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Mice Embryos Develop in Space for the First Time

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"space mice"

Humanity has dreamt about colonizing space for a very long time. And even though we’re on the right path, it will still take at least a couple of decades until we can realistically achieve something like that. Still, those in charge of preparing us for that momentous event are already setting things up for when we’re ready.

Of course, everything has to go just right, so we need a lot of time preparing for the unexpected and even for the expected. Even the simplest of actions can go wrong in space if not everything is perfectly accounted for. So, performing an experiment to see how it would go, Chinese scientists had mice embryos develop in space for the first time.

China’s SJ-10 satellite

Launched into space of the 6th of April, the SJ-100 Chinese satellite was packed full with a series of experiments. Except for the embryos about which we’re going to talk in a bit, the small bullet-shaped satellite also contained experiments related to microgravity combustion, microgravity fluid physics, space material, space biotechnology, and space radiation effects.

Aside from looking at how space radiation affects the genetic stability of rat cells and fruit flies, the Chinese team will also test how materials generally used in spacecrafts burn in space so that they can come up with better protection. Of course, the most important experiment was the one involving the mouse embryos.

The satellite will attempt landing sometime next week in a designated spot in Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia, somewhat late considering its reported 15-day life span. In case of the landing going wrong, a team will lead four helicopters to help ground vehicles search for the spacecraft after it lands.

Mammal embryos in space

Now that we have the technical specs out of the way, let’s talk about mouse embryos. About 6,000 were sent up in the satellite inside an enclosed, self-sufficient chamber the size of a microwave oven, and about 600 of them had a high-resolution camera aimed directly at them.

Of course, support systems inside were installed in order to provide the embryos with the necessary nutrients for proper development, and the cameras took footage of them every four hours. The team was impressed to see the experiment succeed, with the initial two-cell embryos developing into fully grown blastocysts over the course of eighty hours in space.

This is the first time that a mammal embryo was shown to be able to develop normally in space, making this a very significant breakthrough in the field. Of course, the embryos will be further analyzed upon their return to Earth, and if the scientists manage to get their way and the blastocysts survive the landing, they will even implant some into female rats, having them give birth to the first animals basically conceived in space.

Image source: Wikimedia

Jawbone Fossils of “First Human” Uncovered in Ethiopia

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Jawbone of first human found

Researchers claim that they have uncovered the jawbone of very first humans.

The fossil jawbone, which is around 2.8 million years old, was uncovered form the Ledi Geraru research area. It is approximately 400,000 years old than previously thought. It fills a big evolutionary gap of first humans and their ape like ancestors.

Chalchew Seyoum, an Ethiopian student, was the first one who came across the bone.

The oldest known fossil was around 2.3 million years old. In comparison, the newly discovered specimens is more than 2.5 million years

Dr. Brian Villmoare, professor at the University of Nevada, remarked that Homo lineage fossils are rare to find. Hence, it is pretty exciting for researchers to get a close look of the earliest phase of evolution.

The discovery reveals a strong connection between an iconic 3.2 million years old human like primate.  The old hominine, dubbed as “Lucy”, was first unearthed in 1974. However, researchers are uncertain whether Lucy’s kind was evolved into the first primitive humans or not.

However, scientists found numerous other fossils along with the jawbone. These remnants are linked to animals with more arid habitats.

The latest discovery shows that climate change speeds up the transformation of tree dweller to upright walkers.

The findings are printed in the latest edition of Journal Science

Early Human Ancestors Were Way More Handy Than All the Previous Assumptions

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hand skeleton

The tool wielding skills of human beings began half a million earlier than previously thought.

As per the work printed in the Journal Science, the talent of inventing tools is not merely associated with genus Homo. A hand bone of an ancient human reveals that they had characteristics which are required for crafting tools.

Researchers at University of Kent measured up the density and shape of hand bones of numerous species. They came across metacarpal bone which located at the lower part of the thumb. The major function of the bone is to provide a strong and accurate hand grip

Archeologists closely analyzed the bone structure through a robust X-ray technique. The bone offered significant information regarding the functioning of hands.

Later on, researchers concluded that early human beings have a distinctive structural pattern. Such kind of patterns are usually created when a person powerfully oppose his thumb with fingers.

Matthew Skinner, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Kent states that it is certainly strong evidence that these australopiths used their hands to hold tools. The traits are quite similar to the characteristics of modern humans and Neanderthals.

It signifies that Homo habilis were not the first one to handle the tools. The Australopithecus africanus were the first one to craft the tools. These species lived in Southern Africa for nearly 2-3 million years ago.

Rosetta Spacecraft Finds Astonishing Facts About Comet 67P

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rosetta landar

The early photographs and data of the European Space Agency show that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is covered with simple organic molecules.

Recently, researchers presented the initial observation of Comet. The information is quite significant for the future missions of Rosetta. Matt Taylor, the project scientists of the mission states that these findings are the paradigm of the entire mission.

Previously, numerous other spacecraft passed nearby the comet. However, this is the first time when a spacecraft has touched the surface of the comet. In the beginning, Rosetta took measurements of the comet. The data revealed the exact location of the 67/P comet. It uncovers that the comet is approximately 325 million miles away from the sun. Hence, it is a complicated task for astronomers to study the comet through a ground-based telescope.

Additionally, data gathered from Rosetta demonstrates that Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is a dumb-bell shaped comet.

Paul Weissman, an interdisciplinary scientist at the European Space Agency discussed the current state of the mission. He informs that planetary scientists do not have much information regarding the comets. Presently, they are exploring the undiscovered region of solar system.

Most of the result of research is collected from Rosetta’s data of April and September. It was the time period when the spacecraft was moving towards the direction of comet. The spacecraft is expected to reach its closest point to the sun sometime in the month of August.

The outcome of the study is published in detail in the Journal Science

Sodium Polyacrylate, a Compound in Diapers can Enlarge Brain Cells

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brain cells

A group of researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) formed a new technique that will enlarge cells and provide high resolution images. The scientists named it as expansion microscopy.  It will allow experts to effortlessly increase the size of tissue samples.

Unlike other latest scientific techniques,  expansion microscopy is pretty simple and inexpensive. The scientists merely have to embed the tissue samples into a polymer with small quantity of water. The polymer will allow specimen to swell and magnify.

The researchers were analyzing the specimen when they realize the need of a new method to probe brain structure. They were astonished with the enlargement ability of sodium polyacrylate. The chemical increases the size of the thing which absorbs it as liquid. Generally, the chemical is utilized in baby diapers as the substance absorbs the liquid.

Ed Boyden, the developer of the technique states that experts were striving to make use of classical super resolution methods to examine the brain circuits.  It was extremely difficult to use them since they can only we visualized up to two dimensions. Hence, they begin to look for a useful method to expand everything.

Nowadays, research on human brain is one of the most prominent fields of science.  President Barrack Obama proclaims to give $100 million for the Brain related projects.  The main objective of the project is to recreate the function of every neuron in the brain.

Researchers explained the new method in detail in Journal Science.

Earth in Danger: Human Crossed Four of the Nine Planetary Boundaries

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Earth planetary boundries

A research shows that human have crossed four out of nine planetary boundaries. The human actions are damaging the environment at unusual level from the last 11,700 years. Currently, humans are moving beyond the biophysical boundaries that facilitate the existence of human beings on Earth.

Steve Carpenter, a professor of zoology at the University Wisconsin-Madison states that it’s time to disrupt these actions. Presently, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, annihilation of species, large quantity of nitrogen and phosphorus is at its peak.

A group of 18 researchers closely examined the alterations in the Earth. The experts found that the changes on the Earth pushing the human civilization a step closer to the doomsday. They have accelerated to a great extent in the last few decades.

Additionally, the research discloses that the nitrogen and phosphorous cycles is the most affect one. So far, it has transformed up to 200 to 300 percent. In comparison, the carbon level has merely climbed up to 10 to 20 percent.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are widely used for the purpose of fertilization.  The high usage of these chemical are reducing the amount of water on earth.  Hence, it is essential to take strong measures to ensure the availability of food and water on Earth

Sarah Cornell, the co-author of the study asserts that humans have not completely broken the Earth. However, they are making it a difficult planet to survive on.

The research printed in Thursday’s edition of Journal science shed light on the dark future of Earth.

Research Divulges: The Unique flying Strategy of Goose to Conserve energy

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migration tactics of bar-headed geese

Migration is the most enjoyable phase for a Goose. The bar-headed geese are famous for their incredible migration

A research reveals that these birds take ride on a Himalayan roller coaster in order to save energy for migration.  The journey at low altitude gives them energy to fly millions of mountainous regions.

Generally, Bar-headed geese are found in Central Asia. They can effortlessly fly more than 6,000 meters (20,000 feet).  Every year, these birds migrate from southern grounds of Mongolia to the southern Indian.

Researchers carried out an experiment to determine the flying tactics of bar headed geese. They placed 30 devices, which can record the body movement, heart rate and altitude, on the bodies of around 30 geese. Afterwards, they got hold of 17 of them when they finished their migration.

Later on, the data revealed the unique flight strategies of these birds.  It shows that geese make use of a distinctive method to scale the Himalayas.  The birds follow these flying strategies in order to conserve the energy

Earlier, researcher used to believe that geese follow the idea of a jet planet in their migration.

Charles Bishop, the co-author of the study states that the new research cleared out the misconception regarding the flying level of geese. Surprisingly, the study uncovers that these species hardly fly above the ground.

The report is published in detail in Journal Science.

Human Civilization Moves a Step Closer to Doomsday

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planetary boundries

A recent paper discusses that considerable changes occurred in four of the nine “planetary boundaries” of the Earth. The human activities are responsible for these big alterations in planet.

The boundaries consist of the proportion of extinction, deforestation, the loss of biosphere integrity, the level of carbon dioxide. The function of these planetary boundaries is to provide a “safe operating space” to the human beings. However, the crack in these boundaries can send human beings a step closer to the doomsday.

Steve Carpenter, the director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology states that the report will work like a forewarning for all the policy makers.  It is a clear indication that humans are moving beyond the boundaries which can lead to huge destruction.

Elena Bennett, a professor at McGill’s Scholl of the environment informs that the nitrogen phosphorus cycle is presently the most affected boundary.  The cycle is associated with the production of food and availability of clean water. The actions of human beings have changed it up to 200 to 300 percent. In comparison, carbon cycle has mounted up to 10-20 percent. Hence, such a massive damage to nitrogen boundary can badly affect food and water in the future.

The report printed in the Journal Science under the title of “Planetary Boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet”. The researchers intend to talk about the report at the World Economic Forum.

Scientists Invent a Rice-Sized Laser That Power a Single Electron

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laser device

A group of researchers at Princeton University invented a laser similar to the size of a single grain.  The scientists have powered the laser with an electron known as quantum dots.

The new tiny laser requires merely one billionth of electricity.  Such quantity of electricity is equal to the electricity consumption of a hair dryer. The laser can effortlessly release energy in the microwave range. The device is an incredible demonstration of the interface of light and electrons. Jason Petta, an associate professor of physics states that it is one of the smallest single electron devices.

The main objective of the project was to carry out an experiment on the usage of quantum dots with quantum bits. The researchers intended to double the quantum dots with the help of photon entanglement. However, the scientists formed a little maser during the project

They positioned two double dots of around 6 mm separately. They placed these dots in a kind of super conductivity material. Afterwards, they decreased the temperature of the niobium. Once the device was on, the electron began to flow through double quantum dot.

It can be considered as a key step towards the creation of quantum computing system from semiconductor materials. The outcome of the project is extremely significant for the addition of quantum bits in semiconductor devices.

The report is published in the Journal science.

Study Reveals: Ocean Wildlife On its Way Towards Mass Extinction

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wildlife of ocean

Numerous animals and plants have moved towards extinction because of human actions.  As per the records, humans have wiped out approximately five hundred animals in the last few decades.

The similar factors and things are causing unbelievable damage to the wildlife of oceans, according to a new research. The study states that extinctions occurred due to the human beings would soon affect the sea life.

Douglas J. McCauley, the lead author of the report states that the activities of human would probably push sea species towards extinction in the future. He wrote that rapid increase in the industrial use of ocean is the major reason behind it. Even though it is not directly affecting the life of sea animals but it is gradually damaging their habitants. Shortly, it would shove marine life on the road of annihilation as it did to the land animals.

Thus far, merely fifteen sea creatures have annihilated. Although the figures are comparatively smaller as compared to the death of species on land but still it cannot be ignored.

Additionally, the scientists have merely investigated 5 percent of the ocean. Hence, there are chances that the number of deaths of sea species is much higher than the expectation of researchers.

The report printed in Journal Science evidently states that human activities have the power to cause mind-blogging harm to the ocean.

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