<p>In situations involving social discomfort, individuals with anxiety tend to activate a less appropriate section of the frontal region of the brain when making behavioral choices compared to those without anxiety. This phenomenon is evident through brain imaging analyses conducted by Bob Bramson and Sjoerd Meijer at the Donders Institute of Radboud University.&nbsp;This marks the first instance where brain scans demonstrate the distinct neural functioning of the prefrontal region among anxious and non-anxious individuals when it comes to emotional behavior regulation. The researchers speculate that these findings could potentially pave the way for novel treatments catering to individuals with anxiety.</p>

<h2><strong>Navigating emotional responses</strong></h2>

<p>Consider an anxious person and a non-anxious person both encountering someone they have strong romantic feelings for. Both experience tension in this encounter and both desire to ask the person out on a date.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/with-massive-compensation-for-flyers-saudi-arabia-brings-new-aviation-rules-to-combat-flight-disruptions-629394">With massive compensation for flyers, Saudi Arabia brings new aviation rules to combat flight disruptions</a></p>

<p>The question arises: Should they approach the person or avoid them to circumvent potential embarrassment?</p>

<p>While the non-anxious individual can effectively manage their emotions and opt for a course of action that involves approaching the potential partner, an anxious person finds this considerably more challenging.</p>

<p>Bramson explained, “Anxious people use a less suitable section of the forebrain for this control. It’s more difficult for them to choose alternative behaviour, so they avoid social situations more often.”</p>

<h2><strong>Balancing threat and&nbsp;reward</strong></h2>

<p>Decisions like these demand a balance between perceived threats and potential rewards, a cognitive process carried out in the prefrontal cortex by non-anxious individuals.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-aircraft-reportedly-linked-to-prigozhin-not-linked-to-wagner-629402">Second aircraft linked to Prigozhin had no connection to Wagner: Report</a></p>

<p>“Our trial subjects were shown happy and angry faces and had to first move a joystick towards the happy face and away from the angry face. At a certain point they had to do the reverse: move towards an angry face and away from a happy face. This demands control over our automatic tendency to avoid negative situations,"&nbsp;Bramson said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, anxious participants performed similarly to their non-anxious counterparts in this straightforward task.</p>

<p>However, the brain scans unveiled distinct patterns of activation.</p>

<p>Bramson explained, “In non-anxious people we often see that, during emotional control, a signal is sent from the foremost section of the prefrontal cortex to the motor cortex, the section of the brain that directs your body to act. In anxious people, a less efficient section of that foremost section is used.”</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Ex-French president faces corruption charges</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ex-french-president-faces-corruption-charges-629414/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Additional scans indicate that this divergence is likely due to the 'appropriate' brain region becoming excessively stimulated in anxious individuals.</p>

<p>“This could explain why anxious people find it difficult to choose alternative behaviour and thus avoid social situations. The disadvantage of this is that they never learn that social situations aren’t as negative as they think.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In situations involving social discomfort, individuals with anxiety tend to activate a less appropriate section of the frontal region of the brain when making behavioral choices compared to those without anxiety.

In situations involving social discomfort, individuals with anxiety tend to activate a less appropriate section of the frontal region of the brain when making behavioral choices compared to those without anxiety. This phenomenon is evident through brain imaging analyses conducted by Bob Bramson and Sjoerd Meijer at the Donders Institute of Radboud University. This marks the first instance where brain scans demonstrate the distinct neural functioning of the prefrontal region among anxious and non-anxious individuals when it comes to emotional behavior regulation. The researchers speculate that these findings could potentially pave the way for novel treatments catering to individuals with anxiety. Navigating emotional responses Consider an anxious person and a non-anxious person both encountering someone they have strong romantic feelings for. Both experience tension in this encounter and both desire to ask the person out on a date. Also Read | With massive compensation for flyers, Saudi Arabia brings new aviation rules to combat flight disruptions The question arises: Should they approach the person or avoid them to circumvent potential embarrassment? While the non-anxious individual can effectively manage their emotions and opt for a course of action that involves approaching the potential partner, an anxious person finds this considerably more challenging. Bramson explained, “Anxious people use a less suitable section of the forebrain for this control. It’s more difficult for them to choose alternative behaviour, so they avoid social situations more often.” Balancing threat and reward Decisions like these demand a balance between perceived threats and potential rewards, a cognitive process carried out in the prefrontal cortex by non-anxious individuals. Also Read | Second aircraft linked to Prigozhin had no connection to Wagner: Report “Our trial subjects were shown happy and angry faces and had to first move a joystick towards the happy face and away from the angry face. At a certain point they had to do the reverse: move towards an angry face and away from a happy face. This demands control over our automatic tendency to avoid negative situations," Bramson said. Interestingly, anxious participants performed similarly to their non-anxious counterparts in this straightforward task. However, the brain scans unveiled distinct patterns of activation. Bramson explained, “In non-anxious people we often see that, during emotional control, a signal is sent from the foremost section of the prefrontal cortex to the motor cortex, the section of the brain that directs your body to act. In anxious people, a less efficient section of that foremost section is used.” Watch | Ex-French president faces corruption charges × Additional scans indicate that this divergence is likely due to the 'appropriate' brain region becoming excessively stimulated in anxious individuals. “This could explain why anxious people find it difficult to choose alternative behaviour and thus avoid social situations. The disadvantage of this is that they never learn that social situations aren’t as negative as they think.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Anxious brains navigate social challenges differently. Here's how

<p>China's sudden lifting of the strict COVID-19 regime, which led to the spread of the virus among its 1.4 billion residents, is likely to have resulted in nearly 2 million excess deaths in the next two months, as per a new US study.<br />
<br />
The study, which was carried out by the federally funded Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre in Seattle, was done&nbsp;from a sample of mortality data that appeared in some internet searches and was published by a few universities in China.<br />
<br />
The study found that around 1.87 million excess deaths were related to health issues that were faced by people above the age of 30 years between December 2022 and January 2023, and were observed in many provinces in mainland China except Tibet.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-focuses-on-new-vaccination-drive-as-coronavirus-wave-looms-over-nation-621926">COVID-19: China focuses on new vaccination drive as coronavirus wave looms over nation</a></p>

<p>The decision of China last December to suddenly lift the three-year zero-Covid policy, which included persistent and stringent quarantine lockdowns and mass-testing, resulted in a massive increase in deaths and hospitalisations which health experts said went largely unreported by the government.</p>

<p>The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Thursday, stated that the number of excess deaths went far beyond the estimates of the official Chinese government in January that put the death toll at 60,000 in hospitals after they abandoned the zero-COVID policy a month earlier.</p>

<h2><strong>No response from China's National Health Commission</strong></h2>

<p>Statistical analysis was performed by the researchers with the use of information from published obituaries and data collected from searches on Baidu, a Chinese internet search engine.<br />
<br />
"Our study of excess deaths related to the lifting of the zero-COVID policy in China sets an empirically derived benchmark estimate. These findings are important for understanding how the sudden propagation of COVID-19 across a population may impact population mortality," wrote researchers.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Fear of another Covid wave looms in China, to boost vaccination rates</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fear-of-another-covid-wave-looms-in-china-to-boost-vaccination-rates-622013/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The National Health Commission of China failed to immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. China was repeatedly called on by global health experts to reveal more data as reports of increasing deaths and hospitalisation started to surface, especially as concerns increased around the threat of new variants.</p>

<h2><strong>Virus continues to lurk in China</strong></h2>

<p>The virus is still making rounds in China, and Beijing health officials on Thursday (August 24) said that COVID&nbsp;is still the biggest infectious disease in the capital, as per the Chinese state media.<br />
<br />
Officials stated that a new Omicron variant, called EG.5, which has been nicknamed "Eris", after the Greek Goddess of strife and discord, has been a dominant strain across the country.<br />
<br />
"The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention said the proportion of the new variant EG.5 increased from 0.6% in April to 71.6% in August, becoming the dominant strain in most provinces in China," reported the Global Times.</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<main>
<section>
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</section>
</main>


China's sudden lifting of the strict COVID-19 regime, which led to the spread of the virus among its 1.4 billion residents, is likely to have resulted in nearly 2 million excess deaths in the next two months, as per a new US study.

China's sudden lifting of the strict COVID-19 regime, which led to the spread of the virus among its 1.4 billion residents, is likely to have resulted in nearly 2 million excess deaths in the next two months, as per a new US study. The study, which was carried out by the federally funded Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre in Seattle, was done from a sample of mortality data that appeared in some internet searches and was published by a few universities in China. The study found that around 1.87 million excess deaths were related to health issues that were faced by people above the age of 30 years between December 2022 and January 2023, and were observed in many provinces in mainland China except Tibet. ALSO READ | COVID-19: China focuses on new vaccination drive as coronavirus wave looms over nation The decision of China last December to suddenly lift the three-year zero-Covid policy, which included persistent and stringent quarantine lockdowns and mass-testing, resulted in a massive increase in deaths and hospitalisations which health experts said went largely unreported by the government. The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Thursday, stated that the number of excess deaths went far beyond the estimates of the official Chinese government in January that put the death toll at 60,000 in hospitals after they abandoned the zero-COVID policy a month earlier. No response from China's National Health Commission Statistical analysis was performed by the researchers with the use of information from published obituaries and data collected from searches on Baidu, a Chinese internet search engine. "Our study of excess deaths related to the lifting of the zero-COVID policy in China sets an empirically derived benchmark estimate. These findings are important for understanding how the sudden propagation of COVID-19 across a population may impact population mortality," wrote researchers. WATCH | Fear of another Covid wave looms in China, to boost vaccination rates The National Health Commission of China failed to immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. China was repeatedly called on by global health experts to reveal more data as reports of increasing deaths and hospitalisation started to surface, especially as concerns increased around the threat of new variants. Virus continues to lurk in China The virus is still making rounds in China, and Beijing health officials on Thursday (August 24) said that COVID is still the biggest infectious disease in the capital, as per the Chinese state media. Officials stated that a new Omicron variant, called EG.5, which has been nicknamed "Eris", after the Greek Goddess of strife and discord, has been a dominant strain across the country. "The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention said the proportion of the new variant EG.5 increased from 0.6% in April to 71.6% in August, becoming the dominant strain in most provinces in China," reported the Global Times. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China's lifting of Covid curbs led to around two million excess deaths: Study

<p>Amidst the backdrop of soaring global temperatures, a recent study has shed light on a concerning reality that just a few days of scorching heat can have dire food insecurity consequences for billions of individuals around the world, media reports said.</p>

<p>The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, encompassing analysis from 150 countries, particularly those in tropical and subtropical regions, exposed the vulnerability of populations in the face of heatwaves. As per this analysis, a week of high heat will lead to hunger impacting millions of men, women, and, children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study highlighted how even a week of extreme temperatures in places like India can push an additional eight million people into the throes of severe food insecurity.</p>

<h2><strong>The study </strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Traditionally, assessments of heat's impact on food availability have focused on long-term decreases in crop yields, stretching over months or years.</p>

<p>However, this study illuminated a different facet of the issue. It revealed that the ramifications of extreme heat can be felt almost immediately, especially when linked to income.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-thermonuclear-war-over-camp-david-summit-and-us-south-korea-drills-627702">North Korea threatens 'thermonuclear war' over Camp David summit and US-South Korea drills</a></p>

<p>Lead author of the study from Oxford University, Carolin Kroeger, explained, "If it gets hot today, there might be food insecurity within just a few days because people can’t work, which means they can’t earn income and afford to buy food."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Income tied to productivity</strong></h2>

<p>The effects of heat-induced food insecurity are most pronounced in professions where earnings are closely tied to productivity. For instance, agricultural work and piece-rate jobs.</p>

<p>The study cited an example where female brick carriers are paid based on the number of bricks they transport each day.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-air-defence-intercepts-and-downs-two-attack-drones-near-moscow-627704">Russian Air Defence intercepts and downs two 'attack drones' near Moscow</a></p>

<p>When high temperatures force them to carry fewer bricks, their income can plummet by as much as 50 per cent.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Beijing's fruit diplomacy turns sour as China bans imports of Taiwanese mangoes</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/beijings-fruit-diplomacy-turns-sour-as-china-bans-imports-of-taiwanese-mangoes-627688/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Nutritional decline&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While income loss due to extreme heat is a critical issue, the study also shed light on other challenges exacerbated by rising temperatures.</p>

<p>In addition to supply chain disruptions and price spikes, researchers have found that essential nutrients in staple crops and legumes are also compromised by higher temperatures, adding to the complexity of the food security crisis.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Amidst the backdrop of soaring global temperatures, a recent study has shed light on a concerning reality that just a few days of scorching heat can have dire food insecurity consequences for billions of individuals around the world, media reports said.

Amidst the backdrop of soaring global temperatures, a recent study has shed light on a concerning reality that just a few days of scorching heat can have dire food insecurity consequences for billions of individuals around the world, media reports said. The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, encompassing analysis from 150 countries, particularly those in tropical and subtropical regions, exposed the vulnerability of populations in the face of heatwaves. As per this analysis, a week of high heat will lead to hunger impacting millions of men, women, and, children. The study highlighted how even a week of extreme temperatures in places like India can push an additional eight million people into the throes of severe food insecurity. The study Traditionally, assessments of heat's impact on food availability have focused on long-term decreases in crop yields, stretching over months or years. However, this study illuminated a different facet of the issue. It revealed that the ramifications of extreme heat can be felt almost immediately, especially when linked to income. Also Read | North Korea threatens 'thermonuclear war' over Camp David summit and US-South Korea drills Lead author of the study from Oxford University, Carolin Kroeger, explained, "If it gets hot today, there might be food insecurity within just a few days because people can’t work, which means they can’t earn income and afford to buy food." Income tied to productivity The effects of heat-induced food insecurity are most pronounced in professions where earnings are closely tied to productivity. For instance, agricultural work and piece-rate jobs. The study cited an example where female brick carriers are paid based on the number of bricks they transport each day. Also Read | Russian Air Defence intercepts and downs two 'attack drones' near Moscow When high temperatures force them to carry fewer bricks, their income can plummet by as much as 50 per cent. Watch | Beijing's fruit diplomacy turns sour as China bans imports of Taiwanese mangoes × Nutritional decline While income loss due to extreme heat is a critical issue, the study also shed light on other challenges exacerbated by rising temperatures. In addition to supply chain disruptions and price spikes, researchers have found that essential nutrients in staple crops and legumes are also compromised by higher temperatures, adding to the complexity of the food security crisis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Few days of scorching heat to push billions in throes of food insecurity: Study

<p>A study published in the journal,&nbsp;Nature Medicine, shows how a form of gene therapy, which is already in the midst of being tested in patients with Parkinson’s disease, may also help provide a one-off treatment for severe alcohol addiction.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the study about?</strong></h2>

<p>The study was conducted on macaque monkeys who were predisposed to heavy drinking and like humans, some are more prone to heavy drinking than others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers noted how when the macaques were first offered a drink of their choice with five per cent alcohol alongside regular food and water, eventually, some of them almost always chose alcohol.</p>

<p>This is because, like most addictive substances, alcohol triggers the release of dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter that gives a person feelings of pleasure and reward, which motivates them to repeat a specific behaviour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, with chronic drinking, the release of dopamine decreases over time, therefore people who are addicted to alcohol eventually don’t tend to feel pleasure in drinking it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It seems that they’re drinking more because they feel a need to maintain an intoxicated state,” said Professor Kathleen Grant, who co-led the study, at Oregon Health and Science University’s National Primate Research Centre in Beaverton, United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She added, “For months on end, these animals would choose to drink water and just avoid drinking alcohol altogether.” Grant and her team wanted to know if resetting these dopamine reward pathways might lower their desire to drink alcohol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In order to do this, researchers introduced a harmless virus in four alcohol-addicted macaques to deliver the gene for a protein called glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). They used magnetic resonance imaging to guide the injection to the area of the brain that is responsible for addiction and reward.</p>

<p>“We targeted the cell bodies that produce dopamine with this gene to increase dopamine synthesis, thereby replenishing or restoring what chronic drinking has taken away,” said Grant, as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Alcohol consumption reduced by 90%</strong></h2>

<p>The study found that the macaques permanently started overexpressing dopamine which led to a dramatic decrease in their subsequent alcohol consumption by up to 90 per cent. “Drinking went down to almost zero,” said Grant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study also noted that the macaques that were injected with an inactive form of the gene continued drinking, while the ones that received GNDF, had their dopamine restored. According to Grant, the animals went from eight to 10 drinks a day to one to two drinks a day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, considering that gene therapy procedure involves brain surgery and is irreversible it would probably be used in the most severe cases of alcohol addiction, said co-lead of the study. But it might not be available for people just yet, as animal studies are needed before the technique could be tested on humans.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


A study published in the journal, Nature Medicine, shows how a form of gene therapy, which is already in the midst of being tested in patients with Parkinson’s disease, may also help provide a one-off treatment for severe alcohol addiction.

A study published in the journal, Nature Medicine, shows how a form of gene therapy, which is already in the midst of being tested in patients with Parkinson’s disease, may also help provide a one-off treatment for severe alcohol addiction. What is the study about? The study was conducted on macaque monkeys who were predisposed to heavy drinking and like humans, some are more prone to heavy drinking than others. Researchers noted how when the macaques were first offered a drink of their choice with five per cent alcohol alongside regular food and water, eventually, some of them almost always chose alcohol. This is because, like most addictive substances, alcohol triggers the release of dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter that gives a person feelings of pleasure and reward, which motivates them to repeat a specific behaviour. However, with chronic drinking, the release of dopamine decreases over time, therefore people who are addicted to alcohol eventually don’t tend to feel pleasure in drinking it. “It seems that they’re drinking more because they feel a need to maintain an intoxicated state,” said Professor Kathleen Grant, who co-led the study, at Oregon Health and Science University’s National Primate Research Centre in Beaverton, United States. She added, “For months on end, these animals would choose to drink water and just avoid drinking alcohol altogether.” Grant and her team wanted to know if resetting these dopamine reward pathways might lower their desire to drink alcohol. In order to do this, researchers introduced a harmless virus in four alcohol-addicted macaques to deliver the gene for a protein called glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). They used magnetic resonance imaging to guide the injection to the area of the brain that is responsible for addiction and reward. “We targeted the cell bodies that produce dopamine with this gene to increase dopamine synthesis, thereby replenishing or restoring what chronic drinking has taken away,” said Grant, as quoted by The Guardian. Alcohol consumption reduced by 90% The study found that the macaques permanently started overexpressing dopamine which led to a dramatic decrease in their subsequent alcohol consumption by up to 90 per cent. “Drinking went down to almost zero,” said Grant. The study also noted that the macaques that were injected with an inactive form of the gene continued drinking, while the ones that received GNDF, had their dopamine restored. According to Grant, the animals went from eight to 10 drinks a day to one to two drinks a day. However, considering that gene therapy procedure involves brain surgery and is irreversible it would probably be used in the most severe cases of alcohol addiction, said co-lead of the study. But it might not be available for people just yet, as animal studies are needed before the technique could be tested on humans. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Form of gene therapy may offer ‘one-off’ treatment for severe alcohol addiction, finds study

<p>Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat by reconstructing Pink Floyd's iconic song "Another Brick in the Wall" through the analysis of individuals' brainwave patterns. This first-ever kind of research offers promising avenues for assisting patients with hindered communication due to neurological conditions. This innovation could potentially restore musicality in the speech of individuals facing debilitating neurological disorders such as stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the condition which Stephen Hawking suffered with.</p>

<p>While previous endeavours had successfully decoded speech words from brain recordings, these attempts often lacked natural emotion.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-governor-brian-kemp-takes-to-twitter-to-refute-donald-trumps-allegations-of-election-theft-625869">Georgia Governor Brian Kemp takes to Twitter to refute Donald Trump's allegations of election theft</a></p>

<p>Professor Robert Knight, a neurologist at the University of California in Berkeley, US, said, “In general, all of these reconstruction attempts have had a robotic quality.”<br />
<br />
He is the one who conducted the study with the postdoctoral fellow Ludovic Bellier.</p>

<p>“Music, by its very nature, is emotional and prosodic – it has rhythm, stress, accent and intonation. It contains a much bigger spectrum of things than limited phonemes in whatever language, that could add another dimension to an implantable speech decoder,"&nbsp;Knight said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Brain methodology</strong></h2>

<p>Past efforts had focused on decoding brain activity from the speech motor cortex, responsible for controlling the physical articulation of speech. In contrast, the present study delved into the brain's auditory regions, where various aspects of sound are processed.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-bidens-lawyer-steps-down-to-testify-as-witness-in-doj-investigation-625865">Hunter Biden's lawyer steps down, to testify as witness in DOJ investigation</a></p>

<p>Brain recordings were obtained from 29 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery, who were played a segment of Pink Floyd's song while their brain activity was monitored using surface electrodes.</p>

<h2><strong>Decoding and reconstruction</strong></h2>

<p>By employing artificial intelligence, the researchers decoded and subsequently reproduced the sounds and words from the brain recordings.&nbsp;Although the reconstructed song displayed a somewhat muffled quality. “It sounds a bit like they’re speaking underwater, but it’s our first shot at this,” said Knight.</p>

<p>But on the bright side, the phrase "All in all, it's just another brick in the wall" was discernible with rhythms and melody. It represented a notable achievement in this pioneering endeavour.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Poland beefs defence amid Russia-Ukraine war</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-beefs-defence-amid-russia-ukraine-war-625850/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>“The average separation of the electrodes was about 5mm, but we had a couple of patients with 3mm [separations] and they were the best performers in terms of reconstruction,” Knight said. “Now that we know how to do this, I think if we had electrodes that were like a millimetre and a half apart, the sound quality would be much better.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat by reconstructing Pink Floyd's iconic song "Another Brick in the Wall" through the analysis of individuals' brainwave patterns.

Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat by reconstructing Pink Floyd's iconic song "Another Brick in the Wall" through the analysis of individuals' brainwave patterns. This first-ever kind of research offers promising avenues for assisting patients with hindered communication due to neurological conditions. This innovation could potentially restore musicality in the speech of individuals facing debilitating neurological disorders such as stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the condition which Stephen Hawking suffered with. While previous endeavours had successfully decoded speech words from brain recordings, these attempts often lacked natural emotion. Also Read | Georgia Governor Brian Kemp takes to Twitter to refute Donald Trump's allegations of election theft Professor Robert Knight, a neurologist at the University of California in Berkeley, US, said, “In general, all of these reconstruction attempts have had a robotic quality.” He is the one who conducted the study with the postdoctoral fellow Ludovic Bellier. “Music, by its very nature, is emotional and prosodic – it has rhythm, stress, accent and intonation. It contains a much bigger spectrum of things than limited phonemes in whatever language, that could add another dimension to an implantable speech decoder," Knight said. Brain methodology Past efforts had focused on decoding brain activity from the speech motor cortex, responsible for controlling the physical articulation of speech. In contrast, the present study delved into the brain's auditory regions, where various aspects of sound are processed. Also Read | Hunter Biden's lawyer steps down, to testify as witness in DOJ investigation Brain recordings were obtained from 29 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery, who were played a segment of Pink Floyd's song while their brain activity was monitored using surface electrodes. Decoding and reconstruction By employing artificial intelligence, the researchers decoded and subsequently reproduced the sounds and words from the brain recordings. Although the reconstructed song displayed a somewhat muffled quality. “It sounds a bit like they’re speaking underwater, but it’s our first shot at this,” said Knight. But on the bright side, the phrase "All in all, it's just another brick in the wall" was discernible with rhythms and melody. It represented a notable achievement in this pioneering endeavour. Watch | Poland beefs defence amid Russia-Ukraine war × “The average separation of the electrodes was about 5mm, but we had a couple of patients with 3mm [separations] and they were the best performers in terms of reconstruction,” Knight said. “Now that we know how to do this, I think if we had electrodes that were like a millimetre and a half apart, the sound quality would be much better.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Scientists recreate Pink Floyd's song by listening to brainwaves of people; feat to help cure patients

Among the advanced economies, Japan has continuously ranked at or near the top in terms of the percentage of the population who continue to work beyond retirement age. Some of these individuals actually want to work; but for most, it's a choice between continuing to toil or facing the prospect of not-so-genteel poverty.

Japan to face 11 million worker shortfall by 2040: Study

<p>Amid the ongoing worldwide plastic crisis, the findings of a recent study might just make your heart skip a beat. In a number of recent studies, it was found that microplastics are detected virtually everywhere, from rain, and snow to even human blood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the latest study published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a team of scientists in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, China found microplastics in the human heart for the first time.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What are microplastics?</strong></h2>

<p>Microplastics have&nbsp;been defined as tiny chunks of less than five millimetres long pieces of plastic and microfibres from clothes that get caught in the Earth’s atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-study-finds-its-raining-microplastics-should-we-be-concerned-about-our-health-543789">Explained: Study finds it’s raining microplastics, should we be concerned about our health?</a></strong></p>

<p>Previous studies have also confirmed the worst fears that microplastics are being carried all around the world including remote areas such as Antarctica where, last year, microplastics were found in the fresh snowfall.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Studies have also found that they can enter the human body through mouth, nose&nbsp;and other body cavities. However, scientists have yet to find out the potential exposure to, and effects from, microplastics, on the human body.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How was the study conducted?</strong></h2>

<p>The pilot experiment conducted by Doctors Kun Hua, Xiubin Yang and their team sought to investigate whether these particles can enter people’s cardiovascular systems through indirect and direct exposures.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/credit-card-equivalent-study-finds-how-much-plastic-humans-inhale-every-week-but-where-does-it-go-606194">‘Credit card-equivalent’: Study finds how much plastic humans inhale every week. But where does it go?</a></strong></p>

<p>Therefore, researchers collected heart tissue samples from 15 people during cardiac surgeries, as well as pre-and post-operation blood specimens from half of the participants, said the statement about the study. The samples were then analysed with laser direct infrared imaging.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did they find?</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers, using the previously mentioned method, found 20 to 500 micrometre-wide particles made from eight types of plastic, as per the study. They also found “tens to thousands of individual microplastic pieces in most of the tissue samples collected”, but the amounts and materials varied between participants.</p>

<p>Among the eight types of plastics found was Polyethylene terephthalate, which is used in clothing and food containers as well as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is widespread in window frames, drainage pipes, paint and more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study also noted that while all the blood samples collected contained plastic particles, the average size after the surgery decreased but the particles came from more diverse types of plastics.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/microplastics-detected-in-human-breastmilk-for-first-time-scientists-startled-523920">Microplastics detected in human breast milk for first time, scientists startled</a></strong></p>

<p>This suggests that some microplastics were inadvertently introduced to the subjects during the surgeries. While the study was conducted with a small number of participants, researchers said that they have provided preliminary evidence of how “various microplastics can accumulate and persist in the heart and its innermost tissues.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>They added that the “findings show how invasive medical procedures are an overlooked route of microplastics exposure, providing direct access to the bloodstream and internal tissues.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The detection of in vivo MPs (microplastics) is alarming, and more studies are necessary to investigate how the MPs enter the cardiac tissues and the potential effects of MPs on long-term prognosis after cardiac surgery,” said the research team, in a statement.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Amid the ongoing worldwide plastic crisis, the findings of a recent study might just make your heart skip a beat. In a number of recent studies, it was found that microplastics are detected virtually everywhere, from rain, and snow to even human blood.

Amid the ongoing worldwide plastic crisis, the findings of a recent study might just make your heart skip a beat. In a number of recent studies, it was found that microplastics are detected virtually everywhere, from rain, and snow to even human blood. According to the latest study published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a team of scientists in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, China found microplastics in the human heart for the first time. What are microplastics? Microplastics have been defined as tiny chunks of less than five millimetres long pieces of plastic and microfibres from clothes that get caught in the Earth’s atmosphere. ALSO READ | Explained: Study finds it’s raining microplastics, should we be concerned about our health? Previous studies have also confirmed the worst fears that microplastics are being carried all around the world including remote areas such as Antarctica where, last year, microplastics were found in the fresh snowfall. Studies have also found that they can enter the human body through mouth, nose and other body cavities. However, scientists have yet to find out the potential exposure to, and effects from, microplastics, on the human body. How was the study conducted? The pilot experiment conducted by Doctors Kun Hua, Xiubin Yang and their team sought to investigate whether these particles can enter people’s cardiovascular systems through indirect and direct exposures. ALSO READ | ‘Credit card-equivalent’: Study finds how much plastic humans inhale every week. But where does it go? Therefore, researchers collected heart tissue samples from 15 people during cardiac surgeries, as well as pre-and post-operation blood specimens from half of the participants, said the statement about the study. The samples were then analysed with laser direct infrared imaging. What did they find? Researchers, using the previously mentioned method, found 20 to 500 micrometre-wide particles made from eight types of plastic, as per the study. They also found “tens to thousands of individual microplastic pieces in most of the tissue samples collected”, but the amounts and materials varied between participants. Among the eight types of plastics found was Polyethylene terephthalate, which is used in clothing and food containers as well as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is widespread in window frames, drainage pipes, paint and more. The study also noted that while all the blood samples collected contained plastic particles, the average size after the surgery decreased but the particles came from more diverse types of plastics. ALSO READ | Microplastics detected in human breast milk for first time, scientists startled This suggests that some microplastics were inadvertently introduced to the subjects during the surgeries. While the study was conducted with a small number of participants, researchers said that they have provided preliminary evidence of how “various microplastics can accumulate and persist in the heart and its innermost tissues.” They added that the “findings show how invasive medical procedures are an overlooked route of microplastics exposure, providing direct access to the bloodstream and internal tissues.” “The detection of in vivo MPs (microplastics) is alarming, and more studies are necessary to investigate how the MPs enter the cardiac tissues and the potential effects of MPs on long-term prognosis after cardiac surgery,” said the research team, in a statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In a worrisome first, scientists detect microplastics in human hearts: Study

<p>A comprehensive global study has unveiled a disturbing association between air pollution and the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance, posing a serious threat to human health worldwide.</p>

<p>Analysing data from over 100 countries spanning nearly two decades, the research demonstrates a direct link between increased air pollution levels and the surge in antibiotic resistance across continents, reported the Guardian.</p>

<p>Antibiotic resistance remains a rapidly escalating global health crisis, indiscriminately affecting people of all ages and nations, claiming an estimated 1.3 million lives annually.</p>

<h2>What is the link?</h2>

<p>While the primary drivers of antibiotic resistance are the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in treating infections, the study points to air pollution as an exacerbating factor.</p>

<p>Although the science behind the connection has not been fully explored, evidence suggests that particulate matter PM2.5, containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, might be transferred and inhaled by humans.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-gasping-for-breath-what-is-india-doing-about-its-air-pollution-crisis-598066">Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Air pollution: A lethal environmental hazard</strong></h2>

<p>Air pollution already poses the largest environmental risk to public health, contributing to chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer, ultimately reducing life expectancy.</p>

<p>The immediate effects of short-term exposure include coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks, leading to increased hospital and GP visits worldwide.</p>

<p>The groundbreaking study highlights the potential twofold benefits of controlling air pollution. Not only can it mitigate the harmful consequences of poor air quality, but it could also play a pivotal role in battling the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.</p>

<p>The findings suggest that addressing air pollution may significantly reduce both the mortality and economic burden of antibiotic-resistant infections.</p>

<p>Air serves as a direct conduit for disseminating antibiotic resistance, with possible pathways including hospitals, farms, and sewage-treatment facilities releasing and spreading antibiotic-resistant particles over vast distances.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Air pollution causes serious health issues, but not enough being done to mitigate it</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/air-pollution-causes-serious-health-issues-but-not-enough-being-done-to-mitigate-it-554791/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Alarming findings</strong></h2>

<p>The study reveals a concerning correlation, with each 10 per cent increase in air pollution linked to a 1.1 per cent&nbsp;rise in antibiotic resistance. Moreover, the link between air pollution and antibiotic resistance has strengthened over time, leading to more significant increases in recent years.</p>

<p>In 2018 alone, antibiotic resistance stemming from air pollution was linked to an estimated 480,000 premature deaths.</p>

<h2><strong>Additional findings: Impact on mental health</strong></h2>

<p>A separate study published in BMJ Mental Health highlights the detrimental impact of relatively high air pollution levels on people with dementia. Focusing on a densely trafficked area of London, the long-term study revealed increased usage of community mental health services by individuals exposed to such pollution.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


A comprehensive global study has unveiled a disturbing association between air pollution and the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance, posing a serious threat to human health worldwide.

A comprehensive global study has unveiled a disturbing association between air pollution and the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance, posing a serious threat to human health worldwide. Analysing data from over 100 countries spanning nearly two decades, the research demonstrates a direct link between increased air pollution levels and the surge in antibiotic resistance across continents, reported the Guardian. Antibiotic resistance remains a rapidly escalating global health crisis, indiscriminately affecting people of all ages and nations, claiming an estimated 1.3 million lives annually. What is the link? While the primary drivers of antibiotic resistance are the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in treating infections, the study points to air pollution as an exacerbating factor. Although the science behind the connection has not been fully explored, evidence suggests that particulate matter PM2.5, containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, might be transferred and inhaled by humans. Also read | Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis? Air pollution: A lethal environmental hazard Air pollution already poses the largest environmental risk to public health, contributing to chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer, ultimately reducing life expectancy. The immediate effects of short-term exposure include coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks, leading to increased hospital and GP visits worldwide. The groundbreaking study highlights the potential twofold benefits of controlling air pollution. Not only can it mitigate the harmful consequences of poor air quality, but it could also play a pivotal role in battling the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The findings suggest that addressing air pollution may significantly reduce both the mortality and economic burden of antibiotic-resistant infections. Air serves as a direct conduit for disseminating antibiotic resistance, with possible pathways including hospitals, farms, and sewage-treatment facilities releasing and spreading antibiotic-resistant particles over vast distances. Also watch | Air pollution causes serious health issues, but not enough being done to mitigate it Alarming findings The study reveals a concerning correlation, with each 10 per cent increase in air pollution linked to a 1.1 per cent rise in antibiotic resistance. Moreover, the link between air pollution and antibiotic resistance has strengthened over time, leading to more significant increases in recent years. In 2018 alone, antibiotic resistance stemming from air pollution was linked to an estimated 480,000 premature deaths. Additional findings: Impact on mental health A separate study published in BMJ Mental Health highlights the detrimental impact of relatively high air pollution levels on people with dementia. Focusing on a densely trafficked area of London, the long-term study revealed increased usage of community mental health services by individuals exposed to such pollution. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pollution-fuelled antibiotic resistance threatens human health: Study

<p>A new study has found that humans successfully detect artificially generated speech only 73 per cent of the time.&nbsp;The same level of accuracy was found in English and Mandarin speakers while detecting artificially-generated speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A text-to-speech algorithm, which was trained on two publicly available datasets in English and Mandarin languages for generating &nbsp;50 deepfake speech samples in each language, was used by the researchers at University College London.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deepfake AI, which is one form of generative artificial intelligence, is a kind of synthetic media which is created to resemble the voice of a real person or their appearance.</p>

<p>The sound samples collected by the researchers were played for 529 participants to observe if they can detect the real sample from fake speech. However, the participants successfully identified the fake speech only 73 per cent of the time. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/switzerland-bronze-age-arrowhead-traced-to-object-that-fell-from-the-sky-621181">Switzerland: Bronze age arrowhead traced to 'object that fell from the sky'</a></p>

<p>There was a slight improvement in the number after participants were given training to recognise different aspects of deepfake speech.</p>

<h2><strong>Deepfake speech and the future ahead</strong></h2>

<p>This is the first study to assess the human ability to detect artificially generated speech in languages other than English.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first author of the study, Kimberly Mai said, “In our study, we showed that training people to detect deepfakes is not necessarily a reliable way to help them to get better at it. Unfortunately, our experiments also show that at the moment automated detectors are not reliable either."</p>

<p>“They’re really good at detecting deepfakes if they’ve seen similar examples during their training phase if the speaker is the same or the clips are recorded in a similar audio environment, for example. But they’re not reliable when there are changes in the test audio conditions, such as if there’s a different speaker," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She stated that it was essential to improvise automated deepfake speech detectors and for organisations to “think about strategies to mitigate the threat that deepfake content poses”.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Scientist claims alien tech found in 2014 meteor</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientist-claims-alien-tech-found-in-2014-meteor-614950/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Head of Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University, Dr Karl Jones issued a warning that the justice system of the UK is not designed in a way to protect against the use of deepfakes. “Deepfake speech is almost the perfect crime – because you don’t know that it’s been done,” he stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Executive director of Witness,&nbsp;an international nonprofit organisation, Sam Gregory said, "At Witness, we speak about a detection equity gap. The people who need the capacity to detect – journalists and factcheckers, and civil society and election officials – are the ones who don’t have access to these [detection] tools. This is a huge issue that is going to get worse if we don’t invest in those skills and resources. We may not need to have detection tools available to everyone, because that also makes them harder to be robust. But we need to think about the investment in supporting intermediaries.”</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-17="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-22="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-32="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A new study has found that humans successfully detect artificially generated speech only 73 per cent of the time. The same level of accuracy was found in English and Mandarin speakers while detecting artificially-generated speech.

A new study has found that humans successfully detect artificially generated speech only 73 per cent of the time. The same level of accuracy was found in English and Mandarin speakers while detecting artificially-generated speech. A text-to-speech algorithm, which was trained on two publicly available datasets in English and Mandarin languages for generating 50 deepfake speech samples in each language, was used by the researchers at University College London. Deepfake AI, which is one form of generative artificial intelligence, is a kind of synthetic media which is created to resemble the voice of a real person or their appearance. The sound samples collected by the researchers were played for 529 participants to observe if they can detect the real sample from fake speech. However, the participants successfully identified the fake speech only 73 per cent of the time. ALSO READ | Switzerland: Bronze age arrowhead traced to 'object that fell from the sky' There was a slight improvement in the number after participants were given training to recognise different aspects of deepfake speech. Deepfake speech and the future ahead This is the first study to assess the human ability to detect artificially generated speech in languages other than English. The first author of the study, Kimberly Mai said, “In our study, we showed that training people to detect deepfakes is not necessarily a reliable way to help them to get better at it. Unfortunately, our experiments also show that at the moment automated detectors are not reliable either." “They’re really good at detecting deepfakes if they’ve seen similar examples during their training phase if the speaker is the same or the clips are recorded in a similar audio environment, for example. But they’re not reliable when there are changes in the test audio conditions, such as if there’s a different speaker," she added. She stated that it was essential to improvise automated deepfake speech detectors and for organisations to “think about strategies to mitigate the threat that deepfake content poses”. WATCH | Scientist claims alien tech found in 2014 meteor Head of Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University, Dr Karl Jones issued a warning that the justice system of the UK is not designed in a way to protect against the use of deepfakes. “Deepfake speech is almost the perfect crime – because you don’t know that it’s been done,” he stated. Executive director of Witness, an international nonprofit organisation, Sam Gregory said, "At Witness, we speak about a detection equity gap. The people who need the capacity to detect – journalists and factcheckers, and civil society and election officials – are the ones who don’t have access to these [detection] tools. This is a huge issue that is going to get worse if we don’t invest in those skills and resources. We may not need to have detection tools available to everyone, because that also makes them harder to be robust. But we need to think about the investment in supporting intermediaries.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Can you say if it's real voice or AI? Humans in a study could detect only 73% deepfake speech

<p>Breast milk is not just a source of nourishment for infants but also contains essential micronutrients crucial for healthy brain development. Recently, researchers made a significant finding about a specific component in breast milk, Myo-inositol, which plays a key role in promoting the formation of neural connections in the brains of infants.</p>

<p>This finding highlights the impact of dietary choices on brain function and underscores the importance of understanding breast milk's complexity beyond its nutritional value.</p>

<h2><strong>Myo-inositol</strong></h2>

<p>Myo-inositol is a small cyclic sugar molecule present in breast milk, commonly found in typical adult diets, including fruits and grains.</p>

<p>A study published in PNAS on July 11 highlights the role of Myo-inositol in supporting the development of neural connections in infants' brains.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melting-swiss-glacier-coughs-up-body-remains-of-hiker-who-went-missing-in-1986-620545">Melting Swiss glacier coughs up body remains of hiker who went missing in 1986</a></p>

<p>“The effects of micronutrients on the brain are really under-appreciated,” says Thomas Biederer, PhD, associate professor of neurology and principal investigator. “As a neuroscientist, our findings were stunning to me.”</p>

<p>Previous research has indicated that breast milk positively influences infants' cognitive development, but the underlying reasons were not well understood. Some scientists speculated that breast milk contains unidentified components responsible for these benefits.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asian-masalanomics-for-spice-trade-spiced-up-in-vietnam-2000-years-ago-reveals-study-620534">Asian masalanomics for spice trade spiced up in Vietnam 2000 years ago, reveals study</a></p>

<p>The research provides crucial insights into how breast milk's bioactive compounds support the infant brain's developmental processes.</p>

<p>The study's starting point was an analysis of breast milk samples donated by mothers from diverse geographical locations, including Cincinnati, Mexico City, and Shanghai, collected over the lactation period.</p>

<p>The researchers hypothesised that certain micronutrients present consistently across all samples, irrespective of diet, race, or location, might have significant biological significance.</p>

<p>They were particularly interested in identifying components that showed consistent changes throughout lactation.</p>

<h2><strong>Myo-inositol's role in neural connectivity</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers observed that Myo-inositol was present in high concentrations in all breast milk samples during early lactation and gradually decreased over time. Interestingly, this pattern remained consistent across all three locations.&nbsp;“The molecule is very robustly controlled by the mother,” says Biederer.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Rains soak Northern China as Doksuri makes its way to Beijing</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rains-soak-northern-china-as-doksuri-makes-its-way-to-beijing-620555/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>To understand its impact on brain development, the team studied the effects of Myo-inositol using various models, including cultured human neurons and brain tissue.</p>

<p>They found that the sugar molecule enhanced synapse abundance in neurons and promoted improved neuronal connectivity.</p>

<h2><strong>The value of breast milk</strong></h2>

<p>The study's findings highlight the significant value of breast milk in supporting the formation of connections in an infant's brain. “Our study demonstrates that breast milk is extremely valuable in how mothers can support the formation of connections in an infant’s brain,” says Biederer. “It truly shows the importance of valuing the complexity of breast milk. It’s not just a source of calories, but an extremely rich, complex biofluid, and the mother’s body is really attuned to changing the composition of breast milk to match what the infant needs at different stages of development.”</p>

<p>While the current study focused on the initial formation of connections in the brain during the first months after birth, the brain subsequently refines and optimises these connections. Future research by Biederer aims to investigate how breast milk supports infants during this later stage of development, as refinement is a critical process in establishing the right patterns in the brain.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Breast milk is not just a source of nourishment for infants but also contains essential micronutrients crucial for healthy brain development. Recently, researchers made a significant finding about a specific component in breast milk, Myo-inositol, which plays a key role in promoting the formation of neural connections in the brains of infants.

Breast milk is not just a source of nourishment for infants but also contains essential micronutrients crucial for healthy brain development. Recently, researchers made a significant finding about a specific component in breast milk, Myo-inositol, which plays a key role in promoting the formation of neural connections in the brains of infants. This finding highlights the impact of dietary choices on brain function and underscores the importance of understanding breast milk's complexity beyond its nutritional value. Myo-inositol Myo-inositol is a small cyclic sugar molecule present in breast milk, commonly found in typical adult diets, including fruits and grains. A study published in PNAS on July 11 highlights the role of Myo-inositol in supporting the development of neural connections in infants' brains. Also Read | Melting Swiss glacier coughs up body remains of hiker who went missing in 1986 “The effects of micronutrients on the brain are really under-appreciated,” says Thomas Biederer, PhD, associate professor of neurology and principal investigator. “As a neuroscientist, our findings were stunning to me.” Previous research has indicated that breast milk positively influences infants' cognitive development, but the underlying reasons were not well understood. Some scientists speculated that breast milk contains unidentified components responsible for these benefits. Also Read | Asian masalanomics for spice trade spiced up in Vietnam 2000 years ago, reveals study The research provides crucial insights into how breast milk's bioactive compounds support the infant brain's developmental processes. The study's starting point was an analysis of breast milk samples donated by mothers from diverse geographical locations, including Cincinnati, Mexico City, and Shanghai, collected over the lactation period. The researchers hypothesised that certain micronutrients present consistently across all samples, irrespective of diet, race, or location, might have significant biological significance. They were particularly interested in identifying components that showed consistent changes throughout lactation. Myo-inositol's role in neural connectivity The researchers observed that Myo-inositol was present in high concentrations in all breast milk samples during early lactation and gradually decreased over time. Interestingly, this pattern remained consistent across all three locations. “The molecule is very robustly controlled by the mother,” says Biederer. Watch | Rains soak Northern China as Doksuri makes its way to Beijing × To understand its impact on brain development, the team studied the effects of Myo-inositol using various models, including cultured human neurons and brain tissue. They found that the sugar molecule enhanced synapse abundance in neurons and promoted improved neuronal connectivity. The value of breast milk The study's findings highlight the significant value of breast milk in supporting the formation of connections in an infant's brain. “Our study demonstrates that breast milk is extremely valuable in how mothers can support the formation of connections in an infant’s brain,” says Biederer. “It truly shows the importance of valuing the complexity of breast milk. It’s not just a source of calories, but an extremely rich, complex biofluid, and the mother’s body is really attuned to changing the composition of breast milk to match what the infant needs at different stages of development.” While the current study focused on the initial formation of connections in the brain during the first months after birth, the brain subsequently refines and optimises these connections. Future research by Biederer aims to investigate how breast milk supports infants during this later stage of development, as refinement is a critical process in establishing the right patterns in the brain. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Infant brain-boosting sugar molecule found in breast milk: Study

<p>NASA is set to launch a next-generation space observatory in a few years and with that, the space agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will expand its search for rogue planets and exoplanets.<br />
<br />
The telescope, which is likely to lift off between October 2026 and May 2027, will have the potential to spot 400 such rogue planets which are likely to have size similar to the mass of the Earth, as per the new research.<br />
<br />
It is not known whether these planets will have any other similarities with Earth except their mass. Once the scientists get an understanding of these rogue planets, it could more light on the evolution, formation, and disruption of planetary systems.<br />
<br />
The name of the telescope has been kept in honour of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief of astronomy and “mother of the Hubble Space Telescope.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-joins-hands-with-lockheed-martin-to-develop-nuclear-powered-rocket-619857">NASA &amp; Lockheed Martin join hands to send humanity to Mars on a nuclear-powered rocket</a></p>

<p>NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Senior Research scientist and co-author of two papers David Bennett said, “We estimate that our galaxy is home to 20 times more rogue planets than stars – trillions of worlds wandering alone.”<br />
<br />
“This is the first measurement of the number of rogue planets in the galaxy that is sensitive to planets less massive than Earth,” he added.<br />
<br />
The findings of the team stem from a nine-year survey called MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) which has been conducted at the Mount John University Observatory in New Zealand.<br />
<br />
“Microlensing is the only way we can find objects like low-mass free-floating planets and even primordial black holes,” stated Takahiro Sumi, Osaka University's professor, and lead author of the paper. “It’s very exciting to use gravity to discover objects we could never hope to see directly,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Pint-sized planets</strong></h2>

<p>NASA, in a few decades, has discovered the worlds in our solar system as well as the 5,300 planets outside our solar system. A majority of these newfound worlds are either extremely close to their host star or huge in size, or both.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Nasa is 'going nuclear' with its new rocket to Mars and beyond</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-is-going-nuclear-with-its-new-rocket-to-mars-and-beyond-620259/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The results achieved by the team, meanwhile, suggested that rogue planets are generally on the petite side. “We found that Earth-size rogues are more common than more massive ones,” said Sumi said. “The difference in star-bound and free-floating planets’ average masses holds a key to understanding planetary formation mechanisms,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Hunt for hidden worlds</strong></h2>

<p>Roman telescope, once launched in May 2027, will reveal solitary planets through microlensing which is extraordinarily rare.<br />
<br />
“Roman will be sensitive to even lower-mass rogue planets since it will observe from space,” stated Naoki Koshimoto, who led the paper. “The combination of Roman’s wide view and sharp vision will allow us to study the objects it finds in more detail than we can do using only ground-based telescopes, which is a thrilling prospect,” he added.</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-24="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-31="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


NASA is set to launch a next-generation space observatory in a few years and with that, the space agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will expand its search for rogue planets and exoplanets.

NASA is set to launch a next-generation space observatory in a few years and with that, the space agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will expand its search for rogue planets and exoplanets. The telescope, which is likely to lift off between October 2026 and May 2027, will have the potential to spot 400 such rogue planets which are likely to have size similar to the mass of the Earth, as per the new research. It is not known whether these planets will have any other similarities with Earth except their mass. Once the scientists get an understanding of these rogue planets, it could more light on the evolution, formation, and disruption of planetary systems. The name of the telescope has been kept in honour of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief of astronomy and “mother of the Hubble Space Telescope.” ALSO READ | NASA & Lockheed Martin join hands to send humanity to Mars on a nuclear-powered rocket NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Senior Research scientist and co-author of two papers David Bennett said, “We estimate that our galaxy is home to 20 times more rogue planets than stars – trillions of worlds wandering alone.” “This is the first measurement of the number of rogue planets in the galaxy that is sensitive to planets less massive than Earth,” he added. The findings of the team stem from a nine-year survey called MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) which has been conducted at the Mount John University Observatory in New Zealand. “Microlensing is the only way we can find objects like low-mass free-floating planets and even primordial black holes,” stated Takahiro Sumi, Osaka University's professor, and lead author of the paper. “It’s very exciting to use gravity to discover objects we could never hope to see directly,” he added. Pint-sized planets NASA, in a few decades, has discovered the worlds in our solar system as well as the 5,300 planets outside our solar system. A majority of these newfound worlds are either extremely close to their host star or huge in size, or both. WATCH | Nasa is 'going nuclear' with its new rocket to Mars and beyond The results achieved by the team, meanwhile, suggested that rogue planets are generally on the petite side. “We found that Earth-size rogues are more common than more massive ones,” said Sumi said. “The difference in star-bound and free-floating planets’ average masses holds a key to understanding planetary formation mechanisms,” he added. Hunt for hidden worlds Roman telescope, once launched in May 2027, will reveal solitary planets through microlensing which is extraordinarily rare. “Roman will be sensitive to even lower-mass rogue planets since it will observe from space,” stated Naoki Koshimoto, who led the paper. “The combination of Roman’s wide view and sharp vision will allow us to study the objects it finds in more detail than we can do using only ground-based telescopes, which is a thrilling prospect,” he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA's new telescope likely to spot 400 Earth-size rogue planets, reveals study

<p>New research suggests that boys who experience the death of a parent may face more challenges in their later life compared to girls. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, investigated the effects of parental death before the age of 21 on the mental health and economic prospects of young individuals, irrespective of their gender.</p>

<p>While both genders suffered adverse effects, boys appeared to be at a higher risk of long-term negative impacts compared to girls.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-support-to-taliban-regime-emboldens-terror-inside-its-borders-un-report-619894">Pakistan's support to Taliban regime emboldens terror inside its borders: UN report</a></p>

<p>The estimated odds ratios for various outcomes were consistently larger for males than females. "The associations were negative regardless of the gender of the child or parent, but the estimated odds ratios were usually quantitatively larger for males than females," the report said.&nbsp;The researchers examined data&nbsp;of nearly one million individuals in Finland who had attained a minimum age of 30 by the year 2016. Amongst them, approximately 145,673 had experienced the loss of a parent before reaching the age of 31.</p>

<p>According to their findings, regardless of gender, those who had lost a parent before the age of 21 tended to have fewer years of formal education, lower annual income, and experienced more periods of unemployment between the ages of 26 and 30.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The peer-reviewed study stated: “We documented significant increases in mental health-related hospitalisations and the use of mental health-related medications and sickness absence, as well as substantial reductions in years of schooling, employment, and earnings for the affected children in adulthood. Mental health disorders and adverse labour-market outcomes are likely to be interrelated.”</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on mental health</strong></h2>

<p>Males and females who lost a parent early in life had increased odds of being admitted to the hospital due to mental health disorders. However, males who experienced the death of their mother before the age of 21 had notably higher odds of hospitalisation due to intentional self-harm compared to those who experienced maternal death later in life.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-doksuri-lashes-philippines-as-china-and-taiwan-stay-alert-619883">Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>Females who experienced the early death of a father were more likely to have substance use disorders compared to their peers who had not experienced parental bereavement.</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on economic prospects</strong></h2>

<p>The early death of a father was associated with a larger reduction in annual earnings for males compared to females. Men experienced a 16.4 per cent&nbsp;decrease in annual earnings, while women experienced a 10.9 per cent decrease.</p>

<p>Similarly, there was a more significant reduction in the employment rate for men (6.1 percentage points) compared to women (4 percentage points) who lost a parent before the age of 21.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russian defence minister's Pyongyang visit | Putin to meet African leaders&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-defence-ministers-pyongyang-visit-putin-to-meet-african-leaders-wion-speed-news-619913/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>While the impact is significant for both genders, boys tend to face greater challenges in their future outcomes following the loss of a parent. However, it's important to note that this research is observational and doesn't account for factors such as personality traits that might influence the results.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


New research suggests that boys who experience the death of a parent may face more challenges in their later life compared to girls. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, investigated the effects of parental death before the age of 21 on the mental health and economic prospects of young individuals, irrespective of their gender.

New research suggests that boys who experience the death of a parent may face more challenges in their later life compared to girls. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, investigated the effects of parental death before the age of 21 on the mental health and economic prospects of young individuals, irrespective of their gender. While both genders suffered adverse effects, boys appeared to be at a higher risk of long-term negative impacts compared to girls. Also Read | Pakistan's support to Taliban regime emboldens terror inside its borders: UN report The estimated odds ratios for various outcomes were consistently larger for males than females. "The associations were negative regardless of the gender of the child or parent, but the estimated odds ratios were usually quantitatively larger for males than females," the report said. The researchers examined data of nearly one million individuals in Finland who had attained a minimum age of 30 by the year 2016. Amongst them, approximately 145,673 had experienced the loss of a parent before reaching the age of 31. According to their findings, regardless of gender, those who had lost a parent before the age of 21 tended to have fewer years of formal education, lower annual income, and experienced more periods of unemployment between the ages of 26 and 30. The peer-reviewed study stated: “We documented significant increases in mental health-related hospitalisations and the use of mental health-related medications and sickness absence, as well as substantial reductions in years of schooling, employment, and earnings for the affected children in adulthood. Mental health disorders and adverse labour-market outcomes are likely to be interrelated.” Impact on mental health Males and females who lost a parent early in life had increased odds of being admitted to the hospital due to mental health disorders. However, males who experienced the death of their mother before the age of 21 had notably higher odds of hospitalisation due to intentional self-harm compared to those who experienced maternal death later in life. Also Read | Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert Females who experienced the early death of a father were more likely to have substance use disorders compared to their peers who had not experienced parental bereavement. Impact on economic prospects The early death of a father was associated with a larger reduction in annual earnings for males compared to females. Men experienced a 16.4 per cent decrease in annual earnings, while women experienced a 10.9 per cent decrease. Similarly, there was a more significant reduction in the employment rate for men (6.1 percentage points) compared to women (4 percentage points) who lost a parent before the age of 21. Watch | Russian defence minister's Pyongyang visit | Putin to meet African leaders × While the impact is significant for both genders, boys tend to face greater challenges in their future outcomes following the loss of a parent. However, it's important to note that this research is observational and doesn't account for factors such as personality traits that might influence the results. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Boys affected by parental death face greater challenges in later life than girls: Study

<p>A recent study conducted by the Rand Europe research institute has uncovered a concerning pattern of heightened activity at high-security detention facilities in Tibet. This increased activity was measured through night-time lighting usage, suggesting a potential rise in more severe imprisonments by Chinese authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tibet's autonomous region is notoriously secretive and referred to as an "information black hole" in the report.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Research findings</strong></h2>

<p>The study used overhead satellite imagery analysis and night-time lighting data to gain insights into the situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-support-to-taliban-regime-emboldens-terror-inside-its-borders-un-report-619894">Pakistan's support to Taliban regime emboldens terror inside its borders: UN report</a></p>

<p>The researchers examined 79 detention facilities across the Tibetan Autonomous Region and found that the growth in night-time lighting was particularly concentrated in the 14 higher-security facilities. The study revealed increases in night-time lighting across prisons during 2019-2020 and in high-security detention facilities during 2021-2022. In contrast, lower security facilities showed a peak in growth back in 2017.</p>

<h2><strong>Possible interpretations</strong></h2>

<p>The emitted light visible from space could indicate various developments within detention facilities. Researchers said it might signify new construction, as was demonstrated in earlier studies on Xinjiang facilities. However, this time expansion of existing buildings is more likely in the case of Tibetan facilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-doksuri-lashes-philippines-as-china-and-taiwan-stay-alert-619883">Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>Additionally, increased light could indicate higher occupancy or usage of the facilities, without necessarily implying physical expansion.</p>

<h2><strong>Comparison: Xinjiang and Tibet&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers believe that the heightened activity in Tibetan detention facilities could point to a shift towards longer detentions, similar to what has been observed in Xinjiang, where a substantial number of people were sent to re-education facilities and high-security detention centres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tibet, like other border regions, including Xinjiang and Mongolia, has experienced long-standing crackdowns on the religious and cultural practices of non-Han ethnic minorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russian defence minister's Pyongyang visit | Putin to meet African leaders | WION Speed News</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-defence-ministers-pyongyang-visit-putin-to-meet-african-leaders-wion-speed-news-619913/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Obtaining accurate information from inside the TAR is exceedingly difficult due to strict controls on travel, communication, and information flow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike Xinjiang, where there has been more international focus and media coverage, Tibet remains largely understudied and shrouded in secrecy. The report said that the lack of reliable data from Tibet does not imply a lack of repressive control but emphasises the need for further research and international attention on the region.</p>

<h2><strong>Concerns raised by activists&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Activists and human rights groups have expressed growing concern over the harassment, detention, and torture of Tibetan activists, religious figures, and intellectuals. Additionally, mass surveillance, mandatory re-education programmes, and the transfer of Tibetan children to state-run "boarding schools" have drawn criticism. These actions aim to assimilate Tibetans culturally, religiously, and linguistically into the dominant Han society.</p>

<p>Director of defence and security at Rand Europe, Ruth Harris, told the Guardian,&nbsp;“Tibet remains an information black hole and any attempt to understand the security landscape there is fraught with difficulty."&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Foreign researchers are blocked from accessing many Chinese sources and find much available data unreliable,” she added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A recent study conducted by the Rand Europe research institute has uncovered a concerning pattern of heightened activity at high-security detention facilities in Tibet.

A recent study conducted by the Rand Europe research institute has uncovered a concerning pattern of heightened activity at high-security detention facilities in Tibet. This increased activity was measured through night-time lighting usage, suggesting a potential rise in more severe imprisonments by Chinese authorities. Tibet's autonomous region is notoriously secretive and referred to as an "information black hole" in the report. Research findings The study used overhead satellite imagery analysis and night-time lighting data to gain insights into the situation. Also Read | Pakistan's support to Taliban regime emboldens terror inside its borders: UN report The researchers examined 79 detention facilities across the Tibetan Autonomous Region and found that the growth in night-time lighting was particularly concentrated in the 14 higher-security facilities. The study revealed increases in night-time lighting across prisons during 2019-2020 and in high-security detention facilities during 2021-2022. In contrast, lower security facilities showed a peak in growth back in 2017. Possible interpretations The emitted light visible from space could indicate various developments within detention facilities. Researchers said it might signify new construction, as was demonstrated in earlier studies on Xinjiang facilities. However, this time expansion of existing buildings is more likely in the case of Tibetan facilities. Also Read | Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert Additionally, increased light could indicate higher occupancy or usage of the facilities, without necessarily implying physical expansion. Comparison: Xinjiang and Tibet The researchers believe that the heightened activity in Tibetan detention facilities could point to a shift towards longer detentions, similar to what has been observed in Xinjiang, where a substantial number of people were sent to re-education facilities and high-security detention centres. Tibet, like other border regions, including Xinjiang and Mongolia, has experienced long-standing crackdowns on the religious and cultural practices of non-Han ethnic minorities. Watch | Russian defence minister's Pyongyang visit | Putin to meet African leaders | WION Speed News × Obtaining accurate information from inside the TAR is exceedingly difficult due to strict controls on travel, communication, and information flow. Unlike Xinjiang, where there has been more international focus and media coverage, Tibet remains largely understudied and shrouded in secrecy. The report said that the lack of reliable data from Tibet does not imply a lack of repressive control but emphasises the need for further research and international attention on the region. Concerns raised by activists Activists and human rights groups have expressed growing concern over the harassment, detention, and torture of Tibetan activists, religious figures, and intellectuals. Additionally, mass surveillance, mandatory re-education programmes, and the transfer of Tibetan children to state-run "boarding schools" have drawn criticism. These actions aim to assimilate Tibetans culturally, religiously, and linguistically into the dominant Han society. Director of defence and security at Rand Europe, Ruth Harris, told the Guardian, “Tibet remains an information black hole and any attempt to understand the security landscape there is fraught with difficulty." “Foreign researchers are blocked from accessing many Chinese sources and find much available data unreliable,” she added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Satellite data reveals activity spike at Tibet detention centres, suggest harsher imprisonments by China

<p>Scientists have discovered traces of the world’s oldest-known glaciers hiding near gold deposits in South Africa. The glacial sediments, according to the researchers, date back to 2.9 billion years. The study published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters also suggests the presence of continental ice caps at the time or that the area was closer to the Earth's poles.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How was the study conducted?</strong></h2>

<p>The study was conducted by researchers, Professor Axel Hofmann of the University of Johannesburg and Professor Ilya Bindeman from the University of Oregon. The scientists unearthed shale deposits and analysed core samples from the rocks sitting under the world’s largest gold deposits in South Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The samples collected from the field sites from the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa were said to be a part of the Pongola Supergroup which is known to be some of the most extensive and well-preserved volcano-sedimentary successions formed in the Mesoarchaean era (between 3.2 billion to 2.8 billion years ago).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers also analysed the core samples from the same region to determine the climatic conditions at the time when sediments were formed for which they used triple oxygen isotope analysis. This method measures three different forms of oxygen or isotopes present in the sediment. &nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>About their findings</strong></h2>

<p>The scientists found that certain isotopes in their samples matched those common in icy temperatures, which suggests that the climate must have been cold when the rocks were deposited which indicates the presence of ice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also discovered the world’s oldest known fossilised glacial moraines, which is “basically the debris left by a glacier as it gradually melts and contracts,” explained Bindeman, adding “These are the oldest moraine deposits ever found.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What else does the study suggest?</strong></h2>

<p>The presence of this glacial material could give us clues about Earth’s climate and geography during this period. One of the theories that the study’s authors present is that this area of South Africa may have been close to one of the poles 2.9 billion years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Another possibility is that the whole Earth was in a ‘snowball Earth’ period,” said Hofmann, adding that this period was marked by low atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane and led to a “reverse greenhouse effect,” causing much of the planet to freeze.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Scientists believe that this may have happened on a couple of occasions in the more recent past. If so, this would be the earliest much global cooling period recorded. Either possibility is scientifically interesting,” Hofmann added.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Scientists have discovered traces of the world’s oldest-known glaciers hiding near gold deposits in South Africa. The glacial sediments, according to the researchers, date back to 2.

Scientists have discovered traces of the world’s oldest-known glaciers hiding near gold deposits in South Africa. The glacial sediments, according to the researchers, date back to 2.9 billion years. The study published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters also suggests the presence of continental ice caps at the time or that the area was closer to the Earth's poles. How was the study conducted? The study was conducted by researchers, Professor Axel Hofmann of the University of Johannesburg and Professor Ilya Bindeman from the University of Oregon. The scientists unearthed shale deposits and analysed core samples from the rocks sitting under the world’s largest gold deposits in South Africa. The samples collected from the field sites from the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa were said to be a part of the Pongola Supergroup which is known to be some of the most extensive and well-preserved volcano-sedimentary successions formed in the Mesoarchaean era (between 3.2 billion to 2.8 billion years ago). The researchers also analysed the core samples from the same region to determine the climatic conditions at the time when sediments were formed for which they used triple oxygen isotope analysis. This method measures three different forms of oxygen or isotopes present in the sediment. About their findings The scientists found that certain isotopes in their samples matched those common in icy temperatures, which suggests that the climate must have been cold when the rocks were deposited which indicates the presence of ice. They also discovered the world’s oldest known fossilised glacial moraines, which is “basically the debris left by a glacier as it gradually melts and contracts,” explained Bindeman, adding “These are the oldest moraine deposits ever found.” What else does the study suggest? The presence of this glacial material could give us clues about Earth’s climate and geography during this period. One of the theories that the study’s authors present is that this area of South Africa may have been close to one of the poles 2.9 billion years ago. “Another possibility is that the whole Earth was in a ‘snowball Earth’ period,” said Hofmann, adding that this period was marked by low atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane and led to a “reverse greenhouse effect,” causing much of the planet to freeze. “Scientists believe that this may have happened on a couple of occasions in the more recent past. If so, this would be the earliest much global cooling period recorded. Either possibility is scientifically interesting,” Hofmann added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists may have found world’s oldest glacier which dates back to 2.9 billion years

<p>A recent study underscored the critical role of incorporating omega-3 into our daily diets, considering the alarming reality that many individuals in the United States fail to meet the current recommended intake guidelines for these invaluable nutrients.</p>

<p>A new multi-faceted study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish and fish oil supplements, could play a vital role in maintaining lung health. The study, funded largely by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), provides strong evidence of this association and highlights the importance of including omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/woman-pees-on-floor-of-plane-alleges-airline-of-not-letting-her-use-washroom-618861">Woman pees on floor of plane, alleges airline did not let her use washroom</a></p>

<p>The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.</p>

<h2><strong>Lung disease prevention</strong></h2>

<p>There is growing interest in exploring whether nutritional interventions can contribute to preventing lung diseases. Previous research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acids might be beneficial in this regard due to their well-known anti-inflammatory properties.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-justice-minister-resigns-after-crashing-car-under-alcohols-influence-618882">New Zealand justice minister resigns after crashing car under alcohol's influence</a></p>

<p>To delve deeper into the potential link between omega-3 fatty acids and lung health, researchers conducted a two-part study.</p>

<h2><strong>First part of the study&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In the first part, they carried out a longitudinal, observational study involving 15,063 healthy American adults from the NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study. This large collection of NIH-funded studies helps researchers understand personalised risk factors for chronic lung disease.</p>

<p>The participants in this study were generally healthy when it commenced, with most showing no signs of chronic lung disease.</p>

<p>The group consisted of racially diverse adults, with an average age of 56 years, and 55 per cent&nbsp;were female. The researchers followed the participants for an average of seven years, and in some cases, up to 20 years.</p>

<p>The results of the longitudinal study revealed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the participants' blood were linked to a reduced rate of lung function decline over time.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Israelis protest ahead of key parliament vote | Kiri Allan quits cabinet</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israelis-protest-ahead-of-key-parliament-vote-kiri-allan-quits-cabinet-618884/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Notably, the strongest associations were observed for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a specific omega-3 fatty acid found abundantly in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines. DHA is also available as a dietary supplement.</p>

<h2><strong>Second part of the study&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In the second part of the study, the researchers analysed genetic data from a large study involving over 500,000 European patients from the UK Biobank. By studying specific genetic markers in the blood as proxies for dietary omega-3 fatty acid levels, they sought to understand how these markers correlated with lung health.</p>

<p>The results reaffirmed the positive association, showing that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, were linked to better lung function.</p>

<p>Omega-3 is already known for its various health benefits, especially for the cardiovascular system. They can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, these fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining healthy brain function and supporting cognitive development.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>


A recent study underscored the critical role of incorporating omega-3 into our daily diets, considering the alarming reality that many individuals in the United States fail to meet the current recommended intake guidelines for these invaluable nutrients.

A recent study underscored the critical role of incorporating omega-3 into our daily diets, considering the alarming reality that many individuals in the United States fail to meet the current recommended intake guidelines for these invaluable nutrients. A new multi-faceted study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish and fish oil supplements, could play a vital role in maintaining lung health. The study, funded largely by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), provides strong evidence of this association and highlights the importance of including omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Also Read | Woman pees on floor of plane, alleges airline did not let her use washroom The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Lung disease prevention There is growing interest in exploring whether nutritional interventions can contribute to preventing lung diseases. Previous research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acids might be beneficial in this regard due to their well-known anti-inflammatory properties. Also Read | New Zealand justice minister resigns after crashing car under alcohol's influence To delve deeper into the potential link between omega-3 fatty acids and lung health, researchers conducted a two-part study. First part of the study In the first part, they carried out a longitudinal, observational study involving 15,063 healthy American adults from the NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study. This large collection of NIH-funded studies helps researchers understand personalised risk factors for chronic lung disease. The participants in this study were generally healthy when it commenced, with most showing no signs of chronic lung disease. The group consisted of racially diverse adults, with an average age of 56 years, and 55 per cent were female. The researchers followed the participants for an average of seven years, and in some cases, up to 20 years. The results of the longitudinal study revealed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the participants' blood were linked to a reduced rate of lung function decline over time. Watch | Israelis protest ahead of key parliament vote | Kiri Allan quits cabinet × Notably, the strongest associations were observed for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a specific omega-3 fatty acid found abundantly in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines. DHA is also available as a dietary supplement. Second part of the study In the second part of the study, the researchers analysed genetic data from a large study involving over 500,000 European patients from the UK Biobank. By studying specific genetic markers in the blood as proxies for dietary omega-3 fatty acid levels, they sought to understand how these markers correlated with lung health. The results reaffirmed the positive association, showing that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, were linked to better lung function. Omega-3 is already known for its various health benefits, especially for the cardiovascular system. They can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, these fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining healthy brain function and supporting cognitive development. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Study links Omega-3 fatty acids to lung wellness

<p>Have you ever wondered that as the steam rises from espresso cups, so does the promise of a brighter future for the minds it may safeguard? Whether it's sipped solo or mixed into lattes, Americanos, and even martinis, espresso has long captivated coffee enthusiasts with its caffeine punch.</p>

<p>But recent research has unraveled interesting findings which will make you rethink what all that one shot of Espresso can achieve than just waking you up in the mornings. Beyond its usual job, the study reveals that this dark elixir potentially holds more benefits, including in the field of medicine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Research published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that Espresso shows promise in inhibiting tau protein aggregation, a critical process linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease.</p>

<p>The key finding was made in preliminary in vitro laboratory tests during the research.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorist-threatens-to-target-indias-foreign-minister-jaishankar-home-minister-amit-shah-618078">Terrorist threatens to target India's foreign minister Jaishankar, home minister Amit Shah</a></p>

<p>About half of all Americans drink coffee daily. This recent study suggested that espresso may potentially harbour protective effects against certain neurodegenerative ailments, including Alzheimer's.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How does espresso&nbsp;tackle this unique job?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>It is important to note that the actual cause of Alzheimer's condition still remains elusive. Still, researchers believe that tau proteins play a pivotal role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-women-paraded-naked-was-spontaneous-act-say-authorities-618069">Manipur women paraded naked was 'spontaneous act', say authorities</a></p>

<p>In healthy individuals, these proteins provide structural stability to the brain. While, in the context of diseases, these proteins form aggregations called fibrils. Scientists speculate that deterring this aggregation could alleviate symptoms. Therefore, in order to find out the potential impact of espresso in tau proteins agregation, Mariapina D'Onofrio and colleagues conducted this research.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did the research entail?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>To unveil the hidden magic within espresso, the researchers used store-bought beans. They extracted precious espresso shots and then turned to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to decipher their chemical secrets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among the compounds on which the researchers focused were caffeine and trigonelline, both alkaloids, the flavonoid genistein, and theobromine, the same compound found in chocolate, reported Science Daily citing the research.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Rainfall in India and Pakistan</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rainfall-in-india-and-pakistan-617792/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>These molecules, along with the full espresso extract, were incubated alongside a shortened version of the tau protein for a duration of about 40 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What were the findings of the research?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Researchers observed remarkable findings during the study. During the experiment it was found that as the concentration of espresso extract, caffeine, or genistein rose, the fibrils shortened, refraining from forming those ominous larger sheets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the most significant discovery was made by the complete espresso extract, as it exhibited the most dramatic results.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The shortened fibrils remained non-toxic to cells and thwarted further aggregation by refusing to act as "seeds" for tau's aggression.</p>

<p>In a delightful surprise in the study, the researchers noticed that both caffeine and the espresso extract could skillfully bind to pre-formed tau fibrils. However, it is noteworthy that this journey into espresso findings has just begun. The researchers sensed they had stumbled upon an extraordinary clue but&nbsp;they also acknowledged the need for further exploration into the same.</p>

<p>The team believes that the in vitro discoveries could lay the foundation for unearthing methods to combat neurodegenerative afflictions, including Alzheimer's.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Have you ever wondered that as the steam rises from espresso cups, so does the promise of a brighter future for the minds it may safeguard? Whether it's sipped solo or mixed into lattes, Americanos, and even martinis, espresso has long captivated coffee enthusiasts with its caffeine punch.

Have you ever wondered that as the steam rises from espresso cups, so does the promise of a brighter future for the minds it may safeguard? Whether it's sipped solo or mixed into lattes, Americanos, and even martinis, espresso has long captivated coffee enthusiasts with its caffeine punch. But recent research has unraveled interesting findings which will make you rethink what all that one shot of Espresso can achieve than just waking you up in the mornings. Beyond its usual job, the study reveals that this dark elixir potentially holds more benefits, including in the field of medicine. Research published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that Espresso shows promise in inhibiting tau protein aggregation, a critical process linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The key finding was made in preliminary in vitro laboratory tests during the research. Also Read | Terrorist threatens to target India's foreign minister Jaishankar, home minister Amit Shah About half of all Americans drink coffee daily. This recent study suggested that espresso may potentially harbour protective effects against certain neurodegenerative ailments, including Alzheimer's. How does espresso tackle this unique job? It is important to note that the actual cause of Alzheimer's condition still remains elusive. Still, researchers believe that tau proteins play a pivotal role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Also Read | Manipur women paraded naked was 'spontaneous act', say authorities In healthy individuals, these proteins provide structural stability to the brain. While, in the context of diseases, these proteins form aggregations called fibrils. Scientists speculate that deterring this aggregation could alleviate symptoms. Therefore, in order to find out the potential impact of espresso in tau proteins agregation, Mariapina D'Onofrio and colleagues conducted this research. What did the research entail? To unveil the hidden magic within espresso, the researchers used store-bought beans. They extracted precious espresso shots and then turned to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to decipher their chemical secrets. Among the compounds on which the researchers focused were caffeine and trigonelline, both alkaloids, the flavonoid genistein, and theobromine, the same compound found in chocolate, reported Science Daily citing the research. Watch | Rainfall in India and Pakistan × These molecules, along with the full espresso extract, were incubated alongside a shortened version of the tau protein for a duration of about 40 hours. What were the findings of the research? Researchers observed remarkable findings during the study. During the experiment it was found that as the concentration of espresso extract, caffeine, or genistein rose, the fibrils shortened, refraining from forming those ominous larger sheets. However, the most significant discovery was made by the complete espresso extract, as it exhibited the most dramatic results. The shortened fibrils remained non-toxic to cells and thwarted further aggregation by refusing to act as "seeds" for tau's aggression. In a delightful surprise in the study, the researchers noticed that both caffeine and the espresso extract could skillfully bind to pre-formed tau fibrils. However, it is noteworthy that this journey into espresso findings has just begun. The researchers sensed they had stumbled upon an extraordinary clue but they also acknowledged the need for further exploration into the same. The team believes that the in vitro discoveries could lay the foundation for unearthing methods to combat neurodegenerative afflictions, including Alzheimer's. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Espresso shows promise in quest for fight against Alzheimer's: Study

A new study reports a link between the presence of a genetic mutation and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. It reveals that some people even when they contract COVID-19 virus are twice as likely to not develop symptoms if a particular genetic variant is present in their body.

What causes asymptomatic COVID-19 infection?

<p>The ground underneath the Chicago city is gradually deforming due to “underground climate change”, scientists are claiming.</p>

<p>According to the latest study, this phenomenon is called “subsurface heat islands” and is caused by heat released by buildings and subterranean transportation such as subway systems.</p>

<p>The research argues that rising temperatures are causing land to undergo massive changes in urban areas and that it could adversely affect buildings and infrastructure, threatening long-term durability.</p>

<p>“The denser the city, the more intense is underground climate change,” said lead study author Alessandro Rotta Loria, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, reports CNN.</p>

<p>He said that soil, rocks and construction materials are being impacted by temperature variations.</p>

<p>For example, the ground underneath buildings can contract when heated, causing unwanted settlement, Loria said.</p>

<p>“Deformations caused by underground climate change are relatively small in magnitude, but they continuously develop,” he said.</p>

<p>“Over time, they can become very significant for the operational performance of civil infrastructure like building foundations, water retaining walls, tunnels and so on.”</p>

<h2><strong>New York was also found to be sinking</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, it comes after scientists announced New York may be sinking under the weight of its own buildings back in May —with 1.68 trillion pounds pushing down on the ground beneath.</p>

<p>The study, which was published this month in the Communications Engineering journal, came to the conclusion after observing the land changes for the past 25 years.</p>

<p>The researchers installed 150 temperature sensors across the Chicago Loop district, both above and below ground, and in a variety of places such as basements, tunnels and parking garages.</p>

<p>Sensors were also placed in Grant Park along Lake Michigan to compare temperatures from an unbuilt area with no excess heat coming from construction or transportation.</p>

<p>The data that was collected for the last three years showed that the ground under the Loop was up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) warmer than the ground beneath the park.</p>

<p>“And the consequence of that is that at least a portion of the heat will diffuse towards the ground over time, and that’s the origin of the phenomenon,” Loria said.</p>

<p>Loria notes that underground climate change can cause issues such as groundwater contamination or problems with underground railways by making tracks prone to buckling or causing passengers to become ill due to excessive heat.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The ground underneath the Chicago city is gradually deforming due to “underground climate change”, scientists are claiming. According to the latest study, this phenomenon is called “subsurface heat islands” and is caused by heat released by buildings and subterranean transportation such as subway systems.

The ground underneath the Chicago city is gradually deforming due to “underground climate change”, scientists are claiming. According to the latest study, this phenomenon is called “subsurface heat islands” and is caused by heat released by buildings and subterranean transportation such as subway systems. The research argues that rising temperatures are causing land to undergo massive changes in urban areas and that it could adversely affect buildings and infrastructure, threatening long-term durability. “The denser the city, the more intense is underground climate change,” said lead study author Alessandro Rotta Loria, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, reports CNN. He said that soil, rocks and construction materials are being impacted by temperature variations. For example, the ground underneath buildings can contract when heated, causing unwanted settlement, Loria said. “Deformations caused by underground climate change are relatively small in magnitude, but they continuously develop,” he said. “Over time, they can become very significant for the operational performance of civil infrastructure like building foundations, water retaining walls, tunnels and so on.” New York was also found to be sinking Notably, it comes after scientists announced New York may be sinking under the weight of its own buildings back in May —with 1.68 trillion pounds pushing down on the ground beneath. The study, which was published this month in the Communications Engineering journal, came to the conclusion after observing the land changes for the past 25 years. The researchers installed 150 temperature sensors across the Chicago Loop district, both above and below ground, and in a variety of places such as basements, tunnels and parking garages. Sensors were also placed in Grant Park along Lake Michigan to compare temperatures from an unbuilt area with no excess heat coming from construction or transportation. The data that was collected for the last three years showed that the ground under the Loop was up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) warmer than the ground beneath the park. “And the consequence of that is that at least a portion of the heat will diffuse towards the ground over time, and that’s the origin of the phenomenon,” Loria said. Loria notes that underground climate change can cause issues such as groundwater contamination or problems with underground railways by making tracks prone to buckling or causing passengers to become ill due to excessive heat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Is Chicago sinking? New study claims ‘underground climate change’ deforming ground underneath city

<p>New research suggests that bisexual behaviour is widespread among male monkeys and may prove beneficial to mammals.<br />
<br />
Over three years, the researchers have been observing a wide range of macaques and noticed that homosexual or same-sex sexual (SSB) behaviour has evolved and might be a prominent feature of primate reproduction.</p>

<h2><strong>More offspring of males engaging in same-sex behaviour</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers of Imperial College London said that their findings have challenged the theories which claim SSB is a rare behaviour found in non-human animals or a product of unusual environmental conditions. The researchers also discovered that males engaging in SSB have more offspring.<br />
<br />
Author Jackson Clive, who is associated with the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial, said: “We found most males were behaviourally bisexual, and that variation in same-sex activity was heritable.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-indonesia-to-the-us-report-exposes-sadistic-global-monkey-torture-ring-606346">'From Indonesia to the US': Report exposes sadistic global monkey torture ring</a></p>

<p>“This means that the behaviour can have an evolutionary underpinning; for example, we also found that males that mounted each other were also more likely to back each other up in conflicts – perhaps this could be one of many social benefits to same-sex sexual activity,” he added.<br />
<br />
“Our research, therefore, shows that same-sex sexual behaviours can be common amongst animals and can evolve. I hope our results encourage further discoveries in this area,” Clive said.</p>

<h2><strong>'Same-sex behaviour natural'</strong></h2>

<p>Director of the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial and lead researcher Professor Vincent Savolainen said, “Unfortunately there is still a belief amongst some people that same-sex behaviour is ‘unnatural’, and some countries sadly still enforce the death penalty for homosexuality.”<br />
<br />
“Our research shows that same-sex behaviour is in fact widespread amongst non-human animals. Our mission is to advance scientific understanding of same-sex behaviour, including exploring the benefits it brings to nature and within animal societies,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Why did Sri Lanka halt monkey exports to China?</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-did-sri-lanka-halt-monkey-exports-to-china-609377/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“Amongst the macaques we looked at in this study, more than two-thirds displayed same-sex behaviour and this behaviour strengthened the bonds within the community,” he stated.<br />
<br />
Around 236 males who are freely living within a colony of 1,700 rhesus macaques on the tropical island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico were studied by the researchers. The team, along with conducting genetic analysis and observing their behaviour, also had access to pedigree records which clearly mention the parentage of each individual back to 1956.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-17="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-25="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-33="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


New research suggests that bisexual behaviour is widespread among male monkeys and may prove beneficial to mammals. Over three years, the researchers have been observing a wide range of macaques and noticed that homosexual or same-sex sexual (SSB) behaviour has evolved and might be a prominent feature of primate reproduction.

New research suggests that bisexual behaviour is widespread among male monkeys and may prove beneficial to mammals. Over three years, the researchers have been observing a wide range of macaques and noticed that homosexual or same-sex sexual (SSB) behaviour has evolved and might be a prominent feature of primate reproduction. More offspring of males engaging in same-sex behaviour The researchers of Imperial College London said that their findings have challenged the theories which claim SSB is a rare behaviour found in non-human animals or a product of unusual environmental conditions. The researchers also discovered that males engaging in SSB have more offspring. Author Jackson Clive, who is associated with the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial, said: “We found most males were behaviourally bisexual, and that variation in same-sex activity was heritable.” ALSO READ | 'From Indonesia to the US': Report exposes sadistic global monkey torture ring “This means that the behaviour can have an evolutionary underpinning; for example, we also found that males that mounted each other were also more likely to back each other up in conflicts – perhaps this could be one of many social benefits to same-sex sexual activity,” he added. “Our research, therefore, shows that same-sex sexual behaviours can be common amongst animals and can evolve. I hope our results encourage further discoveries in this area,” Clive said. 'Same-sex behaviour natural' Director of the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial and lead researcher Professor Vincent Savolainen said, “Unfortunately there is still a belief amongst some people that same-sex behaviour is ‘unnatural’, and some countries sadly still enforce the death penalty for homosexuality.” “Our research shows that same-sex behaviour is in fact widespread amongst non-human animals. Our mission is to advance scientific understanding of same-sex behaviour, including exploring the benefits it brings to nature and within animal societies,” he added. WATCH | Why did Sri Lanka halt monkey exports to China? “Amongst the macaques we looked at in this study, more than two-thirds displayed same-sex behaviour and this behaviour strengthened the bonds within the community,” he stated. Around 236 males who are freely living within a colony of 1,700 rhesus macaques on the tropical island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico were studied by the researchers. The team, along with conducting genetic analysis and observing their behaviour, also had access to pedigree records which clearly mention the parentage of each individual back to 1956. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Macaque monkeys frequently indulge in gay sex, suggests study

<p>According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator.</p>

<p>“The reason we care about this is not because we care about the colour, but because the colour is a reflection of the changes in the state of the ecosystem,” stated BB Cael, a scientist at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and author of the study which was published in Nature.</p>

<p>Earlier research has focused on the changes in the ocean's greenness, using the verdant chlorophyll present in its plankton, to know more about the impacts of climate change. However, the team led by Cael has studied the observations recorded by NASA's Modis-Aqua satellite which is an exhaustive data repository and searched for patterns of change in the colours of the ocean using a fuller colour spectrum, which included red and blue.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-perils-of-deep-sea-mining-demand-for-green-technologies-threatens-marine-life-613959">Explained: How deep-sea mining &amp; demand for green technologies threaten marine life</a></p>

<p>Plankton of various sizes have been scattering light in different ways and plankton, which have different pigments, have been absorbing light in various ways.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>More than 56 per cent of the oceans facing 'greening effect'</strong></h2>

<p>By studying the colour changes, scientists can provide clarity over changes in plankton populations across the world. Phytoplankton is important for ocean ecosystems because it remains at the base of many of its food chains.</p>

<p>“We do have changes in the colour that are significantly emerging in almost all of the ocean of the tropics or subtropics,” stated Cael. The changes have been noted in more than 56 per cent of the oceans across the world, which is an area more than all of the land spread on the globe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In many areas there’s a clear “greening effect”, &nbsp;stated Cael, however, he added that there are also water bodies where the blue or red colourings are falling or rising.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These are not ultra, massive ecosystem-destroying changes, they may be subtle,” stated Cael. “But this gives us an additional piece of evidence that human activity is likely affecting large parts of the global biosphere in a way that we haven’t been able to understand," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Scientists unravel the mystery of Indian Ocean</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-unravel-the-mystery-of-indian-ocean-610686/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>A researcher of ocean productivity at Oregon State University, Michael J Behrenfeld, said that the study extensively documents another consequence of changing climate. However, it remains unclear how strong these changes are and what exactly is taking place inside the ocean which is causing them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Most likely, the measured trends are associated with multiple factors changing in parallel. With answers to these questions, we can then begin understanding what the ecological and biogeochemical implications are,” stated Behrenfeld.</p>

<p>An advanced satellite mission called Pace (plankton, aerosol, cloud, ocean ecosystem) will be launched by NASA in January 204 which will measure hundreds of colours in the ocean. “Making more meaningful inferences about what the changes actually are ecologically is definitely a big next step,” stated Cael.</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-24="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-30="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator.

According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator. “The reason we care about this is not because we care about the colour, but because the colour is a reflection of the changes in the state of the ecosystem,” stated BB Cael, a scientist at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and author of the study which was published in Nature. Earlier research has focused on the changes in the ocean's greenness, using the verdant chlorophyll present in its plankton, to know more about the impacts of climate change. However, the team led by Cael has studied the observations recorded by NASA's Modis-Aqua satellite which is an exhaustive data repository and searched for patterns of change in the colours of the ocean using a fuller colour spectrum, which included red and blue. ALSO READ | Explained: How deep-sea mining & demand for green technologies threaten marine life Plankton of various sizes have been scattering light in different ways and plankton, which have different pigments, have been absorbing light in various ways. More than 56 per cent of the oceans facing 'greening effect' By studying the colour changes, scientists can provide clarity over changes in plankton populations across the world. Phytoplankton is important for ocean ecosystems because it remains at the base of many of its food chains. “We do have changes in the colour that are significantly emerging in almost all of the ocean of the tropics or subtropics,” stated Cael. The changes have been noted in more than 56 per cent of the oceans across the world, which is an area more than all of the land spread on the globe. In many areas there’s a clear “greening effect”, stated Cael, however, he added that there are also water bodies where the blue or red colourings are falling or rising. “These are not ultra, massive ecosystem-destroying changes, they may be subtle,” stated Cael. “But this gives us an additional piece of evidence that human activity is likely affecting large parts of the global biosphere in a way that we haven’t been able to understand," he added. WATCH | Scientists unravel the mystery of Indian Ocean A researcher of ocean productivity at Oregon State University, Michael J Behrenfeld, said that the study extensively documents another consequence of changing climate. However, it remains unclear how strong these changes are and what exactly is taking place inside the ocean which is causing them. “Most likely, the measured trends are associated with multiple factors changing in parallel. With answers to these questions, we can then begin understanding what the ecological and biogeochemical implications are,” stated Behrenfeld. An advanced satellite mission called Pace (plankton, aerosol, cloud, ocean ecosystem) will be launched by NASA in January 204 which will measure hundreds of colours in the ocean. “Making more meaningful inferences about what the changes actually are ecologically is definitely a big next step,” stated Cael. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Climate change making world's oceans 'green', suggests new study

<p>Enter the fascinating world of bees, where these tiny but mighty beings outshine humans when it comes to making swift and superior choices regarding things that matter to them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Surprisingly, honey bees, with brains smaller than sesame seeds, are capable of making faster and more accurate decisions than humans, a recent research suggested. This study was published in the journal eLife and sheds light on the decision-making process of honey bees, offering valuable insights into insect brains, the evolution of our own brains, and the design of more efficient robots. Honey bees have evolved over millions of years to effectively assess the effort, risk, and reward associated with finding food for their hive.</p>

<p>Led by Professor Andrew Barron from Macquarie University and Dr. HaDi MaBouDi, Neville Dearden, and Professor James Marshall from the University of Sheffield, the study provides valuable information about the cognitive processes involved in decision-making.</p>

<h2><strong>The efficiency of Bee decision-making</strong></h2>

<p>Professor Barron laid stress on the significance of decision-making in cognition, stating that animals constantly face decisions in their lives. "Decision-making is at the core of cognition," he said, adding, "It's the result of an evaluation of possible outcomes, and animal lives are full of decisions. A honey bee has a brain smaller than a sesame seed. And yet she can make decisions faster and more accurately than we can."</p>

<p>He further added that if a robot were to perform the tasks of a honey bee, it would require the computational power of a supercomputer.</p>

<p>Honey bees face the challenge of working quickly and efficiently, collecting nectar and defending against predators while making decisions about which flowers are likely to contain food.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investigation-into-greek-shipwreck-suggests-coastguard-responsible-for-sinking-report-613990">Investigation into Greek shipwreck suggests coastguard responsible for sinking: Report</a></p>

<p>During the flight, bees are primarily at risk of aerial attacks, but once they land to feed, they become vulnerable to predators, including those that camouflage themselves as flowers.</p>

<h2><strong>Experimental setup</strong></h2>

<p>In the study, 20 bees were trained to recognise five different coloured flower disks. Blue flowers always contained sugar syrup, green flowers contained quinine with a bitter taste for bees, and other colours sometimes had glucose.</p>

<p><a href="Also Read | 'Turkey will back Sweden's NATO bid if EU embraces Ankara', says Erdogan">Also Read | 'Turkey will back Sweden's NATO bid if EU embraces Ankara', says Erdogan</a></p>

<p>The researchers then observed the bees in a garden where the flowers only had distilled water. Over 40 hours of video footage was analysed to track the bees' flight paths and measure the time it took for them to make decisions.</p>

<h2><strong>Decoding Bee decision-making</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. MaBouDi explains that the bees displayed swift decision-making when they were confident that a flower had food, taking an average of 0.6 seconds to land on such flowers.</p>

<p>Similarly, if they were confident that a flower didn't have food, they made a quick decision. However, if they were uncertain, they took longer (an average of 1.4 seconds), with the decision time reflecting the likelihood of a flower containing food.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | 'Safeguarding reefs': Theme of Florida Music Festival</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/safeguarding-reefs-theme-of-florida-music-festival-613859/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The researchers developed a computer model based on the principles observed in the bees' decision-making process. Remarkably, the structure of the computer model closely resembled the physical layout of a bee brain. Professor Marshall highlights how complex autonomous decision-making can be achieved using minimal neural circuitry.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Enter the fascinating world of bees, where these tiny but mighty beings outshine humans when it comes to making swift and superior choices regarding things that matter to them.

Enter the fascinating world of bees, where these tiny but mighty beings outshine humans when it comes to making swift and superior choices regarding things that matter to them. Surprisingly, honey bees, with brains smaller than sesame seeds, are capable of making faster and more accurate decisions than humans, a recent research suggested. This study was published in the journal eLife and sheds light on the decision-making process of honey bees, offering valuable insights into insect brains, the evolution of our own brains, and the design of more efficient robots. Honey bees have evolved over millions of years to effectively assess the effort, risk, and reward associated with finding food for their hive. Led by Professor Andrew Barron from Macquarie University and Dr. HaDi MaBouDi, Neville Dearden, and Professor James Marshall from the University of Sheffield, the study provides valuable information about the cognitive processes involved in decision-making. The efficiency of Bee decision-making Professor Barron laid stress on the significance of decision-making in cognition, stating that animals constantly face decisions in their lives. "Decision-making is at the core of cognition," he said, adding, "It's the result of an evaluation of possible outcomes, and animal lives are full of decisions. A honey bee has a brain smaller than a sesame seed. And yet she can make decisions faster and more accurately than we can." He further added that if a robot were to perform the tasks of a honey bee, it would require the computational power of a supercomputer. Honey bees face the challenge of working quickly and efficiently, collecting nectar and defending against predators while making decisions about which flowers are likely to contain food. Also Read | Investigation into Greek shipwreck suggests coastguard responsible for sinking: Report During the flight, bees are primarily at risk of aerial attacks, but once they land to feed, they become vulnerable to predators, including those that camouflage themselves as flowers. Experimental setup In the study, 20 bees were trained to recognise five different coloured flower disks. Blue flowers always contained sugar syrup, green flowers contained quinine with a bitter taste for bees, and other colours sometimes had glucose. Also Read | 'Turkey will back Sweden's NATO bid if EU embraces Ankara', says Erdogan The researchers then observed the bees in a garden where the flowers only had distilled water. Over 40 hours of video footage was analysed to track the bees' flight paths and measure the time it took for them to make decisions. Decoding Bee decision-making Dr. MaBouDi explains that the bees displayed swift decision-making when they were confident that a flower had food, taking an average of 0.6 seconds to land on such flowers. Similarly, if they were confident that a flower didn't have food, they made a quick decision. However, if they were uncertain, they took longer (an average of 1.4 seconds), with the decision time reflecting the likelihood of a flower containing food. Watch | 'Safeguarding reefs': Theme of Florida Music Festival × The researchers developed a computer model based on the principles observed in the bees' decision-making process. Remarkably, the structure of the computer model closely resembled the physical layout of a bee brain. Professor Marshall highlights how complex autonomous decision-making can be achieved using minimal neural circuitry. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Bees outgun humans in making swift, better decisions for things that matter to them: Study

<p>People who are lonely don’t quite see the world the same way as those who aren't lonely, suggests a US study, published in Psychological Science.</p>

<p>When it comes to processing information, people who are not lonely are all alike, but every lonely person processes the world in their own idiosyncratic way, it said.</p>

<h2><strong>How was the research conducted?</strong></h2>

<p>The University of California research conducted neuroimaging tests on 66 young adults in their first-year college aged between 18 and 21. The students were also asked to complete the UCLA Loneliness Scale which is a self-report to measure their feelings of loneliness and social isolation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Based on the results, the young adults were divided into two groups – lonely and “nonlonely” (people who do not experience loneliness). Subsequently, the students were made to watch 14 video clips while researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to view brain activity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/report-feeling-unhappy-lonely-can-accelerate-aging-faster-than-smoking-diseases-520622">Report: Feeling unhappy, lonely can accelerate aging faster than smoking, diseases</a></strong></p>

<p>The content was said to have been engaging enough so that participants’ minds wandering during the task would not affect the data collected. The topic of the videos ranged from sentimental music videos to party scenes and sporting events, providing a range of scenarios for analysis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Psychologist Elisa Baek, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, and her team analysed 214 different regions of the brain and how they responded over time to stimuli in the videos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also compared activity between individuals in each brain region to understand how similar or different their responses were.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did the study find?</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers found significant differences in the way that lonely people’s brains work&nbsp;and process&nbsp;information when compared to their nonlonely peers. Additionally, the researchers not only discovered differences between the two groups but also found that significant differences existed between individual loners.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alexa-siri-are-helping-users-battle-loneliness-making-disabled-people-more-independent-survey-542969">Alexa, Siri are helping users battle loneliness, making disabled people more independent: Survey</a></strong></p>

<p>The researchers tested if there were&nbsp;associations between loneliness and neural responses to naturalistic stimuli and if they follow&nbsp;what the paper&nbsp;referred to as the “Anna Karenina principle.” It was inspired by the opening line of Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy’s novel, <em>Anna Karenina</em> “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It was surprising to find that lonely people were even less similar to each other,” said Baek, in a statement. She added, “The ‘Anna Karenina principle’ is a fitting description of lonely people, as they experience loneliness in an idiosyncratic way, not in a universally relatable way.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-ai-tool-can-help-doctors-treat-brain-tumours-quickly-and-accurately-study-finds-613368">This AI tool can help doctors treat brain tumours quickly and accurately, study finds</a></strong></p>

<p>While nonlonely people were more or less similar, neurologically, individuals with high levels of loneliness regardless of how many friends they had were more likely to have unique brain responses, the study found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers also noted that being surrounded by people who see the world differently from us might also be a risk factor for loneliness despite daily social interactions with other people.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


People who are lonely don’t quite see the world the same way as those who aren't lonely, suggests a US study, published in Psychological Science. When it comes to processing information, people who are not lonely are all alike, but every lonely person processes the world in their own idiosyncratic way, it said.

People who are lonely don’t quite see the world the same way as those who aren't lonely, suggests a US study, published in Psychological Science. When it comes to processing information, people who are not lonely are all alike, but every lonely person processes the world in their own idiosyncratic way, it said. How was the research conducted? The University of California research conducted neuroimaging tests on 66 young adults in their first-year college aged between 18 and 21. The students were also asked to complete the UCLA Loneliness Scale which is a self-report to measure their feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Based on the results, the young adults were divided into two groups – lonely and “nonlonely” (people who do not experience loneliness). Subsequently, the students were made to watch 14 video clips while researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to view brain activity. ALSO READ | Report: Feeling unhappy, lonely can accelerate aging faster than smoking, diseases The content was said to have been engaging enough so that participants’ minds wandering during the task would not affect the data collected. The topic of the videos ranged from sentimental music videos to party scenes and sporting events, providing a range of scenarios for analysis. Psychologist Elisa Baek, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, and her team analysed 214 different regions of the brain and how they responded over time to stimuli in the videos. They also compared activity between individuals in each brain region to understand how similar or different their responses were. What did the study find? The researchers found significant differences in the way that lonely people’s brains work and process information when compared to their nonlonely peers. Additionally, the researchers not only discovered differences between the two groups but also found that significant differences existed between individual loners. ALSO READ | Alexa, Siri are helping users battle loneliness, making disabled people more independent: Survey The researchers tested if there were associations between loneliness and neural responses to naturalistic stimuli and if they follow what the paper referred to as the “Anna Karenina principle.” It was inspired by the opening line of Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy’s novel, Anna Karenina “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” “It was surprising to find that lonely people were even less similar to each other,” said Baek, in a statement. She added, “The ‘Anna Karenina principle’ is a fitting description of lonely people, as they experience loneliness in an idiosyncratic way, not in a universally relatable way.” ALSO READ | This AI tool can help doctors treat brain tumours quickly and accurately, study finds While nonlonely people were more or less similar, neurologically, individuals with high levels of loneliness regardless of how many friends they had were more likely to have unique brain responses, the study found. The researchers also noted that being surrounded by people who see the world differently from us might also be a risk factor for loneliness despite daily social interactions with other people. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study shows lonely people’s brains process information and see the world differently

<p>The solid inner core of Earth may not be completely solid at all, as per a new study. Unlike what is generally believed, the core is a hodgepodge patchwork of solid and liquid which flow all the way to the centre.<br />
<br />
The new research was carried out on the basis of faint echoes of earthquake waves which were seen bouncing back to the surface of the Earth from the depths of the planet. The research suggested that the inner core is more varied than what was previously understood.<br />
<br />
According to the findings, the inner core, which increases about a millimetre (0.04 inch) every year when the liquid outer core solidifies, is likely to have grown faster in the earlier times in the history of the Earth.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/supermoon-to-be-14000-miles-closer-to-earth-compared-to-a-full-moon-in-july-611176">Supermoon to be 14,000 miles closer to Earth in July compared to full moon</a></p>

<p>“What's more, there may be swirls of liquid iron trapped inside the solid core,” said study senior author Keith Koper, a seismologist at the University of Utah, in a statement.<br />
<br />
"A long time ago the inner core grew really fast. It reached an equilibrium, and then it started to grow much more slowly. Not all of the iron became solid, so some liquid iron could be trapped inside,” Koper said.<br />
<br />
There is no process to directly access the core, so Koper and his team took into account data collected from 20 seismometers which were set up to measure earthquake waves and also monitor for nuclear weapons testing.<br />
<br />
The team also focused on waves which were triggered by earthquakes of magnitude 5.7 or above, and are big enough to send vibrations across the inner core, as the seismometer read a faint echo.<br />
<br />
"This signal that comes back from the inner core is really tiny. The size is about on the order of a nanometer. What we're doing is looking for a needle in a haystack. So these baby echoes and reflections are very hard to see,” Koper said.</p>

<h2><strong>Composition of Earth's core 'inhomogeneous'</strong></h2>

<p>The key finding, which was reported in the journal Nature on July 5, was that the composition of the core was "inhomogeneous," or varied. In other words, the earth's inner core did not smoothly solidify and is made up of a patchwork of different textures.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Earth's axis is shifting</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-earths-axis-is-shifting-609399/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"For the first time we confirmed that this kind of inhomogeneity is everywhere inside the inner core," said Guanning Pang, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, who participated in the research as a doctoral student at the University of Utah in the statement.<br />
<br />
“Seismic waves scatter more the deeper they penetrate the core,” said Koper, indicating an increase in the amount of variability closer to the centre of the Earth. “This could be related to the changing rate of solidification of the core over time,” he added.</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-24="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-30="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The solid inner core of Earth may not be completely solid at all, as per a new study. Unlike what is generally believed, the core is a hodgepodge patchwork of solid and liquid which flow all the way to the centre.

The solid inner core of Earth may not be completely solid at all, as per a new study. Unlike what is generally believed, the core is a hodgepodge patchwork of solid and liquid which flow all the way to the centre. The new research was carried out on the basis of faint echoes of earthquake waves which were seen bouncing back to the surface of the Earth from the depths of the planet. The research suggested that the inner core is more varied than what was previously understood. According to the findings, the inner core, which increases about a millimetre (0.04 inch) every year when the liquid outer core solidifies, is likely to have grown faster in the earlier times in the history of the Earth. ALSO READ | Supermoon to be 14,000 miles closer to Earth in July compared to full moon “What's more, there may be swirls of liquid iron trapped inside the solid core,” said study senior author Keith Koper, a seismologist at the University of Utah, in a statement. "A long time ago the inner core grew really fast. It reached an equilibrium, and then it started to grow much more slowly. Not all of the iron became solid, so some liquid iron could be trapped inside,” Koper said. There is no process to directly access the core, so Koper and his team took into account data collected from 20 seismometers which were set up to measure earthquake waves and also monitor for nuclear weapons testing. The team also focused on waves which were triggered by earthquakes of magnitude 5.7 or above, and are big enough to send vibrations across the inner core, as the seismometer read a faint echo. "This signal that comes back from the inner core is really tiny. The size is about on the order of a nanometer. What we're doing is looking for a needle in a haystack. So these baby echoes and reflections are very hard to see,” Koper said. Composition of Earth's core 'inhomogeneous' The key finding, which was reported in the journal Nature on July 5, was that the composition of the core was "inhomogeneous," or varied. In other words, the earth's inner core did not smoothly solidify and is made up of a patchwork of different textures. WATCH | Gravitas: Earth's axis is shifting "For the first time we confirmed that this kind of inhomogeneity is everywhere inside the inner core," said Guanning Pang, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, who participated in the research as a doctoral student at the University of Utah in the statement. “Seismic waves scatter more the deeper they penetrate the core,” said Koper, indicating an increase in the amount of variability closer to the centre of the Earth. “This could be related to the changing rate of solidification of the core over time,” he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Earth's 'not so-solid' core filled with swirls of liquid iron, says study

<p>Regular physical exercise, particularly resistance training, can help prevent Alzheimer's disease or delay the onset of symptoms, a recent study suggests. The study wase published in Frontiers in Neuroscience by Brazilian researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and the University of Sao Paulo (USP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>To understand the effects of resistance training, the researchers conducted experiments using transgenic mice that had a mutation leading to the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The buildup of these plaques impairs synaptic connections, damages neurons, and contributes to Alzheimer's symptoms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mice were trained to climb a ladder with weights attached to their tails, simulating resistance training similar to what humans do in fitness centres. As part of the research, the mice underwent a training regimen involving climbing a 110 cm ladder with an 80° slope and rungs spaced 2 cm apart.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/discovery-of-cocaine-in-white-house-library-prompts-secret-service-investigation-611984">Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation</a></p>

<p>To simulate resistance training commonly performed by humans in fitness centres, weights were attached to the mice's tails, representing 75%, 90%, and 100% of their body weight.</p>

<h2><strong>Positive results&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>After a four-week period of training, blood samples were taken from the mice to measure plasma levels of corticosterone, the hormone equivalent to cortisol in humans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elevated levels of this hormone are associated with increased Alzheimer's risk. The exercise-trained mice showed normal hormone levels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-military-is-completing-mission-in-west-bank-says-pm-netanyahu-death-toll-in-jenin-rises-to-11-611977">Israeli military is ‘completing mission’ in West Bank, says PM Netanyahu; death toll in Jenin rises to 11</a></p>

<p>Furthermore, analysis of their brain tissue revealed a decrease in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These findings indicate that physical activity can reverse the neuropathological changes that lead to clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's.</p>

<h2><strong>Behavioral benefits, reduction of anxiety</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers also assessed the animals' behaviour, particularly their anxiety levels in an open field test. Alzheimer's and other dementia types often manifest symptoms such as agitation and restlessness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mice that underwent resistance exercise exhibited reduced hyperlocomotion. This suggests that resistance exercise may help alleviate these early symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.</p>

<p>“The main possible reason for this effectiveness is the anti-inflammatory action of resistance exercise,” said Beatriz Monteiro Longo, last author of the article and a professor of neurophysiology at UNIFESP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-russia-says-ukraine-attacked-moscow-with-5-drones-611978/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends resistance exercise as an ideal option for improving balance, posture, and preventing falls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This form of exercise involves contracting specific muscles against external resistance and offers various benefits such as increasing muscle mass, strength and functional capacity.</p>

<p>Resistance exercise also plays a role in preventing or mitigating sarcopenia (muscle atrophy), which can make everyday tasks easier to perform.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Regular physical exercise, particularly resistance training, can help prevent Alzheimer's disease or delay the onset of symptoms, a recent study suggests. The study wase published in Frontiers in Neuroscience by Brazilian researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and the University of Sao Paulo (USP).

Regular physical exercise, particularly resistance training, can help prevent Alzheimer's disease or delay the onset of symptoms, a recent study suggests. The study wase published in Frontiers in Neuroscience by Brazilian researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and the University of Sao Paulo (USP). To understand the effects of resistance training, the researchers conducted experiments using transgenic mice that had a mutation leading to the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease. The buildup of these plaques impairs synaptic connections, damages neurons, and contributes to Alzheimer's symptoms. The mice were trained to climb a ladder with weights attached to their tails, simulating resistance training similar to what humans do in fitness centres. As part of the research, the mice underwent a training regimen involving climbing a 110 cm ladder with an 80° slope and rungs spaced 2 cm apart. Also Read | Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation To simulate resistance training commonly performed by humans in fitness centres, weights were attached to the mice's tails, representing 75%, 90%, and 100% of their body weight. Positive results After a four-week period of training, blood samples were taken from the mice to measure plasma levels of corticosterone, the hormone equivalent to cortisol in humans. Elevated levels of this hormone are associated with increased Alzheimer's risk. The exercise-trained mice showed normal hormone levels. Also Read | Israeli military is ‘completing mission’ in West Bank, says PM Netanyahu; death toll in Jenin rises to 11 Furthermore, analysis of their brain tissue revealed a decrease in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques. These findings indicate that physical activity can reverse the neuropathological changes that lead to clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's. Behavioral benefits, reduction of anxiety The researchers also assessed the animals' behaviour, particularly their anxiety levels in an open field test. Alzheimer's and other dementia types often manifest symptoms such as agitation and restlessness. The mice that underwent resistance exercise exhibited reduced hyperlocomotion. This suggests that resistance exercise may help alleviate these early symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. “The main possible reason for this effectiveness is the anti-inflammatory action of resistance exercise,” said Beatriz Monteiro Longo, last author of the article and a professor of neurophysiology at UNIFESP. WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones × The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends resistance exercise as an ideal option for improving balance, posture, and preventing falls. This form of exercise involves contracting specific muscles against external resistance and offers various benefits such as increasing muscle mass, strength and functional capacity. Resistance exercise also plays a role in preventing or mitigating sarcopenia (muscle atrophy), which can make everyday tasks easier to perform. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Resistance training: A promising measure to prevent, delay Alzheimer's

<p>Is climate causing our brains to shrink? A recent study conducted by cognitive scientist Jeff Morgan Stibel from the Natural History Museum in California has uncovered a surprising link between climate change and a decline in the size of the human brain.</p>

<p>By analysing climate records and human remains spanning a 50,000-year period, Stibel's research sheds light on how humans develop and adapt in response to environmental stress, according to Science Alert. The findings, published in a paper, underscore the importance of understanding the impact of climate change on human brain size and, ultimately, human behaviour.</p>

<p>Stibel's investigation involved examining 298 specimens from the past 50,000 years, alongside natural records of global temperature, humidity, and rainfall.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-sleeping-enough-your-brain-might-be-eating-itself-319676">Not sleeping enough? Your brain might be eating itself</a></p>

<h2><strong>What does the study reveal?</strong></h2>

<p>The results revealed a significant reduction in average brain size during periods of warmer climates&nbsp;compared to cooler ones. Stibel's earlier research on brain shrinkage served as the impetus for this study, as he sought to uncover the underlying causes behind this phenomenon.</p>

<p>In an interview with PsyPost's Mane Kara-Yakoubian, Stibel emphasised the critical need to comprehend changes in the human brain over time. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of research on this subject, stating, "We know the brain has grown across species over the past few million years, but we know very little about other macro-evolutionary trends."</p>

<p>To gather data, Stibel collected information on skull sizes from 10 published sources, resulting in 373 measurements taken from 298 human bones spanning 50,000 years.</p>

<p>To estimate brain sizes accurately, he adjusted for geographical region and gender by including estimations of body size.</p>

<p>To account for potential dating errors, Stibel categorised the fossils into groups based on their age and conducted his analysis using four different fossil age spans.</p>

<p>Additionally, he compared brain size to four climate records, including temperature data from the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) Dome C, which provides precise temperature measurements spanning over 800,000 years.</p>

<p>Over the past 50,000 years, the Earth has experienced various climate fluctuations, including the Last Glacial Maximum, a period characterised by consistently colder temperatures until the end of the Late Pleistocene. Following this, the Holocene period witnessed rising average temperatures, leading up to the present day.</p>

<p>Stibel's analysis revealed a consistent pattern of changing brain size in Homo, correlated with fluctuations in climate as temperatures rose and fell.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/first-ever-scan-of-dying-human-brain-shows-astounding-results-455553">First ever scan of dying human brain shows astounding results</a></p>

<p>Notably, humans experienced a significant decline in average brain size, amounting to just over 10.7 per cent, throughout the Holocene warming period, which occurred approximately 17,000 years after the last glacial maximum.</p>

<p>According to Stibel, brain size changes tend to occur thousands of years after the climate changes, suggesting that species-level adaptation often requires multiple generations. This evolutionary pattern manifested within a relatively brief period of 5,000 to 17,000 years, raising concerns about the potentially detrimental effects of ongoing global warming on human cognition.</p>

<p>Stibel argues that even a slight reduction in brain size among contemporary humans could have significant physiological implications that are not yet fully understood.</p>

<p>Furthermore, the analysis revealed that humidity and rainfall levels also influenced brain growth, albeit to a lesser extent compared to temperature. Dry spells exhibited a weak correlation with slightly larger brain volumes.</p>

<p>While the study establishes a clear relationship between climate change and differences in brain size, it acknowledges that climate alone does not account for all observed variations.</p>

<p>Stibel suggests that other factors such as ecosystem elements, indirect climate effects (such as, vegetation and net primary production), or non-climate factors like culture and technology could also contribute to changes in brain size.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


Is climate causing our brains to shrink? A recent study conducted by cognitive scientist Jeff Morgan Stibel from the Natural History Museum in California has uncovered a surprising link between climate change and a decline in the size of the human brain.

Is climate causing our brains to shrink? A recent study conducted by cognitive scientist Jeff Morgan Stibel from the Natural History Museum in California has uncovered a surprising link between climate change and a decline in the size of the human brain. By analysing climate records and human remains spanning a 50,000-year period, Stibel's research sheds light on how humans develop and adapt in response to environmental stress, according to Science Alert. The findings, published in a paper, underscore the importance of understanding the impact of climate change on human brain size and, ultimately, human behaviour. Stibel's investigation involved examining 298 specimens from the past 50,000 years, alongside natural records of global temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Also read | Not sleeping enough? Your brain might be eating itself What does the study reveal? The results revealed a significant reduction in average brain size during periods of warmer climates compared to cooler ones. Stibel's earlier research on brain shrinkage served as the impetus for this study, as he sought to uncover the underlying causes behind this phenomenon. In an interview with PsyPost's Mane Kara-Yakoubian, Stibel emphasised the critical need to comprehend changes in the human brain over time. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of research on this subject, stating, "We know the brain has grown across species over the past few million years, but we know very little about other macro-evolutionary trends." To gather data, Stibel collected information on skull sizes from 10 published sources, resulting in 373 measurements taken from 298 human bones spanning 50,000 years. To estimate brain sizes accurately, he adjusted for geographical region and gender by including estimations of body size. To account for potential dating errors, Stibel categorised the fossils into groups based on their age and conducted his analysis using four different fossil age spans. Additionally, he compared brain size to four climate records, including temperature data from the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) Dome C, which provides precise temperature measurements spanning over 800,000 years. Over the past 50,000 years, the Earth has experienced various climate fluctuations, including the Last Glacial Maximum, a period characterised by consistently colder temperatures until the end of the Late Pleistocene. Following this, the Holocene period witnessed rising average temperatures, leading up to the present day. Stibel's analysis revealed a consistent pattern of changing brain size in Homo, correlated with fluctuations in climate as temperatures rose and fell. Also read | First ever scan of dying human brain shows astounding results Notably, humans experienced a significant decline in average brain size, amounting to just over 10.7 per cent, throughout the Holocene warming period, which occurred approximately 17,000 years after the last glacial maximum. According to Stibel, brain size changes tend to occur thousands of years after the climate changes, suggesting that species-level adaptation often requires multiple generations. This evolutionary pattern manifested within a relatively brief period of 5,000 to 17,000 years, raising concerns about the potentially detrimental effects of ongoing global warming on human cognition. Stibel argues that even a slight reduction in brain size among contemporary humans could have significant physiological implications that are not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that humidity and rainfall levels also influenced brain growth, albeit to a lesser extent compared to temperature. Dry spells exhibited a weak correlation with slightly larger brain volumes. While the study establishes a clear relationship between climate change and differences in brain size, it acknowledges that climate alone does not account for all observed variations. Stibel suggests that other factors such as ecosystem elements, indirect climate effects (such as, vegetation and net primary production), or non-climate factors like culture and technology could also contribute to changes in brain size. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cognitive consequences: Study reveals startling link between climate change and shrinking of human brain

<p>A &nbsp;lot of importance is given to academics in countries like India. Society believes you are successful if you have an excellent academic background. You are worthy if you have earned various academic degrees with good grades. But what about non-academic areas? What about one's passions?<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
In today’s Indian society, every student is competing for good grades, ranks, getting into top universities, and getting job placements. At the same time, professionals are in a race to perform the best and gain recognition. But is that really their passion?<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
These days people care more about financial security than what they are passionate about. While interacting with people, I often observe that only a few professionals are following their dreams, while most are just chasing a ‘reputed job’ and a ‘good pay cheque’.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-drops-killer-questions-from-8-hour-gruelling-college-entrance-exam-611057">South Korea drops ‘killer questions’ from 8-hour gruelling college entrance exam</a></p>

<p>As a student, I can say that the importance given to good grades is unreasonable and unachievable for many. Students often feel pressured by their families, society, and peers to score well. If they don’t, they are usually looked down upon as not being serious about their future career and even life! It is shocking how failing in studies is often equated with failure in life. After all this, it is not very surprising to see so many students suffering from depression and anxiety, and in some cases in which students have committed suicide.<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
A lot of students in my class, when asked why they were doing the current course, responded that it was just for a master’s degree, which attracts more value in corporates. Due to academic pressures, we often lose our passion or can’t give them enough time and focus. While my passions are music and writing, I hardly get any time to pursue them while trying to navigate through my academics. During the end of the semester, there is hardly any time to spare, let alone pursue anything else than studies. It is concerning how schools and colleges put pressure on students with tonnes of assignments, projects, and deadlines, which is considered normal.<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
Academic professions have always been given more importance in our society than vocational professions. If you are an artist, writer, singer, etc. only a few in the community appreciate you. On the other hand, if you are a qualified engineer or a doctor, people will always associate you with intellect and reputation.<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
The reason for pursuing academics for me, and I’m sure many others, is the risk that comes with vocational areas. Professions like dancing, acting, art, music, sports, etc. do not guarantee a job or financial security. This implies that to pursue a creative passion, most people often also take up an academic course as a backing to help them earn a living while working on their passions, which sometimes work and sometimes don’t.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Canada: Indian students deportation on hold, students from Punjab duped by local agents | WION</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canada-indian-students-deportation-on-hold-students-from-punjab-duped-by-local-agents-wion-604733/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Creative fields often face a lot more challenges than academics. Some people work hard all their life just to get that recognition among people. Young people who leave academics to pursue their passions are often seen as failures as they couldn’t pursue academics, or get a degree. This all comes back to the vicious cycle that pursuing academics is seen as more reputable than other vocational professions.<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
Apart from financial security, society plays another part in this. Most people in society tend to be prying upon others and often talk down to those who are not pursuing academics. Such people view reputed and well-earning jobs as a prerequisite for giving respect to others. These fears are enough to make a creative person end up in a profession they are not passionate about for the sake of being respected in society. These conceptions are more prevalent in India than in other countries and lead to increased competition amongst peers.<br aria-hidden="true" />
<br aria-hidden="true" />
The change would only come if instead of criticising, we encourage people not to pursue their passions. There is no denying that academics are important, however, not more than your passion. You will never be satisfied in life unless you follow your dreams and aspirations. I would say that there are many facets to success than just academics. You must realise what you love doing, and live your life on your terms.</p>

<p><strong><em>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</em></strong></p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A lot of importance is given to academics in countries like India. Society believes you are successful if you have an excellent academic background. You are worthy if you have earned various academic degrees with good grades.

A lot of importance is given to academics in countries like India. Society believes you are successful if you have an excellent academic background. You are worthy if you have earned various academic degrees with good grades. But what about non-academic areas? What about one's passions? In today’s Indian society, every student is competing for good grades, ranks, getting into top universities, and getting job placements. At the same time, professionals are in a race to perform the best and gain recognition. But is that really their passion? These days people care more about financial security than what they are passionate about. While interacting with people, I often observe that only a few professionals are following their dreams, while most are just chasing a ‘reputed job’ and a ‘good pay cheque’. ALSO READ | South Korea drops ‘killer questions’ from 8-hour gruelling college entrance exam As a student, I can say that the importance given to good grades is unreasonable and unachievable for many. Students often feel pressured by their families, society, and peers to score well. If they don’t, they are usually looked down upon as not being serious about their future career and even life! It is shocking how failing in studies is often equated with failure in life. After all this, it is not very surprising to see so many students suffering from depression and anxiety, and in some cases in which students have committed suicide. A lot of students in my class, when asked why they were doing the current course, responded that it was just for a master’s degree, which attracts more value in corporates. Due to academic pressures, we often lose our passion or can’t give them enough time and focus. While my passions are music and writing, I hardly get any time to pursue them while trying to navigate through my academics. During the end of the semester, there is hardly any time to spare, let alone pursue anything else than studies. It is concerning how schools and colleges put pressure on students with tonnes of assignments, projects, and deadlines, which is considered normal. Academic professions have always been given more importance in our society than vocational professions. If you are an artist, writer, singer, etc. only a few in the community appreciate you. On the other hand, if you are a qualified engineer or a doctor, people will always associate you with intellect and reputation. The reason for pursuing academics for me, and I’m sure many others, is the risk that comes with vocational areas. Professions like dancing, acting, art, music, sports, etc. do not guarantee a job or financial security. This implies that to pursue a creative passion, most people often also take up an academic course as a backing to help them earn a living while working on their passions, which sometimes work and sometimes don’t. WATCH | Canada: Indian students deportation on hold, students from Punjab duped by local agents | WION Creative fields often face a lot more challenges than academics. Some people work hard all their life just to get that recognition among people. Young people who leave academics to pursue their passions are often seen as failures as they couldn’t pursue academics, or get a degree. This all comes back to the vicious cycle that pursuing academics is seen as more reputable than other vocational professions. Apart from financial security, society plays another part in this. Most people in society tend to be prying upon others and often talk down to those who are not pursuing academics. Such people view reputed and well-earning jobs as a prerequisite for giving respect to others. These fears are enough to make a creative person end up in a profession they are not passionate about for the sake of being respected in society. These conceptions are more prevalent in India than in other countries and lead to increased competition amongst peers. The change would only come if instead of criticising, we encourage people not to pursue their passions. There is no denying that academics are important, however, not more than your passion. You will never be satisfied in life unless you follow your dreams and aspirations. I would say that there are many facets to success than just academics. You must realise what you love doing, and live your life on your terms. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Should youngsters study what's hot in the market, or follow their passion?

<p>A groundbreaking study has unveiled the intricate nasal airway structure responsible for the exceptional olfactory abilities of domestic cats. Researchers have created a detailed 3D computer model of a cat's nose and simulated the flow of air carrying various food odours. The study reveals that the air in the cat's nasal passages separates into two distinct streams. One stream undergoes cleansing and humidification, while the other efficiently delivers the odour to the olfactory region.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The Cat Nose: A dual-purposed sensory tool</strong></h2>

<p>Scientists suggest that the cat nose functions as a highly efficient and dual-purposed gas chromatograph, a device used in laboratories to detect and separate chemicals in vaporised form.</p>

<p>The cat's nasal structure is so proficient in this regard that it could potentially inspire improvements to existing gas chromatographs.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-riots-600-people-arrested-200-cops-left-injured-as-violence-continues-on-third-night-610544">France riots: 600 people arrested, 200 cops left injured as violence continues on third night</a></p>

<p>The compact size of a cat's head, as opposed to the elongated snout of an alligator, likely drove an evolutionary change that led to the labyrinthine airway structure. This unique structure allows cats to adapt to diverse environments more effectively.</p>

<h2><strong>Understanding the flow patterns</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers discovered that the nasal structure optimises odour detection by providing a high-speed pathway for the odourants, bypassing the slower respiratory flow.</p>

<p>The simulation also revealed a surprising finding: once the odourant-laden air reaches the olfactory region, it is recirculated through parallel channels for an extended period.</p>

<p>"That was actually a surprise," Kai Zhao, the study's senior author said adding, "It's like you take a sniff, the air is shooting back there and then is being processed for a much longer time."</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/europe/uk-environment-minister-zac-goldsmith-resigns-accuses-rishi-sunak-of-neglecting-climate-change-610540">UK environment minister Zac Goldsmith resigns, accuses Rishi Sunak of neglecting Climate Change</a></p>

<p>This recirculation allows for more thorough odour processing. The researchers estimate that the cat's nose is over 100 times more efficient at odour detection compared to species with straight, amphibian-like noses of a similar size.</p>

<p>This study provides the first quantitative comparison of gas chromatography efficiency between mammals and other species. The research sheds light on the evolutionary pathways that have shaped different nose structures and their functional purposes.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | French President spotted at singer Elton John's concert amid riots</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-president-spotted-at-singer-elton-johns-concert-amid-riots-610551/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>While much is known about vision and hearing, this study opens the door to a deeper understanding of the nose and its vital role in sensory perception.</p>

<p>"It's a good design if you think about it," said Zhao. "For mammals, olfaction is very important in finding prey, identifying danger, finding food sources and tracking the environment. In fact, a dog can take a sniff and know what has passed through - was it a friend or not?"&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The study's authors&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The study's senior author is Kai Zhao, an associate professor of otolaryngology at Ohio State's College of Medicine. Zhenxing Wu, a postdoctoral scholar in Zhao's lab, is the first author.</p>

<p>Other contributors include researchers from Monell Chemical Senses Center, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania. The research received partial funding from the National Institutes of Health and Mars Petcare UK. The study was published in PLOS Computational Biology on June 29, 2023.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


A groundbreaking study has unveiled the intricate nasal airway structure responsible for the exceptional olfactory abilities of domestic cats. Researchers have created a detailed 3D computer model of a cat's nose and simulated the flow of air carrying various food odours.

A groundbreaking study has unveiled the intricate nasal airway structure responsible for the exceptional olfactory abilities of domestic cats. Researchers have created a detailed 3D computer model of a cat's nose and simulated the flow of air carrying various food odours. The study reveals that the air in the cat's nasal passages separates into two distinct streams. One stream undergoes cleansing and humidification, while the other efficiently delivers the odour to the olfactory region. The Cat Nose: A dual-purposed sensory tool Scientists suggest that the cat nose functions as a highly efficient and dual-purposed gas chromatograph, a device used in laboratories to detect and separate chemicals in vaporised form. The cat's nasal structure is so proficient in this regard that it could potentially inspire improvements to existing gas chromatographs. Also Read | France riots: 600 people arrested, 200 cops left injured as violence continues on third night The compact size of a cat's head, as opposed to the elongated snout of an alligator, likely drove an evolutionary change that led to the labyrinthine airway structure. This unique structure allows cats to adapt to diverse environments more effectively. Understanding the flow patterns The researchers discovered that the nasal structure optimises odour detection by providing a high-speed pathway for the odourants, bypassing the slower respiratory flow. The simulation also revealed a surprising finding: once the odourant-laden air reaches the olfactory region, it is recirculated through parallel channels for an extended period. "That was actually a surprise," Kai Zhao, the study's senior author said adding, "It's like you take a sniff, the air is shooting back there and then is being processed for a much longer time." Also Read | UK environment minister Zac Goldsmith resigns, accuses Rishi Sunak of neglecting Climate Change This recirculation allows for more thorough odour processing. The researchers estimate that the cat's nose is over 100 times more efficient at odour detection compared to species with straight, amphibian-like noses of a similar size. This study provides the first quantitative comparison of gas chromatography efficiency between mammals and other species. The research sheds light on the evolutionary pathways that have shaped different nose structures and their functional purposes. Watch | French President spotted at singer Elton John's concert amid riots × While much is known about vision and hearing, this study opens the door to a deeper understanding of the nose and its vital role in sensory perception. "It's a good design if you think about it," said Zhao. "For mammals, olfaction is very important in finding prey, identifying danger, finding food sources and tracking the environment. In fact, a dog can take a sniff and know what has passed through - was it a friend or not?" The study's authors The study's senior author is Kai Zhao, an associate professor of otolaryngology at Ohio State's College of Medicine. Zhenxing Wu, a postdoctoral scholar in Zhao's lab, is the first author. Other contributors include researchers from Monell Chemical Senses Center, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania. The research received partial funding from the National Institutes of Health and Mars Petcare UK. The study was published in PLOS Computational Biology on June 29, 2023. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

The cat nose: Study reveals secret behind feline's exceptional sniffing abilities

<p>In the incident of a cleaner at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in&nbsp;New York, erasing decades of research by switching off the lab’s freezer, the college has initiated legal action against the cleaner’s employer, Daigle Cleaning Systems.&nbsp;Narrating the root causes of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/costly-mistake-cleaner-turns-of-freezer-accidentally-destroys-decades-of-research-in-new-york-college-609452">incident</a>, the attorney representing the college, Michael Ginsberg, spoke exclusively to WION. He highlighted the details of the incident as well as the insights into the lawsuit and the lab’s future course of action.</p>

<p>Speaking to WION, Michael said that the college is seeking a monetary amount that is necessary to recreate the research. He said that they want Daigle Cleaning Systems to compensate the institute for the cost of recreating the research, including the cost of labour and material of chemical compounds.</p>

<p>“The amount necessary is slightly below a million dollars,” Michael exclaimed while adding that the mistake cost them the research of more than 20 years.</p>

<p>However, he also told WION that they consider it to be a human error not done with any intent of causing harm or sabotage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I will say that we don’t believe that this was an intentional act. We don’t believe any bad intention or sabotage of any sort was behind this. It was a human error that resulted in the loss of the extensive amount of research which now needs to be recreated,” Michael told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the attorney, this research was a combination of about 20-25 years of study. It was related to the molecular mechanisms or makeup of solar energy conversion for natural and artificial synthetic systems and synthetic reactions.<br />
<br />
The research also looked at cell cultures in incredibly low temperatures, and it related to the viability and sustainability of solar energy and future advances in the development and use of solar energy.</p>

<p>However, when asked if it will take another 20-25 years to restore the research now, Michael said that he doesn’t believe that it is going to be another 20 years for it because they already have the data. They will not be completely reinventing it, but they will recreate the culture of that research.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In the incident of a cleaner at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York, erasing decades of research by switching off the lab’s freezer, the college has initiated legal action against the cleaner’s employer, Daigle Cleaning Systems.

In the incident of a cleaner at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York, erasing decades of research by switching off the lab’s freezer, the college has initiated legal action against the cleaner’s employer, Daigle Cleaning Systems. Narrating the root causes of the incident, the attorney representing the college, Michael Ginsberg, spoke exclusively to WION. He highlighted the details of the incident as well as the insights into the lawsuit and the lab’s future course of action. Speaking to WION, Michael said that the college is seeking a monetary amount that is necessary to recreate the research. He said that they want Daigle Cleaning Systems to compensate the institute for the cost of recreating the research, including the cost of labour and material of chemical compounds. “The amount necessary is slightly below a million dollars,” Michael exclaimed while adding that the mistake cost them the research of more than 20 years. However, he also told WION that they consider it to be a human error not done with any intent of causing harm or sabotage. “I will say that we don’t believe that this was an intentional act. We don’t believe any bad intention or sabotage of any sort was behind this. It was a human error that resulted in the loss of the extensive amount of research which now needs to be recreated,” Michael told WION. According to the attorney, this research was a combination of about 20-25 years of study. It was related to the molecular mechanisms or makeup of solar energy conversion for natural and artificial synthetic systems and synthetic reactions. The research also looked at cell cultures in incredibly low temperatures, and it related to the viability and sustainability of solar energy and future advances in the development and use of solar energy. However, when asked if it will take another 20-25 years to restore the research now, Michael said that he doesn’t believe that it is going to be another 20 years for it because they already have the data. They will not be completely reinventing it, but they will recreate the culture of that research. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Million-dollar error: ‘Monetary amount needed to compensate research recreation,’ institute tells WION

<p>A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The study was published in the journal Nature and reveals how mountain regions will experience more intense rainfall than previously anticipated in earlier research. This heightened precipitation poses greater risks, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion, in comparison to the risk of snowfall.</p>

<h2><strong>Climate change impact&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While scientists have studied the overall increase in extreme precipitation due to climate change, the study breaks down the proportion of extreme precipitation that falls as snow versus rain. The distinction is crucial because rain tends to have more adverse effects on human lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>The study, led by Mohammed Ombadi, an environmental data scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US state of California, found that for every one degree Celsius increase in global temperature, higher elevations can expect a 15 percent rise in extreme rainfall.</p>

<p>This increase is nearly double what climate scientists had previously estimated for both rain and snow combined. It specifically applies to regions above approximately 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet in elevation, as per media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for human populations</strong></h2>

<p>Approximately one-quarter of the global population resides in mountain regions or directly downstream from them. While landslides mainly affect local areas, floods have more widespread impacts on people downstream.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-police-allow-quran-burning-protest-outside-stockholms-main-mosque-609615">Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque</a></p>

<p>Additionally, soil erosion can undermine agricultural lands, natural ecosystems, and exacerbate the risks of floods and landslides. These threats add to the challenges posed by melting glaciers in the same mountain ranges and river valleys.</p>

<h2><strong>Analysing historical data and climate projections</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Ombadi and his colleagues analysed historical data from 1950 to 2019, along with climate change projections till 21st century. They focused on temperate and Arctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere, as data from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere were limited. Their modeling of various global warming scenarios revealed a consistent increase in extreme rainfall for each degree of warming.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The impact of elevation on rainfall increase</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers discovered that the higher the elevation, the greater the increase in extreme rainfall. Unlike the relationship between rising temperatures and precipitation, this change wasn't linear.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/concert-economics-explained-the-craze-for-high-profile-concerts-609647/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>They observed a larger increase in rainfall as they analysed higher elevations. Additionally, different mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere exhibited slight variations in the risk of extreme rainfall, which researchers are still working to understand.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said.

A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said. The study was published in the journal Nature and reveals how mountain regions will experience more intense rainfall than previously anticipated in earlier research. This heightened precipitation poses greater risks, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion, in comparison to the risk of snowfall. Climate change impact While scientists have studied the overall increase in extreme precipitation due to climate change, the study breaks down the proportion of extreme precipitation that falls as snow versus rain. The distinction is crucial because rain tends to have more adverse effects on human lives. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report The study, led by Mohammed Ombadi, an environmental data scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US state of California, found that for every one degree Celsius increase in global temperature, higher elevations can expect a 15 percent rise in extreme rainfall. This increase is nearly double what climate scientists had previously estimated for both rain and snow combined. It specifically applies to regions above approximately 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet in elevation, as per media reports. Implications for human populations Approximately one-quarter of the global population resides in mountain regions or directly downstream from them. While landslides mainly affect local areas, floods have more widespread impacts on people downstream. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque Additionally, soil erosion can undermine agricultural lands, natural ecosystems, and exacerbate the risks of floods and landslides. These threats add to the challenges posed by melting glaciers in the same mountain ranges and river valleys. Analysing historical data and climate projections Dr. Ombadi and his colleagues analysed historical data from 1950 to 2019, along with climate change projections till 21st century. They focused on temperate and Arctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere, as data from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere were limited. Their modeling of various global warming scenarios revealed a consistent increase in extreme rainfall for each degree of warming. The impact of elevation on rainfall increase The researchers discovered that the higher the elevation, the greater the increase in extreme rainfall. Unlike the relationship between rising temperatures and precipitation, this change wasn't linear. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × They observed a larger increase in rainfall as they analysed higher elevations. Additionally, different mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere exhibited slight variations in the risk of extreme rainfall, which researchers are still working to understand. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Climate change to turn snow into extreme rainfalls in high-altitude regions, risk of landslides: Study

<p>Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.&nbsp;This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps.</p>

<p>Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven.</p>

<h2><strong>Artificial neural networks shed light</strong></h2>

<p>To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-police-allow-quran-burning-protest-outside-stockholms-main-mosque-609615">Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque</a></p>

<p>The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were then tested to classify blue flytraps.</p>

<h2><strong>Surprising results</strong></h2>

<p>Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/concert-economics-explained-the-craze-for-high-profile-concerts-609647/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies.</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for disease control</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research.</p>

<h2><strong>Field experiments support findings</strong></h2>

<p>Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.

Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on. This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps. Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven. Artificial neural networks shed light To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells. They were then tested to classify blue flytraps. Surprising results Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade. The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade. However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies. Implications for disease control Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies. This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts. Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research. Field experiments support findings Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Why biting flies are attracted to blue objects? Unraveling the mystery

<p>Dolphins are known to have unique personality traits similar to humans as they play and socialise with people. However, a recent study has found that dolphins also do something very common among humans - their mothers coo to their babies.</p>

<p>In a study, published on Monday, the researchers found that the tone of female bottlenose dolphins changes when they address their calves as they use a particular kind of high-pitched baby talk.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The signature whistles of 19 mother dolphins were recorded by the researchers in Florida when they were along with their young offspring and when they were swimming alone or were accompanied by other adults. The signature whistle of dolphins is unique and is an important signal which is similar to calling out their own name. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/australian-non-profit-files-police-complaint-over-toxic-dolphin-meat-sold-in-japan-583832">Australian non-profit files police complaint over ‘toxic’ dolphin meat sold in Japan</a></p>

<p>“They use these whistles to keep track of each other. They’re periodically saying, ‘I’m here, I’m here’,” stated study co-author Laela Sayigh, who works as a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution marine biologist in Massachusetts.</p>

<p>When the mother directs the signal to their calves, her whistle pitch is higher, as per the study published in the journal <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em>.</p>

<p>“That was true for every one of the mums in the study, all 19 of them,” stated biologist Peter Tyack, a study co-author from the University of St Andrews in Scotland.</p>

<p>It was no simple feat to obtain this data about dolphins. The data, which has been obtained in more than three decades, was collected by special microphones placed multiple times by the scientists on the same wild dolphin mothers in Florida’s Sarasota Bay for recording their signature whistles. This experiment included years when dolphins had calves and when they didn't, as the babies stay with their mothers for an average of three years in Sarasota. Meanwhile, fathers don’t play a prolonged role in parenting.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Hundreds of dolphins and sea lions die in California due to toxic algae | Trending on WION</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hundreds-of-dolphins-and-sea-lions-die-in-california-due-to-toxic-algae-trending-on-wion-608120/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“This is unprecedented, absolutely fantastic data,” stated Mauricio Cantor, an Oregon State University marine biologist who was not involved in the study. “This study is the result of so much research effort," Cantor added. &nbsp;</p>

<p>To study the dolphins, the researchers solely focused on the signature call, so they remain unaware if the&nbsp;same baby talk is used by the dolphins for other exchanges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It would make sense if there are similar adaptations in bottlenose dolphins – a long-lived, highly acoustic species,” where calves need to learn to vocalise many sounds to communicate, stated Frants Jensen, who is a behavioural ecologist at Denmark’s Aarhus University and a study co-author.&nbsp;</p>

<main>
<section>
<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</section>
</main>


Dolphins are known to have unique personality traits similar to humans as they play and socialise with people. However, a recent study has found that dolphins also do something very common among humans - their mothers coo to their babies.

Dolphins are known to have unique personality traits similar to humans as they play and socialise with people. However, a recent study has found that dolphins also do something very common among humans - their mothers coo to their babies. In a study, published on Monday, the researchers found that the tone of female bottlenose dolphins changes when they address their calves as they use a particular kind of high-pitched baby talk. The signature whistles of 19 mother dolphins were recorded by the researchers in Florida when they were along with their young offspring and when they were swimming alone or were accompanied by other adults. The signature whistle of dolphins is unique and is an important signal which is similar to calling out their own name. ALSO READ | Australian non-profit files police complaint over ‘toxic’ dolphin meat sold in Japan “They use these whistles to keep track of each other. They’re periodically saying, ‘I’m here, I’m here’,” stated study co-author Laela Sayigh, who works as a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution marine biologist in Massachusetts. When the mother directs the signal to their calves, her whistle pitch is higher, as per the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “That was true for every one of the mums in the study, all 19 of them,” stated biologist Peter Tyack, a study co-author from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It was no simple feat to obtain this data about dolphins. The data, which has been obtained in more than three decades, was collected by special microphones placed multiple times by the scientists on the same wild dolphin mothers in Florida’s Sarasota Bay for recording their signature whistles. This experiment included years when dolphins had calves and when they didn't, as the babies stay with their mothers for an average of three years in Sarasota. Meanwhile, fathers don’t play a prolonged role in parenting. WATCH | Hundreds of dolphins and sea lions die in California due to toxic algae | Trending on WION “This is unprecedented, absolutely fantastic data,” stated Mauricio Cantor, an Oregon State University marine biologist who was not involved in the study. “This study is the result of so much research effort," Cantor added. To study the dolphins, the researchers solely focused on the signature call, so they remain unaware if the same baby talk is used by the dolphins for other exchanges. “It would make sense if there are similar adaptations in bottlenose dolphins – a long-lived, highly acoustic species,” where calves need to learn to vocalise many sounds to communicate, stated Frants Jensen, who is a behavioural ecologist at Denmark’s Aarhus University and a study co-author. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Dolphins pamper their little ones with ‘baby talk’, a study tells how

study

Study, News on Study, stories on Study, articles on Study, Study stories at Wion, Study news, Study latest news