How the rose sculpts its delicate corolla
This May, rose lovers can see it for themselves: in its youthful prime, the rose displays petals with smooth, curved edges. But as the flower unfurls the folds of its purple (or white, yellow or red) dress, its petals undergo a surprising metamorphosis. They take on a polygonal shape with sharp points, called "cusps," whose number and definition increase as the rose matures.
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Euronews
17-07-2025
- Euronews
Ancient DNA reveals first-of-a-kind link between Egypt and Mesopotamia
A 4,600-year-old skeleton discovered in a sealed tomb in Nuwayrat, Egypt, has revealed the first genetic evidence of ancient migration between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Scientists sequenced the man's full genome from powder extracted from one of his teeth, marking a breakthrough in understanding early human movement in the ancient world. The research, published in Nature, ties this individual to a pivotal period in Egyptian history - around the time of the Old Kingdom and the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. While the majority of the man's DNA links to North Africa, around 20% is genetically connected to Mesopotamia's Fertile Crescent - an area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers where early civilisation flourished. This supports long-standing archaeological theories of trade and cultural exchange between the two regions. Until now, suspected connections were based on shared pottery styles and similar writing systems, but this is the first direct genetic confirmation of people moving between them. Scientists say more ancient DNA samples are needed to map the full scale and timeline of early human migration across the region.
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Euronews
Photos: Planets born around a baby sun outside our solar system
Astronomers have discovered the earliest seeds of rocky planets forming in the gas around a baby sun-like star, providing a precious peek into the dawn of our own solar system. It's an unprecedented snapshot of 'time zero,' scientists reported Wednesday, when new worlds begin to gel. 'We've captured a direct glimpse of the hot region where rocky planets like Earth are born around young protostars," said Leiden Observatory's Melissa McClure from the Netherlands, who led the international research team. 'For the first time, we can conclusively say that the first steps of planet formation are happening right now'. The observations offer a unique glimpse into the inner workings of an emerging planetary system, said the University of Chicago's Fred Ciesla, who was not involved in the study appearing in the journal Nature. 'This is one of the things we've been waiting for. Astronomers have been thinking about how planetary systems form for a long period of time," Ciesla said. 'There's a rich opportunity here'. How astronomers caught a glimpse NASA's Webb Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory in Chile teamed up to unveil these early nuggets of planetary formation around the young star known as HOPS-315. It's a yellow dwarf in the making like the sun, yet much younger at 100,000 to 200,000 years old and some 1,370 light-years away. A single light-year is six trillion miles. In a cosmic first, McClure and her team stared deep into the gas disk around the baby star and detected solid specks condensing — signs of early planet formation. A gap in the outer part of the disk gave allowed them to gaze inside, thanks to the way the star tilts toward Earth. They detected silicon monoxide gas as well as crystalline silicate minerals, the ingredients for what's believed to be the first solid materials to form in our solar system more than 4.5 billion years ago. The action is unfolding in a location comparable to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter containing the leftover building blocks of our solar system's planets. The condensing of hot minerals was never detected before around other young stars, 'so we didn't know if it was a universal feature of planet formation or a weird feature of our solar system,' McClure said in an email. 'Our study shows that it could be a common process during the earliest stage of planet formation'. First evidence of planetary origins While other research has looked at younger gas disks and, more commonly, mature disks with potential planet wannabes, there's been no specific evidence for the start of planet formation until now, McClure said. In a stunning picture taken by the ESO's Alma telescope network, the emerging planetary system resembles a lightning bug glowing against the black void. It's impossible to know how many planets might form around HOPS-315. With a gas disk as massive as the sun's might have been, it could also wind up with eight planets a million or more years from now, according to McClure. Merel van 't Hoff, a co-author and assistant professor at Purdue University in the US, is eager to find more budding planetary systems. By casting a wider net, astronomers can look for similarities and determine which processes might be crucial to forming Earth-like worlds, she said. 'Are there Earth-like planets out there or are we like so special that we might not expect it to occur very often?"
Sustainability Times
23-06-2025
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They Unlocked the Future of Energy: High-Temperature Superconductors Take a Giant Leap Forward With This Stunning Advancement
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 A team from the National University of Singapore developed a copper-free superconducting material operating at record-high temperatures. operating at record-high temperatures. 🌡️ The new material, based on nickel oxide, functions at around 40 Kelvin (-387°F) under ambient pressure. under ambient pressure. 🚀 This discovery challenges the belief that copper is indispensable for high-temperature superconductivity. for high-temperature superconductivity. 💡 The breakthrough could significantly impact electronic and energy technologies, making them more efficient and sustainable. In recent years, the quest for efficient energy solutions has driven scientists to explore new frontiers in superconductivity. A breakthrough discovery by a team of researchers at the National University of Singapore has resulted in the creation of a copper-free superconducting material operating at record-high temperatures. This development has the potential to revolutionize how we approach electronic and energy technologies, marking a significant milestone in the field of superconductivity. As we delve deeper into this fascinating discovery, it is crucial to understand its implications and the future possibilities it holds. The Birth of a New Superconductor A team of scientists has successfully synthesized a novel superconducting material devoid of copper, operating at approximately 40 Kelvin (-387°F) under ambient pressure. This innovation is based on a nickel oxide compound, specifically (Sm-Eu-Ca)NiO₂, which has opened new avenues for understanding high-temperature superconductivity. Published in the prestigious journal Nature , this breakthrough represents a pivotal moment since the discovery of copper oxide superconductors in 1987. The newfound material challenges the long-held perception that copper is indispensable for achieving high-temperature superconductivity. The researchers utilized a predictive model to design this revolutionary material, which exhibits superconductivity above 30 Kelvin without requiring external compression. This stability at ambient pressure is a significant advantage for future technological applications. By expanding the potential for non-copper-based superconductors, this discovery suggests a broader range of possibilities for more efficient electronic applications, potentially transforming the landscape of modern technology. Banned Research Resurfaces: The True Limit of Room Temp Superconductors Was Crossed—And What Happens Next Is Absolutely Terrifying Understanding Superconductivity Superconductivity, the phenomenon where a material loses all electrical resistance, has been known for over a century. Traditionally, most superconductors require temperatures near absolute zero to function. However, the discovery of copper oxides in the 1980s pushed these limits, demonstrating superconductivity at temperatures above 30 Kelvin (-405°F). Despite this advancement, the practical use of copper posed significant challenges. The new nickel-based superconductor presents an intriguing alternative. Its ability to function at higher temperatures without the extreme cooling previously necessary redefines the boundaries of superconductivity. This raises the possibility of more accessible and practical superconducting materials, which could be integral to the development of future technologies. Notably, the Meissner effect, which causes levitation in superconductors, exemplifies the potential applications of these materials in various fields, from energy to medical imaging. 2.6 Million Golden Eggs: Secret Volcano Nursery Uncovered as Alien-Like Marine Species Breeds in Ice-Cold Death Zone Implications for Technology The implications of this discovery are vast, suggesting that high-temperature superconductivity is not confined to copper-based compounds. This broadens the spectrum of potential materials for developing more efficient electronics. The stability of the new material at room pressure indicates its suitability for a range of applications, including power grids and medical imaging technologies, where superconductors could significantly enhance performance and efficiency. By exploring how to modify the electronic properties of the nickel-based superconductor, researchers aim to increase its critical temperature even further. This could lead to a new generation of superconductors better suited for everyday technologies. Such advancements hold the promise of transforming current systems into more efficient and sustainable models, underscoring the importance of ongoing research in this field. 'An Entire Ocean Lies Beneath Us': Scientists Reveal Massive Hidden Sea Deep Below Earth's Crust That Changes Everything Future Prospects The discovery of a copper-free superconductor functioning at high temperatures under ambient pressure is a major leap forward. It challenges the notion that copper is essential for high-temperature superconductivity, expanding our understanding of potential superconductive materials. This broader comprehension could hasten the development of more practical superconductors, applicable in areas like power networks and medical imaging. As research continues, the focus remains on enhancing the material's properties to support higher operational temperatures and broader applications. The pursuit of these goals not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also holds immense potential for technological innovation. As we stand on the brink of these exciting advancements, the question remains: how will these new superconducting materials reshape the future of technology and energy solutions? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (25)
