Category: 7. Science

The evolutionary success of our species may have hinged on minute changes to our brain biochemistry after we diverged from the lineage leading to Neanderthals and Denisovans about half a million years ago. 

Two of these tiny changes that set modern humans apart from Neanderthals and Denisovans affect the stability and genetic expression of the enzyme adenylosuccinate lyase, or ADSL. This enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of purine, one of the fundamental building blocks of DNA, RNA, and other important biomolecules. In a study now published in PNAS, researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Japan and the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany have discovered that these changes may play an important role in our behavior, contributing new pieces to the great puzzle of who we humans are and where we come from.

Through our study, we have gotten clues into the functional consequences of some of the molecular changes that set modern humans apart from our ancestors.”

Dr. Xiang-Chun Ju, first author, Human Evolutionary Genomics Unit, OIST

The ADSL enzyme is made up of a chain of 484 amino acids. The modern and ancestral variants of this enzyme differ by just one of these amino acids: at position 429, the alanine in the ancestral form has been substituted with a valine in the modern. In vitro, this change has been observed to reduce the stability of the protein. The team has now shown that in mouse models, this translates to higher concentrations of the substrates that ADSL catalyzes in several organs, especially in the brain.

Given that genetic ADSL deficiency is known to cause psychomotor retardation and cognitive impairments in humans, the researchers explored the possible behavioral effects of this substitution. In an experimental setup where water is made available to mice following a visual or sound cue, they found that female mice with the substitution consistently accessed water more frequently than their littermates when they were thirsty, suggesting that the reduced activity of the enzyme allowed them to better compete for a scarce resource.

The amino acid substitution is absent in both Neanderthals and Denisovans but present in virtually all present-day humans, showing that this change must have appeared in modern humans after they separated from the lineage leading to Neanderthals and Denisovans but before they left Africa. “It’s too early to translate these findings directly to humans, as the neural circuits of mice are vastly different,” adds Dr. Ju. “But the substitution might have given us some evolutionary advantage in particular tasks relative to ancestral humans.” 

The team next searched for other related genetic changes that might affect ADSL activity in present-day humans. They identified a set of genetic variants in a non-coding region of the ADSL gene, which are present in at least 97% of all present-day human genomes. Statistical tests involving Neanderthal, Denisovan, and modern African, European, and East Asian genetic sequences provided strong evidence that these variants have been positively selected among modern humans.

Fascinatingly, the researchers found that rather than compensating for the reduced activity of ADSL caused by the amino acid change, the non-coding changes reduce ADSL RNA expression, further diminishing its activity – again, especially in the brain. “This enzyme underwent two separate rounds of selection that reduced its activity – first through a change to the protein’s stability and second by lowering its expression. Evidently, there’s an evolutionary pressure to lower the activity of the enzyme enough to provide the effects that we saw in mice, while keeping it active enough to avoid ADSL deficiency disorder,” explains co-author Dr. Shin-Yu Lee of the same research unit at OIST. 

Our results open up many questions. For example, it’s unclear why only female mice seemed to gain a competitive advantage. Behavior is complex. Accessing water proficiently involves processing sensory information, learning which actions lead to rewards, navigating social interactions, motor planning, and many other processes. Each of these may involve multiple brain regions. As such, more studies are needed to understand the role of ADSL in behavior.” 

 Professor Izumi Fukunaga of the Sensory and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit at OIST

Professor Svante Pääbo, leader of the Human Evolutionary Genomics Unit, summarizes: “There are a small number of enzymes that were affected by evolutionary changes in the ancestors of modern humans. ADSL is one of them. We are beginning to understand the effects of some of these changes, and thus to puzzle together how our metabolism has changed over the past half million years of our evolution. A next step will be to study what effects combinations of these changes may have.” 

A major international study has found that when it comes to choosing a long-term partner, people across the globe consider not just how many sexual partners someone has had, but also when those encounters took place.

This is the first time researchers have explored the timing of sexual history alongside quantity – offering a fresh perspective on human mating psychology.

Led by Swansea University, the study surveyed more than 5,000 participants from 11 countries across five continents. It found that people were generally less willing to commit to someone with a high number of past sexual partners but were more open if those encounters had become less frequent over time, suggesting a shift away from casual sex.

People use sexual history as a cue to assess relationship risk. In our ancestral past, knowing someone’s sexual history could help people avoid risks like STIs, infidelity, emotional instability, or rivalry with ex-partners.

Previous studies have shown that people are generally less inclined to pursue relationships with individuals who have had many past sexual partners. However, what’s particularly interesting about this study’s findings is that this effect diminishes when those encounters occurred primarily in the past and this is something we found across the globe.”

Dr. Andrew G. Thomas, Lead Researcher of Swansea University’s School of Psychology 

Participants were shown simple visual timelines representing a potential partner’s sexual history. Each timeline showed the same number of past partners, but with different patterns – some concentrated early in life, others spread evenly, and some decreasing over time. Participants then rated their willingness to pursue a committed relationship, revealing that the timing of past encounters, particularly whether sexual activity with new partners had slowed over time, significantly shaped their perceptions.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study found little evidence of a sexual double standard, with male and female participants evaluating sexual history in similar ways. Only minor sex differences were observed across countries and cultures.

Dr Thomas said: “The results of this study point to a lack of sexual double standards, challenging the idea that women are judged more harshly for their sexual past than men.”

The study also looked at how people’s own attitudes toward casual sex influenced their views. Those who were more open to casual relationships were less affected by a partner’s sexual history, though they still showed some sensitivity to it.

Dr Thomas concludes: “The online discourse around people’s sexual history can be very damning, but the results of this study reveal the picture is far more nuanced. We’ve been led to believe that society harshly judges those with a sexually adventurous past, but as individuals, people are in fact far more forgiving, particularly if someone’s approach to sex has changed.

“The results of this study not only shed light on the universal nature of our sexual psychology but could be used to combat misogynistic discussion of sexual history online.”

Earth is frequently visited by objects from deep space, ranging from tiny meteorites to massive asteroids that capture global attention. One such celestial traveler, asteroid 2025 OT7, is now at the center of interest as it prepares for a close approach to Earth on August 5, 2025. Its remarkable size, high velocity, and unique orbital path have made it a key subject for astronomers and sky watchers worldwide. Events like these emphasise the importance of continuously tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) to understand their behaviour better, refine monitoring technology, and strengthen planetary defense strategies. The upcoming flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 serves as a reminder of how dynamic our solar system truly is and why vigilance in space observation is essential.

NASA tracks 170 feet asteroid 2025 OT7 to close flyby on August 5: Speed and distance

Asteroid 2025 OT7 is estimated to be about 170 feet (52 meters) wide, roughly comparable to the height of a 16-story building. It is traveling at an impressive speed of 48,431 miles per hour (77,955 km/h), covering vast distances in space within seconds. During its closest approach, the asteroid will pass at a distance of 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kilometers) from Earth.Although this may seem like an extremely safe distance, astronomers categorise such flybys as relatively close because OT7 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, which often cross Earth’s orbital path. These types of asteroids are constantly monitored due to their dynamic orbits and potential to shift over time.NASA has strict criteria for classifying an asteroid as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). For an object to fall under this category, it must have a diameter of more than 85 meters (279 feet) and pass within 7.4 million kilometers (4.6 million miles) of Earth. While asteroid 2025 OT7 is passing within the monitoring zone, it does not meet the size threshold. This means there is no immediate danger and its orbit is well understood, with no risk of collision during this flyby.

Importance of monitoring space rocks

Even when an asteroid does not pose a direct threat, it remains crucial to track and study its movement. Small gravitational shifts or interactions with other celestial bodies could potentially alter an asteroid’s trajectory over time. That is why space agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA, and ISRO keep a constant watch on near-Earth objects like 2025 OT7.India, under the guidance of ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, has shown keen interest in asteroid research and exploration. Plans are already in motion to study larger asteroids such as Apophis, which will pass extremely close to Earth in 2029. ISRO also aims to collaborate internationally on future asteroid landing missions, further enhancing planetary defense efforts.

What makes asteroid 2025 OT7 significant

The flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 is significant, not because of danger, but because it serves as a reminder of the constant activity within our solar system. Close approaches like this demonstrate Earth’s vulnerability to celestial events and reinforce why global monitoring systems are so important. They also present opportunities to test and refine advanced tracking technologies and engage the public in space science.For astronomers and researchers, this flyby offers valuable observational data that can be used to improve our understanding of asteroid compositions, movements, and long-term trajectories. For the general public, it sparks interest in space exploration and emphasizes the need for planetary defense strategies.

Planetary defense progress with NASA DART and global missions

In recent years, planetary defense has moved from science fiction to reality. NASA’s DART mission, which successfully altered the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, proved that humans have the capability to influence the path of small celestial bodies. This breakthrough has inspired similar efforts worldwide. The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing its Hera mission to further study the effects of DART’s impact, while ISRO and other agencies are exploring their own asteroid observation and mitigation programs. Together, these efforts create a global network designed to ensure early detection and potential deflection of hazardous space objects.Also Read | NASA astronaut recalls awe-inspiring view of Mumbai and Delhi’s night lights from space: ‘India looks magical’

Audio transcript

SPEAKER: You’re listening to Short Wave from NPR.

REGINA BARBER: Hey, Short Wavers. I love my job, but I’m going to be honest. Sometimes it’s stressful. And when I’m stressed, I can definitely feel it in my body, which science journalist Diana Kwon says makes sense.

DIANA KWON: I’ve reported a lot of stories in the past about the biological effects of stress.

BARBER: Stress can really take a physical toll. But I don’t think I realized just how much of a toll until this episode, when I called her to discuss the link between stress and aging. And she told me, yep, Gina, there’s a whole body of research on this very topic.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

KWON: It just kind made a lot of sense that stress would affect aging as well because, you know, things like various disorders and diseases, you know, these all affect how quickly we age.

BARBER: She told me about a study researchers did in the early 2000s looking at stress in 58 biological mothers.

KWON: About a third or a bit more than a third who had a healthy child and 2/3 who had a child with a chronic illness. And they kind of reasoned that this latter group would have higher levels of stress due to having to take care of somebody with an illness.

BARBER: Part of the study included asking those parents about their stress levels, which were higher for the caretakers of kids with an illness. But Diana says this study also did something pretty unique.

KWON: It was one of the first studies to really bring the stress and aging link to, like, the molecular level.

BARBER: So more researchers started looking for signs of psychological stress in people’s DNA.

KWON: You know, not only did this group of people with a chronically ill child report having higher levels of stress, they also had shorter telomeres.

BARBER: Telomeres are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes. And overall, their shortening is associated with aging. So more stressed parents with shorter telomeres equals biologically older parents. Since then, other studies have found other clues to how stress affects the body on the molecular level. They linked chronic stress to an increase in something called senescent or zombie cells.

KWON: As our cells age, they stop performing their regular functions. And they enter this kind of sleepy, zombie-like state.

BARBER: And they stop dividing, like normal cells do. Some researchers are starting to think that these zombie cells are sucking up resources from the rest of our body, which ultimately results in aging and could ultimately help researchers answer the question–

KWON: What is it about stress that’s changing our cells that, you know, makes people become less healthy later in life?

BARBER: Today on the show, a new hypothesis for how the brain handles these aging, zombie-like cells may help researchers understand aging on the molecular level, plus what science could do about it. I’m Regina Barber. And you’re listening to Short Wave, the science podcast from NPR.

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

BARBER: OK, Diana. So these researchers that are, like, studying aging, they’ve developed this hypothesis called the brain-body energy conservation model. As a physicist, I love any energy conservation model, actually. How does this work?

KWON: Yeah, yeah. So this is a really interesting model developed by, you know, a small group of aging researchers. So it’s by no means a well-established, widely accepted model yet. But basically, as our cells get older, you know, they accumulate energetically costly forms of damage. So these are things like becoming zombie-like or senescent or accumulating DNA damage or inflammation, you know. All of these things are–

BARBER: Those telomeres shortening.

KWON: Exactly. So all of these things require energy to fix. And so the brain, through, you know, various signaling molecules that are coming through the body senses that, OK, there’s a bunch of cells out there that need energy. And so we’re going to take energy away from other processes to fuel this damage control. And so this ultimately results in the outward signs of aging that we’re all familiar with, things like graying hair or reduction in muscle mass that are less essential than keeping ourselves alive.

BARBER: Yeah. It makes me think of, like, how older appliances, like fridges, yeah, like, use more energy. They’re less energy efficient, like, than the newer ones that are, like, running well, you know?

KWON: Yeah.

BARBER: So in your piece, you write about an experiment these researchers did, the ones who came up with this model, a couple of years back to look at how these zombie cells use energy. Can you tell me more about that?

KWON: Yeah. So this was back in, I think, 2022, where a bunch of researchers at Columbia took human skin cells and cultured them in a laboratory dish. And they observed them over a short period of time. And they found that the cells that had stopped dividing and entered this zombie-like state were using about double the energy that younger cells were. And this kind of flew in the face of what researchers had thought about these zombie cells. Because a lot of people thought, OK, a cell doesn’t divide anymore. Cell division requires a lot of energy. You know, these cells–

BARBER: Right.

KWON: –must not need a lot of energy. But actually, it turns out that they’re burning a lot of energy. And so, you know, the researchers went and kind of looked at the literature and found, oh, wait, there’s, like, all these other damage processes that are happening, and these are all costly. We should–

BARBER: Wow.

KWON: –put this into a model. And, you know, the brain-body energy conservation model is what they came up with.

BARBER: And this is a pretty new hypothesis, right? Like, the entire aging research community isn’t completely convinced yet, right?

KWON: Yeah, it’s absolutely a new hypothesis. They only came up with it, you know, in the last couple of years. And the researchers I spoke to who hadn’t developed this hypothesis, a lot of people thought it was really intriguing. And I think what a lot of people like about it is that it kind of brings the brain and body together in aging. And that’s something that hasn’t really been done before, this kind of unified hypothesis of aging. One can kind of think of it in that way. But, you know, in a lot of ways, a lot of pieces of this puzzle are untested, even though there are some really compelling hints or pieces of evidence that, you know, this might actually be happening.

BARBER: Right. Yeah. One of these things that has come up in these studies is this molecule called GDF15. Why is this important in this research?

KWON: Yeah. So GDF15, or Growth/Differentiation Factor 15, which is a bit of a mouthful– so I think this was one of the most fascinating pieces of the brain-body aging model puzzle. So basically, GDF15 is a cellular messenger. And researchers think it might play a really central role in mediating the link between the body and brain in aging. And this molecule has also come up in aging research not related to the brain either. So it’s been linked to a bunch of different aging-related processes, once again, cellular senescence or a zombie-like state. So, you know, this molecule is found to be linked to that process. Also, a dysfunction in mitochondria or these cellular powerhouses, this is also something that happens as we age. GDF15 is also linked to aging-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s and a bunch of chronic physical and mental illnesses too. And so one thing that’s really interesting about this molecule is that it’s secreted by many, if not all, of our organs, but the receptor for this molecule is only found in one place in the body. And that’s in the brain. And so, you know–

BARBER: Wow.

KWON: –all of these things together, yeah, have made researchers think, OK, maybe GDF15 is responsible for sending the brain signals about cellular stress. So this is kind of a working hypothesis at the moment, but a really fascinating molecule that might play a really important role or be a really important piece of this whole puzzle.

BARBER: There are so many unknowns still. But scientists are already trying to create medicines, like, to slow down aging. So with this new hypothesis, how are scientists going to maybe think differently about clinical trials?

KWON: Yeah. I think both with this new hypothesis and the kind of growing body of research that shows that stress plays a really important role in these aging-related processes, what a lot of the stress researchers or the stress and aging researchers that I spoke to said is that, you know, this field of aging, which traditionally hasn’t really thought about the effects of stress, should really think about how much stress the people who are taking these drugs or, you know, will be taking these drugs in the future are exposed to because that might have a huge impact on how well these interventions work.

BARBER: When you were doing this story, at the very end, when you’ve done all this reporting, did you come away thinking differently about aging, about stress?

KWON: I guess yes and no. No in that, you know, I wasn’t necessarily surprised that stress, which affects so many parts of our body, affects aging as well. But I guess yes in that, for such a long time, it was kind of this, like, woo-woo connection. Oh, you know, stress causes aging. But, you know, how, without a mechanism? So I thought it was really cool that this research seems to be entering a kind of new era, where hopefully, it’ll start to make a big difference in people’s lives.

BARBER: Yeah. I mean, this actually does make me feel, like, more hopeful as well about stress and aging.

KWON: Yeah, absolutely. And that makes me think of– you know, there’s actually been some experiments where scientists have found that some of these stress-related aging changes in our cells are reversible. So there were researchers who did a study in monkeys, where they found that monkeys that were stressed out had these changes in their immune cells that were linked to accelerated aging. But they found that when they switched up their conditions and put them in less stressful situations, you know, all of a sudden the cells bore less– or reduced signs of accelerated aging. So I think that’s a really positive thing. Because I think this kind of stress may be linked to aging or cause aging at some level, it can be a really negative message. And it can stress people out to think that stress is going to age you. Because, you know, you know, stress is one of these things where you’re like, oh–

BARBER: You’re stressed because–

KWON: –you’re telling me not to be stressed.

BARBER: –you’re stressed about stress.

KWON: Exactly. But no, these changes are not irreversible. These are things that you know, we can affect in our daily lives, to some extent. It’s kind of more hopeful, in my view. It’s a hopeful view of a future where will have a toolbox of things that may help us stay healthy for longer.

BARBER: Yeah, and less stressed.

KWON: Yeah.

BARBER: Diana, thank you so much for talking to me today about aging. It makes me think about you know, more because I always think about it.

[LAUGHTER]

KWON: Don’t we all? Thanks so much for having me.

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

BARBER: Short Wavers, thank you for listening. If you want to help us out, share this episode with a friend. We want to grow as we age and reach even more science-curious people. And that’s one of the best ways to do it, by word of mouth from you to your friends. And why not follow us on the NPR app or whatever other podcast app you use. This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, edited by our showrunner Rebecca Ramirez, and fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley. Beth Donovan is a senior director. And Collin Campbell is our senior vice president of podcasting strategy. I’m Regina Barber. Thank you for listening to Short Wave from NPR.

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems far beyond the reach of today’s fastest supercomputers. But today’s machines are notoriously fragile. The quantum bits, or “qubits,” that store and process information are easily disrupted by their environment, leading to errors that quickly accumulate.

One of the most promising approaches to overcoming this challenge is topological quantum computing, which aims to protect quantum information by encoding it in the geometric properties of exotic particles called anyons. These particles, predicted to exist in certain two-dimensional materials, are expected to be far more resistant to noise and interference than conventional qubits.

“Among the leading candidates for building such a computer are Ising anyons, which are already being intensely investigated in condensed matter labs due to their potential realization in exotic systems like the fractional quantum Hall state and topological superconductors,” said Aaron Lauda, professor of mathematics, physics and astronomy at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the study’s senior author. “On their own, Ising anyons can’t perform all the operations needed for a general-purpose quantum computer. The computations they support rely on ‘braiding,’ physically moving anyons around one another to carry out quantum logic. For Ising anyons, this braiding only enables a limited set of operations known as Clifford gates, which fall short of the full power required for universal quantum computing.”

But in a new study published in Nature Communications, a team of mathematicians and physicists led by USC researchers has demonstrated a surprising workaround. By adding a single new type of anyon, which was previously discarded in traditional approaches to topological quantum computation, the team shows that Ising anyons can be made universal, capable of performing any quantum computation through braiding alone. The team dubbed these rescued particles “neglectons,” a name that reflects both their overlooked status and their newfound importance. This new anyon emerges naturally from a broader mathematical framework and provides exactly the missing ingredient needed to complete the computational toolkit.

From mathematical trash to quantum treasure

The key lies in a new class of mathematical theories called non-semisimple topological quantum field theories (TQFTs). These extend the standard “semisimple” frameworks that physicists typically use to describe anyons. Traditional models simplify the underlying math by discarding objects with so-called “quantum trace zero,” effectively declaring them useless.

“But those discarded objects turn out to be the missing piece,” Lauda explained. “It’s like finding treasure in what everyone else thought was mathematical garbage.”

The new framework retains these neglected components and reveals the new type of anyon — the neglecton — which, when combined with Ising anyons, allows for universal computation using braiding alone. Crucially, only one neglecton is needed, and it remains stationary while the computation is performed by braiding Ising anyons around it.

A house with unstable rooms

The discovery wasn’t without its mathematical challenges. The non-semisimple framework introduces irregularities that violate unitarity, a fundamental principle ensuring that quantum mechanics preserve probability. Most physicists would have seen this as a fatal flaw.

But Lauda’s team found an elegant workaround. They designed their quantum encoding to isolate these mathematical irregularities away from the actual computation. “Think of it like designing a quantum computer in a house with some unstable rooms,” Lauda explained. “Instead of fixing every room, you ensure all of your computing happens in the structurally sound areas while keeping the problematic spaces off-limits.

“We’ve effectively quarantined the strange parts of the theory,” Lauda said. “By carefully designing where the quantum information lives, we make sure it stays in the parts of the theory that behave properly, so the computation works even if the global structure is mathematically unusual.”

From pure math to quantum reality

The breakthrough illustrates how abstract mathematics can solve concrete engineering problems in unexpected ways.

“By embracing mathematical structures that were previously considered useless, we unlocked a whole new chapter for quantum information science,” Lauda said.

The research opens new directions both in theory and in practice. Mathematically, the team is working to extend their framework to other parameter values and to clarify the role of unitarity in non-semisimple TQFTs. On the experimental side, they aim to identify specific material platforms where the stationary neglecton could arise and to develop protocols that translate their braiding-based approach into realizable quantum operations.

“What’s particularly exciting is that this work moves us closer to universal quantum computing with particles we already know how to create,” Lauda said. “The math gives a clear target: If experimentalists can find a way to realize this extra stationary anyon, it could unlock the full power of Ising-based systems.”

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About the study: In addition to Lauda, other authors include the study’s first author, Filippo Iulianelli, and Sung Kim of USC, and Joshua Sussan of Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York.

The study was supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants (DMS-1902092, DMS-2200419, DMS-2401375), Army Research Office (W911NF-20-1-0075), Simons Foundation Collaboration Grant on New Structures in Low-Dimensional Topology, Simons Foundation Travel Support Grant, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (DGE- 1842487) and PSC CUNY Enhanced Award (66685-00 54).

Newswise — A groundbreaking study published in Engineering has shed new light on the behavior of lunar regolith particles under the influence of an external electric field, a discovery that could revolutionize space exploration and lunar resource utilization. The research, conducted by a collaborative team of scientists from the Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology, Tsinghua University, and other esteemed institutions, focuses on the charging properties and particle dynamics of lunar samples brought back by China’s Chang’e-5 mission.

The research article, titled “Charging Properties and Particle Dynamics of Chang’e-5 Lunar Sample in an External Electric Field,” delves into the challenges of in-situ utilization of lunar regolith resources. The study explores the manipulation of lunar particles through the application of an external electric field, a method that shows promise for space particle control. This control is crucial for various space applications, including dust elimination, raw material transport, and mineral enrichment.

The experiments were conducted under high-vacuum conditions, simulating the lunar environment. The researchers used lunar regolith samples from the Chang’e-5 mission and exposed them to an electric field produced by two parallel brass electrodes. The study observed the charging process, particle dynamics, and the impact of these charged particles on aerospace materials.

Key Findings and Implications

The results revealed significant differences in the charging process and electrostatic projection of lunar regolith particles under high-vacuum conditions compared to atmospheric conditions. The particles, with diameters ranging from 27.7 to 139.0 micrometers, were found to be more susceptible to negative charging in an external electric field. The charge obtained by the lunar samples and the charge-to-mass ratio were measured, providing valuable data for future lunar engineering solutions.

The study also observed significant damage on the target impact surfaces, indicating the potential hazards lunar regolith particles pose to aerospace materials. This insight is critical for developing protective measures for spacecraft and lunar habitats.

Contributing to Future Lunar Missions

The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles behind lunar regolith shielding and utilization. It provides a foundation for developing new in-situ lunar regolith utilization techniques, which are essential for deep space exploration and the construction of lunar bases.

The comprehensive study of the induction charging properties of Chang’e-5 lunar regolith samples and their dynamics under an external electric field has filled a gap in experimental data in this scientific field. The findings not only advance our knowledge of lunar particle behavior but also inspire innovative approaches to lunar resource management, paving the way for sustainable and effective lunar exploration.

The paper “Charging Properties and Particle Dynamics of Chang’e-5 Lunar Sample in an External Electric Field,” authored by Junping Gu, Xiaoyu Qian, Yiwei Liu, Qinggong Wang, Yiyang Zhang, Xuan Ruan, Xiangjin Deng, Yaowen Lu, Jian Song, Hui Zhang, Yunning Dong, Mengmeng Wei, Wei Yao, Shuiqing Li, Weihua Wang, Zhigang Zou, Mengfei Yang. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2024.08.003. For more information about the Engineering, follow us on X (https://twitter.com/EngineeringJrnl) & like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EngineeringJrnl).

Starfest, Canada’s largest annual star party and astronomical conference, will return to Riverplace Campground just north of Mount Forest from August 21 to 24, 2025.

Now in its 42nd year, the event is organized by volunteers from the North York Astronomical Association (NYAA), drawing astronomy enthusiasts, professionals, and amateur stargazers from across the country.

This year’s theme, “Dark Matters”, focuses on the elusive subjects of dark matter and dark energy—phenomena that remain among the most enigmatic in modern astrophysics. Though neither can currently be observed directly, both are widely believed to play a crucial role in shaping the structure of the universe, inferred through their gravitational effects on galaxies and visible matter.

The 2025 conference will feature keynote lectures by leading astrophysicists, including Dr. Ting Lee, Dr. Mike Hudson, and Dr. Liza Sasonova, alongside presentations from a wide range of speakers covering diverse astronomical topics.

In addition to lectures and discussions, Starfest will offer a variety of activities designed to engage participants of all ages and skill levels, including:

• Night sky tours

• Astrophotography workshops

• Telescope construction demonstrations

• Kidsfest, a science program for children

• Astrophotography contests, regarded as among the most prestigious in Canada

Starfest has grown steadily since its inception, earning a reputation as a hub for public education, scientific exchange, and astronomical outreach. According to the NYAA, the event aims to foster a deeper understanding of the universe and encourage participation in observational astronomy.

More information, including registration details and a full schedule of events, is available on the official Starfest website at www.nyaa.ca.

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Forests act like natural storage units for carbon. Trees soak it up and hold it in their trunks, branches, roots, and leaves. But this ability to store carbon isn’t fixed. Climate shifts and human activity can throw it off balance. What’s happening in one forest might not match what’s going on in another.

That’s why scientists need a consistent, long-term way to track how forest biomass is changing over time.

That’s exactly what researchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) have been working on. In a recent study, they used a satellite originally designed to measure soil moisture and ocean salinity to estimate forest biomass over a 15-year period. The key data point they used? Something called vegetation optical depth, or VOD.

Soil satellite spots forest trends

Launched in 2009, ESA’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission was never designed to track forests. Its main tool – the Microwave Imaging Radiometer – was supposed to map soil moisture on land and salinity in oceans.

But over time, scientists noticed something else. The radiometer was also picking up signals from vegetation.

The VOD measurement from SMOS tells us how much vegetation is in the way of the microwave signal. In simple terms, the denser and wetter the vegetation, the more the signal gets blocked.

That’s why VOD can be used to estimate how much biomass is above ground. This includes both dry material like trunks and branches, and water stored in leaves and stems.

“SMOS is able to detect how the microwave radiation signal from its instrument gets weaker when it passes through vegetation,” said Matthias Drusch, Land Surfaces Principal Scientist at ESA. “That tells us about total mass: dry biomass plus water content. It’s not direct, but it’s very useful.”

Unraveling forest satellite data

Tracking VOD over time gives a picture of what’s happening in forests across the globe, but making sense of it isn’t always easy.

“Over the SMOS time series, you can spot major trends – big droughts, floods, or shifts in vegetation structure – but interpreting them isn’t always straightforward,” said Klaus Scipal, SMOS and Biomass Mission Manager at ESA. “Because the signal includes both biomass and water, we need to be cautious about what we’re actually seeing.”

That’s where long-term analysis and ground data come in. Paul Vermunt, a scientist from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, emphasized this point.

“You need long time-series, but also a way to interpret them,” he said. “That’s why we’re combining satellite data with on-the-ground measurements.”

“The idea is to link what we see from space with what’s happening inside forests and even individual trees.”

Biomass adds fine detail

In April of this year, ESA launched another satellite called Biomass. This one is equipped with a radar that uses longer radio waves than SMOS. While SMOS works in the L-band, Biomass operates in the P-band.

“Biomass gives us detailed structural data, especially in the tropics,” said Drusch. “But it doesn’t cover the globe and lacks a long time record. If we want maps without gaps, we have to combine multiple satellites – and that’s only possible if we understand the uncertainties in each.”

Scipal added, “Biomass has a much finer resolution than SMOS, so it helps us zoom in on the structural details. But to see long-term trends, you still need SMOS. Together, they tell us more than either one alone.”

Tracking forests across decades

The SMOS dataset now spans from 2011 to 2025 and provides consistent global observations. That’s invaluable for tracking how forests are responding to climate change and human pressures.

When paired with the more detailed view from Biomass, scientists can monitor both the big picture and the small shifts happening inside forest ecosystems.

“SMOS allows us to look on long-term trends on a global scale – and Biomass is now zooming in on spatial details and specifically at structural changes in the canopy,” said Scipal.

The findings from the SMOS study also line up well with other climate monitoring datasets, including those from ESA’s Climate Change Initiative. With more satellites coming online and better tools to interpret their data, researchers are building a stronger, clearer picture of the world’s forests – and how they’re changing.

The full study was published in the journal Earth System Science Data.

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After 13 years of exploring the Red Planet, NASA’s Curiosity rover is continuing to make discoveries

The Curiosity rover is learning new tricks that make it even more efficient at uncovering the secrets of Mars’ ancient past. With a steady power source and cutting-edge upgrades, the Curiosity rover is entering a new phase of discovery.

More innovative, faster, and more efficient

The Curiosity rover’s power comes from a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG), a small nuclear battery that slowly decays over time.

While this power source is more reliable than solar panels used on earlier missions, it still requires careful energy management. Every task the Curiosity rover performs, from moving to analysing rock samples, uses power, so NASA engineers have always been cautious about how they spend each day’s energy budget.

Now, due to recent software upgrades and years of experience, Curiosity can combine tasks, such as sending data to an orbiter while also driving or taking photos. This multitasking reduces how long the rover needs to stay active each day, saving energy for future science operations.

The Curiosity rover can now “decide” when to take a nap. If it finishes its tasks early, it shuts down on its own rather than waiting for the next command. These small improvements are saving just 10 or 20 minutes at a time, adding up over months and years, preserving the MMRTG’s life and enabling more ambitious exploration.

Discovering Mars with upgraded tools

Over the years, the Curiosity rover has faced and overcome its share of challenges. Engineers have developed new methods to deal with worn wheels, mechanical hiccups in their drill, and even a broken camera filter.

Its driving ability has also been improved, including an algorithm that helps reduce wheel wear as it travels across jagged terrain. Despite having driven over 22 miles (35 kilometers), Curiosity’s wheels are still in good enough condition for many more miles of travel.

Recently, the Curiosity rover arrived at a region rich with unusual and scientifically valuable formations known as “boxwork.” These intricate, lattice-like ridges are believed to have formed from underground water flows billions of years ago.

Stretching for miles across this section of Mount Sharp, the 3-mile-tall (5-kilometre-tall) central peak within Gale Crater,  these hardened ridges may hold clues about the ancient Martian environment.

By studying these formations, scientists hope to determine if microbial life could have once survived beneath the surface, even as the Martian climate began to dry out. This could push the timeline of potential habitability further forward than previously believed, opening new windows into Mars’ complex geological and environmental history.

The Curiosity rover’s 13-year milestone is more than just a celebration of longevity; it marks a transition to a smarter, more capable era of exploration. Thanks to its durable power supply and evolving software, the rover is now performing more science in less time and adapting better to the harsh Martian environment.

With miles left to travel and fascinating terrain ahead, the Curiosity rover continues to pave the way for future missions.