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  • Incarcerated PTI leaders suggest talks with PML-N govt – Newspaper

    Incarcerated PTI leaders suggest talks with PML-N govt – Newspaper

    LAHORE: Incarcerated leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have proposed the party hold talks with the PML-N led government, as opposed to the “inflexible stance” of its patron-in-chief Imran Khan, who has long been calling for dialogue with the “military establishment” only.

    In a letter written from the Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore on Tuesday, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed called for starting ‘meaningful dialogue’ with the political leadership of incumbent government so that the country could be steered out of current severe crises.

    However, the PTI leaders made it clear that the talks should kick off among the political leadership and subsequently the same held with the powers that be.

    While it was not clear how the various leaders conferred on the issue — as Dr Rashid is kept in separate barracks from the other — the letter proposed that they should also be made part of the dialogue process and the PML-N government give them “regular access” to the former prime minister at Adiala jail for consultation over formation of a dialogue committee.

    Move hints at dissent among party ranks with Imran Khan’s ‘inflexible stance’

    They also cautioned that the elements in the government should not be allowed to belittle their “dialogue offer to political leadership” as it would be tantamount to sabotaging the entire process.

    Mr Khan has a stated position on dialogue with the government. “We will talk only with those who have real power (military establishment). The parties in the government do not have power,” he said, reiterating the stance he had taken since his ouster from power three years ago.

    There are reports of rifts among the PTI ranks following the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of Ali Amin Gandapur passing the provincial budget 2025-26 last month without the approval of Mr Khan.

    The ex-PM’s sister Aleema Khan had reacted to this saying a “minus Imran” formula was now in effect.

    Since groupings have been reported in the PTI, a section in the party wants Mr Khan to soften his stance over holding dialogue only with the military establishment so that a “required political space and relief” could be extracted for the party.

    “Khan Sahib needs to soften his stance and give approval to begin a dialogue process with the government. In given circumstances the PTI will have to revisit its politics of resistance (for the time being) and seek political expediency to make it relevant in the current situation which otherwise is quite hostile towards it,” a PTI leader told Dawn.

    He also supported the ‘proposal’ of the five incarcerated leaders of the PTI and expressed hope that the party’s patron-in-chief would seriously consider it.

    Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

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  • Govt unveils plan to expand Gwadar Port operations – Business

    Govt unveils plan to expand Gwadar Port operations – Business

    GWADAR: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced an ambitious plan to expand Gwadar Port’s operational capacity by introducing additional shipp­ing lines and launching a ferry service connecting Pak­istan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

    The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Af­­fairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday. Senior ministry officials also attended the session.

    To launch ferry service connecting Pakistan with GCC countries

    “The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade and position Gwadar as a major hub in the Arabian Sea,” Mr Chaudhry said. “We aim to transform Gwadar into a strategic transhipment and logistics centre, benefiting Pakistan and the wider region.”

    He emphasised that with Gwadar Port now fully ope­rational, it is time to accelerate its integration into international maritime networks. He directed relevant dep­artments to pursue all necessary steps to increase the port’s commercial activity and unlock its full potential.

    He said additional shipping lines will be connected to Gwadar to facilitate greater movement of goods, promote transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and support Pakistan’s growing role in the regional logistics landscape.

    “The new routes will reduce pressure on existing ports and ensure faster, more efficient cargo handling,” Mr Chaudhry stated.

    In addition to enhancing cargo operations, the maritime ministry has also planned to launch a ferry service from Gwadar to GCC countries. The move is expected to provide an affordable, direct maritime link for passengers and cargo, particularly benefiting expatriate communities and cross-border traders.

    “The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism and provide a new economic lifeline for Balochistan,” the minister said. “It will create local employment, improve supporting infrastructure and attract private sector participation, especially in the areas of ship services, hospitality and transportation.”

    Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

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  • Tariff cut of Rs1.14 fails to satisfy businessmen – Pakistan

    Tariff cut of Rs1.14 fails to satisfy businessmen – Pakistan

    • Govt works out power tariff to be Rs31.59/unit compared to Rs32.73/unit last year
    • Industrialists demand end to peak, off-peak charges; decry denial of promised ‘sizeable relief’
    • No change in rates for first two slabs of domestic consumers; relief ranges between 3pc and 10pc depending on usage

    ISLAMABAD: As the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) decided on Tuesday to reduce the national average power tariff by Rs1.14 per unit, the move was criticised by industrialists and businesspersons from Karachi as being “too minuscule”.

    The decision to reduce the tariff was taken at a public hearing presided over by Nepra members Maqsood Anwar and Rafique Shaikh.

    The government team, led by the Power Division additional secretary, Mehfooz Bhatti, said the regulator had determined national average tariff — excluding all taxes, surcharges and duties — at Rs34 for FY2025-26, down Rs1.50 per unit from Rs35.50 per unit last year.

    After subsidies and cross-subsidies, the government has worked out the tariff to be Rs31.59 per unit, as compared to Rs32.73 per unit last year, a reduction of Re1.14 per unit.

    The official said the same rate would apply to K-Electric consumers under the government’s uniform tariff policy.

    A formal notification of the new tariffs will be issued within this week. The new rates will take effect from July 1.

    Rushed process

    Karachi-based representatives of the FPCCI, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry and Surjani Town businesses criticised the government and the Nepra for rushing through the approval process and not allowing their requests for time to understand and review the government’s petition.

    They said the Power Division filed the petition on June 28. It was approved a day later by the federal cabinet and made public on June 30 for a hearing on July 1.

    They said the process violated the law that provided at least seven days after the publication of petition to hold a public hearing.

    Peak, off-peak billing

    The industrialists criticised the government for a nominal reduction of Rs1.14 per unit in the tariff after promising “sizeable relief”.

    “Even after the reduction of Rs1.14 per unit, the effective tariff would be about Rs5 per unit higher than last year when the industry paid on average Rs30 per unit”, said one of the businesspersons.

    The government team insisted the effective average tariff during the new fiscal year would be around Rs40.43 against Rs47.89 per unit in FY2025 after taking into account all taxes, surcharges, duties and quarterly adjustments and the removal of PTV fee and electricity duty.

    They said the government efforts, coupled with improved exchange rate, helped reduce capacity payments by Rs1.27 per unit on average from 30.88 to Rs29.61 per unit when compared to the outgoing year.

    The average transmission and distribution losses of Discos, they claimed, had dropped to 11.03pc from 11.43pc.

    Industrial consumers also demanded an end to peak and off-peak rates, enabling the industry to operate round-the-clock instead of shutting down during peak hours due to higher rates.

    New tariff

    The Rs1.15 per unit reduction in tariff would apply to consumers in almost all categories, except lifeline domestic consumers.

    There would be no change in electricity rates for first two lifeline slabs of domestic consumers, as they are already over-subsidised.

    The per unit rate for lifeline consumers with up to 50 units per month would remain unchanged at Rs3.95, followed by Rs7.74 for those in 50 to 100 unit monthly consumption. They have to maintain their consumption threshold throughout the year.

    For all other consumers and categories, the government sought a flat Rs1.15 per unit reduction for FY2025-26.

    However, the relief ranges between 3 to 10pc depending on the users’ respective rates at present.

    The protected consumers in 1 to 100 units would now be charged at Rs10.54 per unit, instead of Rs11.69 at present, showing a reduction of 9.8pc.

    The subsequent slab in the protected category would be charged at Rs13.01 per unit instead of Rs14.16 per unit, down 8pc.

    The non-protected consumers in first 100 units would be charged at Rs23.44 per unit instead of Rs23.59 per unit, down by almost 5pc.

    The reduction in rates for all other categories including commercial, industrial, agriculture and bulk consumers would vary from three to four percent but flat Rs1.15 per unit. The cheapest rate, in these categories, have been provided to the industry whose average rate would now be Rs33.48 per unit instead of Rs44.32 per unit.

    Commercial consumers would be provided electricity at an average Rs45.43 per unit instead of Rs46.58 per unit. The average rate of general services would be Rs43.17 per unit instead of Rs44.32 while tariff for bulk consumers would come down to Rs41.76 per unit from Rs42.92 per unit.

    However, agricultural consumers would get an even cheaper rate of Rs30.75 per unit instead of Rs31.90. The average rate would work out to be around Rs31.60 per unit from about Rs32.75 per unit at present.

    Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

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  • Scientists trace leprosy’s roots in South America back 4,000 years

    Scientists trace leprosy’s roots in South America back 4,000 years

    By sequencing 4,000-year-old genomes, scientists reveal that leprosy was entrenched in South America millennia before Europeans arrived, reshaping our understanding of its origins and spread.

    Study: 4,000-year-old Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from Chile reveal long establishment of Hansen’s disease in the Americas. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock

    In a recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, researchers analyzed Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from 4,000-year-old human remains, revealing a long history of leprosy in the Americas.

    Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepromatosis. M. lepromatosis has been regarded as the second causal pathogen for Hansen’s disease and is associated with more severe forms of the disease, including Lucio’s phenomenon and diffuse lepromatous leprosy. Untreated individuals can develop chronic peripheral neuropathy and physical impairment. Many infected subjects remain asymptomatic, impeding diagnostic and control measures.

    Ancient M. leprae genome analyses support its infectious potential spanning millennia. Humans are the primary host of Hansen’s disease, but maintenance of the causal bacteria in animals raises concerns about their potential as zoonotic reservoirs. Nine-banded armadillos are known M. leprae sources, while red squirrels can harbor both M. lepromatosis and M. leprae. The recent detection of M. leprae in archeological rodent bone suggests cross-species infectivity in historical periods.

    Understanding of the evolutionary history and distribution of M. lepromatosis is limited, as only a few cases of infection have been molecularly confirmed. Studies suggest its presence in Southeast Asia and the Americas. Analyses involving ancient and modern genomic data consistently support the origin of M. leprae outside the Americas. However, the detection of M. lepromatosis has not been reported in archeological contexts.

    a, Map of the semi-arid region of Chile showing the location of the two archaeological sites under study. Coordinates follow the universal transverse mercator (UTM) system (Datum WGS 84, Zone 19J); values are given as easting and northing (m). Map created with the MapTiler plugin within QGIS. b, Skeletal elements that yielded the two ancient genomes of M. lepromatosis: left, tibia from ECR001 (scale bar, 5 cm); right, tooth from ECR003 (scale bar, 0.5 cm).a, Map of the semi-arid region of Chile showing the location of the two archaeological sites under study. Coordinates follow the universal transverse mercator (UTM) system (Datum WGS 84, Zone 19J); values are given as easting and northing (m). Map created with the MapTiler plugin within QGIS. b, Skeletal elements that yielded the two ancient genomes of M. lepromatosis: left, tibia from ECR001 (scale bar, 5 cm); right, tooth from ECR003 (scale bar, 0.5 cm). 

    The study and findings

    In the present study, researchers analyzed M. lepromatosis genomes from 4,000-year-old human skeletal remains from distinct archeological contexts. First, 19 bones and 35 teeth with pathological lesions suggestive of infection, belonging to 41 individuals, were sampled from five archaeological sites in Chile.

    The paper notes that while the bone changes in the two infected individuals were consistent with Hansen’s disease, they were not definitively diagnostic on their own, underscoring the importance of molecular analysis for confirmation. A small quantity of each tissue was extracted, and a DNA library was constructed for sequencing.

    Data were screened for various pathogenic viruses and bacteria following a hypothesis-free method. This revealed several thousand DNA fragments with homology to M. lepromatosis in two archeological tissues, a tooth from a male subject referred to as ECR003 at the El Cerrito site and a tibia from another male (ECR001) at the La Herradura site. Radiocarbon dating of these two elements indicated they were contemporaneous from 3,900 to 4,100 years ago.

    DNA libraries were enriched using a probe set designed from a modern M. leprae reference panel, a methodological detail that resulted in some uneven coverage but still yielded exceptionally high-quality ancient genomes. These libraries were then sequenced to explore the suitability of genomic reconstruction. Various mycobacterial species were distinguished using a competitive mapping approach. The mean genomic coverage was 74-fold for ECR003 and 45-fold for ECR001 when mapped against a modern M. lepromatosis genome reference isolated from a Mexican patient.

    Further, the researchers investigated divergence between M. leprae and M. lepromatosis given the genomic decay and reduction in M. leprae over evolutionary timescales. To this end, a pangenomic analysis revealed a high level of divergence, with about half of the protein-coding regions showing at least 50% sequence homology between the two pathogens. A mapping-based approach showed that the two pathogens shared only ~25% nucleotide identity.

    Next, the relationship between M. lepromatosis and other mycobacterial pathogens was investigated by analyzing the 16S ribosomal RNA locus. This indicated that M. leprae is the closest relative, despite their extensive divergence.

    Further, a conservative genome-level phylogenetic reconstruction was performed, focusing on the diversity within M. lepromatosis, and was limited to the two ancient genomes, four modern human genomes, and six modern red squirrel genomes.

    There was a robust and distinct separation between rodent- and human-associated lineages, where the ancient genomes formed a sister clade to the cluster of all human M. lepromatosis sequences.

    The study’s comparative analysis also called into question a previously reported M. lepromatosis genome from India, suggesting through competitive mapping that it showed far greater homology to M. leprae.

    Furthermore, time-calibrated phylogenetic trees were generated using the radiocarbon ages of ECR001 and ECR003 skeletal elements, along with the collection year of all modern genomes, to estimate evolutionary rates and divergence times.

    The evolutionary rate was estimated at 6.91 x 10-9 substitutions per site per year for M. lepromatosis, aligning with estimates for M. leprae. The median time for the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of M. lepromatosis was estimated to be approximately 26,800 years ago; however, the authors note that the small number of available genomes results in a wide potential date range of 4,206 to 115,340 years ago.

    The divergence time for genomes from human hosts was estimated to be around 12,600 years (with a range of 5,304 to 49,659 years ago), while the tMRCA for the red squirrel clade was a much more recent 440 years.

    Conclusions

    Taken together, the study reveals a distinct evolutionary history for M. lepromatosis. This deep timeline, potentially stretching back to the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, contrasts sharply with other major pathogens, such as M. leprae and Yersinia pestis (the plague bacterium), which are thought to have emerged more recently in the Neolithic era with the rise of agriculture.

    The fact that M. lepromatosis infections occurred in South America before the periods of known contact with European or Oceanian populations implies pathogen movement within human groups during an early peopling event or endemicity in the continent in a different reservoir species. The latter suggests that its current distribution originates from a post-colonial dissemination, making it one of the few diseases known to have emerged in the Americas.

    The paper frames these findings within a ‘One Health’ perspective, calling for broader surveillance of animal reservoirs to better understand the disease’s ecology and zoonotic potential.

    Journal reference:

    • Ramirez DA, Sitter TL, Översti S, et al. 4,000-year-old Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from Chile reveal long establishment of Hansen’s disease in the Americas. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02771-y, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02771-y

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  • NASA to Launch New Livestream Service on Netflix Starting This Summer

    NASA to Launch New Livestream Service on Netflix Starting This Summer

    NASA to Launch New Livestream Service on Netflix Starting This Summer originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

    Photo courtesy NASA

    NASA+ will offer live programming of rocket launches, astronaut spacewalks, mission coverage, and live views of Earth from the International Space Station through its new streaming platform on Netflix.

    “The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 calls on us to share our story of space exploration with the broadest possible audience,” Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+ at the agency’s headquarters in Washington said. “Together, we’re committed to a Golden Age of Innovation and Exploration – inspiring new generations – right from the comfort of their couch or in the palm of their hand from their phone.”

    NASA+ first launched in 2023 to make space content more accessible to the public. The service will continue to be available for free and ad-free through the NASA app and website. NASA wrote that they hope to bring even more awareness to their work through Netflix’s global audience of more than 700 million people.

    “Through this partnership, NASA’s work in science and exploration will become even more accessible, allowing the agency to increase engagement with and inspire a global audience in a modern media landscape,” Cheryl Warner, NASA news chief, wrote in a press release.

    Livestream schedules will drop closer to launch day, so Netflix advises viewers to check for more details in the coming weeks.

    This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.

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  • Japan Leads Asian Stocks Lower on Tariff Angst: Markets Wrap

    Japan Leads Asian Stocks Lower on Tariff Angst: Markets Wrap


    This content was published on

    (Bloomberg) — Asian shares edged lower at the open after President Donald Trump said he won’t delay the July 9 deadline for imposing higher levies on trading partners. 

    A regional stocks gauge fell 0.2%. Japanese stocks declined 1% after Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the country and deepened his criticism of Japan for not accepting US rice exports. A gauge of the dollar slipped in early Asian trading after touching its lowest since 2022 in the prior session. Treasuries were steady Wednesday after yields rose on Tuesday.

    Investors are closely watching how Trump decides to handle the current pause on his April tariffs, which he put on hold for 90 days to allow time for talks. Stock markets – which once swung wildly on trade headlines – appear to see little risk, as equity indexes sit near all-time highs. The calm is being fueled by expectations that Trump will extend his tariff deadline based on his pattern of threatening first and backing down later.

    “While US stocks are probably overly optimistic, international stocks have been prone to an overly pessimistic knee-jerk response each time Trump escalates,” said Phillip Wool, head of portfolio management at Rayliant Global Advisors Ltd. “It’s not surprising at all to see Trump holding the prospect of a July 9th impasse and a painfully high tariff out as a threat to push for better deals. There’s also an element of political theater here.”

    Trump for weeks has sought to exert leverage over trading partners with threats to set high levies on governments he sees as being difficult. His top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, earlier signaled agreements would be announced after the July 4 holiday and the signing of the tax and spending bill the US Senate approved.

    Trump’s latest tariff comments don’t pose a major threat to Japanese stocks, said Neil Newman, head strategist at Astris Advisory Japan.

    “I read from his rhetoric President Trump has run out of things to complain about,” he said. “I believe there is too much on the Japanese negotiation table for the Americans to walk away from, but we know Trump will push to the limits to get more. This is just noise.”

    Meanwhile, US job openings hit the highest since November, largely fueled by leisure and hospitality, and layoffs declined. Fed policymakers have consistently characterized labor-market conditions as strong in recent weeks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell repeated that the US central bank probably would have cut rates further this year absent Trump’s expanded use of tariffs, although he didn’t rule out easing at its meeting later this month.

    The government’s June employment report, due Thursday, is expected to show a slowdown in nonfarm payroll growth and an uptick in the unemployment rate.

    Separate data Tuesday showed US factory activity contracted in June for a fourth consecutive month as orders and employment shrank at a faster pace, extending the malaise in manufacturing.

    Trump’s $3.3 trillion tax and spending cut bill passed the Senate after Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. House lawmakers are returning to Washington from a holiday week to vote Wednesday on the Senate version of the bill but face Republican resistance from moderate and ultra-conservative GOP lawmakers.

    In commodities, gold held an advance, after rallying 2% over the previous two sessions while oil steadied in early Wednesday trading.

    Some of the main moves in markets:

    Stocks

    • S&P 500 futures were little changed as of 9:30 a.m. Tokyo time
    • Nikkei 225 futures (OSE) fell 0.7%
    • Japan’s Topix fell 0.3%
    • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4%
    • Euro Stoxx 50 futures were little changed

    Currencies

    • The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed
    • The euro was little changed at $1.1801
    • The Japanese yen fell 0.1% to 143.58 per dollar
    • The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1619 per dollar
    • The Australian dollar was little changed at $0.6581

    Cryptocurrencies

    • Bitcoin fell 0.3% to $105,659.61
    • Ether fell 0.3% to $2,408.72

    Bonds

    • The yield on 10-year Treasuries was little changed at 4.24%
    • Australia’s 10-year yield advanced three basis points to 4.14%

    Commodities

    • West Texas Intermediate crude was little changed
    • Spot gold was little changed

    This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

    –With assistance from Alice French, Rob Verdonck and Aya Wagatsuma.

    ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • NASA, SpaceX prepare for Crew-11 Launch to Space Station

    NASA, SpaceX prepare for Crew-11 Launch to Space Station

    NASA is preparing for its 11th rotational mission of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft carrying astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission is targeted to launch in the late July/early August timeframe from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    The mission includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, serving as commander; Mike Fincke, pilot; JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, mission specialist; and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, mission specialist. This is the first spaceflight for Cardman and Platonov, the fourth trip for Fincke, and the second for Yui, to the orbiting laboratory.

    Image: The four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station train inside a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in Hawthorne, California. From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui. Credit: SpaceX


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  • A Texas Boy Needed Protection From Measles. The Vaccine Cost $1,400. | The Transmission

    A Texas Boy Needed Protection From Measles. The Vaccine Cost $1,400. | The Transmission

    KFF In the early days of the West Texas measles outbreak, Thang Nguyen eyed the rising number of cases and worried. His 4-year-old son was at risk because he had received only the first of the vaccine’s two doses.

    So, in mid-March, he took his family to a primary care clinic at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

    By the end of the visit, his son, Anh Hoang, had received one shot protecting against four illnesses — measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. He also received a second shot against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, as well as a flu shot. His twin daughters, who had already had their measles vaccinations, got other immunizations.

    Nguyen, who is a UTMB postdoctoral fellow in public health and infectious disease, said he asked clinic staff whether his family’s insurance would cover the checkups and immunizations. He said he was assured that it would.

    Then the bills came.

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  • Durham to Host 2025 National Astronomy Meeting

    Durham to Host 2025 National Astronomy Meeting

    Almost a thousand of the world’s top space scientists will visit Durham University next week (7 to 11 July) as we host the UK’s National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2025.

    NAM is the flagship annual event of the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society and sees scientists present the latest in cutting-edge space research.

    It will connect diverse communities – from researchers and amateur astronomers to schools, artists, industry, and the public – fostering scientific collaboration and inspiring thousands of non-professional astronomers through both professional sessions and public outreach events.

    Long history of astronomical research

    Durham has a long history of astronomical research dating back to the appointment of Temple Chevallier as Professor of Astronomy in 1835.

    Since then, our physicists, engineers and mathematicians have played an important role in furthering our understanding of the Universe. See just a few examples below.

    Evolution of the Universe

    Our centres for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) and Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA) helped develop and engineer the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

    The most powerful space telescope ever built, the JWST is giving researchers – including our astronomers – unprecedented new images and insights into the evolution of the Universe, its stars, galaxies and black holes.

    The CfAI is also involved in the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Currently under construction, the ELT will have a mirror the size of four tennis courts allowing us to see even fainter objects in space.

    Dark matter and dark energy

    Our Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC) and the CEA are leading the hunt for dark matter – the mysterious substance which binds galaxies together – through our involvement in major international projects like Euclid.

    The ICC is also investigating dark energy – the equally mysterious force driving the accelerating expansion of the Universe – through projects such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

    And we host the COSMA supercomputer. COSMA allows our cosmologists to simulate the evolution of the Universe in precise detail which is then tested by astronomers’ observations of the real thing.

    Large Hadron Collider

    Our Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) researchers are heavily involved in the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

    The LHC investigates the fundamental building blocks of the Universe.

    IPPP scientists are researching neutrinos – sub-atomic particles that play a crucial role in the evolution of the Universe.

    They’re also involved in the hunt for dark matter, providing theory support and model simulations for dark matter detection.

    Sustainable space exploration

    Through the Centre for Particle Theory, particle physicists also work closely with our mathematicians.

    This includes studying the large-scale properties of the Universe, its origin, evolution and fate.

    Our Applied Mathematics researchers are studying the processes behind our closest star – the Sun.

    This includes investigating processes in the Sun’s atmosphere, solar flares and computational modelling of the Sun’s magnetic field.

    And we’ve recently launched the Durham University Space Research Centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.

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  • Google AI Mode Shows 91% URL Change Across Repeat Searches

    Google AI Mode Shows 91% URL Change Across Repeat Searches

    A new study analyzing 10,000 keywords reveals that Google’s AI Mode delivers inconsistent results.

    The research also shows minimal overlap between AI Mode sources and traditional organic search rankings.

    Published by SE Ranking, the study examines how AI Mode performs in comparison to Google’s AI Overviews and the top 10 organic search results.

    “The average overlap of exact URLs between the three datasets was just 9.2%,” the study notes, illustrating the volatility.

    Highlights From The Study

    AI Mode Frequently Pulls Different Results

    To test consistency, researchers ran the same 10,000 keywords through AI Mode three times on the same day. The results varied most of the time.

    In 21.2% of cases, there were no overlapping URLs at all between the three sets of responses.

    Domain-level consistency was slightly higher, at 14.7%, indicating AI Mode may cite different pages from the same websites.

    Minimal Overlap With Organic Results

    Only 14% of URLs in AI Mode responses matched the top 10 organic search results for the same queries. When looking at domain-level matches, overlap increased to 21.9%.

    In 17.9% of queries, AI Mode provided zero overlap with organic URLs, suggesting its selections could be independent of Google’s ranking algorithms.

    Most Links Come From Trusted Domains

    On average, each AI Mode response contains 12.6 citations.

    The most common format is block links (90.8%), followed by in-text links (8.9%) and AIM SERP-style links (0.3%), which resemble traditional search engine results pages (SERPs).

    Despite the volatility, some domains consistently appeared across all tests. The top-cited sites were:

    1. Indeed (1.8%)
    2. Wikipedia (1.6%)
    3. Reddit (1.5%)
    4. YouTube (1.4%)
    5. NerdWallet (1.2%)

    Google properties were cited most frequently, accounting for 5.7% of all links. These were mostly Google Maps business profiles.

    Differences From AI Overviews

    Comparing AI Mode to AI Overviews, researchers found an average URL overlap of just 10.7%, with domain overlap at 16%.

    This suggests the two systems operate under different logic despite both being AI-driven.

    What This Means For Search Marketers

    The high volatility of AI Mode results presents new challenges and new opportunities.

    Because results can vary even for identical queries, tracking visibility is more complex.

    However, this fluidity also creates more openings for exposure. Unlike traditional search results, where a small set of top-ranking pages often dominate, AI Mode appears to refresh its citations frequently.

    That means publishers with relevant, high-quality content may have a better chance of appearing in AI Mode answers, even if they’re not in the organic top 10.

    To adapt to this environment, SEOs and content creators should consider:

    • Prioritizing domain-wide authority and topical relevance
    • Diversifying content across trusted platforms
    • Optimizing local presence through tools like Google Maps
    • Monitoring evolving inclusion patterns as AI Mode develops

    For more, see the full study from SE Ranking.

    Featured Image: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

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