Perseverance Arrives on Mars

This thrilling NASA clip shows their Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landing in Mars' Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021.

It's really awesome:

The Hubble Deep Field Photo

This video explains very well why the 1995 picture the Hubble telescope took is so important:

Hubble's Wonders

This is what it would look like to fly through Hubble's Ultra Deep Field image, one of the most famous astronomy pictures ever taken:

Explanation:

What would it look like to fly through the distant universe? To find out, a team of astronomers estimated the relative distances to over 5,000 galaxies in one of the most distant fields of galaxies ever imaged: the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF). 

Because it takes light a long time to cross the universe, most galaxies visible in the featured video are seen when the universe was only a fraction of its current age, were still forming, and have unusual shapes when compared to modern galaxies. No mature looking spiral galaxies such as our Milky Way or the Andromeda galaxy yet exist. 

Toward the end of the video the virtual observer flies past the farthest galaxies in the HUDF field, recorded to have a redshift past 8. This early class of low luminosity galaxies likely contained energetic stars emitting light that transformed much of the remaining normal matter in the universe from a cold gas to a hot ionized plasma.

The Whole Moon

Have you ever wondered what the dark side of the Moon, which is always hidden from us because our only satellite is tidally locked to the Earth's rotation, looks like?

Here we go:

More info here.

The Cosmic Calendar

If you like science and nature and space and have never watched Cosmos, I highly recommend it.

Here's a clip to help put our existences in the gargantuan perspective of time:

I HATE DST

I've come to really, really, really despise the absurd routine of changing our clocks twice a year for no logical reason whatsoever.

This video takes us through the reasons for DST's existence and what can be done to fix it (I wish...):

Watching bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics

Scientists have been warning us for a while now about the increasing number of bacteria that are becoming more and more resistant to known antibiotics.

When that happens, these bacteria pass their genes on to their offspring, making them resistant as well. As a consequence, it has become quite possible to die of a simple bacterial infection, oftentimes acquired in a hospital setting.

Well, in order to understand the evolution process these bacteria go through, scientists have created a giant petri dish that forces bacteria to fight for their lives.

Watch the fascinating experiment:

From CNN.

Books vs. TV: does it matter for your brain?

Apparently yes, and quite a bit, according to a recent research:

Researchers have devoted innumerable hours to studying how TV affects our brains differently than reading. 

[...] The more a child watched television or was exposed to television, even if it was playing in the background, the weaker their understanding of their parents’ mental state. Ultimately, if the television was on in the vicinity of the child, it impaired their theory of mind, which is defined as the ability to recognize their own and another person’s beliefs, intents, desires, and knowledge. 

"Children with more developed theories of mind are better able to participate in social relationships,” said the study’s lead researcher Amy Nathanson, a communications professor at Ohio State University, in a statement. “These children can engage in more sensitive, cooperative interactions with other children and are less likely to resort to aggression as a means of achieving goals." 

A more recent study from 2015, published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, revealed watching too much TV could actually alter the composition of the human brain.  When researchers studied 276 children between the ages of 5 and 18, they discovered the more time spent in front of the TV, the thicker the frontal lobe region of their brains developed. It’s the same area that is known to lower language processing and communication, which researchers suspect is also why they had a lower verbal IQ. But that wasn’t all; the hypothalamus, septum, sensory motor region, and visual cortex were all enlarged — these are where emotional responses, arousal, aggression, and vision are processed. 

It may be why increased TV exposure for children under the age of three is linked to delayed language acquisition, which sets them up for years of playing catch up in school. When it comes to school, children who sit in front of the TV for two or more hours a day are more likely to have greater psychological difficulties, which include hyperactivity, emotional and behavioral problems, and social conflicts with peers in the classroom. 

[...] But aside from pleasure and practicality, reading strengthens the neural pathways like any muscle in your body. Even at a young age, children who are read to by their parents develop five enhanced reading skills, which include an advanced vocabulary, word recognition in spoken words, ability to connect written letters to spoken sounds, reading comprehension, and the fluency to read text accurately and quickly. 

Despite the benefits, it’s estimated that 42 percent of college graduates will never pick up another book after they earn their degrees. But just because their brains are technically finished developing doesn’t mean they don’t need to read any more.  A study, conducted by a team of researchers from Emory University, revealed that books can stimulate changes in how the brain is connected, which causes the reader to have lingering feelings from the story, such as a heightened sense of excitement from reading a page-turner. 

[...] “The neural changes that we found associated with physical sensation and movement systems suggest that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the protagonist, ” Berns explained. “We call that a ‘shadow activity,’ almost like a muscle memory.” 

Researchers believe this prolonged and measurable brain boost, which was found in the region associated with language and sensory motor skills, could improve brain connectivity over time. It brings using books as an escape to a whole new level.

From Raw Story.

This cartoon seemed apropos:

Here's what evolution-deniers don't seem to understand

This Raw Story article perfectly crystallizes what's wrong with those who attack the Theory of Evolution:

1. It’s just a theory
[...] Although people use “theory” in everyday conversation to mean a not necessarily proven hypothesis, this is not the case in scientific terms. A scientific theory typically means a well substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that sits above laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses. 

2. Humans are descended from monkeys
No, your great-great-great-ancestor was not a monkey. Evolution theory indicates that we have common ancestors with monkeys and apes – among the existing species, they are our closest relatives. Humans and chimpanzees share more than 90% of their genetic sequence. But this common ancestor, which roamed the earth approximately 7m years ago was neither a monkey nor a human, but an ape-like creature that recent research suggests had traits that favoured the use of tools. 

3. Natural selection is purposeful
There are many organisms that are not perfectly adapted to their environment. [...] Natural selection can only randomly favour the best of what is available, it does not purposefully turn all living organisms into one super creature.
[...] Still, selection of the best option possible has led to an amazing diversity of forms remarkably well adapted to their environments, even if not perfect. 

4. Evolution can’t explain complex organs
A common argument in favour of creationism is the evolution of the eye. A half developed eye would serve no function, so how can natural selection slowly create a functional eye in a step-wise manner? Darwin himself suggested that the eye could have had its origins in organs with different functions. Organs that allow detection of light could then have been favoured by natural selection, even if it did not provide full vision. These ideas have been proven correct many years later by researchers studying primitive light-sensing organs in animals. In molluscs like snails and segmented worms, light-sense cells spread across the body surface can tell the difference between light and dark. 

5. Religion is incompatible with evolution
It is important to make it clear that evolution is not a theory about the origin of life. It is a theory to explain how species change over time.

There is more at the source, but you get the gist.

Evolution is not disputable. It is a scientifically established fact.

Plastic Eating Bacteria Could Be Hope for the Future

If this new discovery out of Japan holds up on further testing, it could indeed be revolutionary and help make the world a better place for all species:

Scientists in Japan have discovered a strain of bacteria that can eat plastic, a finding that might help solve the world's fast-growing plastic pollution problem.

The species fully breaks down one of the most common kinds of plastic called Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It's the type often used to package bottled drinks, cosmetics and household cleaners. 

This could be really good news for the environment. Almost a third of all plastic packaging escapes collection systems and ends up in nature or clogging up infrastructure, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned. 

Source.

Our Galaxy

This new video of the Milky Way is one of the most beautiful, striking, and relaxing videos I've ever watched:

Some details:

This video takes a close look at a new image of the Milky Way released to mark the completion of the APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL). The APEX telescope in Chile has mapped the full area of the Galactic Plane visible from the southern hemisphere for the first time at submillimetre wavelengths — between infrared light and radio waves — and in finer detail than recent space-based surveys.

The APEX data, at a wavelength of 0.87 millimetres, shows up in red and the background blue image was imaged at shorter infrared wavelengths by the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope as part of the GLIMPSE survey. The fainter extended red structures come from complementary observations made by ESA's Planck satellite.

More information and download options: http://www.eso.org/public/videos/eso1...

The Human Age

A new scientific paper makes the case that we humans have so altered the planet in the past six decades that we have in fact ushered a new epoch in the history of the planet.

From The New York Times:

Welcome to the “Anthropocene” — a new epoch in our planet’s 4.5 billion year history. Thanks to the colossal changes humans have made since the mid-20th century, Earth has now entered a distinct age from the Holocene epoch, which started 11,700 years ago as the ice age thawed. 

That’s according to an argument made by a team of scientists from the Anthropocene Working Group. Scientists say an epoch ends following an event – like the asteroid that demolished the dinosaurs and ended the late Cretaceous Epoch 66 million years ago – that altered the underlying rock and sedimentary layers so significantly that its remnants can be observed across the globe. 

In a paper published Thursday in Science, the researchers presented evidence for why they think mankind’s marks over the past 65 years ushered in a new geological time period.

The article offers some examples that are worth checking out.

Cosmos

This documentary series is a must see for anyone. No matter your age, profession, or interests, you will learn something interesting from this program.

Hosted by the smart, affable, and plain spoken Neil deGrasse Tyson, the series tackles topics ranging from the origins of life here on Earth, to the creation of stars and galaxies in the universe. From discoveries like gravity, to how all species have evolved from a common ancestor.

In the first episode, I learned how dogs descended from wolves and it was fascinating. In another, I learned how our eyes and those of any creature have evolved into the highly sophisticated organs we enjoy today.

The series is based on a similar format hosted by the late great Carl Sagan in the 80s, but the improved visual effects and scientific data mean that each episode is a feast for the eyes as well.

Definitely put Cosmos on your list. You won't regret it.

Grade - Season 1: 10

The Simplicity of Evolution

I honestly cannot believe that in 2015 there are still people out there who proudly proclaim not to believe in the Theory of Evolution, but rather in Creationism, aka “Intelligent Design.”

The best reply to someone who says something that stupid to you should just be, “Please, bitch,” but here are some helpful videos in case you need more evidence to convince them (via Rawstory):

And if they’re still unconvinced, just tell them to listen to the expert, Bill Nye:

Now, if at this point they’re still trying to spew their bullshit, then just walk away. They’re a lost cause and likely are ashamed of their position but feel like they cannot change it and “evolve.”

No pun intended.

The Worsening Climate

Rawstory reports on a Telegraph article about the likelihood of an upcoming Maunder minimum between 2030 and 2040, which might result in something like a Little Ice Age for the northern hemisphere:

A study by researchers at Great Britain’s Northumbria University say that competing physical cycles within our sun will cancel each other out in the next solar cycle, resulting in a “mini Ice Age” like one that gripped the Northern Hemisphere from 1645 to 1715.

[…]

“[In the cycle between 2030 and around 2040] the two waves exactly mirror each other — peaking at the same time but in opposite hemispheres of the sun,” she explained.

“Their interaction will be disruptive, or they will nearly cancel each other,” she said. “We predict that this will lead to the properties of a ‘Maunder minimum.'”

The Maunder Minimum is the 70-year period from 1645 to 1715 when North America and Europe experienced very cold winters due to lower solar temperatures and minimal sunspot activity.

“In England during this “Little Ice Age,'” wrote the Telegraph’s Dan Hyde, “River Thames frost fairs were held. In the winter of 1683-84 the Thames froze over for seven weeks, during which it was ‘passable by foot,’ according to historical records.”

Check out the link above for a cool video explaining the phenomenon in more detail.

The Theory of Evolution

Watch as the always impressively clear and approachable Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the history of the Universe to the common mortals:

The Passage of Time

This video provides one of the coolest time lapses I’ve ever seen.  I always wonder, whenever I look at a landscape, how it must have looked a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand years ago.  This video provides a likely view:

Simply fascinating.

And the appearance/disappearance of one of the Twin Towers is pretty eerie.

Dogs and Humans

I love Bill Nye.  He’s a knowledgeable scientist who is able to explain complex topics simply and clearly and who makes a lot of sense when he speaks.

In this video he talks about dogs and breeds of dogs and ends up putting humanity in perspective.  Wonderful:

A non-polluting fuel

It appears that British scientists have figured out a way to create a synthetic fuel that doesn’t pollute at all:

Engineers in London said this week that they’ve developed a new type of synthetic vehicle fuel that’s created out of water and thin air, literally by pulling carbon molecules out of the atmosphere and recycling them.

Speaking to a conference this week put on by the British Institution of Mechanical Engineers, researchers with Air Fuel Synthesis, Ltd. said they’ve successfully married a synthetic fuel production technique that dates back to World War II with modern atmospheric carbon capture and sequestration methods.

The resulting product, they said, works in all current vehicles, can be blended with conventional fuels, and just might be a game changer for human energy and the fight against climate change if it’s ever produced on a large enough scale.

“We haven’t broken the Second Law of Thermodynamics or anything,” Air Fuel Synthesis spokesperson Graham Truscott told Raw Story. “We take carbon, we combine it with hydrogen, put it in a reactor to make methanol, then we take the methanol and put that in another reactor to make petrol. The processes of making synthetic petrol from carbon are well known and have been around for many, many years. The Germans were doing it during the Second World War. The South Africans were doing it during the apartheid years. But they were taking their carbon source from coal. We’re taking our carbon source from the atmosphere.”

That’s been a goal of many scientists over the years, and significant investment has been poured into London-based research on nanomaterials that attract carbon molecules in the atmosphere. Researchers hope that these materials will not only be able to aid in the production of carbon-neutral fuels, but could also be useful in helping prevent carbon emissions from major polluters like coal plans and oil refineries.

[…] The drawback, of course, is that the process of creating this synthetic fuel is quite energy intensive, so it doesn’t get nearly as far toward its goal of being carbon neutral if the electricity used to synthesize atmospheric carbon into gas comes from burning fossil fuel. It’s also expensive: the team only produced about five liters of their synthetic fuel, at a cost of about $1 million for the whole project. But that’s not the point, they say.

Air Fuel Synthesis thinks the tripping points of cost and efficiency can be overcome by using renewable sources to like solar and wind to drive production, and they aim to prove it by building a large commercial plant within the next two years that will turn out up to a ton of carbon neutral fuel every day. They say their first target is the motor sports industry, which could benefit from a cleaner fuel.

Fantastic news.  Hopefully, they will be able to produce this fuel economically enough and Big Oil won’t succeed in curtailing this clear threat to their bottom line.

Source.

A new hominid species?

It might have been unearthed in China:

Last week, an international group of researchers reported the discovery of fossils belonging to a strange population of hominids that lived in southwestern China as recently as 11,500 years ago, at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch. The fossils resemble modern humans in many ways but possess some unusual characteristics. The traits may be evidence that Homo sapiens were more diverse in the past—or a sign that scientists have uncovered a new species.

[… ] The most dramatic interpretation of the fossils is that they represent a newly discovered species that lived alongside modern humans in East Asia until very recently. Anthropologist Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London thinks that’s a feasible idea. In fact, the fossils could be the remains of the mysterious Denisovans, Stringer told New Scientist. Scientists discovered the Denisovans a few years ago while analyzing DNA recovered from a finger bone found in a Siberian cave that dated to 30,000 to 48,oo0 years ago. The DNA didn’t align with that of modern humans or Neanderthals, the only species known to inhabit the area at the time. Since then, scientists have been looking to match a face to the DNA. This idea will be confirmed only if the researchers manage to retrieve DNA from any of the Chinese fossils.

A less headline-worthy explanation is that these hominids were members of an early, unknown migration of H. sapiens out of Africa. (Genetic evidence indicates there were at least two migrations into Eurasia: one at 60,000 to 70,000 years ago and another at 30,000 to 40,000 years ago.) Once these people settled in East Asia, they somehow remained isolated from other human populations for thousands of years and eventually died out without leaving behind descendants. Under this scenario, the population’s unusual features suggest our species was more diverse thousands of years ago than it is today. This possibility is supported by other fossils found in Africa. Curnoe and his colleagues describe H. sapiens fossils found in East, South and North Africa, dating from 12,000 to 100,000 years ago, that possess a mix of modern and more primitive traits.

Click here for more.