NEWLY DISCOVERED STAR ESCAPES GALAXY AT INCREDIBLE SPEED
A newly discovered object, likely a faint red star, was detected by citizen scientists and is traveling at about 1.3 million miles per hour, fast enough to escape the Milky Way and enter intergalactic space. This star, named J1249+36, is notable for its extreme velocity, making it the first known “hypervelocity” very low-mass star. Discovered through the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project, which analyzes data from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, this object was initially challenging to classify due to its low mass and faintness. Follow-up observations confirmed its high speed and potential trajectory out of the galaxy. The star’s origins are debated, with possibilities including a past interaction with a white dwarf or ejection from a globular cluster. The discovery could shed light on the behavior of low-mass stars and their roles in galactic evolution. (CNN)
JELLY-LIKE HYDROGEL AI LEARNS TO PLAY PONG
A new study reveals that a basic AI system made from a jelly-like hydrogel can learn to play Pong and improve over time. This hydrogel, containing charged particles that shift and affect its shape when electrically stimulated, demonstrates a rudimentary form of memory by altering its ion distribution based on past movements. When connected to Pong via electrodes, the hydrogel adjusts its game paddle in response to the ball’s position, gradually increasing its hit rate from 50% to 60% within 24 minutes. Unlike DishBrain, a neuron-based system that learns faster, the hydrogel’s performance highlights its potential for further computational development. This research marks a significant step in exploring how synthetic materials can exhibit basic learning and memory capabilities. (Nature)
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BREAKING FAST MAY BOOST REPAIR BUT INCREASE CANCER RISK
A recent study published in Nature reveals that breaking a fast may offer significant health benefits, such as enhanced intestinal repair, but also carries risks. Researchers found that in mice, stem cells surged to repair intestinal damage after a fasting period, particularly during the refeeding phase. However, this regenerative boost increased the likelihood of developing precancerous polyps if the mice had undergone cancer-causing genetic changes during refeeding. This suggests that while fasting may promote cellular repair, the subsequent refeeding period creates a “vulnerable state” where cancer risks may be heightened. The study highlights the complexity of fasting’s benefits and potential drawbacks, emphasizing the need for further research, particularly on how these findings might translate to humans and influence dietary practices for health conditions. (Nature)
USDA CENTER RACES TO DEVELOP VACCINE FOR H5N1 IN COWS
The National Animal Disease Center in Iowa, a key USDA research facility, is focused on addressing a recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. dairy cows. Established in 1961, the center has a long history of developing vaccines for livestock diseases and conducting critical research, including during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009. The center is currently working on a vaccine for cows to prevent the bird flu virus from spreading and potentially becoming a broader human health threat. This facility, with its 93 buildings and a $38 million annual budget, is well-equipped to handle such high-stakes research, including working with dangerous pathogens in high-containment labs. The unexpected appearance of bird flu in cows, particularly in their udders and milk, has added urgency to the center’s work. Researchers are investigating how the virus spreads between cows, including through milk and shared equipment, and studying its potential to cross over to other species, including humans. The vaccine development is still in its early stages, but the work at the Ames facility is crucial for managing this emerging health risk. (AP)
DNA REVEALS SCANDAL IN JAMESTOWN GOVERNOR’S FAMILY HISTORY
An investigation into human remains from Jamestown, Virginia, has revealed a hidden family scandal involving the colony’s first governor, Thomas West. DNA analysis of two skeletons from unmarked graves in a Jamestown church showed that both individuals were related to West through their maternal lineage. One of the men, Captain William West, was found to be illegitimate, born to Thomas West’s spinster aunt, Elizabeth. The scandal was deliberately omitted from the family’s genealogical records, but genetic evidence led researchers to historical documents confirming Captain West’s illegitimate status. The findings, published in Antiquity, demonstrate how combining genetic data with historical records can uncover previously concealed narratives. The discovery was made from remains found in 2014 in an Anglican church used by the colonists. The high-quality coffins suggested the individuals were of significant status, and ancient DNA analysis revealed their matrilineal connection. This unexpected result guided researchers to court records from 1616, which confirmed that Captain West was raised by his aunt Mary Blount on behalf of her deceased sister, Elizabeth. The revelation adds a personal dimension to the history of Jamestown, illustrating that the early settlers had their own family secrets and complexities. (CNN)
SCIENTISTS PROPOSE LUNAR REPOSITORY TO PRESERVE ANIMAL GENETICS
Scientists have proposed an innovative plan to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity by creating a backup repository of animal genetic data on the moon. Published in *BioScience*, the proposal involves sending cryopreserved animal cells to a cold, shadowed region of the moon, where natural conditions could maintain the samples without the need for active cooling. This idea builds on the concept of biorepositories like the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, which protects plant species, but aims to address potential vulnerabilities on Earth, such as climate change and natural disasters. The lunar repository would store cells from various species, possibly including endangered ones, using fibroblast cells or reproductive cells. While the concept is groundbreaking, challenges such as lunar radiation and dust need to be addressed. Researchers hope to test their design on a future NASA mission and explore international collaborations. Critics argue that efforts might be better spent on current conservation projects, but proponents see the lunar repository as a crucial backup for preserving life on Earth. (Smithsonian)
RARE HUMMINGBIRD REDISCOVERED AFTER DECADE-LONG ELUSIVENESS
In 2022, ornithologist Yurgen Vega rediscovered the Santa Marta sabrewing, a large hummingbird previously documented only twice since 1879. This bird, listed among the American Bird Conservancy’s “10 most wanted lost birds,” had been elusive for over a decade. Its rediscovery highlights the Search for Lost Birds project, launched in 2020 by the American Bird Conservancy, Re:wild, and BirdLife International. This initiative aims to locate birds previously unverified by recent evidence. Researchers identified 144 such species and have already found several, including the black-naped pheasant pigeon and the mussau triller. The discovery of the Santa Marta sabrewing, now considered critically endangered and confined to a small area in Colombia, underscores the ongoing challenges of protecting newly rediscovered species amid conservation threats. Efforts to protect these birds include careful management and local collaboration, exemplified by past successes like the yellow-eared parrot, and continue to inspire hope in the global ornithological community. (New York Times)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
IMAGE CREDIT: Adam Makarenko/W. M. Keck Observatory.