Some of Google's brightest AI minds are leaving the company to pursue an even bigger ambition: building AI that can make scientific discoveries on its own. Former Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, together with Sanjay Ghemawat, Oriol Vinyals and Quoc Le, has launched Discovery Loop, a new AI startup focused on automating scientific and engineering research. The announcement comes alongside a major leadership reshuffle at Google DeepMind, where Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The move is one of the biggest talent shifts in Google's AI history and comes as competition with OpenAI and Anthropic continues to intensify.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Announcing Discovery Loop! I am very excited to announce that, along with my longtime friends and collaborators <a href="https://x.com/Sanjay_Ghemawat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sanjay_Ghemawat</a>, <a href="https://x.com/OriolVinyalsML?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OriolVinyalsML</a> and <a href="https://x.com/quocleix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@quocleix</a>, we are founding Discovery Loop (<a href="https://x.com/DiscoLoopAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DiscoLoopAI</a>), a Public Benefit Corporation whose mission is to automate machine… <a href="https://t.co/ancoplyNvN">pic.twitter.com/ancoplyNvN</a>&mdash; Jeff Dean (@JeffDean) <a href="https://x.com/JeffDean/status/2085034604172603724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What exactly is Discovery Loop?</h2>Discovery Loop is developing AI systems that do more than answer questions or write code. Its goal is to build autonomous "discovery loops" that can propose experiments, run simulations, analyse results and continuously improve themselves with minimal human involvement.&nbsp; Initially, the startup will use its own AI to improve machine learning systems. Over time, it plans to apply the same approach to biology, drug discovery, materials science and semiconductor design. According to Jeff Dean, the founders realised AI could eventually automate the entire scientific and engineering process instead of simply assisting researchers.<h2>Why are Google's top researchers leaving?</h2>Jeff Dean spent 27 years at Google and helped build technologies including MapReduce, Bigtable, Google Brain and Gemini. Sanjay Ghemawat co-created much of Google's search infrastructure, while Oriol Vinyals led Gemini research and Quoc Le pioneered Google's AutoML projects. According to WIRED, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai tried to persuade the team to remain at Google. Instead, they chose to build a startup where they could move faster and focus entirely on scientific AI. Google will remain a founding investor and provide cloud computing infrastructure during Discovery Loop's early stages.<h2>Why Discovery Loop matters</h2>Discovery Loop is betting that AI's biggest impact will not be chatbots, but accelerating scientific breakthroughs. The founders believe future AI systems could generate original research ideas, test thousands of hypotheses and help scientists solve problems that would otherwise take years. That vision mirrors comments made by AI leaders including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei and Jensen Huang, who argue AI will become a powerful engine for scientific discovery. However, Discovery Loop's founders bring decades of experience building some of the world's most advanced AI systems, giving the startup unique credibility. As Google restructures its AI leadership and rivals race ahead, Discovery Loop could become one of the most closely watched AI startups in the world.

Four of Google's most influential AI researchers have launched Discovery Loop, a startup that aims to build AI capable of running scientific experiments, generating new ideas and accelerating discoveries in fields ranging from biology to chip design.

Some of Google's brightest AI minds are leaving the company to pursue an even bigger ambition: building AI that can make scientific discoveries on its own. Former Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, together with Sanjay Ghemawat, Oriol Vinyals and Quoc Le, has launched Discovery Loop, a new AI startup focused on automating scientific and engineering research. The announcement comes alongside a major leadership reshuffle at Google DeepMind, where Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The move is one of the biggest talent shifts in Google's AI history and comes as competition with OpenAI and Anthropic continues to intensify.

Four of Google's most influential AI researchers have launched Discovery Loop, a startup that aims to build AI capable of running scientific experiments, generating new ideas and accelerating discoveries in fields ranging from biology to chip design.

Google DeepMind's top AI researchers leave to build a startup focused on scientific breakthroughs: Here's what it does

Researchers at Stanford University found that AI is also transforming scientific discovery by helping scientists to analyse complex data, generate hypotheses and formulate experiments faster than old methods. AI is entering multiple sectors, including biology, medicine, engineering, and astrophysics, to overcome limitations connected to time, resources, and data complexity. AI is also playing an increasingly significant role in biology and medicine by helping researchers analyse genetic data, identify biological patterns and develop advanced models for studying disease. According to Stanford researchers, AI-powered virtual cell models could significantly accelerate drug discovery and pave the way for more personalised healthcare.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japanese-researchers-found-invisible-gold-in-massive-quantities-hiding-beneath-seafloor-1783752058979">Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor</a><h3>Integration of AI agents</h3>AI agents are also becoming an integral part of scientific research, helping with tasks such as reviewing academic literature, designing experiments and interpreting data. However, researchers emphasise that human expertise remains indispensable, as AI-generated findings and hypotheses must still be scientifically validated and assessed for real-world applicability. From uncovering the complexities of genetic systems to exploring the structure of the universe, AI is allowing scientists to investigate questions that were previously difficult to address. Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems. Rather than serving only as a productivity tool, AI is evolving into a fundamental component of scientific research. By analysing massive datasets, generating new hypotheses and simulating complex systems, it has the potential to accelerate discoveries across medicine, engineering, climate science and astrophysics. The findings reinforce that no matter how AI advances and enters several fields, scientific progress will continue to rely completely on human expertise. AI can speed up the process of analysis and experimentation; however, rigorous validation, ethical oversight and critical judgement will always remain vital to ensuring research results are reliable and reproducible. &nbsp;

Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems.

Researchers at Stanford University found that AI is also transforming scientific discovery by helping scientists to analyse complex data, generate hypotheses and formulate experiments faster than old methods. AI is entering multiple sectors, including biology, medicine, engineering, and astrophysics, to overcome limitations connected to time, resources, and data complexity. AI is also playing an increasingly significant role in biology and medicine by helping researchers analyse genetic data, identify biological patterns and develop advanced models for studying disease. According to Stanford researchers, AI-powered virtual cell models could significantly accelerate drug discovery and pave the way for more personalised healthcare. Also read: Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor Integration of AI agents AI agents are also becoming an integral part of scientific research, helping with tasks such as reviewing academic literature, designing experiments and interpreting data. However, researchers emphasise that human expertise remains indispensable, as AI-generated findings and hypotheses must still be scientifically validated and assessed for real-world applicability. From uncovering the complexities of genetic systems to exploring the structure of the universe, AI is allowing scientists to investigate questions that were previously difficult to address. Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems. Rather than serving only as a productivity tool, AI is evolving into a fundamental component of scientific research. By analysing massive datasets, generating new hypotheses and simulating complex systems, it has the potential to accelerate discoveries across medicine, engineering, climate science and astrophysics. The findings reinforce that no matter how AI advances and enters several fields, scientific progress will continue to rely completely on human expertise. AI can speed up the process of analysis and experimentation; however, rigorous validation, ethical oversight and critical judgement will always remain vital to ensuring research results are reliable and reproducible.

Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems.

Can AI make scientific breakthroughs faster? Researchers weigh in

Scientists have uncovered an extraordinary underwater discovery—a vast whale graveyard lying deep beneath the ocean surface. The site, believed to be millions of years old, contains the remains of ancient whales and offers a rare glimpse into prehistoric marine ecosystems.

What caused so many whales to end up in one location? And what can this remarkable find tell us about Earth's distant past?

Millions-Of-Years-Old Whale Graveyard Found On Ocean Floor

After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material. It was identified in a rock – the first time in solid form on Earth – and could represent a member of a new mineral group.&nbsp;

“We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth – minerals similar to it can be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this exact material anywhere,” said geoscientist Matthew Pasek.&nbsp;

Pasek recently looked at how high-energy incidents, like lightning, can trigger unusual chemical reactions, and in this case, result in a novel substance that is transitional between space minerals and the earth's crust, as per the University of South Florida.&nbsp;

“When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding grass dies, forming a scar and sending electric discharge through nearby rock, soil and sand, forming fulgurites, also known as ‘fossilized lightning’,” Pasek said.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-drone-footage-shows-dramatic-aerial-view-of-record-flooding-in-florida-582245">Drone footage shows dramatic&nbsp;aerial view of record flooding in Florida</a>

When the New Port Richey homeowners discovered the ‘lightning scar’, they found a fulgurite and decided to sell it, determining it had value. &nbsp;

Pasek purchased it, and then began an association with Luca Bindi, a professor of mineralogy and crystallography at the University of Florence in Italy.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US leak could be fake, meant to mislead Moscow; China preparing for a war

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In order to better comprehend high-energy phenomena, the team decided to look into unusual phosphorus-bearing minerals, particularly those created by lightning.

“It’s important to understand how much energy lightning has because then we know how much damage a lightning strike can cause on average and how dangerous it is,” Pasek said. “Florida is the lightning capital of the world and lightning safety is important – if lightning is strong enough to melt rock, it can certainly melt people too.”

Pasek claims that iron will often collect and encrust tree roots in moist regions, such as Florida. In this instance, the lightning strike ignited both the naturally occurring carbon in the tree and the iron on the tree roots, causing both to catch fire. The interaction of the two substances resulted in the formation of fulgurite, which had the resemblance of a metal "glob."&nbsp;

The material was attempted to be recreated in a lab by co-principal investigator Tian Feng, a USF geology graduate. As a result of the experiment's failure, it can be concluded that the substance forms swiftly under specific circumstances and that, if heated for an extended period of time, it will transform into the mineral found in meteorites.&nbsp;

Given the rarity of it present naturally, Pasek claims that it is uncertain that this material could be mined for uses similar to those of other phosphates, such as fertiliser. Pasek and Bindi, however, intend to carry out more research on the substance to see if it can be formally classified as a mineral and raise more awareness among scientists, as per the&nbsp;University of South Florida. 
 
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After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material.

After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material. It was identified in a rock – the first time in solid form on Earth – and could represent a member of a new mineral group. “We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth – minerals similar to it can be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this exact material anywhere,” said geoscientist Matthew Pasek. Pasek recently looked at how high-energy incidents, like lightning, can trigger unusual chemical reactions, and in this case, result in a novel substance that is transitional between space minerals and the earth's crust, as per the University of South Florida. “When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding grass dies, forming a scar and sending electric discharge through nearby rock, soil and sand, forming fulgurites, also known as ‘fossilized lightning’,” Pasek said. ALSO WATCH | Drone footage shows dramatic aerial view of record flooding in Florida When the New Port Richey homeowners discovered the ‘lightning scar’, they found a fulgurite and decided to sell it, determining it had value. Pasek purchased it, and then began an association with Luca Bindi, a professor of mineralogy and crystallography at the University of Florence in Italy. ALSO WATCH | US leak could be fake, meant to mislead Moscow; China preparing for a war In order to better comprehend high-energy phenomena, the team decided to look into unusual phosphorus-bearing minerals, particularly those created by lightning. “It’s important to understand how much energy lightning has because then we know how much damage a lightning strike can cause on average and how dangerous it is,” Pasek said. “Florida is the lightning capital of the world and lightning safety is important – if lightning is strong enough to melt rock, it can certainly melt people too.” Pasek claims that iron will often collect and encrust tree roots in moist regions, such as Florida. In this instance, the lightning strike ignited both the naturally occurring carbon in the tree and the iron on the tree roots, causing both to catch fire. The interaction of the two substances resulted in the formation of fulgurite, which had the resemblance of a metal "glob." The material was attempted to be recreated in a lab by co-principal investigator Tian Feng, a USF geology graduate. As a result of the experiment's failure, it can be concluded that the substance forms swiftly under specific circumstances and that, if heated for an extended period of time, it will transform into the mineral found in meteorites. Given the rarity of it present naturally, Pasek claims that it is uncertain that this material could be mined for uses similar to those of other phosphates, such as fertiliser. Pasek and Bindi, however, intend to carry out more research on the substance to see if it can be formally classified as a mineral and raise more awareness among scientists, as per the University of South Florida. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Lightning strike leads to discovery! New phosphorus material found in Florida

Scientists this week announced advancement towards a superconductor material that could conduct electricity in everyday conditions. The breakthrough means a stunning transformation into any technology that uses electric energy. The breakthrough also means the opening of new possibilities for your phone, magnetically moving trains, and future fusion power plants.

A peer-reviewed accounting of the findings was published on Wednesday in the Nature journal.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/south-korean-scientists-create-an-artificial-sun-in-pursuit-of-unlimited-clean-energy-515686">South Korean scientists create an 'artificial sun' in pursuit of unlimited clean energy</a>

The new superconductor consists of lutetium, a rare earth metal, and hydrogen with a little bit of nitrogen mixed in. It needs to be compressed to a pressure of 145,000 pounds per square inch before it gains its superconducting prowess. That is about 10 times the pressure that is exerted at the bottom of the ocean’s deepest trenches. 
 
A team of physicists&nbsp;led by Ranga Dias, a physicist from the University of Rochester in New York, claims it might have cracked it. The team&nbsp;demonstrated a&nbsp;rare earth metal lutetium combined with hydrogen and nitrogen conducted electricity without resistance at 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) and around just 10,000 atmospheres of pressure, which may sound unusably high amount, but the physicists point out that even higher pressures are currently used in engineering processes such as chip manufacturing.

<h2>Why is it important?</h2>

It is important because the superconductors can now work at room temperature. Although superconductors have existed for nearly a century, their use was only feasible at unearthly, ultracold temperatures with limited applications if not negligible.

For decades, scientists have sought superconductors that work at room temperature, and their hunt appears to have achieved fruition.&nbsp; 
 
If the breakthrough is confirmed in subsequent tests, it would help create&nbsp;devices that do not waste energy on heat when producing a current and could be used to create more efficient computers; superior X-ray technology; and even more powerful nuclear reactors.

<h2>Why is there skepticism around discovery?</h2>

The skepticism is mainly for&nbsp;the fact that in 2020, a paper by a team of scientists describing a less practical superconducting material was retracted after scrutiny by a group of scientists about some of the data.

Superconductivity was discovered by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a Dutch physicist, and his team in 1911.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Battle for space in India's megacity: Climate change threatens to make the matter worse

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The first known superconductors required temperatures only a few degrees above absolute zero or minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit. In the 1980s, physicists discovered high-temperature superconductors whose applicability was minimal in everyday life.&nbsp;

The latest discovery adds a luminous layer of applicability for the use of superconductors in everyday life. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
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Scientists this week announced advancement towards a superconductor material that could conduct electricity in everyday conditions. The breakthrough means a stunning transformation into any technology that uses electric energy.

Scientists this week announced advancement towards a superconductor material that could conduct electricity in everyday conditions. The breakthrough means a stunning transformation into any technology that uses electric energy. The breakthrough also means the opening of new possibilities for your phone, magnetically moving trains, and future fusion power plants. A peer-reviewed accounting of the findings was published on Wednesday in the Nature journal. ALSO READ | South Korean scientists create an 'artificial sun' in pursuit of unlimited clean energy The new superconductor consists of lutetium, a rare earth metal, and hydrogen with a little bit of nitrogen mixed in. It needs to be compressed to a pressure of 145,000 pounds per square inch before it gains its superconducting prowess. That is about 10 times the pressure that is exerted at the bottom of the ocean’s deepest trenches. A team of physicists led by Ranga Dias, a physicist from the University of Rochester in New York, claims it might have cracked it. The team demonstrated a rare earth metal lutetium combined with hydrogen and nitrogen conducted electricity without resistance at 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) and around just 10,000 atmospheres of pressure, which may sound unusably high amount, but the physicists point out that even higher pressures are currently used in engineering processes such as chip manufacturing. Why is it important? It is important because the superconductors can now work at room temperature. Although superconductors have existed for nearly a century, their use was only feasible at unearthly, ultracold temperatures with limited applications if not negligible. For decades, scientists have sought superconductors that work at room temperature, and their hunt appears to have achieved fruition. If the breakthrough is confirmed in subsequent tests, it would help create devices that do not waste energy on heat when producing a current and could be used to create more efficient computers; superior X-ray technology; and even more powerful nuclear reactors. Why is there skepticism around discovery? The skepticism is mainly for the fact that in 2020, a paper by a team of scientists describing a less practical superconducting material was retracted after scrutiny by a group of scientists about some of the data. Superconductivity was discovered by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a Dutch physicist, and his team in 1911. ALSO WATCH | Battle for space in India's megacity: Climate change threatens to make the matter worse × The first known superconductors required temperatures only a few degrees above absolute zero or minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit. In the 1980s, physicists discovered high-temperature superconductors whose applicability was minimal in everyday life. The latest discovery adds a luminous layer of applicability for the use of superconductors in everyday life. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists achieve superconductivity breakthrough for next-age electrical transmission

A team of Canadian researchers claim to have discovered two new minerals from their analysis of the world's ninth-largest meteorite discovered in Somalia.

They indicate that a potential third new mineral might also be present in the 15-tonne meteorite that landed in east Africa, near the town of El Ali, in the Hiiraan region.

As per The Guardian, the meteorite dubbed "nightfall" by locals, and El Ali by western scientists was unearthed in 2020.&nbsp;

However, locals claim that the extraterrestrial rock has been known to them for ages.

Watch |&nbsp;All the times humanity tried to communicate with aliens

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For classification purposes, a 70-gram slice of the iron-based meteorite was sent to the University of Alberta's meteorite collection. There Dr Chris Herd, the curator of the collection noticed "unusual" minerals in the rock.

The newly discovered minerals have been named elaliite, and elkinstantonite. The name 'elaliite' comes from the rock's location of El Ali town, while 'elkinstantonite', pays tribute to Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the principal investigator of Nasa’s upcoming Psyche mission that aims to send a spacecraft to a metal-rich asteroid.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-picture-of-pluto-the-dwarf-planet-showing-its-real-colours-take-a-look-537859">NASA shares picture of Pluto, the 'dwarf planet' showing its 'real colours'. Take a look!</a>

“Lindy has done a lot of work on how the cores of planets form, how these iron-nickel cores form, and the closest analogue we have are iron meteorites. So it made sense to name a mineral after her and recognise her contributions to science,” Herd was quoted as saying by Guardian.

Herd who is a professor in the department of Earth and atmospheric sciences then asked a colleague Andrew Locock, the head of the university’s electron microprobe laboratory, to examine the sample.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-finds-super-earth-world-with-lava-hellscape-on-surface-537500">NASA finds 'super earth' exoplanet with lava hellscape surface just 200 light years away</a>

It was Locock who determined that the meteorite contains two new minerals. The third potential mineral's confirmation is pending analysis.

"That was phenomenal," says Herd, adding that while in the 1980s similar minerals were created in the laboratory, this is the first time they've been recorded as appearing in nature.

He remarked that this could help ascertain how "nature's laboratory" works and that the minerals could have real-world uses. &nbsp;

The University of Alberta wanted to further examine the extraterrestrial rock, however, as per Herd, there are reports that it has been removed to China, where it may be put on the market. Meteorites have a niche in international markets where they are often brought and sold for very lucrative amounts.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A team of Canadian researchers claim to have discovered two new minerals from their analysis of the world's ninth-largest meteorite discovered in Somalia. They indicate that a potential third new mineral might also be present in the 15-tonne meteorite that landed in east Africa, near the town of El Ali, in the Hiiraan region.

A team of Canadian researchers claim to have discovered two new minerals from their analysis of the world's ninth-largest meteorite discovered in Somalia. They indicate that a potential third new mineral might also be present in the 15-tonne meteorite that landed in east Africa, near the town of El Ali, in the Hiiraan region. As per The Guardian, the meteorite dubbed "nightfall" by locals, and El Ali by western scientists was unearthed in 2020. However, locals claim that the extraterrestrial rock has been known to them for ages. Watch | All the times humanity tried to communicate with aliens For classification purposes, a 70-gram slice of the iron-based meteorite was sent to the University of Alberta's meteorite collection. There Dr Chris Herd, the curator of the collection noticed "unusual" minerals in the rock. The newly discovered minerals have been named elaliite, and elkinstantonite. The name 'elaliite' comes from the rock's location of El Ali town, while 'elkinstantonite', pays tribute to Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the principal investigator of Nasa’s upcoming Psyche mission that aims to send a spacecraft to a metal-rich asteroid. Also read | NASA shares picture of Pluto, the 'dwarf planet' showing its 'real colours'. Take a look! “Lindy has done a lot of work on how the cores of planets form, how these iron-nickel cores form, and the closest analogue we have are iron meteorites. So it made sense to name a mineral after her and recognise her contributions to science,” Herd was quoted as saying by Guardian. Herd who is a professor in the department of Earth and atmospheric sciences then asked a colleague Andrew Locock, the head of the university’s electron microprobe laboratory, to examine the sample. Also read | NASA finds 'super earth' exoplanet with lava hellscape surface just 200 light years away It was Locock who determined that the meteorite contains two new minerals. The third potential mineral's confirmation is pending analysis. "That was phenomenal," says Herd, adding that while in the 1980s similar minerals were created in the laboratory, this is the first time they've been recorded as appearing in nature. He remarked that this could help ascertain how "nature's laboratory" works and that the minerals could have real-world uses. The University of Alberta wanted to further examine the extraterrestrial rock, however, as per Herd, there are reports that it has been removed to China, where it may be put on the market. Meteorites have a niche in international markets where they are often brought and sold for very lucrative amounts. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Analysis of meteorite reveals two alien 'never before seen on Earth' minerals

Secrets and unknown species abound in the waters of Earth's oceans. Among these mysterious species is one worm detected by scientists in 2020. Its iridescent colours reminded the discoverers so much of the king of rock'n'roll that they nicknamed it the "Elvis worm".

The sparkling Peinaleopolynoe&nbsp;were discovered 4,000 metres or 13,000 feet underwater in some of the Pacific ocean's deepest hydrothermal vents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-have-discovered-africas-oldest-dinosaur-named-mbiresaurus-raathi-in-zimbabwe-512201" hreflang="en">Scientists have discovered Africa's oldest dinosaur named Mbiresaurus raathi in Zimbabwe</a>

Because of their shimmering scales, which are reminiscent of the sequined jumpsuits worn by Elvis Presley, they have been referred to as "Elvis worms"&nbsp;for years.

Their name Peinaleopolynoe is derived from the Greek word peinaléos, which means hungry or famished. According to the Guardian, the hungry scale-worms got their name because the first time they were seen, they were gathered around a pile of food that researchers had left on the deep-sea floor as something of an experiment.

Watch |&nbsp;Tech Talk: Japanese scientists unveil remote-controlled Cockroaches

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Avery Hiley, a graduate researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, while talking to Guardian said,&nbsp;"You'll see little pink sparkly worms, blue ones, red ones, black ones, and white ones."

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(Image credits: Oceanfilly/Twitter)

The sparkly pink one is the one nicknamed "Elvis" worm by Hiley and her colleagues. They initially thought that there were multiple species of the worm but genetics test results found that it is one species that changes colours as "it develops from a juvenile to an adult form."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/research-shows-that-women-heart-diseases-are-often-overlooked-513011" hreflang="en">Research shows that women heart diseases are often overlooked</a>

Scale worms have been discovered on whale carcasses, volcanic seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, etc., all habitats that house chemical-harnessing bacteria.

"They have jaws, which we suspect they use to graze bacteria," Hiley explains, adding that they believe the worms are bacteriovores.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Secrets and unknown species abound in the waters of Earth's oceans. Among these mysterious species is one worm detected by scientists in 2020. Its iridescent colours reminded the discoverers so much of the king of rock'n'roll that they nicknamed it the "Elvis worm".

Secrets and unknown species abound in the waters of Earth's oceans. Among these mysterious species is one worm detected by scientists in 2020. Its iridescent colours reminded the discoverers so much of the king of rock'n'roll that they nicknamed it the "Elvis worm". The sparkling Peinaleopolynoe were discovered 4,000 metres or 13,000 feet underwater in some of the Pacific ocean's deepest hydrothermal vents. Also read | Scientists have discovered Africa's oldest dinosaur named Mbiresaurus raathi in Zimbabwe Because of their shimmering scales, which are reminiscent of the sequined jumpsuits worn by Elvis Presley, they have been referred to as "Elvis worms" for years. Their name Peinaleopolynoe is derived from the Greek word peinaléos, which means hungry or famished. According to the Guardian, the hungry scale-worms got their name because the first time they were seen, they were gathered around a pile of food that researchers had left on the deep-sea floor as something of an experiment. Watch | Tech Talk: Japanese scientists unveil remote-controlled Cockroaches Avery Hiley, a graduate researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, while talking to Guardian said, "You'll see little pink sparkly worms, blue ones, red ones, black ones, and white ones." (Image credits: Oceanfilly/Twitter) The sparkly pink one is the one nicknamed "Elvis" worm by Hiley and her colleagues. They initially thought that there were multiple species of the worm but genetics test results found that it is one species that changes colours as "it develops from a juvenile to an adult form." Also read | Research shows that women heart diseases are often overlooked Scale worms have been discovered on whale carcasses, volcanic seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, etc., all habitats that house chemical-harnessing bacteria. "They have jaws, which we suspect they use to graze bacteria," Hiley explains, adding that they believe the worms are bacteriovores. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mysteries of the ocean: Iridescent 'Elvis' worms that shimmer found thousands of feet underwater

A four million-year-old chunk of the Earth's crust, the size of Ireland, has been found floating under Western Australia.

According to the research&nbsp;which was published online on June 17 in the journal Terra Nova, the old crust spans an area of at least 38,610 square miles (100,000 square kilometres) and is buried&nbsp;"Tens of kilometres" underground.

The Earth is 4.54 billion years old and the piece of Earth's crust is 4 billion old which makes it among the oldest on Earth. The rocks of the Canadian Shield, which are located on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay and date back 4.3 billion years, are the oldest, according to Space.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-becomes-bffs-with-notorious-double-murderer-in-jail-511763">Ghislaine Maxwell becomes 'bffs' with notorious double-murderer in jail</a>

Due to plate tectonics, which continuously stirs up and pushes Earth's crust back into the mantle, the majority of the planet's rocky surface was formed within the last couple of billion years.

Researchers have discovered the crust near Australia's Jack Hills, a site that is also home to small minerals called zircons that date back 4.4 billion years. This makes them the oldest materials on Earth to have been found.

Maximilian Droellner, a doctoral student at Curtin University in Australia and study co-author, said in a statement that the oldest crust like the recently discovered chunk in Western Australia tends to date back around 4 billion years. He said that this suggests that something noteworthy occurred in that period of Earth's history.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Satellite images show extent of damage; Pak PM calls deluge 'worst in history'

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"When comparing our findings to existing data, it appears many regions around the world experienced a similar timing of early crust formation and preservation," he said.&nbsp;

"This suggests a significant change in the evolution of the Earth some four billion years ago, as meteorite bombardment waned, crust stabilized and life on Earth began to establish."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/paleontologists-discover-remains-of-europes-largest-dinosaur-in-a-garden-in-portugal-511423" hreflang="en">Paleontologists discover remains of Europe’s largest dinosaur in a garden in Portugal</a>

Based on geochemical hints in the sediments found in the region, Droellmer and his colleagues believe that there is an older crust buried there. They also ran to test out their theory.&nbsp;

Researchers can learn more about the continents' early creation by comprehending how the crust formed 4 billion years ago, the researchers wrote. The planet's surface was constantly shifting during this time, and very few remnants of the early Earth have survived. This period laid the foundation for the planet as it is now.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A four million-year-old chunk of the Earth's crust, the size of Ireland, has been found floating under Western Australia. According to the research which was published online on June 17 in the journal Terra Nova, the old crust spans an area of at least 38,610 square miles (100,000 square kilometres) and is buried "Tens of kilometres" underground.

A four million-year-old chunk of the Earth's crust, the size of Ireland, has been found floating under Western Australia. According to the research which was published online on June 17 in the journal Terra Nova, the old crust spans an area of at least 38,610 square miles (100,000 square kilometres) and is buried "Tens of kilometres" underground. The Earth is 4.54 billion years old and the piece of Earth's crust is 4 billion old which makes it among the oldest on Earth. The rocks of the Canadian Shield, which are located on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay and date back 4.3 billion years, are the oldest, according to Space. Also read | Ghislaine Maxwell becomes 'bffs' with notorious double-murderer in jail Due to plate tectonics, which continuously stirs up and pushes Earth's crust back into the mantle, the majority of the planet's rocky surface was formed within the last couple of billion years. Researchers have discovered the crust near Australia's Jack Hills, a site that is also home to small minerals called zircons that date back 4.4 billion years. This makes them the oldest materials on Earth to have been found. Maximilian Droellner, a doctoral student at Curtin University in Australia and study co-author, said in a statement that the oldest crust like the recently discovered chunk in Western Australia tends to date back around 4 billion years. He said that this suggests that something noteworthy occurred in that period of Earth's history. Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Satellite images show extent of damage; Pak PM calls deluge 'worst in history' "When comparing our findings to existing data, it appears many regions around the world experienced a similar timing of early crust formation and preservation," he said. "This suggests a significant change in the evolution of the Earth some four billion years ago, as meteorite bombardment waned, crust stabilized and life on Earth began to establish." Also read | Paleontologists discover remains of Europe’s largest dinosaur in a garden in Portugal Based on geochemical hints in the sediments found in the region, Droellmer and his colleagues believe that there is an older crust buried there. They also ran to test out their theory. Researchers can learn more about the continents' early creation by comprehending how the crust formed 4 billion years ago, the researchers wrote. The planet's surface was constantly shifting during this time, and very few remnants of the early Earth have survived. This period laid the foundation for the planet as it is now. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Crust almost as old as the planet and thousands of kilometres long found floating under Australia

Researchers have discovered a never-seen-before species of European Panda that according to estimates roamed the continent some six million years ago. The discovery of this species—likely the last panda of Europe—began with the finding of a pair of fossil teeth that had been lying in a storage facility undiscovered for 40 years.&nbsp;As per a Live Science report the fossil, which consists of an upper canine and an upper molar, was discovered in northwest Bulgaria in the late 1970s, but they were eventually left in storage at the Bulgarian National Museum of Natural History in Sofia.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Pandas are 99% vegetarian &amp; only feed on bamboos

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It's astonishing that this discovery remained undiscovered for forty years because it wasn't properly catalogued and was thus left untouched for forty long years. Recently, museum staff stumbled onto the peculiar-looking teeth and decided to investigate further.

An analysis of the teeth soon revealed that they were unlike any of the previously identified species of European pandas or the discovered fossils. The species which has been named Agriarctos Nikolovi had much larger teeth than the majority of European panda species. The giant pandas we know today have large teeth, and the newly discovered Agriarctos Nikolovi's teeth come close.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/when-did-pandas-start-eating-bamboo-scientists-have-answer-493490">When did pandas start eating bamboo? Scientists have answer</a>

In addition, the teeth are significantly more recent than other panda fossils found in Europe, some of which are over 10 million years old, indicating that A. Nikolovi was probably the final panda species to inhabit the continent.

However, despite the similarities the modern pandas are not a direct descendent of this species, but "is a close relative" says study co-author Nikolai Spassov, a palaeontologist at the Bulgarian National Museum of Natural History.

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"This discovery shows how little we still know about ancient nature," he remarked.

The authors of the study speculate that A. Nikolovi's habitat and diet may have been impacted by climate change, which may have ultimately led to its extinction.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Researchers have discovered a never-seen-before species of European Panda that according to estimates roamed the continent some six million years ago. The discovery of this species—likely the last panda of Europe—began with the finding of a pair of fossil teeth that had been lying in a storage facility undiscovered for 40 years.

Researchers have discovered a never-seen-before species of European Panda that according to estimates roamed the continent some six million years ago. The discovery of this species—likely the last panda of Europe—began with the finding of a pair of fossil teeth that had been lying in a storage facility undiscovered for 40 years. As per a Live Science report the fossil, which consists of an upper canine and an upper molar, was discovered in northwest Bulgaria in the late 1970s, but they were eventually left in storage at the Bulgarian National Museum of Natural History in Sofia. Watch | WION Climate Tracker: Pandas are 99% vegetarian & only feed on bamboos It's astonishing that this discovery remained undiscovered for forty years because it wasn't properly catalogued and was thus left untouched for forty long years. Recently, museum staff stumbled onto the peculiar-looking teeth and decided to investigate further. An analysis of the teeth soon revealed that they were unlike any of the previously identified species of European pandas or the discovered fossils. The species which has been named Agriarctos Nikolovi had much larger teeth than the majority of European panda species. The giant pandas we know today have large teeth, and the newly discovered Agriarctos Nikolovi's teeth come close. Also read | When did pandas start eating bamboo? Scientists have answer In addition, the teeth are significantly more recent than other panda fossils found in Europe, some of which are over 10 million years old, indicating that A. Nikolovi was probably the final panda species to inhabit the continent. However, despite the similarities the modern pandas are not a direct descendent of this species, but "is a close relative" says study co-author Nikolai Spassov, a palaeontologist at the Bulgarian National Museum of Natural History. Also read | World's oldest giant male panda 'An An' dies at 35 "This discovery shows how little we still know about ancient nature," he remarked. The authors of the study speculate that A. Nikolovi's habitat and diet may have been impacted by climate change, which may have ultimately led to its extinction. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Teeth that were 'gathering dust for 40 years', lead to the discovery of Europe's last Panda

&nbsp;Scientists at McMaster University in Canada have developed an inhaled form of COVID-19 vaccine that can offer broad and long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, a preclinical study has found.

The study, published recently in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)00145-3">Cell</a>, discusses the immune mechanisms and the benefits of delivering vaccines directly to the respiratory tract rather than by injection.

Inhaled vaccines are far more effective at inducing a protective immune response since they target the lungs and upper airways, where respiratory viruses first enter the body,&nbsp;claim&nbsp;researchers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/science-fiction-or-reality-a-coating-for-clothes-that-can-decrease-covid-infectibility-by-90-452442" hreflang="en">Science fiction or reality?: A coating for clothes, that can decrease Covid infectibility by 90%</a>

Researchers conducted an animal model study to provide critical proof of concept that will enable Phase 1 clinical trials currently being conducted to evaluate inhaled aerosol vaccines in healthy adults who have already had two doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

The strategy was built upon a robust tuberculosis vaccine research programme established by Zhou Xing, a co-lead author of the study.

"What we have discovered from many years' research is that the vaccine delivered into the lung induces all-around protective respiratory mucosal immunity, a property that the injected vaccine is lacking," said Xing, professor at McMaster University.

The new vaccine,&nbsp;which targets parts of the virus, is effective against highly transmissible variants because it targets parts that are highly conserved among coronaviruses and do not mutate as quickly as a spike.

According to the researchers, all COVID-19 vaccines approved today target only the spike protein, which has shown remarkable mutating capabilities. SARS-CoV-2 enters and infects human cells using the spike protein.

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"This vaccine might also provide pre-emptive protection against a future pandemic, and that is really important because as we have seen during this pandemic -- and as we saw in 2009 with the swine flu -- even when we are able to rapidly make a vaccine for a pandemic virus, it's already way too late," said Miller.

In addition to neutralising antibodies and T cell immunity, the researchers discovered that the vaccine stimulated a form of immunity known as trained innate immunity.

They said this type of immunity provides very broad protection against many lung pathogens, besides SARS-CoV-2.

Watch |&nbsp;United States reaches a grim milestone in fight against Covid 19

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Researchers said an inhaled vaccine is so effective at targeting the lungs and upper airways that it can deliver maximum protection without needles or pain. Researchers said the protection could be achieved with a fraction of the dose of current vaccines - as little as 1 per cent&nbsp;- meaning a single batch of vaccine could go 100 times farther.

"This pandemic has shown us that vaccine supply can be a huge challenge," said associate professor Brian Lichty, who co-led the preclinical study.

"Demonstrating that this alternative delivery method can significantly extend vaccine supply could be a game changer, particularly in a pandemic setting," Lichty added.

Scientists at McMaster University in Canada have developed an inhaled form of COVID-19 vaccine that can offer broad and long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, a preclinical study has found.

Scientists at McMaster University in Canada have developed an inhaled form of COVID-19 vaccine that can offer broad and long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, a preclinical study has found. The study, published recently in Cell, discusses the immune mechanisms and the benefits of delivering vaccines directly to the respiratory tract rather than by injection. Inhaled vaccines are far more effective at inducing a protective immune response since they target the lungs and upper airways, where respiratory viruses first enter the body, claim researchers. Also read | Science fiction or reality?: A coating for clothes, that can decrease Covid infectibility by 90% Researchers conducted an animal model study to provide critical proof of concept that will enable Phase 1 clinical trials currently being conducted to evaluate inhaled aerosol vaccines in healthy adults who have already had two doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The strategy was built upon a robust tuberculosis vaccine research programme established by Zhou Xing, a co-lead author of the study. "What we have discovered from many years' research is that the vaccine delivered into the lung induces all-around protective respiratory mucosal immunity, a property that the injected vaccine is lacking," said Xing, professor at McMaster University. The new vaccine, which targets parts of the virus, is effective against highly transmissible variants because it targets parts that are highly conserved among coronaviruses and do not mutate as quickly as a spike. According to the researchers, all COVID-19 vaccines approved today target only the spike protein, which has shown remarkable mutating capabilities. SARS-CoV-2 enters and infects human cells using the spike protein. Also read | Hong Kong outbreak caused due to Covid transmission from hamsters, says study "This vaccine might also provide pre-emptive protection against a future pandemic, and that is really important because as we have seen during this pandemic -- and as we saw in 2009 with the swine flu -- even when we are able to rapidly make a vaccine for a pandemic virus, it's already way too late," said Miller. In addition to neutralising antibodies and T cell immunity, the researchers discovered that the vaccine stimulated a form of immunity known as trained innate immunity. They said this type of immunity provides very broad protection against many lung pathogens, besides SARS-CoV-2. Watch | United States reaches a grim milestone in fight against Covid 19 Researchers said an inhaled vaccine is so effective at targeting the lungs and upper airways that it can deliver maximum protection without needles or pain. Researchers said the protection could be achieved with a fraction of the dose of current vaccines - as little as 1 per cent - meaning a single batch of vaccine could go 100 times farther. "This pandemic has shown us that vaccine supply can be a huge challenge," said associate professor Brian Lichty, who co-led the preclinical study. "Demonstrating that this alternative delivery method can significantly extend vaccine supply could be a game changer, particularly in a pandemic setting," Lichty added.

Future of Covid vaccines: Scientists develop a vaccine that can be inhaled, won't need needles

Blowing soap bubbles will never fail to delight one's inner child, regardless of how quickly they burst.&nbsp;

We have some good news for those who always seem to feel disappointed due to this ephemeral nature of bubbles. According to a new paper published in <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prfluids/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.7.L011601">Physical Review Fluids</a>, French physicists have created "everlasting bubbles" using plastic particles, glycerol, and water.

They even managed to build a bubble that survived for a whopping 465 days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/now-scientists-discover-how-human-noses-pick-up-body-odours-stench-450319" hreflang="en">Now, scientists discover how human noses pick up body odour’s stench</a>

In contrast to soap bubbles, the new bubbles can last more than a year before they pop, reported the scientists.

Rather than soap and water, the bubbles are made from water, microparticles of plastic, and a viscous, clear liquid called glycerol. The trio of ingredients prevents factors that normally quickly deflate bubbles.

Normally, the liquid in a soap bubble sinks to the bottom and leaves a thin film at the top, which can easily rupture. Furthermore, evaporation saps bubbles' strength. Plastic particles cling to water in the everlasting bubbles, maintaining the thickness of the film. The glycerol in the air blocks evaporation by absorbing moisture.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/will-work-for-food-company-trains-crows-to-pick-up-trash-from-streets-450271" hreflang="en">Will work for food: Company trains crows to pick up trash from streets</a>

We were amazed when the bubble didn't rupture even after days, says Michael Baudoin of the Université de Lille in France.&nbsp;

In order to gauge how long the bubbles would last, he and his colleagues watched them closely. They waited and waited, and waited. The longest-lived bubble ever created under normal atmospheric conditions lasted 465 days before it burst.&nbsp;

Before it finally burst, that bubble turned slightly green, an indication of what finally caused it to pop. According to the team, microbes took residence in the bubble, weakening its structure.

Leif Ristroph, a professor at New York University who wasn't involved in the study, says such anti-evaporation technology could be useful in medicine. Speaking to NBC he said, “I’m daydreaming here, but I could imagine it might be useful to ‘armor’ little droplets in aerosols and sprays to make them last longer in air…For example, some sort of medicine that’s administered by spraying and breathing in the aerosol.”

Blowing soap bubbles will never fail to delight one's inner child, regardless of how quickly they burst. We have some good news for those who always seem to feel disappointed due to this ephemeral nature of bubbles.

Blowing soap bubbles will never fail to delight one's inner child, regardless of how quickly they burst. We have some good news for those who always seem to feel disappointed due to this ephemeral nature of bubbles. According to a new paper published in Physical Review Fluids, French physicists have created "everlasting bubbles" using plastic particles, glycerol, and water. They even managed to build a bubble that survived for a whopping 465 days. Also read | Now, scientists discover how human noses pick up body odour’s stench In contrast to soap bubbles, the new bubbles can last more than a year before they pop, reported the scientists. Rather than soap and water, the bubbles are made from water, microparticles of plastic, and a viscous, clear liquid called glycerol. The trio of ingredients prevents factors that normally quickly deflate bubbles. Normally, the liquid in a soap bubble sinks to the bottom and leaves a thin film at the top, which can easily rupture. Furthermore, evaporation saps bubbles' strength. Plastic particles cling to water in the everlasting bubbles, maintaining the thickness of the film. The glycerol in the air blocks evaporation by absorbing moisture. Also read | Will work for food: Company trains crows to pick up trash from streets We were amazed when the bubble didn't rupture even after days, says Michael Baudoin of the Université de Lille in France. In order to gauge how long the bubbles would last, he and his colleagues watched them closely. They waited and waited, and waited. The longest-lived bubble ever created under normal atmospheric conditions lasted 465 days before it burst. Before it finally burst, that bubble turned slightly green, an indication of what finally caused it to pop. According to the team, microbes took residence in the bubble, weakening its structure. Leif Ristroph, a professor at New York University who wasn't involved in the study, says such anti-evaporation technology could be useful in medicine. Speaking to NBC he said, “I’m daydreaming here, but I could imagine it might be useful to ‘armor’ little droplets in aerosols and sprays to make them last longer in air…For example, some sort of medicine that’s administered by spraying and breathing in the aerosol.”

No kidding, a bubble that lasted for 465 days! French scientists create 'everlasting bubbles'

The Andaman Islands' archipelago has yielded a new species of plant. Indian biologists discovered the marine green algae during a visit to the island in 2019.

Researchers from the Punjab Central University have named the species Acetabularia jalakanyakae. After nearly four decades, a new species of algae has been discovered on the islands.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volcanic-eruption-under-sea-creates-new-crescent-shaped-island-in-japan-406290" hreflang="en">Volcanic eruption under sea creates new crescent-shaped island in Japan</a>

According to the scientists, the name "Jalakanyaka" which means mermaid in Sanskrit, is a reference to the story of Little Mermaid by Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson.&nbsp;

The scientists confirmed that they had discovered this species for the first time after nearly two years of the laborious identification process.

Over 18 months, the researchers sequenced the plant DNA and compared its form with that of other plants.

Dr Felix Bast, who led the study, said the newly discovered species is stunning. Its caps appear to be umbrellas of mermaids.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/researchers-calculate-constant-pi-to-a-new-record-628tn-figures-406286" hreflang="en">Researchers calculate&nbsp;constant&nbsp;pi to&nbsp;a&nbsp;new record 62.8tn figures</a>

The plant consists of a single gigantic cell with a nucleus, which is its main characteristic. This discovery was described in an article in the Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands contain some of the world's last healthy coral reefs, as well as a rich diversity of other organisms and algae.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The looming threat of climate change, as well as higher seawater temperatures and acidifying oceans, poses major stress to these ecosystems.

As per Dr Bast, seawater temperatures are rising, leading to a decrease in oxygen concentration in the water, a consequence dangerous to everything that needs oxygen to survive, including this species.

The Andaman Islands' archipelago has yielded a new species of plant. Indian biologists discovered the marine green algae during a visit to the island in 2019. Researchers from the Punjab Central University have named the species Acetabularia jalakanyakae.

The Andaman Islands' archipelago has yielded a new species of plant. Indian biologists discovered the marine green algae during a visit to the island in 2019. Researchers from the Punjab Central University have named the species Acetabularia jalakanyakae. After nearly four decades, a new species of algae has been discovered on the islands. Also read | Volcanic eruption under sea creates new crescent-shaped island in Japan According to the scientists, the name "Jalakanyaka" which means mermaid in Sanskrit, is a reference to the story of Little Mermaid by Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson. The scientists confirmed that they had discovered this species for the first time after nearly two years of the laborious identification process. Over 18 months, the researchers sequenced the plant DNA and compared its form with that of other plants. Dr Felix Bast, who led the study, said the newly discovered species is stunning. Its caps appear to be umbrellas of mermaids. Also read | Researchers calculate constant pi to a new record 62.8tn figures The plant consists of a single gigantic cell with a nucleus, which is its main characteristic. This discovery was described in an article in the Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences. Andaman and Nicobar Islands contain some of the world's last healthy coral reefs, as well as a rich diversity of other organisms and algae. The looming threat of climate change, as well as higher seawater temperatures and acidifying oceans, poses major stress to these ecosystems. As per Dr Bast, seawater temperatures are rising, leading to a decrease in oxygen concentration in the water, a consequence dangerous to everything that needs oxygen to survive, including this species.

A 'mermaid' species of algae discovered on Andaman and Nicobar islands

A secret location in the Cotswolds has yielded one of the most impressive discoveries of perfectly preserved fossils of Jurassic echinoderms.

Echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, feather stars (stalkless crinoids), sea lilies (stalked crinoids), sea cucumbers, and echinoids (sea potatoes or dollars&nbsp;and sea urchins).

In an extremely rare finding, the Natural History Museum has discovered perfectly preserved specimens of species from all these groups.

As per the Natural History Museum's website, their Senior Curator Dr Tim Ewin, says, "The exceptional preservation of so many individuals belonging to diverse echinoderm groups is exceptional and makes the site comparable to the best in the world".

This site which is estimated to be 167 million years old&nbsp;was discovered by two non-professional palaeontologists, Sally and Neville Hollingworth, who then alerted the Museum to its possible significance.

The site is believed to have been a warm, relatively shallow sea once, which had a high level of nutrients that attracted large numbers of echinoderms.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;the researchers,&nbsp;the area appeared to have been rapidly covered by a mudslide, which might have&nbsp;happened due to a sudden event.

This is evident from a number of fossilised stalked and unstalked crinoids which were discovered in what is called the 'death pose' i.e. some of the animals were found with their arms around their bodies, trying to shield themselves.

The result of the sudden event was the preservation of almost an entire ecosystem of exceptional quality.

Sea lilies, feather stars, and starfish fossils are historically rare because their multiple skeletons quickly crumble after death, which can only be preserved through immediate burial.

While many of the specimens are of known species, the team believes&nbsp;that it has discovered three new species so far, new varieties of brittle star, feather star, and sea cucumber.

While several other species found on the site were already known to science, many were known through hundred-year-old descriptions that were based on incomplete or poorly prepared specimens.&nbsp;

Thus, the new site will offer valuable information about how these iconic groups evolved and diversified into the ecologically significant organisms they are today.

After three days of excavation, the team has collected about 100 slabs and is preparing them for further analysis and eventually for public engagement.

A secret location in the Cotswolds has yielded one of the most impressive discoveries of perfectly preserved fossils of Jurassic echinoderms. Echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, feather stars (stalkless crinoids), sea lilies (stalked crinoids), sea cucumbers, and echinoids (sea potatoes or dollars and sea urchins).

A secret location in the Cotswolds has yielded one of the most impressive discoveries of perfectly preserved fossils of Jurassic echinoderms. Echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, feather stars (stalkless crinoids), sea lilies (stalked crinoids), sea cucumbers, and echinoids (sea potatoes or dollars and sea urchins). In an extremely rare finding, the Natural History Museum has discovered perfectly preserved specimens of species from all these groups. As per the Natural History Museum's website, their Senior Curator Dr Tim Ewin, says, "The exceptional preservation of so many individuals belonging to diverse echinoderm groups is exceptional and makes the site comparable to the best in the world". This site which is estimated to be 167 million years old was discovered by two non-professional palaeontologists, Sally and Neville Hollingworth, who then alerted the Museum to its possible significance. The site is believed to have been a warm, relatively shallow sea once, which had a high level of nutrients that attracted large numbers of echinoderms. According to the researchers, the area appeared to have been rapidly covered by a mudslide, which might have happened due to a sudden event. This is evident from a number of fossilised stalked and unstalked crinoids which were discovered in what is called the 'death pose' i.e. some of the animals were found with their arms around their bodies, trying to shield themselves. The result of the sudden event was the preservation of almost an entire ecosystem of exceptional quality. Sea lilies, feather stars, and starfish fossils are historically rare because their multiple skeletons quickly crumble after death, which can only be preserved through immediate burial. While many of the specimens are of known species, the team believes that it has discovered three new species so far, new varieties of brittle star, feather star, and sea cucumber. While several other species found on the site were already known to science, many were known through hundred-year-old descriptions that were based on incomplete or poorly prepared specimens. Thus, the new site will offer valuable information about how these iconic groups evolved and diversified into the ecologically significant organisms they are today. After three days of excavation, the team has collected about 100 slabs and is preparing them for further analysis and eventually for public engagement.

Scientists discover huge Jurassic seabed with 'perfectly preserved' fossil specimens

Thanks to another astounding scientific feat, researchers may soon be able to capture DNA from surfaces. A team from the Queen Mary University were recently able to collect “environmental DNA” (eDNA) from the air, as reported by Science Focus.

This could make the job of scientists easier in a variety of ways especially in the near future. To collect DNA from air, scientists used a peristaltic pump to collect samples of a naked mole rat’s DNA.&nbsp;

They combined the pump with pressure filters for 20 minutes and then used common DNA kits to identify sequence genes in the samples that followed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/genetic-disease-delaying-kids-brain-development-discovered-375198" hreflang="en">Genetic disease delaying kids' brain development discovered</a>

Turns out, they were able to capture the DNA of mole rats - all over the room, and in addition were also able to catch some amount of human DNA at the same time.

According to lead author Dr Elizabeth Claire, the experiment was originally created to study biological environments. But it could be used for a lot more, for instance - in forensic investigations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-synthetic-cell-that-grows-and-divides-uniformly-374918" hreflang="en">Scientists develop synthetic cell that grows and divides uniformly</a>

Professionals could scoop up DNA from air to ascertain whether a suspect was at the crime scene. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc across the globe. The scientists who developed this tech believe that it could also assist scientists in understanding airborne diseases and how they spread.

Even though practical uses of this tech are still faraway, the team is working with numerous companies to imbibe its usage.

Thanks to another astounding scientific feat, researchers may soon be able to capture DNA from surfaces. A team from the Queen Mary University were recently able to collect “environmental DNA” (eDNA) from the air, as reported by Science Focus.

Thanks to another astounding scientific feat, researchers may soon be able to capture DNA from surfaces. A team from the Queen Mary University were recently able to collect “environmental DNA” (eDNA) from the air, as reported by Science Focus. This could make the job of scientists easier in a variety of ways especially in the near future. To collect DNA from air, scientists used a peristaltic pump to collect samples of a naked mole rat’s DNA. They combined the pump with pressure filters for 20 minutes and then used common DNA kits to identify sequence genes in the samples that followed. Also read: Genetic disease delaying kids' brain development discovered Turns out, they were able to capture the DNA of mole rats - all over the room, and in addition were also able to catch some amount of human DNA at the same time. According to lead author Dr Elizabeth Claire, the experiment was originally created to study biological environments. But it could be used for a lot more, for instance - in forensic investigations. Also read: Scientists develop synthetic cell that grows and divides uniformly Professionals could scoop up DNA from air to ascertain whether a suspect was at the crime scene. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc across the globe. The scientists who developed this tech believe that it could also assist scientists in understanding airborne diseases and how they spread. Even though practical uses of this tech are still faraway, the team is working with numerous companies to imbibe its usage.

Scientists recently collected DNA from air. How did they do it?

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed.

New fossils, discovered in a cave in Belgium reveal that the Neanderthals’ last survivors perished in Europe thousands of years before the earlier estimate.

The new study, which appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, undertaken by a collaborative team from Belgium, Britain, and Germany sheds light on when our closes relative disappeared from the planet.

Earlier readings of remains from “Spy Cave” put neanderthals’ existence at roughly 24,000 years ago, but the new findings push the date to between 44,200-40,600 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/neanderthals-41000-year-old-skeleton-all-set-to-resolve-this-long-standing-mystery-354774" hreflang="en">Neanderthal's 41,000-year-old skeleton all set to resolve this long-standing mystery</a>

According to co-lead author of the study, Thibaut Deviese from the University of Oxford and Aix-Marseille University, the team came up with a more dependable method to assess findings, limiting the chance of errors and reducing contaminants.

The scientists used radiocarbon dating methods to ascertain when the creatures roamed our planet, and it can help researchers understand why the species went extinct, while humans were able to persevere.

How does carbon dating work? 
All living creatures on the planet absorb carbon from the atmosphere and their food sources. But when living being die, they stop absorbing carbon - which helps scientists decide when they perished.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/all-modern-humans-possess-neanderthal-dna-study-278329" hreflang="en">All modern humans possess Neanderthal DNA: Study</a>

In terms of bones, scientists usually choose collagen to trace the date. Neanderthal specimens from two other Belgian sites were also analysed to assert a concrete timeline. Scientists believe that the previous remains were infected with bovine DNA, which caused miscalculation.

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed.

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed. New fossils, discovered in a cave in Belgium reveal that the Neanderthals’ last survivors perished in Europe thousands of years before the earlier estimate. The new study, which appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, undertaken by a collaborative team from Belgium, Britain, and Germany sheds light on when our closes relative disappeared from the planet. Earlier readings of remains from “Spy Cave” put neanderthals’ existence at roughly 24,000 years ago, but the new findings push the date to between 44,200-40,600 years. Also read: Neanderthal's 41,000-year-old skeleton all set to resolve this long-standing mystery According to co-lead author of the study, Thibaut Deviese from the University of Oxford and Aix-Marseille University, the team came up with a more dependable method to assess findings, limiting the chance of errors and reducing contaminants. The scientists used radiocarbon dating methods to ascertain when the creatures roamed our planet, and it can help researchers understand why the species went extinct, while humans were able to persevere. How does carbon dating work? All living creatures on the planet absorb carbon from the atmosphere and their food sources. But when living being die, they stop absorbing carbon - which helps scientists decide when they perished. Also read: All modern humans possess Neanderthal DNA: Study In terms of bones, scientists usually choose collagen to trace the date. Neanderthal specimens from two other Belgian sites were also analysed to assert a concrete timeline. Scientists believe that the previous remains were infected with bovine DNA, which caused miscalculation.

New findings rewrite time frame for Neanderthals' disappearance from Europe

Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale — the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth — might at first seem difficult for human eyes and ears to miss.

But a previously unknown population of the leviathans has long been lurking in the Indian Ocean, leaving scientists none the wiser, new research suggests.

The covert cadre of whales, described in a paper published last week in the journal Endangered Species Research, has its own signature anthem: a slow, bellowing ballad that’s distinct from any other whale song ever described. It joins only a dozen or so other blue whale songs that have been documented, each the calling card of a unique population.

“It’s like hearing different songs within a genre — Stevie Ray Vaughan versus B.B. King,” said Salvatore Cerchio, a marine mammal biologist at the African Aquatic Conservation Fund in Massachusetts and the study’s lead author. “It’s all blues, but you know the different styles.”

The find is “a great reminder that our oceans are still this very unexplored place,” said Asha de Vos, a marine biologist who has studied blue whales in the Indian Ocean but was not involved in the new study.

Cerchio and his colleagues first tuned into the whales’ newfound song while in scientific pursuit of a pod of Omura’s whales off the coast of Madagascar several years ago. After hearing the rumblings of blue whales via a recorder planted on the coastal shelf, the researchers decided to drop their instruments into deeper water in the hopes of eavesdropping further.

“If you put a hydrophone somewhere no one has put a hydrophone before, you’re going to discover something,” Cerchio said.

A number of blue whale populations, each with its own characteristic croon, have long been known to visit this pocket of the Indian Ocean, Cerchio said. But one of the songs that crackled through the team’s Madagascar recordings was unlike any the researchers had heard.

By 2018, the team had picked up on several more instances of the new whales’ now-recognizable refrain. Partnerships with other researchers soon revealed that the distinctive calls had been detected at another recording outpost off the coast of Oman, in the Arabian Sea, where the sounds seem particularly prevalent. Another windfall came later that year when Cerchio learned that colleagues in Australia had heard the whales crooning the same song in the central Indian Ocean, near the Chagos Archipelago.

Data amassed from the three sites, each separated from the others by hundreds or thousands of miles, painted a rough portrait of a pod of whales moseying about in the Indian Ocean’s northwest and perhaps beyond.

Using acoustic data to pin down a new population is, by nature, indirect, like dusting for fingerprints at the scene of a crime. But Alex Carbaugh-Rutland, who studies blue whales at Texas A&amp;M University and was not involved in the study, said the results “were very sound, no pun intended.”

The researchers ruled out the possibility that the songs could be attributed to other species of whales. And side-by-side comparisons of the new blue whale tune with others showed convincingly that the northwestern Indian Ocean variety was distinct, Carbaugh-Rutland said. “I think it’s really compelling evidence,” he said, drawing a comparison to linguistic dialects.

Genetic samples would help clinch the case, he added. But blue whales, which spend most of their time far from shore, are difficult to study. Whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries also culled hundreds of thousands from their ranks; an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 blue whales are thought to remain.

Not much is known about blue whale songs, although most researchers think that they help males woo their mates, as is the case with closely related species. That can make any modifications to a cetacean melody fairly high stakes, de Vos said: “If two populations can’t talk to each other, over time, they’re going to grow apart.”

Eventually, populations with different takes on a tune might splinter into subspecies, with their own behaviors and quirks. There’s not yet evidence to show that has happened with these blue whales, nor much information on what might have driven them apart from their southerly kin. But even if the whales in this new group don’t yet formally occupy a new branch on the tree of life, they are worth getting to know.

“What things like this show us is that there are different populations, with different adaptations, with potentially different needs,” de Vos said. To conserve the world’s blue whales, she said, “there’s not one single protection measure that’s going to work.”

Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale — the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth — might at first seem difficult for human eyes and ears to miss.

Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale — the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth — might at first seem difficult for human eyes and ears to miss. But a previously unknown population of the leviathans has long been lurking in the Indian Ocean, leaving scientists none the wiser, new research suggests. The covert cadre of whales, described in a paper published last week in the journal Endangered Species Research, has its own signature anthem: a slow, bellowing ballad that’s distinct from any other whale song ever described. It joins only a dozen or so other blue whale songs that have been documented, each the calling card of a unique population. “It’s like hearing different songs within a genre — Stevie Ray Vaughan versus B.B. King,” said Salvatore Cerchio, a marine mammal biologist at the African Aquatic Conservation Fund in Massachusetts and the study’s lead author. “It’s all blues, but you know the different styles.” The find is “a great reminder that our oceans are still this very unexplored place,” said Asha de Vos, a marine biologist who has studied blue whales in the Indian Ocean but was not involved in the new study. Cerchio and his colleagues first tuned into the whales’ newfound song while in scientific pursuit of a pod of Omura’s whales off the coast of Madagascar several years ago. After hearing the rumblings of blue whales via a recorder planted on the coastal shelf, the researchers decided to drop their instruments into deeper water in the hopes of eavesdropping further. “If you put a hydrophone somewhere no one has put a hydrophone before, you’re going to discover something,” Cerchio said. A number of blue whale populations, each with its own characteristic croon, have long been known to visit this pocket of the Indian Ocean, Cerchio said. But one of the songs that crackled through the team’s Madagascar recordings was unlike any the researchers had heard. By 2018, the team had picked up on several more instances of the new whales’ now-recognizable refrain. Partnerships with other researchers soon revealed that the distinctive calls had been detected at another recording outpost off the coast of Oman, in the Arabian Sea, where the sounds seem particularly prevalent. Another windfall came later that year when Cerchio learned that colleagues in Australia had heard the whales crooning the same song in the central Indian Ocean, near the Chagos Archipelago. Data amassed from the three sites, each separated from the others by hundreds or thousands of miles, painted a rough portrait of a pod of whales moseying about in the Indian Ocean’s northwest and perhaps beyond. Using acoustic data to pin down a new population is, by nature, indirect, like dusting for fingerprints at the scene of a crime. But Alex Carbaugh-Rutland, who studies blue whales at Texas A&M University and was not involved in the study, said the results “were very sound, no pun intended.” The researchers ruled out the possibility that the songs could be attributed to other species of whales. And side-by-side comparisons of the new blue whale tune with others showed convincingly that the northwestern Indian Ocean variety was distinct, Carbaugh-Rutland said. “I think it’s really compelling evidence,” he said, drawing a comparison to linguistic dialects. Genetic samples would help clinch the case, he added. But blue whales, which spend most of their time far from shore, are difficult to study. Whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries also culled hundreds of thousands from their ranks; an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 blue whales are thought to remain. Not much is known about blue whale songs, although most researchers think that they help males woo their mates, as is the case with closely related species. That can make any modifications to a cetacean melody fairly high stakes, de Vos said: “If two populations can’t talk to each other, over time, they’re going to grow apart.” Eventually, populations with different takes on a tune might splinter into subspecies, with their own behaviors and quirks. There’s not yet evidence to show that has happened with these blue whales, nor much information on what might have driven them apart from their southerly kin. But even if the whales in this new group don’t yet formally occupy a new branch on the tree of life, they are worth getting to know. “What things like this show us is that there are different populations, with different adaptations, with potentially different needs,” de Vos said. To conserve the world’s blue whales, she said, “there’s not one single protection measure that’s going to work.”

A new population of Blue Whales was discovered hiding in the Indian Ocean

Indian scientists have discovered seven new frog species belonging to the genus Nyctibatrachus, commonly known as Night Frogs. This is an outcome of five years of extensive explorations in the Western Ghats global biodiversity hotspot in India.

Four out of seven of the new species are miniature-sized frogs (12.2&ndash;15.4 mm), which can fit on a thumbnail or coin. These known to be the smallest&nbsp;frogs in the world.

Unlike other frogs&nbsp;in the genus that are predominantly stream dwelling, the newly found were found under damp forest leaf litter or marsh vegetation. Scientists were astonished by the relative abundance of these previously unknown species at their collection localities. &ldquo;In fact, the miniature species are locally abundant and fairly common but they have probably been overlooked because of their extremely small size, secretive habitats and insect-like calls&rdquo;, says Sonali Garg who undertook this study as part of her PhD research at University of Delhi.

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A. Radcliffe&rsquo;s Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus radcliffei) B. Athirappilly Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis) C. Kadalar Night Frog , D. Sabarimala Night Frog E. Vijayan&rsquo;s Night Frog F. Manalar Night Frog G. Robin Moore&rsquo;s Night Frog (SD Biju) (Others)
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&nbsp;

The newly sampled frogs were confirmed as new species using DNA studies. Previously, the Night Frog genus comprised of 28 recognized species of which only three were miniature-sized (&lt;18 mm). Now the total number of known Nyctibatrachus species has increased to 35, of which 20 percent are diminutive in size.

This frog genus is endemic to the Western Ghats of India and represents an ancient group of frogs that diversified on the Indian landmass approximately 70&ndash;80 million years ago.

The discovery of several new species of ancient origin can provide useful insights into the evolution of endemic frog lineages in the Western Ghats, which is a leading amphibian hotspot. The past decade has witnessed an exponential increase in the number of new amphibian species described from this region. Of the total new species of amphibians (1581) described globally between the years 2006&ndash;2015, the highest number were from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (approximately 182) followed by the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot (approximately 159), with 103 species described alone from the Western Ghats region.

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12.2 mm long Robinmoore&rsquo;s Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei) sittingon the Indian five-rupee coin (24 mm diameter) Photo by: SD Biju (Others)
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However, the future of many of the new species may be bleak. All the newly found species are known only from single localities in the southern Western Ghats, and some lie outside Protected areas. Researchers found the Radcliffe&rsquo;s Night frog and the Kadalar Night Frog inside private or state-owned plantation areas facing threats such as habitat disturbance, modification and fragmentation. The Athirappilly Night Frog was found in close proximity to the Athirappilly waterfalls and the Sabarimala Night Frog near the Sabarimala pilgrimage centre, both of which are disturbed by anthropogenic activities.

&ldquo;Over 32 percent, that is one-third of the Western Ghats frogs are already threatened with extinction. Out of the seven new species, five are facing considerable anthropogenic threats and require immediate conservation prioritization&rdquo;, says Prof SD Biju of Delhi University, who led the&nbsp;study.

Scientists believe these frogs were overlooked because of their insect-like calls and secretive habitats

Indian scientists have discovered seven new frog species belonging to the genus Nyctibatrachus, commonly known as Night Frogs. This is an outcome of five years of extensive explorations in the Western Ghats global biodiversity hotspot in India. Four out of seven of the new species are miniature-sized frogs (12.2–15.4 mm), which can fit on a thumbnail or coin. These known to be the smallest frogs in the world. Unlike other frogs in the genus that are predominantly stream dwelling, the newly found were found under damp forest leaf litter or marsh vegetation. Scientists were astonished by the relative abundance of these previously unknown species at their collection localities. “In fact, the miniature species are locally abundant and fairly common but they have probably been overlooked because of their extremely small size, secretive habitats and insect-like calls”, says Sonali Garg who undertook this study as part of her PhD research at University of Delhi. A. Radcliffe’s Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus radcliffei) B. Athirappilly Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis) C. Kadalar Night Frog , D. Sabarimala Night Frog E. Vijayan’s Night Frog F. Manalar Night Frog G. Robin Moore’s Night Frog (SD Biju) (Others) × The newly sampled frogs were confirmed as new species using DNA studies. Previously, the Night Frog genus comprised of 28 recognized species of which only three were miniature-sized (<18 mm). Now the total number of known Nyctibatrachus species has increased to 35, of which 20 percent are diminutive in size. This frog genus is endemic to the Western Ghats of India and represents an ancient group of frogs that diversified on the Indian landmass approximately 70–80 million years ago. The discovery of several new species of ancient origin can provide useful insights into the evolution of endemic frog lineages in the Western Ghats, which is a leading amphibian hotspot. The past decade has witnessed an exponential increase in the number of new amphibian species described from this region. Of the total new species of amphibians (1581) described globally between the years 2006–2015, the highest number were from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (approximately 182) followed by the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot (approximately 159), with 103 species described alone from the Western Ghats region. 12.2 mm long Robinmoore’s Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei) sittingon the Indian five-rupee coin (24 mm diameter) Photo by: SD Biju (Others) × However, the future of many of the new species may be bleak. All the newly found species are known only from single localities in the southern Western Ghats, and some lie outside Protected areas. Researchers found the Radcliffe’s Night frog and the Kadalar Night Frog inside private or state-owned plantation areas facing threats such as habitat disturbance, modification and fragmentation. The Athirappilly Night Frog was found in close proximity to the Athirappilly waterfalls and the Sabarimala Night Frog near the Sabarimala pilgrimage centre, both of which are disturbed by anthropogenic activities. “Over 32 percent, that is one-third of the Western Ghats frogs are already threatened with extinction. Out of the seven new species, five are facing considerable anthropogenic threats and require immediate conservation prioritization”, says Prof SD Biju of Delhi University, who led the study.

Indian scientists discover seven new species of Night Frogs including four miniature forms

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