp;

Additionally, they discovered that this was contingent upon the animal developing a "need for sleep," or sleep pressure, before being permitted to rest. The researchers discovered that when the fish were deprived of sleep for a few more hours, the connections between neurons increased until the fish fell asleep.&nbsp;

"If the patterns we observed hold true in humans, our findings suggest that this remodelling of synapses might be less effective during a mid-day nap, when sleep pressure is still low, rather than at night, when we really need the sleep," Rihel added.&nbsp;

The rearranging of connections that occurs during the first half of the animal's night sleep mimics the pattern of slow-wave activity, which is highest at the start of the night, according to the researchers.&nbsp;

<h2>Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis</h2>

The findings endorse the Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis, which states that sleep functions as a 'reset' for the brain. "There are other theories around sleep being a time for waste clearance in the brain, or repair for damaged cells - perhaps other functions kick in for the second half of the night," Anya, the first author of the study said.

New research published in the journal Nature has revealed that our brain weakens new connections between cells, or neurons when awake during the first half of a night's sleep.

New research published in the journal Nature has revealed that our brain weakens new connections between cells, or neurons when awake during the first half of a night's sleep. The study carried out on zebrafish, discovered that while awake, the connections between neurons get stronger and more complex, but if the activity continued without interruptions, it would be 'energetically unsustainable.' What did the study reveal? "Too many active connections between brain cells could prevent new connections from being made the following day. While the function of sleep remains mysterious, it may be serving as an ‘off-line’ period when those connections can be weakened across the brain, in preparation for us to learn new things the following day," Jason Rihel the lead author of the study from the University College London, UK, said. How did the researchers conduct this study? The researchers reached the result by studying optically transparent zebrafish over multiple sleep-wake cycles. Also read: Cocaine and morphine trump food and water in brain’s reward hierarchy: Study Why Zebrafish? Zebrafish contained genes that allowed the connections between neurons known as synapses, to be easily seen. The researchers observed that connections between brain cells were formed during awake hours and subsequently destroyed during sleep. Additionally, they discovered that this was contingent upon the animal developing a "need for sleep," or sleep pressure, before being permitted to rest. The researchers discovered that when the fish were deprived of sleep for a few more hours, the connections between neurons increased until the fish fell asleep. "If the patterns we observed hold true in humans, our findings suggest that this remodelling of synapses might be less effective during a mid-day nap, when sleep pressure is still low, rather than at night, when we really need the sleep," Rihel added. The rearranging of connections that occurs during the first half of the animal's night sleep mimics the pattern of slow-wave activity, which is highest at the start of the night, according to the researchers. Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis The findings endorse the Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis, which states that sleep functions as a 'reset' for the brain. "There are other theories around sleep being a time for waste clearance in the brain, or repair for damaged cells - perhaps other functions kick in for the second half of the night," Anya, the first author of the study said.

Brain weakens neuronal connections while you sleep, but only during first half

As humanity looks to establish a long-term presence on the moon, several attempts are being made to explore the Lunar South polar region, which is believed to hold vast reserves of water ice.

As humanity looks to establish a long-term presence on the moon, several attempts are being made to explore the Lunar South polar region, which is believed to hold vast reserves of water ice. Water ice is crucial - for sustaining life and for use as cryogenic rocket fuel (a combination of supercooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). This is why India's Chandrayaan-3 and the American private lander Odysseus landed in the south polar region. Several upcoming missions are also aimed at exploring this mysterious south-polar region, which could offer insights into the origins of the moon. However, the latest international study says that "the extent of water ice in the northern polar region is twice that in the southern polar region". Also read: Scientists have discovered evidence of human activity altering deep subsurface of Earth Conducted by the scientists of Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, in collaboration with researchers at IIT Kanpur, University of Southern California, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, the study reveals evidence for enhanced possibility of water ice occurrence in the polar craters of the Moon. It suggests that the amount of subsurface ice in the first couple of metres is about five to eight times more than the that on the surface at both poles. Therefore, extracting lunar water ice would require considerable drilling, as the ice is likely to be buried beneath the lunar surface. Regarding the possible origin of this lunar water ice, the study shared by ISRO said, "It confirms the hypothesis that the primary source of subsurface water ice in the lunar poles is outgassing (gases coming from deep within the moon) during volcanism in the Imbrian period (3,800 to 3,850 million years ago)". Also read: Scientists forewarn timing of 'triple whammy extinction' that will eradicate all life from Earth As part of this study, the research team used seven instruments comprising radar, laser, optical, neutron spectrometer, ultra-violet spectrometer, and thermal radiometer onboard the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to understand the origin and distribution of water ice on the Moon. Accurate knowledge of the distribution and depth of water ice occurrence in the lunar poles can help plan future lunar exploration missions and their lading sites accordingly. ISRO says that the latest international study also supports a previous study of SAC, ISRO pointing out the possibility of the presence of water ice in some of the polar craters, utilising polarimetric radar data from the Chandrayaan-2 Dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument. Based on the success of the Indian Chandrayaan-3 Lunar soft-landing, in-situ exploration and the Japanese Lunar soft-landing mission 'SLIM', the space agencies of both nations are working on a Lunar polar exploration mission (LUPEX), which is aimed at studying the lunar poles. Even the planned series of American Artemis crewed lunar missions and Chinese crewed lunar missions are hoping to make breakthroughs that enable a long-term human presence on the moon. Situated around 4 lakh kilometres away from the earth, as humanity's nearest celestial neighbour, the moon could potentially serve as an outpost in space from where mankind could undertake exploration missions into the further reaches of space.

Moon's north pole could have more water ice than south, says study

James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space, has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of the Horsehead Nebula, which is one of the most distinctive objects in our skies.

James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space, has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of the Horsehead Nebula, which is one of the most distinctive objects in our skies. The images shared on the official website of the European Space Agency (ESA) show observations of a part of the iconic nebula in a whole new light. The latest images have captured the complexity of the nebula with "unprecedented spatial resolution", the official statement said. Also read: ISRO delayed Chandrayaan-3’s launch by four seconds to avoid massive collision in space The observations show the top of the "horse's mane" or the edge of this iconic nebula. The images also show part of the sky in the constellation Orion (The Hunter), on the western side of a dense region known as the Orion B molecular cloud. Horsehead Nebula is seen rising from turbulent waves of dust and gas, which is otherwise known as Barnard 33. It resides roughly 1,300 light-years away. 🆕 The Horsehead Nebula as you've never seen it before... The NASA/ESA/CSA James #Webb Space Telescope has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of one of the most distinctive objects in our skies, showing a part of the iconic nebula in unprecedented spatial resolution. pic.twitter.com/1Gdwyzh5wI — European Space Agency (@esa) April 29, 2024 × 🐴⭐The Horsehead Nebula as seen by three space telescopes! 🤩 From @ESA_Euclid to @HUBBLE_space to @ESA_Webb, delve into the complementary views from these #BFFinSpace! Details 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/RdtzijNYdL — ESA Science (@esascience) April 29, 2024 × Also read: NASA confirms meteor crash created Luna crater, estimates impact happened 6,900 years ago Formation of Horsehead Nebula The nebula was formed from a collapsing interstellar cloud of material. The official statement revealed that it glows because it is illuminated by a nearby hot star. "The gas clouds surrounding the Horsehead have already dissipated, but the jutting pillar is made of thick clumps of material that is harder to erode," ESA said. According to the astronomers, the Horsehead has about five million years left before it too disintegrates. Thanks to the MIRI and NIRCam instruments of James Webb, a team of astronomers has revealed the small-scale structures of the illuminated edge of the Horsehead for the first time. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb captures stunning Horsehead Nebula as ‘you’ve never seen it before...’

In a path-breaking study, researchers have created artificial neurological junctions called synapses using a mix of water and salt, paving the way for the development of advanced computers that mimic the performance of a human brain. The artificial brain cells, developed by the team from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and Sogang University in South Korea, use the same water and salt ingredients the brain uses.

The&nbsp;results of the study&nbsp;were published&nbsp;in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists striving to develop energy efficient and high-performance computers&nbsp;often&nbsp;look up to human brains as a source of inspiration.

But guess what, human&nbsp;brains use water and dissolved salt particles called ions as their medium. On the other hand, current advanced computer systems rely on conventional solid materials for the same function.

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas War: Hamas says studying new Israeli truce proposal

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So, the recent study can lead to further scientific development towards&nbsp;the ambition of&nbsp;creating an artificial human brain.

"It represents a crucial advancement toward computers not only capable of mimicking the communication patterns of the human brain but also utilising the same medium," says theoretical physicist Tim Kamsma from Utrecht University.

<h2>What is Iontronic memristor?</h2>

The device that scientists have created is called an Iontronic memristor, which carries water and salt inside. The cone-shaped device is just 150 by 200 micrometres wide, the same width as three or four human hairs put side-by-side.

It remembers how much electrical charge has previously flowed through it. Electrical impulses cause ions to move through the cone-shaped channel, with variations in the electrical charge leading to variations in the ion movement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjY3Zm-x-eFAxXh1TgGHVEZD9Q4ChDF9AEoAHoECA8QAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-crew-of-israel-linked-ship-which-includes-indians-will-be-freed-715635" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-crew-of-israel-linked-ship-which-includes-indians-will-be-freed-715635&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjY3Zm-x-eFAxXh1TgGHVEZD9Q4ChDF9AEoAHoECA8QAQ">Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship which includes Indians will be freed</a>

"While artificial synapses capable of processing complex information already exist based on solid materials, we now show for the first time that this feat can also be accomplished using water and salt," says Kamsma.

"We are effectively replicating neuronal behaviour using a system that employs the same medium as the brain."

(With inputs from agencies)

In a path-breaking study, researchers have created artificial neurological junctions called synapses using a mix of water and salt, paving the way for the development of advanced computers that mimic the performance of a human brain.

In a path-breaking study, researchers have created artificial neurological junctions called synapses using a mix of water and salt, paving the way for the development of advanced computers that mimic the performance of a human brain. The artificial brain cells, developed by the team from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and Sogang University in South Korea, use the same water and salt ingredients the brain uses. The results of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Scientists striving to develop energy efficient and high-performance computers often look up to human brains as a source of inspiration. But guess what, human brains use water and dissolved salt particles called ions as their medium. On the other hand, current advanced computer systems rely on conventional solid materials for the same function. Watch: Israel-Hamas War: Hamas says studying new Israeli truce proposal × So, the recent study can lead to further scientific development towards the ambition of creating an artificial human brain. "It represents a crucial advancement toward computers not only capable of mimicking the communication patterns of the human brain but also utilising the same medium," says theoretical physicist Tim Kamsma from Utrecht University. What is Iontronic memristor? The device that scientists have created is called an Iontronic memristor, which carries water and salt inside. The cone-shaped device is just 150 by 200 micrometres wide, the same width as three or four human hairs put side-by-side. It remembers how much electrical charge has previously flowed through it. Electrical impulses cause ions to move through the cone-shaped channel, with variations in the electrical charge leading to variations in the ion movement. Also read: Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship which includes Indians will be freed "While artificial synapses capable of processing complex information already exist based on solid materials, we now show for the first time that this feat can also be accomplished using water and salt," says Kamsma. "We are effectively replicating neuronal behaviour using a system that employs the same medium as the brain." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists develop artificial brain cell using mix of salt and water

Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains. They analysed the brain's reward pathway, and tried to answer why these substances can takeover our natural desires for essential needs such as food and water.

Lead researcher Jeffrey Friedman said, "We've known for decades that natural rewards, like food, and drugs can activate the same brain region. But what we've just learned is that they impact neural activity in strikingly different ways."&nbsp;

"One of the big takeaways here is that addictive drugs have pathologic effects on these neural pathways, that's distinct from, say, the physiologic response to eating a meal when you are hungry or drinking a glass of water when you are thirsty," he added.

<h2>How did they perform this study?</h2>

Using mouse models, the research team employed a comprehensive approach to study the impact of cocaine and morphine on the brain's reward circuits. By mapping brain activity, imaging neurons, and analysing genetic activity, they tried to understand how these drugs influence neural pathways.

The study reveals the crucial role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both typical brain functions and drug rewards. Neurons projecting to the NAc from the orbitofrontal cortex are implicated in reducing natural reward responses when activated by drug use.

"The NAc is a key node where the underlying dopaminoceptive neurons direct and refine animals' behaviours towards their goals," neuroscientist Bowen Tan told Science Alert. "What we hadn't been able to understand is how repeated exposure to drugs corrupts these neurons, resulting in escalated drug-seeking behaviors and a shift away from healthy goals," he added.

<h2>How do cocaine and morphine affect our brain differently?</h2>

While cocaine and morphine activate specific subsets of neurons in the NAc, their effects differ. Cocaine, a potent stimulant, and morphine, an opioid, elicit unique responses in the brain, ultimately altering behaviour and preference for these drugs over basic needs.

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"By tracking these cells, we show that not only are similar cells activated across reward classes, but also that cocaine and morphine elicit initially stronger responses than food or water, and this actually magnifies with increasing exposure," neuroscientist Caleb Browne said. "After withdrawal from the drugs, these same cells exhibit disorganized responses to natural rewards in a manner that may resemble some of the negative affective states seen in withdrawal in substance use disorder," he added.

Repeated exposure to cocaine and morphine leads to a shift in behaviour, with mice exhibiting increased interest in drugs and decreased interest in food and water. This change is accompanied by alterations in neuron communication, affecting how the brain processes rewards from natural stimuli.

The study identifies a protein encoded by the Rheb gene that interferes with typical neuron communication, contributing to addiction-related behaviors. Understanding these pathways opens avenues for developing targeted therapies to combat addiction.

Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains.

Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains. They analysed the brain's reward pathway, and tried to answer why these substances can takeover our natural desires for essential needs such as food and water. Lead researcher Jeffrey Friedman said, "We've known for decades that natural rewards, like food, and drugs can activate the same brain region. But what we've just learned is that they impact neural activity in strikingly different ways." "One of the big takeaways here is that addictive drugs have pathologic effects on these neural pathways, that's distinct from, say, the physiologic response to eating a meal when you are hungry or drinking a glass of water when you are thirsty," he added. How did they perform this study? Using mouse models, the research team employed a comprehensive approach to study the impact of cocaine and morphine on the brain's reward circuits. By mapping brain activity, imaging neurons, and analysing genetic activity, they tried to understand how these drugs influence neural pathways. The study reveals the crucial role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both typical brain functions and drug rewards. Neurons projecting to the NAc from the orbitofrontal cortex are implicated in reducing natural reward responses when activated by drug use. "The NAc is a key node where the underlying dopaminoceptive neurons direct and refine animals' behaviours towards their goals," neuroscientist Bowen Tan told Science Alert. "What we hadn't been able to understand is how repeated exposure to drugs corrupts these neurons, resulting in escalated drug-seeking behaviors and a shift away from healthy goals," he added. How do cocaine and morphine affect our brain differently? While cocaine and morphine activate specific subsets of neurons in the NAc, their effects differ. Cocaine, a potent stimulant, and morphine, an opioid, elicit unique responses in the brain, ultimately altering behaviour and preference for these drugs over basic needs. Also read: What is 'Vampire Facial', cosmetic procedure linked with HIV cases in the US? "By tracking these cells, we show that not only are similar cells activated across reward classes, but also that cocaine and morphine elicit initially stronger responses than food or water, and this actually magnifies with increasing exposure," neuroscientist Caleb Browne said. "After withdrawal from the drugs, these same cells exhibit disorganized responses to natural rewards in a manner that may resemble some of the negative affective states seen in withdrawal in substance use disorder," he added. Repeated exposure to cocaine and morphine leads to a shift in behaviour, with mice exhibiting increased interest in drugs and decreased interest in food and water. This change is accompanied by alterations in neuron communication, affecting how the brain processes rewards from natural stimuli. The study identifies a protein encoded by the Rheb gene that interferes with typical neuron communication, contributing to addiction-related behaviors. Understanding these pathways opens avenues for developing targeted therapies to combat addiction.

Cocaine and morphine trump food and water in brain’s reward hierarchy: Study

New research by researchers at the University of Tübingen in Germany has revealed that brain activity in baby girls is more complex than that in baby boys. How did the researchers derive this conclusion?

New research by researchers at the University of Tübingen in Germany has revealed that brain activity in baby girls is more complex than that in baby boys. How did the researchers derive this conclusion? They came to this conclusion by measuring the magnetic fields produced by the brain's electrical currents in fetuses and babies to sound stimuli using an imaging technique called magnetoencephalography (MEG). Data from 20 newborns, ages 13 to 59 days, and 43 third-trimester fetuses, was analysed by the scientists. The sound stimuli included various arrangements of beeps. The sound was played to the fetuses using a "sound balloon" tucked between the pregnant woman's belly and the MEG sensors. Also read | Study: Lesbian and bisexual women at higher mortality risk due to 'toxic' social stigma The data analysis revealed that when the neurological system grows in fetuses and newborns, the complexity of signals in the brain appears to diminish, with boys developing this system substantially quicker than girls. The researchers then measured their magnetic brain activity in response to sound stimulation. They used algorithms to generate a variety of metrics that represent the complexity of the MEG signal. High brain complexity vs. low brain complexity Researchers found that people with greater degrees of brain complexity have superior performance and faster reaction time in essential executive tasks such as planning and decision-making. Low levels, on the other hand, are associated with states in which information processing ability is impaired, such as general anesthesia and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Surprising results, but why? The researchers expected the complexity of brain signals to increase as fetuses grew and babies aged. However, they found it decreased faster in males than females. The reason is uncertain, but it may be because the brain simplifies its processes during development by removing unnecessary cells and connections. Also read | 'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures "As the brain matures, it moves toward ordered patterns of neural connections, which tell it how to respond to stimuli, such as the beeps in our experiment. A more developed brain has fewer ways of responding to that stimulus, and thus lower complexity. If we were to look at spontaneous activity, we might see something different," the lead author of the study, Joel Frohlich said. The researchers think that the differences between boys and girls might be because their nervous systems develop differently. However, they didn't continue studying the babies afterward, so it's not known if these differences persist.

New study finds baby girls' brain activity more complex than boys'

Air pollution might increase the risk and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), said a new study published in the journal of the International Neurotoxicology Association.

Air pollution might increase the risk and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), said a new study published in the journal of the International Neurotoxicology Association. What is obstructive sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep condition that impairs a person's breathing during the sleep. It occurs when a person's throat muscles relax and obstruct their airway, causing them to frequently cease breathing while they sleep. People with OSA have disturbed sleep and pauses in breathing while sleeping, all of which create low blood oxygen levels. These persons are sleepy during the day and have an increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. "These pathophysiological changes are known to contribute to the development and exacerbation of respiratory disorders. In the context of OSA, air pollution may aggravate upper airway inflammation and dysfunction, thereby increasing the propensity for airway collapse during sleep," the study said. According to the research, chronic exposure to high levels of air pollution can promote systemic inflammation or inflammation throughout the body, as well as oxidative stress, potentially leading to or aggravating upper airway dysfunction when sleeping. They discovered that air pollutants, particularly NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), may have a role in increasing OSA risk and severity, but "the evidence isn't definitive." "The findings suggest air pollutants, especially NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), might play a role in worsening OSA risk and severity, but the evidence isn't definitive. This highlights the variability of different pollutants' effects and the necessity for more research," the study read. Also read: Study finds every new memory you make harms brain cells The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 12 studies to gather and evaluate data on the association between air pollution and the risk and severity of OSA. "It is important to note that effects of air pollutants may vary based on the type of pollutant, duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility factors, including age, gender, and underlying health conditions," the study noted. According to the study's findings, figuring out the connection between certain pollutants and the likelihood and severity of OSA is critical for "shaping public health policies and clinical approaches to address OSA amidst high air pollution." (With inputs from agencies)

Study suggests air pollution could worsen sleep apnea risk and severity

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

The legendary Hubble Space Telescope, known for producing stunning images of the cosmos, has completed 34 years in orbit. Hubble Space Telescope has helped scientists prove that our universe is 13.

The legendary Hubble Space Telescope, known for producing stunning images of the cosmos, has completed 34 years in orbit. Hubble Space Telescope has helped scientists prove that our universe is 13.7 billion years old and that many galaxies host humongous black holes at their centres. The spaceborne eye also helped scientists map the mysterious substance dark matter in 3D. NASA's Hubble Mission team stated, "Most of Hubble's discoveries were not anticipated before launch. The space telescope is the most scientifically productive space astrophysics mission in NASA history. The demand for using Hubble is so high it is currently oversubscribed by a factor of six-to-one." On the 34th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers revealed a fresh picture of the Dumbbell Nebula or M76, Space.com reported. It is a two-lobed, expanding shell of gas shed by a dying star at the centre. M76 resembles "a balloon that's been pinched around a middle waist." It's located 3,400 light-years from Earth in the constellation Perseus. Moreover, a glowing ring of gas and dust ejected by the central star when it runs out of fuel borders it. ALSO READ | 'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures The star's temperature exceeds 130,000 degrees Celsius (250,000 degrees Fahrenheit), making it one of the hottest known stellar remnants. It is roughly 24 times the temperature of our Sun's surface. The Hubble image shows the outer layers form a dumbbell-shaped ring around the star, which hosts a myriad of dense knots of gas and dust ranging from 17 billion kilometres to 56 billion kilometres. Each knot has as much mass as three whole Earths. While there's a chance that the binary star might have shaped the ring, the companion star isn't visible in the Hubble images. A theory by NASA suggests that the central star might've consumed the shredded invisible star. However, despite being classified as a "planetary nebula," the M76 has no association with any known planets. The Hubble Space Telescope is right above Earth's atmosphere, orbiting our planet roughly 320 miles (515 km) above the ground. However, NASA has boosted the telescope into slightly higher orbits several times to keep it from gradually being dragged into the Earth's atmosphere. According to NASA, the telescope will operate until at least the late 2020s. The agency plans to attach a propulsion module to the telescope, enabling a controlled re-entry into the Pacific Ocean or elevate it into a higher orbit to keep it above during the next decade. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA marks 34th anniversary of Hubble Space Telescope by unveiling stunning images of Dumbbell Nebula

NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane.

NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane. While SAM (Sample Analysis Mars) or the portable laboratory on Curiosity has detected traces of the gas near the surface of the Gale Crater, the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter found no methane in the atmosphere of the Red Planet. Furthermore, Gale Crater is the only place on Mars where traces of methane have been found, likely due to geological mechanisms involving water and rocks deep underground. Methane also exhibits unexpected behaviour in Gale Crater by appearing at night and disappearing during the day, fluctuating seasonally, and sometimes spiking 40 times higher than usual. In March, a NASA research group proposed a paper in the journal Geophysical Research: Planets, explaining why the gas behaves unexpectedly and is present in the Gale Crater. ALSO READ | Debris from rare 'super' explosion on Sun with four solar flares erupting simultaneously likely to hit Earth The "soil" on Mars comprises broken rock and dust. The study suggests that the solidified salt formed in the Martian regolith could seal methane underneath despite its origin. The methane could seep out as the temperature rises during warmer seasons or times of day, weakening the seal. Alexander Pavlov, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, led the research, which suggests that the gas could also erupt in whiffs when the seals crack under the pressure of a small SUV-sized rover. The origin of this hypothesis goes back to an experiment Pavlov conducted in 2017, which involved growing microorganisms in a simulated Martian permafrost infused with salt. While the microbe-growing results proved inconclusive, the researchers noticed that the top layer of the soil formed a salt crust as salty ice sublimated, turning from a solid to a gas and leaving the salt behind. The research team tested five samples of permafrost infused with varying concentrations of the salt perchlorate, widely present on Mars. They exposed each sample to different temperatures and air pressure inside a Mars simulation chamber. Periodically, they injected neon, a methane analogue, underneath the soil sample and measured the gas pressure below and above the surface. They found higher pressure under the sample, indicating the gas was trapped. Within three to 13 days, a seal formed under the Mars-like conditions only in samples with five to ten per cent perchlorate concentration. However, Curiosity has measured much higher concentration in Gale Crater. (With inputs from agencies)

Is methane seeping on Mars? NASA scientists explain unusual behaviour of gas on the Red Planet's Gale Crater

In a rare event, four solar flares simultaneously exploded from four different points across the Sun's surface. The "quadruple" solar flare might have also sent a solar storm towards Earth, which could reach our planet in the coming days, Spaceweather.

In a rare event, four solar flares simultaneously exploded from four different points across the Sun's surface. The "quadruple" solar flare might have also sent a solar storm towards Earth, which could reach our planet in the coming days, Spaceweather.com reported. According to NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the tetrad eruption started at around 01:00 am EDT (10:30 am IST) on Tuesday (April 23). While three of the outbursts came from sunspots, one came from a magnetic filament, a large loop of plasma suspended over the solar surface between the three dark patches. The eruption sites were hundreds of miles away. The area between them covered around a third of the solar surface facing Earth. Such concurrent blasts, called sympathetic solar flares, are part of a single eruption. It occurs when massive magnetic field loops that arch above the solar surface link these sunspots or filaments with each other. When one of them erupts, the others quickly follow. ALSO READ | Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA's software repair 15 billion miles away from Earth In most cases, sympathetic flares linked two sunspots, ranging in intensity from small outbursts to X-class flares, the strongest solar flares the Sun can produce. However this time, there were twice as many flares as usual, making it a "super-sympathetic" flare. It is currently uncertain how powerful the blast was when the sunspots combined. However, due to the large area affected, there is a possibility that some of the debris could be directed towards Earth. This debris would likely be a massive cloud of plasma and radiation, called a coronal mass ejection (CME). If confirmed, the CME could hit our planet within the next few days and cause stunning auroras near the magnetic poles. It is the third sympathetic solar flare of 2024. The first occurred in January, followed by an X-class flare duo in March. According to a study conducted in 2022, sympathetic solar flares are more likely to happen during or around solar maximum, the most active phase of the Sun's approximately 11-year solar cycle. The study analysed almost 40 years of solar flare data. Some researchers think this explosive peak has already started about a year earlier than predicted. (With inputs from agencies)

Debris from rare 'super' explosion on Sun with four solar flares erupting simultaneously likely to hit Earth

One of Antarctica's mysteries involves the Ross Ice Shelf, a massive slab of ice about the size of France. Recent findings suggest it's not as stable as it appears – in fact, it's moving, and this movement could cause trouble.

Researchers, led by Professor Doug Wiens of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, discovered that the Ross Ice Shelf makes sudden jumps twice a day. Consider a piece of land the size of France that shifts position regularly. This movement, which is around 6 to 8 cm each time, may appear little, but it is important.

<h2>What's causing the Ross Ice Shelf jump?</h2>

The movement of ice is what causes these sudden shifts. Two sections of ice press against each other, just as tectonic plates on Earth cause earthquakes. This rubbing creates tension, which is released in these jumps. But why should we be concerned about ice movement in Antarctica?

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These jumps may appear harmless, but they are not. They might cause "icequakes" - seismic disturbances that occur within the ice. Imagine the ground trembling beneath your feet, except it's ice. These icequakes can be harmful, especially to animals and explorers. Furthermore, jumps may cause fractures in the ice shelf, compromising its stability. If the ice shelf breaks apart, increasing sea levels may endanger coastal towns throughout the world.

<h2>What did the study reveal?</h2>

Professor Wiens and his team gathered data using special devices called seismometers. These devices recorded the ground's movements and sounds around Antarctica. Through their research, they found a crucial connection between the Ross Ice Shelf and another ice formation called the Whillans Ice Stream. The movement of the Whillans Ice Stream, like a fast-flowing river of ice, triggers the jumps in the Ross Ice Shelf.

<h2>Are humans to blame for the Ross Ice Shelf jumps?</h2>

While climate change is a concern for Antarctica's stability, these ice shelf movements aren't directly linked to it. Instead, they might be due to natural factors, like changes in the Whillans Ice Stream's bed. However, studying these interactions between ice shelves and streams can give us valuable insights into Antarctica's future in a warming world.

For now, these jumps and icequakes are part of Antarctica's "normal" life. But there's a worry among scientists like Professor Wiens that the Ross Ice Shelf might eventually disintegrate, just like smaller shelves have done before. Understanding these movements is crucial for predicting Antarctica's fate and its impact on our planet. 
&nbsp;

One of Antarctica's mysteries involves the Ross Ice Shelf, a massive slab of ice about the size of France. Recent findings suggest it's not as stable as it appears – in fact, it's moving, and this movement could cause trouble.

One of Antarctica's mysteries involves the Ross Ice Shelf, a massive slab of ice about the size of France. Recent findings suggest it's not as stable as it appears – in fact, it's moving, and this movement could cause trouble. Researchers, led by Professor Doug Wiens of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, discovered that the Ross Ice Shelf makes sudden jumps twice a day. Consider a piece of land the size of France that shifts position regularly. This movement, which is around 6 to 8 cm each time, may appear little, but it is important. What's causing the Ross Ice Shelf jump? The movement of ice is what causes these sudden shifts. Two sections of ice press against each other, just as tectonic plates on Earth cause earthquakes. This rubbing creates tension, which is released in these jumps. But why should we be concerned about ice movement in Antarctica? Also read: Scientists reveal why zebrafish can regenerate damaged heart but humans can’t These jumps may appear harmless, but they are not. They might cause "icequakes" - seismic disturbances that occur within the ice. Imagine the ground trembling beneath your feet, except it's ice. These icequakes can be harmful, especially to animals and explorers. Furthermore, jumps may cause fractures in the ice shelf, compromising its stability. If the ice shelf breaks apart, increasing sea levels may endanger coastal towns throughout the world. What did the study reveal? Professor Wiens and his team gathered data using special devices called seismometers. These devices recorded the ground's movements and sounds around Antarctica. Through their research, they found a crucial connection between the Ross Ice Shelf and another ice formation called the Whillans Ice Stream. The movement of the Whillans Ice Stream, like a fast-flowing river of ice, triggers the jumps in the Ross Ice Shelf. Are humans to blame for the Ross Ice Shelf jumps? While climate change is a concern for Antarctica's stability, these ice shelf movements aren't directly linked to it. Instead, they might be due to natural factors, like changes in the Whillans Ice Stream's bed. However, studying these interactions between ice shelves and streams can give us valuable insights into Antarctica's future in a warming world. For now, these jumps and icequakes are part of Antarctica's "normal" life. But there's a worry among scientists like Professor Wiens that the Ross Ice Shelf might eventually disintegrate, just like smaller shelves have done before. Understanding these movements is crucial for predicting Antarctica's fate and its impact on our planet.

Antarctic ice shelf jumps twice daily: Risk of catastrophic icequake, warn scientists

Researchers in a new study have revealed that children who are maltreated in their childhood are more likely to engage in alcohol and substance use by the time they are 40 years old. University of Queensland researcher Dr Claudia Bull led a study, analysing data from more than 6,000 children born in Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s Hospital between 1981 and 1983. The study found that children who are maltreated are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital in comparison to those who are not mistreated in their early years.

“This longitudinal birth cohort study gathered and analysed the group’s data at different stages of their lives, from 6-months-old to 40 years,” Dr Bull said, in a press release issued on the University of Queensland website.

The team led by Dr Bull combined this information with additional data from the Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care in 2000. The team was able to identify at least 600 children who were mistreated in their early years.

“For the purposes of this study maltreatment was defined as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect up to the age of 15, as reported to the department,” she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiOs7WSkdOFAxU7r1YBHeJGASUQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/brace-up-for-science-revision-children-scientists-just-identified-how-we-taste-it-bitter-711705" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/brace-up-for-science-revision-children-scientists-just-identified-how-we-taste-it-bitter-711705&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiOs7WSkdOFAxU7r1YBHeJGASUQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter</a>

“We found those children were 2.86 times more likely to be hospitalised for alcohol use disorder as adults compared to children who weren’t maltreated, and 3.34 times more likely to be admitted for a substance use disorder,” she added.

So far, all researches into childhood treatment and adult behaviour have focussed on physical and sexual abuse and not on alcohol and substance use disorders.

“But we particularly wanted to know whether emotional abuse and neglect were as strongly associated with subsequent alcohol and substance use disorders,” she said.

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“And we found they were.”

The researchers added that the study results showed treating children better in their childhood would prevent many people from “suffering from alcohol and substance use disorders in later life.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers in a new study have revealed that children who are maltreated in their childhood are more likely to engage in alcohol and substance use by the time they are 40 years old.

Researchers in a new study have revealed that children who are maltreated in their childhood are more likely to engage in alcohol and substance use by the time they are 40 years old. University of Queensland researcher Dr Claudia Bull led a study, analysing data from more than 6,000 children born in Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s Hospital between 1981 and 1983. The study found that children who are maltreated are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital in comparison to those who are not mistreated in their early years. “This longitudinal birth cohort study gathered and analysed the group’s data at different stages of their lives, from 6-months-old to 40 years,” Dr Bull said, in a press release issued on the University of Queensland website. The team led by Dr Bull combined this information with additional data from the Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care in 2000. The team was able to identify at least 600 children who were mistreated in their early years. “For the purposes of this study maltreatment was defined as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect up to the age of 15, as reported to the department,” she said. Also read: Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter “We found those children were 2.86 times more likely to be hospitalised for alcohol use disorder as adults compared to children who weren’t maltreated, and 3.34 times more likely to be admitted for a substance use disorder,” she added. So far, all researches into childhood treatment and adult behaviour have focussed on physical and sexual abuse and not on alcohol and substance use disorders. “But we particularly wanted to know whether emotional abuse and neglect were as strongly associated with subsequent alcohol and substance use disorders,” she said. Also read: Scientists believe Uranus and Neptune are `ice giants,` but a new study hints at something else “And we found they were.” The researchers added that the study results showed treating children better in their childhood would prevent many people from “suffering from alcohol and substance use disorders in later life.” (With inputs from agencies)

Maltreated children 3 times more likely to engage in substance abuse in adulthood

Watching sports doesn’t only entertain you but also bears a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, a new study has revealed.

Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from Waseda University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences collaborated with his colleagues to explore the link between an individual’s well-being and sports viewing.

The study, published on March 22, 2024, in the Sports Management Review, revealed that watching sports over time can change our brain structure, for better.

<h2>Three studies conducted</h2>

Researchers conducted three key studies. In the first study, the team studied data from 20,000 Japanese residents, establishing a link between sports viewing and well-being.

The second study involved 208 participants, whose well-being was assessed before and after they were asked to view sports videos of their choice.

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In the third study, which was the most significant of all, the researchers used neuroimaging techniques to observe changes in brain activity as they watched sports.

<h2>Results</h2>

It was revealed that those who watched sports had greater grey matter volume in areas associated with these reward circuits.

“Both subjective and objective measures of well-being were found to be positively influenced by engaging in sports viewing. By inducing structural changes in the brain’s reward system over time, it fosters long-term benefits for individuals,” Professor Sato explained.

“For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, particularly popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy,” Sato concluded.

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This research highlights the personal benefits of watching sports and how it substantially contributes to the field of sports management.

Historically, sports management literature has centred on the behaviours and demographics of specific sports fans.

In contrast, Sato and his team broadened their scope to include the general population, investigating how sports viewing impacts the mental and social well-being of a general wider audience.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watching sports doesn’t only entertain you but also bears a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, a new study has revealed. Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from Waseda University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences collaborated with his colleagues to explore the link between an individual’s well-being and sports viewing.

Watching sports doesn’t only entertain you but also bears a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, a new study has revealed. Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from Waseda University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences collaborated with his colleagues to explore the link between an individual’s well-being and sports viewing. The study, published on March 22, 2024, in the Sports Management Review, revealed that watching sports over time can change our brain structure, for better. Three studies conducted Researchers conducted three key studies. In the first study, the team studied data from 20,000 Japanese residents, establishing a link between sports viewing and well-being. The second study involved 208 participants, whose well-being was assessed before and after they were asked to view sports videos of their choice. Also read: Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter In the third study, which was the most significant of all, the researchers used neuroimaging techniques to observe changes in brain activity as they watched sports. Results It was revealed that those who watched sports had greater grey matter volume in areas associated with these reward circuits. “Both subjective and objective measures of well-being were found to be positively influenced by engaging in sports viewing. By inducing structural changes in the brain’s reward system over time, it fosters long-term benefits for individuals,” Professor Sato explained. “For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, particularly popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy,” Sato concluded. Also read: Alcohol-induced blackouts linked to drinking patterns, not just quantity: Study This research highlights the personal benefits of watching sports and how it substantially contributes to the field of sports management. Historically, sports management literature has centred on the behaviours and demographics of specific sports fans. In contrast, Sato and his team broadened their scope to include the general population, investigating how sports viewing impacts the mental and social well-being of a general wider audience. (With inputs from agencies)

Watching sports linked to better physical and mental well-being: Study

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has long captured the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike. With its subsurface ocean, this icy celestial body has emerged as a prime contender for hosting extraterrestrial life. However, recent research is challenging assumptions about the habitability of this mysterious world.

<h2>Europa's life potential: Is it even&nbsp;possible?</h2>

At the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, planetary scientist Paul Byrne cast doubt on the long-held belief that Europa's seafloor is teeming with activity. He presented evidence suggesting that the moon's ocean floor may be geologically inert, raising questions about its ability to sustain life.

<h2>Why do scientists speculate existence of life on&nbsp;Europa?</h2>

Europa possesses the essential ingredients for life: liquid water, energy, and the necessary chemical components. However, the key lies in whether these elements interact in ways conducive to life. NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission aims to shed light on Europa.

Europa's subsurface ocean is hidden beneath a thick layer of ice. Any potential life forms would likely rely on chemosynthesis, drawing energy from chemical reactions rather than sunlight. Yet, recent simulations suggest that the moon's seafloor may lack the necessary geological activity to support such life.

Additional studies led by researchers like Austin Green and Laurent Pou, further complicate the picture. Green's simulations indicate that volcanic activity on Europa's seafloor is highly improbable, diminishing hopes for habitability.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alcohol-induced-blackouts-linked-to-drinking-patterns-not-just-quantity-study-713238">Alcohol-induced blackouts linked to drinking patterns, not just quantity: Study</a>

Despite the current uncertainty, scientists speculate that Europa's habitability may have fluctuated over time. Orbital resonances with its moon Io and cyclic variations in eccentricity could have led to periods of increased geological activity and potentially habitable conditions in the past.

<h2>Significance of&nbsp;Europa Clipper mission</h2>

While the debate over Europa's habitability continues, the Europa Clipper mission might be able to put an end to this prolonged debate. Whether it confirms the presence of the ocean or analyses surface materials for signs of interaction with the seafloor, the mission is a significant step towards better understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth. 
&nbsp;

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has long captured the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike. With its subsurface ocean, this icy celestial body has emerged as a prime contender for hosting extraterrestrial life.

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has long captured the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike. With its subsurface ocean, this icy celestial body has emerged as a prime contender for hosting extraterrestrial life. However, recent research is challenging assumptions about the habitability of this mysterious world. Europa's life potential: Is it even possible? At the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, planetary scientist Paul Byrne cast doubt on the long-held belief that Europa's seafloor is teeming with activity. He presented evidence suggesting that the moon's ocean floor may be geologically inert, raising questions about its ability to sustain life. Why do scientists speculate existence of life on Europa? Europa possesses the essential ingredients for life: liquid water, energy, and the necessary chemical components. However, the key lies in whether these elements interact in ways conducive to life. NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission aims to shed light on Europa. Europa's subsurface ocean is hidden beneath a thick layer of ice. Any potential life forms would likely rely on chemosynthesis, drawing energy from chemical reactions rather than sunlight. Yet, recent simulations suggest that the moon's seafloor may lack the necessary geological activity to support such life. Additional studies led by researchers like Austin Green and Laurent Pou, further complicate the picture. Green's simulations indicate that volcanic activity on Europa's seafloor is highly improbable, diminishing hopes for habitability. Also read: Alcohol-induced blackouts linked to drinking patterns, not just quantity: Study Despite the current uncertainty, scientists speculate that Europa's habitability may have fluctuated over time. Orbital resonances with its moon Io and cyclic variations in eccentricity could have led to periods of increased geological activity and potentially habitable conditions in the past. Significance of Europa Clipper mission While the debate over Europa's habitability continues, the Europa Clipper mission might be able to put an end to this prolonged debate. Whether it confirms the presence of the ocean or analyses surface materials for signs of interaction with the seafloor, the mission is a significant step towards better understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth.

Europa's life potential in doubt: Recent findings challenge assumptions

Blackouts are frequently connected with excessive alcohol consumption, but a new study reveals that how you drink is equally important. Research headed by postdoctoral scholar Veronica Richards of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University offers light on the components that contribute to alcohol-induced blackouts.

Blackouts are frequently connected with excessive alcohol consumption, but a new study reveals that how you drink is equally important. Research headed by postdoctoral scholar Veronica Richards of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University offers light on the components that contribute to alcohol-induced blackouts. How did the study come to this conclusion? The study, published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, analysed data from 79 college sophomores and juniors who often drank alcohol. These students reported experiencing blackouts during the most recent semester. 3 factors that determine if you will have a blackout or not The researchers discovered that the rate of alcohol intake, length of intoxication, and peak intoxication levels all have a role in causing blackouts. Essentially, the quicker you drink, the more you drink, and the longer you drink, the greater your chances of getting a blackout. Also read: Scientists reveal why zebrafish can regenerate damaged heart but humans can’t Participants wore watches capable of detecting intoxication levels via the skin throughout 12 weekends. They also kept journals to track their memories from the previous day. Out of the 147 blackouts observed across 486 drinking days, over 70% of students had at least one. Blackouts occurred more frequently when all related criteria were present: quick consumption of liquor, excessive alcohol intake, and extended drinking sessions. Female students had somewhat more blackouts (80%) than boys (70%), with an average of 2.2 episodes per student. Also read: One in three people suffer from 'silent killer' condition: Study How to lessen the risk of blackouts? To lessen the risk of blackouts, experts advised avoiding drinking games that encourage excessive alcohol intake. Alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the night can also assist in limiting alcohol consumption and prevent extreme intoxication.

Alcohol-induced blackouts linked to drinking patterns, not just quantity: Study

How is this possible that some fish and amphibians can clear cardiac scar tissue and regrow damaged muscle as adults whereas the same seems impossible in humans? It is understood that physiological differences between fish and mammals make such comparisons irrelevant, so scientists started off by comparing two fish species: zebrafish, which can regenerate its heart, and medaka, which cannot. Jamie Gagnon led a team of biologists at University of Utah and conducted this study to find the possible answers to this question.

“We thought by comparing these two fish that have similar heart morphology and live in similar habitats, we could have a better chance of actually finding what the main differences are,” said Clayton Carey, a postdoctoral researcher in the Gagnon lab.

The study was unable to solve this mystery but revealed valuable insights into the myriad factors at play.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiy7O7DzM6FAxWxSmwGHanBDDwQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-launch-drone-like-dragonfly-rotorcraft-to-explore-saturns-moon-titan-712828" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-launch-drone-like-dragonfly-rotorcraft-to-explore-saturns-moon-titan-712828&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiy7O7DzM6FAxWxSmwGHanBDDwQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">NASA to launch drone-like Dragonfly rotorcraft to explore Saturn`s moon Titan</a>

“It told us these two hearts that look very similar are actually very different,” Gagnon said.

<h2>How was the study conducted?</h2>

At the Gagnon lab, scientists first injured the fish’s hearts using devices, resembling heart attacks in humans.

Then, scientists extracted their hearts after certain time frames to know how the fish have responded to the injury over different periods of time.

“Zebrafish have this immune response that is typical of what you might see during a viral infection, called an interferon response,” Carey said. “That response is completely absent in medaka.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiy7O7DzM6FAxWxSmwGHanBDDwQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-makes-spectacular-return-after-7-decades-graces-australian-skies-713033" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-makes-spectacular-return-after-7-decades-graces-australian-skies-713033&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiy7O7DzM6FAxWxSmwGHanBDDwQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">Devil Comet makes spectacular return after 7 decades, graces Australian skies</a>

The study also found that medaka doesn’t have a certain type of muscle cells that are present in zebrafish.

“My hunch is the ancestor of all animals could regenerate its heart after an injury, and then that’s been repeatedly lost in different types of animals,” Gagnon said. “I would like to understand why. Why would you lose this great feature that allows you to regenerate your heart after an injury?”

Scientists concluded that zebrafish’s capacity to regenerate is linked to its immune system, but understanding exactly how would take more research.

(With inputs from agencies)

How is this possible that some fish and amphibians can clear cardiac scar tissue and regrow damaged muscle as adults whereas the same seems impossible in humans?

How is this possible that some fish and amphibians can clear cardiac scar tissue and regrow damaged muscle as adults whereas the same seems impossible in humans? It is understood that physiological differences between fish and mammals make such comparisons irrelevant, so scientists started off by comparing two fish species: zebrafish, which can regenerate its heart, and medaka, which cannot. Jamie Gagnon led a team of biologists at University of Utah and conducted this study to find the possible answers to this question. “We thought by comparing these two fish that have similar heart morphology and live in similar habitats, we could have a better chance of actually finding what the main differences are,” said Clayton Carey, a postdoctoral researcher in the Gagnon lab. The study was unable to solve this mystery but revealed valuable insights into the myriad factors at play. Also read: NASA to launch drone-like Dragonfly rotorcraft to explore Saturn`s moon Titan “It told us these two hearts that look very similar are actually very different,” Gagnon said. How was the study conducted? At the Gagnon lab, scientists first injured the fish’s hearts using devices, resembling heart attacks in humans. Then, scientists extracted their hearts after certain time frames to know how the fish have responded to the injury over different periods of time. “Zebrafish have this immune response that is typical of what you might see during a viral infection, called an interferon response,” Carey said. “That response is completely absent in medaka.” Also read: Devil Comet makes spectacular return after 7 decades, graces Australian skies The study also found that medaka doesn’t have a certain type of muscle cells that are present in zebrafish. “My hunch is the ancestor of all animals could regenerate its heart after an injury, and then that’s been repeatedly lost in different types of animals,” Gagnon said. “I would like to understand why. Why would you lose this great feature that allows you to regenerate your heart after an injury?” Scientists concluded that zebrafish’s capacity to regenerate is linked to its immune system, but understanding exactly how would take more research. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists reveal why zebrafish can regenerate damaged heart but humans can’t

A recent study has uncovered concerning information about a serious heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which has been dubbed the "silent killer.

A recent study has uncovered concerning information about a serious heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which has been dubbed the "silent killer." Contrary to previous beliefs, this condition appears to be affecting a significantly larger portion of the population than previously estimated, sparking alarm among health experts. AFib is called the "silent killer," because it often manifests without obvious symptoms. The study, conducted by researchers at Aalborg University in Denmark, examined the health records of millions of adults. Their findings discovered that AFib, characterised by an irregular heartbeat, doesn't only impact a quarter of adults. Instead, it affects one in three people. According to the study, individuals diagnosed with AFib face heightened risks of heart failure and stroke. Up to two in five patients with AFib are at risk of heart failure, while one in five may suffer a stroke. One of the challenges with AFib is that it is not easy to detect. Unlike other conditions that present noticeable symptoms, AFib can be difficult to detect without specialised diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a Holter monitor. This means that many cases of AFib may go undiagnosed until complications arise. Also read: Garbage to fuel aviation of future? Researchers show way for sustainable skies The Danish researchers analysed data from over 3.5 million individuals aged 45 and older with no prior history of AFib. Comparing two decades of data, from 2000 to 2010 and 2011 to 2022, they observed a concerning trend. The lifetime risk of developing AFib increased from 24 percent in the previous decade to 31 percent in more recent years. Moreover, the study noted that men faced a slightly higher risk of developing AFib compared to women. Effective management of AFib often involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medications, and sometimes procedures to restore normal heart rhythm.

One in three people suffer from 'silent killer' condition: Study

Scientists have discovered what they call “Milky Way's most massive" black hole yet. To put its size into perspective, it’s at least 33 times bigger than the Sun and located 2,000 light years away from us. Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory's Gaia mission spotted the gigantic black hole when they noticed a star wobbling as it orbited the area.

The black hole has been named Gaia BH3. It’s the second-closest black hole to Earth and sits in the Aquila constellation. Gaia is a Latin word which means “the eagle”.

"No one was expecting to find a high-mass black hole lurking nearby, undetected so far," said Pasquale Panuzzo, an astronomer from the National Centre for Scientific Research at the Observatoire de Paris. "This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life," the astronomer added.

<h2>How are black holes formed?</h2>

Black holes are formed when stars reach the end of their lives. Most of these stars inflate, lose mass and cool down to become “white dwarfs” but others lose less mass that don’t contain heavy elements. These stars are called ‘metal-poor stars’ and instead of becoming white dwarfs, they collapse in on themselves and form a black hole.

Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller

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It indicates that the star that collapsed to form a Gaia BH3 black hole must have been a metal-poor star. More clues can be derived from the "wobbly" star orbiting it as stars in pairs tend to be similar.

Interestingly, the wobbly star is also a metal-poor star.

<h2>50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way</h2>

Scientists at NASA believe there are more than 50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way galaxy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwid7OjYyMaFAxW6VEEAHa4IBmQQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/brace-up-for-science-revision-children-scientists-just-identified-how-we-taste-it-bitter-711705" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/brace-up-for-science-revision-children-scientists-just-identified-how-we-taste-it-bitter-711705&amp;ved=2ahUKEwid7OjYyMaFAxW6VEEAHa4IBmQQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter</a>

Earlier in January, astronomers said they had discovered the oldest black hole ever, dating back to the early universe more than 13 billion years ago.

The black hole is located in an ancient galaxy called GN-z11, located 13.4 billion light years away, and was spotted using the James Webb Space Telescope.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered what they call “Milky Way's most massive" black hole yet. To put its size into perspective, it’s at least 33 times bigger than the Sun and located 2,000 light years away from us.

Scientists have discovered what they call “Milky Way's most massive" black hole yet. To put its size into perspective, it’s at least 33 times bigger than the Sun and located 2,000 light years away from us. Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory's Gaia mission spotted the gigantic black hole when they noticed a star wobbling as it orbited the area. The black hole has been named Gaia BH3. It’s the second-closest black hole to Earth and sits in the Aquila constellation. Gaia is a Latin word which means “the eagle”. "No one was expecting to find a high-mass black hole lurking nearby, undetected so far," said Pasquale Panuzzo, an astronomer from the National Centre for Scientific Research at the Observatoire de Paris. "This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life," the astronomer added. How are black holes formed? Black holes are formed when stars reach the end of their lives. Most of these stars inflate, lose mass and cool down to become “white dwarfs” but others lose less mass that don’t contain heavy elements. These stars are called ‘metal-poor stars’ and instead of becoming white dwarfs, they collapse in on themselves and form a black hole. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller × It indicates that the star that collapsed to form a Gaia BH3 black hole must have been a metal-poor star. More clues can be derived from the "wobbly" star orbiting it as stars in pairs tend to be similar. Interestingly, the wobbly star is also a metal-poor star. 50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way Scientists at NASA believe there are more than 50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way galaxy. Also read: Brace up for science revision children. Scientists just identified how we taste it bitter Earlier in January, astronomers said they had discovered the oldest black hole ever, dating back to the early universe more than 13 billion years ago. The black hole is located in an ancient galaxy called GN-z11, located 13.4 billion light years away, and was spotted using the James Webb Space Telescope. (With inputs from agencies)

Milky Way’s ‘most massive’ stellar black hole , 33 times bigger than Sun, found lurking near Earth

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