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

Weight-loss drugs are emerging as a game-changer in healthcare, with the potential of not only helping people shed pounds but also in slowing down the ageing process. This advancement could lead to longer and healthier lives for many individuals.

<h2>Ozempic: More than just a weight-loss drug</h2>

Recent studies have shown that semaglutide— commercially known as Wegovy and Ozempic, significantly reduces mortality risk in obese or overweight individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, recent research shows it might do even more. Scientists now believe it could also help people live longer and healthier lives.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-heart-attacks-more-difficult-to-detect-in-women-than-men-experts-explain-why-754009">Heart attacks more difficult to detect in women than men: Experts explain why</a>

“Semaglutide has far-reaching benefits beyond what we initially imagined,” stated Prof Harlan Krumholz of the Yale School of Medicine. “It’s not just avoiding heart attacks. These are health promoters. It wouldn’t surprise me that improving people’s health this way actually slows down the ageing process.”

<h2>Findings from the select trial</h2>

The select trial in the U.S. studied over 17,600 individuals aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese and had established cardiovascular disease but not diabetes. The participants received either semaglutide or a placebo, and were tracked for more than three years.

Researchers found that individuals who took the drug had a lower mortality rate from various causes, including cardiovascular conditions and COVID-19. Those taking the weight-loss drug were as likely to get COVID-19 but had a lower death rate from it, with 2.6% of those on semaglutide compared to 3.1% of those on the placebo.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/prehistoric-bridge-inside-a-cave-in-spain-was-built-by-humans-6000-years-ago-754806">Prehistoric bridge inside a cave in Spain was built by humans 6,000 years ago</a>

<h2>Possible side effects</h2>

Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and constipation. Additionally, some users experience allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, and swollen lymph nodes. Ozempic can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Other potential issues include thyroid tumours, vision changes, kidney damage and gallbladder problems.

(With inputs from agencies)

Weight-loss drugs are emerging as a game-changer in healthcare, with the potential of not only helping people shed pounds but also in slowing down the ageing process.

Weight-loss drugs are emerging as a game-changer in healthcare, with the potential of not only helping people shed pounds but also in slowing down the ageing process. This advancement could lead to longer and healthier lives for many individuals. Ozempic: More than just a weight-loss drug Recent studies have shown that semaglutide— commercially known as Wegovy and Ozempic, significantly reduces mortality risk in obese or overweight individuals with cardiovascular disease. Originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, recent research shows it might do even more. Scientists now believe it could also help people live longer and healthier lives. Also read | Heart attacks more difficult to detect in women than men: Experts explain why “Semaglutide has far-reaching benefits beyond what we initially imagined,” stated Prof Harlan Krumholz of the Yale School of Medicine. “It’s not just avoiding heart attacks. These are health promoters. It wouldn’t surprise me that improving people’s health this way actually slows down the ageing process.” Findings from the select trial The select trial in the U.S. studied over 17,600 individuals aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese and had established cardiovascular disease but not diabetes. The participants received either semaglutide or a placebo, and were tracked for more than three years. Researchers found that individuals who took the drug had a lower mortality rate from various causes, including cardiovascular conditions and COVID-19. Those taking the weight-loss drug were as likely to get COVID-19 but had a lower death rate from it, with 2.6% of those on semaglutide compared to 3.1% of those on the placebo. Also read | Prehistoric bridge inside a cave in Spain was built by humans 6,000 years ago Possible side effects Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and constipation. Additionally, some users experience allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, and swollen lymph nodes. Ozempic can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Other potential issues include thyroid tumours, vision changes, kidney damage and gallbladder problems. (With inputs from agencies)

Weight-loss drug Ozempic could slow down ageing, scientists suggest

Scientists have been baffled by the dropping temperature in a large part of the Atlantic Ocean, which is near the equator.&nbsp;

Even though this cold area has now started warming up, scientists are clueless about what led to the dramatic cooling.

The cold patch of the Atlantic Ocean, which is between the stretch of ocean which spans several degrees north and south of the equator, was formed in early June after remaining the warmest for months&nbsp;in more than 40 years.&nbsp;

Speaking to Live Science, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Miami in Florida, Franz Tuchen, said that it is known that the region has been swinging between cold and warm phases in the last few years, however, the rate at which it moved from record high to low is "really unprecedented".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-registers-record-high-winter-temperature-753485">Australia registers record high winter temperature</a>

"We are still scratching our heads as to what's actually happening," said Michael McPhaden, who is a senior scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is overseeing an array of buoys in the tropics which gave gathered real-time data related to the cold patch, while speaking to Live Science.&nbsp;

"It could be some transient feature that has developed from processes that we don't quite understand," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how temperatures dramatically changed on the sea surface</h2>

In the eastern equatorial Atlantic, the sea surface temperatures were the highest in February and March when they went beyond 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and those months became the warmest on record since 1982.&nbsp;

In June, the temperatures began falling mysteriously and it became the coolest in late July when the temperature reached 77 F (25 C), wrote Tuchen recently in a&nbsp;blog post.

Watch:&nbsp;Spain: Extreme heat warning issued for Basque country and Cantabria

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-extreme-heat-warning-issued-for-basque-country-and-cantabria-749377/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In the forecasts, the cooling event appeared to be on the verge of becoming an Atlantic Niña, which is a regional climate pattern that tends to increase rainfall across western Africa. In his climate pattern, the rainfall decreases in northeastern Brazil along with other countries near the Gulf of Guinea, like Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.&nbsp;

This phenomenon has not occurred since 2013, and the scientists would have declared that there is Atlantic Niña if colder temperatures had persisted till the end of August.

In recent weeks, the cold pocket of water has warmed up so "the verdict is already quite certain that it's not gonna be classified as Atlantic Niña," Tuchen said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have been baffled by the dropping temperature in a large part of the Atlantic Ocean, which is near the equator. Even though this cold area has now started warming up, scientists are clueless about what led to the dramatic cooling.

Scientists have been baffled by the dropping temperature in a large part of the Atlantic Ocean, which is near the equator. Even though this cold area has now started warming up, scientists are clueless about what led to the dramatic cooling. The cold patch of the Atlantic Ocean, which is between the stretch of ocean which spans several degrees north and south of the equator, was formed in early June after remaining the warmest for months in more than 40 years. Speaking to Live Science, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Miami in Florida, Franz Tuchen, said that it is known that the region has been swinging between cold and warm phases in the last few years, however, the rate at which it moved from record high to low is "really unprecedented". Also Read: Australia registers record high winter temperature "We are still scratching our heads as to what's actually happening," said Michael McPhaden, who is a senior scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is overseeing an array of buoys in the tropics which gave gathered real-time data related to the cold patch, while speaking to Live Science. "It could be some transient feature that has developed from processes that we don't quite understand," he added. Here's how temperatures dramatically changed on the sea surface In the eastern equatorial Atlantic, the sea surface temperatures were the highest in February and March when they went beyond 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and those months became the warmest on record since 1982. In June, the temperatures began falling mysteriously and it became the coolest in late July when the temperature reached 77 F (25 C), wrote Tuchen recently in a blog post. Watch: Spain: Extreme heat warning issued for Basque country and Cantabria In the forecasts, the cooling event appeared to be on the verge of becoming an Atlantic Niña, which is a regional climate pattern that tends to increase rainfall across western Africa. In his climate pattern, the rainfall decreases in northeastern Brazil along with other countries near the Gulf of Guinea, like Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. This phenomenon has not occurred since 2013, and the scientists would have declared that there is Atlantic Niña if colder temperatures had persisted till the end of August. In recent weeks, the cold pocket of water has warmed up so "the verdict is already quite certain that it's not gonna be classified as Atlantic Niña," Tuchen said. (With inputs from agencies)

Temperature dramatically fell in Atlantic Ocean's patch near the equator. Scientists warn...

In a crazy discovery, the University of Liverpool's news researchers found what led to the evolution of a gigantic underwater avalanche around 60,000 years ago and how it led to destruction.&nbsp;

More than 300 core samples taken from the seafloor of the Atlantic Ocean off the North West coast of Africa more than 40 years ago were used by the team. 
&nbsp; 
The scientists combined the area's bathymetry and seismic data and created a map of the avalanche as it turned from a small underwater landslide into a devastating climactic event.

“This is the first time anyone has managed to map out an entire individual underwater avalanche of this size and calculate its growth factor,” said Chris Stevenson, who is co-leader of the team and a sedimentologist from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Sciences, in a&nbsp;statement.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/are-deep-seas-on-earth-hiding-alien-life-amid-dark-oxygen-study-hints-so-753986">Are deep seas on Earth hiding alien life amid 'dark oxygen'? Study hints so</a>

“What is so interesting is how the event grew from a relatively small start into a huge and devastating submarine avalanche,” he added, further explaining, “reaching heights of 200 meters [656 feet] as it moved at a speed of about 15 m/s [49 feet/second] ripping out the sea floor and tearing everything out in its way.”

<h2>How destructive was the underwater avalanche mapped by scientists?</h2>

The ancient underwater avalanche, which has been mapped by scientists, started at only 1.5 cubic kilometres (0.36 cubic miles) in volume, but later it turned massive and became a huge and powerful avalanche that eventually eroded one of the largest submarine canyons in the world, which was known as the Agadir Canyon, along with almost 4,500 square kilometres (1,738 square miles) of the canyon walls.

“To put it in perspective: that’s an avalanche the size of a skyscraper, moving at more than 40 mph [64 kmph] from Liverpool to London, which digs out a trench 30 m [98 feet] deep and 15 km [9.3 miles] wide, destroying everything in its path,” said Stevenson.

“Then it spreads across an area larger than the UK, burying it under about a metre of sand and mud," he added.

Speaking about the study, the head of Marine Geophysics at Kiel University, Sebastian Krastel, said, “Our new insight fundamentally challenges how we view these events."

Watch:&nbsp;Thick, voluminous clouds descend on Swiss Alps

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thick-voluminous-clouds-descend-on-swiss-alps-754119/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Before this study, we thought that big avalanches only came from big slope failures. But now, we know that they can start small and grow into extremely powerful and extensive giant events," he added.

The scientists noted that the prehistoric avalanche grew by around 12-25 times larger than a normal avalanche.

“We calculate the growth factor to be at least 100,” said Christoph Bottner, who is the co-leader of the team and a Marie-Curie research fellow at Aarhus University in Denmark.&nbsp;

“We have also seen this extreme growth in smaller submarine avalanches measured elsewhere,” said Bottner. “So we think this might be a specific behaviour associated with underwater avalanches and is something we plan to investigate further," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a crazy discovery, the University of Liverpool's news researchers found what led to the evolution of a gigantic underwater avalanche around 60,000 years ago and how it led to destruction.

In a crazy discovery, the University of Liverpool's news researchers found what led to the evolution of a gigantic underwater avalanche around 60,000 years ago and how it led to destruction. More than 300 core samples taken from the seafloor of the Atlantic Ocean off the North West coast of Africa more than 40 years ago were used by the team. The scientists combined the area's bathymetry and seismic data and created a map of the avalanche as it turned from a small underwater landslide into a devastating climactic event. “This is the first time anyone has managed to map out an entire individual underwater avalanche of this size and calculate its growth factor,” said Chris Stevenson, who is co-leader of the team and a sedimentologist from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Sciences, in a statement. Also Read: Are deep seas on Earth hiding alien life amid 'dark oxygen'? Study hints so “What is so interesting is how the event grew from a relatively small start into a huge and devastating submarine avalanche,” he added, further explaining, “reaching heights of 200 meters [656 feet] as it moved at a speed of about 15 m/s [49 feet/second] ripping out the sea floor and tearing everything out in its way.” How destructive was the underwater avalanche mapped by scientists? The ancient underwater avalanche, which has been mapped by scientists, started at only 1.5 cubic kilometres (0.36 cubic miles) in volume, but later it turned massive and became a huge and powerful avalanche that eventually eroded one of the largest submarine canyons in the world, which was known as the Agadir Canyon, along with almost 4,500 square kilometres (1,738 square miles) of the canyon walls. “To put it in perspective: that’s an avalanche the size of a skyscraper, moving at more than 40 mph [64 kmph] from Liverpool to London, which digs out a trench 30 m [98 feet] deep and 15 km [9.3 miles] wide, destroying everything in its path,” said Stevenson. “Then it spreads across an area larger than the UK, burying it under about a metre of sand and mud," he added. Speaking about the study, the head of Marine Geophysics at Kiel University, Sebastian Krastel, said, “Our new insight fundamentally challenges how we view these events." Watch: Thick, voluminous clouds descend on Swiss Alps “Before this study, we thought that big avalanches only came from big slope failures. But now, we know that they can start small and grow into extremely powerful and extensive giant events," he added. The scientists noted that the prehistoric avalanche grew by around 12-25 times larger than a normal avalanche. “We calculate the growth factor to be at least 100,” said Christoph Bottner, who is the co-leader of the team and a Marie-Curie research fellow at Aarhus University in Denmark. “We have also seen this extreme growth in smaller submarine avalanches measured elsewhere,” said Bottner. “So we think this might be a specific behaviour associated with underwater avalanches and is something we plan to investigate further," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists create first map of a gigantic ancient underwater avalanche

For generations, humans have tried to find the elixir which can extend their lives beyond their natural limit and deceive death.&nbsp;

Now, scientists have made a discovery of a gene which has brought humanity very close to this impossible target of achieving longevity.&nbsp;

The gene has been found to possess the capability of promoting cellular repair and reducing the effects of ageing. This discovery has taken the scientific community close to finding methods for extending not just long but healthy lives.

Scientists are now understanding the mechanisms behind this particular longevity gene to find new strategies which can bring significant change in human ageing and lifespan.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bird-genes-store-memories-of-dinosaur-extiction-here-is-how-749319">&nbsp;Bird genes 'store' memories of dinosaur extinction: Here is how</a>

The study was carried out by the&nbsp;University of Rochester's team of scientists which comprised Doris Johns Cherry Professor of Biology and Medicine Vera Gorbunova and Professor of Biology Andrei Seluanov.&nbsp;

The Rochester researchers made the dramatic discovery after making a stunning observation of the naked mole rats.

Scientists found that these critters have long lifespans and are able to resist age-related diseases.&nbsp;These rodents are able to survive for nearly 41 years, which is almost a decade longer in comparison to the lives of rodents of their size.&nbsp;

<h2>What can this longevity gene do in the human body?</h2>

In the experiments carried out by the researchers, this specific gene was transferred into the bodies of mice.

This gene produces high molecular weight&nbsp;hyaluronic acid or HMW-HA which led to significant improvement in&nbsp;the health of the mice and also increased their lifespan by around 4.4 per cent.

HMW-HA is a sort of mechanism which has a stunning effect on ageing and diseases.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists discover reservoir of liquid water on Mars | Is there life on Mars?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-discover-reservoir-of-liquid-water-on-mars-is-there-life-on-mars-749939/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

HMW-HA is ten times more in the naked mole rats in comparison to the mice and humans. When the scientists removed it from the naked mole rat cells, the cells had more chances of forming tumours.

HMW-HA has the ability to fend off cancer. It was observed that the modified mice were able to protect themselves from spontaneous tumours as well as chemically induced skin cancer.

It was also noted that they suffered less inflammation, which is a sign of ageing, and had a healthier gut.

This discovery has now brought humans to the threshold of improving lifespan and health&nbsp;while reducing inflammation-related diseases in them.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

For generations, humans have tried to find the elixir which can extend their lives beyond their natural limit and deceive death. Now, scientists have made a discovery of a gene which has brought humanity very close to this impossible target of achieving longevity.

For generations, humans have tried to find the elixir which can extend their lives beyond their natural limit and deceive death. Now, scientists have made a discovery of a gene which has brought humanity very close to this impossible target of achieving longevity. The gene has been found to possess the capability of promoting cellular repair and reducing the effects of ageing. This discovery has taken the scientific community close to finding methods for extending not just long but healthy lives. Scientists are now understanding the mechanisms behind this particular longevity gene to find new strategies which can bring significant change in human ageing and lifespan. Also Read: Bird genes 'store' memories of dinosaur extinction: Here is how The study was carried out by the University of Rochester's team of scientists which comprised Doris Johns Cherry Professor of Biology and Medicine Vera Gorbunova and Professor of Biology Andrei Seluanov. The Rochester researchers made the dramatic discovery after making a stunning observation of the naked mole rats. Scientists found that these critters have long lifespans and are able to resist age-related diseases. These rodents are able to survive for nearly 41 years, which is almost a decade longer in comparison to the lives of rodents of their size. What can this longevity gene do in the human body? In the experiments carried out by the researchers, this specific gene was transferred into the bodies of mice. This gene produces high molecular weight hyaluronic acid or HMW-HA which led to significant improvement in the health of the mice and also increased their lifespan by around 4.4 per cent. HMW-HA is a sort of mechanism which has a stunning effect on ageing and diseases. Watch: Scientists discover reservoir of liquid water on Mars | Is there life on Mars? HMW-HA is ten times more in the naked mole rats in comparison to the mice and humans. When the scientists removed it from the naked mole rat cells, the cells had more chances of forming tumours. HMW-HA has the ability to fend off cancer. It was observed that the modified mice were able to protect themselves from spontaneous tumours as well as chemically induced skin cancer. It was also noted that they suffered less inflammation, which is a sign of ageing, and had a healthier gut. This discovery has now brought humans to the threshold of improving lifespan and health while reducing inflammation-related diseases in them. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover longevity genes. Here's how it can extend lifespan of humans

The weight around our waistlines has remained an issue of contention for a long time.

A high body mass index (BMI) and increased tummy fat have always been seen as the roots of health problems like type 2&nbsp;diabetes and heart disease.&nbsp;

However, a recent study has raised alarm against fat arms and called it a warning sign of health issues.&nbsp;

Recent studies have suggested that more fat around the arms hints at an increased risk of&nbsp;Alzheimer's, fatty liver disease, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/are-potatoes-not-unhealthy-new-research-reveals-they-may-work-magic-for-heart-health-749139">Are potatoes not unhealthy? New research reveals they may work magic for heart health</a>

Similar to the fat stored in the legs, arm fat was earlier believed to be largely benign or less harmful in comparison to the fat stored in the abdomen.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's what scientists say about fat arms</h2>

Research published by scientists at Sichuan University in Chengdu,&nbsp;China, suggests&nbsp;that this may not be the case.&nbsp;

The data of&nbsp;412,000 people in the United Kingdom was studied by the researchers for a period of nine years to identify any links between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The waist and hip size, fat mass, muscle mass and arm circumference of the volunteers were checked. It was found that people with excess tummy fat were 13 per cent more likely to get the disease in comparison to those with low levels.

Watch:&nbsp;Africa Mpox: Public health Emergency in Africa after Mpox outbreak&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/africa-mpox-public-health-emergency-in-africa-after-mpox-outbreak-wion-orignals-748827/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In earlier research, it was discovered that tummy fat is related to Parkinson's by triggering a complex reaction and disrupting insulin levels, which leads to a decrease in dopamine, the chemical of the brain which helps regulate movement.

However, the new study also discovered that people who had more arm fat were 18 per cent more at risk of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's and had more chances of developing heart disease.

Meanwhile, those who had flabby or muscly arms were 26 per cent less likely to develop both conditions.

Because of these findings, the researchers said that a programme to reduce fat in the arms will prove more effective at preventing health issues.

(With inputs from agencies)

The weight around our waistlines has remained an issue of contention for a long time. A high body mass index (BMI) and increased tummy fat have always been seen as the roots of health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The weight around our waistlines has remained an issue of contention for a long time. A high body mass index (BMI) and increased tummy fat have always been seen as the roots of health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, a recent study has raised alarm against fat arms and called it a warning sign of health issues. Recent studies have suggested that more fat around the arms hints at an increased risk of Alzheimer's, fatty liver disease, heart disease and osteoporosis. Also Read: Are potatoes not unhealthy? New research reveals they may work magic for heart health Similar to the fat stored in the legs, arm fat was earlier believed to be largely benign or less harmful in comparison to the fat stored in the abdomen. Here's what scientists say about fat arms Research published by scientists at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, suggests that this may not be the case. The data of 412,000 people in the United Kingdom was studied by the researchers for a period of nine years to identify any links between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The waist and hip size, fat mass, muscle mass and arm circumference of the volunteers were checked. It was found that people with excess tummy fat were 13 per cent more likely to get the disease in comparison to those with low levels. Watch: Africa Mpox: Public health Emergency in Africa after Mpox outbreak In earlier research, it was discovered that tummy fat is related to Parkinson's by triggering a complex reaction and disrupting insulin levels, which leads to a decrease in dopamine, the chemical of the brain which helps regulate movement. However, the new study also discovered that people who had more arm fat were 18 per cent more at risk of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's and had more chances of developing heart disease. Meanwhile, those who had flabby or muscly arms were 26 per cent less likely to develop both conditions. Because of these findings, the researchers said that a programme to reduce fat in the arms will prove more effective at preventing health issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say fat arms are alarming, can be root of many health issues, including dementia

Scientists have stumbled upon a "wonder material" in the soil of the Moon which is known as graphene.&nbsp;

The researchers have found that there are few layers of graphene flakes present on the moon soil which occur naturally. Graphene refers to the organised and layered structure of carbon atoms.

A group of researchers - which included Professors Meng Zou and Wei Zhang, senior engineer Xiujuan Li from&nbsp;Jilin University, and Wencai Ren from the&nbsp;Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Metal Research - led the study.

<h2>How did scientists find graphene in lunar soil?</h2>

The scientists started studying a 2.9 x 1.6 mm, olive-shaped speck of lunar soil which was brought to Earth in 2020 by Chang’e 5 mission.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-is-going-far-away-from-the-earth-will-it-disappear-soon-from-night-sky-746236">Moon is going far away from the Earth. Will it disappear soon from night sky?</a>

The researchers analysed the minuscule piece for only the hunt for Graphene.&nbsp;

It is known that Graphene is a unique substance which is filled with carbon atoms arranged in a thin and layered structure. Because of this, graphene has unique properties which makes it a super material in the field of electrics, optics and mechanics.

These properties and shapes of such graphene structures are formed because of their formation process, which paints a beautiful trail in the cosmos.&nbsp;

With the use of a specialised spectrometer, the scientists found a particular iron compound inside a carbon-rich section of the lunar sample. which stated that it is linked with the formation of graphene.

<h2>Why is graphene discovery on the Moon important?</h2>

The finding of graphene in lunar soil shows that the geological history&nbsp;of the Moon may have undergone a paradigm shift.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Moon Drifting Away From Earth Approximately 3.8 Centimeter Per Year - Study

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moon-drifting-away-from-earth-approximately-38-centimeter-per-year-study-746720/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The properties of graphene, like exceptional conductivity and strength, are expected to have implications on the development of lunar technologies.

The researchers are now trying to understand how they can use this material for constructing lightweight and durable structures on the Moon and also design advanced electronics which can operate in extreme lunar conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have stumbled upon a "wonder material" in the soil of the Moon which is known as graphene. The researchers have found that there are few layers of graphene flakes present on the moon soil which occur naturally.

Scientists have stumbled upon a "wonder material" in the soil of the Moon which is known as graphene. The researchers have found that there are few layers of graphene flakes present on the moon soil which occur naturally. Graphene refers to the organised and layered structure of carbon atoms. A group of researchers - which included Professors Meng Zou and Wei Zhang, senior engineer Xiujuan Li from Jilin University, and Wencai Ren from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Metal Research - led the study. How did scientists find graphene in lunar soil? The scientists started studying a 2.9 x 1.6 mm, olive-shaped speck of lunar soil which was brought to Earth in 2020 by Chang’e 5 mission. Also Read: Moon is going far away from the Earth. Will it disappear soon from night sky? The researchers analysed the minuscule piece for only the hunt for Graphene. It is known that Graphene is a unique substance which is filled with carbon atoms arranged in a thin and layered structure. Because of this, graphene has unique properties which makes it a super material in the field of electrics, optics and mechanics. These properties and shapes of such graphene structures are formed because of their formation process, which paints a beautiful trail in the cosmos. With the use of a specialised spectrometer, the scientists found a particular iron compound inside a carbon-rich section of the lunar sample. which stated that it is linked with the formation of graphene. Why is graphene discovery on the Moon important? The finding of graphene in lunar soil shows that the geological history of the Moon may have undergone a paradigm shift. Watch: Moon Drifting Away From Earth Approximately 3.8 Centimeter Per Year - Study The properties of graphene, like exceptional conductivity and strength, are expected to have implications on the development of lunar technologies. The researchers are now trying to understand how they can use this material for constructing lightweight and durable structures on the Moon and also design advanced electronics which can operate in extreme lunar conditions. (With inputs from agencies)

Moon has graphene in its soil. Here's all about this 'wonder material'

Scientists have found a new connection between dark matter particles and supermassive black holes (SMBHs) which has the potential to resolve the longstanding “final parsec problem” in the field of astronomy.

Scientists have found a new connection between dark matter particles and supermassive black holes (SMBHs) which has the potential to resolve the longstanding “final parsec problem” in the field of astronomy. The research published in the journal Physical Review Letters suggests that the dark matter particles' behaviours, which were earlier overlooked, led to the merger of SMBH pairs into one larger black hole. A pervasive “hum” of gravitational waves was detected by astrophysicists in 2023 across the universe. It was then hypothesised that background signal was released from millions of merging SMBH pairs, each of which was billions of times more massive in comparison to our Sun. Also Read: Scientists spot intermediate-mass black hole lurking at centre of Milky Way star cluster The theoretical simulations indicated that these colossal objects stall the approach when they are nearly a parsec apart (about three light years), which prevents a merger. Here's how the team carried out the study Study co-author Gonzalo Alonso-Álvarez, who is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of Toronto, said, “We show that including the previously overlooked effect of dark matter can help supermassive black holes overcome this final parsec of separation and coalesce." “Our calculations explain how that can occur, in contrast to what was previously thought,” Alonso-Álvarez added. Professor James Cline from McGill University headed the research. A new model was developed by the team in which it was proved that when dark matter particles interact with each other, they do not get dispersed. In this interaction, it was maintained that the density of the dark matter is halo which allowed the SMBHs to go spiralling inward and then merge. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August According to the scientists, supermassive black holes are present at the centre of most of the galaxies. Therefore, when the collision between two galaxies occurs, the SMBHs fall into orbit near each other. When they revolve, they are slowed down by the gravitational pull of nearby stars which causes them to spiral inward. “The possibility that dark matter particles interact with each other is an assumption that we made, an extra ingredient that not all dark matter models contain. Our argument is that only models with that ingredient can solve the final parsec problem," Alonso-Álvarez said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find the force behind the black hole mergers. It's mysterious dark matter!

Researchers have created a 'long-range', 'large-volume' and remote mind control device in South Korea and are now planning to use this technology for 'non-invasive' medical procedures.

The never-ever-heard hardware was developed by the researchers of&nbsp;Korea's&nbsp;Institute for Basic Science (IBS). This device is capable of manipulating a human brain from a distance with the help of magnetic fields.

The technology was tested by inducing 'maternal' instincts in the test subjects which were female mice.

The researchers also exposed some lab mice to the magnetic fields which were designed to reduce the appetite and it resulted in a 10 percent loss in body weight.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/brains-of-humans-go-through-significant-change-after-death-study-737176">Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study</a>

"This is the world's first technology to freely control specific brain regions using magnetic fields," said the professor of chemistry and nanomedicine, who led the entire test.&nbsp;

<h2>How do scientists plan to use new hardware?&nbsp;</h2>

South Korea's IBS Center for Nanomedicine director and researcher Dr&nbsp;Cheon Jinwoo said that he plans to use the new hardware for a variety of healthcare applications where it is required.&nbsp;

"We expect it to be widely used in research to understand brain functions, sophisticated artificial neural networks, two-way brain-computer interface technologies, and new treatments for neurological disorders," said Dr Cheon.&nbsp;

Even though the remote mind control has science fiction quality, health experts emphasised that magnetic fields for decades have been successfully used in medical imaging.

Watch:&nbsp;Study reveals lung cancer hit non-smoker Indian earlier than westerners

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"The concept of using magnetic fields to manipulate biological systems is now well established," said&nbsp;Dr Felix Leroy, a senior scientist at Spain's Instituto de Neurociencias, in an op-ed.&nbsp;

"It has been applied in various fields," he said, adding, "magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], transcranial magnetic stimulation, and magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment."&nbsp;

The technique, which is formally known as magneto-mechanical genetics (MMG), helped Dr Cheon and his colleagues as they created their&nbsp;brain-modulating technology.

The team called their invention Nano-MIND, which stood for "Nano-Magnetogenetic Interface for NeuroDynamics."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers have created a 'long-range', 'large-volume' and remote mind control device in South Korea and are now planning to use this technology for 'non-invasive' medical procedures.

Researchers have created a 'long-range', 'large-volume' and remote mind control device in South Korea and are now planning to use this technology for 'non-invasive' medical procedures. The never-ever-heard hardware was developed by the researchers of Korea's Institute for Basic Science (IBS). This device is capable of manipulating a human brain from a distance with the help of magnetic fields. The technology was tested by inducing 'maternal' instincts in the test subjects which were female mice. The researchers also exposed some lab mice to the magnetic fields which were designed to reduce the appetite and it resulted in a 10 percent loss in body weight. Also Read: Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study "This is the world's first technology to freely control specific brain regions using magnetic fields," said the professor of chemistry and nanomedicine, who led the entire test. How do scientists plan to use new hardware? South Korea's IBS Center for Nanomedicine director and researcher Dr Cheon Jinwoo said that he plans to use the new hardware for a variety of healthcare applications where it is required. "We expect it to be widely used in research to understand brain functions, sophisticated artificial neural networks, two-way brain-computer interface technologies, and new treatments for neurological disorders," said Dr Cheon. Even though the remote mind control has science fiction quality, health experts emphasised that magnetic fields for decades have been successfully used in medical imaging. Watch: Study reveals lung cancer hit non-smoker Indian earlier than westerners "The concept of using magnetic fields to manipulate biological systems is now well established," said Dr Felix Leroy, a senior scientist at Spain's Instituto de Neurociencias, in an op-ed. "It has been applied in various fields," he said, adding, "magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], transcranial magnetic stimulation, and magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment." The technique, which is formally known as magneto-mechanical genetics (MMG), helped Dr Cheon and his colleagues as they created their brain-modulating technology. The team called their invention Nano-MIND, which stood for "Nano-Magnetogenetic Interface for NeuroDynamics." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists in South Korea create first remote device which can control human minds

Scientists have been stunned to discover another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of a star cluster in the Milky Way, which is close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*).

The&nbsp;University of Cologne's research team headed by Dr Florian Peißker made the unusual discovery of another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of the galaxy.

The intermediate-mass black holes are considered one of the most puzzling mysteries in the universe.&nbsp;

Even after researching them at a great length, scientists have only been able to discover a handful of them to date.&nbsp;

As per the scientific consensus, such celestial anomalies were formed after the Big Bang and played a major role as "seeds" in the growth and formation of the supermassive black holes.

Dr. Peißker and his team have been observing a cluster of stars called IRS 13. This cluster is very close to a supermassive black hole which is called the Sagittarius A* (SgrA*).

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-spot-closest-massive-black-hole-to-earth-say-it-is-frozen-in-time-740513">Astronomers&nbsp;spot closest massive black hole to Earth, say it is 'frozen in time'</a>

The star cluster is 0.1 light years away from Sagittarius A* which in astronomical terms is a short distance.

The scientist also observed that the stars are moving in an unexpected manner in IRS 13 which suggests&nbsp;that either the star cluster is interacting with the black hole which is affecting the motion of the stars or something is present inside the cluster which is helping it to remain in compact shape.

<h2>Mysterious black hole at the centre of the cluster</h2>

The scientists made multi-wavelength observations with the help of the Chandra, ALMA and found the mysterious black hole at the centre of the star cluster.

They also&nbsp;found that IRS 13 was able to maintain a compact shape because an intermediate-mass black hole was present at its centre.

Other observations like characteristic X-rays and ionised gas which are rotating at breakneck speeds also supported the theory that&nbsp;an intermediate-mass black hole was&nbsp;present there.

Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August

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The star cluster also had an unusually high density which was said to be&nbsp;higher than any known density of a star cluster present in our Milky Way.&nbsp;

“IRS 13 appears to be an essential building block for the growth of our central black hole SgrA*,” Dr. Peißker said.&nbsp;

This discovery also explains how these intermediate-mass black holes have been their supermassive counterparts' building blocks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have been stunned to discover another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of a star cluster in the Milky Way, which is close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*).

Scientists have been stunned to discover another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of a star cluster in the Milky Way, which is close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*). The University of Cologne's research team headed by Dr Florian Peißker made the unusual discovery of another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of the galaxy. The intermediate-mass black holes are considered one of the most puzzling mysteries in the universe. Even after researching them at a great length, scientists have only been able to discover a handful of them to date. As per the scientific consensus, such celestial anomalies were formed after the Big Bang and played a major role as "seeds" in the growth and formation of the supermassive black holes. Dr. Peißker and his team have been observing a cluster of stars called IRS 13. This cluster is very close to a supermassive black hole which is called the Sagittarius A* (SgrA*). Also Read: Astronomers spot closest massive black hole to Earth, say it is 'frozen in time' The star cluster is 0.1 light years away from Sagittarius A* which in astronomical terms is a short distance. The scientist also observed that the stars are moving in an unexpected manner in IRS 13 which suggests that either the star cluster is interacting with the black hole which is affecting the motion of the stars or something is present inside the cluster which is helping it to remain in compact shape. Mysterious black hole at the centre of the cluster The scientists made multi-wavelength observations with the help of the Chandra, ALMA and found the mysterious black hole at the centre of the star cluster. They also found that IRS 13 was able to maintain a compact shape because an intermediate-mass black hole was present at its centre. Other observations like characteristic X-rays and ionised gas which are rotating at breakneck speeds also supported the theory that an intermediate-mass black hole was present there. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August The star cluster also had an unusually high density which was said to be higher than any known density of a star cluster present in our Milky Way. “IRS 13 appears to be an essential building block for the growth of our central black hole SgrA*,” Dr. Peißker said. This discovery also explains how these intermediate-mass black holes have been their supermassive counterparts' building blocks. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot intermediate-mass black hole lurking at centre of Milky Way star cluster

Scientists have discovered a new planet with the most elongated orbit ever seen in any of the 5,600 planets spotted till now.&nbsp;

The planet stands strangely unique because it appears to be orbiting the wrong way. The planet can help scientists find the missing link between planetary formation.&nbsp;

The planet, which has been given the name TIC 241249530 b, has been seen orbiting a star which was nearly 1,100 light years from Earth.&nbsp;

It has been observed that the planet has been moving in a highly "eccentric" orbit as it circles its star in a way that it comes extremely close to the star before it slings out and then doubles back in a narrow, elliptical circuit.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strictly-speaking-earth-is-not-revolving-around-the-sun-currently-heres-what-it-means-740359">Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means</a>

The orbit of the new planet also has a unique "retrograde" orientation. Unlike other planets in the solar system, including Earth, which orbit around the Sun in the same direction, this planet orbits in the direction which is opposite to the direction in which the star is rotating. &nbsp;

<h2>Eccentric planet turning into 'hot Jupiter'</h2>

The most extreme planets in the galaxy are said to be hot Jupiters, as they are as big as Jupiter and have the characteristic of wildly swinging close to their star. Now, scientists believe that this eccentric planet is also turning into a hot Jupiter.&nbsp;

Assistant professor of physics at MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research Sarah Millholland said, "This new planet supports the theory that high eccentricity migration should account for some fraction of hot Jupiters."

"We think that when this planet formed, it would have been a frigid world. And because of the dramatic orbital dynamics, it will become a hot Jupiter in about a billion years, with temperatures of several thousand kelvin. So it's a huge shift from where it started," Millholland said, as reported by phys.org.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists find underground caves on moon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-find-underground-caves-on-moon-741666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It's a pretty extreme process in that the changes to the planet's orbit are massive. It's a big dance of orbits that's happening over billions of years, and the planet's just going along for the ride," Millholland added.&nbsp;

The simulations of the planet's evolution and the observations of the team support the theory that hot Jupiters can be formed by high eccentricity migration.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered a new planet with the most elongated orbit ever seen in any of the 5,600 planets spotted till now. The planet stands strangely unique because it appears to be orbiting the wrong way.

Scientists have discovered a new planet with the most elongated orbit ever seen in any of the 5,600 planets spotted till now. The planet stands strangely unique because it appears to be orbiting the wrong way. The planet can help scientists find the missing link between planetary formation. The planet, which has been given the name TIC 241249530 b, has been seen orbiting a star which was nearly 1,100 light years from Earth. It has been observed that the planet has been moving in a highly "eccentric" orbit as it circles its star in a way that it comes extremely close to the star before it slings out and then doubles back in a narrow, elliptical circuit. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means The orbit of the new planet also has a unique "retrograde" orientation. Unlike other planets in the solar system, including Earth, which orbit around the Sun in the same direction, this planet orbits in the direction which is opposite to the direction in which the star is rotating. Eccentric planet turning into 'hot Jupiter' The most extreme planets in the galaxy are said to be hot Jupiters, as they are as big as Jupiter and have the characteristic of wildly swinging close to their star. Now, scientists believe that this eccentric planet is also turning into a hot Jupiter. Assistant professor of physics at MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research Sarah Millholland said, "This new planet supports the theory that high eccentricity migration should account for some fraction of hot Jupiters." "We think that when this planet formed, it would have been a frigid world. And because of the dramatic orbital dynamics, it will become a hot Jupiter in about a billion years, with temperatures of several thousand kelvin. So it's a huge shift from where it started," Millholland said, as reported by phys.org. Watch: Scientists find underground caves on moon "It's a pretty extreme process in that the changes to the planet's orbit are massive. It's a big dance of orbits that's happening over billions of years, and the planet's just going along for the ride," Millholland added. The simulations of the planet's evolution and the observations of the team support the theory that hot Jupiters can be formed by high eccentricity migration. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot eccentric, backwards-orbiting planet which is turning into 'hot Jupiter'

In the hunt to find an antidote for the poisonous cobra venom, scientists at the University of Sydney and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine seem to have made a stunning discovery.&nbsp;

In the breakthrough study, the scientists discovered that the commonly used blood thinner - heparin - has the qualities to be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cutting down the effects of cobra venom.

Every year, thousands of people are killed by&nbsp;cobras and many others get maimed due to necrosis which happens because of the venom and can cause amputation.

The antivenom treatment currently available is expensive and has not been effective in treating the necrosis of the flesh if the snake bite occurs.&nbsp;

The study's corresponding author in the Charles Perkins Center and Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney Professor Greg Neely said, "Our discovery could drastically reduce the terrible injuries from necrosis caused by&nbsp;cobra&nbsp;bites—and it might also slow the venom, which could improve survival rates."&nbsp;

The scientists used CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify ways in which the cobra venom is blocked. The team comprised of scientists based in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the UK.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/human-turns-vicious-for-snake-indian-man-bites-and-kills-the-killer-reptile-but-did-he-survive-738284">Human turns vicious for snake! Indian man bites and kills killer reptile. But did he survive?</a>

The team was able to repurpose heparin (a common blood thinner) successfully to stop the necrosis which happens by cobra bites. The research was published in the Science Translational Medicine.

The university&nbsp;PhD student and lead author Tian Du said, "Heparin is inexpensive, ubiquitous and a World Health Organisation-listed Essential Medicine. After successful human trials, it could be rolled out relatively quickly to become a cheap, safe and effective drug for treating cobra bites."

<h2>Scientists target to release antidote in next five years</h2>

Head of the Centre for Snakebite Research &amp; Interventions at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, joint corresponding author and Professor Nicholas Casewell said, "Snakebites remain the deadliest of the neglected tropical diseases, with its burden landing overwhelmingly on rural communities in low- and middle-income countries."

"Our findings are exciting because current antivenoms are largely ineffective against severe local envenoming, which involves painful progressive swelling, blistering and/or tissue necrosis around the bite site. This can lead to loss of limb function, amputation and lifelong disability," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Woman orders Xbox controller, finds a snake instead

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/woman-orders-xbox-controller-finds-a-snake-instead-733558/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Snakebite has been marked as a priority by the World Health Organisation's programme to tackle neglected tropical diseases.&nbsp;

They have set an ambitious goal of reducing death through snakebites by half by 2030.

"That target is just five years away now. We hope that the new cobra antidote we found can assist in the global fight to reduce death and injury from snakebite in some of the world's poorest communities," said Professor Neely.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the hunt to find an antidote for the poisonous cobra venom, scientists at the University of Sydney and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine seem to have made a stunning discovery.

In the hunt to find an antidote for the poisonous cobra venom, scientists at the University of Sydney and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine seem to have made a stunning discovery. In the breakthrough study, the scientists discovered that the commonly used blood thinner - heparin - has the qualities to be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cutting down the effects of cobra venom. Every year, thousands of people are killed by cobras and many others get maimed due to necrosis which happens because of the venom and can cause amputation. The antivenom treatment currently available is expensive and has not been effective in treating the necrosis of the flesh if the snake bite occurs. The study's corresponding author in the Charles Perkins Center and Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney Professor Greg Neely said, "Our discovery could drastically reduce the terrible injuries from necrosis caused by cobra bites—and it might also slow the venom, which could improve survival rates." The scientists used CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify ways in which the cobra venom is blocked. The team comprised of scientists based in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the UK. Also Read: Human turns vicious for snake! Indian man bites and kills killer reptile. But did he survive? The team was able to repurpose heparin (a common blood thinner) successfully to stop the necrosis which happens by cobra bites. The research was published in the Science Translational Medicine. The university PhD student and lead author Tian Du said, "Heparin is inexpensive, ubiquitous and a World Health Organisation-listed Essential Medicine. After successful human trials, it could be rolled out relatively quickly to become a cheap, safe and effective drug for treating cobra bites." Scientists target to release antidote in next five years Head of the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, joint corresponding author and Professor Nicholas Casewell said, "Snakebites remain the deadliest of the neglected tropical diseases, with its burden landing overwhelmingly on rural communities in low- and middle-income countries." "Our findings are exciting because current antivenoms are largely ineffective against severe local envenoming, which involves painful progressive swelling, blistering and/or tissue necrosis around the bite site. This can lead to loss of limb function, amputation and lifelong disability," he added. Watch: Woman orders Xbox controller, finds a snake instead Snakebite has been marked as a priority by the World Health Organisation's programme to tackle neglected tropical diseases. They have set an ambitious goal of reducing death through snakebites by half by 2030. "That target is just five years away now. We hope that the new cobra antidote we found can assist in the global fight to reduce death and injury from snakebite in some of the world's poorest communities," said Professor Neely. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists now have an antidote for killer cobra venom. It's common blood thinner!

Kings and monarchs have been known for committing atrocities, killing people and being ruthless in nature.&nbsp;

However, Russia's first tsar - Ivan the Terrible - has etched another kind of arc in history where he has been found to be the cruellest tyrant to have existed on Earth 440 years ago.&nbsp;

To understand how he actually looked and how cold his gaze was,&nbsp;scientists have now reconstructed his face using his skull.

<h2>All about Ivan the Terrible</h2>

Russia's first tsar Ivan the Terrible, in his rule, expanded his empire and transformed his country.&nbsp;

However, he is remembered for his barbarity and for cruelly treating his subjects by boiling them alive or roasting and impaling them, getting them torn apart by horses and drowning them under the ice.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/7000-historical-documents-of-indian-diaspora-in-oman-digitised-726051">7,000 historical documents of Indian diaspora in Oman digitised</a>

He is even believed to have beaten his own son to death, after he confronted him for hitting the prince's pregnant wife which led to her miscarriage.&nbsp;

However, the true face of the tsar was lost in history and now his face has been reconstructed to understand how he actually looked.&nbsp;

In 1963, the grave of the tsar was excavated by Soviet scientist Mikhail Gerasimov.

The work's lead author Cicero Moraes said, "According to Dr Gerasimov's study, it appears that Ivan indulged in a disorderly life of excessive eating and alcohol abuse."

"This must have worsened his condition in his last years. This is in contrast to the appearance he had when younger, when he was described as tall, with beautiful hair, broad shoulders, strong muscles, and a pleasant face," he added.

"An interesting fact is that they found a large amount of mercury in his body, which made some suspect poisoning. But given the habits of the time, it may have been used as a treatment for some health problem," Moraes further added.

<h2>How the face was reconstructed?</h2>

Several approaches were combined to reconstruct the final face. In one method, data from living donors was used to understand the likely thickness of the skin of the tsar on his skull.&nbsp;

Another technique put to work was anatomical deformation, in which a living donor's face and skull were digitally altered till they matched the dimensions of Ivan the Terrible.

Watch:&nbsp;'Assassination attempt' on Trump | A history of US Presidents targeted by gunmen

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"The final bust was a combination of all this data," said Moraes, who is a Brazilian graphics expert. He said it has a "strong and determined" likeness.

"It was a very interesting experience, as it involved not only facial approximation, but the study of the tsar's history," Moraes added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Kings and monarchs have been known for committing atrocities, killing people and being ruthless in nature. However, Russia's first tsar - Ivan the Terrible - has etched another kind of arc in history where he has been found to be the cruellest tyrant to have existed on Earth 440 years ago.

Kings and monarchs have been known for committing atrocities, killing people and being ruthless in nature. However, Russia's first tsar - Ivan the Terrible - has etched another kind of arc in history where he has been found to be the cruellest tyrant to have existed on Earth 440 years ago. To understand how he actually looked and how cold his gaze was, scientists have now reconstructed his face using his skull. All about Ivan the Terrible Russia's first tsar Ivan the Terrible, in his rule, expanded his empire and transformed his country. However, he is remembered for his barbarity and for cruelly treating his subjects by boiling them alive or roasting and impaling them, getting them torn apart by horses and drowning them under the ice. Also Read: 7,000 historical documents of Indian diaspora in Oman digitised He is even believed to have beaten his own son to death, after he confronted him for hitting the prince's pregnant wife which led to her miscarriage. However, the true face of the tsar was lost in history and now his face has been reconstructed to understand how he actually looked. In 1963, the grave of the tsar was excavated by Soviet scientist Mikhail Gerasimov. The work's lead author Cicero Moraes said, "According to Dr Gerasimov's study, it appears that Ivan indulged in a disorderly life of excessive eating and alcohol abuse." "This must have worsened his condition in his last years. This is in contrast to the appearance he had when younger, when he was described as tall, with beautiful hair, broad shoulders, strong muscles, and a pleasant face," he added. "An interesting fact is that they found a large amount of mercury in his body, which made some suspect poisoning. But given the habits of the time, it may have been used as a treatment for some health problem," Moraes further added. How the face was reconstructed? Several approaches were combined to reconstruct the final face. In one method, data from living donors was used to understand the likely thickness of the skin of the tsar on his skull. Another technique put to work was anatomical deformation, in which a living donor's face and skull were digitally altered till they matched the dimensions of Ivan the Terrible. Watch: 'Assassination attempt' on Trump | A history of US Presidents targeted by gunmen "The final bust was a combination of all this data," said Moraes, who is a Brazilian graphics expert. He said it has a "strong and determined" likeness. "It was a very interesting experience, as it involved not only facial approximation, but the study of the tsar's history," Moraes added. (With inputs from agencies)

This is the face of cruellest man who boiled his subjects alive nearly 440 years ago

Recently, scientists have discovered the Cambrian explosion, which has been significant in the journey of Earth, was likely to have occurred because of a small increase in oxygen levels.&nbsp;

A team of researchers&nbsp;used datasets from an international consortium of scientists which displayed modest changes in oxygen levels that are likely to have caused the evolutionary leap.

<h2>All about the Cambrian explosion</h2>

The&nbsp;Cambrian explosion&nbsp;took place nearly 540 million years ago and led to a rapid burst of evolution because of which the diversification of life occurred&nbsp;on the planet.&nbsp;

Earlier, life only comprised smaller multicellular and single-celled organisms on Earth. However, the fossil record shows that following the explosion,&nbsp;in 20 to 30 million years there were a variety of complex creatures which emerged on Earth.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strictly-speaking-earth-is-not-revolving-around-the-sun-currently-heres-what-it-means-740359">Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means</a>

Every new species was found to have a strange and novel body plan and had features like gripping appendages, mineralised shells, and sensory organs like eyes.

“The specific animals that we observe as fossils from rocks of this age may look weird and wonderful to us,”&nbsp;Dr Richard Stockey, lead author of the new study and a paleobiologist at the University of Southampton told IFLScience.

&nbsp;"But the ecological roles they were playing were very similar to marine animals that we know and love today," he added.

“Unravelling whether there was an environmental trigger to this (geologically) rapid shift in the habitability of Earth’s oceans is a question that is fundamental to our understanding of our biosphere, and even potentially for the habitability of other planets," the lead author said.

Watch:&nbsp;Earth slows down by 1.33 milliseconds

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Scientists have for decades carried this theory that the Cambrian explosion happened because of a sudden increase in atmospheric oxygen. However, they did not have sufficient evidence to back the case.

“As a community, we have been balancing a number of different lines of evidence, based on the chemical composition of ancient sediments,” Stockey said.

“Some of these seemed to indicate a big oxygenation event around the Cambrian explosion, while others seemed to indicate that this scale of oxygenation didn’t occur until around 140 million years later," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Recently, scientists have discovered the Cambrian explosion, which has been significant in the journey of Earth, was likely to have occurred because of a small increase in oxygen levels.

Recently, scientists have discovered the Cambrian explosion, which has been significant in the journey of Earth, was likely to have occurred because of a small increase in oxygen levels. A team of researchers used datasets from an international consortium of scientists which displayed modest changes in oxygen levels that are likely to have caused the evolutionary leap. All about the Cambrian explosion The Cambrian explosion took place nearly 540 million years ago and led to a rapid burst of evolution because of which the diversification of life occurred on the planet. Earlier, life only comprised smaller multicellular and single-celled organisms on Earth. However, the fossil record shows that following the explosion, in 20 to 30 million years there were a variety of complex creatures which emerged on Earth. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means Every new species was found to have a strange and novel body plan and had features like gripping appendages, mineralised shells, and sensory organs like eyes. “The specific animals that we observe as fossils from rocks of this age may look weird and wonderful to us,” Dr Richard Stockey, lead author of the new study and a paleobiologist at the University of Southampton told IFLScience. "But the ecological roles they were playing were very similar to marine animals that we know and love today," he added. “Unravelling whether there was an environmental trigger to this (geologically) rapid shift in the habitability of Earth’s oceans is a question that is fundamental to our understanding of our biosphere, and even potentially for the habitability of other planets," the lead author said. Watch: Earth slows down by 1.33 milliseconds Scientists have for decades carried this theory that the Cambrian explosion happened because of a sudden increase in atmospheric oxygen. However, they did not have sufficient evidence to back the case. “As a community, we have been balancing a number of different lines of evidence, based on the chemical composition of ancient sediments,” Stockey said. “Some of these seemed to indicate a big oxygenation event around the Cambrian explosion, while others seemed to indicate that this scale of oxygenation didn’t occur until around 140 million years later," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth once shook with Cambrian explosion after there was little rise in oxygen levels

The scientists have started an intimate livestream which is giving live coverage of thousands of rattlesnakes living in the 'mega-den' in Colorado, United States.&nbsp;

The webcam has been installed in a way that if not hundreds then thousands of prairie rattlesnakes, which are hidden between the rocks in northern Colorado, are captured in the live stream.

For the people who are interested in understanding the lives of snakes, the live stream is available on YouTube.

The Colorado live stream is being carried out under the initiative called Project RattleCam in which the scientists aim to collect real-time data on the venomous reptile.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/snake-alert-huge-python-swallows-woman-partner-finds-her-legs-in-reptiles-mouth-737450">Snake alert! Huge python swallows woman, partner finds her legs in reptile’s mouth</a>

The remote site is located on&nbsp;private land in northern&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;which is full of rock crevices where the snakes can remain warm and hide from the predators.&nbsp;

“This is a big, big den for rattlesnakes. This is one of the biggest ones we know of,” said Emily Taylor, a California Polytechnic State University biology professor leading the Project RattleCam research, on Tuesday (July 16).

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<h2>Pregnant female snakes set to give birth in den</h2>

In the winter, the high-elevation Colorado rattlesnakes live in the den and come out in the spring to carry out activities.&nbsp;

At this time, there are only pregnant female snakes in the den and the males have slithered towards the lower part of the country.&nbsp;

The babies are set to be born in August. Scientists have emphasised that rattlesnake mothers are very caring for their young ones and protect them against predators.&nbsp;

“Rattlesnakes are actually really good mothers. People don’t know that,” said Taylor.

With the help of a webcam, the scientists will be able to observe the behaviour of the snake without any interference.

Watch:&nbsp;Woman orders Xbox controller, finds a snake instead

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Meanwhile, people who are watching the livestream have been informing the scientists if they are missing anything significant.&nbsp;

“It truly is a group effort, a community science effort, that we couldn’t do on our own as scientists,” said Taylor.

"This livestream allows us to collect data on wild rattlesnakes without disturbing them, facilitating unbiased scientific discovery," said Emily Taylor, who is a biological sciences professor at Cal Poly who leads Project RattleCam, in a statement.

"But even more important is that members of the public can watch wild rattlesnakes behaving as they naturally do, helping to combat the biased imagery we see on television shows of rattling, defensive and stressed snakes interacting with people who are provoking them," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists have started an intimate livestream which is giving live coverage of thousands of rattlesnakes living in the 'mega-den' in Colorado, United States.

The scientists have started an intimate livestream which is giving live coverage of thousands of rattlesnakes living in the 'mega-den' in Colorado, United States. The webcam has been installed in a way that if not hundreds then thousands of prairie rattlesnakes, which are hidden between the rocks in northern Colorado, are captured in the live stream. For the people who are interested in understanding the lives of snakes, the live stream is available on YouTube. The Colorado live stream is being carried out under the initiative called Project RattleCam in which the scientists aim to collect real-time data on the venomous reptile. Also Read: Snake alert! Huge python swallows woman, partner finds her legs in reptile’s mouth The remote site is located on private land in northern Colorado which is full of rock crevices where the snakes can remain warm and hide from the predators. “This is a big, big den for rattlesnakes. This is one of the biggest ones we know of,” said Emily Taylor, a California Polytechnic State University biology professor leading the Project RattleCam research, on Tuesday (July 16). × Pregnant female snakes set to give birth in den In the winter, the high-elevation Colorado rattlesnakes live in the den and come out in the spring to carry out activities. At this time, there are only pregnant female snakes in the den and the males have slithered towards the lower part of the country. The babies are set to be born in August. Scientists have emphasised that rattlesnake mothers are very caring for their young ones and protect them against predators. “Rattlesnakes are actually really good mothers. People don’t know that,” said Taylor. With the help of a webcam, the scientists will be able to observe the behaviour of the snake without any interference. Watch: Woman orders Xbox controller, finds a snake instead Meanwhile, people who are watching the livestream have been informing the scientists if they are missing anything significant. “It truly is a group effort, a community science effort, that we couldn’t do on our own as scientists,” said Taylor. "This livestream allows us to collect data on wild rattlesnakes without disturbing them, facilitating unbiased scientific discovery," said Emily Taylor, who is a biological sciences professor at Cal Poly who leads Project RattleCam, in a statement. "But even more important is that members of the public can watch wild rattlesnakes behaving as they naturally do, helping to combat the biased imagery we see on television shows of rattling, defensive and stressed snakes interacting with people who are provoking them," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Big Boss of snakes? Scientists live stream thousands of rattlesnakes living in 'mega-den' in Colorado

In the wake of too many incidents of spacecraft and rockets crashing back to Earth and its debris falling in areas it shouldn't, scientists have warned that such incidents may cause someone's death in the years ahead.

Just in May, 56 'uncontrolled re-entries' were monitored by the UK Space Agency and the rate at which satellites and objects are falling back to Earth increased by 155 per cent in April.

Among these events, scientists have warned that there is a 10 per cent chance of someone getting killed in the next decade due to an out-of-control rocket or spacecraft.&nbsp;

Speaking to MailOnline, the UK Space Agency's spokesperson said, "Since January, the UK has monitored an average of 23 re-entering space objects per month."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/musks-spacex-rocket-grounded-by-us-aviation-regulator-know-why-740446">Musk's SpaceX rocket grounded by US aviation regulator. Know why</a>

"Statistically, debris from re-entering objects presents a low risk to both life and property because most of the Earth is covered by water and the majority of land is unpopulated," the spokesperson added.

"There are no recorded instances of serious injuries caused by re-entering space debris," he explained.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Jake Foster said, "The vast majority of space debris that falls to Earth is so small that it burns up entirely in the atmosphere on its way down, posing no threat to human life."

"Since around 70 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered in water, most larger pieces that do make it down to the surface usually end up splashing down into the oceans," he added.

<h2>Space debris rains in India and China</h2>

The first such space debris falling on Earth was recorded in 1978 when the &nbsp;Soviet spy satellite Kosmos 954 crashed and the latest incident happened when the Chinese rockets re-entered this June.&nbsp;

The re-entry of Chinese Long March rocket systems caused a series of crashes. These multistage rockets were the Chinese space programme's workhorse and have been used frequently to launch satellites for civilian and military purposes.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August

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Some of these rockets undergo uncontrolled re-entry into the orbit of the Earth when the stages are jettisoned.&nbsp;

Although some of them burn up in the atmosphere, there have been reports of large pieces of rockets falling in areas around&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;India.&nbsp;

In June, a piece of rocket had fallen on a populated village in rural China.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the wake of too many incidents of spacecraft and rockets crashing back to Earth and its debris falling in areas it shouldn't, scientists have warned that such incidents may cause someone's death in the years ahead.

In the wake of too many incidents of spacecraft and rockets crashing back to Earth and its debris falling in areas it shouldn't, scientists have warned that such incidents may cause someone's death in the years ahead. Just in May, 56 'uncontrolled re-entries' were monitored by the UK Space Agency and the rate at which satellites and objects are falling back to Earth increased by 155 per cent in April. Among these events, scientists have warned that there is a 10 per cent chance of someone getting killed in the next decade due to an out-of-control rocket or spacecraft. Speaking to MailOnline, the UK Space Agency's spokesperson said, "Since January, the UK has monitored an average of 23 re-entering space objects per month." Also Read: Musk's SpaceX rocket grounded by US aviation regulator. Know why "Statistically, debris from re-entering objects presents a low risk to both life and property because most of the Earth is covered by water and the majority of land is unpopulated," the spokesperson added. "There are no recorded instances of serious injuries caused by re-entering space debris," he explained. Meanwhile, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Jake Foster said, "The vast majority of space debris that falls to Earth is so small that it burns up entirely in the atmosphere on its way down, posing no threat to human life." "Since around 70 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered in water, most larger pieces that do make it down to the surface usually end up splashing down into the oceans," he added. Space debris rains in India and China The first such space debris falling on Earth was recorded in 1978 when the Soviet spy satellite Kosmos 954 crashed and the latest incident happened when the Chinese rockets re-entered this June. The re-entry of Chinese Long March rocket systems caused a series of crashes. These multistage rockets were the Chinese space programme's workhorse and have been used frequently to launch satellites for civilian and military purposes. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August Some of these rockets undergo uncontrolled re-entry into the orbit of the Earth when the stages are jettisoned. Although some of them burn up in the atmosphere, there have been reports of large pieces of rockets falling in areas around China and India. In June, a piece of rocket had fallen on a populated village in rural China. (With inputs from agencies)

Spacecraft and rockets falling back on Earth can prove catastrophic, scientists warn

The world is not alien to the concept of driverless cars which even though has appeared as a complex challenge, with advanced technology and bright minds, the human race seems to have almost created it.&nbsp;

Such vehicles are built in a way that they have an understanding of their surroundings through which they control the car, even though there is no human intervention.&nbsp;

Taking a step ahead from this innovation, the scientists at the University of Tokyo, headed by Dr Kento Kawaharazuka, have now created a robot which can easily drive a regular car.

The musculoskeletal humanoid robot, named Musashi, has been designed in a way that mimics the human body and drives the car like any other human.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/can-robots-commit-suicide-the-curious-case-of-cyborgs-death-shocks-south-korea-738280">Can robots commit suicide? The curious case of cyborg's death shocks South Korea</a>

With this innovation, one day a robotic chauffeur may be driving a non-autonomous vehicle.

<h2>All about Musashi - robotic driver&nbsp;</h2>

The robot Musashi has a musculoskeletal structure which closely resembles the human body. It has 39 joints, excluding the hands, and 74 muscles.&nbsp;

It has five fingers in every hand and pressure sensors have been attached in both the hands and feet.

It has been designed in a way that it is able to perform complex tasks like using the handbrake, switching the ignition key, pressing pedals, steering wheel and using indicators.

The eyes of the robot have high-resolution cameras which are connected to artificial intelligence systems.

The cameras help Musashi recognise people in the wing mirrors and take steps according. It also helps in understanding when the pedestrians are crossing the road and the traffic lights are changing.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain

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The robot Musashi can be seen as a significant step in the world of robotics and&nbsp;autonomous driving technology, which is still in the early stages of development.&nbsp;

As of now, this robot is only capable of driving in a straight line and turning right and can only speed at just 3 mph.&nbsp;

Kawaharazuka accepts that the robot is still not capable of driving and handling the car at a good speed which human drivers can do.

Kawaharazuka said that there will be a time when robots like Musashi will work as versatile drivers.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The world is not alien to the concept of driverless cars which even though has appeared as a complex challenge, with advanced technology and bright minds, the human race seems to have almost created it.

The world is not alien to the concept of driverless cars which even though has appeared as a complex challenge, with advanced technology and bright minds, the human race seems to have almost created it. Such vehicles are built in a way that they have an understanding of their surroundings through which they control the car, even though there is no human intervention. Taking a step ahead from this innovation, the scientists at the University of Tokyo, headed by Dr Kento Kawaharazuka, have now created a robot which can easily drive a regular car. The musculoskeletal humanoid robot, named Musashi, has been designed in a way that mimics the human body and drives the car like any other human. Also Read: Can robots commit suicide? The curious case of cyborg's death shocks South Korea With this innovation, one day a robotic chauffeur may be driving a non-autonomous vehicle. All about Musashi - robotic driver The robot Musashi has a musculoskeletal structure which closely resembles the human body. It has 39 joints, excluding the hands, and 74 muscles. It has five fingers in every hand and pressure sensors have been attached in both the hands and feet. It has been designed in a way that it is able to perform complex tasks like using the handbrake, switching the ignition key, pressing pedals, steering wheel and using indicators. The eyes of the robot have high-resolution cameras which are connected to artificial intelligence systems. The cameras help Musashi recognise people in the wing mirrors and take steps according. It also helps in understanding when the pedestrians are crossing the road and the traffic lights are changing. Watch: Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain The robot Musashi can be seen as a significant step in the world of robotics and autonomous driving technology, which is still in the early stages of development. As of now, this robot is only capable of driving in a straight line and turning right and can only speed at just 3 mph. Kawaharazuka accepts that the robot is still not capable of driving and handling the car at a good speed which human drivers can do. Kawaharazuka said that there will be a time when robots like Musashi will work as versatile drivers. (With inputs from agencies)

A robotic chauffeur! Scientists develop robot which can drive regular cars

A new definition of what a planet is, has been proposed by planetary scientists to replace the one which already exists, and is seen as outdated and sun-centric by many experts.&nbsp;

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) had established the current definition in 2006 which says to qualify for a planet a celestial body needs to orbit the sun in our solar system.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the organisation which officially names objects present in space.

In an article, which is to be published in the Planetary Science Journal, the scientists have argued that there is a new definition needed for a planet, which includes celestial bodies unrestrained by the bounds of our solar system.&nbsp;

The proposal further speaks about adding quantitative criteria to give clarity to the definition of a planet. Currently, the paper is available&nbsp;on the&nbsp;arXiv&nbsp;preprint server.

UCLA professor of Earth, planetary and space sciences and of physics and astronomy and the article's lead author Jean-Luc Margot will be presenting the proposed new definition of the planet at the IAU General Assembly in August 2024.

According to the current definition, a planet refers to a celestial body which orbits the sun and is big enough for gravity to force it into a spherical shape and clear away other objects which are close to its orbit around the sun.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unknown-planet-lurking-in-our-solar-system-scientists-say-earth-may-have-a-new-neighbour-740531">Unknown planet lurking in our Solar System? Scientists say Earth may have a new neighbour</a>

"The current definition specifically mentions orbiting our sun. We now know about the existence of thousands of&nbsp;planets, but the IAU definition applies only to the ones in our solar system," said Margot.&nbsp;

"We propose a new definition that can be applied to celestial bodies that orbit any star, stellar remnant or brown dwarf," he added.

<h2>Why do authors want to redefine the planet?</h2>

The authors have argued although the requirement to orbit the Sun is very specific, the other criteria in the definition sanctioned by the IAU are vague.

The definition says that the planet has "cleared its orbit" without clearly saying what it means.

In the new definition, there is a quantifiable criterion which can be applied for defining planets which are mentioned inside and outside our solar system.

Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August

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Margot and co-authors Brett Gladman of the University of British Columbia and Tony Yang worked on a mathematical algorithm to understand how objects cluster together in our solar system.

In the analysis, it was found that the planets share distinct qualities in our solar system which can be used as a starting point to build a taxonomy for the planets.

"All the planets in our solar system are dynamically dominant, but other objects—including dwarf planets like Pluto and asteroids—are not. So this property can be included in the definition of planet," Margot said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new definition of what a planet is, has been proposed by planetary scientists to replace the one which already exists, and is seen as outdated and sun-centric by many experts.

A new definition of what a planet is, has been proposed by planetary scientists to replace the one which already exists, and is seen as outdated and sun-centric by many experts. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) had established the current definition in 2006 which says to qualify for a planet a celestial body needs to orbit the sun in our solar system. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the organisation which officially names objects present in space. In an article, which is to be published in the Planetary Science Journal, the scientists have argued that there is a new definition needed for a planet, which includes celestial bodies unrestrained by the bounds of our solar system. The proposal further speaks about adding quantitative criteria to give clarity to the definition of a planet. Currently, the paper is available on the arXiv preprint server. UCLA professor of Earth, planetary and space sciences and of physics and astronomy and the article's lead author Jean-Luc Margot will be presenting the proposed new definition of the planet at the IAU General Assembly in August 2024. According to the current definition, a planet refers to a celestial body which orbits the sun and is big enough for gravity to force it into a spherical shape and clear away other objects which are close to its orbit around the sun. Also Read: Unknown planet lurking in our Solar System? Scientists say Earth may have a new neighbour "The current definition specifically mentions orbiting our sun. We now know about the existence of thousands of planets, but the IAU definition applies only to the ones in our solar system," said Margot. "We propose a new definition that can be applied to celestial bodies that orbit any star, stellar remnant or brown dwarf," he added. Why do authors want to redefine the planet? The authors have argued although the requirement to orbit the Sun is very specific, the other criteria in the definition sanctioned by the IAU are vague. The definition says that the planet has "cleared its orbit" without clearly saying what it means. In the new definition, there is a quantifiable criterion which can be applied for defining planets which are mentioned inside and outside our solar system. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August Margot and co-authors Brett Gladman of the University of British Columbia and Tony Yang worked on a mathematical algorithm to understand how objects cluster together in our solar system. In the analysis, it was found that the planets share distinct qualities in our solar system which can be used as a starting point to build a taxonomy for the planets. "All the planets in our solar system are dynamically dominant, but other objects—including dwarf planets like Pluto and asteroids—are not. So this property can be included in the definition of planet," Margot said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists plan to revisit definition of planet but Pluto still remains out of list

The scientists for the first time created 3D brain models with the use of cells from multiple people.

The researchers have made these new hybrid creations, which are called "chimeroids". These tiny 3D models are variations of brain organoids which are made of tissue which are structured like a full-size brain and function in the same way.

These models are more accurate to human biology in comparison to 2D cellular models or animals such as lab mice. With the help of these models, scientists think that they can&nbsp;accelerate drug research and development.&nbsp;

Generally, brain organoids are grown from cells which are collected from only one donor. Such brain organoids don't capture the genetic variability which exists between people and have the potential to impact the brain development of individuals and their responses to drugs.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/brains-of-humans-go-through-significant-change-after-death-study-737176">Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study</a>

According to the scientists, who have carried out the new study, the creation of chimeroids will help overcome this hurdle. Such a "village in a dish" can especially be helpful in the early stages of drug testing, they stated.&nbsp;

Earlier, researchers have&nbsp;grown&nbsp;sheets of brain cells from the stem cells of various people, but this is the first time that the brain's 3D models have been grown this way.&nbsp;

"Chimeroids are an exciting tool that will be widely adopted in the field of neurodevelopment, probably with diverse applications," said&nbsp;Aparna Bhaduri, who is an assistant professor of biological chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, while commenting on the study.

<h2>How the chimeroids were grown by scientists?</h2>

The stem cells of five people were collected by the researchers to make the chimeroids and then growth-inducing chemicals were used in the lab to push the growth of brain organoids, each of which contained cells from just one person.

The resulting organoids were then torn by the scientists and recombined their cells to form chimeroids. With this, every chimeroid had an equal number of cells taken from each person.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain

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If it is filled with cells from even more people, these chimeroids can help determine how patients will respond to a new kind of drug before it goes for a clinical trial, stated the team.

"I'm excited about what the future holds in terms of using organoids, such as the chimeroids, to develop brand new ways to achieve therapeutic innovation for neurological disease,"&nbsp;said Paola Arlotta, co-senior study author and a professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University, while speaking to Live Science.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists for the first time created 3D brain models with the use of cells from multiple people. The researchers have made these new hybrid creations, which are called "chimeroids".

The scientists for the first time created 3D brain models with the use of cells from multiple people. The researchers have made these new hybrid creations, which are called "chimeroids". These tiny 3D models are variations of brain organoids which are made of tissue which are structured like a full-size brain and function in the same way. These models are more accurate to human biology in comparison to 2D cellular models or animals such as lab mice. With the help of these models, scientists think that they can accelerate drug research and development. Generally, brain organoids are grown from cells which are collected from only one donor. Such brain organoids don't capture the genetic variability which exists between people and have the potential to impact the brain development of individuals and their responses to drugs. Also Read: Brain of humans goes through significant change after death: Study According to the scientists, who have carried out the new study, the creation of chimeroids will help overcome this hurdle. Such a "village in a dish" can especially be helpful in the early stages of drug testing, they stated. Earlier, researchers have grown sheets of brain cells from the stem cells of various people, but this is the first time that the brain's 3D models have been grown this way. "Chimeroids are an exciting tool that will be widely adopted in the field of neurodevelopment, probably with diverse applications," said Aparna Bhaduri, who is an assistant professor of biological chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, while commenting on the study. How the chimeroids were grown by scientists? The stem cells of five people were collected by the researchers to make the chimeroids and then growth-inducing chemicals were used in the lab to push the growth of brain organoids, each of which contained cells from just one person. The resulting organoids were then torn by the scientists and recombined their cells to form chimeroids. With this, every chimeroid had an equal number of cells taken from each person. Watch: Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain If it is filled with cells from even more people, these chimeroids can help determine how patients will respond to a new kind of drug before it goes for a clinical trial, stated the team. "I'm excited about what the future holds in terms of using organoids, such as the chimeroids, to develop brand new ways to achieve therapeutic innovation for neurological disease," said Paola Arlotta, co-senior study author and a professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University, while speaking to Live Science. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists for the first time use cells of multiple people to create 'minibrains'

In what is the most significant commercial space sector partnership between India and Australia, the Indian Space Agency would be launching a satellite built by an Australian firm. Interestingly, this mission 'Space MAITRI' (Mission for Australia-India's Technology, Research and Innovation) would be performed by India's smallest and newest rocket SSLV, and the passenger would be Australia's biggest satellite the 450kg 'Optimus'. The commercial pact for this launch, scheduled to take place in 2026, has been made between ISRO's commercial arm - NewSpace India Limited(NSIL) and the Australian firm Space Machines Company.&nbsp;

The Optimus satellite is a unique piece of hardware, which is meant to perform in-orbit inspection of other satellites and even perform certain kinds of repair work. "Once Optimus gets into earth orbit, it will put itself in park-mode, and await its next mission. If any satellite in orbit breaks down, the operators(of the broken down satellite) will call Space Machines, who will then move Optimus towards the broken down satellite, inspect it and diagnose the issue," Space Machines Company says.&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alma-telescope-sheds-light-on-planet-formation-around-binary-stars-735025">&nbsp;ALMA telescope sheds light on planet formation around binary stars</a>

Based on the inspection performed by Optimus, the operators of the malfunctioning satellite can be made aware of the exact technical issues faced by the craft. As this technology further evolves, Optimus satellites can also perform in-orbit repairs, refuelling, and even safe disposal of satellites that have completed their life cycle. By performing repairs and re-fuelling of satellites, it is possible to considerably extend the operational life of satellites and reduce the rapid proliferation of space debris.&nbsp;

"This collaboration with Space Machines Company exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation in space and highlights the strategic partnership between Australia and India," said Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director, NSIL. This mission marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Australia and India in the space domain, fostering closer ties between commercial, institutional, and governmental space organisations from both nations.

Watch:&nbsp;Japanese scientists create living robot skin with human cells

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"The Space MAITRI mission and our collaboration with NewSpace India Limited represents a significant leap forward for Australia's space industry. By combining our innovative spacecraft capabilities with India's proven launch expertise, we are not only strengthening the ties between our nations' space sectors but also demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable space operations," said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company.&nbsp;

The 'Space MAITRI' mission involves several Australian and Indian partner companies collaborating with Space Machines Company, including Digantara, Ananth Technologies, The University of Adelaide, The University of Sydney, The University of Technology Sydney, LeoLabs, Advanced Navigation, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). 
&nbsp;

In what is the most significant commercial space sector partnership between India and Australia, the Indian Space Agency would be launching a satellite built by an Australian firm.

In what is the most significant commercial space sector partnership between India and Australia, the Indian Space Agency would be launching a satellite built by an Australian firm. Interestingly, this mission 'Space MAITRI' (Mission for Australia-India's Technology, Research and Innovation) would be performed by India's smallest and newest rocket SSLV, and the passenger would be Australia's biggest satellite the 450kg 'Optimus'. The commercial pact for this launch, scheduled to take place in 2026, has been made between ISRO's commercial arm - NewSpace India Limited(NSIL) and the Australian firm Space Machines Company. The Optimus satellite is a unique piece of hardware, which is meant to perform in-orbit inspection of other satellites and even perform certain kinds of repair work. "Once Optimus gets into earth orbit, it will put itself in park-mode, and await its next mission. If any satellite in orbit breaks down, the operators(of the broken down satellite) will call Space Machines, who will then move Optimus towards the broken down satellite, inspect it and diagnose the issue," Space Machines Company says. Also Read: ALMA telescope sheds light on planet formation around binary stars Based on the inspection performed by Optimus, the operators of the malfunctioning satellite can be made aware of the exact technical issues faced by the craft. As this technology further evolves, Optimus satellites can also perform in-orbit repairs, refuelling, and even safe disposal of satellites that have completed their life cycle. By performing repairs and re-fuelling of satellites, it is possible to considerably extend the operational life of satellites and reduce the rapid proliferation of space debris. "This collaboration with Space Machines Company exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation in space and highlights the strategic partnership between Australia and India," said Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director, NSIL. This mission marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Australia and India in the space domain, fostering closer ties between commercial, institutional, and governmental space organisations from both nations. Watch: Japanese scientists create living robot skin with human cells "The Space MAITRI mission and our collaboration with NewSpace India Limited represents a significant leap forward for Australia's space industry. By combining our innovative spacecraft capabilities with India's proven launch expertise, we are not only strengthening the ties between our nations' space sectors but also demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable space operations," said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company. The 'Space MAITRI' mission involves several Australian and Indian partner companies collaborating with Space Machines Company, including Digantara, Ananth Technologies, The University of Adelaide, The University of Sydney, The University of Technology Sydney, LeoLabs, Advanced Navigation, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

Giant leap for Ind-Aus ties: ISRO to launch biggest Australian satellite

An entomologist Gerard Talavera while on a beach in French Guiana suddenly "saw something jumping in the sunlight.”&nbsp;“I couldn’t believe it, but it was a painted lady.”&nbsp;

The painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), who is not found in South America, was observed by Talavera. The butterfly reached there by completing one of the longest insect migrations ever recorded by crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Researchers from the University of Exeter, in collaboration with citizen scientists, have been closely monitoring the movements of painted lady butterflies. The results of their study, published in the journal Nature, reveal a truly astonishing migratory pattern.

Analysis of pollen on the butterflies' wings matched plants found only in West Africa, suggesting a transoceanic journey. Genetic sequencing and isotope tracing further confirmed the butterflies' origins were in Europe and Africa, ruling out that they had flown over land from North America.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-the-wind-on-earth-being-controlled-by-currents-at-the-edge-of-space-study-hints-so-735298">Is the wind on Earth being controlled by currents at the edge of space? Study hints so</a>

Combined with favorable wind data, this provided strong evidence for the first documented case of butterflies migrating across the ocean.

<h2>Spanning continents&nbsp;</h2>

The painted lady's migration begins in the deserts of North Africa, where the butterflies breed during the spring. As the summer approaches, they embark on a northward journey, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and reaching as far as the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.

This remarkable feat is made even more impressive by the fact that the journey is often completed by multiple generations of butterflies, with each generation passing the baton to the next.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alma-telescope-sheds-light-on-planet-formation-around-binary-stars-735025">ALMA telescope sheds light on planet formation around binary stars</a>

“This is a brilliant piece of biological detective work,” said an evolutionary ecologist at the City College of New York David Lohman, who was not involved in the study. &nbsp;

The painted lady's migration is not only long-distance but also highly responsive to environmental conditions. The researchers found that the butterflies are able to adjust their routes and timing based on factors such as weather patterns, resource availability, and even human-induced changes in the landscape.

Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset

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The study of the painted lady's migration has important implications for conservation efforts.

As a highly mobile species, the painted lady is vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss, climate change and the use of pesticides. Understanding the migratory behaviour can help inform strategies to protect this&nbsp;insect and the ecosystems it supports.

(With inputs from agencies)

An entomologist Gerard Talavera while on a beach in French Guiana suddenly "saw something jumping in the sunlight.” “I couldn’t believe it, but it was a painted lady.

An entomologist Gerard Talavera while on a beach in French Guiana suddenly "saw something jumping in the sunlight.” “I couldn’t believe it, but it was a painted lady.” The painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), who is not found in South America, was observed by Talavera. The butterfly reached there by completing one of the longest insect migrations ever recorded by crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers from the University of Exeter, in collaboration with citizen scientists, have been closely monitoring the movements of painted lady butterflies. The results of their study, published in the journal Nature, reveal a truly astonishing migratory pattern. Analysis of pollen on the butterflies' wings matched plants found only in West Africa, suggesting a transoceanic journey. Genetic sequencing and isotope tracing further confirmed the butterflies' origins were in Europe and Africa, ruling out that they had flown over land from North America. Also Read | Is the wind on Earth being controlled by currents at the edge of space? Study hints so Combined with favorable wind data, this provided strong evidence for the first documented case of butterflies migrating across the ocean. Spanning continents The painted lady's migration begins in the deserts of North Africa, where the butterflies breed during the spring. As the summer approaches, they embark on a northward journey, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and reaching as far as the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. This remarkable feat is made even more impressive by the fact that the journey is often completed by multiple generations of butterflies, with each generation passing the baton to the next. Also Read | ALMA telescope sheds light on planet formation around binary stars “This is a brilliant piece of biological detective work,” said an evolutionary ecologist at the City College of New York David Lohman, who was not involved in the study. The painted lady's migration is not only long-distance but also highly responsive to environmental conditions. The researchers found that the butterflies are able to adjust their routes and timing based on factors such as weather patterns, resource availability, and even human-induced changes in the landscape. Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset × The study of the painted lady's migration has important implications for conservation efforts. As a highly mobile species, the painted lady is vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss, climate change and the use of pesticides. Understanding the migratory behaviour can help inform strategies to protect this insect and the ecosystems it supports. (With inputs from agencies)

Painted lady butterflies defy the odds, first evidence shows it crossed an ocean

Some 20,000 people are bitten by snakes annually in Kenya, with an estimated 4,000 deaths and 7,000 cases of permanent health complications - according to the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) Kenya. Antivenoms are usually imported from other countries, but most are region-specific - meaning they do not work effectively in Kenya. Scientists are now working on developing local antivenoms to reduce deaths from snakebites.

Kenya: scientists race to develop local anti venom

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully genetically modified a plant closely related to tobacco to produce nutrients found in human breast milk. This breakthrough could revolutionise infant formula by providing a source of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).

HMOs are essential components of breast milk known to promote healthy gut bacteria in infants and offer immune system benefits. Current infant formulas lack these HMOs or include only a limited variety, which limits their health benefits compared to breastfeeding.

Dr Patrick Shih, leading the research, spoke on the potential impact of the study, “Imagine being able to make all the human milk oligosaccharides in a single plant. Then you could just grind up that plant, extract all the oligosaccharides simultaneously and add that directly into infant formula. There would be a lot of challenges in implementation and commercialisation, but this is the big goal that we’re trying to move toward.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-find-proof-of-biblical-battle-between-gods-angel-and-assyrian-soldiers-in-jerusalem-732394">A Biblical battle was fought 2,700 years ago in Jerusalem, and we now have proof</a>

"While 75pc&nbsp;of infants are supplemented with or exclusively fed infant formula in the first 6 months of life, current infant formulas are either devoid of HMOs or only contain one to two of the ~200 HMOs found in human milk, limiting the health outcomes of formula-fed infants," as per the study.&nbsp;

The study, published in Nature Food, involved reprogramming the plant's sugar-making machinery by inserting genes responsible for producing enzymes needed to create various HMOs.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-spot-ancient-star-which-happens-to-be-one-of-the-oldest-in-the-milky-way-732385">Maverick star, one of the oldest in Milky Way, spotted moving at insane speed</a>

This resulted in the production of 11 different HMOs, including LNFP1, associated with reducing infections in infants.

According to Dr Shih, this approach not only holds promise for improving infant formula but also for enhancing the nutritional profile of non-dairy plant milks for adults.

<h5>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pannun-murder-plot-accused-nikhil-gupta-extradited-to-us-from-czech-republic-732530">Pannun murder plot: Accused Nikhil Gupta extradited to US from Czech Republic</a></h5>

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The scalability and potential cost-effectiveness of plant-based production make it a promising alternative to current methods, which involve microbial fermentation and are limited in scope.

Dr Shih also stressed the broader implications of the study.

“This could enable not just improved plant-based milks for infants but also for many other facets of adult diet and health. Plants have already been engineered to produce oils and fatty acids that are better for our health. These are just a few of a growing list of ways we can start making designer plants that are tailored to improve human health.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully genetically modified a plant closely related to tobacco to produce nutrients found in human breast milk.

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully genetically modified a plant closely related to tobacco to produce nutrients found in human breast milk. This breakthrough could revolutionise infant formula by providing a source of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are essential components of breast milk known to promote healthy gut bacteria in infants and offer immune system benefits. Current infant formulas lack these HMOs or include only a limited variety, which limits their health benefits compared to breastfeeding. Dr Patrick Shih, leading the research, spoke on the potential impact of the study, “Imagine being able to make all the human milk oligosaccharides in a single plant. Then you could just grind up that plant, extract all the oligosaccharides simultaneously and add that directly into infant formula. There would be a lot of challenges in implementation and commercialisation, but this is the big goal that we’re trying to move toward.” Also Read | A Biblical battle was fought 2,700 years ago in Jerusalem, and we now have proof "While 75pc of infants are supplemented with or exclusively fed infant formula in the first 6 months of life, current infant formulas are either devoid of HMOs or only contain one to two of the ~200 HMOs found in human milk, limiting the health outcomes of formula-fed infants," as per the study. The study, published in Nature Food, involved reprogramming the plant's sugar-making machinery by inserting genes responsible for producing enzymes needed to create various HMOs. Also Read | Maverick star, one of the oldest in Milky Way, spotted moving at insane speed This resulted in the production of 11 different HMOs, including LNFP1, associated with reducing infections in infants. According to Dr Shih, this approach not only holds promise for improving infant formula but also for enhancing the nutritional profile of non-dairy plant milks for adults. Watch | Pannun murder plot: Accused Nikhil Gupta extradited to US from Czech Republic × The scalability and potential cost-effectiveness of plant-based production make it a promising alternative to current methods, which involve microbial fermentation and are limited in scope. Dr Shih also stressed the broader implications of the study. “This could enable not just improved plant-based milks for infants but also for many other facets of adult diet and health. Plants have already been engineered to produce oils and fatty acids that are better for our health. These are just a few of a growing list of ways we can start making designer plants that are tailored to improve human health.” (With inputs from agencies)

Infant formula revolution? Scientists modify tobacco-like plant to produce human breast milk nutrients

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for&nbsp;a long time.&nbsp; According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water.

The study suggests that scientists should spot the shadow of a planet against a former star which has withered in size but has its water oceans for billions of years even after facing all violent final throes.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nearly-a-trillion-earth-like-planets-exist-in-universe-nasa-on-hunt-to-find-if-we-are-not-alone-731671">Are we alone in the cosmos? NASA chief says a trillion Earth-like planets are out there</a>

Explaining the characteristics of the white dwarfs, the study's lead author and the University of Wisconsin–Madison astronomy professor Juliette Becker said, "White dwarfs are so small and so featureless, that if a terrestrial planet transited in front of them, you could actually do a much better job of characterizing its atmosphere."

"The planet's atmosphere would have a much larger, clearer signal because a larger fraction of the light you're seeing is passing through exactly what you want to study," he added.

<h2>Watery planets need to survive to host alien lives!</h2>

But for hosting any lives, such a planet needs to first survive the last days of a small- to medium-sized star, which is likely to be rough.

When the fuel of stars like our Sun is finished, it starts a fusion reaction at its core and they start to bulge enormously.

"There are two pulses, basically, during which the star grows to 100 times its normal radius. While it does that—we can call this part Destruction Phase No. 1—it will engulf any planets that are within that radius," said Becker.

If a water-harbouring planet escapes getting swallowed by its star, it has to then survive the loss of its mass and an increase in its brightness.

"The fact that the star gets so much brighter means that all planets in the system, even ones that used to be cold in the outer solar system, will suddenly have their surface temperatures increase drastically," said Becker. "That can evaporate their oceans and cost them a lot of water," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Earth's inner core rotation slowing down; deceleration of core confirmed: study

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A perfect Earth-like planet will likely be present at least roughly 5 to 6 astronomical units away from its dying star for retaining an appreciable amount of water, as per the study

After a billion or more years, the planet's once-rampaging star is likely to shrink and cool. "If you can be sufficiently far away during this dangerous time that you don't lose your surface water, that's good," said Becker.&nbsp;

"But the downside is you're going to be so far away from the star that all the water is going to be ice, and that's not great for life," he added.&nbsp;

"If we find a lot of&nbsp;white dwarfs&nbsp;that are good candidates to host potentially habitable exoplanets, they could be worth the time. And these theoretical techniques will help us separate the best targets, so we don't spend too much time on the uninteresting ones," explained the author.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for a long time. According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water.

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for a long time. According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water. The study suggests that scientists should spot the shadow of a planet against a former star which has withered in size but has its water oceans for billions of years even after facing all violent final throes. Also Read: Are we alone in the cosmos? NASA chief says a trillion Earth-like planets are out there Explaining the characteristics of the white dwarfs, the study's lead author and the University of Wisconsin–Madison astronomy professor Juliette Becker said, "White dwarfs are so small and so featureless, that if a terrestrial planet transited in front of them, you could actually do a much better job of characterizing its atmosphere." "The planet's atmosphere would have a much larger, clearer signal because a larger fraction of the light you're seeing is passing through exactly what you want to study," he added. Watery planets need to survive to host alien lives! But for hosting any lives, such a planet needs to first survive the last days of a small- to medium-sized star, which is likely to be rough. When the fuel of stars like our Sun is finished, it starts a fusion reaction at its core and they start to bulge enormously. "There are two pulses, basically, during which the star grows to 100 times its normal radius. While it does that—we can call this part Destruction Phase No. 1—it will engulf any planets that are within that radius," said Becker. If a water-harbouring planet escapes getting swallowed by its star, it has to then survive the loss of its mass and an increase in its brightness. "The fact that the star gets so much brighter means that all planets in the system, even ones that used to be cold in the outer solar system, will suddenly have their surface temperatures increase drastically," said Becker. "That can evaporate their oceans and cost them a lot of water," he added. Watch: Earth's inner core rotation slowing down; deceleration of core confirmed: study A perfect Earth-like planet will likely be present at least roughly 5 to 6 astronomical units away from its dying star for retaining an appreciable amount of water, as per the study After a billion or more years, the planet's once-rampaging star is likely to shrink and cool. "If you can be sufficiently far away during this dangerous time that you don't lose your surface water, that's good," said Becker. "But the downside is you're going to be so far away from the star that all the water is going to be ice, and that's not great for life," he added. "If we find a lot of white dwarfs that are good candidates to host potentially habitable exoplanets, they could be worth the time. And these theoretical techniques will help us separate the best targets, so we don't spend too much time on the uninteresting ones," explained the author. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say watery planets orbiting dead stars may be hosting alien life

Several Russian physicists have been charged with treason and are being imprisoned in their own country. Critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin believe that these cases have been opened to satisfy the president's ego. Watch this story for more details.

Gravitas: Why are top physicists in Russia being jailed?

A cutting-edge quantum technology tool has been created by NASA scientists to hunt for “water worlds” which are likely hiding in our solar system.

The presence of water in different forms in our cosmic neighbourhood is one of the most intriguing aspects of space.

However, scientists are not just fascinated with the existence of water but also the liquid water's potential to harbour life beyond Earth.&nbsp;

NASA’s&nbsp;Jet Propulsion Laboratory researcher Dr Hannes Kraus said, “Novel quantum sensors not only enable new science, but also offer the chance to downscale former flagship-class instrumentation to a size and cost allowing flagship-class science on CubeSat-class platforms.”

<h2>Hunt for life in liquid water</h2>

The key to the chances of existence of extraterrestrial life is hidden in the liquid water in space.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/storms-on-jupiter-powered-by-processes-similar-to-those-on-earth-study-729495">Storms on Jupiter powered by processes similar to those on Earth: Study</a>

The mantra “Follow the Water” has been used&nbsp;for a long time by astrobiologists in their search for life beyond Earth.&nbsp;

In the quest for water, scientists have focused on the icy moons of gas and ice giants in our solar system, like Saturn’s&nbsp;Enceladus and Jupiter’s&nbsp;Europa.&nbsp;

It is believed that these moons harbour vast subsurface oceans which is beneath their thick ice crusts. This existence of subsurface oceans has made them compelling targets for future missions.

However, it is a tough challenge for scientists to penetrate these icy shells using conventional remote-sensing instruments like cameras and radar.&nbsp;

The scientists need to depend on other techniques till they start sending landers or rovers which can either melt or drill through the ice for detecting the hidden water bodies.

<h2>What is magnetometry?&nbsp;</h2>

Magnetometry has emerged as a promising method to detect subsurface oceans.&nbsp;The magnetic fields can penetrate any solid material and give valuable insights regarding the interior of planet-sized bodies.

Solid-state quantum magnetometers have shown the groundbreaking advancement achieved in the field of magnetometry.

Watch:&nbsp;Strongest sign of alien found: The search for life beyond earth

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The instruments can provide competitive sensitivities while at the same time boasting reduced power requirements, smaller size and lower weight, in comparison to traditional magnetometers.

The solid-state quantum magnetometers also have unique quantum advantages, such as self-calibration through spin-nuclear quantum interaction. This helps them compensate for drifts over time.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A cutting-edge quantum technology tool has been created by NASA scientists to hunt for “water worlds” which are likely hiding in our solar system. The presence of water in different forms in our cosmic neighbourhood is one of the most intriguing aspects of space.

A cutting-edge quantum technology tool has been created by NASA scientists to hunt for “water worlds” which are likely hiding in our solar system. The presence of water in different forms in our cosmic neighbourhood is one of the most intriguing aspects of space. However, scientists are not just fascinated with the existence of water but also the liquid water's potential to harbour life beyond Earth. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory researcher Dr Hannes Kraus said, “Novel quantum sensors not only enable new science, but also offer the chance to downscale former flagship-class instrumentation to a size and cost allowing flagship-class science on CubeSat-class platforms.” Hunt for life in liquid water The key to the chances of existence of extraterrestrial life is hidden in the liquid water in space. Also Read: Storms on Jupiter powered by processes similar to those on Earth: Study The mantra “Follow the Water” has been used for a long time by astrobiologists in their search for life beyond Earth. In the quest for water, scientists have focused on the icy moons of gas and ice giants in our solar system, like Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa. It is believed that these moons harbour vast subsurface oceans which is beneath their thick ice crusts. This existence of subsurface oceans has made them compelling targets for future missions. However, it is a tough challenge for scientists to penetrate these icy shells using conventional remote-sensing instruments like cameras and radar. The scientists need to depend on other techniques till they start sending landers or rovers which can either melt or drill through the ice for detecting the hidden water bodies. What is magnetometry? Magnetometry has emerged as a promising method to detect subsurface oceans. The magnetic fields can penetrate any solid material and give valuable insights regarding the interior of planet-sized bodies. Solid-state quantum magnetometers have shown the groundbreaking advancement achieved in the field of magnetometry. Watch: Strongest sign of alien found: The search for life beyond earth The instruments can provide competitive sensitivities while at the same time boasting reduced power requirements, smaller size and lower weight, in comparison to traditional magnetometers. The solid-state quantum magnetometers also have unique quantum advantages, such as self-calibration through spin-nuclear quantum interaction. This helps them compensate for drifts over time. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA develops breakthrough technology to hunt for habitable ‘water worlds’

The strange and lesser-known world of oceans has always remained a place of mystery for scientists. Now, a newfound collection of rarely-seen and alien-looking species&nbsp;lurking on the seafloor, has left the scientists dumbfounded.

The marine scientists, who were researching the Clarion-Clipperton Zone&nbsp;of the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii,&nbsp;found marine animals&nbsp;which were never seen before.&nbsp;

These creatures have been living a very different and unknown life which was covered by the permanent darkness of the abyssopelagic.

"These areas are the Earth's least explored. It's estimated that only one out of ten animal species living down here has been described by science,"&nbsp;said marine ecologist Thomas Dahlgren&nbsp;of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, as reported by Science Alert.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unusual-slow-spinning-radio-signal-from-space-breaks-all-rules-astronomers-puzzled-729614">Scientists hunting for origin of radio signal from deep space that flashes for an hour</a>

"This is one of the very few cases where researchers can be involved in discovering new species and ecosystems in the same way as they did in the 18th century. It's very exciting," the ecologist added.

The creatures were spotted by the scientists after a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was sent in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone between 3,500 and 5,500 meters (11,480 and 18,045 feet) by the UK National Oceanography Centre's Seabed Mining And Resilience To EXperimental impact (SMARTEX) mission.

<h2>How the organisms are surviving on the abyssal seafloor?</h2>

Most of the organisms surviving on the abyssal seafloor depend on organic matter which rains down from the higher ocean strata for food. This phenomenon is called marine snow.

In this research, a major spectacular discovery was a transparent sea cucumber which had the nickname 'unicumber' and belonged to the family&nbsp;Elpidiidae.

"These sea cucumbers were some of the largest animals found on this expedition,"&nbsp;explained Dahlgren.&nbsp;

"They act as ocean floor vacuum cleaners, and specialize in finding sediment that has passed through the least number of stomachs," he added.

Watch: Scientists unveil Black Hole's plunge, bizarre region around black holes found

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-unveil-black-holes-plunge-bizarre-region-around-black-holes-found-722629/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Other creatures found were a delicate glass sponge, a cup-shaped filter&nbsp;feeder, a&nbsp;tanaid crustacean, sea stars, corals, and anemones, as well as a spectacular Barbie-pink sea pig.

The researchers explored that part of the area of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone which is used for deep-sea mining and will have a devastating impact on marine habitats.

"The lack of food causes individuals to live far apart, but the species richness in the area is surprisingly high. We see many exciting specialised adaptations among the animals in these areas,"&nbsp;Dahlgren said.

"We need to know more about this environment to be able to protect the species living here. Today, 30 per cent of these marine areas in consideration are protected, and we need to know whether this is enough to ensure that these species aren't at risk of extinction," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The strange and lesser-known world of oceans has always remained a place of mystery for scientists. Now, a newfound collection of rarely-seen and alien-looking species lurking on the seafloor, has left the scientists dumbfounded.

The strange and lesser-known world of oceans has always remained a place of mystery for scientists. Now, a newfound collection of rarely-seen and alien-looking species lurking on the seafloor, has left the scientists dumbfounded. The marine scientists, who were researching the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii, found marine animals which were never seen before. These creatures have been living a very different and unknown life which was covered by the permanent darkness of the abyssopelagic. "These areas are the Earth's least explored. It's estimated that only one out of ten animal species living down here has been described by science," said marine ecologist Thomas Dahlgren of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, as reported by Science Alert. Also Read: Scientists hunting for origin of radio signal from deep space that flashes for an hour "This is one of the very few cases where researchers can be involved in discovering new species and ecosystems in the same way as they did in the 18th century. It's very exciting," the ecologist added. The creatures were spotted by the scientists after a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was sent in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone between 3,500 and 5,500 meters (11,480 and 18,045 feet) by the UK National Oceanography Centre's Seabed Mining And Resilience To EXperimental impact (SMARTEX) mission. How the organisms are surviving on the abyssal seafloor? Most of the organisms surviving on the abyssal seafloor depend on organic matter which rains down from the higher ocean strata for food. This phenomenon is called marine snow. In this research, a major spectacular discovery was a transparent sea cucumber which had the nickname 'unicumber' and belonged to the family Elpidiidae. "These sea cucumbers were some of the largest animals found on this expedition," explained Dahlgren. "They act as ocean floor vacuum cleaners, and specialize in finding sediment that has passed through the least number of stomachs," he added. Watch: Scientists unveil Black Hole's plunge, bizarre region around black holes found Other creatures found were a delicate glass sponge, a cup-shaped filter feeder, a tanaid crustacean, sea stars, corals, and anemones, as well as a spectacular Barbie-pink sea pig. The researchers explored that part of the area of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone which is used for deep-sea mining and will have a devastating impact on marine habitats. "The lack of food causes individuals to live far apart, but the species richness in the area is surprisingly high. We see many exciting specialised adaptations among the animals in these areas," Dahlgren said. "We need to know more about this environment to be able to protect the species living here. Today, 30 per cent of these marine areas in consideration are protected, and we need to know whether this is enough to ensure that these species aren't at risk of extinction," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists for first time spot alien-type creatures living in darkest depths of our ocean

Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser to the United Kingdom government, said that the nation is not ready for another pandemic, which is "absolutely inevitable". Watch in for more details!

UK Scientist terms future pandemic as 'inevitable,' asks Britain to be better prepared

In a shocking discovery, scientists have now found microplastics in human testicles. The researchers at the University of New Mexico studied the testicular tissues covered by humans and dogs and found the presence of microplastics in every sample.

In a shocking discovery, scientists have now found microplastics in human testicles. The researchers at the University of New Mexico studied the testicular tissues covered by humans and dogs and found the presence of microplastics in every sample. However, microplastics were found to be three times higher in humans in comparison to dogs. In the examination, the scientists found an average of 329.44 micrograms of microplastics per gram of tissue in people and 122.63 microgrammes in canines. Also Read: Practice makes a person almost perfect, science confirms Microplastics may be impacting male fertility: study The study not only emphasised how plastic pollution is now entering every part of our body but also raised concerns regarding how these microscopic fragments may impact male fertility. Speaking to Science Alert, Environmental health scientist Xiaozhong Yu from the University of New Mexico said, "At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could penetrate the reproductive system. When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans." The researchers identified 12 different types of microplastics, among which the one which was found in abundance in both dogs and humans, was polyethylene (PE). Polyethylene is used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles and bags. The researchers were not able to test human tissue for sperm count, however, they checked the canine samples. In the canine samples, the scientists found higher levels of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic which is related to a lower sperm count in the animals. With this discovery, the scientists found that plastics may be contributing to decreasing sperm count worldwide. Watch: Scientists unveil Black Hole's plunge, bizarre region around black holes found "The plastic makes a difference – what type of plastic might be correlated with potential function," Yu said. "PVC can release a lot of chemicals that interfere with spermatogenesis and it contains chemicals that cause endocrine disruption," he added. The researchers now wish to compare canine and human testes since there are many biological similarities between our species, and that of canines. "We don't want to scare people. We want to scientifically provide the data and make people aware there are a lot of microplastics," said Yu. "We can make our own choices to better avoid exposures, change our lifestyle and change our behaviour," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists baffled after discovery of microplastics in human testicles. Here's why you should be worried

The scientists in the South Pacific captured rare footage of a deep sea-hooked squid. The squid was seen wrapping its arm around a sinking camera it had mistaken for a prey.

Rare bright bioluminescent squid filmed by scientists

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