Latest news with #ScienceNews
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scientists Fear a Passing Star Could Fling Earth Out of the Sun's Orbit, Into the Frigid Expanse Beyond
Scientists like to refer to our planet as residing in the "Goldilocks zone," where it's neither too hot nor too cold, and just the right distance away from the Sun to support life. But in the classic "Goldilocks" fairy tale, our eponymous protagonist is forced to flee from the bears' abode she rudely invited herself into, never to return. No more perfect porridges or adequately sized beds. That could be the case for Earth one day, if we are to exhaust this analogy. Instead of being booted out by unfriendly bears, however, we might be kicked to the curb by a passing star. Actually, an untimely eviction might be the good scenario. A new study published in the journal Icarus suggests that the gravity of an unmoored star could, like we mentioned, hurl us into the frigid expanse of space — or it could jumble the orbits of the other planets enough to send one of them crashing straight into Earth, delivered, all too belatedly, like a cosmic misericorde. Morbid as it is to envision our planet's demise, the work illustrates how our solar system, far from a sequestered island, is in tune with the rest of the universe, and that astronomers may be overlooking the influence of distant objects. "Our simulations indicate that isolated models of the solar system can underestimate the degree of our giant planets' future secular orbital changes by over an order of magnitude," wrote study lead author Nathan Kaib, an astronomer at the Planetary Science Institute, in the paper. Summarizing his latest findings, Kaib told Science News there's about a five percent chance — over the next five billion years — that a wayward star could come within 100 astronomical units of our solar system, or about 100 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun. Should that happen, all eyes should be on Mercury. In the researchers' simulations, Mercury's orbit could become so elliptical that it smacks into either the Sun or Venus. That, in turn, could cause Venus or Mars to careen into Earth — that is, if the gravitational havoc doesn't cause our planet to go the way of Icarus, instead. Barring that, Earth could be knocked in the direction of Jupiter, before the gas giant homers us into the void of interstellar space. There's a silver lining. "None of these things are probable," Kaib told Science News. There's only 0.2 percent chance of one these grim scenarios befalling Earth, in a generous window stretching billions of years. "Nonetheless, this probability of Earth orbital change is hundreds of times larger than prior estimates," Kaib emphasizes in the paper. Kaib previously published research which suggested that the Earth's orbit was altered by a passing star three million years ago, opening the possibility that events like these could have been responsible for historical fluctuations in the Earth's climate. At the same time, it's a slightly unsettling reminder of just how delicate the architecture of our galactic neck of the woods can be. "It's a little scary how vulnerable we may be to planetary chaos," Renu Malhotra, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona in Tucson who was not involved with the study, told Science News. More on astronomy: Scientists Detect Mysterious Object in Deep Solar System
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Scientists researching deadly snakebites make major discovery: 'It is hoped that this trial marks the beginning of an era'
Many people are aware that the changing climate is altering mosquito behavior and creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to thrive where they never have before. But climate shifts are also increasing the likelihood of snakebites, which can be deadly and pose a new public health challenge. Fortunately, researchers are working on solutions to improve snakebite treatments and reduce these risks. As Science News reported, a team of researchers associated with programs in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Kenya tested a drug commonly used for heavy-metal poisoning to treat venomous snakebites. They found that unithiol can block venom proteins from many dangerous snakes. The researchers conducted a Phase I clinical trial to see how various dosages affected people. They screened 175 subjects in the study and gave unithiol to 64 of them. As they reported in eBioMedicine, they found unithiol effective for snakebites and did not uncover any safety issues. Unithiol works by blocking proteins to prevent tissue damage and death. It has advantages over antivenom treatments because those medications are expensive, not readily available, and can cause severe allergic reactions. This new "speedy treatment" for snakebites is promising because it could improve health and safety in vulnerable communities, especially in low-income regions and remote places. "Unithiol is affordable, stable at room temperature, and has the potential to be given orally in remote rural clinics," the researchers wrote. With climate shifts contributing to 20,000 snakebites and 4,000 related deaths every year in Kenya, treatments such as this keep people safe. Unithiol could become a viable alternative to antivenom treatments in the future or an initial treatment to keep a patient stable until they can travel from a remote area to a hospital. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The researchers noted the need to determine the precise dosage to treat snakebites in humans. They established a three-dose regimen for testing in future trials. "Future trials should be based in low-middle income settings, where the greatest burden of snakebite exists," the researchers wrote. "... It is hoped that this trial marks the beginning of an era of modernised therapeutics in the field of snakebite, which will be essential to achieving the World Health Organization target of reducing snakebite associated morbidity and mortality by 50%." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Watch: Chimpanzees give each other first aid
Credit: Science News/Catherine Hobatier Chimpanzees use forest first aid to treat wounds and leaves to wipe their bottoms, scientists have found. A study, led by a University of Oxford researcher, catalogued the apes dabbing leaves on their wounds, or applying sap and chewed up plant matter to the injuries. They treated the wounds of other members of their group as well as their own. The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, adds to a growing body of evidence on how apes take care of themselves in the wild. Dr Elodie Freymann, of Oxford University's School of Anthropology, said: 'We humans like to fancy ourselves unique in lots of different ways. And I think for a long time, we thought that healthcare was one of those ways in which we humans are special.' She said there was 'a whole behavioural repertoire that chimpanzees use when they're sick or injured in the wild – to treat themselves and to maintain hygiene'. Dr Freymann added: 'Some of these include the use of plants that can be found here. The chimpanzees dab them on their wounds or chew the plants up, and then apply the chewed material to the open injury.' Footage of the apes treating each other was included in the study, conducted in Uganda's Budongo Forest, as well as years of observations noted by field staff, researchers and visitors. A log book dating back to the 1990s was found to include anecdotal accounts of the apes dabbing wounds, removing snares and cleaning themselves with leaves after defecating, or mating. Credit: Dr. Elodie Freymann Dr Freymann previously reported that chimpanzees appeared to seek out specific medicinal plants to treat their ailments. A 2024 paper saw researchers test the plants eaten by sick or wounded chimps and found that they often had antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties. Meanwhile, an orangutan was recorded applying the leaves of a plant commonly used in traditional medicine to a cut on its face, seemingly to hasten healing. Gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos have also been recorded swallowing whole leaves from Aspilia plants to get rid of worms. In 2022, a community of chimpanzees in Gabon was seen putting insects onto their open wounds, potentially as a form of first aid. Chimpanzees in captivity have long been observed giving each other basic medical care, including removing splinters and cleaning each other's teeth. Finding the same tendency in the wild means 'additional evidence for empathic capacities in our closest evolutionary relatives', researchers concluded. They said it was still not clear how the behaviour was learnt or transmitted and 'establishing this will be an important step for understanding whether any components of non-human healthcare systems are influenced by local medicinal cultures'. Studying ape healthcare could even lead to the discovery of medicines, scientists believe. Dr Freymann told the BBC: 'The more we learn about chimpanzee behaviour and intelligence, the more I think we come to understand how little we as humans actually know about the natural world. 'If I were plopped down here in this forest with no food and no medicine, I doubt that I'd be able to survive very long, especially if I were injured or sick. 'But chimpanzees thrive here because they know how to access the secrets of this place, and how to find all they need to survive from their surroundings.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists raise alarm after disturbing shift in famed reptile's survival instincts: 'Particularly dire for the species'
Scientists discovered troubling news about the Gila monster, one of the most beloved reptiles in the Southwestern United States. A warming climate could make it much harder for them to survive, potentially pushing them toward extinction. According to a team of climatologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists found that Gila monsters could face unbearably harsh conditions in the Mojave Desert in the coming decades. Gila monsters are a species of venomous lizard native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Due to their heavy bodies and slow metabolism, they don't travel far, preferring to stay close to home. They're most active at night to avoid the desert heat during the day and spend much of their time underground. These evolutionary mechanisms may have helped them adapt to the unforgiving desert, but rising global temperatures could threaten their survival in the future. In a study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the team found that in an ideal scenario where temperatures barely rise, Gila monsters will likely not be impacted much. But if the climate becomes too hot under a worst-case scenario, they could disappear from many parts of the desert by 2082. They could move to cooler areas, such as higher in the mountains or burrow deeper in the ground, but scientists said the lizards haven't indicated they're "capable of doing either." "We're not likely to see dispersals and establishment of populations in those [new] areas just because they're too far from where populations currently are," Steve Hromada, a conservation biologist at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, told Science News. "It suggests that those high emission scenarios could be particularly dire for the species." While Gila monsters are among the most venomous lizards, they are considered an iconic part of the desert landscape and hold cultural significance for many Native American tribes. Their venom has even been used in modern medicines for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, per 12 News. Gila monsters are also a crucial part of the desert ecosystem, as they help control populations of small mammals and reptiles. Their digging behavior aerates the soil and gives other desert creatures a place to cool off from the scorching sun. If the Mojave Desert becomes too hot, its population could drop significantly and upset the delicate balance of biodiversity. Even if they could migrate to cooler areas in the mountains, it's unlikely that many of them would survive the journey because of their limited range. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The team calculated that more than 90% of the existing and projected Gila monster habitat in the Mojave is protected, giving the species an advantage in the changing climate. "Maintaining those protected statuses — whether that's the national parks or the national conservation areas around these areas — can be really important for keeping the species on the landscape," Hromada said to Science News. Conservationists have helped save iconic desert species, such as the Joshua tree and the night parrot, from the brink of extinction by planting more trees and managing vegetation. Similar efforts could allow the Gila monster to thrive in a harsher climate. Individually, we can make a difference by donating to wildlife organizations or conservation groups and learning more about how our warming world is impacting Gila monsters. If you visit any parks where they live, make sure to report off-roading or other activities that could disturb their habitat. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Those showing symptoms of ADHD are more likely to smoke: Study
Those with multiple symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a higher likelihood of vaping, smoking, or using other tobacco products, a new study has found. While the odds did not significantly differ between those with asymptomatic ADHD and the control group, 'all youths who had three or more ADHD symptoms had significantly higher adjusted odds of using nicotine and tobacco products', the study published recently in JAMA Network Open found. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Symptoms include having trouble paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active. People with 'asymptomatic' ADHD experience minimum noticeable symptoms, particularly hyperactivity and impulsivity. Nicotine as medication Researchers led by Sean Esteban McCabe, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, analysed data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, or PATH Study. This study saw 13,572 American youths, between the ages of 12 and 17, answer yearly questions and fill survey forms for a period of nine years. These included questions about tobacco use and a number of other things — including ones that asked about typical symptoms of ADHD. (One question was: 'When was the last time that you did the following things two or more times… Felt restless or the need to run around or climb on things?') The data show that the more symptoms a teen reported, the more likely she was to use tobacco. For instance, teens with three or four ADHD symptoms had a 60% greater risk of vaping than did teens with no ADHD symptoms. The explanation for this lies in the properties of nicotine. Put simply, nicotine releases chemicals in the brain that, for a very short time, make it easier to focus. 'So people with ADHD might use tobacco to self-medicate,' McCabe told ScienceNews. A matter of concern These findings add to a large body of evidence suggesting nicotine addiction has a lot to do with an individual's psychological make-up. Various studies have previously linked the nicotine in tobacco to anxiety and depression. Given that tobacco is not only harmful to health, but also extremely addictive, these findings are very significant. For McCabe, the main takeaway is that parents must not ignore symptoms of ADHD. 'This study suggests that if their symptoms of ADHD are controlled through therapy… or if the symptoms naturally dissipate, [kids] remain at lower risk for tobacco and nicotine and associated adverse outcomes,' he said. While the rates of cigarette smoking have gone down in the last few decades, a growing number of teens are consuming nicotine via vaping. Although vaping was initially marketed as a 'safer alternative' to cigarettes, a number of recent studies have pointed to its numerous harmful effects. 'Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death,' McCabe said, adding that preventing tobacco use would be 'a powerful game changer for anyone — including those with ADHD.'
