In a new find, a study has revealed that thousands of years old brains can turn into valuable scientific resources and provide clues to our past.&nbsp;

The new study looked into the catalogued human brains, which were found on the archaeological record across the world, and discovered that the organ was actually resisting decomposition, even though the soft tissues in the rest of the body melted away.

A team of scientists, headed by the University of Oxford's molecular taphonomist Alexandra Morton-Hayward, identified more than 4,400 preserved human brains which are approximately 12,000 years old. &nbsp;

The results of the study have contradicted the earlier belief that the human brain is among the body's first organs which decay after death.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-discover-long-lost-5000-year-old-copper-age-cemetery-in-italy-695861">Archaeologists discover long-lost 5,000-year-old copper age cemetery in Italy</a>

<h2>Discovery of the preserved human brain to reveal evolutionary history?&nbsp;</h2>

According to the experts, the discovery of the preserved human brain has opened an archive sifting through which they can get a better understanding of the evolutionary history and can also identify the diseases which can afflict us.

"In the forensic field, it's well-known that the brain is one of the first organs to decompose after death – yet this huge archive clearly demonstrates that there are certain circumstances in which it survives," said Morton-Hayward.

"Whether those circumstances are environmental, or related to the brain's unique biochemistry, is the focus of our ongoing and future work. We're finding amazing numbers and types of ancient biomolecules preserved in these archaeological brains, and it's exciting to explore all that they can tell us about life and death in our ancestors," he added.&nbsp;

The soft tissue's archaeological preservation after a body dies (and is not artificially preserved through freezing or embalming) is a rare occurrence.

Studies of experimental decay have shown that the brain is among the first organs which succumb to decomposition.

Watch: Gravitas: Study reveals that intermittent fasting can lead to heart problems

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Hence, the human brain's preservation in a body where even the bones have decayed is an incredibly rare phenomenon, which is of a kind occurrence.&nbsp;

Morton-Hayward, along with her colleagues, to understand how rare the find is embarked on a search for preserved human brains across the world.

"The archive compiled here represents the first step toward a comprehensive, systematic investigation of ancient brains beyond approximately 12,000 years before the present, and is essential to maximizing the molecular and morphological information they yield as the most metabolically active organ in the body, and among the most commonly preserved soft tissues," wrote the authors, in their paper.

"Ancient brains may provide new and unique paleobiological insights, helping us to better understand the history of major neurological disorders, ancient cognition and behaviour, and the evolution of nervous tissues and their functions," they added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new find, a study has revealed that thousands of years old brains can turn into valuable scientific resources and provide clues to our past. The new study looked into the catalogued human brains, which were found on the archaeological record across the world, and discovered that the organ was actually resisting decomposition, even though the soft tissues in the rest of the body melted away.

In a new find, a study has revealed that thousands of years old brains can turn into valuable scientific resources and provide clues to our past. The new study looked into the catalogued human brains, which were found on the archaeological record across the world, and discovered that the organ was actually resisting decomposition, even though the soft tissues in the rest of the body melted away. A team of scientists, headed by the University of Oxford's molecular taphonomist Alexandra Morton-Hayward, identified more than 4,400 preserved human brains which are approximately 12,000 years old. The results of the study have contradicted the earlier belief that the human brain is among the body's first organs which decay after death. Also Read: Archaeologists discover long-lost 5,000-year-old copper age cemetery in Italy Discovery of the preserved human brain to reveal evolutionary history? According to the experts, the discovery of the preserved human brain has opened an archive sifting through which they can get a better understanding of the evolutionary history and can also identify the diseases which can afflict us. "In the forensic field, it's well-known that the brain is one of the first organs to decompose after death – yet this huge archive clearly demonstrates that there are certain circumstances in which it survives," said Morton-Hayward. "Whether those circumstances are environmental, or related to the brain's unique biochemistry, is the focus of our ongoing and future work. We're finding amazing numbers and types of ancient biomolecules preserved in these archaeological brains, and it's exciting to explore all that they can tell us about life and death in our ancestors," he added. The soft tissue's archaeological preservation after a body dies (and is not artificially preserved through freezing or embalming) is a rare occurrence. Studies of experimental decay have shown that the brain is among the first organs which succumb to decomposition. Watch: Gravitas: Study reveals that intermittent fasting can lead to heart problems Hence, the human brain's preservation in a body where even the bones have decayed is an incredibly rare phenomenon, which is of a kind occurrence. Morton-Hayward, along with her colleagues, to understand how rare the find is embarked on a search for preserved human brains across the world. "The archive compiled here represents the first step toward a comprehensive, systematic investigation of ancient brains beyond approximately 12,000 years before the present, and is essential to maximizing the molecular and morphological information they yield as the most metabolically active organ in the body, and among the most commonly preserved soft tissues," wrote the authors, in their paper. "Ancient brains may provide new and unique paleobiological insights, helping us to better understand the history of major neurological disorders, ancient cognition and behaviour, and the evolution of nervous tissues and their functions," they added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find 12,000-year-old preserved human brains resisting decomposition

The scientists, four years after collecting the sample from asteroid Bennu with the help of NASA's OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft, finally found the space rock's intriguing composition.

The scientists, four years after collecting the sample from asteroid Bennu with the help of NASA's OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft, finally found the space rock's intriguing composition. Scientists have found that the near-Earth asteroid has a surprising reservoir of a mineral, which is known as magnesium phosphate. As per the scientists, the bright-white particles, which were sprinkled in a sea of the asteroid's dark rocks are a rare discovery in astromaterials. "It's no surprise that we initially thought this might be a contaminant," said Jessica Barnes, who is an assistant professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) and has been leading the sample's phosphate analysis, as reported by Live Science. Also Read: James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past Barnes, while speaking at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) in Texas, said that no good chemical analogues of the mineral are present on Earth, either because it vanishes soon or since they have rarely survived on the Earth after the fall. Here's what analysis tells about parent body of asteroid Bennu The presence of minerals in Bennu's sample can be used for inferring different episodes of geologic activity on the parent body of asteroid Bennu. The scientists, in the sample, also found the widespread presence of glycine, which is the simplest amino acid and an important ingredient of proteins, along with other water-bearing minerals which include magnetite, sulfites, olivine and carbonates, which are tangible evidence to prove that the parent body of Bennu witnessed multiple water-related episodes before its fragments intermingled into Bennu. While studying the extraterrestrial bounty, other scientists also discovered abundant water-altered compounds known as phyllosilicates, along with a rich collection of other hydrated and organic minerals. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission scooped the sample from asteroid Bennu in 2020 and it came back to Earth in a protected capsule on September 24, 2023. After a day, the sample was sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston for analysis, where a "tiger team" of scientists started the material's preliminary investigation, which had leaked outside the sample collector of the spacecraft. It was also reported by the mission team that the stones catalogued had different types of textures and hydrated minerals and proof for space weathering, which is expected from an airless, eons-old rock. Natural History Museum in London's planetary scientist Sara Russell, after studying a small fragment of the sample, said, "It's a beautiful sample. Also, I would say it's not quite like any meteorite in our collection." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover building blocks of life and minerals in asteroid Bennu’s particles. This means...

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth.&nbsp;

The signals hinted at the particles being astrophysical tau neutrinos which act as important messengers between humans and powerful celestial events.

The neutrinos, which are mass-less and charge-less particles blast across the cosmos at the speed of light. Due to those parameters, the neutrinos do not interact with anything.&nbsp;

Nearly 100 trillion of such neutrinos pass through the human body every second. Because of this, the neutrinos have been nicknamed "ghost particles."

The high-energy neutrinos which are released from cosmic sources at the Milky Way's edge are&nbsp;known as "astrophysical neutrinos". There are three types of them: Electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-oldest-dead-galaxy-ever-found-in-our-universe-697623">Scientists discover oldest 'dead' galaxy ever found in our universe</a>

These kinds&nbsp;of phantom particles are very elusive and it is the mission of IceCube to nail them down.&nbsp;

The astrophysical neutrinos were first detected by the observatory in 2013.

"The detection of seven candidate tau neutrino events in the data, combined with the very low amount of expected background, allows us to claim that it is highly unlikely that backgrounds are conspiring to produce seven tau neutrino imposters," said Doug Cowen, study co-leader and professor of physics at Penn State University, in a statement.

&nbsp;"The discovery of astrophysical tau neutrinos also provides a strong confirmation of IceCube’s earlier discovery of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>IceCube uses digital optical modules for detecting neutrinos&nbsp;</h2>

IceCube has been using a string of golden globes, known as digital optical modules, or DOMs, which are embedded in ice for detecting neutrinos which pass through the Earth.

Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole

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The observatory in total has 5,160 DOMs which are buried deep within Antarctic ice and they are waiting for the interaction of neutrinos with molecules in the ice for the production of the charged particles.&nbsp;

If scientists are able to understand neutrino oscillations, it will help them determine how these ghost particles get generated and what events forced them to hurtle through space.

"All in all, this exciting discovery comes with the intriguing possibility of leveraging tau neutrinos to uncover new physics," Cowen said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth.

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth. The signals hinted at the particles being astrophysical tau neutrinos which act as important messengers between humans and powerful celestial events. The neutrinos, which are mass-less and charge-less particles blast across the cosmos at the speed of light. Due to those parameters, the neutrinos do not interact with anything. Nearly 100 trillion of such neutrinos pass through the human body every second. Because of this, the neutrinos have been nicknamed "ghost particles." The high-energy neutrinos which are released from cosmic sources at the Milky Way's edge are known as "astrophysical neutrinos". There are three types of them: Electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos. Also Read: Scientists discover oldest 'dead' galaxy ever found in our universe These kinds of phantom particles are very elusive and it is the mission of IceCube to nail them down. The astrophysical neutrinos were first detected by the observatory in 2013. "The detection of seven candidate tau neutrino events in the data, combined with the very low amount of expected background, allows us to claim that it is highly unlikely that backgrounds are conspiring to produce seven tau neutrino imposters," said Doug Cowen, study co-leader and professor of physics at Penn State University, in a statement. "The discovery of astrophysical tau neutrinos also provides a strong confirmation of IceCube’s earlier discovery of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux," he added. IceCube uses digital optical modules for detecting neutrinos IceCube has been using a string of golden globes, known as digital optical modules, or DOMs, which are embedded in ice for detecting neutrinos which pass through the Earth. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole The observatory in total has 5,160 DOMs which are buried deep within Antarctic ice and they are waiting for the interaction of neutrinos with molecules in the ice for the production of the charged particles. If scientists are able to understand neutrino oscillations, it will help them determine how these ghost particles get generated and what events forced them to hurtle through space. "All in all, this exciting discovery comes with the intriguing possibility of leveraging tau neutrinos to uncover new physics," Cowen said. (With inputs from agencies)

Seven 'ghost particles' pierce through Earth, get captured by IceCube observatory at South Pole

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth.&nbsp;

The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it.&nbsp;

The event took place in the active star-birthing galaxy NGC 3799 which is constellation of Leo and is 160 million light-years away from Earth.

The scientists, who were from the&nbsp;Hawaii&nbsp;Institute for Astronomy, spotted the stellar murder which is called a tidal disruption event (TDE).&nbsp;

It was spotted when the barred spiral galaxy's sudden brightening and rapid fading occurred within it. The All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) system saw the death of the star on February 22, 2023.&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-supermassive-black-holes-weigh-28-billion-times-more-than-sun-scientists-695825">&nbsp;Two supermassive black holes weigh 28 billion times more than sun: Scientists</a>

In a statement, research co-leader Willem Hoogendam said, "While black holes destroying stars have been seen before, this is the first one we have seen this close using visible light."

"This could give us a much better understanding of how&nbsp;supermassive black holes grow and collect material around them," he added.

<h2>Discovery of TDE close to Earth a rare phenomenon</h2>

The tidal disruption events (TDEx) take place when stars come very close to supermassive black holes which are present in the hearts of all large galaxies and are as heavy as millions or billions of suns.&nbsp;

The immense gravitational forces of these black holes create huge tidal forces which stretch the stars horizontally as well as vertically.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole

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The stars then break down into stellar material which are wrapped around by supermassive black holes. This process is called "spaghettification".

The supermassive black hole eventually feeds every destroyed star. The destruction of stars and their devouring generate extremely bright flares which are visible from Earth, with the help of instruments.

Although these events are very common, discovering TDEs in close proximity to the Earth is rare. The scientists will now investigate TDE in NGC 3799, which is designated ASASSN-23bd.

"This discovery suggests that black holes ripping stars apart nearby could be more common than previously thought — we just haven’t witnessed it happening frequently," Hoogendam said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth. The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it.

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth. The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it. The event took place in the active star-birthing galaxy NGC 3799 which is constellation of Leo and is 160 million light-years away from Earth. The scientists, who were from the Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, spotted the stellar murder which is called a tidal disruption event (TDE). It was spotted when the barred spiral galaxy's sudden brightening and rapid fading occurred within it. The All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) system saw the death of the star on February 22, 2023. Also Read: Two supermassive black holes weigh 28 billion times more than sun: Scientists In a statement, research co-leader Willem Hoogendam said, "While black holes destroying stars have been seen before, this is the first one we have seen this close using visible light." "This could give us a much better understanding of how supermassive black holes grow and collect material around them," he added. Discovery of TDE close to Earth a rare phenomenon The tidal disruption events (TDEx) take place when stars come very close to supermassive black holes which are present in the hearts of all large galaxies and are as heavy as millions or billions of suns. The immense gravitational forces of these black holes create huge tidal forces which stretch the stars horizontally as well as vertically. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole The stars then break down into stellar material which are wrapped around by supermassive black holes. This process is called "spaghettification". The supermassive black hole eventually feeds every destroyed star. The destruction of stars and their devouring generate extremely bright flares which are visible from Earth, with the help of instruments. Although these events are very common, discovering TDEs in close proximity to the Earth is rare. The scientists will now investigate TDE in NGC 3799, which is designated ASASSN-23bd. "This discovery suggests that black holes ripping stars apart nearby could be more common than previously thought — we just haven’t witnessed it happening frequently," Hoogendam said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot black hole devouring star at close proximity to Earth

A 'great swarm' of earthquakes was detected by the scientists off the coast of Washington, as they calculated that as many as 200 tremors may have hit in one hour on a single day.

The University of Washington's geologists said that the earthquakes can lead to the eruption of the Juan de Ruca Ridge volcano in a few weeks or years, however, the effects on Earth will most probably be mild and not have much impact.&nbsp;

The underwater volcano is located more than 16,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean and nearly 150 miles off the coast of Washington.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-new-year-earthquake-tokyo-to-spend-additional-660-million-in-rebuilding-affected-areas-693760">Japan New Year earthquake: Tokyo to spend additional $660 million in rebuilding affected areas</a>

Since more than a thousand tiny quakes have been detected in a day, this is the highest number of activity detected at the site since 2005 and the scientists claimed that the volcano can soon erupt.

The team claimed that the data which will be collected when the eruption of the volcano takes place will reveal&nbsp;how the crust of the Earth is formed over time by cooled magma.&nbsp;

The real-time monitoring network of the group on March 6 detected the earthquakes and registered a 4.1 magnitude.&nbsp;

<h2>Scientists hint at 'impending magmatic rupture' possibility&nbsp;</h2>

As per Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), frequent quakes will occur on multiple days after the 'great swarm' of earthquakes.&nbsp;

The Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) collected the data for researchers to study. The research group said that the increase in quakes indicated a possible 'impending magmatic rupture'.&nbsp;

A magmatic rupture takes place when Earth's crust splits open and molten rock comes out.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Kolkata Metro: PM Modi inaugurates India's first underwater tunnel

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A marine seismology PhD candidate at the University of Washington Zoe Krauss said that this is a natural phenomenon which can form a new ocean floor.

In the case of an eruption of Juan de Fuca Ridge, the rupture will take place because of the pulling apart of two plates from one another and will open a&nbsp;giant crack from which magma will flow out at about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a statement released by ONC, President and CEO Kate Moran said, "No one should be alarmed about this great swarm of earthquakes. They are far offshore and cause no danger. Rather, the data are exciting to the science community and certainly not menacing."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A 'great swarm' of earthquakes was detected by the scientists off the coast of Washington, as they calculated that as many as 200 tremors may have hit in one hour on a single day.

A 'great swarm' of earthquakes was detected by the scientists off the coast of Washington, as they calculated that as many as 200 tremors may have hit in one hour on a single day. The University of Washington's geologists said that the earthquakes can lead to the eruption of the Juan de Ruca Ridge volcano in a few weeks or years, however, the effects on Earth will most probably be mild and not have much impact. The underwater volcano is located more than 16,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean and nearly 150 miles off the coast of Washington. Also Read: Japan New Year earthquake: Tokyo to spend additional $660 million in rebuilding affected areas Since more than a thousand tiny quakes have been detected in a day, this is the highest number of activity detected at the site since 2005 and the scientists claimed that the volcano can soon erupt. The team claimed that the data which will be collected when the eruption of the volcano takes place will reveal how the crust of the Earth is formed over time by cooled magma. The real-time monitoring network of the group on March 6 detected the earthquakes and registered a 4.1 magnitude. Scientists hint at 'impending magmatic rupture' possibility As per Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), frequent quakes will occur on multiple days after the 'great swarm' of earthquakes. The Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) collected the data for researchers to study. The research group said that the increase in quakes indicated a possible 'impending magmatic rupture'. A magmatic rupture takes place when Earth's crust splits open and molten rock comes out. Watch: Kolkata Metro: PM Modi inaugurates India's first underwater tunnel A marine seismology PhD candidate at the University of Washington Zoe Krauss said that this is a natural phenomenon which can form a new ocean floor. In the case of an eruption of Juan de Fuca Ridge, the rupture will take place because of the pulling apart of two plates from one another and will open a giant crack from which magma will flow out at about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. In a statement released by ONC, President and CEO Kate Moran said, "No one should be alarmed about this great swarm of earthquakes. They are far offshore and cause no danger. Rather, the data are exciting to the science community and certainly not menacing." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists record 'great swarm' of underwater earthquakes that can soon trigger a volcano

Researchers have created a new adhesive patch that uses artificial intelligence to help people with voice disorders speak again.

The AI will 'read' their throat muscles' movements and convert them into speech.&nbsp;

The small adhesive patch has been powered only by the muscle movements, US-based researchers said in a study published in Nature Communications.

The patch, attached to the skin, changes the movements of the larynx muscles into electrical signals and translates it into a speech created by a machine learning algorithm, a form of AI.

After this, the speaker plays the sentences which a person intends to say aloud using the prototype which can currently relay only certain pre-recorded phrases.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/workplace-ai-robots-and-trackers-can-be-detrimental-to-quality-of-life-study-says-699624">Workplace AI, robots, and trackers can be detrimental to quality of life, study says</a>

Speaking to AFP, lead study author Ziyuan Che of the University of California, Los Angeles said the patch works without any need to use the vocal cords of the person.

This means it can help restore the speech of those with damaged vocal cords.&nbsp;

As per the study, almost a third of people suffer from at least one voice disorder in their life.

The researchers said&nbsp;the existing treatments for serious voice issues such as handheld devices like an electrolarynx can be "inconvenient, uncomfortable, or invasive."&nbsp;

<h2>Waterproof patch with 95 per cent accuracy&nbsp;</h2>

The waterproof patch is almost the size of a large coin and its weight is only seven grams. Its texture is similar to that of a rubber glove.

For testing the device, the researchers used eight volunteers, who did not have voice disorders, to both speak and whisper five sentences.

It was seen that the patch worked while standing, walking and running.

Watch:&nbsp;Google restricts Gemini AI from answering poll-related queries

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As per the study, the device was able to predict accurately what the volunteers were saying nearly 95 per cent of the time.

"Some words that move throat muscles in a similar manner — such as the word "make" and the name "Mark" – could be difficult for the patch to tell apart," said Che.

"But those two words usually appear in a long sentence like 'I am going to make dinner,' or 'How you doing Mark?'," Che added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers have created a new adhesive patch that uses artificial intelligence to help people with voice disorders speak again. The AI will 'read' their throat muscles' movements and convert them into speech.

Researchers have created a new adhesive patch that uses artificial intelligence to help people with voice disorders speak again. The AI will 'read' their throat muscles' movements and convert them into speech. The small adhesive patch has been powered only by the muscle movements, US-based researchers said in a study published in Nature Communications. The patch, attached to the skin, changes the movements of the larynx muscles into electrical signals and translates it into a speech created by a machine learning algorithm, a form of AI. After this, the speaker plays the sentences which a person intends to say aloud using the prototype which can currently relay only certain pre-recorded phrases. Also Read: Workplace AI, robots, and trackers can be detrimental to quality of life, study says Speaking to AFP, lead study author Ziyuan Che of the University of California, Los Angeles said the patch works without any need to use the vocal cords of the person. This means it can help restore the speech of those with damaged vocal cords. As per the study, almost a third of people suffer from at least one voice disorder in their life. The researchers said the existing treatments for serious voice issues such as handheld devices like an electrolarynx can be "inconvenient, uncomfortable, or invasive." Waterproof patch with 95 per cent accuracy The waterproof patch is almost the size of a large coin and its weight is only seven grams. Its texture is similar to that of a rubber glove. For testing the device, the researchers used eight volunteers, who did not have voice disorders, to both speak and whisper five sentences. It was seen that the patch worked while standing, walking and running. Watch: Google restricts Gemini AI from answering poll-related queries As per the study, the device was able to predict accurately what the volunteers were saying nearly 95 per cent of the time. "Some words that move throat muscles in a similar manner — such as the word "make" and the name "Mark" – could be difficult for the patch to tell apart," said Che. "But those two words usually appear in a long sentence like 'I am going to make dinner,' or 'How you doing Mark?'," Che added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists create AI adhesive stickers that can help people with voice disorders speak

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world.

As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height.&nbsp;

These deserts are spread across lands which includes sand seas of Africa, Arabia, China, and North America and are also found on the surface of Mars and Saturn.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sand-dunes-meet-ice-layers-at-martian-north-pole-as-mars-express-spacecraft-reveals-stunning-images-695053">Sand dunes meet ice layers on Martian North Pole in stunning images shared by Mars Express spacecraft</a>

Prof Geoff Duller of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth&nbsp;said, ''They are extraordinary things, one of the natural wonders of the world. From the ground, they look like pyramids but from the air, you see a peak and radiating off it in three or four directions these arms make them look like stars.''

<h2>What is the estimated age of the Moroccan star dune?&nbsp;</h2>

Now, in a first, the researchers have found the estimated age of one such star dune, known as Lala Lallia in Morocco.

&nbsp;A technique, known as luminescence, was used to find out the age of the star dune. The method was used to calculate when the grains of sand were exposed to daylight last time.&nbsp;

To carry out the study, the team of researchers from the United Kingdom, travelled to the southeast of Morocco, to examine the 100-metre-high and 700-metre-wide Lala Lallia.&nbsp;

The researchers found the that dune's base was nearly 13,000 years old, however, the structure's upper part was formed in the last 1,000 years or so, as reported in The Guardian.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

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It took more than 900 years for the dune to get formed and it grew by 6,400 metric tonnes every year. After the dune's initial formation, its growth stopped for nearly 8,000 years and then again quickly expanded in the last several thousand years.

According to the researchers, the recent findings support the theory that the formation of the star dune was accompanied by a change in wind direction.

Explaining the formation of star dunes, Birkbeck University's and fellow study co-author Charlie Bristow said, "Star dunes are formed in areas with complex wind regimes, which means winds blowing from different directions, and net sand accumulation, points within the desert where big piles of sand can be blown around to form giant dunes. They form extraordinary and awe-inspiring landscapes… From the ground, they can be intimidating, mobile mountains of sand.''

(With inputs from agencies)

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world. As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height.

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world. As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height. These deserts are spread across lands which includes sand seas of Africa, Arabia, China, and North America and are also found on the surface of Mars and Saturn. Also Read: Sand dunes meet ice layers on Martian North Pole in stunning images shared by Mars Express spacecraft Prof Geoff Duller of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth said, ''They are extraordinary things, one of the natural wonders of the world. From the ground, they look like pyramids but from the air, you see a peak and radiating off it in three or four directions these arms make them look like stars.'' What is the estimated age of the Moroccan star dune? Now, in a first, the researchers have found the estimated age of one such star dune, known as Lala Lallia in Morocco. A technique, known as luminescence, was used to find out the age of the star dune. The method was used to calculate when the grains of sand were exposed to daylight last time. To carry out the study, the team of researchers from the United Kingdom, travelled to the southeast of Morocco, to examine the 100-metre-high and 700-metre-wide Lala Lallia. The researchers found the that dune's base was nearly 13,000 years old, however, the structure's upper part was formed in the last 1,000 years or so, as reported in The Guardian. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss It took more than 900 years for the dune to get formed and it grew by 6,400 metric tonnes every year. After the dune's initial formation, its growth stopped for nearly 8,000 years and then again quickly expanded in the last several thousand years. According to the researchers, the recent findings support the theory that the formation of the star dune was accompanied by a change in wind direction. Explaining the formation of star dunes, Birkbeck University's and fellow study co-author Charlie Bristow said, "Star dunes are formed in areas with complex wind regimes, which means winds blowing from different directions, and net sand accumulation, points within the desert where big piles of sand can be blown around to form giant dunes. They form extraordinary and awe-inspiring landscapes… From the ground, they can be intimidating, mobile mountains of sand.'' (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists reveal mystery around Earth's largest star sand dunes. Here's what they found

Global Warming has led to an alarming rise in the risk of pre-term births, according to an Australian team of scientists. The team reviewed 163 global health studies to point out a 60% average rise in the risk of pre-mature births.

Climate change causes alarming rise in risk of pre-term births: Study

In a never-heard climate intervention strategy, scientists are now planning to decrease the amount of water vapour present in the stratosphere. This, they think can be carried out by injecting the layer of atmosphere with ice-forming nuclei.

According to scientists, if the water content is reduced, more heat - in the form of infrared radiation - will leak out into space.&nbsp;

The strategy being explored by the scientists was mentioned in a study published in Science Advances.&nbsp;

Even though greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are the important factors driving&nbsp;human-caused climate change, water vapour is considered the most common greenhouse gas.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/january-was-worlds-warmest-on-record-eu-scientists-688348">January was world's warmest on record, EU scientists</a>

Hence, the removal of water vapour from the atmosphere will help mitigate climate change, as per the study.

<h2>How does dehydration of stratosphere help fight climate change?</h2>

The study was carried out by researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to the study, scientists suggest trying out "intentional stratospheric dehydration."

As per the study lead author Joshua Schwarz, who is also a research physicist at NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, this process will be carried out by seeding small particles, known as ice nuclei,&nbsp;into the stratosphere with the help of high-altitude planes.

Schwarz said that if such seeds can be added to the stratosphere, then some of the water vapour is likely to condense in ice and fall, which will eventually remove excess water vapour and dehydrate the stratosphere.

Watch:&nbsp;Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures

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According to the study, the strategy can plausibly work after the experts have overcome several technical barriers. Schwarz said that right now, "we don't have a plan or the technology to do this".

He further said that it will not counteract the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and added that it will only cool the atmosphere 1/70th which is equal to the amount of warmth being given by CO2. It will only be "a very small shift in the other direction".

He added that CO2 becomes a huge problem in our atmosphere and that the new method will have a small impact, in comparison to CO2.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a never-heard climate intervention strategy, scientists are now planning to decrease the amount of water vapour present in the stratosphere. This, they think can be carried out by injecting the layer of atmosphere with ice-forming nuclei.

In a never-heard climate intervention strategy, scientists are now planning to decrease the amount of water vapour present in the stratosphere. This, they think can be carried out by injecting the layer of atmosphere with ice-forming nuclei. According to scientists, if the water content is reduced, more heat - in the form of infrared radiation - will leak out into space. The strategy being explored by the scientists was mentioned in a study published in Science Advances. Even though greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are the important factors driving human-caused climate change, water vapour is considered the most common greenhouse gas. Also Read: January was world's warmest on record, EU scientists Hence, the removal of water vapour from the atmosphere will help mitigate climate change, as per the study. How does dehydration of stratosphere help fight climate change? The study was carried out by researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to the study, scientists suggest trying out "intentional stratospheric dehydration." As per the study lead author Joshua Schwarz, who is also a research physicist at NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, this process will be carried out by seeding small particles, known as ice nuclei, into the stratosphere with the help of high-altitude planes. Schwarz said that if such seeds can be added to the stratosphere, then some of the water vapour is likely to condense in ice and fall, which will eventually remove excess water vapour and dehydrate the stratosphere. Watch: Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures According to the study, the strategy can plausibly work after the experts have overcome several technical barriers. Schwarz said that right now, "we don't have a plan or the technology to do this". He further said that it will not counteract the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and added that it will only cool the atmosphere 1/70th which is equal to the amount of warmth being given by CO2. It will only be "a very small shift in the other direction". He added that CO2 becomes a huge problem in our atmosphere and that the new method will have a small impact, in comparison to CO2. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have&nbsp;reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&amp;M candy., scientists have discovered.&nbsp;

Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid&nbsp;named Dimorphos, published in Nature Astronomy,&nbsp;has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a&nbsp;normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface.&nbsp;

Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of&nbsp;Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed.&nbsp;

"The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said&nbsp;Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study.&nbsp;

The study corroborates what&nbsp;the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos.

&nbsp;At the time,&nbsp;an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed&nbsp;"plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-dart-mission-the-worlds-first-planetary-defence-520044" target="_blank">WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence</a>

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<h2>DART changes Dimorphos' orbit&nbsp;</h2>

After the successful impact, NASA released a&nbsp;series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from&nbsp;Earth was slotted away from its original orbit.&nbsp;

"Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement.

The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was&nbsp;launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-struck-by-nasa-probe-leaves-a-10000-km-trail-in-its-wake-522817">Read more:&nbsp;Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake</a>

The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy.

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy., scientists have discovered. Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid named Dimorphos, published in Nature Astronomy, has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface. Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed. "The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study. The study corroborates what the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos. At the time, an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed "plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place". WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence DART changes Dimorphos' orbit After the successful impact, NASA released a series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from Earth was slotted away from its original orbit. "Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement. The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Read more: Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's DART mission altered shape of asteroid it crashed into, scientists reveal

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period. 
 
According to scientists, the creature is around 240 million years old and has been called a "dragon" since it has an extremely long neck. It is also known as Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, which is a species that was originally identified in 2003. 
 
This newly found fossil has permitted scientists to analyse the full anatomy of the bizarre prehistoric beast. An international team discovered the fossil from Guizhou Province in southern China, which was then displayed at the National Museums Scotland. 
 
Dr Nick Fraser, who was part of the international team which closely studied the fossil, said that for the first time, scientists have been able to locate the fossil in full. He said that it was "a very strange animal".

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"It had flipper-like limbs and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined," Dr Fraser said. 
 
The researcher said that the animal's "long, bendy and flexible neck", which has 32 separate vertebrae, might have given a hunting advantage and allowed Dinocephalosaurus orientalis to search for food present in crevices under the water.

<h2 lang="en-US">Fossil discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China</h2>

The scientists discovered the fossil in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. 
 
"This discovery just adds to the weirdness of the Triassic," said Dr Fraser, while speaking to BBC News. "And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new,” he added. 
 
Scientists claimed that the animal appeared similar to Tanystropheus hydroides which is a marine reptile from the Middle Triassic period.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart

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"Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition. However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing many more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance," the research team said, as reported by ABC News. 
 
The international team added that the reptile was "clearly very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle," as indicated by the flippered limbs and "exquisitely preserved" fishes in its stomach region. 
 
The team had experts from different countries including Scotland, Germany, the United States and China. The paper, which described a set of new fossils of the animal, has been published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period.

In the latest discovery, scientists have found a new and remarkably complete fossil which is said to belong to a 16ft (5m) long aquatic reptile that existed in the Triassic period. According to scientists, the creature is around 240 million years old and has been called a "dragon" since it has an extremely long neck. It is also known as Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, which is a species that was originally identified in 2003. This newly found fossil has permitted scientists to analyse the full anatomy of the bizarre prehistoric beast. An international team discovered the fossil from Guizhou Province in southern China, which was then displayed at the National Museums Scotland. Dr Nick Fraser, who was part of the international team which closely studied the fossil, said that for the first time, scientists have been able to locate the fossil in full. He said that it was "a very strange animal". Also Read: Scientists discover ‘absolutely unique’ 350-million-year-old ‘alien’ tree in Canada "It had flipper-like limbs and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined," Dr Fraser said. The researcher said that the animal's "long, bendy and flexible neck", which has 32 separate vertebrae, might have given a hunting advantage and allowed Dinocephalosaurus orientalis to search for food present in crevices under the water. Fossil discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China The scientists discovered the fossil in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. "This discovery just adds to the weirdness of the Triassic," said Dr Fraser, while speaking to BBC News. "And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new,” he added. Scientists claimed that the animal appeared similar to Tanystropheus hydroides which is a marine reptile from the Middle Triassic period. Watch: Gravitas | Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart "Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition. However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing many more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance," the research team said, as reported by ABC News. The international team added that the reptile was "clearly very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle," as indicated by the flippered limbs and "exquisitely preserved" fishes in its stomach region. The team had experts from different countries including Scotland, Germany, the United States and China. The paper, which described a set of new fossils of the animal, has been published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists make stunning discovery of fossil belonging to 240 million-year-old 'dragon'

Can artificial hearts be a long-term alternative to heart transplants? Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart. Can it be an off-the-shelf alternative to organ donation? Molly Gambhir telling you more.

Gravitas | Australian scientists are developing a long-term artificial heart

An unknown event occurred in a distant galaxy some eight billion years ago which sent a very powerful blast of radio waves across the universe.

Now, after travelling for eight billion years, the radio signals finally reached Earth on June 10 only to last less than a thousandth of a second. However, a radio telescope installed in Australia somehow was able to pick up the signal.

The flash, which took place in the cosmos eight billion years ago and has now been detected, was a fast radio burst (FRB), which is a little-understood phenomenon first found in 2007.&nbsp;

The astronomers found that this specific FRB was more powerful and came from a much farther place which has not been recorded yet. It was also determined that the cosmic event occurred when the universe was less than half its current age.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/comet-with-no-tail-is-approaching-earth-heres-why-it-is-important-to-photograph-it-692255">Comet with no tail is approaching Earth and researchers want stargazers to photograph it</a>

<h2>Scientists are clueless on what causes FRBs</h2>

Astronomers have till now not been able to find what exactly leads to FRBs, making them one of the greatest astronomical mysteries.&nbsp;

A lot of theories have been given to scientists to explain its occurrence with a Harvard University professor even suggesting that the radio signals might be signs of alien life, CBS News reported.&nbsp;

However, distant dead stars - known as magnetars - are held as prime suspects by the scientists, since they are the most magnetic objects in the universe.

Astrophysicist at Australia's Swinburne University, Ryan Shannon, while speaking to AFP, said that it was "mind-blowing" that the radio burst was spotted by the ASKAP radio telescope in Western Australia last year.

"We were lucky to be looking at that little spot in the sky for that one millisecond after the eight billion years the pulse had travelled to catch it," said Shannon, &nbsp;who was also co-author of a study which spoke about the find in the journal Science.

Watch:&nbsp;This black hole eats a whole sun every day

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<h2>Radio signals released same amount of energy which sun&nbsp;emits in 30 years</h2>

He said that this specific FRB easily defeated the previous record holder which was only five billion light years away.

According to him, the radio signal's pulse was very powerful and it released the same amount of energy which the sun emits over 30 years.

Shannon did not deny the possibility of hundreds of thousands of FRBs flashing across the sky every day.

However, even though thousands of them have been detected till now, scientists have just managed&nbsp;to figure out&nbsp;where 50 of them came from.

The researchers decided to use the Very Large Telescope in Chile to understand where the latest radio burst, known as FRB 20220610A, came from.

This came from the signal which originated from a particularly clumpy galaxy which may have merged with one or two other galaxies and hence, created the bizarre magnetar.

(With inputs from agencies)

An unknown event occurred in a distant galaxy some eight billion years ago which sent a very powerful blast of radio waves across the universe. Now, after travelling for eight billion years, the radio signals finally reached Earth on June 10 only to last less than a thousandth of a second.

An unknown event occurred in a distant galaxy some eight billion years ago which sent a very powerful blast of radio waves across the universe. Now, after travelling for eight billion years, the radio signals finally reached Earth on June 10 only to last less than a thousandth of a second. However, a radio telescope installed in Australia somehow was able to pick up the signal. The flash, which took place in the cosmos eight billion years ago and has now been detected, was a fast radio burst (FRB), which is a little-understood phenomenon first found in 2007. The astronomers found that this specific FRB was more powerful and came from a much farther place which has not been recorded yet. It was also determined that the cosmic event occurred when the universe was less than half its current age. Also Read: Comet with no tail is approaching Earth and researchers want stargazers to photograph it Scientists are clueless on what causes FRBs Astronomers have till now not been able to find what exactly leads to FRBs, making them one of the greatest astronomical mysteries. A lot of theories have been given to scientists to explain its occurrence with a Harvard University professor even suggesting that the radio signals might be signs of alien life, CBS News reported. However, distant dead stars - known as magnetars - are held as prime suspects by the scientists, since they are the most magnetic objects in the universe. Astrophysicist at Australia's Swinburne University, Ryan Shannon, while speaking to AFP, said that it was "mind-blowing" that the radio burst was spotted by the ASKAP radio telescope in Western Australia last year. "We were lucky to be looking at that little spot in the sky for that one millisecond after the eight billion years the pulse had travelled to catch it," said Shannon, who was also co-author of a study which spoke about the find in the journal Science. Watch: This black hole eats a whole sun every day Radio signals released same amount of energy which sun emits in 30 years He said that this specific FRB easily defeated the previous record holder which was only five billion light years away. According to him, the radio signal's pulse was very powerful and it released the same amount of energy which the sun emits over 30 years. Shannon did not deny the possibility of hundreds of thousands of FRBs flashing across the sky every day. However, even though thousands of them have been detected till now, scientists have just managed to figure out where 50 of them came from. The researchers decided to use the Very Large Telescope in Chile to understand where the latest radio burst, known as FRB 20220610A, came from. This came from the signal which originated from a particularly clumpy galaxy which may have merged with one or two other galaxies and hence, created the bizarre magnetar. (With inputs from agencies)

Radio waves that took 8 billion years to reach Earth hint at signs of alien life: Expert

A huge, wave-shaped structure, which extended some 9,000 light-years in length and curled around the Milky Way's spiral arm, was first found by scientists a few years ago.&nbsp;

The wave, called as Radcliffe Wave, was a line of star-forming gas and its discovery by scientists was remarkable. However, now removing one of the clouds from this mysterious cosmic serpent, scientists have found that it is moving in our galaxy.&nbsp;

A team of scientists, headed by astrophysicist Ralf Konietzka of Harvard University, have now discovered that the Radcliffe Wave, just like other objects in the Milky Way, is in motion.&nbsp;

Scientists have also discovered that the wave is not moving in an orbital motion around the galactic centre but is oscillating as a periodic travelling wave.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-orbit-undergoes-change-due-to-stars-in-solar-system-says-study-691996">Stars can change the orbit of Earth over the years, wreaking havoc on climate, say scientists</a>

"By using the motion of baby stars born in the gaseous clouds along the Radcliffe Wave," said Konietzka, adding, "we can trace the motion of their natal gas to show that the Radcliffe Wave is actually waving."

<h2>Scientists used data collected by Gaia to discover Radcliffe Wave</h2>

Spacecraft Gaia has been collecting information on the three-dimensional properties of the Milky Way, using which the scientists mapped the galaxy and discovered the Radcliffe Wave in 2018. The findings were published by the scientists in 2020 after putting together the structure's 3D map.&nbsp;

The researchers, while going through the information, discovered that the structure has been undulating like a giant cosmic serpent which is winding through the Milky Way.&nbsp;

In its calculations, the team also found that the motion can be influenced by gravity which is produced by the galaxy's normal matter.

The measurements of the team also suggested that the supernovae, which eventually cleared the bubble of space in which the Milky Way is present, were born in a cluster of stars inside the Radcliffe Wave.

Watch:&nbsp;Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected; It eats one sun a a day

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"The question is, what caused the displacement giving rise to the waving we see?" said astronomer Alyssa Goodman of Harvard University.&nbsp;

He added, "And does it happen all over the galaxy? In all galaxies? Does it happen occasionally? Does it happen all the time?"&nbsp;

"Upcoming deep and wide surveys of stars, dust and gas will likely uncover more wave-like structures," wrote the researchers, adding, "and measurements of their motions should provide insights into the star formation histories and gravitational potentials of galaxies."

(With inputs from agencies)

A huge, wave-shaped structure, which extended some 9,000 light-years in length and curled around the Milky Way's spiral arm, was first found by scientists a few years ago.

A huge, wave-shaped structure, which extended some 9,000 light-years in length and curled around the Milky Way's spiral arm, was first found by scientists a few years ago. The wave, called as Radcliffe Wave, was a line of star-forming gas and its discovery by scientists was remarkable. However, now removing one of the clouds from this mysterious cosmic serpent, scientists have found that it is moving in our galaxy. A team of scientists, headed by astrophysicist Ralf Konietzka of Harvard University, have now discovered that the Radcliffe Wave, just like other objects in the Milky Way, is in motion. Scientists have also discovered that the wave is not moving in an orbital motion around the galactic centre but is oscillating as a periodic travelling wave. Also Read: Stars can change the orbit of Earth over the years, wreaking havoc on climate, say scientists "By using the motion of baby stars born in the gaseous clouds along the Radcliffe Wave," said Konietzka, adding, "we can trace the motion of their natal gas to show that the Radcliffe Wave is actually waving." Scientists used data collected by Gaia to discover Radcliffe Wave Spacecraft Gaia has been collecting information on the three-dimensional properties of the Milky Way, using which the scientists mapped the galaxy and discovered the Radcliffe Wave in 2018. The findings were published by the scientists in 2020 after putting together the structure's 3D map. The researchers, while going through the information, discovered that the structure has been undulating like a giant cosmic serpent which is winding through the Milky Way. In its calculations, the team also found that the motion can be influenced by gravity which is produced by the galaxy's normal matter. The measurements of the team also suggested that the supernovae, which eventually cleared the bubble of space in which the Milky Way is present, were born in a cluster of stars inside the Radcliffe Wave. Watch: Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected; It eats one sun a a day "The question is, what caused the displacement giving rise to the waving we see?" said astronomer Alyssa Goodman of Harvard University. He added, "And does it happen all over the galaxy? In all galaxies? Does it happen occasionally? Does it happen all the time?" "Upcoming deep and wide surveys of stars, dust and gas will likely uncover more wave-like structures," wrote the researchers, adding, "and measurements of their motions should provide insights into the star formation histories and gravitational potentials of galaxies." (With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious wave leaves scientists puzzled, as giant cosmic serpent slithers into Milky Way

In a major breakthrough, the scientists have successfully grown the world's first pair of “laboratory testicles” at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University&nbsp;while trying to find a way to ease male infertility which affects 10 per cent to 15 per cent of men in the United States.

Scientists have produced tiny and artificial organs using cells which were extracted from mouse testes. The organs are reported to resemble the natural mouse testicles and also function like them.&nbsp;

The researchers, headed by Dr Nitzan Gonen, had aimed at developing human-like testicles using human stem cells which may help in treating infertility and developmental sex disorders.&nbsp;

"Fertility clinics are able to identify some of the problems that cause male infertility — a low sperm count or an abnormal structure — but we don’t understand fully what causes this, which genome mutations led to the condition, or what went wrong in the testicle’s functioning, as a result of which the tubes do not carry the sperm well,” said Gonen, while speaking to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz last week.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/man-jams-batteries-into-his-penis-for-sexual-gratification-leaves-doctors-baffled-691171">Man in Australia jams batteries into his penis for 'sexual gratification', leaves doctors baffled</a>

"Now it will be possible to study these subjects within the system of the model we have produced,” she said.

<h2>A step ahead of organoids!</h2>

Organoids, which are three-dimensional miniature versions of immature organs and resemble kidneys, brains and intestines, from stem cells, have already been generated by biologists.

The organoids which were created by Gonen’s team were cultured from immature testicular cells belonging to neonatal mice.

The researchers found that the procedure had succeeded after they noticed tubule-like structures and cellular organisation which appeared similar to those present in vivo testis.

Watch:&nbsp;Is 'Looksmaxxing' preying on younger men? Decoding the viral TikTok trend

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According to the report, the artificial mouse testicles were able to function well for nine weeks, which is considered sufficient time for sperm generation and release to occur in a mouse. The process takes nearly 34.5 days.

There are two main functions of testicles - the synthesis of testosterone and the storage, production and maturation of sperm cells.

According to the findings of the study, which was recently published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences, the scientists emphasised that their organoids showed “signs of entry into meiosis,” the process which decreases the number of chromosomes by half to form sperm cells.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a major breakthrough, the scientists have successfully grown the world's first pair of “laboratory testicles” at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University while trying to find a way to ease male infertility which affects 10 per cent to 15 per cent of men in the United States.

In a major breakthrough, the scientists have successfully grown the world's first pair of “laboratory testicles” at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University while trying to find a way to ease male infertility which affects 10 per cent to 15 per cent of men in the United States. Scientists have produced tiny and artificial organs using cells which were extracted from mouse testes. The organs are reported to resemble the natural mouse testicles and also function like them. The researchers, headed by Dr Nitzan Gonen, had aimed at developing human-like testicles using human stem cells which may help in treating infertility and developmental sex disorders. "Fertility clinics are able to identify some of the problems that cause male infertility — a low sperm count or an abnormal structure — but we don’t understand fully what causes this, which genome mutations led to the condition, or what went wrong in the testicle’s functioning, as a result of which the tubes do not carry the sperm well,” said Gonen, while speaking to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz last week. Also Read: Man in Australia jams batteries into his penis for 'sexual gratification', leaves doctors baffled "Now it will be possible to study these subjects within the system of the model we have produced,” she said. A step ahead of organoids! Organoids, which are three-dimensional miniature versions of immature organs and resemble kidneys, brains and intestines, from stem cells, have already been generated by biologists. The organoids which were created by Gonen’s team were cultured from immature testicular cells belonging to neonatal mice. The researchers found that the procedure had succeeded after they noticed tubule-like structures and cellular organisation which appeared similar to those present in vivo testis. Watch: Is 'Looksmaxxing' preying on younger men? Decoding the viral TikTok trend According to the report, the artificial mouse testicles were able to function well for nine weeks, which is considered sufficient time for sperm generation and release to occur in a mouse. The process takes nearly 34.5 days. There are two main functions of testicles - the synthesis of testosterone and the storage, production and maturation of sperm cells. According to the findings of the study, which was recently published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences, the scientists emphasised that their organoids showed “signs of entry into meiosis,” the process which decreases the number of chromosomes by half to form sperm cells. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists grow pair of 'laboratory testicles' that could help treat male infertility

Scientists have discovered the brightest object ever in the universe: a hungry black hole that devours the gas equivalent of the Sun, every day.

The scientists at the Australian National University observed the fast-moving, ferocious quasar that has a mass of 17 billion Suns, making it 500 trillion times brighter than our ball of heat and light.&nbsp; 
 
Quasars are celestial objects powered by giant black holes of up to 10 billion times the mass of the Sun. They emit more energy than any other object in the universe.

The newly discovered enormous black hole is chugging everything that falls near its event horizon and growing at a rate that scientists have never witnessed, said the astronomers who made the observation using the&nbsp;European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT).&nbsp;

They are predicting that the hungry quasar is consuming the equivalent of 370 Suns a year which comes down to about one a day.&nbsp;

"We have discovered the fastest-growing black hole known to date. It has a mass of 17 billion Suns and eats just over a Sun per day. This makes it the most luminous object in the known Universe," said Christian Wolf, an astronomer at the Australian National University (ANU) and lead author of the study.

"This quasar is the most violent place that we know in the universe," he added.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the quasar had been hiding in plain sight as it was misclassified as a star previously.

Having been spotted in the 1980s, the quasar named&nbsp;J0529-4351 was reclassified following&nbsp;observations in Australia and Chile's Atacama Desert last year.&nbsp;

Scientists said the quasar discovered is so far away from our planet that it took over 12 billion years for us to see it. The current accepted age of our universe is 13.8 billion years. Although, last year,&nbsp;Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa published a report, claiming that the&nbsp;universe may be around 26.7 billion years old.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;How our sun will swallow the earth

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<h2>What are quasars?</h2>

Quasars are supermassive black holes, often situated at the heart of a galaxy, millions to billions of times more massive than our Sun. Quasars are super hungry as they devour any matter in the vicinity by using their immense gravitational pull.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nearest-supermassive-black-hole-awakens-from-dormancy-becomes-a-million-times-brighter-scientists-607935">Also read |&nbsp;Nearest supermassive black hole awakens from dormancy, becomes a million times brighter: Scientists</a>

They also emit tremendous amounts of radiation, including jets of high-energy particles,&nbsp;while a glowing disk of matter spins around them.

Last year, scientists published a research after monitoring over 190 quasars for two decades which stated that time passed only about a fifth as quickly as it does today due to dilation in the early universe.

The scientists compared the brightness of the 190 quasars, dating to about 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang event to that of&nbsp;quasars existing today. In doing so, they found that certain fluctuations&nbsp;that occur in a particular amount of time today did so five times more slowly in the most ancient quasars.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have discovered the brightest object ever in the universe: a hungry black hole that devours the gas equivalent of the Sun, every day. The scientists at the Australian National University observed the fast-moving, ferocious quasar that has a mass of 17 billion Suns, making it 500 trillion times brighter than our ball of heat and light.

Scientists have discovered the brightest object ever in the universe: a hungry black hole that devours the gas equivalent of the Sun, every day. The scientists at the Australian National University observed the fast-moving, ferocious quasar that has a mass of 17 billion Suns, making it 500 trillion times brighter than our ball of heat and light. Quasars are celestial objects powered by giant black holes of up to 10 billion times the mass of the Sun. They emit more energy than any other object in the universe. The newly discovered enormous black hole is chugging everything that falls near its event horizon and growing at a rate that scientists have never witnessed, said the astronomers who made the observation using the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT). They are predicting that the hungry quasar is consuming the equivalent of 370 Suns a year which comes down to about one a day. "We have discovered the fastest-growing black hole known to date. It has a mass of 17 billion Suns and eats just over a Sun per day. This makes it the most luminous object in the known Universe," said Christian Wolf, an astronomer at the Australian National University (ANU) and lead author of the study. "This quasar is the most violent place that we know in the universe," he added. Interestingly, the quasar had been hiding in plain sight as it was misclassified as a star previously. Having been spotted in the 1980s, the quasar named J0529-4351 was reclassified following observations in Australia and Chile's Atacama Desert last year. Scientists said the quasar discovered is so far away from our planet that it took over 12 billion years for us to see it. The current accepted age of our universe is 13.8 billion years. Although, last year, Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa published a report, claiming that the universe may be around 26.7 billion years old. WATCH | How our sun will swallow the earth What are quasars? Quasars are supermassive black holes, often situated at the heart of a galaxy, millions to billions of times more massive than our Sun. Quasars are super hungry as they devour any matter in the vicinity by using their immense gravitational pull. Also read | Nearest supermassive black hole awakens from dormancy, becomes a million times brighter: Scientists They also emit tremendous amounts of radiation, including jets of high-energy particles, while a glowing disk of matter spins around them. Last year, scientists published a research after monitoring over 190 quasars for two decades which stated that time passed only about a fifth as quickly as it does today due to dilation in the early universe. The scientists compared the brightness of the 190 quasars, dating to about 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang event to that of quasars existing today. In doing so, they found that certain fluctuations that occur in a particular amount of time today did so five times more slowly in the most ancient quasars. (With inputs from agencies)

Enormously 'hungry' black hole that eats 370 Suns a year is likely the brightest object in universe

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago. 
 
Scientists believe that the surprisingly violent history of Mars is likely to reveal some clues regarding the past of the Earth. 
 
The scars of volcanic activity, which were found in the Eridania region of the planet's southern hemisphere, were catalogued by planetary scientist Joseph Michalski of the University of Hong Kong and his colleagues with the use of remote sensing data from different orbiters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-life-existed-near-ancient-mile-deep-lake-active-volcanoes-on-mars-scientists-suggest-so-689875">Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so</a>

At present, the Earth has a crust of interlocking continental plates which float above its viscous mantle and Mars is usually considered as a one-plate planet which once had active volcanoes. These volcanoes were massive in size and explosive in nature and Olympus was the largest among them – its volume being 100 times greater than Earth's biggest Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

<h2 lang="en-US">Why were volcanoes on Mars so large in size?</h2>

The volcanoes on planet Mars were so large because the planet had less number of tectonic plates which help in venting the pressures of a churning mantle. Mars' geological history has not been recycled like that of our planet and can contain inklings of how Earth's crust may have been formed. 
 
"The planet Mars represents a particularly valuable puzzle piece in this regard," wrote Michalski and his colleagues in their published paper. 
 
"Though the crust is heavily impact cratered, the ancient geologic record remains largely intact and therefore provides an invaluable window into early Solar System geological conditions and clues to early crustal evolution,” the researchers explained. 
 
According to the researchers, they may be able to find hundreds more volcanoes in the Eridania region, many of which may have probably erupted beneath an ancient sea. This is likely to provide a good parallel to what happened on Earth during the Archean period when the planet was mostly constituted of water and the earliest forms of life came into existence.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars

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"It's just astonishing to think about the scale of activity in this region," said study author and planetary geologist at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart, while speaking to Space.com. 
 
"Seeing a Martian landscape shaped by these processes and preserved in stasis provides us with a great opportunity to investigate planetary landscape evolution in more detail,” he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago.

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago. Scientists believe that the surprisingly violent history of Mars is likely to reveal some clues regarding the past of the Earth. The scars of volcanic activity, which were found in the Eridania region of the planet's southern hemisphere, were catalogued by planetary scientist Joseph Michalski of the University of Hong Kong and his colleagues with the use of remote sensing data from different orbiters. Also Read: Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so At present, the Earth has a crust of interlocking continental plates which float above its viscous mantle and Mars is usually considered as a one-plate planet which once had active volcanoes. These volcanoes were massive in size and explosive in nature and Olympus was the largest among them – its volume being 100 times greater than Earth's biggest Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Why were volcanoes on Mars so large in size? The volcanoes on planet Mars were so large because the planet had less number of tectonic plates which help in venting the pressures of a churning mantle. Mars' geological history has not been recycled like that of our planet and can contain inklings of how Earth's crust may have been formed. "The planet Mars represents a particularly valuable puzzle piece in this regard," wrote Michalski and his colleagues in their published paper. "Though the crust is heavily impact cratered, the ancient geologic record remains largely intact and therefore provides an invaluable window into early Solar System geological conditions and clues to early crustal evolution,” the researchers explained. According to the researchers, they may be able to find hundreds more volcanoes in the Eridania region, many of which may have probably erupted beneath an ancient sea. This is likely to provide a good parallel to what happened on Earth during the Archean period when the planet was mostly constituted of water and the earliest forms of life came into existence. Watch: Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars "It's just astonishing to think about the scale of activity in this region," said study author and planetary geologist at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart, while speaking to Space.com. "Seeing a Martian landscape shaped by these processes and preserved in stasis provides us with a great opportunity to investigate planetary landscape evolution in more detail,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Secrets of Earth’s lost past hidden in ancient volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so...

In a breakthrough study, scientists have claimed that large planets like Jupiter, which were formed at a far distance from their host stars, may have once been like flattened disks and not spherical structures as they are currently. 
 
Thousands of planets have been discovered by astronomers outside the Solar System, but&nbsp;scientists have still not understood how these worlds were formed. 
 
In the latest study, computer simulations were used by scientists to create a model of the formation of planets on the basis of a theory that the protoplanets or young planets, get created in short timescales after the large rotating disks of gas which are orbiting young stars break up.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-juno-spacecraft-delivers-stunning-close-up-of-jupiters-moon-io-687489">NASA’s Juno spacecraft delivers stunning close-up picture of Jupiter’s moon Io</a>

The research discovered that the protoplanets, which are most likely to have existed like flattened structures called oblate spheroids, are similar to the shape of an M&amp;M candy or a Smarties. 
 
“We have been studying planet formation for a long time but never before had we thought to check the shape of the planets as they form in the simulations. We had always assumed that they were spherical,” said study co-author Dimitris Stamatellos. 
 
“We were very surprised that they turned out to be oblate spheroids, pretty similar to smarties,” said Dr Stamatellos.

<h2 lang="en-US">Scientists decode how planets turned into large gas giants</h2>

In the study, the astronomers determined the properties of the planet compared it to the known observations, and examined the creation of mechanism of gas giant planets like Saturn and Jupiter. 
 
The study also investigated the properties of planets which were formed in different conditions like gas density and varying temperature.

Watch:&nbsp;Migrating species crucial to planet under threat: UN report

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Till now, researchers have theorised that planets are formed by either of the two processes. One of these processes called “core accretion”, is the gradual growth of dust particles which remain together to create progressively larger objects on long timescales. 
 
Planets are also likely to have been formed directly by the particles of the large rotating disks of material after they broke up around young stars in short timescales in a process known as the theory of disk instability. 
 
“The large majority of the protoplanets that form in the simulations are oblate spheroids rather than spherical, and they accrete faster from their poles,” wrote scientists.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a breakthrough study, scientists have claimed that large planets like Jupiter, which were formed at a far distance from their host stars, may have once been like flattened disks and not spherical structures as they are currently.

In a breakthrough study, scientists have claimed that large planets like Jupiter, which were formed at a far distance from their host stars, may have once been like flattened disks and not spherical structures as they are currently. Thousands of planets have been discovered by astronomers outside the Solar System, but scientists have still not understood how these worlds were formed. In the latest study, computer simulations were used by scientists to create a model of the formation of planets on the basis of a theory that the protoplanets or young planets, get created in short timescales after the large rotating disks of gas which are orbiting young stars break up. Also Read: NASA’s Juno spacecraft delivers stunning close-up picture of Jupiter’s moon Io The research discovered that the protoplanets, which are most likely to have existed like flattened structures called oblate spheroids, are similar to the shape of an M&M candy or a Smarties. “We have been studying planet formation for a long time but never before had we thought to check the shape of the planets as they form in the simulations. We had always assumed that they were spherical,” said study co-author Dimitris Stamatellos. “We were very surprised that they turned out to be oblate spheroids, pretty similar to smarties,” said Dr Stamatellos. Scientists decode how planets turned into large gas giants In the study, the astronomers determined the properties of the planet compared it to the known observations, and examined the creation of mechanism of gas giant planets like Saturn and Jupiter. The study also investigated the properties of planets which were formed in different conditions like gas density and varying temperature. Watch: Migrating species crucial to planet under threat: UN report Till now, researchers have theorised that planets are formed by either of the two processes. One of these processes called “core accretion”, is the gradual growth of dust particles which remain together to create progressively larger objects on long timescales. Planets are also likely to have been formed directly by the particles of the large rotating disks of material after they broke up around young stars in short timescales in a process known as the theory of disk instability. “The large majority of the protoplanets that form in the simulations are oblate spheroids rather than spherical, and they accrete faster from their poles,” wrote scientists. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth is round, but Jupiter was once most likely flat: Scientists

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world.&nbsp;

Now while studying the tectonic activity, which took place around 4 billion years ago on Mars, the scientists found that there were 63 types of volcanoes which were strangely different from the rest of the Martian highlands.

A team of planetary scientists discovered that the landscape of the Eridania region of Mars, where these volcanoes were located, had been shaped in response to the changes which occurred within the crust of Mars.&nbsp;

The discovery is likely to influence the hunt for signs of alien life on Mars which is being studied by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congressional-budget-stalemate-forces-nasa-layoffs-mars-sample-return-mission-in-peril-688039">US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril</a>

"The large basins in this region once hosted a lake system known as the Eridania paleolake, which was up to around a mile deep when the lake was at its greatest extent," said team member and planetary geologist, who was at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart while speaking to Space.com. &nbsp;

"Long-lived volcanic sources next to abundant water may have fuelled hydrothermal systems that could have nurtured life. At the very least, these findings give us a larger number of places we can look for evidence of life," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>No volcanic or tectonic activity on modern-day Mars</h2>

Unlike the present-day Earth, Mars today has little or no volcanic and tectonic activity.&nbsp;

Additionally, since nearly half of the surface of Mars appears older than 3.5 billion years, it suggests that crustal recycling has not taken place extensively on the Red Planet.&nbsp;

The crustal recycling on planet Earth is driven by plate tectonics when one tectonic plate slips under another and leads to causing surface material to get recycled into the mantle between the crust of the Earth and its molten core.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars

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The team, which carried out this research, studied the mineralogy and morphology of the Mars' Eridania region with the use of data collected from spacecraft around the planet, which included the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.&nbsp;

"Various attributes of the Eridania region have drawn special attention for a while," said Cowart.&nbsp;

"Gamma-ray spectroscopy shows this to be a region of the crust with an especially distinctive composition, gravity data has shown it to be generally less dense and thicker than the rest of the Martian crust, and magnetic data shows it to be an intensely magnetized crust," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world.

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world. Now while studying the tectonic activity, which took place around 4 billion years ago on Mars, the scientists found that there were 63 types of volcanoes which were strangely different from the rest of the Martian highlands. A team of planetary scientists discovered that the landscape of the Eridania region of Mars, where these volcanoes were located, had been shaped in response to the changes which occurred within the crust of Mars. The discovery is likely to influence the hunt for signs of alien life on Mars which is being studied by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Also Read: US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril "The large basins in this region once hosted a lake system known as the Eridania paleolake, which was up to around a mile deep when the lake was at its greatest extent," said team member and planetary geologist, who was at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart while speaking to Space.com. "Long-lived volcanic sources next to abundant water may have fuelled hydrothermal systems that could have nurtured life. At the very least, these findings give us a larger number of places we can look for evidence of life," he added. No volcanic or tectonic activity on modern-day Mars Unlike the present-day Earth, Mars today has little or no volcanic and tectonic activity. Additionally, since nearly half of the surface of Mars appears older than 3.5 billion years, it suggests that crustal recycling has not taken place extensively on the Red Planet. The crustal recycling on planet Earth is driven by plate tectonics when one tectonic plate slips under another and leads to causing surface material to get recycled into the mantle between the crust of the Earth and its molten core. Watch: Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars The team, which carried out this research, studied the mineralogy and morphology of the Mars' Eridania region with the use of data collected from spacecraft around the planet, which included the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. "Various attributes of the Eridania region have drawn special attention for a while," said Cowart. "Gamma-ray spectroscopy shows this to be a region of the crust with an especially distinctive composition, gravity data has shown it to be generally less dense and thicker than the rest of the Martian crust, and magnetic data shows it to be an intensely magnetized crust," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so

In a new study, scientists found that several rigid tectonic plates which are under the Pacific Ocean are being pulled apart. 
 
Earth has an outer shell, which is called the lithosphere and is divided into various rigid plates. These plates are known to float in the semi-fluid asthenosphere and their movement is a key feature of these plates. 
 
The University of Toronto's geoscientists discovered that the plate is scored by large undersea faults which are hundreds of kilometres long and thousands of metres deep. 
 
The team was surprised after finding that the geological deformation, which is the continental plate interiors' regular feature, is also taking place inside the ocean plates.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mysterious-jet-black-eggs-found-eggs-discovered-in-depths-of-the-pacific-683278">Mysterious jet-black eggs found in depths of Pacific Ocean; scientists perplexed</a>

“We knew that geological deformations like faults happen on the continental plate interiors far from plate boundaries,” said Erkan Gun, who is a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at U of T Scarborough, as reported by Science Alert. 
 
“But we didn't know the same thing was happening to ocean plates," Gun stated. 
 
The Pacific plate consists of the maximum Pacific Ocean floor and has moved westwards to plunge into the mantle of Earth along the trenches or subduction zones of undersea which run from Japan to New Zealand and Australia.

<h2 lang="en-US">Tectonic plate gets dragged inside Earth's mantle like table cloth: Scientists</h2>

Researchers said that as the plate's western edge is pulled down into the mantle, the rest of it gets dragged inside it like a tablecloth being pulled from a table. 
 
“It was thought that because the sub-oceanic plateaus are thicker, they should be stronger. But our models and seismic data show it’s the opposite: the plateaus are weaker," said Gun.

Watch:&nbsp;World sees first 12 months above 1.5°c warming level

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The scientists studied four plateaus present in the western Pacific Ocean, which is the Ontong Java, Shatsky, Hess, and Manihiki, in a vast area that is roughly bounded by New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan and Australia. 
 
The scientists then brought a supercomputer into action to create a model with the help of existing data which revealed major changes. 
 
The study's findings were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. 
 
“A new finding like this overturns what we’ve understood and taught about the active Earth, and it shows that there are still radical mysteries about even the grand operation of our evolving planet,” Gun added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, scientists found that several rigid tectonic plates which are under the Pacific Ocean are being pulled apart. Earth has an outer shell, which is called the lithosphere and is divided into various rigid plates.

In a new study, scientists found that several rigid tectonic plates which are under the Pacific Ocean are being pulled apart. Earth has an outer shell, which is called the lithosphere and is divided into various rigid plates. These plates are known to float in the semi-fluid asthenosphere and their movement is a key feature of these plates. The University of Toronto's geoscientists discovered that the plate is scored by large undersea faults which are hundreds of kilometres long and thousands of metres deep. The team was surprised after finding that the geological deformation, which is the continental plate interiors' regular feature, is also taking place inside the ocean plates. Also Read: Mysterious jet-black eggs found in depths of Pacific Ocean; scientists perplexed “We knew that geological deformations like faults happen on the continental plate interiors far from plate boundaries,” said Erkan Gun, who is a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at U of T Scarborough, as reported by Science Alert. “But we didn't know the same thing was happening to ocean plates," Gun stated. The Pacific plate consists of the maximum Pacific Ocean floor and has moved westwards to plunge into the mantle of Earth along the trenches or subduction zones of undersea which run from Japan to New Zealand and Australia. Tectonic plate gets dragged inside Earth's mantle like table cloth: Scientists Researchers said that as the plate's western edge is pulled down into the mantle, the rest of it gets dragged inside it like a tablecloth being pulled from a table. “It was thought that because the sub-oceanic plateaus are thicker, they should be stronger. But our models and seismic data show it’s the opposite: the plateaus are weaker," said Gun. Watch: World sees first 12 months above 1.5°c warming level The scientists studied four plateaus present in the western Pacific Ocean, which is the Ontong Java, Shatsky, Hess, and Manihiki, in a vast area that is roughly bounded by New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan and Australia. The scientists then brought a supercomputer into action to create a model with the help of existing data which revealed major changes. The study's findings were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. “A new finding like this overturns what we’ve understood and taught about the active Earth, and it shows that there are still radical mysteries about even the grand operation of our evolving planet,” Gun added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say tectonic plate tearing apart under Pacific Ocean from Japan to New Zealand

In a new study, Australian geologists discovered the reason why Earth was enveloped in extreme ice, like a giant snowball, almost 700 million years ago.

This was the era when the planet was covered with glaciers, which extended from the poles to the equator.

The research was carried out by a group of scientists from the University of Sydney who tried to explain the natural temperature regulation mechanisms of Earth while emphasising the delicate balance of Earth's climate with respect to the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

<h2>Beneath the ice of “Snowball Earth”</h2>

Study’s lead author and ARC Future Fellow Dr Adriana Dutkiewicz speaking about the “Snowball Earth", said, “Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over. That’s just what happened about 700 million years ago; the planet was blanketed in ice from the poles to the equator and temperatures plunged. However, just what caused this has been an open question.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-super-earth-with-habitable-zone-this-planet-137-light-years-away-assures-687327">NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ with habitable zone. This planet 137 light years away assures…</a>

The team went on a geological field trip to the Ranges under the guidance of co-author Professor Alan Collins from the University of Adelaide. They were inspired and decided to use the University of Sydney's EarthByte computer models to look into the cause and study the prolonged era of the ice age.

The Sturtian glaciation, which was named after 19th-century European colonial explorer of central Australia Charles Sturt, spanned from 717 to 660 million years ago.

The ice age, which occurred long before the emergence of complex terrestrial plant life and dinosaurs, marks a significant period in Earth’s prehistoric timeline.

<h2>Here is what led to the ice age on Earth</h2>

A compelling theory has been shared by scientists, as per which the ice age, which is also called the Sturtian glaciation, primarily came into existence due to historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions which were compounded by the volcanic rock's weathering in present-day Canada, which were absorbing atmospheric CO2.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA launches new climate mission to study ocean

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“We now think we have cracked the mystery: historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, aided by weathering of a large pile of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada; a process that absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide,” said Dr Dutkiewicz, in the study.

This glaciation, which stretches from 717 to 660 million years ago, was very significant. It&nbsp;occurred before the age of dinosaurs and complex terrestrial plant life&nbsp;representing&nbsp;a pivotal epoch in the history of Earth.

Dr Dutkiewicz said, “Various factors have been considered for the initiation and conclusion of this ice age, but its remarkable duration of 57 million years has been especially baffling.”

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, Australian geologists discovered the reason why Earth was enveloped in extreme ice, like a giant snowball, almost 700 million years ago. This was the era when the planet was covered with glaciers, which extended from the poles to the equator.

In a new study, Australian geologists discovered the reason why Earth was enveloped in extreme ice, like a giant snowball, almost 700 million years ago. This was the era when the planet was covered with glaciers, which extended from the poles to the equator. The research was carried out by a group of scientists from the University of Sydney who tried to explain the natural temperature regulation mechanisms of Earth while emphasising the delicate balance of Earth's climate with respect to the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Beneath the ice of “Snowball Earth” Study’s lead author and ARC Future Fellow Dr Adriana Dutkiewicz speaking about the “Snowball Earth", said, “Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over. That’s just what happened about 700 million years ago; the planet was blanketed in ice from the poles to the equator and temperatures plunged. However, just what caused this has been an open question.” Also Read: NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ with habitable zone. This planet 137 light years away assures… The team went on a geological field trip to the Ranges under the guidance of co-author Professor Alan Collins from the University of Adelaide. They were inspired and decided to use the University of Sydney's EarthByte computer models to look into the cause and study the prolonged era of the ice age. The Sturtian glaciation, which was named after 19th-century European colonial explorer of central Australia Charles Sturt, spanned from 717 to 660 million years ago. The ice age, which occurred long before the emergence of complex terrestrial plant life and dinosaurs, marks a significant period in Earth’s prehistoric timeline. Here is what led to the ice age on Earth A compelling theory has been shared by scientists, as per which the ice age, which is also called the Sturtian glaciation, primarily came into existence due to historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions which were compounded by the volcanic rock's weathering in present-day Canada, which were absorbing atmospheric CO2. Watch: NASA launches new climate mission to study ocean “We now think we have cracked the mystery: historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, aided by weathering of a large pile of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada; a process that absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide,” said Dr Dutkiewicz, in the study. This glaciation, which stretches from 717 to 660 million years ago, was very significant. It occurred before the age of dinosaurs and complex terrestrial plant life representing a pivotal epoch in the history of Earth. Dr Dutkiewicz said, “Various factors have been considered for the initiation and conclusion of this ice age, but its remarkable duration of 57 million years has been especially baffling.” (With inputs from agencies)

Mystery of why Earth was a giant snowball 700 million years ago has now been unravelled

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 5. The researchers claimed to have found the remains of a single pterosaur, named Ceoptera evansae, which is likely to have lived 166 to 168 million years ago on&nbsp;Earth during the Middle Jurassic period.

The research was headed by scientists from the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester, the Natural History Museum and the University of Liverpool.

According to the research, the incomplete fossil remains of Ceoptera evansae were first discovered in 2006 on a small beach close to the coastline of Loch Scavaig, which was located on the Strathaird Peninsula in the Isle of Skye.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-found-fossilised-dinosaur-era-frog-with-belly-filled-with-eggs-in-china-687762">Fossil of a dinosaur-era frog suggests it suffered gruesome death while mating</a>

The researchers, since then, analysed partial skeletons - which are remains of the wings, shoulders, backbone and wings - and digital scanning was used to reveal different elements of the skeleton which were "otherwise inaccessible" because of being embedded in rock.

Ceoptera evansae's skeleton is one of the first pterosaur species to be fully digitally prepared, according to the report.

<h2>Flying dinosaurs lived in China?&nbsp;</h2>

The researchers in the findings said that Ceoptera evansae belongs to a group of pterosaurs, called Darwinoptera.&nbsp;

It was believed that Darwinoptera mainly lived in China, where the species' fossils were discovered before.

In a press release, senior author on the paper and merit researcher at the Natural History Museum Professor Paul Barrett said that the discovery of this dinosaur in the United Kingdom was a "complete surprise".

<img alt="dinosaur 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="140a78a3-be8d-4628-8e15-6fdcc211c02a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/download%20%2842%29.jpg" />

Caption:&nbsp;Skeleton of the new pterosaur Ceoptera evansae, discovered on a beach on Scotland's Isle of Skye

"Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China," said Barrett.&nbsp;

"It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution," he added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the lead author on the paper and palaeobiologist from the University of Bristol Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone said that the findings bring researchers "one step closer to understanding" the evolution of pterosaurs.

Watch:&nbsp;Metabolic changes mapped by scientists to regulate pregnancy health

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"The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance," said Martin-Silverstone&nbsp;in the press release.

"To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 5. The researchers claimed to have found the remains of a single pterosaur, named Ceoptera evansae, which is likely to have lived 166 to 168 million years ago on Earth during the Middle Jurassic period. The research was headed by scientists from the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester, the Natural History Museum and the University of Liverpool. According to the research, the incomplete fossil remains of Ceoptera evansae were first discovered in 2006 on a small beach close to the coastline of Loch Scavaig, which was located on the Strathaird Peninsula in the Isle of Skye. Also Read: Fossil of a dinosaur-era frog suggests it suffered gruesome death while mating The researchers, since then, analysed partial skeletons - which are remains of the wings, shoulders, backbone and wings - and digital scanning was used to reveal different elements of the skeleton which were "otherwise inaccessible" because of being embedded in rock. Ceoptera evansae's skeleton is one of the first pterosaur species to be fully digitally prepared, according to the report. Flying dinosaurs lived in China? The researchers in the findings said that Ceoptera evansae belongs to a group of pterosaurs, called Darwinoptera. It was believed that Darwinoptera mainly lived in China, where the species' fossils were discovered before. In a press release, senior author on the paper and merit researcher at the Natural History Museum Professor Paul Barrett said that the discovery of this dinosaur in the United Kingdom was a "complete surprise". Caption: Skeleton of the new pterosaur Ceoptera evansae, discovered on a beach on Scotland's Isle of Skye "Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China," said Barrett. "It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution," he added. Meanwhile, the lead author on the paper and palaeobiologist from the University of Bristol Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone said that the findings bring researchers "one step closer to understanding" the evolution of pterosaurs. Watch: Metabolic changes mapped by scientists to regulate pregnancy health "The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance," said Martin-Silverstone in the press release. "To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Shocking discovery in Scotland reveals skeleton of flying dinosaur that lived in China

Orcas or killer whales are apex predators and marine mammals. Watch the video to know more.

All you need to know about killer whales

Chinese scientists claim to have come up with a device that can help the PLA snoop on every radio frequency range real-time. This, scientists claim, can leave China's enemy completely exposed in battlefield.

Gravitas | Space Weapons: China's secret device can snoop on every conversation

A team of engineers and scientists have reached Antarctica where they will be testing a drone which will help experts in forecasting the impacts of climate change. The autonomous plane is set to map areas of the continent which have till now remained beyond the researchers' boundaries. 
 
The plane has been placed to test in the extreme weather around the highest peaks of Wales. This is the first experiment which will survey the mountains which are under the ice sheet so that they can make predictions on how quickly the ice can melt and add to the global sea-level rise. 
 
Scientists have been making efforts to understand Antarctica better but the existing technology has been limiting them from exploring further.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/search-vehicle-exploded-under-doomsday-glacier-in-antarctica-disappears-686243">Search vehicle explodes under 'Doomsday Glacier' in Antarctica, disappears</a>

Below-freezing temperatures, sudden storms and strong winds are common. Such dangerous conditions along with Antarctica's dark winters and the need for transporting large amounts of fuel and pilots have placed limitations on the use of traditional crewed planes. 
 
The new drone was developed by the British Antarctic Survey along with UK company Windracers in a way that it can be easily repaired if it faces any issues.

<h2 lang="en-US">Drone's information to be processed by British Antarctic Survey</h2>

The test was carried out on a drone in Llanbedr, Eyreri, North Wales, which is a terrain of Antarctica and has difficult weather. 
 
In a practice run which was carried out in strong winds as rains lashed the airfield, engineer Rebecca Toomey said that the drone is equipped to fly to remote areas without threatening the safety of the pilots, reported BBC. 
 
The drone can carry 100kg of cargo to 1,000km. The instruments, which include radar and cameras, are loaded in the drone's back and on its wings.

Watch:&nbsp;Four new emperor penguin groups discovered in Antarctica

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The route of the drone has been programmed in and the flight is monitored by an engineer using a computer. 
 
The drone will initially be operated by Rebecca from Rothera base in Antarctica, but eventually, it will be flown by the British Antarctic Survey from the UK. 
 
It consumes much less fuel compared to traditional planes, 10 barrels in comparison to 200 on one research flight, which decreases the environmental impact of scientific research on Earth. 
 
The data collected by the robot plane will be processed at the British Antarctic Survey headquarters in Cambridge.

(With inputs from agencies)

A team of engineers and scientists have reached Antarctica where they will be testing a drone which will help experts in forecasting the impacts of climate change.

A team of engineers and scientists have reached Antarctica where they will be testing a drone which will help experts in forecasting the impacts of climate change. The autonomous plane is set to map areas of the continent which have till now remained beyond the researchers' boundaries. The plane has been placed to test in the extreme weather around the highest peaks of Wales. This is the first experiment which will survey the mountains which are under the ice sheet so that they can make predictions on how quickly the ice can melt and add to the global sea-level rise. Scientists have been making efforts to understand Antarctica better but the existing technology has been limiting them from exploring further. Also read: Search vehicle explodes under 'Doomsday Glacier' in Antarctica, disappears Below-freezing temperatures, sudden storms and strong winds are common. Such dangerous conditions along with Antarctica's dark winters and the need for transporting large amounts of fuel and pilots have placed limitations on the use of traditional crewed planes. The new drone was developed by the British Antarctic Survey along with UK company Windracers in a way that it can be easily repaired if it faces any issues. Drone's information to be processed by British Antarctic Survey The test was carried out on a drone in Llanbedr, Eyreri, North Wales, which is a terrain of Antarctica and has difficult weather. In a practice run which was carried out in strong winds as rains lashed the airfield, engineer Rebecca Toomey said that the drone is equipped to fly to remote areas without threatening the safety of the pilots, reported BBC. The drone can carry 100kg of cargo to 1,000km. The instruments, which include radar and cameras, are loaded in the drone's back and on its wings. Watch: Four new emperor penguin groups discovered in Antarctica The route of the drone has been programmed in and the flight is monitored by an engineer using a computer. The drone will initially be operated by Rebecca from Rothera base in Antarctica, but eventually, it will be flown by the British Antarctic Survey from the UK. It consumes much less fuel compared to traditional planes, 10 barrels in comparison to 200 on one research flight, which decreases the environmental impact of scientific research on Earth. The data collected by the robot plane will be processed at the British Antarctic Survey headquarters in Cambridge. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists to map mysteries of Antarctica using robot plane

Scientists in Morocco stumbled upon two trails of 90,000-year-old ancient human footprints which remained preserved on a beach and are likely to be one of the largest and best-preserved trackways ever found in the world.

According to a study which was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers had discovered the footprint site close to North Africa's northern tip in 2022.&nbsp;

"Between tides, I said to my team that we should go north to explore another beach," said study lead author Mouncef Sedrati, who was also an associate professor of coastal dynamics and geomorphology at the University of Southern Brittany in France, while speaking to Live Science.&nbsp;

"We were surprised to find the first print. At first, we weren't convinced it was a footprint, but then we found more of the trackway," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-a-unique-way-to-keep-spacecraft-safer-than-they-ever-were-667962">Scientists find a 'unique' way to keep spacecraft safer than they ever were</a>

The site's analysis, which is the only human trackway site of its kind to have been discovered in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean, revealed two different trails which contained a total of 85 human footprints which appeared to have been stamped on the beach by a group of at least five early modern humans.

Optically stimulated luminescence dating, which is a technique which helps in determining when some specific artefact or minerals were last time exposed to sunlight or heat, was used by the team.

Based on the age of the fine grains of quartz which were present in bulk on the sand of the gently sloped beach, the researchers figured that a multigenerational group of Homo Sapiens&nbsp;walked on the beach around 90,000 years ago and created the pathways.&nbsp;

<h2>Footprints to have been pressed on beach in Late Pleistocene</h2>

As per the study, the event occurred during the Late Pleistocene, which was also called the last ice age and ended around 11,700 years ago.

"We took measurements on-site to determine the length and depth of the prints," Sedrati said.

"Based on the foot pressure and size of the footprints, we were able to determine the approximate age of the individuals, which included children, adolescents and adults," the author added.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB

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The researchers credit the excellent preservation of the ancient impressions to a number of factors, including the beach's layout and the long reach of the tides for "the final preservation of the footprints," according to the study.

"The exceptional thing is the position of the beach on a rocky platform that is covered in clay sediments," Sedrati said. "These sediments create good conditions to preserve the tracks on the sandbar while the tides rapidly buried the beach. That's why the footprints are so well preserved here," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Scientists in Morocco stumbled upon two trails of 90,000-year-old ancient human footprints which remained preserved on a beach and are likely to be one of the largest and best-preserved trackways ever found in the world.

Scientists in Morocco stumbled upon two trails of 90,000-year-old ancient human footprints which remained preserved on a beach and are likely to be one of the largest and best-preserved trackways ever found in the world. According to a study which was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers had discovered the footprint site close to North Africa's northern tip in 2022. "Between tides, I said to my team that we should go north to explore another beach," said study lead author Mouncef Sedrati, who was also an associate professor of coastal dynamics and geomorphology at the University of Southern Brittany in France, while speaking to Live Science. "We were surprised to find the first print. At first, we weren't convinced it was a footprint, but then we found more of the trackway," he added. Also read: Scientists find a 'unique' way to keep spacecraft safer than they ever were The site's analysis, which is the only human trackway site of its kind to have been discovered in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean, revealed two different trails which contained a total of 85 human footprints which appeared to have been stamped on the beach by a group of at least five early modern humans. Optically stimulated luminescence dating, which is a technique which helps in determining when some specific artefact or minerals were last time exposed to sunlight or heat, was used by the team. Based on the age of the fine grains of quartz which were present in bulk on the sand of the gently sloped beach, the researchers figured that a multigenerational group of Homo Sapiens walked on the beach around 90,000 years ago and created the pathways. Footprints to have been pressed on beach in Late Pleistocene As per the study, the event occurred during the Late Pleistocene, which was also called the last ice age and ended around 11,700 years ago. "We took measurements on-site to determine the length and depth of the prints," Sedrati said. "Based on the foot pressure and size of the footprints, we were able to determine the approximate age of the individuals, which included children, adolescents and adults," the author added. Watch: Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB The researchers credit the excellent preservation of the ancient impressions to a number of factors, including the beach's layout and the long reach of the tides for "the final preservation of the footprints," according to the study. "The exceptional thing is the position of the beach on a rocky platform that is covered in clay sediments," Sedrati said. "These sediments create good conditions to preserve the tracks on the sandbar while the tides rapidly buried the beach. That's why the footprints are so well preserved here," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists stumble upon 90,000-year-old human footprints on Moroccan beach. Here's what it indicates

The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that&nbsp;was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018.

In December 2020, the mission returned samples to the Earth which gave scientists some potentially invaluable insights into how life originated on Earth.&nbsp;

According to some researchers, life may have been seeded into Earth by ancient asteroid impacts.

The team of researchers, who have been studying the samples, concluded that the surfaces of the sample may contain organic molecules, which further supports that provocative theory.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/celestial-parade-earth-braces-for-close-encounters-with-five-colossal-asteroids-this-week-684758">Celestial parade: Earth braces for close encounters with five colossal asteroids this week</a>

Speaking about the research in a statement, Tohoku University Graduate School of Science assistant professor and coauthor Megumi Matsumoto said, "We propose that the carbonaceous materials formed from cometary organic matter via the evaporation of volatiles, such as nitrogen and oxygen, during the impact-induced heating."&nbsp;

"This suggests that cometary matter was transported to the near-Earth region from the outer solar system. This organic matter might be the small seeds of life once delivered from space to Earth," he added.

<h2>Materials within 'melt splashes' resemble 'primitive organic matter'</h2>

As per the research which was published in the journal Science Advances, the team of Matsumoto found five to 20-micrometre-wide "melt splashes" in the Ryugu asteroid samples, which they claimed were formed when cometary dust rained down on the atmosphere-less space rock.&nbsp;

The researchers said that within these splashes, they found "carbonaceous materials" which resembled "primitive organic matter."

"The chemical compositions of the melt splashes suggest that Ryugu's hydrous silicates mixed with cometary dust," said Matsumoto.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA finally unlocks a canister containing precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-finally-unlocks-a-canister-containing-precious-dust-samples-from-the-asteroid-bennu-685269/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scientists at NASA &nbsp;have been carrying out the investigation of asteroid Bennu samples which have been collected by its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.

The space agency, in an October announcement, said that it had discovered the "building blocks of life on Earth" in preliminary samples which were collected from outside of the sample collection instrument of the spacecraft.&nbsp;

The researchers, however, still need to carry out the study, till they are able to conclude that life on Earth came into existence thanks to organic matter from space.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018.

The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018. In December 2020, the mission returned samples to the Earth which gave scientists some potentially invaluable insights into how life originated on Earth. According to some researchers, life may have been seeded into Earth by ancient asteroid impacts. The team of researchers, who have been studying the samples, concluded that the surfaces of the sample may contain organic molecules, which further supports that provocative theory. Also read: Celestial parade: Earth braces for close encounters with five colossal asteroids this week Speaking about the research in a statement, Tohoku University Graduate School of Science assistant professor and coauthor Megumi Matsumoto said, "We propose that the carbonaceous materials formed from cometary organic matter via the evaporation of volatiles, such as nitrogen and oxygen, during the impact-induced heating." "This suggests that cometary matter was transported to the near-Earth region from the outer solar system. This organic matter might be the small seeds of life once delivered from space to Earth," he added. Materials within 'melt splashes' resemble 'primitive organic matter' As per the research which was published in the journal Science Advances, the team of Matsumoto found five to 20-micrometre-wide "melt splashes" in the Ryugu asteroid samples, which they claimed were formed when cometary dust rained down on the atmosphere-less space rock. The researchers said that within these splashes, they found "carbonaceous materials" which resembled "primitive organic matter." "The chemical compositions of the melt splashes suggest that Ryugu's hydrous silicates mixed with cometary dust," said Matsumoto. Watch: NASA finally unlocks a canister containing precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu The scientists at NASA have been carrying out the investigation of asteroid Bennu samples which have been collected by its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. The space agency, in an October announcement, said that it had discovered the "building blocks of life on Earth" in preliminary samples which were collected from outside of the sample collection instrument of the spacecraft. The researchers, however, still need to carry out the study, till they are able to conclude that life on Earth came into existence thanks to organic matter from space. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say 'organic matter' in distant asteroid may be hiding 'origins of life'

Scientists believe that the Indian tectonic plate is breaking into two. Experts have studied seismic waves near Tibet and they have found evidence of a tear in the tectonic plate. Should the world start preparing for a disaster?

Indian tectonic plate breaking into two, Scientists have evidence

Scientists believe that the Indian tectonic plate could be splitting into two and it could be tearing apart Tibet. Scientists say they already have evidence of a tear. This report has the details.

Gravitas: Scientists say Indian tectonic plate is breaking into two

In a new study, the scientists have issued a warning regarding how dangerous are the viruses which are buried under ice sheets in the Arctic permafrost and other places. &nbsp;

The scientists said that the melting Arctic permafrost is likely to release the 'zombie viruses' that can cause catastrophic global health emergencies, as per a report published in The Guardian. &nbsp;

The threat regarding the zombie virus has escalated because of rising temperatures due to global warming, which also resulted in the melting of the frozen ice.&nbsp;

Some of the samples retrieved from Siberian permafrost last year were used by scientists to better understand the risks related to these viruses. These viruses have remained frozen in the ground for thousands of years.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-experimenting-with-deadly-covid-like-virus-that-is-fatal-to-mice-report-680390">China experimenting with deadly Covid-like virus that could affect humans: Report</a>

Speaking to The Guardian, Geneticist Jean-Michel Claverie of Aix-Marseille University said, "At the moment, analyses of pandemic threats focus on diseases that might emerge in southern regions and then spread north. By contrast, little attention has been given to an outbreak that might emerge in the far north and then travel south - and that is an oversight, I believe. There are viruses up there that have the potential to infect humans and start a new disease outbreak."

<h2>Live viruses can infect single-celled creatures: Scientists</h2>

Meanwhile, scientist Marion Koopmans of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam also agreed with the conclusions and said, "We don't know what viruses are lying out there in the permafrost but I think there is a real risk that there might be one capable of triggering a disease outbreak - say of an ancient form of polio. We have to assume that something like this could happen."&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | China working on Wuhan virus 2.0?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-working-on-wuhan-virus-20-680634/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Although being buried for thousands of years in permafrost, live viruses can still infect single-celled creatures, as per the team of scientists headed by Claverie in Siberia in 2014. One of the virus samples collected dates back 48,500 years.

"The viruses we isolated were only able to infect amoebae and posed no risk to humans. However, that does not mean that other viruses - currently frozen in the permafrost - might not be able to trigger illnesses in humans. We have identified genomic traces of poxviruses and herpesviruses, which are well-known human pathogens, for example," Claverie said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, the scientists have issued a warning regarding how dangerous are the viruses which are buried under ice sheets in the Arctic permafrost and other places.

In a new study, the scientists have issued a warning regarding how dangerous are the viruses which are buried under ice sheets in the Arctic permafrost and other places. The scientists said that the melting Arctic permafrost is likely to release the 'zombie viruses' that can cause catastrophic global health emergencies, as per a report published in The Guardian. The threat regarding the zombie virus has escalated because of rising temperatures due to global warming, which also resulted in the melting of the frozen ice. Some of the samples retrieved from Siberian permafrost last year were used by scientists to better understand the risks related to these viruses. These viruses have remained frozen in the ground for thousands of years. Also read: China experimenting with deadly Covid-like virus that could affect humans: Report Speaking to The Guardian, Geneticist Jean-Michel Claverie of Aix-Marseille University said, "At the moment, analyses of pandemic threats focus on diseases that might emerge in southern regions and then spread north. By contrast, little attention has been given to an outbreak that might emerge in the far north and then travel south - and that is an oversight, I believe. There are viruses up there that have the potential to infect humans and start a new disease outbreak." Live viruses can infect single-celled creatures: Scientists Meanwhile, scientist Marion Koopmans of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam also agreed with the conclusions and said, "We don't know what viruses are lying out there in the permafrost but I think there is a real risk that there might be one capable of triggering a disease outbreak - say of an ancient form of polio. We have to assume that something like this could happen." Watch: Gravitas | China working on Wuhan virus 2.0? Although being buried for thousands of years in permafrost, live viruses can still infect single-celled creatures, as per the team of scientists headed by Claverie in Siberia in 2014. One of the virus samples collected dates back 48,500 years. "The viruses we isolated were only able to infect amoebae and posed no risk to humans. However, that does not mean that other viruses - currently frozen in the permafrost - might not be able to trigger illnesses in humans. We have identified genomic traces of poxviruses and herpesviruses, which are well-known human pathogens, for example," Claverie said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Zombie’ virus, after remaining frozen 48,500 years in Arctic, may cause a deadly pandemic, warn scientists

How is a black hole formed? In the simplest language, a black hole is born when a star dies. Now, astronomers have claimed that they might have just witnessed the birth of such a black hole in a major first. This is huge for the scientific community worldwide as it directly links the death of a star to the formation of a black hole-like compact object.

“Our research is like solving a puzzle by gathering all possible evidence,” Ping Chen, a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and lead author of a study published in Nature, was quoted as saying by Cosomos Magazine.

<h2>How did it start?</h2>

It started with the discovery of a super bright object in space, called SN 2022jli. The object, located some 76 million years away, was discovered by a South African amateur astronomer, Berto Monard. Soon it was confirmed that they had their eyes set on a supernova. A supernova occurs just as a star is breathing its last, or when a black hole is about to form.

Supernovas are hard to study because they are impossible to predict and quickly disappear.

<h2>How SN 2022jli startled scientists?</h2>

SN 2022jli didn’t play by the normal space rules. Usually, a supernova starts out bright but fades gradually. In SN 2022jli’s case, the supernova had its share of ups and downs, switching from bright to dim and back to bright within days.

“In SN 2022jli’s data we see a repeating sequence of brightening and fading,” says Thomas Moore, a scientist from Queen’s University Belfast, whose study of the supernova was published last year in the Astrophysical Journal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/parasite-black-holes-devouring-stars-from-inside-says-study-670146">Also read:&nbsp;Parasite black holes devouring stars from inside, says study</a>

“This is the first time that repeated periodic oscillations, over many cycles, have been detected in a supernova light curve,” Moore added.

<h2>Possible explanation for this anomaly</h2>

Scientists believe that a surviving second star from the supernova explosion is responsible for revealing the compact object. They theorise that either a black hole or neutron star is gulping hydrogen from its companion's 'puffy' atmosphere, a process known as accretion. The resulting energy waves detected by researchers correspond to these oscillations.

Watch:&nbsp;ISRO launches XPoSat to study black hole emissions

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“The unprecedented properties of SN 2022jli tell that whatever happens in the system should be a rare phenomenon, which might be explained by the rarity of a bound binary system surviving a supernova explosion,” the researchers wrote in their Nature paper.

(With inputs from agencies)

How is a black hole formed? In the simplest language, a black hole is born when a star dies. Now, astronomers have claimed that they might have just witnessed the birth of such a black hole in a major first.

How is a black hole formed? In the simplest language, a black hole is born when a star dies. Now, astronomers have claimed that they might have just witnessed the birth of such a black hole in a major first. This is huge for the scientific community worldwide as it directly links the death of a star to the formation of a black hole-like compact object. “Our research is like solving a puzzle by gathering all possible evidence,” Ping Chen, a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and lead author of a study published in Nature, was quoted as saying by Cosomos Magazine. How did it start? It started with the discovery of a super bright object in space, called SN 2022jli. The object, located some 76 million years away, was discovered by a South African amateur astronomer, Berto Monard. Soon it was confirmed that they had their eyes set on a supernova. A supernova occurs just as a star is breathing its last, or when a black hole is about to form. Supernovas are hard to study because they are impossible to predict and quickly disappear. How SN 2022jli startled scientists? SN 2022jli didn’t play by the normal space rules. Usually, a supernova starts out bright but fades gradually. In SN 2022jli’s case, the supernova had its share of ups and downs, switching from bright to dim and back to bright within days. “In SN 2022jli’s data we see a repeating sequence of brightening and fading,” says Thomas Moore, a scientist from Queen’s University Belfast, whose study of the supernova was published last year in the Astrophysical Journal. Also read: Parasite black holes devouring stars from inside, says study “This is the first time that repeated periodic oscillations, over many cycles, have been detected in a supernova light curve,” Moore added. Possible explanation for this anomaly Scientists believe that a surviving second star from the supernova explosion is responsible for revealing the compact object. They theorise that either a black hole or neutron star is gulping hydrogen from its companion's 'puffy' atmosphere, a process known as accretion. The resulting energy waves detected by researchers correspond to these oscillations. Watch: ISRO launches XPoSat to study black hole emissions × “The unprecedented properties of SN 2022jli tell that whatever happens in the system should be a rare phenomenon, which might be explained by the rarity of a bound binary system surviving a supernova explosion,” the researchers wrote in their Nature paper. (With inputs from agencies)

Missing link between a supernova and a black hole is finally revealed

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