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Montreal Street Trees Thrive on Leaky Pipes

2025-08-24

Montreal Street Trees Thrive on Leaky Pipes

Street trees in Montreal are surprisingly drought-resistant compared to their park counterparts, thanks to an unexpected water source: leaky pipes. A study analyzing lead isotopes in tree rings revealed that street trees draw water from old lead pipes, unlike park trees relying mainly on rainwater. Given Montreal's daily water loss of 500 million liters from leaky pipes, this explains the street trees' superior drought tolerance. This finding challenges the common assumption that park trees are healthier.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech urban trees lead isotopes

Lithium Deficiency Could Be a Key Driver of Alzheimer's, Study Suggests

2025-08-07

Lithium Deficiency Could Be a Key Driver of Alzheimer's, Study Suggests

A new study reveals that individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit lower brain lithium levels. Experiments with mice showed that supplementing lithium reversed cognitive decline in animals with Alzheimer's-like symptoms. Analysis of brain tissue from 285 deceased individuals revealed a 36% lower lithium concentration in the prefrontal cortex of Alzheimer's patients compared to those without cognitive impairment. Interestingly, amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's brains contained significantly higher lithium levels than plaque-free regions. Further research using lithium-deficient mice demonstrated impaired memory, increased brain inflammation, and reduced amyloid plaque clearance. However, treatment with low-dose lithium, particularly lithium orotate, improved memory and reduced plaque buildup in these mice. While promising, clinical trials are necessary to validate the safety and efficacy of low-dose lithium orotate as a potential Alzheimer's treatment.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech Lithium Cognitive Decline

Art-Inspired Discovery: The Third Kind of Magnetism

2025-07-16

Art-Inspired Discovery: The Third Kind of Magnetism

Inspired by M.C. Escher's artwork, physicist Libor Šmejkal predicted and confirmed a third type of magnetism – altermagnetism. Unlike ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, altermagnets have atomic magnetic moments pointing in opposite directions but with a 90-degree rotation, resulting in unique quantum properties. This new magnetism promises to solve challenges in spintronics, leading to more efficient and faster computer memory. Researchers have confirmed altermagnetism in manganese telluride and are exploring more such materials, even predicting a fourth type: antialtermagnetism.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech

Interstellar Navigation: New Horizons Uses Stellar Parallax

2025-07-07

Interstellar Navigation: New Horizons Uses Stellar Parallax

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, hurtling out of our solar system, offers a unique perspective on the Milky Way. The stars' positions appear significantly different from Earth's view. Scientists have leveraged this parallax effect to achieve the first-ever interstellar navigation using stellar positions. By comparing New Horizons' images of Proxima Centauri and Wolf 359 with data from the Gaia space telescope, researchers calculated the probe's galactic location. While less precise than the Deep Space Network, this method offers advantages at greater distances from Earth, enabling autonomous operation without relying on radio signals from our solar system. Future improvements could significantly enhance accuracy, paving the way for future interstellar missions.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech interstellar navigation stellar parallax

The ABC Conjecture Proof That Only Japan Believes: A Decade-Long Mathematical Controversy

2025-06-06

The ABC Conjecture Proof That Only Japan Believes: A Decade-Long Mathematical Controversy

In 2012, Japanese mathematician Shinichi Mochizuki published a 500-page paper claiming to prove the 40-year-old ABC conjecture using his Inter-Universal Teichmüller theory (IUT). However, the proof's complexity and obscurity meant only a handful claimed to understand it. Years later, two German mathematicians found a fatal flaw, but Mochizuki and his supporters refused to concede. Mochizuki's paper was eventually published in a journal he edits, fueling intense debate. Recently, an American mathematician claims to have resolved the controversy, but this too remains unaccepted. This decade-long saga highlights the complexity of mathematical proof, the challenges of verification, and the inherent controversies within academia.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech ABC conjecture Shinichi Mochizuki

Retrograde Planet Found Orbiting Binary Star System Defies Expectations

2025-05-23

Retrograde Planet Found Orbiting Binary Star System Defies Expectations

Years of observation have finally revealed the secrets of Nu Octantis, a binary star system harboring a planet roughly twice the size of Jupiter. This planet uniquely orbits both stars in a retrograde motion, moving against the orbit of one star. This unexpected configuration challenges traditional planetary system models and opens avenues for new research into planetary formation and evolution. The discovery was possible due to improved measurement technologies and years of consistent data confirming the planet's existence. The system further complicates things as one star is a white dwarf, suggesting the planet's current orbit may be a result of either a radical orbital shift following the star's transformation or formation from the star's ejected matter.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech retrograde orbit

AI Reconstructs Images from Brain Activity with Unprecedented Accuracy

2025-05-08

AI Reconstructs Images from Brain Activity with Unprecedented Accuracy

AI systems can now reconstruct remarkably accurate images of what someone is seeing based solely on their brain activity recordings. Researchers found that the accuracy of these reconstructions dramatically improved when the AI learned to focus on specific brain regions. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in decoding visual information from brain activity and holds potential implications for brain-computer interfaces.

(www.newscientist.com)

AI Image Reconstruction

Bonobo Syntax Challenges the Uniqueness of Human Language

2025-04-11

Bonobo Syntax Challenges the Uniqueness of Human Language

A new study reveals that bonobos combine calls in complex ways to form distinct phrases, suggesting that this type of syntax is more evolutionarily ancient than previously thought. Researchers, by observing and analyzing bonobo vocalizations and using semantic methods, discovered non-trivial compositionality in bonobo call combinations, meaning the meaning of the combination differs from the meanings of its individual parts. This finding challenges the uniqueness of human language, suggesting that the complex syntax of human language may have originated from older ancestors.

(www.newscientist.com)

AI

Colossal's 'Dire Wolves': Gene Editing Sparks Controversy

2025-04-08

Colossal's 'Dire Wolves': Gene Editing Sparks Controversy

Colossal Biosciences claims to have resurrected the extinct dire wolf, using gene editing to create grey wolf pups—Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi—with some dire wolf traits. However, studies show grey wolves and dire wolves diverged 6 million years ago, with significant genetic differences. Colossal's claim of achieving this with only 20 gene edits is controversial. The three gene-edited pups are under observation in a reserve, and breeding is prohibited. This raises questions about species definition and the ethical challenges of gene editing.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech dire wolf

Global Rural Population Estimates May Be Seriously Undercounted

2025-03-23

Global Rural Population Estimates May Be Seriously Undercounted

New research suggests that global rural population estimates may be significantly underestimated, with the actual number potentially exceeding current figures by at least half. Researchers, analyzing data from 307 dam projects, found substantial discrepancies between existing data and actual populations, with an average undercount of 53%. This finding sparks debate regarding global population totals and public service planning. While some demographers question the findings, arguing the undercount's impact on national or global totals is limited, researchers emphasize the importance of improving rural censuses and recalibrating population models to ensure rural communities aren't disadvantaged.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech rural population data bias

Male Blue-Lined Octopus Uses Venom to Conquer Mates

2025-03-16

Male Blue-Lined Octopus Uses Venom to Conquer Mates

A groundbreaking study reveals a unique mating strategy in the blue-lined octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata): males inject females with tetrodotoxin during mating, temporarily paralyzing them to avoid being cannibalized. This differs from other species' use of venom for hunting or defense; it's a unique reproductive application. Researchers observed males precisely biting near the females' aorta to inject the venom. While deadly to most animals, females have evolved resistance, ensuring successful mating. Male venom glands are significantly larger, suggesting a need to overcome female resistance. This study highlights an evolutionary arms race between sexes for reproductive success.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech octopus venom mating

UK Tech Minister Uses ChatGPT, Sparking FOI Debate

2025-03-13

UK Tech Minister Uses ChatGPT, Sparking FOI Debate

UK's technology secretary, Peter Kyle, used ChatGPT to seek advice on the slow AI adoption in UK businesses and podcast recommendations. His ChatGPT interactions were released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a potential first in determining whether chatbot interactions are subject to such laws. ChatGPT's advice included improving awareness, addressing regulatory and ethical concerns, and increasing government support. While the government claims AI is used as a labor-saving tool, the incident raises questions about government use of commercial AI tools and transparency, setting a precedent for other nations with similar FOI laws.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech Freedom of Information

Earth's Inner Core May Have Changed Shape: Seismic Waves Reveal a Twist

2025-03-08

Earth's Inner Core May Have Changed Shape: Seismic Waves Reveal a Twist

New research using seismic wave data suggests Earth's solid inner core may have altered its shape over the past two decades. Analyzing seismic waves from 128 earthquakes off South America (1991-2023), researchers found discrepancies between waves passing through the core and those that didn't. This indicates a change beyond just rotational speed. The change could stem from magnetic forces in the outer core's convection acting on the inner core's less viscous edge, or interactions between the inner core and the lower mantle. However, other factors like outer core changes, inner core convection, or molten material eruptions remain possible explanations. This study offers a new perspective on understanding the Earth's deep interior evolution, but further research is needed for confirmation.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech Earth's inner core geophysics

Musk's DOGE Cuts Leave US Government Tech Efficiency in Limbo

2025-03-05

Musk's DOGE Cuts Leave US Government Tech Efficiency in Limbo

Under Elon Musk's leadership, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has disbanded 18F, an in-house tech team focused on improving government efficiency. 18F developed digital services for tasks like passport applications and online tax filing. Its elimination risks stalling government projects and leaves a void in promoting efficient technology use within the government. Experts criticize the move as akin to 'hiring a demolition crew to build a skyscraper,' overlooking 18F's role in avoiding wasteful IT spending and facilitating technology adoption across agencies. The layoffs impacted roughly 85 employees, leaving the US government without an organization focused on government-wide technology development and implementation, negatively impacting digital transformation efforts.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech government tech

AI Speeds Up DNA Data Reading, Bringing Practical Use Closer

2025-03-04

AI Speeds Up DNA Data Reading, Bringing Practical Use Closer

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed an AI system called DNAformer that can decode data stored in DNA nearly 90 times faster than previous methods. The system uses a deep learning model to reconstruct DNA sequences, incorporating error correction and data conversion algorithms. It successfully read 100MB of data, including images, audio, and text. This breakthrough promises to accelerate the practical use of DNA data storage, offering new solutions for long-term data preservation.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech DNA storage data reading

Graphene's Surprising Superconductivity: A Glimpse of Room-Temperature Superconductors?

2025-02-07

Graphene's Surprising Superconductivity: A Glimpse of Room-Temperature Superconductors?

Physicists from Harvard and Northeastern Universities have unlocked secrets behind the superconductivity of twisted bilayer and trilayer graphene through ingenious experiments. They discovered that the kinetic inductance of these materials is unusually 'stiff', defying conventional superconductivity theories and potentially linked to quantum geometry. Even more exciting, the kinetic inductance of trilayer graphene resembles that of materials exhibiting superconductivity at higher temperatures, opening new avenues for research into room-temperature superconductors and potentially drastically reducing energy consumption in numerous devices. This research also presents new possibilities for fields like space exploration, such as creating smaller and lighter particle detectors.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech superconductivity room-temperature superconductivity

Bonobos Show They Understand Ignorance: A Breakthrough in Theory of Mind Research

2025-02-04

Bonobos Show They Understand Ignorance: A Breakthrough in Theory of Mind Research

A new study demonstrates that bonobos possess theory of mind, understanding others' lack of knowledge and acting accordingly. Researchers designed an experiment where bonobos helped an experimenter find hidden treats. Results showed bonobos pointed faster and more often when they realized the experimenter didn't know the treat's location. This indicates bonobos track and respond to differing perspectives, suggesting theory of mind might be more evolutionarily ancient than previously thought, and potentially present in our common ancestor.

(www.newscientist.com)

AI Theory of Mind Bonobos

Laser Technique Achieves Nanometer Precision Over Vast Distances

2025-01-16

Laser Technique Achieves Nanometer Precision Over Vast Distances

Scientists have developed a new laser-based technique capable of measuring distances exceeding 100 kilometers with nanometer precision. This breakthrough promises significant improvements in the accuracy of space telescopes and other long-range measurement applications. Previously, long-distance laser measurements were limited to millimeter precision, highlighting the revolutionary nature of this advancement.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech laser ranging nanometer precision space telescopes