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Whatever or whoever they are, they’re still out there. US intelligence is after them, but its upcoming report won’t deliver any full or final truth about UFOs.

The tantalising prospect of top government intel finally weighing in — after decades of conspiracy theories, TV shows, movies and winking jokes by presidents — will instead yield a more mundane reality that’s not likely to change many minds on any side of the issue.

Investigators have found no evidence the sightings are linked to aliens — but can’t deny a link either. Two officials briefed on the report due to Congress later this month say the US government cannot give a definitive explanation of aerial phenomena spotted by military pilots.

The report also doesn’t rule out that what pilots have seen may be new technologies developed by other countries. One of the officials said there is no indication the unexplained phenomena are from secret US programmes.

The officials were not authorised to discuss the information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Findings of the report were first published by The New York Times.

The report examines multiple unexplained sightings from recent years that in some cases have been captured on video of pilots exclaiming about objects flying in front of them.

Congress in December required the Director of National Intelligence to summarise and report on the US government’s knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs — better known to the public as unidentified flying objects or UFOs. The effort has included a Defense Department UAP task force established last year. The expected public release of an unclassified version of the report this month will amount to a status report, not the final word, according to one official.

A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sue Gough, declined Friday to comment on news stories about the intelligence report. She said the Pentagon’s UAP task force is “actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report, and DNI will provide the findings to Congress.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the report, said of the question at first, “It’s always a little wacky on Fridays.” But she added, “I will say that we take reports of incursions into our airspace by any aircraft — identified or unidentified — very seriously and investigate each one.”

The Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency have for decades looked into reports of aircraft or other objects in the sky flying at inexplicable speeds or trajectories.

The US government takes unidentified aerial phenomena seriously given the potential national security risk of an adversary flying novel technology over a military base or another sensitive site, or the prospect of a Russian or Chinese development exceeding current US capabilities. This also is seen by the US military as a security and safety issue, given that in many cases the pilots who reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena were conducting combat training flights.

The report’s lack of firm conclusions will likely disappoint people anticipating the report, given many Americans’ long-standing fascination with UFOs and the prospect of aliens having reached humankind. A recent story on CBS’ “60 Minutes” further bolstered interest in the government report.

Luis Elizondo, former head of the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, said the one official’s claim that there was no indicated link to secret US programs would be significant. But he called on the government to be fully transparent.

“I think that our tax dollars paid for information and data involving UFOs,” Elizondo said. “And I think it is the US government’s obligation to provide those results to the American people.”

But skeptics caution that the videos and reported sightings have plausible Earth-bound explanations. Mick West, an author, investigator and longtime skeptic of UFO sightings, said he supported the military looking into any possible incursion of US airspace, especially by an adversary.

“People are conflating this issue with the idea that these UFOs demonstrate amazing physics and possibly even aliens,” West said. “The idea that this is some kind of secret warp drive or it’s defying physics as we know it, there really isn’t any good evidence for that.”

The Pentagon last year announced a task force to investigate the issue, and the Navy in recent years created a protocol for its pilots to report any possible sightings. And lawmakers in recent years have pushed for more public disclosure.

“There’s a stigma on Capitol Hill,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told “60 Minutes” in May. “I mean, some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kind of, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I don’t think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question.”

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T Tauri Star Dimming Event: Astronomers Study Future Disappearance

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January 27, 2025

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T Tauri Star Dimming Event: Astronomers Study Future Disappearance

The bright protostar T Tauri, situated 471 light-years away in the Taurus constellation, is expected to vanish from view for decades. This dimming phenomenon, triggered by a thick disk of gas and dust surrounding its companion stars, could last up to a century. Astronomers have been observing this system, comprising three growing stars, for decades due to its unpredictable brightness variations and significant role in understanding protostellar evolution.

Great Dimming Expected in the T Tauri System

According to research accepted by The Astronomical Journal, the disk encircling T Tauri South A and B is moving into a position where it will obscure T Tauri North, the only visible star of the trio. T Tauri North’s light has already dimmed significantly since 2016, with brightness levels dropping to magnitude 12 by 2022–2023. Dr Tracy Beck from the Space Telescope Science Institute stated in an American Astronomical Society press conference that this dimming could continue for approximately 100 years due to the stars’ relative motion.

Unique Opportunity for Planetary Formation Studies

As reported by space.com, the dimming will allow astronomers to study the composition of the disk through the absorption of T Tauri North’s light at specific wavelengths. Molecules within the disk will leave distinct signatures, enabling researchers to analyse the chemical environment where planets are forming. T Tauri North’s own planet-forming disk, visible at a 28-degree tilt, offers additional insights into planetary systems similar to the Kuiper Belt in our solar system.

Amateur Astronomers Play a Key Role

Amateur astronomers, supported by the American Association of Variable Star Observers, have contributed extensively to monitoring the star’s brightness over time. As professional telescopes are often unavailable for long-term observation, these efforts will be instrumental in tracking the ongoing dimming of T Tauri North. Scientists have encouraged enthusiasts to participate in this rare astronomical event.

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Study Reveals Integration of 1,024 Silicon Quantum Dots into On-Chip Electronics

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January 27, 2025

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Study Reveals Integration of 1,024 Silicon Quantum Dots into On-Chip Electronics

Researchers have achieved a milestone in quantum computing by integrating 1,024 silicon-based quantum dots with digital and analog on-chip electronics, all operating at cryogenic temperatures below 1 Kelvin. This innovation is expected to advance the development of scalable quantum computing systems, which have long faced challenges in balancing scalability, performance, and energy efficiency. The integration method offers a pathway for overcoming technical obstacles while maintaining compatibility with standard silicon manufacturing techniques.

System Combines Quantum Dots and On-Chip Electronics

According to findings published in Nature Electronics, the research was conducted by a team at Quantum Motion in London, led by Edward J. Thomas and Virginia N. Ciriano-Tejel. The system demonstrates the potential to bridge room-temperature transistor behaviour with properties observed in cryogenic environments. Spin qubits within silicon quantum dots were leveraged for their high control fidelities and suitability for large-scale integration, as per the research paper.

Key Role of Quantum Dots and Rapid Characterisation

The quantum dots used in this system are nanoscale structures designed to trap and manipulate individual electrons. By incorporating these structures into a high-frequency analog multiplexer, the researchers enabled rapid characterisation of all 1,024 devices in less than 10 minutes. The system relied on radio-frequency reflectometry to ensure signal integrity, achieving a signal-to-noise voltage ratio exceeding 75 for an integration time of 3.18 microseconds, as detailed in the study.

Implications for Cost-Effective Quantum Technology Development

Automated machine learning tools were applied to extract parameters from the quantum dots, enabling insights into their performance and design. These tools were reported to offer a deeper understanding of device variability and the factors influencing quantum dot yields. Correlations were identified between cryogenic quantum dot performance and room-temperature transistor behaviour, presenting opportunities for more cost-effective optimisation processes.

As reported by phys.org, the researchers emphasised that the findings could reduce the cost and complexity of developing quantum technologies. Wider industry applications may benefit if pre-cryogenic methods and process monitoring tools are further refined, enabling enhanced scalability and performance in quantum computing systems.

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Climate-Driven Changes Reduce Agricultural Productivity in Central Europe

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January 27, 2025

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Climate-Driven Changes Reduce Agricultural Productivity in Central Europe

A significant portion of Central Europe’s highly productive agricultural land has already experienced a decline due to climate-driven changes, with further challenges expected in the coming decades. Shifting climate patterns have led to the expansion of dry and hot conditions unsuitable for traditional crop cultivation, resulting in a notable shift of fertile zones towards the north and west. These transformations are impacting food security and the stability of local economies, particularly in regions like Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Research Highlights Long-term Agroclimatic Changes

According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers analysed historical data, tree-ring isotope records and modern climate projections to examine agroclimatic shifts over 2,000 years. The team, led by Dr. Max Torbenson from Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, highlighted the vital role of climate in determining agricultural productivity. Dr. Torbenson noted to Phys.org that reconstructions using oak tree rings from the Czech Republic have enabled detailed analysis of historical temperature and rainfall trends, offering insights into past and future climatic conditions.

The study revealed that over half of Central Europe’s agricultural land previously classified as highly productive has already been affected. Southeastern areas, including Slovakia and Austria, have seen significant growth in very hot and dry conditions over the past 50 years. Projections suggest these patterns could worsen under high-emission scenarios, potentially jeopardising agricultural productivity across the region.

Crops and Farming Practices to Face Adaptation Challenges

As per phys.org, reports indicate that changing climatic conditions may require adjustments in crop selection and farming practices. While regions could benefit from improved conditions for grape cultivation, staple crops such as wheat and sugar beet are expected to suffer. Livestock grazing may also be impacted due to grassland degradation.

Historical comparisons by researchers have linked agroclimatic shifts to social and economic disruptions, including famine and changes in consumption habits. With rising global food demand projected to increase by over 50 percent by 2050, experts underscore the importance of strategies to mitigate climate impacts on agriculture.

Efforts to address these challenges will require careful planning, especially as large-scale land-use changes may not always be feasible despite shifting climatic suitability.

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