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A team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has invented a fibre with digital capabilities that can sense, store, analyse, and infer activities after it’s sewn into a shirt. Yoel Fink, professor and principal investigator at the Research Laboratory of Electronics and a senior author on the study, said that these fibres enhance possibilities of uncovering the context of hidden patterns in a human body. The data, then, can be used to monitor physical performance, medical inference, and also help in the detection of diseases at an early stage.

The researchers said that the new digital fibre can be sewn into fabrics and washed at least 10 times without breaking down. The fibre was created with the help of hundreds of square silicon microscale digital chips that were placed on a platform. It was then used to create polymer fibre, which is thin and flexible and can be passed through a needle.

Researchers said that the digital fibre can store a lot of memory as they were able to write, store, and read the information on it, including a 767Kb full-colour short movie file as well as a 0.48Mb music file. Such files can be stored for two months without power, they said.

A report in MIT News quoted Fink as saying, “This work presents the first realisation of a fabric with the ability to store and process data digitally.” Fink added that this was a “new information content dimension to textiles” and allowed “fabrics to be programmed literally.”

Gabriel Loke, a PhD student at MIT and a lead author on the study, said that when the fibre was put into a shirt, one can’t feel it at all. “You wouldn’t know if it was there,” Loke said.

Loke added that digital fibre opens up several areas of opportunities and solves some of the problems of functional fibres.

Since the digital fibre can store a lot of memory, among the “crazy ideas” that struck the researchers were using it for a wedding gown that would store digital music within the weave of its fabric.

Besides, the fibre, in its memory, also includes a neural network of 1,650 connections. Now, what does that do? To explain that, the researchers sewed the fibre around the armpit of a shirt and then collected 270 minutes of surface body temperature data from the person wearing the cloth. They then analysed how these data corresponded to the different physical activities. They found that the fibre was able to determine with 96 percent accuracy what activity the person wearing it was engaged in, they said.

And this analytic power, researchers say, may well one day reach a stage where it senses and alerts people in real-time to health changes like a respiratory decline or an irregular heartbeat. For now, the fibre is controlled externally by a device, but the next step, according to researchers, is to develop a microchip that can be connected within the fibre itself.

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover Uncovers Rare Mars Rock Sample

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February 10, 2025

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NASA's Perseverance Rover Uncovers Rare Mars Rock Sample

A rock sample with previously unseen textures has been collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover during its ongoing exploration of the Jezero Crater on Mars. The sample, named “Silver Mountain,” measures 2.9 centimetres and has been described as a rare geological find. It was retrieved from an area believed to hold remnants of Mars’ deep past, offering insights into the planet’s ancient geological history. The discovery was confirmed through images captured by the rover’s Sample Caching System Camera (CacheCam).

Significance of the Silver Mountain Sample

According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the rocks in this region are considered some of the oldest found in the solar system. These formations, thought to date back to the Noachian period around 4 billion years ago, were likely brought to the surface following an ancient impact event. Scientists have suggested that such rocks could provide crucial information about Mars’ early crust and its geological evolution.

Exploring Mars’ Geological Past

As reported by Space.com, research has indicated that the Jezero Crater, where the rover has been operating since 2021, may have once hosted liquid water. Previous samples collected in the area have shown chemical traces of past water interaction, which is a key indicator in the search for potential signs of ancient microbial life. The newly acquired sample is expected to contribute valuable data regarding Mars’ environmental history.

Challenges in Returning the Samples to Earth

NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission, which aims to bring collected samples back to Earth for detailed analysis, has faced significant obstacles. Rising costs and operational complexities have led to delays, with the return timeline now pushed to at least 2040. A revised strategy is expected to be decided by 2026. Meanwhile, China has announced plans for its own Mars sample return mission, which could potentially deliver samples by 2031.

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Fossilised Bird Skull in Antarctica Sheds Light on Waterfowl Evolution

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February 10, 2025

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Fossilised Bird Skull in Antarctica Sheds Light on Waterfowl Evolution

A fossilised skull found in Antarctica has provided fresh insight into the evolution of waterfowl, with scientists reporting that it belonged to a bird that lived approximately 69 million years ago. The specimen, identified as Vegavis iaai, is considered a close relative of modern ducks and geese. Researchers state that the skull, which is nearly complete, offers the most substantial evidence yet of the bird’s classification within the waterfowl family. The discovery adds to previous findings that had suggested the species exhibited characteristics of modern avian species, such as a syrinx, the voice box used for vocalisation.

Analysis of the Fossil Skull

According to a study published in Nature, researchers led by Christopher Torres, a paleontologist at the University of the Pacific, examined the skull and highlighted several features linking it to modern waterfowl. The skull, estimated to be between 69.2 and 68.4 million years old, exhibited a toothless beak and a small upper jaw. The structure of the braincase, particularly the position of the optic lobes, was noted to be similar to those of present-day birds. Scientists believe these features suggest an advanced level of vision and motor coordination, potentially aiding the bird in pursuit hunting. It has been suggested that Vegavis iaai may have dived for fish in the coastal waters of Cretaceous Antarctica.

Implications for Bird Evolution

Research indicates that Antarctica may have served as a refuge for avian species during the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event around 66 million years ago. Experts propose that some early bird species could have survived the aftermath of the Chicxulub asteroid impact due to their location in the Southern Hemisphere. The skull’s characteristics reinforce theories that certain lineages of birds were already highly evolved before the mass extinction.

Debate Over Classification

Paleontologist Daniel Field from the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the study, told Science News that while the fossil is significant, uncertainties remain regarding its classification. He acknowledged that Vegavis iaai may be a modern anseriform but expressed skepticism about whether the skull fully supports this conclusion. Field pointed out that some traits identified in the study could also be shared by more primitive bird species, emphasising the need for further evidence.

The discovery contributes to ongoing research into avian evolution and the survival of birds during a period of significant environmental upheaval. While questions remain, the fossil provides a rare glimpse into bird anatomy during the late Cretaceous period.

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AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle

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6 hours ago

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February 10, 2025

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AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle

Variations in charged particles moving through the heliosphere over an 11-year solar cycle have been identified by researchers analysing data from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. Shifts in the heliospheric magnetic field and their impact on particle movement have been examined, with trends observed in antiproton and cosmic nuclei fluxes. The findings are based on 11 years of data collected by the AMS, highlighting the influence of solar modulation on cosmic rays.

Charged Particle Behaviour in the Heliosphere

According to two research papers published in Physical Review Letters, fluctuations in the heliospheric magnetic field affect the movement and interaction of charged particles within the heliosphere. These particles originate from both the sun and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) entering from beyond the solar system. The AMS has measured variations in mass and energy, revealing how these charged particles respond to solar activity.

Impact on Antiprotons and Cosmic Nuclei

The study identified trends in antiproton behaviour, showing changes in flux levels based on heliospheric conditions. Data indicate that antiproton fluxes exhibit notable temporal variations up to approximately 10 GV, with decreasing fluctuations at higher rigidity levels. Cosmic nuclei, including helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen, were also analysed, showing similar patterns in flux variations. Correlations were established between changes in solar modulation and fluctuations in cosmic nuclei fluxes.

Long-Term Observations of Solar Modulation

The AMS data set spans more than a single solar cycle, providing an opportunity to study long-term variations. Changes in the heliospheric magnetic field have been observed to influence the behaviour of GCRs, affecting their energy levels and interactions. The study’s findings contribute to a deeper understanding of cosmic ray propagation and solar activity’s role in shaping the space environment.

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