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Astronomers at NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) have discovered at least six early galaxies, massive in size, which were “dead” when the universe was about 3 billion years old. These galaxies had run out of cold hydrogen, something necessary for the formation of stars. With no fuel to form stars, the galaxies were running “empty”, NASA said.   

Lead author Kate Whitaker said that at this point in the universe — 3 billion years after the Big Bang — all galaxies should be forming lots of stars, adding that it’s the “peak epoch” of star formation. So what happened to all the cold gas in these galaxies so early on, asks Whitaker, also an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

This study of early, distant, and dead galaxies, has been published in the journal Nature and was part of the REQUIEM — Resolving QUIEscent Magnified Galaxies At High Redshift — programme. The REQUIEM team uses huge foreground galaxy clusters as natural telescopes.

It doesn’t look like these kinds of dead galaxies rejuvenate even after later minor mergers and accretions of nearby small galaxies and gas, NASA said. Eleven billion years later, when analysed in the present-day universe, these compact galaxies are thought to have evolved to be larger but are still “dead”, for they form no stars now. 

While the US space agency said that the six galaxies in question lived “fast and furious” lives and formed stars in a short time, why they ran out of cold oxygen and then stopped creating stars remains a mystery.  

Did a supermassive black hole in the galaxy’s centre turn on and heat all the gas? Whitaker said that if that is the case the gas could still be there, but it’s hot.

The next possible explanation, according to Whitaker, is that the gas could have been expelled, and now it’s being stopped from accreting back onto the galaxy. Or the galaxy just use it all up and the supply is cut off, she says, adding that these are among the questions the team will continue to explore following new observations.

This week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, we discuss the Surface Pro 8, Go 3, Duo 2, and Laptop Studio — as Microsoft sets a vision for Windows 11 hardware. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Mice now use VR headsets to help scientists study brain activity and behaviour

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December 27, 2024

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Mice now use VR headsets to help scientists study brain activity and behaviour

Innovative VR headsets have been designed for mice, enabling scientists to study brain activity in highly immersive environments. Using these headsets, researchers can observe neural responses during specific behaviours, potentially unlocking new understanding of human neurological disorders. Crafted from readily available components such as smartwatch screens and miniature lenses, these devices are seen as a breakthrough in neuroscience research, offering precise insights into how mammals interact with their surroundings.

Development and Functionality of the Headsets

According to a study published in Nature Methods, the VR headsets—known as “MouseGoggles”—are paired with a spherical treadmill that keeps the mice stationary while simulating movement. These goggles attach to the mice’s heads, displaying sharp, high-contrast visuals that mimic real-world experiences. Dr. Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, stated in a press release that prior methods using projector screens failed to engage mice effectively, but the new goggles produced significant behavioural responses, such as startled reactions to simulated predators.

Verification of the Technology

To confirm the efficacy of the MouseGoggles, researchers examined activity in two critical brain regions. The primary visual cortex revealed that the mice could perceive the projected images clearly, while the hippocampus indicated accurate mapping of virtual environments. These findings underline the potential for the technology to deepen understanding of how mammals navigate and interact with their surroundings.

Future Applications and Advancements

Dr. Chris Schaffer, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell, noted to phys.org that these headsets could transform neuroscience by enabling the study of naturalistic behaviours. Plans are underway to create lightweight versions for larger rodents like rats and to incorporate sensory elements such as smell and taste into the VR experience. This expanded capability could provide more comprehensive insights into complex decision-making processes and sensory integration.
The research team believes this technology could significantly enhance studies into conditions like Alzheimer’s, offering critical understanding of spatial navigation and memory deficits.

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How Human Activity Fuels Pandemics: Climate Change and Biodiversity at the Core

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December 27, 2024

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How Human Activity Fuels Pandemics: Climate Change and Biodiversity at the Core

The rise in pandemics has been attributed to disruptions caused by human activities to the planet’s ecosystems. Infectious diseases, which have historically resulted in significant loss of life, are appearing more frequently. This resurgence has raised concerns among experts about the factors driving this trend. Modern advancements in science, including vaccinations and antibiotics, initially seemed to have controlled these outbreaks. Yet, the occurrence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, and COVID-19 highlights the ongoing challenges.

Ecosystem Disruption and Its Role

According to a study published by researchers from the University of Adelaide, the disruption of ecosystems is central to the emergence of pandemics. Healthy ecosystems regulate diseases by maintaining natural balances, including predator-prey dynamics and vegetation growth. However, activities such as deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss have altered these balances, enabling pathogens to spread more easily. For instance, changes in climate have allowed disease-carrying mosquitoes to expand their range into previously temperate regions.

The Impact of Biodiversity Loss

Reports have indicated that biodiversity loss has created opportunities for pathogens to move from wildlife to humans. The case of vampire bats in South America is often cited, where deforestation and agricultural expansion provided new feeding grounds, leading to the spread of rabies. Similarly, the HIV virus emerged through the hunting of apes for food, eventually spreading globally. These examples underscore the link between human activity and the rise of zoonotic diseases.

The Importance of Planetary Health

Experts advocate for a “planetary health” approach, emphasising the interdependence of human health and the natural environment. This strategy aims to address fundamental drivers like climate change while also tackling immediate causes such as wildlife-human interactions. Educational institutions are increasingly integrating planetary health into their curricula to equip future leaders with tools to mitigate pandemic risks effectively.

It is widely believed that without addressing the root causes, the likelihood of future pandemics remains significant. Efforts to balance human development with ecological preservation have been suggested as key to safeguarding global health.

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Parker Solar Probe to make record-breaking Sun flyby on Christmas Eve

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16 hours ago

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December 27, 2024

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Parker Solar Probe to make record-breaking Sun flyby on Christmas Eve

The Parker Solar Probe, a mission by NASA, is set to make its closest approach to the Sun on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024. This milestone flyby is expected to occur at precisely 6:53 a.m. EST, as reported by multiple sources. The spacecraft will reach an unprecedented proximity of 6.1 million kilometers from the Sun’s surface, marking the 22nd close encounter of its mission. This approach represents a record-breaking moment in space exploration, achieved through seven Venus flybys that incrementally brought the probe closer to the Sun.

Details of the Flyby

According to mission updates from NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL), the Parker Solar Probe will travel at a staggering speed of 692,000 kilometers per hour during its journey through the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. This high-speed encounter aims to shed light on the corona’s extreme temperatures and its role in solar wind generation. The probe’s heat shield, built to endure temperatures up to 1,377 degrees Celsius, will ensure the spacecraft remains operational as it navigates the intense environment.

Updates and Tracking

While the event itself will not be broadcast live, updates will be provided through NASA’s official channels and the Parker Solar Probe mission blog. A status check from the spacecraft is expected on December 27, followed by the first telemetry data on January 1, 2025. The initial scientific findings, including data on solar activity, are anticipated by late January.

What Comes Next

This flyby is part of the probe’s seven-year mission, concluding in 2025 after a total of 24 solar encounters. Subsequent flybys in March and June 2025 will continue to gather valuable data, with decisions about the probe’s orbit to be made thereafter, as per the mission team’s updates.

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