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Hubble Space Telescope Captures Stunning 'Bullseye' Galaxy, Offering Glimpse into Cosmic Collisions

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 / No Comments

LEDA 1313424, aptly nicknamed the Bullseye, is two and a half times the size of our Milky Way and has nine rings — six more than any other known galaxy. | Credit: NASA, ESA, Imad Pasha (Yale), Pieter van Dokkum (Yale)The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an extraordinary image of a galaxy that resembles a giant bullseye, a discovery that provides valuable insights into galactic collisions. The galaxy, formally known as LEDA 1313424, is approximately two and a half times the size of our Milky Way and is surrounded by a series of concentric rings. These rings were created when a smaller blue dwarf galaxy passed directly through the center of LEDA 1313424 around 50 million years ago, sparking the formation of new stars and leaving behind a series of "ripples" in the galaxy's structure.

Astronomers have long theorized that such collisions could produce rings, but this is the first time that so many rings—eight—have been observed in a single galaxy. In fact, one of the W.M. Keck Observatory’s findings suggests a ninth ring. The discovery marks the most rings ever seen in any galaxy and provides strong evidence to support computational models that predict how such galactic interactions unfold. Researchers are excited to learn that this event, a rare moment in cosmic history, could be confirmed with this stunning image, which also showcases the lasting impact of galaxy collisions.

The lead researcher, Imad Pasha from Yale University, describes the find as serendipitous, as he stumbled upon the galaxy while analyzing a ground-based imaging survey. While galactic collisions are common, it is unusual for a smaller galaxy to pass directly through the center of a larger one, creating such a symmetrical and captivating pattern. This collision has not only left behind multiple rings but has also triggered new regions of star formation, thanks to the mixing of gas and dust ejected during the event.

Scientists now believe that there might be even more galactic rings hidden in the distant reaches of the galaxy. As the Hubble Space Telescope continues to provide unprecedented views of the universe, researchers are hopeful that future observations will reveal more such collisions and help further understand the dynamics of galaxy formation.

The discovery also supports long-standing theoretical models about how galactic rings expand outward from the point of impact. This observation will not only enhance our knowledge of cosmic events but may lead to even more discoveries with upcoming space telescopes, such as NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will be launched in the near future.

This stunning visual and the cosmic revelations it provides remind us of the beauty and complexity of the universe, where collisions and interactions between galaxies can result in incredible and rare phenomena like the "Bullseye" galaxy.

 

Oldest 'Modern' Bird Found in Antarctica, Dating Back to Dinosaur Era

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Illustration image shows a Cretaceous Period bird called Vegavis iaaiA fascinating discovery in Antarctica has uncovered the fossil of the oldest-known member of the bird lineage that leads to all modern birds. This bird, Vegavis iaai, lived around 69 million years ago, just three million years before the asteroid impact that caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period, wiping out most species except for their avian descendants.

The Vegavis fossil, found on Vega Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, includes a nearly complete skull that has allowed scientists to identify it as part of the group of anatomically modern birds. Fossils of this species were first discovered two decades ago, but without sufficient cranial remains, its classification remained unclear. Now, with the new fossil evidence, scientists have been able to place Vegavis firmly within the modern bird family tree, thanks to two key cranial features: the bones of its upper beak and the shape of its brain, both of which are observable in the new specimen.

This ancient bird, which lived in a much warmer and forested Antarctica, was a waterfowl and likely hunted fish and other prey underwater, much like modern loons, grebes, and penguins. Scientists believe that Vegavis was ecologically specialized for hunting in the shallow marine ecosystems around the Antarctic Peninsula, an area that at the time had a temperate climate, vastly different from the icy conditions we associate with Antarctica today.

The Vegavis is one of only two known "modern" birds from the age of dinosaurs, with the other being Asteriornis maastrichtensis, a bird that lived around 67 million years ago in what is now Belgium. The newly found bird was about the size of a mallard but had a distinct, spear-shaped beak, more like a loon than a duck, which suited its fish-eating diet. Its skeletal structure indicates that it was an adept diver, similar to today's loons and grebes, which also hunt underwater by diving and using their feet to propel themselves.

The fossil has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary traits of ancient waterfowl. The researchers noted that Vegavis likely spent time diving for fish and small invertebrates in the waters off ancient Antarctica, a behavior seen in modern species such as loons and grebes. The shape of its skull suggests that, like these birds, Vegavis had the necessary adaptations to snap its jaws shut against the resistive forces of water while pursuing prey underwater.

The discovery has broader implications for the understanding of bird evolution. Researchers now suspect that modern birds may have emerged millions of years earlier than previously thought. While Vegavis is one of the oldest known members of the modern bird lineage, the researchers predict that even older examples may exist, possibly waiting to be discovered in regions like Antarctica or elsewhere. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding the origins of avian species and their survival through the mass extinction events of the Cretaceous period.

The discovery of Vegavis is a remarkable window into the ancient world and the evolution of one of the most diverse and successful groups of animals on Earth. It provides valuable evidence of how birds, which evolved from small feathered dinosaurs, survived through major shifts in climate and ecosystem, ultimately leading to the wide variety of birds that populate the planet today.

As for Vegavis, it represents a pivotal moment in the evolutionary history of birds, bridging the gap between the age of dinosaurs and the emergence of the birds we know today. Its place in the bird family tree offers a glimpse into the ancient ecosystems of Antarctica and how these early birds interacted with their environment, surviving alongside marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and mosasaurs, as well as other prehistoric creatures. This discovery is just one chapter in the ongoing story of how life on Earth evolved and adapted over millions of years, shaping the planet’s biodiversity as we know it today.

AI to Transform Fundamental Physics and Could Reveal the Universe’s Ultimate Fate

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Cern’s next director general Mark Thomson

AI is set to transform fundamental physics, offering a glimpse into the ultimate fate of the universe, according to Mark Thomson, who will become the next director general of CERN in 2026. He asserts that machine learning is unlocking breakthroughs in particle physics that could rival the Nobel-winning achievements of Google DeepMind in protein structure prediction.

At CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), AI-driven techniques are already detecting rare events that could explain how particles gained mass after the Big Bang, and even reveal whether the universe is on the brink of collapse. Thomson emphasizes that these are not just minor improvements but substantial leaps enabled by advanced AI methods.

CERN is also pushing for the construction of the Future Circular Collider, a $17bn project that would surpass the LHC in size, though some are skeptical given the LHC's modest post-Higgs boson discoveries. Nevertheless, Thomson believes AI could significantly boost the hunt for new physics, with significant breakthroughs expected post-2030 when the LHC’s beam intensity will be upgraded tenfold. This upgrade could enable unprecedented studies of the Higgs boson, revealing insights into its role in mass generation.

Thomson explains that measuring Higgs self-coupling—how the Higgs boson gives mass to itself—could transform our understanding of the universe’s origins and its potential future. This phenomenon is so rare that Thomson once thought the LHC wouldn’t be capable of detecting it. However, he now expects it to be measurable.

AI is also enhancing the LHC’s operations, from selecting interesting data to improving our understanding of dark matter. AI allows researchers to ask more complex, open-ended questions, potentially leading to unexpected discoveries. Scientists are using generative AI to probe data for signs of dark matter, a substance that remains largely mysterious. AI’s growing influence promises to push the boundaries of particle physics into new, transformative territory.


 

Lung Cancer Cases Rising Among Non-Smokers: Air Pollution Identified as Key Risk Factor

Monday, February 3, 2025 / No Comments

 

The largest burden of lung cancer attributable to air pollution was found in East Asia, particularly China,Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Rex/ShutterstockA groundbreaking study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), has revealed an alarming global increase in lung cancer cases among individuals who have never smoked. This shift in epidemiological patterns underscores the urgent need for more research into non-tobacco-related carcinogenic factors, with air pollution emerging as a critical contributor.
Adenocarcinoma: The Predominant Subtype
The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, highlights a stark transformation in lung cancer pathology. Historically, smoking-related subtypes such as squamous cell carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were the most prevalent. However, adenocarcinoma—a subtype that originates in the mucus-producing cells of the lungs—has now become the dominant form, particularly among non-smokers.

In 2022 alone, approximately 200,000 cases of adenocarcinoma were directly linked to air pollution exposure, with East Asia, especially China, bearing the highest burden. This shift is thought to be due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic airborne compounds, which can penetrate deep into lung tissue, inducing mutations and inflammatory responses that contribute to oncogenesis.

Changing Risk Profiles: The Role of Air Pollution

Dr. Freddie Bray, head of IARC’s cancer surveillance branch, emphasized that lung cancer incidence is undergoing a fundamental transformation. With smoking prevalence in decline across many high-income nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, a larger proportion of diagnosed lung cancer cases are now among never-smokers.

Crucially, the study calls for enhanced epidemiological surveillance and molecular investigations to determine the precise mechanisms by which air pollution fosters carcinogenesis. The increasing proportion of adenocarcinomas attributable to environmental pollutants suggests that, in the coming decades, ambient air pollution may eclipse tobacco as the primary global driver of lung cancer.

Gender Disparities and Emerging Trends

While lung cancer incidence among men has generally declined over the past four decades, rates among women have continued to climb. In 2022, 1.6 million men and 900,000 women were diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide. The narrowing gender gap aligns with previous findings that women may be more biologically susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution and other environmental carcinogens.

The Guardian previously reported that, in the UK, the number of women diagnosed with lung cancer has surpassed that of men for the first time. This shift is attributed to historical smoking trends—with female smoking rates peaking decades later than those of men—as well as increased environmental exposure risks.

A Call for Policy Action

The findings have profound public health implications, reinforcing the need for:

  • Stringent air quality regulations, particularly in urban and industrialized regions.
  • Improved lung cancer screening strategies, potentially expanding eligibility criteria beyond traditional smoking history.
  • Greater investment in research to dissect the interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, and immune response in lung carcinogenesis.

As Dr. Bray notes, “Understanding how lung cancer risk factors are evolving is essential for optimizing prevention strategies. Tobacco control remains a priority, but air pollution mitigation must now be recognized as a crucial cancer prevention strategy as well.”

Future Outlook

While tobacco-related lung cancer remains a major global health concern, it is evident that non-smoking-associated lung cancer (NSCLC-NS) is becoming an epidemiological and clinical priority. With accumulating evidence linking airborne pollutants to adenocarcinoma pathogenesis, proactive measures must be taken to curb environmental exposures and develop targeted therapeutic strategies for affected populations.

The study’s revelations serve as an urgent call to governments, healthcare professionals, and researchers to rethink cancer prevention efforts in the modern era—one where industrialization, climate change, and air quality now play a decisive role in global cancer burden.

For further inquiries, the IARC and WHO recommend continued public health vigilance and increased cross-disciplinary research into airborne carcinogens and lung cancer etiology.

Caltech Researchers Develop Printable Nanoparticles for Wearable Biosensors

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A wearable sweat sensor based on the core–shell nanoparticle technology.Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a breakthrough method for mass-producing wearable biosensors using inkjet-printed nanoparticles. These cutting-edge sensors offer real-time monitoring of essential biomarkers, including vitamins, hormones, metabolites, and medications—paving the way for more personalized healthcare.

The technology, led by Professor Wei Gao and his team in the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, utilizes core-shell cubic nanoparticles that function like artificial antibodies. These particles are designed to selectively recognize specific molecules, allowing the sensors to detect biomarker levels in bodily fluids such as sweat.

The new biosensors have already demonstrated their potential in medical applications. Patients with long COVID have used the sensors to track metabolites, while cancer patients at City of Hope benefited from real-time monitoring of chemotherapy drug levels. The ability to personalize drug dosages based on individual responses could revolutionize treatment for chronic illnesses.

How It Works

Each nanoparticle features a nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) core, which generates an electrical signal when exposed to sweat or other bodily fluids. The surrounding polymer shell is customized to recognize specific molecules, such as vitamin C. When a targeted molecule binds to the shell, it blocks fluid contact with the core, weakening the electrical signal. This change in signal strength allows for precise measurement of biomarker levels.

The flexible, long-lasting sensors can track multiple biomarkers simultaneously. In recent trials, sensors were printed to monitor vitamin C, tryptophan (an amino acid), and creatinine (a kidney function marker). Researchers also developed sensors to measure three different chemotherapy drugs, providing crucial insights into drug metabolism.

Future Applications

Beyond wearable patches, the team is exploring implantable sensors for continuous drug monitoring beneath the skin. These advancements could lead to more personalized treatment plans, ensuring patients receive the right medication doses at the right time.

The study, published in Nature Materials, was supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, and other organizations. The Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech also played a key role in supporting the research.

A New Era of Personalized Medicine

"This technology opens the door to continuous, noninvasive health monitoring," said Gao. "We’re moving toward a future where wearable sensors provide real-time data to improve medical care for chronic diseases, cancer treatment, and beyond."

With its potential to transform diagnostics and treatment, this innovation marks a significant step toward the future of personalized healthcare.


Newly Discovered Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has Slim Chance of Earth Impact in 2032

Friday, January 31, 2025 / No Comments
an asteroid illustrationScientists are closely monitoring a newly discovered asteroid that has a slight chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. Named 2024 YR4, the asteroid was first detected on December 27 by an observatory in Chile and has since been tracked by multiple telescopes worldwide.

According to data from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), the asteroid has a 1.2% chance of impact on December 22, 2032. However, experts stress that this means there is a 98.8% probability it will pass safely by Earth.

Measuring between 131 and 328 feet (40 to 100 meters) in width, 2024 YR4 is comparable in size to a large building. If it were to strike Earth, it could cause regional devastation, with potential blast damage reaching up to 31 miles (50 kilometers) from the impact site, said Dr. Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).

Tracking the Threat

The asteroid was initially spotted by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile, part of NASA’s asteroid detection program. Since then, astronomers have used telescopes in New Mexico, Chile, and Denmark to refine its trajectory.

Currently, 2024 YR4 is about 28 million miles (45 million kilometers) away and moving farther from Earth. Scientists will continue tracking the asteroid until April, when it becomes too faint to observe. If uncertainty remains about its path, the asteroid will stay on NASA and ESA’s asteroid risk lists until it returns to view in 2028.

"The longer we observe an asteroid, the more accurately we can predict its future path," said NASA navigation engineer Davide Farnocchia. Experts expect that additional data will likely eliminate the risk of impact entirely.

Prepared for the Worst

While it is unlikely that 2024 YR4 will strike Earth, international space agencies are prepared to act if necessary. The United Nations-endorsed International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) have been activated to assess the situation.

Potential response strategies include asteroid deflection missions or evacuation plans if the asteroid remains a threat. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), conducted in 2022, successfully demonstrated that crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid could alter its course.

For now, scientists emphasize that 2024 YR4 does not pose an immediate danger. “Our priority is to continue monitoring its position to rule out any risk,” said Farnocchia.

If the asteroid remains on its current path, further tracking in 2028 will provide the final confirmation of its safety.

Ancient Greece Linked to Earliest Known Lead Pollution, Study Finds

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A woman poses for a photo in front Caryatid statues that prop up the porch of the 5th century B.C. Erechtheion temple and at the background is seen smoke from a fireLong before the rise of modern industry, ancient Greece may have been responsible for the earliest recorded case of lead pollution, according to new research.
A team of scientists analyzing sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea discovered traces of lead contamination dating back 5,200 years—more than a millennium earlier than previously known.
The toxic metal, a byproduct of smelting ores for silver and copper, was released into the air and later settled into the soil. “Silver wasn’t found in pure form; it had to be extracted from lead-based ore,” said Joseph Maran, an archaeologist at Heidelberg University and co-author of the study published Thursday in Communications Earth & Environment.
The contamination was traced to northeastern Greece near the island of Thasos, a major center for metalwork and silver mining in antiquity. While lead levels remained relatively low during Greece’s Bronze Age, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, a sharp spike occurred around 2,150 years ago—coinciding with the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 B.C.
“As Rome expanded its influence, demand for silver coins and metal production skyrocketed, driving a surge in lead emissions,” explained Andreas Koutsodendris, another researcher from Heidelberg University.
The findings add to previous research, including ice core studies from Greenland, which suggest that Roman-era lead pollution spread across the Northern Hemisphere. However, this study provides a more localized perspective on how human activities shaped environmental conditions in ancient Greece.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.