Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday announced the signing of Morocco international Eliesse Ben Seghir from Monaco in what could potentially be a club record deal.
Ben Seghir, 20, arrives for a reported fee of 32 million euros ($37 million) plus five million in bonuses in a deal running to 2030.
Leverkusen’s club record transfer purchase is 35 million euros, shared between United States winger Malik Tillman and English defender Jarell Quansah, both of whom arrived this summer.
Unbeaten league and cup winners in 2023-24, Leverkusen are undergoing a major rebuild this summer, with Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Lukas Hradecky, Jeremie Frimpong and Amine Adli among those to have left the club.
biomedical: Having to do with medicine and how it interacts with cells or tissues.
blood vessel: A tubular structure that carries blood through the tissues and organs.
chemical: A substance formed from two or more atoms that unite (bond) in a fixed proportion and structure. For example, water is a chemical made when two hydrogen atoms bond to one oxygen atom. Its chemical formula is H2O. Chemical also can be an adjective to describe properties of materials that are the result of various reactions between different compounds.
correlation: A mutual relationship or connection between two variables. When there is a positive correlation, an increase in one variable is associated with an increase in the other. (For instance, scientists might correlate an increase in time spent watching TV with an increase in rates of obesity.) Where there is an inverse correlation, an increase in one value is associated with a drop in the other. (Scientists might correlate an increase in TV watching with a decrease in time spent exercising each week.) A correlation between two variables does not necessarily mean one is causing the other.
death rates: The share of people in a particular, defined group that die per year. Those rates can change if the group is affected by disease or other deadly conditions (such as accidents, natural disasters, extreme heat or war and other sources of violence).
diabetes: A disease where the body either makes too little of the hormone insulin (known as type 1 disease) or ignores the presence of too much insulin when it is present (known as type 2 diabetes).
diet: (n.) The foods and liquids ingested by an animal to provide the nutrition it needs to grow and maintain health. Sometimes this is a specific food-intake plan.
factor: Something that plays a role in a particular condition or event; a contributor.
gene: (adj. genetic) A segment of DNA that codes, or holds instructions, for a cell’s production of a protein. Offspring inherit genes from their parents. Genes influence how an organism looks and behaves.
heart attack: Permanent damage to the heart muscle that occurs when one or more regions of it become starved of oxygen, usually due to a temporary blockage in blood flow.
heart failure: A weakening of the heart that leads to its inability to pump enough blood to meet the needs of its tissues. It does not mean the heart has stopped. But if left untreated, heart failure can lead to death.
hormone: (in zoology and medicine) A chemical produced in a gland and then carried in the bloodstream to another part of the body. Hormones control many important body activities, such as growth. Hormones act by triggering or regulating chemical reactions in the body. (in botany) A chemical that serves as a signaling compound that tells cells of a plant when and how to develop, or when to grow old and die.
IQ: Short for intelligence quotient. It’s a number representing a person’s reasoning ability. It’s determined by dividing a person’s score on a special test by his or her age, then multiplying by 100.
Latin America: Nations in the Americas south of the United States, most of which now speak Spanish as their native tongue. The major exception within this region: Brazil, which speaks Portuguese.
link: A connection between two people or things.
metabolite: Some chemical that is essential to metabolism. Or it can be a small molecule that is formed or released during as the body breaks down foods and other chemicals for use in growth and other cellular processes.
model: A simulation of a real-world event (usually using a computer) that has been developed to predict one or more likely outcomes. Or an individual that is meant to display how something would work in or look on others.
obesity: (adj. obese) Extreme overweight. Obesity is associated with a wide range of health problems, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Pacific: The largest of the world’s five oceans. It separates Asia and Australia to the west from North and South America to the east. The term can also refer to island nations that sit within the Pacific Ocean.
phthalates: A family of chemicals used as solvents and added to plastics to increase their flexibility.
plastic: Any of a series of materials that are easily deformable; or synthetic materials that have been made from polymers (long strings of some building-block molecule) that tend to be lightweight, inexpensive and resistant to degradation. (adj.) A material that is able to adapt by changing shape or possibly even changing its function.
plasticizer: Any of several chemicals added to certain synthetic materials to make them soft and/or pliable.
prenatal: An adjective referring to something that occurs before birth.
PVC: Short for polyvinylchloride, a type of plastic used in many building and plumbing applications.
risk: The chance or mathematical likelihood that some bad thing might happen. For instance, exposure to radiation poses a risk of cancer. Or the hazard — or peril — itself. (For instance: Among cancer risks that the people faced were radiation and drinking water tainted with arsenic.)
solvent: A material (usually a liquid) used to dissolve some other material into a solution.
stroke: (in biology and medicine) A condition where blood stops flowing to part of the brain or leaks in the brain.
survey: (with people) To ask questions that glean data on the opinions, practices (such as dining or sleeping habits), knowledge or skills of a broad range of people. Researchers select the number and types of people questioned in hopes that the answers these individuals give will be representative of others who are their age, belong to the same ethnic group or live in the same region. (n.) The list of questions that will be offered to glean those data.
Concept design for a rectangular space telescope, modeled after the Diffractive Interfero Coronagraph Exoplanet Resolver (DICER), a notional infrared space observatory, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: Leaf Swordy/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Finding Earth-like planets is nearly impossible because stars drown them out in brightness. Conventional telescope designs fall short, but a proposed rectangular infrared telescope could solve this. It might reveal dozens of promising worlds within 30 light-years, paving the way to spotting signs of life.
Origins of Life and Water’s Role
Earth is the only place we know of that harbors life, and every living thing here depends on liquid water to power essential chemical reactions. Simple, single-celled organisms have been around for nearly as long as the planet itself, but it took about three billion years before more complex, multicellular organisms evolved. Humans, by comparison, have existed for only a tiny fraction of Earth’s history—less than one ten-thousandth of its age.
This timeline suggests that life could arise fairly often on planets where liquid water is present, but intelligent beings capable of exploring the cosmos may be far less common. If we hope to discover life beyond Earth, we may need to reach out to it directly.
Limits of Space Travel and Search Targets
The challenge is that space is unimaginably vast, and the laws of physics prevent us from moving or communicating faster than the speed of light. That restriction means only the nearest stars to our sun could realistically be explored within a human lifetime, even with robotic probes. Among those, the best candidates are stars that closely resemble our sun in size and temperature. Such stars live long enough and remain stable enough to allow complex life to develop.
Currently, astronomers have identified approximately 60 sun-like stars within a distance of roughly 30 light-years from Earth. Planets circling these stars that are similar in size and temperature to Earth, where both solid ground and liquid water might exist, are considered the most promising places to look.
The Overwhelming Brightness of Stars
Observing an Earth-like exoplanet separately from the star it is orbiting around is a major challenge. Even in the best possible scenario, the star is a million times brighter than the planet; if the two objects are blurred together, there is no hope of detecting the planet.
Optics theory says that the best resolution one can get in telescope images depends on the size of the telescope and the wavelength of the observed light. Planets with liquid water give off the most light at wavelengths around 10 microns (the width of a thin human hair and 20 times the typical wavelength of visible light). At this wavelength, a telescope needs to collect light over a distance of at least 20 meters to have enough resolution to separate the Earth from the sun at a distance of 30 light-years.
Additionally, the telescope must be in space, because looking through the Earth’s atmosphere would blur the image too much. However, our largest space telescope – the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) – is only 6.5 meters in diameter, and that telescope was extremely difficult to launch.
Alternative Telescope Concepts and Challenges
Because deploying a 20-meter space telescope seems out-of-reach with current technology, scientists have explored several alternative approaches. One involves launching multiple, smaller telescopes that maintain extremely accurate distances between them, so that the whole set acts as one telescope with a large diameter. But, maintaining the required spacecraft position accuracy (which must be precisely calibrated to the size of a typical molecule) is also currently infeasible.
Other proposals use shorter wavelength light, so that a smaller telescope can be used. However, in visible light a sun-like star is more than 10 billion times brighter than the Earth. It is beyond our current capability to block out enough starlight to be able to see the planet in this case, even if, in principle, the image has high enough resolution.
One idea for blocking the starlight involves flying a spacecraft called a ‘starshade’ that is tens of meters across, at a distance of tens of thousands of miles in front of the space telescope, so that it exactly blocks the light from the star while the light from a companion planet is not blocked. However, this plan requires that two spacecraft be launched (a telescope and a starshade). Furthermore, pointing the telescope at different stars would entail moving the starshade thousands of miles, using up prohibitively large quantities of fuel.
A Bold New Design: The Rectangular Telescope
In our paper, we propose a more feasible alternative. We show that it is possible to find nearby, Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars with a telescope that is about the same size as JWST, operating at roughly the same infrared (10 micron) wavelength as JWST, with a mirror that is a one by 20 meter rectangle instead of a circle 6.5 meters in diameter.
With a mirror of this shape and size, we can separate a star from an exoplanet in the direction that the telescope mirror is 20 meters long. To find exoplanets at any position around a star, the mirror can be rotated so its long axis will sometimes align with the star and planet. We show that this design can in principle find half of all existing Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars within 30 light-years in less than three years. While our design will need further engineering and optimization before its capabilities are assured, there are no obvious requirements that need intense technological development, as is the case for other leading ideas.
Toward Earth 2.0: The Search for Life
If there is about one Earth-like planet orbiting the average sun-like star, then we would find around 30 promising planets. Follow-up study of these planets could identify those with atmospheres that suggest the presence of life, for example, oxygen that was formed through photosynthesis. For the most promising candidate, we could dispatch a probe that would eventually beam back images of the planet’s surface. The rectangular telescope could provide a straightforward path towards identifying our sister planet: Earth 2.0.
Reference: “The case for a rectangular format space telescope for finding exoplanets” by Heidi Jo Newberg, Leaf Swordy, Richard K. Barry, Marina Cousins, Kerrigan Nish, Sarah Rickborn and Sebastian Todeasa, 30 June 2025, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2025.1441984
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Lav Diaz‘s “Magellan” has been selected as the Philippines’ submission for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Film Academy of the Philippines has revealed.
The historical drama, which chronicles the final months of Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan’s life before his death on the island of Mactan, beat out six other local contenders for the slot. The selection committee, composed of Filipino film industry experts, evaluated submissions based on aesthetic and technical excellence, embodiment of Filipino values and culture, international appeal, and the producer’s campaign capabilities.
Starring Gael García Bernal alongside Filipino performers Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Bong Cabrera, and Hazel Orencio, “Magellan” presents what Diaz calls an “uncompromising perspective on history.” Rather than portraying the titular explorer as a heroic figure, the film depicts him as a man “facing his own oblivion,” challenging romanticized colonial narratives.
The production, shot across the Philippines, Portugal and Spain, bowed at the Cannes Film Festival. Produced by Paul Soriano and Mark Victor with line producer Bianca Trinidad, the film has assembled distribution partners including Luxbox Films for world sales and North American distributor Janus Films.
The selection was revealed at the opening of Philippine Film Industry Month celebrations at Red Carpet Cinema in Shangrila Plaza, Mandaluyong City, marking the start of the country’s Oscar campaign season.
For its Oscar campaign, “Magellan” has enlisted Cinetic Marketing, the agency behind international feature winners “Parasite” and “Drive My Car.” The film is set to screen at both the Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival next month before opening in Philippine theaters Sept. 10.
Variety praised the film‘s “stunningly mounted, politically rigorous work, which confronts any viewers hoping for a sweeping biographical romp with a frank post-colonial perspective, thoroughly and violently dismantling any romanticized legacy trailing the eponymous Portuguese navigator.”
“The Film Academy of the Philippines is immensely excited to announce Lav Diaz’s ‘Magellan’ as our official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards,” said filmmaker Paolo Villaluna, who was recently appointed as the Film Academy’s director-general. “We recognize that ‘Magellan’s’ Oscars journey is only just beginning, and we stand ready to support the film. We will work closely with them to navigate the intricacies of the Oscars campaign, and will provide government assistance when needed to ensure their vision is shared with the world.”
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 22.
The Orchestre de Paris has named the Franco-Romanian violinist Sarah Nemtanu as its new concertmaster, following a three-year search. Nemtanu, who is currently concertmaster of the Orchestre National de France, will take up her new position on 1 January 2026.
Since the retirement of Roland Daugareil in 2021 and the death of Philippe Aïche in 2023, the orchestra has been searching for two new concertmasters; Nemtanu’s appointment fills one of the vacancies.
Nemtanu was appointed concertmaster of the Orchestra National de France in 2002, at the age of just 21, a post she shares with Luc Héry. She studied at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux, where she was awarded gold medal in violin and in chamber music, before entering the Conservatoire de Paris, where she studied with Gérard Poulet and Pierre-Laurent Aimard. She won first prize at the Ravel Festival competition at Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 1998. In 2011, she was named one of the six most influential female violinists in the world by Figaro magazine.
Prior to her appointment, Nemtanu had participated in several concerts as guest concertmaster with the Orchestre de Paris, including Mahler’s Symphony no.9 in October 2024 and Bach’s Mass in B minor in April 2025 under the direction of the orchestra’s chief conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
The orchestra stated in a press release, ‘Following all these performances, her connection with the orchestra became evident… Mäkelä, like the musicians of the Orchestre de Paris, is delighted to now be able to count on her great musical and human qualities.’
Doctors have long relied on measurements like body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios to assess health risks but experts are increasingly fascinated by one unexpected indicator – the thickness of your neck. A thick neck might project strength, like that of heavyweight boxers or rugby players, but studies suggest it could signal a concerning health issue.
Worryingly for some, people with chunkier necks for their body size are more likely to face dangerous health problems, doctors from Kingston University have said in The Conversation. BMI, which divides weight by height to estimate body fat, doesn’t always tell the complete story. A competitive bodybuilder might have a high BMI, but may not be obese.
This is where neck circumference offers additional insight as neck width can reveal where fat is hiding in the upper body.
“This fat around your upper body releases fatty acids into your blood, which can interfere with how your body manages cholesterol, blood sugar and heart rhythm,” Dr Ahmed Elbediwy and Dr Nadine Wehida, senior lecturers of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology respectively, said.
They add: “Essentially, neck circumference serves as a proxy for visceral fat – the harmful fat that wraps around your organs.
“The evidence linking neck size to health problems is striking. People with thicker necks show increased rates of several cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
“Atrial fibrillation is particularly concerning. This condition causes irregular heartbeat and blood flow, potentially leading to blood clots and stroke. The electrical imbalance in the heart can eventually progress to heart failure.
“Neck circumference also correlates with coronary heart disease, where the main arteries to the heart narrow and restrict oxygen-rich blood flow.
“But cardiovascular problems aren’t the only concern. Larger neck circumference increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications, including vision loss and limb amputations.
“There’s also a connection to sleep disorders. Thick necks have been linked to obstructive sleep apnoea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition causes extreme daytime fatigue and strains the cardiovascular system. People with sleep apnoea face higher risks of car accidents due to their exhaustion.”
So what constitutes a risky neck size?
“For men, 17 inches (43cm) or greater increases health risks. For women, the threshold is 14 inches (35.5cm) or greater.
“Perhaps most surprisingly, these risks persist even in people with normal BMI. You could have a healthy weight according to traditional measures, but still face elevated health risks due to neck circumference.
“And for each additional centimetre of neck circumference beyond these thresholds, death rates and hospitalisation rates increase.”
What this means for you:
“If your neck measures above these thresholds, it’s not cause for panic – but it is worth taking seriously. Neck size represents just one piece of your overall health picture, but it’s an important one that’s often overlooked.
“The good news is that neck circumference can change with lifestyle modifications. Cardiovascular exercise and weight training can help reduce upper-body fat. Quality sleep supports metabolic regulation and recovery. A balanced diet rich in pulses, fruits, and vegetables provides essential nutrients without excess calories.
“Measuring your neck takes seconds with a tape measure. Simply wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not tight.
“This simple measurement could provide valuable insight into health risks that traditional metrics might miss. While neck circumference shouldn’t replace other health assessments, it offers another tool for understanding your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
“In an era where we’re constantly seeking better ways to predict and prevent disease, sometimes the answers are literally right in front of us. Your neck might be revealing more about your health than you realise – and it’s worth paying attention.”
The 5G Fixed Wireless Access market offers significant opportunities in delivering high-speed internet, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Key drivers include technological advancements in 5G RAN, affordable CPE devices, and demand for bundled services. Expanding geographically, it presents growth potential worldwide.
5G Fixed Wireless Access Market
5G Fixed Wireless Access Market
Dublin, Sept. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “5G Fixed Wireless Access: Market Share, and Growth Analysis by Product Type (Customer Premises Equipment, Network Equipment), Application, End User, Technology” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The 5G Fixed Wireless Access Market size is valued at USD 16.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 827.2 billion by 2033, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 63% over the forecast period.
The 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market is rapidly expanding, offering a compelling alternative to traditional wired broadband connections. This market involves the deployment of 5G technology to deliver high-speed internet access to homes and businesses without the need for physical cables. 5G FWA is particularly valuable in areas with limited fiber optic or cable infrastructure, providing a faster and more cost-effective solution. The market is driven by the increasing demand for reliable and high-speed broadband connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The market is characterized by technological advancements in 5G radio access networks (RAN) and customer premises equipment (CPE). The development of advanced beamforming and mmWave technologies is enhancing the range and capacity of 5G FWA deployments. The integration of AI and machine learning is also optimizing network performance and improving service quality. Furthermore, the increasing availability of affordable 5G CPE devices is driving adoption. The market is also seeing a trend towards bundled services, combining internet access with other offerings like streaming TV and voice services.
Geographically, the 5G FWA market is expanding globally, with significant activity in both developed and developing regions. Developed regions are deploying 5G FWA to complement existing wired broadband infrastructure and offer competitive services. Developing regions are utilizing 5G FWA to bridge the digital divide and provide internet access to underserved populations. The market’s future is promising, with continuous innovation and increasing adoption expected to drive growth.
Key Insights: 5G Fixed Wireless Access Market
mmWave and Sub-6 GHz Deployment: Utilization of both mmWave and sub-6 GHz frequencies for diverse coverage and capacity needs.
Advanced Beamforming: Use of advanced beamforming techniques to enhance signal strength and coverage.
AI-Powered Network Optimization: Integration of AI for automated network optimization and service quality improvements.
Bundled Services: Offering bundled services like internet, TV, and voice.
Affordable CPE Devices: Increasing availability of affordable 5G CPE devices.
Demand for High-Speed Broadband: Increasing demand for high-speed internet access in homes and businesses.
Limited Wired Infrastructure: Need for alternative broadband solutions in areas with limited fiber optic or cable infrastructure.
Rapid Deployment: Faster and more cost-effective deployment compared to traditional wired connections.
Rural Connectivity: Bridging the digital divide and providing internet access to rural areas.
Competitive Services: Offering competitive broadband services to challenge existing providers.
Coverage Limitations: Coverage limitations of mmWave frequencies in certain environments.
Signal Interference: Potential for signal interference from obstacles and weather conditions.
CPE Costs: The cost of 5G CPE devices can be a barrier to adoption.
Network Capacity Management: Managing network capacity to ensure consistent service quality.
Regulatory Issues: Regulatory issues related to spectrum allocation and deployment.
Key Attributes:
Report Attribute
Details
No. of Pages
150
Forecast Period
2025 – 2033
Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025
$16.6 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033
$827.2 Billion
Compound Annual Growth Rate
63.0%
Regions Covered
Global
5G Fixed Wireless Access Market Segmentation
By Product Type:
By Application:
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
By End User:
Telecommunications
Healthcare
Education
By Technology:
Millimeter Wave
Sub-6 Ghz
By Distribution Channel:
Direct Sales
Online Sales
By Geography:
North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Rest of APAC)
The Middle East and Africa (Middle East, Africa)
South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SCA)
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6k2l2p
About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world’s leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
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UK researchers say a stethoscope powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can detect three heart conditions in just 15 seconds.
The AI stethoscope analyses small changes to the heartbeat and blood flow that would otherwise be undetectable to the human ear. That ensures doctors can identify potential heart problems quickly enough for patients to seek potentially lifesaving medical care.
The latest findings are “an elegant example of how the humble stethoscope, invented more than 200 years ago, can be upgraded for the 21st century,” said Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, a cardiologist and clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study.
As part of the real-world trial, doctors tested the AI stethoscope against standard care in more than 200 general practitioner (GP) offices. The study included more than 1.5 million patients who had heart failure symptoms such as fatigue or shortness of breath.
Patients examined with the AI stethoscope were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart failure, about 3.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation – an abnormal heart rhythm that can raise the risk of stroke – and nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart valve disease, which is when at least one heart valve does not function properly.
“Our study shows that three heart conditions can now be identified in one sitting,” Dr Nicholas Peters, a cardiologist and the trial’s senior investigator from Imperial College London, said in a statement.
Notably, though, about two-thirds of patients who were flagged by the AI stethoscope as potentially having heart failure did not actually have the condition, the doctors found after ordering blood tests or heart scans.
Unnecessary anxiety?
The researchers acknowledged that the stethoscope’s apparent oversensitivity could lead to unnecessary anxiety and tests for some patients, but noted that the tool also detects genuine heart problems that might otherwise have been overlooked.
They suggested that the AI stethoscope only be used for patients with suspected heart problems, not for routine health checks.
However, it’s unclear whether doctors find the tool useful. A year after being given the AI stethoscopes, 70 per cent of GP offices stopped using them regularly, the trial found.
The AI stethoscope was developed by Eko Health, a California-based health technology company.
The researchers from Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust presented their findings at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Madrid.
Despite the limitations, Babu-Narayan said new tools to speed the detection of heart failure are critical because many people are only diagnosed once they arrive at the hospital in a medical emergency.
More than one million people in the United Kingdom and 60 million worldwide are estimated to be affected by heart failure.
“Given an earlier diagnosis, people can access the treatment they need to help them live well for longer,” Babu-Narayan said.
Belgian developing talent ready to step up into WorldTour with Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek is pleased to announce that Belgian rider Margot Vanpachtenbeke has signed a contract that will see her represent the Team through 2027.
Vanpachtenbeke, 26, was a late starter by cycling standards, only beginning her professional career in 2023 with VolkerWessels. Over three seasons, she steadily developed her racing craft before stepping into the spotlight in 2024 with a breakout ride at the Thüringen Ladies Tour, where she won the opening stage from a two-up sprint after a bold 57km breakaway, spending four days in the leader’s jersey. She went on to claim a stage win and the overall title at the Giro Toscana, while also making her debut at some of the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France Femmes. Now, with a move to Lidl-Trek, Vanpachtenbeke is eager to continue her progression with the support, knowledge, and infrastructure of a WorldTour environment.
I know I still have a lot to learn and develop, and I truly believe that in a team surrounded by so much experience and knowledge, this is exactly the right place for me to grow and find my place.
“It still feels a bit unreal, to be honest. I’ve only been racing for a few years, and now making the step to this dream team… that’s something I could hardly have imagined,” said Margot Vanpachtenbeke. “I feel so honoured to wear the Lidl-Trek jersey for the next two seasons, and I’m super motivated to give my all. Knowing I’ll get the chance to learn from such experienced riders and staff is really special for me. I can’t wait to contribute and be a real part of the Lidl-Trek puzzle.
“From the very start of my cycling journey, Lidl-Trek has always been the team I looked up to the most, based on gut feeling. To me, it’s the perfect example of what a cycling team should be: a stable and professional environment, with a great atmosphere and a real sense of quality. I also love their attacking style of racing and the long-term vision they have for their riders. I know I still have a lot to learn and develop, and I truly believe that in a team surrounded by so much experience and knowledge, this is exactly the right place for me to grow and find my place.
“Before anything else, I want to get to know the people who make this team what it is, from the riders to every member of staff, from DS to cook. I think understanding how the team works together is the starting point for everything. I know I still have a lot to learn at pro level, so I’m looking forward to developing myself physically, mentally, and tactically. I want to discover where my limits are and how far I can go, while helping the team to achieve the best possible results. I’m especially excited to take on the punchy work and the stage races, like the kind of racing where teamwork, tactics, and resilience all come together. And throughout it all, I want to enjoy the process, because that’s when you grow the most and perform at your best.”
“In the short time Margot has been in the professional ranks she has already shown impressive growth — not only physically but also with her tactical awareness and racing instincts,” said Luca Guercilena, Lidl-Trek General Manager. “She is ambitious, eager to learn, and motivated to keep developing. At Lidl-Trek we can provide the platform for her to take the next step and continue unlocking her potential. We’re delighted to welcome her to the Team.”
Star’s Tumultuous Core Uncovered Before Supernova Blast
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 01, 2025
New results from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal that Cassiopeia A’s progenitor star violently reshaped its interior just hours before it exploded. This previously hidden stellar upheaval helps explain the asymmetry of the remnant and may even have triggered the supernova itself.
Cassiopeia A, one of the most studied remnants in the night sky, began as a massive star that lived for more than a million years. As with other massive stars, its interior formed onion-like layers of hydrogen, helium, carbon, and heavier elements. When iron accumulated at the core, it collapsed under its own weight, initiating the explosion about three centuries ago.
Chandra’s X-ray data, combined with advanced simulations, revealed that part of the silicon-rich inner layer broke outward into a neon-rich layer in the star’s final hours. This disruption forced silicon to move outward and neon to move inward, leaving clear evidence in Cas A’s debris field: regions with abundant silicon but little neon adjacent to areas with the opposite composition.
“These findings show a violent event where the barrier between layers disappears,” said Kai Matsunaga of Kyoto University, a co-author of the study. The survival of these unmixed regions confirms predictions from detailed models of stellar interiors near collapse.
The consequences of this rearrangement are profound. It likely produced Cas A’s lopsided shape and gave a strong recoil to the surviving neutron star, which now speeds away from the explosion site. Moreover, the turbulence from these late-stage flows may have amplified the supernova shock wave itself.
“Perhaps the most important effect of this change in the star’s structure is that it may have helped trigger the explosion itself,” noted co-author Hiroyuki Uchida of Kyoto University. Lead author Toshiki Sato of Meiji University added, “Each time we closely look at Chandra data of Cas A, we learn something new and exciting.”
Research Report:Inhomogeneous stellar mixing in the final hours before the Cassiopeia A supernova
