Scitke

Author: Mauro Lucas

  • Rethinking Conventional Wisdom: Could Overactive Neurons Accelerate Aging?

    Rethinking Conventional Wisdom: Could Overactive Neurons Accelerate Aging?

    Credit: Pixabay

    Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have found that age-related cognitive decline is more closely linked to excessive neuronal activation over time rather than a simple reduction in activity. Their study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that interventions—such as dietary changes—could help slow cognitive aging by limiting this hyperactivity.

    A healthy brain depends on well-connected neurons that communicate efficiently. Traditionally, scientists believed that cognitive decline stemmed from a gradual decrease in neuronal activity. However, this study challenges that assumption, emphasizing overactivation as a key contributor to neurological aging.

    In humans, certain neurons have been observed to become hyperactive with age. To explore the link between this phenomenon and cognitive decline, Associate Professor Kentaro Noma and his team conducted experiments on nematodes, a type of microscopic worm.

    Using Nematodes to Investigate Aging

    Head of the nematode C. elegans overlaid with red fluorescence of neurons. Credit: Kentaro Noma

    “We used Caenorhabditis elegans, a one-millimeter-long nematode with a two-week lifespan,” Noma explained. “These worms exhibit various behaviors controlled by their 302 neurons. Since C. elegans shares many genetic and neurological mechanisms with humans, we hypothesized that its cognitive aging process could provide insights into human brain function.”

    The researchers focused on C. elegans’ ability to learn through association, a behavior called thermotaxis. When raised in a food-rich environment at 23°C, the worms would later gravitate toward that temperature. However, when raised without food at 23°C, they avoided it—indicating learned behavior.

    “Our earlier research showed that C. elegans’ ability to learn declines with age, leading us to believe that neuronal activity weakens over time,” said Binta Maria Aleogho, the study’s first author. “However, our latest findings reveal that the activity of key learning-related neurons, AFD sensory neurons and AIY interneurons, remains largely unchanged with age.”

    Neuronal Hyperactivity and Aging

    Schematic of the head of an aged C. elegans in which hyperactive neurons interfere with proper migration to the previous culture temperature. Credit: Kentaro Noma

    To further investigate, the researchers selectively removed six types of neurons involved in associative learning. Unexpectedly, when they removed either AWC sensory neurons or AIA interneurons, aged nematodes regained their ability to perform thermotaxis.

    Further analysis revealed that AWC and AIA neurons become excessively active with age. “This hyperactivation disrupts normal neuronal networks, preventing proper thermotaxis behavior,” Noma explained.

    Importantly, the team discovered that modifying the worms’ diet reduced neuronal hyperactivity and preserved cognitive function. “If dietary changes can mitigate age-related neuronal overactivation in C. elegans, similar strategies might help slow brain aging in humans,” Noma suggested.

    “Our research shifts the focus from declining neuronal activity to the damaging effects of excessive activation,” Noma concluded. “We will continue studying C. elegans to uncover ways to counteract neuronal hyperactivity and improve brain function. Understanding these mechanisms could provide valuable insights into human cognitive aging.”

    Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

    Read More: Flagellar Motors: The Secret Behind Bacteria’s Nearly 100% Energy Efficiency

  • Microsoft Announces a Significant Quantum Breakthrough—But What Does It Mean?

    Microsoft Announces a Significant Quantum Breakthrough—But What Does It Mean?

    Microsoft researchers claim to have created the first “topological qubits,” storing information in an exotic state of matter—potentially marking a major breakthrough in quantum computing.

    Alongside this announcement, they published a peer-reviewed paper in Nature and outlined a roadmap for further development. Their Majorana 1 processor is designed to house up to a million qubits, a scale that could enable groundbreaking applications such as breaking cryptographic codes and accelerating drug and material discovery.

    If these claims hold, Microsoft may have gained an edge over competitors like IBM and Google, who currently lead in quantum computing. However, while the Nature paper supports part of their findings, many challenges remain before this technology becomes fully functional. Independent confirmation of their hardware’s capabilities is still lacking, but the development remains promising.

    What Are Topological Qubits, and Why Do They Matter?

    Quantum computers, first conceptualized in the 1980s, differ from classical computers by storing information in quantum bits or qubits. Unlike ordinary bits, which can only be 0 or 1, qubits exist in a “superposition” of both states, allowing quantum computers to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional machines.

    Majorana 1 certainly has style. (John Brecher/Microsoft)

    However, building and maintaining qubits is difficult since any interaction with the outside world can disrupt their fragile quantum states. Scientists have experimented with various approaches, such as trapping atoms in electric fields or using superconducting circuits.

    Microsoft’s Unique Approach: Majorana Particles

    Instead of conventional methods, Microsoft has pursued a radically different strategy: using Majorana particles. First theorized in 1937 by physicist Ettore Majorana, these exotic particles do not naturally occur but can be created within topological superconductors—rare materials that require ultra-low temperatures.

    Microsoft claims to have successfully trapped Majorana particles at the ends of tiny wires, forming qubits. These qubits store information based on electron positions, which can be measured using microwaves.

    The key innovation lies in how these qubits handle errors. By swapping the positions of Majorana particles—a process known as braiding—they become resistant to interference. This topological property allows qubits to be measured without error, potentially eliminating one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing.

    While other quantum systems require hundreds of physical qubits to form a single reliable logical qubit, Microsoft’s approach aims to avoid this issue entirely. Though the company has lagged behind competitors, it believes this technology will allow it to catch up quickly.

    The Catch: A Remaining Error

    Despite its advantages, Majorana-based quantum computing is not entirely error-free. A specific operation, known as the T-gate, still introduces errors. However, correcting this issue is simpler than the broader error correction needed in other quantum platforms.

    Microsoft plans to scale up its technology by building larger collections of qubits, following its proposed roadmap. Meanwhile, the scientific community will closely monitor whether their processors deliver on their promises and how they compare to existing quantum technologies.

    Microsoft plans to scale up by grouping together more and more qubits. (Microsoft)

    Simultaneously, research into Majorana particles will continue, shedding more light on their strange and potentially revolutionary properties.

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

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  • Our Strategies for Defending Against a Potential ‘City-Killer’ Asteroid Impact

    Our Strategies for Defending Against a Potential ‘City-Killer’ Asteroid Impact

    Credit: Pixabay

    While the chances are slim, an asteroid large enough to destroy an entire city could strike Earth in less than eight years. However, even if this space rock is on a collision course, experts assure us that humanity now has ways to defend itself.

    NASA recently reported that the probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting Earth on December 22, 2032, has risen to 3.1%—the highest forecasted risk for a large asteroid in modern history. But planetary defense experts remain confident.

    “Don’t panic,” says Richard Moissl, head of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) planetary defense office. As astronomers gather more data, the odds of a direct impact are expected to increase slightly before ultimately dropping to zero. Even in the highly unlikely scenario that the probability reaches 100%, Moissl emphasizes, “we are not defenseless.”

    The only planetary defense strategy successfully tested so far involves a direct collision. In 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission deliberately smashed a spacecraft into the 160-meter-wide Dimorphos asteroid, altering its orbit. A similar approach could be used to nudge 2024 YR4 off course.

    Non-Impact Deflection Methods

    NASA’s DART mission approaching its target. (NASA)

    If there is enough time, subtler techniques could divert the asteroid without making direct contact:

    • Gravity Tractor: A large spacecraft could fly alongside the asteroid, using its gravitational pull to gradually change the asteroid’s trajectory.
    • Ion Beam: A spacecraft equipped with thrusters could direct a steady stream of charged particles at the asteroid, slowly pushing it off course.
    • Reflective Coating: Scientists have even proposed spray-painting one side of the asteroid white. This would increase its reflectivity, altering how it absorbs and radiates heat, subtly shifting its path over time.

    As a last resort, a nuclear explosion could deflect the asteroid. Unlike in Hollywood’s Armageddon, this would not involve drilling a bomb into the asteroid but rather detonating a nuclear device nearby. The resulting radiation and heat would vaporize part of the asteroid’s surface, generating enough force to change its trajectory.

    While this method is considered for large, extinction-level asteroids, it poses risks. A nuclear explosion could shatter the asteroid, sending unpredictable fragments toward Earth. Additionally, the use of nuclear weapons in space comes with ethical, political, and legal challenges.

    A less destructive alternative is using laser beams to vaporize part of the asteroid’s surface, creating thrust that nudges it away from Earth. Although lab experiments suggest this could work, experts do not consider it a top-tier strategy.

    Preparing for Impact If Needed

    Laser ablation could help nudge asteroids off course. (Travis Brashears/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0)

    If deflection efforts fail, scientists will still be able to predict the asteroid’s impact zone well in advance. Because 2024 YR4 is not a “planet killer,” its damage would be localized, at worst affecting a city. This means evacuation and impact mitigation could serve as the final line of defense.

    “Seven and a half years is a long time to prepare,” Moissl reassures, emphasizing that the asteroid still has a 97% chance of missing Earth entirely.

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

    Read More: Risk of 2032 Asteroid Impact Reduced: Key Details You Should Know

  • Gravitational-Wave Discovery May Reshape Our Understanding of the Universe

    Gravitational-Wave Discovery May Reshape Our Understanding of the Universe

    Scientists have developed a novel optical system to enhance LIGO’s sensitivity, pushing gravitational-wave detection to unprecedented depths. This breakthrough could unlock cosmic secrets and revolutionize astrophysics. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

    By refining mirror correction techniques, scientists can now push laser power to extreme levels, unlocking new insights into the early universe and black hole physics.

    A recent study in Physical Review Letters introduces an optical breakthrough that could dramatically enhance gravitational-wave detection. Led by Jonathan Richardson of the University of California, Riverside, the research outlines how this technology improves current observatories like LIGO while laying the foundation for next-generation detectors.

    Since LIGO’s groundbreaking 2015 detection, its 4-kilometer interferometers have transformed our understanding of the universe. Future upgrades, alongside the planned 40-kilometer Cosmic Explorer, aim to detect gravitational waves from the universe’s earliest moments. Achieving this goal, however, requires surpassing LIGO’s current laser power limits.

    Artist’s impression of a Cosmic Explorer observatory. Cosmic Explorer is a next-generation observatory concept that will greatly deepen and clarify humanity’s gravitational-wave view of the cosmos.

    To address this challenge, researchers developed a high-resolution adaptive optics system that corrects distortions in LIGO’s massive mirrors. As laser power increases, heat-induced distortions reduce sensitivity, but this new technology enables extreme power levels, allowing detectors to capture fainter, more distant signals.

    Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe

    Richardson explains that gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime caused by massive cosmic collisions—offer a unique way to study the universe. LIGO has already detected around 200 events, mostly black hole mergers, but researchers hope to discover entirely new astrophysical phenomena.

    LIGO’s detectors are limited by quantum mechanics, particularly the quantum properties of laser light used in interferometers. Richardson’s team developed an innovative optical correction system that projects low-noise infrared radiation onto LIGO’s mirrors, ensuring higher sensitivity. This non-imaging optical approach is the first of its kind in gravitational-wave detection.

    Cosmic Explorer, the U.S. successor to LIGO, will feature 40-kilometer interferometer arms—ten times LIGO’s size—making it the largest scientific instrument ever built. At full sensitivity, it will detect gravitational waves from a time before the first stars formed, offering a glimpse into the universe’s infancy.

    This research is key to answering fundamental questions about the universe, including its expansion rate and the nature of black holes. Conflicting measurements of cosmic expansion could be resolved through gravitational-wave observations, while precise readings of black hole event horizons will allow direct tests of general relativity and alternative theories.

    The new adaptive optical devices are designed to deliver ring-like targeted heating patterns to the surface of the 34-cm-diameter core optics in LIGO to control the effect of increasing thermal distortion as the laser power is increased toward the megawatt scale. Credit: Richardson lab, UC Riverside

    By pioneering these advancements, scientists are bringing us closer to unraveling the universe’s deepest mysteries.

    Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

    Read More: Risk of 2032 Asteroid Impact Reduced: Key Details You Should Know

  • We’ve Misunderstood a Fundamental Law of Physics for Nearly 300 Years

    We’ve Misunderstood a Fundamental Law of Physics for Nearly 300 Years

    Credit: Pixabay

    When Isaac Newton penned his famous laws of motion in 1687, he likely never imagined they would still spark debate over 300 years later. Writing in Latin, he outlined three fundamental principles governing motion in the universe. Over the centuries, scholars have translated, analyzed, and debated them extensively.

    However, philosopher of language and mathematics Daniel Hoek from Virginia Tech argues that we may have been misinterpreting Newton’s first law of motion all along due to a translation error from the original Latin.

    The first English translation of Principia, published in 1729, introduced a subtle but crucial mistranslation. As a result, countless academics and educators have long taught that an object in motion stays in a straight line or remains at rest unless acted upon by an external force.

    At first glance, this explanation makes sense. But Newton understood that external forces—gravity, friction, air resistance—are always present. Revisiting the original text, Hoek noticed that a key Latin word, quatenus, meaning “insofar” rather than “unless,” had been misinterpreted.

    Newton’s own copy of Principia with his hand-written corrections for the second edition, now housed in the Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge. (Isaac Newton/CC0/Wikimedia Commons)

    Why One Word Changes Everything

    Hoek argues that Newton’s intended meaning wasn’t about how objects move in the absence of force—since no such condition exists in reality. Instead, Newton was explaining that every change in motion—every jolt, curve, and acceleration—is due to external forces.

    This correction was first noted in 1999, yet it never gained widespread attention. As Hoek explains, some dismiss his argument as too radical, while others find it so obviously correct that it barely needs defending.

    Even though this reinterpretation doesn’t alter the physics, it clarifies Newton’s intent. Newton himself illustrated his first law using examples like a spinning top, which slows in a spiral due to air resistance. According to Hoek, this example proves Newton applied the law to real-world conditions where forces are always present.

    The International Space Station travels in a curved orbit due to Earth’s gravity. (3DSculptor/Canva)

    Hoek’s revised reading reinforces Newton’s revolutionary idea: that the same physical laws governing motion on Earth also apply to the planets, stars, and galaxies. Every shift in speed, every curve in trajectory—from atoms to entire galaxies—follows Newton’s First Law, reminding us that we are all bound by the same fundamental principles of the universe.

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

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  • Flagellar Motors: The Secret Behind Bacteria’s Nearly 100% Energy Efficiency

    Flagellar Motors: The Secret Behind Bacteria’s Nearly 100% Energy Efficiency

    Credit: Pixabay

    When people think of motors, they typically envision those in vehicles or machines. However, biological motors have existed for millions of years, especially in microorganisms. Many bacteria rely on tail-like structures called flagella, which rotate to propel them through fluids. This movement is powered by a protein complex known as the flagellar motor.

    The flagellar motor consists of two main components: the rotor and the stators. The rotor is a large rotating structure anchored to the cell membrane that drives the flagellum’s movement. Surrounding the rotor, the stators are smaller structures with ion pathways that transport protons or sodium ions, depending on the bacterial species. As these charged particles pass through, the stators undergo structural changes that apply force to the rotor, causing it to spin. While much research has focused on the stators, the exact structure and function of their ion pathways remain unclear.

    A team led by Assistant Professor Tatsuro Nishikino from Nagoya Institute of Technology studied the flagellar motor in Vibrio alginolyticus, with collaborators from Osaka University, Kyoto Institute of Technology, and Nagoya University. Their findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on December 30, 2024, used cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM) to capture high-resolution images of normal and genetically modified V. alginolyticus. The team identified key molecular cavities for sodium ions by imaging stator complexes in various states.

    New Model Explains Sodium Ion Flow Through the Flagellar Motor Stator in Vibrio alginolyticus and How Phenamil Inhibits It

    Based on their results, the team proposed a model explaining sodium ion flow through the stator. The subunits forming the stators in Vibrio alginolyticus arrange in a ring, acting as size-based filters that selectively allow sodium ions into the identified cavities. The researchers also explored how phenamil, an ion-channel blocker, inhibits sodium ion flow through the stator.

    Proposed Model of Sodium Ion Flow
    The study’s findings could have significant medical implications. As Tatsuro notes, “Flagellar-based movement plays a role in the infections and toxicity of some pathogenic bacteria. One motivation behind this study was finding ways to restrict bacterial movement and inactivate them. Understanding the molecular mechanism of flagellar motility is crucial for this goal.”

    In addition, insights into flagellar motors could lead to innovative designs for microscopic machines. Tatsuro explains, “Flagellar motors are molecular nanomachines with a diameter of roughly 45 nm and an energy conversion efficiency close to 100%. Our findings are a major step toward understanding their torque-generation mechanisms, which are essential for engineering nanoscale molecular motors.”

    We hope further research will continue to uncover the secrets of these incredible natural machines!

    Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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  • Magnetism Has Just Solved One of Quantum Tech’s Biggest Challenges

    Magnetism Has Just Solved One of Quantum Tech’s Biggest Challenges

    Credit: Pixabay

    Researchers have found a way to preserve quantum properties in 3D materials using magnetic confinement. By stabilizing excitons—energy-carrying quasiparticles—through the magnetic properties of chromium sulfide bromide, they address a major challenge in quantum technology.

    Quantum effects typically only work at small scales, making them hard to apply in real-world systems like quantum computers. However, Penn State and Columbia University physicists have developed a method to preserve these effects in 3D materials, offering a potential solution.

    “Maintaining the properties of 2D materials beyond the 2D limit is a tough challenge,” said Yinming Shao, Penn State assistant professor. These materials have great potential in flexible electronics, energy storage, and quantum technologies.

    The atomic lattice structure of the layered magnetic semiconductor chromium sulfide bromide (CrSBr) have magnetic moments, or spins, that align with each other and alternate on each layer.

    The team focused on excitons, which carry energy without an electrical charge. While excitons are stable in 2D materials like graphene, they are unstable in bulk materials like silicon. To solve this, the researchers turned to chromium sulfide bromide (CrSBr), which transforms into an antiferromagnetic state at low temperatures. This magnetic confinement keeps excitons in place, preserving their quantum properties in bulk materials.

    “This approach creates a single atomic layer without exfoliating it, while preserving a sharp interface,” said Shao.

    Experimental Validation of Magnetic Confinement

    Through optical spectroscopy, modeling, and calculations, the team confirmed that magnetic confinement worked consistently across different layers of the material. Their results were corroborated by a research group in Germany, who studied similar properties in magnetic semiconductors.

    “Our data aligned perfectly, which is remarkable since we used different crystal materials in different labs,” Shao explained.

    This breakthrough leverages magnetism, Van der Waals interactions, and excitons to achieve quantum confinement, opening new doors for advancing optical systems and quantum technologies. “Combining these aspects of physics was key to this discovery,” Shao concluded.

    Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

    Read More: Physicists Verify the Presence of a New Type of Magnetism

  • New Study Suggests Ozempic May Significantly Curb Alcohol Binges

    New Study Suggests Ozempic May Significantly Curb Alcohol Binges

    Credit: Pixabay

    People taking semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss have frequently reported a decreased desire for alcohol. Now, a new study provides strong evidence supporting these claims, revealing a remarkable 30% reduction in alcohol consumption per drinking day among those on the medication, compared to just a 2% decrease with a placebo.

    Led by University of North Carolina psychiatrist Christian Hendershot, researchers found that weekly injections of semaglutide—commonly known as Ozempic or Wegovy—not only reduced alcohol intake in individuals with symptoms of alcohol use disorder but also significantly curbed cravings. If these findings hold true in larger studies, they could transform treatment options for nearly 30 million Americans struggling with alcohol use disorder.

    To further investigate, Hendershot’s team conducted a phase 2 clinical trial involving 48 participants, averaging 40 years old, who met the criteria for alcohol use disorder but were not actively seeking treatment. Each had a history of consuming at least seven drinks per week for women or 14 for men over the past month, including at least two heavy drinking episodes (four or more drinks for women, five or more for men).

    Over nine weeks, participants received either a weekly dose of semaglutide or a placebo while tracking their alcohol cravings and consumption. While the total number of drinking days remained largely unchanged, by the second month, nearly 40% of those in the semaglutide group reported no heavy drinking days, compared to just 20% in the placebo group.

    Semaglutide Reduces Alcohol Cravings and May Also Curb Smoking, Study Finds

    “Semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol craving and drinks per drinking day,” the researchers concluded. Additionally, they observed a decrease in smoking, though this was based on a small sample of seven placebo recipients and six in the treatment group.

    Since the study included individuals with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder, it remains unclear whether the drug would have the same effect on those with more severe cases. However, the results strongly support further research.

    “These findings suggest semaglutide and similar medications could address an unmet need in alcohol use disorder treatment,” said University of North Carolina endocrinologist Klara Klein. “Larger, long-term studies across diverse populations are essential to fully evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this approach.”

    Beyond alcohol use, semaglutide has shown promise in treating osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, dementia, kidney disease, and other addictions in both animal and human studies. However, as with any medication, there are potential risks. Reported side effects range from nausea to heart muscle shrinkage, and scientists are still uncovering the long-term effects of this powerful drug.

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

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  • NASA Might Have Discovered the Fastest-Known Planetary System

    NASA Might Have Discovered the Fastest-Known Planetary System

    Artist’s concept of a fast-moving star system. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC))

    Near the Milky Way’s central bulge, about 24,000 light-years from Earth, a peculiar pair of celestial objects is racing through space at unprecedented speeds.

    Scientists believe this duo consists of a high-velocity star and its orbiting exoplanet, according to a new study. If confirmed, it would set a record as the fastest-known planetary system.

    Stars constantly move across the Milky Way, typically at speeds of a few hundred thousand miles per hour. Our Solar System, for instance, travels through the galaxy’s Orion Arm at 450,000 miles per hour (200 kilometers per second). However, this newly identified pair moves at more than twice that speed, reaching at least 1.2 million miles per hour (540 kilometers per second).

    “We think this is a super-Neptune world orbiting a low-mass star at a distance comparable to the space between Venus and Earth in our Solar System,” says astronomer Sean Terry from the University of Maryland and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “If that’s the case, it would be the first planet ever found orbiting a hypervelocity star.”

    Researchers first detected these objects in 2011 while analyzing data from Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA), a project based at the University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory in New Zealand.

    Gravitational Microlensing: A Powerful Tool for Detecting Hidden Celestial Bodies

    Diagram illustrating gravitational lensing. (NASA, ESA & L. Calçada)

    The discovery relied on gravitational microlensing, a phenomenon where a massive object’s gravitational field bends and magnifies the light of a more distant star. This effect allows astronomers to detect celestial bodies that might otherwise remain invisible.

    In 2011, scientists determined that one object was 2,300 times more massive than the other, but their exact masses remained uncertain.

    “Determining the mass ratio is relatively simple,” explains astronomer David Bennett from the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard, who contributed to both the 2011 and 2025 studies. “The real challenge is calculating their actual masses.”

    To establish mass, astronomers need to measure an object’s distance. Similar to adjusting a magnifying glass, shifting the perspective changes how the object appears without altering its relative proportions.

    Back in 2011, researchers proposed two possible scenarios: either a Sun-like star with a planet 29 times Earth’s mass or a rogue super-Jupiter with a smaller moon.

    Revisiting the Mystery: New Data Sheds Light on a High-Speed Star System

    Visualization of stars near the center of our galaxy. The longer and redder the trail, the faster the star is moving. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt/Caltech-IPAC)

    To resolve the mystery, scientists revisited the system using data from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite. Their analysis pointed to a star system in the Milky Way’s densely packed central bulge—the galaxy’s equivalent of a bustling downtown compared to our Solar System’s quieter outskirts.

    By comparing its current location to the 2011 signal, the team calculated the star’s velocity, confirming that it moves more than twice as fast as our Sun. However, this measurement only accounts for its motion across the sky. If the star is also moving toward or away from Earth, its true speed could be even higher.

    At such extreme speeds, the star might exceed the Milky Way’s escape velocity, estimated between 550 and 600 kilometers per second. If so, it could eventually leave our galaxy and drift into intergalactic space—though not for millions of years, given the Milky Way’s vast size.

    Despite the promising match between this system and the 2011 discovery, further confirmation is needed.

    “To be certain the newly identified star is responsible for the 2011 signal, we need to observe it again in a year to check its movement,” Bennett explains. “If it remains stationary, then it’s likely not the culprit.”

    In that case, an alternate theory—that the original signal came from a rogue planet with an exomoon—would gain support, says astrophysicist Aparna Bhattacharya from the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard.

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

    Read More: Starquakes Reveal Secrets of Matter in the Universe’s Most Dense Stars

  • Stanford Researchers Identify 380 DNA Variants Linked to Cancer Prediction and Growth

    Stanford Researchers Identify 380 DNA Variants Linked to Cancer Prediction and Growth

    Credit: Pixabay

    Genetic variants regulate key genes involved in DNA repair, energy production, and immune interactions, offering fresh insights into inherited cancer risks. Surprisingly, inflammation-related genes also emerged as potential cancer drivers, marking a major step toward precise genetic screening and personalized prevention.

    Thousands of tiny DNA sequence changes have been linked to cancer risk, but until now, their direct role in triggering uncontrolled cell growth remained unclear. Stanford researchers conducted the first large-scale analysis of these inherited genetic changes, called single nucleotide variants, identifying fewer than 400 that significantly contribute to cancer growth.

    These variants influence critical biological pathways, including DNA repair, energy production, and cellular interactions. Their identification could drive new cancer prevention strategies and improve genetic screening for assessing lifetime risk.

    “We analyzed data from millions of patients with the 13 most common cancers, covering over 90% of malignancies,” said Paul Khavari, MD, PhD, chair of dermatology. “This massive dataset helped us pinpoint 380 variants controlling cancer-related gene expression. Some inherited variants significantly raise the risk of multiple cancers.”

    Published in Nature Genetics, the study was led by former graduate student Laura Kellman, PhD, with Khavari as senior author.

    The Risks We Inherit

    The study focused on germline DNA—sequences inherited at conception—rather than mutations acquired over a lifetime. Well-known examples include BRCA1 and BRCA2, which greatly increase breast and ovarian cancer risks. However, few high-profile mutations are currently used in risk prediction.

    Unlike coding genes that produce proteins, the variants Kellman and Khavari identified reside in regulatory regions, controlling gene expression. These regions can influence both nearby and distant genes, shaping cancer risk.

    In 2020, Khavari launched a National Human Genome Research Institute-funded project to map regulatory variants tied to 42 complex diseases, including cancers. The goal: create individualized risk scores for better screening, prevention, and treatment.

    A New Approach to Cancer Risk

    Traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify cancer-linked variants based on statistical correlation but fail to prove functional impact. They also do not clarify which genes are affected.

    Kellman and Khavari took a different approach. They analyzed over 4,000 suspect variants across 13 cancers, attaching regulatory sequences to DNA barcodes. Using massively parallel reporter assays, they tested whether variants altered gene expression in relevant cell types—such as lung cancer variants in lung cells.

    This strategy filtered thousands of potential variants down to a few hundred functional regulatory regions. By integrating existing genomic data, they identified about 1,100 genes likely involved in cancer development. Some drive specific cancers, while others influence multiple types.

    “This makes sense given what we know about cancer,” Khavari said. “Some genes regulate cell death, others influence how cells interact with their environment, and mitochondrial genes play a key role in cell growth and division.”

    “One pathway that stood out includes genes linked to inflammation,” Khavari noted. “While the cancer-inflammation connection is known, what drives it—cancer cells or the immune system—remains unclear. Our findings suggest cross talk between immune cells and cancer cells fuels chronic inflammation and elevates cancer risk.”

    Future of Cancer Screening and Prevention

    Using gene editing, the team confirmed that nearly half of the identified variants are essential for cancer growth. Their work paves the way for global research into inherited cancer risk and novel therapies.

    “We now have a first-generation map of functional variants determining lifetime cancer risk,” Khavari said. “This information will soon enhance genetic screening tests, helping predict risk for complex diseases like cancer. Over the next decade, these insights could guide personalized interventions, from lifestyle changes to preventive treatments and early diagnostics.”

    Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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