Connect with us

Published

on

A SpaceX shipment of ants, avocados, and a human-sized robotic arm rocketed toward the International Space Station on Sunday.

The delivery — due to arrive Monday — is the company’s 23rd for NASA in just under a decade.

A recycled Falcon rocket blasted into the predawn sky from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. After hoisting the Dragon capsule, the first-stage booster landed upright on SpaceX’s newest ocean platform, named “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” SpaceX founder Elon Musk continued his tradition of naming the booster-recovery vessels in tribute to the late science fiction writer Iain Banks and his Culture series.

The Dragon is carrying more than 4,800 pounds (2,170 kilograms) of supplies and experiments, and fresh food including avocados, lemons and even ice cream for the space station’s seven astronauts.

The Girl Scouts are sending up ants, brine shrimp, and plants as test subjects, while University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists are flying up seeds from mouse-ear cress, a small flowering weed used in genetic research. Samples of concrete, solar cells, and other materials also will be subjected to weightlessness.

A Japanese start-up company’s experimental robotic arm, meanwhile, will attempt to screw items together in its orbital debut and perform other mundane chores normally done by astronauts. The first tests will be done inside the space station. Future models of Gitai’s robot will venture out into the vacuum of space to practice satellite and other repair jobs, said chief technology officer Toyotaka Kozuki.

As early as 2025, a squad of these arms could help build lunar bases and mine the moon for precious resources, he added.

SpaceX had to leave some experiments behind because of delays resulting from COVID-19.

It was the second launch attempt; Saturday’s try was foiled by stormy weather.

NASA turned to SpaceX and other US companies to deliver cargo and crews to the space station, once the space shuttle programme ended in 2011.


Continue Reading

Science

New discovery explains how gold forms in Earth’s volcanic zones!

Published

on

By

New discovery explains how gold forms in Earth's volcanic zones!

A breakthrough discovery by an international team of scientists has highlighted the role of a gold-sulfur complex in the formation of gold deposits on Earth. The study, co-authored by Adam Simon, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, was recently . It details the previously unknown conditions under which gold is transported from deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface.

Role of the Gold-Trisulfur Complex

According to the research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024), a unique gold-trisulfur complex forms under specific pressure and temperature conditions in the mantle, situated 30 to 50 miles beneath active volcanic zones. This complex, which has been debated in scientific circles, plays a significant role in the enrichment of gold in magma that travels to the surface. The findings shed light on why certain subduction zones, where tectonic plates converge, are particularly rich in gold deposits.

Volcanic Activity and Gold Deposits

The study highlights subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity is prevalent, as key areas for gold formation. These regions, including locations such as New Zealand, Japan, Alaska, and Chile, provide the ideal geological environment for magma to carry gold from the mantle to surface deposits. The researchers link the processes behind volcanic eruptions to the mechanisms that concentrate gold in these zones.

Scientific Findings and Practical Applications

The researchers developed a thermodynamic model to simulate mantle conditions and confirm the existence of the gold-trisulfur complex. This model not only validates earlier theories about gold-sulfur interactions but also provides a clearer picture of the conditions required for gold-rich mineral systems to form.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Study Reveals Genetic and Linguistic Roots of Indo-European Populations



Samsung’s Galaxy Ring 2 May Show Up Alongside Galaxy S25 Series at the Upcoming Unpacked Event

Continue Reading

Science

First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

Published

on

By

First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

Two perentie lizards, among the largest species of lizards globally, have hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking the first time this species has been bred there. Native to Australia, these carnivorous reptiles are known for their impressive size, often exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing over 40 pounds. The zoo, which is one of the few facilities outside Australia to successfully breed them, is now home to the newly hatched pair, who are being carefully monitored in a controlled environment.

First Breeding Success Highlighted by Experts

According to reports from usnews.com, the perentie lizards were bred and hatched for the first time in the facility’s history. Byron Wusstig, curator at the Los Angeles Zoo, shared with the Associated Press that achieving this milestone is a significant accomplishment for the team. These lizards, classified as Varanus giganteus, are rarely seen in zoos outside their native Australia, despite not being endangered.

Special Care for Hatchlings in Early Stages

Reports confirm that the hatchlings are thriving under close observation by the zoo’s staff. They are being kept off-exhibit in a specially managed setting to ensure their health during these crucial initial months. The lizards will eventually join the Australia section of the zoo, near the Komodo dragon habitat, where the father is currently on display.

This species is characterised by its distinct brown skin adorned with cream or yellow markings. Their diet, as stated in reports, includes turtle eggs, insects, birds, small mammals, marsupials, and other reptiles, all of which are consumed whole. As per zoo officials, this breeding success highlights the capabilities of the institution in conserving and caring for unique species, contributing to the understanding of their behaviour and needs in captivity.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Nvidia Executive Claims AI-Powered Robots in the Future Will Be Trained on Simulation, Share a Hive Mind



Study Reveals Genetic and Linguistic Roots of Indo-European Populations

Continue Reading

Science

Study Reveals Genetic and Linguistic Roots of Indo-European Populations

Published

on

By

Study Reveals Genetic and Linguistic Roots of Indo-European Populations

A comprehensive study involving 91 researchers, including Eske Willerslev from the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre at the University of Copenhagen, has provided critical insights into the genetic and linguistic origins of Indo-European populations. The findings, identify two significant migrations during the Bronze Age that contributed to the spread of steppe ancestry across the Mediterranean. The genetic research links Spanish, French and Italian populations to Bell Beaker ancestry, while Greek and Armenian populations have been connected directly to Yamnaya ancestry from the Pontic Steppe region.

Analyses of Steppe Ancestry Distribution

According to the study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, steppe ancestry in Western Europe is attributed to Bell Beaker populations, who combined their genetic profile with local Neolithic farmers. These migrations align with linguistic theories suggesting a shared origin for Italo-Celtic languages. In contrast, Greek and Armenian ancestry reflects direct Yamnaya influence, with no significant local admixture. This divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean populations aligns with the Italo-Celtic and Graeco-Armenian linguistic hypotheses.

Genomic and Strontium Isotope Studies

As per reports, the study sequenced 314 ancient genomes dated between 2,100 and 5,200 years ago from regions including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. A total dataset of 2,403 genomes was analysed, alongside 224 strontium isotope assessments to trace human mobility. Results showed active migration patterns during the Bronze Age, with non-local individuals identified in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. A notable finding was a Scandinavian individual in Cyprus, suggesting Mediterranean trade routes extended far beyond local boundaries.

Implications for Linguistic Migration Models

These findings substantiate linguistic theories connecting Italic and Celtic languages to Bell Beaker ancestry and Greek and Armenian languages to Yamnaya ancestry. The research contradicts alternative hypotheses, including Indo-Greek and Italo-Germanic models. This study provides a clearer understanding of the genetic and linguistic history of Indo-European populations, offering a vital reference for future investigations into ancient human migrations

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Nvidia Executive Claims AI-Powered Robots in the Future Will Be Trained on Simulation, Share a Hive Mind



Samsung’s Galaxy Ring 2 May Show Up Alongside Galaxy S25 Series at the Upcoming Unpacked Event

Continue Reading

Trending