In 2020, explorers searching for mammoth tusks in eastern Siberia uncovered an unexpected treasure: the preserved remains of a 32,000-year-old saber-toothed kitten. This unprecedented discovery provides scientists with new insights into the life and evolution of saber-toothed cats, making it a landmark find in paleontology.

Scientists Hail Discovery Of A 32000 Years Old Cat Mummy

Scientists have recorded a "lonely" dolphin speaking to himself in the Baltic Sea.&nbsp;

Dolphins are known to be social animals and they have been seen "smiling" when they are playing with one another by scientists.

However, in a new find, scientists observed a lonely bottlenose dolphin, named Delle speaking to himself near the Svendborgsund channel in Demark.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how scientists found dolphin talking to himself</h2>

Scientists used a recording device to record the sounds, and the experts soon felt that the dolphin was talking to himself.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-make-robotic-models-of-extinct-animals-to-capture-million-year-evolution-in-single-day-770368">Scientists make robotic models of extinct animals to capture million-year evolution in single day</a>

“Out of curiosity, I decided to add a recorder that captures actual sounds,” said Olga Filatova, cetacean biologist at the University of Southern Denmark and lead author of the study, while speaking to Live Science.

“I thought we might pick up a few distant whistles or something along those lines. I certainly didn’t anticipate recording thousands of different sounds," she added.&nbsp;

In the recording, thousands of bursts of clicks, whistles, and other sounds of different frequencies were picked. In total, they recorded 10,833 sounds in a span of more than 69 days of recording.&nbsp;

Three different kinds of whistles were picked up in the recording, all of which were produced by the dolphin.&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/if-all-humans-die-an-animal-that-doesnt-even-live-on-land-will-rule-the-world-776399">&nbsp;If all humans die, an animal that doesn't even live on land will RULE the world</a>

“Bottlenose dolphins have what are known as signature whistles, believed to be unique to each individual, much like a name,” explained Filatova.

“If we hadn't known that Delle was alone, we might have concluded that a group of at least three dolphins was engaged in various social interactions," she added.&nbsp;

“These sounds are traditionally considered communicative, meaning there should be at least two dolphins 'talking' to each other. But Delle was completely alone," she further stated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have recorded a "lonely" dolphin speaking to himself in the Baltic Sea. Dolphins are known to be social animals and they have been seen "smiling" when they are playing with one another by scientists.

Scientists have recorded a "lonely" dolphin speaking to himself in the Baltic Sea. Dolphins are known to be social animals and they have been seen "smiling" when they are playing with one another by scientists. However, in a new find, scientists observed a lonely bottlenose dolphin, named Delle speaking to himself near the Svendborgsund channel in Demark. Here's how scientists found dolphin talking to himself Scientists used a recording device to record the sounds, and the experts soon felt that the dolphin was talking to himself. Also Read: Scientists make robotic models of extinct animals to capture million-year evolution in single day “Out of curiosity, I decided to add a recorder that captures actual sounds,” said Olga Filatova, cetacean biologist at the University of Southern Denmark and lead author of the study, while speaking to Live Science. “I thought we might pick up a few distant whistles or something along those lines. I certainly didn’t anticipate recording thousands of different sounds," she added. In the recording, thousands of bursts of clicks, whistles, and other sounds of different frequencies were picked. In total, they recorded 10,833 sounds in a span of more than 69 days of recording. Three different kinds of whistles were picked up in the recording, all of which were produced by the dolphin. Also Read: If all humans die, an animal that doesn't even live on land will RULE the world “Bottlenose dolphins have what are known as signature whistles, believed to be unique to each individual, much like a name,” explained Filatova. “If we hadn't known that Delle was alone, we might have concluded that a group of at least three dolphins was engaged in various social interactions," she added. “These sounds are traditionally considered communicative, meaning there should be at least two dolphins 'talking' to each other. But Delle was completely alone," she further stated. (With inputs from agencies)

'Lonely' dolphin caught speaking to himself by scientists. Here's how

Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast.

The researchers have said that by installing a giant&nbsp;underwater curtain, they can thicken the artificial glaciers with seawater or they can cool the bedrock to mitigate warm waters from entering the Thwaites Glacier, also called the "Doomsday Glacier".

The&nbsp;Thwaites Glacier has been melting at an accelerated speed because of climate change&nbsp;and is likely to raise global sea levels by 10 feet, with some fearing that coastal cities like New York,&nbsp;Charleston, Atlantic City, and Miami will be flooded.

To avoid this catastrophic flooding, researchers headed by the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative at the University of&nbsp;Chicago published a report in which they called the proposed idea a "major initiative".&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-figure-out-a-way-to-refreeze-ice-in-arctic-amid-bleak-glacial-future-761830">Scientists figure out a way to refreeze ice in Arctic amid bleak glacial future</a>

Professor of geophysical sciences and co-author of the white paper, Douglas MacAyeal, said, "Our argument is that we should start funding this research now, so that we aren't making panicked decisions down the road when the water is already lapping at our ankles."

<h2>Here's how researchers plan to save 'Doomsday Glacier'</h2>

In the new report, one proposal said that seawater can be pumped on the surface of the Doomsday Glacier where it will freeze because of cold air temperatures and thicken the glacier. However, the idea comes with its risks and costs, warned the authors.

The seawater's salinity can damage the ice's structural integrity and energy is required for pumping large volumes of seawater.

UK startup Real Ice has been working on the idea of pumping seawater since 2019. Earlier, the field trials showed promising results in Canada, however, its deployment at a large scale will cost around $6 billion per year and need enormous energy input.

Watch:&nbsp;Melting Glaciers Raise Eruption Risk Worldwide

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/melting-glaciers-raise-eruption-risk-worldwide-771018/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Scientists also proposed other geoengineering solutions for stopping the melting of the glacier.

According to some experts, the ideas are "radical" and said that geoengineering "would be difficult or impossible to achieve and draw focus away from the more necessary&nbsp; conversation of reducing carbon emissions."

Climate economist at the Columbia Climate School, Gernot Wagner, said, "When we talk about glacial geoengineering, we need to tell the truth, which is that it's not a solution to climate change - at best, it's a painkiller."

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast.

Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast. The researchers have said that by installing a giant underwater curtain, they can thicken the artificial glaciers with seawater or they can cool the bedrock to mitigate warm waters from entering the Thwaites Glacier, also called the "Doomsday Glacier". The Thwaites Glacier has been melting at an accelerated speed because of climate change and is likely to raise global sea levels by 10 feet, with some fearing that coastal cities like New York, Charleston, Atlantic City, and Miami will be flooded. To avoid this catastrophic flooding, researchers headed by the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative at the University of Chicago published a report in which they called the proposed idea a "major initiative". Also Read: Scientists figure out a way to refreeze ice in Arctic amid bleak glacial future Professor of geophysical sciences and co-author of the white paper, Douglas MacAyeal, said, "Our argument is that we should start funding this research now, so that we aren't making panicked decisions down the road when the water is already lapping at our ankles." Here's how researchers plan to save 'Doomsday Glacier' In the new report, one proposal said that seawater can be pumped on the surface of the Doomsday Glacier where it will freeze because of cold air temperatures and thicken the glacier. However, the idea comes with its risks and costs, warned the authors. The seawater's salinity can damage the ice's structural integrity and energy is required for pumping large volumes of seawater. UK startup Real Ice has been working on the idea of pumping seawater since 2019. Earlier, the field trials showed promising results in Canada, however, its deployment at a large scale will cost around $6 billion per year and need enormous energy input. Watch: Melting Glaciers Raise Eruption Risk Worldwide Scientists also proposed other geoengineering solutions for stopping the melting of the glacier. According to some experts, the ideas are "radical" and said that geoengineering "would be difficult or impossible to achieve and draw focus away from the more necessary conversation of reducing carbon emissions." Climate economist at the Columbia Climate School, Gernot Wagner, said, "When we talk about glacial geoengineering, we need to tell the truth, which is that it's not a solution to climate change - at best, it's a painkiller." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists plan to install giant underwater curtain to stop 'Doomsday Glacier' from melting

In a shocking discovery, the scientists have now hinted that "The Two Maidens" who have been found tragically clutching each other in the ruins of Pompeii were probably gay lovers.&nbsp;

The people of Pompeii had died tragically after Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago and their preserved bodies have been telling tragic tales of their final moments.&nbsp;

The bodies hugging each other were given the name "The Two Maidens" because they were trapped in an eternal embrace.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-discover-a-4000-year-old-coffin-inside-another-coffin-of-egyptian-priestess-774193">Archaeologists discover a 4000-year-old coffin inside another coffin of Egyptian priestess</a>

However, the bodies' new DNA analysis suggested that probably the pair needs a new name.

<h2>Here's what scientists found</h2>

In the new DNA analysis, the researchers from the Max Planck Institute have found that at least one, if not both of them, was a man.

One of the authors of the study, David Reich said, "A pair of individuals thought to be sisters, or mother and daughter, were found to include at least one genetic male. These findings challenge traditional gender and familial assumptions."

Even though the true nature of their relationship is unclear, as per experts they can be gay lovers.

Superintendent of the Pompeii archaeological site Massimo Osanna said, "The fact that they were lovers is a hypothesis that cannot be dismissed."

Earlier, it was believed that the two of them were mother and daughter, two sisters or lovers. However, the new discovery that one of them was a man has challenged this theory.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-find-4000-year-old-bronze-age-town-in-saudi-arabia-772949">Archaeologists find 4,000-year-old Bronze Age town in Saudi Arabia</a>

In the study, the researchers stated, "CT scanning of skeletal elements preserved within the casts led to an age estimate of 14–19 for individual 21 and a young adult age for individual 22."

The experts had even earlier said that their relationship can "never be verified".

"When this discovery was made, that they were not two young girls, some scholars suggested there could have been an emotional connection between the pair," said Professor Stefano Vanacore, who headed a research team which examined the pair back in 2017.&nbsp;

"But we are talking about hypotheses that can never be verified. What is certain is that the two parties were not relatives, neither brothers nor a father and son," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a shocking discovery, the scientists have now hinted that "The Two Maidens" who have been found tragically clutching each other in the ruins of Pompeii were probably gay lovers.

In a shocking discovery, the scientists have now hinted that "The Two Maidens" who have been found tragically clutching each other in the ruins of Pompeii were probably gay lovers. The people of Pompeii had died tragically after Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago and their preserved bodies have been telling tragic tales of their final moments. The bodies hugging each other were given the name "The Two Maidens" because they were trapped in an eternal embrace. Also Read: Archaeologists discover a 4000-year-old coffin inside another coffin of Egyptian priestess However, the bodies' new DNA analysis suggested that probably the pair needs a new name. Here's what scientists found In the new DNA analysis, the researchers from the Max Planck Institute have found that at least one, if not both of them, was a man. One of the authors of the study, David Reich said, "A pair of individuals thought to be sisters, or mother and daughter, were found to include at least one genetic male. These findings challenge traditional gender and familial assumptions." Even though the true nature of their relationship is unclear, as per experts they can be gay lovers. Superintendent of the Pompeii archaeological site Massimo Osanna said, "The fact that they were lovers is a hypothesis that cannot be dismissed." Earlier, it was believed that the two of them were mother and daughter, two sisters or lovers. However, the new discovery that one of them was a man has challenged this theory. Also Read: Archaeologists find 4,000-year-old Bronze Age town in Saudi Arabia In the study, the researchers stated, "CT scanning of skeletal elements preserved within the casts led to an age estimate of 14–19 for individual 21 and a young adult age for individual 22." The experts had even earlier said that their relationship can "never be verified". "When this discovery was made, that they were not two young girls, some scholars suggested there could have been an emotional connection between the pair," said Professor Stefano Vanacore, who headed a research team which examined the pair back in 2017. "But we are talking about hypotheses that can never be verified. What is certain is that the two parties were not relatives, neither brothers nor a father and son," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists claim Pompeii's two maidens' were probably gay lovers

In a new research, it has been discovered that there may be enough natural resources on the moon of Uranus which may support alien life.&nbsp;

According to scientists&nbsp;from Johns Hopkins and the University of North Dakota, the sophomoric-sounding planet's moon Miranda has sources of water hidden underneath its surface.

The discovery can prove to be a breakthrough in mankind's ongoing search for aliens.

“To find evidence of an ocean inside a small object like Miranda is incredibly surprising,” explained planetary scientist and researcher Tom Nordheim. The discovery was published in&nbsp;The Planetary Science Journal.

“It helps build on the story that some of these moons at Uranus may be really interesting — that there may be several ocean worlds around one of the most distant planets in our solar system, which is both exciting and bizarre,” he said about the “remarkable” potential.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/humans-can-hitch-a-ride-to-mars-on-board-an-asteroid-ukrainian-scientists-say-771624">Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...'</a>

The new study has been carried out on the basis of NASA research in which Uranus&nbsp;moons Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon were investigated for deep, water-filled gorges which can have signs of biological extraterrestrial life.

<h2>An ocean on Uranus'&nbsp;moon Miranda?</h2>

Researcher Sherry Fieber-Beyer said that the study gives clearer context regarding the formation of the solar system. She added that it can also help them understand how the giant planets' movement led to the creation of moons and asteroids.

With the help of the images clicked by the deep space probe Voyager 2 in 1986, the “Frankenstein-like hodgepodge of grooved terrain” on the southern hemisphere of Miranda was reanalysed to understand if the rugged ground was caused by the tidal forces which interacted with the heat.”

“This research helps us understand what the requirements are for an icy moon to be an ocean world, which is relevant to assessing the habitability of icy outer solar system satellites,” said researcher Caleb Strom.

“We do not know enough about the Uranian satellites to say whether there could be life on them, but understanding what factors would result in them having subsurface oceans is an important step toward addressing that question," he added.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-now-plan-to-grow-first-tree-on-planet-mars-heres-how-772050">&nbsp;Scientists now plan to grow first tree on planet Mars. Here's how</a>

Scientists discovered that there was probably an ocean below Miranda's icy surface around 100 to 500 million years ago.

According to the researchers, the ocean was formed because of the tidal forces between Miranda's gravity and other moons of the planet.

“That result was a big surprise to the team,” said Strom. “We won’t know for sure that it even has an ocean until we go back and collect more data,” explained Nordheim.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new research, it has been discovered that there may be enough natural resources on the moon of Uranus which may support alien life. According to scientists from Johns Hopkins and the University of North Dakota, the sophomoric-sounding planet's moon Miranda has sources of water hidden underneath its surface.

In a new research, it has been discovered that there may be enough natural resources on the moon of Uranus which may support alien life. According to scientists from Johns Hopkins and the University of North Dakota, the sophomoric-sounding planet's moon Miranda has sources of water hidden underneath its surface. The discovery can prove to be a breakthrough in mankind's ongoing search for aliens. “To find evidence of an ocean inside a small object like Miranda is incredibly surprising,” explained planetary scientist and researcher Tom Nordheim. The discovery was published in The Planetary Science Journal. “It helps build on the story that some of these moons at Uranus may be really interesting — that there may be several ocean worlds around one of the most distant planets in our solar system, which is both exciting and bizarre,” he said about the “remarkable” potential. Also Read: Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...' The new study has been carried out on the basis of NASA research in which Uranus moons Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon were investigated for deep, water-filled gorges which can have signs of biological extraterrestrial life. An ocean on Uranus' moon Miranda? Researcher Sherry Fieber-Beyer said that the study gives clearer context regarding the formation of the solar system. She added that it can also help them understand how the giant planets' movement led to the creation of moons and asteroids. With the help of the images clicked by the deep space probe Voyager 2 in 1986, the “Frankenstein-like hodgepodge of grooved terrain” on the southern hemisphere of Miranda was reanalysed to understand if the rugged ground was caused by the tidal forces which interacted with the heat.” “This research helps us understand what the requirements are for an icy moon to be an ocean world, which is relevant to assessing the habitability of icy outer solar system satellites,” said researcher Caleb Strom. “We do not know enough about the Uranian satellites to say whether there could be life on them, but understanding what factors would result in them having subsurface oceans is an important step toward addressing that question," he added. Also Read: Scientists now plan to grow first tree on planet Mars. Here's how Scientists discovered that there was probably an ocean below Miranda's icy surface around 100 to 500 million years ago. According to the researchers, the ocean was formed because of the tidal forces between Miranda's gravity and other moons of the planet. “That result was a big surprise to the team,” said Strom. “We won’t know for sure that it even has an ocean until we go back and collect more data,” explained Nordheim. (With inputs from agencies)

Are 'little green men' roaming on moon of Uranus? Scientists make 'bizarre' new find

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible,&nbsp;which is growing a tree on Mars.&nbsp;

In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees.

The conditions needed for the growth of the plant on the Red Planet do not get created in the "tropics" of Mars.&nbsp;

The plan to grow trees on Mars is being led by Robert Olszewski, who is a professor at Warsaw University of Technology in Poland.&nbsp;

Researchers have studied the surface energy balance on the planet like the diffusive exchange of heat between evaporation and carbon dioxide condensation, transport of heat by atmospheric circulation and heat exchange with the subsurface.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-may-have-flourished-on-mars-till-a-few-billion-years-ago-772020">Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago</a>

"Surprisingly, the conditions that allow plant growth do not occur first within the tropics (±25°) but in the Hellas Basin region. A further increase in the&nbsp;greenhouse effect&nbsp;expands the area suitable for plant growth in the southern hemisphere," explained the research paper.

<h2>Researchers simulate processes on Mars for growth of trees</h2>

Olszewski and his research team used Viking Mars lander temperature and pressure datasets created in the 1970s and simulated different processes on Mars.

"Here, we use the baseline model to investigate the greenhouse effect caused by an increase in CO2 plus artificial greenhouse warming," Olszewski said in a paper presented at an "Astrobiology&nbsp;and the Future of Life Meeting" organised at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas.

They also assessed the total pressure required on Mars, the O2 needed, a high percentage of acceptable CO2, temperatures required for tree growth and the amount of water available.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/humans-can-hitch-a-ride-to-mars-on-board-an-asteroid-ukrainian-scientists-say-771624">Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...'</a>

"The atmospheric conditions existing on Mars today make the existence of life impossible. The requirements for plant growth on Mars have been considered in the context of terraforming and for low-pressure greenhouses," Olszewski said.&nbsp;

The research emphasised on temperature "as this is the fundamental environmental variable that changes during terraforming and it controls the CO2 cycle and the formation of liquid water," Olszewski stated.&nbsp;

"Focusing on the temperature, it must be several tens of degrees higher, while the diurnal fluctuations should be much lower. For the growth of trees, the growing season must last at least 110 sols (Martian days)," stated the research.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible, which is growing a tree on Mars. In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees.

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible, which is growing a tree on Mars. In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees. The conditions needed for the growth of the plant on the Red Planet do not get created in the "tropics" of Mars. The plan to grow trees on Mars is being led by Robert Olszewski, who is a professor at Warsaw University of Technology in Poland. Researchers have studied the surface energy balance on the planet like the diffusive exchange of heat between evaporation and carbon dioxide condensation, transport of heat by atmospheric circulation and heat exchange with the subsurface. Also Read: Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago "Surprisingly, the conditions that allow plant growth do not occur first within the tropics (±25°) but in the Hellas Basin region. A further increase in the greenhouse effect expands the area suitable for plant growth in the southern hemisphere," explained the research paper. Researchers simulate processes on Mars for growth of trees Olszewski and his research team used Viking Mars lander temperature and pressure datasets created in the 1970s and simulated different processes on Mars. "Here, we use the baseline model to investigate the greenhouse effect caused by an increase in CO2 plus artificial greenhouse warming," Olszewski said in a paper presented at an "Astrobiology and the Future of Life Meeting" organised at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas. They also assessed the total pressure required on Mars, the O2 needed, a high percentage of acceptable CO2, temperatures required for tree growth and the amount of water available. Also Read: Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...' "The atmospheric conditions existing on Mars today make the existence of life impossible. The requirements for plant growth on Mars have been considered in the context of terraforming and for low-pressure greenhouses," Olszewski said. The research emphasised on temperature "as this is the fundamental environmental variable that changes during terraforming and it controls the CO2 cycle and the formation of liquid water," Olszewski stated. "Focusing on the temperature, it must be several tens of degrees higher, while the diurnal fluctuations should be much lower. For the growth of trees, the growing season must last at least 110 sols (Martian days)," stated the research. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists now plan to grow first tree on planet Mars. Here's how

Scientists have been able to trace the origin of more than 70 per cent of the meteorites which have hit Earth.&nbsp;

Nearly 466 million years ago, a massive swarm of asteroids violently bombarded Earth which was believed to have occurred because a large asteroid had broken into smaller fragments as it travelled in orbit between Mars and Jupiter.&nbsp;

The Massalia asteroid family is a group of asteroids which have similar orbits and is likely to be the source of this massive infall.

This asteroid family dominates around 40 per cent of all meteorites which have fallen to Earth and two other families of space rocks have been named as the source of many of these Earth-bound meteorites.

In the new research, three asteroid families have been held responsible for more than 70 per cent of meteorites. These three families are Karin, Koronis and Massalia. They have been formed because of the collisions in the main asteroid belt.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-tracks-three-huge-asteroids-racing-towards-earth-will-they-become-an-immediate-threat-767071">NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat?</a>

These families were formed 5.8 million years ago, 7.5 million years ago, and 40 million years ago respectively.&nbsp;

“The most recent collisional events that happened in the asteroid belt are completely dominating the flux of material to our planet,” said Michael Marsset, lead author and a research fellow at the European Southern Observatory, while speaking to Gizmodo.&nbsp;

“You might think that the meteorite flux should be a blend of all the compositional classes we observe in the asteroid belt but it’s not at all the case, it’s dominated by three asteroids that fragmented recently," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Collisional cascade inside asteroid families still active, hints researcher</h2>

“Such major collisions do not happen every day—every 30 to 50 million years sounds right as a frequency, although there were three major collisions over the past 8 million years or so,” said Pierre Vernazza, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research while speaking to Gizmodo.

“The collisional cascade inside these families is still active. That’s why they’re dominating this production of meteorites," Marsset said.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists Propose Nuclear Solution To Save Earth From Asteroid Armageddon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-propose-nuclear-solution-to-save-earth-from-asteroid-armageddon-761817/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meteorites which have fallen on Earth carry the mysteries of the solar system.&nbsp;

“The meteorites have preserved in their present-day composition a lot of information about our early protoplanetary disk,” Marsset explained.&nbsp;

"By linking these meteorites that we can study in fine detail in our laboratory to specific families in the asteroid belt, we can reconstruct the original compositional gradient and thermal gradient of our protoplanetary disk. This ultimately is the goal of this kind of study. This is what we want to learn," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have been able to trace the origin of more than 70 per cent of the meteorites which have hit Earth. Nearly 466 million years ago, a massive swarm of asteroids violently bombarded Earth which was believed to have occurred because a large asteroid had broken into smaller fragments as it travelled in orbit between Mars and Jupiter.

Scientists have been able to trace the origin of more than 70 per cent of the meteorites which have hit Earth. Nearly 466 million years ago, a massive swarm of asteroids violently bombarded Earth which was believed to have occurred because a large asteroid had broken into smaller fragments as it travelled in orbit between Mars and Jupiter. The Massalia asteroid family is a group of asteroids which have similar orbits and is likely to be the source of this massive infall. This asteroid family dominates around 40 per cent of all meteorites which have fallen to Earth and two other families of space rocks have been named as the source of many of these Earth-bound meteorites. In the new research, three asteroid families have been held responsible for more than 70 per cent of meteorites. These three families are Karin, Koronis and Massalia. They have been formed because of the collisions in the main asteroid belt. Also Read: NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat? These families were formed 5.8 million years ago, 7.5 million years ago, and 40 million years ago respectively. “The most recent collisional events that happened in the asteroid belt are completely dominating the flux of material to our planet,” said Michael Marsset, lead author and a research fellow at the European Southern Observatory, while speaking to Gizmodo. “You might think that the meteorite flux should be a blend of all the compositional classes we observe in the asteroid belt but it’s not at all the case, it’s dominated by three asteroids that fragmented recently," he added. Collisional cascade inside asteroid families still active, hints researcher “Such major collisions do not happen every day—every 30 to 50 million years sounds right as a frequency, although there were three major collisions over the past 8 million years or so,” said Pierre Vernazza, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research while speaking to Gizmodo. “The collisional cascade inside these families is still active. That’s why they’re dominating this production of meteorites," Marsset said. Watch: Scientists Propose Nuclear Solution To Save Earth From Asteroid Armageddon Meteorites which have fallen on Earth carry the mysteries of the solar system. “The meteorites have preserved in their present-day composition a lot of information about our early protoplanetary disk,” Marsset explained. "By linking these meteorites that we can study in fine detail in our laboratory to specific families in the asteroid belt, we can reconstruct the original compositional gradient and thermal gradient of our protoplanetary disk. This ultimately is the goal of this kind of study. This is what we want to learn," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have found the origin of majority of meteorites that hit Earth. It is...

Scientists have created a fluid which when shot from a gadget becomes a strong&nbsp;sticky fibre that can lift very heavy objects. The innovation has been inspired by the superhero&nbsp;Spider-Man.

Researchers have tried to create strong fibres which can be used as tethers. These fibres have been inspired by silk secreted by spiders, moths and other insects.

However, researchers at Tufts University have stated that they found it challenging to develop such fibres with the elasticity, stiffness and adhesive properties of spider silk.

The study, which was called a new "accidental breakthrough", was published in Advanced Functional Materials.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-crack-the-code-reveal-what-transported-seeds-of-life-to-earth-766842">Scientists crack the code, reveal what transported seeds of life to Earth</a>

“I was working on a project making extremely strong adhesives using&nbsp;silk fibroin&nbsp;and while I was cleaning my glassware with acetone, I noticed a web-like material forming on the bottom of the glass,” said study co-author Marco Lo Presti.

<h2>Here's how the adhesive was created</h2>

When the researchers initially tried to replicate spider threads, they saw that fibroin solutions created a semi-solid gel once it was exposed to chemicals like acetone or ethanol for several hours.

Using the chemical dopamine, the scientists were able to carry out a solidification process “almost immediately” to create high-tensile sticky fibres.

Scientists said that the dopamine mixture accelerated the transition of silk protein from liquid to solid by reducing water from it.

They also discovered that when a thin stream of the silk solution was surrounded by a layer of acetone and was shot through a special needle, it became a sticky solid.

After the evaporation of the acetone in the air, the fibre got attached to any kind of object it came in contact with.

Scientists said that when chitosan - a protein found in insect exoskeletons - was added to the fibres they became up to 200 times more tensile and the adhesiveness in chemicals like borate buffer increased by 18 times.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/british-scientists-preserve-human-genome-on-5d-memory-crystal-which-can-last-for-millions-of-years-760398">British scientists preserve human genome on 5D memory crystal which can last for millions of years</a>

With the help of the bore of the needle, scientists were able to control the diameter of the fibres which range from the width of a human hair to about half a millimetre.

Scientists said that the fibres shot this way are able to pick up objects more than 80 times their weight under different conditions.

They carried out various tests in which the fibres picked up a “steel bolt, a laboratory tube floating on water, a scalpel partially buried in sand and a wood block from a distance of about 12 centimetres”.

“This process can be finely tuned to achieve a controlled fabrication of instantaneously formed adhesive hydrogel fibres. It’s really a superhero-inspired material," Dr Lo Presti said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have created a fluid which when shot from a gadget becomes a strong sticky fibre that can lift very heavy objects. The innovation has been inspired by the superhero Spider-Man.

Scientists have created a fluid which when shot from a gadget becomes a strong sticky fibre that can lift very heavy objects. The innovation has been inspired by the superhero Spider-Man. Researchers have tried to create strong fibres which can be used as tethers. These fibres have been inspired by silk secreted by spiders, moths and other insects. However, researchers at Tufts University have stated that they found it challenging to develop such fibres with the elasticity, stiffness and adhesive properties of spider silk. The study, which was called a new "accidental breakthrough", was published in Advanced Functional Materials. Also Read: Scientists crack the code, reveal what transported seeds of life to Earth “I was working on a project making extremely strong adhesives using silk fibroin and while I was cleaning my glassware with acetone, I noticed a web-like material forming on the bottom of the glass,” said study co-author Marco Lo Presti. Here's how the adhesive was created When the researchers initially tried to replicate spider threads, they saw that fibroin solutions created a semi-solid gel once it was exposed to chemicals like acetone or ethanol for several hours. Using the chemical dopamine, the scientists were able to carry out a solidification process “almost immediately” to create high-tensile sticky fibres. Scientists said that the dopamine mixture accelerated the transition of silk protein from liquid to solid by reducing water from it. They also discovered that when a thin stream of the silk solution was surrounded by a layer of acetone and was shot through a special needle, it became a sticky solid. After the evaporation of the acetone in the air, the fibre got attached to any kind of object it came in contact with. Scientists said that when chitosan - a protein found in insect exoskeletons - was added to the fibres they became up to 200 times more tensile and the adhesiveness in chemicals like borate buffer increased by 18 times. Also Read: British scientists preserve human genome on 5D memory crystal which can last for millions of years With the help of the bore of the needle, scientists were able to control the diameter of the fibres which range from the width of a human hair to about half a millimetre. Scientists said that the fibres shot this way are able to pick up objects more than 80 times their weight under different conditions. They carried out various tests in which the fibres picked up a “steel bolt, a laboratory tube floating on water, a scalpel partially buried in sand and a wood block from a distance of about 12 centimetres”. “This process can be finely tuned to achieve a controlled fabrication of instantaneously formed adhesive hydrogel fibres. It’s really a superhero-inspired material," Dr Lo Presti said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists develop Spider-Man-inspired strong sticky fibre that can lift any object

Three scientists have been awarded a prestigious prize for their groundbreaking research on protein structures, which has revolutionized the field of biology and medicine. Their pioneering work has provided crucial insights into how proteins fold and function, paving the way for advancements in drug discovery, disease treatment, and biotechnology. By unlocking the complexities of protein structures, their research has opened new avenues for understanding diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, and genetic disorders. This achievement highlights the vital role of structural biology in shaping the future of healthcare and scientific innovation.

3 Scientists Win Prize For Breakthroughs On Protein Structures

Will it be possible for robots to eventually think like humans one day? The idea may sound impossible to achieve but the researchers from King's College London claimed to have found a way through which this can be made possible.

According to the researchers, if the robots are given complex instructions without electricity it will help create more free space in the robotic "brain" which will eventually help them to "think".

Researchers gave a series of commands to devices using a new kind of compact circuit and ensured variations in pressure through a fluid inside it.

This is the first time such a possibility of giving thinking ability to robots has been introduced.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humanoid-love-most-advanced-robots-go-on-a-date-and-display-great-chemistry-watch-765994">Humanoid love! Most advanced robots go on a date and display great chemistry</a>

"Delegating tasks to different parts of the body frees up computational space for robots to 'think,' allowing future generations of robots to be more aware of their social context or even more dexterous. This opens the door for a new kind of robotics in places like&nbsp;social care&nbsp;and manufacturing," explained Dr&nbsp;Antonio Forte, senior author of the study and&nbsp;lecturer in Engineering at King's College London.

<h2>Future of thinking robots</h2>

As per the findings published in&nbsp;Advanced Science, if this idea is successfully implemented, it will lead to the creation of robots which can operate where electricity-powered devices cannot function.

The researchers further stated that these robots can also prove useful for low-income countries that lack reliable access to electricity.

"Put simply, robots are split into two parts: the brain and the body. An AI brain can help run the traffic system of a city, but many robots still struggle to open a door—why is that?" said Dr&nbsp;Forte.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/robot-turns-into-security-guards-angry-bots-now-get-installed-to-bark-at-thieves-in-uk-762238">Robots turn into security guards: Angry bots installed to shout at thieves in UK, alert cops</a>

"Software has advanced rapidly in recent years, but hardware has not kept up. By creating a hardware system independent from the software running it, we can offload a lot of the computational load onto the hardware, in the same way, your brain doesn't need to tell your heart to beat," he added.

At present, all robots depend on computer chips and electricity to function.

(With inputs from agencies)

Will it be possible for robots to eventually think like humans one day? The idea may sound impossible to achieve but the researchers from King's College London claimed to have found a way through which this can be made possible.

Will it be possible for robots to eventually think like humans one day? The idea may sound impossible to achieve but the researchers from King's College London claimed to have found a way through which this can be made possible. According to the researchers, if the robots are given complex instructions without electricity it will help create more free space in the robotic "brain" which will eventually help them to "think". Researchers gave a series of commands to devices using a new kind of compact circuit and ensured variations in pressure through a fluid inside it. This is the first time such a possibility of giving thinking ability to robots has been introduced. Also Read: Humanoid love! Most advanced robots go on a date and display great chemistry "Delegating tasks to different parts of the body frees up computational space for robots to 'think,' allowing future generations of robots to be more aware of their social context or even more dexterous. This opens the door for a new kind of robotics in places like social care and manufacturing," explained Dr Antonio Forte, senior author of the study and lecturer in Engineering at King's College London. Future of thinking robots As per the findings published in Advanced Science, if this idea is successfully implemented, it will lead to the creation of robots which can operate where electricity-powered devices cannot function. The researchers further stated that these robots can also prove useful for low-income countries that lack reliable access to electricity. "Put simply, robots are split into two parts: the brain and the body. An AI brain can help run the traffic system of a city, but many robots still struggle to open a door—why is that?" said Dr Forte. Also Read: Robots turn into security guards: Angry bots installed to shout at thieves in UK, alert cops "Software has advanced rapidly in recent years, but hardware has not kept up. By creating a hardware system independent from the software running it, we can offload a lot of the computational load onto the hardware, in the same way, your brain doesn't need to tell your heart to beat," he added. At present, all robots depend on computer chips and electricity to function. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists suggest they can make robots 'think' like humans. Here's how

In a stunning study, astronomers have found that small&nbsp;primordial black holes&nbsp;(PBHs) are likely lurking inside the moons, asteroids or even planets like Earth.

According to the scientists, these hypothetical&nbsp;black holes were created soon after the Big Bang and resulted from pockets of subatomic matter that were so dense that they faced gravitational collapse.

Presently, scientists consider PBHs as dark matter. It is a likely source of primordial&nbsp; gravitational waves.&nbsp;

According to recent research, small PBHs are likely present in the interiors of main-sequence neutron and dwarf stars and are slowly consuming their gas supply.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-primordial-black-hole-will-pass-through-our-solar-system-after-every-10-years-will-it-harm-759740">A 'primordial' black hole will pass through our solar system every 10 years. Will it harm?</a>

A team of physicists, in a recent study, proposed the idea to include a new avenue for finding PBHs.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how scientists are trying to find PBHs</h2>

The team planned to find them inside planets and asteroids by using large plates or slabs of metal for detecting PBHs for signs of their passage.

Scientists are finding the microchannels that these bodies would leave so that they are&nbsp;able to find the existence of PBHs.

The research was carried out by De-Chang Dai, a physicist at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan and the&nbsp;Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics&nbsp; (CERCA) at Case Western Reserve University, as well as Dejan Stojkovic, who is a physicist from the High Energy Physics and Cosmology&nbsp;group at the State University of New York, Buffalo.

In the paper, the findings were detailed and it is to be published in the journal&nbsp;Physics of the Dark Universe after the review.

For decades, scientists have been on a hunt for the PBHs since their existence was found by Russian scientists&nbsp;Igor D. Novikov and Yakov Zeldovich in 1966.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-mantle-is-hosting-strange-black-holes-with-mysterious-waves-heres-what-they-are-753231">Earth's mantle is hosting strange 'black holes' with mysterious waves. Here's what they are</a>

Speaking to Universe Today about why they proposed novel detection methods for PBHs through email, De-Chang and Stojkovic said, "If an&nbsp;asteroid, or a moon, or a small planet (planetoid) has a liquid core surrounded by a solid crust, then a small PBH will consume the dense liquid core relatively quickly (within weeks to months). The crust will remain intact if the material is strong enough to support gravitational stress."

"Thus, we will end up with a hollow structure. If the central&nbsp;black hole&nbsp;is ejected (due to collisions with other objects), the density will be lower than the usual density of a rocky object with a liquid core," they added.

"We found, for example, that granite can support hollow structures up to the radius of 1/10 of the Earth's radius. That is why we should concentrate on planetoids, moons, or asteroids," said Stojkovic.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a stunning study, astronomers have found that small primordial black holes (PBHs) are likely lurking inside the moons, asteroids or even planets like Earth. According to the scientists, these hypothetical black holes were created soon after the Big Bang and resulted from pockets of subatomic matter that were so dense that they faced gravitational collapse.

In a stunning study, astronomers have found that small primordial black holes (PBHs) are likely lurking inside the moons, asteroids or even planets like Earth. According to the scientists, these hypothetical black holes were created soon after the Big Bang and resulted from pockets of subatomic matter that were so dense that they faced gravitational collapse. Presently, scientists consider PBHs as dark matter. It is a likely source of primordial gravitational waves. According to recent research, small PBHs are likely present in the interiors of main-sequence neutron and dwarf stars and are slowly consuming their gas supply. Also Read: A 'primordial' black hole will pass through our solar system every 10 years. Will it harm? A team of physicists, in a recent study, proposed the idea to include a new avenue for finding PBHs. Here's how scientists are trying to find PBHs The team planned to find them inside planets and asteroids by using large plates or slabs of metal for detecting PBHs for signs of their passage. Scientists are finding the microchannels that these bodies would leave so that they are able to find the existence of PBHs. The research was carried out by De-Chang Dai, a physicist at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan and the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics (CERCA) at Case Western Reserve University, as well as Dejan Stojkovic, who is a physicist from the High Energy Physics and Cosmology group at the State University of New York, Buffalo. In the paper, the findings were detailed and it is to be published in the journal Physics of the Dark Universe after the review. For decades, scientists have been on a hunt for the PBHs since their existence was found by Russian scientists Igor D. Novikov and Yakov Zeldovich in 1966. Also Read: Earth's mantle is hosting strange 'black holes' with mysterious waves. Here's what they are Speaking to Universe Today about why they proposed novel detection methods for PBHs through email, De-Chang and Stojkovic said, "If an asteroid, or a moon, or a small planet (planetoid) has a liquid core surrounded by a solid crust, then a small PBH will consume the dense liquid core relatively quickly (within weeks to months). The crust will remain intact if the material is strong enough to support gravitational stress." "Thus, we will end up with a hollow structure. If the central black hole is ejected (due to collisions with other objects), the density will be lower than the usual density of a rocky object with a liquid core," they added. "We found, for example, that granite can support hollow structures up to the radius of 1/10 of the Earth's radius. That is why we should concentrate on planetoids, moons, or asteroids," said Stojkovic. (With inputs from agencies)

Are black holes hiding inside planets like Earth? Here's what scientists suggest

An innovative way is being created by scientists which will help them in "growing" ice and doing the impossible job of "refreezing" the Arctic Sea as initial tests prove promising.

Scientists are aiming at pumping seawater over the frozen Arctic Ocean. They have carried out trials in the&nbsp;Canadian&nbsp;Arctic which have seen sea ice getting thickened successfully.

According to a report published in New Scientist, if no action is taken right now, the accelerating climate change will make the Arctic "ice-free in the summer in the 2030s" which will be disastrous for the planet.

According to other reports, even if measures are adopted, like sharply reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it won't stop the Arctic from turning "ice-free".

<h2>Disappearing ice in the Arctic Ocean</h2>

Every decade, the Arctic Ocean is losing nearly 13 per cent of its ice.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctica-is-rising-from-ocean-and-losing-weight-heres-how-it-will-impact-earth-751995">Antarctica is rising from ocean and losing weight. Here's how it will impact Earth</a>

To stop this drastic climate change impact, there would be a need to dramatically reduce the emissions worldwide, because of which scientists have been finding ways to curb this in a short duration.&nbsp;

Amongst the ways being explored, scientists are considering pumping seawater in parts of the frozen Arctic Ocean, which they believe would be effective.

<h2>Is pumping seawater in the Arctic a good decision?</h2>

The plan is very straightforward. Pumps will be used by the engineers to cover ice with seawater, which is expected to freeze in winter and thicken the ice layer. This will ensure that the ice lasts longer during the summer.

To do this, scientists are finding a layer of thin ice, punching a hole into the surface from below, and flooding it with the hope that it will accelerate the speed of natural freezing.&nbsp;

The process has already been tested before, but it was for the first time done successfully with hydrogen, which is a renewable energy.

The tests have also been successful on a smaller scale. According to a report published in New Scientist, there could be the "risk of unintended consequences," like reduced snow cover&nbsp;negatively impacting wildlife.

Speaking to The Guardian, Hayo Hendrikse, assistant professor at Delft University of Technology,&nbsp;said that this is not a "solution" but a "sticking plaster," which could be used on a "smaller scale".

(With inputs from agencies)

An innovative way is being created by scientists which will help them in "growing" ice and doing the impossible job of "refreezing" the Arctic Sea as initial tests prove promising.

An innovative way is being created by scientists which will help them in "growing" ice and doing the impossible job of "refreezing" the Arctic Sea as initial tests prove promising. Scientists are aiming at pumping seawater over the frozen Arctic Ocean. They have carried out trials in the Canadian Arctic which have seen sea ice getting thickened successfully. According to a report published in New Scientist, if no action is taken right now, the accelerating climate change will make the Arctic "ice-free in the summer in the 2030s" which will be disastrous for the planet. According to other reports, even if measures are adopted, like sharply reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it won't stop the Arctic from turning "ice-free". Disappearing ice in the Arctic Ocean Every decade, the Arctic Ocean is losing nearly 13 per cent of its ice. Also Read: Antarctica is rising from ocean and losing weight. Here's how it will impact Earth To stop this drastic climate change impact, there would be a need to dramatically reduce the emissions worldwide, because of which scientists have been finding ways to curb this in a short duration. Amongst the ways being explored, scientists are considering pumping seawater in parts of the frozen Arctic Ocean, which they believe would be effective. Is pumping seawater in the Arctic a good decision? The plan is very straightforward. Pumps will be used by the engineers to cover ice with seawater, which is expected to freeze in winter and thicken the ice layer. This will ensure that the ice lasts longer during the summer. To do this, scientists are finding a layer of thin ice, punching a hole into the surface from below, and flooding it with the hope that it will accelerate the speed of natural freezing. The process has already been tested before, but it was for the first time done successfully with hydrogen, which is a renewable energy. The tests have also been successful on a smaller scale. According to a report published in New Scientist, there could be the "risk of unintended consequences," like reduced snow cover negatively impacting wildlife. Speaking to The Guardian, Hayo Hendrikse, assistant professor at Delft University of Technology, said that this is not a "solution" but a "sticking plaster," which could be used on a "smaller scale". (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are now planning to 'grow' ice and 'refreeze' Arctic Sea

In an intriguing experiment, scientists have tried to analyse the brains of humans when they see one of the world's most famous paintings - "Girl With The Pearl Earring" which has been painted by Johannes Vermeer.

In the experiment, neuroscientists found that the brain experiences a special neurological phenomenon called "Sustained Attentional Loop" when they see the painting.&nbsp;

The neuroscientists were commissioned by the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague - which has kept the 17th-century masterpiece - to measure&nbsp;the brain&nbsp;output of the audience.

In the observations, it was found that the eye of the viewer gets automatically drawn towards the eye of the girl, then to her mouth, and then moves on to the pearl and finally goes back to the eye.

Research company Neurensics employee Martin de Munnik said that because of this phenomenon, the observer looks at the painting for a longer duration in comparison to others.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-van-goghs-starry-night-recreated-as-park-in-bosnian-hills-749403">Van Gogh's Starry Night recreated as park in Bosnian hills</a>

"You have to pay attention whether you want to or not. You have to love her whether you want to or not," Munnik said.

Scientists, while measuring the brainwaves, also found that the precuneus was getting stimulated the most. Precuneus is a part of the brain that manages a human's consciousness and personal identity.

"It was predictable that the Girl was special. But the 'why' was also a surprise to us," De Munnik said.

He added that this is the first study in which EEG and MRI brain scanning machine have been used to measure human's neurological response to artwork.

"The longer you look at somebody, the more beautiful or more attractive somebody becomes. Why are you familiar with this painting and not with the other paintings? Because of this special thing she has," he said.

<h2>Genuine vs reproduced painting: How the brain responds to art pieces?</h2>

The scientists also checked the brain's neurological response when seeing the genuine painting and when observing its reproduction.

Watch:&nbsp;Van Gogh's Art Attacked Again in London

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/van-goghs-art-attacked-again-in-london-763240/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It was discovered that the viewer's emotional reaction to the original painting was ten times stronger than to its reproduction.

Mauritshuis Director Martine Gosselink said that this experiment showed how important it is for people to see the original painting.

"It's so important to engage with art, whether it's photography, or dance, or old masters from the 17th century," said the director, while speaking to AFP in an interview.

"It is important, and it really helps to develop your brain... The brain doesn't lie," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an intriguing experiment, scientists have tried to analyse the brains of humans when they see one of the world's most famous paintings - "Girl With The Pearl Earring" which has been painted by Johannes Vermeer.

In an intriguing experiment, scientists have tried to analyse the brains of humans when they see one of the world's most famous paintings - "Girl With The Pearl Earring" which has been painted by Johannes Vermeer. In the experiment, neuroscientists found that the brain experiences a special neurological phenomenon called "Sustained Attentional Loop" when they see the painting. The neuroscientists were commissioned by the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague - which has kept the 17th-century masterpiece - to measure the brain output of the audience. In the observations, it was found that the eye of the viewer gets automatically drawn towards the eye of the girl, then to her mouth, and then moves on to the pearl and finally goes back to the eye. Research company Neurensics employee Martin de Munnik said that because of this phenomenon, the observer looks at the painting for a longer duration in comparison to others. Also Read: Van Gogh's Starry Night recreated as park in Bosnian hills "You have to pay attention whether you want to or not. You have to love her whether you want to or not," Munnik said. Scientists, while measuring the brainwaves, also found that the precuneus was getting stimulated the most. Precuneus is a part of the brain that manages a human's consciousness and personal identity. "It was predictable that the Girl was special. But the 'why' was also a surprise to us," De Munnik said. He added that this is the first study in which EEG and MRI brain scanning machine have been used to measure human's neurological response to artwork. "The longer you look at somebody, the more beautiful or more attractive somebody becomes. Why are you familiar with this painting and not with the other paintings? Because of this special thing she has," he said. Genuine vs reproduced painting: How the brain responds to art pieces? The scientists also checked the brain's neurological response when seeing the genuine painting and when observing its reproduction. Watch: Van Gogh's Art Attacked Again in London It was discovered that the viewer's emotional reaction to the original painting was ten times stronger than to its reproduction. Mauritshuis Director Martine Gosselink said that this experiment showed how important it is for people to see the original painting. "It's so important to engage with art, whether it's photography, or dance, or old masters from the 17th century," said the director, while speaking to AFP in an interview. "It is important, and it really helps to develop your brain... The brain doesn't lie," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

THIS iconic painting is doing something with the brains of its viewers. Scientists say it's called...

Scientists have stumbled upon a strange megastructure deep inside the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island, which may be the reason behind the East Pacific Rise - which is the fastest spreading ocean ridge in the world.

As per the researchers, the ancient ocean slabs are present at this site, which is hidden deep in the interior of the planet.

University of Maryland geologist Jingchuan Wang&nbsp;and his team have made this discovery with the help of seismic data, as reported by Science Alert.

The scientists sent bouncing sound waves deep inside the ground to form seismic maps and identified an odd blob of the mantle that has been slowly moving beneath the Nazca Plate that borders South America's continental plate.&nbsp;

The mantle makes up most of the volume of Earth, which is made up of heated silicate rocks that are sandwiched between a cool, thin outer crust and the core.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-has-a-hidden-massive-sixth-ocean-in-a-crystal-structure-under-its-crust-heres-why-764140">Earth has a hidden massive sixth ocean in a crystal structure under its crust. Here's why</a>

Across tens of millions of years, this layer has been flowing in cycles because of the extreme difference in temperature across the opposite edges. The cooler and denser material is getting drawn into the warmer interior.

The process is known as subduction, and the Nazca Plate is going through subduction currently beneath South America, which recycles the surface material back into the mantle.

<h2>Scientists say structural gap created between central and eastern Pacific</h2>

Scientists said that there is an ocean ridge on the other side of that plate beneath Easter Island, which is growing rapidly and a mysterious structural gap has been created between the central and eastern Pacific.

"Our discovery opens up new questions about how the deep Earth influences what we see on the surface across vast distances and timescales," Wang said.

"We found that in this region, the material was sinking at about half the speed we expected, which suggests the mantle transition zone can act like a barrier and slow down the movement of material through the Earth," he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-ancient-sunk-seafloor-beneath-pacific-is-impacting-earths-interior-heres-how-762979">An ancient sunk seafloor beneath Pacific is impacting Earth's interior. Here's how</a>

"This thickened area is like a fossilised fingerprint of an ancient piece of seafloor that subducted into the Earth approximately 250 million years ago. It's giving us a glimpse into Earth's past that we've never had before," Wang stated.

Wang, along with other scientists, has been working on the models of how tectonic plates have shifted throughout the history of Earth.

"This is just the beginning. We believe there are many more ancient structures waiting to be discovered in Earth's deep interior. Each one has the potential to reveal many new insights about our planet's complex past - and even lead to a better understanding of other planets beyond ours," he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have stumbled upon a strange megastructure deep inside the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island, which may be the reason behind the East Pacific Rise - which is the fastest spreading ocean ridge in the world.

Scientists have stumbled upon a strange megastructure deep inside the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island, which may be the reason behind the East Pacific Rise - which is the fastest spreading ocean ridge in the world. As per the researchers, the ancient ocean slabs are present at this site, which is hidden deep in the interior of the planet. University of Maryland geologist Jingchuan Wang and his team have made this discovery with the help of seismic data, as reported by Science Alert. The scientists sent bouncing sound waves deep inside the ground to form seismic maps and identified an odd blob of the mantle that has been slowly moving beneath the Nazca Plate that borders South America's continental plate. The mantle makes up most of the volume of Earth, which is made up of heated silicate rocks that are sandwiched between a cool, thin outer crust and the core. Also Read: Earth has a hidden massive sixth ocean in a crystal structure under its crust. Here's why Across tens of millions of years, this layer has been flowing in cycles because of the extreme difference in temperature across the opposite edges. The cooler and denser material is getting drawn into the warmer interior. The process is known as subduction, and the Nazca Plate is going through subduction currently beneath South America, which recycles the surface material back into the mantle. Scientists say structural gap created between central and eastern Pacific Scientists said that there is an ocean ridge on the other side of that plate beneath Easter Island, which is growing rapidly and a mysterious structural gap has been created between the central and eastern Pacific. "Our discovery opens up new questions about how the deep Earth influences what we see on the surface across vast distances and timescales," Wang said. "We found that in this region, the material was sinking at about half the speed we expected, which suggests the mantle transition zone can act like a barrier and slow down the movement of material through the Earth," he added. Also Read: An ancient sunk seafloor beneath Pacific is impacting Earth's interior. Here's how "This thickened area is like a fossilised fingerprint of an ancient piece of seafloor that subducted into the Earth approximately 250 million years ago. It's giving us a glimpse into Earth's past that we've never had before," Wang stated. Wang, along with other scientists, has been working on the models of how tectonic plates have shifted throughout the history of Earth. "This is just the beginning. We believe there are many more ancient structures waiting to be discovered in Earth's deep interior. Each one has the potential to reveal many new insights about our planet's complex past - and even lead to a better understanding of other planets beyond ours," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

A marvellous megastructure is sitting deep inside the Pacific. Scientists say it is...

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight.

While hunting for this lost atmosphere, two MIT geologists believe that most likely it has been hiding in the clay-covered crust of Mars.&nbsp;

According to the study, Martian clay can store nearly 80 per cent of the initial atmosphere on the planet.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-gravity-map-finds-mysterious-blobs-martian-dog-beneath-its-seabed-761465">Mars' gravity map finds mysterious blobs, 'Martian dog' beneath its seabed</a>

“Around 3.5 billion years ago, the water dried up, and the air, once heavy with carbon dioxide, dramatically thinned, leaving only the wisp of an atmosphere that clings to the planet today,” stated the researchers.&nbsp;

<h2>How did the atmosphere of Mars get trapped?</h2>

As per the researchers, ancient water which trickled through the rocks of Mars may have started a series of chemical reactions and led to the conversion of CO2 into methane, which was eventually trapped in the clay of the planet for billions of years.

This process shares similarities with the processes which take place in some regions on Earth.&nbsp;

The team looked into the rock-gas interactions on Earth to understand similar processes which occur on Mars.

“Based on our findings on Earth, we show that similar processes likely operated on Mars, and that copious amounts of atmospheric CO2 could have transformed to methane and been sequestered in clays,” said Oliver Jagoutz, who is the study author and professor of geology at MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-advances-deadline-for-launch-of-mars-mission-by-two-years-756739/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We know this process happens, and it is well-documented on Earth. And these rocks and clays exist on Mars. So, we wanted to try and connect the dots," Jagoutz said.

Because the tectonic activity on Mars is not similar to that on Earth, the team tried to understand the origin of the clays on Mars.

The team, in their previous research, said that smectites are able to store carbon for “billions of years”.

“These smectite clays have so much capacity to store carbon. So then we used existing knowledge of how these minerals are stored in clays on Earth, and extrapolated to say: if the Martian surface has this much clay in it, how much methane can you store in those clays?” said Dr Murray.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight.

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight. While hunting for this lost atmosphere, two MIT geologists believe that most likely it has been hiding in the clay-covered crust of Mars. According to the study, Martian clay can store nearly 80 per cent of the initial atmosphere on the planet. Also Read: Mars' gravity map finds mysterious blobs, 'Martian dog' beneath its seabed “Around 3.5 billion years ago, the water dried up, and the air, once heavy with carbon dioxide, dramatically thinned, leaving only the wisp of an atmosphere that clings to the planet today,” stated the researchers. How did the atmosphere of Mars get trapped? As per the researchers, ancient water which trickled through the rocks of Mars may have started a series of chemical reactions and led to the conversion of CO2 into methane, which was eventually trapped in the clay of the planet for billions of years. This process shares similarities with the processes which take place in some regions on Earth. The team looked into the rock-gas interactions on Earth to understand similar processes which occur on Mars. “Based on our findings on Earth, we show that similar processes likely operated on Mars, and that copious amounts of atmospheric CO2 could have transformed to methane and been sequestered in clays,” said Oliver Jagoutz, who is the study author and professor of geology at MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years "We know this process happens, and it is well-documented on Earth. And these rocks and clays exist on Mars. So, we wanted to try and connect the dots," Jagoutz said. Because the tectonic activity on Mars is not similar to that on Earth, the team tried to understand the origin of the clays on Mars. The team, in their previous research, said that smectites are able to store carbon for “billions of years”. “These smectite clays have so much capacity to store carbon. So then we used existing knowledge of how these minerals are stored in clays on Earth, and extrapolated to say: if the Martian surface has this much clay in it, how much methane can you store in those clays?” said Dr Murray. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars once lost its atmosphere. Scientists now believe they may have found it

Scientists have discovered a new species of ghost shark in the waters of New Zealand. The fish is rare and extremely hard to spot as it lives in the deep Pacific Ocean.

When it was first discovered the scientists from the National Institute for Water and Atmospherics (NIWA), New Zealand thought it to be an existing species. However, upon further examination, it was revealed that the species was new and genetically unique.

<h2>The ghostly 'spookfish'</h2>

Ghost sharks, also known as chimaera or spookfish, can be identified by their unusually long and sharp noses and whip-like tails. Often referred to as the ocean's butterfly for how they navigate in water with large pectoral fins, the species do not have scales and are closely related to sharks and rays. They have cartilage skeletons and feed on crustaceans like molluscs and shrimp.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/will-marine-life-disappear-in-the-oceans-as-they-continue-to-become-too-acidic-scientists-say-761470">Will marine life disappear in the oceans as they continue to become too acidic? Scientists say...</a>

The new species, Australasian Narrow-Nosed spookfish, only resides in New Zealand and Australian waters.

"Their habitat makes them hard to study and monitor, meaning we don't know a lot about their biology or threat status," said Dr Brit Finucci, one of the scientists who discovered Australasian Narrow-Nosed spookfish.

The fish is only found in New Zealand and Australian waters and is known to live at a depth of up to 2,600 metres.

"Chimaeras are quite cryptic in nature – they can be hard to find in the deep ocean … and they generally don’t get the same attention sharks do, when it comes to research."

The new species of ghost shark was found about 750 km east of New Zealand’s coast in Chatham Rise, an ocean floor area.

The fish can reach a length of up to a metre and has milky-coloured eyes. This chocolate-brown fish was identified for its elongated snout which can make up half of its body's length.

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About 55 species of ghost sharks have been identified across the world, 12 of which are found in South Pacific and New Zealand waters.

"It’s really neat to be able to contribute to science," she said. "Understanding the animal itself can feed into further research and whether they need conservation management."

<h2>A homage to 'ancient relative'</h2>

Finucci has named the species Harriota avia, giving her discovery a personal touch, Harriotta being the name of her grandmother.

"Avia means grandmother in Latin, I wanted to give this nod to her" Finucci explained, adding that her grandmother had supported her career throughout. "Sharks and ghost sharks are the old, ancient, relatives of fish, and I was naming the animal after an ancient relative of mine."

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered a new species of ghost shark in the waters of New Zealand. The fish is rare and extremely hard to spot as it lives in the deep Pacific Ocean.

Scientists have discovered a new species of ghost shark in the waters of New Zealand. The fish is rare and extremely hard to spot as it lives in the deep Pacific Ocean. When it was first discovered the scientists from the National Institute for Water and Atmospherics (NIWA), New Zealand thought it to be an existing species. However, upon further examination, it was revealed that the species was new and genetically unique. The ghostly 'spookfish' Ghost sharks, also known as chimaera or spookfish, can be identified by their unusually long and sharp noses and whip-like tails. Often referred to as the ocean's butterfly for how they navigate in water with large pectoral fins, the species do not have scales and are closely related to sharks and rays. They have cartilage skeletons and feed on crustaceans like molluscs and shrimp. Also read | Will marine life disappear in the oceans as they continue to become too acidic? Scientists say... The new species, Australasian Narrow-Nosed spookfish, only resides in New Zealand and Australian waters. "Their habitat makes them hard to study and monitor, meaning we don't know a lot about their biology or threat status," said Dr Brit Finucci, one of the scientists who discovered Australasian Narrow-Nosed spookfish. The fish is only found in New Zealand and Australian waters and is known to live at a depth of up to 2,600 metres. "Chimaeras are quite cryptic in nature – they can be hard to find in the deep ocean … and they generally don’t get the same attention sharks do, when it comes to research." The new species of ghost shark was found about 750 km east of New Zealand’s coast in Chatham Rise, an ocean floor area. The fish can reach a length of up to a metre and has milky-coloured eyes. This chocolate-brown fish was identified for its elongated snout which can make up half of its body's length. Also read | Creepy sounds are echoing through Mariana Trench, and we now know the cause About 55 species of ghost sharks have been identified across the world, 12 of which are found in South Pacific and New Zealand waters. "It’s really neat to be able to contribute to science," she said. "Understanding the animal itself can feed into further research and whether they need conservation management." A homage to 'ancient relative' Finucci has named the species Harriota avia, giving her discovery a personal touch, Harriotta being the name of her grandmother. "Avia means grandmother in Latin, I wanted to give this nod to her" Finucci explained, adding that her grandmother had supported her career throughout. "Sharks and ghost sharks are the old, ancient, relatives of fish, and I was naming the animal after an ancient relative of mine." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover new species of rare ghost shark in New Zealand waters

Scientists have claimed that a mysterious ancient seed which dates back between 993 AD and 1202 and is believed to have grown into a 10-foot-tall tree nearly 1,000 years ago may be hiding the cure for cancer.

The scientists said that the seed was discovered in the Judean Desert between the West Bank and Israel and was part of the lineage of trees mentioned in the Bible.&nbsp;

The ancient seed, named "Sheba" took 14 years to become a tree after it was found in a cave in the late 1980s.&nbsp;

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According to the scientists, this is the seed of a now-extinct species of trees which once existed in the region.

<h2>Can the ancient seed cure cancer?</h2>

According to the scientists, the fully-grown tree was the source of "tsori" (meaning balm), which is a resin with healing powers, as per the Bible.

"Our initial hypothesis was that 'Sheba' might be a candidate for the historical 'Judean Balsam'," said the scientists.

Scientists have observed that Sheba contains various medicinal properties. In the chemical analysis of its leaves, it was found that it has active compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer&nbsp;properties.

The scientists also found antioxidant and skin-smoothing properties in its stems and leaves.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-roman-aquarium-archaeologists-find-a-2000-year-old-mosaic-with-depiction-of-fish-dolphins-749815">A Roman aquarium? Archaeologists&nbsp;find a 2,000-year-old mosaic with depiction of fish, dolphins</a>

"We believe these findings support our second hypothesis, that 'Sheba' … may represent an extinct (or at least extirpated) [lineage] once native to this region, whose resin 'tsori' mentioned in Biblical texts was valuable, associated with healing but not described as fragrant," scientists stated.

The scientists carried out chemical and radiocarbon analyses of the tree and also checked its DNA. They found that it belonged to the family of myrrh and frankincense, which have been mentioned in the Bible.&nbsp;

However, the scientists have not been able to find out the species of the Sheba plant. In the last 14 years, no flower or reproductive material has been produced by the tree which can be studied to understand its properties.

"If Judean Balsam survives today as an extant Commiphora species there remains the possibility that scientists have not yet recognised it," researchers&nbsp;stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have claimed that a mysterious ancient seed which dates back between 993 AD and 1202 and is believed to have grown into a 10-foot-tall tree nearly 1,000 years ago may be hiding the cure for cancer.

Scientists have claimed that a mysterious ancient seed which dates back between 993 AD and 1202 and is believed to have grown into a 10-foot-tall tree nearly 1,000 years ago may be hiding the cure for cancer. The scientists said that the seed was discovered in the Judean Desert between the West Bank and Israel and was part of the lineage of trees mentioned in the Bible. The ancient seed, named "Sheba" took 14 years to become a tree after it was found in a cave in the late 1980s. Also Read: Artefact found by archaeologists is likely a 4000-year-old ancient board game According to the scientists, this is the seed of a now-extinct species of trees which once existed in the region. Can the ancient seed cure cancer? According to the scientists, the fully-grown tree was the source of "tsori" (meaning balm), which is a resin with healing powers, as per the Bible. "Our initial hypothesis was that 'Sheba' might be a candidate for the historical 'Judean Balsam'," said the scientists. Scientists have observed that Sheba contains various medicinal properties. In the chemical analysis of its leaves, it was found that it has active compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The scientists also found antioxidant and skin-smoothing properties in its stems and leaves. Also Read: A Roman aquarium? Archaeologists find a 2,000-year-old mosaic with depiction of fish, dolphins "We believe these findings support our second hypothesis, that 'Sheba' … may represent an extinct (or at least extirpated) [lineage] once native to this region, whose resin 'tsori' mentioned in Biblical texts was valuable, associated with healing but not described as fragrant," scientists stated. The scientists carried out chemical and radiocarbon analyses of the tree and also checked its DNA. They found that it belonged to the family of myrrh and frankincense, which have been mentioned in the Bible. However, the scientists have not been able to find out the species of the Sheba plant. In the last 14 years, no flower or reproductive material has been produced by the tree which can be studied to understand its properties. "If Judean Balsam survives today as an extant Commiphora species there remains the possibility that scientists have not yet recognised it," researchers stated. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists claim 1,000-year-old seed is of Biblical tree that may be hiding cure for cancer

The scientists in a report have emphasised that the oceans in the world are turning too acidic and are not able to sustain marine life or even stabilise the climate.&nbsp;

The report, which has been prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), has mentioned nine factors which are important for regulating the ability of the planet to sustain life.

In recent years, human activities have pushed the safe limit in six of these areas.&nbsp;

Ocean acidification can soon lead to the breaching of the seventh factor, as per the PIK's first&nbsp;Planetary Health Check.

The safe limits of the factors which have been breached include climate change; rise in pollutants, which includes plastics and chemical fertilisers used in agriculture; the loss of natural species, natural habitat and freshwater.&nbsp;

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Now, there is a high chance of a sustainable level of ocean acidification exceeding which led to ever-increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) created from burning fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas.

"As CO2&nbsp;emissions increase, more of it dissolves in sea water… making the oceans more acidic," said Boris Sakschewski, one of the lead authors, while speaking to&nbsp;reporters.

"Even with rapid emission cuts, some level of continued acidification may be unavoidable due to the CO2&nbsp;already emitted and the time it takes for the ocean system to respond. Therefore, breaching the ocean acidification boundary appears inevitable within the coming years," he added.

<h2>How acidic water is harming marine life?</h2>

The corals, shellfish and the phytoplankton - which feed on several marine species - get damaged by acidic water.

Hence, it also disrupts the food supplies of billions of people and limits the capacity of the ocean to absorb more CO2&nbsp;which eventually limits global warming.

Among the nine boundaries stated in the report, the one that is not close to exceeding is the protective&nbsp;ozone&nbsp;layer of the planet.

This shield has been damaged by man-made chemicals which led to acid rain, however, it has begun to recover.&nbsp;

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According to PIK, these nine planetary danger levels were mentioned to alert people against tipping past points of Earth's natural systems.&nbsp;

"These tipping points… if crossed, would lead to irreversible and catastrophic outcomes for billions of people and many future generations on Earth," the report said.

Sakschewski said that the nine planetary boundaries are "interconnected" so a breach of a crucial limit can destabilise the entire life system of Earth.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists in a report have emphasised that the oceans in the world are turning too acidic and are not able to sustain marine life or even stabilise the climate.

The scientists in a report have emphasised that the oceans in the world are turning too acidic and are not able to sustain marine life or even stabilise the climate. The report, which has been prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), has mentioned nine factors which are important for regulating the ability of the planet to sustain life. In recent years, human activities have pushed the safe limit in six of these areas. Ocean acidification can soon lead to the breaching of the seventh factor, as per the PIK's first Planetary Health Check. The safe limits of the factors which have been breached include climate change; rise in pollutants, which includes plastics and chemical fertilisers used in agriculture; the loss of natural species, natural habitat and freshwater. Also Read: Are deep seas on Earth hiding alien life amid 'dark oxygen'? Study hints so Now, there is a high chance of a sustainable level of ocean acidification exceeding which led to ever-increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) created from burning fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas. "As CO2 emissions increase, more of it dissolves in sea water… making the oceans more acidic," said Boris Sakschewski, one of the lead authors, while speaking to reporters. "Even with rapid emission cuts, some level of continued acidification may be unavoidable due to the CO2 already emitted and the time it takes for the ocean system to respond. Therefore, breaching the ocean acidification boundary appears inevitable within the coming years," he added. How acidic water is harming marine life? The corals, shellfish and the phytoplankton - which feed on several marine species - get damaged by acidic water. Hence, it also disrupts the food supplies of billions of people and limits the capacity of the ocean to absorb more CO2 which eventually limits global warming. Among the nine boundaries stated in the report, the one that is not close to exceeding is the protective ozone layer of the planet. This shield has been damaged by man-made chemicals which led to acid rain, however, it has begun to recover. Also Read: There are 'death pools' at bottom of Red Sea which can kill anything 'immediately'. Scientists warn... According to PIK, these nine planetary danger levels were mentioned to alert people against tipping past points of Earth's natural systems. "These tipping points… if crossed, would lead to irreversible and catastrophic outcomes for billions of people and many future generations on Earth," the report said. Sakschewski said that the nine planetary boundaries are "interconnected" so a breach of a crucial limit can destabilise the entire life system of Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Will marine life disappear in the oceans as they continue to become too acidic? Scientists say...

Scientists were shocked when they discovered that pollution had created a hole in the protective ozone layer of Earth in the 1980s.

After nearly 40 years, scientists from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) noticed that this hole had reduced in size which hinted at the possibility of its recovery.&nbsp;

In the latest atmospheric observations, it was revealed that it took a significant time for the ozone hole to be formed over the South Pole and it was smaller than expected this year.

The ozone layer is a thin layer of ozone gas in the atmosphere which is made of three oxygen atoms and is able to absorb all harmful UV radiation of the Sun.&nbsp;

The British Antarctic Survey carried out research in 1985 and found that there is a huge hole in the ozone layer over the South Pole.

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When spring comes in the Southern Hemisphere, the hole opens up again and UV radiation pours down towards the Antarctic continent.&nbsp;

This results in too much radiation in Antarctica because of which Antarctic wildlife such as seals and penguins remain at a huge risk of getting sunburnt.&nbsp;

<h2>Can the ozone layer's hole completely heal?</h2>

Generally, the hole remains well established in mid-to-late August and closes by the end of November.&nbsp;

As per the new data, the formation of the ozone hole has been very slow in comparison to previous years.

The ozone hole did not start getting formed till September and remained very small throughout the period.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/global-superbug-crisis-40-million-lives-at-risk-over-next-25-years-warns-study-759317">Global superbug crisis: 40 million lives at risk over next 25 years, warns study</a>

CAMS has predicted that for the rest of the year, the ozone hole will start shrinking faster and is likely to have completely closed by December.

"From volcanoes to climate change, there are a myriad of factors that play a role, directly or indirectly, in the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole. Nonetheless, none of them are as impactful as the anthropogenic ozone-depleting substances," said Laurence Rouil, director of CAMS.

"Just as a period of colder weather than usual doesn’t reveal long-term trends of climate, a slow start of an ozone hole can’t automatically be attributed to a recovery of the ozone layer," stated CAMS in a blog post.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists were shocked when they discovered that pollution had created a hole in the protective ozone layer of Earth in the 1980s. After nearly 40 years, scientists from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) noticed that this hole had reduced in size which hinted at the possibility of its recovery.

Scientists were shocked when they discovered that pollution had created a hole in the protective ozone layer of Earth in the 1980s. After nearly 40 years, scientists from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) noticed that this hole had reduced in size which hinted at the possibility of its recovery. In the latest atmospheric observations, it was revealed that it took a significant time for the ozone hole to be formed over the South Pole and it was smaller than expected this year. The ozone layer is a thin layer of ozone gas in the atmosphere which is made of three oxygen atoms and is able to absorb all harmful UV radiation of the Sun. The British Antarctic Survey carried out research in 1985 and found that there is a huge hole in the ozone layer over the South Pole. Also Read: Will Pacific Ocean be filled with iron by 2026? Here's what scientists are planning When spring comes in the Southern Hemisphere, the hole opens up again and UV radiation pours down towards the Antarctic continent. This results in too much radiation in Antarctica because of which Antarctic wildlife such as seals and penguins remain at a huge risk of getting sunburnt. Can the ozone layer's hole completely heal? Generally, the hole remains well established in mid-to-late August and closes by the end of November. As per the new data, the formation of the ozone hole has been very slow in comparison to previous years. The ozone hole did not start getting formed till September and remained very small throughout the period. Also Read: Global superbug crisis: 40 million lives at risk over next 25 years, warns study CAMS has predicted that for the rest of the year, the ozone hole will start shrinking faster and is likely to have completely closed by December. "From volcanoes to climate change, there are a myriad of factors that play a role, directly or indirectly, in the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole. Nonetheless, none of them are as impactful as the anthropogenic ozone-depleting substances," said Laurence Rouil, director of CAMS. "Just as a period of colder weather than usual doesn’t reveal long-term trends of climate, a slow start of an ozone hole can’t automatically be attributed to a recovery of the ozone layer," stated CAMS in a blog post. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot reduction in size of a hole in ozone layer above Antarctica

Scientists discovered a sudden bulging in the 'Mountain of God' volcano and warned people against an impending eruption.&nbsp;

The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano - situated in the north of Tanzania - has been swelling because of the flow of magma beneath the surface of the Earth.&nbsp;

Throughout the 20th century, the 9,718-foot-tall volcano has become active after every 20 to 40 years. It last erupted in 2007 and spread the ashes across more than 10 miles from the site. This eruption led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the areas close to the volcano.&nbsp;

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Since March 2022, there has been a 'rapid uplift' in underground magma volcanic activity in the land near the volcano, which is a sign of imminent doom.

"We have been able to detect transient motion in volcanic activity, and this is a precursor for any kind of eruption," said Ntambila Daud, who is a graduate student at Virginia Tech.

<h2>Maasai's Mountain of God and its fury</h2>

The name of the volcano 'Ol Doinyo Lengai' means 'Mountain of God' in Maasai.&nbsp;

The Maasai tribe considers the volcano to be a sacred site and prays to it for curing illness and infertility and also for relief from any misfortunes.&nbsp;

The volcano's records go back to the 1880s, however, it has erupted nine times since, with the largest eruption taking place 17 years ago.

Because of the explosion, the ash rose thousands of feet into the air and the lava was spread till nearly two miles away.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Mount Etna volcano roars into action with ash and lava

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mount-etna-volcano-roars-into-action-with-ash-and-lava-747095/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano that spews carbonite lava which is a uniquely black or grey-coloured that becomes stark white on cooling.&nbsp;

Speaking about the study, co-author and Virginia Tech associate professor D. Sarah Stamps said, "The approach used in [their research] provided important steps forward in our understanding of the dynamic magma plumbing system of Ol Doinyo Lengai."

"This research could help Tanzanian authorities have a better idea of what is happening with the volcano," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discovered a sudden bulging in the 'Mountain of God' volcano and warned people against an impending eruption. The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano - situated in the north of Tanzania - has been swelling because of the flow of magma beneath the surface of the Earth.

Scientists discovered a sudden bulging in the 'Mountain of God' volcano and warned people against an impending eruption. The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano - situated in the north of Tanzania - has been swelling because of the flow of magma beneath the surface of the Earth. Throughout the 20th century, the 9,718-foot-tall volcano has become active after every 20 to 40 years. It last erupted in 2007 and spread the ashes across more than 10 miles from the site. This eruption led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the areas close to the volcano. Also Read: Iceland volcano spews hot lava into air in sixth eruption within eight months Since March 2022, there has been a 'rapid uplift' in underground magma volcanic activity in the land near the volcano, which is a sign of imminent doom. "We have been able to detect transient motion in volcanic activity, and this is a precursor for any kind of eruption," said Ntambila Daud, who is a graduate student at Virginia Tech. Maasai's Mountain of God and its fury The name of the volcano 'Ol Doinyo Lengai' means 'Mountain of God' in Maasai. The Maasai tribe considers the volcano to be a sacred site and prays to it for curing illness and infertility and also for relief from any misfortunes. The volcano's records go back to the 1880s, however, it has erupted nine times since, with the largest eruption taking place 17 years ago. Because of the explosion, the ash rose thousands of feet into the air and the lava was spread till nearly two miles away. Watch: Mount Etna volcano roars into action with ash and lava Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano that spews carbonite lava which is a uniquely black or grey-coloured that becomes stark white on cooling. Speaking about the study, co-author and Virginia Tech associate professor D. Sarah Stamps said, "The approach used in [their research] provided important steps forward in our understanding of the dynamic magma plumbing system of Ol Doinyo Lengai." "This research could help Tanzanian authorities have a better idea of what is happening with the volcano," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot dangerous bulge around 'Mountain of God' volcano, warn of massive eruption

Scientists have come up with a new and innovative plan to tackle climate change, which is filling the giant Pacific Ocean with iron. This technique is known as ocean iron fertilisation (OIF) and in this process powdered form of iron is filled on the surface of the sea to stimulate the growth of a marine plant 'phytoplankton'.

Scientists have come up with a new and innovative plan to tackle climate change, which is filling the giant Pacific Ocean with iron. This technique is known as ocean iron fertilisation (OIF) and in this process powdered form of iron is filled on the surface of the sea to stimulate the growth of a marine plant 'phytoplankton'. This marine plant takes in carbon dioxide and traps it in the ocean. According to computer models, if two million tonnes of iron is released into the sea every year, the process will remove around 50 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by the year 2100. As per the plan of the researchers, iron will be released across 3,800 square miles northeast Pacific by 2026. Currently, scientists at the non-profit Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions (ExOIS) have been looking into the idea of spreading iron sulfate in areas where nutrients are scarce. The scarcity is high in the northeast Pacific Ocean which is spread from the western coast of North and South America to the eastern coast of Asia and upward to the Arctic. According to scientists, the distribution of iron in these areas will increase the growth of phytoplankton and decrease carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for the years ahead. Also Read: Are deep seas on Earth hiding alien life amid 'dark oxygen'? Study hints so The researchers have suggested that distributing iron sulfate in the ocean will help in limiting global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Filling of iron may create 'dead zones' in the sea: Experts Experts have warned that iron can lead to the depletion of nutrients required for marine life and kill some of the food webs of the ocean. Scientists are now finding a way to turn iron into powder form so that it can be dissolved in water easily and then get dispersed in targeted areas of the ocean. Watch: Ocean 2024: Drills held from the Pacific to the Baltics and Caspian sea Even though the process has achieved some success in earlier experiments, the researchers have expressed their concern regarding how the spread of iron can negatively impact parts of the ecosystem of the ocean. "Most likely [iron fertilisation] will affect something that we don't really understand yet," said deep-sea expert Lisa Levin, while speaking to Scientific American. Scientists have been concerned that the spread of iron can create "dead zones" which permit algal blooms to grow that inhale all the oxygen in the water and kill other living things. (With inputs from agencies)

Will Pacific Ocean be filled with iron by 2026? Here's what scientists are planning

Scientists have discovered new multicellular life forms which emerge from the cells of a dead organism and stay in a "third state" which is beyond the states of life and death.&nbsp;

Generally, death is considered as the opposite state of life in an organism. However, procedures like organ donation emphasise how organs, tissues and cells continue functioning after the demise of the organism.&nbsp;

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Scientists in the past few years have demonstrated how the cells of organisms can be used in biological robots which represent the advancements in the field of synthetic biology.

<h2>What is the 'third state' of organisms?</h2>

In a new study, published in the journal&nbsp;Physiology, researchers have discussed the possibility of using cells from organisms, either dead or alive and using them in machines with totally new functions.&nbsp;

This underlines a biological "third state" which is not part of the general categories of life and death.

"The third state challenges how scientists typically understand cell behaviour," said biologists Peter Noble and Alex Pozhitkov, co-authors of the review, in&nbsp;an essay for&nbsp;The Conversation.

According to the researchers, biological robots or biobots are able to develop new functions which set them apart, because "there are few instances where organisms change in ways that are not predetermined".

Watch:&nbsp;Lab-grown blood stem cells could replace bone marrow transplants: Report

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Some types of biobots last for just 60 days and safely biodegrade after they are dead. However, scientists have not been able to understand how these repurposed cells are able to survive after the death of their organism.&nbsp;

"We also don't know the extent of their ability to develop new functions postmortem," the researchers said.

"Taken together, these findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways," Noble and Pozhitkov stated.&nbsp;

"The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time," they added.

Meanwhile, anthrobots, which are created using the cells of a human patient, can be programmed to repair damaged ones,&nbsp;remove cancerous growths and deliver drugs.

"A better understanding of how some cells continue to function and metamorphose into multicellular entities some time after an organism's demise holds promise for advancing personalized and preventive medicine," the researchers stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered new multicellular life forms which emerge from the cells of a dead organism and stay in a "third state" which is beyond the states of life and death.

Scientists have discovered new multicellular life forms which emerge from the cells of a dead organism and stay in a "third state" which is beyond the states of life and death. Generally, death is considered as the opposite state of life in an organism. However, procedures like organ donation emphasise how organs, tissues and cells continue functioning after the demise of the organism. Also Read: Can vaccines prevent cancer? World's first lung cancer vaccine trials will have answers Scientists in the past few years have demonstrated how the cells of organisms can be used in biological robots which represent the advancements in the field of synthetic biology. What is the 'third state' of organisms? In a new study, published in the journal Physiology, researchers have discussed the possibility of using cells from organisms, either dead or alive and using them in machines with totally new functions. This underlines a biological "third state" which is not part of the general categories of life and death. "The third state challenges how scientists typically understand cell behaviour," said biologists Peter Noble and Alex Pozhitkov, co-authors of the review, in an essay for The Conversation. According to the researchers, biological robots or biobots are able to develop new functions which set them apart, because "there are few instances where organisms change in ways that are not predetermined". Watch: Lab-grown blood stem cells could replace bone marrow transplants: Report Some types of biobots last for just 60 days and safely biodegrade after they are dead. However, scientists have not been able to understand how these repurposed cells are able to survive after the death of their organism. "We also don't know the extent of their ability to develop new functions postmortem," the researchers said. "Taken together, these findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways," Noble and Pozhitkov stated. "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time," they added. Meanwhile, anthrobots, which are created using the cells of a human patient, can be programmed to repair damaged ones, remove cancerous growths and deliver drugs. "A better understanding of how some cells continue to function and metamorphose into multicellular entities some time after an organism's demise holds promise for advancing personalized and preventive medicine," the researchers stated. (With inputs from agencies)

This organism is not living or dead but is in a 'third state'. Here's what it means

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the&nbsp;babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature.

“At the time we didn’t think it was real,” said the lead author of the study and a biologist at Mississippi State University, Logan Moore, while speaking to Live Science.

The researchers have named this predator Syntretus perlmani and it is the first wasp which has been found to infect adult fruit flies. Generally, wasps are seen targeting the flies when they are younger.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/chinese-man-inhales-cockroach-in-sleep-insect-remains-lodged-in-airway-for-three-days-756885">Chinese man inhales cockroach in sleep, insect remains lodged in airway for three days</a>

The wasps are parasitoids and not parasites since they generally kill their hosts and parasites don't.

The wasp was discovered by a team of scientists when they were collecting a common fruit fly known as Drosophila affinis&nbsp;in their backyards in Mississippi.

<h2>How do these strange wasps lay eggs in live flies?</h2>

The female wasps, which have been named Syntretus perlmani, reproduce by pushing their hypodermic-like ovipositor, which is the stinger in stinging wasps, into the abdomen of the fruit fly for depositing its eggs.&nbsp;

The embryo then hatches and turns into a tiny spiky-tailed larva which gets formed inside the still-living host for nearly 18 days before it erupts from one side of its abdomen and leads to a fatal stomachache.

"It will effectively emerge out of the side of the fly," said Moore.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worms-that-live-in-eyes-and-transmitted-by-flies-can-reach-humans-experts-fear-754247">Worms that live in eyes and are transmitted by flies can reach humans, experts fear</a>

“Just to add an additional layer of horror, the fly will normally remain alive for several hours after that,” he added.

The researchers first discovered Perlmani, the only species of wasp which infects fruit flies, in a Mississippi backyard last year.

“If you dissect thousands of flies, you will see some things that are strange and odd, and you’ll never see them again,” Moore said.

His team collected several of wasp larvae and confirmed their identity by raising them and analysing their DNA in a lab.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature.

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature. “At the time we didn’t think it was real,” said the lead author of the study and a biologist at Mississippi State University, Logan Moore, while speaking to Live Science. The researchers have named this predator Syntretus perlmani and it is the first wasp which has been found to infect adult fruit flies. Generally, wasps are seen targeting the flies when they are younger. Also Read: Chinese man inhales cockroach in sleep, insect remains lodged in airway for three days The wasps are parasitoids and not parasites since they generally kill their hosts and parasites don't. The wasp was discovered by a team of scientists when they were collecting a common fruit fly known as Drosophila affinis in their backyards in Mississippi. How do these strange wasps lay eggs in live flies? The female wasps, which have been named Syntretus perlmani, reproduce by pushing their hypodermic-like ovipositor, which is the stinger in stinging wasps, into the abdomen of the fruit fly for depositing its eggs. The embryo then hatches and turns into a tiny spiky-tailed larva which gets formed inside the still-living host for nearly 18 days before it erupts from one side of its abdomen and leads to a fatal stomachache. "It will effectively emerge out of the side of the fly," said Moore. Also Read: Worms that live in eyes and are transmitted by flies can reach humans, experts fear “Just to add an additional layer of horror, the fly will normally remain alive for several hours after that,” he added. The researchers first discovered Perlmani, the only species of wasp which infects fruit flies, in a Mississippi backyard last year. “If you dissect thousands of flies, you will see some things that are strange and odd, and you’ll never see them again,” Moore said. His team collected several of wasp larvae and confirmed their identity by raising them and analysing their DNA in a lab. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover 'horror' alien-like wasp that burst out from bellies of living flies

The researchers at the University of Berkeley, along with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, have developed a new application called MyShake which can detect earthquakes.

The application has been designed to function as a crowdsourced detector that collects motion data from phones across the West Coast - ranging from California up to Washington State - and&nbsp;sends alerts based on the location of the phone.&nbsp;

“The amount of warning varies from a few seconds to tens of seconds depending on the location of the quake and the availability of phones,” said Richard Allen, PhD, the director of the University of California Berkley’s Seismology Lab, who worked in the development of the tech.

This application and the usage of artificial intelligence to detect earthquakes even seconds before they really occur can create much difference and save lives.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-years-day-earthquake-that-hit-noto-in-japan-had-two-epicentres-752883">New Year's Day earthquake that hit Noto in Japan had TWO epicentres</a>

Speaking about this possible breakthrough, a geophysicist at Caltech Tom Heaton said, “I’ve studied earthquakes for more than 50 years and I have seen many studies from scientists who reported precursory phenomena to significant earthquakes."&nbsp;

“In my experience, no one has developed a system to predict earthquakes. I strongly believe that this is a problem in self-organizing chaos. This is an important field of physics that is mostly unfamiliar to earth scientists," he added.

In the case of Japan, which is one of the most active earthquake hot spots in the world, when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rattled the country, the first-ever “megaquake advisory" of the Japan Meteorological Agency was issued which warned of a “higher than normal” chance of another and stronger quake.&nbsp;

However, the agency later stated that the warning doesn’t mean certitude. “Information that predicts earthquakes by specifying the date, time and location is a hoax,” read the statement.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's what happened in China's AI-based earthquake forecasting trial</h2>

“Most previous attempts focused on the very complex physics of earthquakes,” said Sergey Fomel, a geoscientist at the University of Texas at Austin who headed a seven-month earthquake forecasting trial in China.

The results of the test were published in the&nbsp;Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America and were found to be exceeding expectations.

Watch:&nbsp;Japan Earthquake: Why Japan issued its first-ever 'megaquake advisory'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cms.wionews.com/videos/japan-earthquake-why-japan-issued-its-first-ever-megaquake-advisory-749249/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The AI algorithm was designed to detect statistical bumps in real-time seismic data and was able to correctly predict 70 per cent of earthquakes at least a week before their occurrence and inside the 200 miles of their epicentres.&nbsp;

“The success rate in the China experiment was astounding,” said Fomel, while speaking to The New York Post. “Given the complexity of the problem and the long history of previous failures, nobody expected such a result," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The researchers at the University of Berkeley, along with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, have developed a new application called MyShake which can detect earthquakes.

The researchers at the University of Berkeley, along with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, have developed a new application called MyShake which can detect earthquakes. The application has been designed to function as a crowdsourced detector that collects motion data from phones across the West Coast - ranging from California up to Washington State - and sends alerts based on the location of the phone. “The amount of warning varies from a few seconds to tens of seconds depending on the location of the quake and the availability of phones,” said Richard Allen, PhD, the director of the University of California Berkley’s Seismology Lab, who worked in the development of the tech. This application and the usage of artificial intelligence to detect earthquakes even seconds before they really occur can create much difference and save lives. Also Read: New Year's Day earthquake that hit Noto in Japan had TWO epicentres Speaking about this possible breakthrough, a geophysicist at Caltech Tom Heaton said, “I’ve studied earthquakes for more than 50 years and I have seen many studies from scientists who reported precursory phenomena to significant earthquakes." “In my experience, no one has developed a system to predict earthquakes. I strongly believe that this is a problem in self-organizing chaos. This is an important field of physics that is mostly unfamiliar to earth scientists," he added. In the case of Japan, which is one of the most active earthquake hot spots in the world, when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rattled the country, the first-ever “megaquake advisory" of the Japan Meteorological Agency was issued which warned of a “higher than normal” chance of another and stronger quake. However, the agency later stated that the warning doesn’t mean certitude. “Information that predicts earthquakes by specifying the date, time and location is a hoax,” read the statement. Here's what happened in China's AI-based earthquake forecasting trial “Most previous attempts focused on the very complex physics of earthquakes,” said Sergey Fomel, a geoscientist at the University of Texas at Austin who headed a seven-month earthquake forecasting trial in China. The results of the test were published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America and were found to be exceeding expectations. Watch: Japan Earthquake: Why Japan issued its first-ever 'megaquake advisory' The AI algorithm was designed to detect statistical bumps in real-time seismic data and was able to correctly predict 70 per cent of earthquakes at least a week before their occurrence and inside the 200 miles of their epicentres. “The success rate in the China experiment was astounding,” said Fomel, while speaking to The New York Post. “Given the complexity of the problem and the long history of previous failures, nobody expected such a result," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Can AI help scientists predict earthquakes accurately? Here's what experts say

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned.&nbsp;

According to the scientists, this salt deposit may have concealed the remnants of the last surviving life forms on Mars.

Mars had vast lakes and rivers billions of years ago, which disappeared during a catastrophic global freeze.&nbsp;

The researchers have proposed that this emoticon-shaped salt deposit may be harbouring hardy microbes.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-once-had-water-but-now-its-barren-heres-what-led-to-its-mysterious-disappearance-756902">Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance</a>

The image has been captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter of the European Space Agency.

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a Martian satellite which has been hunting signs of life on Mars and has taken stunning images of the chloride salt deposits on the arid surface of Mars.

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Scientists by studying these salt deposits can find clues regarding the past climate, geology, and potential habitability of the planet.

''Why so serious? Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. These deposits, remnants of ancient water bodies, could indicate habitable zones from billions of years ago. The discovery of nearly a thousand potential sites offers new insights into Mars' climate and potential for past life. Explore the Martian landscape in this carousel,'' read the post shared by ESA.

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

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Explaining the salt deposits on Mars, planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland Valentin Bickel said, ''A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface. As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface. Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars. High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius."

<h2>Here's how people reacted to the post</h2>

Reacting to the European Space Agency's post, one user said, ''That's so beautiful.'' "Why so cheesy," commented another.

''With this face shape, we have to wait for ridiculous theories,'' wrote a user.&nbsp;

''It would be great if there were some scale references to get the size of these craters," another commented.

“The first one reminds me of Jack Skeleton,” said an Instagram user.&nbsp;

“Well, well, it looks familiar to me," wrote another. “Way too serious," said a user.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned.

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned. According to the scientists, this salt deposit may have concealed the remnants of the last surviving life forms on Mars. Mars had vast lakes and rivers billions of years ago, which disappeared during a catastrophic global freeze. The researchers have proposed that this emoticon-shaped salt deposit may be harbouring hardy microbes. Also Read: Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance The image has been captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter of the European Space Agency. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a Martian satellite which has been hunting signs of life on Mars and has taken stunning images of the chloride salt deposits on the arid surface of Mars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESA - European Space Agency (@europeanspaceagency) × Scientists by studying these salt deposits can find clues regarding the past climate, geology, and potential habitability of the planet. ''Why so serious? Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. These deposits, remnants of ancient water bodies, could indicate habitable zones from billions of years ago. The discovery of nearly a thousand potential sites offers new insights into Mars' climate and potential for past life. Explore the Martian landscape in this carousel,'' read the post shared by ESA. Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years Explaining the salt deposits on Mars, planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland Valentin Bickel said, ''A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface. As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface. Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars. High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius." Here's how people reacted to the post Reacting to the European Space Agency's post, one user said, ''That's so beautiful.'' "Why so cheesy," commented another. ''With this face shape, we have to wait for ridiculous theories,'' wrote a user. ''It would be great if there were some scale references to get the size of these craters," another commented. “The first one reminds me of Jack Skeleton,” said an Instagram user. “Well, well, it looks familiar to me," wrote another. “Way too serious," said a user. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'spooky smiley face' appears on Mars. Scientists say it's hiding life forms...

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet.

More than three billion years ago, the Red Planet was warm and wet and had large water bodies on its surface along with a thicker atmosphere. However, today Mars is barren, dry and cold. So, where exactly did the water disappear?

<h2>Mysterious disappearance of Martian water</h2>

"There's only two places water can go," said John Clarke of the University of Boston, in a&nbsp;statement. "It can freeze into the ground, or the water molecules can break into atoms, and the atoms can escape from the top of the atmosphere into space," he added.

There is still plenty of water on Mars. It has been observed that vast reservoirs of water are locked deep underground at depths between 11.5 and 20 kilometres (7.1 and 12.4 miles).

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/elon-musk-says-spacex-to-launch-first-uncrewed-starships-to-mars-in-two-years-756866">Elon Musk says SpaceX to launch first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years</a>

The surface of Mars has sufficient water inside it which is the global equivalent layer (GEL) - refers to how deep a planet-wide ocean it can create.

Meanwhile, water-ice in small amounts is also locked inside the shallow permafrost and in the polar ice caps of Mars.

According to John Clarke and his team in the&nbsp;Center for Space Physics&nbsp;at Boston University, it is important to understand the fate of water on Mars for which it is important to track the escapee atoms.

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-advances-deadline-for-launch-of-mars-mission-by-two-years-756739/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Scientists, by measuring the number of hydrogen atoms going into space and the current escape rate, can trace water's history on the planet.

In the atmosphere of Mars, the sunlight is suspected to have dismantled the water molecules and divided them into two types of atoms - which are hydrogen and deuterium or “heavy hydrogen.”

Mars does not have a magnetic field, unlike Earth, because of which the solar wind directly interacts with the atmosphere.

Because of these interactions, light gases like hydrogen, get stripped from the atmosphere.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet.

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet. More than three billion years ago, the Red Planet was warm and wet and had large water bodies on its surface along with a thicker atmosphere. However, today Mars is barren, dry and cold. So, where exactly did the water disappear? Mysterious disappearance of Martian water "There's only two places water can go," said John Clarke of the University of Boston, in a statement. "It can freeze into the ground, or the water molecules can break into atoms, and the atoms can escape from the top of the atmosphere into space," he added. There is still plenty of water on Mars. It has been observed that vast reservoirs of water are locked deep underground at depths between 11.5 and 20 kilometres (7.1 and 12.4 miles). Also Read: Elon Musk says SpaceX to launch first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years The surface of Mars has sufficient water inside it which is the global equivalent layer (GEL) - refers to how deep a planet-wide ocean it can create. Meanwhile, water-ice in small amounts is also locked inside the shallow permafrost and in the polar ice caps of Mars. According to John Clarke and his team in the Center for Space Physics at Boston University, it is important to understand the fate of water on Mars for which it is important to track the escapee atoms. Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years Scientists, by measuring the number of hydrogen atoms going into space and the current escape rate, can trace water's history on the planet. In the atmosphere of Mars, the sunlight is suspected to have dismantled the water molecules and divided them into two types of atoms - which are hydrogen and deuterium or “heavy hydrogen.” Mars does not have a magnetic field, unlike Earth, because of which the solar wind directly interacts with the atmosphere. Because of these interactions, light gases like hydrogen, get stripped from the atmosphere. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance

The record-breaking warming in the Antarctic stratosphere in the month of July disrupted the polar vortex and affected global weather patterns.&nbsp;

This event was a little different from the frequent warmings of the Arctic and is likely to have impacted the weather phenomena and ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere.

The warming started in the stratosphere, nearly 30 kilometres above the continent’s icy surface, in July 2024.

In the month of July, the temperatures in the stratosphere above Antarctica remain around minus 80 degrees&nbsp;Celsius&nbsp;(minus 112 degrees&nbsp;Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

The scientists recorded 15°C temperature in the middle of the stratosphere on July 7, which set the record of the warmest July temperatures seen in the stratosphere in the Antarctic region.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/continental-crash-35-million-years-ago-likely-created-an-invisible-barrier-on-earth-756056">Continental crash 35 million years ago likely created an invisible barrier on Earth</a>

On July 22, the temperature decreased only to rise to 17°C (31°F) on August 5.

<h2>Here's how stratospheric warming impacted the polar vortex</h2>

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre's atmospheric scientists, Lawrence Coy and Paul Newman, were surprised to find this sudden stratospheric warming.

Coy and Newman worked on data assimilation and looked into the models&nbsp;of Earth’s atmosphere created for NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO).&nbsp;

“The July event was the earliest stratospheric warming ever observed in GMAO’s entire 44-year record,” said Coy.

The scientists said that the westerly winds, which were present in this layer of the atmosphere, loop across the South Pole in winter and form what is called as the&nbsp;polar vortex.&nbsp;

However, this symmetric circumpolar flow was disrupted, which led to a weakening of the winds and the flow to alter its shape.

The polar vortex, instead of circulating the South Pole, turned elongated and the winds weakened, which caused considerable stratospheric warming over Antarctica.

Watch:&nbsp;Iceberg remains north of South Orkney islands

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iceberg-remains-north-of-south-orkney-islands-747979/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The researchers have been investigating what was the origin of disturbances which led to the disruption of the stratosphere.&nbsp;

“Variations in sea surface temperatures and sea ice can perturb these large-scale weather systems in the troposphere that propagate upwards,” said Newman. “But the attribution of why these systems develop is really difficult to do," he added.

Scientists observed that the sudden warming events in the stratosphere were connected to higher concentrations of ozone over Antarctica.&nbsp;

They observed that the change of circulation led to stratospheric warming events in which ozone is drawn from other latitudes toward the polar region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The record-breaking warming in the Antarctic stratosphere in the month of July disrupted the polar vortex and affected global weather patterns. This event was a little different from the frequent warmings of the Arctic and is likely to have impacted the weather phenomena and ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere.

The record-breaking warming in the Antarctic stratosphere in the month of July disrupted the polar vortex and affected global weather patterns. This event was a little different from the frequent warmings of the Arctic and is likely to have impacted the weather phenomena and ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere. The warming started in the stratosphere, nearly 30 kilometres above the continent’s icy surface, in July 2024. In the month of July, the temperatures in the stratosphere above Antarctica remain around minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit). The scientists recorded 15°C temperature in the middle of the stratosphere on July 7, which set the record of the warmest July temperatures seen in the stratosphere in the Antarctic region. Also Read: Continental crash 35 million years ago likely created an invisible barrier on Earth On July 22, the temperature decreased only to rise to 17°C (31°F) on August 5. Here's how stratospheric warming impacted the polar vortex NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre's atmospheric scientists, Lawrence Coy and Paul Newman, were surprised to find this sudden stratospheric warming. Coy and Newman worked on data assimilation and looked into the models of Earth’s atmosphere created for NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO). “The July event was the earliest stratospheric warming ever observed in GMAO’s entire 44-year record,” said Coy. The scientists said that the westerly winds, which were present in this layer of the atmosphere, loop across the South Pole in winter and form what is called as the polar vortex. However, this symmetric circumpolar flow was disrupted, which led to a weakening of the winds and the flow to alter its shape. The polar vortex, instead of circulating the South Pole, turned elongated and the winds weakened, which caused considerable stratospheric warming over Antarctica. Watch: Iceberg remains north of South Orkney islands The researchers have been investigating what was the origin of disturbances which led to the disruption of the stratosphere. “Variations in sea surface temperatures and sea ice can perturb these large-scale weather systems in the troposphere that propagate upwards,” said Newman. “But the attribution of why these systems develop is really difficult to do," he added. Scientists observed that the sudden warming events in the stratosphere were connected to higher concentrations of ozone over Antarctica. They observed that the change of circulation led to stratospheric warming events in which ozone is drawn from other latitudes toward the polar region. (With inputs from agencies)

The polar vortex over Antarctica has elongated. NASA scientists explain why

The first nuclear clock of the world is likely to start ticking soon after scientists at the JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) successfully cracked the workings of all the components required to construct one. 
&nbsp; 
An atomic clock uses vibrations created from an atom to measure time and on the other hand, signals from the nucleus of an atom are used for timekeeping by a nuclear clock.

Currently, the most precise method for measuring time is in atomic clocks. These clocks co-ordinate international time zones and help in synchronising financial and internet transactions.&nbsp;

In day-to-day life, the precision of an&nbsp;atomic clock&nbsp;may not play a role, but it is used for things like global positioning systems (GPS), digital communication and internet speeds.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indias-chandrayaan-3-sends-home-lunar-bonanza-with-magma-theory-evidence-752146">India's Chandrayaan-3 sends home lunar bonanza with magma theory evidence</a>

The nuclear clock is expected to measure time with much higher precision by using the energy jumps from the core of an atom.&nbsp;

“The nuclear clock’s energy level is closely coupled to strong forces in the nucleus, while atomic clocks mainly depend on electromagnetic forces,” said Chuankun Zhang, a physicist at JILA, while speaking to Interesting Engineering. “Thus, a nuclear-atomic clock comparison can provide sensitive tests for fundamental physics," he added.

<h2>Constructing the world's first nuclear clock</h2>

The nuclear clock has not been assembled yet by the researchers, but they have gathered all the components that are required to construct it.&nbsp;

“We managed to improve the accuracy of this measurement by a million times compared to previous measurements,” said Zhang.&nbsp;

“This allows us to resolve the quantum energy sublevels of this nuclear transition for the first time," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Chinese scientists develop smart fibre | How does it work?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-scientists-develop-smart-fibre-how-does-it-work-709428/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Speaking about when the clock will be ready, he said, “We are working on improving the spectroscopy resolution further and evaluating systematic shifts of the transition so we can get better clock accuracy when we start operating it as a clock.”

“Essentially, we have all the parts for a nuclear clock already demonstrated in the lab. We have not used them for the actual clock operation, but there’s no technical difficulty in building one any day now,” he added.

“We can probe the nuclear transition in a solid-state system, which would allow us to build a much simpler clock than today’s atomic clocks without needing technologies like an ultrahigh vacuum, laser cooling, and trapping, etc.,” Zhang said.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The first nuclear clock of the world is likely to start ticking soon after scientists at the JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) successfully cracked the workings of all the components required to construct one.

The first nuclear clock of the world is likely to start ticking soon after scientists at the JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) successfully cracked the workings of all the components required to construct one. An atomic clock uses vibrations created from an atom to measure time and on the other hand, signals from the nucleus of an atom are used for timekeeping by a nuclear clock. Currently, the most precise method for measuring time is in atomic clocks. These clocks co-ordinate international time zones and help in synchronising financial and internet transactions. In day-to-day life, the precision of an atomic clock may not play a role, but it is used for things like global positioning systems (GPS), digital communication and internet speeds. Also Read: India's Chandrayaan-3 sends home lunar bonanza with magma theory evidence The nuclear clock is expected to measure time with much higher precision by using the energy jumps from the core of an atom. “The nuclear clock’s energy level is closely coupled to strong forces in the nucleus, while atomic clocks mainly depend on electromagnetic forces,” said Chuankun Zhang, a physicist at JILA, while speaking to Interesting Engineering. “Thus, a nuclear-atomic clock comparison can provide sensitive tests for fundamental physics," he added. Constructing the world's first nuclear clock The nuclear clock has not been assembled yet by the researchers, but they have gathered all the components that are required to construct it. “We managed to improve the accuracy of this measurement by a million times compared to previous measurements,” said Zhang. “This allows us to resolve the quantum energy sublevels of this nuclear transition for the first time," he added. Watch: Chinese scientists develop smart fibre | How does it work? Speaking about when the clock will be ready, he said, “We are working on improving the spectroscopy resolution further and evaluating systematic shifts of the transition so we can get better clock accuracy when we start operating it as a clock.” “Essentially, we have all the parts for a nuclear clock already demonstrated in the lab. We have not used them for the actual clock operation, but there’s no technical difficulty in building one any day now,” he added. “We can probe the nuclear transition in a solid-state system, which would allow us to build a much simpler clock than today’s atomic clocks without needing technologies like an ultrahigh vacuum, laser cooling, and trapping, etc.,” Zhang said. (With inputs from agencies)

World gets its first 'nuclear clock'. Scientists explain it's ultraprecise timekeeping

Siberia has been hosting a massive hole called the “Gateway to Hell" which has grown triple in size in just 30 years, according to scientists.

The 200-acre wide and 300-foot deep hole is present in the Yana highlands of Siberia and is called the 'Batagaika Crater'.&nbsp;

It has now been observed that the hole has been expanding faster than expected because of climate change.&nbsp;

The hole, which is officially known as Batagay, is the second-oldest permafrost on Earth.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-mantle-is-hosting-strange-black-holes-with-mysterious-waves-heres-what-they-are-753231">Earth's mantle is hosting strange 'black holes' with mysterious waves. Here's what they are</a>

It is so big that it is visible from space and now the experts are flocking to the deep pit to learn everything about it.&nbsp;

Roger Michaelides, a&nbsp;geophysicist at Washington University, said, “You're talking mostly about frozen dirt underground, which by definition you often can't see unless it's been exposed somehow, like in this mega slump."

"I think there is a lot we can learn from Batagaika, not only in terms of understanding how Batagaika will evolve with time, but also how similar features might develop and evolve over the Arctic," he added while speaking to Business Insider.&nbsp;

"Even if they're a tenth or a hundredth the size of Batagaika, the physics is fundamentally the same," Michaelides further said.&nbsp;

<h2>All about expanding 'Gateway to Hell' in Siberia</h2>

During the Quaternary Ice Age, about 2.58 million years ago, the land at the site had permanently frozen.&nbsp;

The locals first spotted Batagay in Yakutia,&nbsp;Russia and claimed that they heard horrific noises like loud booms or “screams” coming from it.

In the 1960S, the forest area was cleared and sunlight started reaching the ground of the hole and began warming it.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;How Earth's spin may have killed 90% of life

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-earths-spin-may-have-killed-90-of-life-754747/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It is still melting and some scientists have warned that this gateway can engulf most of the land and prove dangerous for nearby villages once more areas start to melt.&nbsp;

Nikita Tananaev, a researcher at Melnikov Permafrost Institute in Yakutsk, who was not part of the study, said that the nearby ecosystems are altering permanently because of leakage from the crater.

"This will lead to significant alterations to the riverine habitat, and the effect of sediment escaping the slump [the Batagaika crater] is even seen in the Yana River, the major river in the vicinity," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Siberia has been hosting a massive hole called the “Gateway to Hell" which has grown triple in size in just 30 years, according to scientists. The 200-acre wide and 300-foot deep hole is present in the Yana highlands of Siberia and is called the 'Batagaika Crater'.

Siberia has been hosting a massive hole called the “Gateway to Hell" which has grown triple in size in just 30 years, according to scientists. The 200-acre wide and 300-foot deep hole is present in the Yana highlands of Siberia and is called the 'Batagaika Crater'. It has now been observed that the hole has been expanding faster than expected because of climate change. The hole, which is officially known as Batagay, is the second-oldest permafrost on Earth. Also Read: Earth's mantle is hosting strange 'black holes' with mysterious waves. Here's what they are It is so big that it is visible from space and now the experts are flocking to the deep pit to learn everything about it. Roger Michaelides, a geophysicist at Washington University, said, “You're talking mostly about frozen dirt underground, which by definition you often can't see unless it's been exposed somehow, like in this mega slump." "I think there is a lot we can learn from Batagaika, not only in terms of understanding how Batagaika will evolve with time, but also how similar features might develop and evolve over the Arctic," he added while speaking to Business Insider. "Even if they're a tenth or a hundredth the size of Batagaika, the physics is fundamentally the same," Michaelides further said. All about expanding 'Gateway to Hell' in Siberia During the Quaternary Ice Age, about 2.58 million years ago, the land at the site had permanently frozen. The locals first spotted Batagay in Yakutia, Russia and claimed that they heard horrific noises like loud booms or “screams” coming from it. In the 1960S, the forest area was cleared and sunlight started reaching the ground of the hole and began warming it. Watch: How Earth's spin may have killed 90% of life It is still melting and some scientists have warned that this gateway can engulf most of the land and prove dangerous for nearby villages once more areas start to melt. Nikita Tananaev, a researcher at Melnikov Permafrost Institute in Yakutsk, who was not part of the study, said that the nearby ecosystems are altering permanently because of leakage from the crater. "This will lead to significant alterations to the riverine habitat, and the effect of sediment escaping the slump [the Batagaika crater] is even seen in the Yana River, the major river in the vicinity," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scary! Earth's massive 'Gateway to Hell' triples in size in 30 years. Scientists warn...

Scientists have warned that the Red Sea's darkest depths may be hiding the mystery of the origins of life after making a stunning discovery of 'death pools' at its bottom.

Scientists have warned that the Red Sea's darkest depths may be hiding the mystery of the origins of life after making a stunning discovery of 'death pools' at its bottom. A team of researchers from the University of Miami reached the bottom of the Red Sea, which lies between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa, and found dense, salty lakes called “death pools”. As alarming as the name sounds, so is the nature of “death pools,” which are the most extreme environments on Earth. The rare pools, which get formed on the seafloor, are hypersaline (which means unimaginably salty) in nature and with zero oxygen. These pools are inhospitable and can instantly kill any animal that reaches their waters. Also Read: Are deep seas on Earth hiding alien life amid 'dark oxygen'? Study hints so However, these pools have living microbes, which gives insights into how life started on our planet and how living beings can evolve on water-rich worlds. "Our current understanding is that life originated on Earth in the deep sea, almost certainly in anoxic — without oxygen — conditions," said Sam Purkis, who is a professor of marine geosciences at the University of Miami and led the study, while speaking to Live Science. "Deep-sea brine pools are a great analogue for the early Earth and, despite being devoid of oxygen and hypersaline, are teeming with a rich community of so-called 'extremophile' microbes," Purkis said. “Studying this community hence allows a glimpse into the sort of conditions where life first appeared on our planet, and might guide the search for life on other 'water worlds' in our solar system and beyond," he added. 'Death pools' can lead to creation of novel medicines: Study "If that weren’t enough, the pools could also yield microbial discoveries that could lead to the development of novel medicines," Purkis further said. "Molecules with antibacterial and anticancer properties have previously been isolated from deep-sea microbes living in brine pools," he added. In the entire world, scientists have found only a few dozen deep-sea brine pools, which range in size from a few thousand square feet to around a square mile (2.6 square kilometres), as per Live Science. Watch: How Earth's spin may have killed 90% of life These rare pools have so far been found in only three bodies of water - the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The highest number of such lakes are in the Red Sea, which are believed to originate from dissolving pockets of minerals that were deposited in the Miocene epoch. (With inputs from agencies)

There are 'death pools' at bottom of Red Sea which can kill anything 'immediately'. Scientists warn...

A new breakthrough blood test has been invented by scientists for detecting brain cancer. This test churns faster results and is less invasive in comparison to a surgical biopsy.&nbsp;

More than 100 microlitres of blood are required to carry out this novel 'liquid biopsy' and in an hour the method is able to detect biomarkers related to glioblastoma, which is the deadliest brain tumour.&nbsp;

The accuracy of this test is best in comparison to all other existent markers and tests for glioblastoma. According to the prototype's developers, the test has "near turn-key functionality".

A team of scientists from the United States and Australia made the breakthrough and the University of Notre Dame's scientists led the entire team.&nbsp;

The test has been based on sensing mutated blood biomarkers which are known as epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) and are overexpressed in a few kinds of cancers, like&nbsp;glioblastoma.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-can-vaccines-prevent-cancer-worlds-first-lung-cancer-vaccine-trials-will-have-answers-752708">Can vaccines prevent cancer? World's first lung cancer vaccine trials will have answers</a>

The scientists found these blood biomarkers present inside extracellular vesicles which are small packages filled with proteins, lipids, and genetic material which belong to their original cells.

"Extracellular vesicles or exosomes are unique nanoparticles secreted by cells,"&nbsp;said biomolecular engineer Hsueh-Chia Chang from Notre Dame.

"They are big – 10 to 50 times bigger than a molecule – and they have a weak charge. Our technology was specifically designed for these nanoparticles, using their features to our advantage," he added.

A supersensitive biochip was covered with an untreated sample of blood plasma by the researchers to detect the molecules which were released by cancerous tumour cells.

This chip has a tiny sensor which contains antibodies&nbsp;that get attracted to the exosomes carrying mutated EGFRs.

Once these EGFRs get attached to the biochip, a voltage change happens in the plasma solution which if leads to the creation of a high negative charge, indicates the presence of cancer.&nbsp;

<h2>How do scientists carry out the test to detect cancer in one hour?</h2>

In the experiments done, the clinical blood samples were taken from 10 healthy individuals and 20 patients suffering from glioblastoma and the biochip was tested using them.&nbsp;

For every test, one chip was used. The liquid biopsy was finally able to detect the cancer biomarkers with accuracy and also reflected a very low prognostic value, which hinted that the test is highly replicable.

"Our electrokinetic sensor allows us to do things other diagnostics cannot,"&nbsp;said biomolecular engineer Satyajyoti Senapati from Notre Dame.

Watch:&nbsp;Weight-loss drug Ozempic reveals new benefits like slowing down ageing process

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/weight-loss-drug-ozempic-reveals-new-benefits-like-slowing-down-ageing-process-754920/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We can directly load blood without any pretreatment to isolate the extracellular vesicles because our sensor is not affected by other particles or molecules. It shows low noise and makes ours more sensitive for disease detection than other technologies," he added.&nbsp;

According to the experts, the biochip was able to accurately detect and quantify exosome concentrations when they were as low as 0.01 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new breakthrough blood test has been invented by scientists for detecting brain cancer. This test churns faster results and is less invasive in comparison to a surgical biopsy.

A new breakthrough blood test has been invented by scientists for detecting brain cancer. This test churns faster results and is less invasive in comparison to a surgical biopsy. More than 100 microlitres of blood are required to carry out this novel 'liquid biopsy' and in an hour the method is able to detect biomarkers related to glioblastoma, which is the deadliest brain tumour. The accuracy of this test is best in comparison to all other existent markers and tests for glioblastoma. According to the prototype's developers, the test has "near turn-key functionality". A team of scientists from the United States and Australia made the breakthrough and the University of Notre Dame's scientists led the entire team. The test has been based on sensing mutated blood biomarkers which are known as epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) and are overexpressed in a few kinds of cancers, like glioblastoma. Also Read: Can vaccines prevent cancer? World's first lung cancer vaccine trials will have answers The scientists found these blood biomarkers present inside extracellular vesicles which are small packages filled with proteins, lipids, and genetic material which belong to their original cells. "Extracellular vesicles or exosomes are unique nanoparticles secreted by cells," said biomolecular engineer Hsueh-Chia Chang from Notre Dame. "They are big – 10 to 50 times bigger than a molecule – and they have a weak charge. Our technology was specifically designed for these nanoparticles, using their features to our advantage," he added. A supersensitive biochip was covered with an untreated sample of blood plasma by the researchers to detect the molecules which were released by cancerous tumour cells. This chip has a tiny sensor which contains antibodies that get attracted to the exosomes carrying mutated EGFRs. Once these EGFRs get attached to the biochip, a voltage change happens in the plasma solution which if leads to the creation of a high negative charge, indicates the presence of cancer. How do scientists carry out the test to detect cancer in one hour? In the experiments done, the clinical blood samples were taken from 10 healthy individuals and 20 patients suffering from glioblastoma and the biochip was tested using them. For every test, one chip was used. The liquid biopsy was finally able to detect the cancer biomarkers with accuracy and also reflected a very low prognostic value, which hinted that the test is highly replicable. "Our electrokinetic sensor allows us to do things other diagnostics cannot," said biomolecular engineer Satyajyoti Senapati from Notre Dame. Watch: Weight-loss drug Ozempic reveals new benefits like slowing down ageing process "We can directly load blood without any pretreatment to isolate the extracellular vesicles because our sensor is not affected by other particles or molecules. It shows low noise and makes ours more sensitive for disease detection than other technologies," he added. According to the experts, the biochip was able to accurately detect and quantify exosome concentrations when they were as low as 0.01 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

THIS blood test can detect deadly brain cancer in one hour. Here's how

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