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Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday, 3/1/25 [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-01
OND is a regular community feature on Daily Kos, consisting of news stories from around the world, sometimes coupled with a daily theme, original research or commentary. Editors of OND impart their own presentation styles and content choices, typically publishing each day near 12:00 AM Eastern Time.
Please feel free to share your articles and stories in the comments.
I don’t know how many of these science editions we’ve got left. The shutdown of science funding by the federal government will have an effect on the amount of science news.
More Than 100,000 African Seeds Put in Svalbard Vault For Safekeeping
More than 100,000 seeds from across Africa have been deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world's repository for specimens intended to preserve crop diversity in the event of disaster. From a report: Among the latest additions are seeds critical to building climate resilience, such as the tree Faidherbia albida, which turns nitrogen into ammonia and nitrates, and Cordia africana, the Sudan teak, a tree renowned for its strength and durability. The seeds, from 177 different species, were delivered to the Norwegian vault on Tuesday by Dr Eliane Ubalijoro, the chief executive of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (Cifor-Icraf). "For me, seeds are about hope," Ubalijoro said. "They're about moving beyond survival, particularly when you come from places that have gone through really difficult times. When I think of my country of Rwanda and what happened in 1994, seed banks were critical when it came to rebuilding after the genocide." Ubalijoro said countries that had experienced disaster and conflict could emerge as leaders in the fight against climate breakdown.
Fruits and Flowers May Counteract Harmful Effects of Microplastics
New research suggests that anthocyanins, the antioxidants responsible for the vibrant colors of fruits and flowers, may help counteract reproductive harm caused by microplastics. The Guardian reports: The new review of scientific literature on anthocyanins found that the compounds are probably protective against a range of plastic-induced impacts on hormones, reductions in testosterone and estrogen, decreased sperm counts, lower sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and ovarian damage. [...] Researchers said that mice exposed to microplastics, then treated with anthocyanins, showed increased sperm quality, including increased sperm count and motility, and the antioxidants overall reduced testicular damage. The new paper also pointed to research that found some microplastics reduce testosterone levels because they harm Leydig cells, which are responsible for the hormone's production. Anthocyanins seem to helped restore testosterone production and protect Leydig cells. In women, impacts on fertility and sexual development could be mitigated by anthocyanins that seem to protect hormone receptors from plastic chemicals such as bisphenol, phthalates and cadmium. The chemicals can mimic hormones, or cause hormonal responses. Microplastics in ovarian tissue cause inflammation that seems to lower levels of estrogen and other hormones. Research found that treating rats exposed to microplastics protected the ovarian tissue and normalized levels of estrogen and other hormones. "Its antioxidant properties help preserve ovarian function and potentially maintain fertility, highlighting its therapeutic potential in managing ovarian damage," the authors wrote.
Earth Safe From 'City-Killer' Asteroid 2024 YR4
Asteroid 2024 YR4, once considered a significant impact risk, has been reassigned to Torino Scale Level Zero and therefore poses no hazard to Earth. "The NASA JPL Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) now lists the 2024 YR4 impact probability as 0.00005 (0.005%) or 1-in-20,000 for its passage by Earth in 2032," Richard Binzel, Professor of Planetary Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and creator of the Torino scale exclusively told Space.com. "That's impact probability zero folks!" From the report: Discovered in Dec. 2024, 2024 YR4 quickly climbed to the top of NASA's Sentry Risk table, at one point having a 1 in 32 chance of hitting Earth. This elevated it to Level 3 on the Torino scale, a system used since 1999 to categorize potential Earth impact events. Level 3, which falls within the yellow band of the Torino Scale, is described as: "A close encounter, meriting attention by astronomers. Current calculations give a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localized destruction." This conforms to the second part of the Torino scale level 3 description, which states: "Most likely, new telescopic observations will lead to re-assignment to Level 0. Attention by public and by public officials is merited if the encounter is less than a decade away." "Asteroid 2024 YR4 has now been reassigned to Torino Scale Level Zero, the level for 'No Hazard' as additional tracking of its orbital path has reduced its possibility of intersecting the Earth to below the 1-in-1000 threshold," Binzel continued. "1-in-1000 is the threshold established for downgrading to Level 0 for any object smaller than 100 meters; YR4 has an estimated size of 164 feet (50 meters)." [...] While 2024 YR4 poses no threat, it will still have a major scientific impact when it passes Earth in 2028 and again in 2032. On Dec. 17, the asteroid will come to within 5 million miles of Earth. Then, on Dec.22, 2032, 2024 YR4 will pass within just 167,000 miles of our planet. For context, the moon is 238,855 miles away.
Young star clusters give birth to rogue planetary-mass objects
How do rogue planetary-mass objects -- celestial bodies with masses between stars and planets -- form? An international team of astronomers, including the University of Zurich, has used advanced simulations to show that these enigmatic objects are linked to the chaotic dynamics of young star clusters. Planetary-mass objects (PMOs) are cosmic nomads: they drift freely through space, unbound to any star, and weigh less than 13 times the mass of Jupiter. While they have been spotted in abundance in young star clusters such as the Trapezium Cluster in Orion, their origin has puzzled scientists.
Today's forecast: Partially cloudy skies on an 'ultra-hot Neptune'
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers investigate the extreme weather patterns and atmospheric properties of exoplanet LTT 9779 b. New JWST observations with NIRISS reveal a dynamic atmosphere: powerful winds sweep around the planet, shaping mineral clouds as they condense into a bright, white arc on the slightly cooler western side of the dayside. As these clouds move eastward, they evaporate under the intense heat, leaving the eastern dayside with clear skies. The exotic atmosphere of LTT 9779 b, a rare "ultra-hot Neptune," is coming to light thanks to observations via the James Webb Space Telescope led by Louis-Philippe Coulombe, a graduate student at Université de Montréal's Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx). x The James Webb Space Telescope has explored the atmosphere of LTT 9779 b, an ultra-hot Neptune, revealing reflective clouds and extreme weather patterns in this rare exoplanet. doi.org/g86bhp — Science X / Phys.org (@sciencex.bsky.social) 2025-02-25T09:02:40-05:00
Can we find floating vegetation on ocean planets?
Recent advances in astronomical observations have found a significant number of extrasolar planets that can sustain surface water, and the search for extraterrestrial life on such planets is gaining momentum. A team of astrobiologists has proposed a novel approach for detecting life on ocean planets. By conducting laboratory measurements and satellite remote sensing analyses, they have demonstrated that the reflectance spectrum of floating vegetation could serve as a promising biosignature. Seasonal variations in floating vegetation may provide a particularly effective means for remote detection. Astronomical surveys have discovered nearly 6,000 exoplanets, including many habitable planets, which may harbor liquid water on their surfaces. The search for life on such planets is one of the most significant scientific endeavors of this century, with direct imaging observation projects currently under development. On Earth-like planets, the characteristic reflectance spectrum of terrestrial vegetation, known as "vegetation red edge," is considered as a key biosignature. However, ocean planets, with most of their surfaces covered by water, are unlikely to support terrestrial vegetation.
Gulf of Mars: Rover finds evidence of 'vacation-style' beaches on Mars
Mars may have once been home to sun-soaked, sandy beaches with gentle, lapping waves according to a new study published today (Feb. 24) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). An international team of scientists, including Penn State researchers, used data from the Zhurong Mars rover to identify hidden layers of rock under the planet's surface that strongly suggest the presence of an ancient northern ocean. The new research offers the clearest evidence yet that the planet once contained a significant body of water and a more habitable environment for life, according to Benjamin Cardenas, assistant professor of geology at Penn State and co-author on the study.
Adsorptive regolith on Mars soaks up water, researchers reveal
Mars, the next frontier in space exploration, still poses many questions for scientists. The planet was once more hospitable, characterized by a warm and wet climate with liquid oceans. But today Mars is cold and dry, with most water now located below the surface. Understanding how much water is stored offers critical information for energy exploration, as well as life sustainability on the planet. A research group from Tohoku University has helped shed light on this by improving an existing Mars climate model. The enhanced model accommodates the various properties of Martian regolith, or the loose deposits of solid rock that comprise Martian soil. x An updated Mars climate model indicates that Martian regolith, particularly in mid- and low latitudes, effectively absorbs and retains water, impacting our understanding of the planet's water distribution. — Science X / Phys.org (@sciencex.bsky.social) 2025-02-26T10:47:29-05:00
Giant ice bulldozers: How ancient glaciers helped life evolve
New research has revealed how massive ancient glaciers acted like giant bulldozers, reshaping Earth's surface and paving the way for complex life to flourish. By chemically analyzing crystals in ancient rocks, the researchers discovered that as glaciers carved through the landscape, they scraped deep into the Earth's crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process had a profound impact on our planet's composition, creating conditions that allowed complex life to evolve.
Feeding anemone: Symbiote fish actively feed hosts in wild
Anemonefish, sometimes called clownfish, have been popular attractions in aquariums ever since Disney's animated film Finding Nemo arrived in cinemas in 2003. Living symbiotically with sea anemones that shelter them from predators, the fish drive away organisms that nibble at their hosts. Anemonefish have also shown they will provide their hosts with the food given to them by humans, but does this happen in the wild? An Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science team led by PhD student Yuya Kobayashi and Professor Satoshi Awata found evidence of this feeding behavior during field experiments.
New spatial mechanism for the coexistence of tree species
The reason why so many tree species can coexist in species-rich forests has long been a subject of debate in ecology. This question is key to understanding the mechanisms governing the dynamics and stability of forests. An international team of scientists led by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has now discovered unexpected patterns in the spatial distribution of tree species, as reported in the scientific journal Nature. Their results suggest that tree species in tropical and temperate forests manifest contrasting coexistence strategies as a result of differences in the patterns of tree clustering and the abundances of tree species. The data sets are very large: with more than 75 permanent forest dynamics plots in 29 countries worldwide, the Forest Global Earth Observatory network (ForestGEO) of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) provides excellent forest inventories for investigating the dynamics of forest ecosystems and better understanding the processes that drive the structure and function of forests. On these 20-to-50-hectare plots, every single tree with a diameter not much larger than a pencil has been identified, measured and mapped every five years, often totalling more than 200,000 trees. The two UFZ researchers, Dr. Thorsten Wiegand and Prof. Dr. Andreas Huth, took a closer look at 21 of these forest megaplots, which cover a gradient from the tropical to the subtropical and temperate zones. Their international team then used the ForestGEO data to analyse the distribution of tree species in the forests and which processes are responsible for their spatial patterns. "The search for simple principles underlying the spatial structure and dynamics of plant communities is a long-standing challenge in theoretical ecology," says first author Thorsten Wiegand, describing their research question. x New findings indicate that contrasting spatial patterns in tree distribution, influenced by seed dispersal and mycorrhizal fungi, play a crucial role in stabilizing biodiversity in tropical and temperate forests. doi.org/g86gwq — Science X / Phys.org (@sciencex.bsky.social) 2025-02-27T00:47:31-05:00
Beyond the burn: Harvesting dead wood to reduce wildfires and store carbon
A century of fire suppression, climate change, and drought has worsened wildfires in the Western U.S. While prescribed burns help reduce fuel, a 'fire deficit' increases wildfire risks, with significant health and environmental impacts. Deforestation and pests further limit carbon storage. Emulating Indigenous practices, a new study shows that combining physical harvesting of dead wood with thinning reduces wildfire risks, lowers carbon emissions, and boosts carbon storage through products like biochar.
Infant mortality tied to concentration of lead in air
Concentrations of lead in the air remain substantial in developed and developing countries, largely the result of industrial emissions. Even with the decline in lead in gasoline, developed countries, including the United States, still have substantial air lead emissions and in part as a result, blood lead levels in children are high worldwide. In a new study, researchers used data on lead emissions in the air to estimate the effects of air lead concentration on infant mortality. The study found a statistically significant relation between air lead concentration and infant mortality. Conducted by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Boston College, and Hunan University, the study is an NBER Working Paper. "Although many studies have examined the adverse effects of lead on children's cognitive and behavioral outcomes, few have analyzed the effect of exposure to lead on infants' health, so we know little about the extent of harm to infants' health from airborne lead in settings with modern medical care and at modern exposure levels," explains Karen Clay, professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College, who led the study.
Novel bone marrow transplant can cure sickle cell disease, study suggests
A bone marrow transplant process co-developed by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center is safe and curative for adults with sickle cell disease, according to results of a trial completed at Johns Hopkins and about 20 additional cancer centers nationwide and in London. The treatment, available at multiple U.S. medical centers, is a viable and less costly alternative to recently approved gene therapy products for sickle cell disease, the authors say. During this type of transplant, called reduced-intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation, bone marrow is given by a "half-matched" donor, such as a parent, sibling, child, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or cousin of the patient. This means the proteins that help the body's immune system function, and which are present on a donor's marrow cells, must match at least half of those proteins on the recipient's cells to be a good fit and to not attack the recipient's body after the transplant. x Early bone marrow transplantation in sickle cell disease may reduce stroke risk by protecting against arterial damage, highlighting the potential benefits of earlier intervention. doi.org/g86kgr — Science X / Phys.org (@sciencex.bsky.social) 2025-02-27T09:02:29-05:00
Comprehensive resource describes functions of more than 20,000 human genes
A new resource from the Gene Ontology Consortium, a comprehensive encyclopedia of the known functions of all protein-coding human genes, has just been completed and released on a new website. For the first time, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and other institutions used large-scale evolutionary modeling to integrate data on human genes with genetic data collected from other organisms. This has culminated in a searchable public resource that lists the known functions of more than 20,000 genes using the most accurate and complete evidence available. A paper describing the resource was just published in the journal Nature. The Gene Ontology, a National Institutes of Health-funded knowledge base that has been continually expanded and improved for more than 25 years, has become a mainstay of the biomedical research process. Already, it is used in more than 30,000 publications each year to aid with data analysis and interpretation.
Violence alters human genes for generations, researchers discover
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