If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it’ll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today’s Hurdle, don’t worry! We have you covered.
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Hurdle Word 1 hint
Dirt.
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Hurdle Word 1 answer
FILTH
Hurdle Word 2 hint
A popular car rental company.
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Hurdle Word 2 Answer
HERTZ
Hurdle Word 3 hint
An internal organ.
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Hurdle Word 3 answer
BRAIN
Hurdle Word 4 hint
To implant.
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Hurdle Word 4 answer
EMBED
Final Hurdle hint
An old song.
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Hurdle Word 5 answer
OLDIE
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Sharks without teeth might sound like the stuff of dreams to swimmers and surfers. Now a new study has found that ocean acidification could leave the apex predators without their critical survival weapon.
Shark jaws carry several rows of teeth and new ones quickly push forward to replace losses. However, rapidly acidifying oceans are damaging shark teeth and could speed losses past replacement rates. Sharks with bad teeth could struggle to feed themselves efficiently, “potentially affecting shark populations and marine ecosystem stability”, the study said.
Ocean acidification is caused by rapid carbon dioxide absorption creating a chain reaction that lowers pH levels. Projections suggest oceans could be far more acidic by the year 2300, falling from a current average pH of about 8.1 to 7.3, a change that will have “profound implications for marine organisms”, the study said.
To test acidification effects, researchers kept 60 freshly fallen shark teeth in artificial seawater tanks, one matching the current ocean average pH of 8.1, another with the projected 7.3 pH. The teeth, safely collected from a German aquarium, had already been naturally discarded by six male and four female blacktip reef sharks.
Maximilian Baum, who conducted the study, with a blacktip reef shark jaw. He found increased root corrosion and altered serration. Photograph: Roman Müller-Böhm
After eight weeks, teeth in the more acidic tank suffered about twice as much damage, said Maximilian Baum, the study’s lead author and a researcher working with Germany’s Heinrich Heine University’s Institute for Zoology and Organismic Interactions. Effects included “increased root corrosion … and altered serration”, he said.
Dental stress would add to sharks’ other problems, which include prey shortages caused by overfishing.
Reducing human-caused CO2 emissions is vital to mitigate ocean acidification. Previous research has found acidification damages denticles, a toothy scale on sharks’ skin.
Even moderate drops could affect more sensitive shark species, such as those that use fewer rows of teeth or have slower replacement rates, said Baum.
“I think there will be effects on the teeth of ocean predators in general when they are highly mineralised structures like we have in sharks,” he said.
Previous studies have shown that acidification harms shells, corals and mussels, “and that was also the reason why we did this study, to show us the effects on larger predators”.
More optimistically, Baum believes sharks may adapt by increasing tooth replacements and improving strengthening and repair.
Lisa Whitenack, a professor at Pennsylvania’s Allegheny College who is a shark tooth expert and not part of the study team, said the new research added to initial findings on shark teeth and acidification. She too suggested tooth replacement may keep pace with acidification losses and added that corroded teeth may still be effective.
“It will be interesting to see in future studies if the damage to teeth seen in studies like this one results in a functional effect on a tooth’s ability to do its job … [and if] damaged teeth can still cut or puncture prey.”
Apple plans to hold its big fall product launch on September 9, when the company is expected to introduce an iPhone 17 line-up that includes a new skinnier version of its signature device.
The event will begin at 10am and stream online, continuing a strategy of virtual launches that began in the Covid era. The tagline for the event is “awe dropping”, according to an invitation posted online and sent to media.
The focus of the event will be the company’s new smartphones, including an updated base model, two fresh Pro editions and an all-new version that uses a far thinner design than any prior iPhone. The company is also preparing to introduce upgraded versions of the Apple Watch.
The new standard iPhone 17 will look similar to the iPhone 16, but include a larger display and camera improvements, Bloomberg News has reported. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, meanwhile, will have redesigned backs with a larger camera area, making photography an even bigger part of the device.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is showcased at an event in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2024. Photo: Reuters
The thinner iPhone 17 will be the first wholly new design in years, coming in at about 2 millimetres slimmer than current models. Apple is betting that the approach can attract new customers to the iPhone, though the device will have drawbacks. It is expected to have shorter battery life and only one rear camera.
“What Is Intelligence?: Lessons from AI About Evolution, Computing, and Minds,” by Blaise Agüera y Arcas (MIT Press)
The convergence between neuroscience and artificial intelligence in the past few years has sparked lively discussions, including debate about what both fields consider to be fundamental aspects of cognition, consciousness and intelligence. In his new book, AI researcher Blaise Agüera y Arcas synthesizes ideas from computer science, machine learning and neuroscience to provide a bold perspective on intelligence, arguing that the ability of a system to predict may be fundamental not only to intelligence, but also to life itself.
Publication date: 23 September 2025
“The Great Balancing Act: An Insider’s Guide to the Human Vestibular System,” by Jeffrey Sharon (Columbia University Press)
How does the vestibular system integrate a barrage of sensory information to enable animals to navigate the world? In “The Great Balancing Act,” Jeffrey Sharon addresses these and other questions about this elegant sensory system that helps regulate proprioception and spatial reasoning. Sharon discusses how the vestibular system evolved and how it interacts with brain areas that process vision, abstract thought and memory. He ends the book on a forward-looking note, explaining how insights from basic neuroscience are propelling exciting advances in prosthetic implants and gene therapies to help rebuild cellular structures in diseased vestibular systems.
Publication date: 14 October 2025
“Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection,” by Ben Rein (Penguin Random House)
Neuroscientist Ben Rein offers readers a nuanced assessment of the relationship between social psychology and neuroscience. A well-known science communicator, he skillfully distills years of social and behavioral neuroscience research to explore why social connection is essential for humans’ mental health and well-being. Rein places neuroscience at the center of his new book, arguing that to date, the conversation around loneliness and isolation in modern-day society has failed to incorporate it.
Publication date: 14 October 2025
“How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past,” by Steve Ramirez (Princeton University Press)
In this new page-turner, Steve Ramirez provides an overview of the history of memory research with a personal touch. Part scientific exploration, part memoir, Ramirez delivers a wide-ranging assessment of the field, all while weaving in his journey as a scientist and his relationship with his colleague and friend, neuroscientist Xu Liu. He recounts the scientific advances that broadened neuroscience’s understanding of memory storage and encoding, analyzes how the field is trying to address debilitating memory disorders and examines the extent to which memory research is intertwined with the human condition.
Publication date: 4 November 2025
“Neuroethics: The Implications of Mapping and Changing the Brain,” by Walter Glannon (MIT Press)
Ethical considerations frequent the minds of clinicians and basic neuroscientists alike. Here Walter Glannon considers the past 25 years of the neuroethics field and offers his take on some of its most pressing issues. He tackles questions about the safety and efficacy of psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders, brain computer interfaces, the increasing interactions between neuroscience and AI, behavioral control and neural interventions, and much more.
Publication date: 11 November 2025
“Wired for Words: The Neural Architecture of Language,” Gregory Hickok (MIT Press)
In 424 pages, cognitive neuroscientist Gregory Hickok surveys the landscape of neurolinguistic research, providing a detailed analysis of the neural mechanisms that regulate speech, including motor coordination, word recognition and perception and encoding. He carefully considers some of the predominant research ideas that have shaped our understanding of the neural architecture of language and evaluates their pervasiveness. In the exemplary case of the dual stream model of speech processing, Hickok argues that even though some of its core ideas remain useful, its persistence could obstruct further progress in our understanding of language perception and brain organization.
Publication date: 25 November 2025
Also published in 2025:
“Crosscultural Perspectives on Mind and Brain,” edited by Judy Illes and Melissa Perreault (Academic Press)
The eighth volume of “Crosscultural Perspectives on Mind and Brain” places its focus squarely on how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to and enrich scientific understanding of the brain. Judy Illes and Melissa Peurreault feature essays, written by cognitive neuroscientists, neuroethicists and philosophers, about the importance of Indigenous perspectives in modern brain research and how to improve global neuroliteracy through community-tailored science communication.
Publication date: 4 August 2025
“Space, Time, and Memory,” edited by Lynn Nadel and Sara Aronowitz (Oxford University Press)
As sweeping as its title, this summer release examines three mystifying concepts through the lenses of philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. Edited by Lynn Nadel and Sara Aronowitz, the book sprang from a workshop of the same name held at the University of Arizona in 2022 and features contributions from a variety of brain experts, including Charan Ranganath, Ida Momennejad and György Buzsáki. Nadel and Aronowitz curate a range of perspectives to showcase the value of taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the fundamental processes of the brain.
Publication date: 28 June 2025
“Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,” by Nicole Rust (Princeton University Press)
In this ambitious book, neuroscientist (and Transmitter contributing editor) Nicole Rust evaluates her field’s triumphs and failures, and the future of neurological disease studies. She provides a balanced critique of the molecular neuroscience framework long used to study brain disorders and proposes an alternative for how to move forward. Laying out her “grand plan,” Rust calls for a shift away from seeing neurological diseases as step-by-step, ‘domino chain’ processes to a more holistic view of them as states within complex, shifting dynamical systems. Read an excerpt from Chapter 9 of “Elusive Cures.”
Publication date: 10 June 2025
“Natural Neuroscience: Toward a Systems Neuroscience of Natural Behaviors,” by Nachum Ulanovsky (MIT Press)
The call to study behavior under naturalistic conditions has drawn increasing attention among modern-day neuroscientists—and Nachum Ulanovsky finds himself at the forefront of this movement. In “Natural Neuroscience,” he asks the field to move away from overly controlled experiments and outlines the advances that are making it possible to examine behavior under more naturalistic conditions. Ulanovsky describes in detail how this research is helping the field to understand navigation, sensory processing, memory and more. Read an excerpt from Chapter 1 of “Natural Neuroscience.”
Publication date: 15 April 2025
Textbooks:
Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, Enhanced Edition (Fifth Edition), by Mark Bear, Barry Connors and Michael Paradiso (Jones & Bartlett Learning)
The classic undergraduate introductory neuroscience textbook by neuroscientists Mark Bear, Barry Connors and Michael Paradiso is a mainstay in neuroscience departments everywhere. As the book celebrates its 30th anniversary, it remains as relevant as ever. The new edition features chapters that are updated with the latest research advances, improved visuals and figures, and 26 new “Path of Discovery” essays, in which neuroscientists tell stories about their key contributions to the field. Essay contributors include Emery Brown, who discusses his work on brain wave oscillations; Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz, who examines the value of studying linguistic networks in infants; and Gül Dölen, who shares how she studies psychedelics in octopuses. These additions reinvigorate a classic textbook that has already taught scores of young neuroscientists.
Publication date: 14 July 2025
Theoretical Neuroscience: Understanding Cognition, by Xiao-Jing Wang (CRC Press)
In his new textbook, computational neuroscientist Xiao-jing Wang dives deep into theory and modelling to put the field of quantitative and computational neuroscience into historical perspective. He deftly guides readers through biophysical models of single neurons, recurrent network dynamics of neuronal populations and everything in between. In the textbook’s final chapter, Wang shares his forward-looking views on some of computational neuroscience’s most pressing mysteries, such as the dynamical nature of the restless brain, what constitutes human cognitive uniqueness and whether brain theory can incorporate emotion. Check out Wang’s conversation with Paul Middlebrooks about the book.
Gilles Andrier to retire in March 2026 after 20 years as Chief Executive Officer
Christian Stammkoetter, President Asia, Middle East & Africa at Danone, has been designated as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026
Chairman Calvin Grieder to step down from the Board at the 2026 AGM after completing 12 years of service
Gilles Andrier to be proposed for election as the Chairman at the 2026 AGM
Givaudan announces that Gilles Andrier will retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026, after a distinguished career of over 30 years of service and 20 years leading the Company as Chief Executive Officer.
Under his leadership, Givaudan has experienced significant growth driven by a successful strategy focused on geographic, customer and portfolio expansion, complemented by over 20 strategic acquisitions. Between the end of 2004 and the end of 2024, the Company grew from 5,900 to 16,900 employees, sales almost tripled from CHF 2.7 billion to over CHF 7.4 billion, and market capitalisation rose from CHF 5.8 billion to CHF 36.6 billion. Over this period, he has firmly established Givaudan as a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty as well as Taste & Wellbeing.
After a thorough selection process, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Christian Stammkoetter has been designated as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026. Christian joins from Danone where he is currently President Asia, Middle East and Africa and a member of the Executive Committee. He brings over 25 years of global experience in fast-moving consumer goods, from personal care to food, beverage and nutrition, across multiple geographies. He has a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and value creation, leading high performing teams, and fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, combined with a strong customer focus and deep consumer understanding. The Board is confident that he will continue to drive Givaudan’s long-term success, delivering value for all its stakeholders.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Calvin Grieder commented: “We are incredibly grateful to Gilles for the tremendous contribution he has made to Givaudan, and the wider industry over the last 30 years. Through his visionary leadership, the Company has consistently delivered industry-leading performance, and created significant shareholder value. He is also a purpose-led leader who has shaped and nurtured the strong culture and DNA of Givaudan, inspiring colleagues around the world.”
Commenting on the appointment of Christian Stammkoetter, Calvin Grieder continued: “We are excited to welcome Christian as Givaudan’s designated Chief Executive Officer. Christian brings a wealth of global leadership experience across multiple regions and business areas, a consistent record of high performance, and his leadership skills and personality are a great cultural fit with Givaudan. The Board is confident that Christian is the right leader to bring our 2030 strategy to life, delivering long-term value for all our stakeholders, and fostering the culture of innovation and excellence that is at the heart of our success.”
Chief Executive Officer Gilles Andrier commented: “It has been an immense privilege and source of joy to lead Givaudan for the last 20 years and be part of its journey for over 30 years. I love this Company, and its purpose ‘Creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Let’s imagine together.’ Over the years, I have been incredibly fortunate to work with, and see develop, many talented individuals and teams. I’ve been equally inspired by our clients and am proud to contribute to the success of their brands. As we set out our strategic roadmap for the next five years, it is the right moment to announce the handover to Christian in early 2026, and I wish him every success for the future.”
Designated Chief Executive Officer Christian Stammkoetter commented: “I am honoured and excited to join Givaudan in early 2026 and to lead this iconic company together with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Givaudan’s creativity, customer-centricity, unique culture, and 250-year heritage in crafting extraordinary scents and tastes inspire me deeply. I am fully aligned to its purpose and look forward to building on Gilles Andrier’s outstanding legacy, driving growth and innovation with our talented teams, customers, and partners worldwide. I thank the Board and Gilles for their trust.”
Changes to the Board of Directors
Calvin Grieder announces his intention to step down from his role as Chairman at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 19 March 2026, after completing 12 years of dedicated service on the Board. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements and commitment to enhancing Givaudan’s strategic vision. At the AGM, the Board of Directors will propose Gilles Andrier for election to the role of Chairman bringing continuity and deep industry experience to provide strategic oversight at the Board level.
About Givaudan Givaudan is a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty and Taste & Wellbeing. We celebrate the beauty of human experience by creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Together with our customers we deliver food experiences, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good. In 2024, Givaudan employed over 16,900 people worldwide and achieved CHF 7.4 billion in sales with a free cash flow of 15.6%. With a heritage that stretches back over 250 years, we are committed to driving long-term, purpose-led growth by improving people’s health and happiness and increasing our positive impact on nature. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Discover more at: www.givaudan.com.
For further information please contact Claudia Pedretti, Head of Investor and Media Relations T +41 52 354 0132 Eclaudia.pedretti@givaudan.com
SYDNEY, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — The Australian government has announced that it will provide 266 million Australian dollars (172.7 million U.S. dollars) in funding over the next three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The funding commitment was made on Wednesday by Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and International Development Minister Anne Aly, who said in a joint statement that Australia remains “steadfast” in its commitment to supporting the Indo-Pacific to tackle high-burden diseases.
“Australia is firmly committed to strengthening health outcomes in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and playing our part in addressing global health challenges,” Wong said. “Our investment in partners like the Global Fund helps ensure our region’s needs are prioritized, contributing to a healthier Indo-Pacific and a safer and more secure Australia.”
The fund says it has helped save 65 million lives and significantly increase life expectancy in low and middle-income countries since it was established by the United Nations in 2002.
The Australian government’s funding commitment for the next three years matches its previous commitment made in 2022. ■
Eggs of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus hatched across all tested temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 40 °C (Fig. 1a; Table 1). Hatching rates were significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(5,23) = 80.65, P < 0.0001) and species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,23) = 9.530, P = 0.005), but no significant interaction was observed between these factors (two-way ANOVA, F(5,23) = 0.566, P > 0.05) (Additional file 3: Table S1). The highest hatching rates were recorded at 20 °C, with an average of 98.50 ± 0.29% for Ae. aegypti and 90.63 ± 0.88% for Ae. albopictus (Table 1). In contrast, the lowest rates were observed at 40 °C, averaging 5.26 ± 0.92% for Ae. aegypti and < 1% (0.83 ± 0.33%) for Ae. albopictus. We also found that Ae. aegypti had significantly higher hatching rates than Ae. albopictus at 20 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C (t-test, t = 4.51–8.52, df = 2, P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed at 15 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C (Fig 1a t-test, t = 0.33–3.29, df = 2, P > 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher hatching rate at lower (15–30 °C) than higher temperatures (35 and 40 °C) for both Ae. aegypti (ANOVA, F(5,12) = 61.92, P < 0.0001) and Ae. albopictus (ANOVA, F(5,11) = 28.09, P < 0.0001), and no significant differences were observed among 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C.
Fig. 1
a Hatching success, b larval survival rate, c pupal survival rate, d wing length, e blood-feeding rate, f egg-laying of female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes at different temperatures. Lines represent mean ± standard error (SE). Statistical comparisons between species at each temperature were performed using Student’s t-test with significance accepted at ns: p > 0.05 (ns), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 and ****p < 0.0001
Table 1 Hatching success, larval survival rate, pupal survival rate, blood-feeding rate, egg-laying rate of female mosquitoes, wing length of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus under different temperatures. Data are presented as mean ± standard error (SE)
Larval survival rate
Temperature significantly influenced the survival rate of larvae (two-way ANOVA, F(5,23) = 108.07, P < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found between species (Fig. 1b, two-way ANOVA, F(1,23) = 0.001, P > 0.05), and there was no interaction between these factors (two-way ANOVA, F(5,23) = 0.230, P > 0.05) (Additional file 3: Table S1). Larval survival exceeded > 87% for both species at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C (Fig. 1b; Table 1). The highest larval survival rate was observed at 25 °C for Ae. aegypti (97.45 ± 1.78%) and 20 °C for Ae. albopictus (94.09 ± 2.88%). In contrast, the lowest larval survival rate was observed at 40 °C for both species, where larvae failed to survive beyond the first instar. In addition, our results revealed a significantly higher larval survival rate at lower temperatures (15–30 °C) compared to the two highest temperature treatments (35 and 40 °C) for both Ae. aegypti (ANOVA, F(5,12) = 79.89, P < 0.0001) and Ae. albopictus (ANOVA, F(5,11) = 39.33, P < 0.0001), and no significant differences were observed among 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C.
Pupal survival rate
Pupal survival rate was significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 3.58, P = 0.025), but no significant differences were found between the species (Fig. 1c, two-way ANOVA, F(1,19) = 0.2, P > 0.05) and no interaction between the temperature and species (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 0.23, P > 0.05) (Additional file 3: Table S1). The highest pupal survival was recorded at 25 °C for both species, with 96.82 ± 2.13% for Ae. aegypti and 96.84 ± 0.95% for Ae. albopictus. In contrast, the lowest survival rate was observed at 35 °C, with 82.98 ± 8.66% for Ae. aegypti and 78.45 ± 7.54% for Ae. albopictus (Fig. 1c; Table 1). Statistical analysis indicated a significantly higher pupal survival rate for both species at 20 and 25 °C compared to 35 °C (ANOVA, F(4,23) = 4.27, P = 0.01).
Immature development duration
The development duration of immature stages (from egg to adult emergence) varied significantly across the tested temperature range (15–35 °C) (two-way ANOVA, F(5,23) = 96.6, P < 0.0001) and between species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,23) = 6.42, P = 0.01), and significant interaction was observed between these factors (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 9.93, P = 0.0001). Weibull’s model highlighted that the shortest development duration for Ae. aegypti occurred at 35 °C (7.83 days), while Ae. albopictus exhibited its shortest development time at 30 °C (11.80 days). In contrast, the development duration decreased with increasing temperature, with the longest durations observed at 15 °C, with 34 days for Ae. aegypti and 32 days for Ae. albopictus. Interestingly, some individuals in the final immature stages took longer at 15 °C, with Ae. aegypti spending up to 46 days and Ae. albopictus up to 44 days (Fig. 2, Table 2). We also found no statistical difference between the two species at all tested temperatures (t-test, t = – 2.84–1.82, df = 2–3, P > 0.05), except at 35 °C, where Ae. aegypti developed significantly faster than Ae. albopictus (t-test, t = – 5.33, df = 2, P = 0.02), with 7.83 days and 12.2 days, respectively.
Fig. 2
Developmental duration of immature stages of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus across different temperatures
Table 2 Developmental duration of immature stage and longevity of adult mosquitoes. Data are presented as mean – maximum (day)
Differences in the duration of immature development were attributed to varying rates of progression through each immature stage, including egg hatching, larval development and pupation. During larval stage, the development duration was significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 509.98, P < 0.0001) between the two species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,19) = 5.74, P < 0.0001, P > 0.05). A significant interaction between the temperature and species was also observed (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 13.94, P < 0.0001). The longest larval development duration was recorded at 15 °C for both species, averaging 25.5 days for Ae. aegypti and 23.5 days for Ae. albopictus. Additionally, the last individual larvae took the longest to develop at 15 °C, with a maximum duration of 38 days for Ae. aegypti and 44 days for Ae. albopictus (Additional file 1: Fig. S1a). In contrast, the shortest larval development durations were observed at 35 °C for Ae. aegypti and 30 °C (9.92 days) for Ae. albopictus. In particular, Ae. aegypti larvae developed signifyingly faster than Ae. albopictus at 30 (t-test, t = – 5.98, df = 2, P = 0.01) and 35 °C (t-test, t = – 8.03, df = 2, P = 0.009), while no significant differences were observed at 15, 20 and 25 °C (Additional file 1: Fig. S1b, Table 2, t-test, t = – 0.97–2.06, df = 2, P > 0.05).
During pupal stage, the development duration was significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 98.91, P < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found between species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,19) = 2.26, P > 0.05), and there was no interaction between these factors (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 0.8, P > 0.05). Similar to larvae, the longest duration of pupal development duration was recorded at 15 °C for both species, averaging 9.29 (maximum 14) days for Ae. aegypti and 9.35 (maximum 21) days for Ae. albopictus. In contrast, the fastest development duration was recorded at 35 °C for both species, averaging 1.97 (maximum 7) days for Ae. aegypti and 2.01 days for Ae. albopictus (maximum 13 days) (Table 2, Additional file 1: Fig. S1c). However, no significant differences were observed between the two species at any temperature (Table 2, Additional file 1: Fig. S1d, t-test, t = – 2.52–0.67, df = 1–3, P > 0.05).
Adult male and female longevity
We found that female longevity for each species was significantly strongly affected by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 34.91, P < 0.0001) and species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,19) = 48.08, P < 0.0001). Additionally, a significant interaction between temperature and species was observed (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 12.08, P < 0.0001). Weibull’s model estimated that Ae. aegypti females had the longest survival at 25 °C, with an average lifespan of 66.7 days and a maximum of 122 days. However, the last surviving Ae. aegypti female lived up to 146 days at 20 °C. Regarding Ae. albopictus females, the longest survival was observed at 20 °C, with an average lifespan of 22.6 days and a maximum of 99 days. In contrast, the shortest female lifespan was recorded at 35 °C for both species, averaging 5.86 (maximum 8) days for Ae. aegypti and 1.41 (maximum 8) days for Ae. albopictus (Fig. 3; Table 2, Additional file 2: Fig. S2a). We also found that female longevity was significantly longer at 20 °C and 25 °C compared to 15 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C for both Ae. aegypti (ANOVA, F(4,10) = 41.53, P < 0.0001) and Ae. albopictus (ANOVA, F(4,9) = 41.53, P = 0.01). Between the two species, Ae. aegypti females lived significantly longer than Ae. albopictus females at 25, 30 and 35 °C (t-test, t = 5.42–12.4, df = 2–3, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed at 15 °C and 20 °C (Additional file 2: Fig. S2b, t-test, t = −0.02–2.40, df = 2, P > 0.05).
Fig. 3
Longevity of female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes reared at different temperatures
Our results show a significant difference in longevity between male and female mosquitoes, with females having notably longer lifespans for both Ae. aegypti species (t-test, t = 2.39, df = 16, P = 0.02) and Ae. albopictus (t-test, t = 2.38, df = 16, P = 0.03). We found that male longevity for each species was significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 12.32, P < 0.0001) and species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,19) = 47.24, P < 0.0001). Additionally, a significant interaction between temperature and species was observed (two-way ANOVA, F(4,19) = 5.00, P = 0.006). Weibull’s model estimated the longest surviving of males was at 25 °C for both species, averaging 23.6 (maximum 108) days for Ae. aegypti and 9.43 (maximum 63) days for Ae. albopictus. In contrast, the shortest male lifespan was recorded at 35 °C for both species, averaging 6.14 (maximum 9) days for Ae. aegypti and 2.46 (maximum 13) days for Ae. albopictus (Fig. 4; Table 2, Additional file 2: Fig. S2c). We also found that male longevity was significantly longer at 20 °C and 25 °C compared to 15 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C for Ae. aegypti (ANOVA, F(4,10) = 31.27, P < 0.0001), but no significant difference was recorded for Ae. albopictus (ANOVA, F(4,9) = 0.85, P > 0.05). Between the two species, Ae. aegypti males lived significantly longer than Ae. albopictus females at 20, 25 and 30 °C (t-test, t = 5.45–9.07, df = 2–3, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed at 15 °C and 35 °C (Additional file 2: Fig. S2d, t-test, t = 0.44–1.16, df = 2, P > 0.05).
Fig. 4
Longevity of male Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes reared at different temperatures
Temperature thresholds
The development rate during the immature stage of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus followed a non-linear pattern with temperature, best described by the Logan regression model (Fig. 5). The estimated optimal temperature (Topt) was 33.33 °C for Ae. aegypti and 32.31 °C for Ae. albopictus, with development rates declining at both lower and higher temperatures. The upper thermal limit (Tmax) was 40.0 °C for both species, while the lower threshold (Tmin) was approximated at 5 °C (Fig. 5). The survival of female Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus followed a quadratic trend model with temperature (Fig. 6). The estimated optimal temperature (Topt) was 27.06 °C for Ae. aegypti and 24.54 °C for Ae. albopictus, with survival declining at both lower and higher temperatures. The lower (Tmin) and upper (Tmax) thermal limits were 14.97–39.15 °C for Ae. aegypti and 11.02–38.07 °C for Ae. albopictus (Fig. 6).
Fig. 5
Estimated optimal, upper and lower temperature thresholds for development rates of immature stages in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The optimal temperature indicates the peak development rate, and the lower and upper thresholds represent the temperature limits where the development rate drops to zero
Fig. 6
Estimated optimal, upper and lower temperatures for survival of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus females. The optimal temperature indicates the peak survival rate, and the lower and upper thresholds represent the temperature limits where the survival rate drops to zero
Body size of female mosquitoes
Body size of mosquitoes was indicated by the length of the female’s wings for each species. The wing length of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus varied significantly across the tested temperatures (two-way ANOVA, F(4,750) = 404.35, P < 0.0001) and between species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,750) = 49.37, P < 0.0001); significant interaction was also observed between these factors (Fig. 1d; Table 1, two-way ANOVA, F(4,750) = 18.55, P < 0.0001) (Additional file 3: Table S1). A clear trend was observed, with wing length increasing as the temperature decreased. For Ae. aegypti, the longest average wing length was observed at 15 °C (3.15 ± 0.01 mm), while the shortest was at 35 °C (2.42 ± 0.02 mm). Similarly, for Ae. albopictus, the longest average wing length occurred at 15 °C (2.92 ± 0.01 mm), and the shortest was at 35 °C (2.24 ± 0.02 mm) (Fig. 1c; Table 1). Statistical analysis revealed Ae. aegypti had significantly longer wings than Ae. albopictus at 15 °C and 35 °C (t-test, t = 5.45–12.4, df = 67–177, P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two species at 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C (t-test, t = – 0.44–1.66, df = 136–177, P > 0.05).
Blood-feeding rate
Blood-feeding rates of female mosquitoes were assessed during two feeding trials conducted at temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 30 °C, excluding 35 °C because of high adult mortality before the feeding day. The average number of blood-fed females was significantly influenced by temperature (two-way ANOVA, F(3,37) = 19.56, P < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found between the species (Fig. 1d, two-way ANOVA, F(1,37) = 0.34, P > 0.05) and no interaction between the species (two-way ANOVA, F(3,37) = 0.52, P > 0.05) (Additional file 3: Table S1). The highest feeding rate was observed at 30 °C for Ae. aegypti (61.02 ± 4.43%) and 25 °C for Ae. albopictus (52.46 ± 17.88%) (Fig. 1e; Table 1). In contrast, the lowest blood-feeding rates were recorded at 15 °C for both species, where Ae. aegypti females did not feed at all and only three Ae. albopictus individuals fed (0.88 ± 0.88%). We also found that the blood-feeding rate of both species was not significantly different at all tested temperatures (15–35 °C) (t-test, t = – 0.59–0.46, df = 3–9, P > 0.05).
Number of eggs laid
Our results indicate that the average number of eggs laid per female mosquito varied significantly across the tested temperature range (15–30 °C) (two-way ANOVA, F(3,156) = 42.39, P < 0.0001) and between the two species (two-way ANOVA, F(1,156) = 49.02, P < 0.0001), and there was a significant interaction between these factors (two-way ANOVA, F(2,156) = 16.95, P < 0.0001) (Additional file 3: Table S1). The highest egg production was recorded at 30 °C for Ae. aegypti, with an average of 64.03 ± 4.37 eggs per female, and at 25 °C for Ae. albopictus, with an average of 14.96 ± 4.76 eggs per female. In contract, the lowest egg reproduction was recorded at 15 °C, where three Ae. albopictus individuals that fed on blood did not lay any eggs (0.00 ± 0.00 eggs/female). For Ae. aegypti, egg production at 15 °C was unknown, as no females fed on blood at this temperature. We also found that Ae. aegypti females produced significantly more eggs than Ae. albopictus at 25 and 30 °C (t-test, t = 4.89–4.79, df = 12–50, P < 0.05) (Fig. 1f; Table 1).
The third One-Day International between Australia and South Africa at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay saw some of Western Australia’s stars shine brightly.
After slipping to defeat in the first two games of the series, the Australian side was out to avoid a series whitewash in the final game.
After winning the toss and electing to bat for the first time in his captaincy, Mitch Marsh set the tone for his side.
Marsh and opening partner Travis Head put together a stunning partnership of 250, the fifth-highest opening stand for Australia in an ODI.
The 33-year-old notched his first century as Australian Captain soon after Head was dismissed.
Fellow all-rounder Cameron Green then made the most of his promotion to no.3 in the line-up, belting 118 from just 55 deliveries.
It took Green just 47 balls to reach his maiden ODI century, the second-fastest by an Australian in the format.
Only Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball century against Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup bettered Green’s effort.
Green, who batted at no.3 at Test level in the World Test Championship and Sir Frank Worrell Trophy earlier this year, said he enjoyed the opportunity to come in off the back of the opening partnership.
“We discussed it at the 30 over mark, we were like if he gets to the 35th we might make a few changes,” Green told reporters after the match.
“It becomes a bit of a T20 for the rest of us.
“I got told I was in next one ball before Heady got out.
“When you switch positions, your role does change.
“Instead of nudging it around and getting Bison (Marsh) on strike, I think it was get out there and get on with it straight away.”
The Australian total of 2-431 was the nation’s second highest in the 50 over format.
While Green and Marsh starred with the bat, it was another one of their state teammates who stole the show with the ball.
Cooper Connolly, who had yet to feature for the hosts through the South African tour of the Top End, recorded the best bowling figures by an Australian spinner in ODI cricket with 5-22 off six overs.
Connolly’s deeds saw him eclipse those of former WA spinner Brad Hogg, who previously had the best figures of 5-33 against the West Indies in 2005.
Green spoke glowingly of Connolly’s performance and capitalising on another opportunity in Australian colours.
“It’s been a long few months for Coop,” Green said.
“He’s been on the road for a while and not been playing at times.
“I think it’s his first five-for ever and he’s never got one in junior cricket.
“It’s a bit of a relief for him to get a few wickets and I think he bowled beautifully.”
The 276-run victory was Australia’s second biggest win in ODI Cricket.
Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis also had an impact on the series with a stylish 87 in the second match, which saw South Africa record a 98-run victory.
The ability to describe the internal structure of atoms is important not only for understanding the composition of matter, but also for designing new experiments to explore fundamental physics. Specific experiments require samples of atoms or molecules with particular properties, which depend heavily on the phenomenon to be explored. However, the knowledge of the energy-level structure of many atoms remains incomplete, particularly in the case of the rare earth and actinide atoms.
The samarium cell at high temperature (~1040 °C) during the experiment.
Razmik Aramyan
Spectroscopy is one of the most widely used techniques for studying the structure of atoms. This technique is based on the principle that electrons absorb or emit energy when they move between energy levels in an atom. Each element has a unique set of wavelengths of light that are emitted or absorbed due to these transitions. This is known as the atomic spectrum.
“High-resolution, broadband spectroscopy is essential for precision measurements in atomic physics and the search for new fundamental interactions,” explains Razmik Aramyan, PhD student in the group of Prof. Dr. Dmitry Budker and main author of the paper. “But progress is often hindered by the difficulty of measuring complex atomic spectra, mainly due to two technical limitations: the difficulty of properly distinguishing the signals emitted by the sample and the limited range of wavelengths that instruments can detect.” To overcome those limitations, Aramyan and his collaborators have applied and further developed a method known as dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS), which allows to measure atomic spectra at a wide band of electromagnetic frequencies with high resolution and high sensitivity.
The DCS is based on the optical frequency comb technique, for which the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in 2005. Optical frequency combs are specialized lasers that measure exact frequencies of light. In DCS, two of these combs are used in coherent mode, enabling more accurate measurements of the sample’s spectrum than conventional methods.
In order to detect weak signals with high precision—one of the challenges of DCS—the group also implemented multiple photodetectors to improve what is known as the signal-to-noise ratio. This combination made it possible to clearly read the experimental data and determine the different wavelengths of the spectrum. “This study introduces an enhanced multichannel DCS approach that combines a photodetector array with a novel scheme for resolving frequency ambiguities, enabling ambiguity-free, high-signal-to-noise-ratio broadband measurements”, summarizes Aramyan.
This is the first step toward implementing “Spectroscopy 2.0”, an international project that aims to develop what is known as a “massively parallel spectroscopic tool”: one that can perform a large number of spectroscopic measurements simultaneously. This tool will be used to perform spectroscopy of dense atomic and molecular spectra under intense magnetic fields.
First successful application: the spectrum of samarium vapor
DCS is particularly well suited to filling gaps in atomic data, as the current publication confirms. Thanks to their innovative approach, Aramyan and colleagues were able to record the spectrum of samarium vapor at different temperatures and analyze the spectral behavior at different samarium concentrations. When comparing their results with existing data sets, they found spectroscopic lines that were previously unknown.
“We have discovered several previously undescribed samarium absorption lines. This illustrates the potential of our method to uncover previously unknown atomic properties. It opens up promising possibilities for massively parallel spectroscopy, for example for the spectroscopy of atoms in pulsed, ultra-high magnetic fields,” concludes Aramyan.
(Reuters) -Goldman Sachs expects the price of Brent crude futures contracts to decline to the low $50s a barrel by late 2026 due to an increase in the surplus of oil next year.
“We expect the oil surplus to widen and average 1.8 million barrels per day in 2025 Q4 (through) 2026 Q4, resulting in a nearly 800 million barrel rise in global stocks by end 2026,” the U.S. investment bank said in a client note on Tuesday.
It estimated that stored oil in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will account for a third of total global stock or 270 million barrels in 2026. Coupled with reduced demand in OECD countries, it said this will lower Brent’s fair value from the current mid-$70s.
Oil-rich shale region of the Permian Basin in Texas
Goldman said Brent prices are likely to remain near those of forward contracts during the rest of 2025 but fall below those contracts next year as the increase in OECD stock accelerates.
However, it said potential acceleration in the growth of Chinese stock to 0.8 million barrels a day from 0.4 million barrels a day in the year to date would raise the 2026 Brent average by $6 a barrel versus the bank’s baseline to $62.
Brent crude futures contracts were trading around $67 a barrel in early Asian trade on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate crude futures contracts were trading at $63.
(Reporting by Brijesh Patel and Ishaan Arora in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
