Best time to see incredible ‘planetary parade’ tonight as six planets will be visible from Earth The ‘planetary parade’ consists of six planets, plus a ‘bonus’ planet

January 22, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Best time to see incredible ‘planetary parade’ tonight as six planets will be visible from Earth

The ‘planetary parade’ consists of six planets, plus a ‘bonus’ planet

With so much going on in the world, it’s easy to forget that we’re just out here floating on a giant piece of rock – and no one knows why.

I mean, if you start zooming out, it’s really quite terrifying how miniscule Earth is in our solar system.

The good news is we sometimes get a pretty clear view of other planets and this evening (21 January) is a better time than ever to witness a ‘planetary parade’.

What is a planetary parade?

In this case, a planetary parade is when six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus – all appear to line up in the night sky when they orbit.

It’s important to note that this alignment in the sky is only from Earth’s perspective.

When is the planetary parade happening?

The BBC reports that the six planets are already visible in the night sky, with one more bonus planet (Mercury) joining the six in late February.

A planetary parade is now upon us (Getty Stock Images)

How do I see the planetary parade and when is the best time?

As always, there is a caveat and you’ll need a clear night sky to properly see the planetary parade, so it’s best to escape the city lights and get out into the countryside.

For the best chance of a sighting, you’ll need to go outside in the evening a few hours after sunset, and turn southeast.

And although Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all bright enough to see with the naked eye, you’ll likely need binoculars or a telescope to spot Uranus and Neptune.

“There is something special about looking at the planets with your own eyes,” Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs, told the outlet.

“Yes, you can go on Google and get a more spectacular view of all these planets. But when you’re looking at these objects, these are photons that have travelled millions or billions of miles through space to hit your retinas. It’s just happenstance that they happen to be in this position of their orbits.”

Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus are now visible in the night sky (Getty Stock Images)

How rare are planetary parades?

Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer Finn Burridge told the MailOnline: “Often planets will rise as others have set, but it is fairly rare for multiple planets to be visible simultaneously.

“Some parades may only include three or four planets, this year we have six, which is very rare and quite significant.”

Jake Foster, an astronomy education officer, added: “Venus will be noticeably the brightest of all four planets, shining a bright white light, and Jupiter will be the second brightest, also shining white in colour.

“Saturn will be clearly fainter than the other three, due to its much further distance from the sun. Mars will have the most distinctive difference from the others because of its colouration, appearing as a bright orange point of light to the naked eye.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Science, Space

Health

Scientists record human brain as someone dies and make incredible revelation The scientists say the findings ‘challenge our understanding of when exactly life ends’

January 22, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Scientists record human brain as someone dies and make incredible revelation

The scientists say the findings ‘challenge our understanding of when exactly life ends’

Scientists have taken a look at the effect dying has on the human brain and what they found is pretty insane.

The idea that your brain just stops working when you die couldn’t be further from the truth, according to a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

A group of neuroscientists from the University of Tartu, Estonia ended up taking a deep dive into the brain of a patient who suffered with epilepsy.

Dr Raul Vicente and his team initially used continuous electroencephalography (EEG) to treat the patient, and to try to detect the seizures before they happened.

However, under supervision, the patient sadly had a heart attack and died.

Scientists took a deep dive into a dying human brain (Getty Stock Images)

Despite the tragic incident, the scientists went and looked at a dying brain for, supposedly, the first time ever.

“We measured 900 seconds of brain activity around the time of death and set a specific focus to investigate what happened in the 30 seconds before and after the heart stopped beating,” said Dr Ajmal Zemmar, a neurosurgeon at the University of Louisville, US, who organised the study.

“Just before and after the heart stopped working, we saw changes in a specific band of neural oscillations, so-called gamma oscillations, but also in others such as delta, theta, alpha, and beta oscillations.”

They were able to confirm that the rhythmic brain wave patterns at the time of death were similar to the wave patterns when dreaming, memory recall, and meditation.

It gave a possible explication for why people often have vivid life recall in near-death experiences.

The age old saying of ‘life flashing before your eyes’ might have some truth in it.

So, there are different types of brain oscillations (brain waves), defined as patterns of rhythmic brain activity present in living human brains.

The scientists were stunned at what they found (Getty Stock Images)

Gamma oscillations, for example, are present when concentrating, dreaming, and in memory and information.

“Through generating oscillations involved in memory retrieval, the brain may be playing a last recall of important life events just before we die, similar to the ones reported in near-death experiences,” Zemmar added.

“These findings challenge our understanding of when exactly life ends and generate important subsequent questions, such as those related to the timing of organ donation.

“As a neurosurgeon, I deal with loss at times.

“It is indescribably difficult to deliver the news of death to distraught family members.

“Something we may learn from this research is: although our loved ones have their eyes closed and are ready to leave us to rest, their brains may be replaying some of the nicest moments they experienced in their lives.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Science, Health

Science

Quantum teleportation, once confined to the pages of science fiction, is steadily becoming a tangible scientific achievement.

December 25, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Quantum teleportation has begun to change the world

Quantum teleportation, once confined to the pages of science fiction, is steadily becoming a tangible scientific achievement.

Joseph Shavit

Researchers have uncovered novel ways to transmit information instantly across vast distances, with potential to revolutionize computing, communications, and cryptography. CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Quantum teleportation, once confined to the pages of science fiction, is steadily becoming a tangible scientific achievement. Advances in quantum mechanics over the last decade have transformed teleportation from a theoretical concept into an experimental reality.

These breakthroughs have revealed innovative methods for transmitting information instantaneously over vast distances, offering transformative possibilities for computing, communication, and cryptography. Scientists are now closer than ever to bridging the gap between imagination and reality in this cutting-edge field.

The Science of Quantum Teleportation

At its core, teleportation in the quantum world isn’t about physically transporting objects or people, as popularized by franchises like Star Trek. Instead, it involves transmitting quantum states—essentially the fundamental properties of particles like electrons or photons—without physical movement of the particles themselves.

Star Trek teleportation. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

This is made possible through quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two or more particles become so interconnected that the state of one directly influences the other, no matter how far apart they are.

In April 2022, a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Jian-Wei Pan, a physicist at the University of Science and Technology of China, reported a new record in quantum teleportation distance. Using entangled photons, Pan and his team successfully transmitted quantum information over 1,200 kilometers via satellite.

Published in Physical Review Letters, the study marks a significant leap from earlier experiments that were limited to tens or hundreds of kilometers.

“We’ve demonstrated that quantum entanglement can be preserved over incredibly long distances using satellite-based links,” said Dr. Pan. “This paves the way for global-scale quantum communication networks.”

Entanglement at the Edge of Possibility

The key to the experiment’s success lies in the use of Micius, a Chinese satellite launched in 2016 specifically for quantum experiments. Micius creates pairs of entangled photons and transmits one photon to a ground station while the other remains aboard the satellite. When the photon on Earth is manipulated, its twin in space instantly reflects the same change, proving that entanglement holds even over immense distances.

In a complementary study published in Nature, researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands achieved high-fidelity teleportation of quantum states between two network nodes without losing information. Using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds to create and store quantum bits (qubits), they demonstrated a teleportation accuracy rate of 90%, a record for terrestrial quantum networks.

“Achieving such a high level of accuracy shows that practical quantum networks are feasible,” said Dr. Ronald Hanson, the project’s lead scientist. “This brings us closer to building a quantum internet capable of unhackable communication.”

Teleporting a qubit between non-neighbouring nodes of a quantum network. (CREDIT: Nature)

Overcoming Noise in Quantum Teleportation

A major hurdle in quantum teleportation is noise—unwanted disturbances that can disrupt the transmission of quantum information. In May 2024, researchers from the University of Turku in Finland and the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei made a groundbreaking discovery: certain types of noise can actually enhance the quality of quantum teleportation.

By utilizing multipartite hybrid entanglement, which involves entangling different physical properties of particles, they achieved near-perfect teleportation even in noisy environments. Professor Chuan-Feng Li from the University of Science and Technology of China stated, “This is a significant proof-of-principle experiment in the context of one of the most important quantum protocols.”

Building on this, in June 2024, the team led by Academician Guangcan Guo, achieved a teleportation fidelity of nearly 90% despite environmental noise. They employed a novel method involving hybrid entanglement between photons’ polarization and frequency, effectively countering noise interference. This advancement is a significant step toward practical quantum communication systems capable of operating in real-world conditions.

Qubit teleportation between non-neighbouring network nodes. (CREDIT: Nature)

Optimal Quantum Teleportation Fidelity in Arbitrary Dimensions

In November 2024, researchers from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and the University of Science and Technology of China published a study in Physical Review Applied detailing a general approach for achieving optimal quantum teleportation fidelity across various dimensions.

They experimentally verified their method using three-dimensional quantum teleportation, demonstrating its validity and paving the way for more complex quantum communication protocols.

Quantum Routing with Teleportation

Another notable development in September 2024 involved quantum routing using teleportation. Researchers from the University of Maryland and the University of Cambridge published a study in Physical Review Research exploring the implementation of arbitrary permutations of qubits under interaction constraints.

Stages of noisy quantum teleportation. (CREDIT: Science)

They demonstrated that by distributing entanglement and using local operations and classical communication (LOCC) to perform quantum teleportation, it’s possible to achieve speedups over traditional swap-based routing methods. This finding has significant implications for the efficiency of quantum computing networks.

Real-World Implications: From Security to Computing

The implications of these advances are profound. Quantum teleportation could lead to the development of quantum networks that transmit data with unparalleled security. Traditional encryption methods rely on complex algorithms that can, in theory, be cracked by sufficiently advanced computers. Quantum communication, however, uses entangled particles to detect any eavesdropping, as any interference disrupts the entangled state and alerts the sender and receiver.

For governments and industries reliant on secure communication—such as banking, healthcare, and national defense—this could mean an unprecedented level of data protection. Already, the European Union’s Quantum Internet Alliance is investing millions into building a continent-wide quantum communication network by 2030.

Constant-depth long-range teleportation protocol on a path of seven qubits. (CREDIT: Physical Review Research)

Beyond security, quantum teleportation could supercharge quantum computing, where information is processed exponentially faster than in classical computing.

A study from the University of Chicago, led by physicist Dr. David Schuster, revealed that teleportation can efficiently link quantum processors across distances. Published in Nature Communications, the research outlines a method for scaling up quantum computers by connecting processors via entangled photons. This overcomes the limitations of physical wiring, enabling more powerful and interconnected systems.

“The teleportation of quantum states between processors is a major step toward creating a scalable quantum computer,” said Dr. Schuster. “This technology could revolutionize industries from drug discovery to artificial intelligence.”

Challenges on the Road Ahead

Despite these successes, quantum teleportation faces significant hurdles. One major challenge is decoherence—the loss of quantum information due to environmental factors like temperature fluctuations or electromagnetic interference. This makes maintaining entanglement over long periods a technical feat.

Quantum network comprising two superconducting quantum nodes connected by a one-metre-long superconducting coaxial cable, where each node includes three interconnected qubits. (CREDIT: Nature Communications)

Additionally, the infrastructure required for large-scale quantum networks remains in its infancy. For instance, transmitting photons over optical fibers leads to signal loss over distances longer than 100 kilometers, which satellites like Micius help mitigate. However, creating a global quantum network will require a hybrid approach, combining satellite links with terrestrial fiber-optic cables.

Cost is another consideration. Building and maintaining quantum infrastructure is expensive, with many projects reliant on government funding. For example, the U.S. National Quantum Initiative, launched in 2018, has allocated over $1 billion to quantum research, including teleportation. Similar investments are being made by the European Union and China.

The Bigger Picture: A Quantum Future

The long-term potential of quantum teleportation extends beyond secure communication and computing. In theoretical physics, teleportation experiments are deepening our understanding of the universe.

Recent research from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) suggests that teleportation could provide insights into the nature of spacetime and black holes. Dr. John Preskill, a quantum physicist at Caltech, posits that quantum entanglement may hold clues to resolving the “information paradox” in black holes.

“These experiments are not just technological feats,” said Dr. Preskill. “They’re also windows into some of the deepest questions about the universe.”

Moreover, teleportation could eventually influence energy transmission. While the concept of “beaming” energy via quantum methods remains speculative, early studies indicate it may be possible to teleport energy states in specific conditions. This could open doors to energy distribution systems that are far more efficient and less wasteful than current grids.

Transforming the Possible

What does all this mean for you? Quantum teleportation is no longer a futuristic fantasy but a tangible technology that’s reshaping how information—and perhaps one day energy—is transmitted. The strides made by scientists like Dr. Pan, Dr. Hanson, and Dr. Schuster are laying the foundation for a future where secure global communication, superpowered computing, and even new forms of energy transmission become the norm.

As the barriers of distance and speed continue to crumble under the weight of these discoveries, the real-world applications of teleportation are beginning to take shape. While many challenges remain, the promise of this technology is immense.

Teleportation may not yet be ready to transport people, but its potential to transform society is every bit as exciting as the science fiction dreams it once inspired.

Note: Materials provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length.

News / Science

Scientists reveal the exact date Earth is set to face ‘mass extinction’ as we enter 2025

December 23, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Scientists have revealed the exact date that Earth is set to face a ‘mass extinction’ as we enter 2025.

It’s just what we need to hear as we wind down the year and start our New Year’s resolutions – when exactly this is all going to end.

Maybe we don’t need to worry so much about doing Dry January or quitting chocolate after all.

Scientists may have a date for the end of the world (DrPixel/Getty Images)

According to one study, which was conducted by the University of Bristol, we now have a pretty good idea of when life on Earth may come to an end.

But fear not, it’s a long way off yet.

No one knows yet how it will actually happen, but researchers have found out through computer simulations that humans will probably go extinct in 250 million years time.

With the rising temperatures, the study suggests that mammals won’t be able to adjust to the environment as temperatures will be between 104°F to 158°F (40°C to 70°C).

However, global warming could mean that humanity ends up bringing that end date closer.

As Earth’s tectonic plates move slightly each year, there are times when they come together to form a supercontinent every 400 to 600 million years, which might trigger some nasty natural disasters too.

But it’ll mostly signify the end of times.

Climate change is speeding up the process (chuchart duangdaw/Getty Images)

Lead author Dr Alexander Farnsworth, Senior Research Associate with the Cabot Institute for the Environment at University of Bristol, said: “The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO2 in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet. The result is a mostly hostile environment devoid of food and water sources for mammals.

“Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate. Humans – along with many other species – would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.”

Co-author Dr Eunice Lo, Caboteer and Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol added that we need to be thinking about our fossil fuel, saying: “It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases. While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health. This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible.”

News / Science

Timeline of life’s evolution extended by nearly 1.5 billion years

December 23, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

If all the world’s a stage, and all the species merely players, then their exits and entrances can be found in the rock record. This poetic perspective highlights the continuous evolution and unfolding of life’s history, a narrative that is etched into fossils and the layers of sediment in which they are found.

A recent Virginia Tech analysis has now extended this narrative back to nearly 2 billion years ago, offering a more complete picture of life’s origin, diversification, and extinction.

Expanding the chart of life

Fossil evidence has charted evolutionary milestones over the past half-billion years, but researchers have now pushed this timeline even further back.

The study, led by Virginia Tech geobiologist Shuhai Xiao, expands our understanding of ancient life to the Proterozoic Eon, which spans 2,500 million to 539 million years ago.

During this era, life forms were typically smaller and softer, such as sea sponges without mineral skeletons, which were less likely to leave fossil traces.

“This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of this period to date,” said Xiao. “And more importantly, we’ve used a graphic correlation program that allowed us to achieve greater temporal resolution.”

The team’s findings provide a high-resolution analysis of the global diversity and evolution of Proterozoic life. This chart now offers valuable insights into how life’s story played out during this vast period.

Evolution of proterozoic marine eukaryotes

Xiao and his team studied the evolution of ancient marine eukaryotes, which are organisms with cells that have a nucleus. These early eukaryotes were the ancestors of animals, plants, and fungi, and thus they paved the way for complex life on Earth.

The researchers found that eukaryotes first appeared at least 1.8 billion years ago. For the next billion years, often called the “boring billion,” not much changed.

Species evolved slowly, and diversity remained stable, with few new species emerging or old ones going extinct.

This calm period eventually ended as Earth experienced dramatic changes. Shifts in the environment and evolution then brought a surge in diversity and set the stage for the development of the complex ecosystems we know today.

Snowball Earth’s impact on the evolution of life

Between 720 million and 635 million years ago, the planet experienced at least two severe ice ages, known as Snowball Earth events. These global glaciations plunged Earth into an icy grip, and reshaped life’s trajectory.

“The ice ages were a major factor that reset the evolutionary path in terms of diversity and dynamics,” Xiao explained. “We see rapid turnover of eukaryotic species immediately after glaciation. That’s a major finding.”

When the ice melted, evolutionary activity surged, marking the end of the “boring billion” and ushering in a more dynamic era of biodiversity.

Questions raised by the findings

The study on eukaryotic evolution raises important questions about how environmental and evolutionary forces influenced the development of life on Earth.

For instance, why did eukaryotic evolution remain so slow and stable during the “boring billion,” a period marked by low species turnover? What triggered the rapid evolutionary changes after the Snowball Earth events, when the planet thawed from extreme glaciation?

Key factors under consideration include whether changes in climate and rising atmospheric oxygen levels played a role in accelerating evolution.

Additionally, scientists wonder whether competition and interactions among organisms created an “evolutionary arms race,” that drove species to evolve faster.

According to Xiao, the team’s findings create a foundation for future research. By analyzing the patterns revealed in this study, scientists can delve deeper into the complex relationship between Earth’s changing environments and the evolution of life.

New perspective on the evolution of life

The study of proterozoic life enhances our understanding of how early eukaryotes – the ancestors of modern animals, plants, and fungi – evolved.

The research also reveals how living organisms and Earth’s environment influenced each other in complex and interconnected ways over billions of years.

By extending the timeline of life’s history, this research gives scientists a detailed framework to explore unanswered questions about Earth’s ancient past. It helps us see how events from billions of years ago shaped the planet and life as we know it today.

The study is published in the journal Science.

News / Science

Shocking discovery reveals 35 high-rise buildings housing thousands in Miami are sinking

December 21, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

New studies have shown that up to 35 luxury high-rise buildings on the coast of Miami, Florida, are sinking at a greater rate than expected, and the exact reason behind the ‘settlement’ is unknown.

The Earth’s natural state can cause some rather unusual effects, whether that be on the extreme end of sinkholes that eat up entire houses to minor rotations in the planet’s axis that contribute to climate change.

Areas close to water are often more vulnerable to these natural shifts, so news that tall buildings are indeed sinking into the ground isn’t too much of a shock for many scientists.

Studies have shown that high-rise buildings on the Miami coast are sinking (Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

What remains confusing though is the rate at which they’re sinking, as around 35 high-rise apartments on Miami’s Barrier islands are continuing to sink beyond a point that was expected, leaving many confused at why such an occurrence is happening.

In a study published in Earth and Space Science, lead author Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani revealed that: “The discovery of the extend of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected,” continuing to argue that “the study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures.”

It is understood that the 35 luxury condos along a 12-mile stretch have sunk by around 2-8 centimeters, and while it is expected that high-rises of a similar structure can settle into the ground by ‘several tens of centimeters’, as reported by the New York Post, they are expected to stop after a certain period of time which has not happened here.

One of the study’s senior authors, Falk Amelung, outlined that “in some cases [subsidence] continues at a steady rate,” and that this occurance “suggests that subsidence could persist for an extended period.”

This is, of course, rather worrying for anyone living in the buildings as while centimeters might seem inconsequential at this point in time, it can eventually get to a point where it’ll damage the structural integrity of the buildings.

It is unclear at the moment exactly why the sinking occurs, especially at a continual rate (Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

On top of this, it isn’t quite clear at the moment what exactly is causing the sinking to continue, with theories split between construction vibrations, storm water injection, and general tidal flow every single day.

With the cause unclear it is difficult for anyone to diagnose and deal with the problem on a construction side, leaving anyone living in the buildings helpless to the slow change.

It’s certainly something that scientists and researchers will keep a keen eye on in the coming years, as studies like this will likely only serve as the foundation when it comes to understanding why this is happening.

News / Science

Artificial intelligence has reached the speed of light

December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

computer speed

PHILADELPHIA — Artificial intelligence can now move at the speed of light, thanks to University of Pennsylvania engineers. They have introduced a new type of computer chip that has the potential to significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of AI systems. Unlike traditional chips that rely on electrical signals, this innovative silicon-photonic (SiPh) chip utilizes light waves to perform complex mathematical calculations, promising to revolutionize computer processing power and energy consumption.

The chip’s design is a culmination of pioneering research by Nader Engheta, the Benjamin Franklin Medal Laureate and H. Nedwill Ramsey Professor at Penn, who has led advancements in manipulating materials at the nanoscale to enable computations with light — the fastest communication medium available. This breakthrough integrates Engheta’s work with the SiPh platform, which employs silicon, a widely available and inexpensive element, for mass chip production.

💡What To Know:

The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second.
Artificial intelligence is a broad term describing technology that allows machines to mimic human cognitive abilities like learning and problem-solving.
The main ingredient in computer chips is silicon, a very common element found abundantly in sand.

artificial intelligence — UPenn engineers have introduced a new type of computer chip that has the potential to significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of AI systems. (Image: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

Today’s computers, largely unchanged in their fundamental design since the 1960s, face limitations that the new SiPh chip aims to overcome by harnessing the interaction between light waves and matter. The collaborative study between Engheta’s team and the group of Firooz Aflatouni, associate professor in electrical and systems engineering at Penn, showcases the chip’s development. Aflatouni’s group has been at the forefront of creating nanoscale silicon devices, making their partnership a strategic move towards innovating AI’s computational backbone.

Researchers focused on enhancing the process of vector-matrix multiplication, a critical operation in neural networks, which are the foundation of modern AI tools. By varying the thickness of the silicon in precise areas — down to just 150 nanometers — without introducing new materials, the chip can manipulate light to scatter in specific patterns. This approach allows for performing calculations at light speed, a significant leap forward in processing efficiency.

One of the remarkable aspects of this design, according to Aflatouni, is its readiness for commercial application, particularly in graphics processing units (GPUs), which are in high demand for AI development. The compatibility of the SiPh platform with existing GPU technology means it could be readily integrated to enhance AI training and classification tasks, offering faster speeds and reduced energy consumption.

“They can adopt the Silicon Photonics platform as an add-on, and then you could speed up training and classification,” says Aflatouni in a media release.

Beyond its performance advantages, the chip also promises enhanced data privacy. The simultaneous execution of multiple computations eliminates the need to store sensitive data in a computer’s working memory, thus safeguarding against potential hacks.

Neural interface: Human cyborg brain being used with computer chips for AI — Unlike traditional chips that rely on electrical signals, this innovative silicon-photonic (SiPh) chip utilizes light waves to perform complex mathematical calculations. (© MMPhoto21 – stock.adobe.com)

“No one can hack into a non-existing memory to access your information,” notes Aflatouni.

This research, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, received support from both the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The study’s implications extend beyond faster and more efficient computing; it represents a significant step towards creating computers that are not only more powerful but also more secure and environmentally friendly.

The study is published in the journal Nature Photonics.

News / Science

Scientists may finally know what existed before the Big Bang

December 17, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

(Credit: Triff/Shutterstock)

AUSTIN — If you could weigh the universe, you’d find that about 85% of its matter is missing – or rather, invisible to our most sophisticated detection methods. This cosmic accounting error, known as dark matter, has long been one of science’s greatest mysteries. Now, researchers have discovered that this invisible mass might have formed in the universe’s prenatal period, even before what we traditionally think of as the Big Bang.

The intriguing new study from a team at the University of Texas at Austin offers a tantalizing origin story for this cosmic enigma. The researchers propose that dark matter might have been created during one of the most fundamental moments in universal history — a brief, explosive period of expansion called cosmic inflation that occurred just before the Big Bang.

“The thing that’s unique to our model is that dark matter is successfully produced during inflation,” says Katherine Freese, lead researcher and director of the Weinberg Institute of Theoretical Physics, in a media release. “In most models, anything that is created during inflation is then ‘inflated away’ by the exponential expansion of the universe, to the point where there is essentially nothing left.”

The research, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, introduces a novel mechanism called WIFI (Warm Inflation Freeze-In), which suggests that dark matter could have been generated during the universe’s earliest moments through tiny, rare interactions within an incredibly hot and energetic environment.

According to a new model, dark matter particles (black dots) began forming as the universe expanded rapidly during a period called cosmic inflation, just before the Big Bang. Illustration credit: Gabriele Montefalcone.

Most cosmologists now understand that the universe’s beginning was far more complex than a simple explosive moment. Before the Big Bang, matter and energy were compressed into an incredibly dense state so extreme that physicists struggle to describe it. A fraction of a second of rapid expansion — inflation — preceded the more familiar Big Bang, setting the stage for everything that would follow.

In this new model, the quantum field driving inflation loses some of its energy to radiation, which then produces dark matter particles through a process called freeze-in. The most remarkable aspect of the research is its suggestion that all the dark matter we observe today could have been created during that brief inflationary period.

What makes this new WIFI mechanism so revolutionary is its efficiency. The researchers found that it could produce dramatically more dark matter than conventional models – in some cases, up to 18 orders of magnitude more. That’s like comparing a teaspoon of water to all the oceans on Earth.

“In our study, we focused on the production of dark matter, but WIFI suggests a broader applicability, such as the production of other particles that could play a crucial role in the early universe’s evolution,” notes researcher Barmak Shams Es Haghi.

This theory opens up exciting new avenues for exploring the universe’s fundamental building blocks. While currently unconfirmable through direct observation, the researchers are optimistic. Graduate student Gabriele Montefalcone points out that upcoming experiments studying the Cosmic Microwave Background and large-scale universal structures could provide crucial validation.

“If future observations confirm that warm inflation is the correct paradigm, it would significantly strengthen the case for dark matter being produced as described in our framework,” Montefalcone concludes.

Paper Summary

Methodology

The team employed advanced mathematical modeling to simulate dark matter production during warm inflation. By developing sophisticated numerical code, they could explore how different interaction parameters might influence dark matter generation during the universe’s earliest moments.

Key Results

The research revealed that dark matter production during warm inflation could be dramatically more efficient than previously thought. Depending on specific interaction strengths, the model suggests that nearly all observable dark matter could have been produced during the inflationary period.

Study Limitations

As a purely theoretical study, the research relies on mathematical models that cannot be directly verified with current observational technologies. The findings assume specific conditions about the early universe that remain hypothetical.

Discussion & Takeaways

The study provides a revolutionary perspective on dark matter’s origins, challenging existing models and suggesting that the inflationary period might be far more dynamic than previously understood. It offers a new framework for conceptualizing cosmic evolution and matter creation.

Funding & Disclosures

The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Swedish Research Council, and the Jeff and Gail Kodosky Endowed Chair in Physics at the University of Texas at Austin. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

News / Science

DNA Analysis Unveils the ‘Last Modern Human’ To Interbreed With Neanderthals

December 16, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

What secrets lie in the DNA of Europe’s earliest humans? A groundbreaking study has uncovered genetic links between two ancient populations, shedding light on the final interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals. These pioneers carried traces of African ancestry, yet their lineage vanished without a trace.

Illustration Of Zlatý Kůň — DNA Analysis Unveils the ‘Last Modern Human’ To Interbreed With Neanderthals – © The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel

A recent study published in Nature has unraveled new details about the relationships between early modern humans and Neanderthals in Europe, revealing genetic links and significant insights into the migration and interaction patterns of our ancient ancestors. The research, led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, sheds light on two specific archaeological sites: Zlatý kůň in Czechia and Ranis in Germany.

Zlatý Kůň and Ranis: A Shared Lineage

The Zlatý kůň site, located in central Czechia, contained a human skull estimated to be 45,000 years old. Genetic analysis revealed this individual was part of a small population of early modern humans that likely crossed the open steppe landscapes of Europe. Similarly, the Ranis site in Thuringia, Germany, housed 13 bone fragments, initially associated with tools from the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture. Nuclear DNA analysis later confirmed that these bones represented at least six individuals, including a mother-daughter pair.

Key genetic findings from the study:

A genetic relationship (fifth- or sixth-degree) was discovered between Zlatý kůň and two individuals from Ranis.
Both groups were part of a distinct lineage that diverged early after migrating out of Africa.
The populations were small, likely consisting of a few hundred individuals spread over a wide area.

This revelation not only links these two ancient sites but also highlights the extent to which early modern humans were mobile and interconnected across prehistoric Europe.

Early Humans Genome Sequenced — Illustration of Zlatý kůň, who belonged to the same population as the Ranis individuals and was closely related to two of them. Credit: Tom Björklund for Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

African Heritage and Distinct Traits

The genetic makeup of the Zlatý kůň and Ranis populations reflects their recent African ancestry, with traits such as dark skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. Despite their shared traits and presence in Europe, these populations did not leave a genetic legacy in later European or global populations. They represent a unique lineage of modern humans that diverged early after migrating out of Africa.

Johannes Krause, a senior author of the study, noted, “These results provide us with a deeper understanding of the earliest pioneers that settled in Europe. They also indicate that any modern human remains found outside Africa that are older than 50,000 years could not have been part of the common, non-African population that interbred with Neanderthals and is now found across much of the world.”

Interactions With Neanderthals

While other early human populations in Europe carry evidence of interbreeding with Neanderthals, the Zlatý kůň and Ranis groups showed no signs of recent Neanderthal admixture. This contrasts with later arrivals to Europe, suggesting these populations may have taken a different migration route or settled in regions with limited Neanderthal presence.

Interestingly, older Neanderthal ancestry was detected in their genomes, pointing to an admixture event that occurred between 45,000 and 49,000 years ago. This earlier genetic mingling predates their settlement in Europe and provides a timeline for human-Neanderthal interactions during migration out of Africa.

The following is a chronological account of significant occurrences in the history of human-Neanderthal interactions:

Event	Estimated Timeframe	Details
Initial human migration from Africa	~60,000 years ago	Early humans leave Africa and begin dispersing globally.
First admixture event with Neanderthals	~45,000–49,000 years ago	Ancestral humans interbreed with Neanderthals before settling in Europe.
Settlement at Zlatý kůň and Ranis	~45,000 years ago	Early humans establish populations in Central Europe, exhibiting no recent Neanderthal admixture.
Later human arrivals in Europe	~40,000 years ago	New human groups arrive, interbreeding with Neanderthals and leaving a genetic legacy in modern populations.

Tools, Culture, and Migration Routes

The LRJ tools found at Ranis suggest a level of sophistication in tool-making, but their creators were previously unknown. The recent discovery that these tools were likely made by modern humans from the Zlatý kůň and Ranis group adds a new dimension to their cultural capabilities. This finding also raises questions about their migration routes and how their distinct lineage ended without contributing to later human populations.

The Zlatý kůň/Ranis populations appear to have been small, with genetic data suggesting they consisted of a few hundred individuals spread across a vast area. Despite their presence, their genetic legacy disappeared, a phenomenon likely influenced by competition with other groups, environmental changes, and other unknown factors.

This study, conducted by a team from the Max Planck Institute, offers a detailed look into the lives of Europe’s earliest settlers. It highlights the diversity of human migration and the complex web of interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals.

News / Science

New Fossil Discovery Suggests Europe as Humanity’s Birthplace, Not Africa

December 16, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

A stunning fossil discovery in Türkiye is shaking the foundations of evolutionary science. The 8.7-million-year-old remains of Anadoluvius turkae suggest early human ancestors may have evolved in Europe, not Africa. Could this rewrite the story of human origins? The evidence raises profound questions—and controversy.

Zhang Yingqi Shows Fossil Remains In His Office After The Presentation Of The Scientific Project — New Fossil Discovery Suggests Europe as Humanity’s Birthplace, Not Africa – © The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel

A newly discovered fossil species, Anadoluvius turkae, found in Central Anatolia, Türkiye, is prompting scientists to reconsider the long-held belief that human ancestors originated exclusively in Africa. This partial cranium, dating back approximately 8.7 million years, could indicate that early hominins—ancestors of modern humans—first evolved in Europe before migrating to Africa.

A Significant Find at çOrakyerler Fossil Site

The fossil was uncovered at the Çorakyerler site in Türkiye in 2015, with support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A study led by Professor David Begun of the University of Toronto and Professor Ayla Sevim Erol of Ankara University analyzed the cranium, which is remarkably well-preserved, allowing for detailed evolutionary comparisons.

Professor Begun explained, “The completeness of the fossil allowed us to do a broader and more detailed analysis using many characters and attributes that are coded into a program designed to calculate evolutionary relationships.” The fossil includes most of the face and the frontal portion of the braincase, providing valuable insights into the physical characteristics of the species.

The research, published in the journal Communications Biology, identifies Anadoluvius turkae as part of a group of Mediterranean apes closely related to early hominins. These apes may have evolved in Europe before dispersing to Africa between nine and seven million years ago, likely influenced by environmental changes.

Human Ancestor Anadoluvius — A new face and partial brain case of Anadoluvius turkae, a fossil hominine—the group that includes African apes and humans—from the Çorakyerler fossil site located in Central Anatolia, Türkiye. Credit: Sevim-Erol, A., Begun, D.R., Sözer, Ç.S. et al.

Characteristics of Anadoluvius Turkae

The fossil reveals that Anadoluvius turkae was a large ape, weighing between 50 and 60 kilograms, comparable to the size of a modern male chimpanzee. Its powerful jaws and thickly enameled teeth suggest an ability to process tough terrestrial foods such as roots and rhizomes.

Professor Sevim Erol noted that Anadoluvius turkae likely lived in open, dry forests, a habitat more similar to African savannahs than the forested environments inhabited by modern great apes. The ecosystem at the time included animals such as giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and lion-like predators, mirroring the fauna found in Africa today.

Implications for Human Origins

This discovery challenges the prevailing “Out of Africa” model, which posits that early hominins evolved exclusively in Africa. Instead, it supports a hypothesis that these ancestors may have originated in Europe and spread to Africa alongside other Mediterranean fauna during the late Miocene epoch.

Fossils of related species, such as Ouranopithecus from Greece and Graecopithecus from Bulgaria, bolster this theory. According to Professor Begun, “The members of this radiation to which Anadoluvius turkae belongs are currently only identified in Europe and Anatolia.” The absence of hominin fossils in Africa older than seven million years contrasts with the abundance of such remains in Europe and Anatolia from earlier periods.

Unanswered Questions and Further Research

Despite its significance, the discovery of Anadoluvius turkae does not definitively prove the European origin of human ancestors. Additional fossils from both Europe and Africa, dating between eight and seven million years, are needed to establish a clear evolutionary connection between the two regions.

Professor Begun acknowledged this limitation, stating, “For that, we need to find more fossils from Europe and Africa between eight and seven million years old to establish a definitive connection between the two groups.” This underscores the importance of continued exploration and interdisciplinary research in understanding the evolution of hominins.

For now, this find adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the Mediterranean region played a critical role in human evolutionary history, urging scientists to expand their focus beyond traditional areas of study. As more discoveries are made, Anadoluvius turkae will remain central to ongoing debates about the origins of humanity.