<p>A new study confirmed that the Gulf Stream is certainly weakening. The warm water's flow through the Florida Straits has slowed by 4 per cent in the last four decades, with grave implications for the climate of the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ocean current begins near Florida and a stream of warm water flows along the U.S. East Coast and Canada before it crosses the Atlantic to Europe. The heat that the stream is transporting is important for regulating sea levels and maintaining temperate conditions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, this stream has slowed down, wrote the researchers in a study which was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25.</p>

<p>"This is the strongest, most definitive evidence we have of the weakening of this climatically-relevant ocean current," stated lead author Christopher Piecuch, a physical oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/study-reveals-latest-suvs-emit-more-climate-damaging-gases-than-older-ones-647487">Study reveals latest SUV models emit more climate damaging gases than older ones</a></p>

<p>The Gulf Stream is only a small component of the thermohaline circulation which is a global conveyor belt of ocean currents that has been moving carbon, heat, nutrients and oxygen around the globe, while also contributing to controlling hurricane activity and sea levels.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Gulf Stream maintaining&nbsp;temperatures across US East Coast</strong></h2>

<p>The Gulf Stream, which begins in the Caribbean before it flows out into the Atlantic via the Florida Straits, brings warmer southerly waters (which are saltier and denser) northward for cooling and sinking in the North Atlantic. After it drops deep inside the ocean and releases its heat into the atmosphere, the water drifts southward slowly, where it again heats up and the cycle repeats.</p>

<p>This process is important for maintaining sea levels and temperatures across the US East Coast - whose waters were kept to 5 feet (1.5 metres) lower than the water further offshore by the current's sweeping motion.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Nations voice their concerns about climate change | WION Climate Tracker</strong></p>

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<p>As the climate of the Earth warms, a huge influx of cold, fresh water from melting ice sheets spills into oceans, possibly leading to the Gulf Stream to slow or even move towards outright collapse, as per the scientists. However, it is hard to prove because of the complexity and scale of the system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In search for definitive evidence that the stream has been slowing, the scientists looked into data which spanned 40 years and was collected from three separate sources — observations made on site, undersea cables and satellite altimetry &nbsp;— to look into the motions of the current around the Florida Straits.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A new study confirmed that the Gulf Stream is certainly weakening. The warm water's flow through the Florida Straits has slowed by 4 per cent in the last four decades, with grave implications for the climate of the world.

A new study confirmed that the Gulf Stream is certainly weakening. The warm water's flow through the Florida Straits has slowed by 4 per cent in the last four decades, with grave implications for the climate of the world. The ocean current begins near Florida and a stream of warm water flows along the U.S. East Coast and Canada before it crosses the Atlantic to Europe. The heat that the stream is transporting is important for regulating sea levels and maintaining temperate conditions. However, this stream has slowed down, wrote the researchers in a study which was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25. "This is the strongest, most definitive evidence we have of the weakening of this climatically-relevant ocean current," stated lead author Christopher Piecuch, a physical oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, in a statement. ALSO READ | Study reveals latest SUV models emit more climate damaging gases than older ones The Gulf Stream is only a small component of the thermohaline circulation which is a global conveyor belt of ocean currents that has been moving carbon, heat, nutrients and oxygen around the globe, while also contributing to controlling hurricane activity and sea levels. Gulf Stream maintaining temperatures across US East Coast The Gulf Stream, which begins in the Caribbean before it flows out into the Atlantic via the Florida Straits, brings warmer southerly waters (which are saltier and denser) northward for cooling and sinking in the North Atlantic. After it drops deep inside the ocean and releases its heat into the atmosphere, the water drifts southward slowly, where it again heats up and the cycle repeats. This process is important for maintaining sea levels and temperatures across the US East Coast - whose waters were kept to 5 feet (1.5 metres) lower than the water further offshore by the current's sweeping motion. WATCH | Nations voice their concerns about climate change | WION Climate Tracker As the climate of the Earth warms, a huge influx of cold, fresh water from melting ice sheets spills into oceans, possibly leading to the Gulf Stream to slow or even move towards outright collapse, as per the scientists. However, it is hard to prove because of the complexity and scale of the system. In search for definitive evidence that the stream has been slowing, the scientists looked into data which spanned 40 years and was collected from three separate sources — observations made on site, undersea cables and satellite altimetry — to look into the motions of the current around the Florida Straits. (With inputs from agencies) 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

Weakening of Gulf Stream 99 per cent certain, ramifications to be global: Study

<p>With the increasing popularity of SUVs in the UK, a study has revealed that the cars bought today have higher carbon emissions than the ones bought in 2013.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study conducted by Possible, a climate campaign group, calculated that the rising sales of SUVs and the fact they tend to be notably heavier than the traditional models previously bought, means the average conventional-engined car bought in 2023 has higher carbon emissions than its 2013 equivalent.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-researchers-climate-pledge-cost-him-his-job-heres-how-645988"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;A researcher's climate pledge cost him his job. Here's how</strong></a></p>

<p>The study comes amid increasing concerns about the environmental, health and safety impacts of the rising popularity of SUVs in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The data found the carbon impact of the rich people's driving habits has damaged the climate more than those of the middle class. This is because the data showed a strong correlation between income and owning a large SUV.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the stats,&nbsp;households in the top 20 per cent of the income bracket are 81 per cent more likely to own a vehicle that emits more climate-damaging gases than the rest 80 per cent. Furthermore, the data showed that the top 20 per cent group drives three times as many miles a year as those in the bottom income bracket</p>

<p>The car ownership data in the Lonon borough of Kensington and Chelsea found that having an SUV, such as the Land Rover Defender, is associated with living in a richer area.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/amphibians-are-vanishing-at-an-alarming-rate-scientists-warn-645511"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Amphibians are vanishing at an alarming rate, scientists warn</strong></a></p>

<p>The study urges the need to differentiate charges for drivers based on greenhouse gas emissions rather than emissions with direct public health effects like nitrogen oxides (NOx).&nbsp;</p>

<p>It highlights concerns that older cars emitting more NOx are used by less wealthy individuals in urban areas, while high greenhouse emissions often result from wealthier people purchasing large SUVs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some areas like Lambeth Lambeth, in south London, charge owners of the heaviest, most high-emission vehicles, more than four times as much for an annual parking permit than for the smallest cars. A similar scheme has been adopted in Kensington and Chelsea which has a differential of up to 10 times.</p>

<p>SUVs are even more prevalent in some other countries, including the&nbsp;United States, India etc.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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With the increasing popularity of SUVs in the UK, a study has revealed that the cars bought today have higher carbon emissions than the ones bought in 2013. The study conducted by Possible, a climate campaign group, calculated that the rising sales of SUVs and the fact they tend to be notably heavier than the traditional models previously bought, means the average conventional-engined car bought in 2023 has higher carbon emissions than its 2013 equivalent.

With the increasing popularity of SUVs in the UK, a study has revealed that the cars bought today have higher carbon emissions than the ones bought in 2013. The study conducted by Possible, a climate campaign group, calculated that the rising sales of SUVs and the fact they tend to be notably heavier than the traditional models previously bought, means the average conventional-engined car bought in 2023 has higher carbon emissions than its 2013 equivalent. Also read | A researcher's climate pledge cost him his job. Here's how The study comes amid increasing concerns about the environmental, health and safety impacts of the rising popularity of SUVs in the country. The data found the carbon impact of the rich people's driving habits has damaged the climate more than those of the middle class. This is because the data showed a strong correlation between income and owning a large SUV. According to the stats, households in the top 20 per cent of the income bracket are 81 per cent more likely to own a vehicle that emits more climate-damaging gases than the rest 80 per cent. Furthermore, the data showed that the top 20 per cent group drives three times as many miles a year as those in the bottom income bracket The car ownership data in the Lonon borough of Kensington and Chelsea found that having an SUV, such as the Land Rover Defender, is associated with living in a richer area. Also read | Amphibians are vanishing at an alarming rate, scientists warn The study urges the need to differentiate charges for drivers based on greenhouse gas emissions rather than emissions with direct public health effects like nitrogen oxides (NOx). It highlights concerns that older cars emitting more NOx are used by less wealthy individuals in urban areas, while high greenhouse emissions often result from wealthier people purchasing large SUVs. Some areas like Lambeth Lambeth, in south London, charge owners of the heaviest, most high-emission vehicles, more than four times as much for an annual parking permit than for the smallest cars. A similar scheme has been adopted in Kensington and Chelsea which has a differential of up to 10 times. SUVs are even more prevalent in some other countries, including the United States, India etc. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study reveals latest SUV models emit more climate damaging gases than older ones

<p>A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997. What is shocking is that nearly half of these ice shelves display "no signs of recovery" and that this phenomenon is closely linked to climate change.</p>

<p>The researchers' calculations indicate that between 1997 and 2021, the western part of Antarctica lost a staggering 67 trillion tonnes of ice, while the eastern side saw a gain of 59 trillion tonnes. However, the net outcome is a substantial ice loss of 7.5 trillion tonnes during this period.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/human-ancestor-neanderthals-hunted-cave-lions-as-fierce-fighters-study-646118">Human ancestor Neanderthals hunted Cave Lions as fierce fighters: Study</a></p>

<p>This imbalance is due to the influence of warm water in the western region causing ice melting, while the eastern area remains relatively stable or even gains ice due to colder water conditions, Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on ocean currents</strong></h2>

<p>Ice shelves, situated at the terminus of glaciers, serve to impede the flow of glacial ice into the sea.</p>

<p>As these ice shelves shrink, they release larger volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the critical currents of the Southern Ocean.</p>

<p>This disruption has a far-reaching impact on ocean circulation, which can, in turn, affect global climate patterns.</p>

<p>Dr. Benjamin Davison, an Earth observation expert and the lead researcher, reportedly said, “There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica."</p>

<p>“The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of east Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Satellite-based research</strong></h2>

<p>The study used satellite technology to monitor annual changes in the ice, even during the long polar nights when clouds obscure observations. More than 100,000 images captured from space were analysed to assess the health of Antarctica's ice shelves, which are of global significance.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-virtually-unwrap-ancient-scrolls-charred-by-mt-vesuvius-in-79-ad-646080">Researchers 'virtually unwrap' ancient scrolls charred by Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD</a></p>

<p>The 67 trillion tonnes of freshwater released into the ocean over the 25-year period is not only a concerning sign of ice shelf instability but also has repercussions for the world's ocean currents, which are instrumental in transporting heat and nutrients globally.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-iran-denies-role-in-hamas-attack-on-israel-646263">Israel-Palestine War: Iran denies role in Hamas attack on Israel</a></strong></p>

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<p>Davison said, “We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery.”</p>

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A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997. What is shocking is that nearly half of these ice shelves display "no signs of recovery" and that this phenomenon is closely linked to climate change. The researchers' calculations indicate that between 1997 and 2021, the western part of Antarctica lost a staggering 67 trillion tonnes of ice, while the eastern side saw a gain of 59 trillion tonnes. However, the net outcome is a substantial ice loss of 7.5 trillion tonnes during this period. Also Read | Human ancestor Neanderthals hunted Cave Lions as fierce fighters: Study This imbalance is due to the influence of warm water in the western region causing ice melting, while the eastern area remains relatively stable or even gains ice due to colder water conditions, Guardian reported. Impact on ocean currents Ice shelves, situated at the terminus of glaciers, serve to impede the flow of glacial ice into the sea. As these ice shelves shrink, they release larger volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the critical currents of the Southern Ocean. This disruption has a far-reaching impact on ocean circulation, which can, in turn, affect global climate patterns. Dr. Benjamin Davison, an Earth observation expert and the lead researcher, reportedly said, “There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica." “The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of east Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast," he added. Satellite-based research The study used satellite technology to monitor annual changes in the ice, even during the long polar nights when clouds obscure observations. More than 100,000 images captured from space were analysed to assess the health of Antarctica's ice shelves, which are of global significance. Also Read | Researchers 'virtually unwrap' ancient scrolls charred by Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD The 67 trillion tonnes of freshwater released into the ocean over the 25-year period is not only a concerning sign of ice shelf instability but also has repercussions for the world's ocean currents, which are instrumental in transporting heat and nutrients globally. Watch | Israel-Palestine War: Iran denies role in Hamas attack on Israel × Davison said, “We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery.” 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. ×

Over 7.5 trillion tonnes decline in Antarctica's ice shelves since 1997, half show 'no sign of recovery'

<p>A study conducted on juveline Wallace's flying frogs at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo in Austria has revealed some interesting findings. It suggests that the colour of these young creatures is such that helps them to camouflage themselves as poop (animal droppings).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wallace's flying frog is also known as the gliding frog. They are bright red in colour and have small white dots on them. These frogs are native to&nbsp;Southeast Asia region and are reportedly named after biologist Alfred R. Wallace, who collected the first known specimen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per this new study quoted by AFP, these frogs display an "unusual colour pattern". This helps them to trick their predators and escape any potential attack by them. The study said that with the help of their colour they appear "as animal droppings".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/space-storms-leaving-weird-impact-on-birds-claim-scientists-645870">Space Storms leaving weird impact on birds, claim scientists</a></p>

<p>The zoo, in a statement on Thursday (Oct 12), revealed the study conducted by the team of researchers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>University of Vienna researcher Susanne Stueckler reportedly said, "The young frogs probably count on the fact that they will be seen but considered something inedible."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Along with her, there were several others who contributed to the research. The findings were published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.</p>

<h2><strong>How was the hypothesis tested?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>During the research, it was essential for the team to verify their hypothesis with an experiment staging a scenario where these frogs are put in an environment alongside their potential predators.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The hypothesis was that these frogs were trying to escape predators.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/glass-shards-from-ancient-new-zealand-volcanic-eruption-found-3000-miles-away-645692">Glass shards from ancient New Zealand volcanic eruption found 3,000 miles away</a></p>

<p>To test this, the researchers manufactured wax frog models with different colours. These models were subsequently put in the zoo's rainforest house.</p>

<p>As per the study, the house "contains a diverse community of avian predators that are well known to use colour vision to detect frogs as prey."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Study findings&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The study found&nbsp;that the predator attack rate was much higher for red than for green frog models.</p>

<p>However, the attack rate dropped by half when these were red models with white spots, a model equating the appearance of Wallace's flying frog.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We show that the unusual colour pattern of juveniles likely functions as a masquerade of animal droppings," the researchers said adding," (It may) function as anti-predator strategy... so that predators misidentified them as inedible objects."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers said that this is a first-of-its-kind experiment.&nbsp;"To our knowledge, this is the first experimental exploration of a vertebrate masquerading as animal droppings," they said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is worth noting that as these frogs age, their spots vanish. It goes away after one year, "when individuals mature into adults and develop their iconic emerald green colour," reported AFP citing the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>

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A study conducted on juveline Wallace's flying frogs at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo in Austria has revealed some interesting findings. It suggests that the colour of these young creatures is such that helps them to camouflage themselves as poop (animal droppings).

A study conducted on juveline Wallace's flying frogs at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo in Austria has revealed some interesting findings. It suggests that the colour of these young creatures is such that helps them to camouflage themselves as poop (animal droppings). Wallace's flying frog is also known as the gliding frog. They are bright red in colour and have small white dots on them. These frogs are native to Southeast Asia region and are reportedly named after biologist Alfred R. Wallace, who collected the first known specimen. As per this new study quoted by AFP, these frogs display an "unusual colour pattern". This helps them to trick their predators and escape any potential attack by them. The study said that with the help of their colour they appear "as animal droppings". Also Read | Space Storms leaving weird impact on birds, claim scientists The zoo, in a statement on Thursday (Oct 12), revealed the study conducted by the team of researchers. University of Vienna researcher Susanne Stueckler reportedly said, "The young frogs probably count on the fact that they will be seen but considered something inedible." Along with her, there were several others who contributed to the research. The findings were published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. How was the hypothesis tested? During the research, it was essential for the team to verify their hypothesis with an experiment staging a scenario where these frogs are put in an environment alongside their potential predators. The hypothesis was that these frogs were trying to escape predators. Also Read | Glass shards from ancient New Zealand volcanic eruption found 3,000 miles away To test this, the researchers manufactured wax frog models with different colours. These models were subsequently put in the zoo's rainforest house. As per the study, the house "contains a diverse community of avian predators that are well known to use colour vision to detect frogs as prey." Study findings The study found that the predator attack rate was much higher for red than for green frog models. However, the attack rate dropped by half when these were red models with white spots, a model equating the appearance of Wallace's flying frog. "We show that the unusual colour pattern of juveniles likely functions as a masquerade of animal droppings," the researchers said adding," (It may) function as anti-predator strategy... so that predators misidentified them as inedible objects." The researchers said that this is a first-of-its-kind experiment. "To our knowledge, this is the first experimental exploration of a vertebrate masquerading as animal droppings," they said. It is worth noting that as these frogs age, their spots vanish. It goes away after one year, "when individuals mature into adults and develop their iconic emerald green colour," reported AFP citing the study. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

These young coloured frogs may camouflage themselves as poo, finds study

<p>As per a new study, the "good" HDL cholesterol is not as healthy as experts once believed. The new study, which was published in Neurology on Wednesday (Oct 4), discovered that having either high or low levels of high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol increases the risk of dementia in older adults. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The research suggests that there is more evidence which shows it is important to maintain HDL cholesterol within a certain range for cardiovascular and brain health. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“The relationship between HDL cholesterol and dementia is more complex than we previously thought," stated the study’s lead author, Erin Ferguson. Ferguson is a doctoral student pursuing epidemiology at the University of California San Francisco. "While the magnitude of this relationship is relatively small, it’s important,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/disease-x-likely-to-prove-20-times-deadlier-compared-to-covid-19-hints-expert-639469">&nbsp;'Disease X' likely to prove 20 times deadlier compared to COVID-19, hints expert</a></p>

<p>The results of the study showed a correlation between dementia and HDL cholesterol but failed to prove that high or low levels of the lipid directly led to dementia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging, considered more than 184,000 adults with an average age of 70. When the study started, none of the adults had dementia.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>More than 25,000 people developed dementia during study</strong></h2>

<p>The electronic records from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan and a combination of surveys were used by the researchers to track health behaviours, cholesterol levels and if someone developed dementia in a time span of 13 years. &nbsp;</p>

<p>During that period, more than 25,000 people had developed dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked people to maintain their total cholesterol at about 150 mg/dL, with LDL at or below 100 mg/dL. For a long time, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol has been believed to have a deadly impact on the cardiovascular system.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: 'Disease X' could be 20 times deadlier than the Wuhan virus</strong></p>

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<p>The participants of the study were divided into three groups on the basis of their HDL cholesterol levels and other dementia risk factors which included diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and how often a person drinks. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the study, the average HDL cholesterol level was 53.7 mg/dL, within the recommended range of 50 mg/dL in women and 40 mg/dL in men.&nbsp;</p>

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As per a new study, the "good" HDL cholesterol is not as healthy as experts once believed. The new study, which was published in Neurology on Wednesday (Oct 4), discovered that having either high or low levels of high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol increases the risk of dementia in older adults.

As per a new study, the "good" HDL cholesterol is not as healthy as experts once believed. The new study, which was published in Neurology on Wednesday (Oct 4), discovered that having either high or low levels of high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol increases the risk of dementia in older adults. The research suggests that there is more evidence which shows it is important to maintain HDL cholesterol within a certain range for cardiovascular and brain health. “The relationship between HDL cholesterol and dementia is more complex than we previously thought," stated the study’s lead author, Erin Ferguson. Ferguson is a doctoral student pursuing epidemiology at the University of California San Francisco. "While the magnitude of this relationship is relatively small, it’s important,” he added. ALSO READ | 'Disease X' likely to prove 20 times deadlier compared to COVID-19, hints expert The results of the study showed a correlation between dementia and HDL cholesterol but failed to prove that high or low levels of the lipid directly led to dementia. The study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging, considered more than 184,000 adults with an average age of 70. When the study started, none of the adults had dementia. More than 25,000 people developed dementia during study The electronic records from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan and a combination of surveys were used by the researchers to track health behaviours, cholesterol levels and if someone developed dementia in a time span of 13 years. During that period, more than 25,000 people had developed dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked people to maintain their total cholesterol at about 150 mg/dL, with LDL at or below 100 mg/dL. For a long time, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol has been believed to have a deadly impact on the cardiovascular system. WATCH | Gravitas: 'Disease X' could be 20 times deadlier than the Wuhan virus The participants of the study were divided into three groups on the basis of their HDL cholesterol levels and other dementia risk factors which included diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and how often a person drinks. In the study, the average HDL cholesterol level was 53.7 mg/dL, within the recommended range of 50 mg/dL in women and 40 mg/dL in men. 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

'Good' cholesterol not good? HDL deemed a dementia risk, suggests new study

<p>Same-sex behaviour in animal kingdom has long intrigued scientists. Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications has shed light on this and revealed intriguing insights into its prevalence, evolution, and potential advantages.&nbsp;Over 1,500 species of animals, ranging from insects to mammals, have displayed some degree of same-sex sexual behaviour. This behaviour is particularly prominent among non-human primates, with over 50 species frequently exhibiting these behaviours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study delved into the evolutionary origins of same-sex sexual behaviour, uncovering that it is more likely to be observed in social species.</p>

<p>This suggested that it may have evolved as a mechanism to establish and maintain positive social relationships within animal groups.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-flash-floods-hit-sikkim-23-army-personnel-missing-642342">Highways, buildings washed away in Sikkim floods; 3 dead, 23 army men missing</a></p>

<p>"An across-species statistical association [was found] between same-sex sexual behavior and social behavior for males and for females, and with intrasexual aggression for males," study author and behavioral ecology researcher at Estación Experimental de Zonas Aridas (EEZA-CSIC) in Spain, Jose&nbsp;M. Gómez, told Newsweek.</p>

<p>This could mean that same-sex sexual behaviour might serve as an adaptation to manage male-to-male aggression.</p>

<h2><strong>Advantages of same-sex behaviour</strong></h2>

<p>Same-sex sexual behaviour reportedly offers numerous advantages in over 250 mammal species. Vincent Savolainen, a professor of organismic biology, explained&nbsp;that it can facilitate the formation of coalitions among individuals, elevating their status within a group.</p>

<p>This, in turn, grants them greater access to potential mates and enhances reproductive success.</p>

<p>Surprisingly, same-sex behaviour does not hinder opposite-sex reproduction and, therefore, does not limit the number of offspring produced by a population, as per the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kevin-mccarthy-from-state-representative-to-ousted-house-speaker-642417">Kevin McCarthy: From state representative to ousted House speaker</a></p>

<p>"We started with more than 1,000 species, but we were removing species from the analyses according to some methodological criteria," Gomez said.</p>

<p>"Same-sex sexual behaviour appears to be equally frequent in both sexes in mammals, as female same-sex sexual behaviour has been recorded in 163 species and male same-sex sexual behaviour in 199 species."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kevin-mccarthy-ousted-as-us-house-speaker-what-does-it-mean-for-us-aid-to-ukraine-642498">Kevin McCarthy ousted as US House Speaker. What does it mean for US aid to Ukraine?</a></strong></p>

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<p>While most animals exhibit bisexual patterns of behaviour, strict homosexuality is predominantly observed in humans and domestic rams, Vincent Savolainen, a professor of organismic biology at Imperial College London reportedly told Newsweek.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many tend to switch between same-sex and opposite-sex interactions.&nbsp;"The definition of same-sex sexual behavior in nonhuman animals is different from how this sexual behavior is considered in human beings. For this reason, the conclusions obtained in our work have just a limited application to humans," Gomez said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Same-sex behaviour in animal kingdom has long intrigued scientists. Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications has shed light on this and revealed intriguing insights into its prevalence, evolution, and potential advantages.

Same-sex behaviour in animal kingdom has long intrigued scientists. Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications has shed light on this and revealed intriguing insights into its prevalence, evolution, and potential advantages. Over 1,500 species of animals, ranging from insects to mammals, have displayed some degree of same-sex sexual behaviour. This behaviour is particularly prominent among non-human primates, with over 50 species frequently exhibiting these behaviours. The study delved into the evolutionary origins of same-sex sexual behaviour, uncovering that it is more likely to be observed in social species. This suggested that it may have evolved as a mechanism to establish and maintain positive social relationships within animal groups. Also Read | Highways, buildings washed away in Sikkim floods; 3 dead, 23 army men missing "An across-species statistical association [was found] between same-sex sexual behavior and social behavior for males and for females, and with intrasexual aggression for males," study author and behavioral ecology researcher at Estación Experimental de Zonas Aridas (EEZA-CSIC) in Spain, Jose M. Gómez, told Newsweek. This could mean that same-sex sexual behaviour might serve as an adaptation to manage male-to-male aggression. Advantages of same-sex behaviour Same-sex sexual behaviour reportedly offers numerous advantages in over 250 mammal species. Vincent Savolainen, a professor of organismic biology, explained that it can facilitate the formation of coalitions among individuals, elevating their status within a group. This, in turn, grants them greater access to potential mates and enhances reproductive success. Surprisingly, same-sex behaviour does not hinder opposite-sex reproduction and, therefore, does not limit the number of offspring produced by a population, as per the study. Also Read | Kevin McCarthy: From state representative to ousted House speaker "We started with more than 1,000 species, but we were removing species from the analyses according to some methodological criteria," Gomez said. "Same-sex sexual behaviour appears to be equally frequent in both sexes in mammals, as female same-sex sexual behaviour has been recorded in 163 species and male same-sex sexual behaviour in 199 species." Watch | Kevin McCarthy ousted as US House Speaker. What does it mean for US aid to Ukraine? × While most animals exhibit bisexual patterns of behaviour, strict homosexuality is predominantly observed in humans and domestic rams, Vincent Savolainen, a professor of organismic biology at Imperial College London reportedly told Newsweek. Many tend to switch between same-sex and opposite-sex interactions. "The definition of same-sex sexual behavior in nonhuman animals is different from how this sexual behavior is considered in human beings. For this reason, the conclusions obtained in our work have just a limited application to humans," Gomez said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Over 1,500 species of animals display some degree of same-sex sexual behaviour: Study

Two years after they were first rolled out, experts are still gaining new insights on the COVID-19 vaccine's effects on women's health, from mRNA in breast milk to changes in menstrual cycles. In this episode, we explore the need for gender-inclusive medical research.

Gravitas: What Do We Truly Know About Covid Vaccines? The Unseen Consequences on Women's Health

<p>In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth.<br />
<br />
The biology of Earth hinges on organic compounds which comprise carbon along with elements like phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Scientists believe that alternative chemical frameworks can lead to the existence of alien life forms.<br />
<br />
For&nbsp;long, scientists have wondered if alien life might evolve on the basis of significantly different chemistry. Researchers have speculated if silicon may work as a backbone for biology.<br />
<br />
"It's important to explore these possibilities so that we have an idea of what all forms of life can look like, not just Earth life," study senior author Betul Kacar, an astrobiologist, bacteriologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said while speaking to Space.com.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-dyson-sphere-search-other-technosignatures-to-search-for-aliens-study-639804">Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study</a></p>

<p>A type of chemical interaction which is key to life on Earth is called autocatalysis. These reactions are self-sustaining and can produce molecules which encourage the same reaction to take place again.<br />
<br />
"One of the major reasons that origin-of-life researchers care about autocatalysis is because reproduction — a key feature of life — is an example of autocatalysis," said Kacar.<br />
<br />
"Life catalyses the formation of more life. One cell produces two cells, which can become four and so on. As the number of cells multiply, the number and diversity of possible interactions multiplies accordingly,” the astrobiologist added.</p>

<h2><strong>An autocatalysis beyond organic compounds</strong></h2>

<p>In the new study, researchers were in search of an autocatalysis which is beyond organic compounds. They said that such a reaction may exist as autocatalysis can help drive abiogenesis, which is the origin of life from lifelessness.<br />
<br />
The scientists emphasised what are known as comproportionation cycles which can create multiple copies of a molecule. Such products can be used as starting materials to help these cycles reoccur, resulting in autocatalysis.<br />
<br />
"Comproportionation is arguably unique because it is a single reaction that produces multiples of an output — it looks a lot like reproduction," said study lead author Zhen Peng, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real, says lab test</strong></p>

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<p>To discover such reactions, more than two centuries of digitised scientific documents, which were written in different languages, were analysed by scientists.<br />
<br />
"With effective language search and translation tools, we were able to design and conduct this first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles," said study co-author Zach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com.</p>

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In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth.

In a new study, self-sustaining chemical reactions were discovered which carry the potential to support alien life, which is very different from the elements present on Earth. The biology of Earth hinges on organic compounds which comprise carbon along with elements like phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Scientists believe that alternative chemical frameworks can lead to the existence of alien life forms. For long, scientists have wondered if alien life might evolve on the basis of significantly different chemistry. Researchers have speculated if silicon may work as a backbone for biology. "It's important to explore these possibilities so that we have an idea of what all forms of life can look like, not just Earth life," study senior author Betul Kacar, an astrobiologist, bacteriologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said while speaking to Space.com. ALSO READ | Not Dyson Sphere, search other technosignatures to find aliens: Study A type of chemical interaction which is key to life on Earth is called autocatalysis. These reactions are self-sustaining and can produce molecules which encourage the same reaction to take place again. "One of the major reasons that origin-of-life researchers care about autocatalysis is because reproduction — a key feature of life — is an example of autocatalysis," said Kacar. "Life catalyses the formation of more life. One cell produces two cells, which can become four and so on. As the number of cells multiply, the number and diversity of possible interactions multiplies accordingly,” the astrobiologist added. An autocatalysis beyond organic compounds In the new study, researchers were in search of an autocatalysis which is beyond organic compounds. They said that such a reaction may exist as autocatalysis can help drive abiogenesis, which is the origin of life from lifelessness. The scientists emphasised what are known as comproportionation cycles which can create multiple copies of a molecule. Such products can be used as starting materials to help these cycles reoccur, resulting in autocatalysis. "Comproportionation is arguably unique because it is a single reaction that produces multiples of an output — it looks a lot like reproduction," said study lead author Zhen Peng, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com. WATCH | Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real, says lab test To discover such reactions, more than two centuries of digitised scientific documents, which were written in different languages, were analysed by scientists. "With effective language search and translation tools, we were able to design and conduct this first-of-its-kind assessment of the pervasiveness of autocatalytic cycles," said study co-author Zach Adam, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while speaking to Space.com. 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

Alien life, unlike humans, may not be carbon-based, suggests new study

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<p>Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) have crossed Jamtara (Jharkhand) and Nuh (Haryana) as infamous cybercrime hotspots in India, a new study revealed. The study also said the top 10 districts in the list directly contribute to 80 per cent of cybercrime in the nation.</p>

<p>The Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a non-profit IIT Kanpur-incubated start-up, mentioned these findings in its latest comprehensive white paper,&nbsp;<em>A Deep Dive Into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India.</em></p>

<p>Below is the list of the cities contributing to the highest cybercrime cases in India, collectively accounting for 80 per cent of reported events, the FCRF claimed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bharatpur: 18 per cent</p>

<p>Mathura: 12 per cent</p>

<p>Nuh: 11 per cent</p>

<p>Deoghar: 10 per cent</p>

<p>Jamtara: 9.6 per cent</p>

<p>Gurugram: 8.1 per cent</p>

<p>Alwar: 5.1 per cent</p>

<p>Bokaro: 2.4 per cent</p>

<p>Karma Tand: 2.4 per cent</p>

<p>Giridih: 2.3 per cent</p>

<p>"Our analysis focuses on the top 10 districts in India that are most prone to cybercrime. As identified in the white paper, understanding the key factors contributing to cybercrime in these districts is essential for devising effective prevention and mitigation strategies," FCRF co-founder Harshvardhan Singh told PTI.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-aims-to-boost-manufacturing-and-invest-40-billion-in-india-report-639391" target="_blank">Apple aims to boost manufacturing and invest $40 billion in India: Report</a></p>

<p>Analysis revealed several similarities between the top 10 Indian cybercrime hubs, including geographical proximity to urban centres, limited cyber security infrastructure, economic challenges and low digital literacy, said Singh.</p>

<p>"Addressing these factors through targeted awareness campaigns, law enforcement resources, and educational initiatives is crucial to reducing cybercrime rates in these districts and enhancing the overall cyber security landscape of India," he added.</p>

<p>The FCRF study also mentioned that the emerging new hotspots require the same amount of attention and proactive actions as the established cybercrime hubs that continue to pose significant threats. The new cybercrime hubs are typically those regions where various types of digital criminal activity are rising, often catching law-enforcement agencies and the public off guard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The non-profit organisation ascribed the rise in such occurrences to a complex interaction of several variables. They included&nbsp;low technological hurdles that allow people&nbsp;with little knowledge to engage in such operations using easily accessible hacking tools and malware.</p>

<p>Law enforcement agencies face difficulty tracing cybercriminals with fake identities due to inadequate Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes on online platforms. The easy availability of faked accounts and rented SIM cards on the black markets allows thugs to operate anonymously, creating a challenge for the authorities to track and prosecute them, the study stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another added advantage for cybercriminals nowadays is the affordability of AI-driven cyberattack tools that provide automation and expansion of the attack. Furthermore, virtual private networks (VPNs) give anonymity to cybercriminals, making it hard for the authorities to find their location.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The FCRF study also flagged that the growing pool of potential criminals typically consists of unemployed or underemployed individuals.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) have crossed Jamtara (Jharkhand) and Nuh (Haryana) as infamous cybercrime hotspots in India, a new study revealed.

Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) have crossed Jamtara (Jharkhand) and Nuh (Haryana) as infamous cybercrime hotspots in India, a new study revealed. The study also said the top 10 districts in the list directly contribute to 80 per cent of cybercrime in the nation. The Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a non-profit IIT Kanpur-incubated start-up, mentioned these findings in its latest comprehensive white paper, A Deep Dive Into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India. Below is the list of the cities contributing to the highest cybercrime cases in India, collectively accounting for 80 per cent of reported events, the FCRF claimed. Bharatpur: 18 per cent Mathura: 12 per cent Nuh: 11 per cent Deoghar: 10 per cent Jamtara: 9.6 per cent Gurugram: 8.1 per cent Alwar: 5.1 per cent Bokaro: 2.4 per cent Karma Tand: 2.4 per cent Giridih: 2.3 per cent "Our analysis focuses on the top 10 districts in India that are most prone to cybercrime. As identified in the white paper, understanding the key factors contributing to cybercrime in these districts is essential for devising effective prevention and mitigation strategies," FCRF co-founder Harshvardhan Singh told PTI. ALSO READ | Apple aims to boost manufacturing and invest $40 billion in India: Report Analysis revealed several similarities between the top 10 Indian cybercrime hubs, including geographical proximity to urban centres, limited cyber security infrastructure, economic challenges and low digital literacy, said Singh. "Addressing these factors through targeted awareness campaigns, law enforcement resources, and educational initiatives is crucial to reducing cybercrime rates in these districts and enhancing the overall cyber security landscape of India," he added. The FCRF study also mentioned that the emerging new hotspots require the same amount of attention and proactive actions as the established cybercrime hubs that continue to pose significant threats. The new cybercrime hubs are typically those regions where various types of digital criminal activity are rising, often catching law-enforcement agencies and the public off guard. The non-profit organisation ascribed the rise in such occurrences to a complex interaction of several variables. They included low technological hurdles that allow people with little knowledge to engage in such operations using easily accessible hacking tools and malware. Law enforcement agencies face difficulty tracing cybercriminals with fake identities due to inadequate Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes on online platforms. The easy availability of faked accounts and rented SIM cards on the black markets allows thugs to operate anonymously, creating a challenge for the authorities to track and prosecute them, the study stated. Another added advantage for cybercriminals nowadays is the affordability of AI-driven cyberattack tools that provide automation and expansion of the attack. Furthermore, virtual private networks (VPNs) give anonymity to cybercriminals, making it hard for the authorities to find their location. The FCRF study also flagged that the growing pool of potential criminals typically consists of unemployed or underemployed individuals. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Infamous cybercrime hubs of India: Mathura and Bharatpur pip Jamtara and Nuh, says study

<p>A recent study has uncovered significant organ damage in individuals living with long Covid, particularly those who were hospitalised for the virus. This damage appears to be correlated with the severity of the initial illness.&nbsp;The findings offer hope for the development of more effective treatments for long Covid and add to our understanding of this complex condition, media reports said. The study, which has been published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, examined 259 patients who had been seriously ill with Covid and required hospitalisation.</p>

<p>Five months after their discharge, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of their major organs revealed notable differences compared to a control group of 52 individuals who had never contracted Covid.</p>

<h2><strong>MRI scans&nbsp;reveal abnormalities</strong></h2>

<p>MRI scans have shown that patients who required hospitalisation are three times more likely to exhibit abnormalities in multiple vital organs, including the lungs, brain, and kidneys.&nbsp;The most significant impact was observed in the lungs, with scans being 14 times more likely to detect abnormalities.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-rules-911-defendant-unfit-for-trial-citing-ptsd-delusional-disorder-diagnoses-638801">US judge rules 9/11 defendant unfit for trial, citing PTSD, delusional disorder diagnoses</a></p>

<p>In addition, the scans were three times more likely to reveal brain abnormalities and twice as likely to indicate kidney abnormalities among those who had experienced severe Covid.</p>

<p>However, there were no notable differences in the health of the heart or liver.</p>

<h2><strong>Organ damage</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Betty Raman, a lead investigator of the study from the University of Oxford, said, "Five months after being discharged from hospital for Covid, we found more abnormalities in the lungs, brain and kidneys in those patients than in the group who had never had Covid."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeaus-conservative-rival-poilievre-supports-hindus-amidst-threats-from-khalistanis-638786">Trudeau’s conservative rival Poilievre supports Hindus amidst threats from Khalistanis</a></p>

<p>"The patient's age, how severely ill they were with Covid, as well as if they had other illnesses at the same time, were all significant factors in whether or not we found damage to these important organs in the body," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for treatment</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>These findings are part of a larger study, the Phosp-Covid study, which aims to understand the long-term effects of Covid on hospitalised patients.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-external-affairs-minister-s-jaishankars-us-visit-638816">India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's US visit</a></strong></p>

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<p>"What we are seeing is that people with multi-organ pathology on MRI - that is, they had more than two organs affected - were four times more likely to report severe and very severe mental and physical impairment," Dr. Raman&nbsp;said adding,&nbsp;"Our findings also highlight the need for longer term multidisciplinary follow-up services focused on pulmonary and extrapulmonary health (kidneys, brain and mental health), particularly for those hospitalised for Covid."</p>

<h2><strong>A step towards understanding long Covid</strong></h2>

<p>Professor Chris Brightling, leading the Phosp-Covid study at the University of Leicester, explained that this research contributes to the broader effort to comprehend the array of symptoms that constitute long Covid. He stressed the importance of understanding why organ damage persists in these patients and how new tests and treatments can be developed to address long Covid effectively.</p>

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A recent study has uncovered significant organ damage in individuals living with long Covid, particularly those who were hospitalised for the virus. This damage appears to be correlated with the severity of the initial illness.

A recent study has uncovered significant organ damage in individuals living with long Covid, particularly those who were hospitalised for the virus. This damage appears to be correlated with the severity of the initial illness. The findings offer hope for the development of more effective treatments for long Covid and add to our understanding of this complex condition, media reports said. The study, which has been published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, examined 259 patients who had been seriously ill with Covid and required hospitalisation. Five months after their discharge, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of their major organs revealed notable differences compared to a control group of 52 individuals who had never contracted Covid. MRI scans reveal abnormalities MRI scans have shown that patients who required hospitalisation are three times more likely to exhibit abnormalities in multiple vital organs, including the lungs, brain, and kidneys. The most significant impact was observed in the lungs, with scans being 14 times more likely to detect abnormalities. Also Read | US judge rules 9/11 defendant unfit for trial, citing PTSD, delusional disorder diagnoses In addition, the scans were three times more likely to reveal brain abnormalities and twice as likely to indicate kidney abnormalities among those who had experienced severe Covid. However, there were no notable differences in the health of the heart or liver. Organ damage Dr. Betty Raman, a lead investigator of the study from the University of Oxford, said, "Five months after being discharged from hospital for Covid, we found more abnormalities in the lungs, brain and kidneys in those patients than in the group who had never had Covid." Also Read | Trudeau’s conservative rival Poilievre supports Hindus amidst threats from Khalistanis "The patient's age, how severely ill they were with Covid, as well as if they had other illnesses at the same time, were all significant factors in whether or not we found damage to these important organs in the body," she added. Implications for treatment These findings are part of a larger study, the Phosp-Covid study, which aims to understand the long-term effects of Covid on hospitalised patients. Watch | India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's US visit × "What we are seeing is that people with multi-organ pathology on MRI - that is, they had more than two organs affected - were four times more likely to report severe and very severe mental and physical impairment," Dr. Raman said adding, "Our findings also highlight the need for longer term multidisciplinary follow-up services focused on pulmonary and extrapulmonary health (kidneys, brain and mental health), particularly for those hospitalised for Covid." A step towards understanding long Covid Professor Chris Brightling, leading the Phosp-Covid study at the University of Leicester, explained that this research contributes to the broader effort to comprehend the array of symptoms that constitute long Covid. He stressed the importance of understanding why organ damage persists in these patients and how new tests and treatments can be developed to address long Covid effectively. 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 reveals organ damage in long covid patients who required hospitalisation

<p>The World Values Survey is out and it has revealed some interesting information about how people in&nbsp;countries across the world give preference to certain values, beliefs and attitudes when raising their children. King's College in London condensed the survey further and compared results for 24 countries, a mix of nations from across the continents. The list included developed as well as developing countries.</p>

<p>The results are fascinating.</p>

<p>The comparison revealed that the UK was in top 10 countries when it came to valuing inculcation of unselfishness, good manners and imagination in children. But British parents were down in the ranks with regards to teaching children responsibility.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was revealed that France was at the top of the list of included countries when it came to inculcating unselfishness. When it came to instilling imagination in children, South Korean respondents valued it the most. While respondents from Egypt put most stock in inculcating good manners in children.</p>

<p>Interestingly, UK was in the bottom two of the 24 countries when instilling sense of responsibility in children was in focus. South Korea took the cake here as well. When it came to obedience, saving money and religious faith, the UK was in bottom five. On top were Nigeria, Russia and Egypt respectively in these separate parameters.</p>

<p>“As more of our basic needs are met, we can focus more on being ourselves and be more open to new ideas. This has gone hand in hand with the decline of some key norms that have traditionally placed more value on obedience, such as attachment to organised religions, and is mirrored in our hugely increased acceptance of a wide range of lifestyles and characteristics, whether that’s on sexuality, ethnicity or religion,” said Profesor Bobby Duffy, the director of the Policy Institute at King’s College.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Professor Duffy was quoted by the Guardian. He led the King's College study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the study drew conclusions taking countries separately, inferences were also drawn by considering generation as the differentiating factor.</p>

<p>It was found that all generations valued obedience less than they did in the past. However, it was found that Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2013 cared less about good manners and not being selfish that previous generations like the Milennials or Generation X.</p>

<p>The full results of the survey are available on the World Values Survey website.</p>

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The World Values Survey is out and it has revealed some interesting information about how people in countries across the world give preference to certain values, beliefs and attitudes when raising their children.

The World Values Survey is out and it has revealed some interesting information about how people in countries across the world give preference to certain values, beliefs and attitudes when raising their children. King's College in London condensed the survey further and compared results for 24 countries, a mix of nations from across the continents. The list included developed as well as developing countries. The results are fascinating. The comparison revealed that the UK was in top 10 countries when it came to valuing inculcation of unselfishness, good manners and imagination in children. But British parents were down in the ranks with regards to teaching children responsibility. It was revealed that France was at the top of the list of included countries when it came to inculcating unselfishness. When it came to instilling imagination in children, South Korean respondents valued it the most. While respondents from Egypt put most stock in inculcating good manners in children. Interestingly, UK was in the bottom two of the 24 countries when instilling sense of responsibility in children was in focus. South Korea took the cake here as well. When it came to obedience, saving money and religious faith, the UK was in bottom five. On top were Nigeria, Russia and Egypt respectively in these separate parameters. “As more of our basic needs are met, we can focus more on being ourselves and be more open to new ideas. This has gone hand in hand with the decline of some key norms that have traditionally placed more value on obedience, such as attachment to organised religions, and is mirrored in our hugely increased acceptance of a wide range of lifestyles and characteristics, whether that’s on sexuality, ethnicity or religion,” said Profesor Bobby Duffy, the director of the Policy Institute at King’s College. Professor Duffy was quoted by the Guardian. He led the King's College study. While the study drew conclusions taking countries separately, inferences were also drawn by considering generation as the differentiating factor. It was found that all generations valued obedience less than they did in the past. However, it was found that Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2013 cared less about good manners and not being selfish that previous generations like the Milennials or Generation X. The full results of the survey are available on the World Values Survey website. 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 ×

British parents among bottom two in teaching kids responsibility, says study

According to a study by a think group funded by the Pentagon, dementia affecting American officials poses a threat to national security as the national security staff ages. The study was published last spring at a time when numerous top American officials who were entrusted with some of the most highly sensitive intelligence in the country made mistakes in public, igniting calls for resignation and discussion about Washington's senile leadership.

Dementia among US officials poses national security threat: Study

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<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidyMa2J2v3Yev2" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Almost a year has passed since NASA intentionally crashed a $300 million spacecraft into an asteroid. However, now, the asteroid is behaving unexpectedly.</p>

<p>NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a one-of-a-kind stunt. They slammed a spacecraft into the space rock Dimporphos at 14,000 miles per hour on September 26, 2022.</p>

<p>Dimorphos orbits another asteroid called Didymos. While neither object threatened Earth, the DART demonstrated that NASA could nudge an asteroid and alter its trajectory. The action might come in handy if a planetary defence scenario ever materialises.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tiny but mighty DART craft shortened Dimorphos' orbital period by about 33 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, according to a new research, Dimorphos' orbiting time has decreased by another full minute compared to NASA's numbers,&nbsp;<em>New Scientist</em>&nbsp;reported. A high school teacher and his students conducted the research from September to November 2022. The study said the asteroid's orbital period, initially 11 hours 55 minutes, has decreased by 34 minutes.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/science/swiss-researchers-engineer-bacteria-to-generate-electricity-using-wastewater-635881" target="_blank">Swiss researchers engineer bacteria to generate electricity using wastewater</a></p>

<p>Jonathan Swift, a math and science teacher at the Thacher School who participated in the research, said, "That was inconsistent at an uncomfortable level." He said, "We tried our best to find the crack in what we had done, but we couldn't find anything." His team presented their findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Mexico in June, receiving positive responses.</p>

<p>However, Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour is not a cause for alarm, as the asteroid still poses no threat to Earth. But it could teach scientists more about asteroid deflection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>No other mission before DART had ever conducted a planetary defence test. Thus, Dimorphos is the only real-world example to learn from.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scientists do not have the accurate reason behind Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour. But there are some theories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One theory suggests that Dimorphos was once tidally locked to Didymos, meaning, like Earth's moon, the same side of the satellite always faced its host. However, the DART mission might have changed its alignment, causing Dimorphos to tumble around as the system's tidal forces changed its orbit. If this theory is true, Dimorphos will likely settle back into a tidally locked state over time, a DART team member said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the new study is accurate, it won't be the first unintended consequence of NASA's DART mission. Researchers have been learning more about the effects of the spacecraft's crash at Dimorphos over the past year.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Almost a year has passed since NASA intentionally crashed a $300 million spacecraft into an asteroid. However, now, the asteroid is behaving unexpectedly. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a one-of-a-kind stunt.

Almost a year has passed since NASA intentionally crashed a $300 million spacecraft into an asteroid. However, now, the asteroid is behaving unexpectedly. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a one-of-a-kind stunt. They slammed a spacecraft into the space rock Dimporphos at 14,000 miles per hour on September 26, 2022. Dimorphos orbits another asteroid called Didymos. While neither object threatened Earth, the DART demonstrated that NASA could nudge an asteroid and alter its trajectory. The action might come in handy if a planetary defence scenario ever materialises. The tiny but mighty DART craft shortened Dimorphos' orbital period by about 33 minutes. However, according to a new research, Dimorphos' orbiting time has decreased by another full minute compared to NASA's numbers, New Scientist reported. A high school teacher and his students conducted the research from September to November 2022. The study said the asteroid's orbital period, initially 11 hours 55 minutes, has decreased by 34 minutes. ALSO READ | Swiss researchers engineer bacteria to generate electricity using wastewater Jonathan Swift, a math and science teacher at the Thacher School who participated in the research, said, "That was inconsistent at an uncomfortable level." He said, "We tried our best to find the crack in what we had done, but we couldn't find anything." His team presented their findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Mexico in June, receiving positive responses. However, Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour is not a cause for alarm, as the asteroid still poses no threat to Earth. But it could teach scientists more about asteroid deflection. No other mission before DART had ever conducted a planetary defence test. Thus, Dimorphos is the only real-world example to learn from. Scientists do not have the accurate reason behind Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour. But there are some theories. One theory suggests that Dimorphos was once tidally locked to Didymos, meaning, like Earth's moon, the same side of the satellite always faced its host. However, the DART mission might have changed its alignment, causing Dimorphos to tumble around as the system's tidal forces changed its orbit. If this theory is true, Dimorphos will likely settle back into a tidally locked state over time, a DART team member said. If the new study is accurate, it won't be the first unintended consequence of NASA's DART mission. Researchers have been learning more about the effects of the spacecraft's crash at Dimorphos over the past year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA hit this asteroid months back and now something weird is happening

<p>Throughout history, humans have been known to spot familiar faces in the most unexpected and unrelated objects. This phenomenon, known as face pareidolia, has intrigued scientists for years.&nbsp;Recent research suggested that this tendency to perceive faces in inanimate objects may not be a fixed trait in adults. Instead, it appears to be heightened in women who have recently given birth. This intriguing observation has led researchers to explore a potential connection between this phenomenon and the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the "love" or "trust" hormone due to its role in social bonding.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/giant-cracks-appearing-across-southwestern-us-scientists-warn-it-as-national-crisis-635604">Giant cracks appearing across southwestern US, scientists warn it as national crisis</a></p>

<p>“These data, collected online, suggest that our sensitivity to face-like patterns is not fixed and may change throughout adulthood,” the team reportedly wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Role of Oxytocin</strong></h2>

<p>Previous studies have indicated that oxytocin administration can enhance the recognition of certain emotions in facial expressions. To investigate whether oxytocin plays a role in individuals' sensitivity to seeing faces in objects, researchers from Australia's University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast conducted a study.</p>

<h2><strong>Postpartum women</strong></h2>

<p>Using an online platform, the researchers recruited women, specifically targeting pregnant women and those who had just given birth, a period associated with elevated oxytocin levels.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-sleeping-late-at-night-study-warns-about-major-risk-of-type-2-diabetes-in-night-owls-635588">Sleeping late at night? Study warns about major risk of type 2 diabetes in night owls</a></p>

<p>Participants were presented with 320 images in random order and asked to rate, on an 11-point scale, how easily they could perceive a face within each image.</p>

<p>These images included 32 human faces, 256 inanimate objects with patterns that could resemble faces, and 32 inanimate objects lacking facial patterns.</p>

<h2><strong>Key findings</strong></h2>

<p>The results of the study revealed that all participants easily recognised the images of human faces, while they struggled to perceive faces in the 32 images of inanimate objects without facial patterns.</p>

<p>However, women who had recently given birth reported a higher ease in perceiving the 256 illusionary faces compared to pregnant women.</p>

<p>This suggests that the sensitivity to perceiving faces in objects is not a stable trait throughout adulthood and may change during early parenthood, potentially as a mechanism to enhance social bonding, possibly influenced by higher oxytocin levels.</p>

<h2><strong>Future research</strong></h2>

<p>While these findings are intriguing, the study has its limitations. Notably, oxytocin levels were not measured in participants, leaving room for other factors such as anxiety or stress to potentially explain the results.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Apple iPhone 15 Event: Most exciting takeaways from the Apple launch event</strong></p>

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<p>Additionally, the study only captured participants' abilities at one point in time, and it did not track changes in their propensity to see faces in objects before and after becoming parents.</p>

<p>Further research is needed to replicate these findings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the hormonal and psychological factors at play in face pareidolia.</p>

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Throughout history, humans have been known to spot familiar faces in the most unexpected and unrelated objects. This phenomenon, known as face pareidolia, has intrigued scientists for years.

Throughout history, humans have been known to spot familiar faces in the most unexpected and unrelated objects. This phenomenon, known as face pareidolia, has intrigued scientists for years. Recent research suggested that this tendency to perceive faces in inanimate objects may not be a fixed trait in adults. Instead, it appears to be heightened in women who have recently given birth. This intriguing observation has led researchers to explore a potential connection between this phenomenon and the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the "love" or "trust" hormone due to its role in social bonding. Also Read | Giant cracks appearing across southwestern US, scientists warn it as national crisis “These data, collected online, suggest that our sensitivity to face-like patterns is not fixed and may change throughout adulthood,” the team reportedly wrote. Role of Oxytocin Previous studies have indicated that oxytocin administration can enhance the recognition of certain emotions in facial expressions. To investigate whether oxytocin plays a role in individuals' sensitivity to seeing faces in objects, researchers from Australia's University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast conducted a study. Postpartum women Using an online platform, the researchers recruited women, specifically targeting pregnant women and those who had just given birth, a period associated with elevated oxytocin levels. Also Read | Sleeping late at night? Study warns about major risk of type 2 diabetes in night owls Participants were presented with 320 images in random order and asked to rate, on an 11-point scale, how easily they could perceive a face within each image. These images included 32 human faces, 256 inanimate objects with patterns that could resemble faces, and 32 inanimate objects lacking facial patterns. Key findings The results of the study revealed that all participants easily recognised the images of human faces, while they struggled to perceive faces in the 32 images of inanimate objects without facial patterns. However, women who had recently given birth reported a higher ease in perceiving the 256 illusionary faces compared to pregnant women. This suggests that the sensitivity to perceiving faces in objects is not a stable trait throughout adulthood and may change during early parenthood, potentially as a mechanism to enhance social bonding, possibly influenced by higher oxytocin levels. Future research While these findings are intriguing, the study has its limitations. Notably, oxytocin levels were not measured in participants, leaving room for other factors such as anxiety or stress to potentially explain the results. Watch | Apple iPhone 15 Event: Most exciting takeaways from the Apple launch event × Additionally, the study only captured participants' abilities at one point in time, and it did not track changes in their propensity to see faces in objects before and after becoming parents. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the hormonal and psychological factors at play in face pareidolia. 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. ×

A hormonal connection? New mothers can see faces in objects where others don't

<p>Dogs, our loyal companions, never cease to amaze us with their emotional intelligence. But hold on to your leashes. A recent study suggested they might be doing something even more astonishing while they catch some Zs. In a pilot study involving 13 furry participants, researchers have stumbled upon an intriguing canine superpower. It appears that dogs can tune in to our conversations even in the depths of their dreams. Imagine that!</p>

<p>Led by ethologist Huba Eleod and his team from Eotvos Lorand University, this study used brainwave-measuring devices to peek into the minds of sleeping dogs. The canines were exposed to both human and canine voices while awake, dozing, and in a state of blissful slumber.</p>

<p>Various sounds were used during the experiment, including yelps, whines, growls, coughs, laughs, sighs, and yawns. To ensure a peaceful canine siesta, no jarring or negative sounds were used.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Canine as detectives?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The study found that even during non-REM sleep, our furry friends could distinguish between human and canine voices. Not only that, they could sense the emotional tone of the communication, whether it was positive or neutral. Humans are not the only ones who manage to process information while snoozing.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/morocco-ambassador-maliki-welcomes-indias-offer-of-assistance-after-deadly-earthquake-635132">Morocco Ambassador Maliki welcomes India's offer of assistance after deadly earthquake</a></p>

<p>"This finding is significant insofar as it is the first evidence of complex auditory processing during sleep in dogs," Eotvos Loránd University ethologist Huba Eleod and colleagues stated in their paper.</p>

<p>This ability has also been spotted in primates and even some non-primates, like mice. It seems that processing social cues during sleep might be a universal skill among mammals.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-nipah-virus-alert-in-keralas-kozhikode-after-two-unnatural-deaths-reported-in-district-635097">India: Nipah virus alert in Kerala's Kozhikode after two 'unnatural deaths' reported in district</a></p>

<p>Sleep is more than just downtime. It is when our brains work their magic. Dogs, like us, rely on sleep to consolidate memories and process emotions. And as they age, their sleep patterns change, much like humans with dementia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While more research is needed to solidify these findings, they do add to the growing list of similarities between canine and human sleep behavior. This strengthens the case for using dogs in comparative neurobiology research.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Can India amplify the voice of the global south?</strong></p>

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<p>"Although use of a non-invasive ERP paradigm with dogs is quite labor-intensive, it is nevertheless the most feasible possibility to study vocal stimuli processing during sleep, as it does not require prior training and does not cause any distress or harm," the team wrote.&nbsp;</p>

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Dogs, our loyal companions, never cease to amaze us with their emotional intelligence. But hold on to your leashes. A recent study suggested they might be doing something even more astonishing while they catch some Zs.

Dogs, our loyal companions, never cease to amaze us with their emotional intelligence. But hold on to your leashes. A recent study suggested they might be doing something even more astonishing while they catch some Zs. In a pilot study involving 13 furry participants, researchers have stumbled upon an intriguing canine superpower. It appears that dogs can tune in to our conversations even in the depths of their dreams. Imagine that! Led by ethologist Huba Eleod and his team from Eotvos Lorand University, this study used brainwave-measuring devices to peek into the minds of sleeping dogs. The canines were exposed to both human and canine voices while awake, dozing, and in a state of blissful slumber. Various sounds were used during the experiment, including yelps, whines, growls, coughs, laughs, sighs, and yawns. To ensure a peaceful canine siesta, no jarring or negative sounds were used. Canine as detectives? The study found that even during non-REM sleep, our furry friends could distinguish between human and canine voices. Not only that, they could sense the emotional tone of the communication, whether it was positive or neutral. Humans are not the only ones who manage to process information while snoozing. Also Read | Morocco Ambassador Maliki welcomes India's offer of assistance after deadly earthquake "This finding is significant insofar as it is the first evidence of complex auditory processing during sleep in dogs," Eotvos Loránd University ethologist Huba Eleod and colleagues stated in their paper. This ability has also been spotted in primates and even some non-primates, like mice. It seems that processing social cues during sleep might be a universal skill among mammals. Also Read | India: Nipah virus alert in Kerala's Kozhikode after two 'unnatural deaths' reported in district Sleep is more than just downtime. It is when our brains work their magic. Dogs, like us, rely on sleep to consolidate memories and process emotions. And as they age, their sleep patterns change, much like humans with dementia. While more research is needed to solidify these findings, they do add to the growing list of similarities between canine and human sleep behavior. This strengthens the case for using dogs in comparative neurobiology research. Watch | Can India amplify the voice of the global south? × "Although use of a non-invasive ERP paradigm with dogs is quite labor-intensive, it is nevertheless the most feasible possibility to study vocal stimuli processing during sleep, as it does not require prior training and does not cause any distress or harm," the team wrote. 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. ×

Talk about keen ear! Dogs can listen to hooman chatter even when snoozing, finds study

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<p>For the first time in Europe, researchers have found the red fire ant, one of the world's most invasive species.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a new study published in the scientific journal&nbsp;<em>Current Biology&nbsp;</em>on Monday, researchers have found 88 red fire ant nests spread across five hectares in Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, CNN reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The red fire ants, who go by the scientific name Solenopsis invicta<em>,&nbsp;</em>are native to South America. Over the past century, they have spread to much of the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, China, and Australia. When disturbed, these red fire ants can be aggressive. Their sting is painful and can cause allergic reactions. They can also harm crops and local ecosystems.</p>

<p>Mattia Menchetti, the lead study author and a researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Spain, said, "S. invicta is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread alarmingly quickly." She added, "Finding the species in Italy was a huge surprise. But we knew this day would come."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-discover-remarkable-24000-years-old-palaeolithic-cave-art-in-spain-635093" target="_blank">Researchers discover 'remarkable' 24,000-year-old palaeolithic cave art in Spain</a></p>

<p>According to the author, people have found fire ants in imported products in Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands, but their established colonies have never been confirmed before the study.</p>

<p>The researchers found the red fire ant colonies in suburban areas of Syracuse. However, they do not know how the tiny creatures reached there. They believe the insects might have reached their new destination with lots of human activity. According to the study, wind could have transported the red fire ants from the northwest of Sycaruse, the location of the city's commercial port. The researchers said local people complained about the increased ant stings since 2019.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-that-apollo-17s-left-over-tech-is-moonquakes-on-the-lunar-surface-634900" target="_blank">Scientists find that Apollo 17's left-over tech causing moonquakes on the lunar surface</a></p>

<p>The genetic analysis of the red fire ants found in Italy suggested they had most likely come from the United States or China.</p>

<p>The EU has revised its "species of concern" list to include the red fire ant. However, the British government has not updated its list since Brexit despite calls from experts concerned about new invasive species, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers warned that the ants could spread over Europe, as seven per cent of the continent, including large urban areas like Barcelona, Rome, London, and Paris, have a climate habitable for the species.</p>

<p>According to a UN-backed report, every year, invasive species cost the world over $423 billion as they cause plant and animal extinctions, risk food security, and aggravate environmental catastrophes worldwide.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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For the first time in Europe, researchers have found the red fire ant, one of the world's most invasive species. According to a new study published in the scientific journal Current Biology on Monday, researchers have found 88 red fire ant nests spread across five hectares in Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, CNN reported.

For the first time in Europe, researchers have found the red fire ant, one of the world's most invasive species. According to a new study published in the scientific journal Current Biology on Monday, researchers have found 88 red fire ant nests spread across five hectares in Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, CNN reported. The red fire ants, who go by the scientific name Solenopsis invicta, are native to South America. Over the past century, they have spread to much of the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, China, and Australia. When disturbed, these red fire ants can be aggressive. Their sting is painful and can cause allergic reactions. They can also harm crops and local ecosystems. Mattia Menchetti, the lead study author and a researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Spain, said, "S. invicta is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread alarmingly quickly." She added, "Finding the species in Italy was a huge surprise. But we knew this day would come." ALSO READ | Researchers discover 'remarkable' 24,000-year-old palaeolithic cave art in Spain According to the author, people have found fire ants in imported products in Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands, but their established colonies have never been confirmed before the study. The researchers found the red fire ant colonies in suburban areas of Syracuse. However, they do not know how the tiny creatures reached there. They believe the insects might have reached their new destination with lots of human activity. According to the study, wind could have transported the red fire ants from the northwest of Sycaruse, the location of the city's commercial port. The researchers said local people complained about the increased ant stings since 2019. ALSO READ | Scientists find that Apollo 17's left-over tech causing moonquakes on the lunar surface The genetic analysis of the red fire ants found in Italy suggested they had most likely come from the United States or China. The EU has revised its "species of concern" list to include the red fire ant. However, the British government has not updated its list since Brexit despite calls from experts concerned about new invasive species, The Guardian reported. Researchers warned that the ants could spread over Europe, as seven per cent of the continent, including large urban areas like Barcelona, Rome, London, and Paris, have a climate habitable for the species. According to a UN-backed report, every year, invasive species cost the world over $423 billion as they cause plant and animal extinctions, risk food security, and aggravate environmental catastrophes worldwide. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Invasive red fire ants found for the first time in Italy could spread across Europe, says study

<p>A Parisian stray cat etched her name in&nbsp;the annals of space exploration nearly six decades ago. Félicette, a petite black-and-white "tuxedo" Persian cat, embarked on a remarkable adventure that would make her the first and only feline astronaut to ever grace space.&nbsp;The date was October 18, 1938, and the scientific community in France was abuzz.</p>

<p>A "Veronique" rocket was poised to launch, carrying a very special passenger. Félicette, who had once roamed the streets of Paris as a stray, was about to embark on a sub-orbital mission, soaring 96 miles above Earth's surface.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/can-astronauts-live-on-the-moon-scientists-reveal-how-its-possible-634363">Can astronauts live on the Moon? Scientists reveal how it's possible</a></p>

<p>Felicette was not alone in this cosmic endeavor. She was one of several felines acquired by dedicated scientists for this groundbreaking mission.</p>

<p>To prevent emotional attachment, these cats were assigned numbers instead of names. Every cat, including Felicette, underwent astronaut training.</p>

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<p>Their preparations included enduring G-forces within a centrifuge and enduring extended periods of confinement within small containers. The scientists meticulously studied their reactions to these conditions, seeking to ensure the safety and well-being of their feline crew members.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/our-prehistoric-ancestors-turned-stones-into-spheres-for-a-reason-says-study-634046">Our prehistoric ancestors turned stones into spheres for a reason, says study</a></p>

<h2><strong>Felicette's stellar ascent</strong></h2>

<p>Six cats stood out as the best candidates for the astronaut program. Ultimately, it was "C341" who emerged as the star of the show.</p>

<p>Surviving her out-of-this-world adventure, she was bestowed with the name "Felicette."</p>

<p>Her journey into the cosmos was a brief but pivotal 15-minute voyage to Earth’s sub-orbital space, during which her breathing and heart rate were carefully monitored through a series of implanted electrodes.</p>

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<p>Despite her historic achievement, Felicette's story took a bittersweet turn.</p>

<p>A few months after her space adventure, she was euthanised to enable scientists to examine her brain. Her noble sacrifice remained largely unnoticed for many years, overshadowed by the grandeur of human space exploration.</p>

<h2><strong>Honouring Felicette's legacy</strong></h2>

<p>In 2017, Felicette's contribution to science was finally acknowledged when over 1,100 individuals came together to donate $57,000 to a Kickstarter campaign. The goal?</p>

<p>To fund a memorial for the only cat ever sent into space. The result was a magnificent 5-foot-tall statue of Felicette, poised atop a globe, symbolising her pioneering journey beyond Earth's bounds.</p>

<p>In the world of space exploration, this feline will forever hold a special place as the beloved and unforgettable "Astrocat."</p>

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A Parisian stray cat etched her name in the annals of space exploration nearly six decades ago. Félicette, a petite black-and-white "tuxedo" Persian cat, embarked on a remarkable adventure that would make her the first and only feline astronaut to ever grace space.

A Parisian stray cat etched her name in the annals of space exploration nearly six decades ago. Félicette, a petite black-and-white "tuxedo" Persian cat, embarked on a remarkable adventure that would make her the first and only feline astronaut to ever grace space. The date was October 18, 1938, and the scientific community in France was abuzz. A "Veronique" rocket was poised to launch, carrying a very special passenger. Félicette, who had once roamed the streets of Paris as a stray, was about to embark on a sub-orbital mission, soaring 96 miles above Earth's surface. Also Read | Can astronauts live on the Moon? Scientists reveal how it's possible Felicette was not alone in this cosmic endeavor. She was one of several felines acquired by dedicated scientists for this groundbreaking mission. To prevent emotional attachment, these cats were assigned numbers instead of names. Every cat, including Felicette, underwent astronaut training. × Their preparations included enduring G-forces within a centrifuge and enduring extended periods of confinement within small containers. The scientists meticulously studied their reactions to these conditions, seeking to ensure the safety and well-being of their feline crew members. Also Read | Our prehistoric ancestors turned stones into spheres for a reason, says study Felicette's stellar ascent Six cats stood out as the best candidates for the astronaut program. Ultimately, it was "C341" who emerged as the star of the show. Surviving her out-of-this-world adventure, she was bestowed with the name "Felicette." Her journey into the cosmos was a brief but pivotal 15-minute voyage to Earth’s sub-orbital space, during which her breathing and heart rate were carefully monitored through a series of implanted electrodes. Watch | G20 Summit 2023: How India forged consensus on declaration × Despite her historic achievement, Felicette's story took a bittersweet turn. A few months after her space adventure, she was euthanised to enable scientists to examine her brain. Her noble sacrifice remained largely unnoticed for many years, overshadowed by the grandeur of human space exploration. Honouring Felicette's legacy In 2017, Felicette's contribution to science was finally acknowledged when over 1,100 individuals came together to donate $57,000 to a Kickstarter campaign. The goal? To fund a memorial for the only cat ever sent into space. The result was a magnificent 5-foot-tall statue of Felicette, poised atop a globe, symbolising her pioneering journey beyond Earth's bounds. In the world of space exploration, this feline will forever hold a special place as the beloved and unforgettable "Astrocat." 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. ×

WATCH | World's first and only cat sent to space - 'Felicette'

<p>For over a century, archaeologists have been puzzled with the existence of&nbsp;limestone spheroids crafted by our early human ancestors more than 1.4 million years ago. These spherical artefacts have long been a mystery, leaving scientists pondering their origin, purpose, and the skills of those who created them.</p>

<h2><strong>Deliberate creation or accidental byproduct?</strong></h2>

<p>One of the primary questions surrounding these spheroids has been whether they were intentionally shaped by our ancient forebears or were mere byproducts of other stone-related activities. Did early humans aspire to create perfectly spherical objects, or were these spheroids a result of haphazard stone manipulation?</p>

<p>A groundbreaking study sought to shed light on this enduring mystery by employing state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Researchers meticulously examined 150 limestone spheroids discovered at the Ubeidiya archaeological site, dating back to the distant past of 1.4 million years ago.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-chinese-scientists-grow-humanised-kidneys-in-pigs-633755">In a first, Chinese scientists grow humanised kidneys in pigs</a></p>

<h2><strong>What's the creation process?</strong></h2>

<p>To decipher the origin and intent behind these spheroids, scientists reconstructed their formation by closely examining their geometry and the telltale scars left on the stones during their crafting. The startling revelation contradicted the notion that these spherical objects were mere accidents.</p>

<p>Rather than evolving towards a smoother finish during their creation, the spheroids displayed a remarkable progression towards ideal spherical shapes. Unlike naturally eroded stones, such as pebbles, these artefacts exhibited deliberate shaping skills and a clear objective in achieving their spherical form.</p>

<p>This groundbreaking discovery challenges conventional beliefs about early hominins and their technological prowess. The presence of intentional craftsmanship on these ancient spheroids not only redefines our understanding of our ancestors but also prompts us to reconsider their relationship with technology and their quest for symmetry in stone shaping.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctica-likely-warming-much-faster-than-prediction-of-climate-change-models-study-633633">Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study</a></p>

<h2><strong>Global implications</strong></h2>

<p>The implications of this finding reach far beyond Ubeidiya, as slightly older spheroids with similar intentions may exist at other African archaeological sites. If this can be demonstrated, it would represent the earliest evidence of hominins actively seeking and achieving symmetrical shapes in stone, revolutionising our perception of early human ingenuity.</p>

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For over a century, archaeologists have been puzzled with the existence of limestone spheroids crafted by our early human ancestors more than 1.4 million years ago.

For over a century, archaeologists have been puzzled with the existence of limestone spheroids crafted by our early human ancestors more than 1.4 million years ago. These spherical artefacts have long been a mystery, leaving scientists pondering their origin, purpose, and the skills of those who created them. Deliberate creation or accidental byproduct? One of the primary questions surrounding these spheroids has been whether they were intentionally shaped by our ancient forebears or were mere byproducts of other stone-related activities. Did early humans aspire to create perfectly spherical objects, or were these spheroids a result of haphazard stone manipulation? A groundbreaking study sought to shed light on this enduring mystery by employing state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Researchers meticulously examined 150 limestone spheroids discovered at the Ubeidiya archaeological site, dating back to the distant past of 1.4 million years ago. Also read | In a first, Chinese scientists grow humanised kidneys in pigs What's the creation process? To decipher the origin and intent behind these spheroids, scientists reconstructed their formation by closely examining their geometry and the telltale scars left on the stones during their crafting. The startling revelation contradicted the notion that these spherical objects were mere accidents. Rather than evolving towards a smoother finish during their creation, the spheroids displayed a remarkable progression towards ideal spherical shapes. Unlike naturally eroded stones, such as pebbles, these artefacts exhibited deliberate shaping skills and a clear objective in achieving their spherical form. This groundbreaking discovery challenges conventional beliefs about early hominins and their technological prowess. The presence of intentional craftsmanship on these ancient spheroids not only redefines our understanding of our ancestors but also prompts us to reconsider their relationship with technology and their quest for symmetry in stone shaping. Also read | Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study Global implications The implications of this finding reach far beyond Ubeidiya, as slightly older spheroids with similar intentions may exist at other African archaeological sites. If this can be demonstrated, it would represent the earliest evidence of hominins actively seeking and achieving symmetrical shapes in stone, revolutionising our perception of early human ingenuity. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Our prehistoric ancestors turned stones into spheres for a reason, says study

<p>Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have successfully created an "embryo model" that closely resembles a 14-day-old human embryo, all without the use of sperm, eggs, or a womb, media reports said citing the research.&nbsp;This research marks a significant milestone in the field of embryo modeling, offering a powerful tool to study the earliest stages of human development safely. This groundbreaking achievement used stem cells and then chemicals to coax these cells into forming four distinct types of cells typically found in early human embryos: epiblast cells (which develop into the embryo proper), trophoblast cells (which form the placenta), hypoblast cells (supportive yolk sac), and extraembryonic mesoderm cells, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A remarkable achievement&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In order to achieve the astounding feat, a precise mixture of 120 of these cells was prepared, and intriguingly, approximately 1 percent&nbsp;of them self-assembled into a structure. But this does not resemble a human embryo.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-uses-car-tyres-to-cover-military-aircraft-to-deter-ukrainian-drone-attacks-report-632902">Russia uses car tyres to cover military aircraft to deter Ukrainian drone attacks: Report</a></p>

<p>This process was observed until the model reached a stage comparable to a 14-day-old embryo, a crucial point in early development. "It's a black box and that's not a cliche — our knowledge is very limited," Weizmann Institute of Science Prof Jacob Hanna reportedly told a UK media outlet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The resulting embryo models exhibited intricate details, including the trophoblast enveloping the embryo, cavities called lacuna that facilitate nutrient transfer from the mother's blood, a yolk sac with liver and kidney functions, and a bilaminar embryonic disc, a hallmark of this developmental stage, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Unlocking the mysteries of early development</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers believe that these embryo models hold the potential to shed light on various aspects of early development, such as the emergence of different cell types, organ formation, and genetic diseases.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-wont-he-musk-questions-zuckerberg-regarding-cage-fight-632907">'Why won't he...': Musk questions Zuckerberg regarding cage fight</a></p>

<p>Additionally, there's hope that they could contribute to improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates and testing the safety of medicines during pregnancy.</p>

<h2><strong>Challenges and ethical considerations</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the promising results, the current 99 percent failure rate in model development poses a challenge. Understanding the causes of miscarriages or infertility may be hindered if the model cannot reliably assemble itself.</p>

<p>The possibility of extending embryo development beyond the 14-day stage also raises ethical questions.<br />
In some countries, this would not be illegal, as these models are legally distinct from actual embryos. However, opinions on this matter are divided.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Kenya hosts maiden climate summit in Africa</strong></p>

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<p>Prof Alfonso Martinez Arias, from the department of experimental and health sciences at Pompeu Fabra University, reportedly said, "The work has, for the first time, achieved a faithful construction of the complete structure [of a human embryo] from stem cells" in the lab and opens "the door for studies of the events that lead to the formation of the human body plan".</p>

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Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have successfully created an "embryo model" that closely resembles a 14-day-old human embryo, all without the use of sperm, eggs, or a womb, media reports said citing the research.

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have successfully created an "embryo model" that closely resembles a 14-day-old human embryo, all without the use of sperm, eggs, or a womb, media reports said citing the research. This research marks a significant milestone in the field of embryo modeling, offering a powerful tool to study the earliest stages of human development safely. This groundbreaking achievement used stem cells and then chemicals to coax these cells into forming four distinct types of cells typically found in early human embryos: epiblast cells (which develop into the embryo proper), trophoblast cells (which form the placenta), hypoblast cells (supportive yolk sac), and extraembryonic mesoderm cells, as per reports. A remarkable achievement In order to achieve the astounding feat, a precise mixture of 120 of these cells was prepared, and intriguingly, approximately 1 percent of them self-assembled into a structure. But this does not resemble a human embryo. Also Read | Russia uses car tyres to cover military aircraft to deter Ukrainian drone attacks: Report This process was observed until the model reached a stage comparable to a 14-day-old embryo, a crucial point in early development. "It's a black box and that's not a cliche — our knowledge is very limited," Weizmann Institute of Science Prof Jacob Hanna reportedly told a UK media outlet. The resulting embryo models exhibited intricate details, including the trophoblast enveloping the embryo, cavities called lacuna that facilitate nutrient transfer from the mother's blood, a yolk sac with liver and kidney functions, and a bilaminar embryonic disc, a hallmark of this developmental stage, as per reports. Unlocking the mysteries of early development Researchers believe that these embryo models hold the potential to shed light on various aspects of early development, such as the emergence of different cell types, organ formation, and genetic diseases. Also Read | 'Why won't he...': Musk questions Zuckerberg regarding cage fight Additionally, there's hope that they could contribute to improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates and testing the safety of medicines during pregnancy. Challenges and ethical considerations Despite the promising results, the current 99 percent failure rate in model development poses a challenge. Understanding the causes of miscarriages or infertility may be hindered if the model cannot reliably assemble itself. The possibility of extending embryo development beyond the 14-day stage also raises ethical questions. In some countries, this would not be illegal, as these models are legally distinct from actual embryos. However, opinions on this matter are divided. Watch | Kenya hosts maiden climate summit in Africa × Prof Alfonso Martinez Arias, from the department of experimental and health sciences at Pompeu Fabra University, reportedly said, "The work has, for the first time, achieved a faithful construction of the complete structure [of a human embryo] from stem cells" in the lab and opens "the door for studies of the events that lead to the formation of the human body plan". 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 grow human embryo model without sperm or egg, pave way to unravel mysteries of early development

<p>As per a new study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health journal, at least one in three men above the age of 15 is infected with at least one type of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), and one in five contracts one or more of high-risk HPV types.<br />
<br />
As per the research, men frequently contract genital HPV infections and pressed on the need to involve men in efforts to control HPV infection and reduce the number of related diseases in both men and women.<br />
<br />
HPV is a viral infection which commonly leads to skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). There exist more than 100 varieties of HPV.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-suggests-brain-stimulation-enhances-mathematical-skills-631806">Study suggests brain stimulation enhances mathematical skills</a></p>

<p>"This global study on the prevalence of genital HPV infection among men confirms how widespread HPV infection is. HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause genital warts and oral, penile and anal cancer in men," stated Meg Doherty, Director of WHO's Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes.<br />
<br />
"We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and to reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women," said Doherty, in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>HPV's global prevalence is 31 per cent: study</strong></h2>

<p>The meta-analysis and systematic review assessed the genital HPV infection's prevalence in the general male population on the basis of the studies published between 1995 and 2022.<br />
<br />
The study further discovered that HPV's global pooled prevalence was 31 per cent and that of high-risk HPV was 21 per cent. HPV-16 was found to be the most prevalent HPV genotype (5 per cent ) which was followed by HPV-6 (4 per cent ).<br />
<br />
The prevalence of HPV was high in young adults, which was found maximum in the age bracket of 25 years and 29 years, and slightly decreased or stabilised thereafter, said the researchers.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas | Study: Antibiotics wipe out gut microbiomes, damage immune system</strong></p>

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<p>They added that pooled prevalence estimates were found the same in the UN Sustainable Development Goal geographical regions of Europe and Northern America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania).<br />
<br />
As per the researchers, the estimates for Eastern and South-Eastern Asia were half in comparison to the other regions. They stated that the majority of HPV infections found in women and men are asymptomatic, but it can lead to mortality and long-term sequelae.<br />
<br />
The study claimed that more than 340,000 women every year die of cervical cancer. The researchers said that HPV infection generally manifests clinically as anogenital warts in men which increases HPV transmission rates and leads to significant morbidity.</p>

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As per a new study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health journal, at least one in three men above the age of 15 is infected with at least one type of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), and one in five contracts one or more of high-risk HPV types.

As per a new study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health journal, at least one in three men above the age of 15 is infected with at least one type of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), and one in five contracts one or more of high-risk HPV types. As per the research, men frequently contract genital HPV infections and pressed on the need to involve men in efforts to control HPV infection and reduce the number of related diseases in both men and women. HPV is a viral infection which commonly leads to skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). There exist more than 100 varieties of HPV. ALSO READ | Study suggests brain stimulation enhances mathematical skills "This global study on the prevalence of genital HPV infection among men confirms how widespread HPV infection is. HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause genital warts and oral, penile and anal cancer in men," stated Meg Doherty, Director of WHO's Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes. "We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and to reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women," said Doherty, in a statement. HPV's global prevalence is 31 per cent: study The meta-analysis and systematic review assessed the genital HPV infection's prevalence in the general male population on the basis of the studies published between 1995 and 2022. The study further discovered that HPV's global pooled prevalence was 31 per cent and that of high-risk HPV was 21 per cent. HPV-16 was found to be the most prevalent HPV genotype (5 per cent ) which was followed by HPV-6 (4 per cent ). The prevalence of HPV was high in young adults, which was found maximum in the age bracket of 25 years and 29 years, and slightly decreased or stabilised thereafter, said the researchers. WATCH | Gravitas | Study: Antibiotics wipe out gut microbiomes, damage immune system They added that pooled prevalence estimates were found the same in the UN Sustainable Development Goal geographical regions of Europe and Northern America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania). As per the researchers, the estimates for Eastern and South-Eastern Asia were half in comparison to the other regions. They stated that the majority of HPV infections found in women and men are asymptomatic, but it can lead to mortality and long-term sequelae. The study claimed that more than 340,000 women every year die of cervical cancer. The researchers said that HPV infection generally manifests clinically as anogenital warts in men which increases HPV transmission rates and leads to significant morbidity. 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

One in three men infected with genital HPV globally, claims study

In the health sector, a study has come to know it comes the cases of people are the age of 50 have now gone up significantly. The study further says that the number has now risen by nearly 80 percent in the last three decades.

Cancer spikes by nearly 80% in nearly 20 years

<p>Conservationists fear that the Asian hornet has likely established itself in the UK, following the discovery of a record number of nests, reported Guardian. The UK has witnessed a significant surge in sightings of this invasive species in 2023, with 22 confirmed cases, in stark contrast to just two sightings in each of the last two years. This brings the total number of sightings since 2016 to 45.</p>

<h2><strong>Kent emerges as concern</strong></h2>

<p>The majority of these sightings have occurred in Kent, prompting concerns that the species may have firmly rooted itself in the region. The government's strategy involves locating and eliminating every hornet and nest to prevent overwintering and multiplication, as eradicating them once established is a formidable challenge.</p>

<h2><strong>Expert apprehension</strong></h2>

<p>Renowned bumblebee conservation expert, Professor Dave Goulson from the University of Sussex, expressed his apprehension, suggesting that it may be too early to confirm, but the situation appears ominous.</p>

<p>He reportedly told the media outlet, “If even one nest evades detection and reproduces it will then probably become impossible to prevent them establishing.”</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsofts-wordpad-launched-in-1995-set-to-be-removed-from-windows-632225">Microsoft's WordPad, launched in 1995, set to be removed from Windows</a></p>

<p>Goulson stressed that once established, Asian hornets are likely to persist indefinitely, posing a substantial threat to native bee populations.</p>

<p>He added, “The arrival of Asian hornets would provide a significant new threat to insect populations that are already much reduced due to the many other pressures they face, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and so on.”</p>

<p>Asian hornets are notorious for dismembering and preying on native bees, particularly honeybees.</p>

<p>Their presence in France has also caused concern due to the large number of insects they've killed. Positioned outside honeybee hives, they capture incoming and outgoing bees, dismember smaller insects, and feed their thoraxes to their offspring.</p>

<h2><strong>Hope remains for control</strong></h2>

<p>Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive of the insect charity Buglife, echoed Goulson's concerns but suggested that it might be premature to abandon control efforts.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/convicted-proud-boys-member-claims-trump-will-pardon-him-in-2024-632198">Convicted Proud Boys member claims Trump will pardon him in 2024</a></p>

<p>“Removing nests has probably managed to slow its colonisation, and the abundance of different wasps can be strongly influenced by weather, so we can still hope that eradication efforts, perhaps with some lucky weather, might nip this colonisation in the bud.”</p>

<p>Watch | Labour reshuffle: Sir Keir Starmer to shake up shadow cabinet</p>

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<p>Julie Coleman, a trustee of the British Beekeepers Association in Kent, speculated that hornets might have already overwintered in the region.&nbsp;“The fact that we seem to have a cluster around the coast in Kent, also Dorset, Plymouth, Weymouth and Hampshire, makes me think they are coming across on the wind. And there could have been an overwintered nest in Kent which has sent out hibernating queens in the autumn.”</p>

<p>Asian hornets first arrived in Europe in 2004, likely transported inadvertently via cargo from Asia. They quickly spread across western Europe and have now reached Britain, possibly aided by post-Brexit trade rules.</p>

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Conservationists fear that the Asian hornet has likely established itself in the UK, following the discovery of a record number of nests, reported Guardian. The UK has witnessed a significant surge in sightings of this invasive species in 2023, with 22 confirmed cases, in stark contrast to just two sightings in each of the last two years.

Conservationists fear that the Asian hornet has likely established itself in the UK, following the discovery of a record number of nests, reported Guardian. The UK has witnessed a significant surge in sightings of this invasive species in 2023, with 22 confirmed cases, in stark contrast to just two sightings in each of the last two years. This brings the total number of sightings since 2016 to 45. Kent emerges as concern The majority of these sightings have occurred in Kent, prompting concerns that the species may have firmly rooted itself in the region. The government's strategy involves locating and eliminating every hornet and nest to prevent overwintering and multiplication, as eradicating them once established is a formidable challenge. Expert apprehension Renowned bumblebee conservation expert, Professor Dave Goulson from the University of Sussex, expressed his apprehension, suggesting that it may be too early to confirm, but the situation appears ominous. He reportedly told the media outlet, “If even one nest evades detection and reproduces it will then probably become impossible to prevent them establishing.” Also Read | Microsoft's WordPad, launched in 1995, set to be removed from Windows Goulson stressed that once established, Asian hornets are likely to persist indefinitely, posing a substantial threat to native bee populations. He added, “The arrival of Asian hornets would provide a significant new threat to insect populations that are already much reduced due to the many other pressures they face, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and so on.” Asian hornets are notorious for dismembering and preying on native bees, particularly honeybees. Their presence in France has also caused concern due to the large number of insects they've killed. Positioned outside honeybee hives, they capture incoming and outgoing bees, dismember smaller insects, and feed their thoraxes to their offspring. Hope remains for control Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive of the insect charity Buglife, echoed Goulson's concerns but suggested that it might be premature to abandon control efforts. Also Read | Convicted Proud Boys member claims Trump will pardon him in 2024 “Removing nests has probably managed to slow its colonisation, and the abundance of different wasps can be strongly influenced by weather, so we can still hope that eradication efforts, perhaps with some lucky weather, might nip this colonisation in the bud.” Watch | Labour reshuffle: Sir Keir Starmer to shake up shadow cabinet × Julie Coleman, a trustee of the British Beekeepers Association in Kent, speculated that hornets might have already overwintered in the region. “The fact that we seem to have a cluster around the coast in Kent, also Dorset, Plymouth, Weymouth and Hampshire, makes me think they are coming across on the wind. And there could have been an overwintered nest in Kent which has sent out hibernating queens in the autumn.” Asian hornets first arrived in Europe in 2004, likely transported inadvertently via cargo from Asia. They quickly spread across western Europe and have now reached Britain, possibly aided by post-Brexit trade rules. 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. ×

Asian Hornet may have established presence in UK, threatening native bees

<p>Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Argument around existence of ‘Planet Nine’</strong></h2>

<p>Scientists have been debating about the presence of the so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-mysterious-planet-may-be-lurking-around-in-our-solar-system-621243">Planet Nine</a>, the supposedly massive terrestrial planet for some time now, after Pluto was unceremoniously stripped of its planetary status and declared a dwarf planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, the most distant single object ever to be found in our solar system is some 132 astronomical units from the Sun, to put this into perspective, Pluto is at an average distance of about 40 astronomical units from the Sun.</p>

<h2><strong>About the new theory</strong></h2>

<p>Planetary scientists Patryk Sofia Lykawka of Kindai University in Japan and Takashi Ito of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, in a recent paper, published in The Astronomical Journal, have put forth an alternative explanation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They suggest that there might be a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet revolving around the Sun, closer to the debated Planet Nine, on a tilted orbit.</p>

<p>Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) found beyond the orbit of Neptune, which scientists have recently taken note of due to their peculiar clustering behaviour have led them to suggest the presence of a hidden world and the idea of a 9th planet lurking beyond our range of visibility.</p>

<p>“We predict the existence of an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-earth-like-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone-around-its-star-558568">Earth-like planet</a> and several trans-Neptunian objects on peculiar orbits in the outer solar system, which can serve as observationally testable signatures of the putative planet’s perturbations,” the duo wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes as scientists have found a number of TNOs including icy rocks and dwarf planets beyond Neptune which are some 30 astronomical units from the Sun, which extend as far as we can see. This is the Kuiper belt and the objects it contains are called TNOs.</p>

<p>Lykawka and Ito said that they have found the properties of a hypothetical planet that could explain “three fundamental properties of the distant Kuiper Belt: a prominent population of TNOs with orbits beyond Neptune’s gravitational influence, a significant population of high-inclination objects, and the existence of some extreme objects with peculiar orbits.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two scientists suggested that the mass of this possible Earth-like planet would be between 1.5 and three times that of Earth. The most distant point from the Sun in this planet’s orbit would be between 250 and 500 astronomical units and an inclination of 30 degrees respective to the plane of the solar system.&nbsp;<br />
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Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine.

Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine. Argument around existence of ‘Planet Nine’ Scientists have been debating about the presence of the so-called Planet Nine, the supposedly massive terrestrial planet for some time now, after Pluto was unceremoniously stripped of its planetary status and declared a dwarf planet. So far, the most distant single object ever to be found in our solar system is some 132 astronomical units from the Sun, to put this into perspective, Pluto is at an average distance of about 40 astronomical units from the Sun. About the new theory Planetary scientists Patryk Sofia Lykawka of Kindai University in Japan and Takashi Ito of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, in a recent paper, published in The Astronomical Journal, have put forth an alternative explanation. They suggest that there might be a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet revolving around the Sun, closer to the debated Planet Nine, on a tilted orbit. Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) found beyond the orbit of Neptune, which scientists have recently taken note of due to their peculiar clustering behaviour have led them to suggest the presence of a hidden world and the idea of a 9th planet lurking beyond our range of visibility. “We predict the existence of an Earth-like planet and several trans-Neptunian objects on peculiar orbits in the outer solar system, which can serve as observationally testable signatures of the putative planet’s perturbations,” the duo wrote. This comes as scientists have found a number of TNOs including icy rocks and dwarf planets beyond Neptune which are some 30 astronomical units from the Sun, which extend as far as we can see. This is the Kuiper belt and the objects it contains are called TNOs. Lykawka and Ito said that they have found the properties of a hypothetical planet that could explain “three fundamental properties of the distant Kuiper Belt: a prominent population of TNOs with orbits beyond Neptune’s gravitational influence, a significant population of high-inclination objects, and the existence of some extreme objects with peculiar orbits.” The two scientists suggested that the mass of this possible Earth-like planet would be between 1.5 and three times that of Earth. The most distant point from the Sun in this planet’s orbit would be between 250 and 500 astronomical units and an inclination of 30 degrees respective to the plane of the solar system. 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 believe an Earth-like planet might be hiding in our solar system

<p>Female surgeons perform better than their male counterparts, two recent studies published in&nbsp;JAMA Surgery have found. In a review of millions of procedures in Canada and Sweden, the researchers found that patients treated by female surgeons were better off, 90 days to one year after the surgery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, in the first study, 17 researchers in the US and Canada went through data of 1.2 million patients in Canada who underwent common surgeries between 2007 and 2020. The researchers said they accounted for different characteristics, such as patient age, surgeon experience, and hospital setting among other things that may affect the surgical outcomes, during data collection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After 90 days and one year following the surgery, the study authors found that patients treated by female surgeons were&nbsp;less likely to experience adverse postoperative issues, including death. Although the outcome differences were modest, they remained consistent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly enough, the researchers found that when male surgeons treated female patients, outcomes were slightly worse.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/are-you-turning-against-planet-by-using-paper-cups-research-exposes-hidden-toxicity-629781"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Are you turning against planet by using paper cups? Research exposes hidden toxicity?</strong></a></p>

<p>Patients treated by female surgeons had&nbsp;postoperative complications about 12.5 per cent of the time, compared to about 14 per cent by male surgeons,&nbsp;90 days post-surgery.</p>

<p>At the one-year stage, the divide was bigger as male-treated patients had adverse postoperative events 25 per cent&nbsp;of the time, versus 20 per cent&nbsp;of the time from female-treated patients.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jordans-kin-hussein-cancer-centre-introduces-robotic-surgery-630423"><strong>Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;Jordan's Kin Hussein Cancer Centre introduces robotic surgery</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What did the second study show?</strong></h2>

<p>The second study focused on more than 100,00 patients in Sweden who had undergone surgery to remove their gallbladder. Although female surgeons spent longer time on the operation table, their patients had shorter hospital stays and less invasive surgeries, the study showed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their male counterparts spent an average of eight minutes less per operation, but complications such as&nbsp;bleeding, perforations of the intestine or bowel, bile duct lesions, leakage and abscesses occurred nearly 30 per cent&nbsp;more often.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“In clinical practice, it is important to promote safety and caution in favour of speed, especially when we educate younger surgeons, regardless of the surgeon’s gender,”&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;My Blohm, lead author of the study was quoted as saying by <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers added that the two studies backed up a growing body of literature that points to better health-related results for patients&nbsp;who were treated by female doctors.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Female surgeons perform better than their male counterparts, two recent studies published in JAMA Surgery have found. In a review of millions of procedures in Canada and Sweden, the researchers found that patients treated by female surgeons were better off, 90 days to one year after the surgery.

Female surgeons perform better than their male counterparts, two recent studies published in JAMA Surgery have found. In a review of millions of procedures in Canada and Sweden, the researchers found that patients treated by female surgeons were better off, 90 days to one year after the surgery. Notably, in the first study, 17 researchers in the US and Canada went through data of 1.2 million patients in Canada who underwent common surgeries between 2007 and 2020. The researchers said they accounted for different characteristics, such as patient age, surgeon experience, and hospital setting among other things that may affect the surgical outcomes, during data collection. After 90 days and one year following the surgery, the study authors found that patients treated by female surgeons were less likely to experience adverse postoperative issues, including death. Although the outcome differences were modest, they remained consistent. Interestingly enough, the researchers found that when male surgeons treated female patients, outcomes were slightly worse. Also read | Are you turning against planet by using paper cups? Research exposes hidden toxicity? Patients treated by female surgeons had postoperative complications about 12.5 per cent of the time, compared to about 14 per cent by male surgeons, 90 days post-surgery. At the one-year stage, the divide was bigger as male-treated patients had adverse postoperative events 25 per cent of the time, versus 20 per cent of the time from female-treated patients. Watch | Jordan's Kin Hussein Cancer Centre introduces robotic surgery × What did the second study show? The second study focused on more than 100,00 patients in Sweden who had undergone surgery to remove their gallbladder. Although female surgeons spent longer time on the operation table, their patients had shorter hospital stays and less invasive surgeries, the study showed. Their male counterparts spent an average of eight minutes less per operation, but complications such as bleeding, perforations of the intestine or bowel, bile duct lesions, leakage and abscesses occurred nearly 30 per cent more often. “In clinical practice, it is important to promote safety and caution in favour of speed, especially when we educate younger surgeons, regardless of the surgeon’s gender,” Dr My Blohm, lead author of the study was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal. Researchers added that the two studies backed up a growing body of literature that points to better health-related results for patients who were treated by female doctors. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Female surgeons are better than male counterparts, studies show

Studies show that female surgeons are significantly better than male surgeons. Patients seem to have lesser complications when dealing with female surgeons. Will we see more women in the industry?

Gravitas | Study: Female Surgeons Are Better At Operations

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms: Beer goggles aren't real, liquid courage is, says Study.

Beer goggles aren't real, liquid courage is, says Study | Trending on WION

<p>A long-standing belief that alcohol could influence people's perception of physical attractiveness, commonly referred to as the "beer goggles" effect, has been debunked by a recent study.</p>

<p>Contrary to the popular notion that alcohol enhances the appeal of others, researchers found that alcohol did not significantly alter participants' perceptions of attractiveness. However, the study did unveil an interesting twist - alcohol seemed to provide a boost of "liquid courage," increasing the willingness to engage with attractive individuals.</p>

<h2><strong>Origin&nbsp;of 'Beer Goggles'</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The concept of "beer goggles" first emerged as a colloquial term among male North American university students in the 1980s.</p>

<p>Despite its casual popularity, there has been a lack of systematic research to validate the phenomenon. Past studies, which involved having participants rate attractiveness of others in sober and intoxicated states based on images, yielded mixed outcomes.</p>

<p>These inconsistencies prompted Prof Molly Bowdring from the Stanford Prevention Research Center in Palo Alto, California, to delve into the matter more comprehensively.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/england-to-become-first-country-to-offer-seven-minute-cancer-treatment-jab-630383">England to become first country to offer seven-minute cancer treatment jab</a></p>

<h2><strong>Study</strong></h2>

<p>Prof Bowdring, along with Prof Michael Sayette from the University of Pittsburgh, invited pairs of male friends into their laboratory for the study. The pairs were asked to rate the attractiveness of individuals in photos and videos.</p>

<p>One session involved alcohol consumption, raising participants' blood alcohol concentration to approximately 0.08% – equivalent to the legal driving limit in several countries. The other session featured non-alcoholic beverages.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemala-president-elects-party-appeals-for-annulment-of-its-suspension-630381">Guatemala president-elect's party appeals for annulment of its suspension</a></p>

<p>Surprisingly, the study results did not support the notion of alcohol heightening perceptions of attractiveness. However, the researchers observed that intoxicated participants were 1.71 times more likely to choose the individuals they deemed most attractive for potential interaction in future experiments.</p>

<h2><strong>'Liquid courage'&nbsp;vs. 'Beer goggles'</strong></h2>

<p>Rebecca Monk, a psychology professor at Edge Hill University, noted that while the traditional "beer goggles" effect wasn't confirmed, the study highlighted the phenomenon of "liquid courage." This term describes the increased confidence alcohol can provide, leading individuals to express interest in interacting with attractive others.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russia: Private funeral held for late Wagner Chief Prigozhin</strong></p>

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<p>The implications of this study extend beyond dispelling a popular belief. The findings shed light on alcohol's role in influencing social behaviors, particularly those involving interactions with attractive individuals. The researchers&nbsp;suggest that understanding these effects can provide insights into the complex interplay between alcohol consumption and risky behaviors, such as engaging in unsafe sexual activities.</p>

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A long-standing belief that alcohol could influence people's perception of physical attractiveness, commonly referred to as the "beer goggles" effect, has been debunked by a recent study.

A long-standing belief that alcohol could influence people's perception of physical attractiveness, commonly referred to as the "beer goggles" effect, has been debunked by a recent study. Contrary to the popular notion that alcohol enhances the appeal of others, researchers found that alcohol did not significantly alter participants' perceptions of attractiveness. However, the study did unveil an interesting twist - alcohol seemed to provide a boost of "liquid courage," increasing the willingness to engage with attractive individuals. Origin of 'Beer Goggles' The concept of "beer goggles" first emerged as a colloquial term among male North American university students in the 1980s. Despite its casual popularity, there has been a lack of systematic research to validate the phenomenon. Past studies, which involved having participants rate attractiveness of others in sober and intoxicated states based on images, yielded mixed outcomes. These inconsistencies prompted Prof Molly Bowdring from the Stanford Prevention Research Center in Palo Alto, California, to delve into the matter more comprehensively. Also Read | England to become first country to offer seven-minute cancer treatment jab Study Prof Bowdring, along with Prof Michael Sayette from the University of Pittsburgh, invited pairs of male friends into their laboratory for the study. The pairs were asked to rate the attractiveness of individuals in photos and videos. One session involved alcohol consumption, raising participants' blood alcohol concentration to approximately 0.08% – equivalent to the legal driving limit in several countries. The other session featured non-alcoholic beverages. Also Read | Guatemala president-elect's party appeals for annulment of its suspension Surprisingly, the study results did not support the notion of alcohol heightening perceptions of attractiveness. However, the researchers observed that intoxicated participants were 1.71 times more likely to choose the individuals they deemed most attractive for potential interaction in future experiments. 'Liquid courage' vs. 'Beer goggles' Rebecca Monk, a psychology professor at Edge Hill University, noted that while the traditional "beer goggles" effect wasn't confirmed, the study highlighted the phenomenon of "liquid courage." This term describes the increased confidence alcohol can provide, leading individuals to express interest in interacting with attractive others. Watch | Russia: Private funeral held for late Wagner Chief Prigozhin × The implications of this study extend beyond dispelling a popular belief. The findings shed light on alcohol's role in influencing social behaviors, particularly those involving interactions with attractive individuals. The researchers suggest that understanding these effects can provide insights into the complex interplay between alcohol consumption and risky behaviors, such as engaging in unsafe sexual activities. 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 challenges existence of 'Beer Goggles' phenomenon, says alcohol doesn't enhance perceived attractiveness

<p>The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the&nbsp;60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has&nbsp;left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.</p>

<p>The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans.</p>

<p>Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary."</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/population-growth-insufficient-to-strengthen-indias-economy-moodys-investors-service-630088">Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service&nbsp;</a></p>

<h2><strong>Some missing link?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>60 Minutes Australia&nbsp;suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-nearing-8-year-low-in-monsoon-rainfall-sources-630086">India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Devolution'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution.</p>

<p>However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible".</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings</strong></p>

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<p>Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait.</p>

<p>Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans.</p>

<h2><strong>An unconventional gait&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands.</p>

<p>"I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet.&nbsp;</p>

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The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.

The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment. The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans. Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary." Also Read | Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service Some missing link? 60 Minutes Australia suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist. Also Read | India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall 'Devolution' Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution. However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible". Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings × Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait. Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans. An unconventional gait Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands. "I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet. 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 Ulas family, that walks on all fours, has puzzled scientists

<p>Scientists may have uncovered a breakthrough strategy to aid in the&nbsp;slowing down of Alzheimer's progression in humans, as per the findings of one latest study.</p>

<p>Researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) conducted a study using a mouse model of Alzheimer's. With the study, the researchers managed to regularise the circadian clocks of the mice effectively&nbsp;through an intermittent fasting regimen. It is worth noting that circadian clocks are disrupted by Alzheimer's leading to&nbsp;altered sleep patterns, increased cognitive impairment during evenings, and sleep-related difficulties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study's findings have been published in Cell Metabolism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-idalia-lashes-western-cuba-as-it-intensifies-into-major-hurricane-630067">Storm Idalia lashes western Cuba as it intensifies into major hurricane</a></p>

<h2><strong>The findings&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The research team imposed a time-restricted feeding schedule on the mice, resulting in noticeable enhancements in their memory function. Furthermore, the accumulation of amyloid proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, was reduced in the brains of the fasting mice.</p>

<p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Mice adhering to the feeding schedule displayed more regular sleep patterns, reduced nighttime hyperactivity, and fewer sleep disruptions compared to mice with unrestricted eating times.</span></p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-turned-x-faced-another-outage-down-for-thousands-of-users-630065">Twitter turned 'X' faces another outage, platform down for thousands of users</a></p>

<p>Neuroscientist Paula Desplats from UC San Diego reportedly said, "For many years, we assumed that the circadian disruptions seen in people with Alzheimer's are a result of neurodegeneration, but we're now learning it may be the other way around – circadian disruption may be one of the main drivers of Alzheimer's pathology."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This makes circadian disruptions a promising target for new Alzheimer's treatments, and our findings provide the proof-of-concept for an easy and accessible way to correct these disruptions,"&nbsp;Desplats added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mice were confined to a six-hour eating window daily, equivalent to a 14-hour fasting period within a 24-hour cycle for humans. This fasting approach appeared to reset the natural circadian rhythms disrupted by Alzheimer's.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: 'Don't Speak Japanese Loudly'; Tokyo Cautions Citizens Amid Harassment In China&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Intermittent fasting presents a practical and relatively straightforward regimen that individuals can adopt. If replicated in human trials, these findings hold promise as an additional avenue in the battle against this debilitating form of dementia.&nbsp;It paves the way for further research and potential breakthroughs in Alzheimer's.</p>

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Scientists may have uncovered a breakthrough strategy to aid in the slowing down of Alzheimer's progression in humans, as per the findings of one latest study. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) conducted a study using a mouse model of Alzheimer's.

Scientists may have uncovered a breakthrough strategy to aid in the slowing down of Alzheimer's progression in humans, as per the findings of one latest study. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) conducted a study using a mouse model of Alzheimer's. With the study, the researchers managed to regularise the circadian clocks of the mice effectively through an intermittent fasting regimen. It is worth noting that circadian clocks are disrupted by Alzheimer's leading to altered sleep patterns, increased cognitive impairment during evenings, and sleep-related difficulties. The study's findings have been published in Cell Metabolism. Also Read | Storm Idalia lashes western Cuba as it intensifies into major hurricane The findings The research team imposed a time-restricted feeding schedule on the mice, resulting in noticeable enhancements in their memory function. Furthermore, the accumulation of amyloid proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, was reduced in the brains of the fasting mice. Mice adhering to the feeding schedule displayed more regular sleep patterns, reduced nighttime hyperactivity, and fewer sleep disruptions compared to mice with unrestricted eating times. Also Read | Twitter turned 'X' faces another outage, platform down for thousands of users Neuroscientist Paula Desplats from UC San Diego reportedly said, "For many years, we assumed that the circadian disruptions seen in people with Alzheimer's are a result of neurodegeneration, but we're now learning it may be the other way around – circadian disruption may be one of the main drivers of Alzheimer's pathology." "This makes circadian disruptions a promising target for new Alzheimer's treatments, and our findings provide the proof-of-concept for an easy and accessible way to correct these disruptions," Desplats added. The mice were confined to a six-hour eating window daily, equivalent to a 14-hour fasting period within a 24-hour cycle for humans. This fasting approach appeared to reset the natural circadian rhythms disrupted by Alzheimer's. Watch | Gravitas: 'Don't Speak Japanese Loudly'; Tokyo Cautions Citizens Amid Harassment In China × Intermittent fasting presents a practical and relatively straightforward regimen that individuals can adopt. If replicated in human trials, these findings hold promise as an additional avenue in the battle against this debilitating form of dementia. It paves the way for further research and potential breakthroughs in 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. ×

Intermittent fasting shows potential in slowing down Alzheimer's progression: Study

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<p>Almost 2,900 years ago, a brickmaker prepared a clay brick that was used in the construction of a new palace dedicated to his King Ashurnasirpal II (approximately 883–859 BCE). All these years later, the scientists at the University of Oxford, using that innocuous brick, have managed to successfully extract ancient DNA from it, revealing details of the flora from this specific area and time, and serving as a time capsule.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study published in Nature Scientific Reports offers a rare insight into the diversity of plant species during the said era. The scientists found the 'time capsule' near the river Tigris, outside the ancient city of Kalhu, known today as Nimrud in Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We were absolutely thrilled to discover that ancient DNA, effectively protected from contamination inside a mass of clay, can successfully be extracted from a 2,900-year-old brick," said biologist Sophie Lund Rasmussen from the University of Oxford.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-biodiversity-suffers-from-global-warming-548103"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Biodiversity suffers from global warming</strong></a></p>

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<p>The astonishing brick is currently being kept at the National Museum of Denmark and was donated in 1958 by the Rask Ørsted Foundation. It was discovered during the British excavations of Nimrud, beginning in 1949.</p>

<p>Brassicaceae (the cabbage and mustard family) and Ericaceae (heather) were the plant families with the most abundant DNA in the brick. Genetic material from Selineae (the family containing carrots and parsley), Betulaceae (birch), Lauraceae (laurels) and Triticeae (cultivated grasses) was also found.</p>

<h2><strong>A pioneering study&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The pioneering study could pave the way for similar studies on clay material from various sites and time periods. Although the team of researchers focused on plant DNA as it is most well-preserved, the same technique could be used to search for animal DNA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Because of the inscription on the brick, we can allocate the clay to a relatively specific period of time in a particular region, which means the brick serves as a biodiversity time-capsule of information regarding a single site and its surroundings. In this case, it provides researchers with unique access to the ancient Assyrians," said Dr Troels Arb¸ll, joint first author of the paper.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-what-is-anthropocene-the-new-epoch-marked-by-human-impact-614721" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Explained | What is Anthropocene? The new epoch marked by damaging human impact</strong></a></p>

<p>Notably, during the study in 2020, the lower half of the brick unfortunately split vertically into two pieces. Despite the split, the accident "presented an opportunity for a scientific study of uncontaminated clay that could be dated with relative certainty", the research paper stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Almost 2,900 years ago, a brickmaker prepared a clay brick that was used in the construction of a new palace dedicated to his King Ashurnasirpal II (approximately 883–859 BCE).

Almost 2,900 years ago, a brickmaker prepared a clay brick that was used in the construction of a new palace dedicated to his King Ashurnasirpal II (approximately 883–859 BCE). All these years later, the scientists at the University of Oxford, using that innocuous brick, have managed to successfully extract ancient DNA from it, revealing details of the flora from this specific area and time, and serving as a time capsule. The study published in Nature Scientific Reports offers a rare insight into the diversity of plant species during the said era. The scientists found the 'time capsule' near the river Tigris, outside the ancient city of Kalhu, known today as Nimrud in Iran. "We were absolutely thrilled to discover that ancient DNA, effectively protected from contamination inside a mass of clay, can successfully be extracted from a 2,900-year-old brick," said biologist Sophie Lund Rasmussen from the University of Oxford. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Biodiversity suffers from global warming The astonishing brick is currently being kept at the National Museum of Denmark and was donated in 1958 by the Rask Ørsted Foundation. It was discovered during the British excavations of Nimrud, beginning in 1949. Brassicaceae (the cabbage and mustard family) and Ericaceae (heather) were the plant families with the most abundant DNA in the brick. Genetic material from Selineae (the family containing carrots and parsley), Betulaceae (birch), Lauraceae (laurels) and Triticeae (cultivated grasses) was also found. A pioneering study The pioneering study could pave the way for similar studies on clay material from various sites and time periods. Although the team of researchers focused on plant DNA as it is most well-preserved, the same technique could be used to search for animal DNA. "Because of the inscription on the brick, we can allocate the clay to a relatively specific period of time in a particular region, which means the brick serves as a biodiversity time-capsule of information regarding a single site and its surroundings. In this case, it provides researchers with unique access to the ancient Assyrians," said Dr Troels Arb¸ll, joint first author of the paper. Also read | Explained | What is Anthropocene? The new epoch marked by damaging human impact Notably, during the study in 2020, the lower half of the brick unfortunately split vertically into two pieces. Despite the split, the accident "presented an opportunity for a scientific study of uncontaminated clay that could be dated with relative certainty", the research paper stated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ancient 2,900 year-old clay brick becomes a time capsule of ancient DNA

<p>A recent study has unveiled intriguing findings that suggest laughter has a positive impact on heart health by inducing the expansion of heart tissue and enhancing oxygen circulation throughout the body, media reports said. Researchers conducted an experiment to explore the potential benefits of laughter therapy in addressing heart disease symptoms.</p>

<p>The study mainly focused on individuals with coronary artery disease, a condition resulting from the accumulation of plaque within the arteries supplying blood to the heart. As part of the study, twenty-six participants, with an average age of 64, were diagnosed with coronary artery disease.</p>

<p>Over a span of three months, the participants were divided into two groups to understand the linkages between laughter and heart&nbsp;health. One of the groups watched hour-long comedy programmes twice a week, while the other group watched serious documentaries on topics for instance, politics and the Amazon rainforest.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-authorities-to-ban-wearing-islamic-abayas-in-schools-629795">French authorities to ban wearing Islamic abayas in schools</a></p>

<h2><strong>Study findings&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>At the conclusion of the 12-week experiment, the comedy-watching group displayed significant improvements in terms of boosting their heart health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the study findings, the cardiovascular system's functional capacity was increased by 10 per cent. The conclusion was reached following a test measuring the heart's ability to pump oxygen throughout the body.</p>

<p>Additionally, this group exhibited improved arterial expansion. Blood tests conducted to measure inflammatory biomarkers demonstrated a significant reduction in plaque-related inflammation. This implied that there was a decreased risk of heart attack or stroke.</p>

<h2><strong>Study significance</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Lead author Prof Marco Saffi of Brazil's Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre said,&nbsp;“When patients with coronary artery disease arrive at hospital, they have a lot of inflammatory biomarkers. Inflammation is a huge part of the process of atherosclerosis, when plaque builds up in the arteries."&nbsp;</p>

<p>After looking at the study findings,&nbsp;Saffi added, “This study found that laughter therapy is a good intervention that could help reduce that inflammation and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke."</p>

<p>He also spoke of the significance the study holds and the immense potential of it to address heart health challenges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-definitely-be-left-alone-zelensky-says-allies-will-not-back-ukraine-in-hostilities-on-russian-soil-629791">'We will definitely be left alone': Zelensky says allies will not back Ukraine in hostilities on Russian soil</a></p>

<p>“Laughter therapy could be implemented in institutions and health systems like the NHS for patients at risk of heart problems," he said adding,&nbsp;“It does not have to be TV programmes – people with heart disease could be invited to comedy evenings, or encouraged to enjoy fun evenings with friends and family. People should try to do things that make them laugh at least twice a week.”</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi under scanner for Hijab removal song</strong></p>

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<p>Moreover, the professor also pointed out that laughter therapy might offer an avenue for reducing the reliance on medication. However, additional research is needed to validate and expand upon these findings.</p>

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A recent study has unveiled intriguing findings that suggest laughter has a positive impact on heart health by inducing the expansion of heart tissue and enhancing oxygen circulation throughout the body, media reports said.

A recent study has unveiled intriguing findings that suggest laughter has a positive impact on heart health by inducing the expansion of heart tissue and enhancing oxygen circulation throughout the body, media reports said. Researchers conducted an experiment to explore the potential benefits of laughter therapy in addressing heart disease symptoms. The study mainly focused on individuals with coronary artery disease, a condition resulting from the accumulation of plaque within the arteries supplying blood to the heart. As part of the study, twenty-six participants, with an average age of 64, were diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Over a span of three months, the participants were divided into two groups to understand the linkages between laughter and heart health. One of the groups watched hour-long comedy programmes twice a week, while the other group watched serious documentaries on topics for instance, politics and the Amazon rainforest. Also Read | French authorities to ban wearing Islamic abayas in schools Study findings At the conclusion of the 12-week experiment, the comedy-watching group displayed significant improvements in terms of boosting their heart health. As per the study findings, the cardiovascular system's functional capacity was increased by 10 per cent. The conclusion was reached following a test measuring the heart's ability to pump oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, this group exhibited improved arterial expansion. Blood tests conducted to measure inflammatory biomarkers demonstrated a significant reduction in plaque-related inflammation. This implied that there was a decreased risk of heart attack or stroke. Study significance Lead author Prof Marco Saffi of Brazil's Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre said, “When patients with coronary artery disease arrive at hospital, they have a lot of inflammatory biomarkers. Inflammation is a huge part of the process of atherosclerosis, when plaque builds up in the arteries." After looking at the study findings, Saffi added, “This study found that laughter therapy is a good intervention that could help reduce that inflammation and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke." He also spoke of the significance the study holds and the immense potential of it to address heart health challenges. Also Read | 'We will definitely be left alone': Zelensky says allies will not back Ukraine in hostilities on Russian soil “Laughter therapy could be implemented in institutions and health systems like the NHS for patients at risk of heart problems," he said adding, “It does not have to be TV programmes – people with heart disease could be invited to comedy evenings, or encouraged to enjoy fun evenings with friends and family. People should try to do things that make them laugh at least twice a week.” Watch | Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi under scanner for Hijab removal song × Moreover, the professor also pointed out that laughter therapy might offer an avenue for reducing the reliance on medication. However, additional research is needed to validate and expand upon these findings. 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. ×

Laughter is the best medicine for your heart, quite literally, study finds

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