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Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Science
- Yahoo
If This Comet Is What We Think It Is, It's Unlike Any Object Humanity Has Ever Seen
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Comet 31/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object to ever be observed whizzing through the Solar System. While its origins are uncertain, the comet is thought to come from a part of the Milky Way populated by some of the galaxy's oldest stars. While its age has not been confirmed, if 31/ATLAS really did originate in that region, it could be 7 billion years old (compared to the Solar System's age of 4.6 billion). Few rogue interstellar objects (ISOs) have entered our Solar System. 'Oumuamua nearly broke the internet in 2017 when it streaked past, and Comet 2I/Borisov was caught trespassing by NASA Hubble Space Telescope in 2019. Now, we have another interloper. Astronomers first observed Comet 31/ATLAS on July 1. Though its origins remain unknown, the researchers who have eyes on it think the flying hunk of ice, dust, and frozen gases came from what is known as the thick disk of the Milky Way. This region of ancient stars—most over 10 billion years old—is scattered in a layer above and below our galaxy's thin disk (which is populated by younger stars). If 31/ATLAS really was born in the thick disk, it might be the oldest comet ever spotted, at around 7 billion years old; that's 3 billion years older than the Solar System. And the way it moves suspiciously up and down in the galactic plane is possibly indicative of an object having originated from and stayed in the disk for literal eons. If we're lucky, it could give us an inside look at the formation of the early Milky Way. This comet is thought to have originally been an icy planetesimal, one of the many smaller bodies that once merged to form planets. How it got to us today, however, is more debatable. '31/ATLAS has physical differences to the first two ISOs detected, but its orbit and incoming velocity place it as a member of the Galactic population of ISOs,' the researchers said in a study, which was recently presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's 2025 National Astronomy Meeting in Durham, England, and posted to the preprint server arXiv. The research team employed a probability simulator that models stellar trajectories using the positions and velocities of every star ESA's Gaia satellite observed between 2014 and 2025 (even the dead ones)—about a billion stars. This—combined with models of protoplanetary disk chemistry and dynamics within the galaxy—allowed them to predicted the velocities, ages, and chemical compositions of the Milky Way's interstellar objects. The experts might be able to determine properties of 31/ATLAS based on which stellar population it came from. Star systems—including our own Solar System—form from protoplanetary disks of gas and dust, and models assume that the properties of these disks are influenced by their stars. The models also suggest that ISOs stray from their stars early on, and disperse within the cold outer edges of a star system. Another model used by the researchers predicts how the velocity of ISOs is related to their age, composition, and other properties inherited from the stellar populations from which they originate. This is how the team figured out a tentative age for 31/ATLAS, and that it probably does not come from the same star as the previous two interstellar objects we've seen. There are still many missing pieces to the origin story of 31/ATLAS. Whether it trekked through space on a relatively undisturbed path, or had its orbit perturbed by different stars is unknown. Despite what has been suggested so far, the comet is still shrouded in gas, dust, and mystery. But because interstellar objects are thought to exist almost indefinitely, they could be carrying particles from just about every star that ever existed in the galaxy. 'ISOs provide the opportunity to gain evidence of the process of planetesimal formation and evolution from a host of galactic environments,' the researchers said. 'Further observations of 31/ATLAS will allow us to [test our] assumptions.' Get the Issue Get the Issue Get the Issue Get the Issue Get the Issue Get the Issue Get the IssueGet the Issue Get the Issue You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Does the 4-2-1 Method Actually Deliver? Here's How You Can Structure Your Workouts for Real Results.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." TIKTOK MIGHT BE entertaining—more than two billion global users can't be all wrong—but it's also one of the greatest compendia of misguided and dangerous fitness advice ever created. After all, it's the birthplace of dry scooping, the land of wildly impractical fitness gear, and the home of workout plans so extreme that they can harm your physical and mental health (we're looking at you, 75 Hard Challenge). But every once in a while, the algorithm surfaces a real, solid fitness trend—a nugget of exercise wisdom so effective that it deserves to go viral. Most recently, that jewel is the 4-2-1 Method. What Is the 4-2-1 Method? The 4-2-1 Method is actually very simple. The trend describes a system for structuring your weekly workouts (i.e., a training split) that is as simple as it is effective. Each week consists of four days of strength training, two days of cardio, and one day of mobility. The program's goal is to maximize muscle building while dialing up fat burning to help you sculpt a fitter, more defined physique as quickly as possible. As much as fitness influencers like to believe they're finding new ways to work out, this type of training split is not new. Trainers and coaches have been using it for decades to maximize gains and performance in their clients and athletes. What makes it fresh and exciting today is its explosion on TikTok, which has presented this structure to the masses with some novel twists to keep things interesting. For a social media platform that typically deals in absurd and harmful fitness trends, the 4-2-1 Method is a pleasant surprise. If you do the math, you'll note that the 4-2-1 Method has you doing something every day of the week, with only a single day designated for recovery/mobility. That means it's tough, and better suited to veterans than newbies—but that shouldn't worry you. If you follow the programming advice in the next section, the 4-2-1 Method can give you consistent gains with enough recovery time to minimize your risk of overtraining. How to Crush the 4-2-1 Method Before we get into the four days of strength training, let's first discuss the two days of cardio. These workouts should skew towards 30 to 40 minutes of low-intensity steady-state (LISS) training (e.g., distance running, rowing, swimming, cycling). Your goal should be to maintain a pace that's challenging, but still conversational for the whole workout (if you can only gasp out a few words at a time, you're going too fast and need to dial it back). If your fitness level is high, you can make one of those cardio sessions HIIT—but start with LISS. This approach will allow you to crank up your calorie furnace and improve your cardiovascular fitness while still allowing you to recover sufficiently between strength workouts to attack them with intensity. That last part is key—your cardio sessions need to break up your strength training. Trying to plow through four straight days of strength workouts followed by two days of cardio will short-shrift your muscular gains. In practice, that means your workout week might look something like this: Monday: Strength Tuesday: Strength Wednesday: Cardio Thursday: Strength Friday: Strength Saturday: Cardio Sunday: Mobility What should you do on your strength days? That's where the fun comes in, because your choices abound. One of our favorite options is a push/pull/legs/total body split, in which you devote one day to pushing exercises, one day to pulling exercises, one day to leg exercises, and a final day to a total body workout. Another strong choice is to alternate between upper body and lower body days. Check out How to Build a Comprehensive Workout Plan for more training split ideas. That brings us to the final element of the 4-2-1 Method: mobility day. This final 'workout' of your week is a workout in name only. You should feel challenged as you run through a series of exercises that push your range of motion and boost your suppleness, but you should not feel like you're 'working out.' In other words, this session should leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for another week of 4-2-1. These mobility exercises are a great place to start. So is yoga. How to Find the Right Balance for You If a seven-day-a-week fitness plan sounds a bit too intense (because you're bouncing back from an injury or just beginning your fitness journey, for example)—extend it out to eight, nine, or 10 days by weaving in one or two or three days of rest. Indeed, inject as many as you need to feel like you're able to perform at your peak and push your limits during each 4-2-1 cycle. That said, it's also important to push yourself out of your comfort zone. As you become stronger, reach for heavier weights, perform more advanced exercise variations, and generally tweak your routine to constantly challenge yourself. That strategy (known as progressive overload) is the key to consistent gains, fewer plateaus, and your strongest, leanest, fittest body ever. You Might Also Like The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Reveal 22 Weird Symptoms Women Over 40 Experience—and What They Mean
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As you get older, your body changes. And you might start to experience unexpected symptoms. Sure, thinning hair and hot flashes are par for the course during your menopause years. But what if you suddenly have trouble sleeping or start feeling cold all the time? How do you know if what you're experiencing is no big deal—or worth mentioning to your doctor, stat? Sometimes, these symptoms are just signs of getting older. Aging offers all kinds of upsides, but it sneaks in some pesky surprises as well. Other times, they may signal a more serious health condition and warrant additional testing to understand what's going on. Here, experts share 22 weird health symptoms women over 40 often experience. They also decode exactly what those symptoms mean, so you know what next steps to take if you relate to anything on the Gain After 40, your metabolism tends to slow down about 5% every decade. This makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain weight—meaning you have to be more intentional about diet and exercise. 'As your metabolism changes, your portion size and activity level play a much more significant factor in weight maintenance and weight loss,' explains Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN. 'The decrease in estrogen during menopause causes changes in metabolism, hormone maintenance, and heart health.'Exhaustion Feeling tired is nothing new. But as you age, you may get worn out faster. This is often due to hormonal changes from menopause, but since it's associated with a range of other health conditions, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. In the meantime, do what you can to get enough sleep. Taz Bhatia, M.D., a board-certified integrative medicine physician and women's health expert, recommends 7 hours a night at least 5 nights a week. 'Consistent sleep is a key factor in rejuvenating and replenishing the body,' she Pain Aches and pains happen, especially as you age. But if you experience pain in your chest, neck, jaw, upper stomach, or back—especially with fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath—talk to your doctor. These could be signs of cardiovascular disease. 'This is the most common cause of death in American women,' says Kecia Gaither, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and women's health expert. She recommends getting routine cardiovascular exams to catch the condition Sex Drive Many women in their 40s experience a low sex drive. And everything from hormonal changes to vaginal dryness could be the cause. Often, the solution is as simple as using an estrogen cream. But be sure to mention the symptom to your doctor, especially if it's impacting your quality of Breasts When you turn 40, it's time to start getting routine mammograms. But be on the lookout for common breast cancer symptoms between annual exams. 'Breast and cervical cancer are the two most common cancers affecting women,' Dr. Gaither says. While it's often normal to have swollen breasts before your period, breast swelling, pain, dimpling, or discharge can also be signs of breast The older you get, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure, or hypertension. The condition often presents without any symptoms. But in some cases, you may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. Be sure to flag any of these symptoms to your doctor, in addition to getting your blood pressure checked at your annual Sleeping Struggling with insomnia? You're not alone. One study found that 20% of women aged 40-59 had trouble sleeping at least four nights a week. The culprit was thought to be menopause, because night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings can all affect your sleep Cramps Bloating, gas, and stomach cramps can occur for a variety of reasons. But if they start getting more common in your 40s, it's probably because of—you guessed it—hormones. If you often experience digestive issues or stomach cramps when you're on your period, you may experience the same thing during menopause. But since abdominal cramps are linked with many other health conditions, it's worth mentioning the symptom to your Constantly If you constantly find yourself chugging water and running to the bathroom, you may want to mention it to a doctor. Increased thirst and urination can be signs of diabetes, especially if you're experiencing fatigue and weakness too. As you age, your risk of developing type II diabetes increases, and being overweight makes the condition more likely, says Dr. Hair Hair loss is mainly hereditary for both men and women, but hormones can play a role as well. Menopause often causes your estrogen levels to drop, making your hair thin, fall out, or take on a new texture. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned. They may be able to recommend a supplement or some other kind of Periods Although it sounds counterintuitive, heavy periods are actually a sign of menopause. Your fluctuating hormones can throw off your menstrual schedule, causing some of your periods to be heavier and last longer than Cold All the Time If you're sweating less and struggling to stay warm, bring it up with your doctor—these could be signs of thyroid dysfunction. 'Thyroid dysfunction is the most common hormonal imbalance in women,' Dr. Shepherd explains. Other symptoms include dry skin, thinning hair, fatigue, and weight Swings Women often deal with mood swings from puberty. But as menopause creeps up, the hormonal changes—and emotions that accompany them—can feel unbearable. Dr. Bhatia says learning how to manage stress is essential to maintaining your quality of life. 'Stress drives cortisol, which drives disease,' she says. 'Managing stress … is a skill that everyone needs to learn and practice to stay healthy.'Vaginal Dryness Caused by low levels of estrogen, vaginal dryness is incredibly common during middle age. If the dryness is bothering you, talk to your doctor. They can help you avoid products that cause irritation, and they may even recommend a prescription estrogen or Depression If you're feeling worried, upset, or unlike yourself, mention it to your doctor. Your symptoms may be the result of hormonal changes during menopause, or they could signal a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression. Other conditions, like Alzheimer's, can also cause you to feel anxious or depressed, Dr. Gaither Bones Women tend to lose bone density over time, which can lead to osteoporosis—a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. This makes your bones fragile and easy to break. And since osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms, a fracture or break may be the first sign you have Fog If you're struggling to concentrate and generally feeling out of it, you may have menopause to thank. But because brain fog is associated with a range of health conditions, it's worth mentioning your brain fog to your doctor—especially if it's Seeing or Hearing As you get older, you may not see or hear as well as you used to. That doesn't necessarily mean anything dire, but it's still worth mentioning to your doctor. Getting your sight and hearing checked annually is a great way to adapt to your changing needs and set yourself up for Between Periods Spotting between periods isn't unusual during menopause. But it can also be a sign of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include pelvic pain, discomfort during sex, and unusual discharge. Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Bhatia, and Dr. Gaither all recommend getting routine pap smears. And be sure to mention anything unusual to your Flashes Suddenly feeling your skin flush, your palms get sweaty, and your face turn red is never fun. But hot flashes are a very normal part of menopause. About 75% of women experience them. And in some cases, they can cause your heart to race or make you feel dizzy. If your hot flashes last more than a few minutes or you consistently feel overheated, talk to your doctor—trouble cooling down can be a symptom of thyroid or Constipation While the occasional bout of diarrhea or constipation is probably nothing to worry about, experiencing either for more than a few days can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Since routine colonoscopies aren't usually recommended until you turn 50, it's worth mentioning concerning GI symptoms to your doctor any time you experience Sick All the Time If you feel like you're getting sick more than usual, you may not be imagining it. Our immune systems tend to grow weaker as we age, making us more likely to catch common colds and other infections. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
This 20-Million-Year-Old Rhino May Have Had the Most Important Tooth Ever, Scientists Say
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The oldest surviving proteins have been found in the tooth of Elasmotherium, a prehistoric rhino with one unicorn-esque horn. These protein sequences are 20 million years old—far older than the previous oldest sequences, from mammoth (1.2 million year old) and camel ancestors (3.7 million years old), respectively. Elasmotherium was found to be closely related to ancient rhino lineages from Eurasia, even though the tooth was found in Canada. Elasmotherium sibericum, an ancestor of the rhinoceros, once lumbered across the steppes of what are now parts of Eastern Europe and the extreme north of Canada. This prehistoric beast was covered in shaggy fur (much like its relative, the woolly rhino), and brandished a single horn on its forehead which earned it the name 'Siberian Unicorn.' Its genes were hiding another unicorn. Most ancient DNA (aDNA) over 1 million years old is far too fragmented to reconstruct genetic sequences. However, a record of the evolutionary past was preserved in the tooth of one Elasmotherium, which had been buried in the permafrost of the Haughton Crater in Canada's High Arctic tundra for over 20 million years. It has seen minimal effects of diagenesis—the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments as they fossilize—and some of the original proteins had been frozen in time. The Elasmotherium tooth (discovered by a research team from the University of York) has revealed the oldest known sequence of proteins and amino acids. Before this find, the oldest known DNA sequence pulled directly from a fossil came from the 1.2-million-year-old molar of a mammoth recovered from Greenland. And the protein and amino acid sequences from the bone collagen of camel ancestors (also found in the High Arctic), were 3.7 million years old. Any sequences older than that were degraded beyond understanding. 'Fossils from these sediments are found in a polar landscape, at present characterized by permafrost,' the researchers said in a study recently published in the journal Nature. 'Compared with similarly aged material from lower latitudes, this creates a temperature regime favorable for biomolecular preservation, sparing these fossils from the harshest effects of diagenesis.' Genetic material in labs is usually kept in deep freezers, because DNA is so prone to degrading. This explains why there is little to be found in dry bones, but better preserved sequences—some with soft tissue and even liquid blood—have been seen in specimens that emerged from thick sheets of ice. The York team focused on extracting proteins and amino acids from the enamel of the tooth, since the tightly packed substance protects genetic material. At least seven proteins and 251 amino acids were recovered, and the results did not support what had previously been assumed from the morphological study of rhinocerotid fossils. The researchers used paleotemperatures from an existing model to see how fluctuations in temperature in the region over millions of years could have affected biomolecules, and their results were consistent with previous findings that determined how well proteins survived through the Miocene (23 to 5.3 million years ago), Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago), and Pleistocene (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) epochs. Comparing the degradation of the proteins to those in other rhinocerotid specimens proved that the new samples were not contaminants, but did in fact belong to the tooth of an Elasmotherium. Rhinocerotids experienced a burst of diversification before this particular creature was even born. They first thundered onto the scene during the Middle to Late Eocene (47.8 to 34 million years ago) and diversified significantly before the Early Oligocene (34 to 32 million years ago). Analysis of the Elasmotherium protein sequences has determined that this species split from other rhinocerotids some 41-25 million years ago, and that the main rhino clades Elasmothieriinae and Rhinocerrotinae diverged 34-22 million years ago. Despite being found in Canada, Elasmotherium is most closely related to early rhinos across the ocean. 'Morphologically, the Haughton Crater rhinocerotid shares closer affinities with these early-diverging lineages from Eurasia, particularly those in the genus Epiaceratherium,' the researchers said. 'Similarly, some other vertebrates in the highly endemic fauna of the Haughton Formation have their closest relatives in Eurasia.' There are no Elasmotherium de-extinction efforts on the horizon, but this new rhino evolution knowledge could help increase population numbers of endangered rhinos and prevent their extinction. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
9 Things in Your Home You Need to Get Rid of ASAP This Month
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You might spend the most time getting organized around the new year and in the spring, but pros organizers say there's another period that's just as important: July. Between yard work, road trips, barbecues, water sports and kids' activities, your house has likely seen better days during this summer month. That's why we tapped professional organizers to find out the top things you should get rid of in your home this July. "I think July is the best month for a mid-year check-in and decluttering session," says Shaniece Jones, professional organizer and Founder of Closet Therapy. "It's the perfect time to restock summer essentials and let go of what's just taking up space. If it hasn't been used by now, it might be time to let it go." From ill-fitting swimwear and expired sunscreen to old school supplies and unwanted bikes taking up much-needed space in the garage, see suggestions from Jones and other professional organizers to keep your home in tip-top shape. Remember, anything that can be, should be donated. With all the outdoor activities on your schedule, from biking to swimming, chances are you have some unnecessary gear in your space. It's important to stay on top of it, especially if you have kids. "Get rid of bikes they've outgrown, pool toys collecting dust or swimwear that no longer fits," says Jones. Don't forget to get rid of defective beach umbrellas, too. And good news: Some things like camping gear and outdoor clothes can be donated. Just do a quick Google search first!Back-to-school season in August isn't the best time to tackle your kids' supplies, Jones says, as it's "highly intense and chaotic." This month, get a head start and declutter your kids' schoolwork from the past year. "Toss the old worksheets, reports and notebooks while things are a bit slow," she says. Tackle the mudroom as well, says Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method co-founder and COO and author of the recently published book, The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book. "Set aside backpacks, lunchboxes and water bottles that are stained, broken or missing parts to be tossed or donated. The same goes for any other school supplies or gear that may need replacing before the school year." RELATED: Pro Organizers Want You to Throw Out Your Children's ArtworkWith vacation season underway, make packing a breeze by editing travel essentials. Take stock of everything from mini face moisturizers and toothpaste to makeup and body products. "Keep what you love and use," says Janelle Lam of Straighten Up by Janelle. But you can recycle what has expired, or donate what hasn't been used. RELATED: Thought You Had to Toss Your Empty Beauty Containers? There May Be Another Way"If you're using expired bug spray or sunscreen, they're not doing their job," says Hagmeyer. It's important to check dates on packaging, especially citronella stickers or bracelets. "Finish the summer off strong — sans sunburns — and clear space for products that actually work," she overlook your closet when you're decluttering. Are there pieces you didn't wear last summer? Is there an item you just don't love anymore? "If it didn't make it out of your closet last summer, there is a high chance it probably doesn't reflect your current style," Jones says. She recommends creating a Pinterest board just for your summer style. That way, you have a clear vision of what doesn't fit so you can easily declutter. Violetta Elezovic, founder of VS Organized Interiors, also suggests evaluating your summer wardrobe every year: "Go through your summer clothes and shoes that are worn out or no longer useful. In general, you can create more space in your wardrobe and keep a better eye on what you already have when things aren't so cluttered." And remember, many organizations will take gently worn summer clothing, including dresses and shorts. RELATED: Declutter Your Closet in Just a Day With These Hacks From Pro OrganizersWith outdoor entertaining, comes lots of food storage containers. You're bound to have some in your cabinet that you never reach for. "Summer leftovers, BBQs and picnics mean you're using food containers constantly," Lam says. "Take five minutes to match up lids, and toss any warped pieces." If you have too many, or they are just mismatched, check with local schools or senior center to see if they can be donated there. You can also try to find clever new uses for them, like storing crayons and pencils!Examine your beach towels to make sure they're in good shape. "If they are too thin or are ripped and frayed, it's time to let them go," says Nicole Gabai, founder of B. Organized! "Many donation centers will accept most textiles because they can sell the unusable items by the pound." You can also check with your local pet shelter, which can use them for clean up or keeping pets bottles always seem to accumulate out of nowhere, so it's worth taking stock of your collection in any cabinets and coolers. "Toss the ones that are moldy, smelly or rarely get used for whatever reason – broken zipper, item doesn't insulate well or water bottles that leak easily," says Gabai. RELATED: Not All Reusable Water Bottles Are Recyclable. Here's How to Tell If Yours pretty easy to access instruction manuals for appliances on reputable websites these days, whether you're trying to figure out a maintenance issue or learning how a specific feature works. Ashley Hines of Thee Tailored Life suggests making note of your appliances' model numbers before recycling paper manuals, though. "Most are unnecessary now that setup guides and troubleshooting tips are just a company website or YouTube search away," Hines says. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
