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  • Anticoagulants in AF Post-ICH: The Dilemma Continues

    Anticoagulants in AF Post-ICH: The Dilemma Continues

    TOPLINE:

    In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with a recent episode of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), the use of oral anticoagulants significantly reduced net adverse clinical events — primarily driven by a reduced risk for ischemic stroke/systemic thromboembolism — but with an increased risk for recurrent ICH.

    METHODOLOGY: 

    • Oral anticoagulants prevent stroke in patients with AF, but their efficacy in those who have recently experienced an ICH remains unclear.
    • Researchers conducted a systematic literature review through March 2025 and performed an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the use of oral anticoagulants with placebo or antiplatelets in patients with nonvalvular AF after a spontaneous ICH.
    • The analysis included 653 patients (weighted mean age, 78.2 years; 38% women; 95% White) from four trials with a low risk for bias, with follow-up durations ranging from a mean of 0.53 years to a median of 1.9 years.
    • The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events — a composite of ischemic stroke/systemic thromboembolism, nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, recurrent ICH, and extracranial major bleeding.

    TAKEAWAY:

    • The breakdown of oral anticoagulants used was 65% apixaban, 15% edoxaban, 14% dabigatran, 4% rivaroxaban, and 1% warfarin.
    • The use of oral anticoagulants reduced net adverse clinical events by 31% (relative risk [RR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52-0.93) and ischemic stroke/systemic thromboembolism by 76% (RR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.09-0.61), translating into a number needed to treat of 12 and 8, respectively.
    • However, oral anticoagulants carried a more than threefold higher risk or recurrent ICH (RR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.30-7.85), translating to a number needed to harm of 22.
    • There were no significant differences in fatal ischemic stroke, fatal ICH, major extracranial hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death on the basis of oral anticoagulant use.

    IN PRACTICE:

    “[This] meta-analysis informs shared decision-making between clinicians and patients, demonstrating a net clinical benefit of OACs [oral anticoagulants] predominantly through a reduction in ischemic stroke/systemic thromboembolism, while being cognizant of an increased risk of recurrent ICH,” the researchers wrote.

    “The magnitude of benefit and risk may differ across ICH subtypes and with the timing of OACs initiation, warranting further investigation through [individual patient data] meta-analysis,” they further added.

    SOURCE:

    This study was led by Kuan-Yu Chi, MD, and Pei-Lun Lee, MD, of Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, and Yu Chang, MD, of the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan. It was published online on July 21, 2025, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

    LIMITATIONS:

    This study lacked individual patient data, which prevented deeper analyses such as timing of events. The number of included trials and participants were insufficient to detect the effects on outcomes that occurred less frequently. All the included trials had an open-label design.

    DISCLOSURES:

    Three authors reported receiving research funding and awards from various sources including the Johns Hopkins University Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center funded by the National Institute on Aging; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and National Institutes of Health National Institute of Aging. One author reported serving as a consultant for Novo Nordisk, Merck, and HeartFlow, Inc.

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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  • Draya Michele Is Turning Criticism Into Capital—Starting With Clean Air

    Draya Michele Is Turning Criticism Into Capital—Starting With Clean Air

    With a new investment in wellness tech and a fresh perspective on motherhood, Draya Michele steps confidently into a chapter defined by purpose, power and quiet reinvention.

    On a sunny afternoon in Santa Monica, California, I settled in for an NAD infusion and Normatec therapy—expecting a routine wellness reset—alongside entrepreneur, designer and now investor Draya Michele.

    Inside the sunlit sanctuary of Dripology—a sleek, minimalist wellness studio founded by ICU-trained nurse Hamed Afshari to bring medical-grade care into a luxury experience— what began as IV drips, compression boots and a few light laughs quickly unfolded into something far more intimate.

    The wellness advocate is entering a new era—one rooted in clarity, legacy and deeper intention. Known for her style, and decade-long success with Mint Swim, Draya is now channeling her energy into something far more personal: creating a safer, healthier world for the next generation, starting with her daughter.

    Watch Full Forbes.com Interview Here

    For Draya, wellness isn’t just a treatment—it’s a lifestyle that informs how she lives, parents and does business. And in doing so, she’s reminding women—especially Black mothers—that they deserve to breathe deeply, build boldly and define success on their own terms.

    “This season of my life feels different,” she tells me, as we settle in for our IV treatments. “It’s personal now. Every decision I make, I think about the impact it has on her.”

    A Partnership Rooted in Purpose

    Her newest move is a strategic investment and partnership with Sereniby, a wellness tech company redefining air care for babies and young children. The brand’s flagship product—a smart, medical-grade air purifier—goes beyond filtration. It’s built to support restful sleep, cleaner breathing environments and peace of mind for modern families.

    “This isn’t just another brand collab,” Draya clarifies. “It’s ownership. It’s alignment. It’s me investing in something I wish I had from day one as a mom.”

    Draya’s connection to Sereniby didn’t begin in a boardroom—it started in her daughter’s nursery. During her pregnancy, she was remodeling her home and found herself surrounded by drywall, paint fumes and dust.

    “I remember thinking, ‘I can’t be breathing this in while I’m growing a baby,’” Draya recalls. “It made me hyper-aware of how overlooked air quality really is, especially for children.”

    Sereniby stood out, thanks to a heartfelt note and family photos its founders sent Draya before the product even arrived.

    “It wasn’t just a product drop. It felt like something bigger,” Draya says. “The purifier came days later and I was blown away. Not just by the design, but by the thoughtfulness behind it.”

    With hospital-trusted HEPA and carbon filtration, smart sensors that detect microscopic pollutants, and integrated white noise and light therapy features, Sereniby offered something that matched both her lifestyle and values.

    As a new mother again, Draya saw the product work firsthand—especially in supporting her daughter’s sleep. “She doesn’t sleep easily, so anything that supports rest is gold to me. And if it also protects her health? That’s not a luxury. That’s essential.”

    The Power of Black Motherhood in Wellness

    Draya has faced public scrutiny in the past over her parenting style during her early years as a mother—a narrative she’s since reclaimed by showing her evolution and deep commitment to growth.

    The entrepreneur’s decision to invest wasn’t just about the product—it was about the position. “It’s important to me that my daughter grows up seeing her mother not just as the face of something, but as someone who has a stake in it,” she says. “I want her to see that we—Black women, Black mothers—belong at the forefront of wellness, parenting and innovation.”

    That positioning is key. As the wellness space grows, Draya’s involvement signals a deeper shift: intentional representation at the ownership level. “I’ve done collaborations. I’ve been the ambassador. This time, I wanted equity,” she says.

    Her investment also challenges the outdated notion that celebrity partnerships are purely transactional. “This isn’t PR. This is my daughter’s air. This is our home. I use it every day. That’s the difference,” Draya expressed.

    Balancing Business, Boundaries, and Baby Bottles

    Motherhood looks different this time around. Draya is juggling entrepreneurship, farm life (yes—more on that later), and raising a daughter who demands presence and patience. “My sons were easy. My daughter? She’s attached. She’s loud. She’s fire,” Draya says, laughing. “I love it, but I’ve had to re-learn balance.”

    That means prioritizing routine, setting boundaries — especially on social media — and redefining what self-care looks like. “I’m a post-and-go kind of woman now,” she says. “I’ve limited who can comment on my posts because peace matters. If I didn’t ask for your opinion, I don’t need it.”

    It also means making smarter choices as a consumer and a mom. “I used to be that person who bought the most expensive baby bottles—imported, hand-blown glass, $80 each,” she shares. “Now? I’m an Evenflo six-pack for $10 kind of girl. They work just as well, and I don’t cry when they break.”

    Redefining Connection: Friendship, Boundaries, and the Pressure to Be Perfect

    Despite the glitz of entrepreneurship and the digital attention that follows her every move, Draya keeps her circle tight—and intentional. “I’m really blessed to have a group of women around me that don’t compete with each other,” she says. “We all have our own lanes, and we show up for one another in real life.”

    Her core friend group—rooted in mutual respect, aligned values and zero performative energy—isn’t just about vibes. It’s protection. “In this industry, especially as a Black woman, people project so much onto you. It helps to have friends who remind me who I am outside of social media, outside of work, outside of the noise.”

    And there’s been plenty of that noise. Over the years, Draya has navigated harsh public judgment and unsolicited commentary about her personal life—most recently, when she shared an unpaid post about Sereniby during the LA fires, encouraging families to protect their indoor air quality.

    “The comments were intense. People were like, ‘Draya, people lost their homes—why are you talking about purifiers?’ And I get that. But I wasn’t speaking to those who experienced loss—I was speaking to the millions of others in LA breathing in that smoke,” she says. “It came from a pure place. I wasn’t paid. I just wanted to help.”

    Rather than clap back, she chose peace of mind. “I’ve learned I don’t have to explain everything. But I also won’t let people twist my intentions. I believe in what I support.”

    To guard her peace, Draya has made a simple but profound adjustment: she limits who can comment on her social media posts. “I post and go. I’m not here to be debated. This is my life, not a group chat,” she says.

    Mint Swim, Earth Day, and A New Kind of Sustainability

    Though wellness is her latest move, Draya’s swimwear brand Mint Swim remains a cultural staple. Known for putting Black and brown women at the forefront of its campaigns since the beginning, Mint Swim continues to champion diversity in a space that once overlooked it.

    This past Earth Day, she introduced a limited capsule made from repurposed materials—using her boyfriend’s old T-shirts to create new swimwear. “Fabric waste is a real problem, and fashion contributes to it,” she says. “I just wanted to do something that felt good and looked good.”

    With her usual eye for style and practicality, the drop was equal parts thoughtful and fashion-forward. “It was fun, it was conscious, and it sold out fast,” she notes. “We’ll definitely do more.”

    From Fashion to Farming: A Fully Rounded Life

    In perhaps the most unexpected twist, Draya is now exploring homesteading. On her property, she has 16 chickens, three dogs, a cat and a full vegetable garden. “I’m learning to grow what I eat. I’m obsessed with the process,” Draya expresses.

    The farm, like the purifier, represents something larger: autonomy. Peace. Slowness. “This version of me isn’t just about hustle. It’s about health. It’s about home. I want to show my kids what it looks like to build a full, beautiful life on your own terms.”

    She’s just as honest when reflecting on her early years as a founder. “I used to be stubborn. I didn’t ask for help. I made expensive mistakes,” she admitted. “Now? I ask questions. I lean on my peers. You don’t have to build alone.”

    Showing the Woman Behind the Brand

    In a world that often flattens public figures into brand extensions, Draya is committed to showing her whole self—even if it’s unexpected. “People have assumptions about me,” she admits. “But the reality is, I’m a mom who recycles, a woman who gardens and someone who genuinely cares about this planet.”

    One of her quirks? She never litters. “I’ll carry trash in my purse all day before I throw it on the ground,” she says, laughing. “And if you come to my house, you better write your name on your water bottle. We don’t waste around here.”

    These small rituals—along with her larger moves in sustainability, wellness and conscious parenting—paint a fuller picture of Draya Michele: not just a personality, but a person.

    “I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m trying to be real,” Draya adds. “That’s how I humanize myself—by showing up honestly. Whether it’s on my farm, in the boardroom or online.”

    Legacy in Motion

    I want to keep showing people what’s possible when you operate from intention, not just attention.”

    And for the little girl watching her every move, Draya’s already paving the way. “This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. And I hope that everything I do shows my daughter she can build anything—and breathe deeply while doing it.”

    “My biggest flex right now isn’t a look or a moment,” Draya expresses. “It’s peace. It’s alignment. It’s knowing that every move I make reflects who I am and what I stand for.”

    “I want my daughter to grow up watching me do this with grace, with grit, and with integrity,” Draya says. “That’s legacy. That’s impact. That’s the kind of woman I’m raising her to be.”

    And if this chapter is any indication, Draya Michele is just getting started.


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  • Tivan, Sumitomo set up joint venture for WA fluorite project

    Tivan, Sumitomo set up joint venture for WA fluorite project

    Tivan has established an incorporated joint venture (IJV) with Sumitomo Corporation to develop the Speewah fluorite project in Western Australia, having met all conditions for the initial phase of investment (Tranche 1).

    Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Fluorite Corporation (JFC) – a subsidiary of Japanese Government entity the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) – have made an initial $5.3m (Y781.62m) equity investment in the IJV, securing a 7.5% equity interest in the project.

    The investment from JFC will finance a project feasibility study, which aims to establish mining and processing operations to produce high-quality acid-grade fluorspar for export.

    In May 2025, Tivan announced binding agreements with Sumitomo Corporation and JFC to form the IJV to develop, finance and operate the project.

    The conditions precedent for JFC’s Tranche 1 investment included securing approval from the Australian Government Foreign Investment Review Board; Tivan’s application to novate Australian Government grant funding; and the completion of the Project Restructure, which involved transferring project tenements to the IJV company, Fluorite SPV.

    Sumitomo Corporation has entered into binding agreements with JOGMEC, which will hold a 49% equity interest in JFC.

    Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson said: “We are greatly honoured to have secured the involvement of JOGMEC in our joint venture. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with their technical team in Tokyo.

    “The pathway we have created to final investment decision is being funded by contributions from Tivan and Sumitomo Corporation, and the governments of Australia and Japan. This model of private-public risk sharing is optimal in its design for the Speewah Fluorite Project and reflects the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan.”

    In June, Tivan received approval from the Australian Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board for its initial investment in the Speewah project through JFC.

    “Tivan, Sumitomo set up joint venture for WA fluorite project” was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

     


    The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

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  • Prevention, Screening, Treatment: Impact on Cancer Deaths

    Prevention, Screening, Treatment: Impact on Cancer Deaths

    This transcript has been edited for clarity. 

    Hello. I’m Dr Maurie Markman from City of Hope, and I’d like to discuss a very important study. I think many of you may have heard about this, but it’s important to emphasize what these investigators reported in terms of the impact of what we are doing in the cancer world today and, in my opinion, what the focus needs to be on in the future. 

    The paper I’m referring to is “Estimation of Cancer Deaths Averted From Prevention, Screening, and Treatment Efforts, 1975-2020,” published in JAMA Oncology. This was a very interesting effort; there was modeling done, and assumptions were made, in order to do what these investigators did. But this is, I think, very high-quality and reasonable data science. The paper outlines the assumptions made in coming to the conclusions reached by these investigators. 

    They looked at breast, cervix, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers — obviously, major cancers — and specifically looked at what the impact has been over the past 45 years of these three different strategies in averting deaths: prevention, screening, and actual treatment. 

    The bottom line, as reported by these investigators, is that over this 45-year period, 5.94 million deaths have been averted in these five cancers combined, due to the efforts of countless numbers of individuals, researchers, clinicians, public health officials, government regulators, etc. It’s an incredible and an enormously positive contribution to society and to individual patient health.

    They note, and this is a powerful message, that 8 of the 10 deaths, 80%, that had been averted were due to efforts in cancer prevention and screening. It may come as a surprise to some, but not to all, because of our often very intense focus and money spent on treatments for established and advanced cancers over the past decades. 

    There’s no intent either in this paper or by me to denigrate — in any way, shape, or form — the enormous efforts that have been made in treatment. But if you look at the question of deaths averted, the vast majority have come from prevention and screening efforts. And clearly, there’s cost involved in these efforts, but far less than that associated with development of treatments.

    They’re even more specific in this paper: Screening, according to these investigators, has been responsible for essentially all reduction in cervix cancer, which we certainly know from the enormous contributions of the Pap smear screening and now HPV screening: 25% of breast cancer deaths were averted due to screening; 56% from prostate cancer; 79% of deaths from colorectal cancer; and, of course, from lung cancer, 98% of the impacts on cancer deaths has resulted from a reduction in smoking.

    So, overall a tremendous impact, a positive impact. So many individuals and organizations avert deaths, but it’s critical to remember the role of prevention and screening. And as we move forward to the future, as we look at the epidemic we have of obesity in this country and the concern about the risk of alcohol on the risk for cancer, it is important to remember the critical role to the present but also for the future of prevention and screening.

    Thank you for your attention.

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  • Owen Farrell opens door to England return after sidestepping social media ‘poison’ | British & Irish Lions

    Owen Farrell opens door to England return after sidestepping social media ‘poison’ | British & Irish Lions

    Owen Farrell is considering making himself available for England again despite the social media “poison” that contributed to him stepping back from Test rugby last year. Farrell, who has been picked as captain of the British & Irish Lions in their final midweek tour game, now says he would love to emulate Johnny Sexton and keep playing at the highest level for as long as possible.

    Farrell, who will turn 34 in September, has not played for England since the 2023 World Cup but has loved his involvement on the current Lions tour of Australia and sounds more open to the idea, if selected, of rejoining the England fold than at any stage since announcing his intention to take a break from international rugby “to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing.”

    Several of Farrell’s Lions colleagues, having seen him slot seamlessly back into a leadership role since replacing the injured Elliot Daly this month, have asked the former England captain about his future plans and he freely admits to being inspired by the example of Sexton, who was still playing for Ireland at the age of 38.

    “I’m determined to enjoy what I’m doing and love every minute of however long that I’ve got left,” said Farrell, who will start at 12 for the Lions against a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday. “I’m not old yet. Johnny played forever and I’m obviously a half-back as well. There’s loads left in us and I’m just determined to enjoy it. I’ve come back to make the most of what I am doing. We’ll see what happens.”

    Farrell, sounding as upbeat in public as he has done in many years, has now returned to Saracens after an ill-starred and injury-hit spell at Racing 92 and is clearly relishing his fourth Lions tour since being called up by his father, Andy. His selection prompted a significant reaction on social media, however, and Farrell Jr admits he has not always found the attention easy to cope with.

    “There’s times where people can say this, that and the other and it just goes over your head. And there’s times where you’re not in the best place of all time and you’re almost waiting for something to set you off.

    “I understand that it’s different now. I understand that times are different … sometimes [social media] catches fire and just takes a life of its own. It goes wherever it goes and there’s momentum behind it. But I don’t always understand it, no. If you go and knock on someone’s door and ask them their opinion of how you played at the weekend, you wouldn’t really listen to their answer. Both [good and bad reactions on social media] are a poison. That’s not to say it’s all bad but the things that should matter to me and to us as players are the people that matter to us.

    “The people I think we should listen to are proper rugby people. Your mates … they’ll give you a real answer. If you’re in a good place yourself then you can deal with it. There’s obviously a lot of external factors that can creep in but ultimately it’s up to me how I am. Making sure I’m looking after myself, making sure I’m giving myself a break at times. I’m not someone who needs revving up too much. It’s normally the other way, of coming back down and relaxing. So having some perspective and making sure I look after myself in that way will, I think, lead to me being more myself.”

    If Farrell does return to the England fold it will further increase the options available to the head coach, Steve Borthwick. Fly-halves Fin Smith and Marcus Smith are both on tour alongside Farrell in Australia while George Ford has just reached 100 caps while steering his country to victories against Argentina and the United States.

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    For now, though, Farrell is more intent on serving the Lions than fixating on his own prospects of featuring in the last two Tests. “I think the most important thing is that I come here, be myself and then see where that goes,” said Farrell, chosen as midweek captain by his father ahead of the Wales captain Jac Morgan and England’s Jamie George. “And I mean that genuinely. I’m not saying that but don’t mean it. We’ll see what happens.”

    The Lions are also collectively keen to extend their winning momentum ahead of Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies following their 27-19 victory in Brisbane. “Obviously there is going to be a reaction from the weekend,” said Farrell. “We need to be ready for that and more.”

    Those who know Farrell best of all, however, are convinced the Lions have a “Test match animal” at their disposal if needed. “The better we train as a non-23 team, the better prepared the Test team are going to be and he has driven that massively,” said George, delighted to be back in the same dressing room as his Saracens teammate. “He’s unbelievably impressive. You don’t play with him for a year and it still takes your breath away.”

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  • How To Detect Magnetic Fields Around Exoplanets

    How To Detect Magnetic Fields Around Exoplanets

    Magnetic fields play an important, if sometimes underappreciated, part in planetary systems. Without a strong magnetic field, planets can end up as a barren wasteland like Mars, or they could indirectly affect massive storms as can be seen on Jupiter. However, our understanding of planetary magnetic fields are limited to the eight planets in our solar system, as we haven’t yet accrued much data on the magnetic fields of exoplanets. That could be about to change, according to a new preprint paper by a group of research scientists from Europe, the US, India and the UAE.

    According to the paper, there are two main ways scientists could collect data on exoplanet magnetic fields. First is a direct detection using two “effects” known as the Hanle and Zeeman effects. The other is indirect which utilizes “hot spots” in a host star’s atmosphere.

    For direct detection, an observatory would need to capture photons that travel through the planet’s atmosphere as it is making a transit. Given that transits are one of the primary ways exoplanets themselves are detected, there should be plenty of data of these events. With those photons in hand, the researchers could analyze them for the Hanle and Zeeman effects.

    Fraser discusses detecting magnetic fields around an Earth-like exoplanet.

    The Hanle effect happens when light that is affected by a magnetic field, especially one that is perpendicular to the line of sight. These polarized light beams can be absorbed by helium atoms in the planet’s atmosphere, making a clear spectrographic line at the “He I 1083 triplet”. Importantly, this effect is even in place for relatively weak magnetic fields, so it could be utilized for probing magnetic fields that are even weaker than Earth, though the orientation of the field plays an important role in what strength it is able to measure.

    Polarization also plays a role in the Zeeman effect, but instead of linear polarization in a certain orientation, the Zeeman effect looks at circular polarization instead of the linear polarization used in the Hanle effect. Light passing through an exoplanet magnetic field could be circularly polarized by magnetic field lines pointing along the line of sight of the observatory, which meshes nicely with the perpendicular magnetic field lines that cause the Hanle effect.

    Combining the two of these effects can provide a relatively clear picture of the strength and orientation of an exoplanet’s magnetic field. An additional advantage is that, since they use a differential measurement, its easy to remove potentially confounding data like photons from the host star itself. However, since those photons must pass through the exoplanet’s atmosphere, there also aren’t very many of them, so this technique only works with larger planets that are close to their host star.

    Fraser discusses possibilities for the future of exoplanet research.

    Indirect methods also require the host planets to be close to their star, but for a different reason. They identify stellar hot spots that are the manifestation of magnetic field interactions between the star and the planet. The planet, whose size doesn’t matter as much in this scenario, must be close enough to its host star to be within its Alfvén surface, a space defined by the area where star/planet magnetic interactions are supposed to occur.

    Even Mercury isn’t within our Sun’s Alfvén surface, which is typically between 10 and 20 solar radii from the surface of the star. However, since the majority of exoplanets that have been found orbit very close to their parent star, that isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. This technique does have other disadvantages, though, like trying to disentangle whether the magnetic activity causing the hotspot is from a planet or from some other dynamic system in the star’s magnetic field itself.

    Ultimately more science, and therefore more data, is needed. The authors hope future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will be well placed to collect the type of data needed to analyze these potential magnetic fields. That’s not to say current observatories can’t do some preliminary work with strong magnetic fields, but given that HWO won’t be launching for at least another 15 years, it might be a while before we truly get a better understanding of the magnetic fields of planets outside our own system.

    Learn More:

    A. Strugarek et al – Detecting and characterising the magnetic field of exoplanets

    UT – Detecting Exoplanets by their Magnetospheres

    UT – Measuring Exoplanetary Magnetospheres with the Square Kilometer Array

    UT – Magnetic Fields Help Shape the Formation of New Planets

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  • Apple’s new iPad Pro could get another front-facing camera

    Apple’s new iPad Pro could get another front-facing camera

    Apple’s upcoming iPad Pro could appease fans of both landscape and portrait mode by including two front-facing cameras. That’s according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who says Apple is adding a camera to the top of the device, in addition to the one it introduced lengthwise last year.

    The last-gen iPad Pro swapped the tablet’s conventional portrait-oriented camera for a landscape one, making it more convenient for people who exclusively hold or prop up the device horizontally. But a second camera could make it easier to have FaceTime calls, take selfies, or unlock the iPad Pro no matter where you place your hands, as you won’t have to worry about covering up one of the cameras.

    Along with the new camera, Bloomberg reports that Apple could outfit the iPad Pro with an upgraded M5 chip. A previous report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple could launch the iPad Pro as early as this fall, while reserving upgrades to the entry-level iPad and iPad Air by next spring.

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  • Companion for Betelgeuse confirmed! Beloved red star has a blue-white buddy

    Companion for Betelgeuse confirmed! Beloved red star has a blue-white buddy

    View larger. | The ‘Alopeke instrument on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii obtained this image of the companion for Betelgeuse. Here, Betelgeuse is the red object, and the companion is blue. This newly discovered companion appears to lie within the extended outer extended atmosphere of Betelgeuse itself. Image via International Gemini Observatory/ NOIRLab/ NSF/ AURA; Image Processing: M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab).
    • Betelgeuse is a famous red supergiant star, located some 650-700 light-years from Earth. Its fame stems in part from the fact it’ll someday explode and become visibly brighter in our sky! Astronomers have long thought Betelgeuse might have a smaller, fainter companion star.
    • Betelgeuse does indeed have a buddy, astronomers have now confirmed using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. The companion star is blue-white and orbits within Betelgeuse’s outer atmosphere.
    • Both stars likely formed at the same time, only about 10 million years ago. The fate of the companion isn’t entirely known, but it may eventually be consumed by Betelgeuse.

    A companion for Betelgeuse

    It’s confirmed! The beloved red supergiant star Betelgeuse has a companion! Astronomers using the ‘Alopeke instrument on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii found the companion star. The researchers said on July 21, 2025 that the companion has an estimated mass of around 1.5 times that of our sun. It appears to be an A- or B-type pre-main-sequence star — a hot, young, blue-white star that has not yet initiated hydrogen burning in its core.

    The companion is 6 magnitudes fainter than Betelgeuse and orbits close to Betelgeuse itself, within the supergiant star’s extended outer atmosphere.

    The Betelgeuse binary system

    So … wow! What an incredible example of stellar evolution in action. Both Betelgeuse and its companion are relatively young stars, only about 10 million years old. Both are massive stars, of the sort that burn their fuel quickly. In accordance with what astronomers have learned about how stars evolve, Betelgeuse started out more massive than its companion. It probably started with about 15 to 20 times the sun’s mass. Betelgeuse has already spent the hydrogen fuel in its core and evolved to the red giant stage. It’ll famously explode as a supernova someday soon, anytime between now and 10,000 years from now.

    The companion – at only 1.5 times the sun’s mass – appears to be still forming. It’s not massive enough to become a supernova itself someday, but, in any case, its life will be cut short by Betelgeuse. And it might eventually spiral into Betelgeuse.

    Several astronomers in recent decades have suggested a companion for Betelgeuse. And a previous study from last year strongly suggested it. But now, the new observations have confirmed it.

    The researchers published their peer-reviewed findings in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on July 21, 2025.

    Bright stars of the constellation Orion, with millions of other stars in the background. A square in the upper left corner contains a bright reddish circle with white spot in the center, and smaller blue spot next to it on black background.
    View larger. | Betelgeuse and its companion in the constellation Orion. Image via International Gemini Observatory/ NOIRLab/ NSF/ AURA; Image Processing: M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab).

    Higher-resolution images reveal Betelgeuse’s buddy

    Astrophysicist Steve Howell at NASA Ames Research Center in California led the team that made the discovery. The researchers used a speckle imager on Gemini North called ‘Alopeke (‘fox’ in Hawaiian). Speckle imaging uses very short exposure times to freeze out the distortions in astronomical images caused by Earth’s atmosphere. The astronomers combined it with the power of Gemini North’s 8.1-meter mirror to produce higher-resolution images.

    The researchers analyzed the light of the fainter companion star to determine its characteristics. It is an A- or B-type pre-main-sequence star: young, hot and blue-white in color, in contrast to Betelegeuse’s fiery red. In addition, it is also much smaller and less massive than Betelgeuse, only 1.5 times as massive as our sun. Betelgeuse itself is enormous, about 1,400 times larger in size than the sun.

    Optically, the companion star is 6 magnitudes fainter than Betelgeuse.

    The researchers say that both stars likely formed at the same time. The companion, however, will probably have a sorter lifetime. It will eventually be consumed by Betelgeuse after it spirals into the red supergiant.

    An impressive accomplishment

    The detection of the companion star is an impressive achievement, to be sure. Howell said:

    Gemini North’s ability to obtain high angular resolutions and sharp contrasts allowed the companion of Betelgeuse to be directly detected. Papers that predicted Betelgeuse’s companion believed that no one would likely ever be able to image it.

    This detection was at the very extremes of what can be accomplished with Gemini in terms of high-angular resolution imaging, and it worked. This now opens the door for other observational pursuits of a similar nature.

    Martin Still, the National Science Foundation program director for the International Gemini Observatory, added:

    The speckle capabilities provided by the International Gemini Observatory continue to be a spectacular tool, open to all astronomers for a wide range of astronomy applications. Delivering the solution to the Betelgeuse problem that has stood for hundreds of years will stand as an evocative highlight achievement.

    Bright red-orange blob with white spot and a bump on it, on black background.
    The red supergiant star Betelgeuse is a beloved star, bright and easy to see in the famous constellation Orion the Hunter. See the “bump” on the left side in this submillimeter-wavelength image of the star? It’s hot gas from the red giant star’s extended atmosphere. Image via the ALMA telescope in Chile in 2020/ ESO/ NAOJ/ NRAO)/ E. O’Gorman/ P. Kervella.
    Smiling man with white beard, moustache and pony tail, wearing a red jacket.
    Steve Howell at NASA’s Ames Research Center led the team that discovered the companion star to Betelgeuse. Image via NASA.

    The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse

    Betelgeuse is a variable star, but also experiences periods of even more significant dimming in brightness. It most recently did so in 2019-2020 and again in 2024. In fact, these dimming episodes sparked speculation that Betelgeuse might explode soon (and astronomers say that indeed it will do so one day).

    In 2021, scientists said that Betelgeuse was expelling massive amounts of hot gas and dust from its atmosphere. This, consequently, caused the dimming, as the dust temporarily blocked some of the star’s light.

    Interestingly, the previous study from 2024 also suggested that if Betelgeuse did have a companion, then it probably won’t go boom anytime soon. So we might be waiting a long time yet!

    Bottom line: Astronomers using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii have confirmed a companion for Betelgeuse! The companion star is blue-white and orbits within Betelgeuse’s outer atmosphere.

    Source: Probable Direct Imaging Discovery of the Stellar Companion to Betelgeuse

    Via NOIRLab.

    Read more: Betelgeuse will explode someday, but WHEN?

    Read more: How far is Betelgeuse, the famous red supergiant star?

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  • Introducing The Armin Strom Orbit Lime Green & Ice Blue

    Introducing The Armin Strom Orbit Lime Green & Ice Blue

    Armin Strom first introduced the System 78 series model, the Orbit, in 2022, which became the world’s first watch with an on-demand date display integrated into a ceramic bezel. The original version featured a mostly monochromatic look, a steel case and a black gold dial, accented only by the red date pointer tip and matching “date” engraving on the bezel. Now, Armin Strom expands the Orbit family with two fresh references: the Orbit Lime Green and the Orbit Ice Blue.

    Based on the Gravity Equal Force, the Orbit reinvented the date complication, adding a clever on/off function driven by a sophisticated column-wheel mechanism. These new versions bring more colour to the concept, adding a vibrant twist to the original design.

    The 43.4 mm stainless steel case and matching bracelet give both models a clean, modern presence. Each dial features a gradient effect, bright lime green or soft ice blue fading to deep black at the edge, that focuses attention on the signature off-centre display and openworked mechanics. As customary, the date pointer tip and the “date” inscription are matched to the time dial colour.

    Powering both models is the in-house Calibre ASS20, equipped with Armin Strom’s patented Equal Force Barrel for stable energy delivery and a solid 72-hour power reserve. A press of the pusher at 10 o’clock activates the Orbit’s unique date hand, which jumps to the correct numeral on the ceramic bezel — another push resets it neatly to 12 o’clock.

    As ever, Armin Strom’s meticulous finishing shines through, with traditional anglage, perlage, and Geneva stripes all visible beneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Limited to 20 pieces each, the Orbit Lime Green and Orbit Ice Blue models retail for CHF 36,000.

    For more information, please visit ArminStrom.com.

    https://monochrome-watches.com/introducing-armin-strom-orbit-lime-green-ice-blue-independent-watchmaking-specs-price-pics/

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  • DuckDuckGo Adds Option To Filter Out AI-Generated Images

    DuckDuckGo Adds Option To Filter Out AI-Generated Images

    DuckDuckGo now lets you filter AI-generated images out of your search results.

    The new setting appears in image search and aligns with the company’s effort to make AI features “private, useful, and optional.”

    What’s New

    A new filter gives you more control over how much AI you see while using DuckDuckGo.

    When you search in the Images tab, you’ll now see a dropdown menu labeled “AI images,” with the ability to show or hide AI-generated visuals.

    DuckDuckGo shared an example on X:

    DuckDuckGo says the feature won’t eliminate all AI-generated images but will “greatly reduce” their appearance by using open-source blocklists. These include uBlockOrigin’s “nuclear” list and the Huge AI Blocklist curated by uBlacklist.

    You can also turn on the filter in your search settings under Hide AI-Generated Images, or go a step further by using a dedicated link: noai.duckduckgo.com. This version of DuckDuckGo automatically enables the image filter, disables AI-assisted summaries, and hides Duck.ai chat icons.

    What This Means

    While DuckDuckGo represents a smaller portion of the search market, its decision to offer an AI image filter reflects a preference among some users for how they engage with search engines.

    This update may indicate interest in tools that distinguish between human and machine-generated content. For marketers and content creators, it’s a reminder that:

    • User preferences vary: Not all audiences welcome AI-generated visuals, and some may actively filter them out.
    • Original content still matters: As filters become more common, human-created content may hold more appeal for certain segments.
    • Transparency can build trust: Clearly labeling AI-assisted content may help maintain credibility with users who care about content sources.

    Why It Matters

    This change lands amid growing scrutiny of AI-generated content across the web. While other search engines push deeper AI integration, DuckDuckGo is positioning itself as a platform where you can opt out.

    Its use of community-maintained blocklists also reinforces its open-source-friendly and privacy-first philosophy. Using proprietary content detection systems could raise questions about transparency.

    As generative AI becomes more common in search and content workflows, user control could emerge as a competitive differentiator. DuckDuckGo’s move signals that for some users, less AI might be more.


    Featured Image: PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock


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